With Fawkes' flames swirling around him, Leo arrived instantly inside the Headmaster's office.
The moment his feet touched the floor, he instinctively checked himself.
No dizziness.
No nausea.
No sensation of being ripped apart and reassembled.
Honestly, it barely felt different from receiving a gentle push forward.
Interesting.
If Leo had looked up immediately, he would have noticed the faint surprise hidden behind Dumbledore's half-moon spectacles.
The old wizard's eyes lingered thoughtfully on him for a brief moment before his usual gentle smile returned.
"Well," Dumbledore said warmly, "I didn't expect you to arrive quite so quickly."
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"I originally intended to fetch you first and then visit Nicolas Flamel together afterward. But..." His gaze drifted toward the tray in Leo's hands. "This is certainly a pleasant surprise."
Then his expression became faintly amused.
"Though unfortunately, Nicolas is rather old these days. I'm afraid he may not be able to fully appreciate your cooking."
With a casual wave of his wand, Dumbledore Transfigured an empty table into existence beside them.
Leo glanced at the suddenly appearing furniture and silently thought:
The Headmaster absolutely knew what we were doing outside all along.
This old man really enjoys pretending not to know things.
Still, Leo carefully placed the dishes onto the table.
"It was supposed to be a gathering feast for my friends," he explained. "Roasted lamb leg, lamb stew with radishes, and a few side dishes."
As he described the meal, his thoughts remained fixed on something else entirely.
Nicolas Flamel.
So Fawkes came because Flamel replied to Dumbledore?
A flicker of curiosity rose within him.
"That's unfortunate," Leo said honestly. "It would've been nice if Mr. Flamel could taste it properly."
Then he lifted the lid from the stew.
Steam immediately rose into the office, carrying a rich aroma of roasted meat and spices.
"The lamb was marinated before roasting," Leo explained while arranging the dishes neatly. "The outside becomes crisp while the inside stays tender."
Then he gestured toward the stew.
"And the radishes absorb the flavour from the lamb during cooking. The broth ends up especially rich."
Dumbledore's eyes brightened slightly.
The old wizard's nose twitched once.
"That does smell rather excellent."
Without hesitation, he picked up a fork.
"Then we should eat before we leave."
The moment Dumbledore leaned forward slightly, a three-legged stool smoothly rose from the floor beneath him.
Leo stared.
A moment later, another stool emerged beneath him as well.
Apparently, Hogwarts furniture simply appeared wherever Dumbledore wished.
While eating, Dumbledore's expression gradually softened with nostalgia.
"You know," he said quietly, "your cooking reminds me of something from very long ago."
Leo looked up curiously.
"When I was young," Dumbledore continued, "I travelled through many countries. During one of those journeys, I visited a distant magical nation in the East."
Leo froze slightly.
"I tasted dishes very similar to this there."
He slowly cut another piece of lamb.
"I never expected to encounter those flavours again here at Hogwarts."
Leo blinked.
"You actually visited?"
Dumbledore nodded calmly.
"It was a fascinating place. Ancient. Mysterious. Filled with remarkable culture and magic."
Then his eyes shifted meaningfully toward Leo.
"Speaking of which... you carry ancestry from there as well, don't you?"
Leo nearly choked on his food.
This old man notices everything.
Still, he answered honestly while continuing to eat.
After spending so much time cooking without properly eating, he was starving.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore had originally assumed the meal would be excessive for an elderly wizard and a child.
He quickly discovered otherwise.
Leo ate with frightening efficiency.
Elegant efficiency, admittedly.
But still frightening.
The boy somehow maintained perfect table manners while consuming enough food to concern most adults.
Dumbledore took a sip of tequila thoughtfully before smiling faintly.
"You practice magic constantly, don't you?"
Leo paused.
"Your cleansing charm earlier," Dumbledore explained. "It was completely instinctive."
He folded his hands together.
"Most students only use magic during lessons. But for you, it appears to have already become a habit."
Leo wiped his hands clean with another quick spell.
"There's nothing special about it," he replied casually. "Practice makes things easier."
Dumbledore chuckled softly.
A modest child with monstrous talent.
