Chapter 10
After the Christmas holidays their parents had allowed them to go back to Hogwarts two days early so they’d still have the weekend to adjust.
The twins took that offer. Anything to get out of that house.
Being back at Hogwarts made Stella realize how exhausting being back with her parents had been. She felt so tired.
All she wanted to do was stay in bed for the rest of her life. Everything felt so heavy, each step she took was a challenge, so she just stayed in bed.
Her though where dark and she was filled with hopelessness. It felt like she was trying to swim with a weight around her foot and no land in sight.
Sirius spend most of his time with Remus who had stayed at Hogwarts over Christmas. He had asked Stella to join, but she hadn’t felt like it. She just stayed in bed.
Pandora returned on Sunday. She noticed instantly that something was wrong, but Stella couldn’t explain so she just cried while Pandora held her.
She didn’t come out for the meals either so Pandora brought her some food. She ate some of it halfheartedly, since she wasn’t really hungry and the food didn’t taste as good as it usually did.
In the afternoon Sirius came over and convinced her to come out into the hallway.
She didn’t understand why he needed her to come out right in that moment, but he was very persistent so she budged.
The world around her felt so unreal like she was in a bubble and everything was so far away. The brick walls, the portraits, the yard she could see through the windows it all seemed so unreal.
Then suddenly she felt something cold on her foot. Water was rapidly flooding the hallway.
Her first thought was why would Sirius get himself into trouble so shortly after his last punishment, but then she realized she didn’t care. She looked at Sirius and he smiled at her.
“Fancy yourself a hallway dive?” His eyes where full of mischief.
Stella didn’t bother answering. She just took his hand and went underwater. It was winter and the water was ice cold, but it felt good. Her head cleared and suddenly there was just her and Sirius and the water.
The light from the windows created colorful shapes in the water. Sirius reached out as if trying to grab them.
It was beautiful the whole hallway. It was all… so blue.
Afterwards Sirius and his friends had been called into McGonagall’s office. Stella had taken a warm shower to stop freezing and had to put on fresh clothes, which was probably for the best.
The house elves had changed her sheets and tidied up her room. She felt way more comfortable now.
She even decided to join Pandora and the other Ravenclaws for dinner. The great hall was filled with chatter about the prank and who might be behind it.
After dinner Sirius came over to her.
“Can we talk?”
Stella nodded and they went out to find a bench on the snowy ground of Hogwarts.
“You know I am worried and so is Pandora”
“Yeah sorry”
“Don’t be sorry I know how it is. I was back home with you.”
“I just don’t understand how you are so ok. I’ve always wished I could be as strong as you”
“I’m not strong. The only reason I’m not sad is because I’m so angry.”
Stella nodded slowly. It made sense.
“Is that why you flooded the hallway?”
A smile made its way into Sirius’s face. “I mean it was kinda genius right? Had the whole School talking.”
“It was alright” she said teasingly. “There is definitely room for improvement.”
“Are you suggesting you would have done better than me and my gang.”
“Tsss your ‘gang’. I’m just saying if you ever needed expert help you know where to find me.”
“Did I hear that right my sister suggesting to break a rule?”
“Well unlike you I’d never get caught”
“How dare you” he said in an exaggerated dramatic tone. “Well at least I wouldn’t get myself thrown into the snow by my younger twin.” And with that he grabbed her and threw her into the snow.
She sat in the snow for a second contemplating her next move, then she jumped up and chased Sirius to the castle.
“Sirius take this” she aimed a snowball right at him. He tried to do duck away but it hit him right in the head.
They ran inside still laughing and picking the snow out of their hair.
A young woman dressed like a nurse told them they had ten minutes to be in their dorm’s. So they hugged goodbye and rushed to their dorms.
Pandora was waiting for her in their dorm.
“Hey I got you something, so even when I’m not there you’ll never have to be alone in our dorm.”
Stella gave her a confused look.
She stepped aside to reveal the cutest owl Stella had ever seen.
“It’s a boreal owl. My uncle rescues owls and this one still needed an owner and it seemed perfect so I just thought…”
“Tank You” Stella interrupted her with a big hug.
She sat down in front of the little owl. He looked back at her with his big eyes. His head was a darker shade of brown, but his body was white with horizontal brown stripes. He was shaped like a ball.
Stella held out her hand and he took a few little steps onto her arm.
She stroked his little head.
Pandora smiled “what do you want to call him?”
Stella looked at him thoughtfully.
“Eulo that’s gonna be his name.”
“Hello Eulo”
After playing with Eulo for a bit Stella got out some Parchment and begun writing.
My dear beloved little brother,
Sirius and I have arrived at Hogwarts well.
It seems Sirius has already gotten himself into trouble. School hasn’t even started jet. Isn’t that typical.
I have a knew owl now his name is Eulo. Isn’t he cute?
I’m looking forward to next year when you will be able to join us here.
I hope you are doing well and are able to keep out of trouble. I know you will be. You remind me of a black cat able to hide in the shadows. I am aware that this is harder when there is no one to throw those shadows.
Much love,
S.E.B.
When Stella finished writing the little owl was still jumping around full of energy, so Stella decided to sent him to deliver the letter to Regulus right away.
She slept the entire night nightmare free and was woken by Eulo’s little owl claws walking all over her blanket excitedly. He was holding a letter in his beak.
“Thanks” she murmured rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
She opened the envelope carefully.
Dear Stella,
There is still plenty of shadows here.
Regards,
R.A.B