Chapter Seventeen
Sunday morning, Stella, Ron, Hermione, Harry, McGonagall, and Snape headed to the ministry. A portkey was delivered due to the underage witches and wizards. They appeared in Diagon Alley and then walked on foot to the Ministry, Stella wringing her hands together the entire time. Ron and Harry had bickered a bit at first before Hermione shushed them, reminding them that today wasn't about them or their petty arguments.
They squeezed into a red phone booth and Snape spoke on the phone for a moment before badges popped out and the phone booth worked like an elevator, taking them down into the ministry. Stella saw a flurry of movements below them, cameras flashing and telling her that Sirius had already arrived. She began bouncing on her feet a bit and Severus placed a hand on her shoulder the best that he could with all of them packed into the booth
Once the elevator had stopped, the door opened and they almost fell out, Stella standing tall and making sure everyone behind her kept their balance by planting her feet. Hermione looked relieved at not having embarrassed herself, the cameras now pointing at them. Stella walked forward, Harry beside her as they ignored the reporters shouting questions at them. They went straight to Sirius, who was standing beside his lawyer in a nice suit that Stella knew must have been brought to him just that morning.
Harry and Stella reached Sirius and wrapped their arms around him, hugging him tightly. Cameras were flashing rapidly at the reunion and Stella wasn't looking forward to how many times she was going to be seen in the paper for the next few weeks but if all of the pictures were of her and Sirius, she was perfectly fine with it. They pulled away, the two looking up at Sirius with shining eyes. He kissed Stella's head before kissing Harry's, giving them reassuring nods before pulling them to his sides, arms around their shoulders as they headed towards the lifts that would take them to courtroom number five.
Outside the courtroom door, they all stopped. Stella let out a slow breath as Sirius removed his arms from them and turned to face them.
"No matter what happens today, I want you both to know just how proud of you I am," he started.
"Tell us after," Stella told him with a nervous laugh.
"He'll be alright," Lyons assured her. "All of the evidence points to his innocence and they illegally held him for twelve years. You'll come in when you're called for, give your statement, and be sent back to the waiting room. As soon as a decision is made, I'll come find you."
"Okay," Stella nodded, feeling tears fill her eyes against her will. "Okay. Get in there so we can get it over with and you… you just… just…"
Sirius pulled Stella into his arms again and she felt tears escaping her. He shushed her gently, holding her tightly and kissing the top of her head. The doors opened behind Sirius and Stella heard Percy's voice telling Sirius that they were ready for him. Stella released Sirius slowly and he wiped her tears, kissing her head once more before turning and walking into the courtroom, Lyons directly behind him. Three aurors led them inside and Percy stared at Stella for a moment before heading inside as well.
Another auror showed them to the room off of the side of the courtroom where Remus was already waiting. Stella hugged him tightly before sitting down, Harry taking the spot beside her and holding her hand in his. The others spoke around the two but they remained silent, both far too stressed to engage in conversation. It was half an hour later that Remus was called away. Snape went when he returned, followed my McGonagall and then Ron and then Hermione. Stella was called next and she kissed the top of Harry's head before leaving him with the others.
An auror led her into the courtroom, facing a rather large crowd sitting high up. Sirius was chained to a chair in the center and Lyons was standing beside him. Stella's eyes widened at the sight of the chains and Sirius gave her a smile, pretending to be comfortable as a way to help keep her calm.
Lyons told Stella to have a seat in the chair in front of Sirius, facing away from him and towards the Wizengamot. Stella did as instructed, fiddling with her ring the entire time nervously. She felt smaller than she was as she sat in the chair, even with knowing that she probably wouldn't be asked for more than her statement.
"Please state your name for the record," Crouch told her, sitting in the center of the Wizengamot members.
"Stella Nova Black," she whispered.
"Louder."
Stella thought of Teddy telling her not to let anyone see any weaknesses, of Blaise showing her how to hold herself. She cleared her throat and sat up straight, raised her chin a bit higher, and spoke.
"Stella Nova Black. Heir to the ancient and noble house of Black."
"Thank you, Miss Black," Crouch stated.
"Heir Black," Bloodshire corrected, moving to Stella's side.
"State your name for the record, goblin."
"Bloodshire of Gringotts, overseer of the Black family fortune and representative of Heir Black for the proceedings."
Stella wasn't sure why Bloodshire was representing her but she felt a bit more relaxed knowing he was there. He hadn't led her astray yet. In fact, everything he'd done had been to protect her so far; running her family's fortune, refusing marriage contracts, warning her of Narcissa Malfoy's true intentions.
"Heir Black, tell us what happened on June 3rd of 1993."
And so Stella did. Well, she left out the time traveling bit for obvious reasonings, something they had all agreed on. Not even Lyons knew about it. They could all be tossed in Azkaban for their actions that night if they admitted to it. Once she finished telling her story, thirty-five minutes had passed. Stella knew it had been thirty-five minutes because the session was being recorded and she could see the big red numbers floating in the air behind the Wizengamot members.
The courtroom was quiet and Percy was scratching a quill across parchment nearby, along with multiple reporters who were allowed to be there for the proceedings, Rita Skeeter included. Stella wondered how the she-witch would twist the story in her article the next day.
"Heir Black, do you know where Sirius Black has been residing since his escape from Hogwarts?" Crouch asked.
"No," Stella answered half-honestly; she didn't know where Sirius had been before Hogsmeade.
"And do you know where he resided directly after escaping Azkaban?"
"No," also the honest answer, thought slightly less deceitful.
"Have you been in contact with Sirius Black since his escape?"
"I have," Stella answered, having already had a briefing on these questions just in case; a few of the people on the Wizengamot knew how head and heir rings worked.
"How?"
"Through our rings. I have the heir ring for the Black family and he has the Head of House ring. They were spelled centuries ago so that the heirs and heads of family could speak whenever they wished."
"Did he speak to you before his escape from Azkaban?"
"Not so much," she stated. "He mostly just repeated his own name and the names of the people he loved on repeat."
"Tell us the exact words."
Stella had the words memorized.
"I am Sirius Orion Black the third. My wife is Marlenne Prudence Black. My daughter is Stella Nova Black. My best friends are James Fleamont Potter, Lily Marie Evans-Potter, Remus John Lupin, Dorcas Rebel Meadows, and Frank Cornelius Johnathon Longbottom. Harry James Potter is my godson. Stella is with Molly Weasley. It was the rat."
"He said it was the rat?"
"Repeatedly. I heard these words a few times a day for a while."
"When did it stop?"
"I told Professor Snape about it and asked him if there was a way to block his voice. He and Professor Flitwick worked together to temporarily block him out for me. They had to do the spell a few times a year for it to work."
