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)

33. Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty-Two

Stella flooed into the Burrow the next morning, joining the other ladies inside to help Fleur get ready. Gabrielle and Ginny were already in their dresses when Stella arrived. She sat on the floor in front of a large mirror, doing her own makeup before Ginny sat beside her and Stella did hers as well. She changed in the loo before using her wand to calm her curls.

"Where'd you get that?" Ginny asked, pointing to the locket.

"Oh, Kreacher found it," Stella said, hiding the locket in her dress quickly and mentally kicking herself for having forgotten about it again. "Can you remind me that I have it at the end of the night. I actually wanted to give it to Hermione but I keep forgetting about it."

"Sure," Ginny nodded before they helped Fleur into her gown with the help of Molly and Madame Delacour.

Aunt Muriel showed up and Stella and Ginny exchanged looks. She handed the tiara over, looking none too pleased about it as she bragged about it being goblin made and being in the family for centuries before her eyes landed on Stella and Ginny.

"Ah, Stella Black. I was wondering if you'd be in the wedding or not," Muriel nodded. "You look lovely in that color. It washes you out a bit, Ginevra."

"This is Hermione," Stella introduced when Hermione walked in. "Fred's girlfriend."

"Oh, dear, is this the muggleborn? Bad posture and skinny ankles."

"Let's get you to a seat, Aunt Muriel," Stella offered, giving Muriel her arm.

"Such a sweet girl," Mariel smiled. "Must get that from your real family."

"You are my real family, Aunt Muriel," Stella told her and Muriel smiled.

"I'm here to lead Aunt Muriel to her seat," Ron announced as Stella stepped outside.

"Well, here she is," Stella nodded, giving Muriel's arm to Ron. "I'll see you in a bit, Aunt Muriel."

"Yes, dear," Muriel smiled, frowning at Ron when she took his arm.

"Is the coast clear?" Hermione asked, looking grumpy.

"Give it a minute," Stella sighed.

"Why does she like you so much?" Ginny demanded, arms crossed over her chest.

"Because I kept the twins from pranking her every chance they got when we were kids," Stella reminded her before looking to Fleur. "Oh, tu es belle. Absolument radieux." (Oh, you look beautiful. Absolutely radiant.)

"Merci," Fleur smiled brightly as Hermione left to find her own seat.

"A few more minutes," Molly smiled brightly, Arthur going to her side and looking rather proudly at everyone around him. "We should head down Arthur. Where are the twins?"

"Well, I'm sure they had to finish seating people and then they'll be here," Stella told her.

"We're here," Fred announced, rushing into the room and smiling to Stella, having heard her covering for them.

"Perfect," Molly smiled.

Molly and Arthur left, followed by Madame Delacour. Stella walked with Fred, Ginny with George, and Gabrielle with Charlie. Bill was standing under an arch created by white and gold flowers, gold balloons fastened over the exact point where Bill and Fleur would be married. Golden chairs were lined and filled with guest, a purple carpet as the aisle. Harry's transfigured eyes met Stella's and she sent him a smirk, causing his look of awe to turn into a beaming smile. Stella was impressed that she could still recognize him with transfigured features and red hair.

A great collective sigh issued from the assembled witches and wizards as Monsieur Delacour and Fleur came walking up the aisle, Fleur gliding, Monsieur Delacour bouncing and beaming. Fleur was wearing a very simple white dress and seemed to be emitting a strong, silvery glow. While her radiance usually dimmed everyone else by comparison, today it beautified everybody it fell upon. Stella, Ginny, and Gabrielle, all wearing golden dresses, looked even prettier than usual, and once Fleur had reached him, Bill did not look as though he had ever met Fenrir Greyback.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said a slightly sing-song voice, and with a slight shock Stella saw the same small, tufty-haired wizard who had presided at Dumbledore's funeral, now standing in front of Bill and Fleur. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls …"

"Yes, my tiara sets off the whole thing nicely," said Auntie Muriel in a rather carrying whisper. "But I must say, Ginevra's dress is far too low-cut."

Stella and Ginny exchanged amused looks before Stella glanced around the crowd, shooting Harry a smirk before facing the front again.

"Do you, William Arthur, take Fleur Isabelle…"

In the front row, Molly and Madame Delacour were both sobbing quietly into scraps of lace. Trumpet-like sounds from the back of the marquee told everyone that Hagrid had taken out one of his own tablecloth-sized handkerchiefs. Stella had a few happy tears escape her as well, wiping them away quickly.

"… then I declare you bonded for life."

The tufty-haired wizard raised his wand high over the heads of Bill and Fleur and a shower of silver stars fell upon them, spiraling around their now entwined figures. As Fred and George led a round of applause, the golden balloons overhead burst; birds of paradise and tiny, golden bells flew and floated out of them, adding their songs and chimes to the din.

"Ladies and gentlemen! If you would please stand!"

They all did so, Auntie Muriel grumbling audibly; he waved his wand. The seats on which they had been sitting rose gracefully into the air as the canvas walls of the marquee vanished, so that they stood beneath a canopy supported by golden poles, with a glorious view of the sunlit orchard and surrounding countryside. Next, a pool of molten gold spread from the center of the tent to form a gleaming dance floor; the hovering chairs grouped themselves around small, white-clothed tables, which all floated gracefully back to earth around it, and the golden-jacketed band trooped towards a podium.

Stella smiled from between Molly and Ginny as people congratulated the happy couple. The two were finally given the all clear to leave the wedding party and they both left rather quickly, smiling brightly at one another before Viktor Krum appeared in front of them.

"Ginny, yes?" he asked the pretty redhead.

"I am…" Ginny looked a bit dazed.

"Vould you like to dance?"

"Sure," Ginny nodded, tossing Stella a surprised look over her shoulder.

Stella smirked, watching the two go before moving along, trying to remember what Harry looked like.

"Looking for someone?" a redhead asked and Stella knew it was him.

"Yeah," she sighed, hands on her hips. "Black hair, green eyes, scar on his forehead… bit of a tosser?"

"A tosser?" Harry laughed.

"But he's cute so it's fine," Stella shrugged.

Harry threw his head back laughing and Stella felt rather accomplished.

"Wanna dance?" Harry asked, offering his hand.

"Absolutely," Stella smiled, taking his offered hand.

The two swayed on the dance floor, smiling and joking the entire time. Stella got Harry to laugh a few more times before Charlie wondered over, belting lyrics loudly and causing the Weasley siblings to all sing along.

(I did not write this song! It is 'Bones' by Sail North)

"Fee-fi-fo-fum!" Stella sang along with them, kissing Harry's cheek before joining her siblings in the center of the dance floor and dancing in circles together. "Crossbones, swords and a bottle of rum! Heave-high-ho-hum! No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum! From the dawning of the day to the drowning of the sun, No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum!"

The crowd watched as the siblings traded who got to sing which lyrics in the song, dancing in circles together.

"Salt on my tongue from the spray of the sea! Drunk on the sun beatin' down on me!" Ginny sang.

"Bound for a treasure that's never been seen! Where dead men lay their bones!" Ron continued.

"Blood on my hands from the pull of the rope! No wind in our sails, so we have to row!" Stella spun Ginny around.

"And it's heave, ho or to the locker you'll go! Where dead men lay their bones! Where dead men lay their bones!" Fred and George sang together.

"Shapes in the shadows wanna swallow us whole! The roar of the Kraken tries to pull us below!" Charlie was doing a strange little gig that Stella thought he might have learned from a dragon. "So it's heave, ho or to the locker we'll go! Where dead men lay their bones!"

"Captain Jack throws another one back! He finishes a bottle while we're breaking our backs! So it's, "Aye, Cap!" until we give him the sack! Where dead men lay their bones!" Bill sang loudly as he spun Fleur in the center of the circle before all the siblings sang together again, stomping their feet loudly.

"What do we do with a drunken sailor? Don't have a longboat or a rusty razor! Toss him in the drink and watch him sink, Where dead men lay their bones! Fee-fi-fo-fum! Crossbones, swords and a bottle of rum! Heave-high-ho-hum! No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum! From the dawning of the day to the drowning of the sun! No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum!"

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises…" Stella sang in a hushed voice.

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises…" the twins followed her quieter voice.

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises…" Stella raised her voice just a bit.

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises," Ginny and Ron copied her.

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises…" Stella's voice was higher again.

"Weigh, hey, and up he rises…" Charlie and Bill raised their voices as well.

"Weigh, hey, and up he'll stay!" Stella sang loudly before the others joined her again.

"Where dead men hang their bones! Fee-fi-fo-fum! Crossbones, swords and a bottle of rum! Heave-high-ho-hum! No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum! From the dawning of the day to the drowning of the sun! No rest for the lily-livered pirate scum!"

The siblings all laughed as they continued dancing in circles together.

"I always hated that song," Molly sighed from beside Arthur and Remus.

"Why are they singing sea chanties?" Remus asked, confused.

"They used to play pirates when they were kids," Arthur was laughing at the memory. "Charlie and Bill made songs for them and everything. We still have a makeshift pirate ship on the other side of the trees and they would bury Molly's pots and pans as treasure."

"I still haven't found my great grandmother's copper pot," Molly gave a smirk, also trying not to laugh now.

Stella wondered over to Remus, grabbed his hand, and pulled him into the dancing as Ron grabbed Harry, Ginny grabbed Luna, George grabbed Theo, and Fred grabbed Hermione, dragging them in. Charlie pulled Molly and Arthur in as well, the large family dancing together happily as they went. Theo tapped out first, leg aching a bit before Harry followed his lead, sitting beside Doge as he avoided a drunken uncle who seemed unsure if Harry was his son or not. Stella needed a bit of air and Remus happily walked her just outside the tent, the cool night air helping her to breathe easier. Large crowds for long periods of time still made her a bit antsy.

After a few minutes, Stella and Remus returned inside, Remus stealing her for a dance. Suddenly, something large and silver came falling through the canopy over the dance floor. Graceful and gleaming, the lynx landed lightly in the middle of the astonished dancers. Heads turned as those nearest it froze, absurdly, in mid-dance. Then the Patronus's mouth opened wide and it spoke in the loud, deep, slow voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."

Someone screamed and all hell broke loose. Remus and Stella had a wand in each hand, Stella having let Remus keep Sirius's wand after the cave, mostly because she hadn't wanted to face him long enough to be asked questions. Guests were sprinting in all directions; many were Disapparating; the protective enchantments around The Burrow had broken.

"Ron!" Hermione's voice called above the crowd and Stella grabbed Ron, pushing him towards Hermione and Harry quickly.

Harry tried to rush to Stella but Remus pushed him back to Hermione and Ron.

"Go!" he bellowed and Hermione disappeared with Stella's boyfriend and brother.

"Protego!" Stella, Remus, and Tonks shouted together, a cry that was echoed on all sides of the tent.

"You have to go!" Ginny yelled at Stella. "Now!"

Remus grabbed Stella and Theo as Stella tried to argue, wanting to protect Ginny. He turned on the spot and the three landed on the stoop in front of Grimmauld. They ran inside, calling for Harry, Ron, and Hermione in loud voices before realizing that they weren't there.

"Shit," Stella groaned, sliding to the floor in the entryway, Theo sliding down with her. "They were supposed to come here."

"It's alright," Remus said but he could see how worried she was. "They'll be here. They probably just went somewhere else first. I have to get back and make sure everyone is okay."

"Be careful," Stella begged him and he kissed her head before stepping out of Grimmauld, apparating as the door closed behind him.

Stella did not move from her spot in the entryway, staring at the door and waiting for it to open with news. It was forty minutes before Harry, Hermione, and Ron fell through the door, looking a bit alarmed. Stella was up in an instant, arms thrown around Ron as he carried her further into the house so that they could shut the door.

"Are you alright?" she asked, close to tears as she looked him over before pulling Harry into a tight hug as well.

"Are the others alright?" Ron asked.

"Uncle Moony left after bringing us here to go check," Theo told him, watching as Stella pulled Hermione into a hug next.

