[Dear Mr. Vid Gray:
I sincerely invite you to visit my old residence in Paris at 3 PM tomorrow afternoon.
Of course, this meeting is entirely informal, and there will be no other guests. I hope my invitation hasn't caused you any extra pressure, dear Vid.
Putting aside those exaggerated stories, I'm just an old man who enjoys tinkering with bottles and jars. I think we can chat over tea like ordinary alchemy enthusiasts, discussing all sorts of whimsical ideas.
Attached with the letter is a Portkey that will activate at 3 PM tomorrow. Looking forward to meeting you.
Sincerely yours,
Nicolas Flamel]
...
As time ticked closer to three o'clock, Vid took a deep breath, adjusted his collar, and fiddled with the coin that served as the Portkey.
The coin was about the size of a Galleon, without any numbers, featuring a rose with a ruby in the center on the front and a raven on the back.
An invitation from Nicolas Flamel is something no one would refuse, and naturally neither could Vid. But to avoid any danger, he was still well-prepared.
The wardrobe space shrank into a pencil case and was tucked into his pocket;
His sleeves had a few black gemstone cufflinks, some capable of explosion, others of causing fire, and most importantly, one was a Portkey to Hogsmeade, personally made by Dumbledore.
Underneath his outer robe, he wore an Anti-Curse Vest, ever since returning from Gray Castle, he wore this vest whenever he went out.
Although it couldn't withstand the Killing Curse, nor could it defend against wizards of Grindelwald's caliber, it could at least buy Vid a little time in case of danger.
"Almost three o'clock, Vid."
"Yeah." Vid glanced at the clock and couldn't help but smile: "I'm about to meet Nicolas Flamel soon!"
Fiona reminded him: "Gift?"
"I've got it." Vid patted his pocket.
Fiona asked again: "Portkey?"
"I'm holding it!"
The lustrous coin spun around Vid's fingers.
Fiona said: "If you need to stay overnight, remember to let me know you're safe!"
Vid replied: "Every night at nine, I won't forget."
Fiona looked at her son, her eyes both proud and worried.
Ever since Vid went to Magic School, he had to stay there most of the time, and even during holidays, he often received invitations to go out.
Fiona knew she couldn't keep her son at home forever for his future, but every time she sent him off, she couldn't help but feel worried.
"Mom?" Vid looked at her and asked: "What's wrong, did I get something dirty on my face?"
He rubbed his face twice with his hand.
"No." Fiona brushed the hair standing up on the side of Vid's forehead, smiled, and said: "I'm just so proud…"
After a pause, she said enviously: "Just think, it's Nicolas Flamel who's lived for over six hundred years, he might have even seen Saint Joan of Arc, Galileo, Shakespeare in person! I can't imagine how many interesting topics you can discuss with him."
Vid's fingers around the coin tightened slightly, he looked up at Fiona, smiled, and said:
"The pursuit of immortality has never stopped, whether in the Magic World or in ordinary people's technology. Maybe in the future, with technological advances or magical breakthroughs, we could live a long time too! It's said that Nicolas Flamel's Elixir of Life isn't just useful for wizards… Mom, would you want that?"
"Hmm?" Fiona was stunned and asked: "To live for hundreds of years?"
"Perhaps even longer." Vid said casually.
"Oh…" Fiona thought seriously for a while and hesitantly said: "I don't know… it feels a bit scary?"
"...Why?" Vid asked confusedly.
"Metabolism is a natural law, humans are the same." Fiona said gently: "If the leaves on a tree never fall, how will new leaves grow?"
"But," Vid looked at her quietly and said: "there are evergreen trees in nature…"
Before he could finish, the clock in the living room suddenly chimed.
"Dong—Dong—Dong—"
The Raven Gold Coin instantly emitted a dazzling light, and in a flash, Vid vanished from where he stood.
Fiona's outreached hand touched empty air, grasping only a few wisps of space.
She froze for a moment, slowly withdrew her hand, pressed her lips together, and sat quietly in a chair thinking for a long time.
Fiona suddenly realized it was already Ferdinand's time to return from work only when she heard the sound of the door opening in the living room.
Fiona hurriedly ran down from upstairs, and Ferdinand couldn't help but smile when he saw his wife's light and breezy demeanor.
"Vid must have already gone to Mr. Flamel's house?" he asked while taking off his coat.
"Yes." Fiona sighed.
"Don't worry." Ferdinand said: "Vid has prepared quite a few safety measures, he'll be alright."
"I know… I'm not worried about that… Well, maybe a little, but that's not what's bothering me…"
Fiona said with a frown.
"What's up?" Ferdinand held her arm, looked down into her eyes, and asked softly: "Has our son finally reached his rebellious phase?"
Fiona hesitated for a moment and said: "I discussed something with Vid, I thought… um… I talked about how leaves have a metabolism, but Vid said there are evergreen trees in nature…"
"Evergreen trees?" Ferdinand was dazed: "You've been troubled over this… for two hours?"
He glanced at his watch and said.
"Help me think of a way to counter him." Fiona said, clenching her fist: "I want to leave him speechless!"
"That's nothing." Ferdinand chuckled: "Evergreen trees also grow new leaves every year, old ones fall off, just that their leaves last a bit longer than deciduous trees', which is why they always look green."
"Is that so?" Fiona asked.
"Of course." Ferdinand sighed helplessly: "Vid surely knows this too, he's just toying with you!"
Fiona didn't pay attention to his last words, she just pondered for a while and suddenly said: "So even evergreen trees don't resist death and aging… They just complete their life's journey in a slower way."
Ferdinand had just poured himself a glass of water when he heard Fiona seemingly mumble to herself. He froze for a moment and turned to look at his wife.
"Metabolism?"
Ferdinand sighed and whispered: "Could it be that you discussed more than just leaves?"
He knew if he asked Fiona in detail, she wouldn't hide anything from him, but Ferdinand didn't press further.
Seeing his son whose eyes always gleamed with light, he suddenly felt an urge to have a smoke.