DARK PALACE
In the cold, shadow-filled palace, Voldemort sat rigidly on his throne-like chair. His skin had grown unnaturally pale, almost ghostly, and his strength seemed to drain with every passing moment. He stared into a tall mirror before him, disgust rising in his crimson eyes.
"What is happening to me?" Voldemort hissed."Why am I looking so pale… so powerless? I can't enter other minds… I can't even use my magic properly!"
His rage exploded."AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
A violent scream tore from him, and every piece of furniture around the room shattered into fragments, crashing against the walls.
Dark Army soldiers hurried into the chamber, trembling as they gathered before him.
Voldemort glared at them."Did you bring me the Gryffindor Sword? Tell me! Did you find the items I asked for? SAY IT!"
The Dark Army members flinched. One soldier stepped forward, voice shaking."M–Master… Great Voldemort… w-we didn't find it…"
Before he could finish, Voldemort's fury ignited. Dark flames burst from his wand, engulfing the soldiers who had spoken. Their screams echoed as they were burned alive. The remaining soldiers stumbled back in terror, breathless and frozen.
Peter Pettigrew, trembling but trying to appear brave, shuffled forward."H-Highness… I am searching for the Gryffindor Sword," he stuttered. "I even searched everywhere in Dumbledore's house… and in Harry Potter's house too. I didn't find it anywhere…"
Another Dark Army soldier tried to speak."Bel—"
Pettigrew quickly stopped the others from speaking.
"James, Rose, and Scorpius… the children of Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione, and Draco Malfoy… they're coming toward us, Master. They're trying to save Albus."
Voldemort's eyes glowed with a wicked red spark. A slow, dangerous smile crept across his face, one he hid from his trembling followers."Let them come," he whispered darkly.
Peter stepped closer, voice shaking with a mix of fear and eagerness."Sir… you kidnapped Albus. And I know… you want a body. That boy's body. Once you find everything you're searching for… you will possess him, right?"
Voldemort did not answer.
Trying to impress him, Pettigrew continued,"Master, don't worry. I will kill Rose and Scorpius brutally before they even reach this palace. And I will kill Harry Potter's son—James Sirius Potter—brutally and cruelly… as a gift to you."
The words had barely left his mouth when Voldemort's expression twisted. With a sudden, lightning-fast movement, he slashed across Pettigrew's face. The strike sent him crashing to the ground. The remaining Dark Army soldiers panicked and fled from the room.
Voldemort lifted Pettigrew into the air with one hand, choking him with invisible force. Then, with horrifying calm, he began torturing him—digging his long, claw-like nails into Pettigrew's shoulder and dragging them painfully across his flesh.
Pettigrew screamed, his voice echoing off the cold stone walls."AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Barely able to breathe, he gasped,"M-Master… you kidnapped Albus… you want to possess his body once you get the things you need… You stayed silent when I said I would kill Rose and Scorpius… B-but why are you angry that I want to kill… James?"
Voldemort released him, letting him crash to the ground."Leave," Voldemort commanded coldly. "Leave before I kill you myself."
Terrified, Pettigrew scrambled to his feet and ran out of the chamber. Confusion clouded his mind. Why had Voldemort reacted like that? What was he truly planning?
The Dark Army men gathered nervously. Jeremy asked,"Master… why did you stop us from telling Voldemort that Bellatrix was killed by James, Rose, Scorpius, and that dragon—Thorn Claw?"
Peter Pettigrew's eyes widened."Are you mad? Voldemort is already furious with us for failing to find the things he's searching for! On top of that, we still can't enter Hogwarts. And now—Bellatrix is dead permanently. He's losing strength… trapped in a weak body… and he can't possess another body until he finds what he needs."
"And the book—the one that gave Voldemort new life and dark power—that book Bellatrix was protecting… it's gone. Completely gone. If he learns this, he will kill all of us."
Jeremy nodded nervously."Then… Master, why did Voldemort get angry when you spoke badly about James or said you wanted to kill him?"
Another soldier asked,"Can't you smell the book? Or James, Rose, and Scorpius?"
Pettigrew shook his head."I'm trying… but I can't sense their smell at all."
