Chapter Thirty-Three
The Carrows were going too far. The seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins walked into Dark Arts one day, finding all the first years in the classroom. Stella was confused as the first years were shaking, all looking terrified. They saw her and multiple of them visibly relaxed, looking rather relieved. Amycus looked far too excited.
"What is this?" Stella demanded, voice hard and some of the other students sighed, Theo and Seamus even saying "Finally."
"The first years were all bent over a few copies of a magazine called 'The Quibbler'," Amycus stated.
"And?" Stella asked, already knowing where this was going as she'd been seeing The Quibbler more and more often, Luna's father supporting Harry.
"And that magazine is banned."
"Since when?"
"Since right now," Amycus growled out.
"So, if it's just now banned, why is there an issue?" Stella hissed back, fiddling with her ring and warning her Dad what was happening.
"Because, when I told them it was banned, they refused to give me their copies. They need to be punished, which brings us to today's lesson. We've already gone over the Imperious curse. Time to try your hands at the Cruciatus."
"No," Stella stated, stepping forward and looking to the first years. "Come here."
The first years ran to Stella, Amycus yelling at them in the process. He threw a spell at one of them, knocking the little girl with a Black ring, Lucy, down and causing her to scream in pain. The Black family magic lashed out, Stella letting out a yell of anger and sending Amycus across the room.
Severus entered the room then, watching as Stella ran to Lucy, helping her to her feet. She waved her wand, healing the long cut on her arm rather quickly.
"What… is the meaning of this?" Severus asked.
"I was going over the lesson plan for the day and Black decided to attack me," Amycus spoke up.
"Black?"
"He wanted us to torture first years with an Unforgivable. Attacked one of my family members and the family magic reacted," Stella stated, glaring at Amycus with so much venom that she seemed more deadly than a basilisk.
"Seems reasonable," Severus stated and the seventh years all smiled wickedly, glad to see that the blatant favoritism that Severus showed Stella was back in play.
"Reasonable?!"
"You attacked a Black. What were you expecting?" Severus asked, brow raised in challenge. "I believe you are under orders to not harm certain students. Shall I reiterate that to you as I did on the first day of classes?"
"Let's get you to the Hospital Wing," Stella said softly to Lucy, lifting the small Hufflepuff onto her hip. "Let's go, you lot! Give the Professors some privacy!"
Everyone followed Stella out, looking a bit like a mismatched army as they marched through the school. Other students stepped aside as they went, making a large path for them. Stella smirked in the process, feeling that power again. She enjoyed when people were afraid of her, but when people gave her proud looks it was a hundred times better.
In the hospital wing, Stella set Lucy on a bed and waved her wand, two potions going straight to her. Madam Pomfrey rushed forward, waving her wand over Lucy and reaching her hand out to Stella, taking the blood replenisher and mild pain potion from her. Once Lucy had taken both potions, she was good as new.
"Tracy? Dray? Show the first years a few secret passages so they can avoid the Carrows when they need to?"
"On it, cousin," Draco smirked.
"Come on," Tracy smiled kindly to the first years, leading them all away.
"Well, that lesson sucked," Stella sighed, arms crossing over her chest.
"Think we can get Uncle Moony to teach us Defense in secret?" Theo asked curiously.
"Oh, absolutely," Stella smirked.
"We've been waiting for you to do something," Neville admitted from her other side.
"I'm trying to keep a low profile," Stella shrugged.
"How's that working out for you?"
"It's overrated," Stella smirked.
"What are you thinking?" Pansy asked curiously.
"I have a few ideas," she shrugged, smirking before looking to make sure Crabbe and Goyle hadn't followed their group. "Think I need some supplies."
"We'll go gather everything you need now while Amycus is… distracted," Theo told her.
"I thought Snape hated you now?" Dean asked, confused.
"I think he wants to recruit me," Stella shrugged, making a disgusted face in the process.
"Idiot," Seamus smirked.
"It is an idiotic idea," Stella nodded. "Alright, you lot. Disperse. Go find something else to do outside of bothering Madam Pomfrey. Teddy, we have work to do."
Hate potions were finally circulating. The Slytherins that ranted about muggleborns needing to be run out of society were slipped the potions, causing fist and wand fights to break out every few hours over the next two weeks. Polyjuice was consumed more often than before, random Carrows attending classes and looking rather put out. Fireworks and portable swamps kept being tossed around, instant darkness powder caused canceled classes, and nose biting teacups attempted to take a chomp out of people.
Stella just sat back, watching the chaos gleefully. The best part was that she had helpers. Students from third year and below felt a bit left out as the fourth to seventh years caused chaos, but Stella made sure to give them firecrackers, telling them to only use them in their common rooms, and trick sweets, strict orders to use sparingly in place so they wouldn't get in trouble for missing Anti-Muggle Studies and Dark Arts.
Somehow a first year had gotten his hands on a fanged frisbee and had thrown it at Alecto with so much accuracy, Stella wished she'd been able to recruit him for Quidditch. He ended up chained in Filch's office and a rescue mission was planned. Distractions went off and Michael Corner went to rescue the eleven year old. They'd forgotten about Filch though and Michael was caught, being tortured heavily by the Carrows when Filch had handed him over. Stella still heard his screams at night when she'd start drifting off to sleep, having been one of the people to help heal him in the hospital wing.
The pranks stopped then, the rebellion quieting by a bit. Spray paint still found its way onto the walls and the students still refused to torture the younger students as punishment, minus Crabbe and Goyle who were rather gleeful at the idea. Stella had cursed them and stuck them to the wall when they'd tried going after a second-year Ravenclaw once for having a copy of The Quibbler in his robes.
It was almost Christmas when Stella was alone for the first time in months. She was sitting in a hall, doing a bit of Transfiguration homework and eating an apple, trying to get a bit of quiet. She loved Theo, but he was thinking too loudly lately, and Draco and Tracy were annoyingly in love, making her miss Harry even more than before.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Amycus's voice caused Stella to look up quickly, finding him and his sister walking towards her from the end of the hall.
Stella set her work aside, along with the apple, standing quickly, wand in hand.
"No need to be so defensive," Alecto spoke up, holding her hands up in a surrendering motion. "We came to talk."
"I'm sure," Stella glanced between the two.
"Snape says you're powerful and we've seen it in action a few times. You also have a way of getting the other students to follow you," Alecto stated.
"Annoying habit," Amycus grumbled and Stella rolled her eyes at him.
"We want to be your friend," Alecto spoke over her brother.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Stella shook her head, wrinkling her nose as she messed with her ring. "I don't have the same… uh… hobbies as you. We'd get bored of one another."
"Or you might like our hobbies more than you realize," Alecto offered.
"I doubt it."
"You can join us or die!" Amycus yelled.
"Amy, calm down now," Alecto's eyes never left Stella's as she spoke, seeming rather calm as her brother was growing more and more frustrated. "Miss Black is strong in her beliefs. That's something to admire, not hate. She just doesn't realize that her beliefs are misguided. We just want to help point you in the right direction. Don't want you mixing yourself up with the wrong sort."
"I think I can figure out the wrong sort for myself, thanks."
Alecto nodded, pursing her lips a bit before smiling, trying for a maternal look and failing at it.
"We'll see… Come, Amy. We have things to do. Best not bother little Black for now," Alecto led her brother away, Stella watching until they were gone.
Once they turned the corner, Stella waved her wand, her homework flying into her bag and her bag going onto her shoulder, her apple flying back to her hand. She disillusioned herself and headed towards the third-floor loo, hiding away in the stall and watching the map for a bit to see where the Carrows had wondered off to. They were in the Slytherin common room, probably going on and on about how dangerous muggles were again, something that made Stella roll her eyes.
Near curfew, she headed down to the dungeons, walking in as the Carrows were heading out. She and Amycus walked backwards, watching one another. Amycus seemed rather entertained by Stella's behavior, whereas Stella glared at the wizard. Once they were out, Stella sighed and turned to the other Slytherins, finding them watching her.
"What'd I miss?" she asked them.
"They're trying to recruit us," Theo spoke up, staring down at his book with more interest than he'd shown the Carrows on any day.
"Oh, what fun," Stella sighed, falling onto the couch beside him, head going into his lap.
Theo smirked and moved his book to the arm of the couch, holding it up with one hand to continue reading and the other going to Stella's hands, holding them gently. Draco sat in front of the couch, head leaned back and resting against Stella's arm, Tracy sitting in between his legs and making herself comfortable. Pansy lifted Stella's legs, resting them across hers and running her fingers up and down Stella's thigh, seeming entertained by Stella's skin as Daphne and Noah sat on the chairs on either side of the couch.
Stella felt rather crowded but forced herself to breath, closing her eyes and calming her breathing quickly. Once she was calm, she opened her eyes, finding Theo giving her a proud look. Stella gave him a weak smile and closed her eyes again. Even with the potions, which Severus made her take every night again, causing Stella to make Draco take them, she was still uncomfortable in crowds at times. She made a mental note to see a mind healer once everything was over.
It was the last day of classes before Christmas break and Amycus, Alecto, Crabbe, Goyle, and Bulstrode were already in the Dark Arts room, smiling and waiting for everyone to join. Stella remained silent, waiting for an explanation and feeling weary with Severus and Remus both gone that day, Severus at a last minute meeting and Remus having left a day early due to the moon.
"We're going to duel today," Amycus announced.
"Professor Carrow and I will be partnering you up and we'll watch duels together," Alecto spoke up, a glint in her eyes. "No going easy on one another, either."
"Who is the strongest of you?" Amycus questioned, eyeing the students before his eyes landed on Stella. "Black?"
"Depends on why you're asking," she shrugged.
"Well, we have an odd amount of students," Alecto explained. "The strongest should duel two students."
"I've already dueled five at once," Stella shrugged. "Not sure what you hope to get out of that."
"Hmm… you have dueled five," Alecto nodded. "How about all five of us this time?"
"You want me to shoot curses at you?" Stella asked, brows raised at Alecto.
"We want to see what you're made of, little Black," Alecto shrugged, smiling softly. "Are you up for the challenge?"
"I typically make someone buy me dinner first," Stella stated. "I can make an exception this once."
"Stella, no," Draco grabbed her arm, stopping her from stepping forward.
"Why?"
"It's probably a trap."
"Of course it is," Stella rolled her eyes. "I kind of expect it to be. I want to know why though so release my arm."
Draco sighed, eyes searching Stella's, silently pleading with her.
"It's alright, Dray," Tracy spoke up, staring at the Carrows. "If something goes wrong, we can step in."
"Come on," Neville whispered, a gentle hand on Draco's shoulder.
"I've got this," Stella whispered the promise. "Keep an eye on Theo for me. He'll try to throw himself in front of me."
Draco nodded, pulling Theo from Stella's side, Dean having to help as Theo refused to move. Stella nodded to the others before turning to the five in front of her.
"First, we bow," Amycus smirked.
"No, thanks," Stella shook her head, sneering a bit. "Let's get this over with."
The five spread out suddenly, surrounding Stella. A shield went up in front of the others, keeping them from coming any closer. Stella sighed, tossing her cloak aside and hoping on her feet a bit. Goyle threw the first spell.
It had been at least fifteen minutes and the Carrows were playing with her. Crabbe was fighting his own shadow in a corner, screaming in pain. Millicent was battling Goyle, Stella having Imperioed her to do so. Amycus was the weaker sibling but he was still strong, limping around Stella and throwing dark curse after dark curse at her, his ankle broken from a blasting curse that Stella had aimed at his feet to try throwing him. Alecto was smiling wickedly, twisting out of the way of curses, much like how Stella fought.
Stella was bleeding from one side, her ribs bruised on the other, and a gash on her forehead that made it hard to see out of her right eye. She shot off blasting, entrail-expelling, and slicing curses from her wand. Stella rolled on the floor and jumped to her feet, avoiding whatever Amycus had tried hitting her with behind her back. They were both in front of her now and Stella was breathing heavy, exhausted but filled with adrenaline and a fight response.
She blocked a spell before matching "Crucio!"s hit her, causing her to fall backwards, screaming in pain. It felt like her blood was turning to ice and her skin was on fire. She was thrashing on the floor but could feel something building inside of her, a darkness that flowed through her family magic, causing her hair to curl. She occluded suddenly, able to block out the pain and stop her screaming, still thrashing on the floor but able to think something other than, 'Pain! Pain! PAIN!'
The magic flowed through her and Stella let out an angry shout, sitting up suddenly. The Carrows flew across the room as the Black family magic shot out. Stella slowly stood, stumbling a bit before laughing at how clumsy she felt. The laugh came out as a bit of a cackle and Stella's eyes raised seeing the Carrows standing slowly, both looking a bit terrified.
"Bellatrix," Amycus whispered, before jumping to his feet.
"Not quite," Stella said, her voice gravely before she raised her wand. "Sectumsempra."
Amycus's stomach was cut open before he could throw up a shield. He held his stomach, trying to hold everything in.
"No!" Alecto screamed, rushing to her brother and using healing spell after healing spell, even the one that Snape had created just for the dark curse. "No, no, no. Brother, please."
Amycus was slowly healed but he was done fighting. Alecto let out an angry shout and stood, trying to rush Stella. Stella held up her hand and the Black family magic threw Alecto against a wall, the stones wrapping around her and holding her in place. Goyle knocked Bulstrode out and turned his wand on her.
"AVADA—"
"Evanesco," Stella pointed her wand at Goyle and he disappeared, going into whatever state of non-being vanished things went into.
Stella sighed and looked around the room, waving her hand and causing Amycus to have ropes wrap around him so he couldn't get any ideas about attacking her again. With a wand wave, Crabbe's shadow went back to normal and he fell to the ground, whimpering and exhausted. The shield came down and Stella stumbled again, giggling a bit madly. Draco held his arms up, stopping everyone from running at her.
He approached slowly, hands raised in a surrendering motion. Once he was arm's length away, she turned on him, wand raised and lit at the end a bit. She stopped when she saw him, feeling as if she should know the blonde wizard standing before her, a buzzing in her magic that connected the two of them. She lowered her wand slowly and let him approach her. He took her hand gently, closing his eyes and letting their family magic wash over the both of them.
Stella stumbled again, no longer laughing as pain and exhaustion hit her. Draco caught her as she crumbled, lifting her into his arms as if she weighted nothing. The class followed as he carried her to the hospital wing, ignoring the 'professors' and other students that they left behind.
Madam Pomfrey gasped in shock when she saw Stella, shooting off a patronus to McGonagall quickly as she told Draco to place Stella on the bed. Stella was given a strong pain potion and passed out, rather grateful for it since she knew a lot of healing would need to be done.
Stella woke, groaning and rubbing her eyes roughly. Madam Pomfrey was above her in a moment.
"Stella? Can you hear me? Do you know where you are?"
"Hospital wing," Stella grumbled, still exhausted. "How bad was it?"
"Two cracked ribs, all bruised. There was a gash on your forehead and on your side, magical exhaustion, sprained ankle… You stopped breathing at one point."
"How many near death experiences is that now? Like, six? That's gotta be almost as many as Harry at this point," Stella tried for a joke.
"Stella Nova!" Remus's panicked voice sounded and Stella could hear people running towards her.
She tensed for a moment before forcing herself to calm, seeing Remus and Theo approaching her quickly.
"Hello," Stella waved lazily. "What day is it?"
"Christmas," Theo told her. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," she admitted.
"Here. Dreamless sleep. No bothering my patient, you two," Pomfrey told Remus and Theo.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Remus shook his head and Stella let out a breath of laughter, not falling for the innocent look he tried pulling off in the slightest.
Pomfrey seemed immune to it as well, hands on her hips and brow raised. Remus took a small step back and Stella let out another quiet laugh at his expense. She took the potion, turning to look at Theo.
