First of all, I would like to say just how lovely it was to receive so many followings, favourites and reviews. It certainly made the stress of being in Year 13 easier to bear!

Now some of my reviewers do not have a fanfiction account, so I will answer your queries in my A/N (though at the bottom as some potential queries may have been answered).

Also, like I mentioned last chapter, the time lines are slightly messed up in this story and as such although this has moved further on time wise, it does not take place at the same time that it does in the book. Different Houses, different structure, that kind of thing.

The Justice of the Druid

Chapter Two – The Wrath of Umbridge

Merlin closed his eyes and tilted his head back as he let the aroma of freshly cut grass fill his senses, relishing in the peace and quiet that being in Greenhouse 7, one that only Hufflepuffs or extremely advanced Herbology students could enter: it was where Professor Sprout's private office was situated, where it could overlook the extremely specialised and rare plants.

"Nature freak," Megan commented laughing next to him, but there was no malice in her tone, only affection.

"Quidditch nerd," Merlin retaliated, not bothering to open his eyes to poke her stomach.

"Hey!" Susan squealed, "I didn't do anything!"

"Oh, sorry."

Merlin opened his eyes to smile crookedly at the girl, who had her hands on her hips and was glaring at him. The furious persona however, was threatening to break as her lips attempted to curve upwards into a smile, and her eyes glinted with laughter.

"You know Meryn, if you like grass so much, why don't you get up close and personal?"

Before Merlin could voice his confusion, shavings of grass were suddenly dumped over his head and he spluttered as grass filled his mouth. His vision turned green, so it wasn't all that surprising when a few seconds later he lost his balance and fell.

A sickening crunch was heard, and with the help of Susan and Ernie, Merlin was helped back to his feet, all the while spitting out the shavings and blinking rapidly to clear his vision. Hearing Hannah's soft exclamation and Zach cursing quietly, Merlin looked down, to see one of Professor Sprout's prized Wiggentree which protected those who were in contact with its bark from all Dark creatures and magic. They were beyond rare: typically it was only Druids or those extremely lucky who grew them.

And Merlin had just crushed it.

"Merlin's arse," (Which Megan exclaimed) didn't even cover it, though the Warlock had hastily run his hand over his buttocks to make sure he hadn't ripped his trousers or anything untoward.

"Bollocks," Susan swore.

Merlin was inclined to agree with both of them.

"What are we going to do?" Susan groaned loudly. "Naomi will be out soon, and the Professor will know instantly that something's the matter as soon as she comes out to fetch the next one."

"Let's just – let's just think calmly and rationally about this," Ernie interjected.

"Calmly and rationally?" Hannah shrieked. "For Helga's sake it's the Wiggentree! The only one of its kind in the country!"

"And you should not be getting that close to it Meryn!" Megan scolded. "Considering you broke it first I don't think we should be going in for another round!"

"Relax Quidditch nerd," Merlin spoke calmly as he scrutinised the plant. "I'm the nature freak, remember?"

Collectively, they all let out a sigh of relief. Of course, it was Ernie who voiced the unspoken query that they all held, being the pragmatic one there.

"Can you heal it? With your Druidic magic?"

"Yes," Merlin murmured, "But in order to make it truly work, you'll all need to be quiet as Wiggen's prefer peace. And yes," He added with a good natured eye roll when he noticed Megan shift from foot to foot, "You can all watch."

There was an immediate stampede towards him, and a hushed silence when they noticed he was about to start.

Merlin took a deep breath in, reminding himself that it was okay to use the Old Religion in front of them, but thirteen hundred years of conditioning to hide it was hard to override. Using the instinct that every Puff seemed to possess, Susan laid a hand on the Warlock's shoulder and instantly he felt better.

"Batian."

Merlin's eyes flashed gold, and he smiled as the broken branches slowly mended themselves and the leaves regained their curious mix of green edged with gold. The tree began to right itself, to become vertical once more.

"Is it me," Hannah commented when the spell ended, "Or has it grown?"

"It has indeed," A sweet voice replied from behind them.

The Hufflepuff students whirled round, to find Umbridge standing at the entrance to the Greenhouse. She stepped inside, her stupid pink heels squelching slightly every time she miss-stepped and ended up in the damp earth. Immediately, the students formed ranks around Merlin, in a manner which was not overly obvious, but clear if one knew what they were looking for.

