The Greedy Frog
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HP: The Salazar's Heir Chapter 47
🕑 Added 2024-03-12 13:47:53 +0000 UTCChapter 47: Flamel and the Stories of the Past (½)
“That… was quite unexpected..” Snape voiced, and despite his emotionless face, Sebastian could see that the man’s voice was softer.
Sebastian did agree earlier, but it was more of an agreement he made without any enthusiasm.
But this time was different.
“There were a few potions that I want you to look at, professor.” Sebastian said, “I am not sure if it will be difficult to procure the materials for them, but I can promise you that the potions will not disappoint you.”
Mostly he needed an inspector and a person to vouch for his potions and he had heard from Dumbledore that Snape was well known even outside of Hogwarts for his potions.
“I will have to ask you to show me the product directly before I analyze them.” Snape suggested, “I don't need you to write me the recipe, simply bring the potions and we will talk from there.”
That was in both of their best interest, as while Snape was a master of potions, some of the older material combinations were unknown to him and he did not want to ruin a precious potion without understanding its effects fully.
As for Sebastian, he did not have to worry about Snape stealing credit for his recipe –not that the man would, Sebastian trusted him. But it never hurts to be a little cautious.
“I am a little busy with a few conferences.” Snape looked around before speaking, “You may come to the Slytherin faculty room later.”
“Won’t it be troublesome to talk there?” The heir raised an eyebrow, “There will be a little too many people.”
Surprisingly, Snape showed a smirk. It was rare for Snape to show any sort of emotion and even rarer for him to show a positive one.
“There are things that you still do not know of, heir Slytherin.” Surprising him again, Snape addressed him as heir instead of student. “You will learn soon, just not this instant.”
This confused Sebastian, but Snape was not going to give him the answer he was looking for either.
“I will not be free for today or tomorrow, so meet me on the day after that in the evening.” Snape said, “Reach the common room at 6:45 in the evening.”
‘Quite the specific timing.’ The boy mused, “Very well, sir. I will be there.”
Snape gave a slow nod, “Then I will wait.” The man said, “But I hope you will try to attend the classes as well. You have been missing quite a lot of them.”
That was true, Sebastian knew that whether for reasons personal to him or the school, he had been skipping on a lot of classes.
“It is alright if you do not work towards the house points, but do try to gather a good enough personal point score.” The man suggested, “I believe you are interested in a lot of the things that come with points.”
Sebastian’s eyes widened, ‘How can I forget?’
He suddenly remembered that he required quite the hefty sum of points if he wanted to enter some of the more restricted places.
“I… I will keep that in mind.”
It was not a promise that he made to just Snape, but to himself too.
‘I need to build a schedule, a plan so that I do not miss on the necessary things.’
He really needed to, especially when there was a bit too much to do and manage.
“Then I will meet you on that day, Sebastian.” Snape said.
“Good day, sir.” The boy gave a respectful nod, all while the professor slowly walked away –leaving the heir on his own.
‘I do need to meet a few people, but for now… it's best that I don’t get distracted.’
And with that, he walked towards a certain room.
His hands inside the pockets of his robe, carefully holding onto the stone.
‘He said that Flamel already knows I will visit.’ He walked to the headmaster’s office, voicing the password that Dumbledore told him. “Cricket-Pops.”
And immediately the door to the headmaster’s office opened, revealing the massive library of a room.
Dumbledore was not there, possibly still talking with Harry. But Sebastian did not need the old man either. He needed his permission to use a certain thing, and he already had it.
“Now, I wonder when I will learn this magic.” He looked at the small table near the fireplace, and above it was a small pouch from which he took a little of the Floo powder. “It will definitely take a while.”
He walked to the fireplace and gripped the Floo powder tightly in his hands.
“He managed to create a teleportation magic, so he must have one for me to use.” He extended his arm, “But it will definitely be after I learn most of the other magic.”
He had learnt elemental manipulation and multicasting, so he was also wondering what was the next magic that was in store for him.
And he was excited. It would be a lie to deny that he wasn’t looking forward to delve into whatever new topic was going to be thrown at him.
“Thankfully he isn’t in France.” The boy mused, “Otherwise I might not have even found a way to him.”
He didn't need to worry though. Flamel was not in France and that meant he could reach his place without having to jump from fireplace to fireplace.
“To… Nicolas Flamel!”
And with that, the fire grew fierce.
…
…
[Epping Forest, Essex]
“He is here.” Flamel said, noticing a silhouette emerge from the corner of the misty forest.
His small but cozy cottage was set up in the beautiful forest of Epping in Essex. It was far from the magical lands and even the closest magical Floo network was a few kilometers away. But that didn’t matter to the man.
He preferred the quietness of nature and what better place than a forest that was away from the magicians and the savages.
The silhouette soon turned colorful, as the sharp but beautiful jade green lining of the black robes became visible.
“Ah, he looks just like I imagined.” Perenelle said, sitting beside Nicolas in their veranda.
“A royalty.” Nicholas said and Perenelle remained silent, agreeing with her husband.
