Stella Nova

by BrooklynFazenbaker

When the Weasley's took in Sirius Black's daughter on Halloween night, they expected him to return for her in a few days. Instead, they raised her alongside their children. How will a Slytherin "Weasley" change the story? Especially when she's a troublemaker and so close to so many snakes... and how will Sirius react to seeing his daughter again? (I do not own Harry Potter)

9. Chapter 7: The Deathly Hallows

Trigger Warnings!: Death, Violence, Depression, Anger, Torture

Chapter Seven: The Deathly Hallows

"I don't want you going on this mission," Remus admitted.

"I'm aware," Stella nodded, smirking slightly.

"I'm serious, Stella."

"No. You're Remus. Sirius was my father and Harry's Godfather. Harry, who we are going to go and get in an hour."

"In that case, you are not a were. I am," Remus rolled his eyes.

"Bad joke," she shook her head, giving him a smirk. "Think of a better one on the way back and I might save you a piece of the chocolate cake I made earlier."

"You would never keep chocolate cake from me," Remus smirked.

"You're right," Stella sighed.

"Are the two of you quite done?" Moody asked.

"No," they answered together, causing a few laughs to break out.

"Time to go," Moody rolled his eyes. "Need to get a move on so that we're on time."

"Really living up to that nickname," Stella muttered to Remus and Tonks, causing them both to smirk.

Stella climbed onto a broomstick in front of Moody. Not her Firebolt, it was too fast to stay with the group, not that it mattered since it was shrunken and placed in her pocket just in case it was needed later. Maybe annoying Moody wasn't the best tactic she could think of considering she knew for a fact that the two of them would be targeted heavily, mostly due to the fact that any and every one would assume Harry was with the strongest wizards available.

Disillusionment charms were in place and Stella flew in the direction that her compass gave her, knowing that an invisible golden tether was holding everyone in a line. They reached the muggle neighborhood and landed in the backyard of a house that Stella had been in only once before. Harry opened the backdoor, running out to greet them.

He pulled Stella into his arms, lifting her into the air and spinning her before setting her on her feet again. Hermione flung her arms around Harry next, hugging him tightly as Ron clapped Harry on the back.

"I wasn't expecting this many of you," Harry beamed.

"Change of plans," growled Mad-Eye, who was holding two enormous, bulging sacks and whose magical eye was spinning from darkening sky to house to garden with dizzying rapidity. "Let's get undercover before we talk you through it."

Harry led them all back into the kitchen where, laughing and chattering, they settled on chairs, sat themselves upon Petunia's gleaming work-surfaces or leaned up against her spotless appliances: Ron, long and lanky; Hermione, her bushy hair tied back in a long plait; Fred and George, grinning identically; Bill, badly scarred and long-haired; Arthur, kind faced, balding, his spectacles a little awry; Mad-Eye, battle-worn, one-legged, his bright blue magical eye whizzing in its socket; Tonks, whose short hair was her favorite shade of bright pink; Remus, greyer, more lined; Fleur, slender and beautiful, with her long, silvery blonde hair; Kingsley, bald, black, broad-shouldered; Hagrid, with his wild hair and beard, standing hunchbacked to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling, and Stella holding his hand, both smiling happily at one another, her hair in a high ponytail.

"Kingsley, I thought you were looking after the Muggle Prime Minister?" Harry asked.

"He can get along without me for one night. You're more important," Kingsley smiled.

"How are you, Harry?" Remus smiled down at him.

"Brilliant," Harry smiled back.

"All right, all right, we'll have time for a cozy catch-up later!" roared Moody over the hubbub, and silence fell in the kitchen. Moody dropped the sacks at his feet and turned to Harry. "As Dedalus probably told you, we had to abandon Plan A. Pius Thicknesse has gone over, which gives us a big problem. He's made it an imprisonable to connect this house to the Floo Network, place a Portkey here or Apparate in or out. All done in the name of your protection, to prevent You-Know-Who getting in at you. Absolutely pointless, seeing as your mother's charm does that already. What he's really done is to stop you getting out of here safely.

"Second problem: you're under-age, which means you've still got the Trace on you."

"I don't—"

"The Trace, the Trace!" said Mad-Eye impatiently. "The charm that detects magical activity around under-seventeens, the way the Ministry finds out about under-age magic! If you, or anyone around you, casts a spell to get you out of here, Thicknesse is going to know about it, and so will the Death Eaters.

"We can't wait for the Trace to break, because the moment you turn seventeen you'll lose all the protection your mother gave you. In short: Pius Thicknesse thinks he's got you cornered good and proper."

"So what are we going to do?" Harry asked, a look of determination on his face.

"We're going to use the only means of transport left to us, the only ones the Trace can't detect, because we don't need to cast spells to use them: brooms, Thestrals and Hagrid's motorbike.

"'Now, your mother's charm will only break under two conditions: when you come of age, or—" Moody gestured around the pristine kitchen "– you no longer call this place home. You and your aunt and uncle are going your separate ways tonight, in the full understanding that you're never going to live together again, correct?"

Harry nodded.

"So this time, when you leave, there'll be no going back, and the charm will break the moment you get outside its range. We're choosing to break it early, because the alternative is waiting for You-Know-Who to come and seize you the moment you turn seventeen.

"The one thing we've got on our side is that You-Know-Who doesn't know we're moving you tonight. We've leaked a fake trail to the Ministry: they think you're not leaving until the thirtieth. However, this is You-Know-Who we're dealing with, so we can't just rely on him getting the date wrong; he's bound to have a couple of Death Eaters patrolling the skies in this general area, just in case. So, we've given a dozen different houses every protection we can throw at them. They all look like they could be the place we're going to hide you, they've all got some connection with the Order: my house, Kingsley's place, Molly's Auntie Muriel's – you get the idea."

"Yeah," Harry nodded but Stella could tell he was growing weary.

"You'll be going to Tonks's parents'. Once you're within the boundaries of the protective enchantments we've put on their house, you'll be able to use a Portkey to The Burrow. Any questions?"

"Er – yes," said Harry. "Maybe they won't know which of the twelve secure houses I'm heading for at first, but won't it be sort of obvious once –" he performed a quick headcount "– fourteen of us head towards Tonks's parents'?"

"Ah," said Moody, "I forgot to mention the key point. Fourteen of us won't be flying to Tonks's parents'. There will be seven Harry Potters moving through the skies tonight, each of them with a companion, each pair heading for a different safe house."

From inside his cloak Moody withdrew a flask of what looked like mud. There was no need for him to say another word. Harry understood now.

"No!" Harry immediately began to argue. "No way!"

"Hermione and I told them you wouldn't like it," Stella sighed.

"If you think I'm going to let six people risk their lives—"

"- because it's the first time for all of us," said Ron.

"This is different. Pretending to be me—"

"Well, none of us really fancy it, Harry," said Fred earnestly. "Imagine if something went wrong and we were stuck as specky, scrawny gits forever."

"Poor Stella would end up accidentally kissing one of us!" George tossed out.

Harry did not smile.

"You can't do it if I don't cooperate. You need me to give you some hair."

"Well, that's that plan," said George. "Obviously there's no chance at all of us getting a bit of your hair unless you cooperate."

"Yeah, thirteen of us against one bloke who's not allowed to use magic? We've got no chance," said Fred.

"Funny," said Harry. "Really amusing."

"Harry…" Stella whispered and he looked down into her eyes. "It's a decent plan. Each person disguised as you will be with a protector. We'll watch each other's backs and, if we run into any trouble, the Death Eaters will be confused. Those disguised as you are safer than the others anyways. Voldy wants you for himself, meaning we aren't allowed to be killed."

"You are allowed to be captured," Harry pointed out.

"I don't think that'd go well for them," Stella shrugged. "Have you met Ron? I think he's annoying enough that the Death Eaters would just give him back."

"This is mad," Harry whispered.

"Well, it is Mad-Eye Moody," Stella shrugged. "Come on, love."

Harry sighed and nodding. He walked into the kitchen, grabbed a pair of scissors and cut some of his hair out of his eyes without thought. Stella would have to ask if he wanted her to cut it later. Stella looked around the kitchen, eyes landing on the hallway and the door under the stairs. She moved to it, staring at the door and chewing her lip.

"Harry?" she called out and he turned to her. "Is this it, then?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded, looking uncomfortable.

"Is what it?" Remus asked but Stella wasn't listening anymore.

She pulled the door open and kneeled down, pulling the chain and turning the light on. There was a vacuum and a few other things stored away but there were still signs that someone had once lived in the cupboard. A little toy knight, 'H.J.P.' scratched into the door, a forgotten blanket. Stella reached in and grabbed the blanket, chewing her lip again before looking up, finding Harry standing above her now.

"Come on," he whispered, holding his hand out.

Stella tossed the blanket back in and turned off the light. She took Harry's hand, letting him help her to stand again. Everyone seemed confused, cluing Stella in that she was the only one who knew about the cupboard, so she remained silent.

"Fake Potters, line up over here, please," said Moony.

Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Fleur, and Stella lined up in front of the sink. Stella was handed an egg-cup-sized glass and Moody poured a bit of potion into it.

"You look much tastier than Crabbe and Goyle, Harry," Hermione said before catching Fred's raised brow and blushing. "Oh, Harry and Ron know what I mean. Goyle's potion looked like boogies."

"Don't know why you'd think it would look otherwise," Stella smirked.

"Wait, how do you know about that?" Ron asked.

"Harry told me," Stella shrugged.

"Altogether," Moody growled and they all took the Polyjuice like a shot.

Stella grimaced as the potion went down her throat. She felt her face bubbling and looked at the others, seeing their features bubbling and distort like hot wax. Hermione and Stella grew a few inches, Ron, Fred, George, and Fleur shrank. Hair darkened and grew or shortened.

Moody, quite unconcerned, was now loosening the ties of the large sacks he had brought with him: when he straightened up again, there were six Harry Potters gasping and panting in front of him. Fred and Geroge turned to each other and said "Wow – we're identical!" and a few people let out snorts of laughter.

"I dunno, though, I think I'm still better looking," Fred claimed.

"Bah," Fleur gasped, checking her reflection in the microwave door. "Bill, don't look at me. I'm 'ideous."

"I think we all look rather attractive," Stella shrugged.

"Enough," Remus groaned, rubbing his eyes and causing Stella to laugh quietly.

"Those whose clothes are a bit roomy, I've got smaller here," said Moody, indicating the first sack, "and vice versa. Don't forget the glasses, there's six pairs in the side pocket. And when you're dressed, there's luggage in the other sack."

They all began stripping, stuffing old clothes into the sacks and pulling on new, trying very hard not to look anywhere inappropriate as the real Harry blushed brightly.

"Harry, your eyesight really is awful," Hermione commented as she put on the glasses, trying to distract him.

Once dressed, the fake Harrys took rucksacks and owl cages, each containing a stuffed snowy owl, from the second sack.

"Good," said Moody. "The pairs will be as follows: Black with me by broom, Arthur and Fred—"

"I'm George," said the twin the Moody had pointed at. "Can't you even tell us apart when we're Harry?"

"Sorry, George—"

"Don't be," Stella interrupted. "That is Fred."

"How can she always tell?" George grumbled.

"Enough messing around!" snarled Moody and Stella had to look away so she wouldn't laugh but caught Remus doing the same and both had to bite their lips. "The other one – George or Fred or whoever you are – you're with Remus. Miss Delacour—"

"I'm taking Fleur on a Thestral," said Bill. "She's not fond of brooms."

Fleur walked over to stand beside him, giving him a soppy, slavish look that Stella wrinkled her nose at.

"Miss Granger with Kingsley, again by Thestral—"

Hermione looked reassured as she answered Kingsley's smile.

"Which leave you and me, Ron!" said Tonks brightly, knocking over a mug-tree as she waved at him.

Ron did not look quite as pleased as Hermione.

"An' you're with me, Harry. That all righ'?" Hagrid asked, looking anxious. "We'll be on the bike, brooms an' Thestrals can't take me weight, see. 'Not a lot o' room on the seat with me on it, though, so you'll be in the sidecar."

"That's great," Harry nodded.

"We think the Death Eaters will expect you to be on a broom," said Moody, who seemed to guess how Harry was feeling. "Snape's had plenty of time to tell them everything about you he's never mentioned before, so if we do run into any Death Eaters, we're betting they'll choose one of the Potters who look at home on a broomstick. All right then," he went on, tying up the sack with the fake Potters' clothes in it and leading the way back to the door, "I make it three minutes until we're supposed to leave. No point locking the back door, it won't keep the Death Eaters out when they come looking … Come on …"

"Is this Sirius's bike?" Harry asked Hagrid.

"The very same," said Hagrid, beaming down at Harry. "Stella told me I could keep it 'til tomorrow. An' last time you was on it, Harry, I could fit yeh in one hand!"

Stella and Ron smirked at the sight of Harry in the sidecar and Stella turned away and went to Moody's side.

"Ready for every terrible joke I can think of during the flight?" Stella asked him as she skipped over to him.

"I am already regretting this decision," Moody told her.

"Only just now?" Stella asked. "I'll have to step up my game. You know you don't want anyone else up there with you, Moody. You've seen me duel at my house."

"You're not terrible," Moody allowed. "Any interest in being an Auror one day?"

"I think I'll be done with the life threatening events once this is all over but thank you for the thought."

"Everybody ready, please; I want us all to leave at exactly the same time or the whole point of the diversion's lost!" Moody called out and everyone mounted their brooms.

The motorbike roared to life and Stella sent Harry a big grin as she climbed onto a broom behind Moody, hands on his shoulders and her wand in hand already.

"Good luck, everyone," shouted Moody. "See you all in about an hour at The Burrow. On the count of three. One … two … THREE."

There was another great roar from the motorbike and they all rose into the air. They were immediately surrounded. At least thirty hooded figures, suspended in mid-air, formed a vast circle in the midst of which the Order members had risen, oblivious-

Screams, a blaze of green light on every side: Hagrid gave a yell and the motorbike rolled over and Stella lost sight of Harry. Stella threw her strongest shield up, blocking a few stunners. They'd been right about Moody being the one they thought would have the real Harry. Stella used that against the Death Eaters. They weren't expecting the three dark curses that she shot off in rapid succession. One Death Eater banked to the left, out of the way of the curse. His friends weren't as lucky. One's stomach exploded and Stella felt blood splatter against her back and her hair, a bit getting on her face as she hit another Death Eater with a 'Sectumsempra,' sending them falling to the ground, already bleeding out.

"Confringo!" Stella yelled and the Death Eaters broom exploded, sending him flying.

She heard a pop that told her that he'd apparated away. She didn't get a moment to relax though as four more Death Eaters appeared. She kept shooting stunners and blasting curses, throwing in the strong cutting curse every so often to catch them off guard. She'd actually severed one of their heads completely and almost let out a laugh as she thought about how jealous Nearly Headless Nick would be.

"It's not him!" a very familiar voice yelled and suddenly killing curses were being shot at them instead.

"HANG ON!" Moody yelled and Stella did.

She would have been impressed with how Moody was flying if she wasn't so terrified. They barrel rolled a few times before shooting straight into the sky. They dove down, flying so quickly past the Death Eaters that two of them fell off their brooms.

"Snape," Stella growled before shooting her strongest blasting curse at him.

He ducked out of the way but a killing curse was shot off by the other Death Eater. Moody moved fast enough so that Stella wasn't hit but he wasn't as lucky.

"No!" Stella screamed as Moody fell off the broom.

She took control of the broom and laid herself flat, flying after him. He hit the ground hard and Stella pulled up just in time to not crash.

"Accio broom!" the Death Eater yelled, another joining him and Snape.

Stella jumped off of the broom quickly and could feel the potion failing, her features turning back to normal. She pulled her hair up quickly and ran towards Moody's body, shooting off darker curses at the two unknown Death Eaters as Snape hovered above, watching.

"Help us, Snape!" one yelled before his stomach was cut open, innards falling onto the grass.

Stella's left eye was swollen shut and she was bleeding heavily from a cut on her head. Her left leg was broken and she felt her ribs burning as well. She ignored it as she kept fighting, protecting Moody's body before she finally got an Avada off and killed the Death Eater.

Breathing heavily, Stella looked into the air. Snape watched her for a moment before flying off. Stella shot a stunner off but he dodged it easily before disappearing into the clouds. She let out another growl before falling to the ground. She rolled Moody over and wiped the mud and blood from his face with her sleeve, sniffling as she did so.

She didn't know what to do. The broom was destroyed and she was in no position to walk, especially since she didn't even know where she was. She could get her own broom out but she refused to leave Moody behind, meaning she'd have to figure something out.

She pulled out her Firebolt and enlarged it. She cast a feather light charm on Moody, hoping it would hold for a while before forcing herself to stand, letting out a scream of pain as she did so. She climbed onto the broom and kicked off the ground quickly so she didn't leave weight on the broken leg longer than a half second. She used the hover charm to lift Moody's body – that thought made her want to puke – onto the broom behind her and then made a magical, golden tether to attached him to her so that his front was tightly against her back.

She began following her compass North, towards the Burrow. She flew low for a while before going higher, shield charms in place and a sharp eye around her. She flew quickly until she began to see familiar landscape. She'd know that muggle shop anywhere. She flew through the barrier of the Burrow and dipped down slowly, people standing in the yard and their wands pointed up at her.

Stella floated down slowly and tried to land gently. Her broken leg and Moody's added weight, the charm having worn off half an hour ago, didn't allow that though. She fell to the ground with another scream of pain, Moody's body landing on top of her. She was on her right side, eyes squeezed shut as Moody's weight was lifted off of her.

"The two names I call you?" Stella heard Remus asked.

"She's injured!" Harry yelled and she heard him struggling against someone.

"Cub and Stella Nova," Stella groaned out, clutching her left side. "I think my ribs are broken."

"Shit," Remus cursed and she was lifted into his arms quickly.

"Pathetic!" Stella heard Fred's voice. "With the whole wide world of ear-related humor before you, you go for holey?"

"We need help!" Remus bellowed.

Stella didn't dare open her good eye, not wanting to see the looks on everyone's faces at the sight of her.

"Broken leg, broken ribs, three broken fingers, cut on the head, concussion, and stinger on her eye. We need to work fast or she'll lose it," Theo's voice spoke.

"I don't want Moody's eye," Stella complained as she was placed on one of the couches.

"You won't need it, Cub," Remus whispered to her. "We've got you."

"Tonks is back," Stella stated and she saw Remus's confused look before she shrugged. "Family magic."

"Stay quiet for me," he whispered to her as he and Theo got to work on her.

Potions were given to her and healing spells were cast. Stella gasped as her ribs were reset but screamed when Theo had to rebreak her leg to set it correctly. Harry was by her head and she was gripping his hand so hard that she was surprised she hadn't broken it yet. The swelling in her eye slowly went down and she blinked wearily, tears leaking from the eye from irritation.

"Take this," Remus told her and Stella knew it was a pain potion that would knock her out for the night.

She took the potion quickly and passed the vial back with a shaking hand. Remus held her hand as she fell asleep, eyes catching sight of George bleeding from the other couch as she drifted off. She woke the next morning in her old bed in the attic. She groaned as she rubbed her eyes and sat up. She went straight to the loo with a change of clothes.

Stella was covered in dried blood and she started the water before yanking her clothes off and tossing them aside, knowing Molly would just get rid of them later. She took a hot shower, enjoying the spray of the water as she scrubbed at the blood, getting every bit of it off of herself before stepping out of the shower and dressing quickly.

George and Remus were in the kitchen when she limped down the stairs, drinking tea together and talking in hushed voices.

"Did you do something with your hair?" Stella asked George with a smirk. "No, that's not it… New shirt?"

"Hilarious," George rolled his eyes.

"Better than the 'I'm holey' bit that I heard last night," Stella rolled her eyes. "Who got you?"

"Snape," Remus growled out.

"I saw him, too," Stella said quietly, her and Remus staring at one another for a long moment before Stella grabbed George's wand from the table and pointed it at his ear, whispering the same spell she'd used on Bill and Snape had used on her. The cuts heeled over better than they had before, swelling and irritation going down instantly. "Better?"

"Loads," George sighed, giving her a grateful look.

"Mum'll be able to tell you apart now," Stella smirked.

"That's what we said!" Fred yelled as he walked into the kitchen. "How're you feeling?"

"Tired," Stella sighed. "Is there more tea?"

"Sit," Remus told her as he got to his feet. "I'll get it."

"Thanks, Uncle Moony," Stella smiled softly, sitting beside George, Fred taking the empty spot beside her. "What did I miss?"

"Well, Harry says his wand fought Voldemort," Fred shrugged.

"What?" Stella asked in confusion.

"Don't know," Geroge shrugged. "He got all touchy about it when we asked him about it."

"I'll talk to him," Stella sighed.

"Course you will," Fred smirked.

"Oh, shut it," Stella slapped his shoulder. "Lose the smirk or I'll sick Hermione on you."

"Jokes on you, he'd like it," George smirked.

"She probably would, too," Fred wagged his eyes at Stella and she pushed his face away from her as Remus set a cup of tea in front of her.

"Oh, Stella!" Molly yelled, running in with Fleur, Hermione, and Ginny behind her. "How are you feeling, my dear?"

"Better," Stella smiled softly. "Still a bit stiff but that'll go away by tomorrow, I think."

Ginny moved around the back of Stella's seat and wrapped her arms around Stella's shoulders.

"Don't ever scare me like that again," Ginny mumbled.

"I have to keep things interesting," Stella shrugged. "Can't let Georgie outshine me, now can I?"

"Speaking of, your ear looks better," Molly was inspecting Geroge's missing ear.

"What ear?" Stella and Fred asked together, both jumping up from that table and running as Molly tried to swat at them.

"Well, she's feeling better," Ron laughed, lifting Stella from behind by her waist and placing her in front of Harry.

"Hi," she laughed to him.

"Hey," Harry smiled in relief, pulling Stella into a tight hug. "Are you alright?"

"I'm good," she promised him, pulling away so that she could get a good look at him. "Are you alright? I heard Voldemort went after you?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "I'll tell you about it later."

"Okay," Stella nodded.

The next few days were spent cleaning and preparing for the wedding. Molly seemed determined to keep Stella, Harry, Ron, and Hermione in separate rooms, which made no sense to Stella since she'd already told Molly that she wasn't invited along to whatever it was that the three Gryffindors were up to. She seemed to think Stella was the brains behind the entire operation though, not believing her for even a second. She tried keeping Theo separate as well, but Stella and Theo had both sent her such severe glares that she hadn't tried again. Remus got the two away as often as possible and they flooed to Grimmauld for a break.

"If I ever get married, I'll just run up to the ministry, sign the papers, and be done with it. I won't have to buy a dress and you won't even have to give me away," Stella told Remus.

"You'd choose me?"

"Who else would I choose?" Stella asked, giving him an amused look. "You're my Uncle Moony. I wouldn't want anyone else."

Remus had given her a tight hug at that before wondering off. Stella went to the library, going through more of the books there. She'd found where she'd seen the word 'horcrux' previously, along with about twenty more books mentioning them.

Remus tutored Theo extensively the entire summer so he could take his end of year exams so he'd be in seventh year with Stella. It had taken a week for him to get out of bed when they'd arrived back at Grimmauld, partially because he was still healing and partially because Stella had to inform him of Blaise… It hadn't been pretty when the two had broken down, but Stella's heart felt much lighter now.

Order meetings were still held at Grimmauld, Stella having shown a piece of paper with the address on it to the Order members as soon as the keeper had been figured out and written it down for her. She hadn't told anyone who the keeper was and she didn't plan to, either. Stella sat down beside Remus and Harry took the seat beside her, refusing to leave when Molly tried to tell him to, reminding her that he was of age. Theo had rolled his eyes, made Stella stand and then pulled her into his lap, the two back to regularly being in physical contact with one another again. Harry had stared the first time it had happened before letting out a sigh and giving a shrug.

"So, nothing about our fight at Privet Drive?" Harry asked about the Prophet.

"Nothing," Bill replied. "And nothing about Moody's death. But that doesn't mean much. It's keeping a lot quiet these days."

"And they still haven't called a meeting for the underage magic that I used. Because they know I had no choice or because they don't want to tell the world that Voldemort attacked me?"

"The latter, I think. Scrimgeour doesn't want to admit that You-Know-Who is as powerful as he is," Remus answered. "Nor that Azkaban has seen a mass breakout."

"Yeah, why tell the public the truth?" said Harry, clenching Stella's hand under the table.

The next day, back at the Burrow, Fleur spoke up.

"We must decide 'ow you will be disguised, 'Arry, for the wedding. Of course, none of our guests are Death Eaters, but we cannot guarantee zat zey will not let something slip after zey 'ave 'ad champagne."

"Yes, good point," said Molly from the top of the table, where she sat, spectacles perched on the end of her nose, scanning an immense list of jobs that she had scribbled on a very long piece of parchment. "Now, Ron, have you cleaned out your room yet?"

"Why?" exclaimed Ron, slamming his spoon down and glaring at his mother. "Why does my room have to be cleaned out? Harry and I are fine with it the way it is!"

"We are holding your brother's wedding here in a few days' time, young man—"

"Are they getting married in my bedroom?" asked Ron furiously. "No! So why in the name of Merlin's saggy left—"

"Don't talk to your mother like that," Arthur spoke up, voice firm. "And do as you're told."

"I can help," Harry offered. "Some of it's my mess.

"No, Harry, dear, I'd much rather you helped Arthur muck out the chickens, and Hermione, I'd be ever so grateful if you'd change the sheets for Monsieur and Madame Delacour, you know they're arriving at eleven tomorrow morning."

"How come Stella doesn't have to do any chores?" Ron grumbled.

"Stella Nova and I have a bit of work to do at Grimmauld and we're tutoring Theo," Remus spoke up and Ron rolled his eyes as he stared down at his apple tart.

Remus, Theo and Stella said their goodbyes and headed to Grimmauld. They all shared an amused glance before Stella and Theo went to the library, Theo studying and Stella organizing books on war tactics and strategies, which were bookmarked with red tabs. She placed them on the long table beside the horcrux books before placing three books on Occlumency beside those ones. There were notes on top of all three piles in case she wasn't there when Harry, Ron, and Hermione showed up. Remus, Theo, and Stella would be heading to Hogwarts in a months' time, him to teach Defense and the two Slytherins to keep an eye on the other Slytherins.

Stella walked up the stairs of the house and stopped on the second floor. She avoided this floor because Sirius's room was here and she tried not to go near it. She needed to be brave, she decided, and walked down the hall. She walked past Regulus Black's room and stopped in front of Sirius's door. She pushed it open, staring inside and ended up doubled over laughing so hard that Remus ran down the hall.

"What? What is it? Are you laughing?" he asked, looking concerned.

"He has- half naked- Muggle women- on- his walls!" she panted out between laughs.

"Ah, yes," Remus smirked. "Permanent sticking charms as well. Said it pissed Walburga off to no ends."

"Oh, that's so funny," Stella wiped a stray tear away before stepping into the room.

"What are you doing up here?" Remus asked curiously.

"I decided to be a bit more Gryffindor," Stella shrugged. "I've been afraid of coming up here, worried I'd have a break down. I need to be stronger than that though. Can't exactly fall to the floor crying every time that someone mentions him, now can I?"

"You've been doing much better with Theo here," Remus nodded and Stella could tell he wanted to say more but was holding himself back.

She didn't call him out for it though. Instead, Stella looked around the room, doing a slow circle. It didn't hurt as much as she thought it would. It still hurt but she was remembering happy memories now instead of just seeing Sirius and Blaise falling through the veil, out of sight and out of her life forever. She approached the walls, finding pictures from when Sirius was in school, smiling up at her while laughing with James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and Remus Lupin. She smirked as she turned to Remus.

"That haircut did you no favors Uncle Moony," she smirked.

"Oh, hush," Remus smirked, walking over to the wall and smiling at the picture, arm going around her shoulders. "We were teenagers who didn't like haircuts."

"Yeah, neither do Theo or Ron and I still hold them down and cut their hair every so often," Stella rolled her eyes.

"Yes, well, it was us four boys until Marlenne, Mary, Dorcas, and Lily started hanging out with us. Marlenne forced Sirius to stay still after that while Dorcas and Lily started in on James, whose hair was just as difficult as Harry's. Mary dealt with Pete and I…"

Stella knew it hurt to talk about all of them but she appreciated Remus's words still. She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a small hug. He smiled down at her before kissing the top of her head and leaving the room. Stella watched him go, smile turning down a bit as she watched him go.

Things had been more difficult than before for him. She knew it was due to Snape's betrayal, Remus's loneliness eating at him a bit. She tried to be as present as possible, but she was dealing with her own emotions considering Snape as well and it made it hard to be there for him when she needed someone there for her as well. He was doing an amazing job at holding himself together for her, but she'd heard him crying in the study a few times, peaking in and seeing him nursing a glass of whiskey and staring down at a photo of himself and Snape, laughing in the kitchen after an Order meeting. She didn't even know where the photo had come from.

She stayed in Sirius's room for a bit, finding old letters between himself and James, a few from her mother, and one from Lily with half a picture. In the picture, James was chasing after Harry on a toy broom, going in and out of frame every few seconds. She smiled and pocketed it, deciding to keep it for herself. She took the letters and placed them in a box to go through later, hoping there was nothing inappropriate to read. She didn't want to think about her parents making her, thank you very much.

Stella stepped out of the room, closing the door behind herself and beginning to walk back towards the stairs. Halfway to the stairs, she stopped mid-step before taking a few steps back, stopping in front of Regulus's old room. She turned to the door slowly, staring at the sign on the door: 'Do Not Enter Without the Express Permission of Regulus Arcturus Black.'

Stella dropped the box and pushed the door open, staring around with large eyes as if the horcrux would be floating in the air in front of her. She began tearing the room apart, searching for the Horcrux. She tore everything out of the dresser, cabinets included, then pulled everything out from under the bed, tearing everything open and searching through it. She threw everything out of the closet and the attached loo, finding nothing.

She stood on the bed, checking inside the canopy before hoping down and pulling sheets off the bed, searching inside the pillow cases before tearing the pillows open and dumping the feathers out. She checked the mattress for any tearing or sewing in case it had been put into the mattress before an idea hit her.

"Kreacher?!"

"What has Mistress done?" Kreacher asked, staring at the room in shock.

"I'll clean it. Kreacher, did Master Regulus have a locket?"

Kreacher's eyes widened and he put his hands over his mouth, forcing himself not to breath so he wouldn't answer her.

"Kreacher, answer me now! This is important!"

"Master had a locket! Master Regulus told Kreacher to destroy it but Kreacher could not!" Kreacher screeched, looking pained and with tears streaming down his face. "Kreacher was a bad elf! Kreacher did not do as master told him! Kreacher could not destroy the locket!"

"Kreacher, you wouldn't have been able to," Stella told him, pulling the elf into a hug. "It's alright. It isn't your fault."

"Kreacher is sorry," Kreacher sobbed into her chest.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," she assured him. "It isn't your fault… Kreacher, would you like for me to destroy the locket?"

"Mistress can destroy it?" Kreacher asked, staring up at her with wide eyes that were still full of tears.

"I can," she nodded.

"Kreacher will get it!"

Kreacher popped away and reappeared with the locket in his hand.

"Nasty thief could not get into Kreacher's room to steal Kreacher's things. Kreacher protected the locket."

"Thank you, Kreacher. The thief can't come into the house anymore. Kreacher, if anyone asks about this locket, I want you to lie and say you don't know what they're talking about. The only people that you can tell about it are Harry, Ron, Hermione, and myself. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mistress. Kreacher will lie, Mistress."

"Thank you, Kreacher. I'll take care of this."

Kreacher snapped his fingers and the room righted itself.

"I was going to do that, Kreacher," Stella smirked. "I should have just asked you before tearing apart Regulus's room. I'm sorry."

"It is alright, Mistress."

"Kreacher… where did Regulus get the locket?"

"The Dark Lord needed an elf. Master Regulus gave Kreacher to the Dark Lord and we went to a dark place. The Dark Lord cut Kreacher's hand. The Dark Lord made Kreacher drink a terrible drink and put the locket in. He left Kreacher there and Kreacher tried to drink some water. The dead ones tried to drag Kreacher under but Master Regulus had told Kreacher to come home so Kreacher did.

"Master Regulus made Kreacher take him there. Master Regulus cut his own hand and drank the drink and put the fake locket inside. He ordered Kreacher to return home and destroy the locket. Master Regulus tried to drink water but the dead ones took him under…

"He ordered Kreacher to go home so Kreacher did. Kreacher should have saved his master but Kreacher could not. Kreacher had to come home!"

Stella was holding Kreacher again, both crying now. Stella looked around the room, thinking of Regulus Black and how he'd been drowned by the inferi that had dragged Harry under the water in the cave. She thought of how it felt being unable to bury Sirius and Blaise, how they were just… gone.

"Kreacher, is Regulus still there?"

"Yes," Kreacher was sniffling now, calming down.

"Okay," Stella took a deep breath, already hating the plan that had come to her mind. "Okay. I'll be back."

Stella ran down to the study, finding Remus staring at the picture and about to pour himself a drink.

"Do that later," Stella told him, putting the locket on and stuffing it into her shirt. "We have something important that we need to do."

"And what's that, Cub?" Remus asked, confused.

"We have to go get Regulus's body from a cave full of inferi," Stella shrugged. "Come on. We leave in five minutes or I go without you."

Stella ran up to her room, ignoring Remus as he yelled after her, chasing after her a moment later. Stella grabbed a change of clothes, locking herself in the bathroom and changing into old jeans and a long sleeve shirt. She pulled on the shield gloves and stepped out of the bathroom, passing two gloves to Remus as she went to her trunk, pulling out Blaise's wand and sliding it up her left sleeve, her wand already up her right sleeve. She tossed Sirius's wand to Remus, who was still a bit in shock.

"What's going on?" Theo asked from Stella's bed where he was reading a defense book.

"Stella, I need an explanation," Remus told her, pulling the gloves on and sliding the extra wand up his left sleeve as she'd done.

"Kreacher just told me how Regulus died and I've decided that I don't want him to rot there anymore. He went to an inferi filled cave to do something to try stopping Voldemort and he lost his life for it. I don't leave people behind, in case we all failed to notice. Theo, your leg is still injured so you can't come. Be ready here in case one of us gets hurt."

"Got it," Theo nodded.

"Hold on. I'll get us a bit of backup," Remus looked determined now and Stella wondered if he'd thought of Sirius and Blaise as well, along with how Stella had brought Moody back.

Stella was in the kitchen, Theo sitting at the table, waiting with Kreacher when Tonks and Remus walked into the room.

"I hear we're fighting Inferi?" Tonks asked, bouncing a bit.

"Yupp," Stella smirked.

Tonks and Remus were on much better terms ever since Stella had physically pushed Remus out of the closet, becoming rather good friends.

"Cool! When do we leave?"

"Kreacher, can you take us directly into the cave?" Stella asked him.

"Yes, Mistress. But, why, Mistress?"

"We're going to get Regulus," Stella shrugged. "Come on."

Kreacher took Stella's hand and then Tonks's, Remus taking their free hands. They landed in a dark cave, on a rock in the center of the water. Stella looked around, seeing the potion that Harry had told Stella about. She stepped away from it quickly and looked to the others.

"Alright. Do we just summon him?" Tonks asked.

"Stella can summon him while we fight the inferi," Remus nodded and Stella didn't like being left out of the fight but she really didn't want to have to fight a bunch of reanimated dead bodies, either.

"Accio, Regulus Black's body?" Stella waved her wand.

Nothing happened at first but then the surface of the water began to ripple. Tonks and Stella watched where small waves were now forming as Remus watched the water behind them, waiting. Kreacher stood in the center, ready to grab them all and disappear at a moment's notice.

Suddenly, bones flew out of the water, bits of bloated muscle and torn clothing. The body landed in front of Stella's feet with a sickening smack that almost made Stella lose her breakfast. She pointed her wand at the body and used her magic to push the body into her empty extendable bag that she knew she'd be tossing away the moment she got the chance. Remus and Tonks had their wands at the ready, Inferi just beginning to break the surface of the water as Stella finished putting the body away.

"Get us out of here, Kreacher!" Stella ordered and they all grasped hands, Kreacher taking them right back to the kitchen.

Stella placed the bag on the table and stepped away from it, jumping up and down with a disgusted look on her face, hands shaking as she refused to look towards the table. Remus stepped forward, summoning the body out of the bag and onto the floor. Tonks and Remus worked together, turning the body into ash. Stella summoned a Black family goblet and transfigured it into an urn before using her magic to place the ashes into the urn, which she placed in the hutch so everyone could see the words 'Regulus A. Black' written across the front.

"Well, I never want to do that again," Stella breathed.

"So, that's what happened to Cousin Regulus," Tonks breathed.

"Yupp," Stella nodded. "I'm going to take a very long shower now."

"Me, as well," Tonks nodded. "See you later, cousin."

"Bye, cousin," Stella smiled, watching Tonks leave before turning to Remus. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Remus sighed, staring at the urn. "Just strange is all. What could he have been doing in that cave?"

"No clue," Stella shrugged before walking pass him and heading up the stairs.

Once alone in her room, Stella pulled the locket out of her shirt, staring at it. There was a large 'S' on the front of it and it felt… wrong. She took her long shower, necklace still around her neck. Once out of the shower, she put on pajamas, deciding she'd done enough for the night as she laid down and went to sleep, Theo joining her in bed not long after.

Stella had nightmares of the worst kind. She watched her friends dying over and over again by Voldemort's, Bellatrix's, and Greyback's hands. Severus Snape smiled as he stared down at her broken body on the ground beside Moody, wand pointed at her as the torture curse was uttered from his lips.

She sat upright in bed, taking deep breaths and hand over the locket. It felt warm on her hand, as if it was feeding off of her nightmares. She glared at the thing before getting up and getting ready for the day, Theo already missing from bed. She'd promised to be at the Burrow to help make breakfast before the Delacour's arrived. Locket hidden in her shirt to pass to Harry later, Stella, Theo, and Remus flooed to the Burrow, smiling as they found Harry waiting for them.

"Hello, love," Stella smiled, giving him a quick kiss before going to the kitchen and helping Molly and Fleur.

The first sound of their approach was an unusually high-pitched laugh, which turned out to be coming from Arthur, who appeared at the gate moments later, laden with luggage and leading a beautiful, blonde woman in long, leaf green robes, who could only be Fleur's mother.

"Maman!" cried Fleur, rushing forwards to embrace her. "Papa!"

Monsieur Delacour was nowhere near as attractive as his wife; he was a head shorter and extremely plump, with a little, pointed, black beard. However, he looked good-natured. Bouncing towards Molly on high-heeled boots, he kissed her twice on each cheek, leaving her flustered.

"You 'ave been too much trouble," he said in a deep voice. "Fleur tells us you 'ave been working very 'ard."

"Oh, it's been nothing, nothing!" trilled Molly. "No trouble at all!"

Ron relieved his feelings by aiming a kick at a gnome who was peering out from behind one of the new Flutterby Bushes.

"Dear lady!" said Monsieur Delacour, still holding Molly's hand between his own two plump ones and beaming. "We are most honored at the approaching union of our two families! Let me present my wife, Apolline."

Madame Delacour glided forwards and stooped to kiss Molly too.

"Enchantée," she said. "Your 'usband 'as been telling us such amusing stories!"

