Chapter Summaries

The Thoughtform fought off Orcs at River Valley City's wall, then rescued Sigrid and Tilda and helped Bard's group repel another attack. As the city's defenses collapsed, he unleashed a massive fire spell and headed to the church to prepare a defensive ward.

• The Thoughtform used Dragon's Roar to destroy a charging Orc force, forcing its commander to attack another part of River Valley City.
• The Thoughtform rescued Sigrid and Tilda from Orcs and learned that the city had been breached across multiple areas.
• The Thoughtform joined Bard, Gandalf, Bilbo, and the townspeople, then used a raven-shaped Patronus to kill Orcs and two Ogres.
• Bard sent Alfred to lead the women and children to the church while ordering the men to join the battle.
• The Thoughtform cast Dragon's Brilliant Flame down the street, killing or burying dozens of Orcs and Ogres, then said he would go prepare a defensive spell at the church.

Thorin overcame his obsession with gold after Aaron showed him Smaug’s warning and conjured a frightening illusion. He joined the Dwarves defending Erebor, where Aaron’s song lifted their spirits just as the Orcs began their final assault.

• Thranduil and his Elves retreated into River Valley City as Dain’s Ironfoot Army suffered heavy losses and fell back toward Erebor without seeing Thorin.
• Dwalin confronted Thorin in Erebor’s great hall, and Aaron showed him Smaug’s memory of how greed had destroyed Thrór.
• Aaron frightened Thorin with an illusion of a golden vortex and Thrór’s ghost, prompting Thorin to cast off his crown and choose his people over gold.
• Thorin joined the defenders and rallied the Dwarves, who prepared to face Azog’s advancing Orcs and war beasts.
• Aaron broadcast a Dwarven song across the battlefield, raising the Dwarves’ morale, and Bombur sounded the Charge Horn.

Thorin led the dwarves and the people of Long Lake in a counterattack against the Orcs, while Aaron used illusions and magic to support them. Thorin set out for Ravenhill to kill Azog, and the chapter left his chariot party racing toward the mountain after Balin stayed behind to hold off pursuing Wargs.

• Thorin and Dáin led the dwarves into battle, and Aaron revealed that the promised Gandalf speech had been an illusion before arranging for it to appear above the battlefield.
• Encouraged by the illusion, Bard led the people of Long Lake into the fight, while the elderly, women, and children left the church to join their families.
• Thorin decided to capture Azog to turn the tide, and Aaron agreed to help in exchange for white gems for Thranduil.
• Thorin, Aaron, and the dwarves charged toward Ravenhill in a chariot, with Aaron using Dragon Fire and spells to clear Ogres and other obstacles.
• After Wargs killed several of their goats, Balin stayed behind with the crossbow bolts to hold off the pursuers while Aaron and the others continued toward Ravenhill.

Aaron, Thorin, and the Dwarves reached Ravenhill and discovered Azog’s trap, while Gandalf’s party learned that Bolg’s Gundabad Orcs were approaching. Thorin initially chose to retreat, but Azog provoked him by mocking the deaths of his father and grandfather, leaving Thorin and the others ready to fight.

• Fili, Kili, Dwalin, and Aaron joined Thorin at Ravenhill and fought their way through the Orc guards, but found Azog hiding.
• Legolas warned Gandalf’s party that Bolg was leading Gundabad Orcs toward River Valley City, and Aaron’s Thoughtform relayed the news to his main body at Ravenhill.
• Gandalf and Bilbo worried that Thorin might ignore the danger and pursue Azog, while Aaron promised to stop him if necessary.
• Aaron told Thorin that Bolg’s force was coming, and Thorin recognized Azog’s plan and ordered a retreat.
• Azog emerged and taunted Thorin about his father’s and grandfather’s deaths, prompting Thorin, Dwalin, Fili, and Kili to prepare to fight.

Aaron failed to stop Thorin from staying at Ravenhill to fight Azog, so his Thoughtform decided to take Gandalf and the others there. After absorbing the flames of River Valley City and Apparating to Ravenhill, the Thoughtform found Thorin fighting Azog on the frozen lake.

• Aaron tried to persuade Thorin to avoid the trap, but Thorin resolved to defend the House of Durin and ordered Fili and Kili to survive if he died.
• Aaron attempted to stun Thorin, but Dwalin pulled Thorin aside, and Thorin refused to abandon the fight.
• The Thoughtform learned that Thorin planned to fight Azog, while Gandalf, Bilbo, Tauriel, and Legolas agreed to go to Ravenhill and support him.
• The Thoughtform absorbed the flames across River Valley City, then used the Magic Carpet and Apparition to take the group to Ravenhill.
• The Thoughtform showed them Thorin fighting Azog on the frozen lake while the other Dwarves held back the remaining Orcs.

