MORE MYSTERIES
Chapter thirteen: Nicholas Flamel
"I think they are going to find who Flamel is in this chapter.", Severus said.
"Do you think that, they will meet him in person? The title is mostly of something, that is physically in it.", Lily said.
"No I really don't think so. Harry must be really lucky for that.", Severus said.
"I want to know how he gets to know.", Lily said.
"I am sure that it will be revealed in this chapter. So let's read and see.", Severus said.
(Dumbledore had convinced - high voice cackled with laughter.)
"Oh merlin! He is getting dreams about the killing curse again and again.", Lily said sadly.
"He doesn't even know, what the green light means.", Severus said.
"I don't want him to know that, at least till he becomes a fourth year.", Lily said.
"That is the time, that the topic will come in his studies. We were thought about those last year.", Severus said.
"They are just horrible curses, Sev. I really don't know, why anyone would create them.", Lily said.
(You see, Dumbledore was - who Nicolas Flamel was.)
"She is becoming a bit rebellious, don't you think?", Severus asked.
"Yes, Sev. She is not exactly feeling really angry as she should be about what they had done. If I was the one in her place, I would have blasted them.", Lily said.
"You would have send Harry howlers, if you would have been alive.", Severus said.
"That is for sure, but Harry wouldn't have gone many times to the mirror, as I would still be alive.", Lily said. Tears were clearly visible in her face.
"Please don't cry, Lily. I know that this is really bad, but we can make all this right.", Severus said comforting his friend.
Lily looked at him with a small smile and said, "I know that we will, Sev."
(Once term had started - first time in seven years.)
"That is absolutely not an excuse for this kind of behaviour from a captain!", Lily shouted into the book.
"Lily, they said that if they win the match, they will be on the top of the point table.", Severus said.
"That is certainly not a good excuse, for practising in really bad conditions!", Lily said.
"Go and tell this to James, when he becomes a captain and he does the same thing. He will definitey stop asking you out.", Severus said.
"Really funny, Severus. But I think I will take your advice for this.", Lily said winking at him.
(Quite apart from wanting - off his broom at these words.)
"I really don't know, if this is good thing or a bad thing. Good thing is that, I can watch Harry even more better, but the bad thing is that, I will surely be a bad referee.", Severus said shaking his head.
"I think that, it is for more good than bad. How much bad can a referee do to a game. He surely can't hurt the players.", Lily said.
"He surely can cheat and make his/her favorite team win, or a team can bribe him so that, they get more chances of winning.", Severus said.
"That is too farfetched for the school matches. This cannot be really as serious as professional Quidditch.", Lily said.
"Yeah. That is a good point, but I am just telling the ways in which a referee can play foul.", Severus said.
"Many things that happens in muggle sports, happens here too, right?", Lily asked.
"Yes. Yes, it does.", Severus said.
(When's he ever refereed - was very good for her.)
"Hermione is loosing against Ron in something?! That is really unbelievable!", Lily said.
"The problem with her is that, she is a really bookish person. Books really can't teach you how to play chess, can they?", Severus asked.
"Yeah, I suppose that is true. Still I expected that she will be good in this, the game is basically logical thinking and planning well ahead into the game.", Lily said.
"Even Percy lost the game against Ron, didn't he?", Severus asked. "He is kind of the biggest nerd, and the teacher's pet."
"He did. He certainly is kind of like you, Sev. You are the biggest nerd, whem it comes to potions, and Slughorn's pet.", Lily said teasingly.
"Hey! I am not like that!", Severus protested.
(Don't talk to me for a - break your leg," said Ron.)
Lily just burst out laughing.
"Hey! That is not even remotely funny!", Severus said angrily.
"You just made one of the Quidditch fanatics, try to stop his friend from playing the game.", Lily said still laughing.
"They are still seriously thinking that, I am trying to kill Harry.", Severus said.
"Well, they haven't got any evidence that says otherwise.", Lily said. "Not everyone knows that, you are a good person deep inside."
