Recaps

Zhang Xiao and Perenelle traveled through Gringotts’ Eternal Mist, saw the armored dragon guarding the deepest vaults, and reached the nine most secure vaults. Perenelle asked who else kept a vault there, and Zhang Xiao pressed Bogrod to reveal how important those clients were.

• Bogrod guided Zhang Xiao and Perenelle through the Eternal Mist, where Zhang Xiao saw pale faces watching from within it.
• Bogrod explained that the mist formed naturally and rarely appeared, then pointed out vaults belonging to wealthy clients, including the Veela Queen.
• At the deepest vaults, Zhang Xiao saw a chained dragon covered in goblin-made armor, and Bogrod used a Clanker to frighten it away from their path.
• Bogrod introduced vaults one through nine as Gringotts’ most heavily guarded vaults.
• Perenelle asked who else used vaults of that grade, and Zhang Xiao asked Bogrod how important those clients were.

Zhang Xiao and Perenelle secured Vault No. 8 at Gringotts, where Perenelle displayed the Flamels’ fortune while Zhang Xiao learned how the vaults were inspected. Zhang bribed Bogrod to let him watch an inspection and pointed to Bella Lestrange’s Vault No. 4.

• Bogrod explained that Vault No. 1’s owner was magically concealed, named the owners of Vaults No. 2 through No. 4, and described how goblins created new vaults by shifting the others.
• Zhang Xiao chose Vault No. 8, and Goblin A spilled his blood so Bogrod could perform the ritual that created the new vault.
• Bogrod explained that goblin vault doors could detect the Imperius Curse, and Perenelle filled Vault No. 8 with Galleons, jewels, and diamonds from her enchanted handbag.
• Zhang Xiao asked about vault inspections, and Bogrod explained that goblins usually inspected vaults every five years by making their doors transparent.
• Zhang Xiao bribed Bogrod to let him observe an inspection and pointed to Vault No. 4, which belonged to Bella Lestrange.

Zhang Xiao found the Golden Cup in the Lestrange family vault, and the group planned how to infiltrate Gringotts and overcome its defenses. They remained uncertain about the eternal mist as Dumbledore warned that Voldemort had gained new allies, and Grindelwald urged everyone to prepare for the mission.

• Bogrod opened the Lestrange family vault, and Zhang Xiao spotted the Golden Cup beside a solid-gold sailboat.
• Zhang Xiao returned to Nicolas Flamel's cottage, where Dumbledore, Grindelwald, Nicolas Flamel, Newt, and Zhang Xiao discussed the vault's defenses and planned to use an ordinary Goblin Cart to reach the lower passages.
• Zhang Xiao described the eternal mist and its blood-red lanterns, but Grindelwald, Newt, Dumbledore, and Nicolas Flamel could not identify the phenomenon.
• Dumbledore said Voldemort had likely gained cruel, cunning allies and might be checking on his Horcruxes while in hiding.
• Grindelwald urged the group to get ready and set off as soon as possible.

Zhang Xiao joined Dumbledore, Grindelwald, Newt, and Nicolas in an infiltration of Gringotts to steal Voldemort’s Golden Cup. After they entered the bank under concealment, Bogrod discovered that a valuable golden scarab had disappeared.

• Zhang Xiao received Dumbledore’s message confirming that he would join the operation to steal the Golden Cup.
• Professor McGonagall escorted Zhang Xiao to the Headmaster’s Office, where he met Dumbledore, Grindelwald disguised as a goblin, and Newt emerging from his suitcase.
• Dumbledore concealed the group, and they used enchanted communication devices to coordinate their approach to Gringotts.
• Dumbledore made the goblin guards at Gringotts’s entrance lose their balance, allowing the group to slip inside unnoticed.
• Newt released his creatures in a secluded hall, while Bogrod later noticed that his golden scarab was missing.

Zhang Xiao and his companions caused a Niffler raid to distract Gringotts while Grindelwald disguised himself as a goblin and led them toward the Vaults. They set off in a modified Mine Cart, and Dumbledore revealed their plan to bypass the Thief’s Downfall with an alchemical goblin model and Harry’s Invisibility Cloak.

