Harry Potter and the Magician’s Gift

A Tale from the Ages

Pisces looked about her. She was flying over what would’ve been Great Britain in her time, looking for a castle known to witches, wizards and wannabes as Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. She’d heard through Pluto, who’d attended along with Pisces, that they needed a Divination teacher. “Ol’ Trelawney finally bit the dust,” she said to Pisces. “Take the job, find your friends, and accomplish your mission.”

What this mission was Pisces didn’t know, she needed to speak with Dumbledore as soon as she found Hogwarts. It was late June, and the term had ended not too long ago. Finally, she spotted the castle.

She flew down, landed prettily on the front steps, and walked in. It was unchanged. She walked up the stairs, heading for Dumbledore’s office. The gargoyle leered at her, then spoke, “Stella, what are you doing here?”

She smiled. “Hello, Sankes. I’m supposed to see Dumbledore about the Divination position.”

He slid to one side, revealing the stairs that she knew so well. She began ascending to Dumbledore’s office. She found herself at his door. She knocked and entered.

Dumbledore sat at his desk, stroking his phoenix. He looked up, smiling at her. “Stella! A pleasure to see you again, my star.”

She smiled. *He still uses that nickname for me.* “Hello Professor,” she greeted back, settling herself in a chair. “I understand that the Divination position’s open. I assume Pluto talked to you?”

He nodded. “She did. It’s yours, Stella.” He leaned back in his chair. “Why don’t you do explore? Divination is in the North Tower now, and the way she had it, it may need airing out. It’s been a while since you left here,” he frowned slightly. “Lots has happened. I’ll see you here for tea at four precisely.”

She stood, offering her hand to Dumbledore. “Thanks...Albus,” she said, a little uncomfortably. She closed her eyes and disappeared, reappearing in the North Tower.

She promptly started coughing. She ran and opened the windows, letting the June breezes waft in. She examined the stuffs on the walls, star charts and such things. The tea cups stood on the shelf, the spell books were under her desk, the fire burning brightly. “That’s got to go,” she said devoutly, drawing her wand and extinguishing it. She examined her wand. It was twelve inches, made of Georgian honeysuckle with an emerald core. A bit different from Ollivander’s wands, but it suited her purposes here. It was, after all, the most powerful wand in existence. She and Pluto had been trained by the Olympian Gods to make their own magical devices, and they’d fashioned them. Finding the room to her liking, she descended by the ladder and found herself wandering the school. She walked the length of the corridors, nodding and waving at the statues and portraits of those who recognized her.

“Good heavens,” she heard a voice say behind her. She turned.

It was Professor McGonagall. “Professor!” she said, smiling at her old teacher. Stella alone could account for the appearance of several of her gray hairs.

Minerva hugged Stella. “Where in the world have you been?” she asked, concerned. “Sirius said you’d gone back to your own world, and Severus and I didn’t know what to make of that. Dumbledore confirmed it, but what do they mean? Lily and James were sad too, but...”

Stella laughed. “Minerva, calm down. I did go back to my own world. I’m not from this one, but I was sent here with Mistique to train to be witches.”

Minerva’s eyes widened. “You’ve seen Mistique? Where is she?”

Stella shrugged. “Everywhere and nowhere at the same time. She’s the Keeper of Time. I was sent here on some mission for her, and Albus gave me the Divination job, so I’ll be around!”

“That’s spectacular!” Minerva said happily. She sobered slightly. “Did you hear from Albus about Lily and James, and Harry too?”

Stella look worried. “What happened, Minerva?”

“You-Know-Who killed Lily and James, then tried to kill Harry too, but the curse backfired onto him because Lily died to save Harry. Harry’s in his fifth year here now.”

Stella allowed a small smile onto her face. “He’s got Divination, right?”

Minerva smiled also. “I know he’s your godchild, and I’m happy that he’s got you and Sirius.” She shuddered slightly. “Lily’s sister’s family is where Harry is staying, they’re the most awful Muggles I’ve ever met.”

Stella looked at Minerva. “You mentioned Sirius. Last I heard, he was in Azkaban for getting mixed up with Voldemort.”

Minerva smiled again. “He broke out year before last. Harry and two of his friends helped him out.”

“So he’s here somewhere?” Stella asked excitedly.

Minerva shrugged. “Voldemort regained his body after that incident with Harry when he was only a year old. He kidnapped Harry when he and another boy touched the Triwizard Cup a few days ago. He cut his arm, getting Harry’s blood to make himself stronger. Sirius was here then, but Dumbledore set him on an errand.”

Stella’s eyes narrowed. “I still don’t like him.”

Minerva sighed. “You’d better go. I have to meet Severus.”

Stella smiled. “I haven’t seen him in ages.”

Minerva pointed down the hall. “There’s Severus now.”

He’d been walking down the hall. Now he was running, for he’d spotted Stella. “Stella!” he said, picking her up and swinging her around. “Where have you been?”

“Off being a hero,” she said, smiling at her old classmate. She, Sirius, Severus, Lily, and James had all been at Hogwarts at the same time, and had know each other pretty well. “I was exactly where Sirius and Albus said I was. Back in my own world.”

“Amazing,” Severus said. “I must catch up with you later, though. Minerva and I are spending the day in London. Wanna go? Just like old times.”

She shook her head. “Can’t. I have a tea date with Albus and I still have to see Rubeus.”

They parted ways and she headed for his cabin. She’d visited him constantly, mostly because she loved animals and frequently helped him. She knocked on the door. Hagrid opened it, and his jaw dropped. “Stella!” he gasped. “Yeh’ve come back! Sirius said...”

She smiled and hugged him. “Yes, I know. I’ve heard it from Minerva and Severus already, and Sirius and Albus were right. Minerva told me about the Potters, and about what happened to Harry. Gods, Rubeus! I wish I’d been here to protect him! I’m his godmother after all, and as soon as I’ve seen Dumbledore, I’m going to have a talk with his aunt Petunia.”

Hagrid hugged her tightly. “It’s good to see yeh, Stella. Perhaps we’ll see each other around?”

She hugged him again. “We’d better. I’m the new Divination professor.”

Hagrid hugged her again. “I knew yeh’d be one day!” he declared proudly. “Yeh was always predictin’ stuff that came true and...”

Stella’s eyes dropped. “When Harry was born, I outlined that scar on his face before Voldemort even knew of his birth.” Hagrid was about to speak when Stella suddenly realized it was nearly four. “I’ve got to go! I promised Albus that I’d have tea with him!” She hugged Hagrid again. “I’ll come by as soon as I’ve unpacked. See ya, Rubeus!”

“Take care, m’girl!” Hagrid called. He bustled about his cabin. “Strange things is happenin’,” he muttered to himself. “The old gang’s back together, and it hasn’t been this way since the Chamber opened fifty years ago. Stella’s back from her world, Sirius is outta Azkaban.” He paused briefly. “It’s all comin’ together at Harry,” he concluded, “he’s taken his parents’ place in the group.”

