1. Key Plot Points & Events

• The family (Zhang Wen, Artoria, Mordred, Dumbledore, McGonagall) finishes a strange lunch; the dessert "Ghost Grandmother's Secret" is unexpectedly excellent.
• Raphael Visenti, heir of an old European dark-wizard family, politely introduces himself and invites them to his Manhattan residence.
• They visit his Upper East Side apartment, which is filled with dark magical décor and guarded by a silent goblin servant.
• Raphael shows them a private collection room containing disturbing artifacts made of human bone, including a flute, necklace, ring, candlestick, and mirror.
• He gifts Mordred a dark magic book, Foundation of the Dark Realm.
• After leaving, Dumbledore and Artoria note that Raphael clearly practices dark magic, and some "heirlooms" are only about ten years old.
• Zhang Wen restrains Mordred from acting, reminding her that Raphael is not the mission target and attacking him would expose them.
• Dumbledore decides not to report Raphael to MACUSA yet, to avoid alerting the real enemy (Ashbourne mission).
• The chapter ends with Artoria and Zhang Wen holding hands; Mordred gives them space.

2. Character Developments

• Mordred: Struggles to control her fury upon recognizing human bones; nearly attacks Raphael. Artoria's gentle hair-tucking calms her. She learns to endure for the mission.
• Artoria: Displays quiet authority and maternal care; remains vigilant and composed, then shows rare tenderness toward Zhang Wen.
• Zhang Wen: Acts as steady mediator and father figure; prioritizes mission over impulse, reassures Mordred, and later takes Artoria’s hand.
• Dumbledore: Maintains an affable facade while carefully assessing Raphael; demonstrates strategic patience.
• Professor McGonagall: Sharp-eyed and cautious; supports restraint and questions Dumbledore’s knowledge of dark trivia.

3. Significant Themes

• Restraint vs. Justice: The family must tolerate evil they could punish in order to protect a larger mission.
• Dark inheritance: The Visenti family’s "heirlooms" suggest ongoing violence disguised as tradition.
• Family bonds: Mordred’s found family gives her emotional grounding; small gestures replace lectures.
• Appearances vs. reality: Raphael is refined and gracious, but his collection reveals cruelty beneath the surface.

4. Character Interactions

• Mordred & Raphael: Polite on the surface; Mordred’s recognition of human bone causes her facade to crack.
• Artoria & Mordred: Artoria calms Mordred by tucking her hair behind her ear—a small but deeply moving gesture.
• Zhang Wen & Mordred: He physically stops her from lunging, quietly says "Calm down," and later takes the dark book from her to carry himself.
• Dumbledore & Raphael: Dumbledore engages him with flattery and apparent curiosity, quietly gathering information.
• Zhang Wen & Artoria: A quiet romantic beat—brushed hands, a hidden squeeze, and unspoken mutual support under the streetlights.

Summary: A Day on Tribeca Magical Street

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• The cursed Foundation of the Dark Realm book from the previous day is sealed by Dumbledore in a silver casket and placed out of reach; Mordred obsessively washes her hands to remove its "bad-luck stench."
• Dumbledore announces a change of plans: the group will visit Tribeca Magical Street, the "bright side" of American wizardry, to recover from their Knockturn Alley outing.
• The group enters Tribeca through a graffiti wall by blinking at a painted eye. The street contrasts sharply with Diagon Alley: neon spellwork signs, modern American wizard fashion, and enchanted consumer goods.
• Mordred goes on an enthusiastic shopping spree at Spellbound General Store, buying a singing chewing gum, a magical baseball glove (which she admits she doesn't understand), magical ink, and a speaker that praises Fred and George. She is forced to return one item under McGonagall's budget pressure.
• At the Nightjar Café, Mordred orders a "magical sandwich" whose filling reflects the eater's mood. It tastes of a battlefield, revealing her warrior nature. Zhang Wen's and Artoria's sandwiches taste respectively of strawberry and Earl Grey tea, reflecting their personalities and recent habits.
• Dumbledore and Mordred spontaneously waltz in the street to a magically self-playing violin, drawing applause.
• Zhang Wen secretly purchases a sapphire-set silver rose brooch for Artoria, hiding it in his coat. Artoria, however, already noticed — she asks him about it, and he promises to show her later.
• A mysterious witch in a dark coat watches the family from a window across the street, unnoticed — an ominous detail at the end of an otherwise peaceful day.

2. Character Developments

• Zhang Wen: Shows a newly romantic side, secretly buying Artoria a brooch. He is an indulgent father who easily caves to both daughter and wife. His internal narration emphasizes how unusually light and peaceful this day feels compared to his life since crossing over.
• Artoria: Is dressed more casually than ever before (dark green robe, white shirt, hair tied back with a cord), visibly relaxed. Her habit of spoiling Mordred is revealed as "skillful without leaving a trace." She quietly shares her sandwich with Zhang Wen and admits that the tea she's been drinking with him has become a personal habit — an unusually open, tender admission that embarrasses him.
• Mordred: Shows her childlike enthusiasm and warrior identity simultaneously. The "battlefield sandwich" reveals that her happiest memories are from war, which is treated with gentle humor. She is affectionate toward both parents but also mischievously aware of their developing relationship.
• Dumbledore: Acts as a playful, mischievous elder — dancing in the street, teasing McGonagall, repeatedly claiming "necessary expenses for the mission." He shows warmth and a desire to lift the group's spirits.
• McGonagall: Serves as the exasperated budget-keeper and voice of discipline, clashing humorously with Dumbledore's laxness. Her deadpan jokes ("old and full of grease") show a dry, warm wit.

3. Significant Themes

• Family warmth: The chapter centers on the found-family dynamic among the group, particularly the Zhang Wen/Artoria/Mordred unit. Parenting is shown as a negotiation between indulgence (both parents spoil Mordred) and discipline (McGonagall serves as counterweight).
• Contrast of old and new: Diagon Alley is described as an old fairy-tale book; Tribeca is a modern postcard. The chapter highlights generational and cultural differences in magical society.
• Reprieve before darkness: The sealed cursed book, the ominous watcher, and the lingering sense that this peace is temporary create dramatic irony. This is a "calm before the storm" chapter.
• Mundane magic as comfort: Shopping, dining, and dancing—ordinary pleasures made magical—are framed as necessary healing after the previous day's darkness.
• Observation and secrecy: Zhang Wen's attempts at secrecy fail (Artoria already knows). The mysterious watcher's presence reinforces that unseen eyes are on the family.

4. Character Interactions

• Zhang Wen & Mordred: Banter escalates when Mordred uses Zhang Wen's own purchases against him ("You bought a book yesterday that nobody wanted!"). He tries to impose limits; she asks both parents, effectively splitting their authority.
• Artoria & Mordred: Artoria quietly approves purchases ("The leather is good"), revealing her soft-spoiling approach. Mordred instinctively plays her parents against each other.
• Zhang Wen & Artoria: Multiple quiet, tender moments — the exchange of sandwich pieces, her calm confession about the tea, her noticing his hidden purchase. The relationship is depicted as deepening through small domestic gestures rather than grand declarations.
• Dumbledore & McGonagall: Recurring comedic conflict over budget. Dumbledore deflects all objections with "necessary expenses for the mission" and "today is a day to relax"; McGonagall's dry retorts punctuate the rhythm.
• Zhang Wen & McGonagall: She orders him to "control your daughter," and he fails immediately; she briefly steps on his foot to silence him when he tries to deny telling Mordred she could buy things — a moment of wordless, conspiratorial pressure.
  The chapter functions as a character-driven interlude: no major plot advancement occurs, but the family bonds are deepened, Artoria and Zhang Wen's relationship takes a meaningful quiet step forward, and a single ominous image (the watching witch) signals that this peace may not last.

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• After dancing with Mordred, Dumbledore checks an unusual pocket watch and announces he has a private appointment. He leaves McGonagall in charge, tells Mordred to “take care of her parents” as a joke, and departs with strikingly stealthy footwork that impresses Mordred and Artoria.
• The group continues through Tribeca Magical Street; Mordred carries her morning purchases and pauses to stare at a self-sorting notebook before McGonagall hurries her along.
• They reach MACUSA headquarters. To Muggle eyes it’s an ordinary gray skyscraper, but magically it is covered in dense, living runes and topped with an eagle-and-wands relief. Mordred compares it unfavorably to the UK Ministry and jokes that the building looks like it’s saying, “What are you doing here?”
• A squad of American Aurors emerges from MACUSA in disciplined uniforms, clearing the street. Mordred instinctively shifts into an alert military stance; Zhang Wen warns her not to gawk.
• Artoria tells Mordred to stop staring; when Mordred asks how to admire them properly, Artoria seriously advises “use your peripheral vision.” Mordred’s clumsy attempt becomes comic.
• Subplot: Mordred reveals that Artoria secretly bought twelve boxes of honey cake for “afternoon tea”; Zhang Wen notices Artoria’s embarrassment and quietly resolves to give her a silver brooch that evening.

2. Character Developments

• Dumbledore: Shows a mysterious, competent side—his “old headmaster” facade briefly gives way to hints of a former stealth-master. He remains warm and playful with the family.
• Mordred: Displays sharp tactical observation and natural soldierly instincts, but struggles with civilian manners. She is openly curious, blunt, and easily excited—like a warrior stuck in a tourist’s body.
• Artoria: Calm and maternal, she tries to teach Mordred restraint and etiquette. She is also secretly indulgent (buying lots of desserts) and quietly pleased when Zhang Wen notices her effort.
• McGonagall: Slips into “temporary commander” mode—practical, stern, and watchful, keeping the group moving and containing Mordred’s distractions.
• Zhang Wen: Acts as amused observer and mediator; he balances humor with fatherly discipline and shows affection through thoughtful gestures.

