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

Les Fleurs de Beauxbâtons

"Lizz!!" Elizabeth was stopped half way down the dining hall, " Good news! You're going to get transferred!!"

Raising a quizzical eyebrow at the Second Year from Slytherin, " Transferred..? Where?"

The girl beamed, " Out of Griffindor!!"

"What!?" Elizabeth couldn't believe her own ears. But when curious eyes met those of the stern yet kind optics of Professor McGonagall, the only things that filled her mind was that she was finally moving to Slytherin. After all, most half her time was spent hanging out in their common room, and dormitories since the girls from her own House just wouldn't leave her alone. Shuddering at that incident that nearly landed her expelled just shook it off.

" LeStrange, please come with me."

~~~

" Wairr isss diss gerlle?" Came a heavy accented vocalist.

The Headmaster looked up at the youth who stood before him. She seemed like quite the character. "Ahh, here she comes now," he stood up as the heavy door creaked as it's wooden portal now stood open. "Mademoiselle Delacroix, may I firmly introduce, Miss Elizabeth LeStrange."

The tall authoritative fae turned to Elizabeth with quite a regal air. Taking note of the eleven year old's sickly pale skin, and ice blue eyes blurted, " Ah, oui, she iss verry straange." Glancing at Dumbledore, turned to the petite first year and walked up to her. " You don't seem laik much."

Elizabeth just glared at the older other and wrinkled her nose at the stinging sweet fragrance. "Blue dress, weird hat, and a very snobbish pointy nose.. You must be from Beauxbaton."

" Ahh, so you 'ave 'eard ov me!" Came the delighted display as she glanced over her shoulder at another girl who nodded in approval.

Frowning the child hissed, " What is that smell?" Elizabeth retorted completely ignoring the other fem's play of words. And before another word could be uttered, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat awkwardly, and sent a chilling stare down at little Lizzy rendering her silent.

" Taking your concerns into consideration, I assure you that Elizabeth will assimilate quite nicely to your profound academy," Dumbledore continued casually. " More than inept a brewing advanced potions, is quite advanced especially in the Defense Against the Dark Arts." Sending a forward glance at Elizabeth's right side where a little black tail peeking out from under her cloak, just sighed deeply. Elizabeth never seemed to leave that little fur ball at home in her dorm.. "I'd be happy to answer any more questions," he paused again as he closed the book he was reading.
" Professor McGonagall please make the preparations of Miss LeStrange's transfer. She will leave tonight."

"-T-Tonight?" Elizabeth hissed, " Why!! This is- this is-" she stuttered- eyes darting from left to right as if searching for something she'd lost in the room. " But I can't go! Not now!!" She burst angrily. " I just made new friends and-"

"And we had no say in the matter." Dumbledore exhaled deeply and uttered flatly, " Your Guardian, Lucious Malfoy had sent in the urgent request himself."

"What? What does he have to do with any of this.." the girl quizzed suspiciously. The Malfoy's had never interfered with her affairs before.. Something was not right. A frown drew a crease between her eyes as she gritted her teeth angrily.

" Fact of the matter is Elizabeth, it has come to my attention that you haven't been doing well in Gryffindor. And it is for your own safety," he paused and looked sternly into her eyes, " That you be transferred immediately." Turning to their guests from Beauxbaton, " Headmistress Madame Olympe Maxime, is already aware of the matter." Dignified as he stood, the air was tense and thick with anxiety.

And before Lady Delacroix could respond, her eyes shot to the little girl to her right who so strongly vocalized her thoughts moments before.

Elizabeth curled her fists at her side, " But I don't understand.." Mind whirling with thoughts, flinched at the sound of a man's voice in her head.

{ He has come looking for you..and the events that shall come to pass will only make your stay here at Hogwarts more dangerous. I can't risk that incident happening again.. It put so many students in danger.} The Headmaster's mental lyrics seemed to have hit a nerve, for the girl did not throw back a retort.

{ It's not my fault they weren't prepared..} Elizabeth mentally threw back, a rebellious accent upon her features. { And they-} she paused. { Whose looking for me..?} she quizzed suspiciously. The loud trotting against the well polished wooden flooring forced the girl to look up, and away from her Headmaster. What stood before her now, was a very large woman, with a regal air. She held herself so highly it seemed, that it made her seem nearly unapproachable for a child. Intimidated, Elizabeth stepped back a pace, and bumped into Professor McGonagall.

The towering woman knelt down in an attempt to seem less scary in reflex to the young witch's retreat. " Don't be sc-airred little one," she greeted in a very soft spoken voice. " I won't 'urt you," she added before looking bak up and added," Ahh.. It iiss az you say! She iiis perfect!"

Confused Elizabeth just stood like a decorative statue, " For what..?"