Chapter Summaries

After Harry Potter was forced to compete in the Triwizard Tournament, Pomona questioned Severus about the decision and his plans to protect Harry and Neville. She left feeling trapped, while preparing a protective gift for Hermione and considering asking another headmaster for help.

• Pomona confronted Severus about allowing Harry to remain a Triwizard champion, and Severus said the magical contract left them no choice.
• Severus urged Pomona to help Cedric prepare for the first task and warned that he could die, but she refused to cheat.
• Severus told Pomona that Mad-Eye had used the Cruciatus Curse in front of Neville and asked her to arrange tea so Neville and Alastor could reconcile.
• Pomona left Severus’s office feeling increasingly trapped and later prepared Dumbledore’s enchanted dress-robe button as a Christmas gift for Hermione.
• Pomona considered asking another headmaster for a protective button of her own.

Pomona discussed her past romance with Hannah while arranging to send Hermione a dress robe, hoping Hermione could reshape her dream of the Yule Ball with Ron. She also revealed that Neville Longbottom was Hannah’s prospective fiancé, leaving Hannah stunned.

• Hannah warned Pomona that the Malfoys’ owl might make the Weasleys suspect the gift to Hermione was cursed, then persuaded Pomona to share her romantic history.
• Pomona recalled her relationship with Cedric, their first kiss, and the years they later spent living in seclusion.
• Pomona explained that she wanted Hermione to rewrite her dream by imagining Ron in Viktor’s place, and Hannah agreed to help send Hermione a dress robe.
• Hannah asked who Pomona had chosen as her fiancé, and Pomona named Neville Longbottom.
• Pomona told Hannah not to mistake Neville’s former clumsiness for weakness, describing him as a brave warrior with the spirit of Gryffindor.

Pomona told Hannah Abbott about the rivalries and painful romantic histories of Hogwarts teachers, explaining why she had chosen to speak plainly about Neville as a possible match. She warned Hannah not to repeat Minerva’s private history, then shared stories about Snape’s vindictive pranks.

• Pomona explained how Hogwarts Heads of House gained their positions and described the fierce Potions duel in which Severus defeated Slughorn.
• Pomona admitted that she had planned to match Hannah with Neville but decided to tell her directly, urging her not to run away from love as Isobel and Eileen had.
• Pomona recounted Minerva McGonagall’s brief marriage to Doug McGregor and her later marriage to Elphinstone Urquart, asking Hannah to keep the story secret.
• Pomona told Hannah that Justin Finch-Fletchley had made humiliating badges for Harry Potter under her instructions, while Cedric had stopped students from wearing them.
• Pomona revealed that Severus had arranged for Moaning Myrtle to see Cedric and Harry naked in the Prefects’ Bathroom, and Hannah reacted with shock.

Pomona discussed Draco’s past and Lucius’s efforts to clear the Malfoy family name as Lucius revealed he had a plan. She refused to summon Severus, choosing not to distract him, but told Lucius he could let Severus know she was at the manor.

• Lucius explained how Draco had tried to protect his dignity, served Umbridge, and later joined the Death Eaters’ circle at the manor.
• Pomona blamed Lucius for involving Severus in Draco’s mission and argued with him about the danger they had underestimated.
• Lucius reflected on Draco’s growth and accused Pomona of pushing Severus forward without regard for his pain.
• Lucius revealed that Polyjuice Potion could let Death Eaters infiltrate the Order and admitted he wanted to clear his family’s name.
• Lucius said he believed his opportunity had arrived, but Pomona declined to summon Severus and left to help in the kitchen.

Pomona and Narcissa discussed wartime safety, their worries about Draco, and Pomona’s feelings for Severus and Sirius. Narcissa gave Pomona a golden phonograph for Christmas, then sent Honey to protect her while she went record shopping.

• Narcissa warned Pomona that Muggle-born families without defensive magic had been vulnerable during the last war and recalled the murder of Marlene McKinnon's family.
• Pomona asked Narcissa whether she was too harsh on Draco, and they discussed Hogwarts’s failures, Cedric Diggory, and the dangers facing their children.
• Narcissa challenged Pomona about her feelings for Sirius and Severus, while Pomona recalled her grief over Severus’s death and her memories of Lily.
• Narcissa gave Pomona a golden phonograph as an early Christmas present and urged her to buy records while Muggle shops remained open.
• Pomona told Narcissa that Severus had broken the Black family's Two-Way Mirror, then Narcissa sent Honey to accompany and protect Pomona while she shopped.

Pomona met Hannah Abbott for drinks and discussed Dark magic, the members of Dumbledore’s Army, and her relationship with Severus. She encouraged Hannah to pursue Neville while admitting that Lily remained a rival in her own relationship.

