This time not updating isn't my fault guys! We moved and my dad refuses to get internet and if I manage to post this its probably because I'm stealing internet from some random house. Sorry for the wait! Here you go!
Arthur paced back and forth in his room. Merlin bit his nails and anxiously tapped his foot on the ground rapidly waiting for something to happen. Occasionally Arthur would stop and look at him but he would always continue to pace afterwards. Sighing, the blonde finally stopped and loosened his crossed arms. Merlin stopped tapping and looked up at the prince. Ex-prince. Merlin corrected himself. Arthur took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by Hermione.
"Merlin?" She popped her head through the doorway shyly, "Ginny and I want to ask you a couple of questions if that's alright? I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
Merlin glanced at Arthur, who hand his hand out as if Hermione had stopped him midsentence, and quickly shook his head no. If Arthur truly needed to speak with him, they would have plenty of time later. Arthur's glare went unnoticed by Merlin and Hermione, leaving the ex-prince infuriated.
MEANWHILE…
Hermione smiled at Merlin as she led him into Ginny's room. He entered the small room slightly disappointed. He'd expected a bigger bed than his and a closet the size of his room; instead he found the room to be slightly smaller than his.
"What is it that you have to ask?" Merlin pressed sensing the girls' nerves building. Ginny shut the door and walked across the room to Hermione who'd sat down on the bed.
"Is Arthur… you know…" Ginny started, forcing a smile when Merlin shock his head confused.
"Is he engaged?" Hermione asked quickly.
"No," Merlin smiled trying not to laugh at their nervousness, "Is that all you wanted to know?"
"No!" Ginny shouted taking a step forward. Merlin took a step closer to the door just in case she'd react this way to everything he asked.
"Are you two together?" Hermione asked motioning Ginny to calm down.
"No," Merlin forced a chuckle, "Arthur would never date a servant like me!"
"But he does like you? As more than a friend?" Ginny asked looking out the small window. Merlin had originally thought it to be a window.
"N-No. Why-Why would you think that?" Merlin scoffed crossing his arms uncomfortably. He was telling the truth but for some reason he felt like he was in Camelot Lying to Uther and taking the fall for Arthur again. Hermione's stare pierced right trough him much like Uther's did.
"But he does like men. You know that for a fact?" Hermione pushed.
"I don't know. I'm not sure. What? Why are you asking this? From me? Why not ask him yourself?" Merlin asked, uncrossing his arms.
"Did you think we were going to ask about how he looks underneath the clothing? That would inappropriate and…" Ginny turned to Merlin blushing, "Why ask when he's outside shirtless right now!" Hermione rushed to the window and looked down.
"Is that Ron?" she exclaimed.
"And Harry!" Ginny giggled.
"Does Harry like men?" Merlin asked. Ginny turned to him with her eye brows raised.
"No! Why? Do you like him? Harry is mine! Once he realizes that Cho is useless compared to me." She said as a matter-of-factly.
"I'm sorry. Forget I asked. Excuse me." Merlin opened the door and began descending the stairs. Hermione ran up behind him and grabbed the elbow of his shirt.
"Do you think he is?" Hermione whispered, "Harry, I mean."
"It's not my place." Merlin mumbled.
"I think." Hermione paused, "I think he maybe. Not for Ron but for-" Ron burst into the house, hair wet and around his shoulders. Hermione took a deep breath and held it.
"'Mione! Arthur is showin' me and Harry how to fight with a sword!" He smiled panting, "It's brilliant!"
"I think its dangerous and stupid when would you ever need to use a sword to fight? We have wands for a reason Ron, Right Merlin?" Hermione turned to the wizard smiling awkwardly.
"Yeah! I think I hear Arthur calling me. Ron Hermione has something she needs to talk to you about! Don't worry about putting your shirt back on though I'm sure she won't take that long!" Merlin smiled and fast walked outside. Hermione gaping at him as he left.
"What is it?" Ron asked innocently. Hermione smiled at him attempting to hide her blush.
OUTSIDE
"Harry!" Merlin ran up to him and leaned to whisper in his ear, " Ginny wants to see you in her room real quick. And by the way she doesn't like Cho very much." Harry nodded.
"Why? She's nice, nicer than Draco that is." Harry turned to the blonde, "I'll be back soon Arthur!" and jogged back inside.
"What? Tired already?" Arthur turned to find Merlin scratching his head.
"Yeah. Um. Ginny wanted to talk to him. And Hermione is talking to Ron." Merlin smiled quickly then turned to leave.
"Are you planning on ignoring me the entire time?" Arthur asked throwing his sword into the ground. Merlin turned to him shrugging.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Alright. Out with it what did I do this time?" Arthur removed his gloves and threw them aside. Merlin remained silent. "I saved your life-"
"Didn't ask you to." Merlin replied. Arthur scoffed.
"Fine. Next time I'll let Henry kill you." Arthur spat. " You know you are the least grateful person I know. "
"I am grateful." Arthur walked up to him, eyebrows furrowed. Merlin tilted his head slightly, "Thank you for saving my life, I owe you."
Arthur nodded, "You can pay me back by explaining to me why you are refusing to spend more than five minutes alone with me."
"You're imagination is getting you"
"My imagination is just fine. You're the one acting strange. What's wrong with you? Are you ill?"
"I don't know-"
"Of course not Merlin, you don' know anything!" Arthur turned away towards his sword.
"Why did you save me?" Merlin asked. Arthur turned to him.
"What?"
"You treat me like nothing but a useless servant. Why did you save me?"
"I don't know." Arthur looked down at his hands.
"Then why do you care what I do? I'm just Merlin the big idiot! I came back for you and." Merlin stopped and shook his head, "I doesn't even matter, cause if I do find a way to get you back to Camelot, I'm moving or better yet, I'll just stay here."
"Merlin., I-"
"Ey Arthur!" Ron waved his hand in the air, Fred and George appearing next to him.
"Your knights in training await you, sire." Merlin said bitterly and walked back into the house.
"Ron, what was that back there with Hermione? Looks like she's had her eyes on more than just her study books." Fred and George said in unison.
"Whuat?" Ron looked at them stupidly confused.
"If you plan you get a girlfriend," Fred started.
"You need to" George continued.
"Pay Attention!" They said in unison. "See yeah little brother." Then, they were gone.
"I hate it when they show off." Ron grumbled. Harry joined Ron outside.
"I think Ginny likes me." Harry stated confused.
"She's liked you since second year Harry! Have you really not noticed?"
Arthur sighed looking at the two. His knights in training, Merlin. "Why don't we take time off?" He smiled lightly then put his sword away.
"Mail's here!" Harry ran inside seeing the old owl heading for the kitchen window. Arthur and Ron joined him.
"Looks like it's from school. Oh look! It appears as though Dumbledore was expecting you and Merlin. Here. Your class list and what you'll be needing." Ron's mother handed Arthur the papers.
"If you need money I have some I can let you borrow." Harry offered.
"Harry's rich! He's got more gold than I do." Ron bragged. Arthur nodded thankfully at Harry.
"Ron! He's coming! He's coming!" Ginny ran to him screaming.
"Bloody hell!" Ron read the letter Ginny handed him smiling. "My brother from Romania is coming!" Arthur's eyes widened, worried there would be no room for another person.
