Stella Nova Edited

by BrooklynFazenbaker

When the Weasley's took in Sirius Black's daughter on Halloween night, they expected him to return for her in a few days. Instead, they raised her alongside their children. How will a Slytherin "Weasley" change the story? Especially when she's a troublemaker and so close to so many snakes... and how will Sirius react to seeing his daughter again? (I do not own Harry Potter)(Edited)

22. Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Hogwarts letters arrived two weeks before they were to head to school. Stella's felt a bit heavier than it should as she opened it before she gasped in delight at being made Quidditch Captain before a loud groan of displeasure escaped her, causing everyone to look towards her.

"They made me a prefect," she complained, showing the badge.

"Why the bloody hell did they do that?" Blaise demanded. "You're an absolute menace!"

"I also told Professor Snape not to do it so I'm sure it was just to spite me. Can I say no? Send it back? Hand it to Pansy the next time I see her?" Stella offered a few suggestions.

"Please don't let Pansy be prefect with me," Theo demanded, showing his own badge.

"Hermione and I got one, too," Ron announced, showing his badge as he entered the room.

"There you go! You can partner with your girlfriend and we can give Pansy to whatever poor Hufflepuff got selected! Win-win!" Stella tried.

"Prefects!" Molly yelled and Stella groaned again, knowing there was no way out of it now that her Mum had seen.

"It was a mistake," Stella immediately stated. "I got Pansy's letter by accident."

"It has your name on it," Molly said, staring at the envelope on the table.

"Right…" Stella sighed. "Should have hidden the evidence first."

"That's everyone in the family!" Mum shouted.

"What are Fred and I, next-door neighbors?" George asked indignantly as Molly hugged Stella, who still looked rather put out.

"I don't know why you're so surprised," Theo shook his head. "You're Snape's favorite after all."

"I'm in detention more than I'm out of it," Stella defended as Molly moved along to grab book lists.

"And how many of those detentions are actual detentions?" Blaise shot back.

"… All of the ones not given to me by Professor Snape?" she offered.

"And who gives you about eighty percent of your detentions?" Theo asked, an amused look on his face.

"… Professor Snape."

"There it is," Blaise smirked.

"Oh, shut it," Stella complained as Sirius and Remus walked in. "Uncle Moony! Look what Professor Snape did!"

"What is it?" Remus smirked.

"He's finally ingested too many potions fumes!" Stella stated before showing the green and silver badge. "He went and made me prefect!"

"Well, you are top of your class, earn the most points for your house, and on the Quidditch team. Also, all of the younger students look to you for help. It sounds like an obvious choice to me," Remus shrugged.

"What?" Hermione asked. "I'm top of the class."

"You haven't been top of our class since second year," Stella rolled her eyes as Hermione huffed in displeasure. "I was even behind the first half of last year and I still ended up with higher marks. You aren't the only genius here, Granger."

"No need to use the surnames," Theo tried to calm the room.

"You only get the most points for your house because Snape favors you," Hermione shot back.

"Oh, as opposed to all of the other teachers who favor you? Let's face it, Granger, if I were a Gryffindor, I'd earn more than double the points I do now. I told you first year that the professors had a bias against Slytherins and you're still trying to act better than me."

"I don't try to act better than you!"

"Not successfully," Stella shot back.

"Enough!" Remus raised his voice and Stella quieted immediately; Hermione on the other hand.

"If Snape didn't favor you so much, you would be the reason your house loses points rather than gains them! You said it yourself, you're always in detentions with him! If I didn't know better, I would think something inappropriate was going on."

"Say that again," Stella's voice was low, threatening as she took a step towards Hermione.

Remus and Theo were between them immediately.

"Say it again, Granger. I dare you."

Hermione's eyes had widened as she'd taken a step back, looking rather afraid.

"You were so brave just a moment ago, like a true Gryffindor. What happened? Where'd it go?" Stella hissed out. "Say. It. Again."

The room was tense and Stella's magic was flaring a bit, sparks shooting out of her wand from in her hair. Stella probably looked rather frightening with her narrowed eyes and angry expression. Theo and Remus couldn't calm her, and neither could Blaise, though he wasn't really trying, glaring at Hermione as well as he told Stella she wasn't worth it. It was Harry who stepped in.

"C'mon, Stella," he said, voice soft as he stepped in front of her, blocking her view of Hermione with his chest. "Let's go upstairs."

Harry led Stella out of the room. It took an hour of Harry's gentle voice to calm Stella. She was leaning against him on the couch, wrapped in his arms and making her think of how things used to be. That night, Ron got a new broom and a banner was hung in the basement reading 'Congratulations Ron, Stella, Hermione, and Theodore – New Prefects'. Sirius, Remus, Tonks, and Kingsley were already there, Moody showing up shortly after Harry grabbed himself and Stella a butterbeer. Bill and Arthur would be there shortly as well.

"Oh, Alastor, I am glad you're here," Mum said brightly as Moody took off his travel coat. "We've been wanting to ask you for ages. Could you have a look in the writing desk in the drawing room and tell us what's inside it? We haven't wanted to open it just in case it's something really nasty."

"No problem, Molly…"

Moody's fake eye swiveled upward and stared fixedly through the ceiling of the kitchen. Stella stepped behind Remus as Moody told everyone that there was nothing in the drawing room, but there was a boggart in a box in one of the bedrooms. When asked which one, he named the floor and which room, causing a few people to turn their heads, looking for her.

"She's hiding behind Remus," Moody spoke up.

"Snitch," she grumbled before raising her voice. "Yeah, I already trapped it in an unbreakable box. Nothing to worry about. Oh! Is that a boggart's actual form?"

"It is," Moody nodded. "How'd you defeat it?"

"It couldn't choose a form," Stella shrugged. "So, I shot a Riddikulus at it and stunned it before floating it into the box. Figured it was the best bet since there's no known way to kill a boggart."

"Wait, what does it look like?" Hermione asked and Stella just shot a glare at her, causing Hermione to flinch and take a few steps back.

"I was never a prefect myself," Tonks spoke up after a toast. "My Head of House said I lacked certain necessary qualities."

"Like what?" Ginny asked.

"Like the ability to behave myself," Tonks smirked.

"Apparently that is no longer a requirement," Stella smirked as she sipped her butterbeer.

"I gather as much with you," Tonks laughed.

"I guess troublemaking runs in the family," Stella laughed along before her eyes widened. "Oh, my gods! We never told Fred and Geroge!"

"Told Fred and George what?" the twins asked together.

Stella grabbed each of them by an arm and dragged them over to Sirius and Remus.

"Gred, Feorge… meet Padfoot and Moony," Stella smirked, pointing to Sirius and Remus in turn.

Fred's and George's eyes widened before they both fell to their knees bowing dramatically and declaring their love and thanks for the two rather loudly. Stella laughed as she went to Blaise's side, leaning against him and humming slightly in the process, causing him to wrap an arm around her waist.

"Troublemakers get prefect badges all the time," Sirius told her after Fred and Geroge had finished conjuring flowers and passing them to him and Remus.

"You?" Harry asked.

"No," Sirius laughed. "No one would have made me a prefect, I spent too much time in detention with James. Lupin was the good boy, he got the badge."

"I think Dumbledore might have hoped that I would be able to exercise some control over my best friends," Remus said. "I need scarcely say that I failed dismally."

"Yes, because you definitely didn't use your power to help them get away with things," Stella smirked.

"Maybe once or twice," Remus smirked.

Stella was already downstairs when Mum yelled for everyone to hurry up. She smirked as she passed a piece of chocolate over to Blaise and another over to Theo as they waited, Remus having given her enough to last her for at least a year for her birthday.

"Oh, I swear. Why can't all my children be more like Stella. She's always prepared. On time. She even packed their trunks for them last night so this wouldn't happen and they've still found a way to take too long," Molly was grumbling as she moved around the kitchen, making sandwiches for everyone to take on the train with them.

