The Story of Sheila Riddle (Harry Potter Fanfic)

Chapter 13

The sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts flew by. 

Sheila no longer had place to call home. After her outburst at her adoptive parents and her refusal to cooperate, she had been sent back to the orphanage. She had felt bitter toward her old family ever since.

At school, Sheila became rapid friends with a girl known as Narcissa Black, but even though she and Narcissa became quite close, Cissy's sister, Bellatrix, seemingly decided to take a disliking to Sheila. The feeling became mutual. And, oddly enough, both girls were in Tom's gang of devoted fans.

Sheila had succeeded in repairing her relationship with Tom, though he was still hiding something from her. When she had returned his diary, he had reacted with both fear and anger, leaving Sheila very curious about his unknown activities.

Sheila and Tom left the school with high praises and well-wishes, though they both ended up taking rather lowly jobs. Tom became an employee at Borgin and Burkes, an antique shop. Meanwhile, Sheila became a secretary in the Ministry of Magic.

It was a snowy December night when Tom entered the Hog's Head and sat down in one corner. He took out a little cup and set it before him, admiring it. It had a badger on it, a sign that it had once belonged to Helga Hufflepuff.

The Hog's Head was empty except for him. And then the door flew open again and Tom hurried to hide the cup. The bundled up figure glanced quickly around the room before allowing their gaze to settle on Tom. Then the stranger tore off their scarf and hat, revealing their face. Tom instantly relaxed. It was Sheila; he'd been expecting her. She met him there every week to fill him in on how her work was going and to pester him about his own activities. She had often expressed her dislike of his career. Of course, he had wanted to teach at Hogwarts but had been denied the role because of his young age. 

When he had told Sheila this, she had merely said, "I don't think you're the teacher type."

Sheila sat down at the table, beaming at him.

"So," she said, "How're things going?"

"I quit my job," Tom said flatly, "And I'm leaving tonight."

"Well, how thoughtful of you not to forget our regular meetings," Sheila said, "But why have you quit, exactly?"

"Because of this," Tom said, and he drew out the cup again, along with a little locket.

"What about them?"

"I stole them."

Sheila sighed, "Still stuck in your ways, I see. It's despicable, Tom..."

Tom ignored this comment, pushing the locket under her nose.

"Look at that."

Sheila looked closely and saw Slytherin's mark inscribed on the locket. She gave Tom a cool look but made no remark. Tom withdrew the objects, returning them to safety.

"Even if you think you've got a right to the locket, what about the cup? That was Hufflepuff's. Why are you so interested in collecting artifacts that used to belong to the founders of Hogwarts? I know you're up to something, Tom. Tell me!"

Tom was silent for a long time.

"Join me," he said suddenly, "Leave that stupid job at the Ministry. I know you hate it. I can give you the freedom to do what you've really wanted."

His hand shot out and seized hers; his eyes held hers, gazing intensely.

"You want me to become one of your Death Eaters?" Sheila asked quietly.

Tom nodded. Sheila hesitated. He only wanted her knowledge and fervor. He wanted to use her.

But the idea of leaving the Ministry, and pursuing the thing she had always wanted, the longing that had burned within her, was a very tempting offer. She wanted to explore every aspect magic had to offer; she wanted to know its every secret, experiment with it, push it to its limits, and perhaps even create new spells, powerful ones. She wanted to spend her life immersed in the study of magic, to bring together the dark and the light, to soar to immeasurable heights of knowledge and power.

She met her brother's fierce gaze, weighing the options in her mind. She could say goodbye to Tom and remain in her current, miserable state, or she could join Tom and at last pursue her dream that the Ministry had denied her due to its general dislike of the Dark Arts and her interest in them.

Sheila stood up suddenly, freeing herself from her brother's grip.

"Happy birthday, Tom," she said suddenly, and after seeing his surprised look, "Did you think I'd forget?"

She pulled on her hat again and made for the door, calling over her shoulder as she went.

"And, yes, I will join you."