The Philosopher's Stone, also known as the Elixir of Life, is a unique substance. In this world, its primary purpose is to create gold and the potion for immortality. But in a different world—a world of alchemy—a different kind of Philosopher's Stone, or "Sorcerer's Stone," could bend the very rules of equivalent exchange. That one, the one Dudley was about to make, could allow an alchemist to create nearly anything they wanted.
The two stones are not the same at all. In fact, if they were, the massive chunk that Neville was carrying could have been used to grind Voldemort into dust without a second thought.
The way to create this alchemical Sorcerer's Stone is simple, though grim: sacrifice a great number of human beings. While the traditional method requires sacrificing the whole body, the true power lies in the soul. The physical bits of a human are worthless to an alchemist. The souls of that other world couldn't exist on their own, so they were sacrificed along with the body.
But this world is different. The thing in front of Dudley was a pure soul. And for a body? Dudley pulled out half a pork roast. A human's and a pig's compositions are quite similar.
"Wait, I think we can talk. If you let me go, I'll give you anything you want. I know the location of many treasures, and I have magical knowledge..."
Voldemort tried to tempt him, but Dudley ignored the pleas, clasping his hands together. The transmutation circle began to glow a sickening, bloody red.
"I… hate you!"
Feeling his soul begin to fade, Voldemort roared in bitter rage.
For an alchemical Sorcerer's Stone, souls are the main ingredient, but hatred, bitterness, and rage are the necessary spices. And what was more full of all those things than Voldemort's lingering soul? It was the perfect sacrifice for this stone.
The bloody light disappeared, and in the circle, the legendary Sorcerer's Stone remained.
"Voldemort's residual soul was eliminated once, gaining..."
Dudley didn't bother to read the full message from his system. He walked into the circle and picked up the shining red gem. It was cool to the touch and looked like a simple ruby at first glance. But to an alchemist, this fiery stone radiated an intoxicating glow. Voldemort truly was the ultimate villain of the seven-book series; just a wisp of his soul was enough to create a stone of such high quality.
Don't be fooled by its small size. In other worlds, you'd have to sacrifice an entire city or even a country to get one like this. Dudley would never do that. Not because he was a saint, but because it crossed a line he refused to cross. But using a piece of Voldemort's soul? He'd do that in a heartbeat. From the moment the 'love' protection charm caused his demise, Voldemort ceased to be a person. He was a soul that refused to face death, and since it was a soul that would have to be destroyed sooner or later, Dudley saw it as a good way to put it to use.
"Hmm?"
Just as Dudley was about to leave, he saw something else in the center of the circle, covered in dust. He would have missed it if his 'data eye' hadn't pointed it out. Brushing away the dust, he saw a small, fingernail-sized sapphire.
"What is this?" Dudley picked it up carefully.
The system labeled it a Magic Crystal.
Magic?
Dudley immediately understood. The alchemical world of Fullmetal Alchemist doesn't have magic, only alchemy, which draws its power from the earth's pulse or other sources. The transmutation circle not only turned Voldemort's soul into a Sorcerer's Stone but also purified the magic within it into this crystal.
This was no time to study it, so Dudley quietly slipped the crystal away.
"Professor Dumbledore, how much longer are you going to stand there watching?" Dudley asked, turning to an empty corner of the room.
Dumbledore, revealing himself from an Invisibility Charm, said, "Dudley, your senses are sharp indeed."
"Then eat fewer sweets, Professor. I can smell your sickly sweet honey scent from a hundred yards away."
"It's one of my few vices."
Telling Dumbledore to quit sweets? You might as well ask a pig to fly. Oh, with magic, that would probably be much easier.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Neville exclaimed happily. The greatest white wizard of the century's reputation was on par with Voldemort's evil power. Pointing to Quirrell, who had now melted into a puddle of goo, Neville excitedly said, "Vol... Vol..."
"I know, Longbottom, I know," Dumbledore said, his voice containing a magical calm that soothed Neville's nerves. "I think Miss Granger and your other friends are waiting anxiously outside. And Harry really should be checked by Madam Pomfrey."
"Would you be so kind as to help me with that?"
"I have some things I need to discuss with Mr. Dursley."
Neville hesitated, looking at Dudley, but when Dudley nodded, Neville hoisted Harry onto his back and headed for the door. Before he left, he handed the Philosopher's Stone to Dudley.
"This is the Philosopher's Stone? The legendary item that can create the Elixir of Life?" Dudley asked, looking at the red stone, which was different from his own Sorcerer's Stone. The alchemical stone was like a perfectly cut, brilliant ruby, while the Philosopher's Stone was more like an uncut, raw ruby.
"Professor, I remember this stone belonging to Master Nicolas Flamel. I can't believe it was kept at Hogwarts and almost stolen... You should really put it somewhere safe."
With that, Dudley returned the stone, which he hadn't even had a moment to hold. Dumbledore had been watching him closely the entire time, and a flicker of approval passed in his eyes when he saw that Dudley had no lingering desire for it.
The truth was, Dudley didn't care for the stone. Can the Philosopher's Stone turn things into gold? So can his. Can it grant immortality? So can his. But the alchemical Sorcerer's Stone could also amplify alchemy and defy the rules of equivalent exchange. For Dudley, the Philosopher's Stone was a nice-to-have but certainly not a must-have.
"Professor," Dudley said, his expression turning serious as he looked directly into Dumbledore's eyes. "I think we should discuss a very serious issue. Hogwarts is not safe at all."
This was the second time Dudley had said this. What do you think he'll say next?