Chapter Summaries

After the Order of the Phoenix and the Defence Association raided Hogwarts and rescued the prisoners, Snape enlisted Macnair to send Aurors to assess the school. Snape warned that provoking Albert Anderson could turn the conflict into a deadly war and urged the Death Eaters to prepare for a final battle with Harry Potter.

• Snape told Macnair that the Order of the Phoenix and the Defence Association had driven them from Hogwarts, and Macnair agreed to send Aurors to investigate.
• The Aurors found Hogwarts deserted, the five imprisoned students' family members rescued, and their own missing comrades unconscious under Draught of Living Death.
• Snape rejected Macnair's suggestion to threaten Hogwarts students or professors, warning that Albert Anderson was more dangerous and ruthless than Dumbledore.
• Snape explained that Albert had restrained his people from killing the defeated wizards, but that restraint could end if the Death Eaters provoked him.
• Snape told Macnair that the Order of the Phoenix expected a final battle with Harry Potter and suggested convening a Death Eater meeting to prepare.

Albert and Shanna discussed the rescued families’ fate and the growing strength of their side after the Hogwarts mission. Albert planned to write memoirs documenting the war’s victims and those who had compromised with Voldemort, then invited Shanna to join the feast.

• Shanna told Albert that the five families had their memories altered and were sent out of Britain to wait out the war.
• Shanna argued that the families deserved a harsher fate, but Albert said uniting the others mattered more.
• Shanna worried the Death Eaters might set another trap, and Albert said his strength made that unlikely.
• Albert explained that victories could build confidence and draw more British wizards to their side.
• Albert told Shanna he wanted to write memoirs preserving the war’s history and holding those who enabled the darkness accountable.
• Albert invited Shanna to join the feast before the others finished the good food.

The Order of the Phoenix argued over Albert Anderson’s methods after the rescue of five ungrateful family members, with Moody warning that his tactics were too radical. Kingsley urged the Order to recruit the Ministry’s Aurors and revealed Scrimgeour’s former plan to mobilize the Ministry against Voldemort, leaving the group stunned.

• Moody told the Order that most wizards were unreliable, while Diggle condemned the five people they had rescued and Sirius defended Albert’s choice to help them.
• Moody said Albert had deliberately made the five a warning against Death Eater lies, and Hermione, Sirius, and Arthur supported drawing more allies into the fight.
• Moody cautioned that Albert’s radical methods could get many people killed, while Hermione and Kingsley insisted that defeating Voldemort was paramount.
• Kingsley proposed persuading Ministry Aurors to join the Order, warning that the Death Eaters would eventually target them because of their past actions.
• Kingsley revealed Scrimgeour’s plan to mobilize the Ministry against Voldemort, and Moody said Dumbledore had opposed it because it would cost many lives.

After celebrating another thwarted Death Eater scheme, Harry worried that he was learning Fiendfyre too slowly and discussed the danger of their Gringotts plan. Outside the practice room, Hermione and Ron overheard Moody warn Kingsley about Albert, while Kingsley insisted the Order needed Albert to win the war.

• Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny celebrated their victory and discussed Moody's suspicion of Albert.
• Harry said his Fiendfyre training was too slow, and Hermione warned him not to rush their plan to break into the Gringotts vault.
• Hermione led Ron away to give Harry and Ginny time alone, then told Ron she wanted Harry to live and believed Ginny's love could help him.
• Hermione and Ron overheard Moody tell Kingsley that Albert was dangerous and had drawn people into the war.
• Kingsley defended Albert as essential to victory, and Hermione agreed that they needed his strength and ability to see the future.

As Voldemort searched Europe for Gregorovitch and the Deathstick, Lee Jordan warned listeners that the Death Eaters were making Inferi from missing people. Shanna explained why the Defence Association could not stop them without worsening the killings, while Albert prepared the Order of the Phoenix for the threat.

• Voldemort continued searching Europe for Gregorovitch as reports of deaths spread and European Ministries struggled to recruit Aurors to oppose him.
• Lee Jordan broadcast that hundreds of people had gone missing in Britain and warned that the Death Eaters might be creating Inferi.
• Lee Jordan asked Shanna whether the Defence Association should destroy the Inferi, and Shanna said doing so could provoke the Death Eaters into killing even more people.
• Shanna told Lee Jordan that Albert would likely teach the Defence Association how to fight Inferi before the coming battle.
• Albert told Shanna that the signs pointed to the Death Eaters preparing for war and asked her to inform the Order of the Phoenix.

