Nicolas Flamel

Nicolas Flamel (c. 1326 - c. 1992) was a well-known alchemist and only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with incredible powers. He was a close friend and partner with former Hogwarts School Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. He owed his considerable age to the Elixir of Life which he and his wife, Perenelle, created using the Stone. They were each ages six hundred sixty-six and six hundred fifty-eight, respectively, at their time of deaths.

Flamel is noted as an alchemist of considerable talent and as an opera-lover. It is said he enjoyed his later years living a quiet life in Devon. Although it is clear that he used the Elixir to greatly extend his life, it is not specified whether he used the Stone's powers to make himself greatly wealthy, as the Stone is also capable of turning metal into gold.

The danger of the Stone's existence was brought to light when Voldemort, with the help of Hogwarts Professor Quirinus Quirrell, was nearly successful in stealing it for the purpose of restoring Voldemort to physical form. However, his plan was thwarted by the efforts of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. Flamel agreed, along with Dumbledore, that the stone should be destroyed. With enough Elixir to set his affairs in order, it was expected that Flamel and his wife would die shortly thereafter.

Flamel is briefly mentioned on Albus Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog Card.

Behind the scenes

 * In the film adaption of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Flamel's first name is spelt as Nicholas, adding an h.


 * Also in the film, Harry, Ron and Hermione discover the link to Nicolas Flamel and the stone through a book, rather then Albus Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog Card. (In a deleted scene you see them discovering the connection through a chocolate frog card, but switched when edited).


 * Nicolas Flamel was a real French Alchemist believed to have created the Philosopher's Stone. He was born in 1330 and died in 1418. There are no proofs to claim that he achieved immortality with his wife Perenelle but few have claimed to have seen him throughout the centuries. Some treasure-hunters accidentally dug up his grave and discovered that his tomb was empty. Another goal of Nicholas Flamel was to turn ordinary lead into pure gold.


 * Nicolas Flamel and his wife are mentioned in many books and plays.


 * Interestingly, Flamel died aged 666, a number which is typically associated with evil.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows