Bitten
Alva
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed and commented on the last chapter. That's really all that an author needs to keep going. I was starting to lose faith in this one. But now I have a renewed flame to write it. Thanks again and please keep reading and supporting those authors who are putting all they have on the table.
Riley forced her eyes open. Everything was dark. She reached up with her hand and felt her face. She had no blindfold on. Had she lost her vision?
"You've finally awoken?" Came an airy voice. Riley didn't stir. A chuckle followed the question.
"Come now, Riley-pet, it's not nice to be so cold to our guest."
"Guest?" Riley asked. She felt a small breeze over her face. The air carried Alva's scent.
"Oh dear, you can't see, can you?" Alva mused. Riley felt her face contort into a sneer and Alva laughed.
"What's wrong with her? The Dark Lord won't want damaged goods." The voice from earlier snarled. Riley now realized the voice was female.
"Worry not, Bella," Alva chuckled,"She'll have her sight back as soon as I'm finished tearing down her final defenses." A chill spread through Riley's body. She tried to get up but found that her ankles had been shackled to the surface she was laying on. Alva's cold hand grabbed her free wrist and forced it to the table and shackled it as well. Riley struggled against her restraints, the rattling of chains filling the room.
"Desi—" A gag was shoved in to Riley's mouth.
"We can't be having that, Riley-pet. No wand-less magic from you, little lady." Alva whispered, his breath on Riley's ear. She screamed into the cloth pulling against the chains, but to no avail. Alva stood back, admiring his handy work.
"What are you waiting for? I don't like to keep the Dark Lord waiting!" Hissed the woman again. Alva turned and looked at her.
"Well, He's going to have to wait. She's become independent from me. However," He grinned, his eyes sparkling with a certain maleficence, "I'll just destroy her mind again."
Alva turned away from the curly-haired woman and looked to the fighting Riley. The corners of his lips raised up into a wicked smile. He reached forward, placing his fingers on her temples. Riley's eyes widened and she fought even harder, the cuffs biting into her skin and drawing blood.
"That's it," Alva breathed, "Fight it. That will only make it so much more painful." He closed his eyes for a second. He snapped his eyes open and pressed his fingers against her skin.
"Vesania!" He hissed. Riley's back arched off the table and her scream pierced the air and chilled the blood of the woman in the room. The woman laughed as Riley screamed out.
~X~
Stephanie pulled her wand out from her purse. She created a tent and went inside. She came out a few minutes later in a coat, long-sleeved shirt and skinny jeans. Her boots were fuzzy and were sure to keep her warm. She had a tray with three steaming mugs.
"It's freezing out here," She said as she handed one of the mugs to Harry, "Why don't you guys go inside and get changed?" There was no response from either of them as she placed the other mug next to where Draco was sitting. She sighed.
"Sitting out here and feeling sorry for ourselves isn't going to get us any closer to helping Riley." She mumbled. Harry looked up at Stephanie.
"But what are we supposed to do? We don't know what or who we're up against. We don't even know his name!"
"Alva," Draco growled. Harry and Stephanie looked at him. He glanced up at them then back down as he picked up the mug, "His name is Alva. Riley said it before they started to dance."
"Well, there's a start, I suppose." Harry grumbled, bringing the mug up to his face. Stephanie frowned.
"Alva?" She repeated. Draco nodded.
"Does that mean anything to you, Stephanie?" Harry said gently. She made a face and looked at Harry.
"Riley first came to Hogwarts in her second year. She used to have chronic nightmares that she refused to tell anyone about. But," she paused and thought for a second, "I remember when I stayed the night one time that she was talking in her sleep. She kept calling out the name "Alva"."
"Maybe she was homesick and he's her brother?" Harry offered.
Draco scoffed, making a face, "Have you seen Riley? She's as pale as pale gets. This Alva character had naturally darker skin. There's no way they're related by blood."
"Look," Harry said with his voice rising, "It was just an idea. You don't need to be so snippy at me."
"Well, maybe if it wasn't such a ridiculous idea—"
"Well maybe if you could protect your girlfriend better—"
"I can protect Riley just fine!" Draco yelled, his voice shaking the forest again. Both boys were panting slightly from their argument.
"Besides," Draco muttered as he unclenched his fists, "She's not my girlfriend."
A silence fell over the group as Draco took a drink from his mug. His grey eyes looked at his hands wrapped around the beverage. His left hand had a strange burn-like mark on the back. It looked like a small bird trying to fly away. But that was if you squinted and tilted your head. The only place that he could think of getting it was when Riley hit them with her magic. But that had hit him in the back so it didn't make much sense to think that was the cause for the mark. Draco flickered his eyes to stare at the ring on his finger. The gem had a crack halfway down the middle. It was faintly pulsing with light. Stephanie looked over at Draco.