"When did you stop having the spell done?"
"It was after he escaped from Azkaban. I was in the hospital wing for a severe injury and I could hear him again, but I couldn't speak at the time to tell Professor Snape or Professor Lupin. When I woke up again, I'd completely forgotten about it."
"Severe injury?" Crouch asked.
"Heir Black's injury does not relate to today's case," Bloodshire spoke up.
"An injury that made her forget that an escaped convict could communicate with her whenever he pleased makes it relate to the case," Crouch insisted.
Bloodshire went to argue but Stella spoke up.
"I was attacked for being his daughter in the halls. People thought I was going to help him break into the school and hurt Harry Potter. A group of twenty students cornered me in the hall and I ended up with a broken neck. I was paralyzed for about a month and had to relearn how to walk. It's why I couldn't move in the shack. I was reinjured when I was pulled through the tunnel and couldn't move my legs. Professor Snape performed a rather extensive healing charm in the Shrieking Shack so that I could get through the tunnel and back to the school so that Madam Pomfrey could also perform the spell. They both came to see me once a week for six weeks over the summer to do the spell repeatedly so that I would be fully healed without the chance of becoming paralyzed again," Stella explained.
"You were attacked in the school?" a voice spoke up and Stella turned to a woman with kind eyes.
"I was."
"What was the punishment for the students involved?" she asked.
"I don't understand how that pertains…" Crouch started and Stella could tell by his reaction that Stella had just won Sirius sympathy votes.
"You made it pertainable by demanding to know of the injury," Bloodshire defended before nodding to Stella to answer.
"The students were given detention four times a week and their Hogsmeade visits were taken away for the year. They also weren't allowed on the Quidditch team for the year and a note was made in their permanent records that a student almost died due to their actions," Stella answered, fiddling with her ring again.
"You almost died?" a man asked and Stella turned to see a rather short and pudgy man staring down at her.
"Yes. Madam Pomfrey told me later that my heart stopped a total of three times when she and Professor Snape were trying to save me. I wasn't breathing when I was found, either."
The courtroom was silent again, shock working through the crowd. Stella remained quiet, looking slowly at the Wizengamot members, studying each of their horrified and shocked faces. Percy looked close to tears and even Crouch seemed upset about the news. Stella could hear Sirius speaking soothingly to her in her head, agitation in his tone from hearing about the attack on his child. A woman in all pink shook herself, coming out of the shock before tapping Crouch's arm, bringing him back to the present.
"Thank you, Heir Black. You may return to the waiting room."
Stella stood, looking to Sirius before leaving the courtroom. Harry stood when Stella walked into the room. He kissed her head before following the auror out. She sat where she'd been before, tapping her foot impatiently. Snape sat in Harry's vacated seat, just offering comfort with his presence. Stella said nothing, too nervous. Harry returned forty-five minutes later, taking just a little less time than Stella had. Snape moved when Harry entered, letting him retake his seat. Harry took her hand and Stella settled, staying still as Harry bounced his foot now. It was two hours later that Lyons opened the door.
"Cleared of all charges," Lyons smirked, stepping aside to revealing Sirius unchained.
Stella and Harry rushed forward, both almost knocking Sirius over as they plowed into him, hugging his tightly. He laughed as he held them both tightly, face shining with happiness. The strange group walked through the ministry, Sirius talking excitedly about plans for the future with Harry and Stella. Stella's face hurt from smiling so much.
They ate a late dinner once they got to Hogsmeade, staying in the house until McGonagall and Snape told the students it was time to return to the castle. They still had classes the next day after all. Stella complained loudly and Snape rolled his eyes before raising a brow at her.
"Fine," she complained, hugging Remus and then Sirius before leaving with the others.
The group split into two once they reached the castle, McGonagall leading the three Gryffindor's up to their tower while Snape took Stella to the dungeons. He said the password and Stella skipped into the common room, finding Theo and Blaise waiting for her. She fell onto the couch, head in Theo's lap and legs across Blaise.
"Cleared of all charges," she told the two and all three cheered, not caring when a few sixth years shushed them.
The next morning, papers were delivered before classes. A black dog strutted into the Great Hall, going straight to Stella.
"Seems your father isn't a criminal anymore, Black," Pansy stated, sipping her tea.
"No, I am not," Sirius stated, turning human and making everyone except Stella, Theo, and Blaise scream in surprise. "Oh, that's a nice picture."
It truly was. The photo across the cover of the Prophet was of Harry and Stella each under Sirius' arm, all three beaming as they left the ministry after the hearing.
"Think I'll frame it," Stella smirked as she stared at it. "Maybe I should start scrapbooking. I have a feeling that, between you and Harry, I'm going to have quite a few Prophet clippings."
The days leading to the first task were even more stressful than before, the happiness of Sirius's innocence only keeping Harry in high spirits for so long. Stella could see the panic in his eyes as the day came closer and closer with no clue what he would be doing. Remus and Sirius came up to the school and were given an empty classroom to tutor Harry in, Stella joining after classes every day to help keep Harry calmed.
On the Saturday before the first task, all students in the third year and above were permitted to visit Hogsmeade. Harry and Stella were under the cloak, Harry's arms around Stella so that they both fit under the cloak like the first time they'd snuck out. Stella felt herself blush as she felt Harry's front pressed to her back and she could hear Blaise and Theo picking on her in her head for the crush that she thought she'd been rather good at ignoring rearing its head. Stella just leaned against Harry, deciding that if her crush was going to run a bit wild, she might as well enjoy the moments she got.
Most of the people in the village were sporting 'Support Cedric Diggory' badges, causing Stella to roll her eyes. Hermione seemed annoyed that she had to speak to the cloak, knowing people would think her insane for talking to herself.
"People keep staring at me now," she said grumpily as they came out of Honeydukes. "They think I'm talking to myself."
"Don't move your lips so much," Stella suggested with a smirk as she fed Harry a piece of chocolate.
"Come on. Please just take the cloak off for a bit? No one's going to bother you here."
"Oh, really?" asked Harry. "Look behind you."
Rite Skeeter and her photographer friend had just emerged from the Three Broomsticks pub. Talking in low voices, they passed right by Hermione without looking at her. Harry and Stella backed into the wall of Honeydukes to stop Rita from hitting them with her crocodile handbag. Stella felt herself blushing more as Harry held her even more firmly against him. Her breathing basically stopped for a moment and she hoped he thought it was because she didn't want Rita to hear her breathing.
"She's staying in the village," Harry told Hermione once Rita was gone, stepping away from the wall but still holding Stella tightly. "I bet she's coming to watch the first task."
"She's gone," Hermione said, staring at the end of the street through Stella and Harry. "Why don't we go and have a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks. It's a bit cold, isn't it? Neither of you have to talk to Ron."
