I AM SORRY. Okay- so from here on out I cannot promise when and updates will come, but I will get at least 2 out a month for sure. I really tried but I am swamped in my final year at school, and work, and sleeping- Seriously, someone forgot to mention how much this year takes out of you! I am also going for my N test soon, so I have been driving like mad in my spare time- wish me luck for it anyways. Also to be fair, my chapters are a fair length (I try to keep them around 3000 words) so forgive me?!

I promised action, so does introduction to where the action is going to be count?! A tidbit to the real fun that is going to come up later on I guess you could say. Anyways, after the next chapter I'll be updating a little wonky- albeit in my speech it means that I will try to get at least 3 to 4 chapters in a month, but the exact time of each is not guaranteed. I will be going into my final term of high school and I have to focus on keeping up my grades so that my university decides that my average is no longer high enough to attend! Anyways- this will pretty much be the final part of the backstory/ Merlin learning about the new world. Be warned, I am going to change some things from the original Merlin and Harry Potter stories to fit my work, so if you don't like then I apologize but it shall stay!

Allon-sy!

Merlin POV:

Founded at the turn of 1000 A.D. (though the precise date is unknown) Hogwarts brought about a new era in which truly made magic its own division from the lifestyle of 'muggles.' It not only allowed children a safe environment in which to learn and develop their magic, but also taught control- allowing witches and wizards alike to hide from fearful witch hunts and use their magic to build stable lives for themselves. The founding of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was the greatest settlement for magical folk since the days of an illustrious and mythical Camelot.

Documented work proves the existence of King Arthur Pendragon, Queen Guinevere Pendragon, and the unparalleled power of Merlin Emrys which brought about several lifetimes of magic and non- magic folk co-existing peacefully side by side; however, a few generations after King Arthur's death, witch hunts began to tear the land apart and the people of magic once again fell into disarray and fear.

The beginning of Hogwarts would pave the way for an entire civilization of witches and wizards, including several branches of the Ministry of Magic, International Statute of Secrecy, and an established form of magic that became the norm and overtook the oppressed magic of our predecessors that was virtually uncontrollable.

Merlin's eyes hurt; the kind of pain that reminded him of when he tracked across the perilous lands to retrieve a life- sucking bracelet from a certain blonde prat. All he had gotten from that journey was a bruised body and an abnormal amount of sand- scorched eyeballs. Not to mention the entire meeting with the Fisher King. That had left him with a big headache and so much to think about that he had taken several weeks before it had virtually commuted into something he could even begin to fathom.

Merlin felt as if he was facing the exact same dilemma now.

Left to his own in the burrow, he had quietly extracted himself from the chair, and had gone virtually unnoticed the only unoccupied corner of the Burrow. It was for a few reasons:

1. He no longer wished to endure the stares of the counterparts who also shared the room

2. Harry, Hermione, and their friend who had learned was named Ron had disappeared shortly after sending him some narrow- eyed glances.

3. He had quickly come to the conclusion that Molly Weasley was worse than Guinevere and his mother combined when it came to forcing food down his throat; and:

4. A large and rickety book shelf had caught his eye.

Warm wood was sanded down with age and wear, slightly stooped under the sheer number of books that was piled on each shelf. There was no rhyme or reason to the collection- some were cooking books; another was "Lockhart's Guide to deal with Household Pests." A thick volume labeled "Hogwarts: A History" had caught his eye, the memory of it being mentioned several times during his interrogation had caused Merlin to develop a healthy curiosity about what exactly a 'Hogwarts' was.

After reading the first paragraph, a coppery taste worked his way into his senses, and he wiped his hand across his mouth. Several smears of red greeted his eyes, and his own blood just caused the numbness to be even more real. Without thinking about it, his eyes flashed and the small tears on his lips healed.

Merlin had always known that Arthur would be a great king, renowned by all- and that together an age of prosperity and peace would be wrought to the people of Camelot. Surely, this passage proved that he would find a way to return home, and that Arthur would accept magic, accept him. The very thought made Merlin giddy, by the knowledge that all the sacrifices that had occurred in the years that Merlin had served Arthur would still not stretch for eternity was a little painful.

Idly stroking the strange texture of the pages in the book, he stared off unblinkingly out of the window. Disappointment thrummed through him that the two- sides of humanity couldn't learn to work together, as a whole for the benefit of all. At the same time, there was a guilty relief. No longer would his people be exiled without a hope for shelter. There was now an entire world dedicated just for his kind, with its own justice and sense of order.

This had been his and Arthur's destiny all along- to inspire the future generations to devise this plan which would allow a peaceful- if separate- works in the future.

Merlin guessed that counted for something.

Raising his gaze back to the bookshelf, a clean line of brightly bound books caught his eye. Unlike the rest of the shelves, this was organized and burnished clearly. They looked like well- loved, and important beyond symbolic value. Each cover was embellished with a bright gold sheen, trimmed in a very familiar, Pendragon red. There were 5 of them, roughly around the same size and lay in the dead center of the bookcase. Merlin was surprised that this hadn't been the first thing his eye had been drawn too, though to be fare it was a bit below his immediate eye- level.

