Chapter Six
The end of summer vacation came quickly and Stella avoided Harry for as much of it as possible, not wanting to answer his questions about what her dad had really meant. She spent time in Fred and George's room instead, smiling as they included her in their plans for a joke shop. She looked over their list of ideas and she smiled, wanting to help however she could. She wrote Bloodshire about adding money to her parents vault and how to invest in small businesses and how to fund start-up companies. He wrote her a detailed letter for both options and she kept the letters with her ledgers, deciding to find books on how to write business plans to help Fred and George along in the future.
Stella made sure she was packed the night before, looking over at Ginny writing in a journal that Mum must have gotten her like she did Stella before her first year. She gave a soft smile, packing Ginny's trunk for her as well, setting out a uniform for Ginny to wear on the train to make things easier for her the next day. She slammed her fist on Fred and George's door and their heads popped out, blocking their room before they saw her, smiled widely, and let her in. Stella sighed at the mess of their room and began moving around it as they went back to whatever experiment they were working on. She packed their trunks, folding clothes and leaving a uniform out for each of them before reminding them that they needed to get some rest so that they woke up in time in the morning.
She avoided Harry and Ron's room like the plague and knew Percy would already be set. She headed down the stairs, joining her mum in the kitchen and letting her know that the twins, Ginny, and Stella were all packed and ready for the next morning before helping with dinner.
"Did you check on Harry and Ron?" Mum asked.
"I will after dinner," Stella told her, peeling potatoes. "I wanted to help you first."
Molly gave Stella a soft smile and the two worked side-by-side in silence. It wasn't the same silence that had floated between the two all summer though. It was a compatible silence now compared to the thick, angry silence from before. It brought Stella comfort as the two witches worked together to create a large meal for everyone in the house.
Stella ate her dinner quickly, rushing up to Harry's and Ron's room to make sure Ron's bag was packed. Once she was done, she went to leave the room just for Harry to appear at the door. They both jumped at the sight of one another before Harry gave her a confused look.
"What are you doing in here?" he asked.
"I was making sure Ron's bag was packed. Didn't go through yours though. Felt a bit weird," she admitted.
"And why have you been avoiding me?" Harry asked.
Stella took a deep breath.
"Is it because of what Mr. Malfoy said?" Harry tried again.
"Yeah," she admitted. "I don't wanna talk about it though."
"Okay," Harry nodded. "If you change your mind."
"Thanks, Harry," Stella gave a soft smile. "Need help packing?"
"I already did," Harry scratched the back of his neck.
"Alright," Stella gave a smile and left the room. "See you in the morning."
"See you," Harry nodded, watching her go and face turning red once she was gone.
Stella flopped onto her bed with a sigh, going to sleep early so that she would be rested enough to help in the morning. In the morning, people kept colliding on the stairs, half-dressed with bits of toast in their hands. Dad nearly broke his neck tripping over a stray chicken while carrying Ginny's trunk to the car. Stella saw Ginny's journal on her desk and grabbed it, sticking it in Ginny's satchel before passing it to her.
Stella sat up front between Dad and Ginny, Mum on the end with the boys all in the backseat, Scabbers in her hands. George had yelled about forgetting his fireworks and Stella had told him they were all in his trunk in the inner most pocket and wrapped in an old sweater, causing him to let out a relieved breath. Fred yelled about his broomstick and Stella told him she'd put his, George's, and Harry's brooms in the trunk the night before. Ginny yelled about her journal, to which Stella grabbed Ginny's satchel, opened it, and showed Ginny that the journal was stuffed safely inside. Mum gave Stella a proud smile as they continued down the road, making it to the platform with forty minutes to spare.
Percy went through first, followed by the twins and Stella. She waited as Dad came through, followed by Mum and Ginny. Stella walked with Ginny onto the train, the two girls and the twins lugging their trunks onto the train and into compartments. After that, all four hugged their parents quickly before getting back on the train, not even realizing that Harry and Ron weren't off somewhere, putting their trunks on the train. Stella wondered through the train, smiling when she found Luna in her own compartment and opened the door, stepping inside with Ginny right behind her.
"Hi, Luna," Stella smiled brightly and the small blonde bounced up from her seat and hugged Stella tightly before then hugging Ginny.
"Sorry for not visiting," Luna told them. "Father and I were searching for moon frogs on the coast all summer!"
"Did you find them?" Stella asked.
"They evaded us again," Luna sighed in what would be a sadly tone if not for the dreamy look on her face.
"I'm sorry," Stella sighed as the train took off. "Maybe next time."
"I hope so," Luna nodded.
"Did you at least have fun?"
"Oh, tons," Luna smiled to her before looking to Ginny. "Oh. Your head is full of nargles, Gin. Are you alright?"
"Oh, I'm fine," Ginny shrugged. "Stella, tell us how the sorting works!"
"You stand in front of the school and a dingy old hat yells what house you most belong in," Stella told her before launching into her experience and describing the song that the hat sang the year before.
Neville showed up a few minutes later, looking nervous and reminding Stella of the letter his grandmother had written about wanting to be sure Stella knew she had light options she could choose from as well. Stella gave him a smile and waved him in. Neville looked relieved and Stella knew that Neville knew about the contract, probably not on board with it though as he sat beside Ginny.
"Luna, Ginny. This is Neville. He's in Gryffindor with Harry and Ron. He won the last points that pushed Gryffindor to win the house cup last year," Stella explained and Neville blushed something fierce.
"Gryffindor would be a nice house to be in," Luna said before staring out her window and Stella smiled, catching Neville's eye and giving him a nod.
