What a Miserable Life

Stella walked into the Girl's bathroom, her robe hanging off her shoulders loosely. She was tired. More tired than she had been in awhile. School and stress had worn her out and all Stella really wanted to do was sleep. But, she couldn't sleep in the Slytherin dorms. It wasn't that she wasn't comfortable, because she was. It was because her mind wouldn't let her slow down enough to sleep. Her mind was whirling a million miles per hour and Stella had no way to stop it. She was lost and confused. Stella didn't know why she had decided to get so involved with everything. She supposed it was because she was far too curious.

"And curiosity killed the cat." Stella murmured as she approached the sinks. The Chamber of Secrets was a place were she could be alone and think. It was perfect to escape to.

Sirena followed Stella as she saw her approach the Girls' bathroom. Sirena had spoken to Stella over break and Stella had confessed where the Chamber of Secrets were. Instead of making a big deal about it, Sirena had decided that as long as no other teacher caught Stella and her friends, they were free to do as they pleased. Stella was a smart girl; she wouldn't let anyone get hurt.

Slowing her pace, Sirena waited outside the bathroom with her hearing strained so she could be aware of what Stella was doing. Sirena didn't want to eavesdrop, but she needed to speak with Stella urgently.

"I'd like to think stupidity killed the cat and curiosity was framed," Sirena replied, finally walking into the bathroom.

Turning around when she heard the familiar voice, Stella felt tears well up in the corners of her eyes. Sirena had become a mother figure in the past months to her. It wasn't because Sirena was with her father, but it was because Sirena cared and worried about her. Stella felt safe around Sirena and Stella knew that Sirena was as close to a mother as it would get.

Running toward her, Stella wrapped her arms around the Headmistress, clutching her robes, Stella held on tightly. "Why?" Stella chocked out, knowing that Sirena would know what she was talking about; she always did.

Sirena caught Stella when she ran to her, and hugged the girl closely. Sirena loved the girl as if she were her daughter ans Sirena would protect the girl within an inch of her life. "I honestly don't know Stella. But, you do not have to be part of this. I know that the Order is more than capable of protecting you. You don't have to be part of this at all." Sirena repeated the last line more forcefully. She didn't understand why Stella felt the need to be a spy. Sirena was adamant that Stella was forbidden to be a spy. But, of course the Slytherin heiress had to follow her father foolishly into Knockturn Alley and meet the Dark Lord himself. That one meeting sealed Stella's fate.

Nothing could be done about Sirena. Sirena's secrets were too big to tell anyone. The only ones that knew were Rigel and Stella. And, Sirena still felt they weren't safe. "Were you going to the Chamber?" Sirena wondered, taking herself out of her thoughts.

Salazar walked through the halls, knowing that it was his turn to patrol. Patrolling was probably his least favorite part of being a half-way professor here, but it had to be done. And, on occasion, he did catch a troublemaker here or there, but nothing to scandalous. Which, was a shame really.

As Salazar rounded the corner, he caught the sound of voices carrying. He couldn't make out what they were speaking out, but he knew the voices quite well. Sighing, he pushed the door to the girls' lavatory open with a frown on his face.

"Now, what would my two favorite ladies be doing in an abandoned bathroom in the middle of the night?" Salazar wondered, looking at his daughter who was wrapped in Sirena's protective arms.

Just as Stella was about to defend her decisions, she heard someone else enter the bathroom. Looking up, Stella wasn't too surprised to find her father standing there. As much as she wanted to rush toward him and hug him as well, she felt an underlying guilt causing her to hold herself back. Sirena and her were lying to him. Stella felt like she was ruining his happiness to save others. But, Stella knew she was doing the right thing. She knew it.

"Hello father," She replied, her voice oddly stiff. "We're just talking. I was about to enter the Chamber."

Sirena glanced up when she heard another person enter the ladies' bathroom. Suspecting it was another student, Sirena sighed and let go of Stella. Walking toward the entrance of the bathroom, Sirena was shocked to see Salazar there. As much as she enjoyed seeing the person she was with, now was not the good time. Especially for him..

"Yes, just talking." Sirena confirmed, looking at Stella with warm eyes. "And, I followed her when I saw she was out after curfew. I was planning on going into the Chamber with her." Sirena said, hoping Stella wouldn't her lying.