* * *

Stella appeared in Dumbledore’s office. “Albus,” she said carefully, sitting down. “Why didn’t you tell me about the Potters? Lily was my best friend. And poor Harry! I’m going over there as soon as I’ve unpacked here.”

“Stella,” he said, pouring cinnamon hot chocolate for her, knowing that she hated tea, “it was better to hear it from Minerva. The joy of seeing your old comrades lessened the burden that happened thirteen years ago. You have nothing to feel guilt over. Voldemort would have attacked Harry if you or Sirius had been there. Both of you may very well have been killed as well.”

“Albus,” she said, setting down her mug, “I can’t die. I’m immortal.”

He raised an eyebrow at her. “Why you, my star?”

She blew out her breath. “In my world, I am a warrior. I fight for justice and I have made sure that what happens, will happen. I am the warrior known as Pisces.”

He stared at her. She could never remember seeing him surprised at all. “Stella, is Mistique immortal too?”

“Yes,” she answered softly. “In my world, she’s called Pluto. She is the Mistress of Time. She guards it so no one can tamper with it.” She leaned closer to Albus. “Do you recall the tales of the Greek Gods?”

“Yes,” he answered her, “I do. Myths. Unreliable facts.”

“They sent Pluto and I to Hogwarts. They made sure that we could train here. It greatly helped us utilize our powers.”

He cleared his throat. “What sort of powers do you have?” he asked.

She spread her hands. “Anything I want. I can do it with or without a wand.” She pulled it out of her emerald green robes. “Albus, there’s something I have to mention.”

“Go on,” he said, sipping his tea.

“The night Harry was born,” she said softly, stirring her cocoa idly, “when I first laid eyes on him, I traced the scar on his forehead. I had a premonition that it would be there.” She laughed slightly. “Sirius told me to forget about it, because with four powerful beings close to Harry, Voldemort would never touch him. Then I had to leave.” She lifted her tear-stained face to Albus. “I’m afraid Sirius and I didn’t part very happily.”

Dumbledore handed her a hankie. “If it makes you feel any better,” he said, “Sirius never had your marriage annulled.”

“Albus,” she said again, “where is Sirius? I have to speak with him.”

Dumbledore sighed. “He’s not the same man you left, Stella. Azkaban changed him. He hasn’t quite lost that haunted look yet. Harry brought a lot of him back, but with Voldemort being reborn has us all scared. I imagine you’re here because your magic doesn’t follow the rules of magic in this world. You can apparate on these grounds. You could kill without the curses. But best of all,” he lowered his voice, “if Hogwarts is attacked by Death Eaters and Voldemort, then you can get Harry out of here.”

She smiled. “Where is Harry?”

“The Dursleys’,” Albus said. “I’ll send Harry an owl that you’re coming. I can’t explain about you, you and Sirius must go to him on his birthday.”

“That’s in two weeks,” she said wryly. “And I still need to get him a present!”

“I’ll send Sirius an owl too,” Dumbledore said, ignoring her, “and tell him that there’s a present at the Castle for him.”

“Should I gift wrap it?” she wondered aloud. “Perhaps I should journey to Diagon Alley. I didn’t have time to pack my trunk so I’ll just get new stuff. I’ll need to pick up Misty and Spark. You think Rubeus might want to come with me?”

Albus shrugged. “He probably would like to.” He paused near his phoenix, Fawkes. “I admire you, Stella. Minerva and Severus don’t spend any time with Hagrid. They seem to look down on him because he was expelled.”

Stella blushed slightly. “I went back in time when I heard about that,” she said sheepishly. “Tom Riddle opened it, not Rubeus. I always knew that and stood by him.”

“I know,” Dumbledore said. “Two years ago, the memory of Tom Riddle opened it again.”

“And brave little Harry went down and faced him.” Stella sighed. “He’s got Lily’s impulsive nature. He probably didn’t stop to consider his actions before doing it.”

“Ah, be nice to Harry,” Albus said, chuckling. “He and his friend Ron rescued Ron’s sister from him, when he bewitched her. They both got Special Services awards for that one.”

Stella suddenly realized that she had been far too long. “Albus, I really must go. I have to go to Diagon Alley, and I have to unpack all that mess!” She disappeared, leaving Dumbledore smiling fondly with the nostalgia her presence brought.

* * *

“Rubeus!” she called. He poked his head out his window. “I’m going to Diagon Alley! Wanna go?”

“Course I do,” he said, grabbing his moleskin coat. “How will we be gettin’ there, Stella?”

“We’ll teleport,” she said, grasping his hands and disappearing. They appeared in Diagon Alley.

“Yeh never tol’ me that yeh could apparate!” Hagrid said, disbelieving.

“Oh,” she said. “In my world, we call it teleporting. I guess I’ll have to remember that one.”

“What do yeh need?” Hagrid looked about.

“New robes,” she said, counting on her fingers, “I need to make sure that Mistique dropped off Misty and Spark like she promised, a cauldron, telescope, tarot cards, crystal ball...”

“Hope yeh got money fer all that,” Hagrid said, smiling at her.

“There should be in Gringotts,” Stella said. “And some of it is in storage in my pocket. In truth,” she said, laughing. “I actually need very few things. Including,” she smiled at Hagrid, “Lunch.”

Stella and Hagrid spent a few hours in Diagon Alley. It would have taken about an hour, but Hagrid insisted on introducing her to various people, many were pupils at Hogwarts that she would be teaching. After Stella had gotten everything she needed, she and Hagrid teleported back to Hogwarts. “Didn’t buy a lot,” Hagrid said, stepping into her room next to Minerva’s.

Stella twisted around, reaching into her subspace pocket, pulling out crystals, scales, a telescope, a cauldron, a huge trunk, and, among other things, two covered birdcages. “Yeh’ve got two owls,” Hagrid said, smiling.

She uncovered them, revealing two birds, one blue with green eyes, and the other red and golden with blue eyes. “Misty and Spark,” she said proudly. “I got them in a different world. They’re supposed to have some kind of powers, but they’re kinda young. Misty’s an ice bird, and Spark’s a phoenix. They’re mates, and as soon as they have young I’m going to give one to Harry.”

Hagrid’s eyes widened. “Can I have one too?”

Stella smiled, remembering Hagrid’s fondness for creatures. “Of course, Rubeus. Oh, I forgot to ask. How are you liking being the gamekeeper?”

“It’s great,” he said. “And Dumbledore’s given me the position of Care of Magical Creatures teacher. It’s me third year teaching.”

“That’s great!” Stella said. “A real chance to interact with the students.”

“So you’re Professor Black now,” Hagrid mused. “I always figured you’d marry Sirius.”

“Rubeus,” she said carefully. “If people find out I’m married to him, they’ll watch me carefully. If Sirius comes here, I don’t want a crowd of Ministry officials here watching for him. I’ll be Professor McCoy.”

