Chapter 28 – An Invitation from Nicolas Flamel
Headmaster Dumbledore sat behind his enormous desk with his usual warm smile. His blue eyes were calm and gentle as they rested on Leo.
"My boy, I apologize for keeping you waiting," Dumbledore said kindly. "The paperwork at Hogwarts is enough to give any old wizard a headache."
He set down his quill and stretched slightly, clearly stiff from sitting so long. Resting his chin lazily on one hand, he reached toward a strange pile of Cockroach Clusters nearby and popped one into his mouth with complete satisfaction.
Leo stood very still.
At that moment, he was trying harder than ever to keep his mind completely blank.
No thoughts.
No memories.
Nothing.
After all, sitting before him was one of the greatest Legilimens in the wizarding world.
"No, Headmaster Dumbledore," Leo replied carefully. "It's only been a few minutes."
Then, after a tiny pause, he added, "Professor McGonagall said you wanted to see me after class. Is something important happening?"
"Nothing world-shaking," Dumbledore assured him gently.
Noticing Leo's slightly tense posture, Dumbledore casually waved his wand.
One of the Cockroach Clusters floated into the air and transformed smoothly into an elegant teacup before drifting toward Leo.
"Would you like something to drink?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly. "Tea? Milk?"
"Milk, please," Leo answered quickly.
At once, the teapot on the desk tipped itself gracefully. Rich black tea began pouring from the spout—
Only to transform midway into fresh milk before landing perfectly inside Leo's cup.
Leo couldn't help staring.
The precision of the magic was beautiful.
Transfiguration layered seamlessly atop a charm.
Effortless.
Meanwhile, several portraits hanging nearby had become interested in the conversation.
"He's quite a lovely child," one elderly witch remarked approvingly.
Another former Headmaster nodded.
"Yes. Hopefully he'll bring some new life to Hogwarts."
"Quiet down," an older witch scolded calmly. "Let Albus speak."
Dumbledore smiled faintly.
"My boy," he said, "these are some of the former Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts. This is Headmistress Dilys Derwent, and over there is Headmistress Eupraxia Mole."
Leo politely greeted each portrait.
Then Dumbledore's expression became slightly more thoughtful.
"I asked Minerva to send you here because there's something I wished to give you."
He paused briefly.
"A letter."
Leo blinked.
"A letter?"
"From my old friend," Dumbledore continued calmly. "Nicolas Flamel."
The portraits around the office immediately burst into whispers.
The moment Leo heard the name Nicolas Flamel, genuine shock surged through him.
Of course he knew who Nicolas Flamel was.
The legendary alchemist.
Creator of the Philosopher's Stone.
One of the greatest magical scholars in history.
But Leo had never met him.
So why—
Why would Nicolas Flamel send him a letter?
Dumbledore calmly picked up a tightly sealed envelope from the desk and handed it over.
Leo accepted it carefully.
The instant his fingers touched the parchment, he had to consciously steady his hands.
His confusion deepened rapidly.
And beneath that confusion lay something else entirely.
Fear.
Because seated directly before him was Albus Dumbledore, a wizard capable of peering into minds.
"Child," Dumbledore said softly, "you seem nervous."
His deep blue eyes peered over his half-moon spectacles with unsettling gentleness.
Leo immediately forced himself to remain calm.
"I'm only surprised, Headmaster," he answered honestly enough.
Inside, however, he was screaming.
Nervous?
No.
Terrified.
Dumbledore studied him quietly before nodding.
Truthfully, even Dumbledore himself had been curious when Nicolas Flamel entrusted him with the letter. According to Flamel, one of Leo's ancestors had once shared an extraordinarily deep bond with him.
A life-and-death bond.
After learning that the descendant of that person had entered Hogwarts, Flamel had immediately asked Dumbledore to deliver the message personally.
"Nicolas Flamel is an old and trustworthy friend," Dumbledore said. "Before you read the letter, though, I'm curious. How much do you know about him?"
Without hesitation, Dumbledore grabbed another Cockroach Cluster and cheerfully stuffed it into his mouth.
