Chapter Summaries

Luan secured the Bailey Family as a source of potion ingredients and learned about the warring wizard factions on the Vena Islands. Rian's account left him curious about the mysterious Tribal Wizards of Star Ember Island and the power that kept the Spellcasters away.

• Towns told Luan that the Bailey Family had preserved Unicorn horns from horses that died naturally and explained that Montoya was allied with the Unbelievers.
• Luan learned that the Unbelievers had considerable influence, while Zalan sent Holt and the others to scout their departing ship, which carried slaves.
• Luan rejected the Bailey Family's recruitment, accepted a thirty-percent discount ring and 1,000 gold coins from Rian, and brewed another three doses of antidote for Lynn.
• Rian explained that the Unbelievers and Spellcasters had fought across the Vena Islands for thirty years, while native island wizards largely avoided the conflict.
• Rian described the four wizard factions and said family records suggested an exceptionally powerful wizard or magical guardian kept the Spellcasters from pursuing the Tribal Wizards on Star Ember Island.

Luan studied the Vena Islands’ history in the Bailey Family’s archive and became more convinced that Star Ember Island was unusually peaceful and mysterious. After Lynn Bailey thanked him and offered gifts, he refused to stay with the family or teach her, leaving her determined to pursue better magic.

• Rian Bailey brought Luan to the Bailey Family archive, where Luan read books about the Vena Islands’ history and learned that Star Ember Island had avoided wars for at least two thousand years.
• A maid invited Luan to see Lynn Bailey, who had recovered enough to leave her bed and thanked him for saving her with his potion.
• Lynn gave Luan a golden ring granting a fifty percent discount at the Bailey Merchant Guild and three thousand gold coins, then offered him any conditions to stay and help her.
• Luan refused to stay with the Bailey Family, explaining that he had promised to take someone home, and also declined Lynn’s request to become his student.
• Lynn argued that she wanted to pursue magic more perfect than the Bailey Family’s flawed spells, while Luan cautioned that even powerful magic could have drawbacks.

Luan examined the Bailey Family’s Raskov Magic Tester and discovered that it reacted violently to his magic, then copied its runes for further study. As he prepared to leave Meyersburg Castle, Rian Bailey’s attendant warned him that Montoya’s ship had secretly returned and was hiding nearby.

• Luan declined Lynn Bailey’s request to teach her magic, then asked to examine the Bailey Family’s unused Magical Talent testing device.
• Luan tested the Raskov Magic Tester on himself, and its fluid boiled and surged toward him before he pulled away.
• Luan used his monocle to inspect the tester and spent two nights carefully copying its runes while studying in the Bailey Family’s library.
• Holt reported that Montoya’s ship had continued north toward Nitz Port, so Luan and Zalan planned to leave Meyersburg Castle.
• Rian Bailey’s attendant told Luan that Montoya’s ship had returned and was hiding around a bend in a fjord, and Luan asked why the attendant was helping him.

Luan learned that Ben was the chief’s son and believed Luan to be the Successor of the High Priest, based on a sensing bead and a prophecy. After hearing about Star Ember Island’s tribal wizarding traditions and defenses, Luan planned to travel there the day after tomorrow.

• Anton Benson warned Luan that Montoya might harm him, but Luan asked him to keep the warning secret and said he would handle Montoya himself.
• Luan asked Ben about Star Ember Island, and Ben revealed that he was the son of the Star Radiance Tribe’s chief and believed Luan was the Successor of the High Priest.
• Ben showed Luan a magical Sensing Bead and recited the Great Shaman’s prophecy, while Luan remained unconvinced and asked about the island’s attitude toward outsiders.
• Ben explained that Star Ember Island rejected foreign wizards but would welcome Luan, and described the tribes’ wizarding ranks and the decline of their inheritance.
• Ben said the Spirit Tree Tribe’s Sacred Tree had defeated a Spellcaster force led by a Federal Vice Admiral, and Luan estimated the relative strength of the island’s factions.
• Luan told Ben to leave and said he, Zalan, Holt, and Mimir would set out for Star Ember Island the day after tomorrow.

Luan and his companions decided to go to Star Ember Island after learning that its welcome depended on him being the Successor of the High Priest. Back at Hogwarts, Harry found Luan and led him through the castle to show him a magical mirror, while Luan asked Mrs. Norris to help retrace Harry’s route.

• Ben told Luan that Star Ember Island would welcome him only if he was the Successor of the High Priest.
• Mimir shared an ancient ballad about a Tribal High Priest, and Luan decided the group should still travel to Star Ember Island.
• Luan packed magical items, potions ingredients, Flame Conches, and the Old Willow Wand before returning to Hogwarts.
• Luan found Harry missing from the dormitory, and Harry returned and urged him to come see a magical mirror.
• Harry led Luan through the castle but lost track of the route, so Luan asked Mrs. Norris to help find where Harry had stopped.

