https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-428-The-Philosopher-s-Stone-Formula/12526623/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-430-Nicolas-Flamel-and-the-Philosopher-s-Stone/12526628/
Chapter 429: Guidance
Chapter 429: Guidance
Would Quirrell attempt to create the Philosopher's Stone?
If he did, it would be most intriguing to observe.
Long ago, the recipe for the Philosopher's Stone had already spread throughout the wizarding world, and most wizards who had studied alchemy knew of its existence. However, no one knew if the recipe was genuine or not.
Albert believed the recipe for the Philosopher's Stone to be a fake.
After all, there was no other Philosopher's Stone in this world.
Quirrell, having no prior knowledge of alchemy, would likely be unable to discern the authenticity of the recipe immediately, and it was uncertain when he would fully realize the truth.
Would it be after he attempted and failed to create the stone himself?
Or would Voldemort, upon learning of this, give him a harsh reminder?
Perhaps, Quirrell would simply be clueless and at a loss for where to start.
Albert felt that the third possibility was the most likely, as Quirrell's lack of exposure to alchemy would make it highly probable for him to be completely lost.
Despite this, Albert hoped that Quirrell would spend time trying to create the stone, only to realize after investing significant time and money that he had produced nothing but a useless rock.
However, the outcome of this matter was beyond his control.
"Are you saying that what's written on this parchment is fake?" Hermione asked, puzzled.
"Just check what the Philosopher's Stone is, and you'll understand why I say it's fake," Albert replied mysteriously.
At that moment, Ron came over to Hermione with a Wizard's Chess set, but as Hermione hadn't played much herself, she suggested they play Wizard's Cards instead.
Unfortunately, Ron wasn't very good at Wizard's Cards and didn't have his own deck, so he naturally didn't want to play. Seeing Hermione looking at the contents of the parchment, he abandoned the idea of asking her to play chess and instead invited Albert to play Wizard's Chess.
Albert, who was just picking up his cat, agreed after a moment's thought. It would pass the time after dinner, and he could also test Ron's skill at Wizard's Chess.
After all, he planned to tackle Professor McGonagall's chessboard soon.
The two had only played halfway when they saw Harry hurrying back to the common room.
"You don't look well. Did you catch a cold in the rain?" Hermione, who was watching the two play chess, looked up at Harry with concern.
"He's probably here to tell you about Snape being the referee," Albert said, directing the queen to take Ron's knight, beating Harry to the punch in delivering the bad news to Ron and Hermione.
Having been beaten to the punch, Harry felt a lump in his throat.
"Oh, no! It's unfair! How can Snape be qualified to be a referee? Everyone knows he hates Gryffindor students!" Ron stared at Harry in disbelief, wanting to hear the truth directly from him.
"It's true. Wood just told me," Harry said glumly. "Snape will be the referee for the match against Hufflepuff."
"Don't participate in the game," Hermione said immediately.
"Just say you're sick," Ron added. "If that doesn't work, break your leg."
"There's no need to panic. Snape isn't as scary as you think," Albert said, feeling exasperated as he watched the two come up with ill-advised plans. It sounded as if they thought Potter was about to face some terrifying monster. "And Ron, if you don't play chess seriously, you're going to lose this game."
Ron's skill at Wizard's Chess was quite good; at the very least, he was better than most people Albert knew, which was probably why he had been able to get through Professor McGonagall's chessboard.
"Oh no! I've lost!"
Ron studied the chessboard for a long time, only to gloomily discover that his knight had been eliminated, putting him at a significant disadvantage. The last glimmer of hope for a comeback had vanished.
Just then, a boy with a chubby face stumbled into the common room. His legs were stuck together, obviously having been jinxed with a Leg-Locker Curse.
Everyone laughed at the boy's predicament, and Hermione immediately went over to lift the curse.
"What happened, Neville?" Harry asked.
"Malfoy," Neville said, his voice shaking slightly. "I ran into him outside the library. He's been looking for people to practice the Leg-Locker Curse on."
"Go find Professor McGonagall!" Hermione suggested. "Report him!"
"I don't want to cause any more trouble," Neville shook his head, mumbling incoherently.
"If you're timid, others will only bully you more," Albert frowned slightly. School bullying wasn't something new to him, and he knew that weakness only invited more torment.
"What should I do?" Neville asked, his voice thick with tears.
"You should practice your spells properly," Albert suggested, narrowing his eyes. "That way, the next time Malfoy tries to curse you, you'll have an excuse to teach him a lesson. If that doesn't work, just punch him unexpectedly. As long as you knock his wand out of his hand, he'll be as good as a Muggle."
"Yeah, that's a great idea!" Harry agreed with Albert's viewpoint.
"I can't do that," Neville said sadly. "I don't like fighting."
"But others are bullying you," Ron said, disliking Neville's personality. "You're too timid."
"Can't we help him?" Hermione looked at Albert.
"That requires him to be brave himself," Albert said, stroking Tom's fur.
"I know I'm timid," Neville said, his voice thick with tears. "Malfoy said I don't belong in Gryffindor."
"It's alright, don't be sad," Albert said, pulling out a candy and handing it to Neville. "At least the Sorting Hat put you in Gryffindor. It believes you're not lacking in courage."
"Thank you," Neville said, unwrapping the candy and popping it into his mouth.
"If you don't want to be bullied, you need to muster up your courage," Albert said to Neville. "Mustering courage isn't as difficult as you think. If someone wanted to bully the most important person in your life, would you just stand by and watch?"
Neville's face turned pale, and he clenched his fists, silently making his way toward the boys' dormitory.
"Neville's too timid," Ron shook his head.
"He just lacks the courage to take the first step," Albert said as he left with his cat.
"What's that in your hand?" Ron asked, curious about the parchment Hermione was holding.
"This is what Albert gave me just now," Hermione explained. "Remember the parchment we found with the treasure last time?"
"Oh, that horribly misleading treasure map!" Ron couldn't help but complain. "What's written on it?"
"It's the recipe for the Philosopher's Stone," Hermione hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Albert says this recipe is fake."
"Fake?"
Hearing that the recipe was fake, Harry lost most of his interest in the parchment.
"How does he know it's fake?" Ron raised an eyebrow.
"He didn't say," Hermione replied. "He told me to look into what the Philosopher's Stone is, and then I'd understand why this parchment is fake." Hermione planned to find time to look into what the Philosopher's Stone actually was.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
