He came down to breakfast that morning with a distinct swagger, and a contented smile. A smile that was far too innocent for him to entirely pull off.
"And who is the man?" He slid down next to Albus, poking his little brother's cheek.
"I don't know." Albus pushed his hand away, trying to focus on his kippers and toast. His older brother had a habit of bragging, which was fine as far as he was concerned, as long as he didn't try and brag to him.
"Couldn't you think of anybody?" James stretched, pausing to wink at a passing Hufflepuff. She giggled, flushing as her friend's began to whisper amongst themselves. "An older man, perhaps? A dashing, handsome hero."
Albus resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His brother had always been a bit of a intolerable braggart, but since last year, he had also become a ladies' man. "I don't know. I can't see any men around here. Only boys."
James laughed a bit too heartily, his eye still on the Hufflepuff. "You've always been a joker, Albus. Maybe you should have joined the circus, instead of going to Hogwarts. You'd be the perfect..." James paused slightly. His younger brother was terribly boring, but he wasn't a freak show. Not like their younger sister, the traitor that she was. "Side show."
Albus blinked heavily. "Charming, James. Haven't you got somebody else to bother? A pretty Hufflepuff, perhaps? Or maybe the house cup you won yesterday needs to be polished? I hear you and it are quite close."
James laughed, his arm throw around his brother. He squeezed, ignoring the slight squeak as his younger brother began to have trouble breathing. "So you did go. I'm glad to hear it. Wouldn't want my family not supporting me, after all." He gripped Albus' shoulder, his knuckles turning white. Lily had been sitting at the front of the mass of silver and green. She had cheered when he was hit by a bludger, had laughed with the other's when he'd lost consciousness for those few, short seconds that had almost given Slytherin the game.
Albus tried, and failed to shove James off him. "Lily told me. Now let go!"
James let his hand drop, and glared most uncharacteristically at his brother's back as he walked off. Of course he still talked to her. He never had any spine. But then again, that's why James was the Gryffindor.
Smirking as he stood, he strolled over to the Hufflepuff's. "So, are Hufflepuffs really as loyal as they say? Because I could use a little dedication in my life." He ran his fingers through his messy hair.
Albus turned around just in time to see the Hufflepuff and his brother disappear. It was typical of him. Just typical.