3. Significant Themes

• Institutional power: MACUSA is visualized as imposing, bureaucratic, and militarized—compared to Hogwarts’ older, warmer magic.
• Cultural contrast: British vs. American wizarding styles; also civilian wizardry vs. disciplined Auror culture.
• Appearance vs. reality: The building’s ordinary exterior hides immense magical complexity.
• Parenting and discipline: Artoria and McGonagall both model how to behave, while Mordred represents raw instinct needing polish.
• Humor through character voice: The chapter uses dialogue and small misunderstandings to develop relationships.

4. Character Interactions

• Dumbledore & Mordred: Grandfatherly teasing; he calls her “Miss Mordna,” makes the “take care of your parents” joke, and leaves her grinning.
• McGonagall & Mordred: A stern gaze is enough to make Mordred stop loitering at a shop; McGonagall stays composed and authoritative.
• Artoria & Mordred: Mother–daughter lessons in etiquette; Artoria’s “peripheral vision” advice is both absurdly practical and funny.
• Mordred & Zhang Wen: Father–daughter banter about the building’s “expression” and her reaction to the Aurors; Zhang Wen sees through her excitement.
• Zhang Wen & Artoria: Quietly affectionate—he catches her secretly buying desserts and plans to reciprocate with a brooch, tying a romantic subplot to the chapter’s lighter moments.

Summary of Chapter: "Secret Rendezvous"

1. Key plot points and events

• On Tribeca Magical Street, the family encounters a squad of MACUSA Aurors. A female Auror with chestnut hair makes covert eye contact with Zhang Wen and taps her wand handle twice—the pre-arranged signal from Dumbledore. Zhang Wen responds with a subtle nod; the exchange lasts only seconds and goes unnoticed by others.
• The family enters a magical tea house called Quiet Leaf, where plants curl their leaves in response to noise. After Mordred’s shopping bags make a plant recoil, Artoria calms it by stroking its stem.
• They spend over two hours in the tea house. Professor McGonagall gives Mordred an intense lesson in "dark magic family" etiquette: how to smile non-threateningly, refuse requests in three tones, and dismiss boastful noblemen with a glance.
• At dusk, they return to the Dark Moon Hotel. Dumbledore is still absent. McGonagall reads while Zhang Wen and Artoria watch the night view from the window.

2. Character developments

• Zhang Wen grows more attuned to wordless communication with Artoria and realizes Mordred is not just a brash knight but a formidable military commander with sharp observational skills.
• Artoria shows affection through subtle actions—pouring tea, brushing her fingers against Zhang Wen’s hand—and her ears redden slightly. She demonstrates a gentle, maternal side when calming Mordred and the plant.
• Mordred reveals deep tactical knowledge (analyzing Aurors’ gait, wand placement, troop formations) yet struggles with high-society etiquette. She tries to act as a proper young lady but still slips into teasing and bluntness.
• Professor McGonagall embodies the role of the all-seeing family elder: she notices the hand contact between Zhang Wen and Artoria but says nothing, and she critiques Mordred’s "beast-like" glare versus a lady's refined disdain.

3. Significant themes

• Family bond and warmth: The mundane activities of shopping, tea, and etiquette lessons strengthen the surrogate family’s closeness.
• Covert mission / espionage: The secret signal with the Auror and Dumbledore’s instructions underline the ongoing hidden agenda.
• Etiquette vs. authenticity: McGonagall’s lessons contrast battlefield bluntness with aristocratic refinement, while Mordred’s struggle highlights the gap between her warrior nature and expected decorum.
• Observed observation: Characters constantly watch each other—Artoria watches Zhang Wen, McGonagall watches everyone, Zhang Wen watches the Aurors—reinforcing a theme of layered perception.

4. Character interactions

• Zhang Wen & Artoria: Share a silent, romantic moment—brief hand contact over the tea table and a lingering gaze; Artoria’s ears redden.
• Mordred & Artoria: Lighthearted banter; Mordred calls her mother "unfair" for telling jokes with a straight face.
• McGonagall & Mordred: A grandmother-granddaughter dynamic—McGonagall teaches etiquette, Mordred groans and jokes about preferring to fight Voldemort but ultimately obeys.
• Zhang Wen & Mordred: Father-daughter playfulness; Zhang Wen suggests she open a military consulting agency, which she dismisses as a terrible name.
• Zhang Wen & female Auror: A precise, covert signal exchange that advances the secret plot—only McGonagall and Artoria appear to notice.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Wen and Artoria share a quiet, intimate moment watching the cityscape of New York from the Dark Moon Hotel, noting the stark division between the magical and Muggle districts.
• Dumbledore returns from his outing and reveals his meetings. He confirms via code phrase ("Everything is ready") that MACUSA has completed a three-layered security deployment around Ashbourne, preventing intelligence leaks.
• Dumbledore explains Ashbourne's history: he orchestrates crimes through subordinates while staying at a "reasonable distance," eluding MACUSA's direct-evidence legal standards. Past crimes include the New Orleans wizard disappearances, the Texas mass memory-loss incident, and the Boston cemetery desecration.
• MACUSA sees this operation as a long-awaited opportunity to finally expose Ashbourne; the Order of the Phoenix has placed three members to handle the aftermath (crown confiscation, cleanup of Ashbourne's forces).
• The plan: continue posing as a conspicuous Eastern dark wizarding family to tempt Ashbourne into revealing himself at the auction, since the Dead King's Crown is too important for him to trust fully to subordinates.
• Artoria reveals to Zhang Wen that she knows about the hidden brooch, and asks him to give it to her later in private.
• A mysterious gray-robed figure observes the group through a crystal ball from a distant house; the Dead King's Crown beside him pulses with dark red runes "like a heart beginning to awaken."

2. Character Developments

• Zhang Wen: Reflects on Dumbledore's strategic mastery; shows tenderness toward Artoria but hesitates to give her the brooch, wanting the right moment; gets visibly flustered when Artoria catches him hiding something.
• Artoria: Opens up emotionally ("when I look at it with you, it feels even bigger"); noticeably perceptive; shows vulnerability through her quickened breathing and reddening ears, but is also more forward than Zhang Wen in acknowledging their connection.
• Dumbledore: Revealed as a meticulous and far-sighted strategist; maintains an approachable, humorous facade ("at my age, I can run into old acquaintances anywhere") while orchestrating a complex operation.
• Professor McGonagall: Pragmatic and sharp; exhibits dry, playful hostility toward Mordred.
• Mordred: Eager and unbothered by the plan; provides comic relief with her enthusiasm for "shopping, eating, and acting."
• Ashbourne (via spy): The antagonist's agent views the Zhang family as "interesting," suggesting a calculated, watchful interest in the bait.

3. Significant Themes

• Strategic Misdirection: The plan centers on luring a hidden enemy into direct view; Ashbourne's legal evasion is countered by forcing him into the spotlight.
• Perception and Reality: The barrier hides the group's true purpose; the division between magical and Muggle worlds mirrors the visible/invisible tensions in the plot.
• Intimacy and Timing: Zhang Wen's decision to wait to give the brooch, and Artoria's request to receive it in private, underscore the theme of choosing meaningful, private moments over public ones.
• Power and Accountability: Ashbourne's history shows how power can be distributed to evade justice, and how institutions are sometimes deliberately exploited.
• Awakening/Danger: The crown's pulsing runes and the spy's observation signal an impending convergence of forces.

4. Character Interactions

• Zhang Wen & Artoria: Tender, mutually perceptive interaction; the back-of-hand touch is a subtle but significant gesture; both leave the scene visibly flustered by the brooch exchange, indicating growing closeness.
• Dumbledore & McGonagall: Comfortable, mildly teasing professional relationship; McGonagall presses for answers, Dumbledore deflects with charm.
• Dumbledore & the Group: Briefs with clarity and confidence; positions the group as active agents in a larger scheme.
• Mordred & McGonagall: Playful bickering (Mordred calls her "grandmother"); foreshadows a fond, if adversarial, dynamic.
• The Spy: Observes the group unseen; an antagonistic watcher whose interest signals the bait is being taken.

Chapter Summary: Auction · Undercurrents

Key Plot Points

• The Zhang party heads to the Shadow Auction in Knockturn Alley. The venue is a dark, oppressive building, and the atmosphere is heavy with sinister magical influence.
• Dumbledore acts as a covert adviser, using magical whispers to explain each dark artifact’s origins, dangers, and uses to Zhang Wen.
• Several items are auctioned: a cursed pottery jar, a blood-vein curse scroll, a child-jawbone protective amulet, and various cursed objects.
• Dumbledore unexpectedly bids 3,500 Galleons on an old, unremarkable book about breaking curses. He privately tells McGonagall it contains a method to treat mental corruption caused by the Dead King’s Crown.
• Zhang Wen engages in a bidding duel with Victor Barlow over a vampiric dagger, then deliberately stops, letting Barlow win—establishing an image of wealth and restraint.
• The auction reaches its finale: the Blood Contract Book is announced.

