The castle was quieter than usual.
Not silent—
But expectant.
Christmas loomed only days away, and with it came a shift in atmosphere. Students were distracted, excited, careless.
Perfect conditions.
I sat alone in the Slytherin common room, a letter resting lightly between my fingers.
But before that—
The system.
I summoned the panel once more, my eyes scanning the results with measured satisfaction.
Gryffindor — 11%Reward: Godric Gryffindor's Duelist Talent
Slytherin — 87%Reward: Heart of Dark Magic
Ravenclaw — 33%Reward: Increased Intelligence
Hufflepuff — 26%Reward: Double Charms Talent
A slow smile formed.
"Efficient."
Slytherin was nearly complete.
Ravenclaw had exceeded expectations.
Even Hufflepuff had proven… surprisingly valuable.
And Gryffindor—
"Better than anticipated."
Eleven percent was not insignificant.
Not for that house.
My network had spread through nearly every corner of Hogwarts.
Quietly.
Effectively.
And no one had stopped it.
My attention returned to the letter.
The parchment was older than most in the castle, its magic subtle but unmistakable.
Nicolas Flamel.
"I invite you to visit during the Christmas holidays…"
I read it again, slower this time.
"…there are aspects of alchemy better demonstrated than described."
A faint exhale.
So.
I had succeeded.
Not just in learning alchemy—
But in attracting the attention of the greatest alchemist alive.
"Expected."
And yet—
This changed things.
Flamel was not merely a teacher.
He was a gateway.
To the Philosopher's Stone.
To immortality.
To perfection.
Later that evening—
I stood once again in the office of Albus Dumbledore.
He watched me carefully, as he always did.
"You've been… busy, Tom," he said.
Not a question.
An observation.
"I prefer efficiency."
A flicker of amusement crossed his face.
"I've noticed."
We moved into practice without further delay.
Transfiguration first.
"Precision," Dumbledore said calmly, gesturing toward a delicate silver object.
I raised my wand.
The transformation was instantaneous.
Flawless.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Impressive."
Then—
Dueling.
The air shifted.
"Again," he said.
Spells flew.
Fast.
Precise.
Relentless.
I adapted with each exchange, refining movement, timing, control.
Not just reacting—
Learning.
Evolving.
"You anticipate too quickly," Dumbledore noted.
"Then I'll slow down."
"Or learn when not to."
A pause.
Interesting.
Finally—
Alchemy.
The room calmed as we returned to the workbench.
"You've made remarkable progress," Albus Dumbledore said quietly.
"I've had excellent instruction."
Polite.
Measured.
But his gaze lingered.
"You are… advancing faster than expected."
There it was.
Suspicion.
Not certainty.
But growing.
I met his gaze evenly.
"I intend to improve."
A simple answer.
But behind it—
Truth.
When the lesson ended, I turned to leave.
"Tom."
I paused.
"Yes, Professor?"
A moment passed.
Then—
"Be careful… what you choose to become."
Silence.
Then I inclined my head slightly.
"Of course."
As I stepped out into the corridor, my expression shifted.
Subtle.
Thoughtful.
"…He knows."
Not everything.
But enough to watch closely.
Back in the common room, I sat once more, the letter from Nicolas Flamel resting in my hand.
Hogwarts had been… productive.
But now—
It was time to expand beyond it.
Alchemy.
Ancient Magic.
Influence.
Everything was aligning.
And the Christmas holidays?
They wouldn't be a break.
They would be…
An ascension.
I folded the letter carefully, placing it inside my robes.
A faint smile formed.
"Next step…"
Meeting a legend.
And surpassing him.