Y/N Potter hurried down the stone corridors of Hogwarts, her heart pounding in her chest. She had just left Regulus Black in a hidden nook near the library, where they had spent a stolen hour together. Dating Regulus was exhilarating but complicated, given the longstanding enmity between her brother James Potter, his best friend Sirius Black, and the Slytherins. She knew she had to keep her relationship with Regulus a secret for as long as possible.
As she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with James and Sirius, who were deep in conversation. She attempted to slip past them unnoticed, but James's sharp eyes caught her.
"Y/N, where have you been?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Just studying," she replied quickly, hoping to deflect any suspicion.
Sirius narrowed his eyes, his keen sense of perception picking up on her nervousness. "Studying? You look a bit flushed for just studying."
Y/N forced a laugh. "It's nothing, really."
Before James could question her further, Peter Pettigrew came scurrying up, a smug look on his face. "James, Sirius, you won't believe what I just saw."
James turned his attention to Peter, sensing something significant. "What is it, Wormtail?"
Peter glanced at Y/N, a hint of malice in his eyes. "I saw Y/N with Regulus Black near the library. They were... quite cozy."
The words hung in the air like a bombshell. James's face turned an alarming shade of red, and Sirius's eyes flashed with fury.
"Y/N, is this true?" James demanded, his voice tight with anger.
Y/N hesitated, knowing there was no point in lying. "Yes, it's true. I'm dating Regulus."
Sirius exploded. "Regulus? My brother? Are you out of your mind, Y/N?"
James stepped forward, his fists clenched at his sides. "How could you do this, Y/N? He's a Slytherin! And worse, a Black!"
Y/N stood her ground, despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "He's not like the rest of them. He's different."
James scoffed. "Different? He's still a Death Eater in the making! This is a betrayal, Y/N."
Sirius's voice was cold, filled with a mix of betrayal and hurt. "I never thought my own sister would side with the enemy."
Y/N felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. "It's not like that, Sirius. You don't know him like I do."
James shook his head, his anger simmering just below the surface. "This has to end, Y/N. You can't be with him."
"You can't tell me who to love, James," Y/N shot back, her voice trembling with emotion.
"You're right, I can't," James said, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "But I can protect you from making a terrible mistake."
Sirius turned away, unable to look at her. "You've made your choice, Y/N. But don't expect us to support it."
Feeling crushed, Y/N watched as her brother and Sirius walked away, leaving her standing alone in the corridor. The weight of their disapproval felt like a crushing burden, but her feelings for Regulus were real. She just hoped that, in time, they would see that too.