He looked rather relieved and sank in his seat a bit as Ginny began writing in her journal, making herself as small as possible. The trolley came round and Stella and Neville both bought a few snacks, sharing them with the younger girls. Granger showed up halfway through the train ride.
"Have you seen Harry or Ron?" she asked Stella.
"Not since we got on the platform. Why?" Stella asked.
"I can't find them," Granger explained. "I've walked through most of the train except where all the Slytherins are packed together."
"I'll go look," Stella stood and moved pass Granger quickly and moving in the direction she pointed.
She looked in every compartment as she went before entering the section where, sure enough, almost every Slytherin had gathered. Blaise and Theo were playing chess in a corner.
"Having a party without me?" Stella smirked at them. "Shameful."
"Stell!" they both yelled, standing and hugging her quickly.
"Where have you been?" Theo asked.
"I was sitting with my sister, Neville and Luna up there when Granger showed up. She told me that she couldn't find Ron and Harry," Stella explained.
"Speaking of Potter, we saw you on the front page with him and Lockhart. Something about you being his girlfriend?" Blaise smirked, following Stella through the train and helping her look into compartments. "Something you want to tell us about."
"Nothing to tell," Stella told him. "Harry isn't my boyfriend. I just saw Lockhart grabbing at him and tried to get him away. I ended up getting pulled along with him instead. Lockhart made an assumption and it got printed."
"Well, alright then. What do you think of Lockhart?" Blaise questioned.
"He seems like an egotistical ass," Theo tossed out.
"Oh, he definitely is," Stella groaned. "I'm not looking forward to his classes at all, but maybe we'll actually get something hands on, unlike with Quirrell last year."
"Yeah, what happened there?" Blaise asked.
"Apparently he tried stealing some stone from the third floor and it killed him when he tried attacking Harry," Stella shrugged, not telling the two the full story but enough that it would keep others from asking questions.
Harry and Ron were nowhere to be found and Percy, Fred, George, Ginny, Luna, and Neville were also looking. They met in the middle, all seeming confused.
"I don't understand where they could be," Ginny shook her head. "They were right behind me and Mum."
"We'll let a professor know when we get to the school," Stella assured Ginny. "Let's get back to our compartments for now."
"Care to join us?" Theo asked Stella.
"I'm going to stay with Ginny and Luna for now," Stella told them. "I need to convince at least one of them to argue with the hat to go into Slytherin with us."
"That's likely," Fred snorted.
"Shut it, you," Stella rolled her eyes at him before looking back to Theo and Blaise. "I'll see you soon."
They both nodded and left, going back to the Slytherin section. When the train stopped, Stella told Ginny and Luna to leave their things before leading them to Hagrid, who smiled down at them happily. Stella climbed into a buggy with Fred, George, and Neville, Scabbers still in her hands and sleeping soundly against her chest. Once at the school, Stella ran ahead, finding Snape as quickly as possible as he helped to heard students in.
"Sir!" she called over the crowd and he looked to her, looking her over as if thinking she was injured.
"What is it, Black?" Snape asked her.
"Harry and Ron weren't on the train, sir, and they aren't here now. I'm not sure what happened. They were behind Ginny and Mum to get on the platform but they didn't make it on for some reason," she explained.
"I'll search for them," Snape promised her, sending her inside.
Stella breathed easier now that Snape was searching for her missing brother and friend. Scabbers woke in the confusion and squeaked at her, as if asking why she was so tense. She whispered that Harry and Ron were missing but that a professor was looking for them, holding him to her chest as she sat between Blaise and Theo.
The two stared at the rat a bit uneasily but otherwise ignored it. Parkinson on the other hand chose the furthest seat from Stella while still trying to stay close to Draco, who was glaring at Theo and Blaise from across the table.
Stella watched as the first-years were brought it, Luna and Ginny staring around in wonder before both turned their eyes towards the Slytherin table, eyes locking on Stella. Both smiled brightly, waving excitedly before turning to face the hat and McGonagall. The hat began singing and then first years began getting called up. Luna went up before Ginny and the hat thought it over before yelling "RAVENCLAW!" confidently. Stella applauded politely but was a bit put out that Luna had been sent on her own. Ginny was called last and Stella watched as the hat seemed a bit distressed, even so for a hat, before shouting loud and proud, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Stella applauded after letting out a groan, knowing Fred would be all too happy to collect the three galleons from Stella later. Ginny smiled as Fred and George patted her head. She put a bit of food on her plate when it appeared, giving Scabbers a bit of her dinner roll. Snape walked through the hall, seeming rather angry as he strode to the head table, speaking in a hushed tone with McGonagall and Dumbledore before he and McGonagall left together. He caught Stella's eyes as he walked through the hall, giving her a nod that told her that Harry and Ron had been found.
"Oh, thank Merlin," she breathed.
"What's that about?" Theo asked.
"I told Professor Snape that Harry and Ron were missing and he went looking for them. I'm guessing he found them," Stella explained.
"You lost your brother and your boyfriend?" Pansy snickered. "Good going, Black."
Stella set Scabbers on the table and he ran across it, going straight towards Pansy. She shrieked and fell backwards out of her seat and Scabbers ran back to Stella, hoping onto her arm before climbing up her shoulder, hiding behind her black hair. Stella smirked, scratching Scabbers' back a bit before eating a bit of dessert as McGonagall, Snape, and Dumbledore returned, having missed the excitement at the Slytherin table.
Stella smiled as she entered the Slytherin common room, waiting beside Blaise and Theo as the first-years were brought in. Snape came in a few minutes later, looking around the room and beginning his speech.
