The battle raged like a storm around them.
Explosions of magic lit up the night sky above Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Albus and Scorpius stayed hidden behind a broken stone wall in the courtyard.
From there, they watched history unfold.
Scorpius whispered,
"Remember… we can't interfere."
Albus nodded.
"I know."
But his eyes were fixed on one person.
Across the battlefield—
Harry Potter.
His father.
Harry moved through the chaos with incredible focus.
Spells crashed around him, but he never slowed.
He helped injured students to safety.
Deflected curses aimed at teachers.
At one point he even shielded a group of younger students with a powerful protective charm.
Scorpius watched in amazement.
"I think I understand why people call him the Chosen One."
Albus said quietly,
"He hates that title."
"But yeah… I can see why."
---
A group of dark-robed figures rushed toward the courtyard.
Death Eaters.
They fired curses at the defenders.
Harry reacted instantly.
"**Protego!**"
A golden shield erupted in front of him.
Spells bounced off harmlessly.
Then he countered with stunning spells that knocked several attackers backward.
Scorpius shook his head.
"He's good."
"Really good."
Albus watched silently.
For the first time in his life…
He truly saw his father not as a parent.
But as a warrior.
A man fighting for everyone else.
---
Suddenly Harry turned toward the castle doors.
Something had changed.
A message had reached him.
A group of fighters gathered around him.
Among them were Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
They spoke urgently.
Scorpius whispered,
"This must be when they realize Voldemort is inside the castle."
Albus nodded.
"Yes."
The final phase of the battle was approaching.
Soon…
Harry would face Lord Voldemort.
The moment that defined wizarding history.
---
Scorpius suddenly looked around nervously.
"Where's Delphi?"
Albus scanned the battlefield.
She wasn't in the courtyard anymore.
"Inside the castle."
Scorpius frowned.
"But why?"
"If she wants to change the duel, shouldn't she stay close to Voldemort?"
Albus thought carefully.
Then something clicked.
His eyes widened.
"She's not targeting Voldemort."
Scorpius blinked.
"What?"
Albus turned toward the castle.
"She's targeting my father."
Scorpius felt a chill.
"You mean…"
"If Harry dies before the duel…"
Albus finished the sentence.
"Then Voldemort wins automatically."
Scorpius whispered,
"That's even worse."
---
They ran toward the castle doors.
The entrance hall was chaos.
Broken stone pillars.
Burning tapestries.
Fighters rushing through corridors.
Students defending staircases.
Somewhere above them another explosion shook the castle.
Scorpius said breathlessly,
"If Delphi kills Harry before the final duel…"
"Then the prophecy never completes."
Albus nodded.
"And the entire future changes."
They raced up the stairs.
But this time they weren't following history.
They were trying to protect it.
---
Suddenly they heard footsteps ahead.
A tall figure stood at the end of the corridor.
Watching quietly.
Lightning flashed through a broken window.
Revealing her face.
Delphi.
She looked completely calm despite the battle around them.
In her hand—The Time-Turner glowed faintly.
Delphi smiled when she saw them.
"You're too late."
Albus raised his wand immediately.
"You're not killing him."
Delphi laughed softly.
"Oh, Albus."
"I don't need to kill him."
She stepped aside slightly.
Behind her…
Footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Approaching slowly.
Scorpius felt his stomach drop.
A tall figure in dark robes appeared in the shadows.
A pale face.
Cold red eyes.
A wand held with deadly confidence.
Lord Voldemort.
Delphi whispered proudly,
"Allow me to introduce my father."
---