Away from home for a few days.
A change of appearance.
Yet he returned still a young man.
Ian's eyelashes were lightly brushed by candlelight like flowing gold. The instant he opened his eyes, Nicolas Flamel's peculiar globe, no larger than a figurine, was slowly spinning atop the bookshelf.
Parchment scrolls gave off their distinctive scent in the air, while another smell—a mixture of sulfur and metal—washed over him. It was the distinctive scent of the Hogwarts Alchemy Professor's office.
Dumbledore's deep eyes watched Ian through his Half-moon spectacles, his expression tense as though confirming that he was unharmed. Intricate silver patterns were embroidered on his robes, and he held an Elder Wand in his hand, its tip faintly gleaming. Clearly, the magic that had summoned Ian back earlier had come from this powerful wizard.
Nicolas Flamel stood to one side, looking somewhat exhausted, though his eyes gleamed with relief. He held an ancient book in his hands, its pages yellowed and its edges worn.
Perhaps this was the ancient books the Alchemy Professor had used to find a way to summon Ian back.
"Hogwarts!"
Ian fixed his gaze on his surroundings.
Apart from Professor LeMay and Headmaster Dumbledore, there was no one else in the office. His gaze eventually settled on an oil painting hanging on the wall.
The painting of him and Helpo made the Young Wizard feel rather uneasy.
"Thank Merlin's favor. We finally managed to save you," Nicolas Flamel said with a trace of relieved ease in his voice. His fingers lightly stroked the pages, as though thanking the ancient books.
A Master Alchemist had always treated knowledge with ritualistic respect. Dumbledore, standing nearby, nodded slightly as well. That familiar gentle smile still held the reassuring power that put people at ease.
"Merlin probably doesn't want