"I am your head of house, Professor Severus Snape. You have been sorted into Slytherin. Most of you know what that truly means but some of you 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. I am sure you can ask a few of your classmates about experiences where they were caught alone. The other houses will see you as an 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. I have decided to start a dueling club in our house, which will be held every Sunday at three in the afternoon. There is a classroom across from the potions lab that we will be using.
"You have defense first thing in the morning with Ravenclaw. Miss Graphite will lead you to your 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, ghosts, or other students, even if they are related to you, something one of the second-years learned the hard way last year.
"Slytherin is your family now and you will all treat one another as such. Any problems you have with one another remains in this room. It does not follow you into the halls. We need to be seen as united.
"You may ask any of the ghost or portraits that are in this room now if you need assistance. 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."
Snape nodded to the first years before looking to the older students, all of them knowing what was expected of them. Snape found Stella and tilted his head towards his office and Stella wondered if he had somehow heard about Scabbers scaring Parkinson already. She followed him out, groaning as she thought she was somehow already in trouble, causing a few others to laugh and the first-years to relax a bit at seeing a student acting so naturally with their rather strict head of house.
Snape opened his office door and revealed Harry and Ron inside, eating a few sandwiches. She let out a relieved breath as she ran over, hugging Ron and then Harry before demanding they tell her what happened. After hearing about the car, Snape seeming rather agitated by the story, they were sent to Gryffindor tower. Scabbers was handed over to Ron and she waved as they left.
"Thank you, sir," she told him, voice soft.
"Now, about that rat," Snape raised a brow.
"What of him?" Stella asked, acting innocent.
"Keep him in check," he told her before holding his hand out.
Stella passed her ring over and Snape set it on his desk. He pulled out his wand, speaking in Latin for several minutes before passing the ring back to Stella. She slipped it back onto her finger and thanked Professor Snape before he dismissed her. She skipped out of his office and the first-years stared at her in amazement. She gave them a smile before going up to her room and getting ready for bed, sticking her tongue out at Pansy when she wasn't looking, causing Tracy and Lily to giggle before they all went to bed.
The next morning, Stella stared in confusion at the howler that had just been dropped in front of her. She opened it and her mum started screaming about how Stella had allowed Harry and Ron to do something so dangerous. She ignored the words, eating her breakfast instead before she heard her mum's voice yelling from the Gryffindor table.
"YOUR FATHER IS FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK AND IT IS ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT! IF YOU STEP ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE, WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT HOME! By the way, Ginny darling. Congratulations on getting into Gryffindor. Your father and I are so proud."
The letter tore itself apart as Stella's had before and she rolled her eyes, ignoring the ache in her chest as she continued eating. Snape cleared his throat from behind her and Stella turned offering him a large smile before accepting her schedule and looking over it. Charms with Ravenclaw first thing, followed by History of Magic with Ravenclaw as well. They would have Transfiguration with Hufflepuff after that, leaving Potions with Gryffindor tomorrow and then Defense with Ravenclaw and Herbology with Hufflepuff the next day. The only other class they had with Gryffindor was Astronomy that year, which took place on Wednesdays.
Stella was dragged out of the hall by Theo and Blaise as she complained about the lack of classes with her brother before seeing Luna being picked on by a seventh year Gryffindor.
"Leave her alone!" Stella told the Gryffindor, rushing over to defend her friend.
"Or what, little snake? Going to turn a needle into a matchstick at me?" the Gryffindor laughed.
"Or I'll tell Fred and George Weasley that you were bothering their sister's friend," Stella corrected, watching the color drain from the seventh years face before he ran off. "You alright Luna?"
"Yes, thank you," Luna nodded. "I should be getting to my class but I lost my classmates."
"You have defense with the first-year Slytherins," Stella told her. "There go the Slytherins now if you just want to go with them?"
"Thank you," Luna nodded, finding that Zelda Graphite had stopped and waited for Luna when she'd heard Stella's offer.
Zelda gave Stella a nod and left with the Slytherins and Luna, leading them away and explaining about the step on the staircase that liked to trap students, hoping over it so the students knew to avoid it. Stella walked with Blaise and Theo then, talking back and forth a bit as the two boys told Stella all about their summer. Theo stayed with Blaise and his mother a majority of the time, Theo's mum being sick at home and his father watching over her.
Flitwick explained what they would be learning that year, Stella taking a few notes but having already read the charms book a few times. She planned on practicing a few of them during the break before lunch, wanting to master the spells quickly as she had the year before, which she did with Blaise and Theo in the common room.
After lunch, the three were heading to their next class with the other Slytherins when Malfoy's voice raised, causing Stella to roll her eyes.
"Signed photos? You're giving out signed photos, Potter?" Draco raised his voice higher. "Everyone line up! Harry Potter is giving out signed photos!"
"No, I'm not," Harry argued. "Shut up, Malfoy."
"You're just jealous," piped up a first year.
"Jealous?" asked Malfoy, who didn't need to shout anymore. "Of what?" I don't want a foul scar right across my head, thanks. I don't think getting your head cut open makes you that special myself."
"Eat slugs, Malfoy," said Ron angrily.
"Be careful, Weasley," sneered Malfoy. "You don't want to start any trouble…"
"Draco," Stella said, voice light as she raised her brow, staring at him.
He looked back, eyes widening at Stella's soft tone. He sighed before turning and walking away, continuing towards class without a word. Stella smirked to Blaise before smiling to Ron and Harry and moving along. They both stared in confusion, watching the sea of green move along, the show ending.
Two days later, the Slytherin quidditch team was cheering loudly as they received new brooms, Draco smiling in the center of the circle. Stella wandered over, wandering what was going on. Draco smirked and moved to her.