Hagrid frowned. “He killed thirteen people with one curse,” he said. “I know he’s your husband, but someone like that deserves to be in Azkaban.”

“One of my powers is that I can travel through time,” Stella said. “I went back in time and watched Voldemort’s servant, Wormtail, kill those people. Sirius is innocent. Like you, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Hagrid sniffed. “Did you go back in time fer me, too?”

“Of course,” Stella said softly. “You asked me once why I stood by you when so many others turned their backs on you. What did I say?”

Hagrid wiped his eyes. “You said that you were undoubtedly sure that I didn’t do anything.”

“Now, how else could I have been so sure?”

Hagrid looked at her curiously. “Why didn’t you tell the Ministry?”

“They wouldn’t have believed me,” she said. “Would you have? If an eleven year old told you that they went back in time, would you have counted that as evidence?” At the shake of his head, she continued, “Now, enough dwelling on the past. What should I get Harry for his birthday?”

Hagrid mused. “I dunno. Perhaps he’d like a home.”

Stella frowned. “A home? Is it that bad at the Dursleys’?”

He nodded. “Friends snuck him out one year, another he walked out, and last year he was invited to a friend’s house. If you’d get a nice house in London, he could stay with you and he’d be close to the station and everything. I think that’s the best present you could give.”

She sighed. “If I just met this person, I wouldn’t want to live with them right away. Maybe I’ll get him a Snitch. Isn’t he the Seeker for Gryffindor?”

Hagrid puffed up. “Youngest Seeker in a century. I think he’d like that.”

Dumbledore appeared at the door. “Stella, there’s someone in your study, waiting for you.”

She turned to Hagrid. “I’ll stop by later, Hagrid.” He waved and left. She turned to Albus. “Did you tell him it was me?”

“No,” he said, smiling, “but he’s very anxious, wondering who it is.”

Stella smiled back. “Shouldn’t keep him waiting, I suppose.” Dumbledore led her to her study on the first floor. She opened the door and walked in.

Sirius was sitting in a chair before the fireplace. He turned towards her, and his mouth dropped. “Stella?” he asked, disbelieving.

“It’s me, Sirius,” she said, a tear cascading down her cheek.

He rose and kissed her. “It’s been so long,” he murmured through the kiss. “I thought I’d never see you again. In Azkaban,” he said, breaking the kiss, “the only thing that kept me alive was Harry and the fact that I couldn’t be dead if you came back.”

“I promised that I would,” she said softly, resting her cheek on his shoulder. “I’ve been sent here to protect Harry. With Voldemort rising to power, he’s going to need me. And it looks like you need me too.”

He kissed her again, then found her left hand. “You kept it,” he said softly, fingering the ring on her third finger.

“Of course I did,” she said. “You don’t ever throw away the symbol of someone’s love for you.” She found his left hand. “And I knew that you’d never throw mine away.”

He led her to a chair. “What are you going to do here?”

“I’m the Divination teacher,” she said. “I think I’m going to buy a house in London and see if Harry wants to live there on vacation with me once he gets to know me. You’ll be welcome there too, as you well know.” She turned to him. “I’ve decided to be Professor McCoy, so you can come here without the Ministry thinking that you will be here because your wife is here.”

He kissed her again. “You’ve thought of everything. When will you speak to Harry?”

“You and I are going there on his birthday,” she said. “What about you? What are you going to do?”

“I’m staying with you, of course,” he said. “Wherever you decide you’ll be, that’s where I’ll be.”

“What if the dementors come after you?” she asked quietly.

He shrugged. “We’ll work that out when we come to it. Right now, I should send Harry an owl.”

“I have my birds,” she said, smiling, “but no owls.” She grabbed his hand and led him to her room on the third floor. She held out her arm and whistled. Misty flew off her perch and landed gracefully on Stella’s arm.

Sirius fished around on her desk and produced a quill and parchment. Stella draped her arm over his shoulder as he wrote:

Harry,

How has your vacation been? Are you alright? I’ll be there on your birthday and I have a surprise for you. See you in two weeks.

-Sirius

He fastened it to Misty’s leg and she flew off. “Hope she knows where she’s going,” Sirius said, turning to Stella. “I have to go, my love,” he said quietly. “I have to go back to the cave, otherwise the hippogriff there will make noise and someone will hear it.”

“Just come back to me soon, Sirius,” she said, kissing him once more. He turned into a black dog and scurried off. Stella drew her green cloak over her head and disappeared to London.

She looked for hours, debating about three houses for sale there. The one nearest Diagon Alley was a huge mansion and backed up to a large orchard. There was also a pool and loads of other stuff. *He can play Quidditch there,* she thought happily. She bought it, promising she’d move in soon.

* * *

Later, Stella perused the Quidditch supply store in Diagon Alley. She and Sirius were supposed to be at the Dursleys’ in three hours, and she still debated about what to get him. Finally, she ended up getting him a full set of Quidditch balls, specially designed to come back to their crate when you pressed the button on it. *That ought to keep him busy,* she thought with relish. *I just hope he moves in with Sirius and me.*

She apparated back to her house in London, where Sirius was waiting. “Do you think he’ll move in with us?” she asked softly.

He nodded. “If Wormtail hadn’t escaped, he’d already be living with me.”

She settled into a chair near the fireplace. “I hope Petunia and Vernon weren’t too hard on him. And Dudley! He’s probably as big their small house by now.”

Sirius examined the crystal timepiece on the mantle. “We’d better get going,” he said.

Stella nodded, and closed her eyes. Both of them disappeared and reappeared outside Petunia and Vernon’s house. “It’s now or never,” she said softly. She floated silently up to Harry’s window, noting the light on inside. Sirius rapped lightly on it, and Harry opened it.

“Sirius!” he exclaimed, hugging him. “I thought you were coming tomorrow!”

“We’ll be back tomorrow, I bet,” Sirius said, helping Stella through the window. “Harry, this is my wife, Stella.”

Harry looked at Sirius. “You never told me you were getting married,” he said suspiciously.

“Harry,” Stella said softly. “Your mother and I were best friends. In fact, I’m your godmother. And Sirius and I have been married about twenty one years.”

“Whoa,” he said, looking at Sirius. “You never told me I had a godmother too!”

“Well, that’s kinda my fault,” Stella admitted. “I’m from a different dimension, and I had to go back to it right before Voldemort killed your parents. Dumbledore told me about two weeks ago that your parents had died. I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there for you, Harry. I’ll make it up to you now, if you want. You can come live with me and Sirius in London if you want to.”

“Of course I do!” he said happily. “What a cool birthday present!” He hugged them both.

“Speaking of presents,” Sirius said, producing one. Harry opened it carefully and saw a metal rod. “It’s a Producer,” Sirius explained. “Tap it three times and tell it what you want, and it’ll give it to you.” Sirius tapped it three times and said, “Birthday cake for Harry.” Stella watched a chocolate cake appear.

