Chapter Summaries

Albert arranged to use Bill and Fleur’s identities and hair so he could secretly take Mrs. McDougal to St. Mungo’s, while Fleur decided to join the Order of the Phoenix. At 12 Grimmauld Place, the Order prepared for a Ministry-backed ambush against the Death Eaters and received Albert’s new Communication Pens for the operation.

• Albert met Bill in disguise and asked to borrow his and Fleur’s identities and hair, explaining that he would use them to take Mrs. McDougal to St. Mungo’s discreetly.
• Bill gave Albert his own and Fleur’s hair, then learned that Fleur planned to join the Order of the Phoenix; Bill agreed to ask Dumbledore for approval.
• Mrs. Weasley told Bill that the Order’s meeting had been moved up because of an operation, and Bill hurried to 12 Grimmauld Place after dinner.
• Kingsley reported that Scrimgeour had agreed to help ambush the Death Eaters, and Fred and George distributed Albert’s Communication Pens to the group.
• The Order concealed the operation details before Snape arrived, and Bill announced Fleur’s intention to join; Mrs. Weasley looked troubled by how many of her family were joining the Order.

Albert and Mrs. McDougal disguised themselves to visit St. Mungo's so Isabelle could receive pregnancy care without exposing her to the Death Eaters. They secured the help of two maternity healers and left to continue treatment at a safe house.

• Albert and Mrs. McDougal disguised themselves as Bill and Fleur with Polyjuice Potion and entered St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
• Albert and Mrs. McDougal met Mrs. Dale, revealed their identities, and explained that Isabelle needed discreet pregnancy examinations.
• Albert offered Mrs. Dale five hundred Galleons up front and a magical contract, which she signed to protect their agreement.
• Mrs. Dale brought in Mrs. Mary, who also signed a contract and received a Two-way Mirror and payment from Albert.
• Albert and Mrs. McDougal left the hospital, planning to meet the others at one of Mr. Nicholas's safe houses and receive treatment inside the suitcase.

Sirius, Lupin, and Arthur watched a remote Devon village while using “Kenneth” as bait to lure Death Eaters toward a decoy Albert Anderson. They trusted Albert’s plan to use the Ministry against Bellatrix, while Sirius urged Lupin to stop avoiding his feelings for Tonks.

• Sirius and Lupin waited in the Devon village, where they had planted impostors in a house to make the Death Eaters believe Albert Anderson was hiding there.
• Sirius teased Lupin about Tonks and urged him to face his feelings, while Lupin said he could not offer her a future.
• Kingsley sent word that “Kenneth” had left the Ministry safe house and that Arthur would come to the village as the Death Eaters might scout that night.
• Arthur arrived by Floo and reported that the Ministry had not found anyone watching Kenneth, while the Aurors doubted the bait would work.
• Sirius argued that Albert’s plan would not fail because Albert needed the Ministry and his allies to keep trusting his prophecies, and Lupin and Arthur agreed that the arrangement benefited everyone.

Sirius, Lupin, Arthur, and Kingsley investigated a suspicious Muggle near Albert’s hiding place and concluded that the Death Eaters might attack that night. Bellatrix, Alecto Carrow, and Narcissa Malfoy planned a raid for three in the morning, while the Ministry prepared for both the attack and a possible diversion.

• Kingsley, disguised as Kenneth and protected by Liquid Luck, delivered a suitcase to Albert’s residence while Sirius and Lupin found no signs of a magical follower.
• Sirius used Brain Elixir to reason that a suspicious middle-aged Muggle might be under the Imperius Curse, and he ordered the group to let the man leave so the Death Eaters could learn Albert’s location.
• Bellatrix, Alecto Carrow, and Narcissa Malfoy used the Imperius Curse on the Muggle to scout the village; Bellatrix examined his memories, killed him, and chose to attack at three in the morning.
• Narcissa and Alecto warned Bellatrix that the raid might be a trap, but Bellatrix insisted they proceed and promised to extract information even if Albert was not there.
• Kingsley told Scrimgeour and Gawain that the Death Eaters might create a diversion, and Scrimgeour arranged for Gawain to keep elite Aurors ready for it.

Bellatrix led a Death Eater raid on Albert's supposed hideout in Devon, but the empty house and Ministry ambush turned the operation into a trap. The attackers' spells blasted the house apart while Bellatrix's Devil's Fire raged inside.

• Bellatrix declined Narcissa's warning and prepared the operation with Rodolphus, hiring Knockturn Alley wizards as decoys and reinforcements.
• Narcissa told Alecto Carrow she feared the raid was another trap, but Alecto argued that the Weasley brats might be the real targets.
• The Lestrange brothers sealed the area against Apparition while Bellatrix and her group broke through the house's defenses and found it empty.
• Bellatrix set the bedroom ablaze with Devil's Fire, but Albert did not appear, and she realized he had escaped.
• Explosions erupted outside, and a Death Eater shouted that the Ministry had ambushed them.
• Bellatrix attacked the Ministry forces with Devil's Fire, but incoming spells blasted Albert's home apart and struck the Death Eaters surrounding it.

