Chapter 12- The Perfect Gift

A Twin in Mine Shadow

"Lizzie, your dress-robes have returned from the dry cleaners. You had better pack them neatly," Alexandra potter remarked as she walked into her daughter's bedchamber, carrying a pile of neatly folded robes.

Lizzie glanced disdainfully at the pile of luminous colours that lay in her mother's arms, mentally debating whether to pack them with the rest of her belongings or not.

"Just leave them on the bed, Mother. I'll pack them eventually."

Alexandra Potter obliged before shooting a disgusted look at the heaps of clothes strewn across the scarlet carpet. Lizzie only ignored her mother's face, and turned to face the set of open trunks and suitcases that were propped on her bed. It would take forever to fill them up.

Lizzie was making her way over to her favourite t-shirts when a house elf startled her in her wake.

"Rodolphus Lestrange is waiting in the parlour, Mistress."

Lizzie watched in delight as her mother's brow turned into a deep frown.

"What on earth does he want," Alexandra muttered under her breath before striding out of the room. Smirking to herself, Lizzie returned to the pile of t-shirts on the floor and grabbed a handful to stuff in her trunk. No longer than a minute later, she was greeted by a knock on her bedroom door before Rodolphus stepped forward to greet his cousin.

"Rodolphus, I'm so glad you have come," Lizzie smiled as she stood up and hugged her favourite cousin. Rodolphus grinned in return before stepping back to withdraw from his robe a strangely packed box that had been punctured with holes. He also took out his wand and enlarged the package, so that it was a good foot high before handing it to his cousin.

"Duncan suggested I get you a farewell present, just so that you wouldn't be lonely amongst all the snobby witches," Rodolphus explained with a laugh. Lizzie laughed in return, before accepting the package and attempting to unwrap the brown paper.

"I'm assuming that you wrapped this Rodolphus; you always were useless when it came to doing things the muggle way," Lizzie remarked as she tore away yet another layer of brown paper.

"What can I say, the house elves were too busy tending to mother's hair to be of any help," he replied in mock annoyance.

As Lizzie finally yanked off the last layer of brown, she was surprised to find a square glass tank that had been in different shape to the wrapping. Bringing the tank up to her eye-level to be able to glimpse through its dry plants, Lizzie's questioning glance was greeted with a hiss that startled her immensely. A smile slowly crept up her face as her gaze was greeted with a pair of amber eyes, the pupils of the creature being in the shape of black spikes. Handing the tank to the elf, she flung her arms around her cousin's shoulders before thanking him repeatedly for her new gift.

"I thought you might like it, seeing as you are addicted to the snakes in our household," Rodolphus remarked with a laugh as he stared down at his young cousin.

It was at that moment that Alexandra Potter decided to walk back into the room, putting on a fake smile that she always reserved for Rodolphus. Her thoughts of Rodolphus being a bad influence on Lizzie were suddenly confirmed when she realised the ugly rattlesnake gleaming through the glass on Lizzie's desk.

Lizzie watched as her mother 'clinked' her way into the room and did a double take as soon as she saw the reptile encircling itself atop her desk. She tried to avoid her mother's gaze as she cast a questioning look at Lizzie, eyes narrowing with suspicion as her gaze landed on Rodolphus.

"Rodolphus, did you bring that horrific creature in here?" Alexandra questioned with a frown.

But Rodolphus pretended to ignore the disapproving tone of Lizzie's mother and instead casually replied, "I thought it would be the perfect gift for Lizzie, Aunt. Wouldn't you agree?"

In the attempt of stuffing more clothes into her trunk Lizzie sneaked a glance at her mother's expression, to find her face tense and eyes seething. She turned away as soon as Alexandra's eyes landed on her, but was not quick enough to dodge the suspicion.

"Lizzie, did you ask Rodolphus to get you a pet?" Alexandra questioned with rage as she rounded on her daughter. Lizzie quickly gulped and made her face emotionless before turning to face her mother. She was about to reply when her cousin's voice cut her off.

"Aunt, I purchased the snake out of my own will as a farewell gift for Lizzie. Anyway, it's not as though she won't be able to control the animal," Rodolphus reminded his aunt with a smirk.

But Lizzie was the only one to hear what her mother muttered next; "It's because she can that it's so dangerous."

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The rest of the day passed in a whiz and in no time Lizzie found herself seated at the Dinner table, exhaustion apparent on her face. As per her previous punishment (for acting so rudely towards Sirius), Lizzie had been instructed by her mother to pack the entire contents of her room (minus furniture) the muggle way. Her wand had even been confiscated so that she would not sneak a levitation charm when the elves were not watching.

