The walk back to the dorms was a quiet one. No one dared to say a word until they were in the safety of their dorm. There, the Slytherin girls knew that what happened behind those closed doors, stayed behind those closed doors.

Morgana put her things away slowly and waited to see who would initiate the impending conversation. She wasn't expecting Tracey Davis.

"So," she paused, "Thoughts on Umbridge?"

Pansy giggled. "She sure put Potter in his place, didn't she?"

"He's a lunatic," Millicent added. "Barking mad."

Daphne tilted her head to the side and asked, "How so?"

Pansy sneered. "Really? He thinks You Know Who is back. That doesn't sound unstable to you?"

"No." Daphne shrugged.

"Then you're as mad as he is," Pansy replied flippantly. "What proof do you have that he's back?"

Daphne sat on her bed and countered, "What proof do you have that he's not?"

"The burden of proof is on the ones who think he's back," Pansy sniffed, crossing her arms.

"What if he never left?" Tracey asked thoughtfully.

Morgana turned to look at her. Tracey didn't usually speak up this much. She liked to keep to herself most of the time. But she was looking down at her shoes thoughtfully and Morgana could tell that Tracey had been thinking about this for a while.

"What do you mean never left?" Pansy demanded. "That's stupid."

"Is it?" questioned Tracey. "What if he was never dead? What if everything that's been happening has been directly, or even indirectly, related to You Know Who?"

Daphne began to count the incidents with her fingers. "Our First Year, a troll got out and Professor Quirrell tried to kill Potter. Second Year, the Chamber of Secrets was opened and Muggleborns were attacked-"

"That was that Weasley girl's fault!" Millicent loudly cut in.

Daphne raised an eyebrow and turned to Morgana. "The heir of Slytherin is the only one who could open the chamber, yeah? Who claimed to be the last heir of Slytherin?"

"You Know Who," Morgana answered in monotone. "It's one of the reasons so many people followed him to begin with."

Millicent wasn't buying it. "Coincidence."

Morgana shook her head. "No such thing."

"Third Year," Daphne continued loudly, "the infamous Sirius Black escapes Azkaban which leads us to last year, where Cedric Diggory is found dead the same night Potter insisted You Know Who is back. Not to mention, Barty Crouch Jr., a confirmed Death Eater, comes out of nowhere and tries to kidnap Potter. You seriously don't think any of these things are related?"

Pansy shook her head in denial. "Diggory's death was an accident."

"Cedric Diggory was the most qualified Hogwarts student and our Champion," Tracey said matter-of-factly. "To say he died in an accident is insulting."

"None of that matters!" Pansy yelled.

"Yes it does." Morgana said calmly. "It matters. And if you can't accept that, you're a fool."

Pansy looked at Morgana incredulously. "A fool?"

"Yes." Morgana nodded. "And I was taught not to argue with fools." She sent a pointed look at both Daphne and Tracey. Pansy and Millicent weren't going to change their minds. "I'm more concerned about our O.W.L.s and the fact that we're not going to be properly taught this year."

"I like theory," Millicent stated. "I think Umbridge is just what this school needs."

"Let's see how you feel about her right after you fail the practical part of your exams," Daphne mumbled.

"Daphne." Morgana gently chided. Daphne raised her hands in surrender. "Thank you." Morgana finished storing her things before tucking her wand in her robes and heading for the door.

"Where are you off to?" Pansy demanded.

Morgana didn't respond, but as she closed the door behind her, she heard Daphne reply, "I'm sure she's off to mind her own damn business. You should try it."

After running into Mordred in the common room, Morgana dragged him along with her to meet Merlin in the Astronomy Tower.

"You know, most people don't bring along a third person to go to a notorious snogging spot," Mordred pointed out.

Morgana rolled her eyes. The Astronomy Tower was, in fact, a snogging location. The classroom wasn't used during the day; a perfect place for a couple to sneak off to without having to worry about being caught by a teacher.

It was also a perfect place for the three sorcerers to meet up. As much as Morgana missed the forest, she couldn't go there. Her position as Prefect meant that she had to 'lead by example' and follow the rules…no matter how ridiculous they were.

Merlin was already in the tower when the two Slytherins arrived. His shirt was untucked, his tie was untied and the sleeves of this collared shirt were rolled up. He looked ridiculously sloppy…and absolutely handsome.

