Chapter Summaries

Draco led Bellatrix and the Death Eaters into a plot to assassinate Dumbledore, only to discover that Snape and Narcissa had helped lure them into a trap. Dumbledore fought off the attackers while Hogwarts's professors engaged the Death Eaters outside, and explosions struck the school gates.

• Draco summoned Bellatrix and the Death Eaters through the Vanishing Cabinet, then explained their plan to ambush Dumbledore at the Astronomy Tower.
• The Death Eaters shared Felix Felicis and Draco cast the Dark Mark to draw Dumbledore to the tower.
• Dumbledore revealed that Snape had been working with him and that the attack was a trap; Snape then restrained Draco and took him away.
• Bellatrix and the remaining Death Eaters attacked Dumbledore, but Fawkes took the first volley and Dumbledore countered with powerful spells.
• The professors clashed with the Death Eaters below the tower as fireballs struck Hogwarts's gates.

Harry raced through Hogwarts to alert the professors that Death Eaters had infiltrated the castle and Dumbledore had gone to the Astronomy Tower. After spreading the warning and finding Professor Flitwick, Harry joined him on the way to support Dumbledore.

• Harry used Felix Felicis's guidance to reach Professor McGonagall and warned her that Death Eaters had entered Hogwarts and the Dark Mark was over the Astronomy Tower.
• Harry told Professor McGonagall that Dumbledore had gone to the tower, suspected Malfoy was behind the attack, and warned her not to trust Snape.
• Harry went to the School Hospital, told Professor Slughorn what had happened, and asked Madam Pomfrey to notify Professor Sprout.
• Slughorn set out for the Headmaster's Office, while Madam Pomfrey hurried to contact Professor Sprout.
• Professor Flitwick told Harry that he already knew about the attack, and Harry persuaded him to let him come along to the Astronomy Tower.

Sirius, Lupin, Bill, and Professor McGonagall fought through Death Eaters’ attempts to block the stairs while trying to reach Dumbledore at Hogwarts. Lupin avenged himself on Fenrir Greyback, and the group hurried toward a new explosion after Sirius concluded that Albert had set a trap.

• Sirius gathered Lupin, Bill, and Professor McGonagall and led them toward the Astronomy Tower after taking Felix Felicis.
• The group fought off a blond Death Eater and worked with Professor Flitwick to bypass a magical barrier sealing the stairs.
• Harry used the Marauder’s Map to reveal Death Eaters battling Dumbledore, Snape, and Malfoy above them, and the group blasted open the ceiling to attack.
• Lupin and Bill caught Death Eaters off guard from above, and Lupin killed Fenrir Greyback after he had bitten Bill.
• After a loud explosion outside Hogwarts, Sirius said Albert had set a trap, and Harry urged everyone to hurry toward the fighting.

Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix defeated the Death Eaters’ staged assassination attempt, but Snape suddenly killed Dumbledore after the others left. Snape ordered Draco Malfoy to gather the surviving Death Eaters and escape Hogwarts.

• Charles rushed onto the Astronomy Tower, where Dumbledore quickly bound him and revealed the Death Eaters’ attack was failing.
• Alecto urged Bellatrix to retreat, but Dumbledore bound Bellatrix and the remaining Death Eaters began jumping from the tower to escape.
• Professor McGonagall, Harry, and the Order of the Phoenix arrived, and Dumbledore explained that Albert had foreseen the attack and Snape and Malfoy had helped lure the Death Eaters into a trap.
• Dumbledore sent the others to defend Hogwarts and discussed Snape’s and Malfoy’s futures with them after they were alone.
• Snape cast Avada Kedavra at Dumbledore, then ordered Malfoy to wake the surviving Death Eaters and leave Hogwarts.

Harry discovered Dumbledore dead after Snape’s betrayal, but Albert revealed that Dumbledore had willingly arranged his death to save Snape and Draco and use the Death Eaters as bait. Albert captured the fleeing Death Eaters and let Snape escape with Draco, while Harry returned to Hogwarts with prisoners and questions about Dumbledore’s plan.