The Three Broomsticks was packed, mainly with Hogwarts students enjoying their free afternoon, but also with a variety of magical people. It was hard to move through the crowds under the cloak, the two working hard to not accidentally trod on anyone. They edged toward a spare table as Hermione went to buy drinks. On their way through, Harry spotted Ron with Fred, George, and Lee, pointing them out to Stella.
They sat at a hidden table and sat down facing the room, Stella on Harry's lap. Hermione joined them a moment later and slipped them a butterbeer to share under the cloak.
"I look like an idiot here on my own," she muttered. "Lucky I brought something to do."
Hermione pulled her S.P.E.W. folder out and opened it.
"Maybe I should try getting some of the village members involved," Hermione said thoughtfully, looking around the pub.
"Hermione when are you going to give up on this spew thing?" Harry asked.
"When house-elves have decent wages and working conditions," Hermione hissed back. "You know, I'm starting to think it's time for more direct action. I wonder how you get into the school kitchens?"
"No idea," Stella lied.
"Ask Fred and George," Harry added.
Silence filled the area and Stella passed Harry the butterbeer, letting him drink some of it before holding it again, his arms resting around her hips. He saw her blush when she turned to him.
"Are you alright?" he whispered the question.
"Yeah," she whispered back. "Bit warm. I'm fine, though."
"Hagrid's here," Hermione smiled and Stella looked over, seeing Hagrid and Moody walking in and over to them.
"All right, Hermione?" Hagrid said loudly.
"Hello," Hermione smiled back.
Moody limped around the table and bent down, looking as if he were reading the S.P.E.W. members. Instead, he grinned.
"You two look cozy under that cloak, Potter," Moody muttered.
"You can see us?" Stella asked.
"It's a nice cloak but my eye can see through it," Moody said quietly. "And it's come in useful at times, I can tell you."
Hagrid was beaming down at them as well. They knew he couldn't see them but Moody had to have told him that they were there. Hagrid bent down, as if reading the page as well.
"Harry, meet me tonight at midnight at me cabin. Wear the cloak," Hagrid told him before straightening. "Nice ter see yeh, Hermione."
"Why does Hagrid want to see me at midnight?" Harry asked once Moody and Hagrid had left.
"I don't know," Hermione shook her head. "We should get back though."
The three rode a carriage back to the castle, cloak still on just in case as Stella sat in Harry's lap again, the carriage bouncing them a bit. Harry held Stella as still as possible and his face was red this time. Stella had to remind herself that Harry was a teenage boy when she felt it, her brain having thought that maybe he had a crush as well for a moment there.
Stella had Harry go to the dungeon with her as Hermione headed to the library. They stayed close as they walked through the portrait, cloak still in place. She disillusioned herself and told Harry to stay exactly where he was as she ran up the steps, grabbed the map from her room, and came back down the steps. She felt the cloak and got back under it again, taking the charm off of herself and finding herself facing Harry this time, their chests almost touching as they stood there for a moment just staring at one another.
She passed him the map, breaking the moment before giving him a tight smile and sending him on his way. Stella would have just seemed to appear in the common room had anyone been there to witness it. As it happened, no one was around as Harry snuck out of the Slytherin common room. Stella stayed awake all night, waiting for Harry in the armchair beside the fire.
Harry showed up at almost one thirty in the morning, Stella sitting in front of the fire and feeling rather tired. He tossed the cloak off, staring at Stella with terror in his eyes.
"Dragons," he told her. "The first task is dragons."
After calming Harry down, she sent him back to his tower under the cloak, letting him keep the map for now. She would start research in the morning, maybe write to Charlie. The next morning, Ron was glowering more than normal and muttering under his breath about Harry every few seconds.
"What happened now?" Stella asked Harry as she sat beside him at breakfast.
"He was being nosy when I went into the common room and started being rude. I threw one of the 'Potter Stinks' badges at him and hit him in the forehead with it. Told him he had something to wear on Tuesday now and if he were lucky it would leave a scar since that's what he wants so badly," Harry shrugged and Stella burst out laughing, causing a few people to turn and stare at them.
She calmed after a few moments, waving everyone off.
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"You're the best."
They ended up in the library with Hermione. Stella had sent a letter to Charlie that morning and gotten a response rather quickly somehow before her eyes widened and she looked to Harry.
"Was Charlie there last night?" she asked him.
"Oh, yeah," Harry nodded. "Sorry. Forgot to mention that."
Stella left the library quickly, running through the school and out the front door. She went into the forest, using a 'point-me' until she found where the dragons were being held. She found Charlie moving around with a few other dragon tamers, one of which called out telling her she shouldn't be there. Charlie turned then, face lighting up when he saw her.
"That's one of my sisters," Charlie assured the others, jogging over to Stella. "What are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?" she shot back. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I told Ron to tell you."
"Ron's an ass and he's lucky he isn't coughing up bubbles right now," Stella stated before telling Charlie everything that had been happening with Ron, causing Charlie to seem angrier and angrier the more Stella told him.
"Well, why's he being so pigheaded?" Charlie demanded. "What caused all of this?"
"He's jealous of the attention that Harry gets," Stella told him. "Harry hates the attention though. Ron can have all of it honestly."
"So, is Ron why the two of you haven't actually told anyone that you and Harry are together?" Charlie smirked.
"Harry and I aren't together," Stella blushed.
"Ah, but you want to be," Charlie smirked.
"It doesn't matter. It's just a bit of a crush. I'm managing it."
"Like Ginny?"
"Better than Ginny manages hers," Stella grumbled before going back to her normal voice again. "Also, Ginny's crush is because she idolizes Harry as 'The Boy Who Lived.' I actually know Harry. We're friends."
"Is that what I witnessed? Just friends?" Charlie smirked.
"Shut it," Stella rolled her eyes. "What can you tell me about the dragons?"
"I don't think I'm supposed to be telling you," Charlie sighed, hands on his hips in a way that made Stella think of mum. "You'll just run back to Harry."
"Of course I will. Teachers aren't allowed to help the champions. No such rules apply to me though. Now spill. I'm trying to make sure he stays 'The Boy Who Lived.' Can't do that if he's flambéed by a dragon."
"Alright," Charlie sighed. "We have a Hungarian Horntail. Very territorial creatures. Feel bad for whoever gets that one, nasty mean thing. A Common Welsh Green, the smallest one, also the calmest. Swedish Short Snout, which has the hottest fire and is the fastest flyer. That one's the Chinese Fireball. Very clever and can produce fire faster than the others. They're all nesting mothers though. There's a golden egg with theirs. The champions have to get the golden egg from the nest without being, well, eaten."
"Great," Stella sighed. "Well, hopefully Harry gets the Welsh. Do you know how they're choosing?"
"Random draw," Charlie shrugged. "We were asked to make small versions of the dragons as well. More of play things than anything else. Here."
Stella smiled as she held the tiny Hungarian Horntail. It sniffed her cloak before tangling itself in her hair. Charlie helped her remove it before putting it back with the others. Stella hugged Charlie before leaving to go back to the castle. She found Harry and Hermione walking around the lake and joined them, telling them what Charlie had told her.
"So, what do I do?" Harry asked.
"Well, I'm sure you can't Accio it."
"I've gotten the spell down!" Harry defended.
"No. I mean it's probably protected against it," Stella smiled. "I know you've got the spell figured out. We should probably go actually study now. You're falling behind."
Stella put Harry's Firebolt under the stands the next night before watching the returned map and moving to the dungeons. Tuesday approached far too quickly and Stella felt her pulse quickening, heart thundering in her chest. Harry seemed as if his mind were off in some other place though as he sat between Stella and Hermione for lunch. Stella rubbed his back gently, trying to get him to wake from the trance he seemed to be stuck in.
"Potter, the champions have to come down onto the grounds now," McGonagall said from behind them. "You have to get ready for the first task."
"Okay," Harry said, dropping his fork to his plate with a loud clatter as he stood.
"Good luck, Harry," Hermione whispered. "You'll be fine!"
"Yeah," said Harry, sounding most unlike himself before walking out of the Great Hall.
Stella thought bugger it all and followed after them a minute later. She found the champions tent and went around the back of it, not wanting to get caught. She peaked in, finding Harry standing on his own close by.
"Harry," she whispered and he turned quickly, finding her.
He moved forward, looking relieved. Stella entered the tent, hugging Harry tightly as he breathed her in before a camera flash went off and the two jumped, not moving out of each other's arms as they turned, finding Rita Skeeter smirking at them.
"Young love! If all goes well today, Harry, you two may make the front page," she smiled.
"You really are a nasty woman, Rita. I remember that about you from school," Sirius's voice spoke up. "Time to go now. Stop bothering my daughter and Godson."
"Of course," Rita practically purred at Sirius, looking him up and down like she wanted to taste him.
"Ew," Stella pretended to gag, causing Harry to laugh, before they both stood straight, faces feigning innocence when Rita turned back to them sharply.
"Goodbye, Rita," Sirius told her.
"Buh-bye, Sirius Black," Rita smirked, walking away and her camera flashing once more as she exited the tent, cameraman close behind her.
"Well, that'll be fun," Stella sighed before looking to Sirius and smiling. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, Dumbledore can only represent one student. As Harry's name was pulled out under a fourth school, he has to represent Cedric Diggory. I am here to represent Harry," Sirius smiled to the two.
"Brilliant," Harry smiled brightly.
"Off you pop, little star. Stands are going to fill up soon," Sirius smiled to Stella.
"Alright," Stella sighed, turning to Harry. "Your broom is close by. Don't panic. I'll be right there and Charlie won't let anything happen to you."
"Okay," Harry nodded, pulling Stella into a tight hug before releasing her so she could go.
Stella sat in the stands, hands shaking and messing with her ring as she waited with the other students. An announcement was made by Bagman, explaining what the champions would have to face. Blaise and Theo were to her right and Hermione was to her left, Ron taking the seat beside her.
Diggory went first and Stella let out a breath when she saw the Swedish Short Snout, meaning there was still a chance that Harry had gotten the Welsh Green. She watched as Cedric turned a rock into a dog, trying to distract the dragon as he ran straight towards the eggs. He grabbed the golden one and then flames shot towards him, hitting the side of his face before he hid behind a rock. Cedric ran back to the tent entrance, a shout of pain leaving him as he did so before Charlie and the others rushed forward, working together to subdue the dragon. He'd taken about twenty minutes in total.
Fleur Delacour came out next, trembling. Stella let out a groan as she saw the Welsh Green and she knew in her heart that it meant that Harry had the Hungarian Horntail. Luck was just never on his side when it came to certain things. He always survived though, so at least he had that going for him. Fleur began to sing to the dragon, strangely enough, and the dragons head lulled, as if falling asleep. It took her ten minutes to get her egg but got singed when a few flames escaped the dragon when it snored.
Krum came out after that, Chinese Fireball at the ready. He actually blinded the poor creature and caused it to stomp around and destroy a few of its own eggs. Stella gasped, hands going to her mouth in shock, a few tears in her eyes. Blaise's hand went to her knee, giving it a gentle squeeze. She glared at Krum as he left with his egg in five minutes.
Stella stood as Harry came out, standing at the barrier and looking out. The Horntail was on the other end of the enclosure, crouched low over her clutch of eggs, her wings half-furled, her evil, yellow eyes upon him, a monstrous, scaly, black lizard, thrashing her spiked tail, leaving yard-long gouge marks on the hard ground. The crowd was making a great deal of noise but Stella ignored it, staring out at Harry. He raised his wand.
"Accio Firebolt!" he shouted.
Stella heard the broom speeding through the air and she ducked, the broom flew over her head and to Harry.
"Sorry!" he yelled out and Stella laughed before noticing the dragon letting out an angry huff.
Harry climbed onto his broom and soared upwards, wind pushing his hair back. It almost looked like she was watching the strangest game of Quidditch in existence. Harry dived and the Horntail's head followed before a jet of fire chased after Harry.
"Great Scott, he can fly!" Bagman yelled. "Are you watching this, Mr. Krum?"
Stella smiled brightly, watching as Harry soared high into the air, making circles and trying to make the dragon dizzy. That was, until the tail hit him, ripping his robes. Stella flinched back but Harry kept flying.
The Horntail didn't seem to want to take off after Harry though, too protective of her eggs. Not that Stella blamed her. She'd be protective as a dragon as well. Finally, she reared back, spreading her great, black, leathery wings. Harry dove.
Before the dragon even realized what was happening, he sped at the ground as fast as he could go, toward the eggs now unprotected by her clawed front legs. He took his hand off the Firebolt as if reaching to catch the snitch, grabbed the golden egg and sped off, soaring over the stands with his egg safely under his uninjured arm.
Stella screamed, cheering loudly. Harry smiled brightly as Charlie and his friends ran onto the field to calm the Horntail. Harry's eyes found Stella's and he smiled to her, holding the egg high in the air, before flying to the tent to get checked over by Madama Pomfrey.
He'd taken seven minutes.
"Thank Merlin," Stella sighed.
She and Hermione took off towards the tent, Stella not noticing as Ron followed behind them.
"Harry!" Stella yelled and the next moment she was in his arms as he held her in a tight hug.
