Chapter Summaries

Tom confronted Dumbledore over Nelson, and Aberforth arrived to rebuke his brother, take over the tavern, and name it the Hog's Head Inn. Dumbledore left Tom a Two-Way Mirror for him to give Nelson, while Tom's study salon continued at the newly opened inn.

• Tom corrected Dumbledore when he called Nelson by the wrong name and rejected his offer to guide Nelson or apologize.
• Aberforth arrived, rejected Dumbledore's attempts at reconciliation, returned his money, and named the tavern the Hog's Head Inn.
• Dumbledore Apparated away, leaving Tom a note and a pair of Two-Way Mirrors intended to connect him with Nelson.
• Aberforth showed Tom how the mirrors worked and suggested the spell could help him communicate with his study group.
• Tom continued the Shield Charm study session until six, then paid for the group's visit to the inn.

Nelson traveled to a German laboratory construction site near Auschwitz and saw the cruelty embraced by its soldiers before entering Limbo to confront Herpo the Foul’s remnant soul. As Herpo’s giant serpent attacked, Nelson gained the upper hand, but an unknown ally arrived just as Herpo struck back.

• Nelson used a magical sticker to travel to a hill near the construction site, then sneaked past guards by posing as Colonel Karkaroff.
• Corporal Kahn escorted Nelson to the garrison and proudly described the soldiers’ plans to use Polish civilians as nourishment for Germany’s cause.
• Nelson entered Limbo through Little Snakes and Riddle’s ring, where Herpo the Foul’s remnant soul mistook him for food and attacked.
• Nelson used his Wand and Transfiguration to pin Herpo’s giant serpent body to an iron tower, then approached the remnant soul.
• Herpo tore off the serpent’s skull and hurled it at Nelson, when an unknown voice called out to help him.

Nelson and the animated suit of armor defeated Herpo the Foul’s remnant soul in Limbo, where Nelson forced him to hand over his Horcrux. Nelson returned to the Auschwitz construction site with the ring, intending to stop Herpo from completing it with the coming massacre.

• Nelson’s brother, the suit of armor from Dumbledore’s office, joined him in Limbo, and they shattered the giant serpent skeleton and dispersed Herpo’s remnant soul.
• Herpo crawled to Nelson and begged to become his servant, but Nelson ordered him to bring over his Horcrux.
• Herpo delivered the ouroboros ring, and Nelson kept it while leaving Herpo behind in Limbo.
• The armor explained that Albus’s protective spell had brought it to Nelson when he faced a lethal threat, and Nelson discussed Limbo’s rules with it.
• Nelson returned to the Auschwitz construction site and told the armor that Herpo planned to use the coming massacre to complete the Horcrux and escape Limbo.
• Nelson demonstrated that he carried metal balls to use as materials for Transfiguration, and the armor departed to resume its guard post.

Nelson inspected the Auschwitz construction site, questioned Lieutenant Colonel Franz about the northern hills and the planned facilities, then returned to Lorian’s castle after realizing Wizards were powerless to intervene. In snowy Hogsmeade, Tom encountered Christian, who had secretly followed him and complained that he had taken other first-years out without her.

• Nelson met Lieutenant Colonel Franz at Auschwitz and learned that soldiers had avoided the northern hills because earlier surveys left them confused.
• Franz confirmed that the site was preparing research facilities and a concentration camp, while Nelson criticized the soldiers’ fanaticism and warned him to consider international scrutiny.
• Nelson declined Franz’s bribe, left the camp, and used an incantation to return to his room in Lorian’s castle.
• Tom found Christian blocking his way in Hogsmeade with a biting joke-shop teacup stuck to her nose, and he freed her with Relashio.
• Christian confronted Tom for taking Slytherin first-years through a secret passage, and Tom reminded her that she was a Gryffindor and offered to make her a Gryffindor hat.

Tom and Christian’s snowball fight sparked a spell-filled brawl in Hogsmeade, while Tom bought Christian a Gryffindor badge and sewed it onto her hat. The story then shifted to Old Tom Riddle aboard a ship nearing France, where he planned to search for his missing daughter Lola and scheme over his inheritance.

• Tom teased Christian by taking her hat, and she chased him through the snow with a Bat-Bogey Hex.
• Tom’s spell hit Dwight, and the students around them joined a snowball fight that spread through Hogsmeade.
• Tom took Christian to a teahouse, bought a Gryffindor badge, and sewed it onto her hat.
• Tom told Christian she could ask her Head of House to check the school register for her birthday.
• Old Tom Riddle told Captain Jack he hoped to find his son in France and had made a will designed to force him to search for Lola.
• Little Jack challenged Old Tom’s claims about his son’s success, then left as Old Tom ignored him.

