It's been about a year since I first stumbled into Diagon Alley.
In that time, I have read every Daily Prophet I have received, and have tried to figure out what they are like. They call themselves witches and wizards. I have also figured out that muggle is a word used for people who don't have magic. They are very careful of being exposed, I suppose they don't want questions. And there are schools for young witches and wizards. One of the most well known is Hogwarts, which I heard of at Ollivander's. I honestly can't believe that they have stayed hidden and safe for so long.
July 20th, 1969 starts off normal, just like every other day. I get up, eat, go to work, and come back home. A cycle that happens every day of every year.
When I get home from work that night, I see The Daily Prophet on the counter. Must have been dropped off by an owl while I was at work.
I make a quick sandwich, grab the newspaper, and settle into my chair to read it. The articles are pretty normal, at least for wizards, that is. Nothing too alarming. I read it in depth though, just like I have the past year.
When I finish and close the paper, on the last page I see an ad of sorts, it reads: Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Wanted. Owl Headmaster Albus Dumbledore if interested.
Interesting. Hogwarts need a new professor and has even started advertising in the paper for it. And they must need one soon because the new school year starts in September. It definitely isn't good, if they are cutting it this close to finding a new professor. It can only mean one thing: They are in desperate need to hire someone.
I've honestly always wanted to see Hogwarts. The way they describe in the paper just makes it sound so wonderful and amazing. Plus, I wish I could be surrounded by people like me a lot. Occasionally I go to Diagon Alley, but this may be my only chance to really become one of them. And it would be nice to be apart of the community. What do I have to lose?
I scribble down a leader to the Headmaster:
Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,
I have seen the ad in The Daily Prophet for an open position at Hogwarts. It would bring me pleasure to have this position. I am quite experienced in the magical arts, although I have not taught them to others so far. I would be delighted to take this position.
-Merlin Emrys
The next morning, a Sunday, I drop by Diagon Alley and give my letter to an owl to send to Albus Dumbledore. After the owl flies off, I wonder whether I should have done that. Was it a foolish decision? No one even knows who I am.
I also realize if I am going to blend in, I need a wand. It would probably be suspicious if I was the only wizard who could do hand magic. And it would be difficult to explain that I'm over a thousand years old. Even here, that probably isn't very normal. I'm not normal, next to all these other witches and wizards.
I walk over to Ollivander's, vaguely remembering where it is. When I walk inside, today the shop seems practically empty. I suppose it's the busiest when children are getting their wand for the beginning of the school year. Must be pretty slow the rest of the time.
I open up the door, walking inside the vacant shop. "Excuse me?" I say hoping Mr. Ollivander is in the shop today. "Anyone here?"
I hear something fall, and then a voice coming from the shelves that hold all of the wands. "One moment please," I hear Mr. Ollivander say.
I wait at the front of the counter, remembering what happened the last time I was here. How that girl performed magic. That was when I truly realized that they were all wizards.
Mr. Ollivander emerges from behind the shelves. He stumbles a little and makes his way towards the counter. "What can I do for you today?" he asks me.
"I lost my wand," I lie. "And I need a new one."
"Ah," he says. "Of course. Happens to some. Well, I guess we will try to find you a new one. But before I do," he says looking me in the eyes, "have you looked everywhere?"
"I have," I lie again. I guess lying isn't too hard for me. I spent my entire life in Camelot lying, after all.
"Well then. I will begin searching," he says. "Was your last wand from here?"
"No," I tell him. "Went to a different shop."
"That's what I thought because I never have forgotten, not even one wand I've sold. And I know I have never sold a wand to you before."
Well, he must have a good memory. A heck of a lot better than mine. Mr. Ollivander disappears into the shelves again, rummaging to find a wand. How does this man even know which wand would be best for someone?
By the time he comes back with a wand, it has been over fifteen minutes. It didn't take nearly that long for that girl last year. He places the box on the counter and slowly takes the wand out of it. He speaks to me again, "I've said time and time again to my customers that the wand chooses the wizard. While I was looking, it didn't seem like any of the wands would choose you. I've never experienced that before. It was almost like you don't need one." He stares deep into my eyes for a few seconds. "But that's impossible," Mr. Ollivander says finishing his thought.
He hands me the wand and I grasp it in my hands. "Perform a spell," he tells me. "A simple one." Oh dear, this can't be good. I mean I know spells, but they are from the old religion and I'm pretty sure they do not use the same ones. And even if I do do one, my eyes change color. He will know somethings up. Mr. Ollivander isn't an idiot.
