Death of Crouch

453 18 0
                                        


A few weeks later Estella stood looking at the Quidditch pitch in a mix of amazement and horror. It had been transformed into a giant maze, filled with shrubbery.

The Champions looked extremely nervous as Ludo Bagman described it too them. The task was in about a month and she and Hermione had been preparing Harry as best they could, Ron being helpful where he could. Mostly as a target.

Estella fingered the necklace around her neck. It was a silver chain with a small snake dangling from the end. It looked innocent, simply a Slytherin trinket, but it hid much more. Once more, Estella pulled out the letter her parents sent her and scanned it.

Estella-

Dark times are ahead. There have been many warning signs and they're becoming more frequent. The Dark Lord is to return soon and you must be ready. This necklace will bring you to us in a time of need, whether you need us or we need you. Be careful. Always be on watch.

Amelie and Albert

The girl gave a sigh as she stuffed the letter back in her robes. She couldn't help the sense of foreboding that seemed to creep up, taunting her. This peace wasn't going to last forever, in fact it was going to end very soon.

Her eyes narrowed as she looked up and saw Harry and Krum walking toward the forest. Following her instincts, she hurried after them, maintaining a careful distance. She followed the two for a ways until suddenly their voices grew louder, signaling that they had paused.

"Mr, Crouch?" Harry's voice was uncertain.

Estella stiffened as a raspy voice responded.

"Must.. see.. Dumbledore."

"Alright, I'll go get him," Harry sounded disturbed. "You watch him?" he asked Krum.

"Sure," Krum responded, sounding rather uneasy.

Estella listened to Harry's footsteps crunch away before she turned and scurried up the nearest tree. Right as she reached a thick branch, a shadow loomed beneath her and she froze.

"Stupefy!"

There was a flash of red light and Krums crumpled form fell to the ground. Estella's heart beat wildly as the figure approached Crouch.

"Nice to see you again father," the voice hissed.

The man's face grew pale with realization. "Barty.."

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Barty Crouch Junior snarled and his father dropped down after a flash of green light. "Don't call me that," he spat at the body, waving his wand.

To Estella's horror, Mr. Crouch disappeared and was replaced with a large bone, which the hooded figure, who she now knew as Barty Crouch, levitated off the ground. With a last look around, the murderer stalked into the darkness.

Estella waited a few minutes before scrambling back down the tree, coming face to face with a shocked Harry.

"Penny?"

Estella opened her mouth wordlessly, uncertain of how to respond.

"Miss Blackwood?"

To her horror Dumbledore appeared behind Harry, looking grave.

"Er... I," she shook herself. "Harry I saw you and Viktor head into the forest and I went to go make sure you two were okay."

"Did you see who did it?" Harry asked hurriedly, his eyes wide.

"Yes, did you?"

Chills went down Estella's spine as she heard Moody come up from behind her. She forced herself to calmly turn around to face the grizzled man. "No, I fell behind and when I got here Krum was stunned and I stayed back to see if I could see who did it," she responded, trying to sound a bit anxious, but not too much.

To her surprise, Moody chuckled darkly. "Have a clever one here Albus," he looked at her carefully. "You'll make a valuable asset someday Blackwood."

Estella put on a innocent face and nodded. She listened to Dumbledore tell Harry to go back to the Gryffindor tower before he turned to her.

"Miss Blackwood, I'm sure you need time to recover as well. You may return to your dormitory."

Estella nodded, swallowing as she turned back to the castle. As soon as she was out of view, she sprinted up to Dumbledore's office.

"Chocolate frogs?" Estella stood in front of the statue, remembering the password Harry had used recently. To her relief, the statue sprang aside and she ran up the stairs into Dumbledore's office. The girl resisted the urge to look around and grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill, scribbling a message before charming it to only reveal to Dumbledore himself.

Estella stared at the words for a moment.

Crouch Junior is Alive.

Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter StoryWhere stories live. Discover now