Chapter Summaries

Tom used Herpo the Foul’s dark magic to shield King from Grindelwald’s lethal flame, but his counterattack faltered under its power. As Dumbledore prepared to intervene, Tom joined with Nelson’s lingering power and summoned Alexander to face Grindelwald.

• Grindelwald attacked King with an invisible, searing flame, and Tom stepped in front of him.
• Tom summoned a giant black serpent that bound and attacked Grindelwald’s flame, but the spell injured Tom and began to collapse.
• Dumbledore praised Tom and moved to confront Grindelwald, but Tom insisted that Nar’s matter was his responsibility.
• Mayflies and Lost Mist flowed from the damaged Iron Fist as Nelson’s phantom helped Tom rebuild the giant into Alexander.
• Tom took Nelson’s Throne atop Alexander and ordered the giant to attack, and its Iron Fist struck toward Grindelwald’s flame.

Tom and Alexander stopped Grindelwald’s attack, but their victory led to a confrontation between the forces behind them as Ivy rescued Jin. Meanwhile, French Aurors approached the rooftop where Nelson was believed to be helpless, only to find Ivy and a swarm of watching Mayflies.

• Alexander regenerated through countless Mayflies and clashed with Grindelwald’s fire while Dumbledore recognized the source of Nelson’s confidence.
• Tom transformed Nelson’s Wand into the Pointer Sword and unleashed Alexander’s power, crushing the flame dragon and leaving the crowd to believe Grindelwald had been defeated.
• Grindelwald questioned whether Nelson’s sacrifice was worth it, and Tom answered that shattering Grindelwald’s ambition made it worthwhile.
• Wizards surged toward Dumbledore and Jin, but Ivy emerged from the rubble, rescued Jin, and promised to take him somewhere safe before Dumbledore Apparated to find them gone.
• A squadron of French Aurors flew to the rooftop to capture Nelson, where Ivy confronted them and Mayflies revealed their red eyes in the mist.

Nelson recovered on a rooftop after the battle at Expo Park and met Ivy, whose identity and past remained mysterious. As Ivy went to confront approaching visitors, Gioconda left Nelson with news about Tom Riddle’s sister and Professor Sakes, and pressed him to say when he would spread magic to Muggles.

• Nelson thanked Ivy for rescuing Jin and his senior, while Ivy challenged Nelson’s reliance on traces and questioned whether he had ever seen the whole truth.
• Ivy recognized Gioconda and claimed to remember holding her as a child, then left to meet someone approaching the rooftop.
• Nelson explained to Jin that he had chosen him because fate had given him the chance to become a pioneer, and apologized for drawing him into an unknown world.
• Ivy rebuked someone at the rooftop’s edge, and Nelson asked Gioconda to leave him alone with the arriving man.
• Gioconda told Nelson that Tom Riddle’s sister Christian had been seen at Boston Harbor with Professor Sakes, then departed with Jin after urging Nelson to spread magic to Muggles.

Nelson confronted Ivy Darwin about his identity and discovered that he was an undying Muggle who could wield magic. Ivy agreed to help Nelson investigate magic in exchange for Nelson eventually killing him, then revealed that he had taken the dead Ivy Darwin’s place.

• Ivy destroyed the Lethifolds with a potion powder that Nelson recognized as a catalyst for annihilating living structures.
• Nelson traced Ivy’s name to a Hogwarts student and Dr. Sakes’s brother-in-law, and challenged him about how he could use Apparition if Ivy Darwin was dead.
• Nelson tested the residue on Ivy’s palm with a Small Silver Ball, which lost its magic, and concluded that Ivy would have died if he were an ordinary Wizard.
• Nelson explained that he wanted to understand what distinguished Wizards from Muggles and believed Ivy could help him, while Ivy asked Nelson to kill him afterward.
• Nelson’s Killing Curse had no effect on Ivy, who said he would cooperate in return for death and revealed that he was a passerby who took Ivy Darwin’s place when the original Ivy died.

