Inside the Johnny Silverhand store, John stood in his cauldron room, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. "Alchemy has finally been upgraded," he announced, setting down the necklace he had been holding. This particular piece, an obsidian-like necklace, was part of the Johnny Silverhand series. Named the Silent Heart, its primary function was to shield its wearer from external probing while simultaneously preventing their inner thoughts from being transmitted. This very necklace had played a crucial role during their covert operation at Shafik Manor. However, the Silent Heart had its drawbacks; after each use, its pendant required replacement. This pendant, a rudimentary version of the magic remnant stone, was a flawed product John had crafted based on instructions from Nicole Flamel's handbook. Its sole purpose was to store and release magical power, with the real essence of the Silent Heart residing in its chain.
"Level 3 alchemy was insufficient for refining the Sorcerer's Stone. Now, with an upgrade, I should be able to enhance the version," John mused. He had committed Nicole Flamel's teachings to memory, understanding that mastering these complex concepts would further his alchemical skills. Flamel had generously shared his knowledge, aiming to shield John from undue attention and discourage him from becoming overly fixated on his legacy. In John's eyes, Nicole Flamel was more than a mentor; he was a guiding light.
Intent on fulfilling his role as Flamel's successor, John set to work on crafting his version of the Sorcerer's Stone. After some effort, he produced a stone the size of a lavender pigeon egg, which he decided to call the Magic Crystal. Unlike the legendary Philosopher's Stone, this Magic Crystal couldn't concoct the elixir of life, but it could mimic some of its other remarkable abilities.
Holding the Magic Crystal in one hand and a spoon in the other, John focused intently. Gradually, the spoon transformed, taking on a golden sheen until it was indistinguishable from real gold. Upon examining the newly gold spoon, John found it to be a perfect replica. The Magic Crystal, however, had darkened slightly, indicating it had expended about a tenth of its power. "If this were the Philosopher's Stone, such a power expenditure would be trivial. It seems further improvements are necessary," John concluded, storing the Magic Crystal away and tossing the golden spoon into a drawer.
He contemplated using his points to immediately upgrade his alchemy level further but decided against it, fearing potential instability. "It's better to wait until my current level is fully consolidated," he reasoned.
After leaving the cauldron room, John briefed Tang Mi on some tasks before casting a disillusionment spell and exiting the Johnny Silverhand store.
Meanwhile, the Wicks had been staying in London for nearly a week. Initially, Papa Watson Wick and Mr. Granger bonded over golf, but their friendship quickly deepened, leading to an unexpected turn of events.
On the third day, after enjoying some wine by the river, Mr. Watson and Mr. Granger encountered a young woman from the clinic. In a moment of inebriated judgment, they accepted her invitation for a drink. However, their outing was cut short when Mrs. Wick and Mrs. Granger, having baked together and formed their own bond, arrived on the scene. The confrontation was dramatic, with Watson's newly fitted ceramic teeth nearly becoming a casualty.
In a bid to protect his friend, Watson bravely took the blame, asserting that the young woman had been there to see him. This act of loyalty infuriated Mrs. Wick, who was already preparing to address the situation. Mr. Granger, witnessing Watson's sacrifice, was deeply moved by his friend's gesture. Loyalty bound them, and as they exchanged affectionate glances, a classic saying from the Celestial Dynasty echoed in their minds: "Do not wish to be born on the same day of the same month of the same year, but to die on the same day of the same month of the same year." It was as if the theme song of their friendship played in the background, celebrating the joy of finding a true friend in each other, much like the way peach blossoms bloom brightly in honor of such a bond.
The story took an unexpected turn when Mr. Granger revealed a humorous mishap. He confessed that his wife's relentless pursuit and three determined visits to the clinic had driven Mrs. Granger to the brink. The situation escalated into a comical chase, resulting in both Mr. Granger and his friend being accidentally struck by a toy car. This minor accident led to a dramatic fall down some steps, and they ended up in the hospital, their injuries bonding them further. The hospital stay cooled down the tempers of their wives, and the two men, now wary of further mischief, decided to steer clear of any more trouble. Amidst the chaos, the young woman involved managed to slip away, leaving the incident unresolved.
John returned to his father's apartment, a modest place provided by the company his father worked for. Despite his unassuming appearance, his father was considered an elite within the company. Upon entering, John found his father, Watson, struggling to open the refrigerator for a beer. John, seizing the beer, left Watson lamenting his fate. Watson, now sober and feeling sorry for himself, remembered Mrs. Wick's warning that if he didn't behave, she would entrust his care to Andre, one of John's uncles known for his formidable strength and intimidating presence.
Just then, a knock on the door interrupted Watson's thoughts. Expecting his friend Mr. Granger, he was surprised to find Hermione Granger instead, looking for John. Hermione, usually seen with a book in hand, had opted for casual attire this time. Watson, with a hint of mischief, informed her that John was available.
Hermione invited John to go out, marking the first time she had asked a wizard classmate to join her outside of school activities. John, having no other plans, accepted. To his surprise, Hermione led him to a park—a place devoid of magic and wizards, a setting that felt strangely unfamiliar to John after his time at Hogwarts. As they walked, Hermione shared that the park was a place she often visited, a place where she felt most at ease despite feeling unwelcome elsewhere.
John realized that Hermione, much like himself, had faced challenges in fitting in. He remembered how even Harry and Ron had initially been wary of Hermione. Yet, over time, John had become Hermione's first friend at Hogwarts, a bond she cherished deeply. Hermione had always stood by John, even when others doubted him, showing a level of care and loyalty that went beyond mere friendship.
As they reached a swing set, Hermione hesitated, hoping John would push her on the swing. Instead, she found him already enjoying himself on another swing. Watching him, a mix of amusement and fondness crossed her face. After a moment of contemplation, she joined him, embracing the simple joy of the moment, a testament to their unique and enduring friendship. For a considerable time, Hermione harbored a question that she couldn't suppress any longer. "John, why did you decide to befriend me?" she inquired. Their initial encounter was anything but cordial. John, who had been swinging high into the air at the time, responded with a nonchalance that belied the depth of his answer. "Friendship is all about the connection of feelings."
Hermione felt a twinge of sadness at his words. Was it merely a matter of 'feeling' that led him to comment on her prominent teeth? Lately, Hermione had been wrestling with a sense of inadequacy, especially when she considered her inability to assist Harry in the same daring manner as Ron, who had the adventure of rescuing Harry from the Dursleys with a flying car. Her contributions seemed to pale in comparison, and it weighed heavily on her.
Noticing her dispirited mood, John alighted from the swing and approached her with a gravity that was uncharacteristic of their previous exchanges. "Hermione, it's crucial that you confront your true self. You possess a heart that's both noble and courageous, complemented by a boundless intellect," he asserted with sincerity. "Our friendship isn't predicated on grand gestures of sacrifice but on the profound connection between our hearts."
John's earnest reassurance lifted the cloud of gloom that had settled over Hermione. "Thank you, John," she expressed, her spirits buoyed by his words. When she looked up to meet his gaze, she found that he had already wandered over to the ice cream truck parked by the roadside. He glanced back at her, an ice cream cone already in hand, and inquired about her preferred flavor.
Caught slightly off guard by the swift change in topic, Hermione replied after a brief pause, "...I'd like strawberry, please."
_________
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