Chapter 101: Visiting Nicolas Flamel
Early the next morning, while enjoying Lala's breakfast, Cyril handed a key to Albert. "This is the key to the ancestral home. I haven't reactivated the Muggle-Repelling Charm at the entrance, so you can come and go as you please."
Albert took the key and nodded.
After breakfast, the four of them headed out.
Albert and Sofia had been to Paris many times, so they planned to visit the Champs-Élysées first today.
Ethan and Cyril, however, were heading to the Marais district this morning to see Nicolas Flamel before meeting up with them later.
The couple left first in a car arranged by Cyril.
"All right, let's go, too." Cyril led Ethan to another car.
Once they were inside, Ethan wanted to ask more about Nicolas Flamel, but Cyril stopped him.
"Muggle?" Ethan asked in a low voice.
Cyril nodded. Ethan fell silent and closed his eyes to rest.
"The driver of the car that took your parents is a wizard. You met him yesterday. But out of all the wizards serving the Shafiq family, he's the only one who knows how to drive, so our driver today is a Muggle," Cyril explained once they got out of the car.
Ethan nodded, watching as Cyril walked toward a residence he couldn't see.
Ethan thought to himself, Fidelius Charm again.
A moment later, Cyril came out holding a slip of paper.
It read: "The residence of Nicolas Flamel is located at 51 Rue de Montmorency, Paris, 3rd arrondissement."
After reading the note, Ethan looked up and saw Nicolas Flamel's residence right in front of him.
"See it?"
Ethan nodded. Cyril took the note from his hand and burned it, watching it crumble into ash. Some of the ash vanished, while Cyril collected the rest to dispose of elsewhere.
They passed through the historic wooden door and an archway illuminated by faerie fire, entering a spacious, high-ceilinged living room.
Nicolas Flamel, wrinkled and frail, slowly stood with an apologetic expression. "I'm not very mobile these days, so I didn't come out to greet you. Please forgive me."
Standing beside him was his wife, Perenelle, whose hair was also white.
The slightly stooped old woman smiled kindly and nodded in welcome.
Facing these two elders, both over six hundred years old, Ethan made sure to show proper respect. He exchanged polite greetings as he walked briskly toward them.
Nicolas reached out to shake Ethan's hand as he approached.
Cyril had greeted Nicolas earlier and seemed quite familiar with the place. Once Ethan finished exchanging pleasantries with Nicolas, Cyril guided him to a seat.
Nicolas smiled, his eyes narrowing. "I heard Dumbledore speak of you recently. Thank you for helping me protect the Philosopher's Stone."
Ethan didn't know exactly what Dumbledore had told Nicolas, but judging by that remark, Dumbledore probably hadn't recounted the scene exactly as it happened.
However, since Ethan didn't know what Dumbledore had left out, he could only sidestep the issue. "Not at all. All credit goes to Harry Potter. He was the one who defeated Voldemort."
"You're too modest. Saying that name out loud takes guts, though it's best to use a euphemism around here. Older folks can't handle the shock."
Despite his words, Nicolas's expression remained unchanged. It made sense. After more than six hundred years, what hadn't he seen?
Ethan nodded. When Nicolas turned to Cyril, Ethan picked up a cup of oddly flavored tea, presumably made by a house-elf, and sipped it slowly while listening to Cyril chat with the couple.
"How does it taste?" Nicolas asked happily, seeing that Ethan didn't seem to mind the drink.
"It's alright. Quite an interesting experience."
"Haha, this is a health drink that Perenelle and I drink every day to stay healthy. Many people can't stomach the taste, especially young people like you."
Looking at the untouched health drink in front of Cyril, Ethan had to admit that Nicolas was telling the truth.
However, as he listened, Ethan suddenly remembered what Dumbledore had told him: immortality from the Philosopher's Stone comes with a price.
Based on the movie and the Flamens' behavior, he had roughly deduced that one flaw of the Elixir of Life produced by the Philosopher's Stone was that it preserved life but not youth.
Given Nicolas's open-minded attitude toward life, Ethan guessed he wouldn't take offense. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "So the Elixir of Life only grants longevity, not eternal youth, correct?"
Nicolas was indeed open-minded. He kept his kind smile. "That's correct. That's why I've already agreed with Dumbledore to destroy the Philosopher's Stone and embark on the great adventure of death with Perenelle."
"You say death is a great adventure. Do you know what the world after death looks like? I once asked the school ghosts, but they refused to say," Ethan couldn't help but ask.
"Is that so? Then I can only tell you that the world after death is equally wonderful, provided you can keep going."
Seeing that Nicolas didn't want to continue, Ethan stopped asking.