Arthur gave a maniacal laugh; Molly threw him a look, upon which he became immediately silent and assumed an expression appropriate to the sickbed of a close friend.

"And, of course, you 'ave met my leetle daughter, Gabrielle!" said Monsieur Delacour.

Gabrielle was Fleur in miniature; eleven years old, with waist-length hair of pure, silvery blonde, she gave Molly a dazzling smile and hugged her before seeing Stella.

"Stella!" Gabrielle yelled and Stella caught the young girl in her arms, lifting her up to her hip and smiling as they hugged.

"How are you?" Stella asked her in French.

"You know French?" Gabrielle asked her, also speaking the language.

"I do."

"Magnificent!"

"Since when do you know French?" Theo asked, confused.

"Since I learned from my great grandmother's portrait at home," Stella shrugged.

"Italian is next," Theo told her and Stella groaned before smirking at him.

"Well, come in, do!" said Molly brightly, and she ushered the Delacour's into the house, with many 'No, please!'s and 'After you!'s and 'Not at all!'s.

The Delacour's, it soon transpired, were helpful, pleasant guests. They were pleased with everything and keen to assist with the preparations for the wedding. Monsieur Delacour pronounced everything from the seating plan to the bridesmaids' shoes 'charmant!' Madame Delacour was most accomplished at household spells and had the oven properly cleaned in a trice; Gabrielle followed her elder sister around, trying to assist in any way she could and jabbering away in rapid French.

"What do you want for your birthday?" Stella asked Harry one night as they laid on the attic floor, Harry and Ron having taken over her old room so that another room would be available.

"I don't know," Harry shrugged. "It's not a big deal."

"You're coming of age. It's a very big deal," Stella corrected him. "I got you a few things already but those don't really count as gifts all things considered."

"What did you get me?" he asked curiously.

"Safety stuff," she shrugged. "You'll see when you go to Grimmauld. I left it all in the library for your three."

"Well, that's more than enough," Harry sniffed. "You're letting us hide in Grimmauld already as is."

"Why wouldn't I?" Stella sent him a soft glare. "My boyfriend, brother and friend are trying take out an evil wizard. Giving you a safe place is the least I can do, honestly."

"You're amazing. You know that?" Harry smiled softly.

"I do but I still like to hear it," Stella smirked and Harry chuckled before leaning forward and kissing her gently.

"What could they possibly be doing in there?" Molly's voice demanded as she threw the door open. "Oh."

Stella and Harry jumped apart, sitting up quickly and both blushing.

"I thought you were helping get the house in order," Molly said, also a little red.

"We cleaned the bathrooms and wanted a little break," Stella shrugged. "Need help in the kitchen?"

"Yes, dear," Molly nodded and Stella jumped to her feet, sending Harry a wink before she exited the room quickly, running down the stairs to the kitchen with a smirk.

"Mum was looking for you," Ginny told her as she entered the kitchen.

"She found me," Stella nodded.

"Why are you blushing?" Theo asked, a mischievous smirk on his lips.

"Because she also found Harry," Stella admitted as she took over peeling potatoes.

Ginny and Theo laughed loudly, heads thrown back.

"You'd think after walking in on Fred and Hermione snogging, she'd start knocking on doors," Ginny was still laughing, wiping a stray tear from her eye.

"Apparently not," Stella laughed with them.

Stella helped make all of Harry's favorites for breakfast after adding her gift to pile on the table, Remus smirking as he did the same, but sat down as Stella waved her hand and sent a cup of tea to the table in front of him. Bill and Fleur's father were down first, almost finished with their breakfast when Harry and Ron came down, Molly chattering over a frying pan.

"Arthur told me to wish you a happy seventeenth, Harry," she beamed at him. "He had to leave early for work but he'll back for dinner. That's our present on top."

Harry opened the second-hand watch, smiling brightly at it.

"It's traditional to give a wizard a watch when he comes of age," Molly explained, watching Harry with an anxious look on her face, waiting for him to tell her if he liked it or not. "I'm afraid that one isn't new like Ron's. It was actually my brother Fabian's and he wasn't terribly careful with his possessions. It's a bit dented on the back but—"

Harry hugged Molly so tightly that the rest of her speech was cut off. Stella had to look away, a tear escaping her at the scene. Molly patted Harry's cheek lovingly once he pulled away and turned back to the frying pan, Stella seeing a few tears escaping her as well. She passed Molly a small towel after wiping her own tears and Molly gave her a thankful look.

"Oh," Harry breathed and Stella glanced behind herself, seeing Harry staring at the necklace she'd given him.

It was a locket in the shape of a small snitch, a picture of the two of them inside of it. He was staring at the picture for a long moment before closing the snitch and putting the necklace on quickly. He stood and hugged Stella tightly as well.

"You have to be careful and come back to me," she whispered to him.

"Of course," he whispered into her ear. "You're bloody terrifying when you're angry. I'd hate for you to find a way to bring me back to life just so you could kill me yourself."

Stella let out a small laugh and pulled away. Harry gave her a gentle kiss and Stella pushed him back to the table. He smiled as he sat down, just watching her for a minute before Remus cleared his throat.

"Yeah, Uncle Moony?" Harry asked and Stella smirked as she looked to Remus, seeing him now beaming at Harry.

Remus said nothing, just pushed a gift across the table. Remus caught Stella's eye for a moment and she turned away, smiling brightly as she continued mixing batter for the cake. She helped to frost the giant, round cake before Molly began floating it to the table outside.

"Out of the way, out of the way!" Molly sang as Stella followed behind her.

"That looks amazing, Mrs. Weasley," Harry smiled brightly.

"Oh, Stella did most of the work," Molly waved him off and Harry's eyes landed on Stella, shining brightly.

She just shrugged and took his hand. By seven o'clock, the guests had all arrived, led inside by Fred and George, who had waited at the end of the lane. Hagrid had honored the occasion by wearing his best, a horrible, hairy brown suit. Tonks' hair was a brighter pink than normal as she hugged Harry, wishing him a happy birthday before she made her way over to Remus, the two talking quietly back and forth. Stella knew why. They'd both been asking her about the cave repeatedly. Thankfully Theo hadn't asked or else she probably would have told him everything, which she was pretty sure that he actually knew and was just being polite enough to not use to his advantage.

That reminded Stella that she was still wearing the locket. She kept forgetting it was there. It had tried messing with her emotions at first, but she took so many potions that it was too difficult for it to do so. Stella only remembered it was on when she saw it in the shower or getting dressed or after waking up from a nightmare, which she was having almost every night now, Theo having woken her up a few times.

The bags under her eyes were hidden with makeup but Ginny kept giving her strange looks. As if she knew something more was going on besides being worried about Harry, Ron, and Hermione but she couldn't quite figure out what.

"I think we'd better start without Arthur," Molly called to the garden at large after a moment or two. "He must have been held up at – oh!"

They all saw it at the same time: a streak of light that came flying across the yard and on to the table, where it resolved itself into a bright silver weasel, which stood on its hind legs and spoke with Arthur's voice.

"Minister for Magic coming with me."

The Patronus dissolved into thin air, leaving Fleur's family peering in astonishment at the place where it had vanished.

"Brilliant," Stella rolled her eyes.

There was no time to discuss the matter; a second later, Arthur appeared out of thin air at the gate, accompanied by Rufus Scrimgeour, instantly recognizable by his mane of grizzled hair. The two newcomers marched across the yard towards the garden and the lantern-lit table, where everybody sat in silence, watching them draw closer. As Scrimgeour came within range of the lantern light, Stella saw that he looked much older than the last time they had met, scraggy and grim.

"Sorry to intrude," said Scrimgeour, as he limped to a halt before the table. "Especially as I can see that I am gatecrashing a party."

His eyes lingered for a moment on the giant Snitch cake.

"Many happy returns."

"Thanks," said Harry.

"I require a private word with you," Scrimgeour went on. "Also with Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger."

"Us?" said Ron, sounding surprised. "Why us?"

"I shall tell you that when we are somewhere more private," said Scrimgeour. "Is there such a place?"

"Yes, of course," said Arthur, who looked nervous. "The, er, sitting room, why don't you use that?"

"You can lead the way," Scrimgeour said to Ron. "There will be no need for either of you to accompany us, Arthur, Miss Black."

Stella glared at Scrimgeour for a moment before rolling her eyes and sitting back down, arms crossed in front of her on the table. Remus rubbed her back for a moment to calm her as Molly and Arthur exchanged worried looks. The moment they were in the house, Stella, Fred, George, and Theo were on their feet, Fred and George tossing extendable ears to the other two. They tried sticking one under the door but found a privacy charm had been put in place. Stella glared at the door before the four went back to the backyard, looking put out.

"Privacy charms?" Remus smirked.

"Privacy charms," Stella complained.

A few minutes later, raised voices could be heard and Molly, Arthur, Stella, Remus, and Fred ran into the house, bursting through the door with wands drawn. Stella glared at the sight of the minister burning Harry's chest and Scrimgeour hissed as a stinging hex caused him to pull his arm out.

"Who did that?!" he demanded.

Stella ignored the minister, moving to Harry and looking through the hole in his shirt to see the damage. She pointed her wand at him, healing the burn quickly as Remus stood behind Stella, facing the minister who had tried to grab her from behind. The minister took a few steps back immediately.

"It- it was nothing," the minister growled before looking to Harry. "I… regret your attitude. You seem to think that the ministry does not desire what you- what Dumbledore- desired. We ought to be working together."

"I don't like your methods, Minister," said Harry. "Remember?"

Harry raised his fist, showing the scar on his hand reading 'I must not tell lies.' Scrimgeour's expression hardened. He turned away without another word and limped from the room. Molly hurried after him and they all heard her stop at the door. After a minute or so, she called, 'He's gone!'

"What did he want?" Arthur asked, looking at the three in concern, Molly hurrying back into the room.

"To give us what Dumbledore left us," said Harry. "They've only just released the contents of his will."

Outside in the garden, over the dinner tables, the three objects Scrimgeour had given them were passed from hand to hand. Everyone exclaimed over the Deluminator and 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' and lamented the fact that Scrimgeour had refused to pass on the sword, but none of them could offer any suggestion as to why Dumbledore would have left Harry an old Snitch.

As Arthur examined the Deluminator for the third or fourth time, Molly said tentatively, "Harry, dear, everyone's awfully hungry, we didn't like to start without you … shall I serve dinner now?"

Fred and George set off fireworks once it was dark and then Hagrid set up a tent to sleep in for the night, too big to sleep in the Burrow but invited to the wedding the next day. Stella kissed Harry's cheek before flooing away with Remus and Theo.

Stella flooed into the Burrow the next morning, joining the other ladies inside to help Fleur get ready. Gabrielle and Ginny were already in their dresses when Stella arrived. She sat on the floor in front of a large mirror, doing her own makeup before Ginny sat beside her and Stella did hers as well. She changed in the loo before using her wand to curl her hair lightly.

"Where'd you get that?" Ginny asked, pointing to the locket.

"Oh, Kreacher found it," Stella said, hiding the locket in her dress quickly and mentally kicking herself for having forgotten about it again. "Can you remind me that I have it at the end of the night. I actually wanted to give it to Hermione but I keep forgetting about it."

"Sure," Ginny nodded before they helped Fleur into her gown with the help of Molly and Madame Delacour.

Aunt Muriel showed up and Stella and Ginny exchanged looks. She handed the tiara over, looking none too pleased about it as she bragged about it being goblin made and being in the family for centuries before her eyes landed on Stella and Ginny.

"Ah, Stella Black. I was wondering if you'd be in the wedding or not," Muriel nodded. "You look lovely in that color. It washes you out a bit, Ginevra."

"This is Hermione," Stella introduced when Hermione walked in. "Fred's girlfriend."

"Oh, dear, is this the muggle-born? Bad posture and skinny ankles."

"Let's get you to a seat, Aunt Muriel," Stella offered, giving Muriel her arm.

"Such a sweet girl," Mariel smiled. "Must get that from your real family."

"You are my real family, Aunt Muriel," Stella told her and Muriel smiled.

"I'm here to lead Aunt Muriel to her seat," Ron announced as Stella stepped outside.

"Well, here she is," Stella nodded, giving Muriel's arm to Ron. "I'll see you in a bit, Aunt Muriel."

"Yes, dear," Muriel smiled, frowning at Ron when she took his arm.

"Is the coast clear?" Hermione asked, looking grumpy.

"Give it a minute," Stella sighed.

"Why does she like you so much?" Ginny demanded, arms crossed over her chest.

"Because I kept the twins from pranking her every chance they got when we were kids," Stella reminded her before looking to Fleur. "Oh, tu es belle. Absolument radieux." (Oh, you look beautiful. Absolutely radiant.)

"Merci," Fleur smiled brightly as Hermione left to find her own seat.

"A few more minutes," Molly smiled brightly, Arthur going to her side and looking rather proudly at everyone around him. "We should head down Arthur. Where are the twins?"

"Well, I'm sure they had to finish seating people and then they'll be here," Stella told her.

"We're here," Fred announced, rushing into the room and smiling to Stella, having heard her covering for them.

"Perfect," Molly smiled.

Molly and Arthur left, followed by Madame Delacour. Stella walked with Fred, Ginny with George, and Gabrielle with Charlie. Bill was standing under an arch created by white and gold flowers, gold balloons fastened over the exact point where Bill and Fleur would be married. Golden chairs were lined and filled with guest, a purple carpet as the aisle. Harry's transfigured eyes met Stella's and she sent him a smirk, causing his look of awe to turn into a beaming smile. Stella was impressed that she could still recognize him with transfigured features and red hair.

A great collective sigh issued from the assembled witches and wizards as Monsieur Delacour and Fleur came walking up the aisle, Fleur gliding, Monsieur Delacour bouncing and beaming. Fleur was wearing a very simple white dress and seemed to be emitting a strong, silvery glow. While her radiance usually dimmed everyone else by comparison, today it beautified everybody it fell upon. Stella, Ginny, and Gabrielle, all wearing golden dresses, looked even prettier than usual, and once Fleur had reached him, Bill did not look as though he had ever met Fenrir Greyback.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said a slightly sing-song voice, and with a slight shock Stella saw the same small, tufty-haired wizard who had presided at Dumbledore's funeral, now standing in front of Bill and Fleur. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls …"

"Yes, my tiara sets off the whole thing nicely," said Auntie Muriel in a rather carrying whisper. "But I must say, Ginevra's dress is far too low-cut."

Stella and Ginny exchanged amused looks before Stella glanced around the crowd, shooting Harry a smirk before facing the front again.

"Do you, William Arthur, take Fleur Isabelle…"

In the front row, Molly and Madame Delacour were both sobbing quietly into scraps of lace. Trumpet-like sounds from the back of the marquee told everyone that Hagrid had taken out one of his own tablecloth-sized handkerchiefs. Stella had a few happy tears escape her as well, wiping them away quickly.

"… then I declare you bonded for life."

The tufty-haired wizard raised his wand high over the heads of Bill and Fleur and a shower of silver stars fell upon them, spiraling around their now entwined figures. As Fred and George led a round of applause, the golden balloons overhead burst; birds of paradise and tiny, golden bells flew and floated out of them, adding their songs and chimes to the din.

"Ladies and gentlemen! If you would please stand!"

They all did so, Auntie Muriel grumbling audibly; he waved his wand. The seats on which they had been sitting rose gracefully into the air as the canvas walls of the marquee vanished, so that they stood beneath a canopy supported by golden poles, with a glorious view of the sunlit orchard and surrounding countryside. Next, a pool of molten gold spread from the center of the tent to form a gleaming dance floor; the hovering chairs grouped themselves around small, white-clothed tables, which all floated gracefully back to earth around it, and the golden-jacketed band trooped towards a podium.

Stella smiled from between Molly and Ginny as people congratulated the happy couple. The two were finally given the all clear to leave the wedding party and they both left rather quickly, smiling brightly at one another before Viktor Krum appeared in front of them.

"Ginny, yes?" he asked the pretty redhead.

"I am…" Ginny looked a bit dazed.

"Vould you like to dance?"

"Sure," Ginny nodded, tossing Stella a surprised look over her shoulder.

Stella smirked, watching the two go before moving along, trying to remember what Harry looked like.

"Looking for someone?" a redhead asked and Stella knew it was him.

"Yeah," she sighed, hands on her hips. "Black hair, green eyes, scar on his forehead… bit of a tosser?"

"A tosser?" Harry laughed.

"But he's cute so it's fine," Stella shrugged.

Harry threw his head back laughing and Stella felt rather accomplished.

"Wanna dance?" Harry asked, offering his hand.

"Absolutely," Stella smiled, taking his offered hand.

The two swayed on the dance floor, smiling and joking the entire time. Stella got Harry to laugh a few more times before Charlie wondered over, belting lyrics loudly and causing the Weasley siblings to all sing along.

(I did not write this song! It is 'Bones' by Sail North)

"Fee-fi-fo-fum!" Stella sang along with them, kissing Harry's cheek before joining her siblings in the center of the dance floor and dancing in circles together. "Crossbones, swords and a bottle of rum! Heave-high-ho-hum! No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum! From the dawning of the day to the drowning of the sun,
No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum!"

The crowd watched as the siblings traded who got to sing which lyrics in the song, dancing in circles together.

"Salt on my tongue from the spray of the sea! Drunk on the sun beatin' down on me!" Ginny sang.

"Bound for a treasure that's never been seen! Where dead men lay their bones!" Ron continued.

"Blood on my hands from the pull of the rope! No wind in our sails, so we have to row!" Stella spun Ginny around.

"And it's heave, ho or to the locker you'll go! Where dead men lay their bones! Where dead men lay their bones!" Fred and George sang together.

"Shapes in the shadows wanna swallow us whole! The roar of the Kraken tries to pull us below!" Charlie was doing a strange little gig that Stella thought he might have learned from a dragon. "So it's heave, ho or to the locker we'll go! Where dead men lay their bones!"

"Captain Jack throws another one back! He finishes a bottle while we're breaking our backs! So it's, "Aye, Cap!" until we give him the sack! Where dead men lay their bones!" Bill sang loudly as he spun Fleur in the center of the circle before all the siblings sang together again, stomping their feet loudly.

"What do we do with a drunken sailor? Don't have a longboat or a rusty razor! Toss him in the drink and watch him sink, Where dead men lay their bones! Fee-fi-fo-fum! Crossbones, swords and a bottle of rum! Heave-high-ho-hum! No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum! From the dawning of the day to the drowning of the sun! No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum!"

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises…" Stella sang in a hushed voice.

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises…" the twins followed her quieter voice.

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises…" Stella raised her voice just a bit.

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises," Ginny and Ron copied her.

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises…" Stella's voice was higher again.

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises…" Charlie and Bill raised their voices as well.

"Weigh, hey, and up he'll stay!" Stella sang loudly before the others joined her again.

"Where dead men hang their bones! Fee-fi-fo-fum! Crossbones, swords and a bottle of rum! Heave-high-ho-hum! No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum! From the dawning of the day to the drowning of the sun! No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum!"

The siblings all laughed as they continued dancing in circles together.

"I always hated that song," Molly sighed from beside Arthur and Remus.

"Why are they singing sea chanties?" Remus asked, confused.

"They used to play pirates when they were kids," Arthur was laughing at the memory. "Charlie and Bill made songs for them and everything. We still have a makeshift pirate ship on the other side of the trees and they would bury Molly's pots and pans as treasure."

"I still haven't found my great grandmother's copper pot," Molly gave a smirk, also trying not to laugh now.

Stella wondered over to Remus, grabbed his hand, and pulled him into the dancing as Ron grabbed Harry, Ginny grabbed Luna, George grabbed Theo, and Fred grabbed Hermione, dragging them in. Charlie pulled Molly and Arthur in as well, the large family dancing together happily as they went. Theo tapped out first, leg aching a bit before Harry followed his lead, sitting beside Doge as he avoided a drunken uncle who seemed unsure if Harry was his son or not. Stella needed a bit of air and Remus happily walked her just outside the tent, the cool night air helping her to breathe easier. Large crowds for long periods of time still made her a bit antsy.

After a few minutes, Stella and Remus returned inside, Remus stealing her for a dance. Suddenly, something large and silver came falling through the canopy over the dance floor. Graceful and gleaming, the lynx landed lightly in the middle of the astonished dancers. Heads turned as those nearest it froze, absurdly, in mid-dance. Then the Patronus's mouth opened wide and it spoke in the loud, deep, slow voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."

Someone screamed and all hell broke loose. Remus and Stella had a wand in each hand, Stella having let Remus keep Sirius's wand after the cave, mostly because she hadn't wanted to face him long enough to be asked questions. Guests were sprinting in all directions; many were Disapparating; the protective enchantments around The Burrow had broken.

"Ron!" Hermione's voice called above the crowd and Stella grabbed Ron, pushing him towards Hermione and Harry quickly.

Harry tried to rush to Stella but Remus pushed him back to Hermione and Ron.

"Go!" he bellowed and Hermione disappeared with Stella's boyfriend and brother.

"Protego!" Stella, Remus, and Tonks shouted together, a cry that was echoed on all sides of the tent.

"You have to go!" Ginny yelled at Stella. "Now!"

Remus grabbed Stella and Theo as Stella tried to argue, wanting to protect Ginny. He turned on the spot and the three landed on the stoop in front of Grimmauld. They ran inside, calling for Harry, Ron, and Hermione in loud voices before realizing that they weren't there.

"Shit," Stella groaned, sliding to the floor in the entryway, Theo sliding down with her. "They were supposed to come here."

"It's alright," Remus said but he could see how worried she was. "They'll be here. They probably just went somewhere else first. I have to get back and make sure everyone is okay."

"Be careful," Stella begged him and he kissed her head before stepping out of Grimmauld, apparating as the door closed behind him.

Stella did not move from her spot in the entryway, staring at the door and waiting for it to open with news. It was forty minutes before Harry, Hermione, and Ron fell through the door, looking a bit alarmed. Stella was up in an instant, arms thrown around Ron as he carried her further into the house so that they could shut the door.

"Are you alright?" she asked, close to tears as she looked him over before pulling Harry into a tight hug as well.

"Are the others alright?" Ron asked.

"Uncle Moony left after bringing us here to go check," Theo told him, watching as Stella pulled Hermione into a hug next.

Hermione was a little surprised by the hug but hugged Stella back just as tightly. Stella pulled away, checking Hermione over for injuries before Harry spoke up.

"Stella?"

"Yeah?"

"Where'd you get that?"

"Get what?"

Stella looked down at her chest where Harry was pointing, finding the horcrux around her neck. She pulled it off quickly, tossing it towards the stairs and breathing heavily.

"I keep forgetting I'm wearing the damn thing," she gasped out.

It was as if a hand had slowly been tightening around her throat without her having realized it. She felt exhausted suddenly, the lack of good sleep catching up with her. She stumbled slightly and Ron caught her, lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the sitting room. Harry grabbed the horcrux, carrying it with them.

"How did she know to keep it?" Hermione asked, sounding confused.

"Was it possessing her?" Ron asked, facing the other two.

"It was trying to," Stella answered, yawning so hard that her jaw popped. "Don't wear the damn thing. Presents in the library. I need a nap."

Stella rolled to her side, facing away from the others. They all left quickly, going to the library as Stella drifted to sleep.

"Books on horcruxes…" Hermione breathed as she stared at the books. "Harry?"

"So, I might have told Stell everything," Harry admitted, scratching the back of his head.

"These books are all on war tactics and strategies," Ron said, looking through the books that had been under a piece of parchment with his name.

"You told her?" Hermione demanded.

"And good thing I did. She already found the locket," Harry shrugged, holding the things up.

"The locket that was trying to possess her like the diary possessed Ginny," Ron deadpanned. "Brilliant."

"Well, on the bright side, Stella has saved us quite a bit of work. She bookmarked all the spots in these books that talk about horcruxes. She left you occluding books, Harry," Hermione spoke up as Ron gave Harry a bit of a glare before turning back to his pile of books. "Yes. I think these will be extremely helpful."

"I would hope so," Remus's voice spoke up, causing the four to jump in surprise. "She's been scouring this room for months like a madwoman. Good to know it wasn't for nothing now. That's a horcrux?"

"What's a horcrux?" Theo finally asked.

"You aren't supposed to know about this," Harry stated, hiding the locket behind his back.

"And neither is she but you still told her. I've been watching her lose sleep, weight, and a bit of sanity every day protecting that thing. I've been trying to get her alone so I could take it from her for weeks now," Remus sighed, stepping further into the room and holding his hand out to Harry.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Theo asked Remus. "I sleep next to her every night. I could have taken it off of her."

Harry sighed before passing the locket over. Remus held it up to the light before waving Sirius's wand. The locket glowed black, shaking a bit violently before Remus dropped the spell.

"A horcrux is an item that someone has put part of their soul into so they can survive longer," Hermione explained to Theo when he gave her a pointed look.

"The fourth book down lists all the ways to destroy a horcrux," Remus told Hermione, placing the locket on the table.

Hermione pulled the large book out and turned to the bookmarked pages, flipping through them until she found the passage that Remus was talking about. She read through it quickly and then sighed, looking a bit put out.

"So, we have to destroy it beyond repair, which we already knew. Fiendfyre, basilisk venom or something embedded with the venom, or the killing curse," she explained.

"Simple enough," Remus shrugged.

"Do you know how to control Fiendfyre?" Ron asked, brows raised.

"No, but I have performed the killing curse on a few Death Eaters and werewolves in the past," Remus stated, raising his wand.

"I'll do it," Stella spoke up from the doorway, causing the other five to jump as she glared at the necklace with so much hatred that all five visibly flinched once they saw her face.

"Are you sure?" Remus asked, voice soft.

"Yes," she nodded, stepping forward, her wand in hand already.

"I think we need to open it," Harry said, staring down at the locket.

Remus reached out and picked the locket up, trying to open it by hand and failing. They tried unlocking spells before Stella thought it over.

"Parseltongue," Stella said loudly enough that everyone stopped and looked to her. "Parseltongue. That's how you opened the Chamber. Maybe it's how you open the locket?"

The locket was placed on the floor and everyone stood behind Stella. She had her wand raised and was ready as Harry hissed. A black smoke filled the room and everyone behind Stella was thrown backwards.

"Useless," Molly's voice spoke.

"Not my real daughter." Arthur.

"I wanted Harry to be my child, not you." Sirius.

"Pathetic, weak, sad little girl!" Snape hissed out, his figure the most pronounced as the black smoke turned into him. "Who could ever love you. I played you the entire time that I knew you. You and your so called Uncle fell for every lie I fed you. Perfect company for one another, both so desperate to be loved and create a family that actually loves you. You. Failed. And you will fail at saving your precious brothers, sister, and friends. The Dark Lord will torture and kill them all in front of you before the Black Madness finally settles in and causes you to turn your wand on them yourself.

"You will become just like Bellatrix! You already got a taste of it in the ministry when you tortured her and when you were enacting your revenge on the Slytherins. That power… You would be useful on the side of the Dark. Come to me. Maybe, in time, I will love you like a daughter. Just give yourself to the Dark Lord and give. Him. The. BOY!"

"AVADA KADAVA!" Stella screamed and the black smoke lashed out, tossing her backwards into the library wall, a book case and books falling on top of her.

Stella groaned as the others dug her out of the rubble. Ron helped her stand, holding her tightly to his side as he glared at the destroyed locket. Stella was breathing heavily as she stared with wide eyes at the locket, which was now broken in two separate pieces. After a few minutes, they all began moving, going to the sitting room again. Ron sat on the couch and Stella laid down, head in his lap as her eyes closed again, falling asleep until the next morning.

Stella stretched in her bed, wondering briefly who had carried her up to her room as she did so. She sat up slowly, changing into jeans and one of Blaise's old sweaters before trudging down to the kitchen where the others had gathered.

"What time is it?" she asked through a yawn.

"Midday," Remus told her.

"Oh," her brows rose before she shrugged and sat beside him. "That's not too bad."

"It's Sunday," Theo added, looking a bit amused.

"I slept for two days?!" Stella demanded before shrugged and looking to the Gryffindors. "What'd I miss?"

"Kreacher told us about Regulus," Ron answered her.

"Ah," she nodded as tea appeared in front of her, along with a turkey sandwich. "Thank you."

"And Harry refuses to tell us how long ago he told you about the horcruxes," Hermione said through grit teeth.

"Technically, I overheard you lot talking about them and decided to try researching them. Didn't find anything in the school library so, when I got the chance, I started looking here. Found a lot more than I was expecting to," Stella shrugged. "Harry needed to vent to someone about everything. I knew that the two of you would react rather than making him feel better about everything so I let him vent to me."

"We let him vent," Ron complained, arms crossing over his chest.

"No. You let him tell you the information that Dumbledore gave him and then reacted in your own ways. Hermione with logic, you with strategies. I made jokes about it to make him feel better."

"It's not a joke, though," Hermione stated firmly.

"Really? I thought the other night was an absolute riot," Stella rolled her eyes before taking a bite of her sandwich, swallowing before speaking again. "I especially liked the part where a piece of a Dark Lord's soul appeared as my own worst thoughts in the shape of Snape and then threw me across the room.

"Is everyone alright?" Stella asked Remus, ignoring Ron and Hermione as they stared at her with a bit of anger, Harry and Theo trying not to laugh.

"Yes but they're all being watched. These three went to Muggle London before coming here. Death Eaters caught up to them somehow."

"That's rude," Stella grumbled. "How'd they find them?"

"We aren't sure yet," Remus answered and Stella groaned in frustration, rubbing her face. "You need more rest. Eat and then to bed."

"Okay, mum," Stella rolled her eyes.

"They're looking for Harry for questioning about Dumbledore's death, as well," Remus said, pulling a copy of the Prophet from across the table and passing it to Stella.

Stella began reading through the prophet, getting more and more angry as she did so.

"So, Muggle-borns have to go to the Ministry for questioning on who they "stole" their magic from and students are required to go to Hogwarts, which is really just a way to grab more Muggle-borns as they walk into the school. They'll have no idea what's going on…"

"What are you thinking up in that head of yours?" Remus smirked.

"Well… we are still going back to the school, yes?" Stella asked Remus and he nodded. "What if we, on the train, found a way to hide the Muggle-borns? The Order could place people on the train and we could get them out of there and back to their families before they reached the school?"

"There would be too many."

"… but they're children…"

"I know."

"Uncle Moony, we can't actually give the Muggle-borns to the Death Eaters. It would be signing their death warrants," Stella said, anger clear on her face.

Remus sighed, chewing his lip for a moment before nodding.

"Let me get the class list from McGonagall and, if it's not too many students, we'll get them out of there."

"I need to write to Tracy," Stella said, standing and leaving the table quickly.

'Tracy,

There is a law against Muggle-born witches and wizards. Do NOT give yourself to the ministry. I'm going to find a way to claim you on the family tree. I'll write you as soon as I figure something out.

-Stella'

Stella was staring at the Black family tree and the burnt out faces, Theo sitting in an armchair behind her and waiting for her to figure something out. She swiped through the family books that Narcissa had gifted her six years ago, finding which ancestors had been Squibs compared to which ones had been disowned. She used her magic to reinherit the squibs, watching as the family tapestry grew, forcing Tracy's name and Hermione's name onto the tapestry, smirking when she heard Hermione gasp in the other room, family magic washing through her.

Stella and Theo walked into the other room, smirking as Hermione's hand was on her chest, the others staring over her in concern.

" 'Scuse me," Stella bumped them out of the way and kneeled in front of Hermione. "How are you feeling?"

"Powerful," Hermione admitted, staring at Stella with awe. "How'd you do it?"

"Reinherited a bunch of squibs and forced you and Tracy onto the family tree. At least you won't have to worry about that if captured. Just say you're Mia Black and they'll have to ask me for confirmation. Your hair is changing a bit."

Stella watched as Hermione's hair calmed, darkening slightly, and a few grey flecks appeared in her eyes. The family magic finished settling on Hermione and Stella smirked, feeling a magical connection to Hermione and Tracy snap into place at the same time.

"Perfect," Stella sighed, rubbing her chest slightly. "I need to write to Tracy again, let her know what happened. Here's a few books for you to read."

"Stella?" Hermione called out as Stella went to leave, causing her to hum as she turned back. "Thank you."

Stella just gave Hermione a small smile and left. She wrote Tracy quickly, telling her what she'd done and who to claim as family. Stella and Theo walked into Diagon Alley three days later, Stella's cloak billowing behind her as she walked through the mostly deserted streets, Theo's 'clack, clack' from his cane beside her. She'd assured Remus that they could go on their own to get their school supplies. They were meeting Tracy in Fred and George's shop anyways, Theo excited to see it for the first time.

She smiled as she walked into the bright shop, watching as Theo's face lit up. It was the busiest place in the Alley still and Stella couldn't help but be proud as she approached George, who was speaking to Tracy at the front. Well, speaking to was an understatement. He was flirting.

"Are you flirting with my cousin, brother?" Stella smirked. "I know the Black's like their incest, but this seems a bit much, even for you."

"Cousin?" George asked, confused.

"Tracy is the daughter of a long line of Black Squibs," Stella shrugged. "Found her and Hermione on the family tapestry when I reinherited the Squibs the other day. Strange, don't you think?"

"That it is," George smirked. "Oi! Fred! Did you know Hermione is related to Stella?!"

"Is she?!" Fred called over his shoulder. "Should have known she was a Black!"

Stella just shrugged as Fred finished helping a customer and joined them at the counter.

"How is she?" Fred asked, voice low.

"Good," Stella promised him. "All three. Hiding in my house."

Fred and George both looked relieved at the news.

"How's it?" George asked Theo, nodding towards his cane.

"Shouldn't need it for much longer," Theo explained, giving Tracy a side armed hug.

"So, cousin," Tracy smirked, "shall we?"

"We shall," Stella smirked.

Stella hugged the twins and left, Tracy and Theo following right behind her before looping their arms together. They took their time, Stella not admitting that it was due to not wanting to rush Theo.

"I have a gift for you," Stella held a small ring out to Tracy.

"Cousin, I didn't know you felt that way," Tracy joked before putting the ring on her finger and then gasping. "Oh. It's a family ring."

"It is," Stella nodded. "I can't really remove the Black family magic from you now by the way. Bit permanent. Even if you're disowned, you still have bits of the family magic."

"I don't mind," Tracy shrugged.

"I'm going to inherit a bunch of Muggle-borns on the train," Stella explained. "I alerted Gringotts about the change and they assured me that no one could take Head of Family from me since I'm the original line."

"Good," Tracy nodded. "Be a bit worrisome if you inherited someone just for them to steal your ring right after and have no clue how to help anyone else."

"It's a bit complicated but I think I've got it down," Stella smiled as they walked into the robe shop, Stella stopping immediately when Draco was just inside.

"Stella…" Draco breathed. "Theo…"

"Draco," Stella responded.

"I asked Draco to meet us here," Tracy explained.

"Good," Stella nodded before throwing her arms around Draco and hugging him tightly. "You absolute idiot. I've been worried sick."

"Sorry," Draco laughed, sounding relieved as his arms wrapped around her.

Stella pulled away quickly, looking him over for injury before hugging him again. Once she was done, Theo and Draco gave each other a hug with much back patting. The four moved through the alley, staying in the shadows as they did so and talking in hushed whispers. In shops, people stared openly at the four, whispering about them. Stella refused to back down, standing tall with her shoulders back, Draco and Tracy doing the same. Theo seemed like he'd rather blend into the background, but that was more because he was insecure about his cane still. Once they'd gotten all of their supplies, they headed towards the Leaky Cauldron, going straight up to Tracy's room.

"Alright, what have we missed?" Stella asked Draco.

"Snape is Headmaster and the Carrows are going to be teaching Muggle Studies and Dark Arts. Lupin is going to be given Magical Creatures when he arrives at the school. They want him to teach about werewolves…"

"That'll be fun," Stella sighed. "I'll warn him when I get home."

"Have you read about the Muggle-borns? Tracy told me that you inherited her and Granger. You can't take in all the Muggle-borns though, can you?" Draco asked.

"I can take it a hundred," Stella told him.

"A hundred?" Draco asked, eyes wide.

"I'm doing it on the train," Stella confirmed. "Think you can keep any Death Eater students busy while I do it? Tell them that Tracy is a Black while you're at it, just the great grandchild of a Squib. She knows the names."

"We can do that," Tracy nodded.

"Perfect," Stella sighed. "We need to get back. The others will worry if Theo and I aren't back by a certain time."

Stella hugged them both before leaving, apparating onto the front step of Grimmauld and walking inside with Theo.

"We're home!" she called out.

"They're a little upset," Remus warned her.

"Oh, did they hear about the Carrows and Snape?" Stella asked.

"How did you?"

"Tracy," Stella lied. "Congrats on Magical Creatures by the way. They're going to force you to teach about werewolves."

"I figured," Remus shrugged. "In the kitchen."

Stella and Theo walked in just as Hermione walked out. They shrugged to one another and sat in front of Harry and Ron, Stella reaching for the paper and beginning to read.

'SEVERUS SNAPE CONFIRMED AS HOGWARTS HEADMASTER.

Severus Snape, long-standing Potions master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was today appointed Headmaster in the most important of several staffing changes at the ancient school. Following the resignation of the previous Muggle Studies teacher, Alecto Carrow will take over the post while her brother, Amycus, fills the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Known werewolf, Remus Lupin, will be taking the role of Care of Magical Creatures professor and Rubeus Hagrid, half-giant, has been demoted back to Keeper of Keys.'

"Great," Stella sighed. "This is going to be a fun year. I can just feel it."

"Don't go causing unnecessary trouble," Remus told her.

"I never cause unnecessary trouble," Stella shrugged.

"You almost drowned the entirety of Slytherin house."

"Nonsense! I got the first, second, and third years out of the common room before blowing up the window. Also, half of them were in their dorm rooms," Stella stated before thinking about it again. "Also, that was completely necessary. If you'll excuse me, I have to write to Neville and make sure he's coming back to school this year."

She didn't need to write Neville. She already knew he would be there. He was going to help heard the Muggle-borns to her so she could inherit them and give them family rings. She packed her trunk, wondering for about the hundredth time if it was safe for her to go to the school. She was going. Someone needed to help protect the students and she wasn't going to leave all of that responsibility to Neville, Luna, and Ginny.

The next morning, Stella untangled herself from Theo and Harry, waking Theo gently, and shrunk her trunk. She put it in her pocket, kissing Harry's head, and left the room. Remus was waiting at the doorway for them and the three stepped onto the front step, disappearing.

Stella landed in the apparation point by King's Cross, Draco, Tracy, and Neville waiting for her, Neville seeming a bit nervous as he eyed Draco. Theo appeared a moment later.

"Let's go," Stella sighed and the five marched forward.

Students got out of their way as Draco and Stella led Theo, Tracy and Neville through the crowd. They stepped through the barrier together and got on the train. Draco and Tracy moved to the back of the train where the Slytherins always sat as Neville and Stella fanned out, finding first years and asking if they were Muggle-born before Stella would inherit them and pass them a ring to wear, or Neville would send them to her, her inheriting people in the walkways. Theo had to sit, his leg acting up.

They found older students as well, Stella inheriting them and passing them rings quickly. Neville told Ginny and Luna what was going on and they began moving quickly, finding every Muggle-born witch and wizard that they knew and sending them to Stella. Stella inherited fifty-seven new family members within three hours before she walked to the back of the train, checking for Muggle-born Slytherins as she went, inheriting them as well before falling into a seat beside Draco, laying across the seat and putting her head in his lap.

