Sadie and Liam organize a study session for end of term exams. The boys attempt to play rugby.

A brief introduction to the Witches of Slytherin. Tess makes a reference to something that will be important later. Gillian makes a cryptic statement. Liam and friends take the Hogwarts Express home for Christmas.

Liam prepares Christmas gifts for his friends and family, and receives gifts in return. A mysterious guest arrives with a surprise.

Mike's Christmas present, a new racing broom, sparks an interest in Liam to renew flying lessons.

Liam's Slytherin peers fret over the political ramifications of their elective choices. Rhiannon gets a howler from her grandmother and a cryptic letter from her mother.

Summertime scenes from Biggleswade and Godric's Hollow. Lara Guishar has another prophetic dream. We finally learn the name of the girl Patrick has a crush on.

A new crop of First Years are sorted into Houses. We meet new Hufflepuffs and Slytherins who will play bigger roles in future stories. Alyssa tells a Shakespeare joke that your loyal writer expects you to get. Also, there are more Tolkien references, because I'm crazy like that. Oct 2015 rev: Aiden Thompson pushes his way back into the narrative.

Liam gets a secret assignment from a surprise source: a tough potion that will take all his skill to complete! Plus, the new schedule puts Liam and Sadie in different Potion classes. Oct 2015 rev: An added scene between Sadie and Aiden Thompson, and some small corrections.

The first day of school continues, with lessons in Defence, Runes and Magical Creatures. The Slytherins continue their efforts to "play nice" with the Hufflepuffs.

We are briefly reminded that there is some hostility going on between Rhiannon and the Ravenclaw girls. Then, our attention turns to shy, polite Benedict Took. Chapter ends on a cliffhanger.

More trouble between Patrick Wren and Reginald Dennison. Detentions are issued, a mother appears, and someone gets a headache.

We revisit the Slytherin rituals of Council Meetings, Covens and Factions that we first saw in The Witches of Slytherin. Tension between Morwena and Tess suddenly comes to a head.

Professor Sprout tells us about the day Philip's mother died. We also learn a little more about Michael's parents. Liam makes a connection. Philip learns an important name. He and Rhiannon reconcile.

Stacy and Tess shop for dresses, and have an intimate moment. Liam and Sadie have their first fight.

Three scenes in which an older student mentors and guides a younger one. A familiar character returns after a long absence. The scene between Liam and Patrick is by request.

Philip goes caroling with a large group of girls. Alyssa makes an assumption, and Aylie goes along with it. There's a subtle nod to your loyal writer's favourite Shakespeare play.

Liam goes flying on his new broom, and attends Quidditch practice for the first time. Plus, more tension between Patrick Wren and Reginald Dennison.

More drama between Rhiannon and Desdemona leads to a tense standoff. House points are won and lost. Michael questions someone's marriageability. Rhiannon confides in Philip.

Liam takes a crash course on Quidditch strategy, while Sadie makes some astute deductions.

Tess leads Stacy down to the Secret Room. The two girls discuss boys, and Favours. [Warning: this chapter contains spoilers for my earlier book, Witches of Slytherin. If you haven't yet, please take the time to check that book out. Thanks! KJ]

Liam cracks the secret potion scroll with the help of Professor DeVere. Liam tackles a difficult string of Applied Arithmancy. Your loyal writer invents some English History, and leaves you with a long author's note.

We wrap up finals and the Quidditch season. At the End of the Year Feast, Liam makes a bold assertion.