Stella potter and the power of temptation

Chapter 17

One of these days my recklessness will me, i feel the regret crawl over my body as soon as i see the looks on thr faces of the people i used to love enough to die for, Molly is the first to move from the shock that froze each of them, she stands up, her puffy red hair messy around her freckled face and she leaves the room, no doubt to call Dumbledore.

Everyone is sat around the same long table i was sat around only a few months ago, so much has changed since then and it will never be the same again a thought that both frightens me and relieves me.

I look around the table and see the mass amount of food drinks and previosly happy people, i really do not belong here and i already regret my decsision beyong imagination. why did i ever think i would be happier here? i should of stayed there, but i know if i had i would become the darkest version of myself a version i and everyone else would hate. Harry is sat next to hermionie and across from Ron they all look at me like i am an invader someone who does not belong here.

"Stella? What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here," Harry is the first one to break the silence.

I roll my eyes but gasp when I feel arms wrap around me. The warmth of another on this cold winter day warms me and when i realise who it is i feel like i could cry in relief, he doesnt totally hate me yet. Thank goodness.

Sirius. I relax in his grip and hug him back, my only family that might actually care. His hair is messy but not nearly as messy as a year ago, he would never of had to of gone to azkaban if it wasn't for dumbledore leaving his name in the mud when he knew exactly who did it.

"I have every right to be here Harry, just as much right as you, if Sirius doesn't want me here then I will leave but until then I'm here," he looks conflicted over my answer but just nods his head.

I look at my brother and see his tired eyes and how stressed he is, for the first time in months I want to give him a hug. Why does there have to be sides? Why can't he see Dumbledore is using him?

When I look at Hermione and Ron I expect the same feeling to arouse but It doesn't, I feel nothing towards them. Only disgust and hate. He's still my brother, they're not anything to me anymore.

Nothing can buy back the trust they stole and lost.

They proved where their loyalties lied when everything with the tri-wizard tournement happened, their loyalties are to names, wealth and fame. Sirius walks me over to an empty seat and plates me up some food, a Sunday roast, it looks ok at best. I have no fucking appetite. Not after that.

Knowing Dumbledore will be here soon I practice my Occlumens. It takes a lot of effort and it isn't at all easy, I haven't got all that much practice but for now it should be ok. I look around the kitchen I was sat in only a few months ago and think about how much has changed. So much has changed and it can never be undone.

Only a few months ago and we was running around, being ridiculously silly and ignoring all of our worries. Now what?

I'm sat alone and cold in a kitchen full of people who do not want me to be here, all except Sirius maybe. I look at Sirius and smile when I see him looking at me.

"You know Stella, you really are a lot like your mother," I smile despite knowing how untrue that is and hear Hermione scoff next to me, muttering something under her breath.

I ignore what she says not caring and not wanting to get kicked out just yet.

"Thank you, Sirius, I hope you don't mind me showing up out of the blue like this, I just had no where else to go, I won't be here long if you don't wish for me to be, I just ask that I can stay here until the end of winter break to figure something out," I say this sincerely because he's the only family that's never done wrong by me.