Chapter 25: Chapter 24 Concerning Nick Flamel
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....
In the Hogwarts Great Hall at this moment, it appeared exceptionally beautiful and magnificent due to the abundance of Christmas decorations.
The walls were adorned with cascades of holly and mistletoe ribbons, and twelve towering Christmas trees stood throughout the room. Some trees were adorned with shimmering icicles, while others twinkled with hundreds of candles.
Watching Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick magically decorate the place so wonderfully, Maca couldn't help but want to make a small attempt here.
He took out a small, pure white bottle from the inside of his robe and carefully dropped a few drops of a liquid with a hint of chill under one of the Christmas tree stands.
"What did you pour down there?" Professor McGonagall hurriedly walked over, but she didn't immediately get angry. It seemed that Maca's strategy from last time had indeed left a good impression on her.
"Oh, Professor, you'll find out in a moment," Maca smiled and said.
As soon as Maca finished speaking, the effect of those few drops of liquid became apparent. A vague white mist rose from under the Christmas tree, unlike other cold air that always sank, but instead, it coiled around the Christmas tree and drifted upwards towards the magically enchanted ceiling.
Within the white mist, there were faint sparkling lights, giving the Christmas tree a unique and enchanting beauty.
"This is a semi-finished product I tinkered with while studying potions. It looks beautiful, but it's a bit cold," Maca looked at his masterpiece and felt quite satisfied.
"Yes, it looks really good!" Professor McGonagall also smiled and said, "Give a few drops to the other trees as well! I think Albus would like this... I mean, Professor Dumbledore."
Not far away, Hermione looked at the Christmas tree enveloped in white mist, her eyes shimmering.
"It's so beautiful, isn't it?" Hermione said to Harry.
"Yeah! It's really awesome!" Harry seemed to like it too.
"I prefer Professor Flitwick's golden bubbles. They look so shiny," Ron said as he saw Professor Flitwick using his wand to create a string of golden bubbles and hang them on the branches of the newly moved tree.
Hagrid, standing nearby, was also admiring the various decorations. But suddenly, as if remembering something, he turned to the three of them and asked, "How many days until the holidays?"
"Just one day!" Hermione said, "Oh, that reminds me - Harry, Ron, we still have half an hour before dinner, we should go to the library."
"Oh, yeah, you're right," Ron said, reluctantly taking his gaze off Professor Flitwick.
"The library?" Hagrid said, following them out of the Great Hall, "You're still going to read during the holidays? Isn't that too studious?"
"Oh, we're not studying," Harry said cheerfully, "Since you mentioned Nicolas Flamel, we've been trying to find out who he is."
"What!" Hagrid's expression showed fear, "Listen to me - I've told you, stop it! What that big dog is guarding has nothing to do with you."
"We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, nothing else," Hermione said.
"Would you be willing to tell us, so we don't have to go through all this trouble?" Harry said, "We've flipped through at least a hundred books in these past few days and haven't found a trace of him - just give us a hint! I know I've seen his name somewhere."
"I'm not saying anything," Hagrid said dryly.
"Well, why don't we go ask Maca, Hermione?" Ron said to Hermione.
"I've already said it's not possible
. Maca has been busy lately, and I don't want to bother him," it seemed that this wasn't the first time Ron suggested asking Maca, but Hermione never seemed to agree.
"He's not busy now! Look, he's still over there helping the professors decorate the hall!" Ron looked at Maca, who was not far from them, puzzled.
Hagrid stood angrily by the side, not knowing what to say as he watched the three children discuss this matter in front of him.
"I said no!" Hermione couldn't help but shout at Ron.
Her voice was obviously a bit loud, and Maca turned around, looking confused, and after a word with Professor McGonagall, he walked over.
"What's happening, Hermione? Why do you look so angry again?" he curiously asked.
"Oh, it's nothing-" "Maca, who is Nicolas Flamel?" "Stop asking!"
With three consecutive answers, Maca looked back and forth at Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid in surprise, then smiled and said, "Well - two to one, then I won't tell you."
"Um, do you really know who Nicolas Flamel is?" Hermione subconsciously asked upon hearing that Maca seemed to know.
"Do you want to know? If you want to know, I'll tell you," Maca thought to himself - you'll find out sooner or later.
