Later, all the students rush out as they finish their exams.

Hermione: I'd always heard Hogwarts' end-of-the-year exams were frightful, but I've found that rather enjoyable.

Ron: Speak for yourself. All right there, Harry?

We see Harry walking next to the two, rubbing his forehead right where the scar is.

Harry: My scar. It keeps burning.

Hermione: It's happened before.

Harry: Not like this.

Matthew: Perhaps you should see the nurse.

Harry: I think it's a warning. It means danger's coming. [A look of realization] Ah. Oh! Of course!

Harry starts walking faster, making Hermione, Matthew, and Ron speed up to catch him.

Hermione: What is it?

Harry: Don't you think it's a bit odd that what Hagrid wants more than anything is a dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have one? I mean, how many people wander around with dragon eggs in their pockets? Why didn't I see it before?

They approach Hagrid's hut, who is playing a flute.

Harry: Hagrid, [Hagrid stops playing] who gave you the dragon egg? What did he look like?

Hagrid: I dunno. I never saw his face. He kept his hood up.

Harry: This stranger, though, you and he must have talked.

Hagrid: Well, he wanted to know what sort of creatures I looked after. I told 'im. I said, "After Fluffy, a dragon's gonna be no problem."

Harry: Did he seem interested in Fluffy?

Hagrid: Well, of course, he was interested in Fluffy. How often do yeh come across a three-headed dog, even if yer in the trade? But I told 'im. I said... I said, "The trick with any beast is to know how to calm 'im. Take Fluffy, for example. Just play him a bit of music, and he falls straight to sleep." I shouldn't have told you that. [The quartet runs off] Where're you going? Wait?

Harry, Matthew, Hermione, and Ron run into the Transfiguration classroom to talk to McGonagall.

Harry: We have to see Professor Dumbledore immediately!

McGonagall: I'm afraid Professor Dumbledore is not here. He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and left immediately for London.

Harry: He's gone? Now? But this is important! This is about the Philosopher's Stone!

McGonagall: [Looking shocked] How do you know...?

Harry: Someone's going to try to steal it!

McGonagall: I don't know how you three found out about the Stone, but I assure you it is perfectly well protected. Now, would you go back to your dormitories? Quietly.

The four of them leave the classroom talking to each other.

Harry: That was no stranger Hagrid met in the village. It was Snape. Which means he knows how to get past Fluffy.

Snape sneaks up behind them.

Hermione: And with Dumbledore gone...

Snape: Good afternoon. Now, what would four young Gryffindors such as yourselves be doing inside on a day like this?

The four of them jump and quickly turn around.

Hermione: Uh, w-w-w... we-we were just

Snape: You ought to be careful. People will think you're... up to something. [Walks away]

Hermione: Now what do we do?

Harry: [With a determined look] We go down the trapdoor. Tonight.

Matthew: First, we need a plan.

At nighttime, in the Gryffindor Common Room, the four friends come down the stairs and begin to walk across the floor. They stop when they hear a croaking noise. It was Trevor, the toad that Neville carried in his hands, way back on the first day of Hogwarts.

Harry: Trevor.

Ron: Trevor, shh, go! You shouldn't be here!

Neville: [appears behind a chair] Neither should you. You're sneaking out again, aren't you?

Harry: Now, Neville, listen. We were-

Neville: No! I won't let you! [stands] You'll get Gryffindor into trouble again! I-I'll fight you. [Neville holds out his fists]

Hermione: Neville, I'm really, really sorry about this.[takes out wand] Petrificus Totalus.

Neville is frozen for a second, and he falls backward onto the ground. Hermione puts her wand back.

Ron: [Gulp] You're a little scary sometimes, you know that? Brilliant, but scary.

Harry: Let's go. [Walks by Neville] Sorry.

Hermione: Sorry.

Matthew: Sorry, Neville.

Ron: It's for your own good, you know.

They continue on their path.

The four are under the invisibility cloak, sneaking along the corridor.

Hermione: Ow! You stood on my feet!

Ron: Sorry.

A flame lights up. Hermione draws out her wand and points it at the door.

Hermione: Alohomora.

The door opens as the three friends step inside.

Ron: Wait a minute. He's...

A blow of air, and the cape flutters off them.

Ron: Snoring.

Harry: Snape's already been here. He's put a spell on the harp.

They approach the sleeping dog.

Ron: Ugh! It's got horrible breath.

Harry: We have to move its paw.

