Chapter Summaries

At dinner in Grimmauld Place, Harry demanded to know what Voldemort had done and why the Order of the Phoenix was keeping him uninformed. Sirius argued that Harry deserved answers, while Mrs. Weasley and the twins challenged the different treatment; Su Er ended the dispute by saying he was stronger than Harry and the twins.

• Mrs. Weasley proposed that everyone clean the house, and the tense dinner eased as Tonks entertained Ginny while the adults discussed goblins and Ludo Bagman's debts.
• Su Er asked what had happened to Bagman, and Bill and Mr. Weasley explained that goblins disputed whether Harry had been the sole Triwizard Tournament champion and refused to pay Bagman's bet.
• Harry demanded to know what Voldemort had done and why the Ministry was threatening his wand and Hogwarts place, but Ron warned him not to say Voldemort's name.
• Lupin and Mrs. Weasley said Harry was too young to know more, while Sirius argued that Harry had a right to hear about events that concerned him.
• Fred and George demanded to know why Harry and Su Er received different treatment, and Su Er said he was stronger than Harry and the twins.

Su Er offered to recommend the Weasley Brothers and Harry for the Order of the Phoenix if they could defeat him in a duel. As Harry stayed behind to hear the Order’s secrets, Su Er led the twins to the Black family’s underground dueling room and challenged them to attack together.

• Su Er proposed a duel as a test for joining the Order, and Sirius supported the idea.
• Harry insisted that he had a right to learn what was happening, and Mrs. Weasley agreed to tell him while keeping the others out.
• Su Er left with Fred and George, accompanied by Sirius, Hermione, Ginny, and Tonks.
• Sirius opened the hidden passage to the Black family’s old dueling room and cleaned the dusty space.
• Su Er stepped onto the carpet and asked whether Fred and George would fight him one at a time or together.

Su Er dueled George and Fred Weasley together to prove his strength and win their recommendation to join the Order of the Phoenix. He disarmed both brothers with ease, and Mrs. Weasley rejected their applications while telling them to train and try again later.

• Fred persuaded George to challenge Su Er together after Su Er agreed to recommend them if they could beat him.
• Sirius refereed as George and Fred attacked Su Er with jinxes, a Stunning Spell, a Disarming Charm, Oppugno, and Avis.
• Su Er defended himself with Shield Charms, then split his Disarming Charm to knock both brothers' wands into his hand.
• Harry greeted the group and assumed Su Er had won, while George and Fred admitted defeat.
• Mrs. Weasley rejected the brothers' applications to join the Order of the Phoenix, and Mr. Weasley told them to practice and try again later.

Su Er and the others helped Mrs. Weasley clear Doxies from the Black family home while the Weasley twins secretly collected some for their experiments. The work stopped when Mundungus Fletcher arrived and Mrs. Weasley caught him hiding stolen goods, giving the twins another chance to gather Doxies.

• Su Er joined the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Sirius in the drawing room to deal with the Doxies.
• Ron explained that Sirius was related to the Weasleys and that pure-blood families shared many connections.
• The group used Doxy-Killing Spray to clear the Doxies from the room, while Fred and George secretly pocketed some for their Skiving Snackbox experiments.
• Su Er noticed George collecting Doxy eggs and warned him that Mrs. Weasley would be furious if he raised them at the Burrow.
• Mundungus Fletcher rang the doorbell, and Mrs. Weasley shouted at him for hiding stolen goods as Fred urged George to collect more Doxies.

Su Er received a secret summons from Dumbledore and discovered a locket in the Black family’s cabinet that Kreacher claimed as his own. The locket appeared to be the one Su Er suspected was Slytherin’s Horcrux, and he kept it as Kreacher left in anger.

• Sirius gave Su Er a letter from Dumbledore summoning him and Hermione to meet at eleven that night.
• Mrs. Weasley brought food upstairs, and the group began clearing out the glass-fronted cabinets with Sirius.
• Sirius was bitten by a snuffbox, then handed it to Fred and George after finding wartcap powder inside.
• Su Er noticed Ron had found a locket and examined its serpent-marked surface.
• Kreacher tried to take the locket, but Sirius ordered him to stop, and Su Er kept it.

Su Er took the suspected Horcrux locket from Grimmauld Place as the Weasleys explained why Percy had broken with his family. That night, Dumbledore secretly met Su Er and Hermione and asked Su Er, who was believed dead after surviving the Killing Curse, to help him.

