First Saturday Update - yay
remembered I'm supposed to put a disclaimer in
I don't own Merlin or Harry Potter, cos if I did Merlin season 6 would exist
Got myself a new Beta reader - thank you super-sherlocked-gallifreyan (Hope I spelt that right)
And please, please review!
and cos I'm evil I'm going to make you want me to post the next chapter, cos I've finished writing it and it finally has Harry in it, properly, not like in this chapter. Harry actually says more than 1 word in the next chapter
Enjoy!
Merlin stretched. He was used to getting up early like he had done so often in Camelot, and the habit had never really left him. That did not mean that he was willing to share that information with the Malfoys. Of course Draco knew, but Merlin had rather given up trying to keep Draco from knowing things, not that Draco seemed to care. Now, however, they were walking down Diagon Alley alongside Narcissa, Draco's mother. As such, Merlin was doing his best to act like the sleepy eleven year old he was supposed to be, not that it was a problem for Draco. Fortunately, the boy didn't hate early mornings quite as much as Arthur had, but the boy still did not seem keen to drag himself out of bed at seven in the morning.
Merlin didn't really know what to think of Narcissa. He knew that she was definitely connected to Mouldyvort and his death eaters, but he also knew from his visions in the crystal cave that the woman would have a chance to redeem herself, albeit after she had already performed acts that would put her in an unfavourable position in the eyes of the rest of the wizarding world. As such, he had made sure to reserve judgement. He knew from the situations with Morgana and Mordred that more often than not paying attention to the visions would be what caused them in the first place. But he also knew from other experiences that by not interfering he could also alter things. He didn't want to risk causing the woman to not find forgiveness once Harry had fulfilled his destiny, but that did not mean that he would not be willing to try to help the woman not make the mistake in the first place.
The three of them were walking down Diagon Alley. It was not something that Merlin found particularly exciting. After all, as an immortal, he was around when the Alley was built and frequented it over the centuries. Although, he did find it interesting to see how much the place had changed. The shops had certainly brightened up since the earliest years when the street had been nothing but a gathering of frightened wizards huddled together in order to hide from the witch burnings of the muggle world. Draco was exited though, but Merlin couldn't see why. The boy had been to the street before and had even bought things from shops that the two boys had not strictly been supposed to enter.
Merlin grinned. Draco's enthusiasm appeared to be rubbing off on him, not that anyone else could see it. Draco looked to be nothing but bored as his cold eyes drifted lazily over the shops till they reached Olivanders. Merlin sighed. Of course the wand maker was going to be the first that they would visit. Draco had not been allowed a wand until now even though Merlin had his own, it had been presented as a family heirloom of sorts, and Draco's parents had been quick to demand that Merlin lock it up within Gringotts until he was ready to go to Hogwarts. Merlin hadn't really cared at the time. It wasn't as though he needed his wand to do magic, and he wasn't any good at wand magic anyway.
The old shop was as dusty as Merlin had remembered. He had only been in here on passing, simply curious as to the old wand maker's methods when he had last visited. Of course, that had been near two hundred years ago. He had no doubt that it would be a different wand maker to sit behind the counter, not that it made him feel any better. He honestly would not have been surprised if it was the same person. He had given off a sort of ageless presence when they had last met, to the point where it had unnerved even him.
Merlin raised an eyebrow as he saw the old man who was climbing one of the old shelves. He certainly looked like the person he had met before. The man seemed not to notice that they had arrived for he continued to sort through the boxes of what Merlin assumed to be wands. Narcissa, on the other hand, did not seem to have any of the patience which Merlin had learned over his long life. She cleared her throat harshly and, when the man continued to ignore her, spoke harshly and without forgiveness.
"Mr Olivander, what reason could you possibly have for ignoring the noble house of the Malfoys?!"
The man, Olivander, for it seemed that the family was still the owners of the wand shop, turned towards Narcissa with what appeared to be an amused smile on his face. Merlin found himself respecting the old man, even if he was still his junior by centuries. It took a fair amount of courage to stand up to an agitated Narcissa. Merlin even found himself wondering what house the man had been in. He could have been in Ravenclaw, for his knowledge, but from what he had seen, he could equally have been in Gryffindor for he did not seem to be lacking in courage.
"Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy. Oak and Unicorn hair, fourteen inches. Sleek. Good for Transfiguration. Your husband, Lucius, Elm, Dragon Heartstring, eighteen inches."
Merlin almost laughed. The man seemed to identify people by their wands. He vaguely wondered how he would be identified but decided that there was no real reason to risk discovery in order to find out. For all Merlin knew, Olivander might just recognise the Sidhe Staff for what it was.
"What can I do for the noble Malfoy household?"
