Somewhere only we know *Albus

[James Sirius Potter]

James couldn't believe it, had the summer really gone back that fast? It was tough to think he'd be spending another year away from his mother, and all he was used to for learning purposes. James did love Hogwarts, but he had gotten himself a reputation, and he didn't like feeling the pressure from the professors. James felt like someone was always watching him, weather it was the moving photo of Professor Severus Snape, or one of his current professors, he the felt watched. James guessed that was the price one had to pay when being a shameless bad boy. James had always been a notorious prankser, and been the type to find trouble. It was his fault, it was his destiny, mixed with his share nature of being impulsive. It

For now he'd enjoy the day home without his parents. Ginny had told him he needed to clean his room and begin to pack, for school, and cleaning was the last thing on the oldest Potter's mind. It was like a major mood kill, and he didn't like to clean. James was naturally a slob, and was habitually losing things, besides his sanity of course. Maybe he'd get lucky and find something he had forgotten about. James started to clean, and as the hours went on he realized he had gotten distracted with a dozen items, along with photo albums, and what not. The boy had barely made a dent in cleaning his room. James sighed, he wondered if little Albus had finished cleaning his room. James sighed ruffling his hair, before he walked out of the clutter. When walking past Albus' room, he glanced in for a moment to see where the little git was. Albus seemed to hate James, and he never knew why. If anything he was a great big brother.

James felt the urge to have a cigarette, a bad habit he picked up at school the previous year. Since mom and dad were not home, perhaps he would get away with it. James swore up and down to Ginny he quit, but that was untrue. Quitting was for losers, and he liked his nicotine sticks. They soothed him, and made his racy mind calm. James walked into one of the spare rooms searching the closet for his stash. The boy pulled down a pack of smokes and a book of matches and B-lined it outside. His dark hazel eyes skimmed the surroundings as he walked over to the tire swing that hung from the tree in their large yard and took a seat. James had many fun times on this old swing, it was a reminder of his youth. When he was sure the coast was clear he took out a cigarette and lit it up, enjoying the burn, as the smoke crept to his lungs. James gave himself a little push, and reminisced for a moment.

Out the corner of his eye he saw Albus straying in his direction. James quickly put the cigarette behind his back hiding it from his little brother. "If it isn't little Alby." James said breaking the silence. He didn't want to be a bad influence but he wasn't doing a great job of hiding his smoke. "Did you finish cleaning your room?" James asked quirking an eyebrow. Albus was much more neat then he was, well with everything besides his hair. James smirked, Albus was a spit image of their father. "If so, you should start on mine." James suggest. It was worth a try.

[Albus Severus Potter]

The time was slowly ticking by as he sat in the small attic nook away from the prying eyes of his siblings. Albus had yet to really figure out how he managed to sneak around up here without James or Lily ever finding it but he enjoyed the quiet. The ticking of the clock was the only noise he registered as he flipped idly through one of his many favorite books he had up here. His big overstuffed bean bag chair shifting beneath his weight. He had snuck it up here using a shrinking charm, Taylor had showed him. He rubbed his eyes before realizing that things below him were a bit too quiet.

He closed his book with a snap and set it on the lopsided shelf behind him. Where was James? Albus got up from the bean chair and walked down a spiral staircase to the door, popping it open a crack to peak out. The crack opened into a door that blended into the wood paneling in his bedroom, so naturally no one could see it. Checking that the coast was clear, he crept out and closed the door. He smoothed out the poster he had of the Chudley Cannons (a gift from uncle Ron) to make his already spotless room look flawless. Unlike his brother James, Albus was as neat as a pin. He didn't like mess or clutter around when he was trying to relax. In fact, if there were even a piece of clothing on the floor when he went to bed, he could not sleep. He believed everything had its place.

He walked out into the hallway and looked up and down he corridor, prior to making a beeline to James' room. He toed open his brother's door and the mess made him wince. How could he possibly live like this? How did he find anything? This slob lifestyle was another reason that Albus and James never got along. He walked to the landing, looking out the window on his way downstairs and caught sight of his brother on the old tire swing. Figures

Albus hurried down the stairs and grabbed his Slytherin sweater as he headed towards his brother. He closed the clasp and zippered the emerald green hooded sweater up around his neck as he walked towards his brother. Albus unlike his other siblings had been the only Potter to be sorted into Slytherin. At first he was mortified but spending time away from his family and avoiding the asses that occupied his house, made it easy to live with. Albus was a bit of a loner anyways and spent most of his time buried in his books instead of raising hell like James.

He reached the old tree and shoved his hands in his pockets. Before he could speak however, James had already started flapping his mouth. Albus stood and leaned casually against the tree, pretending to humor his older brother. "What's to clean? I don't live in a pig sty like you do!" he smirked and looked up at his brother's half arsed attempt at hiding the smoke.

"You know lying to mum is one thing but you are terrible at hiding things." he pointed towards the smoke, billowing up around his brothers head. "If you insist on smoking those cancer sticks, just keep the smoke away from me." Albus and James may not get along but Al wasn't about to rat his brother out especially since he knew one day he may need a return favor.

