Longest chapter yet, I think!
It was Quirrell, of course. Will knew that already, and Harry knew it was a possibility.
"You!" Harry shouted, and Quirrell turned to face him. Will had hidden in a corner as soon as a chance was available. Didn't want to give up the information that Harry wasn't alone too soon.
"Me," Quirrell said, smirking slightly, "I did wonder if you'd appear tonight Potter."
"Looks like Will was right," Harry said, "As usual. Ron was sure it would be Snape."
"Yes, Snape does seem the part, doesn't he. With him around, who would suspect poor st-st-stuttering P-p-professor Quirrell?" Quirrell snapped his fingers and ropes formed to bind Harry.
"We still knew it might be you," Harry muttered, "And that means, Snape was trying to save me, at the Quidditch game."
Quirrell laughed, "Yes, he was. Too bad your friend ended up setting him on fire. Maybe next time he'll just leave you to die. He does hate you, after all."
"Why would he try to save me then?" Harry asked. They'd come up with a plan, before all of this started. Keep whoever it was distracted. Keep them talking, keep their attention away from the mirror.
"Oh, some sort of debt he had to your father. It never really interested me to be honest, I was only interested in the stone." Quirrell commented. He turned back to the mirror.
"I saw you and Snape talking, in the woods," Harry said, trying to draw his attention, "He seemed like he was threatening you."
"He was," Quirrell said shortly, "Wanted to find out how much I'd learned. He caught on to my plans, you see, back when I let the troll in."
"You did," Harry said, "As a distraction?"
"Clever, Potter. Yes, I needed to get check out the defenses around the stone. That mangy dog stumped me for a while, but I was able to trick the information out of Hagrid anyway."
Evil people always did like to monologue. Will wasn't surprised.
"This mirror is quite interesting though, too bad I don't have further time to study it." Quirrell said, running a finger around the outside. "I'll be far away from here by the time Dumbledore gets back. Unfortunately you'll be dead by then Potter, you and your little friend in the corner there."
Will was shocked, he was certain that those he hadn't formed a bond with would only see him if he moved. How did- Ah! Legilimency. Of course. That means he's reading Harry's mind right now. Uh oh.
"Astral Projection. How fascinating. Your friend is very bright to have figured it out, though he did have help it seems. What was his name again? Oh yes, Will." Quirrell laughed, "He guessed I might be behind this. I wondered for a while if I should kill him just to get him out of the way, but there'd be too much scrutiny if a child went missing."
"Leave him alone!" Harry shouted.
"You're very brave, Potter. But unfortunately for you that isn't going to help you tonight. Now, I see myself presenting the stone to my master, but where is it? Should I break the mirror?"
"USE THE BOY." A voice rasped, and Will and Harry shivered. That sound was like ice down his spine.
"Potter, come over here." Quirrell directed, and unwillingly Harry slid over in front of the mirror.
Will was terrified. He'd hoped Dumbledore would have been here by now. Where was he?
Harry turned to look at Will, he was scared as well. Will was sure by this time, the stone would be in his pocket.
"What do you see?" Quirrell whispered.
"Well, you dead, for one." Harry said, probably a bit too brave at the moment, but what's done is done, "And me with a long and happy future ahead of me now that Voldemort's gone."
Quirrell threw Harry aside and stood in front of the mirror again, "Useless boy." He hissed.
Harry's bindings were loose! Maybe they could make a run for it, hopefully Harry's potion won't have worn off. Will and Harry moved towards the door.
"HE LIES." Came the terrible voice again.
"Potter!" Quirrell yelled, and Harry froze. Against his own will, he was dragged back to Quirrell. Will followed reluctantly. He wasn't just going to leave Harry here!
"LET ME SPEAK TO HIM."
But you aren't strong enough yet, let me-"
"I AM STRONG ENOUGH FOR THIS."
Quirrell turned around and removed his turban. The flesh beneath looked diseased, and in the middle was a disgusting face.
"HARRY POTTER, DO YOU SEE WHAT I HAVE BECOME? A MERE SPIRIT, FORCED TO INHABIT THE FLESH OF ANOTHER, MUCH LIKE THAT FRIEND OF YOURS. HE AND I ARE NOT SO DIFFERENT."