"A very impressive display of magic there," She continued sickeningly, eying Merlin. "Twenty points to Hufflepuff."

There was a surprised intake of breath from Susan and Megan shifted her weight once more. It was unheard of for a House other than Slytherin to receive points from the DADA Professor unless they agreed with her views. It made them feel uncomfortable, and solidified their fear that Umbridge was too interested in their Druid.

Umbridge stepped closer, and Ernie almost trod on Susan in an effort to get out of her way as she moved forward to inspect the plant. Merlin hoped she would touch it: it would be interesting to see if she would be repelled. Unfortunately though, she stayed around two meters away.

Ernie Macmillan stepped forward then.

"I regret to inform you, Professor, but this greenhouse is forbidden to those who are not Hufflepuffs or herbologists."

"It's okay Ernie," The Head of House interceded, standing on the threshold of her office, Naomi walking back to the group, the slight hint of a smile she had shown now shoved away, replaced by the ice mask that descended as soon as she saw the toad. "The High Inquisitor is here to represent the Ministry."

Suddenly it made sense why the muggleborns and some of the half-bloods from 'lesser' families had their interviews last night in the Den instead of attending the Story Telling session, and why they were using her official office today.

"Indeed," Umbridge continued with a smile that was too wide, as she seemed to stare at Merlin in particularly, "I will be offering guidance on how to obtain and achieve success in the Ministry and the best ways to enter it."

"And on that positive note," Professor Sprout said brightly, "Next is Meryn. Come on in."

Professor Sprout's official private office was, like everything she touched, homely. The greenhouse let in warm sunlight and gave you a tinted view outside, whilst the venting ensured that it didn't get sweltering. Little plants decorated the office and ivy grew up and along the roof with tendrils drifting down so it was like moving through a green waterfall. Yellow and black bean bags were dotted around the office along with an official looking desk and chair, covered with yet more plants, compost and a few pieces of parchment.

Merlin's Head of House immediately made a beeline towards the bean bags, and gestured for Merlin and Umbridge to take the seat. The earthy smell was prevalent here, and instantly Merlin felt more at ease and relaxed. It helped that Umbridge eyed the bean bags disdainfully before electing to stand, and it was clear from the twinkle in Sprout's eyes that she had planned on making the toad feel uncomfortable.

"First of all, before I let Madame Sprout start this session, I would just like to inform you that my door will always be open for you to be able to discuss your career at the Ministry."

"Thank you, Professor," The Head of House magniamoniously bowed her head before attending her student. She offered her student a box filled with animated chocolate wildlife which was coloured yellow and black in a variety of species. "The frog ones are good. They have a bitter caramel in them," She aside, when she noticed that Merlin's hand was hovering between a bumblebee and a badger.

The connotations were not lost on the Warlock and he picked one up and bit into it savagely, causing Umbridge to look away, overcome by nausea all of a sudden.

"Meryn, you've missed your previous career sessions due to many different reasons, some of which were not your fault," Professor Sprout started off, shooting Merlin an almost guilty smile as he recalled the last incident.

Professor Sprout had gone AWOL one day and had missed the Hufflepuff show, and was recorded to have not slept in her bed, causing the Hufflepuff security to trip and the den had gone into lockdown with the plants growing over the entrance, causing them to miss a whole day's worth of lessons. When they emerged, it was to discover that she had found a rare plant in the Forbidden Forest and was negotiating with the centaurs over it and had simply lost track of time.

"And as far as I am away, you have not given me any indication of what you would like to do specifically..." She shuffled some parchment which had magically appeared in her hands and peered at it. "You have very good grades in Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Potions and Astronomy. Arithmancy exceeds expectations bordering on outstanding. Charms, Transfiguration and the casting side of Defence Against the Dark Arts, though it is noted by Lupin that your handling of dark creatures are brilliant, and Moody stated that you were the only other person aside from Mr Potter who could throw off all the curses are... difficult for you."

"That's putting it lightly," Merlin joked.

