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)

10. Chapter 8: After

Chapter Eight: After

She really needed to figure out how Remus was always finding her. Maybe it was his wolf nose. Or maybe she needed better hiding places. Stella was sitting in the hall that held the doors to hers, Blaise's, and Theo's rooms, not that the last two had ever been of much use since the two always found their way to her room. There was an almost empty bottle of firewhiskey beside her, three empty bottles right beside that one.

Remus sat on the floor beside her, moving the almost empty bottle away from her in the process. They said nothing, both just sitting there, Stella's brain fuzzy and unable to move without needing to pee but knowing she would be far too dizzy if she stood. Remus let out a sigh and Stella slowly turned her head, waiting.

It took a bit of time but Remus finally spoke up.

"They wouldn't have wanted this," he told her, voice soft.

"What does it matter what they would have wanted?" Stella demanded. "They're dead."

She'd meant to sound flat, emotionless. Her speech was a bit slurred though and she knew she didn't have the effect she'd been trying for. Remus just sighed, staring into her eyes and almost silently pleading with her to hear him out.

"I have to pee but I'm too dizzy to move," she admitted, looking back to her door.

"Up you get," Remus stated, getting to his own feet and helping Stella stand.

Stella felt sick from how dizzy she was, holding Remus's shoulder tightly as her other hand shot out, using the wall for a bit of support.

"Why is the hall spinning?" she grumbled and heard Remus let out a small chuckle.

He led Stella to the loo in her room, leaving her on her own so she could take care of herself. Stella turned on the shower after relieving herself and climbed in, fully clothed and sat under the spray of cold water.

"Kreacher?" she asked softly and the elf appeared, eyes wide. "I need a hangover potion and a sobering potion, please. And some food?"

"Yes, mistress," Kreacher nodded and snapped his fingers, the potions appearing before her, lids removed.

Stella downed both potions as Kreacher popped away to prepare food. Stella felt the effects of the alcohol slowly leaving her. The room was no longer spinning and her stomach didn't hurt. The numbness surrounding her emotions was slowly fading away and the numbness from the ice cold water was settling into her bones.

Stella turned the water to hot, stripping from her clothes and tossing them to the floor, knowing Kreacher would deal with them. She scrubbed at her skin, having sat in the dried blood and bits for two days now. It took an hour to get everything off and feel clean. Stella wrapped herself in a warm towel and stepped into her room, finding it empty but able to hear voices in the hall.

She dressed in jeans, a tank top, and boots, tossing her hair up using the pin Theo had gifted her long ago before stepping into the hall. She stared around at Remus, Severus, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. Her eyes locked on Percy though.

"I was going to ask if you wanted me to take the Fidelius off the house," he admitted.

Stella just nodded and walked pass everyone, not speaking as she went. She went down to the kitchen, taking a deep breath before sitting at the head of the table where Sirius had sat in the past. She found a small pile of mail waiting for her and she got started on it as Kreacher put a bowl of stew in front of her, bread on a small plate and already buttered for her. The others sat at the table, Kreacher serving them as well.

The letter from Rose Zabini was unexpected. The heir ring inside was a complete shock as Stella stared at it.

'Stella,

I am sorry for having pushed you away. I was grieving and I should not have taken it out on you, a child, my child. It will never happen again. I hope to make you my heir. I've sent the ring with this letter. If you put it on, I will know. I am giving you my two Wizengamot seats as well. Use them well.

All My Love,

Rose Zabini'

"What's that?" Harry asked from beside her and Stella passed him the letter, sliding the ring onto her pinky finger as Harry read it. "She made you her heir?"

Stella just nodded before grabbing the letter from Kingsley next.

'Stella Black,

I have taken the role of temporary Minister of Magic. I wish to speak with you about your Wizengamot seats, as it appears you have many. I want to work together now that we are rebuilding the wizarding world, pass laws that will help, rather than restrict.'

Stella did not read the rest, just grabbed the next letter, which was from Grignotts.

'Head Black and Nott, Heir Prince and Zabini,

My you have gained quite a few titles recently. I wish to speak with you regarding what all those titles entail. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.

May your coffers overflow and your enemies run low,

Bloodshire'

Neville, Luna, and Tracy had written her, wanting to make sure she was alright. The letter from Tracy also told her that Narcissa and Draco had been arrested, causing Stella to eat faster. She ran from the kitchen and up the stairs quickly, Harry following after her. He stood in her room, averting his eyes as Stella changed into something Pansy would have approved of before placing her wand up her sleeve.

Harry followed Stella out of the house and grabbed her hand. She apparated them to the alley beside the Ministry before they took the phone booth down. She shot off a patronus to Tracy, Neville, and Luna, telling them where she was and that she was going straight to Kingsley to collect Draco and Narcissa if they wished to join her.

She made it to Kingsley's office quickly, people moving out of hers and Harry's way as she went. Kingsley's door was open and he stood when they walked in.

"Stella Black-Nott-Prince-Zabini," he nodded to her.

"Where are Draco and Narcissa Black?" she demanded as Tracy ran in, out of breath.

"The Malfoys are all being held for questioning," Kingsley told her.

"I do not care about Lucius Malfoy. I asked about Draco Black and Narcissa Black," she stated, standing tall and glare in place. "Where are they? Why are they being held?"

"I would like to know the answer to that question as well," a voice Stella had only heard one other time came from the doorway and Stella turned, finding Neville's grandmother there, along with Neville and Luna, who were holding hands.

"We have to hold everyone who is suspected of being a follower of You-Know-Who for questioning—"

"Voldemort," Harry and Stella corrected.

"- for a trial."

"Kingsley, you literally saw Draco at Hogwarts and Narcissa help put up shields with me," Stella said slowly, as if explaining a complicated spell to a first year, but more condescending.

"The people want a trial—"

"Kingsley, I have fifteen Wizengamot votes, Harry has twenty, Misses Longbottom has seven, Luna has two, and I will gladly go grab Susan Bones just so that we have three more. We only need thirty to call a meeting and we have more than enough."

"You have nineteen votes," Rose Zabini corrected, walking into the office. "I heard about Draco and Sissy. Decided to see what I could do to help."

"I'm sorry. Are you telling me that there are fifty-one votes in this room right now?" Stella asked her,

"I am," Rose smirked and Stella turned to Kingsley.

"I vote Draco and Narcissa as innocent," Stella told him.

"Same," Harry nodded.

"Aye," Luna and Neville stated together.

"Well, would you look at that," Stella glared at Kingsley. "Looks like they can be released."

"You can't—"

"I think you'll find that I can," Stella interrupted him. "Now, you wanted to discuss the rebuilding of the government with me, yes? Well, the majority votes are here. Let's call for Draco and get started, especially since he has nine votes at his disposal."

The vein on Kingsley's head throbbed dangerously and Stella wondered if he was going to have an aneurism.

"Kingsley, if you do not wish to release the two innocents, I will be more than happy to name a replacement nominee for temporary Minister of Magic," Harry told him, still holding Stella's hand firmly in his own.

"Seconded," Neville spoke up, going to Stella's side, Luna following his lead.

"Fine," Kingsley growled out. "Follow me."

The group followed Kingsley towards the Department of Mysteries, Stella and Harry both taking deep breaths before following after him. They were led to a room full of cells, Death Eaters and people Stella didn't recognize locked away. They reached Narcissa's cell first, Lucius in the cell beside hers.

"Stella," Sissy breathed, looking beyond relieved.

"Do you want a divorce?" Stella asked her as an Unspeakable opened the cell door.

"Yes," she nodded, glaring at Lucius, who was seething.

"Traitorous bitch!" he yelled, rushing to the front of his cell and trying to grab Narcissa.

Stella pulled Sissy back, stepping in front of her and snarling at Lucius, causing him to jump back, looking rather terrified as Stella's family magic pulsed around her, a black smoke wrapped around her, Harry, and Narcissa.

"Let's go," Stella growled out, taking Narcissa's free hand in hers and following Kingsley to Draco's cell.

Draco was not alone in his cell. Crabbe Senior and Draco were glaring at one another when Stella stepped up to the cell, the Unspeakable opening the door.

"Malfoy," Kingsley spoke.

"Black," Stella corrected as Draco rushed to his mum, hugging her tightly outside of the cell, Stella dropping her hand. "They are both Black's. Draco is heir to the Malfoy family but he is a Black. You will call them the correct titles until Harry names a new temporary Minister."

"I have a few candidates," Harry told her.

"We can go to the Minister office and discuss them," Stella nodded, taking Draco's hand. "Are you holding any other children in these cells?"

"We aren't holding any children," Kingsley glared.

"My son," Crabbe Senior spoke up.

"Let me rephrase: Are you holding any other teenagers in these cells?" Stella glared right back.

"Only those that are being held for questioning," Kingsley stated.

"I want names," Stella told him, stepping forward.

"You do not intimidate me."

"Then you are not as smart as I thought you were."

"What about me?" Harry asked, stepping forward so he was fully beside Stella, showing exactly where his loyalties were.

"Harry, be reasonable," Kingsley tried, not realizing that Harry was always on her side.

"This is reasonable," Harry told him, stepping slightly in front of Stella and causing her to smirk. "We're asking for the names so we can remove the innocent from cells. Would you like to see unreasonable?"

Kingsley's eyes widened for a moment before he controlled his features. He nodded to the Unspeakable and a list appeared. Harry grabbed it out of the air and shared it with Stella, the two going over it together. Almost every Slytherin that had fought at Hogwarts was listed. Stella was ready to explode but Neville, who had been reading the list over their shoulders, grabbed the list and stepped forward.

"Why is every Slytherin that fought by our side on this list? What about the other houses?"

"These are the people that were needed for questioning."

"Six of them are Muggleborns," Stella growled out. "They are a part of house Black. Noah Baker is only fourteen. He helped with the giants, along with Marcus Flint, who is also on that list. Release them."

"Breathe, Stella," Luna spoke up, moving to her side and taking her hand. "I know. Breathe."

Stella took a slow, deep breath. Harry released her hand, standing beside Neville and blocking Stella's view of Kingsley, which helped with the murderous thoughts she was having of him. Harry and Neville were arguing with Kingsley, declaring the innocence of the ones on the list. Stella voted with whatever Harry said, not able to concentrate as she calmed herself. Kingsley nodded to the Unspeakable, who called for colleagues to help him release those that they'd claimed as innocent.

Stella followed after them, finding most of the younger captives in the same area. Baker stepped out first, looking worse for ware, still in the clothes he fought in with a streak of blood on the side of his head, showing Stella they were plucked out of the crowd and dragged away. Draco hadn't been grabbed at the same time because Stella had taken him away from the crowd, a fact that was glaringly obvious by the state of every person that stepped out of their cell.

Baker saw Stella first and ran forward. Stella met him halfway, arms wrapping around him and hugging him tightly. He was almost taller than her. When had that happened? He was supposed to be a kid still.

The Muggleborns and her Quidditch team saw her and rushed forward as well, a large group hug happening. Flint sighed and stepped forward, not saying anything or joining the hug, just watching everything unfolding. Stella and him locked eyes and nodded to one another. Stella was slowly released and she asked about injuries, finding most of them hadn't even gotten looked over by a healer.

"I'm taking them to St. Mungos. My votes temporarily go to Harry," Stella spoke up.

"All of them?" Kingsley asked, eyes wide.

"Harry?" Stella turned to him.

"Whatever you want, love," he told her, voice soft before he kissed her softly as a goodbye.

Stella led the crowd away, leaving behind a shocked and horrified Kingsley, who was just now realizing how badly he'd screwed up. Stella walked to the front desk, claiming the wands and passing them around. She waved her own wand over everyone, clearing away blood and cleaning everyone a bit. They took the direct floo to St. Mungos, Baker refusing to leave Stella's side, gripping her hand tightly. Stella walked through the floo with him, finding healers already on the scene, checking over everyone. Stella bit her lip hard when she heard about the dehydration that was caused by being held. She would be demanding better treatment of those being held the moment she was sure everyone was alright.

Stella sent a patronus off to Ginny, Fred, and George, asking them to come to St. Mungos so they could help look over everyone. The three showed up as Stella was being led away with Baker, the youngest of the group. Ginny, Fred, and George split up, going with different groups and checking on everyone as they went.

"Dehydration, head injury… A concussion that has gone untreated. I fear you're exhausting yourself keeping yourself alive," the healer admitted.

"Exhausting myself?" he asked, confused.

"Magical exhaustion," she told him. "There's a reason everyone in fourth year and below were supposed to leave the castle."

"So, how do we fix that?" Baker asked, looking to the healer again, blushing slightly under Stella's raised brow.

"Rest," the healer explained. "I have potions you'll need to take. One of them will make you sleep."

"Will you stay with me?" Baker asked Stella, voice small.

"I need to get to the ministry," she told him.

"Just until I fall asleep?"

"Of course," Stella nodded, brushing hair out of his face. "Listen to your healer now."

Baker took the potions, making a face with each one and causing Stella to let out a small laugh. He laid down and Stella hummed the Black lullaby to him until his breathing evened out, him falling asleep. She released his hand, setting it gently on the bed before looking to the healer.

"I'll be back in a few hours. Will that be alright?" she asked.

"Yes, miss," the healer nodded. "Don't worry about your brother. We'll take care of him."

"Thank you," Stella nodded.

She kissed Baker's head before turning, leaving the room with a glare on her face. Stella flooed back to the ministry, sending a patronus to Harry before walking right past the front desk, not checking her wand in this time. Her patronus returned, telling her they were in the minister office and she headed directly there. The front desk witch tried calling after her but Stella didn't respond, getting onto a lift and going to the correct floor.

Stella walked into the office, finding Harry standing, looking beyond pissed. She went straight to his side, taking his hand in hers and holding her head high as she looked to Kingsley, who looked angry as well.

"So, who are we replacing him with?" Stella asked.

"I mentioned McGonagall and your dad," Harry told her.

"Which one?"

"Arthur."

"Hmm," Stella nodded. "Or we could ask Percy?"

"That would be a good idea as well," Harry nodded.

Stella waved her wand, a patronus shooting off to all three. They waited in strained silence until the three had all joined them. McGonagall was the first to decline, needing to get back to the construction of the school. Arthur looked uneasy by the idea but Percy stood straighter, nodding his agreeance. Arthur stayed after turning down the position, wanting to know what was happening.

"Well, Kingsley, looks like you've been replaced. You may leave," Draco stated from Tracy's side, standing tall and looking every bit like the aristocrat he was raised to be.

Kingsley left, cloak billowing behind him in a way that would have be impressive had they not all known Severus Snape.

"So, what are we doing first?" Percy asked Stella and she smirked.

Trials were held over the next week, Death Eaters sent to prison after a fair trial had been given. The rest of the Wizengamot sat back, watching as Harry, Stella, Draco, Susan, Luna, and Neville, who'd received his grandmother's votes, decided the fate of every accused together. Stella's last name came first, so they all looked to her, seeing how she would vote before following her lead. It was far too much power for one person to hold. Draco purposefully kissed Tracy in front of his father before the trial began. Lucius Malfoy screamed as he was dragged out of the room, yelling at Narcissa, Andromeda, Stella, and Draco in the process.

Percy was fair and unbiased about the proceedings. He gave appropriate punishments for the crimes, causing Stella to complain a few times, acting a bit petty about wanting some to get worse than they received. Harry would just smile and shake his head at her, holding her hand the entire time.

They stayed at Grimmauld, Baker gaining a room. His parents and brother had been killed in a raid months ago with out him knowing about it. Stella took over guardianship of him, giving him a Black ring when Ministry workers tried telling her that she couldn't, cutting off any and all arguments. A few Muggle-borns had lost their parents in raids as well and Stella opened up the Black home, smiling as she thought of how angry it would have made Walburga Black, which would have made Sirius proud, something she said to Harry and Remus one night when they were in the study looking over laws together and causing them both to laugh loudly.

The house was rather loud with everyone running around, others coming in and out to visit their friends. Stella smiled as she watched. Kreacher was beyond happy to have so many to look out for, the amount of family rings in the house causing him to feel stronger than he had in the past, the family magic helping him look younger than he had before. Hermione had watched it happen, seeming confused.

"Would you like a book on House Elf magic?" Stella asked her one day as she was studying the elf.

"Yes, please," Hermione nodded and Stella was more than happy to hand it over to her, having studied it herself.

Hermione gave her the S.P.E.W. badge back two days later.

Stella refused to sleep in her old room, or even in that hall, ever again. Kreacher locked the three bedrooms and Stella chose a new room, right next to where Sirius used to sleep. She bought all new clothes, asking Kreacher for a few items from the room and nothing more. She'd go through the rooms eventually, but it was a bit too difficult right now.

Harry held her through every nightmare, kissing her head and whispering reassurances to her every time she'd wake in a panic. She did the same in return, singing soft lullabies to him until he could breathe normally again. They weren't the only ones having problems sleeping, though. It was rough going and Stella brewed dreamless sleep with Severus, passing it around to everyone one night. It was the first night that no one knocked on her door and climbed into bed with her and Harry, and the first time that she and Harry had both slept through the night in three weeks.

She woke in the morning, feeling refreshed as she stretched, Harry smiling as he watched her.

"What?" she asked when she caught him staring at her.

"Nothing," he smiled softly, pulling her back down so he could hold her for a bit longer.

"What do you think the world is going to be like?" Stella asked him, voice a whisper.

"I don't know," he answered honestly.

"Do you still want to become an auror?"

"I'd like for something quiet, actually," he admitted with a sigh.

"Quiet sounds nice," she nodded.

"You hate the quiet," Harry smirked.

"Not the sound of quiet," Stella corrected. "I meant quiet as in no one trying to murder us at all times."

"I know," he nodded, smirking before kissing her.

Stella melted into Harry, kissing him back with a hand resting on his cheek. The kiss deepened and Harry maneuvered them so he was above her, placed between her legs as they kissed, bodies pressing into one another. Breathing became heavier and movements became flurried. Stella's night dress had been discarded along with Harry's shirt. He'd begun kissing down to her chest when a loud knock sounded on their door.

Both groaned in frustration.

"Who is it?" she asked, not unlocking the door.

"It's me," Ron's voice came.

"Us!" Hermione corrected.

"Us," Ron agreed.

"Us who?" Harry asked.

"Ron, Hermione, Ginny, George, Luna, Tracy, Draco, and I!" Fred called out. "When I get this door open, you better both be fully clothed!"

"Why are they our family," Stella groaned as she and Harry sat up.

Harry stared at Stella, taking her in with his eyes. Stella hadn't fully realized that she was only in a pair of underwear until that moment. Harry leaned forward, kissing her hard before another knock sounded on the door.

"Go away!" they called together before kissing again.

"I will blow this door up!" George called out and Stella and Harry both believed him enough to let out another annoyed groan each and stand.

Stella pulled her nightdress back on quickly as Harry went to the loo, mumbling about a cold shower. Stella pulled the door open, glare in place. Her brothers and sister smiled brightly, all shit eating grins.

"What do you want?" she asked them.

"McGonagall asked for help rebuilding the castle," Hermione explained, bumping Fred and Ron out of her way, looking annoyed with them before turning to Stella with a sorry expression.

"We'll get ready and meet you there," Stella nodded.

"Nope," Ron shook his head. "Get ready now and let's go."

"Ron, as head of the Black family, I can expel you from the house with family magic. Would you like to find out how that feels?" she asked him.

"We'll meet you there," Ron nodded, immediately turning and walking away, the twins complaining as they followed him.

Ginny gave Stella a knowing smirk and Stella winked before shutting her bedroom door. She waved her hand and privacy wards went into place. Stella walked quietly into the loo, hearing Harry in the shower. She stripped to nothing and opened the curtain, Harry turning his head quickly, eyes widening as he took her in. Stella stepped into the shower, turning the water up a bit before stepping under the spray of water.

They didn't get to the castle until after lunch, both glowing a bit as they walked into the half destroyed castle holding hands, smiling and laughing in the process. Her brothers seemed a bit angry but Hermione and Ginny put the three to work, keeping Stella and Harry from having to deal with them for a bit longer. Draco just rolled his eyes, smiling slightly anyways.

The castle was full of witches and wizards, all working together to put the place that had been a home to all of them at some point or another back together. It almost felt as if she were putting herself back together in the process. She was doing rather well until she found herself on the third floor, standing in the middle of the hallway where Pansy and Theo had taken their last stands.

Luna found her this time.

Stella had crumbled to the floor, hand over her mouth to try muffling her cries. She was pressed against the wall, trying to make herself as small as possible. Luna appeared, pulling Stella into her arms and rocking her back and forth.

Stella broke.

Grief is a strange thing. Somedays, you forget about it completely. On other days, it hits you with such a force that it brings you to your knees, making it so you can hardly breath. Stella was no stranger to grief. She'd felt it when Sirius and Blaise had died and when Theo's odds were against him. She'd felt it when Moody had gone down that night and she'd carried his body back to the Burrow. Without a fight to distract her, she felt it full force.

She cried for Tonks, who she'd barely known but had still been her family, had been Remus's friend.

She cried for Pansy, who had been there for her during seventh year, helping clean up the blood after punishments that were actually torture from the Carrows and helped her get out of trouble, helped her dress to impress Purebloods, helped her keep her sanity when it had almost been lost.

She cried for Sirius, her father that she hadn't known as well as she'd wanted to but had still loved. The man whose voice she missed hearing in her head.

She cried for Blaise… her first everything. Her first love, first time, first real kiss, first relationship. Her first real loss.

She cried for Theo, who'd only stuck around for her. She cried for the boy that preferred reading about history than participating in making it but did for her. The wizard who had protected her every chance he'd gotten, had broken up with his first girlfriend when she'd complained about his closeness to her, had tutored her in classes and added extra food to her plate. Her best friend in every life.

