AN: Okay that was much longer than I thought it was going to be. My sincerest apologies. Thanks to those for sticking with me and being patient.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
This is stupid, Morgana thought herself. Still, she kept control of her breathing and tried to clear her mind.
For the past few days she had been trying to make herself have visions instead of waiting for them to manifest themselves as nightmares. She wasn't sleeping very well, again, and it was beginning to show. The headaches had returned, she wasn't eating as much, bags were under her eyes and her nightmares were worse than they had ever been. More than once she had woken up screaming. Agravaine had become very worried.
"Perhaps it's time you spoke to someone," he said one morning after a particularly bad night. "There's only so much I can do for you."
Morgana shrugged her shoulders. "They're just nightmares," she lied. "I'll be fine."
Despite her reassurances, Agravaine was hesitant to leave Morgana with the Malfoys. He was going to France for a few days and refused to leave her at the estate by herself.
The rough nights did not stop at Malfoy Manor. After seeing Narcissa terrified for her wellbeing in the middle of the night, Morgana was determined to control her visions.
The book Merlin had given her said that in order to have a vision, 'one's mind must be clear and their Inner Eye must be open'. What an Inner Eye was, Morgana did not know and that was probably what was hindering her from having a vision.
Frustrated, she opened her eyes and glossed over a paragraph in the book and a certain phrase caught her attention.
"Keep an open mind. Believe in the phenomena of divination and it will reveal itself to you."
She sighed deeply and tried to meditate again. She kept much of her focus on the magic humming just below the surface of her skin. It comforted her and she felt the muscles in her back and shoulders completely relax. The humming grew and put her mind at ease. The feeling resembled sleep, so she gladly embraced oblivion…
Morgana's eyes flew open just as there was a knock at the door.
"Morgana, it's me," a voice said from the other side of the door. "Open up."
"Draco?"
Gold faded from Morgana's iris as she opened her eyes. She was lying on her back and looking at the ceiling when she heard someone knock on her door. What the-?
Sitting up quickly, she threw her legs over the side of the bed and stood.
"Morgana, it's me," Draco said. "Open up."
Her eyes widened. Holy crap, it worked.
"Draco?" she asked, just to confirm.
He opened the door and leaned against the doorframe. "Were you expecting someone else?"
Morgana didn't answer. She just stood there staring at him in amazement. It worked, she thought. That really worked.
"Are you okay?" Draco asked. "You're being…weird."
"Sorry." Morgana sat back down, feeling dizzy.
Draco looked at her oddly. "Mother wants you. She's in the sunroom. And try not to be so weird," he added. "She has company."
Morgana waited a moment before she tried to stand again. The dizzy feeling was gone but she was still in awe of what had just happened. She had had a vision and she made it happen on her own.
Already Morgana was planning on trying again later on that night, but the closer she got to the sunroom the more she wondered who it was Narcissa wanted her to meet. Over the course of her life, Morgana had met many people of importance. From members of the Wizengamot to Hogwarts Board of Governors, she had met several witches and wizards with political clout.
The moment she entered the sunroom, Morgana was met with a soft, "there you are."
Narcissa stood from her seat to usher Morgana into the room. She took her goddaughter's hand and led her to a chair next to her own.
A woman with dark brown eyes and golden hair sat opposite them, who smiled warmly at Morgana. She wasn't sure what it was about this woman, but she seemed familiar to Morgana.
"This is Vivienne's daughter Morgana," Narcissa said to the woman.
There was a flash of sadness across the woman's face. It was brief, but Morgana caught it.
"You look exactly like your mother," she said softly.
"Thank you," Morgana replied.
"Sweetheart, this is Morgause Duval," Narcissa explained. "She knew your mother."
"Oh?" Morgana raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
Morgause turned to Narcissa. "You make it sound like Vivienne and I were close friends." Looking back to Morgana, she admitted, "Your mother was a few years behind me in school."
Morgana smiled politely at the information as Narcissa ran her hands through her goddaughter's hair.
"Are you still teaching Divination?" Narcissa asked her guest.
Morgana tamped down her interest and feigned a bored expression.
"I am," Morguase nodded. "Quite frankly I'm afraid of who Madam Maxime would replace me with."