Sliding a 'Hogwarts: A History" back into its proper spot, he reached out a long- fingered hand and brushed the spines, a warm tingle of energy responded with a warm acknowledgment, it gave him a deep feeling of home- sickness and comfort, which overall left him in a rather strange mind-set.

A shadow fell across Merlin, and he turned to see Harry and Hermione standing with sheepish expressions. In the background Ron was arguing with his mother about potato peeling.

Hermione brushed past Harry to stand a little tentatively at Merlin's side, but her posture became more business-like (which reminded him of Arthur dealing with visiting nobles) when she saw what he was looking at.

"Oh! The Arthurian Fables!" she exclaimed.

Merlin felt his jaw drop, "The what?"

Harry POV:

Harry pushed his chair away from the table turning to share looks with Hermione and Ron, and silently they headed outside. He quickly took the natural lead, and Harry tried to keep his thoughts lax as the ground stooped softly underfoot.

He stopped at the border of the fidelius charm, and narrowed his eyes against the brightness.

The fields of wheat ran on far, swaying in a warm breeze across the achingly familiar and homely landscape. It was so serene, beautiful and endless; the burrow sat in the center of the rolling hills of green.

This was what Harry craved- a simple life where he could be around people who cared about him and not his name. A life where he was expected to do nothing more than chip into the chores of life, he could use his magic freely, not for defense of loved ones or himself.

A hand on his shoulder jerked him from his self- induced panic state, and Harry turned to face the concerned eyes of Hermione.

"I'm afraid." She whispered, Ron standing stoically behind her- though his shifting from foot to foot belayed his nervousness.

"What if Merrick was a test of Voldemort's- not that he was sent by him," Harry added hastily as Ron opened his mouth looking mutinous "but a test of a new spell he found that is so powerful it overrides ministry protection, and Merrick was just a vessel used. How can we fight that?!"

Ron roughly gripped his arm, shaking him a little. "Listen mate, calm down okay? Vold- Damn it! You- Know- Who is powerful, we already got that down; but if Merrick was a test, then wouldn't he need to get him back to see exactly how the spell worked? Sending him through to test a spell would be pretty useless if they wouldn't be able to check the results, right?"

It was one of those rare moments, when the sun hits the sloping curve of the earth at the exact right angle, and for a single second- everything is illuminated in balance with what makes it opposite. Despite the fact that Ron could be pig- headed, and act quickly in moments of passionate anger, he had rare moments that allowed him to detach from those who tended to over- analyze. He saw the world just as it was, and it was a talent that was taken for granted.

So when Harry and Hermione gaped at him as the sheer obviousness of the situation hit them, they couldn't help but share in one of those moments where they became three friends, standing on a patchy lawn in the eye of a lidless sun, and created the greatest moment with joined laughter.

Eventually they sprawled across from one another, and Harry was reminded greatly of spending afternoons in Hogwarts under their favourite beach tree. Unfortunately it also brought Harry back to the present, and the task that loomed ever closer- the search for the Horcruxes. Tucking his chin on his knees, he fixed his friends in a serious grasp.

"Listen, I know I said you could come with me, but I think you guys should stay here. I know that it would make Ms. Weasley feel better, and Hermione- don't think you can fool me, I know how much you want to return to Hogwarts."

Hermione rolled her eyes and tutted impatiently. "And I know how sick of this ridiculous argument I am getting. We are coming Harry James Potter- best get over it." She sniffed.

Ron echoed a muffled hear hear, his nose turned in the direction of the smell of wafting dinner.

"While we're on the subject of arguments!" Hermione overrode Harrys protest loudly. "Merrick is not under immediate suspicious, but I do however think there is something he is not telling us. He seemed too knowledgeable in areas he shouldn't have been, but conveniently claimed ignorance when we asked for answers. I think we should try talking to him again. It might be easier if there isn't an angry pack of wolves surrounding him this time."

"Yea, he seemed a little shifty." Ron agreed readily.

Harry rolled his shoulders and stood. "Fair enough."

The three of them vacated the flattened patches of grass and made their way back inside, blinking against the sudden darkness that accompanied the light change.

The first thing that greeted them was a waving potato peeler, "There you are! I have been up to my elbows trying to get dinner together- lord knows I didn't expect the time to fly by so fast during the talk," Mrs. Weasley looked harried, and she grabbed onto Ron's arm and ordered "Peel the rest of these."

Leaving him to argue with her, Harry and Hermione made their way over to the tall, lanky figure of Merrick where he was surprisingly standing next to the forlorn bookshelf. Harry watched as he reached out a hand, and brushed it along the Arthurian Fables- and shiver ran up his back.

"Oh! The Arthurian Fables!" Hermione exclaimed happily, as she went to stand by Merricks shoulder. He turned to face them sharply; his strangle blue- gold eyes flashing with shock.

"The what?"

