The Night settled over the forest like a heavy blanket, the shadows stretching long and deep. The group moved quietly, working together to construct a large tent under Dagger's guidance. Their hands were tired, their robes dusty, but there was a silent determination among them. When the structure finally stood tall, glowing softly in the moonlight, everyone stepped inside with relief.
Thorn Claw padded in after them, its claws tapping lightly on the forest floor. Scorpius glanced at the fading light outside.
"Night is falling early these days," he said, worry threading his voice.
Dagger nodded grimly. "Because Voldemort is back. It feels like a warning. His eyes are still on us. We must be more careful than ever."
Scorpius swallowed and nodded again. "We should make the tent invisible. We can't let the Dark Army know we're here."
Raising his wand, he whispered, "Sanctis Veilorum."
A silver shimmer rippled across the canvas, and in moments the tent—and everyone inside it—became invisible.
"Good, Scorpius," Dagger said, genuinely impressed. "Your spell knowledge and actions continue to amaze me."
"Thank you, Mr. Dagger."
Dagger stepped toward the tent entrance but paused abruptly.
Scorpius frowned. "What happened? Come inside before someone notices us."
"We need extra protection," Dagger said softly. "I don't trust the Dark Army. There are others out there—stronger, sharper, able to sense disturbances. We need Dark Magic protection too, and strong at that. The path ahead is dangerous. Whatever you and your friends faced until now… that was nothing. Now we begin the true journey—mysteries, puzzles, ancient enemies, hidden gem stones. And if fate pushes us… we may have to face Voldemort again."
Together, he and Scorpius lifted their wands.
"Obscurivela Tentare."
The forest swallowed the tent completely. Even the air around it shimmered and vanished.
Inside, exhaustion seeped into every corner.
"I'm really tired today," Rose murmured.
"We are too," Albus and Frank echoed.
"I need rest," Albus sighed. "But… I miss Dim."
Dagger raised an eyebrow. "Do you really miss Dim, Albus?"
"Yes. Dim is a good friend. It helped me when you were kidnapped. It protected me so many times. But you left it at your house."
Dagger reached into his bag.
His hand seemed to travel impossibly deep before he gripped something and pulled it out.
Dim leapt from the bag with a loud, "Woof—woof!"
Everyone froze, wide-eyed, as Dim bounded straight to Albus.
Albus patted its head. "Buddy… were you with us the whole time?"
Frank stared at Dagger's bag. "What… in that bag? You kept a pet inside? How is that even possible?"
"Tell us!" Bobby demanded.
Rose smiled knowingly. "The bag Mr. Dagger carries is special. It has more space than this tent and weighs nothing. Only powerful, skilled witches and wizards have such magical things. Right, Mr. Dagger?"
Dagger nodded. "I'm impressed, Rose Granger-Weasley."
Rose smiled proudly.
James, seated beside her, flipped open his comic book. Without warning, Rose reached into his bag. James didn't notice—his face was buried deep in the colorful pages.
Rose pulled out the Slytherin Book… and the Gryffindor Sword.
The sword glowed—not red, but purple.
Frank gasped. "Oh my God!"
Albus whispered, "Why is it purple? It never glows like that."
Miss Mirael remained still, her eyes unreadable.
Dagger's gaze sharpened as he stared at the sword and the ancient book.
"What is this?" Bobby blurted. "Another miracle!"
James finally looked up—just in time to see Rose holding the Slytherin Book wide open.
His heart skipped. "Rose, give that book back. Don't open it! You might fall into trouble and behave like that other time."
He lunged for it.
They grabbed opposite ends.
"Leave it, James!" Rose shouted. "I destroyed the protection on this book with basilisk teeth! I bought it from Bellatrix! I want to know what spells are inside. I killed Peter Pettigrew with this book—don't you remember? I need it."
Thorn Claw growled, a low, threatening sound.
"Thorn Claw, don't shout!" Rose snapped.
James pulled harder. "This book is dangerous! You acted like a cruel witch when you read it."
Dagger's eyes narrowed as he listened to everything.
"What?" he suddenly exclaimed.