Hermione was a little surprised by the hug but hugged Stella back just as tightly. Stella pulled away, checking Hermione over for injuries before Harry spoke up.

"Stella?"

"Yeah?"

"Where'd you get that?"

"Get what?"

Stella looked down at her chest where Harry was pointing, finding the horcrux around her neck. She pulled it off quickly, tossing it towards the stairs and breathing heavily.

"I keep forgetting I'm wearing the damn thing," she gasped out.

It was as if a hand had slowly been tightening around her throat without her having realized it. She felt exhausted suddenly, the lack of good sleep catching up with her. She stumbled slightly and Ron caught her, lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the sitting room. Harry grabbed the horcrux, carrying it with them.

"How did she know to keep it?" Hermione asked, sounding confused.

"Was it possessing her?" Ron asked, facing the other two.

"It was trying to," Stella answered, yawning so hard that her jaw popped. "Don't wear the damn thing. Presents in the library. I need a nap."

Stella rolled to her side, facing away from the others. They all left quickly, going to the library as Stella drifted to sleep.

"Books on horcruxes…" Hermione breathed as she stared at the books. "Harry?"

"So, I might have told Stell everything," Harry admitted, scratching the back of his head.

"These books are all on war tactics and strategies," Ron said, looking through the books that had been under a piece of parchment with his name.

"You told her?" Hermione demanded.

"And good thing I did. She already found the locket," Harry shrugged, holding the thing up.

"The locket that was trying to possess her like the diary possessed Ginny," Ron deadpanned. "Brilliant."

"Well, on the bright side, Stella has saved us quite a bit of work. She bookmarked all the spots in these books that talk about horcruxes. She left you occluding books, Harry," Hermione spoke up as Ron gave Harry a bit of a glare before turning back to his pile of books. "Yes. I think these will be extremely helpful."

"I would hope so," Remus's voice spoke up, causing the four to jump in surprise. "She's been scouring this room for months like a madwoman. Good to know it wasn't for nothing now. That's a horcrux?"

"What's a horcrux?" Theo finally asked.

"You aren't supposed to know about this," Harry stated, hiding the locket behind his back.

"And neither is she but you still told her. I've been watching her lose sleep, weight, and a bit of sanity every day protecting that thing. I've been trying to get her alone so I could take it from her for weeks now," Remus sighed, stepping further into the room and holding his hand out to Harry.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Theo asked Remus. "I sleep next to her every night. I could have taken it off of her."

Harry sighed before passing the locket over. Remus held it up to the light before waving Sirius's wand. The locket glowed black, shaking a bit violently before Remus dropped the spell.

"A horcrux is an item that someone has put part of their soul into so they can survive longer," Hermione explained to Theo when he gave her a pointed look.

"The fourth book down lists all the ways to destroy a horcrux," Remus told Hermione, placing the locket on the table.

Hermione pulled the large book out and turned to the bookmarked pages, flipping through them until she found the passage that Remus was talking about. She read through it quickly and then sighed, looking a bit put out.

"So, we have to destroy it beyond repair, which we already knew. Fiendfyre, basilisk venom or something embedded with the venom, or the killing curse," she explained.

"Simple enough," Remus shrugged.

"Do you know how to control Fiendfyre?" Ron asked, brows raised.

"No, but I have performed the killing curse on a few Death Eaters and werewolves in the past," Remus stated, raising his wand.

"I'll do it," Stella spoke up from the doorway, causing the other five to jump as she glared at the necklace with so much hatred that all five visibly flinched once they saw her face.

"Are you sure?" Remus asked, voice soft.

"Yes," she nodded, stepping forward, her wand in hand already.

"I think we need to open it," Harry said, staring down at the locket.

Remus reached out and picked the locket up, trying to open it by hand and failing. They tried unlocking spells before Stella thought it over.

"Parseltongue," Stella said loudly enough that everyone stopped and looked to her. "Parseltongue. That's how you opened the Chamber. Maybe it's how you open the locket?"

The locket was placed on the floor and everyone stood behind Stella. She had her wand raised and was ready as Harry hissed. A black smoke filled the room and everyone behind Stella was thrown backwards.

"Useless," Molly's voice spoke.

"Not my real daughter." Arthur.

"I wanted Harry to be my child, not you." Sirius.

"Pathetic, weak, sad little girl!" Snape hissed out, his figure the most pronounced as the black smoke turned into him. "Who could ever love you. I played you the entire time that I knew you. You and your so called Uncle fell for every lie I fed you. Perfect company for one another, both so desperate to be loved and create a family that actually loves you. You. Failed. And you will fail at saving your precious brothers, sister, and friends. The Dark Lord will torture and kill them all in front of you before the Black Madness finally settles in and causes you to turn your wand on them yourself.

"You will become just like Bellatrix! You already got a taste of it in the ministry when you tortured her and when you were enacting your revenge on the Slytherins. That power… You would be useful on the side of the Dark. Come to me. Maybe, in time, I will love you like a daughter. Just give yourself to the Dark Lord and give. Him. The. BOY!"

"AVADA KADAVA!" Stella screamed and the black smoke lashed out, tossing her backwards into the library wall, a book case and books falling on top of her.

Stella groaned as the others dug her out of the rubble. Ron helped her stand, holding her tightly to his side as he glared at the destroyed locket. Stella was breathing heavily as she stared with wide eyes at the locket, which was now broken in two separate pieces. After a few minutes, they all began moving, going to the sitting room again. Ron sat on the couch and Stella laid down, head in his lap as her eyes closed again and fell asleep.

Stella stretched in her bed, wondering briefly who had carried her up to her room as she did so. She sat up slowly, changing into jeans and one of Blaise's old sweaters before trudging down to the kitchen where the others had gathered.

"What time is it?" she asked through a yawn.

"Midday," Remus told her.

"Oh," her brows rose before she shrugged and sat beside him. "That's not too bad."

"It's Sunday," Theo added, looking a bit amused.

"I slept for two days?!" Stella demanded before shrugged and looking to the Gryffindors. "What'd I miss?"

"Kreacher told us about Regulus," Ron answered her.

"Ah," she nodded as tea appeared in front of her, along with a turkey sandwich. "Thank you."

"And Harry refuses to tell us how long ago he told you about the horcruxes," Hermione said through grit teeth.

"Technically, I overheard you lot talking about them and decided to try researching them. Didn't find anything in the school library so, when I got the chance, I started looking here. Found a lot more than I was expecting to," Stella shrugged. "Harry needed to vent to someone about everything. I knew that the two of you would react rather than making him feel better about everything so I let him vent to me."

"We let him vent," Ron complained, arms crossing over his chest.

"No. You let him tell you the information that Dumbledore gave him and then reacted in your own ways. Hermione with logic, you with strategies. I made jokes about it to make him feel better."

"It's not a joke, though," Hermione stated firmly.

"Really? I thought the other night was an absolute riot," Stella rolled her eyes before taking a bite of her sandwich, swallowing before speaking again. "I especially liked the part where a piece of a Dark Lord's soul appeared as my own worst thoughts in the shape of Snape and then threw me across the room.

"Is everyone alright?" Stella asked Remus, ignoring Ron and Hermione as they stared at her with a bit of anger, Harry and Theo trying not to laugh.

"Yes but they're all being watched. These three went to Muggle London before coming here. Death Eaters caught up to them somehow."

"That's rude," Stella grumbled. "How'd they find them?"

"We aren't sure yet," Remus answered and Stella groaned in frustration, rubbing her face. "You need more rest. Eat and then to bed."

"Okay, Mum," Stella rolled her eyes.

"They're looking for Harry for questioning about Dumbledore's death, as well," Remus said, pulling a copy of the Prophet from across the table and passing it to Stella.

Stella began reading through the prophet, getting more and more angry as she did so.

"So, Muggleborns have to go to the Ministry for questioning on who they "stole" their magic from and students are required to go to Hogwarts, which is really just a way to grab more Muggleborns as they walk into the school. They'll have no idea what's going on…"

"What are you thinking up in that head of yours?" Remus smirked.

"Well… we are still going back to the school, yes?" Stella asked Remus and he nodded. "What if we, on the train, found a way to hide the Muggleborns? The Order could place people on the train and we could get them out of there and back to their families before they reached the school?"

"There would be too many."

"… but they're children…"

"I know."

"Uncle Moony, we can't actually give the Muggleborns to the Death Eaters. It would be signing their death warrants," Stella said, anger clear on her face.

Remus sighed, chewing his lip for a moment before nodding.

"Let me get the class list from McGonagall and, if it's not too many students, we'll get them out of there."

"I need to write to Tracy," Stella said, standing and leaving the table quickly.

'Tracy,

There is a law against Muggle-born witches and wizards. Do NOT give yourself to the ministry. I'm going to find a way to claim you on the family tree. I'll write you as soon as I figure something out.

-Stella'

Stella was staring at the Black family tree and the burnt out faces, Theo sitting in an armchair behind her and waiting for her to figure out something. She swiped through the family books that Narcissa had gifted her six years ago, finding which ancestors had been Squibs compared to which ones had been disowned. She used her magic to reinherit the squibs, watching as the family tapestry grew, forcing Tracy's name and Hermione's name onto the tapestry, smirking when she heard Hermione gasp in the other room, family magic washing through her.

Stella and Theo walked into the other room, smirking as Hermione's hand was on her chest, the others staring over her in concern.

" 'Scuse me," Stella bumped them out of the way and kneeled in front of Hermione. "How are you feeling?"

"Powerful," Hermione admitted, staring at Stella with awe. "How'd you do it?"

"Reinherited a bunch of squibs and forced you and Tracy onto the family tree. At least you won't have to worry about that if captured. Just say you're Mia Black and they'll have to ask me for confirmation. Your hair is changing a bit."

Stella watched as Hermione's hair calmed, darkening slightly, and a few grey flecks appeared in her eyes. The family magic finished settling on Hermione and Stella smirked, feeling a magical connection to Hermione and Tracy snap into place at the same time.

"Perfect," Stella sighed, rubbing her chest slightly. "I need to write to Tracy again, let her know what happened. Here's a few books for you to read."

"Stella?" Hermione called out as Stella went to leave, causing her to hum as she turned back. "Thank you."

Stella just gave Hermione a small smile and left. She wrote Tracy quickly, telling her what she'd done and who to claim as family. Stella and Theo walked into Diagon Alley three days later, Stella's cloak billowing behind her as she walked through the mostly deserted streets, Theo's 'clack, clack' from his cane beside her. She'd assured Remus that they could go on their own to get their school supplies. They were meeting Tracy in Fred and George's shop anyways, Theo excited to see it for the first time.

She smiled as she walked into the bright shop, watching as Theo's face lit up. It was the busiest place in the Alley still and Stella couldn't help but be proud as she approached George, who was speaking to Tracy at the front. Well, speaking to was an understatement. He was flirting.

"Are you flirting with my cousin, brother?" Stella smirked. "I know the Black's like their incest, but this seems a bit much, even for you."

"Cousin?" George asked, confused.

"Tracy is the daughter of a long line of Black Squibs," Stella shrugged. "Found her and Hermione on the family tapestry when I reinherited the Squibs the other day. Strange, don't you think?"

"That it is," George smirked. "Oi! Fred! Did you know Hermione is related to Stella?!"

"Is she?!" Fred called over his shoulder. "Should have known she was a Black!"

Stella just shrugged as Fred finished helping a customer and joined them at the counter.

"How is she?" Fred asked, voice low.

"Good," Stella promised him. "All three. Hiding in my house."

Fred and George both looked relieved at the news.

"How's it?" George asked Theo, nodding towards his cane.

"Shouldn't need it for much longer," Theo explained, giving Tracy a side armed hug.

"So, cousin," Tracy smirked, "shall we?"

"We shall," Stella smirked.

Stella hugged the twins and left, Tracy and Theo following right behind her before looping their arms together. They took their time, Stella not admitting that it was due to not wanting to rush Theo.

"I have a gift for you," Stella held a small ring out to Tracy.

"Cousin, I didn't know you felt that way," Tracy joked before putting the ring on her finger and then gasping. "Oh. It's a family ring."

