Chapter Summaries

Linley and Irina enjoyed a holiday exploring wizarding markets and traveling through several countries before imagining a secluded future together. Their quiet afternoon outside London ended when Dementors appeared, and Linley realized Dolores Umbridge must have sent them.

• Linley sold a magical cloak for ten thousand Galleons and gave the money to Irina to spend at the trading platform.
• Irina traded her handmade Apparition Keys for unusual Alchemy Equipment and several thousand Galleons.
• Linley and Irina spent the following week visiting wizarding communities in Britain, France, and America.
• On August 28th, Linley and Irina relaxed outside London and discussed settling somewhere secluded after the wizarding conflict ended.
• Dementors appeared overhead, and Linley concluded that Dolores Umbridge had dispatched them.

Linley and Irina drove off the Dementors that attacked them and realized Harry had likely been attacked at the same time. They went to Privet Drive to check on him, where Mrs. Figg revealed that Harry was staying with Sirius Black, who had helped repel the Dementors.

• Linley summoned a giant wolf Patronus that battered the Dementors until they fled, while Irina concealed the battle from Muggles.
• Irina and Linley suspected Umbridge had sent the Dementors and realized Harry might have been attacked too.
• Linley and Irina used a Portkey to travel to Privet Drive and asked Mrs. Figg how many Dementors had attacked Harry.
• Mrs. Figg told Linley and Irina that six Dementors had attacked Harry and that Sirius Black had helped him drive them away.
• Mrs. Figg pointed out the nearby house where Harry was staying with Sirius.

Linley and Irina visited Harry after Dementors attacked him, and Harry received notice that he had been expelled and would face a Ministry trial. Linley removed the Trace from Harry’s Wand, and the group suspected the Ministry had ordered the attacks; Harry said Dumbledore would defend him at the trial.

• Linley and Irina visited Harry and Sirius Black after Dementors attacked Harry, and Harry showed them the Ministry’s expulsion and trial notice.
• Irina reassured Harry that he could claim Sirius Black had cast the Patronus Charm because the Trace could not identify the caster.
• Linley removed the Trace from Harry’s Wand, preventing the Ministry from monitoring his magic.
• Sirius Black suspected the Ministry had ordered the Dementor attacks, and Linley suggested Fudge’s supporters were responsible.
• Harry told Linley and Sirius Black that Dumbledore had agreed to defend him at the trial in two days.

Linley persuaded Sirius and Dumbledore to let him defend Harry at the Ministry trial, believing his reputation as an underage Demon King level wizard would intimidate Fudge. On the morning of the trial, Linley, Irina, and Harry prepared to travel to the Ministry by Portkey.

• Linley argued that Fudge feared him more than Dumbledore and should therefore face him as Harry's defender; Dumbledore agreed to attend with Sirius as a witness.
• Fudge learned that Harry's defender had changed to Lynn Roll and worried that the trial would be difficult, while Umbridge dismissed reports of Linley's power.
• Two days later, Linley and Irina arrived at Sirius's home early and had Sirius bring Harry out before the trial.
• Irina produced a worn teacup Portkey, and Harry worried that using it would be illegal; Linley reassured him that nobody could detect their arrival.

Linley and Irina brought Harry to the Ministry of Magic for his trial, where Eric warned them that Fudge had moved the hearing earlier and changed its location to the Tenth Trial Chamber. Linley and Harry reached the chamber in time, while Irina left by Illegal Portkey.

• Linley, Irina, and Harry arrived at the Ministry of Magic and passed the Wizarding Brothers Fountain.
• Linley spoke with Eric, who warned that Fudge planned to notify Harry of the new eight o'clock trial time at 7:55 and had moved the hearing to the old Tenth Trial Chamber.
• Eric let Linley, Irina, and Harry pass the security checkpoint without inspecting their Wands.
• Linley and Irina guided Harry through the Ministry to the Tenth Trial Chamber and told him to prepare for the trial.
• Irina made an Illegal Portkey and left after Linley reassured her.

Linley and Harry entered Harry’s hearing before the Wizengamot, where Fudge formally read the charges against him. The chapter ended as Harry denied casting a Patronus in front of Muggles.

