A/N: Hello all my dear readers, oh how much I love all of you for all the reviews I got last chapter. I finally have a new laptop so I can write easier, which means quicker! I really wanted to put this chapter up far earlier, but it has been a really busy time for me, but I make it up to you all as I give you a long, long chapter! And not just a simple chapter, so much is happening this chapter and I hope that you guys understand all of it. More will be explained in the next chapter to fill in the last gapes. Also forgive me if the characters in this chapter are a bit OOC. Furthermore I wish you all a lot of fun reading this chapter.
I also decided to change the rating to T, just in case. Besides that this chapter is still unbetad, so forgive me for any mistakes I have made.
xxx
Merlin sprinted away from the group of wizards and witches who all stood shocked around Sirius, who himself was staring confused at the people around him. The only one that looked at him leaving was Hermione with mixed emotions of confusion and betrayal spread over her face, but he would have to deal with that later.
He concentrated, feeling the magic of both Harry and the witch that he followed still lingering in the halls that he ran through. As he ran the sound of an fight echoed through the halls. A wave of energy hit him and he froze on the spot, his eyes growing wide. The magic he felt rushing over him was one of darkness and hatred, one that didn't feel natural anymore. It was unsettling and all of his instincts screamed for him to just turn around and run away, but he knew that he couldn't do that.
Merlin made his way forwards, his mind on sharp as slowly the large entrance hall of the ministery came into view. Another wave of dark energy rushed over him and he heard Harry scream. His eyes grew wide and he ran into the large room.
What happened next was more on instinct than anything else. He saw Harry laying on the floor, his startled eyes settled on a man standing in front of him. Before he even realized it himself he rushed forwards, standing protectively over Harry as he threw up a shield just in time to deflect the spell that was shot at the young boy.
''Wh-at?'' He heard Harry whisper in shock. ''Emrys!''
Merlin turned for a moment to Harry to give him a reassuring smile before he turned back to glare at Voldemort. It had been a long time since he last saw the wizard, as back then the darkl lord had still been a young man finishing his final year at Hogwarts and he had to say that he was rather shocked on how much the man had changed. It was not only his total change in his appearance, but also the magic that he emitted. He had always been a bit suspicious of Tom Riddle, as that was the name that he knew the man once under, and that was one of the reasons that he never showed himself to the man.
Merlin straightened his back, his eyes shooting through the large room, but he soon figured that the witch from before was already gone and he turned back to look at the dark lord. ''Tom Marvolo Riddle.'' He addressed Voldemort in front of him and couldn't help but smile as he saw a hint of surprise rush over the man's face as he spoke that name.
Voldemort quickly regained his stance and a smirk rushed over his features. ''I have to say that I haven't heard that name in a very long time.'' Voldemort tilted his head slightly to the side and his dark eyes seemed to burn into him, trying to measure him. ''And if I can believe Potter here than you're called Emrys, aren't you. Though that doesn't matter, I will simply kill you together with Potter.'' It was than that he lifted his wand and shot a paralyzing spell towards them.
Merlin raised his hand and with one word blocked the spell. He got a startled squeak from Harry behind him. But his attention was not with Harry as he narrowed his eyes as he looked slightly confused at Voldemort's grin in response to him blocking the spell. ''As I guessed before, wandless magic. I have to say that I'm surprised to see someone so young using such advanced magic.'' Voldemort stepped closer to the two of them, outstretching his free hand. ''Though I don't believe that I should be so surprised, you're Emrys after all.'' Merlin's eyes widened slightly as he bit his lip, this man couldn't know... right? ''Yes I know,'' He said as if he had read his mind.'' and I will only offer you this once, I will let you live if you become my right hand.''
''I will never work for you!'' Merlin growled.
Behind him he could feel Harry grab his sleeve as he stood up. ''Emrys, what is he saying?''
He looked at Harry, his mouth gapping for a moment, how was he supposed to answer that question. ''Harry I...''
Merlin wasn't able to finish his words as the dark lord cut in. ''I'm sad that you refused my offer and I guess that means I have to kill you too.'' The man's pale eyes shifted to Harry. ''And it seems that you, Potter, don't even know who Emrys is, but that shall remain a mystery to you as both of you will perish today! Avada Kadabra!''