Aaron used the Dragon-Slaying Secret Art to destroy nearly the entire Gundabad Orc army, then survived Bolg’s attack with Bilbo’s help. Bolg reached Azog at Ravenhill as the remaining heroes surrounded him, and Azog hoped the Orcs could still win.

• Aaron merged with his Thoughtform to recover his magic and saw the Gundabad Orcs and giant bats approach Ravenhill.
• Aaron blocked Bolg’s vanguard with a protective barrier while Thorin fought Azog, then warned Bilbo he would be helpless after his next attack.
• Aaron unleashed the Dragon-Slaying Secret Art, destroying almost all of the Gundabad Orc army and triggering a flood and landslide.
• Bolg survived by using Orcs as shields and charged the exhausted Aaron, but Bilbo struck Bolg with a stone and carried Aaron away on the Magic Carpet.
• Aaron and Bilbo returned to Ravenhill, where Gandalf and the others had surrounded Azog; Bolg arrived, and Azog assumed Aaron was dead and ordered the army to attack.

Aaron, Bilbo, and the arriving reinforcements helped turn the battle against Azog’s army, while Thorin faced Azog in a duel. Just as Azog was about to kill Thorin, Bilbo’s Sting struck him down, leaving the Orc King dead and the defenders victorious.

• Azog learned from Bolg that his army had been nearly destroyed and ordered him to make amends by fighting Legolas, who accepted the duel.
• Thorin insisted on facing Azog alone despite Aaron urging the dwarves to attack together, and the two began fighting on the lake ice.
• Radagast arrived with the Great Eagles, while Beorn transformed into a giant bear and helped rout the orcs and their beasts.
• Thorin tricked Azog onto unstable ice, and Azog fell into the freezing lake before bursting through the ice and pinning Thorin down.
• Bilbo threw Sting into Azog’s temple, killing him before he could strike Thorin, and Gaius praised Bilbo for helping bring down the Orc King.

After the Orcs were defeated, Thorin gave Aaron the Arkenstone, and Aaron discovered that he could return home. Aaron, Bilbo, and Gandalf set out for the Shire, but Legolas stopped them to remind Aaron of a promise.

• Legolas defeated Bolg as the stone tower collapsed, and Aaron had Azog's corpse displayed above the battlefield, causing the Orcs to flee.
• Dain declared Azog dead and led the Dwarves in routing the Orcs, while Thranduil and Bard joined the battle and the allies won.
• Thorin returned the White Gem to Thranduil and gave the Arkenstone to Aaron, who accepted it and planned to turn it into a weapon.
• Aaron received two thousand Magic Points and discovered the Gaius Family crest had appeared, signaling that he could return home.
• Bilbo and Aaron decided to leave, said goodbye to the Dwarves, and rode toward The Shire with Gandalf.
• Legolas blocked their path outside Lonely Mountain and reminded Aaron of his promise.

Aaron gave Legolas, Thranduil, and Bilbo portions of Moon Drop, then prepared to return to his home world despite Gandalf’s attempts to recruit him. Before leaving, he signed a contract that increased the chance his descendants would visit Middle-earth for training.

• Aaron gave one sealed cup of Moon Drop to Legolas for Thranduil, one to Legolas, and one to Bilbo, refusing Gandalf’s request for a share.
• Legolas said he accepted Tauriel’s choice, and Aaron refused to accompany him north or Gandalf to Rivendell because he wanted to go home.
• Aaron revealed to Bilbo and Legolas that he came from another world and rejected Gandalf’s attempt to persuade him to remain in Middle-earth.
• Aaron activated the portal using the Gaius Family crest, then found a contract that would increase his descendants’ chance of visiting Middle-earth.
• Gandalf persuaded Aaron that his descendants could benefit from the friendships and welcome he had earned, and Aaron signed the contract before entering the portal.

Aaron returned home after spending half a year in another world, took a break from holiday lessons, and learned that Sirius Black had escaped. He asked Argus to forge the Heart of Lonely Mountain into a Divine Artifact, but Argus refused to use his stockpile for it.

