Having successfully tricked Harry back to the Dursleys, Tom now held the Philosopher's Stone in his hand, his mind echoing with the System's assessment.
[Item: Philosopher's Stone]
[Quality: Legendary]
[Durability: 3% (Almost broken)]
[Effect: Turning stone into gold, concocting the elixir of immortality (incomplete)]
[Concoction Requirements: Unknown (Host has not yet learned)]
"What a useless bauble."
What good is immortality if the vessel is fractured?
Tom casually tossed the Philosopher's Stone onto a nearby table and slumped into a chair, irritated. After a moment of contemplation, he decided he would seek out Dumbledore and demand an explanation.
...
On the eighth floor of Hogwarts Castle, Tom approached a wall adorned with two stone statues.
"Lemon Drop."
As he spoke the password, the statues whirled, the wall slid open, and a staircase leading to the Headmaster's Office appeared.
The walls of the office were lined with portraits of past Headmasters. Dumbledore sat at his desk, consuming a handful of what appeared to be cockroach-flavored sweets, Fawkes perched silently on a stand beside him.
Seeing Tom enter, Dumbledore smiled, extending the hand holding the candies. "Care for a taste?"
Tom grimaced at the unappetizing sweets, then wordlessly tossed the Philosopher's Stone onto Dumbledore's desk.
"What is this?"
Dumbledore looked puzzled. He knew the Philosopher's Stone was near depletion, but it still had a few uses left. Why return it now?
Tom stated flatly, "Seven-day, no-questions-asked return policy."
"I beg your pardon?"
Dumbledore was taken aback.
"A common Muggle saying," Tom retorted, a hint of defiance in his voice. "This item is defective; I require a replacement."
"..."
Dumbledore was speechless. He was being robbed and expected to guarantee the quality of the purloined goods.
"That is all."
"I, Albus Dumbledore, may possess little of value, but I have my life. Take it if you wish. Besides, Harry is practically your subordinate; I doubt you would leave him unprotected."
Dumbledore remained unfazed, as though he had no burden in the world. It seemed to Tom that they were as devious as each other.
But Tom was not so easily dissuaded. He knew how to manipulate Dumbledore.
Tom said expressionlessly, "I have recently mastered a new form of magic."
At this, Dumbledore looked at Tom, attentive but impassive.
But Tom's next sentence shattered Dumbledore's composure.
"I can resurrect your sister."
?!
Tom's tone remained calm, but Dumbledore visibly shuddered, rising to his feet, his pupils dilated as he stared at his student.
After a long silence, Dumbledore spoke slowly, his voice laced with sorrow, "Where did you uncover this… this art?"
"..."
Tom remained silent, unwilling to offer an explanation. He knew the desired effect would be achieved regardless.
As expected, Dumbledore pressed on, "Another forbidden dark art, perhaps?"
Dumbledore's tone was light, but it betrayed his suspicion and unease.
Hearing this, Tom simply raised his left hand towards Dumbledore, revealing mysterious, ancient grey-gold runes that materialized on his palm.
"..."
The moment he saw the intricate pattern on Tom's hand, Dumbledore felt as if he was gazing directly into the face of God.
After a stunned silence, Dumbledore chuckled, his tone filled with wonder, "Truly remarkable magic. Perhaps… this transcends what we call magic."
For the first time, Dumbledore seemed like a mere mortal, appearing vulnerable yet holding onto a sliver of hope.
Turning back to Tom, Dumbledore's tone became serious, "How many Philosopher's Stones do you require?"
Of course, Dumbledore couldn't simply conjure Philosopher's Stones. But he knew those who could.
Oh? Is Nicolas Flamel contemplating his demise?
Well, it matters not if he perishes sooner or later. Let him burn a little longer and expend his remaining strength.
...
Meanwhile, at a manor in France.
Nicolas Flamel, reminiscing with his wife, suddenly shivered.
What is this? I am already preparing for death. Is someone trying to hasten the process?
Oh well. I still have that old buzzard Dumbledore to protect me… Surely the old fool wouldn't betray me?
The thought caused Nicolas to chuckle.
...
Back with Tom…
"One will suffice."
Tom needed only one; his intentions were purely academic.
One should be enough. Nicolas wouldn't refuse him, would he?
Dumbledore seemed confident. Then, he heard another demand.
"I also require Nicolas Flamel's notes on alchemy."
"..."
Dumbledore stared at Tom, ensuring he wasn't jesting.
Then, Dumbledore managed a weak smile, a bitter grimace twisting his features. "I shall ask him on your behalf."
All I desired was to see my sister one more time, to atone for my failures. Why must it be so difficult?
In reality, even if Dumbledore failed to persuade Nicolas, it wouldn't matter. Once they met, Tom wouldn't concern himself with the old man's wishes; he would simply extract the information by force.
After all, the Philosopher's Stone revealed that alchemy held a pathway to immortality.
Alchemy had not originally been Tom's primary focus, but he had recently acquired a considerable quantity of rare alchemical ingredients from the System, some of which he had never seen before. This piqued his curiosity and compelled him to delve deeper into the art.
Fortunately, Tom's Occlumency was so formidable that Dumbledore knew Legilimency would be useless. Thus, they did not argue.
However, Dumbledore could surmise Tom's motivation. "You still pursue… immortality, do you not?"
This time, he did not utter "impractical," for the ancient magical runes on Tom's hand made him realize that his student, his most gifted protégé, might indeed succeed on this path.
He simply needed to intervene when necessary, to prevent him from veering too far astray.
To Dumbledore's question, Tom merely nodded silently.
Dumbledore asked nothing further, but he retrieved parchment and a quill from his drawer. "Then I shall inform the French Ministry of Magic, and then escort you to meet Nicolas."
Hearing this, Tom looked puzzled. "Why?"
Dumbledore didn't conceal his reasoning. "If they notice I am crossing the border so easily, they will… grow wary."
"Then why not simply avoid detection?"
Tom regarded Dumbledore with undisguised disbelief.
"..."
Dumbledore chuckled ruefully. "I seem to have grown complacent in this office."
Tom's words served as a reminder; he was already leading a Dark Lord across international borders, why should he feign concern for petty politics?
...
[Item quality from low to high: junk, common, fine, excellent, superb, legendary, mythical]