The foul stench burnt in Riley's nostrils, making her cover it with her pale, shaky, fingers, her hazel eyes barely opening. Two hours of sleep never did well to the dyed blonde girl.
Riley however, opened her eyes when she realized what is the source of the smell; her sofa.
"Bloody hell!" she cursed, springing to her feet, hurrying to the kitchen and quickly filling up a cup of water to attempt to extinguish the fire.
It didn't do well.
Slightly panicked, the nineteen years old girl looked around. She quickly grabbed one of her ex-boyfriend's jackets that still laid around in her house, trying to put out the fire.
Eventually, all that was left of the fire was the foul stench and smoke, and Riley panted, not happy with the way she had to wake up. Sighing, she threw the jacket back on the sofa, placing her hands on her hips.
Knowing sleep is lost, Riley walked back to the kitchen, pulling at her black bra. She hated it when she fell asleep with only this bra covering her, but it was almost a routine. She started heating the water, absentmindedly making herself a cup of coffee to wake up.
A knock on her window distracted the girl furthermore, and she, thinking it was a knock on the door, walked towards it, opening it and seeing no one.
Furrowing her eyebrows, she closed the door, before hearing a knock once more. Her eyes were set on the window, so she realized that the knocking was from an owl that was watching her.
Suddenly, Riley felt uncomfortable without her shirt. Hesitatingly, she walked to the window, opening it slightly, snow entering along with the wind.
Christmas was an awful time.
The owl flew into the house, ruffling its feathers and sitting on the recently-burnt sofa. Riley closed the window, then walked to the sofa, picking up the cigarette pack that started the whole mess. How drunk was she that she lit up a cigarette and tucked it back into the pack?
And how exactly did she not suffer from hangover after this?
"Yes, Mr. Owl?" she questioned, hands on hips once more. She blinked at the piece of paper that was attached to its leg. Frowning, she stepped closer, slightly scared of the bird.
Riley untied the paper, looking suspiciously at the owl and the paper both.
"Am I, like, supposed to open it?"
The owl stared silently, and Riley frowned again. That was a weird day, and it's barely even started. Sighing, she unrolled the parchment, surprised at the neat writing in the green ink.
Dear Riley,
I beg your pardon for never contacting you, but I must say it is urgent for you to meet me as soon as possible. I will be waiting for you in a small restaurant called The Leaky Cauldron in London, I know it is a bother, but please do make an effort.
Sincerely yours, Albus Dumbledore.
Riley raised her eyes to the owl that was staring at her with its head tilted to the side.
Albus Dumbledore? Where did she hear that name before?
Riley walked to the kitchen, taking the coffee she left a few minutes earlier. She sipped from the drink, before it clicked.
Her mother's diaries!
She hurried to the diary that was laying next to her mattress, scanning through it. There, she saw the name.
...and the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, is certainly quite a character. I don't think I have ever met anyone like him. He took one glance at my bulging belly before he happily congratulated me like an old friend, despite not even knowing me. I believe that if more people in this world would be like him, the world would be much better...
Riley looked between the letter and the diary. This man could help her solve the mystery surrounding the life and death of her mother.
Riley knew most of what happened to her mother in her life, but it was dull descriptions that almost never said anything about her, and only what happened to her. And all in all, this particular entry was the one colored with most feelings.
Even when Riley's grandfather died, the entry merely said "father died today. Mother is upset, I believe she'll not leave it be." with no further explanation.
Riley's mother was, truthfully, bizarre.
But that settled it-- Albus Dumbledore knew Riley's mother, so Riley had to go see him.
YOU ARE READING
Riley ○ HARRY POTTER
FanficRiley's life were always simple. She knew what she has to do, and did it well. Her future was certain, sure; not perfect, but very well known. She was content with the way her life turned out to be, even if she was alone in this world. Until she got...
