Wizards appeared one after another in this place.
They seemed impatient to get started, striding straight to the trunk. Set into the hollows beneath the tree were one alchemical artifact after another.
Only when Sean drew closer did he see that a great ouroboros coiled around the trunk, and along the border were carvings of many different animals.
"The Kabbalistic Tree of Life—the 'Tree' in the Sefer Yetzirah from which one may glimpse the secret chain of cause and effect in the cosmos.
"The Ouroboros—emblem of Gnosticism and Hermeticism; in magic, interpreted as eternal cyclical renewal—life, death, and rebirth.
"In the creation of the Philosopher's Stone: the black crow for nigredo, blackening; the white swan and white eagle for albedo, whitening; the peacock's tail for the cycle of colors; the cock for rubedo, reddening; and finally the phoenix, reborn in fire.
"Now that you've taken note, go choose what you want."
Professor Tayra finished her cool explanation, then nudged Sean toward the alcoves of alchemical works.
Sean looked silently. Innumerable artifacts lay like stones in a long river.
Two-way mirrors, Vanishing Cabinets, Portkeys, Pensieves, invisibility cloaks—he even spotted Floo powder and a scale model of the Knight Bus.
The Knight Bus?!
He was startled. Why hadn't the alchemists just put Hogwarts Castle in here as well?
The castle, after all, felt like an extraordinary alchemical construct in its own right.
Before him, beneath each artifact, a book lay bathed in soft white light.
An old wizard and a young one were conferring in front of one such book. They stood close enough that Sean could make out their words.
"This one."
"No second thoughts?"
"Of course not. We have half an hour. You taught me—hesitation is defeat."
Sean watched the young wizard's invitation turn into a golden key. A complicated artifact Sean didn't recognize floated up from the alcove.
So this was an inheritance rite: each young alchemist could choose one artifact here; the books must be process notes and principles for that object.
What, then, should he choose?
Even Floo powder was listed. By rights, both the inventor and the manufacturer kept such things absolutely secret.
Strolling on, Sean saw a panel with Dumbledore's name. He leaned in, instantly intrigued.
It held research into ancient runes for cross-species Transfiguration, even conjectures on the underlying principles of transformation.
If he wanted to carry his Magical Beast Transformation Cookies straight into the discipline of Transfiguration, this would be an excellent choice.
He didn't hesitate. His own invitation turned into a key.
When he returned with his selection, his eyes strayed again to the inscription:
"Four worlds turn in succession; the Fifth Element reveals itself."
The line had just flared a moment ago; he had the faint sense he'd entered into some kind of compact.
Tayra's voice arrived exactly then:
"Ancient alchemists believed the World-Soul or prima materia, interacting with the four elements, yielded a 'fifth element.'
"They called it the Fifth Element.
"With the stone's perfection, this Fifth Element manifests. You may also call it 'aether'—a substance that never decays or spoils. In old wizard thought, the wandering stars were made of it.
"If you look closely: around us, all is black; the alcoves are pure white; your key—your invitation—was golden.
"So then—rubedo—my student?"
Sean considered a few seconds. "Reddening is symbolized by the cock reared on one's own blood. The wizard's blood is the final step in sealing the pact."
"I'm proud of you."
…
The compact was real. With no hint of burden, Tayra said:
"Alchemists are creatures of reason; they believe in equivalent exchange. You have taken a legacy; now you must show the future you represent. Merely show it."
"All right—the exchange session begins, my student."
With another twist of Apparition, Sean and the professor returned to the first hall.
Tayra crouched, took the Magical Beast Party series from Sean's hands, and—head high—declared:
"Let those old men see it: a new age has arrived."
Then she vanished.
At that moment, the deep black walls blazed to life, and Sean realized they must be inside a vast castle.
This was the banquet hall.
Most of the wizards were here, gathered roughly by nation.
British wizards wore sober, timeworn robes and pointed hats—though Dumbledore's purple was splendid, and McGonagall's green impeccable. The northerners were wrapped in heavy furs against the cold, tall of frame and pale of hair. The African wizards of Uagadou were vivid in light, bright robes, adorned with feather and bone.
There were others as well—elders in silk with a grave, quiet dignity, hands folded behind their backs.
Sean noted the special few seated at the high table with Dumbledore and Flamel—seven in all, Tayra among them.
When Tayra stepped forward, they disappeared.
House-elves wove through the crowd with trays held high. A long central table had risen, laden with dishes from everywhere—even Chinese fare, which made Sean's eyes light.
But the feast didn't last. Dumbledore drifted toward the mirror dais, and all the wizards returned to their places, eyes on the image re-forming: Albus Dumbledore.
"Youth—and young alchemists' exchange—begins."
He announced it with a twinkle, and even winked at Sean.
Polite, restrained applause spread around the hall.
"Following a brief review, the International Alchemy Congress Joint Committee has evaluated the works of you young prodigies…"
Sean suddenly understood: those elders at the high table had been judging their creations.
He thought of his Magical Beast Cookie series, which Tayra had whisked away.
"Let us congratulate—our first honoree."
As if guided by an invisible hand, the largest pane of the Multi-Mirror brightened with a pair of calm, emotionless, pale-green eyes.
"Recognized by the International Alchemy Congress Joint Committee as the most gifted alchemist in six centuries; the youngest inductee in congress history; recipient of the Uladah International Alchemy Congress Pioneering Contribution Gold Award—representing Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Sean Green."
~~~
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