At Dunkirk, Captain Jack encouraged Little Jack to enlist in the navy, while Andre tried to recruit Nelson for wizarding work tied to Germany’s Muggles. Nelson declined both assignments, and the group arrived at the outskirts of Nurmengard after Andre moved Lorian’s castle there.

• Little Jack complained about Mr. Riddle, and Captain Jack urged him to pursue naval service instead of a difficult life at sea.
• Little Jack decided to enlist when the ship returned to London, hoping to build a future with the girl whose photograph he carried.
• Andre asked Nelson to use magic to help recruit Polish Muggles for Germany, but Nelson refused to use magic on Muggles.
• Andre offered Nelson the job of secretly casting spells near Germany’s Muggle Führer, but Nelson declined because he could not cast silently.
• Nelson told Newt he was studying Charms and Animagus magic, and Newt offered to teach him nonverbal spells and Apparition.
• Lorian prepared to leave with the group, and Zweig revealed that Andre had moved her castle to the outskirts of Nurmengard.

Nelson explored Nurmengard with Newt, Andre, White, Lorian, and Zweig, while a botched castle relocation led to a quick magical repair. Over a meal, Andre told Nelson that Grindelwald wanted him to find something to do, then hinted that a suitable assignment had just come up.

• Lorian admired Nurmengard’s farmland and asked about planting vegetables, while Zweig explained that residents could build on open land.
• Nelson warned that the relocated castle was collapsing because its foundation had not been moved, and Dungas transformed into a Dragon to brace the wall as Zweig’s construction team repaired it.
• Newt toured Nurmengard and questioned Andre about its ordinary residents and the Acolytes’ ideals.
• Nelson led the group to a restaurant near Black Tower Library, where they ordered Chinese set meals and Andre began explaining Grindelwald’s request for Nelson to find an activity.
• Andre said Nelson could visit Auschwitz in the future for magical work, then revealed that a suitable assignment was already available.

Nelson agreed to travel to Ilvermorny and help garrison Kraków after the Wizard Highway was completed, then learned more about his parents from Newt. At Hogwarts, Slughorn invited Tom to spend New Year’s with the Slug Club.

• Andre explained that Nelson could travel to the United States and garrison Kraków once the Wizard Highway was finished, and Nelson agreed to go after the New Year.
• Newt gave Nelson a bottle containing his memory of Nelson’s parents and described how they had fought Grindelwald in Paris shortly after Nelson’s birth.
• Newt told Nelson that his parents were famous and formidable wizards who had held Grindelwald back while Paris burned.
• Slughorn comforted Tom over spending New Year’s apart from Nelson and praised his work processing potion ingredients.
• Tom asked about a Death’s-head Hawkmoth pupa, and Slughorn explained that it was used in a potion that assisted Animagus practice.
• Slughorn invited Tom to join the Slug Club and attend its New Year’s gathering.

Nelson accompanied Newt to the Nurmengard graveyard, where Newt taught him Apparition. Nelson failed to move but accidentally sent his Question Mark hairpiece to Newt, and Gellert Grindelwald arrived as Nelson tried to hide the mishap.

• Nelson and Newt discussed Professor Slughorn, Newt's Hogwarts years, his brother, and his brother's fiancée while walking toward the graveyard.
• Newt explained the three Ds of Apparition and demonstrated the spell, then invited Nelson to try.
• Nelson spun repeatedly without Apparating and became dizzy, while Newt found Nelson's missing Question Mark hairpiece at the graveyard gate.
• Nelson reclaimed the hairpiece, restored it with Reparo, and pretended to keep practicing as Newt looked away.
• Gellert Grindelwald appeared holding a Broomstick and asked whether Nelson was practicing Apparition.

Newt confronted Grindelwald at Nurmengard, then accepted his invitation to stay as Nelson’s guest and show him the city. Nelson successfully Apparated to the cemetery, where Newt gave him waffles and water before they entered to visit the central tombstone.

• Newt raised his wand and shielded Nelson from Grindelwald, but Grindelwald welcomed them after learning Nelson had invited Newt to Nurmengard.
• Grindelwald explained that Nelson was staying willingly, praised his talent, and advised him on Apparition and using the library’s restricted-section cane.
• Nelson successfully Apparated to the iron gate, though the effort left him weak, and Newt supported him.
• Newt gave Nelson a waffle and water, and Nelson told Newt that Grindelwald might have been a Quidditch Beater while Newt guessed he was a Seeker.
• Nelson and Newt entered the cemetery and approached the marble tombstone at its center.