"You were brilliant!" Hermione yelled. "You were amazing! You really were!"
Harry set Stella down gently, looking over her shoulder with his arms still on her waist. Stella turned her head, finding Ron standing behind Hermione. Hermione looked behind herself and moved over, letting Ron in further.
"Harry," he said, very seriously. "Whoever put your name in the goblet. I… I reckon they're trying to do you in."
"Caught on, have you?" Harry asked rather stiffly, arms tightening around Stella as he pulled her to his side protectively.
Ron looked like he wanted to apologize and Harry looked down to Stella. She simply shrugged and Harry nodded, looking back to Ron.
"It's okay," he said before Ron could get the words out. "Forget it."
"No," said Ron. "I shouldn't've…"
"Forget it," Stella told him.
Ron grinned nervously at them and Harry grinned back. Hermione burst into tears.
"There's nothing to cry about!" Harry told her, bewildered.
"You three are so stupid!" she shouted stamping her foot on the ground, tears splashing down her front.
Then, before any of them could stop her, she had given all three a hug and dashed away, now positively howling.
"Barking mad," said Ron, shaking his head. "C'mon, then. They'll be putting up your scores."
Sirius passed Harry his egg and Stella his Firebolt and all four ducked out of the tent, Ron by Harry's side, talking fast.
"You were the best, you know, no competition," Ron stated.
"Cedric turned a rock into a dog to distract it. Got burned on the way out though," Stella cut in.
"Fleur sang to it and made it go into a trance, caused it to fall asleep. It did blow fire at her when it snored, caught her skirt on fire," Ron added.
"Krum," Stella growled. "Half the real eggs got crushed when he blinded his dragon."
"Stella about cried," Ron added.
"Shut it," Stella told him as they reached the end of the enclosure.
"It's marks out of ten from each one," Ron told Harry.
Madame Maxime gave Harry an eight, Crouch gave a nine, Dumbledore gave a nine, Bagman gave a ten—
"Ten?" Harry asked in disbelief. "But I got hurt. What's he playing at?"
"Don't complain!" Ron yelled excitedly.
"Honestly, I would typically complain about favoritism but I don't mind when it's helping you," Stella offered from under Harry's arm, hers still wrapped around his waist.
Karkaroff raised his wand, paused, and then a number shot out. A four.
"What?" Ron bellowed. "Four? You lousy, biased scumbag. You gave Krum ten!"
"You tied for first," Stella smiled to Harry. "You and Krum."
"Great job, Harry!" Charlie ran over, smirking when he saw Stella. "Listen, I've got to run, I've got to go and send mum an owl. Swore I would tell her what happened. Bagman wants you to hang back. Wants a word back in the tent."
Ron said he'd wait and Stella went to leave Harry's side, but he pulled her along with him and Sirius back into the tent. She gave him a soft smile before turning to find the champions, headmasters, and Bagman waiting for them.
"Well done, all of you!" said Ludo Bagman, bouncing into the tent and looking as pleased as though he personally had just got past a dragon. "Now, just a quick few words. You've got a nice long break before the second task, which will take place at half past nine on the morning of February the twenty-fourth — but we're giving you something to think about in the meantime! If you look down at those golden eggs you're all holding, you will see that they open . . . see the hinges there? You need to solve the clue inside the egg — because it will tell you what the second task is and enable you to prepare for it! All clear? Sure? Well, off you go, then!"
Sirius walked out of the tent with them, Ron going to Stella's side this time, Hermione beside him. Rita Skeeter popped out at them.
"Congratulations, Harry!" she was beaming at him. "I wonder if you could give me a quick word? How you felt facing that dragon? How you feel now, about the fairness of the scoring?"
"Yeah, you can have a word," said Harry savagely. "Goodbye."
And they set off back to the castle. Sirius told Harry how well he'd done before heading back to Hogsmeade.
"Fred and George planned a surprise party for you," Ron smiled. "Let's get upstairs."
"Enjoy your party," Stella smiled to Harry.
"You're coming with," Harry told her, pulling her back to him by her hand before looking to Ron and Hermione. "We'll be right behind you. Need a minute."
"Yeah, alright," Ron nodded as he took the broom, giving a smile before moving along with Hermione.
Harry pulled Stella into an abandoned classroom where Harry set the egg down before locking the door behind them. Stella gave Harry a confused look before he pulled her into another tight hug. She hugged him back, letting out a small laugh.
"I couldn't have done it without you," he whispered to her. "You kept me sane."
"Well, sane's a strong word," Stella joked.
"Stell," Harry sighed, pulling away, arms around her hips as he held her close.
"Harry," Stella said back, hands resting on his chest, one over his heart.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"Of course, Harry," Stella whispered back, forcing herself not to blush with him staring into her eyes so sincerely. "Now, come on. We should join the others. Merlin forbid, Filch catch us in here."
Harry smiled, a small laugh on his lips as he pulled Stella from the room, holding her hand tightly. Dumbledore stood at the end of the hall, watching the two run off towards the tower, causing him to think of a different Black and Potter from ages ago and knowing exactly who would be taken for the second task.
Sure enough, when they entered the Gryffindor common room it exploded with cheers and yells again. There were mountains of cakes and flagons of pumpkin juice and butterbeer on every surface; Lee Jordan had let off some Filibuster's Fireworks, so that the air was thick with stars and sparks; and Dean Thomas, who was very good at drawing, had put up some impressive new banners, most of which depicted Harry zooming around the Horntail's head on his Firebolt, though a couple showed Cedric with his head on fire.
Harry passed the egg to Ron before he led Stella to the food, helping himself as if he'd just realized that'd he'd refused to eat that morning. Stella grabbed a strawberry to eat as she watched the fireworks. Dean and Seamus approached them slowly, Harry stepping in front of Stella protectively.
"We came over to apologize," Seamus spoke up in his Irish accent. "I know that what we did isn't forgivable, but we still wanted to say how sorry we were."
"We're sorry, Stella," Dean spoke up, looking sincere. "We just wanted to protect Harry. We didn't mean for you to—"
"Almost die?" Stella offered.
"Yeah," they both answered.
Stella looked to Harry and he sighed, looking to her.
"Forget it," Stella told them, the same words she'd used with Ron earlier.
"Really?" Dean asked.
"Really," Stella nodded. "If you do try anything again, I'll sick Fred and George on you so it'll be fine."
Dean and Seamus both gulped and stepped back. Stella just smiled.
"Blimey, this is heavy," Lee stated, picking up the egg and passing it to Harry. "Open it, Harry, go on! Let's see it!"
"He's supposed to work out the clue on his own," Hermione tried.
"Technically, the teachers aren't supposed to help," Stella told her. "Says nothing about other students."