• Sirius gave Su Er an old, rusted locket from the Black family collection, and Su Er suspected it was one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes.
• The Weasleys revealed that Percy had accepted a promotion in Fudge’s office, argued with his parents over their support for Dumbledore, and left the family.
• Harry learned about Percy’s break with his family and was outraged that Percy had ignored the truth about Voldemort’s return and Su Er’s near-death.
• Su Er and Hermione traveled by Fawkes to a private room where Dumbledore confirmed that Su Er had learned to become an Animagus.
• Dumbledore explained that Fudge and Voldemort were watching him and asked for help from someone powerful who was publicly believed to be dead.

Su Er recovered the locket Kreacher had been searching for and persuaded the house-elf to explain its connection to Regulus Black. Kreacher revealed how Regulus sacrificed himself to replace Voldemort’s locket, leaving the group with the truth of his death.

• Sirius found Kreacher rummaging through Su Er’s belongings and attacked him, but Su Er stopped Sirius and revealed the locket Kreacher wanted.
• Kreacher began hurting himself when he tried to explain the locket, so Su Er restrained him and learned that Regulus Black had entrusted it to him.
• Kreacher recounted how Regulus offered him to Voldemort, who forced him to drink a potion in a cave guarded by Inferi.
• Kreacher escaped by obeying Regulus’s earlier order to return home, then later led Regulus back to the cave.
• Kreacher explained that Regulus drank the potion while Kreacher switched the locket, then began sobbing as he described watching Regulus die.

Kreacher revealed how Regulus Black had replaced Voldemort’s locket and asked Su Er to help destroy it. Dumbledore identified the locket as a Horcrux and led Su Er, Harry, Sirius, and Snape to the seaside cave where Voldemort had hidden a decoy, leaving them at its entrance.

• Kreacher told the group that Regulus had taken Voldemort’s locket, and he begged Su Er to help destroy it.
• Su Er gave the locket to Mr. Weasley, and Dumbledore examined it, identifying it as Slytherin’s Locket and a Horcrux.
• Dumbledore explained Horcruxes to Harry and said they should investigate the cave where Voldemort had hidden the locket, even if it was likely a fake.
• Dumbledore asked Snape to join them, and Fawkes transported Su Er, Harry, Sirius, Dumbledore, and Snape to the black-rock coast.
• The group found a fissure in the cliff with black seawater swirling inside, apparently marking the cave entrance.

Dumbledore led Harry, Sirius, Snape, and Su Er through the hidden entrance to Voldemort’s cavern, where they discovered a lake filled with Inferi. The group prepared to cross toward the center, leaving the threat of the undead army directly ahead.

• Dumbledore guided the group through the sea passage to the cavern, where Su Er detected the concealed door in the rock.
• They opened the door by feeding it magical blood from Snape’s supply, then entered a vast, light-blocking lake chamber.
• Dumbledore conjured a boat, but an Inferius attacked it and dragged it beneath the water.
• Su Er explained that the lake held a huge army of Inferi, and Dumbledore said he intended to weaken Voldemort’s forces.
• Dumbledore found a hidden chain and used the Elder Wand to draw a small green boat up from the lake.

Dumbledore’s group reached the island in Voldemort’s cave, found Regulus among the Inferi, and prepared to escape. Dumbledore unleashed Firestorm, engulfing the island, the Inferi, and the lake in golden-red flames.

• Dumbledore had Sirius summon Kreacher, who Apparated the group to the island despite the Anti-Apparition Jinx.
• Snape examined the green potion and determined it had to be drunk; he sampled it, then Dumbledore drank the rest and endured its painful memories and thirst-inducing effects.
• Su Er conjured a deer to lure the Inferi from the lake, and Dumbledore trapped them between rings of fire.
• Sirius searched the Inferi but failed to find Regulus; Kreacher found him, and Sirius brought the bound Inferius back to the group.
• Dumbledore told Kreacher to prepare to Apparate everyone to Grimmauld Place, then cast Firestorm as the Inferi surged onto the island.

Voldemort met with his followers in Azkaban, discussing Dumbledore, a search Lucius Malfoy was conducting, and plans to recruit new supporters. He ordered Lucius to bring his son Draco to him before Hogwarts began, promising a personal gift for Draco’s coming-of-age.