Ron found them, rushing forward and sliding on his knees to reach Stella. Luna handed Stella over to him and he lifted her into his arms, carrying her to the hospital wing as Luna sent a patronus out. Ron stayed with her, laying in the hospital bed and holding her like he had when they were younger after nightmares and panic attacks. Harry and Severus stayed in chairs beside the bed, both sleeping beside the bed through the night.

Stella felt heavier than normal the next day, unable to bring herself to move out of Ron's arms, no matter how much he snored. Severus woke after her, giving her a potion. She drank it, feeling a bit better after taking what she'd originally thought was a brightening potion but the taste was off.

"I made it specifically for you," he explained in a quiet voice. "I created it after Lily died. I was a mess and couldn't get myself out of bed. I figured you'd need a bit of help after all of this so I've had it ready for a few weeks now."

"Thank you," she whispered to him.

Severus nodded, kissing Stella's head before leaving. Harry woke as the hospital wing door closed, jumping a bit and reaching for his wand before he realized where he was. Maybe Harry needed a bit of potion as well, always on guard now. Not that she blamed him. She was rather paranoid now as well, always keeping a wand close just in case and watching every dark corner she passed.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked her and she nodded, finally able to sit up.

Ron sat up immediately, his wand flying to his hand in an impressive bit of wandless and nonverbal magic. He looked around the room before calming.

"Sorry," he flinched, setting the wand down.

"You don't need to apologize," Stella shook her head. "Harry and I had the same kind of reaction when we woke as well."

Ron just nodded, letting out a long breath before looking at Stella again.

"Are you alright?" he unknowingly repeated Harry's question.

"I'm alright," she nodded. "Just all kind of hit me at once."

"Do you want to go home?" Harry asked her.

"There's so much to do," Stella shook her head.

"Stella," Harry interrupted her thought process. "You don't have to help with everything."

"Feels like I do," she grumbled.

"I know," he nodded, taking her hand. "You put too much on your own plate though. You need time, too. Let's go home."

Stella nodded and Harry helped her out of the bed. Ron hugged them both tightly, whispering something that sounded an awful lot like 'take care of my sister' in Harry's ear. Harry just nodded before taking Stella's hand, leading her out of the castle. It was still early and most of the people working on the castle were still asleep, accommodations having been made for everyone. Harry apparated them to Grimmauld's doorstep and they walked in, finding a few people already awake.

They went straight to their bedroom, changing into pajamas and climbing into bed. Harry held Stella as she got a bit more rest, her eyes burning a bit from having cried so much the day before. Kreacher popped food into the room, not disturbing them in the process. They left the room the next morning, both feeling a bit better after having taken a whole day to themselves. McGonagall came by at lunch.

"I wanted to check on the both of you," she told them as they sipped a bit of tea in the study. "You've both been through far too much."

"Agreed," Stella nodded, leaning against Harry's side.

"I am happy that you have each other," McGonagall gave a soft smile. "Makes me think of your fathers."

"Sirius told me how close he and James were," Harry nodded.

"Always together, much like the two of you," she nodded. "Also always up to something."

"I don't know what you mean, Minnie," Stella smirked.

"Stella, if you are ever not up to something, the world as we know it may just implode," Minerve stated, saying nothing about the nickname. "I also wanted to ask if either of you would like to return to the school for your eighth year. It's something we're doing for the N.E.W.T. students last year so they can get their finals without the stress of the war. Miss Granger has already agreed, but it seems most of the other students are waiting to see what you'll be doing."

"Can we think about it?" Stella asked, feeling uneasy about returning to the castle.

"Of course," Minerva nodded. "Will a week be enough time?"

"Yeah," Stella nodded. "Thank you."

They finished their tea and Minerva left, leaving Harry and Stella to think about what they wanted to do. Molly showed up at three.

"Mum?" Stella asked in confusion as she let her through the front door. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard you're harboring quite a few children," Molly admitted. "Thought I'd come help with dinner."

"Oh," Stella's eyes widened, not having realized that Molly didn't know. "I'll take all the help I can get. There's only four of us that are of age and there are about twenty of them. They're rather well behaved but still. Feel like I need a yard for them…"

"Well, I'm sure the Blacks have a property larger than this one," Molly nodded and Stella was a bit shocked that Molly had said the sentence without any sort of contempt or anger in her voice. "Now, to the kitchen. I think it's time I taught you how to make your great grandma Beverly's roast."

Stella and Molly worked well in the kitchen, smiling and laughing like when Stella was little again. Her brothers and sister joined not long after, Harry having already been there and helping as well. Molly had tried getting him to sit and relax but he wasn't having it. Instead, he'd peeled and chopped potatoes, kissing Stella's head or touching her waist every chance he got. Stella blushed every time, trying to hide her smile from view.

"My dears," Molly sighed, smiling at the two of them as the other Weasley's walked in, looking for them.

Stella smiled at the nickname, not minding sharing it with Harry anymore before something clicked in her head.

"Wait a minute," she said, looking to Fred and Hermione. "You call Hermione 'sweetheart' and Fred 'sweetie'."

"I do," Molly nodded, smirking now.

"Oh, you sneaky lion," Stella laughed.

"What?" Harry asked, just as confused as everyone else in the room.

"So, have you started calling Fleur darling yet?" Stella asked her.

"That's my name," Bill complained.

"I was trying to figure out a variation of it. Most of your names are a bit easier. 'My dear' compared to 'dear' for example."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Stella asked, shoulders dropping a bit and thinking of how upset she'd been in the past.

"Well, I didn't want to embarrass you. I only discovered that the two of you were together when I walked in before the wedding and then I didn't really get any time alone with you after that," Molly explained.

"I'm still lost," Ron admitted.

"Mum has chosen all of her future children-in-law and has given them adjoining nicknames to who she thinks they'll end up with," Stella explained.

"No, my dear, who I know they'll end up with," Molly corrected, still smirking. "The way you talked about Harry in your letters home in first year was all I needed to know."

"I didn't like Harry in first year," Stella shook her head.

"Sure you didn't, dear," Molly nodded, seeming unconvinced.

"Aww. You liked me in first year," Harry smirked, arms wrapping around Stella's waist.

"You, shush," she rolled her eyes.

"You were smitten with her then as well," Molly told Harry. "I could tell by the way you looked at her when you got off of the train at the end of the year. She's also the only one you ever let hug you without flinching until fourth year. Speaking of, why did you flinch?"

"No reason," Harry shrugged and Stella and Molly shared a look before the subject was dropped.

Maybe Stella should drop by the Dursley's place for a little talk…

Everyone gathered in the dining room and sitting room, both doors left open as Baker and Stella sat in each doorway with their food, all talking across the hall to one another. Well, shouting more than talking. It was chaotic and loud and… happy.

Stella went to Gringotts the next day, sitting down in Bloodshire's office.

"We have quite a bit to discuss," he told her.

"Yes, we do," Stella sighed. "Firstly, I want to ask about the damages caused by Ron, Harry, and Hermione when they escaped on your dragon."

"Mister Potter wrote us after it happened. He has already paid for the repairs. Now, you have possession of the Nott vaults, businesses, government seats, and contracts, along with their properties. You are the last Nott in line and, if you wish the line to continue, you will need to pass the heirship to someone else within the next fifteen or so years.

"The Zabini heirship has a trust vault that is available to you. I have the sums of what is included here. Lady Zabini had given you her government seats as well, which there are three of. The Prince heirship is much the same, but has only one seat, which was given to you.

"My main concern is the vaults you have won due to conquest. There is the Lestrange, Goyle, Parkinson, Bulstrode, Greengrass, and Yaxley families. You are head of those families, but your magic only titles you with the four families that meant the most to you, which are the Black family, which you were born into and will always have a main affinity for, the Prince family, the Nott family, and the Zabini family.

"You have access to all of the vaults, possessions, properties, contracts, government seats, and titles that go with those families. I have binders for each family. They are… extensive. The Greengrass binder is on top as there are… pressing matters that need to be looked over. I'll allow you to see for yourself."

Stella found marriage contracts for Daphne and Astoria first thing. Astoria was promised to Draco, Lucius's signature shining. Stella knew for a fact that Draco and Narcissa had no clue about the contract or else Draco wouldn't be with Tracy. Daphne's contract had been to Theo originally but had been changed to some French name that she didn't know.

"Wonderful," Stella sighed. "Is there a way to simply dissolve the contracts?"

"You'll need to contact both families to discuss that issue," he told her.

"That'll be fun," Stella nodded, thinking of the glimpse she'd gotten of Daphne's father in the past and knowing it was going to be a bit difficult. At least she knew French and could have Fleur assist her if she needed to travel. "Anything else pressing?"

"You'll need to accept your rings."

"I don't think my fingers are large enough for all of those," Stella admitted.

"After accepting them, you do not have to wear them," he explained and Stella nodded, removing the rings she already had and setting them aside.

After receiving her rings, she put them all on the chain holding her locket from Harry and slipped her other rings back in place. She'd need to be sure to wear the rings when visiting certain families, reminding them who she was with the subtle gesture.

"You don't happen to know how many Wizengamot seats I hold off the top of your head, do you?" Stella asked curiously.

"Twenty-three."

"Twenty-three?"

"Yes."

"That is far too many," Stella breathed.

Bloodshire just let out a low chuckle that sounded a bit more like a snarl than anything else, but Stella knew the sound by now.

"I wanted to ask you about Black family properties but it seems like I have more properties than that to think over," Stella sighed.

"What were you wanting?" Bloodshire asked.

"I need a large estate," she told him. "Something away from Muggles where magical children can run around or fly without being seen."

"How many?"

"Say about thirty?"

"I can draft a list and send it to you with my suggestions," he nodded.

"Thank you," Stella nodded. "And thank you for everything, Bloodshire. Truly. I don't think I would have known what to do with everything had it not been for your guidance."

"It is my pleasure to serve such a kind woman, Stella Nova Black-Nott-Prince-Zabini."

"What a mouthful," Ron joked later on when she'd returned to Grimmauld and told him what she'd discussed with her family goblin.

"It's a bit ridiculous and not actually my full name," she admitted. "I fear I have a longer name than Dumbledore did now."

"How many last names do you have?" he asked curiously.

"Six more than what's on that wall," she told him, "by way of conquest. Turns out that, if you beat the head of family, you gain all of their family's power."

"Wow," Ron breathed.

"I also have twenty-three seats on the Wizengamot."

"I'm sorry, what?" Ron asked, eyes wide.

"I'm giving you some of them. That is way too many to hold on my own. I trust you to keep me in check. I'm also giving some to Noah, Tracy, Hermione, that'll be fun, and Ginny. The five of you won't follow me blindly," Stella smirked.

"Draco and Harry definitely would," Ron nodded.

"Yes," Stella sighed. "I'm going to give the Greengrass and Parkinson seats to Daphne as soon as I deal with the marriage contracts. Will you come with me?"

"Do I need to be your second?" Ron asked curiously.

"Possibly but I hope not," Stella sighed.

"I'm there either way," Ron shrugged.

"And you'll follow my lead?"

"In this, yes. In my votes, only if I agree," Ron smiled and Stella bumped Ron's shoulder with her own.

Two days later, Stella and Ron were in Daphne's childhood home, Daphne giving her a confused smile before Stella tucked some of her hair behind her ear, the Greengrass ring on display. Daphne's uncle had been head of the family but had been one of the Death Eaters that had tried to kill Stella, killing Theo instead when he'd jumped in front of her.

"What are you doing here?" Astoria asked, following Daphne into the sitting room that Stella and Ron had been led to by a house elf.

"I have a meeting with your father about a few things I found in the accounts," Stella explained.

"The accounts?" Astoria asked, confused.

"Stella is the new head of our family," Daphne told her.

"By way of conquest," Stella said with a tight smile.

"We hated him," Daphne assured Stella and she let out a breath, relaxing slightly until she heard footsteps approaching.

"Miss Black," Ignatius Greengrass greeted with a fake smile on his face.

"Miss Black-Nott-Prince-Zabini," Ron corrected, Draco having given him a run down on how he was to act when facing off against purebloods by Stella's side the day before when Harry and asked Stella in front of him when her meeting with Ignatius was.

"It's fine," Stella whispered, the two having practiced to make it seem as if Stella was a bit more defenseless than she actually was just in case she did need to duel.

Ron just took a slow breath and nodded to Stella.

"Please, sit," Ignatius told her, pointing towards the chairs around a table with tea already on them. "Daphne, Astoria, you may go."

The suggestion sounded more like an order to Stella.

"Actually, is it alright if they stay?" Stella asked, voice small.

Ignatius gave a half smile before it fell as he turned to his daughters. He raised his brow and both girls nodded, telling Stella immediately that she needed to get them both out of this mansion as soon as possible. The five sat around the table, Ignatius placing himself across from Stella.

"How do you take your tea?" Stella asked him, reaching forward and seeming to fidget a bit.

Daphne and Astoria both gave her a quick look of confusion before schooling their features again.

"Two sugars," he told her.

Stella prepared his tea before passing it to him, making Ron's tea without asking right after. Daphne, Astoria, and Stella made their own teas after both men had taken a drink from their own cups, Narcissa having told Stella it was normal in certain families for women to wait for the men to be served before serving themselves. Stella had no clue how Narcissa had lived under Lucius Malfoy's thumb for so long if it was anything like this. She already wanted to rip her own hair off. She had a task to complete though and she'd be damned if she screwed it up now in favor of her pride.

Stella added a sugar to her tea and took a small sip. Ignatius nodded, as if approving of how she drank her tea. Honestly, Stella wanted to drink it black but Narcissa had told her to at least add a sugar and she'd groaned before agreeing.

"So, you've come into possession of our family."

If Ignatius was uneasy, he was very good at hiding it.

"Yes," Stella nodded quickly. "I was hoping to discuss a few things with you, actually, including the trusts for the girls and contracts that I found."

"Ah," Ignatius nodded. "Not a fan of arranged marriages?"

"I would prefer to discuss a bit of business first? I've always had the goblins at Gringotts and Arthur Weasley take care of the Black fortune, but I knew you would probably prefer to deal with your own family businesses. I'd hate for the businesses and vaults to not stay in the actually Greengrass family."

"I appreciate that," Ignatius nodded. "The marriage contracts are not up for discussion. I do not wish to dissolve them. The marriages will bring our family wealth."

"Who will carry on the Greengrass name?" Stella asked, confused. "I have to name an heir for the Nott family in fifteen years. Surly the Greengrass's have a protection in place as well."

"Well, that is another reason I was willing to have this meeting. Maybe you would be willing to pass the name along?" Ignatius asked and Stella was confused now but understood what he meant as Ron stiffened beside her.

"I don't know what you mean," Stella lied, shaking her head and waiting for Ignatius to say it aloud.

"Well, a union between our families would benefit both of us, I believe," Ignatius stated. "If you allowed it, I would happily dissolve the contracts between my daughters and their intendeds. I hear the Malfoy boy has taken up with a Mudblood and I would rather my youngest not be subjected to that."

"A union?" Stella asked, laying it on thick. "Like a marriage? To whom?"

"To me," Ignatius told her and Stella remained quiet, Ignatius taking it as an invitation to go on. "You want the girl's free of their contracts and I need a son to carry on the name, as you've mentioned. It could be mutually beneficial."

"Not happening," Ron growled out.

"Ron," Stella whispered, voice soft as she placed a hand on his wrist for just a moment, signaling to him that she had it under control. "Please forgive my brother. He's rather protective."

"Does he speak for you?" Ignatius asked, brow raised.

"No," Stella shook her head, still making herself look as small and defenseless as possible. "So, if I marry you and have a son, you'll release the girls from their contracts?"

"I would highly consider it," he told her and Stella knew that meant that there was no way in Heaven or Hell that Ignatius would ever release his daughters from the contracts.

"Hmm," Stella hummed. "I think we're at a bit of an impasse here."

"You should think it over," Ignatius told her.

"What else would be in it for me?" Stella asked.

"Well, you'd live a comfortable life. I'd deal with finances and you could spend your allowance however you please."

"Allowance?"

"Of course. It would be more than you could spend, I assure you. You'd be able to throw parties and truly enjoy the pureblood life that was ripped from you when your father was sent away. I'd only require the one son. If we have daughters, we'll just try until we're successful. You can handle the girls however you please, of course. I would request they be brought up… correctly, so to speak."

"As purebloods with the pureblood ideals," Stella nodded, seeming as if she were agreeing.

"Yes. And you'd have the manor and the vacation houses to use as you please."

Did this man think she was an idiot?

Oh, wait. He did. Stella had made him think so.

In her head she was laughing riotously. This man was going to give her an allowance? From her money? And no way in hell was she having children with this man, nor would she ever raise a child to believe in the 'pureblood ideals' that he was speaking of. And calling Tracy that word? She was going to make this next part hurt.

"I see you need to think it over. How about a week?"

"I don't think that'll work," Stella shook her head.

"Would you like a fortnight?" he asked.

"No. I meant any bit of what you just said," she told him.

Ignatius looked angry for a moment before controlling himself again.

"Then I believe we have nothing more to discuss," he told her, standing. "Astoria will see you out."

Ignatius headed towards the entry way.

"I'll duel you for them," Stella said, raising her voice slightly and trying to sound desperate.

"Sweet witch," Ignatius laughed as he turned. "I do not believe it would be a fair duel."

"If I win, both the girl's come into my care. You give them whatever is in their trust vaults right now and dissolve the contracts. You never bother them again," Stella told him.

"Why would I agree to those terms?" Ignatius asked, looking affronted.

"If you win, you get me. With me comes the Black, Nott, Bulstrode, Yaxley, Parkinson, and Lestrange vaults, properties, and government seats and the Prince heir vaults and eventual head possessions and Zabini heir vaults and eventual head possessions. And I'll give you two sons. A spare never hurt," Stella told him, voice shaking slightly as she spoke.

"Are you willing to make an Unbreakable vow for that?" he asked, stepping forward, the deal too good to pass up and Stella knew it.

"Daphne?" Stella asked.

Daphne nodded, pulling her wand out. Stella and Ignatius grasped each other's forearms and Daphne held her wand over them, the two agreeing to the terms before stepping away from one another. Ignatius led the group to a large drawing room, finding it to be empty of all furniture. Stella and Ignatius stood a distance from one another.

"Ron's my second," Stella told him. "Would you like to call for one?"

"I appreciate the sentiment, but it is unneeded," Ignatius told her. "I look forward to our union."

"I look forward to your daughters joining my family in which ever way this goes," Stella told him honestly.

Ignatius and Stella bowed and Ignatius gave her the option of going first.

"No, thank you," she shook her head.

Ignatius nodded and the battle began.

Stella smiled as he shot a weak stinging hex followed by a stronger one. Stella hit him with a knockback jinx, Ignatius not having expected it and staring at her in shook before getting to his feet again, Stella waiting for him.

"Hey, Daph?" Stella asked in her normal voice, causing a confused look to cross Ignatius's face.

"Yes?" Daphne asked and Stella could hear her smirk.

"You're not attached to this house are you?"

"Not particularly."

"Astoria?"

"Burn it to the ground," Astoria told her.

"Gladly," Stella growled out before shooting a blasting curse at Ignatius.

He blocked the spell, sending it to the side and taking out a wall. She sent another and the fireplace was destroyed. Another and the chandelier fell from the ceiling, reminding Stella of Malfoy Manor. Ignatius could only defend himself as Stella played with him, not really trying that hard. Ron had put up a shield in front of himself and the girls, the three watching and knowing Stella wasn't actually trying all that hard.

"Do you want him alive?" Stella asked the girls after blasting Ignatius off his feet.

"Meh," Astoria shrugged.

"No murder," Daphne told her.

"Boo. Fine," Stella pouted as Ignatius got to his feet. "Alright. I'll put the wand away."

Stella put her wand up her sleeve, smirking as she waited. Ignatius shot a spell Stella didn't recognize at her and she raised her left hand, the spell being absorbed by her Black family ring. He shot three more dark spells before Stella got bored. She punched the ground with the ring and the magic lashed out, hitting Ignatius with such force that he hit a wall and fell into the rubble of the obliterated wall.

Stella sighed, hands going to her hips as she stared at him. When she realized he wasn't moving she shrugged and turned to the other.

"Shall we get more tea before we leave?" she asked.

"Stell!" Ron yelled and Stella held her left hand up, the Nott ring sending the blue spell right back at Ignatius without her even looking.

She heard him scream in pain for a moment before growing silent. She turned slowly, glare in place as she stared at Ignatius. Stella let her cloak fall down her arms, the scar on her arm and locket with the other family rings attached to it.

"How do you think I got all of my titles?" she asked him as she advanced on the wizard. "I won them by conquest. It wasn't an accident, either. I killed every last one of them with no remorse or guilt. I killed your brother after he killed one of mine and I have no qualms killing you as well."

"Do it," Ignatius growled out, blood dripping from his mouth and his hair line.

"I told Daphne I wouldn't," Stella rolled her eyes. "Yield."

"Never."

Stella hit Ignatius with three different spells at once, wand back in hand from when she'd left her cloak on the floor. Ignatius screamed in pain, his ankle, knee, and right wrist cracking.

"Yield!" she commanded.

"You… bitch!" he yelled before screaming in pain as she placed her heeled foot against his broken knee.

"Yield!" she demanded.

"I yield!"

Stella removed her heel immediately.

"I dissolve my part in the marriage contract between Astoria Avalon Greengrass and Draco Lucius Malfoy. I dissolve my part in the marriage contract between Daphne Evangeline Greengrass and Edward Grant Moreau."

