Chapter Summaries

Severus and Lucius boarded the train for Hogwarts, where Lucius teased Severus and shared their compartment with Narcissa and Andromeda. As the train moved away, the girls lamented that Bella and Regulus would miss Sirius’s Sorting.

• Severus promised Brutus he would return during the holidays, and Brutus warned him against excessive drinking.
• Severus and Lucius boarded the train, and Lucius told Severus a legend about the first wizard to board becoming friends with whoever entered their compartment.
• Severus settled by the window as the train began to move toward Hogwarts.
• Narcissa and Andromeda joined Lucius and teased Severus, while Lucius asked whether Severus could be more charming than he was.
• Andromeda lamented that Bella and Regulus would not see Sirius’s Sorting.

Severus worried about the Sorting while Narcissa and Andromeda discussed Sirius’s place in the Black family. Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor, leaving him stunned and afraid of how his family would react.

• Lucius tied back Severus’s hair and kept the Sorting arrangements secret.
• Andromeda reassured Narcissa that Sirius suited Gryffindor better than Slytherin and discussed the family’s views on blood status.
• Severus worried that he might be sorted into Gryffindor as the students lined up in the Great Hall.
• The Sorting Hat placed Sirius in Gryffindor, shocking him and making him fear what his parents would do.
• Potter congratulated Sirius.

Sirius was sorted into Slytherin and felt the pain of being estranged from his family. Severus joined him there, where Mulciber warned him that he was only a guest at Malfoy Manor, and Severus found his name on a shabby dormitory door.

• Sirius looked toward Slytherin, hid his trembling hands, and thanked James, his mate.
• Severus was sorted into Slytherin and walked to the far end of the table, ignoring the whispers about Sirius.
• Mulciber told Severus to conceal his thoughts and reminded him that he was a guest at Malfoy Manor, while Glen Avery signaled him to stop.
• After the feast, Severus heard the password was “pure-blood” and watched Lucius as he entered the Slytherin common room.
• Severus found his name on a shabby wooden dormitory door and dismissed it as a pointless trick.

Severus settled into a shabby attic room at Hogwarts, where Lucius warned him that being a half-blood in Slytherin would bring contempt and isolation. Lucius challenged Severus to earn respect through his own strength, and Severus vowed to prove himself.

• Severus unpacked in the attic on Spinner's End and noticed it differed from his former dormitory.
• Lucius considered whether to restore the Mulciber family’s standing while Narcissa and Andromeda discussed Sirius’s newfound fame.
• Lucius visited Severus and offered to move him to a different dormitory, but Severus preferred having a space of his own.
• Severus asked whether the shabby room and the hostility he expected were deliberate, and Lucius confirmed that Slytherin could not shield him from prejudice.
• Lucius urged Severus to make his classmates respect him during his remaining two years, and Severus promised to prove himself.

Severus struggled with his feelings of inferiority after Lucius saw his living conditions, while Tom tried to ease his foul mood and discussed a German exchange program with Dumbledore. Dumbledore wondered whether a particular person would come and suggested Tom become headmaster, but Tom reminded him that Armando had once considered him too young to teach.

• Severus picked up Luke and asked whether the cat would stay with him.
• Tom worried over Brutus's third letter and thought Severus was more dangerous to the little snakes than they were to him.
• Tom went to Dumbledore, who hid his cake and explained that Minerva had forbidden him from eating too many sweets.
• Tom told Dumbledore that the German Ministry of Magic had proposed sending exchange students to Hogwarts with a Durmstrang professor.
• Dumbledore asked whether Tom expected a certain person to come and suggested Tom take over as headmaster, but Tom recalled that Armando had once said he was too young to be a professor.

Tom reflected on Dumbledore’s past guidance while discussing Hogwarts and the Ministry’s plans with him. After Dumbledore left, Armando’s portrait recognized Tom’s respect for Dumbledore, and Tom remembered his former teachers.

