A brilliant flash of light erupted across the Hogwarts grounds.
The next instant, Nicolas Flamel appeared near the castle entrance.
Professor McGonagall was already waiting for him.
Dressed in emerald-green robes, she stood straight-backed and dignified beneath the afternoon sunlight. Her sharp eyes carried the calm composure of someone who had already entered a state of full wartime vigilance.
The moment she saw Nicolas, she inclined her head respectfully.
"Mr. Flamel."
Her tone remained formal.
"Headmaster Dumbledore is waiting for you."
Nicolas nodded once.
"Lead the way."
The two immediately headed toward the castle.
As they crossed one of Hogwarts' ancient courtyards, sunlight spilled across weathered stone paths and old benches. Flowers swayed gently beneath the autumn breeze, bringing warmth and life to the ancient grounds.
Unfortunately, the peaceful atmosphere did not last.
Their hurried footsteps shattered it instantly.
Nearby, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Charlotte, Rose, and several others happened to notice them crossing the courtyard.
Harry stared curiously at the unfamiliar old wizard walking beside Professor McGonagall.
"Who's that?" he whispered.
"He looks important."
Ron scratched his head.
"No idea."
He frowned.
"But if Professor McGonagall personally came to escort him, he must be someone significant."
Hermione narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
"Maybe this has something to do with the werewolf incident."
Charlotte, however, recognized Nicolas immediately.
Without hesitation, she gave a respectful bow.
Nicolas glanced toward her.
A hint of surprise flickered across his eyes.
Then he nodded in acknowledgement.
Internally, he was mildly surprised to discover that a member of the Peregrine family attended Hogwarts.
Still, he had no time for conversation.
The situation remained far too serious.
Soon afterward, McGonagall escorted Nicolas to the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office.
"I have other matters to attend to," she said formally.
"The Headmaster is already waiting."
Then she turned and departed swiftly, her robes fluttering behind her.
The stone gargoyle immediately recognized Nicolas and stepped aside without requiring a password.
Nicolas entered directly.
Inside, Dumbledore sat behind his desk with an unusually grave expression.
His snow-white beard contrasted sharply against the heaviness lingering within his blue eyes.
The moment Nicolas entered, Dumbledore nodded.
"Nicolas."
"Albus."
Nicolas wasted no time.
"Tell me everything about the werewolf."
His eyes sharpened.
"And which Old is this?"
Politeness no longer mattered.
If they mishandled this situation, countless lives could be lost.
Dumbledore folded his hands together.
"The werewolf's strength increased dramatically after corruption," he explained.
"His behaviour also became highly abnormal."
His brows furrowed.
"Unfortunately, I still cannot determine exactly which Old manifested."
A brief pause followed.
"But based upon the power it displayed..."
His eyes darkened.
"It is dangerous."
Nicolas fell silent.
Then he spoke again.
"We need its identity as quickly as possible."
His voice grew heavy.
"Otherwise we won't know which seal or containment methods are required."
"The consequences could become catastrophic."
Dumbledore nodded.
Then he retrieved the silver badge recovered from the corrupted werewolf.
The moment Nicolas touched it, his expression shifted.
"This is a Guardian insignia."
Without hesitation, he infused magical energy into the badge.
A glowing emblem materialized in midair.
At its center stood a swordsman.
A hammer rested on either side.
Half of a protective wing extended outward behind the figure.
Double circular halos surrounded the entire symbol.
Ancient runes lined the outer ring.
Dumbledore watched silently.
The atmosphere inside the office became increasingly heavy.
.....
Far away from Hogwarts—
Inside the highest tower of Nurmengard Prison—
Gellert Grindelwald suddenly froze.
The moment the word Old reached him through reports delivered by his followers, violent images exploded within his mind.
A vision.
No.
Several visions.
Towering torii gates appeared one after another.
Each seemed woven from countless glowing threads pulsing with strange light.
The images differed completely from anything Grindelwald had ever foreseen.
The gates rotated slowly through endless darkness.
Every detail remained obscured beneath layers of distortion.
The first gate was deep violet.
Ancient runes crawled across its surface like living fire.
Purple mist drifted endlessly around it.
Countless indistinct shadows lurked within the fog.
The second gate resembled a star-filled abyss.
Deep blue light covered its surface.
Endless stars shimmered like watchful eyes.
At its center spun a colossal vortex radiating terrifying pressure.
Then—
Another vision appeared.
A gigantic figure stood within an ancient forest.
It possessed a human torso.
A serpentine tail.
The creature radiated overwhelming pressure.
Suddenly—
It turned.
Its vertical pupils locked directly onto Grindelwald.
The moment their gazes met—
The entire vision shattered.
Fragments scattered endlessly through darkness.
Grindelwald desperately concentrated, attempting to examine the pieces before they vanished.
Among the countless fragments, only one image remained visible long enough to recognize.
A newspaper.
Torn and weathered.
The Daily Prophet.
And printed across the front page—
"Master!"
Vinda Rosier rushed forward.
Her long black hair swayed behind her as worry filled her eyes.
Seeing Grindelwald clutching his head in pain genuinely frightened her.
Grindelwald slowly raised one hand.
"I'm fine."
Several moments passed before his breathing steadied.
"The appearance of Old will throw the Department of Mysteries and those Ministry guardians into chaos."
His eyes darkened thoughtfully.
"Monitor all of their movements."
Then his voice became colder.
"But do not act rashly."
Vinda nodded immediately.
.....
Back at Hogwarts, Harry and the others were still discussing the mysterious visitor they had seen earlier.
Charlotte finally ended the suspense.
"That was Nicolas Flamel."
The reaction was immediate.
Harry froze.
Ron froze.
Hermione froze.
"That was Nicolas Flamel?!" Ron exclaimed.
"No wonder he looked terrifyingly important."
Harry's thoughts immediately began racing.
Ever since the dragon incident and their investigation involving Hagrid, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had already begun suspecting that Hogwarts was hiding the Philosopher's Stone.
And now—
Nicolas Flamel himself had appeared.
At Hogwarts.
Personally.
The timing felt far too suspicious.
Hermione frowned thoughtfully.
"What exactly would bring Nicolas Flamel here himself?"
No one had an answer.
Nearby, Leo remained silent.
His gaze drifted toward the distant tower housing Dumbledore's office.
Nicolas' sudden arrival.
Dumbledore's concern.
The corrupted werewolf.
The escaped Old.
Everything was becoming connected.
And every connection led toward something hidden beneath the surface of the wizarding world.
Something ancient.
Something powerful.
Something even Nicolas Flamel and Albus Dumbledore were treating as a genuine threat.
For the first time since arriving at Hogwarts, Leo felt as though the board had finally been set.
The players were moving.
And the game had truly begun.
....
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