We watched Our Lives on the Screen

Howlers from Home

The next morning, the school gathered for breakfast. Sirius and Ophelia sat at the Gryffindor table, eating and laughing with their friends. They were happy to have broken away from the heavy chains of their family. This unexpected twist ignited a firestorm within the Black family, known for its staunch tradition of sorting into Slytherin.

It was Saturday so the group just lounged in the Gryffindor common room, Ophelia sat beside James Potter and Remus Lupin, her mind racing with thoughts of what awaited her after the Howler from her parents. The morning sun cast a warm glow through the windows, but Ophelia's heart sank as a red envelope burst through the room, emitting a shrill screech that silenced the jovial chatter.

The older versions of Sirius and Remus grimaced at the memory, knowing what's to come while the younger version of James holds his girlfriend protectively trying to keep her from reliving these memories.

"OPHELIA BLACK!"

The voice of Walburga Black echoed across the common room, filled with fury and disappointment, "HUFFLEPUFF, A HOUSE FOR THE WEAK AND MEDIOCRE! YOU HAVE SHAMED OUR BLOODLINE WITH YOUR WEAKNESS! EXPECT A LONG DISCUSSION WITH YOUR FATHER AND I WHEN YOU GET BACK!"

Ophelia's cheeks burned with embarrassment as the Howler continued its tirade, berating her for abandoning the family's expectations and aligning herself with what they deemed unworthy. James and Remus exchanged sympathetic glances. She tucked her head into James shoulder, crying, he wraps his arm around her pulling her more into him while he uses his other to rub her back.

Lily who was in the corner of the room talking with Marlene was smirking, happy that the evil Blacks were getting knocked down a peg. She saw them as nothing but evil horrible beings.

Siris saw a similar blood red envelope land on his lap and his winced for what was about to come.

"SIRIUS BLACK!" Orion Black's voice thundered through the room, dripping with disdain. "HOW DARE YOU BRING SHAME TO OUR NOBLE FAMILY NAME! GRYFFINDOR, THE HOUSE OF BLOOD TRAITORS AND MUDBLOODS! YOU ARE A DISGRACE!"

Sirius' clenched his fists, not looking up, in hopes to not see the sympathetic faces of his friends. He could hear the soft whimpers of his baby sister from the other side of the room, who cried into James shoulder. James Potter couldn't help but feel a surge of anger on behalf of his friend. "That's bloody unfair. Ophie's one of the bravest people I know." He rubbed her back gently, whispering soft encouragements into her ear.

Remus sent Sirius an encouraging smile "Don't let them get to you, Sirius. You're here because you belong."

Sirius managed a weak smile, grateful for Remus' support. "Thanks, rem. It's just... hard, you know?"

Peter nodded sympathetically. "We're here for you, Sirius. You're part of our house now, and that's what matters."

As the Howlers finally disintegrated into ashes, the common rooms fell into a heavy silence. Ophelia and Sirius stood surrounded by their new friends, their hearts heavy with the weight of familial expectations and disappointment. But amidst the turmoil, they found solace in the support of their peers—friends who stood by them in their moments of uncertainty and doubt.

Later that evening, Ophelia and Sirius met by the Hogwarts lake, their minds still reeling from the events of the day. They sat together in silence, the moonlight casting shimmering reflections on the water.

"I never thought it would be like this," Sirius said quietly, his voice tinged with sadness. "To disappoint them so much."

Ophelia sighed, her gaze fixed on the stars above. "We can't change who we are, Sirius. And maybe... maybe they'll come to understand that one day."

Sirius nodded slowly, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "Until then, we have each other. And our friends."

They sat together in companionable silence, drawing strength from the bond they shared and the unwavering support of those who stood by their side. And as the night deepened, they knew that no matter the challenges ahead, they would the face them together—with courage, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff.

"You were a bit harsh on them auntie and uncle," Narcissa comments.

"They needed to learn, they are apart of the Black family and they needed to act like it."

"All you Blacks are the same aren't you?" Lily sneered.

"What's that supposed to mean, Evans." Sirius growled at the redhead.

"Oh please nobody is buying your innocent act. Your parents are evil. Your family is evil. And you and your sister and brother are evil. So stop trying to pretend to be someone you aren't."

"What the bloody hell is wrong with with you? Ophie and I spent our entire lives proving that we were nothing like them. We've been nothing but nice to you no matter what how much you threw yourself at Prongs."

"Yet you treated Sev like trash because he wasn't a pureblood? Because he was a Slytherin?"

"Because of who he associated himself with and the poor defenseless muggle born first years him and his posse of twats tormented." Ophelia snapped in defense for her brother and friends.

"Oh please he himself did nothing."

"You're supposedly such a smart and bright witch yet how could you be so dense to not see that Snape is a coward and go hides behind his nasty slimy death eater friends who torment young wizards that don't have the experience or knowledge to defend themselves and are just like you. They are muggleborns."

"You're just trying to manipulate the situation. Just like always"

"You bullied me our entire Hogwarts life because you were weirdly obsessed with my boyfriend."

Lily's face turned red with anger. "I was not obsessed with James. You and Sirius have always been insufferable, thinking you're better than everyone else."

Ophelia's eyes narrowed. "We never thought we were better. We just couldn't stand by and let people like Snape and his friends hurt innocent students. Maybe you should take a look at who you choose to defend, Lily."

"That's rich, coming from someone with a family full of Death Eaters," Lily retorted.

"Enough!" Sirius roared, stepping between the two women. "This isn't getting us anywhere. We all have our pasts, and we've all made mistakes. But pointing fingers and rehashing old grievances isn't helping."

Lily glared at Sirius but didn't respond, her chest rising and falling with each heavy breath.

Narcissa, who had been silent, spoke up softly, "Perhaps it's time we all acknowledged that our upbringing doesn't define us. We make our own choices, and those choices show who we truly are."

Sirius nodded in agreement. "We're not our parents, and we shouldn't be judged for their actions. Let's try to move forward, for all our sakes."

Lily continued to glare at Ophelia who ignored the redhead staring back at the screen as the next scene began.