Chapter Summaries

Albert led a Defence Association operation against the Death Eaters attacking the Hogwarts Express, disguising twelve members as Harry Potter. The Association defeated the attackers and left the students seeing Harry Potter and the Defence Association as active opponents of Lord Voldemort.

• Albert gave Polyjuice Potion made with Harry Potter's hair to the selected Defence Association members and explained the operation.
• Albert, Fred, and George entered the Hogwarts Express through an open window, while Cedric led the other members outside.
• Cedric's team drove off the Dementors with Patronuses and defeated the Dark wizards in two charges.
• The disguised members flew past the train and displayed the Defence Association's emblem, drawing cheers from students.
• The Defence Association split up to collect spoils and withdrew, while news of the operation spread through the train.

Snape reported on Hogwarts and the attack on the Search Train at a Death Eater meeting, where Voldemort grew wary of Albert Anderson and ordered Harry Potter found. Yaxley revealed plans to track the Defence Association and coerce Aurors through their families, while Snape warned the Death Eaters not to underestimate Albert.

• Dawlish arrived at Hogwarts to arrange Daily Prophet interviews, and Snape let Alecto handle the student selections despite McGonagall’s objection.
• At a Temporary Meeting, Snape told Voldemort that most Hogwarts students were under control, though some wizarding children had left.
• Yaxley reported that at least ten Harry Potters had attacked the Search Train, and Snape identified the attackers as Defence Association members likely acting under Albert Anderson’s plan.
• Voldemort ordered the Death Eaters to find Harry Potter and permitted them to kill him, while admitting Albert posed the greater threat.
• Yaxley revealed that he had planted Tracking Charms on items the Defence Association might steal and had captured old Hopkins’s family to pressure Aurors.
• Snape urged the Death Eaters to assume Albert was far more difficult to kill than he seemed.

After Harry Potter’s appearance on the Hogwarts Express inspired resistance across Britain, Neville, Ernie, and Luna reorganized Dumbledore’s Army under the cover of the Wizard Card Club. Albert warned the Defence Association about the dangers of carelessness and refused to intervene in a compromised shelter, leaving Cedric to fear for his family.

• News of Harry Potter defeating Death Eaters on the Hogwarts Express spread, and students grew eager to support the resistance.
• Neville, Ernie, and Luna reorganized Dumbledore’s Army as the Wizard Card Club to conceal its gatherings.
• After Death Eaters tracked down a shelter and two wizards died, Albert warned the Defence Association not to bring suspicious spoils to headquarters and told Fred to reassure endangered families or help them leave Britain.
• George told Albert that Death Eaters had captured the Hopkins family to force old Hopkins to surrender an access card to Scrimgeour’s shelter.
• Albert refused to rescue the shelter, explaining that it was too late to prevent old Hopkins from handing over the access card, and reassured Cedric that the Death Eaters were unlikely to kill pure-bloods en masse.

After Hagrid was arrested and sent to Azkaban, Albert refused to rescue him, believing Hagrid had ignored repeated warnings and needed to face the consequences. Harry, Hermione, and Ron accepted that Hagrid was unlikely to be in immediate danger, while Harry planned to build resistance by bringing supporters together at Hogwarts.

• After the Ministry shelter fell and Hagrid was arrested, Albert told Isobel that he would leave Hagrid in Azkaban for now because Hagrid had chosen to ignore his warnings.
• Hermione told Harry and Ron that Albert considered Hagrid's capture the result of his own choices, and Harry concluded Hagrid would probably survive but might remain imprisoned for months.
• Ron struggled with Albert's refusal to intervene, while Hermione argued that Albert was not responsible for the deaths and disasters caused by others' decisions.
• Harry told Hermione and Ron that the Order of the Phoenix was also giving up on rescuing Hagrid for now because he was not believed to be in immediate danger.
• Harry invited Hermione and Ron to a Dumbledore's Army gathering at Hogwarts, hoping to unite students and strengthen the resistance against Voldemort.

Snape confronted Dumbledore about the danger of students forming Dumbledore’s Army and Harry’s plan to question him, while Dumbledore warned that Voldemort must kill Harry himself. Snape ultimately made Dumbledore take responsibility for helping him manage Hogwarts and contain the school’s problems.

• Snape warned Dumbledore that Dumbledore’s Army would soon be discovered and that Carro and Parkinson would retaliate against the students.
• Dumbledore told Snape that Harry and Albert wanted to use Veritaserum to question him, but Snape argued that Albert was a greater threat to the Death Eaters.
• Dumbledore realized Voldemort no longer intended to kill Harry personally and stressed that Harry had to die at Voldemort’s hands.
• Snape said he could not change the Dark Lord’s orders and suggested Dumbledore ask Albert for help with his plan.
• Snape told Dumbledore he had approved the Whipping Approval Decree and demanded help dealing with Hogwarts, so Dumbledore agreed to contact Albert and let Snape turn a blind eye.

