Author's Note: So, guys, I finally got my thoughts together on this.
Many of you wanted to see exactly how Harry became Merlin, and for the life of me I've been trying to fit it into the fic without success.
So I made a decision.
I'm writing it as a prequel. It should be called "How Harry Became Merlin" But may also have another name. You can find it on my profile as it's posted now.It will be multi-chaptered as well, but obviously shorter, finishing when this story begins.
In that light, I'll also be re-writing the first chapter of this story to mesh better, but I'll let you know when that happens.
Thanks for reading, and as always, please review!
Chapter 9: The Secret Wears Thin
The door to the common room opened to reveal an angry Harry storming through. Hermione and Ron flinched before glancing toward each other, debating whether to approach their friend. Hermione finally sighed and headed for Harry. Ron followed.
"Harry!" she exclaimed. "What happened?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
Hermione folded her arms. "What did I say about keeping things from us?"
"Not now, Hermione!" Harry muttered and stomped up to his shared dorm.
"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed.
"Ron you've, got to go talk to him."
"What, me?"
"Of course, you. That's the boy's dorms. I can't exactly go up there, can I?"
"Well I'm not going up there."
Hermione folded her arms with annoyance.
"What? He'll murder me!"
"Harry's not going to kill you, Ron."
"He's Merlin, Mione. All he's got to do is blink and the room goes up in flames."
"Ronald Weasley, he is your friend."
"Fine." He muttered. "But if I die…"
"Then I'll expect another ghost as annoying as Peeves."
Ron glared before making his way up the stairs.
"Harry, come on, you've got Mione in a huff downstairs. Do you know how difficult she is to deal with when she's like that?"
Harry turned over on his side and put a pillow over his head.
"Not my problem." He murmured.
"Well, what is your problem?"
No answer. Ron sighed and sat on his bed.
"Fine, don't tell me. You haven't told me anything since you found out you're Merlin anyway." He muttered angrily.
Harry sat up and furiously flung the pillow, hitting Ron square in the face.
"Oi! What was that for?"
"That's a lie and you know it!"
"No it isn't. You always keep me and Mione in the dark."
"That's not true."
"Yeah? Well why did Hermione have to find out on her own that you were talking to a dragon in the Room of Requirement? She'll never say anything but it bothers her too."
Harry frowned. "I've told you about my past, Ron, but you and Hermione just get this look like I'm not me anymore, I'm someone else. I catch you giving me second glances in class or at dinner, like you're afraid I'll snap at any moment. You might not care when I do any old magic but as soon as I say anything that lets on that I'm Merlin you get nervous."
"That's not true." Ron defended meekly.
"No? Is that why you can't look at me when you talk, or why you're rocking back and forth to keep yourself steady?"
Footsteps sounded near the dorm. There was a click and Hermione stormed in.
"Mione!" Ron exclaimed.
"You were taking too long. Harry Potter, stop brooding and tell us what happened!"
Harry called his pillow back and stuck his head under it in avoidance. "No."
"Accio pillow." Hermione stated.
Harry's hand went to his night table for his wand, and searched unsuccessfully. He turned around, eyes golden. The pillow returned.
"Accio pillow."
Harry frowned angrily. "This is a boy's dorm, Hermione. Go away."
Hermione twirled her wand around, causing the pillow to rotate. "No."
She was met with a golden gaze. Ron backed up, but Hermione stayed steady, a smirk on her face.
"You're not going to use that magic and you know it. Now either you tell me what happened or I'll hex your pillow to smell like rubbish."
Harry yanked the pillow back with magic. "Give me that." He laid it on the bed and sat up. Hermione sat on the end of the bed, waiting.
There was a sigh. Golden eyes gleamed and an opaque shield appeared around the room before disappearing.
"Soundproof." Harry explained with a sigh. "I was trying to think."
Hermione held out her wand in warning.
Harry rolled his eyes. "It's Draco. He's threatened to tell the school and the ministry who I am if I so much as approach him anymore."
Ron frowned. "I always said he was a right git."
Harry glared.
"What? It's true." Ron protested.
"But I thought you were making progress?" Hermione asked.
"That's the thing. So did I. Now what am I going to do?"
Hermione's expression changed to genuine worry, while Ron muttered something under his breath.
"Just leave him." He said. "You've still got us."
Hermione rounded on him with a frown. "Ron." She said angrily. "Insensitive much?"
