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

La Nouvelle Fleur dans L'Académie de Beauxbâtons

Fleur Delacour, a fair fae with golden yellow hair, and sapphire eyes just seemed to be smiling at the sleeping girl who had dozed off in the seat in front of her. It had been a bumpy ride with all the storms that had been accumulating all season, and Elizabeth didn't seem to sit well with heights. The poor girl, nearly emptied her stomach on the last turn had their Headmistress not given her the sleeping draught. Before long, a golden ray of light drew fingers upon the horizon before them, outlining their beautiful chateau.

"Little Elizabeth, were 'ere.." came the quiet lyrics of the fae as she lightly placed a hand upon the girl's shoulders. "Let us change you into your robes," she stood up and guided the sleepy child by the hand to the back of the carriage.

"Ahh she iss so cuuuute," played one of the older girls that were accompanying them.

"Huh..?" Elizabeth just yawned, only to stumble when the floor shook, forcing her adrenalin to kick in and fully wake her up. " I'm awake!" she blurted before cupping her hands against her lips, rushing to the bathroom.

Fleur frowned and exchanged looks with her peers and followed the girl. " Elizabeth? Arre you all right?" She placed a sisterly hand upon the others back and sighed. " eet iz okay, it 'append to me on my firrst time too." She then prepared the shower and hung the girl's uniform on the side hanger. " I'll be 'ere eef you need anything. Just knock on theh doorr," she rolled her Rs smoothly.

Nodding Elizabeth just locked the enchanted portal as her upperclassman left. " Wow," she looked up at the spacious room. " I love magic," she grinned as she changed out of her robe and hopped into the hot shower and tub. It wasn't long before she reappeared, dressed in light blue uniform. Hair dried and curly, rested on one shoulder as she walked out holding her hat.

"Oh she's so adorrable!" came an excited vocalist who seemed to love rolling her Rs.

Caught off guard, Elizabeth stumbled back and bumped the side of the couch. " Oh sorry!" she smiled nervously.

"It's really becoming of you," came Fleur's calm notes as she extended a helping hand. " May I?" She asked as she pointed to the little girl's hair.

Nodding, Elizabeth turned round, heart pounding as she caught sight of the window and the clouds. She never really was fond of heights, and the thought of traveling on a broomstick always made her nauseous. That was the one class she actually came close to failing had not Draco challenged her to a duel of sorts. That boy always knew how to rile her up and press her buttons almost as bad as that Fred Weasley did.

"Elizabeth.?"

Fleur's warm tones broke into the girl's thoughts making her turn round to a floating mirror. " Oh wow!" Elizabeth beamed. Now, with her hair pulled back, she could actually see her face which was always snugly outlined by her wavy fringes. Leaning closer to the hovering reflector, turned to the side to see her back length french braid. " It's so beautiful! Thank you!" She beamed as she turned to face Fleur who just smiled back.

"Oh, guess w'at?" Came the regal voice of the Headmistress as she rose from her seat in the front. Palms against each other, clapped once, " We 'ave arrived!"

"We have?" Elizabeth's brows arched high as she was led to the door. The view before her could only be described best, as a palace from a fairy tale. With tall pointed towers and arched hallways, it was very artistically designed. Much more different than Hogwarts, Beauxbaton was very bright. Well polished windowpanes allowed warm rays of sunlight to illuminate the halls set in the blue and gold baroque design, while the floors were set in iridescent blue and silvery gray marble. "Woa.."

Giggling, Fleur paused as a younger girl of about Elizabeth's age came to greet them, kissing her cheeks " Salut!"

"Salut!" Came the younger girl's reply- a big smile upon her face. It didn't take much to identify them as sisters, making Elizabeth a little more self conscious as she turned to greet her, " 'ello!"

"Hai.." Elizabeth smiled sheepishly.

"Eeez this tha new gerl you were talking about?"

Fleur nodded, " Gabrielle thiz eez Elizabeth LeStrange, she will be studying with us from now on."

"Superbe!" Gabrielle clapped her hands happily.

"Mes filles s'il vous plaît, into zeh dining 'all!" called the Headmistress.

All at once, the large polished double doors burst open, and Elizabeth's escorts danced across the flooring, humming and singing. Their performance ended with two gymnasts with flailing ribbons and a deep curtsy where tiny blue song birds filled the air.

Madame Maxime followed the students and took her place at the head of the hall, smiling broadly and warmly. "Bonjour!" Pausing glanced at Elizabeth with a kind nod as the girl now stood to her right side, whispers and quiet murmurs filling the air adding an anxious tension to the atmosphere, "Nous avons une surprise pour vous aujourd'hui!" She smiled and extended an arm towards their exchange student. "Permettez-moi de vous présenter Mademoiselle Elizabeth LeStrange!"

Elizabeth gulped as she tugged on her sleeve nervously, a wave of giggles filling the room at the mention of her last name. {Was it really that funny..?} she mused quietly. Well it was a much better reaction than she'd received at Hogwarts... Maybe things would be better here after all.

"Go on introduce yourself," came the quiet utterance of the Headmistress.

Smiling nodded and nervously stepped forward, " Hello everyone! I'm Elizabeth and um.. "Pausing looked to Fleur for reassurance and smiled, " Thanks for having me!" She smiled and awkwardly bowed.

"And thairr you 'ave eet! Our newest flower in L'Académie de Beauxbâtons! Let ze feast begin!"