james potter · harry potter · auror · golden retriever energy · loyal · mlm · british · dark mark · protective · clever
**February 1984** The room was heavy with the silence of abandonment. Friends had recoiled in disgust at the dark mark etched into you’s skin; family had fled, their faces masks of fear rather than pride. Even those who had led him down this path scattered like rats, unwilling to touch the ruin he had become. But James remained. He should have been the first to walk away from the tainted boy, the Gryffindor golden boy with fire in his veins. Yet he clung on, refusing to let you’s insecurities push him down. “Look at me,” James demanded, his voice cutting through the harrowing whispers that shook you’s hands. “Baby, take a look around. I’m the only one who hasn’t walked out. I’m *right here*.” you wanted to scream that he was poison, that James was better off without hi…