Chapter Summaries

Albert completed the Charms and Transfiguration O.W.L. examinations with ease, while other students struggled and one Ravenclaw was caught cheating. After earning praise from his examiners, Albert left the practical examinations confident he would receive Outstanding grades.

• Albert handed out mints to calm the Gryffindor examinees before the Charms Theory examination.
• Filch caught several students with cheating supplies, and a Ravenclaw was later disqualified after Dragon Claw Powder triggered the anti-cheating alarm.
• Albert answered the Charms Theory paper quickly and performed the practical tasks flawlessly for Professor Marchbanks.
• Albert reviewed for Transfiguration, then made a ferret vanish and transformed it through several animals for Professor Tofudi.
• Albert's lion transformation startled the animals and students waiting for their examinations, causing a commotion in the Great Hall.

The O.W.L. exams continued as Fred, George, Lee Jordan, and Albert completed Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Ancient Runes, and Muggle Studies. Albert secured another Outstanding in Defense Against the Dark Arts and finished his written exams with time to spare, leaving the remaining exams ahead.

• Fred struggled to harvest Venomous Tentacula fangs, while George handled the plant with ease during the Herbology practical.
• Albert demonstrated an advanced Patronus in the Defense Against the Dark Arts practical and earned his fourth Outstanding.
• Fred, George, and Lee Jordan passed the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam, and fifth years thanked Albert for tutoring them.
• Albert completed the Ancient Runes written exam in under ten minutes and slept for most of the remaining time.
• Albert found the Muggle Studies paper absurd but answered it with the aim of earning an Outstanding.

Albert joined Hagrid as he took Buckbeak back toward the Hippogriffs, but they encountered poachers following them through the Forbidden Forest. After dealing with the men, Albert and Hagrid released Buckbeak near the herd, and Hagrid watched him fly away.

• Albert discussed the black market and the twins’ joke shop plans with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan before deciding to follow Hagrid into the Forbidden Forest.
• Albert found Hagrid carrying Buckbeak in a suitcase, gave him a badge to prevent magical tracking, and used a prototype Wizard Radar to check for nearby wizards.
• Albert discovered four poachers following them and knocked them off their brooms with a wide-range Stunning Spell.
• Albert used Legilimency to learn the men had come seeking Acromantulas, then confiscated their tools, erased their memories, and let them leave.
• Hagrid released Buckbeak near the Hippogriff herd, and Albert comforted him as Buckbeak flew away.

Albert passed the Potions practical without Snape present and then completed the Care of Magical Creatures practical without injury. Afterward, he saw Fred, George, Lee, and many other students head to the Hospital Wing with burns and scratches.

• Fred said he expected to pass the Potions O.W.L. practical, and George credited Albert with helping them prepare.
• Shanna warned Fred and the others that they needed strong O.W.L. results to enter advanced classes, but Fred said they planned to take only a few electives.
• Professor Marchbanks tested Albert on identifying a Puffskein, exchanging woodlice with Bowtruckles for a leaf, and feeding and cleaning a Fire Crab.
• Albert finished the practical unscathed and told Hagrid that students would complain he had not taught them how to handle Fire Crabs.
• Fred, George, and Lee emerged burned or scratched, and Albert advised them to visit Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing.

Albert and the fifth years celebrated their approaching exams before Albert used a Time-Turner with Katrina to attend both Arithmancy and Divination. During the Divination practical, Albert predicted trouble for Professor Marchbanks and showed her that it would involve Dolores Umbridge.

• Albert explained that his house-elf Bit had bought the Butterbeer, and the fifth years discussed their exam schedule and his secret method for taking overlapping exams.
• Albert finished the Astronomy theory exam easily, and Fred, George, and Lee Jordan planned to sell old exam papers to future O.W.L. candidates.
• Albert took the Arithmancy exam before using Katrina’s Time-Turner to go back two hours and attend Divination.
• Albert told Professor Marchbanks that her palm and tea leaves foretold trouble, then used a Crystal Ball to show her a newspaper report linking her to a goblin subversive group.
• Albert identified Dolores Umbridge in the Crystal Ball as connected to Professor Marchbanks’s future trouble, and Professor Marchbanks named Inigo Imago as the only other student she had examined with similar ability.

Albert completed the O.W.L. exams and celebrated with his friends, while establishing his reputation as a Seer through Professor Marchbanks. The festivities ended with Harry upset that Dumbledore would not let him move in with Black.