Morgana tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.

"Afternoon," Merlin greeted. "I thought you'd forgotten."

"Had to put my books away," Morgana replied. "Sorry."

Merlin waved off her apology. "So about last night…?"

"What happened last night?" Mordred asked, glancing between his two friends.

Morgana shook her head. "We'll get to that. Let me tell you what happened in class."

"What do you mean he 'heard' you?" Merlin asked with a frown.

'I mean I told him to shut up, just like this, and he did.' Morgana explained. "I'm sure he knew it was me because he was about to look at me before Umbridge sent him to McGonagall."

Mordred snorted laughing. "I'm more surprised that he actually shut up, to be honest."

"I'm pretty sure it had more to do with him being in shock," Merlin mused.

Morgana leaned back against the teacher's desk and asked, "How sure are we that the Potters don't have Old Magic?"

"Because this keeps happening," Mordred added.

"Dad is positive," Merlin said firmly.

"Is it possible that Harry has Old Magic but his family doesn't?" Mordred queried.

Merlin shook his head. "Old Magic is by blood." Merlin frowned and rubbed his chin in thought, and Morgana wished she could read his mind. "I'll ask dad if it's possible, just to be sure. I doubt it, but I'll ask anyway."

"Wait until you're face to face," Morgana instructed. "I don't think something like this should be in a letter."

Merlin nodded in agreement. "Maybe he could visit during one of the Hogsmeade trips?"

"It's either that or wait until Christmas," Mordred said. "Now what was this about last night? I think I missed something."

Morgana and Merlin shared a look before Merlin began to explain. "Morgana and I met up in Diagon Alley before the beginning of term."

Gasping, Mordred placed a hand on chest, offended. "Without me?"

"It was a last minute thing," Merlin responded. "Anyway, Gaius knows Morgana and Agravaine." He looked to Morgana; the look in his eyes asked for an explanation.

"Well," Morgana started. "Mr. Leach was there when I was born." Merlin's eyebrow shot up and Morgana could tell he was quickly putting things together in his mind. "He was my mother's physician when she was pregnant. He, uh, delivered me." Morgana licked her lips and added, "He delivered my father, too."

"He's a doctor," Mordred shrugged. "I don't see the big deal."

"Agravaine didn't seem too happy to see him though," Merlin said, prompting Morgana to continue.

This was the part that Morgana wasn't thrilled about sharing. The circumstances surrounding her mother's death weren't a secret, but it was also something that Morgana didn't enjoy talking about it.

She stared down at her shoes. "My mother died in childbirth. She, uh… couldn't stop bleeding." Morgana paused to swallow the lump that was beginning to form in her throat. "I imagine Agravaine wasn't too happy about losing her, especially since my father had been killed a few months before. Robbery," she briefly explained before they had a chance to ask. "So, I suppose, Agravaine blamed Mr. Leach for her death."

Merlin's dirty shoes appeared in Morgana's sight opposite her own and she looked up at him. He didn't say anything. He didn't have to.

"I'm fine," she lied, as her eyes stung from unshed tears. You are not about to cry. You are not.

Merlin pulled her into a hug and Morgana tried to get herself together. When he released her, he gave her another questioning look.

"I'm fine," she repeated.

Mordred cleared his throat. "Did Agravaine tell you?"

"No. He didn't want to talk about it. But Mr. Monmouth, the same wizard that had information for you," she nodded at Mordred, "He was very helpful."

Merlin frowned. "He just told you all this?"

Morgana shook her head. "I wasn't sure what to look for, at first. All I knew was that Mr. Leach had Old Magic like my father, and then I remembered that he was a physician. I sent an inquiry about my father's birth and Mr. Monmouth provided the rest. Mr. Leach couldn't save my mother but he signed my birth certificate," Morgana said quietly. She didn't mean to sound bitter, but she couldn't help it.

"I'm sorry," Merlin said quietly.

Morgana squeezed his arm in thanks.

Sighing deeply, Mordred stood from one of the desks. "Well, now that we're all depressed, let's go down to the kitchens and eat our feelings."

Thankful for the levity, Morgana let herself laugh as she wiped her face.

"You can't wait until dinner?" Merlin asked.

"Absolutely not." Mordred opened the door to the classroom to usher them out. "Nothing heals an emotional wound quite like cake. Let's go."

