I have to admit that Professor Dumbledore handled our unexpected eting better than I did. Other than a hint of a raised eyebrow that was gone so fast that I was half-convinced I imagined it. He acted as if it were perfectly normal for us to run into each other at the Flal household.
"Albus," Nicolas cheerfully called out. "It's good to see you."
While I had mastered the art of keeping people out of my head, I was struggling a little to keep my thoughts off my face. This had to be the visit where Professor Dumbledore convinced Nicolas to give him the Philosopher's Stone and store it within the vault at Gringotts.
Professor Dumbledore's bright blue eyes twinkled, "It's good to see you as well, my friend." Turning his head in my direction, he added with a smile, "Mr. Fawley, I didn't expect to run into you before September."
Mum looked a little out of sorts at seeing Professor Dumbledore. She had never t him before, and he had an intense magical presence. Not to ntion, he is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and influential wizards in the world.
She rose to shake his hand and said, "It's good to finally et Alex's headmaster. I hope Alex hasn't caused too much trouble for you at school."
Professor Dumbledore's eyes sparkled cheerfully as he shook Mum's hand, "Alex's teachers say that he is a wonderful student, and I believe his grades are at the top of his class."
Winking at , Professor Dumbledore added, "I must say, it's always nice to put a face to a voice."
Mum looked puzzled for a mont, before Professor Dumbledore explained, "I think I can speak for most of the staff at Hogwarts when I say we all enjoyed your singing letter to your son."
While Mum looked absolutely delighted that at least soone had enjoyed her letter, I glared at Professor Dumbledore. Please don't put any ideas into her head. I had barely convinced her not to send any more singing letters to while I was at school.
From the gleeful look on Mum's face, I had a sinking feeling that I better get started on my fifth-year charmwork. I know that one of them is the silencing charm, and I'll be damned if I'll get serenaded by my mum in front of the whole school again.
As Professor Dumbledore took a seat at the table, I noticed his eyes drifting montarily to the Philosopher's stone that was resting in front of Nicolas Flal. "I hope my unscheduled arrival didn't interrupt anything important." Professor Dumbledore casually ntioned.
Nicolas waved away his concern, "Nonsense, I've just been explaining the basics of alchemy to young Alexander here. He has an inquisitive mind. He sorta reminds a little of you all those years ago."
Professor Dumbledore studied for a mont before replying, "Curiosity can be a good thing in a young wizard. What were you talking about before I arrived? Perhaps I can weigh in on the matter."
I held up the gold spoon Nicolas had transmuted, "I was just asking about how this was real gold. Professor McGonagall told us that it was impossible to create gold from transfiguration."
Professor Dumbledore leaned forward and explained, "I see. First, you should be aware that there is a clear difference between transfiguration and transmuting. As I'm sure Professor McGonagall has inford you, when you transfigure sothing, you are magically forcing sothing into a different form."
As if to demonstrate, Professor Dumbledore picked up a glass cup, pulled out his wand, and tapped it. The cup turned into a plate, he touched it again, but this ti it beca a plate made of gold. Continuing his lecture, Dumbledore added, "But, no matter the skill level involved, it will always be a transfigured object."
Rather than use a nonverbal spell, Professor Dumbledore pointed his wand at the plate made of gold and chanted, "Reparifarge." The plate instantly reverted to its original form of a glass cup.
Then he picked up the golden spoon Nicolas transmuted and said, "No transfiguration counterspell will change this gold spoon back into tal. Its original form will forever be a gold spoon."
Demonstrating, he changed the gold spoon into a glass cup, then muttered, "Reparifarge." The glass cup turned back into a gold spoon.
"When you transmute sothing, you change its base form permanently. Magic has many rules it follows, but in alchemy, you learn that you can bend and break them. However, by its very nature, it is extrely dangerous. It's why there are so few Alchemists left."
I couldn't help but be interested, Alchemy sounded fascinating. "Professor Dumbledore, Alchemy is taught at Hogwarts, right?"
Professor Dumbledore considered for a mont before replying, "Technically yes. It's offered as a NEWT level course. But, only if there is a demand for the class, and there hasn't been a demand for Alchemy class for over a decade. If you are interested in it, you will need to pay close attention to your elective course this year and make sure you choose Arithmancy. Also, on your OWLs, you need O marks in Potions, Transfiguration, and Arithmancy to be accepted into alchemy."
I raised my eyebrows at the high demands. No wonder there hadn't been a class in over a decade. Transfiguration, Potions, and Arithmancy were so of the hardest classes taught at Hogwarts. Still, now that my interest has peaked, I was determined to take Alchemy in my sixth year.
"Who teaches the class at Hogwarts?" I asked curiously.
Professor Dumbledore winked, "Well, it has been a while, but I have that privilege. So, if you do decide to take Alchemy, you and I will be spending more ti together, but this ti in a classroom."
After lunch, Professor Dumbledore turned to Nicolas and said in a serious tone, "As much as I have enjoyed our conversation, I need to speak to you in private."
I watched in frustration as they headed to the back of the house, where Nicolas had an office. I knew this had to be when Professor Dumbledore asked for the stone, and I wanted to hear what he had to say.
While Mum and Perenelle were distracted, I casually made my way out of the room. I snuck inside the room next to Nicolas's office. I had a perfect spell in mind to let hear what was being said.
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I pulled out my wand and softly muttered, "Auditus."
I winced as every sound magnified. I could hear both Nicolas and Dumbledore, as well as Mum and Perenelle speaking. I did my best to blot out and ignore Mum and Perenelle and focus on the conversation in the next room.
"Are you sure?" Nicolas whispered.
Dumbledore sighed, "Yes, I've been seeing signs and whispers of his return. I'm not sure how he will do it, but he is coming."
"How is that possible? I thought he was dead." Nicolas asked.
"I have my suspicions on how he survived the night his power was broken. But, he was never dead. He rely fled and has been biding his ti. I don't believe it's a coincidence that he will be returning soon. Harry will be returning to the magical world, and I think that Voldemort is unable to resist eting him."
"What does this have anything to do with ? I hope you aren't here to ask to teach at Hogwarts. I'm far too old to deal with all of that nonsense."
Dumbledore chuckled for a mont, "I wouldn't dream of it, my friend. Besides, I've already filled the post with a young wizard nad Quirinus Quirrell."
In a more severe tone, Dumbledore continued, "No, I'm afraid I'm here to give a warning and a plea. I am convinced that Voldemort will target you, or more specifically, your stone. It offers him the most straightforward return to his forr power. It is absolutely critical that this does not happen. Harry will need ti to grow before he can face Voldemort at the height of his powers."
Nicolas grunted, "So, he is the chosen one then. I had wondered."
After a mont of silence, Nicolas questioned, "Where will you keep the stone?"
Dumbledore let out a sigh of relief, "For now, at Gringotts."
Nicolas replied, "Why not keep it? Voldemort always seed reluctant to face you, and I'm sure the last thing he would want is to face you when he is at his weakest."
"There are a few reasons. One, I am not infallible. Also, I will make sure a few rumors get out that I stored sothing valuable. I need to draw out whoever is helping Voldemort. I am sure whoever is helping him will be unable to help himself and will make a move."
"But, you will be taking a big risk with the stone." Nicolas pointed out.
Dumbledore sighed, "I know, but there are a few steps I can do to minimize the risk."
Silence filled the room again, and for a mont, I thought my spell wore off. Then Nicolas let out a heavy sigh, "Fine, I trust you know what you are doing."
Hearing that their conversation seed to be near the end, I canceled the hearing spell and snuck back out to the living room where Mum and Perenelle were speaking.
When Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas returned, their expressions were somber. Professor Dumbledore made his excuses and soon left us behind. I couldn't help but wonder what steps he was going to take to secure the stone in Gringotts.
I had always found it curious that Quirrell and Voldemort broke in on the sa day that Hagrid had removed the stone from vault 713. Was it a coincidence? The more I thought about it, the more I doubted it. Professor Dumbledore must have learned that it wasn't safe sohow and moved it.
We didn't spend too much longer at the Flals. Nicolas seed to be lost in thought, but he did invite to return and spend ti with him in his lab as much as I wanted to.
The following month was fun. When I wasn't at the Flals, I spent my ti exploring Paris and seeing Place Cachée. It was the French version of Diagon Alley and could be accessed through a magical bronze statue.
One day, when exploring Place Cachée, I noticed a familiar shop na, Lancaster's Apothecary. I knew Anna's Mum ran a very successful Apothecary. I just didn't realize that it was international.