Luan and Harry sneaked into an abandoned classroom and found a magical mirror that showed each of them different visions, including a disturbing image of a broken Crimson Moon for Luan. After returning to Gryffindor Tower, they discussed the mirror and Luan’s vision with Hermione, then Luan resumed studying charm modification.

• Mrs. Norris guided Luan and Harry to an abandoned classroom, where Harry recognized a mirror that showed him his parents and relatives.
• Luan saw tendrils reaching toward Harry through his monocle, then the mirror showed him a ruined landscape, a dead Great Willow Tree, a skeletal winged horse, and a cracked Crimson Moon pouring out black matter.
• Luan and Harry found a large footprint in the classroom before Mrs. Norris led them back to the Gryffindor Common Room.
• Hermione identified the winged horse as a Thestral and discussed the mirror with Harry and Luan, while Luan copied down the words carved on its base.
• Hermione began studying to catch up with Luan, and Luan returned to his charm-modification research and considered searching the library for books on complex spellwork.

Dumbledore investigated the ominous vision Harry saw in the Mirror of Erised and wondered what it revealed about Luan Scarlett. Meanwhile, Luan traded potion ingredients with Snape, who refused to teach him the Undetectable Extension Charm but became intrigued by a second rare ingredient and offered another spell.

• Dumbledore recalled the cracked Crimson Moon, dead willow, and Thestrals in the mirror, and considered arranging a divination to learn more about Luan.
• Luan slept through most of Professor Binns's lecture on magical families before Hermione woke him and Snape stopped him after class.
• Luan gave Snape Batfish Milt Powder, but Snape offered him Inverted Bell and Bell Fall as two spells instead of teaching him the Undetectable Extension Charm.
• When Snape tried to end their deal, Luan revealed Flame Snail Shell Powder, which Snape identified as a useful ingredient for healing potions.
• Snape questioned how Luan had found the materials, and Luan said his family owned a ship suited to deep-sea harvesting.
• Snape told Luan the extension charm was unsuitable for him but said another spell should be appropriate.

Luan traded with Snape for the Cutting Curse and its counter-curse, while Hermione identified the mysterious mirror as the Mirror of Erised. Harry, Ron, and Hermione planned to visit it again that night, but Professor McGonagall summoned Luan before they could go.

• Snape gave Luan the Cutting Curse and its counter-curse in exchange for the promise of more Potion Ingredients, and offered further spells in future trades.
• Luan told Harry and Ron about his deal with Snape, and Ron warned him to be wary of the professor.
• Hermione brought the book Guide to Ancient and Modern Magic and identified the mirror as the Mirror of Erised, whose inscription meant it showed a person's desire.
• Harry said he still wanted to spend time before the mirror, and he, Ron, and Hermione agreed to return to it that night.
• Professor McGonagall came to the first-year table and asked Luan to step outside.

Luan took a Divination Test with Professor Trelawney, whose readings described war, chaos, and an unusual palm with a vague Fate Line. Dumbledore connected the predictions to his suspicions about Luan and ended by considering whether they could help him seize a fleeting opportunity.

• Professor McGonagall told Luan the school had arranged an ordinary Prophecy Divination, and he agreed to take part.
• Professor Trelawney read Luan’s tea leaves and Crystal Ball, interpreting visions of fire, a fleeing green shape, and a shooting star as signs of war, defeat, and a brief turning point.
• Professor Trelawney examined Luan’s palm and found a long Life Line and a vague Fate Line, prompting Professor McGonagall to defend him.
• Professor McGonagall reported the test to Dumbledore, who linked Trelawney’s repeated references to war with what he had seen in the Mirror of Erised.
• Dumbledore offered Fawkes a berry and wondered whether they could catch the shooting star as it flashed past.

Luan studied Montoya's spells and prepared a plan to defeat him, training the Obstacle Charm and gathering Sleepyface Fungus Spore Powder. He also arranged to study Cedric's upper-year Potions textbooks as he prepared for future work in the other world.

• Luan reviewed the captured wizards' account of Montoya's Bone Shattering Curse, Stone Skin Charm, Mirror Tide Reversal, and beast transformation, then planned to counter them with the Shield Charm and Obstacle Charm.
• Luan trained the Obstacle Charm against the Giant Squid at the Black Lake and managed to cast an extra layer before the existing barriers vanished.
• Luan borrowed ten bottles of Sleepyface Fungus Spore Powder from Cedric to use against Montoya and gave Cedric Batfish Milt Powder for his Little Hell-Raising Decoction.
• Luan agreed to observe Cedric brewing the potion and asked to borrow his second- and third-year Potions textbooks.
• Cedric agreed to lend Luan the textbooks, while Luan intended to study potion recipes and brewing methods for his return to the other world.

