𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 / James Potter x Reader

Ch23 ★ Bruised and Beat

chapter song
Things to Do - Alex G

The Gray Manor loomed in the chill winter dusk, its stone façade cold and unwelcoming compared to the warm embrace of the Potter mansion. Y/n's heart was heavy with dread as her mother, Celine, led her inside with a grip that was both firm and punishing.

Inside, the atmosphere was suffocatingly formal. The air seemed to stifle any warmth that might have existed between mother and daughter. Y/n's father, Lycorus Gray, sat at the head of the dining table, his gaze piercing as he regarded his daughter with disappointment.

Celine wasted no time in unleashing her displeasure. "Y/n, how could you betray our family like this?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. "Attending such frivolous events with blood traitors. You've shamed us all, especially your brother, Elliot."

The backhand of Celine met y/n's cheek.

Y/n gasped in pain and felt a pang of guilt at the mention of her deceased brother. She knew how much Elliot had meant to her parents, and the pain of disappointing their memory was almost unbearable.

Elliot had been the star child. He followed every dirty rule the Gray's had. He was on his way out of Hogwarts when he met a mysterious death.

Y/n knew Elliot didn't truly believe in the family's values. Despite the age gap, the two siblings were closer than ever, Elliot leading her in the right direction whenever he could, offering her comfort whenever the days were darker than usual.

Lycorus spoke next, his voice low and stern. "You must understand, y/n, the importance of maintaining our family's standing. These associations with blood traitors—Potter, Sirius Black—they do nothing but tarnish our name."

He stood up, belt in hand.

"Please father, not that, anything but that."
Y/n was pleading but it was pointless.

She was just a girl, she was no woman.

We all know what happens from here.

Feeling the weight of their disappointment pressing down on her, y/n nodded silently, her eyes cast downward. She didn't want to feel this again.

Ensue the screaming. No one was here to save her. No Elliot. No Sirius. Not even Regulus, and certainly not James.

"Go to your room," Celine ordered, her tone brooking no argument. "You will remain there until we decide how best to correct your behavior. You will not eat until we find it fit."

Y/n obeyed without protest, her steps heavy as she ascended the stairs to her room. When she walked inside, she heard the click of a lock from the outside.

Once inside, she sank onto her bed, feeling pain tickle her everywhere. Not even the confines of her room comfort her, feeling the weight of her parents' expectations crushing her spirit. Feeling the weight of her own body crushing her bones. Things were getting worse.

As evening fell and the shadows deepened, y/n's own owl Alcyone tapped gently at her window. Startled, y/n hurried to open it, letting the bird flutter inside. It carried a large parcel containing her gifts from that morning, and a letter addressed to her in James's familiar handwriting.

With trembling hands, she opened the letter.