Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

Taunting and Suspicion

Estella walked toward the Great Hall, lost in thought, following the mass of students excitedly pouring into the castle.

"And the rumors true Potter?" Draco's sneer drew her attention. "I mean you actually fainted?"

Estella rolled her eyes. Draco hadn't stopped gloating since Pansy had come in their compartment with the latest gossip. Harry said nothing, but glared hotly at the blonde, though Estella could detect the flash of embarrassment in his eyes. "Oh leave him alone Draco," she snapped.

Both boys turned to look at her in surprise and Estella felt her cheeks then pink. "I'm hungry." She stated lamely. "And you're holding up the crowd," she turned and hurried to the Slytherin table before she could embarrass herself further. Tracy snickered behind her.

"You're hungry Penny?" She grinned. "I have some sweets in my pockets to tide you over for a bit, though," the brunette smirked evilly. "I think you left your real sweet behind."

"Shut up!" Estella hissed, stabbing her fork into the wood of the table. "That was horrid."

"Really? I rather liked how you made a fool of yourself in front of Potter," Pansy settled delicately into the seat beside them.

"Shove off Pansy," Estella and Tracy muttered together.

Blaise looked up in surprise "Wow Blackwood. You get more Slytherin every day," he winked.

"Pay attention," a prefect reprimanded them, ignoring their nasty glares, as Dumbledore stood up to begin his speech.

Estella gazed off as the headmaster warned the students about the Dementors roaming the grounds, searching for Sirius Black. Her attention was pulled back when the Gryffindors roared with applause. "What happened?" she blurted blankly.

Tracy rolled her eyes. "You never pay attention. The half giant is going to teach Care of Magical Creatures."

"Bloody oaf," Draco spat as Hagrid stood up beaming. "There goes my education."

"Let's give him a chance," Estella pointed out blandly as she poked at her lamb chop.

"Shut up," the Malfoy boy snarled. "You've been acting odd ever since you stepped on the train." He raised a pale eyebrow. "Are you thinking about becoming a traitor again?"

Estella pulled back from her seat, fuming. "I had no such intention," she spat before spinning around and exiting the hall, feeling the students' eyes watch her every movement. She breathed a sigh of relief once she was through the doors and out of sight. Shaking her head, she leaned against the wall, still feeling raw from the Dementor encounter. Forcing herself to move, she gingerly made her way to the dungeons.

"Are you alright?" Remus Lupin stood blinking at her in the dim light.

Estella had figured out what his name was when Dumbledore introduced him and stiffened. His name was written on the werewolf records her parents kept in the library. "I'm fine, thanks," she said emotionlessly.

"Wait." Remus held out a hand as she turned to leave. "I have a proposition you might want to hear." Estella raised an eyebrow. "I can teach you how to properly defend Dementors.

Estella froze and looked down, picking at her robes. She couldn't afford to spend extra time with this man. "Er, thank you very much for the offer, but I've got to go."

Lupin looked at her calculatingly. "You have great talent, I would hate to see you waste it Miss- ?"

"Blackwood, Penny Blackwood," Estella turned around. "And I won't."