How troublesome.
At last, once the meal was finished, Dumbledore stood and retrieved a worn leather glove from a nearby drawer.
"This," he announced, "is our Portkey."
Leo examined it curiously.
He had read about Portkeys in books before, but this was the first one he had encountered personally.
Interesting choice.
A glove.
Portkeys really could be made from almost anything.
"Nicolas' residence is protected by multiple enchantments," Dumbledore explained. "Floo travel won't work there."
Leo touched one finger carefully against the glove.
Instantly, the world lurched violently.
Unlike Fawkes' elegant teleportation, Portkey travel felt deeply unnatural.
A horrible hooking sensation yanked at Leo's stomach while the entire world spun around him.
Then suddenly—
Solid ground returned.
Leo stumbled slightly before immediately regaining his balance.
In front of him stood a perfectly ordinary manor house.
No towering magical castle.
No grand alchemical laboratory.
Just a quiet countryside home.
Honestly, it looked almost disappointingly normal.
Dumbledore led him slowly toward the front door.
Before either of them could knock, the door opened automatically.
A tall man stood waiting inside.
Leo studied him curiously, silently wondering whether this might somehow be Nicolas Flamel himself.
Then an older voice called from deeper inside the house.
"Adam, please invite our guests in."
The man stepped aside respectfully.
Leo and Dumbledore entered.
The moment Leo stepped into the living room, his eyes immediately found the elderly man seated beside the fireplace.
Nicolas Flamel.
The legendary alchemist looked far older than Leo had expected.
Not physically weak.
But tired.
Deeply tired.
His skin was pale, and his face carried an exhaustion that seemed to come from centuries rather than years. Yet his eyes still contained astonishing intelligence beneath that weariness.
Flamel first nodded politely toward Dumbledore.
Then his gaze locked onto Leo.
The old alchemist studied him silently for several long seconds.
And suddenly—
His expression changed completely.
Excitement flashed across his face.
"You're Leo," Flamel said softly, almost emotionally. "You look incredibly similar to your ancestor Amber."
His voice trembled faintly.
"Especially the eyes."
Leo blinked.
Ancestor?
What exactly had his family done in the past?
Still, he bowed politely.
"Yes, Mr. Flamel. I'm Leo Nicholas. It's an honour to meet you."
Then he added sincerely,
"And an even greater honour to study alchemy under you."
Beside him, Dumbledore smiled faintly before gently warning,
"Nicolas, try not to become too excited."
Then he glanced around curiously.
"Where's Perenelle?"
At that exact moment, graceful footsteps sounded from upstairs.
An elegant elderly woman descended slowly into the room.
"Albus," she greeted warmly, smiling at Dumbledore first.
Then her gaze shifted toward Leo.
"Welcome, Leo. It's lovely to finally meet you."
Her smile softened.
"I've heard your name many times recently."
Leo immediately understood.
This was Perenelle Flamel.
The legendary alchemist's equally legendary wife.
After exchanging a few polite greetings, Dumbledore finally straightened his robes.
"I still have several matters to attend to tonight," he said apologetically. "So I'll leave Leo in your care until Sunday."
Nicolas waved a hand dismissively.
"You're always busy. Go already."
Then he added dryly,
"I've been waiting for you to leave."
Dumbledore laughed softly.
Before he could depart, however, Leo quickly spoke up.
"Headmaster, could you let my friends know I won't be returning this weekend?"
"Of course," Dumbledore replied easily. "I'll have Minerva inform them."
Then, with one final nod, he departed.
The room became noticeably quieter afterward.
Watching Dumbledore leave, Leo felt a strange mixture of nervousness and anticipation rising inside him.
This place...
This legendary alchemist...
Everything from this point onward would be completely unfamiliar territory.
Nicolas Flamel seemed to notice immediately.
"Child," he said gently, "there's no need to be nervous."
Perenelle smiled warmly as well.
"Treat this place like home."
Leo took a slow breath before nodding politely.
"Thank you."
The elderly couple exchanged pleased glances.
Then Nicolas turned toward his wife.
"Perenelle, you should rest first."
She immediately understood what he intended next.
....
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