Chapter Summaries

Herman asked Director Margery about his origins and learned that he had survived a plane crash as a three-year-old before being brought to the orphanage. The records offered no clues to living relatives, leaving him with a documented American identity and British citizenship.

• Herman told Director Margery about his new school, then asked what he had arrived at the orphanage with and how they had identified him.
• Director Margery took Herman to the records room and showed him a file stating that his name came from a passenger list.
• Herman learned that Flight K682 had crashed into the English Channel and that he was the only child among seven rescued passengers.
• Director Margery explained that authorities had failed to find Herman's relatives in the United States, and that he had acquired British citizenship.
• Director Margery said the plane had made an emergency water landing before breaking apart, allowing Herman and six other passengers to be rescued.

Herman recovered the trunk he had arrived in as a child, then returned to the Leaky Cauldron and struggled to find a way to exchange his British pounds for Galleons. Harry approached him, and the chapter revealed how Sirius’s pursuit of answers about James’s death had turned him into a wanted criminal and shaped Harry’s cold demeanor.

• Director Margery gave Herman the trunk he had arrived in and explained her husband’s theory that it had saved him from the plane crash.
• Herman arranged to take the trunk, discussed his plans with Director Margery, and later said goodbye to the orphanage before returning to the Leaky Cauldron.
• Herman resumed studying magic and searched for someone who could guide him to Knockturn Alley to exchange his money.
• Harry entered the Leaky Cauldron, approached Herman, and coldly asked him his name.
• Herman recalled that Sirius had raised Harry while investigating James’s death, killing suspected Death Eaters and becoming a wanted criminal distrusted by the Ministry of Magic.

Harry hired Herman to accompany her shopping, using extra pay to secure his help despite his reluctance. After Herman noticed Ministry Aurors watching Harry, she admitted she wanted to distract them from following her to Sirius, then led Herman toward Gringotts.

• Herman recognized Harry as Sirius's accomplice and worried about her reputation and magical strength.
• Harry asked Herman to carry her shopping bags; he initially refused, then agreed when she offered extra pay.
• Herman spotted solitary wizards reading newspapers and asked whether they were watching Harry.
• Harry revealed that the watchers were Ministry Aurors tracking her in hopes of finding Sirius, and Herman demanded more pay for the risk to his privacy.
• Harry agreed to pay extra and said Herman would accompany her somewhere after shopping; they borrowed a trolley and set out for Gringotts.

Harry took Herman to Gringotts to visit her vaults, where he endured a terrifying ride in a speeding mine cart before she retrieved money from the Potter vault. They set off next for the Black vault.

• Harry and Herman left the Leaky Cauldron while Aurors conspicuously followed them, then went to Gringotts.
• Harry bypassed the queue with VIP service and asked the goblin to take them to both the Potter and Black vaults.
• Herman rode the enchanted mine cart with Harry, nearly fell out, and learned that magical ropes would keep passengers safe.
• Harry opened the Potter family vault, took a money pouch, and told Herman he could keep whatever Galleons remained after paying for her.
• Herman discovered the pouch held a large pile of Galleons in an expanded space, and Harry had the goblin take them toward the Black vault.

Herman accompanied Harry to the Black family vault, where he endured its magical defenses and explored the dangerous treasures inside. Harry searched the shelves for something specific, leaving Herman to wonder what she was looking for.

• Herman and Harry reached the Black family vault and encountered Hagrid, who greeted Harry and spoke about her parents.
• Harry thanked Hagrid for the photos Dumbledore had sent, then ended the conversation when Hagrid lamented arriving too late to save her parents and the Longbottoms.
• Harry invited Herman into the vault, where they endured a shrill warning that grew quieter as they walked deeper inside.
• Harry explained the vault’s sound was designed to deter thieves and warned Herman not to touch anything because many objects were cursed.
• Harry carefully examined the dangerous artifacts on the shelves, while Herman noticed a broken wand, strange statues, a bloodstained cup, a red-glowing crown, and books with skin-like covers.

Harry and Herman collected two dangerous statues from the Black family vault, then shopped for Hogwarts supplies while Aurors secretly followed them. After Harry obtained a wand and they entered Flourish and Blotts, a crash and cries of “There’s a monster!” abruptly interrupted their shopping.

• Harry and Herman carried the statues out of the vault after Harry warned that using magic on them could activate them.
• Herman noticed the statue absorbing his magic and heating up, but it showed no further changes in the trolley.
• Harry and Herman bought robes and school supplies, then Harry obtained a wand from Ollivander’s that was the twin of Voldemort’s.
• Harry led Herman to Flourish and Blotts while Aurors watched the shop’s entrances; she secretly removed an object from the trolley.
• As Herman paid for the books, a loud crash sounded and people cried that there was a monster.

Harry caused Persephone’s gargoyle statue to grow and wreck Flourish and Blotts, using the chaos to evade the Aurors and meet Sirius Black in Knockturn Alley. Sirius greeted her there and asked whether Herman was her boyfriend.