Will felt like he might throw up. He didn't know how that would work in astral form, but he was about to figure it out.
"I AM FORCED TO DRINK UNICORN BLOOD TO SURVIVE, A CURSED HALF-EXISTENCE." He said, "BUT WITH THE ELIXIR OF LIFE I COULD TRULY LIVE AGAIN. NOW GIVE ME THE STONE IN YOUR POCKET."
"NO!" Harry roared.
"DO NOT BE A FOOL, IT IS BETTER TO LIVE AND SERVE THEN TO DIE. NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DIE SCREAMING FOR MERCY LIKE YOUR PARENTS YOU WILL GIVE ME WHAT I DESIRE."
"You're a LIAR!" Harry yelled, still held in place by Quirrell's magic.
Voldemort paused, "I DID ALWAYS VALUE BRAVERY. YES, THEY DIED BRAVELY. YOUR FATHER DIED FIRST, PROTECTING YOU, BUT YOUR MOTHER NEEDN'T HAVE DIED. SHE DIED PROTECTING YOU AS WELL. NOW, UNLESS YOU WANT TO WASTE HER SACRIFICE YOU WILL GIVE ME THE STONE!"
"Never." Harry said, as firm as Will had ever seen him.
"QUIRRELL." The voice commanded, and Quirrell lunged at Harry. As he did, the fire in the doorway was extinguished suddenly, and Dumbledore, Mcgonagall, and Snape appeared.
Will flew between Harry and Quirrell, trying to keep his hands off of him, but Quirrell's hands went right through Will.
Quirrell started screaming suddenly, "My hands, I cannot hold him!" And his hands were blistering, burning. Harry lunged at Quirrell this time his hands going directly for his face.
Will didn't want this for Harry, he didn't want his first kill to be at eleven. He didn't want Harry to have to suffer through that ever. Will looked deep within himself, looking for that power he was supposed to have, a power that was moldable to his will.
A warmth erupted from deep inside and Will could feel it flowing out from him, down his arms and out of his hands. It surged in great waves, flowing over everything all the way to the far reaches of the wards around Hogwarts castle. A bright light, ripping the spirit of Voldemort clean out of Quirrell's body and forcing him out of the room, out of the castle and completely out of the wards.
Will turned to look at Harry tiredly, thankfully he was conscious, he wouldn't have to miss the quidditch game! Will's last thought was that Harry didn't have to look so frightened and sad, they'd done it, right?
"WILL!" Harry yelled desperately, and with Will's last ounce of strength, he pulled on the cord connecting him to his body.
Will awoke to sunlight streaming through the windows of the Infirmary. He sat up, stretching. He still felt a bit tired, but not too bad. Why was he in the Hospital Wing?
Suddenly everything came flooding back to him. He looked around and saw Dumbledore sitting at his bedside.
"Professor! Harry! Is he-"
"Harry is fine, I believe he's about to win the Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor. If you listen closely, you might be able to hear the crowd from here." Dumbledore smiled. Will looked down and noticed a small pile of candy at the bottom of his bed. Probably not anywhere as near as big as the one Harry received in the books, but it touched Will to know that his friends were worried about him.
"Now, I believe you have some questions for me, Mr. Nelson, and I have a few for you myself. I'll start us off if you don't mind." Dumbledore said, and Will nodded.
"Your friends informed me of your abilities, future sight and astral projection, the second one is something I've never heard of before. And I arrived just in time to see your… astral form I believe it was? Perform a strange magic to repel Voldemort from the castle. Harry seemed to have something else on his mind as well, but he wasn't willing to share it with me. As I guessed that what he was thinking was about you, I was hoping you would be able to shed some light, as it were, on the subject."
"I have a question for you first, Professor," Will said. He was plunging into deep waters without a life preserver, but maybe Dumbledore would be able to catch him. Will wanted to believe that Dumbledore had Harry's best interests at heart. So maybe he could give him the benefit of the doubt.
"Do you know what's in Harry's scar?" Will asked.
Dumbledore seemed surprised that this was the road the conversation had turned on, but he hid it well, "I have a few theories, but I'm not entirely sure, no."
