Chapter Summaries

Albert discussed ways wizards could make life more comfortable with Isabelle, including his idea of using Dementors as air conditioners. After receiving Hermione’s letter about losing contact with Harry, he advised her to ask Hagrid to check on him, then received an unexpected letter from the United States.

• Nia searched for Tom, found him enjoying the air conditioning in Daisy and Herb’s bedroom, and carried him back to bed.
• Albert told Isabelle he had considered using Dementors to cool a room, and she explained that some wizards used charms on leaves or changed the weather to make wind.
• Albert and Isabelle discussed bubble tea, ice, and how wizards rarely used magic to improve their comfort.
• Hermione wrote that she and Ron could not reach Harry, so Albert advised her to contact Hagrid and ask him to check on Harry at home.
• Albert received a letter from an owl he did not recognize, then another from Shira, and finally an unexpected letter from the United States.

Albert received a vague invitation from Nicholas in the United States and Sera to travel with them, but he was unsure why they wanted him to go. He postponed replying, discussed the possibility with his parents, and received a letter from the Weasley twins asking for help with their inventions.

• Albert examined Nicholas's letter and found a King's Cross train ticket and a permit for the United States Floo Network, but neither letter explained the purpose of the trip.
• Albert wrote down his questions and put the sealed letter away instead of sending it that night.
• The next morning, Albert sent letters to Hermione and Bard, then told Daisy and Herb about the invitation over breakfast.
• Herb told Albert to take his mirror and contact his parents daily if he traveled, while Daisy worried about him leaving home.
• Albert cared for an exhausted old owl that delivered a letter from the Weasley twins, who shared their latest products and asked him to help solve some problems.

Albert traveled with Sera by luxury train toward Nicola Village in France, where they planned to visit the dying alchemist Nicolas and learn about something he had left for Albert. Sera also explained the strict conditions facing American wizards as Albert prepared for a future visit to Nicholas in the United States.

• Albert boarded the train with Sera and learned their journey to Nicola Village would take five days and cost fifty Galleons per person.
• Sera told Albert that Nicolas and his wife were near death, and that Albert would compete in the International Wizard's Chess Tournament during their three days in France.
• Sera revealed that John Nicolas was an American alchemist responsible for the Americas and wanted Albert to visit him, where Nicolas had left something for him.
• Sera showed Albert a photograph of Nicholas and his granddaughter Catherine, then warned him that the American Ministry of Magic tightly controlled wizards and punished breaches of secrecy.
• Sera gave Albert American currency and a parchment of advice, and explained that the train would travel beneath the sea toward Denmark.

Katrina visited Isabelle and asked about Divination, her O.W.L.s, and Albert’s prophetic abilities. After learning Isabelle had confessed to Albert first, Katrina left feeling she had never once beaten her sister, while Isabelle called Albert through the Two-way Mirror.

• Katrina entered Isabelle’s room and asked whether she could earn an Outstanding on the Divination O.W.L.s.
• Isabelle explained that prophecy depended on talent and that Divination exams tested basic techniques rather than a student’s ability to predict the future.
• Katrina asked whether Albert could divine, and Isabelle confirmed that several of his prophecies had come true.
• Isabelle told Katrina that she had confessed to Albert first and described being in love as infatuation.
• Katrina said she wanted to win against Isabelle just once, then left in a daze.
• Isabelle returned to the Two-way Mirror and called Albert’s name.

Albert traveled by train with Sera, pondering magic and speaking with Isabelle before the train crossed beneath the sea. After reaching Denmark, Sera changed their plans and decided they would get off in Germany to visit an old friend before continuing to France.

• Albert discussed his ambitions and magical knowledge with Sera, who advised him to give up some pursuits.
• Albert spoke privately with Isabelle through the Two-way Mirror until midnight, and she described Katrina's feelings for him as a young girl's budding affection.
• The train entered an underwater passage through a magical ring made of Goblin Iron, and Sera explained that the Ministry of Magic had built the passages at great expense.
• Albert awoke to find the train in Denmark, and Sera told him they would get off in Germany to visit an old friend before going to France.

