Chapter 1: Misgivings
Stella could not tell what was worrying her more that morning, the fact that she would be away from home so long or that her father would now be at home more. All things considered probably the former. Her father, Seraphion Arkin, had been insistent or her attending school that year instead of just being trained at home. Well, Stella thought while stretching, it could be worse at least she didn't have to take three different potions every day. Stella shuddered, that was exactly what her mother, Celine, had to do. At least since the condition started. It was a miracle, Stella thought, that people had so much magic yet couldn't solve one simple brain problem. Then again Stella only knew so much about healing. She stretched again it, was going to be a long train journey to Hogwarts. She took in her surroundings, a simple compartment with only one other occupant, a pale boy with brown hair.
"Hey there what's your name?" Stella asked softly. Even if they weren't in the same house it would be a very boring journey if neither of them talked. The boy was startled by this.
"Lupin, Remus Lupin." The boy replied "And yours." He added as an afterthought. Stella considered the name for a moment, Lupin, an old wizarding name. Then she smiled.
"Stella, Stella Arkin, Spes est sempiternum." Stella replied, the boy looked at her. "It's my family motto, hope I everlasting." A look of comprehension dawned on Remus's face.
"So are you a first year as well?" Stella asked Remus nodded timidly. She pulled a face; it would be boring if the boy didn't talk. He seemed to realise this.
"What house do you think you'll be in?" He asked quietly. Stella was dumbfounded but quickly reset her features.
"I think Gryffindor or Slytherin, and you?" She replied. The boy shrugged. Incredible, Stella thought, conversation had never been difficult before. Then again she happened to be talking to Aurors who were all adults.
"Why do you think Slytherin or Gryffindor?" Remus asked and Stella quickly looked up, Remus had a look of pleasant interest. She flashed him a grin.
"My mother was Slytherin and my father was Gryffindor." Stella said then she shrugged. "I could be in Ravenclaw though I have a brilliant mind." Things were starting to look up and neither had realised that through the small conversation the train had moved through wild thickets of farmland.
"I don't really understand the house system." Remus admitted then he smiled. "Could you explain?" She nodded.
"It's simple really. We get put in four houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. We get put into these houses because of our qualities." Stella explained and continued with the qualities. Remus nodded his head in understanding and asked a few questions. They really were growing close and it was getting late. Stella stood up and announced she was going to the bathroom to change. She left Remus with a wink.
When Stella got back to the compartment there was someone else in there.
"Who the bloody hell are you?" Stella asked irritably, the stranger had hair covering their face and was lying flat out on the seat. The boy stood up and swept his hair out of his eyes, a wide grin spread across.
"Remus was just telling me he had the pleasure of making your acquaintance." Stella stared for a moment apparently dazed and then swore.
"Damn you Sirius, what did you do interrogate him to the point of insanity." She said angrily, Remus looked up.
"Oh, do you know him?" He asked and Stella snorted.
"Of course I know him, he's possibly the only member of his family my father hasn't attempted to pass judgement on." She answered. Sirius' grin widened.
"I'm pretty sure he hasn't judged Regulus yet either." He said that caused Stella to look thoroughly annoyed.
"Pass judgement?" Remus asked timidly. Stella and Sirius looked at each other then burst out laughing.
"I mean judge as in say what he thinks they're like not send to prison." Stella explained after she calmed down enough. Sirius was still rolling on the floor. He flopped up right.
"I'm honoured." He said sarcastically whilst clutching his side.
"So what are you doing in here?" Stella asked Sirius. "Wait don't tell me, you met someone who doesn't like you." Sirius rolled his eyes and muttered something about his compartment being annoying. Stella sighed exasperatedly.
"And you just decided to leave because they weren't fun?" Sirius shrugged his shoulders; Remus was watching the exchange with a mild interest. BANG. The compartment door shot open and a boy with wit untidy black hair and glasses strolled in. He grinned at Sirius and flopped onto a seat next to Remus.
"Well, well Black you never mentioned you had a girlfriend." Said the boy, Sirius snorted at the boy.
"James this is Stella Arkin, Stella this is James Potter. And by the by she's not my girlfriend." Sirius said, James shrugged but still grinned and turned to look at Remus.
"And you are?" He asked.
"Remus Lupin." Remus replied politely.
"So why'd you leave the compartment?" Sirius asked eagerly. James shrugged.
"It was boring after you left." James paused. "Are you really going to try for a different house?" Sirius frowned. "What do you mean different house, you're bound to be Slytherin or your mums going to kill you." Stella said.
"Yeah I want to depart from tradition and she can't kill me, you'd miss me too much or your father would actually arrest her." Sirius said flirtatiously. Stella sighed and then brightened up.
"Maybe we'll all be in the same house." She said. James scoffed. "How'd you know what house we'd be in?" He said.
"Well you'll be in Gryffindor, Remus probably will be, I intend to follow my father's footsteps and be there too and Sirius is so flipping defiant he'll end up there as well." Stella said, not looking remotely abashed. The train was slowing down and reached a halting stop. A clear voice rang through the train telling everyone to leave their luggage. Steadily everyone dismounted the train and Stella lost her friends in the ever increasing sea of people.
