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FIVE; FAMILY OPPOSITIONS

     STELLA HEARD HER boyfriend before she saw him. She should've known that Draco would already be out on the field before she was to ensure she wouldn't hear the foul insults that left his mouth. Her eyes narrowed and she slowly felt her temper rise.

     She took way longer than normal to get ready for the day, which was due to the fact that another letter came in from St. Mungo's. The Healers had written that her mother was showing very positive signs, and a visit from Stella would probably lift her spirits. Stella crumpled the parchment up and stuffed it in the pocket of her robes, guilt rising in her stomach.

     Molly had once explained the light she saw in Alia — something so beautiful and rare that she was disappointed when Alia allowed Ian to encompass her with darkness. However, Molly assured Stella that underneath the hard exterior she put forward in front of all those Death Eaters, she was still the joyous Hufflepuff everyone knew and loved. She only disguised herself in order to protect Ian, who she fought for relentlessly.

     Although Stella knew all of this, she couldn't find herself taking another trip down to St. Mungo's. How could she possibly stare at this woman who gave birth to her and pretend like she was going to make a full recovery? Alia was so far from the photos Molly showed her, and Stella did not want to remember her mother this way. She liked to think of Alia as that ball of sunshine everyone adored. She couldn't imagine her mother agreeing to become a selfish Death Eater just because her father wished to take that path in life.

     Deep down, Stella knew she was a filthy liar. She knew she would do anything and everything to save Draco.

     "What's that Weasley's riding?" Stella heard her boyfriend shout. "Why would anyone put a Flying Charm on a moldy old log like that?"

     She took personal offense to his insult. Despite her parents not earning much money, they made up for what they could with love. She admired the fact that her mother would stay up for hours just to listen to her problems — it was these little things that most children never received, and Stella was lucky to be blessed with her redheaded bunch.

     After Draco, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle began laughing at Ron when he took a harsh fall to the ground, Stella grabbed Draco's robes and tugged him from the bench.

     "Ooh," Crabbe and Goyle chorused, watching as Draco got dragged away by a very angry Stella.

     "Ow, ow, ow. My love, you're hurting me."

     She released her hold on him and pushed him away once they were out of earshot. "Oh, you don't even know what real pain is, Draco! How dare you say that to my brother! I will have you know that Ron is better at Quidditch on that old broom than you will ever be. Honestly, Draco, I don't understand why I continue to be with you when all you do is slander my family. You never even listen to a word I say."

     A flash of panic soared through Draco's eyes. The simple thought of Stella breaking up with him was much too painful to bear. She was the only one he could confide him, the only one who understood him through and through.

     "My love, please, let's not make any quick decisions. I'm sorry. I know that I offended your family by saying those things to Weasley, and I certainly had no place. Your mum and dad work very hard to keep you happy, and that knowledge alone makes me the happiest man in the world."

     She turned her head and scoffed. "Your words are so empty, Draco. Honestly, why do I even bother? It's so obvious that you're going to become a Death Eater because of Lucius, and I'm going to join you because we're just like my parents. I should just accept your comments," Stella exhaled, taking deep breaths. "Let's face it. Our future is already decided for us."

     He frowned, taking a step forward and pushing her hair from her face.

     "My love, are we on about this again? Why does this concern you so much?" He rolled up his sleeve to expose his skin. "It's not here yet, my love. And yes, I understand that the day will come when my father chooses to allow me into this Death Eater world, and I will have to join his ranks. I don't have a choice, but I know you do. Your father's gone and your mother can barely speak two words. You have a new family who loves you and wants you to succeed at anything you set your mind to. They will protect you, my love, just as much as I will. I won't allow you to become a Death Eater and have to live with the consequences that follow. I've seen the dreary path it took my mother towards, and I will make sure the same won't happen to you. Okay?"

     Her hands were shaking, and Draco took them in his.

     "I know I keep mentioning it, but I can't help but be scared, Draco. I'm frightened for you, for what your father will make you do. I'm not afraid for my own fate anymore, I want to know how we're going to handle yours."

     "We'll manage," he smiled warmly, and a burst of happiness swirled through Stella's chest. "You're everything to me, and that's all that matters right now, okay?"

     "Will you come with me and apologize to Ron, then?"

