The Fool in Hogwarts

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"I’m guessing the books you searched were all about famous figures from the past century. It’s normal that you couldn’t find him.

"Nicolas Flamel was born in the fourteenth century and has lived for more than six hundred years."

"Six hundred?" Hermione felt as though her mind could not quite process it. "Can wizards really live that long?"

"They can, but only a very small number of them.

"Powerful magic, magical artefacts, and mysterious spells can all extend a wizard’s lifespan." Vade smiled meaningfully. "Dumbledore is the most powerful white wizard in the wizarding world. The reason he is still so energetic despite being over a hundred years old is his immense magical power."

"As for Nicolas Flamel, he is a legend of alchemy, a living legend.

"He created the Philosopher’s Stone, the only treasure in the world capable of producing the Elixir of Life. He used it to extend both his own life and his wife’s, allowing them to survive from the fourteenth century until now."

Hermione immediately understood many things. The object Fluffy was guarding was very likely the Philosopher’s Stone.

It was probably because Nicolas Flamel knew someone was after it that he had entrusted it to his good friend Dumbledore for safekeeping.

"More than six hundred years. He must be tired of living by now," Vade said with a sigh.

"Can someone really become tired of living?" Hermione found the idea unbelievable.

"Nicolas Flamel can achieve immortality, but he cannot stop himself from ageing.

"The longer someone lives, the worse their bodily functions become. You can look at Muggles who have lived to an advanced age. Their lives are hardly convenient.

"Nicolas Flamel’s condition would only be worse. As his body gradually decays, his desire to continue living will only diminish. The fact that he has endured for several hundred years is already remarkable."

"Then, then what about the third method?" Hermione’s thirst for knowledge surged at once. "What kind of magic can extend a wizard’s lifespan?"

"I don’t know, but it would certainly be evil Dark magic.

"Compared with the first two methods, the third carries far greater risks and might even affect one’s soul."

Hermione nodded and tactfully avoided the subject.

The two of them left the station. Hermione spotted her parents, said goodbye to Vade, and ran over to them.

Vade found a taxi and returned home before evening.

A thick layer of dust had accumulated inside. The moment he opened the door, he was almost choked by it.

"Scourgify."

After putting down his trunk, Vade did not use his wand. Instead, he extended one finger and continued casting as he walked forwards.

A few minutes later, all the dust and cobwebs in the house had disappeared, and even the small insects hiding in the corners had been swept outside.

Looking at the house, which seemed as though it had just been renovated, Vade returned to his bedroom and lay down on the bed.

His own place was still the most comfortable. No one interfered with what he did, and he did not have to constantly hide his actions or guard against others.

While meditating to restore his magic, Vade immersed his consciousness in the Card of Blasphemy within his mind.

[Sequence 7: Magician.]

[Digestion progress: 5%.]

One month, and only five per cent digestion progress. How touching.

Relying on time alone to digest the potion was indeed far too slow. He had to make the most of the holidays and act as a Magician. Otherwise, he might remain at Sequence 7 for the next two or three years.

Besides that, he also needed to find a way to obtain the supplementary ingredient for Sequence 5, one hundred millilitres of Harry Potter’s blood, and the main ingredient for Sequence 2, the Philosopher’s Stone.

There would be plenty of opportunities for the former. He only needed to find a way to draw some blood from Harry before advancing to Sequence 5.

Given Harry Potter’s talent for getting into trouble, collecting a little of his blood should not be a problem.

As for the latter... perhaps he could find an opportunity to meet Nicolas Flamel?

If he tried to purchase the Sequence 2 main ingredient, it would cost ten million Galleons. That would be enough to drain the entire fortune of a pure-blood family, and it would have to be a wealthy one. To Vade, it was an astronomical sum.

Moreover, alchemy was closely connected to his future development. If he could receive guidance from this legendary alchemist, he would surely gain a great deal.

"No, that won’t do. I have to think this through carefully." Vade abruptly shook his head and discarded the dangerous idea.

Nicolas Flamel was Dumbledore’s good friend, and he was also frighteningly powerful. The fact that he had protected the Philosopher’s Stone, an artefact capable of granting immortality, for six hundred years already proved that.

If Nicolas Flamel said anything to Dumbledore, then the disguise Vade had maintained for the past several months would become a joke.

A Sequence 7 had no right to take such risks. His growth could be slow, but it had to remain steady. More importantly, he could not let success go to his head.

As for the Philosopher’s Stone, he could try to obtain it if an opportunity appeared. If there was no opportunity, he had to give it up decisively.

The next day, sunlight fell across Vade’s face, and he opened his eyes groggily.

He got up, washed, went out to buy a cheeseburger for breakfast, then visited the market to purchase fresh ingredients.

The holiday lasted two weeks. He could not eat fast food every day.

When he returned, he received two Christmas presents. One was from Daphne, a detailed book on alchemy from the Greengrass family. The other was from Hermione, a copy of the notes she had taken in Transfiguration.

"I didn’t expect to receive any presents." Vade smiled faintly, then changed into a suitable set of clothes, packed the equipment he needed, and headed to the nearest theatre.

It was a small theatre. Each performance only drew an audience of several dozen people, but it suited Vade’s need to keep a low profile.

He was only acting as a Magician, not genuinely planning to become one. Besides, he would be performing for less than two weeks. A venue and an audience were all he needed.

Vade went directly to the owner, William, and explained why he was there. The middle-aged man with a beer belly looked suspiciously at the child in front of him.

"You want to perform magic in my theatre?"

"Yes."

"And until school starts, you want to be paid by the day, no less than one hundred pounds?"

"That is only the basic wage. I also want thirty per cent of the performance revenue."

William took a deep breath. "Listen, kid, this isn’t funny."

"I’m worth that much."

"Yes, yes, I’m sure you are. I imagine those large theatres would be delighted to work with you, but this little theatre of mine has no intention of being taken for a fool." As William spoke, he placed a hand on Vade’s shoulder and began pushing him towards the door.

"Wait, boss. I think you should at least give me a chance to perform."

"All right. Begin your performance." William expected nothing and had already decided to throw Vade out once he was finished.

Vade took a deck of playing cards from his pocket and shuffled them with flawless technique.

William raised an eyebrow. "A parlour trick."

Vade remained unconcerned. "What is in your pocket?"

"Half a packet of cigarettes."

"I suggest you take another look."

William reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a deck of playing cards in astonishment. "What?"

Vade stepped forwards, took the cards, then slapped the half-empty packet of cigarettes into William’s hand.

"These are mine. Those are yours."

"How did you do that?"

"That is a magician’s secret. Be the smartest person in the room. I am clearly more intelligent than you." Vade raised his chin and spoke with a proud expression.

In reality, it was merely a minor illusion. A Muggle had no chance of seeing through an illusion he created.

"I don’t agree, but you’re hired." William smiled. "There’s a performance at nine tomorrow morning. I hope you’ll be prepared."

"I need some props."

"Write me a list. I’ll prepare them for you, but the cost will be deducted from your wages."

(To be continued.)

◇ You can read the ahead Chapter on Pat if you’re interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)