Chapter Summaries

Back at Hogwarts, Luan resumed studying charm modification and struggled to analyze the Expansion Charm. A conversation about keeping warm during cold astronomy lessons gave him a simpler spell to modify, and he proposed adapting the Fire-making spell into a lasting hand warmer.

• Luan returned to Hogwarts and planned to intensify his charm training because Xilin no longer had a place to teach him.
• Luan studied how to modify the Expansion Charm but found its incantation and wand movements difficult to analyze.
• At breakfast, Luan, Harry, Ron, and Hermione discussed how to keep their hands warm during cold astronomy lessons.
• Hermione suggested putting a Fire-making spell inside a metal container, and Luan proposed modifying the spell to produce less heat for longer.

Muen took Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Neville to practice spells on an effigy with Snape’s face, and the group discovered that their spells could make it appear to feel pain. Afterward, Muen wondered why Snape’s leg had not healed and recalled seeing canine bite marks on it.

• Muen brought his roommates to the Spell Practice Classroom, where Filch let them in after Mrs. Norris and Bouncing greeted each other.
• Harry and Ron recognized Snape’s face on the practice effigy and eagerly began casting spells at it.
• Seamus’s Locking Charm produced a small flame that struck the effigy, making its expression turn pained.
• Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Neville cast spells together seven times and enjoyed seeing the effigy react.
• Muen recalled the bite marks on Snape’s leg and suspected that the animal that injured him was exceptionally formidable.

Luan demonstrated rapid consecutive spellcasting to Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Neville while keeping most of his skill hidden. Hermione arrived with a working but overheated magical hand warmer, and she planned to improve it.

• Harry asked Luan whether Snape was especially affected by curses, and Luan demonstrated the Leg-Locker Curse on the clay statue.
• Luan explained that repeated Minor Hexes could concentrate their effect on one spot and cast three Locomotor Mortis spells in quick succession.
• Ron described an underground Wizard Duelling arena, while Luan told Filch he did not want to reveal his full ability to the others.
• Luan practiced the Petrifying Charm as Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Neville struggled to copy his continuous casting technique and eventually stopped.
• Hermione brought the Young Wizards her basic magical hand warmer, which heated the jar too much, so she extinguished the Fire-making spell and said she would improve it.

Luan and Cedric examined how magical energy had changed the Sleepyface Fungus, whose green-spotted cap and Spore Powder had become more potent. They considered using the altered powder to grow a new batch as Professor Sprout arrived.

• Hermione left after Ron upset her about her Hand Warmer, and Harry explained that her first attempt had become too hot.
• Filch gave Bouncing a Fake Galleon, and Bouncing set off to catch fish for Mrs. Norris despite the cold.
• Cedric told Luan that Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick had debated whether Luan was more talented at Herbology or Charms.
• Cedric showed Luan that the Sleepyface Fungus had developed green spots and stronger, greener Spore Powder after absorbing energy from magical plants.
• Luan and Cedric agreed that they could use the altered Spore Powder to cultivate a new batch of Sleepyface Fungus, and Professor Sprout entered the classroom.

Luan asked Professor Sprout about Dragon Dung Fertilizer as another way to improve plant growth, then sought advice on analyzing an unknown potion. Sprout gave him a fertilizer formula and pointed him toward Potion Analysis Technique, leaving Luan to begin with the beginner version in the library the next day.

• Luan thanked Sprout for the Growth Potion and asked about Dragon Dung Fertilizer as an alternative to modifying growth spells.
• Sprout explained the fertilizer’s benefits and ingredients, then gave Luan a formula and suggested testing it on his magical willow branch.
• Luan planted the willow branch in a flowerpot with Dragon Dung Fertilizer and planned to experiment with more crop seeds.
• Luan asked Sprout how to identify an unknown potion, and she warned him not to use it before confirming its effects.
• Sprout told Luan that he could study Beginner's Potion Analysis Technique in the library and that advanced versions were in the Restricted Section.
• Luan left the Club Classroom intending to find the beginner technique the next day, since the library had already closed.

Luan enlisted Seamus to help research a Hand Warmer and began testing a modified Fire-making spell with Hermione. The group carried jars containing small blue flames to observe how long they lasted, though Luan doubted the experiments would go smoothly.

