Morning light never touched the Dark Palace.
Even at dawn, storm clouds curled like living beasts above the towering black spires. Thunder grumbled without lightning, and the air itself tasted of cold, ancient magic. James and his friends stood at the gate—every one of them tense, staring at the fortress wrapped in swirling darkness.
Inside one of the stone chambers, Rose lay unconscious, her breathing shallow, her skin pale. Her hands twitched slightly as though fighting a nightmare she couldn't escape.
At the entrance, Dagger stepped forward and whispered urgently:
"We need a plan to enter. Dark Evil Guards patrol every inch… and worse, Voldemort's personal army is inside. They're more dangerous than Bellatrix or Pettigrew ever were."
He swallowed.
"They live for chaos and power… and they obey no rules except their own twisted desires. And there's Velithra—the vampire. If she's here, defeating her won't be easy. She drinks human blood."
Kael Nightshade immediately fainted to the ground.
Scorpius sighed dramatically.
"One wicket gone. Good—less weight to carry inside."
But James didn't laugh. His eyes stayed fixed on the palace.
"I already made my plan before coming here," he said quietly. "I learned everything about this place from Andrew's diary."
He turned to his friends.
"I'll go in alone. All of you stay here."
Albus's voice cracked.
"What?!"
"Yes," James repeated. "I can't risk your lives. I can handle them. Even if I must face Voldemort and Velithra myself… I'll bring Rose back."
Dagger grabbed his arm.
"It's too risky. Your life—"
James met his eyes.
"I know what Voldemort wants from me."
Dagger froze, shocked.
"And I know you've been worried about me since the beginning—even when Voldemort tried to control you. Albus helped you remember who you were. You admired Albus Dumbledore. And my grandfather James Potter. You didn't give your heart to Voldemort completely… and he can't control a heart that strong."
Dagger looked down in silent agreement.
"My heart is the same," James said softly. "It beats for my family… my friends… and Hogwarts."
He removed the Gryffindor Sword from his back and placed it in Dagger's hand.
"This sword trusts those with good hearts. I believe in you."
Scorpius stepped forward.
"James… let me come. Rose is my best friend too."
"No. You protect everyone here."
Scorpius hesitated, then nodded.
"I believe in you. Bring her back."
Dagger warned:
"The first floor is guarded by Dementors and Death Eaters. And Velithra… she can read minds. Keep your distance. If she bites you or Rose—she will hunt you forever."
He handed James a knife.
"Our ancestors forged it. It can kill powerful dark beings… even vampires."
James hugged him.
"Thank you."
Thorn Claw roared, and Dim howled—they would guard everyone.
Miss Mirael fluttered behind James as he moved toward the gates. Frank tried to shout after her, but Dagger held him back.
"Let her go."
James stepped inside.
The palace was massive—gargoyle columns, antique furniture, enormous halls echoing with past screams. He whispered to himself, recalling the layout:
"Twelve bedrooms… three living halls… three dark rooms… three locked cells…"
He sensed movement.
Ten Dark Army warriors emerged from the shadows, grinning with razor-sharp malice. Wands lifted toward him.
James reacted instantly.
"Concussum Maxima!"
A shockwave blasted them backward.
"Vinculus Mortemora!"
Shadow chains burst from the ground, trapping every warrior.
But one slipped behind him with a dagger—until Miss Mirael snapped her fingers, sending him flying into a wall unconscious.
James sighed.
"…Alright, come with me. But be careful."
Miss Mirael beamed and zipped into the air.
"Dementors and Death Eaters are near!" she warned.
"I know."
"Make yourself small," James said. "Hide in my pocket."
"What?!"
"Please. Voldemort is searching for you. You're the only one who knows the locations of the gemstones and Hogwarts' ancient secrets. Your master hid you for a reason."
The sincerity in his voice made Miss Mirael's wings flutter warmly.
"How do you know everything…?" she whispered before shrinking to a tiny form and slipping into his pocket.
Up the stairs—
"JAMES!" Miss Mirael squeaked. "There are fifty Dementors and Death Eaters!"
James tensed as shadows surrounded him.
He lifted his wand.
"Lux Mortivora!"
A blinding golden sphere erupted—like a newborn sun. Dementors shrieked as their essence burned into ash. Death Eaters collapsed under the holy radiance.
Miss Mirael whispered proudly, "You're incredible…"
James pushed forward, thinking hard.
Three dark rooms… where would Rose be?
Then he remembered—Rose always loved his flute.
He took it out and played a soft, aching melody.
Inside the second dark room, Rose's fingers twitched. Her eyes fluttered open. She stumbled to the door and banged on it weakly.
James heard it.
"Rose?! Are you there?"
"James…? Did you really come for me?"
