Chapter Summaries

Albert and Lee Jordan successfully brewed a Cure for Boils Potion while Fred and George ruined theirs. Snape gave Albert extra homework, leaving Lee and the twins to suspect the professor was singling Albert out.

• Albert and Lee Jordan reviewed the recipe and divided the potion-making tasks between them.
• Albert prepared the ingredients and guided Lee as they brewed the potion, which turned blue and matched the book’s description.
• Albert stopped George from adding porcupine quills while the cauldron was still on the heat, but Fred and George’s potion turned brown and Snape cleared it away.
• Snape called Albert and Lee’s potion barely passable, then assigned Albert a two-foot essay while exempting Lee.
• Lee complained about the grading and extra essay, and Albert joked that Snape wanted to cultivate his talent before the group laughed about the professor’s special attention.

After Snape assigned Albert extra Potions homework, Albert planned to finish it early, then joined Fred, George, and Lee Jordan for a walk to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. There, he met Hagrid and won over Hagrid’s black hunting dog with a sausage.

• Shanna asked Albert why Snape had targeted him, and George and Fred explained that Albert had once asked Snape for a photograph.
• Albert said he would finish both essays at the library, and Shanna offered to work with him.
• Fred and George invited Albert to explore the castle grounds, and he agreed to walk with them and Lee Jordan.
• The boys encountered Hagrid outside his cabin, where he warned them about the dangers of the Forbidden Forest.
• Albert fed Hagrid’s growling dog a sausage, calming it and surprising Hagrid and the other boys.

Albert questioned Hagrid about the Forbidden Forest and learned about the creatures living there, then asked him to find a piece of Rowan Tree for a protective gift for his younger sister. The four students returned to the castle with unicorn tail hair, and Albert considered making his sister a bracelet for her birthday.

• Albert met Hagrid and his dog Fang, asked about the Forbidden Forest, and explained what he knew about the Secrecy Law.
• Hagrid described dangerous creatures in the Forbidden Forest and gave Albert a small bundle of unicorn tail hair.
• Albert asked Hagrid to find a piece of dead Rowan Tree branch so he could make his younger sister a protective gift.
• On the way back to the castle, Albert considered weaving the unicorn tail hair into a birthday bracelet for Nia.
• Fred and George recalled the sweets they had given Ginny and Ron for their birthdays.

Albert and Shanna researched and wrote their Charms homework on Lumos and Nox in the library. Albert finished an essay full of research and ideas for improving the spells, then helped Shanna plan her own.

• Albert went to the library after his roommates refused to join him, and found Shanna struggling to research the homework.
• Albert led Shanna to books about Charms and the history of Lumos, then explained why the sources were useful.
• Albert wrote his essay by combining information from books with his experiences practicing Lumos and Nox.
• Albert added ideas for magical lighting, including combining the spells to create a Deluminator, hoping Professor Flitwick might help develop them.
• Albert copied his essay with the Copy Charm and showed Shanna how to use the research and her own experience to complete hers.

Albert asked Fielder how to correct mistakes on his essay, and she showed him a simple use of the advanced Charm of Transformation. After discussing his ambitions and Shanna’s studies, Albert headed back toward the common room, where Shanna asked him to teach her Transfiguration.

• Albert spotted Fielder in the library and asked her how he could edit incorrect words on his parchment.
• Fielder used the Charm of Transformation to change the words and said Professor McGonagall had taught her the trick.
• Fielder encouraged Albert to read about alchemy and said she looked forward to his hoped-for invention.
• Albert explained to Shanna that the Charm of Transformation was advanced magic for seventh-year students.
• Shanna asked Albert to teach her Transfiguration when he had time.

Albert sent parcels and letters to his family and Grandpa Luke from the Owlery, then encountered Hagrid escorting Fred, George, and Lee Jordan away from the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid let them join him in his hut to watch him treat two injured Bowtruckles after they apologized.

