Chapter Summaries

Tom tried to persuade Dumbledore to abandon his principles and seize power, then returned to Malfoy Manor with the little ones. There, Abraxas led him to the study, where Tom discovered an unexpected portrait waiting for him.

• Tom urged Dumbledore to embrace absolute power and destroy the wizarding world, while Dumbledore admitted he still resented the wizards who had stood behind him.
• Dumbledore asked Tom to stand by his side, and Tom left after claiming he would never hurt him and was acting for his own good.
• Tom returned to Malfoy Manor and wondered why Abraxas was unusually quiet despite their plans proceeding smoothly.
• Abraxas told Tom to enter the study, where Tom found an unfamiliar portrait on the wall.
• The portrait addressed Tom Riddle as its dear junior and asked why it had been asleep all this time.

Olivia’s portrait awakened and teased Tom, Lucius, and Severus, then challenged Severus’s intentions toward the House of Malfoy. The chapter ended with Olivia laughing at their reactions after revealing that her suspicion had been a prank.

• Tom apologized to Olivia for his oversight and introduced Lucius as her godson.
• Olivia scolded Lucius for failing to realize her pocket watch was the medium that could awaken her portrait.
• Severus admitted that he had Lucius’s pocket watch because Lucius had given it to him.
• Olivia questioned Severus about what he wanted from Lucius and the House of Malfoy, while Lucius defended him.
• Olivia ordered Lucius to copy the House of Malfoy family precepts ten times, then laughed and revealed she had been teasing them.

Olivia revealed that she had tricked Lucius for revenge, and Severus suggested adding the Greengrass family precepts to Lucius’s punishment. The next morning, Lucius was still suffering in the study while Tom and Abraxas prepared to visit Grimmauld Place, leaving Severus to endure their flirtation.

• Olivia admitted that she had tricked Lucius and apologized to Severus for upsetting him.
• Severus proposed that Lucius copy the Greengrass family precepts as well as the Malfoy precepts, and Olivia agreed.
• Lucius spent the night in the study, and Abraxas joked to Severus that the Greengrass precepts repeated that a daughter must be cherished and protected.
• Tom told Abraxas that he and Abou were going to Grimmauld Place, then teased Abraxas about what they might do together that night.
• Severus watched Tom and Abraxas flirt and considered learning the Disillusionment Charm.

Tom and Abraxas found Orion celebrating Regulus’s Hogwarts acceptance, but the mood turned somber when Orion admitted his health was failing and worried about his sons’ future. Tom reassured him that Regulus would be protected, leaving Orion hoping he could live long enough to see the boy graduate.

• Tom and Abraxas entered and criticized Orion for celebrating by shooting fireworks from his wand.
• Orion explained that he was waiting for Hogwarts’s owl so he could give Regulus his acceptance letter himself.
• Abraxas warned that Regulus faced the burden of the Black family, then told Orion that his life was nearing its end.
• Orion confessed that he wanted more time to resolve dangers facing Regulus and Sirius, and regretted being unable to support them.
• Tom assured Orion that Regulus, as Abou’s godson and a wizard blessed by his soul, would live well even without Orion.

Tom discussed an ancient Dark Arts potion with Orion, whose survival would require Arcturus to die, then addressed Rodolphus's offer of loyalty and examined Orion's condition. The chapter ended with Tom warning Orion that his exposure to Dark Arts could be fatal, though he would live to see the day he hoped for.

• Tom told Orion about an ancient Dark Arts potion that required Arcturus's death.
• Orion told Tom that Rodolphus wanted to become his follower, and Tom said Radolphus would not risk the Lestrange family by offering his son lightly.
• Tom told Orion that Bella could act as she pleased while Orion remained head of the family.
• Tom examined Orion and found that his condition resembled Regulus's, caused by Dark Arts exposure before birth.
• Tom blamed Orion for keeping alchemical items around and said he would live to see the day he hoped for.

