The night and darkness falls over around the place,
Shadows pressed close from every corner, and the silence felt alive, watching, waiting.
James burst out of the tent, his voice slicing through the quiet of the night.
"Rose! Rose?"
Dagger and Scorpius stirred from their sleep, blinking at the sudden commotion. They rushed out, concern etched across their faces.
"What happened?" Dagger asked, his voice laced with tension.
James's eyes were wide with panic. "I don't find Rose in the tent… or anywhere."
Scorpius froze. "What?"
"Yes," James said, his voice tight, as if holding back something more terrifying than the words themselves.
Miss Mirael stepped out quietly, her ears catching the tremor in the air as she listened. Dagger tensed. Without a word, Miss Mirael began waking Frank, Albus, Bobby, Thornclaw, and Dim.
Soon, the group was united in their frantic search, moving through the campsite like a wave of determination. James's eyes caught something glinting against the cold earth—a diamond locket. He scooped it up, his hands trembling.
Dagger, Frank, Albus, Bobby, Miss Mirael, Thornclaw, and Dim returned, shaking their heads. No trace of Rose. Scorpius's gaze fell on the locket. Recognition flashed in his eyes.
"Her locket…" he whispered.
James's heart clenched. "How can it be here? Is she in danger?"
The night air thickened with worry. Everyone felt it, a heaviness that pressed on their chests. James's pearl locket, the one given to him by the guardian Chang, began to glow repeatedly, sending a warning through his veins.
And then it hit him—a glimpse of Rose, kidnapped by Voldemort, and the dark wizard reclaiming the Slytherin book. Another vision unfolded: Tom Riddle's younger brother, possessed by Voldemort, gaining strength from the Slytherin book, yet still seeking a vessel to claim.
Softly, James breathed, "Voldemort…"
"What?" Scorpius asked, eyes wide with fear.
James fell to his knees, clutching the diamond locket to his chest. Every pair of eyes around him widened in shock. Dagger and Scorpius felt a wave of guilt and helplessness.
"Rose… got kidnapped," James finally said, his voice breaking. "By Voldemort. He took her… and the Slytherin book."
Silence fell over the group. The night seemed to lean in closer, a cool breeze whispering through the trees as if nature itself mourned.
James's fists tightened around the locket, tears brimming in his eyes. Thornclaw, standing beside him, noticed and felt a tear slip down its massive face. Everyone's hearts ached, their worry for Rose palpable.
Miss Mirael's gaze swept the darkened sky. "Something's wrong… a presence of attack," she murmured.
A bitter, echoing laugh cut through the air. Voldemort's voice, cruel and chilling, filled the space around them.
"Mr. James Sirius Potter," the voice sneered. "I took something even more precious from you… like the way you stole my Slytherin book, Thornclaw, and countless things that should belong to me. If you want your Rose back, come to my Dark Palace… with the Gryffindor Sword… and Thornclaw as well. Remember, I have your weak little Rose. Ha ha ha… HAHAHAHA!"
Every wand rose in reflex. But Voldemort was nowhere in sight. James's eyes burned with anger.
"He will never harm you until he gets what he wants," Dagger said quietly, a hint of reassurance in his tone.
"I will not spare him if anything happens to my friend," James said firmly, voice tight with resolve.
Scorpius's expression hardened. Thornclaw growled deeply. The group's tension was palpable, ready to explode at the slightest provocation.
IN HOGWARTS,
Hermione stirred violently in her sleep, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She dreamt of Rose, her voice echoing in panic as she vanished into thin air.
"Rose! Rose!" Hermione cried, waking abruptly.
Ron stirred, concerned. "What happened?"
"I… I feel something bad has happened to Rose," Hermione said, voice trembling.
"No…" Ron whispered, trying to reassure her.
Harry entered the room, rubbing his eyes. "What's wrong?"
Hermione clutched him tightly. "I dreamed Rose was kidnapped by the Dark Army…"
Ron shook his head. "Nothing will happen to Rose. James is with her."
Hermione smiled faintly, reassured. "You already know James is trained… by you, by me, and even by Harry before Hogwarts."
Harry nodded, pride in his eyes.
Back with James, he and his companions readied themselves. "We can't go to the Dark Palace tonight," Dagger said. "Voldemort's powers are stronger at night. We'll need to go early morning."
James agreed. Everyone nodded, understanding the dangerous timing.
Suddenly, movement in the bushes drew their attention. James and Scorpius raised their wands, stepping cautiously toward the rustling leaves. Albus, Frank, and Bobby followed, wands tight. Dim and Thornclaw readied themselves for attack, while Miss Mirael shielded the group.
A figure emerged—a person in a black hoodie.
"Kael Night Shade," James called out.
Scorpius placed a hand on his head in frustration. "What? Is that silly comedian back?"
Bobby groaned. "Already facing a problem, and this donkey shows up to add more?"
James raised his hand, stopping Thornclaw and Dim from attacking. Both he and Scorpius were visibly frustrated.
Kael stood tall, tilting his head. "Hi, James. Hi, Scorpius."
Neither of them responded. James and Scorpius exchanged a look of silent disapproval, while Bobby buried his face in his hand in exasperation.
Frank and Albus looked on, surprised and confused. Thornclaw and Dim exchanged glances, equally baffled.
The night's silence pressed on, filled with unspoken tension and the weight of impending conflict. Rose's safety hung in the balance, Voldemort's dark plans looming, and even Kael Night Shade's unexpected presence added a complicated twist.
The battle for Rose had just begun—and every second counted.