Huh?
Will froze. So that was what Dumbledore was concerned about.
Seeing Will's reaction, Dumbledore's expression grew graver. "My boy, I once told you that when you felt—"
"When I felt magic begin to 'respond' to my thoughts, when I found I could use magic without spells, a wand, or even consciously directing my magical power, and when the whole world started to look different to me, I should come to you immediately." Will finished Dumbledore's sentence with a helpless look. "But Professor, I really haven't felt any of that."
Dumbledore stared at Will in silence.
"Professor, I have no reason to lie to you." Will spread his hands. I should've held back completely. Testing a Bonus Ability in front of so many witnesses had been a terrible idea.
"But Will, there's something troubling about your Dark Magic. That Black Dragon," he said, "had no fatal wounds. The injuries your magic inflicted had already healed.
"And according to the doctor, its condition closely resembles the effects of a powerful Cruciatus Curse.
"So, Will, it was damage to the soul, wasn't it?"
Dumbledore's blue eyes held Will's gaze.
Will said nothing, but nodded. Old Dumbledore was sharp. He had seen straight through it.
A long silence settled over the office again. Dumbledore seemed unusually agitated. At times he rose to pace, at times he sipped his tea, and at times he stood by the window, gazing out.
At last, after what felt like ages, Dumbledore sat down again.
"Will, I want you to use Dark Magic as little as possible," Dumbledore said. "I'm not forbidding you from using it. I know there are times when you need it.
"But use it as little as you can. Every time you draw on that power, ask yourself: Do I really need this? Is