Water Lily | E. Riddle

[05] Opposing Sides

Demelza had put a lot of thought in the decision she was going to take, both for the sake of her safety as well as her son's. After the frightening encounter with Riddle at the Malfoy Manor, she knew that she had to take things into her own hands if she really wanted to steer out of the path of destruction initiated by Riddle.

It hadn't been easy for her to pull herself out of the mess she was thrown in by none other than the man she had loved so purely. Each time she looked at her son, she was reminded of Tom Riddle and each memory gave nothing but intense pain to her.

The bruises on her arms hadn't yet faded, purplish blue imprints created a stark contrast against her otherwise pale skin. Each time her eyes were caught by those marks, the horrifying scene would flash in front of her eyes when Riddle had forcefully grabbed her and threatened her. It was then she had seen the monster in him clearly for the first time, the red serpentine glare peeking through his grey eyes, boring into her as if he could kill with his stare alone.

It was that time when she had felt undoubtedly terrified of Tom Riddle and had clearly understood what Perseus had meant whenever he warned her against him. Riddle was no human; he was a monster through and through. The red in his eyes, the darkness in his stare and the venom in his words was all the proof she needed.

She had been foolish not to pay heed to her cousin's warnings. Perseus had been right in saying that Riddle was no less than the devil himself. Yet she had been blinded by the sweet words and charming facade he displayed before her.

But now she could see his true form as clearly as Perseus could years before. Whatever lies had hidden the demon in him from her sight were gone now, exposing the darkness and monstrosity within.

She knew that she had to do all in her power to keep herself and her son away from the monstrous Tom Riddle. She had to make sure that he didn't have any further effect on their lives and also that they remained safe from his wrath.

Demelza was well aware that she could never be safe from him since she was too deeply trapped in his web of conspiracies, but she intended to try her level best to break free from his clutches.

She looked down at her son, Eridanus, who was sound asleep with his head resting on her lap. Ever since the day when little Danny had stood up against Riddle, the breakout of magical power from him had exhausted him out a lot. He was still just a child and controlling such a lot of energy had not been easy for him.

Therefore, she had made sure to take extra care of him and spent as much time with him as possible. The way he had defended her had touched her deeply and she in return did her level best to restore him back to full health.

Her brown eyes flickered towards the letter laying at the table beside her bed. Nathan's familiar cursive peeked out from within the parchment, he had written to her to inform her that a search party had been sent to Albania to track out her cousin Perce and bring him back. 

Nathan Whitburg had frequented his visits to the Burke residence. He had become sort of like a family friend to them and Herbert preferred his company a lot. Moreover his link to the long lost Perseus seemed to have strengthened his relations with the family.

Even to Demelza, Nathan had become a friend. She had narrated everything he had asked from her about Riddle and confided in him because she thought that he too was on their side, and he too wished to somehow free Perseus from Riddle's clutches.

She gently lifted Danny's head from her lap and placed a pillow underneath his head carefully. Her palm brushed over his forehead and she adjusted the blanket over him then after making sure that he was comfortable, she left the room.

As she was descending the stairs, Belvina met her halfway and it seemed as if the elder woman was coming up to call her. "Demi, Nathan has come for a visit. He's in the parlor."

"Oh, I see."

Belvina's eyes softened, "are you sure about this, dear?"

She nodded, " I have taken my decision. That's the only way I can ensure mine and Danny's safety." Her hands gently grasped her mother's arms, brown looking into green, "because if I don't, then who knows what Riddle would do next. He won't leave me, Mother. I have seen the monster in his eyes... I can't live the rest of my life in fear of him, I have to stand up against him and Nathan is going to be with me."

Belvina's eyes flickered in sorrow, "my prayers are always with you, child."

"Thank you."

She stepped into the parlor and Nathan's hazel eyes locked with hers and he stood up. He was always extremely respectful towards her but she was still quite cautious around him.

Getting deceived by her first love had made her distrustful of everything and everyone and the decision which she had taken had been tough for her. For seven years Riddle had tricked her and woven his webs of lies and manipulation over her until she longer knew what was right and what was a fabricated lie.

And though Nathan was very different from Riddle, clearly the side opposing Riddle's darkness, but still she wasn't too certain whether she was doing the right thing or not.

But she had to take a stand for herself and her son and so far Nathan was the only one who had offered to be her anchor, to support her and her son no matter what the tides brought and to stand firm with them just like a sincere partner, defending them from the destruction Riddle had embarked upon.

"Mister Whitburg," she greeted him and took a seat across from him, gesturing him to sit down as well. 

"How have you been doing, Miss Burke?"

"Much better," she replied, "how about you?"

"The usual."

There was a while of silence between them which Demelza broke by finally letting him know of her decision, "I have thought a lot about the offer you had made to me last week."

He didn't press her further to know the answer but his eyes were patient, giving her time to tell him herself.

"Mister Whitburg, I respect that you care for us and have only thought of our betterment, but before I tell you my decision I have to make one thing very clear. To me, my son is most important. I have already lost so much and I can't bear to lose him too."

"I understand," he nodded, grey hair falling over his forehead that he brushed back with one hand, "and I will never ask you to put me before your son. That would be unfair."

"Thank you... I have decided to accept your proposal," she spoke at last and though it seemed as if she wanted to say more, no other word escaped her lips. 

Nathan understood her silence and dipped his head in a nod again, "I'm grateful, Miss Burke. I promise you that you will never regret this decision."

She nodded as well and stood up to leave because she had said all that was required. Nathan didn't stop her though his eyes lingered on her in admiration.

Demelza Burke was definitely one of the strongest women he had known.

She had eventually chosen to join hands with him and embark on the journey which was opposing the darkness spread by the rising Dark Lord. She only wanted to get out of the darkness woven around her for so long and for her son to be safe from the heinous future that could befall them if they were thrown at the mercy of the Dark Lord.

She had refused to back down; Demelza Burke refused to surrender to Riddle. Just like her cousin, Perseus, she knew she would fight him and his evil charade off till the day it would all end or the day she would breath her last.

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