Categories > Books > Harry Potter > There Once Was a Girl Named Elizabeth Riddle
There Once Was a Girl Named Elizabeth Riddle
1 reviewUpon her first year at Hogwarts Elizabeth Riddle has no idea what kind of impact she will have on the wizarding world.
0Cliche
'Cause I'm just a girl, little 'ol me
Don't let me out of your sight
I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite
So don't let me have any rights
Oh...I've had it up to here!
“I’m too short,” I announce at dinner that night, looking down at my feet that are swinging in the air a few inches from the carpeted ground. “Why couldn’t I have been born taller?”
“I do not know,” replies my current care – taker. A dark haired wizard that constantly wears black robes and has this bloody annoying monotone voice; he sounds bored all the time. I think someone broke his nose a long time ago as well, it is all crooked.
“Can you make me taller?” I question enjoying pushing the wizard’s buttons; something I’ve been doing since I arrived here, two months ago.
“You’re only ten, you will grow.”
“I’m eleven,” I state, hopping out of the chair, hitting my knee on the table causing the dishes to rattle. “Well, goodnight.”
My guardian stands, following me down the hall toward my room. Why cannot I go to bed without him following me? It isn’t like I am going to try and run away again. That was only one time. Pretending he isn’t here, I climb into bed, having already been in my night clothes. The maroon chenille comforter still feels odd under my touch but I pull it up under my chin none the less. Obviously no one in the Wizarding world has heard of a heater.
Glancing over towards the door way I notice Severus Snape still standing there, brow furrowed, just looking at me. He really is odd. I have lived with the strangest people in my eleven years of life. Three muggle families, about five different Wizarding families and then just the random witch or wizard that decides to take me in.
“You know if you keep your face like that, you will get lines,” I state, motioning towards the area between my eyebrows.
“What?” Snape replies.
“You’re face will stay like that if you keep looking at me that way all the time; with your eyebrows all together.”
“That is ridiculous.”
“It’s the truth. Now can you please leave? It is just a bit odd knowing you will be standing there watching me.”
Instead of answering Severus just continues to look at me, his eyes wearing that far away look he gets sometimes when he is lost in thought. “You look so much like her,” he mumbles.
“Like who?”
“No one, never mind, go to bed.”
“I can’t if I know you will be standing there, it’s creepy.”
“I am not creepy.”
“You’re creepy. Now please, please go. And I want to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow to get my school stuff. The letters came over a week ago.”
“Fine. Go to sleep,” with that Severus stalks out of the room.
“Good night Severus!” I holler after him before turning on my side and shutting my eyes. I think out of all my wizard guardians I like Severus Snape the most. It is only too easy to get on his nerves but at the end of the day he is the most caring person in the entire world.
Next Morning
Stepping over the floor board that creaks I push the door of Severus’ bedroom open. There he is, a black lump lying in the middle of a white bed. His room is so plain. Well, the room I refused to stay in is plain; his room is nice.
“Wake up! Wake up! You promised we’d go today! Get up!” I holler in his hear, laughing hysterically as he sits up, glowering at me.
“What time is it?” he groans.
“Exactly eight but I’ve been up since six. I made myself breakfast and read the Daily Prophet. Did you know they are still talking about that man Sirius Black? I thought they caught him ages ago.”
“Padfoot? Why is he in the paper?”
“Padfoot? What an absolutely ridiculous name. Come on. I want to go.”
“I have to get dressed. Ten minutes.”
Glaring up at him I set the ‘my way or no way’ look on my face, “Five.”
“Ten.”
“Five.”
“Eight.”
“Five and that is my final answer. I know how to use Floo power.”
Snape looks down at me and sighs, “Five.”
Smiling I skip out of the room, running my fingers along the wall. I have yet to wipe the jam off of them and it leaves a big, streaky, purple/red stain down the hallway. I plop down on the leather sofa, sucking on my fingers to clean them. I am almost positive it has been longer than five minutes, perhaps not though. I wish there where a television I could watch. Muggles have television. Why are wizards stuck so far in the past?
Once my fingers are clean I stand over by the fire, wishing Snape would hurry up. What in the world is taking him so long?
Finally, Severus walks down the hall, a scowl plastered on his already harsh features. He is not taking too well to the jam on the walls. It’ll come off. I know there is a cleaning spell or something that’ll fix it.
“You ready?” I questions grabbing a handful of Floo powder in my hand.
“Let’s just go,” Snape replies taking a large amount of the green dust.
“Where?”
“Diagon Alley.”
“Alright.”
I step into the fire place, closing my eyes. Something about flying through nothing in dozens of circles makes me extremely sick. Taking a deep breath I pronounce my words best I can, “Diagon Alley.”
