Once and Future Wizard
Chapter 2
"Hog-Warts. Hogwarts? Is that even considered a name?" Merlin asked. The name sounded weird to Merlin. "Well, yes. Why? Do you find it intriguing?" the White Goddess asked. "Well, not exactly intriguing, I suppose," he replied. Merlin had seen things more intriguing than ever. The thing was he could get over them but this name, Hogwarts, sounded more than intriguing. "Forbernahn" he muttered and in less than a blink of the eye there was a fire in front of Merlin. Sensing his impatience, the White Goddess responded with, "There is someone who can better explain this to you. By right, he should be here by…now." And just then, right then, the Crystal Cave shuddered. First, it was a tremble and then 'BOOM!', the front of the crystal cave blasted open, with debris flying all over. The sudden influx of light rays engulfed Merlin and he crumbled to the floor, crying in agony. There was a terrible burning sensation and then, he went cold. His eyes struggled to open but when it did, he noticed a man's silhouette standing at the front of the Crystal Cave.
"Remus, you had no authority to blast through the Crystal Cave like that. You scared the boy," the White Goddess said firmly. "Bombarda Maxima. It's true, you know. Can blast through almost anything and..anyone," Remus replied, his gaze shifting to Merlin. Merlin could see the reflection of Remus through a crystal fallen next to him. He sported a pale face with a thin moustache and had brown hair with specks of grey. He was wearing shabby black robes with black boots. But his attire was just a contradiction to his facial expression. Remus stood right in front of Merlin now, smiling brighter than a sun. He extended a hand to Merlin and helped him up. "Hmm..seems too young to be a guardian for Harry. But you're eyes..you're eyes hold the knowledge of timeless periods and…," Remus trailed off, staring straight into Merlin's blue eyes, almost as if in a trance. Snapped out in an instance, Remus quickly covered up by saying, "Well, we have a lot of work to do. Get you all ready to go to Hogwarts and fulfill your destiny!" Remus chuckled. For a moment, Merlin thought that even Remus would've been through a lot to have chuckled at destiny. But he decided against asking him. No one could've been through as much as him.
"Wait! Hogwarts? Someone tell me what is Hogwarts?" said Merlin, rolling his eyes. Remus's jaw dropped open and the White Goddess shook her head. "OH bless the god's of magic! A wizard who has not heard of Hogwarts? What calamity has befallen you to ask such a question, boy?" Remus tutted. Merlin raised an eyebrow in question. "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Founded by Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw, the four greatest witches and wizards of all time! Well, of course, I still do think Dumbledore has..well..grace and wisdom incomparable to any other creatures of magic. He could be one of the only wizards to keep the Muggles distracted while performing magic right in front of them, but, well that's a different story," Remus blabbered. Merlin raised another eyebrow, totally clueless. School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dumbledore. Muggles. He was not sure these were part of reality. Shocked and full of disbelief, Remus turned to the White Goddess. "You were actually right about this boy being actually clueless then?" he asked. "When have I ever been wrong, Remus Lupin?" retorted the White Goddess. It was time to infuse the qualities of a proper boy wizard into Merlin.
It was more than simple. Hogwarts. Headmaster and Professors. Houses and House Ghosts. Defense Against The Dark Arts and Herbology. Other subjects never heard of. Muggles. Ministries. Bertie Botts' Flavoured Beans. Hogwarts Express. Platform 9 ¾. Diagon Alley. It just took a day.
Remus was the all-in-one guide to the Wizarding World. He was the Defense Against The Dark Arts professor and took much joy in his assignment. However, explaining seemed like torture. And there was still more to cover. But Remus decided to let Merlin learn from the experience. "Well, Merlin, we better get going!" said Remus. Merlin turned to look at the White Goddess for one last time.
"Remember, young warlock, you are now a boy wizard. No more the greatest sorcerer to have ever walked the earth."
"So I forget my identity? Forget everything that I've done to save myself and..and..Arthur?"
"No, boy. Never forget your identity. Because that's what will save you and Harry Potter."
" Then keep it a secret, you mean?"
" Yes. No one, not even Remus Lupin knows of your past or Arthur. They only see you as a guardian. As for Harry, he is innocent and unknowing. He will find out."
" Eventually. Why does this seem like a repeat of my time in Camelot? Why?"
"Because it's not two separate destinies, Merlin. It's a bond between you and Arthur, a bond that both of you will have to stay true to."
" Kilgharrah used to be there when I most needed him. Now, who do I have?"
" The Crystal of Neahtid."
Merlin was aware of what that meant. The Crystal of Neahtid was the only link to him and the White goddess. It could never be destroyed neither could a replica be created. He knew that the White Goddess had presented it to him, which meant she acknowledged Merlin as the official master of the Crystal. It would be there somewhere, in his…pocket. Before he could run his hands down to the side of his shirt pocket, Remus coughed to get their attention. It was then that Merlin realized that he had been communicating with the White Goddess through telepathy. Nothing could've been deciphered by Remus. "We'll leave then, your Highness," bowed Remus. Leading on, Remus exited the Crystal Cave. Merlin looked back at the White Goddess but all that was left was a slight shimmer of white in the place where she stood. Smiling, he followed Remus out.
It was still very bright, with the sun shining high. They had lost count of time in the Crystal Cave. Remus and Merlin trudged alongside each other. They were walking across a vast plain of grassland. It was in the middle of this plain, where the Crystal Cave was located. "Where are we going now? Hogwarts?" Merlin asked, with a tinge of eagerness in his voice. "Soon, but before that we'll have to get you ready for school, right? So, Diagon Alley first," Remus mocked. "So we travel by horse?" Merlin asked innocently. This time it was Remus's turn to raise an eyebrow. "In a land of witchcraft and wizardry, what is the need for "horses"? Anyway, horses are ancient," Remus said. Offended, Merlin decided to move on with the next question, "Then, how do we reach Dia-gon Alley?". Remus smiled slyly and replied, "Hold my arm. Tightly. REALLY tightly." Hesistant and suspicious, Merlin refused to hold Remus's arm. "You're not going to get killed or get your head dumped down the drain!" Remus reasoned. Bone by bone and inch by inch, Merlin extended his hand to hold Remus's arm. It was a very bad choice to make.
First, he felt like his brains were being sucked out. Then, he lost movement in his arms. It was followed by a loud and terrible ringing sound. He was being squashed into pumpkin juice and he was going to disintegrate into million pieces. Lastly, he knew and was convinced that he was being killed and that his head was being dumped down the drain. "CRASH!" Merlin landed on the hard, stone floor. The next moment he knew, he was puking. Probably his lunch from centuries ago. Standing perfectly still with back straight, was Remus, laughing like a 5 year old boy. "The usual case. Apparition is an art, trust me. Learn it and you rule the world. Puke and you know you have to do something about it," he chuckled out loud. Slowly regaining his composure, Merlin stood up, still slightly unstable.
" Where are we?"
" Diagon Alley, your first stop for all essential needs!"
" What are we going to do now?"
" Get money from the bank and.."
" And?"
" Get you a wand!"
A wand. A wand was the last thing Merlin could have ever imagined buying. A stick to do magic when he could do magic with the power that rest in him.
Merlin raised his eyebrows once again.