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

Revealed Truth

The Room of Requirement was right up the corner.. And as I entered it's walls, a sleeping chamber with protective enchantments welcomed me in. It was well lit, and much larger than the single bunk I would've usually had in the dorm room. I also had a private bathroom to boot, and a few flowers and plants here and there giving a homy outlook. But.. This place was not home at all..

This place.. Was a prison.

To the naked muggle eye this place would look like your average studio that fresh college graduates would rent out as they set forth on their way to secure a career and a job- which ever came first. Sound proof were these walls.. So none of her screams and cries could escape.. And no matter how many cases she seemed to break, or furniture she threw around, they all would be soon replaced within moments.. These after all.. Were not real.. Just for show.

"You have a guest.." An eerie voice beckoned.

"Send them away.." Elizabeth sighed as she lay back down on her pillow. Something slid onto her cheek, and as she turned to investigate she frowned. A batch or letters brushed against the back of her hand, and as she sat up upon her knees, her heart began to race. " What.. What is this..?" Her voice became raspy as her throat ran dry. The dates on each of these letters.. Covered the span of almost a whole year!

The girl ripped through each one, reading it over and over, the majority of letters she received were from Hermione.. Apparently the muggle born had never received her letters.. Viktor Krum's batch came in second in quantity. And Ron tied in with Harry.. Only two letters came from the twins which was expected since she wasn't very close with them. What surprised her was that she had never received a single letter from Draco. Her heart sank.. But then.. That was to be expected too. He must have felt weirded out after what happened last Christmas.. And to be honest.. So did she.

As her eyes scanned each note twice over, she began to cry. Before she knew it, a heavy arm was draped upon her shoulders making her jump.

"Easy! It's just me.." The low tones echoed.

Looking up, rubbed her eyes and found Viktor Krum sitting in her midst. " How did-" she couldn't form any more words and burst into tears.

The young Drumstrang didn't know what to do- for it was the first time he had seen her cry on the verge of hysterics. Placing the food tray on the walking side table enveloped her in a tight embrace.

"I heard what happened.. And came as soon as I could."

She didn't speak she just curled up making herself quite small as she leaned into his hug. " -The letters-" she choked. " I- never-" she released another cry as she clasped his shirt in fear.

Reality struck, she didn't want to die- neither did she want to kill. She stood on the doorstep of devilish dementors to boot.. she didn't want any of this.

Viktor Krum draped his cloak around her shoulders and held her close, his chin resting gently upon her head. "I'm sorry for everything.. I should've confronted you first before assuming things.." He sighed deeply. " And.. Nothing happened between me and your friend.. She couldn't replace you.." He said stiffly and awkwardly. It was obvious that this wasn't exactly his fortey but at least he managed to say it in one piece this time. He was actually afraid himself- that it would come out all wrong. " We were both deceived.." He concluded coldly and harshly.

With each word spoken he felt the girl's grip on him tighten. It was obvious she was terrified.. But he also knew that he couldn't do much. There were guards outside her door, and even now he knew they were being watched so he couldn't just relax and be himself. It was.. Difficult. After about an hour or so of silence, he felt her body grow heavy, then drop. She had fallen asleep. Pulling himself against the bed frame relaxed his back against a few pillows and just lay there, eyes staring at the door; wand in hand. Soft eyes looked down upon the sleeping form, she looked so peaceful and cute. He chuckled at the memory of spring when they both had taken a trip up into the mountains with a few other friends one weekend. She had fallen asleep under a tree and a squirrel sat on her head munching away at an acorn. "Better than bird poop," he remembered her comical retort.

Holding her hand, rubbed it gently with his thumb. She was like a little child.. Quite innocent and very nieve. He chuckled as her hand curled in reflex and held it, and as his eyes began to droop too, he soon too fell asleep.
~*~

Couple hours into the night, the heavy doors opened, the room almost pitch black. " This is a bad idea.. She is still sleeping!" Hermione whispered. "Ow!" Ron groaned as Harry stepped on his foot only to apologize, " Sorry!"

The floor creaked under their collected weight and they froze. " Lumos," Harry whispered, lighting the tip of his wand underneath his invisible cloak. They actually had managed to get passed the sleeping guards and entered the room quite easily. The room after all, could sense the intentions of it's guests so to speak.

"You know we could get into a lot of trouble for this.." Ron whispered as he cringed at the loose floorboard as it creaked comically again.

" I am NOT going to allow my best friend to be kissed by those dementors" Hermione spat as she took the lead. " I think that's her bed," she whispered authoritatively. Pulling out a candle, lit it and crawled out from under the cape. By the bedside she could see a bulge underneath the blankets. " Elizabeth..?" She whispered as she placed the candle on the bedside table. " Lizzy!" She shook the form only to jump back as a deep voice groaned. It sounded quite familiar, and she frowned. " Krum!?" Her voice was glazed with anger. " She ripped off the blanket yelling; " VIKTOR KRUM EXPLAIN YOURSELF!!"