Chapter Summaries

As the fifth-years prepared for their integrated O.W.L. practical exam, Harry described how he had combined Transfiguration with a Reducing Charm during the previous day's exam. The group suspected Muggles would be among the examiners again as they headed toward the lawns.

• Wizet healed Chris's bitten tongue with Episkey before the fifth-years left for their exam.
• Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the others compared their anxious dreams on the way out of Hogwarts Castle.
• Wizet explained that Ron's Hanged Man Tarot card could signify accepting trials and having no gain without loss.
• Harry explained that he had made a gear with Transfiguration and then shrunk it with a Reducing Charm, drawing an examiner's interest despite missing the requirements.
• Ron and Anthony agreed that Muggles might be present at the integrated practical exam, and the group continued toward the lawns.

Wizet explained that the Muggles observing the exam were sincere researchers seeking reliable results from magic, and that Harry’s approach had given Mr. Morris new ideas. Wizet then revealed that he had transformed a blade of grass into a Phoenix, leaving the students wondering whether Transfiguration could create a real magical creature.

• Michael, Chris, and Hermione discussed whether the Muggles’ exam methods were meant to frighten them or study magic.
• Wizet explained that Mr. Morris and the other Muggles were sincere researchers, and said Harry’s solution had inspired Mr. Morris.
• Terry asked Wizet how he had answered the exam questions, and Wizet transformed a blade of grass into a singing Phoenix.
• Anthony and Hermione wondered whether the Phoenix was real and whether its song and tears had their usual magical effects.
• Chris questioned whether wizards could create magical creatures with Transfiguration, while Anthony and the others wondered if Dumbledore could do the same.

Wizet explained how he used Muggle laws to freeze an ice sphere with the Full Body-Bind Curse, while Hermione recognized physicist David Morris as a likely Nobel Prize winner. The students returned to the Ministry of Magic for their final exams, and Snape watched the sealed doors of the Department of Mysteries with a gleam in his eyes.

• Hermione realized that David Morris, the physicist Wizet had met, was the man she had read about who might win the Nobel Prize in Physics.
• Ron wondered whether Fred and George could establish a Weasley Prize, and Wizet explained that he had used Muggle laws to freeze a sphere of water with the Full Body-Bind Curse.
• The students and professors traveled by Portkey to the Ministry of Magic, where the students seemed more relaxed than the previous day.
• Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, and Professor McGonagall reflected on the unusual exams and the end of an era.
• Snape followed the group to the Ministry’s ninth underground level and looked toward the closed doors of the Department of Mysteries.

Michael entered the O.W.L. practical exam in a magically expanded courtroom and learned that the tasks included environmental changes, attacks from Dark Magic creatures, and risky bonus questions. The exam began with a sudden rainstorm, and Michael responded by casting the Water-Fire Immunity Charm.

• Michael entered the renovated courtroom and learned from an examiner that Dumbledore had helped expand it with familiar Hogwarts features.
• The examiner explained the exam tasks and bonus questions, including a higher-risk test at a designated location.
• Michael worried about the risk but practiced the Projectile Deflection Charm, impressing the examiner with his proficiency.
• The exam began as the tent darkened and rain fell, and Michael cast the Water-Fire Immunity Charm to protect himself.

Michael struggled to fight a Grindylow in a magically flooded practical examination and accidentally struck its fragile finger with a Knockback Jinx, allowing him to bind it. The examiner was left unsure how to assess Michael’s mixed performance, though he was impressed by this year’s students’ magical proficiency.

• Michael tried to escape the mud and locate the Grindylow, but it repeatedly emerged to attack him.
• Michael cast the Full Body-Bind Curse into the mud, missed the creature, and then instinctively used a Knockback Jinx as it lunged for his wand hand.
• Michael’s Knockback Jinx struck and broke one of the Grindylow’s fragile fingers, making it fall into the mud in pain.
• Michael cast the Full Body-Bind Curse twice, subduing the Grindylow as the mud receded and the dark clouds cleared.
• The examiner considered Michael’s panic, accurate accidental strike, and quick follow-up, and reflected that this year’s students showed unusually strong magical proficiency.