Character Developments

• Mordred: Feels a foreboding sense from the start. She is deeply disturbed by the child-bone amulet but learns to restrain her anger with her father’s and Dumbledore’s support.
• Artoria: Remains outwardly calm but is inwardly furious at the dark items. She shows quiet affection toward Zhang Wen through small touches.
• Dumbledore: Reveals an unsettlingly deep knowledge of dark magic, while emphasizing that understanding is for dealing with evil, not using it. His long-term planning continues.
• Zhang Wen: Proven calm and strategic in high-pressure social games, guiding his family with patience.
• McGonagall: Observes Dumbledore’s actions with wary, resigned understanding.

Significant Themes

• Restraint in the face of darkness.
• Hidden knowledge and layered plans.
• Parental protection and emotional control.
• The moral line between understanding evil and becoming it.

Character Interactions

• Artoria compliments Mordred’s dress, briefly softening their normally blunt relationship.
• Zhang Wen physically calms Mordred’s anger; Dumbledore silently sends warm magic to steady her.
• Zhang Wen and Artoria communicate support through subtle hand touches.
• Zhang Wen and Barlow exchange courteous, probing bids—a polite war of perception.
  Closing Note: The chapter ends on a tense, understated cliffhanger as the Blood Contract Book is announced as the auction’s grand finale.

Chapter Summary: The Appearance of the Blood Contract Book

Key Plot Points and Events

• The auction reaches its final presentation segment, reserved for elite dark-magic families.
• The Zhang Family presents the Blood Contract Book, a Hogwarts family heirloom secretly brought as part of Dumbledore’s plan. Its dangerous powers have been sealed, leaving only enough dark aura to make it appear authentic.
• Dumbledore’s preparations successfully convince the auction attendees that the book is an ancient artifact from Merlin’s era, once connected to Morgan, King Arthur, and Sir Mordred.
• The auctioneer tells a fabricated history claiming that Morgan gave the book to Mordred so he could enslave King Arthur’s soul. Mordred privately points out the story’s obvious inconsistencies, since Morgan would have used such an artifact herself if it truly worked.
• Bidding rises rapidly from 80,000 Galleons to 3 million Galleons, with several wealthy dark-magic families competing for the supposed artifact.
• Just before the book is sold, Zhang Wen raises the minimum price to 10 million Galleons, effectively preventing anyone from buying it. The Zhang Family then reclaims the book, using a forged bank draft prepared by the Order of the Phoenix.
• Dumbledore publicly presents Zhang Wen as his son-in-law, strengthening the Zhang Family’s image and creating an emotional, awkward moment between Zhang Wen and Artoria.
• After the auction, Victor Barlow approaches Zhang Wen with an invitation to meet a mysterious collector at the Dark Moon Hotel.
• Zhang Wen realizes the operation has succeeded: Ashbourne has taken the bait, and the true target is finally willing to meet them.

Character Developments

• Zhang Wen remains calm and composed throughout the auction, successfully maintaining the Zhang Family’s façade. He also becomes increasingly aware of his feelings for Artoria.
• Dumbledore demonstrates his strategic skill by orchestrating the fake artifact, its false history, the forged payment, and the public presentation of Zhang Wen as his son-in-law.
• Mordred shows sharp intelligence by immediately identifying the logical flaws in the fabricated legend. He also enjoys recording Zhang Wen and Artoria’s romantic reactions for future leverage with the Weasley twins.
• Artoria remains disciplined during the mission but shows growing affection toward Zhang Wen. She accepts his hand beneath the table, blushes when Dumbledore calls him her son-in-law, and later links arms with him.
• McGonagall expresses concern over the extravagant forged payment and operational expenses, contrasting her practicality with Dumbledore’s relaxed confidence.
• Victor Barlow shifts from auction intermediary to messenger, revealing that the operation has attracted the intended target.

Significant Themes

• Deception and illusion: The entire auction display is built around a sealed, largely harmless book, a fabricated legend, magical stagecraft, and a forged bank draft.
• Manipulation of greed: Dumbledore exploits the dark families’ desire for powerful magical artifacts to draw attention toward the Zhang Family.
• Performance and reputation: The Zhang Family must convincingly perform the role of an ancient, powerful dark-magic lineage.
• Trust and teamwork: The plan depends on coordination among Zhang Wen, Dumbledore, Artoria, Mordred, McGonagall, and the Order of the Phoenix.
• Growing romance: The mission’s public façade brings Zhang Wen and Artoria closer, with their restrained gestures revealing mutual affection.
• Humor amid danger: Mordred’s criticism of the false legend, her secret notes, and McGonagall’s frustration with Dumbledore’s spending provide comic relief.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Wen comforts Artoria by holding her hand when the book’s dark aura fills the hall; she does not withdraw.
• Mordred jokes privately about the fabricated story, but Artoria orders her to stay focused.
• Dumbledore publicly calls Zhang Wen his son-in-law, causing both Zhang Wen and Artoria to blush and avoid each other’s gaze.
• McGonagall questions Dumbledore about the forged ten-million-Galleon draft, while he assures her that the operation’s special funds will cover it.
• After the auction, Artoria naturally holds Zhang Wen’s arm, signaling increased intimacy.
• Victor Barlow invites Zhang Wen to meet the hidden collector, and Dumbledore confirms that Ashbourne has finally been lured into the operation.

Chapter Summary: “An Unexpected Invitation”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the auction, Zhang Wen places the Blood Contract Book in a black box while the group reflects on their successful performance. The awkwardness between Zhang Wen and Artoria suggests they had convincingly acted as a married couple during the auction.
• Victor Barlow arrives unexpectedly on behalf of an unnamed but influential figure, later understood to be Ashbourne.
• Barlow invites the Zhang Family to a private, weeklong gathering at a secret American estate attended by other prominent families.
• Zhang Wen initially refuses to accept the invitation blindly, questioning the host’s anonymity and the dangers of entering unfamiliar territory.
• Dumbledore unexpectedly offers to attend as an elder of the Zhang Family. This greatly increases the invitation’s value to Ashbourne, who is eager to meet someone with Dumbledore’s apparent status and experience.
• Barlow presents Zhang Wen with a silver eagle-shaped pin, which serves as both an invitation token and a Portkey. It will activate in two days and transport the group to the gathering.
• Zhang Wen and Dumbledore recognize that the pin contains sophisticated magic. It is not only a transport device but also a locator that allows Ashbourne to monitor the group and prevents the destination from being traced backward.
• Zhang Wen accepts the invitation, committing the group to attend the gathering.
• After Barlow leaves, the group acknowledges that Ashbourne is deeply interested in them but will also scrutinize them closely. They resolve to maintain their false identities and perform their roles convincingly.

Character Developments

• Zhang Wen demonstrates strategic caution and strong acting ability. He carefully balances arrogance, hesitation, and cooperation to preserve the Zhang Family’s supposed prestige while accepting the invitation.
• Dumbledore continues to act as the family’s imposing elder and adviser. His decision to attend personally is a calculated move that strengthens their position, though it also raises the stakes.
• Artoria remains calm and perceptive, immediately identifying the Portkey’s dangerous spatial properties. Her confidence reassures Zhang Wen and reinforces her role as the group’s strongest protector.
• Mordred notices and enjoys the awkward romantic tension between Zhang Wen and Artoria, providing a brief comic contrast to the otherwise tense situation.
• Victor Barlow is portrayed as polished, respectful, and politically skilled. He anticipates Zhang Wen’s objections and smoothly addresses them without revealing Ashbourne’s identity.

Significant Themes

• Deception and performance: The group must maintain the illusion that they are a powerful ancient family, turning every conversation into a carefully staged performance.
• Mutual suspicion and surveillance: The invitation is both an opportunity and a trap. Ashbourne wants to attract the Zhang Family, but the Portkey ensures that he can monitor them.
• Power and reputation: Dumbledore’s presence dramatically increases the family’s perceived importance, showing how status and reputation influence magical politics.
• Trust amid danger: Zhang Wen relies on Dumbledore’s judgment and Artoria’s strength, while the group prepares to enter an environment controlled by a potentially hostile power.
• Calculated risk: Accepting the invitation may bring them closer to the Blood Contract Book’s true target, but it also places them directly inside Ashbourne’s sphere of influence.

Character Interactions

• Dumbledore praises Zhang Wen and Artoria’s convincing coordination at the auction, making Artoria visibly embarrassed and prompting Mordred to laugh.
• Zhang Wen and Artoria avoid eye contact after their performance, revealing their mutual awkwardness and possible growing emotional tension.
• Zhang Wen challenges Barlow’s invitation, while Barlow responds diplomatically and attempts to reassure him.
• Dumbledore intervenes with an authoritative statement, effectively transforming the uncertain invitation into an opportunity Ashbourne cannot afford to lose.
• After Barlow departs, Dumbledore and McGonagall discuss the advantages and dangers of the invitation.
• Artoria warns Zhang Wen about the Portkey’s magical trap, and her unwavering confidence removes his remaining doubts about accepting the risk.

Summary: "Tender Moments Before Departure"

Key Plot Points

• With two free days before heading to the Mysterious Manor, Dumbledore suggests a relaxing trip to Long Island.
• The group spends the morning at the beach, then visits New York’s magical shopping district.
• The group splits: Mordred and McGonagall visit a candy shop; Zhang Wen and Artoria go to a quiet magical café.
• Dumbledore and McGonagall secretly follow the younger pair, keeping watch under the pretense of "protection."
• The two free days pass quietly, with sightseeing and shopping.
• On the evening of the fifth day, the group reunites in their hotel suite. Zhang Wen brings out the silver bat brooch Portkey, and they prepare to leave for the Mysterious Manor.