"We'll get her back," she whispered. Draco's head snapped up and he looked at Stephanie. She offered him a small smile. For some reason, it made Draco's body feel a little lighter. He let out a breath and pushed his hand up through his hair.
"Of course we will. You don't actually believe that I'm the kind of guy to allow his date to be stolen away on the last dance, do you?" He asked. Stephanie couldn't help but grin and Harry just shook his head. Draco stood and walked in to the tent. The first thing he had to do before he could even begin to think about helping Riley was to get out of his ridiculous robes for the ball.
~X~
Riley could barely feel her body trembling. She only knew she was shaking because her teeth kept chattering against each other. Her skin had become completely numb and her head felt like it was going to split in two. She heard someone's tongue clicking on the roof of their mouth.
"Tsk, tsk, Riley-pet," murmured Alva, "This is only going to get worse if you keep fighting it." A chuckle accompanied it. Riley ground her teeth together and slowly clenched her hands in to fists.
"What's taking so long Alva?" Hissed the female voice. What had Alva called her? Bella?
"Patience is a virtue." He said. Slowly, Riley felt her senses returning to her.
"Alva," she whispered. The boy blinked and turned back to look at Riley. She took a deep breath, each word a tremendous effort to get out.
"Why are you doing this?" She asked. Alva was silent for a moment, then he laughed softly. Riley heard the faint clicking of a charm on a chain, something like a necklace or locket perhaps.
"Let's just say there are certain benefits to me handing over my most precious pupil to a certain someone. Now, enough talk, Riley-pet," he breathed. She felt the tip of his finger on her forehead and her body flinched away. A devious gleam passed over the green iris' as his lips moved.
"Animumfrangere." He hissed. Riley's eyes rolled back in her head. Alva heard a small crackle and looked down. The ring on her finger was starting to break. His lips twitched up into a cruel smile. Riley's body convulsed uncontrollably.
"Stop," she gasped, "Stop!" Her scream pierced the air like a knife piercing flesh.
~X~
Draco jumped, startled. He looked around, whipping his head this way and that. Stephanie looked up at him.
"Draco? What's wrong?" She asked, standing up slightly. He glanced over at her, his face a mixture of desperation and hope.
"Did you hear that? I could have sworn I heard Riley's voice." He said. Harry and Stephanie looked at each other.
"Draco, maybe you should rest a little bit." Stephanie said gently. Draco frowned, his brow furrowing.
"I know I heard her!" He hissed. Harry sighed and shook his head.
"Look Draco, we're all stressed out but—"
"I'm not going crazy!" Draco yelled. He let out a frustrated breath and pushed his hand through his hair again. He realized just how insane he sounded. But he had heard Riley calling out for someone to stop. The blonde-haired boy stood up.
"I think I might rest a little." He murmured, Stephanie nodded.
"Take all the time you need." She whispered.
Draco disappeared inside the tent. He was grateful it wasn't set up like a Muggle tent. There were three beds and screens that gave each of them privacy. He went over to the bed that he had claimed as his own. He sat down on the edge, the springs groaning from the added weight. Shaking his head, he pressed his hands to his eyes.
"What am I doing here?" He asked himself. He let out another breath and laid back on the bed. His grey orbs stared up at the ceiling. If only he knew what he was up against, then maybe they might have a chance. He shook his head once more and flopped over on his side. He closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep.
Riley rubbed her eyes. The steel blue orbs were tired from reading so many of her master's ancient texts.
"Master Alva," she whined, "Can't we do something else?" Her head swiveled around to look at a boy who seemed to be no more than a few years older than her. He pulled his own nose from a book to glance at her.
"What's wrong, Riley-pet? Don't tell me you're bored?" He said with a small pout on his lips. The young girl sighed and shook her head.
"It's not that, Master. I'm just," her voice drifted off as her mouth opened in a wide yawn. Alva smiled gently. He closed his book and slid it in to an empty space between two other books on a shelf.
"I suppose we could end early. Since tomorrow is your birthday after all." He mumbled. Even though he was acting like he couldn't see her, he saw the girl's face light up with the mention of the celebration. He chuckled softly to himself and turned to face the girl.
"You'll have been with me for how many years?" He asked.
"Seven." She answered eagerly. "I'll be twelve by this time tomorrow." She giggled. Alva's eyes softened as he leaned back on his desk.
"It's hard to believe that you're already at that point," he murmured to himself.
"What was that Alva?" Riley glanced up at him from where she was putting her books away. He shook his head.
"Nothing Riley-pet. Get some sleep. Tomorrow's a big day for you." He mused before leaving the room. Riley blinked and finished cleaning up. She was so giddy at finally being able to learn more things from Alva.