Professor Sprout smiled at him no doubt remembering all of the occasions when the den had been put in a state of emergency only to discover that one of Merlin's spells which he had been told to practice had backfired. Nobody judged him for his lack of ability; instead every badger did their best to tutor him.

"So, is there any particular career that you would like to pursue, Meryn?"

A movement from the corner of his eye caught Merlin's attention, and he shifted slightly to see Umbridge subtly moving in closer. He had forgotten that the toad was there she had been so quiet: which was unusual for her. He ignored her suspicious behaviour anyway.

"Although I don't really think I'm appropriate material to do a Masters in Potions 'cos of my spell work, I still like the subject though."

"Well, there aren't many careers that involved potions specifically without needing a Masters in it..." Professor Sprout began to shuffle through her papers again.

"There are plenty of job openings in the Ministry which do not require you to have a Masters in Potions, or indeed Charm or Transfigurations," Umbridge spoke, for the first time since she had entered the room.

Professor Sprout jumped, and Merlin suspected that she had forgotten that the toad was even there, such as she had managed to position themselves so the woman was hidden by the veil of green and they could pretend to have a tad of privacy.

"That may be true," Professor Sprout tilted her head in acquiescence, "But they would not be high level."

Umbridge coughed, delicately, and Professor Sprout ignored her.

"Actually," Merlin said quietly, almost timidly, "I was thinking to continue my family business."

"Hem hem," Umbridge coughed, having apparently decided that being out of sight wasn't working for her and had thus made her way towards them. "The Ministry is very flexible –"

"Oh Dolores," The Head of House sympathised, "You seem to be suffering from a sore throat. Here," She continued, thrusting the box of chocolates in the toad's face. "Have a sweet."

The High Inquisitor looked set to disagree.

"I insist."

Reluctantly, Umbridge reached forward, and selected a bumblebee, the flying creature squashed quickly between her fleshy lips. Merlin swallowed nauseously, and turned back to Sprout, who looked rather ill herself.

"So, does your duty require any particular skills?" The Head of Hufflepuff asked delicately.

It was no secret in the den that there were families who dealt in the less... savoury side of the law and who specialised in extreme areas. It had been decided decades ago that there was an unspoken rule that your inheritance was not to be discussed openly, indeed only with your closest friends in order that you did not have the risk of being judged unfairly.

"Hem, hem."

"No," Merlin lied. "It would be helpful for me to continue with Arithmancy, and Potions. I would like to continue Astrology as well as I find it... relaxing. But- well, I was thinking that I could maybe pick up Muggle Studies? I didn't have enough space on my timetable to do it for OWLs but I think it would be useful."

"Hem hem."

"Of course, Meryn, that's fine. It is a good idea, and we could probably find a way for you to do the NEWT course at the same time, though of course that will take an extra slot –"

"That's the problem," Merlin sighed, "It means I won't be able to continue with Herbology."

There was a choking sound coming from behind him, but the Warlock ignored it as he concentrated on who was most likely his joint favourite teacher along with Professor McGonagall.

Professor Sprout looked taken aback for a moment, and a flash of sadness passed through her eyes, but then she gave her warm smile which comforted every student and seemed to recover herself.

"Yes, well, whilst I would have loved to have you in my class, Meryn I do understand why you cannot continue it. However, I think, you would still be a herbologist at heart."

Merlin's eyes widened. "You mean – even though I wouldn't be taking your class-"

"I think you will find, Meryn, that it would suit your best interests to take Herbology in order to succeed well at the Ministry –"

"I think I have already made clear that I do not wish to enter the Ministry of Magic!" Merlin exclaimed.

Umbridge continued, seemingly undeterred by his outburst. "We can organise your timetable so that you can attend both your official and your family duties. Important families such as the Malfoys do this-"

"I do not want to go to your Ministry!" Merlin yelled in frustration.

There was silence for a moment. The High Inquisitor's eyes grew cold, and she walked forward.

