"Family ties are always difficult to sever; they are among the few things not affected by time," said Pernel Flamel, marveling as she glanced at what her husband held in his hand.
"These days, obtaining Hourglass Sand is not easy; it's even more strictly controlled than those giant bombs of the Muggles. The Mysterious Affairs Department has almost completely cut off the materials needed for its creation."
Pernel Flamel clearly has a deep understanding of Alchemy, much like a stock market expert who lost twenty million, naturally having a spouse capable of losing at least two hundred million.
Even if one is not a professional, they are bound to be influenced by their surroundings, not to mention that Pernel Flamel herself is an extremely talented Witch and Alchemist.
To accompany a near-legendary Alchemist through life, one must surely be exceptional themselves, after all, at any time, "marrying at an equal level" is a universal truth.
It may not involve family background.
But it must involve oneself.
"Our main problem is the lack of another rare material. Hourglass Sand is the least of our worries, as it's stored right inside the Mysterious Affairs Department."
"Isn't that right, Dumbledore?"
Nicolas Flamel looked towards Albus Dumbledore.
The old headmaster was slightly embarrassed.
He could only express his tacit agreement with silence.
"Alright, I won't tease you. Let me look through some books and see if I can help you." He laughed heartily and waved his hand.
He took Albus Dumbledore to his laboratory—not so much a laboratory, but more like a playroom, filled with all sorts of strange and peculiar Alchemy Creations.
If Ian came here.
For the Little Wizard, this place would surely be a paradise.
The number of Alchemy Creations in the room could even be counted in the tens of thousands.
There are glass bottles containing lightning and storms, with tiny figures being chased by them, and on a weaving machine was a sign saying [Damaged, Do Not Use].
It's a Dream Weaving Machine, capable of weaving various pleasant dreams for the user, but Albus Dumbledore remembered it vividly because he once secretly used it out of curiosity long ago.
The Gryffindor trait.
Left him with great psychological shadows.
Since then, Nicolas Flamel put a sign on it, and has never repaired it, perhaps because the malfunction of turning dreams into nightmares was a rather amusing coincidence.
"Gurgle gurgle~"
Something was brewing in the laboratory at that moment.
A House-Elf dressed very eccentricly was solemnly keeping vigil in front.
"Master! It's still this color!"
It turned its head towards Nicolas Flamel, its expression filled with dismay.
"It's alright, just another failure, let it simmer a bit more, then use it to water the plants," Nicolas Flamel said nonchalantly, bypassing his experimentation table.
"Alright, Master."
The House-Elf sighed despondently.
"Cheer up, it's not something essential that must succeed," Nicolas Flamel smiled gently, comforting his House-Elf, and gave him a command.
"You need to stay happy often to increase the success rate of Alchemy Experiments." Surprisingly, the renowned Alchemy Master also seemed to have a belief in such superstitious things.
"It's all because Prolo is useless! Prolo couldn't bring good luck to Master!" The House-Elf pounded its head furiously, which Nicolas Flamel stopped with a sigh.
"How many times have I told you not to hit yourself, you'll injure your mind," Nicolas Flamel said sternly, with a serious expression, to the timid House-Elf.
"For your mistake, you're going to buy yourself two fashion show tickets, from France, and I will supervise to make sure you watch the whole fashion show."
Nicolas Flamel glanced at Albus Dumbledore, then hesitated slightly. "Make it three tickets, a third person can supervise you, ensuring you earnestly complete your punishment."
Upon hearing this.
The House-Elf nodded and vanished from the laboratory.
"..."
Albus Dumbledore was left speechless. He hadn't expected that after all these years, his friend, the Alchemy Master, was still so youthful at heart.
"I think I'll pass."
He politely declined Nicolas Flamel's invitation.
"That's your loss."
Nicolas Flamel shrugged.
"Still honey water?"
He inquired again to Albus Dumbledore.
"A glass of honey lemonade, please." As soon as Albus Dumbledore finished speaking, a drink appeared in his hand, perhaps there were more than just one House-Elf in the house.
Of course.
Albus Dumbledore, who did not sense the aura of a House-Elf, leaned towards the belief it was the house's own capability.
He looked around.
Apart from the countless Alchemy Creations, this room also contained shelves with as many books as the Hogwarts Library, filled with titles that Hogwarts itself had never had the chance to collect.
The room was clearly enchanted with Enlargement Charms, and not only that, but the walls were covered in runes, involving many ancient Alchemical languages.
It might be a fortress even more Solid than Hogwarts. The only areas without runes were hung with six paintings, depicting Nicolas Flamel and his wife's portraits together.