• Harry found Dumbledore’s body on the Astronomy Tower and chased the escaping Death Eaters, while Snape and Malfoy fled into the Forbidden Forest.
• Albert ambushed the Death Eaters with Alecto and Avery, subdued Bellatrix and Snape, and explained that Dumbledore had allowed Snape to kill him.
• Harry tried to attack Snape, but Albert stopped him and revealed that Dumbledore had acted to honor Snape’s Unbreakable Vow and give Malfoy a chance to avoid darkness.
• Albert released Snape as promised, and Harry beat him before Snape and Malfoy escaped with Alecto and Avery.
• Albert sent Harry back with the captured Death Eaters, then reflected on Dumbledore’s plans and prepared to deal with Bellatrix.

The Defence Association members joined Hagrid and the Hogwarts professors in defending the castle from an assault by Dementors, Inferi, and hidden Death Eaters. They held the attackers back at the entrance, while Albert remained elsewhere and the battle continued.

• Kenneth and the Defence Association members prepared to fight as George and Shanna urged them to follow Albert’s plan and avoid rushing into danger.
• George flew to rescue Hagrid, then brought him back as Dementors pursued them; the group’s Patronuses drove the creatures off.
• Cedric led the students in retreating toward the castle and using fire to slow the Inferi while they watched for Dementor ambushes.
• Professor Sprout opened the castle doors, and the students warned the professors that seventeen Dark wizards had entered the grounds.
• The students and professors raised a defensive barrier against the Death Eaters’ bombardment, then used Patronuses and flames to repel the Dementors and burn the Inferi.

After Hogwarts repelled the Death Eaters’ assault, Harry revealed that Snape had killed Dumbledore and escaped with Malfoy. In the Headmaster’s Office, Dumbledore explained that he had chosen his death to lower Voldemort’s guard and preserve Snape’s value as a spy, while Harry remained unconvinced that it had been the right choice.

• The Dementors and Dark wizards retreated toward the school gate, and Professor McGonagall organized the Order of the Phoenix and Defence Association to gather and burn the Inferi.
• Harry returned from the Forbidden Forest dragging captured Death Eaters and told Hagrid that Snape had killed Dumbledore and escaped with Malfoy after Albert intercepted them.
• Harry told Professor McGonagall that Snape had escaped, then went to the Headmaster’s Office to question Dumbledore’s portrait.
• Dumbledore admitted that he had allowed Snape to kill him so Voldemort would lower his guard and trust Snape as a spy, and he said he had chosen a Great Death.
• Harry questioned Dumbledore’s decision to protect Snape and Malfoy, while Dumbledore defended his plan and said Albert could step in if Harry failed.

Albert left Bellatrix in Sewell Hospital after revealing Snape’s betrayal and warning her that Voldemort would fall, then returned home as the wizarding world reeled from Dumbledore’s death. He planned to attend Dumbledore’s funeral and collect his inheritance while preparing for the coming chaos.

• Albert brought Bellatrix to Sewell Hospital, where Professor Manst prepared to confine her and perform an operation.
• Albert awakened Bellatrix, told her that Dumbledore was dead and Snape had betrayed Voldemort, and revealed that Voldemort’s cup was hidden in the Lestrange family vault.
• Albert pressed the alarm, and Professor Manst’s staff tranquilized Bellatrix and took her into the operating room.
• Albert contacted Shanna, told her to keep everyone at Hogwarts safe, and returned home to speak with Katrina.
• Albert told Katrina that he would attend Dumbledore’s funeral and collect his inheritance, then informed Scrimgeour of Dumbledore’s death.

After Voldemort withdrew from Azkaban, Scrimgeour learned that Dumbledore had been killed by Snape and that the attack on Hogwarts had been the Death Eaters’ real target. Fearing Voldemort’s growing power and his own impending assassination, Scrimgeour went to Hogwarts and executed the captured Death Eaters and Dark wizards.