Tom and Christian visited Ravenclaw Tower, where Tom charmed the door knocker and learned it would let him enter without a question next time. After mailing Nelson’s letter and parcel, they headed to meet Alphard and Walburga, while Christian revealed her birthday was December 30.

• Tom found Christian in the Slytherin common room and left with her to send Nelson a letter and parcel.
• Christian told Tom that Muggle-born students often hid their backgrounds, and Tom reminded her to give him her report card.
• Tom answered the Ravenclaw door knocker’s questions, and it promised he could enter next time without being asked a question.
• The Grey Lady watched Tom and Christian leave and murmured about Tom to her mother.
• Tom sent Nelson’s letter and parcel by owl, then set off with Christian to meet Alphard and Walburga.
• Christian told Tom that Professor Slughorn had found her birthday: December 30, a year after Tom’s.

Nelson confronted Herpo the Foul in Limbo after Herpo’s snake-mark trick tried to take over his body. Nelson exposed the fake scar, kept Herpo under control, and left with his grimoire, while reflecting that his power in Limbo did not carry over outside it.

• Nelson questioned Herpo about the green snake scar and mocked him, prompting Herpo to seize Nelson’s finger and attempt to possess his body.
• Nelson revealed that the apparent scar was only painted on, then kicked Herpo away and showed him a wand.
• Nelson displayed Herpo’s Horcrux ring and warned him to atone for ambushing him at Auschwitz.
• Herpo offered his grimoire and revealed the location of his treasure hoard, and Nelson took the book and used a spell to seal an iron mask over Herpo’s face.
• Nelson left Limbo and, back on his bed in Black Tower Library, reflected that his strength there was useless once he came out.

Nelson mistook an owl delivering Tom’s letter for an enemy during an attack on Nurmengard, while the owl’s magic repelled the Wizards who tried to enter his room. Over lunch, Andre told him Barry had been captured by local Wizards and planned to raise the ransom before rescuing him.

• Nelson saw a bird carrying a package fly through a barrage of spells toward his window, took its picture, and was left with the package and an imposing owl.
• A black-robed Wizard tried to enter Nelson’s room through the window, was thrown back by Grindelwald’s protective spell, and then failed to inspect the owl when his wand was knocked away.
• Nelson discovered that the owl wore Hogwarts house crests and trophies from other birds, understood its speech, and recognized Tom’s improved handwriting on the letter it delivered.
• At lunch, Andre sliced Nelson’s bread with magic, and Nelson copied the spell before Andre revealed Barry had been captured by Wizards who demanded ransom.
• Andre explained that Barry and White were engaged but quarreled after White learned Barry had known her origins, and he said White had once enchanted Barry’s wand to return to Nurmengard.
• Nelson offered to accompany Andre to rescue Barry, and Andre said he would first raise the ransom money.

Nelson and Tom reunited through a two-way mirror and arranged for Nelson to attend Hogwarts lessons remotely while discussing his studies and future Animagus training. Tom discovered his Gaunt ancestry and the Chamber of Secrets, while Nelson revealed that he had found Tom’s uncle Morfin and brought him the Resurrection Stone, which could not grant what Tom truly wanted.

• Nelson and Tom joked about their appearances before Tom challenged Nelson to a duel and showed him the Chamber of Secrets, where he had found and sold Slytherin’s treasures.
• Tom arranged for Nelson to listen in on Hogwarts classes through the mirror, and they chose lessons while discussing Nelson’s independent study and plans to become an Animagus.
• Nelson told Tom he had learned Apparition from Newt Scamander, and Tom reacted with astonishment before continuing to set up Nelson’s class timetable.
• Tom explained that he had traced his maternal ancestry to the House of Gaunt after finding the name Marvolo while serving detention in the Trophy Room.
• Nelson revealed that he had obtained the Resurrection Stone from Morfin Gaunt, Tom’s uncle, and offered it to Tom, who became distraught when Nelson explained it could not bring back what he truly wanted.

Nelson and Tom discussed the Gaunt family ring and tested an ancient Transfiguration spell left behind by Slytherin. Nelson successfully transformed a metal ball into a durable replica of the Resurrection Stone ring, then showed Tom another ancient spellbook attributed to Herpo the Foul.

• Tom grieved over Uncle Jonas, and Nelson reassured him that Jonas had them while the boys shared a high five through the mirror.
• Tom guessed Nelson had paid for the House of Gaunt's ring, and Nelson explained the Gaunts' history of close-relative marriages.
• Tom showed Nelson an ancient Transfiguration, and Nelson accidentally transformed a metal ball into a toad before trying again.
• Nelson transformed another metal ball into a replica of the ring and found that it kept its form even after he broke it.
• Nelson and Tom concluded that Slytherin's ancient Transfiguration was powerful but difficult and costly to cast.
• Nelson showed Tom an ancient spellbook he had obtained from Herpo the Foul and said modern spells were variants of its more powerful magic.

