Chapter Thirty-Four
Stella woke as they hit solid ground after apparating. She gasped as pain radiated through her body and she let out a scream. Ron was holding her, tears streaming down his face as he stared at her.
"Mistress?" Kreacher asked, standing beside her. "Here, Mistress. For the pain, Mistress."
Potions were magically taken as Bill and Fleur ran to them, wands raised.
"Dobby!" Harry yelled. "Dobby, no! Help!"
Stella turned her head sideways, seeing Dobby the free elf with the silver knife in his hand and blood seeping through his shirt.
"Cursed," Stella whispered and Hermione gasped. "Cursed knife."
She passed out again.
"What the hell were you all thinking?!" Remus bellowed, waking Stella with a start to find her in an unknown room, Theo, Draco, Tracy, and Pansy shrinking a bit as Remus lectured them. "You could have been killed! She could have been killed! You ALL COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!"
"Unc' Moo'y," Stella's voice was garbled but she was heard.
"Stella Nova," Remus gasped, moving to her immediately.
"Not supposed… to yell… during… healing," Stella breathed out slowly, still feeling exhausted.
"I'll yell later then," he sighed. "When someone else is with me to help."
"That's… mean…"
"So is scaring the hell out of me," he told her.
"Where?"
"She's awake, isn't she?" Hermione's voice asked, walking into the room with Ron, Harry, Bill, and Fleur behind her. "I felt it."
"She just woke but she's still exhausted," Remus explained.
"Harry," Stella whined, reaching her hand out.
Harry rushed forward immediately, taking her hand and ignoring everyone else in the room.
"What were you thinking?" he asked her.
"Luna…"
"She's here. She's alright. Theo and Remus rushed over here and Theo told us the rescue plan," Harry whispered, kissing her hand gently.
"I'm her brother," Ron complained.
"Mere," Stella rolled her eyes, waving Ron over.
Ron rushed over and climbed onto the bed behind her, hugging her carefully.
"Ow," Stella complained, her arm throbbing and burning suddenly. "Bitch."
"Hey!" Ron complained, sitting up and releasing her.
"Not you," she said, sitting up as well and feeling much more awake now.
Stella stared down at her wrapped arm, the pain coming from there. She held her hand up and her wand flew to her without a word. Stella took a deep breath and tapped her arm, the wrappings disappearing immediately.
"Stella, no. You need to keep it wrapped," Fleur complained but Stella wasn't listening.
There, on her arm, the words 'Sirius's Mutt' were carved into her skin. Stella just stared at it for a long moment, no one saying anything and waiting for Stella to say something. She looked up, meeting each of their eyes for a moment before speaking.
"All the world of insults and she carves one I'm proud of into my arm. She really is rather stupid, isn't she?"
Draco let out a mad laugh at that.
"She's fine," Ron rolled his eyes, pulling her into a tight hug.
'Stella?' Severus's voice asked.
'I'm awake now. Can you wait to yell at me in person?'
'I think I can manage that.'
"What ring is that?" Harry asked, confused.
"From Moony," Stella shrugged and no one questioned it, Remus just smiling softly at her.
'Make sure Bellatrix stays alive. I'm going to kill her myself.'
'I can manage that as well.'
'I know you can.'
"I need to speak to just the Gryffindors for a moment," Stella told the group.
"I'm a Gryffindor," Bill offered.
"The ones my age," Stella smirked at him. "Just give us a few minutes, please? I'll come down in a minute."
"Alright," Bill nodded.
He stepped forward and kissed Stella's head before leaving, the Slytherins, Fleur, and Remus following him out. Remus shut the door and put a finger to his ear, reminding Stella to place privacy charms. Stella put the charms into place and then sighed, sinking against Ron a bit.
"How'd you find us?" Harry asked.
"Where's your wand?" Stella shot back, brow raised.
"Got destroyed in Godric's Hallow," Harry admitted.
"I'm sorry," Stella flinched.
She could do magic without her wand, but she was rather attached to it. It was a part of her.
"It'll be fine," Harry shook his head.
"How did you find us?" Hermione asked.
"Kreacher has been tracking you using family magic," Stella lied. "Grimmauld is still safe, by the way. You could have continued using it. Still can actually. I'd prefer you be there than in the woods, not that that's much of an option anymore since the tent has probably been destroyed."
