Chapter Summaries

Luke returned to Hogwarts with Halloween sweets, lifting the students’ spirits as they tried the candies and received handmade Masks from Luna and Ginny. While Taylor comforted Luke about an unspoken worry, the chapter ended as the Halloween feast began.

• Luke shared Honeydukes sweets with the students, and the enchanted candies made the Great Hall erupt in laughter.
• Professor McGonagall saw the students’ joy and accepted that she could no longer control Luke’s choices.
• Taylor held Luke’s hand and promised they would face whatever came together, while Hermione watched them suspiciously.
• Luna and Ginny arrived with backpacks and gave the students handmade Masks, including a specially designed one for Luke.
• Luke tried on his Mask as the students continued celebrating, and the Halloween feast began.

Hogwarts held an unusually lively Halloween banquet after Luke used Transfiguration to help students create imaginative costumes. The celebration went smoothly, while Snape grew wary of the masked crowd and joined the patrol.

• Snape arrived at the Great Hall and was startled to find students wearing elaborate costumes, including Fred's alien outfit made by Luke.
• Dumbledore explained to Snape that Luke's Transfiguration had made the new costumes possible, but Snape decided to patrol because he feared someone dangerous might blend in.
• Luke faced an angry Mrs. Norris while wearing a Basilisk Mask, and Filch soon took her away after remembering Luke had helped the Mandrakes mature early and save her.
• The professors joined the celebration in costumes, and Fred and George entertained the crowd by singing and dancing as aliens.
• Dumbledore watched Luke celebrating with four girls and approved of the cheerful Halloween banquet.

Alice investigated a mysterious theft that left the Skye Family's guards dead and her own people unharmed, while Sephir Skye decided to seek an explanation without damaging their partnership. The chapter ended with a disheveled man rummaging through a chest in a forest cave.

• Arthur told Alice that an unknown attacker had knocked him and his men unconscious, killed the Skye Family's people, and stolen some of the goods, including a Thunderbird skeleton.
• Alice ordered Arthur to investigate their own people for a possible mole and considered writing to Lord Gaunt.
• Sephir Skye rejected pressure from her retainers to retaliate and decided to demand an answer from Alice while preserving their partnership.
• Sephir prepared to write a letter to Little Luke.
• A disheveled man searched through a chest in a dim cave in a dense forest.

After receiving two letters about a Thunderbird bone dispute in the United States, Luke urged both sides to investigate and avoid conflict. Taylor warned him that a vision of a strange ritual involving a Snake Bone might be connected to him, and Luke left promising they would handle the matter together.

• Luke received two letters about the loss of Thunderbird bones and wrote back, telling both sides not to act impulsively and to resolve the matter peacefully.
• Luke saw Ron and Malfoy arguing in the Slytherin Common Room, then joined Taylor, who told him she had dreamed of a shabby figure performing a strange ritual around what looked like a Snake Bone.
• Taylor said the figure seemed to see her and warned that he might become connected to Luke.
• Luke told Taylor about the letters, and she realized he might have to get involved because the groups could be sources of support for him.
• Taylor asked Luke to consult her before making decisions, and he agreed before leaving; she remained worried about how they would solve the problem.

Luke comforted Hermione by the Black Lake, but their quiet moment ended when a giant tentacle emerged and forced them to flee. Harry and Ron spotted the danger and ran to help them.

• Luke sent identical Letters to both sides, then watched Hermione sitting alone beneath an oak tree by the Black Lake.
• Ron and Harry visited the owl loft to send Letters, and Ron spotted Luke and Hermione by the lake.
• Luke reassured Hermione that she mattered more to him than her research, and Hermione trusted him.
• Luke sensed danger, drew his wand, and told Hermione to get ready to run.
• Harry and Ron saw an enormous tentacle appear and rushed out to help Luke and Hermione.

Luke and Hermione were dragged into the Black Lake by the Giant Squid while Dumbledore watched from a distance. Beneath the lake, Luke discovered an artificial cave that he believed Gryffindor had built, and the pair approached the Squid’s lair.

