The dark night was alive with a cool, biting breeze that swept through the trees. Under the pale, silver glow of the moonlight, the group had settled down to rest. Scorpius and Dagger were busy over the crackling campfire, the aroma of cooking food filling the air. Frank and Albus sat together, their laughter echoing as they cracked jokes at Kael's expense, while Nyx Blazer and Thorn Claw munched contentedly on their rations, smiling as they watched the camaraderie of their friends.
Bobby, however, remained strangely silent. His gaze didn't linger on the fire or the jokes; instead, his focus shifted toward Rose, his eyes narrowed with a lingering, unspoken suspicion.
Far from the warmth of the fire, the real Rose—trapped in the withered form of Elthira—sat isolated by the river's edge. She leaned over the bank, staring down at her reflection in the dark water. The sight was devastating. Her face was a sickly shade of green, and her once-vibrant hair had become thin and brittle. She traced the wounds on her face with trembling fingers, remembering how she had earned them while shielding James from harm.
The weight of her reality finally broke her. Tears began to well in her eyes, dripping down her distorted cheeks and splashing into the pond. She sat back on a cold rock, buried her face in her hands, and sobbed. Her mind was a whirlwind of sweet memories with James and her friends, now contrasted against the haunting, dark smile of Amelia.
"I am a girl with a lot of dreams," Rose whispered to herself in a broken voice.
"I used to feel so lucky because I had friends who cared for me like a family. I never felt alone... even when I lost my parents, my friends and my best friend James were there to catch me. Why didn't I realize all the time I spent with him that I love him so much?"
She looked back at the distant campfire, her heart aching at the sight of her friends.
"James is the person I can talk to however I want. I feel guarded with him, like he's always there. But now they are all so distant... they think I am their enemy. I can't even tell the truth, because Voldemort is right there, wearing my face. He will kill them all the moment the truth is spoken."
She let out a weak, shaky breath. "James, you always knew me. I love you so much. Without you, I am nothing... I am incomplete. Why can't you see your friend Rose in this form? If I expressed my love to you looking like this... would you ever accept me?"
She wiped her eyes, a sudden flash of resolve crossing her face. She knew her time might be short; she could see the shadow of death on her new face. Voldemort would surely discard her once his goal was met.
"But I will never let any harm fall on my friends or my Hogwarts family," she pledged.
She began to recall the ancient lines she had read in the Slytherin book regarding the artifacts. "Gemstones will choose their masters based on the original master's personality and sometimes the bloodline. If a master uses the power beyond its limit, or if dark magic touches it, the stone will disappear into a hidden place."
She knew the Ravenclaw Gemstone was the key. It was essential for finding the Gryffindor and Slytherin stones. It held immense healing power and acted as both a shield and a blade when forged into the Legendary Sword. Most importantly, it could destroy dark magic in seconds—but if it sensed an evil master, the sword would never form.
"I will never let that stone fall into bad hands," Rose said firmly. "But where is it? Why is a stone of healing considered so dangerous? Where is it hidden?"
The Hidden Vault
Deep within a nearby cave, hidden far beneath the earth, lay a heavy gold box. Inside, resting in the shadows, was the Ravenclaw Gemstone. It was a deep, royal purple, surrounded by a strange black shine. It remained dim, waiting for a master worthy enough to make it glow again.
The Campfire
Back at the camp, James finished cooking. As the food was served, everyone began to eat with relish. Voldemort, in the form of Rose, began to eat with a disturbing intensity. He munched through the food like a hungry wolf, consuming massive portions within minutes.
Bobby and the others stared in shock. "Rose" had never eaten like that before.
Kael, unbothered by the tension, reached over and snatched an orange juice from Frank.
"Where is Elthira, anyway?" Dagger asked, looking around. "She didn't come to eat."
Kael snorted, taking a swig of the juice. "She's a vampire. She won't eat human food. Besides, she looks too ugly to be around us."
