Snake Child

"Another day Elanor." She murmured with a slight smile, as she drew back the curtains in the guest room, bathing the room in the soft shine of sunlight. Taking another look around the room she was in, her eyes were drawn to soft cream carpet, and dark mahogany furniture. Yes, this was probably the best place she had ever slept in, barring the Slytherin dorm rooms, which had 4 poster beds, when she was able to sleep in there without issues. And it had been the most restful night she'd had in years, sleeping dreamlessly without a care in the world. She had still been struggling to sleep properly after the Dementors of the previous school year, and at that thought, she shuddered slightly, dampening her mood.

Stretching slightly, to work out the stiffness in her muscles having just awoken, she was slightly contemplative. Harry was a rather interesting person, and seemed to be around her age, though she couldn't be completely certain. In fact, that reminded of the fact that she had intended to ask him a few questions of her own, particularly as he seemed to live here all by his self, with no actual adults. He had even said he'd only moved in the other day. Deciding to worry about it later, she pondered slightly on what to do now. She was unsure whether he would be awake and was reluctant to disturb him. And she was also very curious about the rest of the house. It looked very drab from the outside, but had a quaint and rustic charm inside. Perhaps she should explore?

A piercing whistle disjointed her out of her wandering thoughts, as Harry's voice could be heard carrying up the stairs.

"I know you're up! Come down if you're after something to eat!" his lilting voice rang out.

A small rumble of her stomach put paid to her plans of exploring the house, as did his knowledge of her wakefulness. Though how he knew that was beyond her at the moment. Pushing those questioning thoughts to the back of her mind, she called back.

"I'll be down in a minute!"

"We both know that's not true!" the voice called back teasingly.

Ah. Elanor stopped dead at the sight of herself in the mirror opposite the door. "Ohhh, my hair is a mess!" she moaned in horror.

"Don't forget, you can use magic for that!" the voice called once more, surprising her again.

"Apparently he knows what I'm thinking too." She grumbled to herself moodily, before whipping out her wand and setting to work.

"No, it's just rather obvious!" his voice chimed in once more, causing her eye to twitch momentarily in annoyance.

"I see…" she ground out lowly.

/

"Hey Bella, you need to be out of sight, I don't want to be scaring her out of her wits after all." He hissed to his black scaled, blue eyed python.

"But I want to see her!" she grumbled in reply.

"You know Parseltongue is considered a mark of dark wizards Bella. I don't want to frighten her off before we get the chance to know her." He replied sternly. "So off you go Bella. Maybe later if she wants to willingly hang around a Parselmouth."

Bella could only give a defeated nod of her head, tongue slithering out, before heading out of the door and through a wall or what had appeared to be one, obviously interwoven with some form of obscure spell work to create a hidden door, so as to avoid having Elanor walk in on the giant snake. After all, even if snakes were considered nice, which they weren't in the magical world, an eighteen foot long magical python would scare anyone, no matter how much of a softy she was.

Harry gave an exasperated shake of his head before turning his attention back to breakfast. He had to set aside a plateful of bacon for Hedwig, who he could have sworn was salivating just looking at the frying pan, regardless of how odd that image was in his head. In the meantime, he was just doing a simple breakfast of toast, jam, eggs, beans and sausage, along with withholding some of the bacon from Hedwig, without alerting her to this fact until it would be too late. He'd had enough experience at holding onto some bacon to himself at least. Though it was never pretty when Hedwig decided she hadn't had enough bacon, glutton that she was.

"You cook?" a soft voice called from the door a few moments later, causing him to look up and glance at her. "I had assumed you just had simple stuff in the fridge for making sandwiches and so on, but then again you do live here alone."

"Ah, I've been cooking since I was six, and who said I lived here alone?" he replied in mock confusion. "My lady Hedwig here always keeps me company." He smirked slightly at the owl who was now puffing out her feathers in what seemed to be pride.

Elanor rolled her eyes at his deflection, before responding while sliding herself into a chair by a slightly rickety kitchen table. "You know what I meant Harry. You don't live with anyone. Don't like your family or something?" she queried curiously.

"Nah, don't have any family to dislike." He responded glibly, causing her to blink, before he levitated a plateful of food in front of her with a wave of his hand. "Help yourself." He added, as she took hold of the plate and set it down.

"So you're like me?" she searched out his eyes for a moment, before casting her gaze back onto her breakfast, as he sat down across from her.

Pausing to swallow a mouthful of toast, Harry looked up at her, as she was nervously poking at her food. "In a way." He responded carefully. "Of course, I'm not a girl." He added lightly to inject some humour into a gloomy topic, drawing a twitch of her lips.

After a few more minutes of eating in easy silence punctuated by the occasional clatter of cutlery on plates, she called up enough courage to talk to him about the topic again. "So… how are you able to live by yourself? I'm forced to live at that… orphanage every year."

