"What happens when someone tries to bypass either of these two laws?" asked Harry. The more he heard about Alchemy the more interested he became in it. This branch of magic sounded like it was right up his alley. A combination of mysticism and science? How perfectly matched can you get?
"Since the alchemical forces being manipulated are not human in origin, but of the world as a whole, the consequences for attempting to bypass the Law of Equivalent Exchange in transmutation are not merely failure and cessation. When too much is attempted out of too little, what occurs is called a Rebound, in which the alchemical forces that are thrown out of balance on either side of the equation fluctuate wildly of their own accord in order to stabilize themselves - taking or giving more than was intended in often unpredictable and catastrophic ways such as accidental mutation, serious injury or death."
Harry found himself gulping as Nicolas Flamel gave him a stern look.
"That is why what you were doing with my Philosopher's Stone was so dangerous," the blond haired six hundred year old man said. "You were very lucky that the only ability you discovered was the one that created the Elixir of Life. Such knowledge might be more appealing to most people, but it is only a byproduct of the true power of the Stone."
"You mean it's ability to bypass the laws of Equivalent Exchange?" asked Harry. At hearing his answer, Flamel looked shocked, right before he began chuckling.
"I hadn't realized you knew what the Stone did."
"I didn't," Harry responded a tad dryly. "Not until this lecture, but I'm good at reading between the lines. By the Law of Natural Providence, it is impossible for silver or any other metal to be transmuted into gold because the chemical composition of gold is different from every other metal. Yet the Philosopher's Stone can do this, it can change any precious metal into gold, or so the legend goes. And if that is the case, then the very nature of the Stone is it's ability to allow the person using it to bypass the laws of Equivalent Exchange."
"Excellent!" Nicolas clapped his hands in a manner that was slightly congratulatory and yet mocking at the same time. Harry would not admit how that kind of bothered him. It was like the man was a constant cynic. "I'm pleased to see my apprentice isn't an idiot. Perhaps you will be able to go far in this field, unlike Dumbledore who never really took the time to truly learn the subtle science of Alchemy."
"Albus Dumbledore always struck me as a more philosophical type than a scientist type," Harry said, shrugging. "Whenever I spoke with the man he was always making obscure mentions to philosophy and morality." He tilted his head. "I think the only time he ever gave me a straight up answer was when he told me about the magic he used to hide the Philosopher's Stone inside the Mirror of Erisad."
"That's Dumbledore for you," Flamel nodded. "The man has always been a bit... off, even when he was nothing more than a young brat of eighty-two learning the ways of alchemy from myself. Such is often the mark of a genus. Even you have your odd little personality quirks, from what I have seen."
Harry shifted a bit uncomfortably in his seat. He disliked it when he had to admit to his own personality flaws, he did not want this man or anyone else pointing them out to him.
"Now then," Flamel clapped his hands together once. "I do believe we are done for today. Not bad for a first lesson, if I do say so myself. We've actually gone much father into my lecture than I thought we would. Now, off you go," the old alchemist made a shooing gesture with his left hand, "I must get this cleaned up before Penny comes home." He grimaced. "I do not want this crater to be here when she returns. That woman is a spit fire. You remember how to get to that room I showed you when you first came here?"
"Of course," Harry felt like huffing at the man questioning his ability to remember something. He didn't only because this man did not know he actually had eidetic memory, thus could not know that he remembered everything.
"And you remember how many turns you need?"
"One full rotation for every four hours," Harry recited dutifully. "Since only two hours have passed, I only need to make a half turn."
"Good, I am pleased to know you can listen."
Harry's eye twitched a bit, unsure if he had just been complimented or insulted. It was very hard to tell with this man. Still, he managed to give his new teacher a respectful bow to show his appreciation of the knowledge he was being imparted. "Thank you for the lesson."
"Of course, of course." As Nicolas Flamel waved him off absently, eyes still focused on the ground beneath his feet. As he muttered something about not wanting to sleep on the couch, Harry made his way out of the room.
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