Nelson and Newt shared breakfast before taking a tram to Lorian Castle, where Nelson planned to learn a craft from Lorian. Their conversation highlighted Nurmengard’s growing magical industry, and Lorian welcomed them at the castle.

• Nelson ordered a diviner-selected breakfast for Newt, who arrived exhausted after chasing his Niffler through the night.
• Newt’s breakfast turned out to be ordinary, and he asked Nelson about a rumored trip to Britain to rescue a squad member.
• Nelson and Newt rode a tram through Nurmengard’s industrial district and discussed its factories and Grindelwald’s patrol Wizards.
• Newt said he wanted to see the Dragon again, and the two got off the tram at Lorian Castle.
• Lorian greeted Newt and told Nelson she would explain the notes she had promised to teach him about.

Nelson explained to White why he stayed with Grindelwald: he needed to learn the truth about his past and become stronger. After seeing Tom Riddle’s newspaper notice seeking Dumbledore and Grindelwald, Nelson rushed to contact Tom, saying he had found both his uncle and his father.

• Nelson told White he stayed with Grindelwald because he had nowhere else to go and hoped to uncover the truth about his past while learning magic.
• Nelson drank wine laced with Cheerful Potion and Draught of Living Death, fell asleep, and later joined the others for a meal.
• Andre showed Nelson a newspaper notice in which Tom Riddle sought Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald at an address in Great Hangleton.
• Nelson hurried away from the manor and used his Two-Way Mirror to tell Tom he had found his uncle and his father.

Nelson told Tom that Tom Riddle Sr. had gone to Paris seeking him, but Tom chose to investigate his father’s past himself. In Paris, Sr. described his relationship with Merope to a reporter, claiming she had drugged and confined him, and suggested that Grindelwald might be their son.

• Nelson showed Tom a missing-person notice in Le Parisien saying Tom Riddle Sr. was searching for him in Paris.
• Tom reacted with fear and uncertainty, then decided he would face his father and learn what had happened himself.
• Tom Riddle Sr. told a reporter that he had been obsessively fixated on Merope and believed she had controlled him with a potion.
• Sr. recounted finding a crucible in Merope’s kitchen, pretending to be ill so she would stop drugging him, and escaping their apartment.
• When the reporter asked about Grindelwald, Sr. said he looked like him as a young man and might be the child he had with Merope.

Old Tom told a reporter that he had never sought his son, Tom Riddle, and learned only recently that the boy’s mother had died after leaving him at an orphanage. The reporter left unconvinced by Old Tom’s claims, but wrote an article portraying him as a victim and announcing that he claimed to be Gellert Grindelwald’s father.

• Old Tom described his fear and resentment over the son he had never met, then admitted he had never searched for him himself.
• Old Tom said his family had sent servants to look for his offspring and that they discovered the boy’s mother had died outside a West End orphanage.
• Old Tom revealed that his son had been named Tom Riddle, had grown up at the orphanage, and had left the previous year.
• The reporter challenged Old Tom about leaving his son in an orphanage and seeking him only after Gellert Grindelwald became famous.
• Old Tom’s manservant ended the interview, and Old Tom said he wanted to hand his family business to his son and have him find his younger sister.
• The reporter drafted an article claiming Old Tom was Gellert Grindelwald’s father and describing him as a victim in a bloody love story.

Nelson challenged Lorian to a Wizard duel and used Transfiguration, metal balls, fog, and a cage in an attempt to trap her. Lorian outmaneuvered him, and after Nelson surrendered, she praised his potential and offered to teach him.

• Nelson and Lorian faced off while Newt and Andre discussed their strengths and predicted how the duel might unfold.
• Nelson opened with Impedimenta, but Lorian avoided it with a scarecrow decoy and countered with a burning pumpkin and slow-moving Void Orbs.
• Nelson used transfigured metal balls and walls to attack Lorian, but she froze the balls with Ice Wall and shattered them into powder.
• Nelson concealed a cage beneath a thick fog and enclosed the area with steel pillars and a silver net, believing he had won.
• Lorian appeared beside Nelson and revealed that she had escaped his trap, then trapped him in ice walls and explained that his spells lacked offensive power.
• Nelson surrendered, and Newt helped him up as Lorian praised his skill and invited him to study the notes she had given Jonas.