• Linley and Harry waited outside the Tenth Trial Chamber while the Wizengamot assembled, and Fudge and Umbridge realized someone had leaked information.
• Linley and Harry entered the courtroom, where Roll Family influence had already swayed several Wizengamot members toward their side.
• Fudge opened the hearing and named Linley as the defense witness, drawing curious attention from the Wizengamot.
• Linley corrected Harry’s address to Number 6 Privet Drive and conjured an ornate chair before Fudge read the charges.
• Fudge questioned Harry about the alleged Patronus Charm, and Harry answered, “No, I didn’t!”

At Harry Potter’s hearing, Linley Rowle argued that the Ministry’s Trace could not prove Harry had used magic and revealed that more than twenty Dementors had attacked him, presenting evidence and accusing someone in the Ministry of ordering it. The hearing ended with Linley directly confirming Umbridge’s suggestion that he believed the Ministry had ordered the attack.

• Fudge accused Harry Potter of lying about casting the Patronus, but Linley explained that the Trace could detect nearby spellcasting and did not prove Harry had used magic.
• Sirius Black testified that he had cast the Patronus after six Dementors attacked him and Harry in Little Whinging.
• Linley said more than twenty Dementors had attacked him and displayed a magical image of the attack to the Wizengamot.
• Dumbledore testified that even he could not alter Linley’s memories, lending weight to Linley’s account.
• Linley said he believed someone in the Ministry had ordered the Dementors into the Muggle world, and he confirmed that accusation when Umbridge questioned him.

Linley dismantled Fudge’s attempt to implicate him and Harry, and the Wizengamot dismissed Harry’s charges. Linley and Harry left the trial and returned to Irina, who had been waiting at Number 6 Privet Drive.

• Fudge challenged Linley to explain how he had escaped the Dementors without using magic, but Linley cited the burden of proof and Article Seven’s allowance for magic in life-threatening circumstances.
• Madam Bones called for a vote, and nearly ninety percent of the Wizengamot voted to dismiss the charges against Harry.
• Fudge, Umbridge, and two other wizards voted to find Harry guilty, allowing Linley to identify two of Fudge’s followers.
• Fudge announced that the charges were dismissed, and Linley led Harry out of the Tenth Trial Chamber.
• Linley used Irina’s Apparition Key to take Harry to Number 6 Privet Drive, where Irina was waiting for them.

After Harry’s acquittal, Linley and Irina told him they would shield him from Fudge’s Ministry while they worked to remove Fudge and install Barty Crouch Sr. as Minister for Magic. They left Harry with Sirius Black and arranged with Crouch to build support and take control of the Ministry over the coming year.

• Harry thanked Linley for helping secure his acquittal, and Linley clarified that he and Irina would protect Harry from Ministry laws while Fudge remained in power.
• Irina explained that the Roll Family’s Ministry employees would secretly defy Fudge and gather information, while they avoided harming innocent witches and wizards.
• Sirius Black arrived and invited Linley and Irina to join him and Harry at 12 Grimmauld Place, but they declined and planned to meet him at King's Cross Station.
• Linley and Irina traveled to Crouch Manor, where Linley offered Barty Crouch Sr. the Daily Prophet’s support and limited access to the Roll Family’s Ministry employees.
• Barty Crouch Sr. agreed to court Ministry officials and help remove Fudge’s followers so they could take control of the Ministry together.

Linley became the Secret Keeper for Fli Manor, then prepared with Irina to recruit allies during the coming Hogwarts school year. On the train to Hogwarts, Fred and George greeted Linley and Irina with the same easygoing familiarity as before.

• Linley and Irina finished their discussion with Barty Crouch Sr. and returned to Roer Castle.
• Linley agreed to serve as Secret Keeper for Fli Manor, and cast the Fidelius Charm at the request of Irvin and Carol Fli.
• Irina made Apparition Keys and enchanted pouches while Linley forged defensive Alchemy Equipment to prepare for recruiting allies.
• Linley and Irina arrived at Platform 9¾ and settled into an empty compartment.
• Fred and George entered the compartment, joking with Linley and squeezing Irina aside as they greeted them.

