Hogwarts Raven

Chapter 134: 133: Ticket Prices and the Fleeing Professor

Devon.

The moment of dawn.

The outline of the manor gradually became clear in the mist. The golden sunlight shone through the branches of the ancient oak trees, casting mottled shadows that gently covered every corner of the manor.

It shone on Albus Dumbledore, wrapping the centenarian's figure in warm sunlight, as if coated with a thin layer of golden light.

The sunlight shone through his extremely pale hair and seemed to shine into his heart - Nick Flamel felt a kind of vitality and... heat from the most powerful wizard of this century that he had never seen before.

The flame of hope burned in the heart of Albus Dumbledore.

Nick Flamel and Albus Dumbledore were old friends who had lasted for many years, and he had never seen such a fire burning in Albus Dumbledore's heart.

As a master of alchemy, Nicolas Flamel realized at the first moment that no one could extinguish it.

"It seems that when we were all unaware, you have done something extraordinary again." Nick Flamel gave up the thought of comforting him and looked at the damaged ancient time converter in his hand again.

"May I have the honor of knowing what forbidden thing you have verified?" Obviously, this master who created the Philosopher's Stone and reached the pinnacle of alchemy has already made a judgment in his heart.

Albus Dumbledore nodded and looked at the blooming flowers in Nick Flamel Manor. Even though it was winter, the bright flowers were still full of vitality and swayed gently in the breeze.

"With the help of a legend, we successfully deceived the god of death." The old headmaster did not give details. After all, this was related to some secret plan between him and Grindelwald.

However, even this vague description was enough for Nick Flamel to know what had happened, and it was completely consistent with Nick Flamel's guess.

of course.

There were also things that Nick Flamel hadn't guessed.

"There are no legends in this era, Dumbledore. We all know that the Big Four are the last rays of light of the legends, and you are also suffering from the constraints of the times because of this."

Nick Lemay's expression was a little surprised.

He led Albus Dumbledore to his house, a building shaped like a perfect golden rectangle, with a "mathematical beauty" that was difficult to describe in words.

Seems unremarkable.

But it can give people a sense of visual beauty.

"There are always ways to keep people away from death, just like the Philosopher's Stone you created. Perhaps, in our time, there are still some afterglow of the old days that have not faded away."

Albus Dumbledore followed closely behind. His words might have been a little euphemistic, but the certainty in his tone still made Nick Flamel stop.

"you sure?"

The expression of the six hundred-year-old man froze slightly.

"Of course."

Albus Dumbledore looked directly at the other person and nodded.

The convergence of gazes.

Let Nick Flamel establish the facts.

"This is more shocking to me than the fact that you and that freak got together again and played with life and death again." Nick Lemay is obviously a wise man who is experienced and shrewd.

Just by spending a brief time with Albus Dumbledore, he had already judged and analyzed a lot of information - anyone who could become a master of alchemy must have extraordinary wisdom.

"Gellert's mind is not as crazy as before, and Hogwarts and I really need his help right now. You also know that crazy man is still a potential threat."

Albus Dumbledore defended his old friend, but his confidence was not strong enough. Nick Flamel just looked at him deeply but did not scold him.

"How do you know he hasn't become even crazier? Of course, I don't care about this. After all, the mortal world will soon become a part of my past."

Nick Flamel brought Albus Dumbledore into the house, and the old lady, who was as old as her, greeted Albus Dumbledore warmly.

Perhaps Snape would have a heart attack when he came here, because the old lady's clothes and aprons are all made of dragon skin. The most exaggerated thing is that the old lady has a soft cloak outside the dragon skin coat. It is all made of unicorn feathers, and the warmth effect is obvious. The most important thing is that it has a sense of inhumanity.

"You're here at the right time. I'm trying to make burritos." Although she said she was trying to learn cooking, the little people in front of the old lady and who were under her command were actually the real workers.

"My dear, our friend will definitely not be able to eat until he gets a definite answer from me." Nick Flamel smiled and hugged the old lady.

A couple of six hundred years.

Their feelings grew deeper.

After all, they are childhood sweethearts.

It’s definitely different from a couple who get tired of each other after seven years.

People may only know that Nicolas Flamel is a famous and talented alchemist, a brilliant master who created the Philosopher's Stone, but few people know other information about him.

That was six hundred years ago.

Nicolas Flamel studied at the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France when he was young. He met his future wife, Perenelle Flamel, at school. The Flamel couple were also early school lovers. They had a very good relationship and lived together for more than 600 years. Today, they are still a happy couple.