• Tom learned that Dumbledore had advised Armando to refuse his request to remain at Hogwarts because he feared Tom might turn the school into a training ground for Dark Wizards.
• Tom discussed the Ministry’s approval of Germany’s proposal and warned Dumbledore to repay the subsidies he had embezzled before the Board of Governors’ Christmas dinner.
• Dumbledore collected Fawkes’s feathers and tears, then left Tom alone in the Headmaster’s office as Fawkes cursed them.
• Armando’s portrait told Tom that he respected and admired Dumbledore more than Armando or Merrythought.
• Tom explained that Dumbledore had guided him and first shown him that he was a wizard, then remembered Merrythought’s teachings.

Dumbledore brought Tom the Philosopher’s Stone and money for Hogwarts, though Tom reminded him of their unpaid deal. Tom then encountered a badly blistered Severus being taken to the Hospital Wing.

• Carcattacus Burke mourned the Galleons and Phoenix Tears Dumbledore had taken from his shop.
• Dumbledore gave Tom money for Hogwarts and the Philosopher’s Stone, which Nicolas had lent for three days.
• Tom pocketed the Stone and called after Dumbledore to demand the Galleons he was owed.
• Tom found Severus covered in pustules and smelled potion on him.
• Poppy Pomfrey took Severus into the Hospital Wing and warned Tom not to send her more injured students.

Mulciber recounted to Tom what had happened in Potions class, where Severus and Sirius sat together despite their strained relationship. Sirius asked Severus about Narcissa and taunted McNeil before Professor Slughorn began class.

• Tom called Mulciber into his office and asked what had happened.
• Severus arrived early, reviewed the Cure for Boils instructions, and waited for Professor Slughorn.
• Sirius teased James about partnering with Evans, then sat beside Severus and asked how Narcissa was.
• Severus told Sirius to visit Narcissa himself and warned him that people were stronger than he imagined.
• Sirius mocked McNeil, and Professor Slughorn told the students to take their seats.

Severus and James argued during Potions class until a cauldron explosion sent them to the Hospital Wing. Tom heard Mulciber’s account but chose not to intervene, then gave the Philosopher’s Stone to Vidi, who reminded him he had two days left.

• Sirius asked Peter Pettigrew to pair with someone else so he could work with Remus, leaving James to sit beside Severus.
• James and Severus traded insults during Potions class while Slughorn called the students to collect ingredients.
• A cauldron exploded after James threw in porcupine quills without moving it, injuring James and Severus.
• Mulciber told Tom that James had caused the explosion, and Tom dismissed him without promising to intervene.
• Tom tossed the Philosopher’s Stone to Vidi, who told him he had two days left.

Lucius visited the injured Severus at night and found that Severus’s feelings for him were stronger than he expected. Afterward, Tom questioned Lucius about an heir who might stay by his side, and Lucius hoped that heir would not betray or hurt him.

• Madam Pomfrey forced Severus and the boy in the next bed to drink Dreamless Sleep Potion after their quarrel.
• Lucius secretly entered the Hospital Wing and checked Severus’s injuries, then offered to help him get revenge on the House of Potter.
• Severus woke and admitted Lucius was pretty, leaving Lucius unsettled; Lucius covered Severus’s eyes and waited for him to fall asleep.
• Lucius decided he needed to practice Legilimency with his godfather and considered making an ally of Black.
• Tom took Lucius to his office and asked what he would do if one of his heirs remained by his side; Lucius said he might tell his father but hoped the heir would not betray or hurt him.

Tom sent Lucius away after making him copy the House of Malfoy's precepts and the Slytherin code, then mocked the Potter family over a defective hair-smoothing potion that caused customers to lose their hair. At Hogwarts, Narcissa waited for Sirius, who apologized for his Sorting result and the pain it caused.