"Fill me in when I wake up?"
"Of course," he nodded.
"Come here."
Stella scooted over as far as she could on the bed, tossing the blanket aside for the moment. Theo climbed into the bed without a second thought, kicking his shoes off quickly. He pulled Stella close to his chest before pulling the blanket over the both of them. Stella's eyes closed and she fell back asleep, settled against her best friend.
"- almost captured in Godric's Hallow," Severus's smooth voice whispered. "They were searching for the sword."
"Who was almost captured?" Stella asked, sitting up slowly and stretching her arms above her head, her back popping in the process. "Why am I worried I won't like the answer?"
"Harry and Hermione," Remus told her.
"What about Ron?" Stella asked, confused.
"I'm not sure," Severus admitted. "I'm sure he's fine. Maybe three people would have been too obvious so Weasley stayed behind."
"Great," Stella sighed, rubbing her face tiredly and looking to Theo.
"Right," he sighed. "Well, we've no clue what happened to Goyle. He's just gone. Crabbe and Amycus were taken to St. Mungos, Bulstrode went home for the holidays with a bit of magical exhaustion, Alecto had to be removed from the castle wall with blasting curses, and Luna was taken by Death Eaters on the train."
"What?!" Stella asked, eyes wide.
"Her father has still been supporting Harry in his magazine. We think she was taken as leverage against him," Severus stated before disillusioning himself, Pomfrey rushing over.
"What is happening?" she asked, looking to Stella with wide eyes.
"They took Luna," Stella whispered, feeling a panic attack coming on.
"Breathe, Stell," Theo told her, climbing onto the bed and placing a firm hand on her shoulder. "Breathe with me. In and out, nice and slow. Come on."
Stella copied Theo's breathing, tears leaking out of her eyes in the process. After what felt like a very long time but was probably really only a few minutes, Stella was able to breathe again. She calmed herself before being handed a potion by Remus, which had appeared in his hand from seemingly nowhere. She took the calming draught and sighed, sinking against the bed a bit.
"You need more rest," Pomfrey tried.
"Madam, if I stayed here for the amount of time that I truly need rest, I'd be here forever," Stella told her. "Can I just go to my room, please?"
Pomfrey chewed her lip for a minute, obviously not liking the idea.
"I'll take her to my quarters," Remus spoke up. "I can watch her."
"Alright," Pomfrey sighed, passing a few potions over to Remus. "Make sure she takes these as needed."
"Yes, Madam," Remus nodded.
Theo picked Stella up, carrying her behind Remus. They ended up in front of the Headmaster's office instead, Severus allowing them all in and coming back into view once they were inside. The couch was still enlarged from how often Stella and Theo fell asleep there now. Theo set Stella down gently, brushing a bit of hair from her face.
"How bad is it?" she asked him.
"Not as bad as you think," he shrugged, waving his wand over her and clearing away any grime and grease from her body and hair, making her feel much better.
She still needed a shower but she didn't feel as gross anymore.
"Sleep and you can move around tomorrow," Severus promised her, kneeling beside her as Theo stepped aside, waving his wand over himself and turning his clothes into sleepwear.
"Okay," Stella nodded.
"Sleep well, Stella Nova."
"Night, Dad," Stella gave a weak smile, Severus having spelled a dreamless sleep into her and causing her to become drowsy again.
Stella woke the next morning and untangled herself from Theo, stretching before standing. She sighed and looked down at the notes that had a few changes on them. She stared for another long moment before shaking her head and rubbing her eyes as Remus and Severus entered the room.
"Shower, Cub?" Remus asked her, passing her a change of clothes.
"Yes, please," she begged.
"This way," Severus told her, leading her up the stairs and to the living quarters.
It was warmer than she expected, bright colors surrounding her. The furniture was black but throw blankets and pillows of light purples and blues were scattered around. Pictures were above a mantle and Stella knew she'd be using one of her questions once she got a closer look. Severus led her to a loo, pulling a towel out and setting it on a hanging rack.
"If you need anything, just ask for it and it'll appear in here. So, any shampoo or anything like that," Severus told her.
"Thanks," Stella smiled softly.
Severus nodded and left her alone, shutting the door behind himself. Stella set her clothes down and turned on the water, stripping and stepping under the hot spray. She sighed, melting against the wall a bit as the water hit her skin, relaxing her sore muscles. Stella asked for her shower supplies, smiling as the items appeared.
After washing her hair and body a few times, Stella stepped out of the shower, grabbing the warmed towel and drying herself off quickly and dressing. Her brush appeared, along with a few hair products and Stella sighed, finally looking at her reflection. She brushed her hair out, getting rid of the knots before working product into it and drying it with her wand. Stella's eyes widened a bit, staring at her reflection.
Neville was going to get nightmares just looking at her. She truly did look a bit like Bellatrix now. She pulled her hair back into a messy bun, tying it up before sticking Blaise's wand through it, along with her own. Stella looked down at her jeans, dark grey sweater, and combat boots, feeling a bit more herself than she had in a while. It was like she'd been trying to hide ever since Blaise and Sirius had died and now she was coming back to herself bit by bit.
Stella walked out of the loo and through the living quarters, seeing the pictures on the mantle again. She walked over, seeing photos of previous students waving at her. Stella smiled softly, waving back before seeing a picture of Severus with a very young Regulus Black and another with a slightly older Regulus. She really did look just like he once had, grey eyes and crooked smirk, high cheekbones and regal features. Stella lifted the picture gently, staring at it for a long moment before placing it back.
Theo, Remus, and Severus were eating breakfast in the office when Stella rejoined them, sighing as she sat beside Theo and stole the toast from his hand. He rolled his eyes but smirked, grabbing the other piece and eating it. Remus smiled at the action, remembering how James and Sirius used to move around each other much the same way. Severus was remembering himself and a boy that had once looked much like Stella sitting in the Great Hall after staying up all night studying. He pushed the thought aside and passed a potion over, Stella drinking it without thought and passing the empty vial back.
"So, any updates on the memories?" Stella asked as she ate a bit of sausage.
"Nothing new," Remus sighed, looking a bit put out.
"I feel like we're missing something obvious and we just can't figure it out. We need someone who can just tell us what's right in front of our faces," Stella groaned, leaning back on the couch.
"Like Blaise used to do," Theo nodded, leaning back with her.
Neither Remus or Severus said anything, watching the younger two carefully. Stella didn't talk about Blaise and they hadn't heard Theo mention him either. Theo and Stella shared an amused look before both stared at the ceiling. She thought back to how she'd compared Riddle to Harry once, the solution having felt closer to the forefront of her mind when she had previously. She stood, pacing a bit as she made the comparisons in her head.
Orphans? Check. Raised by terrible people? Check. In love with magic? Check. Wait…
Magic. Neither truly knew about magic before coming to the school. Stella stopped pacing and looked to Dumbledore's portrait, finding the man already staring at her.
"When Riddle came to interview for the Defense position, how long was he in the school for?" Stella asked him.
"Well, he walked from the front gates to my office and back, plus our meeting, which lasted roughly half an hour or so. An hour, perhaps?" Dumbledore answered.
"He hid one here," Stella stated, the obvious answer finally hitting her. "Oh, we're such idiots."
"He did not have time to hide a horcrux here," Dumbledore insisted.
"He had time to jinx the position, correct?" Stella demanded.
"Well, yes, but—"
"Therefore he had plenty of time to hide a horcrux. What is the jinx on the position? Where would he have been able to place it so that it would hold for so long?"
Dumbledore wasn't answering her anymore and Stella groaned in frustration, rolling her eyes at him before looking to Severus.
"The school rune stone," Severus stated. "If he put the jinx into the stone, then it would be active as long as he is alive."
"And if he left a horcrux nearby…"
"Then it could feed off of the stone…"
"So, we're looking for a supercharged horcrux next to the school rune stone. Great," Theo spoke up.
"Because our lives aren't difficult enough," Remus sighed.