"I'm just saying…"
Hermione took Ron aside. "We might not like Draco but he's Arthur. King Arthur, Ron. They were best friends. Can't you give him that?"
Ron sighed. "Yeah, I guess."
Harry sighed. "I just wish I knew what was going on in Draco's head right now."
"Yeah, well, good luck with that." Ron muttered.
"Do you think that maybe…things went wrong?" Hermione wondered. "I mean with the reincarnation."
Harry propped himself against the headboard of the bed and glanced down at his feet before meeting Hermione's gaze again. "I was thinking that, you know, when you stole my pillow."
"You were having a pity party."
"I was not." Harry protested.
"Wallowing," she trailed off, "and fighting with Ron. I heard."
"I was thinking." He said with a sigh.
He caught Hermione's look. "Oh fine, I was trying to think."
Hermione put her wand away. "Harry…" she coaxed.
Harry took a deep breath. "The spell I used hadn't been attempted in years, and they didn't exactly have 'Troubleshooting for Warlocks' back then." He admitted.
"I've seen some books on reincarnation in the library." Hermione said. "I wonder if any of those would be helpful."
"There's only one way to find out." He jumped up from the bed and called his wand, turning to head toward the library.
"Wait!" Hermione said. "I'll help."
Harry shook his head. "Thanks, Mione, but I think I need to do this myself."
Hermione and Ron watched sadly as Harry left the room.
"No, no, not that one." Harry muttered, closing another book shut. "Ugh. I need access to the restricted section. Looks like I'll have to ask Albus."
Neville had been doing some research in the library when he heard Harry flipping through pages determinedly. The wizard had been making such noise that Neville had unintentionally spied to see what had Harry in such a huff, but now he too curious to leave. He tensed nervously as he hid behind the bookcase. Harry had just called the headmaster by his first name, and not only that, but what could be looking for this late at night?
Harry stormed out, leaving the library door to shut and Neville crept over to the book that Harry had been looking at. He skimmed the page, reading more slowly when he came to something interesting.
Many wizards over the years have tried to cheat death. The philosopher's stone can be used to create a potion which allows a witch or wizard to prolong their current life. Another method is enter one's own life into a contract in which they may be reborn. This requires a talisman called the Cup of Life, which has been lost since the time of Merlin. A third is a dark practice and not much is known, except that it involves the use of the killing curse.
Neville pulled back. Why would Harry be trying to cheat death? Was he worried about Voldemort killing him?
He heard someone enter the library again and scurried behind a bookshelf. It was Harry, with a determined look on his face. He handed the librarian a slip with what Neville presumed was Dumbledore's permission.
Mme. Pince allowed him in, directing him to a section of books at the back. Neville used the opportunity to slip into the restricted area. The librarian didn't seem to notice him as she left, and Neville breathed a sigh of relief.
He heard Harry muttering, and then going completely quiet. Neville could feel a magical presence in the room, but nevertheless, continued to move toward Harry. He stopped one shelf before his friend and moved a book slightly, glancing through the bookcase and toward Harry. He had to fight a gasp. His friend's eyes were blazing gold, like in charms so long ago. He nearly fumbled the book but caught it just in time and moved backwards.
Suddenly three books from around the restricted section flew into Harry's hands, and he laid them on the table. Neville unfortunately could not hold his disbelief and he gasped softly.
"Who's there?" Harry said, hyperaware. "Mme. Pince?"
No answer. Neville turned and covered his mouth as he whispered a soft charm that gave the appearance of the door swinging shut.
Harry breathed a sigh. "Oh." He said, before sitting down and perusing the first book. He sighed heavily when it yielded nothing. The second book read Reincarnation Basics. Harry sighed again.
"If only it were the basics I'm worried about." He muttered. Still, he figured he ought to have a look.
Harry relaxed a moment before the pages began to turn rapidly, finally pausing on one page that Harry settled down to read.
"Complications." Harry said aloud. "Right."
Neville attempted to move closer to see the page, but didn't want to risk Harry seeing him. Complications, though? With reincarnation? Why would Harry be looking for that?"
"Draco, you're a mess, but I don't know what's wrong with you." Harry muttered.
Well that was even more confusing. Was Draco the reincarnation of someone? And if so, who? Why would Harry care? There were just so many questions and Neville doubted he'd even hit the tip of the iceberg yet.
Harry slammed the book shut. "Of all the problems they hadn't thought of stubbornness." He said, opening the next one.