"I'm legally recognised as an adult in the wizarding world." He responded, downing a swig of sweet and refreshing pumpkin juice. "Probably because I have enough gold to last me ten lifetimes or something. Though that might actually be an exaggeration."

"Oh." She responded sagging slightly. "I didn't know that was possible. Not that it helps me anyway."

"Can't stand the place or something?" he asked carefully. "I can't imagine it being much of an issue if you're away at Hogwarts for most of the year." He added, catching a slight wince as he mentioned the school. Filing away her reaction to Hogwarts for later topics, he listened in on her reply.

"I've never liked that orphanage." She responded evasively.

"Sure, it probably sucked for the first few years you were there perhaps, but you're only there around eight weeks or something every year now. Besides, you probably get out as much as you can anyway." He added.

"Been there all my life." She murmured.

"Really?" Harry responded.

"Yeah. Matron always told me I was just left on the doorstep, barely a few days old or something." She added slightly resentfully.

"Abandoned huh?" Harry sighed. "I take it you haven't found your parents then?"

"My mum's dead." She muttered bitterly. "Dumbledore told me that my mother had been on the run during the war. Has a grave somewhere I guess."

"Doesn't he know about your father?" Harry asked carefully.

"Apparently his name was Tom Riddle or something." She replied, before finishing off the last of her food. "Headmaster Dumbledore said he was a wizard, but other than that, he doesn't know much else. Only thing he knows for sure, was that he hadn't gone to Hogwarts like my mother."

Harry's hands had stilled for a single moment in time, as she had spoken her father's name, before hastily coming back to himself to catch the rest of her words. He'd think about it later.

"He must have passed away too." Harry instead replied as delicately as he could, drawing a strangled hiss from Elanor, as she looked him dead in the eye, dark brown eyes glistening in unshed tears.

"H-How can you know that?" she responded croakily, lips trembling slightly.

Harry looked her in the eye firmly, willing her to calm down slightly. "Magic calls to like magic Elanor. That is to say, there is a slight connection between the magic of a child and a parent. It's more complex than that, but this connection is traceable."

"S-So you mean that… because Dumbledore can't find him, he must be dead?" Elanor queried shakily. "He must have known surely?" she continued getting slightly angry. "He lied to me?"

Harry winced at her rapidly darkening expression.

"He lied to me." She repeated firmly now. "He told me he didn't know anything other than his name!" she snapped with ringing force.

"Not necessarily." Harry hastily added, as the room grew slightly colder at her unconscious projecting of her mood into the room. "He may be telling the truth in a… flimsy way."

"How?" Elanor replied, looking at Harry with slightly narrowed eyes.

"He may have not bothered to search for your father, which is probable, considering he's a very busy man." Harry voiced almost sarcastically, though Elanor could not pick up on the tone. "Plus, he has no legal way to magically locate your father in this case."

"This is because it involves blood magic, which is illegal in Britain, and in many other countries around the world." He added, seeing Elanor cool down slightly, and pay careful attention. "Blood magic can only be performed in Gringotts, which is governed separately from our territory if you've learnt about that." At the nod of her head, he continued.

"Of course, only Goblin laws are applicable there, including various treaties between the Ministry and their ruling body. Simple fact is, Blood magic is allowed within Gringotts." He pointed out.

"But, Dumbledore cannot go into Gringotts and perform a piece of Blood Magic. Only Goblins are allowed, because Ministry law is applicable to all wizards and witches within Gringotts, but not to the goblins themselves."

"He is also not allowed to ask the goblins to perform this magic either, because he is not related to you or Tom Riddle." He finished.

"So… he doesn't actually know about my father?" Elanor queried calmly.

"He could still have known about your father and lied. But he may not know because of the Blood Magic rules. It's best not to jump to conclusions." Harry replied with a nod.

"He could have told me that I could go to Gringotts to find out, couldn't he?" Elanor pointed out shrewdly. "Instead of just dismissing the matter like that. That's… just… wrong." She ground out.

"Wait, as my magical guardian, couldn't he have legally been allowed to ask for it as well?" Elanor added.

"Gringotts does not recognise guardians that are not related via family. Even if he was, he is far too many generations removed to even be considered a close enough relation." Harry replied firmly. "But you are allowed to ask."

"But you said he was probably dead. How could you know that?" Elanor frowned at him again.

"If he was alive, you would have been placed with him as a child. Or he would have given up his rights to you, which requires paperwork. The Ministry would automatically send out a blood seeking mail if they were informed of your existence. If the mail was not delivered, then there was no one alive to deliver to." Harry grimaced slightly at the slight lie. Certain wards could also have blocked this mail, but he was absolutely certain judging on certain physical characteristics, that this was the Tom Riddle's daughter, and that he was dead, in a manner of speaking. But she was smart, so he needed to explain this as best as he could. He only hoped she would forgive his minor twisting of the truth if she ever found out. Though it wasn't strictly a lie either.

