Chapter Nine
Defense became almost everyone's favorite class rather quickly. After the boggarts, they learned about Red Caps, followed by Kappas. Any mention of Lupin in Potions caused Snape's eyes to flash angrily, particularly taking his anger out on Neville, the poor boy, who Stella was not allowed to sit next to in classes anymore. She made sure to share her notes outside of class with him every chance she got though.
Care of Magical Creatures was suddenly less enjoyable. Hagrid had seemed to have lost his confidence after Stella had gotten injured. They were now looking after flobberworms, which Stella found to be the most boring creature in existence.
Stella could hear people talking about her after the boggart. Originally, people had spread rumors that Stella had planned to help Sirius Black get to Harry. Now that rumor mill said he was also after Stella or that Stella was being forced to help him, since he was her boggart. Little did they know that Sirius Black had been her nightmare since her first year when Narcissa Malfoy had sent her that very first article.
Stella flew above the Quidditch pitch with Draco and some sixth year that preferred to try flirting with Stella than look for the snitch. Draco let out a growl as Stella caught the snitch for the fifth time in a row, Draco not even having seen it when she'd taken it to Flint to turn in. After all of the snitches had been collected by Stella, Flint looked back and forth between Draco and Stella and then to the teams brooms.
"I'll pay Lucius Malfoy back," Stella told Flint and he let out a grateful sigh.
"Malfoy, you're the reserve," Flint stated and Draco began complaining loudly.
Stella just smirked, bumping her fist against Blaise's, him already wearing a jersey as he'd been made a chaser just half an hour ago. Stella was given a jersey, the word 'Black' appearing on the back of it. She smiled as she skipped into the castle, nodding to Luna and Ginny as she passed them. Both smiled brightly, getting the message before they ran off together, both sworn to secrecy.
Stella knew where the twins liked to spy from and had warned Flint, causing him to send a few of his friends to the spot to head the twins off. She practiced vigorously, "enjoying it far too much" in Draco's opinion.
"Don't be sour, cousin," Stella rolled her eyes one afternoon. "And do tell your father that the money was transferred to his vaults for me, please?"
"Yeah, yeah," Draco grumbled.
The first years had taken to Stella again this year due to the Slytherin Sunday classes with Snape. Stella really hoped Snape didn't get any ideas about trying to make her head girl and decided to make sure she pulled a few pranks to keep exactly that from happening. She gave the twins some gold and a list of products that she wanted from Zonko's, the two smirking as they stuffed both into their pockets. She'd given them extra to keep as payment for the pickup.
Ron approached her the next day.
"Is there any way that you can keep Scabbers while I'm in Hogsmeade?" he begged.
"Is Hermione's beast of a thing still going after him?" Stella asked, having just received a bit of medicine for Scabbers just that morning and passing it to Ron.
"Yeah," Ron sighed, accepting the medicine. "Meet us out front before we leave and I'll pass him over."
"Deal," Stella nodded.
On Halloween morning, Stella sat at the Gryffindor table, taking Scabbers early and bumping Harry's arm with hers. He gave her a forced smile.
"I'm not going, either, remember? I even tried to get Snape to let me go."
"I asked McGonagall," Harry smiled.
"And they both let us down? How rude," Stella shook her head. "We should have just forged the signatures and called it a day."
"We'll bring you both sweets from Honeydukes," Hermione assured them.
"Loads," Ron promised.
"Want to hangout while they're all gone?" Stella asked Harry.
"Sure," he nodded.
"Good. You can keep each other entertained," Hermione nodded, looking relieved.
Stella had actually been planning on asking Harry if they could use his cloak to sneak out but what Hermione didn't know wouldn't hurt her. They walked with the others to see them off before heading back up the stairs, Stella sending Malfoy the bird as he jeered at them. Harry followed Stella to the Slytherin common room, waiting outside the portrait as she put Scabbers on her bed and then went back into the hall.
"So, funny question, how's your cloak doing?"
Harry smiled brightly, telling Stella that he'd been thinking exactly the same thing.
"Come on," he smiled, grabbing Stella's hand and pulling her along.
The two laughed as they ran through the halls and up the stairs, not even noticing when they passed both Snape and Lupin, who watched them go with matching pained expressions, though Snape's contained a bit of anger in it. Did it have to be a Black and a Potter?
Harry led Stella into the Gryffindor common room, not caring that Stella now had the password. Harry told Colin he didn't want to sit with him and his friends and Stella gave them a wink, causing them all to giggle. One of them even mentioned something about a broom closet. Harry ran upstairs and then came back down, giving Stella a nod.
The two walked back out of the common room, the Fat Lady seeming annoyed as they went. Halfway to the library, they changed course and ended up coming face-to-face with Filch.
"What are you doing?" he demanded.
"Nothing," Harry said.
"Nothing!" Filch spat. "A likely story! Sneaking around on your own. Why aren't the two of you at Hogsmeade buying Stink Pellets and Bletch Powder and Whizzing Worms like your nasty little friends?"
"I'm already full up," Stella shrugged and Filch looked ready to pounce on her and Stella pulled Harry along by his hand. "Have a good day, Mr. Filch!"
They started heading towards the owlery, deciding to make it seem as if they were heading there in case they were spotted, planning to toss the cloak on once they were on the stairs.
"Harry? Stella Nova?" a voice asked and the two turned, seeing Lupin poking his head out of his office. "What are you two doing? Where are Ron and Hermione? Blaise and Theodore?"
"Hogsmeade," said Harry.
"Ah. Why don't you both come in? I've just taken a delivery for a Grindylow for our next lesson."
"A what?" asked Harry as they walked into Lupin's office.
"Aquatic animals. Nasty things," Stella told Harry. "There's a swarm of them in the Black Lake."
"Correct," Lupin nodded. "We shouldn't have much difficulty with them, not after the kappas. The trick is to break his grip. You notice the abnormally long fingers? Strong, but very brittle."
A grindylow bared its green teeth and then buried itself in a tangle of weeds in a corner.
"Cup of tea?" he asked, looking around for his kettle. "I was just thinking of making one."
"Alright," Harry nodded and Stella wanted to stomp on his foot.
"Sorry. If the two of you have a date planned while the others are gone—"
"No," they both said quickly and Lupin smirked.
