"A year?" Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "I see. I'll look into it. Now, there's something else I need to ask of you, Will."
"Please, go ahead."
"I need you to search for Horcruxes. I've obtained the Alchemical Locator Nicolas left behind. This device can..." Dumbledore said gravely. "Tom intends to act within a year, so we must accomplish something in that time. I don't have any Horcruxes at present, and without one, the Alchemical Locator can do very little."
After hearing Dumbledore's explanation, Will felt puzzled. By all rights, Dumbledore should have had the Resurrection Stone Ring, but it seemed the timeline had changed again...
He did not let it show, however.
"I'll do my best, Professor."
"With your help, I feel much more at ease." Dumbledore nodded, looking considerably reassured. In truth, he had a backup option: Harry.
The real problem was how to get the Alchemical Locator to analyze Harry.
"Professor, about Neville's parents..."
"Will, I truly must thank you for this. It's something I've felt guilty about for a long time." Dumbledore sighed. "Thank you for restoring them to health."
"Professor, please stop thanking me," Will said with a wave of his hand. "If you really want to thank me, then let's tell everyone that you were the one who cured them."
Dumbledore understood Will's meaning at once. The boy wanted to keep his abilities hidden again.
Naturally, Dumbledore would not refuse. Will was an important undercover operative now, after all. How could he turn down his request?
They settled the matter with little effort, since this arrangement served both their interests perfectly.
With business out of the way, their conversation became much more relaxed, revolving around a few simple magical questions, such as advanced applications of Transfiguration, the specialized branches of Human Transfiguration, and the articles Dumbledore