"Legerdemain"

"Chapter Sixteen: The One Where Harry Has Too Much to Drink"

Harry sat on the back deck, a pint glass half-filled with what appeared to be whiskey clenched in his hand. Ginny frowned. Harry wasn't a drinker. In fact, he avoided drinking at all costs because he didn't like the feeling of not being in control. Not to mention, he hated the way he acted when he was drunk. Normally, Harry was a happy and soppy drunk. Tonight, though, Ginny suspected a new kind of drunk Harry would emerge and she didn't think she was going to like this version of him.

She took a seat next to him on the wicker sofa, appraising the half-empty bottle on the coffee table and wondering what had driven him to drink. He had been silent about what had happened with Zabini and only said he would represent Albus. He had only scowled when she asked how his meeting with Draco had gone. Wrapping an arm around his shoulders, she played with the string of his Holyhead Harpies hoodie.

"You've been out here all night," Ginny said quietly.

Harry hummed in response. So, moody and brooding Harry it was.

"It's hot out tonight," Ginny commented, her fingers dropping the string in favor of running them through his hair.

He moaned, leaning closer to her. "Cooling Charm."

Ginny frowned at the obvious slur in his words. Her fingers paused and Harry turned to look at her with his glassy eyes.

"You shouldn't perform magic drunk, Harry," Ginny said with a sigh.

"Did it before I got drunked."

Ginny dropped her hand from his hair. "Do you want to talk about what's bothering you?"

Harry snorted, swirling the liquid in the tall glass before taking a large gulp. "S'not 'posed to be like this. I shouldn't be doin' it, Gin. I'm awful. I just got the job 'cause of my name. I know that. I always have known that."

"Wait, are we talking about work?"

Harry gave her an annoyed, pointed look. "I gots people under me who took bribes. I should just quit."

"Quit the DMLE?" Ginny asked, trying to follow what exactly he was talking about.

"Reed took bribes. Right under my nose. I let it happen. My son didn't think he could tell me. Did he think I was taking bribes too? Am I blind or corrupt or just bloody stupid? I mean, our kids think I'm stupid. They whisper and laugh behind my back."

Harry took another large gulp, causing Ginny to wrinkle her nose. She wrapped her fingers around his wrist to stop him from having any more. His glassy eyes looked at her, a frown etched on his face.

"S'mine!"

"Our children don't whisper and laugh behind your back," she said in a stern voice. "They are just being kids. Do you know how many times I talk to my siblings about stuff and don't tell our parents? Merlin, Harry, you've been a part of that. It's normal behavior."

Harry closed his eyes. "I'm mucking it all up, aren't I? Again? Merlin, Gin, why are you with me?"

"Because I love you," Ginny whispered, giving his wrist a squeeze. "Our kids are being normal kids. They have normal sibling relationships. They have normal relationships with us. We are a normal family."

Harry nodded, tears springing to his eyes.

"Can I have some?" Ginny asked as her hand left his wrist and wrapped around the glass. "Please?"

Harry huffed before he nodded. "Only 'cause I love you and you're beautiful and I'm kinda sorta scared of you."

Ginny chuckled as Harry turned his attention to the back garden. She quickly tugged her wand out of her pocket and vanished the liquor from the glass and replaced it with water.

"You're scared of me?" she inquired as she took a sip of water.

"Hmm… I've seen you Bat-Bogey enough people to know I shouldn't make you mad," he replied very seriously.

Ginny smiled up at him. "I would never hex you. Remember our pact?"

Harry grinned his goofy and lopsided smile as he turned his attention to her. "I forgots."

"How could you?" Ginny said in a mock-hurt tone, her hand over her heart. "We were young and you were in love with someone else when we made that pact."

Harry snorted. "I didn't love her. How many times do I have to tell you that? I've only ever loved you. She was… a distraction. Someone who didn't know me or my struggles or knew anything about me really. I think that was a bit stupid of me. You were always there, always knew everything I was going through and I never had to even say it out loud because you were just there and you just understood. I love that about you. It was always easy. I think I started noticing that before the shit hit the fan in my fourth year. We had so much fun at the World Cup and you knew all these stats and I was amazed. I thought, I thought you weren't sticking your elbow in butter anymore and you were so talkative and you never really shut up and I liked that about you. I like when you don't shut up. It makes me smile."

Ginny laughed, she couldn't help it. He was back to being adorable drunk Harry.

"I don't shut up, eh?" she asked, her eyes dancing with amusement.

Harry groaned. "No! No, I didn't mean it like that. You know that. You're taking the mickey out of me."

Ginny started to play with his hair once more. "I am, but you can continue to sing my praises to make it up to me."

Harry only smiled as he laid down onto the sofa, his long legs hanging off the armrest and his head in her lap. Ginny sat the glass down on the end table as he seemed to have forgotten he wanted to be pissed. He grinned up at her.

"Do you remember when I fell asleep in your lap the summer we spent at Grimmauld Place? We had the day off cleaning because we won game night. I had been up all night dreaming about the Department of Mysteries. You practically forced me to lay down and you ran your fingers through my hair and I was a goner."

"I do and I didn't force you to do anything! You fell asleep on me! I just awkwardly stayed there!" Ginny said, remembering vividly how she had never wanted that moment to end. She had been fourteen and so silly in love, dating the wrong boy and wishing the right boy would kiss her.

"Hmm, no, you definitely persuaded me. You had on those nice tight black leggings you always wore. I was a goner."

"Harry! Please, you didn't even know I was a girl!"

"I got morning wood. I knew it. I just didn't know it," Harry explained. "I wish I would have seen it then, that I would have seen you and not been embarrassed that you were getting me hard and being clueless as to why I was getting hard."

"Did you need a lesson? Maybe you should have gotten a more detailed talk that summer," Ginny suggested playfully.

Harry let out a bark-like laugh, his eyes sparkling under the dim lights on their back deck. "Sirius gave me the talk of all talks. Very detailed to the point I wanted to disappear into the floor."

"Apparently, you didn't listen too well if you didn't know why you were getting hard."

"I knew why but not why, you know? I spent a lot of time learning how to wank quickly and quietly that summer and year. It just got progressively worse until you started giving me the sex."

"Excuse me?" Ginny asked with a laugh.

"You were right there the entire time, making me laugh. I felt normal when I was around you," Harry admitted. "I was too stupid to even realize it. I took you for granted and I'm sorry. We could have enjoyed the sex so much sooner. I probably would have been happier, more satisfied, not so moody."

