After pushing open the door to the innermost classroom, Sean guided Lisa as she wheeled Nicolas Flamel inside. Under Sean's direction, she positioned the wheelchair beside the desk where he and Mr. Antonius typically conducted their lessons.
"Mr. Flamel, my teacher will arrive in approximately five minutes. Please make yourself comfortable."
"Sean, there's no need for such formality with me." The ancient alchemist's eyes twinkled warmly. "Simply call me Nicolas."
Hearing Nicolas Flamel's invitation, Sean nodded readily. "Very well, Nicolas."
Smiling with evident satisfaction, Nicolas Flamel looked around the sparse classroom with interest. "Sean, how exactly did you meet your teacher? The circumstances must have been rather unusual."
"Initially, I was preparing a research paper on Transfiguration and its relationship to alchemy," Sean explained. "Since Hogwarts doesn't offer alchemy as a formal subject, I attempted to teach myself through library materials. However, I couldn't properly grasp the fundamental principles—it proved extraordinarily difficult. Eventually, Madam Pince, our school librarian, mentioned that if I genuinely wished to learn alchemy, I might try my luck in this particular classroom. She suggested I might be fortunate enough to gain the teacher's notice and become his apprentice. So I attempted it, and... barely succeeded."
"You didn't merely 'barely succeed,'" a familiar voice interjected from the doorway. "Though I never explicitly said so, I would never have accepted you as an apprentice if you lacked sufficient natural talent."
Hearing this unexpected voice, Sean turned sharply toward the classroom entrance. Mr. Antonius had manifested there at some point, his translucent ghostly form perfectly on schedule. Sean glanced at his pocket watch, confirming the time had reached exactly seven o'clock.
Rising immediately from his seat, Sean offered his teacher a respectful bow. "Teacher, you've arrived."
Antonius crossed the room to Sean's side, studying his young apprentice—now considerably taller than when they'd first met. The ghost sighed softly with mingled pride and melancholy. He was merely a phantom now, forever unable to physically touch his student. Even something as simple as patting Sean's shoulder in encouragement remained an impossible dream.
Composing himself quickly, Antonius turned to face Nicolas Flamel directly. "Nicolas, I am Antonius Hopkins."
"Antonius..." Nicolas Flamel raised one aged hand, and Lisa immediately moved to his side, helping him rise slowly from the wheelchair with careful support. He extended his hand, and though Antonius's ghostly form couldn't truly grasp it, they performed the gesture of a handshake. Nicolas smiled warmly. "Antonius, I am Nicolas Flamel. It's a genuine honor to finally meet you in person."
"Nicolas, I'm afraid I don't have much time available to us," Antonius said with characteristic directness. "A few formalities will suffice. Shall we proceed to the substantive discussion?"
"Of course. I can hardly wait."
The living alchemist and the ghostly master settled into their seats, and without any further pleasantries, they immediately launched into an intensive exchange on alchemical theory and practice.
At first, Sean could follow their conversation reasonably well, recognizing terminology and concepts from his studies. However, as their discussion progressed and deepened, he found himself increasingly unable to comprehend what they were saying. The theoretical frameworks they referenced, the experimental methodologies they debated—all of it gradually exceeded his current knowledge base.
Finally resigning himself to his fate, Sean retrieved one of the advanced texts he'd collected from Antonius's Gringotts vault during his second withdrawal. He settled quietly into a corner and began reading, determined not to waste the time even if he couldn't follow the masters' discourse.
While reading, Sean noticed that Lisa—Nicolas Flamel's alchemical homunculus—had seated herself nearby and was writing with remarkable speed. The distance was too great for Sean to observe precisely what she was recording, but he could reasonably deduce it was some form of detailed conversation transcript.
Perhaps I could request a copy from Nicolas after their exchange concludes?
The alchemical discussions between Antonius Hopkins and Nicolas Flamel were quite possibly among the most profound in the entire history of the magical world. If their exchanges were properly recorded and organized, they could likely be serialized in The Philosopher's Stone—the highest and most prestigious alchemical journal in existence.
