Author's Note: Penultimate chapter for you, enjoy!
Harry stepped through the doorway of the DADA classroom, leaving the door open. "Sorry to bother you, Professor, but could I talk to you?" he asked earnestly.
"Of c-course," Quirrell replied.
Harry walked further into the room. "I was just wondering…did you kill those Unicorns out of loyalty or because you fear him?" His companion blinked. "Because if it isn't the first, he'll know," he spoke flatly. "He can read minds. And if you aren't completely loyal, well…" he met the adult's gaze solidly and smirked. "He'll hurt you the first chance he gets."
"Why you insolent little brat!" Quirrell exploded and closed the distance between them. "I am loyal!" he cried and wrapped his hands around Harry's neck. "And I will prove it-" he spoke as he began to squeeze "-by killing you." Harry reached up, one hand clawing at the hands around his neck, the other pushing against Quirrell's face.
Harry's choking noise was cut off as Quirrell screamed, lifting his smoking hands from Harry's skin. Harry collapsed to the floor gasping, watching with wide eyes as the man before him began to crumple to dust. A black mist hovered in the air for a moment, before it shot through the walls.
Draco appeared in the doorway, his eyes widening as he took in Harry's condition. "Professor McGonagall!" he called desperately down the hall. "Harry's hurt!"
In moments she had rounded the door, immediately crossing to Harry's side. "Potter, what's wrong?" her voice filled with concern. He held a hand over his throat as he gasped for air. "Who made that noise?" Harry pointed to the pile of dust. She flicked her wand and her tabby Patronus burst into being before dashing through the wall. "Probably best if you wait outside Mr Malfoy," she spoke gently. "I have summoned Professor Dumbledore and your Head of House."
"But-"
"Do you trust your godfather to bring the necessary potions with him?" she asked pointedly.
"Yes," he replied immediately and sighed. "Yes Professor," he spoke dutifully and left the room.
"Are you all right Harry?" she asked, her expression filled with concern as the boy gasped for breath.
"Hurts," he gasped.
"Professor Snape will be here shortly," she soothed.
"I am here now," Severus drawled from the doorway. His gaze took in the scene before he made his way over to his student. "Stand back please Minerva," he requested. She immediately did so and he cast several spells.
"Harry my boy," Dumbledore spoke. "What happened?" he asked in concern.
"One moment Headmaster," Severus spoke before the boy could open his mouth. "He needs to drink these," he stated and handed the boy a couple of potions vials. He downed them dutifully. "Better keep it short, it's best if Madame Pomfrey gives him further treatment."
"What happened here?"
"I-" Harry cut off and started coughing.
"Albus, can this not wait?" Minerva demanded. "The boy clearly needs to go to the Hospital Wing."
"Unfortunately, it can't," he spoke gravely.
"I'm okay," Harry gasped, took a breath and let out a relieved sigh. "Professor Quirrell attacked me," he spoke in a rush, and fought back more coughs.
"What did you do?"
"I-" he broke off and started coughing again.
When they subsided, Dumbledore opened his mouth. "Headmaster," Severus spoke firmly. "Too much speech is not advisable until he has had proper treatment by Madame Pomfrey," he stated. He laid a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Gesture," he ordered the boy. Harry gave a short nod. He raised both his hands and had them hover over his neck. "You grabbed his hands?" He started to nod, then shook his head, flinching at the movement. He moved one hand up as if warding someone away and pushed with it. "You tried to push him away?" He nodded.
"Did you touch his skin?" Dumbledore asked.
"Albus-" she began and he raised a hand.
"It is important Minerva," he stated. Harry's eyes narrowed as he thought back, before he nodded. "What happened then?" He pointed at the pile of dust.
"If you are done Headmaster, my student requires the treatment of Madame Pomfrey," Severus drawled.
HPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDM
Sirius and Remus burst into the Hospital Wing from Madame Pomfrey's office. "Are you all right?" the werewolf demanded as he reached the bed.
"Not that we don't trust your skills," Sirius reassured the Mediwitch.
"You have every reason to, given how much you put them to use in your time here," she added pointedly.