Ginny brushed his hair off his forehead, noticing it was longer than normal. She couldn't help but wonder if he was stress growing it again. Her fingers brushed along the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. She was one of the few that was allowed to touch him there as he had only let their children run their fingers along it when they were smaller.

"I remember I pined over you so badly that summer. Although, that's not much different than what I did any other summer, but you were actually friendly to me that summer."

Harry frowned. "Was I not friendly before?"

"You were, but we kind of kept to ourselves before," Ginny explained. "I was too busy embarrassing myself."

"You used to blush like the setting sun," Harry murmured, his eyes closing as she continued to play with his hair. "I loved that. I thought it was cute. See, I thought you were cute and didn't even know what that meant. I was dumb."

"You were a bit of a moron when you were a teenager," she said with a smile.

Harry grinned, his eyes still closed. "Hmm… I was. Not taking you to the Yule Ball was by far one of my biggest regrets. I should have asked you before Neville did. Fucking Neville. I should have bloody dueled him. Dress robes be damned."

Ginny laughed. Happy and joking Harry was her favorite Harry. "I should have Bat-Bogey Hexed Cho. You may have not thought she was so good looking with giant bogeys flying out of her nose."

Harry let out another bark-like laugh as his eyes flew open. "Gin! You're so bad."

"I don't like her."

"Oh, you've made that quite clear over the years," Harry said.

"She didn't treat you right. She was awful to you."

Harry shrugged. "I wasn't the best boyfriend in the world. Can you even say we were boyfriend and girlfriend? I never asked her. We went on one date after flirting for ages and we had that awful kiss. I thought kissing was the worst. I didn't understand what the hype was all about until I kissed you. Your lips were so soft and they tasted like sticky strawberries."

Ginny wrinkled her nose. "Sticky strawberries?"

"Yes! I quite miss it. You always had that sticky lipstick on all the time. It was tinted and it tasted like strawberries."

"Oh, my lip gloss?" Ginny asked with a chuckle. "I sort of forgot I used to wear that. I discovered real make up and the lip gloss was gone for good."

"I miss your strawberry lip gloss. It would stick to my lips and if I licked them, I could taste you even after you were gone," Harry explained. "I got a hard-on once in Potions the first time I realized I could taste you after you were gone. I daydreamed we were kissing and your hand slid underneath my trousers and I tried to hide myself and Hermione told me to stop acting so weird but it was my first tent in class. I never had a tent in class before, so I was pretty mortified."

"Merlin, Harry, you're so loose-lipped when you're drunk," Ginny said. "And randy."

"I'm not drunked," Harry replied. "I told you that already. And I'm always randy for you."

"Of course, you're not drunked," Ginny said. "So, what else were you thinking about that day in Potions class?"

Harry's eyes darkened. "Naughty things."

"Tell me," she insisted, running her finger down his cheek.

Harry licked his lips, a goofy smile spreading across his thin lips. "Kissing you. Touching you. You touching me."

"Touching you how?" she asked, slipping her hand down his chest and lower. "Like this?"

"Mmm, yup," he said as he tossed his head back when her hand began to knead him through his shorts. "And with your mouth."

Ginny bit her bottom lip. "Really? What was I doing with my mouth?"

"Stuff," he said.

Ginny smiled at him. "Mmhmm, well, that stuff will have to wait. You are pissed, Mr. Potter. Let's get you up to bed, yeah?"

"I'm not," he continued as he struggled to sit up. "I'm not drunked."

"All right."

Harry scrubbed his face with his hands, bending over until his head was between his knees. "I may be a little drunked. The trees are spinning."

"Let's go to bed, yeah?"

She rubbed his back, trying to soothe him. As adorable as she always found him when he was drunk, she knew he didn't like it. He didn't like how it made him feel. When he didn't move, she leaned forward to wrap her arms around him and rested her chin on his shoulder.

"It's all right," she whispered. "It's all right to have a drink once in a while."

"I don't like not being me. I don't like not being in control. I say things I normally wouldn't say when I'm pissed."

"If it makes you feel any better, they're normally very sweet things that you say," Ginny whispered in his ear.

Harry sat up straight, his upper body swaying. Ginny stood up and held her hands out to him. He took them, stumbling as he stood up. Ginny wrapped her arms around him, although she doubted that she would be able to successfully help him up the stairs. He was taller than her and definitely weighed a lot more.

"I've got you," she whispered.

"I trust you," Harry said back as they walked towards the back door. "You and Ron are the only ones I trust."

"It was sweet up until the point you brought my brother into the mix," she said with a smile, trying to keep the mood light.

"I love him, Ginny," Harry confessed. "I love him a lot. I love you a lot too so don't worry. You two are my favorite people. You two gave me a home and a family. Arguably, you give me a lot more because you give me the sex. Ron doesn't give me the sex."

Ginny narrowed her eyes and looked up at him as they stepped into the kitchen. "I bloody well hope that Ron doesn't give you the sex."

"Nope," Harry said, popping the P-sound and booping her on the nose like Lily always did. "Just you."

"You've been hanging out with Lily too much," Ginny said as they made their way through the kitchen.

"I'm so excited that she's having a baby. Can you imagine. Our baby having a baby. It seems surreal."

"She's nineteen, Harry. She's hardly a baby," Ginny told him as they stopped short of the stairs.

"She'll always be my baby," Harry murmured. "They're all my babies. I miss them being babies. It seemed easier back then."

"All right, Potter, sober up quick because if you fall, we're going to break some bones on these stairs," Ginny said as they started walking up the stairs. "Hold on tight."

"Hmm, I always hold on tight to you, Weasley," Harry replied.

"Oi, it's Potter now or did you forget we've been married for… Merlin, it's been like twenty-five years. That's a long time."

"My longest relationship," Harry replied with one of his shit-eating grins. "My second longest relationship was a day."

Harry snorted before he started laughing over his own joke. His body slammed into the wall and he nearly tumbled backwards which only had him laughing harder. Ginny forced him to sit down until he could control himself. She sat next to him on the stairs and cupped his face in her hands.

"You're a bloody menace, Potter," Ginny said as she brushed her thumbs across his cheekbones.

"I like that. I like that you're a Potter. I'm not alone anymore," Harry whispered.

"You weren't alone from the moment you and Ron sat down together on that train," Ginny whispered.