• Albert copied his letter and photographs, packed gifts into two parcels, and carried them to the Owlery.
• Albert sent Grandpa Luke's parcel with Shira and gave a larger parcel for his family to a Great Horned Owl.
• Albert saw Hagrid driving Fred, George, and Lee Jordan out of the Forbidden Forest after they had sneaked inside.
• Albert diverted Hagrid's scolding by asking about the injured Bowtruckles Hagrid was carrying.
• Fred, George, and Lee Jordan apologized, and Hagrid invited them and Albert to his hut to watch him bandage the Bowtruckles.

Albert and his dormmates visited Hagrid’s hut after being caught in the Forbidden Forest, where Hagrid treated injured Bowtruckles and warned them about the forest’s dangers. Albert took a piece of Rowan Tree wood, and the group headed back to the castle still wondering why students were forbidden from entering the forest.

• Hagrid brought Albert, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan into his hut and warned them not to sneak into the Forbidden Forest again.
• Hagrid treated the injured Bowtruckles with Dittany and splints, then explained how to feed them and why they guarded trees.
• Albert used the Cutting Charm to take a small piece of Rowan Tree trunk, and Hagrid offered to leave more wood behind his hut for later.
• As they returned to the castle, Fred and George said they had explored the forest and questioned whether its dangers were exaggerated.
• Albert suggested the forest held dangerous magical creatures and that students might get lost if they ventured too deep.

Herb and Daisy visited Luke and Sansa with Nia to open a package Albert had sent from Hogwarts. After exploring his photos, wizarding treats, and long letter describing the castle, Nia ended the visit wishing she could go to Hogwarts too.

• Nia greeted Luke and Sansa and complained that school was boring because she wanted to go to Hogwarts.
• Herb and Daisy brought Albert’s package inside, where Tom and Shira faced off before Daisy restrained the cat.
• The family opened the package and examined Albert’s photos of the Hogwarts Express and his wizarding drinks and snacks.
• Daisy, Herb, Luke, and Nia tasted Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer, which Nia found strange.
• Herb read Albert’s letter describing Hogwarts, and Nia leaned on Daisy and said she wanted to go there too.

Nia learned that she could not attend Hogwarts because she was a Muggle, and her family comforted her with Albert’s magical gifts. Luke reflected on his own life and felt grateful for his family before blowing magical bubbles with Nia.

• Nia realized that she had been the Muggle in the Ministry’s letter about Truman and cried because she could not go to Hogwarts.
• Daisy, Luke, and Herb comforted Nia and reminded her that the Muggle world had its own pleasures.
• Herb tried a Ventriloquist’s Dummy and roared like a lion, then Nia ate one and made Tom flee beneath the sofa.
• Daisy explained the secrecy rules for Muggle families of Muggle Wizards, and the family read Albert’s letters and gifts.
• Luke read about Filch and reflected that he was fortunate to have a happy family of his own.
• Luke shared Bubble-Blow Super Bubble Gum with Nia, and they blew bluebell-colored bubbles together.

Albert received letters from home and joined Gryffindor’s Quidditch players for morning practice, meeting the team as Charlie introduced him. He learned about the team’s rough play and met the remaining players before practice began.

• Shira delivered letters from Luke, Herb, Daisy, and Nia to Albert, along with a photograph of Nia blowing a bubble.
• Angelina told Albert that Charlie had invited him to Quidditch practice, and Albert agreed to go with the team.
• Charlie led Albert, Fred, George, and the other newcomers to the pitch and introduced them to Gryffindor’s players.
• Erin, Mark, and Wood argued with Charlie about past injuries and mistakes during matches, prompting Albert to ask whether anyone had died playing Quidditch.
• Charlie introduced the Chasers Mario, Danny, and Jack, whom Erin called the Trio of Acrobats.