Sera took Albert to Vidberg Village in Germany through an ancient Portkey and introduced him to his old friend Jonas. Jonas mistook Albert for someone connected to his grandson Mark, and Albert was left to handle the misunderstanding.

• Sera and Albert got off the train in Berlin early and entered a grocery shop to borrow its Portkey.
• Sera and Albert passed through the Portkey and arrived in Vidberg, where Sera explained the village had been rebuilt after a Muggle bombing.
• Sera led Albert through Vidberg to visit his old friend Jonas, who invited them inside.
• Jonas praised Albert’s French and called his grandson Mark downstairs, while Sera realized Jonas had misunderstood who Albert was.

Albert met Mark Schmidt, a Beauxbatons student, and learned about his school while defeating him repeatedly at Wizard's Chess. Mark began doubting whether to enter the International Wizard's Chess Tournament, and Jonas urged him not to lose his courage.

• Jonas introduced his grandson Mark Schmidt to Albert, who explained that he was traveling with Sera through Germany.
• Albert and Mark discussed Hogwarts and Beauxbatons, including the schools’ classes, students, and traditions.
• Mark challenged Albert to Wizard's Chess and lost five consecutive games.
• Albert left Mark to speak with Sera and the two old men, ask about Portkeys, and receive a price list from Jonas.
• After Albert departed, Mark said he might withdraw from the International Wizard's Chess Tournament, but Jonas encouraged him to keep his courage.

Sera took Albert through the German Ministry of Magic and the International Floo Network on their way to France. They arrived in Nicola Village and followed a House-elf through a magically created door.

• Sera brought Albert to a concealed entrance to the German Ministry of Magic and arranged to send supplies to France for an old friend.
• Hans escorted Sera and Albert to the International Floo Network waiting room, where they met Frank.
• Albert traveled first by Floo to Nicola Village, followed shortly afterward by Sera.
• Sera led Albert to a house, where a House-elf used a silver card to create a door and invited them through.

Albert visited Nicholas and Perenal Le Me’s hidden home, where Nicholas explained the Fidelius Charm and offered to teach him alchemy. After Albert demonstrated his talent for prophecy, he left with Sera for Paris to prepare for the International Wizard’s Chess Tournament.

• Nicholas revealed that the Le Me Couple’s home was hidden behind the Fidelius Charm and invited Albert to learn from him.
• Nicholas confirmed that he planned to destroy the Philosopher’s Stone, while Perenal explained that they intended to live another five or six years before settling their affairs.
• Sera recalled his long friendship with the Le Me Couple and urged them to preserve their knowledge by teaching Albert.
• Albert used Nicholas’s Crystal Ball to glimpse a hand lifting the Wizard’s Chess championship trophy, and Nicholas stopped the vision before it revealed more.
• Albert received two books from Nicholas, then traveled with Sera to Paris, where he would await the tournament after receiving a direct place in the round-of-32-to-16 stage.

Ron Weasley struggled to contact Harry while the Weasleys learned that Albert Anderson had won the International Wizard's Chess Tournament and faced accusations in the Daily Prophet. The chapter ended with Arthur revealing that tip-offs about Dark magic items had led to surprise search warrants for Malfoy-associated homes, while Isabelle dismissed a newspaper scandal about Albert.

• Ron argued with Percy over borrowing Hermes and worried that Harry was trapped at the Dursleys, while Hermione had suggested asking Hagrid to visit him.
• George found a Daily Prophet report announcing that Albert had become the youngest International Wizard's Chess champion, and Ron envied his achievement.
• Arthur explained that Mr. Bade Blod had recommended Albert for the tournament and that the Prophet's accusations of underage magic had been suppressed.
• Arthur revealed that the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office had received tip-offs about Dark magic items in Malfoy-associated homes and had issued search warrants.
• Katrina showed Isabelle the newspaper's photograph of Albert with several girls, but Isabelle dismissed Rita Skeeter's romantic scandal and trusted Albert.

Catherine prepared to meet the English heir of the Will de Smith Family, whom her grandfather Nicholas had invited to renew an ancient contract. After explaining her role as Nicholas’s heir and the Floo Network Company’s history, Nicholas took her to the International Floo Network waiting room to meet the arriving guest.

