Chapter Summaries

Andy returned home after nearly a year and reunited with Helen and Isabel, who teased him about Hermione and demanded an amusement-park trip. He discovered Helen had taken the money hidden beneath his floorboards, leaving him broke, and Isabel suggested he ask Hermione to pay for their outing.

• Andy greeted Helen and Isabel at the station, and Isabel asked when he would take her to the Muggle Amusement Park.
• Helen took Andy and Isabel home on the Knight Bus and told Andy to watch his sister while she made dinner.
• Andy went upstairs to unpack, and Isabel revealed that Helen had found and taken the money hidden under his floorboards.
• Andy lamented that he had no money and hinted that Isabel could not go to the amusement park without it.
• Isabel suggested that Hermione could pay for the outing, and Helen told Andy she would not worry about him if he could live off a woman.

Andy asked Helen for money, but she required him to help with her work to earn his allowance during the summer. He reassured Isabel about school and planned outings with her before returning to Hogwarts.

• Andy showed Helen his report card, and she questioned his grades in History of Magic, Herbology, and Astronomy.
• Helen told Andy he would help with her work and earn his allowance for next term.
• Andy warned Isabel that poor grades could cost her snacks and allowance, and told her about his classmates' exam results.
• Isabel told Andy that Ginny had said Molly was furious about Percy, George, Fred, and Ron's grades.
• Andy told Isabel he would tutor her, write to her, and take her to a Muggle amusement park with Hermione on July tenth.

Andy celebrated his excellent report card with his family, heard Kyle and Helen's conflicting views on Dumbledore, and worried about keeping his family safe when Voldemort returned. On the third day of the holiday, Andy began brewing Elixir of Euphoria for spending money.

• Kyle praised Andy's report card at dinner, and Andy boasted that school exams were too easy for him.
• Andy told Helen and Kyle that Quirrell had tried to steal the Philosopher's Stone, prompting Helen to criticize Dumbledore for keeping it at Hogwarts.
• Kyle warned Andy not to trust Dumbledore, and Andy reflected that his priority was protecting his family from the coming war.
• Andy spent the next two days playing with Isabel, then agreed to brew Elixir of Euphoria for Helen in exchange for spending money.

Andy brewed the Elixir of Euphoria with Helen, then raised his magic attribute and tested how his newly unstable magic affected the Patronus Charm. He discovered that unstable magic seemed to remember repeated castings, leaving him eager to investigate further.

• Helen told Andy that Snape had improved the Elixir of Euphoria and invented many spells while he was in school.
• Andy brewed the Elixir of Euphoria under Helen's guidance, and Helen left it to simmer.
• Andy raised his magic attribute to 3 points, triggering a Magic Outburst that destroyed the Wooden Targets in the Practice Room.
• Andy tested the Patronus Charm with different happy memories and found that the resulting Patronuses differed in power.
• Andy noticed that each successive casting made his unstable magic more familiar with the Patronus Charm.

Andy tested his theory that unstable magic could absorb a wizard’s emotions and found that happy memories made his Fat Cat Patronus seem more alive. After an exhausting hour of practice, Isabel interrupted him with a reminder to check his potion or their mother would cut his allowance in half.

• Andy dismissed his Patronus and reasoned that unstable magic could remember a wizard’s emotions.
• Andy repeatedly cast the Patronus Charm while recalling happy times with his family, and the Fat Cat Patronus seemed to gain a spark of life.
• Andy considered why positive emotions did not produce changes like an Obscurus and concluded that lasting hatred might affect magic differently from rare happy memories.
• Andy continued practicing for an hour and imagined new defensive abilities his Patronus might develop.
• Isabel called Andy to eat and warned him that their mother would halve his allowance if he did not check his potion, so Andy jumped up from the floor.

Andy kept Helen happy while worrying about money, then read about the Patronus Charm and wrote to Professor Flitwick for advice. He sent the letter with questions about the Patronus Charm, the Obscurus, and Dumbledore’s Phoenix Patronus.