"We'll go back to it," Hermione promised. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me," Stella shook her head. "Did you destroy it? I couldn't really stick around to be sure. I'm being watched for glaringly obvious reasons."
"Yeah," Ron nodded. "I did it."
"Felt good, huh?" Stella smirked at him.
"A bit, yeah," he nodded, smiling back at her.
"Okay. So, I've been doing a lot of research. I think the final two horcruxes are the snake, obviously since Harry was able to see through its eyes when it attacked Dad, and Hufflepuff's goblet. I also have a very strong feeling that it's in Gringotts. Bellatrix's vault. You'll need to hurry and get there to find it, though. Transfigure your appearances and ask for Bloodshire. Tell him about the horcrux and he'll have it gathered and destroyed. Goblins hate when perverted objects are hidden in the vaults, learned that when I was going through the Black vaults and found a few unsavory things."
"Okay," Harry nodded, having moved so he was sitting on the bed with Ron and Stella, Hermione still hovering around a bit.
"I really am still exhausted unfortunately," Stella admitted. "I'm going to go downstairs, get yelled at a bit, and then get Fleur to redress my arm."
"I'll help you," Ron nodded, helping Stella to her feet.
The privacy charms came down as Hermione opened the door. Remus was waiting and saw how weak Stella was. He lifted her easily into his arms and carried her into the crowded sitting room, full of a mix of teenagers.
"Stella," Luna sighed and Dean looked beyond relieved.
"When did you go on the run?" Stella asked Dean.
"Beginning of Easter," he admitted. "Are you alright? First the Carrows and now this…"
"What did the Carrows do?" Ron demanded, anger clear on his face already.
"They aren't exactly the nicest people," Stella shrugged. "Don't worry about us. I've got Hogwarts, you've got Harry and Hermione."
"We can take care of ourselves," Hermione complained.
"I'm sure," Stella sighed, leaning against Draco, him taking the seat beside her on the couch quickly and pulling her close. "I'm alright, cousin. You did great."
"No, I didn't," he argued. "I just watched. I just watched as she… and she was going to give you to… to him."
"Dray," Stella sat up, forcing him to look in her eyes, "none of this is your fault. You're the one who dealt with the wards so that Kreacher could get in and the one who called for him. I'm still not sure how Dobby got there—"
"That was kind of me," Harry scratched the back of his neck.
"-you helped save Luna and the rest of us. You did so well, Dray. I'm so unbelievably proud of you."
"Still—" he tried.
"Still nothing," Stella told him, still holding his face in her hands. "You don't give yourself enough credit. After everything we've been through so far, you still doubt yourself and it kills me. You're doing amazingly and I will keep reminding you until you finally believe me."
Draco just sniffled and nodded. Stella pulled him to her, hugging him tightly and ignoring the pain in her arm as she did so. The others saw her flinch though and moved closer. Fleur pushed pass everyone and Stella held her arm out, still holding Draco to her chest as Fleur put a balm on her skin and wrapped it tightly.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed back up the stairs, claiming they needed to talk to Griphook and Ollivander. Pansy, Tracy, Theo, and Draco left with Remus, heading back to the school, which Stella had promised to return to as soon as she was strong enough. Bill carried Stella to her bed, making her comfortable and leaving her be, telling her to rest.
Hermione came in and told her the plan of walking into Gringotts disguised and asking for Bloodshire the day before they were set to do so. Stella had written to the goblin, warning him that she had two wizards and a witch coming to him for help. The trio had spent as much time as possible with Stella in the meantime, the three telling her about everything they had been up to so far and Stella felt terrified for them all over again as she heard about Ron splinching, getting grabbed by snatchers when he'd gone out for food before finding his way back to Harry and Hermione when Harry had jumped into the pond for the sword (Harry gave Stella a look at that one), the snake almost killing Harry and Hermione on Christmas day when they'd gone looking for answers in Godric's Hallow, and being grabbed and dragged to Malfoy Manor.
"So, the name's cursed," Stella sighed. "Brilliant. Good thing I've been calling him Riddle this whole time with Moony."
"Good thing," Ron had agreed.
Stella hugged all three tightly as they left for Gringotts, already disguised. Stella, Luna, and Dean went back to the school an hour later, Remus meeting them at the gate.
"Disillusionment charms," he told them. "Neville made a place for everyone to hide."
