The Story of Sheila Riddle (Harry Potter Fanfic)

Chapter 25

Sheila was seated at a table surrounded by Death Eaters in a dark room in the Malfoy Manor. Tom sat at the head of the table, his snake Nagini wrapped around his shoulders. An unconscious body hung above the table as they talked of their plan to overthrow the Ministry of Magic. Extra precautions had been taken to prevent Potter's possible penetration of the Ministry.

Tom was now emphasizing once again how he would have to deal with the boy himself.

"I understand better now," he was saying in his high, cold voice, "I shall need to borrow a wand from one of you before I go to kill Potter."

All the faces around the table displayed shock; nobody moved.

"No volunteers?" said Voldemort. "Let's see...Lucius, I see no reason for you to have a wand anymore."

Lucius replied hoarsely, "My Lord?"

"Your wand, Lucius. I require your wand."

Lucius cast a distraught look at his wife before obeying the order. Sheila clenched her jaw; she could feel her anger quickly rising.

"Why do the Malfoys look so unhappy with their lot? Is my return, my rise to power, not the very thing they professed to desire for so many years?" 

"Of course, my Lord," Lucius protested, but he was visibly shaking. "We did desire it...we do."

"My Lord, it is an honor to have you here in our family's house," Bellatrix insisted, leaning toward the Dark Lord, "There can be no greater pleasure."

"No greater pleasure," repeated Voldemort, "That means a great deal from you, Bellatrix."

"My Lord knows I speak nothing but the truth!"

"No greater pleasure...even compared with the happy event that, I hear, has taken place in your family this week? I'm talking about your niece, Bellatrix. And yours, Lucius and Narcissa. She has just married a werewolf. You must be so proud."

There was an eruption of jeering laughter around the table. Sheila stiffened, just about ready to snap.

"What say you, Draco?" asked Voldemort, "Will you babysit the cubs?"

Sheila leaped to her feet, causing her chair to topple over and clatter on the floor. Everyone fell silent, staring at her somewhat apprehensively.

"Oh, yes," she hissed, positively fuming, "Let's all have a laugh at the Malfoys' expense. As if they haven't suffered enough!"

No one said anything. Narcissa was watching her, looking as though she was about to burst into tears.

Sheila stormed from the room. She'd had enough. She was absolutely disgusted by the growing animosity toward the Malfoys. She had tried to talk to Tom, but he had always brushed her off as if she were a bothersome pest. He must not have thought very highly of her either, seeing as she didn't serve much of a purpose to him. She wondered if she may have lost her brother forever. But she refused to be beaten so easily. She would win her brother back, no matter what it took.

She turned and spotted Snape standing there. He seemed to be trying to think of what to say.

"What is it?" she asked, feeling a little wary.

"Just thought I'd offer a warning," he said, "It's one thing to refute the Dark Lord when your speaking with him privately. It's another to do it openly in front of his most loyal disciples."

He paused, then turned to leave. He seemed to change his mind, though, as he reached the door and turned back.

"Are you still angry at me?" he asked unexpectedly.

Sheila regarded him for a moment, then shook her head.

"No, Severus," she said quietly, "I don't want us to be enemies anymore. My brother trusts you; so shall I. Besides," she smiled gently as she continued, "I liked it better when we were friends."

Snape gave a slight smile and made to leave again.

"You love her," Sheila said suddenly, causing Snape to turn back once again, "You'll always love Lily. And I accept that. I was stubborn for a long time, but I understand now that we wouldn't have made much sense as a couple. Thank you for seeing that when I was too blind to be able to."

She gave a sort of sad smile. Snape took a step toward her.

"I cared about you," he said softly, "I always have. But not in the way you wanted. I'm sorry for all the years you suffered because of it; I could see my own longing reflected in your eyes. I'm glad...that we can still be friends."

They stood for a long time, simply gazing at each other.

Then Snape was gone.