Chapter One: The Sorting
"Give it here!" Ron yelled, trying to grab the letter from Fred, who simply tossed it to George. "It's mine!"
"Did ickle little Ronnikins get his Hogwarts letter?" George smirked, holding the letter high in the air, unaware of the small girl that had climbed the kitchen shelves and was waiting for the perfect moment to strike. "Didn't you learn anything from when Stella got hers just last week?"
"I did," Ron smirked.
"Got cha!" Stella yelled, jumping onto George's back.
They both fell to the floor with a loud crash, the air being knocked out of George. Ron grabbed his letter before grabbing Stella's hand and pulling her after him. The two laughed loudly as they ran up the stairs, running into Ron's room and slamming the door closed before pushing Ron's dresser in front of it. Fred and George banged on the door, unable to push it open as the two kids inside got their breath back. They smiled triumphantly as Ron held up his Hogwarts letter before ripping it open.
"Mr. Ronald Weasley. We are pleased to invite you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Ron whispered in awe, staring at the letter as if it were the most precious item in the world which, in a way, it was.
"I told you we'd go together," Stella rolled her eyes.
"I know. I just…" Ron trailed off and Stella pulled him into a tight hug.
"I wouldn't have gone without you," she whispered to him.
"Thank you," Ron whispered back, holding her just as tightly before they heard Molly yelling at the twins on the other side of the door.
They moved the dresser back, opening the door and poking their heads out. They both smirked, sending winks to the twins as the two troublemakers flinched under Molly's voice. As stealthily as possible, the redheaded boy and girl with raven hair went back down the stairs behind Molly, finding Ginny smirking as she prepared a snack for herself.
"So, Ron got his letter, yeah?" Ginny asked.
"Course I did," Ron sniffed, puffing his chest out. "Was it ever even a question?"
"Of course not," Ginny rolled her eyes, having heard Ron pacing in his room ever since Stella had gotten her letter on her birthday. "You'll definitely be a Hufflepuff."
"Will not!" Ron yelled.
"Will, too!" she yelled back.
The two broke into an argument, voices rising. Stella rolled her eyes, leaving the two alone so she wouldn't get yelled at when Molly found them. She worked on de-gnoming the garden, kicking a gnome when it bit her finger. She thought of what Luna would think of the bite before continuing her chores, going to gather eggs from the chicken coop next, carrying them carefully in her shirt before going back to the house. Ron and Ginny were gone but Molly was moving around the kitchen, cutting potatoes for dinner.
"I got the eggs, Mum," Stella smiled happily, carefully setting the eggs on the counter to be washed.
"Oh, thank you, dear," Molly smiled.
"I also de-gnomed the garden. One got me, though," Stella showed Molly her finger.
"Oh," Molly sighed, pulling out her wand and tapping Stella's finger, wrapping the finger in a small bandage before kissing it. "All better?"
"Thank you," Stella smiled happily. "Do you need help?"
"Can you clean the eggs?" Molly asked and Stella nodded.
She pulled a chair over to the counter before turning on the sink and holding an egg under it, getting all of the dirt and chicken gunk off of it before placing it on a tea towel that Molly had spread out for her. After a few minutes, the eggs were washed and put in the cold box for later. Molly kissed Stella's head and sent her off to play. Stella went back outside, laying in the grass and staring up at the clouds, her skin darkening slightly in the Summer sun.
Two days later, Arthur was holding Stella's and Ron's hands, Fred and George staying close behind him as Percy wondered off on his own to gather any supplies he was still missing. Stella got fitted for robes at the second hand shop, Ron seeming putout with the hand-me-downs he would be getting from the twins as he watched on, before they went to Ollivander's. Ollivander stared at Stella with wide eyes before Arthur cleared his throat and the man looked away. It took eleven tries for a wand to choose Stella, Ron staring on with a pout, Charlie's old wand in his pocket.
"Fir wood, unicorn heartstring core, bendy," Ollivander told her. "A survivors wand."
"What do you mean?" Stella asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
"You are strong-willed," Ollivander stated. "This wand will serve you well."
"Thank you," Stella whispered, giving Ollivander a soft smile before Arthur paid and they moved on.