"I feel, Delores," Professor Sprout intervened, "That Merlin has made his opinion quite clear, and that you would not be respecting and only aggravating the matter if you remain here whilst this career appointment is in session. If you would step outside –"

"Now you listen here, you little whelp," Umbridge hissed, completely disregarding Sprout and leaning uncomfortably close into Merlin's space, who had backed up completely in his chair in an effort to stay away. Her voice had lowered to nothing, so that even Merlin with his enhanced hearing could barely hear her. "You will take Herbology and you will enter the Ministry, in a combined department of agriculture and magical creatures. Your skills as a Druid will be invaluable and will ensure the Ministry will stay ahead in those subjects even on the international front. You will be treated as well as it could be, with the respect your race deserves. Otherwise, your unfortunate condition might... slip out. And then even your 'prestigious' bloodline will not protect you, Meryn."

Merlin couldn't help it, the anger of being threatened, combined with the terror – what if they find out? They will judge him, they will use him, they will betray him– made him lash out, and it was only by pure luck that he had his eyes closed from shielding them from the spit flying from the High Inquisitor that the flash of gold didn't give him away.

There was a massive BANG, and when the shock wore off, it was to see Professor Sprout standing over her badger protectively, her wand out in a threatening position, and Umbridge on the other side of the greenhouse, wrapped up so tight in the tendrils of the vines and a Devil's Snare that she was turning purple.

"Don't you ever," Professor Sprout roared, "threaten any of my students ever again, regardless of whether you are the High Inquisitor and representative of the Ministry or not! It is unacceptable to behave like that towards any student and I. Will. Not. Stand. For. It. Do you understand DELORES?"

There was silence.

"Professor," Merlin said, trying hard to stifle his giggles, "I think she's unconscious."

Surprisingly enough, there was no retaliation from Umbridge set upon Professor Sprout, or indeed Merlin. Once again, he was left alone, except it was different from when she had found out what House he was from: then, she had treated him with respect, and was clearly frightened of what he could do, and yet...And yet after she had taken an afternoon's sick leave and had disappeared from the school's premises, she had began to make pointed remarks, hinting... hinting...

So he should have been relieved of being ignored, and yet he was beginning to feel sick with nerves and with tension and with something else.

Perhaps it was how Ernie received two weeks worth of detentions for intervening between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin badmouthing each other's families, or how Susan was given a week for handing in her essay late (because Madame Bones had suddenly taken ill and she was allowed to visit her Guardian). It turned out they weren't the only ones, because later on in the House meeting, it was revealed that it was only purebloods who were being picked on.

"I don't understand though," Gabriel Truman, a seventh year Prefect, "Why the Purebloods? If she's so pro blood purity, surely it would make sense that she would charm us, in order for her to remain in good stead with our families?"

"Other pure families are also being mistreated from other houses," Leanne pointed out.

"Yes, but either they are in Gryffindor and are publically siding with Harry Potter, or they are of the 'lesser' blood. Take the Weasleys: one of the oldest families, and yet the Weasley Twins have received almost as many detentions as Potter." Hannah Abbott informed, the fifth year who had the most friends from outside the house.

"But Macmillan, Fawley, Olivander, and Rosier: they are the members of the Sacred Twenty Eight. Including the Bones, Jones, even the Smith family as we're descended from Helga herself," Zacharias proclaimed rather magniamoniously, "we are being targeted. We have powerful connections. So why us, why now?"

"She's been extremely careful in only targeting lesser half bloods or muggleborns," Gabriel Truman acknowledged. "Which suggests –house?"

"Slytherin," Megan confirmed. "I used the Hogwarts records and Professor Sprout."

"Then she's cunning: which is why we weren't targeted sooner with these vile detentions: she knows that we could stop her, perhaps not individually but altogether, although she is rather cosy with the Minister."

"She's a coward," Susan stated angrily.

"Yes, yes," Ernie waved her off, "but Gabriel has a point: we could bring her down, Helga knows we've tried, but to ruin her carefully thought out plans? She's a coward, and she's a bully. Which means that to target us now means-"

"Means there's someone she considers more of a threat. More powerful. More influential. But who?"

Merlin itched his left hand absentmindedly, and was shocked to find a wet sensation greeting him. He looked down, to see his scar wide open, blood leaking out of it.

I must not withhold secrets.

Umbridge stormed into their DADA class, the door almost coming off its hinges in her fury. She strode to the front of the class and then turned around, her posture deadly.

Nobody dared to move.

"I heard," She started off, "A nasty little rumour today."

Nobody dared to breathe.