"Have fun?" Tracy smirked as the other Slytherins in their year gave her strange looks.

"What are you doing here?" Crabbe demanded.

"Heading to school, of course," Stella shrugged. "Thought it was obvious."

"How'd you do it?" Pansy asked, glancing at Tracy.

"Turns out the Blacks disinherited a whole mess load of Squibs. I just reinherited them and happened to find fifty-nine new family members, Tracy being amongst them. Gringotts sent me family rings for all of them. You'll meet them all throughout the school year, I'm sure. They're just about all here."

Pansy seemed pleased, smiling before turning and seeing the other Slytherins still glaring at Stella.

"Keep glaring at my cousin, and I'll give you to Greyback," Draco threatened, not looking up from his book.

Stella stuck her tongue out at Crabbe, Goyle, and Bulstrode before grabbing Draco's book to see what he was reading.

"Boring," she complained, passing him the book back. "I thought you were the fun cousin?"

"I thought that responsibility was yours," Draco shot back.

"Oh, yeah," Stella smiled. "In that case, I better get started."

Stella pulled her trunk from her pocket and tossed it on the floor. She set it back to its normal size before rolling off the seat and landing on her knees in front of her trunk. She opened it, pulling out a few joke items before shutting it again, shrinking it, and sticking it back in her pocket.

"If you hear screaming, it wasn't me," Stella announced before leaving the compartment.

She set off firecrackers at random through the train, trying to keep some of the sadness and fear that lingered through the walkways at bay. She passed out 'Comb-a-Chameleons' (hairbrushes that changed the appearance of the user), 'Electric Shock Shakes' (wearable glove that shocks whoever shakes the wearers hand), and 'Diabolic Dare Devils' (firecrackers) to different students, letting them enjoy the prank products on their own. She gave Luna, Neville, and Ginny each a 'Patented Daydream Charm' to enjoy whenever. She checked on the other students as she went, finding Susan Bones in a compartment by herself. Stella stepped inside.

"Hey," she whispered to her classmate.

"Hi, Stella," Susan glanced at her. "Is that you setting off fireworks?"

"Who else would it be?" Stella smirked before sitting across from her, her smirk falling as she saw how swollen and red Susan's eyes were. "I'm sorry about your family."

"Not your fault," she shrugged.

"I can still feel empathy," Stella shrugged.

Susan looked to Stella then, seeming a bit angry before calming again.

"Don't hide it," Stella shook her head. "Let it out."

Susan threw herself at Stella, their arms wrapping tightly around one another. Susan was bawling her eyes out, sobbing into Stella's shoulder. She and Stella had never even spoken to one another before but it didn't matter. People who go through heavy loses tended to stick together, others not really understanding them as well. Neville pushed the compartment door open quietly, stepping inside and sitting on Susan's other side. Susan moved to Neville's arms and he nodded to Stella, letting her know that he had it.

Stella walked slowly through the train, heading to Theo. They were almost to the school, maybe another ten minutes or so. She was already in her school uniform, just missing her cloak, so she didn't need to get changed. She didn't really feel like getting back to the house that would mostly despise her so she smiled as she sat beside Theo, no one knowing that he was back just yet. Draco and Tracy came looking not long after, sitting with them.

"I only heard minimal screaming," Tracy commented.

"I have to save the good stuff for later in the year," Stella shrugged.

Draco smirked, trying to cover with his hand but Stella had already seen. The train came to a stop and multiple Ministry officials were waiting. Stella got off the train quickly, flashing her family ring quickly to get by. She stood back, watching and making sure that everyone got through, Hagrid calling for the first years. The Black family ring was flashed by every Muggle-born, quite a few smirking as they did so.

The Ministry workers seemed annoyed and confused. Stella waited until everyone had passed before moving along, climbing into the carriage that Draco, Theo, and Tracy were waiting for her in, Baker having climbed in as well.

"You have quite a bit of family," he smirked.

"That I do," Stella laughed as the carriage began to move.

"Welcome back, Theo," Baker smiled to the older student.

"Thank you, Noah," Theo nodded.

They passed through the gates of the school and walked up the steps of the castle. Stella saw the Carrows standing above everyone else, glaring down and telling the students to shut it and move along. Stella rolled her eyes as she strutted by, ignoring them completely as she went. She felt a stinging hex try to hit her, but it only hit her shield instead.

"No spells in the hall!" Alecto screamed at her and Stella just kept walking, smirking as she stepped through the doors of the Great Hall.

Stella's eyes searched the head table, finding all of the Professors watching the students carefully, seemingly nervous. Stella winked at McGonagall before waving at Remus, rolling her eyes and sneering at Snape before taking her seat beside Draco, Tracy on his other side at the end of the table, Theo taking the other spot beside Stella.

The shocked looks from the Slytherins at seeing Theo back was entertaining to say the least. Theo simply smirked, making sure to lean into Stella a bit to show his allegiance. Confusion went through the hall at the sight of the Muggle-borns. McGonagall caught Stella's eye again and Stella just sent her another wink before looking to Pansy across from her.

"How are you?" Stella whispered the question.

"Do you actually care?" Pansy asked, voice just as quiet.

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't," Stella informed her.

Pansy let out a low breath and she seemed to deflate a bit, stress appearing on her face before she sat up suddenly, staring forward. Stella copied her movements and saw the Carrows entering the Great Hall then. The siblings separated, one going between the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables and the other going around the outside of the Slytherin table. Alecto stopped behind Stella and Stella met Daphne's eye across the table next to Pansy.

"I said no spells in the halls," Alecto hissed out, leaning down.

"Your breath stinks," Stella rolled her eyes, not intimidated in the slightest.

"Mind your tone," Alecto told her. "If I catch you using magic in the halls again, you will regret it."

"I'm terrified," Stella rolled her eyes.

Alecto's wand was against Stella's throat in a moment before a throat cleared behind them. Stella looked over her shoulder, finding Snape giving Alecto a look that promised pain.

"To your seat, Professor Carrow," Snape told her. "The Sorting is about to begin."

"Yes, Headmaster," Alecto spat out, moving away from the Slytherin table and heading to the head table.

Stella glared at Snape as he stared at her for a long moment before heading back to his seat… to Dumbledore's seat. McGonagall brought the first years in as always and they waited for the hat to sing. The hat opened its mouth and began:

"In trying times, we must turn to each other,

Find strength in one another,

Like Gryffindor, you search for strength,

In Hufflepuff, you seek the fight,

Ravenclaws, well they want the truth,

Slytherins just want to thrive and survive.

I ask this of you, for I am merely a hat,

When things go wrong, try not to throw

Your own hat in the wrong ring,

Or you may not succeed.

Don't be like our founders that invented me.

They divided and fell apart,

Some say it was doomed from the start,

But I was there and I know the truth,

Candor and resolve caused them to shatter.

So seek your bravery and strength in Gryffindor,

If that is what you prefer.

Or find wit so clever,

Those Ravenclaws have an abundance if you need that tether.

Hufflepuffs work hard and are unafraid of war,

Those loyal Hufflepuffs are ready for whatever is in store.

Or if you wish for an acceptance so profound,

Ambition and success to astound,

Slytherin is where you will find home.

I ask you make a home all your own,

In your houses and not,

For what I fear is these halls being splintered and causing it to rot."

"Cheerful," Stella grumbled as the sorting began.

Six Muggle-borns were placed in Slytherin, the most in history, walking beside four other students. Stella smiled as they waved excitedly to her, giving them small waves in return. The Carrows seemed even more angry than before when they saw it. She already knew she may be a target and felt a bit worried egging them on, but she couldn't find it in her to care if they hated her at the moment. They'd loath her soon enough.

Food appeared on the table without a speech, Snape seemingly not wanting to speak until after the feast. Stella forced Pansy to eat, noticing how much weight she'd lost over the summer. Tracy was doing the same to Draco beside her. In fact, the only children of Death Eaters that seemed perfectly fine were Crabbe and Goyle. Even Bulstrode had lost weight over the summer, her face a bit more hallow and eyes having a bit less light than normal. Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be thriving somehow.

"Kreacher?" Stella whispered. "I need five nutrient potions, please?"

The potions appeared in front of Stella and she placed one in front of Draco, Pansy, Daphne, Millicent, and Lily. Daphne saw what Stella was doing and gave Stella a look of surprise. Stella simply shrugged as she put a bit more broccolini on Pansy's plate before starting on her own food. After dessert, Snape stood and the hall quieted. Stella saw Remus staring down at his empty plate, glaring at it. Her eyes found Snape again, his eyes glancing over to her every so often before he began speaking.

"There are a few changes to staffing this year. Hagrid is Keeper of Keys and Grounds again, and Professor Lupin is taking over Care of Magical Creatures, which is now a required class and has been added to your course list. Professor Alecto Carrow will be teaching Muggle Studies, another required class, and Professor Amycus Carrow will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. New rules are being implemented as well. There will be no magic in the halls, you will be in full uniform at all times unless in your dorm room. There will be no Quidditch this year, nor will there be any trips to Hogsmeade. Dementors will be patrolling the grounds at random.

"The list of acceptable punishments has also been changed and the Carrows are in charge of the punishments given to students starting tomorrow. A few examples of punishments are transfiguration of a student," Draco's body tensed beside her, "whipping," Stella's body tensed this time and Pansy gave her confused look, "corporal punishments, and certain curses. I expect you all to be on your best behavior."

Snape's eyes did land on Stella then, seemingly trying to convince her above all else. She rolled her eyes and looking away.

"With that, you are all dismissed."

The students rose quickly, heading to their common rooms. Stella and Theo waited for the first years, noticing that the fifth year Prefects had moved along without a care. The first years followed after Stella and Theo, seeming a bit more afraid now. She tried to assure them all was well but finding it difficult to find the right words. Instead, she just told them to keep their heads down and stay quiet.

She showed them how to get to the dungeons, Draco waiting at the portrait for them.

"This portrait is the door to the common room," Stella explained. "You give it a password and it'll open for you. The password changes every two weeks and is posted on the notice board inside."

"Pure-blood," Draco stated and the portrait swung open, revealing the Slytherin common room.

"Come on," Stella waved the first years through.

They all seemed amazed by the window, moving to it to look out into the lake.

"Do you ever remember us being that small?" Stella asked Draco and Theo as they stood near the entrance, smiling at the first years.

"You're still that small," Draco joked.

"I will hex you," she smirked, bumping his arm with hers gently.

"So, what's the plan for this year?" Draco asked.

"Well, I never got to use that hate potion…"

"Oh, that'll go over well," Theo snorted before the portrait swung open behind them, Snape stepping in.

Stella moved away quickly, going to the first years and getting their attention.

"This is Headmaster Snape," she squatted in front of them. "He was head of Slytherin before this year and he always gives us a speech on the first night. Listen, okay?"

The first years all nodded, listening to Stella and staring up at Snape. Stella stood, stepping behind the first years and staring out at the lake. She worried that if she looked at Snape she would either cry or blow something up.

"You are all in Slytherin house now. It does not matter what your blood status is or any petty grudges that you have against one another. You are to work together to protect each other. I am not above punishing my own house. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir" was heard through the room and Stella remained silent, staring out at the lake.

"Black," Snape's voice demanded her attention and Stella slowly turned, glare in place as she faced Snape. "Do I make myself clear?"

"… crystal."

"Sir," Snape reminded her.

"No need to call me sir, Headmaster," Stella said automatically.

Snape's nostrils flared as he glared at her. It was strange to the other Slytherins to see Stella and Snape being so hostile towards each other considering how close they had been just a year ago.

"Detention, Black, with Professor Carrow tomorrow night," he told her.

"Which one?" Stella tilted her head.

"Alecto."

"I look forward to it," Stella smirked. "Anything else?"

"You are dismissed," Snape turned on his heel, leaving the room with a billowing of his cloak.

The portrait slammed closed and Stella calmed again, looking to the first years with a small smile.

"Boys rooms are to the left and girl's rooms are to the right. The number one is on the door and you have your own loo. You need to keep your rooms tidy and organized. I'll wake you in the morning and teach you how to set alarms on your wands after breakfast for the following day. Off you pop."

The first years headed to their rooms and Stella left the common room, heading to her dorm. She changed into her pajama bottoms and one of Harry's old Christmas sweaters before going to the boys dorm and falling onto Theo's bed beside him. He covered her with a blanket, still sitting up as he continued reading a history book. She woke early the next morning, writing a letter to Hermione, addressing it to Mia Black, before she put on her uniform and headed out of the school and to the owlery, sending the letter off with Owlivia, who she'd been calling Liv for years now.

She watched Liv flying off, thinking of Hedwig and how she'd been hit on the way to the Burrow. She headed back into the castle, Remus and McGonagall coming down the steps towards the entry hall when she walked inside.

"Stella Nova?" Remus asked, approaching her.

"Hi, Uncle Moony," Stella sighed, giving him a hug.

"Miss Black," McGonagall sighed. "Why are you here?"

"Higher education?" Stella offered.

"Stella…"

"Someone had to protect the Muggle-borns," Stella shrugged.

"I noticed that the Black family had quite a few new members," McGonagall nodded as the three walked into the Great Hall, very few teachers and students milling about yet.

"So strange how that happened," Stella sighed, giving McGonagall a smirk.

"Strange indeed," McGonagall smirked before turning serious again. "You need to be careful, Miss Black. They know who you are."

"I already know that I'm a target," Stella shrugged. "I'm prepared for it. Like I said, someone needs to protect the Muggle-borns. You can only do so much as a Professor, especially with Snivellus in charge with his buddies."

Remus snorted a laugh at the nickname and McGonagall gave her an exasperated look.

"I'd ask you to stay out of trouble, but…"

"But it would be like telling Fred and George to behave?" Stella suggested. "I did grow up with them."

"Yes, I was afraid that would be your response. Just be careful, Miss Black."

"I'll see what I can do," Stella shrugged. "I actually need to go get the first years. The prefects don't want to associate with them because of the number of Muggle-borns. See you both in class."

Stella made her way back to the common room, stepping through the portrait as the other Slytherins began moving around. Stella knocked loudly on the first year boys' dorm door and a boy with red hair and glasses opened the door, rubbing his eyes. She stared at him for a moment, missing her own brothers before she shook herself.

"Time to wake up, little snakes," Stella smiled, voice soft. "I'll meet you in the common room in fifteen minutes so I can take you down to breakfast. I'll be taking you to your first class of the day as well. Go on."

Stella told the girls the same thing and waited in the common room as it emptied out, Theo the only one staying behind. Snape walked in as she was leaning against a couch, arms crossed over her chest and staring at the stairs.

"Stella," Snape sighed, standing beside her.

"Snape," Stella responded, not even looking at her. "What do you want?"

"We are in the school which means you need to show me a bit of respect."

"Earn it," Stella told him as the first years came down. "Also, what is the point of Prefects if they aren't doing their job? This way, little ones!"

Stella smiled to the first years, leading them out of the common room and to the Great Hall with Theo. She got a few weak smiles from the other houses as she led the younger students around, bringing them to the Slytherin table and having them all sit. Slughorn gave her a soft smile and passed her a schedule. She saw she had a free period first thing and smiled, deciding to sit in on McGonagall's Transfiguration class with the first years so she could take them to their first two classes. She looked at Theo's schedule, seeing that they shared the same lessons.

After they all ate, Stella and Theo led the first years up to Transfiguration, joining the first year Hufflepuffs. Stella skipped up to McGonagall's desk with a smile.

"We have a free period. Can we sit in here so we can lead them to their next class after this?" Stella asked her.

"Of course," McGonagall gave Stella and Theo each a proud smile. "I told Snape that you should have been Prefect."

"He tried," Stella shrugged. "Turned him down."

"I tried turning him down," Theo shrugged.

"Not very hard," Stella snorted a laugh.

"Of course you did," McGonagall let out a small laugh before the bell rang.

The two seventh years sat behind McGonagall's desk as she walked in front of the class.

"I am sorry that this year isn't what it's supposed to be. It will be a difficult year and, as I'm sure that Miss Black and Mr. Nott has already told the Slytherins, I implore you all to keep your heads down and stay quiet. Myself and a few other Professors are going to do our best to keep you safe, along with some of the older students, such as Miss Black, who needs to get her feet off of the top of my desk, and Mr. Nott."

Stella slowly lowered her feet back to the floor, not sure how McGonagall had seen her kick her feet up.

"You have, rather unfortunately, started your magical schooling journey in the midst of a war. Some of you came here with no idea of the dangers that you would be facing and I am terribly sorry for it. I hope things will be resolved swiftly, however I am not going to tell you to hope for it.

"Most of you have already met Miss Black. In fact, some of you are now her family. I want you all to look out for one another as Miss Black and her friends look out for you. I wouldn't typically say this to separate houses, but your entire year is a family. You all need to work together to stay strong, just as the hat sang last night.

"Now! Transfiguration!"

McGonagall went over what Transfiguration was and what the first years would be learning. She even made Stella demonstrate turning a needle into a matchstick before turning a mouse into a goblet for them. McGonagall turned into a cat and Stella thought of Sirius and how she'd stopped studying to be an animagus after he'd died. She wondered if she could ask McGonagall for some advice and get the ball rolling again.

At the end of the hour, Stella took the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins down to Herbology, waving to Pomfrey before she ran back to the school and made it to her seat in Defense just in time, falling into the seat between Neville and Theo. She gave Neville a wide eyed look before facing forward, pulling out the textbook that made her stomach turn, causing her to lean into Theo a bit. She'd actually not needed to buy this one, having found it in the Black library early in the Summer. It was a book filled strictly with dark spells, including the Unforgivables.

Carrow looked far too excited as he told them all to stand. They paired themselves off and Carrow began speaking.

"Who here was able to throw off the Imperius when Barty Crouch Jr was disguised as Mad-Eye Moody?" Carrow asked.

Stella raised her hand, along with a few others. Carrow's eyes landed on Stella and a certain gleam appeared in his eyes. He waved her forward and Stella stepped up, chin raised and shoulders back. Theo had tensed the moment Stella had been called up.

"We're going to test if you still can," Carrow smirked. "Imperio."

Stella felt as if she were floating for a moment before she was back in her own body. She rolled her eyes at Carrow and crossed her arms over her chest. Carrow stared at her with wide eyes for a moment before becoming seemingly annoyed.

"Imperio!"

Nothing happened. Carrow sent her back.

"You will each be practicing this spell on each other."

"But that's illegal," Tracy spoke up.

"Silence!" Carrow yelled and Tracy shrieked as she stumbled backwards, Draco catching her before she fell.

Stella stared in horror, recognizing the spell, even if it had only lasted for a mere second. Neville had tensed beside her and Stella leaned into him slightly. The two turned to Carrow, eyes going from horrified to a glare.

"Practice," he hissed out, glaring at the class. "Or you'll get it for longer."

Stella debated telling the whole class to shoot a spell at Carrow at the same time. A few even glanced at her, as if waiting for her instructions. She shook her head and turned to Neville.

"Go ahead," she told him.

"It doesn't work on you," Neville shook his head.

"Or our new professor is just weak," Stella shrugged.

"What did you say?" Carrow questioned.

"I said your Imperio was weak," Stella stated before looking back to Neville. "Give it a shot."

"Stella, I don't…"

"Crucio!"

"Protego!" seven different voices shouted out and Stella turned, finding Carrows wand still pointed at her as he glared at the other students.

He turned his wand on Pansy and Stella shot a stinging hex at his back, causing him to yelp before turning to face her, a fire in his eyes.

"Like I said," Stella shrugged, "weak."

"You want to duel, little Black?" Carrow smirked.

"I would if it was against someone more competent," Stella shrugged.

"Who would like to duel little Black?" Carrow asked the room.

Crabbe, Goyle, Bulstrode, Greengrass and Moon stepped forward.

"Go to the wall, Nev, Teddy," Stella told him.

"I'm staying with you," Neville insisted, Draco and Tracy going to her side as well.

"Not happening," Theo growled out.

Greengrass and Moon didn't really seem like they wanted to duel her, but like it was expected of them.

"All four of you step back," Stella told them. "If those five want to duel me, then they'll duel only me. You all know I can handle myself. Now go."

Theo took the longest to convince, finally moving aside when Stella threatened to duel him next. Seamus and Dean pulled Neville back, holding him between the two of them.

"Ladies first," Stella smirked and spells began flying.

Moon and Bulstrode were weak and Stella got them out of the fight first, tying them both up in black ropes quickly. Greengrass was next, flying backwards while knocked out. Crabbe and Goyle, it turned out, actually knew quite a few dark spells that Stella hadn't been expecting. She dodged out of the way and the wall behind her exploded, causing Lavender and Padma to scream as Seamus threw his arms over them, Dean and Draco putting a 'Protego' over everyone. Crabbe and Goyle weren't aiming to injure her, they wanted her dead.

"Bombarda!" Stella yelled and the ground under Crabbe's feet exploded, sending him flying through the air.

"Crucio!" Goyle yelled and Stella fell backwards, letting out a scream before the spell ended, Goyle too weak to hold it for longer.

She cast four silent stunning charms at Goyle quickly from the floor, finally hitting him with the last one and causing him to fall backwards to the floor.

"My turn," Carrow hissed out, stepping forward as Stella got to her feet quickly.

Stella was weak after the fight against the other five and Carrow knew it. It was why he'd waited to attack her. She put up a shielding charm that kept the other students from interfering, protecting them as Carrow went after her. Stella could barely think as she blocked and dodged until a specific spell came to mind.

'Sectumsempra,' she thought, slashing her wand through the air at Carrow.

Carrow screamed as he fell to the ground, a long cut on his knees.

"You bitch!" he screamed. "AVADA-!"

"ENOUGH!" Snape's voice bellowed and Stella fell to the ground, breathing heavily and bleeding from a few different places.

Her shield fell and Draco and Neville reached her first.

"I'm fine," she lied, still trying to catch her breath.

"Why'd you stop me?" Carrow demanded after Snape had fixed his legs.

"You are permitted to teach and punish the students," Snape stated. "You are not permitted to kill them. Especially not certain ones. Do I make myself clear?"

"Aww. It's almost like he cares," Stella grumbled as Neville helped her to her feet.

"This class is dismissed," Snape told them. "Longbottom, get Black to the hospital wing."

"Yes, sir," Neville nodded, helping Stella limp out of the classroom as Snape checked over the other downed students.

"Well, that went better than I thought it would," Stella admitted once they were clear of the classroom.

"That was better in your mind?" Neville demanded.

"Could have been worse," she shrugged. "Snape could have not walked in and I'd be dead on the floor. I wonder what he meant about 'certain ones'?"

"I'm sure he meant not his favorite," Neville told her as they turned down the hall of the Hospital Wing.

"I'm not his favorite. He made that very clear at the end of last year." Stella shrugged as they walked through the doors and Stella sang, "Oh, Madam Pomfrey!"

"Stella Black, why are you bleeding all over the floor on the first day of school?" Pomfrey demanded as Neville helped Stella to a bed.

"I decided to duel half the Slytherins and my new Defense teacher," she shrugged. "They might be along in a moment as well."

"Of course," Pomfrey sighed, shaking her head before getting to work. "Why do we even bother telling students to keep their heads down when you're here to steal all the attention off of them?"

"Beats me," Stella shrugged. "Thanks, Nev."

"I'm going to wait for you," Neville told her and Stella just shrugged again, smirking as Crabbe, Goyle, and Greengrass were brought in next.

"You weren't kidding," Pomfrey sighed.

"There's actually two missing," Stella told her. "I just knocked them out rather quickly though. Those ones took a bit longer."

"All fixed up, dear. Please refrain from dueling any more of your classmates and your Professors in the future," Pomfrey told her before going to the other Slytherins.

"Let's go, Nev," Stella bounced up, smiling as they headed towards Care of Magical Creatures. "Uncle Moony will be cross with us if we're late."

Care of Magical Creatures was a class on the first floor where they would only go outside if absolutely necessary to study animals in the wild, such as the unicorns that had been born not long ago. Stella skipped into the classroom, looking as if she hadn't just been in a heated duel minutes ago.

"Cub," Remus sighed, staring at her with the Gryffindors and some of the Slytherins around him, Moon and Bulstrode sitting as far away from everyone else as possible. "Why am I hearing that you've already been to the hospital wing this year and that you have detention tonight?"

"Because I went to the hospital wing and have detention," Stella shrugged, hands on her hips as she smirked. "What are we learning about today? Are you required to teach us about werewolves first thing or are we working up to that?"

"You are supposed to be on your best behavior," he reminded her.

"I promised other people that I would be on my worst behavior. Sorry," she shrugged. "Also, if we just turn in our essays from third year, can we skip the werewolf section or no?"

"Sit down," he sighed, rubbing his eyes as the bell rang.

Stella sat at the front of the class, smiling brightly. Neville took one of the seats beside her and Stella had a feeling that he would be doing so in every class that they shared, Theo on her other side, surprising no one. Draco and Tracy were at the desk beside them, Tracy on the end close to the wall so that Draco could shield her if needed, Pansy taking the seat behind Stella, Dean beside her and looking at Pansy curiously. The other Slytherins did not join the class, still in the hospital wing. The Gryffindors seemed to make a wall around Stella and the other three Slytherins though, Moon and Bulstrode glaring as the bell signaling the start of class rang.

"Welcome to Care of Magical Creatures. I know that the Slytherins all dropped the subject in your fourth year," Remus spoke up before quieting as the classroom door opened.

A few people turned to see who was coming in but Stella just assumed it was the other Slytherins being released from the hospital wing. A familiar 'hem, hem' told her it was not them. She turned her head slowly, brows raised a bit as her eyes landed on Dolores Umbridge, dressed in gawdy pink robes and a bow on her head, looking more toad-like than Stella remembered her being. She bit her lip hard, turning back to the front of the classroom to find Remus glaring daggers at the woman, Stella realizing that Snape must have told him about the whipping.

"How many I help you?" he asked through grit teeth.

"Headmaster Snape has asked that I proctor your class session today," she spoke up. "He wants to be sure that you are following his guidelines accurately and thought a ministry official was the best choice."

"Well, if the headmaster," Remus basically spat the word, "insist, then we mustn't disappoint. Please, take a seat if you wish. I was just about to begin."

Remus's eyes swept over to Stella and she sighed.

"As I was saying," Remus's voice calmed after seeing Stella seemingly fine between Theo and Neville, "welcome to Care of Magical Creatures. There are worksheets on your desk that you have fifteen minutes to complete. A review so we can see which magical creatures need the most in depth reviews on before going over new creatures. You may begin."

Everyone began filling out the worksheets, Stella seeing Neville struggling beside her and realizing that Hagrid really hadn't taught them everything that he was supposed to. She filled out as much information as she could, having continued to study magical creatures outside of the classroom, having planned on sitting her N.E.W.T.s for the class at the end of the year. She was done before the fifteen minutes was up, waiting patiently before Remus's wand alarm went off, him walking around the room, peeking over shoulders as he went.

The papers flew up to the desk and Remus sighed, walking to the front.

"The first creatures that I am to teach you on are werewolves. As you all well know, I know a bit more about werewolves than other professors would. Who can tell me the difference between a werewolf and an animagus? Draco."

"An animagus is a witch or wizard that can turn into an animal at will, something that takes time to learn and a lot of practice, their animal form reflecting who they are. A werewolf is a witch or wizard who has been bitten by another werewolf and is forced to turn during full moons."

Stella remembered answering these questions to Snape in her fourth year and a wave of sadness and nostalgia washed over her.

"Correct. Ten points to Slytherin," Remus nodded. "Who knows the physical differences between a werewolf and a regular wolf? Neville."

"Shorter snout, more human-like eyes, the tufted tail, aggression towards humans while in their werewolf form, and they tend to stand on two legs instead of four," Neville answered confidently.

"Correct and that's ten points to Gryffindor. There is no known cure for lycanthropy but there is a way that some of the worst effects can be mitigated. Anyone know it? Stella."

"The Wolfsbane Potion; which allows the witch or wizard to keep their minds while in their werewolf form," Stella answered.

"Ten points," Remus nodded, giving her a quick smile before continuing his lecture, everyone ignoring Umbitch as she scribbled away in the back of the class. "Werewolves, like other magical creatures, are impervious to certain magics while in their werewolf form. If you were to say, hit them with a stunner, it would irritate the werewolf more than anything else and cause it to turn its attention to you. A strong blasting curse would throw it back a bit, but not as much as it would a human or object. There was talk of another spell that could turn the werewolf back into their human form called the Homorphus Charm, but it has yet to actually been proven."

Remus told them about the laws and restrictions surrounding werewolves, walking around the room as he did so, all taking notes as he spoke. When only ten minutes were left in class, he took a deep breath and Stella knew she was going to be angry for him.

"The reason I am teaching you Care of Magical Creatures is because I am to tell you the… experience of transforming into a werewolf… The days leading up to and after the full moon can be extremely painful. The infected person may seem easily irritated on the days leading up to and after the moon. The transformation itself is extremely painful.

"Your body changes completely; your face lengthens into a snout, torso stretches and shoulders hunch, hair sprouts all over your body and claws shoot out of your fingers and toes. Many have been known to die due to the pain during transformations. If a child under the age of seven is bitten, it is unlikely that they will survive their first transformation. It is extremely rare.

"I want you each to write me an essay- not the same one from your third year- on werewolves. Information you can find on them, laws surrounding them, ways to protect yourselves against them. It is to be turned in on Monday next week. If you have any questions, you may ask during class this Thursday."

The bell rang just as Remus finished speaking. The students all stood as Remus nodded, dismissing them. Umbitch moved to the front of the classroom, eyes narrowing on Stella for a moment before they moved to Remus. Stella slowed down as she approached the door, trying to eavesdrop, but Draco grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the room.

"We need to discuss the plan for your detention tonight," he told her.

"What plan?" she asked, confused.

"Tracy and I are going to make a distraction near the class room to get you out of it as soon as possible," Draco said as if it were obvious. "Then we're going to our brewing room. Theo will already be there. I'll need the map so that we don't get caught."

"Here," Stella sighed, passing the map over. "You know how to do the disillusionment charm?"

"Yeah," Draco nodded. "Tracy taught me last year."

"Good. Both of you be careful."

After dinner, Stella stood in front of the Muggle Studies classroom and knocked gently, waiting to be allowed in. Alecto Carrow opened the door, her eyes narrowed as she stepped aside, letting Stella into the classroom. That's how Stella got her first glimpse of the classroom. There were posters speaking out against muggles and muggle-borns hung around the room, describing how dangerous muggles were. There were photos of muggle weapons and muggle wars hung along the wall as well.

"Do you like it?" Alecto asked, seeing where Stella was looking.

"Are we going to be covering the muggle wars in class?" Stella asked curiously, their previous teacher having not gone into any sort of detail.

"We will," Alecto nodded.

"Good," Stella nodded, honestly curious about it before pointing at one picture. "What's that?"

"A muggle weapon called a gun," Alecto stated. "It's filled with bullets which tear straight through the organs and kills immediately."

"Huh," Stella tilted her head, wondering if that were actually true or if Alecto was trying to make everyone scared of Muggles with her propaganda. "That could actually be useful."

Alecto stared down at Stella in confusion before shaking her head.

"Have a seat. You'll be doing lines," Alecto told her. "To the front."

Stella went to the front of the classroom and sat in the chair directly in front of Alecto's desk. Stella wasn't afraid of Alecto, especially if the best punishment she could come up with was lines. Or maybe it had something to do with what Snape had said to her brother in Defense about not hurting certain students. Why the hell was she on that list?

"Your lines are on the board. I have provided a self-inking quill and parchment. You may begin," Alecto stated, sitting behind her desk and waving her wand, watching Stella carefully, a bit of a smirk on her face.

Stella looked at the lines and rolled her eyes before picking up the ornate quill. She got an uneasy feeling about it, remembering Umbitch having been in the building earlier but figured she was being paranoid. Her gut was screaming at her but Stella ignored it as she began copying the lines.

'I will not talk back to my betters.'

Stella got through three lines before she realized that she should have listened to her gut. She watched as the sentence began to carve itself into the back of her hand. Her hand was stinging but she occluded a bit, keeping the pain at bay as she continued writing. Twenty minutes into the hour long detention, an explosion was heard down the hall and Stella jumped, turning quickly in her seat. Alecto was on her feet in a moment, wand in hand.

Stella followed after her, her own wand going into her hand in the process. Alecto gave Stella a strange look as she walked beside her. In the hall, fireworks were shooting in every direction, much like how they had in Stella's fifth year. She sighed, rubbing her eyes with her injured hand before looking to Alecto, deciding to play nice and hoping Draco and Tracy hadn't set off all of her collection.

"Stunning them makes them louder and vanishing them makes them multiply."

"How do you know?" Alecto asked, eyes narrowing.

"Because my older brothers made them and sell them at their shop," Stella explained.

"They were set off two floors down as well," Snape's voice spoke up and Stella turned, finding him walking briskly towards them. "I was coming to make sure you weren't the culprit."

"Nope," Stella shook her head. "I was in detention."

"Yes, I remember but I also remember you having alibis for other… events in the past," Snape sneered and Stella sighed before looking at the fireworks.

"The fuses run down in about fifteen minutes. Just let them run their course and they'll stop. We should close all the doors and set up a barrier in the hall so they don't get out though," Stella stated, waving her hand and closing the muggle studies door before a firecracker could get through.

"Headmaster Snape and I will handle it. You're dismissed," Alecto offered, watching Stella closely.

"See you in class tomorrow, Professor," Stella nodded, heading down the hall.

She was tugged behind a tapestry the moment she turned the corner, disillusioned and dragged to the third floor. She, Draco, and Tracy laughed loudly once a privacy charm had been placed on the door.

"Oh, please tell me you didn't use all of the fireworks?" she asked, still smiling. "I have such plans."

"We used two boxes," Draco shrugged, leading the way to the enlarged stall where Theo was waiting. "You have about fifty left."

"What was your detention?" Tracy asked, looking a bit concerned now.

"Lines with a blood quill," Stella shrugged. "Wasn't so bad. Probably because I didn't have to do it for a full hour."

"What'd you have to write?" Theo asked and Stella showed him her hand.

He took her hand gently, glaring down at the words before reaching over towards one of the crates containing potions from the previous year. Dittany was placed on her hand but a small scar was left behind. Stella didn't really mind, her hand reminding her of Harry a bit and causing her to smile softly before seeing Draco working on the hate potion that she couldn't figure out. His own notes were added to the margins of the half-blood Prince's book and she wondered if Snape had left certain steps off of the paper on purpose. It would make sense why she'd been having so many problems.

It turned out that was exactly what he had done, Draco showing Stella the original version of the potion that he'd found over the summer, the one in her book having been crossed over so many times that she couldn't tell what it had previously said. She groaned, laying across the hard floor and covering her face with her hands.

"I was wondering why we were having problems," Tracy admitted. "Especially between the two of you."

"Yeah, we're the best potions students," Draco nodded. "It made no sense why we couldn't get it."

"He's an ass," Stella grumbled before sitting up and looking over the potion with Draco. "This actually seems rather simple. It only takes three months, as well."

"So, what are we thinking? Just before the holidays?"

"Sounds perfect," Stella smirked.

Her and Draco exchanged a look and Tracy groaned.

"How long have the two of you been off your potions?"

"A day," Stella shrugged.

"Two weeks," Draco added. "Mother said that Black's being so close to one another means that the madness feeds off of each other."

"I know how to straighten my hair with my wand. I'll need to teach you."

"Or you could both take your potions," Theo offered, giving them a hard stare.

"We'll take them when we need to," Draco shrugged to him. "Promise. If you see us slipping, sneak it into our morning tea."

"I made you a few months' worth," Stella tossed a bag to Tracy. "Just in case."

Word of Harry, Ron, and Hermione breaking into the ministry to rescue a bunch of muggleborns was in the paper, labeling the three of them as highly dangerous. Stella snorted a laugh when she read it, having to cover her mouth with her hand in Transfiguration so McGonagall wouldn't call her out for it. Kreacher passed word along that the three were no longer staying at Grimmauld, having accidentally brought someone with them when they'd been escaping the ministry. Kreacher had… dealt with the intruder immediately though and there was no threat to Grimmauld. There was also no way to track Harry, Ron, and Hermione to inform them though.

Tracy seemed less tense carrying the potions around everywhere with her. Muggle studies was Alecto just ranting about how terrible muggles were for an hour as Stella suspected. She showed slides of destruction from their wars, giving petty reasons for their fighting, calling them savages the entire time.

In Defense, Amycus sneered at Stella before forcing them to practice the Imperious curse all class. Stella made Neville dance a few times, dropping the spell quickly and having to hide her shiver at the power that she felt. Draco was unable to hide his though, his hair trying to curl a bit. Amycus smiled unnervingly at Draco when he saw it and Stella wanted to curse the man for going near her cousin, for placing his hand on Draco's shoulder and seeming proud of him.

Theo placed a hand on her shoulder, passing her a potion. Draco was passed one the moment they were out of the classroom. He groaned before taking it, seeming to calm considerably within a few minutes. Tracy just took his hand, leading him towards their next class.

Stella was bored in Charms. Flitwick walked over to her, ready to reprimand her for not doing anything before realizing that she'd already silently and wandlessly locked her box. He held her back after class, asking her to perform a few other charms they would be learning to perform silently that year. She'd even done the 'Lumos Solem' spell wandlessly .

"Miss Black… how long have you been able to do wandless magic?" Flitwick asked curiously.

"I started learning last year," she shrugged.

"And you've been doing it silently for how long?"

"I mastered nonverbal magic last year," Stella explained. "Wanted to do pranks more sneakily."

"Of course," Flitwick smirked. "Miss Black, have you mastered all of the spells for this year? All nonverbally?"

"And almost all wandlessly," Stella confirmed. "It's not the first time I've learned all the spells beforehand."

"I see," Flitwick nodded. "Have you ever thought of teaching, Miss Black?"

"I have," Stella nodded honestly. "I'm not sure what I want to do, but I always thought of teaching."

"Well, I would like for you to take your O.W.L. ahead of time. A month, maybe?"

"I mean, sure, but why, sir?"

"I would like to make you my aid," Flitwick explained, smiling to Stella. "I don't plan to teach forever and would like to recommend you to possibly take over my classes one day. I believe you have a break period Monday mornings?"

"I do," Stella nodded, eyes wide.

"Would you mind helping me with the third years during that period?"

"I would love to," Stella smiled brightly.

"Wonderful. Off you go."

Stella skipped out of the classroom, smiling brightly at Theo, Draco, and Tracy, who were all waiting for her.

"What was that about?" Theo asked as they went to the third floor girl's bathroom.

"Professor Flitwick wants me to take my Charms O.W.L. early so that I can become his teaching aid," Stella informed them.

"That's amazing," Theo smiled brightly as Draco lifted Stella into a hug, spinning her before setting her on her feet again.

"I'm going to be helping with his third year class on Monday mornings," Stella informed them.

"Great," Tracy complained. "That's another one of us that actually knows what they want to do with their lives. Here I am with no clue what to do with myself."

"I don't know what to do either," Theo defended.

"You're going to take over Binns's class," Stella told him.

"Since when?"

"Since now," Stella rolled her eyes. "No way would I have passed History if it weren't for you. You're much more enjoyable to listen to than that old ghost."

"Maybe," Theo nodded, seeming to actually consider it as he watched Draco leaned over a potion.

