Chapter Summaries

Herman noticed that Marlene’s magical puppet lacked a soul, and she admitted she wanted to make it more adaptable before diverting the conversation. He then asked Marlene about Dissilio and alchemy, filling his notebook with her precise advice.

• Herman praised Marlene’s magical puppet, but Marlene pointed out that its lifelike appearance hid its lack of a soul.
• Herman asked whether Marlene was trying to give the puppet a soul, and she said she only wanted to make it more adaptable.
• Marlene noticed Herman’s notebook of questions and invited him to ask them while she continued adjusting the puppet.
• Herman asked how to improve his Dissilio technique, and Marlene advised him to practice on one material, match his magic to his breathing, and examine each material’s grain, cross section, and residual magic.
• Herman asked about making simple alchemical items, and Marlene explained material preparation, fusion order, and how to handle residue from failed attempts.

Herman asked Marlene about alchemy suppliers and received the address of a shop in Knockturn Alley, then recommended Neville and Hugo as possible alchemy students. As Herman prepared to leave, Marlene fell silent and watched him, leaving him unsure how to respond.

• Herman asked Marlene for a supplier of alchemy materials, and she warned him that the goods could be overpriced or falsely advertised.
• Marlene wrote down the address 28 Knockturn Alley and told Herman that the shop could deliver supplies to the school by owl.
• Marlene urged Herman to begin making alchemical creations, and Herman said he planned to practice in the Room of Requirement.
• Herman recommended Neville and Hugo as potential students for Professor Malin, and Marlene asked him to find out whether they were interested.
• As darkness fell, Herman thanked Marlene and prepared to leave, but she silently watched him, leaving him awkwardly standing in the room.

Marlene discovered that Herman's arm had undergone a crude magical modification and stopped the Fire Serpent it produced. She accepted that Herman had altered himself by accident, but warned that he had gone too far in his pursuit of truth.

• Marlene sensed that Herman's arm had an aura unlike a human's and asked him about it.
• Marlene gripped Herman's arm and traced it, causing red markings to emerge and draw his magic toward them.
• A Fire Serpent burst from Herman's arm and lunged at Marlene, who scattered it with a sweep of her arm.
• Marlene's cold magic cut off the flow of magic and made the markings fade beneath Herman's skin.
• Herman claimed he had mistaken a recipe for a healing potion, and Marlene assessed his modification as crude but successful before warning him that he had taken too large a stride.

Herman accepted Marlene’s offer to teach him magical modification and received a spell that concealed and improved his altered arm. He left eager to study with her while planning to keep up his alchemy work and produce results to show her.

• Marlene explained that magical modification was a forbidden branch of alchemy and offered to teach Herman from her notebooks.
• Herman accepted, reasoning that the power of his modified arm made the risks worthwhile.
• Marlene used a spell to make Herman’s arm fit him better and harder for others to notice.
• Herman tested the arm in the corridor and found its flames more responsive and controlled.
• On his way back, Herman planned to study magical modification while continuing his alchemy studies and preparing work to show Marlene.

After expanding his alchemy knowledge, Herman sought money to fund his experiments by asking Kramer for materials and proposing a business venture tied to the Soviet Union’s impending dissolution. He sent the letter with Xiao Hei, who reminded him about a promised strengthening recipe, leaving Herman planning to get the missing ingredients from Hagrid.

• Herman decided he needed money to fund his alchemy experiments and wrote to Kramer requesting materials and proposing Muggle business opportunities connected to the Soviet Union’s dissolution.
• Herman tied the letter pouch to Xiao Hei’s leg and prepared to send the raven to Kramer.
• Xiao Hei reminded Herman that he had promised to prepare a strengthening feed recipe for him.
• Herman claimed the letter also covered Xiao Hei’s feed ingredients, and Xiao Hei flew off with it.
• Herman realized he still lacked some ingredients for the recipe and decided to ask Hagrid for them or for fresh game.

Herman received an urgent letter from Kramer and proposed that they cooperate through a Muggle company, with Kramer managing his investments. The Daily Prophet reported damage to several wizarding homes, and Draco reacted in shock while Harry remained unaffected.