• Catherine recalled that Nicholas had made her his heir and revealed the vast wealth she would inherit.
• Catherine remembered how Nicholas retaliated against the American Ministry of Magic by shutting down the Floo Network Company and cutting off the United States’ Floo Powder supply.
• Nicholas told Catherine that the Will de Smith Family was a secretive, wealthy family whose chosen members possessed its bloodline and valued knowledge.
• Catherine dressed carefully and asked Nicholas whether they were going to the Ministry of Magic.
• Nicholas explained that the guest would arrive through the International Floo Network from France, then Apparated with Catherine near the Woolworth Building and led her to the waiting room.

Albert arrived in the United States with Sera and clashed with Ministry of Magic employee Carter over the American Wand Permit rules. After Albert exposed the unfair treatment and forced an apology, he left with Nicholas, Catherine, and Sera, saying he would not return to the United States.

• Catherine and Nicholas waited for Albert and Sera at the International Floo Network waiting room, where Albert arrived half an hour late after a delay in France.
• Albert greeted Nicholas and Catherine, and Catherine gave him a polite greeting kiss, provoking Carter's jealousy.
• Carter tried to confiscate Albert's wand because he was underage, but Albert explained it was only a signed piece of wood and let the Ministry inspect him.
• Albert mentioned winning the International Wizard's Chess Tournament and the reporters who might hear of his treatment, forcing the American Ministry of Magic to apologize and serve the group black tea.
• Albert told Catherine that Carter had acted out of jealousy and warned Sera that he would not visit the United States again.

Albert and Sera visited Nicholas’s hidden Texas safe house, where Albert learned about the American wizarding world’s strict laws and fraught relationship with Muggles. He and Nicholas discussed magical concealment and the Ministry’s history, while Sera and Catherine listened.

• Nicholas brought Albert, Sera, and Catherine to his concealed Texas farm, where they met his Tail-dogs, Caesar and Sula.
• Albert asked how American wizards communicated and learned that Muggle-born children could be separated from their families and sent to Ilvermorny.
• Nicholas showed the visitors his modern home, and Albert recognized the wind generators and discussed how magic affected electrical appliances.
• Nicholas introduced his Niffler, Laila, while he and Albert talked about magical magnetic fields, the Woolworth Building, and the American Ministry of Magic’s relocation history.
• Nicholas and Albert explained that American wizards faced strict registration and Wand Permit requirements, which contributed to overcrowded prisons.

Albert discussed the risks of conflict between wizards and Muggles with Catherine and Nicholas before renewing a binding agreement over American Floo Powder. The Unbreakable Vow was established, tying Catherine’s agency rights and secrecy obligations to the Will de Smith Family.

• Catherine asked Albert about his mobile phone, and he requested Ilvermorny textbooks to study.
• Albert warned Catherine and Nicholas that advancing Muggle technology could eventually threaten wizards and lead to war.
• Nicholas led Albert and Catherine to a magically shielded study to renew their agreement.
• Albert agreed to grant Catherine agency rights for American Floo Powder, and Catherine agreed to give the Will de Smith Family half the profits.
• Albert agreed not to interfere with Catherine’s operating rights across the Americas, and Catherine vowed never to reveal the formula except to an heir she trusted absolutely.
• Nicholas completed the Unbreakable Vow and warned them never to break it.

Albert spent the evening discussing alchemy with Nicholas and Catherine, then read about American magical history and its strict laws before going to bed. Catherine apologized for the trouble earlier and brought him cocoa, leaving Albert resolved to keep his distance from the United States in the future.

• Albert chatted with Nicholas and Catherine about alchemy, and Nicholas invited them to visit his workshop the next day.
• Albert read Chadwick's Magic and compared it with other Charms textbooks, then turned to American History of Magic.
• Albert learned how the Purifiers, the Rapaport Law, and Wand Permits had shaped the American wizarding world and its separation from Muggles.
• Albert decided he should avoid returning to the United States after reading about its laws and punishments.
• Catherine brought Albert cocoa and apologized for causing him trouble, and Albert accepted her apology before returning to his books.