"I've been made seeker and father bought the team new brooms," Draco told her confused expression.
"Ah," Stella nodded, understanding now.
"Are you mad at me for something?" Draco finally asked.
"No," Stella shook her head. "Why would I be mad at you?"
"I wrote to you over the summer," he said and Stella grew a bit agitated, having not written Draco back after hearing about the marriage contracts. "You are mad about something."
"Mum didn't want me writing you because of how much our dad's don't like each other," Stella told him, bending the truth just slightly. It was a true statement but it wasn't why she'd stopped writing Draco.
"I can't believe she sent you a howler because Weasley and Potter did something so stupid," Draco shook his head.
"Not the first time," Stella shrugged. "It's fine. I don't really care anymore."
"Still," Draco sighed. "It isn't fair."
"So, seeker?" Stella asked. "I was going to try out next year for the position."
"You could always be a reserve or a chaser," Draco shrugged. "You should still tryout next year."
"I think I will," she nodded. "I need to go study a bit more. Have fun celebrating, cousin."
Draco watched her go, the word 'cousin' ringing in his ears.
On Sunday, the whole of Slytherin gathered in the large room, all looking around in wonder at the room that had been prepared. Snape stood at the head of the room, waiting until everyone had entered to begin.
"As I mentioned on your first night here, Slytherins will be targeted more than other houses. Stella Black, step forward."
Stella didn't bother holding in the groan of displeasure as she moved forward, Blaise having threatened to push her if she didn't move faster.
"Tell them what happened last year?"
"Do I have to?" she asked, face reddening and sighing when Snape gave her a look before turning to face the others. "Last, I wondered off on my own and two fifth year Ravenclaws attacked me. I had a broken nose, a few cracked ribs, and I believe a concussion?"
Snape nodded and Stella continued.
"I also asked my older brother, who is in Gryffindor, how to get to Transfiguration and he had me doing circles on the wrong floor. The Baron, the Slytherin ghost, ended up finding me and leading me to class in time to not be late."
"The favoritism as well."
"Oh, yeah," Stella nodded. "I know a few of you firsties were complaining about receiving less points? That's par for the course, unfortunately. Just answer as many questions as you can correctly and do all of your assignments to the best of your ability. If you need help with an assignment, you can always ask me."
"How long did it take you to figure all of this out?" a first year asked her, still seeming a bit scared.
"This all happened in my first week or two last year," Stella told them and they all gasped, causing Stella to move closer to them. "Yeah. Just don't let it get to you and don't ever let them see you cry. A good friend taught me that one."
Stella shot a wink at Theo before smiling to the first years. Stella moved back to her spot between her two friends and Snape started up again.
"On Sundays, we will practice whatever spells you learned in classes this week. Prefects will help anyone who is having problems and if any of the prefects are having difficulties, you can come see me any time and I'll help you since you're helping during this time. Break into your years and get started."
Stella walked Parkinson through the disarming spell, something she was having a rather hard time with. She gave Stella an uneasy look before she began listening, nodding along and taking Stella's advice. By the end of the hour, the second years all had three charms spells and two transfiguration charms perfected, Stella having helped all of them since she already had them figured out.
Zelda had wondered over, watching with her hands on her hips for a few moments before walking to Snape and telling him the progress that the second-years had made. He'd wondered over then, forcing the small smile that threatened to appear on his face down as Stella helped someone that he knew she didn't like get a spell right. He nodded his approval before moving over to the first years, all of whom had made their feathers float by now and were laughing.
"Black," Snape called Stella over and she moved to his side quickly. "Help the first years, please. Zabini and Nott can continue helping your classmates."
"Yes, sir," Stella nodded, Blaise and Theo calling their agreeance out as well.
Stella smiled, as she kneeled beside the first-years, explaining the spells to them in detail before having them practice for another thirty minutes before they were all dismissed for the day.
Stella knew that Fred would catch up to her eventually, so she took to carrying the three galleons on her for when he did. It was Monday, after hearing about Ron's spell misfiring after Draco had called Hermione that slur, when Fred finally did.
"Alright, little sister?" Fred smirked.
"Yeah, yeah," she rolled her eyes, pulling the three galleons out of her pocket and passing them over.
"Why are you paying him?" Draco demanded.
"I told him to focus you during quidditch to break you in a bit," Stella lied, causing Blaise and Theo to snicker while Draco gave her a soft glare.
Fred laughed and hugged Stella before running off after Lee and George. Stella, upon seeing all three together, remembered the items hidden away in her trunk and decided now was a better time than any to get started. Stink pellets found their way into Draco's and Goyle's bags, causing both boys to grow more and more paranoid. She stopped as October arrived, a damp chill over the grounds and in the castle. It rained for days on end and Stella convinced Ginny to join herself and Luna to play in the rain during lunch one day. The three laughed as they danced, jumping into puddles and feeling carefree. Luna told Ginny that the nargles had been getting worse but the dancing seemed to have helped.
All three girls ended up having to take a Pepperup potion the next day to fight off the cold that had tried to come on, Snape giving her a pointed look as he placed it in front of her. Stella couldn't help but laugh at the smoke that poured from her ears for the next few hours.
Halloween night, Stella let some fireworks off, entertaining those at her table during dinner. After the large, joyful feast, they all headed out, only to stop in their tracks.
"Enemies of the Heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!" Draco yelled and Stella pushed to the front, finding Harry, Ron, and Hermione standing closest to the scene.
