Chapter 56. The Philosopher's Stone
After the heated discussion went on for a while, Dumbledore clapped his hands again to signal everyone to quiet down. "All right, it's getting late and our time is limited. I hope we can make some progress before next weekend. Until then, I will keep the Philosopher's Stone on me at all times. You may all go."
As Dumbledore announced the end of the meeting, the professors left the office one after another.
In the end, only Snape, Adrian Wesson, and Dumbledore remained.
Seeing that Wesson and Snape lingered, Dumbledore blinked in puzzlement.
"Oh, I suppose you two must have something to say to me—or… is there some issue between the two of you?" he said. "Do you need me to step out?"
At this, Snape let out a cold laugh.
"I think you've put your faith in the wrong person," he said, turning to leave without so much as a backward glance. "Compared with our new professor, I'm inclined to trust another one. Be careful, Professor Dumbledore."
Before Wesson could respond, Snape had already disappeared from sight.
"Who did he tell you to be careful of?" Wesson looked at Dumbledore, then pointed innocently at himself. "Me?"
"Don't mind it, Wesson," Dumbledore shrugged, seeming entirely unconcerned by what Snape had said.
Then, as he leisurely poured himself some tea, he went on, "So? Professor Wesson, have you already had some ideas, or is there something else?"
Wesson nodded.
"Do tell," Dumbledore said with a genial smile.
Wesson said, "Professor, would it be possible for me to have another look at the Philosopher's Stone?"
Hearing this, Dumbledore paused for a moment, then smiled, patted Wesson's shoulder, and said, "The Philosopher's Stone… Don't be nervous, Professor Wesson. Young people are always curious about such mysterious things."
He took the Philosopher's Stone from his pocket, set it on his palm, and held it out to Wesson. "Since you're so interested, take a closer look. But remember, although its power is great, it is also extremely dangerous."
Wesson carefully accepted the Philosopher's Stone.
To the touch, it was no different from an ordinary small stone, with an irregular, rough texture.
"Eldra."
Wesson instructed the Tree of Wisdom to analyse the Philosopher's Stone in his hand.
[Analysing...]
Wesson suddenly froze.
Until now, the Tree of Wisdom had never needed time to analyse anything—it always finished almost instantaneously.
But this time was different. Wesson waited nearly ten seconds and the Tree of Wisdom still did not give an answer.
At this rate, it would need much longer.
Obviously, Dumbledore would not allow him to hold the Philosopher's Stone indefinitely.
For instance, ever since the Stone had come into his hands, Wesson noticed that Dumbledore's gaze had not left it for a single moment.
Clearly, Dumbledore did not entirely, completely trust Wesson.
"This reminds me of long ago," Dumbledore suddenly said, interrupting Wesson's thoughts. "I still remember when Nicolas Flamel first showed me this marvellous stone. I, too, tried to see what I could glean from it. But clearly, my attainments in alchemy were not as profound as I had imagined."
Wesson raised the Philosopher's Stone above his head. Under the lamplight, it gave off a bewitching gleam.
"Very pretty."
After a while, that was all Wesson could say.
Although he had taken Alchemy as an elective back at Hogwarts, this…
To ask him to perceive any deeper secrets from the Philosopher's Stone was simply too much.
"I agree," Dumbledore nodded, his expression gradually turning solemn. "And while it is pretty, it is by no means a wonderful thing. The Philosopher's Stone can turn any metal into pure gold, and it can also produce the Elixir of Life.
"Wealth and longevity are what every human desires.
"Yet sadly, humans do have a knack for choosing precisely the things that are worst for them."
After hearing Dumbledore, Wesson returned the Philosopher's Stone and nodded, thoughtful. "In truth, what I want to know more is how the Philosopher's Stone is made."
"So would I," Dumbledore said with a smile. He took back the Stone, slipped it casually into his pocket, then sat down again, lacing his fingers on the desktop. "The Philosopher's Stone is an exceedingly complex and mysterious topic in alchemy. Even Nicolas Flamel, after spending several centuries, mastered only a portion of its secrets."
"A portion?" Wesson asked, puzzled.
Dumbledore nodded with feeling. "Yes, Wesson. The power of the Philosopher's Stone goes far beyond what we know. Although Nicolas Flamel is its maker, he himself admits that the Stone's potential has by no means been fully uncovered."
Indeed, that was very possible.
But what else the Philosopher's Stone could do—most likely only Nicolas Flamel had any clue.
"All right then, Professor Wesson," Dumbledore stood up. "We've talked enough. I'm glad you're willing to help me keep the Philosopher's Stone safe. We cannot let anyone near it lightly—especially those with ill intent. From this moment on, I hope no one touches this Stone!"
On that last sentence, Dumbledore's tone was especially firm.
"I understand," Wesson said with a nod.
After that, Wesson left the Headmaster's office. He could tell Dumbledore was ushering him out.
Back in his own office, Wesson slumped onto the sofa and once again connected with the Tree of Wisdom.
"Eldra, how is the analysis of the Philosopher's Stone progressing?"
[Analysing...]
[Want to...]
"!"
Wesson, who had been about to take a short rest, instantly came to attention.
Want to?
He had never received such a response from the Tree of Wisdom.
Ever since he had been able to communicate with it, the Tree's replies had always been icy and mechanical, never so human.
Had the Tree of Wisdom grown a little more intelligent?
But that guess was quickly overturned.
In several subsequent attempts, the Tree of Wisdom returned to its old state, giving Wesson only dry answers.
Not a hint of wisdom about it.
From this, Wesson surmised that the Philosopher's Stone must be something very important to the Tree of Wisdom—perhaps even a chance for further growth.
"Looks like I'll have to think of a way to borrow the Philosopher's Stone…" Wesson thought to himself.
However, even if he thought so, getting hold of the Philosopher's Stone would be exceedingly difficult.
Dumbledore's willingness to show it to him did not mean he would lend it to him.
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