Ron and Stella were getting Fred and George's old books and Ron was complaining about how Stella got new things and he wasn't getting anything as they walked to the second-hand bookstore to get the defense books that were required for all of the children now that they had everyone's book list for the year. Ron smiled as he carried his new book, Stella smirking as she carried the secondhand ones that would go to Ginny next year.
Two weeks later, they were heading towards platform 9 to board the Hogwarts Express, Ginny was clinging to Stella, upset with all of her siblings leaving her until Christmas. A boy with raven black hair and green eyes hidden behind broken glasses stopped them as Ron was preparing to go through the wall.
"Excuse me?" he asked, voice small. "Could you tell me how…?"
"How to get on the platform? Don't worry. It's Ron and Stella's first year, as well," Molly smiled. "Watch Stella."
Stella went through the wall, smiling and turning once she was through, making sure she was out of the way and waiting for the boy to come through. He did a few moments later, staring around in wonder.
"Muggleborn?" Stella asked.
"What?" he asked.
"That's a yes," Stella laughed, pulling the boy out of the way just in time for Ron to come through. "Careful, there. Ron'll trample anyone if he's not paying attention."
"Thanks," the boy laughed out before leaving them to board the train.
Stella smiled after him before Molly came through with Ginny, Molly telling her to hurry and commanding the twins to help Stella and Ron get their suitcases onto the train. The twins helped before rushing back to Molly, telling her something excitedly before she kissed their cheeks and sent them on their way, yelling something about a toilet seat that caused the twins to laugh loudly. Ron and Stella got their hugs before getting on the train and searching for a compartment.
"Can we sit with you?" Ron asked the twins, both of which laughed and told them no before shutting their compartment door and turning to their friend Lee to discuss pranks for the year.
Stella grabbed Ron's hand, pulling him along until they found the boy with black hair sitting by himself.
"Do you mind if we sit with you?" Stella asked him.
"Everywhere else is full," Ron sighed.
"Sure," the boy nodded, giving them a smile.
Stella and Ron sat across from the boy and Stella took Scabbers from Ron's hands, holding him gently against her chest and petting down his spine.
"I'm Ron, by the way. Ron Weasley. And this is my sister, Stella," Ron stated.
"I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
"Are you really?" Stella asked, eyes wide.
"Do you have the… the scar?" Ron asked.
"Ron," Stella complained under her breath.
"Oh," Harry nodded, moving his bangs up and showing the lightning bolt scar on his forehead.
"Whoa," Ron breathed.
"Deep breath, Ron," Stella smirked, turning back to Harry. "This is Scabbers."
"He was my brother Percy's before this year," Ron rolled his eyes. "Mum gave him to me as a gift. He's more attached to Stella, though."
"You keep trying to turn him yellow," Stella reminded him.
"Anything from the trolley, dears?" a voice asked.
"No, thanks," Ron sighed, holding up his and Stella's sandwiches. "We're all set."
"We'll take the lot," Harry stated, pulling out gold coins upon coins, causing Stella's and Ron's eyes to widen at the sheer amount.
The three pigged out on sweets, Ron moving to the seat beside Harry as he explained Quidditch to him. A boy named Neville Longbottom showed up a while later, asking after a toad before a girl with bushy hair and big teeth appeared.
"Have any of you seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost his," she explained.
"We already told him no," Ron rolled his eyes.
"Are you doing magic?" she asked, Ron trying to turn Scabbers yellow again. "Let's see then."
Ron cleared his throat.
"Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow. Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow!"
A flash appeared and Scabbers began squeaking, trying to escape Ron's hold. Stella reached over quickly, grabbing Scabbers and holding him protectively against her chest again, glaring at Ron.
"Is that a real spell?" the girl asked. "Well, I've practiced a few as well. For example, Oculus Repairo."
Harry's glasses were fixed and Harry stared in awe.
"You should be getting dressed. We'll be arriving soon. You've got dirt on your nose, by the way. Just there," the girl told Ron before turning on her heel and walking away.
"Whatever house she's in, I don't want it," Ron grumbled.
Stella rolled her eyes at the retreating girl, already dressed except for her outer robes. She set Scabbers down carefully before reaching into her suitcase and pulling the robe out. She waited to turn around until Harry and Ron gave her the all clear, pulling her robe over the top of her uniform. She picked Scabbers back up, setting him in her lap and going back to petting him again. Stella saw the toad as they were exiting the train, grabbing it up so it wouldn't get trampled and carrying it in her other hand and searching for the boy again.
