Chapter Summaries

Wade told his parents he had been invited to judge an Alchemy Competition in New York and wanted to meet an elderly fellow judge. His parents supported his decision and prepared him for the trip, asking him to be careful and return home safely.

• Wade entered his parents' room and learned they were packing his belongings for a trip to New York.
• Fiona and Ferdinand revealed that Moody had already told them about Wade's invitation to judge the Alchemy Competition.
• Wade explained that he had first planned to refuse but wanted to meet an elderly woman who was also a judge.
• Fiona packed extra clothes and supplies, and Wade used magic to expand the suitcase after learning he would fly to the United States.
• Ferdinand and Fiona told Wade they understood he needed to leave home, urged him to take care of himself, and asked him to return safely.

Wade, Remus, and Alastor Moody traveled to the airport to fly to New York, where Moody explained why they could not use magical transport. They proceeded toward baggage check-in while staying wary of the unfamiliar Muggle environment.

• Remus arrived with plane tickets after struggling to arrange the flight, and Wade checked that he had booked the right one.
• Wade, Remus, and Alastor Moody entered the crowded airport, where Moody angrily confronted a young man who stared at him.
• Wade asked why they had chosen a plane, and Alastor Moody explained that the British Floo Network could not reach the United States and that an unfamiliar Portkey could trigger magical monitoring.
• Alastor Moody warned Wade never to trust someone else's Portkey, then cautioned that even Dumbledore's belongings could be forged.
• A middle-aged Muggle overheard them and laughed at their conversation, and Remus reminded Wade that it was time to move forward in the check-in line.

Wade, Moody, and Lupin endured a tense flight across the ocean, with Moody mistaking turbulence for an attack before Lupin reassured him. After landing at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, they were approached by several men in black suits.

• Wade tried to reassure the nervous Moody during takeoff and offered him and Lupin gum for their discomfort.
• The plane hit severe turbulence, and Moody drew his Wand halfway out, suspecting an attack.
• Lupin restrained Moody and explained that the plane had encountered ordinary unstable air currents.
• The turbulence subsided, and Moody complained that he would rather face a troll than fly.
• Wade, Moody, and Lupin landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport and noticed several purposeful men in black suits approaching them.

Salina Goldstein and Rex Grim met Wade Gray, Moody, and Lupin in a crowded public place and offered Auror protection while warning them to obey American magical law. Wade agreed to go with them, while Moody learned that Auror Director Alistair Fontaine was investigating strange corpses in Eugene.

• Moody stepped in front of Wade as Salina Goldstein and Rex Grim approached with a group of Aurors.
• Salina said the Magical Congress had assigned an elite Auror team to protect Wade from the remaining followers of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and asked him not to use magic.
• Moody demanded proof of their identities, and Salina showed her Auror identification and promised that Alistair Fontaine would visit after work.
• Rex said Fontaine had gone to Eugene to investigate several strange corpses but refused to share further details.
• Wade nodded his agreement to accompany the Aurors, and Salina promised their luggage would be delivered to their hotel rooms.

Wade Gray arrived in New York in 1995, where reporter Tom Haik tried to interview him about his alchemy fame, Dumbledore, and Voldemort. The Aurors arrested Haik for exposing a magical artifact to Muggles and violating the Statute of Secrecy.

• Wade Gray stepped out of the airport and took in the busy streets of New York.
• Tom Haik darted past the Aurors, photographed Wade, and bombarded him with questions about his reputation and rumored connections.
• Moody seized Tom Haik and tried to drive him off, but Tom continued pressing Wade about Voldemort and his freedom.
• Salina took Tom's self-writing quill and notebook and identified the quill as a forbidden magical artifact used in public.
• Salina broke the quill, and Rex arrested Tom Haik for violating the Statute of Secrecy.

Salina Goldstein briefed Wade Gray and the British wizards on American magical regulations and the Alchemy Competition as she drove them through New York. Moody challenged her assurances about security, and Wade asked which judges would attend the competition.