Ron: What?!

Harry: Come on!

Harry grabs the paw, which is blocking the door.

Harry: Okay. Push!

They strain and move it. They open the door.

Harry: I'll go first. Don't follow until I give you a sign.

Fluffy's eyes open.

Harry: If something bad happens, get yourselves out.

Matthew: Wait. Does it seem a bit quiet to you?

Hermione: The harp. It stopped playing.

Drool from one head comes down on Ron's shoulder.

Ron: Ew! Yuck! Ugh.

Matthew: Uh-oh.

All four kids look up and see Fluffy standing there. Fluffy barks and growls, thrashing. It breaks the harp and dives at the four.

Harry: Jump! Go!

They all jump through the trapdoor.

Ron: Ahh!

Ron gasps as he lands on some mushy black ropelike vines.

Matthew: What is that?

Ron: Whoa. Luckily, this plant thing's here.

Harry: Whoa! [The plant begins to move towards them.] Oh. Ahh!

The plant ties three of them up like a rope.

Hermione: Stop moving, both of you. This is Devil's Snare. You have to relax. If you don't, it will only kill you faster.

Matthew: What?!

Ron: Kill us faster?! Oh, now I can relax!

Hermione manages a smile as she is sucked down below.

Ron, Matthew, and Harry: Hermione!

Ron: Now what are we gonna do?!

Hermione: Just relax!

Harry: Hermione, where are you?

Hermione: [from below] Do what I say! Trust me.

Matthew: Best to do what she said.

Harry and Matthew relax and are sucked through.

Ron: Ahh! Harry! Matthew!

Harry and Matthew fall through and land on the hard ground. Hermione goes over to them, and they stand up.

Ron: Harry!

Hermione: Are you okay?

Harry: Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.

Matthew: Same here.

Ron: Help!

Hermione: He's not relaxing, is he?

Harry: Apparently not.

Ron: Help! Help me!

Hermione: We've gotta do something!

Harry: What?

Matthew: Stand back!

Matthew holds his hand out and starts enchanting a spell.

Matthew: Lumus Solem!

The magic heads toward Ron, causing him to panic less and helping him down.

Ron: Ahhh!

Harry: Ron, are you okay?

Ron: Yeah.

Harry: Okay.

Ron: [stands] Whew! Luckily, we didn't panic.

Matthew: Come on, let's go.

There is a sound.

Hermione: What is that?

Harry: I don't know. Sounds like wings.

They enter into a room filled with golden "birds."]

Hermione: Curious. I've never seen birds like these.

Harry: They're not birds. They're keys. And I'll bet one of them fits that door. [They come upon a broomstick, suspended in the air.]

Hermione: What's this all about?

Harry: I don't know. Strange.

Ron creeps over to the door and takes out his wand.

Ron: [rattles lock.] Alohomora! [Shrugs] Well, it was worth a try.

Matthew: Let me try.

He holds out his hand as the magic goes to the lock.

Matthew: Nothing.

Hermione: [groans in frustration] What're we going to do? There must be a thousand keys up there!

Ron: We're looking for a big old-fashioned one. It's probably rusty like the handle.

Harry: There! I see it! [points] The one with the broken wing. [He looks at the broom.]

Hermione: What's wrong, Harry?

Harry: It's too simple.

Ron: Oh, go on, Harry! If Snape can catch it on that old broomstick, you can!

Matthew: Yeah! You're the youngest seeker in a century!

Harry nods and grabs the broomstick. All the keys suddenly go in one direction, right at Harry. He climbs on, swiping at them.

Ron: This complicates things a bit.

Harry pushes off into the air. He flies off after the key. The others follow him. Harry grabs the key.

Harry: Catch the key!

He zooms by and throws the key to Hermione, who catches it and heads for the lock while Harry distracts the other keys. Hermione puts it in the lock.

Ron: Hurry up!

The door opens, and Matthew, Hermione, and Ron rush through, followed by Harry. They shut the door just as the keys slam up against it.

They enter a dark room with broken pieces all around and two rows of giant statues on either side.

Hermione: I don't like this. I don't like this at all.

Harry: Where are we? A graveyard?

Ron: This is no graveyard.

Ron sighs and steps forward, inspecting the statues.

Ron: It's a chessboard.

The flames light up, illuminating the room; Harry, Matthew, and Hermione come up with him.

Harry: There's the door.