"No, it's okay," Hermione pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and shook her head.
Unlike Harry's concerns, Hermione really just wanted to know who Nicolas Flamel was. After seeing that Maca's progress had far surpassed hers, she only wanted to catch up with him through her own efforts, even if it was just in such a small matter.
Although she was a little curious about what important things might be hidden behind Fluffy, for Hermione, how to gain knowledge through her own efforts was the only thing she currently valued.
"Well, then we'll have to find out ourselves." Ron felt a bit annoyed when Maca didn't answer. He thought Maca had always been his good friend, just like Harry - even earlier than knowing Harry. But now, he refused to tell him such a small answer, even though he obviously knew who Nicolas Flamel was!
Of course, Ron was just a little upset. After all, friends were still friends, and Maca would always show him his homework when he needed it.
"Well... I'm going to the library," Hermione said, seeing Ron pulling Harry towards the door and looking at her.
"No problem, go ahead!" Maca smiled. He didn't have time to pay attention to Ron's childishness. After all, in a couple of days, Ron would definitely come running to him to borrow a History of Magic essay.
He waved to Hermione and his mind flew elsewhere.
Yes, Nicolas Flamel. After encountering the three-headed dog Fluffy that night, Maca had thoroughly researched information about this great alchemist. But what made him hesitate was whether he should ask Dumbledore to introduce him to this legendary figure.
After all, the Philosopher's Stone, the only thing in the world that could grant eternal life, was about to be destroyed.
However, never mind whether Dumbledore would agree to his request. The key was, even if he successfully met Nicolas Flamel, what should he do next?
Should he say to Flamel, "Oh, I'd like to take a look at your alchemy notes, you know, the ones about the Philosopher's Stone? Anyway, you won't need them anymore!"
In fact, Maca believed that even if they were placed in front of him, he wouldn't understand a thing. What was alchemy? He had no clue.
After pondering over it, he eventually gave up. Dumbledore had no intention of using the Philosopher's Stone to extend his own life. Obviously, there was a reason behind it. Maca and Flamel had been good friends for a long time.
After rejecting this tempting plan once again, Maca decided to leave and go to the Room of Requirement. He needed to make some preparations for this year's Christmas.
...
The long-awaited Christmas holiday had finally arrived. Many students chose to go home for Christmas, and some families had even planned a short family trip for the occasion. For wizards, traveling was as easy and convenient as going to work, and the nearly three-week Christmas break was simply endless!
Maca still carried his lightweight suitcase and had his owl, Marfa, perched on his shoulder as he discreetly left the platform of the Hogwarts Express. He was going to Hogsmeade first to personally deliver the potions he had recently prepared and tally up the profits so far.
The Essence of Evasion Potion had been quite popular, and each batch of potions sold out in a short amount of time. Although it made him happy, the problem of insufficient production capacity had gradually surfaced.
In fact, there was no way around it. Potions with simple preparations usually had transparent profits, and in the wizarding world with limited human resources, the ones who made the most money were always the premium products.
"Those potion chain stores that make money through small profits and large sales rely on house-elves to support them!"
When Maca discussed this with his partner, Mr. Trelawney, he explicitly told him this news.
"Behind those chain stores, there are usually one or even several pure-blood wizard families, they are the aristocrats' industry."
"Alright, my dear Mr. Trelawney, here's to a prosperous business once again!" Maca smiled, "I have to go now. Do you mind if I use your fireplace?"
"Oh, of course not, cough... I don't mind. Please feel free to use it." Mr. Trelawney, with his bandaged face, seemed to show a smile.
Who knows if he smiled or not, that could only be guessed, since he couldn't be seen.
"Lovegood house." "Bang!"
"Oh... cough
cough... Merlin's beard!" Mr. Trelawney was startled by the green flames that shot up high from the fireplace. He trembled all over, "How did he do that? Cough cough..."
He wasn't the first person to be scared by the vision caused by Maca's use of Floo Powder, and he certainly wouldn't be the last. This poor guy had developed even greater awe for the mysterious Maca.
"...Cough, should I... cough cough... find an opportunity to return the original 50 Galleons... cough cough... the initial 50 Galleons to him?" Mr. Trelawney stared blankly at the empty fireplace, coughing even harder.
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