"Now who's ruining the moment by bringing up Ron?" Harry said with a grin and booped her nose again.

"Stop that," Ginny said with a laugh. "Merlin, Lily is like a permanently drunk you."

Harry sighed as he slumped against the wall. "She is. She's wonderful. She's all the best parts of me. She's going to be a brilliant mum. I only hope Krum is good to her. There's something about him that I don't like though. There's something he's not saying. I mean, who willingly associates with the Flints and Rosiers?"

"Let it go, Harry," Ginny said. "It means nothing. He's not even friends with them anymore. Besides, look at Scorpius. You can't judge a person by their last name."

"You're right. I don't understand how Scorpius is so lovely," Harry commented as he looked at Ginny. "I love them all. Vic, Riley, Scorpius. They're all my kids too. They're so perfect for all of ours. I just want that for Lily."

"When things calm down with Albus, take Ko out. Just the two of you. Get to know him."

"I should take him to a dueling competition," Harry said with a smirk.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "You're incorrigible. Get up, you lazy loaf. You need to sleep off the alcohol."

She stood up and reached for him but he placed his hands on her hips.

"Hmm, Gin, I don't want to sleep. I want to do naughty things. I want the sex."

Ginny snorted. "Oh, you do, do you?"

"Yup," he said, popping the P again with emphasis. "Lots and lots of the sex. Right now."

His hands slid up her hips to grip her breasts and Ginny snorted again.

"Are you sure you don't want me to call Ron over? Since you love him so much."

"Not like that," Harry said, kissing her neck. "Just because he has a nice arse doesn't mean I want to bugger him or something. I did slap it a few times though."

"Harry!"

"What?" he asked, looking confused. "Told you, I don't want the sex with him. I just love him. He's the bestest, but not as bestest as you. You're so pretty. He's not pretty, but you are. So pretty, Gin, with your nice skin. Great tits." He cupped her breasts with his hands and jiggled them. "I can say so because I'm your husband. I'm allowed to play too."

Ginny laughed when he tugged her shirt to reveal her stomach. "You are drunk."

"Not," he insisted. "Let's have the sex and I'll show you."

"Calling it the sex is not helping your cause," she teased, her fingers slipping into his trousers to tease his hips.

"Lots and lots of the sex," Harry continued, pulling her vest over her head so that he could drop his mouth to the swell of her breasts. "I'm gonna make you scream so loud."

Desire shot through her when his hands fumbled with the waistband of her yoga pants and tugged them down to reveal her lacy red knickers. She lifted her leg and he helped to take them off before tossing them over the railing to the floor downstairs. Merlin, she hoped none of their kids stopped by. She only shook her head when his thumbs hooked under her knickers.

"Upstairs," she said.

He stood up and the two of them stumbled up the stairs. He gently shoved her into the wall by their bedroom door, his lips crashing against hers sloppily. Even drunk and fast, his kisses made her weak in the knees. His breath tickled her skin as he peppered kisses along her jaw and then sucked the tender spot beneath her ear.

She fumbled with his belt buckle and he kicked off his shorts with ease. His hands ran up her sides. Up and up they went until his hands were underneath her armpits. She wrapped her legs around his waist without being told as he lifted her up into his arms.

A giggle escaped her lips as Harry carried her into their bedroom, kicking the door closed with his foot. He tossed her onto their bed before he climbed on over her. They hastily took off the rest of their clothing and his lips were immediately on her breasts.

He kissed each breast tenderly, trailing his tongue over a nipple again and again. When he tugged at it with his teeth, she bit her lip as she moaned and Harry lifted his head to look down at her.

"Nuh-uh, loud. I wanna make you scream."

Ginny was about to say something about that, but he dropped his lips to her stomach as he shimmied lower, letting his fingers find her. She squirmed underneath him, her nails digging into his shoulders. His fingers teased her, lips brushing against her thigh before he shifted and used his tongue.

Merlin, even pissed off his arse Harry was an amazing lover. She loved how he never rushed his own pleasure and always made sure she was ready for him. He never rushed but instead took his time. Even now he was taking his time as it built up inside of her. When she let out a low moan, he only inserted another finger and hooked them. Her hands gripped his hair as his tongue began to move the way he knew she liked it and when her moans became louder, he hooked his fingers again. She was gone within moments, his name coming out of her lips with a loud moan.

His fingers disappeared as his tongue ran along her before he was hovering over her again. He eased into her.

"I love you," he whispered before dipping down to kiss her.

When their lips parted, he rested his forehead against hers. He moved slowly, taking his time with every thrust, driving her mad. His hand slid down to circle her as he moved and it wasn't long before she could feel it building inside of her again. Harry kept up his slow pace, driving her mad with it. He was always so tender, so loving. She cried out again and only then did he finally come. He stayed inside of her for a few moments and his body rested against hers. She shifted underneath his weight on top of her, his shoulder propping himself up so he didn't completely crush her. She ran her fingers through his hair as he breathed heavily next to her.

"I love you too," she said as he kissed his forehead. "I know you're frustrated and stressed, but you're doing the best you can. I love you so damn much, Harry. Don't forget that. I will always love you from now until the end of time."

Harry eased out of her and collapsed next to her. He tugged her into his arms immediately, snuggling her close to his chest. He pressed his cheek against her head as she made herself comfortable in his arms. It wasn't long before Harry's soft snore sounded in her ears, his grip not loosening in the slightly. She closed her eyes thinking that she was the luckiest woman in the world.

Teddy had never been so happy in his entire life as when he signed the release forms for Remus to finally leave the hospital. His levels were so low that Scorpius felt confident that they would only need no more than another day to fully disappear from his body. Scorpius had said he would come over personally every six hours to test his levels to make sure they continued to drop until nothing was left. Teddy was ready to have the zero result, to have his family back to normal.

Remus seemed in good spirits to be home all day. He played with his dragons and even allowed Dora to take a few dragons and munch on their wings. Teddy leaned back on the sofa and just watched his children. He would have to do something nice for his parents, aunts and uncles, sister and brothers, grandparents, and cousins for taking care of Dora while they stayed in the hospital with Remus. But first, he knew he'd have to visit Albus first thing in the morning. He needed to be there for his little brother and reassure him that everything would be all right.

He smiled when he saw Grandmum Molly's owl pecking at his window late that afternoon with a basket of shrunken serving bowls and dishes filled to the brim with food. A small note from her said the food should tide them over for a few days.

