Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

A Change in Time

A piercing howl echoed through the forest and Estella woke with a jolt. She scrambled to her feet and darted from her hiding spot through the trees, trying to escape the noise.

"ESTELLA?"

The girl froze and spun around as she heard her name. Harry stood blinking at her in amazement while Hermione tackled her in a hug.

"Oh you're alright," the girl breathed, her bushy hair flying. "You weren't in the hospital wing and we were so worried.."

"Hold on," Estella rubbed her head, which was beginning to spin. "How did you get here so fast?" Her mouth dropped at the Hippogriff standing impatiently behind them. "And how in Merlin's beard is Buckbeak still alive?"

Hermione smiled sheepishly. "Right." She pulled out a gold necklace with an hourglass that glimmered at the bottom and Estella's eyes widened. "Dumbledore told us to go back in time and that if we succeeded, more than one innocent life would be spared. We figured out what he meant," she nodded at Buckbeak. "And now we are going to go rescue Sirius."

Estella nodded, pushing back the wave of dizziness threatening to take over again. "Who cast the Patronus?" she murmured.

"What?" Hermione frowned.

"I did," Harry understood. "I thought it was my dad, but it was really me."

Estella beamed at the boy before she walked over to Buckbeak. "It was brilliant."

Harry turned a faint pink as he nodded toward the beast. "Erm do you want to join us?"

"Of course," Estella smiled mischievously.

"We have to hurry," Hermione urged as the three mounted the Hippogriff.

Buckbeak took off into the air and Harry guided him toward the Astronomy Tower. Estella wrapped her arms around Harry tightly, laughing at Hermione's screams of fear.

"IT. IS. NOT. FUNNY," the Gryffindor girl slapped her back as Harry began to chuckle.

As Buckbeak landed, Estella dismounted quickly. Sirius Black peeked out from the bars over his window. "Bombarda," she pointed her wand at the window and it exploded, leaving room for the man to clamber through.

"You have to leave," Harry urged his godfather urgently. "The dementors are waiting."

"How's the Weasley?" Sirius asked, concerned.

"He's fine."

Sirius looked at Estella in surprise, as if he forgot she was there. His gaze caught on the emblem on her robes.

"You're a Slytherin?" his tone was slightly guarded.

Estella nodded. "Penny Blackwood, at your service."

Sirius narrowed his eyes. "I knew the Blackwoods." There was a moment of uncomfortable silence before he turned to Harry. "I can never thank you enough. You truly are your father's son." He dipped his head to Hermione. "And the brightest witch of your age." The Azkaban escapee turned to Estella. "Though Remus seems to believe you have competition here. Be careful what you follow," he warned the Slytherin.

Estella said nothing as he mounted Buckbeak.

"We'll meet again soon Harry," he nodded at his godson and then he was gone.

Harry stared at the sky sadly. "I was supposed to go live with him," he admitted.

Estella put a hand on his shoulder. "It's not goodbye forever. Trust me," she squeezed his hand quickly. "You Gryffindors have a talent of sticking together."

Harry grinned slightly. "Thanks Penny."

There was a pause before Hermione spoke. "We need to get back to the Hospital Wing."

"Of course," Estella stepped back. "You two go. I'm going to sneak back to the dungeons," she winked. "Besides Snape, no one is going to tell that I was with you tonight. And who's going to believe just him?"

Harry smirked. "I can't wait to see the look on his face when he finds out Sirius escaped. Again."