James stabbed Dagger, and the moment the blade struck, Albus and Dim burst into tears. Albus fell to his knees, clutching Dagger's weakening body. "Please wake up… you have to stay with me… with Hogwarts," he cried. "You're good. I know that now. I thought you were a bad person for hurting my father, but after knowing you… after how you treated me… I started seeing you as family. A mentor… a father… even a grandfather."
Everyone stood frozen, watching Albus cry. The pain in his voice stole the words from their mouths. "DAGGER, WAKE UP! WAKE UP FOR ME AND HOGWARTS!" Dim cried beside him, helpless.
"I love you, Dagger," Albus whispered, shaking. "You're my family."
James walked toward him, confused, trying to wipe Albus's tears—but Albus pushed him away with anger."What have you done to Dagger?!"
James stared. "Albus… I think he used dark magic on you. That's why you're crying for him."
"No!" Albus shouted. "Dagger is a good man—better than you, better than Dad, better than anyone! Yes, he hurt Dad, but he didn't mean to. He spent his life protecting Hogwarts. He saved me from Bellatrix, from the Dark Army. He took care of me like a son. He gave me Dim. He never betrayed me."
James was stunned.
"You made a mistake," Albus said. "He even lost to you on purpose—just so I could be safe and happy. And you killed him, James."
Albus held Dagger close and cried, "No, please… don't die." His tears fell onto Dagger's face—warm and pure. Suddenly, memories flashed through Dagger's fading mind, and he slowly opened his eyes.
He stared into Albus's face. "James Potter…" he whispered, remembering something from his past. Tears rolled down his cheeks. "I'm happy… someone cries for me… someone loves me like family."
He turned to James. "James Sirius Potter… you have every right to kill me. I stole so much from you without knowing. But listen… please be careful of Voldemort and the Dar—"
Pain tore through him. "Ahhhh…"His breath shook. "Look for the other power stones. Voldemort isn't only after Hogwarts. His real desire… is you, James Sirius Potter. Kidnapping Albus, injuring Harry… it was all a trap to get you."
Suddenly, black smoke poured from Dagger's body, forming a dark creature ready to strike James. But Thorn Claw roared:
"RRRAAAAAGHHH!"
Flames burst from its mouth and destroyed the dark smoke completely.
Dagger's life slipped again.
Albus cried, "He shouldn't die… he shouldn't leave us!"
James felt crushing guilt. Rose, Scorpius, Frank, and Bobby stood silently with tears in their eyes. Mirael's spirit floated above them, crying softly. Even Thorn Claw's eyes shone with sadness.
Rose grabbed the Slytherin book and searched frantically. "There's a way to save Dagger!"
"How?" James asked.
Rose hesitated. "But… it requires a sacrifice. A great, impossible sacrifice."
"Say it," Albus begged.
Rose explained:"The Gryffindor Sword was forged with magic of love, harmony, and protection. It destroys evil—but it also has powerful healing abilities. Only its true master can use all its powers. The sword protects its master… and can heal the person the master has stabbed. But only if the master sacrifices himself."
She took a breath."The master must stab himself. His blood falls on the sword. The sword absorbs the pain, glows, rises into the air, and heals both the master and the victim. But if the sword doesn't accept the sacrifice—if you're not the true master—you and Dagger will both die."
James didn't hesitate. "I believe in Dagger. I saw selflessness in his eyes. And Albus can't be manipulated. I trust him. I'm ready."
"No!" Rose cried. Scorpius begged for another plan. Frank worried about Harry.
But James said firmly, "My father will live. We can heal him later. Dagger is dying because of me. I'm ready."
Mirael whispered in her heart, You're the true heir of Gryffindor, James.Aloud she said, "I'll protect everyone. The weather will change when you stab yourself."
Dagger, weak, said, "No, James. Don't risk your life for me."
But James replied, "I won't listen. I can't lose you."
Albus hugged James tightly. James kissed his forehead, lifted the Gryffindor Sword, and stepped forward as the world darkened. Rain started. Wind roared.
He whispered to himself, "I made a grave mistake. I deserve punishment. Please… save Dagger."
James raised the sword—and stabbed himself.
Rose screamed, "NO!"Scorpius shouted too.
James fell to his knees, blood pouring from his body, pain shaking him violently. Rose tried to run to him but Mirael stopped her. "Please let me go!" Rose cried.
Mirael held her back with a stronger shield. The storm raged harder. James's vision blurred—then filled with memories of Rose. He smiled faintly.
Dagger cried, "James Sirius Potter…" in a broken voice.
Rose prayed, "Please save them both."
Thunder crashed. Thorn Claw roared in fear and grief.
Rose broke the shield with "Finite Protegam!"Mirael screamed, "No!"But Rose ran into the storm. Stones slashed her skin; one hit her forehead, blood spilling—but she didn't stop.
She reached James, hugging him tightly. "Wake up, James! Please wake up!"
Scorpius ran to them. "Wake up, my friend!"
Everyone watched, crying hopelessly.
Suddenly—The Gryffindor Sword exploded with golden light.It lifted itself from James's body, glowing brighter and brighter.
"James is the chosen one…" Bobby whispered.
Mirael nodded. "I was right about him."
The light swallowed everything. Rose hugged Scorpius, unable to open her eyes. Albus and Frank held Thorn. Bobby hugged Thorn Claw tightly.
Then—Silence.
The light disappeared.
Rose opened her eyes. James's wounds were gone. She smiled through her tears. Scorpius smiled too—because Rose's forehead injury was gone as well.
"Your wound healed," Scorpius said.
"Yours too," Rose replied.
Albus and Frank hugged in joy. Albus turned—and saw Dagger standing, fully healed. Even the fatal stab was gone.
Dim howled with joy. Thorn Claw smiled brightly. Bobby hugged Thorn. Mirael smiled with relief.
Dagger opened his arms. Albus ran into them and hugged him tightly. Dagger placed his repaired wand in Albus's hands.
"HIP HIP HURRAY!" Albus and Frank yelled.
James opened his eyes, alive. Rose and Scorpius hugged him tightly, crying into his shoulders. James smiled.
Everyone was filled with pure happiness.
Inside Hogwarts…Harry Potter opened his eyes. His wounds faded. Hermione and Ron hugged him tightly.
"I'm fine," Harry said gently. "Don't get emotional."