Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

Fear Faced Twice

A week later, Estella walked down an empty corridor. She had told Sprout she was sick and was planning to use the little free time she had to her advantage. The incident with the Boggart had not left her mind, she had gotten a few weird looks in the halls, but soon Hogwarts had seemed to forget about her fear. Estella had not. It seemed to eat at her mind and she was determined to face the Boggart one last time.

As she neared the empty classroom, she peered around to make sure no one was nearby before ducking through the doorway.

"Colloportus," the witch whispered, locking the door behind her before turning to face the wardrobe. Estella closed her eyes and gathered her strength before she opened them and pointed her wand steadily at the wardrobe. "Alohomora."

The Boggart flew out and spun in a swirl before fog began to creep over the room again. The whispers sounded again, but this time they were right next to Estella's ear.

"Traitor."

"Betrayer."

"Alone."

"Rejected."

Estella stiffened but kept her gaze fixed forward as the figure began to materialize once more. Finally the Boggart stopped shifting and Estella gasped. It wasn't Bellatrix Lestrange. It was a near mirror image of her mother, but there were slight differences in the shape of her nose and eyes that made the woman instantly recognizable to Estella.

"Recognize me now do you?" a horrible sneer spread across the woman's face.

"You're.."

"Estella Lestrange, at your service," the Boggart gave a mocking bow.

"Estella?"

Estella spun around as Harry Potter appeared behind her. "Harry?" she gasped.

The boy's eyes narrowed. "I can't believe you," he spat. "You killed them. You KILLED them Lestrange."

"I didn't do anything," Estella breathed desperately. She looked at the other Estella. "Do something!"

The Boggart her smiled. "Why deny it darling? This is who you are."

"You lied," Harry hissed. "We all trusted you. Hermione's devastated. You were her best friend. How could you?"

Estella stiffened. "I didn't do anything. Everything I'm doing is for the greater good," her voice hitched at the end.

"Wise words," Boggart Estella grinned.

Estella swallowed. "Riddikulus!" The fog disappeared into a bottle. Boggart Harry suddenly had a full head of pink hair and Estella began to weakly laugh at the sight.

Her double smirked at her. "Until we meet again."

And Estella was left breathing heavily in an empty classroom with a slightly shaking wardrobe. The girl quickly left the room and stumbled back into the corridor. Estella blindly headed down the stairs, not paying attention to the students surging around her until someone grabbed her arm. She spun around with her wand out.

"Whoa, easy!" Tracy cried, her eyes widening. "I'm trying to keep you from being bloody murdered!"

Estella froze "What?"

"Sirius Black was in the castle," her friend explained breathlessly, pulling her toward the Great Hall. "He attacked the Fat Lady and now he could be anywhere. Dumbledore ordered everyone into the the Great Hall for now."

Estella numbly followed the brunette down the hall to where the other Slytherins gathered with their books. The house was uncharacteristically quiet as they settled in for the evening and Estella let out a small sigh. She wasn't going to be sleeping much tonight.