Recaps

Hermione joined Harry, Ron, Hagrid, and Su Er as they discussed the Fidelius Charm and how Peter Pettigrew betrayed Harry’s parents. Hagrid revealed that Sirius was Harry’s godfather, leaving Harry stunned.

• Hermione explained how the Fidelius Charm protected a secret through its Secret Keeper.
• Su Er clarified that the charm could only be broken if the Secret Keeper willingly revealed the secret, and Hagrid explained that Pettigrew had been made Secret Keeper at the last moment.
• Hagrid recounted how Sirius had been blamed for betraying James and Lily before Pettigrew’s guilt came to light.
• Hagrid said James had made Sirius Harry’s godfather, and Harry reacted with shock.

Harry learned that Sirius Black was his godfather and discovered that Black had already visited him as a black dog and sent him the Firebolt. As the pre-Christmas Hogsmeade Weekend approached, Harry eagerly awaited seeing Black while Snape continued teaching lessons about werewolves.

• Hagrid confirmed that Sirius Black was Harry’s godfather, and Harry asked when he would get to see him.
• Su Er told Harry that Black had visited as a black dog, sent him the Firebolt, and would come to Hogwarts as a Defence Against Dark Magic teaching assistant.
• Harry grew excited about meeting Black, while Ron and Hermione discussed Snape’s lessons and his focus on werewolves.
• In the days before Hogsmeade Weekend, Harry repeatedly asked Ron and Hermione whether he looked presentable, while Colin Creevey sought a photo with Harry and Su Er.
• Snape again replaced Lupin for a lesson, assigned work on identifying werewolves, and Su Er wrote about using their wolf-like habits to recognize them.

Su Er gave Harry the Marauder's Map and explained how to use a secret passage to reach Hogsmeade. On Hogsmeade Weekend, Harry waited until the other students had left and prepared to sneak out through the passage to Honeydukes.

• Su Er let the exaggerated rumors about Pettigrew continue, hoping they would become so absurd that they faded away.
• Su Er gave Harry the Marauder's Map as a Christmas present and told him about secret passages to Hogsmeade.
• Harry learned from the map how to reach Honeydukes and planned to use that passage rather than risk approaching the Whomping Willow.
• On Hogsmeade Weekend, Harry watched the students leave, opened the map, and confirmed that the Third Floor Corridor was empty before setting out.

Su Er went to the Hog's Head Bar to sell the Acromantula venom he had collected, seeking a deal with Aberforth Dumbledore. Aberforth offered forty-five Galleons, and Su Er accepted.

• On the way to Hogsmeade, Su Er quietly arranged to meet Hermione at Honeydukes later.
• Su Er went to the Hog's Head Bar, where he planned to sell his Acromantula venom directly to Aberforth.
• Aberforth initially dismissed Su Er, but he reconsidered after Su Er said someone had sent him and vouched for his honesty.
• Aberforth tested the venom and offered Su Er forty-five Galleons for it.
• Su Er accepted Aberforth's offer.

Su Er told Aberforth that Ariana Dumbledore had spoken to him in the Blurry Illusion Realm, stirring Aberforth’s grief and hope. Su Er explained his theory that surviving an Avada Kedavra might be the only way to reach the realm.

• After selling venom, Su Er stayed at the Hog’s Head and told Aberforth that Ariana had suggested he visit.
• Aberforth dropped his glass when Su Er named Ariana, then demanded to know how Su Er had learned about her.
• Su Er said Ariana had told him herself, and Aberforth eagerly asked where she was and how he could find her.
• Su Er explained that Ariana was not a ghost and that he had encountered her twice in the Blurry Illusion Realm, or Limbo.
• Su Er proposed that wizards could reach Limbo only when near death, perhaps by surviving an Avada Kedavra.

Su Er revealed to Aberforth that Ariana had become his Patronus and could communicate through it, but he could not yet manifest her in the real world. Aberforth accepted the truth and asked how he could see his sister again, while Su Er said it would take time.