Before coming to France, he had asked someone to appraise the gold coins Dumbledore had helped transmute. They were indeed pure gold, just like ordinary gold.
So Ethan began discussing alchemy with him.
"Alchemy is actually a form of magic based on the principle of equivalent exchange. As you said, when the Philosopher's Stone transmutes metal into gold, it consumes some of the Stone's power. Although this consumption is negligible compared to the Stone's total energy, over time it becomes noticeable. You see, when I first created the Philosopher's Stone, it was the size of my two fists. Now, as you've seen, this is what's left after hundreds of years."
"Then why can't you make another Philosopher's Stone?" Ethan asked curiously.
Nicolas laughed. "I could, but it's not necessary. One Philosopher's Stone has already caused enough trouble, let alone more. Besides, creating the Stone isn't easy. After the first, I tried to make more, but they all failed. It wasn't until a hundred years ago, when I successfully created a small one, that I finally understood the method. I didn't need any more Stones, so I destroyed it. I originally planned to take this secret to my grave, but now it doesn't matter. In another two or three years, once Perenelle and I settle our affairs, it will be time for us to face our deaths."
Cyril hadn't been in France recently, and since he had arranged the visit only by letter, he didn't know about their plans. Hearing this, he smiled. "Then wait for me. I might just beat you there."
"Then let's agree to meet on the next great adventure," Nicolas said with a smile.
After chatting a while longer, Cyril and Ethan stood up to say goodbye.
Nicolas exchanged a look with Perenelle and stopped them. "Wait a moment. I have something for you."
A moment later, Nicolas returned holding a small bag.
"What is this, Monsieur Flamel?" Ethan looked at the small, dark red leather bag, which appeared to be made of dragon hide and covered in intricate patterns.
"Earlier in our conversation, you mentioned wanting to become a Potions Master, so I've included a vial of the Elixir of Life for your research."
He paused. "In addition, I've included some of my alchemy notes. Feel free to use them as you see fit. I had intended to ask Dumbledore to help me find a successor, but since you have friends who are interested in alchemy as well, I think they could inherit some of my knowledge."
Ethan looked solemn as he accepted the bag with both hands. "Thank you for your trust. I will find someone worthy to inherit your legacy."
"No need for that. Once I'm dead, does it matter who inherits my legacy?" Nicolas didn't seem to care much about what he'd leave behind.
Leaving Nicolas Flamel's home, the two got into the car and drove to the Champs-Élysées.
When Ethan caught up with them, Sofia was picking out clothes at Louis Vuitton.
"You're just in time. I think this one would suit you perfectly. Go try it on and let me see." As soon as Ethan entered the store, his mother held up several outfits, sizing him up.
Ethan didn't really care about clothes, but seeing how enthusiastic Sofia was about picking them out for him, he obediently headed to the fitting room.
"That looks really good. Try this one too." While he was changing, Sofia picked out a few more for him.
Finally, Ethan walked out of the store carrying four or five bags.
After stowing the clothes in the already half-full trunk, Sofia dragged him off to Gucci, Hermès, and other stores, buying even more.
Ethan leaned in and said quietly to Albert, "Mom bought so many clothes. I hardly ever wear them except when I come home for the holidays."
"As long as she's happy," his father replied simply.
After hitting those clothing stores, the four of them found a restaurant on the street for lunch. In the afternoon, Sofia moved on to other luxury stores, browsing watches and jewelry.
It wasn't until the sky grew dark that Sofia reluctantly left Swarovski and returned to the Shafiq ancestral home.
At the dinner table, Cyril asked, "Do you want to go to the dragon reserve or the wizarding street tomorrow?"
"A wizarding street? Is it a wizarding shopping street like Diagon Alley in England?" Sofia asked, recalling her visit to Diagon Alley.
"Yes." Cyril nodded.
"What do you think, Albert?" she asked her husband.
"I'm curious what dragons actually look like, the ones that always show up in novels." Albert had other ideas.
"That works too. Let's go to the dragon reserve first," Sofia relented.
"All right, I'll make the arrangements shortly. We can go to the dragon reserve tomorrow."
After dinner, Cyril Apparated away from the ancestral home.
"That's so convenient!" Albert marveled. "Let's go for a stroll, too, and experience the nightlife of these lesser-known streets."
Ethan and Sofia quickly agreed. The three strolled through the streets of Paris, ducking into the occasional small shop to browse and picking up little trinkets along the way.
After wandering around for two or three hours, Ethan and Albert were laden with bags of all sizes.
"What a pleasant evening," Sofia sighed contentedly, eating a scoop of handmade ice cream.
Walking a step behind her, the father and son looked at each other and smiled wryly.
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