He paused, then added,"I'll tell you a shocking secret. At Hogwarts… I attacked Ron Weasley and Trelawney. I even tried to injure James, and I went into his room. But when I tried to strike him… I came across a spirit. A powerful spirit that didn't allow me to touch him. That spirit was too powerful. Unknown. I don't know whose spirit it is… but I feel something different about James Sirius Potter."
He rubbed his forehead anxiously."No matter what, I must be careful of that boy. I should hide from him and let Dagger deal with him. Dagger is Voldemort's biggest weapon."
Dark Night…
Rose sat quietly on a large stone, staring into the distance. The cold night breeze brushed past her hair.
James walked toward her and sat beside her."Why are you sitting here? Please get some rest. We have to leave early in the morning to search for that rat—Scabbers… I mean, Peter Pettigrew."
Rose sighed."I'm not getting any sleep. What about you?"
James shrugged."Maybe… I'm not sleepy either."
Rose tilted her head."Why?"
James opened his mouth to answer, "Maybe—"
Rose cut him off immediately."Is it because your dream girl didn't come into your dreams tonight?"
James gave her a blank, helpless expression."You tease me a lot these days, Rose…"
Rose smiled faintly, looking up at the moonlight."I used to sleep on my father's shoulder like this…"
Slowly, she leaned onto James' shoulder. James sat still for a moment, surprised, then his heartbeat settled. He felt strangely assured, calm, complete.
Both of them looked at the glowing moon with quiet admiration.
Rose whispered, "If I were given a wish tonight…"
She closed her eyes and prayed inside her heart.
Please… save all my friends, my family, and Hogwarts from the darkness.I don't know what my future will be. I don't want to think about it.All I want is everyone's happiness, peace, and harmony.James, Scorpius, and Thorn have taken such grave risks to protect us all.Please don't let anything bad happen to them.If we must fight a final battle against Voldemort… please don't take my friends, my family, or my school away from me.I am ready to give my life, but I can't lose anyone. Please protect them… every one of them…
Tears filled her eyes, and she hugged James tightly, crying on his shoulder.
James' own eyes filled with tears.
He prayed silently.Please protect my younger brother Albus… I'm coming for him. Give me the strength to erase darkness from everyone's lives.Protect my family, my friends, and Hogwarts.Scorpius is my best brother… and Thorn is the new friend who found light in his dark life.Please protect them.And please protect this stupid, innocent, cute girl Rose… She's like a flower who brings fresh energy and happiness to everyone she touches. Protect this innocent flower always… whether I am with her or not…
James gently held Rose closer, consoling her."Don't cry, Rose…"
Rose wiped her tears slowly."I know you're worried about Albus… and about Harry Uncle too. You can hide your emotions, but I can't. I'm also scared for them…"She hugged him even tighter."Don't you feel the same, James?"
James smiled softly and wrapped his arms around her."I do."
Some distance away, Scorpius was sleeping peacefully.But Thorn quietly approached, searching for James. He found James and Rose hugging each other and smiled, remembering Scorpius' teasing words earlier.
Meanwhile, Ginny sat alone, feeling heartbroken for Albus.
Hermione joined her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder."Don't worry, Ginny," she said warmly. "I have great faith in James. He can achieve anything he puts his mind to. He has Harry's bravery, intelligence, and deep magical instinct… and in addition—my magical spells."She smiled softly."He will bring everything back."
Frank Longbottom sat alone, his face filled with guilt and restlessness. His hands trembled slightly as he whispered to himself,"I have to go… I have to search for Albus myself. I already failed to protect him once… I can't sit here doing nothing anymore."
Determined, Frank stood up and began packing his bag—throwing in clothes, a wand-cleaning kit, and whatever potions he thought might help.
As he turned toward the door, someone blocked his path.
Bobby stood there, arms folded, staring in disbelief."What are you doing, Frank?"
Frank quickly lied, trying to sound calm."I'm just… trying to hide my things in the bag."
Bobby raised an eyebrow."Stop lying, Frank. I know you're going to look for your friend."
Frank turned away."No, I'm not."
