CHAPTER 13 – Nicolas Flamel
Summary
Since looking in the mirror, Harry had been plagued with bad dreams and he
could well understand Dumbledore’s statement that the mirror could drive you mad.
When Hermione returned from her holidays, Harry updated her on the recent
events.
The next game of Quidditch, which was against Hufflepuff house, was fast
approaching and the team was horrified to learn that Snape would be the referee.
He had specifically asked to do this job as he didn’t normally get involved in matches. The Gryffindor team was convinced that they would lose. The only chance they had to win, was for Harry to do his job and get the Golden Snitch before Snape had the chance to find fault with their play.
Despite all their research in the library, they were no nearer finding out
who Flamel was, until Harry ate his last chocolate frog that Hermione had given him.
There it was – the card inside was of Nicolas Flamel, the maker of the Sorcerer’s Stone. Flamel was renowned for his alchemy and he made the stone which is able to transform any metal into pure gold, and it also produces the Elixir of Life. Flamel celebrated his �th birthday last year and enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife, Perenelle who is aged 658’. Now they knew what Fluffy was guarding and how important it was that Snape didn’t get his hands on it.
At the Quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, both teams were
ready and Wood told Harry how important it was for him to capture the Snitch first.
The whole of the school was present including Dumbledore. This was a good sign as it would certainly restrict Snape. The fan club assembled again, but unfortunately Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were also in close attendance. The game started and almost immediately Harry went into a spectacular dive. He pulled out of the dive just before hitting the ground and raised his arm in triumph. He had captured the Snitch. The game had barely lasted 5 minutes. Harry had beaten all records, much to his house-mates’ delight and Dumbledore as well. Snape was bitterly disappointed. Gryffindor was now in the lead.
Harry left the celebrations to gather his thoughts while the rest went in
for their meal. He noticed Snape sneaking towards the forbidden forest.
Jumping on his broomstick, he decided to follow. He came across Snape and Quirrell. Harry had difficulty hearing the conversation, but it concerned getting past Hagrid’s beast, and had something to do with Quirrell’s spell. Clearly Snape was putting Quirrell under pressure.
Harry returned to the school where the celebrations continued over their
victory in the Quidditch match.
Hermione, Ron and Harry – the gang – came to the conclusion that all that
stood between Snape and the Philosopher’s Stone was Fluffy and Quirrell’s loyalty to Dumbledore.
Interpretation
The plot is beginning to deepen and become clearer. The object that
was taken by Hagrid from Gringotts to the school was the Sorcerer’s Stone that can provide the owner with infinite wealth and eternal life.
Apparently, only Harry’s gang realizes that Snape is a threat to the
security of the stone that lies beneath the trapdoor guarded by Fluffy. Snape will succeed in obtaining the stone if he can get past Fluffy and break the spells that the other teachers have laid around
it. Seemingly Snape knows all these, except for the spell cast by Quirrell.
Harry’s status in the school is enhanced by his exceptional performance in
the Quidditch match, clinching victory for his house in record time.
Although he has become a hero from the Headmaster down, he has made an enemy
of Snape and the Slytherin house.
Even the other two houses Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff want to see Slytherin
fail in winning the cup for a 7th time.
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