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ONE; STELLALUNA

     "'ELLO, HARRY!"

     Harry Potter swiveled on the heels of his feet to be crushed into a hug by Stella Abberdon-Weasley. He assumed the girl had just returned from her daily visit to Malfoy Manor, seeing as there were daisies scattered in her hair and an emerald necklace placed neatly between her collarbones. It must've been another one of Draco's gifts — Fred and George kept a note listing the plethora of Draco's presents given to Stella.

     "Hi, Stella. How are you?"

     His facial features visibly softened. He didn't understand how anyone could be unhappy when they were around her, even if he was angered moments ago because of Ron and Hermione's lack of letters over the summer.

     "Wonderful, now that I'm back. Being at Draco's is so," she paused, tapping her chin with her pointer finger. "Eerie."

     Bill Weasley looked behind him, smirking. He still wore his long hair in a ponytail, and it swayed slightly when he moved. "Nice to know you always love coming home to us, sis." Technically, they weren't even home. They were currently staying at 12 Grimmauld Place with Sirius Black and the rest of the Order of the Phoenix.

     Stella rolled her eyes. She pinched Harry's forearm gently. "How about you, Harry? You're doing alright, yes?"

     Ron brushed by the two. "Bad question to ask, El."

     Stella pursed her lips and moved to sit by Ginny, wishing to avoid any conflicts with Harry.

     "Sit down, Harry," said Sirius. "You've met Mundungus, haven't you?"

     Stella's nose twisted slightly at the sight of the man who was snoring at the dining table. She felt someone poking her side and Ginny's wild eyes met hers.

     "How was it with Malfoy today?"

     Stella dreamed of having the perfect day with Draco — no arguments, just laughter. However, this was never the case. The pair frantically fought over topics of the future, and Stella was convinced that Lucius planted a bad seed inside of Draco's mind that caused him to think a certain way. Stella attempted to resolve some of these disputes, but it seemed as if her and Draco were never on the same page.

     She smiled. "Perfect."

     Ginny narrowed her eyes, then hummed. "Yeah, I'm sure that's the truth."

     Molly's voice came into range. "For the last time, Mundungus, will you please not smoke that thing in the kitchen, especially not when we're about to eat!"

     Mundungus had pulled out a pipe, causing clouds of greenish smoke to fill the air. As soon as Molly scolded him, he apologized and stuffed the black pipe back into his pocket.

     Stella suddenly felt her shoulder being poked. Fred and George were standing behind her, arms crossed. She smiled warmly at her twin brothers.

     "Well, will you look at that, Georgie? Spends the whole day with Malfoy, returns home, and doesn't even bother to say hello to her favorite siblings."

     "Hey," Ginny chorused, offended by Fred's statement. The two ignored her.

     "Yes, I see your point, Freddie. It's an awful shame. We bought her that late birthday present but I don't think she really deserves it now."

     Ginny rolled her eyes, deciding to remove herself from the conversation and collect cutlery to help Molly.

     Stella gripped Fred and George's wrists. "What present? Please don't tell me it's an Extendable Ear."

     "It better not be," Molly said, eyeing her children. She pressed a swift kiss to Stella's forehead and welcomed her home.

     "You know what, George? I reckon Hermione would love Stella's gift. Should we save it for her birthday?"

     "Oh, come off it, you two," Stella hissed, rising from her seat.

     "Ah, that doesn't sound like an apology."

     She glared at her brothers, but stood on her tiptoes and kissed their cheeks. "I'm sorry, Fred and George, for not immediately rushing into your arms after coming home."

     "She can do better."

     Eventually, Stella threw her hands up in the air and left. Not long after, she heard Molly's shouts at the two after they attempted to use magic on helping with dinner and Stella snickered quietly to herself. Hermione stopped her when she saw Stella trailing upstairs.

     "You're not eating dinner?"

     "Ate at Draco's. Make sure my mum doesn't have a heart attack while I'm gone. By the way, do you know what Fred and George got me for my birthday?"

     Stella's birthday was a month ago, and it definitely wasn't a happy one. Percy left the week before after having a row with their father, and the family was left in shambles. Fred and George held resentment towards him, as expected, but Stella was saddened to see her brother depart from the family so easily. Molly was a terrible mess, but they all plastered on fake smiles to wish Stella a happy birthday.

     She didn't ask for any gifts, but Fred and George always surprised her with something. Although, their presents were not usually ones Stella wanted to remember.

     "Have no clue." Hermione shrugged. "Knowing them, it might be something you don't really want."

     Stella nodded in agreement and the two girls parted ways.

     When she reached her shared room with Ginny and Hermione, she immediately checked to see if anything was missing. Draco made a habit out of stealing something off of Stella so she would come back to the Manor and he could have his chance to apologize.

     She scoffed after she realized she was missing a charm bracelet given to her by her parents before her first year at Hogwarts. She managed to sneak into the drawing room located on the same floor without anyone noticing. After throwing a handful of Floo powder into the flames of the fireplace, Stella spoke her destination and stepped into the green fire.

