Chapter Summaries

Fred, George, and Lee Jordan warned the DA members that Voldemort’s forces were targeting them and that Albert had predicted terrible events ahead, while offering a safe base and more Defence instruction. Ron received a book on courting witches from the twins and tried to use its advice to plan a breakup with Lavender, as Harry focused on finding Voldemort’s Horcruxes.

• Fred, George, and Lee Jordan arrived at Harry’s DA meeting in expensive dragonhide jackets, and George demonstrated that his jacket deflected a Stunning Spell.
• The twins told the DA members that Voldemort and the Death Eaters were hunting them, described the Defence Association’s safe headquarters, and warned that Albert had predicted terrible events this year.
• Lee gave radios to the House Prefects and urged Harry to hold DA meetings more often, while Hermione objected to drawing students further into the war.
• Fred offered to have Albert make Harry a dragonhide jacket, then gave Ron an early birthday present and told him to wait until his birthday to open it.
• Ron opened the parcel and found Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches; after reading it, he proposed making Lavender think he was romantically interested in Hermione so Lavender would end their relationship.
• Hermione refused to help Ron stage the breakup, and she and Harry suggested that he honestly tell Lavender he did not want to drag her into the war.

After Mrs. Dale examined Isobel, Death Eaters captured her and used Veritaserum and Legilimency to learn that Albert Anderson was hiding behind the Fidelius Charm. Voldemort ordered Mrs. Dale returned under his control and the other healer captured so he could reach Albert’s family.

• Mrs. Dale examined Isobel and confirmed she was carrying a healthy girl due around mid-June.
• Mrs. Dale returned home and was ambushed and captured by Bellatrix and other Death Eaters.
• Yaxley questioned Mrs. Dale with Veritaserum, but a magical contract prevented her from revealing what she knew.
• Voldemort used Legilimency to discover that Albert was hidden in a house protected by the Fidelius Charm, likely with Dumbledore as Secret-Keeper.
• Voldemort ordered Yaxley to capture the other healer and sent Mrs. Dale back under the Imperius Curse after altering her memories.

Albert learned that Voldemort had likely captured Mrs. Dale and used her to threaten Isobel, so he arranged a contingency plan in France for the birth. He decided the family would leave Britain at the end of May while he tried to free and protect Mrs. Dale and Mrs. Mary.

• While Albert sat with Isobel, Katrina, and Mrs. McDougal, his magical contract reacted, and he suspected the Death Eaters had captured Mrs. Dale.
• Albert explained that Voldemort might use Mrs. Dale to target Isobel and their unborn child, then left to prepare a backup plan.
• Albert met Bard in France and arranged a confidential contract with a maternity healer.
• After returning to Britain, Albert used the Marauder's Map to confirm Mrs. Dale was home and suspected Voldemort had controlled her with the Imperius Curse.
• At dinner, Albert told Isobel, Katrina, and Mrs. McDougal they would go to France at the end of May and that he would try to help Mrs. Dale and Mrs. Mary break free and stay safe.

Albert trained the Defence Association in practical combat, teaching members to use cover, accurate spellwork, surprise tactics, and retreat rather than expect Death Eaters to fight honorably. He left them with a lesson in adapting when outmatched as the group continued preparing for the war.

• Albert Apparated to the abandoned village and learned that Truman had nearly finished building a house, while Kenneth discovered Albert had already advised them to wait for uniform homes after the war.
• Albert gathered the Defence Association members and explained that combat required calm, accurate spellwork and practice against stationary and moving targets.
• Albert warned the members that Death Eaters favored ambushes and underhanded attacks, and Cedric described how Dark wizards had ambushed and captured him.
• Albert demonstrated ways to break a stalemate, including altering cover, Apparating behind an opponent, using nearby objects, and obscuring vision with smoke.
• Albert used an Exploding Charm to destroy a Cover Wall and walked through another, urging the members to adapt and escape rather than fight a much stronger enemy head-on.

