Little White Lies | Book 4

Chapter 19: Realization

The next day, Harry decided to start going back to class, as Ron had finally got out of the Hospital Wing. He came up with the excuse that he couldn't stand seeing me like this anymore. But, by the sound of his voice, I figured it was just me he couldn't stand. So, I was left alone with Madame Pomfrey and her horrible medicines, along with a student stopping in here and there.

I occasionally looked over at the empty chair beside me. A single tear slipped down the side of my face, as I mentally pleaded someone to occupy it. I didn't like to be alone where I was. My hand felt empty without Harry holding it. With a weak hand, I reached out to touch the arm rest. On my wrist was my charm bracelet. The charms it held seemed to mean nothing now.

With my other hand, I touched the earrings Draco had given to me. I loved them so much, but I felt as though they only represented how much of a liar I was. But, a strong feeling in my gut told me not to take them off, so I didn't.

The silence in the room was cut through by a gentle, elderly voice. "Good afternoon, Miss Winters." I looked up, only to see Professor Dumbledore, sitting on the bed beside mine, giving me a gentle smile. "Professor Dumbledore," I said quietly. "What are you doing here?"

"I assume it gets rather lonely in here, doesn't it. Especially when you're used to having someone with you." He told me. I nodded, wiping a bit of sweat from my forehead. "Those are a very interesting pair of earrings. Were they a gift?" He asked. I smiled weakly at him, bringing my hands to them again. "They were my grandmother's." I explained, using the same lie I told Harry. He gave me a look of disbelief, making me frown. "Are you sure? Or, are they perhaps, a gift from a certain boy? Mr. Malfoy, maybe?"

"He'd never give me a gift. He hates me!" I snapped, suddenly feeling angry towards the Headmaster. "Riley, you should see no point in lying to me. I know merely everything about your relationship with Draco." My heart stopped, and my throat went drier than it already was. "I have no idea what you're talking about." He sighed, and nodded a little. "I understand why you want to hide it. But, I promise you that Harry will not find out from me, as it is your job to tell him. But, I must ask you again. Where did you get those earrings?"

I sighed with defeat, trying to ignore the anger bubbling up inside me. "I got them from Draco. So what? Is that why you're here? To lecture me about cheating?" He only smiled a bit, and shook his head. "I'm only here to keep you some company, Riley. There is no need to worry about a thing. I say, may I take a closer look at your earrings?" I backed up, as he outstretched a hand. "Look, you already practically stalk me, I don't need you here asking to look at my earrings. Leave them alone!" I snapped.

But, with the wave of his wand, the earrings were in the palm of his hand. "Give them back!" I hissed, using all my strength to try and snatch them from him. "Riley, are you aware of the extremities this pair of earrings holds?" He asked calmly. I glared at him, feeling my body ache from moving so much. "I don't care! They're mine, and I want them back!" He sighed, and placed the earrings in his lap. "You can have them back as soon as you are aware of their power. That is, if you want them back. Allow me to explain, and in return, you can wear your earrings again."

I knew there was no point in arguing, so I huffed, and leaned back onto my pillows. "Go on, before I change my mind." He nodded, and sat up a bit straighter. "Riley, these earrings were purchased from Borgin and Burke's, in Knockturn Alley. Did Draco inform you of that when he gave these to you?" I sighed. "No, he didn't. He only said that they were really expensive, and were made of real silver and diamonds. So what?"

"Both of those statements are indeed very true, Riley. But, most, if not all products from that shop are cursed. I believe these earrings are the reason you're sick." My annoyed expression automatically hardened. "Draco would never do something like this to me! Even if they are cursed, he didn't know!" I snarled. "Did you, or did you not end up sick the day after you received these earrings, Riley?" Now his tone was growing sharp. "Yeah, but that doesn't-" He cut me off with another question. "Have you, or have you not gotten worse the longer you wore these earrings?" I frowned, eyeing the jewelry in his hand. "Yes, actually now that you-" Once again, he interrupted me. "And if this was only a sickness, don't you think that Harry would've caught it since he had been exposed to you so long?"

Realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Draco Malfoy had cursed me! That's why he was saying sorry! That was why he pretended to love me so much, so I wouldn't suspect anything when he gave me the earrings! My anger towards the Headmaster quickly melted away. "Why did he curse me, Professor?" I whimpered. He sighed, and placed the earrings into his pocket, before taking my hand. "Riley, the Dark Lord knows how much you love Harry. He knows that with you around, it will only be harder to bring any harm to the boy. I know about Draco being a Death Eater, and his missions here at Hogwarts. That's why I've been keeping an eye on you, to make sure he didn't try to hurt you. But, I do not think he's doing it willingly. I believe he's afraid, like most young teenagers would be in his situation. The curse your earrings held was slowly killing you."

I sat in silence for a moment, completely shocked. Finally, I looked at him, and spoke. "Thank you so much, Professor Dumbledore. You saved my life." He smiled, and handed me a tissue as I started to cry. "You should be better in no time, Miss Winters. I'll make sure the earrings are destroyed. Until then, I wish you the best of luck with Harry. It keeps me young to see you two holding hands in the corridors." I wiped my tears, and grinned, as he stood up. Then, I saw something black, and looked at the hand he had covered with his robes. It looked as though it were rotting. "Professor, what happened to-" He raised a hand, cutting me off. "That is a story for another time, Riley. Get well soon."

With that, he left me alone once again.