Nicolas And Perenelle Flamel Die After A Long, Long Life

"To one as young as you, I'm sure it seems incredible, but to Nicolas and Perenelle, it really is like going to bed after a very, very long day." -- Albus Dumbledore, comforting Harry about the Flamels' approaching deaths (PS17)

The Flamels live for over six hundred years thanks to Nicolas having created the Philosopher’s Stone. After Lord Voldemort tries to get the Philosopher’s Stone, it is decided that the Stone should be destroyed. The Flamels use the last of the Elixir of Life to stay alive long enough to see that their affairs are in order, then pass away, fully accepting the end of their lives. (PS17).

Timeline Notes

We don't know when the Flamels actually passed away. We only know that with the loss of the Philospher's Stone they no longer were immortal and that sometime after June of 1992, they did/will die.

Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel die Date after June, 1992 Certainty Inferred from canon Location in Canon PS17: The Man with Two Faces Type of Event Wizarding world Related Entries Characters Perenelle Flamel Nicolas Flamel Locations Chambers of the Philosopher’s Stone Magic Elixir of Life Canon DH2: In Memoriam JKR (website) Pm: Pottermore PS17: The Man with Two Faces Events Nicolas Flamel is born Perenelle Flamel is born Dumbledore visits Harry in the Hospital Wing Things Philosopher’s Stone Alchemy Essays Nicolas Flamel and the Philosopher’s Stone Love and Death in Harry Potter

Commentary

Notes

Coming to terms with and learning to accept death is a major theme in the series, and the Flamels are an interesting case. -BB

The Flamels calm, even willing, acceptance of death is very similar to Ignotus Peverell "greet[ing] Death as an old friend" (TBB). -BB

The three Peverell brothers, of course, were also possessors of objects that tried to cheat death (TBB). -BB

Dumbledore tells Harry, "You know, the Stone was really not such a wonderful thing. As much money and life as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all - the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them." (PS17). Is Dumbledore just speaking about people in general here? Nicolas Flamel was a friend of Dumbledore's, and the two worked on projects together. Were Nicolas and Perenelle so unhappy? And what made them decide they could gladly and peacefully die now when they had kept themselves alive for hundreds of years? -BB

From the Web

Web link about the real Nicolas Flamel

The Death of Nicholas Flamel by danajsparks

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Editor: Bridget Bartlett

Timeline

• June, 1992: Ron sacrifices himself in a giant game of chess
• June 4th, 1992: Hermione solves the potions riddle
• June, 1992: Harry confronts Quirrell, defeats Voldemort
• June, 1992: Quidditch match: Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw (1992)
• June 8th, 1992: Dumbledore visits Harry in the Hospital Wing
• June, 1992: End of Term Feast: Quidditch & House Cups awarded (1992)
• June 10th, 1992: Gobstones: Wales v Hungary
• June, 1992: Dobby intercepts Harry's mail all summer
• June, 1992: Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel die
• July 31st, 1992: Harry's 12th birthday
• July 31st, 1992: Dobby watches Harry from a hedge
• July, 1992: Puddlemere United changes their team colours
• July 31st, 1992: Dobby tries to dissaude Harry from returning to Hogwarts
• July 31st, 1992: Harry receives a warning letter from the Ministry
• August 1st, 1992: Harry imprisoned in his room after Dobby's visit
• August 3rd, 1992: Harry is rescued with the Ford Anglia
• August 4th, 1992: Overnight Ministry raids

Sources Philosopher's Stone Chapter 17