Albert discussed Yanila’s record and Katrina’s health routine before explaining that Dumbledore had set the Elder Wand up as a trap to keep Voldemort occupied abroad. The chapter left Voldemort roaming Europe while Albert’s resistance group trained and gained confidence.

• Katrina told Albert that the song playing at breakfast was Yanila’s latest record, which had arrived with a letter in his holiday gifts.
• Katrina shared her research on healthy eating, and Albert criticized her reliance on black bread and praised her improved appearance.
• Albert read reports of Voldemort causing trouble across Europe and explained that Dumbledore had made the Elder Wand part of a plot to distract him.
• Albert revealed that the Gregorovitch sightings were false and that others were helping keep Voldemort wandering abroad.
• Albert said Voldemort’s absence gave the Defence Association time to train, including practice destroying Inferi.

Albert learned that the Death Eaters were making Inferi in large numbers and decided the Defence Association could use them for combat training. He taught the members how to weaponize the Fire-Making Spell and revealed that one of their next targets was a secret site holding Inferi, though they were not ready to attack it yet.

• Albert learned that Yaxley and Macnair planned to use hordes of Inferi to delay their enemies until Voldemort returned.
• The Defence Association and the Order of the Phoenix learned about the Inferi, but the Order did nothing, so the Association decided to use them as training targets.
• Albert warned the Association members that Inferi could be accompanied by Death Eaters or Dark wizards, then explained how to use the Fire-Making Spell to ignite them from a distance.
• Albert revealed that the Death Eaters had hidden several hundred Inferi in two secret locations and that one location would be the Association’s next target, but the members were not ready yet.
• Albert demonstrated the Fire-Making Spell’s combat techniques, and the members practiced using it to blast and burn targets and create walls of fire.

While Albert and Shanna discussed the Defence Association’s dwindling funds and the coming war, Association members fought Inferi in a snowy forest. The trial ended with the teams returning safely, better prepared for future battles.

• Albert told Shanna he would seek donations to cover the Association’s costs and said the Christmas Banquet would go ahead.
• The Association members used mannequins to draw Inferi out from beneath the snow and discovered no Death Eaters were hiding among them.
• The teams divided up and cleared Inferi from different parts of the forest, transforming the creatures’ bodies into wood to burn later.
• Fred and his companions continued fighting while Cedric’s team took down thirty Inferi without sending a distress signal.
• The teams returned to headquarters with only a few treated injuries, and many members stayed awake excitedly discussing the operation.

The Defence Association grew stronger while clearing Inferi, but Albert urged the group to avoid a direct war with the Death Eaters and wait for the right chance to defeat Voldemort. Fred and George asked the Order of the Phoenix to join an operation against another Inferi base, leaving the groups weighing the risks of an ambush and further Muggle deaths.

• The Defence Association cleared Inferi and improved its teamwork, while a group of Dark wizards fled after Lee Jordan warned them with fireworks.
• The members wanted to attack the Death Eaters, but Fred and the others explained that Albert wanted them focused on ending the war with Voldemort rather than starting a larger conflict.
• Harry, Hermione, and Ron resented being kept from Inferi-clearing missions while Harry struggled to master the Fiendfyre Curse.
• Fred and George told Sirius, Lupin, Moody, and Arthur that Albert had located another Death Eater base full of Inferi and invited the Order of the Phoenix to join the operation.
• Sirius warned that destroying the Inferi could prompt the Death Eaters to kill more Muggles, while George said leaving the growing Inferi threat unchecked could become a disaster.

Fred and George gave Harry and Hermione Albert’s notebooks on Fiendfyre and asked Harry to help persuade the Order of the Phoenix to join the next operation. The Order agreed to help raid Death Eater strongholds and clear out hidden Inferi while Voldemort was away from Britain.

• Fred and George discussed the Order of the Phoenix’s slow decision-making and said bringing them into future operations would make the Defence Association safer.
• Fred and George gave Harry notes on mastering Fiendfyre and Hermione notes on extinguishing it, both prepared by Albert.
• George asked Harry to persuade the Order to join the operation, warning that Inferi could become a major threat in the final battle at Hogwarts.
• Harry agreed to try and explained that destroying Voldemort’s Horcruxes would lead to a confrontation at Hogwarts.
• The Order of the Phoenix held an urgent meeting and decided to help raid Death Eater strongholds and clear out their hidden Inferi.

Yaxley convened the Death Eaters after the Defence Association destroyed another Inferi base, and the group struggled to find a way to stop Albert Anderson’s growing influence. Snape warned that the Association could target the Search Team instead, while suspecting Yaxley wanted to discuss something with him privately.

• Yaxley learned that the Defence Association had destroyed another Secret base and all the Inferi inside, then decided to call a meeting.
• Yaxley worried that the Association’s training would make its members stronger and began wondering whether he himself might be the suspected spy.
• Yaxley gathered the Death Eaters and asked Snape how they could stop the Defence Association.
• Snape said the Association might use Search Team members as training targets and noted that calling Voldemort’s name could lure the Search Team into a trap.
• Snape offered no solution and suspected Yaxley had a private matter to discuss after the meeting.

Yaxley suspected a spy among the Death Eaters and used Veritaserum to test himself, but the test did not reveal one. He and Snape then focused suspicion on Alecto Carro and Ludo Bagman while planning to spread Inferi and exploit the growing werewolf threat.

• Yaxley told the remaining old-guard Death Eaters that he suspected a spy was leaking their plans to Albert Anderson.
• Yaxley drank wine laced with Veritaserum and denied being a spy when Snape questioned him.
• Yaxley and Snape concluded the test could not rule out a compromised Death Eater, and Snape said Alecto Carro might be a problem despite her passing the test.
• Yaxley said he suspected Ludo Bagman, while Snape agreed to watch Alecto Carro and raised the possibility of using Legilimency on Bagman.
• Yaxley proposed scattering Inferi to draw attention, and Macnair suggested creating them by attacking isolated Muggle villages.
• Macnair reported that Lucien had formed a werewolf army several hundred strong, and the Death Eaters discussed leaking information to lure their opponents toward the werewolves.

Albert entered a village shrouded in freezing mist, destroyed its Inferi, and uncovered a cocoon where Dementors were gathering the villagers’ souls. He freed the souls with his Patronus, completing the quest as the mist began to recede, then flew away.

• Albert flew into the village and found it blanketed in freezing mist, then used a screaming doll to gather and freeze the Inferi before destroying them.
• Albert noticed his Detection Pocket Watch still warned of danger and followed it to an ordinary-looking house, where he sensed a presence like Dementors.
• Albert demolished the house and found a black cocoon that seemed to be a Dementor nest, then attacked it with repeated Patronus Charms.
• The cocoon burst, releasing the villagers’ tormented souls, who recovered and vanished after some bowed to Albert.
• The freezing mist began to recede, Albert’s quest was marked complete, and he flew away.

Albert showed the association members memories of a village where the Death Eaters had slaughtered Muggles and turned their bodies into Inferi. He explained that a Dementor cocoon had caused the unnatural freezing fog, and the chapter ended with Hermione understanding why Scrimgeour had insisted on executing Death Eaters and Dark wizards.

• Albert projected his memories of the village for Lee Jordan, Fred, Cedric, Shanna, and the others, revealing its deadly fog and frozen residents.
• The group saw that the Death Eaters had transformed the villagers into Inferi, while a Black Cocoon released ghosts when Albert destroyed it.
• Albert suspected the cocoon had hatched Dementors, which had drained the villagers' souls and produced the freezing fog.
• Cedric urged the group to act, but Albert said ending the war came first; Lee Jordan promised to report the atrocities, though he expected little concern from most wizards.
• The Wizard Lookout Station's report stirred little response, and Hermione said she understood why Scrimgeour had insisted on executing Death Eaters and Dark wizards.

On Christmas morning, Albert celebrated with Isobel, Katrina, Little Alice, and the McDougal family while sharing a special bottle of wine and enjoying their holiday meal. The family remained together at home as Mrs. McDougal prepared a surprise.

• Albert woke to find Isobel ready for Christmas and went to shower after she promised him a special gift.
• Katrina and a House-elf prepared a Christmas breakfast while Albert admired the gifts beneath the tree for the association members.
• Albert teased Katrina about forgetting her gift, then gave her a bottle of Youth and Love, a magical wine made with Mandrakes that he said could slow aging.
• Albert introduced Tom to Little Alice, but Tom showed little interest and returned to his spot by the fireplace.
• Isobel and Katrina went to the kitchen to check on Mrs. McDougal's surprise, while Albert later helped finish dessert because the sisters had lost their taste for sweets.

