Philosopher's Stone

This article is about the magical object. For the book of the same name see: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

The philosopher's stone (or US: sorcerer's stone) is a magical stone used to create the Elixer of Life which makes the drinker immortal. It can also transform any metal into gold.

The philosopher's stone was created by Nicolas Flamel (1326 - 1992?), an alchemist who used to work with Albus Dumbledore. Flamel is the only known person to have created the philosopher's stone. He and his wife Perenelle have used it to create the Elixir of Life, thus living for centuries. At the time of the first book, Nicolas Flamel was said to be 665 years old. He and his wife discontinued their use of the stone, preferring certain death over an eternal, albeit mortal life.

The philosopher's stone once became the target of the dark wizard Voldemort and his subordinate Quirell. Dumbledore moved the stone to Gringotts for stronger safekeeping, but after Gringotts was broken into, he moved it to Hogwarts, where he himself placed the enchantments guarding it. Quirell eventually figured out how to get past the obstacles to the stone, but Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger went after him, figuring that someone was after the stone.

Harry's attempt to save the stone culminated in a showdown between him, Voldemort, and Quirell, in which Quirell lost his life. After securing the stone, Dumbledore and Flamel discussed it's future, and agreed that it was best to destroy it. At the end of the book, Dumbledore mentioned Flamel had enough elixir to set his affairs in order, but noted that he would die. Flamel has not been heard from since in the series, and author J.K. Rowling has said on her website that he is now deceased.