Morgana shook her head at him but led the way out the classroom and down the stairs. Cake sounded wonderful.

Merlin returned to the Ravenclaw common room to find his usually calm friend, Anthony Goldstein, pacing the floor in front of the fireplace. Terry Boot and Michael Corner watched silently as Anthony strode from one end of the fireplace, turned on his heel and walked back. It was an odd sight to see and Merlin didn't know what to say. Instead, he sat between Terry and Michael and watched his friend turn on his heel once more.

"If she thinks we're going to pass our O.W.L.s with just theoretical defense magic, then the woman is out of her mind," Anthony mumbled to himself.

Merlin smiled to himself. He'd had a similar thought during their morning Defense class.

"There's nothing for it," Terry said dejectedly. "It's not like we can get her sacked. She works for the Ministry."

Anthony rubbed his face in frustration. "That's just it, isn't it? What's the ministry doing interfering with Hogwarts business?"

"Hogwarts isn't outside of Ministry jurisdiction. That kind of thinking is probably why she's here in the first place," Michael pointed out.

Anthony shook his head. "Either way, her class is a waste of time. There's no way in hell we're passing our O.W.L.s with that toad teaching us."

Merlin burst out laughing. "She does look like a toad."

Terry chuckled and Michael cracked a smile but Anthony's face remained severe. Picking up on this, Merlin sobered up.

"What do you suggest we do about it?" Merlin asked.

Michael scrunched up his face and imitated Umbridge's girlish tone of voice, "Study very hard."

Terry and Merlin laughed but Anthony groaned and shook his head. "I can't believe she said that."

"Not just that she said it but that she was serious," Merlin pointed out.

"Oye," Terry interrupted suddenly. "I heard Potter lost it in their Defense class. Heard he yelled at her that You Know Who was back and got detention."

A silence fell over the four of them. Anthony looked around the common room and took a seat on the floor in front of his friends. "About that…"

Michael suddenly found his hands very interesting and Terry seemed to be searching for an answer on the ceiling.

For Merlin, it was no question. He'd heard the argument in the hospital wing; heard Harry retell the tale of Voldemort's return and how Barty Crouch Jr. had been behind it. He saw Morgana's reaction to Voldemort's return. He'd felt it in his chest. Merlin sat forward and said firmly, "I believe him. He's back."

"Yeah," Anthony nodded. "Yeah I believe him too."

Michael clenched his jaw and shook his head. "I dunno."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Merlin asked.

"I mean, where's the proof?" Michael argued. "We're just supposed to believe him because Dumbledore said so? It's been quiet all summer. If You Know Who was really back-"

"He wouldn't want anyone to think he was," Terry interrupted thoughtfully.

"What?" Michael frowned.

"Think about it. The only person that saw him return was Potter. Dumbledore believes him and now they're both being painted as crazy wizards who need their wands broken. Why wouldn't You Know Who use that to his advantage?" Merlin and Anthony looked at Terry for a long time, making Terry feel uncomfortable. "Been doing a lot of thinking," he tried to explain.

Anthony nodded his approval. "Spot on."

"I still don't know," Michael said quietly.

Terry threw his hands up in exasperation and Anthony grunted.

I'm sure you'll get your proof sooner than you'd like, Merlin thought darkly.

As the first week back at school carried on, Merlin's homework began to pile up. Their work load was heavier than usual and he was beginning to feel overwhelmed. Not even flying helped clear his head. He found his mind wandering to his Transfiguration homework during Quidditch practice.

To make up for it, Merlin spent all of Sunday trying to catch up. It was late and he was ridiculously tired by the time he was finished. He fell asleep confident that he'd caught up and wouldn't fall behind again.

Unfortunately, he was feeling overwhelmed all over again by Tuesday. Around Wednesday, he'd given up tackling everything alone and confided in Morgana during their astronomy class.

"What do you do in Arithmancy if you don't like a result you're given?" she asked as she looked through the telescope.

"Change a variable in the problem," Merlin responded automatically.

Morgana looked at him, a bright smile on her face.

Merlin understood and nodded. "Change a variable."

The rest of the evening was spent trying to find a different approach to his classes.

Merlin completely skipped Defense class, reasoning that there was nothing Umbridge could teach him that he couldn't teach himself. Instead, he spent that time catching up on his Transfiguration, Potions, and Charms classes. After dinner, Merlin read the whole Defense book and completed his Charms assignment.