Scrimgeour and the Ministry of Magic launched a surprise attack on the Death Eaters gathered near “Albert’s home,” destroying the house and defeating many of their allies. Bellatrix and Alecto Carrow escaped by Portkey, while Scrimgeour ordered the captured Lestrange brothers executed and prepared to publicize the victory.

• Kingsley informed Scrimgeour that more than fifty Death Eaters had arrived, and the Aurors traveled to the village to join the Order of the Phoenix.
• Scrimgeour and the Crisis Response Team bombarded the guards around “Albert’s home,” allowing the Aurors and Order members to ambush them.
• Scrimgeour ordered the house destroyed after the Death Eaters unleashed Devil’s Fire, and the blast knocked down many fighters.
• Rodolphus rallied the remaining attackers before concentrated Auror spells struck him down, and Rabastan was captured after failing to escape.
• Bellatrix killed a Crisis Response Team member and attacked the Aurors, but Alecto Carrow rescued her with a Portkey after using Devil’s Fire to cover their retreat.
• Scrimgeour ordered the wounded treated, the captured Dark Wizards secured, and the Devil’s Fire extinguished; he then executed the Lestrange brothers and arranged a press conference.

Albert watched the Ministry of Magic’s trap leave Bellatrix injured and several Death Eaters dead, then explained his role to Isabelle. As Scrimgeour defended the operation to reporters, Bella learned of the deaths and failure, and Narcissa urged her to focus on killing Dumbledore to regain the Dark Lord’s favor.

• Albert watched Alecto take the unconscious Bella away, then returned home and told Isabelle that the Ministry had used his hair and Polyjuice Potion to set a trap for the Death Eaters.
• Albert admitted to Isabelle that he had deliberately arranged for Rodolphus Lestrange to die, while noting that Bella’s disfigurement had been accidental.
• Scrimgeour showed reporters the dead Death Eaters and defended the Ministry’s methods, then arranged for the lone sympathetic reporter to meet victims’ families.
• Bella woke in the Death Eaters’ hideout and learned from Alecto and Narcissa that the supposed Albert Anderson and Kenneth Troller had been part of the Ministry’s plot, and that Rodolphus had died.
• Bella blamed the Mudblood and Kenneth Troller for the disaster, while Alecto warned that the Dark Lord was furious and Kenneth had vanished.
• Narcissa reminded Bella that Draco had reported Dumbledore was seriously injured and urged her to kill him so the Dark Lord might forgive her and Lucius.

Voldemort blamed Albert Anderson for the Death Eaters’ heavy losses and ordered his followers to intensify their efforts against the Ministry while planning to kill Dumbledore. Dumbledore and Snape discussed using Draco Malfoy’s plan against the Death Eaters, and Snape revealed Albert’s ominous prophecy about his own fate.

• Voldemort tortured Bellatrix for her failed mission and ordered Yaxley to accelerate the Ministry infiltration while he prepared to eliminate Scrimgeour.
• Snape told Voldemort that Dumbledore was badly injured and proposed using Draco Malfoy’s Hogwarts plan as an opportunity to kill him.
• Snape reported Voldemort’s plans to Dumbledore, who revealed that Albert had knowingly joined the conflict and was guiding events through his prophecies.
• Snape showed Dumbledore Albert’s prophecy about him, including warnings of death connected to a granted wish and a cursed subject.
• Dumbledore said he would find an opportunity to discuss the frightening prophecy with Albert.

Harry read news about the Ministry’s response to a reporter’s assault and discussed his search for Horcrux information with Hermione and Ron. He agreed to resume Dumbledore’s Army meetings that weekend, and word of the gathering quickly spread through Hogwarts.

• Harry read that the Ministry had excused the relatives who injured a reporter and mocked sympathy for Death Eaters.
• Hermione told Harry she had found no Horcrux clues in the books, and Harry considered asking Albert for help while saving his Liquid Luck.
• Ron said Fred and George had gone missing and that Bill had warned them not to put important information in letters.
• Harry learned that Malfoy had quit the Quidditch team and told Ron and Hermione he suspected Malfoy was plotting something.
• Harry agreed to hold a Dumbledore’s Army gathering that weekend and proposed reviewing defensive spells and the Patronus Charm.
• Students across Hogwarts heard about the gathering and approached Harry to ask what magic he would teach.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione discussed the renewed Dumbledore's Army meetings before Harry clashed with Malfoy's group in the corridor. Later, Snape told Draco that his assassination attempts were futile and laid out a plan to kill Dumbledore, leaving Draco furious and distrustful.

