Two of us
“But mum, everyone will have their own broom!” James yelled in the streets of diagon alley as he stared through the windows of the quidditch shop. The newest and fastest broom on the market sat in the window, a nimbus 1000.
“No darling, the first years won’t because it’s not allowed. Next year we’ll get you the newest model alright.” Euphemia said, grabbing his arms and dragging him away from the window.
Harry hardly noticed so overcome with the sights of diagon alley.
He had only been there once prior with James a few years back. Harry had gotten lost and ended up on some dark side street, some people had tried to grab him. Of course eventually his big brother came to his rescue, as he always did. Upon their return James had gotten completely chewed out.
Harry glanced around to see James gone from his side. He panicked for a moment not wanting a repeat of his first time in diagon ally, but let out a sigh of relief when he saw the tall figure of Fleamont pushing through the crowd towards him.
“Silly boy, it’s as if you are trying to be lost,” Fleamont said, shaking his head as he grabbed the nine year olds hand.
He walked with long strides to catch up to his wife and son causing little Harry to stumble on the jagged bricks of the alley floor.
Fleamont, seeing this, scooped up Harry in his arms, nuzzling his face as Harry giggled at being lifted off his feet.
Eventually they reached Ollivanders where James and Euphemia had already stepped into.
James stood in front of Ollivanders testing the wands given to him one by one.
“Any luck yet?” Fleamont quietly asked his wife, wishing not to disturb James’s choosing.
“Not a bit,” Euphemia said, humor in her voice.
Just then sparks emerged from the wand James was holding.
It made Harry ghasp.
Despite growing up in magic it was still shocking for Harry to see.
“11’ inches, mahogany, pliable, good for transfiguration. An excellent wand my boy!” Ollivander said cheerfully.
“Thank you sir!” James said, placing his money on the table. He didn’t even look at Ollivander as he said it, far too engrossed in his wand.
“Good luck at Hogwarts, and in your future endeavors” he added as James turned away.
Euphemia clapped softly and Fleamont gave James a wide Potter smile.
They finished their shopping with chipper energy, James bouncing from store to store waving his wand about.
Eventually they settled down at a nice cafe placing their large pile of new school supplies on the floor.
“Quite successful wasn’t it?” Fleamont stated.
“Very,” Euphemia said with a nod, “although I don’t think James cares for much else than his wand. Perhaps he didn’t need all the other new items.”
At that James stopped showing off to Harry and turned to face her. “You’re joking right?” He said with a blush on his face.
His mother laughed in response.
“She is joking?” He said, glancing up at his father in question.
Fleamont let out a snort before confirming, “yes she is joking. Now focus on choosing lunch and not bragging to Harry about your new wand.” At that Fleamont lifted the newspaper he was reading.
Harry giggled at James’s face flushed with embarrassment.
“It’s ok James, I think it’s super cool!” He smiled.
James grabbed him, hugging him tight, nearly pulling him off the chair he sat in. “Thank you Harebear, you always have my back don’t you.”
Harry pouted at the nickname, but still relented, hugging James back.
They soon got their food and tucked in. James chattered away, his mouth full of food, about the upcoming school year and how he so desperately wanted to be in gryffindor.
Harry nodded along, entranced by his older brother, he enthusiastically asked questions when he felt the urge.
Euphemia sat and watched her boys, sipping her tea. And Fleamont thumbed his paper, reading intensely.
“Hmmm…” Fleamont said, eyebrows furrowing.
“What is it darling?” Euphemia said, looking away from her boys who were currently flinging food at each other.
“It says here a half blood is running for minister.”
Euphemia's eyes widened, “oh really? There have been half bloods that have run before though.”
“Yes, but he seems to have quite the chance of winning. Imagine that, our first halfblood minister as a blood purest dark lord is on the rise.”
“That would be quite the day,” Euphemia said, sipping her tea. “He ought to have a good amount of security. People these days are so extreme.” She shook her head sadly.
“So what’s the man’s name then?” She questioned.
“Tom Riddle, he was a bit later than our Hogwarts days. Still doesn’t look a day over 20 though.” He said showing her the man’s photo.
In the photo he walked, head held high, chin up, like a pure blood. Around him cameras flashed, he payed no mind. Fleamont was right, he was quite handsome.
Harry leaned over the table to see, having long since gotten bored of James’s playing.
Just as he looked at the photo his head stung with a sharp burning ache.
He squinted his eyes cupping his forehead which was pulsating with pain.
“Are you alright?” James said grabbing his arms and jerking him back into his chair.
Harry attempted to nod, he knew James wouldn’t have it though.
“Harry’s ill, we must go home!” He said to their parents.
Harry tried to protest but they were quickly up and leaving the restaurant before he could say a word.
At home James sat on Harry’s bed casting worried glances at his young boy who was sleeping soundly.
“James, love, leave him be. He’ll be okay.” Euphemia said from the doorway.
James knew his little brother would be alright, he had fits like this often. But still, it always frightened him.
All he wanted to do was protect his brother, to know there was something he couldn’t protect him from. An invisible thing, a lingering curse, a sickness he couldn’t cure, mortified him.
When he was a child Euphemia and Fleamont had attempted to conceive, however, at the couple's old age all the babies were born still.
They never told James of their efforts to bring him a sibling, he could tell though. The trips to the hospital, the paind glances between them. The sobbing he heard at night.
Harry was their blessing. James was frightened that if he looked away for even a moment he’d disappear, end up like all the other lost children.
“I’ll be quite mama, can’t I stay with him?” James asked, giving Euphemia big puppy dog eyes. He only called her mama when he wanted something from her.
Euphemia sighed.
“Alright, so long as you don’t cause a ruckus.”
James nodded happily.
He flopped down onto the bed with Harry as Euphemia walked away, the boy snuggled closer. James was very happy.
—
“Are you ready love?” Euphemia asked as she fussed with James’s robes.
“Yes yes,” James said rolling his eyes, “mooommm” he whined pulling back to avoid her kissing him.
“Oh please James don’t be so embarrassed, all moms kiss their boys. No one will think less of you.” She said as she grabbed him, pulling him into a hug.
“Oh please Phe, he’s a boy no longer! All grown, Hogwarts age.” Fleamont said tugging at James’s cheeks, still chubby with baby fat.
James huffed as he was finally released by his parents.
He glanced over at Harry who was looking nervously at the floor, twiddling his thumbs.
James leaned over to Harry’s level. “I’ll be back, don't worry. It’s not like I’m leaving forever.” He said ruffling his younger brother's hair.
Harry looked up through his fringe, his eyes were wide and teary.
“You’re sure?”
“Yea of course.”
“You won’t replace me will you.”
James laughed, “of course not, you are my little Harebear. How could I?”
Harry smiled, launching at James catching him in a tight hug. They held their until the train whistle blew and James was ushered up by their parents.