The four held onto one another, Stella holding Remus's wrist as he led them through the school and to the seventh floor. Neville poked his head out of a door that appeared and waved Luna and Dean in, Stella telling them she had a few things to take care of first. Remus led Stella to Severus's office, allowing her in ahead of him. They stepped into the office, Theo and Severus already waiting for them. Stella became visible and ran at Severus, hugging him tightly around his middle.
"This hug and my relief at seeing you will not protect you from punishment," he told her.
"I know," she admitted. "I just really needed this."
"Let me see your arm," he whispered.
Stella held her unwrapped arm out, showing Severus her branding. Severus let out a shaky breath as potions flew towards them. He rubbed two medicines on her arm before telling her which potions to drink, how often, and when to start them. Stella listened carefully, nodding along and memorizing the instructions.
"It was her cursed blade?" Severus asked.
"I have it," Stella stated, pulling it from her pocket and showing it to him.
"I'll look it over and see what I can discover about the lasting pains," he promised. "Don't ever do something so reckless ever again."
"No promises," she told him. "Still a war going on, after all. Afterwards? I would like nothing more than a quiet life."
"You and me both," Severus sighed, still staring at her arm a bit. "I'll see if I can find anything on the scarring as well."
"I don't really mind," she shrugged. "Think I'll get you and Remus tattooed on the other arm and add my mother to this one."
"Tattoos," Severus groaned shaking his head.
"Not a good time for jokes?" Stella asked, smirking.
"No," he told her. "Go rest."
"That's all I've been doing," Stella groaned.
"And it is what you will continue to do for a bit longer," he informed her. "Now, go to your room."
"Yes, Dad," Stella complained, kissing his cheek before kissing Remus's and then heading upstairs with Theo.
Stella fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
"Idiots!" Severus's angry voice traveled to their room the next day, waking Stella from her sleep. "Those idiotic, reckless, stupid—"
"Breath, love," Remus tried to calm Severus as Stella and Theo entered the dining room.
Stella caught a glimpse of the Prophet on the table.
"What idiots rode a dragon out of Gringotts?" she asked, grabbing the paper and getting a better look at it before groaning. "Oh, no. It's my idiots."
"The Dark Lord went to check the vaults while they were there. I'm sure they thought the fastest escape was on a dragon," Severus complained.
"Idiots," Stella agreed. "But, hey, at least they're still breathing. That much is good news."
"He knows about the cup," Snape stated. "He warned me that Potter may be coming to the school soon."
"So, what you're telling me, is that this is almost over and that quiet life is closer than we thought?" Stella tried.
"Possibly."
"Remember your promise?"
"To survive?"
"That's the one."
"You as well."
"I think some of Harry's dumb luck ran off on me," Stella admitted. "I should have been dead a few times over already."
"Possibly," Remus shrugged. "We need to warn the others."
"We can't," Stella shook her head. "Not yet. It'll be far too suspicious if they suddenly know that danger is coming and what is that sound?"
"Someone has apparated into Hogsmeade," Severus sighed, rubbing his face.
"Alright, warn the others," Stella shrugged, giving an innocent look as if it had been her plan in the first place.
"Yeah, yeah," Remus waved her off, smirking softly but there was an edge to his voice and a look in his eyes, as if preparing himself for battle.
Stella felt she should probably do the same but it hadn't quite hit her yet. Why were they at Hogwarts? Did they think she hadn't sent them the horcrux from here? How did they plan to get into the castle anyhow? There were so many questions running through her head but she didn't have time to get answers. Now was the time to get moving.
"We need to get the youngest students out of here as soon as possible. Anyone under seventeen as well, honestly," Theo was saying.
"I don't think you'll be able to convince all of the younger students to leave but first to fourth year, definitely," Remus agreed, sending off a patronus to a few Order members.
"What about the students in the Room of Requirement?" Severus asked.
"We'll need to warn them of what is coming," Remus agreed.
"I'll go," Theo stated, disillusioning himself and leaving quickly.
"Stella Nova, do you want Sirius's wand back?"
"What?" Stella asked, shaking herself roughly. "Sorry. I need medicine."
"Here," Severus passed her a potion, which she drank quickly.
"Keep the wand," Stella told him. "Do you still have the glove I gave you?"
"Yes."
"Put it on. I need to gather supplies. Dad, take the map. Keep it on you and use it. Show it to Harry so he won't attach you."
