Chapter Summaries

Harry, Ron, and Hermione listened to Wizard Lookout Station and discussed secret resistance efforts, Albert’s absence, and plans to protect Harry’s supporters. Katie spoke with Harry about Quidditch tryouts, and Harry received a note from Dumbledore inviting him to private lessons.

• Harry agreed to continue the D.A. meetings with Hermione and Ron’s help.
• Ron tuned the radio to Wizard Lookout Station, where Sirius and Lupin shared warnings, news, and self-defense advice.
• Ginny told Harry, Ron, and Hermione that Fred and George were in hiding and that their shop’s mail-order business was being supported by the Order of the Phoenix.
• Harry asked Hermione how to divide Felix Felicis into separate doses, but she could not help him.
• Katie urged Harry to hold fair Quidditch tryouts and told him Angelina had become a reserve Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies.
• Harry read Dumbledore’s note inviting him to begin private lessons on Saturday evening.

Albert worked with his friends to build a hidden stronghold that he planned to protect with the Fidelius Charm and eventually develop into a Wizard Village. He outlined plans for training, communications, and recruitment, then left to arrange a private meeting with Bill.

• Katrina and Isobel discussed Albert’s frequent absences, while Isobel said he could protect himself and had his own reasons.
• Albert and his friends worked on the stronghold and discussed turning the abandoned village into a Wizard Village and industrial park.
• Albert planned to train recruits with a new Defence Against the Dark Arts Guide, and he reassured Lee Jordan that they should keep selling Wizard Cards despite poor sales.
• Albert agreed to make more communication devices and heard that the Order of the Phoenix was recruiting peripheral members and studying Spectrespecs with Sirius and Lupin.
• Albert told his friends to inform Kingsley that Kenneth was working with them and suggested using Kenneth as bait in a Ministry operation.
• Albert asked his friends to arrange a private meeting with Bill somewhere other than The Burrow.

Kenneth Towler was attacked by three Dark wizards trying to capture him, but Kingsley and the Ministry team rescued him. Scrimgeour then ordered expanded wartime recruitment and considered releasing minor offenders, while expecting Voldemort to break prisoners out of Azkaban.

• Kenneth suspected Albert had used him as bait and prepared to flee, but Paul and two other men burst into his home and tried to take him away.
• Kenneth fought back with defensive charms until Kingsley and Ministry personnel arrived and subdued the attackers.
• Kingsley brought Kenneth to the Ministry, where the captured men proved to be low-level Knockturn Alley recruits ordered to find Albert through Kenneth.
• Kingsley told Scrimgeour that Death Eater informants might be operating in Hogsmeade and that the bounty on Albert remained active.
• Scrimgeour authorized temporary Crisis Response Team positions, more self-defense training, and lethal force against Dark wizards attacking Muggles.
• Scrimgeour proposed releasing selected low-level prisoners and preparing for Voldemort's expected Azkaban breakout, while refusing to risk an ambush without Dumbledore.

Albert brought building materials to the secret base and began constructing a reinforced underground room with magic. He also discussed plans to disguise a Ministry of Magic operative as himself to lure Death Eaters into a trap.

• Albert emptied a truckload of cement into an enchanted suitcase, altered the driver's memory, and disguised himself before reaching the abandoned village.
• Albert met Fred, George, and Lee Jordan at the secret base, brought suitcases of building materials, and explained that the underground stronghold needed improvements.
• The group inspected the cramped underground rooms, and Albert proposed adding ventilation and a concealed exit.
• George said Kingsley had rescued Kenneth after he was targeted, and Albert suggested using Kenneth as bait to lure Death Eaters into a sting operation.
• Albert mixed cement and materials in an enchanted cauldron, assembled reinforcing bars and molds, and built a sturdy concrete box for the underground base.

Albert arranged to use Bill and Fleur’s identities and hair so he could take Mrs. McDougal to St. Mungo’s discreetly, while Fleur decided to join the Order of the Phoenix. At Grimmauld Place, the Order prepared for an operation with Ministry cooperation and received Albert’s new communication devices, while keeping the plan from Snape.

• Albert met Bill in disguise and asked for strands of his and Fleur’s hair so he could borrow their identities while taking Mrs. McDougal to St. Mungo’s.
• Fleur told Bill she wanted to join the Order of the Phoenix, and Bill agreed to ask Dumbledore for approval.
• Mrs. Weasley told Bill that the Order’s meeting had been moved up because of an operation devised by Fred and George.
• Kingsley reported that Scrimgeour had agreed to cooperate with the Order in an ambush against the Death Eaters.
• Fred and George showed the Order Albert’s Communication Quills, which could send messages to multiple people.
• Sirius urged everyone to hide the operation’s documents before Snape arrived, and Bill told the group that Fleur intended to join the Order.