"Where's the stone?" Stella asked Severus.
"I don't know," Severus shrugged.
"No one has found it in years. Not even myself. It was hidden or lost long ago," Dumbledore spoke up and Stella sighed, turning back to him.
"Is there a legend around it? Maybe we can solve that."
"I was told by Headmaster Dippet that it had been hidden away centuries ago to protect it and had been lost ever since," Dumbledore stated. "That is all that I know."
"Well, I doubt it's in the Chamber," Stella sighed. "Not even three of the founders knew that existed. It would be somewhere all of them could find it and get to it, have access to update anything they needed, including wards."
"He said it was hidden and lost?" Theo asked, standing beside Stella.
"Yes."
"Stell, where do you hide things?" Theo asked.
"Mrytle's bathroom," Stella shrugged.
"No. Where do you go to hide things?"
"Oh, the seventh… floor. Holy shite."
"Language," Severus drawled.
"It's in the Room of Requirement!" Stella slapped her forehead. "We're never going to find it! That place is a disaster and we don't even know what we're looking for!"
"Hogwarts…" Theo whispered, looking away from everyone and beginning to mumble under his breath. "Hogwarts was his home… obsessed with the school… he was Slytherins heir…"
"What is he—"
"Wait for it," Stella held her hand up, silencing Remus.
"Each founder had an item," Theo spoke to Dumbledore. "What were they?"
"Gryffindor's sword, Hufflepuff's goblet, Slytherin's locket, Ravenclaw's diadem, and the sorting hat," Dumbledore answered.
"We destroyed the locket," Theo stated. "We can test the hat and sword to see if there is a horcrux attached to each of them."
"If the sword had one, would it not have been destroyed when it was soaked in basilisk venom, or would it have had some sort of reaction to a threat being so close?" Remus asked.
"I feel like it would have had a reaction," Stella stated. "I was petrified though so I didn't see what happened. Just being soaked in the venom wouldn't have destroyed it."
"Riddle wouldn't have been able to get the sword. True Gryffindor and all that," Severus shook his head.
"So the diadem and the goblet," Theo stated.
"What's a diadem?" Stella asked curiously.
"Tiara," Theo explained.
"Stylish?"
"Probably. Not sure what it looked like though."
"Is there a copy of 'Hogwarts: A History' in here?"
"Here," Severus raised his hand and a book flew straight to him and he passed it to her.
Stella began turning the pages, just searching for any sort of tiara as Theo thought everything over, how they could split up and search the room. Stella found a sketched picture and froze.
"I know where it is," she stated, staring at the photo.
"How?" Severus asked, all three wizards staring at her in confusion.
"Come on," Stella told them, tossing the book onto Severus's desk and leading the way.
They stopped at the seventh floor, Stella walking back and forth a few times before a door appeared, accessing the room the same way that Draco did most of the year before.
"Didn't we hide in a broom closet here one time?" Remus asked Severus and Theo seemed to suddenly catch on.
"Oh, my God," he said, eyes widening as he stared at Stella. "Your dad and your uncle."
"Yeah, I've known since third year," Stella smirked. "Come on. Soul fractures first, social discoveries later."
The four walked into the overcrowded room; chairs, tables, and cabinets stacked haphazardly, old broomsticks, a bloodstained axe, trunks, cages with bones, and disassembled suits of armor. Stella followed a path that Harry had shown her during one of their walks, finding the chipped, old bust of an ugly warlock. The diadem sat on top of it and Severus's old book was beneath it. Stella pulled the book out, tossing it to Severus before using her sleeve to pick up the horcrux.
"He hid it here?" Severus asked.
"Put it under the bust and the tiara on top so he'd know where to find it if he ever wanted to use it again. Was too scared to grab it after hurting me," Stella shrugged.
"So, that's it?" Remus asked, staring at the diadem.
"Yup," she sighed. "Just like the picture. Is there a box around here somewhere so we can put it away?"
"Here," Theo grabbed a trunk, emptied it and shrunk it down to size before handing it to her.
Stella dropped the diadem into the box and closed it, locking it with a spell and looking around the room again.
"Wonder where the stone is…"
"We can look for it on another day," Severus told her. "We need to figure out what to do with that."
"An Avada or Fiendfyre will destroy it," she shrugged.
"It'll fight back though so we need to destroy it somewhere safe," Remus spoke up.
"Back to my office for now," Severus demanded and the four left, using the map to avoid any students or professors that had stayed for the holidays.
Once in the safety of the office, Stella sighed, placing her hands on her hips and looking to Dumbledore's portrait.
"Are you going to be helpful or not?" she demanded.
"Miss Black, I may not be there in the flesh, but you should still treat me with some sort of respect," Dumbledore stated.
"Earn it," Stella rolled her eyes before turning to the others. "Alright. What now?"
"Now you keep your head down," Remus stated. "Just stay out of trouble for once, please?"
"What are we going to do about Luna?" Stella questioned.
"We think she's been taken to Azkaban for holding," Remus sighed.
"Are there any dementors there?" Stella asked, voice quivering a bit.
"A few but not near as many as there were before," Severus spoke up. "The Dark Lord is using them frequently."
"That's not the point," Theo sighed, rubbing his face.
"We need to get her out," Stella said, standing straight again and looking determined.
"We can't do anything yet," Remus stated. "We need more information."
"Who grabbed her off the train?"
"I'm not sure. There's a meeting tomorrow. I'll try to figure out where she's being held for sure during it," Severus promised.
"No," Stella shook her head. "You need to be careful."
"I have been spying for a rather long time," Severus tried to defend.
"I know that you do. That isn't what I mean—"
"I know how to keep my cover—"
"I can't lose you!" Stella yelled.
She looked away from everyone, taking a few deep breaths. After she was able to breathe normally again, she looked back to Severus.
"Do you know what it's like? To feel an heir ring turn into a head of the family ring?" Severus shook his head no. "A magic rushes through you and you feel so damn powerful, but it's with the knowledge that you've gotten the power from the death of someone you love, someone that you aren't sure how to survive without. It brought me to my knees last time and that was with Sirius, who was my father, yes, but I wasn't close to him. Not in the way that I'm close to you. I can't do it, Dad."
Severus rushed forward, wrapping Stella in his arms, her voice cracking a bit on the last sentence. Tears leaked from her eyes and she hid her face in his chest. She heard Remus lead Theo out of the room, giving the two privacy. Severus whispered in Stella's ear, calming her slowly. She sniffled and pulled away slowly, forcing herself to calm.
"Sorry," she whispered, wiping her face.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," he told her, forcing Stella to look at him. "You are afraid of losing the ones you care for, the ones you love. We all hold that fear. You can come to me with that anytime."
Stella just nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Come on. I'm sure Remy and Theo are worried."
"Theo's never going to let me live this down," Stella groaned, rubbing her face but following Severus up the stairs anyways, Severus chuckling a bit in the process.
"The living quarters have officially been enlarged to hold another bedroom," Remus was explaining to Theo. "We figured the two of you wouldn't want to be separated."
"You aren't wrong," Theo shrugged.
"Yeah. Theo needs a cuddle buddy," Stella smirked.
"Yeah, yeah," Theo rolled his eyes, smirking right back before looking her over, raising a brow to ask if she was alright.
Stella nodded and Theo deflated a bit. Remus led the two to their room, showing a large bed with green silk sheets and a black lace canopy. There were two desks under a large window and bookcases lining the entirety of one wall. A double walk-in closet and an attached loo with a his-and-her sink, two dressers, and two end tables made Stella smirk. She turned, staring at her Uncle Moony and Dad with an amused expression.
"Does your room also look like it was designed for two people?" she asked.
"Shut it," Remus rolled his eyes, pushing Stella gently further into the room.
"Mhmm," she bit her lip to keep from laughing, stepping further into the room. "So, I don't actually know what day it is."
"We have two days before everyone comes back from break," Theo told her, going to the bed and choosing the spot closest to the door.