The couple sat quietly, with a warm smile on their faces as the boy they were waiting for walked towards their cottage –his feet moving in a perfectly straight line.
“Good evening, sir.” The boy said, “I hope I am at the right place?”
Flamel looked at his wife and then at the boy, making the youngster feel a little uneasy. But it was all harmless play as when they saw the boy unsure, they chuckled.
“Forgive this old man, I wasn’t trying to make you uncomfortable.” He said, noticing that the boy’s expression also softened.
“Then… I am at the right place?”
“You are, Sebastian Slytherin.” Flamel stood up, the kind grandfatherly smile still prominent on his face. “And I had been waiting for you.”
Sebastian gave a respectful bow, being just at the right height to show respect while not lowering his own.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet me, sir.” He said, “I have heard a lot about you.”
“Certainly not more than what I have heard of you.” The man gave a soft chuckle, reaching near Sebastian. “And I cannot help but notice how sharp your resemblance is to the Slytherins.”
“He is a Slytherin, dear.” Perenelle chipped in, walking right behind her husband. “He is purer than most that we had met.”
This instantly made Sebastian question, “You had met with other Slytherins?”
“Halflings,” Nicolas said, “By the time I met with someone that called themself a Slytherin, their blood had mixed with so many families that they merely shared a speck of Slytherin blood. The Gaunts, they called themselves.”
This was possibly the third time Sebastian had heard of the Gaunts being referenced directly, and he could not help but wonder what exactly went wrong with them that they lost the treasures, power, name and even their lives.
‘Surely, it couldn’t just be a half baked dark lord that could lead to the ruin of a family sharing Slytherin blood.’
“Alas, they had barely the features of the true Slytherins that I read about as a child.” The old man said, “They were nothing similar to the portraits of the Slytherins.”
“Merely a family sharing blood.” Perenelle said, “And quite a foolish family.”
Saying this, the woman suddenly looked at Sebastian. “Pardon me for speaking of them in such a manner.”
“Ah, no.” Sebastian was extremely respectful. He knew that the couple in front of him were multiple centuries old, they had lived through the ages where people would be beheaded for not showing respect –and in a way, he felt connected.
After all, he was also from a similar time –if not from a stricter one.
“They did lead to the extinction of the Slytherins before my return,” Sebastian said, forming sort of an innate hate for the Gaunts. “I would be the last one to take offense.”
“You must have a lot of questions,” The old man looked at Sebastian’s pocket. “I can see that you brought the stone with you.”
Sebastian stood quiet for a bit, but after a while, he nodded and took out the beautiful red gemstone from his pocket.
“I do have a lot of questions.” He said, “And not all of them relate with the stone.”
From Sebastian’s arrival till now, Flamel carried the same grandfatherly smile. “Of course.” He said, “There is still only a little that a youngster like Dumbledore could tell you. Only the ones that have truly lived through the times can explain the truths and the lies built with time.”
Sebastian tried to give back the stone, extending his hand and looking at Flamel. But the old man shook his head.
“You can give it to me later.” He said, “You have come from far and I am aware that you had to walk quite the distance. The closest Floo network is half an hour away from here.”
“You should have dinner with us.” The woman said, “I expected you to arrive a little earlier, but this is better. I haven’t cooked for anyone in a very long time, so I will feel grateful if you allow me to cook after so long.”
“I–” Sebastian didn’t know how to respond. The couple felt nicer than anyone he had spoken to in a long time.
It made him feel warm, and weirdly peaceful.
“I will answer all the questions that you have,” Flamel said, “Ones that even Dumbledore is unaware of.”
This made Sebastian unable to decline.
“From the birth of the Gaunts to their extinction and how that led to the troubles of the present.” Flamel’s expression changed for a second, but he managed to calm himself. “I am certain that Dumbledore has kept some things from you, but you deserve to know those things.”
Sebastian finally broke, “What… are you talking about, sir?”
Flamel’s smile was bright, “I will tell you. But for now, come on inside. It does not look good on us to keep our guest standing outside.”
“And no unnecessary or sad talks before food,” Perenelle said, “You two can sulk later with a full stomach. But for now, come on inside.”
And just like that, Sebastian was denied his last chance of declining as well.
‘But maybe it isn't so bad.’ Sebastian thought, ‘This will be the rest that I oh so deserve.’
Food, warmth and stories of the past. What else can a boy even ask for?
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[[A/N: The Gaunts are directly related to the Slytherins and to Sebastian. We have a few things to cover including Sebastian’s lordship issue and meeting with the other houses, before we can end this arc.
Since we skipped over quite the events during most of his first term –which he spent mostly exploring his grandfather’s treasury, involving himself with the ministry, learning magic, involving himself with Snape, Flitwick and Hagrid –he did miss quite a few events.
Next arc will mostly cover his second year in Hogwarts and he will involve himself with the events of the original plot more than he did in this arc + we will also be exploring the extinct houses, building useful friendships, mastering trades and politics while also trying to establish Slytherin as the powerful house that it once was.
But for now, we focus on the issues at hand.
Cheers!
]]