They walk across the board towards the door. Suddenly, as they reach a line of pawns, the pawns bring up their swords. The four jump and back up.

Hermione: Now what do we do?

Ron: It's obvious, isn't it? We've got to play our way across the room. Alright. Harry, you take the empty Bishop's Square. Hermione, you'll be the Queen-side castle. As for me, I'll be a knight.

They all take their places.

Matthew: That means I'm the rook then.

Ron: You played chess before, Matthew?

Matthew: A few when I was with Mr. Blake.

Hermione: What happens now?

Ron: [aboard a horse.] Well, white moves first. And then... we play.

A pawn on the other side moves forward. Ron studies the game.

Hermione: Ron, you don't suppose this is going to be like... real wizard's chess, do you?

Ron: You there, D5.

A black pawn moves forward, diagonal to the white pawn. The white pawn raises its sword and smashes the black one. The four jump.

Ron: Yes, Hermione. I think this is going to be exactly like wizard's chess.

Matthew: Okay, almost close and good so far.

The game continues. The pieces smash against each other.

Ron: Castle to E4! Pawn to C3!

The Queen turns and smashes a piece! Harry, Ron, Matthew, and Hermione wince.

The Queen turns again. Both Ron and Harry study the game.

Harry: Wait a minute.

Ron: You understand right, Harry. Once I make my move, the Queen will take me. Then you're free to check the King.

Harry: No. Ron, no!

Hermione: What is it?

Harry: He's going to sacrifice himself!

Matthew: What?!

Hermione: No, Ron, you can't!

Ron closes his eyes.

Hermione: There must be another way!

Ron: [turns to face Hermione] Do you want to stop Snape from getting that stone or not? Harry, it's you that has to go on. I know it. Not me. Not Hermione. Not Matthew. You!

Harry nods.

Ron: Knight to H3.

Ron's horse moves forward, slides, and stops.

Ron: Check.

The Queen turns and advances. As she starts moving, Ron breathes faster, clutching onto the steel reins. The Queen stops moving. And then... SMASH! The Queen uses her sword to bust the horse's hips. Ron goes flying off the horse and lands on the floor unconsciously. The knight's horse then falls to pieces.

Ron: Ahhhh!

Harry and Matthew: RON!

Matthew: No, don't move! Don't forget, we're still playing.

Hermione moves back. Harry walks the diagonal in front of the King.

Harry: Checkmate.

The king's sword falls onto the ground in victory. Harry breathes out, and then the three-run to Ron. They bend beside him.

Harry: Take care of Ron. Then go to the owlery. Send a message to Dumbledore. Ron's right. I have to go on.

Hermione: You'll be okay, Harry. You're a great wizard. You really are.

Harry: Not as good as you.

Hermione: [smile] Me? Books and cleverness? There are more important things. Friendship and bravery. And Harry, just be careful.

Harry nods and stands, walking away.

Matthew: Hermione, get Ron out of here. I'll go help Harry.

Hermione: Well, stay safe and alive, Matthew.

Matthew nods as he follows Harry.

Harry and Matthew walk down the stairs slowly. Halfway down, Harry winces, feeling his scar burning, and sees Professor Quirrell standing before the Mirror of Erised.

Harry: You? [Quirrell turns to face him] No, it can't be. Snape, h-he was the one-

Quirrell: Yes, he does seem the type, doesn't he? Next to him, who would suspect p-p-p-poor, st-stuttering Professor Quirrell?

Harry: But-but that day, during the Quidditch match, Snape tried to kill me.

Quirrell: [smiling evilly] No, dear boy. I tried to kill you!

Harry eyes him in disbelief and confusion.

Quirrell: And trust me, if Snape's cloak hadn't caught fire and broken my eye contact, I would have succeeded. Even with Snape muttering his little countercurse.

Harry: Snape was trying to save me?

Quirrell: I knew you were a danger to me right from the off. Especially after Halloween.

Harry: Then then, you let the troll in!

Quirrell: Very good, Potter, yes. Snape, unfortunately, wasn't fooled. While everyone else was running about the dungeon, he went to the third floor to head me off. He, of course, never trusted me again.

He turns towards the mirror again; Harry winces as his scar burns again.

Quirrell: He rarely left me alone. But he doesn't understand. I'm never alone. Never.

Quirrell stares into the mirror.

Quirrell: Now, what does this mirror do? I see what I desire. I see myself holding the Stone. But how do I get it?

