They weaved through the darkened, windy streets of Paris, beyond the noise of the main roads, the twinkling lights, the drunks and the tourists. Theda led the way, guiding their steps with the map Flamel had drawn for her until, finally, they came to a darkened road clustered with a series of grand old houses. Their stonework and frames suggested, to Theda's trained eye, that they must have been at least 500 years old, perhaps even before the time of the Tudors, though they'd been splendidly maintained. The homes were all dark, without an electric light fixture in sight, just a single candle-lit lantern hanging above the door of the last house on the street.
"That must be it,"Theda said, gesturing toward the illuminated doorstep.
The four of them approached, closely huddled together for warmth, their shoes crunching the snow into the gaps between the cobblestones. As they climbed the front steps, Theda reached for the door knocker, a heavy bronze ring in the shape of a winged serpent.
After waiting a few seconds, the door slowly creaked open, though no one was there to welcome them. Theda and Severus exchanged curious glances, waiting a moment for some sign of life coming from within the house. When none came, the group elected to enter regardless, eager to escape the cold.
They took in their surroundings as they passed through the threshold. The cluttered interior was a testament to Flamel's genius, which was evidently driven by curiosity and mania. The walls were lined with desks, all of which were covered in stacks of books, parchment, quills, haphazardly scrawled notes, maps, crystals, and more. Anatomical models, automata, and many other half-finished projects could be found in every corner. Alchemical tools such as beakers, vials, and burners were littered all around, as were telescopes, globes, and astronomical tools of all kinds.
"Mr. Flamel?"Theda firmly spoke as she looked around."It's Theda Desmond."
No answer.
"Mr. Flamel?"She asked again, sounding more and more uncertain.
Again, there was no response.
As she opened her mouth to call out again, they finally heard something - a shuffling that sounded like slippers slowly sliding across the wooden floor.
"One moment, one moment,"came a weakened voice from down the darkened hallway disappearing into the depths of the house.
Theda stood at the mouth of the hall, not wanting to intrude but also growing increasingly concerned.
"Lumos,"she whispered after they all tried their best to peek into the darkness.
Just as the hallway was illuminated, they saw him - pale, rigid, dressed in a long red robe, taking steps so small that it almost looked as if he were halfheartedly jogging in place. Though this was clearly a man of great intellect and experience, the way he kept his arms awkwardly close to his chest suggested a certain shyness, perhaps even a lack of confidence. He slowly made his way to greet them, an apologetic smile on his lips.
Theda rushed to his side, stabilizing him by wrapping her arm around him and guiding him to the others.
"Thank you,"he muttered meekly, his voice soft and his accent slight."I'm afraid I'm... not as nimble as I once was."
"That's quite alright,"Theda assured him."Thank you for making time to see us. Severus is with me, as are my friends, Marius and Hugh. I hope that's alright..."
"Certainly, certainly,"He chuckled weakly."I like to surround myself with young people. It's... good for the brain."
Theda carefully released him once she was sure he could stand independently, though Marius quickly offered his hand, not only as a means of introducing himself but also to ensure that Flamel wouldn't fall.
"Marius is a historian as well. He works for the Department of Magical Artifacts. And Hugh, his partner, is a journalist,"Theda explained, gesturing to each as she identified them.
"Oh, that's excellent,"Flamel said with a curious gleam in his eyes."I hope you're all feeling up for a stimulating 'meeting of the minds', as I call it. I do apologize for the lateness of the hour,"he continued,"My wife and I practice segmented sleep, so these tend to be our most productive hours... Not that we're quite so productive these days, you understand."
"Of course,"Theda said, once again offering him her arm as he began to sway unstably."We're night owls anyway,"Theda insisted.
"Naturally..."He halfheartedly chuckled, gratefully patting Theda's hand as he clung to her arm."The young are always so undaunted by the night."
"I confess I'm unfamiliar with this 'segmented sleep,'"Severus finally chimed in.
"A long-forgotten Medieval practice,"Marius explained."Before the 17th Century, it was typical for people to go to sleep at sundown, then wake halfway through the night, spend a few hours working, reading, praying, or enjoying their alone time, and then they'd go back to sleep until dawn."
