I don't wanna go to school today…

Harry rolled over and away from the bright light on the other side of his eyelids. Why would someone try to wake him up from such a wonderful sleep?

He grunted and folded the pillow around his head.

"I'm sure you'd like to sleep some more, Mr. Potter, but noon is quite the lie in, don't you think?"

Harry groaned, still not fully aware of what was happening. He hoped Dumbledore would be quieter.

….

Harry shot up, last night's events flashing through his mind. Unfortunately he was closer to the edge of the bed than he realized. He tried to place his hand on the side of the bed only to find empty air. He felt his world tip over as he tumbled from the bed, dragging the sheets and blanket off with him. It was only then he realized he was in the hospital wing.

"There's no need to rush, my boy," Dumbledore said with a chuckle. "Take your time."

Harry felt embarrassment wash over him for a moment while he tried to escape the blankets. After a minute of twisting he finally freed himself and stood.

"That was more difficult than the Devil's Snare."

Dumbledore laughed and Harry grinned.

"Your father would have said the same thing."

Harry smiled at that. He liked hearing about his parents.

He climbed back into the bed, assuming if Dumbledore was here and in a good mood that the stone must be safe. He was about to relax against the headboard when he remembered his friends.

"Ron and Hermione!"

"They are fine. Both were sent to get lunch for you only a moment ago."

Harry sighed, allowing himself to truly relax.

"What you did last night was terribly reckless, Mr. Potter."

Harry grimaced but could tell that Dumbledore wasn't admonishing him too harshly.

"I apologize for the trouble I caused, professor. It just felt like the right thing to do."

Dumbledore sat back in his chair, his smile never leaving his face.

"And that is something your mother would have said."

Harry's heart swelled with pride. In all the years of not knowing anything about his parents and then suddenly finding out they died to protect him, he found himself wanting to know what they were really like. Everything he'd been told since he came to the magical world was colored by their sacrifice. Hearing the headmaster speak of both his parents in such a casual manner as if he knew them as the people they were made Harry long to hear more.

"It's good to hear that, sir," Harry said. "I don't know too much about my parents other than what everyone else tells me."

Dumbledore's smile faltered for a moment before he leaned forward.

"Harry, there are many people in this world that knew and loved your parents, myself included. If you ever want to learn about the wonderful people that were your parents, I'm sure many of us would love to share stories with you."

Harry felt tears well up in his eyes. Unable to speak, he nodded in appreciation.

Dumbledore waited as Harry composed himself, only speaking when he felt the boy had caught his breath.

"I'm sure you are curious about the result of your adventures, yes?"

Harry nodded, curious as to the fallout from his actions.

"I arrived just after you fell and right on time to see the wraith that is Voldemort's current form flee from the castle."

"So he got away, sir?"

"I'm afraid so. Although, I think he was greatly weakened from what happened."

Harry nodded, feeling like he'd failed somehow.

"How is he even alive? I thought he was killed when he attacked my family."

Dumbledore sighed, his age suddenly very clear in the lines of his face. When he spoke again, Harry was taken aback by his words.

"The night you received that scar, I couldn't couldn't help but feel relief."

The headmaster removed his glasses and wiped them with the sleeve of his robe.

"I know that sounds horrible. How could I feel relief when two of my best students and good friends lay dead in front of me? I felt miserable standing in the rubble, but a little bit of me was glad that the war was finally over."

Harry didn't know what to say. He felt angry that someone could be so uncaring but he also knew the headmaster didn't want to feel that way, he just couldn't help it.

"For years, the magical world cowered in fear of that man. We watched as our friends were terrorized and murdered. For all that to come to an end, the world seemed to breathe again. But as I stood there, I felt that something was wrong. Voldemort's body was there and clearly dead, but there was a dark, angry magic emanating from it. It was as if it had been merely a vessel for something that had been forcibly torn from it.

"I attempted a few diagnostic spells on the body, spells designed to confirm the cause of death. I was unprepared when the first spell struck the body and it began to disintegrate, flaking away as if made of soot and smoke."

Harry's eyes widened and Dumbledore nodded.

"In all the years before that night and since, I've only seen that effect once more."

"It's the same thing that happened to Quirrell last night, isn't it?"

"Yes. For many years I have suspected that Voldemort hadn't really left this world. I hoped that he was gone but last night confirmed my worst fears."

The headmaster paused for a long moment. Harry could see the pain on the older man's face. His expression told Harry there would be struggles ahead, and people would be hurt. He couldn't help but feel sorry for Dumbledore. The man had been a bastion of good for decades and still he would struggle against the dark.

Eventually the headmaster turned back to Harry.

"I have spoken with Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley. I know of how you came to know of the stone and what happened up until you and Miss Granger separated. Can you tell me what happened in the final room? Please, spare no details."

Harry nodded and relayed the story, doing his best to include as many specifics as he could. Dumbledore remained silent for most of it, only asking questions to clarify what Harry was saying. Eventually, the headmaster nodded and stood, walking to look out a window next to Harry's bed.

"Professor, What was that golden power I felt at the end?"

The headmaster continued to look out the window as he spoke.