"So, two days to destroy that thing," Stella nodded.
"What if we sent it to your Gryffindors instead?" Severus spoke up. "I was going to get the sword to them anyways."
"Can I go?" Stella begged.
"I will not be showing myself," Severus stated. "I'll just be close enough to make sure that they get what they need."
"That's fine," Stella shook her head. "I just…"
"I understand," Severus nodded, voice soft. "We'll go tomorrow."
"Thank you," she whispered, sitting beside Theo on the bed.
"Until then, you have a bit of homework to catch up on. I'm sure Theodore would be more than willing to assist you."
"Theodore? What'd you do?" Stella smirked at her best friend.
"He did nothing. It is his name," Severus rolled his eyes.
"You can call me Theo, sir," Theo shrugged.
"Theo it is," Severus nodded before sweeping out of the room, Remus smiling as he followed him out, shutting the door behind himself.
Stella's and Theo's things appeared in the room suddenly. Their clothes were hung up or placed in the dresser, their personal items and books going to the bookcases, and their schoolwork appearing on their desks. Stella and Theo exchanged a look before shrugging. They'd need to find a way to sneak Tracy and Draco in once everything was said and done so the four could have a sleepover; maybe include Pansy and definitely include Neville, Ginny, and Luna.
The rest of the day was spent with Stella finishing her homework assignments, not really needing much assistance to complete it. She'd need to brush up on Charms work so she could take her N.E.W.T.s in two weeks' time as well, which she planned to do after getting the sword and diadem to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Maybe she should add them to the sleepover list.
The four ate dinner together in the dining room, all sharing smirks and poking fun at one another in the process. Stella fell asleep with a smile on her face, curled up with Theo. She woke the next morning to an empty bed, not having woke in the night from her alarm on Theo. She sat up and stretched before grabbing a change of clothes and going to the loo, taking a hot shower and dressing in jeans, her warmest sweater, and snow boots. The men were awake, sitting in the dining room when Stella walked in.
Remus had a leg crossed over his knee, reading the Prophet with his tea in his other hand, Severus had his chin on Remus's shoulder, reading the Prophet over his shoulder, and Theo was eating a bit of toast, glancing at the two men every so often, not sure how to react to them seeming so comfortable. Stella smiled softly, hand squeezing Remus's free shoulder gently as she passed him, causing Severus and Remus both to give her soft smiles as she sat beside Theo, grabbing a bit of toast and eggs for herself.
"What time are we leaving?" Stella asked Severus.
"Once you finish eating," he told her. "We need to go and watch them for a bit, check the surrounding area to be sure no one else has found them."
"Alright," Stella nodded. "Knowing Hermione, we might not be able to see them. She probably placed wards up."
"One would hope so," Severus stated, sipping his coffee and continuing to read over Remus's shoulder.
Stella ate quickly, taking a thermos with hot tea with her when they left. Severus side along apparated her, him carrying the box containing the diadem and Stella holding the sword of Gryffindor, thinking it rather entertaining to be holding it considering she was a Slytherin. She wondered if she would burst into flame if she tried using it.
'We need to place both items somewhere close by to the camp sight, but far enough away that we won't be seen,' Severus thought through the rings. 'Disillusionment charms can be spotted if you know what to look for and I think your Gryffindors may be a bit on guard.'
'You'd be on guard, too, if a madman was trying to kill you. How do you plan on leading them towards the sword and horcrux?' Stella asked curiously.
'Patronus.'
'I don't actually know how to do that charm yet. Meant to learn last year but, well…'
'Yes. Revenge does tend to cloud other things.'
'That it does. What about that lake? We unfreeze part of it, toss the sword in, leave the box on top of the ice?'
They did exactly that, the sword falling into the lake and sinking. Severus refroze the spot they'd melted and placed the box directly over it. They went back to where the map showed the trio hiding out at. They could see no movement and Severus seemed a bit annoyed by it.
He brought his patronus forth and Stella smiled softly at the warm glow that was a doe. She wondered what it represented as it wondered away. Harry appeared a few moments later, following the doe. Stella and Severus followed in the trees, watching carefully. Stella noticed something else though. Harry was carrying Hermione's wand.
Harry saw the box and approached it carefully, opening it and staring at the diadem, reading the note that Theo had written inside the box.
'Horcrux.'
The doe stomped it's foot and looked into the ice. Harry looked down as well, seeing the sword. He went back to the shore, setting the box down by a tree before stripping a bit, showing just how much weight he'd lost. He melted part of the ice and jumped into the water.
Stella took a few steps back, becoming visible.
"Kreacher?"
"Mistress?"
"I need you to hurry for me. I need nutrient potions and as much nonperishable food as possible. Hurry."
Kreacher disappeared and Stella watched the lake. Harry had been down there longer than she was comfortable with. She was about to step forward herself when Ron appeared, jumping into the water after him. Kreacher reappeared.
"Put it all next to that tree now. This as well," Stella ordered, passing Blaise's wand to Kreacher. "Then return home. Go."
Stella disillusioned herself, going back to where she could see Severus's footprints waiting. Kreacher placed the items quickly and disappeared. Ron pulled Harry out of the water along with the sword. Both were breathing heavily, shivering harshly as Ron dried and warmed them with his own wand. Severus grabbed Stella's hand and led her away. Once they were a safe distance away, they disappeared, appearing outside the gates of Hogwarts.
Both became visible once they were in Severus's living quarters again and immediately moved to the fire, standing in front of it together to warm up. Neither had dressed warmly enough, not having known exactly how long they would be gone for. They'd left at eight-thirty and it was almost three now. Remus and Theo joined them in the living room, asking how everything went.
"Well, Stella couldn't keep herself from mothering them," Severus offered.
"You saw how skinny he was," Stella defended. "They're probably living on small rations. They're in no condition to protect themselves if they're malnourished."
"And the wand?"
"Harry was carrying Hermione's. There's no reason to have hers unless something happened to his," Stella defended.
"Not very anonymous if you give a wand you are known to carry around," Remus pointed out.
"Screw that," Stella waved her hand at him. "All three should know by now that I'd find a way to get to them if needed."
"I thought Potter taught all of his little army how to do a patronus," Severus spoke up.
"We missed that lesson due to his interview with the Quibbler," Stella shrugged.
"Well, might as well learn it now," Severus shrugged.
"Why a doe?" Stella asked curiously.
"Lily's patronus was a doe," Severus explained. "Mine has been one since…"
"Gotcha," Stella nodded, not making him explain further.
The rest of the day was spent learning the patronus charm. Stella and Theo laughed as a fox terrier and a kneazle ran around the room with a doe and a wolf. Stella's terrier hoped back and forth in front of Theo's kneazle playfully before hoping on it at the same time that Stella jumped onto Theo's back, him catching her easily and carrying her over to the couch, sitting down with her still behind him.
Stella was not excited about the Carrows and certain Slytherins returning to the castle. In fact, she would have preferred for them not to have returned at all as they popped her domestic bubble that she'd created with Theo, Remus, and Severus. The only plus side was the return of Draco, Tracy, Neville, and Ginny, though even that was shadowed by the fact that Luna wasn't with them. The two Gryffindors were angry about Luna's absence and Stella was heading to their table to comfort them when Draco grabbed her hand and dragged her to the Slytherin table.
"Loony Lovegood—" he started.
"Her name is Luna," Stella growled out.
"Whatever! She's being kept in the Malfoy Manor wine cellar, though it's more like a dungeon now."
"Shit," Stella sighed, rubbing her face. "Alright. We need to find a way to get her out of there."
"We'll figure something out later," Draco nodded, both quieting immediately as the Carrows and Severus walked in, the hall becoming quiet as the three sat at the head table.
Stella and Remus exchanged a look and Stella leaned into Theo a bit. She had promised to keep her head down for a bit and she intended on keeping said promise. All three wizards were aware, however, that Stella had the inability to keep her head down if something she didn't like was happening. They were more than prepared to find a way to protect her if they needed to.