He notices my hesitation. I have to do something quickly. I must say something and hope that he doesn't notice. "How about lumos?" he suggests to me. Lumos. I've read about that somewhere. It has something to do with light.
I breathe a deep sigh of relief. Hold up my wand, like I've seen others do. I tilt my head to the side, so he won't see my eyes, and say the word. "Lumos!" I look at the wand and make it light up. A white, blinding light fills some of the room. I know that it isn't the spell, but it was me. The magic from the old religion.
My eyes flicker, and I know that they have changed color. I don't dare look at Mr. Ollivander in fear of him discovering me. After a few seconds, I let the light gradually die down.
After I'm done, I turn back to Mr. Ollivander to face him again. "Very well," he tells me. "Seems to all be working."
I reach into my pocket and hand him a bunch of galleons. "Keep the change."
As I begin to walk away with my fake wand, I feel a grasp on my hand. Mr. Ollivander has taken a hold of my arm. He looks into my eyes once more. "You may look like a young boy," he says slowly, "but you're eyes speak differently. They say that you have seen more beyond anyone's imagination."
He lets go of my arm. I quickly get out of the store, practically running. By the time I'm back outside in Diagon Alley, my hands are shaking, and sweat is falling down my forehead.
How did he know? How can Ollivander possibly know that I'm different? How did he figure it out?
I ponder over a thousand questions, going through my mind, all the way out of Diagon Alley and back to my apartment. I just hope that he keeps it a secret. I pray that Ollivander doesn't tell anybody, even if it is just the slightest of thoughts.
When I get back to my apartment, a letter is on my table. The envelope says Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry it, is addressed to me, and has a red seal on it. I open it up and read.
Dear Merlin Emrys,
I am pleased that you would like the position for professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. I would like to discuss this with you on July 30th at 1:00 pm. Please come to Hogsmeade and wait by Honeydukes. From there you will be escorted to Hogwarts and to my office so we may speak. Please owl me, if you will be able to come.
-Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,
Albus Dumbledore
I'm quite shocked that I have gotten an interview, or whatever they may call it. There must be others who are also getting interviews. I just wasn't expecting a reply that quickly.
I write back to Albus Dumbledore saying that it will work for and that I will most definitely be there. Tomorrow I will go back to Diagon Alley and send it by owl. Once again, it would be easier if I had my own owl, but I really wouldn't know how to take care of it. I'm a dragonlord, not an owl lord. And I'm almost positive that owl lord's don't exist. I guess I'm one of the few who prefers taking care of dragons over owls. That is if any dragons were left. Aithusa was the last. And she's gone now too. Along with everyone else.
But maybe Hogwarts could be a new start for me. For hundreds and hundreds of years I haven't gotten close to anyone because it hurts too much. I didn't want to lose anyone else. Maybe Hogwarts can be a new start for me. Maybe I'm ready to know someone again. To have just one friend. Just maybe.
On July 30th, a quarter to one, I'm waiting outside a shop called Honeydukes. It appears to be a candy store. I wait and wait, time pressing on, for someone to show up.
At exactly one, I see someone approaching. A tall man in gray robes. Long white hair and a lengthy beard. Perched on his nose are half-moon spectacles. I have seen this man in the newspaper before. It's Albus Dumbledore.
"Merlin Emrys?" He asks me.
"That's me," I say flashing a smile. "Nice to meet you Headmaster Dumbledore. I have heard quite a lot of good things about you."
"Thank you," he says. "Nice to meet you. And call me by my first name, Albus. Only students must call me Headmaster Dumbledore."
"Very well," I say.
"Time to go to Hogwarts." Just like that he starts walking away, towards a massive castle in the distance. What a pretty school this is.
He speaks to me as we walk. "You are probably wondering why we are looking for a professor this close to the new school year."
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't."
"Well," he says, "I shall explain before we discuss anything else. Just in case it may scare you off."
"I doubt it will," I tell him.
"We shall see," he says. Dumbledore keeps walking and I follow. He sighs before speaking again. "For over a decade now, we have had a new professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts. A new one every year."
"Do you know why?"
"No," he tells me. I can see it in his face. He is lying. I've been around for hundreds of years. I know a lie when I see one. He continues speaking, "Some say the job is cursed."
"Have all the past professors died?"
"No. Not all. Some, though. Many are unwilling to take the job because of this issue."
"I still want it," I tell him.
"Really?"
