Half-Blood Princess Book Two

Chapter 15 - Push Over The Edge

Third Person

3rd June 1993

After Hermione had been petrified, almost six months ago, Tilly and Harry put aside their problems to work together. Even though both didn't want to; they knew they had to. The boys went to see Hagrid and figured that he wasn't the person who opened the chamber. Now the three of them are sitting with Hermione trying to pass the time with one of their friends absent.

"I wish you were here, Hermione; You and Lills could figure everything about in no time." Harry sighs, as she rubs Hermione hand with her thumb. Then something catches his eye; a ball of paper in her hand. Tilly stands and peers over Harry's shoulder reading the article. What is written; is the 'monster' in the chamber; The Basilisk. Tilly knew that now Harry knew, Ron would soon, it meant they would soon have to face the snake and therefore Tom Riddle.

Harry is reading out the paper, and Tilly is explaining it as they go. Ron listen carefully;

"Instant death awaits any who meet the giant serpent's eye. Spider flee before it..." Harry reads aloud, and when he takes a breath, Tilly clarifies and analyses.

"No one has died, so it means they saw it second hand; water, camera, through a ghost, or a mirror."

"Tilly's right, but how's the Basilisk been getting around?" Ron asks puzzled.

"Pipes! That's why there's water nearby every time someone's attacked."

"Yes, that's what Hermione wrote." Harry shows the bottom of the page where 'Pipes' is written. "Remember what Aragog said. About the girl who dies 50 years ago, in a bathroom. Who could she be?" Harry questions the two.

"What if she never left the bathroom!"

"Moaning Myrtle." Ron finishes. McGonagall's voice is played over the castle announcing curfew, and that teachers have to go to the second-floor corridor.

Tilly had a growing lousy feeling in her stomach. Somethings wrong. Tilly floo down the halls Ron and Harry chancing after her. With everything that happened with Harry, Draco and now Hermione; Tilly forgot to check in with Ginny. Please be ok, Gin. Let this feeling be about something else. The three slowed as they came to where all the teacher are gathered, and Minerva is panicking. As Snape reads the writing on the wall, his heart stops, and breath quickens. Tilly turns to the boys.

"Stay here." She whispers barely audible. Snape drops to the ground as the other read. "Dad!" Tilly yells, all eyes on her. "Breath, you have to breath." Tilly held Severus's hands as he made his breathing in time with hers, then once he is back to breathing on his own, he gathers Tilly in a hug; squeezing the life out of her. "Hey, I'm ok. I'm not the one in the chamber."

"Tilly, don't read the wall!" Snape snaps standing up covering the writing from Tilly's view.

"Dad!" Tilly shrieks. "Why?" She folds her arms and has a frown on. Snape looks at the ground and almost breaks down, but keeps himself together; he can break down later, alone.

Tilly steps to the side as Lockhart arrives.

"Sorry, must have dozed off. What I'd miss?"

"A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart! Your moment has come." Snape snaps then see Tilly reading the message, and softens.

"Dad, you and I know very well, if anyone can find the chamber, it's me. And it seems I have too." Everyone's eyes are staring daggers of shock and horror at Tilly.

"Tilly, you can't be serious?" Minerva says, resting a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"He's already taken Ginny Weasley and is going to take more if I don't come. He's asked for me to go. If I don't go; we're all doomed."

"NO! I won't have it. Nor will Malfoy, Potter, or many others. I understand Ginny is your friend-" Snape yells, hiding his pain.

"She's more than that. Plus, I can talk to the monster; I'm an heir." Gasps are heard all around; from Harry and Ron as well. Lockhart runs to 'get ready' as Tilly looks to Harry and Ron speaking in their heads.

'Meant me in Myrtle's bathroom.' Then leave with her Dad.

Snape paces back and forth, as Tilly stand waiting for him to speak.

"I know I can't change your mind, but please be safe. I couldn't bear to lose you." Snape says, sitting down, holding his head in his heads.

"Dad, I'm not going right now." Tilly climbs onto Snape lap and curls into him, listening to his heartbeat. "I'll be careful; you should be too. Please for my sake?" Snape nods, stroking Tilly's hair. "We're going to go through this every year. Something bad happens; it's up to Harry and me to help. You and I do this; promise each other we'll be ok. Tell each other we love them."

"I think we will." Snape sigh deeply, closing his eyes.

"Dad can you tell Draco what I'm doing. He won't let me go if I tell him." Tilly gets up and stretches as Snape laughs agreeing.

Tilly has only been waiting for the boy a few minutes when they come in; with Lockhart.

"Liz, we want to know...How you died?" The boy's stare at Tilly in confusion. "Elizabeth is her middle name." Tilly turns back to the girl as she begins.

"It was dreadful. I was hiding for people who teased me about my glasses and crying when I heard somebody come in." Myrtle says in her airy voice.

"Who was is Myrtle?" Harry asks impatiently.

"I don't know; I was distort. But they said something funny. Some made-up language and I realised it was a boy speaking." Tilly knew she was talking about Tom. "So, I unlock the door to tell him to go away, and I died." Tilly understood correctly; Harry was confused and asked.

"Just like that? How?"

"I don't know. All I remember is a pair of; great big, yellow, eyes. Over by that sink." Tilly walks over the sink Myrtle pointed to.

Running her finger over the tap, finding an engraving of a snake; Harry finds one as well and knows this is the entrance.

"This is it. The entrance, right?"

"Yes, James, it is," Tilly says, pushing the boys back. "Open." Tilly hisses with Harry and the sinks break apart the top floating above and the eight sinks spreading out to show a hole that must lead to the chamber. Lockhart licks his lips and speaks up.

"Excellent, Tilly, Harry. Well, then, I'll be off... There's no need for me to stay." Lockhart tries to bolt out of the room, but Tilly pushes him back far enough to be on the edge of the entrance. The three students point their wands at Lockhart.

"You first," Harry says. Lockhart asks.

"Why should I go first?"

"Better you than us," Ron replies. Lock hart turns to ace the entrance.

"Sure, you don't want to test it first?" Lockhart whispers.

"I swear Lockhart, get down there now!" Tilly yells and kicks Lockhart down with a scream.

Harry and Ron stared at Tilly with bewilderment.

"Was kicking him necessary?"

"Yes, James, yes it was. Now let's go!" Tilly jumps, and after that, Ron and Harry follow. Myrtle promised if Tilly or Harry die they can share your cubicle. That just fueled wanting to stay alive longer. The boys scream, but Tilly stays quiet. Tom asked her to be here; she has to help Harry and keep her cover; this will be more challenging than she thought.