"You would only have to go to Gringotts and claim his vaults if that's the case. It… most likely is, I'm afraid." Harry added soothingly.

For a few minutes, he looked at her carefully, studying her reaction, as she clenched her hands hard enough to draw slight blood, before she relaxed, breathing slightly deeper. Her unshed tears had refused to fall, so he couldn't help but admire her strength of character.

"So, I have to go Gringotts, to… to be certain?" she asked him a short time later, voice low and glimmering with repressed emotion.

"Mhm." He replied softly. "I can go with you if you like. I have to visit Diagon Alley today to pick up school supplies."

"School supplies?" she blinked, glad at the change of topic that presented itself. "What school do you go to?"

"School." Harry smiled mysteriously.

"Come on, surely that isn't a big secret?" Elanor pouted slightly at his evasion, putting away her depressing thoughts for later.

"Ah well, I suppose it isn't." Harry nodded after a moment. "I'm going to Hogwarts this year, but I was… tutored for the last few years."

"You're going to Hogwarts?" Elanor blinked in surprise. "Really?" she added slightly nervously.

"Ah yeah. You can tell me about the place if you like." Harry grinned slightly.

"I-I guess…" she murmured quietly, causing Harry to hum slightly worriedly.

"You okay there?"

"A-Ah yeah, fine." Elanor responded with a bland smile.

"Hogwarts mustn't be all that good from that kind of reaction hey?" Harry added lightly.

"N-No it's not that!" Elanor denied hastily.

"Maybe it's because you don't like it there?" Harry queried rhetorically. "I mean, not to be rude but… you seem like a rather lonely girl." He added gently.

"Hm." She responded simply, though her eyes betrayed her slight sadness.

"Ah nothing to worry about right?" Harry smiled instead, catching her eye. "You got me as your best pal now! I think I'll probably never leave you alone." He ended with a lopsided grin, causing her breath to catch for a moment.

Elanor could only blink before smiling tremulously. "Yeah. That would be nice." She replied shakily, still feeling a little nervous about her the strength of her newfound friendship. She honestly felt like it wouldn't last once the rest of the students got into his head, but dared to hope anyway. She would enjoy his friendship while she still could. No regrets after all.

Flinching for a split second as a deep black wand came across her vision, her eyes suddenly settled onto the slightly concerned gaze of Harry's. "Ah sorry to startle you." He spoke easily, ignoring her knee-jerk reaction to go for her wand. "I just figured you would want me to clear up your hands. I believe you hurt yourself earlier." He added with an easy smile.

"A-Ah yes thank you." She responded slightly nervously.

"No problem." He replied with a smile, waving his wand across her outstretched palms, causing the skin to heal over, and the blood to disappear. "Good as new."

"Thank you." Elanor looked at her hands in slight surprise. "I only just realised you know?"

"What?" Harry frowned.

"You're really good at magic." Elanor spoke conspiratorially. "You didn't even use an incantation, and I know that we don't learn that for a while yet in Hogwarts."

"I mean I've tried a few silent spells before, but it's hard work." She added.

"Lots of practice." Harry responded simply. "It becomes almost second-nature eventually. Besides, healing spells aren't my forte." He added with a sly smirk. "You can always pop round here and practice, since you can't at that orphanage of yours."

"I could?" Elanor asked surprised. "I-I mean, I didn't want to assume I could come back."

"Ah, I could use the company. Apparently I live here by myself." He responded with a good-natured jab.

"Ha. Funny." She replied deadpan.

"I know right?"

/

"I still have loads of unanswered questions you know?" Elanor grumbled good-naturedly as she walked towards the Leaky Cauldron with Harry, who had tossed on a black jacket over a simple t-shirt and jeans while he had waited for Elanor to get changed in her room at the orphanage. She had easily avoided the matron, not wanting to get into an argument with the bint.

"I know." Harry responded simply. "You just haven't asked them yet."

"B-Because you keep getting me side-tracked!" she complained.

"I fail to see how that is my fault." Harry pointed out affably. "If anything, you are as equally responsible for our topics of conversation as me." He added mock-snootily. "It takes two to talk."

"Or just one mildly disturbed person." Elanor replied blandly, secretly harbouring images of Harry having a one-way conversation with his snowy owl, Hedwig. "And his owl." She added under her breath with a small twitch of her lips, so that Harry could not hear it.

"Fair point." He replied smoothly. "Hedwig isn't the greatest conversationalist." He added, sending a knowing look at Elanor, who stopped short, mouth parted slightly in shock.

"How do you do that?" she griped again. "That's so unfair."

"I'm observant." He replied distantly. I need to be.

