𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 / James Potter x Reader

Ch29 ★ The Return

chapter song:
Where'd All the Time Go? - Dr. Dog

Platform 9 and 3/4 was bustling with activity as students prepared to board the Hogwarts Express and return to school. Among the crowd, James Potter stood with his friends, his eyes scanning the sea of faces for one person in particular. His heart sank when he finally saw her.

Y/n stepped onto the platform, her face pale and drawn, with dark bruises marring her skin. The sight was a gut punch to James, a stark reminder of the hell she had endured over the holidays. Beside him, Sirius Black's eyes darkened with fury.

Without a word, Sirius marched straight towards Lycorus and Celine Gray, who were in the midst of their cold, perfunctory goodbyes to their daughter. The fury that had been simmering since reading y/n's letters finally erupted.

"How dare you," Sirius spat, his voice low but filled with venom. "How dare you call yourselves her parents?"

Lycorus and Celine turned to face Sirius, shock and disdain etched on their faces. "This is none of your concern, Sirius," Lycorus said icily.

Sirius's eyes blazed with anger. "It became my concern the moment you laid a hand on her. You don't deserve to have her in your life. She's not coming back to you. Ever."

Regulus stood nearby, watching the scene unfold with wide eyes, while the Blacks observed from a distance, their expressions a mixture of disgust and disdain for their son. The tense atmosphere grew even thicker as Sirius continued.

"You think you're so high and mighty because of your blood status," Sirius seethed, his voice rising. "But you're nothing more than cowards who bully their own daughter. You disgust me."

Celine's face twisted with anger. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Sirius, your own family no longer accepts you."

Sirius took a step closer, his fists clenched. "I know enough. And I swear, if you ever try to contact her again, you'll regret it."

He reached out and took y/n's hand, pulling her away from her parents and towards the safety of their friends. James, Remus, and Peter watched as Sirius led her to their usual compartment on the train, their faces a mix of anger and concern.

Inside the compartment, y/n sank into a seat, her body trembling with a mix of relief and exhaustion. James sat beside her, his hand gently touching her shoulder. "Y/n, what happened?" he asked softly, his voice filled with worry.

Y/n took a deep breath, looking around at the faces of her friends. She knew she couldn't hide the truth anymore. "It was awful," she began, her voice shaking. "They... they didn't let me eat much. Just soup, here and there. I was locked in my room most of the time. They put bars on my windows to make sure I couldn't leave or communicate with anyone."

Remus leaned forward, his eyes filled with concern. "Y/n, you don't have to go into detail if it's too much."

But y/n shook her head. "No, I need to tell you. I need you to understand." She took another deep breath and continued. "I had to go to these gatherings with other pureblood families. I had to smile and pretend everything was fine, even though... even though I was in so much pain."

Peter, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "Y/n, why didn't you tell us sooner? We could have helped."

"I was scared," y/n admitted. "I didn't want to put you all in danger. My brother... Elliot, he disobeyed them, and they... something happened to him. I think he had a secret girlfriend, a muggle named Petunia. He gave me my necklace soon before he passed. He had been acting so odd and I just knew something was up. They were furious. Other pureblood families seemed to be furious at my family. I didn't want the same thing to happen to you."

James felt a surge of protectiveness. "Y/n, we would have done anything to help you. We still will. You're not alone in this."

Y/n looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude. "I know, James. Thank you."

Sirius, still seething with anger, clenched his fists. "Those bastards won't get away with this. You're not going back there, y/n. Not ever."

James nodded in agreement. "We'll make sure of it. You belong with us, where you're safe and loved."

As the train began to move, carrying them back to Hogwarts, the group sat in silence for a moment, processing everything. James's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The sight of y/n's bruises, the fear in her letters, and the anger in Sirius's voice—all of it swirled together.

Peter, uncharacteristically serious, spoke up again. "We need to come up with a plan. Something to keep her safe, not just now but in the future. She can't be dragged away again."

Remus nodded. "Agreed. We need to make sure they can't hurt her again."

The conversation continued, filled with plans and reassurances. They talked late into the journey, y/n revealing more details of her ordeal, and her friends offering support and ideas to keep her safe.

They would protect y/n, no matter what.

As they stepped onto the platform at Hogsmeade, James cast a final glance at y/n, his heart filled with a mixture of anger and hope. They would find a way through this. Together.