A Snake in the Gryphon's Den: A Riddle in Gryffindor {Completed}

The letter

Deep within the dark hallows of the manner, a light screech beckoned through an open window where a little girl with dark brown wavy hair lay asleep.

"Huh.?" Played the sleepy lyrics, and as the girl sat up and rubbed her eyes, she closed the book of curses that she had fallen asleep with while reading. A sweet smell made her wrinkle her nose and quickly run over to her boiling cauldron as she waved her small palm in front of her face. " Peeyuuff!" She scowled, "Essence of Veela," she then dropped a hint of cinnamon to change the stinging sweetness. "Ah, much better." Smiling yawned again and rubbed her sleepy eyes, it was quite late in the evening after all. Light steps walked over to her windowsill where she remembered hearing an owl screech and found a strange envelop signed to her in green ink. Quite suspicious of the mail, sniffed the envelope and noted the strange wax imprint. She had found a similar marking on one of her mother's much older letters and figured that it would be best to consult her about it.

"Mew!"

Looking down picked up her coal colored kitten with the perfect vibrant green eyes and walked up to her mother who was lounging about the living room with a cup of tea.

"Mommy.. I got a letter.."

Loving soft eyes dropped down to the child with long raven curly hair, and smiled. Kneeling down to be at eye level with the child placed a soft gentle palm against her back, " Oh, what's it then? Show mommy," came the sweet singsong tender voice. " Whose it fr-" she paused at reading the familiar green font, "-om.." Her happy tones seemed to have vanished along with her warmth as Madame Bellatrix Lestrange stood up and began pacing ahead as she quickly tore open the envelope.

" Dear Elizabeth Lestrange,
I'm pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry."

The fae kept reading aloud, eye brows arched high as her heart raced and jumped to her throat.

"What's wrong mommy..?" Elizabeth frowned in concern as she sensed her mother's tension, and took two slow steps ahead; only to flinch under her mother's shadow as she walked by. " Mommy..? Is something wrong..?"

"N-Nothing's wrong darling, mommy's just surprised that's all." Without looking up at her daughter felt her mind whirling with thoughts.-this could be it. Ttheir biggest chance to get that eyesore out of the picture- the one who had escaped Lord Voldemort's Curse all those years ago! Yes this could be HER chance at proving herself- her affections will shine through! Grinning a wide beaming grin stared off into the distance with the thought of winning him over again. Her family may have ruined her chances with the arranged marriage.. But this.. "THIS COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING!!" She announced triumphantly.

"Mommy.. " came the small weak voice - obviously scared at her mother's outburst. Though she had already by now, adapted to her mother's sudden spasms of insanity, but this was something totally brand new. Wide ice blue eyes stared blankly as the elder fae knelt down and hugged her so tight she felt her own soul would leave her at any moment.

"Yes my darling yes-" grabbing her daughter by the temples pulled her in close and kissed her cheeks and forehead forcefully- the way a mother would when she didn't see her child for a very long time. "Everything will be all right now," looking up at Elizabeth's confused eyes, " Mommy is so proud of you!!!"