The weight of the confrontation began to settle heavily on James as the door slammed shut behind Fleamont and his thugs. The adrenaline that had surged through him moments before quickly morphed into an unsettling tide of anxiety. He could feel it creeping in, wrapping around his chest like a vice, squeezing tighter with every breath.
Zora and Liesel remained alert, their watchful eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger, but James was no longer aware of them. The walls of Black Manor seemed to close in on him, and he could hear the thudding of his own heart, a frantic drum echoing in his ears. He took a step back, but his legs felt weak, the room spinning slightly as the panic took hold.
"James?" Walburga's voice broke through his haze, concern etching her features. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I—" He struggled to form a coherent response, but the words got stuck in his throat. The shadows of his past began to rear their ugly heads, memories of fear and helplessness flooding in uninvited. He could almost hear his father's voice, harsh and accusatory, reminding him of all his failures.
"James!" Orion stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Breathe. Focus on my voice."
But the room felt suffocating, and his breaths came in quick, shallow gasps. It was all too much. The panic rose like a tidal wave, threatening to pull him under. Just when he thought he might drown in it, the familiar, warm presence of his service dog Luna pushed through the haze.
Luna, a golden retriever with a gentle demeanor and bright, expressive eyes, had been trained to sense James's anxiety. She had a special knack for knowing when he needed her most. As if sensing his turmoil, she nudged her nose against his leg, her warmth grounding him.
"Luna," he breathed, feeling the stirrings of comfort her presence always brought. He sank to the floor, his back against the cool wall, as Luna settled beside him, pressing her body against his. She licked his hand, her soft tongue a reminder of the safety she provided.
"Good girl," he murmured, his voice shaky. He buried his fingers in her fur, feeling the softness beneath his trembling hands. "I'm okay. Just need a moment."
Zora and Liesel, sensing the shift, moved closer, their protective instincts still strong but calming now. They circled around him, creating a barrier of comfort. James focused on Luna, her steady breathing guiding him as he tried to match her rhythm.
"Breathe with me," he whispered, inhaling deeply, then exhaling slowly. "In... and out." Luna watched him intently, her golden eyes filled with understanding. She nudged him gently again, as if urging him to keep going.
As he focused on Luna, memories began to swirl—his father's anger, the shouting, the feeling of being trapped in a house that should have been a home. Each recollection tightened the grip of panic, but Luna's presence anchored him. She had been there through countless episodes, her calm demeanor a lifeline in the storm.
"Stay," he whispered to her, needing her to understand that she was exactly where he needed her to be. Luna settled further against him, providing the warmth and weight he craved.
Orion and Walburga exchanged worried glances but remained silent, allowing James the space he needed. Walburga knelt nearby, her hands resting on her knees. "You're safe, James. We're here," she reassured him, her voice soothing like a balm.
With each breath, the panic began to loosen its grip, but the shadows still lurked at the edges of his mind. "It's just... everything," he finally managed to say, his voice small. "I thought I could escape. But he always finds a way back in."
Luna pressed her head against his hand, offering her unspoken support. She was more than a service dog; she was a bridge to a calmer place, a reminder that he wasn't alone. James focused on the feeling of her warm body against his, the rhythm of her breathing matching his own.
"It's okay to feel overwhelmed," Orion said gently, breaking the silence. "You've been through a lot, and it's understandable to have these moments."
James nodded, still feeling fragile. "I just—sometimes it all rushes back," he admitted, his voice cracking. "I don't want to be that scared kid anymore."
Walburga's gaze softened. "You're not that scared kid, James. You're here. You've fought to be here, and you're stronger than you know. Look at what you've done. You stood up to him tonight."
Her words lingered in the air, a quiet strength seeping into his resolve. "I guess," he murmured, still petting Luna, who seemed to sense the shift in his mood. Her tail wagged softly, the comforting sound of her heartbeat grounding him further.
"Let's take it one step at a time," Orion suggested, his tone calm and steady. "You're safe in this house, and we're all here to support you."
James took another deep breath, feeling a flicker of hope igniting within him. "Okay," he said, slowly lifting his gaze to meet Orion's. "I think I can handle it, but I need... I need time."
"That's perfectly fine," Walburga replied. "Take all the time you need. We'll be right here."
Luna's warmth wrapped around him like a protective cocoon, and as James leaned against her, the panic began to dissipate like mist in the morning sun. He wasn't entirely free from the shadows, but he was surrounded by support—by family and by his loyal companion.
With a newfound sense of determination, James focused on the present moment, drawing strength from Luna and the comforting presence of Orion and Walburga. The night had been chaotic, but he was no longer just a scared boy hiding in the shadows. He was James Potter, a young man ready to reclaim his life, step by step.
And as long as he had Luna by his side, he felt he could face whatever came next.