"I was also supposed to get past the dragon on my own," Harry muttered so only the two girls could hear, causing them both to grin.
"Open it! Open it! Open it!" the Gryffindors started chanting.
Harry dug his fingernails into the groove that ran all the way around it and pried it open. It was hollow and completely empty — but the moment Harry opened it, the most horrible noise, a loud and screechy wailing, filled the room.
"Shut it!" Fred bellowed, his hands over his ears.
Stella and Harry shut the egg together, locking it closed again.
"What was that? Sounded like a banshee," Seamus stated. "Maybe you've got to get pass one of those next!"
"It was someone being tortured!" Neville argued, his face white and spilled sausages rolling over the floor. "You're going to have to fight the Cruciartis Curse!"
"Don't be a prat, Neville, that's illegal," George offered. "They wouldn't use the Cruciartis Curse on the champions. I thought it sounds a bit like Percy singing. Maybe you've got to attack him while he's in the shower, Harry."
"Want a jam tart, Hermione?" Fred asked.
Hermione looked doubtfully at the plate he was offering her. Fred grinned.
"It's all right," he said, voice softening. "I haven't done anything to them. It's the custard creams you've got to watch—"
Neville, who had just bitten into a custard cream, choked and spat it out. Fred laughed.
"Just my little joke, Neville. . . ."
Hermione took a jam tart.
Then she said, "Did you get all this from the kitchens, Fred?"
"Yep," said Fred, grinning at her. He put on a high-pitched squeak and imitated a house-elf. " 'Anything we can get you, sir, anything at all!' They're dead helpful . . . get me a roast ox if I said I was peckish."
"How do you get in there?" Hermione said in an innocently casual sort of voice.
"Easy," said Fred, "concealed door behind a painting of a bowl of fruit. Just tickle the pear, and it giggles and —" He stopped and looked suspiciously at her. "Why?"
"Nothing," said Hermione quickly.
"Going to try and lead the house-elves out on strike now, are you?" said George. "Going to give up all the leaflet stuff and try and stir them up into rebellion?"
Several people chortled. Hermione didn't answer.
"Don't you go upsetting them and telling them they've got to take clothes and salaries!" said Fred warningly "You'll put them off their cooking!"
Just then, Neville caused a slight diversion by turning into a large canary.
"Oh — sorry, Neville!" Fred shouted over all the laughter. "I forgot — it was the custard creams we hexed —"
Within a minute, however, Neville had molted, and once his feathers had fallen off, he reappeared looking entirely normal. He even joined in laughing.
"Canary Creams!" Fred shouted to the excitable crowd. "George and I invented them — seven Sickles each, a bargain!"
"Don't tell the Slytherins! We're charging them double!" Stella called out, causing everyone to laugh again.
It was nearly one in the morning when Stella began yawning and mentioned needing to get to the dungeons. The twins and Ron exchanged a look before George lifted Stella off of the couch, causing her to gasp before realizing who had grabbed her. She gave him a glare as he carried her up the stairs. Stella caught a glimpse of Fred leaning down and shaking Hermione from the chair she had fallen asleep in, as well as Ron helping lead Ginny towards the stairs.
George carried Stella up to his room and set her on his bed.
"Does Fred like Hermione?" Stella asked.
"He does," George admitted, kneeling by the dresser and pulling out a pair of shorts and an old Quidditch jersey. "Do you like Harry?"
"He's my best friend," Stella shrugged.
"That's not what I asked," George smirked.
"I'm aware," she smirked.
"So, that's a yes," George nodded with a smirk, causing Stella's to fall.
"Yeah," she nodded. "Doesn't matter. You should tell Fred to ask her to the Yule Ball."
"I forgot all about that," George slapped his forehead. "We need to get Ron robes."
"Harry has to open the dance with whoever he goes with. He almost had a panic attack when I told him about it. Sirius laughed for a while before promising to teach him how to waltz," Stella smirked.
"Ah, well, here," George passed her the clothes. "I'll wait outside."
Stella changed quickly, smiling at the red jersey with 'Weasley' in gold on the back. She felt a sense of longing then, wishing that it was her own jersey in Gryffindor colors with her name on the back before sighing and opening the door, finding both twins, Lee, and Harry on the other side.
"Hey," Stella smirked.
"Hi," Harry said, staring at Stella in Gryffindor colors and in shorts.
"You alright, Harry?" Lee smirked, slapping Harry on the back.
"Yeah," Harry flinched slightly. "Just wanted to say goodnight."
"Night," Stella smiled, walking back into the room, the older three boys following after her.
Fred and George pushed their beds together and they and Stella curled up together like they did a few times over the summer and as children, falling asleep rather quickly.
The start of December brought wind and sleet to Hogwarts. Drafty though the castle always was in winter, Stella was glad of its fires and thick walls every time she passed the Durmstrang ship on the lake, which was pitching in the high winds, its black sails billowing against the dark skies. She thought the Beauxbatons caravan was likely to be pretty chilly too.
Theo seemed nervous one night, pacing back and forth in the common room so much that Stella was growing dizzy watching him.
"What's wrong with him?" Stella asked Blaise, still watching rather than reading from her runes book.
"No idea," Blaise sighed, looking up from his potions book. "Oi! Theo! Why the pacing?"
Theo kept going though, not responding to them.
"Teddy!" Stella shouted and Theo stopped and turned to them.
"I want to ask someone to the Yule Ball," he told them.
"So, do it," Stella told him.
"I can't. My father…"
"Who is it?" Blaise asked as he and Stella both smirked, sitting up straight and staring at Theo as he began pacing again.
"It doesn't matter. It's not going to happen."
"Oh my God, Teddy. If you like the person so much, just ask them," Stella rolled her eyes.
The next day Stella watched with wide eyes as Theo asked Hermione to the Yule Ball, Fred watching on as well.
"Oh, damn," Stella whispered out to Blaise.
"What? He finally asked Granger out. Shouldn't we be excited about this? Think of all the studying they could do together," Blaise stated.
"I told Fred to ask her the night after the first task," Stella told Blaise. "Look."
"Oh," Blaise said, seeing Fred's reaction now before they both looked to Theo and Hermione, who were both smiling at each other, Hermione having agreed to go with him. "Well, that'll be awkward for you. Good luck then."
"You're a terrible friend," Stella grumbled.
"Think your sister would say yes to going with me?" Blaise asked and Stella went to make a comment about his mum before seeing the tense look on his face.
"Just go ask. The Gryffindors don't know about the Ball yet though. It isn't being announced until Monday. Professor Snape told me. I'm sure she'll be thrilled. If you hurt her, though, I have permission to skin you alive," Stella stated.
