The Story of Sheila Riddle (Harry Potter Fanfic)

Chapter 4

The years seemed to fly by.

Sheila had been adopted into a Muggle family. They had accepted the reality of her nature with a rare calmness and understanding.

Summer break was almost over, and when it was, it would be the twins' third year at Hogwarts. 

Sheila knocked on the door of the dreary looking building that was Wool's orphanage. A woman answered the door, addressing herself as Mrs. Cole. Sheila explained her purpose there and was led to a closed bedroom door in the building where Mrs. Cole left her, saying she had duties to attend to.

Sheila took a deep breath and knocked.

A voice replied, "Come in."

Sheila poked her head into the room hesitantly and instantly her face lit up in a wide grin.

"Tom!" she shrieked joyously, flinging herself at the figure on the bed and enveloping him in a great bear hug.

"Get off! You're strangling me!" Tom snarled, pushing her off.

Sheila wasn't at all bothered by this reaction; she was quite used to it by now.

"Nice to see you too," she tittered, rolling her eyes. She began to jump up and down excitedly on the creaky floor boards and clapping her hands. "Oh, Tom! Ask me why I'm here! Ask me! Ask me!"

"Why are you here?" Tom asked grudgingly.

"Well, I remember a little conversation we had in our first year at Hogwarts, and you said that you hated this place more than anything. Remember that, Tom?"

"Yes!" he snapped impatiently.

Sheila gave a squeal of delight but she quickly restrained any other such actions because it looked as if Tom was about ready to strangle her.

"Well, I've...come...to take you...to my home!" Sheila finished, her face beaming, "Of course, I don't mean you're going to live there or anything, which is a shame because I wish you could. But I managed to convince my adoptive parents to have you over for the last few days before the school year starts again. Hopefully, you'll be able to visit more frequently in future, but we'll see. Anyway, what do you think? Will you accept?"

Tom opened his mouth but Sheila didn't give him time to answer.

"That's a yes," she said, "Now hurry and pack your things! I'll explain everything to Mrs. Cole and wait for you by the front door."

She swept out of the room, skipping off down the hall and feeling positively thrilled. At last, she'd be able to get Tom out of this dingy place...

In what seemed like no time at all, they were pulling up to the front door of Sheila's home. She helped Tom carry his things from the cab to the front door, where they were enthusiastically greeted by Sheila's parents and two younger brothers, Tim and Jacob. The two boys swarmed upon Tom and began pelting him with questions. Sheila saw that Tom had instantly resumed his old tricks by pasting a smile on his face and winning the family over with his complimentary words. She sighed. Would he ever change?

They moved Tom's things into the guest room and then went to the dining room, where Sheila's parents had made a fantastic meal for Tom's arrival. Afterward, they all settled down in the sitting room till bedtime. Sheila kept the conversation alive with her witty jokes and when she wasn't talking, she was amusing her little brothers while listening to Tom answering her parents' questions about him. The family cat appeared after a while and decided that Tom's shoulders would make a wonderful place to lie down. Sheila had to restrain herself from laughing at the ridiculous sight, wondering what was going through her brother's head at that moment. She half expected him to remove the furry creature, but he didn't. Finally, it came time for bed, and Sheila followed Tom upstairs to the guest room.

"You know, I wish you wouldn't do that," she said, standing in the doorway, "Putting on a fake smile and buttering people up with your fancy words. You shouldn't be so afraid to be yourself."

"I couldn't risk your family not liking me, could I?" Tom asked quietly.

Sheila snorted and spun on her heel.

"Goodnight, Tom."

"Goodnight."

She had her hand on the knob of the door, preparing to swing it shut. She stopped herself suddenly and looked down at her brother, who was in the process of unpacking.

"I love you, Tom."

"Goodnight."