"Firs' years' ov'r ere, firs' years' ov'r ere." Said a loud booming voice and several first years started. Stella made her way through the crowd towards the voice and gasped. Stood in front of her was a giant of a man. Black hair cascaded down his face and back in wild, tangled bunches. He was huge a good eight feet tall maybe more, suddenly Stella felt considerably small compared to this massive man. A loud whistle came from behind and Stella turned round to see Sirius and James gaping at gaping at the giant-man. He grinned at the sea of first years.
"Alrigh' this way." He said and marched off, while everyone stumbled behind as they attempted to keep the pace. They ended up at a sort of dock with many boats and the giant td us to get in four to a boat. Stella clambered into a boat with Remus, Sirius and James. As I they had waited for them the boat set off across the dark lake, it turned a bend and Stella could hear the gasps of delight all around her, Hogwarts ha just appeared. It looked pleasant, bright and yet the castle was almost imposing compared to the surrounding area. Gently the boat bumped into a dock and everyone climbed out of their boats. Despite the obvious magical presence it felt like the world's longest walk up to the castle. Stella started to feel drowsy when they reached the front doors. The giant knocked three times and the doors opened to reveal a young, stern-faced witch dressed in tartan robes.
"Thank-you Hagrid, I will take it from here." Said the witch to the giant. Hagrid nodded, waved his hand and hurried inside. The witch led everyone inside and told them to wait in the hall as she went to check if everyone was ready for them. A moment later she returned and beckoned the first years to follow her. She led them own the centre of a huge dining room and gathered them around the front of the hall. Stella shifted uncomfortable; she had never liked being the centre of attention and she was nervous. There was a stool, on which sat a hat. It sang a song that Stella ignored. The witch pulled out a scroll.
"John Adrian." She said. A small boy stumbled up and put the hat on his head, there was silence, then
"Ravenclaw!" The hat yelled. John took off the hat and stumbled off to the Ravenclaw table. The witch called up Tammy AllGood who also became Ravenclaw.
"Stella Arkin." The witch called. Stella wondered up and with great trepidation put on the hat.
"Hmmm, interesting, bright, cunning, wise, loyal, brave and dedicated." Said a quiet voice. "What to do with you? Hmmm well I say-
GRYFFINDOR." The yell hid the sigh of relief that Stella let out. She took of the hat and marched over to the Gryffindor. Stella smiled at the applauding table and turned to watch the rest of the sorting. Bertram Aubrey became the first Slytherin and Alice Bell became the first Hufflepuff. It was Sirius' turn and most of the hall wasn't watching, Sirius was from the Black family he would be in Slytherin everyone knew that, everyone apparently except the sorting hat who announced him a Gryffindor. Sirius whipped off the hat with much bravado and dropped into a seat next to Stella, ignoring the sudden huge noise that was mainly directed at him. The teachers at the high table were in disarray, some were consulting their neighbours while others openly stared at Sirius. It took a few minutes for everyone to become orderly again. The witch continued, in the end Stella and Sirius were joined by Remus, James, a boy named Peter Pettigrew and three girls Lily Evans, Valentina Frost and Mary Macdonald. Ravenclaw got Andrew Stebbins, Quirinus Quirrell, Andrea Remoras, Abigail Saffron and the twins Charlie and Chelsea Stapp. Hufflepuff got Peter Kay, Tom Carvo, Tim Brev, Jim Card, Sarah Brown, Jessie Caro and Andrea's twin Toya. The Slytherin crew were a motley bunch, Severus Snape, Alexander Tuvin, Ian McKay, Barbara Taylor, Sarah Miles, Theresa May and Julia Ormond.
"Well that sorting certainly had a few surprises." Said Dumbledore, the headmaster had gotten to his feet. "Welcome to Hogwarts, I hope you enjoy your time here. You should know that the forest nearby is forbidden to all students and first years cannot try-out for their house team; the dates for these try-outs will be decided by the house captain, also this year we welcome Professor Ashfo who has agreed to teach Defence against the Dark Arts this year. I think that's all enjoy the feast." Immediately the school dived into the feast which had magically appeared before them. Everyone turned to talk to the new students, mainly Sirius.
"How'd you get into our house?" One asked. "Is it a new Black joke?" Asked another. "Aww let the firstie be if he's as nasty as some of his relatives Arkin will sort him out, won't you Arkin?" Said a prefect. Stella started, how had they remembered her name.
"I uh…." Stella started. One of the older boys was arguing with the prefect.
"Sort him out, how's a little girl going to sort out that kid?" He demanded of the prefect. The prefect rolled his eyes.
"You pillock Steven, haven't you heard of Seraphion Arkin?" Answered the prefect.
"Of course I have Gideon." Said Steven, then he turned his head to stare at Stella. "Wait a minute are you his daughter?" Stella rolled her eyes. Typical, she thought, the only way for people to know her was through her father, flipping typical. She nodded. The older students were now showing interest in her.