"Family ties are always hard to give up, and they are one of the few things that will not be affected by time." Perenelle Flamel sighed after taking a look at what her husband was holding in his hand.

"It's not easy to get the Sands of Time these days. It's even more strictly controlled than the big bombs that the Muggles have. The Department of Mysteries has almost cut off the materials for refining it."

Perenal Flamel obviously had a deep understanding of alchemy. It was like an expert who lost 20 million in stock trading must have a wife who could lose at least 200 million in stock trading.

Even if one is not a professional, one will still be influenced by what one hears and sees, not to mention that Perenal Flamel himself is also an extremely good wizard and alchemist.

How could he not be an outstanding person if he could spend his life with an alchemist who was close to being a legend? After all, "being well matched" is the truth among truths in any era.

It doesn't have to involve family background.

But it will definitely involve yourself.

"Our main problem is the lack of another rare material. The Sands of Time is the last thing we need to worry about. After all, it is stored in the Department of Mysteries."

"Isn't that right, Dumbledore?"

Nick Flamel looked at Albus Dumbledore.

The old principal looked a little embarrassed.

I can only express my inner consent through silence.

"Okay, I won't tease you anymore. Let me look through the book carefully and see if I can help you." He laughed and waved his hand.

He brought Albus Dumbledore to his laboratory - it was more like an entertainment hall than a laboratory, with all kinds of strange alchemical creations displayed everywhere.

If Ian came here.

It must be a paradise for the little wizard.

The alchemical creations in the room can even be counted in tens of thousands.

There are glass bottles containing lightning and storms, with little people inside being chased by lightning and storms. There is also a textile machine with a sign that says "Damaged, Do Not Use" on it.

It is a dream weaving machine that can weave all kinds of beautiful dreams for the user. However, the reason why Albus Dumbledore was so impressed with it was that he had secretly used it out of curiosity a long time ago.

Gryffindor traits.

This caused him to suffer great psychological trauma.

Since then, Nick Flamel has put a label on the machine and has never repaired it, perhaps because the damage that turned a beautiful dream into a nightmare was an interesting coincidence.

"Guru Guru~"

Something was being brewed in the laboratory at this moment.

A house-elf dressed in extremely non-mainstream clothes was squatting in front with a serious expression.

"Master! It's still this color!"

It looked back at Nick Flamel with a dejected expression.

"It doesn't matter, it just failed again. Wait for it to last a while and then you can use it to water the flowers." Nick Lemay walked around his laboratory table without caring.

"Okay, master."

The house elf sighed somewhat sadly.

"Be happy. It's not something that must be successful." Nick Flamel chuckled and comforted his house-elf, and gave orders to the house-elf.

"You need to stay happy all the time to increase the success rate of alchemical experiments." I didn't expect that the famous alchemist also believed in this kind of metaphysical things.

"It's all Proro's fault! It's Proro who failed to bring good luck to his master!" The house-elf hit his head hard, but was stopped by Nick Flamel with a sigh.

"I've told you many times not to hit yourself. It will damage your brain." Nick Flamel said in a serious voice to the timid house-elf.

"To punish you for your mistake, you need to buy yourself two tickets to a fashion show in France. I will then monitor whether you watch the entire show."

Nick Flamel looked at Albus Dumbledore and hesitated. "Three, one more person to supervise you, so that you can complete your punishment more seriously."

Hear the words.

The house elf nodded and disappeared into the lab.

"..."

Albus Dumbledore was speechless. He didn't expect that after so many years, his alchemy master friend was still as young as ever.

"I guess I won't have to."

He declined Nick Flamel's invitation.

"That's your loss."

Nick Flamel curled his lips.

"Or honey water?"

He asked Albus Dumbledore again.

"Have a glass of honey lemonade." Just as Albus Dumbledore finished speaking, there was a drink in his hand. Perhaps there was more than one house-elf in the room.

of course.

Albus Dumbledore, who did not sense the presence of the house-elf, was more inclined to believe that this was the ability of the house itself.

He looked around.

In addition to countless alchemical creations, this room also has as many bookshelves as the Hogwarts Library, filled with many books that the Hogwarts Library has never had the honor of including.

The room had obviously been cast with an expansion spell. And not just an expansion spell, the walls were also covered with various runes involving many extremely ancient alchemical languages.

It might be a stronger fortress than Hogwarts. The only place without runes was hung with six paintings, which were photos of Nick Flamel and his wife.

The time interval between each photo is exactly one hundred years, which clearly records the past years of two people from being full of energy to being haggard, but still living in the world.

