After a heated discussion, Professor Dumbledore clapped his hands again, signaling everyone to quiet down.
"Alright, 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 with me at all times. You may all leave."
As Dumbledore announced the end of the meeting, the Professors exited the office one after another.
In the end, only Professor Snape, Vison, and Dumbledore remained.
Dumbledore blinked in confusion upon seeing Vison and Professor Snape lingering.
"Oh, I imagine you two must have something to say to me, or... is there some issue between you two?" he said. "Would you like me to leave for a moment?"
At this, Professor Snape sneered.
"I think you've chosen the wrong person," he muttered, turning and walking toward the door. Without looking back, he added, "I would sooner trust the other one than our new Professor. Be careful, Professor Dumbledore."
Before Vison could respond, Professor Snape had already vanished from sight.
"Who is he telling you to be careful of?" Vison asked, glancing at Dumbledore and pointing innocently at himself. "Me?"
"Don't mind him, Vison." Dumbledore shrugged, appearing unconcerned about what Professor Snape had said.
Pouring himself some tea, he looked at Vison and continued, "So? Professor Weasley, do you already have some ideas, or is there something else on your mind?"
Vison nodded.
"Feel free to speak your mind," Dumbledore encouraged with a smile.
Vison said, "Professor, I wonder if I could take another look at the Philosopher's Stone."
Dumbledore was momentarily stunned but then laughed. He patted Vison's shoulder and said, "The Philosopher's Stone... no need to be nervous, Professor Weasley. Young people are always full of curiosity about such mysterious things."
He then retrieved the Philosopher's Stone from his pocket, placed it in the palm of his hand, and offered it to Vison.
"Since you're so interested, take a good look. But remember, its power is immense—and equally dangerous."
Vison carefully took the Philosopher's Stone.
It felt like nothing more than an ordinary pebble, rough and irregular to the touch.
"Eldra."
Vison instructed the Tree of Wisdom to begin analyzing the Philosopher's Stone.
[Analyzing...]
Vison froze.
The Tree of Wisdom, until now, had never needed time to analyze anything; it always responded instantly.
But this time, seconds passed—nearly ten of them—without any response.
Clearly, it would take a long time.
But Dumbledore wouldn't let him hold the Stone indefinitely. Since Vison had taken the Stone, Dumbledore's gaze had never left him.
He didn't entirely trust Vison.
"This reminds me of a long time ago," Dumbledore said, interrupting Vison's thoughts. "I still remember when Nicolas Flamel first showed me this magical stone. Like you, I wanted to uncover its secrets. But clearly, my skill in Alchemy wasn't as deep as I believed."
Vison raised the Philosopher's Stone overhead, letting the light shine through it. It emitted a dazzling glow.
"Very beautiful."
That was all he could say.
He had taken Alchemy as an elective during his Hogwarts years, but this... this was far beyond anything he had studied.
"I agree," Dumbledore nodded, his tone becoming serious. "And although it is beautiful, it is not a wonderful thing. The Philosopher's Stone can turn any metal into pure gold and create the elixir of life.
Wealth and longevity—these are what most people desire.
But unfortunately, humans often choose what is least beneficial to them."
After listening quietly, Vison handed the Philosopher's Stone back to Dumbledore and nodded thoughtfully.
"Actually, I'm more interested in knowing how the Philosopher's Stone is made."
"I'd like to know too," Dumbledore replied with a smile. He pocketed the Stone casually, sat back in his chair, and folded his hands on the table. "The Philosopher's Stone is a highly complex and mysterious Alchemical artifact. Even Nicolas Flamel spent hundreds of years uncovering only a small part of its secrets."
"A part?" Vison echoed, puzzled.
Dumbledore nodded and sighed. "Yes, Vison, its power far surpasses what we understand. Although Nicolas Flamel created the Philosopher's Stone, he admits that even he hasn't fully explored its potential."
That, Vison thought, seemed entirely possible.
Only Flamel might hold further clues to its mysteries.
"Alright, Professor Weasley," Dumbledore stood up. "We've talked enough. I'm glad you're willing to help protect the Philosopher's Stone. We must ensure that no one gets close to it—especially those with ulterior motives. From now on, no one is allowed to touch it again."
When Dumbledore said this final sentence, his tone was unusually firm.
"I understand," Vison nodded.
With that, he left the Headmaster's office, sensing that Dumbledore had subtly asked him to go.
Back in his office, Vison slumped onto the sofa and communicated with the Tree of Wisdom again.
"Eldra, what's the situation with the analysis of the Philosopher's Stone?"
[Analyzing...]
[Wants...]
"!"
Vison immediately perked up.
Wants?
The Tree of Wisdom had never responded like that before.
Since he had first connected with it, the Tree's responses had always been cold, logical, and entirely devoid of emotion.
Could it have become... sentient?
But that idea was short-lived.
Subsequent attempts to communicate yielded the same dry, robotic responses as always. No more emotion. No "wants." No spark of personality.
From this, Vison surmised that the Philosopher's Stone must be especially important to the Tree of Wisdom—perhaps a catalyst for growth.
"It seems I have to think of a way to borrow the Philosopher's Stone..." he murmured.
But wanting it and getting it were two very different things.
Dumbledore might have let him hold it briefly—but to borrow it?
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