James likes to track his brother. Just the thought of being one step ahead of Albi and his Slytherin pranks is exhilarating. The Marauder’s Map can give him that feeling, and it has.
(“Watch your brother and Scorpius for me, Jamie,” Dad had said this past summer while reluctantly handing over the parchment. “Keep them out of trouble.” Dad’s voice had betrayed him as his words fell heavy with a tone of exasperation. Still, he was actively trying to suppress a smile.)
Ever since Dad married Draco, James had felt a little off-kilter. The addition of a step-father and a step-brother didn’t feel real at the time. He fiercely protested the marriage at first, but now, five months later, James is beginning to feel a twinge of protectiveness towards his new family members.
James looks at the Map, searching for the small wandering footprints labeled Albus Severus Potter.
(“Albus Severus? What kind of name is that?” James had asked Mum after Albi was born. Mum had merely chuckled and rolled her eyes while subtly pointing to his father.)
There is heavy foot traffic in front of the abandoned third-floor Charms classroom, James notices with annoyance. The names are clumped together, and the footprints have begun to overlap in a circular formation. After a careful scan, James deduces that Albi’s name is not within the throng of people, but his heart stops when he sees Scorp’s name.
Scorp’s footsteps lie in the circle’s center, unmoving. James knows Scorp gets taunted in the halls due to his parentage, but Albi is always there to diffuse the situation before it escalates. Albi is not there today.
James feels his heart spike as he pushes aside the scarlet drapings around his bed. He barely feels his feet hit the ground, and he sprints out of the common room and slams the Gryffindor portrait shut (much to her squawk of displeasure).
By the time James arrives, the corridor is overrun with students. He pushes through the crowd, practically climbing over others to get to Scorp.
Scorp is facing away from him, but James can tell his back is tense with fear. Jeremy Smith stands across from him with his face drawn down in a sneer. James is by Scorp’s side and roughly pushes Smith back within a second.
“The fuck, Potter?” Smith scowls as he regains his balance.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” James asks as he lets the fury he feels fill his eyes. Smith laughs, which only enrages him further.
“Just teaching this Death Eater spawn a lesson—”
“That’s my brother.” James snarls and pushes Smith back again as he tries to take another step forward. When he opens his mouth to retort, James cuts in once again. “Do you know who my father is?”
Smith clamps his mouth shut and automatically steps back. James ignores the spark of triumph and turns to the crowd.
“Clear out, all of you!” The students move in a rush, and Smith almost tramples a third-year girl to get away. James then turns towards Scorp, whose shoulders have slumped. His arms are drawn around himself as if creating a barrier from the outside world.
James drops on one knee and places his hand on Scorp’s shoulder. “You alright, bud?”
Scorp’s eyes dart elsewhere, and he chews on his bottom lip in contemplation. After a minute, he speaks up. “You didn’t have to do that.”
James stands up and laughs, drawing Scorp into a hug. “We’re family now, little man,” James says, ruffling his little brother’s pristine hair like he’s done to Albi many times before. “We’re a team.”
Thank you @moonstruckwytch for the beta!
Written for @drarrymicrofic prompt: Teamwork