"Segmented sleep goes much further back than the Middle Ages,"Theda added."And it didn't just exist in Europe either. For millennia, humans all over the world would naturally wake around midnight and then go back to bed a few hours later for their 'second sleep.' It wasn't until electrical lighting was invented that we really began to see this change, as it allowed people to work later into the night, rather than go to bed as soon as the sun set."
"I find it much more sensible than the way things are done now,"Flamel confirmed."It's not right that we should fight the body's natural rhythm for the sake of industrialism."
"I find it interesting that you of all people would feel so strongly about following the natural rhythms of the body. Wouldn't you agree that death is part of that natural rhythm?"Hugh boldly asked.
"Quite right,"Flamel admitted,"But the rhythm of life is a pleasant one indeed. It's natural that I should wish for it to play out for as long as possible, is it not?"
"I suppose,"Hugh confirmed after a moment of contemplation."You're certainly not the first person to desire immortality."
"But I am the first person to achieve it. Or, at least, I believed I would be. But, alas, every serenade must end so a requiem may begin, as even mine soon will."
"You're dying?"Marius asked in disbelief.
"I'm sorry, I thought you were all aware of the recent developments... Yes, I am, in fact, dying. I have destroyed the stone with which I created the elixir that has kept my wife and me alive for so many centuries."
"Why would you do something like that?"Marius asked.
"I have lived a more fruitful life than any man. I've seen all there is to see and learned all there is to know about both our world and the world we share with our muggle counterparts. I've proofread the poetry of Petrarch, challenged the philosophies of Descartes, critiqued the theories of Newton. I've attended Marie Antionette's execution, the premiere of Mozart'sDon Giovanni, Frederick Douglas' Fourth of July keynote speech. I've witnessed plagues, revolutions, genocides, as well as enlightenments, awakenings, and the birth of empires."
"You seem to take great interest in muggles,"Severus inquisitively suggested.
"Of course, as we all should,"Nicolas confirmed."We lived in harmony with them for most of human history. We saw them as our brothers and sisters. It wasn't until the witch hunts began that this changed... In fact, I myself assisted in the writing of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, a choice which I often find myself questioning in hindsight, debating whether or not it was right... It was this clear separation, this 'us vs. them' mentality that gave rise to wizards like Grindelwald and he-who-is-not-to-be-named. It is for this very reason that I have destroyed the stone which has sustained me all these years. If it were ever to fall into the wrong hands, it would have been catastrophic for our world as well as that of the muggles. So yes, I am dying, but... It matters not."
"I would argue that it's because you've lived such a life that itdoesmatter,"Theda replied.
"I agree,"Hugh chimed in."The wisdom you've acquired in your incredible lifetime is invaluable. Have you ever considered writing your experiences down?"
"Oh, yes... But it's such a daunting task. I'm not sure I have the energy now."
"It would be an honor if you would allow me to write your memoirs,"Hugh suggested.
"It is kind of you to offer, but I don't think I could ask you to dedicate that sort of time to listening to the ramblings of an old man."
"With all due respect, Mr. Flamel, it would be the crowning point of my journalistic career. If the wealth of knowledge you've acquired wasn't recorded for future generations, well... It would be a tragedy."
"Ah, well... If you truly feel so strongly about it, I suppose I won't be able to dissuade you. We will speak about it in more detail another time, perhaps? And please, call me Nicolas."
Before Hugh could respond, they were all silenced by the distinct sound of a bell ringing from one of the innermost rooms of the house.
"I'm afraid I must tend to my wife,"Flamel said apologetically."I'll only be a few moments, but please, make yourselves comfortable."
He gestured to the seating area by the fireplace before weakly flourishing his wand which drew open the heavy velvet curtains, revealing a magnificently large leadlight window.
"Thank you, Nicolas,"Hugh said politely as they all migrated to the sofa and chairs arranged around the fireplace.
As she took her seat, Theda also took in her surroundings. The latticed sofa and chairs conjured up memories of her travels to Croatia and Bohemia, the ornate rugs a reminder of her time in Morocco and Turkey. The brilliant light of the stars shone through the decorative diamond-shaped sections of both colored and clear glass making up the large window, illuminating the decorative blue tiles that made up the fireplace.