• Salina Goldstein picked up Wade Gray, Moody, Lupin, and the other Aurors in a magically soundproofed black sedan.
• Salina explained that the Magical Congress governed American magical society and warned Wade to keep his distance from Muggles.
• Salina said foreign wizards needed Wand use permits, though Wade had received permission to use magic in places without Muggles.
• Salina told them the Alchemy Competition preparations were nearly complete, its venue was secret, and the Statute of Secrecy would be strictly enforced.
• Moody scoffed at Salina's warnings and demanded security measures that could stop reckless reporters.
• Lupin promised they would follow the regulations, and Wade asked Salina to name the competition's judges.

Wade, Lupin, and Moody arrived at the White Bridge Inn, where their stay had been arranged by the Auror Office. After finding no obvious magic on their luggage, Wade discovered that its contents had been disturbed, suggesting someone had searched it.

• Salina introduced Wade to the judges for the upcoming competition, then dropped him, Lupin, and Moody at the White Bridge Inn.
• Lupin and Moody criticized Salina and the Magical Congress of the United States of America before leading Wade into the wizarding inn.
• The innkeeper found their long-term reservation and gave them keys to a room on the third floor.
• Wade sensed someone watching him in the lobby, and Moody searched the area with his Magical Eye.
• Moody found no visible tracking magic or Dark Curses on their suitcases, but Wade's personal marks showed that nearly every item had been moved.

Wade and Moody found that someone had thoroughly searched Wade’s luggage, so Moody ordered the group to replace their belongings and planned their wand registrations cautiously. Meanwhile, a chestnut-haired man reported Wade’s arrival at the White Bridge Inn to an unknown accomplice, who planned to use a reporter to provoke the British visitors.

• Moody searched Wade’s room and confirmed that the luggage had been inspected, then urged Wade to discard his clothes and buy replacements.
• Moody told Wade that he and Lupin would register their Wands and explained that following local rules could help them avoid suspicion.
• A chestnut-haired man arrived at a private room near the White Bridge Inn and reported that Wade was staying there.
• The chestnut-haired man said Aurors Goldstein and Grom had searched Wade’s belongings but found nothing unusual or detected spatial-expansion magic.
• The other person told the chestnut-haired man to find a way to release a reporter and use him to attack the visitors’ defenses.

Wade, Lupin, and Moody explored New York under Salina’s watch and visited Echo Alley, where Wade bought an old Wand after seeing its unusual Lumos Charm. The chapter also revealed that a chestnut-haired man and an elderly ally planned to exploit the tournament’s chaos to recover a spark.

• A chestnut-haired man told an elderly man that the remaining Scourers had gathered around the tournament and that he planned to use his partner to retrieve the spark.
• Wade, Lupin, and Moody spent several days touring Manhattan while American Aurors followed them, with Salina accompanying them each time they went out.
• Salina brought the three wizards to Echo Alley, where a shop clerk tried to sell Wade a supposedly five-hundred-year-old Wand.
• Wade recognized that the Wand’s spells were recent, but bought it for three Galleons to study its unusual Lumos Charm.
• Salina recommended that they visit The Leaky Cauldron for Cloud Doughnuts and Cauldron Love Coffee.

Wade questioned Salina’s claim that American wizards could embrace Muggle culture while avoiding emotional ties to Muggles, then returned to the inn as the Alchemy Competition approached. There, Dobby delivered Wade’s Pencil Case safely and asked to stay in New York to help protect the group.

• Wade and Salina discussed how Echo Alley’s wizards used Muggle trends to blend in, and Salina insisted that American wizards should never trust or fall in love with Muggles.
• Moody challenged Salina’s claim that most American wizards agreed with her, and Wade ended the outing and returned to the inn.
• Wade noticed the stern newcomer Lev Zakharov checking into the White Bridge Inn and suspected he was a competitor.
• Moody sensed something unusual in the group’s room, but he opened the door and found Dobby waiting inside.
• Dobby returned Wade’s Pencil Case intact, and Wade, Moody, and Lupin praised his reliability.
• Dobby asked to stay in New York to keep watch and deliver messages.