Regulus returned to the Blacks’ home alone after Sirius went to Godric’s Valley, so Abraxas offered to take him to Malfoy Manor. Tom brought Regulus there, then left with him to find Severus while Abraxas summoned Lucius.

• Regulus returned alone and told Abraxas that Sirius had gone to Godric’s Valley with their mother.
• Abraxas invited Regulus to Malfoy Manor and suggested Lucius could tell him about Slytherin.
• Tom picked up Regulus and took him through the fireplace to Malfoy Manor.
• Abraxas learned that Lucius had slept all day and told Dobby to bring him out.
• Tom left with Regulus to find Severus, avoiding Abraxas’s confrontation with Lucius.

Tom teased Severus and then entertained him and Regulus with a story about the campaign to drive out Peeves. Meanwhile, Lucius apologized to Abraxas but hinted that he knew embarrassing secrets about his father, leaving Abraxas regretting that he had not hidden Olivia's portrait.

• Tom asked Severus if he had anything to complain about, then teased him by suggesting Lucius might escape punishment.
• Tom summoned a book and offered to tell Severus and Regulus about the 1876 campaign to drive out Peeves.
• Lucius stood beside Abraxas with dark circles under his eyes and admitted he had been wrong.
• Lucius began revealing embarrassing things he had heard about Abraxas, prompting Abraxas to decide to lock away Olivia's portrait.

Tom entered the Ministry of Magic with Abraxas and angrily confronted his lackeys, while the Ministry officials speculated about the mysterious Al-Devoir. Meanwhile, Rodolphus remained resentful of Malfoy and resolved to earn That Lord’s favor so he could obtain Bella.

• Abraxas scolded Lucius for causing his godfather trouble, and Lucius accepted the rebuke before Abraxas ordered him to copy the Slytherin code fifty times.
• Tom entered the Ministry of Magic with Abraxas and threatened Avery for panicking over an unfamiliar official.
• Green asked Augustus about Al-Devoir, and Augustus said he had heard interesting things from Moody and visited Madam Bashir.
• Avery left to find Radolphus, while Augustus suggested that Malfoy still had use for the younger men around him.
• Radolphus pulled his youngest son aside and told him to find Rabastan or risk leaving the Ministry again.
• Rodolphus blamed Malfoy for his past misfortunes and vowed to win That Lord’s favor so he could obtain Bella.

Tom met Gellert in Abou’s office, where Gellert offered intelligence about the Lestrange family and asked Tom to bring Dumbledore back to Godric’s Valley the day after tomorrow. They also agreed to support Crouch as the new head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, leaving Tom responsible for arranging Dumbledore’s return.

• Radolphus asked Tom and Abraxas whether Al-Devoir could still be made an Auror, but Tom took Abou into his office without answering him.
• Tom found Gellert waiting in Abou’s office and asked what he wanted.
• Gellert asked Tom to arrange for Dumbledore to return to Godric’s Valley the day after tomorrow.
• Gellert told Tom that the Lestrange heir was interested in Tom’s favored witch and resented Lucius Malfoy.
• Tom dismissed the Lestrange matter and proposed replacing the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement with Crouch.
• Gellert accepted an assistant role in the International Magical Cooperation Department and left the plan for Dumbledore to Tom.

Tom recruited Rodolphus to work through Bella, then went to Hogwarts to complain that the Order of the Phoenix had not told Dumbledore what happened. Dumbledore discovered that someone had visited Madam Bashir and realized finding an expert in Human Transfiguration would be difficult.

• Tom met Rodolphus and agreed to let Bella pass along tasks for him.
• Tom cast an unformed Patronus to warn Bella not to kill Rodolphus.
• Tom arrived at Hogwarts and angrily asked Dumbledore why the Order of the Phoenix had not told him what happened.
• Dumbledore found Alastor Moody's letter and read its notes about dark wizards, Tom's prestige, and a visitor to Madam Bashir.
• Dumbledore concluded that it would be difficult to find someone skilled in Human Transfiguration.