It took two weeks for Merlin to finally catch up but he continued to struggle with History of Magic.

"Don't say it," Morgana requested. "Please."

"It's boring," Merlin confessed, denying her request, and making Mordred snicker. "I'm sure it's plenty exciting when taught properly, but I don't find it interesting with the way Binns' teaches."

"Neither do I." Mordred chimed in. "He's so dry. It's a struggle to pay attention, honestly."

Morgana fixed them both with a hard glare. "Is this a clever way of asking me for my notes?"

"No." Merlin shook his head. That would feel like cheating and that's not what he set out to do. "I was hoping, maybe, you could…I dunno…tutor me? Or something?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You want me to tutor you in History of Magic?"

"Who else am I supposed to ask?" Merlin laughed. "No one is better with history than you."

Mordred nodded in agreement and Morgana grinned to herself.

Is she blushing? Merlin wondered.

"Fine," she conceded. "But give me a week. And I'm not going to go easy on you, Ambrose."

"Don't threaten me with a good time," Merlin responded without thinking.

Morgana's expression went from surprised, to curious and ended in a look Merlin had never seen before. It scared and excited him at the same time and he wasn't quite sure what to do with that.

Mordred coughed loudly and asked Morgana for her notes, effectively changing the subject.

Merlin sighed and turned around to glance out one of the library windows behind him. Their Sunday study session had barely begun and Merlin was having a hard time concentrating. He was supposed to be helping Mordred with his Arithmancy, but Mordred didn't need any help. Merlin gave all his attention to Morgana instead.

Not that she needed his attention either. She was going over Merlin's homework from history, mouthing the words he'd written as she read. He caught her in the middle of a frown. Biting her lip, Morgana flipped through her history book and Merlin patiently waited for her to tell him where he had messed up.

She must have sensed this, saying quietly, "You keep mixing up Trevog the Tyrant with Vibrog the Valiant."

"Oops."

Morgana looked at him sternly. "Do you want my help or not?"

Merlin hung his head. "Yes. Sorry. Trevog the Tyrant and Vibrog the Violent."

"Valiant," she corrected.

"That's what I said." Merlin bravely met her hard glare with a cheeky grin. Eventually she grinned back and returned to correcting his homework.

And he returned to watching her.

"Ahem." Merlin looked up to find Hermione standing awkwardly at the end of the table, her hands behind her back. "Afternoon," she greeted.

"Afternoon," Merlin replied.

Hermione glanced at the parchment pages spread along the library table. "I didn't know you were taking Arithmancy," she said to Mordred.

He sat up straighter in his chair. "I'm good with numbers."

"Hm," Hermione nodded. "Not studying for defense class?"

"What defense class?" Merlin asked, causing Mordred to snort. Morgana remained silent.

Hermione pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. Growing serious, she looked around for anyone in ear shot. "I was talking to Harry and we were thinking of ways to…prepare ourselves. Maybe you three should come to the Hog's Head this next Hogsmeade trip."

"For?" Morgana asked, finally speaking.

Hermione shrugged. "Just butterbeer with some friends. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon." Casually, Hermione strolled out the library without further explanation.

Curious, Merlin looked to Morgana. She'd kept her neutral expression during the entire interaction. Merlin pressed his lips together and raised both eyebrows, waiting for Morgana to give her opinion. Slowly, she shook her head. Merlin was unsurprised. He knew Morgana liked Hermione just fine. It was the company she kept that Morgana thought was questionable.

Merlin turned to Mordred, who promptly pointed to Morgana in agreement. That did surprise was usually a willing participant in some shenanigans, so to be turned down was quite disappointing.

Regardless, Merlin had made up his mind and he grinned.

Morgana immediately look exasperated, making Merlin grin even wider. Highly irritated, she rolled her eyes shut and sighed deeply. Merlin could see the inner conflict his friend was having. He knew Morgana was debating on whether arguing with him was worth the energy.

It wasn't. Merlin had made up his mind to find out what Hermione was up to and there was nothing Morgana could say that would change his mind.

Thankfully she had come to the same conclusion. She shook her head one more time before going back to Merlin's notes. Merlin glanced at Mordred, who returned to his Arithmancy without a word.

Chuckling, Merlin went back to watching Morgana critique his work.