“I’m afraid my gift isn’t as extravagant as Sirius’s,” she said, “but I think you’ll like it.” She snapped her fingers and the Quidditch crate appeared. “A full set of Quidditch balls, so you can play with your friends and practice catching the Snitch.” She winked at him. “I hear you’re a pretty good Seeker.”

Harry blushed. “I have a question,” he said. “If I come live with you, can my friends visit for a while?”

“Of course, Harry,” Stella said. “If you need anything at Hogwarts, just ask me. I’m the new Divination teacher.”

“Thank goodness,” Harry said. “Professor Trelawney predicted my death every time I got near her.”

Stella smiled. “I promise I won’t, if you’ll promise me one thing.” At his nod, she continued. “When we’re alone, you must call me Stella. But when I teach, please call me Professor McCoy. I don’t want to cause you any trouble with your peers.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “I heard about that Malfoy character. I don’t like his father, not in the least.” She smiled at Sirius. “Severus’s temper seems to have cooled slightly, though.”

Harry’s eyes widened. “You knew Professor Snape?”

She nodded. “Sirius, your parents and I were in Gryffindor. Snape was our year but in Slytherin. Snape was the object of our pranks and continually followed me around, though Sirius and I were constantly together at the time, planning pranks to pull, and Snape disliked him for it. Then,” her eyes twinkled, “he went after your mum, and even though she and your father argued often, they shared a mutual dislike of Severus.”

Harry glanced at his clock. “It’s nearly five,” he said hurriedly. “Uncle Vernon will be up and grumbling soon.”

Sirius clapped Harry on the back while Stella kissed his cheek. “I’ll be back at nine,” she said softly. “And by ten you’ll be outta here. Be ready.” With that, she and Sirius disappeared.

After they’d gone, Harry took out some parchment and began letters to Ron and Hermione, telling them about his godmother and how lucky he was, and also thanking them for the gifts they’d given him.

* * *

Hours later, Sirius had gone back to his cave in the mountains, leaving Stella with her convertible to get Harry. Stella, being the Time-traveling mystery woman, was quite adept at many Muggle things, and her car had been set aside years before for her. She drove down from London, to the small but elite community where Vernon and Petunia Dursley made their home.

She arrived at nine on the nose and parked in their driveway. Straightening her dress, she breathed deeply and rang the bell.

Much to her dismay, Dudley answered. “Who’re you?” he asked thickly through a mouthful of fruit.

“My name is Stella McCoy,” she said, forcing a smile on her face. “I’m a friend of your mother’s.”

Dudley turned and yelled at his mother, spraying food all over the otherwise clean front hall. “Mum! A lady to see you!”

Petunia came bustling in. “Stella!” she exclaimed. “Last I heard, you were in America!” She hugged Stella. “What brings you back here?” She led Stella to the living room.

“Well,” Stella said, sitting on the sofa, “As you know, my great aunt Matilda was dreadfully ill and I went to ease her last years of suffering. She died last month, and as you know, Lily named me Harry’s guardian after you, and I just thought,” she lowered her voice slightly, “that maybe you’d be a little tired of his abnormality. I’d like to take him to my house in London.”

Petunia’s eyes widened. “Oh Stella!” she exclaimed, eyes misting over. “Of course you can take him. Boy!” she snarled at Harry, “Get your things and hustle. Your godmother’s taking you to live with her!”

Harry scrambled upstairs and came down a few minutes later with his trunk, a few small boxes, his broomstick and owl, Hedwig. “Is that everything?” Stella asked. At his nod, she continued, “Bid your aunt and cousin good bye.”

“Bye Aunt Petunia. Bye Dudley,” Harry said. “Tell Uncle Vernon that I’ll miss him.”

Stella ushered him out the door and loaded her car. She started it and drove down the road. “Whew!” she said. “I can’t believe Petunia bought that story! She knows that I’m a witch.”

“You were just joking about that, weren’t you?” Harry asked.

“Of course!” Stella said, smiling. “I just said that so I wouldn’t have to use magic on Petunia. She and Dudley are probably celebrating already.”

Harry grinned. “Well, they probably are.”

Stella smiled at him. “Well, would you like to stop somewhere and eat? I saw that fruit in Dudley’s mouth. You probably haven’t been getting much this summer.”

Harry nodded eagerly. “I have a couple of birthday cakes that my friends sent me, but I didn’t eat any yet.”

Stella pulled off the road and parked in front of a restaurant. She and Harry were becoming fast friends and she could tell that they were going to have no problems.

* * *

An hour or so later, Stella pulled into the driveway of the house in London. “What do you think?” she asked.

“It’s great!” Harry said. “Is Sirius here?”

Stella shook her head. “No, he said he’d be here by this weekend.” She unlocked the door and let Harry in, magically teleporting his things to his room. “You may as well put Hedwig outside in the orchard with Misty and Spark,” she said to Harry.

“Are Misty and Spark your owls?” he asked, letting Hedwig outside.

“No,” Stella said, whistling. “Misty’s an ice bird and Spark is a phoenix. They’re mates.” Misty and Spark landed on her outstretched arms and regarded Harry with curiosity. Misty flew over and began nibbling lightly on Harry’s ear, tickling him with her feathers. “I think she likes you. Now,” she said, sending the birds off, “you mentioned something about friends staying over. Who did you have in mind?”

“My friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They go to Hogwarts with me,” Harry said.

Stella tilted her head to the side. “They know about Sirius, right?” At his nod, she shrugged. “I’ll write their parents.” After listening to Harry’s explanation about Hermione’s parents being Muggles, she simply asked for their address. She wrote two invitations and enlisted Misty and Hedwig to deliver them. She tapped her lip thoughtfully as she watched the two soar off. “Perhaps I should get an owl,” she said aloud.

“Stella?” she heard Harry call. He appeared in her study. “I just want to thank you,” he said. “for giving me a home and everything, plus the chance to pay back my friends’ hospitality.”

“You’re welcome, Harry,” she said.

He seemed to debate about asking her something else. “Could I ask you a question?” he asked.

“Sure,” Stella said. “Feel free to ask anything.”

“You said last night that you were from a different dimension,” he said. “Could you explain that?”

She nodded. “I am actually from a different dimension, and even a different year. I was born in 2253. When I was ten, I fell into this hole that led into another dimension, and I drifted back several thousand years back in time. The Greek Gods of Mount Olympus found me, sheltered me, and offered me a home. Then they gave me magical powers, and sent me to this dimension to go to Hogwarts, to learn how to use them better. Me and my friend, Mistique, who came with me, stayed in an estate near your parents, Sirius, and Lupin, and we went to Hogwarts. I meet Sirius, and when we graduated I married him. We’d been married about five years before I was ordered to go back to the gods.” She looked at Harry. “That was about six months after you were born.” She sighed. “I went to see you and your parents one last time. While I was there, next to your cradle, I had a premonition. There was lots of green light and a horrible, screeching laugh. Then, a lightning bolt was outlined in the green light.” Her fingers drifted up to Harry’s forehead. “When I came out of this trance, Sirius was next to me. I traced the scar out on your forehead, telling Sirius about the premonition.” She laughed shortly. “He thought I was crazy. Then I hugged your mother, and your father, kissed Sirius, then left.”

