A/N: So I know I said I was on a Percy Jackson streak...and I still am. But then I finished Merlin...and, well, I had to write something for it. So here it is. And a very Happy 35th Birthday to Harry James Potter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Merlin. If I did, there would be a book about the Marauders school years, and Merlin would have another season.
IMPORTANT PLOT NOTE:
The only changes to Harry Potter canon (pre-Sorcerer's Stone) and Merlin canon are:
1. The events of Merlin and the founding of Hogwarts both took place in the eighth century
2. Fudge was never Minister of Magic
3. Several pure-blood families may have more children than in canon
4. Merlin is in a cycle of constant reincarnations where he retains his memory, as opposed to the immortality he achieves in canon.
These changes were made for sake of the plot and will play a somewhat major role in the progression of said plot.
Spoilers: All 5 Seasons of Merlin and All 7 Harry Potter Books
The story of Arthur Pendragon was known by both muggles and wizards alike. Despite minor differences between the two stories, there was one huge similarity.
Arthur Pendragon was fated to return.
Most believed it to be a story, however, there was at least one being who was anxiously awaiting the return of the Once and Future King, and he was currently sitting on the Hogwarts express, about to begin his first year.
Again.
Not that Merlin minded. Hogwarts, even now, was the only place that felt like home. Or at least, as close to home as it could be after Camelot. It might have been almost a millennium, but to Merlin, the memories were as painful as if they had happened yesterday. He lived each life trying to escape the memories, never moving on. Because Arthur and the knights would return. They had to. It was the only thing that kept Merlin going at points; the knowledge that one day, one lifetime, he would once more be at Arthur's side, protecting him and helping him to unite Albion.
But for now, he was Merlin Emrys, just a boy with far too much knowledge and magic to be considered normal. He was also a boy who, although he had been sorted numerous times before in different lives, was very, very nervous about what house he would end up in.
And it was all because of Mike. Or at least, mostly. The idiot had been sorted into Slytherin last year. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing...except for the fact that Slytherin was currently very anti-muggleborn (which Mike was and Merlin nearly was, in this life) and full of Death Eater spawn and Dark Lord supporters. Merlin had sworn loyalty to Voldemort in his last life, something he normally never would have done, and had ended up being killed, but not before uncovering some very handy information which he might put to use in this life….especially since Harry Potter would be in the year below him, if Merlin's memory was correct (which it almost always was). However being back in Voldemort's circle was not an experience he was eager to repeat, since the Dark Magic had made his skin crawl. Between that and his blood status, Merlin was more than glad to give Slytherin a wide berth. And he would have. If it wasn't for Mike.
"Are you actually nervous?" Mike's voice sliced through his thoughts, and Merlin just sighed. He turned away from the window to look at Mike. His sandy hair was untamed, and since he hadn't put his robes on yet, Merlin could almost pretend that they were back at home, safe from prejudice and impending wars.
"Don't be a prat." Merlin said, feeling his heart clench at the word. "Of course I'm not nervous. I just want to get there already. Why does the train ride have to be so long?"
"We're almost there, Merlin. Just relax. Everything will be fine, you'll see. Just hope that you don't get stuck rooming with a bunch of stuck-up, spoiled purebloods." Mike said with a roll of his eyes. "They're insufferable."
Merlin let out a short laugh. "They can't be all bad."
Mike just gave him a look. "They are. They only care about themselves, and the biggest problems they have is which pair of custom made robes to wear or which country manor they're going to over the Christmas holidays. They don't know what it's like to grow up poor and struggling in London, and they don't care either. They look down on people like us, Merlin. That's why we have to stick together."
Merlin just sighed. It wasn't the first time that he had heard such a rant, and it probably wouldn't be the last. Mike was his best friend, but he could be just as prejudiced as those he proclaimed to hate. It was a vicious cycle. And it led back to his previous dilemma.
If he allowed himself to end up in Slytherin with Mike, he would probably end up with few other friends, and few opportunities. He could also end up coming to the attention of Voldemort much easier when he returned, as Merlin knew he would. But if he didn't go to Slytherin with Mike, he would likely befriend people of all blood status and social classes, which would drive a rift between him and the closest friend he'd had in a long time.
It was only when Mike coughed pointedly that Merlin realized he had never responded. He gave a sheepish smile, but before he could reply, Mike just rolled his eyes and said, "Change into your robes."
As he put on his plain black robes and Mike put on his that were trimmed with Slytherin green, Merlin let his brain wander to the few friends and family members he had left at the time of his death. He wondered what they were up to...or even if they were still alive. Most had been marked and were serving the Dark Lord, although he had been casual acquaintances with some who had chosen the light. Some were probably in prison, while others, such as Lucius Malfoy, had walked free. He had secretly hated Lucius, and had been very upset to learn that he was capable of fathering children. Merlin remembered the girl being born about a year or so before his death, and another child on the way. But it was nothing to the disgust at the fact that Bellatrix had been able to conceive. He wondered what had happened to the child...she would be about his age, in fact…
Merlin had no more time to dwell on Death Eaters and their spawn, however, as at that moment, the train pulled to a stop outside Hogsmeade. Merlin and Mike both climbed off the train, and Merlin made his way towards the boats. He let a smile flit across his face when he heard Hagrid's voice calling all the first years. It was good to be home.
He climbed into a boat that contained two girls and a boy. He just gave them a slight nod before tuning out their conversation. They obviously all knew each other, and while normally Merlin might make an effort to insert himself into the conversation, he had too much to think about.