Michael faced a Fire Crab during the practical exam, using the Water-Fire Immunity Charm and Aguamenti to withstand and counter its attacks. After the wind drove the creature away, mist engulfed the arena, and Michael used Lumos to draw out whatever was hiding in it.

• Michael reinforced his Water-Fire Immunity Charm as cracks opened in the ground and flames swept across the exam arena.
• Michael recognized the creature as a Fire Crab and used Aguamenti while dodging its fire attacks.
• Michael repeatedly circled the Fire Crab and extinguished its flames, tiring himself as the examiners judged his basic but adequate approach.
• A fierce wind pushed the Fire Crab out of sight and signaled another environmental change.
• Michael found himself surrounded by mist, cast Lumos, and decided the light might draw out hidden magical creatures.

Michael completed his comprehensive practical examination by using the Disarming Charm to turn the Cornish Pixies’ stones back on them, then declined the higher-risk second bonus question. He left the exam relieved after finishing one bonus question within the time limit.

• Michael encountered a group of Cornish Pixies in the thick fog, and they attacked him with pebbles.
• After Michael fell, the Disarming Charm caused the pixies’ stones to rebound and injure several of them.
• Michael trapped the fallen pixies in an iron cage and used Aguamenti to stop the last pixie from escaping.
• The examiner confirmed that Michael had completed the practical examination in eighteen minutes and offered him Bonus Question B.
• Michael declined the higher-risk bonus exam and followed the examiner out of the tent.

After finishing his exam, Michael sought out the examiners to learn how Wizet had performed, with Chris joining him. Wizet’s examiner described a Weather-Changing Charm so impressive that he had gone away to contemplate life.

• Michael learned that four candidates were still taking the exam and decided to ask about Wizet’s results instead of leaving.
• Chris joined Michael, and the two approached the examiners to find Wizet’s examiner.
• The examiners explained that Ministry of Magic staff were inspecting the tents and warned Michael and Chris to leave before the inspection ended.
• Wizet’s examiner returned and said he had gone away to contemplate life after witnessing Wizet’s performance.
• Wizet’s examiner said Wizet had silently changed rainy weather to sunny weather with a Weather-Changing Charm of a level he had never seen before.

Michael learned that Wizet passed Additional Question b) in about two minutes, leaving Anthony and Terry eager to find him and hear what it involved. Meanwhile, Griselda Marchbanks explained magic’s varied effects to observing Muggle officials, and the observers turned their attention to Wizet’s examination.

• Michael and Chris learned from Wizet’s examiner that Wizet spent at most two minutes on Additional Question b), most of that time walking to its venue.
• Michael and Chris returned to the corridor, where Anthony and Terry asked about Wizet and the additional question.
• Chris told Anthony and Terry that Wizet passed the additional question in about two minutes, prompting Anthony to look for him.
• Griselda Marchbanks explained to Muggle officials that different wizards could produce different effects with the same spell, comparing it to handwriting made with the same pen.
• An examiner announced that Mr. Lovegood was taking the examination, and everyone in the observation room focused on the screens.

Wizet completed the practical examination by transforming a merman that frightened a Grindylow into submission, impressing the examiners and confusing the Muggle officials. Griselda Marchbanks explained that the transformed merman was real for as long as the Transfiguration lasted, though she cautioned against calling it the creation of life.

• Wizet began the examination without conjuring the expected storm, and the tent instead filled with clear skies and sunlight.
• Griselda Marchbanks announced that the round was over, and Wizet demonstrated the Disarming Charm before leaving for Additional Question b).
• Marchbanks pointed out a transformed merman hovering above a terrified Grindylow in a glass tank.
• An examiner explained the usual differences between cold-water and warm-water merpeople, and Marchbanks identified the Grindylow’s submission as evidence that Wizet’s merman came from cold waters.
• Marchbanks told the Muggle officials that Wizet’s Transfiguration had created a real merman, but said that describing it as creating life was not quite accurate.

Wizet faced the heavily armed obstacle course in Additional Question b), using magic to counter its defenses and move through the venue. He left the observers baffled when he crossed the barricades with an unknown spell despite the Anti-Apparition Jinx.

