Chapter Summaries

Vizet explained that the examiners wanted to measure whether magic could be understood and trusted, then demonstrated how science had inspired a spell experiment. He left the examiners puzzled by claiming his frozen water sphere should contain no impurities.

• Vizet deduced that the exam's final question was designed to test whether magic could be measured and trusted, and David Morris confirmed it.
• David Morris insisted that the examiners sought mutual understanding, unlike those who had tried to control wizards through fear.
• Vizet compared magic and science as tools people used to understand and change the world, prompting David Morris to call him extraordinary.
• Vizet cast Water from the Fountain to form a sphere, then used Petrificus Totalus to freeze it like a glass ball.
• David Morris and the other examiners questioned how Vizet had frozen the water, and Vizet said his spell should leave the sphere without any impurities.

Vizet demonstrated that the Water-Making Spell could produce ultrapure water and gave David Morris an ice sphere created with the Full Body-Bind Curse to investigate. Excited by the possibility that it had reached absolute zero, Morris left the exam room with the evidence, expecting to meet Vizet again.

• David Morris questioned Vizet about whether his conjured water contained any impurities, and Vizet explained that specialized spell techniques could produce ultrapure water.
• Vizet and Griselda Marchbanks explained that the demonstration showed wizards and Muggles could study the world's laws through different methods and still communicate.
• Vizet placed the ice sphere in a suitcase and gave it to Morris so he could investigate it.
• Vizet explained that the Full Body-Bind Curse had frozen the water and suggested that the ice sphere might demonstrate the link between temperature and molecular motion.
• Morris became eager to examine the water and ice, thanked Marchbanks, and left with the suitcase, telling Vizet they would likely meet again.

After Vizet finished his O.W.L. practical exam, Griselda Marchbanks explained that the Muggles observing the next day wanted to judge magic’s power and potential threat. Meanwhile, Voldemort’s followers monitored the Ministry of Magic and prepared for a task involving Severus.

• Griselda Marchbanks told Vizet that the next day’s Muggle observers had attended the Easter demonstration and wanted to assess magic’s power and threat.
• Vizet completed his exam, and Griselda Marchbanks sent him out to rest.
• Carcas used Heavenly Eye to track Vizet and reported that the exam was taking place below the Ministry of Magic, near the Department of Mysteries.
• Voldemort and Herpo discussed the Muggle observers and agreed that the Magical World needed to be reshaped.
• Voldemort sent Carcas to check on Severus, and Carcas reported that Severus had returned to the ninth underground level and was outside the Department of Mysteries.

As the fifth-years gathered for their next O.W.L. practical exam, Harry described combining Transfiguration with a Shrinking Charm to tackle a bonus question. The students wondered whether Muggle examiners would also attend the comprehensive practical exam.

• Vizet healed Chris after he bit his tongue at breakfast.
• Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the others compared their anxious dreams about the O.W.L. Exams.
• Ron explained that he had drawn the Hanged Man Tarot card, and Vizet reassured him about its meaning.
• Hermione regretted not using a Shrinking Charm for the previous day's bonus question, so Harry described shrinking a Transfigured gear.
• Harry recalled that an examiner had praised his combined use of magic, and Ron and Anthony speculated that Muggles would attend the next practical exam.

Vizet explained that the Muggle examiners wanted to find reliable results in magic, then demonstrated his Transfiguration by turning a blade of grass into a Phoenix. His classmates wondered whether it was a real magical creature and marveled at the unprecedented feat as they headed toward the exam.

• Hermione and her friends speculated that the Muggle examiners wanted to test how precisely students could Transfigure objects.
• Vizet said Mr. Morris and the other examiners were sincere researchers seeking more stable, attainable results from magic.
• Vizet explained that Harry had solved the previous exam problem in a distinctly Wizarding way, which inspired Mr. Morris to consider other possibilities.
• Terry asked how Vizet had completed the exam, and Vizet Transfigured a blade of grass into a singing Phoenix.
• Anthony and Hermione questioned whether Vizet had created a real Phoenix, while the others marveled at his Transfiguration and discussed Dumbledore's feats.