Stella disillusioned herself, not willing to listen to arguments, and headed to the third floor. She grabbed her extendable and light weight handbag that Hermione had made for her and began placing fireworks, decoys, and any other objects she thought would be useful into the bag.
Potions were placed in as well, separated by type. Healing potions were the closest to the front. Stella thought of the snake and grabbed the antidote to its venom, having asked healers about it when Arthur had been in the hospital and been given bits and pieces of the recipe; she really hoped she'd figured it out, Theo having helped her since he was better at healing. She noticed then just how dark it was outside and got the time to appear from her wand, letting out a groan as she realized she'd slept for almost an entire day.
Stella stayed invisible, moving along the walls of the school carefully. Stella heard a bit of wand fire and took off running, becoming visible. Flitwick, McGonagall, and Sprout were standing off against Snape. Stella jumped between the wand fight, ending every spell as she raised her left hand, the spells being absorbed by her ring.
"No!" she yelled at the other heads of house, taking deep breaths as she messed with her ring.
'Come on, Dad. You said I deserved better. Be better. No more of this.'
'Stella… I have to—'
"No, you don't!" Stella yelled, turning to face him, tears in her eyes and barely noticing Remus running down the hall behind Severus, her voice softening as she met Severus's eyes. "You don't, Dad."
"Dad?" McGonagall gasped and Stella could just imagine McGonagall placing her hand on her chest, shock clear on her face.
Severus seemed to be fighting with himself. Remus placed his hand on Severus's shoulder and he looked to him, still seeming conflicted.
"There's no more spying to be done. We've found them all. You can stop now," Remus told him, voice soft.
"Remus?" Sprout asked, confused.
Severus seemed to deflate and Stella rushed forward, hugging him tightly. Her dad's arms wrapped around her tightly and she felt a relived breath escape him.
"Where are the Carrows?" Remus asked. "Last we saw them on the map, they were up in Ravenclaw tower with Harry and Luna."
"What?" Stella asked, turning her head so she could see Moony.
"We're here," Luna stated, pulling the cloak off of herself and Harry.
"Stell?" Harry asked, confused.
"Hello, love," Stella smirked at him, pulling away from her dad and wiping her face.
Harry grabbed his head, hissing in pain. Stella ran to him immediately as Remus explained to the teachers that Severus was still on their side, that Dumbledore's death had been planned to secure the man as a spy.
"He's coming," Harry gasped out.
"Very well," McGonagall nodded, placing a hand on Severus's shoulder and giving a gentle squeeze as Slughorn joined them. "He who must not be named is coming. Potter has work to do in the castle on Dumbledore's orders. We need to put in place every protection of which we are capable, while Potter does what he needs to do."
"You realize, of course, that nothing we do will be able to keep You-Know-Who out indefinitely?" squeaked Flitwick.
"But we can hold him up," said Professor Sprout.
"Expecto Patronum," Stella waved her wand, eyes on Harry as she did so, causing him to smile warmly before confusion took his features, seeing the dog running around as Stella kneeled in front of it. "I need all of the Blacks to meet me in the Great Hall now. Be ready for battle."
Her patronus split into about sixty and ran off to gather her family.
"But, the doe?"
"I wasn't alone in the woods and Moony doesn't have an heir ring," Stella told him before looking to her dad. "What protections does the Headmaster have?"
"Quite a few. Minerva knows most of them already," he told her, looking to the woman.
"I have to get to the Great Hall."
"I'll come with you," Remus nodded and he and Stella took off, running into a few people with Black rings along the way as they exited the Room of Requirement, Hermione, Draco, and Tracy among the crowd.
They reached the Great Hall, the Slytherin and Hufflepuff Black's the first to arrive. Stella nodded to them, breathing less heavily than normal after running. Maybe she was finally getting better at cardio. The Gryffindors and Ravenclaws finally reached them, having had to run down from their towers. Stella fiddled with her head ring. She needed an heir to pull this off.
"Expecto Patronum. Great Hall. Be ready to fight."
The Weasley's, save Ron who was probably with Harry, all ran in. Percy went straight to Stella.
"Hold this in your left hand," Stella instructed, passing Percy the heir ring before she began the spell, speaking loudly in a mix of French and Latin. Magic pulsed between Stella and Percy and he took a physical step back as the magic entered his system. "Put it on your left middle finger."