Albert helped the Association prepare its Christmas Ball at the Headquarters Ice House, shared gifts, and warned Shanna about carelessness and wartime promises. After the feast and dancing began, he told Shanna he had to leave, leaving her to oversee the celebration.

• Albert repaired the Association’s misshapen Christmas Tree and placed gifts beneath it, while George prepared joke gift boxes for the members.
• Shanna, Cho Chang, Angelina, and Lee Jordan discussed the ball preparations, and Albert warned them not to let their guard down or risk involving underage wizards from the Shelter.
• Albert reinforced and decorated the Ice House with magic, helping the Association finish the ballroom before guests arrived.
• The members exchanged Christmas greetings and began the feast, while Shanna told Albert that Cedric and Cho Chang planned to marry after the war.
• Albert cautioned Shanna that making plans to marry after the war could be a death flag, then said he had to leave and entrusted the celebration to her.

Albert urged the Shelter residents to organize their own Christmas celebration, then arranged a joint feast with the Order of the Phoenix. He brought food and gifts to the students hiding in Hogwarts’s Room of Requirement before leaving to check on the Shelter.

• Albert told the resentful residents of the Shelter to clear a hall, find food, and organize their own Christmas Ball, then left Mr. Tonks to help them.
• Albert proposed a Christmas Feast at the Shelter to the Order of the Phoenix, and Kingsley agreed after discussing it with everyone.
• Albert, Kingsley, and Hermione bought food in the Muggle World, while Albert also gathered food for the students at Hogwarts.
• Albert brought food, a Broadcasting Machine, and Christmas Gifts to the students in the Room of Requirement, where they celebrated with music and singing.
• Albert left the students to check on the Shelter and make sure Mr. Tonks had not let the preparations go awry.

At the Shelter, Albert revealed to Hermione that Harry was a Horcrux and had accepted that he might have to die to destroy Voldemort. Hermione learned that Dumbledore’s plan might let Harry survive if Voldemort killed him, but Albert left her to decide whether to tell Harry.

• Albert brought Christmas gifts to the Shelter and told Harry to prepare carefully before attempting his plan to face death.
• Harry told Albert he had controlled Fiendfyre while taking Felix Felicis, and Albert warned him not to rely on the potion.
• Hermione pressed Albert for the secret behind Harry’s plans, and Albert told her that Harry was a Horcrux containing a fragment of Voldemort’s soul.
• Hermione broke down after realizing Harry might die, and Albert told her that Dumbledore’s plan was to let Voldemort kill Harry in hopes he would survive.
• Hermione chose not to tell Ron the truth and left with him after saying her family might never return to Britain.

At the Shelter’s Christmas Feast, Albert encouraged Nelson Tobin to train for the coming fight and advised Harry’s friends to focus on defense. As the gathering brought the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore’s Army together, its members recognized Albert as the leader who had turned their fortunes around.

• Nelson Tobin asked to join the fight against the Death Eaters and to learn more, and Albert urged him to practice and master silent spells.
• Mr. Tonks, Sirius, and Lupin spoke with Albert about Nelson’s hatred and Harry’s distraction, and Albert suggested giving Harry and his friends more combat training.
• Moody questioned Albert about Dumbledore’s death and Mundungus, and Albert said Snape had killed Dumbledore and directed Moody to Dumbledore’s portrait for answers.
• At the Christmas Feast, Ron checked on Hermione, Harry danced with Ginny, and Albert said the celebration would help unite everyone before leaving.
• Sirius, Lupin, Tonks, and Kingsley praised Albert’s leadership and discussed the possibility of him becoming Minister of Magic.

Albert set a trap for Voldemort by luring him to a false Gregorovitch, then sent Aurors to confront him. Voldemort killed the decoy and the Aurors, and remained convinced that Albert had orchestrated the scheme.

• Isobel urged Albert to leave his work and rest, and Albert went to bed after drinking the warmed milk.
• Albert’s map revealed Tom Riddle’s location, and he said he hoped Tom would like his gift.
• Voldemort tracked Gregorovitch through repeated Apparitions, only to discover that his prey had vanished and that he had been led in circles.
• Voldemort returned to Gregorovitch’s house, entered a hidden chamber, and killed the false Gregorovitch after surviving a surprise attack.
• A message wished Tom a Merry Christmas, and Voldemort fought and killed the Aurors who surrounded the house.