Chapter 172: Scrying Mirror Joke
Chapter 172: Scrying Mirror Joke
Under the lamplight, Felix carefully examined the Scrying Mirror on the table. It resembled a spinning top, slowly rotating.
As one of the most commonly used warning devices by Wizards, the Scrying Mirror would glow and spin rapidly if there were any suspicious people nearby. Some special Scrying Mirrors would even emit a shrill alarm.
In fact, Felix was no stranger to such alchemical creations. The first book he read upon returning to Hogwarts, Ancient Alchemy Exploration, detailed seven methods for creating Scrying Mirrors.
As a detector, the book provided detailed instructions on crafting Scrying Mirrors for various purposes, including detecting dark magic, lies, and even specific individuals.
What puzzled him now was whether this pocket-sized Scrying Mirror was a casual gift from Nicolas Flamel or held some deeper significance.
"Should I take this thing apart?"
He fiddled with the slowly spinning top, his mind brimming with questions:
Nearly Headless Nick Flamel clearly knew him and mentioned that a friend had recommended his books. Who was that friend?
Dumbledore? Or some old relic?
Had they only read his Muggle studies, or did they also read Exploring Ancient Runes?
Was their meeting a coincidence, or was it a form of evaluation?
Felix believed that if Nearly Headless Nick Flamel had the idea of finding a successor, he would be a suitable candidate. Alchemical creations and Runic Script creations were closely linked, and as the most famous Alchemist, Nearly Headless Nick Flamel would certainly understand this connection.
Moreover, Felix suspected that the number of practical Ancient Runes he knew might far exceed his own.
Thinking about this, he felt a bit excited.
But Nearly Headless Nick Flamel had simply left without even introducing himself, leaving behind only the Scrying Mirror. What did it mean?
Could it be that the Scrying Mirror had glowed during their conversation?
Felix: "…"
After much hesitation, he finally made up his mind. Half an hour later—
He stared at the parts on the table, finding no hidden magic or secret notes, nothing at all.
'Could I have been wrong? Was he just an ordinary, old Wizard with a bit of a limp?'
He now had only one way to verify it. If the old Wizard was Nearly Headless Nick Flamel, there was one person who might know something.
In the evening, Felix intercepted Dumbledore as he emerged from the Great Hall. He looked somewhat tired.
Felix asked, "Headmaster Dumbledore, has there been any progress in the discussions?"
"You can almost consider such a thing non-existent."
They descended the steps and walked into the courtyard, gazing at the stars. Dumbledore said, "All I've heard this afternoon are various complaints and excuses. There are too few people willing to take responsibility."
Felix didn't quite understand: "What's the problem? The Reform Society's demands are clear, right? It's just a matter of whether to amend the laws and, if so, which ones and to what extent. There shouldn't be no progress at all."
Dumbledore patiently explained, "You're oversimplifying it, Felix. Everyone has different demands and different things to discuss. Whether the laws should be amended, whether the Reform Society should be punished, whether the American Congress of Magic should be compensated..."
"Even Fudge, from afar, has written to suggest I assist the French Ministry of Magic to secure greater benefits."
Felix was surprised, "What does it have to do with him? He won't even get a single Warmnut."
"Thanks to you and Carrie Di", Dumbledore said wisely. "Besides, money has never been the most important thing. Official exchanges between the American and European magical communities have been virtually nonexistent since records began. They hope to change the status quo of the American magical community."
"How?"
"Small-scale initiatives like student exchanges or co-hosting major events; on a larger scale, it means extending their influence beyond their own borders to gain various advantages..."
Felix shook his head; this was indeed something he hadn't considered.
"I'm quite optimistic about the student named Uriel", he said, changing the subject.
"Ah, he is indeed very brave", Dumbledore replied. "I'll do my best to secure his pardon."
Felix’s lips twitched.
He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Headmaster Dumbledore, I think I saw Nearly Headless Nick Flamel today..."
Dumbledore looked back at him with a calm expression. "I mentioned you to him. In recent months, his interest in you has noticeably increased."
"Why is he interested in me?" Felix's heart suddenly raced.
"I think", Dumbledore blinked and smiled, "it might be to discuss some Alchemy knowledge with you."
"Really? But he didn't leave any contact information."
"Of course not. Nearly Headless Nick rarely goes out and spends most of his time in his Safe Room. Very few people can reach him." Dumbledore pulled a photograph from his pocket and handed it to Felix. "This is what he left for you. You can communicate with him through the photograph of Nearly Headless Nick."
Felix took it, but the photo was blank.
"He's not there at the moment", Dumbledore explained.
At the end of their conversation, Felix couldn't help but ask, "Dumbledore, do you know what it means to give someone a Scrying Mirror?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Perhaps, it's just that he only had that in his pocket to give?"
Felix returned to his room with a dark expression. He glanced at the Scrying Mirror parts on his desk and couldn't resist the urge to cast a Crushing Curse on them.
"No way!"
He gritted his teeth. "One day, I'll give you a Scrying Mirror too, and see if you can guess what I'm thinking."
"Hmm? That's actually a good idea. Scrying Mirrors are magical artifacts with a very low entry point but a high ceiling. There are many subpar ones on the market, but even Gringotts doesn't hesitate to use high-end Scrying Mirrors."
"Scrying Mirrors are somewhat similar to Magical Automatons and can be used as supplementary material for classes or as part of the Rune Club curriculum."
Felix's thoughts began to wander. With the new school year approaching, he had the Dueling Club and the Rune Club to manage, which suddenly made his schedule much busier.
"I should bring in another professor to regularly assist with the Dueling Class. It's just Severus and me now, and the workload will be heavy once school starts."
"Who should I invite?"
"Flitwick? Mcgonagall? Or the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor? I don't know who Dumbledore has chosen yet."
The next morning, Felix bid farewell to everyone. He met the chairman of the American Congress of Magic and the Minister of the French Ministry of Magic for the first time. They exchanged pleasantries, and the French Minister even hinted at recommending him for the 'Order of Valor,' which he politely declined.
Felix apparated away directly.
As Hagrid's hut came into view, he felt a long-awaited sense of peace and joy.
(End of Chapter)
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