Ivy Darwin recounted the many lives trapped in his immortal body and explained how Dr. Sakes’s experiments at Happy Home had created him. He sought Nelson’s help to learn how to die, but Nelson said the next confrontation would leave him no time to assist.

• Ivy told Nelson that Dr. Sakes had captured people at Happy Home and used Sakes Restoration to stitch their bodies, souls, and magic together in an effort to resurrect his wife.
• Ivy described how the many victims’ identities surfaced through him, including his earlier life as a Norwegian student and his friendship with Dr. Sakes, who married Ivy’s sister.
• Ivy explained that he had awakened after Happy Home became a wasteland and spent years seeking death, but neither Wizards nor Muggle scientists could help him.
• Ivy said he had returned to Happy Home and tracked Nelson down after learning that Nelson had burned the place and mastered the three Deathly Hallows.
• Ivy asked Nelson to help him die and offered to deal with Grindelwald, but Nelson said the coming confrontation would leave him unavailable.
• Ivy asked whether he had said anything strange, and Nelson replied that he did not remember.

After Grindelwald ended the fighting, Tom challenged his claim that power and self-interest would decide the future. A French Auror confronted her younger sister, who refused to return home and defended her choice to fight for a fairer world for her Squib children; Nelson arrived and agreed that she was not wrong, while Grindelwald prepared to leave.

• Grindelwald ordered the Acolytes to stop, and both sides halted their fighting in the ruined Hidden Place.
• Tom told Grindelwald that the people had chosen his side, and the two argued over whether ideals or power and self-interest would shape the future.
• A French Auror found her younger sister among the fighters and tried to take her home, but her sister refused and revealed that Boris had abandoned her at the Expo Park.
• The younger sister confronted the Auror over years of control and neglect, explaining that she had joined the movement to protect her two Squib children and seek a fairer world.
• Nelson picked up the younger sister's broken Wand and told her she was not wrong; Grindelwald called the situation reckless and said it was time to leave.

Nelson faced questioning by the newly formed International Confederation of Wizards over his public actions and alleged breach of the Statute of Secrecy. He challenged the assembled leaders to consider how the wizarding population and its relationship with Muggles had changed, leaving his defense still underway.

• Dumbledore told Nelson that the International Confederation of Wizards wanted to question him, and Nelson agreed to face the wizards.
• Nelson said goodbye to Tom before Dumbledore escorted him to the Black Tower.
• At a secret hearing, the Confederation bound Nelson to a cast-iron chair and examined the three objects believed to be the Deathly Hallows.
• Constance loosened Nelson's chains, and the hearing began with questions about his role in an incident that violated the Statute of Secrecy.
• Nelson presented figures showing the changing proportions of pure-blood, half-blood, and Muggle-born wizards and the growth of the Muggle population.
• Nelson argued that wizards could no longer survive by isolation alone and asked whether they were still a lone star above Muggles.

Nelson argued that wizarding society should embrace Muggle industry and loosen the International Statute of Secrecy, persuading representatives to release him from most of his chains. After Dumbledore challenged his aims, Nelson declared that he intended to put the rigid, corrupt world on the right path.

• Constance objected to the meeting and freed Nelson from the outermost chain, but Dumbledore persuaded her to remain and discuss France’s future and Nelson’s fate.
• Nelson explained how Nurmengard Magic Factory combined Muggle manufacturing with wizard craftsmanship, arguing that cooperation between Muggles and wizards could improve production and make secrecy laws obsolete.
• A short wizard and a neighboring representative agreed with Nelson and removed chains from him, prompting representatives from other countries to loosen their restraints as well.
• Nelson warned the Egyptian representative that goods could be sold more cheaply and pointed out that Egypt’s last Flying Carpet workshop had closed, stirring anger among the remaining delegates.
• The tall, thin wizard in the high hat unexpectedly declared his support and conveyed His Majesty Norton’s regards to Nelson.
• Dumbledore said he had opposed Leach’s plan to ruin Shafiq, and Nelson replied that he meant to set the corrupt world on the right path.

