Bitten

Decisions, Pt. 1

The ordeal with Alva soon blew over as the winter holiday came and went. No one that had been at the Yule Ball remembered what had happened. Dumbledore had collected all of the attendants and asked the resident Occlumen—who just so happened to be Riley—to replace the memories of all those who had been at the ball. It had been a bit difficult for Riley who had still been recovering. But, because of her extensive training with Alva, she was able to complete the task.

Stephanie had been very worried about Riley the whole time. Riley would always brush her off, saying she was overreacting. However, Riley knew that all things were not well with her. She was always thinking things and noticing traits that she had never really noticed before. They were horrible, nasty things. Even her tongue was beginning to become sharp and mean. Because of this she started to lock herself away; distance herself from others.

School began and older students were all busy studying for their OWLs and NEWTs. Stephanie and Harry were beginning to have a rocky relationship. They would have little disagreements that would quickly escalate into large arguments and fights. Stephanie was always in Riley's room telling her this and that. One day, Riley just got fed up with it.

"And then—oh this makes me so mad—he decided that it would be a good idea to entrust me with the information that my sister is going around kissing people like mad. Then he had the gall to tell me that he wished I was more affectionate—"

"Would you shut up?" Riley snapped. She was sure that a vein was popping out on her forehead. Stephanie was so shocked that she sat there gaping at Riley like she had just told Stephanie that she was pregnant with a bat boy who she was going to sell to the circus.

Riley let out a frustrated breath, pinching the bridge of her nose, "Look, I'm sick and tired of listening to nothing but complaints from you. If it's so bad, why don't you two just break up?" The blonde hissed. Stephanie blinked, then looked down at her hands.

"Riley," she said softly, "I'm sorry." She shook her head and brought her hands up to her face. Her shoulders shook gently.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered. Riley frowned. Why was Stephanie apologizing when Riley was the one who had gotten angry?

Riley's behavior continued to decline from that point on. But, she was so terrified of this sudden change in herself, she hardly ever came out of her dorm. One day, she thought about harming someone. It wasn't even someone who she knew or had done anything to provoke her. Her hands shook as she walked quickly to the Headmaster's office. She rode the staircase as it spiraled upwards. She stood awkwardly in the entryway before Dumbledore looked up from his parchments. He adjusted his glasses.

"Riley, come in," He said gently. Riley swallowed hard and walked in to the area.

"Headmaster," she said, her voice nearly a whisper. She cleared her throat and tried again, "I'm scared." He looked at her steadily, then took his glasses off.

"What is making you so frightened, child?" He asked. Another lump formed in her throat and she swallowed it down. But she still felt like she was going to be sick.

"There's something," she paused, "Wrong with me. I don't know how to explain it. It's like there was a part of me hidden away and now it's been unlocked. There's this dark energy bubbling up inside me, slowly escaping like a poison." Dumbledore sighed, sitting down on a couch. He patted the spot next to him and Riley sat down.

"I was hoping to avoid having to tell you this," he began," Riley, you aren't too far from the mark. When your mind was broken," he stopped as he saw a shudder run through Riley's body, "Sorry if I'm bringing up something unpleasant, but you must know. Alva used a horcrux as the final push. The malice and avarice has infected you and in a way, has poisoned you."

Riley stared at Dumbledore.

"So you mean that I'm changing?" Her voice wavered as a knot in her stomach formed. Her Headmaster nodded.

She looked down, "Is there no way to stop it?" He was silent for a moment.

"I'm afraid not." He whispered. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly. Her hands that had been clasped together shook slightly. After a moment, steel-blue orbs opened slowly. She looked at her hands and ran her thumb over the snake that circled her finger.

"I'll end up hurting those who I care about, won't I?" She asked, turning her gaze up at him. The elder man looked at Riley.

"You know the answer to that just as well as I do," He murmured.

"There has to be something that I can do!" She hissed, "I'm not just going to take this laying down!"

Dumbledore held his hand up, to sort of calm her sudden anger. She blushed, realizing the harsh reality of the situation. There was silence for what seemed like eternity, then Dumbledore spoke.

"You can slow the effects," He started, "But it may be too difficult for you."

Riley looked at him, "If there's anything I can do to even delay this just the slightest bit, I'll do it."

"How did I know you would say that?" He murmured to himself, "You must remove yourself from negative feelings. People and places will influence how quickly and intensely you are affected by Alva's venom."

Dumbledore's instructions slowly sank in to Riley's mind.

Her eyes widened, "Do you mean that I have to leave?" She whispered. The wise man did not answer and Riley felt her chest tighten.

"There's no other way?" She asked, hope still glimmering in her future.

He shook his head, "I've been looking for any other solution, but the chances of finding one is slim." Her heart sank. She closed her eyes again and was silent.

"How long do I have?" Her voice was soft and seemed weak. It was as if she was tired and done with fighting.

"It's entirely your choice, Riley. But the sooner that you can distance yourself, the better." He instructed. She swallowed, took a deep breath, and nodded.

"I understand," she said. Her eyes turned upward and looked at her Headmaster," Thank you for everything, sir."

"I'm sorry there wasn't more I could do for you," he murmured.

Riley stood, feeling numb. Everything seemed so unreal to her.

Dumbledore watched as the staircase slowly spiraled down, taking Riley with it. He sat on the couch for another moment. Then he stood, slowly walking over to a picture and looking up at it.

"Riley Sterling," he whispered to himself, "I'm sure if you just follow your heart, you can stop the darkness in your heart."