James sat up in his room on his bed, staring out the window. It was dark out now, and he could hear his entire family downstairs, enjoying dinner. James wasn't with them. He felt too sick to eat.

His father had weasled the truth out of him about his and Teddy's fight, much to James' distress. And now Teddy was in Harry's office, probably getting yelled at and resenting James more than he ever did before.

Twisting his fingers together, James watched the shadow of the trees sway with the wind. Merlin, he was such an idiot. And now his not-really-big-brother hated him.

Suddenly, a sharp rap came on James' door.

"Yeah?" he called out.

The door swung open, and a flash of blue poked through. Teddy.

"Go away," James choked out, already crying.

"Dad wants me to talk to you."

"Oh, so he's dad now," James said bitterly. "I thought we weren't your family."

"James-."

"Just leave me alone."

"Can we please talk," Teddy crossed the room and sat next to James on the bed. "At least let me apologize."

"For what?" James asked sullenly.

"For saying that you guys aren't really my family," Teddy said. "I've lived here basically since I was born. Of course you're my family. Of course this is my home."

James said nothing. Teddy took a deep breath before continuing.

"But, James, I had another home once. With different parents. And that got taken from me. Sometimes I wish that it hadn't. Sometimes I have a hard time accepting that. The first people to raise me were killed. I can't be okay with that."

"But then you wouldn't be here with us," James said, still crying.

"That's true," Teddy said. "But two people who loved me very much would be alive to see me grow up, turn my hair blue, become a prefect, get a girlfriend. I'm not wrong for wishing I had that."

"Well I'm not wrong for being happy to have you."

"No," Teddy said. "You're not. We're both right in our own ways. I do love you guys, James. I'm happy to be part of this family. Sometimes I'm just sad I never got to be part of my other one. Does that make sense?"

"I guess," James sniffed, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

"So can I be your big brother again?" Teddy asked tentatively.

James simply flung himself at Teddy, wrapping him in a hug. Teddy responded in kind, his arm engulfing James in a warm embrace.

"I'm sorry for being so angry," James said, his voice muffled by Teddy's chest, which his face was pressed up against.

"It's okay," Teddy said. "We probably should have had this talk sooner."

"And what about Victoire?" James pulled away.

"What about Victoire?"

"Are you sorry you didn't tell me you two were dating?"

Teddy shrugged, "We didn't want you to be upset. But we should've realized that shocking you with a secret would've been worse than just talking to you."

"Do you love her?" James asked curiously.

Teddy laughed, "Yes, I think so. But I haven't told her yet, so you can't either."

"Why haven't you told her yet?"

"Time and place, James."

"Oh."

"Have you had dinner?" Teddy asked.

James shook his head.

"Well I'm heading down to eat," Teddy stood up and extended his hand. "Wanna come?"

His stomach ache mysteriously replaced by ravenous hunger, James gratefully accepted Teddy's offer and headed downstairs to eat with him. They found the entire family in the middle of a chicken dinner.

"Where you been?" Uncle Ron asked through a mouthful of peas.

"Don't talk with your mouthful," Grandma Weasley and Aunt Hermione snapped in harmony.

"Sorry."

"We were just having a family meeting," Harry came up behind his two sons.

"Without me?" Lily asked dejectedly.

"We can have a meeting later with you, sweetheart," Harry offered.

Lily wrinkled her nose, "No. That sounds boring."

"Alright then."

Harry took his seat at the head of the table while James sat in between Fred and Albus. Albus looked at his brother curiously.

"Have you been crying?"

"No," James said defensively. "I don't cry. Only you cry."

"That's not true," Albus protested. "Mom, tell him I don't cry."

"You do so cry," Lily interjected. "All the time, actually."

"No I don't!"

"Do to!"

"Do not!"

"Do to!"

"Lily," Ginny interrupted, "your brother is allowed to cry. Albus, there's nothing wrong with crying. You're very sensitive. It's one of the best things about you."

Albus stuck his tongue out at his sister who responded in kind.

"So, James," Uncle George called out from across the table, "I heard you've been getting into all sorts of mischief at school."

"Oh, um," James blushed.

"It's a good thing!" Uncle George reassured him. "You know, when I was your age, me and my brother used to fill these ink sacks-."

"Don't give them any ideas," Aunt Angelina broke in, nodding towards Fred and Roxanne, who were leaning forward eagerly in their seats. "The last thing we need is another toilet seat."

"Aw, don't worry, mum," Fred said. "Dad only asked for one."

Aunt Angelina turned to Uncle George, "You asked for the toilet seat?"

Uncle George grinned sheepishly, "It's tradition."

Aunt Angelina simply shook her head.

"Twins," she muttered under her breath.

At that moment, Kreacher came out of the kitchen, carrying an enormous dish of pudding. His skinny legs trembled under its weight, earning a sympathetic 'tsk' from Aunt Hermione.

"Would you like some help with that, Kreacher?"

Kreacher glared angrily, "Would one of the masters be so kind as to give Kreacher permission to throw the dish at the Mrs. Weasely? Offering to help old Kreacher. Such shame Kreacher has never known!"

"No throwing anything Kreacher," Ginny said quickly, seeing the devilish looks on James and Lily's faces. "Just put it on the table please."

"As Madame wishes," Kreacher grumbled, setting the dish down.

"Kreacher, why don't you go look in the mirror in shame?" James suggested helpfully.

"Yes," Kreacher said, rubbing his hands together with glee. "Kreacher will go think about what a failure he is for being a free elf and how much shame he brings upon his beloved family. Kreacher will wish his head was mounted. Thank you, young master, for your suggestion."

And with that, Kreacher disappeared with a resounding 'pop'.

"Why do you do that to him?" Aunt Hermione asked with annoyance.

"It makes him happy to sulk," James said defensively. "He's not hurting himself."

"Your aunt's right," Harry interjected. "Stop ordering Kreacher to wallow."

"But Dad-."

"He already washes your socks, which I'm sure causes him sufficient misery," Harry interrupted.

"I was reading the most fascinating article about socks," Uncle Percy broke in, excited to finally talk about something which interested him.

"How can socks be interesting?" Uncle Bill asked skeptically.

"Sometimes they have fun patterns!" Lucy volunteered helpfully.

Uncle George perked up, "You know, I had a pair of socks that, when you put your ankles together, looked like Merlin's saggy-."

"George!" Grandma Weasley broke in.

"Sorry, mum."

"Doesn't anyone want to know what I read about socks?" Uncle Percy asked in frustration.

His wife, James' Aunt Audrey, put a gentle hand on his arm, "I don't think they're interested, dear."

"We're definitely not," Uncle Charlie called out from the end of the table, and the conversation finally turned to something more interesting, much to Uncle Percy's disappointment, for he really did want to share what he had learned about socks.


Hey, guys! This story recently underwent revision, so please let me know if you like it so I can adjust the direction if necessary. Comments are a writer's fuel! Thank you!

- Cecelia