Big News

"Daddy and I have news."

James looks up from his coloring book. He has a bad feeling about this. He wishes that he could talk to Rosie about it, but she's at her Nana and Granddad Granger's house for the Christmas Eve dinner this year. Al is nearby, watching stupid little baby cartoons on the telly.

"What kind of news?" he asks warily, hazel eyes wide. If Mummy's going to tell him and Al that they need their annual checkups, James swears that he's going to run away to Rosie's house. Last time Healer Sawyer gave him a potion for his tummy that was so yucky he puked.

"Why don't we sit down?" Daddy joins Mummy on the sofa and pats the two remaining seats. "You can color and watch the rest of the show later."

Al makes a face, but obeys, and James has to say that he listens as well. That happens, he supposes, when he's curious enough.

"What kind of news?" James repeats once they're settled.

Mummy sighs. "Big news, honey."

He buries his face in his hands. Al pats his arm repeatedly, trying to get his attention. "What's wrong, Jamesie?"

"Nothing. Daddy, you're evil!"

"Why?" Daddy asks. He sounds amused, which makes James angrier. He elbows Mummy, whispering something sounding like, "How does he know where babies came from?"

Mummy shrugs.

"Because you made Mummy have another baby!"

The room's silent. James doesn't like long silences like this. Slowly, he looks up. Daddy looks like he's trying to not smile, Mummy looks half annoyed and half amused, and Al looks shocked and suspicious. James's little brother tugs at his father.

"Daddy... Daddy, Jamesie is joking, right?"

Daddy has a grim smile and shakes his head. Instantly, Al's face falls.

"Look on the bright side," Mummy tells him, with a small smile, "you're going to be a big brother!"

Al thinks this over, frowning.

"Can I hide him in the broom shed?"

James sighs. Poor little Al-baby. He'll never outgrow his stuffed dragon at this rate.

Mummy turns to him, a not-so-good look on her face. "You hid him in the broom shed when you told us that he was at Bridget's?"

Bridget's the girl next door. James personally thinks that she's very pretty. He hangs his head.

Mummy's face is as red as her face, but Daddy whispers something into her ear, kisses her, and clears his throat a bit awkwardly. "That was not very nice of you, James," he says in a disappointed voice that makes James very sad, "But never mind that; as you figured out, Mummy's pregnant."

"Again," he mumbles. "Yes, Daddy."

"Well, yes," Daddy chuckles, "It means you and Al will have a baby brother or sister. Soon we'll be finding out if he or she is a boy or a girl. You'll help us choose names-"

"I think Bridget is a nice name!" James says.

"Kimmy!" Al protests.

Mummy whacks Daddy playfully. "Clearly, they have your genes," she says with a small grin.

"My genes?"

Al lays his head on her lap before Mummy can retort. "You'll still love me even if there's a new baby," he says with a worried look, "right, Mummy? Right?"

James has a familiar urge to smack him. Mummy laughs and strokes his hair. "Of course, Al. You're still my baby."

"For now," he mutters darkly.

Daddy grins sympathetically and grabs James, tickling his feet. James howls with laughter and kicks him. "Well, Gin, he's my big boy, aren't you, James?"

"Yeah!" he sticks his tongue out at Al. "Big boys are cooler than babies!"

Before another fight between the brothers can break out, James feels himself be picked up by Daddy, piggyback-style. He throws his arms round Daddy's neck. "Giddyup, Daddy!"

Daddy laughs. "Oof, you're getting pretty heavy, Jamesie."

"Where're we going?"

"Bed."

"Daddy!"

"It's Christmas Eve," Mummy says, "Remember, Father Christmas..."

"I'm big, I don't believe in that stuff," James answers with a scowl.

Daddy winks at him as he puts him onto the bed.

"You're never too old to believe in some things, Jamesie," he says in his very-serious voice.

James watches him leave the room, and then yawns.

Maybe Daddy was right.

Yay, not a Weasley one! I love writing the Potters - especially James and Al's competition, they're so damn cute :)

Next up is Scorpius and his older sister (an OC, Megara) and then it'll be Luna and Lysander.

I know it's been a while, but please read and review, especially if you favourited/alerted, and thank you! :)