• Persephone’s gargoyle statue grew as it fought back against spells, smashing through Flourish and Blotts while the shop assistants and Aurors tried to stop it.
• Harry showed Herman that the monster was the statue and urged him to leave money for repairs before they escaped through the broken wall.
• Harry led Herman into Knockturn Alley and used blue Fiendfyre to discourage the wizards watching them.
• Harry met Sirius Black, who said the Aurors were occupied with the statue, then teased her by asking if Herman was her little boyfriend.

Sirius, Harry, and Herman returned to Borgin and Burkes, where Sirius captured and interrogated Borgin about Dark wizards and creatures smuggled into the country. Afterward, Sirius offered Harry and Herman gifts from the shop, and Herman asked Borgin what a bloodstained deck of cards did.

• Herman pretended he and Harry were a couple to reassure Sirius that he would keep their meeting secret, and Sirius apologized for involving him in the Ministry's investigation.
• Sirius led Harry and Herman back to Borgin and Burkes, where Harry tripped Borgin with a spell and Sirius hoisted him upside down.
• Sirius questioned Borgin about Dark wizards and dark creatures who had recently entered the country, and Borgin screamed before giving him information.
• Sirius thanked Borgin, then offered to buy Harry and Herman gifts from the shop; Harry chose the Hand of Glory.
• Herman chose a deck of playing cards stained with black blood and politely asked Borgin what it did.

Herman bought cursed playing cards from Borgin and Burkes before Sirius escorted him to Kramer Goblin Supplies Shop to exchange Muggle money. While Herman went inside, Sirius told Harry that vampires and werewolves were gathering in Britain, apparently without any connection to Voldemort.

• Borgin claimed the playing cards cursed their owners, but Sirius explained they were an alchemical trick; Herman bought them anyway.
• Harry picked up Persephone's returning gargoyle, and Sirius decided the Aurors would soon find them, so he prepared to leave.
• Herman asked Sirius to escort him to Kramer Goblin Supplies Shop to exchange Muggle money for Galleons, and Sirius agreed.
• Sirius led Herman and Harry to the unusually small shop, where Herman went inside alone.
• Harry confronted Sirius about why he had called her over, and Sirius revealed that dark creatures were gathering in Britain.
• Sirius said Borgin's information came from a reliable source, since his business partner was a vampire, surprising Harry.

Herman entered the Kramer Goblin Supplies Shop to exchange pounds for Galleons and discovered that its goblins were trading stocks. He left the goblin tempted by his cash and agreeing to offer him a better exchange rate than Gringotts.

• Sirius told Harry that Caractacus Burke had become a vampire and said the vampires’ plans were unlikely to involve Voldemort.
• Herman searched the empty shop for an attendant and found a door leading to an office where a goblin was trading stocks over the phone.
• The goblin challenged Herman, who said he had come from Gringotts to exchange money for Galleons.
• Herman showed the goblin a thick stack of pounds and pretended to leave, prompting it to offer four pounds fifty per Galleon.

Herman tried to exchange seventeen thousand pounds with Kramer for Galleons, but Kramer lacked the full amount and offered shop goods to make up the difference. Herman began choosing goblin-made items, including a sword and shield, and left the shop still selecting his payment.

• Kramer explained that he had moved his shop to Knockturn Alley after an earlier Ministry of Magic sting operation and counted Herman's pounds.
• Kramer admitted he only had a thousand Galleons, so Herman took back the pounds and prepared to leave.
• Kramer stopped Herman and offered goods from his shop to cover the rest of the payment, and Herman agreed to browse.
• Kramer introduced a replica of the Sword of Gryffindor, which Herman identified as the Sword of Kramer and added to his chosen items.
• Kramer demonstrated the Shield of Kramer blocking a spell automatically, and Herman picked it up as another item toward the payment.

Herman browsed Kramer's magical goods and negotiated a discounted price for an enchanted suitcase with a spacious interior. After praising goblin craftsmanship, he asked to buy a textbook on goblin alchemy, but Kramer refused to share the secrets.

• Herman rejected Kramer's armor and tent, then asked for a magical item large enough to hold his luggage.
• Kramer showed Herman an enchanted metal suitcase with a room-sized interior and a secure locking spell.
• Herman bluffed about returning items, prompting Kramer to lower the suitcase's price to 2,200 Galleons, or 9,900 pounds.
• Herman praised goblin craftsmanship and asked Kramer for a textbook on goblin alchemy.
• Kramer refused, saying goblin techniques were ancestral secrets that must not be taught to wizards.

Herman traded pounds for a goblin sword, shield, magical suitcase, and book, then spent the days before school shopping and preparing. At the Leaky Cauldron, he overheard that Quirrell had returned from Durmstrang to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts and was introduced to him as a new Hogwarts student.

• Herman persuaded Kramer to lease him the goblin goods and Alchemy Materials Science until Herman's death, and they signed a contract.
• Herman left Knockturn Alley with his suitcase; Sirius departed, and Harry returned to Diagon Alley by public fireplace.
• Herman spent the remaining days shopping in Diagon Alley and London and exchanging study letters with Hugo.
• At breakfast in the Leaky Cauldron, Herman overheard Old Tom ask Quirrell about his visit to Durmstrang and learned Quirrell would teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.
• Old Tom introduced Herman to Quirrell as a new student, and Quirrell turned to look at him.