It was earlier than normal when Dora crashed on the floor, a little drool puddle forming on the hardwood floors. Remus seemed equally tired as he rubbed his eyes with his fist. Teddy went upstairs to put Dora to bed while they waited for Scorpius to stop by to check on Remus before they all headed to bed.

Teddy rocked Dora in his arms, not wanting to place her down in her cot. It seemed like forever ago that he had put her to bed and part of him didn't want to lay her down. His heart twisted painfully in his chest as he placed her into her cot, his hand carding through her short blonde hair. He bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead before he tapped his wand onto her light machine and unicorns danced around the room. He lingered in the room for a few more moments and just watched his daughter sleep.

By the time he went back downstairs, Scorpius was already packing up his Healer bag as him and Victoire chatted happily. He could only assume the news had been good as they both smiled broadly.

"Teddy!" Victoire greeted. "Next to nothing! There's barely anything left!"

"I think when I stop in tomorrow morning, they'll be at zero," Scorpius added. "Once the fungus is finished feeding, that too should just die off as well. I'll bring by a potion for him to take tomorrow, but I think he's almost good as new."

Teddy sighed in relief. "Scorpius, I don't know how to even begin to thank you. I know everything going on has been… exhausting and awful, but you've been amazing."

Scorpius smiled as he stood up. "Your family has been so good to me over the years. I'm so happy that I met Albus and fell in love with my best friend and you've allowed me to be an uncle to your amazing kids. It was the least I could do."

"Scorpius, we're brothers," Teddy said as he crossed the room. "I didn't allow you to be anything to my kids. You are their uncle. No questions asked."

Teddy pulled Scorpius into an embrace and suddenly felt like his father. His dad was always pulling them into hugs when he became all soppy. Teddy sniffed as he patted Scorpius on the back before pulling away and holding him at arm's lengths.

"I love you, Scorpius," Teddy said.

Scorpius beamed. "I love you too, Teddy!"

When they parted, Victoire pulled Scorpius into a hug and kissed his cheek. She thanked him as well, brushing her fingers underneath her eyes as she pulled away. Scorpius hugged Remus goodbye and said he would see him in the morning.

"All right, let's get you to bed," Teddy announced as he turned his attention to a very sleepy Remus.

"I wanna sleep with you," Remus whined as he continued to rub his eye.

Teddy looked over at Victoire. They had never allowed the kids to sleep in their bed. Except Teddy didn't want to deny his son after everything he had been through. Victoire seemed to be thinking the same thing because she just nodded.

"All right, just for tonight," Teddy concluded as he opened his arms for his son to jump into them. "Then tomorrow night we go back to normal, yeah?"

Remus nodded as he jumped into Teddy's arms. They made a pit stop in Remus' room to change into pajamas before they went to the master bedroom. After changing, they all snuggled in bed together, Remus between his parents. Victoire ran her fingers through his dark hair which only caused Remus to be lulled to sleep within minutes.

Teddy laid on his side, watching as Victoire didn't cease running her fingers through their son's hair long after he had fallen asleep. He propped himself up onto his elbow and watched the two of them together, his heart clenching.

"I can't believe he's finally home," Victoire whispered. "I really thought he was going to…"

Her breath hitched in her throat as tears leaked out of her eyes. Her body trembled as her fingers stilled in Remus' hair. Teddy reached across his son to cup Victoire's cheek and rub her tears away with his thumb.

"Shh, it's all over with now," Teddy whispered. "He's home and he's safe."

"I don't know what I would have done if I had lost him," Victoire admitted. "I don't think I could have gone on."

"You don't have to worry about that anymore, Vic. He's fine."

"I feel like I'm dreaming," she admitted. "I feel like I'm going to wake up in that hospital room."

"You're not dreaming," Teddy whispered. "You're very much awake. We're home, together. Remus is fine. Everything is going to be fine."

Victoire sniffed, her hand coming up to grasp Teddy's hand in hers. "I couldn't have done this without you."

"Hey, we're in this together," Teddy said. "We're a team. Vic and Ted against the world."

Victoire smiled softly, her eyes brimming with tears.

"You know," Teddy continued. "I have a newfound appreciation for my dad."

"Yeah?"

"Oh yeah," Teddy said with a nod. "I always thought he was paranoid and a broomstick parent and just… extra a lot of the time when it came to us. Except going through what we went through with Remus, I suddenly understand him a lot better. He never wanted any of us to go through what Remus went through. He never wanted to see us in pain or hurting. It was so hard to watch Remus suffer. It nearly broke me."

"I think we've come out of this stronger," Victoire whispered. "Stronger for the kids, stronger together, stronger for ourselves."

Teddy smiled. "I think so too. Why don't you try to get some rest? I know you've been running on empty for a while."

Victoire propped herself up on her elbow. "I love you, Teddy Lupin."

"I love you, Victoire Lupin."

Teddy leaned forward to brush his lips against Victoire's in a soft and tender kiss. When they parted, they snuggled down into the blankets on either side of Remus and fell fast asleep. For once, Teddy wasn't plagued by nightmares of his son dying. No, he dreamt of a back garden filled with kids running around and laughing. He dreamt of Remus playing with Dora and faceless and unnamed siblings and cousins. For the first time in a long time, Teddy's heart felt a little lighter.

Lily sat on the sofa in Rayko's parlor waiting for him to return for the night. He and Nolan had decided to meet up with the Flints to reassure them that they had no plans to go to the DMLE to spill the beans on their illegal and dangerous potion. She chewed on the side of her thumb, the hum of the wireless on a repeat of Hidden Passions, and her mirror sitting beside her. She wouldn't hesitate to call her dad if Rayko didn't come home or at least contact her by ten. She had the meeting place written down on a little piece of parchment on the coffee table with everything that Rayko knew about the potion and parties involved.

Merlin, she wished she could have a drink. She lolled her head on the back of the sofa and her eyes studied the textured ceiling with mild interest. Maybe she should have asked Roxanne or Scorpius to sit with her or maybe she should have just insisted that they tell her father everything and arrest the Flints on the spot. She couldn't help but feel like they were being stupid just like Albus had been about Greengrass and the Inferi experiments. Their dad was knowledgeable, helpful, and would do everything in his power to make sure that none of them were ever hurt.

It was a quarter to ten when the lift opened. Lily sat up straight to see Rayko enter the flat with a busted lip and Nolan looking irritated. Jumping up from the sofa, she started towards them. Her heart beat fast in her chest as she threw her arms around Rayko, her ear pressing tightly to his chest and tears springing to her eyes.

