Chapter Summaries

Vincent continued practicing Human Transfiguration with McGonagall while Black Swan’s Wizard Card scam threatened Owl Court’s Gwent sales. He refused to intervene on behalf of people who had fallen for the scheme, leaving Hermione troubled but determined to prove something.

• Vincent asked McGonagall to guide him through Animagus transformation, and she agreed to begin next school year if he mastered Human Transfiguration by the end of this one.
• Draco praised Lucius’s Wizard Card pool, which fueled inflated resale prices and hurt Gwent sales.
• Vincent told Fred and George that Black Swan was manipulating the secondhand market, but reassured them that the scam would not change the final outcome.
• Vincent refused to stop the scam, telling Hermione that people had to bear responsibility for their own choices.
• Hermione confided in Daphne, who told her that neither she nor Vincent was wrong, and Hermione left with a firmer resolve.

Vincent and Hermione spent a happy day together, then Vincent borrowed Eggplant Restaurant’s kitchen to prepare dinner for her. The chapter left him finishing two appetizers while Hermione waited upstairs.

• Evelyn and Hermione cooked Chinese food together, and Eric told Vincent to cherish her.
• Vincent drove Hermione out of London and spoke about inventing a fantastical car despite the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy.
• Hermione reflected on the Wizarding World’s possible transformation and decided to trust Vincent.
• Vincent returned to London with Hermione and took her to Eggplant Restaurant, where the chef was off duty.
• Vincent borrowed the restaurant’s kitchen and prepared creamy mushroom soup and a tomato, basil, and mozzarella salad for Hermione.

The Veela and Leprechauns entertained the Quidditch World Cup crowd before the Bulgarian team was introduced. Vincent recorded the spectacle and teased Hermione by claiming Krum was her admirer.

• The Veela danced, entrancing most male wizards, while Vincent woke Harry and Sirius Black and recorded their reactions.
• Sirius Black filmed the entranced dignitaries, and the Veela's performance ended amid calls for an encore and arguments between couples.
• The Leprechauns formed a shamrock, scattered temporary gold coins over the stadium, and took their seats opposite the Veela.
• Bagman introduced the Bulgarian players, including Krum, as supporters cheered.
• Vincent sent Hermione a photo with Krum and teased that he had caught her admirer, prompting Hermione to compare Krum unfavorably with Vincent and leaving Harry stunned.

Vincent took the Delacour sisters, Hermione, and Daphne into the Forbidden Forest, where the sisters met Silvio the Unicorn, the Acromantulas, Jormungandr, and Gu Gu. After enjoying the visit, Vincent caught Gu Gu sneaking out to hunt and ordered him to stay in the castle until he could fly on his own.

• Vincent persuaded Pheobe and Gabrielle to visit Jormungandr in the Forbidden Forest with him, Hermione, and Daphne.
• The group met Silvio, and Gabrielle and Pheobe fed the Unicorn while Pheobe admitted she felt pressured as Beauxbatons' Champion.
• The group passed through the Acromantulas' territory and saw the creatures flee from Vincent.
• Gabrielle met Gu Gu atop Jormungandr, who lowered his head toward her.
• Vincent caught Gu Gu pretending to be dead and scolded him for sneaking into the forest to hunt.
• Vincent ordered Gu Gu to stay in the castle until he could fly on his own.

Sam Chavez was detained by the Japanese Ministry of Magic after arriving in Japan without prior notice, while Vincent Wayne waited for him to attend the Gwent flagship store opening. The chapter ended with Vincent’s companions realizing that the unreliable Auror was the person he had been counting on to keep the Abe and Ashiya families in check.

• Ito arrested Sam Chavez for suspected illegal entry and took him to the Japanese Ministry of Magic for questioning.
• Sam told Ito he had come on vacation at Vincent Wayne’s invitation, and Ito said Department Head Ashiya was attending Vincent’s store opening.
• At the Gwent flagship store, Vincent waited for someone who could help keep the Abe and Ashiya families in check.
• Vincent revealed that he was waiting for Sam Chavez, prompting Kenny, Jennifer, and Rinne to recall Sam’s reputation for unreliability.

Hermione and Vincent bought potion ingredients before meeting Cedric, Cho, Harry, Sirius Black, Luna, and Xenophilius at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. As Harry hid his crush on Cho, Xenophilius watched Vincent and was reminded of a charismatic revolutionary from the past.