Severus sat beside her on the sofa, his fingers instinctively interlocking with hers.
"This place is amazing, don't you think?"Theda asked, addressing no one in particular.
"I'll say,"Marius confirmed as he nosily poked around at some of the relics on a nearby shelf."I've never seen a collection of artifacts this impressive outside of the Ministry. I wonder... No, never mind."
"What?"Theda asked.
"Well... I was just going to say I wonder what will happen to it all when... You know."
"It's already been accounted for,"Flamel calmly interposed as he shuffled back into the room, a soft smile still on his face."It's all been accounted for in my last will and testament. Some of the more personal items will be interred with my wife and me at the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise. A large portion will be donated to Beauxbatons, and a slightly smaller portion will be surrendered to your department, Marius. Please... Treat them with care. As for the rest... Well, let's just say my most cherished pieces will be distributed amongst friends to remember me by."
"I think that sounds lovely,"Theda mused, her eyes still wandering about the room in an effort to absorb it all, though the hoard of items was positively overstimulating.
"I would offer you all something to eat, but I'm afraid we keep no food in the house. We have no need of it, you see. Haven't for many centuries now. Tea, however..."He trailed off as he summoned a tray of teacups and saucers along with a Blue Willow teapot that had already begun to distribute its contents amongst them."Well, we still enjoy the ritual of it."
"Tea has become part of our nightly ritual as well,"Theda said, smiling softly at Severus. He gently squeezed her hand in response."Is your wife feeling alright? Is there anything we can do to help while we're here?"
"You are kind to offer... But no, thank you. No, there's nothing to be done now... Perenelle is still well enough to talk, and to drink, and to write, but... She gets a little weaker with each passing day. We both do."
"That must be hard,"Hugh said solemnly before sipping his tea.
"It is, yes... But we're at peace with it all. We've enjoyed 645 years of marriage, and it's all been such fun. And now, it's time to see what waits for us in the next life."
"That's a very healthy way of looking at it,"Theda said."Your home is fascinating. I could spend days in here just taking in the wealth of information."
"Oh, thank you, thank you... It's been my humble home for over 500 years.Many meetings were conducted here, many visits from famous and infamous witches and wizards... Many memories."
"If only these walls could talk..."Hugh mused.
"Yes, well... Enough about me. It's you we're here to discuss, Miss Desmond. Now, where to begin..."
"Perhaps we should first explain what we already know,"Marius suggested.
Flamel gave an appreciative nod before expectantly turning to Theda.
"Alright... Well, my whole life I've been extremely sensitive to the emotions of others, which I now know to be the same invoqing ability Collette Altier and her female descendants all shared. I know very little about the Altiers or my connection to them, so perhaps you could start by telling us what you know. You were one of the original founders of the French Ministry, correct? You must have known Collette and Laurent, then, right?"
"Oh yes, I knew them, and their children, and their children's children."
"Do you know what happened to them after they disappeared?"
"I know more than most, but, I confess even I am ignorant of their exact whereabouts over the last hundred and fifty years or so. Collette had three daughters and a son: Sydna, Rena, Neyva, and Conrad. As you know, only the women were invoquors. Rena's children, sadly, did not live to adulthood. Neyva had no children. Sydna, the eldest, is the only one who passed the trait along. Her daughter, Geraldine, passed it to her daughter, Imogene, though I regret I met her only once as a child. They left France rather abruptly and never returned. No one knew the exact reason."
"They just left without telling anyone why?"Severus asked.
"You have to understand... In those days there was still such civil unrest amongst the people, it wasn't so unthinkable that a mother should wish to raise her daughter in a more peaceable environment."
"Do you know where they went?"Theda inquired.
"I know that Geraldine took Imogene to Germany. I believe they must have changed their last name at this time. What happened after that is unknown to me... Until your ancestors once again resurface, this time in America, as the 'Allen' family."
"Hang on,"Hugh chimed in,"How exactly is the family name passed down? It sounds to me like it's passed from mother to daughter, but if that's the case, what happens if they marry?"