• Newt’s Nifflers raided Gringotts, sending the goblins into chaos and forcing them to seal the underground passages.
• Grindelwald told Zhang Xiao that an anonymous tip would bring the Ministry’s Fantastic Beasts officials to handle the Nifflers.
• Disguised as Old Drunkard, Grindelwald persuaded two guards to open a passage to the Mine Cart departure station.
• Nicolas Flamel modified a Mine Cart with alchemy, and Dumbledore summoned it with a silver whistle.
• Zhang Xiao silenced the cart’s howling wind with wandless magic, prompting Dumbledore and Grindelwald to discuss the changing times.
• When Zhang Xiao asked how they would pass the Thief’s Downfall, Dumbledore produced an alchemical model of Old Drunkard and Harry’s Invisibility Cloak.

Zhang Xiao, Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Newt infiltrated Gringotts to reach the lower Vaults and retrieve the Golden Cup. They fooled the guards at the Thief's Downfall and eventually reached the Dragon’s territory, where Dumbledore prepared to act.

• Grindelwald explained that they would use the Invisibility Cloak and an alchemical goblin to pass the guards, while Zhang Xiao transformed into an Animagus to get through the anti-magic waterfall.
• Grindelwald animated the Alchemy Goblin to imitate Old Drunkard, then convinced the goblin guards to let their cart pass by claiming he was repairing a damaged track.
• After they passed the Thief's Downfall, Dumbledore warned that the goblins' confidence in the waterfall made it vulnerable to complacency.
• The group traveled deeper into the tunnels, with Grindelwald taking wrong turns in territory he did not know.
• As the Dragon's growls and chains came into earshot, Dumbledore stood up and asked Newt to help; a Bowtruckle emerged from Newt's pocket wearing goggles.

The group debated whether magical creatures and wizards could ever be governed fairly, then focused on reaching the Golden Cup. Dumbledore used Newt’s Bowtruckle to release the dragon’s goblin armor and stun it, before pulling a brilliant rainbow from the air.

• Newt argued that wizards had no laws and that desire and power would always undermine fairness, prompting Dumbledore and Grindelwald to reflect on their beliefs.
• Grindelwald urged Dumbledore to follow his own path and refocus on finding the Golden Cup.
• Dumbledore explained to Zhang Xiao that goblin armor resisted magic and could only be removed by triggering a release mechanism.
• Newt sent his Bowtruckle to the dragon, and it activated the armor’s release mechanism at the dragon’s neck.
• Dumbledore struck the unarmored dragon with a powerful Stunning Spell, then restored its armor after it fell unconscious.
• Dumbledore reminded Zhang Xiao of their search in the Gaunt Shack and pulled a brilliant rainbow out of the air.

Dumbledore revealed the magic network behind the goblins’ defenses and used it to uncover a way into the Lestrange vault. He rewrote the vault door to open for them, and the group entered, where Grindelwald recognized the vault’s protective enchantments as easy to break.

• Dumbledore showed Zhang Xiao, Grindelwald, and Newt the magic network and explained how he could identify flaws in the goblins’ protective magic.
• Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel translated the goblin inscription, while Grindelwald supplied goblin blood to satisfy the vault’s authentication requirement.
• Dumbledore summoned the nine bronze gates and rewrote the first door’s instructions so it opened when someone wished it to.
• Dumbledore led the group into the Lestrange vault, where Grindelwald dismissed its treasure and identified Finite Incantatem as a simple way to break its anti-theft enchantments.

Zhang Xiao returned Hufflepuff's Cup to Hogwarts after the Gringotts heist, while Dumbledore, Newt, and Grindelwald went their separate ways. Exam week began, and the students worked through their tests until only Divination remained.