• Ron told Harry and Hermione that the Ministry's Defense Against the Dark Arts training had made students eager to learn practical protection.
• Harry said he distrusted his sudden popularity and was preparing for the possibility of living on the run as Voldemort gained power.
• Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle deliberately rammed into Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but Malfoy stopped his companions from escalating the confrontation.
• Malfoy told Crabbe and Goyle he had important business and needed to avoid attracting attention while working on the Dark Lord's task.
• Snape criticized Malfoy's cursed-necklace and poisoning plans, warning that they could expose him and ruin Snape's own strategy.
• Snape instructed Malfoy to have Bellatrix gather a group to invade Hogwarts and attack the injured Dumbledore, with Snape prepared to strike if they failed.

Cedric and Truman joined the Defense Association and were taken through its layered defenses to the hidden headquarters. They learned that Albert was organizing supporters to train for the eventual battle between Harry and The Dark Lord.

• Truman and Cedric left the Leaky Cauldron and traveled to a hidden safe house after discussing the growing danger from Death Eaters.
• Dobby transported them to a fog-shrouded village, where Lee Jordan, Fred, and George verified their identities and welcomed them to the Defense Association.
• George explained the Fidelius Charm, warned them not to speak The Dark Lord's name, and gave them a Silver Card to reveal the base entrance.
• George led them through concealed passages into the Defense Association's underground headquarters and described its defenses and training hall.
• Lee Jordan and George explained that Albert was preparing combat training and expected Harry and the Order of the Phoenix to need more supporters for the coming final battle.

Ambrosius Flume considered partnering with Fred and George after Honeydukes lost business, but learned he could not contact them while they were hiding from Death Eaters. Meanwhile, Ministry of Magic patrol members discussed a suspected Imperius-controlled resident in Hogsmeade, and the middle-aged wizard secretly cast a spell at his colleague.

• Ambrosius Flume visited Zoko's Joke Shop to ask about working with Fred and George, and Zoko explained his manager's salary and commission arrangement.
• Flume decided to leave open the possibility of a partnership and asked Zoko to pass along his interest if he managed to contact the twins.
• Flume passed Madam Rosmerta and two Ministry of Magic Crisis Response Team Members as he returned to Honeydukes, drawing the middle-aged patrol member's attention.
• The patrol members discussed whether someone in Hogsmeade was under the Imperius Curse and speculated about the Auror Office's clues.
• The middle-aged Ministry employee secretly raised his wand and cast a spell at his colleague.

Albert discussed the Ministry’s struggle against Death Eater attacks and his unfinished Defense Against the Dark Arts guide, then explained to Isabelle how he planned to help defeat The Dark Lord. He revealed that he and Dumbledore had contingencies for turning The Dark Lord mortal and killing him, and asked Isabelle to keep the secret.

• Shanna told Albert that new members wanted to meet him and that Fred and George were asking about his Defense Against the Dark Arts Guide.
• George and Fred asked Albert for a solution to the Death Eaters’ attacks, and Albert suggested that the Ministry seek help from foreign Aurors.
• Albert explained that he was still writing the guide while searching for potential safe houses across England.
• Isabelle read Albert’s advanced manuscript, and Albert said he planned to teach the Defense Association only the basics needed to protect themselves.
• Albert told Isabelle that Dumbledore was working to make The Dark Lord mortal and revealed that Snape and Albert were among Dumbledore’s contingencies.
• Albert said he had discovered The Dark Lord’s secret through Ravenclaw’s Diadem and asked Isabelle to keep what he knew secret.

Rufus Scrimgeour faced the Ministry’s growing exhaustion and the threat of Death Eater infiltration by presenting a voluntary protection plan and seeking international help. At the International Confederation of Wizards meeting in Paris, he warned that England’s crisis could expose the wizarding world to Muggles and pressed the other countries to send Aurors.

• Scrimgeour heard Kingsley report that Death Eater attacks had overwhelmed Ministry staff, then introduced a voluntary protection plan for the families of Ministry workers, with Dumbledore as its planned Secret-Keeper.
• Percy delivered an urgent condemnation from the International Confederation of Wizards, and Scrimgeour decided to travel to Paris to demand practical assistance.
• Scrimgeour arrived at the Paris meeting and argued that Dark Wizards from across Europe had flooded into England, presenting a list of nearly two hundred executed criminals.
• Scrimgeour warned the Confederation that England could lose control, Muggles could learn of the wizarding world, and the other countries would have to face the consequences if they refused to send Aurors.
• Babejide Akingbade said the Confederation would consult the national Ministries, while Scrimgeour urged them to act before England’s exhausted staff could no longer contain the crisis.

