Merlin's eyes snapped open long before the sun had risen. He had a strange feeling in his head and his stomach. It wasn't a bad feeling, no sense of danger, it was just... there. Almost a feeling of excitement, when you're about to open a present. Merlin couldn't understand it, so he rolled out of bed and forgot about it. He searched around for his shirt, then, spotting it across the room, raised his arm and drew it towards him. Just as he caught it his bedroom door flew open. His mother, Hunith, flew in, arms waving in a fury.

"Merlin!" she shrieked, yanking his curtains shut, "What if the neighbors saw? Please, please, be careful!" She turned to her sun, his bright blue eyes wide and staring. Kneeling down, she took his young hands in her own.

"The day will come when you won't have to hide who you are. Someday the world will be accepting of your gift." She stood up and pulled him into her arms, kissing his forehead gently. Merlin turned his head, underneath her embrace, towards the window. The sun started to creep over the mountains. "Someday..." she whispered. Merlin's heart pounded, and he had a feeling that day was today.

Merlin sat at the table, staring down at his untouched porridge. The feeling he had woken up with was growing stronger. Only having just turned eleven, his feet barely scraped the floor. He swung his legs back and forth. How great it would be for him not to hide his magic. If sorcery wasn't outlawed, he'd have no need to pretend otherwise. And his magic wasn't evil, so why should he have to hide it? Only one other person knew the truth- his best friend, William. Practically his brother, William promised he'd never tell a soul. Merlin liked having one other person to confide in though, to show off to.

"Eat your food, please." Hunith scolded while brushing by him, arms full of laundry. He picked up his spoon and stirred it around before leaning in to take the first bite. He was interrupted, though, by a light rap on the door. Hunith jumped, the clothes and rags tumbling out of her arms, alarmed by the sudden noise. "Now who could that be so early in the day?"

"I'll get it, Mum." Merlin said, hopping off his stool and rushing for the door. He grabbed the rusted handle and pulled, as as the door swung open, he stared up into the eyes of an unfamiliar man. Merlin took a step back, taking in his wispy silver hair. It just brushed the shoulders of his magenta robes, which reached the dusty floor. Merlin got the impression that that man surveyed him as intensely as Merlin surveyed him.

"Good morning to you both." He said, taking his eyes off Merlin for just a moment to nod to Hunith, who stood frozen over the pile of fallen laundry. Merlin's heart thrummed quickly against his chest. Merlin felt sure the sense of excitement was mystical. "My name is Gaius, and I'm the physician at Hogwarts." The man named Gaius strode in, despite the lack of invitation. Hunith stepped forward, blocking Gaius from entering any farther. She put an arm around Merlin and hugged him close to her.

"Forgive me, Sir, but I wasn't aware we required your services." Merlin stayed quiet, admiring an envelope in Gaius's hand. The writing on it was in emerald green calligraphy, but Merlin couldn't make out was it said.

"Forgive me, Madame. I should have elaborated. Hogwarts is a school of witchcraft and wizardry." He swiveled his head towards Merlin, his eyebrow arching severely. "We've come to understand that your Merlin is a boy of extraordinary talent." Merlin's eyes widened. This had to be a trap. If he confessed he'd be executed. Yet he'd never felt this feeling, almost a magical presence near him. Maybe Gaius was magical as well?

"This is a sorcery raid, is it? Trying to catch magic users by luring then into a false sense of security?" Hunith said, voicing the thoughts Merlin didn't want to say. Gaius cocked his eyebrow higher even and bowed his head.

"Completely understandable you would think that. However-" He turned towards the pile of laundry on the floor and raised his arm, like Merlin had done on so many occasions. One by one, the trousers and shirts and rags flew up and folded themselves neatly before stacking themselves in a pile on the table. Hunith raised a hand to her mouth.

"There's a place-" Merlin started, slowly turning back to Gaius, "-where magic isn't outlawed? Where there are others like me?" Gaius chuckled, leaning in to grasp Merlin's shoulder.

"Of course, my dear boy! Hogwarts is a place where you can learn to control and master your powers! It's a place where you won't have to hide anymore." He handed Merlin the envelope. The swirly green writing saying Merlin of Ealdor, third house North from the oak tree. Merlin turned it over, running his fingers over the scarlet wax seal with a large 'H' imprinted in it. He ripped it open, eager to read what it had to say.

"Dear Mr. Merlin of Ealdor," he read aloud, "we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He looked up at Hunith, lost for words. She hugged him tighter, tears filling up her eyes.

"How could we afford it?" she asked, rubbing her eyes with her sleeves.

"We'll take care of all that. The founders of Hogwarts wanted no child to be rejected education. This will be a great opportunity," he added, noting how Hunith's tears continued to flow. "he'll meet other warlocks his own age, not to mention the things there are to learn. Potions, charms, herbology... those are only a few." Merlin looked up at his mother, wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.

"You understand, I have to go, Mum. I can't hide it anymore. Without my magic... I'm nothing."

Hunith nodded, smiling.

"Yes." she managed to choke out. "Yes, I know it's for the best. When will he be able to go?"

"Term starts in one week. I'll be happy to take him with me today, if you wish." Merlin's face lit up as he jumped out of his mother's grasp. "He doesn't need to bring; we'll get all the supplies he'll need in Diagon Alley. I'll wait outside while you say your goodbyes." Gaius nodded to Hunith once more, then strode out, shutting the door behind him. Hunith turned to Merlin and brushed her fingers through his scruffy brown hair.

"I'm going to miss you so much." Merlin sniffled.

"One day you're going to be extraordinary, Merlin. You'll make the world a better place. You've already made my life all the better." She kissed his nose and wiped a tear that had escaped down his cheek, then she straightened up and opened the door.

"Do take care of him, Gaius. Please."

"This isn't goodbye- not at all. This year will go by quickly. Not to mention he can see you on breaks." Gaius grasped Merlin's shoulder and guided him out of the house. A great black horse stood on the road waiting.

"Don't forget to write to me, Merlin."

"I'll write you every week!" he smiled, showing off his toothy grin.

"Every day." she corrected.

She stood in the doorway to watch as her son and the old physician mounted their horse. She knew it wasn't goodbye, but she knew that the Merlin who would return would not be the same one that left. He would be so much more.