Draco was stubborn, Neville agreed. Wait. Was Harry the reincarnation of someone? He has been acting really strange lately.
Neville noticed how Hermione, Ron and Harry clammed up whenever any other student was around. What were they hiding? And Harry talking to the dragon – what did that mean?
Harry suddenly stood with shock and magicked the books shut, sending them back with a wave of his hand.
"Oh, Arthur…" He muttered. "You prat. You shouldn't have pushed the change, especially not with Draco."
He shook his head.
Neville blanched. Arthur? Why did that sound so familiar? And what was going on here? Was Draco a reincarnation of this Arthur person? And why would Harry care? Harry hated Draco, so why would it matter that he was…
And then a book just above his eyes caught Neville's attention. Arthur.
He allowed himself to read the rest of the title.
Pre-Arthurian Age: Prince Arthur & the Warlock Merlin
Neville began to shake, knocking the book to the ground in the process. He quickly picked it up, deciding to take it on a whim. I have to know.
Harry turned sharply, his eyes golden again. Neville felt a wave of magic hit him and he fell into the bookcase behind him. He quickly fumbled to his feet and managed to stumble his way to the door before Harry could round the corner. Neville grabbed his textbooks faster than he'd ever done and hoped to Merlin that he'd make it back before Harry.
It was late when Harry returned from the library. He suspected someone had seen and heard him scanning the books for answers, and worried about who it might be. A Gryffindor he could convince to keep it secret, but what if it was a student from another house? What if it was a Slytherin?
Harry put a hand to his face in aggravation. How could I be so careless?
An owl suddenly appeared at the window with a letter. Harry flipped it over with surprise and began to open it, pulling out the parchment. He read it quickly, before stuffing it back into the envelope.
"What did it say?" Ron asked, his voice sleepy.
"Just a message from Professor Dumbledore, Ron. Go to sleep."
"That sounds good," Ron agreed. "But you're telling me tomorrow."
"I promise." Harry said.
Ron finally stilled, his breaths deep and slow and Harry knew his friend had gone back to sleep.
Good, he thought. Now I can check on Draco.
Harry pulled out the Marauder's Map from his trunk and carefully pulled it open.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." He said.
Harry watched the ink spread out, and the moving footsteps around the paper. He directed his attention to the Slytherin common room. Draco was walking away from the dungeons.
Where's he going? Wait…what's the red sheen on his name?
There was minor cracks on the letters Draco Malfoy, making Harry suspicious. Did it have something to do with Arthur? There was only one way to check.
Harry found Gryffindor common room on the map and then moved his gaze to the dorm he shared.
There. Footsteps were perched where Harry imagined he should be, along with his name, but it was twitching oddly, almost covered in a golden sheen. He blinked and waited.
Suddenly his name crumbled, revealing Merlin in golden letters. It shone brightly before it quickly wavered and was rebuilt into Harry again, continuing the process.
Harry panicked. There was no way anyone could be allowed to see this. He never in a million years imagined it would be the Marauder's Map that would provide the means to identify him to the world.
Curiously, he glanced toward the Slytherin common room again. Draco's footsteps had disappeared from the dungeons.
Now where…?
He quickly searched the rest of the map, checking out floor by floor. He found Draco's footsteps wandering on the second floor corridor.
"Draco, what are you doing?"
He watched the footsteps curiously for the better part of an hour. There seemed to be no pattern. Draco appeared to just be walking indiscriminately. But suddenly the Slytherin student appeared on the seventh floor corridor: the one where Harry always spoke to the dragon. He saw Draco's name disappear off the map and his eyes widened.
"Great." He said with irritation. "Just great."
Draco's headaches were getting worse, as promised, but he stubbornly resisted the once-king inside his head.
Leave me alone.
I warned you. Arthur replied sadly.
"I'm not you!" Draco muttered to himself.
He picked up his wand angrily and headed toward the common room and out into the dungeons. With any luck, a walk would help him clear his head, but where to go? He wandered aimlessly through the castle for quite some time, not paying attention to his surroundings, before suddenly coming back to his senses in the seventh floor corridor.
Now what brought me here?
He had a very odd feeling about this place, which increased when a door suddenly opened out of nowhere. Draco was drawn to it, curious. He paused, wondering whose curiosity he was feeling. His head began to ache. Fighting back his apprehension, Draco took a step inside. The door promptly closed.