Linley examined Fred and George’s alchemical ring and was impressed by their inventive Formation Alchemy. After they asked how to learn Spell Alchemy, he wondered whether the twins were better suited than he was to pursue alchemy to the level of Demon King wizards.

• Irina entered her suitcase’s Pocket Dimension, and Linley explained how its space had been created and stabilized.
• Fred gave Linley a ring he and George had made, and Linley examined its more than a hundred Alchemy Formations.
• Linley praised the ring’s combination of Shield Bash, Disarming, and Fortification effects, and the twins explained how their ideas had developed through brainstorming.
• George asked how they could learn Spell Alchemy, since Formation Alchemy alone could not produce the powerful equipment they wanted.
• Linley asked whether the twins loved alchemy enough to devote everything to it, and he suspected they might be more suited than he was to reach Demon King level through alchemy.

Linley explained the paths to Demon King level and encouraged Fred and George to pursue alchemy, introducing them to his teacher, Valison Green. Irvin then revealed that his growing mastery of thunderbolt might let him advance through the Power of Lightning.

• Linley judged that Fred and George might prove their paths through alchemy and asked whether they were willing to devote themselves to it.
• Fred and George affirmed their commitment, and Linley wrote them a letter of introduction to Valison Green.
• The twins left to improve their alchemy before meeting Valison Green.
• Irvin told Linley that the Fli Family would support him and demonstrated the power he had built up with Lightning Strike.
• Irvin explained that layering thunderbolt had deepened his understanding of Lightning Strike and the Weather Spell, leading Linley to realize Irvin might advance to Demon King level through the Power of Lightning.

Linley detected a bloodline curse weakening Astoria and discussed its dangers with her, while Irvin gave her potions and admitted he wanted to look after her. As the Hogwarts Express reached the station, Linley and Irina considered Fred and George joining their group, and Linley explained that Hagrid was likely negotiating with the giants for Dumbledore.

• Linley sensed curse power around Astoria and learned that her inherited Blood Curse weakened her body and could fully trigger if she used too much magic.
• Irvin gave Astoria Strengthening Potions, and Linley said the Blood Curse might be curable before noting Irvin's feelings for her.
• Linley told Irina that Fred and George might make good companions, and Irina said to let things take their natural course.
• At the station, students saw Professor Grubbly-Plank welcoming the first-years instead of Hagrid.
• Linley told Irina that Hagrid was probably negotiating with the giants so Dumbledore could recruit them before Voldemort did.

Linley suggested deciding the giants’ fate according to whether they submitted to him, then arrived at Hogwarts with Irina and their companions for the start-of-term feast. After the Sorting Ceremony and Dumbledore’s welcome, Dumbledore stood to speak while Umbridge watched him closely.

• Irina worried that Hagrid would be in danger among the giants, and Linley said he might wipe them out depending on their attitude toward him.
• Linley and Irina boarded a Thestral-drawn carriage with Irvin, Astoria, and the Weasley twins, then arrived at Hogwarts.
• Irina discussed Alchemy with the Weasley twins after Linley told her about their talent.
• The Sorting Hat sang about the former friendship and strength of Slytherin and Gryffindor, prompting older students to look at Linley and Irina.
• Dumbledore welcomed the students and the feast began; after the food vanished, he rose to speak as Umbridge watched him.

At the opening feast, Dolores Umbridge interrupted Dumbledore and delivered a hollow speech about the Ministry’s approach to Hogwarts education. Linley and Irina recognized her as a potential common enemy who could unite the students against the Ministry’s interference.

• Dumbledore announced Professor Grubbly-Plank’s return and introduced Umbridge as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
• Umbridge stood up before Dumbledore finished the usual announcements and began addressing the Great Hall.
• Linley recoiled at Umbridge’s shrill voice while the professors frowned at her interruption.
• Umbridge delivered a dull speech advocating Ministry oversight and carefully controlled change at Hogwarts.
• Hermione concluded from Umbridge’s words that the Ministry was interfering with Hogwarts, while Linley and Irina saw how opposition to Umbridge could unite the students.

Linley and Irina questioned Dumbledore’s plan to win over the giants with gifts and urged him to use force instead. Dumbledore recognized the flaws in his approach but struggled with the proposal because it conflicted with their ideals.