Blaise and Theo were trying hard not to laugh as Stella glared at them, not at all excited for how they were going to be picking on her as soon as they were on the train. She and Theo had both ended up sending their badges back and Snape had shown up looking rather angry about it.

"I told you last year I didn't want to be prefect," she reminded him. "I even caused extra trouble just to prove my point. If you give me that badge back, I swear to use it to help Fred and George get up to more trouble than ever before and I don't think any of us wants that."

"Black, you are the most deserving of it," Snape told her. "Detentions aside, all of your pranks are to cheer others up. You have defended your housemates passionately and take care of the younger students, even the ones who hadn't been sorted yet. You earn the most points and are top of your class—"

"Can I stop you there? Cause I'm going to anyways. I don't want it. I have too much to do this year. I'm Quidditch Captain as well now. I honestly don't think I can juggle that, my classes, and Prefect duties," Stella told him honestly and his face softened.

Remus and Sirius, who had been watching on, both seemed shocked at how quickly Severus gave in. He made Theo take his badge back though, causing him to sigh but she could see that he was actually rather pleased about it. Stella suggested Pansy or Tracy as her replacement and Severus nodded before he left Grimmauld.

That was just yesterday before Stella had gone to make sure all of her siblings were packed. She had a few of Fred and George's inventions hidden away just in case Mum decided to start 'Accio'ing items from them again as she'd done the previous summer.

It took twenty minutes for them to reach King's Cross Station on foot and Stella smiled at the sight of the Hogwarts Express, red paint shining brightly and steam escaping it. Remus and Sirius would be returning to Hogsmeade for the school year again, going back to Grimmauld for meetings when needed. Stella had spelled the bedroom doors so that no one could get in to steal anything, Mundungas having eyed a few things last time he'd been at the house. Kreacher had been told to keep an eye on him whenever he showed up.

Stella ended up in the back of the train with Blaise, the two playing exploding snaps for a while before Theo joined them for a bit before having to patrol the train. He returned long enough to have lunch with them, all three eating the sandwiches that Molly had made and buying butterbeers off of the trolley to wash the sandwiches down.

Stella was very confused for a moment when she heard a brisk, female voice calling for the first years before remembering that she'd overheard that Hagrid had gone off to try talking to the giants for a bit. She figured he just hadn't returned yet. She climbed into a carriage with Theo and Blaise, Tracy climbing in behind them with Lily quickly, Tracy's Prefect badge on display.

"Professor Snape wrote me a letter," she told Stella. "Told me you'd made Quidditch captain and said you couldn't be prefect and captain and that you'd suggested me in your place. Thank you, Stella. My parents were so proud of me."

"Of course," Stella shrugged, giving Tracy a smile.

Stella was laughing as Blaise tried to flirt with a seventh year Ravenclaw as they walked into the castle. He was actually doing quite well as the Ravenclaw blushed slightly, a small smile on her face before Blaise kissed the back of her hand and headed to the Slytherin table, taking the spot between Stella and Theo.

"Getting an early start?" Stella smirked.

"Well, until your sister gets over her crush on your boyfriend, I can't deprive the other witches of the school," Blaise joked.

"Not my boyfriend," she reminded him.

"Fine. Ex-boyfriend. I don't care," Blaise rolled his eyes with a smirk.

"You and Potter broke up?" Pansy asked and other Slytherins looked over at them.

"We were never together," Stella said, having said repeatedly in the past that she and Harry weren't together. "Honestly. That kiss in the paper was my first and only one in my life."

"I will happily volunteer to give you your next one," Blaise winked and Stella slapped his arm as she rolled her eyes.

"I am more than willing to volunteer for the challenge as well," Pansy smirked and Stella smiled back, shaking her head fondly.

"Be careful, Pans. I might take you up on that," Stella flirted with Pansy, causing the other girl to blush a bit.

"What in the bloody hell is that thing?" Theo muttered and Stella turned, looking towards the head table where Theo was pointing.

A squat woman with short, curly mouse-brown hair with a horrible pink Alice band in it that matched the fluffy pink cardigan she wore over her robes was between Snape and McGonagall at the Head table, somehow making their black robes look even darker than they were in comparison. She had a pallid, toadlike face and a pair of prominent, pouchy eyes that looked as if they were judging everyone around her rather harshly. Stella vaguely recognized her from Sirius's trial.

"She looks…" Stella couldn't find the word for it.

"Yeah," Blaise nodded his agreement.

McGonagall led the first years in and placed the hat on the stool. It's brim opened wide like a mouth and it's song for the year began.

"In times of old when I was new And Hogwarts barely started The founders of our noble school Thought never to be parted: United by a common goal, They had the selfsame yearning, To make the world's best magic school And pass along their learning. "Together we will build and teach!" The four good friends decided And never did they dream that they Might someday be divided, For were there such friends anywhere As Slytherin and Gryffindor? Unless it was the second pair Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw? So how could it have gone so wrong? How could such friendships fail? Why, I was there and so can tell The whole sad, sorry tale.

"Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those Whose ancestry is purest." Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose Intelligence is surest." Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those With brave deeds to their name," Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot, And treat them just the same." These differences caused little strife When first they came to light, For each of the four founders had A House in which they might Take only those they wanted, so, For instance, Slytherin Took only pure-blood wizards Of great cunning, just like him, And only those of sharpest mind Were taught by Ravenclaw While the bravest and the boldest Went to daring Gryffindor. Good Hufflepuff she took the rest, And taught them all she knew, Thus the Houses and their founders Retained friendships firm and true.

"So Hogwarts worked in harmony For several happy years, But then discord crept among us Feeding on our faults and fears. The Houses that, like pillars four, Had once held up our school, Now turned upon each other and, Divided, sought to rule. And for a while it seemed the school Must meet an early end, What with dueling and with fighting And the clash of friend on friend And at last there came a morning When old Slytherin departed And though the fighting then died out He left us quite downhearted. And never since the founders four Were whittled down to three Have the Houses been united As they once were meant to be. And now the Sorting Hat is here And you all know the score: I sort you into Houses Because that is what I'm for, But this year I'll go further, Listen closely to my song:

"Though condemned I am to split you Still I worry that it's wrong, Though I must fulfill my duty And must quarter every year Still I wonder whether sorting May not bring the end I fear. Oh, know the perils, read the signs, The warning history shows, For our Hogwarts is in danger From external, deadly foes And we must unite inside her Or we'll crumble from within. I have told you, I have warned you. . . . Let the Sorting now begin."

"Cheerful," Stella commented dryly.

They gained five new students, the least number in a long while. Stella pulled the stuffed snakes from her pocket, enlarging and levitating them over to the two boys and three girls. All five smiled brightly as the snakes hissed and wiggled a bit, top scales green and the underbelly silver. She smiled before looking to the head table, seeing Snape giving her a pointed look, to which she simply shrugged. Dumbledore stood, beaming at the students.

"To our newcomers," said Dumbledore in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, "welcome! To our old hands — welcome back! There is a time for speech making, but this is not it. Tuck in!"

There was an appreciative laugh and an outbreak of applause as Dumbledore sat down neatly and threw his long beard over his shoulder so as to keep it out of the way of his plate — for food had appeared out of nowhere, so that the five long tables were groaning under joints and pies and dishes of vegetables, bread, sauces, and flagons of pumpkin juice.

"Finally," Crabbe sighed.

"Did you not eat lunch on the train?" Stella asked him.

"They were too busy bothering your Gryffindors," Pansy spoke up.

"Why?" Stella groaned as Blaise tossed more potatoes onto her plate, having noticed that she hadn't been eating as much as she should while staying in Grimmauld. "Can't you all just leave each other be? Pretend the others don't exist so I'm not stuck between all of you?"

"You could drop them and only associate with us," Goyle offered.

"Let's see. You… or my siblings that I was raised with… tough call, tough call," Stella sighed.

"So, Captain," Draco smirked from beside her. "When are you holding tryouts for the open positions?"