[James Sirius Potter]

James never understood why he and his little brother, had such a bad relationship. James didn't think he was too harsh on the kid. James had teased Albus, but he always had been there if Albus needed him. Albus was always a quiet child, one that was targeted early on. James did warn those Slytherin's blokes to leave him be, in Al's first year. James being his older brother was always protective, and it all amounted to nothing but a sibling rivalry. It was highly disappointing, but he wouldn't dwell on it too much. James didn't want to think of how bad the two had gotten through the years, fighting over the stupidest things. James was sure Albus thought he was a moron of sorts, but with his ego, it didn't really phase him. Coming from his thoughts he looked up to meet eyes with his little brother. Albus said James lived in a pig sty, and James couldn't help to chuckle. "Well that's great then you'll have energy to help me." James stated with a grin. James was going to make Albus help him, he'd find a way. The two could work faster, and Albus wasn't as easily distracted as James. He also wondered if Albus was curious about seeing any of the contents of his room. It would be an adventure, bot so much a task. "I attempted to clean it, I just kept finding old things and got distracted. I founds some old photos. Merlin, your teeth huge when you were younger Alby." James snickered as he looked to his cigarette Albus had pointed out.

The ring of smoke gave him away and he frowned when Albus told him he was lying to his mother. "I didn't lie, I told her I'd stop. I didn't specify when." James corrected, taking a drag and flicking the butt. Albus told James to keep the smoke away from him and James narrowed his eyes. "Well who invited you over here anyways? You just came over here. In my defense I came outside to smoke, if you didn't invite yourself over, then it wouldn't be around you." James stated. He wasn't the type to bring his habits around his siblings, he wasn't a total jerk. "What you going to tell mom on me?"

[/b] James asked standing up. He stretched for a moment, and breathed out. "You think it's easy to stop all together? Well it isn't." James asked, on the topic related to smoking. James always felt like he had to be defensive around Albus, and it was sad he couldn't be himself. If he wasn't so negative, maybe he and Albus wouldn't be this way. "Come on, let's go to my room, since mom and dad are away all night, I think we should hang out." James shrugged. It was only a suggestion. Lily had told James that she was going to spend the day with Rosie, so it was only the two boys. James walked ahead into the house. The boy didn't bother to see of Albus was following, he figured if Albus didn't want to grasp some bonding time, fine. James wouldn't beg him.

James stopped at the refrigerator and looked around, it was pretty empty and he scowled. "When was the last time mom went shopping?" James asked thinking out loud. He rummaged through the remanding food, and decided he was too lazy for this. "Al, we're going to order something to eat, delivery. Unless you want to walk to town with me, and we can go out to eat." The Potter family was pretty wealthy. James got allowance because he often helped his mother in the garden, and with overall yard work. His room was a different story, that clutter was built up for a long while. It seemed almost impossible to clean, let along see his floor. James wasn't sure if he wanted to clean his room, and have Al help him, or if he wanted to head to town first. The thrill of heading into town seemed like a much better idea then, cleaning. James closed the refrigerator door and walked to the liquor cabinet. "Ohh, what do we have here?" James asked deviously. He grabbed the bottle of whiskey and placed it on the counter then grabbed the bottle of soda. "Don't tell okay Al?" James said making himself a mixed drink. He wasn't going to offer Albus one, but if his little brother asked him to try it, he'd be a hypocrite if he said no. He sipped the strong beverage and scrunched his nose, adding a little more soda. The thrills of being at home, in a comfortable setting to drink. "So what do you want to do first?" James asked looking over his little brother's attire. Albus dressed kinda funny compared to him. James chuckled to himself, not stating his thoughts. James was trying to connect with Albus, but if Albus didn't let him there wasn't much he could do.[/size][/font][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Albus Severus Potter]

Albus's crystal blue eyes locked with his brother's green ones. It was like Ice meeting fire. It made sense to Albus why his siblings were in Gryffindor and he was destined for Slytherin. He wasn't the same...He wasn't a Potter. In fact he sometimes wished he wasn't. The fact that his brother had just laughed at being called swine and turned it around as a joke was one of the things that irritated him. Albus moved his eyes from his brothers, breaking the lock and shaking his head. "Do the work yourself! If you want a slave hire a house elf!" The very curves of James' lips cause Albus's temper to rise but he closed his eyes and shook it off as best he could. He could hardly wait till school started. "Did you want to talk about the scar on my lip you gave me next?" he asked sarcastically, irritated that his brother would point out flaws to make James feel superior.

Albus took a few steps away as he held the fag up to his lips and took a drag. He detested smoking, mostly because it was a disgusting habit but second because he had asthma. The very thought of his lungs and trachea shrinking to the size of a drinking straw was not something Albus liked to picture. His brother's narrowed eyes alerted Albus of his spout of attitude and listened to him. He shoved his hands back in his pockets and shook his messy black hair with an eye roll. "Yes because my life is surrounded by way to get YOU in trouble. Give me a break James I'm not some ass kissing brown noser." he spat, his cool Slytherin appeal leaking out.