"Are you trying to make a universal elixir?" Albus Dumbledore stopped in front of the laboratory table and saw the potion that was still being brewed but was called a failure.

At least in the area of ​​magic, he is an all-rounder. Even though his attainments in alchemy are not as good as the other real old man in the room, he is exceptional in terms of knowledge and vision.

"The Philosopher's Stone I gave you doesn't have much magic power anymore. I would definitely like to try other alternatives, but unfortunately the times obviously limit me as well."

Nick Flamel sighed softly.

"When I was very young, you told me that death was just another greater adventure. I didn't expect that I was the only one who believed it?"

Albus Dumbledore spoke jokingly.

Nick LeMay laughed out loud.

"Of course I know this, but if given the chance, who wouldn't want to live longer?" Nick Flamel looked out the window at the beautiful scenery after the rain.

"I haven't seen enough."

There was a bit of emotion in his tone, but he didn't seem to be obsessed. In fact, from his previous attitude, it can be seen that this great alchemist's attitude towards immortality is indeed quite Buddhist.

"Yes, this world... is beautiful..."

Albus Dumbledore lowered his head to hide the sadness in his eyes.

"wait for me."

Nick Flamel pulled out a large ladder and began to search through his bookshelf. He even put on dragon-skin gloves to reduce damage to the ancient books.

after all.

Some books are indeed too old and difficult to copy.

"What we have the most is time." Albus Dumbledore was not in a hurry. He was curiously checking whether there was Nick Flamel's latest alchemical work in the room.

Actually there is.

An arcade machine that Ian might find childish, but Albus Dumbledore enjoyed playing with it. It seemed like a toy made based on Muggle entertainment equipment.

Not only does it contain a variety of vivid characters that even later graphics cards probably can't render, but you can also manually interfere with the game's progress when you get angry with the game.

This is not.

Albus Dumbledore played for a while, then reached in and strangled the boss guarding the gate, a miniature dragon that had breathed fire and burned the little man he controlled to death more than a dozen times.

"If you like this work, you can move it to your school." Nick Flamel said with amusement. He also saw Albus Dumbledore's behavior.

"In fact, I'm still thinking about your puppet band." Albus Dumbledore put down the magic arcade machine and looked at a small table next to the laboratory table.

There are dozens of dolls with different shapes, which look like Lego figures. They are a band, and they started playing music after Nick Flamel snapped his fingers.

not only that.

Since the music played was by Bach, the little men were directly transformed into miniature versions of Bach, and the music they played could surround the entire huge laboratory in stereo.

"Bach's piece is from 200 years ago. Give me a piece by Beethoven instead. He died over 100 years ago and is definitely a vital force in modern music."

Nick Flamel's understanding of the new and the old is obviously unique. As soon as his order was given, all the little band members immediately changed to the style of more than a hundred years ago.

The little man in charge of the performance also turned into Beethoven.

“It’s still so interesting.”

Albus Dumbledore showed a somewhat envious expression. It was not that he could not make it himself, but his talent in music made it difficult for him to give the little people such a performance effect.

"They are my treasures. You can only want them after I die." Nick Flamel climbed down the ladder without any books in his hands.

"Is there any solution?" Albus Dumbledore quickly threw down the little doll. After all, he was more concerned about his own demands.

"I have confirmed the age of some of the lost materials. Fortunately, if you can get a time converter from the Ministry of Magic, then there is a chance that the one we have will be repaired.

"You need to play your tricks again and cheat time a few more times... Of course, I still think that such tricks will eventually cost you a huge price."

Nick Flamel apparently found a way to repair the ancient time converter. Of course, in his opinion, this method is only a theoretically feasible method with unknown cost.

"We all know the limitations of the time converter, so you still need the help of the legend you mentioned." Nick Lemay mentioned the most important factor in completing the plan.

Albus Dumbledore frowned.

He and Grindelwald didn't even know where Salazar Slytherin was or whether he was still alive, let alone let Salazar Slytherin accompany them to take risks.

"It seems you can't find the legend."

Nick Flamel immediately understood Albus Dumbledore's dilemma from his expression.

"It takes time."

Albus Dumbledore also sighed slightly.

"In my opinion, even if you find the legend, you may not be able to get help from him...Except for you, no one would want to challenge time and fate."

Nick Flamel wants to return the Ancient Time-Turner to Albus Dumbledore.

but.

Albus Dumbledore did not answer it.

“Can you finish the other repairs first?”