Albert and Mrs. McDougal disguised themselves as Bill and Fleur to secretly arrange maternity care for Isobel at St. Mungo's. After securing two Healers' help with payment and magical contracts, they left to meet the family at a safe house.

• Albert and Mrs. McDougal took Polyjuice Potion to disguise themselves as Bill and Fleur before entering St. Mungo's.
• Albert led Mrs. McDougal past the hospital's security and met Mrs. Dale, explaining that Isobel needed private prenatal care.
• Albert paid Mrs. Dale and had her sign a one-year Magical Contract to keep the arrangement secret.
• Mrs. Dale brought Mrs. Mary, who also agreed to help and signed a Magical Contract; Albert gave both Healers Two-Way Mirrors.
• Albert and Mrs. McDougal left the hospital and planned to meet the others at one of Mr. Nicolas's Safe Houses for treatment in the suitcase.

Sirius, Lupin, and Arthur prepared a trap in Devon, using Kenneth as bait to draw Death Eaters toward the supposed hiding place of Albert Anderson. They trusted Albert’s plan to help the Ministry strike back at Bellatrix, while Sirius urged Lupin to stop avoiding his feelings for Tonks.

• Sirius and Lupin watched the decoy house in Devon as they waited for Kenneth to arrive and attract the Death Eaters.
• Sirius told Lupin he would not marry or continue the Black Family, then urged him to face his feelings for Tonks.
• Kingsley informed Sirius that Kenneth had left the Ministry Safe House and that the Death Eaters might scout the village that night.
• Arthur arrived and reported that the Ministry had not found anyone watching Kenneth, while some Aurors doubted the operation would work.
• Sirius argued that Albert would not risk the Ministry’s trust on a doomed plan, and Lupin and Arthur called the arrangement Win-Win Cooperation.

Sirius and the Ministry of Magic investigated a suspicious Muggle and inferred that the Death Eaters were preparing to attack Albert’s hiding place. Bellatrix, Alecto Carro, and Narcissa Malfoy planned a night assault, while the Ministry prepared to counter both the attack and a possible diversion.

• Sirius, Lupin, and Arthur watched Kingsley pose as Kenneth and suspected a Muggle who had been controlled by the Imperius Curse.
• Bellatrix, Alecto Carro, and Narcissa used the Muggle to locate Albert’s possible hiding place, and Bellatrix scheduled an attack for three in the morning.
• Narcissa and Alecto warned Bellatrix that the apparent lead could be a trap, but Bellatrix insisted on proceeding.
• Sirius and his companions noticed the Muggle had abandoned his car and concluded that something was wrong with him.
• Kingsley told Scrimgeour and Gadwin that the Death Eaters might stage a diversion, and Scrimgeour arranged for Aurors and the Crisis Response Team to prepare.

Bellatrix led a Death Eater assault on Albert's home in Devon, despite Narcissa's suspicions that the operation was a trap. The attackers found the house empty and were ambushed by the Ministry of Magic, leaving Bellatrix fighting amid Fiendfyre and incoming spells.

• Narcissa warned Bellatrix that the operation might be a trap, but Bellatrix went ahead after arranging for hired wizards to serve as decoys.
• Alecto Carro said the raid might target the Weasley family rather than Albert and prepared Defence Against the Dark Arts gloves.
• The Lestrange Brothers cast an Anti-Apparition Jinx around Albert's home while Bellatrix and other Death Eaters broke through its protections.
• The Death Eaters found the house empty, and Bellatrix unleashed Fiendfyre to force Albert out of hiding.
• Ministry spells and explosions struck the house, revealing the ambush and blasting the building into the air as Bellatrix tried to fight back with Fiendfyre.

Kingsley and Scrimgeour led a Ministry of Magic ambush against Bellatrix and the Death Eaters, coordinating with the Order of the Phoenix to attack their stronghold. The Ministry captured many Dark wizards and killed three Death Eaters, but Bellatrix and Alecto Carro escaped by Portkey as Scrimgeour ordered the remaining prisoners executed.

• Tonks told Kingsley that more than fifty Death Eaters had appeared, and Scrimgeour sent the Aurors to the village under cover of Floo travel.
• Scrimgeour and the Crisis Response Team bombarded the sentries around "Albert's Home," giving the Aurors and the Order of the Phoenix an opening to attack.
• Fiendfyre engulfed the house, and the blast knocked down many Death Eaters while the Aurors and Crisis Response Team pressed their attack.
• Rodolphus rallied the Death Eaters before concentrated Auror fire struck him down, and Rabastan was also captured; Bellatrix killed a young Crisis Response Team member.
• Alecto Carro rescued the burned Bellatrix and used a Portkey to escape with her after stirring up the Fiendfyre.
• Scrimgeour ordered the injured taken to St. Mungo's, the prisoners secured, and the Fiendfyre extinguished; he then executed the Lestrange Brothers and arranged a press conference.

