Albert sat in a quiet corner of the library, chin propped on one hand, idly flipping through the catalog of Fengya Brand Wizard Clothing Store as he considered a suitable Christmas gift.
Originally, he had planned to craft an amulet for Nia himself, but after reading several books on Alchemy, he temporarily abandoned the idea.
The plan seemed impractical. Wizards could enchant items and imbue them with magical properties, but enchantments rarely lasted long and often faded with time. In Albert's view, giving Nia an amulet that would quickly lose its effectiveness was less meaningful than simply buying her a warm scarf.
Creating a powerful, lasting magical item was no easy feat.
First, it required raw materials that inherently carried magic. Throughout the process, these materials had to be enchanted repeatedly. Even after the item was completed, it needed further enchantment. The strength and skill of the enchanter determined whether the finished product would endure.
In ancient times, wizards carved runes into magical items to enhance their effects. Few today could do this, and most of those techniques had been lost.
Such complex, painstaking methods produced items of true power—what some called Alchemical artifacts.
Yet in Britain, Alchemy was not widely valued.
The concept itself originated in ancient Greece and Egypt, reaching Western Europe in the 12th century. Early wizards barely understood it.
Albert had once read the famous Emerald Tablet from Egypt, but its meaning eluded him. The first translated line read:
"As above, so below; by this, the miracle of the One Thing is perfected."
The second: "All things are from the One, created from the One by means of separation…"
Albert memorized the words but closed the book in frustration. Ancient texts were often dense and difficult. His only takeaway was that it might be describing the universe—or something equally abstract. Perhaps one day, when he truly studied Alchemy, he would have an epiphany.
Early Alchemy encompassed many domains: exploring the mysteries of magic, the nature of matter, and even cosmology. Later, it became obsessed with refining metals, and craftsmen were often called Alchemists, though many preferred "metal artisans."
Over centuries, Alchemy evolved. Thinkers like Thomas Aquinas, Roger Bacon, and Arnold of Villanova advanced theories of material transformation. Raymond Lull proposed the idea of the Philosopher's Stone, later realized by Nicolas Flamel.
Through the Stone, Flamel achieved transformation by adding a "seed" during conversion, creating the Elixir of Life and transmuting metals into pure gold. He became the progenitor of European Alchemy, revered at its pinnacle.
But later generations shifted focus toward potion-making. Metal artisans faded, and Alchemy drifted into the occult.
Goblins, however, excelled at magical craftsmanship, forging pure silver with goblin magic—akin to mithril in legend. Yet even their techniques were eventually lost, with only a few artisans able to forge goblin ironware today.
Modern Alchemists often dismissed simple enchantments as "true Alchemy." Still, some called their work modern Alchemy—like the book Simple Alchemy Albert had once read.
After studying further, Albert drafted a new plan for an amulet. He would need magical materials imbued with protective meaning, combining them to strengthen the enchantments he cast.
Guardian tree wood, yew, garnets—the "stone of life"—and runes like Eihwaz, symbolizing protection and defense, could all enhance the amulet's power.
But reality was harsh. Albert lacked knowledge of runes, especially Ancient Runes. Most records focused on interpretation, not practical use. Perhaps Dumbledore had studied them, but few modern wizards truly understood their application.
Albert set the idea aside. He already had another gift nearly ready: a Hippogriff symbolizing Gryffindor.
The inspiration came while practicing basic movement magic. He envisioned a moving Hippogriff crafted from wood, gears, and enchantments—like the dragon model on the Goblet of Fire.
Since leveling up his economics-related skills, Albert's mind brimmed with schemes: selling magical creature models, founding a company, investing and providing the technology.
To carve the Hippogriff, he even visited the spiral staircase outside the Headmaster's office, studying a statue from every angle and taking photographs.
Using guardian tree wood from Hagrid, he assembled a Hippogriff. Basic movement magic let it flap its wings, though true flight was still impossible.
Albert believed he could perfect it in time. With his system panel, confidence was never lacking.
As for a business partner, he already had someone in mind—a certain unfortunate soul recently squeezed out of business.