The house lights came up as Professor Curry rushed out on stage. The audience was babbling with alarm. Many people had stood, peering anxiously at the stage and calling the names of their children and relatives.
"Please, calm down," Professor Curry called, but her voice was lost in the rising chaos. "No one is hurt! Do return to your seats, everything is under control—"
A woman's scream pierced the amphitheater, and James gasped. The crowd fell silent as everyone looked to the source of the scream. James, from his vantage point on the stage, was among the first to see, and his blood chilled.
Ginny looked down at the empty seat next to her, her eyes wild and stunned. "She's gone!" she cried desperately, trying not to panic. "Lily's gone! Where'd she go! She was here just a moment ago! Where's my daughter?!"
Zane stared down at the empty seat between him and Ginny. He glanced up at James, making eye contact, and then ducked down. He reappeared a second later holding a pair of small yellow shoes. His eyes were deadly serious as he held them up. Something had taken Lily, taken her right out of the amphitheater in that moment of dark chaos. Ginny took the shoes from Zane and looked around, her eyes pleading.
"Lilyyyy!" she suddenly shrieked, her voice cracking. As if on cue, the audience exploded into frantic motion, scrambling for the exits, rushing the stage, calling names and babbling raucously.
James darted offstage, stripping his costume coat off as he went. In the confusing backstage darkness, he could just see the doorway that led out to the seating area. He had to get to his mum and find out what had happened. He angled toward the door, but something moved out of the darkness, blocking him. James looked up, scrambling to a halt, almost running into the large, dark shape.
"Come with me, boy," a voice rumbled, and a very strong hand clamped onto James' shoulder. Instinctively, James pulled away, but the hand held him firm.
"Let me go!" James exclaimed, anger and panic mingled in his voice.
"You must come with me," Merlin answered, his voice low and calm. "The Gatekeeper is afoot, James Potter, and it seeks you."
"No!" James cried, and pulled away with all his might. He wrenched loose from Merlin's grip and struggled to produce his wand. Merlin stepped after him, and James saw that he had his staff with him. There was no fighting the Headmaster. Without thinking, he ducked and leapt under Merlin's arm.
"James!" Merlin roared after him, but James refused to listen. He threw himself through the doorway and fell into the crowd, bowling several people over.
"Mum!" he called, climbing onto a seat and scanning the crowd. "Mum!"
A hand tugged at James' sleeve and he lunged away, toppling off the seat and landing on a large figure, who grunted.
"Ow! You're heavier than you look!" the figure bawled, struggling out from beneath him.
"Ralph!" James cried, getting up. "What's happening?"
Zane appeared next to Ralph, helping them both to their feet. "We have to get out of here," he said over the noise of the crowd. "This place is a mess, and we know Lily isn't here. Rose is waiting for us just inside the castle. Come on!"
"Where's Mum?" James called as the three threaded through the crowd.
"Your Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione took her inside as well," Zane answered. "George and Ted are already planning to search the castle. Since it's impossible to Disapparate from the school grounds, Lily must still be here somewhere."
Ralph's face was tense with anger. "Who did this? Do you think this is what Corsica's been planning? Does it have to do with the Gatekeeper?"
"It's the only thing that makes sense," James replied as the three ran through the archway leading into the castle. Rose had been watching for them. She jumped forward to join them, her face pale and scared. Panting, James took a moment to tell them of his encounter with Merlin.
"He said the Gatekeeper was looking for you?" Rose asked. "What's that mean? Why?"
James shook his head. "Who knows? The point is, he knows something big is going down tonight. He wanted me out of the way!"
"Nobody has seen Tabitha all night," Ralph interjected. "She never showed up for the play. Curry was right mad about it. She must be behind Lily's disappearance!"
"She's involved, no doubt," a new voice answered. James turned to see Scorpius approaching, his face tight and anxious. He shook his head. "Look, this isn't how Grandfather said it'd happen… it's all wrong. I came to help, if I could."
Rose spoke up, "You said your grandfather never told you how Tabitha was supposed to become the host of the Gatekeeper!"
"Yeah," Scorpius said quickly, meeting Rose's eye. "Well, I know a little more than I let on, all right? I can explain now or we can start looking for James' sister. What do you think, Weasley?"
