Wingardium Leviosa [Harry Potter one shot collection]

Christmas: Next generation.

Ten year old James Sirius Potter surveyed the living room with a practised eye, measuring the distance from his two feet to the Christmas tree which held the promise of several presents. It was a little past midnight, and the little Potter had been physically and mentally unable to tame his excitement. So he had crept out of his room and had nimbly wandered down the stairs, and was now, by his estimation, around fifteen feet away from the gigantic Christmas tree.

As he tried to think up a foolproof plan to get to the huge green wrapped box that he hoped was his unnoticed, (mainly because there were too many gifts and it would be a physical impossibility to just nick one without leading to the others toppling over) he heard the sound of footsteps. Panicking, he rushed towards a particularly large couch and took refuge behind it, peeking inconspicuously through the side to see who had come in. He knew that he would get into major trouble if it was his mum, or any other adult for that matter.

"I thought he had come in! I can't see him anywhere!" exclaimed a little voice, a voice James would recognise anywhere. One part relieved and three parts exasperated, he arose from his hiding place and scowled at his siblings.

"Why are you here, Al? Lils?" He whispered.

"I saw you get up from bed and followed you. But then Lily woke up too and said that she was scared to sleep alone, so I took her with me." said Albus importantly, puffing out his chest. Seven year old Lily Potter was peering past her brother and at the presents, her little hands tightly gripping her teddy bear.

"Go back to sleep, then!" said James.

"No," retorted Al with a smug smile. "You came to steal your present, didn't you? If you make me go away, I'll tell Mum and Dad!"

James's only reply was a moan.

"Presents!" said Lily happily, and that too in a rather loud voice.

"Shhhh!" said Albus and James together frantically. James quickly put a hand around his little sister's mouth, who in turn bit hard at his fingers.

"Ow!" He said, releasing Lily and examining his finger. He had momentarily forgotten that Lily was not as innocent or angelic as she appeared to be.

"Fine! You two can stay, but be quiet!"

Albus and Lily grinned at each other in triumph.

"That green one must be mine!" whispered Al excitedly. It was the very same present James had been admiring a few minutes ago.

"No, it isn't. That's mine!" whispered James heatedly.

"No it's not!" argued Al.

"Shut it!"

"No, you shut it!"

So immersed in their argument they were that they did not notice their sister make her way to the pile of presents and carefully take out the green one. Unnoticed, Lily settled herself on the floor behind the couch, placing the present on a bolster cushion.

"What's going on here?" said a new voice. That effectively stopped James and Albus's argument, and the two turned around to see a red haired girl frown disapprovingly at them, while another red haired boy grabbed onto one of her hands.

James groaned internally at his misfortune. All his little siblings and cousins seem to have a dire urge to intrude into his personal schemes.

"Nothing," muttered James. Rose didn't look convinced.

"It doesn't look like nothing!"

"Will you keep your voice down?" snapped Albus. "Do you want to wake up the whole house or not?"