In Rose's form, Voldemort smiled cunningly at the insult. But Bobby's temper flared. He stood up and glared at Kael.
"Behave, Mr. Kael Nightshade," Bobby snapped. "She is a woman, and a woman deserves respect. You should learn some manners and watch your mouth before saying anything to anyone."
The fake Rose smiled happily, enjoying the discord. Kael only laughed.
"Why do you feel so bad for her, Bobby? I didn't say anything wrong. She's hideous. I wouldn't even shake hands with her. Look at my friend Rose—she's stunning, beautiful, intelligent, and kind. That's why I like her so much."
Voldemort beamed at Kael's praise.
"I think the vampire must have gone by now," Kael added. "If she stays here, she'll just keep getting humiliated."
Bobby moved toward Kael, but Frank caught his arm, whispering in his ear. "Don't fight, Bobby. If you fight him again, James will get angry with you. It's not the time."
"He's humiliating a girl based on her looks!" Bobby hissed. "Maybe she was an enemy, but she is still a woman."
Frank sighed. "I agree, buddy. But she is our enemy. We only let her come because James said so."
Frustrated, Bobby walked away and sat by himself. Miss Mirael and Nyx Blazer approached him, seeing his dark mood.
"Why are you so angry, Bobby?" Mirael asked.
"I can't stand Kael," Bobby muttered. "He has no manners."
Mirael and Nyx shared a knowing, mischievous look. "Then let's teach him a lesson as a team," Mirael suggested.
Bobby looked up, a slow smile spreading across his face. He stood up, walked back to Kael, and picked up a bottle of orange juice.
"Oh, this is delicious," Bobby said, pretending to take a sip.
Kael immediately snatched it away. "Give me that!" He tipped the bottle back to gulp it down.
At that moment, Miss Mirael whispered a silent spell. As the liquid hit Kael's throat, it transformed.
"SPICY! SPICY! AWWWWWWWWWW!" Kael screamed, leaping to his feet as his mouth felt like it was on fire. He scrambled for a water bottle to cool the burn.
Nyx Blazer focused its gaze on the water bottle in Kael's hand. With a flash of heat from its eyes, the water began to boil instantly.
"Ahhh! My hand! It's burning!" Kael shrieked, dropping the bottle. "This is all because of that witch Elthira! We should kill her!"
Bobby's anger surged again. He stepped forward and kicked Kael hard on the butt, sending him tumbling to the ground.
"Watch your tone, Kael," Miss Mirael warned. "This place has ancient powers that will not tolerate those who speak ill of women."
"I don't believe that!" Kael yelled, scrambling up. "I'm a hero! I won't spare that witch if she tries to hurt my beautiful Rose—my future girlfriend!"
Nyx Blazer didn't hesitate. It shot a small burst of fire at Kael's backside.
"FIRE! FIRE! SOMEONE SAVE ME!"
Kael ran frantically toward the pond and dove in with a massive splash. Bobby, Mirael, and Nyx shook hands, laughing as they ran to the edge to see him.
"Scaredy-cat, where are you?" Bobby shouted.
Kael emerged from the pond, his hair ruined and his face terrified. "I'm... I'm not scared of ghosts or that evil Elthira!" He began to walk back slowly, shivering.
Bobby and Mirael shared a look. The word "ghost" had given them an idea.
"GHOST! GHOST!" they both screamed at the top of their lungs.
Kael didn't wait. He bolted in the opposite direction, disappearing into the darkness. Nyx, Bobby, and Mirael laughed, shaking hands once more.
While the laughter continued at the camp, the real Rose remained by the river, trying to wipe away her tears and hide her pain.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. She looked up to see James. He sat down quietly next to her, not saying a word. He reached out and handed her several burgers and sandwiches he had saved from the fire.
He didn't speak; he simply sat there with her, enjoying the moonlight.
Rose took the food, her heart filling with a sudden, overwhelming sense of peace. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye as he sat in silence.
"James," she asked in the silence of her heart, "can you see your real friend Rose inside this form?"