While waiting for the competition, Wade repaired and upgraded his Golems, then met Michael and his parents at the hotel. As Wade and Michael discussed their summer assignment, Lupin reflected on how he had come to rely on Wade despite knowing he was only fifteen.

• Wade repaired the damaged Golems in Wardrobe Space and added more dangerous functions while Moody and Lupin kept watch.
• Wade came out of his room and ran into Michael and the Kona family, who had arrived at the hotel.
• Mr. Kona and Mrs. Kona thanked Wade for inviting Michael to the competition’s opening ceremony.
• Michael joked that he had talked Wade into attending, prompting Mrs. Kona to question him until Wade explained that he wanted to see foreign Alchemy.
• Michael asked Wade for help with Snape’s summer assignment, and they discussed Moonstone Powder in the hotel corridor.
• Lupin watched Wade and Michael and realized that he instinctively treated Wade as a leader despite knowing he was still a schoolboy.

Harry and the Weasley family arrived at the White Bridge Inn in New York, where Wade and Michael greeted them and Sirius reunited with Lupin. The group caught up and discussed the trip, but Fred’s teasing about his mother ended when he realized Mrs. Weasley was behind him.

• Arthur checked the Weasley family into the White Bridge Inn, and the innkeeper’s irritation faded when Wade appeared on the stairs.
• Harry and the others greeted Wade and Michael, while Sirius checked in and reunited with Lupin.
• Harry expressed excitement about visiting America, and Lupin and Sirius discussed his earlier arrival and Moody’s sleepless night.
• Hermione talked about alchemy, and the group discussed the Weasley twins’ popular Diagon Alley stall and their plans for a joke shop.
• Fred joked about Mrs. Weasley’s praise, noticed everyone avoiding his gaze, and realized she was standing behind him as she shouted at him and George.

After the group returned to the hotel, Fred and George joked about the enormous bumps Mrs. Weasley had put on their heads. Wade explained that his competition invitations were limited, and Ginny gave up the chance to attend so Harry could go, leaving her determined to become an Alchemist herself.

• Fred and George entertained the group by decorating their swollen bumps and pretending they were children named Johnny and Flora.
• Wade told the group that only seven guests could attend the Alchemy Competition's opening ceremony, and Ron said he preferred exploring American Quidditch shops.
• Harry noticed Ginny's disappointment and offered to give her his invitation, but Ginny declined and said she hoped to enter the competition as an Alchemist one day.
• Harry encouraged Ginny to study and become an amazing Alchemist, while Ginny agreed despite feeling a faint sense of loss.

Wade and the others traveled with Salina to the Alchemy Competition’s opening ceremony, where they discovered its venue hidden beneath Central Park. The chapter ended as they entered the vast, magically transformed underground pit.

• Hermione asked Wade about Madam Serafina Picquery’s writings on Alchemy, and Wade said he had a collected edition of her papers.
• Salina picked up Wade and the others and drove them through New York in a Ministry sedan whose magic cleared traffic in alarming ways.
• Salina revealed a hidden elevator at the edge of a wooded area in Central Park and led the group underground.
• Wade, Harry, and the others emerged into an enormous pit decorated with magical plants, clouds, viewing platforms, and the Alchemy Competition’s central platform.

Wade was escorted to the Referee stand by Elsie Vanderbilt, who thanked him for inventing the Book of Friends and offered him help during his stay in the United States. There, Professor Murray proudly introduced Wade to the other judges, including Serafina Picquery.

• Elsie Vanderbilt escorted Wade to the Referee stand while Salina led his companions to their reserved boxes.
• Moody warned Wade to stay alert and signal him if anything went wrong, and Lupin patted Wade on the shoulder before they parted.
• Elsie told Wade that his Book of Friends had helped her make pen pals and offered to assist him during his stay in the United States.
• Wade asked Elsie what she expected in return for her help, and she said genuine help came without a price before leaving him.
• Professor Murray boasted about Wade's inventions to the judges and introduced him as a talented student from a non-magical family.
• Serafina Picquery greeted Wade and offered her hand.