• Aberforth explained that the place beyond the veil was the world of the dead and doubted anyone could survive the Avada Killing Curse.
• Su Er summoned a corporeal Patronus and told Aberforth that Ariana had become it, though trying to manifest her physically would kill him.
• Aberforth questioned Su Er’s claim, and the indignant Patronus kicked him into the liquor shelves.
• Su Er revealed a private memory of Aberforth giving Ariana lilies, proving Ariana’s identity to him.
• Ariana’s Patronus comforted Aberforth as he apologized and wept, then Aberforth asked what it would take to see her again.
• Su Er admitted he did not know how to manifest Ariana yet and said he needed more time.

Aberforth decided to seek Albus’s help so he could learn the Patronus Charm and reunite with Ariana. Meanwhile, Su Er met Hermione in Hogsmeade, bought sweets with money from selling venom, and took her on a date to Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shop.

• Aberforth remembered that the family’s books were at Hogwarts and decided to visit Albus, hoping to make his reunion with Ariana possible.
• Su Er braved a sudden snowstorm and entered Honeydukes, where he startled Neville into embracing a blushing Hannah.
• Su Er found Hermione choosing sweets and told her that selling the venom had earned them forty-five Galleons to share.
• Su Er and Hermione bought sweets for Christmas, then went to Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shop to warm up and order tea and cake.

Su Er and Hermione realized they had lost Harry in Hogsmeade, then visited Zonko's Joke Shop while looking for him. Su Er eventually found Harry there, and Harry asked where he and Hermione had gone.

• Su Er remembered that he had arranged to meet Harry and told Hermione that Black wanted Harry to visit the Shrieking Shack.
• Hermione agreed to help search for Harry, but Su Er suggested they shop at Zonko's instead, and Hermione misunderstood his joke about having two dads.
• Hermione blushed, protested that Su Er's dad was her dad, and walked ahead of him to Zonko's Joke Shop.
• Hermione reunited with Susan while Su Er browsed the shelves and bought Mystery Fireworks.
• Harry appeared beside Su Er and asked where he and Hermione had gone.

Su Er and Hermione brought Harry, hidden beneath the Invisibility Cloak, to the Shrieking Shack, where he reunited with Sirius Black. Black welcomed them to a feast prepared with Lupin, and they began eating together.

• Su Er and Hermione led the invisible Harry along a path to the Shrieking Shack.
• Harry heard Lupin and Black inside and realized Black was there, then Su Er revealed the surprise.
• Black greeted Harry and invited everyone into the cleaned-up Shrieking Shack, where food and a fire had been prepared.
• Su Er and Hermione started eating while Lupin went to bring Black and Harry in.
• Black joined them at the table, welcomed Hermione, and served food to Harry as his godfather.

After dinner at the Shrieking Shack, Hermione revealed that she was preparing to become an Animagus, and Remus Lupin warned her about the serious risks. Su Er asked Lupin and Sirius Black to supervise Hermione’s eventual transformation, and they agreed, while Harry learned that his father and Sirius had also mastered the magic.

• Hermione noticed it was dusk and recited the Animagus incantation at the boarded-up window.
• Lupin warned Hermione that attempting the dangerous transformation could have severe consequences, while Sirius praised her preparation.
• Su Er asked Lupin and Sirius to watch over Hermione when she transformed, and Sirius agreed.
• Lupin asked Hermione whether she was certain she wanted to continue, and Hermione confirmed that she was.
• Lupin agreed to attend with Sirius when the thunderstorm came, and Sirius told Harry that he and Harry’s father had mastered Animagus magic.

Black explained that he escaped Azkaban because he feared Pettigrew would endanger Harry, and described how his Animagus form helped him evade the Dementors. He admitted he had followed Harry as a large dog and nearly frightened him into danger, then thanked Su Er for stopping him.