"You will find that it is hard to kill me. Tougher than you may imagine." At least that's the truth. Considering at this point I'm practically immortal. Been alive for quite some time.
"What is that supposed to mean?" he asks.
"It's not important," I say quickly.
"So you would still like the job?"
"If you're willing to give it to me."
"Of course I am," Dumbledore tells me. "Quite honestly you were the only one to reply."
"Really?" I ask shocked.
"I suppose word has finally spread that it is a cursed job."
We near the castle and make some small talk.
"How old are you, Merlin?"
Technically over a thousand, but I can't say that. Right now I look young. I look like I was when I was still with Arthur. "Twenty five," I say without much hesitation. I practice this, just in case someone asks.
"Quite young," Dumbledore says.
"Age isn't a measure of skill or experience."
"That is quite right," he tells me. "Why do you want to teach at Hogwarts?"
"Well, for starters, I hate my current job." Dumbledore lets out a little laugh. "But I really want it because I love magic and it is a wonderful thing to teach young children. It is very important."
"I agree."
"Also I spent some time of my life serving others." I can see Arthur's face, yelling at me to clean his room. "And I have spent some of my life hiding my magic." I can hear Gaius telling me not to let anyone know about me and my powers. "I have also been in many dangerous situations." I see swords swishing, dangerous magical creatures trying to kill me, Morgana taking the throne of Camelot. "So now I feel as if it is my time to do what I do best. By teaching at Hogwarts, instead of serving a person, I will be serving magic. I will be serving magic by passing on the knowledge to others. And Headmaster, that is truly why I want this job."
By the time I finish speaking we have reached the door to Hogwarts, and I can feel a single tear sliding down my cheek, remembering Camelot. "Are you alright, Merlin?" Dumbledore asks me. It's not good that he noticed me.
"Yes," I say, wiping a tear away.
"Well, those were good reasons"
We walk inside Hogwarts. The interior is even more breathtaking than the exterior. It is massive. Doors, halls, staircases, ceilings going up higher than you can imagine. I look in awe of all of my surroundings. It is bigger and even more astonishing than Camelot. Camelot was beautiful, no doubt and will always be my true home, but Hogwarts is just simply fascinating.
I try not to look to amazed, so Dumbledore won't realize that I've never been here before. He leads me to a statue. Why a statue? He says a password and to my surprise, it begins moving, forming stairs. Amazing. Brilliant. These wizards are better and more powerful than I ever imagined.
His office is massive too. He takes a seat at his desk, and a sit across from it. I look around and all around the room are talking portraits. They even move. I've never seen anything like it.
"I just have a few more questions for you Merlin."
"Go ahead."
"When you first applied I couldn't find any record of your history of attending Hogwarts. Why is that?"
"Simple," I say. "I never attended Hogwarts." I figure that I can't lie about this if he could just go into the records.
"Where did you go to school? Beauxbatons? Durmstrang?"
"Durmstrang," I reply quickly. Sweat begins forming on my hands. I hope he will just go for it. Believe it. Please.
"Interesting."
"Is that an issue? Can I not have the job because of it?"
"No, it's not an issue. After all, you're the only person who is willing to take it."
"I suppose that's true," I say.
"Well, all you need to do is demonstrate you're magic now."
For about an hour Dumbledore tells me spells and I perform them. Before each one he tells me what they do, so I'm able to do it with my fake wand, while I just do it with the magic I know from the old religion. I make sure that he doesn't see my eyes change color.
When I'm done, we sit back down. "Well Merlin, you seem very qualified, so the job is yours."
"Thank you," I say to Dumbledore.
"I'm just pleased we have someone for the school year. The term begins on the 1st of September. If you don't mind it would be helpful if you came on the Hogwarts Express, because apparition is not allowed here."
"No problem," I say, considering that I have no idea what apparition is.
He hands me a list, with book titles. "Because you have gotten this position so little in advance, we have already assigned the books the students will have to purchase. From these books, create lessons and teach them magic."
"I got it," I say.
"And a room will be prepared for you when you arrive the first day of term."
"Thank you," I say.
"Well, have a good month, Merlin. I will see you at the feast." We shake hands and he escorts me out of Hogwarts.
As I walk back to Hogsmeade, I can't help but be ecstatic. As long as I hide that I'm from Camelot, maybe I can finally fit in. Teaching students like Gaius taught me. Performing magic as I please. Just being around others like me. Being my magical self, after all this time. Maybe Hogwarts can become my home.