Severus smiled. "I really want the Marauders to realize that too, Sev. Next year I want all of you to settle your differences.", Lily continued.
"That is going to be really difficult, Lily.", Severus said.
(I can't," said Harry - twelve of Malfoy," Harry said)
"That's my boy. Encouraging your friends, by telling that they are better than some bullies.", Lily smiled and said.
"That is something that you tell to many people. He is definitely your boy. He is like you, more than it seems.", Severus said with a smile.
"I am glad that, he is encouraging his friends, to stand up to some bullies. If I was there I would have done the same thing.", Lily said.
"You did tell that to me, Several times with respect to James.", Severus said.
"That is a real fact Severus. You are worth twelve of that arrogant toe rag. I think you are more of a Gryffindor than him.", Lily said.
"I have no idea, whether to take that as a compliment or not. For most Slytherins, it would have been an insult for them.", Severus said.
"I believe that we have some bit of each house in all of us.", Lily said.
"That is true.", Severus said.
(The Sorting Hat chose - with his partner, Nicolas Flamel'!)
"Wow! They found it out at last!", Severus said.
"They found it from a chocolate frog card? That is a bit stupid, isn't it? After all the time they spent in library, and even trying to sneak into the restricted section.", Lily said.
"Well, that was a really good experience for these three. I am sure that, now they will answer anyone's question about where any particular book is placed.", Severus said laughing.
"Really funny, Sev.", Lily said sarcastically. "Only Madam Pince will have all the information about the books. I think she even knows, even the row number of all the books.", Lily said.
(Hermione jumped to her - for a bit of light reading.)
"Light reading? Did she just say, Light reading? She took a really heavy book for light reading? I have no idea, why she wasn't placed in Ravenclaw. Even the most bookish Ravenclaw won't say such thing!", Lily said.
"I think she was too bookish to be placed even in Ravenclaw.", Severus suggested.
"Can anyone be in that level? Then how's she in Gryffindor?", Lily asked.
"If you ask me, I will say that you are dangerously close to that level.", Severus said.
Lily hit Severus with one of the books. Severus was laughing hysterically. "I don't take such large books for light reading!", Lily said angrily.
Severus just laughed more and continued reading.
("Light?" said Ron, - of the Sorcerer's Stone!)
"Thank Merlin that there is only one guy, who made the stone. It would be a really big head ache , if there was more than one at Hogwarts.", Severus said.
"At least Flamel was a good guy. Think what would have happened if a dark wizard was the one who made this!", Lily said.
"That would have been a big disaster. He would obviously use it for conquering both wizard and muggle worlds.", Severus said.
"Thank Merlin that, You-know-who did not get something like this. It would have been really bad.", Lily said.
"Now that you have mentioned him, what if he is the one behind Quirrel? What if Quirrel is working for him?", Severus asked.
"But that wizard is gone. Harry is supposed to have beaten him.", Lily said,
"But what if Hagrid is right, when he said that, You- know-who cannot just die?", Severus asked.
"That is a really dumb conspiracy theory. The fact that, if one lives, he/ she should live.", Lily said.
"I am just suggesting some possibilities, Lily.", Severus said.
(This didn't have quite - hundred and fifty-eight).
"Six hundred years! That is a really long time!", Lily exclaimed.
"Well, they are using the philosopher's stone, aren't they?", Severus asked. "and remember, Armando Dippet is still alive and he is nearly 350"
"What? Our previous headmaster lived for, so many years? I never knew!", Lily said.
"I think he was born sometime in the 1630s.", Severus said.
"Maybe he is the second longest after Nicolas Flamel.", Lily said.
"He might just be, in an average a wizard, only lives up to the age of 125, at least during peace time. At the time of Grindelwald, it was reduced to 110 due to all the deaths.", Severus said.
"It might be reduced further, if Voldemort gets his way.", Lily said.