Dumbledore warned Nelson that rushing to abolish the Statute of Secrecy could worsen the future, and urged him to trust others and remain at Hogwarts until graduation. He then publicly declared the Statute abolished, leaving Nelson burdened by the responsibility of what came next.

• Dumbledore told Nelson that wizarding lives altered by the Magic Factory would no longer be bound by it, but warned that Nelson would have to accept the consequences of changing the old rules.
• Dumbledore explained how Nelson’s grief over Mr. Nicklaus had shaped his ambitions and questioned what would remain of him once he achieved his goals.
• Dumbledore revealed that Credence Barebone had brought a warning from the future that Nelson’s actions would deepen the world’s divisions, and said his own attempt to change events had failed.
• Dumbledore asked Nelson to stay at Hogwarts until graduation, rely on others, and let people stand on their own; Nelson agreed without making a vow.
• Dumbledore announced that the International Statute of Secrecy was abolished, and Nelson felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.

Nelson negotiated the transfer of his factories with the gathered wizards, but realized the deal could give Grindelwald’s Nurmengard factory dangerous leverage. After Constance confronted him about his past and his family, she invited him to visit Beauxbatons once his business was finished.

• Nelson offered to transfer ownership of his factories in exchange for construction costs and compensation, while Azris and the Egyptian wizard questioned the terms and the supply of raw materials.
• The gathered wizards accepted concessions and agreed to do business with Nelson, while Nelson recognized that the agreement could strengthen Grindelwald’s factory in Nurmengard.
• Constance approached Nelson and challenged him for building weapons under Grindelwald’s nose despite knowing the danger his return to power posed.
• Dumbledore and the tall-hatted wizard discussed the wizard’s American assignment and the history between Constance and Nelson’s family.
• Constance told Nelson to visit Beauxbatons after his affairs were settled and urged him to have his injuries treated and get some sleep.

A newspaper described the new contact between magical and non-magical governments, while Nelson read it aboard the Hogwarts Express and worried about the coming integration of the two worlds. After Tom took Christian away, Nelson went into the corridor, where a cautious figure approached from the fifth carriage.

• The Times reported on the Alexander Conference Hall, the negotiations between governments, and an upcoming Hogwarts visit with Albus Dumbledore.
• Nelson read the report aboard the train and noted that Dumbledore had concealed his role in the Paris events and the existence of the Missionary.
• Nelson worried that Muggles and Wizards would react in ways that could create a crisis, and the pain in his hand reminded him that he had promised to stay out of events involving Muggles.
• Moaning Myrtle pointed out that Alphard was holding his Daily Prophet upside down, and Alphard described its criticism of Nobby Leach's trade bill.
• Tom rebuked Christian Jewell and took her into the corridor, saying he would check on Miss Wiltening.
• Nelson went out for air and saw a cautious figure approaching from the fifth carriage.

Tom confronted Christian about where she had spent the holiday, and their argument exposed her fear that she could never measure up to him before he comforted her. Meanwhile, Nelson spoke with a Times reporter aboard the Hogwarts Express as the train neared Hogwarts.

• Tom demanded to know where Christian had been during the holiday, and she struck him with an unspoken Impediment Jinx before trying to leave.
• Tom confronted Christian about Melissa Sykes and her choices, while Christian accused him of treating Nel and Muggles as more important than her.
• Christian broke down over her identity, her past theft from Tom, and her uncertainty about how to be a good sister, and Tom comforted her.
• A young reporter interrupted Tom and Christian to ask for directions to the train's toilet.
• Nelson helped the reporter, explained wizarding owls and magic, and declined his request for an interview.
• The Hogwarts Express announced its arrival in ten minutes, carrying a passenger who should not have been aboard.