• Wizet restrained the Grindylow, Fire Crab, and Cornish Pixies with different magical methods as he made his way to Additional Question b).
• The examiners and Muggle higher-ups watched Wizet enter a steel-filled venue protected by barricades, firearms, and magical defenses.
• Wizet cast the Bird-Conjuring Charm, and the conjured birds caught the first volley of rubber bullets in their beaks.
• Wizet used Engorgio to enlarge the rubber bullets, causing the gun chambers to explode and stopping the second volley.
• Wizet crossed the barricades with an unknown spell, and Griselda Marchbanks explained that the venue’s Anti-Apparition Jinx ruled out Apparition.

Wizet faced ten Muggle soldiers wearing modified Magic Armor during his Comprehensive Practical Examination, while officials and examiners worried about the armor’s proven ability to defeat an Auror. The smoke from the soldiers’ attack cleared, revealing the outcome of their encounter with Wizet.

• Muggle officials and examiners recalled how magic had neutralized a nuclear bomb and feared what Wizet would face next.
• The examiners discussed how two soldiers wearing Magic-Powered Armor had subdued John Dawlish, an accomplished Auror.
• Wizet recognized the approaching armor as modified sets sold by Fred and George and chose to answer the trial with spells rather than dismantle them.
• The soldiers released clouds of smoke that swallowed Wizet, and the observers expected him to be defeated like John Dawlish.
• The smoke rapidly cleared, revealing the result of the attack.

Wizet effortlessly defeated the Muggle soldiers’ attacks and used a Phoenix to enter the enormous sealed structure. He appeared beside a soldier, who fainted at the sight of him, while Griselda Marchbanks explained the Phoenix’s ability to transport people anywhere.

• Wizet knocked out the armored Muggle soldiers and conjured beds to carry them.
• Wizet stopped rubber bullets in midair, then walked through them as his body turned illusory.
• Wizet conjured a Phoenix and vanished with it in a flash of fire.
• Wizet reappeared inside the enormous structure beside a Muggle soldier, who fainted from fright.
• Wizet conjured a pillow to catch the falling soldier, and Griselda Marchbanks explained that a Phoenix could transport a person anywhere.

Griselda Marchbanks told the senior Muggle officials that Phoenix magic could not be restricted or studied through exploitation, then Wizet appeared in the observation room after leaving the examination grounds. He rescued the unconscious soldier and was allowed to return to the exam without penalty.

• Griselda Marchbanks explained that Phoenixes could travel anywhere and that the Ministry had no means of limiting their magical gifts.
• Marchbanks rejected a senior Muggle official's interest in taming a Phoenix and reminded the officials of their Magical Contract.
• A Muggle official asked how Wizet had tamed his Phoenix, and Wizet suddenly appeared beside him in the observation room.
• The official fainted, and Wizet brought the unconscious soldier from the cubic building into the room, explaining that he had used a Phoenix's gifts to get inside.
• Wizet apologized to Marchbanks for leaving the examination grounds and asked to return, and she let him go without declaring him failed.

Wizet finished the practical examination early after demonstrating powerful magic to the Muggle higher-ups, who left shaken and reconsidering how to coexist with wizards. He reflected that provoking them to draw their own conclusions could shape Muggle thinking, then heard a familiar voice call his name at the examination hall exit.

• Wizet used Transfiguration to create a phoenix and appeared in the observation room, alarming the Muggle higher-ups with his abilities.
• Wizet vanished with the phoenix and reappeared outside the cubic building, after which the Muggle higher-ups left to reconsider their future relations with the magical world.
• Wizet's examiner discovered that he had completed the examination with half the allotted time remaining and escorted him away.
• Wizet reflected that he had deliberately displayed magic to make the Muggle higher-ups persuade themselves to change their thinking.
• As Wizet reached the examination hall exit, a familiar icy voice called his name.

Snape summoned Wizet and tested whether he remembered his warning to stay vigilant, while Calchas watched Snape under Voldemort’s orders as their plan approached its critical stage. Herpo concealed his growing loathing of Voldemort, who questioned him about the goblins’ losses and preparations for installing a magical artifact.

