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

A Night of Magic

"This looks perfect!!" Gabby bounced on her toes clapping as she saw Fleur's evening gown. It was sparkling and leaning close to pastel blue. The halter top was complimented by a fluffy fur scarf- a gift from one of the Drumstrang boys.

"I wonder w'o eet was frrom," Fleur chuckled as she turned around. Her younger sister seemed to be struggling with the zipper of her pastel peach-pink tube top evening gown with the silky trail. " 'ere let me 'elp wiz dat," her eyes turned to me who just stared into the box that I received.

"Wot ees wrong Lizzy?" Gabby walked over to her friend and darted her blue eyes from the girl who was frowning at the large square box. Lifting the lid gasped as she spotted a sparkling evening gown in a dark black-blue hue. It seemed to glitter and have come with a pair of white gloves too.

"Wot, wot!?" Fleur rushed at seeing her sister's reaction and too gasped. " aren't you going to wear it?" She giggled, eyes sparkling as she looked up at me as I looked puzzled. " You arrre going to wear dis."

~*~

As the three of us walked down the well decorated halls, music filled the air. The choirs of wood nymphs echoed light a soft lullaby, our heels clattering against the well polished marble floor as we walked. My hair was pinned up, with small pearls decorating it. A curly tail drawn from the back of my head rested upon my right shoulder, pearl raindrop shaped earrings with a matching pearl choker adorned my profile as light natural makeup that emphasized the eyes painted my seemingly glowing canvas. The dark gown seemed to give off the illusion of me being as white as snow now- so much so that even the girls in my class started calling me Snow White. I adjusted my makeup to try to change it with no luck.

"You look beauteeful," Gabby reassured me with a sisterly shoulder bump as she noticed how self conscious I had become. My silky trail was curled loosely around my ankles as I turned to face her: " Don't forrget to smile," she said as she looped her arm around Fleur's and the two descended the red carpeted stairs together. It was then I felt a tug on my heart strings as I watched the two girls leave me at the top of the stairway. I never had a sister.. I never had any siblings, though I really wished I did. I held back a few tears, as this was the holiday that I both dreaded and loved. I was always alone.. Sometimes I received a letter.. Sometimes I didn't.. The letters mother had sent me came almost a year apart. Dropping my gaze adjusted the skirt of my gown and the trail as I held onto the seemingly golden brown railing descending slowly since I still wasn't accustomed to wearing heels. Half way down, I looked up as the nymphs stopped singing, and a sweet song began to play; it's lyrics both English and French. I recognized the song to belong to Nicolette, it's title was ironically called 'French Waltz'. Chuckling allowed my eyes to wonder to the crystalline ice sculptures. Hermione would really love those.. Ron would probably be gawking at the nymphs.. "Hehe" I chuckled at the memory of is goofy and funny expressions, his look of awe painted into memory. Harry would probably be walking with me now, pointing out small details and laughing along.. With a deep sigh I bowed my head sadly to find that I had made it almost at the bottom.

"Elizabeth.." A soft voice made me look up to find Viktor Krum standing there extending his hand out to me. How he learned my name, I didn't know.. But surely Fleur had something to do with it. I smirked and took his fingers in mine as he eased me down the stairs. " You look beautiful," he smiled warmly and bowed as he kissed the back of my hand. I could feel my cheeks blush a bright pastel rose as my smile broadened.

"And you look," I paused wanting to call him handsome, but figured it would sound too systematic, " charming as always," I concluded as I too dipped in a light curtsy.

"May I have this dance..?" His voice was really quiet and easy on the ears. Then all at once I felt my heart flutter, and my stomach get tied into a knot as I have never been asked to dance before. I nodded and he led me to the main ballroom. Feeling very shy and awkward kept my eyes glued to the floor.