• Bouncing returned from the Black Lake soaked and told Luan it had made friends with a huge creature.
• Seamus asked to help Luan study the Hand Warmer, and Luan agreed to discuss the experiments the next day.
• Hermione showed Luan a jar containing a cooler blue flame made with a modified Fire-making spell, and Luan offered to help refine it.
• Luan asked Hermione for books about Muggle plants, and she offered to have old books sent from home.
• Luan and Hermione decided to test the flame's duration and storage, then Luan cast adjusted versions of the spell on twelve jam jars.
• Luan, Hermione, Harry, Ron, Neville, and Seamus each took jars to monitor the flames, and Luan felt warmth from his pocket-sized trial.

Luan struggled with the students’ unreliable records of the Fire-making spell and turned to studying the Beginner's Potion Analysis Technique. The chapter ended with Luan hearing a rumor that Professor Snape feared Locomotor Mortis.

• Ron, Seamus, Neville, and Harry each mishandled or lost their Fire-making spell jars, while Luan and Hermione kept records until Luan forgot once.
• Quirrell asked Luan about subduing the troll and invited him to study Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Luan declined.
• Hermione took charge of all six remaining jars after deciding the boys were unreliable.
• Luan read about the Beginner's Potion Analysis Technique and realized he needed more foundational knowledge and access to potion-making tools before he could practice it.
• Luan heard students claim that Snape feared Locomotor Mortis and cried when struck by it.

Luan was punished with a month of detention after petrifying Draco Malfoy in self-defense, but McGonagall helped him learn Scourgify for cleaning the Potions Classroom. The chapter ended with Sprout criticizing McGonagall for encouraging Luan to treat the detention as practice.

• Malfoy challenged Luan to a duel, then drew his wand as Luan tried to leave.
• Luan petrified Malfoy before Snape could stop him, and Cedric testified that Malfoy had drawn first.
• McGonagall judged that Malfoy had started the confrontation, gave Luan a month of detention with Snape, and deducted fifty points from Slytherin.
• Snape assigned Luan to clean the Potions Classroom, and McGonagall taught him Scourgify so he could do it with magic.
• Sprout objected to McGonagall encouraging Luan, while McGonagall praised his talent in several subjects.

Luan returned to the Gryffindor Common Room after being given detention for petrifying Malfoy, then continued working with Hermione on the Fire-making spell jars. Malfoy faced ridicule and resentment over losing Slytherin fifty points, and the chapter ended with his response to Harry and Ron’s mockery still to come.

• Luan told Ron, Harry, and Hermione that McGonagall had given him detention after he petrified Malfoy, and Ron and Harry agreed to help him clean the Potions Classroom.
• Luan and Hermione reviewed the Fire-making spell jars, adjusted the most stable flames, and discussed how the jars had helped them stay warm during astronomy class.
• Bouncing told Luan it had made strange new friends in the Black Lake, and Luan warmed it by the fireplace before taking it to bed.
• Slytherin students grew resentful of Malfoy after he caused their House to lose fifty points.
• Ron and Harry mocked Malfoy at breakfast by loudly recounting his fall and loss of points, and Malfoy left the Great Hall furious.
• Malfoy's retaliation against Harry and Ron was set to begin in their first class after breakfast.

After Snape questioned Luan about Troll ingredients in Potions class, Luan’s detailed answer spared him punishment, and Gryffindors joined together to clean the classroom. Hermione encouraged Luan to study more charms, so he chose practical spells from the library and headed to the Charms Practice Room to test them.

• Snape questioned Harry and Ron, then asked Luan which Troll parts could be used in potions, and Luan explained their uses in detail.
• Snape assigned Luan and Neville to brew Swelling Solution and said he would inspect the classroom that evening.
• Seamus, Neville, Lavender, and Harry helped Luan clean the Potions classroom after class.
• Hermione suggested that Luan learn more charms, and Luan decided to study practical household spells for everyday use and his upcoming voyage.
• Luan selected charms from three library books, including Accio, Waterproofing, Preservation, and Fur Smoothing, then went to the Charms Practice Room to try them.

Luan practiced spells, discovered that Bouncing and Mrs. Norris loved the Fur Smoothing Charm, and gave them repeated castings. The next morning, he and Hermione examined their remaining experimental flames, and Luan recast the Fire-making Charm on Jars Three and Five before Hermione could check the records.