''Bordweall!'' Another shield was thrown up and Voldemort's spell hit hard, partly shattering Merlin's own spell, but Merlin's shield was strong enough. ''Ád drincan se deocrnes!'' The old religion rolled over the last Dragonlord's tongue and a wall of fire was shot towards Lord Voldemort who quickly deflected it.
From there on out the battle roared through the room, though Merlin was clearly at the disadvantage as he needed to keep Harry out of harm. He didn't dare to look at Harry as in the few glimpses he had gotten off the student he could only see surprise, fear and betrayal in those eyes. He would have to explain in the end, but for now... for now he would focus on keeping Harry alive.
He dodged an spear of ice that Voldemort had conjured and he was about to reply with an attack when he felt an presence push against his soul. Emrys, stop. No, he had to ignore them, he had to ignore them. Emrys, we command you to stop! ''Ácolitus ástingan archehád heorta.'' Light shot towards the dark lord who quickly deflected it. He felt the presence of the old religion push harder into his soul, slowly draining his strenght. We told you to stop, you shouldn't meddle with human wars. ''B-but they are kin... they have magi-.'' He wasn't able to finish his words as instead a pain filled cry left his lips. A ray of darkness had pierced his side.
Merlin sank to the ground, clutching his side, but that didn't stop the blood from streaming through his fingers.
Harry kneeled down next to him, his hands hovering over the wound, though it was clear that he didn't know what to do so instead he turned back to Voldemort. Harry pointed his wand at his enemy and he shouted angered spells after spells.
Merlin tried to look up through his blurred eyes before he hissed out of pain. ''H-Harry, don't.''
''Yes Potter, you should listen to your guardian, you can't win this.'' Voldemort said laughing as he deflected all of Harry's spells with ease.
''Forbærning.'' Merlin mumbled as through his pain filled eyes he looked at Harry. He could feel his magic heal himself, though he had not the strength left to completely heal the wound on his side, blood was still slowly dripping through his fingers. You're a fool, Emrys. We told you to listen. Now we have to interfere. ''N-no, you can't do that.'' He whispered to them. ''You told me that it was my duty to protect magic and n-now you try to stop me when dark magic is trying to destroy the light!'' Magic should be in balance with the non magical world around it, we do not care for it being as you call it 'good' or 'bad'. Merlin bit his lip. ''You fools.'' He mumbled as he stood up, his legs shaking heavily under his light weight. ''Hand mec afol.'' His legs stopped trembling and his vision cleared, but he didn't get less tired.
Merlin saw how Voldemort raised his wand again and he quickly threw up a shield before it could hurt Harry.
''Emrys.'' Harry gasped as the boy spun around, his hands immediately snapping to the still bleeding wound in the man's side. ''Are you okay?''
Merlin waved those hands away. ''I'm fine, for now.'' He saw the relief in those eyes and both turned back to the dark lord.
Voldemort seemed slightly surprised, but at the same time amused at his stern face. ''I will admit, I'm surprised to see you standing like this. But I guess that it confirms the suspicions I had since the beginning.'' A smirk crossed the man's lips, one that would cause shivers to run down someone's spine. ''Deorcnes nrls.'' Voldemort spoke and a hint of blackish gold ran through his eyes.
''N-no, y-you can't.'' In shock Merlin did a step backwards as he heard those words. He was barely aware of the black mist that rose in the room and Harry squeaked in fear at the sudden darkness around them. ''How do you know that magic?!''
Voldemort's eyes seemed to hold great pride as he answered. ''How is it that no one ever questioned how I returned?'' He asked them. ''Ever since I was a young man I have known that our modern magic is just not compatible enough with anything like reviving magic. I am not such a fool that I thought that I would never die, I have made sure that I would be able to live even when I would be hit by a deadly blow. Old magic, the old religion, was and still is the solution.''
''No, not even with the old religion you can truly come back to life, so how?'' He shouted, trying to ignore the image of Lancelot that had appeared in his mind. Once dead, no one could come back to life, at least not as their true selves.
''I have to admit, I didn't do it all by myself, I have had help. I will even give you an little hint, my path to rebirth started here, here in the ministry.''
H-here in the ministry? Realisation dawned on Merlin as the events of that day flashed through his mind. ''T-the veil.'' He whispered as he remembered the big gate that stood in the previous chamber.
