Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

And So It Begins

"Crucio!"

Estella has hit with the pain again, feeling as if a thousand burning knives were slicing into her skin. The pain was not as unbearable however and she simply gasped for breath, screaming silently.

"Enough," Amelie Blackwood lowered her wand and nodded. "Much better." She crossed the ballroom and bent over next to her daughter, helping her up.

Estella stood steadily, only her fingers trembling. "Again," she hissed in frustration.

Amelie shook her head. "That's enough for today."

"I can't be affected.."

"No one is immune to the Cruciatus Curse," Amelie interrupted her daughter, shaking her head. "I'm simply trying to teach you to be able to handle it."

The was a moment of silence before Estella wiped the blood from where she bit her lip, scarlet smearing across her hand. "Do you think he's coming back?"

Amelie narrowed her eyes as she healed the cut. "Very soon."

Estella took in the lights of the Quidditch pitch as she walked behind her parents into the stands.

"Let's just say, if it rains, you'll be the first to know," Lucius's oily voice sounded from the stairs. Estella sighed as they rounded the corner to see the Malfoys facing the Weasleys. The girl stiffened a bit as she saw Harry Potter with them.

"Blackwood?"

Estella smiled slightly at the younger blonde boy standing behind his father. "Hello Draco." She frowned as she felt Amelie stiffen behind her.

"Is that any way to greet a friend Draco?" Narcissa Malfoy reprimanded her son. Estella bit her lip at the sight of Bellatrix's sister, and her aunt.

Draco scoffed. "I would hardly call Blackwood a friend," he raised an eyebrow. "More like an unfortunate acquaintance."

As Estella opened her mouth to argue her adoptive father stepped forward.

"We should be sitting Lucius," John Blackwood pointed out evenly.

The older Malfoy eyed him coldly. "Yes I suppose we must. Come along Draco."

Estella watched them leave, her father turning to follow. Amelie looked at her daughter carefully.

"You can say your greetings quickly," she whispered lowly before she also headed down.

Estella's eyes widened in surprise. Her mother was never a supporter of her spending time with the Gryffindors. However, Amelie seemed to have something against the Malfoys so she wasn't too surprised.

Estella turned and smiled awkwardly at the Weasleys. "How are you all?"

"You're friends with bloody Malfoy?" Ron's mouth was agape as he stared indignantly.

Hermione stepped forward. "Leave her be," she grabbed Estella's arm. "Come on, I'll show you the omnioculars Harry purchased, they're rather fascinating."

Estella blinked at her friend gratefully as she ascended the stands, trying to avoid the avid fans. She wasn't sure how to introduce herself to Arthur Weasley, who kept sending her odd looks. As she settled into a seat next to Harry, she turned to the boy.

"How was your summer?"

Harry blinked in surprise as he turned from the field. "Oh err.. it was alright, thanks." Estella noticed how he rubbed his scar absently.

"Does it bother you?" She narrowed her eyes, remembering how the mark seemed to warn of danger.

"Earlier," Harry muttered quietly. "I had an odd dream."

Before Estella could ask what it was, Ludo Bagman's voice filled the stadium and the games began.

Estella frowned as she watched the boys admire the Bulgarian Veelas, her mind elsewhere. What could Harry be hiding?

"You need to go."

Estella's eyes snapped open at her mother's urgent tone and she leaped from the bed, wand at her side. "What's going on?"

"A Death Eater rally." Her mother replied simply and Estella's eyes widened as she covered her face with the grotesque mask of Voldemort's followers. Amelie seemed to notice her daughters discomfort. "You'll get used to it eventually." Her words echoed in the small space as she left.

Estella stood numbly for a moment before she shook herself and rushed outside. Nothing could have prepared her for the sight before her. Screams filled the smoky air as fires glinted in the darkness, slowly burning the tents one by one, the flames consuming the posters and flags. Hooded figures marched down the paths, masks glinting in the orange light, while other bodies hung in the air. Estella avoided looking as she rushed to the other side of the camp, desperate to check on her friends.

"How heroic." Draco Malfoy stepped from the shadows and Estella halted. "Off to save your precious Gryffindor friends from your own family?"

Estella sighed, her wand gripped firmly in her fingers. "You know as well as I Draco that they spare no one."

The boy sneered, though Estella could detect the trace of fear in his eyes. "They spare the purebloods," he glanced at her. "And the worthy."

Estella felt surprise fill her eyes. Did the boy just compliment her? She took a step forward. "Come with me Draco."

The Slytherin flinched back. "I'd rather not," he snapped. "I'm much safer away from you idiots."

Estella shrugged and smirked. "Have it your way." The girl turned and disappeared once more into the chaos, not stopping until she reached the edge of the forest. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness and Estella frowned, squinting at the man.

"Morsmordre." The man whispered and a green flash burst from his wand, illuminating his features for a brief instant. Suddenly, he turned and caught Estella's eye and her breath caught in her throat. The man eyed her and smirked darkly, giving a mock little bow before he disappeared into the night.

Estella finally looked in the sky and felt her heart stop as Voldemort's symbol twisted its way across the stars. The skull's eyes seemed to taunt her, their dark void seeming to demonstrate what was to come.