"Well, let's sit then. I've only got teabags, I'm afraid, though I'm sure you've had enough of tea leaves, Harry?" Lupin had a twinkle in his eyes.
"How did you know?" Harry asked.
"Professor McGonagall told me," he said, passing a cup to Stella and a chipped mug to Harry. "You're not worried, are you?'
"I was at first but then Stella here talked some sense into me," Harry smirked before his smile fell slightly. "You know the day we faced the boggart?"
"Like the date, or…?" Stella joked, taking a sip of her tea and causing Harry to roll his eyes while smiling at her before turning back to Lupin.
"I remember," Lupin nodded, seeming as if he were trying to hold in a smile.
"Why didn't you let me try to fight it?" Harry asked. "I was stepping in front of Stella as well."
"I would have thought it was obvious. I assumed if you faced a boggart, it would assume the shape of Lord Voldemort," Stella and Harry were both shocked to hear someone else say the name. Stella used it when she wasn't around her family, refusing to call someone 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named', which felt far too silly. "Clearly I was wrong. I didn't want Lord Voldemort to materialize in the staffroom. I imagined that people would panic, not that they didn't when Sirius Black made an appearance."
"Sorry about that," Stella flinched. "Parkinson pushed me."
"I didn't think of Voldemort," said Harry honestly. "I remembered those dementors."
"I see," Lupin nodded thoughtfully. "Well, then I'm impressed. That suggests that what you fear most of all is… fear. Very wise, Harry."
Stella and Harry both drank more tea.
"So, you've been thinking that I didn't believe you capable of fighting the boggart?" Lupin asked outright.
"Well, yeah," Harry nodded. "Professor Lupin, you know the dementors—"
A knock on the door interrupted the conversation.
"Come in," Lupin called.
Professor Snape came in, stopping at the sight of a Black, a Potter, and a Lupin all in the same room. Stella felt uneasy before Snape shook his head, eyes softening slightly when he saw her. She noticed the smoking goblet in his hand and grew curious, sitting up and trying to get a better look at it.
"Ah, Severus," Lupin said and Stella saw Snape shiver slightly at hearing his own name. "Thanks very much. Could you leave it here on the desk for me?"
Snape walked forward and Stella saw Snape's rather strange body language, studying him as he spoke to Lupin, who seemed completely at ease.
"I was just showing Stella Nova and Harry my grindylow," Lupin pointed towards the creature.
"Fascinating," said Snape without looking away from Lupin. "You should drink that directly, Lupin.
"Yes. Yes, I will."
"I made an entire cauldronful," Snape continued. "If you need more—"
"I should probably take some more again tomorrow. Thanks very much, Severus," Lupin practically purred Snape's name and Stella's eyes widened as she began fidgeting in her seat.
"Not at all but it seems I am actually in need of Miss Black's assistance grading potions. Come, Black."
"Yes, sir," Stella said, biting her lip to keep from smiling, eyes still wide as she tried hard not to freak out. "See you later, Harry."
Stella kissed the top of Harry's head as she left, practically jumping up and down as she went. She kept herself from freaking out all the way through the school and as they entered Snape's office.
"Black," he turned on her.
"I need a moment to freak out where you don't murder me or give me detention for life," Stella admitted, literally shaking with energy.
"Fine," Snape sighed.
"Oh. My. GOD! YOU AND LUPIN! WHAT? WHEN? HOW? I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! Oh, Merlin, sir! I swear I won't tell, not that anyone would believe me, and I know you won't give me literally any information no matter how much I bug you but this is…." Stella slowed down, seeing the look on Snape's face and her smile fell, "not good. Absolutely terrible. He was one of the Gryffindor's you mentioned. Do you want me to put stink pellets in his classroom? Cause I'll do it for you, sir."
"That is not necessary," he answered.
"Oh, I was going to do it anyways, sir. I need to pull a few pranks so you don't try making me a prefect in a couple of years. I have to follow in Fred and George's footsteps, you see?"
Snape let a smile slip onto his face before nodding.
"Alright. You get one question for each successful pellet placed on his person," Snape told her.
"Deal, sir," Stella smiled. "Shall we head to the feast? Fair warning, I plan on causing a bit of a ruckus."
"I would expect nothing less," Snape stood, walking with Stella towards the Great Hall, the two smiling as they went.
Fireworks went off at the end of the feast and the pumpkins came to life, dancing across the tables. The twins looked around in awe before their eyes landed on Stella, who was simply smiling, looking rather proud of herself. Snape smirked as McGonagall complained about the Weasley twins before speaking up.
"Not them," he said, voice rising so McGonagall could hear him over the students and pointed towards his own table. "Her."
"Of course," Lupin let out a breath of laughter. "Why am I not surprised?"
"She's rather clever," Snape nodded. "Sneaky Slytherin."
"Well, it is a rather brilliant show," McGonagall smiled fondly, watching as more fireworks went off and the Jack-o-Lanterns continued dancing an Irish jig.
Stella had another show in the common room for just the Slytherins. More fireworks went off and confetti and streamers fell on the students in orange and black. Stella passed stuffed bats and pumpkins to the first and second year students, even tossing Tracy a spare bat. The bats flew a bit when tossed in the air and the pumpkins did little dances if you spun them in a circle on the floor. Snape ran into the room during the festivities, a streamer sticking to him as he searched the room frantically until his eyes landed on Stella as she laughed with Tracy, the two watching as a few seventh years ran at each other with gourds on their heads.
The music scratched and everyone looked around, silence filling the room as Snape made his way to Stella. He stopped beside her, turning to the rest of the room. He placed the tip of his wand against his throat and his voice became amplified.
"All students are to report to the Great Hall at once," he announced. "Everything will be explained when you arrive."
Stella nodded to Blaise and Theo, the two leaving with the others. Stella walked beside Snape, the two making some distance between themselves and the others. When they were almost to the dungeon exit, Snape spoke.
"Sirius Black broke into the school and tried to enter Gryffindor tower earlier. No one was injured. We are going to search the school and we are going to find him. Gryffindor is already in the Great Hall. Now, go."
Stella took off running, the Slytherins moving out of Stella's way as she burst into the Great Hall.
"Over there, Stella," Luna pointed to where Harry was standing.