"Hello, Hagrid," Harry smiled.
"Whoa," Ron breathed, staring up at the large man.
"Hiya, Harry," Hagrid smiled before raising his voice. "First years! This way!"
The first years stepped into boats and Stella found Neville once they'd docked, passing him his toad with a smile before joining Harry and Ron again. Ron took Scabbers back, rolling his eyes as he stuffed the rat into his pocket. Stella rolled her eyes but grabbed Ron's hand, not wanting to be separated from him as they walked into the large castle, all gasping at the sight of it. Hagrid left them at the entrance, a woman with a stern look on her face taking over and taking them to a large set of doors.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Ron's smudged nose. Harry nervously tried to flatten his hair while Stella tried hard not to fidget.
"I will return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
She walked through the doors, blocking their view of the interior as the doors closed behind her. Stella sighed as Ron told Harry about them possibly having to fight a troll.
"So, it's true then? What they're saying on the train? Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts," a voice stated and a boy with blond hair stepped forward, smirking. "This is Crabbe, that's Goyle, and I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
Stella held in her snort but Ron didn't, causing the blond to turn his glare on Ron.
"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair and hand-me-down robes? You must be a Weasley. You'll soon find Potter that some wizarding families are better than others. I can help you there."
Malfoy held out his hand and Harry looked down at it before glaring at Malfoy.
"I think I can sort out the wrong sort for myself, thanks."
McGonagall returned and Malfoy stepped aside, glaring at Ron and Harry as he went.
"Move along. The ceremony is starting," she told them, leading them inside.
Stella stared at the ceiling in wonder.
"It's not really the night sky," the know-it-all was back. "It's enchanted. I read all about it in 'Hogwarts: A History'."
They all lined up at the front of the room, Stella looking around the room and smiling when she found Fred and George. She elbowed Ron, pointing towards them. They both gave small waves and the twins waved back before McGonagall began speaking again.
"When I call your name, you will put on the sorting hat and be sorted into your house," she announced and Stella sent a glare at the twins.
"I'm going to kill them," Ron grumbled and Stella had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the comment.
"Black, Stella!" McGonagall called and whispers broke out across the room.
Stella released Ron's hand, stepping forward and giving McGonagall a shy smile before sitting on the stool and having the hat placed on her head.
"Ah," the hat practically purred. "Stella Black. You have a rather witty mind, something both of your parents had as well."
"My parents?" Stella asked, thinking of Molly and Arthur.
"I mean Sirius Black and Marlene McKinnon," the hat corrected her and, before Stella could think on the names, the hat continued. "Ambitious, as well. You want to prove yourself. I think, the best place for you is… SLYTHERIN!"
Silence fell over the hall and Stella took a moment to stay sitting as the hat was lifted from her head. She looked towards Ron, eyes wide in panic before McGonagall told her to move along. Ron gave her a reassuring nod and she began to move, sliding down the stool and heading towards the green and silver students, taking a spot at the front of the table where it had been left empty for the first years to join.
Milicent Bulstrode, Vincent Crabbe, Tracy Davis, Gregory Goyle, and Daphne Greengrass joined her, all sitting on the opposite side of the table from her and shooting her curious and untrusting glances as they turned to watch the rest of the sorting, everyone except her having received applause when they'd been sorted. Draco Malfoy smirked, the hat barely touching his head before he moved to the Slytherin table, sitting to Stella's left and staying quiet as he watched the sorting, the others seeming to relax a bit when he sat beside her, which only caused Stella to feel more uncomfortable than she already was. Lily Moon sat beside Tracy and across from Stella, looking her over for a moment before turning as well before Theodore Nott sat on Stella's right, Pansy Parkinson sitting on the other side of Draco once she was sorted, fluttering her lashes at him and causing Stella to roll her eyes.
"Potter, Harry!"
A hush fell over the hall, the opposite of what had happened to Stella. The hat took a while, seeming as if it went to yell one thing before stopping itself. Finally, the hat yelled out.
"Gryffindor!"