Wade met Serafina Picquery and spoke with the judges before the competition began. He grew concerned that Professor Murray was struggling financially and decided to ask Marchioni about it after the competition.

• Wade greeted Madam Piquery, who asked about Dumbledore’s absence, and the judges discussed the captured Death Eaters and their likely trials.
• Wade asked to visit Madam Piquery after the competition, and she welcomed him; Professor Murray joked that Wade should learn from many teachers, including Silas Hawthorne.
• Wade noticed wear on Professor Murray’s robes and recalled that he had sold most of his assets, leading Wade to worry that his financial troubles remained unresolved.
• Wade decided to ask Marchioni what difficulty Professor Murray faced and considered offering support from House Gray’s treasury.
• Egbert Fontana called the judges to take their seats as the audience settled in for the worldwide broadcast.

Wade noticed two Ministry staff members closely watching Madam Piquelly and wondered whether they were surveilling her, though Abdullah said they were protecting her from the resurfaced Acolytes. The judges discussed Piquelly’s past role and changes in the British Ministry, while Wade remained suspicious of the men.

• Professor Murray seated Wade between himself and Egbert Fontana, leaving him unable to exchange information with Madam Piquelly.
• Wade observed Angus Walker and Leo Bertram keeping a close watch on Madam Piquelly and suspected they were surveilling her.
• Abdullah told Wade that the Ministry had assigned the men to protect Piquelly from the Acolytes, and Professor Murray reassured Wade that the judges would also defend her.
• Egbert Fontana praised Piquelly’s past contributions against the Acolytes, and Piquelly credited Dumbledore and Mr. Scamander while discussing Cornelius Fudge’s resignation.
• Abdullah praised Wade’s vigilance, but Wade continued to doubt that Angus Walker and Leo Bertram were merely protecting Piquelly.

Wade attended the opening of the International Alchemy Innovation Competition, where competitors demonstrated Alchemy creations and Professor Murray explained how Alchemy made powerful magic accessible through objects. The demonstrations continued as Wade watched, leaving him with a new understanding of Alchemy’s lasting potential.

• FMC staff began the broadcast, and Bastian von Krupp officially opened the thirty-fifth International Alchemy Innovation Competition.
• Krupp announced that competitors would present Alchemy creations they had made before the competition began.
• An ice-cold beauty demonstrated crystal-making magic that Wade thought could be developed into a weapon.
• A bronze-skinned man displayed a golden bowl that produced intense light, prompting the judges to discuss its possible uses.
• A witch in a sari used a liquid-filled glass bowl to make a dried seed rapidly grow and flower.
• Professor Murray told Wade that Alchemy could preserve and replicate magical effects in objects, making them accessible to people with limited magical ability.

After the demonstrations ended, William Harris announced a fifteen-minute intermission before the Alchemy competition began. Wade encountered Aldridge Corbett, a senior security official who defended the event’s extensive security measures and hinted they would meet again.

• William Harris praised the Alchemists’ demonstrations and announced a fifteen-minute intermission before the competition.
• Professor Murray and the other judges urged Wade to use the restroom before the contest began.
• On his way back, Wade found Aldridge Corbett waiting in a corridor and introduced himself as a Senior Deputy Director of the Magical Congress Security Department.
• Corbett mentioned Wade’s concerns about security and insisted the extensive precautions would prevent a tragedy like the Quidditch World Cup.
• Wade thanked Corbett, who said they would meet again soon.

Wade returned to the judges’ table with Professor Murray, who warned him to keep his distance from Aldridge Corbett. The competition began after the organizers revealed that competitors had to create alchemical items capable of adapting to harsh environments.

• Professor Murray interrupted Corbett’s conversation with Wade and escorted Wade back to the judges’ table.
• Professor Murray warned Wade that Corbett’s thoughts were tangled and advised him to keep his distance.
• The competitors prepared their workstations as the audience took their seats for the contest.
• William Harris announced the challenge: create an alchemical item that could detect and respond to at least one harsh environment.
• Chairman Krupp explained the requirements and judging criteria, and Harris told the competitors to begin crafting.