If Merlin hadn't believed the old man incapable of it, he would have almost thought he was using sarcasm. Olivander sounded just like Merlin had whenever he had actually addressed Arthur by title. It was almost as funny to watch someone else do it as it had been to do himself.
Narcissa seemed to have sensed Olivander's sarcasm for she glared at him for half a minute before once again clearing her throat. "I am here to purchase a wand for my son Draco."
To Merlin's delight, the old man seemed to brighten at the statement, causing him to seemingly forget the 'nobility' of the Malfoys and instead focus in on Merlin and Draco. He looked between the two of them quickly and then turned around and disappeared into the back of his shop. Merlin could hear a loud banging and one incident which sounded suspiciously like a shelf had fallen on him, but the old wizard quickly returned, unscathed by whatever had happened. He clutched two boxes in his hands, then he passed them to Merlin and Draco. Merlin stared at the box, mentally kicking himself. Of course Olivander was going to assume that he needed a wand, he was a first year just like Draco.
Draco, on the other hand, had eagerly pulled out a pale elder wand. Merlin eyed it. It didn't feel like the right sort of wand for the boy he knew. Olivander seemed to feel the same thing. "Wait." His voice was barely more than a whisper. Merlin held back a laugh. It was as if the old man was trying to make himself seem intimidating and mysterious. The man grabbed the box that Merlin had been gingerly holding and swapped it for the wand in Draco's hands. Draco looked disappointed for a moment but opened the new box anyway.
Merlin examined Draco's new wand. It felt like a much better fit for Draco. It appeared to be made of Hawthorn, and Merlin thought he could sense that the core was Unicorn Hair. His suspicions were confirmed by Olivanders Mutterings.
"Eleven Inches, Hawthorn, Single Unicorn hair core, sturdy. Maybe, maybe."
When Draco just stared at the wand for a while, Olivander made as though to tell him to do something, but before he could, Draco had already waved the wand, pointing it in the direction of the back of the shop. At first nothing happened. Then a sort of silvery glow emitted from the tip, winding its way around the shop before returning to the bewildered child. Merlin had to hold back a laugh at his friend's face.
The old man, satisfied to have found a wand for his first customer, turned immediately to Merlin. He looked Merlin up and down, glanced down at the wand he was holding, then turned and ran off again.
"Wait!" Merlin called after Olivander, but it was in vain. The man was in an almost trance as he pulled boxes out of shelves, returning with about seven different boxes and placing them in a rather unsteady stack on his desk. "Um … Sir?" Merlin frowned. Was that what he was meant to call adults these days? He never really remembered.
"Yes Mr…"
"Emrys, Morynn Emrys. I don't need a wand."
"Don't need a wand?" Olivander laughed, "Everyone will need a wand."
"Well, yes." Merlin had to agree to that. After all, it was the only reason he had made himself learn how to use one of the blasted things. "But I already have one."
"Nonsense Morynn." Merlin sighed. Great. Now Narcissa was interfering as well. "There is no need for you to use an outdated relic just because it belonged to your family."
Merlin groaned inwardly. He had enough problems, but now he had to convince Narcissa to leave an already solved one alone. "Mrs. Malfoy, I would like to use my old wand. There is nothing wrong with it." Not to mention it's the only wand which won't blow up the moment I try to use it, he added silently.
For a moment Narcissa looked as though she was going to argue, and, in a panic, Merlin pushed his way into her mind (Urg, he hated having to do that). She blinked. Merlin had caused her to forget about the argument. In fact, he had convinced her that she had already bought Merlin a new wand. It was just easier than trying to argue with her. Throughout his time with the Malfoys, Merlin had learnt that all of them liked to get their way.
Draco flashed a grin towards Merlin as they left the shop. He knew perfectly well what Merlin had just done to his mother. Merlin had used the trick several times in their youth so they could get away with a bit more freedom than other children. Also, neither of them had wished to attend the dreaded 'brainwashing sessions' where they would learn how much better they were than everyone else. After all, they were purebloods. Merlin found that ridiculous, and Draco had stopped believing in the power of being a pureblood the moment Merlin had told him that his mother had been a Muggle.
They headed to Gringotts next. Merlin almost laughed as his eyes scanned the words which were engraved in silver upon the doors.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay dearly in their turn,
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
Merlin found it amusing. Especially since he had seen in the crystal visions that 'the chosen one' would one day steal from Gringotts. Although, maybe the bit about 'finding more than treasure there' was true, Harry would manage to come out with his very own dragon. Although it didn't matter now, it would in time.
Merlin followed Narcissa into the marble hall, walking side by side with Draco as he watched the goblins. He drew many looks, but the goblins did not allow themselves to stare at him for too long. Though he had hardly ever visited his vault. The goblins had recognised his magic from the moment he had entered Gringotts. The goblins respected him, and they were loyal. They may not like Wizards, but none of them seemed to hold any doubt that Merlin deserved their respect. He wasn't human anyway. Merlin was a creature of magic. As Arthur had told him, he was a monster. Though it seemed to emit him from being hated as a 'human' here.
