Chapter Summaries

Zhang Xiao proposed assembling specialists to help retrieve Hufflepuff’s Cup from Gringotts, and Dumbledore recognized a remarkable fit between Zhang’s roles and people from his past. Dumbledore sent Fawkes with a feather to invite someone out, then contacted old allies, while Newt received a visit from a floating black glove.

• Zhang Xiao suggested recruiting planners, technical support, an expert infiltrator, and muscle for the Gringotts vault heist, and Dumbledore called the proposal excellent.
• Dumbledore reflected on the Golden Cup, Tom’s Horcrux, and his past, then sent Fawkes with a tail feather to bring someone out if he agreed.
• Zhang Xiao wondered whether Dumbledore’s decision was connected to what he had seen in the Mirror of Erised, but Dumbledore disappeared from Hogwarts.
• As spring arrived, Hogwarts remained peaceful, Harry’s spirits improved, and Zhang Xiao noticed that Snape seemed troubled.
• Nicolas Flamel read Dumbledore’s invitation and agreed with Perenelle to meet him in Diagon Alley.
• A floating black glove appeared behind Newt, and he recognized it as a sign from Dumbledore.

Dumbledore brought Zhang Xiao to meet Grindelwald, Nicolas Flamel, and Newt Scamander as they assembled a team for a secret operation. Zhang realized he might have been included merely as the team’s token decoration.

• Grindelwald reread Dumbledore’s letter and considered leaving Nurmengard to help him.
• Zhang Xiao and his friends discussed Voldemort’s plans, and Malfoy speculated that a prophecy might explain Voldemort’s interest in Harry.
• McGonagall summoned Zhang Xiao to Dumbledore, who admitted that arranging Grindelwald’s release was complicated by Aberforth’s opposition.
• Dumbledore took Zhang to meet Grindelwald, Nicolas Flamel, and Newt Scamander at Flamel’s house in Diagon Alley.
• Zhang greeted the group and realized that, among their planning, technical, and field skills, he might be the token decoration.

Zhang Xiao and the old wizards planned to learn Gringotts’ vault defenses by depositing money, while Grindelwald and Dumbledore argued over the future of the Wizarding World. Dumbledore proposed preparing Muggles for its eventual exposure through a novel, and revealed that he intended Hermione Granger to write the story of Harry Potter.

• Zhang Xiao suggested depositing money at Gringotts to uncover the defenses of its single-digit vaults, and Nicolas Flamel agreed to arrange it with Perenelle.
• Grindelwald challenged Dumbledore about whether wizards should hide from Muggles, arguing that their growing power would eventually lead to war.
• Zhang Xiao rejected Grindelwald’s plan to rule Muggles and said the East would oppose it, while Dumbledore affirmed that Zhang’s opposition could thwart Grindelwald.
• Dumbledore explained that Grindelwald had seen a possible future in which the Wizarding World perished, but said that future was not inevitable.
• Dumbledore proposed telling the Wizarding World’s story in a popular Muggle novel to reduce fear when magic was exposed.
• Dumbledore named Hermione Granger as the intended author, and he and Zhang Xiao revealed that the story would be Harry Potter.

Zhang Xiao and Perenelle went to Gringotts to arrange the Flamel fortune’s safekeeping, while Dumbledore’s group discussed making a story to reduce fear of the unknown. The chapter ended with Zhang Xiao asking whether adding him would qualify Perenelle for a single-digit vault.

• Zhang Xiao was shaken by the possibility that the Harry Potter books reflected real events, but Dumbledore explained that his planned story would feature Harry Potter, not Zhang.
• Newt defended Dumbledore’s idea of easing fear through a story, then Dumbledore sent Zhang Xiao to meet Perenelle and prepare for the Gringotts operation.
• Perenelle greeted Zhang Xiao in her enchanted carriage and told him she was eager to join the operation; Zhang Xiao summed up their goal as getting rich.
• Perenelle arrived at Gringotts and asked Bogrod to place the Flamel fortune in a single-digit vault, but Bogrod said she did not qualify to take one over.
• Zhang Xiao stepped forward and asked Bogrod whether adding him would change the decision.

Zhang Xiao and Perenelle traveled with Bogrod into Gringotts to reach a Single-Digit Vault, and Zhang Xiao learned how the bank protected its depths. After the Thief’s Downfall stripped away ordinary magic, Zhang’s Golden Light Spell still worked, while Perenelle used a potion to recover; the cart then approached the Eternal Mist.

• Bogrod recognized Zhang Xiao as the heir to the Celestial Master and granted him access to a Single-Digit Vault.
• Bogrod led Zhang Xiao and Perenelle through Gringotts’ underground tunnels in a specially enchanted cart and described the bank’s protections.
• The cart passed through the Thief’s Downfall, which nullified magic and left Zhang Xiao drenched, but his Golden Light Spell activated on its own.
• Perenelle drank a pale-blue potion after emerging from the waterfall, and Bogrod used hot air to dry Zhang Xiao’s clothes.
• Bogrod showed Zhang Xiao and Perenelle the remains of failed vault robbers and warned them to stay quiet as the cart approached the Eternal Mist.

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.