"It is," Stella nodded. "I can't really remove the Black family magic from you now by the way. Bit permanent. Even if you're disowned, you still have bits of the family magic."

"I don't mind," Tracy shrugged.

"I'm going to inherit a bunch of Muggleborns on the train," Stella explained. "I alerted Gringotts about the change and they assured me that no one could take Head of Family from me since I'm the original line."

"Good," Tracy nodded. "Be a bit worrisome if you inherited someone just for them to steal your ring right after and have no clue how to help anyone else."

"It's a bit complicated but I think I've got it down," Stella smiled as they walked into the robe shop, Stella stopping immediately when Draco was just inside.

"Stella…" Draco breathed. "Theo…"

"Draco," Stella responded.

"I asked Draco to meet us here," Tracy explained.

"Good," Stella nodded before throwing her arms around Draco and hugging him tightly. "You absolute idiot. I've been worried sick."

"Sorry," Draco laughed, sounding relieved as his arms wrapped around her.

Stella pulled away quickly, looking him over for injury before hugging him again. Once she was done, Theo and Draco gave each other a hug with much back patting. The four moved through the alley, staying in the shadows as they did so and talking in hushed whispers. In shops, people stared openly at the four, whispering about them. Stella refused to back down, standing tall with her shoulders back, Draco and Tracy doing the same. Theo seemed like he'd rather blend into the background, but that was more because he was insecure about his cane still. Once they'd gotten all of their supplies, they headed towards the Leaky Cauldron, going straight up to Tracy's room.

"Alright, what have we missed?" Stella asked Draco.

"Snape is Headmaster and the Carrows are going to be teaching Muggle Studies and Dark Arts. Lupin is going to be given Magical Creatures when he arrives at the school. They want him to teach about werewolves…"

"That'll be fun," Stella sighed. "I'll warn him when I get home."

"Have you read about the Muggleborns? Tracy told me that you inherited her and Granger. You can't take in all the Muggleborns though, can you?" Draco asked.

"I can take in a hundred," Stella told him.

"A hundred?" Draco asked, eyes wide.

"I'm doing it on the train," Stella confirmed. "Think you can keep any Death Eater students busy while I do it? Tell them that Tracy is a Black while you're at it, just the great grandchild of a Squib. She knows the names."

"We can do that," Tracy nodded.

"Perfect," Stella sighed. "We need to get back. The others will worry if Theo and I aren't back by a certain time."

Stella hugged them both before leaving, apparating onto the front step of Grimmauld and walking inside with Theo.

"We're home!" she called out.

"They're a little upset," Remus warned her.

"Oh, did they hear about the Carrows and Snape?" Stella asked.

"How did you?"

"Tracy," Stella lied. "Congrats on Magical Creatures by the way. They're going to force you to teach about werewolves."

"I figured," Remus shrugged. "In the kitchen."

Stella and Theo walked in just as Hermione walked out. They shrugged to one another and sat in front of Harry and Ron, Stella reaching for the paper and beginning to read.

'SEVERUS SNAPE CONFIRMED AS HOGWARTS HEADMASTER.

Severus Snape, long-standing Potions master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was today appointed Headmaster in the most important of several staffing changes at the ancient school. Following the resignation of the previous Muggle Studies teacher, Alecto Carrow will take over the post while her brother, Amycus, fills the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Known werewolf, Remus Lupin, will be taking the role of Care of Magical Creatures professor and Rubeus Hagrid, half-giant, has been demoted back to Keeper of Keys.'

"Great," Stella sighed. "This is going to be a fun year. I can just feel it."

"Don't go causing unnecessary trouble," Remus told her.

"I never cause unnecessary trouble," Stella shrugged.

"You almost drowned the entirety of Slytherin house."

"Nonsense! I got the first, second, and third years out of the common room before blowing up the window. Also, half of them were in their dorm rooms," Stella stated before thinking about it again. "Also, that was completely necessary. If you'll excuse me, I have to write to Neville and make sure he's coming back to school this year."

She didn't need to write Neville. She already knew he would be there. He was going to help heard the Muggleborns to her so she could inherit them and give them family rings. She packed her trunk, wondering for about the hundredth time if it was safe for her to go to the school. She was going. Someone needed to help protect the students and she wasn't going to leave all of that responsibility to Neville, Luna, and Ginny.

The next morning, Stella untangled herself from Theo and Harry, waking Theo gently, and shrunk her trunk. She put it in her pocket, kissing Harry's head, and left the room. Remus was waiting at the doorway for them and the three stepped onto the front step, disappearing.

Stella landed in the apparation point by King's Cross, Draco, Tracy, and Neville waiting for her, Neville seeming a bit nervous as he eyed Draco. Theo appeared a moment later.

"Let's go," Stella sighed and the five marched forward.

Students got out of their way as Draco and Stella led Theo, Tracy and Neville through the crowd. They stepped through the barrier together and got on the train. Draco and Tracy moved to the back of the train where the Slytherins always sat as Neville and Stella fanned out, finding first years and asking if they were Muggleborn before Stella would inherit them and pass them a ring to wear, or Neville would send them to her, her inheriting people in the walkways. Theo had to sit, his leg acting up.

They found older students as well, Stella inheriting them and passing them rings quickly. Neville told Ginny and Luna what was going on and they began moving quickly, finding every Muggleborn witch and wizard that they knew and sending them to Stella. Stella inherited forty-six new family members within three hours before she walked to the back of the train, checking for Muggleborn Slytherins as she went, inheriting them as well before falling into a seat beside Draco, laying across the seat and putting her head in his lap.

"Have fun?" Tracy smirked as the other Slytherins in their year gave her strange looks.

"What are you doing here?" Crabbe demanded.

"Heading to school, of course," Stella shrugged. "Thought it was obvious."

"How'd you do it?" Pansy asked, glancing at Tracy.

"Turns out the Blacks disinherited a whole mess load of Squibs. I just reinherited them and happened to find fifty-nine new family members, Tracy being amongst them. Gringotts sent me family rings for all of them. You'll meet them all throughout the school year, I'm sure. They're just about all here."

Pansy seemed pleased, smiling before turning and seeing the other Slytherins still glaring at Stella.

"Keep glaring at my cousin, and I'll give you to Greyback," Draco threatened, not looking up from his book.

Stella stuck her tongue out at Crabbe, Goyle, and Bulstrode before grabbing Draco's book to see what he was reading.

"Boring," she complained, passing him the book back. "I thought you were the fun cousin?"

"I thought that responsibility was yours," Draco shot back.

"Oh, yeah," Stella smiled. "In that case, I better get started."

Stella pulled her trunk from her pocket and tossed it on the floor. She set it back to its normal size before rolling off the seat and landing on her knees in front of her trunk. She opened it, pulling out a few joke items before shutting it again, shrinking it, and sticking it back in her pocket.

"If you hear screaming, it wasn't me," Stella announced before leaving the compartment.

She set off firecrackers at random through the train, trying to keep some of the sadness and fear that lingered through the walkways at bay. She passed out 'Comb-a-Chameleons' (hairbrushes that changed the appearance of the user), 'Electric Shock Shakes' (wearable glove that shocks whoever shakes the wearers hand), and 'Diabolic Dare Devils' (firecrackers) to different students, letting them enjoy the prank products on their own. She gave Luna, Neville, and Ginny each a 'Patented Daydream Charm' to enjoy whenever. She checked on the other students as she went, finding Susan Bones in a compartment by herself. Stella stepped inside.

"Hey," she whispered to her classmate.

"Hi, Stella," Susan glanced at her. "Is that you setting off fireworks?"

"Who else would it be?" Stella smirked before sitting across from her, her smirk falling as she saw how swollen and red Susan's eyes were. "I'm sorry about your family."

"Not your fault," she shrugged.

"I can still feel empathy," Stella shrugged.

Susan looked to Stella then, seeming a bit angry before calming again.

"Don't hide it," Stella shook her head. "Let it out."

Susan threw herself at Stella, their arms wrapping tightly around one another. Susan was bawling her eyes out, sobbing into Stella's shoulder. She and Stella had never even spoken to one another before but it didn't matter. People who go through heavy loses tended to stick together, others not really understanding them as well. Neville pushed the compartment door open quietly, stepping inside and sitting on Susan's other side. Susan moved to Neville's arms and he nodded to Stella, letting her know that he had it.

Stella walked slowly through the train, heading to Theo. They were almost to the school, maybe another ten minutes or so. She was already in her school uniform, just missing her cloak, so she didn't need to get changed. She didn't really feel like getting back to the house that would mostly despise her so she smiled as she sat beside Theo, no one knowing that he was back just yet. Draco and Tracy came looking not long after, sitting with them.

"I only heard minimal screaming," Tracy commented.

"I have to save the good stuff for later in the year," Stella shrugged.

Draco smirked, trying to cover with his hand but Stella had already seen. The train came to a stop and multiple Ministry officials were waiting. Stella got off the train quickly, flashing her family ring quickly to get by. She stood back, watching and making sure that everyone got through, Hagrid calling for the first years. The Black family ring was flashed by every Muggleborn, quite a few smirking as they did so.

The Ministry workers seemed annoyed and confused. Stella waited until everyone had passed before moving along, climbing into the carriage that Draco, Theo, and Tracy were waiting for her in, Baker having climbed in as well.

"You have quite a bit of family," he smirked.

"That I do," Stella laughed as the carriage began to move.

"Welcome back, Theo," Baker smiled to the older student.

"Thank you, Noah," Theo nodded.

They passed through the gates of the school and walked up the steps of the castle. Stella saw the Carrows standing above everyone else, glaring down and telling the students to shut it and move along. Stella rolled her eyes as she strutted by, ignoring them completely as she went. She felt a stinging hex try to hit her, but it only hit her shield instead.

"No spells in the hall!" Alecto screamed at her and Stella just kept walking, smirking as she stepped through the doors of the Great Hall.

Stella's eyes searched the head table, finding all of the Professors watching the students carefully, seemingly nervous. Stella winked at McGonagall before waving at Remus, rolling her eyes and sneering at Snape before taking her seat beside Draco, Tracy on his other side at the end of the table, Theo taking the other spot beside Stella.

The shocked looks from the Slytherins at seeing Theo back was entertaining to say the least. Theo simply smirked, making sure to lean into Stella a bit to show his allegiance. Confusion went through the hall at the sight of the Muggleborns. McGonagall caught Stella's eye again and Stella just sent her another wink before looking to Pansy across from her.

"How are you?" Stella whispered the question.

"Do you actually care?" Pansy asked, voice just as quiet.

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't," Stella informed her.

Pansy let out a low breath and she seemed to deflate a bit, stress appearing on her face before she sat up suddenly, staring forward. Stella copied her movements and saw the Carrows entering the Great Hall then. The siblings separated, one going between the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables and the other going around the outside of the Slytherin table. Alecto stopped behind Stella and Stella met Daphne's eye across the table next to Pansy.

"I said no spells in the halls," Alecto hissed out, leaning down.

"Your breath stinks," Stella rolled her eyes, not intimidated in the slightest.

"Mind your tone," Alecto told her. "If I catch you using magic in the halls again, you will regret it."

"I'm terrified," Stella rolled her eyes.

Alecto's wand was against Stella's throat in a moment before a throat cleared behind them. Stella looked over her shoulder, finding Snape giving Alecto a look that promised pain.

"To your seat, Professor Carrow," Snape told her. "The Sorting is about to begin."

"Yes, Headmaster," Alecto spat out, moving away from the Slytherin table and heading to the head table.

Stella glared at Snape as he stared at her for a long moment before heading back to his seat… to Dumbledore's seat. McGonagall brought the first years in as always and they waited for the hat to sing. The hat opened its mouth and began:

"In trying times, we must turn to each other,

Find strength in one another,

Like Gryffindor, you search for strength,

In Hufflepuff, you seek the fight,

Ravenclaws, well they want the truth,

Slytherins just want to thrive and survive.

I ask this of you, for I am merely a hat,

When things go wrong, try not to throw

Your own hat in the wrong ring,

Or you may not succeed.

Don't be like our founders that invented me.

