The moment Guardian Cedric's presence filled the ancient chamber, the air itself seemed to stiffen, as though the stones were listening.
James and his friends froze.
Shock rippled through them in waves—silent, heavy, undeniable.
James was the first to step forward.
He lifted his chin, forcing his racing heart into calm, and spoke with quiet resolve.
"Guardian Cedric… I am ready to take your test."
For a brief second, Cedric's ancient eyes rested on James, sharp and knowing.
Then, almost as one, others moved.
Rose stepped forward.
So did Scorpius.
Dagger.Albus.Frank.Bobby.Miss Mirael.Thorn Claw, his massive form lowering in submission.And Dim, silent as ever.
They stood beside James, united.
"We are ready as well," Rose said firmly.
But behind them, a shadow lingered.
Kael Nightshade.
Frank and Bobby exchanged a glance. Kael was half-hidden behind them, clearly attempting to disappear into the background.
Rose noticed.
She turned toward Guardian Cedric, her voice gentle yet urgent.
"Please… leave Kael Nightshade out of this test."
James nodded quickly.
"He'll stay here. Kael isn't bad, Guardian. He just… talks nonsense sometimes."
Cedric's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
"I know," Cedric replied calmly."Only the good and innocent can stand here. Evil cannot even step into this place."
Frank and Bobby turned sharply toward Kael.
"Don't act oversmart," Frank warned."And don't irritate Guardian Cedric," Bobby added.
Rose softened, walking closer to Kael.
"Please be careful," she said quietly."We'll take the test. Until we return… stay safe."
Before anyone could stop him, Kael stepped forward.
His voice shook—but pride forced it steady.
"I will take the test too," he declared."I'm brave as well, Rose. Just like you."
Scorpius raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.
Kael stopped mid-sentence.
Guardian Cedric's staff struck the ground once.
The sound echoed like a heartbeat.
"Think twice," Cedric said."I choose the tests. I will test your personality, behavior, inner fears—your true nature."
His gaze darkened.
"If you lose, you will return to me.If all of you lose… punishment awaits."
Silence.
Then, one by one—
"Yes," they answered.
Even Kael, though fear flickered in his eyes.
"I am ready."
Cedric's gaze paused on James.
The Chang Guardian Locket shimmered glows against James's chest.
Cedric smiled.
"Close your eyes."
The staff struck again.
Darkness swallowed everything and take all of James anf his frends into a different worlds which they fear the most.
James opened his eyes.
He knew this place.
Too well.
The past.
Rose sat nearby, reading a worn Slytherin book. Her expression was peaceful.
Then—
A scream.
Peter Pettigrew lunged toward her.
"No!" James shouted.
Scorpius lay nearby, bitten, unconscious.
Something in Rose snapped.
Her eyes turned violet—then black.
Dark magic exploded from her wand.
Peter Pettigrew didn't even scream.
He fell.
Dead.
Rose turned slowly.
Her gaze locked onto James.
The sky darkened.
Night fell instantly.
James looked around.
"Rose…?" he whispered.
She stepped closer.
"I will kill you, James Sirius Potter," Rose said coldly."You disturbed me."
Her lips twisted.
"After you, I will kill your friends… and offer them to my Dark Lord."
James stepped back, heart pounding.
Is this real?A memory?A nightmare?Or Cedric's illusion?
Rose advanced.
Her eyes burned with vengeance.
James felt the weight of the Gryffindor Sword in his hand. His wand pressed against his ribs.
"Please," James said, voice breaking."I am your friend, Rose. Come out of this dark evil magic."
Rose laughed.
"HA… HA HA HA HA!"
"I serve the Dark King. He is everything."
"I will kill you."
James turned and ran.
"Fight me!" Rose shouted."I want to destroy you!"
Spells tore through the air.
Pain exploded across James's body.
Blood spilled.
"Please!" James cried."I can't see you like this Rose."
His voice shook.
"You are innocent. Selfless. You always wish good—even for those who hurt you."
Tears streamed down his face.
"You mean everything to me."
Rose slashed again.
"Fight!" she screamed."You killed Bellatrix. You defeated the Dark Army."
Her laughter echoed.
"I hate weak, emotional people like you!"
She raised her wand.
"Mortivar Hex!"
A blur.
Scorpius stepped in front of James.
The spell struck.
"NO!" James screamed.
Scorpius fell into his arms.
He smiled faintly.
"James… I'm happy… to save you."
His hand touched James's cheek.
Then—
Nothing.
James sobbed.
"Scorpius… no…"
Rose laughed.
Again, she raised her wand.
The Gryffindor Sword glowed.
It rose on its own.
James grabbed it, fighting its pull.
Voices shouted.
"JAMES!"
Frank.Albus.Bobby.Miss Mirael.
They stood beside him, holding Scorpius.
James stepped forward.
"I will kill them all," Rose hissed.
Thorn Claw roared.
James raised his hand.
"No."
He looked at Rose with love.
"Please stop."
Her wand pointed at his heart.
"Die, James Sirius Potter."
James struck.
Her wand flew from her hand.
"Frostbind!"
Rose froze, screaming.
Tears fell from James's eyes.
"I will protect my world," he said."My friends. My family."
She broke free.
Ran toward his friends.
Knife in hand.
James tackled her.
"STOP IT, ROSE!"
She remembered.
For a moment—
"James…?" she whispered."What happened to me?"
She hugged him.
James froze.
Something felt wrong.
Her eyes darkened.
The knife plunged into his stomach.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Four.
"Fool," Rose whispered.
"I will destroy your world. Hogwarts too."
Thorn Claw roared.
The Gryffindor Sword pierced Rose's stomach.
Not deep.
She fell.
James held her.
"I'm sorry," he cried."I won't let evil win."
He kissed her forehead.
The world shattered.
James closed his eyes with deep pain and opened his eyes.
Guardian Cedric stood before him.
Every thing changed what James faced earlier
Guardian Chang is smiling before James by folding hands.
"Was it my creation?" James asked.
"Yes."
"Where are my friends?"
They appeared.
Alive.
Rose.
Scorpius.
James hugged them tightly, tears of relief falling.
"I faced my fear," Rose said softly."I didn't hurt anyone."
Cedric nodded.
"I tested your hearts."
He paused.
"Only two may enter Hufflepuff Fort."
Kael grinned.
"It's me."
"No," Cedric said calmly.
Kael beamed anyway.
"That will be…"