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

Yule Ball

" I thought you wanted me to ask him to-" Gabby's loud annoyed sigh made me stop my protest. " What's wrong..?"

Gabby didn't really reply and stomped out of the room. "She didn't want you to go.." Fleur placed a large box beside me with black lace and dark wrapping paper.

"Mom!" My eyes flashed happily as I snatched the fancy envelope and ripped the top off. Eyes read her words hungrily, before my itching fingers unwrapped the ribbon. Before my eyes was an elegantly folded gown that seemed to pop into life. " Oh wow!!!" I gasped as it twirled, giggling like a little child as I chased it around our room. " Hahaha!"

Gabby walked back inside and gawked, stifling a scream. Running to her sister as her first impulse, gawked the moment she saw me running around, " Wot arr're you doing!? Chasing that ghostly spectairr around! You nearly gave me a 'eart attack!

"Desole Gabby," I apologized with a mischievous grin. " Ehehe.. I couldn't help it" I added as I turned to the door with a slight frown.

" Wot eess wrong?" the younger girl quizzed as she turned to view the corner to which my eyes were focused on.

" Oh.. Nothing-nothing.. But.. Something.." I pondered aloud confusing my peers.

A loud clap startled us all, and as we turned to a very impatient Fleur,
"Well zat ees settled then, let us go to ze salo'n!" she grinned impishly as she concluded on a nasal note. And with that both girls dragged me out of the room, arms hooked into mine as they began to happily skip to one of the other rooms that had been transformed into a first class salon de beauté. Honestly the only time I've ever stepped foot in one of these was on those rare occasions Fleur actually managed to drag me outside early evening on Saturdays before we met up with the girls for dinner in some fancy hotel or restaurant off campus.
As annoying as it was at first, it was really fun- all the socializing, energetic voices and music.. Made me really feel normal and equal with all the others. My family linage didn't seem to matter in France.. I felt so free.. But to be back... At Hogwarts... Well...

" Lizzy wot ees with zat face?" Gabby frowned as she struck a sarcastic pose. " You arr're dressed to ze nines yet you loook laik you arr're goin to one of those arranged marriage sit-downs."

Pouting comically, " Eh- I'll get over're eet," came my random spout of French tuning. It often happened nowadays- especially since I've been improving my French linguistics. Looking up at the giggling girl who had just finished pinning up my braids, " Whaaat?" I quizzed comically.
" Can't I sound laik-ah-zis!?" I forced an accent in an animated air which made the girl burst out laughing.

Once Annelise started cackling in her borish Amazonian comedic bellow of a laugh- we all couldn't help but join in the banter. As if on cue, a random set of clapping hands drew in our attention and we all rose to meet our Headmistress who was well dressed, and beaming. She led us out into the carriages who drew into the castle court yard. It was almost time for those chosen by the Goblet to enter the Ballroom and so Fleur and I took our leave.

" You sure you will be all right..?" Fleur turned to me with a worried set of eyes.

"That's... A good question actually... He's going to be there... What should I do if I run into him.? What if I run into Hermione?" My eyes dug into Fleur's set of clear blue orbs as I stepped into her guard as my mind began to race. " What if-" I was interrupted by kind hands that sat atop either shoulder.

" Everything will be fine.." Fleur reassured. And as her escort walked up to her I got startled and stepped back. Taking note of his facial expressions, and his ginger hair... { Must be a Weasley..} I mentally noted, cursing the thought. I sounded just like my cousin Draco...

"The Fat Lady is down that way," the older boy added.

" Fat.. Lady..?" Fleur looked at her escort in confusion. Turning to me she shrugged her shoulders as he began to laugh and held out his arm, " An inside joke from when we were kids," he lied. George must have told this guy I was coming... But how did he know I wasn't going to skip? Within a moment's notice the older boy's laugh seemed to relax the atmosphere as he issued me in the direction of the moving stairs. With a scowl I played along and stuck out my tongue.

I watched as the duo headed towards the hall, picking up the hem of my dress rolled my eyes and headed off towards the stairs. It was here at the hidden door behind the portrait of the Fat Lady of the Gryffinfor Dormitory lay.

" That booger.." I sighed as I turned away from the door. It had already been fifteen minutes.. They were going to let the contenders enter within the last remaining five.

"Patience is a Virtue!" Came the sing-song voice of the painting.

"Not when you're running late for the-" I was interrupted.

"Izzy!"

My blood ran cold. "Draco.." I turned and found my cousin stuck on a moving flight of stairs.

"Good evening Ms. Le Strange!"
I gasped as I whipped around to find a well dressed tall ginger with an impish grin.

" WELL IT TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH!"