Sean occasionally caught fragments of their conversation—mentions of the Philosopher's Stone's fundamental principles, techniques for animating alchemical constructs, theories regarding elemental transmutation in advanced alchemy. The terminology alone sounded incomprehensibly complex. For the first time, Sean genuinely wondered if his previous alchemical studies had been woefully inadequate.
Two hours passed far too quickly for the two alchemical masters.
When the clock approached 8:50, Antonius reluctantly concluded their conversation with visible regret. "Time is nearly expired, I'm afraid. It's truly unfortunate I have only two hours available today. Otherwise..."
He trailed off, then turned to Sean with an apologetic expression. "Sean, I must apologize. I finally had the opportunity to meet with Nicolas face-to-face, and we had so much to discuss that I completely neglected your lesson. Can we resume your instruction tomorrow evening?"
Looking at his teacher, Sean had harbored a persistent feeling that Antonius seemed unusually rushed during their lessons—almost impatient, though not with Sean himself. Now, hearing what his teacher had just said, that impression grew considerably stronger.
"Teacher, please don't worry about me," Sean said reassuringly. "I can study independently now with the materials you've provided. Your time won't be wasted. You've finally found someone who can truly discuss alchemy at your level—you needn't concern yourself with my lessons for the time being. I'll manage perfectly well."
"I..." Antonius began, clearly torn.
Before the ghost could complete his thought, Nicolas Flamel suddenly interjected. "Antonius, if you're comfortable with the arrangement, I would be honored to instruct Sean in alchemy during our sessions together. I have considerable teaching experience from my time at Beauxbatons Academy, so it shouldn't interfere with Sean's educational progression."
Nicolas paused meaningfully. "In exchange, during your manifested hours, you might share your considerable alchemical knowledge with me more freely. Would such an arrangement be acceptable?"
Antonius looked at Nicolas Flamel thoughtfully, then turned to Sean with visible hope in his translucent features. "Sean, what do you think of this proposal?"
"Of course! I would be honored to learn from Mr. Flamel," Sean replied immediately, unable to suppress his enthusiasm at the prospect.
"Well..." Antonius considered for a long moment, then nodded decisively at Nicolas Flamel. "Then I must trouble you, Nicolas. Thank you."
"I'm genuinely delighted to teach alchemy to such a promising young mind," Nicolas assured him warmly. "You may rest easy on that account."
Antonius nodded gratefully to Nicolas Flamel, then looked at Sean with obvious affection. "Sean, my time is nearly exhausted. I'll see you tomorrow evening."
Before Nicolas Flamel could respond, he witnessed Antonius suddenly freeze mid-gesture. The ghost slowly rose from his seat, walked mechanically to the classroom door, and vanished through the solid wood as though it didn't exist.
Watching Antonius disappear so abruptly, a brief flash of profound regret crossed Nicolas Flamel's ancient face. However, he concealed the emotion expertly. Sean, preoccupied with processing the evening's developments, didn't notice this subtle reaction.
Some things, Nicolas thought privately, are better discussed with Antonius himself before involving the boy.
It was already quite late.
Sean and Nicolas Flamel agreed to meet the following afternoon at one o'clock for Sean's first alchemy lesson under the legendary alchemist's direct instruction. Nicolas would continue the curriculum according to Antonius's established progression, ensuring no gaps in Sean's educational foundation.
Sean found himself genuinely looking forward to experiencing Nicolas Flamel's teaching style firsthand. What methodologies would a six-hundred-year-old master employ? How would his approach differ from Antonius's careful, gradual instruction?
Meanwhile, Sean's newest research paper was being prepared for publication in The Golden Crucible, scheduled for the upcoming issue.
Simultaneously, discussions—and brewing controversy—surrounding his revolutionary work were gradually building momentum throughout the British magical community.
And in the mountains surrounding Hogsmeade village, Fenrir Greyback had assembled a substantial force of his werewolf pack. They crouched in the shadows and forest cover, patiently awaiting their opportunity to strike.
The hunt for Sean Bulstrode was about to begin in earnest.