Chapter 643: Chapter 643: Leave School and Go to Egypt? (Edited)
With the remnants in his hand, Snape sat in his office chair and began to seriously study the properties of the Philosopher's Stone fragments.
Tom wasn't in a hurry to leave; he found a chair and sat quietly, observing Snape's investigation. Snape didn't shoo him away, allowing him to watch from the side.
For a while, the only sound in the office was that of pages being turned in books and the noise of Snape moving various laboratory instruments. It wasn't clear how much time had passed, but Snape finally raised his head, with a hint of fatigue in his eyes.
"The remnants of the Philosopher's Stone can no longer provide any vitality." Snape began with bad news and then added even worse news, "To my knowledge, they cannot be incorporated into my formula. The only thing these remnants could do is reverse-engineer the Philosopher's Stone's creation."
Perhaps Tom could offer these remnants to alchemists worldwide and hope they would discover how to create the Philosopher's Stone before Hermione came of age. But doing that would involve too much uncertainty; if the alchemists changed their minds after deducing the formula, what would he do?
Therefore, unless it was absolutely necessary, Tom wouldn't use that method.
Seeing that the remnants of the Philosopher's Stone wouldn't assist Snape, Tom felt a bit disappointed. He got up and thanked Snape again before leaving his office.
Once outside, Tom sighed and then reassured himself. At least there was good news: Snape's magical potion recipe already had clues, and Hermione would soon be able to drink it.
The next place he had to go to... a spark of determination shone in Tom's eyes.
The headmaster's office!
There were certain matters that needed to be properly discussed.
With a determined attitude, Tom walked out of the narrow stone stairs from the underground classroom, but soon his enthusiasm faded. He saw Hermione standing in the empty hallway, looking at him with a mocking smile.
"Does your 'right away' mean five hours? It's almost curfew time!" Hermione said irritably. "If we don't return to the common room, we'll break the rules!"
Tom couldn't help but laugh.
That's exactly what Hermione would say!
As for the rules, Tom thought that even if he violated hundreds of school rules, Dumbledore probably wouldn't dare to punish him; how could the old man have the audacity to show up in front of him?
"Now that you're here, accompany me to a place. Without you, I'm afraid I might end up fighting with him." Tom decided to take Hermione to see Dumbledore.
The reason is quite simple too; if he were alone with Dumbledore, the situation could become very intense.
He really doesn't want to say much, the legendary most powerful wizard in the magical world, holding the Elder Wand, unable to defeat Voldemort head-on, what does that mean if he can't even protect Hermione? Interpret it for me? He really let down the trust Hermione had in him!
When people face problems, they tend to instinctively blame others. At this moment, Tom fully blamed Dumbledore for Hermione's injury.
Hermione understood Tom's words, and now she couldn't refuse his request.
"Stay calm; the situation was very complicated at that time-"
"First, listen to how Dumbledore tries to justify himself." Tom interrupted Hermione and led her by the hand toward the headmaster's office.
In no time, Dumbledore found himself facing the combination he least wanted to see.
Seeing Tom and Hermione approaching together, Dumbledore felt a slight tightness in his chest.
Tom walked straight into Dumbledore's office and took a rather brusque seat in the chair in front of the desk, and Hermione, feeling a bit uncomfortable, sat behind him.
"From what I see, you already know everything, Yodel." Dumbledore looked and immediately understood the situation.
"I'm so sorry." Before Tom could say a word, Dumbledore sincerely apologized, "I couldn't properly protect Miss Granger."
"It's not true, Professor!" Seeing Dumbledore speak like this, Hermione quickly stood up to explain, "Tom, it was my voluntary decision!"
Dumbledore sighed again at Hermione's actions. He pointed his wand at his temple and extracted a silvery-white memory, which he then placed in the Pensieve.
After doing all this, Dumbledore looked at Tom and said, "Tom, this is what happened that day, regardless of what you desire, I hope you see this memory in its entirety."