Merlin POV:

"Every wizarding family has a copy of them. They're a symbol of our historical roots and magical growth, representing where the first real functioning wizard society began, and the majour influences that shaped it."

Merlin's original thoughts that Hermione seemed intelligent were confirmed, as she sprouted a stream of eloquent knowledge that Gaius would have been proud of.

"I've never heard of them." He responded quietly, hoping it would prompt her into continuing. In the background Merlin noted that Harry looked a little miffed, as though this hadn't been the plan when they had come to talk to him. He suspected further questioning- as it would have been what any leader with half a brain would have done.

His luck had decided that it had abandoned him long enough, and it answered his pleas for more insight into what had happened to Camelot and Arthur.

He listened as she quickly launched into a full-fledged history lesson about the beginning and ending of Camelot, while Harry drew up a chair and lounged. Merlin took little notice of him, his eyes fixed on Hermione's passionate animation- though inside he felt cold.

"Well no one really knows much about Camelot before King Arthur- except it wasn't a very good place. The majour texts of Camelot were destroyed with the loss of the castle, and what is generally referenced too comes from the main court advisor of King Arthur, who apparently closely knew the Merlin!"

Merlin internally cringed, from the way people used his name to curse of express themselves, and the brief mention in the earlier text he had read- he had gathered that his exploits were apparently heard of. However he was daunted by how… grand they made him seem. He was nothing special, a little unique perhaps when it came to magic- but Merlin considered himself to and below average. His adventures were only heard, guessing by what Hermione had just said, because Gaius had taken it on himself to make Merlin a memoir.

He had no idea if he wanted to hug or strangle the old man.

"King Arthur was inspired by Merlin, his closest friend and advisor," HAH "To integrate magic fully into society, where it was used alongside muggles. Unfortunately after the Battle of Limerall, all text about Merlin just disappears- nothing is ever written about him again. Some think he died, others speculate that he never actually existed, and Merlin was a pseudo- name for a cult or really power witches and wizards, because the idea of the amount of power Merlin possessed his uncanny. Still, most people believe he did exist. It is said that Merlin's greatest enemy, Morgana disappeared around the same time also. It would lead to the several decades of peace until Mordred- her son, raised an army against Camelot and fought King Arthur at the Battle of Camlann. There they both dealt each other a mortal blow, and died on the battle fields… Merrick, are you okay?"

Merlin felt sick, pale and clammy, he leaned over in his chair his arms wrapped around his torso. The phantom wound throbbed heavily and his vision blurred.

All record of him had disappeared.

Did that mean that he was never going home?

"I'm fine!" He choked out under the concerned gaze of Hermione, and curious expression on Harry's, "Just found it really interesting." The lie was weak, but Merlin couldn't think of anything better.

"Yes, well then…" Merlin's eyes flickered to Harry, and tried to focus on everything he had learnt about the boy. Lupin had stayed with him for a while at the table- filling Merrick in on everything he missed while his mum had kept him 'safe' from wizarding society. This debrief had also included a rundown of Harry and Voldemort. Merlin felt he had a pretty good idea of what exactly had happened between the two, the magic was simple for him- even if considered unconceivable nowadays. It also explained the dark threads that he had detected in the boys magic aurar when he had first probed.

He felt for the plight of the wizarding society- truly and honestly; but all Merlin wanted to do was return home. He remembered how his magic had flared out when the sand had torn away his destiny and future, how the golden threads had clung to anything close and strong enough to tether him to home- and how the anchor had just been ripped away with him.

Suddenly a soft cry came from Harry, and Merlin leaned forward to place a hand on the boys shoulder as he almost fell out of his chair. Hermione gasped and kneeled beside him as he buried his head in his hands and shook.

Merlin could feel the dark threads swimming around him with agitation, because whatever was occurring was effecting the connection he had with them- with Voldemort. Despite the urgency of the scenario, it was quite and quick- the argument between Ron and his mother still dominating the attention of the few who remained on the first floor.

"Harry?! You said it had stopped!" Hermione reproached with worry, as Harry opened his green eyes blearily to meet hers.

"It had…" he mumbled, looking bewildered "I've never felt him like that before…"

"What happened?" Hermione whispered, looking terrified.

"He was.. Shocked, absolutely flabbergasted; but at the same time there was this… excitement, and… jealousy," Harry looked right into Merlin's eyes as he uttered the damning phrase that caused Merlin's already failing grip on the world to slip, and shatter. "All because of a woman, a woman he called 'My lady.'"

Chapter four- biggest writers block. I actually had written the beginning part with Merlin earlier on- but Harry was being a big bitch- excuse my language- ah screw it, I swear! Don't be too offended! Anyways, I left it at a cliff- hanger as to inspire myself to continue and quickly. If you have any questions, suggestions, feel free to leave it in the review section (as I do read them all) or just PM me! I am also without a beta, but I am not too concerned with that, and mistakes please just ignore- if there's a spelling error or mix up of a reference, I don't need it pointed out, it's an original story, just enjoy! Thank you 3 You guys are incredible!