Author's Note: Hey everybody I'm back with another chapter of my favourite multichap and this chapter is particularly close to my heart because this is exactly what I was like with my little sister. I used to set up a pillow and blanket so I could sleep beside her cot. Now she's a teenage pain in my ass but she used to be adorable!

Raise a Witch or Wizard:

Write about a big brother or sister looking out for a younger sibling.

Hogwarts Assignments:

Muggle Studies - Assignment 2: Write about trying to create stability. Extra Prompts: (emotion) hope


Extra Prompts: (use at least one)

(Emotion) Hope

A Special Bond

It was safe to say that Rose was completely exhausted. Not only did she have to deal with a rampant and downright demanding toddler who was used to ruling the roost, but she now had to juggle little James and his new baby sister, Evelyn.

Little Evie was a delight compared to the nightmare James had been as a baby. Of course she still cried to be fed and stupid-o-clock in the morning but she didn't scream or fuss half as much as he had. Everyone immediately loved her and she certainly loved the attention. On returning home she had been passed from relative to relative and instead of crying for her mother, the woman who had housed her in her own body for nine months, Evie had gurgled and cooed for everyone batting her eyes like a right little flirt.

But she hadn't settled down to sleep until she was back in Rose's arms.

Now her little baby was six months old and growing fast, but James still seemed to resent the new addition to their little family. He would sulk and grumble whenever she was presented to him, ignoring her in favour of his toys.

He never seemed to go out of his way to hurt or upset her, but he vied for the attention of herself and Scorpius. As much as her husband tried to reassure her that it was a phase James would soon grow out of, Rose couldn't help but fret. She wanted her family to be happy and love each other just as much as she loved all of them.

Rose sighed as she stood at the sink. Oddly enough, being up to her elbows in hot soapy water was something she found to be quite comforting. Scorpius laughed at her for washing her dishes the muggle way, but it gave her something to keep her hands busy as she stared at the gathering dusk and allowed her mind to wander. She needed something to bring her children together.

Eventually the cries and fussing noises of the baby upstairs drew Rose from her stupor and as she looked around she realised she'd been out of it for quite a while. The dishes were all clean and the water had grown cold. As Evie cried again Rose jerked into action. Grabbing a tea towel she dried her hands and rushed through the sitting room, chucking the used towel at Scorpius who was sprawled out on the sofa fast asleep. Quickly and quietly she climbed the stairs, rounded the landing and came to a stop.

"Shh, shhh little baby, shhh."

Rose held her breath and watched, feeling a little hope stir in her chest. A sleepy little James had climbed out of his bed and toddled sluggishly across the landing into his sister's room. Rose could barely believe her eyes as the young boy, instead of kicking up a fuss, pushed his arm through the bars of her cot, pushed his face against the bars, and began to clumsily pat his sister.

Scorpius, who had been woken by the towel, came up behind Rose, and she moved to the side to let him see what was happening. Together, the parents watched as their young son found his sister's dummy and put it in her mouth. He reached across and grabbed fuzzy ducky, making sure to tuck the toy in with her. Evie quietened at the attention, and James continued to gently pat her.

"There, there," he murmured. "Sleep now, it's dark."

Rose was astounded by the care and love on his little face as he soothed Evie. She mumbled and gurgled happily, little eyelids growing heavy as she sucked on her dummy until soon enough she was back asleep.

Rose and Scorpius ducked back down the stairs as James turned, yawned, and crept back into his own room to go back to sleep. When they got to the sitting room Rose beamed at Scorpius.

"He doesn't hate her!"

"Of course he doesn't hate her," Scorpius scoffed lying back down on the sofa, "I told you. It is just a phase."


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Much Love, MaryandMerlin x