Narcissa smiled smugly. "Not everyone has the gift." She played with a strand of Morgana's hair before adding, "Morgana will be taking Divination this year."
"Really?" Morgause looked Morgana right in the eyes. "Interested in the subject or just filling your schedule?"
Morgana's interest in Divination was only because it was similar to her gift of foresight. She wasn't about to tell a complete stranger that, though.
Deciding to laugh it off, Morgana answered, "it was either that or Muggle Studies."
Narcissa scoffed and Morgause smiled in good humor.
The rest of the afternoon was spent observing Morgause. She was interesting to say the least. Morgause wasn't part of the aristocracy of the wizarding world; Morgana could tell that by the way she acted. But Narcissa treated Morgause just as well as politicians that had come to dinner before. It made Morgana wonder what was so special about this woman.
She wasn't snooty, or condescending like other people she had been introduced to. Morgause seemed to be passive but she wasn't afraid to disagree. She was polite of course, but there was no question as to where she stood on the matter.
This told Morgana that Morgause was bold. People rarely disagreed with a Malfoy, believing their opinion was popular opinion.
By the time Morgause announced that she had to go, Morgana decided she liked Morgause Duval. So much so that Morgana offered to escort her to the front doors.
"What is your favorite subject in school?" Morgause asked once they were out of Narcissa's earshot.
"History," Morgana answered immediately.
"Ah yes, the past." Morgause grinned and slowed her pace to a stop. "If we do not acknowledge the past, we will make similar mistakes in the future. Don't you agree?"
Feeling baited, Morgana frowned. "I suppose."
"But I'm sure with a gift like yours, the future may come as no surprise."
Morgana's heart dropped but she hid her shock the best she could. "What do you-"
"I know you haven't been sleeping," Morgause whispered. "The visions seem too…intense when you sleep." She tilted her head sideways a bit. "But you're trying to understand, and that's a start."
Morgana blinked several times in an attempt to keep her composure. "How…how do you-"
Morgause answered with a smile. "Do not be afraid of the gifts you've been given." She lifted Morgana's chin up with a finger. 'And protect your mind child. Many would kill to harness your power.'
Morgana's eye widened.
"Do you understand, sweetheart?" Morgause asked.
Unable to speak, Morgana just nodded.
"Good." After smiling kindly, Morgause walked out the front door.
Morgana clasped her shaking hands together, unsure of what to do next. She felt vulnerable; exposed. Because not only did Morgause Duval know she was a Seer, but she had Old Magic.
Merlin gasped loudly as he was shaken awake in his bed. There was something heavy on his chest and he immediately started to panic.
"Shhh."
Merlin followed the sound to a pair of gold glowing eyes. Calm magically washed over him and he was able to think properly.
"Dad?" he rasped.
"Shh," Balinor repeated. "Your mother is still sleeping."
Merlin glanced at the clock on his desk. "It's almost three in the morning."
"Mmhm. Get dressed and meet me outside," Balinor instructed. "Don't wake your mother."
Merlin nodded in the dark and did as he was told. Quietly as he could, he tiptoed out of his room and down the stairs. Once outside, Merlin joined Balinor in the garden. The elder Ambrose held out his hand, and Merlin gulped before taking it.
Side along apparition wasn't something Merlin enjoyed.
They appeared in a forest and, judging by the way Balinor seemed to be stepping on every leaf and twig on the ground, there was no need to be quiet anymore.
"Where are we going?" Merlin asked.
"The Gathering."
"What's that?"
"You'll see soon enough." Balinor stopped walking suddenly. "Your mother is not to know about this."
Merlin frowned. 'Why not?'
Balinor sighed and started walking again. "She'd kill me. But you're of age and this is part of our history. It's in your blood."
They kept walking for a while and Merlin noticed an orange light flickering through the darkness.
"Fire," he whispered.
"Mmhm. That means we're not the first ones here," Balinor replied.
They entered a clearing with large stone slabs were in the shape of a horseshoe. At the end of the horseshoe was a roaring fire and standing directly in front of that was an old man.
He turned to face them and Merlin couldn't help but smile.
"Dragonlord," Gaius greeted.
"No need to be so formal, old friend," Balinor replied.