Slytherin or not Slytherin. Politics or peace. Friendship or freedom.
Merlin still didn't know.
It was then that Merlin heard a gasp from one of the girls, and looked up to see the traditional "first sight" of the castle. As Hogwarts had changed very little since first being built, the novelty of the view had worn off. However, Merlin had to admit, it was still beautiful. And it was home. He could feel some of the tension leaving his body, and for the first time in a while, Merlin felt that everything would be okay.
Thankfully, the trip to the castle passed quickly. Although Merlin may have been dreading the sorting, he was excited to eat. He hadn't eaten much of anything since breakfast, and while Merlin was used to that, seeing as money was tight, that didn't mean that he wasn't starving. And seeing as the Hogwarts start of term feast was one to look forward to even when he was well fed...well, let's just say he hoped that there weren't too many first years that needed to be sorted.
Hagrid led them out of the boats and into the Entrance Hall, where they were greeted by Professor McGonagall. Merlin smiled slightly at seeing her again, as even though she had been Head of Gryffindor while he was a Slytherin, she had been one of his favorite teachers. After she gave her customary speech she walked away, and Merlin used that time to observe his new classmates.
The class was on the smaller side, just as he had hoped. Although Merlin figured he should have expected it, seeing as they were born during a war. His eyes swept over the group, seeing some huddled together while the rest were standing around one figure who was preaching to everyone.
"Well you see, my father told me all about the sorting." The boy said arrogantly, and Merlin's first thought was that the boy had to be Lucius' son. The thought brought a smirk to his face, before it was slowly wiped away by the realization that Lucius didn't have a child in Merlin's year. The boy also didn't have the right coloring. His hair, although blond, was too dark and his skin too tan. Merlin rolled his eyes. He just hoped he didn't have to share a dorm with the boy.
The boy's eyes narrowed, and Merlin prepared himself for an argument, but just then, McGonagall walked back in the room. Merlin didn't think he had ever been so happy to see her (except maybe that one time when a duel broke out over blood purity, but that was another story. She sternly glanced over at the boy. "I will not stand for any arguments, especially not before the feast starts. Now follow me. It's time for all of you to be started."
Without another word (although that one kid shot him a glare), the first year students followed the Deputy Headmistress into the Great Hall. Chatter broke out amongst many of the first year students, but Merlin didn't join in. For one, he didn't have anyone to talk to, and for another, he was too preoccupied with the same conflict that had been consuming his thoughts all day.
Slytherin, or not Slytherin.
Merlin only barely stopped himself from groaning aloud. This was ridiculous. He had been going over the pros and cons for almost a year, and he still hadn't decided. He had never had so much trouble with what house he wanted before, so why was this time different?
Suddenly, the sound of clapping filled Merlin's ears, and he realized that the sorting hat had finished it's song. Sure enough, McGonagall began calling out names.
"Belby, Marcus."
A minute later, the hat proclaimed, "RAVENCLAW."
"Bell, Katie."
The hat sat on her head for a only a few seconds before calling out, "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Carmichael, Eddie."
"RAVENCLAW."
"Collins, Arthur."
Merlin's attention snapped towards the sorting against his will, as it always did when he heard the name Arthur. He was disappointed to find it was only the Malfoy-esque boy from before, and probably would have stopped paying attention, were it not for the whispers.
"Collins? Did she really say Collins?"
"The Minister's son is at Hogwarts already?"
"Don't you read the paper? It was on the front page."
Merlin watched as Arthur swaggered up to the stool, and before it was even placed on his head, the hat called out, "GRYFFINDOR"
Well, that was one house out.
Arthur seemed to bask in the cheers coming from the Gryffindor table as he made his way there arrogantly. Merlin glanced up at the head table. Dumbledore didn't look particularly pleased at Arthur's attitude, nor did any of the other teachers, especially...was that Snape? Merlin cursed internally. Having the man here at Hogwarts could potentially cause problems. What had Dumbledore been thinking, hiring Severus? The man hated children.
"Emrys, Merlin."
Merlin jumped when he heard his name called. He made his way up to the stool, and took a deep breath before the hat landed on his head.
'Hello, young warlock.' The hat's voice spoke in his mind, and Merlin rolled his eyes.
'Are you ever going to stop calling me that, Kilgharrah?' Merlin asked, slightly amused. 'I would have thought that you would have gotten tired of it after a few centuries.'
'No.' Kilgharrah responded, 'What gets tiring is you not allowing me to place you where you belong.'
'I told you, I had to end up in Slytherin last time, no matter how much you wanted me to be a Ravenclaw. It was my duty. So what if I died young?'
Kilgharrah growled, but it was only an echo of his former mighty roar. 'You're lucky I allowed that sorting to occur.' He said. 'However this time, I believe it is time for a change. I do believe you've never been a lion?'
'Please no.' Merlin thought. 'Not Gryffindor.'
'I am afraid, young warlock, you do not have a choice.' Kilgharrah said, and Merlin noted that he didn't sound particularly sorry. 'Destiny says it must be so.'
'You know how I feel about that word-'
'Make sure you come and visit. I do miss having meaningful conversations.'
'Kilgharrah-'
"GRYFFINDOR"
Well, Merlin thought as he walked towards the cheering Gryffindor table where the condescending son of the Minister of Magic sat (and purposely avoiding looking at the Slytherin table where he knew Mike sat), it was certainly going to be an interesting seven years.
