Text Cut: Replies

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

With not much else to do but a bit of chatter, Harvey busied himself with setting his books and writing apparatus on the desk. He wasn’t even busting his brain trying to identify what potential lesson topics could be. But with the door to the room finally closing, the first year sat up straighter in his seat and eyed the name on the board. Which was a rather intriguing one at that.

The Ravenclaw considered the question after making some jottings in his book. He expected that most likely one of the Hufflepuffs would touch on the friendship with Dumbledore. Harv? His mind almost immediately honed in on the limited immortality aspect. His hand went up. “His entire life because of the fact that he got to live for so long, becoming one of the oldest wizards in history. That’s impressive.” So yes, Harv considered this a more important accomplishment rather than the actual creation of the Stone that led to that outcome.

"It is a very impressive feat," Vashti agreed, "and one that is unique to Nicolas and Perenelle by extension, which certainly adds to the significance." Few, if any, could compare to such longevity or creating something to allow it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidnie

Ooh, she had friends. Cat gave the unfamiliar boy an encouraging smile as he seemed to try to melt into his seat. “Hi,” she replied, just as Marina joined her as well. “It’s your Gryffindor rubbing off on me.” The bravery. See, she was finally accustomed enough to the castle culture to make jokes.

But now. Class. Focusing. Yes.

Nicolas Flamel! She’d read about him. She had an answer to this.

Her hand shot up. “His creation of the Elixir of Life, I think. It technically could be considered as reaching one of the goals of alchemy; to extend life indefinitely.” Nevermind the fact that this (apparently) had several very negative consequences. It was significant.

"Good point about the connection to the goals of alchemy," Vashti replied. "After so many tried and failed to accomplish it, it is a significant achievement that Flamel was able to do so." And it was unfortunate, purely from a knowledge perspective, that the steps he took to create it weren't written down, or at least never found. But, from a human perspective, it was better that that was the case; the consequences of that knowledge spreading would be vast and terrible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charely Potter

Diallo smiled back at Aurora, and glanced at Harvey sitting by him before nodding back. He was surprised he would want to sit by him with all the rumors about his pyro tendencies. Class began not long after when he had all his things situated.

Nicolas Flamel... Raising his hand, "Well, there's a lot of things he accomplished. But I think an understated fact with him being so old is that he was able to manage a great length of connections with other witches and wizards." Adding, "I hear he used phoenix-embossed books to speak with others, sharing great information in secret." And that was what he thought of sharing.

"A great number of connections indeed," Vashti agreed. "I'm sure it must have been a fascinating experience for them, getting to know so many different people across time, and all the changes, new experiences, and knowledge that come with that." Things could change so much just within a few decades, let alone over centuries. Quite the experience that must have been.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Was it possible to be a third wheel to second years? Actually, on second thought, no one answer that.

He offered the pair a small smile and accompanying hello just as Professor Amstern began the lesson - a topic that was much more suited to Iris and her interests than himself. History of Magic rarely felt like it wanted him the way plants did had, and he could only hope that something Iris had muttered over breakfast or while pacing the garden during the beginning of the summer would surface at a useful moment - enough to make him look like a fifth year with a clue, rather than… himself.

Unfortunately, the sum total of what he knew about the French wizard ended almost exactly where his Head of House’s introduction did.

His sister would most certainly agree with her housemate beside him. It was really hard to top an accomplishment in life when you have literally rewritten the rules of alchemy like Flamel did. Long like full of connections, the long life itself, both were also incredibly thoughtful answers as well - but none of them felt right for him. His thoughts kept circling the same point, the same moment in Flamel’s life, until the silence stretched long enough that his shoulders lifted on instinct. His left hand rose halfway, hesitated, then continued the rest of the way, fingers curled slightly toward his palm.

"I―um," he began, then cleared hi throat. "I think the most significant part of Flamel's life wasn't necessarily creating the stone...but choosing to give it up." He shifted in his seat a bit, left hand raking through his blond curls as he searched for his next words. "A lot of witches and wizards could make something extraordinary...something powerful, but we see time and time again that fewer numbers could live with that power for centuries and still recognize when its existence hand become... dangerous..." His brow knit faintly, lips pursed, eyes focused ahead while not being focused on anyone thing in particular. "Power has a way of changing people. Of convincing them they’re above consequence. But Flamel didn’t let the promise of forever do that. He didn’t chase immortality the way the Peverell brothers—well, two of them at least—tried to cheat death. It didn’t corrupt his judgment." He swallowed then, his words tumbling out with a hair more confidence. "When it became clear the Stone itself posed a threat, he chose to destroy it - he chose an ending. I think that... it pretty remarkable and incredibly brave of him. For Perenelle as well. Knowing when to stop, when to let go of power. Knowing when to greet Death as an old friend and to leave this life as equals."

To paraphrase the story, that is.

"A very wise perspective, Mr. Harden." Vashti nodded. "History is full of countless people who refused to relinquish even a little of the power they held and of the consequences that followed. It speaks well of the Flamels that were willing to see when it was time to destroy the stone. History would look far different if they had followed in the footsteps of so many and refused." Perhaps Dumbeldore would have been able to do so anyway if they had refused, but it was better that it was done so willingly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Ayden wasn't sure about history of magic, but the professor seemed cool and when he wrote home to his family about his teachers, his great aunt had said something about the Amstern name sounding familiar. Of course there were many decades that had passed and all sorts of generations so that didn't necessarily mean anything. Even if it was cool that a family member might have gone to school around the same time as his teachers. Life happened, including a whole other war.

He had taken a seat near his buddy Harvey and waited for the Professor to begin. Which didn't take too long, talking about Nicolas Flamel from the 14th century???

He listened as his peers stated what the most remarkable thing was about Flamel and his life, but when Nyle spoke, well... Ayden had zero clue what to say. "Selflessness. But I suppose when you have a couple hundred years to learn... it could be treating death as an old friend, but maybe he was also just... tired."

A more practical, down-to-earth perspective, but no less true. "That could have been a factor too." Vashti nodded. "Though the elixir extended his life, it did not stop him from ageing. I would imagine that would become tiring over so many centuries."

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OOC: Class will continue some time around 5:00 PM EST (GMT -5) on January 25.