Chapter Summaries

After Albert’s words spread through Avalon, the wizarding public turned against the Ministry’s old-guard Pure-bloods, while Kingsley sought help to contain the growing conflict. The Parkinsons debated whether to cooperate with the Ministry or plot Kingsley’s death, and Mr. Parkinson decided to move his family somewhere safe.

• Albert’s remarks spread through Avalon, and former Defence Association members refused to serve as cannon fodder in the Ministry’s power struggle.
• Kingsley’s accusations against Voldemort’s supporters gained public backing, but he worried about a Pure-blood counterattack and asked Percy how much help would cost.
• Kingsley decided to pressure the Pure-bloods and negotiate with them, while warning Percy that they might have to capture one of them as an example.
• A Ministry visitor met with the Parkinson family, but the talks ended without an encouraging result, and Pansy urged her father to stay out of the conflict.
• Mr. Parkinson argued that the Pure-bloods should feign agreement with Kingsley before seeking an opportunity to kill him, then decided to take his family far away.

Hermione and Albert secretly reunited, and she considered meeting Isobel while questioning the changes in the magical world. Albert explained that Kingsley had compromised with the perpetrators of the Inferi attacks and predicted that the apparent calm would give way to a new conflict.

• Hermione reunited with Albert in a secret room, and the two spent time together away from others.
• Hermione asked what would happen if she became pregnant, and Albert told her that Isobel wanted to meet her and judge whether she was a qualified lover.
• Hermione discussed the sudden end of the Inferi attacks with Albert, who said Kingsley had compromised with the culprit behind them.
• Albert told Hermione that the compromise was a temporary calm before a storm, with pure-bloods likely to target Kingsley and Kingsley likely to use Nelson Tobin and his allies against them.
• Hermione asked about Albert's prophecy for Kingsley, but Albert withheld the result and reassured her that her own future would be good because she had him.

Harry and Ron visited Avalon on their day off, where Hagrid showed them the rapidly developing village and Harry’s nearly finished house. Harry reunited with Ginny, who showed him the village’s work camp, while Hermione continued setting up electricity for Avalon.

• Harry and Ron arrived at Avalon and met Hagrid, who had come from Hogwarts to help Albert with the orchard and chicken farm.
• Hagrid showed Harry and Ron Harry’s nearly completed model home and advised Harry to speak with Albert about finishing and decorating it before the wedding.
• Hagrid explained that Hermione was setting up Muggle electricity, using solar panels and a windmill pillar to power lights and a fan.
• Harry and Ron entered the work tent, where Ginny greeted Harry and told him that the work was usually easy but the plentiful food made it easy to gain weight.
• Ginny led Harry out of the tent after Ron began eating the desserts and criticizing her cooking.

Harry, Ginny, and Ron visited Avalon, where Ginny revealed why Hermione had once considered Harry and bluntly told Ron he had little chance with her. The group then joined Hermione and Hagrid as they tested magical wind-powered electricity and discussed plans for raising chickens.

• Harry and Ginny set off to find Hermione, and Ron followed them while Ginny criticized his manners and his pursuit of Hermione.
• Ginny told Ron that Hermione had once considered dating Harry but gave him up so he could have Ginny as a comrade and a chance to survive the war; she warned Ron to change or risk losing Hermione's friendship.
• Harry, Ginny, and Ron reached Hermione and Hagrid, who were testing windmills that converted Motion Magic into electricity.
• Hagrid described plans for a chicken farm, and Hermione explained that Albert might use his Ministry bounty on Voldemort to secure legal permission for an expanded enclosure.

Catherine and Valeria visited Louise in France to invite her to Britain and discuss their romantic interest in Albert. Learning that Katrina lived with Albert and Isobel, they saw a chance to join their arrangement and brought Louise into their plan.

• Louise met Catherine and Valeria at a French ice cream shop and brought them to her home.
• Catherine and Valeria invited Louise to Britain and asked whether she had given up on Albert.
• Catherine kissed Louise and proposed a bet, while Valeria suggested that their visit had a purpose beyond catching up.
• Catherine revealed that Katrina still lived with Albert and Isobel, prompting Louise to realize they might have a chance with Albert.
• Catherine and Valeria explained that they wanted Louise to join them in strengthening their personal and business ties to Albert.