• Hermione urged Harry and Ron to get the professors, but the Giant Squid chased Ron until Dumbledore’s Bombarda knocked its tentacle aside.
• Luke calmed the Giant Squid by stepping toward the lake, but it grabbed him and then dragged Hermione underwater as well.
• Harry suspected Dumbledore had held back when he cast Bombarda, while Dumbledore wondered whether the Giant Squid and Hogwarts concealed more secrets than he knew.
• Luke found that an air bubble protected him and Hermione underwater, then followed the Giant Squid toward a cave in the Black Lake.
• Luke recognized the cave entrance as carefully constructed and told Hermione it was likely Gryffindor’s work, warning her to follow his instructions if danger arose.

Luke and Hermione surfaced in a cavern filled with trophies that he believed belonged to Godric Gryffindor, and they examined the displays and their revealing descriptions. A voice suddenly spoke from behind them, startling the pair as they prepared to defend themselves.

• Luke used a magical compass-like disc to guide himself and Hermione upward through the water and warned her to be cautious.
• Luke and Hermione reached a cavern where the Giant Squid set them ashore, and Luke identified the trophies as likely belonging to Godric Gryffindor.
• Luke read the displays about a Goblin assassin and a childhood friend whose broken wand Gryffindor had kept, while he and Hermione discussed the trophies.
• Luke and Hermione examined a scarf and wondered whether its description of Gryffindor's ideal companion referred to Salazar Slytherin.
• An unseen speaker appeared and joked that he liked normal women, while Luke raised his wand and Hermione watched their rear.

Luke met Godric Gryffindor in the underwater chamber and refused to let him manipulate Hermione or dictate their meeting. When Gryffindor blocked their escape, Luke kicked over the table and accused him of surviving as the Giant Squid in the Black Lake.

• Godric Gryffindor revealed that Luke carried his bloodline and invited him and Hermione to approach the table.
• Hermione fell into self-blame, and Luke realized Gryffindor had influenced her emotions and confronted him angrily.
• Luke chose to leave, explaining that he would not accept humiliation, and prepared air bubbles for himself and Hermione.
• Gryffindor blocked their way with tentacles and challenged Luke to prove he could leave.
• Luke kicked over the table and accused Gryffindor of having turned himself into the Giant Squid in the Black Lake.

Luke deduced that the Giant Squid was Godric Gryffindor, who had advanced Animagus magic and used a Turritopsis jellyfish form to renew his lifespan. Gryffindor revealed that he could transform into many creatures but could no longer return to human form, leaving Luke to confront the cost of his immortality.

• Luke identified the Giant Squid as Gryffindor and guessed that a magical mishap had trapped him in that form.
• After Gryffindor laughed and confirmed that Salazar was still alive, he transformed from a Giant Squid into a golden lion.
• Hermione questioned how Gryffindor had lived so long, and Luke explained that he used Turritopsis jellyfish transformations to renew his lifespan.
• Gryffindor said he had also taken other forms, including water snakes, and had spoken with the snakes near Luke's room.
• Luke asked whether Gryffindor could still transform back into a human, and Gryffindor confirmed that immortality magic had a price.

Luke learned that Gryffindor’s immortality left him unable to return to human form, and that the other Founders’ methods had serious flaws too. After Luke recounted what happened in the Chamber of Secrets, Gryffindor offered to teach him how to develop his inherited talent and promised to prepare a replacement gift.

• Gryffindor explained that transforming back into a human left him frail and in excruciating pain, while he could no longer become a Wizard.
• Gryffindor warned Luke that the Four Founders’ immortality methods all had flaws and refused to give him his method for now.
• Luke told Gryffindor about the Chamber of Secrets, and Gryffindor doubted that the figure Luke met there was truly Salazar himself.
• Gryffindor offered to share his experience developing his talent, saying Luke was Salazar’s greatest creation in Bloodline Fusion research.
• Gryffindor revealed that Luke’s outburst had ruined the gift he prepared, then promised to make another one and deliver it in a few days.