Unseen Inhuman Voice: Use the boy.

Harry looks around, wondering where the voice is coming from.

Quirrell: [turns to Harry] Come here, Potter! Now!

Matthew: [arrived] Back off!

They see Matthew coming to the scene, narrowing his eyes at Quirrell.

Quirrell: Mr. Stutler. I'm so glad you can-

Matthew cuts him off by blasting him with a plasma bolt.

Quirrell: Well, [slowly gets up], aren't you a rude one?

Unseen Inhuman Voice: Let me speak to him.

Quirrell: Master, you are not strong enough.

Unseen Inhuman Voice: I have strength enough for this.

Quirrell reaches up and starts unwrapping his turban as he turns so his back is to the mirror. Harry turns toward the staircase into the room, wondering whether he should try to escape, then turns towards Quirrell again. He is almost finished unwrapping his turban, save for a piece covering the back of his head. Finally, he removes the turban, revealing a scary-looking chalk-white face. It was Voldemort. He cranes around and opens his eyes.

Voldemort: Harry Potter, we meet again.

Matthew: [horrified] Harry... is that?

Harry: [realizing his identity] Yes. Voldemort.

Voldemort: Yes. Do you see what I've become? See what I must do to survive? Live off another. A mere parasite. Unicorn blood can sustain me, but it can not give me a body of my own. But there is something that can. Something that, conveniently enough, lies in your pocket.

Realizing Voldemort is referring to the Philosopher's Stone, Harry and Matthew turn and run back up the stairs.

Voldemort: Stop them!

Quirrell snaps his fingers, instantly causing firewalls to block all the exits, trapping Harry and Matthew in the room.

Voldemort: Don't be a fool. Why suffer a horrific death when you can join me and live?

Harry: [shakes his head] Never!

Voldemort: Haha. Bravery. Your parents had it too. Tell me, Harry, would you like to see your mother and father again? Together, we can bring them back.

In the mirror, Harry's parents appear in the reflection.

Voldemort: All I ask for is something in return.

Harry takes the Stone from his pocket.

Voldemort: That's it, Harry. There is no good and evil. There is only power, and those too weak to seek it. Together, we'll do extraordinary things. Just give me the Stone!

Matthew: Harry, don't give it to him! He's lying!

James and Lily Potter fade from the reflection.

Harry: You liar!

Voldemort: Kill the sorcerer!

Under orders, Quirrell soars into the air and grabs hold of Matthew with one hand on his throat.

Harry: Matt!

They fall to the steps, as Quirrell chokes him. Matthew strains and squeaks. Suddenly, Harry puts his hand on Quirrell's hand in an attempt to get him off Matthew.

Harry: Let him go!

Smoke furls from under his hand as Quirrell winces.

Quirrell: Ahh! Ahh! [He backs up away from Matthew. His hand is crumbling into ash and dust.] What is this magic? [His hand disintegrates]

Voldemort: Fool, forget the sorcerer, and get the Stone!

Quirrell walks forward towards Harry, who then touches his face with his hands, causing Quirrell to scream in pain, and especially Voldemort to wince. Harry and Matthew look on horrified as Quirrell backs up with his face horrendously burned. Quirrell crumbles as he walks forward, turning his body completely in ash and dust, and falls to the floor, leaving only his clothing. Harry gasps, as he looks at his own hands and hurries over to the stone. He picks it up and sighs.

However, from behind, dust clouds form from Quirrell's corpse, causing Harry and Matthew to turn around as the dust clouds with Voldemort's face rush forward screaming and go through Harry and Matthew who also scream. Voldemort flies away, as they fall to the ground, unconscious. Harry holds the Stone in an outstretched hand.

In the hospital wing the next day, Harry is lying in bed with his arm bandaged, while Matthew is bandaged up. Harry awakens, puts on his glasses, and sits up. There are cards and candy all over. Matthew opens his eyes as he slowly yawns, seeing the bandages around him. Dumbledore approaches the two.

Dumbledore: Good afternoon, Harry. Ah. Tokens from your admirers?

Harry: Admirers?

Dumbledore: What happened down in the dungeons between you two and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret. So, naturally, the whole school knows. [They smile.] Ah, I see your friend Ronald has saved you the trouble of opening your Chocolate Frogs.

Matthew: Ron was here? Is he all right? What about Hermione?

Dumbledore: She is in good hands, as she came to see you alright.

Harry: But what happened to the Stone?

