The Night settled over the quiet campsite like a soft veil, the embers of their dying fire flickering faintly against the cool breeze. The sky above shimmered with scattered stars, and the moon's pale glow washed the forest in silver. Inside the tent, James sat cross-legged with a seriousness that even the dim lantern light couldn't soften. Dagger watched him with silent curiosity, while Miss Mirael paced nervously near the flap.
James exhaled slowly.
"Dagger… I feel the book Andrew pointed to must have information about the Key. There's something mysterious about it. I can't shake that feeling."
Dagger didn't hesitate. He reached into his satchel and pulled out the old, dusty book—its cover cracked, its edges frayed. He handed it to James with a slight tremor in his fingers.
Miss Mirael and Dagger exchanged anxious glances as James opened the book.
Every page was blank.
And one page—clearly torn—seemed to be folded and hidden inside the back cover. When James tugged it out, even that page showed nothing.
Blank.
Completely blank.
A chill ran down his spine, and a memory stirred—Hermione's voice, wise and calm as always.
"Some pages or books with crucial information may hide themselves," Hermione had once told him. "Powerful witches and wizards enchant them. If you want to reveal the truth, you must use a magical potion—one strong enough to expose concealed ink."
James blinked. Hermione was an expert in brewing such potions. And suddenly he remembered—he still had one of her potions with him.
He grabbed his bag and searched desperately until he felt the familiar shape of a small vial.
"Dagger," James said, breathless, "this potion—I got it from my Aunt Hermione. She's incredible at making potions. I stole this from her once thinking it might be useful someday. I guess today is that day."
He uncorked the vial and poured the shimmering liquid over the torn page.
Within seconds, letters began swirling across the paper like tiny streaks of lightning. Words formed—bold, ancient, and powerful—revealing the long-hidden truth.
James read aloud, his voice echoing inside the tent.
"If one truly desires to find the Gem Stones, the first step is to search for the Hufflepuff Gem Stone.It is located in a Magical Fort. To enter this fort, one must possess a Magical Key.The Key also lies within the same fort, guarded by another ancient guardian.No selfish or greedy soul may enter the premises."
Dagger's eyes widened.
James continued.
"To reach the Hufflepuff Fort is not easy.But one can use the map kept with the Chang Guardian.WARNING:Anyone who enters with evil intentions will never retrieve the Key or the Hufflepuff Gem Stone.A creature protects the Gem Stone inside the Fort.This book also acts as a guardian and has the power to transport you from one place to another."
The last line shimmered in golden ink.
"The Hufflepuff Gem Stone not only protects—it foresees upcoming dangers.It has life and sense.If it feels its chosen master is unworthy, it won't allow control.The ancestors of Hufflepuff designed it so it chooses only a soul that mirrors true Hufflepuff qualities."
James fell silent, stunned.
Dagger and Miss Mirael stared at him, just as shocked.
A slow, proud smile spread across Dagger's face.
"James… you solved another puzzle. You're truly intelligent. You carry Hufflepuff qualities—protection, loyalty, and wisdom."
James smiled faintly, embarrassed.
The others were already asleep. Dagger glanced at them and said quietly:
"We leave early morning. Rest now."
Miss Mirael stepped closer, her expression softening.
"James… you are truly a legendary person."
James gave a small nod, and finally lay down.
But sleep did not come peacefully.
Instead, his dreams were a storm of visions—a Legendary Battle, a glowing sword, four Gem Stones merged into its blade, and a face he cherished deeply: Rose.
He jolted awake, breathless. His hand instinctively reached for his bag.
Inside, the Gryffindor Sword pulsed with a faint glow.
The moment he touched it, the sword brightened—as if acknowledging him.
Finally calming his racing heart, James drifted back into a light sleep.
Meanwhile…
Rose woke in the middle of the night, rubbing her eyes. She saw James sleeping, his face calm and childlike.
She smiled softly.
She drank water, then walked over and gently pulled the blanket over him. That's when she noticed his bag lying loosely beside him.
An old memory surfaced—James forbidding her from reading the Slytherin Book.
But curiosity… curiosity was a dangerous temptation.
Rose hesitated. Then, silently, she reached into his bag and pulled out the Slytherin Book.
She slipped out of the tent, away from James's watchful eyes, and sat under a tree to read.
"If I learn dark magic… I can help James more," she whispered to herself."James learned so much from his dad… and also from my parents. I should help him too."
She opened the book.
Dark symbols shimmered.
She began reading—pronouncing forbidden spells. As she practiced them, a wave of strange sensation washed over her.
Her eyes shifted from their natural color to a terrifying mix of violet and black.
Her lips curled into a wicked smile.
A different person was emerging.
A darker one.
But then—James's face flashed in her mind.
She gasped, snapped out of the illusion, and dropped the book.
"What am I doing…?"
She looked around, trembling.
"Why am I outside the tent? James was right. This book is dangerous. If he knows I read it… he'll be so angry. I have to return it before he wakes up."
She picked up the book, hugged it to her chest, and stepped toward the tent.
A cold breeze swept across her skin.
And then—
A low voice echoed behind her.
A voice filled with venom.
She turned.
Her blood froze.
Dark Army soldiers surrounded her—cloaked, masked, and deadly.
Before she could even lift her wand, a spell struck her wrist—the wand flew from her hand and skidded into the darkness.
Rose stumbled backward…
And she saw him.
Voldemort.
Standing right in front of her.
His red, serpent-like eyes pierced through her soul.
She tried to scream James's name, but before she could, Voldemort flicked his wand.
A spell hit her chest.
Everything went dark.
Her body collapsed.
The Slytherin Book fell beside her.
Voldemort smirked as he looked down at her unconscious form.He lifted her effortlessly, grabbed the book, and vanished with a swirl of black smoke.
Inside the tent, a faint glow appeared.
James's pearl locket—the one Chang Guardian had given him—shone brightly.
James stirred.
His eyes opened.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
He sat up… looked around…
And froze.
Rose was missing.