Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own the fantastic Merlin or Harry Potter, they are owned by BBC and J.K. Rowling respectively.

Of Camelot and Hogwarts

Chapter 3

Merlin watched curiously as Dumbledore placed the old hat on top of Arthur's head. The young prince was about to protest, but in the next second the hat screamed, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Merlin jumped, he never anticipated that this was a talking hat of all things. Arthur looked equally startled, but he didn't react as badly.

Dumbledore smiled warmly at Arthur. "I had a feeling you would end up in Gryffindor, it was my house as well."

"House?" Arthur asked.

"There are four houses here at Hogwarts and each of them attracts students with different qualities. For example Gryffindor is for those who show great bravery, Slytherin for the ambitious, and Ravenclaw for the intellectual ones," Dumbledore explained.

"And what is the other house?" Arthur pressed.

"Hufflepuff for students who are hardworking," Dumbledore replied.

"Then Merlin won't end up in that house," Arthur remarked sarcastically.

Merlin merely rolled his eyes right before Dumbledore placed the sorting hat on his head.

"Ah!" The hat spoke in Merlin's mind startling him for a second. The famed enchanter Merlin himself. Yet you are still a young man with such a long journey before you. I could easily place you anywhere, but I can see that there is only one where you will be content." The hat paused for a second before shouting so all could hear, "GRYFFINDOR!"

After Merlin took off the hat Arthur gave him a scolding look. "I still can't get rid of you it seems."

Merlin grinned, "Of course not."

"Now that you are both sorted, we have a few more things to discuss. The main thing being your aliases while the both of you are here," Dumbledore started as he put the hat away before sitting down again. "Starting with your names."

"What is wrong with our names?" Arthur asked.

"Nothing of course," Dumbledore assured him. "But if the person who sent you here is trying to find you, then you both will need to blend in. And two new students named Arthur and Merlin will send a clear signal."

"What do you suggest?" Arthur asked.

"Arthur is a fairly common name even today, so I don't see why you should have to change," Dumbledore said glancing at Arthur, before addressing Merlin. "And while there are wizarding parents who do name their children Merlin, you both will be under the guise as Muggle-borns, so your name will have to change. Do you have another name you can go by?"

Merlin looked thoughtful for a moment, "The druid boy called me Emrys, can I go by that?"

"That is still fairly unusual, but I think that will work, Dumbledore replied with a grin.

"And what are Muggles?" Merlin wondered.

"People who don't use magic, the entire wizarding world is kept entirely hidden from them except when Muggles have children with magical abilities," said Dumbledore.

"Which leads us to the most complicated part. I think the story we can use is this; the two of you are adopted brothers—Arthur and Emrys Smith and you are both Muggle-born, but have a wizard uncle who has home schooled you both. Now because the war is growing more perilous by the day, your parents are now sending you both to Hogwarts since it is safer."

"War?" Arthur asked.

Dumbledore sighed, "For almost ten years now there has been a war raging here in the wizarding world, and even the Muggles are recognizing something is going on. There is a powerful wizard named Voldemort who has a vengeance against Muggles, and Muggle-borns alike, and because of his prejudices he and his followers are ruthless in their desire to kill as many as they can."

"Wait a minute," Merlin said, something just occurring to him. "You said that this Voldemort person wants to kill Muggle-borns and yet you want us to pretend to be Muggle-born."

"Yes, you're right, that is one risk," Dumbledore admitted. "But there is no way the two of you can say you're both from wizarding families because then someone would see through the deception. It is dangerous for the two of you, but you needn't fear. Hogwarts is the one safe haven left during their perilous times."

"And why is that?" Arthur asked.

"Because Hogwarts has some very ancient and powerful enchantments protecting it, and because I'm here," Dumbledore replied.

Merlin could sense there was more to Dumbledore's words than he knew, but decided not to ask any further and instead changed the subject, "So what sort of things are we going to be taught—I mean is it just learning spells?"

"Not at all," Dumbledore replied. "Tomorrow I'm going to have one of the professors give the two of you a quick overview of the magical education here, so that you both will be as prepared as possible for your first day. You will learn then what a Hogwarts education is all about. But I imagine that it should be fairly simple for you to pick it up Merlin and if you help Arthur then the two of you will be caught up in no time."

Arthur looked annoyed, as if he was about to protest being taught anything by Merlin, but he held his tongue.

Dumbledore looked briefly at a strange instrument on his wrist, before he stood quickly, "now I'm sure you both still have questions, but I'm sure that having a good night's sleep will help."

An hour later as Merlin was lying in his comfortable four poster bed in Gryffindor tower, he found that the sleep his body so desperately needed was nowhere to be found. His mind still buzzed with all that happened that day; finding Nimueh's lair, getting transported to Hogwarts, finding he was now going to attend a magical school, and most important that Arthur finally knew his secret.

The relief he felt at knowing that Arthur would keep his confidence should they return back to Camelot made Merlin feel that their friendship would grow even stronger because of this. And though the thought of Arthur doing magic was laughable, Merlin knew his friend would eventually come to have an open mind. As far as Merlin was concerned, however, he was thrilled at the prospect of being at Hogwarts despite his worry about how they arrived.

Finally after long last Merlin was able to sleep, and one thing was for sure, tomorrow would be an interesting day for sure.


AN: I finally was able to write the next chapter, and since tomorrow is my birthday, I decided to get this posted tonight. Next chapter Merlin and Arthur have a crash course on Hogwarts education and they attend the opening feast. I will try to get the next one up as soon as possible. I also want to thank all my lovely reviewers because I was blown away by all the fantastic response for this, and I hope that you all enjoyed this! And as always I'm always grateful for any feedback.