Bobby stepped closer."James is too intelligent, Frank. He already warned me to keep an eye on you. He knew Albus Severus Potter and Frank Longbottom are best friends. He knew you would try something like this. I gave James my word. And I'm not going to let you run off alone."
He grabbed Frank's bag.
Frank lunged for it. Bobby grabbed it tighter. The two of them struggled—shoving, dragging, chasing each other around the room.
In the chaos, both stumbled against an old wall—one of the bricks slid inward with a loud click.
Before they could react, the floor beneath them gave way.
Frank and Bobby fell straight down into a dark, hidden space.
"Lumos!" Bobby whispered, raising his wand. A soft glow filled the darkness.
Suddenly—THUD!
A magical jar tumbled from above and struck Frank on the head."AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Frank cried.
"Ouch! Why are you beating me, Bobby?" Frank rubbed his head.
Bobby looked offended."When did I beat you? That jar fell on your head by itself!"
Frank slowly picked up another enchanted-looking jar and felt a strange familiarity."I've read about jars like this… there might be a spirit trapped inside," he murmured.
Bobby laughed."Oh, come on, Frank! That kind of stuff only happens in storybooks I read—never in real life!"
Ignoring him, Frank carefully moved the jar with both hands.
Suddenly—
A burst of green light flashed.
A magical spirit emerged right in front of Frank.
It was glowing completely green, shaped like a human but with a long, floating tail. A strange-looking creature… yet almost human.
Frank and Bobby instantly grabbed each other in fear.
Bobby's voice cracked,"P-Please… don't kill us!"
Frank nodded quickly,"Yes, please don't kill us! We don't even know where we are! We fell here because of our stupid fight… and I got hit by a jar!"
The spirit drifted toward Frank, its expression intense.
But the spirit suddenly hugged him tightly.
A soft, echoing voice spoke,"My name is Mirael…"
The spirit floated closer to Frank and Bobby."I am a girl spirit. I was sealed generations… maybe centuries ago. I have been alone for so long. I always wanted freedom…"
She gently shook hands with Frank and then Bobby."Master," she said softly, bowing her head.
Bobby's face lit up."This female spirit is calling me master! I like this! Yes, I am your master!"
Frank immediately pointed at him."He's lying. I moved the jar. I opened your cap. So I'm the real master."
Mirael floated toward Frank and hugged him again.
Frank sighed and turned to Bobby."Listen… I'm not staying here in Hogwarts. I'm leaving to bring my best friend back. I don't care about my life. Don't stop me."
Bobby grabbed his arm."It's too dangerous!"
But Mirael floated closer, looking up at Frank with big, adorable green eyes.
Bobby groaned,"Fine… then I will go with you too."
Frank shook his head firmly."You can't come with me now. You need to stay here and protect everyone."
Bobby folded his arms stubbornly."I'm coming with you, that's it. Either I come… or you're not going anywhere."
Frank hesitated, then finally nodded."Fine. You can come."
He looked around anxiously."But… how will we escape?"
Bobby straightened proudly."I can transport you and me anywhere. But not into dark or dangerous places. Those areas have magical protections. And even if we escape Hogwarts… there are so many Dark Army soldiers. Reaching Albus won't be easy. And you're not fully trained yet, Frank."
Mirael floated closer."I will come with you," she said gently. "I help good people. And the person who freed me… is my master. This Mirael is at your service—a rare magical spirit with powerful abilities… and a little naughty too."
Frank crossed his arms."Alright, Mirael. If you're so powerful… then transport us somewhere safe. Outside Hogwarts. Somewhere the Dark Army can't track us."
Mirael winked."Watch and learn… It's Mirael Magic!"
She spun in a swirl of green light. Her glowing blonde hair shimmered as runic symbols flashed around her.
Within seconds—WHOOSH!
Frank and Bobby reappeared in a quiet forest clearing—shockingly close to James, Rose, and Scorpius's tent.
They froze in amazement."She really did it…"
Meanwhile, inside the tent…
Rose reached for the book she had taken from Bellatrix's house. As she touched it, a bright glow surged from its pages.
Suddenly—The Gryffindor Sword appeared inside the book, radiating golden light.
Rose gasped, eyes wide with shock.