"Would you like one?"
"No thank you," Leo replied immediately while staring at one of the twitching chocolate legs sticking out from Dumbledore's mouth. "I think they might be a little too sweet for me."
Honestly, Leo could not understand why anyone would invent Cockroach Clusters.
He quickly looked away before his stomach rebelled entirely.
"As for Nicolas Flamel," Leo continued carefully, "I know he's one of the greatest alchemists in history and the creator of the Philosopher's Stone. I've read some of his theories and writings in older books. They taught me quite a lot about the foundations of alchemy."
He glanced down at the envelope in his hands.
"But beyond that, I don't know very much personally."
"What a pity," Dumbledore said mildly while eating yet another Cockroach Cluster with alarming enthusiasm.
Then he folded his hands beneath his chin and studied Leo closely.
"Nicolas Flamel's knowledge and experiences are treasures beyond value in the wizarding world," Dumbledore said slowly. "I suspect this letter may bring some rather unexpected changes into your life, my boy."
His voice carried an oddly prophetic tone.
The office fell silent.
Even the portraits stopped speaking.
Only the faint snoring of the Sorting Hat could still be heard.
Leo finally lowered his gaze toward the envelope itself.
To the Descendant of Ambrose—
The words immediately sent another wave of confusion through him.
Leo looked up cautiously toward Dumbledore.
Then back at the envelope.
After several seconds of hesitation, he carefully broke the wax seal.
Dumbledore watched quietly as Leo unfolded the letter.
Over the past several days, he had already heard numerous professors praising Leo's talent. They described exceptional magical insight, frightening adaptability, and practical ability far beyond that of a normal first-year student.
More importantly—
Despite being a Slytherin, Leo treated Gryffindor students fairly and kindly.
And during flying lessons earlier that day, he had risked himself to save Neville and Harry without hesitation.
Talent.
Kindness.
Courage.
The combination reminded Dumbledore painfully of someone else.
Someone brilliant whose life had ultimately become tragic.
Leo slowly unfolded the parchment.
The paper itself carried a faint magical aura.
Then he began reading.
My dear child,
When you receive this letter, you are likely very surprised.
To be honest, I was equally surprised.
By chance, I recently learned from an old friend about a child who strongly resembled Ambrose. The resemblance gave me a powerful intuition that this child must be one of his descendants.
Through certain magical methods and much effort, I eventually confirmed your identity and learned that you had entered the magical world.
Your ancestor, Ambrose, once shared a deep and life-threatening bond with me.
If you possess any interest in alchemy, then as someone who has achieved modest success in that field, I believe I may still have something worth teaching you.
You may ask Albus Dumbledore to reply on your behalf. I believe he will gladly help this old man after the rather significant favor I recently did for him.
— Nicolas Flamel
Leo's eyes widened instantly.
His entire expression nearly shattered from shock.
Inside his mind, only one thought exploded repeatedly.
His bizarre ancestor actually knew Nicolas Flamel personally?
Not only knew him—
They apparently shared a life-and-death relationship.
And now Nicolas Flamel himself was offering to teach him alchemy.
Personally.
Leo nearly lost control of his expression completely.
Only after several seconds did he finally realize Dumbledore was watching him carefully from behind the desk.
He immediately forced himself to calm down.
Too late.
"Judging by your expression," Dumbledore said mildly, "the letter was rather surprising."
"Yes," Leo admitted honestly while struggling to suppress his excitement. "I never imagined my ancestor knew Nicolas Flamel... let alone that they were so close."
He swallowed hard.
"And he actually offered to teach me alchemy."
Even saying the words aloud felt unreal.
"I apologize, Headmaster," Leo added quickly while lowering his head slightly. "I lost my composure."
To the portraits watching nearby, Leo suddenly looked oddly like a shy child overwhelmed with emotion.
"What a wonderful boy," Dilys Derwent sighed dramatically. "And he ended up in Slytherin? What a waste."
"Merlin's beard," another portrait muttered.
"Perhaps we should transfer him to Ravenclaw," Eupraxia Mole suggested thoughtfully.
....
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