Character Developments

• Zhang Wen & Artoria: Their relationship deepens. Artoria sheds her knightly sharpness, appearing relaxed and vulnerable in a simple white shirt. She begins to say "After all of this is over..." and Zhang Wen completes the unspoken thought: "We'll go home." This shared promise marks a significant emotional bond.
• Mordred: Playful and mischievous, shown through teasing McGonagall with sour candy. She takes on the role of a lighthearted younger figure.
• Professor McGonagall: Though stern, she is coaxed into indulging Mordred, quietly buys chocolates for herself, and shows a more human, less rigid side. She is also skeptical of Dumbledore's excuses.
• Dumbledore: Continues his meddling, protective elder role, framing outright spying as "responsibility" and "protection."

Significant Themes

• Rest before battle: The need for emotional and mental recovery before a dangerous mission.
• Quiet intimacy: A rare moment of peace and connection between Zhang Wen and Artoria, away from duty.
• Found family / elder responsibility: Dumbledore and McGonagall act as watchful guardians, while Mordred brings warmth and humor.
• Impending departure: The calm interlude contrasts with the looming danger of the Mysterious Manor.

Character Interactions

• Mordred & McGonagall: Mordred uses pseudo-logic ("studying local culture") to drag McGonagall into the candy shop, then teases her with sour candy. McGonagall reluctantly ends up enjoying herself and buys chocolates.
• Zhang Wen & Artoria: A long, wordless gaze in the café; Artoria's unfinished sentence and Zhang Wen's firm "We'll go home" solidify their mutual trust and unspoken feelings.
• Dumbledore & McGonagall: Comic relief through their secret surveillance; McGonagall calls it "plainly peeping," while Dumbledore cheerfully insists it is protection.

Chapter Summary: “Portkey Activation”

Key Plot Points and Events

• In the Dark Moon Hotel’s top-floor suite, Zhang Wen and his companions—Artoria, Mordred, Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall—prepare to activate the Silver Bat Pin, which serves as a Portkey.
• At the appointed time, the pin emits a blue glow. The group gathers around it and is transported through a violently twisting magical passage.
• The unusual Portkey journey includes multiple sharp turns and spatial tremors, revealing that Ashbourne has employed sophisticated anti-tracking magic to conceal the destination.
• The group arrives at Shadow Manor, an enormous Gothic estate hidden on a cliff and surrounded by mist-filled pine forests. The entire area is concealed by powerful illusion and spatial camouflage, making it appear from outside like an ordinary barren mountain.
• Victor Barlow welcomes them and leads them into the manor. The interior is decorated with green magical flames, antique armor, and an ominous, corpse-like atmosphere.
• Ashbourne, the manor’s master, is not yet present. Instead, the guests are received by members of his inner circle, including Rafael Visenti and Isabella Crow.
• Zhang Wen’s group is escorted to a banquet hall where numerous prominent dark-magic families have gathered. Their seats are placed near the head of the table, signaling that the Zhang Family is being treated as an important guest.
• The dinner begins with Isabella announcing that the master hopes everyone will enjoy the specially prepared feast.

Character Developments

• Zhang Wen remains observant and controlled throughout the arrival. He recognizes the Portkey’s unusual route as an advanced anti-surveillance measure and understands that Ashbourne is extremely cautious.
• Artoria demonstrates exceptional composure and combat readiness, landing perfectly after the Portkey journey. She also notices Isabella’s threatening nature and quietly reminds Zhang Wen to remain calm.
• Mordred provides blunt, irreverent observations about both the Portkey and Shadow Manor. Although she maintains formal courtesy toward the guests, she instinctively reacts with unease to Isabella’s presence.
• Dumbledore continues acting as the group’s strategic guide. He recognizes that the manor is protected by powerful illusion magic and silently prevents Zhang Wen from acting prematurely against Rafael or Isabella.
• Professor McGonagall remains dignified, alert, and restrained, offering a steady presence beside Dumbledore.
• Victor Barlow presents himself as a polished and courteous representative of the manor, smoothly guiding the visitors while withholding the master’s absence as a formal matter.
• Rafael Visenti is revealed to be a significant member of Ashbourne’s inner circle rather than merely the heir of a dark wizarding family.
• Isabella Crow is introduced as another trusted assistant. Her emotionless demeanor and disturbing aura immediately make her appear dangerous and mysterious.

Significant Themes

• Secrecy and surveillance: The twisting Portkey route and spatial camouflage emphasize the manor’s extreme security and the importance of concealing the gathering.
• Diplomacy under threat: The group must behave like honored guests while remaining alert to the danger posed by Ashbourne and his associates.
• Hidden identities and sinister power: The refined clothing, formal greetings, and banquet setting conceal the dark nature of the families gathered at Shadow Manor.
• Trust and silent cooperation: Zhang Wen and Artoria communicate through subtle gestures, while Dumbledore discreetly directs the group’s strategy.
• Foreboding and deception: The Gothic manor, unnatural sky, corpse-like atmosphere, and Isabella’s unsettling aura establish that the dinner is likely more dangerous than it appears.

Character Interactions

• Mordred jokingly criticizes the Portkey and the manor’s décor, prompting Zhang Wen to tell her to remain quiet.
• Rafael warmly greets Zhang Wen, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Mordred, drawing attention to their previous meeting and complimenting Mordred’s appearance.
• Isabella gives the group a cold, formal welcome and instructs them to proceed to the banquet hall.
• Mordred privately warns Artoria that Isabella smells like a corpse-eating creature, causing Artoria to become more vigilant.
• Artoria silently alerts Zhang Wen to the danger, and the two reassure each other by hooking their little fingers together while walking.
• Dumbledore subtly signals Zhang Wen not to initiate their plan against the manor’s inner-circle members, and Zhang Wen agrees without openly reacting.
• The chapter ends with the Zhang Family seated among powerful dark-magic families as the formal banquet begins.

Chapter Summary: “Dark Dinner”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Wen, Artoria, Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall attend a secretive dinner at Shadow Manor alongside roughly twenty representatives of powerful dark-magic families.
• The meal is deliberately disturbing, featuring meat taken from living creatures. Dumbledore secretly transforms his portion into an ordinary steak, while everyone else maintains appearances.
• The guests use polite conversation and social maneuvering to gather information:
  • McGonagall subtly learns details about the manor’s defensive wards.
  • Dumbledore charms the assembled elders and determines their family backgrounds, territories, and magical specialties.
  • Mordred is questioned by young heirs but responds with blunt threats, discouraging most of them while intriguing Raphael Visenti.
• Zhang Wen notices that the eastern wing of the manor is heavily restricted. Servants avoid it, and Isabella never approaches it closely, leading him to suspect that the Dead King’s Crown is hidden there.
• After dinner, the manor’s master, Ashbourne, still does not appear. Isabella claims he is preparing for important matters and will meet the guests the following day.
• That night, Zhang Wen investigates the eastern Restricted Area using a detection technique that avoids triggering the manor’s wards. He discovers three powerful layers of protection: an alarm ward, a counterattack ward, and a sealing ward that can sever spatial connections.
• Artoria joins him and reports that she detected numerous undead and the weak breathing of at least ten living prisoners inside the Restricted Area. They conclude that Ashbourne intends to use the captives as sacrifices in a ritual.
• Though angered by the prisoners’ plight, Zhang Wen and Artoria decide not to attack prematurely. They resolve to wait for Ashbourne to expose a decisive weakness before acting.
• The two promise each other that they will rescue the prisoners. Their solemn moment is interrupted by Dumbledore and McGonagall, who catch them in the corridor and order them back to their rooms.

Character Developments

• Zhang Wen remains cautious and observant, successfully identifying the likely location of the Dead King’s Crown and mapping the manor’s defenses without detection.
• Artoria demonstrates her investigative skill and strong moral convictions. Her discovery of the prisoners reinforces her determination to oppose Ashbourne’s sacrificial ritual.
• Dumbledore displays exceptional social intelligence and magical subtlety. He gathers information from the other families while flawlessly disguising his manipulation as casual conversation.
• Professor McGonagall acts as a composed elder matriarch, using diplomatic dialogue to investigate the manor’s wards. She also maintains strict authority over Zhang Wen and Artoria.
• Mordred continues to show her direct, aggressive personality, rejecting the young heirs’ insincere attempts at conversation. Her bluntness attracts Raphael’s interest rather than driving him away.
• Raphael Visenti becomes intrigued by Mordred’s unusual personality and appears increasingly interested in her.
• Ashbourne, though absent, is characterized as a dangerous figure willing to imprison innocents and use them as ritual sacrifices.

Significant Themes

• Deception and espionage: The dinner is a contest of concealed intentions, with every guest observing others while pretending to socialize.
• Moral resistance to dark magic: The prisoners and sacrificial ritual reveal the cruelty underlying Ashbourne’s power, motivating Zhang Wen and Artoria to intervene.
• Patience versus righteous action: Although the protagonists are outraged, they recognize that acting too soon would endanger the mission and the captives.
• Trust and partnership: Zhang Wen and Artoria’s promise demonstrates their shared values and deepening bond.
• Appearances versus reality: The grotesque dinner is presented as a formal banquet, while hidden investigations, secret wards, and sinister rituals operate beneath the surface.
• Generational contrast and humor: The serious, battle-hardened investigators are briefly reduced to embarrassed “children” when Dumbledore and McGonagall catch them in the corridor, providing comic relief.