• Zhang Xiao brought Hufflepuff's Cup back to Hogwarts and wrapped it for the Daoist Order to cleanse and dispose of safely.
• Grindelwald returned to Nurmengard to rest, Newt set off to visit magical creature reserves, and Dumbledore went to discuss matters with Nicolas Flamel.
• Hermione chastised Ron for neglecting his studies, and the students began revising as exam week approached.
• Zhang Xiao took his Transfiguration exam, while Harry's Cheering Charm made Ron laugh uncontrollably during the Charms exam.
• Hagrid tested the students on retrieving a twig from a wand tree guarded by Bowtruckles, and Snape watched Harry struggle through Potions while hinting about Zhang Xiao's Christmas presents.
• The students completed their remaining exams, including Lupin's outdoor Defence Against the Dark Arts obstacle course, leaving only Trelawney's Divination exam.

Harry, Malfoy, and Zhang Xiao took Professor Trelawney’s Divination exam, but Harry’s laughter upset her and she ordered them out. As Harry left, Trelawney entered a strange prophetic trance, and Zhang Xiao prepared to record what she said.

• Ron advised his classmates to fake tragic visions, and Neville told Harry that Trelawney would mark them harshly if they lacked the aura and Inner Eye.
• Lavender reported Trelawney’s warning not to reveal the exam, while Parvati said the professor had praised her as a true Seer.
• Ron returned with a high mark after using Fred and George’s Sobbing Potion to fake a vision, and Trelawney called Harry, Malfoy, and Zhang Xiao into the classroom together.
• Harry laughed after seeing Malfoy’s distorted reflection in the crystal ball, and Trelawney angrily ordered him and the others out.
• Zhang Xiao noticed an empty sherry bottle, then recognized Trelawney’s trance as a possible prophecy and readied a Whirling Jade Disc to record it.

Professor Trelawney suffered a violent prophetic trance and collapsed after warning that a dark power threatened destruction and that Zhang Xiao did not belong. Dumbledore brought Zhang Xiao, Harry, and Malfoy to his office to question them, where Zhang Xiao acted with striking familiarity.

• Trelawney delivered a fragmented prophecy about gathering darkness, a threatened hero, and the Dark Lord courting destruction, then pointed at Zhang Xiao and said he did not belong before collapsing.
• Students spread rumors that Trelawney had attempted a major prophecy and suffered a backlash, while Ron regretted missing the incident and Hermione wondered what Trelawney had predicted.
• Dumbledore examined Trelawney, and Snape prepared an improved Draught of Living Death as McGonagall and Sprout worried over her condition.
• Harry and Malfoy debated whether Trelawney's prophecy could be true, and Malfoy insisted the Dark Lord would never destroy the world he wanted to rule.
• Dumbledore asked Zhang Xiao, Harry, and Malfoy to recount what Trelawney had said, then escorted them to the Headmaster's Office.
• Zhang Xiao entered the office familiarly and summoned chairs, sweets, and tea, leaving Harry and Malfoy confused.

Dumbledore questioned Harry and Draco about Professor Trelawney’s frightening episode, then asked them to keep it secret and sent them away with Fawkes. Left alone with Dumbledore, Zhang Xiao linked prophecy to the river of events and played Trelawney’s recorded prophecy, which pointed to approaching darkness and destruction.

• Zhang Xiao noticed he had acted too casually toward Dumbledore, but Dumbledore winked and ushered Harry and Draco into the office.
• Harry and Draco described Professor Trelawney’s strange behavior and incoherent words, and Dumbledore asked them to keep the incident secret.
• Draco framed secrecy as a way to protect Hogwarts’ reputation, and Harry agreed before Dumbledore sent them away through Fawkes’s flames.
• After the portraits began discussing the prophecy, Zhang Xiao used a river and leaping fish to explain his understanding of how prophecy revealed the course of events.
• Zhang Xiao placed the Whirling Jade Disc on Dumbledore’s desk and played Trelawney’s prophecy, which foretold gathering darkness, a coming destruction, and a Dark Lord seeking twisted power.