• Andy praised Helen’s cooking and helped massage her shoulders while Isabel asked whether she had to work for pocket money.
• After Helen went to nap, Andy learned Isabel had only one Knut left and went to read in the family study.
• Andy avoided the Collins Family’s Dark Arts books and read about the Patronus Charm instead.
• Hermione Granger sent Andy a letter describing life at home and reminding him of their July 10 appointment.
• Andy chose to write to Professor Flitwick rather than Dumbledore, sharing his thoughts on the Patronus Charm and Obscurus and asking about Dumbledore’s Phoenix Patronus.
• Andy sent the letter to Professor Flitwick with the family owl.

Andy received Professor Flitwick’s letter about his theory that Ancient Wizards developed the Patronus Charm from the Obscurus, and Flitwick went to Hogwarts to discuss the idea with Dumbledore. Dumbledore linked the two magics to childhood and profound emotional change, but Flitwick’s question about the Patronus Charm’s original purpose remained unanswered.

• Andy received Flitwick’s letter, which said the Patronus Charm was ancient and that it had most likely been developed from the Obscurus.
• Andy learned that Flitwick planned to discuss Dumbledore’s phoenix Patronus with him at Hogwarts.
• Flitwick met Dumbledore in the Headmaster’s Office and explained Andy’s theory about the Patronus Charm and the Obscurus.
• Dumbledore said only children under ten could become Obscurials and that a major emotional change had transformed his own Patronus into a phoenix.
• Flitwick asked Dumbledore what the Patronus Charm had originally been used for.

Dumbledore and Flitwick discussed Andy's theory that the Patronus Charm might have originated as an Obscurus of White Magic, but could not verify it through surviving records. Andy chose to share his unstable magic and Patronus research with Flitwick, hoping the discussion would reach Dumbledore, and sent him a detailed letter.

• Dumbledore told Flitwick that the Patronus Charm was ancient magic whose original effects could no longer be confirmed, and Flitwick proposed it might have been an Obscurus of White Magic.
• Flitwick went to search the Hogwarts Library while Dumbledore revisited memories of his battle with Aurelius Dumbledore in the Pensieve.
• Dumbledore recalled his Sister's fate and hoped Andy's Sister would not suffer the same way.
• Andy decided to tell Flitwick that he had made his magic unstable and that his Fat Cat Patronus seemed to be coming alive.
• Andy wrote Flitwick a detailed account of his research and sent the letter by owl, hoping Flitwick would discuss it with Dumbledore.

Flitwick studied the Patronus Charm after Andy proposed that unstable magical power could retain a wizard’s emotions, then brought Andy’s letter to Dumbledore for discussion. They considered how the theory might explain an Obscurus and the sentience of a Patronus, and Dumbledore recalled the legendary giant-sized Patronus of Andros.

• Flitwick researched ancient spellbooks about the Patronus Charm and received a letter from Andy Collins describing his theory and experiments.
• Flitwick read Andy’s letter and hurried to Dumbledore’s office to discuss whether emotions could influence magical power.
• Dumbledore agreed that emotions and magic could affect each other, especially through the Dark Arts, but said the Patronus Charm and an Obscurus were ultimately different.
• Dumbledore asked Flitwick about Andros, and they discussed the ancient wizard’s giant-sized Patronus and his reputation as Invincible Andros.
• Dumbledore conjured his phoenix Patronus, and Flitwick admired it before leaving for the night.

After learning about Andros's giant Patronus from Professor Flitwick, Andy showed Isabel his own Fat Cat Patronus and wondered whether a sincere feeling for her had briefly strengthened it. He concluded that the Patronus Charm had once been a powerful means of protection and felt confident about exploring its potential.

• Andy read Professor Flitwick's detailed reply about Andros and recalled that wands likely did not exist in Andros's era.
• Andy asked Isabel to bring him her Chocolate Frog card of Andros, and she reluctantly handed it over.
• Andy cast the Patronus Charm to show Isabel his Fat Cat Patronus, and she eagerly asked to learn the magic.
• Andy felt a surge of warmth for Isabel that seemed to make the Patronus shine brighter, but the effect vanished when he thought of her as a useful tool.
• Isabel mocked Andy's small Patronus compared with Andros's giant one, so Andy sent her out of the study.
• Andy reread Professor Flitwick's letter, reasoned that Andros's Patronus had been powerful protection, and gained confidence.