Important Character Interactions

• Artoria quietly warns Zhang Wen about the living blood in the meat, establishing their mutual awareness of the dinner’s sinister nature.
• Dumbledore and McGonagall coordinate their information-gathering efforts through separate conversations with the dark-family leaders.
• Raphael repeatedly attempts to engage Mordred, but her hostile replies only heighten his interest.
• Zhang Wen and Artoria exchange reconnaissance information and unite around the goal of rescuing the prisoners.
• Dumbledore and McGonagall interrupt the pair’s nighttime discussion, teasingly interpreting—or correcting—their intimate-looking exchange.

Chapter Summary: “Report and Plan”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Wen gathers Artoria, Mordred, Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall for a secret morning meeting in his room at Shadow Manor. Dumbledore first creates a powerful barrier that blocks sound and magical surveillance.
• Artoria reports on the Restricted Area in the eastern part of the manor. It is protected by:
  • An alarm ward that detects intruders within five meters
  • A counterattack ward that launches Dark magic
  • A sealing ward that prevents Apparition and Portkey travel
• She also discovers a strong undead presence and at least ten living captives who are extremely weak.
• Zhang Wen confirms that the wards cannot be broken by force without alerting the manor.
• McGonagall reports that Ashbourne invited the families to witness an important ritual scheduled for the evening of the third day—only two days away. The ritual likely involves the captives and the Dead King’s Crown.
• Dumbledore reveals that he secretly mapped the entire manor during the previous night, including rooms, hidden passages, ward nodes, and their relative strengths.
• He outlines the mission’s two simultaneous objectives:
  1. Retrieve the Dead King’s Crown
  2. Rescue all the sacrifices
• Dumbledore explains how to exploit each ward:
  • Extinguish a particular fireplace to briefly disable the alarm ward.
  • Cut off three of seven nodes to destabilize the counterattack ward.
  • Attack while Ashbourne is away from the Restricted Area, since he personally controls the sealing ward.
• Artoria proposes evacuating the captives through a hidden passage leading to the pine forest, with two separate assembly points to reduce the danger of losing everyone at once.
• Mordred suggests using Fred and George Weasley’s non-magical prank devices—smoke bombs and decoy sweets—to confuse pursuers during the evacuation.
• The group spends three hours finalizing routes, timing, assignments, and contingencies. Dumbledore assigns preparations for the next two days, including a field exercise for Mordred.
• Before leaving, Dumbledore teasingly references having encountered Zhang Wen and Artoria during their previous night’s reconnaissance, embarrassing both of them.

2. Character Developments

• Dumbledore is revealed as an exceptionally capable strategist. His apparent absentmindedness conceals the ability to investigate an entire manor unnoticed and analyze a complex defensive system in great detail.
• Artoria shifts between her identities as a legendary warrior and a caring mother. She provides precise tactical intelligence, calmly plans the evacuation, and tenderly fixes Mordred’s hair.
• Mordred demonstrates increasing maturity and battlefield competence. Though initially sleepy and embarrassed by her mother’s affection and Zhang Wen’s praise, she contributes a practical and inventive escape strategy.
• Zhang Wen gains a deeper appreciation of Dumbledore’s wisdom and command ability. He also shows affection and pride toward Artoria and Mordred.
• McGonagall remains practical and skeptical, acting as a grounding presence and showing familiarity with Dumbledore’s eccentric behavior.
• Mordred’s private notebook reveals her growing appreciation for her family’s affectionate moments, as well as her mischievous interest in trading Weasley inventions.

3. Significant Themes

• Strategy over brute force: The mission depends on timing, intelligence, and exploiting weaknesses rather than directly overpowering the wards.
• Experience and wisdom: Dumbledore’s strength lies not only in magical power but in long-earned judgment, preparation, and command.
• Family and tenderness: Artoria’s motherly care toward Mordred and the emotional connection between Zhang Wen, Artoria, and Mordred contrast with the dangerous mission.
• Adaptability and unconventional thinking: Mordred’s use of prank devices against Dark wizards shows the value of methods enemies do not understand or expect.
• Rescue and responsibility: Recovering the Crown is important, but the group insists that saving the sacrifices is equally essential.
• Trust and teamwork: Each member contributes specialized knowledge, and the final plan becomes stronger through collaboration.

4. Character Interactions

• Artoria gently arranges Mordred’s messy hair, revealing a warm mother-daughter relationship beneath their warrior identities. Mordred is embarrassed but allows it.
• Dumbledore and McGonagall exchange familiar, mildly exasperated remarks about his sleepless investigation and unconventional habits.
• Dumbledore treats Artoria respectfully as a tactical equal, incorporating her evacuation recommendations into the official plan.
• Mordred becomes animated while presenting her escape strategy, and both Dumbledore and Zhang Wen sincerely praise her. Her embarrassment suggests she is not accustomed to open approval.
• Dumbledore’s final joke about Zhang Wen and Artoria’s nighttime reconnaissance embarrasses the couple, while Mordred enjoys teasing them.
• After the elders leave, Zhang Wen and Artoria share a quiet, affectionate look, which Mordred records alongside the memory of allowing Artoria to fix her hair.

Summary of “The Trial of Loyalty”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The invited families gather in the manor hall for a qualification test arranged by Ashbourne. Barlow announces that each family must send one representative to demonstrate moderately difficult dark magic, proving both their power and loyalty.
• Several families perform cruel or disturbing spells on living targets, including torturing a rat, controlling a servant’s mind, and using other harmful forms of dark magic.
• Zhang Wen realizes he must appear powerful and authentically connected to dark magic without actually injuring a living creature. Following Dumbledore’s advice, he uses a disguised thaumaturgical technique from the Type-Moon world.
• Zhang demonstrates the “Black Binding Curse” on a Griffin. Crimson threads immobilize the creature by preventing it from exerting physical strength, but do not physically harm it. The audience is impressed and believes the spell to be an ancient form of dark magic.
• Artoria enhances the performance by using invisible sword energy to reinforce the binding. Her regal aura and martial ability astonish the guests.
• Mordred contributes to the deception by acting like an arrogant pure-blood noble, praising her “father” and “mother” and reinforcing the impression that the Zhangs are an ancient, powerful family.
• Dumbledore performs last. Using a black crystal and an ancient incantation, he manifests a void-like space that completely erases the Griffin, leaving no trace behind.
• Raphael Visenti identifies the feat as the legendary Void Devouring Curse, a supposedly lost spell capable of manipulating space. The audience is overwhelmed by Dumbledore’s power and begins treating the Zhang Family with genuine reverence.
• Dumbledore privately warns Zhang Wen that this display was only a basic ability and that greater powers should be reserved for truly critical moments.
• Ashbourne watches the test from behind a secret door. Shocked by Dumbledore’s strength, he decides to attend the Zhang Family’s private dinner personally that night.

Character Developments

• Zhang Wen demonstrates strategic thinking and restraint. He successfully balances intimidation with compassion, using a nonlethal spell while maintaining the appearance of a dark wizard.
• Artoria reveals her ability to support Zhang Wen seamlessly and strengthens her public image as a powerful, kingly figure. Her reaction to the cruelty of the other families shows her moral opposition to needless suffering.
• Mordred proves surprisingly effective at deception. Her arrogant noble persona convincingly reinforces the Zhang Family’s supposed ancient pedigree.
• Dumbledore reveals a terrifying level of power far beyond what the others expected. His mild, grandfatherly exterior contrasts sharply with his ability to erase a creature through space-manipulating magic.
• Ashbourne shifts from dismissing the Zhang Family as merely another invited group to viewing them as valuable and potentially important. Dumbledore’s strength forces him to reconsider his plans.

Significant Themes

• Deception and performance: The Zhang Family must disguise unfamiliar thaumaturgy as dark magic and perform a carefully constructed identity before suspicious elites.
• Power versus morality: The other families display genuine cruelty, while Zhang Wen achieves a similar intimidating effect without harming the Griffin. The chapter contrasts moral restraint with the brutal traditions of dark wizard society.
• Legacy and reputation: The test is designed to verify lineage, loyalty, and strength. The Zhang Family’s coordinated performance successfully creates the image of an ancient and formidable house.
• Hidden strength: Dumbledore’s understated demeanor conceals immense power, emphasizing that appearances can be deeply misleading.
• Trust and teamwork: Zhang Wen, Artoria, Mordred, and Dumbledore work together instinctively, supporting one another to survive the test and advance their larger mission.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Wen and Dumbledore communicate through subtle glances and brief private advice, showing their shared plan and mutual trust.
• Zhang Wen and Artoria coordinate their magical display; her sword energy strengthens his binding spell, and their silent exchange reflects their close partnership.
• Mordred theatrically praises Zhang Wen and Artoria, helping sustain the family’s false noble persona.
• Barlow publicly acknowledges the Zhang Family’s impressive performance, while the other guests react with admiration and fear.
• Raphael Visenti identifies Dumbledore’s spell, giving the demonstration greater legitimacy and triggering renewed excitement throughout the hall.
• Ashbourne and Isabella discuss the Zhang Family privately, leading Ashbourne to announce that he will personally attend the evening dinner.