"Thank you," Stella smirked before walking backwards away from him. "I've already made arrangements for their trust vaults to be placed in new vaults in their names so that you can't touch them. I've also made arrangements to empty all but one of the Greengrass vaults to give to Hogwarts to go towards rebuilding. I left you your personal vault which should be plenty for you to live off of. You are dismissed from all family businesses. Have the life you deserve."

Ron led the girls from the room and Stella walked behind them, keeping an eye on Ignatius until they were out of the room.

"Do either of you need anything from your rooms?" Stella asked.

"Yes," they both nodded.

"Kreacher?" Stella called and the elf appeared. "Pack up both of the girls' rooms please and make them rooms in the new house beside each other. Hurry."

Kreacher popped away and Stella turned to them.

"Anything else in the house?"

Kreacher reappeared when he was done and Stella smiled before taking Astoria's hand, Ron taking Daphne's, and apparating away. They landed just outside the wards of the property, the car Muggle car that Stella had bought the day before waiting there for them.

"In we get," Stella told them, opening the door to the backseat for them.

"I thought you lived in London," Daphne frowned, climbing into the car.

"House was too small," Stella shrugged. "Needed something larger."

Stella climbed into the driver's seat. She had a general idea on how to drive but had only one day of practice, which was the day before with Tracy trying not to laugh the entire time and gripping her seatbelt like a lifeline. She hoped she was decent enough now as she started the car and headed down the long round leading to the large property. It took five minutes for the house to come into view.

The main house was a castellated Tudor-Gothic mansion, surrounded by green parkland and trees. Gardens showed out of the south terrace before there were a few open fields where Stella could see a bit of construction happening in the distance. Fruit trees, vegetable beds, and a variety of flowers stretched for half an acre, greenhouses spaced out through the property.

"Welcome to the Bowland Estate," Stella told the girls.

"How big is that house?" Astoria asked, mouth dropping open.

"Main house is sixteen bedrooms. There are eight cottages and four other houses on the property though, along with outbuildings. A Nott family property, funnily enough. Marcus, Oliver, and a few others are building a Quidditch pitch in one of the fields," Stella told them.

"I'd be surprised if they weren't building more than one," Ron smirked.

"Plenty of room," Stella sighed. "We're about three hours from the school, actually. It's north of here."

"Why do you need sixteen bedrooms?" Astoria asked and Stella realized that she'd never actually spoke to the younger girl outside of tutoring before.

"Well, I've got about twenty people living with me now," Stella shrugged. "Grimmauld wasn't large enough for all of us. Mind you, a few people are still rooming together, but that's mostly because they want to. A few have spread out to the cottages closest to the main house. There are four just a stone's throw away from it. This one that we're passing now I'm saving for Dad and Uncle Moony."

"It's cute," Daphne smirked.

"That's what Uncle Moony said," Stella smirked. "It also has a greenhouse attached to it so Dad'll like it."

"Is it weird that your professor is your dad?" Astoria asked.

"No," Stella shook her head. "Just kind of happened that way."

They reached the main house in one piece, Draco and Tracy waiting on the under the portico for them and smiling when they saw the car pulling up.

"You didn't crash!" Tracy cheered.

"Not this time," Stella smirked. "Do you know which rooms Kreacher chose?"

"Yeah," Draco nodded before looking to Daphne and Tracy. "Ready?"

"Yeah," Daphne sighed, her and Astoria following Draco and Tracy into the house.

"Now what?" Draco asked.

"Now, I have to write to some French dude," Stella sighed.

Turns out Stella didn't have to worry about the French guy, the family having been bullied into the marriage contract by Ignatius. Bloodshire moved all of the money around and Minerva showed up three days later. Stella was working on a motorbike when she walked in.

"Oh, you are your father," Minerva sighed.

"Which one?" Stella smirked before looking over. "Hi, Minnie."

"Don't call me that," Minerva pointed a finger at her, stern expression in place.

Stella raised her hands in a surrendering motion but still had a smirk on her face.

"I came to aske you two questions," Minerva told her, sitting in the rickety chair.

"Okay," Stella nodded, wiping her hand with an already dirty rag.

"Where did the money come from? I know you didn't empty your vaults for the rebuilding of the school."

"I emptied a few vaults," Stella told her. "I took over a few families after the battle at the school. Paid one family a visit and decided they were a bit too comfortable."

"You sound like a mob boss from one of those movies," Harry commented as he walked into the garage.

"I feel like it," Stella smirked.

"Hello, Professor."

"Hello, Harry," Minerva smiled softly. "You don't have to call me 'Professor' outside of school. That is actually my other question."

Harry and Stella shared a look.

"We've all discussed it, actually," Harry told her. "Spoke to Daphne Greengrass last night, as well. We'd like to come back for our final year."

"How many shall I expect?" Minerva asked.

"Fifteen total," Stella told her. "Four Slytherins, three Hufflepuffs, seven Gryffindors, and one Ravenclaw."

"All of the eight year students will have their own common room together," Minerva explained. "I don't think house matters as much anymore."

"Probably right," Stella nodded.

"Do you think there will be any issues with all of you rooming together?"

"No," Harry shook his head. "Well, Stella and Hermione might blow something up. Maybe they should be separated."

"Funny," Stella rolled her eyes, giving him a soft smile before turning to Minerva again. "It'll be seven girls and eight boys, if you need that information."

"There will be two dorms for the girls and two dorms for the boys," Minerva nodded. "No assigned beds. Every one can decide for themselves where they want to be. You will have your own room."

"Excuse me?" Stella asked, confused.

"Well, as head girl—"

"I wasn't even a prefect," Stella argued.

"- you'll receive a few extra privileges," Minerva finished, ignoring Stella completely. "You're also partially a teacher now, which means you'll be entitled to a bit of privacy. Do not take advantage of the privilege."

"Of course," Stella nodded, already thinking of ways to do exactly that.

"You will be in charge of the eighth years. Help keep every one on track and deal with any fighting amongst yourselves. You will also be required to visit with a mind healer a minimum of three times within the first two months of returning. I understand," Minerva interrupted Stella and Harry's protests, "that you will all have reservations to do such. Just see her those three times and then the choice is yours to continue or not. I ask that you please just do me this favor. It will help ease this old maids heart."

"That's a low blow," Stella commented.

"I'm aware," Minerva smirked.

"Fine," Stella sighed. "I'll do it."

Stella turned to Harry. He took a deep breath before nodding.

"Will you tell the others as well?" Minerva asked Stella.

"As Head girl, do I have a choice?" Stella smirked.

"I figured this way was more polite," Minerva shrugged.

"I'll handle it," Stella nodded.

"Thank you," Minerva told her, giving a small smile before standing, Harry offering his arm. "Thank you, Harry."

"Of course," Harry gave her a smile.

"I'll see you both on September first."

And with that she was gone. Stella and Harry shared a look, both looking rather unexcited about telling the others. They distracted themselves by working on the motor bike, Harry not really knowing what to do but happy to pass tools to Stella, who also wasn't completely sure what she was doing but had received a manual when she'd bought it. They worked into the night before heading into the main house for dinner. The Malfoy and Nott elves were working diligently with Kreacher among the house, making sure everything was in order and that there was enough food for everyone. Narcissa was the only parent present at the moment, Remus and Severus running behind due to class schedules at the school and would be arriving by floo as soon as they could.

"There you are," Daphne said when she saw Stella before frowning. "What is on you?"

"Grease," Stella shrugged. "I'm going to go get cleaned up."

Harry kissed Stella's head before she went to the second floor, having lost the argument she'd made about it actually being the third floor with Draco that morning. She went into the room she was sharing with Harry before going into the loo. She smirked when she saw the grease smudge on her cheek, knowing it was all over her hands already. She got to work removing the stains, taking her time to make sure nothing was under her nails. She stopped for a moment, staring down at the scar on her arm.

'Sirius's mutt'

She'd been trying to figure out if she wanted her dad to find a way to remove the scar or not. She was proud to be Sirius's daughter but she didn't need the reminder on her skin. At the same time, it reminded her of just how brave she was and what she'd overcome. Again though, she didn't need the reminder on her skin. Maybe she'd ask Harry's opinion later. Yes. That's what she'd do.

That night, as they were laying in bed, Stella turned her head to Harry and chewed her lip.

"What is it?" he asked, concern clear on his face.

"I was looking at my scar earlier," she told him.

"Still don't know if you want Snape to find a way to remove it?" Harry asked.

"I was wondering what you thought of it," Stella told him, feeling very unsure of herself for the first time in a long time.

"I think," Harry said, scooting closer to her in the bed and taking her wrist gently, "that it shows how strong you are."

He kissed her wrist and then the scar before kissing the inside of her elbow lightly, causing Stella to giggle and fidget a bit. Harry smirked and attacked Stella's sides, tickling her. She laughed loudly, trying to escape but Harry was faster and stronger than her, holding her down.

"You win!" she yelled and Harry stopped. "You win."

"What do I win?" he asked, smiling playfully at her.

"Hmm. Would a kiss suffice?"

"I wouldn't say no to a kiss," Harry told her, leaning down and kissing her gently.

"Okay," Stella sighed, staring at the other eighth years, having called them all into the biggest sitting room and telling everyone else to get lost outside somewhere. "Professor McGonagall stopped by yesterday to know if we were returning to school or not. I let her know how many of us had agreed to it. She let me know a few things and asked me to tell all of you.

"We're all going to share a common room together. Boys will be split into two dorms, as will the girls. She also hired a mind healer and wants us all to talk to the mind healer three times in the first two months of school. I know! After those three visits, we aren't required to go again if we do not want to.

"She's also put me in charge of all of us. I'll have my own room since I will also be teaching this year."

"Wait, what?" Ron asked, confused.

"Right," Stella sighed. "I've already taken my Charms N.E.W.T. and began assisting Professor Flitwick with his classes. He wants me to take over teaching for him eventually but told me it's no rush."

"Stella had the subjects all of us will be teaching one day picked out already," Tracy smirked.

"Really?" Neville asked.

"Neville will teach Herbology, Harry Defense, Tracy Muggle Studies, Hermione Transfiguration, Draco Potions, Ron Flying, Theo—"

Stella stopped herself, physically taking a step back.

"Maybe the mind healer isn't such a terrible idea," Draco commented.

"Shut it," Harry rolled his eyes, standing in front of Stella and blocking everyone's view of her before dropping his voice. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," she breathed. "Sorry. I'm fine."

Harry nodded and took Stella's hands in his own, kissing her knuckles.

"Oh, please stop," Draco groaned.

"Hey, remember when Harry was on the run last year and I had to be around you and Tracy all the time?" Stella asked him, brow raised.

"Remember when you dated Blaise?" Draco shot back.

"Remember that you didn't know that until after the fact?"

"Damn it," Draco complained, knowing he'd lost. "Fine. Carry on."

"Thank you for your permission," Stella rolled her eyes before looking to Harry, who was far too amused. "Don't laugh at him."

"Never, love," Harry shook his head, stepping to the side so that Stella was in front of the others.

"Why are you in charge of all of us?" Hermione finally asked.

"Think of me as, like, the prefect for our year. Since we're, hopefully, the only eighth years Hogwarts will ever have, it was easier to only have one and have them separate from everyone else."

"Yes, but why you?" Hermione tried again.

"Because it's Stella," Neville spoke up, seeming confused by Hermione's question.

"Because Stella has done more for all of the students than any of the other students," Seamus stated, arms crossed over his chest and looking rather annoyed. "She protected all of us last year."

"Plus, she tutors all of the younger kids," Tracy added.

"In every house," Susan nodded.

"She also took in every Muggleborn so they wouldn't get dragged to the ministry last year," Terry commented, showing his Black family ring. "Speaking of, do you want this back? A few of us were curious."

"Why would I take it back?" Stella asked, confused. "You're my family now. I'm not kicking anyone out."

Terry looked relieved, Tracy's expression brightened slightly, not that many could tell, and Hermione still looked annoyed about not being put in charge of their year.

"Look, Mione, I have less classes than you this year, which means I'll have more time to help everyone with any problems. It's not a big deal," Stella tried.

"It is a big deal," Padma interrupted. "Don't play it down just because she's upset. Point is, Granger, that Stella has done more for the school than you. She's top of our class, has always protected the younger students and the Muggleborns, tutors students from every house, and earns the most points every year."

"So, stop trying to be better than her," Pavarti tacked on.

"I'm not," Hermione tried arguing.

"Not successfully," Stella repeated her words from before their fifth year and Hermione glared at her.

"Fine," Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and stayed quiet.

"Anyways," Stella shook her head, "without a mad man trying to kill the majority of us this year, I've decided that this'll actually be a fun year."

"Meaning?" Daphne asked, looking a bit uneasy by the gleam in Stella's eyes.

"Meaning pranks and Quidditch and parties," Stella told her and Daphne seemed excited by only two of the things she'd mentioned.

"Not the same pranks we've been pulling, right?" Draco clarified.

"Only if we're provoked," Tracy shrugged.

"Now you're thinking like a Black," Stella told her and Tracy looked away, a slight blush and pleased smile on her face. "So, is everyone okay with the mind healer thing?"

Everyone nodded, some seeming less happy about it than others and Stella made a mental note to check on them later… No wonder why McGonagall had chosen her; she was mother-henning all of them!

Stella was in the garage again when Remus and Severus came looking for her.

"Hi, Dads," Stella smiled brightly, wiping her hands on a clean rag, which Daphne had insisted she use rather than the dirty ones.

"Remus told me you had something to show me," Severus told her. "If it was the large estate that you are now residing in, I have to say there is too much to see."

"Something on the estate," Stella nodded, standing and leading them out of the garage and to her car. "It's a small drive. I hope that's alright."

"You know how to drive?" Remus asked.

"Depends on who you ask," Stella shrugged, smirking.

"I'll drive," Remus sighed.

"How am I meant to get better if you don't let me drive?" Stella questioned as she pulled the keys from her pocket.

"Fine," Remus sighed, getting into the backseat.

"I'll sit up front," Severus rolled him eyes. "Give you a few pointers."

"Thank you, Dad," Stella smiled, giving Remus a pointed look as he put his seatbelt on and held onto the handle above his door.

"Is it automatic or stick?" Severus asked.

"I have no clue what that means," Stella shrugged, getting into the driver's seat.

Severus groaned before sitting beside her and looking at the car.

"Automatic," he told her. "A stick would have a gear shift here and a clutch down by your feet. Much more difficult to learn in."

"Oh," Stella nodded, wondering about getting one of those next so she could learn that as well. "Ready?"

"No," Remus scoffed from the backseat but Severus just smirked and nodded.

Stella began driving down the path, the curving road taking them to the three bedroom cottage that she'd set up for them. One of the rooms had been turned into a potions room already, a door magically added so you could go directly into the greenhouse. Neville and Terry had helped Stella with procuring the plants that she'd gathered, Terry finding more Muggle options, Neville the magical. She'd made sure slug-repellant and 'Knome-Be-Gone' were stocked as well, thinking Severus wouldn't appreciate the Weasley Knome throwing game as much as she did.

The cottage was built of white stone, dark oak wood supporting the covered front porch, the same oak that wrapped around the front of the house, gating it in. Livestock grazed around the back of the side of the house, sheep eating the grass by the hazel trees, a few rabbits hoping along.

Stella pulled into the small drive, stopping outside the side door. She unbuckled and stepped out of the car, Severus and Remus following after her. Remus already knew about the cottage but not of what Stella had done with it. She smiled as she walked into the side door, revealing everything.

They walked into the mud room before Stella led the two men into the dining room. She walked forward, turning once she reached the kitchen island, turning to watch them. Remus smiled at the furniture that was already there, pictures on the fireplace mantle and hanging on the walls, along with a few empty frames that Stella had labeled with different things, such as 'Your Wedding: Hint, Hint,' 'Christmas,' 'Grandkids? Maybe. Idk.' and etc.

Remus laughed at a few of the frames before stopping in front of the one labeled for their wedding, seeming uneasy as he turned to Severus, finding him staring wide mouthed at the photos on the mantle. Remus had sent the photos earlier that day and Stella had already placed them on display. Severus turned to her, a look of awe on his face.

"What is this?" he asked, voice quiet.

"It's way too much room for me not to want my Dad's close by," she shrugged, fidgeting a bit. "If you don't want it, that's fine. I know you probably want your own space. The main bedroom is just over there and has a big bathroom and a walk-in closet. There's a spare room beside the second bedroom and a potions room, which has a door to the greenhouse. Neville and Terry helped me stock the greenhouse and Draco got all of the potions equipment. There's a walk-in pantry in the corner of the kitchen, a front porch, a deck in the back, and— oh!"

Severus had pulled Stella into a tight hug, quieting her ramblings. She hugged him back, pretending to not hear the sniffling coming from the man holding her. She buried her face in his chest, controlling the emotions that had been racing through her, the nervousness that she'd been dealing with since she'd decided to give them the home.

"Thank you," Severus whispered.

It was the most they'd interacted since she'd left the school angry at him and broken over the death of Pansy and Theo. Stella just held her dad tighter.

"She's given us empty frames," Remus spoke up once the two slowly began to release one another. "Even told us what they're for."

"Of course she did. Bossy little thing," Severus smirked.

"Assertive," Stella corrected. "Hermione is bossy. I'm assertive."

"Sure you are, Cub," Remus smirked.

"You shush," Stella rolled her eyes, but a smile was dancing across her face.

Severus also stopped at the 'wedding' photo. He was chewing his lip as he turned to Stella.

"Did the two of you get married in secret and not tell me?" she asked, hands going to her hips and raising a brow.

"Werewolves can't get married, Stella Nova," Remus told her, voice soft.

"What?" Stella asked, confused as she'd never read that law.

"Umbridge passed the law after leaving Hogwarts," Remus explained.

Stella stared at her dads, unmoving for a long moment. She nodded suddenly, sending off a few patronuses before leaving the house.

"You two get settled. Excuse me, please. I have a few laws to tear apart. I'll be back once I'm done," she told them before she stepped out of the house and apparated away.

Stella waited in the main area of the Ministry, Percy already present. The others arrived rather quickly, all looking a bit confused by the sudden summons. They all headed to the courtroom, Stella a little too angry to speak. Once there, Percy addressed everyone, Stella having just only been able to get a sentence out when she'd seen him.

"Uncle Moony can't marry my dad."

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Percy told them all. "It has come to my attention that the laws regarding werewolves need to be updated."

"About time," Harry nodded, holding Stella's hand and calming her with his presence.

"Thank you," Percy nodded to his assistant as the binder containing all of the laws on werewolves was passed over. "Let's start with the most recent laws put in place by Dolores Umbridge."

Stella sat up straight. By the end of the session, werewolves were given the same rights as any ordinary wizard. They still had to register with the Ministry, something that had bothered Stella, but she understood, but they weren't required to swear on their magic that they hadn't killed anyone while in werewolf form every month. Stella would need to find a way to make Wolfsbane Potion more accessible as it was far too difficult and expensive to just give away.

Stella skipped to her dad's cottage, Harry following behind her, knocking on the front door. Remus smiled as he opened the door.

"It's Stella Nova and Harry," Remus announced and Severus came out of the potions lab.

"Already working?" Stella asked him with a smirk.

"Rearranging a few things in the closet," he told her. "How was your day?"

"Productive," Stella smirked.

"Werewolves still have to register at the ministry but you don't have to swear on your magic anymore. Plus, the laws that Umbitch passed have all been revoked," Harry spoke up.

"Um- what?" Remus asked with an amused expression.

"The two of you spend entirely too much time together," Severus sighed, shaking his head as he remembered hearing Stella call the pink thing that originally.

"It's a good name!" Stella defended. "It fits perfectly!"

Severus just gave her a smile and shake of his head.

The two Quidditch pitches were finished. Stella and Harry exchanged a look and took to the sky, bludgers, quaffles, and snitches being released. Two games were played at once, everyone flying around at breakneck speeds and not keeping an actual score. Stella and Harry each caught a snitch, both giving soft glares before they went in search of another. They somehow caught it at the same time, ramming directly into one another. Harry had to grab Stella and pull her onto his broom as hers got tossed around.

The two watched the broom as it floated to the ground before making eye contact and starting to laugh loudly. Harry reached out, grabbing Stella again as she almost slid off the broom. They slowly calmed, floating down to the ground and not bothering to watch the game as they sat to the side together, cuddled on the grass as they stared up at the clouds.

The night before they were to leave for the school, Daphne, Tracy, and Susan grabbed all of the eighth years, dragging them out of the house. Well, not really dragging. They were all laughing as they ran from the house, jumping over one of the gates together and heading towards the wizarding village close by. It took thirty minutes of back and forth running and walking to get to the village.

There was live music in the square, food and drink stands littering the area. The boys pushed tables together so that they could all sit together while the girls went in search for drinks and food. They found banger pub style sandwiches, served with crisp chips, and cauldron cakes to eat and ordered a round of firewhiskey for the table. Stella also ordered a few types of cocktails for everyone to try.

They were all laughing, enjoying the music, food, and each other's company. Stella hoped the light feeling followed them through the school year.

They road the Hogwarts Express, taking up four compartments, the doors left open. Ginny, Luna, and Noah were the only ones to join them outside of the eighth years, Noah seeming smaller around the older students. Hermione had been a bit standoffish ever since the announcement but hadn't said anything about it. Stella had given her space, hoping it would help with the tension. Everything had seemed alright the night before, Hermione having even sat across from Stella and asked her which classes she was taking and which ones she was helping Flitwick with.