Albert joined Charlie’s Quidditch training and showed strong flying skills, but Lee Jordan considered quitting because he could not keep up. Albert encouraged him to continue flying for fun, and the chapter ended when Albert landed after his old broom began shaking and decided to read Quidditch Origins.

• Mark introduced Mario, Danny, and Jack as the Trio of Acrobats, and Mario impressed the group by juggling.
• Charlie led Albert, Lee Jordan, and the other newcomers through flying practice, where Albert kept pace despite using a battered broom.
• Charlie released two Bludgers, and George and Fred flew alongside the newcomers to protect them with their bats.
• Lee Jordan landed and said he planned to quit, but Albert reminded him that flying could be enjoyable even without becoming an official player.
• Albert pushed his broom faster and tried difficult maneuvers, then landed when the old broom began shaking and went to look at Quidditch Origins.

Albert read about Quidditch’s history and rules, realizing that Charlie had chosen reserves to prepare for players graduating next year. After training, Charlie gathered the team and began explaining his tactics.

• Albert read how Quidditch developed from games at Queerditch Marsh and how the Golden Snitch became part of the sport.
• Albert learned the rules for ending matches, replacing players, and committing fouls, and understood why Charlie had recruited reserves.
• Charlie asked Albert why he had not practiced flying, and Albert said his broom was shaking badly.
• Charlie called the team down from the air and led them to the changing room to hear the tactics he had developed over the summer.

Charlie explained Quidditch tactics, including Mark’s notorious Transylvanian Feint, while Albert and the other newcomers practiced flying. After training, the team discussed Albert’s potential as a future Seeker, leaving them considering him a reserve for when Charlie graduated.

• Wood explained that Mark used the Transylvanian Feint to threaten opponents, and Danny recounted how Mark had knocked Slytherin’s Seeker out of a match and been banned for a term.
• Charlie warned Mark not to use the feint in matches again, while Mark defended his tactic as a mix of real and fake threats.
• The official players practiced Charlie’s tactics while Albert and the newcomers flew; Fred tried Albert’s broom and had to admit it was faulty.
• After practice, Wood praised Albert’s flying and said he could make a good Seeker, while the team discussed possible future replacements.
• Charlie told the team that Albert was occupied with Professor McGonagall’s Transfiguration Club, and they realized Charlie was preparing him as a reserve Seeker.

After Professor McGonagall assigned a summary of Gamp's Basic Laws of Transfiguration and warned that students who had not mastered turning matches into needles would receive detention, Albert helped Fred, George, and Lee Jordan tackle their homework in the library. He finished his own assignments quickly and later returned from afternoon tea at Hagrid's while the others continued working on their essays.

• Professor McGonagall assigned a summary of Gamp's Basic Laws of Transfiguration and warned students they would receive detention if they had not mastered turning matches into needles by next Monday.
• Fred, George, and Lee Jordan persuaded Albert to come to the library and help them with their homework.
• Albert quickly finished his Transfiguration summary and explained how he had identified and rewritten the text's key points.
• Albert helped Fred, George, and Lee Jordan find material for their Charms essays and advised them to write about their own experiences learning Lumos.
• Albert finished reviewing History of Magic dates and went to Hagrid's for afternoon tea while the others continued their essays; he later lent them his essay for comparison.

Albert helped Fred and George improve their Transfiguration practice while the twins planned a nighttime excursion, but Percy and other students learned of their intentions. Fred and George settled on Friday, while Albert and Lee Jordan refused to join them.

• Lee Jordan finished his homework, and Fred showed Albert his thick matchstick-turned needle.
• Albert conjured a pin for reference, and George successfully transformed a matchstick into a misshapen one.
• Fred invited Albert and Lee Jordan to sneak out that night, but both declined, so Fred and George chose Friday instead.
• Percy confronted the twins about sneaking out, and George pointed out that Gryffindor had not won the House Cup in years.
• Mark praised nighttime adventures, but Albert warned that Filch and his cat knew the castle's secret passages; Erin then reminded the students about Wednesday's Quidditch training.
• Lee Jordan told Fred he would not join a nighttime excursion yet because they did not know the castle well enough.