Alva had taken her on as an apprentice when she was six years-old. Her parents weren't able to feed the entire family so they were forced to sell their own daughter. Not very many wizards were taking on apprentices at the time, so it was a miracle that Alva even thought about accepting Riley. But he had and ever since then he'd taught Riley everything there was to know about Oneiromancy, Occlumency, Legilimency, astrology, and magic.
Riley quickly changed into her pajamas and clambered into her bed. She snuggled under the covers, trying to go to sleep as fast as she could. The next time she would open her eyes, she'd be twelve years-old. Alva had told her when she was twelve he would show her an even more powerful side to everything he had taught her. She just couldn't wait! She wanted to impress Alva so she was always listening and completed every task she was given. Another yawn broke through the defenses of her lips and she slowly drifted off to the Dream Realm.
~X~
"Harry! Something's wrong with Draco!" Stephanie shouted from inside the tent.
Harry sighed and put his mug down as he stood, "You're just now noticing?"
"No, I mean something's seriously wrong!" Her voice wavered with worry. Harry frowned and hurried into the tent. He walked over to where Stephanie was.
"What's wrong?" He asked, placing his hand comfortingly on her shoulder.
"I can't get inside. The screen won't open and he won't wake up no matter what I do." She said quickly. Harry's frown just deepened.
"That's ridiculous. It's not as if he's created a force-field around himself." He grumbled. He reached forward to part the screen and felt a shock travel up his arm. He yelped and pulled his arm back quickly.
Stephanie put her hands on her hips, "See? I wasn't kidding!" Harry shot a glare at Stephanie and the girl held her hands up in mock surrender. He shook his head and turned his gaze back to the sleeping blonde. Draco seemed to be sleeping peacefully enough. But a sheen layer of sweat had broken over his visible skin. Harry squinted his eyes, looking closely.
"Does the air look," he paused to find the right word, "Red?" He glanced at Stephanie who blinked. She leaned forward to look inside the screen. She gasped.
"You're right. But why is that happening? I've never—It looks like the miasma that came from Riley at the dance earlier. But, you know, red." She whispered, "Where is it coming from?"
Harry shook his head, "It's hard to tell," he muttered," But it looks like it might be coming from his left side." They both leaned forward as close to the net as they could.
"Is he wearing a ring?" Harry inquired. Stephanie blinked and craned her neck to see over Draco's rising and falling chest. She nodded.
"It looks a lot like the one Riley wears, but his gem looks like a carnelian while Riley's is a blue zircon." Her words slowed as she came to a realization. Her head snapped up and she looked at Harry, "They're wearing the same rings with different stones! Could that mean anything?"
Harry rolled back on his heels, rubbing his chin with his hand, "I'm not sure. It could be a link of some form—"
"Do you think he's communicating with Riley right now?" She asked hurriedly. The brown-haired boy looked down at the girl. Stephanie was biting her lip, hope apparent in her eyes. He shook his head again.
"I can't be sure. This isn't my area of expertise." He said gently. The glimmer in Stephanie's eyes died a little and she looked down. He let out a breath and put his arms out. He wrapped his arms around Stephanie's shoulders and let her rest her head on his chest.
"Don't worry, Stephy. Something good is bound to happen. Besides," he mused, "It's Riley. When has she ever not been able to get out of trouble?"
~X~
A fierce pounding began in Riley's head. Why was this happening? She was asleep wasn't she? Alva had always told her that she would feel no pain in the Dream Realm. So what was happening? A small whimper escaped her lips. There was nothing around her. She was in complete darkness. She tried to bend her surroundings, but that just resulted in more pain. She felt like someone was stabbing very small, electrified needles in to every inch of her body. She felt hot tears welling up in her eyes as the pain intensified.
The torture was mainly focused on her brain. Trying to block it all out, Riley pressed her hands to her head. But this just made it feel like hot nails were being hammered in to her temples. More mewls of discomfort continued to fill the air around her. Now she had an added sensation of someone beginning to slowly release spiked snakes to roam freely in her brain's cracks and crevices.
"It hurts," she sobbed. Her body stiffened, trying to fight the torment. She rolled her head around on her neck, feeling like hot wax was eating away at her skin.
"Relax Riley-pet," came a voice so familiar to Riley. It seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once. She couldn't concentrate on the sound.
"Master Alva?" She called. A chuckle floated through the air.
"This is what I was going to show you, Riley." He breathed. A new wave of pain crashed over Riley's small body and she gasped as her frame shook with tremors. She looked up as she felt a presence enter the Realm. Her eyes were blurry and had a hard time focusing on Alva's figure standing in front of her.
"Why Alva? What is this?" She whispered. He crouched down in front of her.
His smile seemed cold to her as he explained, "You're very powerful, my dear Riley. With your powers under my command, do you know what kind of things I can accomplish?" Riley shook her head.