"Wow, do you know many Aurors?" Steve asked, Stella nodded. A few people stared at her, impressed. Stella felt herself going red and she tried to act calm about it.
"Yeah my dad took me to the Aurors office once, it was cool and sometimes Aurors pop into our house." She said almost dismissively as if it was nothing. A lot of students were listening in now, even some from other tables, clearly knowing Aurors was rare and considered very cool.
"So do you know Alastor Moody?" Asked Valentina. I looked at her and scoffed.
"Who, Mad-eye, yeah he and my dad are like best mates, I mean it gets kind of annoying when he can just apparate into our house any time he wants but he's cool, he showed me some of his dark detector once, they're awesome." Stella replied and everyone gaped at her. She tried not to look too pleased with herself.
"So, uh Valentina, do you mind if call you Tina?" Stella asked Valentina.
"Yeah fine." She replied.
"What do your parents do?" Stella asked. She looked dazed for a moment as if being acknowledged by someone with a famous dad was unheard of.
"Well my dad works in Saint Mungos." She said. "Hey Stella what's up?" Stella's looked up and changed her pained features into a hasty smile.
"Nothing, I just don't like the hospital much, y'know 'cos if my dad is seriously injured he ends up in there and it takes a lot to put my dad in a hospital." Stella replied carefully making sure she hesitated at the right places and let her voice drop at the right moments. It was a downright lie; she couldn't trust anyone with the truth just yet. Her father had warned her that people take advantage of weakness and had insisted she have the skills of an Auror.
"Oh yeah, my dad works in the serious injury ward and he saw your dad once, he was bleeding everywhere but still determined to go after the sneak thief who did that to him." Said Tina and Stella laughed, she remembered that incident well.
"So what did happen?" Asked Charlie Stapp eagerly and while everyone ate Stella explained how her dad had got a tip off about a thief who was selling dangerous items. Her dad had gone alone but back-up was going to be there in ten minutes. He had been jumped not only by the thief but by his five associates as well and a huge duel had erupted, her father managed to catch all six but a seventh had cursed him from behind. He had to go to saint Mungos and as soon as he was well again went after them getting all of them sent to Azkaban. Half the hall listened, even some of the teachers, they hung onto every word she said.
"…It was after that that my dad insisted I learn the necessary skills of an Auror." Finished Stella. Several students had their mouths hanging open.
"What are the necessary skills of an Auror?" Asked Mary. Stella shut her mouth, she hadn't meant to let it slip that she was trained to do what Aurors could do. Foolishly she had let slip a piece of secret information. Hadn't her father warned her about what happened to those who enjoyed attention? They tell what they aren't supposed to and get hurt because of it.
"Perhaps another time Stella." Everyone turned towards the speaker, Dumbledore was on his feet smiling. "It's getting rather late you know." Stella blushed and everyone got to their feet and prepared to leave. The residual chatter grew louder and Gideon clapped a hand on Stella's shoulder
"Follow me to the common room." He said and winked. Sirius and James wolf-whistled.
"Oh Stella is there something that we missed?" Sirius asked.
"Yeah, like the fact that you and Gideon Prewitt are dating." James added. Stella rolled her eyes.
"I'm not dating Gideon Prewitt, I don't date." Stella retorted, Tina linked arms with her and they started to walk after Gideon.
"She might not be dating him but I think he's dating her." Sirius said to James.
"What jealous that she might date him?" Ribbed James, Sirius scowled
"I don't like Stella in that way, Prewitt is welcome to her." He said, James chortled all the way up to a portrait of a fat lady.
"Alright the password is Oddiment." Gideon told the first years the fat lady opened and allowed them to scramble inside. "Boys your dormitories that way and girls yours is over there." Gideon waved in there general direction and everyone went to their respective dorms.
"So Stel, what are the skills of an Auror." Mary asked as soon as they were in their dorm, Stella groaned.
"I wasn't supposed to mention that, my dad is going to kill me." Stella said. The other girls looked at her surprised.
"Really?" Lily asked wit narrowed eyes. Stella looked up and shot her a dark look.
"Yes," She spat. "You don't have an Auror for a dad so you wouldn't understand." Lily flopped onto her bed.
"Try me." She said playfully. Stella sat down on her own bed and grinned.
"Alright, I'll try you but don't look too shocked when you hear it." She said. "Aurors have to go through rigorous training which includes five extra years of studying and passing a series of tests. My dad lives in a time when you need to be able to not only block attacks but dodge them like an acrobat, you need to blend in, you need to be manipulative, deceitful, cunning, intelligent and you can't be afraid of death. You can't show weakness or the enemy will use it against you, you're not allowed to give information to anyone you don't know and you must know all about charms, transfiguration, DADA, potions, herbology and have some knowledge of everything." The other girls gaped at her
"I told you not to look too shocked." Stella joked. They all went back to getting ready for bed and pretty soon the lamps were extinguished. Stella fell against her pillow and sleep came swiftly.