Startled, James's grip tightened, and he finally yanked the book free.
Rose stared at him angrily. "But you read it too! And you use Dark Magic spells none of us even know. Why are you fine?"
Scorpius answered for him. "Because James can control his mind and heart—even in the worst situations. He's a legend. And he's protected by the Gryffindor Sword. Miss Amelia gave it to him—not to anyone else."
Rose's anger softened into hurt.
James sighed. "Please don't feel bad, Rose. I can't let you read this book. I don't want to see you lose yourself again."
Scorpius added quietly, "We all agree."
Dagger took the book from James. As soon as his fingers touched the cover, his expression froze.
This belonged to the Dark King… and later to another man, he thought. I thought it was destroyed. Is this the book that caused Voldemort's return? If so… we must be cautious. Extremely cautious.
That night, everyone drifted into sleep—except Dagger.
At midnight, he slipped from his bedroll and sat by the dim lantern glow, opening the book. Strange symbols danced before his eyes.
"Oh my God…" he whispered. "I thought this belonged to Salazar Slytherin. But these markings… they're from the ancient story."
He read on, darker and deeper spells revealing themselves. His thoughts turned heavy.
James and his friends… carrying this book… it's not a small thing. Voldemort would go mad if he learned they had it. I must not remember that story… or the man…
His voice broke off.
His eyes turned purple.
Dark thoughts slithered into his mind. His breath quickened as he fought the pull of ancient magic.
A gentle hand touched his shoulder.
Miss Mirael sat beside him, calm, steady. The darkness in his eyes faded.
"I couldn't sleep," Dagger confessed softly. "I keep thinking about the book, and…"
"Varkon Black Shade," Miss Mirael whispered.
Dagger stiffened.
"I know everything," she said kindly.
He lowered his gaze, unable to speak.
Across the tent, James suddenly jolted upright.
"ROSE! NO!"
Dagger and Miss Mirael turned sharply.
Dagger hurried to him. "What happened?"
James wiped sweat from his forehead. "Just a dream."
He glanced around. Everyone—including Rose—slept peacefully.
James sat beside Dagger.
Dagger hesitated, then asked, "James… can I ask you something?"
"Yes."
"Do you love Rose?"
James froze.
Miss Mirael blushed faintly, hiding a smile.
James touched his ear awkwardly. "No! I don't love Rose. She's my friend. Sometimes my enemy too. And she always likes Kael."
Dagger smiled knowingly.
"Why would you ask me that?" James demanded.
"I remembered something," Dagger said softly. "About the two of you. It reminded me of someone."
"Who?"
"James," Dagger said.
"What?"
"James Potter."
James stared, speechless.
"Yes," Dagger continued. "I knew James Potter and Lily Potter. They were my friends."
"What? How?"
"Not in Hogwarts," Dagger said. "After Dumbledore sent me away from the magical world, I changed my name and identity. I traveled for years. During that time, I met James Potter—a kind, handsome man who always walked into trouble to help others. Lily was brilliant. They became my friends. I invested in James's business. I still regret not saving them… because of the responsibilities I carried."
He looked James in the eyes.
"You are just like him. Your father gave you the perfect name—James Sirius Potter."
James smiled softly.
"And Rose," Dagger added, "she reminds me of Lily. Even their looks… And yes, James Potter would get jealous whenever someone talked too kindly to Lily."
James blushed and looked away.
Dagger laughed quietly. "I feel you and Rose are perfect together."
James pretended not to hear and quickly changed the topic.
"I'm thinking about the key… actually."
"So am I," Dagger said.
James leaned closer. "Did you buy the book Andrew mentioned before he died?"
"Yes."
"Give it to me."
"I checked it," Dagger said. "It's full of blank pages. There's only one blank sheet inside."
James's eyes narrowed thoughtfully."I think Andrew was trying to tell us something about the Key. He knew everything. He guarded one of the gemstones. Voldemort attacked him for that—but Andrew didn't reveal the secret. That blank paper must hold something. We need another way to uncover it."
Dagger and Miss Mirael exchanged a serious look.
And they nodded.
The real mystery was only beginning.