They were in the same compartment, Harry, Ron, Neville, and Susan sitting with them. Hermione was in the corner, pretending to read but actually glancing up at Stella every so often. Stella knew she was doing it but ignored it. Once off the train, they climbed into a carriage pulled by Thestrals, which all of the older students could see now, a few even taking the time to stop and pet the dark horses. Stella pulled a few sugar cubes from her pocket, having set them aside that morning for this purpose. She fed a couple to each of the ones pulling her carriage once they'd arrived at the school before walking hand-in-hand with Harry into the castle.

You wouldn't even know a war had happened if you'd never been there. The only indicator that so many lives had been lost was the memorial stone by the lake with the names of the fallen engraved on it. Stella had avoided looking at it as she'd entered the grounds, turning to say something to Harry instead, distracting the both of them in the process as Harry's eyes had been locked on to it.

They reached the dining hall and Stella stopped, looking over at the Slytherin table for a moment before shrugging and heading towards Gryffindor.

"No," Tracy told her, grabbing her free hand and trying to pull her along.

"Mine," Harry complained, pulling Stella close.

"Sorry, Tracy," Stella smirked, moving with Harry to the red and gold table. "Hold down the fort for me."

"Whatever," Tracy rolled her eyes, but smirked as she said it, moving with Draco and Daphne to the other Slytherins.

Stella sat between Harry and Ron, Hermione across from her between Neville and Ginny.

"Shouldn't you be with the Slytherins for the opening feast?" Hermione asked her.

"Probably," Stella shrugged.

"Professor Flitwick is waving you over," Harry whispered to her, pointing towards the front.

"I'll be right back," she whispered back, kissing his cheek before wondering to the front of the room. "Hi, Professor."

"Miss Black, would you mind terribly sitting at the head table for the opening feast?" Flitwick asked. "I'd hate to pull you away from your friends, but I want the students to see that you'll be helping teach from the start this year."

"Oh," Stella felt a bit of surprise at that before a pleased smile crossed her face. "Actually, yes. That would be fine with me."

"Wonderful. Just wonderful," Flitwick smiled brightly. "I'll place you between myself and Remus then, that way you don't feel quite so misplaced. Come! Come!"

Stella followed the shorter man to her new seat, smiling as she sat beside Remus. He gave her a proud look before looking out over the students.

"I wonder if Professor McGonagall feels stranger not leading the first years in," Stella commented. "Who is bringing them in?"

"Your Dad," Remus smirked and Stella let out a laugh.

"Oh, they'll be scarred for life," she told him.

"He's promised to be on his best behavior," Flitwick told her, also seeming rather amused.

"I'm afraid his best behavior is still rather intimidating," Stella commented.

"True," Flitwick nodded.

Stella looked out at the students, the younger ones all waving excitedly at her, causing her to smile and wave back. Hermione was openly glaring again.

"That'll be fun," Stella sighed before smiling to Harry and her siblings.

"Hermione?" Remus asked for clarification.

"Yes. She's a bit upset that I've been chosen as the eighth year head girl," Stella explained.

Remus sighed, remembering arguments between the two in the past.

"It'll be fine," Stella shrugged. "Maybe she'll talk to the mind healer about it and sort herself out."

"Let me know if you need someone to speak with her," Remus offered.

"I think the others shut her up the other night," Stella admitted. "She asked why I was the one chosen and they all spoke up for me."

"I'm sure that went over well."

"Sure."

Severus walked into the hall, him and Minerva speaking briefly at the front of the room before she joined them at the head table, smiling when she saw Stella with them. Severus stepped back into the hall and a few moments later, led the first years in, all looking around the room in wonder. Stella watched as Severus moved to the stool, which held the scroll of names and the sorting hat.

The sorting hat came to life and the first years gasped as he sang about fighting and winning together, a victory song if Stella had ever heard one. Everyone applauded when the song ended.

"When I call your name," Severus's smooth voice quieted everyone in the room, "you will step forward, sit on the stool, and the sorting hat will decide your house.

"Bertie, Hannah."

"Ravenclaw!"

Stella watched, clapping politely (and maybe a bit more enthusiastically for Slytherins) as each student was sorted. When the last student had sat at Gryffindor, Severus moved the stool, hat, and scroll aside before taking his seat on Remus's other side, patting Stella's shoulder as he went. McGonagall stood, smiling out at the students.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Dig in!" she told the students and food appeared on the tables.

Stella smirked, letting out a small laugh as food appeared on her plate already. She stared at it in confusion before looking to Remus for an explanation.

"Staff always receives their favorite meals on opening feast night," he told her. "The elves keep track of what you eat the most of and serve it to you. Apparently, you are a fan of the roasted chicken."

"Roasted lemon and rosemary chicken," Stella corrected him.

"Oh, my mistake," Remus smirked before starting on his bloody steak.

"Miss Black," Professor Trelawny spoke up from Flitwick's other side. "How is your left arm?"

Stella looked to Trelawny in surprise, just then remembering what the witch had said to her at Slughorn's party just a year and a half prior.

"Um, fine," Stella told her. "Doesn't hurt that often."

"I am sorry," Trelawny told her. "I wish I'd known more to prevent it but sometimes we are only given so much to work with."

"It's fine," Stella shook her head. "Thank you for trying."

"I see four bright stars in your future," Trelawny told her with a smile. "I look forward to meeting them."

"Thank you?" Stella asked more than anything else.

Trelawny nodded and turned away. Stella turned to Remus with wide, confused eyes, finding him trying very hard to not laugh at her. She rolled her eyes and bumped his arm with her elbow, causing his bite of potatoes to fall off his fork.

After dinner, dessert appeared and Stella happily ate her bread pudding, noticing that she and Severus had the same dessert on their plates. He gave her a wink when he saw her smile and she let out a small laugh as the plates cleared off and McGonagall stood again.

"Now that we're all well fed, I have a few announcements.

"Firstly, students wishing to speak to a mind healer may do set up an appointment to do so in the Hospital Wing. Healer Madge," McGonagall smiled as Healer Madge stood, getting a bit of applause, "has been hired on as staff. Eighth years are reminded about the conditions I have set about appointments.

"Speaking of eighth years, those students will have their own common room together. I ask you to stay behind once the other students have been lead out of the Great Hall so that myself and Professor Snape may lead you to the common room.

"A few other changes to staff are Professor Snape returning to his position as Potions Master, Professor Slughorn having decided to return to retirement after last years… events."

A scattering of applause, including from Stella followed as Severus waved his hand.

"I am delighted to inform you all that the jinx on the Defense position has been broken and Professor Lupin has agreed to take over the Defense position again."

Much louder applause broke out as Remus stood, bowing his head to the students.

"Professor Hagrid has agreed to take his position in teaching Care of Magical Creatures again."

Less applause than Remus but still more than Severus.

"Our new Muggle Studies teacher, Professor Rowle."

Polite applause.

"And, as I'm sure some of you already know, helping aid Professor Flitwick in Charms will be Professor Black-Snape."

Stella smiled as applause as loud as Remus's reached her ears. She gave a happy wave and bright smile but remained seated, a good blend of Remus and Severus at the announcement. She rather liked the name as well and wish for a sad moment that Blaise and Theo were there to make fun of her for it. She leaned against Remus and, able to tell something was wrong, he leaned into her, kissing the top of her head.

"Quidditch captains should see their head of house for the pitch schedule as soon as possible. Rules of items that are and are not allowed on the ground will be posted in the common rooms. If you have any questions about the items, please see Professor Trelawny. First years, please follow your prefects to your common rooms. Everyone, rest up! Classes start on Monday!"

"Are you alright?" Remus asked her quietly as the hall emptied out, leaving the eldest students behind with the staff.

"Yeah," she sighed. "Had a depressing thought. Just needed someone to lean on for a moment there."

"I am always here," Remus assured her.

"I know," Stella gave him a soft smile.

"Come, child," Severus's voice interrupted them and Stella rolled her eyes at how dramatic he sounded.

Stella followed her dad and headmistress to the other eighth years, going to Harry's side quickly and retaking his hand. Minerva and Severus led the students to the fourth floor, where a portrait of the Forbidden Forest that Stella had never actually seen before was hanging.

"Vivere superesse, superesse vivere."

"What?" Ron asked, him and multiple others seeming confused.

"Whomever figures it out first earns fifty points for their house," Severus told them with a smirk.

Stella and Hermione immediately glanced at one another before looking away.

They all stepped through the portrait hole to find their new common room. Directly to the left when stepping in was a small kitchen with an island in the center. Immediately to the right were a few tables with chairs, plenty for all of them to sit comfortably. There were pillars with arches separating the areas from the main sitting room though. The sitting room had a large fireplace, which was already lit, keeping the drafty room warm. There was a large couch across from the fire, separated by a coffee table, and two love seats facing one another on each side of the couch. There were a few squishy looking armchairs and small tables in the corners, beanbag chairs dispersed through the area, and quilts draped across the backs of each couch and chair.

House banners hung above the fireplace and each house color decorated the quilts, as if showing the students that they should embrace each other no matter what house they were in. Stella thought it was a bit overkill. He eighth years didn't care about houses anymore. Well, maybe Hermione did, but Stella was rather sure that Hermione disliked her for reasons completely outside of her house.

There were two doors and two openings, which led to stairs.

"The door to the right is a small potions lab. You are all free to use it to brew whatever you need, such as Dreamless Sleep or Calming Draughts. Do not use it for potions to harm other students," Severus spoke up.

"Why do I feel called out?" Stella asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Because it was meant for you," Tracy giggled.

"I had help," Stella reminded her.

"The stairs to the right are the boys dorms, to the left are the girls. There are two dorms up each set of stairs so you won't be over crowded," Minerva spoke up, ignoring the two girls. "No assigned beds. Chose where you want to sleep. If you have an issues with room arrangements, please see your Head Girl, Stella."

"Speaking of," Severus spoke up, waving his hand towards the final door. "Your room is through that door."

"Cool," Stella nodded, not bothering to move towards it.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to go speak with my Slytherins," Severus told the group, turning on his heel to leave.

Stella, Daphne, Draco, and Tracy immediately went to follow him. He stopped at the portrait hole, turning to face them.

"What are you doing?" he asked them.

"Sir, we haven't missed one of your welcoming speeches since we started school," Daphne told him.

"We aren't about to miss the very last one," Tracy nodded.

Severus let a small smile escape before schooling his features again and nodding. He swept out of the common room, the four students following after him in a single file line, Stella directly behind him followed by Daphne, Tracy, and then Draco. They reached the dungeons rather quickly, taking a secret staircase directly down, coming out a hall over from the portrait.

"Victory," Severus told the portrait and it opened.

Stella went straight to the notice board, finding the Quidditch schedule hanging there and beginning to take practice spaces with a self-inking quill while listening to the speech.

"Welcome to Slytherin," Severus told the hushed students, the only other sound in the room being Stella's quill. "You have come to the castle after a war. Some of you even fought in it. I am requiring all in my house to see the mind healer at least twice this month and once next month, including my eighth years."

Stella and Draco groaned before quieting at the glare Severus shot them over his shoulder.

"As I was saying, feel free to see the mind healer for more sessions if you wish to do so. I will be rather proud if you go for more sessions. You may come speak with me at any time.

"First years, I advise you to stick close to one another. I am unsure how the other houses will be acting this year as I believe they are rather terrified of upsetting Professor Black-Snape."

"Oh, shit," Stella whispered to Tracy. "I forgot about that."

Stella went to Severus's side quickly, smiling brightly at the other students, most of which had interrupted Severus's speech to cheer for her.

"Thank you," she curtsied. "Thank you. You're too kind."

"Quiet," Severus spoke up, barely raising his voice to calm the crowd of silver and green. "In class, you will treat Professor Black-Snape with the same respect that you will show all of your other teachers. Outside of classes, she is still a N.E.W.T. student, so I suggest not distracting her from her studies unless truly needed.

"Stick together. Look out for one another. Older students, I still expect you to look out for the younger students and help them with their classes. Tutoring sessions will be held on Sundays between the times of one and three in the classroom across the hall. It is a requirement to be there.

"The Quidditch signup sheet is on the board already, along with the schedule. See Professor Black-Snape with any questions about that. Class schedules will be passed out at breakfast on Monday morning. You have tomorrow to get acquainted with your fellow classmates and the castle. Tutoring starts tomorrow and I expect you all to be there."

Severus swept out of the room, cloak billowing behind him. The portrait swung shut behind him and Stella smirked, turning to the students again.

"He's so dramatic," she told them before going to the first years. "Hi, there."

"Hi, Professor," Stella heard repeated by the ten new students.

"None of that," Stella laughed. "We're in the common room. Call me Stella. Now, who wants to learn their first spell?"

The first years were beyond excited as Stella showed them how to make their quills float for the next twenty minutes as Daphne, Draco, and Tracy socialized a bit. Once they all had the spell, Stella told them all to get to bed, girls to the left and boys to the right. Stella checked on the second and third years before hugging Noah and leaving with her other year mates, using the same passage to reach the hall that their new common room was held.

The others were still awake when they arrived, laughing at something when they turned to see the Slytherins entering. Draco plopped down onto one of the love seats, Tracy going straight to his lap. Daphne sat to his left and Stella took the spot on the floor in front of them, leaning back on Daphne's legs. Harry, who was also on the floor, laid down so his head ended up in her lap, legs stretched out so they rested on Ron.

"Where did you go?" Neville asked curiously.

"Opening speech," Daphne shrugged.

"Wasn't that at the feast?" Padma asked.

"Professor Snape gives an opening to speech to the Slytherins every year," Stella spoke up, knowing it wasn't common practice among the other houses. "Welcomes us back and the firsties to the house. Makes a few announcements about behaving and tutoring sessions before sending the first years to bed."

"Oh," Pavarti nodded, seeming a bit surprised.

"And he does it every year?" Ron asked.

"Every year," Stella nodded.

"This year was actually a bit tame," Draco shrugged.

"Probably because last years was so menacing," Stella smirked.

"In some defense, I don't think he wanted to give Stella the opportunity to talk back to him this year," Daphne stated, having produced a book from her pocket and was flipping through the pages.

The four Slytherins laughed at that.

"Wait, what?" Harry asked.

"Stella has made it her mission since second year I think to make Snape seem less intimidating to the first years," Daphne smirked. "Last year was just because she was angry at him."

"I just quoted Harry at him," Stella shrugged.

"Wait, what?" Harry asked again, seeming much more excited now.

"He was telling us to keep our heads down and not cause trouble," Stella rolled her eyes. "I was, of course, not paying attention since I thought he was a traitor and he called me out for it. Asked if I understood. I said yes and he said 'yes, sir'," Stella dropped her voice to mock her dad before going back to normal again. "I'm sure you can guess how that went."

"You didn't," Hermione gasped.

"Oh, I did."

"They really are quite perfect for each other," Tracy grumbled, pointing at Harry and Stella. "Far too brave and sarcastic for their own goods."

"Yes. We're terrifying. Fear us!" Stella demanded before getting a flick on the back of her head. "Ow!"

Stella grabbed Tracy, dragging her down to the floor. Draco ended up coming with her and Harry moved out of the way quickly as Stella and Tracy rolled on the floor a bit, Draco rolling his eyes as he tried correct himself.

"Draco, they're acting up again," Daphne sighed, not even looking up from her book.

"Yeah. I've got it," Draco sighed as he approached the two witches. "Alright you two."

"You'll never take me alive!" Stella yelled, jumping up and dashing to the side.

Draco chased after her, Tracy tearing off after them. The three ran around the room, Stella laughing before she bolted over the back of one of the couches just for Harry to grab her.

"Traitor!" she yelled, trying to escape him but failing. "Why are you so strong?"

"I defeated a Dark Lord and you're asking why I'm so strong?" Harry smirked as he sat on a bean bag chair, Stella in his lap.

"Oh, please," Stella rolled her eyes. "You shot a disarming spell at him. Damn near gave me a heart attack."

"Still beat him," Harry shrugged. "Also, can you stop taking all of the best slots for Quidditch practices?"

"Never," Stella smirked before kissing his cheek.

"What is the most impressive thing everyone in this room has done?" Ernie asked curiously. "Harry beat He-Who-Has-No-Nose—"

"I love Hufflepuffs," Stella sighed.

"-Stella is, well, herself. What about everyone else?"

"I'm impressive," Stella smirked to Harry.

"I know," he smirked back before giving her a small kiss.

"Oh, please stop," Ron groaned, rubbing his face with his hands. "That's my sister."

"I punched a Death Eater during the battle," Terry nodded. "That was fun."

"How about things not pertaining to the war?" Neville tried.

"But I punched Voldemort!" Stella argued. "It should be on the list!"

"Damn near gave me a heart attack with that one," Harry told her.

"So you were there already," Stella gasped. "I was wondering if you'd seen it."

"I got to the Great Hall as you were running at him," Harry told her.

"Well you didn't miss much then," Stella shrugged.

"You killed Bellatrix right before that," Neville spoke up before looking to the others. "Ginny, Luna, and I set of Decoy Detonators on Snape at the same time. That may be my favorite memory with him."

Dean elbowed Neville, tilting his head towards Stella.

"It's fine," Stella told Dean. "Dad's an ass. I'm aware. He's aware. We're all aware."

Stella got a few laughs for that one.

"I think the coins are my most impressive thing," Hermione said, having been deep in thought the entire time.

"Bullshit!" Stella yelled. "Hermione, you set Dad on fire your first year."

"You did what?" Daphne asked, finally setting her book down and looking a bit excited.

"She also stole from his private stores in second year to brew Polyjuice Potion," Stella spoke up. "Third year she helped free Da so he wouldn't get the kiss, fourth year she helped Harry prepare for the tournament, fifth year was undermining Umbitch, the D.A. and the ministry, sixth year… wait, what did you do sixth year? I think that's your least impressive year, actually. Last year you went on the run with Harry and Ron and fought in the war. You're telling me that with all of those options, the only thing you could come up with was the coins?"

Hermione blushed slightly, looking away.

"Ridiculous," Stella sighed before settling on Harry again before remembering she had her own room. "Oh! I wanna see my room!"

Stella jumped up and Harry chuckled as he watched her rush off. Stella opened her bedroom door to find a large bed against one wall, green sheets and pillows. There was a bookcase beside an armchair and small table, looking like a wonderful place to read. A desk sat in the corner and there was a door leading to her own loo. A soft, plush rug was on the floor in front of the bed, a small heater in another corner, keeping the room warm, and there was a portrait above the bed of the Quidditch pitch.

The room was brighter than Stella had expected and Stella knew Remus must have had something to do with her room.

"Oh. I like it," Tracy commented, walking into the room to stand beside Stella.

"I see a few sleepovers in our future," Stella nodded.

"I'm not sure how your boyfriend will feel about that," Tracy smirked.

"He'll be having sleepovers with the guys every so often. It'll be fine," Stella shrugged.

"Does Professor McGonagall know you plan on letting Harry sleep in your room with you?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione, you realize we're all adults, correct?" Stella asked with an eye roll before leaving the room completely, not interested in whatever opinions Hermione was about to go on about. "What do the dorms look like?"

Stella walked up the stairs to the girl's dorms, entering one and smiling. It was, what Stella guessed, a mix between the three common rooms. It was cozy like the Gryffindor common rooms, with hanging lanterns like in the Slytherin rooms.

"We have blankets like these in the Hufflepuff dorms," Susan smiled, rushing over to one of the beds and feeling the fuzzy blanket.

"I'm guessing the bed curtains are Ravenclaw?" Stella asked and Padma nodded, touching one with a soft smile. "Nice. They did really well at incorporating something from every house."

"I like it," Tracy smiled softly.

"Dibs on this one!" Parvati yelled, jumped onto the bed beside the one her twin sister was standing next to.

Tracy stepped out of the room, Daphne and Stella following her to the next dorm. It was the exact same and Stella smiled as the two girls quietly claimed their beds.

"I think you're supposed to be socializing with the others," Stella told them, arms crossed as she leaned against the door frame.

"We'd like a quiet room, actually," Tracy smirked.

"May I room with the two of you?" Hermione asked, appearing behind Stella and seeming nervous.

"Are you going to rant about Stella being Head Girl?" Daphne asked, brow raised.

"No," Hermione shook her head.

"Then welcome to the quiet room," Daphne nodded and Stella stepped aside, letting Hermione enter the room.

"Someone else is here!" Terry called up the staircase and all of the girls headed down, finding Lavender Brown hiding half behind her hair and seeming very uneasy.

"Lav!" Padma and Pavati yelled, rushing towards their friend.

Lavender took a step back though, not letting them near her. Stella moved ahead of the crowd and the twins backed away.

"Lavender?" Stella asked, voice soft as if speaking to a scared first year. "Where have you been?"

"I... um…"

"You don't have to tell us," Stella told her, voice still soft. "It's alright."

Lavender began sobbing and Stella rushed forward to catch the witch as she collapsed.

"It's alright. I've got you. You're safe," Stella whispered to her, brushing her hair from her face and ignoring the scars that she found there, recognizing them immediately. "It's alright now."

"My parents- they- they- they kicked me- out," Lavender sobbed, leaning completely against Stella. "Said they didn't want a-a-a-a- werewolf—"

"Shh," Stella whispered, rocking Lavender back and forth a bit.

"I haven't ha-ha-had anywhere to g-go."

"You can stay with me. It's alright," Stella assured her.

"I'm not a w-w-were-werewolf," Lavender told her. "It ha-happened during the-the-the-the battle."

"You're safe now."

Lavender continued sobbing and Stella looked to Ron. He nodded and stepped out of the common room. He returned a moment later and kneeled in front of Stella and Lavender, placing his hand on Lavender's shoulder. The twins sat on either side of Stella, wanting to reach for their friend but unsure exactly what to do. Stella just kept holding her, whispering that everything was alright in Lavender's ear.