"It is rather confusing,"Flamel explained."Collette was the first invoqor, yes? Well, Sydna was the second, and so when Sydna did marry, she chose to keep her family name. Thus, her husband, Henri Baptiste became Henri Altier. This became a tradition - men who married into the Altier family would adopt their wife's maiden name, thus the chain of powerful women was never to be lost within the branches of the family tree. It's all the more unfortunate that several of those women were lost to history, regardless."
"So, you mentionedthe Allens in America,"Theda backtracked,"Do you know for how many generations they've been established on that side of the pond?"
"I do,"He confirmed."Your grandmother was the first."
"How do you know?"Theda asked.
Flamel smiled knowingly.
"She told me."
"Wait..."Theda said as she processed his words."You knew my grandmother?"
"Oh yes, I knew Sylvia. Our paths crossed many years ago when she was not much younger than you are now. She spent a time in Paris during her youth. We never met again after she returned to the States, but we kept in contact over the years."
He silently waved his wand, summoning a wooden box from a nearby desk.
"I kept every one of our correspondences after your mother was born, upon her request. She had hoped they would one day be passed on to her daughter, but it was not to be. In her last letter, she requested that they be turned over to you, should you ever track me down."
"Why didn't she just give me your information when she died? Seems like that would have saved me a lot of trouble,"Theda observed, her voice betraying a hint of annoyance.
"Because, my friend, she did not want you to find me. She hoped you would never seek out any information about your family history."
"Then why ask you to save these letters for me?"
"Because she knew it was only a matter of time before you came looking anyway. Looking for the answers she never gave you."
"That sounds about right,"Theda chuckled softly."I can be incredibly persistent."
"A trait you inherited from her, no doubt."
He passed her the box, which she did not hesitate to open, curiously peeking inside to find a stack of many letters as well as a few small trinkets.
"You'll find that the wax seal on one of the letters remains unbroken. I have never read its contents, as was her request. She told me never to read it, or to allow anyone other than you to read it either. I suggest opening it when no one is around, as its contents may be of a sensitive nature."
Theda's lips curled warmly as she wiped a tear from her eye.
"Thank you. Truly."
Flamel waved his hand dismissively.
"What else would you like to know?"
"Perhaps,"Severus hesitantly interjected,"It would be beneficial to know more about Collette and the first invoquors. About how they utilized these skills and what they did to control them."
"Quite right,"Nicolas agreed."But first, I'd like to ask you a few questions, Miss Desmond."
"Anything,"She nodded.
"You are something of a history expert, are you not? Tell me, how does that influence your magic?"
"I'm not sure I understand your meaning,"Theda admitted.
"How does your knowledge strengthen your abilities?"
"I never thought about it that way... I always saw my magical abilities and my passion for history as separate facets of my life. But now that you ask, I guess you could say that my understanding of the evolution of magic helps me to have a more well-rounded, holistic approach to my own practice."
Flamel nodded approvingly.
"Are there any specific historical practices you've adopted?"
"Well... When I was writing one of my books on the Ancient Egyptians I learned quite a bit about the art of scrying with a bowl of ink, which I attempt every now and then whenever inspiration strikes. Sometimes I incorporate ancient runes into my spell work and potion-making... Is that the sort of thing you mean?"
"Yes, that's very good. Do you practice cartomancy?"
"I've dabbled with tarot,"she answered.
"And? Were your readings successful?"
"Well, yes, but... Isn't that more about the predetermined order of the cards rather than the practitioner's abilities?"
"That's one school of thought,"he agreed,"But, as an alchemist, I never underestimate the tremendous power our hands can possess, even when we are not intentional in the way we use that power. Perhaps the order of the cards is predetermined, but I believe the power the reader imbues them with while shuffling is the very factor that determines this predetermined outcome. In other words, what the cards reveal to one person is always different than what they would choose to reveal to someone else."
"But surely,"Severus interjected,"A man of your intelligence and experience can also entertain the possibility that divinatory practices like cartomancy and scrying rely entirely on coincidence and offer no real insight beyond confirmation bias?"
Flamel smiled softly, his expression almost pitying, as though Severus, a man generally considered to possess far above-average intelligence, were little more than a naive child.
"Actually, Severus, I find that the more I experience of life, the more obvious it becomes that all things are predetermined, and the illusion of coincidence is just that - an illusion."