"You!" Draco exclaimed. "I should've known. I want nothing to do with you. I'm leaving."
He tried the door, but it was locked. Draco kicked it in anger.
There was a laugh. "Draco Malfoy. Your denial amuses me."
"Denial?" Draco repeated, moving away from the door. "I'm merely fighting an outside presence that wants to possess me."
More laughter. "You can lie to yourself, young wizard, but not to me. I have seen much over the centuries. I know who you are. It is you who does not."
"Why did you bring me here? To tell me more riddles?"
Kilgharrah's face turned serious at that. "No. Under the circumstances I felt it only necessary to warn you."
"Warn me? What? Are you going to threaten me if I refuse to become Arthur?"
"I don't need to."
Draco looked at all the dragon's sharp teeth and took a step back.
"My father will…" he said reflexively, but wondered what exactly his father could do against a dragon.
Kilgharrah had to hold back laughter at the attempted threat. "Your father is every bit the tyrant he was. It is good that he does not remember."
"Wait…are you saying that my father…?"
"Was Uther Pendragon, yes. It was very satisfying to watch him bow before that dark wizard. Finally met his match, it seems."
"Lies!" Draco exclaimed, pointing his wand at Kilgharrah.
"Your little stick of wood will not conjure up enough magic to hurt me, Draco."
Draco looked at his wand, distraught. "What do you want with me?"
"Yes, what indeed." Kilgharrah responded, creeping Draco out even more. "Your recent choices concern me."
"Why? They're my choices."
"Well it is Merlin's future you are toying with. You have threatened to reveal his presence in the wizarding world. This is a great grievance to me."
"What does it matter?"
"What does it matter?" the dragon roared.
Draco took a few steps back nervously.
"You have no idea of the forces you tamper with. It is not yet Merlin's time to be revealed. To do as such would be dangerous and foolish."
"What do I care? I'm a death eater."
"You are no more a death eater than I am a lizard."
"How do you know? Maybe I'll go and tell the dark lord right now."
There was laughter again, before it changed to anger. Kilgharrah bent down to meet Draco at eye level, and Draco stumbled backwards.
"There is more at work than just Voldemort's plans, young wizard. The time is coming where you must choose a side, and it will be soon."
He paused.
"Stand with Merlin and you will be protected. Stand against him..."
Kilgharrah's eyes shone. "Stand against him and I fear for us all."
With this Draco found himself thrown back into the hallway, the door disappearing behind him.
"Wait!" He exclaimed. "What does that mean?"
Realizing the door would not open again, he somberly made his way back to the common room.
Kilgharrah
I am busy, Merlin.
I can tell. Leave him alone.
I cannot.
Don't make me come up there.
There was a sharp snort. He must be told.
Told what?
There was no answer.
Harry pulled the map together frantically and began to change into his robes.
I have to go up there. Who knows what Kilgharrah is telling him?
There was a laugh in his head. I am only helping you, young warlock. Kilgharrah acknowledged. Draco needed to understand what is at stake.
Harry frowned. And what's at stake?
I believe you already know.
Harry swore he could hear a smile in that.
I'm coming up there. Harry thought.
Draco has long since left. You would do well to rest instead.
Harry sighed, knowing that once the dragon had his last word, there would be no more arguing. And maybe Kilgharrah was right, anyway. There was nothing he could do about Draco tonight, and he did need to sleep.
But he had to be sure. He skimmed the Marauder's map for Draco's name, and found him walking toward the dungeons again. Harry sighed.
"Mischief managed." He said, placing the map back into his trunk. Harry climbed back into bed and gingerly laid his glasses on the table. Soon after, he fell into a restful sleep.
A loud sound could be heard in the early hours of morning. Harry bolted upright, his hand out reflexively.
"It's your alarm." Ron muttered. "Not an attack on the castle."
Harry glared with mirth.
"Now turn the bloody thing off." Ron said with annoyance, his voice muffled through the pillow he'd placed over his head.
Oh, right. Harry remembered. He was meant to meet Dumbledore this morning. He grabbed his wand and whispered "Silencio." The sound stopped.
Harry rubbed his eyes, and finally managed to open them fully before putting on his glasses. The world came sharply back into view. This was definitely not one of the perks of being Harry. As Merlin he had perfect eyesight.
He groaned. Not a great thought to start the day with. He stretched for a moment before peeling himself from under the bedcovers and heading for the shower. Not long after Harry knocked on the door of the Headmaster's office.