Andy took his younger sister Isabel to visit Hermione before their planned trip to a Muggle amusement park. Isabel explored Hermione’s home and became fascinated by the television, while Andy wondered whether Hermione’s parents would approve of his visit.

• Isabel woke Andy before dawn and insisted he take her to a Muggle amusement park, but Andy made her wait until seven.
• Andy dressed for his date, and Kyle gave him ten Galleons and a hundred pounds while refusing Isabel’s request for a boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Andy and Isabel took the Knight Bus to Hermione’s home, where Hermione greeted them and said her parents were at work.
• Isabel eagerly explored the Muggle house, asked about its appliances, and suggested that Andy buy a television for their home.

Hermione showed Andy and Isabel Muggle technology before the three set off for an amusement park. On the taxi ride, Hermione told Andy that Cho planned to return to China for a month at the end of July.

• Hermione showed Andy and Isabel around her villa and explained how Arthur Weasley had modified a car to fly and turn invisible.
• Andy and Hermione discussed his sentient Patronus, and Andy told Hermione about Andros the Invincible.
• Hermione showed Andy her detailed plan for their amusement park visit, and Isabel agreed to leave the television behind.
• Hermione called a taxi, and Andy and Hermione discussed using magic in an emergency while they waited.
• Andy asked Hermione about Cho during the taxi ride, and Hermione said Cho would return to China at the end of the month and stay for about a month.

Andy, Hermione, and Isabel spent the day at Thorpe Park, where Hermione covered Andy’s expenses and Isabel marveled at Muggle attractions and photographs. After the park closed, Andy summoned the Knight Bus to take Hermione home before bringing Isabel back.

• Andy arrived at Thorpe Park with Hermione and Isabel, then realized he had spent nearly all his money on the fare and tickets.
• Hermione offered to pay for the day, and Isabel explored the attractions and asked Hermione how Muggle photographs worked.
• Hermione treated Andy and Isabel to lunch and more rides, while Andy admitted he enjoyed the amusement park too.
• Isabel asked Andy to bring her to Thorpe Park again next year, and he promised he would.
• Andy suggested taking the Knight Bus, summoned it from an empty alley, and boarded with Hermione and Isabel.

Andy and Isabel rode home after dropping Hermione off, and Andy began planning a magic amusement park as a way to fund his magical experiments. He considered recruiting George, Fred, and Harry Potter, but Isabel pointed out that he had no money or skills, so Andy boasted that he would become the strongest wizard.

• Hermione panicked as the Knight Bus sped against traffic and squeezed between two trucks, then got off at her house and said goodbye to Andy and Isabel.
• Isabel said she wished she could visit an amusement park every day, and Andy suggested building a magic amusement park when she grew up.
• Andy realized an amusement park could earn money for magical experiments and provide cover for a Magic Laboratory, so he considered asking George and Fred to partner with him.
• Andy considered bringing in Harry Potter for his money, but ruled out the Malfoys because Lucius Malfoy and Arthur Weasley disliked each other.
• Isabel asked what Andy could contribute, and Andy claimed he would become the strongest wizard and defeat Dumbledore and Voldemort.

Andy learned that the Ministry of Magic planned to search wizarding homes for prohibited Dark Arts Items, an operation arranged by Dumbledore and Fudge that could worsen their political rift. He suspected Dumbledore was searching for something connected to Voldemort’s immortality, leaving him worried about what the next school term might bring.

• At dinner, Kyle told Helen that the Ministry of Magic would search for prohibited Dark Arts Items in about a month, and Andy learned the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office and Auror Office would carry out the operation.
• Kyle said Dumbledore and Fudge had discussed the search, while Andy suspected Fudge would profit from wealthy pure-blood families and that the operation would deepen the rift between Fudge and Dumbledore.
• Andy advised Kyle to side with Fudge because he was Minister, and Kyle agreed that Dumbledore had not rewarded those who supported him during the First Wizarding War.
• After dinner, Andy considered why Dumbledore wanted the homes searched and suspected they might contain items left by escaped Death Eaters, including one connected to Voldemort’s immortality.

