Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments): Charms (Assignment 5)

Prompt: Wrote about someone who makes a confession about something small that seems like a big deal to them.

Word Count: 770 (ish)

Albus could see the quaffle that James had thrown for him falling, falling, falling towards the ground. He raced after it, determines not to lose at their improvised game of catch yet again. He went as fast as he dared, focusing only on the muddy red ball.

He felt his fingertips graze it and increased his speed just in time to catch it before pulling up abruptly to avoid a collision with the fast approaching ground.

"Yes!" He pumped the air triumphantly and chucked the ball back to James with all his might. Unfortunately, in his breathlessness he got the aim all wrong and it soared far off target. With a sudden rush of fear he watched the ball as it flew through the air, crashing through his grandmother's greenhouse with an almighty CRACK.

He flew over in horror. Even James had sobered up and they looked guiltily at the ruins. Of course the greenhouse could be repaired magically but Molly's plants were utterly destroyed.

"I would not like to be in Grandma's vicinity when she finds out about that." James smirked and patted Albus on the back. "Good luck little brother."

"What! James that was not my fault!"

"Sorry Albus this is on you. Not even Mum could have caught that."

Albus' face whitened. Both boys had been on the receiving end of Molly's legendary rage and Albus was terrified of her when she was angry.

"Um... Grandma Molly"

His breathing was shallow, his heart rate fast, and he was sure he was about to spontaneously collapse.

"Yes Albus dear?"

"I er- well-"

He didn't know how she hadn't read the guilt all over his face. He thought there might be an arrow above his head pointing out exactly how useless he was.

"Albus? Is something the matter?"

He couldn't do it. She would kill him. She might break his broomstick.

"Uh no. I was just wondering if- if there was any more cake."

"Of course." She smiled and cut him a large slice of the chocolate cake she had baked for their stay with her.

Albus smiled shakily and took the cake. It was his favourite but he found that he couldn't bring himself to eat it. He felt sick, he couldn't eat the cake, he didn't deserve anything good.

At dinner James seemed to be deliberately provoking him. He brought up Molly's love for plants as often as he possibly could and when Albus tried to kick him under the table he accidentally hit Arthur causing the usually docile man to look at him sharply.

Molly seemed concerned but he couldn't say anything, not with James watching and smirking. Instead he suffered through the dinnner in silence, flushed red and in a constant panic. It seemed to take an eternity while he picked at his food and hoped no one would notice his unusual reluctance to eat.

After dinner he sat and did a jigsaw with his grandma, afraid the whole time that she would somehow read his mind and figure out what he'd done.

"Albus?"

"Y-yes?"

"Is something wrong?"

"No. Nothing." Too quick. Her eyes narrowed and his breathing sped up again.

"I know something's not right. You've been acting strangely all day. Is it James? I know he can be insensitive sometimes."

She was looking at him so kindly and he just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. He had ruined everything. She would hate him forever and he would never be allowed back again.

"Come on Albus. You can tell me anything."

"I-I- I'm sorry!"

"Sorry for what? Albus?"

She came over to sit beside him and wrapped an arm around him.

"It was an accident! We were just playing and I never meant to do it! I'm so, so sorry grandma."

He tried to stifle his sobs and leant his head against Molly as she hugged him tightly.

"Oh Albus. Albus dear it's alright. It's okay. Whatever happened we can fix it."

"I broke it! I broke your greenhouse and I ruined the plants and you're going to hate me forever!"

"I could never hate you. I love you Albus."

"Really?" He lifted his tearstained face and smiled shakily in relief.

"Of course. Perhaps you could help me work in the garden to fix the damage?"

"I-I'd like that."

"Well there you go then. I'm sure it's nothing we can't regrow."

"I am sorry."

"I know. And I forgive you."