Chapter Summaries

Harry wrote letters to Dumbledore about Darren’s debts and hoped he was all right. In Azkaban, Sirius recalled how Darren had been taken during the attack on the Potters and revealed that he and James had told the public Harry was Lily’s only child.

• Harry wrote to Dumbledore, explaining that he could not bring himself to scold Darren and offering to use their assets to repay his debts.
• Harry sent Hedwig with his letter and began writing to Darren, hoping to reassure him.
• In Azkaban, Sirius transformed into a dog and remembered that he had sensed Voldemort’s presence in Darren before the Death Eaters attacked.
• Sirius recalled accidentally dropping Darren during the battle and watching the attackers take him while Lily comforted him.
• Sirius and James argued about Darren, then told the public that Lily had only given birth to Harry and that the other child was fake.
• Sirius remembered that the Death Eaters eventually threw Darren into the center of the battlefield.

Sirius recalled how he had hidden Darren in a Muggle orphanage and turned him into a Squib, then blamed himself for the betrayal that killed James and Lily. Now imprisoned in Azkaban, he learned that Darren had returned to Hogwarts and searched the newspaper for news about him.

• Sirius remembered that he had secretly sent Darren to a Muggle orphanage and used a Black family alchemical item to turn him into a Squib.
• Sirius recalled how he and James had arranged separate Secret Keepers for Darren’s orphanage and their home, while Peter Pettigrew betrayed James and Lily.
• Sirius thought about his guilt over Darren, James, and Lily, and remembered that he had gone to Azkaban after Peter escaped.
• A chubby wizard visiting Azkaban called Sirius wicked, and Sirius asked to see the newspaper he was holding.
• Sirius searched the newspaper for stories about Darren and remembered that Lockhart’s fans had planned to cause trouble for him.

Black spotted the rat on Ron’s shoulder in a newspaper photograph and realized it was missing a toe. After Harry fled the Dursleys’ home following an argument with Aunt Marge, Darren learned what had happened and prepared to leave, but Nicolas Flamel stopped him.

• Black read a fan letter about Lockhart, then saw the Weasleys in the Daily Prophet with a rat missing one toe on Ron’s shoulder.
• Harry heard a news report about Black’s escape from Azkaban and learned Aunt Marge was coming to visit.
• Harry agreed to behave if Uncle Vernon signed his permission slip, and Vernon promised he would if Harry behaved well.
• Aunt Marge insulted Harry’s family until Harry accidentally inflated her, then packed his luggage and ran away.
• Gigi told Darren that Harry had inflated Aunt Marge, and Darren hurried to leave before Nicolas Flamel stopped him.

Darren worried that Harry would be punished for inflating Aunt Marge, but Nicolas Flamel reassured him and warned him to stay safe at Hogwarts. After receiving his school letter, Darren went to Diagon Alley to withdraw money and shop, where someone greeted him.

• Darren offered to take the blame for Harry, but Nicolas Flamel told him the Ministry was too focused on Sirius Black to pursue the matter and urged him not to take risks at school.
• Darren received his Hogwarts letter and a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them from Rubeus Hagrid, along with a warning to avoid getting hurt.
• Darren went to Diagon Alley with Gigi, noticed wizards discussing the Firebolt, and remembered that Peeves had given him shares in it.
• Darren withdrew a few Galleons from Gringotts and planned to buy only his books, saving other purchases for a discreet owl delivery.
• As Darren wandered through Diagon Alley, someone called out to him: “Darren, you finally came!”

Darren comforted Harry after learning about Aunt Marge, then reunited with Hermione and Ron in Diagon Alley. As Hermione went to buy a pet, Darren spotted a large black dog standing at a street corner.

• Harry told Darren how he had inflated Aunt Marge after she insulted him and his parents, and Darren promised to protect him.
• Hermione and Ron arrived, hugged Darren, and Ron complained about Hermione’s argument with Ginny.
• Hermione questioned Harry about using magic during the summer, but Darren defended him and Harry explained that Aunt Marge had insulted Darren too.
• Hermione decided to buy herself a pet for her birthday, while Darren noticed Peter Pettigrew in rat form in Ron’s hands.
• Darren waited outside the pet shop and saw a large black dog standing at the street corner.