• Albert confirmed his identity as a Seer to Professor Marchbanks and later joked with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan about their palm-reading skills.
• Albert completed the Astronomy practical exam while Fred failed to copy his Star Chart.
• Albert and the other fifth years finished the History of Magic exam, bringing the O.W.L. exams to an end.
• Fred, George, and Lee Jordan joined Albert at a celebration in the Common Room, where Percy and Hermione discussed Divination.
• Albert danced with Shanna, then sat with Hermione and asked why Harry was gloomy; Ron explained that Dumbledore would not let Harry move in with Black.

As the school year ended, Albert received Quidditch World Cup tickets and made plans with Isabelle and the Weasley twins for the summer. After leaving Hogwarts, he reunited with Isabelle at the station and learned that Herb and Daisy had gone east, so he would spend the holidays with Luke and Nia.

• Albert received a stack of Quidditch World Cup tickets from Tiberius Ogden and discussed with Isabelle whether Mrs. McDougal would attend.
• Gryffindor Academy won the House Cup, and Fred and George told Albert their product demonstrations had brought in several orders.
• On the train, Albert gave Fred and George a list of magical items to make and discussed starting with simple products before selling defensive goods.
• Isabelle met Katrina at the station to take her home, then kissed Albert goodbye and Apparated away with her sister.
• Albert found Luke and Nia waiting at King's Cross and learned that Herb and Daisy had gone east to pursue a business opportunity, leaving him to spend the summer with his grandparents.

Albert warned his family about mad cow disease and agreed to buy Nia a birthday dress in advance. While reading the Daily Prophet, he learned that Peter Pettigrew was dead.

• Albert told Luke and the others that mad cow disease likely came from cattle feed made with ground-up cow parts and warned that it could infect humans.
• Albert gave Nia more Beautification Potion and reassured her about avoiding infection.
• Nia revealed she had spent her money experimenting with stocks and asked Albert to advance her birthday present; he agreed to take her shopping.
• Albert tried to contact Isabelle through the Two-way Mirror and noticed a Daily Prophet report that Peter Pettigrew was dead.

After learning that Peter Pettigrew had escaped Azkaban, Albert reunited with Isabelle and decided to take Nia to the Quidditch World Cup. Back home, he received the Order of Merlin, Third Class, and a flood of congratulatory letters disrupted the family’s lunch.

• Albert read the report of Peter Pettigrew’s escape, recorded his thoughts, and used a Vanishing Cabinet to visit Isabelle in Hogsmeade.
• Albert agreed to take Nia to the Quidditch World Cup, and the family discussed how she would join the wizarding crowd safely.
• Albert and Nia went shopping in London, where they bought her a dress and several new outfits for him.
• An owl delivered a letter informing Albert that he had received the Order of Merlin, Third Class, for his contribution to the Human Transformation Spell.
• More owls arrived with congratulations, leaving Albert’s family to deal with the mess in their kitchen.

Sirius Black and Remus Lupin suspected Peter had faked his death and planned to ask Albert to use Divination at the Quidditch World Cup. They then visited the Dursleys to arrange for Harry to stay with Sirius during summer holidays, leaving the Dursleys agreeing to the plan under Sirius’s warning.

• Lupin told Sirius that Peter had died in Azkaban soon after his mother visited him, and that she had later died in a suspicious fire.
• Sirius proposed asking Albert to determine whether Peter was really dead and invited Lupin to help clean 12 Grimmauld Place, though Lupin declined to attend the Quidditch World Cup because of the full moon.
• Sirius suggested opening a shop with Lupin after hearing how difficult Lupin had found it to earn a living.
• Harry warned the Dursleys that Sirius, whom they believed to be a murderer, would visit to discuss his guardianship.
• Sirius and Lupin explained that Harry needed to stay with the Dursleys for part of each summer to maintain the protective magic tied to his blood relatives, and Petunia agreed as long as he behaved quietly.
• Sirius warned the Dursleys to treat Harry like a normal relative, and Lupin told Harry they would return for him later.

Albert discussed his Order of Merlin, Third Class, and its valuable quest reward with Nia while sorting through congratulatory letters. A package from Valeria and Catherine brought news of their potion business and plans to attend the International Alchemy Convention and the Quidditch World Cup, and Albert decided to attend the convention with Isabelle.