Mrs. Norris was hanging from by her tail from a torch bracket, seemingly dead. Filch pushed students out of the way, wanting to see what was going on and Stella immediately felt sorry for him when he saw his beloved pet before his eyes turned on the three Gryffindors.
"You!" he screeched. "You! You've murdered my cat! You've killed her! I'll kill you! I'll…"
"Argus!" Headmaster Dumbledore had arrived and the students had stepped aside to let him through.
He detached Mrs. Norris from the torch and had Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Filtch follow after him, Lockhart offering up his office, probably just so he could be included in whatever discussion was to come. The students were all sent away, Snape giving the Slytherins a pointed look so that they would move along before following with McGonagall.
Stella went straight to the library, getting a copy of Hogwarts: A History before anyone else could. She went to the common room to find the Slytherins all starting to gather together, the first years looking terrified and the eldest students looking determined. Stella sat beside Theo, waiting to hear what was happening with the others. Snape entered the common room half an hour later, looking around and making sure all of his students were present before speaking.
"How many of you know what the Chamber of Secrets is?" he asked and only a few of the older students raised their hands. "There is a legend that Salazar Slytherin created a secret chamber in the castle with a beast that would kill students of a certain parentage but he was forced out of or left the school before he could use it. The legend says that only the Heir of Slytherin could open the chamber and use the beast. Many will think it is one of you if they do not focus on Harry Potter. I want you all to stick together…"
"Why can't we let the beast do what it's meant to do?" Draco questioned, rolling his eyes.
"Not everyone in this room is a pureblood, Malfoy," Snape stated. "You are supposed to treat everyone in your house like family and sprouting off about blood purity when there are half-bloods and muggleborns around is, not only foolish, but dangerous. If someone decides that they believe you to be the heir due to your words and attack you, it will be your own fault.
"As I was saying, I want you all to travel together by year. The younger students will be in the most danger, so I want the older years to try looking after them every chance that you get.
"The headmaster is wanting every copy of Hogwarts: A History from the library so no other houses get any foolish ideas, thank Merlin. If you have a copy, return it to the library or give it to me by tomorrow morning."
Stella hid the book between herself and Theo, who glanced at the book before looking up again, face straight in the process. Snape left then and conversations broke out amongst the house. Stella slowly pulled the book out and began turning through the pages, looking for anything she could find on the Chamber. She stopped when she found it and Theo and Blaise leaned in so she could read it out loud to them while keeping lookout.
"The Chamber of Secrets is a legendary secret room constructed by Salazar Slytherin to house a monster which would finish his "noble work." This noble work would be accomplished when his true heir would open the Chamber and release the monster which lived within to rid the school of non-pureblood students.
"Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor argued back and forth over whether or not to allow Muggle-born students into Hogwarts. Gryffindor won and Slytherin left the school once the Chamber was built, his threat hanging in the air.
"Over the centuries, many great witches and wizards have searched for the Chamber with no success. This leaves the Chamber as a legend, a story Slytherin told the other founders as a way to make them paranoid and a last ditch effort to try keeping Muggle-borns from attending."
"That's it?" Theo asked, seeming a bit let down.
"That's it," she sighed. "I'm going to copy this down and then turn in the book."
Stella did just that, knocking on the door that led to Snape's office and handing the book over when he opened the door. He gave her a nod and she went back to Theo and Blaise, the two rereading the story themselves.
"Do you think we might be able to find anything in any of the books on the shelves?" Stella asked, head tilting towards said books.
"Doubtful," Blaise sighed. "Professor Snape probably removed everything the moment he walked in here. I'm pretty sure I see a few books missing."
"Rude," Stella sighed before standing. "I'm knackered. I'm heading to bed."
The school could talk of nothing else for the next few days and the Slytherins were receiving more glares than normal. Stella made a point to start learning how to strengthen her basic shield spell on Sunday. She'd need to ask an older student for help, but Zelda seemed to have taken a liking to Stella and had insisted on watching over the second-years herself. It felt nice, like having another older sibling all of a sudden.
It was the second week of November when Stella overheard Ron talking with Harry and Granger.
"I always knew Salazar Slytherin was a twisted old loony but I never knew he stared all this pure-blood stuff. I wouldn't be in his house if you paid me. Honestly, if the Sorting Hat had tried putting me in Slytherin, I'd've got the train straight home."
"Thanks, Ron," Stella spoke up and he jumped, turning to look at Stella quickly. "Appreciate the honesty."
"Wha- Wait, no. I didn't mean- Well, what I meant to say was…"
Scabbers leapt off of Ron's shoulder and Stella caught him easily, her hand shooting out and catching him midair. Draco stared at her with wide eyes that turned impressed.
"Alright, Black. Good catch," Goyle spoke up and Stella rolled her eyes, placing Scabbers on her shoulder and leaving the Gryffindors behind as she travelled with her house, Zelda sending a glare at Ron as she moved with the younger students towards dinner.
Stella woke early, along with the rest of the Slytherins, on the morning of the first quidditch match. It was Slytherin versus Gryffindor and Draco was nervous under his cocky façade. Stella bumped his arm with hers, giving him a reassuring look before they all left the dungeon together to head to breakfast. Stella looked to the Gryffindors, making sure Harry was eating before taking her seat and looking to Draco, who was simply staring at his empty plate.
"Would you like me to feed you, Draco?" Parkinson asked, trying to flirt.
"Are you going to chew it up and spit it into his mouth like a bird?" Stella asked under her breath, causing Blaise to choke on his juice, Theo having to slap him on the back as he laughed.
"What did you say?" Parkinson asked Stella, glaring at her.
"I said," Stella went to start again when Snape appeared at their table, "that you really should eat something, cousin. You don't want to fly on an empty stomach."
