The Guardian

By Wizard of Night

Caution: T Rating for Violence, Swearing, Later mentions of self-destructive behavior.

Uh-Oh. The twelve year old watched his father's face contort and knew exactly what was coming. As the famous Harry Potter drew his hand back to strike his youngest son, James Sirius was in instant motion. With his lightning fast reflexes, he caught his father's hand in mid-motion, using his opposite arm to elbow Albus out of the way. He stared his father straight in the face as his eyes burned gold. He held him until they faded back to green, and Harry went limp in his hands and collapsed against the clean white walls of their family living room.

"Sorry, James," he groaned, massaging his head. "Who'd I hit this time?"

"No one," James replied quietly. "I stopped you in time."

Harry looked relieved, but James was growing angry. "Dad, I leave for Hogwarts in a week, and I swear you're getting worse. Who's going to protect Al and Lily while I'm gone and Mum's at work?"

Harry sighed. "I don't know, James, but I think you're right. The enchantment is growing stronger."

"So go to Saint Mungo's like Mum's been telling you all along, before it gets any stronger, and you really hurt one of us?"

"I don't think that's necessary, Ja-"

"IT IS NECESSARY!" James shouted. He pointed wildly across the room, where seven year old Lily was watching, wide-eyed. "YOU COULD REALLY HURT THEM! HOW WOULD IT BE IF YOU WAKE UP ONE DAY AND SHE'S LYING BLOODY ON THE FLOOR-"

"Go to your room, James." Harry said, walking off slowly.

James sunk dully down onto the scarlet couch, swiping at the tears beginning to run down his heavily freckled cheeks. He ran a hand through his hedge-like black hair as Lily and Albus, both crying openly, crawled up beside him. "It'll be alright," he assured them gently, hugging both. "We'll talk to Mum, we'll keep you safe."

Lily hiccupped. "W-Why is Daddy so bad sometimes?" she asked.

"Daddy can't control it." James replied wearily. "That's not really Dad when he's mean like that. It's the bad guy who cursed him."

"Why can't he stop? Grandma Molly would help him-"

"Lily-" He said fiercely, grabbing his younger sister and brother by the arms. "Neither of you can ever tell about what happens to Dad. If you do, they'll take him away because they think he's dangerous, and we'll never be able to see him, do you understand?"

"Let go, James, you're hurting me," Lily whimpered.

James loosened his grip but did not let go until both had nodded, then watched after them as they wandered away.