The new term had arrived, and John felt indifferent to its commencement. Hermione had returned to school the previous day, disheartened by the fact that she, Harry, and the others had not succeeded in uncovering the mystery of Nicolas Flamel.
"John, are you studying Alchemy?" Hermione inquired upon entering the library and finding John engrossed in a book titled "Introduction to Alchemy and Enlightenment." Her curiosity piqued, she momentarily set aside her quest for Nicolas Flamel to join John. Upon reviewing John's list of books, she noticed it included not only alchemy but also runes. Hogwarts offered Ancient Runes as an elective starting in the third year. Seeing John's interest in these subjects, Hermione, ever competitive and determined, fetched a stack of books on runes that very day. However, the complexity of Ancient Runes proved too challenging for a first-year student like Hermione, who had to admit defeat, evident from the dark circles under her eyes the following day, resembling those of a weary lion.
"I'm sure I've seen the name Nicolas Flamel somewhere; I just can't recall where," Harry mentioned, his interest reignited. Since Dumbledore had persuaded him to stop visiting the Mirror of Erised, Harry often dreamt of his parents' demise at the hands of Voldemort, which refocused his attention on finding Nicolas Flamel. Despite their previous exhaustive searches in the library, Harry remained hopeful, unlike Hermione and the others who had nearly abandoned the idea.
"I remember seeing it too," Harry mused, sparking a renewed group effort to solve the mystery. John, meanwhile, alternated between reading "A Simple Introduction to Ancient Runes" and his alchemy book, finding that switching subjects helped alleviate his fatigue.
"John, why are you interested in this? Planning to sell magical items like those merchants in Knockturn Alley?" Malfoy asked, his curiosity piqued since witnessing John's interest in alchemy. Since the Quidditch match, Malfoy's attitude towards John had shifted from dismissive to cautiously respectful.
"I'm just exploring something small. Alchemy is a complex field. Are you familiar with the Sword of Gryffindor?" John replied, closing his book. Malfoy, unfamiliar with the reference, listened as John explained, "It's said that Godric Gryffindor commissioned goblins to forge the silver sword. Only true Gryffindors can find it, but that's beside the point. The Sorting Hat itself is a product of alchemy."
After dedicating himself to his studies, even at the expense of his training, John finally mastered the basics of runes. Now, he only needed to unlock the secrets of alchemy to perform enchantments, though this proved challenging. Despite using up all the snail shells obtained from Hagrid, he had yet to achieve success.
That evening, during their Astronomy class, Professor Aurora Sinistra lectured on the constellation Sagittarius. After class, John encountered Professor Quirrell, who handed him a note directing him to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
Reluctantly, John decided to meet with Quirrell, fearing that avoiding him might arouse suspicion. Upon entering the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, he found Quirrell, who had shed his pretense of being a feeble professor. Quirrell, once a competent wizard, had been forced into his current predicament by his alliance with Voldemort.
"Very well, John Wick, it seems you have chosen the right path," Quirrell remarked, pleased to see John arrive for their clandestine meeting. "Indeed, knowledge is the most tempting of forbidden fruits. After experiencing the allure of dark magic, even a model student like yourself has succumbed."
"Professor Quirrell," John greeted, stepping into the dimly lit classroom, uncertain of what awaited him in this unexpected turn of events. John felt a sharp sensation, as if someone was pricking his head with a needle. It was an attempt at Legilimency, an invasion into his thoughts. Decisively, he employed the Occlumency Technique. Since the new semester began, John had advanced his Occlumency to level 2, but facing this new challenge, he realized it was insufficient. Determined, he enhanced his Occlumency to level 3, achieving mastery. This level of skill was sufficient to counteract the weakened spirit of Voldemort attempting to infiltrate his mind. John's face lit up with excitement, his thirst for knowledge making him appear almost fanatical.