Harry struggled with the pressure of trying to obtain Slughorn’s memory, and Hermione stayed with him after the Room of Requirement refused to open. Back in the Gryffindor Common Room, they listened to Lee Jordan and George’s Secret Broadcast, where Moody discussed Albert’s practical combat training and the basics most witches and wizards lacked.

• Harry told Hermione he felt his patience running out and resented everyone’s expectations that he would succeed with Slughorn.
• Harry and Hermione found that the Room of Requirement would not open, so Hermione offered him Butterbeer and they discussed the Wizard Card Club.
• Harry and Hermione saw Ginny leave an Empty Classroom with Dean following her, and Hermione told Harry that Ron and Lavender had broken up.
• Harry and Hermione returned to the Gryffindor Common Room, where Ron and Neville were tuning a radio to Lee Jordan and George’s Secret Broadcast.
• Moody explained that Albert taught practical fundamentals such as spell accuracy and basic combat skills, while Harry said the students had little time to train that way.

Harry felt pressured by the growing number of students joining the Defence Association, then discussed Voldemort’s Horcruxes with Dumbledore. Dumbledore revealed that Nagini had been destroyed and explained that Voldemort’s repeated soul-splitting had severed his connection to his Horcruxes, leaving Hufflepuff’s Cup and Ravenclaw’s Diadem as the remaining suspected targets.

• Hermione helped Harry record the names of students seeking to join the Defence Association while Harry worried that his Defence Against the Dark Arts skills were no better than theirs.
• Harry told Dumbledore he planned to use Felix Felicis and Professor Slughorn’s birthday to try to obtain the memory about Horcruxes.
• Dumbledore showed Harry the destroyed Horcruxes and explained that Voldemort had made six Horcruxes, leaving Hufflepuff’s Cup and Ravenclaw’s Diadem as the remaining suspected ones.
• Dumbledore told Harry that he had already killed Nagini at Crouch’s house, and Harry realized only two suspected Horcruxes remained.
• Harry argued that Voldemort might create another Horcrux, but Dumbledore said repeatedly splitting his soul had damaged Voldemort’s humanity and mind.
• Dumbledore explained that Voldemort could no longer sense his Horcruxes, which had allowed them to destroy the diary, ring, and locket without his noticing.

Harry told Hermione and Ron that he suspected Draco Malfoy was plotting something, then asked Winky to watch Malfoy in exchange for helping her find a happier home after Hogwarts. Winky agreed to keep watch, while Hermione questioned Harry’s decision to involve her.

• Harry told Hermione and Ron that only two Horcruxes remained, though he was unsure whether one might be Gryffindor’s treasure or Ravenclaw’s Diadem.
• Harry felt uneasy when the Room of Requirement would not open and told Hermione and Ron that he suspected Draco Malfoy was secretly plotting something.
• Harry went to the kitchen and found Winky, offering her a home with him or a place with Albert after he graduated.
• Harry asked Winky to watch Draco Malfoy and report if he entered the Room of Requirement, and Winky agreed.
• Hermione objected to Harry using Winky, but Harry called it a transaction that could help both of them.

Draco struggled to repair the Vanishing Cabinet for the Dark Lord’s mission while trying to avoid attention at Hogwarts. He warned Crabbe and Goyle not to interfere with his plan, then wondered whether relying on Snape would save his family and blamed Albert for their peril.

• Draco searched Borgin’s notes and repeatedly tested the Vanishing Cabinet, but it remained broken and ruined every test object.
• Draco considered Felix Felicis as a possible aid, but he could not obtain it from Slughorn, his mother, or Snape.
• Draco overheard students discussing the Defence Association founded by Albert Anderson and learned that Crabbe and Goyle had encountered it.
• Draco stopped Crabbe and Goyle from causing trouble, erased a suspended student’s memories, and told his friends to wait until his plan was complete.
• Draco reflected that his family’s survival depended on Snape succeeding and blamed Albert for the situation.