• Aaron reunited with Abei and learned that less than half a month had passed at home, while the Gaius family had approved a break from his holiday lessons.
• Aaron planned a birthday gift for Harry Potter by arranging for exam papers to be delivered to the Dursleys for Dudley.
• Aaron saw a report that Sirius Black was wanted for killing thirteen Muggles, then went to Secret Chamber Number One to meet Argus.
• Aaron asked Argus to turn the Heart of Lonely Mountain into a weapon, and Argus explained that it could strengthen mental power and resist some mental or soul attacks.
• Aaron chose to pursue a Divine Artifact, but Argus refused to contribute even one-tenth of his stockpile.

After returning from another world, Aaron spent a week relaxing in Diagon Alley and speculated about Sirius Black’s escape from Azkaban. He then ran into Minister Fudge, who was looking for Harry Potter because Harry had accidentally used magic and a murderer had escaped prison.

• Aaron visited Weihert and Flor, who praised his growth and suggested he explore Diate’s library before school started.
• Aaron spent a peaceful week at his shop, visiting nearby businesses and planning to resume training on his own terms.
• Aaron saw a newspaper photograph of Sirius Black and questioned why he had escaped Azkaban after twelve years and whether he intended to hurt Harry Potter.
• Aaron and Jeans met Minister Fudge at The Leaky Cauldron, where Fudge said he was looking for Harry after Harry inflated his uncle’s sister and because a murderer had escaped prison.

Harry Potter arrived in Diagon Alley after running away from the Dursleys, and Fudge arranged for him to stay at The Leaky Cauldron until term began. Aaron then hired Harry to work at his drink shop, where Harry settled into his new job and enjoyed being away from the Dursleys.

• Fudge reassured Harry that the Ministry had resolved the incident with his aunt and would not punish or expel him, then arranged his lodging at The Leaky Cauldron.
• Aaron told Harry that his birthday gift had been exam papers that Dudley had claimed, and Harry learned they had upset Dudley for several days.
• Tom showed Harry to Room Eleven, and Aaron and Jeans left The Leaky Cauldron.
• The next morning, Harry asked to work at Aaron's shop, and Aaron hired him for thirty Galleons until school began.
• Harry served customers, studied during quiet moments, and kept the shop and its accounts in good order.

As Hogwarts term approached, Harry worked for Aaron while worrying over the Firebolt, Sirius Black, and a possible death omen. On the final day of summer, Harry reunited with Ron and Hermione, and Aaron joined them for lunch before Hermione revealed that Aaron’s mother had asked her about her preferences.

• Harry told Aaron he wanted a Firebolt, and Aaron pointed out that catching Sirius Black could earn him the reward money, though Harry refused to risk meeting him.
• Harry described seeing a bear-sized black dog, and Jeans warned that his next encounter with death might be connected to it.
• Harry returned from shopping short of money, and Aaron teased him about his spending before Harry went back to work.
• On the final day of the holiday, Harry, Ron, and Hermione visited Aaron, and Aaron agreed to go with them to The Leaky Cauldron.
• Hermione told Aaron that his mother had asked her about her likes, making him fear she was trying to arrange a match for him.

Aaron and Hermione visited the Magical Creatures Shop, where Hermione bought Crookshanks after Aaron haggled down the price. At The Leaky Cauldron, the group discussed Sirius Black, the Weasley family’s trip to Egypt, and Percy’s appointment as Head Boy.

• The witch examined Scabbers and offered Ron a rat-strengthening potion, but Crookshanks leaped at the rat and sent him fleeing.
• Hermione bought Crookshanks for three Galleons after Aaron bargained down the price and got the potion for free.
• Aaron reunited with Harry and Ron, calmed Abei, and gave Ron the potion while Scabbers hid in Ron’s pocket.
• At The Leaky Cauldron, Arthur told Harry that Sirius Black remained at large, and Ron suggested they could help catch him.
• The Weasleys arrived with Percy, Fred, George, and Ginny, and Percy showed off his Head Boy badge.
• Aaron said he did not want to be a prefect, earning Fred and George’s approval.

Aaron boarded the Hogwarts Express and joined Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger in a compartment with their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, R.J. Lupin. The train stopped in darkness as Dementors approached, leaving Aaron to warn his companions about the creatures outside.

• Aaron arrived at King's Cross with Jeans, passed through the barrier, and boarded the Hogwarts Express with Abei.
• Aaron entered an empty compartment where Professor R.J. Lupin was asleep, then shared it with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
• Harry told the others that Sirius Black might be hunting him, and they discussed the threat and Harry's hopes of visiting Hogsmeade.
• Harry's Sneakoscope spun and whistled, but Ron dismissed it as a cheap toy.
• As the train journeyed through a storm, the lights went out and the train stopped on a bridge; Aaron sensed creatures outside and identified them as Dementors.