"I have to build almost a whole new team," Stella sighed. "I'll put a sign-up sheet on the notice board once I get a spot for the pitch reserved."

"Well, I don't think you're Snape's favorite at the moment since you turned him down for prefect," Theo smirked.

"He'll get over it," Stella waved Theo off. "He still got you out of it. It's fine."

"Guarantee, if he had three badges he would have given one to Blaise as well," Draco smirked. "Try to capture all three of you."

"Dream team!" Stella and Blaise yelled, throwing their arms up in the air excitedly and not caring about the strange looks they received.

When all the students had finished eating and the noise level in the hall was starting to creep upward again, Dumbledore got to his feet once more. Talking ceased immediately as all turned to face the headmaster.

"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore. "First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students — and a few of our older students ought to know by now too."

Stella smirked, thinking of tricking Crabbe and Goyle to run through part of the forest on a dare during the next party.

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door.

"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

There was a polite but fairly enthusiastic applause for each new professor, though Stella eyed Umbridge wearily.

"Quidditch Captains needing to hold tryouts will need to see their Head of House to secure a spot in the field—"

He broke off, looking inquiringly at Professor Umbridge. As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then Professor Umbridge said, "Hem, hem," and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.

Dumbledore only looked taken aback for a moment, then he sat back down smartly and looked alertly at Professor Umbridge as though he desired nothing better than to listen to her talk. Other members of staff were not as adept at hiding their surprise. Professor Sprout's eyebrows had disappeared into her flyaway hair, and Professor McGonagall's mouth was as thin as Stella had ever seen it. Severus looked beyond annoyed and rolled his eyes, causing a few of the Slytherins to snicker. No new teacher had ever interrupted Dumbledore before. Many of the students were smirking; this woman obviously did not know how things were done at Hogwarts.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."

"Oh, her voice is annoying," Stella grumbled and the fifth years all held in giggles.

"Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. "And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!"

Stella looked around, not seeing a single person smiling at her.

"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"

"That's likely," Stella whispered and Pansy coughed to cover her laugh.

Professor Umbridge cleared her throat again ("Hem, hem"), but when she continued, some of the breathiness had vanished from her voice. She sounded much more businesslike and now her words had a dull learned-by-heart sound to them.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down through the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching."

Professor Umbridge paused here and made a little bow to her fellow staff members, none of whom bowed back. Professor McGonagall's dark eyebrows had contracted so that she looked positively hawklike and gave Sprout a significant look before Umbridge cleared her throat again.

"Does she need some water?" Stella asked and Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy broke, all three letting out laughs before covering their mouths and looking anywhere but at Stella or Umbridge.

"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation . . .

". . . because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."

She sat down. Dumbledore clapped. The staff followed his lead, though Stella noticed that several of them brought their hands together only once or twice before stopping. A few students joined in, but most had been taken unawares by the end of the speech, not having listened to more than a few words of it, and before they could start applauding properly, Dumbledore had stood up again.

"Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating," he said, bowing to her. "Now — as I was saying, Quidditch captains should see their head of house about reserving a time at the pitch to hold tryouts and set up a practice schedule…"

Stella zoned out after that, looking towards the others. They were all dismissed and Stella heard Ron call the first years midgets from across the hall, causing her to roll her eyes. Theo and Tracy gathered the five newest snakes as the older students went ahead to the common room, password having been passed around by the sixth and seventh year Slytherins already.

Stella fell onto the couch, head going onto Blaise's lap and legs going onto Draco's. He held her legs, speaking to Lily as she took the spot beside him. The first years walked in and Professor Snape followed a minute later. Stella smiled wide and waved at him from her spot, refusing to move when she was so comfortable. He took a breath and rolled his eyes before addressing the students. At the end of his speech, he added another note.

"If the new Quidditch Captain would please stop lounging across her classmates and come see me as soon as possible to reserve a spot on the field and make a practice schedule, I would like to win the cup again this year."

"That's me!" Stella yelled, bouncing up off of the couch and skipping over to Snape, causing the first years to laugh a bit, becoming a bit more comfortable in the snake pit. "Hello, sir."

"Black," Snape rolled his eyes. "Here is a list of open slots. It updates as the other captains chose spots so I would suggest hurrying."

Stella took the list and ran back over to the couch, Theo having taken her spot. She plopped down onto the floor and pulled a self-inking quill from her shoulder bag, immediately getting to it. She reserved the pitch for the next Saturday between one and five for tryouts, pulling out a spare bit of parchment so she could make a signup sheet for tryouts. She then reserved practice slots, taking as many as would be allowed as she saw Angelina Johnson beginning to reserve spots as well. Zacharias Smith from Hufflepuff started right after them and Stella laughed maniacally as she got all of the good spots before Roger Davis, the seventh year Ravenclaw captain, even got the chance to reserve a tryouts spot.

"Lookit!" Stella yelled, holding up the schedule for Blaise and Draco to see.

"Oh, the other captains are going to hate you," Blaise smirked. "You made sure they had to choose Hogsmeade days."

"They should have started writing faster," Stella shrugged. "Anyone want to bet against me on who the Captain will be next year for Gryffindor?"

"As if it wouldn't be Potter," Draco rolled his eyes.

Stella rewrote the tryout sheet first thing the next morning, drying it with her wand before hanging it on the notice board.

Stella and the other fifth years left the common room together, the five first years following behind as Theo and Tracy spoke softly to them. Schedules were passed around and Stella caught all three of the other captains glaring at her, to which she simply smiled and waved enthusiastically.

"Runes, double Potions, lunch, break, double Defense," Stella read. "Should be interesting. Did anyone else read the defense book already?"

"Hermione and I read it together," Theo shrugged. "It seems more pointed towards younger students."

"Think I can convince a Ravenclaw to give me their Runes essays from last year?" Blaise asked.

"I mean, you already charmed that seventh year. How much more difficult could a sixth year be?" Stella smirked.

"Oh, yeah," Blaise smirked, looking around and spotting the seventh year and sending her a wink.

"Does anyone know what they want to do after school?" Pansy asked curiously.

"I'm not sure," Stella admitted. "I feel like it's not fair to make children who still have to ask permission to use the loo to choose a career."

"True," Goyle nodded, eyes wide as he put jam on his toast.

Theo and Tracy led the first years to Transfiguration before the first bell rang. After Runes, they lined up outside the potions classroom. Harry was blushing when he arrived and Hermione was getting onto Ron for having spoken to Cho Chang a certain way when she'd been trying to talk to Harry. Blaise and Theo were staring at Stella, waiting for a reaction, but she just shrugged, completely unbothered. Maybe it was how he'd treated her the majority of the summer or maybe she was just over it after having heard him call her just a friend so many times. She didn't mind though. Maybe this would be the fun year before everything went to shit again at the end of the year. Hopefully, Voldemort would just… disappear again.

Snape allowed them into the classroom and Stella skipped over to her normal desk, Blaise taking the seat next to her as Harry and Ron took the desk next to theirs.

"Settle down," Snape said coldly, shutting the door behind himself.

There was no real need to call for order. The moment that they heard the door close, quiet had fallen and all fidgeting stopped. Professor Snape's mere presence was usually enough to ensure a class's silence.

"Before we begin today's lesson," said Snape, sweeping over to his desk and staring around at them all, "I think it appropriate to remind you that next June you will be sitting an important examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned about the composition and use of magical potions. Moronic though some of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an 'Acceptable' in your O.W.L. or suffer my . . . displeasure."

His gaze lingered on Neville, who gulped audibly.

"After this year, of course, many of you will cease studying with me," Snape went on. "I take only the very best into my N.E.W.T. Potions class, which means that some of us will certainly be saying good-bye."

His eyes rested on Harry and his lip curled. Harry glared back, feeling a grim pleasure at the idea that he would be able to give up Potions after fifth year.

"But we have another year to go before that happy moment of farewell," said Snape softly, "so whether you are intending to attempt N.E.W.T. or not, I advise all of you to concentrate your efforts upon maintaining the high-pass level I have come to expect from my O.W.L. students.

"Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned: If you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing.

"The ingredients and method" — Snape flicked his wand — "are on the blackboard" — (they appeared there) — "you will find everything you need" — he flicked his wand again — "in the store cupboard" — (the door of the said cupboard sprang open) — "you have an hour and a half. . . . Start."

Stella grabbed all of her ingredients and got her cauldron ready, copying down any changes to the recipe that she'd missed and added them to her book. Stella put basic potion powder in her cauldron once it was simmering and added powdered moonstone until it turned green before stirring until it turned blue. She continued working on her potion, making the changes on the board as she went.

"A light silver vapor should now be rising from your potion," Snape called, with ten minutes left to spare.

Stella's potion was perfect, having finished it ten minutes ago and sitting back in her seat. Snape walked around the room and nodded at Stella's potion, awarding her twenty points for having correctly brewed her potion first. Hermione sent a glare her way, having only just finished hers.

"Potter, what is this supposed to be?"

Snape sounded so done and Stella looked over, ready to watch Harry get torn apart.

"Draught of Peace," Harry answered and Stella bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"Tell me, Potter, can you read?" Snape asked softly.

"Yes, I can," said Harry.

"Read the third line of the instructions for me, Potter."

Harry squinted at the blackboard and Stella wondered if he needed new glasses.

"Add powdered moonstone, stir three times counterclockwise, allow to simmer for seven minutes, then add two drops of syrup of hellebore," Harry read, voice dropping a bit on the last part.

"Did you do everything on the third line, Potter?"

Stella was actually impressed that Snape had figured out exactly where Harry had gone wrong with just a glance at Harry's potion. Harry muttered something that no one could hear.

"I beg your pardon?" Snape asked.

"No," said Harry. "I forgot the hellebore."

"I know you did, Potter, which means that this mess is utterly worthless. Evanesco."

The contents in Harry's cauldron disappeared.

"Those of you who have managed to read the instructions, fill one flagon with a sample of your potion, label it clearly with your name, and bring it up to my desk for testing," said Snape. "Homework: twelve inches of parchment on the properties of moonstone and its uses in potion-making, to be handed in on Thursday."

Stella walked with her classmates, laughing as Blaise tried hitting on Draco next. Granger must have thought they were laughing at Harry though, or maybe she was mad at the points, because she shoulder checked Stella as she went.

"Handle your girlfriend," Stella told Theo, glaring after the bushy haired Gryffindor as she went.

The fifth year Slytherins ended up grabbing handfuls of snacks and a few goblets of pumpkin juice before heading towards the dungeons, deciding to eat there, all of them having a break after lunch as none of them took Divination. They tossed bits of chicken into each other's mouths, laughing when they missed. They worked together on their essays, Stella helping Crabbe while Draco helped Goyle with his. They dried their essays and put them in their rooms before heading to Defense, all curious as to how the class was going to go.

When they entered the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom they found Professor Umbridge already seated at the teacher's desk, wearing the fluffy pink cardigan of the night before and the black velvet bow on top of her head. The class was quiet as it entered the room; Professor Umbridge was, as yet, an unknown quantity and nobody knew yet how strict a disciplinarian she was likely to be. The Gryffindors took the front of the room while the Slytherins took the back, two people at each desk. Blaise and Theo sat at the desk to Stella's left, Pansy taking the seat beside her and to her right quickly.

"Well, good afternoon!" she said when finally the whole class had sat down.

A few people mumbled "Good afternoon," in reply.

"Tut, tut," said Professor Umbridge. "That won't do, now, will it? I should like you, please, to reply 'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.' One more time, please. Good afternoon, class!"

"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge," they chanted back at her.

"Merlin, give me strength," Stella mumbled, causing Pansy to bite her lip to keep from giggling beside her.

"There, now," said Professor Umbridge sweetly. "That wasn't too difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please."

Many of the class exchanged gloomy looks; the order "wands away" had never yet been followed by a lesson they had found interesting. Professor Umbridge opened her handbag, extracted her own wand, which was an unusually short one, and tapped the blackboard sharply with it; words appeared on the board at once:

'Defense Against the Dark Arts: A Return to the Basics'

"Well now, your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it?" stated Professor Umbridge, turning to face the class with her hands clasped neatly in front of her. "The constant changing of teachers, many of whom do not seem to have followed any Ministry-approved curriculum, has unfortunately resulted in your being far below the standard we would expect to see in your O.W.L. year.

"You will be pleased to know, however, that these problems are now to be rectified. We will be following a carefully structured, theory centered, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic this year. Copy down the following, please."

She rapped the blackboard again; the first message vanished and was replaced by:

'Course aims: the principles underlying defensive magic. to recognize situations in which defensive magic can legally be used. the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use.'

For a couple of minutes the room was full of the sound of scratching quills on parchment. When everyone had copied down Professor Umbridge's three course aims she said, "Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"

There was a dull murmur of assent throughout the class.

"I think we'll try that again," said Professor Umbridge. "When I ask you a question, I should like you to reply 'Yes, Professor Umbridge,' or 'No, Professor Umbridge.' So, has everyone got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"

"Yes, Professor Umbridge," rang through the room.

"Morgana, give me patience," Stella added and Pansy bumped Stella's arm with her own.

"Good," said Professor Umbridge. "I should like you to turn to page five and read chapter one, 'Basics for Beginners.' There will be no need to talk."

Professor Umbridge left the blackboard and settled herself in the chair behind the teacher's desk, observing them all with those pouchy toad's eyes. It was desperately dull, quite as bad as listening to Professor Binns. She felt her concentration sliding away from her; she had soon read the same line half a dozen times without taking in more than the first few words. She'd already read the book though so she sat back instead, not bothering to pretend. Instead, she looked around the room and found Hermione with her book closed and hand raised.

After several more minutes had passed, however, Stella was not the only one watching Hermione. The chapter they had been instructed to read was so tedious that more and more people were choosing to watch Hermione's mute attempt to catch Professor Umbridge's eye than to struggle on with "Basics for Beginners." When more than half the class were staring at Hermione rather than at their books, Professor Umbridge seemed to decide that she could ignore the situation no longer.

"Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?" she asked Hermione, as though she had only just noticed her.

"Not about the chapter, no," said Hermione.

"Well, we're reading just now," said Professor Umbridge, showing her small, pointed teeth. "If you have other queries we can deal with them at the end of class."

"I've got a query about your course aims," said Hermione.

Professor Umbridge raised her eyebrows and Stella knew that Slytherin was winning the house cup that year if that was how Hermione was going to act every class.

"And your name is — ?"

"Hermione Granger," said Hermione.

"Well, Miss Granger, I think the course aims are perfectly clear if you read them through carefully," said Professor Umbridge in a voice of determined sweetness.

"Well, I don't," said Hermione bluntly. "There's nothing written up there about using defensive spells."

There was a short silence in which many members of the class turned their heads to frown at the three course aims still written on the blackboard.

"Using defensive spells?" Professor Umbridge repeated with a little laugh. "Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class?"

"We're not going to use magic?" Ron asked loudly.

"Students raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Mr—?"

"Weasley," said Ron, thrusting his hand into the air.

Professor Umbridge, smiling still more widely, turned her back on him. Harry and Hermione immediately raised their hands too. Professor Umbridge's pouchy eyes lingered on Harry for a moment before she addressed Hermione.

"Yes, Miss Granger? You wanted to ask something else?"

"Yes," said Hermione. "Surely the whole point of Defense Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?"

"Are you a Ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Granger?" asked Professor Umbridge in her falsely sweet voice.

"No, but —"

"Well then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way —"

"What use is that?" said Harry loudly. "If we're going to be attacked it won't be in a —"

"Hand, Mr. Potter!" sang Professor Umbridge.

Harry thrust his fist in the air. Professor Umbridge promptly turned away from him again, but now several other people had their hands up too. None were Slytherins, all of them having caught on to how this class was going to go.