Seeing how much Hermione was defending Dumbledore and considering how guilty Dumbledore felt, Tom finally sighed and accepted Dumbledore's request, diving into the Pensieve.
After witnessing the events of the duel, the anger in Tom's heart dissipated somewhat. He recognized that he also bore some responsibility; if the magical artifacts he had created had been more powerful, Hermione wouldn't have been injured.
"Blaming and seeking culprits no longer make sense." Tom looked at Dumbledore with a complicated gaze. He knew that blaming this remorseful old man wouldn't help Hermione's condition at all. Frankly, even if he killed Dumbledore, it wouldn't bring Hermione back to life.
Furthermore, ultimately, wasn't Voldemort the true culprit? What was the point of venting on Dumbledore?
In his mind, Tom mentally noted a blood debt to Voldemort. In the past, Voldemort hadn't provoked him, but he had gotten himself into trouble to protect himself. But from now on, things would be different; now, he had a blood debt to Voldemort.
Seeing Tom's more understanding attitude, Dumbledore also felt relieved. What he had feared the most hadn't happened, and he thought that Miss Granger probably had to work hard to calm Tom down.
A sense of relief passed through Dumbledore's heart.
"Professor Dumbledore, we need to find a solution. I just spoke with Professor Snape, and he has some leads on a potion." Tom stopped assigning blame and began discussing the treatment plan for Hermione with Dumbledore.
Before going to Dumbledore's office, Tom already had a plan in mind. He thought there was someone who could help him. When modern wizards couldn't solve a problem, it was better to seek the assistance of great figures from the past. Pharaoh Menes might provide help.
"Professor Dumbledore, Hermione and I will probably take a break from our studies. I want to take her for a walk." Tom leaned back in his chair and spoke with absolute certainty.
To Dumbledore, this sounded more like Tom was planning to spend the last moments of his life with Hermione.
Dumbledore accepted without hesitation. In his view, he should give them as much private space as possible.
Hermione, who was sitting beside them, suddenly understood what Tom meant and opened her eyes in surprise: how had she not thought of this before?
Tom cast a sidelong glance at her.
Chapter 644: Chapter 644: Menes: Guess Why I Don't Use the Philosopher's Stone to Renew My Life (Edited)
Dumbledore quickly arranged the suspension procedures for Tom and Hermione. Although they were called "suspension procedures," in reality, Dumbledore simply wrote a letter as the headmaster, informing the professors that Tom and Hermione could take a temporary break.
Hogwarts didn't have all the restrictions and complications of the non-magical world. Here, things could be done more quickly and straightforwardly. While in the non-magical world, they might have had to make countless visits to different offices to arrange something, here, with just a letter written by Dumbledore, everything was ready.
After leaving the office, Hermione excitedly grabbed Tom and said, "How didn't I think of this earlier? We can look for Menes!"
However, she was a bit hesitant because she didn't know if Pharaoh Menes, who was like a god, would be willing to help them. Even if he kicked them out of the Secret Realm, she couldn't say anything because they had no obligations towards them. Tom and Hermione couldn't offer him assistance; they could only have a chat with him. And in return, Tom received quite a generous reward from Menes.
They shouldn't assume that someone who was kind would help them without further ado.
Hearing Hermione's words, Tom rolled his eyes. "I know some people in the magical world too!"
He felt a bit frustrated because Hermione hadn't told him that from the beginning. After all, it wasn't an incurable disease.
Hermione pursed her lips upon hearing Tom, not knowing how to respond; she could only look away to avoid him pointing it out further.
"Even if it were an incurable disease, you should have told me; we could have faced it together," Tom spoke with a serious and compassionate tone, "I could be with you in tough times; that's what a couple does. I hope that never happens between us."
The word "couple" made Hermione's face blush, feeling a warmth spread throughout her body.
"We, we're not a couple..." She stammered.
"Then what are we?" Tom gently caressed Hermione's rosy cheek, "Close friends?"