Albert spoke with a man through the Two-Way Mirror about a plan to take revenge on someone who had tried to use them, and chose not to interfere. Later, he discussed the McDougal sisters’ beauty business and learned that Catherine and the others would soon come to Britain.

• Albert and the man in the mirror agreed that their revenge was justified, while Albert reminded him that hatred could unleash the anger of the people behind Nelson Tobin.
• Albert admitted that his prophecy about the man’s ending could not be shared without making it come true, and he declined to stop the man’s plan.
• Albert welcomed Isobel and Katrina home, and they told him they planned to open their beauty business the following Monday.
• Albert advised Isobel and Katrina to approach Madam Primpernelle about joining their business, and Isobel agreed to discuss it with her.
• Katrina said Catherine and the others were in France and would need a place to stay in Britain, and Albert offered them the annex.
• Albert realized Isobel had already spoken with Catherine and the others and accepted that their arrival would change his already crowded romantic life.

Albert learned that Isobel had agreed to let Catherine and the others become his lovers, partly to strengthen their ties to the Beauty Potion business and secure their loyalty. Isobel planned for them to make Unbreakable Vows, while Katrina also seemed to want a child, leaving Albert worried about the consequences of the arrangement.

• Albert learned that Catherine had proposed having his children to bind the women more closely to his business and that Isobel had agreed.
• Isobel told Albert that she accepted the women becoming his lovers because the situation could not be changed and everyone stood to benefit.
• Isobel revealed that the women had agreed to make Unbreakable Vows to remain loyal lovers, and that Katrina had signed one too.
• Albert realized Isobel also intended Hermione Granger to accept the agreement and shoulder the responsibilities of being his lover.
• Isobel told Albert that Katrina seemed to want a child, possibly because the others had made her feel a sense of crisis.

Hermione received a Witch Beauty Shop catalog and a Communication Bookmark from Katrina McDougal, while Harry and Ron reported that suspected Voldemort supporters were still creating Inferi. The chapter left the postwar conflict unresolved as the Aurors continued investigating the hidden Inferi.

• Mrs. Weasley gave Hermione an unsigned letter bearing a familiar mark, and Hermione carefully opened it to find a Witch Beauty Shop catalog and a Communication Bookmark.
• Hermione recognized the mark and the bookmark, then told Ginny, Harry, and Ron that Katrina McDougal had sent the catalog because Albert had previously given her beauty products.
• Ginny considered attending the shop's opening with Hermione but worried about the prices, while Harry gave her his wallet and kissed her cheek.
• Harry and Ron told Hermione that they had cleared out more Inferi and that Kingsley suspected former Voldemort supporters were secretly creating them.

Harry and the Weasleys discussed the Pure-bloods’ attempt to force Kingsley to compromise and concluded that Albert’s backing and the victims’ hatred would likely bring those families to ruin. The conversation ended with Ginny’s plans after marrying Harry and the jobs expected to become available in Avalon.

• Mr. Weasley explained that Voldemort’s Pure-blood supporters were using Muggles as hostages because they believed Kingsley would compromise to protect his position.
• Harry said Kingsley would not yield and revealed that Albert and his allies supported him, while Hermione added that Albert had chosen to stay out of the conflict.
• Harry warned that the Pure-blood families causing trouble could face extermination, and the others decided it was safer to stay out of the political struggle.
• Ginny said she could work at Fred and George’s shop or find a position in Avalon after marrying Harry and leaving Hogwarts.
• The family discussed Albert’s investment of his reward from Voldemort in the village being built in Avalon.

Hermione debated whether to respond to Isobel, then agreed to a Magical Contract pledging her loyalty to Albert. She met Isobel and Katrina the next morning and learned that several other beautiful shop owners were also involved with Albert.

• After the evening’s debate about electricity, Hermione sent Isobel a reply using the Communication Bookmark.
• Isobel told Hermione that accepting her new identity required a Magical Contract ensuring her loyalty, and Hermione agreed to pay that price.
• Isobel invited Hermione to meet before the shop opened and warned that she would not be the last woman in this situation.
• The next morning, Hermione met Isobel and Katrina at a café, where Isobel showed her photographs of other women connected to Albert.
• Isobel explained that the women’s relationships grew from exchanging beauty tips and opening shops, and she led Hermione away to discuss private matters.

Hermione visited Albert’s inherited manor with Isobel and Katrina, who explained the proposed contract and the expectations of being Albert’s lover. Hermione agreed to the contract, and Isobel took her to the bathroom to teach her how to be a qualified lover before Albert arrived.