"Thank you, Luna," Stella sighed, running towards Harry.
Harry saw her coming and ran towards her as well. She jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly as he held her off of the ground. The two didn't move or let go of one another for a long moment until Dumbledore's voice broke over the crowd.
"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle. I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately," Dumbledore looked to Percy then. "Send word with one of the ghosts."
Dumbledore waved his wand and sleeping bags covered the floor. Stella sighed and turned back to Harry.
"I should check on the first and second years," she told him, voice a whisper.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked her.
"Nope. You?"
"Not even a little."
"Do you want me to stay with you?" she asked him.
"No. Go check on the little snakes," Harry smirked.
"Here," she smiled, passing him a little pumpkin stuffy. "It dances when you spin it on the floor."
"Cool," Harry smirked and Stella moved to go to the Slytherins when Harry reached out, grabbing Stella's hand and stopping her. "You can come back if you need to, though."
"Thanks," Stella gave a small smile before walking away. "I'll be back to sleep. Save me a spot?"
"Always," Harry promised.
Stella sent sparks into the air and the Slytherins turned to her, as did a few Gryffindors and Luna. The first and second years rushed forward, lining up. She did a head count, making sure they were all there before putting a fake smile on her face.
"We're having a big slumber party tonight for Halloween," she told them, everyone in the hall quieting to listen in. "We had to get special permission to do it. So, we're going to continue the festivities for a bit before we go to bed, alright?"
The kids all smiled brightly and Percy made his way over, probably to argue with Stella but the twins intercepted him, telling him that scaring the younger kids was going to make everything worse. Music started up again and everyone just forgot for a little while. The elves dropped off little snacks and drinks for everyone and Stella had to make enough little stuffies for all of the younger students, making sure to set aside a few for the teachers. She shot streamers and confetti from her wand and Fred and George convinced an elf to gather some of their fireworks, setting them off before getting all of the younger students settled and in sleeping bags.
Stella stared up at the cloudy night sky with a glare. Snape came to her side, staring up.
"Why are you glaring at the sky?"
"I want to change it to stars for kids," she admitted.
Snape sighed before pointing his wand, sending a spell at the ceiling. The clouds separated and the stars grew brighter, constellations connecting through thin silver lines. Stella smirked, looking to Snape.
"Detention, Black," he rolled his eyes.
"That's fair, sir," Stella nodded.
"Go to bed," he told her, leaving the hall.
Stella smirked as she watched him go before looking up, staring up at the stars. She moved over to her brothers, Hermione, and Harry. She laid in the only green sleeping bag in their section, smirking as she did so before Harry reached out and took her hand. She stared up at the ceiling, hand in Harry's.
Once every hour, a teacher would reappear in the hall to check that everything was quiet. Snape came by to check on Stella again, glaring at the joined hands before moving on. Lupin showed up at some point as well, not that anyone noticed due to everyone being asleep. He stared down at two children who had held as babies, had rocked to sleep and fed and changed their diapers, helped feed them medicine when they were sick, take their first steps, say their first words. Back when he was Uncle Moony…
The Fat Lady was replaced by a knight that tried to duel any and everyone. Ron complained about it twice a day at least. Stella just ignored him, knowing he'd have more to complain about on Saturday when the game got switched to Hufflepuff, Snape having pulled some strings and used Stella being attacked by Buckbeak so they didn't have to play in the rain. Stella had snorted a laugh when Snape had told her in detention before thanking him. She really hadn't been looking forward to playing in the rain to be honest. No one knew why the game had been changed to Hufflepuff and no one would, the Slytherins keeping quiet about Stella being on the team.
Friday, Snape was in the Defense room, standing by the teacher desk. He began telling the students that Lupin hadn't left a syllabus when Harry ran in.
"Sorry I'm late, Professor Lupin. I—"
"This lesson started ten minutes ago, Potter, so I think we'll make it ten points from Gryffindor. Sit down."
Ten points was generous in Stella's mind. Any time a Slytherin was late to class, they got a weeks' worth of detention.
"Where's Professor Lupin?" Harry asked, still standing in the doorway.
"He is feeling ill today," said Snape and Stella stared at Snape, studying him again. "I believe I told you to sit down?"
"What's wrong with him?" Harry demanded and Snape looked as if he were dealing with a small child rather than a thirteen year old.
"Nothing life-threatening. Five more points from Gryffindor, and if I have to ask you to sit down again, it will be fifty."
Harry finally sat, taking the empty seat beside Stella.
"As I was saying before Potter interrupted, Professor Lupin has not left any record of the topics you have covered so far."
"Please, sir," Hermione interrupted and Stella wondered just how many points Gryffindor could lose in one class period. "We've done boggarts, Red Caps, kappas, and Grindylows. We were just about to start—"
"Quiet," said Snape coldly. "I did not ask for information. I was merely commenting on Professor Lupin's lack of organization."
Stella had to bite her lip but a small sound escaped her. She couldn't help herself. Hearing Snape talk badly about his ex in front of a bunch of teenagers was just a bit too much for her to handle. Harry sent a glare her way and she straightened. Snape glared at her and she sunk back down.
"He's the best defense teacher we've ever had," Dean spoke up, talking to Snape before looking at Stella. "Just because you were too afraid to face your boggart—"
"Enough!" Snape insisted.
"Not why I was laughing," Stella whispered to Harry so he knew.
"Just because she's your favorite—" Seamus started up and Stella stiffened, listening as the Gryffindors so easily and openly badmouthed her out of nowhere.
"Shut it!"
The voice was Harry's that had yelled this time and the Gryffindor's immediately did as he told them.
"I would expect Red Caps and Grindylows from first years, but not from third years. Today we shall discuss…" Snape flipped through the book for a moment. "Werewolves."
Hermione tried to argue again and Gryffindor lost ten more points, bringing the tally to twenty-five so far.
"Turn to page 394."
Stella turned to the page quickly.
"Favorite…" Snape smirked and Stella looked up, not liking the challenging brow Snape had raised and, had it only been Slytherins in the room, she would have groaned and told him to leave her be. "What is the difference between a werewolf and an animagus?"
"Animagus have gone through extreme transfiguration processes to become an animal at will, an animal that represents their magic and their soul. A werewolf in a magical person who has been bit by a werewolf and turns every full moon into a beast that kills with no regard for friend or foe. Unless they take a potion, of course."
