Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Azeroth

Chapter 219, Section 218: A Gathering of the Elderly and Nicolas Flamel
“You know, Harry, Nico is an excellent alchemist, and he is extremely skilled at making these magical items,” Dumbledore explained in a low voice.

“Hmm, it’s really interesting,” Harry said, looking around the banquet hall with great interest.

Tables, chairs, brooms, teapots, teacups... those little things that are everywhere in life seem to have their own life—they really have eyes and mouths, can see things, can talk—and can even joke with the guests they are serving.

It perfectly matches the scenes in Muggle fairy tales.

“Welcome to the gathering of old men and women, Harry,” Dumbledore said, patting Harry on the shoulder. “I must admit it’s a bit difficult to find someone your age for this kind of gathering, but I guess you won’t mind.”

“You’re right, I’d rather be killed than have to soothe children,” Harry said with a smile. “I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to introduce me to Dumbledore.”

“Of course, let’s go over there first,” Dumbledore gestured toward the window. “Kemal, he used to be a Silenced in the Department of Mysteries. In terms of his knowledge of magical secrets, he far surpasses me. You should be able to learn a lot from him.”

“Indeed,” Harry said with deep agreement, “the wisdom of elders is the most precious treasure.”

“Then you have indeed discovered a vein of wisdom today. After all, in terms of age, we are all the fruits of wisdom,” Dumbledore burst into laughter.

Everything was pretty much as Dumbledore had said on the way. It was just a Christmas gathering of old friends who hadn't seen each other for years. They were all friends approved by Nicolas Flamel, so there were no rules or regulations like those outside, and no one looked down on Harry because he was too young.

“Actually, this gathering was started because of you, Harry,” Ogden said after taking a sip of red wine. “Otherwise, why would all of us old folks, who are everywhere, gather together for Christmas?”

"Because of me?" Harry had a vague idea of ​​what was going on. "Because of elemental magic?"

“And your soul magic,” Madam Marchban, whom Harry had met before, said in a hoarse voice. “You know, Harry, the word ‘soul’ is too heavy. Wizengamo held more than ten meetings to discuss whether your magic was against the rules.”

"Thank you," Harry said to Dumbledore. "I know it was you who helped me."

“Oh, you’re welcome, Harry,” Dumbledore said casually. “It’s something we all want to see done justly. I’ve been called a senile old man by many people, and I can’t do anything senile again.”

"Damn it, Albus, do you think we're your students?" Ogden said irritably. "Everyone here today knows what kind of person you are. Why are you trying to play the victim with these ridiculous words? Here, I have to give you another drink."

Dumbledore: "..."

"Don't worry, Dumbledore, even if you're drunk, Fawkes will get you home safely," Harry said, suppressing a laugh as he saw Dumbledore turn his gaze to him.

This is the consequence of showing off in front of your friends.

Fox let out a cheerful, clear chirp.

Good! This guy who mixed honey into his herbs deserves a severe punishment!
“You certainly deserve to be punished,” Marchban said with a smile, filling Dumbledore’s glass to the brim. “You’re talking about things from the past, Albus. Haven’t you noticed? Rita Skeeter seems to have suddenly become a different person. She hasn’t mentioned in the newspapers that you’re senile in a long time.”

“Well, I misspoke,” Dumbledore said with a helpless expression, picking up his glass. “But Lady Skeeter has indeed changed a lot—do you have any clues, Harry?”

In the end, Dumbledore's gaze towards Harry became quite meaningful.

“Maybe she suddenly had a change of heart,” Harry said, stroking his chin. “People are always changing, aren’t they? Maybe she encountered something that touched her soul, moved her deeply, and then made a change—anything is possible.”

“…That’s a good thing.” Without asking any further questions, Dumbledore simply shook his head slightly.

It was obvious that Dumbledore had guessed something. After learning about the old man's past, Harry also knew that Dumbledore couldn't possibly believe that Rita would suddenly have a change of heart.

In short, as long as Dumbledore didn't continue to emphasize his theory that power shouldn't be abused, Harry still disagreed with that statement.

How can something that guides people towards good be considered an abuse?

The gathering of elderly people was much more relaxed than Harry had expected. The music was soothing, the dancing was slow-paced, and the food and drinks were served to them. The only occasional heated discussions took place in some corners, but overall it was a peaceful gathering.

Harry, in particular, even had the feeling that he was back at Hogwarts, teaching his apprentices.

As the only young person present, Harry naturally attracted the most attention, especially after he sat down with Dumbledore. Every now and then, older wizards and witches would come over to greet him and watch the spectacle. And when some wizards who hadn't interacted with the outside world for a long time learned who Harry was and what achievements he had made, this corner of the hall inexplicably turned into a small classroom.

Ha used the simplest methods possible to demonstrate elemental and soul magic to the curious wizards and witches. He then answered the questions that wizards who already knew of the existence of shamans and had begun to study this new magic might encounter while trying to communicate with the elements.

As a French wizard, and an old wizard who had lived for hundreds of years, Nicolas Flamel's wide circle of friends goes without saying. Those who came to the party were not only wizards from England and France, but also wizards from the United States and other countries.

Harry didn't lose out either. These old wizards each possessed unique skills. While asking Harry questions, they would also leave behind their insights into magical research, experimental notes, and hypothetical ideas.

This was all very valuable knowledge, so much so that Harry felt a little regretful when Dumbledore forcibly pulled him away from the group of old men and women.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that, Harry,” Dumbledore said with a chuckle. “I suppose you haven’t forgotten the person you most want to see, have you?”