Andy considered the Chamber of Secrets and resolved to ask Madam Bathilda about its rumors once his magic stabilized. While practicing the Patronus Charm, he produced a larger Fat Cat Patronus that moved on its own, though it remained under his control.

• Andy reviewed his magical progress and focused on stabilizing his magic so he could continue studying the Patronus Charm.
• Andy speculated that Voldemort might have entered the Chamber of Secrets and obtained Slytherin’s research notes, and decided to ask Madam Bathilda about it.
• Helen told Isabel that the family would buy a television after the Ministry of Magic inspection, and Isabel celebrated that Andy would soon return to school.
• Andy practiced the Patronus Charm and drew strength from memories of Isabel’s happiness.
• Andy summoned a larger Fat Cat Patronus that ran around the Practice Room without his direction, then confirmed he could still control it.

Andy tested whether his Fat Cat Patronus could block spells, only to find that attacks passed through it. Kyle and Helen turned the late-night experiment into a two-on-one duel, and Andy held his own using techniques he had practiced with Cedric.

• Andy discovered that his Fat Cat Patronus passed through a wooden target and summoned Kyle to test whether it could reflect spells.
• Kyle and Helen arrived together, and Kyle cast Expelliarmus at Andy while the Patronus failed to stop the spell.
• Andy deflected the spell with Protego and explained that Professor Flitwick had approved his ideas for improving the Patronus Charm.
• Helen started a duel with Andy, and Kyle joined in by casting Petrificus Totalus.
• Andy used evasive techniques learned from dueling practice with Cedric to resist Kyle and Helen's combined attacks.

Andy used Burst Mode to defeat Kyle during family duel practice, revealing how his emotions and Mind attribute strengthened his casting. Afterward, he tested his Fat Cat Patronus again and remained puzzled by its apparent mutation.

• Andy struggled to keep up with Kyle and Helen's spells, then focused his emotions on defeating Kyle to activate Burst Mode.
• Andy's Expelliarmus broke through Kyle's Protego and sent him flying, while Helen's spell bounced off Andy's shield.
• Andy explained that strong emotions had amplified his Expelliarmus, and Kyle claimed he had been holding back.
• Helen left the Practice Room, and Kyle told Andy to get up early the next morning.
• Andy summoned his Fat Cat Patronus and found it still had no noticeable effect on him or his spellcasting.

Andy showed George and Fred photographs of Muggle amusement parks and persuaded them to consider building a magical amusement park in Hogsmeade, with their joke products as attractions. They agreed in principle but lacked money, while Andy planned to use the future profits to fund magical research before Voldemort’s resurrection.

• George and Fred complained that Molly favored Percy and mourned that she had burned their inventions, then told Andy that opening a joke shop was their dream.
• Andy showed the Twins moving photographs of Muggle amusement parks and proposed creating a magical version with attractions built from magic and their inventions.
• George and Fred were excited by the idea, and Andy suggested Hogsmeade as a suitable location and argued that the park could be smaller and cheaper than a Muggle one.
• George and Fred agreed to pursue the plan but admitted that their savings totaled less than eight Galleons, so Andy proposed finding investors if they could not raise enough money.
• Andy gave the Twins the photographs and considered using the amusement park’s profits to fund magical research, while resolving to deal with Voldemort before building it if necessary.

After raising his Charms talent to 6, Andy resumed practicing spells and paused his work on the Patronus Charm while he planned to ask Madam Bathat about Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets. Professor Flitwick then sent Andy a book describing the Patronus Charm as a mark of Extraordinary Magic Ability, prompting Andy to study it closely.

• Andy discussed plans for a magical Amusement Park with George and Fred, who left to study for their exams.
• After a month of training, Andy spent 6 Potential Points to raise his Charms talent and reconsidered why his Patronus Charm had not gained new abilities.
• Andy practiced combining the Multishot Curse with the Engorgement Charm, damaged a wall in the Practice Room, and repaired it with Reparo.
• Andy planned to visit Godric's Hollow and ask Madam Bathat about Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets.
• Professor Flitwick sent Andy a book and explained that people in an earlier era regarded casting the Patronus Charm as a mark of Extraordinary Magic Ability.
• Andy began carefully reading the book Professor Flitwick had sent.