Y/N had always known that her family was different. Raised in a very traditional, conservative Muggle household, she grew up with strict rules and even stricter expectations. Her parents valued conformity, propriety, and the family’s reputation above all else. The discovery that she was a witch had turned her world upside down. Despite the magic and wonder that Hogwarts introduced her to, her family’s reaction had been anything but magical.
Her acceptance letter from Hogwarts had been a shock, and her parents' reaction had ranged from disbelief to outright hostility. They couldn't fathom their daughter being anything other than the "normal" young woman they had envisioned. Every visit home during the holidays was fraught with tension, and eventually, she had stopped going home altogether, finding solace in the magical world where she felt accepted and understood.
It was at Hogwarts that Y/N met Lily Evans. Lily was everything her parents would disapprove of: a witch, confident, outspoken, and unapologetically herself. Their friendship quickly blossomed into something more, something deeper. They fell in love, finding in each other the understanding and acceptance they craved.
On this particular day, Y/N and Lily had decided to spend some time in a quaint Muggle village not too far from Hogwarts. They enjoyed these little escapes, relishing the anonymity and the chance to explore places where magic wasn't the norm. They were walking hand-in-hand, sharing laughter and sweet nothings, when Y/N’s heart nearly stopped.
Turning a corner, she saw her parents standing there, their faces a mixture of shock and fury. They had spotted her before she could react, and her mother’s voice cut through the air like a knife.
"Y/N! What on earth are you doing here?" her mother demanded, eyes narrowing at the sight of her daughter holding hands with another girl.
Y/N felt her blood run cold. "Mum, Dad, what are you doing here?" she managed to ask, her voice trembling.
"We could ask you the same thing!" her father snapped. "And who is this?" His gaze fell on Lily, filled with disdain.
Lily, sensing the hostility, stepped forward, her chin raised defiantly. "I’m Lily Evans, Y/N’s girlfriend."
The words hung in the air, and Y/N's parents looked horrified. Her mother’s face turned red with anger. "Girlfriend? This is what you’ve been doing at that...school? Consorting with...people like her?"
Y/N felt a wave of anger and embarrassment. "People like her? You mean witches, don’t you, Mum? Just say it."
"Don’t talk back to your mother," her father warned. "You’ve already brought enough shame to this family with your...unnaturalness. And now this?" He gestured wildly at Lily and Y/N, his face contorted in disgust.
Y/N’s hands clenched into fists, her knuckles white. "You’ve never accepted me for who I am. I’m a witch, yes, and I’m proud of it. And Lily is the best thing that’s ever happened to me."
Her mother scoffed. "Proud of it? Proud of being a freak? This is not how we raised you, Y/N."
Lily, unable to stay silent any longer, took Y/N’s hand and squeezed it. "With all due respect, Mr. and Mrs. Y/L/N, Y/N is not a freak. She’s a wonderful, kind, and powerful witch, and I love her. If you can’t see that, then it’s your loss."
Her father’s eyes blazed. "We won’t have this. You either come home and leave this...nonsense behind, or you stay with her and never darken our doorstep again."
Y/N felt a surge of sadness and anger. She knew this ultimatum was coming, but it still hurt. "If you can't accept who I am, then I guess you’ve already made the decision for me. I’m staying with Lily."
Her mother’s eyes filled with tears of rage. "Fine. But don’t expect any support from us when this all falls apart. You’re on your own."
Y/N stood tall, her voice steady. "I’ve been on my own for a long time. And I’m stronger for it."
With that, she turned her back on her parents, feeling Lily’s hand still firmly in hers. They walked away, Y/N’s heart heavy but resolved. She glanced at Lily, who gave her a reassuring smile.
"You did the right thing, Y/N. They can’t control you anymore."
Y/N nodded, her heart aching but also feeling a sense of liberation. "I know. I just wish it didn’t have to be this way."
Lily wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "We’ll make our own family, Y/N. One that accepts us for who we are."
As they walked back towards the village, the warmth of Lily’s embrace and the strength of their love gave Y/N the courage she needed. They would face whatever came next together, and that was more than enough.
