#the most noble and ancient house of black

[ecstarry]

@jegulus-microfic / voice / 355 words

“He doesn’t have the right voice,” Regulus stated firmly. 

Barty bursted out laughing along with Evan, “What does that even mean?” 

They had spent all night trying to figure which Hogwarts bachelor would be Regulus’ best match. They started by house and went through the list of every student from sixth and seventh year. Even the most handsome and brilliant students apparently were not good enough for Regulus. 

There was always something. Too short, too tall, too dumb, too full of himself, too anything.

“At this rate the only other boys we haven’t gone through is your brother, and I’m guessing that’s another Black tradition you are no longer following. Then we have Lupin, but you don’t seem like the ‘stealing your brother’s boyfriend type’, and of course there’s Pettigrew which you never have the patience for. And finally-” Barty paused and his eyes widened. He slowly approached Regulus, who was trying his hardest to conceal the flush creeping through his cheeks. 

“Well, all that’s left is Potter. But I never thought you to be the ‘falling for my brother’s best friend’ type either,” Barty remarked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Regulus couldn’t help it; a small smile appeared at the corner of his face at the mention of James’ name. He was perfect. James had just the right height, and he was brilliant but not arrogant about it, he was funny and attentive and truly perfect. And his voice – Regulus loved it almost as much as he loved his smile.

He was so obviously and pathetically in love with him that his little reaction was enough for his friends to know just how enamored he was.

“I can’t believe this! Regulus Black, member of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, practically the prince of Slytherin, is in love with the golden boy from Gryffindor?” Barty teased loudly.

“I am not!” Regulus retorted, though his tone was anything but convincing.

“Tell that to your face,” Evan quipped, earning a playful glare from Regulus.

“Fuck off,” Regulus rolled his eyes, but a bright smile peeked through—one that only James Potter could provoke.

more microfics here

[forestdeath1]

do you think james bullied snape because he was poor? do you think it had anything to do with classism?

Nope, I don't think so. When I first heard this version, I was really surprised. I think it comes from fanfiction? Some authors use the detail that if a child is rich, they will always bully the poor. That's not true.

We don't see any evidence that in the relationship between James+Sirius (why do they always forget about Sirius? He was very harsh verbally towards Snape and did it without much reason in his head) and Snape, there's anything related to Snape's poverty.

Here are a few reasons:

1. Sirius doesn't like the trappings of his family's wealth; he despises it. He's intentionally shown as the complete opposite of Lucius Malfoy (even their appearance, black and white, the most rebellious of purebloods and the most sycophantic, the one who values wealth and money and the one who despises it). Do you think he would love and be friends with someone who bullies others because of... money?! No way. It's actually pretty demeaning for the person themselves to brag about how much money they have. Considering how proud Sirius is, I doubt their bullying had anything to do with Snape's poverty.

And I think this Sirius's pride is partly seeded by his family. Because…

2. I think the Malfoys narratively were a bit the opposite of the Blacks in general. Their moneyed arrogance and bullying from Lucius and Draco - that's a pretty specific case, very similar to how some people think their money solves everything and defines who they are. The Malfoys are raised like that —they believe just having money makes them better than others. If we're talking about the old style upper class —it's not about thinking money makes you better, it's about how you're raised, what family you're born into, how you live, how you grow up – that's what makes you upper class, not your money. For wizards – their blood purity and loyalty to pureblood ideals. They might not even have much money, but they'd still be proud. Meanwhile, you might become rich, but you'll never become upper class. And it's pretty odd for this "class" to bully others based on money. The way the Malfoys do it is pretty crude and demeaning for themselves. In canon, it's well shown that the Malfoys are fixated on money. Whereas the Blacks aren't about money, but about their status. For the Blacks, it's all about status and primarily about blood purity. The Malfoys marry half-bloods, while the Blacks disown their children for wrong marriages.

3. I don't think wizards really have classes based on wealth.

(Also it’s pretty obvious but just in case, wizards don't have aristocracy in the traditional sense. After the introduction of the Statute of Secrecy, wizards don't have titles. Titles are purely a Muggle construct. Before the Statute, they existed, we know the Malfoys came with the Normans and were given lands. We know about the Bloody Baron. But there's no indication in canon of these aristocratic arrangements among wizards after the Statute (which, by its nature, implies service). The only lord among wizards was Voldemort. Because he called himself a lord. The fact that wizards deliberately don't use titles, even though the Malfoys had it, speaks only to one thing — the very idea of calling yourself by such titles is abhorrent to pure-blood wizards. It's a connection to Muggles and Muggle royalty. And being an aristocrat isn't just a privilege, it's also a duty.)

I think their upper class is pure-blood wizards. Their nobility is blood nobility. Their nobility was based on blood purity and loyalty to blood purity. They have a book called "Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy." So all their nobility — it's natural, inborn, blood, or rather pure-blood. But it's nowhere regulated, except in the minds of those pure-bloods. Their society is inequality in minds, where some consider themselves better than others.

