Albus stood in Dagger's house, shocked and confused. He watched as Dagger quietly placed something around the house—creating a powerful protection barrier. Dagger left Dim as a guardian before disappearing.
Albus knelt beside Dim and pulled out the letters and pictures he had found."How is Dagger beloved student of Headmaster Dumbledore? Why were these pictures hidden? Is he really Voldemort's cousin? Who is he? And… is Dagger good or bad?"
His voice trembled."I'm scared, Dim… please help me understand what Dagger truly is."
Dim suddenly barked loudly, frightening Albus. Tears fell from Albus's eyes."I thought you understood me… I cry every night thinking about my family. My brother James is risking his life for me. Rose and Scorpius are risking everything for me and Hogwarts. Do you know the value of friendship and love?"
Dim paused, then slowly approached Albus and gently wiped his tears with his cheek. He turned and walked upstairs.
Albus followed and found a diary—Dagger's diary.Beside it were many photos: Dagger with his father Slythar, who looked exactly like him… and shockingly—James Potter senior and Hagrid standing next to Dagger.
Confusion filled Albus.Before he could read, a sound came from downstairs. Albus quickly hid the diary under his shirt, ran to his room, and pretended to sleep.
A few minutes later, Dagger entered the room with a tray of food—vegetables, fruits, salad, and juice. He looked at Albus's sleeping face and gently touched his forehead.
There was a wound."Episkey," Dagger whispered, healing it.
His voice wavered."I'm sorry, Albus… I don't know why it hurts me inside when someone tries to harm you. A part of me wants to hurt you… to bring blood and tears… but another part cares for you deeply. I don't understand myself."
He took one last look and left the room, closing the door with Dim guarding it.
The moment the door shut, Albus opened the diary and began reading.
Meanwhile, far away in the forest, Scorpius slept inside the tent while Rose and James sat outside together. Thorn Claw approached them quietly.
Rose asked softly, "James… are you worried about Albus?"
"Yes," James whispered. "But Albus… he's braver than I am."
Rose studied him. "James… are you hiding something from me?"
"What would I hide? You know everything about me."
But Rose shook her head. "No. You're hiding something. I've been waiting a long time for you to say it."
James blushed. "I wanted to tell you… but I was scared you'd get angry."
"I'm waiting," she said.
James swallowed. "Then… close your eyes?"
"I won't," Rose said firmly. "Tell me why you're hiding your Gryffindor Sword from us."
James fell silent.
But before he could answer, Rose added,"James… when we fought Bellatrix, I destroyed the protection around her book using the basilisk teeth you kept in your bag. How did you know they would help us? Everything you do—your strange intelligence, your instinct—somehow helps us. Is it planned? Or coincidence?"
James held his forehead, overwhelmed.
Suddenly, a sound came from the tent.James jumped to his feet.
"James," Rose warned, "don't look around—answer me!"
But James felt danger.He ran into the tent—and froze.
Peter Pettigrew was inside… and Scorpius lay unconscious, bitten.
"HOW DARE YOU!?" James roared.
"Expelliarmus!"Peter's wand flew out of his hand.
"SECTUMSEMPRA!"Peter was slashed severely—and vanished into the shadows.
Scorpius's skin was turning blue. His blood had been partially drained.
Rose looked around and saw James's bag open. She rushed to it and checked—the book was safe.The Gryffindor Sword was glowing intensely.
A realization hit her.The Sword was protecting the book.And protecting James.
She slowly lifted it out.
James cried over Scorpius, shaking him."Scorpius… get up… please wake up…"
"James," Rose said softly, "don't cry."
James looked up. "What are you doing?"
Rose stared at him."You're behaving differently… like someone else. Do you understand?"
"What are you talking about?"
Rose stepped closer."How did you know basilisk fangs would help? Why do you have a connection with Thorn Claw? Bellatrix tried to control that dragon. Its ultimate flame can destroy any dark magic. And yet… it submitted to you."
She showed him the stolen book."Look at this page—'Slytherin's Ultimate Dark Magic Wizards.'"
James's eyes widened.
"Why do you think Amelia trusted you with the sword?" Rose continued."Why did she ask you to hide it?"
The Gryffindor Sword suddenly glowed so brightly the entire tent illuminated.
Rose pointed to the ground."That's Peter Pettigrew's blood. He came looking for the sword. But when he touched it… the sword attacked him. Evil can't touch the true Gryffindor Sword."
She pointed to a passage:
'Forged with ancient spells and Godric Gryffindor's own spirit, the sword is alive.It chooses its master.It protects.It guides.It speaks.'
James whispered, "Me…?"
"Yes, you," Rose said. "Amelia can see the future. She trusted you."
She handed him the sword."Ask it."
James gripped it."Did you protect me and my friends… from the beginning?"
In an instant, visions flooded his mind:
—Bellatrix trying to dig her nails into him, but the sword glowing and creating a shield.—Thorn Claw stopping mid-attack due to the sword's magic.—The sword glowing every night near the Slytherin book.
James gasped."I… saw everything."
"If the sword guides you," Rose said, "trust it."
James raised it."Will you help me save Scorpius?"
The sword blazed with ancient magic—and teleported James, Rose, Scorpius, and Thorn Claw to Peter Pettigrew's location.
Frank and Bobby, who were nearby, jumped in shock as the group appeared.
Mirael looked at James with awe."James… you are a great wizard."
She turned to Frank."You said you were going to save Albus. What happened?"
Frank swallowed."Voldemort kidnapped him. He attacked Hogwarts before taking him."
Mirael froze, terrified.Her voice shook:"Is Hogwarts safe?Did Salazar Slytherin's spirit… return?"
Frank and Bobby were stunned—completely lost in the heavy truth of Mirael's words.