Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

Partners and Predictions

The next day Estella woke up early, having gone to bed before anyone in the common room. She got out of bed and stumbled around, getting ready before she headed to Charms.

Professor Flitwick stood upon his usual stack of books as he scanned the classroom curiously. "Well," he squeaked. "Today we will be learning the mending charm. However before we begin I have partnered you in pairs for the rest of term." All the students have a collective groan and Flitwick shook himself indignantly. "Now no complaining. You must learn to work together." He began to split people up.

"If I get paired with Saint Potter, I'll walk out," Draco spat.

Tracy rolled her eyes. "Honestly Malloy you're such a git."

The blonde boy scowled and opened his mouth the retort when Flitwick interrupted. "Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Davis since you two seem to enjoy each other's company, you can work together."

Tracy looked horrified. "No Professor there must be a mistake.."

"I don't believe so," Flitwick cheerfully turned to Estella. "Miss Blackwood, you can go with Miss Granger."

Estella's stomach dropped. Reluctantly she gathered up her books and walked across the room where the Gryffindors sat. A few gave her hard looks, but otherwise they were too busy getting in groups to pay much attention. Estella finally met Hermione's gaze and put on a fake smile. "Well.. ermm.. looks like we're partners then."

Hermione looked up at her calculatingly, as if she were searching for something. "Yes I suppose we are," she replied slowly.

Estella sat down awkwardly and felt like burying her head in her robes. It was going to be a long year.

Later Estella walked down the hall after lunch, still feeling slightly flustered. Charms had gone by with agonizing slowness as Hermione acted cold and distant. Not that she blamed her, Estella reflected as she squeezed past a first year, but it was a tense situation. She made her way up to the Divination tower, and as she turned the corner she collided with something hard. "Sorry!" she gasped in surprise as she fell with her back against the stone.

"Are you alright?" a hand extended in front of her and Estella nodded, embarrassed. She looked up at her rescuer and they both froze. Harry Potter stood blinking awkwardly at her while Ron looked between them.

"Well then," Estella stammered. "We best be getting to class." Feeling her cheeks burning, she climbed up the ladder before another word could be said. As she entered the classroom, she hardly payed much attention to the crystal balls and scent of perfume, her mind was with the two Gryffindors who entered after her.

"I HAVE FELT A DARK PRESENCE ENTER MY ROOM!"

Estella gave a little jump as a woman with wild, frizzy hair and very large glasses popped up in front of her. Estella scanned the room over the woman's shoulder and found her friends. Tracy looked extremely amused and she shot her an irritated look. "Excuse me," Estella moved politely to pass Professor Trelawney

"Not so fast my dear," if Trelawney did not have the class's attention before, she definitely had it now. Estella felt eyes bore into her back. "I felt your presence child, and it is not a good one."

Estella internally winced. Trelawney was known for being batty, and she could not afford extra attention. This was not going to go well. "I really should sit," she tried desperately.

To her surprise, Trelawney moved to the side. "Of course, make the table a four before doom befalls all of us!" She grabbed Estella's arm and peered at her in dismay. "I sense great trouble within you. Great conflict and division. You do not know the choices you have ahead of you."

Estella's breath caught, but she kept her gaze fixed forward. "I really must be sitting," she pressed firmly and extracted her arm from the professor's tight grip.

"Well that was wicked," Tracy snorted in amusement as Estella sat down next to Draco and Zabini.

"Shut it," Estella grumbled as she rubbed her arm, still feeling the nail marks on her skin.

"The old bat shouldn't even be teaching this class," Draco scoffed.

"You!" At the sound of his voice, Trelawney whipped around. She pointed a shaking finger in his direction. "You have much of the same conflict. But in you I sense a great thirst to prove yourself, especially your father. Tell me," her voice dropped. "how is Lucius at the ministry?"

Draco has gone a pale pink, but to Estella's surprise, it was Tracy who spoke up.

"He's doing quite well I'd expect," the brunette retorted. "You've obviously read all the articles in the Prophet, you find you learn a lot when you keep up with the news."

Trelawney looked taken aback. She gazed at Tracy for a long moment before she gave a sad little shake of her head and bustled to the center of the classroom.

"Loon," Tracy muttered, her gaze fierce.

It was so brief, Estella almost missed it, but as Trelawney began class, she saw Draco look over at her friend with a sort of awe. Estella suppressed a smile. Maybe they'd get along someday.

Estella felt herself dozing off as the class drank tea, so they could read each other's leaves. She had finished hers a while ago and now sat in the heavily perfumed air, feeling her eyes start to close. Suddenly there was a clatter and all the heads in the classroom snapped up to see Trelawney standing over Harry's cup in fright.

"You my dear," she paused dramatically. "Have the Grim!"

Estella raised an eyebrow as Tracy frowned.

"The Grim?"

"It's a bad omen," Blaise explained. "According to Divination, if you see one, great doom and death will soon befall you."

Tracy snorted but Estella looked over at Harry, who was rather pale. The boy was marked out from the start.