Chapter Summary: “Meeting Colvin Ashbourne”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After successfully passing Ashbourne’s loyalty test, Zhang Wen’s group is invited to meet Colvin Ashbourne in his private study.
• Barlow leads the five guests through increasingly restricted corridors protected by powerful magical defenses, including alarm wards, soul-sealing curses, anti-Apparition spells, soul-severing arrays, and vanishing magic. Zhang Wen realizes Ashbourne’s manor is extraordinarily dangerous and well defended.
• The group meets Ashbourne, the mysterious master of the manor. He treats Dumbledore with marked respect, having been deeply impressed by Dumbledore’s use of the Void Devouring Curse.
• Ashbourne serves them enchanted tea that stabilizes and clarifies the mind. After Zhang Wen drinks first and signals that it is safe, Artoria follows; Mordred reluctantly drinks as a matter of etiquette.
• Ashbourne tests Dumbledore’s knowledge of dark magic, beginning with ancient Egyptian Necromancy and expanding to mind magic derived from the Fidelius Charm and Eastern Gu Sorcery.
• Dumbledore answers every question with extraordinary expertise, explains obscure magical principles, identifies weaknesses, and even corrects Ashbourne’s misunderstandings. Ashbourne becomes increasingly impressed, taking notes like an eager student.
• After nearly two hours, Ashbourne admits that he learned more from Dumbledore that evening than in the previous thirty years. He expresses a desire for future cooperation and continued guidance from Dumbledore and the Zhang Family.
• Once back in their room, Dumbledore creates a soundproof barrier. McGonagall questions his immense knowledge of dark magic, prompting him to reveal that he studied these subjects with Gellert Grindelwald in his youth.
• The revelation casts a serious mood over the group. Zhang Wen recognizes that Dumbledore’s expertise comes from his troubled past and former alliance with one of history’s most dangerous dark wizards.
• Mordred records the revelation in her notebook, treating it as valuable intelligence. She also records Artoria’s affectionate gesture toward Zhang Wen, considering both discoveries valuable “prank supply” material.
• Dumbledore reminds them that preparations must continue for the ritual scheduled two nights later, which will be the decisive stage of their mission to rescue the imprisoned sacrifices.

Character Developments

• Zhang Wen: Becomes increasingly wary of Ashbourne after observing the manor’s defenses and Ashbourne’s penetrating gaze. He is also deeply shaken by Dumbledore’s vast knowledge but ultimately regains confidence, recognizing Dumbledore as the mission’s greatest guarantee of success.
• Dumbledore: Demonstrates frighteningly deep knowledge of dark magic while maintaining his benevolent, humble persona. His past with Grindelwald is partially exposed, revealing that his wisdom was shaped by morally troubling experiences.
• Colvin Ashbourne: Is established as an extremely powerful, intelligent, and highly knowledgeable dark wizard. Despite his danger, he respects strength and knowledge, showing genuine humility before Dumbledore and eagerly seeking his instruction.
• Artoria: Shows unwavering trust in Dumbledore’s allegiance and provides emotional support to Zhang Wen. Her gentle care—holding his hand and wiping sweat from his forehead—reveals growing affection and intimacy.
• Mordred: Realizes that both Dumbledore and the adults around her are far more complex than she had assumed. She continues acting as an amused observer and informal recorder of the group’s secrets and relationships.
• Professor McGonagall: Reacts with concern and gravity to the mention of Grindelwald, showing that Dumbledore’s past remains painful and difficult for those close to him.

Significant Themes

• Knowledge as power: Ashbourne respects Dumbledore primarily because of his mastery of magic, while Dumbledore’s expertise allows the group to gain influence and credibility.
• The danger of hidden histories: Dumbledore’s connection to Grindelwald reveals that apparently benevolent figures may carry morally complicated pasts.
• Trust and alliance: Despite Dumbledore’s secrets, Artoria and Zhang Wen choose to trust his present loyalty and rely on him for the mission.
• Masks and appearances: Ashbourne presents himself politely while surrounding his study with lethal defenses; Dumbledore appears kindly and humble despite his formidable abilities.
• Emotional support amid danger: The quiet affection between Zhang Wen and Artoria contrasts with the political and magical tension surrounding them.
• Preparation before decisive action: The intellectual meeting serves as an important step toward cooperation, while the upcoming ritual is emphasized as the mission’s true turning point.

Important Character Interactions

• Ashbourne respectfully welcomes Dumbledore and engages him in an intense scholarly discussion.
• Dumbledore’s corrections are accepted by Ashbourne with admiration rather than resentment, strengthening their relationship.
• McGonagall’s reaction to Grindelwald exposes her awareness of and discomfort with Dumbledore’s past.
• Zhang Wen comforts himself through Artoria’s reassurance that Dumbledore is on their side.
• Artoria’s hand-holding and wiping of Zhang Wen’s forehead reveal their growing closeness.
• Mordred silently observes and records both Dumbledore’s secret history and her parents’ affectionate behavior.
• The group ends the chapter united and focused on completing the preparations for the rescue ritual.

Chapter Summary: Dead King’s Crown

Key Plot Points and Events

• Barlow invites Zhang Wen and Dumbledore to Ashbourne’s private collection, giving them access to the heavily guarded eastern Restricted Area.
• Zhang Wen recognizes the invitation as a rare opportunity to locate the Dead King’s Crown, though he understands that entering Ashbourne’s strongest defenses is extremely dangerous.
• Zhang Wen leaves Artoria, his mother, and Modena in the guest room with a Communication Stone for emergencies. He and Dumbledore follow Barlow to the Restricted Area.
• Ashbourne personally welcomes them and leads them through multiple layers of magical defenses. Zhang Wen observes that the wards respond directly to Ashbourne, opening for him while remaining sealed against intruders.
• In an ancient Ritual Hall, they discover the Dead King’s Crown floating above a black-marble altar. The crown is made from skull fragments, dark-red threads, and a black gemstone containing swirling mist.
• Ashbourne explains that the crown originated from a lost civilization thousands of years before Merlin and grants control over death magic, including armies of the dead, Dementors, and temporarily resurrected corpses.
• He reveals that he plans to use nine people with pure magical bloodlines as sacrifices to activate the crown. The ritual is scheduled for the night after tomorrow, confirming Zhang Wen’s suspicions about the prisoners in the Restricted Area.
• Ashbourne insists that he does not seek political power like Voldemort. Instead, he wants to transcend death and become an eternal guardian who preserves the magical world’s knowledge.
• Dumbledore outwardly praises Ashbourne’s dedication while subtly challenging his beliefs, warning that true transcendence may come from accepting death rather than conquering it.
• Ashbourne attempts to manipulate Dumbledore by offering to resurrect someone he has lost, clearly targeting Dumbledore’s grief over his sister Ariana.
• Dumbledore is deeply shaken but ultimately rejects the temptation, stating that the dead should be allowed to rest and that the living should preserve their memories and continue onward.
• Zhang Wen and Dumbledore return safely and prepare to brief Artoria, McGonagall, Mordred, and the others. The group realizes that the decisive confrontation must occur before Ashbourne’s ritual.

Character Developments

• Zhang Wen demonstrates caution, strategic thinking, and courage by accepting the dangerous invitation. He carefully studies the defensive wards and confirms the location and purpose of the crown.
• Dumbledore reveals the depth of his emotional wounds, particularly his guilt and grief over Ariana’s death. Despite Ashbourne’s powerful offer, he shows moral strength by refusing to pursue resurrection.
• Ashbourne is revealed as more than a power-hungry dark wizard. He genuinely believes he is pursuing a noble purpose, but his obsession with defeating death has made him fanatical and willing to sacrifice innocent lives.
• Artoria shows her concern for Zhang Wen and serves as a source of emotional stability. Her reunion with him emphasizes their trust and closeness.
• Dumbledore and Zhang Wen develop greater mutual respect, with Zhang Wen supporting Dumbledore without judging or pressuring him.

Significant Themes

• Fear of death versus acceptance of death: Ashbourne views death as a flaw to be conquered, while Dumbledore argues that accepting mortality is the wiser path.
• Obsession and madness: Ashbourne believes his pursuit is altruistic, but his fear of death has transformed his idealism into destructive fanaticism.
• The burden of grief and guilt: Ashbourne’s offer exploits Dumbledore’s lifelong sorrow over Ariana, demonstrating how personal loss can become a source of vulnerability.
• Moral sacrifice: Ashbourne’s plan treats innocent lives as fuel for his ambition, contrasting sharply with Dumbledore’s belief that the dead should remain at rest.
• Trust and preparation: Zhang Wen’s entry into the Restricted Area provides vital intelligence, while the group’s communication and planning prepare them for the coming battle.

Important Character Interactions

• Zhang Wen and Artoria: They exchange warnings and reassurance before his mission. Artoria’s relief when he returns reinforces their intimate bond.
• Zhang Wen and Dumbledore: They work together covertly, with Zhang Wen observing the wards while Dumbledore maintains a diplomatic façade. Afterward, Zhang Wen offers Dumbledore emotional support.
• Dumbledore and Ashbourne: Their conversation begins as polite philosophical discussion but develops into a subtle ideological confrontation. Ashbourne’s offer to resurrect Ariana exposes his manipulative nature and tests Dumbledore’s resolve.
• Ashbourne and Zhang Wen: Ashbourne attempts to impress and recruit them by displaying the crown and explaining his grand ambition, unaware that Zhang Wen is gathering information to oppose him.
• Zhang Wen and the waiting group: Upon returning, Zhang Wen and Dumbledore prepare to reveal the crown’s location, the sacrificial ritual, and the urgency of the impending battle.