     She stumbled into the main room of the house, coughing loudly. Narcissa Malfoy's head darted up. "Oh, Stella, dear!" She rushed over to brush the girl off, and helped her stand. "Did you forget something again?"

     Stella bit her tongue to refrain her from speaking badly about her boyfriend. "Yes, I have. Is Draco in his room?"

     After being informed that yes, indeed, the slimy git was in his room, Stella traveled upstairs and knocked on his door. "Draco, if you do this to me one more time, I'll punch you straight in your face!"

     "Now, that's not very nice, my love."

     The door swung open to reveal Draco Malfoy. Stella's charm bracelet was hanging off of his finger. She snatched it from his grasp and grunted. "You're awful. I don't know why I ever agreed to date you."

     All he did was plant that stupid smirk of his on his face.

     Draco stared at his girlfriend, a smile creeping up on his lips at the sight of Stella's frown. Even when she tried her best to look cross, she still appeared like a lost puppy in the woods.

     He took two steps forward, resting his hand on her cheek and pulling her into a swift kiss. She stepped on his foot when they pulled back. "Draco, I'm in no mood for your charm. Can you just apologize so I can go back home?"

     "This is your home."

     It was a statement he had been saying continuously for years. In some aspects, it was true; Stella spent most of her summers at Malfoy Manor and she knew her way around the estate. However, there was a coldness that ran through her veins whenever she stepped inside. It was nothing like The Burrow, where laughter erupted from every corner of the house. Malfoy Manor was never going to be her home, even if she married Draco.

     "Stop saying that. If you don't apologize in the next few seconds, I swear I'll-"

     "Stella Abberdon-Weasley — the love of my life, the girl who keeps me in check, and the person I'd risk everything for, will you please forgive me for my wrongdoings?"

     Stella pretended to ponder over the idea, gazing up at the ceiling. She kissed his cheek and turned away, rushing down the hall.

     "I'll think about it!" She called back to him.

     Draco chuckled, shutting his bedroom door, shaking his head at his ridiculous girlfriend.

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     "Congratulations, Harry! I knew they'd clear you!"

     Stella wrapped up the dark-haired boy in an embrace, and she heard him laugh.

     Ron was jumping with joy, punching the air. "I knew it! You always get away with stuff!"

     Hermione, who was fretting anxiously before Harry's arrival, held her shaking hand over her eyes. "They were bound to clear you. There was no case against you, none at all."

     "Everyone seems quite relieved, though, considering they all knew I'd get off," said Harry, smiling. He had just returned from his hearing about using magic outside of Hogwarts, and had all charges cleared.

     Stella scanned the room. Her mother was wiping her face with her apron, and the twins and Ginny were chanting with glee.

     "That's enough, settle down!" Arthur shouted at his children, although it didn't stop them. "Listen, Sirius, Lucius Malfoy was at the Ministry-"

     Stella's ears perked up. Arthur always tried to avoid speaking ill of Lucius around his eldest daughter, but sometimes when all of the children were in the room, he seemed to forget.

     "What?" Sirius replied sharply.

     Stella left before she could listen to any more about Lucius. He was a horrid man, yes, but he was still Draco's father.

     After one last roar from Molly, Fred and George sought out to find their sister. George tightly held her wrapped birthday present behind his back. "Oh, Stella," Fred sang, opening her bedroom door. Stella was intently reading a book given to her by Hermione, and rolled her eyes when she saw her brothers walk in.

     "Oh, what is it now?"

     "Wow, George. Do you hear that? Trying to give her her birthday present but all we receive is disrespect."

     Her eyes narrowed. "Fred, George, if it's another prank item you're using to test on me, I really don't want it."

     Fred took away the book Stella was holding, and George replaced it with another. Stella frowned when she saw the cover, tilting her head.

     "Stellaluna?"

     "It's about a mother bat protecting her baby bat. Well, at least, that's what Hermione told us. But George and I thought of you because it always seems we're protecting you from Malfoy, who strikingly resembles the owl that attacks Stellaluna."

     Stella ignored the crude remark made towards her boyfriend, and wrapped her brothers up in a hug. She chuckled softly.

     "You guys actually gave me a nice gift this year."

     "Hey, we have to do it at least once, right?"

     "Yeah. Next year, you're definitely getting one of our products."

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     Days passed by, and it was soon nearing the time to get back to Hogwarts. On the last day, Stella felt an envelope being thrown at the back of her head. "Booklists have arrived," Ron informed his sister, moving past her room. Ginny and Hermione also received a throw at the head thanks to him.

     "Annoying git." Stella sighed, opening the envelope. Her eyes scanned the parchment, and her smile extended from ear to ear when she saw what was written.

     Hermione beat her to the punch.

     "Prefect! Yes, I knew it! I'll go see if Harry is one too."

     Stella saw a bundle of curls whiz by and Hermione's figure left the room. Stella held her own Slytherin prefect badge between her two fingers.

     "Guess I'm also a prefect."

     "Girls, have your booklists already-" Molly Weasley stopped when she saw the badge Stella was holding. "Oh, Stella! I'm so proud of you!"

     Molly continued to press a kiss to Stella's cheek until they were bright red. Ginny was snickering.