There was a hint of pleading in his eyes as he looked at Nick Flamel.

Nick Flamel was silent for a moment. "Of course you can, but without the help of the legend, even if you can cheat time, you can't collect and use those things that don't belong to us."

The master alchemist was outspoken in expressing his pessimism.

"Give me some time, I can find the hidden legend... Even if he is unwilling to help, we can still find other ways."

Albus Dumbledore's tone was firm.

His eyes met Nick Flamel's once again, as deep and gentle as ever, but this time Nick Flamel's heart couldn't help but feel some waves surging.

"I knew it! You're crazier than your old friend! Even more insane than your students!" Nick Flamel said in a horrified tone, with a horrified expression on his wrinkled face.

Albus Dumbledore responded in silence. After a long while, just when Nick Flamel had circled around him several times, he could not help but continue speaking with a helpless expression.

"Perhaps you have another idea?"

There was a hint of hope in his tone.

however.

Nick LeMay just shook his head.

"No, I'm just an alchemist, not the creator. I can't use substandard materials instead of the necessary ones. And even if I made it, would you dare to use such inferior products?" After the alchemist finished speaking, he turned around and carried out a large box. His movements looked a little laborious.

Albus Dumbledore hurried forward to help.

"Are you still obsessed with studying the Creator?"

He asked curiously.

"Strictly speaking, I am just obsessed with the real creator mentioned in ancient alchemical texts." Nick Flamel corrected Albus Dumbledore's wording.

"Is there a difference?"

Albus Dumbledore never obsessed with this ancient superstition that was more illusory than death.

"Of course there is a difference. At least among us alchemists, the real creator we mentioned does exist. Many people in history have obtained his alchemical works."

Nick LeMay started panting after doing just a little physical work.

"But, haven't you found it before..." Albus Dumbledore didn't dare to refute the other party's point of view too much. After all, he knew that this alchemy master had always been very persistent.

"If I hadn't run out of time, I would have definitely found it. I didn't expect that you, as the headmaster of Hogwarts, would not believe in this fact that definitely existed."

Nick Flamel finally recovered. He held onto a large machine beside him, looked at Albus Dumbledore who had a puzzled expression, and spoke with emotion.

"As far as I know, your founder has seen the real Creator." Nick Flamel's voice was very firm, but it made Albus Dumbledore even more confused.

"Where did you hear this unofficial history?"

When talking about the past of the school's founder, the old principal felt that he still had some say. However, his confidence attracted the ridicule of Nick Flamel.

"You still read too few books."

The haggard master alchemist lowered his voice.

"This name is actually just a nickname. The first person who saw Him was cursed and could only call Him by this name. In fact, the real Creator is just a magical animal."

"At least it looks like a magical animal... It's a bird, and it has been on the emblem of your school, Ravenclaw House, for a thousand years."

have to say.

Nick LeMay's remarks are absolutely appalling.

Even Albus Dumbledore's eyes were trembling. However, at this moment, what puzzled Albus Dumbledore the most was Nick Flamel's behavior.

After resting well, the alchemist master, who was severely depleted of physical strength, opened the box he had brought over and began to frantically pack things into the box.

"What are you doing?"

Albus Dumbledore asked.

"Of course we're going to Hogwarts. Don't you welcome me?" Nick Flamel packed his things, pulled the suitcase and walked out with Albus Dumbledore.

"Of course you are welcome! You are definitely welcome! Our academy's alchemy professor just ran away today. Perhaps you can also help these future hopes?"

Albus Dumbledore obviously did not expect Nick Flamel's sudden whim. He immediately seized the opportunity to invite him again. He had mentioned the invitation to Nick Flamel more than once before.

every time.

All my requests were politely rejected.

But this time it's obviously different.

"No problem, let me make the last use of my talents." Nick Flamel agreed very readily, which surprised Albus Dumbledore.

"What gave you that idea?"

He was also very curious about Nick Flamel's change of mind.

"Of course it's fun! Don't you know that alchemists are all fun-loving people?" Nick Flamel had a smiling expression on his face, and he still spoke in that straightforward manner.

"Either I witness the fall of a legend and the rise of two other legends, or I see a legend kill you. Either way, I will definitely not lose out."

"I have seen everything in my life, except the power and extraordinaryness of legend." Nick Flamel's words made Albus Dumbledore's expression very interesting.

"..."

The old principal had no idea how to respond.

They passed the outer hall.

"Are you going on a long trip?"

Perenelle Flamel looked at her husband with surprise.