• Nia brought Albert iced black tea and asked about the letters, while Albert explained that he avoided opening mail from strangers because it might be cursed.
• Albert told Nia that his restored spell could turn Werewolves back into human form and explained why he wanted his family to leave England.
• Albert read Sera Harishis's invitation to the International Alchemy Convention in Egypt and considered entering the Barnaby Finley Excellent Spellcasting Technique Award.
• Nia opened a package from Valeria and teased Albert about the suggestive photographs, while Albert explained that Valeria and Catherine were Isabelle's acquaintances and business partners.
• Albert read Catherine's news that she and Valeria would attend the convention and the Quidditch World Cup, then wrote Sera to say he planned to attend the convention with Isabelle.

Lucius Malfoy met with fellow Death Eaters to confirm Peter Pettigrew was dead and discuss their growing dissatisfaction with Cornelius Fudge. Malfoy proposed using money and political pressure to draw Fudge into their circle after the World Cup.

• Lucius Malfoy arrived at the Death Eaters' hidden meeting place and confirmed that Peter Pettigrew's body was in Azkaban and that Pettigrew had named no one.
• Nott questioned whether Pettigrew had faked his death, but Malfoy explained that Pettigrew's mother had paid for permission to visit him in Azkaban.
• Avery said the Pure-blood faction was dissatisfied with Fudge for awarding Albert the Order of Merlin and failing to stand with them.
• Malfoy proposed causing Fudge trouble after the World Cup and using donations to introduce him to respectable families and bring him under their influence.

Albert invited Isabelle to attend the International Alchemy Convention in Egypt and helped her plan how to host Catherine and Valeria. After testing that Apparition did not affect Bit inside his suitcase, Albert proposed using it as a mobile base and encouraged Isabelle to write a better Ancient Runes textbook.

• Albert suggested that Isabelle join him at the International Alchemy Convention and discussed where Catherine and Valeria could stay when they visited England.
• Albert asked Isabelle to Apparate with his suitcase while Bit was inside, testing whether travel would affect someone within it.
• Bit reported feeling nothing during the Apparition, so Albert proposed letting Catherine and Valeria stay in the suitcase with Isabelle and setting up a Potions laboratory there.
• Bit told Albert that Lupin had returned the Galleons he had been paid to test spells, and Albert explained that he already knew about it.
• Albert and Isabelle discussed organizing material for an Ancient Runes Guide and consulting Professor Bathsheba Babbling, while Albert encouraged Isabelle to write textbooks for Hogwarts students.

Sirius and Lupin discussed cleaning 12 Grimmauld Place, opening a shop, and taking Harry to the Quidditch World Cup. The Weasleys celebrated Percy’s Ministry job and accepted Fred and George’s plan to open a joke shop, while learning more about Albert’s influence and the Ministry’s treatment of him.

• Sirius and Lupin discussed Albert’s shop ideas, then received Harry’s letter about the Weasleys’ invitation to the Quidditch World Cup and planned to get tickets.
• Percy announced that he had joined the Department of International Magical Cooperation, while Fred and George argued with Mrs. Weasley about opening a joke shop instead of working for the Ministry.
• Fred and George revealed that Albert had given each of them five hundred Galleons from the payment Sirius had made, and they explained how Albert had helped restore Sirius’s reputation.
• The Weasleys discussed Harry’s possible plans for the World Cup, and Mr. Weasley agreed to help persuade Mrs. Weasley to support the twins’ shop.
• Fred and George told Mr. Weasley that Albert’s Order of Merlin medal was gold-plated and that the Ministry had also withheld a youth award from him.

Albert received twelve Outstanding O.W.L. results and took Nia shopping in Diagon Alley, where they met Isabelle and Katrina and encountered the Malfoys. After seeing his family off, Albert met Mr. Bard at The Leaky Cauldron to travel to the Barnaby Finley Excellent Spellcasting Technique competition in Spain.

• Albert told his family he would travel to Spain for a spellcasting competition, then received his O.W.L. results, with an Outstanding in all twelve subjects.
• Angelina wrote to Albert about her O.W.L. results and the missing Quidditch captain badges, and Albert replied that he would see her at the Quidditch World Cup.
• Albert took Nia to Diagon Alley, where they met Isabelle and Katrina and ran into Narcissa Malfoy and Malfoy at Madam Malkin's shop.
• Albert and Nia shopped while Isabelle and Katrina visited the bookstore, then the group ate at Charlie's milk tea shop before Luke picked up Nia and the purchases.
• Albert told Isabelle and Katrina that he had an appointment with Mr. Bard, then met Bard at The Leaky Cauldron and left with him for the competition.

