Storm

James- 4 Albus- 3 Lily- 1

Boom! Another bang of thunder shook the sky, a strike of lightning soon following.

For most families living in England, their homes were quiet, peaceful and most were asleep, but not the Potter home.

The thunder and lightning storm had been going on for a few hours now, and little James, Albus and Lily Potter were having trouble falling to sleep. Although, 'trouble' was a huge understatement.

"I scared!" Albus exclaimed for what had to have been the hundredth time that night.

"I know, honey." Ginny cooed to her little son who was currently cuddled in her lap. "But the thunder can't hurt you."

"Yes it can!" James exclaimed, his eyes full of fear. He was nestled between his parents, for both their arms were already full; Harry with baby Lily and Ginny with Albus.

"No, you're going to be just fine." Ginny pressed a kiss to her oldest sons temple. "Daddy and I are here."

"You gonna kill the bad guys?" James' innocent eyes bore into those of his parents.

"You're safe." Harry told him. "Why don't you try and get some sleep?"

"No sweep!" James exclaimed, suddenly looking terrified. "No sweep!"

"It's okay." Ginny lifted a hand to rub his back. "You don't have to go to sleep." James rested his head on Ginny's arm and sat quietly, his little eyes closed.

Ginny looked over at her husband and they shared a tired look, they knew the night would be a long one.

-half an hour later-

Not much had changed for the Potter family. Outside, the storm still raged and inside the young family all sat together in the nice warm bed.

James had switched positions, which was the only change. He now laid his head on his mother's legs, and his little feet rested on his fathers legs.

Both Harry and Ginny had to make an effort to stay awake. Lily was sleeping on and off, same as Albus, but James had kept stubbornly awake. Just as they'd think he was asleep, a crash of thunder would cause him to shriek in fear.

Both Harry and Ginny knew tomorrow would be a bad day if the storm didn't die down soon.

-An Hour Later-

"I'm hungwy," James whined and Ginny sighed.

"It's time to go sleepy." Harry cooed to James, who had now sat up.

"No! Hungwy!" James exclaimed.

"Me hungy too!" Albus suddenly exclaimed and both parents groaned.

"No," Harry spoke soothingly. "We already ate dinner."

"I hungwy!" James exclaimed again and he bounced on the bed. Harry and Ginny exchanged a look.

"Okay," Harry sighed. "I'll go get a snack."

"Yay!" James exclaimed happily.

Harry climbed out of the bed, adjusted Lily in his arms, before he started to walk to the door of the room.

"Don't weave!" James suddenly shrieked. Harry turned around in confusion.

"I'm gonna go get a snack." Harry told his oldest son.

"You can't weave me!" James shrieked again. "Is scary!"

"Mummy's gonna stay with you." Harry told him. "She'll keep you safe.

"No! You!" James' little blue eyes filled with tears and his lower lip quivered. Harry felt his heart melt at the completely terrified look on James' face. Ginny, sensing he needed help, quickly jumped to action.

"How about we all go down stairs and eat a snack in front of the fireplace?" Ginny suggested a smile, and she smoothed the hair on James' head.

"Do you like that idea, Jamie?" Harry asked as he gave Ginny a loving, grateful smile.

"Uh-huh." James hiccupped and he rubbed his nose and his sleeve.

"Alright, little one." Ginny kissed his ruffled head, before she scooped him into her arms and held both her boys close. "Let's go."

Ginny followed Harry down to the main floor, but when he stopped in the kitchen, Ginny continued onto the living room.

"Daddy!" James whined. "I need Daddy!"

"Oh he'll be right back." Ginny cooed to James as she plopped onto the big couch and let both Albus and James slip out of her lap, one seated on both sides of her and their little bodies were rested against her.

A few minutes passed before Harry returned with a small tray of food. There were goldfish crackers, red grapes, cinnamon graham crackers and milk bottles for each kid and two cups of milk; all 5 of which were warm.

"It's a feast." Ginny chuckled at the same time James exclaimed,

"Daddy!"

"Hey mate," Harry smiled at his wife and two sons. "I'll start a fire and then we can dig in."

"Here," Ginny stood up and grabbed the tray from Harry's grasp and set it on the coffee table, before grabbing Lily too.

Harry quickly started up a fire and then sat next to James on the couch.

"Daddy!" James shrieked again and he jumped into his fathers lap.

"Are you ready to eat, Jamie?" Harry asked his son as he burrowed into his father's embrace.

"Uh-huh." James nodded his head. "Fishies."

"Yep." Harry smiled and he reached for the fun snack.

Some time later, the snack had been eaten and the small Potter family were back upstairs, settling back into Harry and Ginny's bed, the storm still strong.

"I can't sweep," James whined when they were all situated.

Both Harry and Ginny lay on their sides of the bed with all three little children between them.

"How about I tell you a story." Harry suggested into the darkness.

"Okay," James yawned and Harry couldn't help but smile.

"Well, once upon a time…"

Twenty minutes later and little James, Albus and Lily Potter were off in dreamland and Harry and Ginny were gratefully on their way.

-finished-