Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

The Second Task

"Wait repeat it," Estella sat the books down on the table as she looked at Harry.

"Come seek us where our voices sound.."

"Yes obviously merpeople," Estella confirmed, she looked up to see Harry's amused expression. "Oh sorry, Harry, can you just repeat the end?"

Harry frowned as he remembered. "An hour long you'll have to look, and to recover what we took. But past an hour the prospects black, too late, it's gone, it won't come back."

Estella snorted as she opened the Charms textbook. "Sounds pleasant."

Harry rolled his eyes with a sigh. "Now I finally figured out how to hear the clue, but I still can't figure out what it means," he complained hotly.

Estella quirked an eyebrow. "Well you already guessed about the merpeople, and the Black Lake supposedly has them. I think they're going to hide something for you to find and you have an hour to do it."

"Like that's loads of time," Harry added sarcastically. He paused frowning. "Last night Snape almost caught me out of bed."

Estella's eyes widened as she set the quill down exasperatedly. "Harry.."

"But Moody covered for me," Harry interrupted quickly. "Snape was in a real foul mood, apparently someone's been sneaking into his stores for polyjuice potion ingredients."

"And it wasn't you this time?" Estella raised an eyebrow, referring back to second year.

"No.. hang on," Harry eyed her. "How did you know that was us?"

"Goyle doesn't wear your glasses Harry," she laughed, going back to her Arithmancy essay.

"I guess that's true," Harry snorted. "I don't have the marauders map anymore though, Moody asked if he could borrow it."

Estella froze, her eyes narrowing. Why would an ex-auror need such a thing?

Harry looked at her carefully, his books laying untouched. "What is it?"

"I just don't like it," Estella frowned darkly. "It just doesn't seem right."

Estella watched as Harry stood on the dock, anxiously clenching her fists. She had no idea how he was going to breathe underwater, but she desperately hoped it worked. All the spells that she had found were too advanced or unpredictable. Tracy stood beside her, watching her nervously.

"Have you seen Granger?" the brunette frowned.

Estella bit her lip. "Not her or Ron," she paused. "What if they're the treasures?"

"That Potter has to find?" Tracy's eyes widened in realization. "That would make sense."

Estella swallowed as the whistle was blown and Harry raised something to his lips. "What is he doing?" she muttered, squinting.

"Merlin's pants, it's gillyweed!" Tracy exclaimed, tugging on her robes. "That's genius!"

Harry convulsed and flopped into the water. There was a moment of horrible stillness before the boy burst into the air, sporting gills, before returning to the dark depths.

"However did he think of that?" Estella wondered, surprised.

Tracy smirked as she adjusted her hair. "You're just jealous you never thought of it. You hate Herbology anyways."

Estella grinned as she looked down at her watch. "Very true." The girl stared and counted the minutes until Harry was safe again.

Fleur came back first, looking furious as she was attacked by Grindylows and unable to complete the task. Victor was second, emerging with a cold looking Hermione. Estella smirked at the couple and Hermione gave her an exasperated look. Next was Cedric and Cho, but Estella didn't pay much attention as she looked down at the time. Harry should've been back by now.

The crowd began to murmur as there was no movement in the dark water when suddenly a ginger head popped up, followed quickly by a small girl. Estella breathed a sigh of relief and pushed her way through the stand as Harry climbed onto the dock after Ron and Fleur's sister, gulping for air. She hurried her way over, ignoring Pomfrey's protests, and raised her wand, drying the boy off.

Harry stood shakily, his lips still a faint blue. "Thank," he stammered.

Estella grabbed a towel and silently cast a warming charm on it before handing it to him. "Of course," she breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad y.. everyone's okay."

Harry held the towel closer, still gulping for breath. "Thanks to Dobby. He gave me the gillyweed."

Estella smiled in surprise. "He's so unpredictable."

"You don't know the half of it," Harry responded wryly, turning to see the scores.

Fleur got a twenty five, Krum a forty, and Cedric a forty seven. Estella watched with bated breath as Harry was awarded a forty five.

"You lucky bugger!" Ron exclaimed, shaking his head. "For moral fiber, honestly."

"You're just such a hero," Estella teased, shaking her head at Harry.

"I don't try to be," Harry muttered, running a hand through his wet hair.

Estella rolled her eyes. "Yes. You do."