"Alright, do you know how Voldemort survived?" Will asked.
Dumbledore paused, "Again, I have a few theories, but that's not something I re-"
"I do." Will said. Here it was. He turned to look out the window.
There was silence, and Will turned back to see Dumbledore with a very grave expression on his face.
"I see," Dumbledore started, but Will interrupted whatever it was he was about to say.
"I kind of have a long story to tell, so I'm sorry to be rude, but could you let me get it out before you ask me anything more?"
Dumbledore nodded, "That would be agreeable, yes. Please tell your story."
And Will did. He told Dumbledore about how his favorite book series growing up was a series called 'Harry Potter', about how he'd died and met his grandmother on the other side, how he'd been given a mission to come to a different dimension, how he'd possessed a vacant body, how he'd struggled with the feelings of guilt that had followed, how he'd approached Harry, holding out a hand in friendship, and about how Harry had grasped that hand like a lifeline to a drowning man.
Will couldn't look at Dumbledore during his explanation, he just had to get it out before he lost his nerve.
"I wanted to befriend Harry because he'd needed someone to be there for him as a child so badly, and you never checked up on him. I know you had Ms. Figg looking after him, but it wasn't enough! It wasn't." Will was crying by the end, and as he looked up at Dumbledore, he could see a tear run down his nose as well.
"I see. That explains some things. I know you've been confusing Madam Pomfrey as to why you have no brain activity, and after she explained to me her findings I had Professor Snape run some Legilimency probes. You have no thoughts, did you know? Even unconscious people have thoughts." Dumbledore said, then sighed, "I seem to have made a lot of mistakes if a visitor from another world was necessary to fix them." Dumbledore sighed, rubbing a thumb across his eye.
"I wanted to believe you had Harry's best interests at heart, how you wanted the best for him as well, but it was so hard to do so looking from an outside perspective." Will cried, "You've made a few questionable choices regarding Harry's safety, and from what I remember, you were going to make a few more coming up. I know that the prophecy is very important, defeating Voldemort and all, but Harry's happiness is just as important, and he can't find it at the Dursleys, Professor, he just can't."
Dumbledore sighed, "May I ask a question now?"
Will nodded, "Sure." He wiped his eyes. Being a kid again made his emotions a mess.
"How did Voldemort survive? I have a few theories-"
"Horcruxes." Will interrupted, planting his face on his knees.
Dumbledore looked shocked, "More than one?" He whispered.
"Seven." Will mumbled into the blankets. He sat up again. "I think you originally figured it out next year, when the Chamber of Secrets is opened again."
Dumbledore looked shocked, then sighed, "I'm going to have to get used to that, aren't I."
"I'm afraid so," Will giggled, before sobering, "I was afraid that you knew all along, and that's why you placed Harry with the Dursleys, so his self esteem would be at an all time low, and when it was finally time he wouldn't hesitate."
"Knew what?" Dumbledore asked, looking older than Will had ever seen him.
"That Harry's scar is a Horcrux," Will whispered.
It seemed as if a million emotions flashed across Dumbledore's face, disbelief, anger, fear, despair, before he stopped to look at Will.
"I see," He whispered, "I understand now."
"Is there really no way to remove it?" Will asked, "I was hoping that actual physical surgery could do it, or maybe there are some avenues to explore that you just didn't have the time to do before."
"There are some things we can try," Dumbledore said, "Muggle surgery might work, but I have a possibility that might work that isn't so drastic."
"What is it?" Will asked, surprised, "wouldn't you have tried it before too, then?"
"We didn't have it before, Mr. Nelson." Dumbledore said, nodding, "You see, it's you. More specifically, it's your power. You were able to send Voldemort's spirit fleeing, correct? You were able to remove it from Quirrell's body without killing him."
"He's alive!?" Will asked, shocked.
"No, I'm afraid," Dumbledore said, "He died from the strain of carrying around Voldemort's fragmented soul. The human body isn't meant to carry around a soul as damaged as his. He must perform many rituals if he wants a body to last for long. Once Voldemort's spirit left him, Quirrell didn't last long before he expired. Harry may now be able to see the Thestrals as well, I'm sorry to say."