Darren rescued Black from a wizard who tried to kick him, then took the black dog away to feed him. Black became furious after learning Darren was in Slytherin, while the wizard returned and introduced himself as Salazar Gab.

• Darren accepted a temporary mission and stepped between Black and a wizard who was trying to kick him.
• Darren told the wizard he was a Slytherin and took Black to get him food, leaving Black shocked and suspicious of him.
• Black barked wildly at Darren, drawing disgusted stares from people who viewed black dogs as ill omens.
• The wizard returned, apologized, introduced himself as Salazar Gab, and said that students from all four Houses could be excellent.
• Darren praised Slytherin and its students, while the system awarded him Paternal Points.

Salazar discovered that Darren was his descendant and offered to help with his alchemy questions, only to find them beyond his knowledge. He then offered to take Black away, but Darren insisted on feeding the dog somewhere private and lifted him up as Black tried to protect himself.

• Salazar recognized Darren as a Slytherin descendant and offered to answer his questions.
• Darren asked Salazar a difficult alchemy question, leaving Salazar unable to explain it.
• Salazar promised to write Darren an explanation and earned Darren's gratitude.
• Salazar offered to deal with Black, and a female wizard also volunteered to take the dog away.
• Darren said he wanted to feed the starving Black in private, then lifted him as Black barked and covered his rear with his tail.

Darren carried Black away and tried to feed him, while Black feared Darren intended to kill him and looked for a chance to escape. Darren said he needed to buy books before getting Black some food, giving Black hope that he would soon be left alone.

• Salazar realized Darren was an Obscurus, left to study alchemy, and promised to answer Darren's questions later.
• Darren carried Black to a secluded spot, where Black feared he was about to be tortured or killed.
• Darren offered Black food, but Black knocked it away because he suspected it was poisoned.
• Darren revealed he had only a few Galleons left and said he needed to buy books before getting Black food.
• Black acted obediently, hoping Darren would leave him behind so he could escape.

Darren used an alchemical necklace to disguise Sirius Black as a white animal, giving the fugitive a way to avoid recognition. Sirius was amazed to learn Darren had made the necklace himself, though its transformation effect was not what Darren had intended.

• Darren held back food from Black and put an unusual necklace around his paw while explaining that he had received it from a Beauxbatons girl.
• The necklace transformed Black from a large black dog into a white animal, and Black realized the disguise could keep people from recognizing him.
• Darren said the necklace should have an invisibility effect so no one could remove it.
• Darren revealed that he had made the necklace from the broken necklace’s materials, intending to restore its beauty for Miss Delacour.
• Sirius was left stunned that Darren had created the powerful alchemical item himself.

Darren took Sirius to Flourish and Blotts while keeping him tied with a conjured rope, then spent his last money on a cake for him. Sirius began to trust Darren’s kindness but grew reluctant to leave because he wanted to keep the chain.

• Darren tied a rope around Sirius’s neck and led him out of the alley, and Sirius followed while considering stealing the chain.
• Sirius tried to chew through the rope as Darren bought his third-year books at Flourish and Blotts, but the rope did not break.
• Darren took Sirius to a cake shop and used his last money to buy him a small cake.
• Darren reassured Sirius that he had not tampered with the cake and promised to find an alchemical way to change his fur.
• Sirius ate the cake and gained a more favorable view of Darren, but felt conflicted when Darren said he could leave afterward.

Darren returned Black’s chain to him by pretending to lend it, then helped Ron recover Scabbers and mentioned that he had caught Hermione’s ginger cat. Ron took Scabbers back, unaware that the cat was Crookshanks and that he would see it again.

