Chapter Summaries

After leaving Xilin, Luan practiced magic aboard the Thorn while the Federation launched an investigation into the Court Mage’s presence in town. On the ship, Chris tried to convince the wary Lance that she could treat his unconscious companion, leaving Nanny Whitney stunned by Chris’s invented credentials.

• A black-clad group led by the masked Hansen the Mage searched Xilin, and the Federation later ordered an investigation into why a High Court Mage had infiltrated the town.
• Luan spent his days aboard the Thorn practicing spells and watching over the young mages in the lower cabins.
• Chris and Nanny Whitney boarded the Thorn after spending all their money on tickets to the Vena Islands, and Chris promised to earn enough to support them.
• Chris approached the injured Lance and offered to treat his unconscious companion, but Nanny Whitney snatched away the Black Bread Chris had offered.
• Chris gave Lance half a piece of bread and claimed she had trained as a doctor in Saint Heart Village, leaving Nanny Whitney shocked because their home was Machiko Village.

Chris treated Albert after Lance agreed to pay her ten gold coins, while Luan learned she wanted unusual sea-creature parts to brew a potion. The chapter left Luan curious about Chris’s potion-making and the materials she had requested.

• Chris persuaded Lance to hire her by warning that Albert might not survive seven days without an excellent doctor and medicine.
• Brad told Luan that Holt had stopped him from selling his second-level cabin spot to a wealthy merchant for one hundred gold coins.
• Luan and Zalan discussed how the seventy-three people traveling with them could earn a living after reaching the Vena Islands.
• Karen told Luan that Chris had claimed to be a doctor and asked to buy Batfish Swim Bladders and Flame Snail Shells for a healing potion.
• Luan recognized the requested items as possible potion ingredients and asked Karen whether he could obtain them.

Luan prepared to observe Chris brewing a potion to treat the wounded young man, then returned to Hogwarts, where Hermione reported that Number Two Flame had stayed stable and showed him her bandaged hand. The chapter left the potion-making session still to come and Hermione surrounded by concerned friends.

• Luan arranged for Chris to use his room and asked to observe her potion-making, while Chris agreed to the terms for five gold coins.
• Karen delivered ten sets of Batfish Milt and Flame Snail Shells, and Chris scheduled the brewing for the following morning.
• Luan tested the materials, recorded them as substitutes for Calming Flower and Dragon Scale Powder, and used Softening Charms to grind a Flame Snail Shell.
• Luan returned to Hogwarts, where Hermione reported that Number Two Flame had burned steadily for two and a half days, while Number Three weakened and Number Five briefly flared hot enough to burn her hand.
• Ron, Harry, Seamus, and Neville arrived in the Common Room and hurried to check on Hermione when they saw her bandaged hand.

Luan, Hermione, and their classmates tested the Number Two Fire-making spell again as they planned to turn it into animal-shaped Hand Warmers. The chapter left them looking forward to the finished products while Luan learned about the history that led wizards to hide from Muggles.

• After Hermione showed her healed hand, Ron urged Luan to let everyone help test the Hand Warmer, and the group each took a jar with a Fire-making spell to monitor.
• Hermione told Luan that Ron seemed reliable, and Luan agreed that Ron was the least likely of their classmates to mishandle his jar.
• At breakfast, Hermione revealed that they planned to use shaped containers for the Hand Warmers, and the students named the creatures they wanted, including Hedwig, a cat, and Bouncing.
• During History of Magic, Luan listened as Professor Binns explained how witch hunts and the International Statute of Secrecy led wizards to withdraw from Muggle society.

Luan investigated how to make a terracotta figurine change its expression and tested Dragon Dung Fertilizer on Little Willow Tree, while Cedric developed a stronger Sleepyface Fungus. Professor Sprout identified Luan’s soil sample and warned that collecting more would be dangerous, arranging for Hagrid to accompany him the next day.

