On the desk in the Headmaster's office, a huge map lay spread out, covered with lines of various colors all pointing in the same direction.
Evans had created this map after receiving news about the Great Lake from the Graphorns again. He'd visited all the magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest he knew well or who traveled frequently, and finally compiled this map.
He based the map's style on his earlier hand-drawn Forbidden Forest map, but made it simpler. This time, the goal was just to find the lake, not to show every detail of the forest.
Location information covered most of the surface. Besides those arrows on the map, the annotations provided relevant information from each magical creature's account: biological distribution around the great lake, geographical environment, and possible dangers. Everything was clearly written.
Honestly, when completing this map, he had carefully compiled all the intelligence related to the Great Lake and was truly shocked.
Among the complex magical creature communities in the Forbidden Forest, more than half could provide news about the Great Lake. That information was either inherited from ancient times or directly experienced by their parents or relatives. The descriptions were similar to what the Graphorns had stated before.
After experiencing a mysterious light, ancestors or parents appeared near the Forbidden Forest. Some directly beside the Great Lake, others in some corner of the forest, but that light never changed.
After compiling the information, he specifically asked the young Occamy and Tim about what happened before they came here. Unexpectedly, their answers were also that they'd seen some inexplicable light.
This meant that even in recent years, whatever was in that great lake still produced effects.
And this deepened Evans's doubts.
What exactly exists in the Great Lake? And why does it try every possible means to bring various magical creatures from around the world into the Forbidden Forest?
Or rather, why does this magical forest exist at all? Was it naturally formed or deliberately created by someone?
Nicolas Flamel looked at the map Evans spread on the table. Interest appeared in his eyes. "Is this a map of the Forbidden Forest?"
He'd been to the Forbidden Forest before. He'd even helped a friend set up a residence there in his early years, but he truly didn't know much about this particular magical forest. Many alchemists had to personally collect materials from certain magical forests, but this clearly didn't include him.
Initially, his ritual materials came from family supplies, and this continued until the Flamel family's decline.
Afterward, he became independent and established an alchemy workshop. By then, he already had some fame. Materials were basically purchased from various forces or provided by them to assist his research.
It could be said that aside from his early years when creating the Philosopher's Stone, when he deliberately sought precious materials, afterward, he basically stayed home researching on his own, never worrying about materials.
After all, after the Black Death ended and he successfully created the Philosopher's Stone, he was already one of the world's most famous alchemists. As a famous alchemist, having others help find materials was far more efficient than searching himself.
However, having lived so many years, he'd heard quite a bit about the Forbidden Forest.
This forest was somewhat different from other magical forests. It contained very complex magical creature species. When family members mentioned that forest in his childhood, their expressions were never good.
But those were all events from hundreds of years ago. The Flamel family's ancestral home no longer existed. Although he preserved the library, most books inside had been lost. Not much reference value anymore.
But now, hearing this young man's words, he and Dumbledore had apparently discussed doing something in the Forbidden Forest?
"Yes, this is the Forbidden Forest map." Evans nodded, looking at Nicolas Flamel beside him. "Speaking of which, I need to ask you something."
"Do you have time during Christmas? After the holiday feast, we plan to go into the Forbidden Forest to find a place."
Evans slowly explained what he'd previously told Dumbledore about the Forbidden Forest's great lake.
Strange lights, mysteriously appearing magical creatures, and a serious curse on the Chimaera. Finally, he pointed at the map on the table.
"Regarding that Great Lake, I've asked my friends in the Forbidden Forest. The intelligence I received was all quite similar, but the time span was a full thousand years."
"If what's causing all this is some solidified magic, it's lasted a bit too long. Moreover, this effect makes me somewhat worried."
"When the time comes, would you be willing to come look with us?"
Nicolas Flamel's expression looked somewhat hesitant. "After Christmas?"
These might be the last two Christmases I spend. I wanted to spend them with my wife.
But after Christmas, it should be fine, right?
After all, Perenelle still has many matters to attend to. She probably won't stay home the entire time.
Moreover, I really do want to see solidified magic in the Forbidden Forest.
"Should be no problem."
"Then it's settled." Evans nodded, putting away the map on the table.
The group chatted for a while about Horcrux matters. Time slowly passed. Soon it was lunchtime.
Nicolas Flamel stroked the diary's cover. "By the way, I just heard you say these Horcruxes will only be destroyed after a while? Before then, could you lend me one to study?"
"No problem." Dumbledore smiled and nodded, casually pushing the diary to Nicolas, ignoring the waves of wailing from inside.
After watching Nicolas Flamel put away the diary, Evans looked at Dumbledore. "Before Fawkes's rebirth, it's best to take him somewhere he's never been to shed his last feather. Are you going or am I?"
When phoenixes shed their last feather in places they'd never reached, it helped them locate their pre-rebirth state and gain better improvement after rebirth.
However, Dumbledore's expression became somewhat strange as he silently sighed.
"You go. Before Christmas, I'll probably be quite busy. I likely won't have time."
"After all, Lockhart was arrested. I need to find another wizard willing to become Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"After these events, finding a professor will probably be even more difficult."