Luke told Dumbledore that the Giant Squid claimed to be Godric Gryffindor, then explained the uncertain claims about the Founders’ immortality and resolved to verify them. Elsewhere, three people followed a group investigating a missing shipment until they were spotted.

• Luke and Hermione returned to shore, where Dumbledore took Luke to the Headmaster’s Office while Hermione left in better spirits.
• Luke told Dumbledore and the portrait headmasters that the Giant Squid claimed to be Gryffindor, prompting a fierce argument among the portraits.
• Luke explained what he had learned about the Founders and immortality, and Dumbledore worried that the claims might be false.
• Luke said he would verify the story by finding out whether any of the Four Founders had died.
• Three people following a group discussed its search for a missing shipment before the person ahead warned that they had been exposed.

A mysterious gaunt man ambushed three White Robes, ignored their spells, and killed Lord Snake Spirit by removing his heart. The two surviving White Robes took the body to headquarters, while a member of the search party reported finding a clue to the sky-blue-robed youth and Mr. Arthur.

• Three White Robes encountered a gaunt stranger who had approached without being sensed, and they Apparated away with him holding their leader, Lord Snake Spirit, captive.
• The woman attacked Lord Snake Spirit with Avada Kedavra while another White Robe cast Expelliarmus, but the stranger swallowed both spells.
• The stranger reached into Lord Snake Spirit and removed his heart, and Lord Snake Spirit died while repeatedly calling for it to return.
• The woman told the surviving young man to report the encounter, and they placed Lord Snake Spirit's corpse in a sack and Apparated away.
• A young man in sky-blue robes told the sky-blue-robed youth and Mr. Arthur that their people had found a clue.

Arthur and Scotty led their teams to investigate a cave, but a powerful stranger appeared and questioned Arthur about his mission. The stranger returned to the cave after Arthur answered honestly, then said he thought his name was Salazar.

• Arthur and Scotty approached the cave, sensed its strange, vigorous Life Force, and decided to retreat.
• A gaunt man holding a still-beating heart appeared behind them, and Arthur claimed they had only been passing by.
• The man invited them into the cave, then asked Arthur whether he had completed his mission well.
• Arthur struggled to give a false answer and finally said they were trying.
• Arthur asked the man his name, and the man said he thought someone had called him Salazar.

Alice and the Skye siblings weighed how to respond to the mysterious man claiming to be Salazar Slytherin and whether to tell Luke. The chapter left Luke receiving another letter as Harry pointed out an approaching owl.

• Alice ordered Arthur to monitor the supposed Salazar Slytherin from a distance, keep the news from Kid and the others, and tell Luke about it.
• Sephir and Scotty debated whether the man was truly Slytherin, whether to expose him or claim his approval, and whether to inform Luke.
• Sephir and Scotty recognized that Arthur and his people would likely tell Luke regardless of what they decided.
• Harry pointed out an owl carrying another letter to Luke.

Luke received letters from Alice and Sephir reporting that a powerful man in the United States claimed to be Salazar Slytherin, and he decided to investigate. He persuaded Dumbledore to accompany him in secret and planned to bring Taylor, while Dumbledore refused to let Minerva join them.

• Gemma Farley's Snowy Owl delivered Luke two letters from the United States, and Luke read them privately in his dormitory.
• Alice and Sephir separately reported that their people had encountered a powerful, unstable man who called himself Salazar and possessed unusually strong Life Force.
• Luke burned the letters and asked Dumbledore for permission to travel to the United States to investigate the supposed Slytherin ancestor.
• Dumbledore agreed to accompany Luke but said he should remain hidden, and he rejected Luke's suggestion to bring Professor McGonagall.
• Luke proposed bringing Taylor to help assess the man's thoughts, while Dumbledore asked why he would not bring Hermione.

Luke agreed to take Hermione and Taylor with him to the United States, while warning them that investigating Slytherin could be dangerous. As Luke reviewed Slytherin's legends and considered his plans, members of an organization learned that the Serpent Spirit had been taken and they had no new Lord Snake Spirit.