They divided and fell apart,

Some say it was doomed from the start,

But I was there and I know the truth,

Candor and resolve caused them to shatter.

So seek your bravery and strength in Gryffindor,

If that is what you prefer.

Or find wit so clever,

Those Ravenclaws have an abundance if you need that tether.

Hufflepuffs work hard and are unafraid of war,

Those loyal Hufflepuffs are ready for whatever is in store.

Or if you wish for an acceptance so profound,

Ambition and success to astound,

Slytherin is where you will find home.

I ask you make a home all your own,

In your houses and not,

For what I fear is these halls being splintered and causing it to rot."

"Cheerful," Stella grumbled as the sorting began.

Six Muggleborns were placed in Slytherin, the most in history, walking beside four other students. Stella smiled as they waved excitedly to her, giving them small waves in return. The Carrows seemed even more angry than before when they saw it. She already knew she may be a target and felt a bit worried egging them on, but she couldn't find it in her to care if they hated her at the moment. They'd loath her soon enough.

Food appeared on the table without a speech, Snape seemingly not wanting to speak until after the feast. Stella forced Pansy to eat, noticing how much weight she'd lost over the summer. Tracy was doing the same to Draco beside her. In fact, the only children of Death Eaters that seemed perfectly fine were Crabbe and Goyle. Even Bulstrode had lost weight over the summer, her face a bit more hallow and eyes having a bit less light than normal. Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be thriving somehow.

"Kreacher?" Stella whispered. "I need five nutrient potions, please?"

The potions appeared in front of Stella and she placed one in front of Draco, Pansy, Daphne, Millicent, and Lily. Daphne saw what Stella was doing and gave Stella a look of surprise. Stella simply shrugged as she put a bit more broccolini on Pansy's plate before starting on her own food.

After dessert, Snape stood and the hall quieted. Stella saw Remus staring down at his empty plate, glaring at it. Her eyes found Snape again, his eyes glancing over to her every so often before he began speaking.

"There are a few changes to staffing this year. Hagrid is Keeper of Keys and Grounds again, and Professor Lupin is taking over Care of Magical Creatures, which is now a required class for students third year and above and has been added to your course list. Professor Alecto Carrow will be teaching Muggle Studies, another required class, and Professor Amycus Carrow will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. New rules are being implemented as well. There will be no magic in the halls, you will be in full uniform at all times unless in your dorm room. There will be no Quidditch this year, nor will there be any trips to Hogsmeade. Dementors will be patrolling the grounds at random.

"The list of acceptable punishments has also been changed and the Carrows are in charge of the punishments given to students starting tomorrow. A few examples of punishments are transfiguration of a student," Draco's body tensed beside her, "whipping," Stella's body tensed this time and Pansy gave her confused look, "corporal punishments, and certain curses. I expect you all to be on your best behavior."

Snape's eyes did land on Stella then, seemingly trying to convince her above all else. She rolled her eyes and looked away.

"With that, you are all dismissed."

The students rose quickly, heading to their common rooms. Stella and Theo waited for the first years, noticing that the fifth year Prefects had moved along without a care. The first years followed after Stella and Theo, seeming a bit more afraid now. She tried to assure them all was well but finding it difficult to find the right words. Instead, she just told them to keep their heads down and stay quiet.

She showed them how to get to the dungeons, Draco waiting at the portrait for them.

"This portrait is the door to the common room," Stella explained. "You give it a password and it'll open for you. The password changes every two weeks and is posted on the notice board inside."

"Pure-blood," Draco stated and the portrait swung open, revealing the Slytherin common room.

"Come on," Stella waved the first years through.

They all seemed amazed by the window, moving to it to look out into the lake.

"Do you ever remember us being that small?" Stella asked Draco and Theo as they stood near the entrance, smiling at the first years.

"You're still that small," Draco joked.

"I will hex you," she smirked, bumping his arm with hers gently.

"So, what's the plan for this year?" Draco asked.

"Well, I never got to use that hate potion…"

"Oh, that'll go over well," Theo snorted before the portrait swung open behind them, Snape stepping in.

Stella moved away quickly, going to the first years and getting their attention.

"This is Headmaster Snape," she squatted in front of them. "He was head of Slytherin before this year and he always gives us a speech on the first night. Listen, okay?"

The first years all nodded, listening to Stella and staring up at Snape. Stella stood, stepping behind the first years and staring out at the lake. She worried that if she looked at Snape she would either cry or blow something up.

"You are all in Slytherin house now. It does not matter what your blood status is or any petty grudges that you have against one another. You are to work together to protect each other. I am not above punishing my own house. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir" was heard through the room and Stella remained silent, staring out at the lake.

"Black," Snape's voice demanded her attention and Stella slowly turned, glare in place as she faced Snape. "Do I make myself clear?"

"… crystal."

"Sir," Snape reminded her.

"No need to call me sir, Headmaster," Stella said automatically.

Snape's nostrils flared as he glared at her. It was strange to the other Slytherins to see Stella and Snape being so hostile towards each other considering how close they had been just a year ago.

"Detention, Black, with Professor Carrow tomorrow night," he told her.

"Which one?" Stella tilted her head.

"Alecto."

"I look forward to it," Stella smirked. "Anything else?"

"You are dismissed," Snape turned on his heel, leaving the room with a billowing of his cloak.

The portrait slammed closed and Stella calmed again, looking to the first years with a small smile.

"Boys rooms are to the left and girl's rooms are to the right. The number one is on the door and you have your own loo. You need to keep your rooms tidy and organized. I'll wake you in the morning and teach you how to set alarms on your wands after breakfast for the following day. Off you pop."

The first years headed to their rooms and Stella left the common room, heading to her dorm. She changed into her pajama bottoms and one of Harry's old Christmas sweaters before going to the boys dorm and falling onto Theo's bed beside him. He covered her with a blanket, still sitting up as he continued reading a history book. She woke early the next morning, writing a letter to Hermione, addressing it to Mia Black, before she put on her uniform and headed out of the school and to the owlery, sending the letter off with Owlivia, who she'd been calling Liv for years now.

She watched Liv flying off, thinking of Hedwig and how she'd been hit on the way to the Burrow. She headed back into the castle, Remus and McGonagall coming down the steps towards the entry hall when she walked inside.

"Stella Nova?" Remus asked, approaching her.

"Hi, Uncle Moony," Stella sighed, giving him a hug.

"Miss Black," McGonagall sighed. "Why are you here?"

"Higher education?" Stella offered.

"Stella…"

"Someone had to protect the Muggle-borns," Stella shrugged.

"I noticed that the Black family had quite a few new members," McGonagall nodded as the three walked into the Great Hall, very few teachers and students milling about yet.

"So strange how that happened," Stella sighed, giving McGonagall a smirk.

"Strange indeed," McGonagall smirked before turning serious again. "You need to be careful, Miss Black. They know who you are."

"I already know that I'm a target," Stella shrugged. "I'm prepared for it. Like I said, someone needs to protect the Muggle-borns. You can only do so much as a Professor, especially with Snivellus in charge with his buddies."

Remus snorted a laugh at the nickname and McGonagall gave her an exasperated look.

"I'd ask you to stay out of trouble, but…"

"But it would be like telling Fred and George to behave?" Stella suggested. "I did grow up with them."

"Yes, I was afraid that would be your response. Just be careful, Miss Black."

"I'll see what I can do," Stella shrugged. "I actually need to go get the first years. The prefects don't want to associate with them because of the number of Muggle-borns. See you both in class."

Stella made her way back to the common room, stepping through the portrait as the other Slytherins began moving around. Stella knocked loudly on the first year boys' dorm door and a boy with red hair and glasses opened the door, rubbing his eyes. She stared at him for a moment, missing her own brothers before she shook herself.

"Time to wake up, little snakes," Stella smiled, voice soft. "I'll meet you in the common room in fifteen minutes so I can take you down to breakfast. I'll be taking you to your first class of the day as well. Go on."

Stella told the girls the same thing and waited in the common room as it emptied out, Theo the only one staying behind. Snape walked in as she was leaning against a couch, arms crossed over her chest and staring at the stairs.

"Stella," Snape sighed, standing beside her.

"Snape," Stella responded, not even looking at her. "What do you want?"

"We are in the school which means you need to show me a bit of respect."

"Earn it," Stella told him as the first years came down. "Also, what is the point of Prefects if they aren't doing their job? This way, little ones!"

Stella smiled to the first years, leading them out of the common room and to the Great Hall with Theo. She got a few weak smiles from the other houses as she led the younger students around, bringing them to the Slytherin table and having them all sit. Slughorn gave her a soft smile and passed her a schedule. She saw she had a free period first thing and smiled, deciding to sit in on McGonagall's Transfiguration class with the first years so she could take them to their first two classes. She looked at Theo's schedule, seeing that they shared the same lessons.

After they all ate, Stella and Theo led the first years up to Transfiguration, joining the first year Hufflepuffs. Stella skipped up to McGonagall's desk with a smile.

"We have a free period. Can we sit in here so we can lead them to their next class after this?" Stella asked her.

"Of course," McGonagall gave Stella and Theo each a proud smile. "I told Snape that you should have been Prefect."

"He tried," Stella shrugged. "Turned him down."

"I tried turning him down," Theo shrugged.

"Not very hard," Stella snorted a laugh.

"Of course you did," McGonagall let out a small laugh before the bell rang.

The two seventh years sat behind McGonagall's desk as she walked in front of the class.

"I am sorry that this year isn't what it's supposed to be. It will be a difficult year and, as I'm sure that Miss Black and Mr. Nott has already told the Slytherins, I implore you all to keep your heads down and stay quiet. Myself and a few other Professors are going to do our best to keep you safe, along with some of the older students, such as Miss Black, who needs to get her feet off of the top of my desk, and Mr. Nott."

Stella slowly lowered her feet back to the floor, not sure how McGonagall had seen her kick her feet up.

"You have, rather unfortunately, started your magical schooling journey in the midst of a war. Some of you came here with no idea of the dangers that you would be facing and I am terribly sorry for it. I hope things will be resolved swiftly, however I am not going to tell you to hope for it.

"Most of you have already met Miss Black. In fact, some of you are now her family. I want you all to look out for one another as Miss Black and her friends look out for you. I wouldn't typically say this to separate houses, but your entire year is a family. You all need to work together to stay strong, just as the hat sang last night.

"Now! Transfiguration!"

McGonagall went over what Transfiguration was and what the first years would be learning. She even made Stella demonstrate turning a needle into a matchstick before turning a mouse into a goblet for them. McGonagall turned into a cat and Stella thought of Sirius and how she'd stopped studying to be an animagus after he'd died. She wondered if she could ask McGonagall for some advice and get the ball rolling again.

At the end of the hour, Stella took the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins down to Herbology, waving to Pomfrey before she ran back to the school and made it to her seat in Defense just in time, falling into the seat between Neville and Theo. She gave Neville a wide eyed look before facing forward, pulling out the textbook that made her stomach turn, causing her to lean into Theo a bit. She'd actually not needed to buy this one, having found it in the Black library early in the Summer. It was a book filled strictly with dark spells, including the Unforgivables.

Carrow looked far too excited as he told them all to stand. They paired themselves off and Carrow began speaking.

"Who here was able to throw off the Imperius when Barty Crouch Jr was disguised as Mad-Eye Moody?" Carrow asked.

Stella raised her hand, along with a few others. Carrow's eyes landed on Stella and a certain gleam appeared in his eyes. He waved her forward and Stella stepped up, chin raised and shoulders back. Theo had tensed the moment Stella had been called up.

"We're going to test if you still can," Carrow smirked. "Imperio."

Stella felt as if she were floating for a moment before she was back in her own body. She rolled her eyes at Carrow and crossed her arms over her chest. Carrow stared at her with wide eyes for a moment before becoming seemingly annoyed.

"Imperio!"

Nothing happened. Carrow sent her back.

"You will each be practicing this spell on each other."

"But that's illegal," Tracy spoke up.

"Silence!" Carrow yelled and Tracy shrieked as she stumbled backwards, Draco catching her before she fell.