Albert declined to go to Hogwarts, leaving Cedric to help Harry reorganize Dumbledore’s Army while Albert pursued his own preparations against Voldemort. At Hogwarts, Neville got the group past Filch and gathered the students, and Cedric began training them for the coming battle.

• Cedric visited Albert, who gave him a list of fifty-four Death Eaters and warned him not to provoke Hogwarts students before leaving for the Safe House.
• Albert told Shanna he intended to prepare the students despite Dumbledore’s concerns, then decided to find another spy among the Death Eaters.
• Cedric met Harry, Hermione, and Ron at the Safe House and took them to Hogwarts under Disillusionment Charms.
• Filch guarded the Room of Requirement, but Neville used another exit to bring the four into the room and reunite them with Dumbledore’s Army.
• Harry told the students about his destined battle with Voldemort, and Cedric began teaching them defensive spells.

Albert used the Elder Wand to control Bosted and make him a spy among the Death Eaters, then reviewed intelligence about Voldemort, Ollivander, and the spread of Dark wizards. Dumbledore confronted him about the chaos at Hogwarts, but Albert defended teaching students to resist and left the school’s troubles unresolved.

• Albert, disguised as Mr. Ades, used the Imperius Curse and altered Bosted’s memories to turn him into a spy.
• Half a month later, Albert received Bosted’s report about Death Eater crimes, Yaxley’s schemes, and Voldemort’s search for Gregorovitch.
• Albert resolved to warn Gregorovitch and recorded Ollivander’s prison location for a future Defence Association operation.
• Albert read reports that Voldemort was recruiting Dark Creatures and Dark wizard allies, while Yaxley profited from imprisoning valuable captives.
• Dumbledore told Albert that Neville Longbottom’s DA had hung Professor Parkinson and thrown Hogwarts into chaos.
• Albert showed Dumbledore a list of defensive spells and argued that students with strength would rise up and resist.

Albert brought the group their recent spoils and warned them that Hogsmeade had become a Death Eater stronghold and black market. He urged Cedric to tell Neville to rein in the Defence Association’s reckless actions, then left to deal with a more urgent task.

• Albert delivered a suitcase of low-value loot and about twenty Galleons, while Fred and George discovered they were owed thirteen Galleons and six Sickles and decided to return to advance-payment orders.
• Albert explained that dark wizards had flooded into Hogsmeade, driven out its residents, and were turning it into a major black market where Muggles were being murdered.
• Albert warned Fred and George not to return to Hogwarts and told Cedric to make Neville choose between accepting a likely defeat or going underground to train and protect students.
• Albert told the group to continue basic Imperius Curse resistance training and promised to teach secret moves as a Christmas gift to anyone who mastered the basics.
• The Weasley Twins went to the Training Room to tell everyone about Albert’s promise.

Albert met Harry, Griphook, and Gornuk at the shelter to secure goblin help breaking into the Lestrange vault for Hufflepuff’s Cup. He learned that Bogrod knew how to open the vault and planned to visit him soon.

• Albert went to the shelter to find the goblins who had worked at Gringotts and confirm the Lestrange vault’s status.
• Albert recognized Harry, disguised as Lupin, and asked Griphook and Gornuk for help reaching the Lestrange vault.
• Griphook and Gornuk explained that the vault was guarded by a Ukrainian Ironbelly and protected by Fire and Duplication Charms, and they demanded the Gryffindor Sword in exchange for further assistance.
• Albert asked who would inherit the Lestrange fortune if the family’s main line died, and Griphook explained that the Ministry of Magic usually recognized heirs.
• Albert secretly learned from Griphook’s mind that Bogrod knew how to open the vault and decided to visit him in a few days.

Albert uncovered the goblins’ plans, then went looking for Bogrod’s location but abandoned his attempt to enter the goblins’ former Underground Kingdom. He decided to use Ludo Bagman to reach Bogrod and took Felix Felicis before heading toward Hogsmeade in disguise.

• Albert subdued Griphook and Gornuk, read their minds, and learned that Bogrod was key to opening the Lestrange vault.
• Albert found the abandoned entrance to the goblins’ former Underground Kingdom, collected Fluorescent Moss and mushrooms, then stopped at a magical abyss rather than risk entering the labyrinth.
• Albert decided to have a Death Eater take him to the goblins and chose Ludo Bagman as the likely culprit for causing trouble.
• Albert used Crystal Ball Divination to find Ludo Bagman fencing stolen goods at the Hog’s Head Pub in Hogsmeade.
• Albert swallowed Felix Felicis, disguised himself as a Dark wizard, and prepared to enter Hogsmeade despite the risk of encountering Dementors.