"What happened?" she asked as she pulled back, reaching up to cup his face.

Her thumb brushed against the cut on his lip and he winced. Nolan chuckled and Lily snapped her attention to him. She scowled because she couldn't see how this was any laughing matter.

"Ko got a little worked up," Nolan supplied.

"They threatened you," Rayko whispered, his shoulders hunching over her. "They said if I told your dad or anyone in the Ministry about the potion, they would come for you."

Fear gripped Lily, her heart hammering in her chest. There was something about this entire potion situation that didn't sit well with Lily. She couldn't help but feel like there was more to the story since how could selling an illegal potion really garner that drastic of a response? There were definitely more skeletons in the closet of the Flints than Rayko and Nolan knew. That much, Lily was certain of.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you," Rayko said as he rubbed her arms. "You and the babies are the most important people in my life. I've changed and I'm not involved in that stuff anymore. I told them that. I told them I wouldn't rat them out, but they had to leave my family alone or else I was going to bury them."

"Do they know I'm pregnant?" Lily whispered.

"No, they don't," Rayko replied, his brow furrowing. "I'm not stupid, Elle."

"All right, all right. I'm just… scared, Koko, I'm really scared."

"Don't be," he whispered. "I won't let anything bad happen to you."

Lily nodded. She attempted to force a smile on her lips but failed. Instead, she grabbed him by the hand and tugged him over to the sofa to sit down. Their knees bumped against one another as she grabbed her wand off the end table.

"I'll fix your lip," she said. "I've watched my mum patch up my dad enough times over the years that I think I can do it."

She pressed the tip of her wand to his lips, his brows twitching at the contact. She muttered the healing spells under her breath that she had grown up listening to when her dad was too stubborn to go to the hospital. The split skin of his lip snapped together. She cleaned the blood off his jaw and bit her lip when she noticed the beginning stages of bruising. She didn't know how to fix that, but she had seen her grandmother patch up her dad before for bruising. Her healing skills had reached their limits.

"A little better," she whispered.

"Thank you, Elle."

Lily turned to Nolan. "Do you need patching up too?"

Nolan chuckled, shoving his hands into his trousers. "No, I wasn't bloody stupid enough to antagonize them."

"Where do we go from here?" Lily asked as she looked between them.

"Nowhere," Rayko insisted. "The best thing we can do is hope to slip into the background and not cause a stir."

Lily blinked at her boyfriend. "We should go to my dad."

"I'm not risking your life," Rayko insisted, his jaw clenching. "I'm not risking our babies."

Lily let out a small chuckle. "We'll stay in Devon with my parents until the Flints are arrested. My parents' house is a fortress. Nobody's getting in. If somehow someone did get in, they wouldn't be getting out."

"If you think that just arresting the Flints would protect our family, then you're naïve, Elle."

Lily scowled at him, flinching away from him. She clutched her wand in her lap, a frown etching itself on her face.

"I'm not naïve."

Rayko reached out and laid a hand over hers. "This goes deeper than just the Flints. This is a criminal network that involves suppliers, potioneers, and people demanding these potions be created and tested. If it's not the Flints that go after us, it will be the Rosiers or others."

"You say this potion is dangerous. You say that it shouldn't be on the streets. You won't even tell me what you did when you were high, and yet you want to just walk away? Other people could get seriously hurt!" Lily protested.

"Your life is all that matters to me," he whispered. "I prioritize you over everyone else."

Lily blinked. "My life for countless others? That doesn't seem right, Ko."

He squeezed her hand. "I love how big of a heart you have, but sometimes you have to be selfish."

"We should do what's right," she insisted. "What's right isn't always the easiest."

"I won't lose you," he said, his chest heaving. "You're the only good thing in my life. You're a breath of fresh air in this shit life I've been living. I won't lose it all."

"You're not giving my dad enough credit," Lily whispered. "You've heard about what he's done."

"How many people died in the process?" Rayko pressed.

"Ko!"

Rayko shook his head. "I'm not saying it's his fault. I'm saying that things like this, big things have causalities. Let the Aurors and DMLE figure this out on their own. They're bound to come across the potion before long. The Aurors have an entire division that deals with these sorts of crimes. They're bound to know when something new is on the black market. It's been almost a year of it in circulation."

"We could help," Lily said in a small voice.

"We're not Aurors, love. Let them take care of it in their own time. That way, we're not implicated and nobody can come after us," Rayko whispered, his hands riding up her arms before cupping her face. "Let's just slip into the background, let it go."

It didn't sit right with Lily, her stomach twisting into knots at the very thought of not talking to her dad. Rayko leaned forward, their foreheads connecting and she closed her eyes. She just had to make him see reason. Maybe they could wait a few weeks, wait until the Flints were sure they were keeping their mouths shut, and then they could go to her dad privately. She nodded her head slowly and his lips found hers.

For the first time, his kiss did not comfort her in the slightest.

Albus stood in a little room down the hallway from the courtrooms in his prison clothes but no chains. The mere act of not being stuck in Azkaban and having his wrists and ankles free was so welcoming that Albus thought he might cry. He rubbed his free wrists, his gaze on Blaise Zabini as he flipped through a folder.

"So, what's going to happen?" Albus asked.

"It won't be the full Wizengamot in session for your arraignment," Zabini explained.

He closed the folder and then reached for a bag on the floor. He tossed it at Albus. Inside was a set of dress robes and a suit to go underneath. Albus sucked in a breath. While he hated dress robes and suits, he was mildly excited to wear something other than gray stripes.

"It will be the criminal panel that will determine if there is enough evidence to warrant a trial and if they will grant bail," Zabini explained. "You'll have to stand in front of the panel and plead not guilty."

"But I caused the first explosion," Albus reasoned.

"You will enter a plea of not guilty, Potter," Zabini said. "You didn't kill anyone. You used self-defense. Merlin, I'm going to have to spend hours prepping you for trial, aren't I?"

"Is there enough evidence against me for this to actually go to trial?" Albus asked as he looped his thumbs under his prison pants. "Can you turn around to give me some privacy?"

Zabini rolled his eyes before turning around. "I would say there is enough evidence."

Albus suppressed a groan as he pushed down his pants and hauled the t-shirt over his head before getting dressed in the nicer clothing. He scowled when he realized that Zabini had given him Giuseppe Russo robes. The fucking ponce.