“Nico Flamel?” Harry raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, come with me,” Dumbledore said, leading the way. “Nicole’s health has been deteriorating ever since he decided to give up the Philosopher’s Stone.”

“That’s amazing,” Harry exclaimed. “To be able to give up eternal life, not out of some noble cause like world peace, but because it was your own choice—many people can’t do that.”

“Oh, although your understanding might be a little off, Nico would be very happy if he knew you viewed him this way… We’re here.” Dumbledore pushed open the door. It was a very ornately decorated room, or as the British would say, very French, with a thick carpet on the floor and gilded windows that revealed the wind and snow blowing in from outside. However, Harry had a vague feeling that something was amiss, but after looking around again, he found that there was nothing sharp or razor-sharp in the room.

The edges of the tables and chairs were all wrapped in velvet, and even the edges of the windowsills were covered with velvet.

"Harry Potter?" An old man dressed in a plain robe, with white hair and no beard, took small, shaky steps and stood up from his chair.

“It’s me,” Harry said. “Mr. Flamel?”

“Yes, it’s me,” Nicolas Flamel’s laughter sounded unusually weak. “Sorry, Harry, are you surprised?”

“A bit,” Harry thought for a moment and said, “much weaker than I thought. I thought old wizards were all like Dumbledore and the other old wizards outside.”

“Wait, Harry, are you implying I’m fat?” Dumbledore interjected. “That’s quite an accusation for an old man.”

“Of course not, you’re just… bigger,” Harry said, suppressing a laugh.

He is indeed strong. To put it simply, if you cut Dumbledore vertically, then only half of his flesh and bones would be enough to support Nicolas Flamel... And it's not just Dumbledore; many wizards outside who are over a hundred years old also look quite strong.

Nicolas Flamel, on the other hand, could only be described as emaciated. There was no excess flesh or fat on his face or arms; it was as if only a thin layer of skin covered his bones.

“Hahahahahaha,” Nico laughed heartily. “You really need to eat less sweets, Albus.”

“That won’t do,” Dumbledore said without hesitation. “Never mind my business, Nico. I’ve brought the person you want to see.”

"Thank you, please have a seat. Would you like something to drink?" Nicole asked, trembling as she extended her hand.

"Clear water is fine."

"Honey water."

Harry and Dumbledore spoke separately, and Nico didn't need to do it himself. A pair of exquisite porcelain teapots and teacups hopped over to the group and then filled them themselves.

“If you think I would look better if you had seen me last year, then I must tell you, Harry, you are wrong.” Despite being hundreds of years old, Nicolas Flamel spoke with no trace of age. “When we stopped taking the Elixir of Immortality last year, Perenel and I were in even worse shape than we are now… Ah, Perenel is my beloved.”

"They have a very good relationship," Dumbledore whispered, covering his mouth with a hand.

“Thank you, Albus, I can hear you, but Perenel isn’t feeling well right now, so I can’t let her come out to see you,” Nico said with a smile. “Anyway, you’ve seen what I look like now, Harry. Are you scared? This withered body, this aged face—since last year, I’ve even had to wrap the room in soft things, otherwise, if Perenel and I were to fall, we would be seriously injured.”

“Are you trying to warn me against misusing the Philosopher's Stone?” Harry said calmly. “I haven’t even begun to study the stone yet, if you’d like—”

“No, no, no, of course I don’t want to retrieve the Philosopher’s Stone,” Nico waved her hand slightly and said, “You’re Albus’s favorite student right now. I don’t know if he prefers you more, the one he liked decades ago or the one he liked now—”

"Nicole?" Dumbledore reminded him with a helpless expression.

“Oh, sorry,” Nico said with a smile, “I mean, since Albus trusts you, I will trust you too. He rarely misjudges a person.”

“I think you can fast forward to the magic issue, Nico,” Dumbledore interjected again. “I know you want to advise Harry based on your experience, but actually, I only learned today that Harry has another way to achieve immortality.”

"Another one?" Although he looked very weak, Nico rubbed his hands excitedly; he loved this topic. "Through what? A potion? A spell? Ritual magic? Or even a curse?"

“A shaman who is proficient in the ways of the elements can ascend his flesh and blood into an elemental body, and from then on he can live as an elemental life form until he is killed,” Harry explained.

"You've already done it?" Nicole asked.

“Yes, but there’s no need,” Harry shook his head slightly. “I’m not tired of flesh and blood yet, and I find the aesthetics of the elements hard to accept.”

“Elements…” Nico seemed a little lost in thought. “Wait a moment.”

As he spoke, the withered old man took small steps into the room next door and soon came out carrying a box.

"Come and see this little guy," Nico said happily, placing the box on the table.

As he spoke, a pair of grayish-silver hands gripped the edge of the box, and a small creature, no bigger than the palm of a hand, crawled out of the box. It was translucent, like mercury, but much darker, like water, yet more viscous, like molten metal.

"What is this?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

“A little life suddenly appearing in the house,” Nico said happily. “If you use up that Philosopher’s Stone, Harry, you’ll find it turns out like this.”

Nico took a stone out of his pocket and placed it on the table. It was irregularly shaped, semi-transparent, and its color was not much different from the little thing next to it.

"You mean—this is a used Philosopher's Stone that has turned into an elemental spirit?" Harry asked, somewhat surprised.

"Elemental Spirit? Is that what it should be called?" Nicole asked curiously.

(End of this chapter)