Loud applause was heard from the lions section and Stella could hear Fred and George yelling "We got Potter!" over the rest of the crowd. Finally, everyone calmed and the sorting continued. Stella smiled when Ron was called up, happy when he was placed in Gryffindor quickly. Blaise Zabini joined them after that, being the last student remaining and sitting beside Theodore. Albus Dumbledore stood then.
"Yes. Wonderful sorting! As a reminder students are to remain out of the forbidden forest and no one is to go to the second corridor on the third floor unless they wish to die the most painful death. Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are 'Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!' Thank you," he said before clapping his hands, food appearing all around the table.
"He's mad," Draco scoffed before reaching towards the food. "Sheppard's pie, cousin?"
Stella stayed quiet for a moment before realizing that his question was directed at her.
"Cousin?" she asked in confusion.
"You are Stella Black, daughter of Sirius Black. My mother was born a Black. We're cousins," he shrugged, staring at her with a blank expression.
Stella just stared back, feeling even more confused now.
"Did you not know?" Draco's voice dropped to a whisper so no one could hear them, the other first years having already started conversations among themselves.
"No," she shook her head, before looking towards the Gryffindor table. "No, I didn't."
"Where have you been all these years?" Draco questioned. "Mother said you'd been lost when Cousin Sirius had been arrested."
"Arrested?" Stella asked, eyes wide.
Draco stared at her in confusion before his eyes widened.
"I'll explain everything after the feast," he promised her, voice still low. "I'll have mother send me a book on our family for you if you'd like?"
"Yes, please," Stella nodded.
"Shepard's pie?" he asked again, holding up the serving spoon and Stella nodded.
Draco placed the food on her plate before putting some on his own plate and beginning to eat.
"So, Black," Pansy Parkinson raised her voice and caused everyone to turn to her. "Where have you been? You were lost as far as any of us knew."
"I was with my adoptive family," Stella shrugged, remembering Draco's reaction to Ron earlier and trying to keep that from getting out until she could figure out more about her father.
"What family would that be?" Daphne Greengrass demanded.
"Leave her be," Theodore spoke up, able to tell how uncomfortable Stella seemed.
"Well, they were like us, weren't they?" Parkinson questioned.
"Magical, you mean?" Stella asked. "Yeah."
"No. Pure," Daphne corrected.
"They are," Stella nodded, thinking of the Weasley family tree.
"Good," Daphne nodded and Stella shrank in her seat a bit.
"Leave her alone," Draco spoke up and the other first-years went back to their own conversations.
Stella let out a breath of relief before going back to her food. She ate slowly, seeing everyone, minus Crabbe and Goyle, eating carefully, seeming far more proper than Stella felt. She looked over the heads of the Slytherins, finding Ron laughing from beside Harry, Fred and George. Percy was looking back at her though, giving her a disappointed look. She gave him a pleading look and he raised his chin, turning away from her defiantly. Stella felt her heart sink in her chest at the snub before looking up to the head table and finding a man in all black with greasy hair glaring at the Gryffindor table before he turned his glare to her.
"Who's that?" Stella asked Draco quietly, pointing to him.
"Severus Snape," Draco nodded. "He's the head of our house and the potions master."
"I don't think he likes me much," Stella admitted as Snape kept his glare on her.
"Nonsense," Draco waved off her concerns and she turned to him. "That's just his face."
Stella let out a small laugh, a smile escaping and causing Draco to seem rather proud of himself. Dessert was served and then they were led through the halls and to the dungeons. The prefect that was leading them didn't seem to truly care for them until they were out of sight of the other houses, visibly relaxing when it was just them and the first-years. They reached a portrait and the prefect spoke.
"Emerald."
The portrait swung open and the prefect nodded, walking into the common room and ushering the first-years in. A wall of glass met them, causing the common room to glow green as they looked into the lake. The prefect cleared his throat and they turned to him.
"My name is Walter Parkin. My prefect partner, Tunney Hushbottom, is in the infirmary at the moment and will introduce herself tomorrow. You may look around the common room before our head of house, Professor Snape, joins us for the start of term speech before heading to your dorm rooms," Walter explained.
"Is she alright?" Stella asked, concern clear on her face.
"She will be," Walter nodded before moving along towards a few of the older students who were probably his year.