• Scrimgeour warned Godwin Robards that Voldemort could return to Azkaban and ordered him and Piers to review the prisoners for possible release on bail.
• Scrimgeour told Robards that Voldemort’s Azkaban threat had been a diversion from an attack on Hogwarts aimed at Dumbledore.
• Scrimgeour received word that Snape had betrayed and killed Dumbledore, then ordered Percy to prepare a bounty, wanted notice, and press conference.
• Scrimgeour sent Robards to guard Azkaban and took Kingsley, Dawlish, and members of the Order to Hogwarts to help with the aftermath.
• Scrimgeour ordered Dawlish to deal with the Inferi and used the Killing Curse on the captured Death Eaters and Dark wizards at Hogwarts.
• Kingsley stopped Scrimgeour from killing the remaining captives, but Scrimgeour argued that eliminating Voldemort’s followers would protect future victims.

After Snape reported Dumbledore’s death and the Death Eaters’ defeat at Hogwarts, Voldemort killed Avery for betraying him under the Imperius Curse. Voldemort ordered Yaxley to investigate the captured Death Eaters and Dumbledore’s funeral while preparing to release Azkaban’s prisoners and seize the Ministry of Magic.

• Snape told Voldemort that he had killed Dumbledore, then reported that Albert Anderson had ambushed the fleeing Death Eaters and killed or captured nearly all of them.
• Avery warned Voldemort that Albert had overwhelmed the Death Eaters, while Alecto Carro described their infiltration of Hogwarts and Snape’s role in Dumbledore’s death.
• Snape explained that he had cooperated with Dumbledore to gain his trust before killing him, and Voldemort questioned Avery under Legilimency.
• Voldemort discovered that Albert had controlled Avery with the Imperius Curse and killed him with the Killing Curse.
• Voldemort ordered Yaxley to find out about the captured Death Eaters and Dumbledore’s funeral, and announced plans to free the prisoners in Azkaban and take control of the Ministry of Magic.

Scrimgeour announced Dumbledore’s death and named Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy as fugitives after the attack on Hogwarts. Albert visited Dumbledore’s portrait, revealed that the final Horcrux was in the Lestrange family vault, and accepted Dumbledore’s prepared items, including the Elder Wand, which he then claimed by swapping it with the wand beside Dumbledore’s body.

• Scrimgeour told reporters that the Ministry had stopped the Azkaban breakout and that Hogwarts had repelled an attack, with more than thirty captured Death Eaters and Dark wizards executed.
• Scrimgeour announced that Severus Snape had murdered Dumbledore and that Draco Malfoy had helped lead the attack, then said Dumbledore’s funeral would be held in two days.
• Albert told Isobel and Katrina that Dumbledore’s death had been part of the old wizard’s plan, then left to meet with Dumbledore’s portrait at Hogwarts.
• Albert revealed that Bellatrix had disclosed the final Horcrux’s location in the Lestrange family vault and gave Dumbledore a vial containing the memory of that information.
• Dumbledore directed Albert to a box containing several items, including a replica Elder Wand, and Albert judged the replica’s effect too weak to fool Voldemort.
• Albert secretly exchanged the real Elder Wand beside Dumbledore’s body for the replica, then returned to the office and briefly tested the powerful wand before putting it away.

On the morning of Dumbledore’s funeral, Albert warned Professor McGonagall and Charity Burbage that Voldemort would take control of Hogwarts and urged Burbage to go into hiding. He then read Dumbledore’s will to Harry, Ron, and Hermione and began explaining Snape’s role in the prophecy.

• Albert told McGonagall that Dumbledore’s death had been his own choice, despite Albert’s warning about Snape.
• Albert summoned Charity Burbage and advised her to resign and hide abroad before Voldemort took over Hogwarts.
• Albert read Dumbledore’s will, giving Ron a Deluminator, Hermione The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and Harry a Golden Snitch containing something hidden inside.
• Albert answered the trio’s questions, explaining that Dumbledore had planned his death to prepare Harry to destroy Voldemort.
• Albert began recounting how Snape overheard part of Trelawney’s prophecy and passed it to Voldemort.

