Grindelwald simply stared at Severus.
At this moment, Nicolas also noticed that the dark wizard, whose eyes had only held lifelessness and stillness when facing his old followers, now had a completely different expression on his face!
"You are very clever. Albus rarely has people as clever as you under him."
Grindelwald didn't answer immediately. He was just smiling, but his smile was no longer as lighthearted as when he first met Severus. Instead, it was somewhat strange and... fervent!
"Most people in this world actually hope to be led. Social orientation bestows upon every individual living in this society the same innate flaws, making them afraid to take responsibility and, therefore, afraid to make decisions. Instead, they hope for a leader to make decisions for them."
"Dumbledore is like that. He has made too many decisions for those around him. As a result, many wizards in Britain subconsciously rely on him when facing choices and difficulties, yet forget him, even want to abandon him, during times of peace and tranquility."
"But clearly, you are not such a fool, Severus Snape."
He gave Severus an evaluation, one that was very high from any perspective.
Severus, however, remained impassive. Although being praised by this predecessor of Voldemort held significant value, far beyond the casual praise of the noseless one, Severus understood that the focus now was on the demand he intended to make later.
The more he was praised at this moment, the more likely the following request would be a huge demand!
As if seeing what Severus was thinking, the smile on Grindelwald's face widened.
"Don't worry. I actually don't want you to pay much. On the contrary, our goals are aligned. I very much hope you can perfectly resolve the issues with your body, Professor Snape. I can also write that potion recipe for you free of charge, without you needing to offer anything in return. I only ask that after you succeed, you come back to this old man's prison cell once more."
Before Severus could speak, Nicolas already asked nervously, "What do you want him to come back for?"
This is the only case in the wizarding world, correct?" Grindelwald said softly. "A soul that should have been unable to master the power of magic, yet became a wizard, an extremely powerful one at that, destined to leave a mark in the history of magic in the future!"
He burst into laughter again, but this time it was somewhat manic, or neurotic. It not only made Nicolas even more nervous but also caused Severus to involuntarily take a step back.
"Even though I know my former ideals are now unrealistic and unattainable, I must see with my own eyes if someone in this world can truly break the barrier between wizards and Muggles!"
He looked at Severus and Nicolas, his voice becoming calm again, even reassuring Nicolas.
"Relax. At my age, in my current state, what more do you think I can do? It's just that I still have some unwillingness in my heart."
"Did he seem like he had only 'some' unwillingness?!"
Paris, Flamel Residence.
After leaving Nurmengard, Severus followed Nicolas back to his home.
But even after returning, Nicolas seemed still affected by Grindelwald's final words.
His silver-white hair was disheveled, and he kept muttering to himself.
To any normal person, this behavior would seem somewhat abnormal, but Severus was already used to it.
Wizards in the magical world, especially those famous and powerful ones, basically all have this problem.
They talk and act crazily. Whether it's the righteous Dumbledore, Nicolas Flamel, or the villains Voldemort and Grindelwald, few are normal.
This actually also corroborates Nicolas's argument that a rational soul is incompatible with wizards and magic.
"He definitely wants to observe you!" Nicolas suddenly turned to look at Severus, "He sees hope in you again. Someone who shouldn't have become a wizard did become one, and now you're going to further solve your magical power issues... The reason he wants you to return to him after succeeding is to determine if your unique case can be replicated in more people!"
Severus had clearly also thought of this.
"What if he discovers my unique case can be replicated?"
Nicolas fell silent. He didn't answer the question.
Or rather, neither Severus nor Nicolas could predict such a future.
What would Grindelwald do if it really came to that?
So much time had passed. His loyal followers had their final inner resolve completely shattered by him that very night. Could he still walk out of that prison and try to do something?
Nicolas felt this was almost impossible, while Severus felt that even if it were true, it might be something to look forward to.
But regardless, after this silence, both of them tacitly agreed not to mention anything about Grindelwald again.
"You were recommended by Dumbledore and did a lot to save me and my wife. So, this is something you deserve."
From the safe at home, Nicolas quickly retrieved a rolled-up piece of parchment tied with a red silk ribbon.
He handed the parchment to Severus.
"Whether it will still work on you requires you to try it yourself. But its ability to collect positive emotions is something I am certain of."
Severus took the parchment from him. In front of Nicolas Flamel, he untied the silk ribbon and unrolled the parchment, which was about 30 feet long.
On the back of the parchment, there were symbols drawn in silver pigment, clearly alchemical patterns. The front, the writing side, was mostly blank, with only two very faint names at the very top.
Nicolas extended his wand and offered to help Severus clear the two names from it.
"These were the people I used to test this thing when I first made it. They are both dead now."
Staring at the cleaned parchment, which looked quite ordinary, Severus asked, "Does this thing have a name?"
Nicolas frowned in recollection.
"Let me think... My wife once named it..."
"Ah! She called it [Nicolas Flamel's Autograph Book]."
At this, he smiled at Severus.
"But now, it should be called [Snape's Autograph Book]!"
As his words fell, the name Severus Snape quietly appeared at the very top of the parchment.