Stella's eyes widened again and then narrowed on Snape. An almost unnoticeable tick of his lips, giving her the answer.
"And what are the distinguishable differences between a real wolf and a werewolf?" he asked.
"Their pupils, snout shape, and tail, along with the fact that werewolves stand on two legs, not four. Honestly if you're close enough to notice the pupils and snout then you're probably already dead either way."
"Good. Not just words directly from the textbook, but your own words as well, showing that you actually understand the subject and didn't just memorize the passage," Snape stated, eyes darting to Hermione on the last part before he made everyone take notes from the book on werewolves, going around and checking everyone's work that they had been doing in the class in the process. "Very poorly explained… Incorrect. The kappa is more commonly found in Magnolia… Professor Lupin gave this an eight out of ten? I would have given it a three."
Stella let out another snort of laughter, covering her face with her hand tossing her quill down, biting her lip hard.
"Detention, Black."
"Yes, sir."
That night, Stella sat in Snape's office, laughing loudly as he waited for her to calm down. She slowly did, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye before leaning back.
"So, your ex-boyfriend is a werewolf?" she asked.
"Yes," Snape hissed out.
"Need help with his potions?"
Stella sighed as she looked over the Wolfsbane potion, labeled as a few made up words. Even the word dragon was thrown in there. Instead of the word 'Aconite', it said marshmallows, which was Stella's request. Snape really did go far too easy on her. It was probably the guilt from the year before if she were being honest. She walked into the hospital wing, just barely keeping herself upright as she ran directly into Professor Lupin.
"Professor," she smiled at him before it fell slightly. "Wait, why are you here? Are you alright?"
"I am well, Stella Nova. Thank you."
"Please tell me you'll be back on Monday?" she begged. "Don't get me wrong, Professor Snape has been my favorite for years, but all we did was take notes all class period. It wasn't near as fun as normal."
"I'll have to keep that in mind," Lupin laughed. "I will be back Monday. What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I have to take potions every night," Stella shrugged. "I'm sure you'll hear it from someone eventually. I have episodes."
"Episodes?" Lupin asked, staring at Stella in concern.
"Panic attacks, nightmares," she shrugged.
"I'm sorry," Remus frowned.
"It's nothing," she shrugged. "I should go though. I have assignments to finish."
"Not going to the game?" he asked.
"In this weather? Absolutely not," Stella laughed. "See ya, Professor."
"Goodbye, Stella Nova."
Lupin left, glancing back at Stella as she skipped over to Madam Pomfrey, reminding Lupin so much of Marlene with all of her energy. What she had just told him about was all Sirius Black though. It was the Black madness striking again. He wondered how long it would be before the potions didn't work anymore.
Stella ran to the hospital wing a few hours later.
"What is it?" she demanded. "What's happened?"
"Dementors," Ron explained, leading Stella to Harry's bed. "He fell off his broom because of it."
"What's that you're holding?" she asked.
"His broom."
"That sucks," Stella sighed, looking over and finding Harry opening his eyes.
"Harry!" Fred exclaimed. "How're you feeling?"
"What happened?" he asked, sitting up.
"You fell off. Must have fallen fifty feet."
"The match?" Harry specified.
"They caught the snitch," George answered.
"Lost by a hundred," Angelina added.
"So if Hufflepuff loses to Ravenclaw and we beat Ravenclaw and Slytherin…" Harry started and Stella stayed quiet.
"Hufflepuff'll have to lose by at least two hundred points," Geroge added.
"If someone would tell us Slytherins secret weapon…" Fred tried and all eyes turned to Stella.
"How are you feeling?" Stella asked Harry.
"I'm alright," he promised. "I'd be better if…"
"That's my cue," she stated, turning and walking away.
True to his word, Lupin was back in class on Monday. Stella took a bar of chocolate into the classroom, placing it on his desk with a nod before going towards her seat.
"Trying to be another teacher's favorite, Black?" Seamus asked.
"I'm sorry, have I done something to you?" she asked him, eyes narrowed.
"You probably let your father into the school. That whole display on Halloween was a distraction so he could get in and then you kept it going so that he could get out. You act all nice and friendly towards the Gryffindors, help Neville with his classes, and hold Harry's hand but you're actually working with him," Seamus spat out.
Seamus was turned around quickly by a hand on his shoulder and Harry placed a punch on his jaw. Stella pulled Harry away quickly but he was already done. Seamus was on the floor, looking up at Harry in shock. Lupin ran over, sending Harry to the headmasters office as he looked at Seamus and Harry grabbed Stella's hand, taking her with him. She didn't even realize she'd been crying until Harry was wiping her tears before kissing her head and going up to the headmaster's office.
Stella sat outside of the gargoyle while Harry received his punishment from the Headmaster, which ended up only being a week of detention with Lupin. He grabbed her hand and the two went to an empty classroom. Harry sat on the floor, pulling Stella into his lap and holding her. Stella let a few more tears fall before sniffling and resting her head on Harry's shoulder.
"I would never—" Stella began.
"You don't have to explain anything," Harry whispered to her, holding her close. "I know."
They stayed there until afternoon classes had ended and then walked hand-in-hand to the Great Hall. Harry kissed the top of Stella's head and she went to the Slytherin table, taking her normal seat. The table was completely quiet and Blaise and Theo scooted slightly away from her. She stared in confusion until she heard Parkinson snort.
"What?" she asked the other girl.
"You are a disgrace to Slytherin," she responded. "Running around with Potter."
"Oh, no. Am I friends with Harry Potter? I didn't realize," Stella rolled her eyes.
Stella was being shunned. Why? No clue at this point. Blaise and Theo kept up appearances, staying close to her during and in between classes. She avoided the common room at all costs, setting off dungbombs just so she could get detention.
"Why does everyone hate me?" Stella asked as she fell into the seat in front of Snape.
"I was going to ask if you knew," Snape offered.
"Brilliant," she sighed. "Parkinson said something about being a disgrace and running around with Harry."
"Yes. I heard about the jealous act in Lupin's class."
"And who told you about that?" Stella smirked.
"Detention."
"Wonderful! We can talk about the dragon marshmallow potion during it."