"Then Draco can teach Potions, Tracy can teach Muggle Studies, Hermione can take over Transfiguration…"

"Do you plan on all of us just taking over the school as professors?" Tracy smirked.

"Absolutely," Stella smirked.

"What's your boyfriend going to teach?" Theo smirked.

"Defense as soon as I figure out how to get rid of the jinx on the damn position," Stella grumbled. "I bet I could get Bill to help. He is a curse breaker after all. Ron can teach flying."

"Why do you have so much Polyjuice leftover?" Tracy asked curiously.

"Well, I was making multiple batches for Dray last year," Stella shrugged. "It keeps well until there's a hair in it. Thought it'd be a waste otherwise… Huh."

"Huh?" Tracy asked.

"Huh," Theo smirked. "How and when?"

"As soon as possible," Stella smirked. "Sneak into the kitchens under disillusionment charms. The real question is who."

"Well, I'm a fan of hazing the new professors a bit," Theo smirked.

"Oh, yes…"

It was four thirty in the morning and Stella hadn't been sure how she was going to get a hair or two from each professor but it turned out to be rather easy with the map in hand. She was disillusioned, watching the brother and sister as they wandered the halls four floors up. She snuck into their living quarters, smirking as the map gave her the password. In the bathroom she found a brush and a comb. She grabbed a few hairs from each, keeping them separate as she wrapped them in napkins and headed out.

Back on the second floor, Stella passed one of the napkins to Draco and the two, plus Tracy, headed down to the kitchen entrance. Theo had set up quite a few distractions on every other floor. Decoy detonators, fireworks, darkness powder, dungbombs and, Stella's personal favorite, portable swamps going off at random and demanding attention from any and every professor available. Stella, Tracy, and Draco stayed disillusioned as they walked through the kitchen, pouring Polyjuice into every punch bowl, hairs added as they went, the potion hidden by orange and pumpkin juice, coffee, and milk. Stella slipped a few truth potions randomly around the area as well, smirking as she added it to both Carrows cups.

They were back in their dorms, getting dressed for the day as if they'd all only just woken up. They walked into the entrance hall with the first and second years in tow to find the Carrows looking angry and frazzled. Stella just shrugged and kept walking, leading the younger students to breakfast like she did every day, other students having already arrived and waiting for the breakfast items to appear. Snape swept in, eyes narrowing on Stella as he approached her.

Pansy was by Stella's side in an instant, lying through her teeth when Snape asked what she'd done.

"Whatever do you mean, sir?" Pansy asked.

"Quiet, Parkinson. Black, did you or did you not set off multiple joke items through the castle this morning?" Snape hissed out.

"She was with me this morning," Pansy stated, arms crossed over her chest and brow raised.

"And what were the two of you doing precisely?" Snape questioned, looking annoyed.

"Each other," Pansy said and Draco choked on his spit, Tracy patting his back as she tried not to laugh.

"It's true, sir," Tracy spoke up once Draco was alright. "Parkinson is rather loud."

"Well, I'm rather good," Stella smirked to Tracy. "I'd say you can find out if you like, but we're related now. Be rather weird."

Snape swept away, no longer wanting to be around for the conversation.

"What did you do?" Pansy whispered the question.

"You'll see," Stella smirked as the rest of the student body joined, all having been woken by the mayhem… or maybe it was the firecrackers that Theo had set off in the common rooms, who could know really?

Theo slid down the bench so that he was beside Draco, giving Stella room to sit beside him, Pansy taking the open spot beside Stella. They really needed to sell this now. Stella pulled Pansy close by her waist and Pansy rested her hand on Stella's thigh.

"Attention, students," Snape's voice was amplified. "We are searching for who set off the joke items. If we find any joke items in any of your possessions, the students or students will be facing extreme consequences. If you have any information on who may have set off the items, we ask that you come forward. You will be… rewarded for the information."

The moment Snape sat down, food and drinks appeared. Stella rolled her eyes and made her plate, making sure that nutrient potions were still appearing in front of the Slytherins that needed it most. Stella drank a cup of coffee, something she rarely did, just so she'd be awake enough to enjoy what was coming and so she could be involved. She made a face at the taste, noting that Harry's Polyjuice had tasted better than this did. Suddenly, Carrows were popping up all over the Great Hall, people screaming or tossing their cups aside from the taste. Stella pretended to be shocked but had to hide her face in Theo's shoulder when she saw the real Carrows' faces.

Snape looked a bit resigned, like he had no idea how to deal with the situation at hand. Remus and McGonagall looked towards the Slytherin table, searching for Stella and finding her smirking up at them as Remus's appearance changed to Alecto and McGonagall's changed to Amycus.

They had gotten the majority of the student body and five professors. Classes were a mess, some students refusing to walk around as someone other than themselves. Sixty percent of the student body swaggered along down the halls, not even going to classes because they knew there was no way to actually give out detentions. Stella sat in Herbology, getting mulch and compost all over herself in the process and walking around the castle looking like Alecto had rolled around in dragon dung for the next half hour.

She ran to the common room and waited ten minutes for the potion to end before jumping in the shower and cleaning herself off. She'd gotten plenty of laughs but she didn't feel like walking around smelling like that any longer than was necessary. She tossed her soil uniform on the floor and it was gone by the time she got out of the shower, the Hogwarts elves moving quickly to clean the mess. Stella dressed in a fresh uniform, drying her hair by wand and taking a potion before leaving the dorms, finding only Snape in the common room.

"Black," he breathed.

"Headmaster," Stella rolled her eyes, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms over her chest. "Anything I can help you with?"

"Who helped you? I know Nott and Parkinson were in on it—"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Stella stated.

"Black, you are the only one who is idiotic enough—"

"I'm not an idiot," Stella growled out.

"Then stop behaving like a child throwing a tantrum," Snape hissed back.

"I am doing no such thing—"

"You are!"

The two glared at one another for a long moment, the silence stretching between them. Snape seemed to deflate a bit the longer he stared at Stella. Stella saw it but stayed on guard. She'd already been tricked into trusting him once, she refused to do it again.

"How long have you and Parkinson…?"

"None of your business."

"It is if my—"

"If your what?" Stella asked, a brow cocked and a bored expression on her face. "If your student? Because that is all that I am to you and all that I will ever be. I should have stuck to my anger in fifth year after you wrongly accused me of being in that damned pensieve. Actually, I should have jumped in with Harry to see the memory of Snivellus getting what was probably some well-earned karma—"

Snape walked forward briskly, grabbing Stella's arm and dragged her out of the common room and into the hall.

"Let go of me!" Stella tried to fight but Snape was stronger than he appeared.

She stopped fighting so much, realizing it was rather useless. People watched as she was dragged away. Pansy saw it and took off running in another direction, probably to tell the others what was happening. Snape dragged Stella up to the headmaster's office, tossing her in the moment they reached the door. Stella turned quickly, wand in hand and a glare in place.

"What are you doing?!" Snape demanded again, privacy charms up.

"Again, no clue what you mean," Stella told him.

"Do you not realize the gravity of the situation you are placing yourself in?!"

"Don't know what you—"

"Yes, you do!" Snape yelled. "I refuse to watch my daughter be tortured into submission by the lunatics that are taking over this school! You need to keep your head down!"

"I am not your daughter," Stella growled out, sparks shooting out of her wand.

"Well, you sure as hell aren't a Weasley and Sirius Black was terrified to claim you! You've claimed Lupin as your uncle! That leaves me!"

"You made sure you were no longer an option on multiple occasions!" Stella screamed, voice cracking a bit in the process. "You, who screamed at me and accused me over and over of doing things I hadn't! You who ALLOWED those lunatics into this school! YOU who KILLED ALBUS DUMBLEDORE IN FRONT OF HARRY! YOU ATTACKED HIM!"

"I DID NOT ALLOW THEM TO COME TO THE SCHOOL! I WAS FORCED! I HAVE A COVER TO MAINTAIN! A COVER THAT ALBUS DUMBLEDORE INSISTED I KEEP EVEN THOUGH I EXPRESSELY TOLD HIM I DID NOT WISH TO!"

"Oh, but you fell back into the role so easily so excuse me if I have no sympathies—"

"I DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT BECAUSE OF YOU! I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO SEE ME THIS WAY BUT KNEW IT WOULD HELP PROTECT YOU! HE WANTS YOU ON HIS SIDE!"

"What?" Stella asked, confused. "Why the hell would he want that?"

"I don't know if you've failed to notice, but you're a rather strong witch. He knows this due to Crouch, Pettigrew, and the Malfoys, along with all of the children of death eaters. He also knows that we are close and that you are close to Potter. He wants to recruit you but if you cause more trouble than you can handle, he is prepared to end you himself, just as he did your mother," Snape explained.

"I'm not afraid of him!"

"WELL I AM! I am terrified of what he will do to you!"

The two were breathing heavily, both angry with their magic lashing out. A few things had exploded as they'd screamed at one another. Stella was glaring at Snape as he stared at her with wide, pleading eyes. Stella stood straight, looking away from him and staring around the office. The portraits were all staring at them, as if holding their breath, Dumbledore's eyes shining. The sword of Gryffindor was in a glass case to the side, along with a map that seemed to be tracking someone. Stella stepped close to it, seeing the initials 'H.P.', 'H.G.', and 'R.W.'.

"You found them?" Stella asked, voice still harsh, but more confused now.

"I never lost them," Snape stated, moving slowly closer to her.

"Why?" Stella asked, turning to him. "Why are you tracking them?"

"Because I have a promise to keep."

"To Lily?"

"To myself… and to you."

"You never promised me anything," Stella shook her head.

"I told you once I would always be in your corner," Snape said, voice soft now as he stood beside her. "I intend to keep my word. I did promise to keep Harry safe for Lily's memory, but you are more important than that."

"It's almost like you care," Stella rolled her eyes, still mad at him. "How many questions do I have left?"

"Eight."

"I should really make you pay up on those," Stella sighed, rubbing her face harshly.

Exhaustion was starting to catch up to her again. She'd been taking care of the younger students and teaching them to protect themselves in an abandoned classroom every other day, helping tutor them in their classes. She'd barely gotten any sleep between that, her own classes, detentions, and helping the others in her year. She was still making potions for the hospital wing as well. It was only three weeks into the school year and Stella had never felt so tired in her life.

"You need rest," Snape told her, hand going to her shoulder.

"No time," she told him. "Too much to do."

"Sit. You can ask your questions," Snape told her, leading her to a chair and sitting in the one beside her.

"I don't think we're going to have enough time," Stella smirked. "Pansy saw us. She probably went to get a rescue party."

"They can wait," Snape told her. "Ask."

"Dumbledore's death… it was planned, wasn't it? His hand was cursed. I'm guessing it was killing him?"

"It was," Snape nodded. "Didn't mean for Potter to be there. Speaking of, I thought the two of you…"

"We are," Stella nodded. "Pansy lied to protect me."

"Of course she did," Snape sighed.

"How many horcruxes are there?" Dumbledore's portrait gasped and Stella rolled her eyes. "You'd think people would be used to Harry telling me everything by now."

"There are six in total. The diary Potter destroyed your second year and the ring Dumbledore destroyed makes four."

"Three," Stella corrected. "I destroyed the locket over the summer. Turns out the one in the cave was a fake placed there by Uncle Regulus. Here."

Stella pulled her locket from her neck, opening it to pull the note out and passing it to Snape. Harry had given her the locket not long after she'd given him his. There was a picture of him and her inside, along with the note. Snape read the note and sighed, handing it back to her and she hid it in the locket again, putting it back into her shirt.

"What are the other three?" Stella asked.

"I'm not completely sure, but there is a snake that the Dark Lord keeps close at all times. She is one of them. I've been trying to figure out what the other ones could be," Snape admitted.

"Well, I transcribed the memories after Harry began telling me about them. We can go through my notes, see what we can find," Stella offered.

"If I ask you a question, you may ask a bonus one," Snape offered.

"Deal."

"How did the horcrux defend itself when you destroyed it?"

Stella froze for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"Theo, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Uncle Moony and I were at my home after the wedding. I kept forgetting that I was wearing the damn thing and it was trying to possess me. Harry saw it and asked about it so I threw it across the room. Harry opened it with Parseltongue and it tossed everyone except me back. Black smoke turned into Molly and then Arthur. Sirius made a quick appearance and then it was you. You telling me that you'd never cared and that I was useless. It said that Voldyshorts was going to torture everyone I cared about until the Black Madness made me turn my wand on them myself. It tried telling me that you could learn to love me if I handed Harry over.

"Shot a killing curse at it and got thrown into a bookshelf. Had to get pulled out of the rubble but the thing was destroyed. Took a nap for the next two days and woke up to Ron and Hermione being mad at Harry for having told me about the horcruxes. Not sure why they thought he wouldn't tell me."

"For two people so close to Potter, they should know he goes to you for everything," Snape scoffed.

"That's what Uncle Moony told them apparently. Theo told me it was a rather loud argument while I was resting," Stella nodded.

"So Remy knows?" Snape asked.

"Yeah. Remy knows," Stella rolled her eyes. "Also, I should hit you with a stinging hex. You broke his heart, ya'know? He's been drinking and staring at a photo of the two of you almost every night before bed."

Snape sighed, rubbing his eyes roughly.

"So, when are you going to make up with him?" Stella asked.

"He is better off without me. You both deserve better."

"Better than a man who is tracking the Golden Trio to keep them safe and protecting me from lunatics taking over the school? Yeah, sure. Point me in the direction of someone better," Stella deadpanned.

"I can still give you detention," Snape pointed out.

"Like, a real one or…?"

"Grounded."

"I already am. We don't have Hogsmeade weekends or Quidditch this year."

"Fair enough," Snape sighed.

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"Can I give up all of my questions to make a request?"

"Depends on the request."

"Please survive this war," Stella told him, voice dropping as tears filled her eyes. "I've lost too many people already and I can't take loosing you again. It hurt enough when I just thought you were a traitor."

"You can keep your questions and I will do my best."

"Another request?"

"Hmm?"

"Make up with Uncle Moony soon?"

"I will try," Snape promised. "We need to get you back. Just claim I questioned you and gave you detentions with myself for admitting it was all you."

"I'd love to take all the credit," Stella smirked.

"There she is," Snape smirked. "I have something for you."

Snape stood, going around his desk and pulling a box out of his desk. He kneeled in front of Stella, passing her the box. Stella gave him a confused look before opening the box and finding an old pocket watch and an heir ring inside.

"It is tradition to receive a pocket watch when one turns seventeen. I expected you to receive one from the Weasleys or Remy but you did not. I know you have your watch but this has been in my family for a while.

"I have also named you my heir. That is the Prince family heir ring. We can communicate as you used to do with Sirius. I figured out the runes and charms when making it so that you couldn't hear him all those years ago and decided to copy the spells for these. I've had it for a few years but I wasn't sure if you would accept."

Stella slipped the ring onto her finger, tinkering with it a bit and smirking when she heard Snape in her mind.

"Thanks, Dad," Stella smiled and a tear escaped her.

Snape wiped it away quickly, kissing her forehead before sending her on her way. Stella had the watch in her pocket and an angry expression on her face as she left the office. She found her Gryffindors and Slytherins waiting for her, along with Uncle Moony.

"I'm fine," she rolled her eyes. "Detentions with our dear headmaster for the next month. Did I miss lunch? I'm starved."

"We can go to the kitchens," Theo stated, going to Stella's side immediately.

"Are you alright, Cub?"

"I'm alright," Stella assured him. "I promise."

"My class is canceled today due to the moon," Moony explained. "Go enjoy your free afternoon."

"Love you, Uncle Moony," Stella smiled, giving him a quick hug before wondering off with her friends.

It wasn't until that night when Stella was in Theo's bed, a privacy spell around them that he noticed the ring.

"What's that?" Theo asked, holding her hand up.

'Can I tell Theo?' Stella asked, fidgeting with the ring.

'If you must.'

'I won't if you don't want me to. He saw the ring just now.'

'Why are you not in bed?'

'I'm in a bed…'

'Grounded…'

"So, I've been made heir to a family," Stella explained to Theo after her quick conversation with Snape.

"Uncle Moony finally made it official?" Theo smirked. "I didn't know the Lupin family had an heir ring."

"They don't," Stella stated, waiting to see if Theo would figure it out on his own.

He gained a confused expression before taking Stella's hand and staring at the ring curiously. He ran his finger over the ring, over the language he didn't understand. After chewing the inside of his cheek for a moment he turned his head to Stella.

"What language is this?"

"Chinese. It's pronounced 'Wángzǐ', which translates to 'Prince' in English," Stella explained.

"I thought the Prince line went extinct some forty years back? It was a big deal among Pureblood society."

"In a way," Stella offered. "Eileen Prince married a Muggle and had a child with the Muggle, both taking the Muggles last name…"

"Snape," Theo breathed, eyes widening.

"Yeah. Forgot to mention that when I was filing you in on everything that happened last year. Harry used a second-hand book in Potions because he didn't know he would be able to take the class with Slughorn as the professor. It was Snape's old book but it was signed as belonging to 'The Half-Blood Prince'."

"Every family you have is dramatic," Theo grumbled.

"You included," Stella smirked.

"Shut it," Theo rolled his eyes but a fond smile was on his face. "Go to sleep."

"Yeah, yeah," Stella rolled her eyes, drinking a potion and settling against Theo. "Love you, Teddy."

"Love you, Stell. More explaining in the morning."

"Deal."

Word had gotten around of Stella being dragged off by Snape and it took quite a lot to keep her mouth shut from defending Snape. She'd told Theo everything when she'd woken, the screaming and yelling, the crying, and the conversation that followed. She'd had to explain more about the horcruxes in the process and Stella promised to show him the notes on the memories after she made a copy of them for Snape.

"So, are you going to keep calling him Snape or are you finally calling him dad?" Theo asked and Stella was ready to roll her eyes at the question, but Theo was being genuine.

"Dad in private," Stella admitted. "Snape in public. Or, ya'know, Snivellus."

"I think you might get in trouble for that one," Theo did smirk this time.

"Add it to the list of grievances," Stella smirked.

'I'll make a copy of the memory transcripts and get them to you in detention. We can conspire with Dumbledore's portrait. Is he aware of all the tasks he assigned everyone before dying?'

'He is. Detention at six-thirty in the Headmaster's office. Password is supernova.'

'Of course it is.'

Stella bit her lip, a small laugh leaving her in the process.

'Grounded.'

'Sure, Dad.'

"Having fun?" Theo smirked before the bell for Potions rang and Slughorn walked in.

"Tons," she told him before taking notes, feeling rather bored with how behind Slughorn seemed to be; or maybe that was just because Snape was so far ahead.

'Has Slughorn always done the bare minimum?'

'Unfortunately.'

'I'm bored!'

'Childish. I do have things to do and I don't need your interruptions.'

'Shouldn't have given me a ring that allows me to annoy you whenever I please then.'

'I am waiting for Remy to join me in my office.'

'Please remove your ring before making up with him. I do not need to accidentally overhear something inappropriate.'

'I don't remember you being this mouthy.'

'I've grown bolder.'

"Miss Black, have you finish copying the notes?" Slughorn asked and Stella nodded. "Tell me then what ingredients make Veritaserum colorless and odorless then."

Stella, who had finished a batch of said potion just that morning, answered quickly and accurately.

"Unicorn hair makes it colorless and the white wine mixed with sage makes it odorless. Also, the reason you can't taste it is due to the Howlet wing, Griffin claw and belladonna."

"Oh… correct. Ten points for Slytherin."

"Thank you, sir," Stella nodded.

Slughorn moved on, lecturing more on the truth potion, Stella's head tipping back for a moment before she sat up straighter, taking the rather useless notes. She was looking forward to the Wolfsbane potion in three weeks' time, but the other potions she knew by heart by this point. She told Snape not to be nervous before leaving him be. She hoped Remus didn't kill Snape on the spot, he was always a bit grumpy after a full moon.

Stella walked into the Headmaster's office at six-thirty on the dot, Theo directly behind her, to find Remus still there.

"Hi, Uncle Moony," Stella smirked, Theo seeming confused.

"Hello, Cub," Remus smiled. "I see you brought Theo with you."

"Yeah, he gets antsy when I run off on my own," Stella shrugged before forcing Theo to sit while she remained standing, passing the notes to Snape. "As promised."

"I could have given the information," Dumbledore's portrait grumbled.

"Said the man with far too many secrets," Stella rolled her eyes, looking to Snape. "He probably already told you most of the information but still."

"Are we sure he's on our side?" Theo finally asked, glaring at Snape.

"He is," Remus spoke up and Snape blushed for a moment before clearing his throat.

"I don't need a mental image," Stella tossed out before crossing her arms over her chest and chewing her lip. "So, we need to figure out what the other horcruxes could be and where they are. Then we need to figure out how to get the information to the three blind mice… I don't like that name. Three musketeers? Yeah! Three musketeers!"

"Breathe," Remus reminded Stella.

"Yeah, yeah," Stella waved him off, making copies of the notes and passing them around. "Everyone pick a different memory and we'll share information after, then someone else can recheck the work to make sure we didn't miss anything."

"Yes, Professor," Theo smirked, taking his copy.

"You, shush."

The four read through memories for the next hour and a half before Theo fell asleep on the couch, head in Stella's lap, her fingers scratching his scalp gently. Remus and Severus were both in squishy arm chairs, sipping from whiskey glasses. Stella had tried convincing Remus to give her a glass, but Severus had glared at the two of them and they hadn't even tried making a joke out of it, going back to reading.

"We should probably call it a night," Remus sighed, seeing Theo asleep.

"I'm not going anywhere," Stella sighed.

"You need rest," Severus said and Stella groaned.

"Had I known having a dad was going to be like this I would have stuck to Sirius and Arthur. They never paid attention."

"Which is why you need me," Severus rolled his eyes. "I can make the couch larger so the two of you can sleep here."

"Where will Uncle Moony sleep?" Stella smirked.

"Is that one of your questions?"

"Are you going to ground me?"

"You're already grounded."

"I feel very grounded," Stella joked before a yawn interrupted her next sarcastic comment, her jaw popping in the process.

"Up you get," Remus sighed, helping lift Theo's head from her lap.

Theo grumbled, reaching for Stella and waking with a start when he couldn't find her.

"I'm here," Stella promised, calming him. "It's alright. We're making the couch bigger so we can sleep here."

"Oh-kay," Theo nodded, still not really awake.

Severus waved his wand and the couch grew. Stella kicked off her shoes and pulled Theo's off his feet before tossing a blanket over him, his eyes already closed again. She climbed over him and his arms wrapped around her waist, spooning her in his sleep.

"Good night," Remus smiled, kissing Stella's head and brushing Theo's hair out of his face before heading up the stairs.

"Potion," Severus passed her a vial.

"Thank you," she whispered, drinking the potion quickly before passing the empty vial back.

"Sweet dreams, Stella Nova," Severus told her, hands brushing the top of her head as her eyes closed.

Stella woke up with her arms wrapped around Theo, actually waking up before him for once. Maybe it was the dreamless sleep she'd snuck into his drink. He'd been having nightmares about Blaise since Stella had told him what had happened and would always wake before Stella, waiting until his breathing was even again before checking on Stella and getting up for the day. She hadn't told him that she'd started putting monitoring spells on him; he'd be too embarrassed if she did. Whenever he started having a nightmare, Stella would wake up and begin singing Sirius's lullaby or hum until he settled but she knew the nightmares still plagued him.

She rose slowly from the couch, untangling herself from her best friend and yawning widely. She looked over the notes that they all had made, feeling as if the answer was obvious but just couldn't put her finger on it. Blaise was always the one who could point out what was right in front of them. Stella sighed and tossed the papers down, rubbing her eyes and looking out the window, seeing that the sun was only just starting to rise.

Tea appeared in front of her and Stella smiled softly, whispering a thanks to whatever elf had provided it. She sipped the hot tea, humming a bit as it was already prepared just the way she liked. She grabbed the notes again, reading through everything that Tom Riddle had been obsessed with. He almost reminded Stella of Harry in a way. An orphan who was raised by people who thought him a freak and hated him, searching for a family to be a part of. The difference was that Harry had Ron, Hermione, and her, whereas Riddle found blood supremacists and decided to rule over them.

She felt like the answer was right there, that it should be obvious, but she just couldn't figure it out. Every night, Stella, Theo, Remus, and Severus worked together, tossing out ideas and trading notes around and Stella became more and more annoyed with herself.

"I swear the answer is right in front of us and I just can't see it," Stella rubbed her face roughly.

"We'll figure it out," Theo assured her.

Helping Flitwick with the third year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors was actually rather fun. They'd mastered 'Lumos Maxima' and 'Petrificus Totalus' rather well under Flitwick's and Stella's watchful eyes and were moving along rather nicely to the cheering charm.

The cheering charm came in handy these days considering how life in the halls was. The Carrows were foaming at the mouth, just waiting for someone to step out of line. Stella and her friends had riled them up with their prank and Stella wanted to keep her head down, but at the same time, she didn't want to seem afraid. People kept looking to her, waiting to see what she was going to do or say, having grown used to her defending everyone in the past years.

Neville, Ginny, and Luna were raging their own war against the Carrows it seemed. They tried breaking into Severus's office to steal the sword of Gryffindor and got detention with Hagrid, having to join him in the forest for a night, not that it mattered since Luna tended to visit the forest anyways and knew most of the creatures there. 'Dumbledore's Army, still recruiting' was painted across the walls at random, causing the Carrows to yell in anger, Snape having to make another announcement about punishments. Stella had given Ginny a few boxes of fireworks in passing… just because. Sixth year defense had to be let out early the next day. Strange how that happens sometimes.

The Carrows seemed to know who the trouble makers were though and Stella gave them decoy detonators next, that way they could make a break for it if they needed to. Severus did not enjoy all three setting a device off when he turned a corner one day, not even looking for them but heading towards the Great Hall. She thought it was absolutely hilarious, causing him to roll his eyes and wait rather impatiently for her to settle so the four could continue their research.

Severus was called away for Death Eater meetings at least once a week, if not more. On those nights, Stella would be on edge, leg bouncing or pacing around until he'd tell her he'd returned through their rings.

The Slytherins were all slowly gaining a bit of weight back, all feeling more safe at the school than at home, even with the Carrows around. The Carrows went easy on the Slytherins though, coming in to go on and on about blood supremacy at random, causing Stella to roll her eyes and pretend to throw up behind them, earning a few smiles in the process.

Theo no longer needed his cane but kept it at the end of his bed just in case. He would get pains at random and Stella would pass him a small pain potion when she'd notice it, giving him a pointed look until he'd take his dose.

The Carrows were going too far. The seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins walked into Dark Arts one day, finding all the first years in the classroom. Stella was confused as the first years were shaking, all looking terrified. They saw her and multiple of them visibly relaxed, looking rather relieved. Amycus looked far too excited.

"What is this?" Stella demanded, voice hard and some of the other students sighing, Theo and Seamus even saying "Finally."

"The first years were all bent over a few copies of a magazine called 'The Quibbler'," Amycus stated.

"And?" Stella asked, already knowing where this was going as she'd been seeing The Quibbler more and more often, Luna's father supporting Harry.

"And that magazine is banned."

"Since when?"

"Since right now," Amycus growled out.

"So, if it's just now banned, why is there an issue?" Stella hissed back, fiddling with her ring and warning her Dad what was happening.

"Because, when I told them it was banned, they refused to give me their copies. They need to be punished, which brings us to today's lesson. We've already gone over the Imperious curse. Time to try your hands at the Cruciatus."

"No," Stella stated, stepping forward and looking to the first years. "Come here."

The first years ran to Stella, Amycus yelling at them in the process. He threw a spell at one of them, knocking the little girl with a Black ring, Lucy, down and causing her to scream in pain. The Black family magic lashed out, Stella letting out a yell of anger and sending Amycus across the room.

Severus entered the room then, watching as Stella ran to Lucy, helping her to her feet. She waved her wand, healing the long cut on her arm rather quickly.

"What… is the meaning of this?" Severus asked.

"I was going over the lesson plan for the day and Black decided to attack me," Amycus spoke up.

"Black?"

"He wanted us to torture first years with an Unforgivable. Attacked one of my family members and the family magic reacted," Stella stated, glaring at Amycus with so much venom that she seemed more deadly than a basilisk.

"Seems reasonable," Severus stated and the seventh years all smiled wickedly, glad to see that the blatant favoritism that Severus showed Stella was back in play.

"Reasonable?!"

"You attacked a Black. What were you expecting?" Severus asked, brow raised in challenge. "I believe you are under orders to not harm certain students. Shall I reiterate that to you as I did on the first day of classes?"

"Let's get you to the Hospital Wing," Stella said softly to Lucy, lifting the small Hufflepuff onto her hip. "Let's go, you lot! Give the Professors some privacy!"

Everyone followed Stella out, looking a bit like a mismatched army as they marched through the school. Other students stepped aside as they went, making a large path for them. Stella smirked in the process, feeling that power again. She enjoyed when people were afraid of her, but when people gave her proud looks it was a hundred times better.

In the hospital wing, Stella set Lucy on a bed and waved her wand, two potions going straight to her. Madam Pomfrey rushed forward, waving her wand over Lucy and reaching her hand out to Stella, taking the blood replenisher and mild pain potion from her. Once Lucy had taken both potions, she was good as new.

"Tracy? Dray? Show the first years a few secret passages so they can avoid the Carrows when they need to?"

"On it, cousin," Draco smirked.

"Come on," Tracy smiled kindly to the first years, leading them all away.

"Well, that lesson sucked," Stella sighed, arms crossing over her chest.

"Think we can get Uncle Moony to teach us Defense in secret?" Theo asked curiously.

"Oh, absolutely," Stella smirked.

"We've been waiting for you to do something," Neville admitted from her other side.

"I'm trying to keep a low profile," Stella shrugged.

"How's that working out for you?"

"It's overrated," Stella smirked.

"What are you thinking?" Pansy asked curiously.

"I have a few ideas," she shrugged, smirking before looking to make sure Crabbe and Goyle hadn't followed their group. "Think I need some supplies."

"We'll go gather everything you need now while Amycus is… distracted," Theo told her.

"I thought Snape hated you now?" Dean asked, confused.

"I think he wants to recruit me," Stella shrugged, making a disgusted face in the process.

"Idiot," Seamus smirked.

"It is an idiotic idea," Stella nodded. "Alright, you lot. Disperse. Go find something else to do outside of bothering Madam Pomfrey. Teddy, we have work to do."

Hate potions were finally circulating. The Slytherins that ranted about muggleborns needing to be run out of society were slipped the potions, causing fist and wand fights to break out every few hours over the next two weeks. Polyjuice was consumed more often than before, random Carrows attending classes and looking rather put out. Fireworks and portable swamps kept being tossed around, instant darkness powder caused canceled classes, and nose biting teacups attempted to take a chomp out of people.

Stella just sat back, watching the chaos gleefully. The best part was that she had helpers. Students from third year and below felt a bit left out as the fourth to seventh years caused chaos, but Stella made sure to give them firecrackers, telling them to only use them in their common rooms, and trick sweets, strict orders to use sparingly in place so they wouldn't get in trouble for missing Anti-Muggle Studies and Dark Arts.

Somehow a first year had gotten his hands on a fanged frisbee and had thrown it at Alecto with so much accuracy, Stella wished she'd been able to recruit him for Quidditch. He ended up chained in Filch's office and a rescue mission was planned. Distractions went off and Michael Corner went to rescue the eleven year old. They'd forgotten about Filch though and Michael was caught, being tortured heavily by the Carrows when Filch had handed him over. Stella still heard his screams at night when she'd start drifting off to sleep, having been one of the people to help heal him in the hospital wing.

The pranks stopped then, the rebellion quieting by a bit. Spray paint still found its way onto the walls and the students still refused to torture the younger students as punishment, minus Crabbe and Goyle who were rather gleeful at the idea. Stella had cursed them and stuck them to the wall when they'd tried going after a second-year Ravenclaw once for having a copy of The Quibbler in his robes.

It was almost Christmas when Stella was alone for the first time in months. She was sitting in a hall, doing a bit of Transfiguration homework and eating an apple, trying to get a bit of quiet. She loved Theo, but he was thinking too loudly lately, and Draco and Tracy were annoyingly in love, making her miss Harry even more than before.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Amycus's voice caused Stella to look up quickly, finding him and his sister walking towards her from the end of the hall.

Stella set her work aside, along with the apple, standing quickly, wand in hand.

"No need to be so defensive," Alecto spoke up, holding her hands up in a surrendering motion. "We came to talk."

"I'm sure," Stella glanced between the two.

"Snape says you're powerful and we've seen it in action a few times. You also have a way of getting the other students to follow you," Alecto stated.

"Annoying habit," Amycus grumbled and Stella rolled her eyes at him.

"We want to be your friend," Alecto spoke over her brother.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Stella shook her head, wrinkling her nose as she messed with her ring. "I don't have the same… uh… hobbies as you. We'd get bored of one another."

"Or you might like our hobbies more than you realize," Alecto offered.

"I doubt it."

"You can join us or die!" Amycus yelled.

"Amy, calm down now," Alecto's eyes never left Stella's as she spoke, seeming rather calm as her brother was growing more and more frustrated. "Miss Black is strong in her beliefs. That's something to admire, not hate. She just doesn't realize that her beliefs are misguided. We just want to help point you in the right direction. Don't want you mixing yourself up with the wrong sort."

"I think I can figure out the wrong sort for myself, thanks."

Alecto nodded, pursing her lips a bit before smiling, trying for a maternal look and failing at it.

"We'll see… Come, Amy. We have things to do. Best not bother little Black for now," Alecto led her brother away, Stella watching until they were gone.

Once they turned the corner, Stella waved her wand, her homework flying into her bag and her bag going onto her shoulder, her apple flying back to her hand. She disillusioned herself and headed towards the third-floor loo, hiding away in the stall and watching the map for a bit to see where the Carrows had wondered off to. They were in the Slytherin common room, probably going on and on about how dangerous muggles were again, something that made Stella roll her eyes.

Near curfew, she headed down to the dungeons, walking in as the Carrows were heading out. She and Amycus walked backwards, watching one another. Amycus seemed rather entertained by Stella's behavior, whereas Stella glared at the wizard. Once they were out, Stella sighed and turned to the other Slytherins, finding them watching her.

"What'd I miss?" she asked them.

"They're trying to recruit us," Theo spoke up, staring down at his book with more interest than he'd shown the Carrows on any day.

"Oh, what fun," Stella sighed, falling onto the couch beside him, head going into his lap.

Theo smirked and moved his book to the arm of the couch, holding it up with one hand to continue reading and the other going to Stella's hands, holding them gently. Draco sat in front of the couch, head leaned back and resting against Stella's arm, Tracy sitting in between his legs and making herself comfortable. Pansy lifted Stella's legs, resting them across hers and running her fingers up and down Stella's thigh, seeming entertained by Stella's skin as Daphne and Tracy sat on the chairs on either side of the couch.

Stella felt rather crowded but forced herself to breath, closing her eyes and calming her breathing quickly. Once she was calm, she opened her eyes, finding Theo giving her a proud look. Stella gave him a weak smile and closed her eyes again. Even with the potions, which Severus made her take every night again, causing Stella to make Draco take them, she was still uncomfortable in crowds at times. She made a mental note to see a mind healer once everything was over.

It was the last day of classes before Christmas break and Amycus, Alecto, Crabbe, Goyle, and Bulstrode were already in the Dark Arts room, smiling and waiting for everyone to join. Stella remained silent, waiting for an explanation and feeling weary with Severus and Remus both gone that day, Severus at a last minute meeting and Remus having left a day early due to the moon.

"We're going to duel today," Amycus announced.

"Professor Carrow and I will be partnering you up and we'll watch duels together," Alecto spoke up, a glint in her eyes. "No going easy on one another, either."

"Who is the strongest of you?" Amycus questioned, eyeing the students before his eyes landed on Stella. "Black?"

"Depends on why you're asking," she shrugged.

"Well, we have an odd amount of students," Alecto explained. "The strongest should duel two students."

"I've already dueled five at once," Stella shrugged. "Not sure what you hope to get out of that."

"Hmm… you have dueled five," Alecto nodded. "How about all five of us this time?"

"You want me to shoot curses at you?" Stella asked, brows raised at Alecto.

"We want to see what you're made of, little Black," Alecto shrugged, smiling softly. "Are you up for the challenge?"

"I typically make someone buy me dinner first," Stella stated. "I can make an exception this once."

"Stella, no," Draco grabbed her arm, stopping her from stepping forward.

"Why?"

"It's probably a trap."

"Of course it is," Stella rolled her eyes. "I kind of expect it to be. I want to know why though so release my arm."

Draco sighed, eyes searching Stella's, silently pleading with her.

"It's alright, Dray," Tracy spoke up, staring at the Carrows. "If something goes wrong, we can step in."

"Come on," Neville whispered, a gentle hand on Draco's shoulder.

"I've got this," Stella whispered the promise. "Keep an eye on Theo for me. He'll try to throw himself in front of me."

Draco nodded, pulling Theo from Stella's side, Dean having to help as Theo refused to move. Stella nodded to the others before turning to the five in front of her.

"First, we bow," Amycus smirked.

"No, thanks," Stella shook her head, sneering a bit. "Let's get this over with."

The five spread out suddenly, surrounding Stella. A shield went up in front of the others, keeping them from coming any closer. Stella sighed, tossing her cloak aside and hoping on her feet a bit. Goyle threw the first spell.

It had been at least ten minutes and the Carrows were playing with her. Crabbe was fighting his own shadow in a corner, screaming in pain. Millicent was battling Goyle, Stella having Imperioed her to do so. Amycus was the weaker sibling but he was still strong, limping around Stella and throwing dark curse after dark curse at her, his ankle broken from a blasting curse that Stella had aimed at his feet to try throwing him. Alecto was smiling wickedly, twisting out of the way of curses, much like how Stella fought.

Stella was bleeding from one side, her ribs bruised on the other, and a gash on her forehead that made it hard to see out of her right eye. She shot off blasting, entrail-expelling, and slicing curses from her wand. Stella rolled on the floor and jumped to her feet, avoiding whatever Amycus had tried hitting her with behind her back. They were both in front of her now and Stella was breathing heavy, exhausted but filled with adrenaline and a fight response.

She blocked a spell before matching "Crucio!"s hit her, causing her to fall backwards, screaming in pain. Her blood felt like her blood was turning to ice and her skin was on fire. She was thrashing on the floor but could feel something building inside of her, a darkness that flowed through her family magic, causing her hair to curl. She occluded suddenly, able to block out the pain and stop her screaming, still thrashing on the floor but able to think something other than, 'Pain! Pain! PAIN!'

The magic flowed through her and Stella let out an angry shout, sitting up suddenly. The Carrows flew across the room as the Black family magic shot out. Stella slowly stood, stumbling a bit before laughing at how clumsy she felt. The laugh came out as a bit of a cackle and Stella's eyes raised seeing the Carrows standing slowly, both looking a bit terrified.

"Bellatrix," Amycus whispered, before jumping to his feet.

"Not quite," Stella said, her voice gravely before she raised her wand. "Sectumsempra."

Amycus's stomach was cut open before he could throw up a shield. He held his stomach, trying to hold everything in.

"No!" Alecto screamed, rushing to her brother and using healing spell after healing spell, even the one that Snape had created just for the dark curse. "No, no, no. Brother, please."