"What else haven't you told us?" James demanded, advancing on Scorpius.
Scorpius averted his eyes impatiently. "Look, all I know is that this isn't how the plan was explained to me. I don't know the details, but I do know this is all wrong. The longer we stand here arguing, the more danger your sister is in. Do you understand?"
James narrowed his eyes.
"You must be Scorpius," Zane interjected, sticking out his hand. "I've heard loads about you. I'm Zane. I may have to curse you later, so I thought it'd be best to get introductions out of the way now."
Ralph rolled his eyes impatiently. "Come on! Let's just go to the Great Hall! That's where your mum went with everyone else. We can help with the search party."
"No," James said, still looking at Scorpius. "There's only one place we need to look, isn't there? Second-floor girls' bathroom, where Henrietta last saw Tabitha."
Rose frowned. "Why would she be there?"
"I wondered the same thing when Henrietta said that," James replied, already leading the way down the corridor. "But then I remembered: that's where Moaning Myrtle lives."
"'Moaning Myrtle?'" Zane repeated. "Who's she?"
"Oh, she's a resident ghost," Rose replied. "Lives in the bathroom because that's where she was killed decades ago."
Zane screwed up his face as he walked. "She died in the potty? That seems pretty unlikely, doesn't it?"
"It's complicated," Rose answered wearily. "It wasn't just a bathroom. It was also a portal to… to…" Rose gasped. "James, that's it!"
James glanced back over his shoulder, nodding. "Henrietta said Tabitha was up there talking to herself in the mirror, using some sort of foreign language."
Rose's eyes were wide. "Of course! The Bloodline would be a Parselmouth, just like Voldemort! She'd be able to open the Chamber of Secrets even though it's been closed and sealed all these years! That must be where she took Lily!"
"I've been seeing it in my dreams all along," James said. "If only I'd have recognized it before!"
"Hey!" a voice suddenly called, halting the five in their tracks. James spun, expecting Merlin to come striding out of the shadows, his staff at the ready. Instead, two figures ran out of the darkness, one small and skinny and the other tall and bedraggled.
"Albus!" Rose cried. "Ted! Is it you?"
"Yeah," Ted panted. "Your mum sent me, James. She's worried sick about the lot of you."
"And I came mainly because I sneaked away when Mum wasn't looking," Albus proclaimed. "I couldn't bear just sitting around and doing nothing."
"Ted, how'd you find us?" Zane asked, frowning.
Ted blew out a deep sigh. "I have skills…" He tapped his nose. "Werewolf skills, if you must know. Between Rose's soap and the peppermints in Ralph's pocket, you lot are easier to sniff out than a dead Grindylow."
"Tell Mum we're going to find Lily," James said, straightening. "We know where she is and who has her."
"Do you now?" Ted replied seriously. "That's pretty amazing considering your aunt and uncles are currently scouring the entire castle for her. What gives?"
"It's too much to explain," Rose said. "Just pass on the message. We're going to go get her back."
"Nothing doing," Albus said, shaking his head. "She's my
sister too. If you know where she is, I'm coming along."
"Albus, it's Corsica who has her!" James exclaimed.
"Tabitha Corsica took Lily?" Ted interjected. "Why would she do that? Are you sure?"
"We're sure," Ralph answered, nodding. "And we don't have much time."
"What are we waiting for, then?" Albus said grimly. "I don't care who has her. We'll figure out the details after we get her back, all right? Come on!"
The group tramped along the corridor, now running full out. As they filed up the stairs, James heard Ted behind him, speaking in short bursts.
"I'm sorry, Ralph… about the whole trying-to-rip-your-arm-off thing…"
"S'okay," Ralph panted. "Don't mention it…"
"I was angry…" Ted went on, "Petra and me… when we talked that day… it just brought everything back… since she was going through so much of the same… kind of thing…"
James interrupted. "What do you mean, Ted? I thought you two were talking about why you broke up with her?"
They reached the top of the stairs and Rose turned a corner, leading them toward the bathroom.
"Me?" Ted said. "Who told you that? She broke it off with me months ago. I thought everybody knew that."