Nelson reunited with Professor Slughorn on the Hogwarts Express and discussed his uncertainty about his future and whether he was suited to guide others. Slughorn recounted how his Muggle-born friend died in a potion accident and how her death led him to fight for students to receive potion ingredients, leaving Nelson encouraged as they arrived at Hogwarts.

• Slughorn found Nelson on the train and told him that Tom had brought Miss Wiltening to enjoy pudding.
• Nelson and Slughorn arrived at Hogsmeade and watched the older students gather the new first-years.
• Slughorn explained that sixth-years would help Muggle-born students prepare for school under the changed Statute of Secrecy.
• Nelson admitted he doubted his plans for work and his ability to educate others, and Slughorn urged him to let people change in their own time.
• Slughorn told Nelson that his talented Muggle-born friend had died when a potion accident destroyed her shop, prompting him to campaign for Hogwarts to provide potion ingredients.
• Slughorn praised Nelson for doing a good thing and reminded him that people were watching, while a cloud overhead resembled an exploded slug.

Nelson and Tom returned to Hogwarts, where Nelson’s antics sent Alphard flying and repeatedly plunged him into the Black Lake. As students arrived for the new term, Nelson explained the Malfoy family’s history and its new ties to wizard-made automobiles, before Alphard dragged Nelson and Tom into the lake.

• Nelson launched Alphard into the air with a springing spell, and Dumbledore tried to keep a Muggle reporter from recording the chaos as a first-year’s accidental spell turned the reporter’s hair pink.
• Abraxas Malfoy led Crabbe and Goyle past Nelson and Tom, boasting about his family’s connections to Muggles and wizard-made vehicles.
• Nelson told Tom that the Malfoys had once made their fortune trading tin with Muggles, then shifted industries and politics to preserve their status.
• Nelson saw students carrying new gadgets, including a refillable XX Cola bottle, and asked Ogg to let Alphard swim across the Black Lake.
• Nelson pushed Alphard back into the lake with a diving mask, but Alphard cast Accio Nelson and dragged Nelson and Tom into the water.

Hogwarts held its Sorting Ceremony as the school adjusted to the end of the International Statute of Secrecy. After the feast, Professor Slughorn confronted Tom, Nelson, and Alphard over their chaotic swim back to the castle, and Dumbledore assigned Tom and Nelson to help Professor Rahman.

• Flitwick brought the first years into the Great Hall, and the Sorting Hat sang about Hogwarts's founders and the school's original purpose before sorting began.
• Lee Boston was sorted into Gryffindor while Tom, Nelson, and Alphard drew attention at the Slytherin table after their lake antics.
• Dumbledore announced that Muggle Studies would become compulsory and introduced three new Muggle-related elective courses, while the school would collect students' London toys.
• Professor Slughorn caught Tom, Nelson, and Alphard trying to leave and demanded to know who had planned their lake stunt; Alphard took the blame, so Slughorn punished all three.
• Dumbledore told Tom and Nelson to assist Professor Rahman for two weeks and persuaded Professor Slughorn to drop his proposed whip punishment.

Nelson, Tom, and Alphard served detention by helping Professor Rahman plan a Muggle Studies curriculum for a world where the Statute of Secrecy had been repealed. They proposed subjects including history, economics, social structures, military affairs, and science, and Nelson suggested Rahman consult the Muggle reporter at Hogwarts.

• Professor Rahman welcomed Nelson, Tom, and Alphard to his cluttered classroom and explained the history and limits of a Muggle straw-doll curse.
• Rahman criticized the Malfoys' magically modified car, and Alphard mocked the family before revealing that his father had been dealing with Muggle money and markets.
• Rahman recognized Tom as the Triwizard Champion and praised Nelson's knowledge of Muggle inventions and the Shafiq legacy.
• Nelson suggested that Muggle Studies teach the history of wizard-Muggle relations, while Alphard proposed economics and Tom added social structures, military affairs, and scientific research.
• Nelson suggested that Rahman consult the Muggle reporter at Hogwarts, arguing that the reporter was likely carrying a serious responsibility.