Blaise and Theo hid their smirks by ducking their heads as Draco sighed, grabbing a bit of toast and taking a bite of it. Snape rolled his eyes before walking away, heading to the head table to watch them from afar.
At eleven o'clock, the whole school was in the stands, cheering so loudly that it sounded like thunder as they waited for the game to begin. Stella set off some of the green fireworks when the Slytherins flew out, causing more cheers than normal to be let out. When Gryffindor came out, the Slytherins booed as loud as they possibly could, trying to be louder than the Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and Gryffindors, who were all routing for Slytherins loss.
The game began and Stella cheered loudly before seeing a bludger going straight for Harry. He darted out of the way, but the bludger turned and flew towards Harry again before Fred hit it away. Slytherin were leading sixty to zero when it started getting worse. Fred and George were staying close to Harry as a bludger did not stop going at him. Madam Hooch blew her whistle and the three dived for the ground.
When the timeout ended, Harry flew into the air, flying in all sorts of directions to look for the snitch and escape the bludger. Stella couldn't even focus on the game anymore, too worried about Harry as she kept her eyes glued to him. Draco said something to Harry and Harry stopped, the bludger hitting Harry's arm and Stella swore she heard the crack. He dived at Draco and Draco darted out of the way as Harry took his hand off the broom and reached forward. He hit the muddy ground hard and Stella, who had already started running down the steps, turned to run onto the field instead, not caring as Snape called after her.
"Aha," she heard Harry say as she fell to her knees beside him, passing Stella the snitch. "We've won."
"You won," Stella laughed before Harry passed out.
Stella had never been so scared in her life (and she was raised by Molly Weasley!) than when Harry's eyes closed.
"Harry?" she asked before panic took over. "Harry!"
Lockhart appeared beside her as Harry woke.
"Oh, no, not you," Harry moaned when his eyes caught sight of Lockhart.
"Doesn't know what he's saying," said Lockhart loudly to the anxious Gryffindor team as they pressed in close, Fred pulling Stella to her feet. "Not to worry, Harry. I'm about to fix your arm."
"No!" Harry yelled. "I'll keep it like this, thanks…"
Stella would have laughed if the pain on Harry's face wasn't obvious. A first year raised his camera, ready to take a photo before Stella grabbed his camera, passing it to Fred who held it high in the air so the kid couldn't grab it back.
"Lie back, Harry," Lockhart demanded and Stella turned her attention back to her friend. "It's a simple charm. I've used countless times…"
"Why can't I go to the hospital wing?" Harry growled the question out.
"He should really, Professor," Wood spoke up, grinning like a loon. "Great capture, Harry, really spectacular. Your best yet, I'd say."
"Stand back," Lockhart told the students.
"No!" Stella raised her voice and darted forward, grabbing Lockhart's wand. "He said no and you aren't doing a thing he told you not to do."
"Why, give me my wand back, young lady," Lockhart was angry now, standing quickly and facing her.
Fred and George moved in front of Stella quickly, George having just shown up from forcing the bludger into the box with Angelina Johnson's help. Harry looked beyond grateful for the interference and stood slowly, Angelina helping him stand and slowly back away from Lockhart before they were far enough away that they could turn and walk away quickly. Stella tossed Lockhart his wand, not liking the flashy thing in her hand before chasing after them, Fred and George distracting Lockhart until Stella and Harry had cleared the field.
Stella paced in the hospital wing as Madam Pomfrey worked on Harry's arm, Zelda sitting in a chair and waiting for Stella patiently. Harry's arm was healed with a few wand waves and then put in a sling before he was told to take it easy for the next week, as his arm would be sore for a while.
The Gryffindor team, Ron, and Granger ran in as they were starting to leave, all looking for Harry immediately and asking if he was alright. He assured them that he was fine and leaving the hospital wing now. Zelda cleared her throat and Stella nodded before turning to Harry.
"Here you are," she told him, holding out the snitch.
"You keep it," Harry shook his head. "A thanks for stopping Lockhart."
"Anytime," Stella laughed. "Honestly, I fear you would have ended up with no bones at all had he tried anything."
Zelda led Stella back to the dungeons and she immediately went to her room to change out of her muddy clothes, putting on her pajamas and laying down rather than joining everyone for dinner. She held up the snitch, staring at it with a soft smile and a warmth growing in her chest.
Stella went to the library the next morning, sneaking around as she craved a moment alone. She turned down an aisle and stopped in her tracks, staring as Oliver Wood and her brother, Percy, kissed passionately. She backed away, deciding she no longer needed alone time after seeing that. She got back to the common room and sat beside Theo as he read.
"I thought you'd snuck out," Theo commented.
"Just saw my brother, Percy, snogging someone in the library. Came right back here," Stella shrugged.
"Yuck," Blaise commented, looking up from his own book. "Who was he snogging?"
"I'm not saying," she shook her head with a smirk. "I plan to use it against him if I get in trouble."
"That's my girl," Blaise laughed, face falling as Snape swept into the room. "Uh, oh. You may have been caught."
Stella turned, seeing a cross expression on Snape's face. He called for the attention of all of the students and everyone came down from their rooms and into the common room.
"There was another attack last night during dinner," he told them. "A young Gryffindor boy. Did any of you notice someone missing from dinner last night perhaps?"
"Black wasn't at dinner," Parkinson spoke up, a smirk on her face as she looked at Stella.
"Black?" Snape asked, staring at her.
"I decided to take an early night instead after the game," Stella shrugged. "I was in my room. Graphite dropped me off here."
"Graphite?"