• Hermione finished studying, and Vincent carried her through the rain to buy potion ingredients in Diagon Alley.
• Vincent and Hermione ran into Cedric and Cho at Slug and Jiggers Apothecary, then invited them to get ice cream.
• At Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, Harry awkwardly hid his feelings for Cho while Luna and Xenophilius stared at him through Spectrespecs.
• Sirius Black helped Harry turn to his potion essay, while Vincent and Hermione ordered strawberry ice cream.
• Luna said Nargles avoided Vincent, and Xenophilius realized Vincent reminded him of a gifted, charismatic revolutionary.

Vincent and Draco served as Elphias Doge’s junior assistants during a Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson about how fear, suspicion, and choices distinguish people from Dark wizards. The students left without casting spells, while Hermione suspected Vincent intended to expose the consequences of the wizarding world’s mistaken beliefs.

• Draco arrived at Doge’s office and traded barbed remarks with Vincent before Doge explained their classroom task.
• Doge had the students form two lines and hold their wands pointed at one another while he left the room.
• Blaise Zabini and Pansy considered attacking, but the students’ vigilance and the threat of retaliation kept everyone from casting a spell.
• Doge returned after the bell and praised the students for holding back, urging them to remember their wariness when making important choices.
• Hermione explained to Neville that people could still become Dark wizards as their thoughts changed, then wondered what Vincent and Draco knew about Doge’s lesson.

Scrimgeour confronted Moody about his refusal to return to work, then accepted that the Death Eaters’ resurgence might point toward Voldemort and left determined to investigate. That evening, the Scottish and Luxembourg teams prepared for their World Cup match as advertisements announced the Magical Communicator’s release date.

• Scrimgeour pressed Moody for an explanation, but Moody denied that Dumbledore had influenced his decision.
• Moody warned Scrimgeour that the Dark Mark’s return, Peter Pettigrew’s rescue, and the Death Eaters’ attack were connected and urged him to face the possibility that Voldemort was involved.
• Scrimgeour recognized that he had let political ambition blind him, bowed to Moody, and left resolved to act; Moody watched him go, hoping he would investigate Voldemort’s direction.
• At Dartmoor Stadium in Devon, Hector Lamont and the Luxembourg players gave interviews ahead of their quarterfinal match.
• Wayne Enterprises advertisements aired, and the Magical Communicator advertisement announced a December 24 release date.

The International Confederation of Wizards chose not to interfere in the Ministry of Magic’s trial, while Dumbledore reassured Kurburski that the Wizarding World would improve. After the trial concluded, Vincent accepted its outcome and began planning magical products for a future shop.

• Babajide and the other delegates visited Knockturn Alley, where Kurburski expressed concern that Muggles would eventually discover the Wizarding World, and Dumbledore said they could only delay that day.
• The delegates visited Spinner’s End, saw how the failing magic had worsened the neighborhood, and decided not to intervene in the trial.
• Amelia Bones announced Tash Hermond’s Dementor’s Kiss and life sentences for Slade Rolle and his fifty-three accomplices.
• Vincent read about the trial in the Sahara Desert and agreed that the Ministry’s priority was to limit the incident’s impact.
• At Hogwarts, Vincent began listing convenient, rune-operated products for his planned Alchemical Item shop, including everyday tools and a household automaton.

Vincent introduced the visiting graduates and their companions to Sirius and the Weasleys before everyone traveled to Modena and explored the city. Kenny discovered that Vincent and Hermione were together, but his jealousy and self-pity convinced Rinne that he was beyond help.

• Vincent introduced Rinne, Kenny, and Jennifer to Sirius, Lupin, Harry, and the Weasleys, and everyone rode to the hotel in separate cars.
• Daphne teased Hermione about Vincent during the drive, and Astoria learned that close friends could joke around and quickly make up.
• The group ate lunch at the hotel, then Molly stopped Fred and George from joining Vincent's car for a city outing.
• Kenny left the cathedral alone, nearly got hit by Vincent's Bugatti, and later saw Vincent and Hermione leave holding hands.
• Kenny admitted his prejudice against Vincent but complained that Vincent was only slightly better-looking, taller, and more capable than he was, prompting Rinne to give up on him.

Dumbledore arrived as Voldemort began a ritual to regain his power, using Peter Pettigrew, Karkaroff, and Barty Crouch to hold Harry and Draco hostage. As Pettigrew completed the ritual’s offerings, Dumbledore realized Harry’s blood was not Voldemort’s true target, but Barty Crouch stabbed him before he could act.