"That is for sure. I am sure that, by the time of his downfall, in the hands of your son, the expectancy would have reduced too.", Severus said.
(See." said Hermione - told Ron and Hermione)
"Good decision. If you don't, they thought you just chickened out of the game", Severus said.
"He thought of doing just that, thinking that you are going to somehow kill him.", Lily said laughing.
"Nobody is going to kill Harry, as long as I am alive. I promise that.", Severus said. "Let it be Quirrel or Voldemort or whoever comes to kill your son."
Lily smiled at Severus proudly. He was swearing to protect the son, of his archenemy. But she knew that, Severus was considering Harry as her son, rather than James's son. Which she was sure that, will give him a good reason. She just did not understand why, Severus was behaving really bad with her son. She had a feeling that, he might have a genuine reason. She wanted to find just what that reason was.
(If I don't, all the - catch him on his own.)
"Seriously, Sev? Stalking my son, wherever he goes? That is a bit too much of a protection, don't you think?", Lily asked.
"I might be becoming a bit paranoid. Maybe Quirrel is getting closer to finding out, how to get past the dog.", Severus said.
"Don't you think that, if that is the case, you should be stalking him?", Lily asked.
"I know, Lily. Maybe I think that, your son may get attacked, in every turn.", Severus said.
"That is a really nice sentiment, Sev. But I think my son needs some private space.", Lily said. "If you continue this even in your later years, what if you catch snogging some one? That will be a really bad embarrassment for him."
"Thinking of your son, snogging someone this early?", Severus teased.
"Well, if he is anything like James, he will do it really fast.", Lily said.
"Which year do you think, his first date will be?", Severus asked.
"I bet third year. That is the first Hogsmeade year.", Lily said.
"That is a bit farfetched. I think he may be like you, and I bet fourth year.", Severus said,
"But I did not date anyone last year!", Lily protested.
"I am just combining you and James together and giving an approximate figure.", Severus said.
"Ok, I bet you 2 Galleons for third year.", Lily said.
"Same for fourth.", Severus said.
( Potions lessons were - what you'd call comforting.)
"Those two are making him really nervous. Friends are never supposed to do that!", Severus said. "They are supposed to encourage him."
"I am not sure what I will do in that situation. To be frank, even I would have suggested to stay out of this.", Lily said.
"Wait a second! I thought you told that, it was cowardice.", Severus asked.
"Sev! You are my best friend, if I get a small rumour that, someone is trying to harm you, I will be really scared!", Lily said.
"I know, Lily. It will be the same, for me too. I can't stand you getting hurt.". Severus said.
(Harry hardly heard a word - wanting to hurt Harry.)
"Leg locker curse? That is not an efficient curse to use, if you want to stop someone cursing.", Lily said.
"That too I will be in a broomstick the whole time. How will that work on a broomstick? We can't point a wand at a broomstick, that maybe far away, and think that it is not going to miss.", Severus said.
"At least that will be effective against Quirrel, if he starts jinxing you. But the problem is that, they should see that Quirrel is the one jinxing,", Lily said.
"That is right. If they don't realize that, Quirrel is the one, if anyone jinxes the broom, it will lead to a big disaster!", Severus said.
(Now, don't forget, it's - heart did a somersault.)
"Yes! He can't do anything, if Dumbledore is watching!", Severus said happily.
"Dumbledore is not a fool, who will not notice that something really bad is happening there.", Lily said.
"I really hope that, Quirrel will not take any drastic measures so that, Harry will be killed.", Severus said. "What if he has some kind of backup plan, if he is caught?"
"Please don't make me even more tensed, Sev! Let us hope for the best of the scenarios.", Lily said. "Let's see whom you hate more, Gryffindors or Hufflepuffs.", Lily added.
"I think it will mostly be Gryffindor. My behaviour suggests that.", Severus said.
(Dumbledore?" he said - It was Malfoy.)
"Why is this idiot, coming in all the places that we don't want to?", Lily asked angrily.