Amycus was slowly healed but he was done fighting. Alecto let out an angry shout and stood, trying to rush Stella. Stella held up her hand and the Black family magic threw Alecto against a wall, the stones wrapping around her and holding her in place. Goyle knocked Bulstrode out and turned his wand on her.

"AVADA—"

"Evanesco," Stella pointed her wand at Goyle and he disappeared, going into whatever state of non-being vanished things went into.

Stella sighed and looked around the room, waving her hand and causing Amycus to have ropes wrap around him so he couldn't get any ideas about attacking her again. With a wand wave, Crabbe's shadow went back to normal and he fell to the ground, whimpering and exhausted. The shield came down and Stella stumbled again, giggling a bit madly. Draco held his arms up, stopping everyone from running at her.

He approached slowly, hands raised in a surrendering motion. Once he was arm's length away, she turned on him, wand raised and lit at the end a bit. She stopped when she saw him, feeling as if she should know the blonde wizard standing before her, a buzzing in her magic that connected the two of them. She lowered her wand slowly and let him approach her. He took her hand gently, closing his eyes and letting their family magic wash over the both of them.

Stella stumbled again, no longer laughing as pain and exhaustion hit her. Draco caught her as she crumbled, lifting her into his arms as if she weighted nothing. The class followed as he carried her to the hospital wing, ignoring the 'professors' and other students that they left behind.

Madam Pomfrey gasped in shock when she saw Stella, shooting off a patronus to McGonagall quickly as she told Draco to place Stella on the bed. Stella was given a strong pain potion and passed out, rather grateful for it since she knew a lot of healing would need to be done.

Stella woke, groaning and rubbing her eyes roughly. Madam Pomfrey was above her in a moment.

"Stella? Can you hear me? Do you know where you are?"

"Hospital wing," Stella grumbled, still exhausted. "How bad was it?"

"Two cracked ribs, all bruised. There was a gash on your forehead and on your side, magical exhaustion, sprained ankle… You stopped breathing at one point."

"How many near death experiences is that now? Like, six? That's gotta be almost as many as Harry at this point," Stella tried for a joke.

"Stella Nova!" Remus's panicked voice sounded and Stella could hear people running towards her.

She tensed for a moment before forcing herself to calm, seeing Remus and Theo approaching her quickly.

"Hello," Stella waved lazily. "What day is it?"

"Christmas," Theo told her. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," she admitted.

"Here. Dreamless sleep. No bothering my patient, you two," Pomfrey told Remus and Theo.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Remus shook his head and Stella let out a breath of laughter, not falling for the innocent look he tried pulling off in the slightest.

Pomfrey seemed immune to it as well, hands on her hips and brow raised. Remus took a small step back and Stella let out another quiet laugh at his expense. She took the potion, turning to look at Theo.

"Fill me in when I wake up?"

"Of course," he nodded.

"Come here."

Stella scooted over as far as she could on the bed, tossing the blanket aside for the moment. Theo climbed into the bed without a second thought, kicking his shoes off quickly. He pulled Stella close to his chest before pulling the blanket over the both of them. Stella's eyes closed and she fell back asleep, settled against her best friend.

"- almost captured in Godric's Hallow," Severus's smooth voice whispered. "They were searching for the sword."

"Who was almost captured?" Stella asked, sitting up slowly and stretching her arms above her head, her back popping in the process. "Why am I worried I won't like the answer?"

"Harry and Hermione," Remus told her.

"What about Ron?" Stella asked, confused.

"I'm not sure," Severus admitted. "I'm sure he's fine. Maybe three people would have been too obvious so Weasley stayed behind."

"Great," Stella sighed, rubbing her face tiredly and looking to Theo.

"Right," he sighed. "Well, we've no clue what happened to Goyle. He's just gone. Crabbe and Amycus were taken to St. Mungos, Bulstrode went home for the holidays with a bit of magical exhaustion, Alecto had to be removed from the castle wall with blasting curses, and Luna was taken by Death Eaters on the train."

"What?!" Stella asked, eyes wide.

"Her father has still been supporting Harry in his magazine. We think she was taken as leverage against him," Severus stated before disillusioning himself, Pomfrey rushing over.

"What is happening?" she asked, looking to Stella with wide eyes.

"They took Luna," Stella whispered, feeling a panic attack coming on.

"Breathe, Stell," Theo told her, climbing onto the bed and placing a firm hand on her shoulder. "Breathe with me. In and out, nice and slow. Come on."

Stella copied Theo's breathing, tears leaking out of her eyes in the process. After what felt like a very long time but was probably really only a few minutes, Stella was able to breathe again. She calmed herself before being handed a potion by Remus, which had appeared in his hand from seemingly nowhere. She took the calming draught and sighed, sinking against the bed a bit.

"You need more rest," Pomfrey tried.

"Madam, if I stayed here for the amount of time that I truly need rest, I'd be here forever," Stella told her. "Can I just go to my room, please?"

Pomfrey chewed her lip for a minute, obviously not liking the idea.

"I'll take her to my quarters," Remus spoke up. "I can watch her."

"Alright," Pomfrey sighed, passing a few potions over to Remus. "Make sure she takes these as needed."

"Yes, Madam," Remus nodded.

Theo picked Stella up, carrying her behind Remus. They ended up in front of the Headmaster's office instead, Severus allowing them all in and coming back into view once they were inside. The couch was still enlarged from how often Stella and Theo fell asleep there now. Theo set Stella down gently, brushing a bit of hair from her face.

"How bad is it?" she asked him.

"Not as bad as you think," he shrugged, waving his wand over her and clearing away any grime and grease from her body and hair, making her feel much better.

She still needed a shower but she didn't feel as gross anymore.

"Sleep and you can move around tomorrow," Severus promised her, kneeling beside her as Theo stepped aside, waving his wand over himself and turning his clothes into sleepwear.

"Okay," Stella nodded.

"Sleep well, Stella Nova."

"Night, Dad," Stella gave a weak smile, Severus having spelled a dreamless sleep into her and causing her to become drowsy again.

Stella woke the next morning and untangled herself from Theo, stretching before standing. She sighed and looked down at the notes that had a few changes on them. She stared for another long moment before shaking her head and rubbing her eyes as Remus and Severus entered the room.

"Shower, Cub?" Remus asked her, passing her a change of clothes.

"Yes, please," she begged.

"This way," Severus told her, leading her up the stairs and to the living quarters.

It was warmer than she expected, bright colors surrounding her. The furniture was black but throw blankets and pillows of light purples and blues were scattered around. Pictures were above a mantle and Stella knew she'd be using one of her questions once she got a closer look. Severus led her to a loo, pulling a towel out and setting it on a hanging rack.

"If you need anything, just ask for it and it'll appear in here. So, any shampoo or anything like that," Severus told her.

"Thanks," Stella smiled softly.

Severus nodded and left her alone, shutting the door behind himself. Stella set her clothes down and turned on the water, stripping and stepping under the hot spray. She sighed, melting against the wall a bit as the water hit her skin, relaxing her sore muscles. Stella asked for her shower supplies, smiling as the items appeared.

After washing her hair and body a few times, Stella stepped out of the shower, grabbing the warmed towel and drying herself off quickly and dressing. Her brush appeared, along with a few hair products and Stella sighed, finally looking at her reflection. She brushed her hair out, getting rid of the knots before working product into it and drying it with her wand. Stella's eyes widened a bit, staring at her reflection.

Neville was going to get nightmares just looking at her. She truly did look a bit like Bellatrix now. She pulled her hair back into a messy bun, tying it up before sticking Blaise's wand through it, along with her own. Stella looked down at her jeans, dark grey sweater, and combat boots, feeling a bit more herself than she had in a while. It was like she'd been trying to hide ever since Blaise and Sirius had died and now she was coming back to herself bit by bit.

Stella walked out of the loo and through the living quarters, seeing the pictures on the mantle again. She walked over, seeing photos of previous students waving at her. Stella smiled softly, waving back before seeing a picture of Severus with a very young Regulus Black and another with a slightly older Regulus. She really did look just like he once had, grey eyes and crooked smirk, high cheekbones and regal features. Stella lifted the picture gently, staring at it for a long moment before placing it back.

Theo, Remus, and Severus were eating breakfast in the office when Stella rejoined them, sighing as she sat beside Theo and stole the toast from his hand. He rolled his eyes but smirked, grabbing the other piece and eating it. Remus smiled at the action, remembering how James and Sirius used to move around each other much the same way. Severus was remembering himself and a boy that had once looked much like Stella sitting in the Great Hall after staying up all night studying. He pushed the thought aside and passed a potion over, Stella drinking it without thought and passing the empty vial back.

"So, any updates on the memories?" Stella asked as she ate a bit of sausage.

"Nothing new," Remus sighed, looking a bit put out.

"I feel like we're missing something obvious and we just can't figure it out. We need someone who can just tell us what's right in front of our faces," Stella groaned, leaning back on the couch.

"Like Blaise used to do," Theo nodded, leaning back with her.

Neither Remus or Severus said anything, watching the younger two carefully. Stella didn't talk about Blaise and they hadn't heard Theo mention him either. Theo and Stella shared an amused look before both stared at the ceiling. She thought back to how she'd compared Riddle to Harry once, the solution having felt closer to the forefront of her mind when she had previously. She stood, pacing a bit as she made the comparisons in her head.

Orphans? Check. Raised by terrible people? Check. In love with magic? Check. Wait…

Magic. Neither truly knew about magic before coming to the school. Stella stopped pacing and looked to Dumbledore's portrait, finding the man already staring at her.

"When Riddle came to interview for the Defense position, how long was he in the school for?" Stella asked him.

"Well, he walked form the front gates to my office and back, plus our meeting, which lasted roughly half an hour or so. An hour, perhaps?" Dumbledore answered.

"He hid one here," Stella stated, the obvious answer finally hitting her. "Oh, we're such idiots."

"He did not have time to hide a horcrux here," Dumbledore insisted.

"He had time to jinx the position, correct?" Stella demanded.

"Well, yes, but—"

"Therefore he had plenty of time to hide a horcrux. What is the jinx on the position? Where would he have been able to place it so that it would hold for so long?"

Dumbledore wasn't answering her anymore and Stella groaned in frustration, rolling her eyes at him before looking to Severus.

"The school rune stone," Severus stated. "If he put the jinx into the stone, then it would be active as long as he is alive."

"And if he left a horcrux nearby…"

"Then it could feed off of the stone…"

"So, we're looking for a supercharged horcrux next to the school rune stone. Great," Theo spoke up.

"Because our lives aren't difficult enough," Remus sighed.

"Where's the stone?" Stella asked Severus.

"I don't know," Severus shrugged.

"No one has found it in years. Not even myself. It was hidden or lost long ago," Dumbledore spoke up and Stella sighed, turning back to him.

"Is there a legend around it? Maybe we can solve that."

"I was told by Headmaster Dippet that it had been hidden away centuries ago to protect it and had been lost ever since," Dumbledore stated. "That is all that I know."

"Well, I doubt it's in the Chamber," Stella sighed. "Not even three of the founders knew that existed. It would be somewhere all of them could find it and get to it, have access to update anything they needed, including wards."

"He said it was hidden and lost?" Theo asked, standing beside Stella.

"Yes."

"Stell, where do you hide things?" Theo asked.

"Mrytle's bathroom," Stella shrugged.

"No. Where do you go to hide things?"

"Oh, the seventh… floor. Holy shite."

"Language," Severus drawled.

"It's in the Room of Requirement!" Stella slapped her forehead. "We're never going to find it! That place is a disaster and we don't even know what we're looking for!"

"Hogwarts…" Theo whispered, looking away from everyone and beginning to mumble under his breath. "Hogwarts was his home… obsessed with the school… he was Slytherins heir…"

"What is he—"

"Wait for it," Stella held her hand up, silencing Remus.

"Each founder had an item," Theo spoke to Dumbledore. "What were they?"

"Gryffindor's sword, Hufflepuff's goblet, Slytherin's locket, Ravenclaw's diadem, and the sorting hat," Dumbledore answered.

"We destroyed the locket," Theo stated. "We can test the hat and sword to see if there is a horcrux attached to each of them."

"If the sword had one, would it not have been destroyed when it was soaked in basilisk venom, or would it have had some sort of reaction to a threat being so close?" Remus asked.

"I feel like it would have had a reaction," Stella stated. "I was petrified though so I didn't see what happened. Just being soaked in the venom wouldn't have destroyed it."

"Riddle wouldn't have been able to get the sword. True Gryffindor and all that," Severus shook his head.

"So the diadem and the goblet," Theo stated.

"What's a diadem?" Stella asked curiously.

"Tiara," Theo explained.

"Stylish?"

"Probably. Not sure what it looked like though."

"Is there a copy of 'Hogwarts: A History' in here?"

"Here," Severus raised his hand and a book flew straight to him and he passed it to her.

Stella began turning the pages, just searching for any sort of tiara as Theo thought everything over, how they could split up and search the room. Stella found a sketched picture and froze.

"I know where it is," she stated, staring at the photo.

"How?" Severus asked, all three wizards staring at her in confusion.

"Come on," Stella told them, tossing the book onto Severus's desk and leading the way.

They stopped at the seventh floor, Stella walking back and forth a few times before a door appeared, accessing the room the same way that Draco did most of the year before.

"Didn't we hide in a broom closet here one time?" Remus asked Severus and Theo seemed to suddenly catch on.

"Oh, my God," he said, eyes widening as he stared at Stella. "Your dad and your uncle."

"Yeah, I've known since third year," Stella smirked. "Come on. Soul fractures first, social discoveries later."

The four walked into the overcrowded room; chairs, tables, and cabinets stacked haphazardly, old broomsticks, a bloodstained axe, trunks, cages with bones, and disassembled suits of armor. Stella followed a path that Harry had shown her during one of their walks, finding the chipped, old bust of an ugly warlock. The diadem sat on top of it and Severus's old book was beneath it. Stella pulled the book out, tossing it to Severus before using her sleeve to pick up the horcrux.

"He hid it here?" Severus asked.

"Put it under the bust and the tiara on top so he'd know where to find it if he ever wanted to use it again. Was too scared to grab it after hurting me," Stella shrugged.

"So, that's it?" Remus asked, staring at the diadem.

"Yup," she sighed. "Just like the picture. Is there a box around here somewhere so we can put it away?"

"Here," Theo grabbed a trunk, emptied it and shrunk it down to size before handing it to her.

Stella dropped the diadem into the box and closed it, locking it with a spell and looking around the room again.

"Wonder where the stone is…"

"We can look for it on another day," Severus told her. "We need to figure out what to do with that."

"An Avada or Fiendfyre will destroy it," she shrugged.

"It'll fight back though so we need to destroy it somewhere safe," Remus spoke up.

"Back to my office for now," Severus demanded and the four left, using the map to avoid any students or professors that had stayed for the holidays.

Once in the safety of the office, Stella sighed, placing her hands on her hips and looking to Dumbledore's portrait.

"Are you going to be helpful or not?" she demanded.

"Miss Black, I may not be there in the flesh, but you should still treat me with some sort of respect," Dumbledore stated.

"Earn it," Stella rolled her eyes before turning to the others. "Alright. What now?"

"Now you keep your head down," Remus stated. "Just stay out of trouble for once, please?"

"What are we going to do about Luna?" Stella questioned.

"We think she's been taken to Azkaban for holding," Remus sighed.

"Are there any dementors there?" Stella asked, voice quivering a bit.

"A few but not near as many as there were before," Severus spoke up. "The Dark Lord is using them frequently."

"That's not the point," Theo sighed, rubbing his face.

"We need to get her out," Stella said, standing straight again and looking determined.

"We can't do anything yet," Remus stated. "We need more information."

"Who grabbed her off the train?"

"I'm not sure. There's a meeting tomorrow. I'll try to figure out where she's being held for sure during it," Severus promised.

"No," Stella shook her head. "You need to be careful."

"I have been spying for a rather long time," Severus tried to defend.

"I know that you do. That isn't what I mean—"

"I know how to keep my cover—"

"I can't lose you!" Stella yelled.

She looked away from everyone, taking a few deep breaths. After she was able to breathe normally again, she looked back to Severus.

"Do you know what it's like? To feel an heir ring turn into a head of the family ring?" Severus shook his head no. "A magic rushes through you and you feel so damn powerful, but it's with the knowledge that you've gotten the power from the death of someone you love, someone that you aren't sure how to survive without. It brought me to my knees last time and that was with Sirius, who was my father, yes, but I wasn't close to him. Not in the way that I'm close to you. I can't do it, Dad."

Severus rushed forward, wrapping Stella in his arms, her voice cracking a bit on the last sentence. Tears leaked from her eyes and she hid her face in his chest. She heard Remus lead Theo out of the room, giving the two privacy. Severus whispered in Stella's ear, calming her slowly. She sniffled and pulled away slowly, forcing herself to calm.

"Sorry," she whispered, wiping her face.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," he told her, forcing Stella to look at him. "You are afraid of losing the ones you care for, the ones you love. We all hold that fear. You can come to me with that anytime."

Stella just nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Come on. I'm sure Remy and Theo are worried."

"Theo's never going to let me live this down," Stella groaned, rubbing her face but following Severus up the stairs anyways, Severus chuckling a bit in the process.

"The living quarters has officially been enlarged to hold another bedroom," Remus was explaining to Theo. "We figured the two of you wouldn't want to be separated."

"You aren't wrong," Theo shrugged.

"Yeah, Theo needs a cuddle buddy," Stella smirked.

"Yeah, yeah," Theo rolled his eyes, smirking right back before looking her over, raising a brow to ask if she was alright.

Stella nodded and Theo deflated a bit. Remus led the two to their room, showing a large bed with green silk sheets and a black lace canopy. There were two desks under a large window and bookcases lining the entirety of one wall. A double walk-in closet and an attached loo with a his-and-her sink, two dressers, and two end tables made Stella smirk. She turned, staring at her Uncle Moony and Dad with an amused expression.

"Does your room also look like it was designed for two people?" she asked.

"Shut it," Remus rolled his eyes, pushing Stella gently further into the room.

"Mhmm," she bit her lip to keep from laughing, stepping further into the room. "So, I don't actually know what day it is."

"We have two days before everyone comes back from break," Theo told her, going to the bed and choosing the spot closest to the door.

"So, two days to destroy that thing," Stella nodded.

"What if we sent it to your Gryffindors instead?" Severus spoke up. "I was going to get the sword to them anyways."

"Can I go?" Stella begged.

"I will not be showing myself," Severus stated. "I'll just be close enough to make sure that they get what they need."

"That's fine," Stella shook her head. "I just…"

"I understand," Severus nodded, voice soft. "We'll go tomorrow."

"Thank you," she whispered, sitting beside Theo on the bed.

"Until then, you have a bit of homework to catch up on. I'm sure Theodore would be more than willing to assist you."

"Theodore? What'd you do?" Stella smirked at her best friend.

"He did nothing. It is his name," Severus rolled his eyes.

"You can call me Theo, sir," Theo shrugged.

"Theo it is," Severus nodded before sweeping out of the room, Remus smiling as he followed him out, shutting the door behind himself.

Stella's and Theo's things appeared in the room suddenly. Their clothes were hung up or placed in the dresser, their personal items and books going to the book cases, and their schoolwork appearing on their desks. Stella and Theo exchanged a look before shrugging. They'd need to find a way to sneak Tracy and Draco in once everything was said and done so the four could have a sleepover; maybe include Pansy and definitely include Neville, Ginny, and Luna.

The rest of the day was spent with Stella finishing her homework assignments, not really needing much assistance to complete it. She'd need to brush up on Charms work so she could take her N.E.W.T.s in two weeks' time as well, which she planned to do after getting the sword and diadem to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Maybe she should add them to the sleepover list.

The four ate dinner together in the dining room, all sharing smirks and poking fun at one another in the process. Stella fell asleep with a smile on her face, curled up with Theo. She woke the next morning to an empty bed, not having woke in the night from her alarm on Theo. She sat up and stretched before grabbing a change of clothes and going to the loo, taking a hot shower and dressing in jeans, her warmest sweater, and snow boots. The men were awake, sitting in the dining room when Stella walked in.

Remus had a leg crossed over his knee, reading the Prophet with his tea in his other hand, Severus had his chin on Remus's shoulder, reading the Prophet over his shoulder, and Theo was eating a bit of toast, glancing at the two men every so often, not sure how to react to them seeming so comfortable. Stella smiled softly, hand squeezing Remus's free shoulder gently as she passed him, causing Severus and Remus both to give her soft smiles as she sat beside Theo, grabbing a bit of toast and eggs for herself.

"What time are we leaving?" Stella asked Severus.

"Once you finish eating," he told her. "We need to go and watch them for a bit, check the surrounding area to be sure no one else has found them."

"Alright," Stella nodded. "Knowing Hermione, we might not be able to see them. She probably placed wards up."

"One would hope so," Severus stated, sipping his coffee and continuing to read over Remus's shoulder.

Stella ate quickly, taking a thermos with hot tea with her when they left. Severus side along apparated her, him carrying the box containing the diadem and Stella holding the sword of Gryffindor, thinking it rather entertaining to be holding it considering she was a Slytherin. She wondered if she would burst into flame if she tried using it.

'We need to place both items somewhere close by to the camp sight, but far enough away that we won't be seen,' Severus thought through the rings. 'Disillusionment charms can be spotted if you know what to look for and I think your Gryffindors may be a bit on guard.'

'You'd be on guard, too, if a madman was trying to kill you. How do you plan on leading them towards the sword and horcrux?' Stella asked curiously.

'Patronus.'

'I don't actually know how to do that charm yet. Meant to learn last year but, well…'

'Yes. Revenge does tend to cloud other things.'

'That it does. What about that lake? We unfreeze part of it, toss the sword in, leave the box on top of the ice?'

They did exactly that, the sword falling into the lake and sinking. Severus refroze the spot they'd melted and placed the box directly over it. They went back to where the map showed the trio hiding out at. They could see no movement and Severus seemed a bit annoyed by it.

He brought his patronus forth and Stella smiled softly at the warm glow that was a doe. She wondered what it represented as it wondered away. Harry appeared a few moments later, following the doe. Stella and Severus followed in the trees, watching carefully. Stella noticed something else though. Harry was carrying Hermione's wand.

Harry saw the box and approached it carefully, opening it and staring at the diadem, reading the note that Theo had written inside the box.

'Horcrux.'

The doe stomped it's foot and looked into the ice. Harry looked down as well, seeing the sword. He went back to the shore, setting the box down by a tree before stripping a bit, showing just how much weight he'd lost. He melted part of the ice and jumped into the water.

Stella took a few steps back, becoming visible.

"Kreacher?"

"Mistress?"

"I need you to hurry for me. I need nutrient potions and as much nonperishable food as possible. Hurry."

Kreacher disappeared and Stella watched the lake. Harry had been down there longer than she was comfortable with. She was about to step forward herself when Ron appeared, jumping into the water after him. Kreacher reappeared.

"Put it all next to that tree now. This as well," Stella ordered, passing Blaise's wand to Kreacher. "Then return home. Go."

Stella disillusioned herself, going back to where she could see Severus's footprints waiting. Kreacher placed the items quickly and disappeared. Ron pulled Harry out of the water along with the sword. Both were breathing heavily, shivering harshly as Ron dried and warmed them with his own wand. Severus grabbed Stella's hand and led her away. Once they were a safe distance away, they disappeared, appearing outside the gates of Hogwarts.

Both became visible once they were in Severus's living quarters again and immediately moved to the fire, standing in front of it together to warm up. Neither had dressed warmly enough, not having known exactly how long they would be gone for. They'd left at eight-thirty and it was almost three now. Remus and Theo joined them in the living room, asking how everything went.

"Well, Stella couldn't keep herself from mothering them," Severus offered.

"You saw how skinny he was," Stella defended. "They're probably living on small rations. They're in no condition to protect themselves if they're malnourished."

"And the wand?"

"Harry was carrying Hermione's. There's no reason to have hers unless something happened to his," Stella defended.

"Not very anonymous if you give a wand you are known to carry around," Remus pointed out.

"Screw that," Stella waved her hand at him. "All three should know by now that I'd find a way to get to them if needed."

"I thought Potter taught all of his little army how to do a patronus," Severus spoke up.

"We missed that lesson due to his interview with the Quibbler," Stella shrugged.

"Well, might as well learn it now," Severus shrugged.

"Why a doe?" Stella asked curiously.

"Lily's patronus was a doe," Severus explained. "Mine has been one since…"

"Gotcha," Stella nodded, not making him explain further.

The rest of the day was spent learning the patronus charm. Stella and Theo laughed as a fox terrier and a kneazle ran around the room with a doe and a wolf. Stella's terrier hoped back and forth in front of Theo's kneazle playfully before hoping on it at the same time that Stella jumped onto Theo's back, him catching her easily and carrying her over to the couch, sitting down with her still behind him.

Stella was not excited about the Carrows and certain Slytherins returning to the castle. In fact, she would have preferred for them not to have returned at all as they popped her domestic bubble that she'd created with Theo, Remus, and Severus. The only plus side was the return of Draco, Tracy, Neville, and Ginny, though even that was shadowed by the fact that Luna wasn't with them. The two Gryffindors were angry about Luna's absence and Stella was heading to their table to comfort them when Draco grabbed her hand and dragged her to the Slytherin table.

"Loony Lovegood—" he started.

"Her name is Luna," Stella growled out.

"Whatever! She's being kept in the Malfoy Manor wine cellar, though it's more like a dungeon now."

"Shit," Stella sighed, rubbing her face. "Alright. We need to find a way to get her out of there."

"We'll figure something out later," Draco nodded, both quieting immediately as the Carrows and Severus walked in, the hall becoming quiet as the three sat at the head table.

Stella and Remus exchanged a look and Stella leaned into Theo a bit. She had promised to keep her head down for a bit and she intended on keeping said promise. All three wizards were aware, however, that Stella had the inability to keep her head down if something she didn't like was happening. They were more than prepared to find a way to protect her if they needed to.

After the feast, Stella, Theo, Draco, Tracy, and Pansy headed to the third floor loo. They hid in the stall, which was now the size of four stalls with three beds in one section of it and began brainstorming.

"So, I can get in and out, obviously," Draco stated. "Problem is the dungeons are being guarded and I'll need help. Plus, I don't know where to take her once she's out."

"I can take her to an Order house," Stella stated. "I'll try getting word to Bill and Fleur and ask them to take her in."

"Letters are being watched," Theo reminded.

"I have an elf," Stella reminded him. "They can't track him."

"Why don't we just have your elf pop in and grab her now?" Tracy asked.

"Wards around Malfoy Manor don't allow for random elves to go in and out. We'd need to remove the ward or get her off of the property. She's also not the only prisoner," Draco explained. "Ollivander is down there."

"Why?" Stella asked, confused.

"No clue. I figured it out when Mother warned me about Luna. I went down to see her, make sure she was alright, and saw him."

Stella groaned, falling back on hers and Theo's bed.

"So, you and someone else need to go into Malfoy Manor. You need to remove the ward or break them out of the dungeon and get them off the grounds so they can be apparated away. Either way, you need someone who is good with a wand that won't be murdered the moment they enter the grounds," Theo spoke up.

"I can go," Tracy offered.

"No. It needs to be someone who has already been in the wards before," Draco shook his head. "That way alarms won't go off."

"So, that narrows the list to one of us," Theo stated, pointing between himself and Stella.

"Me it is," Stella sighed, sitting up. "I think I know exactly how to do it, as well."

Two days later, Stella stayed behind after Muggle Studies. Alecto glared openly when her eyes landed on Stella.

"What do you want?" she growled the question out.

"I wanted to speak with you about… a few things," Stella told her. "First, I want to know how your brother is though."

"As if you care," Alecto rolled her eyes.

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't," Stella shrugged, not mentioning that she technically hadn't asked.

Alecto watched Stella carefully, as if sizing her up. She must have seen something there or maybe she was remembering Severus's words about recruiting Stella, because she relaxed a bit.

"He is alright," she stated. "What else?"

"You requested something of me a few weeks ago," Stella reminded her. "I want to know what all it entails."

"You wish to know how joining the Dark Lord will benefit you?" Alecto asked, head tilting slightly.

"I do," Stella nodded. "My cousin has already joined up and two of my best friends wish to do so one day as well. I'd rather not lose them."

"Rather Hufflepuff thing to think," Alecto pointed out.

"I've been told my Hufflepuff actions don't exactly help the Slytherin reputation in the past," she shrugged. "I'm rather loyal to those I deem worthy."

"Loyalty is not a Slytherin trait."

"I'd argue it is to an extent. Think about it. I don't know if you had Slughorn in school, but Headmaster Snape gives us lectures on the first night of school every year, reminding us to stick together and protect one another. We have to be loyal to one another and stand together against the other houses."

"Why do you, little Black, even want to join us?" Alecto asked. "I don't mean just for your cousin and friends. I mean you specifically."

"You know the feeling that you get when you walk into this room and every one looks to you, watching and listening to what you say? I've felt that before and it is powerful. A lot of students look to me for guidance and to figure out exactly how to react to something. I wish to have that in the future as well.

"I also like how powerful I felt fighting you, defeating all of you. I think I have quite a bit to offer to your side. Most of the spells I know are a bit frowned upon by the side of the light. If I have to listen to one more lecture about using my family magic to protect myself one more time, I might just rip my own hair out."

"Unfortunately, most of the light side will judge you for it. Your family isn't exactly known for its light magic. I don't think your father was a light wizard, either, but the side of the light was more than willing to use him in the war," Alecto nodded.

"I, unfortunately, agree with you," Stella didn't have to lie on that front; she'd heard Remus say as much in the past. "I think it's time I decided my own fate. I was hoping you may be able to help me there."

"I may be willing… for a price," Alecto stated.

"Name it."

"Any punishment I deem necessary will not be fought against," Alecto stated, her chin held high.

"I refuse to torture children… or teenagers for that matter. It's a waste of magical blood if it goes too far," Stella stated.

Alecto thought it over for a moment before nodding.

"Alright. Any punishment not involving another person… for now. You'll have to get over that eventually," Alecto told her.

"I'm not opposed to hurting others when actually necessary. I think we both know that. Torturing children isn't right though."

"Fine," Alecto sighed, holding her hands up in a surrendering motion. "We'll begin Friday after classes."

"I also don't want the headmaster involved," Stella told her. "Not yet, at least."

"I can do that," Alecto nodded.

"I'll see you Friday, Professor," Stella nodded, leaving the room with her bag over her shoulder.

Stella nodded to Draco, Tracy, and Pansy as she walked with Theo in the hall. Stella sat through her classes on Friday, leg bouncing impatiently. Alecto must have told Amycus, because he'd smirked at her in Defense on Wednesday, seeming a bit too cocky for Stella's taste. After classes, Stella grabbed something quick to eat in the kitchens before heading to the Muggle Studies classroom, taking a few steadying breaths before knocking on the closed door.

Alecto called for her to enter and Stella did so, looking around at how the room had changed from classes earlier in the day. There were dueling dummies randomly in the room and the candle flames were low, leaving the room rather dim. Alecto smirked when Stella walked in, seeming pleased that Stella had shown up.

"I've seen you duel but I want to see how you do against more opponents. These dueling dummies are armed with stunners and such, nothing too strong. Begin."

Stella didn't have time to even get her wand out before she was ducking under a spell, her bag flying to the ground as she rolled out of the way. She got her wand in her hand and began shooting off spells. She stuck to basic spells but noticed the dummies were more than capable of creating shields.

"You'll have to try harder than that!" Alecto called out.

Stella let out a growl and began using darker spells, beginning to destroy the dummies as she dodged spells tossed at her. The twenty dummies were demolished in a short amount of time after that, Stella not having held back. She was actually smiling a bit as she breathed heavily, staring at the destruction around her.

"Good," Alecto told her, hand landing on Stella's shoulder. "That was very good. Took less time than even I thought it would. I want you not to use your wand this time."

Stella nodded, putting her wand back into its holster. Alecto waved her wand and the dummies were put back together. Alecto took a few steps back and Stella prepared herself.

"Begin."

Stella reached out with wandless magic, getting through the dummies a bit more slowly. She got hit with a stinging hex and growled, raising her fist into the air and punching the ground, the Black family magic striking out and destroying the remaining dummies. Stella stood slowly, breathing heavily again as a shiver ran down her spine, power still running through her.

"Excellent," Alecto told her, voice soft.

Stella turned to her, still getting her breathing under control.

"I've never seen someone use their family magic so fluidly before," Alecto admitted.

"I don't typically use it," Stella admitted with a shrug. "Can have… adverse side effects sometimes."

"Such as the hair curling?" Alecto asked, staring as Stella's hair was curling and uncurling itself.

"Shows the madness within," Stella explained. "The more family magic you use, the more likely you are to go mad. As head of the family, I can still keep myself sane."

"Hmm," Alecto hummed, nodding along. "Explains quite a bit. That's all for tonight. Same time next week. Dismissed."

"Thank you, Professor," Stella nodded, holding her hand out as her bag flew straight to her hand.

Remus and Severus were not told about what the plan that the teenagers had come up with. Stella and Theo had to be extra careful any time they were around the two, sneaking up almost every night to sleep in their bedroom and so they could have tea with the couple and discuss other options. Remus had decided that Hufflepuff's goblet was also a horcrux, but none of them knew where it could possibly be. Stella, once alone with Theo, mentioned that the cup may have been given to a death eater to protect since that was exactly what had happened with the diary. She and Draco would need to look around the Manor before breaking Luna out.

Draco wrote his mother often, telling her how Stella was studying under Alecto but to keep it a secret for now. As Easter approached, Draco asked if Stella could come to the Manor for the holiday. Narcissa, ecstatic about how close Stella and Draco were, agreed. Maybe she was thinking of marriage contracts again.

Stella got onto the train home with Draco, the two having had to sneak off the grounds so Remus and Severus wouldn't catch her. Theo would cover for her if they went looking for her that day, but the day was all she needed to get to the 'safety' of Malfoy Manor; safe only in the sense that Severus couldn't truly drag her out of the manor without a good reason.

Both were on edge as they sat on the train, as if waiting for the two to show up and yell at them for their terrible plan. Once at the station, Draco side along apparated Stella and they appeared outside the gates. Draco placed his hand on the gate and pushed it open, allowing them both entry. Narcissa was waiting for them at the bottom of the steps leading up to the front door, smiling at the pair of them holding hands as they walked to her.

Draco kept ahold of Stella's hand as he hugged his mother with one arm. She smiled brightly as she hugged him back before she pulled away and hugged Stella tightly. Stella hugged her back, her and Draco locking eyes over Narcissa's shoulder. Stella smiled when Narcissa pulled away.

"Thank you for having me," Stella told her, voice soft.

"Of course," Narcissa told her, holding the hand Draco wasn't gripping. "You are always welcome here. I'm just happy that you've finally come around."

"Well, Black's need to stick together," Stella shrugged, looking to Draco.

"I agree," Narcissa nodded. "Come. I'll lead you to your room."

Draco separated from them once in the house, claiming he wanted to find his father. Narcissa led Stella up two flights of stairs before showing her to the room she'd stayed in when she was younger.

"I haven't touched it much," Narcissa admitted. "Just made it a bit more grown up as the years have gone on."

"I'm sorry for not returning sooner," Stella told her. "With Sirius begin released and then passing…"

"No need to explain," Narcissa told her, pulling her into the room. "I understand. I remember losing my parents. No matter how close or distanced you are from them, it still hurts. I must warn you, Bella will be here on the holiday."

"That's fine," Stella nodded. "I actually was debating on speaking to her or not."

"I'm sure she'd love to have a conversation with you," Narcissa nodded. "I also need to thank you. Draco told me how you helped take care of him last year and have continued to do so this year."

"You do not need to thank me for that," Stella spoke up.

"I do. I also want to thank you for placing us back on the Black tree," Narcissa's voice was quiet. "I haven't told Lucius. I wasn't sure if it was just because of Draco."

"I could have inherited Draco without inheriting you," Stella stated, deciding to be honest in that regard. "Draco told me about the threat on your life and I wanted you to know you had the protection of the Black family if you needed it."

"What are the two of you really doing here?" Narcissa whispered.

"Just visiting for the holiday," Stella shrugged. "I wanted to see my family."

Stella took Narcissa's hand again, giving it a gentle squeeze. Narcissa let out a shaky breath and nodded. She knew Stella was there for more than just checking on her and protecting Draco, but she wouldn't say anything, either because she wanted to figure out what Stella was planning first or maybe because she was afraid of Stella taking away the protection of the Black family if crossed. Narcissa left Stella alone to get settled for the week and Stella sighed, placing her bag on the bed and enlarging it, looking through it and putting her clothes away.

Pansy had loaded Stella with proper things to wear for the week, all of which had been magically made to fit her. She sighed as she sat on the bed, wearing one of the dresses Pansy had provided on the train. It was a simple green dress, A-line with a flared skirt. Nothing too fancy, but proper, nonetheless. She'd even been told what to wear on which days, which seemed a bit extra to her but she wasn't going to argue with Pansy when it came to proper dress.

Dinner was almost a quiet affair, Lucius not even glancing at Stella until the end of the meal when they were all finishing their pudding.

"Miss Black," he cleared his throat. "I am rather glad to see you have finally come to your senses about which side to take."

Stella looked to Lucius. He looked worn out, spotty stubble on his face and silver hair turning more grey. She gave him a gentle smile.

"I couldn't let my cousin here take all the glory, now could I?"

"No," Lucius smiled weakly. "I believe that, with you by his side, he will become even more powerful."

"I hope so," Stella nodded, knowing that she and Draco were both already stronger when they were near one another, their family magic working together beautifully. "I was hoping I could spend this week deciding on how to bring Draco back into the Black family. There are a few options that I was hoping to discuss with him away from the castle."

"Of course," Lucius nodded, him and Narcissa exchanging glances, both thinking Stella was there to discuss a marriage contract now.

Draco held Stella's hand under the table, both holding each other so tightly that Stella was sure they'd need bruise balm. If Lucius or Narcissa were asked, Draco and Stella were sharing romantic walks through the manor, Draco showing her everything his family had to offer her. Draco and Stella would agree wholeheartedly, knowing that they were actually studying the guard schedule on the dungeons and searching for any sign of Hufflepuff's goblet.

Draco had to calm Stella the first time she caught a glimpse of Wormtail, wanting to kill him on the spot. He then had to keep her calm when Bellatrix showed up Easter day. Stella was wearing a black dress with a soft pattern on it, Draco's suit almost matching perfectly. The two were in the garden, Stella making sure her breathing was under control, when Draco felt a shift in the wards that he was now keyed to, having changed them just an hour ago and the two getting ready to execute the rescue mission.

"Someone's here," he stated. "Come on."

Stella and Draco headed inside, going towards the drawing room to find Fenrir Greyback, Lucius, Narcissa, a few snatchers, and a group of five people tied together.

"They say they've got Potter," said Narcissa, voice cold and detached. "Draco, come here."

Draco moved from Stella's side, keeping his distance from Greyback and glancing back towards Stella every so often. Greyback forced the prisoners to turn so that a wizard with black, messy hair that Stella would know anywhere was in front of the group. Stella felt panic and fear rising in her, controlling herself so she didn't give anything away.

"Well, boy?" Greyback demanded.

"Well, Draco?" Lucius asked. "Is it? Is it Harry Potter?"

