Despite there being subtle differences between Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the character of Nicolas Flamel remains a constant. The prolific creator of the said Philosopher’s Stone, as discovered by the magnificent Hermione Granger, Nicolas Flamel is a character that is only mentioned in passing in the main books of the series.
It is only in the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them: Crimes of Grindelwald that fans of Harry Potter get to meet Flamel, as he proves to be an important ally for Scamander and company. With very few details known about this mysterious alchemist who managed to live a long and prosperous life, fans arguably have many questions regarding him. Therefore, those looking to know more about Nicolas Flamel would find it interesting to pay heed to the hints as revealed in the books, movies, world history, and Pottermore.
Flamel Is An Actual Figure From History
Nicolas Flamel is perhaps the only character in Harry Potter, who has been inspired by a real-life person. A manuscript seller and scribe from 14th century France, Flamel gained notoriety as an alchemist posthumously.
Many started believing that his abounding wealth was the result of his alchemical genius, as well as the teachings he gained from a book on Hermeticism, written by Abraham the Jew. Furthermore, rumors regarding his immortality started spreading when a band of treasure hunters desecrated Flamel’s grave – the tombstone of which he had designed himself- and reportedly found it to be empty.
His Life Is Shrouded By Mystery & Intrigue
Nicolas Flamel is a hugely intriguing figure with a dubious history and a life shrouded by mystery. Despite the curious speculations regarding him being an alchemist and his abounding wealth, it was probably owing to the inheritance his wife had accrued after her two previous husbands died. Flamel was known to have made generous donations to the French Catholic Church, which even garnered the interest of Charles VI, who had him investigated but found nothing incriminatory.
Many believe that apart from alchemy, Flamel had also found the secrets to immortality and that both he and his wife had escaped to India after faking their deaths. With many references in historical writings throughout the 17th to 19th century, as well as learned people referring to him as an alchemist, this reputation of Flamel started gaining more ground and imbued a mythical aura to this medieval bookseller.
Flamel Was Born During The 14th Century
Nicolas Flamel is said to have been born somewhere around 1300 to 1326 in the French commune of Pontoise. Being of the advanced age of 665 years during the events of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone this makes sense as that would have been the approximate age of the alchemist if he were born during the 14th century.
Historical records, as well as Flamel’s last will and testament dated 1416, further indicate that he was alive during the 14th century.
He Was 666-696 Years At The Time Of His Death
Although the real Nicolas Flamel is reported to have died in 1418, many believe that his death was a sham and that he had indeed faked his death. The reasons for his immortality are stated to be his discovery of the Elixir of Life, a potion he had created using the Philosopher’s Stone. After the events of the first book, Nicolas agreed with Dumbledore regarding the dangers the stone creates and decided to destroy it.
He kept some Elixir of Life for himself and his wife so that he could set his affairs in order before dying. Rowling had revealed on Pottermore before the publication of the sixth book Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince that Flamel had died prior to the events of the book, which makes his death somewhere between 1992 and 1996. Therefore, he was between the ages of 666 and 696 during the time of his death.
He Embraced Death Like Another Great Adventure
Although it cannot be fathomed why Lord Voldemort had not tried to acquire the Philosopher’s Stone during his days of power, he did attempt to steal it during the events of the first book. However, his plans were foiled by the terrific trio of Hermione, Ron, and Harry; post which both Flamel and Dumbledore decided that it was best for the stone to be destroyed.
Upon realizing that this meant Flamel and his wife dying, Harry saw the repercussion as something terrible. However, Dumbledore assured Harry that it might seem terrible for someone as young as him, but for Flamel and his wife death is akin to going into sleep after a terribly long day. He further said that the couple welcomed death with dignity and that for someone like the Flamels, it is nothing, “but the next great adventure.”
Flamel Studied At Beauxbatons
Fans would be familiar with Beauxbatons Academy of Magic owing to the Triwizard Tournament and Bill’s wife Fleur Delacour. However, few would be aware that Nicolas Flamel was the esteemed alumni of this school of magic.
He studied at Beauxbatons during the 14th century and it was while at school that he realized that he possessed the requisite skills necessary for becoming a talented alchemist. Flamel continued to support his alma mater by funding them. However, whether this donated wealth was the result of his alchemical skills has never been elaborated by Rowling or her books.
He Met His Wife While Studying At Beauxbatons
It was not only his love for alchemy that Nicolas Flamel discovered while studying at Beauxbatons but also the love of his life. It was in school that he first met with his wife Perenelle Flamel (who was in fact the actual wife of the real Nicolas) and the two were inseparable ever since.
They not only stayed married to each other but also partook in the Elixir of Life and remained constant support to each other through many centuries. After the Philosopher’s Stone was destroyed, they also embraced death together.
He Is Said To Have Been Spotted In Several Places Across Generations
There are rumors regarding Flamel which indicate that he has been spotted in several places across many generations. And the writer of the Harry Potter novels, J.K. Rowling, seems to be one of the believers of this myth.
She revealed on Pottermore that Flamel supposedly discovered the Philosopher’s Stone and had gained immortality using it. She further stated that many streets in Paris have been named after the mystical alchemist and his wife and that there are myriad mentions of them being sighted in various places across time.
He Met Dumbledore In The 20th Century
Nicolas Flamel first met Albus Dumbledore sometime during the 1890s. They became close friends and even worked together as partners on alchemy, as mentioned in Dumbledore’s Chocolate Frog card.
The fact that Flamel formed such close companionship with Dumbledore, further highlights the skills and genius of the Hogwarts Headmaster. Being as old as he is, Flamel must have met many talented wizards over the ages, but it was only in Albus Dumbledore that he found a close confidant and friend.
He Was Adept In Divination, Defence Against The Dark Arts, Potion Making, & Alchemy
Being a wizard who has lived across generations, Nicolas Flamel has undoubtedly acquired some skills. However, it is the second Fantastic Beasts movie that best reveals the extraordinary nature of his magical prowess. Being the only known creator of the Philosopher’s Stone, as well as the Elixir of Life, his genius as an alchemist and master potion maker are already established.
However, as showcased in the Crimes of Grindelwald Flamel also possessed divination skills, as he gazed into the crystal ball and could see Nagini and Credence Barebone, as well as the rally Grindelwald had organized at the Mausoleum of the Lestrange family. Furthermore, he revealed that he had been away from "action" for almost two hundred years, implying that he used to be a proficient magical duelist sometime during his life, His instantaneous recognition and accurate countering of Grindelwald’s wayward Protego Diabolica, further establishes Flamel’s acute skills in Defence Against the Dark Arts.