"I don't mean to suggest that this philosophical discussion isn't fascinating food for thought,"Marius spoke,"But I struggle to see how it relates to Collette."
"I'm getting there,"Flamel assured him."Out of curiosity, did you know that, globally, there are more witches than there are wizards?"
They all exchanged ignorant glances but said nothing.
"It is said that the first practitioners of magic, predating recorded history, were 'wise women.' These women cultivated practices that would eventually evolve into the magic we know today. Ancient medicine women and healers were the first potion-makers. Ancient female shamans were the first to experiment with divination. Moon worshippers who would dance under the stars paved the way for both astrology and astronomy."
"Marius did tell me that Collette's abilities were only passed down to the Altier women,"Theda contributed."I've often wondered why that is."
"The simple truth is that women have always paved the way when it comes to magic. They tend to be the ones making the breakthroughs, though men often take the credit. This should not come as a shock when you consider that women tend to be more intuitive, more spiritual, and more emotionally intelligent. However, women also tend to be less ego-driven, thus demand less recognition."
Theda nodded pensively as she recalled many of the powerful witches she'd met across the world - The Onmyōji of Japan, the Egyptian Priestesses of Heka, the shamans of rural tribes across Africa and the Pacific Islands.
"In all my 665 years of life,"Flamel continued,"I have seen it time and time again. Women strategize, experiment, observe, and philosophize, trusting and relying on their inner voice. Meanwhile, their male counterparts often feel they need to speak the loudest in an effort to prove to themselves that they even have any voice at all."
Severus' eyes betrayed a flash of remorse as he too reflected on some of his previous encounters with powerful witches, very much aware that he of all people was often guilty of asserting his dominance in an effort to conceal his own insecurities.
"The point I'm trying to make is this: While many wizards certainly possess strong inherent magical abilities, we tend to have to struggle more in order to hone them. Women often have a more natural inclination, especially the ones who take the time to develop their intuition. Unfortunately, this is frequently overlooked and rarely emphasized in any of our modern institutions. Things were quite different 200 years ago. Collette understood and recognized that her natural gifts were part of a divine birthright that all witches share. That understanding is what allowed her to develop her intuition into what we now know as 'invoqing.'"
"So you're saying... I need to work on further developing my intuition?"
"Precisely. The fact that you've been able to read people's energy for as long as you have tells me that you're a highly intuitive witch by nature, and the fact that you've developed a tolerance to it tells me that you're already able to control it. At least, to an extent."
"But where do I begin?"She asked, her voice betraying a hint of frustration."I don't know how to teach myself something as abstract as that."
"I suggest you begin by deepening your connection to magical practices typically associated with the 'Divine feminine,' as some call it. Divination, moon rituals, medicine-making... anything that makes you feel connected to the long line of witches in your ancestry."
Theda's eyes lit up.
"Medicine-making..."
"Ah, of course!"He chuckled softly, weakly smacking his palm to his forehead self-depreciatingly."Your grandmother was a gifted healer, yes?"
Theda smiled nostalgically, clutching the box of Sylvia's letters to her chest.
"Incredibly gifted. She taught me practically everything she knew, things I still practice to this day. I always feel particularly connected to her when I make her potions or use any of the healing spells she taught me!"
"There you have it. You've already begun."
Theda nodded gratefully.
"What about the riddle?"Hugh asked as Theda became lost in thought.
"Oh, right, right!"Theda laughed as she was shaken from her daydream. She opened her bag, removing Collette's brooch, holding it in her palm for Flamel to see as the inscription once again made itself visible.
He took it from her hand and summoned a large magnifying glass from a nearby desk, though he still had to strain his eyes in order to make out the engraved message.
"'To she who can claim the Altier name'..."Flamel began reading aloud,"'I await where three join to embrace the flame'... How interesting!"
Theda nodded as Flamel rubbed his chin in thought.
"The brooch belonged to Collette,"Marius added for context.
"Yes, I recognized it immediately,"Flamel replied."She often wore it. I believe she said it was a precious family heirloom of some kind, if memory serves."
"If it was so precious to her, how do you think it ended up in the Department of Magical Artifacts?"Hugh asked.
