My mother and I spoke about the implications of this apprenticeship over the next morning's breakfast. We were both grateful to the Flamels for giving me the opportunity but equally agreed on the fact that this was to be kept in strictest confidence. The only known qualified alchemist in the modern world is Dumbledore and he can keep the greedy paws of others at bay. I may not be able to stave them off so well; in fact, my mother's family may be the first to track me down to divulge all the secrets I know.

The Flamels had also let me know that it was to be kept a secret from Dumbledore as well. Though the Stone given to him was not essential to their longevity, it still rankled that he had the temerity to claim that its destruction was for the greater good and that he had done so after merely informing them once. They had not told him the secret of sanguis vitam auream and they wished it to remain that way. They would take another new alias after disappearing from the public view for a while.

I headed to their room and knocked. I was feeling so nervous. I was going to learn one of the ancient arts; in fact, one of the most precious and desired ones of the lot. I heard a positive response after just a few seconds but what seemed like several minutes and immediately entered. He saw Nicolas sitting on the couch with a chair in front of him and Perenelle on the chair by the table, scribbling something on a parchment.

Nicolas spoke up first, 'We both are going to teach you different things. Over the years, I have mainly focussed on alchemy, potions and some mainstream magic and will teach you accordingly. Perenelle on the other hand, has dabbled in virtually every type of magic and will teach you some obscure or ancient magics. Let us begin.'

'Yes, master.'

'We shall start with alchemy. Alchemy is the magic of transformation. It can be used to create the greatest but also the worst substances. Alchemy's better aims are the creation of Panacea, a substance capable of curing any disease; the development of alkahest, a universal solvent which will be most helpful in creating various complicated potions easily, transmutation of metals and many other uses. On the other hand, alchemy can be used to create the deadliest poisons, which are near impossible to neutralise without suitable counters or an alchemist at hand; it can cause large-scale destruction through some special rituals; be used in some unholy rituals to further strengthen the negative energy and so on and so forth. Like every other magic, it is neither good nor bad; its usage lies solely in the hands of the wielder.

I have uncovered the secrets of alkahest already and will pass them down to you when I feel the time is right. Meanwhile, I shall teach you how to use alchemy to stabilize volatile compounds to make more effective potions and substances. I will also teach you the basics of alchemic healing potions and poisons and cover a few rituals as well. We will be doing this over the next four weeks. At the end of it, I will give you some of my journals, as promised, and let you learn it over the next year.'

After that we got down to my lessons and we went over all the basics. It was a fascinating study and I was glad that I was already well read and practised in potioneering, as that helped me speed the process along. We covered the interactions of various compounds, how to infer the results in advance and how to use alchemy to twist the interactions to our needs.

Medicines and poisons are really 2 sides of the same coin. Both require the same knowledge of the human body and the effect of various substances on it. Medicine in large quantities or incorrectly brewed can be deadlier than poisons and poisons in controlled doses can help where no medicine is able to. Alchemy can be used to enhance the effects of both. It makes it so simple spells or potions are unable to remove their effects and it needs special compounds or alchemic reagents to flush them from the system before it's work is done.

We worked through the morning and took a break only at lunch time, when my mother came in with a pot of stew for all four of us. We had a hearty meal and I gave my mum a brief overview of the subjects I will be learning, after permission from Nicolas, of course. After finishing up, Nicolas went into the inner rooms with a book for quite reading and Perenelle took his place in front of me.

She called my mum before she could leave, 'Wait Kaela, if you are interested, you may sit in for my lessons. I had decided to cover miscellaneous topics and I don't mind you taking a seat too. The topic for the next few weeks will be the Dark Arts.'

My mother promptly took a seat and we both turned to face her with rapt attention. The Dark Arts are seldom openly practised unless you want to be labelled a dark wizard or Dark Lord. But it is still highly sought after for its power and learning it from someone who has literally lived through most of its creation and origins is a golden opportunity to learn it in its true and unbiased form.

Perenelle took a deep breath and started with her lengthy discourse, 'Simply put, the dark arts are a collective name for magic with high potency - both constructive and destructive. Since they cannot be used lightly, on a daily basis, the dark arts are studied and used far less frequently than other magic. This creates a notion of mysteriousness around them, hence the name dark. I will give you some examples of the dual nature of the Dark Arts.