"Is she alright?" Pansy mocked to Daphne and Stella rolled her eyes before approaching the glass and smiling as she saw movement in the dark.
Theodore stood beside her, staring out as well. Stella gave him a small smile before a silence fell over the room and a throat cleared, pulling both of their attention. Professor Snape looked around at the gathered first-years, inspecting each of their appearances. His eyes stopped on Stella for a long moment before moving on.
"I am your head of house, Professor Severus Snape. You have been sorted into Slytherin. Most of you know what they truly means but some of you," his eyes flicked to Stella again, "will not understand. The school has preconceived notions of your house. They call us evil and target us. You are to stay in groups of three or more at all times. Do not wonder off on your own under any circumstances. They'll see you as any easy target.
"In the halls, you are to carry yourselves with the respect and decorum that our founder would expect from you. You are to behave in classes, not call unwanted attention to yourself, and do not start fights. If you do find yourself in a duel, be sure to finish it.
"You have me first thing in the morning with the Gryffindors. Mister Parkin will lead you to my class after breakfast. Do not be late for your classes. If you are, ask a Slytherin for directions and they will help you. Do not ask the Gryffindors, portraits, or ghosts, unless they are in this room right now. Take a look around and memorize them. If you do not present yourself in the correct manor, you will be receiving detentions with myself, scrubbing cauldrons by hand."
Professor Snape turned on his heel, leaving the common room then and leaving Stella shocked with his speech. She didn't have time to think on it though as Walter stepped in front of them.
"Right," he sighed. "Your rooms are just up those stairs. Ladies on the left. Boys on the right. Get some sleep."
Walter left then, following after Professor Snape quickly. Draco's hand found its way around Stella's wrist, stopping her from leaving the common room. She followed him to the corner of the room, the two sitting in armchairs and facing one another.
"Who were you with?" he questioned.
Stella sighed before answering.
"The Weasley family," she told him, watching as Draco's eyes widened in shock.
"You were stuck with that family?" he asked, seeming disgusted and Stella glared at him.
"They're the only family I've ever known so I will ask that you not say anything mean about them in front of me," she told him and Draco shook his head, sighing in the process.
"Alright. What do you know of the Black family?"
"Nothing," she shrugged.
"They never told you about your family?" Draco was shocked again. "I have to write mother. She'll know what to do."
"Draco," Stella interrupted. "You said my father was in prison. Is he in Azkaban?"
"He is," Draco nodded. "For being a Death Eater."
Stella just stared at Draco, eyes slowly widening.
"He was a Death Eater?" Stella whispered the question, lip quivering.
"He is," Draco nodded. "He's still alive. Just locked up with Aunt Bella and the dementors."
"So, our family is…"
"Yes," Draco nodded, Stella not having to finish her question for him to understand.
Stella looked away from him, taking everything in. She turned back to him then.
"Why did he leave me with the Weasley's?" she asked.
"Haven't the foggiest," Draco shrugged. "As far as any of us knew, you were lost. We knew you weren't dead because the Black vaults are in your name."
"The Black vaults?" Stella asked. "Like at Gringotts?"
Draco just stared into her eyes for a moment before looking down at her hand. His frown deepened the longer he stared at her hand. Stella looked down at her own hand in confusion before looking to Draco.
"What?" she asked him.
"You should have an heir ring," he whispered. "Mother is going to be angry."
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," he assured her, looking into her eyes again. "You've done nothing wrong. We should get some rest though. I'll write mother before breakfast."
"Okay," Stella nodded, standing when Draco did and allowing him to lead her up the stairs.
He watched her go into her dorm room, joining the other girls in their year before going to his own dorm. Stella gave a shy smile to Millicent, Tracy, and Lily, avoiding Daphne and Pansy as she rushed to her own bed. She found her trunk at the end of her assigned bed and reached inside, pulling out her pajamas and heading towards the loo attached to the room. After getting changed, she laid in her bed, noting the look Pansy gave her pajamas before closing her curtain.
She laid there, thinking of the small bit of information she'd received from Draco on her birth family. Why hadn't mum told her anything before she came to school? Surely she should have been warned what people would think of her just because of her father. Wouldn't it have been better to hear it from her mum and dad instead of other people?
Stella fell asleep confused and hurt.