Herman avoided traveling with Quirrell and went ahead to King's Cross Station, where he found the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Harry startled him there, and the chapter left them discussing the danger and power of Muggle firearms.

• Herman listened to Quirrell and wondered whether Voldemort was hiding with him and whether the Philosopher's Stone plot had changed.
• Hannah invited Herman to travel with her, Old Tom, and Quirrell, but Herman made an excuse and left for King's Cross Station alone.
• Herman found the concealed entrance between platforms nine and ten and hesitated to run through the wall.
• Harry sneaked up behind Herman, pretended to arrest him, and startled him into drawing a pistol.
• Harry asked Herman about the pistol's power and said she would need to study Muggle firearms.

Herman and Harry boarded the Hogwarts Express, where Fred and George left their shy sister Ron Weasley in their compartment. Herman made room for Ron and introduced himself and Harry, while Harry nearly hexed him for squeezing them together.

• Herman told Harry that a break-in at Gringotts had drawn the Aurors away, then remembered his grudge against her.
• Harry and Herman passed through the wall to Platform 9¾ and boarded the Hogwarts Express, leaving room for only themselves and their luggage.
• As the train departed, Harry watched a large black dog outside the window before two red-haired twins opened the compartment door.
• Fred and George left their sister Ron Weasley in the compartment despite Harry and Herman saying there were no spare seats.
• Herman made space for Ron, then moved Harry's luggage and sat beside her, nearly prompting Harry to draw her wand.
• Herman introduced himself and Harry to Ron, who said she was a first-year too.

Harry, Herman, and Ron talked about Ron’s family and Hogwarts houses on the train, and Harry said she wanted to enter Slytherin to hunt down the relatives of people she blamed. Their conversation ended when someone opened the compartment door.

• Harry asked Ron how she was related to Arthur and Molly Weasley, then turned away and stopped talking.
• Herman eased the awkward moment by chatting with Ron, who described her large, happy family and her brothers.
• Ron worried about the Sorting Ceremony, and Herman joked that failing Hogwarts would send someone to Azkaban.
• Ron described the four houses, and Harry said she wanted Slytherin so she could beat its students and question them about their fugitive relatives.
• Herman wondered whether Sirius had planned for Harry to infiltrate Slytherin, and someone opened the compartment door.

Draco found Herman on the Hogwarts Express with a crystal ball, then Neville Longbottom arrived with Hugo and asked whether anyone had seen his missing toad. The chapter left Draco calling Neville’s loss wonderful, while Harry silently watched him.

• Draco used her crystal ball to find Herman and proudly showed it off, sparring with Harry over how useful it was.
• Ron praised the crystal ball, and Draco sat beside her to tell Ron about her presents while Herman enjoyed a brief respite from the arguing.
• Hugo arrived with Neville Longbottom and introduced him as the celebrated Son of the Champion.
• Neville politely asked whether anyone had seen his missing toad, and Draco exclaimed that his loss was wonderful.

Draco demonstrated that her crystal ball could locate Neville’s missing toad, but Harry spotted a swarm of bats following the Hogwarts Express and warned that they might be vampires. The group watched the bats gather outside as Harry suspected they were about to act.

• Draco showed off her crystal ball, and Neville used it to locate his missing toad in a corridor aboard the train.
• Draco and Hugo prepared to leave and search for the toad, but Harry told everyone not to move because something was wrong.
• Harry warned that the train might be surrounded by vampires, and Herman joined her at the window to investigate.
• The group saw large numbers of bats flying alongside the train, and Hugo explained that the swarm might come from one or two powerful vampires.
• Neville wondered whether the vampires planned to attack, and Harry said she thought they were about to act because their numbers had stopped increasing.

Herman and the others rushed to find a professor after spotting a possible vampire following the Hogwarts Express, but the train suddenly stopped before they reached the professor. Professor Quirrell told them to stay aboard while he went to investigate, and someone then shouted that there was something outside the window.

• Herman urged the group to find a conductor or professor, and Neville led them toward a compartment where he had seen an adult.
• The Hogwarts Express abruptly stopped with a loud boom and screech, throwing the running students into a tangled heap.
• Professor Quirrell appeared, and Neville told him that a vampire seemed to have followed the train outside the windows.
• Quirrell said he would go to the engine and find Professor Marlene, the professor on duty, while Neville stayed behind to keep order.
• Someone shouted that there was something outside a compartment window.

Vampires attacked the Hogwarts Express, but its defensive magic stopped their spells. The train then halted after a landslide buried the tracks, leaving Professor Marlene Queens to handle the crisis.

• Vampires emerged from the forest and attacked the train, but its protective magic dissolved their red spells.
• Harry warned Herman that the vampires could not get inside, then a loud boom shook the train.
• Percy told the students that a landslide had buried the tracks and that Professor Marlene Queens was dealing with it.
• George explained that Marlene taught alchemy and had helped him and Fred with their inventions.
• Marlene saw the mountainside collapse across the tracks and used her wand to bring the Hogwarts Express to an emergency stop.