The first rays of January sun cut through the soft winter fog as the Hogwarts Express whistled in the distance. The red steam engine stood proudly at the platform, surrounded by laughing students returning from their holidays.
Roy stepped onto Platform 9¾, his coat swaying slightly as his eyes found familiar faces waiting for him — Hermione, Cassandra Vole, Daphne Greengrass, Penelope Clearwater, and Cho Chang.
Hermione waved first. "Roy! Over here!"
Roy smiled and walked toward them, pulling his luggage with ease. "Ah, my favorite group of bookworms and troublemakers."
Daphne smirked. "And you're definitely the cause of both."
As they entered their compartment, the air filled with laughter and warmth. Roy placed his luggage neatly, then turned to them with a grin.
"So," Roy asked, his eyes twinkling, "how were the gifts I sent?"
Cassandra, holding the enchanted quill he'd sent her, smiled softly. "They were perfect. Especially the chocolates — Astoria nearly fought me for them."
Daphne nodded. "Mother loved the protection charm you added to the bracelet."
Penelope added, "The quill you sent works beautifully — it's helping with my Arithmancy notes."
Hermione blushed slightly, fiddling with the small enchanted bookmark Roy had sent her — one that automatically found her last-read page.
"It was… thoughtful," she said, avoiding his teasing smile.
Cho, still holding her enchanted snow globe of Hogwarts, beamed. "It's like having a little piece of Hogwarts with me at home."
Roy chuckled, satisfied. "Good. I wouldn't want any of you thinking I forgot."
The train whistled, and they began their journey back to Hogwarts, talking, laughing, and trading stories all the way.
🏰 Return to Hogwarts
The castle loomed majestically as snowflakes fluttered across its towers. The Great Hall buzzed with chatter as students reunited, exchanging tales of their holidays.
Hermione, as soon as she finished unpacking, marched straight to Harry and Ron.
"So? Did either of you find anything about Nicolas Flamel?"
Ron looked sheepish. "Er… no. We tried. But, you know, the holidays and all—"
Harry quickly added, "We'll keep looking!"
Hermione sighed but smiled faintly. "Fine. We'll try again tomorrow."
📚 The Search Continues
For two days, Hermione buried herself in the library, stacks of books around her. She scanned through volumes on alchemy, magical history, and wizard biographies — but Nicolas Flamel's name eluded her.
On the third day, she, Harry, and Ron entered the library again, frustration written on her face. Then she spotted Roy — seated at his usual table surrounded by Cassandra, Daphne, Penelope, and Cho. Books on runes and alchemy lay open before them, glowing faintly with magical inscriptions.
Roy looked up, smiling.
"Ah, the mystery trio. Let me guess — still hunting for Flamel?"
Hermione frowned. "We've searched everywhere. Nothing."
Roy tilted his head, mock pity in his tone. "Tough luck. You sure you've checked everywhere?"
Harry sighed, while Ron rubbed the back of his neck. "Mate, this bloke's probably not even that important."
Roy raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" He looked thoughtful for a moment, then asked casually,
"Harry, Ron — you two collect chocolate frog cards, don't you?"
Ron perked up immediately, puffing his chest. "Do I? I've got over five hundred! The rarest one's Agrippa, though my Dumbledore card's in mint condition."
Harry nodded. "I've only got Dumbledore's."
Roy smiled. "Perfect. Bring them here — both of you."
Ron blinked, confused but curious, and dashed off to the Gryffindor Tower. Within minutes, he returned with a small box — his proud collection. He spread the cards out on the table, while Daphne and Cassandra stared at the sheer number of them.
"Honestly," Daphne murmured, "I can't tell if this is impressive or tragic."
"Tragic," Cassandra whispered back, making Cho giggle.
Roy chuckled. "Alright, Ron, read what it says on Dumbledore's card."
Ron flipped it over and began reading aloud, "Albus Dumbledore, currently Headmaster of Hogwarts. Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times…"
He stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening. "Wait — partner of Nicolas Flamel?"
Harry and Hermione gasped.
Hermione nearly snatched the card. "That's it! How did we miss this?"
Roy leaned back with a smug smile. "Sometimes the answers hide in plain sight."
He reached into his satchel and pulled out a thick book with a golden sigil on the cover. "Here," he said, placing it before them, "Alchemy: A History of Transmutation and Eternal Life. Page one-fifty."
Harry and Hermione opened it, scanning the passage — their eyes widened in shock.
"Nicolas Flamel, the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone…"
Hermione's mouth fell open. "He's real. The Philosopher's Stone is real."
Harry looked stunned. "And that's what Snape's after…"
Ron, however, had already leaned back, muttering, "I still say Puddlemere United could use a new Seeker…"
Roy facepalmed silently while Cassandra and Cho burst into laughter.
After a moment, Harry and Ron rushed out, saying they needed to warn Hagrid about the Stone.
💫 A Secret Revealed
As the library doors closed behind them, Roy turned to Hermione, a knowing smirk on his lips. "So… about our little bet. Seems like you didn't find Flamel on your own."
Hermione blushed, biting her lip. "You— You tricked me!"
Roy leaned closer, teasingly. "I simply gave you a fair head start."
Hermione crossed her arms. "Alright, fine. You win. But how did you know about Nicolas Flamel in the first place?"
The other girls leaned in, curious.
Roy smiled faintly. "Because I'm his student."
There was a stunned silence.
"What?" said Daphne and Penelope together."You mean the Nicolas Flamel?" Cassandra whispered.
Roy nodded calmly. "I spent my Christmas holidays with the Flamel family in Paris. Nicolas and Perenelle are close friends of my grandfather, Darius Valvas."
Cho blinked. "Wait — your grandfather knows them?"
Roy nodded. "Not just them. He's friends with Newt and Tina Scamander as well."
Hermione's eyes widened again. "Newt Scamander? As in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Newt Scamander?"
Roy chuckled. "The very same. I met them both — lovely people, by the way."
For a few seconds, none of the girls spoke. The silence stretched until Daphne finally muttered,
"Every time I think I've figured you out, you throw something even more ridiculous."
Roy grinned. "It's a gift."
Cassandra sighed. "So you're telling us that you're not only a top student, alchemist, and Quidditch prodigy… but also a direct student of Nicolas Flamel?"
Roy leaned back, giving a little shrug. "More or less."
Hermione could only stare at him, cheeks slightly flushed — half impressed, half exasperated.
"You're impossible," she murmured.
"And you still owe me that lap pillow," Roy whispered teasingly, making her blush crimson as the other girls giggled.