Vizet explained how he had used Muggle laws to freeze a ball of water with the Full Body-Bind Curse, and Hermione recognized David Morris as a physicist who might win the Nobel Prize. The students returned to the Ministry of Magic for their exams, while Snape eyed the Department of Mysteries with a sharp glint.

• Hermione identified David Morris as an outstanding physicist who was likely to win the Nobel Prize in Physics.
• Ron joked that Fred and George might establish a Weasley Prize someday.
• Vizet said he had solved the bonus question by Transfiguring a pattern and dimensions, then explained that he had given the examiners a ball of ice created using the Full Body-Bind Curse and Muggle laws.
• The students and professors traveled by Portkey to the Ministry of Magic, where the students seemed more cheerful than the day before.
• Snape followed the group to the Ministry of Magic's ninth underground level and stared at the closed doors of the Department of Mysteries.

Michael entered the expanded O.W.L. practical exam room and prepared for an exam featuring environmental changes, Dark Magic creatures, and risky bonus questions. As the test began, he protected himself from the sudden rain with Water and Fire Resistance.

• Michael was astonished by the exam room’s Hogwarts-like grounds, which an examiner said Headmaster Dumbledore had helped expand.
• The examiner explained that the exam included bonus questions, including a higher-risk task, and Michael grew nervous about attempting it.
• Michael read the exam instructions and practiced the Charm to Repel Weapons, impressing the examiner with his proficiency.
• The exam began with a sudden downpour, and Michael cast Water and Fire Resistance to protect himself.
• The examiner observed that Michael’s response matched the practical skills shown by other candidates.

Michael struggled against a Grindylow in magically created mud during his comprehensive practical exam, then accidentally struck the creature’s fragile finger with a Repelling Charm and subdued it. The examiner remained unsure how to judge Michael’s mixed performance but was impressed by the high magical standards of this year’s students.

• Michael searched the mud for the Grindylow, stumbled during its ambush, and failed to hit it with a Full Body-Bind Curse.
• Michael cast a hurried Repelling Charm as the Grindylow attacked his wand hand, accidentally breaking one of its fingers.
• Michael used two Full Body-Bind Curses to immobilize the injured Grindylow, and the mud and dark clouds receded.
• Michael recalled that Grindylow fingers were fragile and realized his Repelling Charm had struck the creature’s weakness by chance.
• The examiner judged Michael’s performance difficult to assess and reflected that this year’s students displayed unusually strong magical abilities.

Michael used the Water-Making Spell and his Water and Fire Resistance Spell to outmaneuver a Fire Crab during the examination. After wind drove the creature away and fog enveloped the venue, he lit his Wand and prepared to draw out whatever was lurking nearby.

• Michael reinforced his Water and Fire Resistance Spell when cracks opened in the ground and flames surged through the examination venue.
• Michael recognized the gem-shelled creature as a Fire Crab and dodged its flames while trying to douse its tail with the Water-Making Spell.
• Michael repeatedly attacked the Fire Crab's tail with water until the examiner judged his basic approach sufficient.
• A fierce gust ended the extreme heat and pushed the Fire Crab out of sight as fog spread across the venue.
• Michael cast Lumos Solem to illuminate the fog, accepting that the light might reveal his position and attract lurking Magical creatures.

Michael completed the comprehensive practical exam by overcoming Cornish Pixies with the Charm to Repel Weapons, then declined the higher-risk bonus question. He left the tent relieved after learning he had finished in eighteen minutes.

• Michael recognized the attacking creatures as Cornish Pixies, which began pelting him with pebbles from the fog.
• After Michael fell and a pebble nearly struck him, his Charm to Repel Weapons caused the stones to bounce back and injure the Pixies.
• Michael trapped the fallen Pixies in small iron cages and drenched the last one with the Water-Making Spell as it tried to escape.
• The fog dispersed, and the examiner told Michael he had completed the practical exam in eighteen minutes and could attempt Bonus Question B.
• Michael declined the riskier bonus exam, then followed the examiner out of the tent, relieved.