• Herman read Kramer's request to meet and replied with a plan to establish a company and begin working together.
• Herman sent Kramer a check and instructions with the reply, using Kramer's owl to deliver it.
• Herman read a Daily Prophet report about several damaged wizarding residences and sprayed milk across the table.
• Draco scolded Herman for ruining her food, then read the report and asked whether it was true.
• Harry continued eating calmly as Herman showed Draco the news.

Herman suspected Harry had gathered information for Sirius Black, who was suspected of kidnapping members of four pure-blood families. Harry denied knowing anything while Draco worried that her family might be targeted, and Herman remained convinced that Harry was involved.

• Draco read that Sirius Black was suspected of breaking into four pure-blood homes and kidnapping at least five people.
• Herman reasoned that the kidnappings required insider information and suspected Harry had supplied it to Sirius.
• The news alarmed the Slytherins, including Draco, who worried that someone might target her family.
• Herman quietly asked Harry whether Sirius was responsible, and Harry denied knowing anything while continuing to eat.
• Draco reminded Harry that she had visited Hogsmeade, and Harry gave Herman a look that confirmed his suspicions.
• Herman concluded that Harry had gathered information from Hogwarts students and had exchanged it with Sirius in person at Hogsmeade.

Herman realized Harry had likely arranged the kidnappings of Terence’s relatives as retaliation, while he continued practicing magic and waited for his lesson with Professor Malin. Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts, easing the students’ fears, as Snape privately argued with him about Sirius.

• Harry told Draco that Terence was grieving because several members of his family had been kidnapped, and Herman recognized her pleased reaction as evidence that she had arranged it in revenge.
• Herman continued practicing left-handed casting, Dissilio’s wand movement, flame control, and the range of his innate spellcasting while waiting for Kramer’s materials.
• Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts and appeared at lunch, calming the students and professors who had been anxious about the vampires and kidnappings.
• Professor McGonagall remained stern, while Snape angrily told Dumbledore that Sirius should have been sent to Azkaban and complained about his attacks on pure-blood families.
• Snape lowered his voice and quietly said something to Dumbledore after complaining about Sirius.

After Dumbledore’s return, Hogwarts eased its restrictions, though students were still barred from the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade. Herman’s lesson with Professor Malin was canceled, and he decided to check on Harry and Draco while hoping the professors would address the threat posed by Gori.

• Snape complained to Dumbledore that Harry should never have been left with Sirius, and Dumbledore replied that Sirius was Harry’s godfather.
• Hogwarts relaxed its patrols and allowed students to roam the grounds, while McGonagall posted restrictions keeping them away from the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade.
• George and Fred told Herman that Professor Malin had canceled their evening meeting because something had come up.
• Herman guessed Professor Malin had been called to a staff meeting about Dumbledore’s return and Gori’s proposal to move into the castle.
• Herman put away his research notebook and decided to look for Harry and Draco.

Herman looked for Harry but found Draco, who took him to see the Slytherin Quidditch Team try out Nimbus 2000s sponsored by her father. Later, Dumbledore gathered several professors to discuss Hagrid keeping a vampire in the Forbidden Forest, and McGonagall demanded an explanation.

• Herman went to Draco’s dormitory to ask whether Harry was there, and Draco said Harry had not returned.
• Draco changed, then took Herman to the Quidditch Pitch and told him the first batch of sponsored Nimbus 2000s had arrived for the Slytherin Quidditch Team.
• Draco explained that Herman’s broom would come in a later batch, while the team tested the new brooms on the pitch.
• Dumbledore convened McGonagall, the other Heads of House, and Quirrell in his office.
• McGonagall demanded that Dumbledore explain why Hagrid was keeping a vampire in the Forbidden Forest.

Dumbledore explained to McGonagall and the other professors that a vampire prophecy concerned a first-year student who would end the curse on vampires and werewolves. After Quirrell named the students who had been in the compartment attacked by the vampire elder, Snape pressed Dumbledore to identify the student, but the prophecy remained uncertain.