• Hannah Abbott suggested that Pomona use an Invisibility Cloak or Disillusionment Charm to avoid attention at the tavern, and Pomona discussed vampires and Dark magic with her.
• Pomona told Hannah that Severus was in the North Sea stopping Werewolves from attacking Azkaban, and they reflected on Dumbledore’s Army and Zacharias Smith.
• Pomona criticized Gilderoy Lockhart’s books and explained that she valued Severus’s strength and his use of Dark magic to protect her.
• Pomona told Hannah to pursue Neville before other women noticed him, and Hannah asked whether Luna Lovegood was a rival.
• Pomona revealed that Lily was her own rival and said Severus would use Dark spells on her if she tried to find someone else.

Pomona reflected on the Leaky Cauldron’s history, Sirius’s ruined reputation, and the danger she had faced, then considered how she had quietly resisted the Carrows by supporting Dumbledore’s Army students. Her thoughts turned to Hannah and her habit of competing with Ernie over Chocolate Frog cards.

• Pomona recalled the Leaky Cauldron’s history and thought it needed a new owner.
• Pomona remembered that the Daily Prophet had falsely accused Sirius of leading the Azkaban breakout, deepening his depression.
• Pomona explained that she had taken Sirius to a Muggle zoo and disguised herself with Polyjuice Potion, unaware their photograph would cause an uproar.
• Pomona recalled the dagger threat and reflected on how appearances had shaped judgments of Sirius and others.
• Pomona described appointing Dumbledore’s Army members, including Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott, to the Hufflepuff Quidditch team as a form of resistance.
• Pomona thought about Hannah’s secret competitiveness over collecting rare Chocolate Frog cards.

Pomona investigated a devastating attack on Diagon Alley and identified the attacker as a child Obscurial, likely being controlled by someone seeking the Deathly Hallows. She warned Severus about the danger and ended the chapter with him reassuring and comforting her by the frozen lake.

• Pomona treated the injured at the ruined Leaky Cauldron while Hannah Abbott continued helping the wounded, and Pomona sent Honey to warn Lucius Malfoy.
• After hearing that a victim had seen white eyes, Pomona went to the lakeside and was confronted by the hoarse voice that urged her to remember the Resurrection Stone.
• Severus arrived after Lucius told him about the attack, and Pomona suggested that Grindelwald's followers and the Dark Lord's followers might be coordinating their assaults.
• Pomona explained that the attacker was likely an uncontrollable Obscurial child under ten and suspected the enemy wanted the Deathly Hallows, especially the Resurrection Stone.
• Severus reassured Pomona that she should summon him whenever she needed him, then embraced and kissed her.

Severus and Pomona discussed Harry’s failures as head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, their family responsibilities, and secrets surrounding Credence and Nagini. They exchanged Christmas gifts, learned that Severus had acquired an Occamy egg, and made a wager about hatching it and Hagrid finding a Runespoor.

• Severus suggested Harry might have released an Obscurus because he felt lonely, and Pomona said Harry had been luckier than the child they discussed.
• Severus and Pomona talked about caring for Draco and Neville, remembered their unborn daughter Amore, and discussed Nagini, Credence’s identity as Aurelius Dumbledore, and Ariana’s stay at St Mungo’s.
• Pomona and Severus exchanged Christmas gifts, and Pomona excitedly recognized Severus’s silver egg as an Occamy egg.
• Severus and Pomona wagered three drops of Veritaserum on whether Pomona would hatch her snake egg before Hagrid found a Runespoor, then kissed.

Pomona reflected on the political dangers facing Harry and Hermione and resolved to gather allies to oppose Severus and secure Hermione’s succession as Minister for Magic. At Tinworth, she dug up Dobby’s grave to check whether Bellatrix’s dagger was still buried there.

• Pomona considered how Harry could be exploited by Aurors and dark wizards if Arthur Weasley withdrew, and recognized Galvin Robards as someone who could influence him.
• Pomona decided she needed allies for Hermione’s path to becoming Minister for Magic and considered asking Susan Bones for support.
• Pomona planned to restore the tradition of succession by persuading Kingsley to pass the ministerial position to Hermione.
• Pomona Apparated to Tinworth and reflected on Fleur Delacour’s home, her own Veela nature, and her resolve to resist Severus.
• Pomona found Dobby’s grave, apologized to him, and dug it open to check whether Bellatrix’s Black family dagger remained buried beside him.

Pomona reflected on her past with Severus and Dumbledore while deciding to raise the Occamy egg as her adopted child. She brought the egg to Malfoy Manor for Draco and Astoria’s party, where Narcissa worried that Astoria would take Draco away from her.