Harry whistled softly. “That’s some story.”

She looked at him. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone about it all. They might think I was dangerous.”

“Why?” Harry asked. “Just because you’re from a different dimension?”

“That’s the thing, Harry,” she said. “Different dimensions have different rules regarding magic. I can apparate on the Hogwarts grounds. I could kill without muttering a curse. And perhaps the main reason you’re here with me now,” she leaned close to Harry, “is that I’m immortal and cannot die. I surpass Voldemort and even Dumbledore in magical ability.”

Harry looked at her, wide-eyed. “What else can you do?”

She smiled. “Watch this.” She snapped her fingers and vanished.

Harry whirled around. “Where’d she go?” he muttered.

“I’m still here,” her voice said. “I’m right where I was.” She snapped her fingers again and reappeared. “I can become invisible without a cloak, and it’s really invisible. No magic of this world can see me.” She turned her head abruptly, then said to Harry. “Hedwig’s back. Misty’s about a mile behind her.”

They stepped out into the orchard and watched Hedwig swoop down and land on Harry’s shoulder. He unfastened the parchment and Hedwig flew off, eager to examine her new home. He handed the letter to Stella, who read it:

Professor McCoy:

Thank you for your kind invitation for Hermione. She’s delighted for the chance to spend two weeks with Harry in your London home. We will meet you in Diagon Alley on Saturday at three to drop off Hermione.

Fond regards,

Alistair Granger, D.M.D

“A dentist, hmm?” Stella mused, unfastening the second letter from Misty’s leg. “Is she strange?”

“No,” Harry said, smiling. “She’s a genius.”

“One of those types, huh? Is she in Divination?” Stella asked, scanning the letter from Mrs. Weasley. “The Weasleys are coming. We’re meeting them in Diagon Alley on Saturday.”

“Hermione’s not, but Ron is,” Harry said. “Hermione didn’t like the teacher either.”

Stella smiled. “Professor Trelawney was my Divination teacher as well. She had one foot into St. Mungo’s long before I was even at Hogwarts.” She put her hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Why don’t we try out those Quidditch balls?”

* * *

On Saturday, Stella and Harry walked to Diagon Alley. The neighborhood was full of wizards, and they called out to them. Stella led the way to the Leaky Cauldron, tapped the brick, and found themselves in Diagon Alley.

Harry tugged Stella’s robes slightly. “There’s Hermione,” he said, walking over to her. Stella followed, hoping that this meeting would go well. “Hi Hermione!” Harry said to her.

“Hi Harry!” Hermione said back. She turned to Stella. “You must be Professor McCoy.”

“That I am,” Stella said to her, shaking her parents’ hands. “And you are the famous Hermione.” Stella promised the Grangers that she’d take them to King’s Cross in a few weeks. As the Grangers walked off, Hermione pointed. “There’s Ron!” she said. “And Fred and George.” All of the Weasley children had been invited, but Ginny had been invited to a friend’s house, so Ron, Fred and George had come. Stella slipped all their trunks into a subspace pocket and they set off for her house.

“Thank you for inviting us, Professor,” Hermione said.

Stella smiled. “You’re very welcome. And I will tell you the same thing I told Harry. When we’re alone, like this, please call me Stella. But when I teach, or am around other teachers and students, please call me Professor McCoy.”

Harry bent close to Hermione’s and Ron’s ears and whispered softly, “She’s Sirius’s wife.”

Fred and George were explaining to Stella about the joke shop they were going to open, and hadn’t heard Harry. “We’ve made lots of jokes already, thanks to the money Harry gave us.” Fred took several out of his pocket, showing them to her.

“Interesting,” Stella mused. They’d arrived at the house and Stella noticed a red bird on the perch near the door. “I think Dumbledore has sent us something,” she said, feeding Fawkes a tidbit of something and unfastening the note. She glanced over it, then shoved it in her pocket.

“What’s Dumbledore want?” Harry asked her. He became concerned. “He’s not mad that you took me from the Dursleys, is he?”

Stella smiled, and shook her head. “No. He figured that I was going to do that, as soon as I heard about how mistreated you were.” She shook her head again. “Dumbledore has plans for Hogwarts this year. I happen to be a very big part of those plans.”

Ron looked suspicious. “Nobody may die, right?”

She laughed. “It’s harmless, Ron, truly. It will help you more than it will hurt you. Any of you,” she emphasized, seeing them glance at Harry.

George grinned. “If you won’t tell us that, could you tell us who the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher is?”

She shrugged. “I was at that castle for two weeks. I didn’t hear anything.” She paused in the entryway, thinking. “Did any of you find a map of Hogwarts there?”

All of them were silent. Finally, Fred began talking, “You mean the Marauder’s Map?”

She smiled. “Yeah, I had a hand in it. I was just wondering if anyone ever stole it from Filch.”

Harry smiled back. “I’ve got it. Did you help them make it?”

She nodded. “I bewitched the parchment and I taught those four rogues how to become Animagi.”

Fred and George’s faces lit up. “Will you teach us?” Fred asked.

“Pretty please?” George added.

“Please Stella!” Harry pleaded. Ron nodded vehemently.

Hermione didn’t beg. “Isn’t it difficult to do?”

Stella shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I can do it because I want to.” She shook her head, though. “I can’t teach you. It’s against the wizard’s law.” She smiled sneakily. “There’s ways to learn, but can you find them?” She opened the patio door. “Anyone want to swim or play Quidditch?”

* * *

The weeks passed quickly. Fairly soon owls arrived, bearing the supplies list for the year. Stella took them to Diagon Alley to buy supplies, warning them all not to go down Knockturn Alley. She took them to Gringotts and then turned them loose, telling them to meet her in the Leaky Cauldron in an hour. Harry stayed with her. “Where’s Sirius?” he asked quietly. “I thought you said he’d be here.”

“In Dumbledore’s last letter,” Stella whispered back, “he mentioned that Sirius is still in the mountain cave. I think Buckbeak’s ill.” She pursed her lips. “After the feast I’ll have to heal him.” She paused in front of a music store. “I’m afraid that Sirius is ill, too. Albus didn’t say, but he hinted.”

Harry frowned. “They can’t take him to a wizard doctor, they’d recognize him.”

She grinned. “It’s a very good thing that I can heal. Otherwise, Sirius would be in a lot of trouble.” She then walked into the music store, Harry following closely.

“I dropped off my flute here a few days ago,” she was saying to the assistant. “Is it ready?”