With a burst of green fire I am off, whizzing through a vacuum until I finally feel the ground hit my feet again. My eyes pop open as I quickly move out of the fire place knowing Snape will be coming along shortly. I have made it to The Leaky Cauldron. From here on I am where I belong, amongst others like myself. I cannot wait to get my school stuff and go to Hogwarts.
I let out a small squeak as Severus comes out of the fire behind me, laying a hand on my shoulder. I wonder if he will make me go into Gringotts. I sure hope not, those goblin people scare me.
“You’ve got enough money out of my account already haven’t you?” I question as we walk along the crowded street, stopping in front of the wizard bank.
“I suppose.”
“I want to go get my wand,” I state before hurrying off towards Olivander’s. I might only be a first year but I have taken enough trips to Diagon Alley to know where all the shops are.
Pushing the door open I hurry in, ringing the bell on the front desk multiple times until a little old man comes around the corner. Behind his glasses his eyes look huge. I do not think it is natural for people to have that big of eyes; maybe something’s wrong with him.
“I’m Elizabeth,” I announce standing on my tip toes to see over the counter. Why do I have to be so bloody short?
“Well, let me just try and find you a wand,” Olivander replies before turning his back on me to search through the rows and rows of wand boxes. Severus stands over in a corner.
The first one Olivander hands me is a cherry color with little knots in it periodically through the longer part. I don’t like the look of it but I’ve heard that the wand picks the wizard not the other way around. Thank Merlin that the second I pick this one up the lights in the back burst.
“Perhaps another,” Olivander offers.
Biting on my bottom lip I gently place the knot wand back on the counter. Let’s hope the next one is better. This one is a shiny grey/black color with an intricate design on the handle that looks like a snake twisting up a column with odd writing around it. It is alright. As I hold it in my hand a wind blows through the shop. Olivander smiles; I have found my wand.
Looking behind me I hold my hand out for Snape to drop a few gallons in. He raises an eye brow at me as he digs his hand into his pocket. Instead of dropping the money into my palm right way he holds his fist right above my outstretched hand.
“It’s my money.”
Nodding he drops the coins into my palm. Slapping them down on the counter I grab my wrapped up wand box and bounce out of the store on my way to Madame Malkin’s robe shop. Thankfully it is not very crowded; just one pale haired boy standing on a platform in front of a mirror but his robes already look done. I step onto the raised circular podium next to his.
“I am going to wait outside,” Snape announces before handing over some of my money and heading out of the store.
Turning to look at the blonde boys standing next to me I hold my hand out to him, “I’m Elizabeth,” I state as he takes my hand.
“Draco Malfoy.”
“You’re father works at the Ministry of Magic,” I reply as Draco drops my hand; Madame Malkin sliding a robe over my head.
“Yeah, he does. How do you know?”
“I lived with a wizard who worked there for a while. Got fired after they found out he was sharing information.”
“That the guy in black who just left?”
“Severus, oh no, he doesn’t work at the Ministry. What a funny thought,” I laugh.
“I didn’t mean for it to be humorous.”
“I never said you did. It’s just, picturing Snape sitting at a desk in the Ministry of Magic is rather comical.”
“Draco, who are you talking to?” a man with long blonde hair walks out from behind a wrack of robes. This must be Lucius Malfoy.
“I’m Elizabeth…Elizabeth Jo Riddle. You are Lucius Malfoy.”
“Smart girl.”
Studying the look on his face I know exactly what he is thinking.
“You thought I was a Weasley.”
Lucius smiles, his hands crossed over a snake head cane, “Very smart girl.”
“It was the hair, but I’m pure – blood and proud of it,” I state as a pin pokes me in the wrist. “Ouch!”
“Sorry,” Madame Malkin says with a smile before waving her wand about so that the pins are replaced by perfect stitches. My robes now look like Draco’s.
“Are you going to Hogwarts this year?” I question as I hand over the money Snape gave me.
“Yes.”
“I guess I’ll see you there, that is, if you make it into Slytherin.”
With that I gather my already wrapped robes and exit the store causing the bell to go off yet again making a soft tink sound. Glancing over my shoulder I smile at Draco before stepping out onto the street. I spot Severus sitting at an outside table with a cage resting on top of it. Inside this cage there is a jet black owl with bright yellow eyes. It’s absolutely perfect.
“Thank you!” I exclaim, throwing my arms around Snape’s neck.
Stepping back I look at him, he does not look mad but not happy either. I suppose the hug was a bit much but…nope there it is.
“I’m probably the only person in the entire world who knows your smiling right now,” I say continuing to keep my eyes on a seemingly blank faced Severus.