There was another Hogsmeade day coming up and Stella and Harry were determined to sneak out this time. Harry told her that Fred and George had given him something under the condition that he share it with Stella whenever she ask for it. They were hiding out in an empty classroom while everyone else cleared out of the castle.
"Alright," he smiled, pulling out a bit of parchment. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
"Good for you?" Stella tilted her head in confusion. "About time I had a partner in crime honestly."
Harry rolled his eyes and stared at the parchment, causing Stella to do the same. The parchment was no longer blank though. 'Messers. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present THE MARAUDER'S MAP'.
Passageways and names popped up and Stella gasped, realizing that the idea she had earlier that year had actually been done before.
"Brilliant," she growled out as Harry handed her the map and she could see Snape in his office, seemingly pacing. "Absolutely brilliant. It explains so much."
"There's a passage that'll take us straight to Honeydukes," Harry showed her.
"Is that the one we're taking?" she asked, smiling brightly at Harry.
Harry smiled and nodded quickly. Harry hid the map in his pocket and the two stepped out of the classroom. They walked to a stone witch and Harry poked it while whispering, "Dissendium." At once, the statue's hump opened wide enough to admit a fairly thin person. Harry glanced up and down the corridor and nodded to Stella, sending her down first.
"Lumos," she whispered once she had stepped aside, Harry joining her a moment later as the stone witch moved back into place, hiding their escape route.
"Mischief managed," Harry tapped the map with a smirk.
"Brilliant," Stella said again.
The passage twisted and turned, more like the burrow of a giant rabbit than anything else. The two hurried along it, holding hands and stumbling now and then on the uneven floor, laughing excitedly. It took ages but felt like less as they laughed along the way. Finally the passage began to rise and they came to the foot of some worn steps, which rose out of sight above them. Harry looked out first, making sure the coast was clear before helping Stella out of the hole.
He tossed the cloak over them and headed out of the storage room. They stayed close to one another, bodies pressed so close that Harry wrapped his arms around Stella, making sure their feet couldn't be seen as they went. Stella felt a blush creep up along her neck but ignored it as they moved through Honeydukes. Stella's hand darted out, grabbing a chunk of chocolate before dropping a few coins on the counter before sticking the chocolate in her bag before they got out of there.
Harry tapped Stella's waist and pointed carefully to where Ron and Hermione were standing. The two made their way to them, listening in on the conversation.
"Ugh, no, they won't want one of those. They're for vampires, I think. Maybe we could get one as a prank gift for Snape," Ron stated before picking up some cockroach clusters. "What about one of these?"
"Definitely not," Harry spoke up and Ron almost dropped the jar.
"Harry," squealed Hermione, looking around but not seeing him. "Oh, you're under the cloak."
"How'd you make it all the way here without someone seeing your steps?" Ron asked.
Harry told Ron and Hermione about the map, voice low so no one could hear him.
"How come Fred and George never gave it to me?" Ron asked, looking at Hermione so no one knew Harry was there, Stella remaining quiet and trying not to laugh as she tried to figure out exactly when she wanted to scare Ron. "I'm their brother."
"Well, they did make me swear to let Stella use it for troublemaking whenever," Harry offered.
"You aren't going to keep it or give it to her, are you?" Hermione asked. "You should hand it over to McGonagall. The professors can use it to catch Black."
"I'm not handing it over," Harry immediately spoke up.
"Are you mad?" Ron asked Hermione, eyes wide. "Hand in something that good?"
"Sirius Black could be using one of the passages on that map," Hermione pointed out.
"There are seven secret passages. Filch knows about four, one is caved in, one is under the Whomping Willow, and the other is the one I just came through. You have to get through the shop to get to it."
"Come on, Hermione. Harry deserves a break. What happened to the girl that stole potions ingredients from Snape and brewed an illegal potion in the abandoned girls bathroom last year?" Ron tried and Stella turned her head slighty to give Harry a look, to which he let out a snort of laughter.
"Are you going to report me, Hermione?" Harry asked with a grin.
"Of course not," Hermione stated, shaking her head.
"Let's go get a butterbeer," Ron spoke up. "Come on. To the Three Broomsticks."
Stella and Harry walked carefully, trying to hide that there were two of them under the cloak. Stella wondered how they were going to get away with drinking a butterbeer under here when they walked into the pub, Ron holding the door open longer than necessary for just Hermione and himself.
"That's Madam Rosmerta," said Ron, going a bit red. "I'll get the drinks, shall I?"
Hermione led them to a table that was hidden mostly behind a Christmas tree. Harry pulled a chair out and sat down, pulling Stella sideways in his lap as if it were nothing. She reddened slightly and waved herself, pretending she was getting warm under the cloak. Harry raised his brow, asking silently if she was okay and she nodded. Ron put three butterbeers on the table, back to the crowd to hide it when Harry's hand reached out and snagged his drink. He passed it to Stella first and she had to hold in a happy hum at the taste before passing it back.
"I think you're clear from view," Ron offered.
"Just in case," Harry smirked and Stella had to keep herself from laughing, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Good plan," Hermione mumbled. "Professor McGonagall just walked in."
Stella and Harry shared wide eye looks before remembering that they were under the cloak.
"A small gillywater," a woman's voice offered.
"Mine," answered McGonagall and Stella's brows rose in amusement.
"Four pints of mulled mead."
"Ta, Rosmerta," said Hagrid.
"A cherry syrup and soda with ice and an umbrella," Rosemerta asked.
"Mm," Flitwick responded.
"So you'll be the red currant rum, Minister."
"Thank you, Rosmerta, m'dear," said Fudge. "Lovely to see you again, I must say. Have one yourself, won't you? Come and join us."
"Well, thank you, Minister. So, what brings you to this neck of the woods?" Rosmerta asked.
"What else, m'dear, but Sirius Black," Stella and Harry exchanged a look again, listening more. "I daresay you heard what happened up at the school on Halloween?"
"I did."
"Did you tell the whole pub, Hagrid?" McGonagall asked.
"Do you think Black is still in the area?" Rosmerta asked.
"I'm sure of it."
Harry pulled Stella closer to his chest, passing her the butterbeer to take a drink of.
"The dementors scared half my customers away," Rosmerta commented.
