Chapter 2: First interaction and setting plans

Despite still being summer, the days were getting shorter and the cold breeze of autumn was already slowly creeping on the morning's weather. That was especially so for Scotland, and Hogwarts in particular, and thus you could see, even at the time of 7.30am, mist lingering on the surface of the lake.

At the very moment, in Dumbledore's office a rather bizarre and unusual scene was taking place. Had anyone been witnessing such sight, curiosity and astonishment would have surely marked their faces.

The usually stoic and collected headmaster was behaving like a literal madman right now, franticly searching the most hidden compartments of the office in a way that was without a doubt beneath such esteemed and respected wizard.

He was kneeling on the ground, robes full of dust, throwing stuff out of the cabinets and around the ground without any kind of grace or class, all along mumbling madly under his breath,

"I would have sworn that it was here… Where the hell did he put it??"

It was only after going through a few other secret safes that he finally got what he was eagerly trying to find.

"At last! Here it is hehe. This baby right here is my ticket to longevity"

An incredibly old tome was resting in his hands. The brown leather cover was so aged that one would be afraid to even hold the book so to not speed the deteriorating process, which at this point started hundreds years ago.

The title of the book, though, as if by magic, could still be seen. It was directly stamped on the cover and later filled with a golden layer, and it read

"THE SECTRETS OF ALCHEMY by Rowena Ravenclaw"

Yes, this was exactly what it seemed, the personal records of one of Hogwarts' founders on the subject of alchemy, a book so rare and scarce in numbers, that no more than 2 people had it in all Europe, the 2 being Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel.

"This is exactly what I needed. It is an in depth research on the philosopher stone and its uses. Sadly not even Rowena was able to create the fabled stone, so, while not 100 percent accurate, still… It's not like I can ask Flamel how to use the stone after 'destroying' it….heheh yeah sure… like I would destroy one of the most powerful artifact of the magic world. That stone is mine for the taking".

That specific book, in the past crazily treasured by Dumbledore who was in search of the deepest secrets of the transmutation studies, had later in the years lost all of his value in the eyes of the old wizard, and was, up until the day before, only kept as a collection piece.

The reason for that was very simple, not to mention the uses of the stone, the simple feat of creating it was basically an impossible occurrence. Never, before Flamel, had anyone been able to create the real deal, not Rowena, not Merlin and surely not Dumbledore.

Only half-assed and imperfect replicas were produced. Many wizards tried, Albus between them, but no one succeeded and that was because it was not a problem of skill, but rather luck. Producing the stone, in fact, was like winning the lottery 100 thousand times in a row.

"Talking about the stone… yes, standing to Albus memories, Hagrid should return today and give it to me, good…. no, perfect"

According to the newly acquired memories, the headmaster had already planned the whole "chamber of the secrets" affair, along with the professors tests.

"Too bad, their effort will be wasted. The safest place for the stone is exactly here, in my pocket!"

Albus already planned it all: using an imperfect stone, one of the many he himself produced, instead of the real one. After all, nobody had seen the one and only with their eyes, nobody could tell the difference, nobody except one…

"The remaining problem is Flamel, the old bastard won't be easy to fool. Bahh I will come up with something later…oh my God! I'm about to miss breakfast!!!"

As if reinvigorated with the idea of filling his guts, Dumbledore pocketed the book in one of the many cavities hidden in the robes' folds, and readied himself by straightening his hair and dusting his clothes.

Few seconds later and he was out, roaming the quiet and desolated corridors of the castle, direction: main hall.

As an avid fan of the franchise, the old man was about to tear up again. Only God knows how many times he dreamt of being there, he couldn't explain it, but he felt such a surge of happiness that was enough to give him Goosebumps and a feeling of "butterfly in the stomach".

The smell of old cathedral and wax was slowly being replaced by the aroma of freshly backed pastries and, the closer he got to the hall, the easier it was to hear the clattering of plates and crockery.

As soon as he crossed the entrance, the few people who were eating stopped and, as in sign of respect, stood up in greeting.

