Chapter Summaries

Albert impressed the judges at the Barnabus Finkley Outstanding Spellcasting Competition with a flawless lion transfiguration and passed the first round. After divination showed him winning the Gold Medal, he arranged with Bard to place his thousand Galleons on that outcome, leaving Bard to recruit friends to split the bets.

• Albert transformed an armchair into a lifelike lion onstage, earning the judges’ approval and establishing himself as a leading contender.
• Bard explained the competition’s elimination rounds, while Albert watched the remaining contestants perform.
• Terence Higgs was eliminated in the first round, and Albert became the focus of betting and discussion after passing easily.
• Albert performed a divination that showed Yanila placing the Gold Medal around his neck, then contacted Bit to bring him money from Gringotts.
• Bard warned Diana that Albert was engaged and that Yanila had no chance with him, prompting Diana to leave angrily.
• Albert gave Bard a thousand Galleons to bet on him winning the Gold Medal, and Bard agreed to enlist friends to divide the wagers.

Albert competed in the second round of Barnabus Finkley's Exceptional Spell-Casting Techniques competition and stunned the judges with a high-scoring display, establishing himself as the favorite. Four contestants advanced to the final round, which would begin the next day, while Albert slipped away from reporters to find Bard.

• Albert learned that The Daily Prophet had repeatedly lowered his Gold Prize betting odds after large wagers were placed on him.
• Albert met Noel, who realized he had misunderstood why Louise rejected him, then took his seat among the contestants.
• Mr. Animagus performed first and received only thirty-two points, while Albert followed with a Bluebell Flames display that earned forty-five points.
• Yanila watched Albert, and Anthony grew so distracted and jealous that he made a mistake during his performance and scored thirty-five points.
• A combat-skilled wizard, Noel, and a middle-aged woman also earned high scores, leaving four contestants to advance to the final round.
• Albert avoided reporters after the competition and left to find Bard for a conversation.

After Albert won strong scores in the competition, he studied Barnabus Finkley’s book and understood how spellcasting technique was judged, while The Daily Prophet’s betting organizers panicked over their possible losses. Their attempt to disqualify him with Felix Felicis failed, and Albert and Bard prepared to turn the would-be saboteur against them.

• Albert read Barnabus Finkley’s Curse Method and realized that the competition rewarded silent and wandless magic as well as smooth, optimized spellcasting.
• The Daily Prophet’s organizers discovered that Albert’s likely wins could cost them tens of thousands of Galleons and discussed bribing or stopping him.
• Ithius Knowlton entered Barnabus Bar disguised with Polyjuice Potion to make Albert drink Felix Felicis and get him disqualified.
• Albert caught Ithius after he tried to hypnotize him, and Bard questioned him about who had hired him.
• Albert suggested controlling Ithius with the Imperius Curse to take the betting money, and Bard cast “Out of Body” on him.

Albert attended a gathering of contestants and judges while Lucian watched for signs that he had taken Felix Felicis. After a false report prompted an official test, Albert and the other contestants proved they had not cheated, leaving The Daily Prophet facing the prospect of a major loss if Albert won.

• Albert received the final payment for the Felix Felicis and realized Lucian was watching him for signs of an overdose.
• Albert impressed Monica and Mr. Yaffre at the gathering with his conversation and spellcasting knowledge, while Lucian planned to have him disqualified.
• Lucian returned to The Daily Prophet, and a false report led the Spanish Ministry of Magic to investigate whether Albert had used Felix Felicis.
• Albert, the suspected Auror, Ms. Camerin, and Noel drank the judges’ testing potion, and none showed signs of having taken Felix Felicis.
• The judges dismissed the accusation as a joke, and Lucian feared The Daily Prophet would lose heavily if Albert won the championship.

Albert won the Barnabus Finkley's Curse Method Gold Award, then prepared to return to Britain as the betting pool organizers faced a huge payout. Yanila tried to seduce him before his departure, but Albert refused and reassured Isobel that he remained faithful.

• The betting pool organizers learned that No. 17, Albert, had won and discovered their total losses reached sixty-seven thousand.
• Yanila presented Albert with the Championship Trophy, Gold Award medal, prize money, Barnabus Finkley's Curse Method, and her signed record while reporters questioned him.
• At the banquet, the judges explained that Albert won through his curse methods, Silent Spells, Wandless Magic, and Patronus, and agreed he could return to Britain the next day.
• Diana urged Yanila to pursue Albert, so Yanila took a bottle of Potions and a key to his room, but Bard warned her that her choice did not represent Albert's.
• Albert refused Yanila's advances, knocked her unconscious, and moved her onto his bed before speaking with Isobel through the Two-Way Mirror.