"I can't- can't be sure," said Draco, not looking directly at Harry and Harry not looking at him, no one seeming to have noticed Stella in the room.

"But look at him carefully. Look! Come closer!" Lucius demanded. "Draco, if we are the ones who hand Potter over to the Dark Lord, everything will be forgiven—"

"Now, we won't be forgetting who actually caught him, I hope, Mr. Malfoy?" Greyback said menacingly.

"Of course not, of course not!" Lucius was growing impatient and Stella sighed, walking forward.

"I'll know if it's Potter," she stated and everyone looked to her. "Excuse me."

Stella kneeled in front of Harry, his face swollen from what looked to be a strong stinging jinx. She ground her teeth together, giving Harry a 'seriously?' look.

"What happened to his face?"

"Looks like a stinging jinx to me," Lucius stated.

"It's not him," Stella shook her head.

"Are you sure?" Narcissa asked, voice soft.

"How can we be sure you aren't lying to save your old friend?" Lucius spat the question out and Stella rolled her eyes.

"It isn't him," Draco defended.

"What about the Mudblood, then?" Greyback growled out, swiveling the group around again.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," Stella rolled her eyes. "That's Mia Black. She was born to a few centuries of squibs. I went through the family trees over the summer and found multiple people who got the family magic back over the centuries. Release her."

"I do not take orders from you," Greyback growled out.

"I am the head of the Black family and if you do not release her, you will be dead before you hit the floor."

Bellatrix had terrible timing, truly.

"What's happening, Cissy?" she asked, walking into the room.

"We may have caught Potter," Narcissa stated.

"Potter?" Bellatrix shrieked. "Are you sure? Well, then, the Dark Lord must be informed at once!"

Bellatrix dragged back her left sleeve, revealing her dark mark.

"I was about to call him!" Lucius said, grabbing Bellatrix's wrist. "I shall summon him, Bella. Potter has been brought to my house and it is therefore upon my authority—"

Stella was waving her hand slowly behind her back, beginning to untie the ropes that held her brother, boyfriend, friend, Dean, and a goblin, Draco standing behind her so no one would see.

"Your authority?" she sneered. "You lost your authority when you lost your wand, Lucius! How dare you! Take your hands off me!"

"This is nothing to do with you, you did not capture the boy—"

"Begging your pardon, Mr. Malfoy, but it's us that caught Potter, and it's us that'll claim the gold—"

"Gold!" Bella laughed, still attempting to throw Lucius off of her arm. "Take your gold, filthy scavenger. What do I want with gold? I seek only the honor of his- of—"

Bellatrix stopped struggling, her dark eyes fixed upon something Harry could not see. Jubilant at her capitulation, Lucius threw her hand from him and ripped up his own sleeve –

"STOP!" shrieked Bellatrix. "Do not touch it, we shall all perish if the Dark Lord comes now!"

Lucius froze, his index finger hovering over his own Mark.

"What is that?" Bella asked, pointing to Gryffindor's sword on one of the Snatchers hip.

"Sword," he grunted and Stella tried to hurry her actions but could only do so much when trying to hide her actions.

"Give it to me," Bella demanded.

"It's not yours, Missus, it's mine, I reckon I found it."

There was a bang and a flash of red light, the snatcher having been stunned. There was a roar of anger from the other snatchers and Bella stunned all of them. They were no match for her, even though there were four of them against one of her: she was a witch, as Stella knew, with prodigious skill and no conscience. They fell where they stood, all except Greyback, who had been forced into a kneeling position, his arms outstretched. Stella watched Bellatrix bearing down upon the werewolf, the sword of Gryffindor gripped tightly in her hand, her face waxen.

"Where did you get this sword?" she whispered the question, taking Greyback's wand from him.

"How dare you," he snarled. "Release me woman!"

"Where did you find this sword?" she repeated. "Snape sent it to my vault in Gringotts.!"

"It was in their tent."

"Draco, move this scum outside," Bella demanded, pointing to the knocked out snatchers as Greyback moved away from her, now released from her spell. "If you haven't got the guts to finish them, then leave them in the courtyard for me."

"Don't you dare speak to Draco like that—" Narcissa began but Stella could feel the madness within Bellatrix.

"Be quiet! The situation is graver than you can possibly imagine, Cissy! We have a serious problem!"

She had begun pacing and Stella had to stop her spell as Draco left her.

"If it is indeed Potter, he must not be harmed," Bellatrix muttered, more to herself than to the others. "The Dark Lord wishes to dispose of Potter himself … but if he finds out … I must … I must know…"

She turned back to her sister.

"The prisoners must be placed in the cellar while I think what to do!"

"This is my house, Bella, you don't give orders in my –"

"Do it! You have no idea of the danger we are in!" shrieked Bellatrix: she looked frightening, mad; a thin stream of fire issued from her wand and burned a hole in the carpet.

Narcissa hesitated for a moment, then addressed the werewolf.

"Take these prisoners down to the cellar, Greyback."

"Wait," said Bellatrix sharply. "All except … except for the girl."

"I gave them the sword," Stella stated, standing tall.

"You gave them…" Bellatrix looked stunned but Stella wanted to know why Bellatrix was so scared.

"You traitor," Lucius hissed out. "I allowed you into my home and you—"

"Fine! Take the girl down as well. Then little Black and I can have a conversation: cousin to cousin," Bella was truly angry now.

"No!" Harry and Ron yelled together, struggling as they were dragged away, Greyback getting his wand back in the process.

Ron and Harry were still yelling, Dean and Hermione staring at her with wide eyes full of terror and, in Hermione's case, confusion. Stella now knew that the rescue mission would need to be updated a bit faster. She and Draco had fixed the wards to allow Kreacher in and out of the manor, Stella having ordered Kreacher to listen to Draco's orders over the summer, along with Tracy's and Theo's.

Bella grabbed Stella by her hair, dragging her to the center of the room, directly under the crystal chandelier as Greyback returned, practically foaming at the mouth. Stella wondered if Greyback could smell that she'd been around another werewolf or not.

"Crucio," Bellatrix said and Stella fell to the floor, screaming and thrashing on the ground.

The pain stopped quickly and Stella gasped for air as Bella landed on top of her, holding her arms down with her legs as she froze Stella in place except for her mouth and eyes.

"Where did you get it?" Bellatrix demanded.

"Go to hell," Stella smirked.

"I think you'll get there to join your father first," Bella's spit landed on Stella's cheek before she pulled a knife from her pocket and grabbed Stella's left arm.

Stella screamed as white hot pain radiated through her arm, traveling up to her shoulder as Bellatrix carved into her skin. The carving stopped but the pain remained, Stella breathing heavily as she tried to occlude pass it.

"I'm going to ask you again! Where did you get this sword? Where?!" she demanded.

"Go fuck yourself."

Stella spat in Bellatrix's face and Bellatrix dug into her arm harder, carving into Stella's flesh. Stella screamed again, realizing that the knife was cursed to cause more pain and probably to make sure a scar was left behind.

"You mutt! Your whore father was a disgrace and so are you!" Bellatrix screamed as she continued her work. "You have been inside my vault at Gringotts! Tell me!"

Stella screamed more as Bellatrix dug into her arm, getting to the end of whatever she was carving and leaning her face into Stella's.

"What else did you take? What else have you got? Tell me the truth or, I swear, I shall run you through with this knife, you mutt!"

Stella began to laugh, ugly and mad as she stared into Bellatrix's eyes. The stupid witch had no clue that she'd just given Stella exactly what she needed.

"What's so funny, mutt?" Bellatrix asked.

"You're a stupid bitch," Stella laughed.

"What else did you take?!" Bellatrix demanded.

"All of it! Every last thing in your vault! Curses were broken and everything was removed and given to the Order to destroy! You stupid bitch!"

A smack sounded through the room and Stella's eyes met Draco's. He nodded and stepped out of the room. Stella turned her head back to Bellatrix spitting her blood in Bellatrix's face.

"Mutt blood," Stella laughed at her, Bellatrix backing away quickly and letting out an angry yell, wiping the blood from her face.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix yelled and Stella was screaming again.

Stella gasped as the spell ended, pain radiating through her and blood seeping out of her arm and dribbling down one side of her face.

"How did you get into my vault?! Did that dirty goblin help you?!" Bellatrix demanded.

"I don't know any dirty goblins," Stella gasped out.

More pain and screaming and Stella wondered when it would end. She wondered if Neville would mind her giving him wrappers like his mum did or not. Maybe they could make a game out of it.

Suddenly, Stella was dragged to her feet, the knife against her neck as she stared at Harry, Ron, and Hermione facing her, Harry's face almost back to normal now.

"STOP OR SHE DIES!" Bellatrix yelled in Stella's ear and Stella rolled her eyes as best she could, though she was half out of it.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione all froze, staring at Bellatrix holding Stella.

"Drop your wands," Bellatrix whispered. "Drop them, or we'll see exactly how black her mutt blood is."

Stella felt a rage burning inside of her, her family magic rising. Hermione gasped and Stella looked to her, giving a pitiful smirk.

"I said, drop them!" Bellatrix screeched, pressing the knife harder into Stella's throat.

"All right!" Harry yelled, dropping his wand immediately, Ron and Hermione following right after.

"Good," Bellatrix nodded. "Draco, pick up their wands. The Dark Lord is coming, Harry Potter! Your death approaches!"

Stella wasn't having that. She waited until Draco was in front of her, wands in hand before her magic lashed out. Bellatrix flew backwards, the knife causing a slice across Stella's neck but not enough to truly hurt her, just a long nick. Greyback, Bellatrix, Lucius, and Narcissa screamed and Harry rushed forward, wrestling the wands from Draco's grasp as Ron rushed forward, catching Stella as she collapsed, blacking out.

Stella woke as they hit solid ground after apparating. She gasped as pain radiated through her body and she let out a scream. Ron was holding her, tears streaming down his face as he stared at her.

"Mistress?" Kreacher asked, standing beside her. "Here, Mistress. For the pain, Mistress."

Potions were magically taken as Bill and Fleur ran to them, wands raised.

"Dobby!" Harry yelled. "Dobby, no! Help!"

Stella turned her head sideways, seeing Dobby the free elf with the silver knife in his hand and blood seeping through his shirt.

"Cursed," Stella whispered and Hermione gasped. "Cursed knife."

She passed out again.

"What the hell were you all thinking?" Remus bellowed, waking Stella with a start to find her in an unknown room, Theo, Draco, Tracy, and Pansy shrinking a bit as Remus lectured them. "You could have been killed! She could have been killed! You ALL COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!"

"Unc' Moo'y," Stella's voice was garbled but she was heard.

"Stella Nova," Remus gasped, moving to her immediately.

"Not supposed… to yell… during… healing," Stella breathed out slowly, still feeling exhausted.

"I'll yell later then," he sighed. "When someone else is with me to help."

"That's… mean…"

"So is scaring the hell out of me," he told her.

"Where?"

"She's awake, isn't she?" Hermione's voice asked, walking into the room with Ron, Harry, Bill, and Fleur behind her. "I felt it."

"She just woke but she's still exhausted," Remus explained.

"Harry," Stella whined, reaching her hand out.

Harry rushed forward immediately, taking her hand and ignoring everyone else in the room.

"What were you thinking?" he asked her.

"Luna…"

"She's here. She's alright. Theo and Remus rushed over here and Theo told us the rescue plan," Harry whispered, kissing her hand gently.

"I'm her brother," Ron complained.

"Mer," Stella rolled her eyes, waving Ron over.

Ron rushed over and climbed onto the bed behind her, hugging her carefully.

"Ow," Stella complained, her arm throbbing and burning suddenly. "Bitch."

"Hey!" Ron complained, sitting up and releasing her.

"Not you," she said, sitting up as well and feeling much more awake now.

Stella stared down at her wrapped arm, the pain coming from there. She held her hand up and her wand flew to her without a word. Stella took a deep breath and tapped her arm, the wrappings disappearing immediately.

"Stella, no. You need to keep it wrapped," Fleur complained but Stella wasn't listening.

There, on her arm, the words 'Sirius's Mutt' were carved into her skin. Stella just stared at it for a long moment, no one saying anything and waiting for Stella to say something. She looked up, meeting each of their eyes for a moment before speaking.

"All the world of insults and she carves one I'm proud of into my arm. She really is rather stupid, isn't she?"

Draco let out a mad laugh at that.

"She's fine," Ron rolled his eyes, pulling her into a tight hug.

'Stella?' Severus's voice asked.

'I'm awake now. Can you wait to yell at me in person?'

'I think I can manage that.'

"What ring is that?" Harry asked, confused.

"From Moony," Stella shrugged and no one questioned it, Remus just smiling softly at her.

'Make sure Bellatrix stays alive. I'm going to kill her myself.'

'I can manage that as well.'

'I know you can.'

"I need to speak to just the Gryffindors for a moment," Stella told the group.

"I'm a Gryffindor," Bill offered.

"The ones my age," Stella smirked at him. "Just give us a few minutes, please? I'll come down in a minute."

"Alright," Bill nodded.

He stepped forward and kissed Stella's head before leaving, the Slytherins, Fleur, and Remus following him out. Remus shut the door and put a finger to his ear, reminding Stella to place privacy charms. Stella put the charms into place and then sighed, sinking against Ron a bit.

"How'd you find us?" Harry asked.

"Where's your wand?" Stella shot back, brow raised.

"Got destroyed in Godric's Hallow," Harry admitted.

"I'm sorry," Stella flinched.

She could do magic without her wand, but she was rather attached to it. It was a part of her.

"It'll be fine," Harry shook his head.

"How did you find us?" Hermione asked.

"Kreacher has been tracking you using family magic," Stella lied. "Grimmauld is still safe, by the way. You could have continued using it. Still can actually. I'd prefer you be there than in the woods, not that that's much of an option anymore since the tent has probably been destroyed."

"We'll go back to it," Hermione promised. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me," Stella shook her head. "Did you destroy it? I couldn't really stick around to be sure. I'm being watched for glaringly obvious reasons."

"Yeah," Ron nodded. "I did it."

"Felt good, huh?" Stella smirked at him.

"A bit, yeah," he nodded, smiling back at her.

"Okay. So, I've been doing a lot of research. I think the final two horcruxes are the snake, obviously since Harry was able to see through its eyes when it attacked dad, and Hufflepuff's goblet. I also have a very strong feeling that it's in Gringotts. You'll need to hurry and get there to find it, though. Transfigure your appearances and ask for Bloodshire. Tell him about the horcrux and he'll have it gathered and destroyed. Goblins hate when perverted objects are hidden in the vaults, learned that when I was going through the Black vaults and found a few unsavory things."

"Okay," Harry nodded, having moved so he was sitting on the bed with Ron and Stella, Hermione still hovering around a bit.

"I really am still exhausted unfortunately," Stella admitted. "I'm going to go downstairs, get yelled at a bit, and then get Fleur to redress my arm."

"I'll help you," Ron nodded, helping Stella to her feet.

The privacy charms came down as Hermione opened the door. Remus was waiting and saw how weak Stella was. He lifted her easily into his arms and carried her into the crowded sitting room, full of a mix of teenagers.

"Stella," Luna sighed and Dean looked beyond relieved.

"When did you go on the run?" Stella asked Dean.

"Beginning of Easter," he admitted. "Are you alright? First the Carrows and now this…"

"What did the Carrows do?" Ron demanded, anger clear on his face already.

"They aren't exactly the nicest people," Stella shrugged. "Don't worry about us. I've got Hogwarts, you've got Harry and Hermione."

"We can take care of ourselves," Hermione complained.

"I'm sure," Stella sighed, leaning against Draco, him taking the seat beside her on the couch quickly and pulling her close. "I'm alright, cousin. You did great."

"No, I didn't," he argued. "I just watched. I just watched as she… and she was going to give you to… to him."

"Dray," Stella sat up, forcing him to look in her eyes, "none of this is your fault. You're the one who dealt with the wards so that Kreacher could get in and the one who called for him. I'm still not sure how Dobby got there—"

"That was kind of me," Harry scratched the back of his neck.

"-you helped save Luna and the rest of us. You did so well, Dray. I'm so unbelievably proud of you."

"Still—" he tried.

"Still nothing," Stella told him, still holding his face in her hands. "You don't give yourself enough credit. After everything we've been through so far, you still doubt yourself and it kills me. You're doing amazingly and I will keep reminding you until you finally believe me."

Draco just sniffled and nodded. Stella pulled him to her, hugging him tightly and ignoring the pain in her arm as she did so. The others saw her flinch though and moved closer. Fleur pushed pass everyone and Stella held her arm out, still holding Draco to her chest as Fleur put a balm on her skin and wrapped it tightly.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed back up the stairs, claiming they needed to talk to Griphook and Ollivander. Pansy, Tracy, Theo, and Draco left with Remus, heading back to the school, which Stella had promised to return to as soon as she was strong enough. Bill carried Stella to her bed, making her comfortable and leaving her be, telling her to rest.

Hermione came in and told her the plan of walking into Gringotts disguised and asking for Bloodshire the day before they were set to do so. Stella had written to the goblin, warning him that she had two wizards and a witch coming to him for help. The trio had spent as much time as possible with Stella in the meantime, the three telling her about everything they had been up to so far and Stella felt terrified for them all over again as she heard about Ron splinching, getting grabbed by snatchers when he'd gone out for food before finding his way back to Harry and Hermione when Harry had jumped into the pond for the sword (Harry gave Stella a look at that one), the snake almost killing Harry and Hermione on Christmas day when they'd gone looking for answers in Godric's Hallow, and being grabbed and dragged to Malfoy Manor.

"So, the name's cursed," Stella sighed. "Brilliant. Good thing I've been calling him Riddle this whole time with Moony."

"Good thing," Ron had agreed.

Stella hugged all three tightly as they left for Gringotts, already disguised. Stella, Luna, and Dean went back to the school an hour later, Remus meeting them at the gate.

"Disillusionment charms," he told them. "Neville made a place for everyone to hide."

The three held onto one another, Stella holding Remus's wrist as he led them through the school and to the seventh floor. Neville poked his head out of a door that appeared and waved Luna and Dean in, Stella telling them she had a few things to take care of first. Remus led Stella to Severus's office, allowing her in ahead of him. They stepped into the office, Theo and Severus already waiting for them. Stella became visible and ran at Severus, hugging him tightly around his middle.

"This hug and my relief at seeing you will not protect you from punishment," he told her.

"I know," she admitted. "I just really needed this."

"Let me see your arm," he whispered.

Stella held her unwrapped arm out, showing Severus her branding. Severus let out a shaky breath as potions flew towards them. He rubbed two medicines on her arm before telling her which potions to drink, how often, and when to start them. Stella listened carefully, nodding along and memorizing the instructions.

"It was her cursed blade?" Severus asked.

"I have it," Stella stated, pulling it from her pocket and showing it to him.

"I'll look it over and see what I can discover about the lasting pains," he promised. "Don't ever do something so reckless ever again."

"No promises," she told him. "Still a war going on, after all. Afterwards? I would like nothing more than a quiet life."

"You and me both," Severus sighed, still staring at her arm a bit. "I'll see if I can find anything on the scarring as well."

"I don't really mind," she shrugged. "Think I'll get you and Remus tattooed on the other arm and add my mother to this one."

"Tattoos," Severus groaned shaking his head.

"Not a good time for jokes?" Stella asked, smirking.

"No," he told her. "Go rest."

"That's all I've been doing," Stella groaned.

"And it is what you will continue to do for a bit longer," he informed her. "Now, go to your room."

"Yes, Dad," Stella complained, kissing his cheek before kissing Remus's and then heading upstairs with Theo.

Stella fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

"Idiots!" Severus's angry voice traveled to their room the next day, waking Stella from her sleep. "Those idiotic, reckless, stupid—"

"Breath, love," Remus tried to calm Severus as Stella and Theo entered the dining room.

Stella caught a glimpse of the Prophet on the table.

"What idiots rode a dragon out of Gringotts?" she asked, grabbing the paper and getting a better look at it before groaning. "Oh, no. It's my idiots."

"The Dark Lord went to check the vaults while they were there. I'm sure they thought the fastest escape was on a dragon," Severus complained.

"Idiots," Stella agreed. "But, hey, at least they're still breathing. That much is good news."

"He knows about the cup," Snape stated. "He warned me that Potter may be coming to the school soon."

"So, what you're telling me, is that this is almost over and that quiet life is closer than we thought?" Stella tried.

"Possibly."

"Remember your promise?"

"To survive?"

"That's the one."

"You as well."

"I think some of Harry's dumb luck ran off on me," Stella admitted. "I should have been dead a few times over already."

"Possibly," Remus shrugged. "We need to warn the others."

"We can't," Stella shook her head. "Not yet. It'll be far too suspicious if they suddenly know that danger is coming and what is that sound?"

"Someone has apparated into Hogsmeade," Severus sighed, rubbing his face.

"Alright, warn the others," Stella shrugged, giving an innocent look as if it had been her plan in the first place.

"Yeah, yeah," Remus waved her off, smirking softly but there was an edge to his voice and a look in his eyes, as if preparing himself for battle.

Stella felt she should probably do the same but it hadn't quite hit her yet. Why were they at Hogwarts? Did they think she hadn't sent them the horcrux from here? How did they plan to get into the castle anyhow? There were so many questions running through her head but she didn't have time to get answers. Now was the time to get moving.

"We need to get the youngest students out of here as soon as possible. Anyone under seventeen as well, honestly," Theo was saying.

"I don't think you'll be able to convince all of the younger students to leave but first to fourth year, definitely," Remus agreed, sending off a patronus to a few Order members.

"What about the students in the Room of Requirement?" Severus asked.

"We'll need to warn them of what is coming," Remus agreed.

"I'll go," Theo stated, disillusioning himself and leaving quickly.

"Stella Nova, do you want Sirius's wand back?"

"What?" Stella asked, shaking herself roughly. "Sorry. I need medicine."

"Here," Severus passed her a potion, which she drank quickly.

"Keep the wand," Stella told him. "Do you still have the glove I gave you?"

"Yes."

"Put it on. I need to gather supplies. Dad, take the map. Keep it on you and use it. Show it to Harry so he won't attach you."

Stella disillusioned herself, not willing to listen to arguments, and headed to the third floor. She grabbed her extendable and light weight handbag that Hermione had made for her and began placing fireworks, decoys, and any other objects she thought would be useful into the bag.

Potions were placed in as well, separated by type. Healing potions were the closest to the front. Stella thought of the snake and grabbed the antidote to its venom, having asked healers about it when Arthur had been in the hospital and been given bits and pieces of the recipe; she really hoped she'd figured it out, Theo having helped her since he was better at healing. She noticed then just how dark it was outside and got the time to appear from her wand, letting out a groan as she realized she'd slept for almost an entire day.

Stella stayed invisible, moving along the walls of the school carefully. Stella heard a bit of wand fire and took off running, becoming visible. Flitwick, McGonagall, and Sprout were standing off against Snape. Stella jumped between the wand fight, ending every spell as she raised her left hand, the spells being absorbed by her wand.

"No!" she yelled at the other heads of house, taking deep breaths as she messed with her ring.

'Come on, Dad. You said I deserved better. Be better. No more of this.'

'Stella… I have to—'

"No, you don't!" Stella yelled, turning to face him, tears in her eyes and barely noticing Remus running down the hall behind Severus, her voice softening as she met Severus's eyes. "You don't, Dad."

"Dad?" McGonagall gasped and Stella could just imagine McGonagall placing her hand on her chest, shock clear on her face.

Severus seemed to be fighting with himself. Remus placed his hand on Severus's shoulder and he looked to him, still seeming conflicted.

"There's no more spying to be done. We've found them all. You can stop now," Remus told him, voice soft.

"Remus?" Sprout asked, confused.

Severus seemed to deflate and Stella rushed forward, hugging him tightly. Her dad's arms wrapped around her tightly and she felt a relived breath escape him.

"Where are the Carrows?" Remus asked. "Last we saw them on the map, they were up in Ravenclaw tower with Harry and Luna."

"What?" Stella asked, turning her head so she could see Moony.

"We're here," Luna stated, pulling the cloak off of herself and Harry.

"Stell?" Harry asked, confused.

"Hello, love," Stella smirked at him, pulling away from her dad and wiping her face.

Harry grabbed his head, hissing in pain. Stella ran to him immediately as Remus explained to the teachers that Severus was still on their side, that Dumbledore's death had been planned to secure the man as a spy.

"He's coming," Harry gasped out.

"Very well," McGonagall nodded, placing a hand on Severus's shoulder and giving a gentle squeeze as Slughorn joined them. "He who must not be named is coming. Potter has work to do in the castle on Dumbledore's orders. We need to put in place every protection of which we are capable, while Potter does what he needs to do."

"You realize, of course, that nothing we do will be able to keep You-Know-Who out indefinitely?" squeaked Flitwick.

"But we can hold him up," said Professor Sprout.

"Expecto Patronum," Stella waved her wand, eyes on Harry as she did so, causing him to smile warmly before confusion took his features, seeing the dog running around as Stella kneeled in front of it. "I need all of the Blacks to meet me in the Great Hall now. Be ready for battle."

Her patronus split into about sixty and ran off to gather her family.

"But, the doe?"

"I wasn't alone in the woods and Moony doesn't have an heir ring," Stella told him before looking to her dad. "What protections does the Headmaster have?"

"Quite a few. Minerva knows most of them already," he told her, looking to the woman.

"I have to get to the Great Hall."

"I'll come with you," Remus nodded and he and Stella took off, running into a few people with Black rings along the way as they exited the Room of Requirement, Hermione, Draco, and Tracy among the crowd.

They reached the Great Hall, the Slytherin and Hufflepuff Black's the first to arrive. Stella nodded to them, breathing less heavily than normal after running. Maybe she was finally getting better at cardio. The Gryffindors and Ravenclaws finally reached them, having had to run down from their towers. Stella fiddled with her head ring. She needed an heir to pull this off.

"Expecto Patronum. Great Hall. Be ready to fight."

The Weasley's, save Ron who was probably with Harry, all ran in. Percy went straight to Stella.

"Hold this in your left hand," Stella instructed, passing Percy the heir ring before she began the spell, speaking loudly in a mix of French and Latin. Magic pulsed between Stella and Percy and he took a physical step back as the magic entered his system. "Put it on your left ring finger."

"An heir ring?" he asked, confused.

"It'll only last about a week but I need someone to claim the Black heirship for the spell I'm about to teach everyone. It'll make the spell stronger. I think we can both agree that I trust you completely, right, Secret Keeper?" Stella smirked and Percy got a determined look on his face as he placed the ring on his finger, magic rushing through him again.

'Fiddle with the ring a bit and we can speak. We can call for one another if we need help.'

'Cool.'

Stella let out a small laugh before turning back to the others, Tonks and her mother, Andromeda, running in, along with Narcissa, who went straight to Draco's side, looking Stella over as if checking for injury.

"Alright, Blacks! I'm going to teach you a boundary spell for inside the Hogwarts boundaries! Pay attention because we don't have much time!"

"We can help," Andromeda nodded to herself and Narcissa, the two witches leaving their children and moving to the front.

"Brilliant," Stella smiled before breaking the groups into three.

Stella had the youngest and Percy, showing them the spell carefully and making it as simple as possible while the older witches showed the older students. Draco taught Tracy as Tonks taught Hermione, the two born into the family also already knowing the spell. The younger ones took the longest, but Stella had already been training them in secret, so their magic was more advanced for their ages, meaning they only took a few minutes longer.

Stella led everyone out of the Great Hall as Professors rushed outside along with Order members. Order members seemed shocked but Remus simply smirked and got the Order moving again, going with them and sending a wink to Stella as he went. As an advanced shield went over the school, the Blacks spread out. Stella stood at the front, Percy to her right and Draco to her left.

"J'invoque la magie de la famille Noire,

Avec la magie de la famille Noire, j'execute ce sort,

praesidium et regimen peto;

Clypeus intus praesidium praebet;

cum sanguine sanguinis mei, etc.

In venenatis mi venenatis

Sic fiat fiat;

Magicae familiae Nigrae;

Toujours pur."

(I invoke the magic of the Black family,

With the magic of the Black family, I perform this spell,

I ask for protection and guidance,

A shield offering protection from within,

With the blood of my blood,

With the magic of my magic,

So mote it be,

With the magic of the Black family,

Always Pure.)

Stella had her left hand lifted to the sky as she spoke loudly and clearly before slamming the tip of her wand against the ground. The others had spoken the spell with her, hands held in the air, and were following her lead, starting with Draco, whose wand, recently returned by Harry, stabbed into the dirt right after hers. Stella watched as it looked as if dominoes were falling into place, each person to her left one by one copying their movements, the spell having already been spoken together. Stella turned, watching to the right of her and waiting. They had made it all the way around the school, a crowd having formed to watch as a shadow creeped along the ground in front of the casters.

Finally, Percy stabbed his wand into the ground. The shadow grew stronger and flew into the air, making an extra layer on the already placed shield. It glowed and thrummed and turned white before blending into the shield, making it stronger and brighter before becoming invisible. Stella could feel the magic and power radiating in front of her though as she stood again.

She smiled, taking a step back and everyone headed back into the castle, the Blacks following Stella into the Great Hall.

"Alright. Time for the hard part. Anyone fourth year and below is being evacuated!"

A roar of outraged reached Stella's ears and she groaned, rubbing her face before placing her hands on her hips and looking to the Heavens to ask for assistance. It came in the shape of one Professor Minerva McGonagall.

"Do not argue with your Head Girl!" she said crossly and Stella gave a confused look. "Oh, don't give me that look, Miss Black-Snape. Fourth year and under, follow Professor Slughorn!"

Stella let out a laugh at the name but felt rather proud of it as she looked around the room, the older students and adult Blacks stepping forward and more than ready for a fight.

"Alright," Stella sighed before looking to Narcissa.

"I have to get back," she told Stella and Draco. "Keep my cover for a little while longer."

"Be careful," Draco begged, hugging his mother before releasing her and watching her leave.

"She'll be okay," Stella told him. "We need to break into groups and take different places around the castle."

"Who do you want where?" Theo asked, standing tall.

"Need help?" Ron asked, going to her side and smirking.

"Go for it," Stella smirked back, taking a step away. "I'd love to not have to boss everyone around for once."

"On it," Ron laughed and Stella moved to Ginny's side, who was arguing with her mother.

"I'm in Dumbledore's Army—"

"A teenagers gang!"

"A teenagers gang that's about to take him on, which no one else has dared to do!" said Fred.

"She's sixteen!" shouted Molly. "She's not old enough! What you two were thinking, bringing her with you—"

Fred and George looked slightly ashamed and Bill was about to agree with his mother.

"Hey! Does everyone remember when Voldemort possessed Ginny for a full school year and almost killed the two of us?" Stella interrupted. "Yeah, me neither. That would mean she has a reason to want to stay and fight. Anything but that, right? Gin, you're with me. Let's go."

"Oh, no you don't!" Molly tried to argue but Stella and Ginny were already moving with Stella's assigned group.

Pansy, Luna, Theo, Ginny, and Stella left the Gryffindor table, ignoring Molly yelling angrily before being distracted by McGonagall giving orders to the adults.

"Thank you," Ginny sighed.

"No. Thank you. I'm going to need the help," Stella told her. "Ready, Theo?"

"Ready," he nodded.

The two stripped their robes from their shoulders, balled them up, and threw them into the air, shooting a silent spell and causing their robes to turn into black smoke before it shot off into the night. Stella did not enjoy Voldemort's voice suddenly appearing in her head, nor it seemed did anyone else, minus Bulstrode and Crabbe who had immediately raised their wands towards Harry.

Draco had sent both of them flying, family magic much too strong in the moment to be calmed as the two screamed, the castle wrapping around the two. Stella waved her hand and the two fell to the ground, looking terrified.

"Easy, cousin," Stella said softly, hand on his shoulder. "Deep breaths. You would look terrible with curls."

"Excuse you, I look great in everything," he rolled his eyes.

"Go to Tracy," Stella rolled her eyes, smiling softly as she turned to the two Slytherins. "I think the two of you need to be put somewhere else for the next few hours."

"I'll deal with them," Filch stated, moving forward.

"You will do no such thing," Stella growled out and Filch took multiple steps back.

"Filch, I am dismissing you from all responsibilities to the school. You, Miss Bulstrode, and Mr. Crabbe may follow the younger students out of the school. Thank you," Severus spoke up, standing tall behind Stella.

Stella's group started moving then, heading up the stairs of the entrance hall when they heard gasps. All turned back, trying to see what had shocked everyone. Stella smirked when she saw that Remus had grabbed Severus's face and kissed him hard, the two pulling apart slowly and Remus whispering something softly to Severus, causing the man to nod before the two went their separate ways.

"If Dad could hurry up and marry Uncle Moony that would be great," Stella sighed before she began moving again, her group following after her.

Pansy and Ginny were shocked, immediately gossiping and trying to ask Stella as many questions as possible. Luna just smiled dreamily, as if she'd already known. Theo and Stella rolled their eyes and Theo reminded the two that there were more important things happening at the moment.

'You're on third floor duty.'

'Yes, sir.'

"We're on the third floor," Stella told the group before touching the Black ring.

'You alright?'

'Yeah. I'm with the twins.'

'Tell them I said to play nice or they don't get birthday presents anymore. Let me know if the three of you need help. I'm on the third floor.'

'We're in a secret passage way between the third and fifth floor.'

'I know the one. Nearby. Shout if you have trouble.'

'Will do, sister.'

"Fred, George, and Percy are in the passageway just down there," Stella pointed in the direction of three of her brothers. "We'll keep an ear out for them."

"What's the plan?" Theo asked, watching Stella as she began pulling items from her bag.

"I grabbed a few things. Gin, will you take these shield cloaks to Percy, Fred, and George, please? I have one for you as well," Stella said, and Ginny grabbed the cloaks, tossing one off before running towards the passageway. "Everyone put one of these on. I've got decoys, fireworks, swamps—"

"Did you grab everything from the bathroom?" Theo laughed.

"Just about. I also have potions. Pansy, if you see someone coming around that corner, throw the blue one and then the red one. Make sure you're a good distance from it though. Here's a healing potion just in case."

"Blue then red, keep distance, heal if needed," Pansy nodded. "Got it."

"Everyone take a couple of these," Stella passed out the explosives.

'Do you happen to have any fireworks on you?'

'If I ever say no to that question, assume I am lying.'

'On my way.'

"These ones are for Dad," Stella set aside four boxes of firecrackers, three boxes of large fireworks and a shield cloak. "As is this cloak."

Stella watched as people ran around below, preparing for battle. They looked so small but Stella could make out Neville and Sprout, along with half a dozen other students, heading towards the greenhouses. She didn't even want to think about what damage they were about to cause. Severus swept down the hall with McGonagall, Seamus, and Dean then.

"Here," Stella passed the explosives straight to Seamus. "Should have known you'd need these."

"Mum never let me get any of these," Seamus stated, eyes wide and a smile that spoke of the absolute mayhem he had planned.

"I wonder why," Stella smirked before tossing a cloak at Severus. "Put it on."

"I believe I am the parent in this arrangement," he said, deep voice carrying over the group.

"Yeah, yeah," Stella waved her hand at him. "Ground me later, put the cloak on now. Happy late Christmas."

Severus let a smirk show before tossing his cloak off and pulling the shield cloak on.

"What's this made from?" he asked.

"Ask Fred and George," Stella shrugged. "It's from their defense collection."

"Your brothers are rather brilliant."

"Please tell them that sometime," Stella smiled brightly. "I really want to see their faces when you do."

"Me as well," Ginny joined Stella's side, same look of mischief in her eyes.

"We'll do it at the next family dinner!" Stella said excitedly.

"Yes, yes. We'll plan it after we fight a war," Severus rolled his eyes at the two excited teens in front of him. "Can you both please concentrate on staying alive until then?"

"We're multitasking," Stella shrugged.

Severus placed a hand on Stella's and Theo's shoulders, looking back and forth between the two. They both nodded to him, understanding that he was telling them to stick together and watch out for one another.

The group left Stella's and Theo grabbed a few decoys, using his wand to float about thirty of them along the side of the castle next to windows. If the death eaters flew through, the decoys would go off, giving a bit of a distraction and warning anyone that was on the other side that something was coming. Stella and Pansy worked together, floating firecrackers along the walls outside, pointed outwards so that they could set them off towards the death eaters if they got too close for comfort, Luna floating the bigger fireworks high to the tower above them, setting five to go off if anyone got too close to the outside.

Stella nodded her approval before the castle suddenly shook, Theo grabbing Stella and holding her close. They looked out over the grounds, seeing wands lit up, shooting spell after spell at the schools shields. It was going to take them a while to get through, especially with the Black family magic in place. Stella just hoped that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had a plan for the snake.

The castle continued to shake, dust falling on them as the shields held. It took thirty agonizingly slow minutes for the original shield to fall. Stella stared at the Black family shield, glittering black filling the smoke that kept the Death Eaters out. She could see giants standing amongst the crowd, along with huge spiders that she knew would be giving Ron nightmares for the rest of his life. She could also just barely make out two witches standing in front of the Death Eaters, working together on the Black family shield.

If Black blood and magic erected it, Stella knew it could also bring it down. Narcissa and Bellatrix had been born into the family, had known the spell since they were children. They knew it better than Stella did, which meant that they also knew how to dismantle it quickly and efficiently. Even with Narcissa secretly on their side, she still had a role to play.

Stella watched as, twenty minutes later, the black fog around the school finally began to lower.

"Stell?" Theo asked from beside her.

"Yeah, Teddy?" she turned her head to him.

"I just want you to know that there's no one else I'd rather fight beside. No one else I'd rather die for if I have to."

"You're not dying tonight," Stella told him, voice hard.

"Just in case," he shrugged. "I'd like to live."

"You better," Stella grumbled, leaning into his side. "I don't think I'd survive without you."

"Same to you," he stated, giving her a hard look. "I mean it, Stell. You have the Weasleys, your dads, all of the family you've inherited, and Harry… You're all I've got."

"You're my brother, Teddy," Stella whispered. "We both stay alive or we go out together. You understand me?"

"Yeah," he gave a weak smile, not seeming to believe her.

Stella knew Theo had been taking potions since waking from the coma, ever since hearing about Blaise. He'd had nightmares almost every night. He was fighting a little less and less every day, holding on just for her. She couldn't force him to live but she needed him to survive to see a life without war, a life without darkness surrounding their everyday lives like it did.

Theo kissed the top of Stella's head, arm wrapped around her shoulders as the last of her family shield went down. The two pulled apart, wands raised.

The Battle of Hogwarts had just begun.

Explosives down below took out the bridge that multiple death eaters were on. Mandrakes were knocking death eaters out on one wall. Death Eaters were flying towards the school and fireworks shot at them, knocking quite a few out of the sky. Spells were shot forward, the darkest any of them knew, just kids fighting against forces larger than themselves.

An explosion to her left and Pansy screaming before gurgling sounds followed. Stella twisted around Theo, him offering cover as Stella went to see the damage… Pansy had not been far enough away, the skin on the right side of her face melting into her bones, the four death eaters she'd killed completely unrecognizable. She stared in disbelief for a long moment before hearing footsteps approaching quickly.

Stella let out an angry scream as more death eaters ran down the hall towards her. She spun around a green streak of light, shooting a few of her own in rapid succession. Theo was by her side, both fighting for the lives of the ones they loved, just the one for him.