Stella stared in horror, recognizing the spell, even if it had only lasted for a mere second. Neville had tensed beside her and Stella leaned into him slightly. The two turned to Carrow, eyes going from horrified to a glare.

"Practice," he hissed out, glaring at the class. "Or you'll get it for longer."

Stella debated telling the whole class to shoot a spell at Carrow at the same time. A few even glanced at her, as if waiting for her instructions. She shook her head and turned to Neville.

"Go ahead," she told him.

"It doesn't work on you," Neville shook his head.

"Or our new professor is just weak," Stella shrugged.

"What did you say?" Carrow questioned.

"I said your Imperio was weak," Stella stated before looking back to Neville. "Give it a shot."

"Stella, I don't…"

"Crucio!"

"Protego!" seven different voices shouted out and Stella turned, finding Carrows wand still pointed at her as he glared at the other students.

He turned his wand on Pansy and Stella shot a stinging hex at his back, causing him to yelp before turning to face her, a fire in his eyes.

"Like I said," Stella shrugged, "weak."

"You want to duel, little Black?" Carrow smirked.

"I would if it was against someone more competent," Stella shrugged.

"Who would like to duel little Black?" Carrow asked the room.

Crabbe, Goyle, Bulstrode, Greengrass and Moon stepped forward.

"Go to the wall, Nev, Teddy," Stella told him.

"I'm staying with you," Neville insisted, Draco and Tracy going to her side as well.

"Not happening," Theo growled out.

Greengrass and Moon didn't really seem like they wanted to duel her, but like it was expected of them.

"All four of you step back," Stella told them. "If those five want to duel me, then they'll duel only me. You all know I can handle myself. Now go."

Theo took the longest to convince, finally moving aside when Stella threatened to duel him next. Seamus and Dean pulled Neville back, holding him between the two of them.

"Ladies first," Stella smirked and spells began flying.

Moon and Bulstrode were weak and Stella got them out of the fight first, tying them both up in black ropes quickly. Greengrass was next, flying backwards while knocked out. Crabbe and Goyle, it turned out, actually knew quite a few dark spells that Stella hadn't been expecting. She dodged out of the way and the wall behind her exploded, causing Lavender and Padma to scream as Seamus threw his arms over them, Dean and Draco putting a 'Protego' over everyone. Crabbe and Goyle weren't aiming to injure her, they wanted her dead.

"Bombarda!" Stella yelled and the ground under Crabbe's feet exploded, sending him flying through the air.

"Crucio!" Goyle yelled and Stella fell backwards, letting out a scream before the spell ended, Goyle too weak to hold it for longer.

She cast four silent stunning charms at Goyle quickly from the floor, finally hitting him with the last one and causing him to fall backwards to the floor.

"My turn," Carrow hissed out, stepping forward as Stella got to her feet quickly.

Stella was weak after the fight against the other five and Carrow knew it. It was why he'd waited to attack her. She put up a shielding charm that kept the other students from interfering, protecting them as Carrow went after her. Stella could barely think as she blocked and dodged until a specific spell came to mind.

'Sectumsempra,' she thought, slashing her wand through the air at Carrow.

Carrow screamed as he fell to the ground, a long cut on his knees.

"You bitch!" he screamed. "AVADA-!"

"ENOUGH!" Snape's voice bellowed and Stella fell to the ground, breathing heavily and bleeding from a few different places.

Her shield fell and Draco and Neville reached her first.

"I'm fine," she lied, still trying to catch her breath.

"Why'd you stop me?" Carrow demanded after Snape had fixed his legs.

"You are permitted to teach and punish the students," Snape stated. "You are not permitted to kill them. Especially not certain ones. Do I make myself clear?"

"Aww. It's almost like he cares," Stella grumbled as Neville helped her to her feet.

"This class is dismissed," Snape told them. "Longbottom, get Black to the hospital wing."

"Yes, sir," Neville nodded, helping Stella limp out of the classroom as Snape checked over the other downed students.

"Well, that went better than I thought it would," Stella admitted once they were clear of the classroom.

"That was better in your mind?" Neville demanded.

"Could have been worse," she shrugged. "Snape could have not walked in and I'd be dead on the floor. I wonder what he meant about 'certain ones'?"

"I'm sure he meant not his favorite," Neville told her as they turned down the hall of the Hospital Wing.

"I'm not his favorite. He made that very clear at the end of last year." Stella shrugged as they walked through the doors and Stella sang, "Oh, Madam Pomfrey!"

"Stella Black, why are you bleeding all over the floor on the first day of school?" Pomfrey demanded as Neville helped Stella to a bed.

"I decided to duel half the Slytherins and my new Defense teacher," she shrugged. "They might be along in a moment as well."

"Of course," Pomfrey sighed, shaking her head before getting to work. "Why do we even bother telling students to keep their heads down when you're here to steal all the attention off of them?"

"Beats me," Stella shrugged. "Thanks, Nev."

"I'm going to wait for you," Neville told her and Stella just shrugged again, smirking as Crabbe, Goyle, and Greengrass were brought in next.

"You weren't kidding," Pomfrey sighed.

"There's actually two missing," Stella told her. "I just knocked them out rather quickly though. Those ones took a bit longer."

"All fixed up, dear. Please refrain from dueling any more of your classmates and your Professors in the future," Pomfrey told her before going to the other Slytherins.

"Let's go, Nev," Stella bounced up, smiling as they headed towards Care of Magical Creatures. "Uncle Moony will be cross with us if we're late."

Care of Magical Creatures was a class on the first floor where they would only go outside if necessary to study animals in the wild, such as the unicorns that had been born not long ago. Stella skipped into the classroom, looking as if she hadn't just been in a heated duel minutes ago.

"Cub," Remus sighed, staring at her with the Gryffindors and some of the Slytherins around him, Moon and Bulstrode sitting as far away from everyone else as possible. "Why am I hearing that you've already been to the hospital wing this year and that you have detention tonight?"

"Because I went to the hospital wing and have detention," Stella shrugged, hands on her hips as she smirked. "What are we learning about today? Are you required to teach us about werewolves first thing or are we working up to that?"

"You are supposed to be on your best behavior," he reminded her.

"I promised other people that I would be on my worst behavior. Sorry," she shrugged. "Also, if we just turn in our essays from third year, can we skip the werewolf section or no?"

"Sit down," he sighed, rubbing his eyes as the bell rang.

Stella sat at the front of the class, smiling brightly. Neville took one of the seats beside her and Stella had a feeling that he would be doing so in every class that they shared, Theo on her other side, surprising no one. Draco and Tracy were at the desk beside them, Tracy on the end close to the wall so that Draco could shield her if needed, Pansy taking the seat behind Stella, Dean beside her and looking at Pansy curiously. The other Slytherins did not join the class, still in the hospital wing. The Gryffindors seemed to make a wall around Stella and the other five Slytherins though, Moon and Bulstrode glaring as the bell signaling the start of class rang.

"Welcome to Care of Magical Creatures. I know that the Slytherins all dropped the subject in your fourth year," Remus spoke up before quieting as the classroom door opened.

A few people turned to see who was coming in but Stella just assumed it was the other Slytherins being released from the hospital wing. A familiar 'hem, hem' told her it was not them. She turned her head slowly, brows raised a bit as her eyes landed on Dolores Umbridge, dressed in gawdy pink robes and a bow on her head, looking more toad-like than Stella remembered her being. She bit her lip hard, turning back to the front of the classroom to find Remus glaring daggers at the woman, Stella realizing that Snape must have told him about the whipping.

"How many I help you?" he asked through grit teeth.

"Headmaster Snape has asked that I proctor your class session today," she spoke up. "He wants to be sure that you are following his guidelines accurately and thought a ministry official was the best choice."

"Well, if the headmaster," Remus basically spat the word, "insist, then we mustn't disappoint. Please, take a seat if you wish. I was just about to begin."

Remus's eyes swept over to Stella and she sighed.

"As I was saying," Remus's voice calmed after seeing Stella seemingly fine between Theo and Neville, "welcome to Care of Magical Creatures. There are worksheets on your desk that you have fifteen minutes to complete. A review so we can see which magical creatures need the most in depth reviews on before going over new creatures. You may begin."

Everyone began filling out the worksheets, Stella seeing Neville struggling beside her and realizing that Hagrid really hadn't taught them everything that he was supposed to. She filled out as much information as she could, having continued to study magical creatures outside of the classroom, having planned on sitting her N.E.W.T.s for the class at the end of the year. She was done before the fifteen minutes was up, waiting patiently before Remus's wand alarm went off, him walking around the room, peeking over shoulders as he went.

The papers flew up to the desk and Remus sighed, walking to the front.

"The first creatures that I am to teach you on are werewolves. As you all well know, I know a bit more about werewolves than other professors would. Who can tell me the difference between a werewolf and an animagus? Draco."

"An animagus is a witch or wizard that can turn into an animal at will, something that takes time to learn and a lot of practice, their animal form reflecting who they are. A werewolf is a witch or wizard who has been bitten by another werewolf and is forced to turn during full moons."

Stella remembered answering these questions to Snape in her fourth year and a wave of sadness and nostalgia washed over her.

"Correct. Ten points to Slytherin," Remus nodded. "Who knows the physical differences between a werewolf and a regular wolf? Neville."

"Shorter snout, more human-like eyes, the tufted tail, aggression towards humans while in their werewolf form, and they tend to stand on two legs instead of four," Neville answered confidently.

"Correct and that's ten points to Gryffindor. There is no known cure for lycanthropy but there is a way that some of the worst effects can be mitigated. Anyone know it? Stella."

"The Wolfsbane Potion; which allows the witch or wizard to keep their minds while in their werewolf form," Stella answered.

"Ten points," Remus nodded, giving her a quick smile before continuing his lecture, everyone ignoring Umbitch as she scribbled away in the back of the class. "Werewolves, like other magical creatures, are impervious to certain magics while in their werewolf form. If you were to say, hit them with a stunner, it would irritate the werewolf more than anything else and cause it to turn its attention to you. A strong blasting curse would throw it back a bit, but not as much as it would a human or object. There was talk of another spell that could turn the werewolf back into their human form called the Homorphus Charm, but it has yet to actually been proven."

Remus told them about the laws and restrictions surrounding werewolves, walking around the room as he did so, all taking notes as he spoke. When only ten minutes were left in class, he took a deep breath and Stella knew she was going to be angry for him.

"The reason I am teaching you Care of Magical Creatures is because I am to tell you the… experience of transforming into a werewolf… The days leading up to and after the full moon can be difficult. The infected person may seem easily irritated on the days leading up to and after the moon. The transformation itself is extremely painful.

"Your body changes completely; your face lengthens into a snout, torso stretches and shoulders hunch, hair sprouts all over your body and claws shoot out of your fingers and toes. Many have been known to die due to the pain during transformations. If a child under the age of seven is bitten, it is unlikely that they will survive their first transformation. It is extremely rare.

"I want you each to write me an essay- not the same one from your third year- on werewolves. Information you can find on them, laws surrounding them, ways to protect yourselves against them. It is to be turned in on Monday next week. If you have any questions, you may ask during class this Thursday."

The bell rang just as Remus finished speaking. The students all stood as Remus nodded, dismissing them. Umbitch moved to the front of the classroom, eyes narrowing on Stella for a moment before they moved to Remus. Stella slowed down as she approached the door, trying to eavesdrop, but Draco grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the room.

"We need to discuss the plan for your detention tonight," he told her.

"What plan?" she asked, confused.

"Tracy and I are going to make a distraction near the class room to get you out of it as soon as possible," Draco said as if it were obvious. "Then we're going to our brewing room. Theo will already be there. I'll need the map so that we don't get caught."

"Here," Stella sighed, passing the map over. "You know how to do the disillusionment charm?"

"Yeah," Draco nodded. "Tracy taught me last year."

"Good. Both of you be careful."