     "Well, Ginny, let me see your list. I'll head to Diagon Alley today and I ought to tell the others."

     After her mother left, Stella was scrubbing her cheek as if it was poisoned with acid. An owl knocked on the window and Ginny groaned. "Stella, it's another letter from Malfoy."

     Stella chose to ignore Draco for the past few days. It wasn't as if he had done anything wrong — actually, he was always doing something wrong — but she only wanted to spend more time with her family. She could tell Fred and George were slightly bitter about her leaving to see Malfoy almost everyday and not spending enough time at home. They were returning to school tomorrow, and Stella felt awful that she didn't spend enough time with her family. However, Draco just thought Stella was frustrated with him over the bracelet incident.

     "Just leave it on the pile. I'll read it later."

     Suddenly, she heard a shriek coming from the floor above. Stella chuckled. "Mum must've found out about Harry being prefect."

     Molly's next words startled both of the girls in the room. "I don't believe it! I don't believe it! Oh, Ron, how wonderful! A prefect! That's everyone in the family!"

     Now, Stella loved her brother, but this was unbelievable. She thought Harry was a shoe in to be prefect for sure. "No way," she murmured under her breath.

     Ginny laughed. "Oh, Fred and George won't let him live this one down."

     "They'll definitely be pricks about it."

     There was another tap on the window.

     "If that's Malfoy again-"

     "It's not," Stella disregarded, noticing the unfamiliar owl at the window. She took the envelope from his beak and thanked him. Her eyes widened when she realized what it was.

     Ginny frowned. "What? What is it, El?"

     "It's from St. Mungo's. I think they want me to go back and visit Alia again."

     "Stella," her sister said in a soothing tone, as if she felt sorry for her. Stella didn't mind.

     St. Mungo's had been requesting her back since her first visit. She didn't know if they were intentionally implying that not visiting her birth mother was an awful thing, but it seemed that way. Stella was emotionally scarred from seeing Alia the first time, and Molly said if she didn't want to return, the family would completely support her.

     It wasn't only Alia's current state that had Stella worried. She was a cold Death Eater — it was as simple as that. She traded her life just to inflict harm on others, and Stella didn't think she could ever forgive her.

     Although, she refused to acknowledge the fact that her boyfriend was headed down the same path. Draco was a good person. He wasn't when the pair were younger, but as he grew up, he began realizing that no one appreciated his snappish attitude or his constant boasting about his father. Lucius didn't enjoy this. It was easier if Draco kept his feelings to himself or only shared them with Stella instead of turning into a different man. Lucius knew what was bound to happen to his son, and he couldn't have any of Draco's true emotions getting in the way.

     "Stella." Ginny was snapping her fingers in front of her sister's face. "What happened? Are you okay? You know you don't have to go visit her just because they say you should. It's completely your decision, and it's not any of their business anyway."

     "Yeah," Stella smiled, her breath caught in her throat. "I know."

     Molly entered the room once more, and Stella shoved the letter behind her back.

     "Alright, I'm leaving for Diagon Alley. What would you like, dear? Ron's asked for a new broom."

     "I'm fine, mum, really."

     Molly shook her head and walked towards her daughter, brushing her dark hair from her face. "Nonsense, Stella. Whatever you want, me and your father will get it for you. It's no worries, we know you've worked hard this year."

     Stella raised her wrist. Her charm bracelet shined in the light.

     "How about a new charm?"

     Molly smiled, internally grateful Stella asked for something less expensive than Ron's broom. She kissed her cheek.

     "Alright, dear."

     Ron stumbled into the room. "Mum, I forgot to remind you! If you can, I'd prefer the new Cleansweep."

     "Of course. I'll get it if I can."

     Molly bid goodbye to her children, and Stella quickly tore apart the letter. Ginny stood with her hands on her hips.

     "Prefect, huh?"

     "Oh, sod off. Stella, what's that? Another one of Malfoy's love letters?"

     "Yeah," she lied. "He's been writing every chance he gets."

     Ron huffed and left the room. Stella couldn't keep it together. Tears welled up in her eyes and she shut them tight. "El," Ginny whispered soothingly, embracing her. "Don't cry."

     "I'm going to be just like her, aren't I? Me and Draco. Born Death Eaters."

     "Stop saying that, Stella," Ginny said strictly, resting her hands on her sister's shoulders. "You are nothing like Alia. You don't have to choose Draco just because she chose Ian."

     "El! Did you hear about Ron? Funniest thing-"

     Fred and George stopped in their tracks when they saw their sisters' position. Stella was attempting to push her tears back, and Ginny was staring into her eyes intently.

     Stella usually never cried. It was only on occasions where Draco was being a prick, or what traits her parents passed down to her came into question. Stella was strong and stubborn, completely convinced she would be seen differently if anyone saw tears escape her eyes.

     As soon as she caught sight of her brothers, she turned away. "Fred, George, I'm fine. Go back. I'm fine."

     But the twins didn't listen. Fred, George, and Ginny stayed to comfort their sister. Stella thanked her family for continuously being there for her.

     And this would always be her family, no matter what anyone said.

there were six different ways i tried to write the beginning of this story lmao