After finishing his O.W.L. exam, Michael sought out the examiners to learn how Vizet had performed. Vizet’s examiner described an extraordinary Weather Charm, leaving his colleagues stunned and himself still shaken.

• Michael learned that four candidates were still taking the exam and decided to ask about Vizet’s results.
• Chris came out of his tent and joined Michael in looking for Vizet’s examiner.
• The examiners told Michael and Chris that Vizet had brought Ministry of Magic staff to inspect the tents.
• Vizet’s examiner said he had gone away to contemplate life after witnessing Vizet’s performance.
• Vizet’s examiner explained that Vizet had changed rainy weather to sunshine with a Wand wave and no spoken spell.

Michael learned that Vizet completed the bonus question in about two minutes, then reunited with Anthony and Terry, who wanted to ask Vizet about it. Meanwhile, Griselda Marchbanks explained magic to visiting Muggle officials as Vizet’s examination began.

• Michael learned that Vizet spent about two minutes on Bonus Question b), most of his exam time having gone to walking to its venue.
• Michael and Chris found Anthony and Terry in the corridor and told them how quickly Vizet had completed the bonus question.
• Anthony and Terry said they still wanted to find Vizet and ask what the bonus question involved.
• Griselda Marchbanks explained to visiting Muggle officials that different Wizards produced different effects with the same spell because magic reflected their will, emotions, and understanding.
• An examiner announced that Vizet’s examination was beginning, and everyone in the observation room turned toward his screen.

Vizet completed the practical exam’s first round without summoning the expected storm, then demonstrated the Charm to Repel Weapons and proceeded to the additional question. Griselda Marchbanks explained that his Transfiguration had created a real Merperson, leaving the Muggle officials astonished.

• Vizet entered the tent, where the weather remained clear and sunny instead of turning into a storm.
• Griselda Marchbanks declared the round over, and Vizet demonstrated the Charm to Repel Weapons before following the examiner to the additional question.
• Griselda Marchbanks showed the observers a Grindylow cowering beneath a Transfigured Merperson.
• Griselda Marchbanks explained that the Grindylow’s submission showed the Merperson came from cold water and that Vizet had Transfigured it.
• A Muggle official wondered whether Vizet had created life, and Griselda Marchbanks said that was not quite an accurate description.

Vizet faced the heavily fortified site for Bonus Question b), where Muggle officials tested how magic could withstand a barrage of rubber bullets and enchanted defenses. He disabled the attacks and crossed the barricades using magic Griselda Marchbanks could not identify, leaving the officials and examiners unsure what he would do next.

• Vizet restrained the Grindylow, Fire Crab, and Cornish Pixies with different spells, leaving them unable to attack.
• Vizet entered a fortified site of steel barricades and firearms, and the Muggle officials watched to see how he would handle its enchanted defenses.
• Vizet used the Bird-Conjuring Charm to catch the first barrage of rubber bullets in the birds' beaks.
• Vizet used the Engorgement Charm to enlarge the rubber bullets inside the guns, causing their compartments to burst.
• Vizet crossed the barricades in an instant despite the Anti-Apparition Jinx, and Griselda Marchbanks admitted she did not know what magic he had used.

Vizet faced Muggle soldiers wearing Magic Armor in the next trial of his Comprehensive Practical Examination. As the smoke cleared, the observers waited to see whether he had been defeated like John Deloris.

• Muggle officials and examiners recalled the power of magic and worried about Vizet's upcoming trial against Magic-Powered Armor.
• The officials explained that two soldiers wearing Magic-Powered Armor had subdued the accomplished Auror John Deloris.
• Vizet recognized the armor as modified sets sold by Fred and George and chose to use spells rather than dismantle them, so their business would not suffer.
• The armored soldiers released clouds of smoke that swallowed Vizet, and the observers feared he had met the same fate as John Deloris.
• The smoke dispersed, revealing the outcome of the encounter.

Vizet easily defeated Muggle soldiers, stopped their rubber bullets with unfamiliar magic, and passed through them before teleporting with a Phoenix into a sealed building. The Muggle officials were left bewildered, while Griselda Marchbanks explained the Phoenix’s ability to transport people anywhere.