"An heir ring?" he asked, confused.
"It'll only last about a week but I need someone to claim the Black heirship for the spell I'm about to teach everyone. It'll make the spell stronger. I think we can both agree that I trust you completely, right, Secret Keeper?" Stella smirked and Percy got a determined look on his face as he placed the ring on his finger, magic rushing through him again.
'Fiddle with the ring a bit and we can speak. We can call for one another if we need help.'
'Cool.'
Stella let out a small laugh before turning back to the others, Tonks and her mother, Andromeda, running in, along with Narcissa, who went straight to Draco's side, looking Stella over as if checking for injury.
"Alright, Blacks! I'm going to teach you a boundary spell for inside the Hogwarts wards! Pay attention because we don't have much time!"
"We can help," Andromeda nodded to herself and Narcissa, the two witches leaving their children and moving to the front.
"Brilliant," Stella smiled before breaking the groups into three.
Stella had the youngest and Percy, showing them the spell carefully and making it as simple as possible while the older witches showed the older students. Draco taught Tracy as Tonks taught Hermione, the two born into the family also already knowing the spell. The younger ones took the longest, but Stella had already been training them in secret, so their magic was more advanced for their ages, meaning they only took a few minutes longer.
Stella led everyone out of the Great Hall as Professors rushed outside along with Order members. Order members seemed shocked but Remus simply smirked and got the Order moving again, going with them and sending a wink to Stella as he went. As an advanced shield went over the school, the Blacks spread out. Stella stood at the front, Percy to her right and Draco to her left.
"J'invoque la magie de la famille Noire,
Avec la magie de la famille Noire, j'execute ce sort,
praesidium et regimen peto;
Clypeus intus praesidium praebet;
cum sanguine sanguinis mei, etc.
In venenatis mi venenatis
Sic fiat fiat;
Magicae familiae Nigrae;
Toujours pur."
(I invoke the magic of the Black family,
With the magic of the Black family, I perform this spell,
I ask for protection and guidance,
A shield offering protection from within,
With the blood of my blood,
With the magic of my magic,
So mote it be,
With the magic of the Black family,
Always Pure.)
Stella had her left hand lifted to the sky as she spoke loudly and clearly before slamming the tip of her wand against the ground. The others had spoken the last two sentences, hands held in the air, and were following her lead, starting with Draco, whose wand, recently returned by Harry, stabbed into the dirt right after hers. Stella watched as it looked as if dominoes were falling into place, each person to her left one by one copying their movements, the spell having already been spoken together. Stella turned, watching to the right of her and waiting. They had made it all the way around the school, a crowd having formed to watch as a shadow creeped along the ground in front of the casters.
Finally, Percy stabbed his wand into the ground. The shadow grew stronger and flew into the air, making an extra layer on the already placed shield. It glowed and thrummed and turned white before blending into the shield, making it stronger and brighter before becoming invisible. Stella could feel the magic and power radiating in front of her though as she stood again.
She smiled, taking a step back and everyone headed back into the castle, the Blacks following Stella into the Great Hall.
"Alright. Time for the hard part. Anyone fourth year and below is being evacuated!"
A roar of outraged reached Stella's ears and she groaned, rubbing her face before placing her hands on her hips and looking to the Heavens to ask for assistance. It came in the shape of one Professor Minerva McGonagall.
"Do not argue with your Head Girl!" she said crossly and Stella gave a confused look. "Oh, don't give me that look, Miss Black-Snape. Fourth year and under, follow Professor Slughorn!"
Stella let out a laugh at the name but felt rather proud of it as she looked around the room, the older students and adult Blacks stepping forward and more than ready for a fight.
"Alright," Stella sighed before looking to Narcissa.
"I have to get back," she told Stella and Draco. "Keep my cover for a little while longer."
"Be careful," Draco begged, hugging his mother before releasing her and watching her leave.
"She'll be okay," Stella told him. "We need to break into groups and take different places around the castle."
"Who do you want where?" Theo asked, standing tall.
"Need help?" Ron asked, going to her side and smirking.
"Go for it," Stella smirked back, taking a step away. "I'd love to not have to boss everyone around for once."
"On it," Ron laughed and Stella moved to Ginny's side, who was arguing with her mother.
"I'm in Dumbledore's Army—"
"A teenagers gang!"