Your mother was Muggle-born, of course. Couldn’t believe it when I found out. Thought she must have been pure-blood, she was so good.” (Professor Slughorn)

Even "not-biased" Slughorn was biased against muggleborns

They take a very harsh stance against "blood traitors". And true blood purists are much more tolerant of poverty if it's truly loyal to pureblood ideals (even families like the Gaunts). Blood is more important than money. The Black family tree has many marriages to different families, but not all of them are wealthy; it's impossible in their small society. I think, given how small wizarding society is, only three families were truly wealthy — the Blacks, the Malfoys, and the Lestranges. And I believe the Malfoys mostly gained their wealth from dealing with Muggles. Pure blood and being on the "Sacred 28" list doesn't make a family rich. Why if someone's in Slytherin, they're rich? Where did this wealth come from? In the Muggle world, this is understandable (but that's not always true either). But in the wizarding world? So it's a pretty weird trope that all Slytherins and pure-bloods are rich.

Wealth itself also doesn't make someone a member of the "upper class" in the wizarding world. No matter how wealthy you are, if you're a blood traitor or Muggle-born, then this pure-blood upper class won't accept you into their society.

Therefore, I believe bullying Snape had nothing to do with Snape being poor and classism.

There aren't that many rich people in the wizarding world.

Not everyone in Slytherin was wealthy. Their "upper class" is not related to wealth.

Sirius certainly didn't show any interest in wealth or judging people based on their money. The Blacks probably thought their blood was more important than any money.

James didn't show that either. Remus and Peter probably weren't rich, and they all got along fine.

All we know about James and his attitude towards money is this:

James was amused by Vernon, and made the mistake of showing it. Vernon tried to patronise James, asking what car he drove. James described his racing broom. Vernon supposed out loud that wizards had to live on unemployment benefit. James explained about Gringotts, and the fortune his parents had saved there, in solid gold. Vernon could not tell whether he was being made fun of or not, and grew angry. 

I don't see anything here that suggests James was intentionally trying to flaunt his wealth. It was a response to Vernon's assumption that they live on benefits. That wasn’t bullying. Sirius would hardly have said so, but James obviously didn't think talking about money was something embarrassing. But it's not bullying.

[softbirdieokay]

I just can’t get the idea of James Potter saying, “ooo sunburn!” after lobbing the most benign insult at one Reggie Black out of my head.

[sizzling-eggs]

Winner by Conan Gray is sooo sooo Black Brothers coded. It's literally the embodiment of how I see Regulus reacting to Sirius leaving and Sirius to Regulus death and the aftermath of it all..... the pain, the anger, the angstsss

[sylviaplathenthusiast]

sirius, on a tangent: i'm just overreacting

regulus: if its any consolation overreacting is my second favourite kind of reacting

sirius: first one being no reaction at all?

regulus: precisely

[fallengoldenapple]

Regulus: “I think we should probably have the funeral next week-“

Sirius seeing a family portrait of when they were both younger: “wow I looked so good when I was younger”

Regulus:

Sirius: “I mean I look good now too but-“

Regulus: “we are trying to plan your grandmothers funeral!”

[opheliablackpotter]

Guyssss after The night's tale I'm not sure if I'm going to be mentally stable for this

*Picture is from The Mischief Productions Instagram*

[nothingtoseeherebyeexx]

1969/1979

that one teacup scene from uptown girl that’s going viral on tik tok but make it black brothers angst

i was also thinking abt making a regulus version but idk-also drawing/writing angst while listening to girly pop music is a surreal experience i highly recommend

[broadwaycantdie]

Sirius called Walburga many things, not in a way that anyone would notice, but there are differences.

Everyone knew that’s Sirius’ mother. “My mother…” he would say.

The Marauders (and close friends) knew her as his mum. “Mum says…” he would say.

But Regulus heard him call her something different. Lying on the cold floor below his mother, her wand pointed at him, Sirius called out something else. As Walburga shouted Crucio, Sirius let out a pained mama. “Mama please…” he would say.

And Regulus just stood there, hearing his big brother scream, knowing he couldn’t do a thing to stop it.

[jaylienpotter]

Sirius: you can't have a boy in your bed!

Regulus: why not?! You do!

Sirius: I'm a grown-up.

Regulus: I'm pregnant!

Sirius: no you're not.

Regulus:

Sirius: no you're not...

Regulus:

Sirius:

Regulus:

Sirius: JAMES FLEAMONT POTTER! YOU BROTHERFUCK-

[moondustinfj]

Sirius & Regulus:

[radiohead-spiderman]

Sirius and James were not the same type of rich, I see this a lot, and a lot of people think that it’s canon, which is just, incorrect. James came from new money, Sirius came from old money.