Albert explained his theory that Snape betrayed the Potters because he loved Lily, then turned against Voldemort after Lily’s death. After Dumbledore’s funeral, Albert warned Scrimgeour that Voldemort was about to seize Azkaban and urged him to flee, while Harry remained unwilling to trust Snape.

• Albert told Harry, Ron, and Hermione that Snape had likely loved Lily and informed Voldemort about the prophecy in hopes of claiming her after the Potters were gone.
• Albert speculated that Snape joined Dumbledore after Voldemort killed Lily and advised Harry to ask Sirius and Lupin what they knew.
• Harry said he still did not trust Snape, and Ron led the group to Dumbledore’s funeral by the Black Lake.
• At the funeral, Albert advised Shanna and Lee Jordan to strengthen their duelling skills and help people where they could rather than rely on him to lead them.
• Albert warned Scrimgeour that Voldemort would take control of Azkaban and urged him to leave before he was killed.
• Scrimgeour walked away in anger, while Albert told George that he had warned the Minister and that Scrimgeour probably would not flee.

After Dumbledore’s funeral, Harry refused to return to Uncle Vernon's house, prompting the Order of the Phoenix to discuss a new Safe House. Meanwhile, Scrimgeour anticipated Voldemort’s takeover of the Ministry and considered how to protect his allies if he fell.

• At a Temporary Meeting, Harry refused to reveal his confidential task or return to Uncle Vernon's house, while the Order realized Grimmauld Place No. 12 was no longer safe.
• Hermione, Ron, Fred, and George discussed the lack of other Order Safe Houses, and Harry proposed using an abandoned village or manor for a new headquarters.
• George said he or Fred could serve as Secret-Keeper, and Harry decided to stay at Grimmauld Place No. 12 temporarily while the new Safe House was prepared.
• The Ministry’s news of the Azkaban breakout spread, and Scrimgeour’s press conference statement silenced many critics who had called for his removal.
• Scrimgeour told Piers that Voldemort would target the Ministry, predicted he would be killed and Piers controlled, and considered disbanding the Crisis Response Team so its members could seek refuge with Albert Anderson and Harry Potter.

After Voldemort assigned Lucius and Draco Malfoy to track Albert Anderson, they searched for Narcissa, who had vanished after stealing Felix Felicis from Hogwarts. The chapter ended with Draco suspecting Albert had taken revenge on the Malfoys, while Lucius remained determined to find his wife.

• Voldemort assigned Lucius and Draco Malfoy to find and monitor Albert Anderson.
• Lucius thanked Snape for saving Draco and asked about Narcissa, but Snape knew little of her disappearance.
• Draco explained that he had lost contact with Narcissa after she stole Felix Felicis and that Goyle last saw her leave Hogwarts through a tunnel.
• Lucius and Draco returned to the ruins of their manor and reflected on their family's losses and Narcissa's disappearance.
• After several days without finding Narcissa, Draco suspected she had been hidden by Dumbledore or taken as revenge by Albert, while Lucius insisted they would find her.

Albert warned the Defence Association that Voldemort would soon take control of the Ministry and persecute Muggle-born wizards, urging the members to stay hidden, recruit secretly, and train. He planned to leave Britain the next day, while the others continued preparing for the coming conflict.

• Albert told the Defence Association that the Ministry of Magic would fall under Voldemort’s control and that Muggle-born wizards would be outlawed and imprisoned.
• Albert urged the members to avoid reckless resistance, recruit peripheral members in secret, and improve their Defence Against the Dark Arts skills while waiting for the right opportunity.
• Albert distributed parchments with further instructions, warned everyone to take responsibility for their actions, and announced that he would soon leave Britain.
• George told Albert that Lupin and Tonks were getting married and wanted to invite him, but Albert declined and suggested they hold the wedding at the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters.
• George joked that Albert should become his future child’s godfather, while Cedric worried that the Ministry’s collapse and its consequences were approaching.
• After Albert left, George and Cedric agreed the Defence Association should keep training and follow Albert’s arrangements.

