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

Painful Silence

Bellatrix just sat there in the corner.. News of Crouch's demise sang loudly throughout their world. The suspect of his murder.. Was her own daughter Elizabeth. Would they sentence her own flesh and blood into the bowels of Azkaban?

"Put that over there!" Came an authoritative voice as Narcissa ordered the house elf to move Elizabeth's things to their main house in the country.

Narcissa looked up at the corner to which her best friend stood, and softened her gaze. " Oh Bella..." She hugged her friend, who didn't return the motion.. Her mind absent of all emotion and thoughts. Keeping the embrace she continued. " This is for Elizabeth's own good.. Our influence.. It will protect her."

LeStrange just turned her icy, hollow optics towards the witch. Cissy was right.. For once.. In her life.. She felt hopeless.. She hated it.. She couldn't even protect her own daughter!! What kind of mother was she? Tom would be.. Very disappointed in her.. Her heart sank, and she released a heavy deep sigh. " ..Wish.. There was something I could do.. To save her.." She let out a small cry as she hugged Cissy tightly.

Narcissa hugged tightly back..tears spilling for her own Draco. The boy's life was going to be ruined.. Why did he, their only child and son have to undergo such a task. They had relations better suited to handle the match with Elizabeth.. Someone much stronger, wiser, and experienced.. With both title and influence behind their name. Someone like.. William. The older lad had already lived his life, and his family were not in the limelight either.. They were able to live comfortably.. Live normally.. Why did it have to be.. Her Draco.. It wasn't fair.. He was.. But just a boy.

"Cissy.."

Narcissa turned to the sound of Bella's voice.. Meeting her cold.. And empty hollows.. And sighed. "Is this.. Really all worth it in the end..?"

Bellatrix stared at the other, quite bewildered. She had actually pondered about the exact same thing.. But serving the Dark Lord.. Was always her purpose in life.. Nothing else mattered. But here she was.. Now starting to doubt her own madness that once served her so well.. And made her so strong. For the first time in her life.. She was confused.

Silence seemed to pass between both of them now, both staring into each other's empty orbs.. Lost in thought.

"Mother?"

It was Draco. His voice snapped the duo back into reality. "Pack your things, we're going." Were the last words Narcissa said. And, as she walked towards the door, a heavy thud hit the floor. The witch paused, almost purposefully as she glanced over her shoulder; and left.

Bella padded over to the wrapped bundle and knelt down. Untying the knot, felt he heart surge with anger. These were the letters her daughter never seemed to have revived.. These were also the letters.. That never were sent.. A small parchment dropped, within it's folded corner, " Lucious had Dobby take these.. It was the least I could do."