Remus' lips curved. "That we did," he agreed. "I'm sorry Poppy."
"I understand," she answered. "Logic goes out the window when it's someone we care about," she murmured. "Not that much talking, his throat needs to rest," she advised, withdrawing into her office.
"All right?" Sirius asked as he approached the bed his godson sat on. Harry put two thumbs up, while Draco's gaze narrowed.
Remus drew the curtains with a flick of his wand and cast silencing charms around them. "How is he really Draco?"
"He was strangled." Harry whacked his arm. "Well you were," he retorted. "It might have only been briefly, but it was long enough to cut off his airway and cause severe bruising." Harry rolled his eyes. "I am not exaggerating-" Harry opened his mouth. "I don't care if it was as much or less damage than you suffered the first time, you were injured," he added hotly. The brunet linked their fingers together, and Draco fought his smile. "I'm still going to be annoyed at you." He leant forward and kissed him sweetly.
Sirius grinned at Remus. "Yes," the werewolf spoke indulgently, "there are times when he takes after you."
"He takes after you as well," Draco remarked. "In our fifth year, he taught several students DADA."
"Really?" Sirius asked curiously. Both boys nodded.
"What about your teacher?" Remus asked suspiciously.
"She was having us write lines. It really gave your DA members a leg up over the rest of us." Harry gave his fingers a squeeze. "Would you consider teaching me the Patronus Charm? I never got the chance to learn it the first time."
The werewolf's head tilted curiously and Harry waved a finger between him and Remus then held up three. "I taught you in third year?" He nodded. "I think we need to revisit this topic when you can be more vocal. Though, I'd be happy to give both of you a lesson this time around," he added, unable to help his smile when both boys smiled brightly at him.
Harry held out a hand. "What?" Sirius asked. He gave his godfather a pointed look and held his hand out again. "No." The boy scowled.
"Not until Madame Pomfrey clears you," Remus added. The boy let out an inaudible sigh.
"Why were you so determined to do this now?" Sirius asked curiously.
"We needed as much time as possible," Draco stated. "Since we need to implement the next stage to the plan by August." Harry mimed opening a book. "By the day we get our second year book lists, if we're being specific," he added rolling his eyes.
"Why?" Remus asked and Draco flinched. Harry gave his fingers a squeeze. "Draco?" he spoke gently.
He blew out a breath. "My father had one of the Dark Lord's Horcruxes, and he deliberately slipped it into Ginny Weasley's cauldron in Diagon Alley," he stated, trying for neutral.
Sirius leant across the distance and placed his hand on the blonde's shoulders. "Your father's sins are not yours," he spoke firmly. "And you'll prevent him from doing so this time around."
"Well, he might still perform the act, however, it won't have the impact he was expecting." Harry opened his mouth and he laid gentle fingers over his lips. "He might not have known the exact consequences, however, he would know that nothing good could come of giving a girl a Horcrux in the shape of a diary." He took a deep breath. "It possessed her, and over the course of the possession caused her to kill roosters, use their blood to write messages on the wall, and open the Chamber of Secrets," he stated.
"What?!" both the adults cried. Both boys nodded solemnly. "How many people died?" Sirius asked, braced. Harry mimed opening a book. "The diary?" Harry nodded. "How is that possible? The Chamber is supposed to contain a monster." Harry nodded vigorously and flinched.
"Do I need to get Madame Pomfrey?" Draco asked in concern. He shook his head slightly. "Another flinch and I will," he stated, and the brunet let out a resigned sigh. "What was the monster?" Harry's eyes widened. "No, I never found out the details."
"Basilisk," he spoke softly.
"Ah," he breathed. "Harry is a Parselmouth," he stated.
"Really?" Sirius asked curiously.
"You didn't tell them?" He shook his head slightly. "Did you think they would disapprove?"
"Harry!" Remus scolded lightly. He shrugged slightly, and the werewolf gently lifted the boy and hugged him tight. Harry snuggled into the embrace. "Harry, we love you," he stated, laying his chin atop the boy's hair, "nothing is going to change that."
"He will realise that," Draco reassured. "Eventually."