Albert visited Hogsmeade’s dark market and made a deal with Ludo Bagman, who was secretly working with Death Eaters. After outmaneuvering their ambush, Albert left with goblin goods and rare materials, while considering a plan to manipulate the Death Eaters.

• Albert explored Hogsmeade’s stalls, recognized a Polyjuice-disguised vendor’s fake Runespoor egg scam, and continued toward the Hog’s Head Pub.
• Albert asked Ludo Bagman to show him Goblin Silverware, and Bagman led him upstairs to a private room.
• Four wizards entered and tried to cast the Imperius Curse on Albert, but he had left the room and subdued them from behind.
• Albert confronted Bagman, bought goblin tableware, a silver glove, and a goblin-iron short sword, then traded Bagman materials for useful tools.
• Albert watched Bagman and his companions leave, considered controlling the Death Eaters with the Imperius Curse and Elder Wand, and saw a new task appear on his panel.

Neville helped a first-year escape the dungeons by pretending to be ill, but the Death Eaters traced the plan back to him and suspected Dumbledore’s Army. He hid in the Room of Requirement while his friends spread word that he had left Hogwarts, and Professor McGonagall warned them not to provoke the Death Eaters while Voldemort remained alive.

• Neville and Seamus arranged for a captive first-year to eat a Skiving Snackbox and feign illness, getting him sent to the Medical Room.
• Neville, Luna, and Ernie agreed that Dumbledore’s Army should abandon direct confrontation and work discreetly underground.
• Michael warned Neville that Parkinson had used Veritaserum on the first-year and that the Death Eaters were searching for him.
• Neville decided to disappear into the Room of Requirement, and Seamus agreed to tell Professor McGonagall that he had left Hogwarts.
• The Death Eaters watched the Room of Requirement as rumours of Neville’s capture or death spread through the school.
• Professor McGonagall told Seamus to warn Dumbledore’s Army against provoking the Death Eaters while Voldemort was alive.

Hermione urged Harry to acknowledge his feelings for Ginny and encouraged their relationship as a way to give Harry a reason to keep living. She warned Ron that Harry had become dangerously intent on dying while taking Voldemort down, and the chapter ended as Harry called them to leave.

• Ron complained that Hermione kept asking whether Albert would teach them Defence Against the Dark Arts.
• Ginny kissed Harry on the cheek, prompting Ron to ask whether they were dating.
• Hermione told Harry that Ginny liked him, and Harry admitted he had feelings for her but feared bringing her into danger.
• Hermione admitted she had once liked Albert, while Harry explained that he did not want to hope for a relationship with Ginny because of his fight against Voldemort.
• Hermione warned Ron that Harry seemed determined to die taking Voldemort down and said she was encouraging Harry and Ginny to help keep Harry alive.
• Harry called Ron and Hermione from the corridor, and Ron followed after Hermione's words had left him deeply hurt.

Albert taught Harry how to control the Fiendfyre Curse by focusing his magic without fear, while Hermione and Ron practiced the counter-curse. He revealed that Neville would be brought to the shelter for training, and the group discussed the worsening war before resuming practice.

• Moody led Harry, Ron, Hermione, Sirius, and Lupin to their training site, where Albert arrived to assess their Fiendfyre progress.
• Harry lost control of the Fiendfyre until Albert explained that fear was limiting his magic and guided him to focus the flames on a log.
• Harry briefly controlled the Fiendfyre, but his excitement made it surge out of control again; Hermione extinguished it while Ron failed to use the counter-curse.
• Albert gave the group hot chocolate and explained the dangers and uses of Fiendfyre, while Harry insisted he needed the spell to destroy Hufflepuff's Cup if necessary.
• Albert told Harry that he had sent Dobby to bring Neville to the shelter for training, and the group discussed Death Eater violence and the uncertainty of the war.
• Albert ended the break and had Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue practicing.

Neville joined the Defence Association’s headquarters and saw how its members trained for the coming war against Voldemort. Cedric assigned him to return to Hogwarts and lead Dumbledore’s Army, while the Association continued building its strength.

• Dean welcomed Neville to the protected village and showed him the Fidelius-protected headquarters, where Shanna helped him join the Defence Association.
• Dean took Neville to the Training Ground, where Neville lost duels to Dean and Lee Jordan and learned about the Association’s practical combat training.
• Neville told Dean and Justin that Death Eaters controlled Hogwarts and were using Veritaserum and the Cruciatus Curse against students.
• Dean explained that he and Justin would soon return to the shelter to replace Hannah and Susan and teach expelled students Defence Against the Dark Arts.
• Neville learned that Harry was training with Professor Moody and guessed that the final battle with Voldemort was approaching.
• Cedric told Neville to train intensively and return with him to Hogwarts to guide Dumbledore’s Army, and Neville agreed.

