This is so cool. First, fun subtext about the illustrations. Second, a hidden clue about the Order's plans re: the stone. Sounds like the Book would seem, to Voldemort, to be a help in learning how to use the stone. In which case, big points for McG! But consistent with her role as a spy/agent for the Order, maybe she's playing him, maybe the book is being mis-copied to mis-direct him. Or -- and I suppose I should have just looked this up before speculating -- maybe the book is notorious for not being "orthodox"? Do you know anything about how it fits into the tradition of alchemical literature? It seems likely that McG would not be doing anything that feeds so directly into V's quest to understand the Stone, without having some sort of twist or misdirection up her sleeve . . .