• Harry asked Black how he had escaped Azkaban, and Black said seeing Pettigrew in the Daily Prophet had made him think of escaping to protect Harry.
• Black explained that Pettigrew had betrayed him, framed him, and infiltrated Hogwarts, where he could later deliver Harry to Voldemort.
• Black said he had endured Azkaban by using his Animagus form to suppress his emotions and avoid the Dementors, then turning into a large dog when they were distracted.
• Hermione identified Black's Animagus form as the key to his escape, and Black explained that Dementors sensed emotions rather than scents.
• Harry realized Black had been the large dog he saw during the summer and at the Quidditch Match, and Black apologized for frightening him and thanked Su Er for bringing him to his senses.

Harry and his friends returned to Hogwarts after visiting Sirius, who promised to write and invited Harry to spend Christmas with him. Back at the Castle, Ron reproached Harry for leaving him out of their outing, while Su Er told Fred and George their goods had sold for forty-five Galleons.

• Sirius told Harry he would be busy until Christmas, promised to write, and invited him to spend the holiday together.
• Su Er, Hermione, Harry, and Professor Lupin returned to Hogwarts through the secret passage from the Shrieking Shack.
• Ron reproached Harry for spending the afternoon feasting without him and for not telling him about the route to Hogsmeade.
• Fred and George teased Ron about being forgotten, while Su Er told them their sale had earned forty-five Galleons.
• Fred and George celebrated their share of the money and hinted at what they would do with it.

As Christmas break began, Su Er and Hermione told Harry that Hedwig had laid three eggs with Su Er’s owl, making Harry a self-proclaimed grandfather. Harry left Hogwarts excited and nervous to spend his first Christmas with his godfather, Black.

• Ron repeatedly asked Harry to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas, but Harry explained he wanted to spend the holiday with his godfather.
• Hagrid wished the students a happy holiday as they boarded the carriages, and Ron asked Harry to send him a present and write with Hedwig.
• Su Er and Hermione told Harry that Hedwig had laid three eggs after pairing with Su Er’s owl, Little Ash, and that Hagrid had prepared a nest in the Owlery.
• Harry joked about becoming a grandfather, bought snacks and warm pumpkin juice on the train, and toasted with Su Er and Hermione.
• As the train approached the station, Harry nervously checked his appearance before reuniting with Black for Christmas.

Harry feared Sirius Black had abandoned him when Uncle Dursley collected him from the station, but Dursley soon told him to leave and Harry realized Black had kept his promise. In a letter, Harry told Su Er that Black had bought the house next door, made it his home, and invited Su Er and Hermione to visit.

• Harry watched Su Er and Hermione leave with the Ellison family while he reluctantly went home with Uncle Dursley.
• On the way to Privet Drive, Uncle Dursley ordered Harry to pack up and leave with his godfather, and Harry rejoiced that Black had come for him.
• A little owl delivered Harry's letter to the Ellison family at breakfast, and Su Er read it while Angel looked after the owl.
• Harry wrote that Black had bought the house next door to the Dursleys and used a Transfiguration Spell to frighten Dudley.
• Harry told Su Er that Black had prepared a room for him, given him a house key, and invited him to stay during future summer holidays.
• Harry said he was going to Grimmauld Place with Black, planned to give the little owl to Ron, and invited Su Er and Hermione to visit him at 6 Privet Drive.

Su Er celebrated Christmas Eve with the Ellisons and the Grangers, listened to Angel practice the piano, and prepared for Christmas morning. On Christmas Day, the families exchanged gifts and shared breakfast, and Su Er was spellbound when Hermione brought out freshly baked cream buns.

• Su Er came home to find Angel practicing The Nutcracker while Hermione listened, and he brought Christmas cookies for them.
• Su Er and Hermione wondered whether Harry had received their letter, and the Ellisons prepared to celebrate Christmas with the Grangers.
• Su Er asked Mrs. Ellison to leave the windows open for his friends’ owls, and she agreed to leave food out for them.
• Su Er woke on Christmas morning to gifts from Mr. and Mrs. Ellison, then greeted Angel and the two fathers as they played Wizard’s Chess.
• Hermione brought freshly baked cream buns from the Kitchen, and Su Er was spellbound by her appearance.