"Yes, ma'am," Blaise smiled brightly before running off.
"Alright," Sirius smiled as Harry stood in front of him with his wand out on Saturday. "No need for your wand today."
"Aren't we training?" Harry asked.
"We are, but not in wand work," Sirius shook his head. "Stella?"
"Hmm?" Stella asked, leaned back in her chair and looking rather comfortable.
"Come here, please," Sirius told her. "The Yule Ball is coming up and the both of you need dance instructions."
"Oh, fun," Stella smirked, jumping out of her seat and skipping over to Harry.
"Do we have to?" Harry asked, looking pained.
"Oi! I'll make you dance with Uncle Moony if you keep that up!" Stella defended.
"It's not you," Harry assured her. "I just feel like I'm not going to be any good at it."
"Not with that attitude," Stella mumbled.
"Pay attention," Sirius told them, smirking as they went back and forth before waving his wand and causing music to begin playing. "Hand on her waist and the other holding her hand. Stella, your free hand on Harry's shoulder."
The two did as instructed. Sirius walked them through how to do a basic waltz, Stella only stepping on Harry's foot once in the process, causing her to apologize about ten times. Remus smirked as he watched them, used to the two of them behaving as they did with one another after having taught them for a year. He couldn't count the number of times Harry had tried sneaking into the hospital wing after she'd been attacked. He'd felt so guilty after she'd been hurt that he'd tried keeping his distance after she'd gotten out but it wasn't long before the two had become inseparable again.
Sirius, on the other hand, was watching them critically from a different stand point. He noticed the slight blush on Stella's face when Harry held her closer, how her breathing would stutter every so often. He also noticed how Harry looked at Stella, how his eyes always seemed to look for her in a room and how he refused to make a single move without her opinion first. He'd seen it when Ron had come to apologize, when they'd been in the shack. He saw how protective they were of one another, always looking out for each other at every turn. He wondered how long it would take for the two of them to figure it out. He decided to give Harry a little push.
Once they'd finally had the waltz down, he taught them the dance that would be required for Harry to open the dance. Harry lifted Stella into the air, causing her to laugh, which caused Harry's face to light up. An hour later, the two teens were grabbing their bags to leave.
"Harry, do you mind staying back a moment?" Sirius asked and they both looked to Sirius in confusion. "Just a quick word."
Harry looked to Stella, just as Sirius had expected, and she nodded, giving Harry a reassuring smile.
"I have to go meet Theo and Blaise. I'll see you later," Stella told him, waving goodbye to all three of them before leaving.
"So, do you have a date to the ball yet?" Sirius asked him, Remus watching on and waiting to see what Sirius was getting at.
"Oh, no," Harry shook his head. "I forgot about that part until you reminded us we needed to learn to dance honestly."
"Well, is there anyone you want to go with?" Sirius asked.
"My friends," Harry shrugged.
"Hermione has a date, yes? As does Ginny?"
"Theo and Blaise," Harry nodded.
"Does Ron know about the ball yet?"
"No. The rest of the school finds out Monday. We only know about it because Stella and Hermione like to study so much."
"Well, I'm sure he'll look for a date as well. Think of it like this: Who do you want to spend the most time with at the ball?" Sirius offered. "Whoever you think of should be who you ask. Get a move on though. Don't want someone to ask her before you do."
Harry gave Sirius a smile and a nod, running out of the room quickly.
"What are you up to?" Remus asked Sirius.
"Nothing," Sirius smiled innocently.
The Slytherins were all gathered before breakfast, Snape standing in front of all of them much like he did the first night they'd arrived.
"I am here to inform all of you of an event that is approaching. There is a traditional part of the Tournament called the Yule Ball," Snape explained and Stella, Theo, and Blaise exchanged looks. "Dress robes are required. Dinner will be served at six and the ball will begin at eight o'clock in the Great Hall on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight."
The girls started speaking excitedly and Snape cleared his throat, silencing them.
"Students fourth year and older will be allowed to attend. Third years may go if invited by an older student. I expect each and every one of you not to embarrass the school or myself," he stated, eyes fixing on the trouble makers of the house, Stella included, for a moment as he spoke and Stella thought of all of the things she could do at the ball in that moment. "You are all free to go."
Stella, Blaise, and Theo left then, smiling and laughing as Stella told them all of the ideas she'd come up with on the fly. Draco ran after them, calling after Stella. She turned in confusion as he approached her.
"I was wondering if you'd be my date to the ball," he told her.
"Keep wondering," Stella told him before moving on.
Blaise snorted a laugh and Theo's lip twitched in a smirk. Stella told three others no that day, Neville included, though he was the nicest by far to ask her. Flint had walked up and asked what time to meet her in the common room, causing her to laugh in his face before moving on. Ron's new dress robes came in at dinner and he looked relieved while looking around towards Stella, who acted like she didn't know who they came from before winking at the twins.
The next day, a third year walked up to Harry, asking him to the ball. Harry looked taken aback as Stella hid her laughter, approaching them slowly as Harry blurted out no, watching as the girl ran off looking hurt.
"Surely there was a nicer way to do that," Stella told him.
"I don't even know who that was," Harry told her. "Also, didn't you laugh in Flint's face yesterday?"
"He didn't ask me to go to the ball with him though. Just assumed I wouldn't say no and skipped that part," Stella defended as Harry took her hand.
No one asked them to the dance after that for some reason. Strange. Stella didn't mind, a bit too focused on all the pranks she'd be trying to get away with. She'd actually written a mental list and everything. It was when she heard about Harry asking Cho Chang, who was going with Cedric Diggory, that she felt her heart drop a bit. She'd heard about it in the library, a few Ravenclaws gossiping about it behind her.
"I thought he was with Black?"
"So did everyone else."
"Maybe they broke up?"
"I feel like we'd know though. I mean, I just saw them at lunch. Everything was fine."
"Maybe he realized that he shouldn't be with a Slytherin. Entire house is a bad bunch if you ask me."
Stella packed her things away quickly, leaving the library and forcing herself not to cry. Stella walked into the Slytherin common room and sat quietly between Blaise and Theo, not speaking and just holding her book to her chest.
"What's happened?" Blaise asked, voice soft.
"Harry asked Cho Chang to the ball," Stella whispered.
"He what?" Theo asked, sounding angry, which caused Stella to look over at him.
"He asked Cho Chang and I overheard two Ravenclaws gossiping about it in the library," she explained. "They think we broke up sometime after lunch apparently."
"Yeah, because the two of you are practically in a committed relationship already," Blaise responded, also angry. "What the hell is he playing at?! He's been leading you on!"
"He has not!" Stella defended, not caring that most of the common room was looking at them now.