The goblin that stood before them turned his eyes towards Merlin, seeming unable to look away even as he spoke to Narcissa. For her part, Narcissa didn't even notice. She was far too wrapped up in her own importance.
"We will be visiting the Emrys and Malfoy vaults."
"Lady Malfoy, it would be an honour to escort you to your vault however …"
"However what? Are you disobeying me goblin?"
"Never my lady. But the Emrys vault can only be entered by members of the family. It is one of the most guarded vaults in Gringotts. Even goblins do not enter that particular vault."
Narcissa glared at the goblin coldly, realising for the first time that she did not have the creature's full attention. She glanced at Merlin, and he refused to meet her eyes. He hoped that if he did not appear special in any way, then she would just overlook him. She turned back to the goblin, and Merlin let out a small sigh of relief. He noticed Draco sending him his version of an amused glance even though it looked more like an uncertain scowl.
"Very well." She snapped. "Draco and I shall visit our vault whilst Morynn shall be escorted to his own."
The goblin bowed to her. "It would be an honour Lady Malfoy."
He then summoned another goblin, who led the Malfoys away. Draco glanced back at Merlin, his look saying quite plainly that he would be expecting an explanation of what was so secretive that not even the goblins were allowed to see what it was.
The goblin from the counter now bowed to Merlin. "Lord Emrys, it is wonderful to see you again."
Merlin nodded slowly. He had never gotten used to these displays of servitude for he was far too used to having been the one to make them, no matter how long ago it had been and even if the man he had served now hated him.
The goblin lead Merlin into the caverns that stretched below Gringotts. But instead of leading him to the mine carts as all other wizards were taken, the old goblin lead him to the wall on the other side of the mine shaft. At first glance the wall was nothing special, indeed, even after careful observation it would have been near impossible for someone with new magic to spot it. But Merlin could feel the old magic in the wall and placed a hand on it.
From where Merlin's hand had touched the wall changed. The stone turned to a metal looking very much like gold and took the form of an ancient gilded door much like the one which had led into the throne room back in Camelot. Merlin pushed the door open and stepped inside. The goblin remained outside. Only Merlin could enter this particular vault because the old religion which saturated the air would attack anyone else who tried.
The vault did not have much in the way of money, or rather the artefact that were hidden within were so plentiful that they overshadowed the large, neat stacks of Galleons towered over smaller ones of Sickles and Knuts. Merlin went over to the stack and quickly sectioned off a portion of the money into a bag which he then hid in his coat.
Next he moved to the artefacts, humming softly to himself as he looked over the ones which he would most likely need in the upcoming year. The first thing he picked up was the Sidhe wand, but then he turned and picked up two scrying crystals, one for himself and one for Draco. He would need those. It wasn't as though he could just take a trip to the crystal cave whenever he needed to look into the future.
Finally he eyed the Cup of Life. He mentally debated whether or not he should remove it from the vault. He knew that the object was one of the ones which could allow Riddle to return, but something inside of him told him that he could not afford to leave it in his vault. After a moment more of deliberation, Merlin picked up the cup and placed it into the bag which he had used to store his money in earlier. It had an enlarging charm placed on the inside, so he didn't have to worry about the thing taking up too much space. He nodded to himself. He had everything he had come for. Now, he just had to go wait for the Malfoys to return from their vault. It was one of the ones hidden in the deepest parts of Gringotts, so he knew it would take them a while to return.
He left the vault and thanked the goblin for guarding what lies within it. He always did so. He found that very few wizards ever expressed their appreciation for how well the goblins guarded their belongings. As always, the goblin insisted that it was nothing before escorting him back to the main hall.
As Merlin stood in the corner of the hall, he noticed two figures had entered the hall. His magic twisted within him. The boy, looking even smaller than he truly was for he stood next to a half giant, was Harry Potter. Part of him wanted to go up to the boy and introduce himself right away, but Merlin shook his head. There would be time enough for that later.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and bit back swear words that hadn't been used since Camelot's era. Narcissa had somehow managed to sneak up on him whilst he was distracted by Harry. He turned to her, trying to keep his expression composed while Draco openly laughed at him from behind her.
"Do you have everything you need," Narcissa enquired, her eyes narrowed as she looked him up and down.
Merlin nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Narcissa turned and led them out of Gringotts, Merlin walking beside Draco.
"Can we go to the owl emporium first mother," Draco asked her politely. Merlin rolled his eyes. Draco was sucking up to the woman in order to coerce her into buying him something expensive.
It Worked. Narcissa glanced back and gave what was in Merlin's opinion [omit comma] a very creepy smile. "Of course, I would be delighted to buy an owl for both of you." Draco ginned at that and Merlin hastily told her that he didn't want an owl, but thanked her anyway.