The unforgivable curse, Imperio, controls the mind. It can prove very useful for turning away a troll or a werewolf without anyone getting hurt. On the other hand, it can strip away a person's free will and theoretically bind them as a puppet forever.

Another unforgivable, the cruciatus curse, allows you to control exactly how much pain your subject feels. But please don't make the mistake of thinking that Crucio can only be used to torture someone to insanity! The subject of the Crucio curse will feel exactly how much pain you will them to feel. If you don't mean for them to get hurt, then what would they feel?'

'Nothing?', my mum realized. 'So, the curse would still work. It's just that some people ... define 'work' differently?'

'On that topic, what do you think is the best thing you can do for your friend, if someone is torturing him with Crucio? Assuming that you're not in a position to attack the torturer?'

This time I spoke up, 'Cast Crucio on him too, and will him to feel nothing?'

'Exactly, and what do you think is the best thing you can do for yourself, if someone is torturing you?'

'The same thing?', I guessed. 'Crucio yourself?'

Perenelle immediately interrupted me, 'That usually won't turn out well. Most people cannot imagine themselves feeling complete bliss while they're under excruciating pain, so you'd probably end up amplifying the effect. The best thing to do is to somehow force your opponent to end the spell as soon as possible... But what do you think is the worst possible thing you can do for yourself, if someone is torturing you with Crucio ...... Never, ever, torture your torturer back', Perenelle eventually revealed. 'Any pain you inflict on them will echo into their curse, and theirs into yours. Before long, both of you won't even have enough sanity left to break away.'

Something was pricking my mind at the time. It was like some long forgotten memory that was trying to break loose but I couldn't figure it out at all. I sighed and let it go; forcing it wouldn't bring me any closer. I should relax and then maybe it will come to me later.

'My mother spoke up at this time, 'What about the third unforgivable, the Killing curse?'

'I suppose it's considered dark simply because it's highly effective at causing death, through instantaneously separating the soul from the body.

But would you believe me if I told you, the initial creator of the curse made it solely for the purpose of a painless death; rather than the hanging or guillotines used for criminals in those days.'

We debated on the various uses of the Dark Arts, both positive and negative. We also discussed how it's true meaning had changed over the years and perverted by the wannabe Dark Lords.

The Dark Arts were also far more enduring than most other spells due to their potency. Most ancient magical structures that still stood today, did so due to Dark spells woven into their wards and protections. To our utter shock, Perenelle declared that even Hogwarts' age-old wards had a significant number of Dark spells woven into them.

After a lengthy but fascinating conversation we retired for the evening and headed back to our room. It had been a most enlightening conversation and I was looking forward to learning some of the Dark spells that Perenelle had promised to eventually teach me.

She also asked me to give a comprehensive explanation of my magical abilities so that she and Nicolas could plan my lessons better. She was extremely pleased with my advanced studies and stated that with just a bit more of theoretical studies, I would be capable of even passing my NEWTs.

She was also pleased with my animagus transformation and praised me for it. She admitted that both her husband and her had their own. They were respectively, a Runespoor and a Unicorn. My mother and I were stunned at the revelation. According to common wizarding knowledge, every animagus transformation is a non-magical creature but their's clearly broke that rule.

Then Perenelle asked me a most curious question, 'I can tell by your mannerisms and mental strength that you are close to if not already, a Master Occlumens. What I want to know, is that, how far along are you with Legilimency?'

It came out of the blue, but I honestly told her I was a beginner and had only started this summer. But I also let her know I was already a Master Occlumens and would thus, be able to pick up Legilimency much faster.

'Make sure you do, Darius. I will have a nice surprise for you if you can do it proficiently by the next summer.'

That night, we headed to bed after an early dinner. We had had a long day and been given lots to ponder upon.

It was late at night, when I shot up from my sleep with a jerk. It had come to me. The idea that was percolating in my mind when we were discussing the Unforgivables resurfaced.

'THE LONGBOTTOMS!!'

I owled a letter to Neville urgently seeking permission for my mother and me to floo to the Longbottom hall tomorrow morning for matters of highest importance. If I was right, the wizarding world was shortly going to be turned on its head.