Snape learned that Voldemort was searching for Dumbledore’s wand, which might be the legendary Deathstick, and reported the plan to Dumbledore’s portrait. He discovered that Albert had hidden Gregorovitch and that the Deathstick was likely with Albert, while Dumbledore urged Snape to finish Voldemort’s task and protect Hogwarts’s students.

• Yaxley told Snape that Voldemort wanted him to find Dumbledore’s wand and revealed that Voldemort was seeking the legendary Deathstick.
• Snape agreed to help Yaxley turn Hogsmeade into a black-market trading hub in exchange for more information about Voldemort’s search for Gregorovitch.
• Yaxley told Snape that Ollivander had said Gregorovitch once possessed the Elder Wand, and Snape promised to look for Dumbledore’s wand.
• Snape told Dumbledore’s portrait about Voldemort’s plan, and Dumbledore said the wand in his coffin was not the Deathstick and that Voldemort was testing Snape.
• Dumbledore revealed that Albert had hidden Gregorovitch, leading Snape to suspect that Albert possessed the Deathstick.
• Dumbledore told Snape to complete Voldemort’s task and protect Hogwarts’s students, then left his portrait to speak with Albert.

Albert visited Gregorovitch, who was hiding from Voldemort, to learn wandmaking and share his own wand research. Gregorovitch agreed to teach him in exchange for examining the Elder Wand, leaving Albert with his notes and asking him to bring the Elder Wand and goblin iron next time.

• Gregorovitch read news of Voldemort’s murders and learned from his House-elf that Albert would visit.
• Albert told Gregorovitch that Dumbledore had given him the Elder Wand, but he preferred his own Redwood wand.
• Gregorovitch agreed to teach Albert wandmaking if he could examine the Elder Wand, and he gave Albert his research notes.
• Albert showed Gregorovitch several unusual wands he had made, including ones with Basilisk heartstring, Dittany branches, and Kelpie mane cores.
• Gregorovitch examined Albert’s metal-cored wand, agreed to study it, and asked Albert to bring the Elder Wand and goblin iron on his next visit.

After a nightmare revealed that Voldemort was searching for Gregorovitch, Harry recognized him as the wandmaker who made Krum’s wand. Harry suspected Voldemort wanted the Elder Wand and realized Albert’s discovery of Ollivander’s prison might be connected, leaving him uneasy about Albert’s larger plans.

• Harry dreamed that Voldemort tracked down Gregorovitch, then woke and told Ron about the vision, attracting Death Eaters to the shelter by saying Voldemort’s name.
• Harry spoke with Sirius and Mr. Weasley, who explained that the Order planned to rescue Ollivander and other prisoners from Yaxley’s temporary prison, located by Albert.
• Harry remembered that Gregorovitch was a foreign wandmaker who had made Krum’s wand.
• Harry concluded that Voldemort might be hunting the Elder Wand and realized it was with Albert.

Albert, Isobel, and Katrina discussed Voldemort’s killings, his search for Gregorovitch, and the growing Beauty Association while staying aboard their ship. Isobel predicted the war might soon end, while Katrina planned to turn her popular articles into a book and pursue greater independence.

• Katrina told Albert that Voldemort had massacred another wizarding family and that magical ministries were discussing joining forces against him.
• Katrina asked why Voldemort was searching for Gregorovitch, but Albert warned her that learning more could put her in danger.
• Katrina revealed that Catherine had developed a new Beauty Potion, expanded the Beauty Association internationally, and given Albert an honorary vice president title.
• Albert kissed Isobel and prepared to return while Voldemort was still abroad, as Katrina observed that he seemed increasingly involved in the conflict.
• Isobel said she had a feeling the war would not last much longer, and Katrina said she planned to compile her beauty articles into a book.

The Defence Association and the Order of the Phoenix launched a coordinated surprise mission to rescue Ollivander and other captives from Yaxley's secret castle. Albert breached the castle’s defenses while the Order rushed inside and the Defence Association fought to secure the grounds.

• Albert explained that the Defence Association would clear away Dementors and block reinforcements while the Order of the Phoenix rescued the captives, then assigned Kenneth to search the castle for valuables.
• Harry persuaded the Order to let him join the mission, and Sirius gave him a Dragonhide Jacket and ordered him to finish the rescue within ten minutes.
• Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the others studied the castle using the Marauder's Map before setting out in heavy rain to meet Albert’s team.
• Albert and the Defence Association drove away the Dementors with Patronuses, and Albert tore through the ancient magic protecting the castle.
• Ron used the Deluminator to darken the castle as Kingsley and the Order charged inside, while Albert led the Defence Association against the Dark wizards and Cedric’s squad guarded against Dementors and reinforcements.