Chapter 64: Nicolas Flamel and the Philosopher's Stone
When Hagrid prompted him, Ethan said, "You're right, Hagrid. What the eyes see isn't always the truth.
Hermione, you only saw Snape staring at Harry and muttering something, but can you be sure there wasn't another person staring at him, also reciting something?"
Hermione didn't agree. She questioned Ethan angrily, "Then how do you explain that Harry's broom returned to normal after I set Snape's robes on fire?"
"Are you sure you didn't do anything else during this period?" Ethan once again acted like an annoying riddler. He didn't want to reveal Voldemort possessing Quirrell yet.
"I'm sure!" Hermione recalled and answered firmly.
"Then stick to your judgment." Ethan didn't reveal more to avoid her overthinking.
Harry still wanted to know what Fluffy was guarding. After much coaxing and prodding, Hagrid inadvertently revealed a name: Nicolas Flamel.
Harry wanted to continue asking, but was stopped by Hermione. Hermione gave him a look.
Knowing Hermione's scholarly nature, he dropped it and started drinking tea, chatting about other topics.
Hagrid also breathed a sigh of relief and urged them to eat and drink more enthusiastically.
On the way back to the castle from Hagrid's hut, Hermione, who was studying Alchemy, told the others about Nicolas Flamel's life.
"Nicolas Flamel is a very famous alchemist. He is the first and last person to refine the Philosopher's Stone.
The Philosopher's Stone can turn any metal into pure gold and also create the Elixir of Life, making people who drink this potion immortal. It was with this potion that he celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year."
"Turn stone into gold?!" "Immortal?!" Harry and Ron focused on completely different things.
Harry was thoughtful; everything made sense. "So, Snape is after the Philosopher's Stone."
Hermione nodded. "I think so. And it's written on Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog card that he and Nicolas Flamel are partners and have achieved remarkable results in Alchemy."
"In the book The Development of Medieval Alchemy, there are more detailed accounts of Nicolas. If you're interested, I could lend it to you."
"No thanks. We just need to know what Fluffy's guarding." Recalling how Hermione had devoured those thick volumes, Harry declined without hesitation.
Ron, meanwhile, was lost in fantasies of what he could buy with the Philosopher's Stone. Never again needing to wear his brothers' hand-me-downs.
Ron spoke with longing. "If only we could get the Philosopher's Stone, we'd have endless money and live forever."
"Don't get your hopes up. There's only one Philosopher's Stone in existence. Do you think others won't want it too? Immortality is what everyone craves, but right now, the only ones who've survived to this day using the Elixir of Life are Nicolas Flamel and his wife."
Ethan's words shattered his fantasy, leaving Ron somewhat disgruntled.
"You Slytherin troublemaker, you must have ulterior motives. Especially you, hanging around Snape like that and defending him just now." He cursed internally but said nothing aloud.
Hermione was still going on endlessly about Nicolas Flamel's alchemical achievements, but Ron couldn't listen anymore. His mind was full of thoughts about getting his hands on the Philosopher's Stone and what he'd do with it once he had it.
"I don't need to keep it forever," he thought, "just long enough to conjure some gold."
Though Ethan's words had been unpleasant, Ron had to admit one thing: something like the Philosopher's Stone truly was beyond the reach of ordinary people. But it was right there in front of him now, practically within arm's reach. Couldn't he at least daydream about it?
Harry was longing for it too. He didn't need wealth, and he certainly didn't need immortality at his age. But the thought of foiling Snape's scheme filled him with excitement.
"If I could get solid evidence to drive Snape out of this school," he thought, "that would be brilliant."
Hermione wanted the Philosopher's Stone too, if she was being honest. But she didn't want to turn stone into gold, and she didn't want immortality either. As someone dedicated to studying Alchemy, she hoped to get close to this legendary work, the pinnacle of alchemical achievement, and perhaps go even further—to analyze it and replicate it.
"If I could create a Philosopher's Stone," she thought, "I could call myself the second greatest alchemist in history, second only to Nicolas Flamel, the first person to refine the Philosopher's Stone."
Perhaps among the four of them, Ethan longed for it the least. He knew perfectly well that Dumbledore had arranged everything long ago. The man wouldn't let anyone actually use the Philosopher's Stone to gain anything.
That afternoon, Ethan continued following Snape to learn about potions, while the other three—who had just uncovered such a major secret—searched the library for more information about Nicolas Flamel.
Perhaps the burning of the robe that morning had made Snape very unhappy. In Potions class, whenever Ethan made a tiny mistake, Snape would ridicule him in the most sarcastic tone.
Ethan knew Snape was unhappy and didn't talk back or argue like before. He simply became more cautious, striving not to give Snape an opening.
After Potions class that afternoon, Ethan left the dungeon with pockets full of useful knowledge and the unpleasantness of having been scolded.
After evening self-study, Ethan released various spells recklessly by the Black Lake to vent his emotions.
"Much better." Looking at the pitted grass, he used a Reparo to restore all the land to level ground, but he was powerless to fix the scorched and blown-off grass.
Fortunately, it was already November. The flowers were withered and the grass yellow, so there wasn't much need for restoration.
In the spell practice the next day, Harry and Ron arrived late with dark circles under their eyes. The two yawned and practiced spells listlessly.
Ron also deliberately stayed away from Ethan, not wanting to get too close to this bad influence.
Even Hermione noticed Ron's behavior, let alone Ethan.
So when resting in Hagrid's wooden hut, Ethan chatted with Hagrid and Hermione most of the time, occasionally responding to Harry. As for Ron, he didn't say a word to him.
This obvious differential treatment made Ron furious, but he could only curse him in his heart.
After all, compared to Ethan, Ron was inferior in every way:
In terms of strength, one easily killed a Troll, while the other ran away being chased; in terms of wealth, one casually took out several Galleons to ask Hagrid to buy candy, while the other used his brother's old wand; looks were not worth mentioning, there was no comparability at all.
In this tragic contrast, where would Ron even get the confidence to confront him head-on?
Moreover, even if Ron really chose to be reckless, what reason would he have? Supporting Snape and thinking he didn't harm Harry?
So, Ron's behavior was just impotent rage.
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