"No," James said, "we all thought she'd gone into Hogsmeade that day to try to get back together with you!"
"You think that's what we were talking about?" Ted chuckled drily. "Hardly. We were talking about her parents. I thought you lot knew all about it. You saw the package she got from the Ministry, didn't you?"
James was about to answer when Rose turned, pushing open the heavy door to the second-floor girls' bathroom. She barreled in, followed by Ralph and Scorpius. A red flash suddenly glared through the doorway and there was a scream. James yanked Zane down as he ducked. Another flash jetted through the air overhead. Ted lunged through the doorway, rolled, and landed on one knee, his wand out and pointing.
"Stop!" he shouted.
James was still crouched in the open bathroom doorway. He raised his head and saw Ralph splayed unconscious on the tile floor. Tabitha Corsica was standing over him in the middle of the room, grinning humorlessly. Her hair was askew and her eyes were wild. She had one arm crooked around Rose's neck, yanking the smaller girl nearly off the floor. With her other hand, she poked her wand at Rose's temple.
"Well!" Tabitha exclaimed glassily. "Isn't this quite the party? I hadn't expected so many of you, nor quite this soon, but it wasn't as if I wasn't prepared, was it?"
"Tabitha!" Scorpius said, stepping forward, his own wand out. "What are you doing?"
"As if you didn't know, Scorpius Malfoy," she cried, giggling a little. "I might ask you the same thing! When I saw that you were accompanying this little entourage, I admit I wondered at your own intent."
"This isn't the way it's supposed to happen," Scorpius said, taking another step forward. "I never agreed to a kidnapping."
"Your grandfather knew you wouldn't have the stomach for what this night truly required, Scorpius!" Tabitha declared triumphantly. "But you were never really necessary anyway! Ever since the little service you performed last summer, you've been merely a pawn. Your grandfather told me so himself!"
"What service?" James demanded, getting to his feet and producing his own wand. "What's she talking about, Scorpius?"
"James, get down!" Ted exclaimed, not taking his eyes off Tabitha. "All of you, get back while you can!"
"James," Rose murmured, trying to twist away from Tabitha's wand, "just go!"
"Tell them, Scorpius!" Tabitha commanded, renewing her grip on Rose's neck. "Tell them just how much of a 'trustworthy friend' you are! Tell them how you've played them all for fools!"
Scorpius' wand trembled in his hand as he pointed it at her. He glanced aside at James, his eyes bright and scared.
Tabitha laughed again. "You might do yourself a favor, James Potter, by wondering how I knew so many of you were coming, and exactly when. Ask yourself how I came to be so well-prepared for your arrival. Can you guess? I think even you can!"
It was Albus who answered, calling over James' shoulder. "You have the Marauder's Map!" he said, both shocked and disappointed. "But Tabitha, why?"
"Oh, my dear Albus, the important question is not 'why', it is 'how'," Tabitha replied. "You see, Lucius Malfoy has a rather good thief in his service. Doesn't he, Scorpius?"
Scorpius shook his head angrily, interrupting her. "All right! Just shut up, Corsica! If you insist, I will tell them. It was I who took the map and the Cloak! Are you happy?" He lowered his wand and turned to James, his face tortured. "Look, I lied. It was me. I rode along with my parents the day they went to your grandfather's funeral. I told them I'd wait in the car, but… that's not exactly what I did. While they were gone, I sneaked out of the car and crept into the house. I found your parents' room and searched it as quickly as I could. I stole the Marauder's Map and the Invisibility Cloak, all under my grandfather's orders. You have to understand, James, I was confused! I wanted to impress my grandfather, and prove myself as a Malfoy and a Slytherin! I wanted to show him I was better than my own turncoat father. But I didn't expect it would lead to this! I swear it!"
James was completely stunned. Breathlessly, he asked, "And the doll?"
Scorpius couldn't meet James' gaze any longer. He dropped his eyes and nodded. "That hadn't even been part of the plan. Grandfather hadn't known of it. I saw it on the bedside table and thought it might be helpful. I thought it'd impress my grandfather. And it did, oh yes. He had grand plans for that doll, although they didn't work out quite like he'd wanted."