“The Muggle flute?” the assistant asked, rummaging for the key to its vault.

“Yes, that’s the one,” Stella agreed, watching the assistant. “Silver metal, with the golden ring about the mouthpiece?”

“Ah,” the assistant said, producing the case. She blushed slightly. “Would you play it for me? I’ve never heard a real Muggle flute before.”

Stella smiled. “Of course.” She assembled the metal pieces and played a few notes, then went right into a melodic piece that Harry couldn’t remember the name of.

“Stella?” he asked when she’d finished. “What’s the name of that song?”

She blushed. “Well, it’s meant to be played on piano, and it doesn’t sound right without its accompaniment, but it’s Fur Elise.” She blushed even harder. “I used to play it to you so you’d go to sleep.” She turned and paid the assistant and ushered Harry out of the store. Checking Harry’s list, she said, “Well, you just need quills and parchment, then we’re done here.” She pondered the list a moment more. “I’d like to get an owl, but I don’t think Misty and Spark would take to it well.” She smiled at Harry. “They love Hedwig, but it might be asking a little much.”

“What about a cat?” Harry asked. “Hermione’s got one.”

Stella smiled. “I have one; he should be here soon.”

Just then, Ron and Hermione rushed up. “Stella!” Ron exclaimed. “We just saw him.”

Stella needed no explanation of “him”. “Where is he?”

Hermione pointed. “The far end of the street. He looks sick.”

Stella rushed down the street. Harry, Ron and Hermione followed, but they couldn’t keep up with her. She reached Sirius while they were still several shops away. “What is it?” she asked quietly. Sirius nudged her with the note in his mouth. She read it carefully as Harry, Ron and Hermione rushed up. “By Zeus,” Stella said softly. “Buckbeak’s ill,” she said quietly. “Hippogriffs are only ill when great evil is in the area.”

Hermione’s eyes narrowed. “We’d better stay here until the Express comes,” she said. “Hogwarts isn’t safe.”

Stella turned to Sirius. “I’ll see you in a week or so,” she said softly. “I can’t leave Harry until Dumbledore’s around.”

The dog nodded and scampered off. Stella sighed. “It’s bad, Harry,” she said. “Dumbledore’s concerned about your safety and Sirius and I are too.” She kissed his cheek gently. “I’ll feel better when Voldemort’s destroyed for good.”

Fred and George came running up. “We’re ready to go,” Fred said. “We’ve got everything.”

Stella turned to Harry. “We need to get your quills and parchment,” she said to him. “Then we’ll go.”

Stella herself was out of quills and parchment, so she also stocked up on it. Then she teleported them all back to the house.

“How’d you do that?” Fred asked eagerly.

She shrugged. “I’ve been doing it since I was eleven. It’s second nature to me now.”

George frowned. “I thought you said no one could apparate in here,” he asked.

Stella smiled. “In my world, we call it teleporting. There’s a difference between apparating and teleporting.”

“What’s the difference?” Hermione wondered.

She winked. “I’m the only one in this world who can teleport. The magics of this world can block apparation but can’t block teleportation.” She drew her wand. “See this wand? I made it myself. Honeysuckle and emerald. It’s the most powerful wand in this world.”

Harry looked slightly green. “Even more powerful than Professor Dumbledore’s or Lord Voldemort’s?”

She nodded firmly. “I have the most powerful wand, and I am the most powerful witch.” She shrugged. “Sort of.”

Fred raised an eyebrow. “What d’ya mean, sort of?”

She blushed. “I’m not wholly a witch, I prefer to say that I’m a sorceress. Witches are bound by things that I am not. That’s why I’m a sorceress.”

“I’ve read about sorcerers and sorceresses,” Hermione said abruptly. “They’re pretty powerful, and have no limitations on their powers.” She frowned slightly. “I thought they disappeared centuries ago.”

Before Stella could answer, an owl flew through the window. It landed on her arm and Stella examined it. “It’s not one of the school’s owls,” she said carefully. She unfolded the small parchment and read it, paling.

“What is it?” asked Hermione urgently.

Stella raised her head to Harry. “It’s from Ron’s father. The Ministry’s got reports that Voldemort’s hiding in London.”

Harry paled. “What if he comes here?” he whispered.

Stella held out the parchment, fixed her eyes upon it, and watched it burst into flames in her palm. “He’ll get a big surprise,” she said through clenched teeth.

Ron gaped in awe. “Can you teach us that?”

“Ron!” Hermione scolded. “Now’s not the time! We leave for Hogwarts tomorrow.”

Stella smiled. “There’ll be plenty to do at Hogwarts. Make sure your trunks are packed and ready, and make sure all animals are present and accounted for.”

* * *

After an uneventful night, Ministry cars pulled up outside to take them all to King’s Cross. They hopped aboard the Hogwarts Express and settled into a compartment by themselves. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat in one corner while Stella sketched idly in another. Her head shot up abruptly and Hermione noticed this. “What is it?” she asked quietly.

“Something angry’s coming towards us,” Stella said in a low voice. “Three somethings.”

“Malfoy!” Harry said angrily.

Stella nodded. “I’ll hide and scare the crap out of them.”

No sooner had she disappeared then the compartment door opened and there stood Malfoy, Crabb and Goyle, all leering at them. “So, Potter,” Malfoy drawled. “Still alive, I see.”

Harry shrugged. “I’m just lucky.”

Malfoy sneered. “Now that the Dark Lord’s back, you won’t be for long.”

“Ah hem,” said a voice behind them. Malfoy, Crabb and Goyle turned to see Stella.

“Who’re you?” Malfoy growled. “This is a private conversation.”

Stella smiled contemptuously. “None of your business.”

“You’re a Mudblood!” Malfoy jeered. “Why don’t you get your filthy self out of here before the Dark Lord gets you?”

Stella’s smile changed to one of innocence. “Why don’t we take up your disrespect for teachers with Professor Dumbledore when we get to Hogwarts?”

“You’re not a teacher,” Malfoy said, looking at Harry. “Potter’s just tryin’ to get me in trouble.”

Stella stuck out her hand. “I’m Professor McCoy, the Divination professor at Hogwarts. Professor Snape happens to be an old friend of mine.”

Malfoy audibly gulped. “I was just kidding, Professor. Honest.”

Stella stared at him. “I’ve got you, Malfoy. I’ll be watching you. Now quit harassing students, or I’ll see that you sorely regret being my enemy.”

Malfoy nodded and all three ran out of the compartment. Stella laughed. “Gods, what a child!”

Ron pointed out the window. “There’s Hogsmeade station,” he said.

Stella picked up the two birdcages and her trunks, piling them into her subspace pocket. She carried Hedwig for Harry as they trudged down the steps to the carriages. “Hagrid!” she called. “Bon voyage!”

Hagrid smiled and waved his hand at them, gathering the first years around him for their trip across the lake. Stella and her three charges piled into a carriage and trotted towards the castle. “Harry,” she said seriously. “I’ll try not to smother you this year, but I’m going to keep my promise to Lily and James that I’ll keep you safe.”

