“Er,” Q begins, rather embarrassed to explain. “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. They’re supposed to signal the start of Armageddon. The end of the world.” He clears his throat and flushes slightly. “You got detention a lot.” As if this will make everything clear. He smiles. “The hat was barely on my head a second. So was my mother.” The smile fades. “You know about, well, what happened,” Q knits his fingers together, the knuckles white. “I have terrible nightmares about it. Nightmares and dreamscapes*. Severus thinks I’m just having flashbacks, and well, it’s most likely he’s right (Q is not even about to raise the possibility that Severus might be wrong; good heavens no!), but I'm afraid there might be,” he swallows, “some part of him left. Hiding there in my memories. So you see, if I can’t change, then I’ll know. And so will you. And something can be done. But if I can change,” his tone is low and urgent, “well that means he’s well and truly gone. Or, as you say, driven out.”
He hadn’t considered that. He hasn’t really needed to cast the Patronus lately.
“I’ll need some to get into the proper dream-state?” Q asks hesitantly. For the reasons stated, he’s not willing to lose that much control. “Is it any easier to get now that you’re an adult?” he asks. “Right, like reptiles and birds share common ancestors,” he nods. “But that’s not precisely what you mean, is it?” Q frowns as well. “I’m not sure I’d want to do that. Your spirit creature, or in this case you Animagus form is yours for a reason. I wouldn’t want to tamper with fate.”
“I could at least teach you to play ‘Chopsticks’,” Q tells him with a smile. “Even if you have a tin ear and no sense of rhythm. You won’t be Liberace, but it’ll be recognisable.”
“Oh.” Q thinks for a moment. “Have you ever seen ‘The Wizard of Oz’?” He looks relieved. “That’s good to know. I always though it must. You know, your bones and shrinking, or growing. It almost has to be painful.”
“Oh?” An eyebrow rises at this new bit of information. “Interesting. I wonder if I’ll have a full head of hair then? Or feathers or fur?” His hand goes to the back of his head and he makes a rueful face.
“That’s something to look forward to,” he says with a smile. “I haven’t had much to do with animals. I never had a pet or anything. It must be wonderful.”
Q feels a bit uncomfortable at the thought. But it’s not as if the Aurors are going to show up and take him into custody. Probably. “If it doesn’t bother you, it doesn’t bother me,” he says, and he’s telling the truth. Mostly. “So,” Q clears his throat. “Could you sort of walk me through what happens? Just so I'll know what to expect?” He pulls out pen and paper to take notes.
*thumbs up* I thought it might be. Should be interesting, to say the least. ;) *In addition to being a movie fanatic, Q is also a devoted reader of Stephen King. It probably isn't good for him, but what can you do? *shrugs helplessly*