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

The Pensieve & the Dragon

Back in the comfort of his spacious office, Dumbledore sighed deeply. Things were too exciting for him these days- especially ever since Riddle's daughter came back to Hogwarts. Albus often wondered if he had done the right thing by sending her away.

Sensing a familiar aura issued his friend and fellow professor in, "Come in Minerva," his tones were kind.

"You asked for me.?" Came the curious inquisition.

Walking up to the Pensieve he plucked out an illuminescent string of memory and allowed it to collect in the mysterious pool before him. "You were young once, what do you make of this..?" He asked quite out if character.

"I beg your pardon?" Minerva replied as her brows arched high in confusion.

"You were a young girl once.. Maybe you can help me understand something." He continued.

Taken aback as she stood up to the electric blue pool, turned to the Headmaster and back at the swirling bits of smokey designs in the bowl. "Come again..?" She quizzed again. Her eyes followed Albus' index finger to the center and frowned when he asked her what she saw. " It's the Trieizarding Tournament's first task." She looked at him, " Did something happen..?" She frowned, and before she could ask, the wizard filled her in.

"Elizabeth is engaged to Draco.. But I want to understand why." He knew the girl didn't show that sort of feeling or relationship towards the boy. Was it arranged? If it was, why wasn't she fighting back? The girl's complacent demeanor didn't seem to fit her rebellious nature.

Minerva frowned putting one on one together, " You think they are going to make a move soon, aren't you?" when the other leaned in she exhaled deeply, his last words echoing in her ears. "You think she is part of it?"

"I honestly don't know.. And.. I hope we did the right thing by sending her away.." He looked at her then back at the pool as light engulfed them," ...because for the first time in a long time Minerva, I have begun to doubt myself..."
~*~

Curious eyes reviewed the crowd before them, zooming in on the reporter in the near distance.

Rita Skeeter entered the tent just in time to steal a photograph of a young Granger enveloping the famous prodigy that got himself into the tournament. Harry potter. Flowing through the motions, snickered at each contender as she gracefully pointed out the truth of their flaws in a most graceful manner. "Let's start with the youngest!"

Elizabeth placed a protective hand over Harry's shoulder, "That would be me," she placed light pressure upon his joint and narrowed her gaze at the reporter.

"Oh!" Rita peeped, " And who might you be then?" She threw back in annoyance.

"Someone who will feed you to the dragons if you don't leave," Elizabeth curled her lips darkly in a sinister grin.

Rita's eyebrows arched high in fear and surprise. This killing intent..and dark aura.. The air seemed to close in around her for a second.. The eerie chills creeping up her skin, prickling it's once smooth surface with goosebumps. She had heard rumors of the child, but never had she in her wildest dreams, think she would meet the girl here like this. She herself after all, was one of the followers of the Dark Lord. And found it fascinating. It was hard to keep her cool- for there was no mistaking it. This witch, was spawn to the Dark Lord.. And this time she knew she wasn't spinning a tall tale. It was going to be the story of the century!!! Her eyes glistened greedily. Her day dream was interrupted when a strong hand pulled the youngest girl behind him.

Viktor Krum frowned, " This place is for contestants.. And friends.." His tones carried a threatening tint.

Elizabeth had taken to Viktor's side when Albus and the others walked in, her fingers weaving into the set that crawled into her own palm, exchanging smiling reassuring glances with the boy.