Fleamont Potter’s business heavily, HEAVILY contributed to James’ wealth, sure Harry by our terms and by wizard terms inherited a LOT, absolutely, but from what we know from canon it’s incomparable to the Blacks fortune, it’s like comparing Draco’s and Harry’s wealth at the start of the series, you can’t.

Another thing to add is that the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black has that name for a reason, now sure, just because they’re known doesn’t mean they’re rich but we can quite confidently say they were, if you wanted to argue for the Potters’ being wealthier, you could I guess say that at the time the Blacks were a declining old money family, but they were still incredibly, INCREDIBLY wealthy.

We don’t know for certain how rich they were, or if they were richer than the Malfoys but because of how money works, old money specifically, we can say that at some point in the last few centuries(pre 1980) that they were as rich, or even richer than the Malfoys, however they weren’t as rich as them when it reached the 80’s. We can also guess they had the same amount of money or one of them had more, because Narcissa married Lucius so theoretically, Narcissa would have to be on the same level as Lucius in terms of wealth and vice versa.

Another thing we can use to calculate their wealth is their past history with house elves, from what we know from Ronald Weasley in Chamber of Secrets, a wizard/witch has to be “rolling in dough” to have a house elf, we can then look at the wall of dead house elves heads that the family had, and can make assumptions from there.

So, with all this information, we don’t have an exact amount, but, we know that even if they weren’t as wealthy as we paint them they were still known, and their opinions were highly regarded by an astounding amount, but then again, they were still insanely rich, and in terms of wealth and fame, leagues above the Potters.

The Potters were extremely wealthy, but the Blacks were loaded.

Anyways that’s the end of my Ted talk.

[theprongspotter]

Regulus: Someone wrote your name on these Christmas decorations.

Sirius: What? Really?

Regulus: Yeah. See, look, it says ‘ho ho ho.’

-

c: @incorrectquoteprompts

[herlittlel0ve]

I feel like the Blacks are so completely and possessively in love. They go fucking insane when it comes to the love of their life. Family is one thing, they try to kill each other on the regular but don't you ever lay a hand on the person they love. Bellatrix, Narcissa, Andromeda, Regulus, Sirius. You so much as look at they're significant other wrong and they'll have a dagger to your throat in minutes.

[im-so-tired-i-want-a-nap]

The Black Sisters

[motherfuckingmaneater]

Book Bellatrix is (part one):

Very tall. Taller than all three of the trio according to Harry when Hermione uses polyjuice to turn into her.

Quick. She’s able to stun four snatchers at once even when they’re in an uproar against her. They all ‘fell where they stood’ suggesting they didn’t even have time to stop her. Greyback is also restricted before he can even try to stop her and bound and kneeling at her feet.

Still very attractive after Azkaban again according to Harry despite that she makes his stomach lurch every time he looks at her.

Has ‘very long rippling black hair’ that’s not curly. It’s still rippling but now it’s become slightly coarse rather than silken and shiny like it was before Azkaban.

Bloodthirstier. She interrogates Griphook and when she’s satisfied with his answer she casually flicks her wand to cut him deep in the face then doesn’t even look back at him as he falls to his knees and screams in agony.

Thin. Not gaunt looking like she was right after her release from Azkaban but that’s part of why she’s so intimidating. She’s tall and thin.

Violent. She hit Ron across the face (just to get him to shut up) so hard his mouth was filled with blood and the sound was so loud it echoed around the room. She’s so violent it seems second nature.

Low (almost sultry) and disdainful in her baritone / voice. I always read her lines in Angelina’s Maleficent voice.

Not thin lipped! Just puts her lips into a line or purses her lips from time to time.

Feared and revered even amongst the goblins of gringots who ‘do not get involved in wizarding issues’.

Has an outright ‘malevolent aura’. So much so she’s never questioned or affronted. All along Diagon alley people were quickly stealing away from her to hide, too terrified of her to stick around.

Known to be closest to Voldemort even in public and non-pureblood circles.

Terrifying. She’s described as ‘frightening, mad’ when she’s screaming orders — so much so even her own sister who had been reluctant to do as she wants does so anyway. Even Fenrir Greyback is scared of her. When she finally releases him he ‘appeared too weary to approach her’ and would rather ‘prowl behind an armchair’ than get too close to Bellatrix.

Physically strong. Certainly strong enough to drag Hermione by her hair into the middle of the room. Strong enough to throw off Lucius’ attempt to grasp her and capture him herself in her grasp.

Ruthless. ‘If she dies under questioning, I’ll take you next. Blood traitor is next to mudblood in my book.’ Something she tells Ron after she’s hit him. She’s also incredibly calm when she’s being violent or hurting people. She doesn’t think twice on it.

A natural leader. She takes charge in most situations. She gives orders easily and she doesn’t care who she’s giving them to. She tells Draco to ‘move this scum outside. If you haven’t got the guts to finish them then leave them in the courtyard for me.’ When indicating to the snatchers she left unconscious.