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

Mommy's little girl

" My dearest Izzy,
How's my little princess doing?" With a light smile in the gardens that decorated the green house, Elizabeth carried on reading her much awaited letter. " Don't worry my love, those nasty girls will get what's coming for them," Giggling could imagine her mother's voice in it's husky sweet glory speaking in such playfully yet harsh tones. " I miss you so much, I can't wait to have you during the holidays, I've got a really nice surprise waiting for you! Something that will make all your worries go away! How's your little Shadow? And how's your Snakey?" At that Izzy smiled and looked at the little basket, bedded with a scarf barring Slytherin's colors, where a bandaged baby Gardner Snake lay smiling in his sleep. " It's very nice to hear that you're making friends, that George seems like a very nice fellow sneaking that snake into his dorm and nursing Snakey for you." She laughed at reading the next line in her mother's teasing notes, " No boyfriend yet! My little Izzy! I'm very surprised! You're going to be a heartbreaker when you grow up, I just know it! Maybe you can invite this George over for dinner, then we can gobble him up!"

" Really mommy? HAHAHAHA!!"

" What's so funny?" The ginger looked over her shoulder playfully.

" Oh hello Georgie!" She beamed.

" Hello Lizzy!" Came the light display as Fred took a seat next to the girl. " Looks like Snakey is doing well," he smiled as he stroke the reptile's head. " All nice and cozy down there?"

"He says yes very much," Izzy smiled sweetly.

"Is that so?" Fred laughed, not really taking her comment to heart. " Is that a letter?" He teased as he scooted closer, " Whose it from..? Oooh is it from a secret admirer? Let me see!" He playfully attempted to snatch it from her clutches, but she quickly stood up and held it behind her back.

Slyly looking at him, " Maaaaybe!" She egged on, " Why? Jealous?" She stepped into his guard and looked up at him impishly, " Poor Freddy, all jealous because he didn't get a special letter," she gave him her back and casually walked away.

" Wait-wha?"

" I know you've been promenading as your brother for quite some time now," she laughed still walking slowly. {3..2..1..} she counted mentally before turning round to find Fred closing the distance only to stop short before he bumped into her. His light blush made her confident, " How?" She voiced as his lips began forming unasked questions, " George is taller, that's one, and two I have never called him Georgie- that's Angie's name for him." She grinned mischievously and knelt down to pick up Snakey as his broken slithering caught her attention. Allowing the little creature to rest on her shoulders added, " I'll make you a deal- if you really wana know whose writing to me," she smirked as she spotted Hermione walking up to the entrance; " Write me a letter."

" Tell me why we're doin' this again?" Came Ron's distant annoyed tones catching Fred's attention. Smirking down at the first year just laughed, " You drive a hard bargain Missy," he ruffled her hair, " I'll play your little game then." Looking up to see his younger brother along with Harry and 'Mionie smiled and walked passed laughing, " Careful he bites."

Curious glinting ice blue eyes smiled as the other boy addressed his peers, holding up a thumbs-up to the gardener a few pots down. George walked up to his little playmate, " I told you!" He laughed as he looked up to see his brother exit as the trio walked in.

" You told her what!?" Hermione quizzed suspiciously.

" Oh hello!" George smiled impishly and took his leave ruffling Ron's hair, " Oh nothing to be concerned about," he reassured as he tossed the gardener's hat away casually. " Well see you!"

"What was that all about?" Harry grinned after George too exited the green house.

" Nothin really," turning to Hermione greeted her with a hug and giggled at Snakey's comment. " ssshhhheee smelllzzz goood.."
" He says you smell good!" Izzy joked.

" Oh! Well tell him thank you!" The fae said as she joined her friend on the bench. " Is that a letter!?" She asked recognizing the handwriting, " Oh I'm sorry! It's from your mother, please carry on." Looking up at Ron, " What?"

Wrinkling his nose, the Weasley commented, " Nothing.. It's just that.. I find it hard to believe that someone like her would," he paused meeting the innocent eyes of Izzy and the angry pair of orbs of Hermione," well you know.. Write."

" Why..?" Izzy said quietly- obviously annoyed and offended. " Just because she was locked up in Azkaban and is a Death Eater she can't love her own daughter?" Yes she spelled it out- the terms she knew everyone was holding inside.. The words everyone wanted to say but couldn't.

Ron sensed her tension, " It's not that- it's not what I meant-" he got cut off.

"What's a Death Eater?" Harry threw into the mix.

Hermione rolled her eyes ignoring his question, " Bellatrix was a Hogwarts Student too you know," she said defensively, " I don't know why you find it strange for a mother to write to her own child."

Snakey slithered into her hand making her jump. " Oh!" She looked down and smiled as she stroked the top of his head, " I mean if this snake can show fondness.." Her voice trailed off as Harry knelt down to take a good look at it.

"Hello little guy!" he smiled.

Izzy looked thoughtfully at Ron, " It's okay.. Not everyone can believe or accept certain things.." She rubbed her bandaged arm as her gaze dropped. " Like how you defeated that Troll a week ago," she grinned kindly, a light pastel rose colored her cheeks. His eyes smiled as he chuckled and looked to the side, " Whell.. You know a wizard's gotta do what he's gotta do.." he looked at her smiling, only to blush at meeting the eyes of Potter and Granger. " Wot?"

" Oh nothing!" Hermione giggled making him frown.

And as the dancing lyrics of her friends played in light banter in the background, Elizabeth continued reading the remaining pages she had missed.
"Everything is going well.. Your Daddy's hard at work, and the Malfoy's do visit from time to time. They actually brought an interesting topic to the table- but that's all part of the surprise, so I won't spoil it for you.. So that's a little bit of good news to shed some light into your darkness. What you've been telling me of the Gryffindor House has made me very distressed, but it's something that I did expect.

You see My Darling, I know it's going to be very difficult.. People, both muggles, witches, and wizards alike.. Fear what they don't understand and usually seek to destroy it. Those of Gryffindor and Slytherin never seemed to get along ever since the beginning.. But that didn't stop us from rising from the ashes and in power. I'm very proud of you my love, you're doing so well! I've been hearing so many good things about you. I mean who aces Potions without studying? Who can deflect charms without a spoken word at your age?You're the brightest witch of this century! <3

And remember..darling, no matter what happens I will always love you..even if you're in Gryffindor. You're still the darkest witch I know!

Mommy's looking forward to hearing more of your adventures love, and looking forward to seeing you this Yule's Eve.

Lots of Love,
Mommy"