Chapter 125. Duncan Jumps Off the Train
The train clattered along the rails, the view outside the window turning into streaks, and Duncan briefly recounted Nicolas Flamel's information.
"No wonder I couldn't find Nicolas Flamel in the books.
I'd been looking in the wrong direction all along!"
When Duncan finished speaking, Hermione puffed out her cheeks; even her hair seemed to frizz up a bit.
"I shouldn't have listened to Ron in the first place.
If I'd asked you earlier, I wouldn't have wasted so much time for nothing!"
Neville nodded in agreement.
"That's right.
Maybe we'd have caught the one with bad intentions by now!"
"Duncan, what did you just say Nicolas Flamel relies on to live so long?" Hermione asked, thoughtful.
"The Philosopher's Stone," Duncan said.
"A red stone with magical properties.
It can be used to brew the Elixir of Life, which extends the drinker's life, and it can also turn any metal into pure gold."
"Turning things into gold?" Neville said.
"No wonder they'd protect it.
Whoever gets it would become rich!"
"Isn't the Elixir of Life the most important part?" Hermione corrected.
"It's hard for anyone to resist the lure of life!"
Duncan nodded.
"But the potion made from the Philosopher's Stone can't make someone truly immortal.
At most it only slows death's arrival.
The body of the one who drinks it will still grow frail with time.
Take Mr Flamel for example—when I met him last time, the slightest knock could fracture his bones."
"But he's lived to over six hundred!" Hermione said.
"For many people, that's already enough!"
"You've got a point," Duncan said.
"Do you have suspects now?"
"Snape… or Professor Quirrell," Hermione answered after thinking.
"At first we only suspected Snape, but after hearing you last time, I think Quirrell is suspicious too, so we added him to the list."
"But Professor Quirrell has left now.
If he doesn't come back, we can only keep a closer eye on Snape."
"If something happens, ask other professors for help more often.
You're only first-years," Duncan inclined his head slightly, reminding them.
Now that Quirrell had slunk off under the strain, who knew how Dumbledore would carry out his training plan?
Hermione sounded a little unconvinced.
"Aren't you a first-year too?
But I heard from Neville that before you even started school you were already travelling the world with Mr Scamander to fight those wicked wizards and save magical creatures."
Neville looked over at Duncan and blinked innocently, indicating it had nothing to do with him.
He had only bragged casually in front of Ron and Harry before, but he hadn't expected Hermione to remember it.
"I can manage because the friends in my trunk help me…" Duncan said with a smile.
Just then, an owl suddenly crashed in from the open side window and landed right in the compartment—right into Duncan's arms—cutting him off.
Seeing what owl it was, Duncan spoke in surprise tinged with worry.
"Senier, you're hurt?
Who did this?"
Senier had flown back from who-knew-where.
Its white feathers were stained with glaring red, and its eyes drooped weakly.
"Water… water, Duncan, give me a drink…" Senier said feebly.
"All right."
Duncan swiftly opened his trunk and, holding Senier, leapt into the pitch-black opening.
Hermione and Neville glanced at the locked compartment door, then jumped in after him.
In the workshop, Duncan swept the things on the long table aside with one hand and carefully set Senier on the tabletop.
Then he hurried to the side, filled bowls with food and water, and jogged back to set them before Senier.
Senier forced itself upright and gulped down the contents of the bowls.
It looked as though it hadn't eaten for a long time.
After a moment, the bowls were empty.
Duncan asked quickly, "Senier, do you want more?"
"N-no," Senier burped, then lay on the table, exhausted.
"Don't worry, Duncan.
I'm just too tired.
This blood isn't mine.
It's the honourable proof of the many battles I've fought lately!"
"Battles?
What on earth happened?" Duncan frowned, a bad premonition in his heart.
"You'll know when the time comes.
I've even seen several fire dragons in this stretch—tsk tsk—just thinking of it now is exciting.
Pity you didn't get to see it with your own eyes," Senier murmured drowsily, its voice growing smaller and smaller.
"Tied to my leg is a letter from Newt for you.
Take it and read it yourself.
I'm going to sleep for a bit.
I haven't closed my eyes and slept peacefully for days…"
Seeing Senier like this, Duncan didn't press further.
He could only untie the rolled parchment from its leg and unfold it to read carefully.
"What happened?"
When Duncan finished, Hermione saw his expression wasn't good and asked in a hurry.
"My grandad's run into a bit of trouble.
I need to go," Duncan replied, turning his gaze to Pro.
"Pro, I'll leave Senier to you in a moment.
Can you handle it?
If not, I'll have Mori come over."
"N-no need!
I can absolutely do it!" Pro said, suddenly sitting up straight and solemn.
"I guarantee I'll take good care of Senier!"
"Hermione, Neville, let's head out.
I'm leaving now," Duncan said, striding toward the stairs.
"Eh?
But the train hasn't reached the station yet!" Hermione said in surprise, following behind Duncan.
"Professor Kettleburn will be waiting for me at the bridge halfway along the route.
The train will stop there, and I'll get off," Duncan replied.
He climbed out of the trunk and carefully checked the things on him to make sure nothing was amiss.
According to the letter, the situation where Newt was had become critical, and once he arrived he might be going straight into a fight.
"Do you need our help?" Hermione asked, her face full of worry.
"No.
I'm only going to sort out a small problem.
It'll be dealt with quickly.
I'll write to you then.
Just go and enjoy the Christmas holidays—you don't need to worry about me," Duncan said with a smile.
There was no need to burden his friends with his troubles.
Hermione nodded slowly and exchanged a look with Neville.
Both of them were doubtful, not quite convinced.
To divert Hermione and Neville's attention, Duncan went on to tell them more about Nicolas Flamel and the Philosopher's Stone.
Until—with a screech—the train suddenly came to a halt.
The carriage erupted in startled cries, and many slumbering students were jolted awake.
Before long the corridor grew noisy, the compartment doors opened, and students loudly discussed why the train had stopped so abruptly.
The prefects of each House stepped out to maintain order and keep students from running off the train.
"I'm off," Duncan said with a smile.
Under Hermione and Neville's anxious gazes, he hefted the trunk and leapt out of the window.
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