Once Dumbledore had finished his speech with the only interruption being Umbridge the students began to file out and Merlin stood to follow. It was then that he realized he had never asked Professor McGonagall to show him to his room.
The warlock slowly navigated through other teachers until he happened upon the transfiguration professor. Then he tapped her shoulder causing her to spin around quickly looking rather irritated.
"I'm Marvin Emrys." He introduced himself shoving a hand into her face.
McGonagall shook his hand and said, "Minerva McGonagall pleasure to meet you. I suppose you'd like to see your room now."
"It can wait if you aren't done here," Merlin said gesturing to Flitwick with whom she'd been speaking to when he'd arrived.
The two exchanged significant looks which he knew meant they didn't trust him enough to continue their conversation in front of him. Finally, McGonagall said, "No we were just finished here. Also I'm sure your trip has exhausted you."
Minerva McGonagall led the way and soon Merlin found himself in front of a portrait of a half constructed Hogwarts from so very long ago. The warlock smiled lovingly at the painting that he could still remember having commissioned and turned to the woman besides him.
"The current password is vord rolett in order to change it just tap the back of the painting three times with your wand and state your new one."
As she said the password the portrait swung open revealing an entrance.
"Thank you Minerva." Merlin said as he stepped into his room. As he turned to leave Merlin decided to risk drawing even more attention to himself by asking, "Do you happen to know what the sorting hat was talking about back there?"
McGonagall froze for a minute before saying, "You mean that stuff about a fifth founder? No clue, do you know?""
Merlin grinned a little at her deflection and replied, "Well I imagine that bit means there was a fifth founder. What I was asking about was the part about deadly foes and being protected."
"Voldemort has risen I imagine most would consider him a deadly foe," She replied before stalking off.
Turning to the portrait Merlin called the man in charge of construction to the front. It was a short stout man named Henry that Merlin remembered well from the time of the founders.
"Ahh Mason" the man yelled exuberantly, "I've missed you."
"Hush old friend," Merlin insisted, "It's Marvin now and we've never met."
"Fine," The painting grumbled before asking, "What did you want then?"
"As you know I haven't got an actual wand so I was wondering if you would change the password for me." Inquired Merlin.
"Sure, what'll it be this time?" Henry said.
"Aithusa," Merlin told him. "Maybe it will remind me to check up on her. We haven't been in contact since I left Romania."
"Aithusa it is then." The magical painting told him before gently closing him in his room.
Merlin began to unpack his belongings by hand having missed the muggle way of doing things. The physical toll had a relaxing affect on the warlock. Once Merlin had everything where it belonged he made his way towards the great hall.
Upon arrival Merlin was delighted to find the room empty except for the occasional house elf, all of whom gave Merlin the upmost respect. Ignoring the bowing elves Merlin placed his hands on the cold stone floor and began to chant.
"Wardiau o Hogwarts cryfhau, adeilad fod yn gryf."Merlin finished the incantation and pulled his glowing, golden hands off of the floor.
As Merlin started down the hall to his next destination he began to test the new and improved wards he had set for Hogwarts. Upon finding them satisfactory Merlin repeated the same process at the schools highest point, the astronomy tower, and began to make his way to the lowest point, Snape's classroom in the dungeon. That would be the last place the wards updates required him to go and then he could return to his room.
However before Merlin could reach his goal a cold hard voice interrupted him, "Mr. Emrys what are you doing down here at this hour?"
"Hello Severus," Merlin said even as he checked on his occlulmency. I got a bit lost in my explorations."
Snape looked at the other man suspiciously but seeing nothing said, "I think you'll find your rooms are in the other direction."
"Thank you," said Merlin as he turned to make his way out of Snape's sight all the while cursing the man with terms outdated by several centuries.
Once he was around the corner Merlin muttered the spell to become invisible, "anweledig." Then he started back towards Snape's classroom. There he set the last of the wards meant to protect the school from anything Voldemort might throw at it.
Happily, Merlin skipped out of the dungeons and dropped the invisibility charm halfway to his room. The prospect of a nice warm bed excited him not because he was tired from the huge amount of magic he'd used but because it had been a long day of excitement and he wasn't as young as he used to be. However before Merlin could get back into his room's another voice stopped him.
"You're back!" it cackled and Merlin looked up to see Peeves. The young poltergeist hadn't been there last time Merlin had come to Hogwarts but he'd obviously heard of him.
"Quiet," Merlin commanded and with a snap of his fingers the ghost's throat was constricted. "You will make no reference to my age, previous years spent here, or my various names, do you understand?"
Obviously not paying attention to what had been said Peeves began to nod and once his throat was unstuck said, "Yeah, uh-huh."
Merlin could tell that his words hadn't stayed with the Poltergeist and his eyes glowed gold as he commanded, "You will obey me."
"Yes Sir," Peeves said only slightly sarcastically.
"Peeves, I can make your life very, very difficult." Merlin said. "If the Bloody Baron listens to me that should be a sign that so should you."
The ghost nodded looking much more sincere since Merlin had opened his wards a little to show the power he possessed. Then as the poltergeist began to slink off Merlin had an idea.
"Peeves," he called and when the ghost turned to face him he added, "Umbridge had very weak magic, almost a squib level. Thought that be useful if you ever get bored."
Peeves shot off down the hallway singing a parody to the tune of La Cucaracha. "She's got no magic, she's got no magic, and she has barely any power."
Now standing alone in the hallway Merlin was overcome with a bone deep weariness. Though he wanted to take a shortcut and apparate into his rooms he remembered that normal wizards couldn't do that on school grounds.
After finally making his way back, Merlin flopped on his back to rest for his first day of teaching tomorrow.