"Will I be granted bail?" Albus asked.

"A traditional bail, probably not. I'm going to state concerns with your safety at Azkaban and suggest that you be under strict house arrest. That would mean your fireplace would be disconnected from the Floo Network and the Ministry would send in specialists to ward your house to make it impossible for you to leave. People could come and go as they see fit."

Albus scowled. "That's not terrible."

"I would hope that it would be better than Azkaban," Zabini snapped. "Are you finished yet?"

"Give me a minute," Albus growled and hurried up getting dressed.

"You will keep your mouth shut," Zabini explained. "You will not say anything unless asked a direct question. Keep it short. Yes, no, not guilty. Do not elaborate or babble about nonsense. You never want to offer more than you have to give. If you are asked a direct question that you are unsure of how to answer without incriminating yourself, simply say I do not recall at this time. We will figure out a way to give that information without making you look guilty. Do you understand?"

Albus groaned. "I'm not a bloody moron. I know not to incriminate myself."

"Well, you did ask why you were pleading not guilty, did you not?" Zabini asked.

"I just, I was involved."

Zabini whipped around just as Albus was buttoning up his shirt. "No, you were not. Get that through your thick skull or else you will find yourself rotting in Azkaban until the end of time. If you feel and look guilty, then the Wizengamot will convict. The court of public opinion has already nailed your coffin. Don't make the Wizengamot do the same."

Albus nodded, more scared than ever that he was going to muck everything up. How was one supposed to look innocent? Should he try to look scared? Worried? A lump formed itself in his throat as he fumbled to tie his tie, his hands shaking.

"Merlin, don't be as useless as your father," Zabini snapped as he slapped Albus' hands away to tie the tie. "You Potters are more trouble than you're worth."

Albus tried to keep the scowl off his face but failed miserably. "I've been hearing a lot of people cursing the Potter name lately."

"What do you expect?" Zabini asked as he tightened the tie and then fixed the collar of his dress shirt. "Your father struts about like he's the second coming of fucking Merlin."

"My dad doesn't strut," Albus said in a low voice. "He's the most modest person I have ever met in my life."

"He seems like a pompous git," Zabini retorted as he stepped back.

"Just because he doesn't want to smile at the paparazzi or talk to reporters doesn't make him a pompous git," Albus explained as he shrugged on the suit jacket.

Zabini sneered. "He has quite a reputation of being demanding and difficult to work with."

"He runs an entire department, of course he's demanding," Albus said.

He'd defend his dad all fucking day if he had to. Nobody was going to talk badly about his dad who had given his entire life to fighting evil wizards. His dad enjoyed his privacy, and he wanted Aurors below him to care about people and do their jobs right. Albus didn't see anything wrong with that.

Zabini glanced down at his watch. "It's nearly time. Can you hurry up?"

"I'm getting dressed as fast as I can," Albus snapped.

Zabini rolled his eyes and went back to the folder on the table. Albus put the dress robes over his suit before sitting down in a chair to pull on the shiny black shoes. He wondered if his dad had footed the bill for the new outfit as he tied the laces. He had just finished when the door opened and two Ministry of Magic security guards appeared.

"Don't smile. Don't scowl," Zabini instructed. "Your father assured me that your entire family would be there in show of support and solidarity."

"Everyone?" Albus confirmed.

"That's what he said," Zabini said as he gestured for Albus to hold out his wrists.

"I just mean like immediate family or like my entire family?" Albus questioned, wincing as the cuffs tightened around his wrists.

"I didn't ask," Zabini replied. "I know the Weasley family has bred like rabbits over the years, but I don't know exactly how many of them are coming."

Albus scowled as a guard pushed him forward. "You're a damn ponce, Zabini. Merlin fuck. No wonder my dad hates your bloody guts."

Zabini smirked as he walked next to Albus down the corridor. "It's why I'm charging him twenty percent more."

Albus let out a small scoff and wondered if that was actually true. He wouldn't put it past Zabini. Albus didn't have much time to think on it as they approached the door to the courtroom. His heart pounded in his chest and he thought he might just puke. He would definitely have to aim for Zabini's leather loafers if he started to feel the bile rise. Sucking in a breath, Albus trembled as the guard opened the door.

Lights flashed as soon as Harry stepped into the Ministry of Magic for Albus' arraignment. They were surrounded by photographers, reporters, and paparazzi. Reporters shouted their names, wands shoved into their faces as they were asked for a comment. Harry tightened his grip around Ginny's hand as she took a step closer to him and bowed her head.

Next to him walked Lily and Rayko. He had his arm draped around her shoulders as she trembled in his arms. Her breaths came out in shallow huffs as she hid her tear-stained face into Rayko's suit jacket and away from the flashes of the cameras that went off around them.

Behind Harry and Ginny were Teddy and Victoire as well as James and Riley. They had all decided to walk into the Ministry of Magic as a united front, a show of support for Albus. Harry knew that the other Weasleys would be arriving shortly if they weren't already in the courtroom.

The paparazzi screamed questions at them about Albus, if they thought he was guilty or being set up, if they enjoyed having a son that was a domestic terrorist, if they were going to disown him finally. Harry's jaw clenched, his mouth wired shut as he led his family through the throng of people. His free hand twitched for his wand, prepared to send hexes if the situation spiraled out of control. He just hoped that the paparazzi had enough sense not to touch his wife or kids.

Nobody talked or gave any indication that they even heard the reporters' questions. They only continued on their march. Harry had never been happier to reach their destination before. He allowed his children to enter the courtroom first before he and Ginny filed in after them. The press was shut out of the courtroom and their deafening voices finally ceased. Harry let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

They entered the courtroom, an entire section already half filled with various Weasleys. Molly and Arthur sat near the back, Molly dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief as Arthur comforted her with his own eyes misty. Andy and Hugh Slughorn sat beside them. Ron, Hermione, Hugo, Rose, and Colin sat huddled together in front of them. George, Angelina, Freddie and his girlfriend Layla McLaggen, as well as Roxanne, sat towards the front. Bill, Fleur, Dominique, and Louis had also already arrived. Percy, Audrey, and Molly sat towards the back of the courtroom. Lucy had agreed to stay at the Burrow and watch Remus, Dora, and Henry for the morning. Even Charlie had arrived from Romania just that morning and sat next to Bill.