"Everybody in this class," She continued sweetly her gaze sweeping the room, "Has done something remarkably stupid. I will give you one chance, once chance, to apologise, and to retake your statements."

They stayed quiet. Around him, Merlin could hear a nervous thrumming, and knew that Ernie had started to tap the desk.

"You have all declared your allegiance to Harry James Potter, a little attention seeking, lying little brat who claims that the biggest monster the world has ever seen, You-Know-Who, has returned. This is against the Ministry's view."

Still, no one spoke. By now, Roger would have offered up a sarcastic comment which would have had all who heard him in tears, but even he, the daredevil that he was did not speak.

"I had expected better of you, Miss Bones," The High Inquisitor started," Considering of your good lineage and your family. Your parents and your Aunt would be most disapproving."

"My parents," Susan hissed, "Would be proud of whom I pledged my family's allegiance to. Rest assured, Professor, they would be most against yours-"

"And your stupid Ministry's to boot!" Megan declared loudly.

"Statements like that could be regarded as treasonous, Miss Rivers," Umbridge contradicted, maliciously using Megan's mother's muggle name, demeaning her.

"And statements like that, Umbridge," Ernie Macmillan boomed, "Could be regarded as an insult to the House of Jones."

"It is only considered treason, under article fifty, subsection two point thirteen, to threaten a member of ministry personal if they are persons of high establishment, clearance and consequence. You, High Inquisitor," Naomi Runcorn said mockingly, her voice like ice, "Are neither of the aforementioned."

"Was that a threat, Miss Runcorn?"

Umbridge's voice was quiet, her pudgy eyes glinting menacingly.

"It was a promise."

"From all of us," Justin Finch-Fletchley finished, with everybody else making noises of agreement. Even Sally Anne, who normally seemed so fragile, appeared to burn with righteous anger.

"Two months worth of detention, for every single person in this class, starting this evening. Except for Meryn."

Merlin stood up quickly, his Hufflepuff tendencies kicking in.

"That's not fair Professor! I fully support Harry Potter and I will aid him in all matters with the full backing of my House behind me!"

"-Which is a fool's errand."

"Then give me DETENTION! For the Goddess' sake, why aren't you listening to me?"

"Oh no, Meryn," She whispered. "I am heeding your words."

Desperation and sickness and fury and need and hate and love swept through Merlin like a storm and he choked on his magic.

"I swear on my magic to retract my statement," He blurted out urgently.

He will not abandon his house. He will not betray their ideals; he will not let them down.

A self satisfied smirk appeared, and there was a sadistic gleam to her eyes.

"Regardless, although it is appreciated, my decision is final."

Merlin's stomach dropped suddenly.

What have I done?

Merlin sped out of the class as soon as it had finished, not heeding the shouts and cries of his classmates, steadily ignoring them. He couldn't face them, not now, not since he had betrayed his house's values and had been left behind whilst they all took the blame for deciding to pledge their allegiance to the light, even though it was Merlin who had rallied and encouraged them, and Merlin the one to do it first.

Hufflepuff had been his saviour, his redemption.

Because he had become so lonely before that human interaction was alien to him, and because he was in the House of Tolerance and of Friendship, he hadn't trusted his housemates to his secret and even now, they thought that they knew everything when there was so much more to say. He hadn't expected it to hurt so much – after all, he had had to keep secrets for his entire life – but to be accepted so completely and full heartedly had broken down his barriers and unconsciously, his house had burrowed their way into his heart.

And now he had failed them in their hour of need.

He didn't attend lessons that afternoon and instead roamed aimlessly, never staying for too long in one place. He knew that soon his friends –no they would not think that of him anymore – his housemates would organise a search for him if he didn't turn up for didn't turn up for dinner and there was a danger of them looking for him if they had frees, but he didn't want to be found.

The Warlock continued to be in a daze for the rest of the week, unresponsive to the increasingly worried calls of his fellow 'puffs, and taking food in the kitchen as he couldn't face eating in the Great Hall. As time continued, more and more students were being targeted, and Merlin was running himself into the ground staying up late at night and secretly entering each and every room, to stand over the unfortunate student whom had had to suffer a detention with the toad, and whisper words of goodness and purity, his eyes gleaming gold throughout, which caused the pain to disappear, and the scar to fade a little (although he made sure that in Umbridge's eyes, it would remain as bitterly red as possible).

