James Potter and the Curse of the Gatekeeper

the spells we've already learned, and later, when everyone is ready to know how to use them…,' James gulped, 'you can teach the Unforgiveable Curses, if you still want to.'

        'Let's see if I understand this,' Scorpius said. 'You started the Defence Club because you didn't like the fact that Debellows wasn't teaching any defensive magic. And now you want to turn the club into a place to practice the silly stuff that he is teaching us?'

        James sighed. 'Yeah, all right, you make it sound totally stupid. But that's pretty much the truth of it. Either way, if Corsica and Goyle and even Albus keep coming to the club and killing the target dummies, they're just going to push for the Unforgivable Curses and bypass everything else. Maybe some people can handle knowing the Unforgivable Curses, but not everybody can. And definitely not without learning the basics first.'

        'So kick them out,' Scorpius shrugged. 'You run the club. You decide who's in it. It isn't my problem.'

        'I can't just kick them out,' James said, exasperated. 'Anybody who wants to come to the club can. But you know how to talk to them! It was totally brilliant the way you handled them last club meeting. Your family understands the way Slytherins think! I need you to help keep them from taking over.'

        Scorpius narrowed his eyes. 'Just because my father convinced me to help get you through the Mirror of Erised, doesn't mean I'm your mate, Potter. I teach your club because I want to, not because you asked. Who are you to decide who gets to know the Unforgivable Curses or not?'

        James stared at Scorpius thoughtfully. 'I don't think you even believe that yourself,' he said. 'You're just trying to make me mad at you, and I don't even know why. If you thought everyone who wished should be able to learn the Killing Curse, you'd have taught it last class, or let Corsica and Goyle do it. Instead, you spent your time distracting everybody with stuff like the Levicorpus jinx. Admit it or not, you agree with me, Scorpius.'

        'You're delusional, Potter,' Scorpius said, turning on his heel. 'Why would I agree with you?'

        'Because,' James called, watching the pale boy walk away, 'you're also a Gryffindor. And I think the Sorting Hat knew what it was doing.'

        Scorpius didn't stop. He simply continued to walk away, heading toward the castle. James watched for a moment, then sighed and followed. He could only hope that despite Scorpius' attitude, he'd at least think about what James had asked.

Eventually, Albus told James how it had happened.

        Thursday evening came and Tabitha, Philia, and Albus were on their way to the gym for Defence Club. While they were still several corridors away, Scorpius met them coming from the other direction.

        'Just turn around and walk with me,' he said in a low voice, trying to put his arms around both Tabitha and Albus.

        'Remove your hand or pick it up wherever it lands,' Tabitha said, pointing her wand at Scorpius' wrist.

        'Touchy, touchy,' Scorpius replied, pulling his hands away. 'And here I am trying to help you.'

        Albus scoffed. 'As if we needed your help, you prat.'

        'Believe it or not, I am indeed saving you a bit of bother,' Scorpius growled, looking Albus in the eye. 'Your brother's little club is about to be disbanded, and I don't expect it will go well for those who are in attendance when it happens.'

        Philia's face was etched with suspicion. 'What do you mean?'

        'Some concerned individual has alerted Professor Debellows that students are being taught defensive magic and curses, all in an effort to undermine his teaching technique. They also allowed it to slip that some students have even been seen practicing the Killing Curse.'

        Tabitha studied Scorpius' face. 'How perfectly devious. But tell me, why would you do such a thing?'

        'Did I say it was me?' Scorpius asked innocently.

        'He's lying,' Albus said. 'He wouldn't do that to his housemates.'

        'You might want to step aside a moment,' Scorpius said, glancing down the corridor. Voices were approaching quickly. Debellows stalked around the corner, herding Rose ahead of him. She looked extremely worried.

        'So you and James Potter are responsible for this, eh?' Debellows said gruffly. 'He's the son of the Ministry's Head Auror, is he not? I should have known he'd be trouble. I understood that there were three of you, though.'

        'Well,' Rose quavered, 'there are, in a manner of speaking. I guess there's no point in hiding it anymore. You'll see for yourself soon enough.'

        As Debellows and Rose passed Scorpius, she gave him a wilting look. Scorpius grinned crookedly.

        As they swept on, Albus glared angrily at Scorpius. 'Why would you do that to my brother?'

        'Is this how you repay me for my warning? I guess blood is indeed thicker than water, isn't it?'

        'Why, Scorpius?' Tabitha asked. 'You're only making things harder for yourself with your housemates.'

        'My housemates are a bunch of arrogant sissies,' Scorpius growled. 'They don't have the spine to learn real magic. It became obvious to me last week that you lot are the ones I need to partner with. Yes, yes,' he said, raising his hand as Philia opened her mouth, 'I'm a Gryffindor. What do names mean? If names meant everything, little Albus would have to duel to the death with both of you. Slytherins and Potters have always been mortal enemies, haven't they? Obviously, we're past that, and for good reason. I'm not asking to be a member of your silly Fang and Talons club. I am merely suggesting that perhaps we start a new club, and perhaps it meet in the Slytherin casting range, where we can feel free to practice whatever we wish in secrecy.'

        'And you'd deign to teach us?' Philia demanded, smiling grimly.

        'I think not,' Scorpius answered. 'The fact is I'd not be able to attend regularly. Besides, I imagine it as more a group practice session. We can all learn from one another, and no one will be there to tell us what we shouldn't know. I would, however, require access to the Slytherin quarters. It seems like small payment for today's favor. Besides, as you implied last week, Tabitha, my family does have a rather long Slytherin history.'

        'You little rat,' Philia said. 'All this just because you hate that you've been made a Gryffindor.'

        'Having a ring key does not make you a member of Slytherin House,' Tabitha said, tilting her head and smiling. 'No Gryffindor can be allowed free access to our quarters. However… I suspect we can come to an agreeable arrangement.'

        'That's all I ask,' Scorpius answered brightly. 'And now I should be running along. It will look rather suspicious if I am not there when the hammer falls on James' little club. We'll chat soon.'

        Tabitha, Philia, and Albus watched Scorpius turn and trot off in the direction that Debellows had led Rose.

        A few minutes later, Scorpius passed the closed doorway of the gymnasium. He could see through the pebbled glass window that it was dark inside. He stopped and listened. A moment later, he heard voices further down the corridor, echoing. He followed the sounds, turning left at the next passage. It opened onto a high hall with windows on one side. James and Rose stood with Debellows in the center of the marble floor. They were all staring straight up, craning their necks. Debellows had his wand upraised, aiming it carefully. Overhead, Ralph hung by his ankle, suspended high in midair.