Luan learned the Bubble-Head Charm from Professor Sprout and tested a gentler fertilizer made with Flame Conchs on crops he hoped to grow. He left the Herbology Club hopeful that the seeds would sprout within the week.

• Luan agreed with Cedric to receive his old Potions textbooks and continued tending the Herbology Club’s plants.
• Professor Sprout asked whether Luan had told Hagrid about the Christmas Cactus, and Luan said he had only suggested strengthening the defenses.
• Sprout explained that the Sleepyface Fungus was growing well and that a Bubble-Head Charm kept its spores from entering her nose.
• Luan learned the Bubble-Head Charm on his first try, though his bubble was smaller than Sprout’s.
• Sprout offered Luan fertilizer made with Flame Conchs, and he used it on the wheat, oats, corn, and pumpkin seeds he had planted.
• Luan finished tending the seeds and returned to the Common Room at nine in the evening.

Luan joined Harry, Ron, and Hermione on a nighttime visit to the Mirror of Erised, where they saw their desires and Luan found that the strange vision he had seen before had changed. The group escaped Filch, while an unknown older voice suggested that a fleeting shooting star might be caught.

• Luan learned from Ron and Harry that Hogwarts students exchanged Christmas gifts and discussed whether he would stay at school for the holiday.
• Luan received a letter from Hagrid asking him to visit his hut on Wednesday and sent back a reply using Harry’s Hedwig.
• Luan led Harry, Ron, and Hermione through the shifting staircases to the abandoned classroom, where he discovered that the footprint he had found the night before had vanished.
• Harry saw his family in the Mirror of Erised, Ron saw himself as a celebrated Head Boy and Quidditch captain, and Hermione saw herself as a successful Transfiguration professor.
• Luan saw that his vision had changed: the Crimson Moon’s crack was smaller, the Great Willow Tree had regained some green, and the black Thestral had become a Unicorn.
• Luan warned his friends when Filch and Mrs. Norris approached, and the group escaped; after they left, large footprints appeared before the mirror as an aged voice spoke of catching a fleeting shooting star.

Luan studied Ancient Runes and sought books on Ancient Magic, but Madam Pince warned him that its power made it too dangerous for an eleven-year-old to study. After Charms, Professor Flitwick gave Luan a detailed spellcasting training plan that could improve his combat skills as he prepared to face the Unbelievers.

• Luan studied basic Ancient Runes and found three runes shared by the scripts he was comparing.
• Harry wanted to revisit the Mirror of Erised, but Ron and Hermione refused unless Luan agreed to go.
• Luan searched the library for Ancient Magic books, and Madam Pince told him that the available materials were in the Restricted Section and too dangerous for a young student.
• Professor Flitwick gave Luan a training plan for the Barnabas Finkley Excellent Spellcasting Techniques Competition and praised his spell accuracy.
• Professor Flitwick explained that Luan needed to improve his spellcasting rhythm and quick reactions, and Luan decided the Giant Squid could help him train.

Professor Flitwick explained his dueling recommendations to Luan, who learned how to improve spell strength and understood why innovation mattered in the Spellcasting Competition. The discussion left Luan considering whether Flitwick could help him develop Mirror Tide Reversal for the contest.

• Professor Flitwick explained that Luan needed to improve the quality and strength of his spells as well as their intended effects.
• Luan praised Flitwick’s practical dueling experience and said he might have agreed to learn magical dueling earlier if he had seen the recommendations.
• Professor Flitwick explained that innovation and adaptability scored highly in the Spellcasting Competition, though contestants had not met its demanding spell-creation challenge in over twenty years.
• Luan considered using Mirror Tide Reversal, a spell that reflected attacks, as the basis for a competition spell and thought Flitwick might help him study it.

Luan persuaded Professor Flitwick to authorize him to borrow a book on Ancient Magic spellcasting gestures, then received an anonymous Invisibility Cloak that he realized had come from Dumbledore. The gift offered help for Luan’s coming encounter with Montoya, and he and Bouncing planned to return the favor at Christmas.

• Luan convinced Professor Flitwick to issue him a borrowing slip for a book on Ancient Magic spellcasting gestures, and Madam Pince verified it before bringing him a tome from the Restricted Section.
• Bouncing led Luan to a large bundle and an unsigned letter that urged him to use the gift to help others.
• Luan recognized the silver-gray garment as an Invisibility Cloak and realized the gift likely came from Dumbledore after Bouncing showed him a Phoenix feather from Fawkes.
• Luan considered how the cloak could help him face Montoya, the Unbeliever wizard, when he returned to the Crimson Moon over the weekend.
• Luan and Bouncing decided to send Dumbledore a Christmas gift, and Bouncing volunteered to deliver it.