“Did Mum know that you were a sorceress?” Harry asked.

Stella nodded. “That’s why Sirius and I are your guardians,” she said. “We’re both pretty powerful.”

The carriages arrived at Hogwarts and McGonagall swept them into the Great Hall. “Great to see you back, Stella,” she called.

Stella smiled. “Nice to see you too, Minerva,” she called back.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron took seats at the Gryffindor table, while Stella took her seat at the teachers’ table, next to Snape.

“She’s sitting next to Snape!” Harry hissed.

Hermione shrugged. “She did say that they were old friends. Maybe he’ll lay off you now.”

The Sorting commenced and Harry continued to stare at Snape and Stella. Hagrid had now joined their conversation, and they appeared to be telling jokes. “Does Hagrid know Stella?”

“Weren’t you listening at all?” Hermione asked. “She, Snape, and Sirius were at Hogwarts together, along with Lupin, your parents, and Wormtail.”

“You’ve got it made,” Ron said happily. “Just let it drop that she’s your guardian and no teacher will give you any trouble.”

The Sorting was drawing to a close when Nick, the Gryffindor ghost, came up to Harry. “Hello, Harry,” the ghost greeted. “Ready for another year of hard work?”

He nodded. “Yeah, it looks like my troubles with Snape may be ending.”

“Because of Stella?” Nick asked, grinning. “She certainly has a powerful influence over people.”

“How do you know her, Nick?” Ron asked.

“Stella was in Gryffindor,” Nick answered. “Always had time to talk with me. None of the other Gryffindors really bothered with me except her circle.”

“You mean my mum and my dad and Sirius?” Harry asked quietly.

Nick nodded, glancing at the last first year. “Looks like it’s time to feast.” He sighed. “Just tell me how good it tastes, so I’ll remember myself.”

Dumbledore stood. “Time for another year,” he said cheerily. “I’d like to introduce our new teachers. First, Professor McCoy will be our new Divination teacher.” The Gryffindor table erupted with applause, as Harry had told them all how she’d gotten the better of Malfoy and his crew. “And Professor Lupin is returning as our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.” More cheering erupted from the Gryffindor table. “And now,” Dumbledore smiled. “Tuck in.”

Nick nodded to Harry, Ron and Hermione. “I think I’ll go talk to Stella.” He floated over to her, and began speaking to her in earnest.

Ron nodded, shoveling food into his mouth. “She does have an influence,” he said approvingly.

Hermione smiled over her goblet of pumpkin juice. “Don’t rely on her to get you out of detention.”

After they’d finished their feast, they trudged up to Gryffindor Tower. Harry settled in with his fellow fifth years, Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean. “The only bad thing about this year,” Ron declared as he turned out his lamp, “is that we take O.W.L.s this year.”

“That’ll be a bummer,” Dean agreed, nodding off to sleep.

One by one the other boys dropped off, leaving Harry to wonder what exactly this year would bring.

* * *

Next morning at breakfast, Stella glanced over the classes she was supposed to teach. She smiled slightly, she had double Divination first with the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw fifth years. Judging by the smiles on Harry’s and Ron’s faces, they were excited as well.

She glanced upwards, sensing Misty approaching with mail. The beautiful bird swooped down from the sky, a parcel clutched in her talons. She landed gracefully on the table and allowed Stella to take the package.

Noting the stares of the students, Stella patted the bird. She conjured up a bowl of water and Misty drank eagerly. Then she flew off, back to the open window in Stella’s room.

Stella rose and headed for her study, which was in the alcove across from the Great Hall. She unwrapped the parcel carefully, and gasped as the contents were revealed. It was a beautiful necklace. It had a star-shaped amulet, made of emerald, strung on a silver chain. Remus was one of Sirius’s friends, and she’d befriended him on the train to Hogwarts. She reminded herself to thank him and chat with him during the break. Checking the timepiece on the mantle, she cursed softly when she realized that she should be in the North Tower.

She disappeared and reappeared in the North Tower, amidst the shocked students. Bowing, she said, “I am Professor McCoy. I apologize for my tardiness, I had a matter of importance to attend to.” She smiled sweetly at the class. “Should I predict someone’s death?”

Harry smiled at her. “No, I think we’d like to get to a lesson.”

Ron burst in. “Why don’t you tell us about yourself?”

Stella raised an eyebrow at Ron. “Mr. Weasley, I have spent the past six years perfecting the art of the tarot.” She smiled at them. “I was a student at Hogwarts, and Divination was one of my best subjects. I predicted minor things around the castle, ranging from where Mrs. Norris would be at any given time to what was for dinner. Several years later I predicted the rise of Lord Voldemort.”

She shook her head lightly. “I’m rambling again. Please open your books to the section on the tarot.”

* * *

After Harry’s Divination class, he and Ron met Hermione and walked down to Care of Magical Creatures, all the while telling Hermione about what Stella had said. “D’ya think she was lying?” Ron asked.

Harry shook his head. “I don’t think so. After class we could talk to Hagrid, I suppose. He must have known her.”

Hagrid enthusiastically waved to them. “C’mon!” he yelled. “We’ve got things to do!”

Hagrid’s class that day consisted of merpeople. “They’re very secretive,” he warned as several popped out of the lake. “They shriek above water, but under they’ve got beau’iful voices. Few actually master the art of Merlish, their language.”

“Very true, Hagrid,” Stella said, who’d just walked down from the castle.

“Professor McCoy!” Hagrid said. “Yeh speak Merlish, don’ yeh?”

She laughed. “I haven’t for years, so I’m a little rusty.”

“Let’s hear it!” Parvati exclaimed.

Stella smiled, and let out a shriek like a banshee. A mermaid popped out of the lake, waved, and dived again. “I must go,” she apologized to the class. “I have an appointment with Professor Lupin.”

“Please come back, Professor!” Lavendar begged.

She smiled at Hagrid. “If Hagrid will have me.”

He smiled back. “Yeh’re welcome anytime, Professor.” She turned and headed back up the slope as the castle bell rang.

As the other students headed for the castle, Harry, Ron and Hermione approached Hagrid. “Hagrid,” Harry said, “did you know that Stella’s my godmother?”

Hagrid nodded. “Yep. She and Sirius were married. I ‘spect that she heard about his breakout and came here to protect you.” He chuckled. “Travel in the other dimensions must be slow.”

“So it’s all true,” Ron mused. “Did she really predict the rise of You-know-who?”

“Yep,” Hagrid said. “She also predicted one other curious thing that I know of.”

Harry nodded. “She had a premonition about the night that Voldemort killed my parents. The same thing that used to happen to me around dementors. Green lights, a screeching laugh, my mum screaming, and a lightning bolt outlined in the light. She told me it was about six months before the actual attack occurred, and that Voldemort didn’t even know of my birth at that time.”