• Voldemort questioned Lucius about Dumbledore and heard that Lucius had found a lead on the person Voldemort wanted located.
• Voldemort asked Bellatrix to select worthy recruits from among those seeking to return to his side.
• After the other followers left, Voldemort examined Lucius’s Dark Mark and asked about his son.
• Lucius told Voldemort that his son was named Draco and would soon turn seventeen.
• Voldemort ordered Lucius to bring Draco to him before Hogwarts started and promised him a coming-of-age gift.

At Regulus Black’s funeral, Dumbledore returned the fake locket and its hidden letter to Kreacher, revealing Regulus’s sacrifice to destroy a Horcrux. The mourners honored Regulus by adding an epitaph to his headstone, remembering him as a brave and kind Slytherin.

• Sirius, Kreacher, Dumbledore, Su Er, Hermione, the Weasleys, and several Order members buried Regulus in the backyard of 12 Grimmauld Place.
• Dumbledore gave Kreacher the locket he had retrieved from the cave.
• Kreacher opened the fake locket and found Regulus’s letter addressed to the Dark Lord.
• Dumbledore read Regulus’s confession that he had stolen the real Horcrux to destroy it and hoped Voldemort would eventually be killed.
• Sirius confirmed that R.A.B. stood for Regulus Arcturus Black, and Dumbledore praised Regulus’s courage.
• Dumbledore used the Elder Wand to add an epitaph honoring Regulus as a fearless and kind Slytherin whose heart turned toward the light.

After Harry was cleared at his hearing, he enjoyed the rest of the holiday at Grimmauld Place until Snape arrived on Dumbledore’s orders to test his Occlumency. Lupin stopped Sirius from interrupting the test, leaving Harry alone with Snape behind a closed door.

• Kreacher recovered after mourning and began performing his duties, while Ron suffered several dangerous encounters with the house’s strange creatures and objects.
• Arthur Weasley took Harry to his hearing, where Dumbledore’s evidence helped secure Harry’s acquittal.
• The Weasleys celebrated the hearing’s outcome with a lavish dinner.
• About two weeks before the holiday ended, Snape seized Harry and took him into a room to test his Occlumency.
• Sirius tried to intervene, but Lupin restrained him and reminded him that Snape was the better Occlumency teacher and would not endanger Harry.

Snape tested Harry’s Occlumency and argued with Sirius, who offered to take over Harry’s training. Later, the Weasleys received delayed exam results and prefect badges, leaving Hermione and Ron celebrating while Fred and George complained.

• Harry emerged exhausted from Snape’s Occlumency assessment, and Snape told him he had forgotten how to defend his mind.
• Sirius confronted Snape over his insults, then offered to take over Harry’s Occlumency lessons; Snape left after telling Su Er he would teach him Apparition.
• Harry collapsed into Ginny’s arms, and Lupin said he was only exhausted and needed to rest.
• Mr. Weasley brought the students’ delayed exam results and letters to 12 Grimmauld Place.
• Hermione learned she had earned all O’s except in Potions and had been named Gryffindor’s female prefect; Su Er congratulated and kissed her.
• Mrs. Weasley celebrated Ron’s prefect badge, while Fred and George complained that neither of them had been chosen.

Ron became a prefect, and Mrs. Weasley celebrated by doting on him and promising him a reward. Su Er explained that Dumbledore had chosen Ron partly to keep Harry from attracting more attention, and Harry congratulated Ron before offering to pay the difference for a better broomstick.

• Mrs. Weasley showered Ron with praise and kisses after learning he had become a prefect, while Fred and George complained about being overlooked.
• Fred and George wondered why Harry had not been chosen instead, and Harry struggled with his disappointment over Ron receiving the badge.
• Su Er explained that Dumbledore wanted Harry to keep a lower profile now that Voldemort had returned and that Ron had long wanted attention.
• Hermione listed two new books for the school year, and Su Er noted that Hogwarts would have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
• Harry sincerely congratulated Ron on becoming a prefect, then offered to pay the extra cost for a better broomstick as a Christmas and congratulations gift.

The Weasley family and Harry went to Diagon Alley early under protection, and Hermione slipped away from the group to confront Su Er, who had secretly ridden there hidden inside her clothes. The chapter ended with Su Er innocently enjoying Hermione’s embarrassment.

