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

His Voice

As I lay in my bed staring at the ceiling, my six foot garden snake stretched out beside me, his head resting on my chest.

"Caannnt sssssleeeep?" I glanced at Snakey and sighed and looked up at the ceiling again. It was strange to be back here, the atmosphere was so gloomy compared to Beauxbaton. Dark curtains with rose embroidery carved the frames of my windows, while my room's furnishings were set in deep mahogany, it's design gothic and even sinister compared to the light blues and golds of the French Academy I was attending.

Snakey sighed and stared at the open window, he missed roaming around the Dark Forest; it was so constricting in here. " Whhyyy donttt we bothhhh go bhaaack to mmmHogwaaartsss..?" he said after a time. Glancing down at him sighed and hugged his head as I turned to my side to stare at the same open window. "You miss it there huh.." I said sadly and thoughtfully.

"Youuu... Donttt..?"

Stroking the top of Snakey's snout sighed. "Honestly no.. I don't..I'm treated well in Beauxbaton.. And I actually have a life there. Friends.. Sisters.. And.." I paused feeling a sense of doubt and decided not to mention Victor, " And I really don't want to loose all that because of all the Harry Potter Drama." I concluded. This seemed to spark Snakey's interest for some reason.

" I thought he wasss your friend..You have ssshanged a lot.." He commented. I frowned at this statement, Snakey never had been so vocal with me before- not on private matters anyway. I guess he too grew up a bit as well.

"You say it like it's a bad thing.." I said a little angry. When he turned to face me dead in the eyes, I got spooked as his eyes seemed to flash a different hue for a split second. His pupils dilated eating up his golden iris turning it pitch black. His voice changed too, and hung in the air with an eerie tone, " Nooo.. Thaaatss good..." I sat up feeling a cold sensation creep under my skin, Snakey's touch was ice cold and I pressed my back into the bed frame, my propped up pillow indenting deeply. "Hhhaaarry Potter.. Will only hhhurt you in the heeend. I promisssse you.. Thaaat daddy'ssss coming ssooon." With that note I smiled, " H-he is!? When!!!" I asked curiously and enthusiastically- quite innocent and nieve on my part.

"Ssssoooon.. Bhuut.. It will be dhiiificult with you away in Franssss, sssssoo come bhaaack hhhome.."

I frowned slightly.. Snakey never stressed on the Hs before.. Something was not right. My room's fragrance now smelled earthy, sour and stale. I decided to test the waters with something only me and Snakey would know.. Something he knew I strongly detested. " But it would be sooo weird.. I'm engaged to Draco now, everyone would treat me differently, and act weird."

The snake paused and coiled angrily at my feet, a loud hiss rose to a deafening pitch. " Yhoooure whhaat!" His tones came out sharper than before.

"It's a dream come true actually," I lied and casually lay back on the pillow propping up my back. I was terrified.. And wanted my face as far away from the reptile as possible- feeling insecure about still being in his strike range.

"And studying away has helped me a lot, I-I thought you'd be happy with me.. I'm far away from the attacks inflicted by Voldemort." At that tone the snake just stared at me- disbelief in his eyes.

~*~

Tom Riddle's PoV

Looks like she still didn't know who I or Voldemort really was.. LeStrange reassured me the girl would know something by now. Here, in this Snake's body I was hoping to watch my daughter grow.. From the very first moment she had rescued that little snake.. I knew it was my window to her. The little cold blooded creature was a descendent of my own leg less partner after all. I just stared through Snakey's beady eyes in disbelief. Did she have any idea who Voldemort was.? I wanted to press the issue further, but knew I was running out of time.

If I was going to have any chance at killing Potter, she would have to be there.. She was the only one who could touch him.. And.. He trusted her, so it would erase all suspicions that would automatically be dropped on her.

I found myself furious at the idea of my own flesh and blood being engaged to a Malfoy all of a sudden- it over took my thoughts of revenge. That Lucius was sly.. And ambitious. How dare he use my daughter as a pawn in his schemes! I will not have it!!!

I subconsciously struck at my daughter, Snakey was fighting back to regain his body. Elizabeth's scream shook something deep within what was left of my soul. She was afraid of me.. The way she looked straight at me.. Made me just want to hold her close.. But no.. That would seem so out of character of a cold blooded snake. I was unable to love.. Unable to feel.. I was alone regardless of how many followers I had. This deep emptiness.. Was my badge, the only real reason I could accomplish so much in such little time. Attachments.. Were for weaklings.. But then what was I feeling..? Was I becoming weak?

My Elizabeth had a deep yearning for power.. She just didn't realize it yet. How she always strived to know her spells so well- even before it was discussed in class.. To be on top of everything was the first step. Having her sent to France was a disadvantage I had over looked.. But no matter.. She will go back to Hogwarts, and she WILL help me get to Harry Potter.. At the Triwizardimg Tournament next fall.. She will be going as a participant.. And I will return.

"Darling, is everything all right?" I turned to Bellatrix, and then turned to Elizabeth who was pressed against her bed frame. By the fearful stare that LeStrange had given me.. I knew she knew. Her long pause and arched brows confirmed it. I watched angrily as the woman hugged the youth before me and pointed her wand at me.
~*~
{GETTT OUTTT!}Snakey had over taken the possession, and all at once his eyes flashed it's normal profile, and his head dropped onto the mattress where he lay still.

"Mm-Momm- w-what j-just happened!?" I hugged mother tightly, terrified at what had just occurred.

"It's okay darling, mommy's here.. Mommy's here."