"Sir?" He asked politely, should anyone hear.
"Come in, Harry."
Harry pushed the door ajar. He found Dumbledore sitting at his desk, a magnifying glass to his eye as he perused an old text.
"Ah, Harry!" He said happily, laying the glass down and standing up. "You received my message."
"Of course I did." He said.
Dumbledore chuckled.
"You said you needed my help?" Harry prompted.
"Yes. You see, in light of the events, I feel it only necessary to strengthen the school's outside defenses."
Harry folded his arms. "Makes sense."
"But in tearing down the spells, I've found some broken ones underneath – ones whose magic is unfamiliar."
Harry smirked. "Old magic." He said.
"Indeed. I'd hoped you could shed some light on the matter."
"Show me where the broken spells are, and I'll see what I can do."
Dumbledore nodded and led them out of the office.
"This binding spell is old, even for my time." Harry said. "Only a high priestess or priest would have known how to cast this."
"Can you fix it?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes." Harry said with a grin. "But I've got a better idea."
The headmaster tilted his head with curiosity.
Harry casted an illusory charm to prevent anyone from seeing or hearing the two and began to chant. "Onbinde galdor ældu."
Dumbledore could also feel the spell unbinding itself from the castle. He watched with restrained awe. Harry inwardly sighed. He'd never rid himself of the hero worship, no matter how well people knew him.
He took a deep breath. "Ámundae þes castel ond þára innan fram daru." His eyes lit with gold and he felt the spell spread outward through the castle. It took a few moments, but Harry felt the wards click into place. With satisfaction, he turned back to Dumbledore.
"Done." He said simply.
"The spell – what does it say?"
Harry grinned. "Loosely? Unbind the enchantment. Protect this castle and those within from injury or harm."
Dumbledore shook his head in disbelief. "You really are everything they say."
Harry smiled.
"There are many points in the castle that need this restructuring of spells."
"It's fine. I can do it." Harry said. "I don't mind."
Dumbledore smiled. "I'm sure you don't, but you have other things to worry about. I am not well learned in the old magics but I have dabbled."
Harry sighed and folded his arms, letting his years of knowledge take control. "I know what you want, Albus. I'll teach you. Let's go find another one, shall we?"
By the time for breakfast Dumbledore had managed to successfully replace two old magic wards. Harry left, confident that Dumbledore would have no issues replacing the rest. But now he was tired. Teaching was difficult, and he'd been in full Merlin mode all morning. He needed a break, just to be Harry for a bit.
He made his way to the Great Hall, but paused as Draco entered, not wanting to aggravate the Slytherin even more. Draco met his gaze sharply, and Harry sighed.
"H-harry?" Neville suddenly asked. "Something wrong?"
"It's nothing, Neville." Harry said. "Let's get something to eat."
"Oh. I heard that Dumbledore sent you a letter pretty late last night. What did he want?"
Harry pretend smiled. "Nothing really."
Neville looked at him oddly. "Then why would he send it so late?"
"It's Dumbledore." Harry said, as if that explained it.
Neville had given him a strange look before following him to the hall.
Harry tapped his fingers on the desk, bored. Potions had never interested him, unless required for a spell. He glanced down at the brewing cauldron and silently debated whether it was root of wormwood or leaf of foxglove that was supposed to make the potion work.
He sighed. "If only I'd actually listened to Gaius, I might remember some of this."
He nearly jumped out of his seat at the shadow that quickly appeared over his cauldron and looked up to face Snape.
"Perhaps you should focus more on studying and less on wishing you knew the answers, Potter."
Harry choked, words catching in his throat as they always did around the intimidating potions professor. Snape gave him a curious glare before walking away, and Harry wondered if Snape had heard him mention Gaius.
After he'd left the classroom, the grueling practical test finally over, Harry had immediately flipped through his potions textbook to the formula he'd been tested on, only to find in small letters at the top of the page, Gaius' name. He shut the book with a slam, eyes wide, and wondered if Snape would make the connection, or simply assume Harry remembered the name of the person who created the potion.
He sighed. Hopefully I'm worrying too much.
Snape sat in his office, looking oddly at the page with the potion he'd assigned for the practical.
Gaius.
The man had been a renowned potion-maker in the middle ages. So why had Harry been muttering his name during the practical?
"If only I'd actually listened to Gaius…" he'd heard. Was that a new slang way of Harry saying he wished he'd studied the potion?
