James has always been sort of a prankster, a nosy brat, but he's never gotten very good at tempering his reactions. Things come unfiltered, too-honest, colored by his perceptions -- and maybe that's why it's easier to just focus on leaning in and shooting forward when Scorpius takes off. A broomstick race is a lot easier to handle than his brother's personal relationships: they're less sticky, less tricky.

(Truth be told, however, he considers setting the tail of the broomstick on fire, just to mess with Scorpius a little bit, but decides against it. Father would be furious.)

He doesn't hold back, though, and he's good with the broom - he'll be zooming toward that tree as quickly as possible.