"Of that, I can't be certain, but I may possess one piece of the puzzle. Toward the end of her life, Collette became increasingly secretive, bordering on paranoia. Laurent had been gone for some time and she feared she'd soon meet a similar end."
"How did he die?"Theda asked.
"He was... silenced,"Marius said grimly.
"Collette had been permanently weakened by the complicated birth of her son, Conrad, and with her husband gone, she was left vulnerable. She was desperate for protection, so... I believe she made some sort of deal with le Comte de Saint Germain, at which time I believe the brooch came into his possession."
They were all silent for a moment, mentally connecting the dots.
"Mr. Flamel,"Theda eventually spoke,"...Can you confirm whether or not St. Germain still lives?"
"Unfortunately I cannot, Miss Desmond. He very well may be, though I've not heard from him in at least forty years."
"That's alittlebit more encouraging than what Albus told us,"Theda responded, though she was thinking out loud more so than contributing to the conversation.
"But then,"Hugh spoke,"If the stone has been destroyed..."
He made eye contact with Severus who took it upon himself to finish Hugh's thought.
"If you have not supplied him with the stone's elixir in forty years... How is it possible that he's still alive?"
"You forget,"Flamel answered kindly,"St. Germain is a gifted alchemist. He may not be quite so experienced as yours truly, however, itispossible that he's found something else that sustains him."
"So then,"Marius interjected,"Is it your belief that the brooch went from Collett's possession to the Comte's, and then into the hands of the Ministry?"
"There's no way of knowing for certain,"Flamel said,"Though it is what I would call an 'educated guess.'"
"And the riddle?"Theda asked."Do you know the location it could be referring to, or who would have made the inscription?"
"As for who charmed the brooch, I do not know... It could have been whoever passed it down to Collette; perhaps the message was intended for her."
A look of mild disappointment appeared on Theda's face as she silently digested this new theory.
"I suppose I shouldn't have assumed the message was meant for me... I thought perhaps it was a clue meant to help me find the Comte..."
Flamel smiled sympathetically, gently patting her shoulder.
"And you may yet be correct,"He reassured her."But I think it's worth considering all possibilities."
"What about that line, 'Where three join to embrace the flame,'"Severus asked."We thought perhaps it made reference to a place where witch burnings were held, but... That didn't seem quite right."
"Nothing immediately springs to mind,"Flamel admitted regretfully,"But I will say this: le Comte was always the kind of man who liked to play games, always for his own amusement, occasionally at the expense of others. He was a man of many secrets, with a knack for codes and riddles. I think this is exactly the sort of clue he would have left if indeed it was his intention for you to find him."
Theda's face perked up, a shred of her optimism seemingly restored.
"I'll tell you something else. He was also a sworn member of several secret societies.I would encourage you to read up on the Rosicrucians, the Freemasons, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, etc.Even the Ministry has its origins in the Order of the Ouroboric Occamy."
Theda, Severus, and Hugh exchanged puzzled glances as Marius nodded in immediate recognition.
"The door knocker,"Theda mumbled, once again thinking out loud.
"Very observant,"Flamel confirmed. "That was our symbol - the occamy is a widely recognized symbol of hidden power. As you may, of course, know, occamy are winged serpents that can grow up to 15 feet in length. A fiercely powerful foe, should you cross one. However, they can, at will, shrink down to the size of a worm, and often will if provided with a small enough space to occupy. Their eggs are made of silver, and for this reason, they were nearly hunted to extinction, and were it not for their remarkable ability to hide in plain sight, I believe they'd have been long gone by now. Before the establishment of the Ministry, we too were hunted to near extinction. The occamy became a symbol of our resilience, though we were forced into hiding."
"But why the 'Ouroboric Occamy?'"Hugh asked.
"An ouroboros, a snake that eats its own tail, is a symbol that has long been used by alchemists. It represents the eternal cycle of creation and destruction, life and death, good and evil. This house was our original meeting place before establishing the Ministry, and then in the days of Grindelwald, it became a safehouse for those who fought against him. You see, nothing ever really changes. History repeats itself in an endless cycle of dismantling and rebuilding, tyranny and revolution, oppression and freedom. That is why the self-eating occamy on the front door remains to this day. Even after I'm gone, I want this house to stand as a permanent reminder of the spirit of resistance that gave birth to the world as we now know it, and as a portent for all who seek to repeat the violent past."
