Chapter 300: Supplication
Chapter 300: Supplication
Felix felt a heavy heart. Though he had only met Nicolas Flamel once, they had communicated multiple times through magical photographs. To Felix, Nearly Headless Nick was more like a teacher.
"Wait a moment, Headmaster Dumbledore, I need to bring something."
France, Paris.
Felix revisited a familiar place, guided by Dumbledore, and arrived at a quiet street. Two streets away was the Boussière Hotel, where the Muggle conference had been held during the summer.
Here, he had encountered a group of vibrant young people. Their youthful faces were still vivid in his mind: the student leader Uriah, Matt, who remained silent even when captured, Blythe, who valued friendship and family, and the innocent and carefree Bethany...
Dumbledore handed Felix a piece of paper with "7 Rue de Montmorency" written on it. As he silently repeated the address in his mind, a small white house suddenly appeared between two lawns.
"Fidelius Charm", Felix thought to himself.
He glanced at the magnificent sunset and followed Dumbledore into the house. Inside was a medieval-style parlor, with various oddly shaped glass containers, candlesticks, and a copper globe on the table. The sofas were covered with white sheets, and the mantel above the fireplace in the corner was blackened by soot.
On the other side of the spiral staircase in the corner stood an elegant bookshelf, filled with books. Opposite the bookshelf, on a table, was a large crystal ball, its light shining through a thick layer of dust.
Led by Dumbledore, Felix went to a bedroom on the second floor. The brown door had a small wooden sign that read: "Nearly Headless Nick and Perenelle."
He pushed open the door and saw an elderly man lying quietly on the bed. His chest was motionless, and his face was pale and frightening. Upon getting closer, Felix could hear a faint snore.
"Nearly Headless Nick", Dumbledore whispered, "Felix is here."
After a long moment, the old man opened his eyes. A white film covered them, and he spoke in a trembling voice, "Felix?"
"It's me, Nearly Headless Nick. It's been a long time", Felix said, trying to sound casual. The Scrying Mirror in his pocket, a belated Christmas gift, might never be given now.
"Felix—I've always looked forward to the day we would truly meet", Nearly Headless Nick tried to open his eyes wider, but everything was blurry, "But something held me back—"
"You have the Philosopher's Stone, so how could you—"
"It's destroyed, my boy. I've lived nearly seven centuries, and death... is not a bad thing."
Nicolas Flamel shakily extended his hand from under the blanket, "Felix—ouch!" he cried in pain.
Felix heard a sharp crack. He remained silent, though he felt a bit of amusement despite the inappropriate timing. He remembered the first time they met, when Nearly Headless Nick had shuffled away in small steps. He gently moved the blanket down a little.
"Thank you—"
Nearly Headless Nick opened his palm to reveal a golden key.
"I know my time is short, but that is not important. Perenelle and I have no children. Before I die, I need to find someone to inherit my knowledge."
"Why me?" Felix asked. He specialized in Runes, not Alchemy, and Nicolas Flamel couldn't be unaware of this.
"I want the world to be better. You are the most suitable person. You meet all my requirements—this is the result of deep consideration."
Felix's heart raced. The centuries of research by Nicolas Flamel were a vast body of knowledge, and their paths were naturally aligned.
"Have you thought this through?" he asked, suppressing his emotions, though he had subconsciously ignored the old man's initial words.
"Except for a little worry—so I've added a condition—" Nicolas Flamel said, turning his face toward the window, where the distant sound of cars could be heard.
Felix's expression became cautious. He knew it wouldn't be that simple. However, he didn't want to miss this rare opportunity. No matter how difficult the condition, he would do his best to fulfill it. Besides, he didn't think Nearly Headless Nick would propose something impossible.
So he said gently, "What do you need me to do, Nearly Headless Nick?"
The old man struggled to breathe, his chest like an old, broken bellows. Dumbledore softly said, "Nearly Headless Nick, you—" but the old man shook his head, "Don't stop me, Albus."
"Felix, do you remember—remember what I said the first time we met? Old people like to—embed themselves in a place in the world—seeking a sense of security—"
His eyes suddenly widened, and his face turned pale, making him look like a ghost.