Voldemort, utilizing Legilimency to probe John's mind, was pleased with what he found. He believed that with just a word from him, John would become a most loyal Death Eater. To cultivate an undercover agent within Hogwarts, Voldemort, through Quirrell, imparted a wealth of knowledge to John. Being a formidable wizard himself, Voldemort's teachings were complex, illuminating many previously obscure concepts for John. This intensive study regime, coupled with his regular classes, significantly boosted John's magical prowess. He mastered spells and techniques rapidly, even gaining control over the formidable spell, Fierce Fire.
John's magical capabilities were now as follows:
- Magic Power: Level 3 (30/1500)
- Spells: Alohomora (Level 3), Levitation Charm (Level 4), Transfiguration (Level 2), Disillusionment Charm (Level 3), Lumos (Level 2), Incendio (Level 3), Bone Crushing (Level 3), Fiery (Level 2), Armour Protection (Level 2), and more.
- Skills: Proficiency in short weapons (Level 7), greatswords (Level 4), firearms (Level 1), Runes (Level 1), and Alchemy (Level 1).
- Blessings: Enhanced physical fitness, quick reflexes, precision, scholarly aptitude, piloting skills, endurance running, swordsmanship, troll vanquishing, and stealth in darkness.
Although his magical power had increased modestly, his understanding and repertoire of spells had expanded significantly. A notable achievement was his initiation into alchemy, albeit at a beginner's level, enabling him to craft simple magical items. Crafting items with their own will, akin to the Sorting Hat or the Sword of Gryffindor, would likely require reaching level 7 in alchemy.
Meanwhile, Harry was undergoing rigorous training under Wood's guidance, enduring even through adverse weather conditions. Wood's determination to defeat Slytherin and win the House Cup motivated him, placing immense pressure on Harry. This pressure was compounded by high expectations, which even Hermione and Ron found unbearable. They suggested Harry feign illness or injury to avoid participation, which troubled him.
Amidst this, Neville stumbled into the common room, afflicted by a Leg-Locking Curse, undoubtedly Malfoy's doing. Ron was incensed and ready to confront Malfoy, but Neville dissuaded him, not wanting to cause further trouble. Hermione quickly remedied Neville's condition. In an attempt to cheer Neville up, Harry discovered a wizard card in his pocket, a gift from John.
Upon inspection, the card, featuring Dumbledore, revealed a surprising detail about John's proficiency in alchemy, linking him to Nicolas Flamel. This revelation excited Harry, Ron, and Hermione, as it was a significant clue in their ongoing quest. Hermione, recalling John's interest in alchemy, fetched a large, ancient tome from the girls' dormitory, eager to delve deeper into the mystery. After tirelessly searching through countless old books, they finally stumbled upon information regarding Nicolas Flamel and learned about the Philosopher's Stone. The discovery was a turning point in their quest, shedding light on the mysterious object they had heard so much about yet knew so little.
Nicolas Flamel, a name that had been whispered in the corridors of Hogwarts with a mixture of reverence and mystery, was revealed to be more than just a figure of legend. He was an alchemist of unparalleled skill, credited with creating the Philosopher's Stone, a powerful artifact capable of turning any metal into pure gold and producing the Elixir of Life, which grants immortality.
The trio's excitement was palpable as they pieced together the puzzle. The Philosopher's Stone was not just a myth; it was real, and it held the key to eternal life. The realization that such power could be within their grasp was both exhilarating and daunting. The implications were enormous, not just for them but for the entire wizarding world.
As they delved deeper into the lore surrounding Nicolas Flamel and the Philosopher's Stone, they couldn't help but wonder about the Stone's current whereabouts and who might seek such power. The thought of someone using the Stone for nefarious purposes sent a shiver down their spines.
Determined to learn more and protect the Stone from falling into the wrong hands, they resolved to use this newfound knowledge as a guide. Their journey had taken a new direction, one filled with dangers and mysteries, but also with the hope of discovering one of the greatest secrets of the wizarding world.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge