Parseltongue

"That I'll indeed do. It's good to know that now because Nicolas already had found signs that somebody is after his stone again. I'll probably think of something to increase the stone's protection. It can't fall into the wrong hands," Dumbledore affirmed, showing his determination to safeguard the Philosopher's Stone.

Harry, ever curious, sought more information. "What exactly are this elixir of life and the Philosopher's Stone?"

Dumbledore smiled at the boy's curiosity, contemplating the Sorting Hat's upcoming decision. "The Philosopher's Stone is the highest achievement in the art of Alchemy. It's a stone that can transform normal metal to gold and also produces the elixir of life. This elixir is so powerful that it enables people to live on even over their normal end of life if they continue drinking it. The person is kept at a middle age, around forty-five."

Dumbledore continued, sharing his personal connection with Nicolas Flamel. "Nicolas is six hundred and sixty-five now, and his wife Perenelle is six hundred and fifty-nine, but none of them looks older than forty. When I was younger, I worked together with him as his apprentice. I learned a lot from him and Perenelle. Those years are some I always remember very fondly."

Harry, amazed by the couple's age, asked a thoughtful question. "Wow, they really are that old? Wasn't it hard for them to see their friends get old and die?"

Dumbledore admitted he never asked them about that, but the question sparked plans to visit Nicolas and Perenelle. The newfound information about the horcrux in Harry's scar made it crucial to involve them in deciding the fate of the Philosopher's Stone. They needed to act swiftly to ensure its protection.

"How will the extraction of the splint horcrux, which definitely was an accident to be made, influence Harry?" Wundermoor asked.

"I don't know. It could have happened that he got some abilities transferred that You-Know-Who had, but I am not sure. With the removal, he could either have lost them or kept them," Healer Reggam explained.

Harry saw an opportunity to gather more information about Voldemort without revealing too much about himself. "Were there any special abilities that Voldemort had?" he asked. "If there were, we could see if I had them and answer that question."

"That's a good idea, Harry," Wundermoor agreed. "Well, he was a Parselmouth, that much is widely known, but all members of the Slytherin line are. Then it is known that he was very magically gifted and learned new spells quickly."

"He had a natural talent for the mind arts as well as Potions, Charms, and Defence Against the Dark Arts. He even tried to apply for the position of Defence teacher twice," Dumbledore added.

"He was the most intelligent student I had had in some time and soaked up knowledge like a sponge. He was always driven and managed to present himself positively to those around him. Many flocked to him thanks to his natural charisma and his looks. Before he made his Horcruxes, he was a very handsome young man," Dumbledore shared his observations.

Harry contemplated this information. The only ability he knew he had in common with Voldemort was speaking Parseltongue.

To avoid being labeled as dark, he feigned pure curiosity, asking, "Are those abilities naturally dark? I mean, I read a bit about Salazar Slytherin being a Parselmouth in a History of Hogwarts, but why would the three other founders have allowed him to help with the project if being a Parselmouth was dark?"

"No, the ability itself isn't dark. It's the opposite actually. The first known Parselmouths were revered healers," Healer Reggam explained.

"The old Greek wizard Asclepius was a Parselmouth and the most famous healer of the time. I don't know much about his abilities; there are no remaining records from that time, but stories that were handed down by word of mouth speak of him hissing at wounds that other healers declared incurable and healing them. There must be powerful healing magic in Parseltongue. If you would be interested in that area, though, you would probably have to do a lot of research on your own, Mr. Potter."

Harry nodded, absorbing the information about his newfound ability. He sought clarification on the potential connection between the ability to speak Parseltongue and the time the splint was lodged in his head.

"Yes, he was. Why did you speak with a snake?" Wundermoor inquired, curiosity etched on his face.

Harry recounted his recent experience at the zoo, discovering his ability to understand snakes. He expressed uncertainty about its meaning, given the controversial opinions he encountered in his books.

Dumbledore, ever ready for a practical demonstration, conjured a garden snake and initiated a conversation. The snake confirmed Harry's Parseltongue ability and clarified that he could communicate with close relatives, such as lizards, but not distant ones like alligators or turtles. Grateful for the information, Harry thanked the snake, promising to convey its desire to return to its sunny spot.

In English, Harry informed Dumbledore of the snake's request, and the Professor, amused, sent the snake back to its original location. Dumbledore then acknowledged the permanence of Harry's ability and the misconceptions surrounding Parseltongue.

"Sadly, many people think it's a dark ability. As Healer Reggam said, in ancient times, it was seen as a healer's ability," Dumbledore reflected.

Harry, considering his future profession, contemplated the potential link between Parseltongue and healing. "Perhaps I will do more research on that topic. I haven't decided yet what profession I want to pursue later, but being a healer was on the list of jobs that interested me. And if being a Parselmouth would mean I had a natural talent for it, I might consider that way," Harry admitted.

Dumbledore offered guidance, reminding Harry that he had years ahead to discover his true calling. With a nod, Dumbledore took his leave, expressing his intention to inform Nicolas Flamel, and vanished with Fawkes in a flash.

....

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