The Sunshine of Hogwarts, Snape

Chapter 159 - 159 A Few Matters in Britain

"If... if it's just a curse..." Rowle said, swallowing hard as he looked at Barty Jr.

"If it's just a curse, that might not mean much. Master might have wanted to protect this treasure that represents his family's identity."

Barty Jr. cast a faint glance at Rowle, who, among these Death Eaters, could be considered not entirely foolish but still far from clever.

"This is no ordinary treasure, something that merely proves Master's bloodline." He said in an obsessed tone.

"Ever since obtaining it, I can sense a familiar presence within! Although I haven't been able to communicate with the consciousness inside, I am certain Master has been using his methods to remind me of certain things!"

Seeing Barty like this, Rowle couldn't help but shudder.

Of course, he also held loyalty toward the Dark Lord, but such loyalty was premised on the benefits he could gain... far from the unconditional, fanatical devotion of those like Barty Jr.

So, at times like these, when he saw how these people behaved, he couldn't help but feel an involuntary tension.

It felt like he was dealing with a madman.

"L-like what?" He asked cautiously.

"Ever since I got this ring, I've been seeing images in my dreams every night."

"Th-that might just be because you haven't been resting well-"

"Not resting well?" Barty Jr. simply stared coldly at him, "If I weren't resting well, would I see Master leading his followers to Hogwarts to ask Dumbledore for the Defense Against the Dark Arts' teaching position?"

"If I weren't resting well, would I see him in a cold, damp cave, dealing with an old locket and ordering a house-elf to drink poison?"

"If I weren't resting well, would I see a witch named Hepzibah Smith proudly showing off a cup allegedly belonging to Helga Hufflepuff, passed down by her ancestors, stirring murderous intentions in him?"

"If all of this were just my own delusions, how could I see him finding a distinctive diadem in the hollow of a tall, sturdy spruce tree in a forest in Albania?"

Under Barty's relentless questioning, Rowle's back was drenched in cold sweat. He shook his head nervously.

"N-no, that's not what I meant. Master trusts you! H-he must be trying to tell you something by sending you these visions!"

To this, Barty Jr. did not continue his sarcastic remarks.

As Rowle had said, Barty Jr. also believed this was the Dark Lord trying to convey something to him. The images he could see, as well as the ring itself, must be related to some of the Dark Lord's secrets.

'And Master's disappearance after the incident at the Potters' that night was likely connected to these secrets!'work, and arrived that way.

Without this method, they would never have been able to break through the journalists' blockade. The morning's interview at the French Ministry of Magic clearly hadn't satisfied these news jackals, and they were everywhere searching for Severus and the others, hoping to dig up an exclusive headline.

Upon arriving at Nicolas's home, both Harry and Draco were extremely curious about the residence of the world-renowned master alchemist.

The place wasn't the luxurious, spacious mansion they had imagined. Instead, it was a small house that anyone would find rather humble.

The narrow space was crammed with alchemical instruments, ancient books, and containers... cluttered yet revealing centuries of research mark.

The alchemy work area was openly displayed before them, unobstructed: cauldrons, distillers, heating devices, and large glass containers filled with unknown ingredients were scattered throughout the room.

Alchemy and potion-making were inherently connected, especially since Nicolas Flamel's potion-making skills were just as exceptional as his alchemy!

After seeing some of the precision tools on the table, Harry whispered to Draco in a skeptical tone, suspecting that those were likely the auxiliary tools Nicolas used to brew the Elixir of Life.

Draco looked around, searching for what might be the Philosopher's Stone, and quietly asked Harry if he had seen anything resembling it.

The two of them showed no signs of their near-physical altercation from a few hours earlier. That's how boys are... conflicts arise quickly and fade just as fast, especially after they had visited the flying broomstick shop together and seen the mesmerizing latest models of racing broomsticks.

"Would you like some pre-dinner desserts?" Mrs. Flamel asked with a smile, holding a plate of freshly baked cookies she had made herself.

Harry gladly accepted. After wandering around the commercial street all morning, he was already quite hungry.

Draco straightened his robes and gave a proper bow of thanks, "Thank you for your hospitality, Madam."

After saying this, he shot a smug glance at Harry, as if mocking his lack of manners and sophistication.

Severus and Lupin were sitting with Nicolas in a corner of the living area, on old armchairs and a chaise lounge.

The two wizards, both highly accomplished in potions and alchemy, were discussing various topics. Although Lupin hadn't achieved significant fame, he had read extensively during his student days and had excellent grades, so he could occasionally contribute to their conversation.

"Since Isaac created [Star Antimony], very few alchemists have developed any truly eye-catching alchemical substances." Nicolas lamented.

Severus asked in confusion, "In the early 20th century, I heard a wizard named Waite in America translated numerous runic alchemical works and achieved remarkable success. Didn't that attract a lot of attention in the Wizarding World at the time?"

Nicolas shook his head. He clearly knew more about the inside story, "That was a complete fraud!"

"During the time when this news spread, I specifically went to America to see their so-called latest alchemical research with my own eyes. But those people were unwilling to let me get into contact with the ancient texts they claimed to have translated. They only showed some superficial stuff that any seasoned alchemist could have written."

"Afterward, I realized they had no new research at all. The so-called translation of lost ancient texts was fake. Waite just wanted to use this to gain fame and sell books. He was afraid I would expose him, so he kept avoiding me."

"Once I understood the truth, I returned and continued working on my pocket watch research that I hadn't finished."

As Nicolas spoke, both Severus and Lupin looked surprised. They clearly hadn't known the true story behind the incident.

It was only when Nicolas mentioned his pocket watch research at the end that Severus suddenly remembered something.

"Speaking of pocket watches, in Knockturn Alley in Britain, I bought an item claimed to be one of your former alchemical products."