Albert helped the Ministry of Magic lure Bellatrix Lestrange and the Death Eaters into a trap, then explained the operation and his revenge to Isobel. After the raid left several Death Eaters dead, Bellatrix learned that the Dark Lord was furious and was urged to redeem herself by killing Dumbledore.

• Albert watched Alecto Carrow take the unconscious Bellatrix away after Bellatrix accused her of betrayal.
• Albert told Isobel that he had helped the Ministry use his hair and Polyjuice Potion to set a trap, and admitted he had deliberately targeted Bellatrix’s husband.
• Scrimgeour showed reporters the dead Death Eaters and defended the Ministry’s harsh methods against Dark wizards.
• Narcissa treated Bellatrix and learned from Alecto that the operation had been a Ministry plot and that Rodolphus Lestrange had died.
• Bellatrix lamented disappointing the Dark Lord and vowed revenge on Albert and Kenneth Towler.
• Narcissa told Bellatrix that Draco had reported Dumbledore was seriously injured and urged her to kill him to regain the Dark Lord’s favor.

Voldemort punished Bellatrix and ordered his followers to strike back at the Ministry while increasing their efforts to control it. Snape reported Voldemort’s plans to Dumbledore, then revealed Albert’s ominous prophecies about Draco and himself, prompting Dumbledore to resolve to speak with Albert.

• Voldemort tortured Bellatrix for her failure and blamed her arrogance for the Death Eaters’ losses, while Alecto and Snape explained how Albert had turned the Ministry and the Order against them.
• Voldemort ordered Yaxley to accelerate the Ministry infiltration and said he would personally deal with Scrimgeour, then instructed the Death Eaters to retaliate for their fallen comrades.
• Snape told Voldemort that Dumbledore was gravely injured and offered to use Draco Malfoy’s plan to kill him, then secretly reported the meeting to Dumbledore.
• Dumbledore warned Snape to watch Draco’s dangerous plan and explained that Albert had chosen to oppose Voldemort of his own will.
• Snape showed Dumbledore Albert’s prophecies about Draco and himself, and Dumbledore decided to speak with Albert.

Harry read the latest Ministry propaganda and discussed his search for Horcrux information with Hermione and Ron. He agreed to restart the Defence Association meetings that weekend, and news of the gathering quickly spread through Hogwarts.

• Harry read a Daily Prophet report that portrayed the injured reporter as a victim of the family he had provoked and reminded readers that Little Barty Crouch had helped bring Voldemort back.
• Hermione told Harry she had searched widely for Horcrux clues but suspected the relevant books had been removed, and Harry considered contacting Albert for help.
• Ron said Fred and George had gone missing and that Bill had warned them not to put important information in letters; he also reported that Draco Malfoy had quit the Quidditch team.
• Harry, Hermione, and Ron agreed to hold a Defence Association meeting that weekend and chose to review defensive magic and the Patronus Charm.
• News of the upcoming meeting spread through Hogwarts, and students approached Harry to ask what he planned to teach.

Harry dismissed his newfound popularity as fragile and focused on preparing people to defend themselves in the dangers ahead. Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy resisted Snape’s plan to kill Dumbledore, and Snape warned him that failure would endanger their families and Bellatrix.

• Harry, Ron, and Hermione discussed the DA Meeting’s popularity, and Harry said he expected the Ministry might soon brand him a criminal.
• Harry and Ron mocked Draco Malfoy after Crabbe and Goyle deliberately collided with Harry, but Draco led his companions away to avoid drawing attention.
• Malfoy told Crabbe and Goyle he needed to focus on the Dark Lord’s order to kill Dumbledore and feared Snape’s plans could not be trusted.
• Pansy delivered Snape’s note to Malfoy, who went to Snape’s office that evening to discuss the assignment.
• Snape condemned Malfoy’s cursed-necklace and poison schemes, then ordered him to follow Snape’s plan if they failed.
• Snape proposed that Bellatrix gather a group to invade Hogwarts and attack Dumbledore, with Snape striking from behind if they failed; Malfoy accused him of using the family, and Snape warned that failure could doom them all.

Cedric and Truman joined the Defence Association and were brought through its layered protections to the hidden headquarters. They learned that Albert was organizing and training supporters to help Harry and the Order of the Phoenix oppose Voldemort.

• Truman and Cedric discussed the Death Eaters’ growing violence and left the pub to meet the Defence Association.
• Cedric and Truman entered a hidden Safe House, where Dobby Apparated them to a fog-shrouded abandoned village.
• Lee Jordan, Fred, and George welcomed them to the Defence Association’s headquarters and explained its protective measures, including the Fidelius Charm.
• George led Cedric and Truman through concealed entrances into the underground base, where Fred and George described its defences and training hall.
• Lee Jordan and George explained that Albert was preparing combat instruction and believed Harry and the Order of the Phoenix would need more supporters to defeat Lord Voldemort.