Bill and Fleur arrived twenty minutes later, Remus and Minerva leading them into the common room. Stella let out a relieved breath when she saw her older brother and Dad, knowing they would be able to talk her through everything. Lavender was unwilling to leave Stella though and the other students cleared out, Minerva sending them away to their rooms. Ron was the only one who stayed behind.

"Lavender. This is my brother, Bill. Greyback attached him a while back but it wasn't on a full moon," Ron told her.

"Like m-m-me?" Lavender asked, tears having stopped but hiccupping every so often.

"Yeah," Ron nodded. "He can tell you what it's going to be like and Professor Lupin is here as well."

"Th-this is em-em-em-embarrassing," Lavender finally got out.

"No," Stella shook her head. "Let's move to the couch, okay?"

"I'm so-sorry, Stell," Lavender told her. "I cr-cried all over y-you."

"It's fine," Stella shook her head. "Ron's done it way more times."

"Hey!"

Lavender let out a small laugh as Stella helped her to her feet, still trying to hide her face from everyone, Stella having been the only one to see the scars so far. They all sat on the couches, Lavender between Stella and Ron, each of them holding one of her hands. Bill sat on the table directly in front of Lavender though, trying to get a look at her.

"Tell us what happened?" Minerva asked.

"It happened at the-the battle," Lavender began. "Greyback, he-he-he came up behind me a-and attacked me. H-h-he bit me and scr-scratched me. Then he saw St-Stella and went after h-her. I tr-tried to st-stop him and h-he kicked me. I wo-woke up a while la-later and ev-everyone was fi-fighting. I r-ran. I'm sorry, Stell! You told us to be-be brave and I r-ran!"

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Stella told her, tears in her own eyes now as she pulled Lavender close again, holding her tightly. "Thank you."

"But I l-left!" Lavender argued, crying again.

"No one is disappointed at you for leaving," Stella told her. "You were hurt and terrified and it's okay. We're kids. We shouldn't have had to do the things we did. I am so unbelievably proud of you, Lav. You did so well. You were so brave."

Severus came in then, carrying a calming draught with him. He swept forward, passing it to Stella quickly. Stella pulled the cork out with her teeth and tipped it into Lavender's mouth. She drank it down and took a few deep breaths, finally calm enough to lift her head.

"Oh, my dear," Minerva gasped and Lavender whined, hiding her face again.

"No," Ron stopped her, moving her hair away. "Don't hide. It shows how brave you were. Thank you, Lavender, for trying to protect my sister."

"I couldn't let her get hurt," Lavender told him, Ron pulling her close and holding her now. "It's St-Stella."

"Lot of that going around lately," Stella attempted a joke, getting a laugh from Lavender and feeling rather proud of herself for it.

"So, you aren't a werewolf," Remus assured her.

"Just have a few more wolf like tendencies now," Bill smirked.

"I'm hideous," Lavender shook her head.

"You're beautiful," Ron told her and Lavender looked up at him in awe.

"That is our cue," Stella told the rest of the room. "I'll walk you out."

They left Ron and Lavender alone, the two still staring at one another in wonder. Stella wasn't sure what had happened between them, just knowing that they'd called it quits at some point during sixth year, but she actually liked Lavender. The other girl was a bit of a gossip but she was still kind.

"Poor girl," Fleur whispered.

"She'll be okay," Stella assured her. "I'll look out for her."

"Of course you will," Fleur smiled, wrapping her arm around Stella's shoulders and pulling her close. "Our Stella."

Stella just gave Fleur a soft smile, leaning into her for a moment as they headed down the main staircase.

"Thank you again, Bill, for removing the jinx," Minerva spoke up from beside her brother.

"Of course," Stella let out a small laugh. "Don't know why I thought it was anyone else."

"Are you alright, Cub?" Remus asked Stella.

"Yeah," Stella nodded. "Why?"

"Just making sure," he shrugged.

"You don't have to check on me every time that someone else cries, ya'know," Stella smirked. "I'm fine. Worried about Lavender but I think Ron's got her handled."

They reached the Entrance Hall and Stella hugged Fleur and Bill before standing beside Severus, watching as the two walked the grounds with Remus and Minerva.

"UP to bed," Severus told her.

"Yes, Mum," Stella rolled her eyes.

"Cheeky," Severus smirked.

"Well, yeah. Be less fun if I wasn't," Stella smirked back.

Stella ended up back in the common room, Ron and Lavender asleep on the couch. Stella draped a blanket over the two of them before heading to her room. She changed quickly before falling into her bed, letting out a sigh as she pulled a blanket over herself and fell asleep.

She was in the Slytherin common room, laying in Blaise's bed. His arm was around her waist and Theo was laying in front of her, the three wide awake and whispering back and forth. Theo coughed and blood seeped out of his mouth, spraying some of it across her face. Stella sat up, looking down at the two of them. They were both coughing up blood and staring up at her, eyes full of disdain. Stella just sat there, watching them as they died from what looked like Moonseed poisoning.

Stella sat up suddenly, gasping for breath. There were no windows in her room or the common room as she stumbled out of the portrait hole. She couldn't breathe, gasping as she took the passage down to the dungeon.

'Help!' Stella thought to the Prince ring, just making it to her Dad's office door as it swung open, Severus's eyes wide in a panic.

He took one look at her and helped her into the office, Remus rushing towards one of the cabinets and grabbing a calming draught. Stella couldn't take it so Severus spelled it into her. They were both on the floor, Severus telling her to copy his breathing. It didn't take long for the Calming Draught to take effect and Stella was able to breathe again.

"Thank you," she finally got out. "Sorry. Nightmare."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Severus asked her.

"Not right now," she told him.

He didn't need to know that she blamed herself for the death of her two best friends still. She just needed time to come to terms with everything.

"I would like for you to see the Mind Healer today," Severus told her.

Stella groaned, falling backwards on the floor.

"Don't be so dramatic," Remus smirked, kneeling and pulling her arms so she was sitting up again. "God. Just as bad as Sirius, I swear."

"I know you are, but what am I?" Stella mocked.

Remus sighed, glancing to Severus again. Stella wondered if Remus thought he was overstepping now that Severus was back in Stella's life or not. She would need to make sure he knew how much he mattered to her.

"Cub, we want what's best for you. The Healer is here to help and we think that you, of all people, have been through far too much. We think it would help."

"Are you ganging up on me?" Stella asked.

"We aren't ganging up on you," Remus shook his head.

"Having two dads is terrible," Stella complained. "Why do you have to care so much?"

Stella didn't actually want them to answer the question. She was just trying to make light of the situation. The two men in front of her didn't seem to get that though.

"We just want you to be okay again," Remus told her. "We know it'll take time and a lot of patience, but we love you."

"You're strong and resilient and we are so proud of who you are becoming," Severus tacked on. "We care so much because of how much we love you, you silly witch."

"Fine," Stella whined. "I'll go to the Hospital Wing after breakfast. I should get back to my room. I kind of ran through the castle in just my nightdress. Portraits were scandalized."

Remus and Severus gave weak smiles, helping lift her to her feet before sending her on her way. Stella thought they worried far too much. It was just a nightmare and a few poorly timed jokes. She was fine.

Stella was not fine. This healer was staring at her as if she thought Stella needed to be committed and she hadn't even said anything yet.

"So, Miss Black, tell me about yourself," Healer Madge gave a gentle smile.

"Black-Prince," Stella corrected without thought.

"My apologizes. Miss Black-Prince."

"What do you want to know exactly?" Stella asked for clarification.

"Well, we can start small and work our way up," Madge told her. "For example, who is your best friend?"

"My best friends are both dead."

"Do you have anyone you would consider a best friend now?"

"Tracy, I guess," Stella shrugged.

"What are your parent's names?"

"Remus Lupin and Severus Snape," Stella said immediately, not giving it a second thought.

Madge just nodded, making a note on her clipboard.

"You're in Slytherin, yes?"

"Yes," Stella nodded, thinking that bit was rather obvious from the green blouse Stella was wearing.

"How many classes are you taking this year?" Madge asked with that stupid smile.

"Six. Defense, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Muggle Studies, and Runes."

"And I hear you're helping teach?"

"Charms," Stella nodded.

"Do you play Quidditch?"

"I'm Slytherin's captain," Stella nodded.

"That's quite a plateful," Madge nodded. "Does it feel like too much?"

"No," Stella shook her head. "I like having heavy workloads. Always have."

"You like having something to do," Madge nodded. "Do you sometimes use your workload as a distraction from other things?"

Stella didn't want to answer but she wanted to be a good example to the others.

"I do," she nodded.

"How has that worked out for you in the past?" Madge asked.

"First year was a bit difficult but I'm better at organizing my time now," she shrugged.

"First year?" Madge asked curiously.

"The Professors were a bit biased against Slytherins when I first started. They aren't anymore but it meant that the Slytherins had to work harder for their work to be noticed and given appropriate rewards. I studied every minute of everyday and practiced outside of classes at all times. I was second in our year first year but I've been first since then," Stella explained and Madge nodded along, making notes and peaking Stella's curiosity. "What are you writing exactly?"

"Just writing what you've told me," Madge gave a smile. "Now, did something happen to cause you to want to be so advanced in your studies?"

Stella thought of Molly telling her not to outshine her brothers and how smug Hermione had been, the thirst to prove herself and the anger she felt at the blatant favoritism.

"No," Stella shook her head. "I just wanted my house to be recognized as it should be."

"You named Professors Lupin and Snape as your parents. How did that come to be?" Madge asked.

"Well, Dad, Professor Snape that is, took me under his wing my first year. I haven't exactly had an easy schooling career and, over time, I began to see him as a father figure. He was always there when I needed someone."

"Do you not think that is due to his being your head of house?"

"To an extent, yes," Stella nodded. "It's beyond that now, though. I'm his heir."

"And Professor Lupin?"

"He and my birth father, Sirius Black, were best friends in school. When Sirius escaped Azkaban and Remus came to teach at the school, I figured out that he'd been friends with Sirius and had dated Dad. Once he stopped teaching, we got closer. I called him my Uncle for a while but, when we thought Severus had turned on our side, we became closer."

"Tell me how your relationships with the two of them work exactly? I note that you're willing to call them by their first names, along with your birth father. I just want a bit of an elaboration is all."

"Well, Remus is always the one to find me when something is wrong. He knows what I need in the moment and gives me space or hugs me when needed. He always makes sure to tell me he loves me and checks on me verbally all of the time. Severus knows what I actually need and gives it to me whether I like it or not. One time I was ranting about something and he let me get it out and then asked if I was done," Stella let out a small laugh at that before seeing Madge beginning to make notes and she frowned. "Not in a bad way. He just knows me well and knows that sometimes I need to be reminded that I'm being dramatic about something."

Madge nodded, continuing to write and Stella felt defensive.

"He's a great Dad. He makes my calming draughts without complaint, made one specifically to help me actually, because if you take too many you can get poisoning and he knew that I needed the potions before bed every night because of my nightmares. He seems scary but he just puts on a show because he cares and he was a spy. I was in danger during the war because everyone knew how much he cared about me even though he'd tried hiding it."

More notes.

"He's better than I could have asked for and he's always taking care of me and protecting me. He's only yelled at me, like, three times ever and he actually apologized for it. He sat me down and gave me sincere apologies for it. He lost a lot in the first war and he didn't want to lose me, too. I really don't deserve him or Remus."

"Why do you feel as if you don't deserve them?" Madge asked.

"Because they're far too good for me. I'm a bit dark. Like my last name. I was going mad after Blaise and Da, Sirius, died and they couldn't do anything about it. And believe me, they tried. I almost killed some of my house mates because I was trying to get revenge and it was getting out of hand. They figured it out and their reactions made me slow down. They made sure I was taking my potions again after that."

"You almost killed your classmates?" Madge asked, brow raised.

"A bit of moonseed poisoning and drowning. They were all fine after a few weeks though. I wasn't successful."

"What potions do you take?" Madge asked.

"Calming Draughts," Stella reached into her pocket, pulling one of the potions out. "I carry some on me just in case I start having panic attacks or if my cousin, Draco, needs one. We're both Blacks, you see? There's a sickness that runs in our family and can drive you to madness. The potions help us."

"How long have you been taking this?" Madge asked.

"I started in first year, I think? Stopped taking it in sixth year and it was not pretty. That was the year with the poisoning and drowning. There were other things I did that year as well before Remus got me back on a schedule."

"You said you get panic attacks and nightmares?" Madge asked and Stella nodded. "How often?"

"The panic attacks come and go," she shrugged.

"And the nightmares?"

Stella fidgeted a bit.

"Almost every night since Blaise…"

"Blaise was one of your best friends, yes?"

"He was my boyfriend when he died," Stella mumbled.

"Ah," Madge nodded. "Do you have a boyfriend now?"

"Harry," Stella nodded, a soft smile appearing on her face as she thought of him.

"Tell me about him," Madge smiled.

"Harry is… we had crushes on each other from second year on and we didn't tell each other so we didn't start dating until towards the end of sixth year. He's supportive and protective and way to kind for his own good," Stella let out a small laugh. "I mean, he tried to get Voldemort to feel remorse and shot a disarming spell at him."

"Harry as in Harry Potter?" Madge asked and Stella nodded, ready to defend Harry if needed. "Does the publicity he gets bother you?"

Stella wasn't expecting that.

"It bothers me because he hates it," Stella told her.

"Understandable," Madge nodded and a timer went off. "That is all the time we have for today it seems. I would like you to keep a journal and write your nightmares in it. Sometimes our dreams are trying to tell us something and we need a fresh pair of eyes to see it. Would that be alright with you?"

"Yeah," Stella nodded. "You would be the only one reading it, right?"

"Of course," Madge nodded, giving a soft smile. "I will not tell anyone anything that we discuss without your permission."

"Okay," Stella nodded, standing from her seat. "It was nice meeting you."

"You as well, Miss Black-Prince. I look forward to speaking to you again."

Stella walked into the common room and everyone turned to her. She sat in Harry's lap, leaning against him.

"How was it?" he asked her, voice soft.

"Weird," Stella admitted. "I feel like we discussed nothing and everything all at once and I hate it."

"Funny. That's how I feel dealing with you," Tracy smirked.

Stella kicked Tracy before standing.

"I'm going to take a nap," she sighed and Harry stood with her.

The two were curled up in her head, the two still awake and saying nothing.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Harry asked her and Stella shrugged. "Okay."

Stella sighed, feeling bad about not telling Harry anything. Sensing her discomfort, Harry held her tighter.

"You don't have to tell me," he told her. "It's fine."

"I feel like I hid far too much from you in sixth year and so now I kind of owe you answers to anything you ask," she admitted.

"We don't owe each other anything," Harry told her and Stella's brows rose. "Okay, I didn't mean it like that. Hold on."

Harry took a moment to think over his words.

"You don't 'owe me' just because you didn't tell me sensitive information in sixth year. You were protecting people you loved and I accept that. I kept things from you for a while in sixth year, if you'll recall."

"You ended up telling me, though," Stella reminded him.

"And you ended up telling me everything as well," Harry smirked. "You may be my girlfriend, but you're also one of my best friends. I trust you and if you don't want to talk about your therapy sessions with me yet, then you don't have to."

"You don't have to tell me about your sessions if you don't want to," Stella assured him.

"I'm sure we'll end up telling each other eventually," Harry smirked.

"Probably," Stella conceded. "I did mention you at the end."

"Did you?"

"I did. Told her you are way too nice."

"Nice?" Harry laughed.

"Mhmm," Stella smirked.

Harry began tickling her, telling her to take it back. Stella laughed loudly, unable to escape him before yelling, "Fine! I take it back!"

Stella walked into the Charms classroom first thing Monday morning, smiling brightly at Flitwick as the Slytherins and Ravenclaws followed her in.

"Hi Professor," Stella smiled at him.

"Hello Professor," Flitwick smirked and Stella made a face. "Still feel strange?"

"A bit, yeah," she laughed.

"Have a seat," Flitwick told the students and the first years sat amongst their house mates, Stella trying very hard to not roll her eyes at the action.

Was that how all the Professors felt about it? If so, then they shouldn't separate the houses so much and make them interact outside of classes more often.

"Today, we are going to work on the levitation charm," Flitwick said excitedly. "Professor Black-Snape, would you demonstrate to the class please?"

"Of course," Stella nodded. "The wand movement is a swish and flick. The incantation is 'Wingardium Leviosa.' Like so…"

The Slytherins already knew the spell and Flitwick gave Stella a sideways look, causing her to shrug, not feeling even a little bad about it. Stella led the Slytherins to their next class before heading to Herbology, smiling at the rest of her classmates. The eighth years had all of their classes together, a mixture of houses moving together.

"Have we ever had Herbology with the Ravenclaws before?" Tracy asked curiously.

"I don't think we have," Stella shook her head.

"Hello all!" Sprout smiled as she waved them into the greenhouse. "Come! Come!

"Today we will start with one of Professor Snape's favorite potion ingredients: asphodel. When combined with wormwood, powdered root of asphodel produces the Draught of Living Death. Muggles once believed asphodel grew in the Underworld but the greenhouses will do! Let's begin!"

Next was Transfiguration where they turned a toad into a toadstool and Stella felt bored. They really were just going over everything from the year before again. Most of the students were invested though, not having been able to truly concentrate the year before or, in the case of three Gryffindors, having not even been at the school for the lessons. McGonagall held her back after class.

"Miss Black-Prince, you seemed bored in my class," she smirked.

"Not on purpose, ma'am," Stella sighed. "I knew we'd be reviewing the course work from last year but I didn't realize it would be an exact copy."

"Yes, we were all a bit worried about that. We have a few independent studies for you to do during classes instead. You somehow kept your perfect grades last year with everything going on."

"Well, I'm an over achiever," Stella smirked. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, I heard from Sirius before his passing that you'd shown interest in becoming an Animagus. He didn't want you to do it on your own though so he'd warned me to keep an eye out for it. I never saw the signs so I'm assuming that you scrapped the idea?"

"I… Sirius died and—"

"I understand," Minerva nodded. "I would be willing to assist you in this if you wish."

Stella couldn't speak, her throat closing a bit as she thought of Sirius. She just nodded, blinking rapidly a few times. Minerva gave her a sad smile and handed her a book.

"Read this and we'll begin discussing it next class while everyone works on their spell."

Stella held the book close to her chest, working very hard on holding herself together. She ended up in the Hospital Wing.

"Miss Black-Prince, are you injured?" Pomfrey asked, voice soft.

Stella shook her head.

"Are you here for Healer Madge?"

Stella nodded.

"Have a seat, dear."

Stella took the provided chair, staring down at her feet. Healer Madge kneeled in front of Stella a few minutes later, concern clear on her face.

"Miss Black-Prince, are you alright?"

"Not really," Stella admitted, voice small.

"Come to my office."

Stella followed Madge into her office and sat in the same spot she'd been in the day before.

"What happened?" Madge asked.

"I… um… Well, my father was an animagus," Stella told Madge about Sirius, James, and Pettigrew becoming illegal animagus so Remus would have company during full moons. "I guess he told Minerva. She told me he did just now anyways. Told me she would help me become one since I know all the material for this year."

"And that caused a panic attack?" Madge asked.

"Yeah," Stella nodded.

"Do you not want to be an animagus?"

"I do," Stella told her. "Like, I really do. The thought of doing it without Da though is… a bit overwhelming."

"I'm sure Professor McGonagall will do an amazing job at teaching you," Madge smiled.

"Oh, no doubt about it," Stella gave a weak smile. "It was supposed to be him though."

"I understand," Madge nodded. "I'm a bit surprised to see you so soon. I thought I would have to drag you back in here kicking and screaming."

"Well, Dad told me to go to you whenever. Said it would make him feel better," Stella shrugged. "Figured this was the type of thing I should tell you about."

"It's a good start," Madge nodded. "I have an appointment coming in a few minutes. Do you want to wait around?"

"No," Stella shook her head. "Thank you, though. I appreciate you taking the time to see me unannounced."

"Of course," Madge nodded.

Stella went to the common room and sat down with the book, getting started. Everyone else was in charms and then had lunch, so Stella knew she had time. She'd skimmed through the book in the past so she knew what to expect, but it had been a while and it wasn't a thorough reading. She had a new journal open on the table as she sat on the floor, making notes about basic animagus forms and how animal-like tendencies tended to shine through once you finally transformed for the first time and sometimes before depending on your affinity to your magic. It made her smile, wondering if Sirius had dog-like characteristics before turning and knew she'd have to ask Remus.

Hermione plopped down onto the couch behind Stella, peeking over Stella's shoulder to see what she was working on.

"Animagus?" Hermione asked curiously.

"I'm ahead in my classes but quite a bit so some of the teachers are giving me projects to work on during class," Stella explained and thinking on how ahead Hermione seemed to be as well. "You should ask if you can do the same in some of our classes. We can work on stuff together."

"You'd do that with me?" Hermione asked, seeming confused.

"Well, yeah," Stella told her, confused by her confusion. "Hermione, you know that we're friends, right?"

"Oh… well, I didn't want to assume…"

"Mione, we're friends. Technically, we're cousins. I need a study partner that can challenge me. It was part of why Blaise, Theo and I all got along so well. We were all good at our respective classes and challenged one another to be better. You don't think Blaise and I continued taking History of Magic in fifth year because we enjoyed it, did you?"

"Oh," Hermione nodded, not looking at Stella as the others walked in.

"Just think about it," Stella told her. "If it's not animagus, I'm sure Professor McGonagall will think of something else."

"Hello, love," Harry smiled, sitting on the floor beside Stella and pulling out his Charms book. "Any chance I could convince you to help me with my essay?"

"I don't think my version of helping and your version of helping is the same thing," Stella smirked.