Albert returned from Spain after winning the Barnabus Finkley Gold Award, while newspapers spread rumors about his connection to Yanila. He reunited with Isobel and explained that he had refused Yanila’s advances, leaving the couple to discuss his reasons before going to bed.

• Fred showed Mrs. Weasley the headline announcing Albert’s award, and George and Fred speculated about the prize money while Percy praised Albert’s achievement.
• Hermione objected to the newspaper’s fabricated stories about Albert, while Isobel dismissed the rumors and went to meet him.
• Albert arrived at the Leaky Cauldron by Floo, where Isobel welcomed him, and they traveled to Hogsmeade so he could rest.
• Albert told Nia that Yanila had vampire ancestry, that she had approached him, and that he had refused because he already had a fiancée.
• After returning to Isobel with the Time-Turner, Albert explained that he had rejected Yanila to avoid risking his relationship and because he valued Isobel.

Peter Pettigrew fled the Ministry of Magic’s search, traveled to Albania, and began looking for the Dark Lord so he could escape his hunted life. After encountering Bertha Jorkins at a hotel, he told her a self-serving account of his past and stunned her to keep his survival secret.

• Peter woke from a nightmare about his mother’s sacrifice, packed to leave, and hid as a rat when three wizards searched his room and took his suitcase.
• Peter escaped with his wand and borrowed money, then decided to seek the Dark Lord in Albania, hoping his return would restore Peter’s safety and standing.
• Peter traveled to Albania and used his ability to communicate with rats to search its forests for the Dark Lord, but found only Dark Creatures and outlaws.
• At a hotel, Peter recognized Bertha Jorkins after she recognized him, and persuaded her to leave with him for a private conversation.
• Peter told Bertha that he had tried to warn the Potters, blamed Sirius Black and the Ministry for his troubles, and claimed his mother had died in his place in Azkaban.
• When Bertha questioned his story, Peter stunned her with his wand.

Albert told Isobel they would attend the International Alchemy Conference in Egypt and showed her a prototype Potion that slowed aging, which he refused to enter in the competition. He demonstrated Mandrakes Wine and developed improved Flying Ointment, then led Isobel toward the bedroom to try it.

• Albert told Isobel that Mr. Sella had invited them to the International Alchemy Conference in Egypt and said he hoped to win an award.
• Albert showed Isobel a Potion that slowed aging and its recipe, but said he would not submit it to the conference.
• Albert brought Isobel to the laboratory, where he showed her Mandrakes Wine and explained its effects on fertility and desire.
• Albert made Flying Ointment and improved it until it could make a chair float.
• Albert offered Isobel the ointment and led her toward the Master Bedroom to try it.

In Cairo for the International Alchemy Conference, Albert reunited with Isobel, Catherine, and Valeria and showed them his new Mandrake creations. Their conversation was interrupted by Aria, whose attempt to approach the women was exposed, while the group prepared for the conference and an evening outing.

• Valeria and Catherine discussed Valeria’s interest in Albert, Isobel’s engagement to him, and their plans to attend the International Alchemy Conference.
• Albert and Isobel arrived at the Ouroboros Bar, where Albert registered for a room and joined Catherine and Valeria for drinks.
• Catherine showed Albert a plant extract, and Albert presented his Mandrakes Wine, which he called Youth and Love, and his improved Flying Ointment.
• Aria introduced himself and tried to join their discussion, but Catherine turned him away and Albert explained that Aria had approached them to lower their guard.
• Isobel revealed that Aria had bet he could win over one of the women, and Albert and Isobel said they would reject him if he pursued them.

Albert discussed his Mandrakes research and the risks of revealing his formulas before preparing for the International Alchemy Conference. He went shopping in Khan el-Khalili Square with Isobel, Catherine, and Valeria, then returned to the tavern to rest before the early conference.

• Valeria told Albert that Catherine liked him, leaving Albert awkward while Isobel remained unconcerned.
• Albert showed Sera and Nicholas his Mandrakes Wine and Flying Ointment, and they advised him to submit only the Flying Ointment to the conference.
• Sera gave Albert his entry ticket and told him he would need to wake around five the next morning.
• Albert, Isobel, Catherine, and Valeria traveled to Khan el-Khalili Square, shared roasted sweet potato, and bought books, magical items, Hibiscus Essence, and food.
• The four returned to the tavern and ended the evening, with Valeria lamenting that she had no chance with Albert and Catherine warning her to get up early.

Albert and his companions attended the International Alchemy Conference, where he displayed his Mandrakes Wine and Flying Ointment and learned that few attendees seriously competed for its awards. The conference began with a review process for entries, and Albert’s invention appeared likely to win the Pioneering Contribution Gold Award.