"They're in a fury against Dumbledore. He won't let them in the castle grounds," said the Minister
"I should hope not," McGonagall scoffed. "How are we supposed to teach with those horrors floating around."
"We know what Sirius Black is capable of," the Minister stated.
"I still have trouble believing it," Rosmerta commented. "Of all the people to go over to the Dark Side, Sirius Black was the last I'd have thought. I mean, I remember when he was a boy at Hogwarts. If you'd told me then what he was going to become, I'd have said you'd had too much mead."
"You don't know the half of it, Rosmerta," Fudge said gruffly. "The worst he did isn't widely known."
Stella and Harry looked at one another again.
"The worst?" Rosmerta asked. "Worse than murdering all those poor people, you mean?"
"I certainly do," responded Fudge.
"What could possibly be worse?"
"You say you remember him at Hogwarts, Rosmerta," murmured McGonagall. "Do you remember who his best friend was?"
"Naturally," Rosmerta responded. "Never saw one without the other, did you? The number of times I had them in here. Ooh, they used to make me laugh. Quite the double act, Sirius Black and James Potter."
No one at the table was surprised, all having figured out that Stella's parents and Harry's parents had been close friends due to the pictures.
"Precisely," said McGonagall. "Black and Potter. Their children are the same way now. Those boys were the ringleaders of their little gang. Both very bright, of course. Exceptionally bright, in fact. I don't think we've ever had such a pair of troublemakers."
"I dunno," Hagrid chuckled. "Fred and George Weasley could give 'em a run fer their money."
"Stella Black is making a name for herself, as well," Flitwick commented before continuing. "You'd have thought Black and Potter were brothers in their day though. Inseparable."
"Of course they were," said Fudge. "Potter trusted Black beyond all his other friends. Nothing changed when they left school. Black was best man when James married Lily. Then they named him godfather to Harry and Black named them Godparents of Stella. Neither of them has a clue, of course. You can imagine how the idea would torment the two of them."
"Because Black turned out to be in league with You-Know-Who?" Rosmerta questioned.
"Worse, m'dear. Not many people are aware that the Potters knew You-Know-Who was after them. Dumbledore, who was of course working tirelessly against You-Know-Who, had a number of useful spies. One of them tipped him off, and he alerted James and Lily at once. He advised them to go into hiding. Well, of course, You-Know-Who wasn't an easy person to hide from. Dumbledore told them that their best chance was the Fidelius Charm."
"How does that work?" Rosmerta asked.
"An immensely complex spell," Fudge continued. "Involves the magical concealment of a secret inside a single, living soul. The information is hidden inside the chosen person, or Secret-Keeper, and is henceforth impossible to find. Unless, of course, the Secret-Keeper chooses to divulge it. As long as the Secret Keeper refused to speak, You-Know-Who could search forever and never have found James and Lily."
"So, Black was the Potter's Secret-Keeper?"
"Naturally," McGonagall answered. "James Potter told Dumbledore that Black would rather die than tell where they were, that Black was planning to go into hiding himself… and yet, Dumbledore remained worried. He offered to do it himself."
"Barely a week later and Black betrayed them," Fudge spoke up.
"And to kill little Peter Pettigrew…" McGonagall spoke up. "That poor boy used to follow them everywhere and went to confront Sirius. All they ever found of him was his finger."
Harry stood, Stella standing with his. The chair scratched and the butterbeer fell from Stella's hands, splashing everywhere. The two made their way out of the pub, Ron and Hermione trying to chase after them, following the footsteps until they entered Honeydukes. They ran through the tunnel, both quiet this time, no laughter leaving either of them. They made it into the hall and both froze, breathing heavily, Stella feeling sick to her stomach.
"Did you know?" Harry asked, voice low and dangerous.
"What?" Stella asked, turning to Harry in shock.
"Did you know?" he asked again.
"No," Stella shook her head. "Harry, I told you just a few weeks ago that I would never—"
"Never hand me over to your father, yes. Did you know that he handed them over to Voldemort?!"
"No," Stella shook her head, taking a step back from Harry. "I would have told you, Harry. You know that! I—"
Harry turned on his heel, walking quickly away from Stella. She tried following him but he put the cloak on and disappeared. Stella sank to the ground, crying heavily into her knees. She felt a hand touch her shoulder and she flinched, backing away quickly, only to be met by Snape's dark eyes.
"Are you hurt?" he asked. "What's happened?"
"Sirius Black… he gave Harry's parents to Voldemort… We just found out and Harry… he thinks I knew…"
"Ridiculous boy," Snape sighed, meaning Harry.
Stella just cried harder, not sure what to do. She felt like everything was falling apart. Harry had become her best friend and now he hated her. She felt arms wrap around her and next thing she knew, Snape was carrying her. They ended up in his office, Snape setting Stella in her chair before moving around his desk and rummaging in his cabinet for a moment before pulling out a mild calming draught. It took less than a minute for Stella to calm, letting out a sigh of relief as her tears stopped.
"I don't think taking this many calming draughts is healthy," she commented.
"The ones you take are specially made by me so you don't get poisoning from ingesting the ingredients so often," he explained.
"How long ago did you come up with that?" Stella asked curiously.
"Last year," Snape told her and Stella felt her heart swell a bit.
She ignored the feeling and smirked instead.
"I didn't know you were so strong, sir. You carried me down here from, what, the third floor?" she asked.
"Fourth," he corrected, letting Stella joke to make herself feel a bit less awkward.
"Very strong. Strong enough to beat up your werewolf ex-boyfriend."
"You told her?" a voice demanded and Stella and Snape both jumped, turning to face Lupin.
"Have you ever heard of knocking, Lupin?" Snape asked.
"I heard from a portrait that you were seen carrying her down here," Lupin defended, glare on Snape.
"He didn't tell me," Stella offered quickly. "I figured it out pretty easily, actually. Neither of you are subtle."
"He means the werewolf part," Snape stated.
"Oh."
"Oh," Snape agreed.
"You did… kind of tell me," Stella offered before looking to Lupin. "He needed help with the potion. He's working himself rather hard lately and he trusts me not to screw it up but knew I'd ask a thousand questions and annoy him more than help if he didn't tell me why I was helping with it. Also, he kind of owes me from last year when he accused me of being the Heir of Slytherin and then for when I got petrified."