Luan refined his plan to face Montoya, studied Ancient Magic, and learned that music could put Fluffy to sleep. Hagrid revealed the Three-Headed Dog’s weakness but had another reason for asking Luan to visit, which remained unexplained.

• Luan improved his ambush plan with the Invisibility Cloak, herbs, and ways to hide his scent and noise.
• Luan studied Ancient Spell Techniques and realized he needed to understand Mirror Tide Reversal’s gestures before converting them into wand movements.
• Harry told Luan that Dumbledore had advised him about the Mirror of Erised and would move it the next day; Luan suspected Dumbledore had arranged for him to receive the Invisibility Cloak.
• Lavender told Luan that Hermione had caught a cold and wanted to borrow his detailed class notes.
• Luan visited Hagrid, who explained that music made Puffskeins bounce and could lull Fluffy, the Three-Headed Dog, to sleep.
• Luan promised to keep Fluffy’s weakness secret, then asked Hagrid why he had invited him if the method was already known.

Luan and Hagrid designed reinforced Puffskein collars to keep Fluffy from falling asleep to music, while Luan tested a new combat-training plan with the Giant Squid. The collars still awaited Dumbledore’s permission for Luan to inspect Fluffy, and Luan’s training showed promise despite his failing to block the Squid by sound alone.

• Luan suggested placing Puffskeins in collars rather than ear covers, and he designed sturdy, concealed collars with grooves for the creatures and Reinforcement Runes.
• Hagrid agreed to gather Red Sandalwood and more Puffskeins, and he said Dumbledore would need to approve Luan’s request to see Fluffy for measurements.
• Luan went to the Black Lake with Bouncing and trained his reactions, vision, and spellcasting against the Giant Squid using Professor Flitwick’s advice.
• Luan failed to stop the Giant Squid’s attacks using sound alone, but he improved his reaction speed and practiced the Cutting Curse, which could slice thin stones but barely affected the Squid.

Snape analyzed two new potion ingredients while Luan visited the crowded School Infirmary and gave Hermione his Herbology notes. After learning about Hermione’s sachet, Luan asked her to make one with Traceless Flower petals, then went to find Snape for Madam Pomfrey.

• Snape analyzed the strange fish swim bladder and sea snail shell, identifying their potential uses in healing, calming, and strengthening potions.
• Luan gave the sick Hermione his detailed Herbology notes and explained the day’s lesson on nettles.
• Luan asked Hermione to make him a sachet for Traceless Flower petals, which could deactivate and mask odors.
• Hermione agreed to make the sachet, and Luan left the School Infirmary after Madam Pomfrey asked him to check on a delivery of Revitalizing Agent.
• Luan went to Snape’s office in the dungeons and knocked on the door.

Luan delivered Snape’s Energizing Potion to the School Infirmary and discovered Snape was using rare ingredients to develop a potion. Snape traded Luan the secret Muffliato spell for more ingredients, leaving Luan to bring him a large supply and reveal that some had been used as fertilizer.

• Luan entered Snape’s office and watched him brew a potion from dwindling supplies of Batfish Milt Powder and Flame Snail Shell Powder.
• Snape sent Luan to collect the Energizing Potion, warning that it would make users’ ears emit steam and their faces turn red for a few hours.
• Snape noticed Luan could levitate the heavy potion jar with ease and offered to teach him spells in exchange for more ingredients.
• Luan asked for spells not found in textbooks, and Snape gave him the parchment describing Muffliato, his sound-blocking spell.
• Luan delivered the Energizing Potion, retrieved jars of the ingredients from his dormitory, and brought them to Snape.
• Snape protested when Luan said he had given some ingredients to Professor Sprout for fertilizer, and Luan added that they could also feed the Giant Squid.

Luan traded two jars of Potion Ingredients to Snape for a spell and a letter of certification that would let him sell ingredients through Snape. Back in the Gryffindor Common Room, he reassured Harry and Ron about the Philosopher’s Stone’s upgraded defenses while Harry remained determined to confront whoever had attacked him.

• Snape dismissed Luan’s plan to sell Potion Ingredients directly and offered to certify them under his name in exchange for the ingredients and a spell.
• Luan accepted the deal, then considered buying herbs through the Bailey Merchant Guild and learning the Undetectable Extension Charm to expand his trade.
• Luan returned to the Common Room, where Harry and Ron worried that Snape would referee Harry’s next Quidditch match.
• Luan argued that Snape was unlikely to be the attacker, and Harry and Ron agreed that Quirrell probably was not responsible either.
• Harry said he would play in the match to identify the attacker or investigate the Philosopher’s Stone if no one struck again.
• Luan told Harry and Ron that the Stone’s protective trials had been strengthened and warned them not to interfere.