"NO!" Came the echo from all three students as they raged in the face of the abomination the illusion had given them. All three of the doppelgangers froze for a moment, moving backward and stared at the originals before asking in a most amused and somewhat contemplative voice.
"Why? What do you really want, if not that?"
Ron glared at his older self with contempt. "I wanted things to be better! I wanted to be special! Not all alone!"
Hermione stared at her younger self with a sort of sad look in her eyes. "You're mistaken. I would never ignore my friends in the pursuit of knowledge. I pursue knowledge for my friends and for myself."
Harry's voice was hardened as he glared at his other self. 'I don't want to kill everyone. I just want to protect everyone and get my revenge. I want to make Voldemort stop hurting people, that's what a savior's supposed to do, isn't it? Even if I didn't really want to be one, it's still what I am. Someone has to do it!"
All three illusions smiled in a peaceful way. "Make sure you remember that. When the time comes that you have to make the choices that will make you what you will become in the future, remember that. Not all good choices are easy, not all things are as they seem. If you get anything wrong the first time around, you will have to live with the results for the rest of your lives. Make sure that you remember that when the time comes that you are tempted to go your own ways.."
"Ron, you say you want to be special, but being special does not depend on how much people admire you for your assets or talents. Sometimes the heroes have to work from the shadows to save those they care for. Sometimes those who are so deeply admired can be rotten within. Do not be ashamed to have less material goods or obvious talents than those who boast of what they have. It is what is inside that counts."
"Hermione, knowledge is good, but some things man are not meant to know, because those things will lead them astray. Would you trade the lives of innocents for a spell to make gold? Others have done it before you. Or would you give up your family for power? Others have done that before you. Before you make your life's work, reflect on what the cost will be on those around you. Some things should never have to see the light of day. Because they drag everyone else into the darkness. Be careful, lest in your pursuit of knowledge, you lose your humanity."
"Harry. You ask for power. But Power is not everything. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. That is one of the things that made Voldemort who he is today. He wanted ultimate power and immortality. He gained a portion more than his due, but lost his humanity, his ability to love, which never grew beyond loving himself, and he murdered all those related to him as a result, sacrificed by his own hands, with no concern for the consequences. It is better to earn the power to protect others on your own, rather than to search too deeply into the shadows and make bargains you cannot possibly hope to profit from."
In a flash, they saw themselves, all three of them, older, more worldly, fighting on the side of the Light. Back to back, seemingly invincible as they worked in what seemed like perfect coordination and harmony with the other members of the side of the Light, some of whom they recognized and some of whom they didn't, taking down the Death Eaters in a united front before facing Voldemort and his closest minions in a final battle. The scene ended just as they were starting to throw the initial spells at each other.
The three illusions appeared once more, and once more they found themselves on the sea of black, back to back with each other.
"Harry! Ron!"
"Hermione! Harry!"
"Ron! Hermione!'
The three scrambled up and hugged each other, clinging to each other in what seemed to be a sea of chaotic black. As the sea faded away, they heard the voices of their elder selves telling them, simply that, "Remember. As the fires of your souls burn brighter and you grow stronger, the deeper the shadows they cast become…and the more dangerous the path you walk. Be careful."
Kakashi had moved to face the three writhing forms on the forest floor, then he henge'd into his Teacher form. And then left a Kage Bunshin of his original form on the opposite side of where he had originally stood. It seemed they were starting to snap out of it as the shadows were flowing away from them and dispersing into the dark woods. Kakashi braced himself for their response, and the first thing the three of them saw was a huge smile on his face.
The first thing he heard from them was a very loud scream, and then the three clung to each other babbling at each other about their horrible dreams. It was quite a ruckus for a while until they got around running out of breath, but before they could take turns to tell each other their stories. Kakashi interrupted with a small cough.
"You pass. Congratulations." He offered them the single, shining bell; the last bell to complete the set. They stared at him in shock and then shrieked at him in chorus.
"You mean it was a TEST?" This scream of almost incoherent rage was followed by an attempt to pounce on the teacher, which was only stopped by Hermione's remembering they could be docked points for attacking a teacher.
She reminded Ron and Harry of this, upon which the boys proceeded to sulk quite visibly; although Harry's sulk was more of a brooding expression than anything else.
Kakashi scratched at the back of his head quite pathetically. "Well, at least you passed it. I didn't expect you to pass it the first time around. I would have expected you to pass it after failing it thrice."
They boggled at him, and felt a little bit better.
Although they still wanted to throttle their freaky teacher.
Gai flicked a bit of sweat off his forehead. His hands were sore, and Gai knew he would have to visit Madam Pomfrey for a healing spell to his legs so he could continue his promise to Kakashi. He had done around 499 laps around the whole Castle and he was on his last lap. Hah, wait till his Eternal Rival heard about this! Encouraged and empowered by the burning flames of Youth, Gai rose up to finish the last lap, only to catch sight of the extremely dour face of the permanently black-clad man with greasy black hair heading towards him.
This pitiable creature was also known as Professor Severus Snape.
Gai gave this poor creature a large berth for the simple reason that he was clearly in the Winter of his Discontent. Poor thing. He needed the warmth of the flames of Youth, and he, Maito Gai, would be the savior of his clearly drab little life. Unfortunately the poor creature seemed to be unable to utter anything that was not derogatory or insulting in any manner whatsoever. Everything he said was annoying. Gai was so sure he didn't mean to do this. It was an integral part of his make up, being that he was in the Winter of his Discontent and such poor creatures only lived to spread their discontent.
Gai would have to break him of that nasty little habit, and he would, just as soon as he finished the 500 laps.