Nicolas Flamel

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 22176

Brian Dorband wrote:

<<Some thoughts on Nicolas Flamel:
 
We read from the card in the chocolate frogs (SS, p.214) that 
Dumbledore is "particularly famous for...his work on alchemy with his 
partner, Nicolas Flamel". Later, Hermione reads from an enormous old 
book that Flamel is "the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone." 
(SS, p.219).>> 

<snipped lengthy theorising on Flamel, and a comment that we probably 
haven't seen the last of him> 

At the risk of teaching my Grandmother to suck eggs, I'll mention 
again that Nicolas Flamel was a real person, a French philosopher and 
alchemist, born in 1330 (so JKR's dates are askew), who is believed 
to have discovered the elusive Philosopher's Stone.  

The Philosopher's Stone was not a tangible stone, but an imaginary 
object or substance encompassing knowledge of the method for 
transmuting base metals to gold (aka the Arcanum for gold) and of the 
Elixir of Life, among other things.  

There was speculation in the C17 that Nicolas Flamel and his wife, 
Pernelle, were still alive.  It's not known whether they were 
discovered pruning roses in a seaside cottage or attempting to the 
conquer Dark Forces roaming the planet...    

I agree with Brian that we may not have seen the last of Flamel. I 
find it intriguing that JKR worked this real historical figure into 
her story, and I can't help feeling that this mega-cameo is much more 
significant than it appears.  

The idea of Dumbledore "having a word with" Flamel seems daft to me.  
We've discussed this before, and it was felt that Dumbledore may have 
studied under Flamel and must have done something fairly spectacular 
to be considered his equal so late in Flamel's career.  Nevertheless, 
Flamel was considerably the senior of the pair, and presumably not a 
pushover.  Would someone who had striven to discover the secret of 
immortality give it up just because Albus Dumbledore was wagging his 
finger?

Here's a fairly comprehensive link to information on Flamel for those 
who haven't seen it before:

http://www.alchemylab.com/flamel.htm 

Neil
Flying Ford Anglia