• Hermione questioned how the Marauders had changed Snape’s terracotta figurine’s expression, then left to search for relevant books in the library.
• Luan scraped soil powder from the figurine and later observed that Dragon Dung Fertilizer had helped Little Willow Tree grow to nearly half a meter.
• Luan discussed testing Dragon Dung Fertilizer on crop seeds as part of his plan to help Veteran Alley residents settle on the Vena Islands.
• Cedric collected increasingly toxic green Spore Powder from Sleepyface Fungus, and Luan suggested researching Anesthetic Potions or Sedative Potions.
• Luan asked Professor Sprout to identify the soil, and she warned him that collecting it would be dangerous before arranging for Hagrid to accompany him the next day.

Luan and Hermione prepared to make clay figurines that could serve as Hand Warmers, while Hermione continued researching the spell and the craft. The group planned to collect clay with Hagrid the next day, and Luan ended the evening reviewing how to modify the Fire-making spell.

• Hermione told Luan that Number Two Hand Warmer Charm had lasted more than three days and explained that she had renamed the Fire-making spell.
• Luan said Professor Sprout had asked Hagrid to accompany them the next day to collect dangerous soil.
• Hermione shared books about making clay figurines with Luan, Ron, Harry, Neville, and Seamus, and agreed to guide them.
• Hermione began explaining the history and methods of clay figurine making until Ron and Harry protested.
• Luan reviewed the clay figurine-making process, then began reviewing how to modify the Fire-making spell.

Luan and Hermione presented their modified Fire-making spell, the Hand Warmer Charm, to Professor Flitwick for inspection. Flitwick approved it and identified how Luan had borrowed techniques from the Petrifying Charm, leaving the other young wizards amazed by the explanation.

• Luan reviewed his detailed records of modifying the Fire-making spell and considered applying his experience to Growth Spells, the Expansion Charm, and Engorgio.
• After Hermione lectured the group about making clay figurines, Luan encouraged Harry, Ron, Seamus, and the others to give the activity a try.
• Hermione showed Professor Flitwick the Hand Warmer Charm, and he tested its stability and determined that its flame could burn for more than seven days.
• Professor Flitwick recognized that Luan had cast the charm and asked how he had incorporated the Petrifying Charm's sustaining magic.
• Luan demonstrated the charm, and Professor Flitwick explained that its elongated syllables and steady wand movement helped control magical power and prolong the flame.

Luan visited Hagrid to inspect the insect-eating flowers and collect black soil beneath the Whomping Willow. Hagrid told him that the Giant Squid had been trying to crawl ashore, and Luan realized it was Bouncing’s new friend.

• Hermione demonstrated the Hand Warmer Charm again, then returned to the library while Luan went to Hagrid’s hut alone.
• Hagrid showed Luan the insect-eating flowers’ large seed pods and said he planned to plant their seeds in the Forbidden Forest to control its spiders.
• Hagrid told Luan that the Black Lake’s Giant Squid had been trying to crawl ashore and that he had been steering Young Wizards away from it.
• Luan recognized the Giant Squid as Bouncing’s new friend and decided to warn Bouncing to play farther from shore.
• Hagrid and Luan reached the Whomping Willow, where Hagrid began digging up the black soil Luan needed.

Luan used Narcissus Root Separation Liquid to begin analyzing a mysterious black potion, but his attempts repeatedly failed and revealed only one unidentified ingredient. Snape later detected the separation liquid’s scent in the cleaned classroom, yet his spell found no potion residue.

• Hagrid invited Luan to visit his home on Saturday, and Luan agreed.
• Luan studied Potion Analysis Technique and prepared to test Narcissus Root Separation Liquid on some of Xilin’s black potion.
• After three attempts, Luan identified an image of an unknown flower-like ingredient, but his spell faltered and another drop of potion vaporized.
• Luan stopped after four attempts, cleaned his workstation, and left the Potions Classroom.
• Snape smelled Narcissus Root Separation Liquid at Luan’s workstation and cast Potion Condensation, but found no potion residue.

After his failed Potion Analysis Technique attempt, Luan recorded what he had learned and joined Hermione and the others in making clay figurines in the Common Room. They left the figurines to fire in the fireplace, and the chapter ended with George and Fred eager to join their next project.