Snape frowned. He didn't exactly keep up on slang but he knew that couldn't be right.
Did Potter know someone named Gaius who helped him with the potion before the practical? Snape frowned at how ridiculous that sounded. It was far more likely that Potter had asked a portrait of Gaius for help. But Snape was aware of nearly all the portraits in the castle, and as far as he knew, there were no portraits of Gaius.
He doubted he'd have even paid attention if it were the start of the year. Harry had been his usual self in potions, and Snape had no reason to think otherwise. But then Harry had corrected the formula in the textbook, and now he was muttering the names of the potion makers.
On top of that, Snape wasn't sure what was going on between Draco and Potter. The two had become tolerant of each other for a long time before suddenly the animosity between them rose to intolerable levels. They couldn't look at each other without anger, but the anger was restrained and seldom let out in childish comments.
It was frustrating. As head of Slytherin house, Draco was in his care, and Snape could still not figure out what was troubling the boy. Lately he had been sullen, withdrawn and angry. Given the re-appearance of the dark mark he might have suspected it was Voldemort-related but then Draco's odd behaviour had started long before that.
So he couldn't let Potter's mumblings go. He needed to find out exactly what this was, and he needed to find out soon, before it drove him mad.
"Hey!" Ron exclaimed, catching up to a fleet footed Harry in the corridors. "That potions practical was brutal. How'd you do?"
"Terrible," Harry said, "which is awful considering that the man who created the potion taught it to me years ago."
Ron froze a moment, not sure what to say to that, before a grin suddenly came over his face. "Wow, you really are bad at potions." He said.
Harry shoved him. Ron laughed.
"So, where have you been all morning? Too good for your friends now that you're a famous wizard?"
"Ron, I already was a famous wizard." Harry retorted.
"Yeah…right." Ron agreed. "I forgot that. I guess you were off doing Merlin y things."
Harry burst out laughing. "That depends on what classifies as 'Merlin y' things. I've been around the school with Dumbledore."
Ron frowned. "I know, but you never said why."
"He's asked me to..." He paused awkwardly. "...well, he's asked me to teach him how to repair the old magic enchantments that protect the school."
Ron stopped abruptly in the hallway, causing some third year students to crash into the back of him.
"Dumbledore's asking you for lessons? Blimey, Harry. He's Dumbledore! He's already like a bazillion times more powerful than most of the wizarding world!"
"Shhh! I get the point, Ron." Harry whispered. "And anyway, I could see the awe in his eyes when I repaired the enchantments, even though he tried really hard to hide it. I'm just getting so sick of people treating me like I'm a god not a person."
Ron shrunk back at that, wondering what to say. But Harry could tell that Ron wanted something.
"What is it, Ron?" he asked with a sigh.
"Well, um, Hermione was looking for you." Ron said. "She's reading ahead in charms and there's one spell she can't do."
"I'm surprised there's any she can't do." Harry said. "Let me guess...she wants my help?"
Ron nodded apologetically.
Harry frowned. "Right. Let's go then."
Classes had ended and Ron and Hermione decided to go to Hagrid's. Harry had opted out, wanting to be alone. He hated to complain, he really did, and most of the time Hermione and Ron treated him like Harry, but today had just been too full of hero worship for his liking.
The door suddenly creaked and Harry acted reflexively, with wand out. But he paused quickly as he realized who had entered.
"Neville?" He asked. "Sorry, I thought you were out for a while."
"H…harry?" Neville asked, backing away. "I saw you in the library last night. Y-you've been acting strange. Is there something…I mean…you looked like you needed help."
Harry raised an eyebrow, but inwardly sighed with relief that it was Neville who had seen him. "I'm fine. I just had to look up some information for Professor Dumbledore."
Neville swallowed in fear, refusing to meet Harry's eyes.
"Neville, are you sure you're okay?"
But Neville wasn't, not really. He stumbled, his eyes betraying the position of the book that had connected his thoughts. One of its edges peaked out from beneath the pillow. Harry's eyes followed and he walked toward it, gingerly pulling the book out.
He froze as he read it: Pre-Arthurian Age: Prince Arthur & the Warlock Merlin
Oh no…
"Listen, Neville, it's not what…"
"Don't lie to me." Neville said, his anger rising.
"Fine." He sighed, folding his arms. "Arthur's reincarnation isn't going well and I'm trying to figure out why."
