The morning at Hogwarts started like any other. Students shuffled into the Great Hall for breakfast, the air filled with chatter and laughter. Y/N, a proud Muggleborn witch, sat at the Gryffindor table beside her boyfriend, Sirius Black. The two had been inseparable since they started dating, their connection defying the strict, bigoted beliefs of Sirius’s pureblood family.
Sirius’s family, the Blacks, were known for their staunch pureblood supremacist views and their disdain for anything that threatened their "noble" heritage. Y/N, with her Muggleborn status and her fearless defiance of these outdated ideals, embodied everything they despised. Yet, for Sirius, she was a breath of fresh air—a beacon of everything good and true.
As they enjoyed their breakfast, the tranquil morning was abruptly shattered by the arrival of an ominous red envelope. It hovered above the Gryffindor table before bursting into flames and transforming into a Howler. The entire hall fell silent, eyes fixed on Sirius and the Howler that bore the unmistakable voice of his mother, Walburga Black.
"SIRIUS ORION BLACK!" the Howler began, Walburga’s voice echoing through the hall with fury. "HOW DARE YOU BETRAY YOUR FAMILY'S HONOR BY ASSOCIATING WITH THAT MUDBLOOD! YOU HAVE DISGRACED THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK!"
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the hall. Sirius’s face tightened, his usual bravado momentarily faltering under the public humiliation. Y/N felt a surge of anger and hurt, her fists clenching under the table.
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO OUR REPUTATION?" the Howler continued, oblivious to the effect it was having on Sirius. "YOU ARE NO LONGER WELCOME IN OUR HOME IF YOU PERSIST IN THIS DISGUSTING BEHAVIOR! YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE BLACK NAME!"
With a final, angry rip, the Howler disintegrated into ash, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. The entire hall seemed to hold its breath, waiting for Sirius’s reaction. He stood up slowly, his expression a mask of controlled rage.
"Well," he said, his voice loud enough to carry across the hall, "that was quite a performance, wasn’t it?"
A few scattered laughs broke the tension, but Y/N could see the pain in Sirius’s eyes. She stood up beside him, her hand finding his. "Sirius," she began softly, but he shook his head, a bitter smile playing on his lips.
"It’s alright, Y/N," he said, his voice softer now. "They can say what they want. It doesn’t change anything."
James Potter, Sirius’s best friend, stood up as well, his eyes blazing with protective anger. "Everyone here knows who the real disgrace is, and it’s not you, Sirius."
Lily Evans, sitting beside James, nodded firmly. "They’re just afraid of what they don’t understand. You’ve always been better than their narrow-mindedness, Sirius."
The supportive words from their friends brought a sense of solidarity to the moment. Y/N felt a warm surge of pride for the people who stood with them. She turned to Sirius, her eyes meeting his.
"I’m here, Sirius. Always."
Sirius squeezed her hand, his resolve strengthening. "I know, Y/N. And that’s all that matters."
They sat down again, the atmosphere around them charged with a new sense of defiance and unity. The students around them slowly resumed their conversations, though the incident remained a hot topic for the rest of the day.
Later, in the Gryffindor common room, Y/N and Sirius found a quiet corner to talk. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow over their faces. Sirius leaned back, staring into the flames.
"I knew they wouldn’t approve," he said finally, his voice heavy with resignation. "But I didn’t think they’d go this far."
Y/N reached out, gently turning his face towards her. "Sirius, your family’s opinions don’t define you. You’ve made your own path, and it’s a path of courage and integrity. That’s what matters."
Sirius’s eyes softened, his walls crumbling in the face of her unwavering support. "You always know what to say, don’t you?"
She smiled, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. "I just speak the truth. You’re amazing, Sirius. And anyone who can’t see that isn’t worth your time."
He pulled her into a hug, holding her close. "I don’t deserve you, Y/N."
"Yes, you do," she whispered fiercely. "We deserve each other. And nothing your family says will change that."
As they sat there, wrapped in each other’s embrace, the world outside seemed to fade away. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of the fire and the comfort of each other’s presence, they knew they could face anything together. The love they shared was stronger than the hatred and prejudice of the Black family, and with their friends by their side, they were ready to take on whatever challenges came their way.