After the feast, Stella, Theo, Draco, Tracy, and Pansy headed to the third floor loo. They hid in the stall, which was now the size of four stalls with three beds in one section of it and began brainstorming.
"So, I can get in and out, obviously," Draco stated. "Problem is the dungeons are being guarded and I'll need help. Plus, I don't know where to take her once she's out."
"I can take her to an Order house," Stella stated. "I'll try getting word to Bill and Fleur and ask them to take her in."
"Letters are being watched," Theo reminded.
"I have an elf," Stella reminded him. "They can't track him."
"Why don't we just have your elf pop in and grab her now?" Tracy asked.
"Wards around Malfoy Manor don't allow for random elves to go in and out. We'd need to remove the ward or get her off of the property. She's also not the only prisoner," Draco explained. "Ollivander is down there."
"Why?" Stella asked, confused.
"No clue. I figured it out when Mother warned me about Luna. I went down to see her, make sure she was alright, and saw him."
Stella groaned, falling back on hers and Theo's bed.
"So, you and someone else need to go into Malfoy Manor. You need to remove the ward or break them out of the dungeon and get them off the grounds so they can be apparated away. Either way, you need someone who is good with a wand that won't be murdered the moment they enter the grounds," Theo spoke up.
"I can go," Tracy offered.
"No. It needs to be someone who has already been in the wards before," Draco shook his head. "That way alarms won't go off."
"So, that narrows the list to one of us," Theo stated, pointing between himself and Stella.
"Me it is," Stella sighed, sitting up. "I think I know exactly how to do it, as well."
Two days later, Stella stayed behind after Muggle Studies. Alecto glared openly when her eyes landed on Stella.
"What do you want?" she growled the question out.
"I wanted to speak with you about… a few things," Stella told her. "First, I want to know how your brother is though."
"As if you care," Alecto rolled her eyes.
"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't," Stella shrugged, not mentioning that she technically hadn't asked.
Alecto watched Stella carefully, as if sizing her up. She must have seen something there or maybe she was remembering Severus's words about recruiting Stella, because she relaxed a bit.
"He is alright," she stated. "What else?"
"You requested something of me a few weeks ago," Stella reminded her. "I want to know what all it entails."
"You wish to know how joining the Dark Lord will benefit you?" Alecto asked, head tilting slightly.
"I do," Stella nodded. "My cousin has already joined up and two of my best friends wish to do so one day as well. I'd rather not lose them."
"Rather Hufflepuff thing to think," Alecto pointed out.
"I've been told my Hufflepuff actions don't exactly help the Slytherin reputation in the past," she shrugged. "I'm rather loyal to those I deem worthy."
"Loyalty is not a Slytherin trait."
"I'd argue it is to an extent. Think about it. I don't know if you had Slughorn in school, but Headmaster Snape gives us lectures on the first night of school every year, reminding us to stick together and protect one another. We have to be loyal to one another and stand together against the other houses."
"Why do you, little Black, even want to join us?" Alecto asked. "I don't mean just for your cousin and friends. I mean you specifically."
"You know the feeling that you get when you walk into this room and every one looks to you, watching and listening to what you say? I've felt that before and it is powerful. A lot of students look to me for guidance and to figure out exactly how to react to something. I wish to have that in the future as well.
"I also like how powerful I felt fighting you, defeating all of you. I think I have quite a bit to offer to your side. Most of the spells I know are a bit frowned upon by the side of the light. If I have to listen to one more lecture about using my family magic to protect myself one more time, I might just rip my own hair out."
"Unfortunately, most of the light side will judge you for it. Your family isn't exactly known for its light magic. I don't think your father was a light wizard, either, but the side of the light was more than willing to use him in the war," Alecto nodded.
"I, unfortunately, agree with you," Stella didn't have to lie on that front; she'd heard Remus say as much in the past. "I think it's time I decided my own fate. I was hoping you may be able to help me there."
"I may be willing… for a price," Alecto stated.
"Name it."
"Any punishment I deem necessary will not be fought against," Alecto stated, her chin held high.
"I refuse to torture children… or teenagers for that matter. It's a waste of magical blood if it goes too far," Stella stated.
Alecto thought it over for a moment before nodding.
"Alright. Any punishment not involving another person… for now. You'll have to get over that eventually," Alecto told her.
"I'm not opposed to hurting others when actually necessary. I think we both know that. Torturing children isn't right though."
"Fine," Alecto sighed, holding her hands up in a surrendering motion. "We'll begin Friday after classes."
"I also don't want the headmaster involved," Stella told her. "Not yet, at least."
"I can do that," Alecto nodded.
"I'll see you Friday, Professor," Stella nodded, leaving the room with her bag over her shoulder.
Stella nodded to Draco, Tracy, and Pansy as she walked with Theo in the hall. Stella sat through her classes on Friday, leg bouncing impatiently. Alecto must have told Amycus, because he'd smirked at her in Defense on Wednesday, seeming a bit too cocky for Stella's taste. After classes, Stella grabbed something quick to eat in the kitchens before heading to the Muggle Studies classroom, taking a few steadying breaths before knocking on the closed door.
Alecto called for her to enter and Stella did so, looking around at how the room had changed from classes earlier in the day. There were dueling dummies randomly in the room and the candle flames were low, leaving the room rather dim. Alecto smirked when Stella walked in, seeming pleased that Stella had shown up.
"I've seen you duel but I want to see how you do against more opponents. These dueling dummies are armed with stunners and such, nothing too strong. Begin."
Stella didn't have time to even get her wand out before she was ducking under a spell, her bag flying to the ground as she rolled out of the way. She got her wand in her hand and began shooting off spells. She stuck to basic spells but noticed the dummies were more than capable of creating shields.
"You'll have to try harder than that!" Alecto called out.
Stella let out a growl and began using darker spells, beginning to destroy the dummies as she dodged spells tossed at her. The twenty dummies were demolished in a short amount of time after that, Stella not having held back. She was actually smiling a bit as she breathed heavily, staring at the destruction around her.
"Good," Alecto told her, hand landing on Stella's shoulder. "That was very good. Took less time than even I thought it would. I want you not to use your wand this time."
Stella nodded, putting her wand back into its holster. Alecto waved her wand and the dummies were put back together. Alecto took a few steps back and Stella prepared herself.
"Begin."
Stella reached out with wandless magic, getting through the dummies a bit more slowly. She got hit with a stinging hex and growled, raising her fist into the air and punching the ground, the Black family magic striking out and destroying the remaining dummies. Stella stood slowly, breathing heavily again as a shiver ran down her spine, power still running through her.
"Excellent," Alecto told her, voice soft.
Stella turned to her, still getting her breathing under control.
"I've never seen someone use their family magic so fluidly before," Alecto admitted.
"I don't typically use it," Stella admitted with a shrug. "Can have… adverse side effects sometimes."
"Such as the hair curling?" Alecto asked, staring as Stella's hair was curling and uncurling itself.
"Shows the madness within," Stella explained. "The more family magic you use, the more likely you are to go mad. As head of the family, I can still keep myself sane."
"Hmm," Alecto hummed, nodding along. "Explains quite a bit. That's all for tonight. Same time next week. Dismissed."
"Thank you, Professor," Stella nodded, holding her hand out as her bag flew straight to her hand.
Remus and Severus were not told about the plan that the teenagers had come up with. Stella and Theo had to be extra careful any time they were around the two, sneaking up almost every night to sleep in their bedroom and so they could have tea with the couple and discuss other options. Remus had decided that Hufflepuff's goblet was also a horcrux, but none of them knew where it could possibly be. Stella, once alone with Theo, mentioned that the cup may have been given to a death eater to protect since that was exactly what had happened with the diary. She and Draco would need to look around the Manor before breaking Luna out.