Neville blanched at the confirmation of his thoughts.
Harry frowned. "That's what you wanted to know, isn't it?"
"So it's true." Neville said nervously. "You're Merlin. But then where's Harry? What have you done with him?"
Harry sighed. "It took me two weeks for this to properly sink in, Neville, but I am Harry. I'm Harry and I'm Merlin." He paused.
"I don't believe you." Neville said. "You're using his body and now you want King Arthur to possess Draco too!"
"No, Neville! You've got it all wrong. Merlin was reborn, and that was me. I didn't know. I only just remembered this year!"
"You're lying." He spat, holding out his wand. "Where is he? I don't care if you're the founder of the wizarding world. He's my friend and if you've hurt him…"
"I'm not lying, Neville. I'm really not." Harry protested with his hands out.
Neville flinched, knowing it only took a wave of the hand for this man to do magic.
"Bring him back." Neville said again, his voice wavering.
"I'm Harry, Neville. How can I prove it to you?"
Neville said nothing, just stayed in place, his wand out in fear.
"I've got an idea, but just…don't hex me, alright?"
The wizard in question acknowledged the response, but tensed with anticipation of an attack.
Harry knelt in front of the trunk, rifling through nervously. Neville watched, unable to help the curiosity that overcame him. Suddenly Harry found what he was looking for and hauled it out.
"Here." Harry said, offering Neville the map. "This is the Marauder's Map. I found it last year. It shows the location and identity of any person at Hogwarts. Open it and say 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good.'"
Neville took the map gingerly and opened it with one hand, his wand still out. Harry sighed and moved to open it, but he found a wand in his face. He sighed.
Neville used the wand to hold open the other end and said the phrase to unlock the map. He searched for the Gryffindor common room, finding his own dorm and looking at the footsteps. Harry was glowing gold, which he supposed didn't really mean anything. Then the name crumbled, and the name Merlin appeared, emitting a bright light from the map.
"How do I know that doesn't mean you're disguised as him?" Neville asked.
Harry began to look frustrated. "Disguised witches and warlocks just appear as themselves, not who they're pretending to be."
Neville faltered.
Harry saw this and continued. "Ask Hermione. Ask Ron. They'll tell you the truth. If I wasn't Harry, don't you think they'd have noticed? Don't you think Dumbledore would have?"
"You could be capable of anything if you're Merlin." Neville said.
Harry finally gave up, and then suddenly grinned. Laughter escaped and he fell back to his bed, unable to stop.
"What's so funny?" Neville asked.
Harry sat up. "Everyone else today, they just treated me like a god, like I was glass. I wasn't Harry, I was just Merlin. And you, you don't believe I'm Harry, but you're not awed, you're not scared, well, maybe a little, but you're worried about me and not Merlin. You're a good friend, Neville."
Neville stepped back, wondering whether the wizard had gone mad.
"Remember when I woke up and I'd tossed you back by mistake? I had a nightmare that night, and my magic was new again. I couldn't control it. You said you understood. Try to understand now."
Neville continued to hold the wand out, though his nerves were betrayed by occasional jitters.
Harry looked at his friend with what he hoped was the most harmless glance he could muster.
"Do you know how I found out? A book fell on my head."
"What?" Neville asked.
"Yeah. In the room of hidden things. It had old magic in it and it just attached itself to me again. I spent a while thinking how great the magic was and then I started to wonder why I even had it. I went back and found the book and I remembered. I didn't believe it myself for a long time. I didn't want it to be true." Harry said, his eyes glazing as he remembered.
"I'm the Boy Who Lived. I didn't want to be Merlin too. I was so afraid of the Ministry finding out that I had nightmares. And this reincarnation stuff…I'm new to it. It was a last resort; a hurried wish on the lips of a dying man…"
His monologue over, Harry turned to look at his friend. Neville was in awe.
"Don't look at me like that, Neville. Don't see me like everyone else does. I'm just Harry, just Merlin. Not the Boy Who Lived, not The Great Wizard; not either. I don't want to be an important famous wizard, I just want to be me. I always have."
Neville sighed. "I believe you."
Harry straightened with surprise. "You do?" He asked. "Why?"
"Because you sound like Harry." Neville said.
"Well, that's because I am. But I'm glad we finally agree on that." Harry said wryly. "You know, everyone thinks Merlin is an intimidating, powerful wizard. By description, that's true. But on first sight, it's not."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you want to see what I really looked like, Neville?"
