Regulus of Hogwarts: Lord of the Stars

Alchemy had always intrigued Regulus.

But if you wanted to talk alchemy, you had to talk about France. About Beauxbatons. About Nicolas Flamel.

In magical Britain, avenues for learning alchemy were pathetically scarce.

Hogwarts offered it, technically, but only as a seventh-year elective at the N.E.W.T. level. By the time you enrolled, graduation was already around the corner. One year. What could anyone learn in one year?

So most British wizards carried a laughably shallow understanding of the discipline.

They thought alchemy was craftsmanship. Carving runes into a cauldron so it stirred itself. Enchanting gloves for fire and water resistance. Creating Portkeys that yanked people across distances.

But that was magical item crafting. It wasn't alchemy.

Regulus turned the distinction over in his mind.

Crafting magical items meant adding function to existing objects. Carve runes into a block of wood, and it flies. Enchant a robe, and the wearer breathes underwater. Layer spells onto a mirror, and it reveals your enemies.