"How did I know you'd be boring these poor people with your stories about the old days?"came a woman's voice from the darkened hallway."I apologize for my husband,"she spoke as she feigned annoyance.
"Perenelle, you should have rang for me if you needed something,"Flamel anxiously spoke as he struggled to stand.
"Sit back down, I'm fine,"she quietly reassured him."I needed to stretch my legs."
She took a moment to take in the sight of Theda and her friends before addressing them.
"I apologize for my lack of hospitality. I'm not the sociable host I once was, so I hope you'll forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive!"Theda reassured her.
Perenelle smiled as she appraised the younger witch before her.
"I'm afraid I must take my husband off your hands, as I need him tohelpmewith my bath. But beforethat... I hope you'll not think me impertinent, but I overheard quite a bit of what's been said tonight and I wanted to offer what help I could before you go."
"We couldn't possibly ask anything of the sort,"Theda spoke softly."You've already helped us tremendously by sharing your husband for the evening."
"Even so, I have something I'd like to contribute."
She withdrew her wand from the pocket of her robe, summoning a small rattan box from one of the cluttered bookshelves.
"Collette was a close personal friend of mine. I've often wondered what became of the family, her granddaughters and their daughters as well."
The small box landed in Theda's lap as Perenelle nodded, silently encouraging her to open it. Theda lifted the lid, revealing a set of what appeared to be playing cards.
"Do you know the Lenormand?"Perenelle asked.
"I'm afraid I don't,"Theda admitted.
"A form of cartomancy,"Perenelle clarified."You'll notice some of the cards resemble the Tarot de Marseille, though there are some major differences in both the deck itself and the practice of reading them. There is an instructional booklet inside so I won't waste your time explaining the rules and meanings of the cards, but I will tell you this: The woman who invented this deck, Marie Anne Lenormand, left them to me. It was her personal deck with which she delivered fortunes to the wife of Napoleon, Marat, the Tsar of Russia, and, of course, Collette Altier. If you want to develop your intuition and deepen your connection to the magic practiced in the days of your ancestors, familiarizing yourself with this deck is a good place to start."
"That is incredibly generous,"Theda said humbly."I will treasure them always, and I'll make it my New Year's resolution to learn how to use them."
Perenelle nodded approvingly.
"Are you going to give her the book?"She asked her tired-eyed husband.
"Oh, right, right, of course. Thank you for reminding me."
He weakly flicked his wand, summoning a heavy book from the shelf, and dropping it on the table in front of Theda with a loud thud.
"What is this?"Theda asked curiously.
"This book contains portraits of some of the original Ministry members, though I'm afraid you won't find le Comte or any of the Altiers in it. Even so, you may be able to gather some useful information from some of their contemporaries whose photos are inside."
"And I can keep this?"Theda asked in amazement as she flipped through the pages, familiarizing herself with the sleeping faces.
"Certainly,"Nicolas affirmed."We won't need it where we're going."
Theda and Severus exchanged a saddened glance before he took her hand in his in an effort to comfort her.
"How much time do you have?"Severus asked gravely.
"I'm not sure,"Nicolas admitted, exchanging a sad smile with his wife."Could be a year, could be six months, or less, or more... There's no accurate way to predict when it'll happen."
"May I call on you again if I have further questions?"Theda asked shyly, not wanting to take advantage of their generosity.
"Nothing would please me more,"Nicolas answered,"Than to help solve one final mystery before I leave this world. There actually are portraits of both Perenelle and myself in that book, so you won't have to come all the way back to Paris if you need us."
"You've both been such a tremendous help,"Theda acknowledged gratefully."It means the world to me, truly."
She packed her new possessions into her silk bag as they all stood to take their leave.
"Good luck, Miss Desmond,"Perenelle said encouragingly as she helped her husband to stand, her arms wrapping around his shoulders as they leaned on each other for support.
"Oh, and Hugh,"Nicolas spoke, turning back to face them as they made their way to the front door,"If you're serious about writing my memoirs, I'd like you to return next Wednesday. Who knows? We may even dig up some long-forgotten memories that could be useful to Miss Desmond's search."