Ambrosius Flume considered joining Fred and George’s Magical Candy business after Honeydukes began losing customers, but Zonko could not put him in touch with the twins. Meanwhile, two Ministry employees discussed the suspected Imperius-controlled resident of Hogsmeade, and the middle-aged employee secretly cast a spell on his colleague.

• Ambrosius Flume left Honeydukes to ask Zonko about the Weasley twins’ business and learned Zonko could not contact them either.
• Zonko explained his manager’s wage and commission arrangement, and Flume decided to ask the twins about a possible partnership if he reached them.
• Flume passed Ministry patrol officers talking with Madam Rosmerta and returned to his shop.
• Two Crisis Response Team employees wondered whether someone in Hogsmeade was under the Imperius Curse and speculated about the growing conflict.
• The middle-aged Ministry employee secretly cast a spell at his colleague.

Albert refused to meet the new members of the Defence Association and suggested that the Ministry seek foreign help against the Death Eaters, while continuing to prepare his Defence guide and Safe Houses. He told Isobel that he knew how Lord Voldemort could be defeated and that he was one of Dumbledore’s contingencies, leaving her curious about how he knew so much.

• Shanna urged Albert to meet the new Defence Association members, but he said it was safer to stay out of sight and that his Defence Against the Dark Arts Guide would take more time.
• Fred told Albert that Minister Scrimgeour wanted his advice on the Death Eaters’ attacks, and Albert suggested asking the International Wizarding Federation for foreign Aurors.
• Albert explained that he was writing advanced duelling material, teaching the Defence Association, and searching Britain for locations to turn into temporary Safe Houses.
• Isobel read Albert’s manuscript and questioned whether ordinary members could understand its lessons, while Albert said he would teach them only the basics so they could defend themselves.
• Albert told Isobel that Dumbledore and Harry would help turn Lord Voldemort back into an ordinary man before killing him, and revealed that he had found Ravenclaw’s Diadem and was one of Dumbledore’s contingencies.
• Albert asked Isobel to keep his role and knowledge secret, while she wondered how he had learned so much about the plan.

Rufus Scrimgeour confronted the Ministry’s mounting exhaustion and prepared a secret protection plan for employees’ families. He then went to the International Wizarding Federation in Paris and argued that Britain’s crisis required European reinforcements, leaving the Federation to consider his demand.

• Kingsley reported that Death Eater attacks across Britain had overwhelmed the Ministry, and Godwin Robards warned that exhausted employees might already have been compromised.
• Scrimgeour revealed a voluntary Protection Plan that would hide families in a safe place, with Dumbledore serving as Secret-Keeper, and gave Aurors’ and Crisis Response Team members’ families priority.
• After the International Wizarding Federation condemned Britain for risking exposure of the magical world, Scrimgeour decided to attend its emergency meeting in Paris and seek Auror support.
• At the meeting, Scrimgeour described the influx of European Dark wizards, giants, and attacks on Muggles, and presented a list of nearly two hundred recently executed Dark wizards.
• Scrimgeour warned that Britain could collapse and expose the magical world to Muggles if the Federation refused to help; Babajide Akingbade said he would consult the national Ministries.

Albert discussed Scrimgeour’s appeal for international aid with Isobel, then arranged a careful medical examination for her and their unborn child. The chapter ended when an emergency message from the Weasley Twins reported that Cedric was in trouble.

• Albert told Isobel that Scrimgeour’s promise of international aid was unlikely to bring help, though it gave British wizards hope and put pressure on the International Wizarding Federation.
• Albert welcomed healers Mrs. Daisy and Mrs. Mary to the Fidelius-protected Safe House and showed them how to wash away spells with a potion.
• Mrs. Daisy and Mrs. Mary examined Isobel, confirmed that she and the baby were healthy, and gave her pregnancy advice.
• Albert received an emergency message from the Weasley Twins saying that Cedric was in trouble.

Albert learned that Cedric had been captured by Dark wizards and led a rescue team to the group’s stronghold. After locating the enemy in a remote village, Albert and his companions approached cautiously, preparing to rescue Cedric without walking into an ambush.

• Albert reassured Isobel that his trouble was not serious, then left to prepare for an adventure.
• At the Defence Association headquarters, Shanna told Albert that Cedric had triggered an alarm and gone missing after a suspected Death Eater ambush.
• Albert used Divination and a map to locate Cedric, then counted twelve enemies holding him at a remote stronghold.
• Albert assigned Shanna to guard the headquarters and led Fred, George, and Lee Jordan toward the stronghold using a concealed route.
• The group discovered Dementors near a remote village and found the Dark wizards gathered in its largest house, where Albert stopped them from sneaking inside.