When they got to the owl emporium, Merlin took a deep breath. The musty smell of the place, though not combined with the scent of herbs and potions, still reminded him of Gaius's chambers back in Camelot. Draco led Merlin deeper into the shop as Narcissa stopped to talk to the owner.
"So why don't you want an owl," Draco asked as soon as they were out of his mother's earshot.
"Huh? Oh, it's because I'm going to take Aithusa with me instead."
Draco frowned at this "How do you intend to manage that? Aithusa is huge. You'll never get her any closer than the forbidden forest."
Merlin nodded knowingly. "That may be true, but I'm going to use a spell to transform her into a cat. So long as she doesn't start talking, no one should know."
Draco nodded, accepting this without question. After all, he had seen what Merlin's magic could do. "Fine then, but you have to help me choose an owl. It'll probably be carrying the post for the both of us."
Ten minutes later, the three of them left the owl emporium carrying a large eagle owl. Draco had cheekily named him Kilgharrah, much to Merlin's amusement. They continued down the street [omit comma]visiting Flourish and Blotts, Potage's Cauldron Shop, and Slug and Jiggers Apothecary to buy all of their school supplies before finally arriving at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
Narcissa left them while their robes were being fitted. She said something about picking up an artefact from Knockturn Alley. Merlin's robes were fitted first, and, mercifully, the ordeal was over quite quickly. Merlin hated having to stand still for any period of time. Then it was Draco's turn. The boy was quiet whilst this was happening and Merlin found himself wishing he knew how to break the silence.
Just as he opened his mouth to ask Draco a question, the door to the shop opened. Just like at Gringotts, Merlin's magic swelled. He frowned. If this was going to happen every time he saw Harry, then there were going to be a lot of inconveniences in the upcoming year. He heard Madam Malkin address Harry as he came in.
"Hogwarts dear? Got the lot here – another young man being fitted up just now in fact." Merlin snorted. The woman obviously didn't know who Harry was. Now that he had the chance to get a better look at the boy, Merlin could see that Harry was very thin and had dark hair. Merlin's eyebrows rose. The boy looked an awful lot like him, just with glasses and a scar.
Harry went up to stand next to Draco on a footstall, and, to Merlin's amusement, Draco started talking to Harry. Merlin smirked. Was he the only one who realised who Harry was?
"Hullo," Draco said "Hogwarts too?"
"Yes."
"My mother's off getting relics. I don't know where Morynn went, but I'm going to drag the two of them off to go look at racing broom next. I don't get why first years aren't allowed them. I think I'll convince mother to buy me a racing broom. I can smuggle it in somehow." Merlin got this awful feeling that whatever Draco's plan was, it would probably involve him using magic to brainwash the teachers. "Have you got your own broom?"
Merlin got the feeling that Harry wanted to be anywhere so long as it was nowhere near Draco.
"No," Harry said simply
"Play Quidditch at all?"
Merlin felt like laughing. Harry looked even more confused now, he probably didn't know what Quidditch was.
"No," The boy answered again.
"I do. Father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house, and I must say, I agree. Know what house you'll be in yet?"
Merlin winced. He had tried his best to help Draco, and he was much better than he could be, but he still had a lot of that Pure Blood arrogance. It was in his blood, pun not intended.
"No." Harry seemed as though he wanted to disappear now. He wasn't really having much luck at an interesting conversation with Draco.
Merlin walked up to them, choosing to save Harry the humiliation of a further talk, and Draco from looking like an absolute git in front of the boy.
"Hey Draco."
Draco glanced over at him. "Oh, there you are Morynn." He nodded his head towards Harry. "I was just talking to him, he's going to be in our year at school."
Merlin nodded, then decided to let Draco in on why the situation was so funny. "Of course he's in our year Draco, that's Harry Potter."
Both the boys went pale but for totally different reasons. Harry was shrinking further into his seat, obviously hating the attention. Not like Arthur then, Merlin mused. Draco seemed to have realised he had been being rude to the boy that he knew Merlin was going to be protecting at school.
Draco looked over at Harry. "Sorry about that." He mumbled, Draco hated apologising. "I was a bit rude."
Merlin waved his hand, not giving Harry a chance to reply. "Doesn't matter Draco. We need to go." He frowned, remembering Draco's earlier conversation. "But if you do get Narcissa to buy you a broom, I'm not sneaking it into Hogwarts."
Draco glared at him, his expression saying very plainly that had been his plan. Draco sighed. "Fine, but you have to make it up to me."
Merlin nodded. Draco stepped down from the footstall, and the two boys went over to the counter to pay for their robes. Merlin glanced back at Harry once before leaving the shop with Draco to go look for his mother.
