(no subject)

[totalinterruption]

It had been a long, lazy stretch of summer so far. James knew he had to work on getting a job soon - there were spots at the Ministry, positions his dad had been nudging him into looking after for a few weeks or so now. But it was his last summer, the last time he'd get to spend time off with Albus and Lily, so the job hunt hadn't been pressing. That'll change in the fall, Harry had warned, and that had been perfectly alright with James: he was looking forward to getting his own flat and escaping from the house as quickly as he could.

"Hey," he greets, opening the door to Albus's room without so much as a knock, "grab your broom, I thought we might go flying-"

When his eyes land on Scorpius's face, the words die on his tongue.

"-what are you doing here?"

Never has there been a more accusing sentence in the English language.

Comments

[headauror]

"He was curious about a case I'd worked," Harry said, shrugging. "Nothing terribly exciting, I'm afraid."

Reaching out, Harry's hand ruffled his son's damp hair. "Think I can leave the two of you in the house alone for a while? Or do I need to Fire Call Aunt Hermione to babysit?"

[totalinterruption]

"Da," he whined as if he weren't an eighteen year old man, swatting his father's hand away. "Don't call Aunt Hermione, I've got it. I'll go to my room and leave him be, okay? I'll see you at dinner tonight."

[headauror]

"I'm going to be late again. Let Mum know for me?" Because Harry didn't fancy having to tell her himself. If James had a fiery temper, he had nothing on Ginny.

Heading for his cloak, Harry gave James one last lingering stare. "And James. Remember what we talked about."

If Harry came home to a half burnt down house just because he trusted his son to leave Malfoy alone, that would all be on him.

[totalinterruption]

James shoots him a look, eyebrows raised, that seems to suggest he knows exactly what he's doing. Throwing him right into the line of fire, huh? Well - maybe he deserves it, he figures, and scrubs his fingers through his still damp hair.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm good, you can trust me. Be safe. Love you." Shaking his head, he turns and heads into the kitchen, after some of the leftover food. Maybe he could eat and retreat into his bedroom before Scorpius finished showering.