"I don't understand. Please stop this. It hurts, Master Alva!" She pleaded, tears streaming onto her face. The coolness from the salty water intensified the pain on her skin and she cried out as her body double over. Alva's eyes twinkled a malicious, sickening green.
"Happy birthday, dear Riley." He said softly in a sing-song voice.
~X~
Draco's eyes snapped open and he gasped as he sat up. He panted for a moment, trying to regain his breath. Stephanie and Harry were startled and looked up from where they were sitting on Harry's bed.
"Draco? Are you all right?" Stephanie asked, standing quickly and coming over to his bedside. He waved her off as his voice came back to him.
"Dream," he gaped, "I had a dream. I think it was one of Riley's memories." Harry and Stephanie looked at each other. Harry turned his attention back to Draco.
"What did you see?" The brunette's voice was soft and gentle. Draco looked at Harry for a moment, to see if he was making fun of him. But when he found no ill-will in the boy's eyes, the blonde nodded. Not leaving out a detail, he recounted to them his dream.
When Draco had finished, Stephanie shivered.
"A monster. We're dealing with a monster." She breathed. Harry brought her in a firm embrace, rubbing her arms comfortingly.
"That is just," he searched for the right word, "Ghastly. It sounds like something straight out of a horror novel. Or from Voldemort's playbook. Either works." He said.
Stephanie gave him a harsh look, "Not helping." She muttered under her breath. Draco shook his head, resting his face in his palms.
"I can't even imagine what that Alva creep is doing to her now. More than likely the same thing as four years ago." His grey eyes looked up at the couple. "We have to do something fast before she becomes what she was." Stephanie looked wide-eyed at Draco.
"What was she?" She whispered, her voice trembling. Draco met Stephanie's gaze for a moment but then he looked away.
His voice was soft when he answered, "Even more of a monster. He made her torture people, steal things, tear apart families, and—" His face turned green as if he was going to be sick. Harry blinked.
"And what?" He asked. Draco shook his head.
"He made her kill people." He said. Stephanie inhaled sharply.
"No. Not Riley," she whimpered," Riley wouldn't hurt a fly. She apologizes to the grass when she walks on the school's lawns!" Stephanie protested. The blonde-haired boy closed his eyes and pressed his palms to the grey orbs.
"Stephanie," he began, "You have to remember that at the time Riley did those things she wasn't herself." He said gently. His eyes sliced up to look at her. She stared at him a moment before burying her face in to Harry's chest. She shook her head.
"That's awful," she sobbed. Draco tore his eyes away from the grief-stricken girl and found himself looking at the ring again. He raised his hand up to his face and pressed his lips gently to the cracked gem. He wouldn't allow Riley to go through all that pain again. Not if he could do something about it.
It was a minute or two before Stephanie had composed herself again. She looked at both Draco and Harry.
"What's our plan? Because I am not going to allow that green-eyed snake to get his fangs in to Riley ever again." She hissed, her eyes full of a crystalline fire. Harry smirked, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"That's my girl," he murmured. Stephanie offered Harry a small smile before turning back to Draco.
"Any ideas?" She asked. Draco took a deep breath and nodded.
"I have one." He lifted his left hand up. Stephanie and Harry inspected the breaking ring on his finger and also noticed the scar on the back of his palm.
Harry's brow furrowed, "What's this cracking ring supposed to do?" Draco pulled his hand back, cradling it gently against his chest.
"It works a lot like your scar, Potter. When I was dreaming, I remember an intense pain from my hand. Even now I can still feel a bit of unpleasantness remaining. I think that this can lead us to Riley." The blonde explained. Harry blinked.
"Well, I suppose that works. But what if she isn't even in this country?" He asked. Draco made a face, unable to answer. He hadn't thought of that. Stephanie shook her head.
"No. If he was coming to get Riley he would know that she was being protected somehow. So he wouldn't be able to travel very far with her." She said. Harry and Draco looked at her quizzically. She blinked at them and shrugged her shoulders. "I watch television instead of studying, go figure." She explained. Harry snorted through his nose, trying to not laugh.
"I guess that's a start." He held his hand out to Draco. Draco stared at the hand and then looked up at Harry. The Boy Who Lived smirked.
"C'mon, we've got us a dragon's lair to sniff out." He joked. Draco returned the smirk and grabbed on to Harry's wrist firmly as the boy pulled him up. They quickly packed the tent away and were ready to go.
Draco took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He didn't know if it was going to work, but he decided to call upon the Ancients for some form of guidance. He opened his eyes again. The world was made up of purple, yellow, and black runes. He called out the different directions in his head, spelling them in Ancients. The runes shifted in front of him. A path laid itself on the ground when he spelled "south" in his head. The runes turned blue and were very faint, but Draco could follow them nonetheless. He smirked and turned back to Harry and Stephanie who were watching him with a close eye.
"We've got a heading." Draco said, his eyes sparkling triumphantly.