• Isobel and Katrina brought Hermione to Albert’s remote manor and showed her the rooms prepared for Catherine and the others.
• Isobel and Katrina told Hermione about a planned welcome party and advised her to keep herself attractive to maintain her relationship with Albert.
• Isobel explained that the contract would give Hermione status equivalent to a wife and asked her to consider the lifelong commitment carefully.
• Hermione read the contract, agreed to it, and asked why the arrangement had to be so complicated.
• Isobel took Hermione to the bathroom to help her improve her appearance before Albert arrived.

Hermione returned to the Burrow after spending the day with Albert, then helped Ginny plan the renovation of her new home and discussed her future plans with Cho Chang. Ginny and Harry still faced a rushed wedding timeline, while Hermione intended to return to school and seek work at the Ministry of Magic.

• Hermione left Albert's manor with books after dinner and concealed her distraction from Ginny by blaming insomnia.
• Hermione encouraged Ginny to put more effort into decorating her house and explained that Mr. Clowar and Albert could help with the renovation and furniture.
• Ginny and Hermione returned to their tent, where Cho Chang showed them furniture plans and said Cedric had brought wooden boards for making furniture.
• Ginny chose a minimalist house design because she and Harry were short on time, while Cho said she and Cedric would wait until Avalon was complete before deciding when to marry.
• Hermione told Cho that she planned to return to school, repeat a year, earn her N.E.W.T. certificate, and apply for a Ministry of Magic job.

Hermione discussed joining the Ministry and her hopes of advocating for House-elves with Ginny and Cho Chang, then learned more about the Witch Beauty Shop and her place among Albert’s family. Hagrid and George arrived with a design plan and VIP cards, while Albert worked with Professor Sprout on growing dangerous potion ingredients.

• Ginny told Cho Chang that Kingsley would need allies in the Ministry and that Hermione could become one of his people.
• Hermione, Ginny, and Cho Chang discussed the Witch Beauty Shop, Katrina, and Hermione’s wish to attend the welcome dinner with Albert’s other lovers.
• Hagrid brought Albert’s watermelons and a document bag containing designs for an improved power supply for Hermione to examine.
• Hagrid told the group that Albert was discussing dangerous plants with Professor Sprout to produce hard-to-obtain ingredients, despite Sprout’s concerns.
• George handed out VIP membership cards for the Witch Beauty Shop, and Hermione and Cho Chang learned that the cards offered a ten-percent discount.

Valeria, Louise, and Catherine visited Isobel and Katrina’s Witch Beauty Shop in Diagon Alley, where they discussed its design and business plans. Katrina asked them to help persuade Madam Primpernelle to join the shop, following Albert’s advice to leave room for others to profit.

• Old Tom worried that the reopened Leaky Cauldron was losing customers after the Wizarding War as three foreign-looking women drew attention on their way to Diagon Alley.
• Valeria led Louise and Catherine through Diagon Alley early, saying she wanted to examine British spending power and suggesting the shop design could be standardized.
• Katrina welcomed the three women to the Witch Beauty Shop and explained that it offered consultations and treatment services as well as Beauty Potions.
• Katrina asked Valeria, Louise, and Catherine to help persuade Madam Primpernelle to join the shop, explaining that Albert had advised them not to pursue every possible profit themselves.
• Catherine praised the shop’s atmosphere and the fruit tea, while the women discussed Albert’s wealth and business sense.

Isobel explained Albert’s research into Beauty Potions and revealed that the wine Youth and Love might delay aging, then offered Madam Primpernelle a stake in the British Witch Beauty Shop. Madam Primpernelle was surprised by their generosity as the group prepared for the evening’s Welcome Banquet.

• Isobel said Albert was researching a more potent Beauty Potion through alchemy, while Katrina described a second approach using Potions to delay aging.
• Isobel showed Catherine, Valeria, and Louise a bottle of Youth and Love and said Albert had improved it; she offered to share its formula on the condition that they only drink it themselves.
• Valeria asked to go to the manor to rest before the Welcome Banquet, and Isobel said they would wait for Madam Primpernelle.
• Isobel introduced Madam Primpernelle to Catherine, Valeria, and Louise, who explained that they had divided the Witch Beauty Shop’s regions among themselves.
• Isobel offered Madam Primpernelle either ten percent ownership or twenty percent if she took on more work, and Madam Primpernelle questioned why they were being so generous.