     The request was a lot to ask from Draco. He wasn't very well acquainted with his girlfriend's siblings. He knew Fred and George loved Stella too much to tell her how much they truly hated him, and Ron knew Stella would beat him up if he said anything bad about Draco. The rest of the Weasley clan bit their tongue because as much as they hated to admit it, Draco made Stella happy and that was all the affirmation they needed.

     "I will try my best."

     She sighed in exasperation. "Draco, I'm just asking for this one-"

     "I know, I know," he whispered, kissing her forehead. He could sense how stressed she was. He understood it was because of the constant letters from St. Mungo's about Alia's current state. Stella had yet to reveal the secret to him, but Lucius kept updates on Stella's mother because Draco believed that deep inside, his father felt remorse for what he did to his former best friends at Hogwarts.

     They made their way down to the changing rooms, and Stella called the names of her brothers before they could enter. Their expressions darkened when they saw who was accompanying their sister.

     "Hey," she greeted, bringing Draco forward. "We came to say something."

     "Oh, really?" Fred chuckled humorlessly. It sounded so odd coming from his mouth. "Honestly, sod off, Malfoy. I tolerate you only because you put a smile on my sister's face, but I'm glad she saw what you're like when she's not around."

     "Yeah," George nodded in agreement. "Eat dirt, Malfoy. I'm sorry, Stella, but he will never be a part of this family."

     "George!" She exclaimed in pure shock, amazed that her twin brothers would say this. They had forgiven Draco many times before, as much as she despised admitting it.

     Ron shook his head. "I can't believe you could ever love this slimy git, El. He's nothing like the good person mum and dad raised you to be, and George's right."

     The three turned away from their sister, and Fred threw her another apologetic look. He knew it wasn't Stella's fault that her heart chose Draco, but he wished she had picked someone who wasn't always focused on blood status and popularity.

     Stella could feel her heart breaking in two. Her siblings had never said such harsh things to her, especially the twins. Fred and George loved to see her smile, but the fact that they would never consider Draco to be their family no matter how much Stella loved him broke her.

     She understood it would take a very long time for her family to become accustomed to her choice in partner, but the fact that they weren't willing to try anymore gave her a sinking feeling.

     She couldn't decide who she was more upset with — Draco or herself.

     "I can see the gears turning in your head, my love. Don't worry about them now, they'll get over it."

     She pushed him away when he tried to embrace her. "They're my brothers, and what they said was true. They can't accept you, Draco, when you still hold prejudices against our family."

     He frowned. Draco had to confess that deep down, he admired Molly and Arthur. They managed to raise children who were strong in their beliefs, who all had vibrating personalities, and who believed family was the strongest aspect in a child's upbringing. Draco never experienced any of that, only heard of it through Stella's stories. He would listen to her ramble on and on late at night about how Fred and George tried to trick Percy again, which resulted in a lot of yelling as Stella and Ginny ate popcorn together to witness the event.

     If anything, he respected the Weasley family the most. They raised the best person he knew, and managed to fight against all of the backlash they received for being blood traitors.

     If only he would get over his pride and admit it to his girlfriend.

     "I think we should take a break, Draco. And not a we're-going-to-fight-for-a-day-and-reconcile break, I mean an actual break."

     He couldn't breathe. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. For as long as they've been together, the two have fought relentlessly but they always found their way back to one another.

     He shook his head. "You don't mean that, my love. I know you don't."

     "I promise we'll come back to each other, okay? But I need this time for my family and for myself, and you need this time to reflect upon our future," she reasoned. Her eyes were reserved and calm, which meant she had already made up her mind. Draco could not change anything now.

     Tears welled up in his eyes. He wanted to wake up from this horrid nightmare.

     "Stella, please-"

     "I'm sorry, Draco," she whispered as she began to walk away from him. "This break will be good for the both of us, I promise."

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     "Stella, is it true? Did you actually end things with Malfoy?"

     Her head raised to see her sister staring expectantly at her, and Stella didn't miss the glimmer of excitement in Ginny's eyes.

     She was sitting with her brothers at the Gryffindor table, refusing to be near any Slytherin until she could handle the mountain of questions they loaded on her. Everyone was shocked to discover that the prized couple of Slytherin had actually broken up instead of fighting and making up the next day.