"Let's go to Hogwarts. I'll pick you up after I settle you down. There will be a really good show there. We may die watching the show, but it will definitely be worth the money."

Nick Flamel's words immediately brightened Perenal Flamel's cloudy eyes.

"????"

Albus Dumbledore was speechless. He wanted to curse, but he couldn't hold it back. He could only keep silent and pull Nick Flamel's suitcase out of the room and go outside.

“It’s good if it’s worth the money!”

Otherwise, why do they say that people from the same family tend to stick together?

Two kinds of people cannot sleep in the same bed.

Perenal Flamel was just about to ask what was going to be shown.

"Master, what about these two tickets for the fashion show?" The sudden appearance of the house-elf interrupted her and caused the expression on her face to change visibly.

"What fashion show! What the hell did you pick up outside? I don't know! Don't accuse me!" Nick Flamel was horrified and chased after Albus Dumbledore outside the door.

"Apparate! Quick! Apparate!"

His legs and feet were so nimble at this moment that he didn't look like a skinny old man who was hundreds of years old.

"You better grab some burritos and eat there!"

Perenelle Flamel chased after him, but perhaps because she had wasted some time putting a razor blade in the burrito, she was a step too slow to catch up with her husband.

……

Hogsmeade.

Nick Flamel was brought here by Albus Dumbledore. Although he was also a powerful wizard, his magic power, which had begun to dormant, was obviously unable to support him to cross such a long distance independently.

"I want a room that's big enough."

Nick Lemay walked in front.

Albus Dumbledore followed closely behind. On the busy streets, many wizards looked at them sideways, and some even exclaimed when they saw Nick Flamel.

This caused the old man and an even older man to quicken their pace. A breeze blew through this isolated village, and they passed under an old tree that had experienced many years of wind and frost.

A fallen leaf on the ground was inadvertently blown up, and after Albus Dumbledore and Nick Flamel passed by, it lightly spun and floated in the air and slowly fell onto the chessboard under the old tree.

Two middle-aged men were playing chess.

They were dressed simply and were inconspicuous on the street.

"What does this move of yours mean?"

One of the middle-aged men made his move slowly, as if he was asking more than just about the game on the chessboard.

"You know, I'm doing what I should do, right?" The middle-aged man on the other side concentrated on the chess board, without any emotional fluctuations in his voice.

"But you should have done more than what you should have done. I saw it clearly." The blond middle-aged man spoke in a soft voice and looked at the person opposite him.

"I'm doing what I should do, but that doesn't mean I don't have other choices." The middle-aged man spoke in a low voice, and his hair fluttering in the wind looked fake and thick.

"Look at me, will there be a good result?" The blond middle-aged man shook his head slightly. The bronze ring on the finger that was directing the movement of the chess piece was extremely eye-catching.

"I'm a latecomer, so I should be better than you." The middle-aged man with thick hair spoke with strong confidence as he moved the chess piece to capture the opponent's knight.

"Then I wish you good luck." The blond middle-aged man was not annoyed. He moved his own chess piece again and completely killed the opponent's king in one round.

A game of chess is over.

The blond middle-aged man spread out his hands when his opponent frowned and remained silent.

"I won! Give me the money!"

The blond middle-aged man had a very bright smile on his face.

“You’re cheating.”

The middle-aged man with thick hair did not take any action. He seemed to be refusing to pay, but in fact... he was really unwilling to accept it. This guy obviously felt that this game was rigged.

“That’s cheating.”

The blond middle-aged man raised his hand, pinched the air, and took a gold Galleon from the other party's purse. However, the middle-aged man whose gold coin was taken away did not show any surprise or stress.

"Good thing you're going to get out of here soon."

The middle-aged man with bushy hair sighed.

"It's a pity that the semester hasn't ended yet, but I also stole the reward I deserved, so it's not a loss." The blond middle-aged man stood up and walked away.

Under the gaze of a middle-aged man with thick hair.

He disappeared into the crowd.

"I'll come again next year, but of course, I'll have to change my identity."

A childish voice sounded.

Amid the flow of people.

The blond boy looked back at the Hogwarts Castle. His gaze seemed to transcend the distance, and in his sight he reflected the little wizard who was struggling to open the gift box in the castle.

“I can’t open it!!”

Ian had been in the Room of Requirement for hours.

"Eight points of light!"

"Shadowless Storm!"

"Nimma! Avada Kedavra!"

A gift box from Santa Claus.

He blew it up to the sky.

And whipped with fierce fire.

however.

The gift box was still intact.

　Thank you for your reward and support!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)