Weeping

A year after playing Peter Pan, Toni was found in the rehearsal room, once again, but with a new role. He would be playing Erik or The Phantom in Le Fantôme de l'Opéra. Most of the other actors didn't want to play The Phantom since their face would be covered and because they would be considered a villain, but Toni thought the character was brilliant. He couldn't wait to perform and was eager to step into the character. He knew he was a slightly under average in height due to the years of malnutrition, so the other boys generally thought him weak at first glance. They laughed when he first stepped forward to audition for The Phantom, but after his monologue, no one could deny how much Toni wanted the role or how perfect he was for it.

Toni donned the white mask and black cloak every rehearsal and created such illusions with his magic that no one dared to compete with him. After months of rehearsal, he was eager to perform and make his Papa proud. Toni knew that this would be his best performance yet and started the countdown to curtain. Four hours 'til Show Time.

Four hours left

Draco stepped out of the fireplace and into the home of Blaise's uncles. Bella had pleaded for them to accompany her to Lombardi to see her friends perform. After weeks of being begged, the two Slytherins agreed and were now arriving at Bella's to spend the next few days. Draco wouldn't admit it out loud, but he was excited to see the play. Last years had been amazing, so he held high hopes for this one. Bella refused to tell them what was being performed, but made sure they knew how to speak French, or at least a good translation charm.

"Blaise, Draco! Welcome back!" Beto loudly exclaimed from the stairs.

"Uncle, I hope you have been well?" Blaise replied.

"Yes, yes, but I am so happy that you returned to see another performance. I got us the same box as last year and, according to Bella, there will be more surprises in this show."

"Mr. Zabini, do you know which play is being performed tonight?" Draco hoped that he would finally know what he was to see.

"Bella warned me not to tell you. Now, let's get you settled in your rooms, and ready for dinner." With that Beto clapped his hands twice and two house elves appeared to take their luggage.

Toni was on stage, harmonizing with Elise- who was playing Christine- on stage when their director stepped forward and asked to have a private word with Toni. Apologizing to Elise, he stepped off the stage and followed the man into the back of the auditorium.

"Toni, I know that have worked you hard this season, and I just wanted to say that I am very proud of you. You stepped out of your comfort zone and took on a character type that you have never played before. You were willing to wear a mask and work 20 times harder to compensate for lack of facial expression and most importantly, you have done such a marvellous job that I am honoured to be your director." Toni noticed that his director was anxious about something, but hesitant to say it. Toni waited for a 'but'.

"I'm sorry, it's just I woke up this morning and I felt like this would be the last time I got to work with you. Like something bad was going to happen, but I can't explain it. I'm sorry, I can't give you more details, or what is going to happen, but I knew I had to tell you that… I'm proud of you and I hope that whatever your future brings, you succeed and find happiness." Toni was stunned. He didn't know how to respond to the directors words, but had a faint idea of what they could mean. "Let's just forget about this conversation and focus on tonight and the play." He added.

Toni nodded and walked away. He returned to the stage and took a moment to collect himself before giving the signal to return to the vocal warm ups. He would think of this later and discuss it with his father.

Three hours to go.

Draco just finished getting ready for dinner when Blaise walked into his room. "I'm telling you, I looked and I looked and I looked, but I can't find a trace of what this play could be! It's like some big secret or something!"

"Blaise, calm down. In a few hours, we will be sitting in our seats with a program telling what play it is. Just have a little patience and finish getting ready for dinner. You've only got half an hour."

"Draco, I'm ready. Not everyone needs as much time as you to do their hair." Draco turned around and sneered at his friend, before assuming a haughty mask and raising his nose to his friend.

"You can't rush perfection." He simply replied. He turned back to the mirror to try and locate any misplaced hair, and adjust his clothing. When he finished he turned back to Blaise "Well, lets go Zabini, you're going to make us late for dinner if you keep laying about." Draco had time to see Blaise roll his eyes before he briskly walked out of the room.

Toni just finished a light dinner with the cast and crew when the Stage Manager rushed into the rehearsal room and started pushing people towards their dressing rooms.

"What are you doing sitting around? Everyone to their dressing rooms then hair and make-up!" When she saw no one moving right away, she took out her wand. "Don't make me start using stinging hexes to get you going." She threatened. Hearing the commanding tone, the cast leapt to their feet and rushed off to prepare.

Once again, Toni was glad he didn't have an extensive wardrobe or a need for make-up. Later in the play, he would have to change and cast a charm for a scarred face, but mainly he wore the mask, black poet shirts, slacks and the black cloak. He didn't envy the females who would wear the corsets, hoop skirts and whatever else they had to put on.

As he entered his dressing room, he noticed a single red rose on the vanity. Toni sighed, as he already knew whom it was from. Salvo had been trying to court Toni for two years, but Toni wasn't interested. Salvo had gone to Tony twice to ask permission to court the Cortalioni heir, but Tony refused saying he had not shown himself worthy enough. Toni was grateful since he found Salvo to be an arrogant, stuck up prick. He would constantly flirt and send him gifts, hoping to change the young heirs mind.

Toni threw the rose out, and stripped. He carefully slicked back his shaggy hair, and put on his costume. After ensuring that no gel had gotten on his shirt or cloak, he placed the white, half mask on the right side of his face. After he checked his appearance once more, he looked at the time. Lighting would be on their deck time, so he would be called soon.

Two hours to go

Draco was sitting at the dining table, quietly chatting with Beto, when a House Elf appeared.

"Tippy is sorry, Master, but Master Cortalioni is here to see you." It announced. Draco saw the older man pale slightly before nodding to the elf.

"Very well. I will meet him in my study." Beto wiped his mouth with his napkin, before setting it down. "Excuse me, but I seem to have business to attend to." With that he rose from his seat and left the room.

"Do you think everything is alright?" Draco asked. Bella was the one to respond.

"Everything should be fine. I bet it's just Cortalioni needing to have extra security tonight, and he is just now informing my father. "

"Does he do that often?"

"Need extra security or wait forever to inform people?" she asked

"Both." Draco replied.

"Sometimes he needs extra guards, like if there's a planned event he is attending or known public outing with his family. Sometimes he will get wind of threats to his family or himself and bump up the security for a few weeks. Once, three men almost kidnapped his heir, when Toni was eight. Cortalioni kept him locked up for a month before the man responsible was caught."

"I see. So do you think there's a threat tonight?"

"Maybe, but we will find out once we get there."

"Wait- so even if you suspect that some shit is going to happen tonight, you still want to go see this play?" Blaise finally spoke.

"Cortalioni would never allow anything to happen to his children. Being in the same building as them is much safer than staying in your own bedroom tonight." She calmly replied. Draco sneered slightly when the memory of the short black haired actor came to mind. All he saw was the arrogant face, a spoiled, rude child who lived off daddy, and probably bought his roles every year. Sure, he remembered him being good as Peter Pan, but how hard is it to fly around in tights?

Beto re-entered the room looking slightly better, since colour had returned to his cheeks.

"We will need to leave in an hour, since Cortalioni needs us to double check security tonight." He said before leaving once more. Draco looked to Bella, to see her frown and shake her head.

"Well, lets go get ready." She said before also rising to take her leave. Draco and Blaise exchanged looks knowing they were missing something.

One hour to go.

Toni listened as the orchestra finished their deck time and the Stage Manager came around to collect the actors for their final vocal warm-up. He was ushered on the stage with the rest of the actors and actresses and immediately took his place at the centre of the line to start the harmonizing. When he looked towards the director, he saw him staring at him with a look remorse. Suddenly a wave of dread swept through him, as he realized that the director was probably right and this would be the last time they worked together. As he looked at the other performers, he knew it was him that would leave, and never work with them again.

Earlier he had called his father and told him of what the director said, and his own theories, but now he knew that what he did was the right path. His father would ensure that no harm came to anyone else in the theatre, and hopefully himself as well.

When Draco pulled up to the school, he immediately noticed the wall of guards in black suits waiting outside. Draco saw they were in a line of waiting cars, and that each car the pulled up near the men was scanned, before all persons inside were asked out of their cars. The guards scanned and referenced every single person before allowing the theatre watchers to enter, and the drivers to drive away from the building and back out of the gates. They had to wait ten minutes before their car was finally being inspected. Draco couldn't wait any longer and finally asked a question.

"What is the purpose of this?" Beto looked at him and gave him a sheepish look before answering.

"Cortalioni was concerned about tonight's show, so he requested all audience members to arrive early for a screening. They don't want any unwanted personnel to enter the building. Once the building is secured, then Cortalioni will arrive and the show can start." He said. Draco was still slightly confused but decided against more questions.

They entered and waited in the lobby with the other patrons for the doors to be opened. Draco could hear faint singing coming from the auditorium and stepped closer to hear better. The person singing had a melodious voice, and was definitely male. Before he got any closer he heard the noise die down in the lobby, and he looked towards the front door. Through the glass wall he saw five black cars pull up, all with tinted windows. The crowd was silent as they watched the guards surround the cars and scan the area once more.

Draco was fascinated by the scene, as slowly a guard opened a single door to the three middle cars and Cortalioni and two women stepped out. Cortalioni was in the left car, while a woman with short black wavy hair was in the centre, and a woman with her hair pulled back in an elegant bun stepped out of the right car. The guards immediately took their positions beside the women, while Cortalioni stepped to the side to talk with one of the other guards.

Draco heard the announcement for the audience members to prepare to take their seats and walked back to Blaise. They walked up the stairs to the balcony to go to their box, but Draco could not stop wondering who those women were.

As they were seated they watched the seats fill, and everyone settle in. Draco remembered to look at his program and read the title of the play Le Fantôme de l'Opéra. He knew the basis of the play, but he never read or seen it. Instantly, his curiosity was spiked again, and he couldn't wait for the curtains to open. Draco watched as the centre doors opened and Cortlioni walked in with the women on either side. They sat in the two chairs that had been placed on either side of Cortalioni's and started a quiet conversation with the man.

"I see now why we needed to extra security." Bella spoke. Draco looked at her and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Those women are his daughters; Annalisa and Emilia. Annalisa is 25 and married to an Oil Tycoon, while Emilia is 22 and a member of the Russian Ballet company. She is engaged to some Baron she met in her travels. Cortalioni is very protective of his family." She explained. Draco regarded the women once more, and could see the resemblance they had to the Cortalioni Head. They all had the same dark eyes, and slim slightly pointed nose. Their features were a bit more rounded and feminine, but they held themselves the same way as their father.

"They sound muggle." Draco stated.

"When Annalisa attended Lombardi, she was in the visual art program. She created such magnificent works of art, and she met her husband there. He was to inherit his fathers companies, which included a large portion of the world's oil supplies. His great grandfather had foreseen the use and profit of crude oil, and started his own company and buying shares of others. He kept all his wizarding businesses going and when he passed the company onto his son, he made it boom even more. Therefore, by the time Gerino De Luca took over the company, he was producing more profit from his Oil companies than his wizarding businesses and was labelled an Oil Tycoon. Now, Emilia is different. She loved to dance, ballet being her favourite. When she attended Lombardi, she was only here for 2 years before she demanded her father let her audition for Scuola di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala, or in english 'La Scala Theatre Ballet school. He agreed and allowed her to audition, when she got in, he hired a private tutor to teach her magic while she did what she loved. 2 years ago she met the Baron after one of her shows, and they fell in love. He had to be introduced to the magical world, but she wouldn't have it any other way." Bella finished.

Draco was about to protest the allowance of muggle blood into the family when the lights began to flicker. Deciding to wait 'til later to voice his opinion, he sat back and looked towards the curtains. The lights finally dimmed and the audience went quiet.

Draco thought the show was excellent so far. The actors and actresses were doing a good job, the illusions were nicely done, but whoever was the Angel of Music had Draco enraptured. After the first time the mysterious voice sang, he knew it was the voice he had heard earlier. It was hypnotic in a way and he searched the stage hoping to see the singer. Finally, when the Phantom entered the stage, Draco was slightly crushed to see the mask. He wanted to see the face of this singer but had to stare at a white mask instead. When the scene finally came and his mask was torn off, he saw the scarred features underneath and recoiled.

Hopefully, the scars were done with a spell, because he could not imagine someone living their life that heavily scarred and going out in public. He understood why the Phantom now hid from other people. He was ashamed of his face, and scared of others reactions to him. If Draco's own reaction was anything to go by, than the Phantom chose wisely to stay hidden from the ridicule of normal people. The actor who portrayed him was truly phenomenal. He sang beautifully, drew the audience into his pain. When he kissed Christine and finally broke down at the end, the entire audience had silent tears while they listened to his heart wrenching sobs. When he curtains finally closed, Draco was among the many wiping tears and applauding loudly.

During the curtain call, the Phantom strode forward and removed the mask and spells. When Draco finally got to see his face he was in shock. Toni Cortalioni was standing on stage in the Phantoms costume, shyly waving to his father in the crowd. That amazing voice and performance belonged to the Cortalioni heir.

"Amazing, absolutely amazing." Bella said beside him. Draco looked over to see her glassy eyes, and huge smile. Draco had to agree with her, that Toni Cortalioni was an amazing performer. Draco returned his focus to the stage to see Toni taking his last bow, but when he moved his head the lights caught the faint image of a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Draco was reminded of something his father once told him but he couldn't quite place it. A lightning bolt scar was significant in some way but he couldn't remember why.

Draco listened as the applause went down, and then a sudden scream ripped through the air. Looking down at the pit he saw several people in black cloaks flooding the stage and seizing Toni Cortalioni. He watched in horror as Toni fought three men off before being hit with a stunner from behind. He looked towards the Cortalioni Head to see him and his daughters gone. Suddenly guards started rushing through the audience as the cloaked people dragged Toni off stage.

Beto started yelling for them to remain in the box until his guard told them it was safe to leave. Draco saw Beto rush out of the box and his guard step in. He heard whimpers from beside him and witnessed Bella, crying. Blaise had his arms wrapped around her shoulders but looked equally as terrified. The teenagers sat in the box for twenty minutes before another one of Beto's guards returned telling them it was safe to leave.

They were quickly ushered out to see the five black Cortalioni cars still in place, and the family being escorted into them. The daughters were silently crying, while their father had a stone cold mask on. They were led into separate cars before they drove off. "Why do they ride in different cars?" Draco asked. Beto was the one to answer when he walked up behind them.

"If they were in the same one it would be easier to kill the entire family at once. Spread out the assassins have to chose which one has the Head, the Heir, or simply the daughters or guards. Especially now that Toni has been kidnapped it is imperative we keep the entire family safe."

"Kidnapped?" Blaise whispered.

"Yes. The men that took him had somehow weaselled their way past the guards. When they changed shifts twenty minutes before the end of the show, the imposters had snuck into the audience and waited for the curtain call. Seeing Toni alone on stage was the perfect opportunity to snatch him. The guards didn't see it coming, and neither did I. Cortalioni was worried tonight when Toni called him saying he felt something bad was going to happen." Beto continued to explain the situation as the climbed into their own vehicle. "He was worried about his son- so he set up all the extra security measures. We swept the building but neither the imposters nor Toni could be found." He sighed at the end and dropped his head in shame. Bella still had tears streaming down her face, and Blaise looked mystified at the whole situation.

"You mean Toni knew something was going to happen?" Blaise asked.

"Cortalioni told me he received a call. Toni explained how his director woke up feeling that they would never work together again, and that he had this feeling of dread in his stomach as well. When Cortalioni tried to cancel the show, Toni said not to and that if they played their cards right they may be able to capture the culprits before anything happened. Cortalioni agreed only because he knew how much this performance meant to his son, but in the end, we could do nothing to save him."

"So where are Cortalioni and his daughters?" Draco asked.

