Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

Divided Loyalties

Estella walked into Hagrid's hut and immediately frowned. Hermione sat at the large table, several books open in front of her, looking rather upset. "Is it Harry and Ron again?"

Hermione looked up in frustration. "Ronald is now convinced that Crookshanks ate his precious rat."

"Crookshanks?" Estella frowned.

"He's my cat," Hermione explained with a sigh.

Estella sat down and began to look through a Hippogriff book. "What evidence does he have?"

"Well he found a bed sheet with a bit of Scabbers's blood and cat hair and seemed to decide instantly that Crookshanks was a murderer. Besides, it's his cat instinct," Hermione insisted, slamming the book shut.

Estella thought those were very good clues and that Crookshanks was guilty, but wisely decided to keep her mouth shut. "You're going to miss the Quidditch match."

"I know," Hermione said irritably. "I'm coming."

Estella made her way to the field where she parted ways with Hermione to go sit with the Slytherins. As she settled in next to Tracy, her friend gave her an odd look. "What?" she asked defensively

"How're your lions?" The brunette quirked an eyebrow as Gryffindor scored a goal against Ravenclaw, her eyes trailing Harry. "He looks pretty good as a seeker."

Estella swatted her friend on the arm. "Oh hush." She scanned the skies and watched as Harry dove for the Snitch, Cho Chang of Ravenclaw right behind him.

"Oh no," Tracy breathed, pointing to three hooded figures on the field.

Estella frowned, how did dementors get there again? Dumbledore seemed furious after last time. She held her breath and watched as Harry pulled out his wand and blasted them out of the way before shooting forward and catching the Snitch.

The Gryffindors burst into roars and the Slytherins grumbled, But Estella was more focused on the figures. She snorted as the "dementors" climbed out of their costumes, revealing Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle.

"What idiots," Tracy grinned wickedly as McGonagall stormed the field, hat feather trembling indignantly. "They're in for it."

"Wake up!"

Estella frowned the next morning as Tracy sat, shaking her. "What're you doing up so early?" she grumbled, covering her head with her pillow.

"Sirius Black broke into the Gryffindor tower last night!"

Estella shot straight up. "WHAT?"

"Yeah, apparently he had the whole list of passwords and almost killed Weaselbee."

Estella rolled her eyes at the nickname, but chose not to comment. "I assume they didn't catch him?"

Tracy snorted. "Of course not, but they finally replaced that ruddy knight with the Fat Lady again. She has security trolls this time."

"Like that's gonna do much good." Estella grinned slightly as the two remembered the troll on Halloween first year.

"Oh there's another Hogsmeade trip this weekend, don't you dare ditch me for Scarhead," Tracy raised an eyebrow.

Estella snorted, suppressing a grin. "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Penny!"

Estella felt her arm being pulled away from the Slytherin stands as the Quidditch match began. She looked around to see Hermione, who looked extremely worried. "What is it?"

"Buckbeak's been sentenced to execution," the Gryffindor was miserable.

Estella felt her stomach drop. "What? But we had so much evidence..."

"And Lucius Malfoy has more influence." Hermione narrowed her eyes furiously. "He always does. Hagrid still has the appeal, but the chances are slim."

Estella sighed and rubbed her forehead, hearing cheers from the stands above. "How's Hagrid?"

"Not good," Hermione bit her lip worriedly. "He's been talking about freeing Buckbeak."

"That will mean more trouble," Estella voiced both their thoughts.

"Blackwood, you're going to miss the game." Both girls spun around to see Tracy Davis glaring at them. There was a hint of betrayal in her gaze before it disappeared and she scoffed at Hermione. "You're going to miss losing Granger."

Hermione looked like she wanted to argue but thought better of it and turned. "See you Penny."

"Later," Estella echoed before turning to her Slytherin friend awkwardly.

"You know when I encouraged your fascination with Potter, I didn't mean for you to become a Muggle lover," Tracy spat. "Didn't you learn from first year?"

Estella stiffened. "I can be friends with whoever I like," she snapped. There was a pause.

"Fine," Tracy's eyes flashed. "You won't be needing me then."

Estella watched as her friend stormed off with a sigh. Why couldn't she walk on both sides?