• McGonagall confronted Dumbledore for hiding a vampire elder in the Forbidden Forest without telling her.
• Dumbledore revealed that a prophecy predicted a student would end the thousand-year curse on vampires and werewolves, while Snape, Flitwick, and McGonagall doubted it.
• Dumbledore said he had investigated the prophecy and believed it was reliable, though the student might not fulfill it until centuries later.
• Quirrell said the vampire elder had attacked a compartment containing Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, Herman Horace, Draco Malfoy, Hugo Granger, George Weasley, Fred Weasley, and Neville Longbottom.
• Snape demanded to know which student the prophecy referred to, and Dumbledore said Gori had not named anyone, though he had not objected when Neville was suggested.

Dumbledore and the professors discussed the vampire Gori, the threat from other vampire clans, and the possibility that Neville was the prophecy’s target. The chapter ended with Dumbledore assuring McGonagall that student safety would remain Hogwarts’ first priority.

• Snape relaxed when Dumbledore suggested Neville might be the prophecy’s target, and McGonagall called for greater protection around him.
• Dumbledore admitted that he had kept Gori’s presence at Hogwarts secret while investigating inconsistencies in his account, prompting McGonagall to demand transparency.
• Quirrell warned that vampires were probing defenses around the Forbidden Forest and might attack Gori with the help of vampire elders.
• Dumbledore explained that a rival vampire elder was trying to seize power and said he would seek a peaceful resolution.
• Quirrell revealed that Gori had asked to move into Hogwarts Castle and stressed that he had refused the request.
• Dumbledore affirmed that protecting Hogwarts’ students would always come first.

Dumbledore went to the Forbidden Forest to speak with Gori, leaving the other Hogwarts Heads of House behind. After Gori revealed his control over the vampire underlings, Dumbledore brought up Ulric, and Gori reflected that he should have dealt with unrest among the vampires before seeking the Child of Prophecy.

• Dumbledore left with Quirrell to visit the vampires and investigate the situation in Hogsmeade, while McGonagall and the other Heads of House remained behind.
• Dumbledore and Quirrell reached the cave, where Hagrid was feeding Gori and the vampire underlings.
• Hagrid defended Gori as well behaved before leaving Dumbledore and Gori alone.
• Gori put the vampire underlings to sleep with a glance and explained that vampires could not defy those of higher rank.
• Dumbledore mentioned that Ulric and other vampires had begun to think differently, and Gori regretted seeking the Child of Prophecy before quelling unrest within the vampires.

Gori offered Dumbledore the complete prophecy in exchange for safe shelter at Hogwarts, revealing that it foretold the Child of Prophecy receiving instruction from the Dark Lord in the first year. The next evening, Gori appeared at the Great Hall’s high table as Dumbledore announced that Hogsmeade would soon reopen, leaving Draco disappointed to learn first-years could not visit.

• Gori offered to reveal the complete prophecy if Dumbledore let him stay safely at Hogwarts while he contacted his blood descendants.
• Gori told Dumbledore that the prophecy said the Child of Prophecy would receive instruction from the Dark Lord during the first year, and Dumbledore agreed to discuss its contents further.
• At dinner the next day, Herman recognized Gori at the high table, while Neville, Ron, Hugo, and Harry also noticed him.
• Dumbledore announced that dark creatures gathered near Hogsmeade would soon leave and that the village would reopen to students.
• Draco celebrated the news until Herman reminded her that first-years were not allowed to visit Hogsmeade.

Dumbledore announced that Gori Slaed would assist Professor Quirrell with Dark Magic Defence and revealed that Gori was a vampire, alarming the students. After dinner, Herman watched Gori follow Quirrell out of the Great Hall, then left with Draco as Neville, Hugo, and Ron hurried over to them.

