Alchemy, the thirteenth course outside of the twelve subjects at Hogwarts, was also the only one not requiring an OWL exam. It was only open to sixth-year students.
Upon hearing that Damon had been allowed to enroll in the course as an exception, Harry and Ron's faces flickered with envy—they, too, wanted to study it with Damon.
Only Hermione suddenly remarked,
"Be glad you're not old enough, or else this course would have crushed you two."
"Why, do you think we're not qualified? We're doing all our homework on our own right now."
"You say that like a baby who just learned to use the toilet," Ron said before he could react. "You'll see once you take the Ancient Runes course—I bet alchemy will be several times more boring."
Hermione clearly knew more about it than Ron and Harry—after discovering a large collection of alchemy books in Damon's room during her summer birthday, she had devoted considerable time to studying them.
She was the one who really wanted to take alchemy but couldn't, completely different from Ron and Harry's half-hearted mentality.
Thinking of this, Hermione checked her schedule.
"Hermione," Ron frowned, looking over her shoulder at the schedule, "they've messed up your schedule.
Look - they've scheduled ten classes for you in one day. There's not enough time."
"I'll find a way. I've already talked to Professor McGonagall."
"But look," Ron said with a laugh, "see this morning? Divination at nine o'clock.
Next, Muggle Studies at nine o'clock. And I know you're great, Hermione, but no one is this great. How can you take three classes at the same time?"
"Don't be silly," Hermione said irritably. "Of course I can't take three classes at the same time."
Ron was about to say something, but Hermione interrupted him directly. "Give me the jam."
Ron did as he was told.
Hermione's expression softened slightly, and she continued,
"Ron, my schedule is a little full, but what does that have to do with you? I've already settled everything with Professor McGonagall."
She couldn't reveal her secret, so she could only use this brusque attitude to cover it up.
"Ron, forget about her. Hermione isn't reckless,"
Damon said, stopping Ron's questioning. The Time-Turner was still a secret, and Hermione had obviously promised Professor McGonagall not to reveal it.
"Oh, don't you find that strange, Damon?"
"There's obviously a secret here, but we have to wait until Hermione is willing to tell us."
Ron was immediately convinced.
Just then, Hagrid arrived, dressed in a moleskin coat, absentmindedly waving a dead polecat in one large hand.
"Everything all right?" he asked eagerly, pausing halfway to the teacher's desk. "You're going to my first class! It's after lunch! I've been up since five, and everything's been taken care of. Hopefully, everything's fine. I'm a teacher, honestly."
He grinned at them and walked towards the teacher's table, still waving the dead polecat.
"I'm going to class,"
Hermione said, leaving the table first.
"I'm going to Alchemy, too."
Damon finished breakfast and left.
"Oh—we're in Divination, Harry,"
the two hurried off.
By the time Damon arrived at the alchemy classroom, it was already filled with senior students from all four houses.
Ancient metal symbols and brass alchemical instruments hung on the walls, and the air was filled with the faint scent of vanilla and metal.
When Damon entered the classroom, many people instinctively stood and saluted him, without a hint of superiority due to their age.
In fact, many of them had already heard that Master Nicolas Flamel had come to teach at Hogwarts because he had heard of Master White's interest in alchemy. This was why the old man, already so old and without any desires, chose to step out of retirement and become a teacher.
In fact, they were all lucky enough to have benefited from Damon's help, having been able to study with a master like Nicolas Flamel for a year.
When the bell rang, Master Nicolas entered the classroom, punctually and on cue.
His steps were slow, with a steady presence. His hair was white as snow, and his eyes were as clear as spring water in early spring.
He wore a gentle smile, perhaps even a hint of nervousness.
No one had ever imagined that a renowned alchemist could be so affable.
"Well—I've actually faced some challenges teaching here."
Flamel's gaze was fixed on Damon.
Everyone else was superfluous to him; he came here solely out of respect and confidence in Damon.
"Madam Olympe, the Headmistress of Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has written me thirty letters in a row, each one different, explaining her incomprehension of why I would rather teach at Hogwarts than contribute to my alma mater." "
I've had to solemnly reply to her time and again: alchemy is an enduring miracle, and to spread it, one crucial opportunity is required—an opportunity that Beauxbatons currently lacks."
"She doesn't quite understand, and I don't expect her to."
Flamel smiled, slowly moving his chair to sit at the front of the podium, a step closer to Damon.
"One night in my youth, I dreamed of an angel holding a book. It had thousands of eyes and six pairs of white, blood-stained wings. It told me I would receive a miraculous tome, which I must diligently study and thoroughly understand to gain extraordinary power."
The audience was silent, captivated by Flamel's opening remarks.
"Later, I obtained a copy of the Jewish Book of Abraham, and for many years I studied it. No matter how arduous or difficult it was, that dream always inspired me, enabling me to achieve some success.
This is the opportunity I'm talking about—one I believe is of immense importance."
"I came here because of an opportunity, and I intend to transform this into a new opportunity to connect with you—perhaps it can become a crucial point on your alchemical journey."
Nicolas Flamel extended his index finger and pointed in the air.
Subconsciously, some students extended their own fingers, imagining themselves touching his fingertips.
Damon sat in his seat, listening intently, feeling a sense of wonder.
After the destruction of the Philosopher's Stone, Nicolas Flamel had planned his death—after arranging his funeral arrangements, he would stop taking the limited elixir and embark on his next great adventure.
Now, for his own sake, the old man decided to live with his partner for another year. It must be said that even Damon felt a surge of inspiration at this moment.
Read advanced chapters ahead at p4treon
Support me for my study...
[email protected]/Horizons685
(End of this chapter)