• Filch apologized to Luan for being unable to change the terracotta figurine's face, and Luan reassured him before practicing spells in the classroom.
• Luan practiced control and utility spells, then focused on the Fur Smoothing Charm while Bouncing and Mrs. Norris played hide-and-seek.
• Luan repeatedly cast the Fur Smoothing Charm on Bouncing and Mrs. Norris, delighting both pets and making Filch grateful for Mrs. Norris's newly smoothed fur.
• Luan suspected the Fur Smoothing Charm might be addictive and cast it on Bouncing several more times before putting it to sleep in the treehouse.
• Hermione showed Luan that only Jars Two and Six still held flames, and Luan recast the Fire-making Charm on Jars Three and Five before she could confirm her findings.

Luan and Hermione continued refining the Fire-making spell for their hand warmers, with Luan aiming for a flame that could burn safely for three days. They settled on using the Snape Figurine’s clay-like material for the warmers, while Harry remained unsure how to retrieve his confiscated Quidditch book.

• Hermione recorded Luan’s latest adjustments to the experimental flames and asked what would count as success.
• Luan said the spell needed to keep a flame burning safely for at least three days, and Hermione expressed confidence in Number Two.
• Luan and Hermione decided to ask Professor Sprout about figurine-making soil and use the material of the Snape Figurine for their hand warmers.
• Luan reflected on the difficulty of changing spells, then went to breakfast with his roommates.
• Ron advised Harry to sneak into Snape’s office and take back The Quidditch Ball, while Hermione objected and Luan suggested asking Snape directly.

Harry and his friends argued over whether Snape had let the troll into Hogwarts to steal what the three-headed dog guarded. Luan’s recollection of Snape meeting Dumbledore weakened Harry and Ron’s suspicions, but Harry remained troubled as he went to sleep before Quidditch practice.

• Harry’s friends debated how to retrieve the confiscated Quidditch Ball, with Harry deciding they should approach Snape and Seamus suggesting a fire as a distraction.
• Snape and Filch exchanged stories about catching students, and Snape refused Filch’s offer to clean the Potions classroom, saying Harry needed punishment.
• Harry overheard Snape explain that a three-headed dog had injured his leg, then returned to the Common Room without the Quidditch Ball.
• Harry accused Snape of letting the troll into Hogwarts on Halloween to steal what the three-headed dog guarded, and Ron agreed while Hermione challenged the theory.
• Luan recalled that Snape had dealt with the troll and later spoken sternly to Dumbledore, making Harry and Ron less certain of their suspicions.
• Harry remained unable to sleep until Luan reminded him that Wood had called for Quidditch practice at eight the next morning.

Luan and Zalan went to Xilin Wharf to negotiate with Captain Gould for passage to the Vena Islands for the seventy-three people in Veteran Alley. Gould offered free passage to Luan and Zalan but refused to reserve enough places, so Luan prepared to demonstrate his magic.

• Luan complained about the formal clothes Zalan had arranged for their meeting with Gould.
• Zalan explained that a Mage aboard an ocean-going ship could help with threats such as pirates and Sea Monsters.
• Luan and Zalan boarded the Thorn and met Captain Gould, who greeted Luan as an Esteemed Mage.
• Gould offered free passage for Luan and Zalan but said he could not provide the eighty spots they had requested.
• Zalan asked Luan to show his magic, and Luan looked over the sailors and crew for a target.

Luan demonstrated his magic to Captain Gould, who then agreed to provide space for Zalan's eighty people aboard the Thorn and share a sea chart of the Vena Islands. After Luan duplicated the chart, Gould offered him a private room.

• Luan cast Locomotor Mortis on seven sailors to demonstrate his power to Gould.
• Gould welcomed Luan aboard the Thorn, the Seagull, and the Goddess after Luan quickly lifted the curse.
• Gould ordered the sailors to keep quiet about the incident and promised space for Zalan's eighty people.
• Zalan requested separate quarters for his people and a sea chart of the Vena Islands, and Gould agreed.
• Luan duplicated Gould's sea chart and gave one copy to Zalan.
• Gould offered Luan a private room.