Albert visited Nicholas’s workshop and learned about his magical products and business connections. Nicholas asked Albert to befriend Catherine and exchange ideas with her, and Albert agreed while making clear that he already had a girlfriend.

• Albert woke aching after a strange dream in which Catherine brought him a child and Isabelle accused him of betrayal.
• Nicholas told Albert that Catherine had left early and explained that she was a talented but solitary witch.
• Nicholas showed Albert his workshop and demonstrated how he made Darkness Powder, which Albert successfully produced after two attempts.
• Nicholas introduced Albert to Sleepy Bean extract and Potency Potion and discussed the American magical trade and Wit-Sharpening Potion ingredients.
• Nicholas asked Albert to become Catherine’s friend, and Albert agreed to keep in touch through a Two-way Mirror while saying he already had a girlfriend.

Albert drank the banned Potency Potion, endured its severe side effects, and found that his magical power had increased. After Catherine prepared to let him brew Wit-Sharpening Potion, Nicholas questioned Albert’s ambitions and learned he had entered the wizarding world only a few years earlier.

• Nicholas explained how Potency Potion had been developed in the United States and warned Albert that it was banned and caused painful side effects.
• Albert drank the potion, suffered intense burning, fever, and a racing heartbeat, then demonstrated stronger magic with a wandless, silent Lumos.
• Albert checked his Status Panel and found that his magical power had increased and Wizard Bloodline had reached level five.
• Catherine asked whether Albert was skilled at Potions, and Albert requested ingredients for Wit-Sharpening Potion using Hertok Dagworth’s improved recipe.
• Nicholas warned Albert against trying to follow his path, but Sera explained that Albert had entered the wizarding world only a few years earlier.
• Nicholas concluded that Albert must have been raised by Muggles after a wizard married a Muggle.

After reading interviews that praised Albert and condemned his earlier criticism, Carter grew furious, while Albert left the United States with Sera after expanding his connections. Nicholas then began preparing Catherine to study Occlumency and Legilimency.

• Carter read interviews with Pigwidgeon Mogrila, Tagore Jones, and Charles Cockra praising Albert and disputing Carter’s earlier claims, and he became enraged.
• Nicholas recognized that Albert had improved his public image through meetings with influential experts, though Albert had mainly been building useful connections and had forgotten Carter.
• Albert and Sera thanked Nicholas and Catherine, then used an old wizard’s hat to leave the United States.
• Catherine asked whether the attempts to brew the Wit-Sharpening Potion had failed, and Nicholas explained that the difficult potion required time and experience.
• Nicholas told Catherine that he would begin teaching her Occlumency and Legilimency, and she agreed.

Albert returned home from the United States, found his family away, and spent the evening trying to contact Isabelle and Catherine. Isabelle showed him newspapers that had turned photographs with Catherine and Louise into rumors portraying him as a womanizer, leaving Albert asking her how to handle the gossip.

• Albert returned to No. 19, picked the front door lock, and found Daisy's note saying the family was staying with Grandpa Luke.
• Albert ate dinner, called Herb, and learned that his family would not return until the next day.
• Albert contacted Catherine and explained how to make an ointment for skin rashes, which she prepared while they spoke.
• Isabelle showed Albert a newspaper photograph of him with Catherine and warned that papers in France were also spreading rumors about him.
• Isabelle showed Albert more gossip in the Daily Prophet, and Albert asked her to help him deal with reports calling him a womanizer.

Isabelle and Albert faced family concern over newspaper rumors portraying Albert as a flirt. Albert explained the stories to his parents, who then urged him to find a girlfriend before graduating from Hogwarts.

• Mrs. McDougal showed Isabelle a Daily Prophet article about Albert and warned her to leave him if its claims were true.
• Katrina defended Isabelle's judgment and said Albert was impressive and popular at school.
• Daisy and Herb lectured Albert about being devoted in love after reading the scandalous reports.
• Albert explained that the photographs showed innocent encounters and pointed out that he had won a championship.
• Herb and Daisy urged Albert to find a girlfriend before leaving Hogwarts, and Albert changed the subject to finding Tom a mate.