"Yes. Move away from the door."
"Okay…"
"Bombarda!"
The door exploded outward.
James ran in—and Rose threw herself into his arms, sobbing into his shoulder.
Miss Mirael peeked from his pocket and smiled.
"How are you, Rose?"
Rose sniffed.
"You came too?"
"Of course!"
James groaned.
"Miss Mirael… can you stay silent for at least two minutes?"
"No."
He and Rose both laughed.
But when James grabbed Rose's hand, she cried out in pain.
Her palm held a deep scratch—dark, poisoned.
"How did this happen?" James whispered.
Rose trembled.
"…Velithra."
James's fury ignited like wildfire. He grabbed her other hand and pulled her along.
But Velithra appeared in front of them—tall, fanged, wearing flowing black garments, her eyes glowing crimson.
Rose shuddered.
"Velithra…"
The vampire smirked.
"How dare you take my slave?"
James roared:
"She's not a slave—she's my friend!"
Velithra circled him.
"You're handsome, James… I'll give you a chance. Leave the girl. Her blood tastes divine. I want her."
James tightened his grip on Rose.
"You will apologize to her. Now."
Velithra laughed.
"Kill me? She's a filthy human. I can read your mind… you feel something more."
James swallowed and only said:
"She's my… best friend."
Velithra's smirk widened.
"Both of you will die today."
She lunged.
James's wand slipped and clattered across the floor. Velithra pinned him and tried to slash his chest—but Rose leaped forward, shielding him from the spell.
Her body hit the ground, turning blue.
"ROSE!" James screamed, catching her limp body.
Velithra laughed.
James remembered the rule:Poisoned by dark beings—only their death frees the victim.
His anger sharpened into cold resolve.
He stood, silent, deadly.
Velithra attacked.
James grabbed his spare wand.
"Tenebrae Dominium!"
Darkness exploded behind him—shadows wrapped around Velithra and slammed her into the floor. Her wand flew away.
Terrified, she whispered:
"Who are you?! That magic—only the Dark Lord uses it!"
James took out the ancestral knife. Velithra recoiled.
"No… no! Please—spare me!"
James's voice was steady.
"My father taught me kindness. To see goodness in people. If they deserved it."
Velithra smiled hopefully.
"You're letting me live?"
James's eyes hardened.
"You never showed mercy. Not even once."
He lifted his pearl locket.
"When you touched me, I saw your crimes. You even stole Slytherin's real book and gave Voldemort a fake one."
Her smile vanished.
"I don't stab women," James said softly. "But mercy is for those who change."
He raised his wand.
"Sanguis Obliterum!"
Velithra was obliterated—her form dissolving to dust. A bag dropped to the floor and transformed back into the real Slytherin book.
Miss Mirael floated out.
"I'm so proud of you!"
James rolled his eyes.
"Can you ever stay silent?"
"No."
He smiled despite everything and knelt beside Rose—her color returning, her wound gone.
She woke and hugged him tightly.
"We need to go."
Outside, Dagger stiffened. A shadow loomed behind him.
Voldemort.
"My cousin," he hissed. "How are you?"
James and Rose rushed out. Voldemort raised his wand—
"VOLDEMORT!" James shouted.
The Dark Lord turned, glaring.
"How dare you call me by name?"
James stepped forward confidently, holding Rose's hand.
"You wanted a fight. Here I am."
The friends joined hands behind them—unity glowing between them.
Voldemort floated into the air, flames surrounding him.
"You can't defeat me, James Sirius Potter!"
He hurled a spell. James dodged effortlessly.
"You destroyed my army. You stole what should've been mine!"
"You'll never rule," James said coldly. "I know everything."
He lifted his wand.
"Patronus Imperator!"
A giant phoenix—golden, radiant, ancient—burst forth. Golden runes blazed around it. Voldemort's eyes widened in fear.
"No… not this magic—"
"It's over," James said.
Voldemort snarled.
"I will return!"
And vanished.
Rose and Scorpius crashed into James with a tight hug. Thorn Claw roared proudly. Dagger nodded with deep respect.
Miss Mirael fluttered out.
"I'm proud of you, James! My silent period is officially over."
Rose laughed.
"Sorry for reading the Slytherin book. I couldn't stop myself."
"It's okay," James smiled.
They found Kael still unconscious. Rose sprinkled water.
He woke immediately.
"ROSE! I came to save you!"
Thorn Claw growled, making him shrink back.
James sighed.
"His comedy can wait. We have bigger things to handle."
Soon, everyone mounted Thorn Claw and the magical carpet. They lifted into the sky as the Dark Palace shrank below them.
James looked at the Slytherin book in his hands.
"I need to be more careful… Voldemort won't stop.