• Albert and Isobel joined the other attendees before dawn and Apparated in groups to the Alchemy Research Center inside the Sphinx.
• Albert placed his Mandrakes Wine and Flying Ointment in Display Case No. 51, then rested and ate with his companions.
• Nicholas explained that most conference displays were not serious entries and that the Pioneering Contribution Gold Award had lost much of its prestige.
• Sera introduced Albert to Mopsos and Jason, and Mopsos later visited Display Case No. 51 and was astonished by Albert’s Mandrakes Wine.
• Hermes gave a lengthy opening speech, after which the conference began accepting entries for registration, review, and judging.

Wizards debated whether Albert Anderson’s Mandrakes Wine was genuine, while some defended his reputation and others hoped to obtain his recipe. The Alchemy Research Center assessed his Flying Ointment instead, and the onlookers expected it to win the Pioneering Contribution Gold Award.

• Wizards gathered at Display Case No. 51 and argued over whether Mandrakes Wine could really be brewed and work as described.
• Claude defended Albert Anderson’s credibility, and Adolf recalled Albert’s talent from an earlier meeting.
• The Alchemy Research Center staff arrived to assess Albert’s work as onlookers speculated about the value of his recipe and the conference’s prize.
• A staff member removed the Flying Ointment beside the wine and used it to make a chair float, prompting laughter at those who had doubted Albert.
• Adolf predicted that Albert would win the Pioneering Contribution Gold Award, while the crowd wondered how to find him and learn more about Mandrakes Wine.

Albert examined the alchemical displays at the conference, avoided committing to a Mandrakes Wine partnership, and submitted Flying Ointment for verification while learning how the award process worked. As the conference prepared to announce its winners, Albert judged Mr. Aria’s communication device less impressive than his own invention and learned that his friends had bet heavily on him.

• Albert and Isobel inspected the displays, and Isobel revealed that a supposed Magic Iron exhibit was actually Goblin Ironware made by a coerced goblin.
• Albert gave a Mandrakes Wine merchant his contact information but put off any decision, intending to delay cooperation until he had graduated or disappeared.
• Conference staff told Albert he had passed the preliminary review, requested detailed information about Flying Ointment, and suggested he might win the Pioneering Contribution Gold Award and give a speech.
• Catherine explained that awards depended on connections and recognition, while Valeria reported that twelve contestants were competing and that she and Catherine had bet on Albert.
• Albert assessed Mr. Aria’s stone-based communication device and said it would be difficult to popularize; Isobel revealed that Albert had invented the Communication Bookmark at school.

Albert attended the International Alchemy Conference, where he learned how politics and publicity shaped its awards and met Richard Brick, the author of an alchemy textbook. The conference presented the contestants’ achievements, and Albert’s Flying Ointment drew attention alongside news that he had won the Pioneering Contribution Gold Award.

• Albert and Sera discussed Dumbledore’s absence from the conference and the politics behind alchemy’s decline and Albert’s previous award appeal.
• Conference staff distributed Richard Brick’s textbook, and Albert told Richard it needed simpler and more advanced companion books to teach alchemy at different levels.
• Richard announced that Albert had won the Pioneering Contribution Gold Award and asked him to prepare a speech, while Sera explained that Albert’s youth and reputation made him valuable to the conference.
• The conference presented twelve contestants’ alchemical achievements, with Albert listed seventh for his Flying Ointment.
• The audience reacted with surprise and suspicion when they saw that an underage wizard had won the award, questioning why Albert had been chosen over Aria and his Magical Communicator.

Albert accepted the Pioneering Contribution Gold Award at the International Alchemy Conference, silenced doubters with a boastful introduction, and deliberately left his alchemy speech unfinished. He returned to Britain with Isobel, Catherine, and Valeria, who discovered Isobel’s enchanted suitcase home and learned that Albert and Isobel planned to marry after he graduated.

• Albert addressed the hostile conference audience by listing his international awards and achievements, including his restoration of the Human-Shape Restoration Charm.
• Albert delivered fresh alchemy insights, then ended his speech early to frustrate the organizers and attendees before receiving the award and Flying Ointment patent certificate.
• At the gathering afterward, Albert continued discussing alchemy with his circle of acquaintances, then left Egypt with Isobel, Catherine, and Valeria.
• The group returned to Britain through the International Floo Network and went to the Leaky Cauldron before choosing to stay in Isobel’s suitcase home.
• Isobel showed Catherine and Valeria the house and herb garden inside the suitcase, then told them she and Albert expected to marry after he graduated.