"He always wants to cause trouble people, just for the fun of it.", Severus said.
"I hope that, he won't cause so much trouble that, the two of them are distracted so much that they can't focus on Harry if he is in any trouble.", Lily said.
"I hope that he will not be in any kind of trouble to start with. I really want a peaceful match between the two.", Severus said.
"I hope so too, Sev. I just want him to be safe.", Lily said.
(Oh, sorry, Weasley, - had hit a Bludger at him.)
Severus was enraged with that. "He better have a very good reason for that, or else I am going to hex that idiot, to the next decade!", Severus said angrily.
"I am so sad for the fact that, you are the target of troublemakers even though you are grown up.", Lily said.
"I have no idea what that implies though. Does that say that, I am really that pathetic?", Severus asked.
"You are definitely not pathetic, Severus. You are watching my son, so that he will be safe. That is a really great thing to do!", Lily said.
"I really hope that, the Gryffindors miss the penalty.", Severus said.
" I forgot to ask, which team are you supporting in this match? Gryffindor or Hufflepuff?", Lily asked.
" I am supporting Gryffindor.", Severus said.
"Severus Snape supporting Gryffindor in a Quidditch match?", Lily asked laughing. "I thought I will never see the day."
"These are special circumstances.", Severus said.
"It surely is.", Lily said grinning at her friend.
(Hermione, who had all - Longbottom, you've got no brains.)
Severus and Lily were shaking with anger at this. "How dare he? How dare he talk about my son like this!", Lily said.
"That Dunderhead is just jealous of the fact that, Harry is in the team and he is not. He just can't accept the fact that, Harry is more talented than him.", Severus said.
"For him, he is the most talented person in the world, and no one is or can be equal to him.", Lily said.
"All talented people have such idiots tormenting him.", Severus said.
"If that was the case, then you do belong to that category. You do deny that James is talented in Quidditch. You have to admit that, he is good in that.", Lily said grinning at Severus.
Severus had no clue, what to say for that. But he did always tell many that, James had no talent in the game. But it was for making Lily think that, Potter was not as good as he boasted to be. But deep down Severus knew that James was good in what he did.
"OK Lily, I will stop saying that.", Severus said. Lily smiled and was glad that, some animosity was slowly dying between them.
(Neville went bright red - money on the ground!" said Malfoy)
"I wish I have a way to go into the book and hex that idiot off!", Severus said angrily.
"The idiot is going too far, with his taunting!", Lily shouted.
"What I think is that, Harry just saw the snitch, and is going after that.", Severus said happily.
"That means that, Gryffindor is going to win!", Lily smiled and said joyously.
(Ron snapped. Before Malfoy - Snitch clasped in his hand.)
Severus and Lily shouted with joy.
"That was a really fast catch, as far as I know. Never in four years of watching matches, I have heard of a catch that was made in such a short time!", Lily said smiling.
"I think that may even be the shortest match, in the Hogwarts history.", Severus said.
"My son is breaking many of the school Quidditch records, of the school!", Lily said proudly.
"I am sure that, even James will become jealous of his own son.", Severus said.
"Jealous and proud. Like a father should be.", Lily said. " I hope that, Harry did not hurt you in the process of trying to catch the snitch."
"I really don't care, as Harry was doing it for a good thing.", Severus said.
(The stands erupted; it - spat bitterly on the ground.)
"What in the world was that for?", Severus asked his other self in the book angrily.
"Maybe you wanted Hufflepuff to win, which is even more hilarious than you wanting Gryffindor to win. You did award them a penalty for no reason.", Lily said laughing.
"My future self is doing things which I will not even dream of doing. I am really strange in the future.", Severus said.
"Yeah, you really are strange and mysterious in the future.", Lily said. "It is as if you have some kind of multiple personality thing in the future self. One really good one, and one borderline bad,"
"I know, Lily. I better consult with a psychiatrist so that, it will not happen now.", Severus said.