Dumbledore, on his behalf, was rather tense, scared to ruin everything the moment he opened his mouth

'Calm down… I remember everything Dombledore does (well..did), every conversation he, I, had with these people. The problem is, if they somehow catch the differences in personality and behavior. If worst comes to worst, it's not as if Albus didn't have some screw loose already, they shouldn't suspect anything… It's only that guy I'm weary…..Good, Snape is not here… I can't possibly affront him, the final boss, as soon as I transmigrate.'

Coming to the elevated podium, Albus was greeted with the sight of part the school staff, Minerva McGonagal, Argus Filch, Filius Flitwick, Poppy Pomfrey, Quirinus Quirrell, Pomona Sprout and a couple of flying ghosts.

After nodding lightly at their greetings, Albus couldn't wait to wolf down the food on his plate, but, about to begin, he was, in his opinion, rudely interrupted by the serious Headministress.

"Albus, I've already finished our preparation, including the professor's class schedules, the checking of the paid fees and the setup of the dormitories. The castle is now again ready to welcome the students back."

"Oh..Is that so? That's good" Albus replied, as laid back as possible, trying to mimic the old and enigmatic habits of the headmaster.

"Yes…also, if I may…regarding that matter on the third floor…How are thing on your behalf?" McGonagall said, whispering, only after making sure nobody else was paying attention to her.

Dumbledore replied, also whispering, with his canonical grandfather's smile:

"Don't worry Minerva, everything is set according to plan and soon the sto- ehm 'thing' will be in mine..ehm..our.. hands and safe behind the traps of the room".

The witch was perplexed for a moment by the slips of tongue of the old man, but, given the calm demeanor of the old man, waited for a second before saying:

"Good, we can rest easy then, and focus completely on the school and the students… This is the year after all..the year he finally comes back to our world. I shouldn't be biased, but I wish young Harry to be part of my hose, the Gryffindor, just like his parents were before him…"

Mentioning the Potters had a depressing effect on the woman, and Albus couldn't help but sigh.

"Sigh…This should be an joyous occurrence, don't think of the past too much… their memories live with him now!"

'What the fuck am I even saying right now?? So awkward..wait, she seems convinced? What?? Just like that?? Huff…This old bastard could said anything and these morons follow behind like sheeps… tsk'

"Your are very much right Albus." Minerva said with the best smile she could master, which amounted to a slight bend in her rather stoic upper lip.

'As long as you are happy….'

The two turned then to their respective plate, and Albus could finally put something in his mouth and finish his breakfast without any more interruptions, except for a rather jubilant Flitwick, who seemed really keen on recounting an encounter he had in the summer with a very famous duelist.

After discreetly standing up, Dumbledore gave his goodbyes and made his way back to the office where everything started.

'Fuuu.. It wasn't so bad, and also, seeing all those people up close…It was like that time I met Steven Seagal, meaning, I was starstruck!! I was paralyzed there for a second, right in the face of Maggie Smith… so cool!!'

'Ok…that done I need to prepare. First, put a fake stone in the mirror, second, move the mirror in the chamber (no need for Harry to find it),last, enjoy my stone to the fullest and try to create le longevity potion. I'll let the year play out like in canon for the most part… mehhh maybe I can put my sign here and there, but overall this should be my short term plan'.

Albus plan long term was pretty simple: stopping his aging, reverting his aging and enjoy his so much coveted retirement in the magic world.

Obviously nothing is easy in the world of wizards, and not only he didn't have a solution for his de-aging therapy as of yet, but also he didn't forget the threat that was Voldemort.

He wasn't scared, though, especially recalling the first 3 years of Harry's stay in the school.

'I should only be weary from fourth year on…Also, I should deal with the horcruxes as soon as I can. That could be a big problem…especially Hufflepuff cup and Slytherin locket…Ok, it's still early in the plot, no need to be in a hurry. This year would be focused on myself, I have time for Voldemort starting from next summer.'

'Quirrel…hmpf! I'm not afraid of that dog. Let him come, if he have the guts… I will gladly reduce him to meat paste, my hand are already hitching to try magic as it is, no need for an excuse'.

While Dumbledore were already making moves, in the other part of the country, a young wizard was finally embarking in a great adventure himself.