"I knew you were a rat!" Albus cried, pushing forward. "I smelled you a mile away!"
James held his brother back, and amazingly, Albus relented. "But why did you tell us about Tabitha?" James asked. "Why did you show us the memories in the Pensieve?"
"Don't answer that, Scorpius!" Tabitha said. "Enough talk. It's time for the real work of this night to begin. All of you, away! Or Weasley dies. If you think I'm bluffing, you'll know better when she lies dead on the floor and I've descended to the Chamber. Now go!"
"Tabitha, you're as deluded as my grandfather!" Scorpius cried angrily. "Let her go! What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm doing the work I was created for!" Tabitha shrieked, jabbing her wand into Rose's temple. "One thousand years' planning has come to this! I am the edge of the blade of revenge! I am the hand of balance! I am the Bloodline of Lord Voldemort!"
"You?" Scorpius scoffed, stepping forward boldly, not even raising his wand. "If you believe that, then you're as deceived as I've been! We both should have known my grandfather wouldn't tell anyone the whole of his plan. Put down your wand and let her go!"
"Nooo!" Tabitha wailed, and she seemed to crumple. Her eyes were wild, darting. "I am the Bloodline! It is my duty to descend to the Chamber of my forefather! I am the host of the Gatekeeper!"
"You aren't," Scorpius declared firmly. "If you were, you would've been able to open the Chamber on your own. But you couldn't, could you? No matter how hard you tried. Because you aren't a Parselmouth! You're nothing more than a convenient distraction! That was why my grandfather wanted me to show them the memories and make them believe the Bloodline was you: to distract them from the real Bloodline!"
"NOOO!" Tabitha shrieked again, closing her eyes and crumpling. Her wand wavered and her grip loosened on Rose. Suddenly, impulsively, she pointed her wand at Scorpius.
"Avada Kedavra!" she screamed, her face twisting in rage. Green light erupted from her wand.
Scorpius lunged, instinctively turning sideways, just as they'd practiced in Defence Club. The jet of green light missed him by inches, striking the wall behind him and exploding in a burst of sparks. Scorpius' maneuver knocked him off balance, however, and he struck his head hard on the edge of the sink as he fell. At that moment, James saw Rose's mouth tighten and she kicked backwards, connecting with Tabitha's shin. The taller girl's wail of anger turned into a cry of pain and she stumbled. Ro
se ducked from beneath Tabitha's arm and Ted leapt forward. He captured Tabitha as she collapsed, but the fight had completely gone from her. Tabitha dropped her wand and sank to the floor, slipping through Ted's arms.
"Is he all right?" Rose called, jumping to Scorpius' side.
"If he isn't dead," Albus announced, striding into the room and pointing his wand, "I'll kill him."
James gently steered his brother away from the bleeding boy on the floor. "Back off, Al. You can deal with him later. I think he'll be all right."
There was a groan as Ralph sat up, rubbing his head. "What happened?" he moaned. "Am I dead?"
"Tabitha Stunned you," Zane answered, helping Ralph to his feet. "Be glad that's all it was. She stopped at crazy a few blocks back."
"I am the Bloodline," Tabitha sobbed. "I've felt the guiding hand of the Dark Lord! I was promised! My parents would be avenged! No one else meets the requirements! I am the only orphan left within these walls! It must be me!"
Ted glanced sharply down at Tabitha. "What did you say?"
"I am the only orphan left, Ted Lupin!" she cried, raising her eyes angrily to him. "Now that you've gone from these halls, it had to be me! The prophecies say that a child of tragedy would be the host of the Gatekeeper. My parents are gone, dead these many years! And Lucius Malfoy has confirmed it! He told me how the Ministry killed my father, and how my mother died when I was born!"
Ted was shaking his head slowly. "That's not true," he said. He glanced back at James, his face grave. "Then none of you know, do you? I assumed she'd told you, just like she told me."
James shook his head. "Who? Told us what?"
"That day at Hogsmeade," Ted answered. "She needed to talk to me because she'd just found out about her parents. She wanted to talk to someone who'd gone through the same kind of loss. She never knew until the package came. It was too much for her to bear… to find out so much, so fast…"
The Curse of the GateKeeper (James Potter #2) Page 51