• Snape called Wizet upstairs and asked whether he had remembered Snape’s warning to distrust others and stay alert.
• Wizet said the warning had helped him recognize the dragon’s possible hiding place in New York and remain wary of a conspiracy in the Paris Region.
• A Ministry of Magic employee blocked Snape and Wizet near the stairway landing.
• At Durmstrang, Calchas used the Eye of Heaven to monitor Snape near the Department of Mysteries while Voldemort ordered him to keep watching.
• Voldemort turned his attention to Herpo, who claimed he had been making preparations and soothing goblins who had suffered heavy losses.
• Voldemort mocked Herpo over the sacrifices the goblins made to install a magical artifact.

Herpo avoided explaining his plan to Voldemort by talking about Muggles, while Voldemort demanded that Circe return soon to assist Severus. With Barty Crouch Jr. away supervising Durmstrang’s examinations, Voldemort reflected on his plans to take Hogwarts and later destroy Herpo.

• Herpo diverted Voldemort’s questions about his plan by describing how he would use Muggle families and resources in Canaan.
• Voldemort cut Herpo off, dismissed Muggles as unworthy of attention, and ordered him to have Circe return quickly for Severus.
• Herpo claimed he had already asked Circe to come as soon as possible, then revised his promise when Voldemort’s expression turned cold.
• Voldemort noticed Barty Crouch Jr. was absent because he was supervising Durmstrang’s traditional examinations amid the school’s impending destruction.
• Voldemort considered his plans to banish Wizet, attack Hogwarts, recover his Horcrux, and eventually destroy Herpo, while Calchas monitored Snape through the Eye of Heaven.

Calchas watched through the Eye of Heaven as Severus led Wizet away, and Herpo and Voldemort learned that Wizet had followed without suspicion. Voldemort awaited the betrayal’s discovery with vengeful anticipation, while resenting that Wizet had trusted Snape so readily.

• Calchas saw Wizet emerge from the examination and reported that Severus had called him by name and told him to come upstairs.
• Herpo and Voldemort were startled that Wizet simply agreed, pausing only to write notes before following Severus.
• Calchas explained that Wizet’s behavior seemed ordinary and that the route toward the Department of Mysteries was unlikely to alert him.
• Voldemort acknowledged Wizet’s abilities and rebuked Calchas for describing him as merely quick-witted.
• Voldemort anticipated Wizet learning that Snape had betrayed him, then grew humiliated and resentful that Wizet had trusted Snape.

Voldemort's anger at Wizet led him to torture Herpo while Calchas relayed Wizet's conversation with the servant. The plan to banish Wizet appeared close to completion, but Calchas suddenly reported that someone had stopped them and recognized the person as an unexpected presence.

• Voldemort, enraged by his memories of Wizet, cast the Cruciatus Curse on Herpo.
• Calchas told Voldemort that Wizet and the servant had gone upstairs and repeated their conversation, including Wizet's thanks for the New York and Paris incidents.
• Voldemort questioned Herpo about arranging the dragon incident in New York and plotting the events in the Paris Region, and Herpo admitted it.
• Calchas reported that someone had stopped Wizet and the servant, then exclaimed in disbelief that he recognized the person.

Wizet and Snape exposed a disguised Ministry employee as Barty Crouch Jr. and suspected Voldemort was trying to infiltrate the Department of Mysteries. The chapter ended with Wizet asking whether they should alert Dumbledore.

• Gilbert Wimple claimed he needed Wizet's help analyzing the Disarming Charm, but Wizet stunned him after realizing their meeting had not been arranged.
• Wizet used Revelio to remove the Ministry employee's disguise and revealed Barty Crouch Jr.
• Snape recognized Barty Crouch Jr. and said he had sensed traces of the Dark Lord.
• Wizet and Snape reasoned that Voldemort might be seeking power from the Department of Mysteries to defeat Wizet.
• Wizet asked Snape whether they should notify Dumbledore about Barty Crouch Jr. and the suspected infiltration.