Isobel welcomed Catherine, Valeria, and Louise to Albert’s inherited manor and prepared them for their Welcome Banquet with advice and outfits. The women learned about Albert’s other lover, Hermione Granger, and discussed how long they could stay in Britain without overtaxing him.

• Isobel offered Madam Primpernelle and the others a twenty-percent share of the Witch Beauty Shop’s profits, surprising them with her generosity.
• Isobel took Catherine, Valeria, and Louise to Albert’s inherited manor, explaining that they lived elsewhere because the manor was not safe during the British Wizarding War.
• Katrina and Isobel showed the three women outfits and accessories for the Welcome Banquet and advised them to be proactive with Albert.
• Isobel told Louise that Hermione Granger was Albert’s friend and lover, and that Hermione had pursued him.
• Katrina warned the women that if they stayed in Britain for too long, they would need to consider Albert’s physical condition.

Albert and Hermione discussed plans to bring electricity to Avalon and the difficulties of using Muggle technology in the magical world. Albert also told Hermione about their hidden London apartment, while their conversation ended with his account of Grindelwald’s views on laws meant to protect Muggles.

• Hermione asked Albert to help her attend the Welcome Banquet, but he warned that her Time-Turner and his limited energy made it too risky.
• Albert told Hermione he had bought a London apartment and placed a Fidelius Charm on it as a private home for them.
• Albert and Hermione retained their original electricity proposal as a backup and discussed battery storage and pumped-storage hydropower.
• Albert said Proposal One should be tried first, while Avalon’s residents could decide later whether to adopt the more ambitious Proposal Three.
• Hermione warned Albert about wizarding prejudice against Muggles, and Albert recalled Grindelwald arguing that Ministry laws protected wizards more than Muggles.

Albert discussed the future of wizards with Hermione, then adjusted Avalon Village to protect Muggle appliances from magical interference. He returned to the manor for a welcome banquet with Catherine, Valeria, and Louise, where they prepared to sign a contract and showed their affection for him.

• Albert told Hermione that Muggle technology might eventually leave no place for magic, and suggested future generations solve the problem.
• Albert planned to separate Avalon Village’s backup power equipment from other areas and continued adjusting the buildings to reduce magical interference.
• Albert left Joseph Crova to oversee the work and Apparated to the manor, where Isobel told him the visiting women had agreed to the contract.
• Albert explained that Hermione could not attend the banquet because she was staying with the Weasley family.
• Valeria, Catherine, and Louise each kissed Albert, and Catherine asked when they would sign the contract.

Albert’s wife, Isobel, witnessed him make Unbreakable Vows with Catherine, Valeria, and Louise, then gave the three women the recipe and records for Youth and Vitality. The chapter ended with the women recognizing that their arrangement with Albert was mainly a pact of mutual interests, and Valeria warned Louise not to scheme against Isobel.

• Isobel witnessed Albert and the three women make Unbreakable Vows, then sent Albert to bathe before the welcoming dinner.
• Isobel gave Catherine, Valeria, and Louise the Youth and Vitality recipe and records, explaining that the wine’s effects were uncertain and that its recipe and brews had to remain private.
• Catherine, Valeria, and Louise examined the records, including the cases of Albert’s cat Tom and hamster Jerry, and discussed getting wine and brewing instructions from Albert.
• Louise questioned why they had become Albert’s lovers when he showed little desire for them, and Catherine and Valeria explained that the arrangement secured shared interests rather than romance.
• Valeria reminded Louise that Isobel was highly intelligent and warned her not to try any clever tricks.

Albert reflected on the three women who had sworn themselves to him, while Isobel and Katrina discussed his new lovers and the lavish dinner. The evening's celebration turned toward a private dance, and Louise arrived dressed as a bride.

• Albert told Isobel and Katrina that he could not fall in love with every beautiful woman he met, while they discussed Louise, Valeria, Hermione, and Yanila.
• Albert and the others enjoyed an extravagant international dinner prepared by House-elves, and Catherine and Valeria asked about the food and cooking.
• Isobel and Katrina transformed the living room for a dance, and the girls left to change clothes while House-elves were excluded.
• Isobel and Katrina returned in revealing outfits and brought Albert back to the hall, where they waited for the other girls.
• Louise entered wearing a wedding dress embroidered with White Lilies, along with white stockings and gloves.