"What would you call it, hmm?" Blaise asked, brows raised. "You always together, holding hands or standing ridiculously close! You sneak out of the castle together all the time!"
"We're friends!"
"Is that why you're so upset?"
Stella left the common room then, going straight to her dorm and falling face first onto her bed. She let out an angry shout into her pillow before kicking off her shoes and pulling her curtain closed, shutting out everything else. Two days later, Harry came running up to Stella, out of breath from the jog he'd just taken. Theo and Blaise were still mad at Harry but doing a rather decent job at hiding it.
"Hey," he smiled to her. "I've been looking for you for a couple of days now."
"Well, you found me," Stella shrugged.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, looking concerned.
"Tired," she lied. "What's up?"
"Will you go to the ball with me?" he asked and Stella just stared at him for a long moment.
"No," she said.
"No?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"No is a full sentence, Potter," Theo spoke up.
"I don't feel like being the second choice after Chang," Stella spoke up, looking at Harry with no emotion.
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked in confusion.
"We know you asked Chang to the ball and she turned you down," Blaise stated. "It's been going around for the past two days now."
"I didn't ask Cho to the ball," Harry shook his head. "What are you talking about?"
"That's what the Ravenclaws are saying," Theo spoke up.
It was true. Every Ravenclaw was talking about it, making it so the whole school had heard about it. Stella had been asked what had happened by seven different people already. She'd ignored all of them, Pansy included, as she'd gone about her business.
"I asked if she'd found a date yet when I saw her in the aviary the few days ago," Harry shrugged. "I was just making conversation."
"What?" Stella asked confused.
"Yeah," Harry shrugged. "Stella, when I think about who I want to spend the whole night talking to and dancing and laughing with, I think of you. I've barely spoken to Cho my entire time at Hogwarts."
Blaise and Theo exchanged looks, nodded to one another, and walked away, leaving the two alone.
"Have you been avoiding me because you thought I'd asked Cho?" Harry asked.
"Well… I wouldn't say avoiding," Stella mumbled and Harry smirked as he moved closer to her. "I just wasn't seeking you out was all."
"And why is that?" Harry asked.
"Doesn't matter," Stella shook her head.
"I think it matters," Harry offered.
"Are you going to ask me to the ball or not?" Stella asked.
"Well now I'm not sure I want to," Harry tried joking but Stella had already spent the past two days being hurt and was still feeling a bit sensitive so she moved to walk pass him, just for Harry's hand to reach out and grab hers. "Stella Nova Black-Weasley- yes I know your last name isn't Weasley but it might as well be so I'm including it- would you please do me the honor of being my date to and opening the first dance at the Yule Ball with me?"
"I don't know if I want to now," she shot back, trying not to smile.
"I could beg if you like," Harry offered.
"I might," she smirked.
Harry fell to his knees without thought, holding both of Stella's hands in his.
"I was joking!" she yelled, pulling him back up. "Merlin. I need to ask Pads if your father was this dramatic."
"He was. I've asked," Harry smirked as he stood.
"Explains a lot," Stella joked.
"So, is that a yes?"
"It's a yes. You need to deal with those rumors though or I'll have to spill punch on Chang at the ball," Stella stated.
"I will figure out why Cho thinks I asked her to the ball," Harry promised. "I'm sorry for upsetting you. Can you promise to come talk to me next time?"
"I promise," Stella nodded.
"Good. Let me walk you to dinner."
The two held hands as they walked into the Great Hall, Harry taking Stella all the way to the Slytherin table before heading to Hermione and Ron.
"Black, I need your help," Tracy spoke up the next morning.
"What with?" Stella asked, trying to finish her Charms essay that was due in twenty minutes.
"I want to go to the ball with your brother."
"Which one? I've got about twenty."
"Ron."
Stella dropped her quill and turned to Tracy with a smirk.
"He doesn't have a date yet and he's terrible at talking to girls," Stella told her. "You'll have to go up to him and just ask him directly."
"I'm not the 'ask him directly' kind of witch," Tracy stated.
"I'll go with you. Come on."
Stella and Tracy walked into the Gryffindor table, finding Harry, Ron, and Hermione already sitting down and eating. Harry smiled brightly as Stella approached them, standing to greet her with a hug.
"I was just bringing Tracy over for something. Tracy?" Stella smirked, knocking the girls arm gently.
Tracy was staring at Ron, blushing brightly.
"Oh, good lord," Stella sighed. "Ron, ask Tracy to the ball."
"What?" Ron asked in confusion.
"You need a date, she thinks your funny and cute for some reason. Ask her," Stella smirked.
"Oh, okay. Would you like to go to the ball with me Tracy?"
"She would love to. She'll meet you in the entrance hall at five thirty," Stella nodded.
"Will I be able to talk to her at the Ball?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Stella nodded. "Have a good breakfast."
Stella pulled the still silent and blushing Tracy away.
"That went better than I expected," Stella smirked. "I think you spoke too much though. Really talked his ear off."
"I'm going to the ball with Ron Weasley," Tracy whispered, a bright smile appearing on her face as the blush receded.
Stella walked into the Gryffindor common room as Fred and George were asking Harry, Ron, and Hermione if they had dates yet.
"Yeah," answered Ron. "Who are you going with?"
"Angelina," Fred answered without hesitation.
"You've already asked her?" Ron asked in surprise as Stella walked around the back of the couch and sat on the floor, leaning against Harry's legs before opening her potions book and reviewing antidotes to poisons.
"Good point," said Fred. He turned his head and called across the common room, "Oi! Angelina!"
Angelina, who had been chatting with Alicia Spinnet near the fire, looked over at him.
"What?" she called back.
"Want to come to the ball with me?"
Angelina gave Fred an appraising sort of look.
"All right, then," she said, and she turned back to Alicia and carried on chatting with a bit of a grin on her face.
"There you go," said Fred. "Piece of cake. Did you finally pick someone, Stell?"
"Pick someone?" Ron asked.
"Haven't you heard?" George asked. "Stella was the most sought after Slytherin in the school!"
"I was not," Stella rolled her eyes before she thought about it. After the rumors of her and Harry breaking up went around, more people from every house had approached her, asking to be her date. "Huh…"
"Huh, what?" Harry asked, looking down at her, Quidditch magazine having been tossed aside at George's words.
"Well, I guess he's not wrong," Stella said before shrugging. "I'm going with Harry."
"So, all three of you are going with Slytherins?" George asked curiously.
"Does this mean we can't count on you to help us with a few… fun ideas at the ball?" Fred asked instead.
"Oh, I've got plenty of ideas," Stella smirked, standing up and going to a corner with the twins.
"Should we be worried?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Ron answered without hesitation as he went back to building a card castle with his Exploding Snap cards.