Stella wasn't going to be able to dodge three killing curses at once. Theo knew it as he saw the lights streaking towards his sister. He jumped in front of her, taking all three straight to his chest.

"NO!" Stella's scream of anguish threw the death eaters, necks cracking as they hit the school wall, Stella catching Theo's body. "No, no, no. Please, Teddy. Don't leave me. Please."

'We need help down here!'

"Teddy… please wake up… Teddy please…"

'STELLA!'

Stella set Teddy down carefully, tears streaming down her face as she ran towards the secret passage, coming out just in time to see Fred laughing at Percy's joke, Harry, Ron, and Hermione right next to them as they fought three death eaters. Stella ran forward and a wall exploded.

"NO!" she screamed.

She threw her hands up, a surge of magic tossing the wall outwards instead of in. The three death eaters turned their wands on her and Stella screamed, her magic throwing them out with the rubble, their wands flying towards her so they couldn't save themselves from the fall.

She was breathing heavily, anger and devastation clear on her face. She could hear the others trying to speak to her but Stella ran forwards. She jumped from the window, her broom flying straight to her hand as she did so, having already summoned it from her bag. She flew into the air, noticing Quidditch teams already in the air. She shot like a bullet into the fray, blocking a spell from hitting Baker.

"YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!" she screamed as she flew with him.

"MAGICAL CORD AROUND THE GIANTS LEGS AND FLY TOWARDS THEIR FACES SO THEY FALL!" he screamed back.

Stella groaned as she followed after him, doing as he'd instructed. Sure enough, the giant fell backwards, crushing death eaters and even knocking another giant down in the process. Stella and Baker flew back towards the school, shooting spells off behind them as they went. Stella saw Remus and Tonks dueling four others, Bellatrix included. She flew down, raining fire on them, but not in time to stop the green spell shot from Bellatrix's wand from hitting Tonks.

"No!" Remus yelled, catching the young witch.

Bellatrix ran, hiding from Stella as she targeted her. Stella lost the witch, distracted by everything happening around her. She did not think of Pansy. She did not think of Theo. She did not think of Tonks. She thought of Seamus Finnigan and Daphne Greengrass as two death eaters exploded, blood and body matter covering her left side. She thought of Rose Zabini as ten death eaters skin melted. She thought of Andromeda Tonks and Remus Lupin as green spells took out four more death eaters, Stella not even needing to speak as she shot the spells off. She thought of herself as she used her family ring, black smoke filling the lungs of five death eaters, causing them to fall to the ground, coughing the smoke up before suffocating on it, blood seeping from their eyes, noses, and mouths.

Stella dropped a swamp in the middle of the death eaters, watching as they fell in like it was quicksand, a giant falling in with them. Stella's broom had been lost somewhere on the grounds after that, having been shot off of it with a strong stinging hex, which she downed a potion for before running forward, fury causing her magic to lash out at any one she perceived as a threat.

'Third floor.'

Stella apparated to the third floor, appearing in front of her dad, who had Theo's body in his arms. Stella waved her wand and Pansy's body floated as well. They set the two students next to Tonks. Stella let out a sob before shaking herself, feeling her hair curling uncontrollably from how much family magic had been working through her. She turned on her heel, leaving the Great Hall, fiendfyre leaving her wand and burning up the large group of spiders that had just entered the castle, destroying all of them in a matter of seconds. Her brother would have no more nightmares of these things if she could help it.

Peeves zoomed overhead, dropping Snargaluff pods down on Death Eaters, their heads suddenly becoming engulfed in wriggling, green tubers like fat worms.

"Someone's invisible there!" shouted a death eater and Stella just knew.

A killing curse shot out, killing the death eater. Another wave of her wand and the pod was off of the cloak. She nodded in their direction before she continued fighting. Yaxley was fighting Flitwick, Kingsley in a battle with a masked death eater beside him. Neville appeared, brandishing armfuls of Venomous Tentacula, which looped happily around the nearest death eater and began reeling him in.

The Slytherin hourglass shattered, spilling emeralds everywhere.

"Traitor!" someone yelled and three death eaters began fighting Severus.

Stella jumped in, helping him fight, defending her dad. Greyback tried attacking her from behind.

"Not my daughter!" Remus yelled, appearing behind Stella and blasting the werewolf away.

Stella and Severus finished off the death eaters and Remus ran at Greyback, Bellatrix's cursed knife in hand. Greyback was stabbed through the rib cage, straight into his heart. Remus pulled the knife out and watched as Greyback fell to the ground, bleeding out and dead.

A crystal ball fell on top of a death eater, causing Stella to look up.

"I have more!" shrieked Professor Trelawney from over the banisters. "More for any who want them! Here!"

And with a movement like a tennis serve, she heaved another enormous crystal sphere from her bag, waved her wand through the air, and caused the ball to speed across the hall and smash though a window. At the same moment, three large fireworks went off, diving for the death eaters. Stella wondered how the hell Fred and George had gotten the fireworks to target people for a moment before Remus and Severus pulled her behind a tapestry.

All three were breathing heavily, leaning against the wall.

"Are you hurt?" Remus asked, looking Stella over.

"Not my blood," Stella told him.

"Remy, Pansy and Theo…"

"Pansy threw dangerous potions and wasn't far enough away. Three Avadas were coming at me," Stella told him. "Theo jumped in the way to save me."

"No…" Remus breathed, looking devastated.

"Dad, Tonks…"

"Bellatrix got her," Remus told Severus.

"Where's Potter?" Severus asked. "We need to be near him, make sure no one grabs him."

"He was just in the entrance under the cloak," Stella stated. "Come on."

Stella led her dads out from behind the tapestry, the three defending one another as they went.

"Hagrid!" Harry yelled, running down the front steps.

"No!" Severus grabbed Harry, pulling him out of the way of a curse. "This way!"

Severus and Harry disappeared and Stella knew her dad would keep him safe. Stella fought with her other dad, Ron and Hermione joining them. Dementors were coming towards them.

A silver hare, a boar, and a fox soared past them, Luna, Ernie, and Seamus standing tall.

"Think of something happy, Stella," Luna told her, encouragingly.

Stella thought of Theo, of Blaise, or Sirius, of Tonks, of Pansy, of her birth mother, of Harry's parents, of her Uncle Regulus… she couldn't think of a single happy thing in the moment.

"There once was a pirate queen. She ran the sea. She floated across the world and stripped the rich and gave to the poor," Ron sang beside her.

"There once was a pirate king. He helped the queen when in need. Brother and sister, hand in hand, stealing from the rich to give to the poor," Stella sang back.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" they shouted together, two dogs running forward.

An otter, stallion, and wolf ran beside them and the dementors scattered in earnest now. The night became mild again, no longer freezing, but the sounds of the surrounding battle were loud in their ears.

"Can't thank you enough," said Ron shakily, turning to Luna, Ernie, and Seamus, "you just saved-

With a roar and an earthquaking tremor, another giant came lurching out of the darkness from the direction of the Forest, brandishing a club taller than any of them.

"Run!" Remus shouted, but the teenagers needed no telling.

They scattered and not a second too soon. The next moment the creature's vast foot had fallen exactly where they had been standing. Stella, Ginny, and Luna ran towards the castle and Baker, Wood, and Walsh appeared, wrapping around the giants legs and knocking him down. George and Fred flew by, dropping a swamp each, the giant falling into it and drowning.

The three witches ran into the castle. They fought back to back, protecting one another, pretending to be pirate queens as they did as children. It made everything easier to all three of them, the play pretend as they sang sea chanties, dark curses flying from all three of them. It wasn't long after that Voldemort's voice was in all of their heads again.

"You have fought valiantly," said the high, cold voice. "Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery. Yet you have sustained heavy losses."

Stella wanted to crumble, a pitiful whine leaving her throat.

"If you continue to resist me, you will all die, one by one. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a loss and a waste. Lord Voldemort is merciful. I command my forces to retreat, immediately."

Death Eaters apparated away without question, Stella letting out an angry shout as she watched.

"You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured.

"I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, have not given yourself up, then battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour."

"One hour," Stella mocked, rolling her eyes. "Let's find Harry so he doesn't try to Harry everything up."

"Did you just use his name as a verb?" Hermione asked, having appeared by Stella's side during the speech.

"Learned it from you," she shrugged.

"Let's get the Great Hall," Ron sighed. "It's where everyone is heading."

Stella watched everyone leave her. She wanted to go to the Great Hall, but she couldn't. She couldn't stare at Theo's dead body and imagine a future without him, couldn't see Pansy in the state she was in. It wasn't until she heard Hermione scream his name that she began walking slowly forward. She stood just in the doorway, eyes going to where she knew Theo's body was. Fred was holding Hermione as she cried over her first love. Draco was crying against Tracy, unable to speak as he sobbed, her quiet tears running down her face. Daphne and Luna were sitting beside one another, both huddled close to one another and rocking back and forth a bit. Multiple Slytherins were staring at Theo and Pansy, tears streaming down their faces.

"Stella!" Baker yelled, running towards her and causing the others to turn their heads. "Don't look! Don't!"

She walked right pass him though, reaching the group quickly and ignoring everyone else. Stella fell to her knees immediately. She began to sob, tears escaping her and rough breaths making it so she could barely breath. She pulled Theo's cold, still body to her chest, rocking back and forth. She was trying to hum Sirius's lullaby but she could barely think straight as she held her best friend, her brother, in her arms.

Black magic moved through her, Stella feeling everyone's pain at once, absorbing some of it so it wouldn't hurt as much for them. She screamed, her magic pulsing around her, rings glowing on her fingers. Theo's family ring, which he'd somehow inherited before his death, appeared on her finger.

"Stella Nova," Remus's voice tried but Stella shook her head, blocking him out and causing him to hiss in pain, pulling his hand away from her quickly as a stinging hex hit his arm.

"Cousin," Draco tried but she wasn't listening, only able to feel new magic rushing through her and her dead brother in her arms.

"Daughter," Severus's voice finally got her to look up, her grey eyes meeting his black. "Come on. You have to let him go."

"No," she whined, holding Theo impossibly tighter. "No. No. No."

"He's gone, Stella. It's okay. Come here. I've got you, my child."

"No," Stella tried again, shaking her head.

Why didn't they understand? It was her fault. She knew he didn't want to live anymore, knew he would die to protect her without thought, without a care in the world. He'd told her as much not an hour before he'd done it. Her brother, the wizard who had helped tutor her in History, had protected her from the other Slytherins, had refused to sleep on his own and woke her gently from nightmares… the boy who liked to curl up by the fire and read mystery novels to her was gone.

Her heart was broken, shattered like the hourglasses outside the hall, pieces spread across the floor like the emeralds, rubies, topaz, and sapphires that represented each house. Stella clung to Theo like a lifeline, the others crying with her or for her, she wasn't sure anymore. He'd been wrong. It wasn't just her he'd left behind. He'd helped her take care of the younger students, looking out for them and defending them every chance he got. He helped keep her and Draco both sane, helped Tracy stay strong, helped Daphne realize just how wrong her family had been. He'd protected Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs every chance he got, following Stella's lead and acting on his own when necessary.

It took time, but Severus was the one to get her to release Teddy. He pulled Stella into his lap, holding her and rocking her back and forth. Draco was singing the Black lullaby quietly in her ear, sounding almost like Sirius. Stella began to settle when a cold voice spoke to them all.

"Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone."

"No!" Stella yelled, wrenching herself from Severus's arms just for Remus to grab her next, holding her in place.

"The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle, now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live, and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together.

"Come."

Stella got out of Remus's arms and went straight to Ron and Hermione, the three running outside, the rest of Hogwarts following behind, McGonagall being the only one to beat them to the scene.

"NO!"

The scream was the more terrible because she had never expected or dreamed that Professor McGonagall could make such a sound. Bellatrix laughed maniacally at McGonagall's despair.

"No!" yelled Ron.

"No!" Hermione screamed, anguish clear in her voice.

"Harry!" Stella sobbed loudly.

"SILENCE!" cried Voldemort, and there was a bang and a flash of bright light, silence forced upon them. "It is over! Set him down, Hagrid, at my feet, where he belongs!"

Stella's angry scream broke the silencing spell, louder than any sound she'd ever created as she watched Harry be placed on the ground where he most certainly did not belong. Another flash of light and silence again.

"You see?" said Voldemort, pacing beside Harry's body. "Harry Potter is dead! Do you understand now, deluded ones? He was nothing, ever, but a boy who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for him!"

"He beat you!" yelled Ron, the charm broken, and the defenders of Hogwarts shouting and screaming again until a stronger silencing spell was place over them.

"He was killed while trying to sneak out of the castle grounds," said Voldemort, and there was relish in his voice for the lie, "killed while trying to save himself—"

Neville rushed forward and Stella tried to run after him but Remus grabbed her again, stopping her. Neville was tossed to the ground, his wand flying to the side.

"And who is this?" Voldemort hissed out. "Who has volunteered to demonstrate what happens to those who continue to fight when the battle is lost?"

Bellatrix gave a delighted laugh and Stella growled in anger, trying to escape Remus's hod.

"It is Neville Longbottom, my Lord! The boy who has been giving the Carrows so much trouble! The son of the Aurors, remember?"

"Ah, yes, I remember," said Voldemort, looking down at Neville, who was struggling back to his feet, unarmed and unprotected, standing in no-man's-land between the survivors and the Death Eaters. "But you are a pure-blood, aren't you, my brave boy?"

"So what if I am?" Neville demanded, hands in fists.

"You show spirit, and bravery, and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom."

"I'll join you when hell freezes over," said Neville. "Dumbledore's Army!"

Stella and the others cheered loudly and Stella stumbled away from Remus, finally getting free of him and going straight to Neville, helping him stand.

"Stella Black," Voldemort breathed and Stella swore she saw Harry twitch, but it had to be her imagination. "I've heard much about you."

"Probably all true," she spat out.

"You would make a wonderful Lieutenant," he smiled. "You and Bellatrix together. You'd be unstoppable."

Stella rolled up her sleeve, showing the scar she was proud of.

"Very well," said Voldemort, understanding her. "If that is your choice, Stella Black, Neville Longbottom, we revert to the original plan. On your head be it."

Voldemort waved his wand and a window in the castle shattered. Something that looked like a misshaped bird flew through the half-light and landed in Voldemort's hand. He shook the mildewed object by its pointed end and it dangled, empty and ragged: the Sorting Hat.

"There will be no more Sorting at Hogwarts School," he explained. "There will be no more houses. The emblem, shield and colors of my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin, will suffice for everyone, won't they, Neville Longbottom?"

Stella flew backwards, landing a few feet away. Neville's body grew rigid and still. Voldemort forced the hat onto Neville's head, the hat slipping down below his eyes. The Death Eaters had their wands raised, ready to fight if anyone stepped out of line, half the wands alone trained on her, seeming to finally realize the threat that she was.

"Neville here is going to demonstrate what happens to anyone foolish enough to continue to oppose me," said Voldemort, and with a flick of his wand, he caused the Sorting Hat to burst into flames.

"No!" Stella yelled, scrambling to get to Neville.

Many things happened at once. They heard uproar from the distant boundary of the school as what sounded like hundreds of people came swarming over the out-of-sight walls and pelted towards the castle, uttering loud war cries. At the same time, Grawp came lumbering round the side of the castle and yelled, "HAGGER!" His cry was answered by roars from Voldemort's giants: they ran at Grawp like bull elephants, making the earth quake. Then came hooves, and the twangs of bows, and arrows were suddenly falling amongst the Death Eaters, who broke ranks, shouting their surprise.

In one swift, fluid motion Neville broke free of the Body-Bind Curse upon him; the flaming Hat fell off him and he drew from its depths something silver, with a glittering, rubied handle—

The slash of the silver blade could not be heard over the roar of the oncoming crowd, or the sounds of the clashing giants, or of the stampeding centaurs, and yet it seemed to draw every eye. With a single stroke, Neville sliced of the great snake's head, which spun high into the air, gleaming in the light flooding from the Entrance Hall, and Voldemort's mouth was open in a scream of fury that nobody could hear, and the snake's body thudded to the ground at his feet.

Stella grabbed Neville's arm, pulling him away and towards the castle quickly. His dad's old wand fell into his left hand and the two shot spells backwards, defending themselves from the Death Eaters behind them.

"HARRY!" Hagrid shouted. "HARRY! WHERE'S HARRY?!"

Stella could not think about Harry being trampled by the crowd, another person she loved needing to be buried. Chaos reigned. The charging centaurs were scattering the Death Eaters, everyone was fleeing the giants' stamping feet, and nearer and nearer thundered the reinforcements that had come from who knew where; Stella saw great winged creatures soaring around the heads of Voldemort's giants, Thestrals and Buckbeak the Hippogriff scratching at their eyes while Grawp punched and pummeled them; and now the wizards, defenders of Hogwarts and Voldemort's Death Eaters alike, were being forced back into the castle.

Neville and Stella were separated in the fight and Stella found herself in the Great Hall, looking between two battles happening at once. Voldemort was fighting Remus, Severus, McGonagall, Slughorn and Kingsley all at once while Bellatrix was fighting Hermione, Luna, and Ginny. She rushed towards Bellatrix, tossing a blasting curse at her and causing her to shout in rage as she dodged. Stella was in front of the other three now, her hair half down from fighting and running around already, curling dangerously.

Bella's eyes widened, seeing a smaller version of herself. Stella's arm was on display, showing her handiwork. There was a darkness surrounding Stella, a fire in her eyes, and anger in her heart, a wrath so deep that Bellatrix started backing away quickly, the Black family magic sensing the danger she had found herself in. Stella ran after her, Bella finally turning and sprinting away. Voldemort shot a killing curse at Severus and Stella waved her wand wildly, making circular motions and causing the spell to fly towards her instead. She redirected it towards Bellatrix, watching as the witch fell to the ground, her death rather anticlimactic outside of Voldemort's scream.

Stella turned, seeing McGonagall, Kingsley, Slughorn, Remus, and Severus be blasted backwards, flailing and writhing through the air, as Voldemort's fury at the fall of his last, best lieutenant exploded with the force of a bomb. Voldemort raised his wand and directed it at Stella. She smiled viciously, running towards him. She slid under the curse that flew towards her, shooting one out of her own wand in the process.

Voldemort let out an angry yell, stumbling backwards slightly. Stella jumped to her feet again, continuing to move towards the broken wizard ahead of her, not caring about the danger she knew she was facing, the almost certain death. Voldemort wiped a bit of blood from his cheek, turning with wide eyes to see Stella running towards him. Black, Nott, and Prince magic flowed through her, the rings thrumming on her hand, magic lashing out at every death eater close enough, knocking them back.

Voldemort raised his wand again but Stella was too close. She reared her hand back and sent it flying, punching Voldemort across the face where he was already bleeding from, family rings leaving marks on his cheek. Voldemort reached out with wandless magic, tossing Stella backwards. She flipped backwards, slowly getting to her feet again, smirk still in place.

"AVADA KEDAVA!" Voldemort shouted.

"PROTEGO!"

A shield charm expanded in between Stella and Voldemort. Stella didn't care though as she turned her head, finding Harry standing a few feet away, wand raised and anger clear on his face. He moved to Stella's side as shouts of shock and cheers rang on every side of them. Stella moved her wand to her left hand, taking Harry's left hand with her right.

She stared at him in awe, his eyes still on Voldemort, wand raised. The crowd was afraid, and silence fell abruptly and completely as Voldemort and Harry looked at each other, and began, at the same moment, to circle each other. Harry pulled Stella close to his side, pulling her slightly behind him protectively.

"I don't want anyone else to try to help," Harry said, loudly, and in the total silence his voice carried like a trumpet call. "It's got to be like this. It's got to be me."

"Potter doesn't mean that," Voldemort hissed. "That isn't how he works, is it? Who are you going to use as a shield today, Potter? The Black girl?"

"Nobody," said Harry simply. "There are no more Horcruxes. It's just you and me. Neither can live while the other survives, and one of us is about to leave for good…"

"One of us?" jeered Voldemort, and his whole body was taut and his red eyes stared, a snake that was about to strike. "You think it will be you, do you, the boy who survived by accident, and because Dumbledore was pulling the strings?"

"Accident, was it, when my mother died to save me?" asked Harry. They were still moving sideways, both of them, in that perfect circle, maintaining the same distance from each other. "Accident, when I decided to fight in the graveyard? Accident, that I didn't defend myself tonight, and still survived, and returned to fight again?"

"Accidents!" screamed Voldemort, but still he did not strike, and the watching crowd was frozen as if petrified, and of the hundreds in the Hall, nobody seemed to breathe but the two and Stella, who was still tucked safely behind Harry, moving with him and ready to protect him. "Accident and chance and the fact that you crouched and sniveled behind the skirts of greater men and women and permitted me to kill them for you!"

"You won't be killing anyone else tonight," said Harry as they circled, and stared into each other's eyes, green into red. "You won't be able to kill any of them, ever again. Don't you get it? I was ready to die to stop you hurting these people—"

"But you did not!"

"I meant to, and that's what did it. I've done what my mother did. They're protected from you. Haven't you noticed how none of the spells you put on them are binding? You can't torture them. You can't touch them. You don't learn from your mistakes, Riddle, do you?"

"You dare—"

"Yes, I dare," said Harry. "I know things you don't know, Tom Riddle. I know lots of important things that you don't. Want to hear some, before you make another big mistake?"

"Is it love again?" said Voldemort, his snake's face jeering, "Dumbledore's favorite solution, love, which he claimed conquered death, though love did not stop him falling from the Tower and breaking like an old waxwork? Love, which did not prevent me stamping out your Mudblood mother like a cockroach, Potter – and nobody seems to love you enough to run forwards this time and take my curse. So what will stop you dying now when I strike?"

"Just one thing," said Harry, and still they circled each other, wrapped in each other, held apart by nothing but the last secret.

"If it is not love that will save you this time," said Voldemort, "you must believe that you have magic that I do not, or else a weapon more powerful than mine?"

"I believe both," said Harry, and he saw shock flit across the snake-like face, though it was instantly dispelled; Voldemort began to laugh, and the sound was more frightening than his screams; humorless and insane, it echoed around the silent Hall.

"You think you know more magic than I do?" he said. "Than I, than Lord Voldemort, who has performed magic that Dumbledore himself never dreamed of?"

"Oh, he dreamed of it," said Harry, "but he knew more than you, knew enough not to do what you've done."

"You mean he was weak!" screamed Voldemort. "Too weak to dare, too weak to take what might have been his, what will be mine!"

"No, he was cleverer than you," said Harry, "a better wizard, a better man."

"I brought about the death of Albus Dumbledore!"

"You thought you did," said Harry, "but you were wrong."

For the first time, the watching crowd stirred as the hundreds of people around the walls drew breath as one.

"Dumbledore is dead!" Voldemort hurled the words at Harry as though they would cause him unendurable pain. "His body decays in the marble tomb in the grounds of this castle, I have seen it, Potter, and he will not return!"

"Yes, Dumbledore's dead," said Harry calmly, "but you didn't have him killed. He chose his own manner of dying, chose it months before he died, arranged the whole thing with the man you thought was your servant."

"What childish dream is this?" said Voldemort, but still, he did not strike, and his red eyes did not waver from Harry's.

"Severus Snape isn't yours," said Harry. "Snape was Dumbledore's, Dumbledore's from the moment you started hunting down my mother. And you never realized it, because of the thing you can't understand. You never saw Snape cast a Patronus, did you, Riddle?"

Voldemort did not answer. They continued to circle each other like wolves about to tear each other apart.

"Snape's patronus was a doe," said Harry, "the same as my mother's, because he loved her nearly all of his like, from the time when they were children. You should have realized. He asked you to spare her life, didn't he?"

"He desired her, that was all," sneered Voldemort. "When she had gone, he agreed that there were other women, and of purer blood, worthier of him—"

"Of course he told you that," Harry rolled his eyes and Stella smiled. "Severus Snape didn't desire my mother. He loved her like a sister, someone to look over and protect. He was in love with Remus Lupin since his second year. He was Dumbledore's spy from the moment you threatened his sister, and he's been working against you ever since! Especially when you started trying to get Stella on your side, his heir! Dumbledore was already dying when Snape finished him!"

"It matters not!" Voldemort shrieked, who had followed every word with rapt attention, but now let out a cackle of mad laughter. "It matters not whether Snape was mine or Dumbledore's, or what petty obstacles they tried to put in my path! I crushed them as I crushed your mother, Snape's supposed great love! Oh, but it all makes sense, Potter, and in ways that you do not understand!

"Dumbledore was trying to keep the Elder Wand from me! He intended that Snape should be the true master of the wand! But I got there ahead of you, little boy – I reached the wand before you could get your hands on it, I understood the truth before you caught up. I'll kill you, then his heir, and then him! The Elder Wand, the Deathstick, the Wand of Destiney will truly be mine!"

"Before you try to kill me, I'd advise you to think about what you've done… think, and try for some remorse, Riddle…"

Stella wanted to groan. Harry truly was far too good.

"What is this?" Voldemort questioned.

"It's your one last chance," said Harry. "It's all you've got left… I've seen what you'll be otherwise… be a man… try… try for some remorse…"

"You dare—" said Voldemort.

"Yes, I dare," said Harry, "because Dumbledore's last plan didn't go according to plan. It's backfired on you, Riddle."

Voldemort's hand was trembling on the Elder Wand and Harry gripped Blaise's very tightly. The moment, Stella knew and could tell that Harry knew it too, was seconds away.

"Severus Snape was never the true master of the Elder Wand. He never defeated Dumbledore."

"He killed—"

"Aren't you listening? Snape never beat Dumbledore! Dumbledore's death was planned between them! Dumbledore intended to die undefeated, the wand's power would have died with him, because it had never been won from him!"

"But then, Potter, Dumbledore as good as gave me the wand!" Voldemort's voice shook with malicious pleasure. "I stole the wand from its last master's tomb! I removed it against its last master's wishes! Its power is mine!?

"You still don't get it, Riddle, do you? Possessing the wand isn't enough! Holding it, using it, doesn't make it really yours. Didn't you listen to Ollivander? 'The wand chooses the wizard.' The Elder Wand recognized a new master before Dumbledore died, someone who never even laid a hand on it. The new master removed the wand from Dumbledore against his will, never realizing exactly what he had done, or that the world's most dangerous wand had given him its allegiance."

Voldemort's chest rose and fell rapidly. Stella had realized what Harry meant and she knew she would have to defend Harry and Draco in mere moments.

"The true master of the Elder Wand was Draco Malfoy."

Blank shock showed in Voldemort's face for a moment, but then it was gone.

"But what does it matter?" he said softly. "Even if you are right, Potter, it makes no difference to you and me. You no longer have the phoenix wand: we duel on skill alone… and after I have dealt with you and Black, I can attend to Draco Malfoy…"

"But you're too late," said Harry and Stella was now confused as well. "You've missed your chance. I got there first. I overpowered Draco weeks ago. I took his wand from him.

So it all comes down to this, doesn't it? Does the wand in your hand know its last master was Disarmed? Because if it does… I am the true master of the Elder Wand."

A red-gold glow burst suddenly across the enchanted sky above them, as an edge of dazzling sun appeared over the sill of the nearest window. The light hit their faces at the same time, so that Voldemort's was suddenly a flaming blur. Stella turned so she was back-to-back with Harry, wand raised in case a Death Eater tried to step in, most already beaten down though.

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Expelliarmus!"

The bang was like a cannon-blast and the golden flames that erupted between them, at the dead center of the circle they had been treading, marked the point where the spells collided. Stella could see a flash of red and green, reflected off the floor and in the eyes of those she faced. Stella turned in time to see a wand flying through the air. With seeker reflexes, Stella and Harry both reached out, catching it at the same time.

Voldemort had fallen backwards, arms splayed, the slit pupils of the scarlet eyes rolling upwards. Tom Riddle hit the floor with a mundane finality, his body feeble and shrunken, the white hands empty, the snake-like face vacant and unknowing. Voldemort was dead, killed by his own rebounded curse, and Harry and Stella stood over Harry's enemy's shell, a wand in each of their own, one of which was shared between the two of them.

One shivering second of silence, the shock of the moment suspended: and then the tumult broke around them as the screams and the cheers and the roars of the watchers rent the air. The fierce new sun dazzled the windows as they thundered towards them. Harry turned to Stella quickly, grabbing her face and kissing her roughly. Stella threw her arms around his neck and Harry lifted her off the ground, spinning her before setting her down again, the two smiling brightly as they separated.

Ron and Hermione reached them before anyone else, their arms wrapping around them, their incomprehensible shouts deafening them. Then Ginny, Neville and Luna were there, and then the rest of Stella's siblings and Hagrid, and Kingsley and McGonagall and Flitwick and Sprout and Remus and Severus, and Stella couldn't hear a single thing any of them said. Everyone was trying to grab Harry, to hug him, Severus pulling Stella to him quickly and kissing the top of her head before pulling back and looking her over for injury.

Harry kept ahold of Stella's hand the entire time, refusing to release her as the two were dragged through the crowd, people trying to hug Harry all at once, the Boy Who Lived, the reason it was over at last—

The sun rose steadily over Hogwarts, and the Great Hall blazed with life and light. They moved Voldemort's body and laid it in a chamber off the Hall, away from the bodies of Tonks, Pansy, Theo, Colin Creevey and fifty others that had died fighting. McGonagall replaced the house tables, but nobody was sitting according to house anymore: all were jumbled together, teachers and pupils, ghosts and parents, centaurs and house-elves, and Firenze lay recovering in the corner, and Grawp peered in through a smashed window, and people were throwing food into his laughing mouth. After a while, exhausted and drained, Stella decided she'd had enough.

Her dad's had disappeared and Stella was willing to bet they were in his office. She pulled Harry along, waving for the others to follow. Draco, holding Tracy's hand and staring at her lovingly, Ginny, Neville still carrying the sword of Gryffindor, Luna, Ron, George, and Fred, who had Hermione under his arm, making Hermione laugh at some joke, followed Stella and Harry from the hall, Baker setting off firecrackers to distract everyone.

Great chunks were missing from the marble staircase, part of the balustrade gone, and rubble and bloodstains occurred every few steps as they climbed. Somewhere in the distance they could hear Peeves zooming through the corridors singing a victory song of his own composition:

"We did it, we bashed them, wee Potter's the One!

And Voldy's gone moldy, so now let's have fun!"

"Really give a feeling for the scope and tragedy of the thing, doesn't it?" said Ron, following as Stella led everyone up the stairs and through secret passages.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked.

"Are we going to where you and Theo hid all year?" Draco asked and Stella took a shuttered breath at the name, simply nodding as she swallowed thickly.

"Supernova," Stella told the gargoyle and it hoped aside.

They clambered around him and on to the spiral stone staircase that moved slowly upwards like an escalator. Stella pushed the door open at the top.

"Ah, it's our kids," Remus smirked as the group entered.

Applause filled the room. All around the walls, the headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts were giving him a standing ovation. They waved their hats and in some cases their wigs. They reached through frames to grip each other's hands. They danced up and down on the chairs in which they had been painted. Dilys Derwent sobbed, Dexter Fortescue was waving his ear-trumpet, and Phineas Nigellus smiled proudly at Stella, a true Black.

Stella finally released Harry, falling against Remus suddenly. He caught her hug, smiling as he held her, breathing her in, relief clear on his features as he grabbed Harry, pulling him into the hug as well. The rest joined in on the group hug, Stella releasing Remus long enough to grab Severus and pull him in as well, him letting out a groan as she did so but looking rather pleased at being included. Once the hug ended, Harry looked to Dumbledore's portrait.

"The thing that was hidden in the Snitch," he began, "I dropped it in the Forest. I don't know exactly where, but I'm not going to go looking for it again. Do you agree?"

"My dear boy, I do," said Dumbledore and Stella had so many questions. "A wise and courageous decision, but no less than I would have expected of you. Does anyone else know where it fell?"

"No one," Harry shook his head. "I'm going to keep Ignotus's present though."

Stella shared a confused look with Ron and Hermione, a little grateful that she wasn't the only one with no clue what was happening. She looked to Severus, seeing a guilty expression on his face, causing her eyes to narrow slightly.

"Then there's this," Harry held up the Elder Wand. "I don't want it."

"What?" said Ron loudly. "Are you mental?"

"I know it's powerful," said Harry wearily. "But I was happier with mine. So…"

Harry rummaged in the pouch hung around his neck and pulled out the two halves of his holly wand, connected by the finest thread of phoenix feather. He laid the broken wand upon the desk, touched it with the tip of the Elder Wand and said "Reparo."

The wand resealed and red sparks shot out of it. Harry picked it up, smiling at the wand.

"I'm putting the Elder Wand back where it came from," Harry explained. "It can stay there. If I die a natural death like Ignotus, its power will be broken, won't it? The previous master will never have been defeated. That'll be the end of it."

Dumbledore nodded and he and Harry shared a smile. Stella still didn't like the man.

"I think Harry's right," said Hermione quietly.

"Bound to happen every once in a while," Stella shrugged, causing a small laugh to ripple through the room.

"That wand's more trouble than it's worth. And quite honestly," Harry sighed, looking back to the rest of them, "I've had enough trouble for a lifetime."

"Why don't I believe you?" Stella smirked.

"Cause you know better," Harry shrugged back, kissing her gently before pulling away. "I need a sandwich and a nap."

"Kreacher?" Stella asked and the elf appeared. "Can you make sandwiches for all of us please?"

"Yes, mistress," Kreacher nodded, disappearing again.

"Up the stairs," Stella directed everyone. "Uncle Moony will make my bed big enough for all of us. There's a shower we can all go back and forth using as well. I'll be up in a minute."

Remus lead the group up the stairs, not arguing with Stella. Severus stayed behind, waiting.

"Why do you look as if I should be hexing you right now?" she asked him.

"Because you should."

"Why?"

"Come," Severus told her, leading her to the pensieve. "I'll show you."

Severus looked no more than nine in the memory. Small, sallow, stringy. He was watching two girls, the younger one with flaming red hair swinging higher and higher than her sister.

"Lily, don't do it!" shrieked the elder of the two.

But the girl had let go of the swing at the very height of its arc and flown into the air, quite literally flown, launched herself skywards with a great shout of laughter, and instead of crumpling on the playground asphalt, she soared, like a trapeze artist through the air, staying up far too long, landing far too lightly.

"Mummy told you not to!" Petunia stopped her swing by dragging the heels of her sandals on the ground, making a crunching, grinding sound, then leapt up, hands on hip. "Mummy said you weren't allowed, Lily!"

"But I'm fine," said Lily, still giggling. "Tuney, look at this. Watch what I can do."

Petunia glanced around. The playground was deserted apart from themselves and, though the girls did not know it, Severus. Lily had picked up a fallen flower from the bush behind which Severus lurked. Petunia advanced, evidently torn between curiosity and disapproval. Lily waited until Petunia was near enough to have a clear view, then held out her palm. The flower sat there, opening and closing its petals, like some bizarre, many-lipped oyster.

"Stop it!" shrieked Petunia.

"It's not hurting you," said Lily, but she closed her hand on the blossom and threw it back to the ground.

"It's not right," said Petunia, but her eyes had followed the flower's flight to the ground and lingered upon it. "How do you do it?" she added, and there was definite longing in her voice.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" Severus could no longer contain himself but had jumped out from behind the bushes.

Petunia shrieked and ran backwards towards the swings, but Lily, though clearly startled, remained where she was. Severus seemed to regret his appearance. A dull flush of color mounted the sallow cheeks as he looked at Lily.

"What's obvious?" asked Lily.

Severus had an air of nervous excitement.

With a glance at the distant Petunia, now hovering beside the swings, he lowered his voice and said, "I know what you are."

"What do you mean?"

"You're … you're a witch," whispered Severus.

She looked affronted.

"That's not a very nice thing to say to somebody!"

She turned, nose in the air, and marched off towards her sister.

"No!" said Severus.

He was highly colored now, and Stella wondered why he did not take off the ridiculously large coat, unless it was because he did not want to reveal the smock beneath it. He flapped after the girls, looking ludicrously bat-like, like his older self. The sisters considered him, united in disapproval, both holding on to one of the swing poles as though it was the safe place in tag.

"You are," said Severus to Lily. "You are a witch. I've been watching you for a while. But there's nothing wrong with that. My mum's one, and I'm a wizard."

Petunia's laugh was like cold water.

"Wizard!" she shrieked, her courage returned now that she had recovered from the shock of his unexpected appearance. "I know who you are. You're that Snape boy! They live down Spinner's End by the river," she told Lily, and it was evident from her tone that she considered the address a poor recommendation. "Why have you been spying on us?"

"Haven't been spying," said Severus, hot and uncomfortable and dirty-haired in the bright sunlight. "Wouldn't spy on you, anyway," he added spitefully, "you're a Muggle."

Though Petunia evidently did not understand the word, she could hardly mistake the tone.

"Lily, come on, we're leaving!" she said shrilly.

Lily obeyed her sister at once, glaring at Severus as she left. He stood watching them as they marched through the playground gate, and Stella, the only one left to observe him, recognized Severus's bitter disappointment, and understood that Severus had been planning this moment for a while, and that it had all gone wrong…

The scene dissolved, and before Stella knew it, reformed around her. She was now in a small thicket of trees. She could see a sunlit river glittering through their trunks. The shadows cast by the trees made a basin of cool, green shade. Two children sat facing each other, cross-legged on the ground. Severus had removed his coat now; his odd smock looked less peculiar in the half-light.

"… and the Ministry can punish you if you do magic outside school, you get letters."

"But I have done magic outside school!"

"We're all right. We haven't got wands yet. They let you off when you're a kid and you can't help it. But once you're eleven and they start training you, then you've got to go careful."

There was a little silence. Lily had picked up a fallen twig and twirled it in the air, and Stella knew that she was imagining sparks trailing from it. Then she dropped the twig, leaned in towards the boy, and said, "It is real, isn't it? It's not a joke? Petunia says you're lying to me. Petunia says there isn't a Hogwarts. It is real, isn't it?"

"It's real for us," said Severus. "Not for her. But we'll get the letter, you and me."

"Really?" whispered Lily.

"Definitely," said Severus, and even with his poorly cut hair and odd clothes, he struck an oddly impressive figure sprawled in front of her, brimful of confidence in his destiny.

"And will it really come by owl?" Lily whispered and Stella thought of Hermione, what her reactions must have been learning of magic for the first time.

"Normally," Severus nodded. "But you're Muggle-born, so someone from the school will have to come and explain to your parents."

"Does it make a difference, being a Muggle-born?"

Severus hesitated, studying Lily for a moment before determination overtook his face.

"No. It doesn't make a difference."

"Good," said Lily, relaxing: it was clear that she had been worrying.

"You've got loads of magic," said Severus. "I saw that. All the time I was watching you…"

His voice trailed away; she was not listening but had stretched out on the leafy ground and was looking up at the canopy of leaves overhead. He just watched her and Stella wondered if he was worrying about how much magic he possessed.

"How are things at your house?" Lily asked.

A little crease appeared between his eyes.

"Fine," he said.

"They're not arguing anymore?"

"Oh, yes, they're arguing," said Severus, picking up a fistful of leaves and beginning to tear them apart, apparently unaware of what he was doing. "But it won't be that long and I'll be gone."

"Doesn't your dad like magic?"

"He doesn't like anything, much."

"Severus?"

"Yeah?"

"Tell me about the Dementors again."

