In the following days, Charlie would turn stones into gold in the Forbidden Forest whenever he wasn't in class, almost depleting all the stones in that area.
Professor Dumbledore observed the movements deep within the Forbidden Forest through a crystal ball from the Castle's high tower.
The Young Wizard's diligence made him laugh and cry, as the direction of his diligence was ridiculously off.
Every morning, Charlie appeared punctually under the marked oak tree.
Every evening, he returned laden with goods.
The Philosopher's Stone, which was originally blood-red like a gem, had now dimmed considerably.
Professor Dumbledore shook his head, wondering how much gold this child would need to conjure before being satisfied.
"Perhaps I should stop him."
"If I let him continue like this, he might completely lose control."
The old Principal stroked his long silver beard, and a complex light flickered in his blue eyes.
Just as Professor Dumbledore could no longer hold back, Charlie voluntarily came to the eighth floor of the Castle that day.
The stone steps echoed faintly under his feet.
Charlie stopped in front of the Principal's office door, examining the gargoyle at the entrance.
The ugly stone beast was motionless, its eyes tightly shut.
Charlie tentatively knocked on the door.
Thump-thump-thump.
The stone beast opened its eyes and jumped aside.
The stone wall behind it slowly parted, revealing a spiral staircase leading upwards.
Charlie followed upstairs.
A faint scent of magic permeated the circular room.
Various strange silver instruments were placed on the table, humming and emitting white smoke.
The walls were covered with portraits, some dozing, while others curiously observed the unexpected visitor.
Behind the table, the tattered Sorting Hat rested crookedly on a shelf.
Professor Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, holding a document.
Seeing Charlie enter, he put down the parchment, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
"Mr. White, please sit."
Professor Dumbledore waved his wand, and a chair automatically slid in front of Charlie.
"Would you like some dessert?"
Before Charlie could answer, a plate of exquisite candies had already appeared on the table.
Gummy candies of various colors emitted an enticing aroma.
Charlie sat down in the chair, mentally rehearsing his opening remarks.
"Professor, there's something I'd like to tell you."
"Oh?" Professor Dumbledore, as if knowing nothing, looked at him with interest.
"What brings our genius student here in person?"
Charlie took out the warm, red stone from inside his robe and carefully placed it on the table.
The Philosopher's Stone flickered with a faint light in the candlelight, noticeably dimmer than a few days ago.
Professor Dumbledore felt a pang of heartache for the Philosopher's Stone, having been continuously squeezed for so many days; even the strongest bull couldn't withstand such extraction, it was completely depleted.
I'm sorry, Flamel, I didn't take good care of your Philosopher's Stone; the little blond kid got his hands on it.
"I found this at school."
Charlie's expression was utterly sincere.
"I wonder whose it is?"
As he spoke, he casually picked up a lemon drop and popped it into his mouth.
The cloyingly sweet taste instantly exploded in his mouth, making him frown.
The candy was so sweet it made his teeth ache, yet he didn't want to spit it out and offend Professor Dumbledore.
He subtly pushed the plate of candies away.
Professor Dumbledore looked at the Philosopher's Stone on the table, a playful glint in his blue eyes behind his spectacles.
"Did you really 'find' it?"
His tone was light, but Charlie keenly sensed the deeper meaning within it.
Charlie's heart tightened.
The Principal indeed knew the Philosopher's Stone had been taken.
But why had he remained unresponsive?
More importantly, would the gold I painstakingly accumulated be taken back? Wouldn't that make me a clown?
Charlie remained outwardly calm, continuing to chew the dreadful lemon drop.
"Of course I found it."
He blinked, an innocent expression on his face.
"It was in the fourth-floor corridor, I don't know who dropped it."
"But I know that when you find something, you should return it to its owner, so I came to the Principal for help."
Professor Dumbledore smiled at him, feeling quite relieved.
This little fellow voluntarily handed over the Philosopher's Stone, indicating that he hadn't been blinded by greed.
Although the gold he had conjured these past few days could almost buy half the Ministry of Magic.
"Thank you, Charlie, this is mine."
Professor Dumbledore reached out, intending to take the Philosopher's Stone.