Narcissa searched for Felix Felicis to improve Draco’s chances of repairing the Vanishing Cabinet and assassinating Dumbledore. Bellatrix agreed to help seek the potion after Narcissa reminded her that Dumbledore’s death could earn the Dark Lord’s forgiveness.

• Narcissa failed to find Bellatrix and worried about Draco’s need for Felix Felicis, which was too rare to buy on the black market or brew in time.
• Bellatrix returned with Claire, whom she had captured while searching for information about Albert Anderson and the Defence Association headquarters.
• Narcissa stopped Bellatrix from torturing Claire further, and Claire insisted she knew nothing but suggested Bellatrix question Shanna Wilson.
• Narcissa told Bellatrix that Draco wanted Felix Felicis to help repair the Vanishing Cabinet and improve the assassination plan’s chances.
• Bellatrix dismissed the idea of finding the potion, but Narcissa proposed searching for supplies held by Potions Masters such as Damocles, Altheda, or Hertok Dagworth.
• Narcissa persuaded Bellatrix that Dumbledore’s death would bring the Dark Lord’s forgiveness, and Bellatrix accepted the need to obtain Felix Felicis.

Albert connected Bellatrix Lestrange to the attacks and planned to have her committed to Sewell Hospital. He arranged the hospital stay while preparing to leave Britain with Isobel and Katrina at the end of May, though he expected to return for an important event in mid-June.

• Albert read that Angelina had been attacked, Claire had vanished, and Damocles had been tortured, then used his crystal ball to identify Bellatrix Lestrange as the likely culprit.
• Albert told Isobel and Katrina that he planned to leave Britain with them at the end of May but would return for something important in mid-June.
• Albert met Professor Manst under the name Mr. Ades and arranged for a mentally ill, violent patient to receive long-term care at Sewell Hospital.
• Albert donated roughly five hundred thousand pounds from the estates of Muggles killed by Death Eaters, intending to send Bellatrix to the hospital.

Albert advised Angelina to remain at the Defence Association headquarters after her escape from the Death Eaters, then helped the group investigate attacks on Potion Masters and identify Bellatrix Lestrange as Angelina’s attacker. He organized new intelligence gathering and taught the others dueling fundamentals, leaving them to consider how the Ministry and wizarding world had failed to prepare for Voldemort’s return.

• Albert arrived at the Defence Association headquarters, where Fred and George had brought Angelina after Dobby rescued her from a Safe House, and advised her to stay protected and contact her family.
• Albert warned Angelina about the consequences of returning to Quidditch training, using the torture of his friend Damocles as an example, while the group discussed attacks on Potion Masters connected to Albert.
• Albert identified Bellatrix Lestrange as Angelina’s attacker through Divination and urged Angelina to avoid further risks and remain at headquarters.
• Albert told George to buy intelligence from Mundungus Fletcher and asked Fred to contact Kingsley for information from the Ministry of Magic.
• After lunch, Albert taught the group Defence Against the Dark Arts and dueling fundamentals, then explained how the Ministry’s shortcomings and Voldemort’s return had exposed deeper problems in the magical world.

Mundungus began selling intelligence to Albert after receiving a Galleon and a secret message, and his report revealed that the Death Eaters had obtained Felix Felicis. Albert warned Dumbledore that the potion could disrupt his plan to deal with Voldemort and questioned his decision to entrust a powerful wand to Draco Malfoy.

• Mundungus found a Daily Prophet and a Galleon left in his home, then understood that George Weasley had invited him to gather useful intelligence for Albert.
• Mundungus compiled a report and delivered it to Sirius, who passed it on to Albert through Dobby.
• Albert reviewed Mundungus's information and suspected that Bellatrix and Narcissa were seeking Felix Felicis for the Death Eaters.
• Albert used his crystal ball and saw Narcissa Malfoy holding the golden potion, confirming that the Death Eaters had obtained Felix Felicis.
• Albert warned Dumbledore that the Death Eaters' potion could change the future and asked whether Dumbledore's plan involving the wand was safe.
• Dumbledore said he would place the wand with someone suited to it, and Albert identified Draco Malfoy as his choice.

