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 heard faint breathing behind her. Somewhere in the darkness there was someone. But - that was absolutely impossible! They had made sure that all protection spells were absolutely safe, hadn't they?!
"Lysandra," he whispered close to her neck. How had he been able to find her? His green eyes sparkled in the darkness like two emeralds. " I got you."
Her shrill screech forced all air from her lungs. No! That was impossible! Liz was on her feet before she could even form another thought. His hateful laughter echoed back from all the walls. She had to get out of here! Liz yanked open the door, taking two steps at a time.
She was still screaming uncontrollably, but what did it matter? She couldn't hide anyway.
"Liz? Liz! Liz! Liz!" Someone came running down the stairs behind her.
"No! Go away," she continued to shriek. In a second she'd reached the door!
"Liz, it's me! Liz!" Strong arms wrapped around her shoulders and together they came to a stop leaning against the front door.
"He's here," Liz gasped, "He's here, he found us."
"Who, Liz, who?" Mattheo hugged her tighter. Her whole body was shaking so violently that he had to fear she might collapse at any moment.
Liz couldn't answer. Everything was spinning in her head. Her lungs were burning and her throat was so sore from screaming that she tasted blood. Still one hand on the door handle, Liz forced herself to steady her breathing. She tried to close her eyes, but each time the green eyes flashed again. With her free hand, she clung to Mattheo's arm, squeezing him tighter.
"Should I let go?" he asked cautiously, but Liz immediately shook her head.
Something inside her was torn. If Mattheo let go now, Liz was sure, she would just crumble apart.
"There's no one here, Liz. You're safe."
She knew why he said her name so often, knew he was trying to bring her back to the here and now. But she felt that a part of her was still stuck in the nightmare. She had felt him. He had been there. She was so sure. It couldn't have all been imagination, could it? Could it?
"I know," Liz finally moaned. Her hand slid from the doorknob to Mattheo's arms. "I know."
She had no idea how long they stood there like that, but when she finally felt like she was back in her body, her feet were so cold she could barely feel her toes.
"What happened?" she asked insecurely.
"I don't know." Mattheo gave her a little more space so she could turn to face him. "I heard you scream, but by the time I got to the stairs, you'd already run past me."
Liz looked up into the murky darkness. Single lights flickered on the floor above her. "Can we check?" she whispered, embarrassed. "I need to know what." She faltered. Cautiously, she looked up at Mattheo. He had to think she was crazy.
"You need to know if it was real?" Knowingly, he nodded. "I've had nightmares like that, too." His arms still around her shoulders, he let Liz set the pace. Step by step, they climbed the stairs. Again and again they had to stop because something inside Liz resisted. Part of her was still firmly convinced that there was a monster waiting for her in her room. With green eyes and sharp teeth.
They didn't have to take the stairs all the way to the top to peer into the open door of the room. The old, rotten window was wide open and the torn curtains billowed in the wind. Rain soaked the carpet and the bed.
Liz felt the shame paralyze her. That was it? She had been frightened because her window had opened? What was she, a little kid?
"It's all right," Mattheo murmured almost tenderly. With the wave of his wand, the window closed again.
"I'm sorry," Liz whispered indistinctly. She couldn't bring herself to lift her head. With her chin pressed to her chest, she stood staring at her bare feet.
"It's really all good. You have nothing to apologize for and nothing to be ashamed of." His hand stroked her upper arm and Liz got goosebumps. She had hardly realized how cold she had become. "Let's go upstairs, shall we?"
Before Liz understood what Mattheo meant by that, she was standing with him in the large bedroom of the head of the family. "I promise you nothing can happen to you here." She had no idea why, but she believed him. Stiff from the cold, she slid under the covers.
"You know, I've been thinking about not fighting anymore." They lay with their backs to each other. Liz stared at the door, Mattheo out the window. "In case just faking my death isn't enough anymore."
She heard Mattheo's blanket rustle. "After all you've survived?"
"I'm not saying I chose it." Liz rolled onto her back and saw Mattheo's attentive face. "I'm saying that I'm starting to see no alternatives. Killing Bellatrix isn't going to work. I could fake my death and hope they don't demand proof or come looking for me."
"Then you'd have to leave the country. Have you ever lived as a muggle? It's not easy without a family."
Liz groaned. "I can't hide here forever."
"But for a while."
Liz was about to turn away again when Mattheo slid closer. "I have an idea, but you won't like it."
"So far, I haven't liked a single idea. So?"
The young Riddle took a decidedly long time just looking at Liz. His eyes roamed over her face as if he were trying to communicate his words to her telepathically. "I could claim you."
"Claim me?"
"As my possession."
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Liz didn't even try to hide the shock.
"See," he groaned, dropping into the pillow. "You hate it. Yet it would solve so many problems."
Now it was Liz's turn to prop herself up on her elbows. "It's awful, absolutely but," she hesitated. She had always prided herself so much on being independent. "But you're right."
Mattheo hadn't expected that. "Am I?"
"Yes. Bellatrix would never do anything to interfere with her lord and master - and as long as she doesn't know he tried to kill you, she'll do your every bidding."
"So," Mattheo dragged out the word, still skeptical. "Do we have a plan?"
"We have a plan. For now," Liz added with a tired grin. At least that would buy her time to figure out what had happened to her magic.
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And just before the end, here's another gif, in case you forgot that Liz is wearing his t-shirt :DDDD
Are you guys having a good weekend? I haven't done anything of what I wanted to do yet.... whoops XD I was supposed to write 3 days straight but instead I took naps and read ghost stories.