"And your name is?" Professor Umbridge said to Dean.

"Dean Thomas."

"Well, Mr. Thomas?"

"Well, it's like Harry said, isn't it?" said Dean. "If we're going to be attacked, it won't be risk-free —"

"I repeat," said Professor Umbridge, smiling in a very irritating fashion at Dean, "do you expect to be attacked during my classes?"

"No, but —"

Professor Umbridge talked over him.

"I do not wish to criticize the way things have been run in this school," she said, an unconvincing smile stretching her wide mouth, "but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed — not to mention," she gave a nasty little laugh, "extremely dangerous half-breeds."

Oh, hell no.

"If you're talking about Professor Lupin, he was the best teacher we've ever had!" Stella spoke up and Pansy placed his hand on her knee, trying to calm her.

"Hand, Miss Black! As I was saying — you have been introduced to spells that have been complex, inappropriate to your age group, and potentially lethal. You have been frightened into believing that you are likely to meet Dark attacks every other day —"

"No we haven't," Hermione said, "we just —"

"Your hand is not up, Miss Granger!" Hermione put up her hand; Professor Umbridge turned away from her. "It is my understanding that my predecessor not only performed illegal curses in front of you, but he also actually performed them on you —"

"Well, he turned out to be a maniac, didn't he?" said Dean Thomas hotly. "Mind you, we still learned loads —"

"Your hand is not up, Mr. Thomas!" trilled Professor Umbridge. "Now, it is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be more than sufficient to get you through your examination, which, after all, is what school is all about. And your name is?" she added, staring at Parvati, whose hand had just shot up.

"Parvati Patil, and isn't there a practical bit in our Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.? Aren't we supposed to show that we can actually do the counter curses and things?"

"As long as you have studied the theory hard enough, there is no reason why you should not be able to perform the spells under carefully controlled examination conditions," said Professor Umbridge dismissively.

"Without ever practicing them before?" said Parvati incredulously. "Are you telling us that the first time we'll get to do the spells will be during our exam?"

"I repeat, as long as you have studied the theory hard enough —"

"And what good's theory going to be in the real world?" said Harry loudly, his fist in the air again.

Professor Umbridge looked up.

"This is school, Mr. Potter, not the real world," she said softly.

"So we're not supposed to be prepared for what's waiting out there?"

"There is nothing waiting out there, Mr. Potter."

"Oh yeah?" said Harry. His temper, which seemed to have been bubbling just beneath the surface all day, was reaching boiling point.

"Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourselves?" inquired Professor Umbridge in a horribly honeyed voice.

"Hmm, let's think . . ." said Harry in a mock thoughtful voice, "maybe Lord Voldemort?"

There it was. Ron gasped; Lavender Brown uttered a little scream, multiple Slytherins flinched, and Neville slipped sideways off his stool, which was actually a bit funny. Professor Umbridge, however, did not flinch, which Stella would have given her points for had it not been for the comment she'd made about Remus. She was staring at Harry with a grimly satisfied expression on her face and Stella realized that this was exactly what the toad had been hoping for.

"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter."

The classroom was silent and still. Everyone was staring between Umbridge and Harry, a few people glancing towards Stella, as if expecting her to speak up next.

"Now, let me make a few things plain," Professor Umbridge stood up and leaned toward them, her stubby-fingered hands splayed on her desk. "You have been told that a certain Dark wizard has returned from the dead —"

"He wasn't dead," said Harry angrily, "but yeah, he's returned!"

"Mr.-Potter-you-have-already-lost-your-House-ten-points-do-not-make-matters-worse-for-yourself," said Professor Umbridge in one breath without looking at him. "As I was saying, you have been informed that a certain Dark wizard is at large once again. This is a lie."

"It is NOT a lie!" said Harry. "I saw him, I fought him!"

"Detention, Mr. Potter!" said Professor Umbridge triumphantly. "Tomorrow evening. Five o'clock. My office. I repeat, this is a lie. The Ministry of Magic guarantees that you are not in danger from any Dark wizard. If you are still worried, by all means come and see me outside class hours. If someone is alarming you with fibs about reborn Dark wizards, I would like to hear about it. I am here to help. I am your friend. And now, you will kindly continue your reading. Page five, 'Basics for Beginners.' "

Professor Umbridge sat down behind her desk again. Harry, however, stood up. Everyone was staring at him; Seamus looked half-scared, half-fascinated. Neville looked a bit panicked.

"Harry, no!" Hermione whispered in a warning voice, tugging at his sleeve, but Harry jerked his arm out of her reach.

"So, according to you, Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord, did he?" Harry asked, his voice shaking.

There was a collective intake of breath from the class, for none of them, apart from Stella, Ron and Hermione, had ever heard Harry talk about what had happened on the night that Cedric had died. They stared avidly from Harry to Professor Umbridge, who had raised her eyes and was staring at him without a trace of a fake smile on her face. The Slytherins who had Death Eater parents held extremely still, not wanting to be dragged into the conversation. Stella was more than prepared to defend her classmates, even if it was from Harry. She was tired of people going after children.

"Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident," she said coldly.

"It was murder," said Harry and Stella could see him shaking in anger. "Voldemort killed him and you know it."

Professor Umbridge's face was quite blank. For a moment she thought Umbridge was going to scream at him. Then she said, in her softest, most sweetly girlish voice, "Come here, Mr. Potter, dear."

He kicked his chair aside, strode around Ron and Hermione and up to the teacher's desk. Stella felt confused. Harry was typically a lot more calm than this. She fiddled with her ring, letting Sirius know how the class was going.

Professor Umbridge pulled a small roll of pink parchment out of her handbag, stretched it out on the desk, dipped her quill into a bottle of ink, and started scribbling, hunched over so that Harry could not see what she was writing. Nobody spoke. After a minute or so she rolled up the parchment and tapped it with her wand; it sealed itself seamlessly so that he could not open it.

"Take this to Professor McGonagall, dear," said Professor Umbridge, holding out the note to him.

He took it from her without saying a word and left the room, not even looking back at Stella, Ron and Hermione, and slamming the classroom door behind himself.

"Now that the excitement is over, please go back to reading your books. Thank you," Umbridge spoke, moving around the classroom again as people went back to reading.

Stella watched Umbridge though as she wondered around the room. Her eyes found Stella's and she gave Stella a smile before looking down at the book in front of Stella. Stella simply closed the book without looking.

"This is reading time, Miss Black," Umbridge spoke up and everyone looked at the two as if they'd been waiting for this moment; Stella Black had never been known as someone to hold back her opinion, including when it came to teachers and especially when it came to defending her friends, especially Harry Potter.

"I've already read it," Stella told her.

"Then move to the next chapter."

"Oh, you misunderstand. I've read the entire book. Twice," Stella told her. "I like to read ahead so I understand the lessons better in class."

"Ah. Well, thank you for sitting quietly as your classmates catch up," she smiled far too sweetly.

"May I ask a question?" Stella asked and Umbridge sighed before nodding. "Are we going to be able to discuss and debate the theories in the book in class?"

This did not seem like the question that anyone expected Stella to ask, Umbridge included. Stella pegged Umbridge for a person that wouldn't stand for outright arguments though, as the class argument had proved. It would need to be underhanded, more Slytherin options. Umbridge stared at Stella for a moment before smiling again.

"Which theories do you mean specifically?" Umbridge asked.

"Such as the use of jinxes defensively and how they're named in chapter fifteen," Stella supplied. "Or the positives and negatives of nonretaliation and negation over going on the offense in chapter thirty-four."

"Ah," Umbridge gasped, not having expected that Stella had actually read the book. "Well, this is not a debate class. It is a Defense class. If you wish to debate the topics on your own time, that is entirely up to you."

"Wouldn't it be more beneficial to have you sit in during the debates?" Stella asked, barely even have raised her hand before she'd begun speaking again. "I mean, wouldn't you be able to make sure we stay on topic and don't use incorrect information in your area of expertise?"