Su Er and Hermione celebrated Christmas with their families, exchanged presents, and read letters from Harry and Ron. After learning Harry had been unable to reply because his owl injured its wing, Hermione told Su Er that Harry had invited them to visit the next day.

• Hermione surprised Su Er with a cream bun and wished him Merry Christmas as their families gathered at Su Er's home.
• Hermione opened Lisa Spint's chocolate gift to Su Er, and he changed the subject by opening Harry's present.
• Su Er received a snowy Hogwarts glass globe from Harry and a sweater and Honeydukes biscuits from Ron.
• Hermione read Harry's letter and told Su Er that Harry had invited them to visit the next day.

Su Er spent Christmas with Hermione and their families while preparing a surprise for her. He led a puzzled Hermione out into the snow to see fireworks, leaving the surprise unrevealed.

• Su Er gave Angel Dumbledore’s moving unicorn toy and examined the Weasley Brothers’ Canary Creams 2.0 biscuits.
• Su Er took a call about his plans, while Mr. Granger realized what he was preparing and chose not to interfere.
• Hermione noticed her family acting strangely at Christmas dinner as Su Er nervously waited for the appointed time.
• Su Er finished his mulled wine, bundled Hermione into her coat and scarf, and led her outside to see fireworks.

Su Er confessed to Hermione during a fireworks display, and she accepted, making them a couple. The two then joined Harry at Privet Drive and prepared to travel by fireplace to 12 Grimmauld Place to meet Black.

• Su Er arranged a fireworks display for Hermione and asked her to be his girlfriend.
• Hermione accepted Su Er's confession, and they watched the fireworks together with their hands intertwined.
• The Ellison and Granger families saw Su Er and Hermione return together as a couple, while Mr. Granger looked conflicted.
• Su Er and Hermione arrived at Number Six, Privet Drive, where Harry greeted them and congratulated them on becoming a couple.
• Harry told Su Er and Hermione about the hidden Black family home and prepared to travel there by fireplace.

Su Er and Hermione arrived at 12 Grimmauld Place with Harry and were greeted by the Weasley family, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black. After the group moved to the dining room, Hermione returned downstairs to help Mrs. Weasley, and Su Er went with her.

• Su Er and Hermione arrived at the old Black family home and greeted the adults and Weasley Brothers gathered there.
• The Weasley Brothers noticed Su Er and Hermione holding hands, and Su Er confirmed that Hermione was his girlfriend.
• Sirius ordered Kreacher to stop insulting the guests and leave, while Su Er recognized that Kreacher was hiding Slytherin's locket, a Horcrux.
• Sirius led everyone upstairs to the dining room, where Harry warned Ron not to touch the curtains.
• Hermione set down a dish and went downstairs to help Mrs. Weasley, and Su Er followed her.

Su Er and Hermione encountered Sirius Black’s violently abusive mother in a portrait at Grimmauld Place, frightening the young wizards before the adults managed to close the curtains. After the group recovered, Sirius began explaining why his family considered him a disgrace, and Mrs. Weasley joined them for dinner.

• Su Er followed Hermione into the corridor, where Sirius’s mother’s portrait suddenly opened and screamed abuse at them.
• Su Er covered Hermione’s ears as Sirius and the others struggled to shut the curtains over the portrait.
• The young wizards settled down after the portrait was silenced, and Sirius apologized for the frightening encounter.
• Sirius began telling the group how becoming a Gryffindor while his family were Slytherins made him a disgrace to the Black family.
• Mrs. Weasley reassured the Weasley brothers that she would not cast them out for being sorted into Slytherin, and Lupin called everyone to dinner.