Father Crawford learned from Auror Bob Ogden that dark wizards were attacking Muggles amid the breakdown of the International Statute of Secrecy, while Ogden prepared to leave London for Northern Ireland. Ogden left him two magical devices for protection and emergencies, and Father Crawford was left to face the growing danger in the West End.

• Father Crawford tried to comfort a Polish refugee whose gravely ill baby she believed was being punished by God, but Bob Ogden interrupted and directed her toward St. Mungo's.
• Ogden told Father Crawford that dark wizards had caused at least fifteen kidnappings and murders in his jurisdiction and that attacks on Muggles were spreading across England.
• Ogden explained that he was being sent to support Aurors in Northern Ireland and gave Father Crawford a silver-ball suitcase from Madam Walburga Black for his protection.
• Father Crawford recalled Dorian Weasley informing him that the Ministry of Magic had begun revealing magic to Muggles in stages, and wondered which frequent church visitor had brought him to the Ministry's attention.
• Ogden returned and gave Father Crawford a second silver ball that could summon him in an emergency, then left after Father Crawford accidentally triggered its alarm.

Professor Rahman enlisted Nelson and Tom to help develop an encyclopedia of humanity, and Nelson stayed late to organize their notes. On the way back, Nelson and Tom discussed Grindelwald’s recovery and the Paris incident before Tom spotted someone in the corridor and gave chase.

• Professor Rahman proposed turning their work on Muggles into an encyclopedia and invited Nelson, Tom, and Alphard to contribute.
• Nelson and Tom warned that the project needed more help, and Tom suggested asking the Ministry of Magic to gather information.
• Nelson helped Professor Rahman organize the blackboard notes, and Rahman explained Harald Bluetooth’s role in uniting wizards and Muggles in Northern Europe.
• Nelson used a clock to make Professor Rahman realize it was late, then dismantled it as he and Tom carried the sleeping Alphard away.
• Tom told Nelson that The Quibbler had reported Grindelwald’s appearance in Sicily and praised one of his successors for a role in the Paris incident.
• Tom spotted a figure at the end of the corridor and chased after them.

Nelson relived an ancient memory of Herpo the Foul awakening his dark magic, then woke at Hogwarts as the Ouroboros mark and ring returned to his little finger. He suppressed the stirring magic and discovered that Tom was missing while he carried the sleeping Alphard.

• Herpo the Foul killed Godric in a ruined valley, then reflected on his youth and defied Pythia’s prophecy of his failure.
• Nelson woke from the memory with the Ouroboros mark restored, and a ring slipped onto his little finger as an enchanted suit of armor questioned him.
• Nelson realized Grindelwald had found the Horcrux in Nurmengard’s Limbo and was using it to awaken Herpo the Foul’s ancient magic.
• Nelson used silver-white light and a falcon’s cry to silence the magic, then joked with the armor about Herpo the Foul and his own strength.
• The armor explained that its floating gauntlets had caught the sleeping Alphard, and Nelson took Alphard as he realized Tom was gone.

Nelson heard The Armor recount its history with Godric Gryffindor and learned of a possible unfinished mission hidden in its inscriptions. Meanwhile, Tom pursued a night wanderer into a secret passage and discovered there were two intruders.

• Tom chased a figure through Hogwarts and sent Little Snakes through the castle to track them.
• The Armor told Nelson it had awakened in Godric's Hollow and had met Godric Gryffindor, who had used its sword against Dementors.
• The Armor explained that its inscriptions might conceal an unfinished mission, and Nelson agreed to investigate them.
• The Armor described the mystery of Godric's Hollow's name, then Nelson took the sleeping Alphard into the Slytherin Common Room.
• Tom found himself trapped in an unfamiliar secret passage after his snakes revealed two night wanderers at opposite ends.