Harry hated it when Draco was angry at him. He really knew how to be the biggest pain in the ass even while ignoring him. Harry felt guilty every time he saw the empty seat next to Draco at their normal desk in the library. He felt awful when Draco would turn to tell him something and then remember that they weren't talking.

"Would you even notice if I wasn't there?"

The words still haunted him. He didn't know how Draco didn't know how important he was to Harry. He wouldn't trade him for the world. He had already done so much for Harry. Harry would not be preparing for his future if it wasn't for Draco. Draco taught him how to navigate the wizarding world in a way that the others never even considered. He knew they would if he asked, but they didn't care about propriety the same way the Malfoy's did.

"M-mr. P-Potter, W-will you st-stay after class?"

Harry looked up at the defense professor with a flat look nodding and putting his things back on the desk. Quirrell was another mystery that he had been watching unfold. He knew the stutter was fake. He had known a kid in the orphanage who had a stutter and he knew what sounds were hard for him to form. Quirrell was obviously faking it for anyone who paid even a sliver of attention, but Harry didn't know why.

"Can you stop with the fake stutter? It makes you hard to follow."

Harry was too blunt at times. He knew that. Susan constantly chided him that his manners were atrocious. He had a bad habit of saying what was on his mind and having it come off as rude. He was getting better with Susan's careful glances, but sometimes he just got too lazy to care. He didn't care if he offended the professor. They aren't learning anything because of his stupid fake stutter. He saw no reason to respect him.

"Wh-what makes y-you think it is f-fake?"

"The words you choose to stutter, and how overdone it is. It just sounds fake for anyone who has ever actually met someone with a stutter."

"Very well."

"Much better. What did you need from me, Professor?"

"I admit that I am curious. You are nothing like I expected."

"Oh, I didn't think a professor would subscribe to house prejudice. Especially a Ravenclaw such as yourself."

"You looked me up? Maybe you should have been in Ravenclaw."

"And pass up easy loyalty? The house is for what you value. I value loyalty and hard work much more than I value pure intellect."

The smirk looked wrong on Quirrell's lips. It was almost like he was enjoying their exchange. Harry wondered if every adult would keep looking at him like he was some sort of anomaly. He wasn't anything special. He had seen Justin and Hermione throw quips at each other that were much more clever than the ones he was throwing at Quirrell. Maybe no other student dared to talk back to him. He had long ago realized that people only respected him for his fame. He was in no way the smartest or bravest, but he had the name.

"Sounds like something a dark wizard would say."

"Why would wanting loyalty make someone dark?"

"You ask a lot of questions."

"And you keep avoiding the point. Why did you ask me to stay?"

Quirrell sighed softly.

"If you insist."

Harry suddenly felt like his head was being torn in two as Quirrell lifted his hand and started whispering. His eyes were wide open despite the pain that was coursing through him. Then out of nowhere his vision went black.

"Really, attacking a student in Hogwarts? Have I fallen so far in my old age, Lord Voldemort?"

Quirrell stumbled back watching as the expression on Harry's face shifted and the mesmerizing green eyes shifted to a distinct red that could not be mistaken as anyone but the dark lord.

"I had my suspicions that I had fallen too far when I heard the story of my creation. I worked on recovering as many memories as I could."

"The boy is a Horcrux?"

"Yes. Keep up. He is my perfect vessel. As long as the light hails him a savior we cannot be killed. Your mistakes are turning out more fruitful than your plans."

"What do you know? You are stuck in the head of a prepubescent child."

"I know more than you give me credit for. I overhear everything. Harry is a well of untapped potential. Using his magic I can move freely with no one the wiser. He barely registers me taking over at this point."

"He doesn't fear you?"

"He fears himself more than he could ever fear me."

"You had him kill. You made him vulnerable."

"I protected him. It was his fault that he thought that he had done it."

"Good to know the boy hasn't tainted you."

"He is doing better than you are. A mere parasite on a disgusting man. At least my host is worth something. Devious little brat that he is. Researching politics and trying to change the world. He will be great. As long as you leave him alone."

"I will not harm you or your host. Just keep him out of my way."

"Glad that we have an understanding. I am quite fond of him at this point. I would hate to have to make myself the main soul piece."

"As if you would dare."

"We are the future, my lord. Maybe your time has passed."

"The boy is really influencing you if you dare defy me."

"I doubt that. I presume that ten years apart will do that to someone. I am you in magic alone."

"Very well. Get out of my sight. Keep your little brat in line."

"Yes, my lord."

Harry snapped out of his daze as he walked away from the Defence classroom. His stomach churned at the thought that he was having blackouts again. He was dangerous when he didn't pay attention to what he was doing. If he let go of his attention for even a moment he could accidentally hurt someone like last time. He needed to keep it together no matter how stressful it was. He walked back to his dorm to enjoy a quiet afternoon with Susan. She always knew how to brighten his day even if he was missing Draco.