"A teenagers gang that's about to take him on, which no one else has dared to do!" said Fred.
"She's sixteen!" shouted Molly. "She's not old enough! What you two were thinking, bringing her with you—"
Fred and George looked slightly ashamed and Bill was about to agree with his mother.
"Hey! Does everyone remember when Voldemort possessed Ginny for a full school year and almost killed the two of us?" Stella interrupted. "Yeah, me neither. That would mean she has a reason to want to stay and fight. Anything but that, right? Gin, you're with me. Let's go."
"Oh, no you don't!" Molly tried to argue but Stella and Ginny were already moving with Stella's assigned group.
Lavender, Luna, Theo, Ginny, and Stella left the Gryffindor table, ignoring Molly yelling angrily before being distracted by McGonagall giving orders to the adults.
"Thank you," Ginny sighed.
"No. Thank you. I'm going to need the help," Stella told her. "Ready, Theo?"
"Ready," he nodded.
The two stripped their robes from their shoulders, balled them up, and threw them into the air, shooting a silent spell and causing their robes to turn into black smoke before it shot off into the night. Stella did not enjoy Voldemort's voice suddenly appearing in her head, nor it seemed did anyone else, minus Bulstrode and Crabbe who had immediately raised their wands towards Harry.
Draco had sent both of them flying, family magic much too strong in the moment to be calmed as the two screamed, the castle wrapping around the two. Stella waved her hand and the two fell to the ground, looking terrified.
"Easy, cousin," Stella said softly, hand on his shoulder. "Deep breaths. You would look terrible with curls."
"Excuse you, I look great in everything," he rolled his eyes.
"Go to Tracy," Stella rolled her eyes, smiling softly as she turned to the two Slytherins. "I think the two of you need to be put somewhere else for the next few hours."
"I'll deal with them," Filch stated, moving forward.
"You will do no such thing," Stella growled out and Filch took multiple steps back.
"Filch, I am dismissing you from all responsibilities to the school. You, Miss Bulstrode, and Mr. Crabbe may follow the younger students out of the school. Thank you," Severus spoke up, standing tall behind Stella.
Stella's group started moving then, heading up the stairs of the entrance hall when they heard gasps. All turned back, trying to see what had shocked everyone. Stella smirked when she saw that Remus had grabbed Severus's face and kissed him hard, the two pulling apart slowly and Remus whispering something softly to Severus, causing the man to nod before the two went their separate ways.
"If Dad could hurry up and marry Uncle Moony that would be great," Stella sighed before she began moving again, her group following after her.
Lavender and Ginny were shocked, immediately gossiping and trying to ask Stella as many questions as possible. Luna just smiled dreamily, as if she'd already known. Theo and Stella rolled their eyes and Theo reminded the two that there were more important things happening at the moment.
'You're on third floor duty.'
'Yes, sir.'
"We're on the third floor," Stella told the group before touching the Black ring.
'You alright?'
'Yeah. I'm with the twins.'
'Tell them I said to play nice or they don't get birthday presents anymore. Let me know if the three of you need help. I'm on the third floor.'
'We're in a secret passage way between the third and fifth floor.'
'I know the one. Nearby. Shout if you have trouble.'
'Will do, sister.'
"Fred, George, and Percy are in the passageway just down there," Stella pointed in the direction of three of her brothers. "We'll keep an ear out for them."
"What's the plan?" Theo asked, watching Stella as she began pulling items from her bag.
"I grabbed a few things. Gin, will you take these shield cloaks to Percy, Fred, and George, please? I have one for you as well," Stella said, and Ginny grabbed the cloaks, tossing one on before running towards the passageway. "Everyone put one of these on. I've got decoys, fireworks, swamps—"
"Did you grab everything from the bathroom?" Theo laughed.
"Just about. I also have potions. Lavender, if you see someone coming around that corner, throw the blue one and then the red one. Make sure you're a good distance from it though. Here's a healing potion just in case."
"Blue then red, keep distance, heal if needed," Lavender nodded. "Got it."
"Everyone take a couple of these," Stella passed out the explosives.
'Do you happen to have any fireworks on you?'
'If I ever say no to that question, assume I am lying.'
'On my way.'
"These ones are for Dad," Stella set aside four boxes of firecrackers, three boxes of large fireworks and a shield cloak. "As is this cloak."