A Dementor boarded the Hogwarts Express and attacked Harry, but Abei knocked it away and Professor Lupin drove it off. After the students reached Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall summoned Harry, Hermione, and Aaron to her office and arranged for Madam Pomfrey to check on Harry.

• A Dementor entered Aaron's compartment, drained Harry's strength, and was knocked out by Abei before Professor Lupin drove it away.
• Aaron gave Harry chocolate and explained that the Patronus Charm could repel Dementors, though Harry would need a happy memory to cast it.
• The train reached Hogsmeade, and Aaron defended Professor Lupin's ability when Draco questioned his appearance and qualifications.
• Harry and the other students arrived at Hogwarts, where Dementors patrolled outside the gates.
• Professor McGonagall took Harry, Hermione, and Aaron to her office and told Harry that Madam Pomfrey was coming to examine him.

After Harry recovered from a Dementor encounter, Professor McGonagall confronted Aaron and Hermione about signing up for all five electives. Hermione received a Time-Turner, while Aaron rejected his Butler Jeans’s elaborate scheduling and time-travel plans but was allowed to choose which overlapping classes to attend; at the feast, Dumbledore welcomed Professor Lupin and announced Hagrid as the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher.

• Madam Pomfrey examined Harry, confirmed he was unharmed by the Dementor, and left with him after telling him to eat chocolate.
• Professor McGonagall gave Hermione a Time-Turner so she could attend all five electives, warning her to use it only for her studies and explaining its risks.
• Professor McGonagall revealed Jeans had arranged an intensive timetable for Aaron, offered him an advanced Time-Turner, and secured permission for him to choose among overlapping classes; Aaron rejected the first two plans.
• Aaron and Hermione returned to the Great Hall, where Dumbledore welcomed R. J. Lupin as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
• Dumbledore announced that Hagrid had replaced Professor Kettleburn as Care of Magical Creatures teacher, and Hagrid tearfully celebrated the appointment.

Aaron returned to Hogwarts as Dumbledore announced that Dementors would guard the school while Sirius Black remained at large. After Abei evolved and gained a healing ability, Aaron created a Thoughtform to help manage the coming term.

• Dumbledore warned the students that Dementors would patrol Hogwarts, and Aaron discussed the danger with Draco and Pansy after the feast.
• Aaron and Abei returned to their dormitory, where Abei rediscovered its hidden food stash and complained that Aaron would claim its hoard.
• Aaron spent Magic Points to raise Abei's Magical Energy to 3,000, unlocking the Healing ability.
• Abei healed a cut on Aaron's hand and scolded him for risking injury, before Aaron sent it to sleep.
• Aaron completed his morning Sign-in, removed the Demon Sealing Ring, and created a Thoughtform to take the electives he did not choose.

Aaron considered how to manage his third-year classes before attending his first Divination lesson with Hermione, Harry, and Ron. Professor Trelawney introduced Divination as a rare inborn gift, leaving Hermione visibly displeased with the subject’s limits.

• Aaron dismissed Draco’s plan to mock Harry for panicking during the Dementor attack, but Draco spread the story to Slytherins anyway.
• Harry, George, and Fred discussed Draco’s teasing and resolved to challenge him in the first Quidditch match.
• Hermione explained that she had arranged her overlapping classes with Professor McGonagall, while Aaron said he would attend Divination and decide about the other lessons later.
• Hagrid invited the group to his Care of Magical Creatures lesson and hinted that its creature was about as large as a Unicorn.
• Aaron, Hermione, Harry, and Ron climbed to the North Tower and attended Professor Trelawney’s first Divination lesson.
• Trelawney said that Divination required rare innate insight, and Aaron teased Hermione as she reacted unhappily to the idea.

During Divination, Professor Trelawney gave several prophecies and interpreted Aaron’s unusually complex tea leaves as signs of a perilous, boundless future. The lesson ended with Trelawney telling Harry that he had the Grim, an omen of death.

• Trelawney predicted that Parvati should beware a red-haired man, that classes would stop during a February flu, that she would lose her voice, and that someone would leave them around Easter.
• Trelawney told Lavender that what she feared most would happen on October sixteenth, and Aaron resolved to watch what happened that day.
• Hermione struggled to read Aaron’s cup, while Aaron interpreted hers as a sign that she would quit Divination around Easter.
• Trelawney examined Aaron’s cup, saw signs of slaughter and long journeys, and predicted that he would grow without limit through crises, though his fate was beyond her ability to foresee.
• Trelawney examined Harry’s teacup and, visibly frightened, told him that he had the Grim, an omen of death.