Glancing around the table with a loss of appetite (a miracle in her case), Lizzie found herself alone in her thoughts as everyone else continued to converse without her. Across from her James had begun to ask Rodolphus multiple questions on Quidditch, since Rodolphus had good connections with the Appleby Arrows, and her mother was busy persuading her father to grant permission for the Ballroom to be redecorated.

Lizzie allowed her mind to wander again, towards a certain event that had taken place exactly a week ago. She distinctly reminded herself of how strange she had felt in Sirius' arms, when he had come to comfort her and sooth her pain away.

Lizzie sighed as she lifted her glass to her mouth, and took a long swig of butter beer. The warmth that suddenly burnt through her did more than calm her thoughts, while she began to ponder how long it would be until she saw Sirius again.

'Probably a couple of years, seeing as I'm only allowed a week off in the summer.'

Sighing, she looked around the Dining room again, reminding herself that there would be a lot of things she would miss, most of all her Slytherin friends. She had already written to Cissa, Lucius and Severus and had stated clearly that she would not see them at Hogwarts. They had in turn sent their sympathies, along with an album they had constructed to Lizzie's delight. She had packed the album in with her fancy dress-robes, quick enough so that her mother would not see.

Lizzie was awoken from her siesta when one by one her family members began to stand. Reflecting their moves, Lizzie mentally breathed a sigh of relief because she had not wanted to clear up her plate.

The rest of her family walked off to spend the rest of the evening in the Drawing Room, but Lizzie did not keep up with their pace and instead wondered slowly out, still enwrapped in the world of thought.

She was about to head in the opposite direction to play with Rigel (the name she had picked out for her snake), when she found Rodolphus waiting at the foot of the stairs for her.

Smiling slightly, Lizzie made her way over to him to enquire of his desertion by the rest of her family.

"Rodolphus, why are you standing here?"

He shot her a grin before admitting as though it were obvious, "Waiting for you of course. I thought it would be impolite to leave without a goodnight."

"Leaving so soon? I was planning on parading Rigel in front of mother for the rest of the night; she wouldn't dare tell me off if you were present," Lizzie said downcast.

"I am sorry, but I do have to leave early to talk to Duncan about something. I think you should better sleep early too; we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow," Rodolphus added with a secretive grin.

But Lizzie was slightly confused. "What do you mean, we? Rodolphus, I am leaving for Finishing School tomorrow," she said in a serious tone.

"Of course you do, but someone has to make sure you get all the way to France safely," Rodolphus replied.

"Exactly, that's why father said he'd come with, - oh Rodolphus! I can't believe you're coming with us," Lizzie shrieked in delight before attempting to jump high to reach her cousin's neck.

"Well, I suppose I will see you tomorrow morning then, Eliza." With that he let go of his cousin, and with the usual peck on the cheek started to take his leave.

Lizzie stared in unison at Rodolphus, a whole burden on her heart suddenly being lifted. "Goodbye Rodolphus," she uttered with a smile, before he apparated with a brief 'pop'.

There was not much Lizzie could do to stop herself from letting her mind to drift to the School, as she strode up the grand staircase to her bedchamber. She had been all panic and dread a moment before, but Rodolphus had suddenly helped cure that. He always did so whenever she was suffering from such trauma.

As she got dressed for bed, she knew that this would be the last night she'd sleep in her Manor for a long time- two years to be precise (not counting the short breaks in between).

Making her way over to the snake that was curled in its tank, eyes reflecting the light of her lamp, Lizzie could only hope that there would be no policy against such animals at school; though nothing had been mentioned in the brochure.

As she outstretched her hand and patted it with a hiss of 'goodnight Rigel,' Lizzie cast one last smile before heading to her four-poster. Her time left to leave seemed to be lessening by the minute, yet extending when she wished it could all be over.

As she waited under her soft covers for sleep to overtake her, there was not much she could do to avoid thinking about her new 'home.' Nevertheless, as soon as the image of her kisser floated through her mind, she was finally welcomed into the world of blissful thoughts.

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Apologies for this extremely short chapter. I was going to continue it but then realised I had no time, which is why there might be a long delay until I post the next chapter- the reason being my inconvenient exams.

I was again delighted by the reviews I received for the last chapter- please keep them coming so I know what you think. I will finish with a thanks to:

Padfoot's love, indie-rollie, Loves A Bleeding Lie, Mangoes2oo5, Aka Yuki-hime, Another anonymous, Crazy-Physco, Sweet 16 Movie Buff, Shadowed Child of Flames, LostDreamer26, Alianna C.

And here's an answer to your question:

Another anonymous: yes, I am going to keep Lizzie hooked on Slytherin (she's still a pureblood), but once she gets closer to Sirius she may see the whole Gryffindor thing in a new light. I'm afraid I can't reveal anything else.

If you have any enquiries, don't hesitate to ask.

Ciao!