"Nicolas, I respect whatever choice you make." Dumbledore leaned back against the sofa, making his position clear.
Nicolas Flamel gave him a long look, feeling that he was not entirely sincere. If Dumbledore truly respected his choices, why had he spent so long obstructing them?
"I've lived far too long. Over the course of my life, I've seen many geniuses." Nicolas looked at Vaughn with a touch of wistfulness.
Vaughn's gaze flickered. Coming from Nicolas, those words somehow sounded like-being a genius was merely the minimum qualification for meeting him.
Thinking about it, aside from the people at Beauxbatons, hardly anyone who maintained contact with Nicolas was an ordinary figure.
Nicolas looked Vaughn straight in the eye and continued, "But I've never seen a genius like you."
"Albus compares you to Voldemort and Grindelwald, but I think they fall far short of you.
"Thirteen years old-when Albus and I were your age, we were still worrying about our final exams."
Dumbledore's mouth twitched. Although Nicolas was telling the truth, he felt that this sort of encouraging "education" was inappropriate for Vaughn.
Vaughn could no longer be judged by the standards of a young wizard. Nicolas's words effectively endorsed all his various actions. "Mr. Flamel, Albus must have told you that I intend to develop an entirely new Contract Charm next school year." Vaughn's eyes burned with intensity. He wanted to know where Nicolas stood on the matter.
Dumbledore felt as though these two kept insulting him. Vaughn made him sound like a nasty old man who enjoyed tattling.
"Yes, Albus mentioned it to me." Nicolas sold Dumbledore out without hesitation, then nodded. "An excellent idea."
"You need support from alchemy, and as it happens, I'd like to take a student in the final stage of my life."
"But before that,