Secret Meeting

I have to admit that Professor Dumbledore handled our unexpected meeting better than I did. Other than a hint of a raised eyebrow that was gone so fast that I was half-convinced I imagined it. He acted as if it were perfectly normal for us to run into each other at the Flamel household.

"Albus," Nicolas cheerfully called out. "It's good to see you."

While I had mastered the art of keeping people out of my head, I was struggling a little to keep my thoughts off my face. This had to be the visit where Professor Dumbledore convinced Nicolas to give him the Philosopher's Stone and store it within the vault at Gringotts.

Professor Dumbledore's bright blue eyes twinkled, "It's good to see you as well, my friend." Turning his head in my direction, he added with a smile, "Mr. Fawley, I didn't expect to run into you before September."

Mum looked a little out of sorts at seeing Professor Dumbledore. She had never met him before, and he had an intense magical presence. Not to mention, he is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and influential wizards in the world.

She rose to shake his hand and said, "It's finally to meet Alex's headmaster. I hope Alex hasn't caused too much trouble for you at school."

Professor Dumbledore's eyes sparkled cheerfully as he shook Mum's hand, "Alex's teachers say that he is a wonderful student, and I believe his grades are at the top of his class."

Winking at me, Professor Dumbledore added, "I must say, it's always nice to put a face to a voice."

Mum looked puzzled for a moment, before Professor Dumbledore explained, "I think I can speak for most of the staff at Hogwarts when I say we all enjoyed your singing letter to your son."

While Mum looked absolutely delighted that at least someone had enjoyed her letter, I glared at Professor Dumbledore. Please don't put any ideas into her head. I had barely convinced her not to send any more singing letters to me while I was at school.

From the gleeful look on Mum's face, I had a sinking feeling that I better get started on my fifth-year charmwork. I know that one of them is the silencing charm, and I'll be damned if I'll get serenaded by my mum in front of the whole school again.

As Professor Dumbledore took a seat at the table, I noticed his eyes drifting momentarily to the Philosopher's stone that was resting in front of Nicolas Flamel. "I hope my unscheduled arrival didn't interrupt anything important." Professor Dumbledore casually mentioned.

Nicolas waved away his concern, "Nonsense, I've just been explaining the basics of alchemy to young Alexander here. He has an inquisitive mind. He sorta reminds me a little of you all those years ago."

Professor Dumbledore studied me for a moment before replying, "Curiosity can be a good thing in a young wizard. What were you talking about before I arrived? Perhaps I can weigh in on the matter."

I held up the gold spoon Nicolas had transmuted, "I was just asking about how this was real gold. Professor McGonagall told us that it was impossible to create gold from transfiguration."

Professor Dumbledore leaned forward and explained, "I see. First, you should be aware that there is a clear difference between transfiguration and transmuting. As I'm sure Professor McGonagall has informed you, when you transfigure something, you are magically forcing something into a different form."

As if to demonstrate, Professor Dumbledore picked up a glass cup, pulled out his wand, and tapped it. The cup turned into a plate, he touched it again, but this time it became a plate made of gold. Continuing his lecture, Dumbledore added, "But, no matter the skill level involved, it will always be a transfigured object."

Rather than use a nonverbal spell, Professor Dumbledore pointed his wand at the plate made of gold and chanted, "Reparifarge." The plate instantly reverted to its original form of a glass cup.

Then he picked up the golden spoon Nicolas transmuted and said, "No transfiguration counterspell will change this gold spoon back into metal. Its original form will forever be a gold spoon."

Demonstrating, he changed the gold spoon into a glass cup, then muttered, "Reparifarge." The glass cup turned back into a gold spoon.

"When you transmute something, you change its base form permanently. Magic has many rules it follows, but in alchemy, you learn that you can bend and break them. However, by its very nature, it is extremely dangerous. It's why there are so few Alchemists left."

I couldn't help but be interested, Alchemy sounded fascinating. "Professor Dumbledore, Alchemy is taught at Hogwarts, right?"

Professor Dumbledore considered me for a moment before replying, "Technically yes. It's offered as a NEWT level course. But, only if there is a demand for the class, and there hasn't been a demand for Alchemy class for over a decade. If you are interested in it, you will need to pay close attention to your elective course this year and make sure you choose Arithmancy. Also, on your OWLs, you need O marks in Potions, Transfiguration, and Arithmancy to be accepted into alchemy."

I raised my eyebrows at the high demands. No wonder there hadn't been a class in over a decade. Transfiguration, Potions, and Arithmancy were some of the hardest classes taught at Hogwarts. Still, now that my interest has peaked, I was determined to take Alchemy in my sixth year.

"Who teaches the class at Hogwarts?" I asked curiously.

Professor Dumbledore winked, "Well, it has been a while, but I have that privilege. So, if you do decide to take Alchemy, you and I will be spending more time together, but this time in a classroom."

After lunch, Professor Dumbledore turned to Nicolas and said in a serious tone, "As much as I have enjoyed our conversation, I need to speak to you in private."

I watched in frustration as they headed to the back of the house, where Nicolas had an office. I knew this had to be when Professor Dumbledore asked for the stone, and I wanted to hear what he had to say.

While Mum and Perenelle were distracted, I casually made my way out of the room. I snuck inside the room next to Nicolas's office. I had a perfect spell in mind to let me hear what was being said.

I pulled out my wand and softly muttered, "Auditus."

I winced as every sound magnified. I could hear both Nicolas and Dumbledore, as well as Mum and Perenelle speaking. I did my best to blot out and ignore Mum and Perenelle and focus on the conversation in the next room.

"Are you sure?" Nicolas whispered.

Dumbledore sighed, "Yes, I've been seeing signs and whispers of his return. I'm not sure how he will do it, but he is coming."

"How is that possible? I thought he was dead." Nicolas asked.

"I have my suspicions on how he survived the night his power was broken. But, he was never dead. He merely fled and has been biding his time. I don't believe it's a coincidence that he will be returning soon. Harry will be returning to the magical world, and I think that Voldemort is unable to resist meeting him."

"What does this have anything to do with me? I hope you aren't here to ask me to teach at Hogwarts. I'm far too old to deal with all of that nonsense."

Dumbledore chuckled for a moment, "I wouldn't dream of it, my friend. Besides, I've already filled the post with a young wizard named Quirinus Quirrell."

In a more severe tone, Dumbledore continued, "No, I'm afraid I'm here to give a warning and a plea. I am convinced that Voldemort will target you, or more specifically, your stone. It offers him the most straightforward return to his former power. It is absolutely critical that this does not happen. Harry will need time to grow before he can face Voldemort at the height of his powers."

Nicolas grunted, "So, he is the chosen one then. I had wondered."

After a moment of silence, Nicolas questioned, "Where will you keep the stone?"

Dumbledore let out a sigh of relief, "For now, at Gringotts."

Nicolas replied, "Why not keep it? Voldemort always seemed reluctant to face you, and I'm sure the last thing he would want is to face you when he is at his weakest."

"There are a few reasons. One, I am not infallible. Also, I will make sure a few rumors get out that I stored something valuable. I need to draw out whoever is helping Voldemort. I am sure whoever is helping him will be unable to help himself and will make a move."

"But, you will be taking a big risk with the stone." Nicolas pointed out.

Dumbledore sighed, "I know, but there are a few steps I can do to minimize the risk."

Silence filled the room again, and for a moment, I thought my spell wore off. Then Nicolas let out a heavy sigh, "Fine, I trust you know what you are doing."

Hearing that their conversation seemed to be near the end, I canceled the hearing spell and snuck back out to the living room where Mum and Perenelle were speaking.

When Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas returned, their expressions were sober. Professor Dumbledore made his excuses and soon left us behind. I couldn't help but wonder what steps he was going to take to secure the stone in Gringotts.

I had always found it curious that Quirrell and Voldemort broke in on the same day that Hagrid had removed the stone from vault 713. Was it a coincidence? The more I thought about it, the more I doubted it. Professor Dumbledore must have learned that it wasn't safe somehow and moved it.

We didn't spend too much longer at the Flamels. Nicolas seemed to be lost in thought, but he did invite me to return and spend time with him in his lab as much as I wanted to.

The following month was fun. When I wasn't at the Flamels, I spent my time exploring Paris and seeing Place Cachée. It was the French version of Diagon Alley and could be accessed through a magical bronze statue.

One day, when exploring Place Cachée, I noticed a familiar shop name, Lancaster's Apothecary. I knew Anna's Mum ran a very successful Apothecary. I just didn't realize that it was international.