After dinner, Stella stood in front of the Muggle Studies classroom and knocked gently, waiting to be allowed in. Alecto Carrow opened the door, her eyes narrowed as she stepped aside, letting Stella into the classroom. That's how Stella got her first glimpse of the classroom. There were posters speaking out against muggles and muggle-borns hung around the room, describing how dangerous muggles were. There were photos of muggle weapons and muggle wars hung along the wall as well.

"Do you like it?" Alecto asked, seeing where Stella was looking.

"Are we going to be covering the muggle wars in class?" Stella asked curiously, their previous teacher having not gone into any sort of detail.

"We will," Alecto nodded.

"Good," Stella nodded, honestly curious about it before pointing at one picture. "What's that?"

"A muggle weapon called a gun," Alecto stated. "It's filled with bullets which tear straight through the organs and kills immediately."

"Huh," Stella tilted her head, wondering if that were actually true or if Alecto was trying to make everyone scared of Muggles with her propaganda. "That could actually be useful."

Alecto stared down at Stella in confusion before shaking her head.

"Have a seat. You'll be doing lines," Alecto told her. "To the front."

Stella went to the front of the classroom and sat in the chair directly in front of Alecto's desk. Stella wasn't afraid of Alecto, especially if the best punishment she could come up with was lines. Or maybe it had something to do with what Snape had said to Alecto's brother in Defense about not hurting certain students. Why the hell was she on that list?

"Your lines are on the board. I have provided a self-inking quill and parchment. You may begin," Alecto stated, sitting behind her desk and waving her wand, watching Stella carefully, a bit of a smirk on her face.

Stella looked at the lines and rolled her eyes before picking up the ornate quill. She got an uneasy feeling about it, remembering Umbitch having been in the building earlier but figured she was being paranoid. Her gut was screaming at her but Stella ignored it as she began copying the lines.

'I will not talk back to my betters.'

Stella got through three lines before she realized that she should have listened to her gut. She watched as the sentence began to carve itself into the back of her hand. Her hand was stinging but she occluded a bit, keeping the pain at bay as she continued writing. Twenty minutes into the hour long detention, an explosion was heard down the hall and Stella jumped, turning quickly in her seat. Alecto was on her feet in a moment, wand in hand.

Stella followed after her, her own wand going into her hand in the process. Alecto gave Stella a strange look as she walked beside her. In the hall, fireworks were shooting in every direction, much like how they had in Stella's fifth year. She sighed, rubbing her eyes with her injured hand before looking to Alecto, deciding to play nice and hoping Draco and Tracy hadn't set off all of her collection.

"Stunning them makes them louder and vanishing them makes them multiply."

"How do you know?" Alecto asked, eyes narrowing.

"Because my older brothers made them and sell them at their shop," Stella explained.

"They were set off two floors down as well," Snape's voice spoke up and Stella turned, finding him walking briskly towards them. "I was coming to make sure you weren't the culprit."

"Nope," Stella shook her head. "I was in detention."

"Yes, I remember. I also remember you having alibis for other… events in the past," Snape sneered and Stella sighed before looking at the fireworks.

"The fuses run down in about fifteen minutes. Just let them run their course and they'll stop. We should close all the doors and set up a barrier in the hall so they don't get out though," Stella stated, waving her hand and closing the muggle studies door before a firecracker could get through.

"Headmaster Snape and I will handle it. You're dismissed," Alecto offered, watching Stella closely.

"See you in class tomorrow, Professor," Stella nodded, heading down the hall.

She was tugged behind a tapestry the moment she turned the corner, disillusioned and dragged to the third floor. She, Draco, and Tracy laughed loudly once a privacy charm had been placed on the door.

"Oh, please tell me you didn't use all of the fireworks?" she asked, still smiling. "I have such plans."

"We used two boxes," Draco shrugged, leading the way to the enlarged stall where Theo was waiting. "You have about fifty left."

"What was your detention?" Tracy asked, looking a bit concerned now.

"Lines with a blood quill," Stella shrugged. "Wasn't so bad. Probably because I didn't have to do it for a full hour."

"What'd you have to write?" Theo asked and Stella showed him her hand.

He took her hand gently, glaring down at the words before reaching over towards one of the crates containing potions from the previous year. Dittany was placed on her hand but a small scar was left behind. Stella didn't really mind, her hand reminding her of Harry a bit and causing her to smile softly before seeing Draco working on the hate potion that she couldn't figure out. His own notes were added to the margins of the half-blood Prince's book and she wondered if Snape had left certain steps off of the paper on purpose. It would make sense why she'd been having so many problems.

It turned out that was exactly what he had done, Draco showing Stella the original version of the potion that he'd found over the summer, the one in her book having been crossed over so many times that she couldn't tell what it had previously said. She groaned, laying across the hard floor and covering her face with her hands.

"I was wondering why we were having problems," Tracy admitted. "Especially between the two of you."

"Yeah, we're the best potions students," Draco nodded. "It made no sense why we couldn't get it."

"He's an ass," Stella grumbled before sitting up and looking over the potion with Draco. "This actually seems rather simple. It only takes three months, as well."

"So, what are we thinking? Just before the holidays?"

"Sounds perfect," Stella smirked.

Her and Draco exchanged a look and Tracy groaned.

"How long have the two of you been off your potions?"

"A day," Stella shrugged.

"Two weeks," Draco added. "Mother said that Black's being so close to one another means that the madness feeds off of each other."

"I know how to straighten my hair with my wand. I'll need to teach you."

"Or you could both take your potions," Theo offered, giving them a hard stare.

"We'll take them when we need to," Draco shrugged to him. "Promise. If you see us slipping, sneak it into our morning tea."

"I made you a few months' worth," Stella tossed a bag to Tracy. "Just in case."

Word of Harry, Ron, and Hermione breaking into the ministry to rescue a bunch of muggleborns was in the paper, labeling the three of them as highly dangerous. Stella snorted a laugh when she read it, having to cover her mouth with her hand in Transfiguration so McGonagall wouldn't call her out for it. Kreacher passed word along that the three were no longer staying at Grimmauld, having accidentally brought someone with them when they'd been escaping the ministry. Kreacher had… dealt with the intruder immediately though and there was no threat to Grimmauld. There was also no way to track Harry, Ron, and Hermione to inform them though.

Tracy seemed less tense carrying the potions around everywhere with her. Muggle studies was Alecto just ranting about how terrible muggles were for an hour as Stella suspected. She showed slides of destruction from their wars, giving petty reasons for their fighting, calling them savages the entire time.

In Defense, Amycus sneered at Stella before forcing them to practice the Imperious curse all class. Stella made Neville dance a few times, dropping the spell quickly and having to hide her shiver at the power that she felt. Draco was unable to hide his though, his hair trying to curl a bit. Amycus smiled unnervingly at Draco when he saw it and Stella wanted to curse the man for going near her cousin, for placing his hand on Draco's shoulder and seeming proud of him.

Theo placed a hand on her shoulder, passing her a potion. Draco was passed one the moment they were out of the classroom. He groaned before taking it, seeming to calm considerably within a few minutes. Tracy just took his hand, leading him towards their next class.

Stella was bored in Charms. Flitwick walked over to her, ready to reprimand her for not doing anything before realizing that she'd already silently and wandlessly locked her box. He held her back after class, asking her to perform a few other charms they would be learning to perform silently that year. She'd even done the 'Lumos Solem' spell wandlessly .

"Miss Black… how long have you been able to do wandless magic?" Flitwick asked curiously.

"I started learning last year," she shrugged.

"And you've been doing it silently for how long?"

"I mastered nonverbal magic last year," Stella explained. "Wanted to do pranks more sneakily."

"Of course," Flitwick smirked. "Miss Black, have you mastered all of the spells for this year? All nonverbally?"

"And almost all wandlessly," Stella confirmed. "It's not the first time I've learned all the spells beforehand."

"I see," Flitwick nodded. "Have you ever thought of teaching, Miss Black?"

"I have," Stella nodded honestly. "I'm not sure what I want to do, but I always thought of teaching."

"Well, I would like for you to take your O.W.L. ahead of time. A month, maybe?"

"I mean, sure, but why, sir?"

"I would like to make you my aid," Flitwick explained, smiling to Stella. "I don't plan to teach forever and would like to recommend you to possibly take over my classes one day. I believe you have a break period Monday mornings?"

"I do," Stella nodded, eyes wide.

"Would you mind helping me with the third years during that period?"

"I would love to," Stella smiled brightly.

"Wonderful. Off you go."

Stella skipped out of the classroom, smiling brightly at Theo, Draco, and Tracy, who were all waiting for her.

"What was that about?" Theo asked as they went to the third floor girl's bathroom.

"Professor Flitwick wants me to take my Charms O.W.L. early so that I can become his teaching aid," Stella informed them.

"That's amazing," Theo smiled brightly as Draco lifted Stella into a hug, spinning her before setting her on her feet again.

"I'm going to be helping with his third year class on Monday mornings," Stella informed them.

"Great," Tracy complained. "That's another one of us that actually knows what they want to do with their lives. Here I am with no clue what to do with myself."

"I don't know what to do either," Theo defended.

"You're going to take over Binns's class," Stella told him.

"Since when?"

"Since now," Stella rolled her eyes. "No way would I have passed History if it weren't for you. You're much more enjoyable to listen to than that old ghost."

"Maybe," Theo nodded, seeming to actually consider it as he watched Draco leaned over a potion.

"Then Draco can teach Potions, Tracy can teach Muggle Studies, Hermione can take over Transfiguration…"

"Do you plan on all of us just taking over the school as professors?" Tracy smirked.

"Absolutely," Stella smirked.

"What's your boyfriend going to teach?" Theo smirked.

"Defense as soon as I figure out how to get rid of the jinx on the damn position," Stella grumbled. "I bet I could get Bill to help. He is a curse breaker after all. Ron can teach flying."

"Why do you have so much Polyjuice leftover?" Tracy asked curiously.

"Well, I was making multiple batches for Dray last year," Stella shrugged. "It keeps well until there's a hair in it. Thought it'd be a waste otherwise… Huh."

"Huh?" Tracy asked.

"Huh," Theo smirked. "How and when?"

"As soon as possible," Stella smirked. "Sneak into the kitchens under disillusionment charms. The real question is who."

"Well, I'm a fan of hazing the new professors a bit," Theo smirked.

"Oh, yes…"

It was four thirty in the morning and Stella hadn't been sure how she was going to get a hair or two from each professor but it turned out to be rather easy with the map in hand. She was disillusioned, watching the brother and sister as they wandered the halls four floors up. She snuck into their living quarters, smirking as the map gave her the password. In the bathroom she found a brush and a comb. She grabbed a few hairs from each, keeping them separate as she wrapped them in napkins and headed out.

Back on the second floor, Stella passed one of the napkins to Draco and the two, plus Tracy, headed down to the kitchen entrance. Theo had set up quite a few distractions on every other floor. Decoy detonators, fireworks, darkness powder, dungbombs and, Stella's personal favorite, portable swamps going off at random and demanding attention from any and every professor available. Stella, Tracy, and Draco stayed disillusioned as they walked through the kitchen, pouring Polyjuice into every punch bowl, hairs added as they went, the potion hidden by orange and pumpkin juice, coffee, and milk. Stella slipped a few truth potions randomly around the area as well, smirking as she added it to both Carrows cups.

They were back in their dorms, getting dressed for the day as if they'd all only just woken up. They walked into the entrance hall with the first and second years in tow to find the Carrows looking angry and frazzled. Stella just shrugged and kept walking, leading the younger students to breakfast like she did every day, other students having already arrived and waiting for the breakfast items to appear. Snape swept in, eyes narrowing on Stella as he approached her.

Pansy was by Stella's side in an instant, lying through her teeth when Snape asked what she'd done.

"Whatever do you mean, sir?" Pansy asked.

"Quiet, Parkinson. Black, did you or did you not set off multiple joke items through the castle this morning?" Snape hissed out.

"She was with me this morning," Pansy stated, arms crossed over her chest and brow raised.

"And what were the two of you doing precisely?" Snape questioned, looking annoyed.

"Each other," Pansy said and Draco choked on his spit, Tracy patting his back as she tried not to laugh.

"It's true, sir," Tracy spoke up once Draco was alright. "Parkinson is rather loud."