Dumbledore showed Zhang Xiao the memory of Trelawney’s first prophecy and discussed a second prophecy about an approaching darkness, a mysterious box, and a lonely brave soul. Zhang suggested the brave soul might be Salazar Slytherin, but Dumbledore offered no definite answers.

• Dumbledore recounted meeting Sybill Trelawney at the Hog’s Head and showed Zhang Xiao the memory of her prophecy about the one destined to defeat the Dark Lord.
• Zhang Xiao asked whether the prophecy’s chosen person was Harry, and Dumbledore said two people fit its criteria before explaining that the discussion concerned Trelawney’s later prophecy.
• Dumbledore and Zhang considered the later prophecy’s warnings about a box, a twisted power, and a lonely brave soul, while Dumbledore admitted he had no clear answers about them.
• Zhang asked whether the lonely brave soul might be Salazar Slytherin and showed Dumbledore Slytherin’s letter to Gryffindor.
• Dumbledore praised Slytherin’s strength and the possibility that he had sought to become a savior, but gave Zhang no definite explanation.

Zhang Xiao left his private conversation with Dumbledore without learning the full truth behind Trelawney’s prophecy, while his friends prepared for the summer holidays and celebrated the end of term. As the Hogwarts Express carried them away, Hermione revealed she had dropped Muggle Studies, and Zhang Xiao quietly said goodbye to the castle.

• Dumbledore explained to the portraits that he kept the prophecy’s truth from Zhang Xiao because Zhang was perceptive and could be tempted by the dark power involved.
• Harry, Ron, Hermione, Malfoy, and Zhang Xiao walked by the Black Lake, where Ron pressed them for Dumbledore’s secret and Harry agreed to return to Privet Drive.
• Ron invited Harry to the Burrow for the Quidditch World Cup, Malfoy promised a top-level VIP box, and Zhang Xiao said he might join them after helping Professor Lupin.
• McGonagall posted the exam results, with Zhang Xiao and Hermione tied for first, Malfoy second, and Neville unexpectedly third; Dumbledore praised students who had faced the Hogsmeade crisis and awarded the House Cup jointly to all four houses.
• On the Hogwarts Express, Hermione told her friends she had dropped Muggle Studies because the Time-Turner had overwhelmed her, while Zhang Xiao watched Hogwarts disappear and waved goodbye.

Remus Lupin packed up Hogwarts and prepared to travel to China with Draco Malfoy, while Harry returned to London and faced Petunia after Vernon’s death. Harry promised to avenge Vernon, and Zhang Xiao stayed in Britain alone ahead of the Quidditch World Cup.

• Remus Lupin packed his belongings, accepted Sirius and Harry’s invitation to live with them, then left Hogwarts for Diagon Alley while considering whether China might offer a cure for his condition.
• Zhang Xiao urged Harry to speak with Petunia and Dudley, and Harry decided he would try to talk with them.
• At King’s Cross, Neville reunited with Frank and Alice, while Justin’s parents thanked him for saving their son.
• Zhang Xiao arranged for Draco Malfoy to travel to China with Remus Lupin, where Lucius Malfoy’s business was thriving.
• Harry found Petunia waiting for him at the station and rode home with her in silence until she asked him to avenge Vernon; Harry firmly agreed.
• Zhang Xiao saw Lupin and Malfoy off at the airport and stayed in Britain, considering how to spend the month before the Quidditch World Cup.

Zhang Xiao bought a Ferrari F50 and came up with an idea while driving. At the Ministry of Magic, Barty Crouch proposed reviving the Goblet of Fire as an international student tournament to strengthen ties and encourage young wizards to learn.

• Zhang Xiao asked a Ferrari salesman which car he would choose and bought the Ferrari F50.
• Zhang Xiao drove the F50 outside the city and began thinking about what to do next.
• Barty Crouch welcomed foreign Ministry officials to the Chamber of Deliberation and proposed an international Goblet of Fire tournament.
• A Brazilian Ministry official questioned the need for the tournament, and Crouch argued that wizards needed to improve their abilities to face the threat of Muggle exposure.
• Barty Crouch said young students were the Wizarding World's future, and the officials applauded his proposal.