Summary: The Knight's Fury — Chapter 9

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Wen and Dumbledore return to their guest room, secure it with soundproof and anti-detection barriers, and debrief the group on their visit to the Restricted Area.
• Revelation of Ashbourne's plan: They saw the Dead King's Crown in person, which radiates a deathly aura. Ashbourne revealed his scheme: he needs nine living people with pure magical bloodlines as sacrifices to fuel the crown's activation, intended to make him an eternal being who has fully transcended death.
• The prisoners are the designated sacrifices — their souls will be consumed by the crown.
• Timeline: The ritual is scheduled for the night after tomorrow under a specific lunar phase. Dumbledore confirms their rescue operation must occur that same night. He has already mapped out the barriers and routes during their visit.
• Mordred's outburst: Upon hearing about the sacrifices, she attempts to rush out and attack the entire estate, vowing to kill Ashbourne, Rafael, and Isabella.
• Artoria's intervention: She fiercely rebukes Mordred, explaining the consequences of reckless action — the sacrifices will die, the mission will fail, and the entire magical world will face disaster if the crown activates.
• Mordred calms down: After her mother's words, she re-centers herself, vowing to wait until the night of the ritual to strike properly.
• Dumbledore comforts Mordred: He gives her a Lemon Sherbet candy, offers gentle wisdom about justice and wisdom, deeply moving her.
• Emotional exchange between Artoria and Zhang Wen: She silently mouths "Thank you"; he responds "We're family," leaving Artoria visibly flustered.
• Discussion returns to tactics: Dumbledore announces he will now integrate his Restricted Area observations into their existing battle plan.

2. Character Developments

• Mordred: Undergoes the most significant arc. Her reactive, violent impulse to charge out is tempered into patient, focused anger. She learns an important lesson about restraint and timing. Dumbledore's act of kindness gives her a novel experience of elder care — she has never had a genuinely nurturing elder figure, which produces a heartfelt warmth and raises her respect for Dumbledore.
• Artoria: Shows both the stern authority of a king and the warmth of a mother. She reveals she also felt an intense urge to attack after hearing the news, proving to Mordred that her anger is shared. Her kingly wisdom is clearly passed down: "turn anger into a sharper sword, not a blind one."
• Dumbledore: Exhibits genuine warmth and mentoring. His gentle handling of Mordred demonstrates his gift for reaching wounded hearts and re-centering them with patience. His "Lemon Sherbet has that kind of magical power" line proves wise and effective.
• Professor McGonagall: For the first time, shows visible emotional agitation — trembling hands and difficulty speaking — when hearing about the nine sacrifices. Her resolve remains absolute: "We must stop him, no matter the cost."
• Zhang Wen: Serves as the connective figure, delivering the information and offering quiet emotional support. His "We're family" deepens the found-family bond with Artoria and Mordred.

3. Significant Themes

• Justice requires wisdom: The central lesson of the chapter — righteous anger must be balanced with strategic patience or it becomes destructive.
• The cost of recklessness: Artoria's rebuke frames the stakes clearly: acting alone will doom the very people they seek to save and trigger a larger catastrophe.
• Found family and belonging: Mordred's emotional breakthrough with Dumbledore, and the silent gratitude exchanged between Artoria and Zhang Wen, underscore how genuine care transcends blood.
• The warrior's discipline: Knighthood is framed not as unrestrained rage but as the ability to redirect anger into precise, purposeful action.
• The power of small kindnesses: A single piece of candy and a warm gesture becomes the turning point for Mordred's emotional state.

4. Character Interactions

• Zhang Wen to the group: Presents the mission-critical information clearly and calmly.
• Mordred and Artoria: The emotional core of the chapter — a mother-daughter confrontation that moves from harsh rebuke (kingly authority) to tender comfort (motherly warmth). Artoria's "Now that's my daughter" hits especially hard.
• Dumbledore and Mordred: A touching mentor-student moment where the old headmaster's gentleness reaches someone who never experienced elder care. Mordred's quiet, nearly inaudible "Thank you" marks his impact.
• Artoria and Zhang Wen: Wordless communication through lip-reading — her thanks for Dumbledore's kindness to Mordred, his reply "We're family."
• Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore: Brief but firm — her conviction and his reassurance that the operation is planned for the ritual night.

Chapter Summary: Final Deployment Before the Battle

Key Plot Points and Events

• After several hours of planning, Dumbledore completes the preliminary battle strategy for attacking Ashbourne’s manor.
• He uses a Phoenix feather from Fox to send the collected intelligence to the Order of the Phoenix. The message includes:
  • The location of the Dead King’s Crown
  • Ashbourne’s ritual plan and timing
  • The Zhang Family’s proposed strategy
• The Order of the Phoenix replies through another enchanted Phoenix feather, confirming that Kingsley Shacklebolt is leading twenty experienced members from a nearby safe house.
• MACUSA is also prepared under Auror Emily Roderick, commanding an even larger team of specially trained anti-Dark Arts agents.
• Both outside forces agree to attack from separate directions when the ritual begins, providing support and multiple escape routes.
• Dumbledore assigns the five-person inner team their roles:
  1. Zhang Wen will disrupt the manor’s magical defenses using Type-Moon magecraft five minutes before the ritual, creating approximately fifteen minutes of defensive instability.
  2. Artoria will seize the Ritual Hall, stop the ritual, and secure the Dead King’s Crown until Dumbledore and McGonagall arrive.
  3. Mordred will rescue the nine imprisoned sacrifices from the basement and lead them through an emergency passage to the Order’s extraction point.
  4. Professor McGonagall will lure Ashbourne’s assistants, Raphael Visenti and Isabella Crow, into the eastern chapel and keep them occupied.
  5. Dumbledore will confront Ashbourne directly and suppress him, preventing him from maintaining the manor’s defensive wards or assisting the ritual.
• The group spends another three hours refining the plan, accounting for timing, possible complications, and escape procedures.
• Dumbledore warns everyone that the mission may result in serious injuries or death and offers them the chance to withdraw. Everyone chooses to remain.
• The chapter ends with the team resting before the battle, which is scheduled for the night after tomorrow.

Character Developments

• Dumbledore demonstrates his strategic skill, magical knowledge, and willingness to bear the most dangerous responsibility by facing Ashbourne himself. His serious warning also reveals his awareness of the mission’s grave risks.
• Zhang Wen accepts the opening role and gains confidence in using his foreign magecraft to exploit weaknesses in the manor’s defenses. He also reassures Dumbledore that he and Artoria will fight and return together.
• Artoria remains composed and confident in her ability to secure the Ritual Hall, while quietly reassuring Zhang Wen when he worries about her safety. Later, she openly expresses how much she values their relationship, revealing rare emotional vulnerability.
• Mordred shows significant maturity. Rather than acting impulsively, she accepts responsibility for rescuing all nine sacrifices and plans to use Weasley devices strategically. She vows to protect Zhang Wen and Artoria and begins viewing Dumbledore as family, calling him “Grandfather.”
• McGonagall remains practical, loyal, and resolute. Her familiar teasing and bickering with Dumbledore show the depth and comfort of their long partnership.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and chosen family: The group’s willingness to face danger together reflects their strong bonds. Mordred’s naming of Dumbledore as “Grandfather” symbolizes his acceptance into their family.
• Trust and partnership: Zhang Wen and Artoria’s promise to return together reinforces their deep romantic and familial commitment.
• Sacrifice and moral responsibility: The mission is dangerous because it seeks not only to stop Ashbourne and recover the Crown, but also to save nine innocent victims.
• Preparation versus uncertainty: The team plans every detail, yet Dumbledore acknowledges that no strategy can eliminate the possibility of death.
• Hope amid danger: Humor, affection, and familiar relationships help the characters endure the pressure of the coming battle.

Important Character Interactions

• Zhang Wen and Artoria support each other physically and emotionally, holding hands and reaffirming that they will face the battle together.
• Dumbledore and McGonagall combine professional cooperation with decades of affectionate bickering, using humor to relieve tension.
• Dumbledore’s assignment of duties reflects his trust in each member’s abilities.
• Artoria advises Mordred to honor her promises and return alive, reinforcing her role as both mother and mentor.
• Mordred secretly observes Zhang Wen and Artoria’s emotional exchange, chooses not to interrupt, and records it in her notebook before privately swearing to protect them both.

Summary: “Night of the Final Battle”

Key Plot Points and Events

• On the evening of Ashbourne’s ritual, Zhang Wen and Artoria prepare to put their rescue and assault plan into action. Zhang has created a Magical Resonance Interference Array, combining Clock Tower magecraft with Hogwarts magical theory. When activated, it will temporarily disrupt the estate’s dark-magic barriers.
• The guests are ordered to gather in the main hall, unintentionally bringing the entire group into position for the planned operation. Zhang, Artoria, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Mordred quietly adjust their locations while pretending to follow Ashbourne’s instructions.
• At midnight, Zhang activates the device. The estate’s lights flicker, the illusionary sky cracks, and its protective barriers fall into disorder.
• Dumbledore sends a signal to the Order of the Phoenix and MACUSA. Their forces break through the estate’s outer concealment from opposite directions, launching a coordinated assault against Ashbourne’s guards.
• Professor McGonagall immobilizes Isabella Crow and Raphael Visenti by transforming the marble floor into stone pillars that trap them before they can respond.
• Dumbledore reveals his true identity and power to Ashbourne. Ashbourne realizes that the respected “Zhang Clan elder” he trusted was actually Albus Dumbledore and that the entire alliance was a deception.
• Dumbledore confronts Ashbourne in the hall, framing their ideological conflict as a life-or-death struggle.
• Artoria enters the Ritual Hall to secure the Dead King’s Crown and prevent the ritual from being completed or disrupted.
• Mordred heads to the basement prison, using Weasley prank devices—including smoke bombs and Decoy Sweets—to mislead pursuing guards. She breaks open the prison door and finds the nine weakened sacrifices. She promises to rescue them.