"Well, I'm rather good," Stella smirked to Tracy. "I'd say you can find out if you like, but we're related now. Be rather weird. Though the Blacks do have a reputation."

Snape swept away, no longer wanting to be around for the conversation.

"What did you do?" Pansy whispered the question.

"You'll see," Stella smirked as the rest of the student body joined, all having been woken by the mayhem… or maybe it was the firecrackers that Theo had set off in the common rooms, who could know really?

Theo slid down the bench so that he was beside Draco, giving Stella room to sit beside him, Pansy taking the open spot beside Stella. They really needed to sell this now. Stella pulled Pansy close by her waist and Pansy rested her hand on Stella's thigh.

"Attention, students," Snape's voice was amplified. "We are searching for who set off the joke items. If we find any joke items in any of your possessions, the student or students will be facing extreme consequences. If you have any information on who may have set off the items, we ask that you come forward. You will be… rewarded for the information."

The moment Snape sat down, food and drinks appeared. Stella rolled her eyes and made her plate, making sure that nutrient potions were still appearing in front of the Slytherins that needed it most. Stella drank a cup of coffee, something she rarely did, just so she'd be awake enough to enjoy what was coming and so she could be involved. She made a face at the taste, noting that Harry's Polyjuice had tasted better than this did. Suddenly, Carrows were popping up all over the Great Hall, people screaming or tossing their cups aside from the taste. Stella pretended to be shocked but had to hide her face in Theo's shoulder when she saw the real Carrows' faces.

Snape looked a bit resigned, like he had no idea how to deal with the situation at hand. Remus and McGonagall looked towards the Slytherin table, searching for Stella and finding her smirking up at them as Remus's appearance changed to Alecto and McGonagall's changed to Amycus.

They had gotten the majority of the student body and five professors. Classes were a mess, some students refusing to walk around as someone other than themselves. Sixty percent of the student body swaggered along down the halls, not even going to classes because they knew there was no way to actually give out detentions. Stella sat in Herbology, getting mulch and compost all over herself in the process and walking around the castle looking like Alecto had rolled around in dragon dung for the next half hour.

She ran to the common room and waited ten minutes for the potion to end before jumping in the shower and cleaning herself off. She'd gotten plenty of laughs but she didn't feel like walking around smelling like that any longer than was necessary. She tossed her soiled uniform on the floor and it was gone by the time she got out of the shower, the Hogwarts elves moving quickly to clean the mess. Stella dressed in a fresh uniform, drying her hair by wand and taking a potion before leaving the dorms, finding only Snape in the common room.

"Black," he breathed.

"Headmaster," Stella rolled her eyes, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms over her chest. "Anything I can help you with?"

"Who helped you? I know Nott and Parkinson were in on it—"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Stella stated.

"Black, you are the only one who is idiotic enough—"

"I'm not an idiot," Stella growled out.

"Then stop behaving like a child throwing a tantrum," Snape hissed back.

"I am doing no such thing—"

"You are!"

The two glared at one another for a long moment, the silence stretching between them. Snape seemed to deflate a bit the longer he stared at Stella. Stella saw it but stayed on guard. She'd already been tricked into trusting him once, she refused to do it again.

"How long have you and Parkinson…?"

"None of your business."

"It is if my—"

"If your what?" Stella asked, a brow cocked and a bored expression on her face. "If your student? Because that is all that I am to you and all that I will ever be. I should have stuck to my anger in fifth year after you wrongly accused me of being in that damned pensieve. Actually, I should have jumped in with Harry to see the memory of Snivellus getting what was probably some well-earned karma—"

Snape walked forward briskly, grabbing Stella's arm and dragged her out of the common room and into the hall.

"Let go of me!" Stella tried to fight but Snape was stronger than he appeared.

She stopped fighting so much, realizing it was rather useless. People watched as she was dragged away. Pansy saw it and took off running in another direction, probably to tell the others what was happening. Snape dragged Stella up to the headmaster's office, tossing her in the moment they reached the door. Stella turned quickly, wand in hand and a glare in place.

"What are you doing?!" Snape demanded again, privacy charms up.

"Again, no clue what you mean," Stella told him.

"Do you not realize the gravity of the situation you are placing yourself in?!"

"Don't know what you—"

"Yes, you do!" Snape yelled. "I refuse to watch my daughter be tortured into submission by the lunatics that are taking over this school! You need to keep your head down!"

"I am not your daughter," Stella growled out, sparks shooting out of her wand.

"Well, you sure as hell aren't a Weasley and Sirius Black was terrified to claim you! You've claimed Lupin as your uncle! That leaves me!"

"You made sure you were no longer an option on multiple occasions!" Stella screamed, voice cracking a bit in the process. "You, who screamed at me and accused me over and over of doing things I hadn't! You who ALLOWED those lunatics into this school! YOU who KILLED ALBUS DUMBLEDORE IN FRONT OF HARRY! YOU ATTACKED HIM!"

"I DID NOT ALLOW THEM TO COME TO THE SCHOOL! I WAS FORCED! I HAVE A COVER TO MAINTAIN! A COVER THAT ALBUS DUMBLEDORE INSISTED I KEEP EVEN THOUGH I EXPRESSELY TOLD HIM I DID NOT WISH TO!"

"Oh, but you fell back into the role so easily so excuse me if I have no sympathies—"

"I DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT BECAUSE OF YOU! I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO SEE ME THIS WAY BUT KNEW IT WOULD HELP PROTECT YOU! HE WANTS YOU ON HIS SIDE!"

"What?" Stella asked, confused. "Why the hell would he want that?"

"I don't know if you've failed to notice, but you're a rather strong witch. He knows this due to Crouch, Pettigrew, and the Malfoys, along with all of the children of death eaters. He also knows that we are close and that you are close to Potter. He wants to recruit you but if you cause more trouble than you can handle, he is prepared to end you himself, just as he did your mother," Snape explained.

"I'm not afraid of him!"

"WELL I AM! I am terrified of what he will do to you!"

The two were breathing heavily, both angry with their magic lashing out. A few things had exploded as they'd screamed at one another. Stella was glaring at Snape as he stared at her with wide, pleading eyes. Stella stood straight, looking away from him and staring around the office. The portraits were all staring at them, as if holding their breath, Dumbledore's eyes shining. The sword of Gryffindor was in a glass case to the side, along with a map that seemed to be tracking someone. Stella stepped close to it, seeing the initials 'H.P.', 'H.G.', and 'R.W.'.

"You found them?" Stella asked, voice still harsh, but more confused now.

"I never lost them," Snape stated, moving slowly closer to her.

"Why?" Stella asked, turning to him. "Why are you tracking them?"

"Because I have a promise to keep."

"To Lily?"

"To myself… and to you."

"You never promised me anything," Stella shook her head.

"I told you once I would always be in your corner," Snape said, voice soft now as he stood beside her. "I intend to keep my word. I did promise to keep Harry safe for Lily's memory, but you are more important than that."

"It's almost like you care," Stella rolled her eyes, still mad at him. "How many questions do I have left?"

"Eight."

"I should really make you pay up on those," Stella sighed, rubbing her face harshly.

Exhaustion was starting to catch up to her again. She'd been taking care of the younger students and teaching them to protect themselves in an abandoned classroom every other day, helping tutor them in their classes. She'd barely gotten any sleep between that, her own classes, detentions, and helping the others in her year. She was still making potions for the hospital wing as well. It was only three weeks into the school year and Stella had never felt so tired in her life.

"You need rest," Snape told her, hand going to her shoulder.

"No time," she told him. "Too much to do."

"Sit. You can ask your questions," Snape told her, leading her to a chair and sitting in the one beside her.

"I don't think we're going to have enough time," Stella smirked. "Pansy saw us. She probably went to get a rescue party."

"They can wait," Snape told her. "Ask."

"Dumbledore's death… it was planned, wasn't it? His hand was cursed. I'm guessing it was killing him?"

"It was," Snape nodded. "Didn't mean for Potter to be there. Speaking of, I thought the two of you…"

"We are," Stella nodded. "Pansy lied to protect me."

"Of course she did," Snape sighed.

"How many horcruxes are there?" Dumbledore's portrait gasped and Stella rolled her eyes. "You'd think people would be used to Harry telling me everything by now."

"There are six in total. The diary Potter destroyed your second year and the ring Dumbledore destroyed makes four."

"Three," Stella corrected. "I destroyed the locket over the summer. Turns out the one in the cave was a fake placed there by Uncle Regulus. Here."

Stella pulled her locket from her neck, opening it to pull the note out and passing it to Snape. Harry had given her the locket not long after she'd given him his. There was a picture of him and her inside, along with the note. Snape read the note and sighed, handing it back to her and she hid it in the locket again, putting it back into her shirt.

"What are the other three?" Stella asked.

"I'm not completely sure, but there is a snake that the Dark Lord keeps close at all times. She is one of them. I've been trying to figure out what the other ones could be," Snape admitted.

"Well, I transcribed the memories after Harry began telling me about them. We can go through my notes, see what we can find," Stella offered.

"If I ask you a question, you may ask a bonus one," Snape offered.

"Deal."

"How did the horcrux defend itself when you destroyed it?"

Stella froze for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"Theo, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Uncle Moony and I were at my home after the wedding. I kept forgetting that I was wearing the damn thing and it was trying to possess me. Harry saw it and asked about it so I threw it across the room. Harry opened it with Parseltongue and it tossed everyone except me back. Black smoke turned into Molly and then Arthur. Sirius made a quick appearance and then it was you. You telling me that you'd never cared and that I was useless. It said that Voldyshorts was going to torture everyone I cared about until the Black Madness made me turn my wand on them myself. It tried telling me that you could learn to love me if I handed Harry over.

"Shot a killing curse at it and got thrown into a bookshelf. Had to get pulled out of the rubble but the thing was destroyed. Took a nap for the next two days and woke up to Ron and Hermione being mad at Harry for having told me about the horcruxes. Not sure why they thought he wouldn't tell me."

"For two people so close to Potter, they should know he goes to you for everything," Snape scoffed.

"That's what Uncle Moony told them apparently. Theo told me it was a rather loud argument while I was resting," Stella nodded.

"So Remy knows?" Snape asked.

"Yeah. Remy knows," Stella rolled her eyes. "Also, I should hit you with a stinging hex. You broke his heart, ya'know? He's been drinking and staring at a photo of the two of you almost every night before bed."

Snape sighed, rubbing his eyes roughly.

"So, when are you going to make up with him?" Stella asked.

"He is better off without me. You both deserve better."

"Better than a man who is tracking the Golden Trio to keep them safe and protecting me from lunatics taking over the school? Yeah, sure. Point me in the direction of someone better," Stella deadpanned.

"I can still give you detention," Snape pointed out.

"Like, a real one or…?"

"Grounded."

"I already am. We don't have Hogsmeade weekends or Quidditch this year."

"Fair enough," Snape sighed.

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"Can I give up all of my questions to make a request?"

"Depends on the request."

"Please survive this war," Stella told him, voice dropping as tears filled her eyes. "I've lost too many people already and I can't take loosing you again. It hurt enough when I just thought you were a traitor."

"You can keep your questions and I will do my best."

"Another request?"

"Hmm?"

"Make up with Uncle Moony soon?"

"I will try," Snape promised. "We need to get you back. Just claim I questioned you and gave you detentions with myself for admitting it was all you."

"I'd love to take all the credit," Stella smirked.

"There she is," Snape smirked. "I have something for you."

Snape stood, going around his desk and pulling a box out of his desk. He kneeled in front of Stella, passing her the box. Stella gave him a confused look before opening the box and finding an old pocket watch and an heir ring inside.

"It is tradition to receive a pocket watch when one turns seventeen. I expected you to receive one from the Weasleys or Remy but you did not. I know you have your watch but this has been in my family for a while.

"I have also named you my heir. That is the Prince family heir ring. We can communicate as you used to do with Sirius. I figured out the runes and charms when making it so that you couldn't hear him all those years ago and decided to copy the spells for these. I've had it for a few years but I wasn't sure if you would accept."