• Pomona returned to her villa in Godric’s Hollow, found Severus’s silver Occamy egg, and decided to care for it as its adoptive mother.
• Pomona remembered Dumbledore’s cursed ring and his death, regretting that she had not shown him kindness while he was alive.
• Pomona named herself the Occamy egg’s mother and took it with her through the fireplace to Malfoy Manor.
• Pomona met Astoria Greengrass at the party and told Narcissa that Astoria seemed good despite her pure-blood background.
• Narcissa worried Astoria might persuade Draco to move out, and Pomona reassured her while preparing to find a box for Astoria’s gift.

At a pure-blood gathering, Pomona fielded questions about Severus Snape’s legacy and redirected discussion toward practical support for St Mungo’s. Lucius Malfoy planned a visit to Hogwarts, while Narcissa sought to place House-elves at the hospital, leaving Pomona privately furious at her husband.

• Pomona reflected on Severus’s loneliness and his involvement with extremists, and reconsidered how she and Severus had been treated differently in pure-blood society.
• When a Fawley woman asked whether corridors should honor Dumbledore and Snape, Pomona argued that St Mungo’s needed support more than Hogwarts needed memorials.
• Lucius Malfoy said he planned to visit Hogwarts as a governor and warned that the Crouch family’s wealth would pass to outsiders without heirs.
• Pomona diverted the dinner conversation by asking Narcissa about Draco and Astoria’s engagement.
• Narcissa asked whether House-elves from Hogwarts could work at St Mungo’s, and other women asked whether non-pure-blood families could apply for House-elves too.
• Pomona drank eggnog to hide her expression as she grew angry at her husband.

Narcissa and Pomona discussed Severus’s painful past, the Malfoys’ struggles after the war, and the choices they had made to survive. Their conversation ended with Pomona admitting that she loved and resented the man who was trying to control her.

• Narcissa told Pomona about Severus’s miserable life with Wormtail and how he had risked everything to protect Draco.
• Narcissa described Pansy abandoning Draco during the family’s troubles and revealed that Lucius had sold items from a hidden cache to support them.
• Pomona said she had comforted Severus with a kiss during his sixth year and recalled sending Robby to care for Eileen.
• Pomona explained that she had let Kreacher return to the Black family home because she respected its loyalty and wishes.
• Narcissa and Pomona discussed the Malfoys’ hidden valuables, Severus’s tears, and Lucius’s relationship with Narcissa.
• Pomona complained that Severus was spending her money to control her, and Narcissa urged her to resist his influence.

Narcissa confided in Pomona about her fears for Draco, and Pomona urged her to contact Lucius and verify that Draco was safe. After Narcissa left, Pomona dwelled on Severus’s past and her fear that he had only valued her for her usefulness, then collapsed unconscious.

• Narcissa told Pomona about the Malfoys’ past, her guilt over Draco’s choices, and her fear that he might encounter Dementors.
• Pomona comforted Narcissa, played a love song, and reminded her that Draco would have to grow up and rely on himself.
• Narcissa showed Pomona the Galleon Draco had given her, and Pomona told her to ask Lucius to contact Severus and confirm Draco’s safety.
• Pomona noticed the Unbreakable Vow bracelet glowing red and burning hot, though she did not feel its heat herself.
• After Narcissa left, Pomona remembered Severus’s words about wanting a different life and feared he had valued her only for what she could provide.
• Pomona collapsed onto the sofa and lost consciousness.

Pomona awoke at Malfoy Manor and questioned Draco about the curse and the battle, then sought comfort with Severus. Severus told her that Kelpies had helped prisoners escape from an island fortress, and Pomona ended the chapter embracing him.

• Pomona worried about Christmas gifts for Draco and other people before hearing a confused exchange at Hogwarts involving Flitwick, Harry Potter, Draco, and Severus.
• Pomona woke at Malfoy Manor and asked Draco what gift he wanted, while Draco claimed his Black-family blood made him especially effective at treating curses.
• Draco said he had cursed Katie Bell’s necklace, and Pomona scolded Katie for touching an object of unknown origin.
• After Draco left, Pomona pressed Severus about the battle and asked him to kiss her, but he explained that Kelpies had attacked an island fortress and helped prisoners escape.
• Severus said Theodore Nott had altered the Kelpies’ habits and had been taken with the escaped prisoners, and Pomona embraced Severus to warm him.

Pomona relived memories involving Severus, Tom Riddle, and Grindelwald while an experiment and a Pensieve vision revealed truths about magic and the past. She woke beside a black-eyed Senior, who had invaded her mind with Legilimency, and their heated confrontation continued as a blizzard raged outside.