Bard brought Albert to the Ministry of Magic to apply for temporary permission to use magic while underage, and Albert discussed Voldemort’s coming return and the deaths ahead. After bypassing the Office for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts, they received the necessary approval and left with Crouch’s good wishes.

• Bard took Albert through the Ministry’s telephone-box entrance and explained that he was applying for permission for Albert to use magic temporarily.
• Albert told Bard that Peter Pettigrew was alive and likely in Albania, and predicted that an omen of Voldemort’s return would appear at the Quidditch World Cup.
• Bard and Albert entered the Ministry, passed the security check, and went to see Old Barty Crouch to avoid dealing directly with Dolores Umbridge.
• Crouch sent Percy to get Umbridge’s signature, then stamped the completed parchment and wished Albert luck in winning an award.

Albert arrived in Spain with Bard to compete in the Barnaby Finley Excellent Spellcasting Technique competition and settled into the bar hosting it. He learned how the contest worked and was warned about the bar owner’s half-Vampire daughter, Diana.

• Albert and Bard arrived at the Spanish Ministry of Magic, where Bard introduced Albert to his old friend Rodris and boasted about Albert’s achievements.
• Bard explained that he teased Rodris whenever they met because Rodris had once shown off and disgusted him.
• Albert and Bard reached Barnaby’s Bar, the competition venue, and Bard explained that its owner sponsored international competitions and was half-Vampire.
• Bard booked rooms and warned Albert to beware of drinks offered by others because Diana, the bar owner’s daughter, pursued handsome young men and Vampires could be dangerous.
• Bard explained that contestants would demonstrate their spellcasting for judges, face elimination rounds, and compete for a pure-gold trophy.

Bard tutored Albert for the Barnaby Finley Excellent Spellcasting Technique Award and explained the competition’s history while Albert met other contestants in Spain. After registering for the preliminary round, Albert wondered what kind of relationship Bard had with Diana, the tavern owner.

• Bard coached Albert on how to demonstrate his spellcasting technique and explained that the competition rewarded skillful magic.
• Albert encountered Terence Higgs at the tavern, where Old Higgs showed his dislike of Albert and Bard criticized his pure-blood prejudice.
• Bard told Albert how Finkley's Tricks inspired the award and how the competition was established to encourage outstanding spellcasting techniques.
• Diana registered Albert for the competition, and Albert received badge number 17 after writing down his age and origin.
• Bard introduced Diana as the tavern owner with one-quarter Vampire blood, and Albert suspected she had a close relationship with Bard.

Albert enjoyed a Spanish meal before watching Yanira enchant the tavern audience with songs that seemed to use Charm Magic. He learned more about the Barnaby Finley competition and its Gold Award, then discovered the task on his panel required him to win both the championship and the judges’ approval.

• Albert noticed that Yanira’s singing held the tavern audience spellbound and suspected she was using Charm Magic, while Bard said her father had one-quarter Veela blood.
• Bard explained that winning the Barnaby Finley championship did not guarantee the Gold Award, and Albert’s task panel assigned him to win both and listed Yanira’s favorability among the rewards.
• Albert asked for Yanira’s signed records and learned the bar owner handled translation for the international competition because he spoke more than ten languages.
• Diana tested Albert in several languages, praised Bard as a former Gold Award winner, and promised to introduce Albert to Yanira if he won the Gold Award.
• Albert told Diana he already had a girlfriend, then asked Bard whether Diana was his daughter; Bard replied, “Not exactly.”

Albert arrived in Spain for the Barnaby Finley Excellent Spellcasting Technique competition, learned that Diana hoped her daughter Yanira would pursue him, and spoke with Isabelle through their Two-way Mirror. The competition began the next morning, with Albert waiting as contestant number seventeen.

• Diana gave Albert the list of spells for the competition and discussed her plan for Yanira to attract him, while Yanira objected to being pushed into seducing him.
• Albert spoke with Isabelle through the Two-way Mirror, told her about arriving in Spain, and discussed their future classes and the Yule Ball.
• Albert joined Bard and Rodris for breakfast, learned that Dumbledore was not among the five judges, and received advice to demonstrate plenty of magic.
• The organizers arranged the bar for the competition, and Albert took his place as contestant number seventeen in the first group.
• A contestant went onstage first and conjured a vast field of flowers.