If is body hurt slightly more afterwards, Merlin couldn't tell.

It was two weeks after the careers interview disaster when Merlin realised what was going on.

He had been walking down the corridor when he heard the unmistakable sound of a cub in pain. He bolted immediately, his classmates now used to his newfound ability of fleeing, and followed the echo, climbing up a staircase and crossing three secret passageways before he found them. Two boys stood in the middle of the corridor, opposite Umbridge. Although he could not see their faces due to Umbridge being the one to face him, he knew who they were: Ethan and Connor Jonquils.

Muggleborns.

"Students of identical sex must be ten inches apart!" Umbridge admonished.

"But Miss," Ethan protested limply, "We're brothers –"

"Are you implying that you are a special case?" Umbridge demanded, looming over them and yet giving Merlin the impression that she was staring at him the whole time. "Are you saying that you should get preferential treatment because of your bloodline?"

"No Miss," Ethan said weakly, "It's just that we've received bad news from our mum that our Grandpa had died –"

"Does it look as if I am the School Councillor? Let me assure you, I only give my time to students who are worthy of it. You snivelling nasty little muggles are not. I think," She looked up, her mouth set in a cruel smile, staring straight at Merlin, "Two months detention, for not adhering to the rules of your station."

This went clearly beyond the twins' heads – they were only second years after all – but not Merlin's. He stood there, frozen, as understanding dawned on him and he just managed to turn to the side before he vomited all over the floor.

"Meryn?" Connor asked, and then there was a cool cloth being placed on his neck and he was being guided to a sitting position."Eth, I think we need to take him to the nurse."

"Oh no," a sickly sweet voice sounded, causing him to retch again. "There will be no need. Meryn here is simply suffering from the same malady that has affected you boys mixed with, perhaps, a hint of guilt."

It was late by the time Madame Pomfrey let him out of the hospital wing, and Hogwarts seemed almost frozen in time, as if the decision that Merlin had to make would affect the future, the world. Merlin walked along the empty hallways, relishing the quiet, and steeling himself for what was to come.

For the rise in detentions, the loss of temper, the cruelty and the suffering directed towards Hufflepuff House was Merlin's fault. He had rejected the High Inquisitor's offer, and thus, her position and ambition was at stake. All that time, when he had been revelling in the reprieve, was simply the calm before the storm. If he hadn't been dead to the world, then he would have spotted it sooner –so selfish, betrayal of my house, why why why why why – and less people, less children would have been needlessly hurt and scarred because of him.

For Umbridge wanted the Druids.

For the Ministry.

To control them, to degrade them to less than nothing as they would be made effectively slaves, to use them.

And specifically, she wanted him.

He stood in front of the door, knocked, and went in, shutting it carefully behind him. Sitting behind her desk, wearing a large grin was Umbridge, looking disgustingly pleased with herself.

"I see you have made use of my offer all those weeks ago regarding the Ministry," she commented with a sweet smile.

Merlin swallowed bile.

"I, Meryn, Lord of the Most Noble, the Most Ancient and Original House of Ddraig, hereby gives an oath to Dolores Jane Umbridge, claimant of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Selwyn, that hereby I will work in the Ministry and endeavour to do my best, which includes therefore taking Herbology as a educational qualification of the highest standard."

His eyes flashed gold as the oath took hold and he felt his life-force bind to hers.

"There now," She said with sweet satisfaction, "That wasn't all that difficult was it?"

So there you are! One MASSIVE chapter, approximately 5000 words, and boy, did I rush to get it out to you.

Guest(s): Thank you for your lovely reviews and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Song: Yes, I can confirm that this is indeed going to have a full reveal, in more ways than one ;)

Please, read and review! (I know that I rushed this a heck of a lot so there are bound to be spelling mistakes. If you spot any, can you please drop a review or PM me so that I can sort them out?)

I love to hear your theories and I try to adapt as many as I can to this storyline.

Until next time (which will probably be a week, possibly eight to nine days from now I am afraid, but I have a lot of coursework and UCAS to do I am afraid :(