Frank arrived at James's room, his bag slung over one shoulder. "I'm coming with you," he said, resolute.
James stepped in front of him. "No, Frank. You can't."
"Why not?" Frank asked.
"We're walking into danger," James replied. "If you come, it'll make things harder—for you and for us. You need to stay at Hogwarts."
Frank's face hardened. "I'm the one who's responsible for Albus's abduction. Albus told me everything. At first I didn't believe him—I even promised him I would stay with him no matter what, that I'd protect him. I don't know what happened to me back then. I am Neville Longbottom's son. I'll keep my promise. I'll help."
James hesitated, then softened. "Frank—no. We will save Albus. Please stay at Hogwarts and be safe. If something happens to you, I couldn't face Albus. You're Albus's best friend. I promise I'll bring him back."
Before Frank could argue, Hagrid filled the doorway, large and worried. "I don't want you to go either, James," he rumbled. "But I believe in you—more than you do, maybe. You'll succeed."
"Thanks, Hagrid," James said. "Take care of Hogwarts and my family… and Frank."
"I will," Hagrid nodded.
Rose and Scorpius arrived, and Bobby slipped into the group, breathless. "Can I come?" he asked.
James turned to him gently. "Hey, Bobby. No. I don't want you risking your life like Dobby did." He remembered Bobby's elder brother. "You and Rose and Scorpius are my best friends, but Hogwarts needs you more than we do."
Bobby's face crumpled. James leaned closer and lowered his voice. "I've left a lot of storybooks and a magic spell book in my locker." He leaned over, murmured the locker password into Bobby's ear. "When I'm gone, read them. If you like any of my books or clothes, take them—consider them a gift. I left something for you in my bedroom. If I don't come back, take everything there."
Bobby couldn't hold back his tears. Rose embraced him; Scorpius joined the hug. "Goodbye, Bobby," James said, voice thick.
Hagrid handed James a small parcel. When James opened it, he found a folded map inside. He looked up. "Where do we start?" Rose asked.
"Peter Pettigrew," James said without hesitation. "He's an old enemy of my family."
Scorpius frowned. "How do we find him?"
"We need a Dark Army man—capture him, interrogate him," James explained. "When the Dark Army attacked, I saw a symbol painted on some of their faces. It looked like a V—maybe for Voldemort. The marks were in different places on different people. We have to be careful. Let's use this map."
Scorpius studied the parchment. "Some places are in human settlements, others are at distant estates. Smoke covers some areas; it's hard to tell what's there."
"What's the exact plan?" Rose asked.
"To find Albus and uncover who's behind this—and why," James said. "I don't think Albus was taken for revenge alone. Voldemort injured many, but he only left Albus unconscious. He didn't kill my family. Everyone seems to be following his orders, but I think his return hides something—fear, maybe of my father. The memories we saw showed Bellatrix, Peter Pettigrew and Dagger attacking. Voldemort's hiding his pain behind a smile. His plan is different from what he says."
"Are you sure?" Scorpius pressed.
"Not completely," James admitted. "But I want to know about this new enemy, Dagger."
"I believe you, James," Rose said.
"So do I," Scorpius added.
They set off to the western bar, a dim place where whispers moved like smoke. In a corner, two men drank—Dravos and Kelly. James whispered to Rose, "Go in as a waitress and get close."
Rose slipped into a waitress uniform and moved with practiced ease. "What can I get you, gentlemen?" she asked.
"Two vodkas," one said.
"We're out of vodka," Rose replied smoothly. "We do have a bottle of whisky for our last customer."
Dravos leaned in. "Get me—"
James stepped forward. "I need that bottle," he said flatly.
An argument flared. Scorpius grabbed the bottle and made a dash for it. "You don't know who you're messing with, boy," Dravos snarled.
"Oh, really?" Scorpius shot back—and hurled the bottle toward James. James caught it, looked at it, and said with a shrug, "It's not whisky or vodka. I don't drink." He tossed it back and drank instead from a glass of lime water.
Rose dropped the waitress act. Scorpius booted one of the men; Dravos raised his wand. Rose was faster—"Expelliarmus!" she cried—and James struck, sending both men sprawling. Rose bound them; James pressed his wand to their throats.
"Where are Peter Pettigrew, Bellatrix and Dagger?" James demanded.
Dravos wouldn't speak. Rose conjured a small ring of fire near them, eyes cold. "Answer or I'll burn everything around you," she warned.
One of Dravos's protests earned him a sharp kick from James. Scorpius snorted. The captives stayed stubbornly silent, but when pressed, they revealed a scrap of intelligence: Albus was with Dagger. Voldemort was hiding in the Dark Palace, and Bellatrix guarded a Magical Slytherin book at her home.
James, Rose and Scorpius turned to leave, but Dravos and Kelly tried one last desperate spell. The trio were ready—faster than the men expected—and in a heartbeat both attackers were silenced for good.
Dravos's last sneer echoed faintly. "What a stupid, innocent girl—and she looked hot in that waitress dress."
James and Scorpius burst out laughing. Rose's mouth fell open in shock, then twisted in fury. She stormed forward, knocking both men out cold, beating them with sticks and hurling small stones, punctuating each strike with sharp spells. James and Scorpius could barely breathe from laughing so hard until they finally stopped her, begging for mercy.
When the laughter faded, James looked at her with a teasing grin. "About the challenge," he said.
Scorpius tilted his head. "What challenge?"
James smiled. "A beautiful one."
Rose's cheeks flushed red. "Keep your promise," James added with a playful smirk.
Embarrassed, Rose suddenly said, "Scorpius, look—Dark Army people!"
When Scorpius turned, Rose leaned forward and kissed James softly on the cheek.
"What happened?" Scorpius asked, spinning back.
James touched his cheek, smiling. "I'll remember today forever."
James teases Rose saying you should stop believing every one is good.
We are good people that doesn't mean every one wanted to be good people Miss Innocent.
Scorpius has a little smile on his face.
Rose says If Kael is with me he is going to trash that scandals who commented on me.
James gets angry and jealous to the comment of Rose.
James adds if Kael is here, He will not kick the scandals but get kicked by scandals instead. He is a scaredy cat.
Scorpius grinned. "Imagine you, James—and me—kicking your so-called hero Kael all over. He's no hero!"
James burst out laughing with him, while Rose's face turned bright red. She spun on her heel, storming off in embarrassment.
James composed himself and said, "We need to find Bellatrix—quietly. And we must know what she's protecting."
They mounted their brooms, rose into the air, and soared through the dark night until the shadow of a crumbling manor came into view.
They landed near the edge of a twisted forest. The air was thick with old magic.
"This is it," James whispered. "Bellatrix's house."
Rose gripped her wand. "It feels… alive."
Scorpius nodded warily. "Then we'd better move carefully. If she's guarding that Slytherin book, there'll be traps everywhere."
They exchanged one last look—and stepped into the darkness of Bellatrix's lair.