Barty Crouch asked Dumbledore to help launch a worldwide Goblet of Fire competition, and Dumbledore agreed to consider it. Harry returned to Number Four, Privet Drive, where he found the house filthy and Aunt Petunia overwhelmed, and decided to clean it with Hedwig.

• Barty Crouch asked Dumbledore to help move the Goblet of Fire competition forward, arguing that the Wizarding World needed to stop declining.
• Dumbledore listened to Crouch's concerns and said he would think about helping.
• Harry arrived at Number Four, Privet Drive with Aunt Petunia and saw that the lawn and house had fallen into disrepair.
• Petunia told Harry that Dudley was away at school and hurried out to buy food, apparently trying to hide her distress.
• Harry looked at the mess with Hedwig and said they needed to clean the house.

Harry helped Petunia clean and cook at Privet Drive, realizing that Vernon's death and financial hardship had left her struggling. Dudley returned home changed and stronger, and the chapter ended with him asking Harry to fight and make peace.

• Harry cleaned the living room and kitchen, and Petunia awkwardly asked him to prepare vegetables.
• Harry noticed Petunia had bought nearly expired food and suspected that she was running out of money.
• Dudley came home from Smeltings visibly slimmer and more muscular, then quietly dusted a photograph of Vernon and Petunia.
• At dinner, Dudley told Petunia that he would attend free summer activities at school, and she worriedly asked about the cost.
• Dudley volunteered to wash the dishes, making Petunia cry, and Harry joined him in the kitchen.
• Dudley asked Harry to fight him like a real man and then make peace.

Harry and Dudley made peace by fighting in the boxing ring, while Zhang Xiao arranged work for Petunia and visited Hermione and her father. The chapter left Zhang Xiao inviting Hermione for a drive around Britain.

• Dudley apologized to Harry and asked to make peace, and the two agreed to fight in Vernon’s boxing cabin.
• Harry and Dudley traded blows while recalling their childhood grievances, then collapsed and introduced themselves as friends.
• Harry asked Zhang Xiao to help Petunia find a job, and Zhang Xiao arranged for Malfoy to contact him about it.
• Zhang Xiao visited Mr. Granger, discussed dentistry with him, and learned that Hermione had gone to the bookshop.
• Hermione returned with books, and Zhang Xiao invited her to go for a drive.

Zhang Xiao explained how the Trace and wands worked while teaching Hermione the basics of Wandless Magic. Hermione practiced taking notes and learned a way to focus, while Zhang planned to travel onward to the Burrow to meet Harry, Ron, and the others.

• Hermione asked how Zhang could use magic despite the Ministry's underage restrictions, and Zhang explained that the Trace detected magic through a wand without identifying its caster.
• Hermione discussed the wizarding world's outdated books and declared she would become Minister for Magic; Zhang bowed to her in jest.
• Zhang explained that wands filter distractions and amplify a wizard's focus, and Hermione realized that Wandless Magic required stronger concentration.
• Zhang suggested using a familiar gesture as a virtual wand and demonstrated by making Hermione float; she eagerly wrote down his instructions.
• Zhang told Hermione he planned to travel to the Burrow to meet Harry, Ron, and the others, while she regretted that she could not join him.

Zhang Cunyi told Zhang Xiao to enter the newly proposed worldwide Goblet of Fire tournament and finish in the top three, explaining that the goal was prestige. The international meeting approved holding the tournament but left its format and entry arrangements undecided, and Dumbledore later found a letter from Zhang Xiao.

• Zhang Xiao returned to Claridge's after dinner at Hermione's home, cleaned his room with magic, and relaxed in a bath while contacting his family through the Far-Seeing Mirror.
• Zhang Cunyi told Zhang Xiao that he had ordered him to stay abroad for the summer and asked him to enter the Goblet of Fire and place in the top three for prestige.
• Barty Crouch and Dumbledore helped the gathered Ministry representatives approve a worldwide Goblet of Fire tournament, though they did not settle its format or entry arrangements.
• Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts, reviewed his mail, and recognized a letter signed by Zhang.

