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

I'm Sorry..

Finally back at home, couldn't wait to tell mother the news! I was positive she would approve. Viktor was both full wizard, and came from a good family. It was quite weird having these thoughts in my head- I also couldn't wait to hear what Hermione thought about all this- for I had written to her the night before.

"Mommy!!" I ran to the face I was longing to see since I had started school at Hogwarts and Beauxbaton.

Bellatrix's brows arched high as she ran to the girl and embraced her tightly. " I got your letter! I'm so happy for you!!" She held her daughter's face and planted kisses on Lizzy's eyes cheeks forehead and nose. " Mommy missed you so much! Oh look my little baby has grown so much! I can barely recognize you!!"

"Oh Elizabeth! What a pleasant surprise!" I turned to find a very familiar face, "Aunt Narcissa!!" I ran up to my godmother and hugged her tightly. "Guess who else is here!" She laughed as she stepped to the side revealing, " DRACO!!"

" IZZY!" We embraced and lingered, holding hands, " Wow you've changed!" He laughed as he sized me up. " You look like a girl!!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I pouted goofily, " Meani.." I mumbled as I folded my arms, " Humf, fine you still look like a boy," I added.

Draco just laughed as his cousin pouted, though they weren't related by blood perse, she was the closest thing to him, both as a cousin, and best friend. Growing up under the same roof was hard, especially being told to follow this rascal around to keep her out of trouble- it always made him irritated. They fought numerous times about it too, but having her back home like this? He really didn't care if he had to shadow her around again, he really missed his Izzy.

I was led by the hand by Draco almost missing the motion; you see we were always holding hands. I really didn't think much of it in all honesty, it actually made me feel more confident about myself for some reason, made me feel comforted and safe. " So how's Bewbato?" He joked.

"It's Beauxbaton!" I said in my best french accent. Turning to my right smiled and waved, "Uncle Lucius!" I greeted him with a hug, and sensed his awkwardness but just shrugged it off.

"Cissy can you please pass that box over there?" Bellatrix called out to the other. Narcissa casually handed a small wrapped box and pulled a seat.

There was something different about this family gathering, making me draw a light frown as I looked at the exchanges made..Everyone's stiff disposition made me tense.

"So any plans to return to Hogwarts?" Lucius asked as he took a sip of wine. Being still under age, I just stared at my cup of fresh cherry juice. I really didn't think about returning, and to be honest I was happy at Beauxbaton. No one treated me weirdly, and I had Fleur and Gabby-not to mention Viktor and we could easily visit each other over the weekends and holidays. And to top it off I was free from the drama and Harry Potter madness that I kept reading about in Hermione's letters.

Smiling sweetly, Bellatrix watched from the doorway. She knew why Lucius had asked.. His intention was obvious. The air grew tense, she really wished that old fool wouldn't spoil both Izzy's Yule's Eve and birthday at the same time. These past years made her realize just how much Elizabeth really meant to her. Soft sad eyes were drawn when the topic of the incidents circling Hogwarts took center stage.

Eyes soon zoomed in on the empty chair reserved for her husband and sighed. The man never really seemed to put much effort into playing the part of Dad.. It really was upsetting.. Even though she really didn't care much about the wizard, seeing Izzy's sad searching eyes broke her heart. Her husband's absence made her resent their marriage even more. She was happy- why did her happiness have to be taken away? She cursed the day her family had arranged her to a son of LeStrange. In reflex to her sentiments her grip on the box creased the wrapping making Izzy look up at her. Smiling reassuringly, came and sat next to the teen and handed her the box, " Mommy's got a little surprise for you," she smiled in a hushed tone.

"..which is why I have decided to arrange you with Draco." Lucius' voice broke into the traveling voices that seemed to merge into one at the table.

"Wait what?" My mouth hung comically ajar, half chewed food falling down into my plate. Draco had spit his drink at the man who sat in front of him forcing the older other to stand up scowling. Draco and I exchanged glances and quickly protested at the same time. " When did this all happen!!"

