My initial summer plans for sneaking back into the inner sanctum that dwelled deep within the heart of Ravenclaw tower were a little derailed when my parents announced we would be spending the month of June in France.

Our trip was a mixture of a vacation/family reunion with mum's side of the family. I hadn't spent much time with my relatives on that side of the family. Mum was the youngest of four daughters. Her parents died when she was young. Her great Uncle and aunt raised her and her sisters.

We had more contact with them when I was younger. But, as my older cousins started attending Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, our visits became rarer and rarer.

As frustrated as I was to have my plans delayed, I made sure not to make a fuss about it. Mum was still shaken over my near-death experience and wanted to get away and reconnect with her family.

Normally, it was a pain to cut through the Ministry's red-tape to connect our fireplace with France's floo network. But, Grandma was able to get it done smoothly.

One thing I found fascinating was that we would be staying in Paris. Paris was known to the magical community as the City of a Thousand Charms. I was looking forward to seeing some of the hidden enchantments that made that city famous.

It's not a big surprise that Paris is known for its enchantments. Beauxbatons is well-known for its focus on charms and producing some of the best enchanters in the world. I know dad had some friendly colleagues that went to Beauxbatons that he often writes.

"Alex," Mum softly called out from my doorway, distracting me from my thoughts.

Already knowing what she wanted, I replied, "I'm almost finished packing."

When she left, I grabbed the copies I had made of Ignatia Wildsmith's work and hid them carefully within my trunk. She was an impressive witch and Heir of Ravenclaw. She was fascinated with magical transportation and advanced how wizards and witches travel in Europe.

The best thing about the books the other heirs had left behind was that they weren't merely books full of incantations. No, they were almost like diaries in nature, as Ignatia recorded her ideas and described all her trials and errors when creating new magics.

The books were an excellent example of how to go about pushing the bounds of magic. Most witches and wizards aren't skilled enough to develop new magic, and the majority who do invent spells are just modifying or creating simple spells.

When I was younger and saw the magical archways that the magic community used in Africa, I had assumed she based her floo network on them. But, the more I read about what she set up, the more impressed I got.

At the beginning of her magical career, I believe she did emulate the African archways. Besides inventing the Floo Network, she also pioneered vanishing cabinets.

According to her books, vanishing cabinets have to be carved from a tree with two trunks. Their innate connection is what helps the spell to take hold and creates a connection between them. The vanishing cabinets bear a striking resemblance to how two archways are connected.

While that was impressive, it pales in comparison to her true masterpiece, the floo network. What she did with the floo network was meld her complex enchantment with the very concept of a fireplace.

Now, it took me a few minutes to properly grasp the enormity of what she did. By melding her enchantment with the idea of a fireplace, she ensured that neither the material nor construction of a fireplace mattered.

Normally, when dealing with transportation magic, you need to have direct access to the material so you can weave charms into the object. But, with the Floo Network, all of that is bypassed. Every fireplace, from the moment it is built, is already melded within the enchantment. All that is required is for whoever is running the network to grant access.

It's why the Weasley family could get a muggle fireplace temporarily connected and pick up Harry. As far as I could tell, it didn't matter where on Earth it was built. The floo network could theoretically connect to every fireplace on Earth.

Of course, countries that utilize the Floo Network have their own closed system. Should someone wish to travel to another country by floo, they would need approval from both magical governments.

The one thing that slightly irks me about Ignatia's magical tomes is her smug tone. It's like she knows exactly how high she set the bar and is challenging future heirs to compete with her. If I hadn't already made up my mind about one day adding my work to the collection. Her smug tone would have convinced me. I haven't gotten to the other heir's work, but it wouldn't surprise me if they had similar tones.

I couldn't help but smirk, Ravenclaws were very competitive when it comes to academics. Separated by time and death, the Heirs of Ravenclaw are still competing with one another about who can come up with the best work. I'm not sure when, but one day, I will add works of my own. I'm not sure what it will be about, but I'm sure mine will be the best.

xxx

When we got to Paris, I received a small surprise. I had been expecting that we would be staying in a house. But, it turns out Aunt Caroline owns an apartment building and is letting us stay in an empty one for the month.