Dumbledore replied to Zhang Xiao’s letter, encouraging his summer plans and asking him to help carry out a novel-writing plan. Zhang found Joanne Rowling in an Edinburgh café, and after a tense first encounter, he invited her into a magnificent world.

• Dumbledore read Zhang Xiao’s letter, approved of his summer plans and Wandless Magic idea, and confirmed that the Goblet of Fire tournament would soon be held.
• Dumbledore urged Zhang to write short stories and approach someone suitable, so Zhang used benefit records to track down Joanne Rowling in Edinburgh.
• Zhang found Joanne writing in a café and offered her a latte, but she suspected he had been sent by her abusive ex-husband to take her daughter Jessica.
• Zhang used magic to stop Joanne from leaving and persuaded her to sit down and talk with him.
• Joanne showed Zhang her sketch of Harry Potter, and Zhang laughed with relief that she had begun creating the story herself.
• Zhang asked Joanne whether she was ready to enter a magnificent world unlike anything she had ever seen.

Zhang Xiao met Joanne Rowling, revealed himself as a wizard, and encouraged her to write her story before altering her memories and secretly providing financial support. With Jessica cared for and new hope for the future, Joanne began writing Harry Potter.

• Zhang Xiao created a mind palace and listened as Joanne described meeting a boy at King's Cross and planning a story about wizards.
• Zhang Xiao told Joanne he was a wizard, answered her questions, and encouraged her to continue writing.
• Zhang Xiao returned Joanne to the café, drove her to the Daycare Center, and then used a Forgetfulness Charm to remove her memories of the wizarding story and their meeting.
• Joanne found a Scottish Arts Council writing grant worth ten thousand pounds in her bag and used it to buy supplies for Jessica.
• Joanne began writing her story, opening with the Dursleys at 4 Privet Drive and naming the boy Harry Potter.

After a month of wandering Britain and improving through travel, Zhang Xiao practiced his Daoist breathing under the stars and prepared a portable bath before heading to the Burrow. At the Dursleys’ home, Harry welcomed the Weasleys, and Dudley’s sincere effort to get along challenged Fred and George’s plan to prank him.

• Zhang Xiao traveled around Britain for a month, then slept beneath the stars as moonlight gathered around him during his breathing practice.
• Zhang Xiao enlarged a miniature bathroom with Engorgio, enjoyed a hot bath, and decided to visit the Burrow next.
• Harry prepared to leave with the Weasleys, while Petunia and Dudley waited with him and tried to treat him as family.
• Arthur Weasley, Fred, George, and Ron entered the Dursleys’ boarded-up fireplace with Floo Powder, and Arthur accidentally blasted it open.
• Dudley greeted Arthur and warmly helped the Weasleys settle in, while Harry and Ron caught up.
• Fred and George dropped enchanted-looking toffees to lure Dudley into a prank, but Dudley picked them up and offered them back.

Harry joined the Weasleys at the Burrow, where he reunited with Bill and Charlie and learned about their plans to help the Order of the Phoenix. The family and their guests prepared for the Quidditch World Cup as Sirius, Hermione, Malfoy, and Zhang Xiao arrived.

• Harry gave Dudley sweets, said goodbye to him and Petunia, and traveled by Floo Powder to the Burrow.
• Fred and George told Harry that the sweets they had tried to give Dudley were Ton-Tongue Toffees, and Harry explained that he and Dudley had made up.
• Bill and Charlie told Harry they had joined the Order of the Phoenix, with Bill watching for Voldemort in Egypt and Charlie guarding against dark magic targeting dragons in Romania.
• Arthur assigned the Weasleys and Harry tasks to prepare the garden for a feast, and Ron told Harry that Mrs. Weasley had become a well-paid manager of a house-elf staffing agency.
• Sirius arrived at the Burrow, followed by Mrs. Weasley with Hermione, Malfoy on a broomstick, and Zhang Xiao descending in the form of a peregrine falcon.