• Mrs. Weasley and Sirius argued over whether Harry should be allowed to shop in Diagon Alley, and Alastor Moody decided he could go early with Tonks and Sirius protecting him.
• The Weasley family, Harry, and their companions reached Diagon Alley, where Mundungus Fletcher reported that the street was quiet before leaving for a supposed deal.
• The Weasley Brothers recognized Mundungus Fletcher’s unusually detailed remarks and exchanged a knowing glance.
• Hermione asked to visit the Magical Menagerie, then turned into an alley and pulled Su Er, disguised as a badger, from inside her clothes.

Hermione, Harry, Ron, and the Weasleys shopped in Diagon Alley while Su Er posed as Hermione’s shy pet badger. Ron chose a discounted Cleansweep Eleven over a Nimbus, and the group reunited with Fred and George at Flourish and Blotts, where Mrs. Weasley suspected the twins had been up to something.

• Hermione returned to Quality Quidditch Supplies with Su Er, and Ginny mistook him for a new pet badger.
• The shop assistant promoted the Cleansweep Eleven’s features and sale, and Ron chose it over the Nimbus while Harry accepted his decision.
• Mrs. Weasley noticed Fred and George were missing as the group headed to Flourish and Blotts and threatened to scold them later.
• Mrs. Weasley found Fred and George at Flourish and Blotts with a basket of the required books, and Hermione confirmed they had bought the right ones.
• Mrs. Weasley spotted that the twins were breathing hard, and Fred and George tried to hide their involvement in whatever they had been doing.

Lupin Obliviated Harry and the Weasley children so Su Er could secretly attend Hogwarts in Animagus form as Hermione’s pet. Before the group left for King’s Cross, Su Er learned that Fred and George were considering buying a shop at 93 Diagon Alley, and Moody secretly gave him a photograph of his parents.

• Lupin told the group that Dumbledore wanted to see Sirius, then asked Hermione to leave the sitting room and Obliviated Harry and the four Weasley children.
• Lupin told the confused Harry that he would have another pet to stay close and protect him, while Hermione secretly took Su Er with her.
• Su Er spent the remaining days at the Black Family Home with Hermione and overheard Fred and George arguing over whether to buy the shop at 93 Diagon Alley for 2,000 Galleons.
• At a feast, Moody gave Harry an old photograph and secretly gave Su Er an identical photograph showing Su Er’s parents.
• Ginny fell down the stairs after Fred and George enchanted their trunks to fly, but Mrs. Weasley treated her and she was able to travel.
• Moody arranged a large escort to accompany the group to King’s Cross Station as the new school year approached.

Sirius traveled with Harry and the others to King's Cross, while Su Er accompanied Hermione on the Hogwarts Express. At a prefects' meeting, Malfoy taunted Hermione about Su Er's supposed death until a black-and-white shadow attacked him.

• Sirius played with the group in his dog form as Mrs. Weasley hurried everyone to King's Cross.
• Moody, Lupin, and the Weasleys saw Harry and the others onto the Hogwarts Express.
• Hermione and Ron attended the prefects' meeting, where Hannah said Su Er should have been Hufflepuff's male prefect.
• Malfoy mocked Hufflepuff and cruelly reminded Hermione and Hannah that Su Er was supposedly dead.
• Hermione drew her wand as Malfoy called her a Mud-blood, and a black-and-white shadow rushed past before he screamed.

Hermione, Ron, and Hannah left Draco Malfoy humiliated after Su Er attacked him, then returned to Harry's compartment for the rest of the journey to Hogwarts. At the castle, Su Er slipped away to find food while Hermione and Luna headed to the Great Hall, with Hermione realizing she had overlooked the risk that he could get lost.

• Hermione told Draco Malfoy she could defend herself, while Ron secretly immobilized him and Su Er attacked him in badger form.
• Hermione, Ron, and Hannah left the prefects' compartment, and Ron let the curious students outside see Malfoy sprawled on the floor.
• Hermione and the others returned to Harry's compartment, where Luna read The Quibbler to Snuffles and Hannah sat beside Neville.
• Professor Grubbly-Plank greeted the students in Hagrid's absence, and Harry rode a Thestral-drawn carriage to Hogwarts with Hermione and Luna.
• Hermione told Su Er to find dinner in the kitchens, and he disappeared into the castle; Luna asked whether he might get lost, prompting Hermione to realize she had not considered that possibility.