Harry also noted that Oliver Wood, his wife Katie (nee Bell), and their son Doyle were also there in a sign of support. Demelza and Hunter Lowe sat in the front row beside Luna and Rolf. Malfoy and Scorpius sat behind them.

Teddy and Victoire took seats closest to Bill and Fleur, while James tugged Riley along so he could sit next to Teddy. Ginny gently pulled Harry to sit down in the first row, directly in front of Teddy and James. Lily sat down next to her father with Rayko by her side.

It wasn't long before Viktor Krum and his wireless star wife Hollis Sterling walked in. They made their way to the family section, their heads held high as all eyes stared at them. Viktor stood in front of Harry, his hand outstretched.

"Harry, Ginny," he greeted.

Harry stood up and shook Viktor's hand while Ginny greeted Hollis.

"Viktor."

"I am so glad our children are together. They are perfect for each other," Viktor said as he beamed down at Lily and Rayko. "I am so happy about the baby as well."

"It was certainly a surprise," Harry replied.

"But a very velcome one," Viktor said with a large smile. "Ve are here to support your family. Anything you need, you can count on us, da?"

Harry forced a smile on his face. "Thank you, Viktor."

"Ah! Excuse me, Harry," Viktor said as he clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Ollie-ver! It is nice to see you again! Ve are becoming family! Did you hear?"

Harry shook his head and sat back down next to Ginny. He reached out and grabbed her hand into his before resting their interlocked fingers in his lap. He rubbed his thumb across her knuckles and felt her scoot closer to him. Their thighs pressed together and he felt a wave of calmness wash over him. He pressed a soft kiss to her temple as the door across from them opened and the Wizengamot panel of seven filed into the courtroom.

Harry's heart pounded in his chest when Albus entered the courtroom with his wrists in chains. He felt Ginny's grip tighten on his hand. His son didn't look up, his eyes focused on his shuffling feet as Blaise Zabini walked in beside him. Harry wanted nothing more than to pull his son into an embrace and tell him everything would be all right. Except… Harry didn't even know if that was true.

Albus sat down on a chair in the center of the room, his wrists and ankles cuffed to the chair. It was only then that he glanced over towards his family, his terrified green eyes locking with Harry's. Albus' chest heaved and Harry made a motion to stand up when Ginny shook her head and Lily snuggled into his side.

"We are here today to read the charges against Albus Severus Potter," Richard Macmillan a senior Wizengamot member, spoke. "He is here facing charges of murder, treason, and terrorism. How does the defendant plea?"

Albus looked up at the panel. "Not guilty, your honors."

Zabini cleared his throat. "Your honors, I would like to put forth a motion to dismiss the charges against the accused due to lack of evidence. There is no tangible proof that Mr. Potter was involved in the explosions in the Death Chamber of the Department of Mysteries. The only evidence that I see is hearsay. Since when does a court as distinguished as this one allow a criminal case to go forth based upon just hearsay?"

"There is more than just hearsay evidence," Macmillan said.

"Then I must request a mistrial," Zabini declared. "We have been given zero evidence besides Unspeakable Greengrass' lackluster defamation."

"The accused will stand trial," Macmillan stated.

"Then I must request that you allow my client to post bail," Zabini continued. "My client will agree to the strictest bail requirements there is. He is willing to be confined to his home in Wiltshire with the Floo Network disconnected and wards placed that he cannot pass. He will, of course, allow his wand to remain in DMLE custody."

"Mr. Zabini," Macmillan interrupted. "I know you understand the seriousness of the allegations against Mr. Potter. There will be no bail. He has already proven that he is a flight risk as he disappeared after the explosions and a wizardhunt ensued."

"There are concerns for Mr. Potter's safety in Azkaban that should be taken under consideration," Zabini plowed on, not fazed in the slightest by the denial. "His father is Harry Potter, the Vanquisher, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement who has made it his life's mission to put as many criminals behind bars as humanly possible. His own brother is an Auror. Mr. Potter has already been attacked several times within the walls of Azkaban based upon his last name alone. I beg you to reconsider. Mr. Potter is willing to cooperate with any restrictions that you deem appropriate."

"I will have to deny the bail request once more," Macmillan said. "If there are concerns for Mr. Potter's safety within Azkaban then accommodations can be made."

"Putting a wizard in solitary for months until his trial is inhumane," Zabini countered. "He has done nothing wrong but he is the one who has to spend time in solitary to avoid being assaulted in prison? His home in Wiltshire can be secured-"

"Enough! The decision has been made that bail will not be posted!" Macmillan roared. "Special treatment will not be made based upon last name in the same way it will not be made for blood status or any other outside factor. The crimes that Albus Potter are accused of do not qualify for bail!"

Zabini nodded. "I understand, your honor, and respect your decision."

Harry felt Ginny shudder against him, a sob escaping her lips. He rubbed her arm and pressed his lips to her temple. They had gone into the day knowing that Albus would more than likely be denied bail. Even though Harry knew it wasn't going to happen, he couldn't help but hold out a little glimmer of hope. He would have been willing to agree to literally anything to have Albus wait out his trial outside of Azkaban.

Albus bowed his head, his chest heaving as he listened to Macmillan outline his rights and what would happen next. Harry blocked it all out, his heart hammering in his chest as he held his crying wife and stared at his very scared son. He just wished he could make this all go away, but Harry knew it was only the beginning. It would be months of doubt and worry until Albus stood trial. Harry could only hope that Zabini would be able to get Albus off or that Malfoy would be able to figure out who the buyer was. Harry would stop at nothing to prove his son's innocence.

James downed half of his beer in one go. The muggy July air made his Holyhead Harpies t-shirt cling to his skin. He lazily had an arm around Riley's shoulders as he lounged on the back deck of his home in Devon.

Teddy and Victoire sat in separate chairs to his left. Victoire looked like a tall and lanky cat curled in a tight little ball while Teddy sprawled in his chair with a beer dangling from his fingertips.

James felt empty, useless, awful. He thought of all the times he had been a prat to Albus, all the times they had screamed at one another as they tore through the house before a fight. He should have been a better brother, a better friend, a better listener. Now, Albus was definitely standing trial for murder and treason and wasn't even allowed out on bail until the trial.

He attempted to swallow the lump that had settled in his throat, to no avail. A rustling and talking sounded from the side of the house. James sat up a little straighter, his hand sliding down to grip the smooth wood of his wand. His lips twitched as he saw Lily and her boyfriend appear. He relaxed, slumping on the sofa. Teddy must have told them about the get together.

