The group knew, to the moment, almost exactly when Dumbledore got their message, because a few hours after Hedwig left, the Flamel's floo had ignited with a floo-call from none other than the Headmaster of Hogwarts himself.
Harry remembered the floo call with a small and amused smile on his face. It had been amusing for him to see someone manipulate the person Harry had come to see on his world as the grand manipulator.
The three of them had been eating when the fireplace in the other room had flared green, and Harry tensed when he heard Dumbledore's voice call out for Nicholas Flamel. Nicholas had gotten up from the table and gone to the other room, gesturing for Harry to stay out of range of the fireplace. He made no attempt to hide what was said from Harry however.
"Nicholas my old friend, how are you doing?" Dumbledore had asked, his voice laced with concern. Nicholas had heaved a tired if somewhat theatrical sigh, "I'm still around. I take it you got my note?"
Harry heard Perenelle snort and murmur just loud enough for Harry's ears to pick up, "He always overacts."
Dumbledore's voice responded, "Yes, I just got it. I thought that perhaps some of my students were playing a prank on me. It would not have been the first time something like that had happened. I must say I was surprised."
Nicholas' response was non-committal and politely puzzled, "Oh? How so?"
Dumbledore chuckled, "I was unaware that you had taken on another apprentice of any sort! You hadn't mentioned anything when we last spoke."
Nicholas chuckled softly, "Well, that's because I haven't taken an apprentice in years. I'm afraid that I'm getting too old for the demands something like that takes. Not only do I not have the patience, but my time may not be infinite. You know that, my dear boy."
Harry had to restrain a snicker at someone calling Dumbledore "boy".
There was silence for a few moments, before Dumbledore's voice returned, "Then I'm afraid I don't understand, I got a note inquiring about enrolling someone in Hogwarts for the upcoming year." The question in Dumbledore's voice was unmistakable.
Harry couldn't resist a grin, knowing Dumbledore like he did, or at least the Dumbledore of his world, Harry could hear the faintest trace of irritation in Dumbledore's voice. Harry knew that he didn't like not having possession of all of the facts. The Dumbledore of Harry's world had no problem keeping others in the dark, but he grew irritated when anyone refused him information.
Nicholas sounded as if he just understood what Dumbledore was asking. "Oh! I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, Albus! I wasn't enquiring about entrance into the school this year for an apprentice. I was inquiring about enrolling my heir."
That had caused Harry's eyebrows to shoot up to his hairline. He turned to look at Perenelle in shock, though she was shaking in silent laughter in her seat. Harry stood up, impulsively wanting to stride into the room and protest, but found himself stopped when Perenelle's hand reached out and grasped his wrist, followed by a "wait" motion with her hand. The one thing that stayed his action was that Harry was certain Dumbledore had a similar reaction based on the extended silence.
"I'm sorry… can you say that again, Nicholas? I am afraid my hearing might be going." Dumbledore responded. Harry assumed Nicholas' request had either left Dumbledore so flat footed that he hadn't known what to do, or that Dumbledore was simply playing for time as he tried to adjust to new information.
Nicholas voice was solemn as he replied, "Of course Albus, I was simply inquiring as to whether or not my heir would be able to attend Hogwarts this upcoming year."
"I was unaware that you had an heir at all." Dumbledore's voice was now more calm but he made no effort to hide the curiosity in his voice.
Nicholas was nodding, "Of course. Perenelle and I have kept his existence quiet. We didn't want any child vulnerable to dark wizards who might want to get their hands on our stone. Of course given our age, no one thought to wonder if we might decide it was necessary to take steps to continue our line."
Harry smiled at the insult in Nicholas' words that he was sure slipped right by Dumbledore. Briefly Harry felt bad for enjoying Dumbledore's confusion so much, after all this Dumbledore hadn't actually done anything to him.
Dumbledore was silent for a few moments, before he replied again, his voice still slightly dazed. "May I ask for your Heir's name?"
"Of course, Albus." Nicholas replied. There was a long pause, and Harry almost thought that Nicholas was going to make Dumbledore actually ask. "His name is Ares." That caused another raised eyebrow, from Harry, but Dumbledore's reply was quick, "And how old is young Ares?"
At this, Nicholas sounded reluctant, "Well, he is fifteen, but he's very advanced for his age."
Dumbledore's voice was unrestrained in its curiosity. "Oh? What do you mean?"
Nicholas chuckled a little bit, "Yes, we probably wouldn't be sending him to school at all, but given… certain circumstances we decided it might be necessary. We hope that he might get some experience with those his own age."
Dumbledore's voice came back again after a moment's hesitation, sounding curious. "And you want to enroll him in school now?"
Nicholas allowed concern to filter through his own voice "Well, not if it's too much trouble. I wouldn't want to put you out. I still have some friends in France and could always contact Beauxbaton's or look abroad at Salem if-"
"No!" Dumbledore practically shouted, before getting control of himself. "I'm glad you thought of us first. I'm sure he would do quite well here. Given his age, he would be enrolled with our fourth year."
Nicholas sounded thoughtful, "He's relatively advanced for his age, I'm not sure that putting him with the fourth years would challenge him all that much. He's had quite a bit of training one on one with different instructors. He won't have trouble with the work but he might have trouble relating to those his own age."
"Of course!" Dumbledore chuckled, more relaxed, genuine excitement filtering through his voice now. "I have no doubt he is skilled. Still, you wanted some experience with those his own age. And we have top notch professors here. They will be able to evaluate him and tell if he needs additional challenges."
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