Elanor looked at him with a slight frown at the odd tone he had used. "Extremely observant." She replied instead of bringing it up.

"I can also read minds." He added nonchalantly, walking along as though he hadn't just imparted a great secret.

"You can what!?" Elanor suddenly hissed next to him. "Th-That's practically rape!" she trembled as she stepped away from him in slight panic.

"I don't read people's minds on a whim Elanor. And I have certainly not done that to you." He replied firmly, staring her in the eye defiantly. "I'm not that kind of person." He added in a small voice.

Easing slightly at the clear truth that could practically be felt through his words, and his firm no nonsense tone, she nodded slightly. "Just as long as you never do that to me." She narrowed her eyes at him in warning.

"Of course. I'd sicken myself if I invaded a friend's mind with no good reason." He responded honestly.

"I didn't hear a 'never' in there Harry." She pointed out nervously.

"Sometimes it's necessary." Harry replied with a soft sigh. "Can you trust me when I say it has to be a really good reason?"

"I-I guess so." Elanor acceded. "Just… you need to tell me more about you if I'm going to trust you completely. As it is, I barely know you."

"Of course. There's a few things I should tell you." Harry nodded. "I'll tell you about them once we've gotten this shopping trip done. I'll have to teach you something as well if you're going to hear them."

"I guess that's ok?" Elanor replied questioningly.

"Ok." Harry nodded again.

"Shall we, my fair lady?" he smirked slightly, as he held the door of the Leaky Cauldron open, to a now eye-rolling Elanor.

"Of course, my prince." She responded, voice dripping with tangible sarcasm, causing him to wince slightly.

"Ouch." He retorted weakly.

Having made their way through the Leaky Cauldron to the brick entrance to Diagon Alley, they had slowly gotten closer to Gringotts, causing some slight nerves to manifest themselves in Elanor.

"You alright there?" Harry asked her concernedly.

"Yeah…" she breathed out softly. "It's just…" she trailed off, unsure of what to say.

"This is a finality. You'll have a definite answer, and you're probably unsure of what you're going to think of it." Harry pointed out for her.

Being Voldemort's daughter though… he thought to himself darkly. That really isn't something she'll ever want to know, but I can't tell her that. Funny how fate chucks me into crazy situations. He stroked a hand through his messy hair for a moment, while keeping an eye on Elanor, who had seemed to steel herself in preparation. At least she's keeping it together.

/

"We'd like to see a goblin in charge of inheritance management please." Harry informed a goblin genially.

The goblin looked up from the counter with a surly scowl. "Name?" he growled out.

"It's Harry Potter." He responded easily, causing the goblin to blink.

"Ah, . A pleasure to see you." The goblin replied respectfully, causing Elanor to part her lips in shock.

"Wait here a moment." The goblin added, before hopping off his chair and bustling off to fetch the nearest available inheritance manager.

"That was… polite." She voiced in a small voice.

"So?" Harry replied confusedly.

"He was polite." She repeated, stressing the word.

"They're always polite." Harry replied, growing even more confused. "If they were rude, they wouldn't have enough customers."

"But…" Elanor replied in shock. "Ah forget it." She ended sullenly. How was she supposed to tell the oblivious boy that every goblin she'd ever seen had been downright nasty, if not antagonistic. They hated wizards for crying out loud!

"If you say so." Harry responded dubiously, before turning to see the goblin coming back.

"Ah , right this way, Grabgold, the Inheritance Manager will be happy to see you now." He inclined his head, causing Harry to reciprocate the gesture without a thought.

Having taken them towards a private room, the goblin knocked on the door with two sharp raps, causing Grabgold to call out. "You can send him in now!"

Opening the door, he inclined his head towards Harry again. "May your business be profitable."

"Ah thank you Holddebt. I hope you have a pleasant day." Harry smiled genially at him, before firmly leading a shell-shocked Elanor into the private room, seeing Grabgold sat in a soft armchair, two glasses of wine set out on the table.

"Grabgold, a pleasure to see you again!" Harry exclaimed.

"A pleasure equally returned, I assure you." Grabgold responded calmly. "Come, have a glass of wine while we discuss our business Harry."

At this, Elanor sank to the floor in a half-faint, causing Harry to conjure a soft mattress to break her fall slightly.

"Oh dear." Harry remarked. "I'm sure she'll be okay in a moment."

AN 13.08.2014

That's the second one out of the way. Some reveals done this chapter, ending up in Gringotts where the all important stuff is about to happen for Elanor. Filler-ish I guess, but part of a good story is piecing together everything smoothly and at a good pace. It's been one night so far, and a morning of getting to know each other roughly. I had intended on getting all the gringotts and harry's other bits out of the way, but it flowed into a third chapter well enough, so next chapter has important details.

I still like how I wrote this. It fits.

Until next time!