The apartment we arrived in was larger than I had been expecting, and the decor was pleasant to the eye. Finished wood floors met light painted walls that rose to high vaulted ceilings. There would be plenty of space for our family as there were two separate floors and four bedrooms.

Even more interesting were the lights, the building was wired with muggle electricity. Seeing the lights made a strange feeling well up within me, I had memories thinking and comparing muggle technology with magic. But, my memories detailing my previous life were gone. The best way to describe the feeling was knowing about something because you were told about something, rather than experiencing it yourself.

Athena sauntered off with her wings tucked in, wanting to explore the apartment. Rebecca and Sasha chased after her giggling with glee and made a game of exploring our temporary residence.

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I was a little concerned that we would be in such proximity to muggles. Being from the countryside, we didn't have a lot of experience in acting like muggles. But, it turns out that the building is full of magical families. Some are muggleborns and are new to the magical world. Others are older magical families that had lived in the building since it had been built. There are even some muggles who live here, having married into a magical family.

Magical families that live in massive muggle cities tended to gather together for a sense of community. It allowed them to use magic in their homes without fear of discovery and let their children interact with other children in the isolated community without fear of breaking the statute of secrecy.

The outside of the building suggested that the apartments would be small one or two-bedroom apartments. But, magic ensured that each apartment was more than enough for a large family. One thing that threw me for a loop was the windows. There should be far more according to the inside of the building. I eventually chalked it up to a clever enchantment.

Later that evening, we were having dinner with Aunt Caroline's family. Except for her short height, Aunt Caroline looked similar to Mum, with blonde hair, calm blue eyes, and a gentle smile.

Gabriel, her husband, had long dark hair and a pale complexion with dark shadows under his brown eyes. My two cousins, Liana and Madeline, had blond hair like their mum, but they had their father's pale skin and dark brown eyes. Both of them were older than me, with Liana being fifteen and Madeline sixteen.

"So, Alex, are you happy about the summer break?" Aunt Caroline asked me from across the lengthy dining table.

I was tempted to tell her it was annoying being separated from my new horde of hidden knowledge. But, both the geas and simple manners directed my reply, "Yes, it's good to be home with my family, but I am a little torn, learning new magic is one of my favorite things to do.

A look of amusement appeared on Aunt Caroline's face, "Well, at least that means your parents don't have to worry about your grades."

She shot a warning glare at Madeline, "Unlike my carefree daughter."

Pointing her finger like it was a wand at Madeline, she warned, "You had better hope you did well on your sixth-year examinations. The number of OWLs you receive will determine your future."

Madeline let out an exasperated sigh and tried to roll her eyes discreetly. I was willing to bet this wasn't the first time she had this conversation with her mum.

Seeing how her mum tried to use me against her, I decided to throw her a bone and change the subject. I turned to Uncle Gabriel and asked, "What's it like managing a building like this? Do you have trouble with the muggles?"

Uncle Gabriel seemed to be pleased with the change of the current topic, "Well, the most serious thing is keeping muggles unaware of our presence. It's mostly kids who can get us in trouble, when their magic burst out uncontrollably. There is a chance of a muggle seeing them, but I am licensed from the Commonwealth of Magic to use the memory charm on muggles."

I nodded in understanding, Sasha and Rebbeca had started to have small magics escape them lately. I imagine that he probably has to use that charm often. Kids rarely develop any semblance of control until they are older and begin using magic on a regular basis.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Rebecca sending me a disgruntled look. She had been pretty lax in learning French from Mum and didn't like it when she couldn't follow the conversation. On the other hand, Sasha had been putting in her full effort and could get the gist of our discussion.

Later that night was the first time I had a moment alone with Dad since returning from school. There was a lot of stuff I wanted to discuss with him.

First off, was the trial. I already had figured out that I couldn't come out and tell him. At first, I had assumed that I would be able to if I passed. But, if that were the case, the information about the trial would inevitably spread. I had spent some time considering how to let him know without saying anything and not having the geas activate.