• Hermione insisted on going to the United States, and Taylor said she wanted to meet someone she cared about, so Luke agreed to take them.
• Luke warned Hermione and Taylor that they would need to stay safe while he investigated Slytherin's location, and he told them they would leave the next day.
• Luke considered how the Slytherin incident threatened his plans and decided to check on Gemma and her intelligence network.
• Luke reflected on legends of Slytherin's departure from Hogwarts, including claims that he traveled east and learned magic that could grant immortality.
• A person wearing a Rabbit Mask complained that the Serpent Spirit had been taken, while a person wearing a Rooster mask defended the kneeling messengers and the Parrot Shadow repeated, “Loyalty beyond words!”

A masked organization ordered an investigation into the person who killed the Serpent Spirit, while Fire Dragon revealed that Envy was being used as a target and learned of another group pursuing similar aims. Orson approved a new lead in the Followers’ search for Slytherin’s research, and Luke met with Gemma and Old Lans, asking him to watch Lian Kane.

• Rabbit, Grizzly, Horse, Rooster, and Fire Dragon discussed the Serpent Spirit’s death and ordered an exploration team to identify the killer and recover the Serpent Spirit’s power.
• After the others left, Fire Dragon confirmed that Envy had taken the bait, then learned someone else was pursuing a similar plan and responded by invoking fate.
• Orson approved an investigation into a possible lead on Slytherin’s whereabouts, despite warnings about the Followers’ losses and the dangers of operating without support.
• Luke arrived at the Lans Family estate with Hermione and Taylor, praised Gemma for her work, and told Old Lans to keep watch over Lian Kane.

Luke, Hermione, Taylor, and Dumbledore traveled to the United States using a newly made Portkey after Dumbledore inspected it and Lian Kane’s protective necklaces. They arrived safely at a cliff overlooking the sea, where Luke welcomed the group to the magical United States.

• Lian Kane gave Luke a Portkey and two protective necklaces for Hermione and Taylor, warning that the necklaces were untested.
• Luke reassured Gemma that he had other protections planned, then left the manor with Hermione and Taylor.
• Dumbledore appeared in the forest, examined the Portkey and necklaces, and found no obvious problems with them.
• Luke gave the necklaces to Hermione and Taylor, then used the Portkey to transport the group across the Atlantic and North America.
• Hermione and Taylor vomited after arriving beside a cliff, and Luke welcomed them to the magical United States.

Luke met his grandfather, Old Ross, who warned him about the dangers of pursuing change and provided a powerful bodyguard. The chapter ended with Gary kneeling before Luke and Old Ross offering him a black crystal to ensure Luke’s safety.

• Hector Parkinson explained that he opposed Luke Gaunt’s efforts to create new nobles, while Pansy argued that the Parkinson family needed to choose a side and supported Luke’s ideas.
• Hector told Pansy to get close to Luke without becoming someone he relied on, so she could survive whether Luke’s movement succeeded or failed.
• Luke arrived at the villa with Hermione and Taylor, where Old Ross warned him that powerful opponents would not all support change and said his survival mattered more than his achievements.
• Luke said he believed former opponents would eventually join him when they recognized the danger of the hyenas, and he admitted that he would not start a family before achieving his goal.
• Old Ross introduced Gary, who knelt before Luke, and gave Luke a black crystal so he could rely on Gary for protection.

Luke accepted Gary’s five-year service under a witnessed Contract, leaving the Dark Seal with Professor Dumbledore and promising Gary his freedom afterward. He then traveled to the United States and arrived at the manor where Alice and Arthur awaited him.

• Old Ross explained that the Dark Seal would ensure Gary’s loyalty, and Luke accepted the crystal.
• Luke offered Gary five years of work in exchange for freedom afterward, placed the Dark Seal in Professor Dumbledore’s keeping, and signed a Contract witnessed by him.
• Luke shared a meal with Old Ross, who advised him to remember that many means could serve a fixed goal.
• Alice and Arthur waited nervously at the manor for Luke, wondering whether the person claiming to be Salazar was genuine.
• Luke arrived by Thestral Carriage with Hermione and Taylor, greeted Alice warmly, and hugged her.