(Harry left the locker room - through a heavy nosebleed.)
"I hope that he is all right. It seems as though they had a really big fight.", Lily said.
"I am sure that, he will be all right, Lily. I am sure that, Malfoy would have been hurted even more than this.", Severus said.
"I hope that he was. He was testing Ron's patience, to the limit. If anyone taunts you like that, I will curse those idiots, and give them more than just a simple nosebleed, and hex them into the next decade.", Lily said.
"I will do that for you too, Lily. I will not anyone taunt you like that.", Severus said.
(Harry had reached the - the figure's prowling walk.)
"What in the world am I doing, going into the forest at this time?", Severus thought.
"Could it be something related to the stone?", Lily asked.
"Maybe it will be something related to the stone. With the rumours of many dark creatures in the forest, I would want to make sure that, no such thing will not try to steal it.", Severus said.
"But they are dark creatures Sev! Except for the centaurs and the unicorns. There are even rumours of werewolves in there!", Lily said.
Severus knew that there were werewolves, but not just outside the school but also inside. Severus did not know, what Lily would do if she knew that fact. He somehow knew that, the rest of the Marauders were bound to come into the story, some or the other time. The question now was that, where the hell were they.
"I am pretty sure that, I will be able to handle them, Lily. I am teacher who aspires for the DADA post after all.", Severus said.
Lily nodded in agreement, but was still a bit concerned.
(Snape, sneaking into the - Quirrell was there, too.)
"Oh Merlin! I think you are going to have the final face off now!", Lily said in horror.
"Now? In the middle of a forest? I think that is a really bad place and time for such a thing.", Severus said.
"But this sure looks like that Sev, and my son is right in the middle of this thing. I hope that neither of you will get hurt during this!", Lily said anxiously.
"I really don't think that, there is going to be a duel here. Even if there was, I will make sure that, Harry will be unhurt during that.", Severus assured Lily.
"Let's see, what is going to happen here.", Lily said.
(Harry couldn't make out - perfectly well what I mean.)
"Yeah, Quirrel, you know what exactly he means.", Lily said. "And Severus knows what exactly what you are up to."
"I am trying to do this the more peaceful way. That is really good. Maybe I will talk him out of this quest.", Severus said.
"I doubt it as he might be really desperate to get the stone, to let a troll inside the castle.", Lily said.
"That is correct. I do hope that, this will all end without any conflict.", Severus said. "though there is only a little chance for that happening.
"Thank god that, Quirrel did not panic and try to harm you. I think we may be missing the big picture over here. Maybe there is something to the story, than just Quirrel.", Lily said.
"It is possible, Lily.", Severus said.
(An owl hooted loudly, - and stuff from the kitchens.)
"They are doing all the stuff that Marauders do. They always sneak food stuff out of the kitchen, after a successful Quidditch match.", Lily said.
"I wonder how the twins are able to do that! The marauders have the invisibility cloak, but I am sure that the twins don't have one like that.", Severus said.
"I am sure that, they would have found some other means to do that. They seem to be even more of a level than the Marauders.", Lily said.
"Being worse than even Marauders? I think that is impossible. They are the worst kind of troublemakers here.", Severus said.
"I am sure that, there maybe people with worse attitude.", Lily said.
"I doubt it.", Severus said.
(Never mind that now - gone by next Tuesday," said Ron)
"I am seriously getting offended. I am not the bad guy here guys!", Severus said.
"The stone will never be safe, if Quirrel stands up to Sev! If it happens, then the stone will be gone by the next week!", Lily said into the book.
"It is really sad that, Harry is coming to all wrong conclusions regarding who the good and the bad guy is.", Severus said.
"It might lead to really disastrous outcomes if they don't realize it fast.", Lily said.
"That might not happen unless some miracle happens.", Severus said.
"Then I pray that, the miracle happens fast, before it is too late.", Lily said.
"This is the end of the chapter,", Severus said.
"I will read the next one.", Lily said and took the book.