"I must warn you," I began casually laughing quietly as I looked up at him, " I'm not a very good dancer." He laughed as he took my hand in his, and in reflex my palm rested on his shoulder. Shivers ran up my spine in unfamiliarity as he had taken my waist and led me in to a waltz. Giggles made me look up at him to find him staring making my face turn a deeper shade of red. This was a very foreign feeling, I really couldn't identify it- but whatever it was, a part of me didn't want it to fade away. " How did you-" I paused at seeing Fleur giggle behind Viktor as she danced with another Drumstrang boy. "Fleur.." I chuckled.

"Fleur?" He looked over his shoulder at a very regal looking Tom, the girl he was dancing with too looked at him and smiled. Turning back to me, he seemed to get my drift. " Ehe.. Yes. Fleur and Tom it seems," he added.

"How did you get my poem.?" I asked curiously looking at him as we took a gentle spin.

"Thomas, he came barging into the room screaming I had received a letter," Viktor frowned slightly as I began to laugh.

" Hahaha!! That explains a lot." seeing his frown explained, " Fleur had asked me to write a /love/ themed poem for her. She said she wanted to impress a Drumstrang prince," I laughed and looked impishly at him, " looks like it worked," I playfully winked- my confidence growing as he got shy.

" Hehehe.." He chuckled, his face burning as the blood rushed to his face. This girl was witty, he would give her that much. As he took them into another light spin, he pulled Lizzy closer- a playful antic that their audience seemed to take so well. "Ooooo.." He could hear some of his fellow Lords utter as a few other girls started to giggle. The song did set quite the mood, his eyes glued to this girl called Elizabeth. Her shyness making him more confident as well. Her eyes seemed to be glued at their hands, and then she quietly spoke. " Sorry.. I couldn't get you something.." Chuckling looked into her eyes, " I have all what I need," his voice was soft and kind. The song began slowing down, their steps a gentle rocking motion. He took Lizzy into a last spin and dipped her playfully, eyes twinkling with mischief, " Though, a kiss would be nice-a perfect compensation don't you think..?"

I was surprised at his words, and as he took me into a dance-dip, my arm hooked the back of his neck in reflex not wanting to fall from grace. "Huh..?" My face burned deep rose now, and I could tell he was enjoying the view. " You're having too much fun with this," I chuckled sheepishly. Wondering how to throw him off guard, just smiled, " Indeed.. If your man enough to take it," I challenged. By then everyone had stopped dancing to stop and watch, the shy winter flower as she danced with the fierce wind of Drumstrang.

Caught off guard, slowly raised the girl up and laughed quietly. She was so full of surprises.. It was fun. Deciding to take this game a little further placed the hand he was holding over his shoulders, and made sure to look as charming as possible. "Is that a challenge..?" He said quietly with a smirk as they gently rocked side to side.

"I don't know.. Is it..?" I retorted just as quietly as I looked down at my foot, my strapless shoe felt like it was about to slip off so I comically and discretely stomped my foot.

Chuckling at her antics took note as she dropped her gaze, it looked like she had become really shy- too shy to look him in the eyes. Light snow began to fall indoors making him look up and smile as they danced. When her optics rose to view the ceiling where the falling snow came from, their eyes locked and she dropped her eyes again. He gently tipped her chin up, her face a bright pink color. Smiling at her reaction leaned in, his own heart racing. He couldn't really read what she was thinking at that moment, was she going to reject him? Or take him- or his kiss for that matter. It would be so embarrassing if she stopped right then and there, and for once he felt unsure of himself. This Elizabeth didn't seem like the sort that was so easily impressed. He paused just as Lizzy began to tiptoe.

{OMGOSH what's happening!! What's happening!! Lizzy!! Snap out of it!!} my mental conscience began to yell. { Nonononono!! Do you really wana give your first to this random Drumstrang guy!? This arrogant brat he-} my thoughts were drowned by curiosity. His eyes seemed to show some doubt and insecurity, this made my confidence boost off the Richter scale. I had won. Smirking tiptoed, and leaned in to, he didn't seem to budge as I pulled him closer. He closed his eyes making me chuckle as I turned to his cheek and gave a quick peck whispering mischievously, " Knew you couldn't do it.."