"What?" Lupin asked, now confused.
"Long story," she sighed. "You should go check on Harry, though. He just found out that Sirius Black was Secret-Keeper."
"How did the two of you find out?" Snape questioned.
"What?" Stella asked, staring at Snape with a look that screamed 'I just broke school rules'.
"Detention, Black," Snape sighed, rubbing his eyes. "How long do you deserve?"
"Probably until I graduate at this point but you like me so, like, an hour?"
"Nice try."
"Was it?"
"Not even a little. A month."
"But, sir," Stella groaned.
"Would you like it to be two?"
"…. No."
"You're dismissed."
"Have a fun talk!" Stella sang, walking pass Lupin and slipping a stink pellet into his pocket, something she had been having troubles with, but after having heard that James and Black were like Fred and George, it made much more sense.
Stella ended up in the library, looking up information of the Fidelius charm. It was extremely complex and made her eyes widened with just how much went into it. She shut the book and grabbed the one on Animagus's instead, wanting to add more detail to her essay and, one day possibly, convince McGonagall to help her with the process. She worked until it was time for the library to close down before heading towards the staircase to go to the dungeons.
Stella felt a stinging hex hit the back of her neck and she gasped as she turned, finding Seamus behind her and glaring.
"Oh, what now, Seamus?" Stella asked. "I'm already having a terrible day."
"If you want to let Black get to Harry, you're going to have to go through all of Gryffindor," he growled out.
"If Sirius Black wants to get to Harry, he'll have to kill me to do it," Stella hissed out. "I don't know where this idea you've gotten of me trying to hurt Harry has come from, but I'm tired of it. It's not happening."
"You sure about that?" Dean's voice asked and Stella turned back around, finding Dean glaring at her.
"What?" she asked him. "What the bloody hell are you on about?"
"Maybe you just plan on turning on Harry like your father apparently turned on his parents," Dean spat out. "Everyone knows now. We heard Harry and Ron talking about it."
Stella heard footsteps and turned, finding a few more Gryffindors joining the mix and Stella felt fear trickling down her spine. Her wand was in her back pocket and she knew that the moment she even tried reaching for it spells would fly at her. She could dodge sideways and buy herself more time, perhaps, but she didn't want to bet on it. She doubted they would all shoot a spell at once, meaning others would follow her movements. If she didn't get her wand in her hand and they decided to fire off, she would get hit with who knows what.
She looked to Dean, the only one standing by himself and chewed her lip, wondering if she ran in his direction if the Gryffindors would hesitate, not wanting to hit their own classmate. A spell flew before she could make up her mind and she dashed to the side, moving towards Dean and pulling her wand out. Dean ducked behind the corner and Stella tossed a shield spell behind herself. The shield broke so quickly that Stella would have laughed had it not meant that four different spells hit her at once.
Her world went black as pain radiated through her body. She woke in the hospital wing to the sound of Sirius Black singing that damn lullaby again. She tried reaching over to toss the ring off but she couldn't move. Her eyes slowly moved around the hospital wing until her eyes landed on Snape sleeping in the chair beside her. Her eyes landed on Lupin next, his body tense and facing the door, as if keeping guard over the two of them. She tried moving and let out a whine of pain, causing Lupin's eyes to snap to her.
"Stella Nova," he spoke softly, moving to her side. "Don't move. You're still healing. Just go back to sleep, alright?"
Stella moved her eyes down to her ring and then back to Lupin. He didn't understand though and her eyes fluttered shut. Next time she woke, it was to people screaming at one another. Snape was beside her, a furious glare on his face with a deadly silence. She found Lupin standing in front of him, back to him as he yelled at McGonagall and Dumbledore. McGonagall was yelling back and Stella registered that they were arguing over who could have attacked Stella. She opened her mouth trying to speak but a strained sound escaping her instead but drawing Snape's attention.
"Stella," Snape breathed and everyone quieted. "Don't speak or try to move. You have a neck injury and are currently paralyzed."
Stella's eyes widened in panic and Snape spoke up again.
"I'm fixing it," he assured me. "Madam Pomfrey and I are both fixing it. It'll take time but you'll be alright in two weeks, three tops."
Stella tried asking what day it was, but all she accomplished was more strained sounds.
"I'm going to ask you a few questions and you'll blink once for yes and twice for no. Do you understand?" Snape asked.
Stella blinked once.
"Was it a Slytherin?" Two blinks. "A Gryffindor." One blink. "Was it one person?" Two blinks. "Two?" Two. "Was it more than three?" One. "Okay. We'll get more information when you can speak again. Should be a day or two. Just rest for now."
"How do we know she isn't protecting her house?" McGonagall questioned.
"The Slytherins are not currently speaking with Stella due to her allegiance to Harry Potter and the Weasley children," Snape snapped at her. "I tried telling you that, but you insisted it was the Slytherins or her own fault. As it was her against multiple students and the only spell on her wand from that day was a 'Lumos' and a 'Protego,' I think it's safe to say, she didn't do anything wrong. She definitely didn't deserve this."
A tear escaped Stella and Pomfrey ran over.
"If you're going to keep disturbing my patient, then you can all leave," she told them, waving her wand over Stella. "You, too, Severus. She needs you calm to help heal her. You should all be ashamed of yourselves."
Snape let out a slow breath and waved his wand as well, helping with the healing process. He looked exhausted and Stella wondered how many times he had already done this spell in the past hour. McGonagall left quickly, Dumbledore following behind her. Lupin took his place at the end of Stella's bed again, wand out and watching the door. Stella fell asleep as they worked. When she woke again, Lupin was asleep beside her and Snape was watching the door. They must be worried that someone would come back to try finishing the job. Her vision went black again.
"Dad?" she whispered out as she woke.
Snape was there, appearing in her vision.
"Stella?" he asked.
"What day is it?" she asked.
"New Years," he told her.
"I wanted to make everyone cookies for Christmas," she complained, tears escaping her.
"You can do it later."
"Only you, Lupin and Pomfrey get cookies," she whispered, eyes closing again.
Stella groaned as she woke, sunshine pouring in through the windows. Lupin was beside her this time.
"How are you feeling, Stella Nova?" he asked.
"Head and throat hurt," she admitted.
