The Story of Sheila Riddle (Harry Potter Fanfic)

Chapter 5

Sheila was laughing quietly into her library book. Tom, who was sitting across from her, finally gave up trying to read his own book and demanded to know what she had done. Since their arrival at the school a month and a half ago, Sheila had become a notorious trouble maker. 

"I jinxed the astronomy teacher's office door so that if he tries to get in..."

She collapsed in a fit of giggles and a few other students in the library cast her sour looks. 

"Forget it," Tom said, "I don't even want to know..."

Sheila wiped tears from her eyes, still giggling.

"How soon does our divination class start?" she asked once she had recovered.

"Fifteen minutes," Tom replied without looking at her.

"Maybe I still have time to wreak some havoc," Sheila mumbled to herself.

"Oh no you don't," Tom said sharply, "For once, you're going to take a disaster-free class. I'm not going to let you get away with this sort of behavior forever. If it continues, I'll have to report you to one of the teachers. I'm surprised they haven't yet figured out it's you causing all this trouble. Besides, I have to keep up appearances."

"You and your appearances," Sheila groaned, sticking out her tongue. "Well, shouldn't we get going? We don't want to be late for a class, Mr. Teacher's Pet."

"I don't like Professor Dumbledore," Tom said bluntly.

"Why?"

"Because he doesn't like me."

Sheila shrugged, "Fair enough, I suppose. But do you even like any of the teachers?"

Tom remained silent. Sheila grabbed his hand and led him off to class.

After divination was over, Sheila leapt up from her seat, hurriedly gathering her things and thinking of all the horrible things she was going to do from there to the next class.

"Sheila, may I have a word?"

Sheila looked up quickly at the Professor. She wondered for a moment if he had found out it was her playing all those foul tricks. She looked back at Tom, who was filing out of the class with the rest of the students. He paused to look back at her; his face was unreadable.

Then he was gone, and it was just Dumbledore and her standing alone in the room.

"Yes, sir, what is it?" Sheila asked.

"Sheila, I don't know quite how to say this to you, but I think you should stay away from your brother."

She stared at him, shocked.

"What?"

"You're not like him, Sheila," Dumbledore said gravely, "I'm afraid of what his influence could do to you. It could destroy you. You've got a good heart, my girl. Don't let him take that from you."

"What are you saying?" Sheila demanded, a sudden fury rising within her, "You want me to just walk away from my brother, the only blood relative I have left? How could I do that to him?! He needs me!" She was almost shaking with rage. "I-I made a promise. I promised to be a good sister! And you can't make me do otherwise!"

She ran from the room, tears running down her cheeks. She stumbled down the long hall, sobbing uncontrollably. She stopped and leaned against the smooth wall of the corridor.

"Sheila."

It was Tom. Sheila ran forward and collided with him, grabbing him in a tight hold and refusing to let go.

"Oh, Tom!" she sobbed, "I don't like him either, that horrible Professor. In fact, I hate him!"