Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: DADA (Write about protection; prompts - teddy bear, flood and plug) and the Connect the Weasleys Challenge: James/Lily - listen

How to Protect a Firecracker

"Jamie, what's Hogwarts like?"

"It's amazing Lils, you'll love it there. The Professors are great – although Professor Flips can get kinda annoying at times. And you can do magic whenever you want!"

"Cool! ...Jamie?"

"Yeah Lils?"

"Nothing bad happens there anymore right? Not like when Mummy and Daddy and Aunt Hermione and Uncle Ron were there? Right?"

"Of course not Lils. And even if anything does happen, I'll always protect you."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

LPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLP

"Jamie?"

"Mmpf. Lils? What time is it?"

"2am."

"2 am?! What in the name of Merlin are you doing awake?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"Why not?"

"I'm scared."

"What of? I didn't think you got scared at Hogwarts anymore?"

"I'm not scared about that. I'm scared for Dad on his mission."

"Oh."

"Jamie? Can I sleep with you?"

*sigh*

"Please? Just for tonight?"

"Ok, but you have to leave before the others wake up. Jack has some issue with girls in the

dorm."

"Thanks Jamie, you're the best brother ever!"

"…"

"…"

"Lils, is that a teddy bear?!"

"Of course! I never sleep without him. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. Just remember to take him out in the morning. The boys really don't need to see that

in my bed."

"Ok. Night Jamie."

"Night Lils.

LPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLP

"James, are you sure this is ethical?"

"What's unethical about protecting our little sister from guys that will hurt her?"

"Nothing. It's the way we're doing it that's the problem."

"Oh, so you think that it would be better just to wait until some idiot leaves her in a flood of

tears and then say 'I told you so'?"

"No! But if we just spoke to her about being careful –"

"Albus, have you seen her lately?! Our sister is a firecracker, she'd blow our heads off if we so much as suggested that she couldn't handle herself."

"And threatening to kill any guy who so much as looks at her the wrong way is not going to get us blown up when she finds out?"

"There's less of a chance, yes."

"Fine. On your head be it."

LPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLP

"I can't believe you did that! Did you seriously think you could keep every guy away from me?"

"Lily –"

"You know what, Lysander asked me out the other day, and I said yes, so there!"

"Lily!"

"Because you have absolutely no right to do that to me! You're not even at Hogwarts anymore!"

"Lily Luna Potter! I did it to protect you!"

"I don't need your protection James Potter."

"Ouch. What happened to Jamie? Anyway, I did it because I didn't want some moron to use you and hurt you. I promised to protect you, remember?"

"James, that was when I was eleven, and afraid of monsters in the dark and another Dark Lord. I didn't mean to protect me from getting dumped. It happens to every girl, it's a part of growing up."

"I know that Lily. But you're my little sister, and I don't like seeing you get hurt."

"Yeah, well, it's gonna happen. But for the record, thanks Jamie."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I like it. And just for the record, Lysander passed the test. I really hope he makes you happy Lils. And if he doesn't –"

"I know, I know. You'll be here to protect me. But just so you know, there won't be much of him left if he does hurt me."

"That's our little firecracker. Now come on, Grandpa was saying something about a new plug –"

"You are honestly just as bad as him. And Jamie?"

"Yeah Lils?"

"I love you. Keep on protecting me?"

"Love you too. Always."