Dumbledore: Relax, dear boy. The Stone has been destroyed. My friend Nicholas and I had a little chat and agreed it was best all around.

Harry: But then, Flamel, he'll die, won't he?

Dumbledore: [sits on the bed.] He has enough Elixir to set his affairs in order. But yes, he will die.

Harry: How is it I got the Stone, sir? One minute I was staring in the mirror, and the next...

Dumbledore: Ah. You see, only a person who wanted to find the Stone, find it, but not use it, would be able to get it. That is one of my more brilliant ideas. And between you and me that is saying something.

Matthew: Does that mean, with the Stone gone, that is, that Voldemort can never come back?

Dumbledore: Ah, I'm afraid there are ways in which he can return.

Dumbledore turns to Harry.

Dumbledore: Harry, do you know why Professor Quirrell couldn't bear to have you touch him?

Harry shakes his head.

Dumbledore: It was because of your mother. She sacrificed herself for you. And that kind of act leaves a mark.

Harry touches his scar.

Dumbledore: No, no, this kind of mark cannot be seen. It lives in your very skin.

Harry: What is it?

Dumbledore: Love, Harry. Love. [Pats Harry's head gently and stands up.] Ah. Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. I was most unfortunate in my youth to come across a vomit-flavored one. And since then, I'm afraid I've lost my liking for them. But I think I could be safe with a nice toffee. [takes brown bean and eats it.] Mm. Alas! Earwax.

Matthew: Gross.

Balthazar: Good to see you awake again, Matt, taken quite the fall.

Harry and Matthew enter a corridor where up on a stairwell balcony, Hermione and Ron are talking. They stop when they see Harry and Matthew lean over the railing.

Harry: All right there, Ron?

Ron: All right. You?

Harry: [as he shrugs] All right.

Matthew: Hermione?

Hermione: [smiling] Never better.

We see the Great Hall full of students eating and talking with each other. There are green and silver banners with the Slytherin symbol above their heads, already indicating the house with the most points. Dumbledore gives a slight nod to Professor McGonagall, who then clinks her spoon to her glass to ask for attention from the students. The crowd falls silent. Dumbledore stands up and speaks with his magically magnified voice.

Dumbledore: Another year gone. And now, as I understand it, the house cup needs awarding. And the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor with 312 points.

There is a medium applause from the crowd.

Dumbledore: Third place, Hufflepuff with 352 points.

The applause for Hufflepuff is slightly louder than the clapping for Gryffindor.

Dumbledore: In second place, Ravenclaw with 426 points.

Applause again, this time with a slight cheer from some students.

Dumbledore: And in first place, with 472 points, Slytherin house.

A roar rises from the Slytherin table, as students stand up and clap for themselves. Hermione scowls with her hand to her cheek; Snape applauds the students of his house.

Draco: Nice one, mate.

Draco sneers at Ron and Pansy sticks her tongue out at Matthew.

Dumbledore: Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin. Well done, Slytherin. However, recent events must be taken into account. And I have a few last-minute points to award. [Some faces at the Gryffindor table rise hopefully.] To Miss Hermione Granger, for the cool use of intellect while others were in grave peril, 50 points.

Hermione looks surprised, while the other Gryffindor students applaud her.

Harry: [giving Hermione a pat on the back] Good job.

Malfoy, Crabbe, Pansy, and Goyle don't like what's happening. Hermione looks at Hagrid, who looks back at her with a proud smile.

Dumbledore: Second, to Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best-played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years, 50 points.

Ron looks even more surprised than Hermione did and the Gryffindor table is applauding even louder.

Dumbledore: And third, to Mr. Harry Potter and Mr. Matthew Stutler, for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house 60 points.

The Gryffindors cheer again, this time even louder than before. Malfoy has a cringing look on his face, while Harry sees a proud, smiling Professor McGonagall at the teacher's table. Hermione, who has done some quick math, whispers to her fellow students.

Hermione: We're tied with Slytherin!

Now, the Gryffindors look hopeful, as Dumbledore hasn't finished talking yet.

Dumbledore: And finally, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award 10 points to Neville Longbottom.

Neville can't believe what he just heard and the Gryffindors that heard Hermione's whisper are cheering the loudest. Malfoy looks quite uncertain now.

Dumbledore: Assuming that my calculations are correct, I believe that a change of decoration is in order.

He claps and motions his hands towards the Slytherin banners, which flap heavily until the banners have changed completely to red and gold with the Gryffindor symbol.