• Vizet knocked the armored Muggle soldiers unconscious, and the examiners watched him conjure beds to catch them.
• Vizet halted incoming rubber bullets in midair, baffling the Muggle High-level and the examiners.
• Vizet walked through the bullets as his body became illusory, then approached a huge, windowless cubic building.
• Vizet summoned a Phoenix and vanished with it in a flash of fire, appearing inside the building beside a fully armed Muggle soldier.
• The Muggle soldier fainted at Vizet’s sudden appearance, and Vizet conjured a pillow to catch him.
• Griselda Marchbanks explained that a Phoenix could transport a person anywhere.

Griselda Marchbanks explained that Phoenixes could not be restrained or tamed, then Vizet appeared in the observation room after using a Phoenix’s magical talent to escape the examination structure. Marchbanks let him return to the exam, despite his unauthorized departure, because he had rescued a Muggle soldier.

• Griselda Marchbanks told the Muggle High-level officials that Phoenixes could travel anywhere and that the Ministry had no way to restrict their magical talent.
• Marchbanks rejected the officials’ desire to tame or exploit Phoenixes and said Vizet’s bond with his Phoenix came from Lovegood’s Transfiguration.
• Vizet suddenly appeared in the observation room beside a Muggle High-level official, leaving his place on the screen empty.
• The Muggle High-level official collapsed unconscious, and Vizet explained that he had used the Phoenix’s talent to enter the structure and had brought out a Muggle soldier.
• Marchbanks warned that she could fail Vizet for leaving the examination room, but agreed to overlook it because he had rescued the soldier.

Vizet demonstrated powerful magic to the Muggle High-levels, leaving them to reconsider how they should deal with the Magical World. After finishing the exam early, he reflected on how he could influence Muggle thinking and encountered someone calling his name at the exit.

• Vizet used Transfiguration to create a phoenix and showed the Muggle High-levels that he could breach the cubic Safe House by more than one method.
• Vizet vanished from the observation room with the phoenix, and the Muggle High-levels left after witnessing his magic.
• Vizet returned to the examiner for his section and confirmed that he had finished the exam with half the time remaining.
• Vizet considered how his exam demonstrations could shape Muggle thinking and followed the examiner to the exit.
• A familiar icy voice called out to Vizet at the exam venue's exit.

Snape summoned Vizet and questioned whether he had followed his warning to stay vigilant, then a Ministry employee stopped them on the stairs. Meanwhile, Carcas monitored Snape for Voldemort as Herpo concealed his growing hatred and impatience toward Voldemort.

• Snape summoned Vizet upstairs and asked whether he remembered his warning about distrusting others and staying alert.
• Vizet said Snape's warning had helped him recognize dangers in New York and the Paris Region.
• A Ministry of Magic employee blocked Snape and Vizet as they reached the stairs.
• Carcas reported Snape's movements through the Heavenly Eye, and Voldemort ordered him to keep watching Snape.
• Voldemort taunted Herpo about returning to the office, and Herpo claimed he had been preparing the Magical Artifact and soothing the goblins.

Herpo avoided explaining his plans to Voldemort by talking about Canaan’s Muggles, while Voldemort demanded that Circe return soon to serve Snape. With Barty Crouch Jr. away supervising Durmstrang’s traditional examinations, Voldemort contemplated his plans to take Hogwarts and eventually destroy Herpo.

• Herpo dodged Voldemort’s questions about his plan for Canaan by describing how he would use Muggle families and resources.
• Voldemort dismissed Herpo’s talk about Muggles and ordered him to make Circe return quickly because Severus needed her.
• Herpo claimed Circe would come as soon as possible after seeing Voldemort’s displeasure.
• Voldemort noticed Barty Crouch Jr. was absent because he was overseeing Durmstrang’s examinations, and missed his usual mockery of Herpo.
• Voldemort thought about banishing Vizet, marching on Hogwarts, defeating Dumbledore, reclaiming his Horcrux, and later destroying Herpo.
• Carcas resumed using the Heavenly Eye to count floor tiles beneath Snape while Snape waited during the examinations.