Character Developments

• Zhang Wen remains calm despite his heightened anxiety, demonstrating careful preparation and strategic discipline. His magical invention becomes the trigger for the entire assault.
• Artoria acts as a focused and dependable combatant. She coordinates silently with Zhang and moves directly toward the Ritual Hall, prioritizing the Crown and the ritual’s containment.
• Dumbledore sheds his kindly, absentminded façade and reveals himself as a powerful strategist and terrifying opponent. His confrontation with Ashbourne shows the depth of his commitment to opposing dark magic.
• Professor McGonagall displays decisive speed and overwhelming mastery of Transfiguration, neutralizing two major threats with a single spell.
• Mordred shows unusual restraint and tactical maturity. Rather than acting recklessly, she follows the plan, uses her resources intelligently, and demonstrates compassion when reassuring the imprisoned sacrifices.
• Ashbourne shifts from confident ritual master to shocked and enraged victim of betrayal once he recognizes Dumbledore.
• Isabella and Raphael lose control of the situation almost immediately, becoming symbols of Ashbourne’s defenses collapsing.

Significant Themes

• Deception and concealed identity: The Zhang Clan’s apparent alliance with Ashbourne masks a larger resistance operation, while Dumbledore’s identity is hidden until the decisive moment.
• Preparation versus power: Zhang’s carefully engineered device and the group’s coordinated positioning allow them to undermine Ashbourne’s extensive defenses before openly confronting him.
• Ideological conflict: Dumbledore’s statement that “philosophical differences” can become matters of life and death emphasizes the moral and political stakes behind the ritual.
• Freedom and rescue: The assault is not only an attack on Ashbourne but also an attempt to save the nine victims intended as sacrifices.
• Order breaking into chaos: The cracking illusionary sky, failing barriers, alarms, and invading forces represent Ashbourne’s controlled world collapsing.
• Hidden strength beneath appearances: Dumbledore’s gentle persona, McGonagall’s restrained demeanor, and Mordred’s usual impulsiveness all give way to their true capabilities when the battle begins.

Character Interactions

• Zhang and Artoria communicate through brief, disciplined exchanges and silent signals, reflecting their trust and coordination.
• Barlow unknowingly directs the conspirators into the exact location needed for the plan, while Zhang and Artoria maintain the appearance of cooperation.
• Dumbledore and McGonagall work in tandem: Dumbledore alerts the external forces while McGonagall disables Isabella and Raphael inside the hall.
• McGonagall openly identifies herself to Isabella, making clear that Hogwarts has intervened directly.
• Ashbourne confronts Dumbledore with shock and fury after realizing he has been deceived by the man he respected.
• Dumbledore responds coldly and formally, presenting their confrontation as the inevitable resolution of their opposing beliefs.
• Mordred’s interaction with the nine prisoners marks a sharp emotional contrast with the violence elsewhere: she speaks gently, reassures them, and takes responsibility for bringing them to safety.

Chapter Summary: The Invisible Holy Sword

Key Plot Points and Events

• During a midnight assault on the manor, Mordred escapes the holding area by defeating four armed guards with her bare hands and magic.
• She discovers nine prisoners, including three frightened children. Moved by their vulnerability and memories of war orphans, she takes responsibility for evacuating them.
• Using a prank product supplied by Fred and George Weasley, Mordred defeats one of Ashbourne’s senior assistants. The “Trip-Up Frosting” causes him to lose control of his footing, allowing Mordred to knock him through a wall.
• In the Ritual Hall, Artoria confronts Isabella Crow, who is preparing a crown made from skull fragments. Artoria reveals the presence of an invisible holy sword, whose aura Isabella recognizes as that of the legendary Sword in the Stone.
• Artoria destroys Isabella’s dark shields with a single strike and takes the skull crown, declaring that such an object should not exist.
• Professor McGonagall defeats Raphael Visenti with effortless defensive magic and Transfiguration. She first humiliates him by turning his spells into harmless creatures, then counters his monstrous transformation with a powerful half-panther form of her own.
• McGonagall strips away Raphael’s transformation, turns him into a statue, and jokingly orders him to write a three-thousand-word self-criticism.
• Zhang Wen encounters Artoria after her battle. She entrusts him with the cursed crown because she needs both hands free to wield her sword, confirming that she has finally drawn it.
• The two exchange a tender moment before Artoria goes to join the ongoing battle between Dumbledore and Ashbourne. Zhang Wen reassures her that he cares more about her returning safely than about the sword’s identity.
• Mordred witnesses the exchange and is embarrassed by their romantic affection while continuing to lead the rescued children to safety.

Character Developments

• Mordred displays growing compassion and maturity. Though still aggressive and physically reckless, she prioritizes protecting the children and consciously restrains her anger so she will not frighten them.
• Artoria openly uses the invisible holy sword for the first time in the chapter. Her power and connection to the legendary weapon are exposed, but she remains guarded about its origin. Her concern for Zhang Wen and embarrassment at his affection reveal a softer, more emotionally vulnerable side.
• Zhang Wen demonstrates complete trust in Artoria. He does not question her secret or demand an explanation about the sword, instead emphasizing his concern for her safety and reaffirming their emotional bond.
• Professor McGonagall is shown as vastly more powerful and experienced than the dark wizards opposing her. Her stern teacherly personality remains intact even while using extraordinary combat abilities.
• Isabella Crow loses her confidence when she recognizes Artoria’s sword aura, realizing that the ancient power she believed impossible has returned.
• Raphael Visenti is reduced from an arrogant servant of Ashbourne to a helpless, humiliated statue.

Significant Themes

• Protection of the innocent: Mordred’s rescue of the children shows that heroism is defined not only by defeating enemies but by safeguarding the vulnerable.
• Trust and acceptance: Zhang Wen accepts Artoria without demanding that she reveal every secret, strengthening their relationship.
• The return of legend: Artoria’s sword represents the reappearance of Arthurian power in the modern magical world and challenges established beliefs about history.
• Experience versus arrogance: McGonagall’s effortless victory demonstrates the gulf between genuine mastery and the dark wizards’ borrowed power and theatrical confidence.
• Family and emotional bonds: Mordred’s protective behavior toward the children and her reaction to Artoria and Zhang Wen’s intimacy reinforce the chapter’s unconventional family dynamic.
• The moral use of power: The heroes use overwhelming abilities primarily to rescue, defend, and neutralize threats rather than to indulge in cruelty.

Important Character Interactions

• Mordred reassures the youngest prisoner by calling herself their “big sister,” establishing trust and protection.
• Mordred mocks the defeated assistant while crediting the Weasley Brothers’ prank product.
• Artoria and Isabella clash over the identity and historical significance of the invisible sword.
• McGonagall verbally belittles Raphael’s skills while defeating him with superior Transfiguration.
• Artoria and Zhang Wen share a quiet, affectionate conversation that confirms their mutual trust.
• Mordred observes their exchange and provides comic relief, complaining that they are being romantic “during the mission.”

Summary: "Duel with Ashbourne"

Key Plot Points

• Zhang Wen and Artoria flee through a corridor carrying the freezing Bone Crown; Artoria warms his hands with her magic, and they run hand-in-hand to a balcony overlooking the manor courtyard.
• Dumbledore is locked in combat with Colvin Ashbourne, a powerful dark wizard. The courtyard is devastated by explosions, curses, and magical fire.
• Ashbourne tries to summon the Bone Crown but fails; instead, he uses his magical link to it to raise an army of undead from the ground.
• Dumbledore unleashes immense magic: golden ripples that shatter the undead’s defenses, turning the courtyard into a swamp of golden fire, and a giant fiery serpent that overwhelms Ashbourne's defenses.
• As Dumbledore prepares a finishing blow, McGonagall arrives, exhausted from her own fight. Ashbourne uses a half-burned undead corpse to block Dumbledore’s line of sight and fires a silent black spell.
• Zhang Wen shouts a warning, but Dumbledore only partially dodges; the spell grazes his left arm, leaving a deep, bleeding wound.

Character Developments

• Zhang Wen: Shows care for Artoria, tries to shield her from the cold, and values observing Dumbledore’s combat techniques to teach later. His affection for Artoria grows.
• Artoria: Warm and protective, firmly holding Zhang Wen’s hand despite her stoic demeanor; agrees to a future Muggle-world outing with him and Mordred.
• Dumbledore: Serious and overwhelmingly powerful, but vulnerable — he is wounded due to a clever tactical trick.
• Ashbourne: Becomes increasingly vicious and desperate, resorting to underhanded tactics when conventional dark magic fails.
• McGonagall: Arrives tired after defeating Rafael, unknowingly creating the opening Ashbourne exploits.

Significant Themes

• Trust and partnership: Artoria and Zhang Wen rely on each other under pressure.
• Power vs. cunning: Ashbourne cannot match Dumbledore’s raw power, so he wins an opening through deception.
• Cost of battle: Even the greatest wizard can be hurt; victory is not without injury.
• Observation and learning: Zhang Wen uses the duel to gain combat knowledge for future teaching.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Wen & Artoria: Intimate handholding, quiet flirtation, mutual care; Artoria reassures him she isn’t affected by the crown’s cold.
• Dumbledore & Ashbourne: Intense magical duel, with Dumbledore dominating until Ashbourne’s trick.
• Zhang Wen & Dumbledore: Zhang Wen’s shouted warning is too late to prevent the wound.
• McGonagall & Dumbledore: Her entrance inadvertently distracts Dumbledore, allowing Ashbourne’s attack.