John subdued the man in the corner, swiftly confiscating his wand before discarding it carelessly into the shadows. With the threat neutralized, he proceeded towards Montmorency Street, his curiosity piqued by the surroundings. Amidst his exploration, a particular house, ensconced within a lush garden and exuding an aura of ancient history, captured his attention. Despite its apparent invisibility to passersby, John felt drawn to it and decided to investigate further. He knocked on the door, receiving no response initially. Just as he contemplated a stealthier approach, the door creaked open.
Greeting him was a frail, trembling old man, his hair a silvery cascade reflecting his advanced years. The man's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing John. "You've finally arrived. Please, come in for some tea. I believe the tea leaves are in the cabinet," he said, his voice trailing off as if lost in thought. The old man's demeanor suggested a struggle with memory, a common plight of the elderly.
John stepped inside, immediately noticing the array of silver utensils scattered across the table, their designs reminiscent of tweezers and chopsticks. As he settled in, a teapot on the counter animated itself, its lid popping open as tea leaves and water combined within it. The teapot, seemingly alive, brewed the tea through a series of shakes, a clear demonstration of alchemy at work.
The old man busied himself searching for something among the piles of books that adorned the room. He meticulously packed them into a handbag, which, despite its ordinary appearance, seemed to defy the laws of space. John recognized the use of an Undetectable Extension Charm, a clever spell for such purposes.
Apologizing for the delay, the old man finally approached John, extending a fragile hand in greeting. John, cautious not to apply too much pressure, was nevertheless surprised when the old man winced in pain. "It's okay," the old man reassured him, noticing John's concern. "Hi, John Wick. My name is Nicolas Flamel."
Nicolas Flamel, the very name John had pondered over countless times, now stood before him, a shadow of his former self. "I had intended to mentor you personally, but unforeseen events this year have delayed me. However, my diary has informed me of your exceptional talent," Flamel explained, handing John a tote bag filled with books. These were not ordinary books; they contained Flamel's notes and insights, a legacy of his quest for immortality.
John, piecing together the clues, ventured, "Is this about the Philosopher's Stone?" He understood the gravity of the situation; Nicolas Flamel was preparing for the end of his life. The destruction of the Philosopher's Stone, as announced by Dumbledore, signaled the cessation of Flamel's immortality.
Flamel nodded, a serene smile on his face. "Everyone must face death eventually. Had it not been for your arrival, the Philosopher's Stone would have been destroyed in June." He acknowledged his impending death, the last of his elixir only sufficient for the year. The legendary alchemist, who had lived for over six centuries, was ready to conclude his extraordinary journey.
John felt a pang of disappointment, having hoped for more time with Flamel. Yet, it was clear that Flamel saw in John a worthy successor, someone to whom he could pass on his knowledge and legacy. Through Dumbledore's introduction and the insights gained from the diary, Flamel had chosen John as the most suitable candidate for his inheritance, a decision that would shape John's path in ways he had yet to fully comprehend. John had finally found a teacher capable of instructing him in the art of alchemy, but he hadn't anticipated that their meeting would also signify a parting. This was once the home of Nicolas Flamel, who was believed to have lived in Devonshire until his demise. As John accepted the handbag from Flamel, its weight seemed to grow heavier with the significance of their encounter. "Teacher, who was that person we met outside today?" John inquired, recalling the stranger they had encountered. Nicolas Flamel offered a smile upon being addressed as 'teacher'. Despite their brief acquaintance, there was an immediate bond between them, reminiscent of a long-standing mentor-student relationship.
"That was a Death Eater. Even with Voldemort defeated, his followers continue to lurk, awaiting his return," Flamel explained, his expression turning grave at the mention of Voldemort's name. Having lived through two reigns of the Dark Lord, Flamel was acutely aware of Voldemort's obsessive quest for immortality. Twelve years after Voldemort's downfall, his minions still sought Flamel, hoping to use him in their efforts to resurrect their master.
Temporarily separated from his wife, Flamel had returned to his old residence to teach John, who stayed with him for the remainder of the vacation. John absorbed the teachings on alchemy with an insatiable hunger. Flamel's wisdom extended beyond alchemy; he was also a master of runes, spells, and magical creatures. Day by day, John soaked up knowledge like a sponge, leaving Flamel immensely satisfied with his pupil. Alchemy demanded not only talent but also a relentless pursuit of knowledge, qualities John possessed in abundance. Flamel saw in John a reflection of his own passion for alchemy and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
Despite the destruction of the Philosopher's Stone in John's possession, being in the company of the only person capable of creating it made the loss seem inconsequential. As their time together drew to a close, Flamel acknowledged John's exceptional talent. "John, you are the most gifted student I have ever encountered," he said, preparing to spend his final days with his wife. Teaching John had filled him with a deep sense of fulfillment and pride. "The journey of alchemy is endless. The Philosopher's Stone is not the culmination of your path but merely the beginning." Flamel had imparted the knowledge of creating the Philosopher's Stone to John, setting him on a path to become a new giant in the field of alchemy.
When it was time to part ways, John embraced his teacher, his actions gentle and tinged with reluctance. Flamel, however, faced his impending death with acceptance, viewing it as a well-earned rest after a long life of service.
With Flamel's departure, John's time in France came to an end. He visited Beauxbatons to bid farewell to Fleur, one of his few friends there. "Fleur, we'll meet again. Perhaps not at Beauxbatons, but at Hogwarts," John said with a hopeful grin, recalling a competition that involved several schools, including Beauxbaton. He handed Fleur a badge, and she responded, "Don't forget to write to me. And make sure your owl gets some exercise; it's getting a bit chubby." Basil, John's owl, found himself unjustly criticized.
After their goodbyes, John encountered the drunk man who had sold him a faulty portal. In retaliation for being swindled out of three Galleons, John left the man hanging from a statue, his wand discarded in a foul ditch. "That's for cheating me!" John declared, ensuring the man would remember the lesson for days to come.
_________
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