"I was out with Teddy and some others," James answers lightly, shrugging one shoulder and rubbing the back of his neck. He kicks his shoes off, wincing again when they fly against the wall, before clearing his throat and shrugging again. "Shouldn't you be asleep?"

God, no. He might be headily drunk, but he needs to kick the playful tone out of his voice. It didn't help that Scorpius had been painfully civil - even pleasant to be around to the rest of the family. Ugh.