• Dumbledore freed Harry, but Peter Pettigrew returned with the unconscious Draco and held him hostage while Voldemort threatened Harry.
• Karkaroff emerged with Barty Crouch as a hostage and was revealed as the servant who helped Voldemort return.
• Peter Pettigrew placed Voldemort in a cauldron and began the resurrection ritual with dust from Tom Riddle's grave and his own severed hand.
• Peter Pettigrew prepared to take Harry's blood, while Karkaroff continued stabbing Barty Crouch in the throat.
• Dumbledore realized Harry's blood was not the ritual's true target, but Barty Crouch pulled out a dagger and stabbed him.

Vincent completed the Succession Society’s standard equipment designs and transformed its European headquarters into an expanded alchemical workshop. After testing the headquarters’ protective barrier, he warned the old gentlemen that the Society needed to prepare for war against the entire Wizarding World.

• Vincent and Hermione discussed the Society’s plans and the Ministry of Magic’s preparations to control Hogwarts through an Educational Decree.
• Vincent decided to establish Hunter’s force quickly, fearing that attacks by Voldemort and the Death Eaters would worsen relations between wizards and Muggles.
• Vincent and the old gentlemen expanded and renovated the Society’s European headquarters, installing alchemical equipment and a protective barrier.
• Vincent had the old gentlemen test the barrier with forty-one Dominator Pistols; it absorbed their ordinary shots but briefly gave way under their Annihilation Mode attack before repairing itself.
• Vincent asked the old gentlemen to call him Mr. Wayne and explained that the Society had to prepare to become enemies of the entire Wizarding World.

Yamamoto secured the card merchants’ cooperation for the Japanese Wizard Cards, while Vincent’s Transfiguration technique drew McGonagall’s admiration and brought him a new responsibility. The chapter left Vincent preparing for class as news arrived of Gwent’s launch in France and Japan, attended by Beauxbatons Headmistress Madame Olympe Maxime.

• Yamamoto told the gathered card merchants that his employer had influence beyond the Ashiya Family and negotiated a partnership on terms that met his price expectations.
• The merchants raised a toast with Yamamoto, and he arranged stronger liquor and European food for them.
• McGonagall praised Vincent’s combined spellcasting technique and said she would guide his Animagus transformation the following school year.
• McGonagall told Vincent that Dumbledore wanted her to decide whether the Owl Court Club activity room should be expanded, and Vincent agreed to help the students with his technique.
• McGonagall noticed Rita’s Daily Prophet headline calling Vincent a heartthrob and predicting his potential to surpass Dumbledore.
• James showed Vincent a newspaper photograph of Madame Olympe Maxime at Gwent’s launch in France and Japan.

Astoria joined Daphne and the others on a night walk to the Hogwarts kitchen, where the group gathered for a midnight feast. Hermione grew suspicious of Little White’s unusual growth and shared an understanding with Vincent, while the gathering ended with everyone enjoying a lavish meal.

• Daphne led Astoria out of the dormitory and brought her to the kitchen, where Hermione, Rolf, Cedric, Fred, and George also gathered.
• Rolf brought Little White, and Vincent arrived with Gu Gu and Laifu after Little White had been fed in the kitchen.
• Hermione suspected that Little White was an unusual hybrid because it had barely grown in nearly a year.
• Vincent told Little White to behave if it wanted to be treated like Hogwarts’s honored little fox, while Gu Gu sneaked food from the kitchen.
• The group received a lavish midnight snack, and Cedric proudly enjoyed the twins’ praise for his cooking.

Devlin Whitehorn and Theo assessed the threat Wayne Enterprises' Flying Boots posed to the broom industry as they attended the company's lavish Triwizard Tournament advertising tender. Vincent opened the meeting before a crowd of wizarding merchants and investors.

• Devlin Whitehorn asked Theo to consider the Firebolt and Flying Boots, while Theo questioned whether the boots could replace brooms or be affordable.
• Whitehorn and Theo entered a venue transformed by Magical Projection into a lifelike forest, where wizarding businesses and individuals had assigned seats.
• Whitehorn reflected on Nimbus's history and concluded that Flying Boots could shrink the broom market, though the Triwizard Tournament might delay Nimbus's decline.
• Heads of Cleansweep and Comet arrived, followed by Lucius, Madam Zabini, and their group, as merchants worried about losing prime advertising slots to Nobili.
• Vincent arrived with Sirius Black and old Shafiq, took the center of the venue, and announced that Wayne Enterprises' advertising tender meeting had begun.