Stella knew a distraction when she saw it. She'd done it to Blaise, Theo, and Draco enough times and Harry even more, changing the subject to something they'd told her about in the past when something was eating at them.

"What d'you want to know about them for?"

"If I use magic outside school—"

"They wouldn't give you to the Dementors for that! Dementors are for people who do really bad stuff. They guard the wizard prison, Azkaban. You're not going to end up in Azkaban, you're too—"

Stella saw it then. Lily was a light and Severus was the dark. He was her shadow, as Blaise and Theo had claimed to be for Stella. Blaise had admitted to her once that her light was what drew the two of them to her, made them want to protect her in the house of snakes. Severus had seen the same light in Lily as a child and Stella once she'd arrived in his office for her first detention. She'd always thought that Severus protected her because of his memory of Regulus, but she reminded him of Lily.

"Tuney!" said Lily, surprise and welcome in her voice, but Severus jumped to his feet.

"Who's spying now?" he shouted. "What d'you want?"

Petunia was breathless, alarmed at being caught.

"What is that you're wearing, anyway?" Petunia pointed at Severus's chest. "You're mum's blouse?"

There was a crack: a branch over Petunia's head had fallen. Lily screamed: the branch caught Petunia on the shoulder and she staggered backwards and burst into tears.

"Tuney!"

But Petunia was running away. Lily rounded on Severus.

"Did you make that happen?"

"No," he looked both defiant and scared.

"You did!" she was backing away from him. "You did! You hurt her!

"No- no, I didn't!"

"It was an accident," Stella breathed, knowing they couldn't hear her but she knew what happened when emotions got the best of young witches and wizards, having seen it plenty growing up, surrounded by boughs of accidental magic from Ron, Fred, Percy, George, Ginny, and herself.

They were on the platform now and Lily was telling Petunia that she'd get Dumbledore to let her come to school with her and Petunia called her a freak, breaking Lily's heart. Lily defended Severus and Petunia called them both freaks.

The scene dissolved again. Severus was hurrying along the corridor of the Hogwarts Express as it clattered through the countryside. He had already changed into his school robes, had perhaps taken the first opportunity to take of his dreadful Muggle clothes.

At last he stopped, outside a compartment in which a group of rowdy boys were talking. Hunched in a corner seat beside the window was Lily, her face pressed against the window pane. Severus slid open the compartment door and sat down opposite Lily. She glanced at him and then looked back out of the window. She had been crying.

"I don't want to talk to you," she said in a constricted voice.

"Why not?"

"Tuney h – hates me. Because we saw that letter from Dumbledore."

"So what?"

She threw him a look of deep dislike.

"So she's my sister!"

"She's only a –"

He caught himself quickly; Lily, too busy trying to wipe her eyes without being noticed, did not hear him.

"But we're going!" he said, unable to suppress the exhilaration in his voice. "This is it! We're off to Hogwarts!"

She nodded, mopping her eyes, but in spite of herself, she half smiled.

"You'd better be in Slytherin," said Severus, encouraged that she had brightened a little.

"Slytherin?"

One of the boys sharing the compartment, who had shown no interest at all in Lily or Snape until that point, looked round at the word, and Stella, whose attention had been focused entirely on the two beside the window, saw James Potter: slight, black-haired like Severus, but with that indefinable air of having been well cared for, even adored, that Severus so conspicuously lacked.

"Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?" James asked the boy lounging on the seats opposite him, and with a jolt, Stella realized that it was her father, Sirius.

Sirius did not smile.

"My whole family have been in Slytherin," he said.

"Blimey," said James, "and I thought you seemed all right!"

Sirius grinned.

"Maybe I'll break the tradition. Where are you heading, if you've got the choice?"

James lifted an invisible sword.

"Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart! Like my dad."

Severus made a small, disparaging noise. James turned on him.

"Got a problem with that?"

"No," said Severus, though his slight sneer said otherwise. "If you'd rather be brawny than brainy –"

"Where're you hoping to go, seeing as you're neither?" interjected Sirius. James roared with laughter.

Lily sat up, rather flushed, and looked from James to Sirius in dislike.

"Come on, Severus, let's find another compartment."

"Oooooo …" James and Sirius imitated her lofty voice; James tried to trip Severus as he passed.

"See ya, Snivellus!" Sirius's voice called, as the compartment door slammed…

And the scene dissolved once more … Stella was standing right behind Severus as they faced the candlelit house tables, lined with rapt faces.

Then Professor McGonagall said, "Evans, Lily!"

Stella watched as Harry's mother walked forwards on trembling legs and sat down upon the rickety stool. Professor McGonagall dropped the Sorting Hat on to her head, and barely a second after it had touched the dark red hair the Hat cried, "Gryffindor!"

Stella heard Severus let out a tiny groan. Lily took off the Hat, handed it back to Professor McGonagall, then hurried towards the cheering Gryffindors, but as she went she glanced back at Severus, and there was a sad little smile on her face. Stella saw Sirius move up the bench to make room for her. She took one look at him, seemed to recognize him from the train, folded her arms and firmly turned her back on him. The roll call continued.

Stella watched as Remus, Pettigrew and James joined Lily and Sirius at the Gryffindor table. At last, when only a dozen students remained to be sorted, Professor McGonagall called Severus. Stella walked with him to the stool, watched him place the Hat upon his head.

"Slytherin!" cried the Sorting Hat.

And Severus Snape moved off to the other side of the Hall, away from Lily, to where the Slytherins were cheering him, to where Lucius Malfoy, a prefect badge gleaming upon his chest, patted Severus on the back as he sat down beside him …

And the scene changed …

Lily and Severus were walking across the castle courtyard, evidently arguing. Stella hurried to catch up with them, to listen in. As she reached them, she realized how much taller they both were: a few years seemed to have passed since their Sorting.

"… thought we were supposed to be friends?" Severus was saying. "Best friends?"

"We are, Sev, but I don't like some of the people you're hanging around with! I'm sorry, but I detest Avery and Mulciber! Mulciber! What do you see in him, Sev? He's creepy! D'you know what he tried to do to Mary Macdonald the other day?"

Lily had reached a pillar and leaned against it, looking up into the thin, sallow face.

"That was nothing," said Severus. "It was a laugh, that's all –"

"It was Dark Magic, and if you think that's funny –"

"What about the stuff Potter and his mates get up to?" demanded Severus.

His color rose again as he said it, unable, it seemed, to hold in his resentment, or maybe it was the mention of his secret boyfriend.

"What's Potter got to do with anything?" said Lily.

"They sneak out at night. There's something weird about that Lupin. Where does he keep going? He refused to tell me anything."

"He's ill," said Lily. "They say he's ill –"

"Every month at the full moon?" said Severus.

"I know your theory," said Lily, and she sounded cold. "Why are you so obsessed with them, anyway? Why do you care what they're doing at night?"

"I'm just trying to show you they're not as wonderful as everyone seems to think they are."

The intensity of his gaze made her blush.

"They don't use Dark Magic, though." She dropped her voice. "And you're being really ungrateful. I heard what happened the other night. You went sneaking down that tunnel by the Whomping Willow and James Potter saved you from whatever's down there –"

Snape's whole face contorted and he spluttered, "Saved? Saved? You think he was playing the hero? He was saving his neck and his friends' too! You're not going to – I won't let you –"

"Let me? Let me?" Lily's bright green eyes were slits.

Severus backtracked at once.

"I didn't mean – I just don't want to see you made a fool of – he fancies you, James Potter fancies you!" The words seemed wrenched from him against his will. "And he's not … Everyone thinks … Big Quidditch hero –" Severus's bitterness and dislike were rendering him incoherent, and Lily's eyebrows were travelling further and further up her forehead.

"I know James Potter's an arrogant toerag," she said, cutting across Severus. "I don't need you to tell me that. But Mulciber and Avery's idea of humor is just evil. Evil, Sev. I don't understand how you can be friends with them."

Stella doubted that Severus had even heard her strictures on Mulciber and Avery. The moment she had insulted James Potter, his whole body had relaxed, and as they walked away there was a new spring in Severus's step … The scene dissolved.

"What's going on with you and Lupin?" Lily was smirking.

"I don't know what you mean," Severus shook his head.

"I saw you."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're shagging!"

"Can you shut it?" Severus looked alarmed.

"I thought you hated all of them," Lily whispered, the two hiding behind a stack of books in the library.

"He's… different."

"How long has it been going on?" Lily demanded.

"… Since second year."

"What? Tell me everything. I didn't even know you liked blokes."

"I've liked him since first year when we were study partners," Severus admitted. "I've been in love with him since second year… He admitted he had feelings for me at the same time and we've been together in secret ever since. He doesn't want his friends to find out and kick him aside. If that's what they'd do though, then they don't deserve him."

And the scene dissolved … Stella watched as Severus left from the Great Hall, after sitting his O.W.L. in Defense Against the Dark Arts, watched as he wandered away from the castle and strayed, inadvertently, close to the place beneath the beech tree where James, Sirius, Remus and Pettigrew sat together. James had hoisted Severus into the air and taunted him; Stella realizing this was the memory Harry had been caught in. She watched as Sirius and James made fun of Severus, Pettigrew laughed, egging them on, and Remus did nothing, watching as the boy he claimed to love was bullied by his best friends. Stella felt sick.

She watched, as Lily joined the group and went to Severus's defense. She heard Severus shout at her in his humiliation and his fury, the unforgivable word: "Mudblood."

The scene changed …

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not interested."

"I'm sorry!"

"Save your breath."

It was night-time. Lily, who was wearing a dressing gown, stood with her arms folded in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady, at the entrance to Gryffindor Tower.

"I only came out because Mary told me you were threatening to sleep here."

"I was. I would have done. I never meant to call you Mudblood, it just –"

"Slipped out?" There was no pity in Lily's voice. "It's too late. I've made excuses for you for years. None of my friends can understand why I even talk to you. You and your precious little Death Eater friends – you see, you don't even deny it! You don't even deny that's what you're all aiming to be! You can't wait to join You-Know-Who, can you?"

He opened his mouth but closed it without speaking.

"I can't pretend any more. You've chosen your way, I've chosen mine."

"No – listen, I didn't mean –"

"– to call me Mudblood? But you call every one of my birth Mudblood, Severus. Why should I be any different?"

He struggled on the verge of speech, but with a contemptuous look she turned and climbed back through the portrait hole…

Remus and Severus were standing in an abandoned classroom, both looking angry.

"You just let them toss me into the air," Severus was saying.

"What did you expect me to do?" Remus demanded.

"Oh, I don't know? Defend me to your friends for once?" Severus looked close to tears, hands shaking. "It's the least you could do since you didn't bother telling me about being a werewolf!"

"Lower your voice," Remus growled out, pushing Severus further from the door.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Severus demanded.

"Because I knew you would react poorly," Remus defended.

"I don't care about you being a werewolf."

"You don't?"

"I care about you letting your friends bully me all these years and not saying anything," Severus stated.

"They don't know—"

"And whose fault is that?!"

The two were breathing heavily, glaring at one another.

"I want you to tell them," Severus finally breathed out, voice soft, pleading.

"I don't think we should be together anymore," Remus sighed and Severus took a physical step back, shock on his face. "You're obsessed with the Dark Arts. Your friends are heading straight for You-Know-Who and you will, too."

"I hadn't been planning on it actually," Severus defended himself weakly.

"Let's face it, Snape, we never would have worked."

"Says who?"

"Says me! I mean, seriously, you're going dark. There's no stopping it. Your hatred will always outweigh your love, if that even is what you felt."

The classroom dissolved, and the scene took a little longer to reform: Stella seemed to fly through shifting shapes and colors until her surroundings solidified again and she stood on a hilltop, forlorn and cold in the darkness, the wind whistling through the branches of a few leafless trees. The adult Severus was panting, turning on the spot, his wand gripped tightly in his hand, waiting for something or for someone … his fear infected Stella, too, even though she knew that she could not be harmed, and she looked over her shoulder, wondering what it was that Severus was waiting for –

Then a blinding, jagged jet of white light flew through the air: Stella thought of lightning, but Severus had dropped to his knees and his wand had flown out of his hand.

"Don't kill me!"

"That was not my intention."

Any sound of Dumbledore Apparating had been drowned by the sound of the wind in the branches. He stood before Severus with his robes whipping around him, and his face was illuminated from below in the light cast by his wand.

"Well, Severus? What message does Lord Voldemort have for me?"

"No – no message – I'm here on my own account!" Severus was wringing his hands: he looked a little mad, with his straggling, black hair flying around him. "I – I come with a warning – no, a request – please –"

Dumbledore flicked his wand. Though leaves and branches still flew through the night air around them, silence fell on the spot where he and Severus faced each other.

"What request could a Death Eater make of me?"

"The – the prophecy … the prediction … Trelawney …"

"Ah, yes," said Dumbledore. "How much did you relay to Lord Voldemort?"

"Everything – everything I heard!" said Snape. "That is why – it is for that reason – he thinks it means Lily Evans!"

"The prophecy did not refer to a woman," said Dumbledore. "It spoke of a boy born at the end of July –"

"You know what I mean! He thinks it means her son, he is going to hunt her down – kill them all –"

"If she means so much to you," said Dumbledore, "surely Lord Voldemort will spare her? Could you not ask for mercy for the mother, in exchange for the son?"

"I have – I have asked him –"

"You disgust me," said Dumbledore, and Dumbledore disgusted Stella.

This was a child, a teenager, maybe a year or two older than her, on his knees and defenseless in front of him, begging for help. Severus seemed to shrink a little.

"You do not care, then, about the deaths of her husband and child? They can die, as long as you have what you want?"

Severus said nothing, but merely looked up at Dumbledore.

"Hide them all, then," he croaked. "Keep her – them – safe. Please."

"And what will you give me in return, Severus?"

"In – in return?" Snape gaped at Dumbledore, and Stella hated the old man more. "Anything."

The hilltop faded, and Stella stood in Dumbledore's office, and something was making a terrible sound, like a wounded animal. Severus was slumped forwards in a chair and Dumbledore was standing over him, looking grim. After a moment or two, Severus raised his face, and he looked like a man who had lived a hundred years of misery since leaving the wild hilltop.

"I thought … you were going … to keep her … safe …"

"She and James put their faith in the wrong person," said Dumbledore.

"Yeah, you," Stella scoffed.

"Rather like you, Severus."

"Still you," Stella was pissed but she remained in the memories, wanting to know why she was here, why she was seeing this.

"Weren't you hoping that Lord Voldemort would spare her?"

Severus's breathing was shallow.

"Her boy survives," said Dumbledore.

With a tiny jerk of the head, Severus seemed to flick off an irksome fly.

"Her son lives. He has her eyes, precisely her eyes. You remember the shape and color of Lily Evans's eyes, I am sure?"

That manipulative—

"DON'T!" bellowed Severus. "Gone … Dead …"

"Is this remorse, Severus?"

"I wish … I wish I were dead …"

"And what use would that be to anyone?" said Dumbledore coldly and Stella's hands were shaking, balled in fists. "If you loved Lily Evans, if you truly loved her, then your way forward is clear."

Severus seemed to peer through a haze of pain, and Dumbledore's words appeared to take a long time to reach him.

"What – what do you mean?"

"You know how and why she died. Make sure it was not in vain. Help me protect Lily's son."

"He does not need protection. The Dark Lord has gone –"

"– the Dark Lord will return, and Harry Potter will be in terrible danger when he does."

There was a long pause, and slowly Severus regained control of himself, mastered his own breathing.

At last he said, "Very well. Very well. But never – never tell, Dumbledore! This must be between us! Swear it! I cannot bear … especially Potter's son … I want your word!"

"My word, Severus, that I shall never reveal the best of you?" Dumbledore sighed, looking down into Severus's ferocious, anguished face. "If you insist …"

The office dissolved but re-formed instantly. Severus was pacing up and down in front of Dumbledore.

"– mediocre, arrogant as his father, a determined rule-breaker, delighted to find himself famous, attention-seeking and impertinent –"

"You see what you expect to see, Severus," said Dumbledore, without raising his eyes from a copy of Transfiguration Today. "Other teachers report that the boy is modest, likeable and reasonably talented. Personally, I find him an engaging child." Dumbledore turned a page, and said, without looking up, "Keep an eye on Quirrell, won't you?"

A whirl of color, and now everything darkened, and Severus and Dumbledore stood a little apart in the Entrance Hall, while the last stragglers from the Yule Ball passed them on their way to bed, Stella and Harry included.

"Well?" murmured Dumbledore, watching Severus as he watched Stella and Harry.

"Karkaroff's Mark is becoming darker too. He is panicking, he fears retribution; you know how much help he gave the Ministry after the Dark Lord fell." Severus looked sideways at Dumbledore's crooked-nosed profile. "Karkaroff intends to flee if the Mark burns."

"Does he?" said Dumbledore softly, as Fleur Delacour and Roger Davies came giggling in from the grounds. "And are you tempted to join him?"

"No," said Severus, his black eyes on Fleur and Roger's retreating figures. "I am not such a coward."

"No," agreed Dumbledore. "You are a braver man by far than Igor Karkaroff. You know, I sometimes think we Sort too soon… Besides, I figured you wouldn't leave your heir behind. Not when she is so close to Harry."

Dumbledore walked away, leaving Severus looking stricken …

And now Stella stood in the Headmaster's office yet again. It was night-time, and Dumbledore sagged sideways in the throne-like chair behind the desk, apparently semi-conscious. His right hand dangled over the side, blackened and burned. Severus was muttering incantations, pointing his wand at the wrist of the hand, while with his left hand he tipped a goblet full of thick golden potion down Dumbledore's throat.

After a moment or two, Dumbledore's eyelids fluttered and opened.

"Why," said Severus, without preamble, "why did you put on that ring? It carries a curse, surely you realized that. Why even touch it?"

Marvolo Gaunt's ring lay on the desk before Dumbledore. It was cracked; the sword of Gryffindor lay beside it. Dumbledore grimaced.

"I … was a fool. Sorely tempted …"

"Tempted by what?"

Dumbledore did not answer.

"It is a miracle you managed to return here!" Severus sounded furious. "That ring carried a curse of extraordinary power, to contain it is all we can hope for; I have trapped the curse in one hand for the time being –"

Dumbledore raised his blackened, useless hand, and examined it with the expression of one being shown an interesting curio.

"You have done very well, Severus. How long do you think I have?" Dumbledore's tone was conversational; he might have been asking for a weather forecast.

Severus hesitated, and then said, "I cannot tell. Maybe a year. There is no halting such a spell forever. It will spread, eventually, it is the sort of curse that strengthens over time."

Dumbledore smiled. The news that he had less than a year to live seemed a matter of little or no concern to him.

"I am fortunate, extremely fortunate, that I have you, Severus."

"If you had only summoned me a little earlier, I might have been able to do more, buy you more time!" said Severus furiously. He looked down at the broken ring and the sword. "Did you think that breaking the ring would break the curse?"

"Something like that … I was delirious, no doubt …" said Dumbledore. With an effort, he straightened himself in his chair. "Well, really, this makes matters much more straightforward."

Severus looked utterly perplexed. Dumbledore smiled.

"I refer to the plan Lord Voldemort is revolving around me. His plan to have the poor Malfoy boy murder me."

Severus sat down in the chair across the desk from Dumbledore. Stella could tell that he wanted to say more on the subject of Dumbledore's cursed hand, but the other held it up in polite refusal to discuss the matter further.

Scowling, Severus said, "The Dark Lord does not expect Draco to succeed. This is merely punishment for Lucius's recent failures. Slow torture for Draco's parents, while they watch him fail and pay the price."

"In short, the boy has had a death sentence pronounced upon him as surely as I have," said Dumbledore. "Now, I should have thought the natural successor to the job, once Draco fails, is yourself?"

There was a short pause.

"That, I think, is the Dark Lord's plan."

"Lord Voldemort foresees a moment in the near future when he will not need a spy at Hogwarts?"

"He believes the school will soon be in his grasp, yes."

"And if it does fall into his grasp," said Dumbledore, almost, it seemed, as an aside, "I have your word that you will do all in your power to protect the students of Hogwarts?"

Severus gave a stiff nod.

"Good. Now then. Your first priority will be to discover what Draco is up to. A frightened teenage boy is a danger to others as well as to himself. Offer him help and guidance, he ought to accept, he likes you –"

"– much less since his father has lost favor. Draco blames me, he thinks I have usurped Lucius's position."

"All the same, try. I am concerned less for myself than for accidental victims of whatever schemes might occur to the boy. Ultimately, of course, there is only one thing to be done if we are to save him from Lord Voldemort's wrath."

Severus raised his eyebrows and his tone was sardonic as he asked, "Are you intending to let him kill you?"

"Certainly not. You must kill me."

There was a long silence, broken only by an odd clicking noise. Fawkes the phoenix was gnawing a bit of cuttlebone.

"Would you like me to do it now?" asked Severus, his voice heavy with irony. "Or would you like a few moments to compose an epitaph?"

Stella couldn't stop the laugh that escaped her.

"Oh, not quite yet," said Dumbledore, smiling. "I daresay the moment will present itself in due course. Given what has happened tonight," he indicated his withered hand, "we can be sure that it will happen within a year."

"If you don't mind dying," said Severus roughly, "why not let Draco do it?"

"That boy's soul is not yet so damaged," said Dumbledore. "I would not have it ripped apart on my account."

'What about my Dad's soul?' Stella demanded, messing with her Prince ring.

"And my soul, Dumbledore? Mine?"

"You alone know whether it will harm your soul to help an old man avoid pain and humiliation," said Dumbledore. "I ask this one, great favor of you, Severus, because death is coming for me as surely as the Chudley Cannons will finish bottom of this year's league. I confess I should prefer a quick, painless exit to the protracted and messy affair it will be if, for instance, Greyback is involved – I hear Voldemort has recruited him? Or dear Bellatrix, who likes to play with her food before she eats it."

His tone was light but his blue eyes pierced Severus as they had frequently pierced Stella through his portrait over the past few months, as though the soul they discussed was visible to him. At last Severus gave another curt nod. Dumbledore seemed satisfied.

"Thank you, Severus …"

The office swirled and but remained, Severus pacing back and forth.

"She poisoned them. I know she did," Severus stated. "I don't know what to do."

"She is grieving. She needs to be reined in. I would not be surprised if she was the one to almost kill her classmates," Dumbledore's voice was hard as he spoke of Stella. "You will need to speak with her. Calm her. If you cannot do so, she will be expelled, wand snapped."

"I will handle my chi… My Slytherin," Severus stated.

Dumbledore's brows raised but he said nothing, just nodded.

The office disappeared, and now Severus and Dumbledore were strolling together in the deserted castle grounds by twilight.

"What are you doing with Potter, all these evenings you are closeted together?" Severus asked abruptly.

Dumbledore looked weary.

"Why? You aren't trying to give him more detentions, Severus? The boy will soon have spent more time in detention than out."

"He is his father over again –"

"In looks, perhaps, but his deepest nature is much more like his mother's. I spend time with Harry because I have things to discuss with him, information I must give him before it is too late."

"Information," repeated Severus. "You trust him … you do not trust me."

"It is not a question of trust. I have, as we both know, limited time. It is essential that I give the boy enough information for him to do what he needs to do."

"And why may I not have the same information?"

"I prefer not to put all of my secrets in one basket, particularly not a basket that spends so much time dangling on the arm of Lord Voldemort."

"Which I do on your orders!"

"And you do it extremely well. Do not think that I underestimate the constant danger in which you place yourself, Severus. To give Voldemort what appears to be valuable information while withholding the essentials is a job I would entrust to nobody but you."

"Yet you confide much more in a boy who is incapable of Occlumency, whose magic is mediocre and who has a direct connection into the Dark Lord's mind!"

"Voldemort fears that connection," said Dumbledore. "Not so long ago he had one, small taste of what truly sharing Harry's mind means to him. It was pain such as he has never experienced. He will not try to possess Harry again, I am sure of it. Not in that way."

"I don't understand."

"Lord Voldemort's soul, maimed as it is, cannot bear close contact with a soul like Harry's. Like a tongue on frozen steel, like flesh in flame –"

"Souls? We were talking of minds!"

"In the case of Harry and Lord Voldemort, to speak of one is to speak of the other."

Dumbledore glanced around to make sure that they were alone. They were close by the Forbidden Forest, now, but there was no sign of anyone near them.

"After you have killed me, Severus –"

"You refuse to tell me everything, yet you expect that small service of me!" snarled Severus, and real anger flared in the thin face now. "You take a great deal for granted, Dumbledore! Perhaps I have changed my mind!"

"You gave me your word, Severus. And while we are talking about services you owe me, I thought you agreed to keep a close eye on our young Slytherin friends?"

"Do not speak of her," Severus looked angry, mutinous.

Dumbledore sighed.

"Come to my office tonight, Severus, at eleven, and you shall not complain that I have no confidence in you …"

They were back in Dumbledore's office, the windows dark, and Fawkes sat silent as Severus sat quite still, as Dumbledore walked around him, talking.

"Harry must not know, not until the last moment, not until it is necessary, otherwise how could he have the strength to do what must be done?"

"But what must he do?"

"That is between Harry and me. Now, listen closely, Severus. There will come a time – after my death – do not argue, do not interrupt! There will come a time when Lord Voldemort will seem to fear for the life of his snake."

"For Nagini?" Severus looked astonished.

"Precisely. If there comes a time when Lord Voldemort stops sending that snake forth to do his bidding, but keeps it safe beside him, under magical protection, then, I think, it will be safe to tell Harry."

"Tell him what?"

Dumbledore took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"Tell him that on the night Lord Voldemort tried to kill him, when Lily cast her own life between them as a shield, the Killing Curse rebounded upon Lord Voldemort, and a fragment of Voldemort's soul was blasted apart from the whole and latched itself on to the only living soul left in that collapsing building. Part of Lord Voldemort lives inside Harry, and it is that which gives him the power of speech with snakes, and a connection with Lord Voldemort's mind that he has never understood. And while that fragment of soul, unmissed by Voldemort, remains attached to, and protected by Harry, Lord Voldemort cannot die."

Stella seemed to be watching the two men from one end of a long tunnel, they were so far away from her, their voices echoing strangely in her ears.

"So the boy … the boy must die?" asked Severus, quite calmly.

"And Voldemort himself must do it, Severus. That is essential."

Another long silence.

Then Severus said, "I thought … all these years … that we were protecting him for her. For Lily."

"We have protected him because it has been essential to teach him, to raise him, to let him try his strength," said Dumbledore, his eyes still tight shut. "Meanwhile, the connection between them grows ever stronger, a parasitic growth: sometimes I have thought he suspects it himself. If I know him, he will have arranged matters so that when he does set out to meet his death, it will, truly, mean the end of Voldemort."

Dumbledore opened his eyes. Severus looked horrified.

"You have kept him alive so that he can die at the right moment?"

"Don't be shocked, Severus. How many men and women have you watched die?"

"Lately, only those whom I could not save," said Severus. He stood up. "You have used me."

"Meaning?"

"I have spied for you, and lied for you, put myself in mortal danger for you. Everything was supposed to be to keep Lily Potter's son safe. Now you tell me you have been raising him like a pig for slaughter –"

"But this is touching, Severus," said Dumbledore seriously. "Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?"

"For him?" shouted Snape. "Expecto Patronum!"

From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe: she landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office and soared out of the window. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.

"After all this time?"

"Always," said Snape, "but not in the way you've always thought. She was a sister to me, my best friend when I had no one. She was my light. I will always love her, but someone else had my heart all these years."

"Who?" Dumbledore asked, confused.

"Remus Lupin."

And the scene shifted. Now, Stella saw Severus talking to the portrait of Dumbledore behind his desk.

"You will have to give Voldemort the correct date of Harry's departure from his aunt and uncle's," said Dumbledore. "Not to do so will raise suspicion, when Voldemort believes you so well-informed. However, you must plant the idea of decoys – that, I think, ought to ensure Harry's safety. Try Confunding Mundungus Fletcher. And Severus, if you are forced to take part in the chase, be sure to act your part convincingly … I am counting upon you to remain in Lord Voldemort's good books as long as possible, or Hogwarts will be left to the mercy of the Carrows …"

Now Severus was head to head with Mundungus in an unfamiliar tavern, Mundungus's face looking curiously blank, Severus frowning in concentration.

"You will suggest to the Order of the Phoenix," Severus murmured, "that they use decoys. Polyjuice Potion. Identical Potters. It is the only thing that might work. You will forget that I have suggested this. You will present it as your own idea. You understand?"

"I understand," murmured Mundungus, his eyes unfocused …

Now Stella was flying alongside Severus on a broomstick through a clear dark night: he was accompanied by other hooded Death Eaters, and ahead were Remus and a Harry who was really George … a Death Eater moved ahead of Severus and raised his wand, pointing it directly at Remus's back –

"Sectumsempra!" shouted Severus.

But the spell, intended for the Death Eater's wand hand, missed and hit George instead –

Severus was flying, chasing a Harry that was Stella. Mad-Eye was hit and Harry-Stella screamed, diving after his body. Severus knew the sound though, eyes widening and looking a bit panicked. The other Death Eaters chased, Severus hanging back, wand drawn in case he needed to protect Stella.

"Help us, Snape!" a Death Eater shouted before Stella killed him, her features going back to normal but injuries littering her body.

Severus stared down at her, not seeing any life threatening injuries before flying off, dodging the hex she sent his way.

And next, Severus was kneeling in Sirius's old bedroom. Tears were dripping from the end of his hooked nose as he read the old letter from Lily. The second page carried only a few words:

'- could ever have been friends with Gellert Grindelwald. I think her mind's going, personally! Lots of love, Lily'

Severus took the page bearing Lily's signature, and her love, and tucked it inside his robes. Then he ripped in two the photograph he was also holding, so that he kept the part from which Lily laughed, throwing the portion showing James and Harry back on to the floor, under the chest of drawers.

Stella saw herself, Remus, Severus, and…

"Teddy," Stella's voice was broken.

"When Riddle came to interview for the Defense position, how long was he in the school for?" Stella asked him.

"Well, he walked form the front gates to my office and back, plus our meeting, which lasted roughly half an hour or so. An hour, perhaps?" Dumbledore answered.

"He hid one here," Stella stated, the obvious answer finally hitting her. "Oh, we're such idiots."

"He did not have time to hide a horcrux here," Dumbledore insisted.

"He had time to jinx the position, correct?" Stella demanded.

"Well, yes, but—"

"Therefore he had plenty of time to hide a horcrux. What is the jinx on the position? Where would he have been able to place it so that it would hold for so long?"

Dumbledore wasn't answering her anymore and Stella groaned in frustration, rolling her eyes at him before looking to Severus.

"The school rune stone," Severus stated. "If he put the jinx into the stone, then it would be active as long as he is alive."

"And if he left a horcrux nearby…"

"Then it could feed off of the stone…"

"So, we're looking for a supercharged horcrux next to the school rune stone. Great," Theo spoke up.

"Because our lives aren't difficult enough," Remus sighed.

"Where's the stone?" Stella asked Severus.

"I don't know," Severus shrugged.

"No one has found it in years. Not even myself. It was hidden or lost long ago," Dumbledore spoke up and Stella sighed, turning back to him.

"Is there a legend around it? Maybe we can solve that."

"I was told by Headmaster Dippet that it had been hidden away centuries ago to protect it and had been lost ever since," Dumbledore stated. "That is all that I know."

"Well, I doubt it's in the Chamber," Stella sighed. "Not even three of the founders knew that existed. It would be somewhere all of them could find it and get to it, have access to update anything they needed, including wards."

"He said it was hidden and lost?" Theo asked, standing beside Stella.

"Yes."

"Stell, where do you hide things?" Theo asked.

"Mrytle's bathroom," Stella shrugged.

"No. Where do you go to hide things?"

"Oh, the seventh… floor. Holy shite."

"Language," Severus drawled.

"It's in the Room of Requirement!" Stella slapped her forehead. "We're never going to find it! That place is a disaster and we don't even know what we're looking for!"

"Hogwarts…" Theo whispered, looking away from everyone and beginning to mumble under his breath. "Hogwarts was his home… obsessed with the school… he was Slytherins heir…"

"What is he—"

"Wait for it," Stella held her hand up, silencing Remus.

"Each founder had an item," Theo spoke to Dumbledore. "What were they?"

"Gryffindor's sword, Hufflepuff's goblet, Slytherin's locket, Ravenclaw's diadem, and the sorting hat," Dumbledore answered.

"We destroyed the locket," Theo stated. "We can test the hat and sword to see if there is a horcrux attached to each of them."

"If the sword had one, would it not have been destroyed when it was soaked in basilisk venom, or would it have had some sort of reaction to a threat being so close?" Remus asked.

"I feel like it would have had a reaction," Stella stated. "I was petrified though so I didn't see what happened. Just being soaked in the venom wouldn't have destroyed it."

"Riddle wouldn't have been able to get the sword. True Gryffindor and all that," Severus shook his head.

"So the diadem and the goblet," Theo stated.

"What's a diadem?" Stella asked curiously.

"Tiara," Theo explained.

"Stylish?"

"Probably. Not sure what it looked like though."

"Is there a copy of 'Hogwarts: A History' in here?"

"Here," Severus raised his hand and a book flew straight to him and he passed it to her.

Stella began turning the pages, just searching for any sort of tiara as Theo thought everything over, how they could split up and search the room. Stella found a sketched picture and froze.

"I know where it is," she stated, staring at the photo.

"How?" Severus asked, all three wizards staring at her in confusion.

"Come on," Stella told them, tossing the book onto Severus's desk and leading the way.

They were outside the Room of Requirement now.

"Didn't we hide in a broom closet here one time?" Remus asked Severus and Theo seemed to suddenly catch on.

"Oh, my God," he said, eyes widening as he stared at Stella. "Your dad and your uncle."

"Yeah, I've known since third year," Stella smirked. "Come on. Soul fractures first, social discoveries later."

The four walked into the overcrowded room; chairs, tables, and cabinets stacked haphazardly, old broomsticks, a bloodstained axe, trucks, cages with bones, and disassembled suits of armor. Stella followed a path that Harry had shown her during one of their walks, finding the chipped, old bust of an ugly warlock. The diadem sat on top of it and Severus's old book was beneath it. Stella pulled the book out, tossing it to Severus before using her sleeve to pick up the horcrux.

"He hid it here?" Severus asked.

"Put it under the bust and the tiara on top so he'd know where to find it if he ever wanted to use it again. Was too scared to grab it after hurting me," Stella shrugged.

"So, that's it?" Remus asked, staring at the diadem.

"Yup," she sighed. "Just like the picture. Is there a box around here somewhere so we can put it away?"

"Here," Theo grabbed a trunk, emptied it and shrunk it down to size before handing it to her.

Stella dropped the diadem into the box and closed it, locking it with a spell and looking around the room again.

"Wonder where the stone is…"

"We can look for it on another day," Severus told her. "We need to figure out what to do with that."

"An Avada or Fiendfyre will destroy it," she shrugged.

"It'll fight back though so we need to destroy it somewhere safe," Remus spoke up.

"Back to my office for now," Severus demanded.

Stella and Severus placed the box on the lake, sword beneath under the water. The deer showed Harry where to go and Stella and Severus disappeared a few moments later, Kreacher dropping off food and Blaise's wand.

Stella rose out of the Pensieve, breathing heavily.

"You… you manipulative bastard!" Stella yelled.

"What?" her dad asked, confused.

Stella ignored him, standing straight and turning to Dumbledore's portrait.

"How do you want it done?" Stella asked, stepping towards the portrait. "Fiendfyre or just toss you in the garbage?"

"What?" Dad asked, confused, but Dumbledore's eyes had widened comically.

"I do not think that is necessary," Dumbledore tried.

"How old were you?" Stella asked her dad. "How old were you when you joined the Death Eaters?"

"Seventeen."

"And how old were you when you begged him to save Lily?"

"Almost twenty."

"You," Stella turned back to Dumbledore, "have been manipulating him since he begged you to save someone that you didn't truly bother to save because you wanted Harry, another person you've manipulated, to fulfil a prophecy. So, I ask again. I'm giving you a choice. Fiendfyre, or rubbish bin?"

"You cannot destroy my portrait," Dumbledore declared.

"Wanna bet?"

"He means it," Severus spoke up. "There are protections on the portraits."

"Can I remove him from the wall?"

"Yes."

"Rubbish bin it is," Stella smirked, moving forward quickly.

"No!" Dumbledore yelled, trying to move to a different portrait but Stella shot a spell at him, making it so he couldn't move to another portrait.

Stella hopped onto the cabinet in front of Dumbledore's portrait, smirking all the while she pulled his portrait from the wall.

"I think I'll let Minerva McGonagall yell at you a bit before I toss you somewhere. That'll teach you. Silencio."

Dumbledore was yelling at her but his portrait was silenced, unable to defend himself. Stella turned the portrait so it couldn't see her and turned on Severus, her anger towards him rearing its head.

"You let Harry walk into that forest…"

"Stella, please…"

"You allowed Harry to sacrifice himself."

"Stella," Severus tired.

"No!" she screamed and raced up the stairs, Severus following directly behind her, finding only Harry and Remus still awake. "How did you survive?"

"What?" Harry asked, confused by her anger.

"How?" she demanded.

"Oh. I had all three deathly hallows so Death gave me the option to return to my body," Harry explained. "Appeared as Dumbledore."

Stella rounded on Severus again.

"You didn't know that he would survive."

It wasn't a question but Severus responded anyways, "I did not."

"You sent Harry to his death in the forest, not knowing he would come back. You allowed it to happen."

"There was a horcrux—"

"I don't care—"

"The wizarding world—"

"The world can burn!" Stella screeched, not caring if she woke the others, all tucked safely away in hers and Theo's room. "I lost everything! I lost my birth parents! I lost my best friends! You let the man I love walk into the forest to be killed! I fought and was tortured and schemed all because I trusted you!"

"Stella Nova," Remus tried but Stella was too angry to listen.

"I trusted you and you lied! You said there were only six! You knew Harry was a seventh one and you lied!"

She debated throwing the Prince ring at Severus for a long moment, tears spilling down her face. Instead, she turned on the spot, disappearing. She landed in front of Grimmauld and let herself inside. She went into the drawing room, sobbing heavily. She fell to her knees, letting out a scream as her magic flared, furniture flying in every direction, glass shattering.

The weight of everything was too much. She wanted her boys but they were gone. Wanted to be held by her mum, but Molly Weasley didn't truly see herself as Stella's mum anymore, hadn't in a long time. Wanted to meet her birth mother, wanted to truly know her father, wanted life to be fair…

Why did she have to loose so much? Why was it her? Let someone else take the pain! Instead, as head of the family, Stella had taken all of the Black family anguish and it was piling on and on. She felt everything, the loss of Tonks from Andromeda, along with her husband, the loss of Theo from so many that he didn't realize had cared for him.

Stella looked to the family tapestry, found her own name. But it was different.

'Stella Nova Black-Prince-Nott'

Every title she held on her hand was in the wall. She wanted to destroy the damned thing. She could if she wanted. She stood, facing the wall for a long moment.

Instead, she turned away, going up the stairs towards her room. Anything Theo had left behind was in her room with her belongings. The room was clean, spotless from Kreacher taking care of it for her. She stumbled to the bed, fell into it, blood still dried on her, and pulled Theo's favorite blanket over herself. She curled into a ball and exhaustion finally took pity on her, taking her under, into a deep sleep.