Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

Year 3

One Year Later

Estella waved goodbye to her parents to start a new school term for the third time. She placed her trunk on the trolley before briskly trotting down the corridor to the snake compartment, at least that's what her friends called it. On the way Estella couldn't help but pause and peek into a certain compartment. She smiled softly at the sight.

A black haired boy sat gazing out the window, a grim look in his eyes. Meanwhile his friend, a ginger boy, had begun to unwrap a chocolate frog. Across from him sat Hermione Granger, who was gazing at Harry expectantly, seeming to sense his distress. There was also an older man with the three, but he was fast asleep.

Estella frowned. She had heard about Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban and she should have guess Harry would be worried. After all, the boy who lived seemed like Black's first target. Lost in thought, she dwelled a moment too long and Estella froze as Harry looked up and caught her eye. The boy frowned, seeming confused. Blinking, Estella quickly turned away and returned to her new compartment, which was empty. She flopped down on the bench and closed her eyes, replaying her mother's words from the end of first year. The fact she couldn't be friends with Harry Potter was proven by the events of last year. The Chamber of Secrets had been opened and while Estella had discovered she was a Parseltongue, which she kept to herself, otherwise she was able to have a relatively normal year hidden in the background. At first Hermione, Harry, and Ron had still tried to include her in their circle, but Estella had gently cut them off and retreated to her Slytherin group. She still missed them dearly.

"Quite moping around Penny," Tracy Davis exploded into the compartment. "You look like you got assigned double Herbology lessons with Malfoy."

"And that's bad how Davis?" the blonde boy drawled, following the brunette through the door.

"Just look in a mirror Malfoy and you'll find your answer," Tracy retorted drily.

"How RUDE!" Pansy Parkinson came prancing after Draco, grabbing his arm. "Don't listen to them Draco, you're the hottest guy in the school."

"Nah, I win that award," Blaise's deep voice echoed as he was the last to enter the compartment and closed the door behind them.

Draco snorted. "Don't make me laugh Blaise."

Estella rolled her eyes. "I vote neither of you. Now where's Troll One and Two?" she asked, using the name she and Tracy used for Crabbe and Goyle.

Blaise grinned evilly. "I like it. The names fit them well. I think they're back trying to convince the trolley woman to give them sweets already."

"Classic," Tracy commented, propping her feet on top of Draco's lap, who shoved them off, looking disgusted. "Did you guys hear about that Black bloke?"

Pansy sniffed. "Anyone who's remotely cultured knows about the mass murderer on the loose."

"Guess that means you haven't Parkinson," Tracy snapped, rolling her eyes.

Blaise shook his head, looking between the girls. "My bet is he goes after you two first so our ears can have some peace."

Estella chuckled as Draco smirked. Her cousin stretched out casually. "Nah, he'll come after Scarhead first."

Estella stiffened at the mention of Harry.

"Probably, he's always playing the bloody hero," Tracy sniffed. "I have no idea how you were such good friends first year Penny."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Oh I have a good idea. Snog Potter yet this year Blackwood?"

Estella stood hotly. "I never did any such thing. And for your information I haven't spoken to any of them for almost a year." She turned and stalked out of the compartment, muttering under her breath. As had become habit, she stopped by the girls lavatories and locked the door. She stared into the mirror, eyes flirting over her red hair and icy blue eyes. Closing her eyes, she focused and when she opened her eyes a completely different girl gazed back at her. She was significantly taller, with curly black hair and hooded eyes, a mirror image of Bellatrix Lestrange. Estella's parents had finally allowed her control of her appearance over the summer, though they still warned her to be careful, only revealing herself sparingly when no one could see. Estella touched the mirror with her fingertips, pulling them back sharply as they left prints on the mirror. It was oddly cold, she reflected right before the train creaked to a halt.

Estella's head slammed against the wall and she felt her forehead woozily before changing back to her appearance of Penny Blackwood. Checking once more in the mirror to make sure her cover was intact, Estella turned and quickly rushed back into the train corridor.

It was freezing, Estella's teeth chattered as she rushed down the corridor. She rushed back, not to the Slytherin compartment, but to Harry's. She was just in time to see a Dementor shove the door back and hear the Gryffindors yell. Estella held up her wand, she knew she wasn't powerful enough to defeat the creature, but she would hold it off for as long as she could. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" she cried, trying to recall all the happy memories of her friends. Faint light shine from her wand and threw the Dementor back. It spun around to face her. "EXPECTO PATRONUM." Estella repeated desperately, and once again the hooded figure was forced backward, but it instantly began to approach again. Sweat began to drop at the sides of Estella's forehead as her hands began to shake, she could feel the despair creeping up on her. Darkness began to ebb at the edge of her vision.

"Expecto Patronum!" a male voice shouted and a much more powerful patronus burst forth and forced the dementor away. Estella stood panting in the hallway as the man who had been sleeping earlier looked at her carefully.

"Thank you," Estella muttered before thrusting her wand in her robes and quickly walking away to avoid a confrontation. She had avoided the trio for nearly a year and she couldn't afford to break that streak now.