• Darren told Black he had to return the chain to Miss Delacour, then pretended to lend it to him for the time being.
• Black followed the woman from the cake shop and knocked her over as he ran away.
• Darren saw Crookshanks chase Scabbers and helped catch the rat for Ron.
• Ron thanked Darren and kissed Scabbers, earning Darren Paternal Points.
• Darren told Ron he had also caught the ginger cat for Hermione, and Ron froze.

Hermione bought Crookshanks and argued with Ron about the cat, while Darren tried to reassure her that Lezi could get along with it. At the Leaky Cauldron, Darren spoke with the Weasleys about Sirius Black and the escaped Death Eaters, and Mrs. Weasley comforted him about his mother.

• Hermione introduced Crookshanks to Darren and said she had bought the cat to keep Lezi company.
• Ron objected that Crookshanks had nearly eaten Scabbers, but Hermione criticized him for not caring for Lezi and said she would keep the cats apart.
• Harry treated Darren and the others to cake, and they returned to the Leaky Cauldron, where Mr. Weasley was reading about Sirius Black.
• Mr. Weasley told Darren that Black remained at large and apologized that the Death Eaters who had hurt Darren had not been caught.
• Mrs. Weasley returned and recalled Darren's injuries, then hugged him and assured him that his mother had loved him and would have been proud.

Darren enjoyed a warm visit with the Weasleys before preparing to return to Nicolas Flamel's home. Harry and Darren overheard Arthur and Molly arguing about whether to warn them about Sirius Black, and Arthur insisted they needed enough information to protect themselves.

• Mrs. Weasley affectionately welcomed Darren, who praised her and the Weasleys, while Fred and George teased him and Percy enjoyed Darren's compliments.
• Ginny led Darren to the food, and Mr. Weasley said the Ministry would send two cars to take the Weasleys to school while Darren's teacher would escort him because Sirius Black's escape had alarmed the Ministry.
• Darren prepared to leave for Nicolas Flamel's home, and Harry tried to speak with him privately about his two hundred thousand Galleons.
• Harry and Darren overheard Mr. and Mrs. Weasley disagreeing over whether to tell them about Sirius Black.
• Arthur argued that Harry and Darren needed precautions against Black, who might deceive or target them, while Molly reluctantly agreed they should be told only a little.

Harry felt guilty that Darren had protected him without being able to protect Darren in return, while the Weasleys worried that Sirius Black might target Darren to lure Harry out. Darren kept quiet about his encounter with Black and set off for Hogwarts with Nicolas and Perenelle, who urged him to stay close to Harry.

• Harry promised to protect Darren, while Darren reassured him that he would behave and report any sign of Black.
• Mr. Weasley warned Mrs. Weasley that Black might use Harry to lure Darren into danger, and Mrs. Weasley feared Dumbledore would not protect him.
• Darren secretly remembered meeting Black and giving him a necklace that could change his appearance.
• Darren swore to Harry that he would come to him if he found any trace of Black, though Harry did not believe him.
• Darren ate a meal prepared by Perenelle, then traveled with Nicolas and Perenelle to King's Cross Station and boarded the Hogwarts Express.
• Nicolas urged Darren to behave at school and stay close to Harry so Dumbledore would protect him.

Darren reassured Nicolas Flamel and Perenelle that he was happy with them, then boarded the Hogwarts Express after promising Mr. Weasley not to seek out Black. On the train, he recognized Professor Lupin and hoped aloud that his godfather Remus was doing well.

• Darren told Nicolas Flamel and Perenelle he wanted them to keep living so their family could stay together, and Nicolas promised they would remain by his side.
• Darren said goodbye to Nicolas Flamel and Perenelle and boarded the Hogwarts Express.
• Mr. Weasley warned Darren not to look for Black, and Darren promised not to take the initiative to find him.
• Hermione brought Darren food from Mrs. Weasley and asked what Mr. Weasley had told him.
• Darren noticed Professor R.J. Lupin in their compartment and told Harry he hoped his godfather Remus was doing well.