"We'll see about that in the future." Under Tom's persistence, Hermione's face turned even redder, "Now, I need to prepare my things before going to Egypt. I'll have to protect myself from the sun..."
By the time the words left her mouth, she had already disappeared down the hallway.
Hermione wasn't making excuses; she was genuinely preparing for the trip to Egypt, changing her attire for the occasion.
When Hermione appeared in front of Tom, she had shed her heavy wizard robe and was wearing a long beige linen dress. She had a white wicker hat on, cinched at the waist with a thick leather belt. On her feet, she wore a pair of pointed white high-heeled shoes.
"Are you healing someone or going on vacation?" Tom looked at the Hermione before him with a sense of urgency.
"A bit of both, let's go," Hermione said with a bright smile towards Tom, handing him a beige linen robe.
"I picked this one for you."
Tom had no reason to decline the robe offered by his girlfriend. So, quickly, they both coordinated their outfits.
Getting more familiar with practice, Tom and Hermione quickly found Menes. As expected, he was resting in his palace.
"Oh, have you come? Sit down, would you like some candied olives?" Menes appreciated the presence of visitors; at the very least, he could hear some stories.
However, when his eyes fell on Hermione's face, he noticed a problem. To him, the young woman seemed to exude an aura of weakness.
"I suppose you've come seeking my help." He put the olive he had picked back into the jar.
"Yes, do you know how to make the Philosopher's Stone? Or, rather, take a look at this," Tom handed over the Philosopher's Stone fragments and added, "Of course, if you know of any other cure for her, that would be great..."
Menes merely glanced at it and tossed the small leather bag back.
"You've already found a reliable method," he chuckled softly, "The Philosopher's Stone, of course, I can make it, and you can too."
Tom: ???!!!
How didn't he know he could make it?
Hermione also looked surprised at Tom; she was well aware of Tom's abilities, and he definitely couldn't make the Philosopher's Stone. So why did they come here?
"I recall I gave you an Emerald Tablet, right? You can use that. Mix these fragments with my blood, and you can create the draft of the Philosopher's Stone."
Menes waved his hand.
But Tom didn't show joy; he had clearly heard the word "draft."
"Does the draft of the Philosopher's Stone mean...?" Tom had an unpleasant premonition.
Menes didn't immediately answer Tom's question; instead, he posed one of his own, "Guess why I don't use the Philosopher's Stone to extend my life? I can do that too."
Tom fell silent.
In terms of alchemy, this person in front of him was probably the most powerful alchemist in history. However, why hadn't he succeeded in making the Philosopher's Stone?
There was undoubtedly something limiting Menes' abilities.
Tom furrowed his brow, he had an answer in his heart. If it really was that reason, it would be terrible...
He looked at Hermione and noticed that she was thinking about something too.
"Not enough people, right?" Before Tom could speak, Hermione cautiously asked.
"Correct," Menes displayed an approving expression.
"The essence of alchemy is equivalent exchange; when it comes to life-replenishing items, naturally, you need to exchange with life, flesh, and blood," he said softly, revealing shocking words.
Tom and Hermione's faces suddenly turned pale. They realized one thing in an instant: if even Pharaoh Menes, who could afford the Philosopher's Stone, required such an immense amount of life energy, then they definitely wouldn't be able to provide enough.
After all, Egypt was a slave nation. Even if a Philosopher's Stone required ten thousand sacrifices, Menes' eyes wouldn't blink if he had to do it.
The number of people needed for the Philosopher's Stone would probably be so vast that not even all the lives in ancient Egypt and neighboring countries would suffice.
"I've heard that a successor managed to make the Philosopher's Stone; I'm truly intrigued by how they did it," Menes saw the two youngsters were utterly frightened and felt inexplicably happy.
"I thought maybe they had made some improvements in the process... but no, I saw that bag of remnants, and it's still the ancient recipe. Tsk tsk," a slight expression of compassion crossed Menes' face. In his view, consuming such a massive number of lives to prolong one's own life was too selfish and cruel.
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