I made a note to seek her out when I got home. While Dad was a great enchanter, his shop was rather small compared to the Nimbus Broom Racing Company. If we were going to take on an international company, we would need some advice from someone who had such a business.

Soon enough, it was time to head home. Personally, I was grateful, I had finished reading all of Ignatia's work and was eager to get back home, so I could sneak back into Hogwarts and get some more books. Plus, I think Dad was going a little stir crazy. He had left his employees in charge of the shop, and I could tell he was anxious to return to work.

Ever since the portkey incident, he had thrown himself into his work on the Firebolt. I think I was starting to mess with the timeline because he was acting like he was going to be ready to launch within a year. After a little mental math, I figured that would be around the time the Nimbus 2001 was released.

I just wish I could do everything Delvin put me through, I wanted to contribute something to the firebolt project, even if it was a single spell. With the knowledge that Rowena Ravenclaw left behind, I was curious to see if I could invent a spell that would help with the Firebolt project.

To that end, I decided that I would go to York, a nearby muggle town. Although I don't remember my past life, I knew that muggles were smart with their technology. Perhaps I can find a book in one of their bookstores that deal with their way of flying. Although most wizards won't admit it, seeing muggle planes fly so high in the sky is impressive. Maybe, I will be inspired.

I knew Mum would have her doubts about letting me go alone, so I waited until she took the twins shopping before I made my move. After putting on the hider bracer that gave me a plain appearance of an adult, and snuck out to Diagon Alley. I knew I needed to get some muggle money, so I went to Gringotts.

Before I entered, I made sure to stow away my bracer. It would have been the height of stupidity to visit Gringotts with a false appearance. Not only would I be discovered, but I'm also pretty sure the goblins would be pissed.

The goblins at Gringotts were interesting. Most wizards rarely paid them attention, but I had noticed some odd facts. Anytime I had been inside with my family, a goblin by the name Garnock, was the one who dealt with us. It made me wonder how goblins ran Gringotts and how they determined who dealt with who.

As I admired the massive stone architecture, I could feel subtle magic pulsing within. It wasn't a big surprise. Goblins were great at enchanting earthly materials. Every wizard knows it's foolish to challenge goblins within their underground lairs. Many arrogant witches and wizards in the past goblin wars were killed when they tried to fight underground.

Soon, I saw Garnock approach. He was about half my height and had long slender fingers, a pointed nose, slanted pitch-black eyes. I could always recognize him because he had a habit of wearing a pointed hat with a silver hammer etched on it.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Fawley?" He rasped in a scratchy tone. "I'm afraid that if you need to visit your vault, you will need to wait till you come of age, or bring one of your parents."

I shook my head and reached into my coin pouch and pulled out some galleons. "I've heard that I can exchange this for some muggle money."

Garnock's dark eyes flicked from me to the gold, "I'm sure we can come to an arrangement." He said with a sinister smile that revealed sharp pointed teeth.

As I left Gringotts, I was sure I had gotten ripped off. There was entirely too much smugness in Garnock's eyes by the end of our transaction. I made another mental note to start learning Gobbledegook, the goblin language. I had a feeling that I would be dealing with more goblins in the future, and it will be useful to speak their language.

Once outside, I slipped the bracer back on and made my way back home through the communal fireplace in Diagon Alley. Once I was back, I headed out to the main road, where I summoned the Knight Bus to take me to York.

After the third time of being thrown on the floor, I finally understood the annoyance of the main cast. I didn't want to chance casting a sticking charm out in public. It was one thing to ignore the trace in a magical home, but it was another to do it in public.

When the bus finally stopped, I couldn't wait to get off. As I looked around, none of the muggles seemed to notice the Knight Bus as it took off with a bang.

The last month in Paris has given me a lot of experience wandering around the muggle world without drawing attention. After some wandering around, I found a bookstore. Once I explained what I was looking for, the elderly lady who ran the store directed me to the far end of the store.

It didn't take long for me to find what I was looking for. While waiting in line, I ran my fingers over the picture of a muggle airplane on the outside of the book. Once it was my turn, the elderly women read the title and smiled, "Are you interested in learning how to fly?"

I smiled, "Something like that."

As I walked out of the store, I reflected that if this book didn't inspire me, no muggle book would. After all, the book was titled, The Mechanics of Flight.