I've seen/read a lot of challenges throughout my time, and it appers that there's a lacking of the theory/practice of Alchemy. So, how about a challenge where Nicholos Flammel raises Harry himself? The Ministry would want to raise Harry, however Albus Dumbledore himself, inteferes and decides to give up the baby to his master, Flammel. Now, instead of them hiding Harry, everyone knows due to the fact that Flammel hasn't left his manor in centuries?

Rules
1) Uncommon Pairings (Harry/Blaise, Harry/Tonks, Harry/Parvati, etc.)
2) Harry musn't gain the ability to do extraodinary Alchemy until about... third year?
3) Perhaps the Sorcere's Stone could've been some sort of trial to Alchemy for Harry?
4) Flammel could've done some horrible accidental experiment on the Evans family, which than spread over to Lily (she could've been some sort of Homonculous...), which Voldemort wanted.
5) Voldemort gains Alchemy somehow (it could be linked to Necromancy).
6) Harry is... rather similar to Malfoy except that well, Harry's more cunning.
7) Might be a little nick-picky but, a lot of Harry sorted into Slytherin (if the author chooses) simply ignores Theodore Nott, someone whose more cunning and clever than Malfoy according to JK.
8) Harry's the Heir of Gryffindor, who is NOT all high-mighty-light (would be some awesome twist).

Things could be added, changed, removed if the author so wishes to pick up the challenge.

 

I usually like fics where Harry is raised by someone different.

But Flammel? He's kinda ... old. And old usually equals boring.

I suppose that's quite original, though. Adding alchemy could be interesting too ... But all it seems you're asking for is another first-year Harry fic.

 

I picked Flammel because it seems as if he has the most knowledge about Alchemy. And about the first-year Harry fic... it would seem like it. However, it'd be better to go through the adventures than rather during the fifth year Harry comes with powers that could match an auror of some sort..

 

Will you be useing Traditional or FMA style Alchemy? Will we get a chance to learn about it as well (means inclusion of training)?

 

It's good that someone finally put a challenge with alchemy out there, since it seems to be an extremely powerful form of magic in canon but is never really mentioned in fanon outside of Flammel being the world's best in PS story lines. I get excited in stories that mention books about it or more importantly when harry purchases or procures books about it(Yin and Yang) but they never follow through. I guess the problem is there is no knowledge about Alchemy in the HP so no one knows how it works unfortunately. But yeah I hope some on takes this up or hell doesn't matter to me if they follow the challenge at all I would just like to see a harry-centric story that delves into alchemy.

 

I like this challenge exept for the fifth rule. "Voldemort gains Alchemy somehow"

It makes it seam like Alchemy is a magic ability like animagus that only some can use instead of having it as a branch of magic that anyone can use.

 

I said that because well, Voldemort will eventually get Harry. So, I decided to link it towards Necromancy to an extent.

 

@razz: Make Flammel kind of crazy. Just my opinion if you dont want him boring.

Anyway back on topic, I like this idea but as Revan posted

So whats it going to be?

 

The whole point of Alchemy, and it's ultimate goal, is the creation of the Philosopher's Stone. That's all it is.

So, you make Harry learn alchemy, and he makes a Philosopher's Stone, and what then? Sure, it will make Harry rich and and have eternal youth, but how is that going to help him defeat Voldemort? In the end he will have to go back to using normal magic to do it, which makes the main plot point of this challenge (Alchemy) obsolete, especially as Flammel already has a stone, so Harry could just use his if he was Nicolas' apprentice.

On the plus side, I always liked the idea of Harry being Flammel's apprentice - that man has got to be the most knowledgeable wizard in existence and Harry could learn alot from him.

 

Not ALL, maybe could have discovered something horrible about the stone? Maybe his mother turned into the stone and it could stabilize his power? Yes, I'm a FMA fan. ^__^

 

Yes, the stone only comes standard with 2 features (elixir of life and the creation of all the gold you could ever want.) But, the stone could have other uses just for its extreme magicalness(I know that sounded stupid but i couldn't think of any other way to put it see Harry Potter and the Forgotten Shards for what I ment there.) Anyway just like its use, or the use of its pieces in larger feats of magic such as rituals or potions in the case of the story or perhaps even wards. So while the stone only has to direct uses its magic can be used in other things. If he already knows how to make one stone he could make many more to use them for these purposes and further his goals.

Just an idea for you to think about.