Arc 21The Keepers’ Trials

Draco helped Hermione plan S.P.E.W.’s house-elf pilot while completing the Keepers’ trials and uncovering Morgana’s plan to contain the world’s pain. After learning Ranrok was preparing to attack the Hogwarts repository, Draco entered the final trial alone, where Hermione told him to kneel before the charging Graphorn.

  • Draco proposed a Hogwarts Kitchen pilot and newspaper coverage for S.P.E.W., then arranged a foundation and backup funding with Hermione’s support.
  • Draco and Hermione joined Professor Babbling at San Bakar Tower, where Draco completed the first trial and saw Morgana use Ancient Magic.
  • Draco completed the trials at Rookwood Castle and Hogwarts, witnessing memories that revealed Morgana had extracted emotions and that Ranrok’s followers had obtained Ancient Magic.
  • Draco learned he needed three panels of Morgana’s Triptych, then retrieved them with Hermione and Professor Babbling from the Overlook Mine and a coastal cavern.
  • Draco, Hermione, and Professor Babbling viewed Morgana’s memory and learned she planned to seal the world’s pain in a goblin-silver container, while Ranrok prepared to drill into the repository beneath Hogwarts.
  • Draco realized the final trial would make him a seal for the repository’s negative emotions, then traveled with Hermione and Professor Babbling to the Cragcroftshire Coast.
  • The final trial barrier left Hermione and Professor Babbling outside as Draco faced a charging Graphorn, and Hermione told him to kneel.
Chapters 501–525 Vol. 6 Read

Ch. 501No One but You

Hermione and Draco discussed house-elf rights, and Draco explained why Hermione’s S.P.E.W. plan might frighten the house-elves it meant to help. He proposed a Hogwarts pilot program and a path to changing school policy, leaving Hermione hopeful that she could make real progress.

  • Draco teased Hermione about looking at him lovingly, and she flusteredly denied that she would marry no one but him.
  • Hermione asked Draco why he thought S.P.E.W. was useless, and he explained that house-elves had been conditioned to fear being masterless and to value service.
  • Draco proposed a Hogwarts Kitchen pilot program that would offer house-elves allowances and a weekly magical training day under reassuring names.
  • Draco suggested publishing real results in the Hogwarts Domestic Magic Observer, including an interview with Dobby.
  • Draco advised Hermione to take the pilot results to Professor McGonagall and seek changes to the House-elf Service Code, and Hermione became excited by the plan.

Ch. 502You're cute when you make the first move

Hermione impulsively kissed Draco, and their teasing turned into a passionate kiss and an embrace. When she asked how to fund the newspaper and pilot, Draco suggested she make her husband feel good, and Hermione responded with newfound boldness.

  • Hermione kissed Draco on the cheek in a burst of excitement, then blushed and apologized when she realized what she had done.
  • Draco teased Hermione, then reassured her that he had liked the kiss.
  • Hermione pushed Draco, and he caught her wrist, reversed their positions, and pinned her on the carpet.
  • Draco kissed Hermione, then held her as she settled against his chest.
  • Hermione asked how they would fund the newspaper and pilot, and Draco joked that she should make her husband feel good.
  • Hermione challenged Draco to let go of her first, touching the edge of his waistcoat.

Ch. 503No Getting into Bed

Hermione teased Draco while asking him to release the funds, then threatened to make him sleep on the carpet if he kept pushing her. Draco teased her about sharing his bed and revealed that she had clung to him and called his name in her sleep, leaving her frozen as she remembered the dream.

  • Hermione kissed Draco to persuade him to release the funds, but he said it was not enough.
  • Hermione threatened to keep Draco out of bed and sleep on the carpet if he refused to agree.
  • Draco teased Hermione that her threat showed she considered the bed their shared territory.
  • Draco claimed Hermione had clung to him in her sleep and recorded her murmuring that his arms were warm.
  • Draco told Hermione she had called his name in her dreams, and she stopped as she remembered the dream.

Ch. 504When Granger's Principles Met Malfoy's "Money Power"

Draco persuaded Hermione to let the Malfoys help fund her S.P.E.W. Foundation through the Ministry of Magic. Hermione remained concerned about political opposition, but Draco assured her Lucius had built enough support to make the plan succeed.

  • Hermione admitted she had called Draco's name, and Draco told her he had found a way to fund S.P.E.W.
  • Draco proposed registering an S.P.E.W. Foundation and securing Ministry funding with Lucius's support.
  • Hermione objected to relying on family connections, but Draco argued that their influence could help her achieve her goals.
  • Hermione accepted Draco's offer, though she worried that Lucius might face resistance from the Ministry and conservative forces.
  • Draco said Lucius's decades of political alliances would make approving the foundation easy and would benefit the Malfoy family's reputation.

Ch. 505Granger took the initiative

Hermione worried that the foundation’s funding and politics could put her plans at risk, but Draco reassured her that he would protect her and had prepared an alternative. The chapter ended with them settling into bed as he promised to help her fulfill her wishes.

  • Draco told Hermione that the foundation could serve as a political operation and promised to deal with anyone who tried to use it against her.
  • Hermione trusted Draco, kissed him, and left the foundation’s problems in his hands.
  • Draco carried Hermione to bed and teased her before settling beside her.
  • Hermione worried aloud about the foundation, Draco’s father’s affairs, and their future, and Draco promised everything would go smoothly.
  • Draco told Hermione he had another plan if the Ministry of Magic’s funding for the foundation fell through.

Ch. 506Even the Proud Miss Granger Could Ask to Be Spoiled

Draco revealed that he had invested in Hogsmeade shops to help Hermione, and she thanked him and admitted how lucky she felt to have met him. The chapter left Hermione embarrassed after asking Draco to say something romantic, while he teased her for wanting affection.

  • Draco teased Hermione until she called him "hubby" three times.
  • Draco explained that he had invested in Hogsmeade shops during the Dementor invasion, taking only a small share and preparing to use Lucius Malfoy's expected position as Minister for Magic to support the businesses.
  • Hermione realized Draco had quietly arranged a path for her and thanked him, moved by his efforts.
  • Hermione told Draco that meeting him was the luckiest thing in her life, and he replied, "As long as you know."
  • Hermione asked Draco to say something romantic, then became flustered when he teased her for asking to be spoiled.

Ch. 507Too easily flustered, yet always wanting more

Draco teased Hermione with tender declarations and a scheme to win over his parents by having eight or ten children, leaving her flustered and trying to escape the conversation. He held her from behind as she pleaded with him to stop before she could no longer bear the embarrassment.

  • Hermione tried to hide from Draco, but he held her face and told her that all his tenderness and plans were for her alone.
  • Draco told Hermione he wanted to be the only one she leaned on, and she admitted she still wanted to hear more despite her embarrassment.
  • Draco suggested they have eight or ten grandchildren to win over his parents, and Hermione blushed as she imagined a future family with him.
  • Hermione turned away under the covers and declared she was going to sleep, but Draco pulled her back into his embrace.
  • Draco insisted he meant what he had said, while Hermione pleaded with him to stop before she cooked through.

Ch. 508Too Ashamed to Face Anyone

Hermione became mortified after an embarrassing accident during Draco’s teasing and rushed to clean up and change. She returned to bed with a blanket barrier, but Draco used the Hogsmeade funding to coax her back into his arms.

  • Hermione noticed a wet patch on her trousers, shoved Draco away, and blamed him for making her so flustered.
  • Draco conjured fresh pajamas and created a bathroom with the Room of Requirement, where Hermione washed and changed.
  • Hermione asked Draco for another set of clothes, calling him “Husband” after he demanded it, and he dried her with Tergeo.
  • Hermione drew a blanket boundary between them and forbade Draco from teasing her about the accident.
  • Draco threatened to reconsider the Hogsmeade investment, so Hermione reluctantly lowered her blanket barrier, and he pulled her blanket-wrapped form into his arms.

Ch. 509Hermione's revenge

Hermione and Draco joked around while washing up, then shared a breakfast of baozi, tea eggs, and soy milk that Draco produced from the System Space. Hermione praised the food and saw a business opportunity in selling it in Hogsmeade, while Draco offered to support her plans.

  • Hermione kissed Draco and left foam on his cheek as revenge for his teasing, and Draco tried to smear it back on her.
  • Hermione asked Draco to make breakfast, and he persuaded her to call him “Hubby” before serving her foods from the System Space.
  • Draco introduced Hermione to baozi, tea eggs, and soy milk, and they shared the soy milk from one cup.
  • Hermione enjoyed the meal and suggested the foods could sell well in Hogsmeade or at the Three Broomsticks.
  • Draco told Hermione that her husband would support her, leaving her flustered and secretly pleased.

Ch. 510Don't Mention Last Night Again!

Hermione woke embarrassed by Draco's teasing about the previous night, then joined him to wash up and discuss their plan to pay house-elves. Draco proposed beginning with a symbolic weekly wage of one Knut, leaving Hermione to consider the first step toward changing the established convention.

  • Hermione fell asleep in Draco's arms after telling him to stop teasing her.
  • Draco teased Hermione about the previous night when she woke, then kissed her good morning before she fled to the bathroom.
  • Hermione calmed herself, called Draco in to wash up, and asked how much they should pay house-elves.
  • Draco suggested one Knut a week as a symbolic starting wage that might face less opposition from pure-blood families.

Ch. 511A "Public Execution" in Front of Professor Babbling

Draco, Hermione, and Professor Babbling traveled to San Bakar Tower to stop Young Rookwood and Ranrok from seizing the Ancient Magic legacy. After subduing the goblin guards, they confronted an ambush and Draco quickly knocked out the attackers.

  • Draco and Hermione gave Jackdaw's remains, letters, and diary to their household servants, then told Professor Babbling what they had discovered about Young Rookwood, Ranrok, and the Map Chamber.
  • Draco used his Ancient Magic-enhanced Apparition to take Hermione and Professor Babbling to a thicket near San Bakar Tower.
  • The trio used Disillusionment Charms and nonlethal spells to subdue the goblins guarding the tower doors.
  • A goblin leader in a burgundy beret emerged with four axe-wielding goblins and broke free of Draco's magical ropes.
  • Draco knocked out the goblin leader with an elbow strike and stunned the other four goblins.

Ch. 512The trial officially begins

Draco and his companions entered San Bakar Tower, where Hermione and Professor Babbling sorted Rackham’s books while Draco spoke with Rackham’s portrait. Rackham revealed the ancient magic wellspring and ordered Draco to activate the trial, leaving Draco ready to begin as Hermione and Professor Babbling continued their research.

  • Draco defeated the goblins guarding San Bakar Tower, and he and Hermione entered after Professor Babbling joined them.
  • Hermione found Rackham’s annotated books, and she and Professor Babbling agreed to divide and sort the volumes.
  • Draco searched the tower with Specialis Revelio, then climbed to the attic and spoke with Rackham’s portrait.
  • Rackham told Draco that a sealed wellspring of ancient magic near the entrance had been unsealed and that Draco had to complete every trial stage within the allotted time.
  • Draco Apparated back to the first floor to activate the trial while Hermione and Professor Babbling continued sorting books and warned him to be careful.

Ch. 513This Trial Was a Total Freebie

Draco entered the first trial and crossed its ancient halls by activating hidden wells of magic and solving simple obstacles. After easily destroying the runic warriors, he reached the final open area, sensing that the trial was nearly over.

  • Draco revealed a hidden doorway with Specialis Revelio and entered the first trial.
  • Draco activated a wellspring of magic, causing a stone bridge to extend across the abyss, then used a veil portal to reach the next section.
  • Draco activated another wellspring and opened a portal that led him to three runic warriors.
  • Draco blasted the main warrior and its two guards into rubble with ancient magic.
  • Draco used Accio to bring floating platforms together and cleared further mobs and mechanisms, then reached the final open area.

Ch. 514Overwhelming Aerial Superiority

Draco defeated the Pensieve Guardian by fighting from his broom, then viewed Rackham’s memories of Morgana and her powerful Ancient Magic. He returned to Hermione and Professor Babbling after completing the first trial, leaving them astonished at how quickly he finished.

  • Draco took to his broom to evade the Pensieve Guardian’s attacks and destroyed it with three Ancient Magic shockwaves.
  • Draco crossed the restored bridge into the Pensieve hall and activated Rackham’s memory.
  • Draco saw young Morgana use Ancient Magic to raise a stone pillar and later return to Hogwarts after traveling.
  • Draco suspected the trial warned against letting emotion lead to the misuse of Ancient Magic, then left the trial grounds.
  • Draco told Hermione and Professor Babbling that he had completed the first trial, and they reacted in disbelief.

Ch. 515Granger's ancient tome spree, Malfoy's helpless indulgence

Draco returned to the Map Chamber after leaving Hermione and Professor Babbling to study the ancient library, where the Keepers revealed that the second trial lay at Rookwood Castle. He learned that Victor Rookwood and Ranrok were trying to seize Ancient Magic and that forcing its seal could devastate much of Britain, so he set out to complete the trial quickly.

  • Draco told Hermione and Professor Babbling about Morgana’s memories, but they refused to leave the library before finishing their research.
  • Draco enhanced Hermione’s Feather-Light Charm, left her a spare broom, and Apparated back to Hogwarts.
  • Draco returned to the Map Chamber, where Professor Rookwood’s projection appeared and the map revealed the second trial’s location at Rookwood Castle.
  • Draco warned Professors Rackham and Rookwood that Victor Rookwood had allied with Ranrok to pursue the Ancient Magic inheritance.
  • Professor Rookwood explained that forcing the seal open could unleash Ancient Magic and destroy a vast area, then urged Draco to reach the trial before Victor and Ranrok acted.
  • Draco left the Map Chamber to go to Rookwood Castle and complete the second trial.

Ch. 516Eavesdropping on the Villains' Infighting

Draco infiltrated Rookwood Castle, overheard Victor Rookwood and Ranrok quarrel over their failing alliance, and discovered that they had already taken the Ancient Magic from a spherical container. Professor Rookwood urged Draco to finish the trial and prove he could wield power without being mastered by it.

  • Draco used a Disillusionment Charm to slip past the guards and enter Rookwood Castle unseen.
  • Draco overheard Victor Rookwood and Ranrok blame each other for their failures and argue over their alliance and claim to Ancient Magic.
  • Draco discovered a hidden mechanism that opened the inner keep, then found a spherical container whose Ancient Magic appeared to have been taken.
  • Draco located a Wellspring of Magic and spoke with Professor Rookwood, who told him the trial still mattered because it would teach him the cost of power.
  • Draco asked Professor Rookwood what he should do next.

Ch. 517Going straight to Old Dumbledore to unlock the dungeon

Draco completed the second Ancient Magic trial and discovered that Morgana had developed magic capable of extracting emotions from people. He learned that the third trial was in the Hogwarts Headmaster’s Office and went straight to Dumbledore to gain access.

  • Draco crossed the second trial’s platform and defeated its rune guardians and boss.
  • Draco viewed Morgana’s memory of removing sorrow from her father with dark magic, then returned to the Map Chamber.
  • Professor Fitzgerald appeared and explained that the map pointed to the next trial in the Hogwarts Headmaster’s Office.
  • Draco went to Dumbledore’s office, told him the third trial entrance was there, and asked how the poacher matter had gone.

Ch. 518The Third Trial: Surviving Under Death's Very Nose

Draco began the third Ancient Magic trial, entering a deadly fable where a gigantic Death commanded skeletal soldiers to attack a village. He evaded the undead under concealment but remained trapped amid the growing army, unsure how to proceed.

  • Draco told Dumbledore that Ranrok and his followers had obtained Ancient Magic power from Rookwood Castle, then began the third trial with Professor Fitzgerald’s portrait.
  • Draco read the book in the loft and was pulled into it; Fitzgerald assured Dumbledore that this was part of the trial.
  • Draco found himself in the Realm of Fables, where Fitzgerald warned him that death was real and he needed to evade Death’s pursuit.
  • After Draco crossed a stone bridge, a gigantic skeletal Death appeared, summoned skeletal soldiers, and unleashed them on the villagers.
  • Draco used the Disillusionment Charm to sneak through the village, dodging undead patrols and falling stones as the skeletal army spread around him.

Ch. 519So they were the Hallows

Draco passed the trial’s stages, discovering and using the Invisibility Cloak and the Elder Wand before recognizing the Resurrection Stone as the third Deathly Hallow. He reached Professor Fitzgerald’s image in a coffin, where she explained that the Stone could not truly change the past.

  • Draco used the Invisibility Cloak to evade Death’s gaze and reached the circle containing the Elder Wand.
  • Draco wielded the Elder Wand to defeat skeletal soldiers, skeletal guards, black mist hounds, a Troll, and more skeletons.
  • Draco found the Resurrection Stone and recognized the symbol of the three Deathly Hallows.
  • Draco followed Death to a village funeral and discovered Professor Fitzgerald in a coffin.
  • Professor Fitzgerald rose as an image left in time and told Draco that the Resurrection Stone could not truly change the past.

Ch. 520Three Trials in a Row! He Stunned the Original Guardian

Draco completed Fitzgerald’s trial and learned that Morgana had used emotion-removing magic to increase her power before extracting an emotion from Fitzgerald. Back in the Map Chamber, San Bakar appeared and told Draco he had to recover Morgana’s three Triptych memories before entering the final trial.

  • Draco entered Fitzgerald’s Pensieve and witnessed Morgana argue with Fitzgerald about storing and extracting emotions.
  • Draco saw Morgana forcibly extract a core emotion from Fitzgerald and inferred that a goblin connected to the emotion vessels had passed Ancient Magic’s secret to Ranrok.
  • Draco returned safely to the Map Chamber after completing the first three trials in one day.
  • San Bakar appeared through the fourth mirror, and Draco realized that San Bakar Tower had been Bakar’s former home.
  • Bakar told Draco that he had to recover the three memories in Morgana’s Triptych before the final trial could open, and revealed their locations on the map.