''What's the veil?'' He heard Harry mumble behind him but he ignored the young boy.
''Yes.'' Voldemort simply said before he raised his wand and free hand again. ''Now I will truly make an end to both of you!'' The dark lord began to chant, his spells were a mix of old and modern magic.
Both Merlin and Harry quickly shielded themselves from the hit, but as Merlin did so he couldn't stop the horror that he felt in his heart. Voldemort had made a deal with the Cailleach? I-it couldn't be, she would never help a mortal.
''Emrys, look out!''
Merlin looked up quick enough to shield himself from the shard that was about to pierce his heart. He breathed deeply in, he had enough, it was enough! ''Ácolitus ár mec!'' He screamed out, letting his magic guide him and a wave of light washed through the room. In the corner of his eyes he could see a figure emerged, which he later figured out was Albus.
Emrys! He heard the voice scream in his head and he felt his powers being drained away by the voices of the old religion. He tried to ignore it, pouring the last of his energy into the spell. It hit Voldemort and the dark lord was send flying backwards, hitting the wall hard.
It was one of the last things he saw as his eyes slowly blacked out. The sound of echoing footsteps rang through his ears as feet hit the floor and a group of people emerged in the room. He could see Voldemort lift his wand and disappear into the darkness, but it was clear that the man was wounded. That was the last he saw as he sank to the ground, darkness taking over his vision.
Xxx
Harry could only watch in horror as Emrys sank through his knees, his eyes shutting themselves and the young boy was barely able to catch Emrys before he hit the floor. His eyes shifted back to Voldemort, who he saw disappear into the darkness and he turned back to Emrys. ''Emrys, please wake up!'' He whispered as he held the man's head up.
Harry didn't want to admit it, but he was scared. Voldemort may have left, but that didn't take away his fear. It was clear that he would have been dead without Emrys and that scared him. Not only the thought of death, but also the power that he saw his friend use. Emrys was far stronger than he had ever imagined Emrys to be, he had known that the dark haired man was strong, but not like this... not like this... He may even be stronger than Dumbledore.
''Harry... how is he?'' Harry's eyes snapped up, meeting the baby blue eyes of the headmaster. At first he felt relieve at the sight, but then he noticed the look in those eyes, they looked frightened, horrified, as they were settled on the man in his arms. Old hands slowly took Emrys out of his arms and the unconscious man was settled against the headmaster's chest. Fingers searched for a pulse in Emrys' neck and he sighed in relief as he found it. ''He's only unconscious.'' The words were barely more than a whisper and clearly meant to reassure Dumbledore himself.
''Voldemort was here.'' Harry said and finally the headmaster looked back at him, his eyes had turned back to their reassuring calmness.
Dumbledore nodded. ''I know Harry, I came as fast as I could when I heard and I'm just relieved that both of you are alright.''
''You knew him?'' Harry knew it was a strange question to ask at a time like this, but with Dumbledore's presence he didn't feel as frightened as before.
''Yes he's a... friend of mine.''
''D-Dumbledore, w-what's going on here?'' Harry looked around the headmaster to see Cornelius Fudge, minister of magic, standing behind him.
Dumbledore stood up, Emrys still held tightly against his chest, as he faced the minister. ''I fear that you saw that yourself Cornelius. Voldemort-'' The minister and his men cringed. ''- has returned.''
''N-no, that can not be!'' Cornelius screams, startling Harry and the student stepped back, not wanting to be part of it. The minister seemed so desperate for it not to be the truth. The men behind the minister, just seemed to gap at hearing the information.
''It has, Cornelius.'' The headmaster responds. ''You need to immediately take action. I don't believe that Voldemort-'' The men cringed again. ''- will sit still. Tell the people what is happening, they have a right to know.'' Dumbledore turned around and set a few steps in the direction of the others, Harry quickly followed.
''What of Potter and that man, we need to speak with them, they are important witnesses.''
Dumbledore turned around, glaring darkly at Cornelius. ''I hope that you have noticed that Emrys is clearly not in any state to speak to anyone and you want to put any more pressure on a young boy after being attacked by Voldemort?'' Again the men cringed hearing the name and it was clear that Cornelius was about to respond when the headmaster added. ''We are leaving now!'' He stated before again walking away, Emrys still tightly in his arms and Harry following not far behind.