The next suggestion through Albus completely for a loop. In fact, he burst out laughing at the very thought. He and James..hanging out? Did they look like friends? they could barely stand each other. When he realized James wasn't laughing he stopped and wiped his eyes a bit. "Oh you were serious." he stated, pretending to contemplate the suggestion. Albus sighed, his hand coming up to run through his ebony locks. He turned back to James and met his eyes again. "Not to come off wrong James but where in that disturbed head of yours, do you think that we could ever hang out? Not sure you have noticed but we have nothing in common. I'm neat, you're not. You're in Gryffindor, I'm not. You are a pompous ass and I'm not. Get the picture?"

With that he turned and headed to the house. James had already gone ahead but Albus didn't care. He walked in the door and into the open concept living room which had a direct view of the kitchen. He plopped down on the sofa and ran his finger over the stitching of a pillow, contemplating what he had just said. One trait he did get from his family is remorse. "James..." he started looking towards the kitchen. His brother was in the refrigerator mumbling something about shopping. "About what I said..." He heard his brother mention take out and Albus shrugged. "Up to you"

His brother's words made him turn and see that James had cracked open liquor cabinet. Albus rolled his eyes at the words the left his brother's mouth. "Gah I miss Scorp" he mumbled, thinking of the intelligent conversation he often had. He knew some of his family members were not a fan of Scorpius Malfoy so he didn't often bring up his friend's name. In fact, he was sure Scorpius never even told his parent they were friends but he was ok with that.

[James Sirius Potter]

James was a lot like his father when it came to his sense of humor. Of course he wanted Albus to help him clean his room, but he wouldn't force the kid. Eventually it would get done, even if he had to break rules and use magic to clean it. James didn't want to think of his mother's reaction if he didn't clean, he just couldn't help getting distracted. It was the weekend for Merlin's sake, why was he forced to clean. The thought baffled him, and he was seriously thinking about it when Albus' harsh tone snapped him from his thoughts. "Nah, I wouldn't hire a house elf Alby, they are not slaves. I rather just use magic if you don't want to help. Figured you'd have fun going though my things, with me. It's not like you never have before, I'm certain you'd have some kind of interest in the depths of my privacy." James shrugged. The boy was bipolar and though his little brother seemed to be stormy today, James tries to keep his cool, or Albus would end up with another scar like the one on his lip. James has quite the rage because of his mania, but he didn't want that for today, he wanted to get along with his little brother, though it seemed hopeless with each breaking word.

James was only teasing Albus about his big front teeth, he frowned when his little brother mentioned the scar. "Ive apologized for that a million times, Al. You're really still holding that grudge? Geez you're a moody kid. I thought I was the one who was bipolar." James stated rubbing his arm absently. Albus' negativity made him a bit uncomfortable, but the goal was still to spend time with his little brother. Albus basically told James that he wasn't a brown noser, and he wouldn't tell. As if the younger Potter had anything better to do. He disliked James, that was apparent, why not try and get him in trouble? James told his little brother he basically wanted to spend time with him. When Albus laughed he looked down a bit. The words that followed stung his ego, but even more his heart. "Glad to know that's what you think of me...the offer still stands."

[/color]James said softly as he got to his feet and walked in the house.

James tried to keep his mind away from Albus' words. James' mind was a disturbed place and he had been a bit suicide in the past, due to his disorder. James was better now, but the scars still were there, and he tried to forget everything. The boy was very disturbed, but he hid it all under a persona, always keeping a smile. James was a Gryffindor, he never tried to be negative. It was hard trying to live up to his parent's reputation, and at times he wished he wasn't the first son. It wasn't easy, and this was why he rebelled often. Albus knew all this about James, watching him take medicine just to calm him down over the years, so he didn't really get why Albus was calling him disturbed. James wondered if Al really thought that way, it kind of hurt him. He shifted through the refrigerate, listening to Albus walk into the living room. Sighing he walked to the liquor cabinet, he'd need a drink if he was going to deal with Albus' attitude all day.

James suggested the two go into town for something to eat, as he made himself a drink. He sipped it, listening to Albus' form of apology. He took it, he smiled to himself a bit trying to relax his mind, and feel like things could get better. James entered the living room catching Albus' words. "Do you now, you know I can't say who you should be friends with, but always keep an eye open around that kid." James told Albus, he was only being himself, protective as usual. "I know you're getting older and you can make your decisions but that doesn't mean I'm not going to worry about you. I am your brother, I'm suppose to care to the point it's annoying." James said taking a seat. He sipped his drink, and looked up at Albus. "You're actually going to let me take you on an adventure Alby? Or would you rather we stay here?" James asked, he was trying here and if Albus didn't see that there was something more wrong then he could fix. "You know what we don't have anything in common really, but maybe we can do something you'd like to do. You tell me what it is, and I'll make it happen. Just give me a chance, I won't let you down." James vowed his proud Gryffindor nature shining. [/size][/font][/blockquote][/blockquote]