Hermione looked at Harry sympathetically. “It must be hard for Stella,” she said softly. “You fell off a broomstick. She probably relives it everytime she sees that scar.”

Hagrid sniffed. “She had it hard at school,” he said. “She met Lily a few months before they started at Hogwarts, and they were best friends. James and Sirius grew up next to each other and were best friends. The four o’ them met in Diagon Alley and by next week Lily and James were arguing and Stella and Sirius were planning pranks.” He chuckled. “Some people weren’t too happy about that arrangement.”

“Who?” Hermione asked.

“Snape tried to date Lily, but if there was one thing Lily and James agreed on, it was that Snape was a slimeball,” Hagrid said, smiling. “Then he went after Stella, but gave up. Snape disgusted her, and she helped play pranks on him. Snape hated James and Sirius until the day James died and still hates Sirius, I wager.”

“Who else tried to date them?” Hermione asked.

Hagrid sobered. “Yeh better go ta lunch,” he said.

Harry led the way back to the castle. “Suppose Snape takes revenge on Stella?”

Ron snorted. “What’s he gonna do, threaten her?”

* * *

Stella stood outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts class and knocked. Remus opened it, smiling. “Good to see you, Phoenix.”

She hugged him. “Good to see you too, Moony. Thank you so much for the necklace. The original one was ripped off my neck on one of my missions.”

Remus closed the door and motioned to his office. “I see you haven’t died yet,” he remarked wryly. “You look exactly the same, not a day over twenty-two.”

She pouted, eyes sparkling. “And here I thought I looked twenty!”

“Padfoot’s a lucky guy,” Remus teased her, laughter in his voice. He closed the door to his office. “Want some tea?”

“Moony!” she chided. “You know I hate tea.”

He laughed again. “You haven’t changed,” he repeated. “You’re still the same rogue you always were.”

Stella looked at him skeptically. “I’m on to you, Remus Lupin. You sent me that necklace for a specific reason, so you could talk to me.”

Remus looked at her sadly. “I can’t believe I wasn’t here when Harry needed me,” he said softly. “Sirius was here in spirit, but I stayed away. If I’d only known about the tournament, I’d’ve stayed at Hogwarts last year to teach.”

Stella sighed. “Moony,” she began, “speaking from a time-traveler’s personal experiences, if something is destined to happen, it will happen regardless of what choices someone did or didn’t make. Voldemort was destined to rise again, I told you that years ago.”

“So you did,” Remus said with a smile, handing her a mug of hot chocolate. “But you know quite well that we never listened to you.”

“Bet you wish you did.”

Remus regarded her over his teacup. Something was different about his old friend, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. “Stella,” he said suddenly, “look at me.”

Stella raised her eyes to meet his. The green irises caught the light and sparkled. “What?”

Remus blinked repeatedly. “Your eyes. They’re green.”

Stella frowned, pulling out her trusty hand mirror. She gazed into it, admiring how well the necklace matched her eyes. “So? They’ve always been green.”

Remus frowned. “No. Sirius and James used to say that the Sorceress of Ice had icicles for eyes.”

She grinned. “I must still be transformed. I wasn’t intending on scaring you like that. They change when I transform.” She waved a hand across her face. “Better?”

Those ice blue eyes. A sense of familiarity. Seeing those eyes looming out of the darkness when they studied well into the night. “Yes,” he said, scaring himself a little when he blurted it out. “Yes, they’re fine.”

"Moony," Stella said firmly. "What's wrong?"

"With Voldemort alive again," Remus said slowly, forcing himself to look at her, "Dumbledore's reestablished the Order of the Phoenix. He's happy you're here, for more than auld lang syne."

Understanding burned in Stella's eyes. "Ah," she said softly. "And you're worried about me."

"And Sirius. And Harry and his friends." Remus found himself choked up. "Lily and James gave their lives to the cause, Phoenix. I hope there's no need for yours."

"Or yours," Stella reminded him.

Remus sobered even more. "Arabella's on her way."

Stella's eyes narrowed. "She's not dead yet?"

Remus grinned. "You and Arabella put the Marauders and Snape to shame."

"She's very critical of me, and has no respect for what I do. She can't see beyond this world, like the rest of you can. To her, there's only the here and now."

Remus shrugged. "It's the Auror way to think. To an extent, you and James thought that way. Arabella merely applied to the rest of her life."

"I can't believe she's not dead yet," Stella muttered. Her eyes narrowed as Remus and she both gasped. "D'ya think..." she gritted her teeth, "that he could've warned us?"

They both pulled up the left sleeves of their robes, revealing a small tattoo. Stella's was a small green star, Remus's was a fang. He sighed. "He needs us. We better go."

"Just like the old days," Remus said with a sigh.

* * *
Stella glanced over those assembled. Remus and Sirius stood on either side of her, Mundungus Fletcher offered her a small smile, Arabella Figg promptly turned her nose up, Alastor Moody swiveled his eye at her, Snape sighed heavily, McGonagall stared, and Dumbledore smiled brightly at those assembled. "Welcome back," he said simply. "As you've heard, we have much to do." Dumbledore looked pointedly at Stella. "Phoenix."

Sirius grabbed her hand as she closed her eyes. "Darkness," she whispered. "Suffocating darkness. Red eyes, full moon. Silence." She shook her head lightly. "I'm afraid that's all I can get."

Dumbledore nodded slowly, while Arabella sneered. "Oh, the Sorceress can't use her magic?"

Stella sighed. "I'm willing to pretend that we can get along if you're up to it," she said pointedly. "At times like this, alliances are assets and enemies cost."

Arabella said nothing.

"I propose that we keep careful watch on the students," Remus interjected. "Voldemort will be looking for Hogwarts infiltrators."

"Especially Draco Malfoy," Stella put in. "That boy," she said, raising a hand to stall Snape's comment, "reeks of Dark Magic."

"Draco's a good boy," Snape sneered at her.

"If he hasn't been recruited," Stella began, "he could be a valuable asset. There's a file two inches thick in the Ministry on the Malfoy family, on everything from Death Eater confessions to Dark Artifacts. If Draco is with us, we could strike from the inside."

"I can't believe you're proposing that we use Draco," Snape told her.

She stared, eyes narrowing. "You can't believe me," she said slowly. "I'm not the one who was actually a Death Eater and turned against his friends, after only pretending to be their friend."

Snape was about to comment when Sirius interjected. "This isn't helping," he said softly to his wife. "You may be right, but that's not an issue yet."

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "That's all I need for the moment."

Stella sulkily went with Sirius and Remus back to Remus's office. "It's not quite comforting to know that Arabella hasn't changed."

"Sirius!" came an exclaimation from behind them. Harry, Ron and Hermione were standing there, mouths agape.

Sirius grinned. "Hello."

"What are you doing here?" Harry hissed.

Stella grinned at them. "Can't I spend time with my own husband?"