10 years later – 1990 - Forests of Albania

Quirinus lunged for the portkey, but Gilderoy blocked his path.

"What are you doing?" cried Quirinus. "I didn't count on vampires being a part of our world tour! Let's get out of here!"

"No! We... we must defeat them first," said Gilderoy with a shaky voice. Suddenly, one came swooping down onto him so fast that he fell onto his back before he knew what was happening.

Quirrell looked to his fallen friend and without thinking used the most potent spell he could think of to end the threat. "Avada Kedavra!" he yelled, pointing his wand at the vampire hovering over Gilderoy's prone form. Immediately the vampire went limp and fell upon Gilderoy pinning him under its weight.

More vampires began coming toward them from behind a nearby hill. Quirinus raised his wand above his head and bellowed, "aduro allium savitum!" Fire erupted from his wand and he directed the blaze toward the oncoming vampires. The pungent smell of roasted garlic filled the air as the vampires fell back and ran away.

Once he was sure the danger had passed, Quirinus ran to Gilderoy who still lay under the fallen vampire. "Wingardium leviosa," he breathed as he lifted the body off of his friend. "Gilderoy! Gilderoy, are you all right?" Quirinus asked in a panicked voice.

A sly grin spread across Gilderoy's face as he started laughing.

"What are you…? How can you be laughing?" Quirinus asked incredulously. But then he too began to laugh as he offered his hand to his friend.

"That was incredible," said Gilderoy. "It would make a fantastic story."

"Oh I don't know," replied Quirinus humbly, "that wasn't as impressive as some of the things you've done, I hear."

"Well yes," Gilderoy chuckled self-indulgently, "but I think with a little creativity with the narrative, I would have quite a compelling story. What was that spell you used for the fire?"

"Oh, it's one I invented during my academic study of vampires. The words are Aduro Allium Savitum, which roughly mean... fire-roasted garlic." Quirrell blushed and laughed. "This is the first chance I've had to try out the spell. Well, that's it then. Let's be going, shall we?" He dusted himself off and made to step toward the portkey.

"WAIT!" yelled Gilderoy as he brought up his wand toward Quirinus.

"What are you doing, Gilderoy?" Quirinus asked confused.

Gilderoy leveled his wand at his friend. "I just defeated a coven of vampires single-handedly."

"Wha..? No you didn't."

"Yes, I did. And now I'm going back to my comfortable house in Dandee where I will transcribe the adventure and submit it to my publisher." He kept his wand trained on Quirinus' face. His own face a mask of stone that he taught himself early on to use.

"But… we're friends, aren't we?" Quirinus pleaded.

Gilderoy shook his head. There was no emotion in his eyes. Quirinus hardly recognized him. Gilderoy didn't have friends. Not really. His life revolved around his fantasy world created by his own quill. When Quirinus didn't receive an answer his eyes darted around the clearing until he spotted the portkey lying next to a section of charred earth that still smelled like roasted garlic. Gilderoy noticed the almost imperceptible twitch in Quirinus' wand arm. He was going to use a summoning spell - either that or Disapparate. Gilderoy never did learn how to Disapparate, hence his dependence on portkeys for travel. Quirinus parted his lips, but before he could utter the word, Gilderoy whispered, "Oblivate."

Quirinus' eyes unfocused as Gilderoy bent down to touch the portkey. He was whisked away while Quirrell was left standing alone in the Albanian forest. When Quirrell finally recovered his senses he was overwhelmed by the sounds of the forest at night. How had he gotten here? A noise to his left caused him to turn sharply. There was a dead body on the ground near him - it was a vampire! An owl hooted overhead. He was breathing hard.

"Sssss…"

Quirrell whipped around again.

"Quirinesssssss…" a voice like dry dust hissed.

"Wh-who are y-you?" he squeaked out in a panic.

"Ssssomeone who can help you. Quirinessss… come to meeee…"

Epilogue 1993

Gilderoy assessed the two boys feverishly after stealing the ginger's wand. This would be his best story yet! Defeating the monster in the Chamber of Secrets - It had all the makings of a best-seller. Gilderoy turned his cold eyes on the boys, empty of emotion. "OBLIVIATE!" He cried.

White, sterile. The room slowly came into focus around him. He was lying on a narrow bed in an unfamiliar room. He was confused and his heart began to race. A woman walked to his bed and in the rush of air around her, he could smell the scent of her perfume - lilacs. His heartbeat slowed and he relaxed onto the pillow.

"Hello Gilderoy," said the nurse as she smiled warmly down at him, "My name is Nurse Danielle, and I'll be caring for you today."

She offered her hand to him, and he took it tentatively. It was soft and smooth. He joined his other hand to hers and looked into her eyes almost spellbound.

"You must tell me where you got your hand cream," he whispered, breathless.

Danielle blushed, "My sister is a marvel with potions. She created it for me. I can bring some in for you, if you'd like."

Gilderoy smiled, crinkles forming around his eyes. His forehead was unlined, and he laughed, easy and free. His blue eyes were soft and friendly. "I would like that," he said.