"Speaking of 'friend'," Gauis winked at Merlin, "as your friend, you are aware it will be me presiding over your funeral if Hunith finds out you brought Merlin with you."
"As my friend, I'd hope you wouldn't be the one to tell her." Balinor laughed. "You disagree with him being here?"
Gaius shook his head. "He is of age. He has every right to be here."
"As do all children of the Old Religion."
All three turned to see a figure dressed in purple robes enter the clearing. Her voice almost sounded bitter. "Regardless of their upbringing."
"There is a reason all cannot be in attendance," Gaius said quickly.
Merlin was under the impression that this conversation had happened before.
"The reason," the woman said sharply, "is ridiculous."
Gaius opened his mouth to respond when Balinor put a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"No need to get all worked up before we find out what this is all about," he said.
"For once, I agree with Balinor." Another woman entered the clearing and pulled down the hood of her red cloak. There was a smirk on her face. Not a playful smirk like Morgana often had. This one looked dangerous.
"Ah, Nimueh. Glad you climbed out of whatever hole you were in to join us." Merlin noticed that his father's tone was similar to the one he used with Mr. Malfoy.
He didn't hear what was said after that. The sound of crunching leaves caught his attention. He looked behind him and used his magic to try and look through the darkness.
"Dad," he said, "something…someone is coming."
"Go find out," Balinor suggested.
Merlin gave his father a look. "Seriously?"
"Go on," Balinor said. "We're all right here."
Fear rose in Merlin's chest, but he nodded and made his way through the forest. He walked quite a distance before turning around to see how far he had gotten from the fire. When he turned back around, he tripped over a fallen log.
Merlin had expected to hit the ground but a strong hand grabbed his arm, steadying him. Snatching his arm away, Merlin held up his hand to cast whoever this was back but the voice stopped him.
"Mr. Ambrose," wheezed the voice. "Pine with dragon heartstring. Eleven inches. Quite flexible. Yes…yes. I had hoped to see you here."
Merlin frowned. "Mr. Ollivander?"
"Help an old man, will you?"
Ollivander took Merlin's arm and Merlin led the way back to the others.
"There you are Garrick." Gaius moved to shake the wandmaker's hand.
"Gaius," Ollivander greeted. "We're not all here…"
"No," Nimueh snipped. "Some were not allowed to be here."
Ollivander frowned. "Is he not coming?"
Gaius shook his head. "Other matters to attend to."
"Of course, of course." Ollivander hobbled over to one of the stones and sat down.
Balinor leaned forward as Merlin joined his father on their own seat of stone. "What's this about?"
Everyone looked to the woman in the purple cloak. "The Seer has been revealed."
Merlin's eyebrow shot up. There's another Seer?
"Oh really?" Nimueh asked skeptically. "Who is this Seer?"
"Their identity will remain unknown," the woman said.
Nimueh laughed mirthlessly. "There is no Seer."
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his father shake his head slowly. "It was only a matter of time before a Seer was found. We already knew about the boy."
"Boy or no boy, there has not been a Seer for generations," Nimueh snapped.
Ollivander spoke up. "That doesn't mean it's not possible."
"Are you sure?" Balinor asked the woman. "You're absolutely positive?"
She regarded him for a long time before finally giving a short nod. "Yes."
"How can you be so certain?" Gaius asked.
"I saw the return of the Dark Lord in their mind," the woman answered.
"You saw it in their mind?"
All eyes turned to Merlin, who had spoken before he could stop himself.
"Yes, young Ambrose. In their mind," she said.
'Legilimency.' Balinor explained. "So, the Seer has foreseen the return of Lord Voldemort."
"So she says," Nimueh mumbled.
"If this is indeed the Seer of prophecy, we'll have to be on our guard," Gaius said, ignoring Nimueh. "Given this information and recent events…this does not bode well."
Balinor rubbed his eyes. "We have to protect the boy."
"Yes," Ollivander nodded. "In the meantime, the Seer must be protected as well. As you know the identity of this person, Morgause, you will be given this task."
"Of course." She pulled the purple hood from her head and looked directly at Merlin. 'You would be better suited for this task.'
Merlin frowned briefly before schooling his features. 'What do you mean?'
Morgause grinned mockingly. 'Who better to protect Morgana than her closest friend?'