“What are you going to name it?” he questions as we walk back towards The Leaky Caldron; Snape had taken the liberty of getting everything else I would need for school.
I glance at the bird, thinking back to this morning, “Padfoot.” I answer with a smile.
Don't let me out of your sight
I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite
So don't let me have any rights
Oh...I've had it up to here!
“I’m too short,” I announce at dinner that night, looking down at my feet that are swinging in the air a few inches from the carpeted ground. “Why couldn’t I have been born taller?”
“I do not know,” replies my current care – taker. A dark haired wizard that constantly wears black robes and has this bloody annoying monotone voice; he sounds bored all the time. I think someone broke his nose a long time ago as well, it is all crooked.
“Can you make me taller?” I question enjoying pushing the wizard’s buttons; something I’ve been doing since I arrived here, two months ago.
“You’re only ten, you will grow.”
“I’m eleven,” I state, hopping out of the chair, hitting my knee on the table causing the dishes to rattle. “Well, goodnight.”
My guardian stands, following me down the hall toward my room. Why cannot I go to bed without him following me? It isn’t like I am going to try and run away again. That was only one time. Pretending he isn’t here, I climb into bed, having already been in my night clothes. The maroon chenille comforter still feels odd under my touch but I pull it up under my chin none the less. Obviously no one in the Wizarding world has heard of a heater.
Glancing over towards the door way I notice Severus Snape still standing there, brow furrowed, just looking at me. He really is odd. I have lived with the strangest people in my eleven years of life. Three muggle families, about five different Wizarding families and then just the random witch or wizard that decides to take me in.
“You know if you keep your face like that, you will get lines,” I state, motioning towards the area between my eyebrows.
“What?” Snape replies.
“You’re face will stay like that if you keep looking at me that way all the time; with your eyebrows all together.”
“That is ridiculous.”
“It’s the truth. Now can you please leave? It is just a bit odd knowing you will be standing there watching me.”
Instead of answering Severus just continues to look at me, his eyes wearing that far away look he gets sometimes when he is lost in thought. “You look so much like her,” he mumbles.
“Like who?”
“No one, never mind, go to bed.”
“I can’t if I know you will be standing there, it’s creepy.”
“I am not creepy.”
“You’re creepy. Now please, please go. And I want to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow to get my school stuff. The letters came over a week ago.”
“Fine. Go to sleep,” with that Severus stalks out of the room.
“Good night Severus!” I holler after him before turning on my side and shutting my eyes. I think out of all my wizard guardians I like Severus Snape the most. It is only too easy to get on his nerves but at the end of the day he is the most caring person in the entire world.
Next Morning
Stepping over the floor board that creaks I push the door of Severus’ bedroom open. There he is, a black lump lying in the middle of a white bed. His room is so plain. Well, the room I refused to stay in is plain; his room is nice.
“Wake up! Wake up! You promised we’d go today! Get up!” I holler in his hear, laughing hysterically as he sits up, glowering at me.
“What time is it?” he groans.
“Exactly eight but I’ve been up since six. I made myself breakfast and read the Daily Prophet. Did you know they are still talking about that man Sirius Black? I thought they caught him ages ago.”
“Padfoot? Why is he in the paper?”
“Padfoot? What an absolutely ridiculous name. Come on. I want to go.”
“I have to get dressed. Ten minutes.”
Glaring up at him I set the ‘my way or no way’ look on my face, “Five.”
“Ten.”
“Five.”
“Eight.”
“Five and that is my final answer. I know how to use Floo power.”
Snape looks down at me and sighs, “Five.”
Smiling I skip out of the room, running my fingers along the wall. I have yet to wipe the jam off of them and it leaves a big, streaky, purple/red stain down the hallway. I plop down on the leather sofa, sucking on my fingers to clean them. I am almost positive it has been longer than five minutes, perhaps not though. I wish there where a television I could watch. Muggles have television. Why are wizards stuck so far in the past?
Once my fingers are clean I stand over by the fire, wishing Snape would hurry up. What in the world is taking him so long?
Finally, Severus walks down the hall, a scowl plastered on his already harsh features. He is not taking too well to the jam on the walls. It’ll come off. I know there is a cleaning spell or something that’ll fix it.
“You ready?” I questions grabbing a handful of Floo powder in my hand.
“Let’s just go,” Snape replies taking a large amount of the green dust.
“Where?”
“Diagon Alley.”
“Alright.”
I step into the fire place, closing my eyes. Something about flying through nothing in dozens of circles makes me extremely sick. Taking a deep breath I pronounce my words best I can, “Diagon Alley.”