"Well- I- Please return to your readings," Umbridge said, face turning as pink as her robes.

Stella smirked once Umbridge was pass her, sending a wink to Hermione when she caught her staring. Once they were all dismissed, Stella rubbed her face, leaning on the wall around the corner and listening as Sirius told Stella that he'd noticed Harry being easily angered every so often at Grimmauld and she remembered how Harry had spoken to her when she'd seen the bruises and scars. She'd have to ask Hermione and Ron if they'd noticed anything as well. All Stella really knew in that moment was that Umbridge was going to be a nightmare.

The following morning, Stella walked right up to the Gryffindor table and sat beside Harry, Ron scooting over when he saw her coming.

"Hello, all," she sang as she grabbed a piece of toast. "How are we all feeling this morning?"

"Hi, Stella," Neville looked relieved to see her, glancing at Harry as he spoke and Stella knew in that moment that Harry's anger had been taken out on his dormmates as well.

Stella looked to Harry, finding him gripping his fork so hard that his knuckles had turned white.

"Harry," she said softly, hand reaching forward and fingers brushing his knuckles.

He tossed his fork down and turned his glare on her.

"Why are you over here?" he demanded.

"I came to check on you," Stella told him, voice still soft even though Harry's was raised.

"Well, I don't need you to check on me. In case you haven't noticed, I am completely able to care for myself. I've kept myself alive this long, ya'know!"

"I came to check on you because you're my friend and you've been angry with everyone lately," Stella's voice was still soft.

"WE AREN'T FRIENDS!" Harry bellowed and Stella was taken aback. "I TOLD YOU THIS LAST YEAR! I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU ANYMORE! THE ONLY REASON I SPOKE TO YOU THIS SUMMER WAS BECAUSE LUPIN TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO!"

Stella had leaned back into Ron, who had pulled her back a bit. The fifth-year Slytherins were all rushing over, wands out as they went to defend Stella. Harry lowered his voice now.

"You are so damn desperate for any attention you can get because you know Sirius prefers me, as do Molly and Arthur, which is why Molly calls me 'dear' now and sends me sweaters. That's why Molly hit you. Maybe if you weren't such a disappointment, one of your parents would actually like you."

Harry turned back to his plate then, going back to his breakfast. Ron had gasped when he'd heard that Molly had hit Stella, looking at her and searching for said injury. Stella felt anger rushing through her as she pulled away from Ron, letting the anger take over a bit. She would regret her next words for the rest of her life.

"I'm the desperate one? Me? You have scars from where your uncle beats you so you cling to any parent that will show you the slightest bit of affection, including all of mine. Maybe if you didn't need to be 'punished' so often, your family would actually like you."

Stella stood from the Gryffindor table, grabbing Draco's and Blaise's hands as she went, dragging them away. Her year mates followed her out of the Great Hall without question, all glaring back at Harry as they did so. Crabbe and Goyle snuck to the kitchens, getting breakfast for everyone before returning to the empty common room. Snape entered as Stella was glaring at the toast that Theo had put in front of her, too angry to eat anything.

"Leave us," Snape told the others and they did, the only one's hesitating being Blaise and Theo. "You two may wait outside the door."

Once they were alone, Snape sat on the couch closest to Stella.

"Would you like to tell me what that was about?" he asked.

"Not really," she admitted. "Harry's in a piss mood and he's taking it out on everyone else, me included apparently."

"I heard him yelling," Snape nodded. "Why were you over there?"

"Harry got in trouble in Defense. I noticed that he's been angrier lately and I wanted to check on him. Excuse me for trying to be his friend apparently," Stella grumbled.

"Well, maybe you should distance yourself from him for a bit," Snape suggested. "Let him cool off and come to you. At least wait for him to apologize before you go running back to him."

"It better be a damn good apology," she said, finally looking to Snape. "You don't hate me, do you?"

"Why would I hate you?" Snape asked confused.

"Well, all of my other authority figures prefer Harry. He wasn't wrong about that one. I just wanted to make sure I still have you in my corner," Stella shrugged.

"I will always be in your corner," Snape promised.

"Better be," Stella grumbled, looking away again. "I don't feel like yelling at you of all people. You'd just stare at me and ask if I was done at the end."

They had double Transfiguration and then double Charms, both with the Hufflepuffs. Stella enjoyed her time away from the lions more than she probably should have, actually being able to concentrate better without them in the room. The first fifteen minutes of each class was spent with McGonagall and Flitwick telling them how important their O.W.L.s were.

"You cannot pass an O.W.L.," said Professor McGonagall grimly, "without serious application, practice, and study. I see no reason why everybody in this class should not achieve an O.W.L. in Transfiguration as long as they put in the work. So . . . today we are starting Vanishing Spells. These are easier than Conjuring Spells, which you would not usually attempt until N.E.W.T. level, but they are still among the most difficult magic you will be tested on in your O.W.L."

Stella earned them ten points when she made her snail disappear on the second try.

"What you must remember," said little Professor Flitwick squeakily, perched as ever on a pile of books so that he could see over the top of his desk, "is that these examinations may influence your futures for many years to come! If you have not already given serious thought to your careers, now is the time to do so. And in the meantime, I'm afraid, we shall be working harder than ever to ensure that you all do yourselves justice!"

They began reviewing charms after that from the previous years. Stella actually liked the heavy workload they were receiving. It gave her more to concentrate on. She began thinking over different options for her future, truly not knowing what she wanted to do. Maybe she should look into the businesses that the Black's owned and get into one of those. She could ask around and see what her professors had wanted to do outside of teaching, see if they had any good ideas.

No one was surprised the next morning when Sprout went on about O.W.L.s for half an hour before starting the double Herbology lesson with the Hufflepuffs. After a quick shower and lunch, Stella headed to Muggle Studies with Theo and Blaise beside her. They were going to have a summer project if they passed their O.W.L.s and Stella was thrilled about the idea of choosing something muggle, taking it apart and putting it back together. Maybe she'd ask Arthur if he had any suggestions.

Stella walked right by as Angelina yelled at Harry for getting a detention on Friday when Gryffindor tryouts were taking place. Stella smirked as she decided to use the map Friday after classes and go spy on the team. She whispered the idea to Blaise and he beamed at the idea, more than excited at the prospect.

"We just have to be careful where we do it from," Stella told him. "If we aren't, Fred and George will spot us."

"Payback for all the times that they've spied on the Slytherin team," Blaise snorted.

"Which reminds me that I'll need someone to watch the map during our tryouts and practices. Make sure no one's spying on us," Stella stated.

"I'll do it," Theo offered with a shrug. "I was going to go to the practices and stuff anyways."

"You sure?" Stella asked.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"What about spending time with Hermione?"

"She's not exactly the best company right now," Theo shrugged. "It'll be alright. Things are just a bit tense at the moment."

"Want me to talk to her?" Stella asked.

"No!" Theo yelled and everyone stared at him. "I mean I'll handle it."

"Alright," Stella breathed, turning to her plate and wondering why everyone thought it was okay to yell at her all of a sudden. Was there a meeting she missed or something? "Let me know if you need me."

"I can handle myself, Stella. I don't need your help," Theo sighed and the words were a little too close to what Harry had said.

"No one needs me. Got it," Stella rolled her eyes, tossing her fork down and leaving the table. "Let me know if any of you even want me anymore, will you?"

Stella ignored Blaise, Draco, and Pansy as they called after her, moving pass Neville as she left the Great Hall, tears in her eyes as she headed to the common room. Stella was on her bed with the curtains closed, watching as the snitch Harry had given her years ago and the one she'd caught at her first game buzzed above her, moving around one another as if doing a dance. Her homework was already thoroughly completed and she was too irritated to actually do anything in the moment.

Stella didn't talk to a single person the next day and none of them talked to her either. Blaise stayed close to her, bumping her side gently every chance he got. Neville found her just before lunch and passed her a cupcake, giving her a shy smile before hurrying away. It did lift her spirits just a bit but not enough to say anything. She was worried that if she began speaking, everything would just fall out.

Friday night, Stella walked into the common room with the map open, already looking down at it and with her Omnioculars around her neck. Blaise was by her side in an instant, his own pair hanging from his neck, as well. The two said nothing as they left the common room and walked out the dungeons and onto the grounds, Omnioculars hidden in their shirts so no one could see them. It wasn't until they were at the astronomy tower, both laying on their stomachs and using their Omnioculars to spy on Gryffindor that Blaise spoke up.

"Are you alright?" he asked her.

"Yupp," she lied.

"You can tell me."

Stella felt a tear leave her and sniffled. Blaise set his Omnioculars down and pulled Stella close, holding her as she cried a bit.

"I'm just so tired of not feeling wanted. It started with Mum first year and it's just gotten worse ever since. I thought she and I had worked things out after last school year, but then this summer she kept avoiding me. And Harry's right about Sirius preferring him. Uncle Moony even pointed it out, albeit while yelling at Pads to knock it off, but still. Then Harry yells at me, Theo raised his voice and his words were so similar to Harry's. I just couldn't…"

Stella couldn't complete her sentence she was crying so hard. Blaise just held her, the two not saying or doing anything until they heard a whistle blow in the distance, announcing the start of tryouts. Stella wiped her eyes and pulled herself together, placing her Omnioculars against her face. Blaise followed suit and the two watched and took notes as five different people tried out for Keeper, Ron included.

Ron wasn't exactly the best and Stella groaned at the idea of having to face off against her brother, who spent all of his time with Harry, during the next game. She could tell Ron had been chosen based off of the high fives the rest of the team began giving him before they began leaving the pitch. Stella and Blaise put their Omnioculars away again and used the map to get back to the dungeons unseen.

When Stella went to move to her own room, Blaise grabbed her hand and pulled her up to the boys dorm. He checked that no one was looking as he entered before dragging Stella to his bed and then closing the curtain around them. She changed into one of his old shirts to sleep in as he changed into pajama pants, Stella having made him turn around so she could get changed. Blaise held her in his arms as they slept and Stella felt more at peace than she had felt in a while.

The next afternoon, Theo was watching the map closely with a pair of Omnioculars, looking out towards the castle every so often to make sure no one was spying. Smith had already been caught and his knees had been hexed backwards for his troubles. Stella already had an idea of who she wanted on the team based on how she'd seen them fly during the game the year before, but she needed a reserve team as well, something that only the Slytherins ever seemed to have.

The Slytherins quieted the moment Stella was facing them and she felt powerful for a moment, wondering if that was how Snape felt in his classroom. She slowly looked at everyone around her, sending anyone that was a second or third year to the stands immediately. The Slytherins liked to play dirty and she wasn't about the have the younger kids getting injured because of it. She made everyone fly laps around the field, Draco helping her get rid of the slowest flyers quickly.

"Keepers to the left, beaters to the right, and chasers in the center," Stella separated everyone, nodding as they did as instructed and thankful that only two of the people in front of her were trying out for keeper. "We're going to play a scrimmage game without seekers. I'm going to split you into teams, see how you play under a bit of pressure."

Blaise passed around mesh tops at random, half silver, half green, but being sure to split up anyone who seemed like friends with one another. This put Crabbe and Goyle on opposite teams so that Stella could see how they played apart from one another.

"Green is one team, silver is the other. You may not switch teams. If you send someone to the hospital wing, you're not on the team. In the air!"

The Slytherins rose up immediately and Stella smirked as she released the bludgers and then flew above the participants with Blaise and Draco, who was staying as the reserve seeker, able to fill in if Stella needed to play chaser depending on how tryouts went. She held the ball above the two groups and then dropped it, watching as the game began. The three flew above, watching as everything played out. Crabbe and Goyle were definitely on first line this year, a fourth year and a sixth year as the reserves. The chasers were harder to distinguish.

Stella got distracted when she heard Theo yelling at the twins and she flew around the pitch quickly, sneaking up on them and casting stinging hexes at their back sides, causing them to yell out as they turned and saw her.

"Leave," she told them and they both groaned before doing as told.

Stella watched them walk into the castle and flew over to Theo, watching the map to be sure they were gone before flying back up. Three people had been removed from the game by that point, one for injuring someone, the injured person, and one for not being any good whatsoever. The keepers were both decent but not near good enough. Stella flew over to the younger years.

"Did any of you want keeper?" she asked curiously, knowing it was the safest position on the team.

Three hands went up and Stella waved them onto the field, sending the older two away. They glared at Stella as they passed their mesh tops over, one person waiting their turn in the stands still. The third year was way better than the two sixth years had been. Stella sent the other third year away and the second year took to the sky. Stella smirked as he blocked every single goal, deciding he would be first line and the third year would be reserve.

Five chasers were picked and the rest were sent to the stands as Stella, Blaise, and Draco watched from above as they played, trying to decide who would be first line. The decision was made and Stella called an end to the game. She flew to the ground, everyone that was still in the air flying down to her.

"Crabbe, Goyle, you're first line. Beets, Roves, you're the reserves," she said before looking to the second year keeper. "What was your name again?"

"Baker."

"Your brother graduated last year, right?" Stella asked.

"Yupp."

"Well, you're my first line keeper," Stella told him, looking to the third year next. "Atkinson, you're reserve. As for chasers, Blaise, you already know you're first line. O'Connor and Keeny, you're with Blaise. Walsh, Doyle, Bernard, reserve. I'll get your jerseys to you tomorrow after dueling club. First practice is Friday at five. Dismissed!"

The Slytherins scattered and Stella smirked again, rather proud of how well tryouts had gone. She'd only had one injury and had to hex three people for trying to spy. She'd honestly expected much worse. She expected practice to be more crowded since she had heard that Pansy, Draco, Crabbe and Goyle were planning on bothering the Gryffindor's during their practice the next morning. She said nothing about it though, figuring the worst that could happen was just psyching Ron out before the first game even began.

"Gryffindor are losers, Gryffindor are losers," Draco, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle sang once they walked into dueling club that afternoon.

"So it went well, yeah?" Stella smirked, rolling her eyes in the process.

The four just laughed and launched into an explanation on how terrible Ron was and how they were more than confident that Stella's team would be winning the Quidditch Cup this year. Snape smirked when he overheard them before telling them to calm down and continue practicing their spells, Stella working with the second years in the process.

'Ministry Seeks Educational Reform; Dolores Umbridge Appointed First-Ever "High Inquisitor"

In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time," said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. "He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve."

This is not the first time in recent weeks Fudge has used new laws to effect improvements at the Wizarding school. As recently as August 30th Educational Decree Twenty-two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person.

"That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts," said Weasley last night. "Dumbledore couldn't find anyone, so the Minister put in Umbridge and of course, she's been an immediate success, totally revolutionizing the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts."

It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalized with the passing of Educational Decree Twenty-three, which creates the new position of 'Hogwarts High Inquisitor.'

"This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the "falling standards" at Hogwarts," said Weasley. "The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post, and we are delighted to say that she has accepted."

The Ministry's new moves have received enthusiastic support from parents of students at Hogwarts.

"I feel much easier in my mind now that I know that Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation," said Mr. Lucius Malfoy, 41, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night. "Many of us with our children's best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore's eccentric decisions in the last few years and will be glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation."

Among those 'eccentric decisions' are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included the hiring of werewolf Remus Lupin, half giant Rubeus Hagrid, and delusional ex-Auror 'Mad-Eye' Moody.

Rumors abound, of course, that Albus Dumbledore, once Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is no longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts.

"I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step toward ensuring that Hogwarts has a headmaster in whom we can all repose confidence," said a Ministry insider last night.

Wizengamot elders Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden have resigned in protest at the introduction of the post of Inquisitor to Hogwarts.