Stella slipped the ring onto her finger, tinkering with it a bit and smirking when she heard Snape in her mind.

"Thanks, Dad," Stella smiled and a tear escaped her.

Snape wiped it away quickly, kissing her forehead before sending her on her way. Stella had the watch in her pocket and an angry expression on her face as she left the office. She found her Gryffindors and Slytherins waiting for her, along with Uncle Moony.

"I'm fine," she rolled her eyes. "Detentions with our dear headmaster for the next month. Did I miss lunch? I'm starved."

"We can go to the kitchens," Theo stated, going to Stella's side immediately.

"Are you alright, Cub?"

"I'm alright," Stella assured him. "I promise."

"My class is canceled today due to the moon," Moony explained. "Go enjoy your free afternoon."

"Love you, Uncle Moony," Stella smiled, giving him a quick hug before wondering off with her friends.

It wasn't until that night when Stella was in Theo's bed, a privacy spell around them that he noticed the ring.

"What's that?" Theo asked, holding her hand up.

'Can I tell Theo?' Stella asked, fidgeting with the ring.

'If you must.'

'I won't if you don't want me to. He saw the ring just now.'

'Why are you not in bed?'

'I'm in a bed…'

'Grounded…'

"So, I've been made heir to a family," Stella explained to Theo after her quick conversation with Snape.

"Uncle Moony finally made it official?" Theo smirked. "I didn't know the Lupin family had an heir ring."

"They don't," Stella stated, waiting to see if Theo would figure it out on his own.

He gained a confused expression before taking Stella's hand and staring at the ring curiously. He ran his finger over the ring, over the language he didn't understand. After chewing the inside of his cheek for a moment he turned his head to Stella.

"What language is this?"

"Chinese. It's pronounced 'Wángzǐ', which translates to 'Prince' in English," Stella explained.

"I thought the Prince line went extinct some forty years back? It was a big deal among Pureblood society."

"In a way," Stella offered. "Eileen Prince married a Muggle and had a child with the Muggle, both taking the Muggles last name…"

"Snape," Theo breathed, eyes widening.

"Yeah. Forgot to mention that when I was filing you in on everything that happened last year. Harry used a second-hand book in Potions because he didn't know he would be able to take the class with Slughorn as the professor. It was Snape's old book but it was signed as belonging to 'The Half-Blood Prince'."

"Every family you have is dramatic," Theo grumbled.

"You included," Stella smirked.

"Shut it," Theo rolled his eyes but a fond smile was on his face. "Go to sleep."

"Yeah, yeah," Stella rolled her eyes, drinking a potion and settling against Theo. "Love you, Teddy."

"Love you, Stell. More explaining in the morning."

"Deal."

Word had gotten around of Stella being dragged off by Snape and it took quite a lot to keep her mouth shut from defending Snape. She'd told Theo everything when she'd woken, the screaming and yelling, the crying, and the conversation that followed. She'd had to explain more about the horcruxes in the process and Stella promised to show him the notes on the memories after she made a copy of them for Snape.

"So, are you going to keep calling him Snape or are you finally calling him dad?" Theo asked and Stella was ready to roll her eyes at the question, but Theo was being genuine.

"Dad in private," Stella admitted. "Snape in public. Or, ya'know, Snivellus."

"I think you might get in trouble for that one," Theo did smirk this time.

"Add it to the list of grievances," Stella smirked.

'I'll make a copy of the memory transcripts and get them to you in detention. We can conspire with Dumbledore's portrait. Is he aware of all the tasks he assigned everyone before dying?'

'He is. Detention at six-thirty in the Headmaster's office. Password is supernova.'

'Of course it is.'

Stella bit her lip, a small laugh leaving her in the process.

'Grounded.'

'Sure, Dad.'

"Having fun?" Theo smirked before the bell for Potions rang and Slughorn walked in.

"Tons," she told him before taking notes, feeling rather bored with how behind Slughorn seemed to be; or maybe that was just because Snape was so far ahead.

'Has Slughorn always done the bare minimum?'

'Unfortunately.'

'I'm bored!'

'Childish. I do have things to do and I don't need your interruptions.'

'Shouldn't have given me a ring that allows me to annoy you whenever I please then.'

'I am waiting for Remy to join me in my office.'

'Please remove your ring before making up with him. I do not need to accidentally overhear something inappropriate.'

'I don't remember you being this mouthy.'

'I've grown bolder.'

"Miss Black, have you finish copying the notes?" Slughorn asked and Stella nodded. "Tell me then what ingredients make Veritaserum colorless and odorless then."

Stella, who had finished a batch of said potion just that morning, answered quickly and accurately.

"Unicorn hair makes it colorless and the white wine mixed with sage makes it odorless. Also, the reason you can't taste it is due to the Howlet wing, Griffin claw and belladonna."

"Oh… correct. Ten points for Slytherin."

"Thank you, sir," Stella nodded.

Slughorn moved on, lecturing more on the truth potion, Stella's head tipping back for a moment before she sat up straighter, taking the rather useless notes. She was looking forward to the Wolfsbane potion in three weeks' time, but the other potions she knew by heart by this point. She told Snape not to be nervous before leaving him be. She hoped Remus didn't kill Snape on the spot, he was always a bit grumpy after a full moon.

Stella walked into the Headmaster's office at six-thirty on the dot, Theo directly behind her, to find Remus still there.

"Hi, Uncle Moony," Stella smirked, Theo seeming confused.

"Hello, Cub," Remus smiled. "I see you brought Theo with you."

"Yeah, he gets antsy when I run off on my own," Stella shrugged before forcing Theo to sit while she remained standing, passing the notes to Snape. "As promised."

"I could have given the information," Dumbledore's portrait grumbled.

"Said the man with far too many secrets," Stella rolled her eyes, looking to Snape. "He probably already told you most of the information but still."

"Are we sure he's on our side?" Theo finally asked, glaring at Snape.

"He is," Remus spoke up and Snape blushed for a moment before clearing his throat.

"I don't need a mental image," Stella tossed out before crossing her arms over her chest and chewing her lip. "So, we need to figure out what the other horcruxes could be and where they are. Then we need to figure out how to get the information to the three blind mice… I don't like that name. Three musketeers? Yeah! Three musketeers!"

"Breathe," Remus reminded Stella.

"Yeah, yeah," Stella waved him off, making copies of the notes and passing them around. "Everyone pick a different memory and we'll share information after, then someone else can recheck the work to make sure we didn't miss anything."

"Yes, Professor," Theo smirked, taking his copy.

"You, shush."

The four read through memories for the next hour and a half before Theo fell asleep on the couch, head in Stella's lap, her fingers scratching his scalp gently. Remus and Severus were both in squishy arm chairs, sipping from whiskey glasses. Stella had tried convincing Remus to give her a glass, but Severus had glared at the two of them and they hadn't even tried making a joke out of it, going back to reading.

"We should probably call it a night," Remus sighed, seeing Theo asleep.

"I'm not going anywhere," Stella sighed.

"You need rest," Severus said and Stella groaned.

"Had I known having a dad was going to be like this I would have stuck to Sirius and Arthur. They never paid attention."

"Which is why you need me," Severus rolled his eyes. "I can make the couch larger so the two of you can sleep here."

"Where will Uncle Moony sleep?" Stella smirked.

"Is that one of your questions?"

"Are you going to ground me?"

"You're already grounded."

"I feel very grounded," Stella joked before a yawn interrupted her next sarcastic comment, her jaw popping in the process.

"Up you get," Remus sighed, helping lift Theo's head from her lap.

Theo grumbled, reaching for Stella and waking with a start when he couldn't find her.

"I'm here," Stella promised, calming him. "It's alright. We're making the couch bigger so we can sleep here."

"Oh-kay," Theo nodded, still not really awake.

Severus waved his wand and the couch grew. Stella kicked off her shoes and pulled Theo's off his feet before tossing a blanket over him, his eyes already closed again. She climbed over him and his arms wrapped around her waist, spooning her in his sleep.

"Good night," Remus smiled, kissing Stella's head and brushing Theo's hair out of his face before heading up the stairs.

"Potion," Severus passed her a vial.

"Thank you," she whispered, drinking the potion quickly before passing the empty vial back.

"Sweet dreams, Stella Nova," Severus told her, hands brushing the top of her head as her eyes closed.

Stella woke up with her arms wrapped around Theo, actually waking up before him for once. Maybe it was the dreamless sleep she'd snuck into his drink. He'd been having nightmares about Blaise since Stella had told him what had happened and would always wake before Stella, waiting until his breathing was even again before checking on Stella and getting up for the day. She hadn't told him that she'd started putting monitoring spells on him; he'd be too embarrassed if she did. Whenever he started having a nightmare, Stella would wake up and begin singing Sirius's lullaby or hum until he settled but she knew the nightmares still plagued him.

She rose slowly from the couch, untangling herself from her best friend and yawning widely. She looked over the notes that they all had made, feeling as if the answer was obvious but just couldn't put her finger on it. Blaise was always the one who could point out what was right in front of them. Stella sighed and tossed the papers down, rubbing her eyes and looking out the window, seeing that the sun was only just starting to rise.

Tea appeared in front of her and Stella smiled softly, whispering a thanks to whatever elf had provided it. She sipped the hot tea, humming a bit as it was already prepared just the way she liked. She grabbed the notes again, reading through everything that Tom Riddle had been obsessed with. He almost reminded Stella of Harry in a way. An orphan who was raised by people who thought him a freak and hated him, searching for a family to be a part of. The difference was that Harry had Ron, Hermione, and her, whereas Riddle found blood supremacists and decided to rule over them.

She felt like the answer was right there, that it should be obvious, but she just couldn't figure it out. Every night, Stella, Theo, Remus, and Severus worked together, tossing out ideas and trading notes around and Stella became more and more annoyed with herself.

"I swear the answer is right in front of us and I just can't see it," Stella rubbed her face roughly.

"We'll figure it out," Theo assured her.

Helping Flitwick with the third year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors was actually rather fun. They'd mastered 'Lumos Maxima' and 'Petrificus Totalus' rather well under Flitwick's and Stella's watchful eyes and were moving along rather nicely to the cheering charm.

The cheering charm came in handy these days considering how life in the halls was. The Carrows were foaming at the mouth, just waiting for someone to step out of line. Stella and her friends had riled them up with their prank and Stella wanted to keep her head down, but at the same time, she didn't want to seem afraid. People kept looking to her, waiting to see what she was going to do or say, having grown used to her defending everyone in the past years.

Neville, Ginny, and Luna were raging their own war against the Carrows it seemed. They tried breaking into Severus's office to steal the sword of Gryffindor and got detention with Hagrid, having to join him in the forest for a night, not that it mattered since Luna tended to visit the forest anyways and knew most of the creatures there. 'Dumbledore's Army, still recruiting' was painted across the walls at random, causing the Carrows to yell in anger, Snape having to make another announcement about punishments. Stella had given Ginny a few boxes of fireworks in passing… just because. Sixth year defense had to be let out early the next day. Strange how that happens sometimes.

The Carrows seemed to know who the trouble makers were though and Stella gave them decoy detonators next, that way they could make a break for it if they needed to. Severus did not enjoy all three setting a device off when he turned a corner one day, not even looking for them but heading towards the Great Hall. She thought it was absolutely hilarious, causing him to roll his eyes and wait rather impatiently for her to settle so the four could continue their research.

Severus was called away for Death Eater meetings at least once a week, if not more. On those nights, Stella would be on edge, leg bouncing or pacing around until he'd tell her he'd returned through their rings.

The Slytherins were all slowly gaining a bit of weight back, all feeling more safe at the school than at home, even with the Carrows around. The Carrows went easy on the Slytherins though, coming in to go on and on about blood supremacy at random, causing Stella to roll her eyes and pretend to throw up behind them, earning a few smiles in the process.

Theo no longer needed his cane but kept it at the end of his bed just in case. He would get pains at random and Stella would pass him a small pain potion when she'd notice it, giving him a pointed look until he'd take his dose.

For the most part, everything was quiet.

Stella should have known better.