To Be Marked

"I want answers. I want them now. Who is Stella Gaunt? Who am I? Where did I come from?" she demanded. The young male sighed and nodded his head as he originally promised to tell her everything once his body had been reformed.

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FEW WEEKS PRIOR

Dark days loomed over Hogwarts as students prepared for the worst that could happen, seeing that the school was no longer a safe haven. Ever since her return from Hogsmeade a few days ago, Hermione Granger had been acting terribly different. The once ecstatic female was now weary looking with dark circles ringing around her eyes. Classes continued as usual with heavy precautions, Stella who sat alongside Pansy Parkinson watched the way Hermione Granger couldn't sit still and pay attention to class.

"Is something wrong?" Pansy questioned, noticing the way Stella had her eyes on Granger throughout the entire day.

"No. Why?" Stella questioned back, looking down at her parchment and scribbling some notes for class.

"You've been eyeing Granger for a long time." Pansy whispered.

"No. I'm just wondering why she hasn't blurted out answers for a while." she replied, glancing at her friend and shrugging.

"Now that you mention it….hasn't class been much quieter recently?" Pansy admitted, chuckling underneath her breath. "Maybe she figured out how dreadfully annoying she is."

"Perhaps." Stella smiled. 'Or perhaps He has started to make his move on her.'

After class had ended Hermione shot from her seat and rushed out of the classroom much to everyone's surprise, as she normally went to bother the Professor with a million questions. Both Harry and Ron looked at each other in surprise, not understanding what was happening to their female friend's recent behavior.

"So, wanna grab a cup before Herbology?" Pansy questioned, helping Stella pack her bags since she had brought nothing to class anyways.

"Sure. Let's grab a hot cocoa for Draco too." Stella smiled, walking towards the dining hall with her friend.

"Are you and Draco really a thing? Or was it just to irk you know who?" People knew Pansy had a thing for Draco but she never said anything because she was simply content with just being by his side. "I notice you call him Draco now and you guys are always together."

"Don't be daft, we're only together because his father is my guardian and I only call him Draco because I needed to differentiate between the older and younger Malfoy. Can't be calling them both Malfoy." Stella replied, applauding herself internally for making up such a great excuse on the spot. Upon arriving at the hall, three young figures stood at the beverage stall awaiting for their orders.

"Oh. Draco!" Pansy exclaimed happily, running up to the male who looked past her and smiled at the young Gaunt. Goyle and Crabbe dipped their head politely at the heiress who walked over, stepping aside for her to reach their 'Boss'.

"Hello My Lady." the young barista smiled flirtatiously. "I believe this is for you?" he held out a cup of coffee to her that Draco had ordered before the two females arrived, which she took appreciatively.

"Mind your attitude." Draco hissed out, narrowing his eyes. Stella chuckled at the male, knowing he had purposely bought the latte for her. A sharp pain pierced into Stella's eyes suddenly causing her to drop the beverage in her hands when she swayed from being lightheaded. Immediately, Draco caught onto her and wrapped his arms around his fellow Slytherin protectively.

"ANOTHER STRIKE ANOTHER STRIKE!" a young boy called out as he dashed around the entire dining hall. "KATIE BELL HAS BEEN ATTACKED!" The entire hall promptly ran out and followed the young boy to wherever the body of Kate Bell laid. Draco helped Stella as the five Slytherin students followed the crowd, seeing a young Gryffindor female laying on the ground, petrified.

"Katie Bell?" Stella questioned, leaning into Draco's chest and placing her hand on top of the arm where he had broken it from Quidditch. "That witch...Serves her right." Suddenly, Stella's eyes burned to the point of where she couldn't keep it open any longer.

"Stel? Stella….!" Draco's voice drowned out as her whole body fell limp in his arms. "STELLA!"

The young boy swooped the collapsed female into his embrace and ran back towards the Slytherin dungeons with his friends chasing closely behind.

"Pansy! Find my father! Now!" Draco yelled as they entered Draco's dorm room, Pansy immediately turned back around in search of Lucius Malfoy as Crabbe and Goyle stood guard outside the room. He rummaged through his drawers and took out the last vial of aching draught that his father left for the young Gaunt. "Stella. You have to be okay." he whispered, pouring the substance into her lips gently, but it merely dribbled out of the corner of her lips. Inside Stella's mind, pictures of herself back in her real life bubbled out, slowly popping as each one was replaced with a new bubble.

'Mom, I have detention! Coming home late, okay!'

'Again!? Stella you know I'm not proud of all these detention!'

'Tom, am I different?' a young girl whispered in parseltongue, holding her bruised arm to the male. 'Daddy called me a squib again.'

'No Stel. You're not different, you'll be the greatest witch ever known to roam this world.' the male replied, poking her forehead gently.

When Draco's father arrived, he immediately took out a vial of eyedrops. Prying her eyes open, he dripped a few drops into each eye, noticing they bore a reptilian resemblance. Draco tried to peek over, but his father's one simple glare made him stand back.

"Father, why is Stella like this now? She never had this issue before." Draco questioned, highly concerned about the well being of the girl who laid almost lifelessly in his bed.

"She'll be fine Draco. She's just tired and stressed." Lucius replied, sighing as he knew exactly what was happening to the young lady.