Ch. 521Hermione Called Him "Too OP"

Draco learned that he needed to recover the three paintings of a triptych to unlock San Bakar’s final trial, then joined Hermione and Professor Babbling to seek the remaining pieces. The trio raced toward the Overlook Mine, where Draco’s panel began to grow hot.

  • San Bakar told Draco that the first painting was hidden in the Map Chamber, the second was in the Overlook Mine, and the third was in an ancient goblin cavern on the west coast.
  • Draco brought the first triptych panel to Professor Babbling’s office and told Hermione and Professor Babbling that he had completed Rookwood’s and Fitzgerald’s trials alone.
  • Draco explained what he had learned from the trials, and Hermione urged the group to find the remaining paintings and stop Ranrok and the others from repeating past mistakes.
  • Professor Babbling joined Draco and Hermione as they set out for the Overlook Mine.
  • Draco led the group up the mountain path, and the first panel grew hot in his hand.

Ch. 522More Thrills, More Fun

Draco, Hermione, and Professor Babbling infiltrated a goblin factory built in Isidora’s ruins and discovered the goblins were constructing a drill to break into Morgana’s repository of pain. They recovered the second Triptych fragment and escaped the mine while goblins pursued them.

  • Hermione recognized the smell of goblin smelting, and Professor Babbling warned the group to stay hidden.
  • Draco cast a Disillusionment Charm on the three of them as they entered the mine and found goblins building a rune-covered drill to breach the repository.
  • Draco led Hermione and Professor Babbling deeper into the mine, where they found and retrieved the second Triptych fragment.
  • Goblin shouts revealed their presence, so Hermione and Professor Babbling delayed the pursuers with spells while Draco led the group through a secret passage.
  • Draco, Hermione, and Professor Babbling escaped the mine with both Triptych fragments, and Hermione complained about their dangerous mission.

Ch. 523Successfully Assembled

Draco, Hermione, and Professor Babbling found the final piece of the Triptych in an ancient goblin cavern and learned that Ranrok's forces were preparing to attack Hogwarts' repository. They assembled the Triptych in the Map Chamber and entered the Pensieve to witness Morgana's complete memories.

  • Draco, Hermione, and Professor Babbling entered the hidden coastal cavern and found the last Triptych piece on a goblin altar.
  • Draco assembled all three pieces, revealing Morgana's complete memory painting.
  • Hermione and Professor Babbling put goblin guards to sleep after overhearing that Ranrok planned to attack the repository at Hogwarts.
  • The three returned to Hogwarts and placed the completed Triptych in its frame in the Map Chamber.
  • Draco entered the Pensieve, and Hermione and Professor Babbling followed into Morgana's memories.

Ch. 524Malfoy-brand magical seal

Draco, Hermione, and Professor Babbling witnessed how Morgana's attempt to free her father from pain left him emotionless and led her to plan to seal away all pain. The Keepers then warned that Ranrok had discovered the repository and revealed that Draco's final trial would make him a seal for its dangerous emotional energies.

  • Morgana removed her father's pain with Ancient Magic, leaving him unable to feel or recognize her.
  • The Keepers confronted Morgana, who revealed her plan to build a goblin-silver container to seal away the world's pain.
  • Draco, Hermione, and Professor Babbling emerged from the memory and discussed Morgana's intentions.
  • Draco told the Keepers that Ranrok's followers were building a giant drill to reach the repository beneath Hogwarts.
  • Rackham and the other Keepers explained that Ranrok already knew the repository's location and urged them to finish the final trial quickly.
  • Draco realized that the trial would make him a seal for the repository's negative emotional energies.

Ch. 525Just so Hermione could live in peace

Draco and Hermione reached the final ancient-magic trial on the Cragcroftshire Coast, where Draco faced a charging Graphorn. Hermione realized the test required restraint and urged him to kneel just as the beast came within inches of him.

  • San Bakar opened the path to the repository’s core, and Draco and Hermione left Hogwarts with Professor Babbling.
  • Draco identified the final trial’s location on the Cragcroftshire Coast, where they found a vast skeleton and an enormous lair.
  • The trial barrier kept Hermione and Professor Babbling outside, so Draco entered the lair alone.
  • A Graphorn charged at Draco, and he prepared to cast a spell.
  • Hermione recognized that the trial tested restraint and told Draco to kneel before the Graphorn reached him.
Arc 21 of 37
Arc 21 of 37