Neville wondered what he was in for. "Um, okay?"
Harry breathed deeply. "Here goes."
Harry whispered something soft and foreign and his body began to haze over, as if fading in and out. He whispered something a little louder, and suddenly his appearance was overwritten by what seemed to be a projection but solidified. In his place stood a man with dark hair, blue eyes and sizeable ears, dressed in medieval attire. Neville noticed that the lightning scar refused to disappear, however.
"So, what do you think?" He said, his voice different.
Neville's eyes widened, and he promptly fainted.
Neville woke up on his bed in the dorms and glanced over toward the window. Harry sat, looking out the window in thought. Neville froze. Harry was emitting a soft golden aura, his eyes shining brilliantly with the same color. The image of Merlin from before came back with a vengeance and Neville tensed.
"…Harry?" He asked cautiously.
The aura disappeared and Harry turned around abruptly. "Oh, you're awake. Gods, I didn't think you'd ever wake up."
"Gods?" Neville asked.
"Well I'm not going to say for Merlin's sake, am I?" Harry said with a grin.
Neville sighed. "So it is true. I thought I'd dreamt it."
Harry sighed. "Neville, I'm really sorry for keeping this from you, but…"
"It's okay, Harry. I understand. It's just, well, you're Merlin." He said, before glancing to the window.
"Merlin." He repeated with a gulp.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "And Harry." He interjected. "I'm still me, Neville."
The wizard glanced down nervously and Harry knew he wasn't quite comfortable with the idea yet.
"What…were you doing anyway?" Neville managed to ask, his voice soft.
Harry glanced back at the window. "I was projecting myself to the Slytherin common room. Draco's magic isn't powerful enough to pick up, well, mine, so I was trying to look at his aura, see what's going on in his head."
Neville's eyes widened. "So Draco is…King Arthur?"
"Yeah." Harry said. "That is, if he ever admits it. Arthur's in there, trying to meld, but Draco is so set on just being Draco that he doesn't realize he actually is Arthur."
Neville breathed out. "That sounds like Draco." He said quietly. "So, have you shown Ron or Hermione what you looked like…you know, then?"
Harry shook his head. "If I showed Ron or Hermione I think their image of Merlin would be shattered forever."
"I think mine is." Neville admitted.
"Yeah, um, sorry about that." Harry said sheepishly. "I only showed you because I thought it would make you less afraid."
"Lucky me." Neville said, but he was remembering something from before he fainted – something important.
"Wait…" He said. "When you were…past you…a minute ago, were you meant to have that scar?"
Harry's expression turned to confusion. "No, why?" He quickly switched back to his Merlin image and looked in the mirror.
Harry's face fell as the scar continued to feature prominently on his forehead. "No." he said. "I didn't. What…"
"This is powerful dark magic to leave a permanent scar. How did Voldemort get that knowledge?" He suddenly said.
A wind whipped around Harry and within seconds he looked like himself again. "I don't know where he is right now, Neville, but he's not dead. He can't be allowed to know I'm Merlin."
"I won't tell." Neville promised.
Harry nodded. "I know. I'm not afraid of that. This scar seems like a connection to him. I've been having dreams and they seem real. If it is a connection, and Voldemort realizes..."
Harry shuddered. "I've never had a problem doing legilimency, but this seems different somehow, like if I prod the vision, it becomes aware. I've never seen anything like it before."
"Really?" Neville asked with disbelief.
Harry scratched his head, and sat up somberly. "I'm not all-knowing and all-seeing, Neville, despite what everyone in the wizarding world thinks."
Neville sighed, trying hard to make sense of everything.
"Anyway, I think I'm going to head to Hagrid's. I need some fresh air. Want to come?"
"I…I think I'm fine here. I need to think about all this."
Harry smiled sadly. "Right. I'm sorry you had to learn all this, Neville."
"I'm not." He said.
There was a paused. "You're not?" Harry asked.
"No. I said I wanted to help, and I meant it."
Harry beamed. "I don't know what to say."
Neville shook his head. "I know you're Harry. It's just going to take me a while to understand it."
Harry nodded, expecting as much. "Well, I'll see you later."
He paused in the doorway, turning around to face the other Gryffindor wizard.
"Neville."
"Yeah?"
"I just wanted to say…thank you."
Thus ends this chapter! Next one's the task, which hopefully won't take as long to write!
Don't forget to check out the prequel.