Bellatrix and Narcissa’s search for Felix Felicis across Europe failed after their violence exposed them and Snape found that nearly every potion they had bought was poisonous. The last genuine bottle became the focus of a dispute over whether it should help Draco or be used against Dumbledore, and Narcissa volunteered to steal more from Slughorn.

• Bellatrix and Narcissa killed two potion-makers, burned their house, and continued searching for Felix Felicis while disguising themselves.
• Bellatrix killed a German Ministry employee who was tracking them, forcing the sisters to flee Germany as wanted notices and reports about their persecution of potion-makers spread across Europe.
• Bellatrix and Narcissa brought their potions to Snape, who identified several as failed batches and tested the remaining bottles on rats.
• After the rats died from the other potions, Snape confirmed that Narcissa’s hidden bottle was genuine, but Bellatrix took it for the plan to kill Dumbledore instead of giving it to Draco.
• Bellatrix proposed stealing Felix Felicis from Slughorn at Hogwarts, and Narcissa volunteered to help by using a Memory Charm to conceal the theft.

Snape warned Dumbledore that Narcissa planned to infiltrate Hogwarts for Felix Felicis, prompting Dumbledore and Albert to reconsider their preparations as the timetable tightened. Narcissa enlisted Draco to help her scheme, and Draco learned from Snape that she—not Bellatrix—intended to break in.

• Snape told Dumbledore that Narcissa intended to enter Hogwarts and steal Felix Felicis, and Dumbledore called the development an opportunity while asking Snape to learn when she would act.
• Dumbledore contacted Albert, who agreed to help with Divination and discussed the possibility that events would force Dumbledore’s plans forward.
• Albert used his crystal ball to see Narcissa disguised as a schoolgirl confronting Slughorn, then decided to keep the situation controllable and monitor Draco.
• Narcissa told Draco that Bellatrix planned to steal more Felix Felicis and asked him to obtain hair from students in advanced Potions Class; Draco objected, fearing the plan would endanger his mission.
• Draco went to Snape, who revealed that Narcissa herself planned to infiltrate Hogwarts for Draco’s sake and said he would let her proceed rather than try to stop her.

Draco cooperated with Narcissa’s plan to enter Hogwarts disguised as Pansy, while Harry confronted him and grew increasingly convinced that several threats were converging. Harry ended the chapter fearing that the event everyone had been waiting for was about to happen.

• Draco decided to help Narcissa infiltrate Hogwarts by sending her Pansy’s hair and keeping Pansy occupied with homework.
• Draco delivered the letter to Snape, who agreed to handle the rest, then sent another letter by owl.
• Harry warned Draco that the Ministry was watching him and accused him of scheming in the Room of Requirement, but Draco denied being intimidated.
• Harry, Ron, and Hermione discussed whether they might need Albert’s help if their plan involving Felix Felicis failed.
• Harry vented his frustration about being kept in the dark and listed the signs of danger, then said he felt that something long anticipated was about to happen.

Avery warned Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, and Alecto that their plan to assassinate Dumbledore needed contingencies, including delaying Ministry reinforcements and possibly breaking prisoners out of Azkaban. Alecto reported the proposals to Voldemort, who decided to proceed with eliminating Dumbledore and summoned Yaxley.

• A mysterious visitor froze Avery on a beach, leaving candy in his pocket before disappearing.
• Avery met Snape and joined Narcissa, Bellatrix, and Alecto to discuss preparations for the assassination plan.
• Avery proposed gathering Dark wizards and Dementors to hold off reinforcements, while Alecto suggested a prison break to distract the Ministry.
• Snape warned the group not to let extra complications jeopardize killing Dumbledore, then returned to Hogwarts.
• Alecto reported the plan to Voldemort, who ordered her to leave and send Yaxley to him.