Draco stood up, " But father- " he was interrupted as Lucius stood up as well and glared at both of us.

" But we are cousins!" I blurted, " Isn't that kind of wrong? That's incest!" I comically added making another lady choke on her food at the term.

"Fact of the matter is, you have nothing to say on the matter- besides your not blood related so I don't understand what could be so wrong about it." He stared his son down, "You care about Elizabeth, you don't have the right to complain." He then glared at me," As both your godfather and stand-in father, " he frowned and stared at mom before looking back at me, " It will be in your best interests that we combine both houses." He hinted at something I never heard of before.

"Houses..?" I asked suspiciously as I turned to mom who just looked up at me, a helpless expression upon her face. "Mom what is he talking about..?"

Bellateix didn't know how to answer and looked to her left for reassurance. Narcissa knew what her husband was getting at. To secure their family's safety and rank in the upcoming war he was hoping to align them with the Dark Lord through marriage. It wasn't uncommon for families in the past to ally themselves through forming a union.. But up until now, the girl didn't even know that LeStrange wasn't even her real father. She had to do something, at this rate the whole surprise celebration wouldn't stand a chance. "Dobby!" She called their house elf, " Please bring it in!" Narcissa decided to rush the surprise a little bit, but this was the only way she knew how to save her goddaughter's birthday.

"But-" the house elf shrank under his Mistress' glare and snapped his fingers, the concealed balloons, music, and decorations suddenly appeared changing the mood of the room.

I got startled at the loud booming sounds and music, the dark room now strewn with colorful decorations and music. Hands began clapping forcing me to shoot my gaze to mother who stood up smiling as she sang, " Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!" Shortly after, everyone else began singing.
~*~
Bellatrix was lost in a daze. The celebration was a success, and even her easily distracted daughter seemed to have forgotten about the shocking news of moments before. " There is more!" She remembered the large snake her godson had brought home with him. Standing up quickly opened the kitchen door, releasing a very muscled, very obnoxiously large garden snake. These creatures weren't known to get so large, but the fact Snakey had been living in the Dark Forest for so long may have changed a few things. " 3..2..1.." The screams started exciting the witch. Running into the scene laughed wildly as a lot of their guests climbed up onto the chairs and shelves as the large snake sped towards her daughter.

" ISSSSEYYYYY!!"

"Snakey!? NO WAY YOUR SO FRIGIN BIIIIG!!" I yelled and knelt down as he coiled around me in a tight embrace. " I MISSED YOU OMGOSH!" I fangirled.
~*~
"She's just like her father.." Bellatrix smiled as Izzy smiled sweetly at her at a passing glance.

Cissy chuckled at her best friend. "She's a lot like her mother too," she added as Izzy broke out in a hyper happy spell, conjuring a lot of random things. Everyone seemed quite impressed as her goddaughter twirled with blue song birds appearing out of no where fanning out. Soft eyes turned to her son Draco and sighed. She knew that look in his eyes. He loved the girl.. But now thanks to his father.. Any chance of anything happening was ruined. Narcissa now feared that this new idea may have formed a riff in Draco and Izzy's relationship as best friends and 'cousins'. " I'm sorry Draco.." She whispered, a lump on her throat.

Bellatrix sighed, she also knew that look upon Draco's features.. For she wore that same look when she first saw Tom Riddle, difference at the time, he actually returned her feelings- or so it would seem anyway. After all.. They wouldn't get married in secret if he didn't.. Right..? Softening her gaze placed a reassuring hand upon Narcissa's, " I'm sorry Cissy.."

"It's not your fault Bella.." Narcissa sighed, " I'll have a word with Lucius later." Her friend seemed like she wanted to say something but changed her mind.

Not wanting to upset Narcissa more, Bellatrix decided to keep the new relationship of her daughter with Viktor Krum a secret, the heaviness in her heart growing more painful.