I reached into my robe and pulled out a book I had received from him a year ago. "Here, I don't think I would be needing this anymore."

I handed him one of the leather-bound books on Occlumency he had gotten me last year.

As he took the book from my hand, he shifted his gaze from the book to my face. Knowing I couldn't even think about saying something without the binding activating, I shot him a smug grin.

Dad's grey eyes widened in disbelief. I had done it. I had become the seventh wizard to succeed in a thousand years. He bent down and wrapped me up in a tight hug and whispered into my ear, "I'm so proud of you."

Letting go he absentmindedly patted my back and added wistfully, "I wish I could know what you know."

I nodded my understanding. I was already looking for solutions, but it was nigh impossible to slip out of a magical agreement that you had willingly entered.

After reading some of Rowena Ravenclaw and Ignata's work, one thing has become clear. Just because something isn't possible right now doesn't mean magic can't do it, it just means the solution hasn't been found. One day, I will find a way to break this binding and find a way to tell Dad everything. I imagine that he has been wondering about the contents of the reward since he failed the trial.

Plus, if I could find a way to slip the binding, I could definitely find a way to break the magical trace. While it didn't have a huge impact on me, I still wanted it gone. I wanted the freedom of using magic off my family's property without fear.

Turning my thoughts to the other worry, I asked, "So, how is Project Firebolt."

Before when we used to talk about the project, Dad's eyes always danced with happiness. He loved tinkering with magic. But this time, I saw his eyes darken, "I'm getting close, I've even suspended all my other projects to focus on this one."

He put his hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eye and swore, "Delvin will pay for what he did to you. Hopefully, we can be ready to go within the next year."

Voicing a concern that had been bugging me, I asked, "Even if we can somehow cripple his business, won't his father bail him out? How are we supposed to take him down, if his father continues to bankroll his business?"

A smirk appeared on Dad's face, "Well, according to your Uncle, he has made an agreement with Declan so that he won't interfere with his son's business. Of course, it also means your Uncle can't help us at all."

"What does Uncle John have to do with your business?" I asked.

Dad reddened and turned to make sure Mum wasn't around, "I get some harder to find resources from him."

I grinned mischievously. Mum would blow her top if she found out Dad was using Uncle John's connections. Ah Dad, more blackmail material, it's like you don't know me at all.

As if sensing the mischief, Mum came into the room and asked, "What are you guys talking about?"

Dad jumped and defended, "Nothing, nothing at all."

Mum eyed Dad suspiciously as he quickly left the room. Once he was gone, mum asked, "Do you remember when you were young, and you found out we were distantly related to the Flamels. You went on for weeks about wanting to meet him."

I blushed in embarrassment, "I was five," I defended.

Learning that I was related to such an impressive wizard had filled my thoughts. I had assumed I would somehow meet him and impress him and that he would take me under his wing and share the secrets of magic with me.

My face continued to burn in embarrassment as I remembered my childhood fantasy. As time went on, the desire slowly faded away. In the end, I did end up gaining an old grandpa-like mentor. But, being a painting limited what he could teach me. Speaking of which, I should visit that crazy old coot when we get home.

Turning my attention back to Mum, I asked, "Why are you bringing this up?"

Smiling at me, she asked, "Nicolas Flamel doesn't see many people these days, but I got in touch with his wife, and she told me I could bring you by their home."

My eyes swelled with excitement. I couldn't wait to meet with Nicholas Flamel. He was over six hundred years old. I could barely imagine all the knowledge he must have accumulated over the centuries.

The only thing weird was the timing. I wondered if he still had the Philosopher's Stone on him or had Dumbledore already moved it to Gringotts. Now that I think about it, this will probably be my only chance to meet him. After Voldemort's attempt to steal the stone, Dumbledore and Nicolas decided to destroy the stone, which would ultimately lead to him finally losing to the ravages of time and dying. Meeting him now was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I couldn't wait any longer.