• Luan sketched the unknown white flower in his notebook and noted that unstable magical output had hindered his potion analysis.
• Hermione explained how to make clay figurines, and Luan carved molds while Harry, Ron, and the others shaped the clay.
• Luan and his friends made figurines of their pets and a miniature Niffler for Bouncing, then prepared to fire them for twenty-four hours.
• Seamus used Dragon Hide Gloves to place the figurines in the Common Room fireplace and volunteered for similar work in the future.
• George and Fred heard about the project and proposed turning clay figurines into prank devices.

Luan tended to his clay figurines, studied magic, and turned down Professor Quirrell’s invitation to join a Defense Against the Dark Arts club. Afterward, Luan met Cedric to discuss experimenting with Spore Powder grown using Dragon Dung Fertilizer.

• Luan took over Harry’s watch shift while the clay figurines were being fired, then studied his magic notes before breakfast.
• Professor Quirrell invited Luan to become the first member of his Defense Against the Dark Arts club, but Luan refused and left the classroom.
• Quirrell spoke privately with his Master, who told him to abandon the club approach and follow the original plan.
• Luan cleaned the Potions Classroom during detention and left without knowing that a Potions Professor arrived soon afterward.
• Cedric showed Luan a bottle of Spore Powder and explained that Dragon Dung Fertilizer had helped the mushrooms grow, then Luan asked what potion Cedric planned to make.

Luan and Cedric explored whether Spore Powder could replace ingredients in calming and anesthetic potions, while Luan proposed a way to purify it. Back in the Common Room, the Young Wizards removed their fired clay figurines and found that several delicate features had broken.

• Cedric showed Luan details about the Soothing Potion, Forget-Me-Not Potion, and Hell-Raising Decoction, and explained which ingredients he hoped Spore Powder could replace.
• Luan said they needed to test purified Spore Powder, then suggested using a Separation Potion to remove soil and impurities.
• Cedric went to prepare the Separation Potion while Luan returned to the Common Room to check the clay figurines after twenty-four hours in the fireplace.
• Seamus removed the hot figurines as Hermione timed their cooling, and Ron opened his jar to find that Scabbers had no tail.
• The Young Wizards discovered broken tails, claws, and cat ears on several figurines, while the owl, toad, and Niffler remained mostly intact.

Luan and the other Gryffindors used their clay figurine hand warmers during astronomy class, where Professor Sinistra taught them about Orion. On Thursday, Hermione explained that she planned to use the Color Change Charm to decorate the figurines, but her attempts at using more than three colors failed.

• Luan lit the clay figurines with Hand Warmer Charms, and the Gryffindors stayed warm during Professor Sinistra's lesson on Orion.
• Ron praised the warmth of his rat figurines, while Harry and Hermione lent their warmers to Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil.
• After astronomy class, Neville put Leif in a warm iron box, though the toad protested its dislike of fire.
• Professor McGonagall demonstrated the Color Change Charm on a beetle, and Luan told her he had finished practicing and lent his beetle to Neville.
• Hermione told Luan she wanted to use the Color Change Charm on her cat figurine, but repeated casts had turned her beetle black again.

Hermione and Luan practiced Layered Color Change Magic to create a calico cat figurine. Luan identified unstable connections between repeated casts as the cause of Hermione’s failures, and they concluded that a single, successful first-layer cast would be more stable.

• Hermione found instructions for Layered Color Change Magic and explained the method to Luan on their way to the Spell Practice Classroom.
• Luan smoothed Bouncing’s and Mrs. Norris’s fur before he and Hermione began experimenting with the spell.
• Hermione failed three times to add a second color layer to her cat figurine, which reverted to its original clay color.
• Luan used several Color Change Charms to turn a Niffler figurine black, and Bouncing regained confidence when it saw the result.
• Luan explained that the connection points between separate casts made the first layer unstable, and he and Hermione concluded that casting the first layer all at once would solve the problem.

Luan practiced the Color Change Charm and discovered how the Weasley twins made their Fake Eyes move, hoping to use the trick on his Niffler figurine. The Gryffindor Quidditch Team headed to practice before its match against Slytherin, and Harry’s owl figurines proved popular as Hand Warmers.