Katrina weighed whether to give Isobel her place at the Christmas Ball while learning more about Isobel’s friends, their beauty-potion research, and their plans for the Quidditch World Cup. She suspected Valeria and Catherine had romantic intentions toward Albert and realized the House-elf in their home might belong to him.

• Katrina read the Daily Prophet’s report about Albert’s alchemy award and considered giving Isobel the chance to attend the Christmas Ball with him.
• Katrina found a hidden staircase in Isobel’s room and woke Isobel, Valeria, and Catherine for breakfast.
• Isobel and her friends discussed their failed attempt to make a Beauty Potion that could delay aging, and Katrina suggested asking Albert for help.
• Catherine realized Isobel had meant Nicolas Flamel as their possible wedding officiant, and Isobel confirmed that the Philosopher’s Stone had been destroyed.
• Valeria invited Isobel and Katrina to share a campsite during the Quidditch World Cup, while Katrina suspected the House-elf belonged to Albert and that Valeria and Catherine were interested in him.

Albert warned Nia to stay inside their tent during the Quidditch World Cup and showed her visions of the Dark Mark and the chaos that would follow. He insisted that Harry Potter was the Savior and left Nia wondering about the danger ahead.

• Nia clung to Albert and asked when he would take her to the Quidditch World Cup, and he told her to wait until the round of sixteen ended and warned her not to leave the tent.
• Albert told Nia that good behavior could earn her a visit to Hogwarts during the Triwizard Tournament, while Luke declined the invitation.
• Albert used Crystal Ball Divination and showed Nia the Dark Mark, masked servants, and a vision of 5000 Galleon Man as the start of future chaos.
• Nia asked why Albert did not stop 5000 Galleon Man, and Albert scolded her, saying their family should avoid danger rather than try to save the world.
• Albert told Nia that Harry Potter was the Savior and that newspapers would report on him at Christmas.

Peter Pettigrew obtained unicorn blood and helped Voldemort regain a weak, temporary body through a potion. Voldemort planned to resurrect himself using his father’s bones, Peter’s flesh, and Harry Potter’s blood, but decided to wait until after the Quidditch World Cup.

• Peter searched Albania’s forests for a unicorn, failed to kill an adult, then killed a young unicorn and escaped with its blood after being surrounded by the herd.
• Peter prepared a potion using unicorn blood and Nagini’s venom, and Voldemort emerged from the cauldron in a weak baby-like body.
• Voldemort told Peter that he needed his father’s bones, a servant’s flesh, and Harry Potter’s blood to make a resurrection potion.
• Peter warned that getting Harry’s blood would be difficult and suggested gathering other Death Eaters, but Voldemort refused to summon them yet.
• Voldemort read Bertha Jorkins’s memories and learned that a powerful Memory Charm had been used on her.
• Voldemort decided to remain in Albania until the Quidditch World Cup ended, when the Ministry’s heightened security would subside.

Harry woke from a nightmare in which Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew murdered someone and planned a conspiracy, while his scar burned. Sirius decided to alert Dumbledore and seek Albert’s Divination; the chapter ended with Harry considering asking Albert to help Sirius give Lupin a respectable job through a shop.

• Harry woke with his scar burning after dreaming that Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew murdered someone and plotted a conspiracy.
• Harry told Sirius and Lupin about the dream, and Sirius decided to write to Dumbledore and ask Albert to divine whether it was real or locate Peter.
• Harry told Ron and Hermione about the dream and asked when Albert would arrive at the Quidditch World Cup.
• Ron described Albert’s winnings and his support for Fred and George’s plan to open a Joke Shop.
• Hermione suggested Sirius wanted to open a shop to give Lupin a respectable job, and Ron proposed asking Albert for business advice.
• Harry agreed to mention Albert’s help to Sirius because he hoped Lupin could have a respectable job.

Albert brought Nia to the Quidditch World Cup by hiding her inside a magically expanded suitcase and arranging a discreet campsite. After settling in with Isobel and Katrina, he introduced Nia to Catherine and Valeria, who asked to stay with them.

• Isobel arrived to take Albert and Nia to the World Cup, and Albert arranged for Nia to travel inside the expanded suitcase while he and Isobel left separately.
• Albert, Isobel, and Katrina reached the campsite, registered under MacDougal, and set up a plain tent that concealed the suitcase entrance.
• Bit brought the suitcase to the tent, and Albert gave him a communication bracelet before bringing Nia outside and explaining how he planned to protect her from magical detection.
• Albert took Nia around the campsite and introduced her to the wizarding world before Catherine and Valeria arrived and agreed to keep her Muggle identity secret.
• Valeria asked to move in with Albert and the others, but Isobel told her they had no spare room.