Hogwarts: Becoming the White Lord from Breathing

Chapter 186 Opportunity and Inspiration

Alchemy, the thirteenth course outside of the twelve Hogwarts courses, is also the only subject that does not require an OWL exam. Only sixth-year students can take this course.

When Harry and Ron heard that Damon had been allowed to take the course as an exception, envy flashed across their faces—they also wanted to take the course with Damon.

Only Hermione suddenly said:
"Be glad you're not old enough, otherwise this course would definitely drive you both crazy."

"Why do you think we're not qualified? We're doing all our homework on our own now."

“You’re talking like a baby who’s just learned to use the toilet.” Before Ron could react, Hermione continued, “You’ll find out when you take courses in ancient runes—I bet alchemy is several times drier than runes.”

Hermione clearly did more research than Ron and Harry—after discovering a large number of books on alchemy in Damon's room on her summer birthday, she spent a great deal of time learning about it.

She was the one who truly wanted to study alchemy but couldn't, completely different from Ron and Harry's half-hearted attitude.

With that in mind, Hermione checked her class schedule.

“Hermione,” Ron frowned as he looked at her schedule over her shoulder, “they messed up your schedule.”

Look—they've scheduled a whopping ten classes for you in one day; there's not enough time!

“I’ll figure something out. I’ve already spoken with Professor McGonagall.”

“But look,” Ron said, laughing, “did you see this morning? Nine o’clock, divination.”

Next, at nine o'clock, Muggle Studies, and I know you're great, Hermione, but nobody's that great. How can you take three classes at once?

“Don’t be silly,” Hermione snapped. “Of course I can’t take three classes at the same time.”

Ron was about to speak when Hermione interrupted him, "Give me the jam."

Ron did as he was told.

Hermione's expression softened slightly, and she continued:

“Ron, my schedule is a bit full, but what does that have to do with you? I’ve already had everything sorted out with Professor McGonagall.”

Unable to reveal her secret, she could only resort to this brutal approach to cover it up.

"Ron, ignore her. Hermione isn't reckless."

Damon stopped Ron from asking further questions—the Time-Turner was still a secret, and Hermione had promised Professor McGonagall that she wouldn't reveal it.

"Oh, don't you find that strange, Damon?"

“There’s obviously a secret here, but we’ll have to wait until Hermione is willing to tell us.”

Ron was immediately convinced.

Just then, Hagrid arrived, wearing a mole fur coat, absentmindedly waving a dead chicken in one of his large hands.

"Is everything alright?" he asked eagerly, stopping halfway to the teacher's desk. "You're going to have my first class! It's right after lunch! I got up at five o'clock, everything's ready. I hope everything goes smoothly. To be honest, I'm a teacher now."

He grinned at them, then walked toward the teacher's desk, still waving the dead chicken.

"I'm going to class."

Hermione was the first to leave the table.

"I'm going to my alchemy class too." Damon said as he finished breakfast and left.

“Oh—we’re the Divination class, Harry.”

The two followed closely behind and hurried away.

When Damon arrived at the alchemy classroom, it was already filled with upperclassmen from all four houses.

Ancient metal symbols and brass alchemy instruments hung on the walls, and a faint scent of vanilla and metal filled the air.

When Damon walked into the classroom, many people instinctively stood up and stared at him, showing no sense of superiority due to his age.

In fact, many of them had already received the news that the reason why Master Nicolas Flamel came to teach at Hogwarts was because he had heard that Master White was interested in alchemy. This is why the old man, who was already quite old and had no desires, chose to come out of seclusion to become a teacher.

In truth, these people benefited from Damon's influence, being able to study with a master like Nicolas Flamel for a year.

When the school bell rang, Master Nico walked into the classroom right on time.

His steps were slow, carrying a steady aura; his hair was as white as snow, and his eyes were as clear as spring water in early spring.

He had a gentle smile on his face, but seemed a little nervous?
No one had ever imagined that a renowned alchemy master could be so amiable.

"Well—I actually faced some challenges coming here to teach."

Lemaître's gaze was fixed on Damon.

Everyone else was superfluous to him; he was there solely out of respect and admiration for Damon.

“Ms. Orim, the headmistress of Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, wrote me thirty letters in a row, each one different, explaining why she didn’t understand why I would rather teach at Hogwarts than spread my knowledge at my alma mater.”

“I had to solemnly reply to her again and again that alchemy is an immortal miracle, and to spread miracles, a crucial opportunity is needed—and that opportunity is what Beauxbatons is currently lacking.”

“She doesn’t quite understand, and I don’t expect her to understand.”

Lemaître smiled and slowly moved his chair to the front of the lecturer's platform, getting a step closer to Damon's position.

“One night when I was young, I dreamed of an angel holding a book. He had thousands of eyes and six pairs of white wings stained with blood. He told me that I would receive a magical book and that I must study it diligently and understand it thoroughly in order to gain extraordinary power.”

The entire hall was silent; Le May's opening remarks had captivated everyone.

"After that, I obtained a copy of the Book of Abraham, and studied it for many years. No matter how difficult it was, that dream always inspired me and enabled me to achieve some success."

This is the opportunity I'm referring to—I believe it's incredibly important.

“I came here because of a certain opportunity, and I want to turn this into a new opportunity to connect with you—perhaps it can also become a crucial point on your alchemical journey.”

Le Maire extended his index finger and pointed it out into the air.

Subconsciously, some students stretched out their fingers, imagining themselves touching his fingertips.

Damon sat in his seat, listening intently to everything, and felt quite amazed.

After the Philosopher's Stone was destroyed, Nick Lemaître had already planned to die—after arranging his affairs, he would stop taking the limited elixir of immortality and embark on his next great adventure.

Now, this old man has decided to live another year with his partner for his own sake. It has to be said that even Damon felt a surge of inspiration at this moment.

(End of this chapter)