Draco wrote his mother often, telling her how Stella was studying under Alecto but to keep it a secret for now. He told her how close the two were becoming and told her that Stella had mentioned wanting to merge with another magical family in the future. As Easter approached, Draco asked if Stella could come to the Manor for the holiday. Narcissa, ecstatic about how close Stella and Draco were, agreed. Maybe she was thinking of marriage contracts again, which was what Stella and Draco were hoping for.
Stella got onto the train home with Draco, the two having had to sneak off the grounds so Remus and Severus wouldn't catch her. Theo would cover for her if they went looking for her that day, but the day was all she needed to get to the 'safety' of Malfoy Manor; safe only in the sense that Severus couldn't truly drag her out of the manor without a good reason.
Both were on edge as they sat on the train, as if waiting for the two to show up and yell at them for their terrible plan. Once at the station, Draco side along apparated Stella and they appeared outside the gates. Draco placed his hand on the gate and pushed it open, allowing them both entry. Narcissa was waiting for them at the bottom of the steps leading up to the front door, smiling at the pair of them holding hands as they walked to her.
Draco kept ahold of Stella's hand as he hugged his mother with one arm. She smiled brightly as she hugged him back before she pulled away and hugged Stella tightly. Stella hugged her back, her and Draco locking eyes over Narcissa's shoulder. Stella smiled when Narcissa pulled away.
"Thank you for having me," Stella told her, voice soft.
"Of course," Narcissa told her, holding the hand Draco wasn't gripping. "You are always welcome here. I'm just happy that you've finally come around."
"Well, Black's need to stick together," Stella shrugged, looking to Draco.
"I agree," Narcissa nodded. "Come. I'll lead you to your room."
Draco separated from them once in the house, claiming he wanted to find his father. The plan was for Draco to ask for the betrothal ring from his father, pretending to want to present it to Stella. He actually wanted to give it to Tracy when they returned to school. Narcissa led Stella up two flights of stairs before showing her to the room she'd stayed in when she was younger.
"I haven't touched it much," Narcissa admitted. "Just made it a bit more grown up as the years have gone on."
"I'm sorry for not returning sooner," Stella told her. "With Sirius begin released and then passing…"
"No need to explain," Narcissa told her, pulling her into the room. "I understand. I remember losing my parents. No matter how close or distanced you are from them, it still hurts. I must warn you, Bella will be here on the holiday."
"That's fine," Stella nodded. "I actually was debating on speaking to her or not."
"I'm sure she'd love to have a conversation with you," Narcissa nodded. "I also need to thank you. Draco told me how you helped take care of him last year and have continued to do so this year."
"You do not need to thank me for that," Stella spoke up.
"I do. I also want to thank you for placing us back on the Black tree," Narcissa's voice was quiet. "I haven't told Lucius. I wasn't sure if it was just because of Draco."
"I could have inherited Draco without inheriting you," Stella stated, deciding to be honest in that regard. "Draco told me about the threat on your life and I wanted you to know you had the protection of the Black family if you needed it."
"What are the two of you really doing here?" Narcissa whispered.
"Just visiting for the holiday," Stella shrugged. "I wanted to see my family."
Stella took Narcissa's hand again, giving it a gentle squeeze. Narcissa let out a shaky breath and nodded. She knew Stella was there for more than just checking on her and protecting Draco, but she wouldn't say anything, either because she wanted to figure out what Stella was planning first or maybe because she was afraid of Stella taking away the protection of the Black family if crossed. Narcissa left Stella alone to get settled for the week and Stella sighed, placing her bag on the bed and enlarging it, looking through it and putting her clothes away.
Pansy had loaded Stella with proper things to wear for the week, all of which had been magically made to fit her. She sighed as she sat on the bed, wearing one of the dresses Pansy had provided on the train. It was a simple green dress, A-line with a flared skirt. Nothing too fancy, but proper, nonetheless. She'd even been told what to wear on which days, which seemed a bit extra to her but she wasn't going to argue with Pansy when it came to proper dress.
Dinner was almost a quiet affair, Lucius not even glancing at Stella until the end of the meal when they were all finishing their pudding.
"Lady Black," he cleared his throat. "I am rather glad to see you have finally come to your senses about which side to take."
Stella looked to Lucius. He looked worn out, spotty stubble on his face and silver hair turning more grey. She gave him a gentle smile.
"I couldn't let my cousin here take all the glory, now could I?"
"No," Lucius smiled weakly. "I believe that, with you by his side, he will become even more powerful."
"I hope so," Stella nodded, knowing that she and Draco were both already stronger when they were near one another, their family magic working together beautifully. "I was hoping I could spend this week deciding on how to bring Draco back into the Black family. There are a few options that I was hoping to discuss with him away from the castle."
"Of course," Lucius nodded, him and Narcissa exchanging glances, both thinking Stella was there to discuss a marriage contract now.
Draco held Stella's hand under the table, both holding each other so tightly that Stella was sure they'd need bruise balm. If Lucius or Narcissa were asked, Draco and Stella were sharing romantic walks through the manor, Draco showing her everything his family had to offer her. Draco and Stella would agree wholeheartedly, knowing that they were actually studying the guard schedule on the dungeons and searching for any sign of Hufflepuff's goblet.
Draco had to calm Stella the first time she caught a glimpse of Wormtail, wanting to kill him on the spot. He then had to keep her calm when Bellatrix showed up Easter day. Stella was wearing a black dress with a soft pattern on it, Draco's suit almost matching perfectly. The two were in the garden, Stella making sure her breathing was under control, when Draco felt a shift in the wards that he was now keyed to, having changed them just an hour ago and the two getting ready to execute the rescue mission.
"Someone's here," he stated. "Come on."
Stella and Draco headed inside, going towards the drawing room to find Fenrir Greyback, Lucius, Narcissa, a few snatchers, and a group of five people tied together.
"They say they've got Potter," said Narcissa, voice cold and detached. "Draco, come here."
Draco moved from Stella's side, keeping his distance from Greyback and glancing back towards Stella every so often. Greyback forced the prisoners to turn so that a wizard with black, messy hair that Stella would know anywhere was in front of the group. Stella felt panic and fear rising in her, controlling herself so she didn't give anything away.
"Well, boy?" Greyback demanded.
"Well, Draco?" Lucius asked. "Is it? Is it Harry Potter?"
"I can't- can't be sure," said Draco, not looking directly at Harry and Harry not looking at him, no one seeming to have noticed Stella in the room.
"But look at him carefully. Look! Come closer!" Lucius demanded. "Draco, if we are the ones who hand Potter over to the Dark Lord, everything will be forgiven—"
"Now, we won't be forgetting who actually caught him, I hope, Mr. Malfoy?" Greyback said menacingly.
"Of course not, of course not!" Lucius was growing impatient and Stella sighed, walking forward.
"I'll know if it's Potter," she stated and everyone looked to her. "Excuse me."
Stella kneeled in front of Harry, his face swollen from what looked to be a strong stinging jinx. She ground her teeth together, giving Harry a 'seriously?' look.
"What happened to his face?"
"Looks like a stinging jinx to me," Lucius stated.
"It's not him," Stella shook her head.
"Are you sure?" Narcissa asked, voice soft.
"How can we be sure you aren't lying to save your old friend?" Lucius spat the question out and Stella rolled her eyes.
"It isn't him," Draco defended.
"What about the Mudblood, then?" Greyback growled out, swiveling the group around again.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," Stella rolled her eyes. "That's Mia Black. She was born to a few centuries of squibs. I went through the family trees over the summer and found multiple people who got the family magic back over the centuries. Release her."
"I do not take orders from you," Greyback growled out.
"I am the head of the Black family and if you do not release her, you will be dead before you hit the floor."
Bellatrix had terrible timing, truly.
"What's happening, Cissy?" she asked, walking into the room.
"We may have caught Potter," Narcissa stated.
"Potter?" Bellatrix shrieked. "Are you sure? Well, then, the Dark Lord must be informed at once!"
Bellatrix dragged back her left sleeve, revealing her dark mark.
"I was about to call him!" Lucius said, grabbing Bellatrix's wrist. "I shall summon him, Bella. Potter has been brought to my house and it is therefore upon my authority—"
Stella was waving her hand slowly behind her back, beginning to untie the ropes that held her brother, boyfriend, friend, Dean, and a goblin, Draco standing behind her so no one would see.
"Your authority?" she sneered. "You lost your authority when you lost your wand, Lucius! How dare you! Take your hands off me!"
"This is nothing to do with you, you did not capture the boy—"
"Begging your pardon, Mr. Malfoy, but it's us that caught Potter, and it's us that'll claim the gold—"
"Gold!" Bella laughed, still attempting to throw Lucius off of her arm. "Take your gold, filthy scavenger. What do I want with gold? I seek only the honor of his- of—"
Bellatrix stopped struggling, her dark eyes fixed upon something Stella could not see. Jubilant at her capitulation, Lucius threw her hand from him and ripped up his own sleeve –
"STOP!" shrieked Bellatrix. "Do not touch it, we shall all perish if the Dark Lord comes now!"
Lucius froze, his index finger hovering over his own Mark.
"What is that?" Bella asked, pointing to Gryffindor's sword on one of the Snatchers hip.
"Sword," he grunted and Stella tried to hurry her spell but could only do so much when trying to hide her actions.
"Give it to me," Bella demanded.
"It's not yours, Missus, it's mine, I reckon I found it."
There was a bang and a flash of red light, the snatcher having been stunned. There was a roar of anger from the other snatchers and Bella stunned all of them. They were no match for her, even though there were four of them against one of her: she was a witch, as Stella knew, with prodigious skill and no conscience. They fell where they stood, all except Greyback, who had been forced into a kneeling position, his arms outstretched. Stella watched Bellatrix bearing down upon the werewolf, the sword of Gryffindor gripped tightly in her hand, her face waxen.
"Where did you get this sword?" she whispered the question, taking Greyback's wand from him.
"How dare you," he snarled. "Release me woman!"
"Where did you find this sword?" she repeated. "Snape sent it to my vault in Gringotts.!"
"It was in their tent."
"Draco, move this scum outside," Bella demanded, pointing to the knocked out snatchers as Greyback moved away from her, now released from her spell. "If you haven't got the guts to finish them, then leave them in the courtyard for me."
"Don't you dare speak to Draco like that—" Narcissa began but Stella could feel the madness within Bellatrix.
"Be quiet! The situation is graver than you can possibly imagine, Cissy! We have a serious problem!"
She had begun pacing and Stella had to stop her spell as Draco left her.
"If it is indeed Potter, he must not be harmed," Bellatrix muttered, more to herself than to the others. "The Dark Lord wishes to dispose of Potter himself … but if he finds out … I must … I must know…"
She turned back to her sister.
"The prisoners must be placed in the cellar while I think what to do!"
"This is my house, Bella, you don't give orders in my –"
"Do it! You have no idea of the danger we are in!" shrieked Bellatrix: she looked frightening, mad; a thin stream of fire issued from her wand and burned a hole in the carpet.
Narcissa hesitated for a moment, then addressed the werewolf.
"Take these prisoners down to the cellar, Greyback."
"Wait," said Bellatrix sharply. "All except … except for the girl."
"I gave them the sword," Stella stated, standing tall.
"You gave them…" Bellatrix looked stunned but Stella wanted to know why Bellatrix was so scared.
"You traitor," Lucius hissed out. "I allowed you into my home and you—"
"Fine! Take the girl down as well. Then little Black and I can have a conversation: cousin to cousin," Bella was truly angry now.
"No!" Harry and Ron yelled together, struggling as they were dragged away, Greyback getting his wand back in the process.
Ron and Harry were still yelling, Dean and Hermione staring at her with wide eyes full of terror and, in Hermione's case, confusion. Stella now knew that the rescue mission would need to be updated a bit faster. She and Draco had fixed the wards to allow Kreacher in and out of the manor, Stella having ordered Kreacher to listen to Draco's orders over the summer, along with Tracy's and Theo's.
Bella grabbed Stella by her hair, dragging her to the center of the room, directly under the crystal chandelier as Greyback returned, practically foaming at the mouth. Stella wondered if Greyback could smell that she'd been around another werewolf or not.
"Crucio," Bellatrix said and Stella fell to the floor, screaming and thrashing on the ground.
The pain stopped quickly and Stella gasped for air as Bella landed on top of her, holding her arms down with her legs as she froze Stella in place except for her mouth and eyes.
"Where did you get it?" Bellatrix demanded.
"Go to hell," Stella smirked.
"I think you'll get there to join your father first," Bella's spit landed on Stella's cheek before she pulled a knife from her pocket and grabbed Stella's left arm.
Stella screamed as white hot pain radiated through her arm, traveling up to her shoulder as Bellatrix carved into her skin. The carving stopped but the pain remained, Stella breathing heavily as she tried to occlude pass it.
"I'm going to ask you again! Where did you get this sword? Where?!" she demanded.
"Go fuck yourself."
Stella spat in Bellatrix's face and Bellatrix dug into her arm harder, carving into Stella's flesh. Stella screamed again, realizing that the knife was cursed to cause more pain and probably to make sure a scar was left behind.
"You mutt! Your whore father was a disgrace and so are you!" Bellatrix screamed as she continued her work. "You have been inside my vault at Gringotts! Tell me!"
Stella screamed more as Bellatrix dug into her arm, getting to the end of whatever she was carving and leaning her face into Stella's.
"What else did you take? What else have you got? Tell me the truth or, I swear, I shall run you through with this knife, you mutt!"
Stella began to laugh, ugly and mad as she stared into Bellatrix's eyes. The stupid witch had no clue that she'd just given Stella exactly what she needed.
"What's so funny, mutt?" Bellatrix asked.
"You stupid bitch," Stella laughed.
"What else did you take?!" Bellatrix demanded.
"All of it! Every last thing in your vault! Curses were broken and everything was removed and given to the Order to destroy! You stupid bitch!"
A smack sounded through the room and Stella's eyes met Draco's. He nodded and stepped out of the room. Stella turned her head back to Bellatrix spitting her blood in Bellatrix's face.
"Mutt blood," Stella laughed at her, Bellatrix backing away quickly and letting out an angry yell, wiping the blood from her face.
"Crucio!" Bellatrix yelled and Stella was screaming again.
Stella gasped as the spell ended, pain radiating through her and blood seeping out of her arm and dribbling down one side of her face.
"How did you get into my vault?! Did that dirty goblin help you?!" Bellatrix demanded.
"I don't know any dirty goblins," Stella gasped out.
More pain and screaming and Stella wondered when it would end. She wondered if Neville would mind her giving him wrappers like his mum did or not. Maybe they could make a game out of it.
Suddenly, Stella was dragged to her feet, the knife against her neck as she stared at Harry, Ron, and Hermione facing her, Harry's face almost back to normal now.
"STOP OR SHE DIES!" Bellatrix yelled in Stella's ear and Stella rolled her eyes as best she could, though she was half out of it.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all froze, staring at Bellatrix holding Stella.
"Drop your wands," Bellatrix whispered. "Drop them, or we'll see exactly how black her mutt blood is."
Stella felt a rage burning inside of her, her family magic rising. Hermione gasped and Stella looked to her, giving a pitiful smirk.
"I said, drop them!" Bellatrix screeched, pressing the knife harder into Stella's throat.
"All right!" Harry yelled, dropping his wand immediately, Ron and Hermione following right after.
"Good," Bellatrix nodded. "Draco, pick up their wands. The Dark Lord is coming, Harry Potter! Your death approaches!"
Stella wasn't having that. She waited until Draco was in front of her, wands in hand before her magic lashed out. Bellatrix flew backwards, the knife causing a slice across Stella's neck but not enough to truly hurt her, just a long nick. Greyback, Bellatrix, Lucius, and Narcissa screamed and Harry rushed forward, wrestling the wands from Draco's grasp as Ron rushed forward, catching Stella as she collapsed, blacking out.