• Tom ordered Lucius to copy the House of Malfoy's precepts and the Slytherin code twenty times each, then sent him back to the dormitory.
• Tom noted that the House of Potter had taken over the potion market and mocked its failure to educate the next generation.
• Fremont received complaints that the Potter hair-smoothing potion made customers lose their hair and decided to visit the Ministry of Magic.
• Gryffindor students discussed the newspaper report about the defective potion while Lucius and Narcissa talked about Severus and Sirius.
• Narcissa waited for Sirius outside the Great Hall, and Sirius quietly apologized to her for the Sorting result.

Sirius broke down over his place in the House of Black and fled the castle, rejecting both Slytherin and Gryffindor. Elsewhere, Tom confronted Dumbledore and Peeves, and Dumbledore’s wine rack was destroyed.

• Narcissa warned Sirius that the House of Black would not tolerate his behavior and urged him to stop his pranks.
• Sirius argued that his family cared only about its glory, declared his hatred for the House of Black and the Dark Arts, and ran from the castle.
• Sirius reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest and admitted that he hated both Slytherin and Gryffindor.
• Tom questioned Peeves about whether Peeves had followed him before, and Peeves blamed Dumbledore for ordering it.
• Dumbledore tried to calm Tom with Phoenix Tears, but Tom’s outburst reduced Dumbledore’s wine rack to ashes.

Tom confronted Dumbledore about his role in Sirius’s Sorting and warned that the young wizard might escape control. After learning that Durmstrang’s guests would arrive on Halloween Eve, Severus infiltrated Gryffindor Tower and then headed toward the Forbidden Forest to gather herbs.

• Tom accused Dumbledore of influencing the Sorting Hat to place Sirius in Gryffindor, and Dumbledore admitted making a suggestion.
• Dumbledore warned Tom that the young wizard might break free of control, and Tom acknowledged his lingering fear of that possibility.
• Dumbledore told Tom that Durmstrang’s distinguished guests would arrive on Halloween Eve, prompting Tom to protest the changed schedule.
• Severus used Polyjuice Potion to enter the Gryffindor common room and followed the young wizards to Potter’s dormitory.
• Severus slipped away while James showed the Invisibility Cloak to his friends, and Peter complained about the crowd as Remus watched James.
• Severus went toward the Forbidden Forest to gather herbs, but he drew his wand after hearing rustling in the grass.

Sirius visited Severus after the fallout with Narcissa and asked about his life in Slytherin, while Severus dismissed his concern and threatened James. Severus warned Sirius that someone would make the “most correct” choice, then reflected that losing one’s value was the most terrifying thing.

• Sirius used ointment on his swollen eyes while Severus gathered herbs.
• Sirius asked whether Mulciber and Avery were still targeting Severus, but Severus said he did not need friends or their approval.
• Sirius apologized for James, and Severus said James would pay for his arrogance and invited Sirius to join the fight.
• Severus called Sirius a stray dog clinging to warmth, and Sirius asked whether he spoke from experience or worried about him.
• Severus warned Sirius that the person in question would make the most correct choice, then crushed the herbs and lamented the loss of one’s value.

Tom criticized his pure-blood subordinates for leaving evidence in the House of Potter affair and ordered Yaxley to secure a Ministry and Wizengamot verdict within three days. After failing to find someone at the Ministry, Tom returned to Malfoy Manor and asked Abraxas to stay with him over the weekend; the next evening, Brutus watched the two men glow with happiness.

• Tom complained that the Resurrection Stone ring had not awakened and decided to visit his estate.
• Tom berated his subordinates for leaving traces in the House of Potter affair and credited the House of Black with hiding them.
• Tom ordered Yaxley to have the Ministry of Magic and Wizengamot issue a verdict within three days.
• Tom returned from the Ministry to Malfoy Manor and asked Abraxas to stay with him over the weekend.
• Brutus saw Tom and Abraxas looking happy the following evening and tossed his newspaper onto the table.

