The Hufflepuff common room was a mismatched array of various shades of yellow and gold, with lush plants adorning practically every spare nook and cranny. On the walls hung tapestries featuring badgers and scenes of woodland magic, fairies flitting in and out of trees, while centaurs looked on serenely.
James sat across from his cousin at a small table near the back of the room. They sat under a shelf overflowing with worn books and, bizarrely, several empty gilded birdcages. Normally, James would have asked about them, but staring at his seething cousin, he found that any hint of curiosity had been knocked out of him.
Alice and Jerry were gone. Teddy had sent them away. James didn't know why whatever Teddy had to say to him couldn't be said in front of his friends, they were going to find out one way or another. But he hadn't wanted to upset Teddy further, so holding his tongue, James had followed his brother to the back of the Hufflepuff common space without so much as a word.
The two of them had been sitting quietly for what felt like an eternity when Teddy finally spoke, "James, what the hell is going on? I get a panicked message from Dominique that you're on the warpath and you show up in the Hufflepuff common room, which you aren't even supposed to know the location of, let alone how to enter."
James looked at his feet, "Sorry, Teddy. It's just that Dominique told me that-."
"I'm aware of what Dominique told you. And it's, quite frankly, none of your business," Teddy interrupted.
"How is it not my business?" James asked furiously, a sense of outrage empowering him. "You're my brother."
"I am not your brother," Teddy hissed. "Will you stop saying that?"
James' voice began to rise, "You are so my brother! I don't care what you, or Slughorn, or anyone else says. You're my big brother and you should tell me big things when they happen!"
"James, I want you to listen to me very carefully," Teddy said in a cool and measured tone, standing slowly, "We are not brothers. No matter what Mr. Potter led you to believe."
"He's not Mr. Potter, he's your dad!" James felt hot tears brimming behind his eyes and fought to keep them down.
Teddy glared furiously at James, "Mr. Potter is not my dad! My dad is dead!"
Despite his best efforts to contain them, James' tears began to flow freely, "You said we were brothers. You said we were family. You promised!"
"Maybe I don't want to be a part of your family anymore!" Teddy snapped.
"Why don't you die and go join your real family then?" James screamed wildly, jumping up from his chair. "If you hate being a part of ours so much!"
Teddy recoiled like a wounded animal, the color draining from his cheeks, and his face crumpling inward. James' vision was too blurred by his tears and the shade of red which seemed to cloud his vision to notice.
"You said you were my big brother. You promised! But you lied! And I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate yo-."
"Shut up!" Teddy roared, his entire body turning crimson, his hair taking on the appearance of angry flames.
James stared at Teddy in horror. Taking in the look on James' face, Teddy quickly regained himself and looked around the room.
"Oh, Merlin," he whispered.
The entire Hufflepuff common room was staring at James and Teddy, their eyes wide. They had clearly been listening for the better part of the conversation. James felt his face turn bright red as he looked up to Teddy.
Teddy looked down at James, his face expressionless and his voice monotone, "I think it's time for you to go."
"But-."
"You have to go now," Teddy pulled James along by his arm towards the door. He gently nudged James into the hallway, and gave him one last distant look. "Don't come back, okay? You can't come back here."
"Teddy-."
It was too late. The portrait swung shut leaving James standing alone, stunned and full of rage and regret.
The stream of tears was beginning to slow as James stood sniffling, paralyzed by shock and unable to move. A pair of arms gently wrapped around him from behind.
"Don't be upset, Jamie," Victoire said softly, holding James close. "I wanted to tell you, I really did. But Teddy thought it would be a good idea to keep it quiet."
James shrugged off his cousin and angrily wiped the tears from his face. "He should have told me. You should have told me."
"We just didn't want to upset you."
"Why would I be upset? I don't care if you two date. I care if you don't tell me."
Victoire looked taken aback, "You don't mind that I'm dating Teddy?"
"No," James shook his head. "Why do you think I would mind?"
"I just didn't want you to feel like I was stealing Teddy away from you. You've always been so close."
James glared at the floor, "We're clearly not that close. Teddy hates me."
"No he doesn't."
"Well I hate him."
Victoire reached out and pulled James into another hug, "You shouldn't hate Teddy. He's trying his best."
The tears began to flow once again as Victoire squeezed James evan tighter, "He doesn't want to be part of our family. He said he isn't my brother anymore."
"He said that?" Victoire pushed James back and looked him in the eye.
James nodded, sniffling deeply.
Victoire sighed, "He shouldn't have said that, Jamie. I'll talk to him."
"It doesn't matter. He doesn't care."
"Don't say that, Jamie. I know he does," Victoire reassured him.
"How?"
"He tells me so. Trust me, Jamie. Teddy loves you very much. He's just going through some stuff. Go easy on him."
James didn't say anything. Instead he simply turned and walked away. He didn't stop until he'd gotten to the Gryffindor Common room.
Alice and Jerry were waiting on the couch and immediately sprung to their feet as soon as James walked in.
"What happened?" Jerry asked breathlessly. "Are you crying?"
"No," James said with hostility. "Why would I be crying?"
Jerry recoiled almost instantly.
"Are you okay?" Alice eyed James wearily.
"Yeah," James said. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Alice studied James carefully, "You sure?"
James nodded, turning away so she wouldn't see the look on his face.