• Dumbledore used Umbridge’s speech to stir Hogwarts students against Ministry interference, while Harry, Hermione, and Irina discussed its implications.
• Hermione and Ron left to guide the first-years as the newly appointed prefects, while Linley and Irina went to meet Dumbledore.
• Irina asked Dumbledore about sending Hagrid and Olympe to seek an alliance with the giants, and Dumbledore confirmed their mission and the gifts he had prepared.
• Linley and Irina warned that the giants might break their promises and argued that gifts would not secure their loyalty.
• Linley proposed ruling the giants through fear and force, but Dumbledore objected that doing so would betray their ideals.

Linley persuaded Dumbledore to support confronting the giants before they could threaten Hogwarts, and learned that Hagrid and Madame Maxime would be near Dijon over the weekend. Back at Hogwarts, Irina and Hermione questioned Fred and George about their recruitment notice, and the twins revealed a defensive Anti-Curse Ring.

• Linley argued that the giants might join the Death Eaters and attack Hogwarts, and Dumbledore agreed that the giants’ survival would depend on their own choices.
• Dumbledore told Irina and Linley that Hagrid and Madame Maxime were expected near Dijon, France, over the weekend, and said Hagrid could tell them where the giants lived.
• Irina and Hermione found Fred and George’s notice offering risky part-time work in the Gryffindor Common Room.
• Hermione objected to the twins recruiting test subjects, and George showed her an Anti-Curse Ring that could cast a three-second Shield Charm three times.

Umbridge began teaching a Ministry-approved, theory-centered Defense Against the Dark Arts course, while Hermione and Harry challenged her refusal to teach practical defensive spells. As Harry accused the Ministry of deliberately keeping students ignorant, Irina secretly made Apparition Keys in class.

• Hermione allowed the Weasley twins' Anti-Spell Ring advertisement to remain on the notice board because the rings were useful and neither Irina nor Ron planned to remove it.
• Irina and Hermione paid attention during Professor Binns's lessons on the Giant Wars, and Irina went on to complete two Potions classes with Hermione as her partner.
• Umbridge made the class repeat her greeting, ordered the students to put away their wands, and introduced her theory-centered Defense Against the Dark Arts course.
• While Umbridge assigned the class to read Wilbert Slinkhard's book, Irina used charms to hide that she was making Apparition Keys from enchanted teacups.
• Hermione questioned Umbridge about the lack of defensive spell practice, and Umbridge dismissed her authority to judge the curriculum.
• Harry accused Umbridge's teaching plan of keeping students ignorant and turning Hogwarts students into useless fools.

Harry challenged Umbridge over her denial of Voldemort’s return and the lack of practical Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons. When Umbridge insulted Linley, Irina froze her and walked out, and the students abandoned class.

• Harry confronted Umbridge, arguing that students needed practical magic to face danger and that Voldemort had returned as a Demon King level wizard.
• Umbridge denied that Voldemort posed a threat, punished Harry, and mocked Linley’s strength.
• Irina removed her concealment charms, heard Umbridge insult Linley, and challenged her to a duel.
• Umbridge fired a Stunning Spell, but Irina shattered it and froze Umbridge from the neck down with a Glacier Spell.
• Irina left the classroom, and nearly all the students, including Ron and Hermione, followed.

Umbridge demanded that Dumbledore punish Irina for attacking her, but Dumbledore left her to handle the matter herself and accepted detention as the next step. The following day, Irina attended Magical Creatures and Herbology classes, then gave Professor Sprout a mutated Chinese Mangle-Snapper seed.

• Umbridge demanded that Dumbledore snap Irina’s Wand and expel her, but Dumbledore refused to let the Ministry interfere in Hogwarts affairs.
• Umbridge threatened Irina with detention, and Dumbledore did not explicitly refuse.
• In Magical Creatures class, Irina identified Bowtruckles while Hermione named their favorite foods, earning Gryffindor points.
• Irina fed Qing Nü woodlice during class, and Qing Nü drew a sketch of its own body.
• After Herbology, Irina gave Professor Sprout a mutated Chinese Mangle-Snapper seed and thanked her for allowing Irina to meet the creatures in the greenhouse.