"Where are the kids?" Lily asked as she and Rayko stepped up on the back deck.

"Fuck, Lily, you mean they're not here?" James exclaimed, his eyes wide as he looked around frantically. "It's dark out too!"

"They're upstairs sleeping," Riley supplied as she rolled her eyes. "They're having a cousins' sleepover. Teddy and Victoire are spending the night as well."

"Kids go to bed before adults," James explained. "You may need to know that before you pop out your little spawn."

"Don't be a prat, Jamie," Lily snapped.

Riley hit James in the bicep, hard. He hissed out in pain, nearly losing his grip on his beer. He bit his tongue as he took a gulp of his beer. Maybe he should play nice to Lily as well. He was just so bloody tired, mentally exhausted over everything.

"Shouldn't one of you be sober in case something happens?" Lily questioned.

Teddy smirked around his beer. "Why do you think I invited you two? It's good practice for when you pop out my niece or nephew in a few months."

Lily rolled her eyes as she plopped down on a sofa and kicked her feet up onto a coffee table. Rayko slipped inside to grab them some waters.

"Dad would have your backsides," Lily commented. "He doesn't approve of drinking around children."

"They're sleeping," James said. "Like Dad never drank after we went to bed."

"I would guess he probably never did," Teddy said. "I remember always going to the Burrow or Grandmum Andy's as a kid whenever Mum and Dad drank."

"I don't remember that," James said.

"They didn't do it often. I think as everyone got married and started having kids, nobody really drank anymore."

"Outside of Uncle George," Victoire commented. "I heard he's not dealing well with not being on speaking terms with Uncle Ron and Uncle Harry. My dad said he's slipping into his old drinking habits."

James frowned. "They seemed fine at dinner when they all ganged up on Gastrell to beat him into a bloody pulp."

"I talked to Roxanne," Lily announced as Rayko appeared on the back deck with two bottles of sparkling water. "We're fine now. I think maybe you and Freddie should make up. It might push Dad and Uncle George over the edge. Thanks, Koko."

Lily accepted the sparkling water and then curled into Rayko's side when he sat down next to her. James forced his eyes off them, not wanting to see them be disgustingly in love.

"I don't think it's a bad idea," Riley commented. "You miss Freddie. I know he misses you. Just bury the wand and talk to him."

James sucked in a breath. "I'll stop by to see him tomorrow after work."

Riley beamed at him as she ran her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes, enjoying the soothing motion.

"I can't believe they didn't allow Albus out on bail," Lily changed the subject. "I really thought he was going to be allowed to come home."

Teddy let out a small chuckle. "I didn't, not with the crimes he's being accused of. Dad warned us about it."

"Where's Scorpius?" Riley asked. "Did anyone invite him?"

"He's spending the night with his dad," Rayko supplied. "We called him before we left."

"I can't imagine what he's going through," Victoire said. "I don't know the last time he has actually been to his home. He was sleeping at the hospital for a while and now he's at his dad's."

Riley wrinkled her nose. "Merlin, I wouldn't want to stay in our home knowing Jamie wasn't there. It would be haunting."

"Would you really pull Henry away from the only home he's ever known though?" Victoire asked.

Riley sucked in a breath. "I guess not unless I knew he wouldn't be ever coming home." Riley turned to look at him. "Don't leave me, Jamie."

The lump in his throat expanded. "I would never."

"Merlin, we're a bunch of depressing people," Lily said with a huff.

"What is there to be happy about, Lily?" Teddy asked. "Everything has gone to shit."

James frowned at his older brother. He had never seen Teddy so despondent or defeated before. Merlin, their luck needed to turn around and soon before their entire family fell into a dark pit of despair.

"I'm having a baby?" Lily suggested. "Rose may be pregnant too because rumor has it she's been loose she her birth control. Hugo has a mysterious girlfriend that we should probably try to figure out who that is. Um… Auntie Luna and Uncle Rolf are back in town?"

"I know you're trying, Lily, but some of us can't be rays of sunshine all the time like you," Teddy reasoned. "You're still young and… you just don't get it."

Lily scowled. "What? Like I'm not going through anything right now? You think that I'm not stressed out and worried and upset like the rest of you? Do you know how much pressure I feel to always be the happy one?"

"Nobody is saying you always have to be the happy one, Lils," Teddy said. "I didn't mean it… look, I've appreciated everything you've done for Dora lately."

"She's my niece! She's my goddaughter! Of course, I'm going to make sure she's bloody all right!" Lily huffed, tears springing to her eyes. "Albus is right! You two are always so high and mighty and look down on us like we're just little kids still."

James sucked in a breath. "Lily, we don't."

"Everyone treats us differently," Lily continued as she stood up and wheeled around to look at James. "No wonder Albus didn't go to anyone about what was happening at the Department of Mysteries! No wonder I keep my life a secret! We're still treated like children! I can't possibly understand the magnitude of everything happening because I'm so young."

Teddy's face melted. "I didn't mean it like that, Lily, truly, I'm sorry."

Lily brushed a few stray tears off her cheeks with the back of her hand. "Albus is my best friend! I miss him and I'm so scared he's going to rot in prison!"

James and Teddy stood up at the same time, except James reached Lily first. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair and massaged her scalp like their mother always did to them when they were sick or upset as children. She trembled in his arms and he tightened his grip.

"I'm sorry, Lils," James murmured. "You're right. Ted and I are arseholes."

"Don't try to placate me!" Lily screeched and tried to wriggle out of his arms, but he only held on tighter.

"I'm not," James insisted. "Teddy and I don't tell you and Albus everything. We knew things growing up and even now that we don't tell you two. It's just… it was always Teddy and I and then you and Albus. It just became a habit, and I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, Lily, I didn't mean to undermine what you're going through," Teddy said as he wrapped his arms around Lily and James. "I haven't felt like myself lately. You've been more than wonderful and helpful. I took you for granted. We'll get through this together. The four of us. We just have to believe that."

Lily nodded and sniffed. She wiped her nose across James' t-shirt but he didn't even have the heart to yell at her. She was young and pregnant and she needed her big brothers. James was starting to think that they needed their little sister as much as she needed them.

Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter! Don't forget to drop a review! They give me inspiration, they motivate me to write, and they just make my Sundays very enjoyable!

Special thanks to Bell for editing. Special thanks to Brie for all of her advice, help, and suggestions. They are both gems!