• The narration recalled Nearly Headless Nick's execution and the dangers Draco faced while wandering Hogwarts on the Bloody Baron's day.
• Severus remembered surviving a blizzard with a companion while searching for a Yeti and reflected on Basilisks, Horcruxes, and the hardships of teaching Draco and Harry.
• Pomona and Severus took part in a Human Transmutation experiment as the narration described Tom Riddle's bleak existence and Lucius's loss of faith in him.
• After the war, volunteers enjoyed Christmas away from home while Lucius provided a room for Ophiuchus, another man returned from death.
• Pomona and Severus argued over his demand to be called Master before Dumbledore showed Pomona a Pensieve memory of Grindelwald's blue flames burning people.
• Pomona woke to find the black-eyed Senior beside her, accused him of using Legilimency, and continued their heated encounter.

Pomona and Severus discussed Draco’s memories, her unknown parentage, and Severus’s absence from the Ministry battle as they tried to understand one another. Severus confessed that Dumbledore had asked him to kill Barty Crouch, and Pomona comforted him before their kiss turned passionate.

• Pomona explained that Draco had confided in her through memories and told Severus that she remembered being called Pomona Martin, though she doubted it was her real name.
• Severus asked Pomona whether she considered him a coward, and she called him a brave coward while recalling how he had protected Harry and Hermione from Lupin at the Shrieking Shack.
• Pomona suggested they go dog sledding, and Severus recalled that she had once visited him in Scandinavia during the Triwizard Tournament.
• Severus described Theodore Nott’s Potions Tournament victory and admitted that Theodore reminded him of Lucius, while Pomona urged him not to frighten the boy or his father.
• Severus broke down and told Pomona that Dumbledore had begged him to kill him so the Dark Lord would trust Severus again; Pomona said Draco would otherwise have been left responsible for killing Dumbledore.
• Pomona kissed Severus to comfort him, and he took control of the kiss as she chose to give in to her feelings.

Pomona and Severus discussed a dangerous dagger, shared a way to contact each other, and learned Hogwarts faced an inspection that could threaten its accreditation. Severus revealed secrets about the Malfoys, Pomona’s curse, and his mistrust of Dumbledore, leaving them embracing and longing to escape their troubles together.

• Severus identified Pomona’s dagger as Bellatrix’s goblin-made weapon, explained its curse, and gave her information about Hermione Granger’s parents.
• Severus gave Pomona a crystal communication device and told her the International Confederation of Wizards would inspect Hogwarts’s reconstruction next school year.
• Severus warned Pomona that Astoria and Daphne Greengrass both carried their family blood curse and urged her to keep the secret from Lucius and Cissy.
• Severus explained that Pomona’s curse could not be treated with potions, that Draco’s magic had helped her, and that his Unbreakable Vow tied the Malfoys and their family together.
• Severus confessed that he had misled Dumbledore about loving Lily to protect Pomona and distrusted Dumbledore’s judgment; Pomona embraced him as they wished to leave their troubles behind.

Pomona and Severus reflected on the Malfoy family’s blood curse and the escaped Death Eaters while spending a quiet day together. Draco visited with an Invigoration Draught before leaving to meet Astoria, and Severus took Pomona home to find something fun to do.

• Severus learned that the Greengrass family’s fertility curse complicated Draco’s future with Astoria, and that Augustus Rookwood had escaped from prison.
• Pomona worried about Rookwood’s knowledge of Time-Turners as she and Severus read the Daily Prophet together on January 2, 2005.
• Pomona asked Severus whether she had set a bad example by urging Hogwarts’ House-elves to fight during the Battle of Hogwarts, and he said the battle had needed people.
• Severus suggested Draco should build a career of his own and avoid devoting himself completely to Astoria, and Pomona agreed.
• Draco brought Pomona an Invigoration Draught and said he was going to meet Astoria before departing for Greengrass Manor.
• Severus teased Pomona about being old, then took her hand and led her through the fireplace to go home.

Severus and Pomona discussed the Ministry, Azkaban, and Harry Potter’s possible appointment before turning their evening into a teasing performance. When Pomona tried to provoke Severus with a lap dance, he covered her with her coat and decided they were going out.

• Severus explained that Kingsley wanted to replace Galvin and might make Harry Potter Director of the Auror Office.
• Severus described the dark magic he had learned from the Dark Lord, and Pomona recognized its connection to pain and negative emotions.
• Pomona changed into a playful green outfit and asked Severus to make her dance as punishment for going out with Sirius.
• Pomona pushed Severus back onto the sofa and asked whether he had ever seen a lap dance, prompting them to argue about where they had learned of it.
• Severus summoned Pomona’s coat, told her she could not dance that way again, and opened the door to take her out.