Tom sent Dumbledore to deal with the Wizarding Supremacy Party in Godric's Valley, then took Lucius and two young wizards to visit a Muggle-born student instead. The chapter ended with Tom hoping Lucius would enroll in Advanced Potions.

• Tom warned Dumbledore that Abou must not be harmed and ordered him to find the man behind the Wizarding Supremacy Party in Godric's Valley.
• Dumbledore muttered that the Dark Lord should disappear, and Tom threw him out of the Headmaster's office.
• Dumbledore decided to demand compensation from the Board of Governors and add the damage from Tom's explosion to the bill.
• McGonagall arrived, learned Dumbledore had left her with the paperwork, and drew her wand in anger.
• Two days later, Tom brought Lucius and two young wizards to a Muggle street to visit a Muggle-born student instead of going to Godric's Valley.
• Tom told Lucius he hoped to see his name on the Advanced Potions class list.

Tom Riddle brought Lucius Malfoy and Regulus Black to Cokeworth to visit Philip’s house, where they met Lily Evans. After Lucius sent Lily away, Regulus was left thinking about his brother Sirius.

• Tom Riddle, Lucius Malfoy, and Regulus Black arrived in Cokeworth, where Lily Evans greeted them excitedly.
• Tom confirmed that Philip’s house was their destination, and Lucius asked Lily to take him and Regulus elsewhere so Tom could work undisturbed.
• After Tom knocked on the door, Lily introduced herself to Regulus and said he reminded her of someone from her house.
• Regulus told Lily that Sirius Black was his brother, and Lily recalled hearing Sirius mention him.
• Lucius coldly urged Lily to go home, and Regulus watched her leave before turning to the person beside him.

Regulus returned home eager to go to Hogwarts and defend the House of Black, but Sirius's resentment toward Tom triggered a violent confrontation with Orion. After Sirius was sent to his room, Orion worried that Vidi might be Tom's Horcrux and questioned whether his choices would endanger Regulus.

• Regulus told Lucius that he wondered whether the House of Black could keep its standing if he entered the Muggle world too, and reflected on his feelings about Sirius.
• Regulus returned home and told Volga he could hardly wait to go to Hogwarts and make others understand that the Black family was ancient and noble.
• Sirius confronted Regulus and angrily denounced the Dark Arts, Tom, and the pure-blood pride of the House of Black.
• Orion blasted Sirius away and ordered him to his room for speaking ill of Tom.
• After Regulus left, Orion took a potion, reassured Volga that Tom would not hold Sirius's words against him, and asked whether Vidi was Tom's Horcrux and what that could mean for Regulus.

Tom discussed Vidi’s options, threatening to send him to Knockturn Alley or to live among the werewolves while pursuing a solution to their problems. Meanwhile, Abraxas tried to feed Nagini as the Parselmouths traded curses, and Nagini shared a story about Tom’s childhood.

• Volga reassured Orion that Abraxas would support Regulus and teased Orion about facing death together.
• Vidi complained about being sent to live in Knockturn Alley, and Tom kicked him and asked about the Bagmans.
• Vidi reported that Mr. Bagman had taken the bait and thought the Lestrange family head was an easy mark.
• Tom threatened to send Vidi to the werewolves unless he accepted living in Knockturn Alley, mentioning his promise to Remus to solve the werewolf problem.
• Abraxas offered Nagini roast suckling pig, and Nagini rejected it and told him that Tom used to cry secretly as a child.

Tom guided the young wizards through spell practice during the vacation and discouraged Severus from studying the Dark Arts. He taught Severus to focus his magic and suggested he experiment with creating spells, leaving Severus to test his control while Lucius continued practicing.