• Dumbledore announced that Gori Slaed would be the assistant professor for Dark Magic Defence and told the students that he was a vampire.
• The students reacted with fear and whispers, while Professor McGonagall looked furious, Herman watched Gori, and Harry remained calm.
• After dinner, Gori followed Quirrell out of the Great Hall and glanced at Herman as he left.
• Draco asked Herman why he was still seated, and Herman stood to leave with her.
• Neville, Hugo, and Ron hurried over to Herman and Draco from the Gryffindor table.

Neville, Hugo, and Ron told Herman they recognized Gori as the vampire who had attacked their train compartment and suspected he was still after Neville. After they rushed off to watch Gori and Quirrell, Herman returned to the dormitory with Draco, unsettled by Dumbledore’s faint smile and wondering what the headmaster knew.

• Neville, Hugo, and Ron approached Herman and confirmed that Gori was the vampire who had attacked their train compartment.
• Neville urged them to act against Gori, while Herman warned them to be cautious and trust Dumbledore’s arrangements.
• Hugo and Harry speculated that Quirrell might be helping Gori, so Neville left with Ron and Hugo to watch them.
• Draco and Herman headed back to the dormitory, and Dumbledore gave Herman a faint smile as they passed the staff table.
• Herman brooded over Dumbledore’s smile and wondered what the headmaster knew.

Herman wondered why Dumbledore might want to see him, considering several possible secrets and deciding he would report Sirius if he needed to seek leniency. The next day, Professor Flitwick told him Dumbledore had invited him to his office for guidance, leaving Herman anxious that Dumbledore might discover the secret of his magically modified arm.

• Herman considered whether Gori had told Dumbledore about the prophecy, whether Harry’s dealings with Sirius had been exposed, and whether he should confess anything.
• Herman stopped speculating and followed Draco into the Slytherin Common Room.
• After Charms class, Professor Flitwick told Herman that Dumbledore had asked to see him that afternoon to discuss his innate spellcasting ability and magical control.
• Flitwick urged Herman to value Dumbledore’s guidance and suggested bringing sweets because Dumbledore enjoyed them.
• Herman left the classroom worried that Dumbledore might uncover the secret of his arm or that Marlene’s concealment magic might fail.

Herman went to Dumbledore’s office but had to guess the password to get inside. He reached the office and found Dumbledore waiting behind his desk.

• Herman prepared for his meeting with Dumbledore and carried chocolate as a gift.
• Herman tried pushing and knocking on the concealed entrance, then guessed several possible passwords.
• Herman found that the gargoyle responded to clues about Dumbledore and sweets.
• Herman said “Acid Pops,” and the gargoyle moved aside to reveal a spiral staircase.
• Herman climbed the stairs into Dumbledore’s office, where Dumbledore sat behind his desk.

Dumbledore met with Herman to discuss his rare wandless magical talent and how he could develop it beyond Hogwarts’ standard lessons. He urged Herman to build on his precision by gaining greater magical power or a wider range of methods to face danger.

• Dumbledore invited Herman into his office and offered him Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
• Dumbledore told Herman that Professor Flitwick had praised his unusual talent and said he had reconsidered his earlier assessment of it.
• Dumbledore explained that he wanted to give Herman extra guidance because his talent went beyond the standard curriculum.
• Herman described how he combined levitation and Transfiguration through his innate magic, and Dumbledore said that natural magical pathways were its foundation.
• Dumbledore warned Herman that precision alone would not be enough and that he needed stronger magic or more ways to protect himself.

Dumbledore gave Herman private notes on primal magic and advised him to strengthen his fundamentals, beginning with levitation rather than advanced Transfiguration. On his way back, Herman encountered Snape, who stopped and addressed him.

• Dumbledore advised Herman to study core subjects seriously and begin exploring his gift through levitation magic.
• Dumbledore gave Herman a private notebook containing early research notes on primal magic and invited him to ask questions later.
• Herman left Dumbledore's office relieved that the headmaster had not mentioned Gori, the Prophecy, or his arm.
• Herman greeted Snape respectfully when they met outside the Slytherin Common Room, but Snape walked past him before stopping and turning back.
• Snape studied Herman and finally addressed him as "Mr. Horace."