Narcissa disguised herself as Pansy and infiltrated Hogwarts to obtain Felix Felicis from Slughorn for Draco’s plan to repair the Vanishing Cabinet and kill Dumbledore. She escaped with one bottle, but Avery betrayed her, stunned her, and fed her to the Dementors.

• Narcissa took Felix Felicis, entered Hogwarts through the Shrieking Shack tunnel, and persuaded Slughorn to sell her more, but learned Dumbledore had bought nearly all of his stock.
• Narcissa gave Slughorn Veritaserum, found his hidden bottle of Felix Felicis, and escaped after Harry Potter attacked her in the Potions Office.
• Narcissa handed the bottle to Goyle to deliver to Draco, then left Hogwarts and met Avery outside the Shrieking Shack.
• Avery searched Narcissa for the potion, stunned and beat her, then gave her another dose of Polyjuice Potion and took her to the Dementors.
• Avery threw Narcissa to the Dementors and warned the Dark wizards not to let them feed too much before the coming operation.

Harry used Felix Felicis to obtain Slughorn’s memory about Voldemort, while Narcissa Malfoy infiltrated Hogwarts and attacked the professor. After Narcissa escaped, Harry urged McGonagall to contact Dumbledore about an urgent matter.

• Harry suspected that reports of a planned Azkaban breakout were intended to distract the Ministry or reach Albert, then prepared to ask Slughorn for his memory.
• Harry found Narcissa Malfoy in Slughorn’s office on the Marauder’s Map and attacked the disguised intruder, who had taken Pansy Parkinson’s appearance.
• Narcissa blocked Harry’s spells, escaped through smoke, and left Slughorn unconscious after trying to obtain Felix Felicis.
• Harry revived Slughorn and, while the professor was under the effects of Veritaserum, persuaded him to give up the memory about Voldemort.
• Harry put Slughorn back to sleep, told McGonagall that Narcissa had escaped through a secret passage, and asked her to summon Dumbledore urgently.

Draco used Narcissa’s Felix Felicis to repair the Vanishing Cabinet and prepared to help the Death Eaters kill Dumbledore that night. As Draco celebrated and revealed the plan to Goyle and Crabbe, Bellatrix and Avery oversaw preparations outside Hogwarts, unaware that Narcissa had been killed by Dementors.

• Goyle gave Draco the Felix Felicis and told him Narcissa had left through a secret passage.
• Draco drank some Felix Felicis, repaired the Vanishing Cabinet, and confirmed with Bellatrix that the Death Eaters would attack Hogwarts that night.
• Draco brought Goyle and Crabbe to the Room of Requirement, showed them the Vanishing Cabinet, and told them the plan to kill Dumbledore.
• Bellatrix told Avery to hurry preparations for the attack, including gathering Muggles to be turned into Inferi.
• Dementors sucked out Narcissa’s soul while Bellatrix and Avery failed to notice her death.
• Bellatrix asked Avery to tell Narcissa to return with the Felix Felicis, unaware that Narcissa had become one of the soulless bodies.

After Harry delivered Slughorn’s memory, Dumbledore confirmed that Voldemort had sought to split his soul into seven Horcruxes, but refused to reveal his plans or let Harry join the search. When the Dark Mark appeared above Hogwarts, Dumbledore went to confront the danger while Harry set out to warn the other professors.

• Harry waited for Dumbledore, searched the Marauder’s Map for Malfoy, and worried that the events surrounding Slughorn and Narcissa were part of a plot.
• Dumbledore returned, viewed Slughorn’s memory with Harry, and confirmed that Voldemort had planned to make seven Horcruxes.
• Harry questioned Dumbledore about Narcissa’s attack and Malfoy’s possible scheme, but Dumbledore told him to rest and said Hogwarts was safe under his protection.
• A Dark Mark appeared above the Astronomy Tower, and Dumbledore asked Phineas to summon Sirius and the Order of the Phoenix.
• Dumbledore told Harry to warn the professors, then disappeared with Fawkes; Harry drank Felix Felicis, used the Disillusionment Charm, and hurried to find Professor Flitwick.