Prompt: (word) Tradition

What's In A Name

When it came to the long-held traditions of the Black family, Sirius seemed to make it his goal to break them all. He was the first in many generations to be sorted into Gryffindor. He befriended people who his parents would consider to be blood traitors and impure. Marrying Marlene, who was definitely not a pureblood, the summer after they left Hogwarts had guaranteed that he would never have anything to do with his family again.

When they'd started having children, Sirius was even more determined to break one more tradition. Having been forced to see the tapestry outlining the Black family tree every day of his childhood, he knew that celestial names were all too common in the family. He himself had been named in this manner, his first name coming from two of his ancestors and his middle name from his father. It was something that he didn't want to continue.

Sirius had easily agreed to the name Marlene wanted for their daughter, Charlotte Aurora. Even though Aurora could be associated with the heavens, it wasn't the name of a star or constellation, so he was fine with it.

Their next child, a son, had been fairly easy as well. Since she had picked out Charlotte's name, Marlene allowed Sirius to name their second child. Sirius had wanted something that sounded as little like a traditional Black family name as possible. Marlene gave him books full of names that she'd used to pick their daughter's name, and he pored over them daily once they found out they were having a boy. And so their son was named Brennon Michael, a name that Sirius knew his parents would think sounded very Muggle-like. They would hate it, and so he loved it.

When the time came to come up with a name for their third child, Sirius decided to let Marlene choose. She knew how he felt about his family and keeping himself distanced from their traditional names, so he was confident that she'd come up with something he could accept.

"Do you have any ideas for a name yet?" Sirius asked as they lay in bed one night, about two weeks after they found out they would be having another son.

"As a matter of fact, I do," Marlene replied. There was a moment's hesitation before she spoke again. "I don't think you're going to like it, though."

"Let's hear it, then."

"Well, I've always liked the name Andrew," she began. "What do you think of that for a first name?"

"Andrew Black. Yes, I like the sound of that," Sirius said after considering it. "Andrew it is, then. What about a middle name?"

Marlene sighed. "I want to name him after you somehow, so I thought...maybe...Orion."

Sirius sat up and stared down at her in the darkness. The years with Marlene had softened his anger and he'd learned to think before he spoke or acted. Pushing down his initial frustration at her choice, he contemplated why she would choose something she knew he would dislike.

Marlene sat up as well after a minute and wrapped her arms around him, resting her chin on his shoulder. "I know what you're thinking," she said cautiously, "but if I can give you two good reasons why this name is better than you think, will you at least think it over?"

Sirius bit his lip, considering his options. He could hear her out and most likely be persuaded to accept this name for his son. Or he could refuse to listen and be upset with her, which would make her upset, which would make his life miserable. There really was only one choice.

"Alright, I'll listen," he said reluctantly.

Marlene released him and moved so she was facing him. "Ok, first reason. I know you probably think it would be the equivalent of naming him after your father and sticking to tradition, but it has nothing to do with that. He would be named after you, and you are most certainly not your father."

Sirius nodded, still not entirely convinced. "Alright, I suppose I see your point, but I still don't like it. Second reason?"

"I think this one will change your mind." She smiled, looking as though she was about to reveal some big secret. "What would your proud, pureblood parents think of such an important name being attached not only to a Muggle name, but their own grandchild as well, a child with impure blood?"

It took him several seconds to see the beauty of this idea, but when he did, he smiled broadly. "Alright, you win. Your evil genius knows no bounds. I can't believe I never thought of that myself."

On the day their second son was born, Marlene could've sworn Sirius laughed gleefully when he agreed with her choice and they officially named the child Andrew Orion Black.