Charlie, however, suddenly pulled the stone back, his movement swift.
Professor Dumbledore's hand paused in mid-air.
"What's wrong?"
Charlie looked at him with a strange gaze, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.
"Professor, I found something so important of yours and specifically came to return it."
He paused, a hint of mischief in his tone.
"As a great Principal, surely you wouldn't have no token of appreciation, would you?"
His gaze seemed to say: if you don't give a reward, you're a stingy old man.
Professor Dumbledore was stunned.
Who said this brat wasn't greedy?
The god of greed, Mammon, probably had him tattooed on his back.
Professor Dumbledore began to regret observing Charlie.
Wouldn't it have been better to retrieve the Philosopher's Stone from the start?
Now he was clearly trying to extort him, and he had to pretend to know nothing.
A trace of helplessness flashed in the old Principal's blue eyes.
The words of thanks had already been spoken; to retract them now would seem petty.
"Well then, Mr. White, what reward do you desire?"
Charlie chuckled.
"Professor, is there any way to carry a large amount of space with me?"
Professor Dumbledore understood.
Charlie indeed wanted to carry all that gold with him.
"Yes, there is." Professor Dumbledore nodded.
"The Undetectable Extension Charm can expand enclosed spaces, allowing an ordinary box to possess a vast interior."
Charlie's eyes brightened further, but he quickly calmed down.
There's no such thing as a free lunch; an old fox like Professor Dumbledore would surely have conditions.
"However, if you want my help, you need to agree to one condition."
Just as expected.
Charlie didn't agree immediately, but instead asked.
"Professor, please tell me what the condition is first."
Professor Dumbledore clasped his hands on the table, his expression becoming serious.
"Under circumstances where your own safety is not compromised, if you have the ability, I hope you can help Harry when necessary."
Charlie was taken aback.
This condition was quite unexpected.
He had thought Professor Dumbledore would ask him to study hard, or restrict his use of the gold conjured from the Philosopher's Stone.
And the result was just to help Harry?
Charlie smiled.
"Harry is my friend, and I am very happy to offer help to my friends."
Professor Dumbledore nodded with satisfaction.
"Casting an Undetectable Extension Charm on an object without permission is illegal, so I need to register and have it approved by the Ministry of Magic first, which will take a few days."
"I understand." Charlie indicated that it was no problem.
Anyway, the gold was buried there and wouldn't run away.
Moreover, since Professor Dumbledore had agreed, he wouldn't go back on his word.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Charlie rose to take his leave.
As he reached the door, he suddenly turned back.
"Professor, your candy is really too sweet; eating so much sweetness isn't good for your health."
Professor Dumbledore was stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.
"Don't deprive an old man of his last indulgence!"
Charlie shrugged and pushed the door open, leaving.
The stone steps echoed faintly under his feet, and Charlie was in a good mood.
The Philosopher's Stone was handed over, but he also got his benefits.
A box made with the Undetectable Extension Charm would make storing gold much more convenient in the future.
In the office, Professor Dumbledore watched Charlie's retreating figure, a thoughtful smile on his face.
The reason he agreed to Charlie's request was partly because he indeed hoped he could help Harry at critical moments.
Charlie's strength already far surpassed his peers, even rivaling that of graduates.
With such a friend by his side, Harry would be much safer when facing danger.
On the other hand, he also had high hopes for Charlie.
Although this kid liked to take advantage, was lazy, disliked studying, had a sharp tongue, and loved to play tricks on people.
But his initiative to return the Philosopher's Stone was enough to prove the strength of his inner self.
Facing a legendary treasure, endless wealth, and eternal life, to be able to voluntarily hand it over instead of hiding it for himself, how strong of an inner self does that require?
One must know that countless adult Wizards throughout history could not resist the temptation of the Philosopher's Stone.
And Charlie was merely an eleven-year-old child.
"An interesting little fellow."
Professor Dumbledore picked up the Philosopher's Stone from the table, feeling the dim magic within it.
Days of continuous use had left this legendary gem exhausted.
However, it would recover after a period of rest, so it wasn't a major problem.
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