Written for Quidditch League Round 1: write about siblings

Connect the Weasleys Challenge: Teddy/James - trouble

The Trouble with Siblings

After more than 50 years as Hogwarts Healer and being a Healer in two wars, Madam Pomfrey had seen her fair share of strange injuries, along with the equally strange stories that always accompanied them. However, the case she was given today really made her test every ounce of self-control she had not to burst into laughter at poor Ted Lupin's expense. She shouldn't laugh really, Ted would be stuck in the Hospital wing for at least a week, and for it to have happened today of all days. But on the other hand…

She had been there when it had happened, and she had to say that it was the best piece of accidental magic she had ever seen. Of course, that was hardly surprising given it was the son of Harry and Ginny, the Grandson of James and namesake of Sirius. Really, the child was set up for a lifetime of mischief.

But back to the issue at hand. The Potters had been at Hogwarts for the annual memorial service to commemorate the Battle of Hogwarts and subsequent downfall of Voldemort. It was no wonder that James had gotten excited, between a rare opportunity to visit Hogwarts, the chance to see is big brother again and the need to sit still for an hour, the eight-year-old was suffering from a great deal of pent-up energy. Add the fact that the child was in a continuous state of momentum and mischief and well, he was really just a disaster waiting to happen. And really, this whole thing was Ted's fault, technically.

*Two hours earlier*

The memorial service had just ended and it was obvious that James was not the only child struggling with pent-up energy. As Madam Pomfrey rounded a corner, she came across a group of 5th-year Slytherins taunting Ted, his usually turquoise hair replaced by the red he only wore when upset or angry.

"Did you cry, Lupin? Did you cry because Mummy and Daddy got themselves killed?" Jade Zabini cooed, in an eerie impression of Bellatrix, the very woman who was the reason Ted had no mother in the first place.

"They couldn't have loved you that much, if they left you to go and fight, could they?" Sneered Charles Bulstrode, the beefy ring-leader of the little group.

"Lonely little Lupin, all on his own. No Mummy and Daddy to protect you from the big bad Slytherins now are there?" Reginald Yaxley adopted a sickly-sweet tone of mock-sympathy that made Madam Pomfrey wince. Judging by the increasingly vibrant shade of his hair, it wasn't doing much for him either.

"Lonely little Lupin, all on his own with no family. Mummy and Daddy gone, and Grandma dead too. Poor lonely little Lupin."

At this point Madam Pomfrey decided enough was enough and something had to be done before someone got hurt. Before she could do anything however, a certain 8-year-old turned the corner at the opposite end of the hallway.

"Get away from him you big bullies!" His hazel eyes flashed and his hair – already tousled as the only appropriate release of energy during the ceremony – seemed to stand on end as anger coursed through his little body. In that moment he reminded Madam Pomfrey of a teenaged Ginny, and she was very glad she was not the receiver of his anger.

"You're Potter's son. You better get back to Daddy, or they'll worry that the big bad Slytherins got you." Like his parents before him, James only seemed to become angrier at Zabini's Bellatrix-like mocking, his hands balling into fists at his sides and his body tensing, as if in anticipation of a fight.

"I'm not scared of you! And I'm not going until you say sorry to Teddy!"

"Teddy? Oh, you mean Lupin? And why would you care whether we say sorry to him or not?"

"Because he's my brother, and brothers are meant to protect each other from bullies like you."

"Brother? Surely not. His parents are dead remember?"

"So? Mum and Dad 'dopted him ages ago."

"Oh, so you're adopted Lupin? Are you sure they really wanted you, or was the Great Harry Potter just looking for more publicity since Voldemort was gone?"

Before Ted could say anything else – or before she herself could intervene – Madam Pomfrey watched in horror as the three Slytherins were thrown backwards by some invisible force, sliding down the wall and crumpling on the floor like they were nothing more than ragdolls.

"James! Why in the name of Merlin did you do that? Your parents are going to be so mad!"

"You mean our parents? Or have you decided we aren't good enough for you Lupin?" Teddy winced at the harsh tone of James' voice, but continued – perhaps foolishly – nonetheless.

"They're your parents James. They're just my Godfather and his wife."

"Who 'dopted you! Maybe you weren't listening right, but you're my brother, and brothers don't let each other get bullied."

"Listen James, they were right. You're not my real brother, and I've been stupid to pretend you were. I love you, but you're not my brother. And Harry and Ginny aren't my parents. Mum and Dad died years ago." If possible, James seemed to become even angrier, and Madam Pomfrey steeled herself for whatever happened next, knowing it likely would not be pleasant.

"Your name is Ted Remus Lupin-Potter for Merlin's sake! Me and Al and Lil and Mum and Dad don't care if we have the same blood or not, you're my brother! So stop. Being. Such. An. Ass!"

And with that James let loose the most complicated and forceful bout of accidental magic she had ever seen. As the dust settled around them, Madam Pomfrey had to bite back her laughter as she took in the sight in front of her. Ted was glaring at James from his position on the floor, sporting the hooves, ears, tail and muzzle of a donkey.

Present

Of course she had intervened at that point, before it got even nastier – although she wasn't really sure how that was possible. Sending a Patronus to Harry and Ginny to ask them to kindly collect their son from her in the Hospital Wing, she levitated Ted ahead of her, whilst dragging James by the ear, despite his load shrieks of protest.

To say Harry and Ginny were angry would be an understatement, although after their initial shock, she could tell that they were just as amused as she. And with any luck, Ted would come to that point of view too in time. Until then, she had advised the Potter's to keep their troublesome son well away from the older boy. She didn't much fancy having to return anyone else to human form in her lifetime.

A/N. Ok, I am so sorry! I have no excuse except for starting university and having no computer for the first three weeks of semester. But hopefully I can write more in the future. Anyway, let you know what you think. NG.