"In times of great stress, our Magic can act in unpredictable ways. I'm sure you've experienced it before. Have you ever been running from something and suddenly ended up in a completely different area?"

Harry nodded.

"Happenings like that are fairly common. However, most of the time, accidental magic isn't so flashy as to create a golden aura. I have read about a few very rare cases of someone able to release their magic in a more pure form. You seem to have done this when protecting Miss Granger from the troll earlier this year. In that instance, you released your magic in a protective barrier, its only purpose being to keep you and your friend safe."

Harry was baffled. He didn't remember much of the troll incident after arriving at the bathroom.

"Last night, however, you did something much more extraordinary. You channeled that magic and controlled it. When you forced the magic through your arm and into Professor Quirrel, you blasted him with all the wildness of raw magic, unfiltered through a spell or wand."

Harry's eyes were wide. He never thought of what he'd done as something beyond what other magical people could do.

For a long moment, they sat in silence. Eventually, Dumbledore shook his head and addressed Harry again.

"I must say, Harry, most first years don't get into situations like this."

"I can imagine, sir. This school feels fairly normal for being magical."

Dumbledore turned back to Harry, his eyes alight with excitement.

"But you see, Harry, that's exactly it! We live in a magical world and no matter how 'normal' we may try to make it, magic is wild and unpredictable. Your actions last night were dangerous and reckless but Magic is just the same."

Harry was surprised to hear the headmaster speak this way. Most of the people around him seemed to have forgotten how incredible magic really was.

"I have a feeling that last night's antics won't be the last you will face in our world. But from what I've seen, you have the makings of a great wizard and a wonderful example of a Hogwarts student."

"How do you mean, professor? I don't think I used anything I learned in classes last night."

Dumbledore chuckled.

"I can see how you interpreted what I said. I don't mean to say your studies are what make you great, although I do want to say that you are doing very well academically."

Harry nodded, still confused.

"Last night several things happened but the one that I want you to take away was the fact that your friends were right there with you."

"I shouldn't have let them come."

Dumbledore returned to his chair.

"I don't think you could have stopped them if you tried. And it's not because they wanted to stop Quirrell from getting the stone. No, they wanted to help you because it was you who was going. You see, they followed you."

Harry wasn't sure he deserved that but he didn't want to argue with the headmaster.

Dumbledore seemed to read his thoughts.

"I know you don't think you deserve their loyalty but that just makes it more true. I don't expect you to understand now, but one day you will come to rely on them, to trust them to help you and to keep you on the path."

Harry nodded, internally vowing to help his friends as well.

They were both silent for a moment before Dumbledore stood again, his chair vanishing behind him.

"I believe it's time for me to be off. You need your rest and I'm sure your friends will return at any moment."

Harry nodded as Dumbledore patted his foot and started walking toward the exit. Before opening the door, he turned back to Harry.

"Remember, if you ever need help, or want to learn more about your parents, you can always ask."

"Thank you, professor."

"Get some rest, you'll definitely need it."

He wasn't sure how long he sat there thinking about the conversation he just had, but it wasn't long before he heard his friends enter the room.

"Harry!"

He barely had time to brace himself for the bear hug Hermione gave him.

"I told you to be careful and the next time I see you you're unconscious, covered in blood, and your arm is shattered!"

Harry laughed and returned Hermione's hug, although not nearly as tightly.

"Well, the last room was a bit rough."

"I can imagine, mate," Ron said, setting a tray full of food on Harry's bedside table.

When Hermione finally released him, Harry told his friends what happened, including his talk with Dumbledore.

"I think there's going to be a lot more chaos in the future," Harry said. Hermione just looked at him, her eyes full of concern and not a little bit of curiosity.

Ron, on the other hand, had paled when Harry mentioned Voldemort.

"You okay, Ron?"

Harry's words seemed to jar Ron out of his thoughts.

"Uh… yeah. Sorry mate. It's just a lot to take in."

Harry nodded. Even with his very close experience with Voldemort he didn't grow up fearing him. Ron had heard stories of the terror Voldemort and his followers had wrought. Hearing that the monster wasn't actually dead probably terrified him.

"I guess this is all the more reason to study hard."

Harry and Ron both laughed at Hermione's words.

"Of course you'd say that, little miss bookworm," Ron said in a teasing tone.

"Well I'm not wrong!" Hermione pouted half-heartedly.

"No, you're not," Harry said, still chuckling. "But I don't want fear of a madman to be the reason I am a good student."

Hermione clicked her tongue in annoyance before responding in a somewhat exasperated tone.

"I guess that makes sense. But don't think I won't be keeping you two on the straight and narrow!"

"Me?!" Ron exclaimed in exaggerated indignance. He turned to Harry. "You're on your own, mate. You're mad if you think I'm taking on a Dark Lot with nothing but you two and a fist full of confidence."

Harry laughed. "Well damn, there goes my plan of using you as fodder. Maybe one of the other Weasley's would be willing to take a curse or two."

Without missing a beat Ron replied with, "You can have Percy."

Hermione threw her hands into the air.

"Boys!"

Ron and Harry laughed as she glared at them.