"They are being taken to a safe house. We don't know if Toni was their main target, or just the first." With that said they pulled into the Zabini Residence and silently filed out of the car. Draco was still curious about that scar on Toni's forehead. He felt that it had some significance, but couldn't place it. Excusing himself, he left to his room to fire-call his father. He wanted to solve this one little mystery, since he knew that he wouldn't be able to help in the kidnapping. Draco couldn't say he felt bad or sorry for Toni; he was the heir to a powerful enterprise, so surely he was prepared for kidnappings and possible assassination attempts. He still felt something though, maybe a kinship to him, since Draco was also a powerful heir. He wasn't as powerful or as important as Toni, but still enough to watch his safety. Draco sighed as he bent down in front of the fireplace. It was an interesting night; first the spectacular performance, followed by the kidnapping.

He took a handful of Floo powder and through it into the flames and called out 'Malfoy Manor- Lucius' Study'. When the floating head of his father appeared, he got started.

"Hello, Father. I need to ask you something. You once told me about a boy with a lightning bolt scar on his forehead…?"

Toni had been watching the pride radiate from his Father's face when he noticed the dark figures approaching through the audience. He lowered his eyes and surveyed the situation quickly. Five hostiles were in the audience and one in each wing. When one of the five hostiles pushed a woman, she screamed alerting the rest of the audience to trouble. Toni decided his best bet would be to fight one of the hostiles in the wings and get away. Before he could turn, the five audience hostiles jumped on the stage and swarmed him. He fought off three of them before he noticed the hostile in the stage left wing join the fray. He turned to block another punch when he was hit with a stunner and everything went black.

When he woke he was in a dark room tied to a chair. His wrist, ankles, and waist were tied to the wooden chair and his mouth was gagged. 'Bloody perfect' he thought. He looked down to see himself still wearing the Phantom costume. He groaned to himself. Normally he would wear a tracer, so that if he ever were kidnapped than the hidden tracer would help the guards locate him. Since he was performing, he had removed the tracer. He hadn't expected them to strike during his curtain call, and knew that he had made a big mistake. Knowing he wouldn't be rescued anytime soon, he sat back and tried to think of possible reasons they could have kidnapped him.

He had just imagined a funny scene of ten unknown guards begging him for ballet lessons, complete with pink tutus and leotards when the door opened. He kept his eyes closed and his breathing steady, so the intruder wouldn't know he was awake. He felt the person slowly circle his chair and stop right behind him. They approached slowly and tipped his head back. They caressed his cheek and smoothed the bangs away from his forehead when they finally spoke.

"Beautiful, yet so stubborn." Toni knew that voice!

He tried to recall the owner as the person placed a kiss on his cheek. He fought hard to remain passive and keep a steady breath. He couldn't give up the game yet. Before he could remember the face to the voice he heard a sharp sound ring through the air before his face exploded in pain. He whimpered and opened his eyes to see Salvatore Moretti, Salvos father standing before him. 'Oh Shit' he thought.

Toni turned to see Salvo standing behind him, and shooting him a charming smile. He knew he was in trouble now. The Moretti's had been trying for years to ascend to the same level as the Cortalioni's. Not only had Salvo been pushing for their courtship, but his father Salvatore had been pestering Tony as well. They seemed determined to make the match, and now resorted to kidnapping.

"You have been a naughty boy, Toni." Salvatore spoke. "If you just read the note attached to the rose my son left you, this could have all been avoided." As his father spoke, Salvo leaned forward and lightly bit Toni's ear.

"I told you two years ago that you would one day be mine" Salvo whispered to him, before he bit down hard on Toni's neck. Toni managed to swallow his scream and glared daggers at the Moretti Head.

"How proud are you, Moretti, that you have to kidnap others just to get your son a date?" he spat. The Moretti Head glared at him before another loud slap bounced off the walls.

"Salvo, have your fun while I go deal with his ransom note." He sneered at Toni before striding out of them room. Toni realized that he was now left alone in a room with the man obsessed with him. To make matters worse he was tied up and had no means to defend himself. Toni felt Salvo walk to his left side and began to caress the bruised cheek.

"Oh love, why do you make him mad? Keep this up and he will ruin your pretty face." With that said, he bent down and began trailing kisses down the bruised cheek and onto his neck. Toni closed his eyes and hoped that Salvo wouldn't go too far with him.

Thank to PeruvianDarkness for the Beta job

Keep up the wonderful reviews

I do thoroughly enojy them.

Genießen!