Brutus decided to name Lucius the Malfoy heir at the Christmas banquet and arrange his engagement in two years, hoping to strengthen the family’s alliance with the Blacks. Tom realized he could not intervene in pure-blood family affairs and felt torn between Abou and Brutus.

• Tom explained to Brutus and Abraxas how Lucius’s proposal at Hogwarts had redirected hostile attention from the Malfoys and Blacks.
• Brutus ordered Abou to announce Lucius as the Malfoy heir at the Christmas banquet and said Lucius should be engaged in two years.
• Brutus argued that supporting the Blacks would secure their alliance, while Regulus was unsuited to lead and Abou could only guide him as his godfather.
• Tom came out of invisible mode and reflected that he was a Riddle, not a Malfoy, and could not interfere in pure-blood family affairs.

Tom regretted giving Lucius the freedom to choose and took out his frustration on Abraxas, who eventually fled to the bathroom to escape him. After Abraxas recovered, he kicked Tom out of Malfoy Manor, leaving Tom to wander Hogwarts while Dumbledore blamed Halloween for his troubles.

• Tom comforted Abraxas and considered keeping Lucius away for another two years.
• Tom kissed Abraxas and acted on his desire to take revenge by making Abraxas serve him.
• Tom stopped only after Abraxas said he would die if they continued, then gave him potions.
• Abraxas refused Tom's offer to carry him to the bath and rushed to the bathroom to get away from him.
• Tom was kicked out of Malfoy Manor and wandered Hogwarts, frightening the young wizards.
• Dumbledore sneezed repeatedly and glared at the date, cursing Halloween.

Tom helped Professor McGonagall prepare Hogwarts for the arrival of the Durmstrang guests and watched her force Dumbledore to abandon his ridiculous outfit. He hinted that he had made a deal involving Grindelwald, then joined the preparations as students gathered outside to await the visitors.

• Tom arrived with Professor McGonagall and helped stop Dumbledore from leaving his office in a ridiculous black cloak.
• Professor McGonagall scolded and assaulted Dumbledore, then left to decorate the Great Hall with Filius.
• Tom teased Dumbledore about a possible deal involving Grindelwald and Mr. Malfoy, but refused to explain it.
• Dumbledore repaired his appearance and summoned Tom to help welcome the Durmstrang guests.
• Hogwarts students gathered outside the castle and speculated about what the Durmstrang wizards would wear.

Durmstrang arrived at Hogwarts in hippogriff-drawn carriages, and Gellert greeted Dumbledore before the delegations entered the Great Hall. The guests began meeting their Hogwarts hosts, leaving Dumbledore visibly irritated and Stanley Archibald seated beside Lucius.

• Dumbledore watched the Durmstrang carriages arrive and asked Tom whether the guests were coming later.
• Gellert greeted Dumbledore with a deliberately provocative handshake, and Dumbledore warned him about scratching someone’s palm.
• Tom left Dumbledore and Gellert to their argument as the feast was about to begin.
• The Durmstrang guests entered the Great Hall in dark-red uniforms, impressing the Hogwarts students and drawing Dumbledore’s disapproving glare.
• Stanley Archibald sat beside Lucius and said he had finally met someone from the House of Malfoy.

At the Hogwarts feast, Lucius warned Archibald not to provoke Severus, while Gellert and Dumbledore watched Tom leave the professors’ table in disgust. Lucius reflected on the wizards who had arrived, including Rosier, Carrow, and Archibald.

• Archibald asked who Severus was, and Lucius warned him that provoking the venomous snake could have consequences.
• Archibald said he would not upset a partner by interfering with Lucius’s prey.
• After Gellert knocked the steak from Tom’s fork, Tom left the professors’ table rather than stay hungry among the headmasters.
• Gellert savored a piece of cake and remembered how much Albus had loved sweets when he was young.
• Archibald urged Lucius to greet his cousins, while Lucius reflected on the visiting wizards, including Rosier, Carrow, and Archibald.