The Dark Mark reappeared during the Potter Memorial, and Peter Pettigrew escaped with House-elf magic. Vincent and Dumbledore confronted Voldemort’s return and agreed that destroying his Horcruxes was essential, while Dumbledore withheld what he knew about the remaining ones.

• The Dark Mark appeared above the Potter Memorial, sending the crowd fleeing while Sirius Black, Lupin, and Vincent checked on those nearby.
• Vincent realized Peter Pettigrew had escaped and followed the House-elf magic trail with Dumbledore and Fawkes.
• Vincent froze the Fiendfyre waiting at their destination, and Dumbledore extinguished the flames but found that they had erased all traces.
• Vincent and Dumbledore recognized that the prophecy was coming true and discussed how Voldemort might regain a body.
• Dumbledore said they had to destroy Voldemort’s Horcruxes, and Vincent pressed him to reveal what he knew about the remaining ones.

Hermione, Vincent, Harry, Ron, and Sirius Black learned the truth about Peter Pettigrew and set a trap to catch him. They captured Pettigrew, but a swarm of Dementors descended on them.

• Hermione and Vincent found Harry and Ron at the Temporary Headquarters, where Harry disarmed Sirius Black and confronted him.
• Hermione and Vincent told Ron that Scabbers was Peter Pettigrew and that Pettigrew had betrayed James Potter and Lily.
• Harry and Sirius Black reconciled, and they joined Vincent, Hermione, and Ron in lying in wait for Pettigrew.
• Vincent and Sirius Black revealed Pettigrew in the darkness, and Sirius beat him and told him Harry knew the truth.
• Dementors surrounded the group, and Vincent, Hermione, and Sirius Black summoned Patronuses before a wolf and a cat Patronus arrived.

Vincent and Dumbledore found Voldemort’s ring Horcrux in the Gaunt Family Home, but Dumbledore recognized its stone as the Resurrection Stone and stopped Vincent from destroying it. As Dumbledore struggled with the temptation to see his sister again, the Horcrux tried to lure Harry inside and invade his mind.

• Vincent entered the Gaunt Family Home and destroyed a rag doll hidden as a trap.
• Vincent opened a drawer containing a ring Horcrux, and Harry felt it probe his mind from outside.
• Vincent took the Sword of Gryffindor from Dumbledore and prepared to destroy the ring, but Dumbledore recognized its black stone as the Resurrection Stone.
• Dumbledore nearly approached the ring, but Vincent blocked him and Dumbledore admitted he wanted to see Ariana again.
• The Horcrux tried to tempt Harry with the promise of seeing his parents, but Harry resisted it with Occlumency.

The fourth-year Gryffindors collected Bubotuber pus in Herbology before Hagrid introduced them to newly hatched Blast-Ended Skrewts in Care of Magical Creatures. The dangerous creatures exploded without warning, leaving Dean burned and Vincent and Hermione shaken.

• Neville filled three bottles with Bubotuber pus, impressing Vincent with his skill, while Sprout explained that the pus treated stubborn acne.
• Hagrid showed the Gryffindors and Slytherins crates of Blast-Ended Skrewts and told them to feed the creatures.
• Harry and Vincent tried offering the Skrewts food, and Hermione suspected they had no mouths.
• A Skrewt's tail exploded and burned Dean's arm, while Vincent's Flamel Ring shielded him from the blast.

Gregorovitch, Ollivander, and Merovingian gathered at Hogwarts to inspect the Champions’ wands, but their discussion descended into a bitter argument. Dumbledore used the Elder Wand to calm them before the Champions arrived.

• Gregorovitch told Ollivander and Merovingian that he had spent decades failing to replicate a powerful wand he had acquired in his youth.
• Bagman and Barty Crouch struggled to set up Wayne Enterprises recording equipment for the wand inspection ceremony, and Dumbledore arranged for its maker to help.
• Dumbledore sent Colin Creevey to fetch Vincent, Harry, and Draco from Potions class.
• Gregorovitch, Ollivander, and Merovingian argued over wandmaking philosophies and insulted one another.
• Dumbledore drew the Elder Wand and cast a calming spell on the three masters.