Felix's heart sank. He knew what Nearly Headless Nick was about to say! Sure enough, the old man gasped for a moment before saying, "I've been studying you all this time, and the more I learn, the more I worry that you might stray onto the wrong path. Therefore—ah, cough, cough! As long as—so long as you sign a contract, everything I have—will be yours."
"An Unbreakable Vow?" Felix hid his face in the shadows, his voice devoid of warmth.
An Unbreakable Vow is a magical contract between wizards, incredibly potent, and those who break it face only one outcome—death. Felix had signed magical contracts before, but they paled in comparison to the binding power of an Unbreakable Vow.
He could find ways to escape or transfer the effects of the former, but with the latter, he had no options.
He could never tolerate being trapped in a cage!
Nearly Headless Nick panted, saying nothing, fully confirming Felix's suspicions. He struggled to raise the key in his hand, but his efforts were weak.
"You must have thought long and hard to come up with such a solution. It's quite a feat, really." Felix's words were sharp.
"I, cough, cough!" Nearly Headless Nick coughed violently.
"Sorry—"
"Don't rush to refuse! Felix—my conditions are not harsh. You can at least listen—"
"I have no interest at all." An Unbreakable Vow required a life as collateral, and he would never agree, especially since he felt betrayed.
Felix looked at Dumbledore, his eyes filled with curiosity. "So, you're here to be a witness?"
"No, Felix." Dumbledore said sadly, "I don't know what Nearly Headless Nick is thinking", he turned to the old man and said sternly, "Nearly Headless Nick, we all know this is not a good idea."
Nearly Headless Nick didn't argue. "I, I know, if I had time—I would observe him for decades, but, Felix—I'm dying—"
"That's your problem", Felix's light blue eyes locked onto Nicolas Flamel, who was still trying to raise the golden key. "Here's a suggestion: while you still have time, find someone else willing to sign the contract."
Nearly Headless Nick seemed to regain some spirit, his words becoming more fluent. "If, if you agree, you will inherit all my wealth, not just what you see here—I have twelve Safe Rooms and seven Libraries around the world, filled with nearly seven hundred years of accumulation: Alchemy, Ancient Runes, magical notes, Ancient Magic... I'm also a trustee of Beauxbatons. If you agree, everything will be yours..."
"Believe me, the conditions are not harsh." His eyes shone with hope.
Felix said coldly, "I'm not that stupid. Besides refusing, I have nothing else to say."
Nearly Headless Nick fell silent, the light in his eyes fading. He suddenly struggled to sit up, leaning against the wall, his body trembling with the effort. "Al—Albus, please—please leave for a moment—" he gasped.
Dumbledore's gaze swept over him and Felix, and he sighed. "Nearly Headless Nick, you..." He turned and left.
The bedroom was left with only the two of them.
Felix sat in the only chair, his right leg crossed, and his black wand spun deftly in his hand. He said casually, "What do you plan to do? In your current state, you can't do anything."
Nearly Headless Nick smiled. "That's precisely my advantage. I'm dying, and that is my advantage." He emphasized this point.
Felix looked at him in surprise.
The old man said softly, "Your answer hasn't changed, you hate external constraints, so I have a backup plan." He extended his hand, and magical symbols began to form in his palm, coalescing into a golden eye.
"You know Ancient Magic?"
"Living long has its benefits, you can learn a lot. In fact, I've never practiced it..."
Felix asked cautiously, "What do you want?"
"From you? No, no, I just want to visit your home..."
"—You can't!" You can't enter my mind.
"I'm dying, Felix", the old man extended his hand, looking at him with a pleading gaze, "no one will reveal your secrets!"
"..."
In the silence, Felix could see the old man's life slipping away, each breath accompanied by a hiss like a snake. He suddenly felt a pang of sympathy and, out of frustration, said, "I'll watch you die. You won't escape it!"
Nicolas Flamel laughed heartily. For him, death was a blessing. His tone was filled with a sense of relief and satisfaction, "You won't be disappointed."
Felix stood up and walked to the bedside, carefully examining the withered, pale hand. Just as it was about to fall, he grabbed it firmly.
(End of Chapter)
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