"You know," Will said, considering, "Even though your original plan had Harry sacrificing himself, you weren't entirely wrong. I don't know if you knew this would happen, but Harry survived Voldemort's Killing Curse. The Horcrux was destroyed instead. I also don't know if it would have happened if Harry went into it knowing that it would happen. Or if Voldemort killed him with a different spell."
Dumbledore looked thoughtful, "It probably would still work if Harry went into it knowing he'd survive, but it would probably have to be the Killing Curse from Voldemort, yes. A different curse would kill him and the Horcrux most likely."
"I don't want to know what Voldemort would do if he found out Harry was one of his Horcruxes." Will shivered.
"Neither would I," Dumbledore said, nodding.
"A couple more things," Will said, remembering something he'd been meaning to talk to Dumbledore about, "I want to teach my friends Occlumency, and I'm hoping there is something you can do to help?"
Dumbledore considered. "It would be hard, if not impossible, for you to learn Occlumency or Legilimency, due to your unique brain state, but I might have some books with exercises they can try. They'll have to practice over the summer, and I'll either check how they're doing once they come back for the school year myself, or have someone trustworthy do it."
"It's not done by attacking with Legilimency and letting them figure out how to form shields that way?" Will asked.
Dumbledore winced. "That… is one way to do it, but it's only done for the most extreme situations. If you need to learn in a short amount of time and don't mind a bit of pain, that way is best. But these are children we're talking about, correct? We're also not in a rush, so this way should work also."
Will nodded, he continued. "I was hoping I'd also be able to talk to the sorting hat before school ends?"
"Do you wish to switch houses?" Dumbledore asked, 'The sorting hat is notoriously picky abou-"
"No, I just have something I want to talk to him about. I promised him a conversation, after all."
Dumbledore nodded, "You can come to my office later today. It's behind the Gargoyle on the third floor, password is 'licorice wand'. Was there anything else?"
Will took a deep breath, "I also know that Sirius Black is innocent."
Will thought he wouldn't be able to shock Dumbledore again, but he was wrong.
"What!?" Dumbledore exclaimed, before composing himself, "How?" He had a look like Will had never seen before.
"Peter Pettigrew was the spy for Voldemort. He was the real secret keeper. When Sirius went after Peter, Peter shouted how Sirius was the one to betray James and Lily, and blew up a gas line under the street, killing all of those muggles. Peter then cut off one of his fingers and transformed into a rat, his animagus form, and headed into the sewer. Sirius was half mad when the aurors found him saying 'I killed Lily and James', because it was his idea to switch to Peter as secret keeper. Sirius was put in Azkaban without a trial."
Dumbledore looked as if all of the pieces had just fallen into place. "I was never able to see his Trial Transcripts, because there were none. I was so busy at the time, you see, I wasn't able to attend many Wizengamot trials. I'd assumed that his had been one of the ones I'd missed, but when I went looking for the records, I couldn't find any. At the time I thought it was because they were classified, and was surprised that there was a level of security clearance I didn't have."
Will nodded, it made sense. "We need to get him out of there. He's been able to keep the worst of it at bay by knowing he's innocent and being in animagus form whenever there's a chance, seeing as animals aren't as susceptible to Dementors. I'm hoping he'll be able to take in Harry, once he's recovered."
Dumbledore frowned, "I'm not sure I'd be able to do so without some form of proof."
"I know where Pettigrew is, and if we can't catch him, Veritaserum or a Pensive would help. I'm sure Sirius would undergo both willingly to prove his innocence."
"Where is he?" Dumbledore had gone very still.
"You're not going to like it, but he's in Gryffindor tower right now. He's masquerading as Ron Weasley's pet rat, Scabbers."
You're right, I don't like it." Dumbledore sighed. As he did, the Hospital Wing doors flew open and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville stormed in. As they did, Madam Pomfrey came out of her office at the noise.
"What is all of the- Mr. Nelson! You're awake! Let me check you over." As she ran her tests, Will could see Harry and the others talking to Dumbledore, waiting for him to be done. Dumbledore said something to them, and excused himself. Madam Pomfrey finished, and once she got the okay, Hermione launched herself at Will, bringing him into a big hug. Ron and Neville joined, with Harry bringing up the tail.