"I just need clarification on something," Harry shrugged.

"Alright," Stella nodded as Harry turned to the second chapter in his book.

"Hermione tried doing this at Gringotts but it didn't work," he told her, showing the Impervious Charm to Stella.

"Because it's meant for liquids," Stella shrugged. "I'm guessing she tried to use it on solid objects?"

"I did," Hermione sighed. "Forgot that part in the moment."

"Happens to all of us," Stella shrugged. "It's what we've used on your glasses during Quidditch a few times."

"That's what I was wondering," Harry smiled. "Thank you."

Harry kissed her cheek before starting his essay. Stella went back to her notes, a soft smile on her face as the others around them worked on their homework as well, asking each other questions every so often as they went.

Stella, Draco, and Hermione headed to Ancient Runes next Hermione and Draco met up with Tracy for Arithmancy, Stella heading to Charms to help with the fifth year Slytherins and Ravenclaws. Noah looked beyond thrilled to see her and put special emphasis on the word 'Professor' every time he asked her a question. She threatened to make him do extra laps at practice and he stopped. Stella sat with the younger Slytherins at dinner, listening to them excitedly talk about their first day. At the end of the day, Harry and Stella laid in her bed, Harry listening with a smile as Stella told him about helping with Charms class.

The next day, Stella had to break up a fight among the fourth year Slytherins and Gryffindors, distracting them all with firecrackers and glaring down at all of them. They seemed a bit abashed by their behavior, blushing under Stella's stare and quiet reprimands. She got to host her first detention after dinner that night with said students, making them clean the trophy room by hand as she sat in the corner, flipping through a magazine and glancing over at them every few seconds to be sure they weren't about to fight again.

"I hear you had an interesting night," Remus smirked as she walked into Defense first thing the next morning.

"Detentions are so boring," Stella groaned as she fell into the seat in the front of the room, Harry laughing as he sat beside her.

"Now you know how we feel," Remus smirked.

"I'm sending all of my detentions to you," she glared.

"Then your dad and I will send ours to you in retaliation," Remus told her.

"You wouldn't," she gasped.

"Try me."

"I'm good," Stella grumbled, arms crossing over her chest as she sank in her chair a bit.

"Chin up, Cub," Remus smirked. "We're reviewing your favorite spell today."

"Bombarda Maxima?" Stella asked, sitting up and looking excited.

"That's the one," he smiled as the rest of the class took their seats.

"I love Bombarda Maxima," Stella was bouncing in her seat.

Harry let out another laugh at the sight of his girlfriend.

"I think you spent a bit too much time with the twins growing up," he told her.

"Probably," she shrugged.

"Everyone calm down," Remus smirked, really only speaking to Stella. "Open your books to page seven."

"Big boom," Seamus was smiling widely.

"The biggest," Stella nodded to him.

"Oh, no," Dean groaned, sinking in his seat.

"Before we practice the spell, I want everyone to read the passages on page seven."

Stella had already read the passage so she skimmed it over for good measure and then closed her book, trying hard not to bounce in her seat again. Hermione from the desk beside Stella's was smiling at the excitement on display and Stella could hear a few snickers every so often and knew people had seen her. A few minutes later, Neville finally closed his book, the last one to finish reading.

"Everyone up!" Remus instructed.

Stella was on her feet in a moment, moving to the section of the class that was free of desks and chairs, a few dueling dummies in place. Seamus was right beside her, also bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"Maybe the two of you should sit this one out," Remus sighed, hands going to his hips.

"You aren't funny," Stella told him.

"I'm hilarious," Remus defended.

"Did Dad tell you that?"

"Cheeky."

"So, I've been told," Stella nodded. "Time for big boom, please."

"Hermione, would you please demonstrate for us first?"

Seamus and Stella grumbled a bit but stepped aside, Hermione stepping forward and giving them both a smile.

"Bombarda Maxima," Hermione spoke clearly and firmly, waving her wand expertly and destroying the dummy in the blink of an eye, bits of it splintering off and flying everywhere.

Draco tossed up a shield, protecting all of them.

"Whoa," Terry breathed.

"Don't piss off Granger," Lavender told the class.

"I could have told you that," Ron stated from Lavender's side, shivering a bit as if remembering a past experience of doing just that.

"Flashbacks?" Stella smirked.

"Shut it," Ron scoffed, pushing Stella into Seamus, the two laughing at Ron in the process.

"Alright. The two of you are up," Remus smirked, two dummies moving into place.

"Together?" Seamus asked, brow raised.

"I think we might blow up the school," Stella smirked before nodding to Seamus.

"Bombarda Maxima!" they said together and their dummies exploded, Seamus throwing his arm over Stella so nothing would hit the tow of them.

The two slowly looked back towards the dummies. There were two identical burn marks on the wall, no sign of the dummies remaining.

"Cool," Seamus breathed.

Remus sighed, staring at the burn marks.

"Maybe a bit overzealous," he told them. "We'll work on control after everyone has a turn."

Harry went next, just aiming at the arm of the dummy and destroying only that part of the dummy, sending a satisfied smirk at Stella, who simply pushed him into Ron as he passed to take his turn.

"Alright. This time, I want you to each only aim at a certain part of the dummy. If you blow up more than that bit, you'll lose points. Harry, since you've already mastered it, you can sit this one out with full marks," Remus smiled. "Same order. Hermione, Just the left leg."

Hermione took out the leg rather easily and Stella gave her an approving nod. Seamus and Stella did not have the same control as the other two had already shown. Stella's dummy lost half it's body and Seamus's was gone again. Stella grumbled as she stood beside Harry, arms crossed over her chest.

Everyone else figured it out and Seamus and Stella stepped forward again. Stella went too far again and glared as Seamus stepped away, him smiling as he did as he'd meant to. Remus placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned down so he was speaking in her ear.

"I want you to take a few deep breaths before going this time. Concentrate on your wand movements. Make them smaller and point directly at the center of where you want the explosion to happen. Right arm."

Stella nodded and took a few deep breaths as Remus had instructed. She raised her wand, pointing at the left elbow of the dummy. She made the hand movements smaller and whispered the spell. The dummy flew to the left, the entire left side missing.

Stella let out an angry growl, eyes narrowed.

"Breathe," Remus told her, hand on her shoulder again. "That was better."

"It literally flew across the room," Stella told him, glaring.

"Less of it is missing this time," Remus shrugged. "I expected this from quite a few of you actually."

"What do you mean?" Draco asked curiously.

"Well, during the war, you didn't have to restrain your magic so much. I knew learning that control would be a bit difficult," Remus told them.

"Then why am I the only one who can't get it?" Stella grumbled.

"You'll get it," Remus assured her, waving his wand so a new dummy rolled over. "Again."

Stella tried three more times before looking down at her wand to glare at it before slapping herself on the forehead. She put Pansy's wand away, pulling out her own instead. She took two tries with her wand and got it on the third go round.

"How many wands do you have?" Hermione asked.

"Well, Harry gave Blaise's back and Uncle Moony gave me Da's back, so five," Stella shrugged. "Pansy's feels almost exactly like mine so I tend to confuse the two."

"Why do you have their wands?" Daphne asked.

"I don't know," she shrugged, putting her wand away and looking at Theo's. "It kind of feels like they're still with me when I carry their wands… Like their magic is still here."

Everyone stayed quiet as Stella put the wand away again. Remus cleared his throat as the bell rang.

"Alright. I want essays on how to control your magic with such strong defense spells. Sixteen inches of parchment and due in a week," he told the class. "Off you pop. Potions next."

"Bye, Uncle Moony!" Draco, Tracy, Harry, and Stella all yelled as they left the classroom to head towards the dungeons.

"Since when do you call him that?" Harry asked Draco.

"Last year," Draco shrugged.

"Stella and Theo were calling him that and it kind of caught on with the two of us as well," Tracy shrugged.

"Oh," Harry nodded.

"See you all later," Tracy kissed Draco's cheek before separating from them.

They reached Potions and Severus was already waiting in the hall for Harry, Hermione, Ron, Draco, Stella, and Ernie.

"Drop off your bags and follow me," he instructed them.

Stella happily tossed her bag onto the closest table and ran back into the hall. She gave her dad a hug before the others began joining them. They followed Severus outside, heading towards the Forbidden Forest.

"Today, we are collecting ingredients," he told them. "There are a few roots, flowers, and wild herbs in the forest that I collect for classes. I'm teaching you how to handle those ingredients from start to finish this year. We will even be planting some of the herbs ourselves and keeping an eye on them through out the year. Now, who can tell me what potions valerian root is used in. Someone other than Miss Granger and Miss Black-Prince."

"Draught of Living Death, Draught of Peace, and Dawdle Draught," Harry answered and Stella was actually impressed. "What? I like Potions! He was just… well… himself before."

"Correct. We do not need the extra commentary, Mister Potter," Severus rolled his eyes.

Stella and Draco both bit down a laugh as they walked through the tress to an overgrown bush.

"Who can tell me what this is?"

Stella knew it was sopophorous bean but she wanted to cause a bit of a ruckus.

"Oh! Mistletoe! I needed more!"

"No," Severus glared at her and Stella bit her lip harder, hand covering her mouth so he couldn't see her struggling to not smile.

"Sopophorous bean," Ernie answered. "Tends to grow in overgrown mistletoe bushes."

"And it is used in?"

"Elixir to Induce Euphoria, Draught of Living Death, and Dawdle Draught," Draco answered.

"And Wolfsbane Potion," Stella tacked on.

"Correct," Severus nodded. "It is difficult to cut, which is why you should squish it with your knife to get juice out of it. The vines in which it grows are just as difficult to cut. You will need to use a severing charm on the branches. Like so. Then we will dig up the valerian root just here."

Once they'd each gathered five branches and ten roots each, which they placed in a basket, they moved further into the forest. They ended up in a clearing where multiple flowers were growing.

"Oh, wow," Stella breathed, stepping forward.

"Aconite is also known as what, Mister Potter?"

"Monkshood and Wolfsbane," Harry smirked. "Learned that one first year."

"Thankfully something stuck in your brain," Severus stated. "We will be harvesting aconite whole. Roots and all. We will be growing it on our own in greenhouse nine. Everyone gather three plants worth."

Stella walked further into the forest with her basket. She carefully dug into the ground with her bare hands, pulling the roots free from the dirt and setting the flowers aside. They were actually rather pretty and she took a flower from a plant still in the ground and stuck it behind her ear. She grabbed an extra one as Hermione kneeled beside her and stuck the flower in her hair as well.

"Now is not the time to make flower crowns, Miss Black-Prince," Severus sighed.

"Don't worry, sir. I'll make you one as well," Stella smirked.

"Would you like a detention?"

"I haven't gotten one yet this year," she shrugged. "Might as well go for it."

Severus rolled his eyes but said nothing as he went to check on the others. Stella and Hermione shared grins as they each finished pulling flowers. True to her word, Stella quickly made a flower crown out of the flowers just as Luna had taught her when they were children. She wished she had her camera so she could save the picture of Severus with a flower crown on his head, Stella having slowly floated it over to him, Hermione watching on with her mouth open in shock as it carefully landed on his hair, him not noticing it until after they'd all potted their aconite in the greenhouse and were in the school again, the bell dismissing them to lunch having rang a few minutes before.

Remus gave it away, unable to hold in his laugh when he'd seen his boyfriend.

"What?" Severus asked confused.

Remus reached up, removing the crown from Severus's head and handing it to him. Stella took off running, Hermione laughing as she ran with her. They ended up hiding in an alcove, both trying to calm their breathing and being rather unsuccessful as they kept laughing. They moved to a different alcove quickly when they heard footsteps coming closer, hands over their mouths until the footsteps were gone.

Hermione peaked her head out and nodded to Stella, the two stepping out of the alcove and slowly backing out of the hall. They'd just turned the corner, both smiling as they thought they'd gotten away when a throat cleared and they both screamed, jumping and wands coming out immediately. Severus and Remus stood in front of them, Remus looking very entertained as Severus glared down at them.

"It was Hermione!" Stella yelled.

"What?" Hermione demanded.

"Even without Miss Granger's interruption, I do not believe you," Severus told her.

"Well, it was worth a shot," Stella shrugged. "When's my detention?"

"I have a different idea for a punishment," Remus offered.

"No!" Stella yelled immediately, noting the mischievous glint in his eyes. "Lines and washing cauldrons! Cleaning the trophy room by hand! Anything but whatever it is that he just came up with!"

"What is your idea?" Severus asked, smirking.

"Something like this," Remus waved his wand and flowers appeared all over Stella.

She stared down at herself, not sure how to react.

"Off to lunch you go," Remus smirked.

"Sure," Stella shrugged and skipped away, petals falling off of her as she went, dragging Hermione with her.

"I don't think that worked the way you wanted it to," Severus told Remus.

"The flowers will keep sprouting for the next few hours," Remus shrugged. "Hit Jamie with that one at an Order meeting. More of a nuisance than anything else, really."

Stella skipped into the large hall, tossing flowers into the air as she went. Hermione laughed as Stella tossed them in front of her like a flower girl preparing the aisle for a bride. She moved to the Gryffindor first years, tossing flowers onto them as well, using her wand to send more at the first years from the other houses as well. She walked to the head table and kneeled in front of McGonagall.

"Minnie!" she shouted so everyone could hear her.

"Oh, good lord," Minerva groaned but mumbling something about Sirius.

"It would fulfil my hearts desire if you would please accept this bouquet that I have managed to produce for you today! Please say you'll accept and I shall die happy knowing that my token has been taken into your arms!"

Minerva glared as Stella stared up at her, making her eyes wide and full of hope.

"If I do not accept?" Minerva asked.

"Then, alas! I shall go to the forest and bury myself in the dirt to be reborn and regrown into a more acceptable bouquet! One that would be most befitting of your beauty! Your grace! Your wisdom! Your ability to make others shake in fear at the sight of your wand!"

"Oh, please stop," Minerva sighed.

"I cannot! For my heart longs to hear your answer!"

"Potter, please," McGonagall sighed, looking over Stella's shoulder.

"Sorry, Headmistress. I'm afraid the heart wants what the heart wants," Harry's amused voice came from behind and slightly to the left of where Stella was still kneeling.

"I'm not sure if you know this, Professor, but I had a severe back injury in my third year. Kneeling like this still hurts," Stella said in a quieted tone before picking her voice up again. "Your answer! I beg of thee!"

"I will accept the bouquet," Minerva rolled her eyes.

"Whoo!" Stella yelled, jumping up and starting to pluck flowers from herself, noticing as more grew in their place. "How long does this spell last for?"

"You cast a spell without knowing how long it lasts for?" McGonagall asked, brow raised.

"Kind of," Stella shrugged.

Minerva waved her wand, casting a finite and lifting the spell. Stella smiled as she passed Minerve the bouquet. She bowed low, lifting her head so she could look Minerva in the eyes when she spoke.

"Until we meet again, my dearest!"

Stella walked away from the head table with Harry, who was laughing loudly as they sat with the other eighth years at the end of Hufflepuff table.

It took three weeks for Stella to finish the spell with Luna's help. The two had hidden in Mrytle's bathroom for a few hours everyday working on it and they'd finally done it. Stella smirked as she skipped to dinner, hearing yelling already as she entered the room. She could see skin and hair changing colors around her, robes matching hair and pants and shoes matching skin. It had taken her a few hours to hit so many students, the first, second, and third years being the easiest. It was the sixth and seventh years that were the most difficult. The eighth years shared a common room, making it easy to hit them but hard to hide it unless in the halls. Thankfully they all had Defense together so she was able to do it as class let out and the halls were filled with other students.

McGonagall and Flitwick were trying to find a counter with no such luck. Stella happened to get them when their backs were turned, rushing away so they wouldn't catch her. She sat beside Ron, whose hair was currently pink and slowly turning turquoise, his skin lime green, his freckles a darker shade of the color.

"I don't think that's your color," Stella shook her head at him as Harry fell into the seat beside her. "Did you do something with your hair, love?"

"Did you do this?" Harry asked, brow raised.

"There is no way that I could have gotten this many of us through the day," Stella shook her head.

"Not alone," Harry shrugged. "Figured you had some help."

"Wasn't us," Draco said, eyes glaring at Stella from where his slightly curly hair was more red than a Weasley's on a regular day and his robes were Hufflepuff gold.

"I feel a bit left out," Tracy pouted.

"Well, allow me to help with that," Stella smirked, shooting the spell at her from under the table.

"Not what I meant," Tracy complained.

"Opps," Stella shrugged, smirking at her.

"What spell is it?" Remus asked, approaching the table.

"Haven't the foggiest," Stella shrugged.

"What did you do?" Severus asked, appearing behind Stella and causing her to jump.

"Did we do something?" Stella asked Draco and Tracy.

"I didn't," Tracy shook her head as she turned blue with blonde hair.

"Neither did I," Draco stated.

"Wasn't us," Stella shrugged to her dad, noticing that Luna hadn't gotten him in Potions that day. "Oh, look! You're normal!"

"Probably because I didn't have you in classes today," he countered.

"Wasn't us," Stella repeated.

Severus rolled his eyes and walked away. Stella waited until he was a decent distance away before shooting the spell at him. She turned away quickly, smirking as she reached for the potatoes. The spell wore off while everyone was sleeping and it was forgotten about as Stella skipped down to the Quidditch pitch for tryouts. Once everyone had shown up, Stella set up a few traps for anyone trying to sneak a peak at them before passing Tracy the map to watch.

Baker was Keeper again, Stella giving Draco a new broom and making him a chaser. He had the build for the position and the speed after all. O'Connor and Keeny took their spots as chasers again and Stella smirked as she created a reserve team out of Atkinson and three other Slytherins that had never tried out before. She didn't have a reserve seeker, but Draco could sub for her if needed.

Two of her traps went off while they were flying around the pitch. Terry ended up setting off a decoy detonator that shot black ink at him, staining his clothes and his skin for the next few days. Stella smirked as she found Ron and Harry each with a pie on their faces. She even ran her finger over Harry's cheek, trying a bit of it.

"Coconut," she smirked.

"Is it?" Harry asked, rolling his eyes. "I hadn't noticed."

"Go away now," Stella shooed them. "Or I'll write mum about the both of you."

"You wouldn't?" Ron looked shocked that Stella would threaten such a thing.

"Try me."

"We're going."

"Mhmm."

They were brewing Wolfsbane Potion in class, Remus offering to test the best potions and let everyone know if it actually worked or not through the year. Stella was surprised that he would agree to such a thing before truly thinking it over, knowing Severus wouldn't allow a bad potion anywhere near Remus.

Stella and Hermione brewed the first successful potions, both smiling as Severus gave them both full marks, letting Remus decide himself which one he would take, awarding Hermione five points two days later as a surprise. Everyone seemed to be in shock by Severus awarding points to Gryffindor rather than taking them away.

Quidditch practices were long and grueling, Stella pushing her team harder than ever before. She'd written to recruiters, asking them to come and watch Ginny, Ron, Harry, Baker, O'Connor, and Keeny. She would have requested for herself but it felt a bit too much like begging to do so.

Stella signed permission slips for the muggleborns that were technically under her care, along with Noah's, for Hogsmeade. She smiled as Severus rolled his eyes at her, seeing her signature a few too many times.

Stella walked to the village, the weather still being nice for the time being, a light breeze causing her to wear a light sweater. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Luna, Neville, and Susan joined them on Stella in her walking, all smiling and laughing as they went, Luna taking the spot to Stella's left, Harry having taken her right hand in the Great Hall and not having let go since.

Stella liked having Harry by her side so often. It probably drove everyone else crazy how often the two were found together. You'd think they'd be used to it considering they were the same way when they were just friends. But, as Draco had pointed out, it was different now. Before the two had always had time for just their friends as well. Now it felt like they were a package deal. Tracy had been a bit frustrated with her and she and Draco had decided to go to Hogsmeade on their own.

It wasn't that Stella was trying to ditch her friends for Harry. Ron and Harry were typically together though and Ron could tell when Stella was close to having a panic attack. He was the one who knew how to calm her down and bring her back to herself. Harry knew the reason but Stella felt embarrassed, not wanting to explain the reason to Draco and Tracy. They thought she was doing better and she didn't want them to realize just how wrong they were.

Everyone thought it was Harry sleeping in her bed every night, but it was Ron in her room, sleeping on the chair that he'd transfigured into a bed for himself. He even had an alarm on her like she'd had on Theo for a while there. She felt like a baby having to have someone else keeping an eye on her all the time. She would tell the Mind Healer on Wednesday.

Grief was a strange thing. Some days, Stella forgot to feel it at all. On other days it felt like it was going to swallow her whole. Today was one of those days. Everyone was so excited about going to the village and Ron had to pull Stella out of bed and almost force her to eat some breakfast. Hermione had come in, curious as to what was going on and had helped Stella get dressed and cover the bags under her eyes with makeup.

Shame was another thing that came and went. Sometimes she had so much filling her up that she was drowning it in. Other days she didn't feel it at all, mostly because it was hard to feel anything. Today was one of those days. She was so numb. Her skin prickled a bit and her mind was fuzzy. Ron kept glancing over at her, waiting for an episode of some sort. Stella was already in the center of an episode though.

Panic attacks weren't always crying and begging for someone to save you. Sometime it was the inability to breath and falling to your knees trying to gulp air greedily. Sometimes it was anger rearing its head and punching a wall so the pain from the action would bring you back to yourself. Other times it was staring into the distance, saying nothing and just rocking back and forth a bit.

Stella barely registered Luna slipping her hand into Stella's, giving it a gentle squeeze and helping to lead her through the village with the group. Harry tried saying her name a few times until Stella shook herself, looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Come on," he whispered softly to her, pulling her into the Three Broomsticks for lunch.

Stella just nodded, walking in with them. When had the twins shown up? Fred already had his arm over Hermione's shoulders and George carried Ginny over his shoulder as she yelled at him to put her down. Tracy and Draco were at a table together, both sending a glare at Harry. Harry said nothing, having obviously heard what Tracy and Draco had said, and led Stella to a large booth with the rest of them. Luna stayed beside Stella, her and Harry both holding one of her hands.

They released her long enough to convince her to eat something. It tasted like ash in her mouth though and she got a few bites in before pushing her plate away. She tried drinking a goblet of butterbeer, but it hurt to swallow.

"Excuse me," she whispered, heading to the girl's loo.

Tracy saw her leaving the group and followed her, ready to give her a piece of her mind. She did not expect to find Stella curled in a ball in a stall, silent tears falling down her face and mumbling incoherently to herself about everything being her fault. Tracy tried shaking Stella's shoulder but it did nothing. She ran from the loo, running to Stella's brother.

Ron saw her coming though, saw the panic on her face. He was on his feet in an instant, running straight into the loo and not caring that he was a boy. He crawled under the stall and pulled Stella close, rocking her gently back and forth.

"Send a patronus to Snape and Remus," Ron ordered Tracy.

Tracy thought of Draco and cast her patronus. The swan flew off towards the school.

"What's wrong with her?" Tracy asked, voice small as more people walked into the loo, all looking beyond concerned.

"Panic attack," Ron told her. "She gets them everyday now. She isn't sleeping like she's supposed to either. I've been staying in her room with her but I don't think it's helping anymore."

"Everyday?" Draco asked, looking a bit ashamed.

"She didn't want you to know," Ron told him before turning all his attention to his sister.

God, why was she so small? She still fit in his lap and in his arms as if they were still kids. He knew she ate but she weighed far too little for his liking. Would nutrient potions help?

"I wish it were me," Stella whispered, Ron the only one able to hear her. "I wish I were dead. All my fault. All my fault. All my fault."

"It's not your fault," Ron whispered to her, holding her more tightly. "It's not your fault. You did so much. You protected so many. You didn't do it. It's not your fault."

"What is the meaning of this?" Rosemerta demanded, walking into the loo just as Remus and Severus arrived.

"Where is she?" Severus demanded before seeing Ron holding Stella on the floor. "Remus?"

"May I?" Remus asked, kneeling in front of Ron and holding his arms out.

Ron nodded, allowing Remus to lift Stella into his arms. The group followed the two men up to the castle and into the Hospital Wing, not caring a bit about the yelling that Madam Pomfrey was doing about too many people being in her hospital at once. Healer Madge followed after her, gasping slightly when she saw the state Stella was in.

"What happened?" Severus asked Ron, voice low but unharsh.

"She was having problems getting up this morning but I thought the fresh air and being around everyone would help," Ron sounded so guilty. "Hermione had to help her get dressed and I basically forced her to eat some breakfast. She had nightmares all night. She was doing better and I thought it was just a bad night. I didn't know it would get this bad. Being outside typically helps. Is she going to be alright?"

Severus placed a hand on Ron's shoulder.

"She'll be alright. You did well, Mister Weasley. Thank you. Madame Pomfrey will take care of her now," he told him.

"I'm not leaving," Ron shook his head, standing tall.

"I'm not asking you to," Severus shook his head. "Just sit, please. Stay out of the way for a bit while the matron works."

"Okay," Ron nodded, shrinking a bit again. "Okay."

Ron and the others sat close by, all watching Stella. Severus moved to Pomfrey's side, helping her with whatever she needed. Remus was pulled aside by Madge, who asked him a few different questions about Stella's past attacks and how they were typically handled.

Stella was forced to sleep by a potion. She woke three days later, her head pounding. She groaned, rubbing her face roughly.

"Nice of you to rejoin us," Severus's voice broke through her stupor.

"Didn't mean to leave," she told him, rubbing her eyes. "Head hurts."

"Unfortunately you will have to suffer through it. We're clearing your body of your potions and going to make new ones. Healer Madge would like to speak with you later as well, try to find a way to avoid these attacks in the future."

"Good luck with that," Stella sighed, finally looking to her dad. "Sorry for scaring everyone."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. Why didn't you tell me how bad it was?" Severus asked.

"I don't want a babysitter," Stella complained. "I already had Ron filling that roll. I didn't want you to have to do it as well. And it's not always that bad. Today was just a really bad day."

"Because of the nightmares?"

Stella opened her mouth to respond but choked on her words a bit. She swallowed thickly before just nodding. Severus nodded and turned as footsteps approached them.

"Miss Black-Prince," Madge gave a weak smile. "I was hoping we could speak for a bit?"

"Sure," Stella nodded before looking to her dad.

Severus stood and kissed the top of Stella's head. He nodded to Madge and left the Hospital Wing, waving his wand so the privacy screen went into place, hiding them from view. Madge took the seat on Stella's left, her clipboard in her hands already.

"I was hoping you could tell me about your nightmares?" Madge asked, voice soft and kind.

"I think I can do that," Stella nodded.

So Stella told her about the nightmares that plagued her every night. She told her about seeing Sirius and Blaise falling through the veil and blaming her for getting in the way and causing it. She told her about Theo slowly giving up and watching his will to live slowly dying out before he threw himself in front of the killing curses, telling her it was her fault for forcing him to stick around for so long. She told Madge about dreaming of Bellatrix torturing her, carving more into her skin. She told Madge about dreaming of Voldemort winning, truly killing Harry. She told her about worse fates; Harry being kept alive and tortured for fun, Stella being forced to become a Death Eater to protect Draco, Blaise, and Theo, her boys wanting to be Death Eaters, everyone turning on Stella, Stella turning into Bellatrix…

"It seems like you need some perspective," Madge told her.

"What do you mean?" Stella asked.

They were having a session the next day, the first one not having been long enough for everything. Stella was wrapped in a sweater, sitting on the chair in Madge's office.

"I mean, you are dreaming of your worst fears and worst thoughts every night. You need to take a step back and think about it rationally," Madge told her. "You can come to me if you need a rational person or you can go to someone else that you know to be rational rather than emotional. I would prefer myself but I know that may make you uncomfortable."

"I would prefer someone I know," Stella whispered, blushing a bit.

"I thought you might. Your new potions should be ready tonight. I want you to take them for a few days and then come and see me, tell me how you're feeling on them," Madge instructed as an alarm went off. "If you change your mind and wish to speak with me, just come by. I'll make time."

"Thank you," Stella whispered, standing and leaving quickly.

Stella let out a relieved breath as she leaned against the wall outside of the Hospital Wing. The halls were full of other students and she hated how they were all looking at her as if she were breakable. No. Not breakable. Already broken.

She disillusioned herself and made her way through the halls, going to the common room and finding Hermione already there, sitting alone by the fire. Stella came into view and walked over to Hermione.

"Hey, Mione," Stella sighed, standing in front of her. "Can I pull you away from your studies for a bit?"

"Sure," Hermione nodded, immediately closing her book and following Stella to her room.

Privacy charms went into place and the two sat on Stella's bed. Stella took a deep breath before beginning.

"Healer Madge says I need rational perspective on my nightmares. I was hoping you could help me sort through them a bit?"

"Of course," Hermione nodded, taking Stella's hand in hers. "Whatever you need."

Stella started with the least violent dream.

"One of my nightmares is Blaise and Da falling through the veil and coming back to tell me it was my fault, that I shouldn't have rushed forward and put myself in danger," Stella told her.

"They would never think that," Hermione shook her head. "It wasn't your fault. Bellatrix is the one who sent them through the veil."

"I also have nightmares of Theo…"

Stella trailed off a bit, not sure if Hermione wanted to hear this bit. Hermione nodded, telling Stella to go on.

"Teddy was holding on for me. He didn't want to live anymore though. Had told me as much, actually, right before he died…"

It was hard for Stella to breath when she thought of Teddy. His death had hit her the hardest. He'd been her best friend and brother and she'd thought she'd gotten him back just for him to not want to live anymore.

"I'm not sure what your relationship with Theo was," Hermione admitted. "I was so jealous of the two of you when we were together. I thought you were secretly in love with each other."

"No," Stella shook her head. "Teddy was my brother, like Ron. He just always knew what I needed and I him. It's like you and Harry."

"Oh," Hermione's brows rose, as if she was suddenly able to understand. "Oh, I never thought of it like that."

"In your defense, you were his girlfriend," Stella shrugged.

"He broke up with me because I told him that I didn't like the two of you being so close," Hermione admitted.

"I know. He told Draco last year and Dray told me."

"Tell me the nightmare."

"In the nightmare, Theo tells me that I should have let him go sooner. He was wasting away right in front of me. He was so angry at me for forcing him to stay."

"Bullshit," Hermione told her, voice going hard. "Stella, Theo would have lived forever had you asked him to. He held on to protect you, his sister. He'd already lost his brother and he wanted you to live. He wanted you to live and be strong and save the world. Honestly, had Harry not shown back up, we all knew we would still be safe. We knew that you would have ended Voldemort just to spite the rest of us and lord it over our heads a bit."

"That would have been fun," Stella nodded before both girls laughed loudly.

Stella calmed, Hermione just giving her a look that Stella didn't understand.

"What?" Stella finally asked her.

"I get it now," Hermione nodded.

"What do you get?"

"Why everyone is so protective of you. Stella, you're actually rather brilliant and you're so protective and loving. You feel everything around you so strongly. I'm happy that you're getting better. You deserve to live," Hermione told her and Stella felt tears falling down her cheeks.

The two hugged tightly. Stella told Hermione more of her nightmares, Hermione helping her pick them apart. She assured Stella that what she was feeling was valid before tearing her terrible self-image apart, helping to replace it with the truth.

It took time and the two became even closer due to it. Tracy and Draco apologized for the things they'd said and Stella had assured them that it was alright and everything was forgiven. She made sure to spend time with just them more. Sleepovers with all of the girls was an often occurrence in Stella's room, Ginny and Luna joining often. Luna would hum when Stella felt herself being pulled under again, bringing her back to herself without anyone actually noticing, just thinking that Luna was acting strangely again. Ginny and Ron hovered often and Stella found that she didn't actually mind.

Luna and Stella commentated Quidditch games that Stella wasn't participating in, much to everyone's entertainment. Hufflepuff was demolished by Ravenclaw before Gryffindor defeated them. Stella was in the air the next week, smirking as she watched from above as the Slytherins destroyed the Hufflepuffs. She'd found the snitch within a few minutes of the game but she didn't dare to stop her team from playing, watching proudly as they scored point after point.

Harry's voice came over the megaphone.

"Has Oaks of Hufflepuff seen the snitch?"

Stella looked over at Oaks, seeing him diving as if he'd seen the snitch. Stella watched in amusement, knowing for a fact that the snitch was to her right. He was trying to distract her as a bludger flew towards her. She rolled on her broom, glaring at the beater before flying towards the snitch.

"Black-Prince has actually seen the snitch and is going after it! I guess she got tired of watching her team destroy Hufflepuff. Aaaaannnnnddddd- SHE'S CAUGHT IT! Slytherins wins! 560 to 30!"

Stella flew down to Harry, smirking as she passed him the snitch. Harry smirked as he accepted it before grabbing Stella's broom and pulled her closer. The two kissed, Harry holding her face in his hands. Stella laughed as they pulled apart, her flying to her team to celebrate.

Animagus training was going well now that Stella could concentrate better. Hermione and Stella had a bet going on which one of them would get it first. Stella had her money on Hermione and Hermione had her money on Stella, funnily enough. McGonagall smirked, not telling them about the betting pool that the staff had.

Stella won the bet as Hermione turned into a cat, looking a lot like Crookshanks if Stella were being honest. Stella scratched behind Hermione's ears, smiling at the soft purr Hermione gave her before turning human again. Stella helped her back to her feet and Hermione hugged Stella tightly, laughing and smiling so wide that Stella was sure that her cheeks were hurting.

It took Stella another month to finally transform. A large grim stood in front of Hermione and McGonagall. Stella took one look in the mirror and turned human again, crawling backwards away from the mirror.

"Well, it is actually rare for two people who are related to have the same form," McGonagall informed her.

"Oh, great," Stella rolled her eyes, laying on the floor and staring at the ceiling. "Another way that I'm special. Just what I needed."

"I think it's cool," Hermione told her, laying on the floor beside Stella. "I mean, Crookshanks and Padfoot were really close. We can keep the tradition going."

"As long as we don't find a rat, I think we're good," Stella smirked.

"There's the spirit!" McGonagall cheered and the two younger witches laughed before Hermione forced Stella to her feet.

"Come on! Let's go show the others! I've been waiting on you!"

Hermione dragged Stella out of the room, both calling goodbye to Minerva as they went. They ran into the common room, both smiling brightly and relieved that everyone else was already there.

"What's this about?" Ron asked curiously.

"We did it!" Hermione told him.

"Did what?" Terry asked.

Hermione turned into a cat and ran over to the couch, curling up in Ginny's lap.

"Brilliant!" Ron yelled before looking to Stella.

Stella was chewing her lip a bit though, staring at Harry.

"What is it?" Harry asked. "Is it a snake or something?"

"No," Stella rolled her eyes before taking a deep breath and changing.

"Oh, wow," Draco breathed.

"She looks like… like Sirius," Tracy breathed.

Stella walked slowly to Harry, bumping his hand with her snout. Harry kneeled in front of her, giving her a smile and scratching behind her ears.

"Amazing," he told her. "He'd love it."

"What the hell?" Remus's voice came from the doorway and Stella turned to face him. "Pads?"

Stella turned human again, standing as she did so. Remus's face turned into a proud smile.

"We did it," Stella shrugged.

"Yes. I won the bet against your Dad because of it," Remus rolled his eyes. "Wait, where's Hermione?"

Hermione jumped out of Hermione's lap and turned human again.

"Hi, Professor," Hermione smiled.

"Great job," Remus smiled to her before looking to Stella again.

"Come on," Stella sighed and she and Remus left the common room.

They sat by the lake, talking about Sirius for a while. It was nice, having Remus to miss him with.

All of the eighth years stayed at the school for Christmas. Christmas morning, they exchanged gifts before heading to breakfast with the rest of the students that had stayed behind and the staff. Remus and Severus hugged Stella, Remus also hugging Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, and Ginny in the process. Fred showed up, stealing Hermione away for a bit. That night, they all drank spiked eggnog and sat by the fire.

New Years Eve on the other hand was a party. Stella and Harry snuck out of the school, buying barrels of mead from Rosemerta and getting it back to the school undetected. Everyone cheered as they returned, setting the barrels in the kitchenette. They played drinking games all night before counting down the New Year. Harry kissed Stella, holding her close and ignoring Ron as he told Harry to get off of his sister. The two ended up leaving the party a few minutes later, hiding away in Stella's room.

Stella was having less and less nightmares. She felt lighter as more time went on. She no longer blamed herself for everything that had gone wrong and the people that she'd lost. It felt good, being surrounded by the people she loved and actually being happy to be alive.

The last Quidditch game of the season was Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Stella and Harry had watched as their teams had bickered back and forth. They both stepped in a few times when random people from both houses had tried cursing one another, both glaring at their house mates until they'd apologized and wandered off.

The morning of the game, Stella checked on all of her players, making sure they were eating breakfast. They were all beyond excited and ready for the game. The recruiters had come to every game that season and were rather pleased by what they'd seen. This game was sure to get quite a few of them on a team.

Stella was sitting on the steps outside of the Great Hall, soaking up the sunshine and already in uniform. Harry joined her, also ready before everyone else.

"I like this on you," Harry admitted, checking Stella out.

"Am I going to distract you during the game?" Stella smirked.

"Definitely distracting me now," he offered before leaning in and kissing her.

"Oi! Can the two of you just pretend to not like each other until after the game!" Ginny yelled, walking down the steps to join them.

" 'Fraid not," Stella smirked as Harry helped her to her feet as both teams joined them. "Come along!"

The Slytherins strutted pass the Gryffindors, Noah moving to Stella's side quickly.

"When did you get taller than me?" Stella demanded from him, musing his hair.

"Maybe you shrank," Noah joked.

"Shut it!" Stella told him before pushing him towards the changing room. "Get changed. I'll be in there in a minute."

Stella smiled as her team went into the changing room to get ready. Draco pat her back as he went, giving her a smirk. Stella smirked back before turning to see the Gryffindors going into the other changing room. Harry jogged over, giving her one last kiss before leaving to join his team. Stella waited three minutes before walking in, her teams now fully dressed.

"Alright. Last game of the season and last game here for two of us," Stella gave Draco a sad look. "Yes, there are recruiters in the stands. I'm the reason why. I wrote them at the beginning of the year. Next year, I'll be gone. Telling you all now, Baker will be Captain. I expect those of you that will still be here to work together with him to keep the cup in Dad's office.

"I am so proud of every single one of you. You're all amazing players and an amazing team. Now! Let's go out there and show these Lions why you don't mess with Snakes!"

Cheers went through the air as they ran from the locker room. Stella and Harry went to the center of the field, Madame Hooch telling them to shake hands. Harry took Stella's hand and kissed it. Stella rolled her eyes and dragged him close by his hand, giving him an actual kiss.

"Enough already!" Ron bellowed from above. "We came to play Quidditch! Not watch the two of you suck face!"

"Not sure which one I'd prefer," Stella shrugged before playfully pushing Harry away.

They took to the sky, both watching as the Snitch and the bludgers were released into the air. The Quaffle was tossed up and the game began. Gryffindor needed to win by a margin of 180 points in order to win the house cup from Slytherin and, with Ginny and Ron on the team, Stella was a bit worried. Baker was blocking shot after shot and Draco, O'Connor, and Keeny worked unbelievably well together. The Gryffindors had the same camaraderie though. Stella and Harry watched from above as their teams fought to make goals, the game at 30-20 Gryffindor at a half hour in.

Stella didn't need to be ahead to win the cup but she needed the game to go long enough for the scouts to be impressed, to want to take the players as they went. She could see the snitch and it was closer to Harry. She floated close to him.

"I see the snitch," she told him, watching the game below. "TOSS TO DRACO!"

The command threw off the Gryffindors who went to block Draco as the Quaffle was passed to Keeny instead, who put the Quaffle away in the confusion, tying the score at 30-30.

"That was dirty," Harry told her.

"You like it," Stella shrugged, bumping his foot with hers.

"Do you actually see the snitch?" he asked, sounding uneasy.

"I've had an eye on it for ten minutes," she admitted. "Recruiters are still here though and they need something to watch. Want to give them a show?"

"Might as well. I don't think we'll actually miss anything in the process," Harry sighed, knowing the teams were fairly matched.

"I'll give you a signal and we'll both dive through the center of the field. Maybe someone'll score a goal when we do," Stella shrugged and floated away.

Harry positioned himself to the Gryffindor end of the field and Stella went to the Slytherin end. They watched their teams, Ron blocking a shot from Keeny and passing to Gin. Stella and Harry locked eyes and she nodded. The two bolted straight towards the center of the field.

"It seems both seekers have seen the snitch!" Terry announced excitedly. "Potter and Black-Prince shooting like a train through the field! They're going to crash! Aaaannnnddd- Both aim towards the ground! Neck and neck! They pull up and… fly in separate directions? Guess they lost it. Ten points to each team in the confusion! 40-40!"

Stella looked around the field, finding the snitch again and deciding to put everyone out of their misery. She flew towards the golden ball, Harry truly chasing after her now.

"Black-Prince sees the snitch! Potter not far behind her! She's reaching! Reaching! She's done it! 190 to 40! Slytherin wins the House Cup!"

Stella held the snitch up in victory. The Slytherins were stomping their feet loudly, along with a majority of the other students. Stella laughed as Draco crashed into her in a tight hug, the two spinning a bit on their brooms in the process.

"We did it," she smiled to him.

"You did it," Draco corrected. "None of us could do anything."

"You did great," Stella corrected him.

The Slytherins knew how to throw a hell of a party and Stella was dancing with Daphne and Tracy in the Party Room. The other houses were there as well, all milling about and having fun before finals were to begin in two weeks' time. Harry's eyes were glued to Stella as he watched her dancing with the other two witches, studying the way her hips swayed and her hair bounced.

"Please stop drooling over my sister," Ron complained before Lavender grabbed his hand and dragged him away.

"Stop staring at my cousin like you want to eat her, Potter," Draco rolled his eyes.

"Well," Harry smirked.

"I will cut your tongue out," Draco threatened and Harry laughed, actually believing the blond.

It was still strange to Harry that he and Malfoy got along so well now. There was a time where Harry would have blamed everything bad in his life on the ferret, but now he was rather grateful that Draco was in his life. Mostly for Stella's sake, but still.

"Can I show you something?" Harry asked Draco, everyone around them completely distracted by the music, dancing, and drinks.

"Maybe ask a healer," Draco rolled his eyes and Harry laughed again; Draco was actually a bit funny if you liked dry humor.

"Here," Harry pulled a box out of his pocket, showing it to Draco.

"I don't think my cousin would appreciate us running off into the sunset," Draco told Harry before taking the box and opening it to find a ring inside. "Wait, I was joking about it being a ring."

"I'm going to give it to her after graduation," Harry shrugged. "I know it'll be a while still before we get married but I wanted her to know for sure that I would be there through it all."

"That's… actually a bit funny," Draco smirked, pulling a ring box from his own pocket and showing it to Harry. "I was going to say the same about Tracy."