Albert discussed the Ministry’s appeal for international aid with Isabelle, then arranged a thorough examination for his pregnant wife. The chapter ended when the Weasley twins sent him an urgent message saying Cedric was in trouble.

• Albert told Isabelle that international aid was unlikely to arrive and explained how Scrimgeour’s appeal could expose the Confederation’s failure to help England.
• Albert led Healers Mrs. Daisy and Mrs. Mary through a protected safe house to examine Isabelle.
• Mrs. Daisy and Mrs. Mary found Isabelle and the baby healthy and gave her advice for the rest of her pregnancy.
• Albert received an urgent message from the Weasley twins saying Cedric was in trouble.

Albert prepared to rescue Cedric after learning Death Eaters had captured and tortured him. He led Fred, George, and Lee Jordan toward the enemy’s hideout, leaving Shanna behind as backup, and the group reached a village occupied by Dark Wizards and Dementors.

• Albert reassured Isabelle, then went to Defense Association headquarters to join Fred, George, Lee Jordan, and Shanna.
• Albert used a Crystal Ball and a tracking spell on Cedric’s pocket watch to locate him and found that twelve enemies held him in a remote building.
• Albert assigned Shanna to remain behind with a Two-way Mirror and led the others toward the hideout using a concealed route.
• The group sensed Dementors near the village, but Albert decided to continue with the rescue plan.
• Albert spotted lights and heard screams from the village’s largest house, then stopped the others before they approached.

Albert and his friends infiltrated the Dark Wizards’ hideout and overcame its defenses with the Banshee’s Wail and an unexpected entrance through the wall. After driving off the Dementors and learning who had betrayed Cedric, they prepared for Bellatrix Lestrange’s arrival.

• The Dementors spotted Albert and his companions, but Albert used the Banshee’s Wail to knock out the Dark Wizards waiting in ambush.
• Albert and the others entered through a doorway they made in the wall, stunned another attacker, and bound and disarmed their enemies.
• When Dementors approached, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan failed to summon corporeal Patronuses, so Albert drove the Dementors away with his own.
• Albert contacted Shanna and Scrimgeour, then searched the prisoners’ memories and learned that an Imperiused student had exposed Cedric and the Defense Association.
• Albert discovered that Yaxley had ordered Cedric’s capture and that Bellatrix Lestrange had been summoned; he sent Cedric to Hogwarts with Dobby.

Bellatrix walked into Albert Anderson’s trap and was cornered by Ministry Aurors, but Voldemort’s arrival forced them to retreat. Voldemort found Albert had escaped, blamed Bellatrix for the failure, and left her devastated as Alecto helped her return.

• Alecto and Yaxley refused to accompany Bellatrix, who went alone to the Muggle village to find the captive Diggory.
• Bellatrix killed several disguised figures who looked like herself, then discovered Albert had lured her into a trap and left messages mocking her.
• Ministry Aurors surrounded Bellatrix and trapped her inside the house, where she could not Apparate.
• Gawain led Aurors into the house, but they withdrew after a Patronus warned that the Dark Lord was coming.
• Voldemort arrived with Death Eaters, questioned Bellatrix about Albert, and attacked her when she admitted she did not know where he had gone.
• Alecto supported the injured Bellatrix as she left with the Death Eaters, reminding her that they had warned her it was probably a trap.

Albert fled with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan after learning that Voldemort was coming, then took them to Hogwarts to check on Cedric. He explained that they needed to weaken Voldemort’s forces and wait for Dumbledore to find a way to make him mortal before attempting to kill him.

• Albert warned the Aurors that Voldemort was coming, then Apparated with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan to a hidden safe house.
• Albert realized Voldemort had used Cassandra Vablatsky’s Divination to locate him and concluded that the threat would likely end when she died.
• Dobby took the group to Hogwarts, where Albert sent him away and led the others toward the Hospital Wing under a Disillusionment Charm.
• Albert told Fred, George, and Lee Jordan that confronting Voldemort now was too dangerous and that they had to wait for Dumbledore to discover how to kill him completely.

Albert suspected that Cedric had been placed under the Imperius Curse and tested his theory by pouring a potion over him, confirming the curse when Cedric reacted. After Cho Chang arrived to see Cedric, Albert and the others left the ward with Dobby, who had come with a request from Dumbledore.

• Cedric woke in the hospital ward and told Albert, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan about his inability to return to work at the Ministry of Magic.
• Albert suspected Cedric had been struck by the Imperius Curse and poured a large bottle of liquid over him while Fred, George, and Lee held him down.
• Cedric reacted to the liquid, convincing Albert that he was under the Imperius Curse, and George took Cedric's wand.
• Cho Chang hurried into the ward to visit Cedric, and the four friends left them alone.
• Dobby met Albert outside the ward with a request from Dumbledore, then held out a hand to Fred as the three wizards vanished.