Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

Into the Willow

Estella hurried beside Harry as the two rushed toward Ron and Hermione. Before they could say a word however, Hermione spun around to face them, tears trickling down her face. She held out a piece of parchment wordlessly.

Harry grabbed it and read the messy words, dotted with tears. "Lost the appeal. Beaky's been sentenced to death."

Estella looked up at Ron, who was pale. "We need to go see Hagrid."

"The cloak's at the one eyed witch," Harry explained miserably. "Snape caught me coming back from Hogsmeade and said if he caught me sneaking around there again I'd be expelled."

"He didn't say I would," Estella turned and sprinted through the castle, returning a moment later with the cloak in her arms.

"Brilliant," Ron croaked as the four ducked under the cloak for the first time in two years. They followed Harry down to Hagrid's Hut where Buckbeak sat idly in the pumpkin patch. Estella's stomach dropped at the Hippogriff, who had no idea of the fate before him.

"Yeh four shouldn't be here. Oh come in," Hagrid sighed, giving in.

"I'm so sorry Hagrid, it's awful," Hermione cried, looking extremely upset.

"Now Hermione, you did all yeh could," Hagrid gazed out the window at Buckbeak. "I jest wanted ter give Beaky a bit o' freedom before.. before." The giant buried his head in his hands and Hermione patted his arm. "Dumbledore's coming up, did yeh all know?" He got up to start some tea. "Great man, Dumbledore."

Hermione went to pick up the milk jug and let out a squeal. Estella's eyes widened as Scabbers scurried out, grey fur bristling, and Ron scooped him up.

"Scabbers!" The ginger boy cried, holding the rat close to his chest. "You're alive!"

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "I believe you owe someone an apology."

"Right," Ron looked up. "Say sorry to Crookshanks will you?"

Estella rolled her eyes as Hermione stood indignantly. "I meant ME!"

Suddenly voices were heard outside and Hagrid went pale. "Quick all you outside."

The four students hurried out the opposite door and away from Dumbledore, Fudge, and the executioner, who had just arrived. They paused near the top of the hill and waited. Hermione looked stricken and Estella felt rather sick as they heard the unmistakable thud of an axe.

"He's gone," she whispered.

Ron looked uncertain as the four stood under the darkening sky, the wind beginning to pick up. "Should we go?"

Hermione wiped a stray tear and turned fiercely. "Harry shouldn't be out, we need to get back inside."

Estella frowned. She had forgotten about Sirius Black.

"Ow!" Ron shouted, dropping Scabbers. "The bloody git bit me!" he exclaimed, shaking his finger before chasing after the rat.

The other three followed suit, running through the grass and underbrush. Ron dives to the ground.

"Got him," the redhead panted.

Estella froze as a huge black dog lunged from the bushes and grabbed Ron by the leg, ignoring his yells. It turned and ran. Into the Whomping Willow.

Estella rushed after Harry and Hermione, who were calling after Ron. "What." She breathed. "Was that?"

"It's the Grim," Harry answered worriedly, panting as they approached the tree. "I've been seeing it since the end of summer."

Estella grimaced as a branch from the tree swung at them. "Didn't you drive a car into this last year?"

"Not the best time to fill you in on that," Harry panted as he jumped to avoid the heavy wood.

"Look," she breathed as an orange cat scrambled across the lawn.

"Crookshanks?" Hermione exclaimed as the creature made its way up the tree. Estella watched in amazement as it prodded a small knot on the tree trunk and the tree froze.

"Smart cat," she commented as she ducked into the dark passage under the tree, Hermione in front of her.

"Lumos," the three echoed, light illuminating the small passageway.

"I wonder where this leads," Hermione narrowed her eyes against the dark.

"I have an idea," Harry grimly took the lead. "I hope I'm wrong."