Liz has always refused to become like her family. Even though the blood of the Black family flows in her veins. Adopted by Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange after the death of her father Regulus - in hopes of "setting her on the right path" , she st...
Liz's heart was still racing. She pressed her back against the hard stone wall and forced herself to breathe as quietly as possible so as not to give away her position. She had run up the narrow staircase, taking two steps at a time to escape her tormentor, and was now listening intently for any sound, no matter how small.
She was in one of the countless bay windows that gave the roof of the old castle its uniquely messy shape. Outside, the wind howled and rattled the windows and the always locked door. No one followed her. Cautiously, Liz expelled the air.
Gregory Finley was the plague, but the worst part was that he wasn't wrong. She was a disgrace to Ravenclaw house. Her grades were always average and her extracurricular activities were limited to naps and afternoon naps.
Still, he didn't have to rub it in her face every chance he got until she was on the verge of tears. Liz wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her robe. This time it had been particularly nasty. "Heard the pureblood families could only keep their blood pure by inbreeding. But it's fascinating to see live what damage that's done over the generations."
Defiantly, Liz bit her lower lip to keep from sobbing. Next time she would take her mother's last advice to heart. A Black knows no fear! If they don't respect you, then teach them to fear.
At that moment, she noticed the shuffling footsteps behind her on the stairs. And Liz exploded. "If you don't get out of here right now, Gregory, I swear I'll claw your eyes out of your skull with my bare hands!"
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
But the dark eyes that looked up at her did not belong to Gregory. Mattheo Riddle stood before her, showing a reaction for the first time since she knew him. But his astonishment quickly faded, leaving only a gleeful grin. "Good thing my name isn't Gregory," he grinned wolfishly.
Liz froze. Mattheo Riddle was a loner. But not because the others excluded him, no, he had chosen to avoid people himself. Even the other Slytherins seemed to be keeping a respectful distance from him.
No! She frantically admonished herself. Never let anyone see that you are insecure. A Black knows no weakness. "Lucky for you," she growled with as much contempt as she could act.
"Are you letting me through?" Deliberately slow, he raised his eyebrow with the scar. No one knew where it came from, but it emphasized his intimidating demeanor.
The small hallway at the top of the stairs was barely big enough to accommodate Liz, so she had to go back to the alcove from which she had come.
Mattheo confidently climbed past her to the door that led up to the roof.
"It's locked," Liz said in an attempt to continue sounding confident. "I already tried Alohomora."
In response, she only earned a sideways glance before the young Slytherin placed a hand on the round doorknob. "How fortunate that this is a wizarding school and you learn more than just one spell." And with a soft click, the door popped open.