"I dropped her off and then went with the group to dinner," Zelda answered.
"Can anyone confirm you were in your room all night?" Snape asked and Stella felt a fear rising in her chest.
"I don't think so, sir. I fell asleep."
"In my office," he told her, moving towards his office and not waiting for her, knowing Stella would follow after him.
Stella was shaking when she sat in her chair, a chair she hadn't been in very often so far that year, mostly due to everyone staying together. Snape stood in front of her, leaning against his desk and looking troubled. Stella gulped, staring up at him.
"I am only going to ask you this once and I want you to be completely honest with me," he told her, voice low and dangerous. "Are you the one attacking the muggle-borns?"
"No, sir," Stella shook her head.
"Do not lie to me—"
"I'm not, sir. I would never—"
"Do you mind if I search your belongings?"
"No, sir, I don't mind," she told him.
"Stay here," he told her, sweeping out of the room.
Stella felt as if her heart were beating out of her chest. Her eyes were burning and her throat was aching from trying not to cry. All she'd wanted was a little extra sleep after the game because of the stress from watching Harry have gotten hurt. Now her head of house, who she looked up to, and her housemates, who she had been working so hard to make friends with in the past few weeks, all probably thought she was attacking other students. Snape swept back into the office with her journal throwing it onto his desk as his door slammed shut again, locking.
"Anything you want to tell me about?" he asked, pointing at her journal.
"No," Stella shook her head, confused; the only things in her journal were ledger notes and product ideas for the twins… and the information on her criminal father and the quote about the Chamber.
"What is this?" Snape asked, holding up the bit of scrap parchment with the quote on it.
"All of the students are curious about it," Stella shrugged. "I copied down the passage and then turned the book in. Blaise and Theo were with me when I copied it."
"And this?" Snape asked, holding the photo and article clippings with her father.
"I was curious about who he was," Stella said, feeling about two inches tall.
"Or maybe you're more like your father than we all thought," Snape sneered the word. "The Black family is an old and ancient one after all. They could be descendants of Salazar Slytherin somewhere down the line."
"Draco is a Black as well," Stella pointed out. "He's far more likely to be attacking muggleborns than I am."
"Yes, he is the more obvious suspect. Which is why it would be so easy for you to push the blame to him instead of yourself. You, who are so desperate to prove yourself. Maybe you decided to prove yourself to him instead of your adoptive mother who so despises you," Snape hissed, his words coming out sharp and spiked, lodging into Stella's heart.
"No," she immediately tried to argue, tears pricking her eyes again.
"The headmaster will be conducting a full investigation," Snape said. "You are to remain in this room until it is complete."
Snape left again, going out the other door, which locked behind him. Stella felt sick to her stomach. She let out the tears, sobbing into her hands and not knowing what to do. She hadn't done this, wouldn't have hurt someone or an animal, no matter how annoying everyone thought Mrs. Norris was. She wasn't even anywhere near Mrs. Norris's attack until after the fact on Halloween.
Professor Snape's words had hurt as well. She had trusted him and gone to him for help, to ask questions on classes, and to help him grade papers. The man who had just spoken to her was cruel and uncaring, using her insecurities against her in such a way that it brought her to a panic attack so severe she didn't know how to cope.
She slid to the floor, leaning against the desk and crying harder and harder until she couldn't breathe. She tried calming down but all that she succeeded in doing was making her sobs silent, choking on the anguished sounds trying to escape her. Black spots filled her vision and her ring gave off of ray of light that was so bright it made the whole room shine before a loud 'POP' rang through the room.
"Stella? Nova, what's wrong? I can feel your panic. What's happened? Are you alright?" Sirius Black's voice demanded but Stella's mind was shutting down.
She fell to the side, landing on the floor and passing out, Sirius Black's voice echoing in her head, sounding sane as he yelled for her answer. Stella woke in the hospital wing, eyes fluttering open but not able to take anything in. Shadows moved above her and a buzzing filled her ears, but nothing registered in her mind. Sirius Black was singing a lullaby in her head.
"Sleep now, my star, under the night sky. When you wake, they'll be no reason to cry. The moon will watch… over you. And then, My love, I'll join you soon."
Slowly, everything began to take shape. The shadows above her were her brothers and sister, their worried faces staring down at her. The buzzing was their voices, saying her name and trying to get her attention. Stella rubbed her eyes, letting out a groan as she sat up. She knew the hand that helped her get upright was Ron, as he was always the one who helped her after an episode. Her eyes fluttered open again and she saw Harry, Blaise, and Theo standing at the end of her bed and Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, and Pomfrey standing to the side, speaking in hushed tones to one another. As her eyes continued to travel, she saw a Gryffindor boy and a Hufflepuff boy laying in beds, frozen, and the Gryffindor ghost floating close by, neck smoking.
"Can a ghost die twice?" Stella asked, staring at the ghost.
The adults stopped speaking at once, Snape rushing over to Stella's bed.
"Miss Black—" he began but she wasn't having it as she turned to Percy.
"How long have I been here?" she asked him.
"Two weeks," he admitted.
"Two weeks?" she asked, eyes widening before she began scrubbing her face with her hands. "Bloody hell. I'm going to have so much homework."
"You are excused from your homework assignments, Miss Black," McGonagall spoke up, concern clear on her face.
"Hermione is copying all of her notes for you," Ron assured her.
"Plus, you already know all the spells we're learning this year," Blaise reminded her.
"So, potions, then?" Stella asked the two Slytherins.
"You can complete them under my eye after classes," Snape tried but Stella refused to look at him.