Albert tested a beginner-level Disillusionment Charm on a towel, and he and the others used it to create a headless illusion that startled Lee Jordan. The charm wore off after about half an hour, while Fred and George decided to make their own Headless Hats someday.

• Albert cast the Disillusionment Charm on a towel and showed Fred and George its imperfect invisibility effect.
• Fred put the towel over his head, and George turned out the lamp to make Lee Jordan think he was seeing a headless person.
• Albert removed the towel, and Lee Jordan revealed that his shock had been an act before suggesting they use the trick to frighten Filch.
• Fred liked the name Headless Hat, and George wrote it down as an idea for a future joke item.
• Albert checked the towel and found that the Disillusionment Charm had lasted about half an hour before wearing off.

Albert demonstrated a makeshift Invisibility Cloak to Lee Jordan and the Weasley twins, then experimented with enchanting objects and considered making protective items to sell. As he went to sleep, Fred and George sneaked out of the room, and Albert warned them not to get locked out.

• Albert used the Disillusionment Charm to make a cloak blend into its surroundings, and George tried it on.
• Albert revealed George with a Revealing Charm and explained that spell-made Invisibility Cloaks could be countered by other spells.
• Albert tried to make a paper ball glow and give it a Shield Charm, but both experiments failed.
• Fred, Lee Jordan, and George started a pillow fight with Albert after his failed Shield Charm test.
• Albert thought about selling protective items, then noticed Fred and George sneaking out and reminded them not to let the Fat Lady lock them out.

Fred and George used the Marauder's Map to sneak around Hogwarts and explore hidden passages. After finding a secret exit outside the castle, they returned inside and decided to go back to bed before classes.

• Fred woke George, and the twins checked the Marauder's Map before sneaking out of Gryffindor Tower.
• Fred and George avoided Nearly Headless Nick and used the spell “Mouth to Door” to enter a hidden passage on the seventh floor.
• The twins emerged on the fourth floor, then found another passage behind a vase that led outside near the boathouse.
• Fred used the Marauder's Map to reopen the hidden entrance, and the twins returned to the castle.
• George caught a chill from the night air, so Fred and George ended their nighttime wandering and headed back to bed.

Fred and George were locked out of the Gryffindor Common Room while Filch and Mrs. Norris searched the castle for them. Using the Marauder’s Map to evade capture, the twins fled as Filch closed in, and their chase began.

• Fred and George encountered Mrs. Norris on the fifth floor and hurried through a secret passage toward the Gryffindor Common Room.
• The twins found the Fat Lady’s portrait empty and realized they could not enter the Common Room while Filch searched the castle.
• Fred and George watched Filch and Mrs. Norris move through secret passages on the Marauder’s Map and decided to find a hiding place.
• The twins tried to escape through another passage, but they saw Filch approaching the eighth floor and ran toward the seventh.
• George sneezed loudly in the corridor, drawing Filch’s attention, and Fred and George ran as Filch pursued them.

Fred and George used the Marauder’s Map to evade Filch through Hogwarts, but Peeves alerted their pursuers and Snape joined the hunt. With the Fat Lady still absent and Filch approaching the eighth floor, the twins planned to escape through a Secret Passage.

• Fred and George used the Marauder’s Map to outmaneuver Filch while Mrs. Norris tracked them.
• Peeves encountered the twins, then shouted to alert Filch when they provoked him.
• Snape asked Peeves who was roaming the halls, and Peeves identified them as two Gryffindor first-years without giving their names.
• Filch and Snape planned to intercept the twins as they tried to return to the eighth floor.
• Fred spotted Filch approaching through a Secret Passage and rejected George’s suggestion to hide in a nearby room, choosing instead to escape through the Gryphon statue painting.