"Hogwarts is a school, not an outpost of Cornelius Fudge's office," said Madam Marchbanks. "This is a further disgusting attempt to discredit Albus Dumbledore." (For a full account of Madam Marchbanks' alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page 17).'

"If people keep talking about my uncle, I'm going to start living up to my last name," Stella growled out as she stabbed a potato with her fork, setting the Prophet on fire with a wave of her wand.

In Defense that afternoon, Stella felt rather bored. She didn't want to reread a chapter that she'd already read four time now, having reread the book twice since last Monday just so she'd be able to quote the damn thing to prove a point if needed. Hermione had her hand in the air again though, and Stella was ready to enjoy the show.

Professor Umbridge had noticed too, and what was more, she seemed to have worked out a strategy for just such an eventuality. Instead of trying to pretend she had not noticed Hermione, she got to her feet and walked around the front row of desks until they were face-to-face, then she bent down and whispered, so that the rest of the class could not hear, "What is it this time, Miss Granger?"

"I've already read chapter two," said Hermione, loud enough for all to hear.

"Well then, proceed to chapter three."

"I've read that too. I've read the whole book."

Professor Umbridge blinked but recovered her poise almost instantly. "Well, then, you should be able to tell me what Slinkhard says about counter jinxes in chapter fifteen as Miss Black quoted a week ago."

Stella did not like being called out in Umbridge's class, scrunching her nose in distaste.

"He says that counter jinxes are improperly named," said Hermione promptly. "He says 'counter jinx' is just a name people give their jinxes when they want to make them sound more acceptable. I disagree."

"You disagree?" Umbridge asked, eyebrows high on her forehead and gaze rather cold.

"Yes, I do," said Hermione, who, unlike Umbridge, was not whispering, but speaking in a clear, carrying voice that had by now attracted the rest of the class's attention. "Mr. Slinkhard doesn't like jinxes, does he? But I think they can be very useful when they're used defensively."

"Oh, you do, do you?" said Professor Umbridge, forgetting to whisper and straightening up. "Well, I'm afraid it is Mr. Slinkhard's opinion, and not yours, that matters within this classroom, Miss Granger."

"But —" Hermione began.

"That is enough," said Professor Umbridge.

She walked back to the front of the class and stood before them, all the jauntiness she had shown at the beginning of the lesson gone.

"Miss Granger, I am going to take five points from Gryffindor House."

There was an outbreak of muttering at this.

"What for?" said Harry angrily.

"Don't you get involved!" Hermione whispered urgently to him.

"For disrupting my class with pointless interruptions," said Professor Umbridge smoothly.

"You didn't take points from Stella last week for asking similar questions," Hermione pointed out and Theo tensed, causing Stella to look towards him in confusion.

"Keep her name out of your mouth," Blaise hissed out, glaring openly at Granger to the surprise of Stella, telling her that the boys were keeping something important from her.

"I am here to teach you using a Ministry approved method that does not include inviting students to give their opinions on matters about which they understand very little. Your previous teachers in this subject may have allowed you more license, but as none of them — with the possible exception of Professor Quirrell, who did at least appear to have restricted himself to age-appropriate subjects — would have passed a Ministry inspection —"

"Yeah, Quirrell was a great teacher," said Harry loudly, "there was just that minor drawback of him having Lord Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head."

This pronouncement was followed by one of the loudest silences Stella had ever heard. Then —

"I think another week's detentions would do you some good, Mr. Potter," said Umbridge sleekly. "And five more points, Miss Granger, for continuing to disrupt the class. You do not tell me how to give or take away points in my classroom."

Hermione rammed Stella's shoulder again right after class and Stella had her wand out and a stinging hex flying at Hermione before anyone could even blink.

"Ow!" Hermione yelled.

"Yeah!" Stella yelled back. "Ow! Knock it off, Granger! Jeez."

Stella turned on her heel and stalked away from everyone, Blaise following after her. They ended up at the lake, sitting under a tree and watching the water for a while, both listening to cassette tapes with headphones in. They ended up there after classes a few times a week actually, the two just sitting there, saying nothing, leaning on one another and taking comfort in one another's presence. Ron found them there towards the end of September and sat on Stella's other side, causing them both to take their headsets off.

"So, we need to actually learn defense," Ron spoke up.

"Yeah," Stella agreed.

"Hermione and I came up with a plan, but we need your help," he admitted.

"Did she admit to needing my help or…?" Stella waited.

"She admitted it. We need you to help convince Harry to teach students in secret. He's the best at defense and he's actually been in it. You're the only one he'll listen to though."

"I don't know how it may have escaped your notice, but Harry and I aren't friends."

"He feels terrible about what he said. He just doesn't know how to apologize for it. You said some hurtful things to him as well. And you hexed Hermione."

"Am I not allowed to defend myself from them?" Stella asked, glaring at Ron.

"Of course you are," Ron told her, taking her hand. "And you don't have to be nice to them until they apologize. Hermione is afraid you'll hex her again if she approaches you."

"She's not wrong," Stella shrugged.

"If she didn't, I would," Blaise stated.

"Will you help us convince Harry?"

"Fine. But we want in. Me, Blaise, and Theo."

"Deal."

Stella and Blaise found Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Theo in the library the next day. Well, 'found' wasn't the right word. Stella used the map.

"I was wondering," Stella heard Hermione begin when she saw Stella approaching, "whether you'd thought any more on the Defense Against the Dark Arts, Harry."

"Course I have. Can't forget it, can we, with that hag teaching us—"

"Not what she meant," Stella sighed, pulling out the seat beside Harry and falling into it, Blaise taking the seat beside her. "She means the idea they had about you teaching us."

"Wait, what?" Harry asked, seeming confused by the two Slytherins sudden appearance.

"You really need to pay better attention to your surroundings, Potter. Didn't Crouch and Moody teach us about constant vigilance?" Blaise offered. "Now, have you thought about it or not because if the answer is no we five will put our heads together and come up with something else."

"Well," he said slowly. "Yeah. I- I have thought about it a bit."

"And?" Hermione said eagerly.

"I dunno," said Harry before he looked to Stella.

"I think it's a brilliant idea," Stella told him, arms still folded over her chest and keeping a bored expression on her face. "You're the best at defense in our year, and that's saying something considering that Granger and I are both at this table and we receive top marks every year. You can produce a full Patronus, you've fought horrors every single year, you can throw off the Imperius Curse—"

"So can you," Harry defended. "You're also brilliant at defense. You've helped me with almost every single spell that I've learned for Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense. Plus, you can fight a boggart easier than I can. Why don't you teach?"

"No one wants to learn from a Slytherin," Stella told him, voice soft.

"Would I only be teaching you lot?" Harry asked, seeming confused now.

"Well," said Hermione, now looking anxious. "Well, now, don't fly off the handle again, Harry, please… But I really think you ought to teach anyone who wants to learn. I mean, we're talking about defending ourselves against V- Voldemort—" Stella smiled proudly at her. "It doesn't seem fair if we don't offer the chance to other people."

"Yeah, but I doubt anyone except you five would want to be taught by me. I'm a nutter, remember?"

"Oh, we know. We've known it since first year though, so I suppose we're used to it by now," Stella joked.

"I think you might be surprised how many people would be interested in hearing what you've got to say," Hermione said quickly and quite seriously. "Look, you know the first weekend in October's a Hogsmeade weekend? How would it be if we tell anyone who's interested to meet us in the village and we can talk it over?"

"Why do we have to be outside the school?" Ron asked.

"Because I don't think Umbridge would be very happy if she found out what we were up to."

"There's the rule breaking Granger that we all know and love," Stella smirked. "Good to have you back. We've missed you."

"Oh, shut it, Stell," Hermione was smiling.

"Will you help me?" Harry asked Stella. "To teach, I mean. You're really good at explaining things."

"I'll help if you need me to but I think you might be better than you think," Stella told him. "We've got to go. Practice. And don't come trying to spy. I already hexed Smith, Davis, Fred, George, Alicia, and Angelina this week for it."