Dumbledore's addition to the P/S or S/S

[Steve <bboy_mn@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 48466

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, GulPlum <hpfgu at p...> wrote:
> At 12:22 17/12/02 -0800, A Painter wrote:
> >Hello,
> >
> > ...edited... So we know that Dumbledore did something pretty 
> >major  with the stone in order for it to  be mentioned on the 
> >card. But what?
-end Painter-

GulPlum commented:
> 
> Not quite. The card talks of Dumbledore's "work on *alchemy* [my
> emphasis] with his partner, Nicolas Flamel". Whilst the search 
> for the Philosopher's Stone is a significant element of alchemy, 
> it's hardly all there is to the subject. 
> 
> ... and a whole lot more good stuff from GulPlum...
> 
> --
> GulPlum AKA Richard

bboy_mn adds:

GulPlum is correct, the pinicle of alchemy is the creation of the
Philosopher's Stone, but it is much more complex than that. Plus, true
alchemists do not hand out the knowledge of the Stone easily. You may
have to study for many decade perhaps even a lifetime before the
Master Alchemist would decide that you were worth of this knowledge.

As other's have pointed out in previous discussions, the study of
Alchemy and the quest for the Philosopher's Stone is as much a
spiritual quest and an internal moral quest as it is the mechanics of
Alchemy. 

A Master Alchemist would never give the secret to someone unless
he/she thought the student truly understood it's meaning and
consequences. In a sense, to be worthy of the Stone, you have to reach
a level of spirituality and self-discovery where you realize that the
true value of life is not in wealth or immortality, but in life
itself. To have time means nothing, to use time means everything.
"Better one day as a tiger than a lifetime as a lamb."

I am reminded of a Zen Master who was asked by one of his student, how
his life had changed after he became enlightened. The Zen Master said,
'Before I was enlightened, I chopped wood, carried water, and cooked
my food. Now that I am enlightened, I chop wood, carry water, and cook
my food.'

I've got more little Zen-like stories, but let's move on.

So, the fact that Dumbledore work for many years with Flamel on
Alchemy, by no means means that Dumbledore has the secret of the stone. 

Was the stone destroyed?

Dumbledore told Harry (not a quote) that the Stone had been destroyed
and that Flamel and his wife had enough elixer to 'get their affairs
in order'. Exactly how long does it take to get your affairs in order
when you are approx. 700 years old. Ten years to a 700 year old man is
like one year to a 70 year old man. 'Get their affairs in order' could
be as short as a day, but it could very likely be as long as 50 years. 

So, I say the stone is destroyed but we have NOT seen the last of
Nicholas Flamel.

That my story and I"m stuck with it.

bboy_mn