• Luan repeatedly practiced the Color Change Charm until he dyed his Niffler figurine black, then added brown to its nose and paws.
• Hermione and Luan left the Spell Practice Classroom with their imperfectly colored figurines, and Bouncing persuaded Luan to cast Fur Smoothing Charm on its little Niffler.
• Luan studied in the Gryffindor Common Room and asked George and Fred how their Fake Eyes moved; the twins said Wood’s intense Quidditch preparations were keeping them from sleeping.
• Wood brought Harry to the Common Room and rallied the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, including George, Fred, Angelina Johnson, and Alicia Spinnet, to practice against Slytherin.
• After training, Harry told Luan that the team members had loved his Hand Warmers, and the twins and the two Chasers had taken his owl figurines.

Professor Snape introduced Potion Analysis Technique and Magic Perception Training during Potions Class, prompting Luan to investigate the method. After reading about its uses, Luan planned to try it after helping Cedric purify Sleepyface Fungus Spore Powder.

• Snape taught the students about Potion Analysis Technique and revealed that Magic Perception Training could help them master it.
• Hermione praised the lesson, while Luan wondered whether Snape had directed it at someone in particular.
• Luan went to the library and found a booklet about Magic Perception Training in the General section.
• Luan learned that Magic Perception Training could aid potion-making, alchemy, and Ancient Runes research.
• Luan planned to test the training after his arranged work with Cedric to purify Sleepyface Fungus Spore Powder.

Luan used his detention in the Potions Classroom to train his magic perception while Cedric brewed a potion to purify Sleepyface Fungus Spore Powder. Snape returned, discovered what they were doing, and stopped Luan from leaving so he could explain himself.

• Cedric made Snaptraps Separation Potion, then combined it with Sleepyface Fungus Spore Powder to remove metallic impurities.
• Luan practiced balancing a cauldron and a water-filled measuring cup on a scale with the Levitation Charm, and his control gradually improved.
• Cedric finished purifying the Spore Powder, which had become increasingly toxic, while both he and Luan wore thick masks.
• Snape returned, drank a brown potion, put on a mask, and ordered Cedric to leave with the powder.
• Snape blocked Luan from leaving the classroom and demanded an explanation after Cedric departed.

After Snape confiscated Luan's unknown potion to analyze it, Luan met Cedric and learned of a hidden classroom where they could continue brewing their experimental potion. The two headed to inspect Cedric's secluded workspace.

• Snape cleaned the Potions Classroom, questioned Luan about his potion analysis, and confiscated the remaining black potion for examination.
• Snape confirmed the potion was the unknown concoction he had been searching for and left with it, promising Luan would be told what he needed to know.
• Cedric intercepted Luan and asked whether Snape had punished him, and Luan said Snape had helped him.
• Luan and Cedric discussed brewing the Little Hell-Raising Decoction and agreed the Potions Classroom was no longer suitable.
• Cedric told Luan about a hidden abandoned classroom in the basement and offered to show it to him.

Snape analyzed the unknown potion and discovered unusual ingredients that drove him to search the library for old herbology books. Meanwhile, Luan studied the Levitation Charm and went to meet Hagrid as promised.

• Snape examined the unknown potion with three Separation Potions and found it crude and highly inert.
• The potion burst into flame during Snape's analysis, and he continued testing it late into Friday night.
• Snape identified nine raw materials, recognized only three, and woke Madam Pince at two in the morning to demand old herbology and potion books.
• Madam Pince gave Snape the storage room key and returned to her quarters.
• Luan studied the Levitation Charm after his morning spell breakdowns and then went to Hagrid's Hut for their planned meeting.

Luan visited Hagrid and agreed to secretly repair his broken wand using a piece of Magical Oak and specialized glue. Meanwhile, Malfoy invited Snape to dinner at Malfoy Manor, but Snape refused and continued studying old Potions books.

• Luan brought Bouncing to Hagrid's Hut, where Bouncing gave Fang a tiny clay figurine.
• Hagrid gave Luan Troll toenails and hair as spoils, then asked him to secretly repair his broken wand.
• Luan examined Hagrid's wand and agreed to repair it with a similar piece of Magical Oak and his own glue, visiting only on weekends.
• Malfoy found Snape in the library storeroom and delivered his father's invitation to dinner at Malfoy Manor.
• Snape refused Malfoy's invitation and returned to studying old Potions books.