     Draco was completely beat up about it — Blaise revealed he had not left his bed since Stella ended things between them. It tore her heart even more to know she was the one causing Draco's pain, but she had to do something to save her relationship. If Draco and her kept heading down the path they were leaning towards, it would only result in deep bitterness.

     She couldn't be with him when he was still providing empty promises in order to gain her forgiveness. For once, she needed to see her relationship through her family's eyes and figure out a way to fix it.

     "Yes, she did," Fred smiled proudly. "El has finally come to her senses after all these years."

     She glared at him and refocused her attention to Ginny. "We're on a break. I decided we needed to learn who we are without the other person for a while. It's a temporary situation."

     "We're hoping it becomes permanent," George added. Stella elbowed his side.

     Ginny opened her mouth to ask another question, but was interrupted by Hermione's gasp. She was holding a copy of the Daily Prophet, and Stella peered over, eyes widening when she saw its contents.

     Hermione began reading about the fact that Umbridge had now been appointed High Inquisitor, which meant she was allowed to inspect other teachers and decide if they were suitable for the job.

     The students were surprised by this sudden promotion, but they all supposed they didn't have much say in what Umbridge would decide. Stella knew if Umbridge could fire everyone at Hogwarts, she would deliver in a heartbeat.

     For the first time since she came to Hogwarts, Stella didn't sit next to Draco during Potions Class. She observed him from her spot next to Harry. He looked broken beyond repair, and he didn't even bother to hide his misery. Blaise was attempting to make light conversation with him, and occasionally threw glances at Stella when Draco wouldn't respond.

     Stella found Draco during lunch. He was laying in the Slytherin common room, staring at the ceiling. His back tensed when he heard someone enter, as if he knew who it was.

     She came over to his side and he didn't look at her, focusing on his spot on the ceiling.

     "Draco," she murmured softly. "Blaise tells me you haven't eaten in days. Come and have some lunch in the Great Hall."

     He twisted so that his back was facing her. "I'm not hungry," he muttered as a reply.

     She sighed. "Draco, please. This is just a break. We'll be back-"

     He sat up, surprising her with his sudden movements. "Stella, you keep saying that, but how come I feel like this isn't a temporary thing? I can feel you slipping away from me, and maybe that's my fault. You were right — I'm so caught up in my stupid prejudices that I've been attacking your family for no solid reason. You say this is just a break, but I feel like I've already lost you."

     She moved closer to him, forgetting the fact that he had called her by her first name instead of the endearing term he came up with when they were younger. "You haven't, Draco. I still want you more than anything, but I can't keep having you make mistakes and not learn anything from them. I've excused everything you've said about my family or my friends because you keep apologizing, and I keep forgiving you because you mean so much to me."

     "Help me first, my love," he begged, grabbing her hands in his and staring at her. "Just educate me a little further. You have to help me understand, Stella. You know I wasn't raised the same way you were. My father instilled so many horrible things in my mind and I can't tell what's right or wrong anymore."

     She blinked. There he went again — always making her question her decisions and changing her mind.

     It wasn't Draco's fault that Lucius was such an asshole, but she remembered what Fred and George told her earlier that day.

     "Good thing you took a break from Malfoy, El. We can't remember the last time you came to eat lunch with us at Hogwarts. It's nice," Fred smiled, throwing an arm around his sister's shoulder.

     She frowned. "I eat lunch with you guys all the time."

     They both raised their eyebrows. "Hate to break it to you, sis, but the last time you ate with us was when you were concerned about Harry's wellbeing. And you barely spoke two words to us," George pointed out.

     Stella furrowed her eyebrows. Surely, she spent more time with her family than that, right?

     She looked at the boy that she loved, and she knew that if she was around him again, she couldn't depart his side.

     "Just give me a few weeks to spend with my family, Draco. This isn't permanent, I swear to you. But my brothers and sister deserve to see their sibling more than I have provided for them."

     He pushed her hair behind her ear. "Swear to me."

     "I swear it."

     He placed a gentle goodbye kiss upon her lips, and Stella felt her heart race.

     Temporary situation. It was just a temporary situation, Draco assured himself.

i just re-read power and control by antebellums and got inspired to write a chapter of this fic because i love the harry potter universe sm (btw, i love rova so so much (but i'm also in love with those draco scenes) and i recommend reading about their story as soon as you can)

another chapter might be coming out soon because i love writing about stella & draco