"Can you try moving your fingers for me?" he asked and Stella took a deep breath.
It was difficult but she wiggled her fingers and Lupin nodded. She moved her wrist next and then bent her elbows.
"Can you feel this?" Lupin asked, running the back of a quill over the bottom of her foot.
"You tickle my foot again and I will find a way to kick you in the face," she threatened, causing Lupin to bark out a laugh.
He poked her other foot and she confirmed that she felt it. She couldn't wiggle her toes or move anything below her waist yet, but Lupin assured her that Snape had said that would be right. She'd regain those movements in maybe a week. Pomfrey came over with a potion and Lupin told Pomfrey the results from the physical test he'd just done. She looked rather relieved by the news and Snape ran in, Dumbledore right behind him.
"Miss Black," Dumbledore spoke. "I was hoping you would be able to tell us who all attacked you."
"Are you going to expel half of Gryffindor?" Stella asked, brow raised.
"Half of…" Snape had to look away, so much anger coursing through him.
"How many were there?"
"At least twenty," Stella told him. "I didn't even know a majority of them to be honest."
"It'll be too late to test wands to see who threw which spells," Snape complained, still looking away.
"Dean Thomas didn't throw a spell but he was there. Seamus Finnigan is the one who stopped me. I know that Harry, Hermione, and the Weasley's weren't there. Neither was Neville," Stella stated.
"Do you know why they attacked you?" Dumbledore asked.
"Something about them wanting to be sure I couldn't betray Harry to Sirius Black like he did to Harry's parents," she stated and Dumbledore looked shocked. "Maybe tell your professors to not speak so loudly about it in public."
"We need to do the spell, Severus," Pomfrey spoke up and Severus took a few deep breaths before turning, revealing that he had a few tears running down his face, wiping them away quickly and fooling no one as his face took a stoic expression.
"Stay still and don't speak," he instructed Stella before raising his wand.
Stella stayed still, eyes on Snape as he worked. It took half an hour for them to finish the spell, Snape and Pomfrey both falling into chairs behind them the moment they finished, both sweating and exhausted.
"Try moving your toes," Lupin told her.
Stella was able to wiggle her toes but that was it. She looked back to Snape as Dumbledore moved to Pomfrey.
"Are you okay?" she asked him.
"It's not exactly an easy spell. It's also very ancient," he told her before looking to Dumbledore. "What is going to happen to the students that attacked her?"
"Well, if no one admits to who cast the spell that broke Miss Black's neck, I'll be unable to expel anyone. We've already passed out detentions to a few Gryffindors that came forward about their involvement, Mister Thomas and Mister Finnegan included, but they didn't say who else was involved. They will all receive marks on their permanent records, which future employers will be able to see."
"My neck was broken?" Stella asked, feeling horrified.
"It was," Dumbledore told her. "There is another way to figure out who all you saw there, though."
"No, Albus," Snape hissed out and Stella felt like this conversation had already happened a few times.
"I believe that choice may remain with Miss Black and her alone, Severus," Dumbledore told her.
"Can I at least know what it is?" Stella asked, voice soft.
"A form of magic called Legitimacy," Snape told her. "It's a mind magic where someone would enter your mind and have access to all of your memories."
"That's terrifying," she shivered but only half of her body moved.
"Yes," Severus agreed. "Which is why it's out of the question."
"It may just be the best way," Dumbledore tried.
"Who would do it?" Stella asked.
"Myself or—"
"I would do it," Snape interrupted Dumbledore.
"Would it hurt? Sounds like it would hurt."
"It would give you a migraine," Snape nodded.
"We have potions that we could give you right after," Pomfrey spoke up.
"Do it," Stella sighed, nodding to Snape. "I trust you."
"You do not understand how it works," he told her.
"I trust you," Stella repeated, meaning every word.
Snape sighed before moving his chair closer to the bed. He pulled out his wand and looked deep into Stella's eyes.
"Legilimens."
Stella saw her own memories flashing through her mind, completely open for Snape to see. She thought about the attack, the memory shrouded in fear. Snape made the memory focus and slow, taking note of every face in the crowd before starting to pull out of her mind. He saw other memories, of course, but he refused to focus on them, leaning back in his seat and summoning a quill and parchment as Pomfrey fed Stella potions.
"That sucked, sir," Stella gasped out once she'd finished the potions.
"I apologize," he told her, voice soft as he passed the list to Dumbledore. "It worked, though."
Stella eyed the list and Snape discreetly made a copy, Lupin the only one who noticed. No one was allowed to visit, no matter how much Harry, Ron and the twins tried to force their way in or how much Percy tried to pull sway with his head boy badge. Snape gave her the news that all of the students had been accounted for and given detentions for the remainder of the year. Alicia Spinnet had even been removed from the Quidditch team. Stella had missed the Slytherin versus Hufflepuff and Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw game and Snape said it would be childish to describe the game to her, causing Lupin to roll his eyes and tell Stella about Hufflepuff's defeat, Gryffindor's win, and Harry having a Firebolt.
"That makes two of us," Stella smirked.
"You are in no condition to fly," Snape spoke up.
"Sir, if you tell me that I don't get to participate in a single Quidditch game after knocking Malfoy into the reserve team, you will be the next one paralyzed," she threatened.
"Detention…"
"Is that not what we've been doing?"
Stella was so grateful when she was able to stand and walk on her own. She smiled brightly as Pomfrey gave her the all-clear on everything. Stella bounced up and down, turning to Snape.
"You have caught up in all your classes," Snape rolled his eyes, Stella having been out of commission for just over a month now, unable to actually move around for too long on her own. "So, I see no reason to keep you from participating in the match."
Stella was in Pomfrey's office while the school was searched again that night. She was walking around the office in circles, making sure she could still move around and doing a few exercises as she went as she worked to get back in shape. Tomorrow, Slytherin had booked the field for practice, and Stella intended to participate. Snape would be in the stands, watching to make sure she didn't have any problems. Pomfrey returned, sending Stella to bed.
That next morning, Snape brought Stella her broom and uniform, waiting for her outside the hospital wing as she got ready. Once they were outside, she hopped on her broom and flew to the field, soaring pass Draco and catching the snitch, smirking at her team. A loud roar of excitement went through the team, all surrounding Stella and congratulating her on being back.