Nicolas Flamel

Nicolas Flamel

Nicolas Flamel (c. 1325[2]–1992 or soon after) is a fictional character in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, who is based on the real French alchemist, Nicolas Flamel.[3] He is something of a MacGuffin; though he is the clue to the whole mystery of Philosopher's Stone, he never actually makes an appearance. According to the Harry Potter books, Flamel is the only person known to create the Philosopher's Stone and, thus, he and his wife, Perenelle, have lived on for centuries. Flamel worked with Albus Dumbledore as his partner in alchemy, though, considering the stone had already been invented, it is not clear what the pair worked on together.
Flamel's stone became the target of Voldemort during his possession of Professor Quirrell, so Dumbledore consequently moved it from Gringotts Wizarding Bank to Hogwarts, in order to keep it safe. However, Quirrell worked out how to get past the numerous obstacles to the prize, but Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger figured out someone was after it, though they believed it to be Severus Snape, their Potions professor. The Philosopher's Stone was destroyed at the end of the book. Dumbledore mentioned that Flamel had enough Elixir of Life left to set his affairs in order, but noted that he would die. Nicolas Flamel has not been heard from since in the series, and author J. K. Rowling has stated on her website that Flamel is now deceased.[4]