"I'm so glad you're alright!" Hermione beamed, "We've been really worried."
"I wasn't sure what happened, so I didn't know how long you'd be out for." Harry said, blushing a bit.
Neville nodded, "Ron told me you can do something called astral projecting? What exactly is that?"
Hermione sat up straight, like she'd just remembered, "Right! What was all of that? Harry said you were projecting these waves of light that drove Voldemort away?"
Will nodded, "That wasn't something I was aware I could do either. I've been able to project my spirit for a few years though. I think it's because of the coma I was in."
"Coma?" Ron asked. Will and Harry had explained this to Hermione before, because she'd understand the medical terms, but they hadn't with Neville and Ron.
"It's a state of unconsciousness that you can't be awoken from, usually caused by damage to the brain." Hermione explained.
"Brain damage?" Neville whispered. He was probably thinking about his parents.
"I was unconscious for about three months," Will said, "And when I woke up, I could astral project."
"But why did your astral form change?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, it went from a blurry outline to a glowing stick figure," Ron said.
"It happened because I formed a connection with you, like I have with Harry," Will explained, "One that allows me to communicate with you the same way ghosts communicate with each other. Soul to soul."
"Does that connection still exist?" Hermione asked, looking thoughtful.
"Yes," Will said, "I could break it off if you want." He didn't exactly want to do that, but if it made her uncomfortable, he would.
"No, I was just wondering if we could use it to communicate when you're not in astral form." Hermione asked.
Will and Harry looked at each other. "I don't know, we've never tried. We've only used it from astral form to body, or astral form to astral form."
"Wait!" Neville said, "You can do it too, Harry?"
Harry nodded, "Will taught me how. It's a bit dangerous, but after the first time it's fun!"
"Dangerous how?" Hermione asked. She had a strange look on her face.
"If you don't know what you're doing, you might accidentally detach the person's soul from their body completely." Will warned, "I'm not sure what will happen then, but I know it's not good."
Hermione, Ron, and Neville nodded seriously.
"Will you teach me?" Hermione asked, determined. She probably couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn something new.
"Me too!" Ron added. He probably wanted to be the first of his brothers to learn something completely unheard of before. Plus, it probably sounded fun.
I'm in too." Neville said. He probably wanted to be included. Hopefully he hadn't been feeling a little left out. Will had a few ideas that might help Neville, actually, regarding his parents.
"So?" Hermione asked, drawing Will's attention again.
"As long as you guys know the risks, and are willing to give it a try, I'm willing to help you." Will promised. "We'll try it tonight. I'll pull you out when we're all asleep. Sorry Hermione, that means I'll be going into your dorm room in astral form." Hermione looked thoughtful, but nodded.
Then Harry changed the subject and explained in detail how Gryffindor had won the Quidditch Cup. As he was doing so, Dumbledore came back, patting his pocket. He looked at Madam Pomfrey, who nodded.
"Mr. Weasley, Mr. Nelson, Ms. Granger, Mr. Longbottom, and Mr. Potter, I have something I need to speak to you all about, and then I believe that you're free to go. You may spend your afternoon however you wish after that."
Dumbledore explained about Ron's rat, and Ron was shocked and disgusted when he found out. Then Dumbledore explained what it meant for Harry, that Peter was found.
"I have a godfather?" Harry asked, speechless.
"He was in jail with no trial!? That's outrageous!" Hermione said, enraged.
"Does this mean Harry won't have to go back to the Dursleys?" Neville asked. Will and Harry had explained, in vague terms, how the Dursleys treated Harry. None of their friends liked them at all.
"Hopefully, but probably not until late summer, depending on Sirius' recovery. Azkaban is not a fun place to be. It's very taxing on the mind and body." Dumbledore explained. He then turned and gestured to the door, "You're free to go now, I suggest enjoying some of the sunny weather." He smiled.
Ron was still in shock about his rat. Grabbing his arm, they dragged him outside to go enjoy the sunshine.
Okay! Next chapter should have a conversation with the sorting hat, some astral projection fun, and maybe we'll get to the end of year feast.