"Brilliant," Stella stated, face blank as she spoke before she looked to Madam Pomfrey. "Am I alright? No offense, Madam, but I'm not a fan of hospitals."
"I have potions I want you to take every night before bed, but other than that, you are free to go," Madam Pomfrey stated, pulling a week's worth of potions from her pocket. "Come see me in a week so I can do a quick checkup."
"Yes, madam," Stella nodded and the boys moved away quickly as Ginny placed school robes beside Stella.
A privacy screen went up around the two girls and Ginny helped Stella dress quickly. Stella accepted the brush that Ginny offered and Stella brushed through her hair, glancing in the mirror beside the hospital bed and noticing that her hair was as greasy as Snape's on a daily basis. Ginny had Stella sit in the chair that was beside the bed and braided Stella's hair so it wasn't as noticeable. Once done, the two moved around the screen and the students all left the hospital wing, leaving the adults behind, one whose eyes were sad and ashamed as he watched them go.
"How bad is it?" Stella asked and the Gryffindors looked confused but Theo and Blaise understood what she meant.
"It was pretty bad," Blaise admitted. "Everyone thought it was you until two days ago. Most of your stuff was destroyed. Draco wrote to his mum and everything was replaced. I'm sure that'll cost you something in the future."
"Great," Stella rolled her eyes. "Just what I need. I'm guessing there was an attack two days ago, which would explain the twice dead ghost?"
"Yes," Theo answered. "Everyone is back to thinking it's Potter again."
"Oh, wonderful," Stella sighed, looking over at Harry. "Are you alright?"
"Could be worse," Harry shrugged. "No one destroyed my stuff. We also got to see Snape throw Lockhart across a room in a dueling club."
"And Potter can talk to snakes," Theo tossed out and Stella froze mid-step before bringing her foot back and turning slowly to Harry.
"You can what now?"
"I can talk to snakes," Harry shrugged, scratching the back of his neck. "Didn't realize it wasn't common until… well…"
"Until suddenly everyone thought you were the Heir of Slytherin instead of me?" Stella offered.
"What happened?" Ron suddenly asked. "Why did Snape seem scared to talk to you? Also, why aren't you telling me to call him 'Professor'? You always get onto me for that."
"It doesn't matter," Stella sighed. "I know I was just out for two weeks but I am exhausted."
"Let's get some food in you and then get you to your room," Blaise nodded.
"Is everyone in the Great Hall right now?" Stella asked, stopping again.
"Yeah," Fred nodded. "We're going to the kitchens, though."
"Alright," Stella sighed, following after her three older brothers, them leading the way as the others followed behind, Percy not complaining once as he kept glancing back at Stella and looking her over.
"So, Potter, now that you're the Heir to Slytherin, you can be my friend," Blaise joked.
"What?" Harry asked confused.
"Well, you're interesting now," Blaise shrugged.
"I wasn't interesting before?"
"Do you remember defeating the Dark Lord?"
"No."
"Then, no."
Stella let out a snort of laughter as Fred tickled the pear in the photo and pushed the door open. House elves rushed to help them, passing the plates of sandwiches and flagons of juice. The Gryffindors walked the Slytherins to the dungeons before leaving them on their own.
"Pureblood," Blaise told the portrait and it swung open.
"You have got to be kidding me," Stella scoffed, rolling her eyes.
The three ate their sandwiches before Stella escaped to her room when she heard footsteps approaching. She found new robes and school books sitting on her bed, along with parchment, new quills and inkwells, and trainers. A new trunk and shoulder bag were at the end of her bed and Stella groaned at all of the notes that she'd have to rewrite in her books before putting the clothes away and putting supplies in the emerald green bag. Her journal was sitting on her pillow and Stella knew that it had remained in Snape's office until recently.
Stella changed into the silk nightgown that she didn't know how to feel about before laying in her bed, pulling the curtain closed and rolling over, facing away from the room. The dorm room door opened and Stella could hear the other second-year girls enter the room, Parkinson and Greengrass laughing until they all noticed that her curtain was closed.
"Do you think she's in there?" Lily's voice asked.
"One way to find out," Tracy sighed and Stella closed her eyes, hearing her curtain open and then close again. "She's in there and asleep."
"I'm surprised she came back," Parkinson said to the other girls, voice low as if she didn't want to wake Stella.
"I wouldn't have," Greengrass agreed.
"What do we say to her?" Tracy asked.
"No clue," Lily answered. "Maybe we don't say anything. See if she talks to us."
The girls quieted down within the hour and Stella listened to them all breathing, hoping they were asleep. She sat up slowly and climbed out of her bed. She heard someone take in a sharp breath and knew at least one person was awake but she didn't care. She slipped on a school robe and slippers that were more soft than anything she'd ever owned before. Next, she grabbed her school bag and tossed a uniform into it along with the new trainers and her charms and potions books, not sure what day it was or what class, if any, she had the next morning.
Stella tiptoed out or the room and down to the common room, finding it dark and empty. She knew there was danger in the school, but she didn't really care as she snuck through the halls until she reached Gryffindor tower, finding the snag in her plan suddenly. She stared at the portrait, not sure what to do or say. The Fat Lady stared down at her for a minute before disappearing and Stella lost hope, wondering if she should just go back down to the dungeons before the portrait swung open, revealing a very tired Percy.
He waved Stella in and she let out a sigh of relief as she stepped inside. Stella went straight to Ron's room, tossing her bag onto the floor and climbing into the bed beside him, waking him in the process. He could sleep through everything else but not through Stella crawling into the bed beside him. She drank down a potion before laying down, curling against Ron's chest and sniffling slightly before closing her eyes, feeling safe with her brother.