After Christmas, Su Er returned to Hogwarts and continued his magical duels with Snape, who gave him a bottle of Felix Felicis as a belated Christmas present. Su Er then visited Hagrid’s Hut, where Harry, Ron, and Neville were discussing Snape’s feud with Sirius as he entered.

• Su Er and Hermione returned to Hogwarts after the Christmas break, while heavy snow halted the Weasley Brothers’ Forbidden Forest expedition.
• Su Er fought Snape on the Quidditch Pitch, and Snape acknowledged his improvement before scheduling their next session.
• Snape gave Su Er a bottle of Felix Felicis as a belated Christmas present, and Su Er recognized the golden potion.
• Su Er headed to Hagrid’s Hut and overheard Ron, Neville, and Harry discussing Snape’s behavior and his conflict with Sirius.
• Su Er opened the door and entered Hagrid’s Hut, causing Ron to stop speaking as everyone turned to look at him.

After Ron complained about Snape, Harry and Hagrid recalled Snape’s childhood nickname, and Ron spread it through Hogwarts. Snape left the Great Hall in anger, a mysterious crash sparked rumors of a duel with Sirius, and Su Er’s later training with Snape suggested he had not lost.

• Ron complained to Su Er, Harry, and Hagrid that Snape had berated him and taken points from Gryffindor in Potions class.
• Hagrid and Harry recalled the nickname James and his friends had given Snape: Snivellus.
• Ron spread Snape’s nickname around the Castle, and students mocked Snape at dinner until he left the Great Hall in anger.
• A thunderous crash and a wrecked Staffroom door fueled rumors that Snape and Sirius had fought, though Sirius and Lupin denied it.
• Dumbledore reminded everyone that magic and dueling were forbidden in the Castle.
• Su Er asked Snape about the rumored fight during training, but Snape stayed silent and showed strength that suggested he had not lost to Sirius.

Sirius Black began teaching Defence Against Dark Magic with a practical lesson for students from all four houses. After criticizing their previous instruction, he led them out of the classroom, where Filch’s fearful reaction to him reminded students of Sirius and Lupin’s school pranks.

• Students debated whether Snape or Black was stronger, with most outside Slytherin supporting Sirius.
• Sirius Black and Lupin began a combined Defence Against Dark Magic class for all four houses.
• Black put away the students’ books and said that practical training mattered more than theory.
• Lupin told the students to bring their wands and follow the professors out of the classroom.
• The group encountered Filch, who saw Black and hurried away, prompting Harry to explain their history of pranks.

Sirius Black took the students to the Quidditch Pitch to restart the Duelling Club and teach them the Shield Charm. After demonstrating how Protego defended against Lupin’s spells, he began the students’ practical lesson.

• Su Er heard Malfoy claim that Black was taking the students to feed them to werewolves, but the group went to the Quidditch Pitch.
• Black announced that he would revive the Duelling Club and teach the students how to defend themselves against dark wizards.
• Black explained that he would demonstrate the Shield Charm while Lupin attacked him with spells.
• Black dodged Lupin’s first Reductor Curse, then cast Protego and blocked Lupin’s subsequent attacks.
• Black told the students that Protego could even block Unforgivable Curses if the caster’s magic was strong enough, then instructed them to draw their wands and practise.

Su Er watched Hermione struggle under the heavier workload and took over some of her homework while Gryffindor prepared for its crucial Quidditch match against Ravenclaw. The chapter left Harry and the team training hard, with their match still ahead.

• Professor Black taught the students the Shield Charm and told them to practise before he tested them in the next lesson.
• Slytherin narrowly beat Ravenclaw in Quidditch, with Malfoy catching the Golden Snitch on his Nimbus 2001.
• Su Er found Hermione exhausted from studying and offered to help by doing her divination and potions homework.
• Harry trained with his Firebolt while Wood pushed the Gryffindor team through demanding practice for the Ravenclaw match.
• Fred and George complained that Wood's training had left them limping and unable to start their spider-harvesting operation.