"Tired and Stressed?" Draco questioned, knowing very well that Stella always had eight hours of sleep and was most definitely not stressed.

"I'll take care of her. You may leave for class, Draco." his father ushered, waving his hand as if telling his son to leave.

"Classes have been cancelled due to an attack on Katie Bell. I'll stay and watch over her." he replied, not moving from his spot. Stella stirred from her slumber not too long after, her eyes blurry from an unknown reason but returning to their natural emerald state.

"Who's there?" she questioned, not seeing who was by her side but sensing there were people there.

"Can you not see?" Draco questioned, waving his hand in front of her.

"Draco?" Stella held out her hand, trying to reach for the male. Her eyes slowly regained sight as she held onto Lucius's cloak. "Lucius?" The elder male nodded his head, grabbing her hand and placed it back onto her side.

"I have something to talk to your father about. Can you wait outside Draco." The younger Malfoy nodded his head solemnly, walking out the door without taking a second glance behind him.

"Lucius….what is happening…" she hissed out lowly.

"You're not handling his powers well."

"What do you mean?" Stella shook her head, feeling something twinging in her eyes once again. Her eyes flashed between serpent eyes and her actual eyes, each time burning more and more.

"I can't say much but I'll tell you this Miss Stella." Lucius started, leaning in close. "You're marked by the serpent itself."

"Marked by the serpent itself? That's what you told Draco about the heir."

"Yes. By that I actually mean….you have it's life inside of you. I'm sorry I can't tell you more Milady." Stella looked at the male's light orbs, seeing her reflection through them.

"DRACO, Come in."

Draco swung the door open immediately, walking in and taking his place next to the young Gaunt. Lucius handed a flask to his son, his eyes concentrating on the younger male. "She is to drink this at two past midnight. Not sooner. Not later. Make sure of it. I will not have you making any mistake. You understand me?"

"Yes father. I understand."

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Draco decided to stay in Stella's room throughout the entire day, watching her every move and caring over her as a husband would. As dusk turned to midnight, Stella had started to get used to the Malfoy who made himself at home within her room. Each did their own respective things, not making much noise as they simply enjoyed the other's company.

"Stel, I have something to give you." Draco broke the silence, setting his quill down. Walking over to the female who was reading on her bed, he held out a box to her, opening once she set the book down. Stella's eyes gleamed with delight as she saw the beautiful jade bangle that laid on the velvet padding of the box.

"Where'd you get this? It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, tracing the 'S' on the bangle.

"I thought you might like it." he replied, taking the bangle out of it's container and slipping it onto her wrist.

"Is it really for me?" Stella questioned, raising her wrist to marvel it. "This looks like something you would give to your girlfriend or something."

"No, it's just a regular bangle that's all." he quickly covered. "No meaning behind it. Just thought it might go well with your new wardrobe. Plus, you gave away that bracelet you really liked to Pansy." Stella continued to marvel at the new jewelry that the young Malfoy bought for her, flashing it to him happily.

"Does it look good on me?" she questioned, giving him short poses as if posing for a jewelry photo shoot. Draco merely nodded and smiled back at her, satisfied at her delightful response.

A little past 12, Stella had fallen asleep since she normally slept at that time for her eight hour beauty rest. When it inches closer to the time Stella was supposed to take the flask of unknown substance his father gave him, a soft knock on her door caused Draco to look at the sleeping girl curiously, wondering who would visit her so late at night.

"Stella…" a voice whispered from outside.

"What's Flint doing here?" Draco questioned, making out the voice's owner.

"Can I come in?" Flint whispered while knocking a second time. Draco walked over to the door and creaked it open. "Yes?" He questioned, looking up at the older male.

"Draco? Why are you here?" Flint questioned in surprise, adjusting his sleeping robes. The young Malfoy noted how his team captain reeked of cologne and his hair was gelled nicely despite it being so late at night.

"That's what I should be asking you." the other retorted. "What are you doing in the girl's dorms this late at night."

"I was...uh...where's Stella? Why are you in her room?" Flint noticed the younger male was top naked. Draco cracked the door even wider, allowing his team captain to see the female who was sleeping on the bed.

"Why do you think I'm here?" Draco questioned, smirking at the male who peeked in. "She's a little tired after our little...session." Walking back to the female, he gently shook her shoulders, waking her in the process.

"Hmm?" the girl mumbled, leaning into his arms as she groggily pulled the blankets on top of her head. "5 more minutes…"

"Someones here for you. It's also time." he whispered, yanking the blankets down. Stella digged her head into the male's shoulder, groaning as she sat up tiredly. Draco grinned at the evil idea that suddenly flashed in his mind, popping open the container on her table side and leaning in close to the female. From Flint's perspective, it looked as if the two were kissing, passionately at that. However, Draco was simply helping the female down the vial of medicine that his father had directed him to do so earlier.

"Flint is here to see you." he announced, moving aside to show the dark silhouette of the third year quidditch captain.

"Flint?" she questioned, squinting her eyes to look at a shocked male who stood near her doorway. "Can I help you?" The elder male shook his head nervously, turning away and running back to the male's dormitory.

"Hm? What was that all about?" she questioned confusingly, looking at Draco who had a triumphant smile on his face. Stella poked the corner of his lips gently, "Why are you smirking?"

"Nothing. Go back to sleep, I'll wake you when it's time for class."