Dumbledore: Gryffindor wins the House Cup.

The Great Hall explodes with applause, not only from the Gryffindors but also from the Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs because they are glad that for the first time in seven years, someone other than Slytherin has won the House Cup. Hagrid can't help himself to also cheer, and all students except the Slytherins throw their hats in the air, while Malfoy angrily throws his on the table in defeat. The Gryffindors around Harry are all congratulating him, and Harry smiles at Hagrid, who smiles back. Matthew smiled at his mentor who winked at him while smiling.

At Hogsmeade station, students are walking around, getting on the train.

Hagrid: Come on, now. Hurry up, you'll be late. The train's leaving. Go on. Go on. Come on, hurry up.

Harry hands Hedwig to a trainman and walks to an open door of the train with Hermione. Hermione waves to Hagrid, who waves back. Hermione gets on the train.

Hermione: Come on, Harry.

Harry: One minute. [He walks over to Hagrid]

Hagrid: Thought you were leaving without saying goodbye, didja?

Hagrid takes a red album out of his coat pocket and hands it to Harry.

Hagrid: This is for you.

Harry opens the album and sees a picture, moving, of him as a baby with his parents. They are all smiling and waving. Harry smiles.

Harry: Thanks, Hagrid.

Harry shakes Hagrid's hand, then hugs him tightly.

Hagrid: Oh. Go on. On with you. On with you now. [Harry lets go] Oh, listen, Harry. If that dolt of a cousin of yours, Dudley gives you any grief, you could always, um, threaten him with a nice pair of ears to go with that tail of his.

Harry: But Hagrid, we're not allowed to do magic away from Hogwarts. You know that.

Hagrid: I do. But your cousin doesn't, does he? Eh? [chuckle] Off you go.

Harry walks away, back to the train door where Hermione and Ron are waiting.

Hermione: Feels strange to be going home, doesn't it?

Harry: I'm not going home. Not really. Hey, Matthew.

Matthew: Yes?

Harry: Thanks.

The two young sorcerers shook hands.

Matthew: Anytime Harry, it's what friends are for.

Hermione: See you guys next year.

Matthew: So will we, Hermione. If you guys want to hang out, come visit me in New York.

Harry: We will.

The train whistles and they climb aboard. As the train starts to leave and the camera pans up over the whole scene, Harry waves out the window to Hagrid, who waves back and then waves more to other students.

Matthew looks at the window, smiling to see everything moving towards what comes next year.

It shows everything was going fine, as everyone was in their normal lives. Balthazar is at Hogwarts, reading the Encantus. Then, Dumbledore appeared.

Balthazar: And what do I owe the pleasure of having to meet you?

Dumbledore: Balthazar, you know why I'm here, and it's not about Harry.

Balthazar: It's Matthew, isn't it?

Dumbledore: Have you told him yet?

Balthazar: Not yet, as he is too young to know this.

Dumbledore: You know what the legend said.

Balthazar: I am very aware, as it said at the Encantus. [He flips the pages before stopping at a certain page] "At the rising darkness, one mortal who carries the torch of Merlin, shall vanquish Morgana, and all of those who follow shall be cast off from the face of the earth."

The Mirror of Erised appeared and showed Matthew's future.

Balthazar: Only he can defeat Morgana.

Dumbledore: Are you sure about this?

Balthazar: Prophecies never lie before, Dumbledore, Merlin said it himself.

Dumbledore: I remember the prophecy. But remember, the boy is your responsibility.

Balthazar: I know, as I am training him to ensure he'll pursue the mantle of The Prime Merlinean.

Dumbledore: Does Matthew have the Grimhold?

Balthazar: I don't think so, as it is lost, but for all things considered, as long as it remains close, they won't come out again.

Dumbledore: You know, he'll find it before you do.

Balthazar: Let's hope he won't find it.

In New York City, It was busy looking while a few pedestrians were enjoying themselves. Then, a person walks across the crowd, showing to be wearing a bowler hat, and a fur coat, holding his cane.

???: Seven years are up, Balthazar. When I get the Grimhold from young Matthew, there'll be nothing left to stand in my way.

He grips his cane tightly as the jewel on top slowly shines brightly.

???: [Chuckles] It's going to be quite a party.

He walks past the crowd like a normal casual, planning on his next move. The man's name is Maxim Horvath, former Merlinean, now Morganian.

End of Chapter 8