I made a note to seek her out when I got ho. While Dad was a great enchanter, his shop was rather small compared to the Nimbus Broom Racing Company. If we were going to take on an international company, we would need so advice from soone who had such a business.
Soon enough, it was ti to head ho. Personally, I was grateful, I had finished reading all of Ignatia's work and was eager to get back ho, so I could sneak back into Hogwarts and get so more books. Plus, I think Dad was going a little stir crazy. He had left his employees in charge of the shop, and I could tell he was anxious to return to work.
Ever since the portkey incident, he had thrown himself into his work on the Firebolt. I think I was starting to ss with the tiline because he was acting like he was going to be ready to launch within a year. After a little ntal math, I figured that would be around the ti the Nimbus 2001 was released.
I just wish I could do everything Delvin put through, I wanted to contribute sothing to the firebolt project, even if it was a single spell. With the knowledge that Rowena Ravenclaw left behind, I was curious to see if I could invent a spell that would help with the Firebolt project.
To that end, I decided that I would go to York, a nearby muggle town. Although I don't rember my past life, I knew that muggles were smart with their technology. Perhaps I can find a book in one of their bookstores that deal with their way of flying. Although most wizards won't admit it, seeing muggle planes fly so high in the sky is impressive. Maybe, I will be inspired.
I knew Mum would have her doubts about letting go alone, so I waited until she took the twins shopping before I made my move. After putting on the hider bracer that gave a plain appearance of an adult, and snuck out to Diagon Alley. I knew I needed to get so muggle money, so I went to Gringotts.
Before I entered, I made sure to stow away my bracer. It would have been the height of stupidity to visit Gringotts with a false appearance. Not only would I be discovered, but I'm also pretty sure the goblins would be pissed.
The goblins at Gringotts were interesting. Most wizards rarely paid them attention, but I had noticed so odd facts. Anyti I had been inside with my family, a goblin by the na Garnock, was the one who dealt with us. It made wonder how goblins ran Gringotts and how they determined who dealt with who.
As I admired the massive stone architecture, I could feel subtle magic pulsing within. It wasn't a big surprise. Goblins were great at enchanting earthly materials. Every wizard knows it's foolish to challenge goblins within their underground lairs. Many arrogant witches and wizards in the past goblin wars were killed when they tried to fight underground.
Soon, I saw Garnock approach. He was about half my height and had long slender fingers, a pointed nose, slanted pitch-black eyes. I could always recognize him because he had a habit of wearing a pointed hat with a silver hamr etched on it.
"What can I do for you, Mr. Fawley?" He rasped in a scratchy tone. "I'm afraid that if you need to visit your vault, you will need to wait till you co of age, or bring one of your parents."
I shook my head and reached into my coin pouch and pulled out so galleons. "I've heard that I can exchange this for so muggle money."
Garnock's dark eyes flicked from to the gold, "I'm sure we can co to an arrangent." He said with a sinister smile that revealed sharp pointed teeth.
As I left Gringotts, I was sure I had gotten ripped off. There was entirely too much smugness in Garnock's eyes by the end of our transaction. I made another ntal note to start learning Gobbledegook, the goblin language. I had a feeling that I would be dealing with more goblins in the future, and it will be useful to speak their language.
Once outside, I slipped the bracer back on and made my way back ho through the communal fireplace in Diagon Alley. Once I was back, I headed out to the main road, where I summoned the Knight Bus to take to York.
After the third ti of being thrown on the floor, I finally understood the annoyance of the main cast. I didn't want to chance casting a sticking charm out in public. It was one thing to ignore the trace in a magical ho, but it was another to do it in public.
When the bus finally stopped, I couldn't wait to get off. As I looked around, none of the muggles seed to notice the Knight Bus as it took off with a bang.
The last month in Paris has given a lot of experience wandering around the muggle world without drawing attention. After so wandering around, I found a bookstore. Once I explained what I was looking for, the elderly lady who ran the store directed to the far end of the store.
It didn't take long for to find what I was looking for. While waiting in line, I ran my fingers over the picture of a muggle airplane on the outside of the book. Once it was my turn, the elderly won read the title and smiled, "Are you interested in learning how to fly?"
I smiled, "Sothing like that."
As I walked out of the store, I reflected that if this book didn't inspire , no muggle book would. After all, the book was titled, The chanics of Flight.
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