Harry laughed again before looking at the ring. Draco had chosen a square diamond with emeralds on both sides of it for Tracy. Something simple yet elegant. Harry had debated giving Stella something outrageous originally, as if trying to put a neon sign on her hand telling people to back off. He knew she wouldn't appreciate something like that and had gone through his vaults at Christmas, finding his mother's wedding ring in the Potter vaults.

The ring was a single diamond with a golden band that was shaped as five infinity knots all the way around it. It would match the bracelet that he'd gotten her all those years ago perfectly, the one that she still wore to this day. It was actually rather perfect in his head. The problem was that Stella had so many family rings that he wasn't sure that she would wear the one he offered to her.

"She's going to love it," Draco told him, trading the boxes back and both hiding the boxes from view.

"I plan on speaking with Remus and Snape tomorrow to ask for their blessing. Not their permission. Stella would murder me," Harry smirked.

"And she'd make Tracy help her hide the body," Draco nodded.

"And Hermione," Harry tacked on.

"Isn't she supposed to be your sister?"

"Yeah, well, the girl's tend to stick together," Harry shrugged. "Plus, Hermione has very strong feelings about independence and fairness."

"True enough," Draco nodded. "Looks like a few sixth years are trying to approach our witches. Let's go help them out."

"Gladly," Harry growled out, eyes narrowed on the sixth years as he and Draco moved forward.

Harry was beyond nervous the next day. He'd borrowed the map from Stella to find Remus and Snape, the both of them being in Remus's quarters. He knocked on the door, taking a few deep breaths and hoping from foot to foot a bit. Remus answered and gave Harry a surprised but happy smile.

"Harry! Come in! Come in!"

Harry gave a weak smile as he walked into the room, Snape sitting on the couch with a book in his lap, flipping through the pages and not even bothering to look up.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Remus asked, seeing how nervous Harry was.

"Yeah, fine," Harry nodded, knowing he sounded the opposite.

"Did you want to speak to just me? We can go to the other room or—"

"No," Harry shook his head. "I actually wanted to speak with both of you about something."

"Sit," Remus nodded to the couch opposite Snape, who had set his book aside now and was watching Harry with calculating eyes as Remus sat beside his lover. "What's going on Harry?"

Harry, who had practiced this speech so many times over the last few months, could not find the words. Instead, he pulled out the ring box and opened it so both men could see.

"Your mother's ring," Remus nodded, giving a sad smile before his eyes widened, as if realizing why Harry had the ring but waiting for Harry to say it.

"I wanted to give it to Stell after we graduate," Harry explained. "I won't ask for permission, mostly because Stella would kill me for asking and kill the two of you no matter what you answered, but I was hoping for both of your blessings.

"Stella became one of my best friends in second year and I've been in love with her since third year. She is kinder than she lets people think and just absolutely brilliant. She brings out a side of me that I didn't know existed. She makes me be who I want to be, someone that I hope will be worthy of her.

"I love your daughter with everything in me. I will prove that every single day for the rest of our lives if she'll allow me to. I truly don't know what I would do without her. She's my rock and the light in the darkness. When I was on the run, all of my thoughts were of her; of what she would do, if she was safe, if she was protecting everyone.

"I know that you're both not her biological family or the family that she grew up with. You're the family that she chose for herself, which I think means far more than blood, especially considering how I was raised. I want nothing more than to fully be included in the family that she has built and to help her keep that family strong and together. Would the two of you give me your blessing to ask that of her?"

Remus and Snape stared at Harry for a long moment. Harry worried that they were going to curse him to be honest. The two men looked to one another, as if speaking without words for a long moment before turning back to Harry again.

"Harry, we would be honored to give you our blessing," Severus told him.

Hearing the words from Severus was not what Harry had fully expected and it almost caused him to tear up a bit. Instead, he smiled brightly at the both of them, nodding his thanks. The three had tea, listening as Harry told them his plan on how to ask Stella to marry him. They even gave a few suggestions to help with his nerves.

Harry returned to the other eighth years a few hours later, smiling as he lifted Stella from the couch and sat down, pulling her into his lap. She laid her arm over his shoulder, continuing to listen as Ernie told Stella a story about the Hufflepuffs accidentally getting high in the greenhouses, none of them realizing that the plants in that greenhouse had a rather… mind altering smell if you were near them long enough.

Finals, N.E.W.T.s, and O.W.L.s were upon them. Stella helped Harry study as Hermione helped Ron, the two of them beyond prepared for the tests. The final day of tests saw everyone feeling drained but excited.

"I say, we throw a party," Daphne told the group.

"As your Head Girl, I second that," Stella smirked.

"Well, it's about time," Daphne joked.

"Is it in the Party Room or just us?" Stella asked Daphne.

"I think just us and maybe a few seventh years would suffice," Daphne nodded.

"I'll let Gin and Luna know," Stella nodded. "Want to sneak out of the castle to get drinks?"

"We should take a few of us," Daphne nodded. "Bottles instead of barrels this time. It's more of a firewhiskey kind of night than a mead night."

"Agreed," Stella nodded. "You find Ron and Terry to come help us. I'll have Neville tell Gin and Luna."

The two split off to pass their messages along, meeting at the common room portrait. Stella held the map open, using it as they moved around the castle. They didn't really need to avoid anyone on the way out, but Stella didn't want to answer any questions along the way or, Merlin forbid, have to turn down one of her dad's for tea. That had happened in third year when she and Harry were trying to sneak out and she refused to let it ever happen again!

They climbed out of the Honeydukes cellar and snuck out of the shop, all jogging towards the Three Broomsticks, laughing as they went.

"Hello, Rosemerta," Stella smiled at the pretty woman.

"Miss Black," Rosemerta smiled. "Shouldn't you be at school?"

"Finished our classes for the day. We all wanted to celebrate a bit. I was hoping to buy a few bottles of firewhiskey, babbling juice, and gillywater?"

"I think I may be able to assist. How much were you needing?"

Daphne rattled off the bottle amounts and Stella paid, giving an extra tip so that Rosemerta would keep quiet if a teacher ever asked where the alcohol came from. The group left the pub with sacks full of bottles, silencing the bottles so they didn't clink together and adding feather-light charms to the bags. Stella distracted the Honeydukes manager as the others disillusioned themselves and snuck into the cellar. She bought the chocolates that she knew Severus and Remus both liked before leaving the pub. She planned on being the distraction as the others used the map to get through the halls.

It worked. Stella set off twelve boxes of fireworks and ran for it. Severus stopped her just as she was about to turn the hall to the portrait.

"Follow me," he demanded and Stella groaned before going with him.

She listened as Severus and Remus got onto her for setting off so many fireworks at once. She pulled the chocolate from her pocket and set it on the desk before leaving the room. Once she was clear of the hall, she wiped the fake shame from her face, smiling and skipping the rest of the way to the common room.

"There you are!" Gin yelled once Stella walked through the portrait. "We were starting to worry!"

"Sorry," she smiled, hands on her hips. "Had to distract my dad's for a bit."

"By almost blowing up the school?" Draco asked, brow raised.

"Oh, please. If I wanted to blow up the school, I would have done it by now," Stella waved him off before sitting on the floor between Luna and Daphne. "Run into any trouble?"

"None," Daphne smirked. "Strangely enough, the Professors were all distracted elsewhere in the building."

"Imagine that," Stella smirked.

"What'd you get?" Gin asked, leaning forward and trying to see what was in the bag that Dean was currently looking through.

"Looks like a lot of whiskey," Seamus smirked, looking through a different bag.

"Whiskey, babbling juice, and gillywater," Ron told them.

"Oh, not the babbling juice," Draco groaned, thinking of Slytherin parties where they'd all played Truth-Or-Dare while drinking it, causing them to admit secrets and make confessions that they didn't want to.

"Yes, babbling juice," Stella smirked. "Dinner and then we come back here."

"Yes, Mum," a few people chorused together and Stella slapped Terry's arm as he passed her for being one of them.

The group headed down to dinner. O.W.L.s were still happening so it would be another two days before all exams were over, but that sounded like a problem for the fifth years and not Stella. She'd already tutored most of the fifth years during charms and outside of class hours. They would all do fine as long as they didn't freak out during the exam itself.

They all gathered in the common room after dinner. Lavender got some music going for background sound and Ernie made everyone take a shot of firewhiskey to get the night started. Hermione seemed a bit nervous but Stella sat beside her, pressing her arm against Hermione's to help calm her. Stella had seen Ron do this exact thing to her a few times and found that it worked with anyone that Hermione actually trusted. It was surprising to most how well Hermione and Stella now got along, the two having been academic rivals for so long and tossed hurtful words back and forth so many times.

Hermione took the shot and Stella poured her another, the two clinking their glasses together before taking their shots together. Hermoine had taken the most N.E.W.T.s in their year and truly did need to relax and unwind. Stella had taken Charms early the year before, so luckily she was clear from that one, but she'd taken six other ones, having sat for the Care of Magical Creatures one with the other Slytherins, all of them having continuing studying for the course independently. She had to grade first and second year finals for Charms as her 'final'. She'd already gotten halfway through the first years and planned to do the rest over the next two days. How the teachers graded so many at once was a mystery to Stella.

The table had been moved out of the way and multiple people were laying across the floor, Stella joining them after making herself and Hermione a glass of Gillywater to sip on. She laid across the floor, using Draco for a pillow in the process. Draco just began running his fingers through her curly hair in response, continuing his conversation with Neville as if Stella hadn't just decided to take up his space. There was laughter and joking and Stella hadn't felt so at peace in a very long time and she closed her eyes, more than willing to fall asleep with everyone around her.

Luna had other ideas though as she crawled over to Stella, poking her in the face until Stella opened a single eye to stare at her. Luna gave a smirk and began poking Stella again. Stella let out a small growl before pretending to try to bite Luna's hand. Luna giggled and pulled her hand back. Both of Stella's eyes were open now and she was smiling as Ginny joined them.

"Might wanna move, Draco," Ron smirked, seeing the three close to each other.

"Already doing it," Draco sighed, lifting Stella's head and gently placing it on a pillow, scooting closer to Neville.

Ginny and Luna both began poking Stella now. Stella rolled her eyes and lunged for Gin. Gin shrieked as Stella tackled her sideways, the two rolling slightly as they wrestled a bit. Luna laughed and jumped into the fray, not really helping Stella or Gin as she laid across them, poking both of their sides now. They ended up all three tangled on the floor, breathing heavily and laughing in between breathes.

"It's time!" Terry announced, pulling the babbling drink out and pouring enough glasses for everyone. "The game? Truth or Dare. If you don't want to answer a truth, you do a dare. If you don't do the dare, you answer a truth. If you refuse both, well, I'm not sure. Just be a good sport?"

"If you don't do either, you have to go to bed," Daphne announced. "No more fun for you. Deal?"

"Deal!" everyone called out, each grabbing a glass out of the air as Terry floated them around the room.

Everyone downed half their drinks before they all sat up in a circle. Stella moved so she was leaning against Harry's legs, Hermione taking the spot to her left.

"Who goes first?" Hermione asked. "And who asks the questions and makes the dares?"

"Terry," Ernie smirked from Terry's left. "Truth or dare?"

"Whoever is to your left will choose the question or make up a dare," Stella told Hermione.

"Oh," Hermione's eyes widened as she realized she was to Stella's left.

"Deep breath, Mione," Stella pressed her arm to Hermione's. "It's supposed to be fun."

"Dare," Terry smirked.

"I dare you to chug half this bottle of firewhiskey."

Terry groaned before grabbing the offered bottle and doing just that. He was coughing and sputtering when he finished but he'd done it. He turned to Daphne. And so around they went until it was finally Hermione's turn.

"So, Granger, truth or dare?" Tracy asked.

"Truth," Hermione answered immediately, taking a sip of the babbling drink in the process like she'd seen others do.

"Why did you hate Stella so much for so long?" Tracy asked.

"I never hated her," Hermione defended. "I just… didn't get it. Everyone thought she was just so wonderful but she was mean, too. And she kept doing better than me in school and my best friends all preferred her… I didn't have a whole lot of friends growing up because, even in Primary school, I preferred books to people. Then I started seeing Theo and he would mention Stella so often that I thought he was in love with her and just knew she didn't feel the same way so he was dating me to try and make her jealous but it wasn't working and—"

"And enough," Stella interrupted Hermione so she could stop answering.

"Oh, thank you," Hermione sighed.

"We're good now," Stella told Tracy, who simply shrugged but still looked suspicious.

Hermione chewed her lip as she looked to Stella.

"Do you have a question or dare ready?" Stella asked her.

"A question," Hermione admitted.

"Truth, then," Stella told her before taking a gulp of babbling drink.

"Was Theo in love with you?" Hermione asked, seeming nervous.

"No," Stella told her truthfully. "Not to my knowledge anyways. The only people who have ever actually been in love with me, as far as I know, were Blaise, Pansy, and now Harry. Theo was my best friend and brother. Like you and Harry are for each other…"

"I'm sorry," Hermione whispered, taking Stella's hand in hers.

"It's fine," Stella shook her head even though she could feel her throat closing up a bit. "Harry?"

"Dare," Harry shrugged.

"You're going to wish you hadn't done that," Draco smirked.

"Oh, Stella's the worst when it comes to dares," Tracy groaned, hiding her face in her hands as she leaned sideways against Draco.

"Hmm," Stella smirked, seeming to think it over.

"I'm sensing that I've made a terrible decision," Harry admitted.

"I dare you…" Stella chewed her lip before smirking again, "to go skinny dip in the lake right now."

Harry groaned, falling backwards in his armchair and covering his face with his hands. Everyone got up, cheering Harry on as he stood up. They ran through the school, all laughing and not caring too much about being caught. They didn't have to pass the office of any teachers along the way as they took secret passages before running out of the front doors.

They ran to the lake, Harry running ahead of everyone else. He pulled his shirt off, tossing it backwards. He bounced as he yanked his shoes off, socks coming off right after. Stella whistled as his jeans and boxers came off next. Harry ran forward, diving into the water. Stella stripped off her shirt, shoes, and pants, running into the water in her bra and underwear, everyone following her lead. Harry smirked as Stella passed him his boxers, which he put on under the water so no one could see. The half full moon, stars, and candles from the school gave them light as they all swan around, staying in a specific area to avoid everything that lived in the lake.

They were only deep enough that they could all stand, the shorter ones of the group holding onto others so they didn't have to continuously kick their legs. Stella was on Harry's back, legs and arms wrapped around him and her head resting on his shoulder. Most of them were splashing each other or dunking one another into the water. There was a rock where people would dive, doing flips in the process. Harry noticed the three figures moving towards them from the school first, pointing it out to Stella.

"Five galleons that at least one of them is one of my dad's," Stella smirked.

"You're on," Harry smiled.

Stella won the bet as Remus, Minerva, and Pomfrey reached the edge of the water.

"Hi, Professors," Harry and Stella smirked, the two having separated and moved a little closer to the shore.

"What do you all think you're doing?" Minerva asked, arms crossed over her shoulders.

"Swimming," Harry answered.

"I thought we were playing Truth or Dare?" Stella countered.

"I thought we were drinking," Harry shrugged in return.

"I have a feeling that all three are happening," Remus smirked.

"Oh, come on, Professors," Stella begged. "Surely you did things like this when you were in school? I know one of you for sure did."

The Minerva and Pomfrey looked to Remus, both giving him a soft glare as he let out a snort of laughter that he tried to cover with a cough.

"You all have five minutes to return to your dormitories," Minerva told them.

Harry and Stella both groaned before floating back towards the others, who were all watching and waiting for the verdict.

"We five more minutes," Stella told them happily.

"I dare Terry and Ernie to hang from the bricks over there," Susan smirked.

"First one to fall has to streak back to the common room," Seamus smirked.

"Why do so many people have to get naked?" Harry asked, holding Stella's waist from behind.

"Because it's fun," Stella shrugged.

Terry and Ernie hung for two minutes before Ernie went down, falling with a loud splash into the water. Terry laughed before kicking off of the wall and backflipping into the water. They all ran out of the water, grabbing their clothes as they went. Stella pulled her pants on before putting her shirt on as well, not buttoning it completely as she carried her socks and shoes. They all ran for the school, Ernie tossing his boxers at Terry's face with a rather good bit of accuracy before he ran off. They all ran after him, cheering and laughing as they ran through the hall, no secret passage ways being used this time.

Minerva and Pomfrey blushed and looked away when they passed them, but Remus threw his head back laughing, unable to help himself. They made it to the common room, Terry being tossed his clothes once they arrived. Most of them remained in some sort of undress and scars were being noticed.

"Harry?" Lavender asked.

"Yeah?" Harry was smiling as he turned to her, Stella in his lap.

"What are the scars on your back?" Lavender asked, seeming nervous.

"Oh. My uncle Vernon used to beat me with his belt whenever I showed accidental magic or burnt their food," Harry shrugged.

Everyone immediately grew quiet, staring at Harry in shock. Even Ron and Hermione were staring at Harry and Stella realized that they hadn't known.

"Harry, love, you realize that's not okay, right?" Stella asked him, still leaning against him.

"I know," Harry nodded, kissing the top of her head. "I remember you telling me that. Plus, Madge also pointed it out."

"So it took someone else telling you?" Stella smirked, lifting her head up to give him a look.

"I always knew you were right on some level," Harry admitted. "I just… I don't know. There wasn't really anything that I could do about it, ya'know?"

"Could have told Sirius," Stella told him. "Da would have taken care of it."

"I was worried him 'taking care of it' would result in him going back to Azkaban," Harry countered.

"That's fair," Stella nodded.

"Stella has scars like that as well," Luna told the group and Stella glared at Luna, knowing the girl had seen her in the water. "What? You do!"

"I didn't need you to announce it," Stella threw a pillow at Luna, hitting her in the face with it.

"How the hell did you get scars like that?" Ron demanded, suddenly seeming very angry.

"Umbitch and Dirty Filch," Stella admitted, leaning further into Harry. "When Fred and George left the school, Filch had just gotten permission to whip students. I was the first. They gave me thirty lashings. Ten for Fred, ten for George, and ten because they thought I'd helped them with the pranks and escaping the school."

"Do Fred and George know?" Hermione asked.

"Do Mum and Dad know?" Ginny asked at the same time.

"No to both of you," Stella stated. "Minnie, Madame Pomfrey, and Dad know, which means that Uncle Moony also knows. Blaise knew. Harry knows, too, obviously."

"Wait, so you got beat for accidental magic?" Draco asked Harry.

"Well, that or tossed in my cupboard," Harry admitted.

"Cupboard?" Tracy asked, confused as Hermione gasped, looking straight at Stella.

"The cupboard you looked at when we went to get Harry before he turned seventeen," she stated.

"It was my bedroom until my Hogwarts letters began coming," Harry nodded to Hermione. "I told Stella in third year. Oh! They would also give me more chores and withhold food. I keep forgetting about those two."

"I don't," Stella grumbled. "I'm the one who sent you food."

"I know," Harry whispered, holding Stella tightly. "Thank you. I love you."

"I love you, too, but telling me you love me isn't going to stop me from finding ways to terrorize your aunt and uncle," Stella told him.

"I imagine it would make it worse," Harry smirked.

"Indeed."

A knock sounded on the portrait and it opened slowly. McGonagall's head came through and Stella waved her hand, the alcohol bottles becoming disillusioned quickly along with their glasses.

"I've come to tell you all to go to bed," she told them. "I fear the school may see more of you than you'd like if you all stay awake much longer."

Everyone groaned before Minerva raised her brow and they all quieted, standing to show they were heading to bed. Minerva left quickly and Stella waved her hand again, the bottle and glasses reappearing.

"How much do we want to bet that she's going to show up in three minutes to make sure we're all in bed?" Harry asked Stella.

"I'm not taking that bet," Stella shook her head. "Alright. I'll clean up. Everyone move along."

No one argued, not really wanting to clean. Luna and Ginny went up to the girl's dorms, Stella having conjured them a bed a while back to share with one another. Stella and Harry began moving around the common room, grabbing bottles, closing them, and placing back into the sacks before placing them in Stella's room. They gathered the glasses and moved to the kitchen to wash the items by hand, neither really wanting to use magic to do the task.

Stella washed while Harry dried before putting the glasses away. Minerva did indeed check within a few minutes if everyone had gone to bed. She walked into the kitchen when she heard the sounds of people still awake, looking ready to send them to bed before seeing Stella and Harry washing the dishes. She gave them a soft smile before leaving again, quietly awarding them both five points under her breath as she went.

Stella and Harry went to Stella's room once they were done. Harry pulled Stella close once they were in the center of the room, right beside the bed. Their clothes were still slightly damp as Harry slowly undid the few buttons on Stella's shirt and pushed it off of her shoulders, watching as it fell to the floor. He reached behind her, unclipping her bra and running his fingers down her arms as he pulled it down. He kneeled in front of her, unbuttoning her jeans as he stared up into her eyes.

Stella was watching him with wide eyes as he pulled her pants and underwear down together, helping her step out of them. He lifted one of her legs over his shoulder and Stella gasped as he buried his head between her legs. She leaned against the bed post, a hand moving to his hair as she let her head fall back, the other hand holding the bed post to help hold herself up.

Stella's legs were shaking when her back arched and she bit her lip to keep from calling out. Harry groaned as he tasted her coming on his tongue. He stood quickly, unbuttoning his pants and kicking them off quickly. He lifted her, Stella wrapping her legs around his waist as they kissed. They landed on the bed and Harry moved slowly the whole time, whispering his love to her as he went.

They were both gasping for breath, breathing one another's air. At the end of it, Harry held her from behind, a light blanket over the top of them. Their legs were wrapped around one another and their hands were intertwined. They were so wrapped around one another that Stella wasn't sure where she ended and Harry began. They fell asleep, both getting some of the best sleep that they'd gotten in a very long time.