Darren warned Harry, Ron, and Hermione that Sirius Black might target him, but Hermione insisted they should know the danger. The group discussed Professor Lupin and the newspaper’s report that Lockhart’s fans planned to sue Darren, leaving Harry and Ron blaming Malfoy while Darren defended him.

• Darren suggested moving compartments so they could talk without disturbing Professor Lupin, but Harry said the other compartments were crowded and the secret about Black must stay quiet.
• Hermione persuaded Darren to tell Ron and her what he and Harry had overheard about Black escaping to target Harry and possibly threaten him through Darren.
• Ron asked what Professor Lupin taught, and Hermione said he taught Defense Against the Dark Arts and warned Darren to be cautious around him.
• Hermione showed Harry and Ron a newspaper report that Lockhart’s female fans planned to sue Darren, with a Slytherin student offering to testify against him.
• Harry and Ron suspected Malfoy would testify, but Darren defended Malfoy and recalled that Malfoy’s family sent him gifts during the holidays.

Darren discussed Malfoy and Hogsmeade with Harry, Hermione, and Ron, then gave Harry his signed permission form even though Harry could not use it. As the Hogwarts Express slowed in the rain, Darren recognized that an Obscurus was approaching and accepted a mission to warn the passengers and attack it with ineffective spells.

• Darren reassured Harry, Hermione, and Ron that Malfoy would not betray his trust.
• Ron described Honeydukes, and Hermione suggested that they go to Hogsmeade together.
• Harry said he could not go because the Dursleys would not sign his permission form, so Darren offered him his own.
• Ron teased Hermione about having no girls around Darren, and Hermione hit him.
• The Hogwarts Express slowed in the rain, and Darren accepted the system's mission to warn everyone and attack the approaching Obscurus.

Darren faced an Obscurus on the stopped train and gained a special Patronus Charm, then pretended to suffer its effects to complete a system mission and earn Animal Language. Lupin finally cast a Patronus to drive the creature away.

• The train stopped abruptly, and Neville warned Darren that Black might come after Harry.
• Darren recognized the approaching hooded creature as an Obscurus and attacked it with assorted spells.
• The system awarded Darren a special Patronus Charm that let him customize his Patronus's appearance.
• When the Obscurus drained the carriage's happiness, Darren pretended to tremble and relived a traumatic memory to complete a temporary mission.
• Darren earned Animal Language and heard Crookshanks threaten a rat.
• Lupin cast Expecto Patronum and drove the Obscurus away.

Darren came out of his panic after the Obscurus stirred painful memories, while Lupin realized he was speaking to Darren Potter and Harry recovered from fainting. Lupin gave them chocolate to help them feel better, leaving Darren to wonder whether he had brought it especially for the possibility of an Obscurus attack.

• Hermione and the others called to Darren as he recovered, and their concern earned him Paternal Points.
• Lupin asked Darren his surname, then learned he was Darren Potter and awkwardly introduced Harry, who had regained consciousness.
• Harry told the others he had heard a man and a woman arguing, while Hermione explained that Darren had fallen into panic again.
• Darren hugged Hermione and said the Obscurus had made him remember something he had forgotten, prompting more Paternal Points.
• Lupin gave chocolate to Darren and Harry, then left after suggesting it would help them feel better.
• Darren joked about the danger of an Obscurus, ate the chocolate Lupin brought back, and wondered if Lupin had carried it in case he encountered one.

After Malfoy mocked Harry for fainting on the train, Darren comforted him and earned Paternal Points. At the carriage area, Darren met Luna Lovegood, whose attention to him angered Hermione, who pulled him onto a carriage.

• Malfoy mocked Harry for fainting, but backed away when Darren confronted him.
• Darren told Harry that he had also lost consciousness, comforting him and earning Paternal Points.
• Darren saw the Thestrals and met Luna Lovegood, who said she had been watching him because few Wrackspurts stayed around him.
• Luna told Hermione that she should stay away from Darren to make the Wrackspurts leave, angering Hermione.
• Hermione grabbed Darren and led him onto a Thestral-drawn carriage, then noticed his serious expression.