• Tom made Lucius repeat silent-spell practice fifty times after criticizing his incantation.
• Severus asked Tom to teach him the Dark Arts, but Tom refused and suggested that he try inventing simple, instant spells instead.
• Tom explained that magic required focus, determination, composure, and control, then encouraged Severus to experiment on someone he disliked.
• Severus stared at Lucius and tried to affect him without an incantation, but Lucius only swayed slightly.
• Tom signaled Lucius to keep practicing, and Lucius vented his resentment on the dummy.

Tom returned to Hogwarts early but was dragged into a pub by Dumbledore, who became embroiled in another fight with Aberforth over an old grudge. As Tom watched from behind a magical barrier, Ariana appeared in a portrait and remarked on his closeness to Albus.

• Tom left Abraxas after warning him to look after Rael and to go easier on Lucius.
• Dumbledore dragged Tom into a Hogsmeade pub and complained to Aberforth about an old rival and a barn.
• Aberforth punched Dumbledore and accused him of repeatedly losing his pride over the same man.
• Tom raised a barrier and considered moving to the bar as the brothers continued fighting.
• Ariana stepped out from a portrait and asked Tom about his closeness to Albus.

Ariana reflected on her family’s suffering and her guilt, then urged Tom not to fix Albus’s nose after the brothers’ brawl. Tom healed Albus and Aberforth, left The Hog’s Head, and wondered how much money Grindelwald had given him.

• Ariana told Tom that she had hated the Muggles and resented the suffering her family endured because of her, but believed they had suffered even more.
• Ariana explained that Aberforth had feared Grindelwald only wanted to use Albus, then told Tom not to fix Albus’s nose.
• Tom healed Albus and Aberforth after their fight and sarcastically offered to photograph their battered faces for the newspapers.
• Aberforth demanded five hundred Galleons from Tom for the damage to his antique table and wineglasses.
• Tom left The Hog’s Head with a golden key and wondered how much money Grindelwald had given him.

Tom asked Horace Slughorn to help Lucius with the potion business and encouraged him to keep Lucius in Advanced Potions, while privately looking forward to his godson’s reaction. At the first September feast, Regulus waited for the Sorting and thought about his strained relationship with Sirius.

• Slughorn told Tom he was considering finding another partner for his potion business.
• Tom suggested that Slughorn work with Lucius, saying Lucius liked potions and needed to take on family responsibilities.
• Slughorn agreed to look after Lucius, though he doubted Lucius truly liked potions.
• Slughorn mused that Lucius and another Malfoy had similarly strange preferences and considered inviting another young wizard to the Slug Club.
• Regulus waited with the students for the Sorting and recalled that Sirius had spoken to him on the train.
• Regulus looked toward the Gryffindor table, where Sirius stood with his arm around Potter.

Regulus began Hogwarts and insisted on being sorted into Slytherin despite the Sorting Hat’s suggestion that he belonged in Gryffindor. After the Sorting, Dumbledore teased Tom about Regulus taking longer to choose a House than Sirius had.

• Tom conducted the Sorting Ceremony and reassured Regulus that the Sorting Hat would respect his choice.
• The Sorting Hat suggested Gryffindor, but Regulus insisted that he belonged in Slytherin.
• Regulus was sorted into Slytherin, and Tom silenced the noisy Gryffindors with a warning look.
• Tom told Dumbledore to leave him alone, and Dumbledore remarked that Regulus had taken longer to sort than Sirius.

Regulus joined Narcissa and Andromeda at the Slytherin table while Lucius tried to keep his distance from Severus, as he had promised Bella. Mulciber drew suspicious attention from Lucius and Professor Riddle, leaving him frightened and asking Severus for help.

• Cissy and Andromeda piled food onto Regulus’s plate and celebrated his Sorting into Slytherin.
• Narcissa reminded Lucius of his agreement with Bella to show affection for his fiancée and stop interfering with Severus.
• Lucius watched Mulciber care for Severus and told Narcissa that the arrangement was for the best.
• Mulciber noticed Lucius and Professor Riddle staring at him after he handed Severus a drink.
• Mulciber pleaded with Severus to help him, while Severus wondered if his pale roommate was sick.