Savior

Courage

The world as James Potter knew it had come to an end.

Right after the news of Remus Lupin's death circulated over Hogwarts, he and Sirius Black were captured by the Ministry workers for being unregistered Animagi. He wanted to shout how Peter Pettigrew was one of them too but decided it was better to have a trump card when the time comes. And when Lucius Malfoy gave out a triumphant smirk as the judge sentenced them to Azkaban for three months, James vowed he will seek his revenge against the informant soon.

Severus Snape.

It was what kept James sane in the dreadful prison, but how he utterly despised the red collar around his neck that prevented him from using his Animagus form, as if he was livestock ready to be slaughtered. He didn't know where Sirius was, but shuddered whenever blood-churning shrieks and cries rang across the haunting place.

However as it was, he was reminded of what caused their imprisonment. That Sirius had told Snape of the Whomping Willow's secret and nearly got the boy killed at the start of their fifth year. But hadn't Dumbledore told them he took care of the matter? How could Snape manage to tell Lucius Malfoy about Remus' condition?

...Although it wouldn't matter anyway. James should have known the Blacks were bad, even when they are Gryffindors. And he wouldn't bother with Sirius anymore.

A week into December, his elderly parents came and bailed him out with a hefty price.

"You're lucky he's still underage," Mr. Bartemius Crouch said near the exit, eyeing the red collar in disgust, "otherwise he will rot in there to his death."

His mother, Euphemia bowed her head with a sniffle, "Thank you again, Mr. Crouch."

James wondered if anyone from the Black family had come to take Sirius away too but then he shook his head. Sirius had told him much that practically everyone in the family had shunned him for being a Gryffindor, a worse disgrace compared to his cousin Andromeda Black-Tonks. And James doubted he had enough power to convince his parents to set Sirius free.

At home, he got the scolding of his life.

"Unregistered Animagus... associating with werewolves... bullying students for fun with illegal spells..." Fleamont Potter muttered as he perused through the copies of detention slips James received in school. "What has gotten into you, boy?! I worked hard to make the Potters respectable to the community and you ruin everything! Those wolves are filthy breeds!"

"You talked to Remus just fine before!" James retorted, blinking his tears away. The Marauders always loved to stay in the Potter cottage during holidays, especially after taking Sirius in before their fifth year began.

"You dare talking back to me, your father?! Well no surprise there, considering who you chose as your friends." Fleamont slammed the papers onto the table and used his wand to throw two suitcases toward James. "If you think you're great enough, leave this house. I have no need for such insolent hooligan that disrespects the ancient pride of the Peverells."

James glanced at his mother, who only had her head lowered before leaving to the kitchen and felt his anger surge. "Fine," he gritted his teeth, "I have other good friends at school." He took the suitcases and never turned back; heading to King's Cross Station and took the train to Hogwarts since he hadn't learnt Apparation just yet. He hoped with three months had passed, people would forget about the terrible fiasco. It certainly would feel off without Albus Dumbledore's cheery face to greet the students at the school.

How wrong and naive he was.

All the students gave the once-proud Gryffindor Quidditch Captain a cold shoulder. Even Peter Pettigrew wasn't around whenever he entered the dormitory room. The Ravenclaws muttered how rule-breakers should be punished more severely and the Slytherins never wasted a chance to hex him whenever they could.