With a burst of green fire I am off, whizzing through a vacuum until I finally feel the ground hit my feet again. My eyes pop open as I quickly move out of the fire place knowing Snape will be coming along shortly. I have made it to The Leaky Cauldron. From here on I am where I belong, amongst others like myself. I cannot wait to get my school stuff and go to Hogwarts.
I let out a small squeak as Severus comes out of the fire behind me, laying a hand on my shoulder. I wonder if he will make me go into Gringotts. I sure hope not, those goblin people scare me.
“You’ve got enough money out of my account already haven’t you?” I question as we walk along the crowded street, stopping in front of the wizard bank.
“I suppose.”
“I want to go get my wand,” I state before hurrying off towards Olivander’s. I might only be a first year but I have taken enough trips to Diagon Alley to know where all the shops are.
Pushing the door open I hurry in, ringing the bell on the front desk multiple times until a little old man comes around the corner. Behind his glasses his eyes look huge. I do not think it is natural for people to have that big of eyes; maybe something’s wrong with him.
“I’m Elizabeth,” I announce standing on my tip toes to see over the counter. Why do I have to be so bloody short?
“Well, let me just try and find you a wand,” Olivander replies before turning his back on me to search through the rows and rows of wand boxes. Severus stands over in a corner.
The first one Olivander hands me is a cherry color with little knots in it periodically through the longer part. I don’t like the look of it but I’ve heard that the wand picks the wizard not the other way around. Thank Merlin that the second I pick this one up the lights in the back burst.
“Perhaps another,” Olivander offers.
Biting on my bottom lip I gently place the knot wand back on the counter. Let’s hope the next one is better. This one is a shiny grey/black color with an intricate design on the handle that looks like a snake twisting up a column with odd writing around it. It is alright. As I hold it in my hand a wind blows through the shop. Olivander smiles; I have found my wand.
Looking behind me I hold my hand out for Snape to drop a few gallons in. He raises an eye brow at me as he digs his hand into his pocket. Instead of dropping the money into my palm right way he holds his fist right above my outstretched hand.
“It’s my money.”
Nodding he drops the coins into my palm. Slapping them down on the counter I grab my wrapped up wand box and bounce out of the store on my way to Madame Malkin’s robe shop. Thankfully it is not very crowded; just one pale haired boy standing on a platform in front of a mirror but his robes already look done. I step onto the raised circular podium next to his.
“I am going to wait outside,” Snape announces before handing over some of my money and heading out of the store.
Turning to look at the blonde boys standing next to me I hold my hand out to him, “I’m Elizabeth,” I state as he takes my hand.
“Draco Malfoy.”
“You’re father works at the Ministry of Magic,” I reply as Draco drops my hand; Madame Malkin sliding a robe over my head.
“Yeah, he does. How do you know?”
“I lived with a wizard who worked there for a while. Got fired after they found out he was sharing information.”
“That the guy in black who just left?”
“Severus, oh no, he doesn’t work at the Ministry. What a funny thought,” I laugh.
“I didn’t mean for it to be humorous.”
“I never said you did. It’s just, picturing Snape sitting at a desk in the Ministry of Magic is rather comical.”
“Draco, who are you talking to?” a man with long blonde hair walks out from behind a wrack of robes. This must be Lucius Malfoy.
“I’m Elizabeth…Elizabeth Jo Riddle. You are Lucius Malfoy.”
“Smart girl.”
Studying the look on his face I know exactly what he is thinking.
“You thought I was a Weasley.”
Lucius smiles, his hands crossed over a snake head cane, “Very smart girl.”
“It was the hair, but I’m pure – blood and proud of it,” I state as a pin pokes me in the wrist. “Ouch!”
“Sorry,” Madame Malkin says with a smile before waving her wand about so that the pins are replaced by perfect stitches. My robes now look like Draco’s.
“Are you going to Hogwarts this year?” I question as I hand over the money Snape gave me.
“Yes.”
“I guess I’ll see you there, that is, if you make it into Slytherin.”
With that I gather my already wrapped robes and exit the store causing the bell to go off yet again making a soft tink sound. Glancing over my shoulder I smile at Draco before stepping out onto the street. I spot Severus sitting at an outside table with a cage resting on top of it. Inside this cage there is a jet black owl with bright yellow eyes. It’s absolutely perfect.
“Thank you!” I exclaim, throwing my arms around Snape’s neck.
Stepping back I look at him, he does not look mad but not happy either. I suppose the hug was a bit much but…nope there it is.
“I’m probably the only person in the entire world who knows your smiling right now,” I say continuing to keep my eyes on a seemingly blank faced Severus.
“What are you going to name it?” he questions as we walk back towards The Leaky Caldron; Snape had taken the liberty of getting everything else I would need for school.
I glance at the bird, thinking back to this morning, “Padfoot.” I answer with a smile.
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