Stella watched as people ran around below, preparing for battle. They looked so small but Stella could make out Neville and Sprout, along with half a dozen other students, heading towards the greenhouses. She didn't even want to think about what damage they were about to cause. Severus swept down the hall with McGonagall, Seamus, and Dean then.
"Here," Stella passed the explosives straight to Seamus. "Should have known you'd need these."
"Mum never let me get any of these," Seamus stated, eyes wide and a smile that spoke of the absolute mayhem he had planned.
"I wonder why," Stella smirked before tossing a cloak at Severus. "Put it on."
"I believe I am the parent in this arrangement," he said, deep voice carrying over the group.
"Yeah, yeah," Stella waved her hand at him. "Ground me later, put the cloak on now. Happy late Christmas."
Severus let a smirk show before tossing his cloak off and pulling the shield cloak on.
"What's this made from?" he asked.
"Ask Fred and George," Stella shrugged. "It's from their defense collection."
"Your brothers are rather brilliant."
"Please tell them that sometime," Stella smiled brightly. "I really want to see their faces when you do."
"Me as well," Ginny joined Stella's side, same look of mischief in her eyes.
"We'll do it at the next family dinner!" Stella said excitedly.
"Yes, yes. We'll plan it after we fight a war," Severus rolled his eyes at the two excited teens in front of him. "Can you both please concentrate on staying alive until then?"
"We're multitasking," Stella shrugged.
Severus placed a hand on Stella's and Theo's shoulders, looking back and forth between the two. They both nodded to him, understanding that he was telling them to stick together and watch out for one another.
The group left Stella's and Theo grabbed a few decoys, using his wand to float about thirty of them along the side of the castle next to windows. If the death eaters flew through, the decoys would go off, giving a bit of a distraction and warning anyone that was on the other side that something was coming. Stella and Lavender worked together, floating firecrackers along the walls outside, pointed outwards so that they could set them off towards the death eaters if they got too close for comfort, Luna floating the bigger fireworks high to the tower above them, setting five to go off if anyone got too close to the outside.
Stella nodded her approval before the castle suddenly shook, Theo grabbing Stella and holding her close. They looked out over the grounds, seeing wands lit up, shooting spell after spell at the schools shields. It was going to take them a while to get through, especially with the Black family magic in place. Stella just hoped that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had a plan for the snake.
The castle continued to shake, dust falling on them as the shields held. It took thirty agonizingly slow minutes for the original shield to fall. Stella stared at the Black family shield, glittering black filling the smoke that kept the Death Eaters out. She could see giants standing amongst the crowd, along with huge spiders that she knew would be giving Ron nightmares for the rest of his life. She could also just barely make out two witches standing in front of the Death Eaters, working together on the Black family shield.
If Black blood and magic erected it, Stella knew it could also bring it down. Narcissa and Bellatrix had been born into the family, had known the spell since they were children. They knew it better than Stella did, which meant that they also knew how to dismantle it quickly and efficiently. Even with Narcissa secretly on their side, she still had a role to play.
Stella watched as, twenty minutes later, the black fog around the school finally began to lower.
"Stell?" Theo asked from beside her.
"Yeah, Teddy?" she turned her head to him.
"I just want you to know that there's no one else I'd rather fight beside. No one else I'd rather die for if I have to."
"You're not dying tonight," Stella told him, voice hard.
"Just in case," he shrugged. "I'd like to live."
"You better," Stella grumbled, leaning into his side. "I don't think I'd survive without you."
"Same to you," he stated, giving her a hard look. "I mean it, Stell. You have the Weasleys, your dads, all of the family you've inherited, and Harry… You're all I've got."
"You're my brother, Teddy," Stella whispered. "We both stay alive or we go out together. You understand me?"
"Yeah," he gave a weak smile, not seeming to believe her.
Stella knew Theo had been taking potions since waking from the coma, ever since hearing about Blaise. He'd had nightmares almost every night. He was fighting a little less and less every day, holding on just for her. She couldn't force him to live but she needed him to survive to see a life without war, a life without darkness surrounding their everyday lives like it did.
Theo kissed the top of Stella's head, arm wrapped around her shoulders. He whispered something in Italian and Stella felt a magic wash over her as the last of her family shield went down. The two pulled apart, wands raised.
The Battle of Hogwarts had just begun.