Luan and Zalan secured generous passage aboard the Thorn for the veterans’ families, while Zalan revealed that he hoped to find a safe place for them during the coming war. Aboard the ship, Gould defended his generous offer to Karen and ordered him to conceal the fleet’s secret and kill a sailor who had spoken of a Sea Monster.

• Gould offered Luan and Zalan private lodging, free meals for eighty veterans’ families, and a hundred gold coins for each voyage Luan escorted, and Zalan agreed to sail in two days.
• Luan questioned Gould’s unusually generous terms, and Zalan explained that Gould treated Luan as a powerful mage whose protection merited tribute.
• Zalan said he intended to use the sea chart to find a safe place where the veterans’ families could survive the prolonged war.
• Karen Ruis complained that Gould was giving away too much, but Gould insisted Luan had incapacitated seven men instantly and might have a powerful Archmage or Magus behind him.
• Karen suggested Luan might help with the Sea Monsters and the fleet’s secret, so Gould ordered him to keep the matter quiet and ensure the sailor who mentioned a Sea Monster did not live until morning.

After receiving money from Neil, Luan prepared to leave Veteran Alley as the veterans and their families made plans for their futures. Meanwhile, a fire dragon attacked Liuyun City, where spellcasters rushed to protect the northern gate.

• Luan accepted a pouch of one hundred silver coins from Neil and promised to write to him after settling down.
• Neil prepared to report to the Snow Eagle Mountain Defense Line with twenty-seven other veterans from Veteran Alley.
• A soldier in Liuyun City spotted an approaching fire dragon and sounded the alarm.
• Lieutenant Colonel Owen ordered the city's alarms rung, civilians to take cover, and soldiers to leave the walls.
• Mikhail Rich and Augustine ran to the northern gate to cast Shield Defense before the fire dragon could destroy it.

Mikael and Augustine defended Liuyun City's northern gate from Bemi Williams and his fire dragon, Blackflame, while the Federation moved to arrest Governor Suarez. After the dragon withdrew, Suarez's youngest son escaped the city with a small squad and headed for Xilin Port.

• Bemi Williams rode Blackflame over Liuyun City and blasted Mikael and Augustine with fire, prompting Mikael to recognize the Dragon Rider Mage lineage.
• Mikael ordered Augustine to help cast a defensive shield over the northern gate, and the two completed the spell despite Blackflame's attack.
• Bemi saw a firework from within the city and flew away before making another assault on the gate.
• A Spellcaster told Mikael that Major General Liz had surrounded Governor Suarez's residence with an arrest warrant from Jinglan City.
• As fighting erupted at the governor's residence, a squad protecting Suarez's youngest son escaped through a section of wall burned by Blackflame and headed for Xilin Port.

Luan and the veteran families boarded the Thorn amid the crush of people fleeing Xilin Wharf, where they heard reports that a fire dragon had attacked Liuyun City. Once aboard, Luan noticed a little girl with a Wizard Bar and decided to watch her closely.

• Karen Ruis met Luan and the veteran families at the crowded wharf and arranged a separate gangplank for them.
• Karen held back the other passengers as Zalan led the families aboard, while Luan, Brad, and Holt guarded the rear.
• Karen told Luan and the others that fleeing people had reported a fire dragon attacking Liuyun City, and Luan wondered if a wizard controlled it.
• After the Thorn pulled up the gangplank, Luan spotted a little girl with a Wizard Bar about one-fifth of a bar long and decided to observe her.

Luan spotted a young Spellcaster aboard the Thorn and asked Zalan to keep watch on her while he tried to learn more about magic. The ship sailed for the Vena Islands with Lance Davich and the wounded Suarez heir aboard, while the guards pursuing them reached the wharf too late.

• Luan told Zalan he could identify mages and asked him to investigate the young Spellcaster without revealing her identity.
• Six wounded men fleeing Liuyun City tried to board the Thorn, and Gould let them aboard after requiring them to split between three ships and surrender their long weapons.
• Zalan recognized the leader, Lance Davich, as a soldier he had trained, but said they had never been close.
• Lance carried the wounded young man to the lowest cabins after Gould refused to provide a room, and Luan continued watching the young Spellcaster.
• Gould's ships sailed toward the Vena Islands, and Major Mikael's guards arrived at Xilin Wharf after Lance's group had escaped.