1976
The weather that night was calm, but James felt the air in the room suffocating, as if a heavy slab of anxiety weighed on his chest. After an apparently normal dinner, he said goodbye to his parents and retired to bed. It was already 3 a.m., and the Potter heir continued tossing and turning in bed, seeking the sleep that the storm had stolen from him. Tired of lying there, he got up to look out the window, feeling the tension tighten his heart. The wind blew furiously, rattling the curtains and adding an aura of unease to the already tense atmosphere. Brief flashes of lightning illuminated the room, revealing glimpses of the raging storm outside, while James's heartbeat accelerated with each step he took.
Just at that moment, he heard the sound of something breaking downstairs. With his heart in his throat, every member of the house emerged, wands in hand. Euphemia Potter led the way down the stairs, but the sight that awaited them was painful.
Sirius Black lay gravely injured on what had once been a glass table, while Effie and Fleamont rushed to his aid. However, upon seeing Sirius in that state, James felt a torrent of emotions. Fear for his friend's life, confusion at not finding Regulus by his side, and a growing hatred for those who could have caused such an atrocity.
Despite his parents' calls, James paid no attention. He raced up the stairs, grabbed his invisibility cloak, and returned downstairs, burning with anger. His father noticed his intentions and tried to stop him, but James had already made up his mind. He stepped into the fireplace and pronounced the name of his destination.
12 Grimmauld Place
Emerging from the fireplace in the Black household, James was met with the most heart-wrenching screams he had ever heard. Making sure his cloak was securely in place, he climbed the stairs, guided by the sound of the tragedy unfolding before him.
What he saw nearly tore a scream from his throat. Walburga Black was casting the Cruciatus curse on her own son, while her husband inflicted wounds with a dagger. Without hesitation, James quickly stunned them both. Regulus opened his eyes amidst sobs, finding James's bare feet. With skill and determination, James attempted to close Regulus's wounds using the healing spells he knew, carrying him to safety away from that horror.