Albert and his family left their ship off the coast of France and moved into Bard’s protected villa while Britain descended toward Voldemort’s control. Albert told Bard that they would wait for Harry to carry out Dumbledore’s plan, and the chapter left Bard departing for Spain as Albert’s family settled in.

• Albert met Bard on a cliff in France, then stored the ship in his Magic bottle and Apparated with Bard and a House-elf to a villa protected by the Fidelius Charm.
• Albert told Bard that Dumbledore had deliberately let Snape kill him, and they discussed the Ministry of Magic’s collapse and Scrimgeour’s fate.
• Albert warned Bard that Voldemort would soon dominate Britain, but predicted his power would peak and then decline once Harry carried out Dumbledore’s plan.
• Bard cautioned Albert to stay alive, then left for Spain after confirming Albert had contacted a healer.
• Katrina asked whether the villa was safe and wondered about Albert’s secret with Bard, while Albert assured her that the risk was small.

Lucius Malfoy struggled to find Albert after the healers who had served as his leads were bound by powerful Magical Contracts. He sought Yaxley’s help by offering to assist with the Ministry of Magic and Scrimgeour, then urged Draco to return to Hogwarts and consider marrying Pansy to secure the Malfoy family’s future.

• Snape warned Lucius that Mrs. Dale and Mrs. Mary could not safely be questioned because their Magical Contracts might kill them, and advised him to make himself useful elsewhere while sending Draco back to Hogwarts.
• Lucius agreed to help Yaxley gain control of the Ministry of Magic and kill Scrimgeour in exchange for help finding Albert and Narcissa.
• Lucius told Draco to return to Hogwarts and explained that joining the Death Eaters immediately would not make him useful.
• Lucius urged Draco to marry Pansy Parkinson and have an heir, arguing that the Malfoy family needed the Parkinsons’ support and that Albert might retaliate against them.

Moody worried that Harry and his friends were not ready for the dangers ahead, while Sirius argued that Albert was a more reliable hope. At the Burrow, Harry learned that Lupin and Tonks planned to marry despite Tonks’s family opposing the match because Lupin was a werewolf, and Sirius chose to respect their wishes.

• Moody praised Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s training but warned they needed more preparation to survive on the battlefield.
• Sirius told Moody that Albert was reliable and would not let Lord Voldemort continue unchecked.
• Ginny told Harry, Ron, and Hermione that Lupin and Tonks planned a quiet wedding, while Tonks’s family opposed their marriage because Lupin was a werewolf.
• Harry asked Sirius about the marriage, and Sirius admitted that Andromeda opposed it but said he would respect Lupin and Tonks’s choice.
• Fred and George announced that they would rename the Wizard Lookout Station the Potter Lookout Station and said they supported Lupin and Tonks.

The Order of the Phoenix discussed its growing dangers as Lupin and Tonks returned married, while members struggled to understand Albert’s distance from them. After the meeting, Harry asked Bill to obtain Rita Skeeter’s biography of Dumbledore, hoping to learn about Dumbledore’s past despite Hermione’s warnings.

• Fred and George explained that Albert was away and expecting a child, then redirected the Order’s attention to arranging a small wedding for Lupin and Tonks.
• Lupin and Tonks arrived at headquarters wearing wedding rings, and Harry and Sirius congratulated them despite their surprise that the couple had married privately.
• The Order discussed protecting the Dursleys and Mrs. Figg, preparing for the Ministry of Magic’s fall, and the likelihood that Pure-blood officials would betray Scrimgeour.
• Kingsley described how fear of Albert had silenced Pure-bloods who had tried to target him, strengthening his case for cooperating with Albert.
• Ginny showed Harry the Daily Prophet, and Harry asked Bill to buy him Rita Skeeter’s book about Dumbledore despite Hermione’s doubts about its accuracy.