Chapter 9 – Merlin's Sorrow and Occulemency Lessons

Pacing quietly Merlin looked up every once and awhile when he heard the pained feminine screams coming from behind a pair of double wooden doors. Wilfur Ravenclaw chuckled ever so slightly at his longtime friend and mentor, "Merlin old chum you'll worry a hole in the floor."

"Easy for you to say such things you've already gone through it," Merlin snorts looking worriedly at the doors. "She's having twins my friend twins!" the man stated tentatively rubbing his brow. "One child is dangerous enough," he stated in a panic pulling out a flask and downing the contents.

"Aye lad that it is, but she wants to give you those children as painful as it be, she loves you so much to endure such pain to bring you heirs into this world," Wilfur stated. "Like my darling Elsa, bringing lovely Rowena this past summer."

Merlin nodded and began pacing the floor again ignoring the dry chuckle from his longtime friend. To think he the most powerful wizard of the age reduced to a panicked mass of jelly over the thought of becoming a father. But that wasn't the worse part he felt utterly helpless his beloved wife was in pain, pain no man could ever hope to feel and probably would never want to, it wasn't something that he could with all his powers banish from her. A second later a loud scream followed by two distinct cries could be heard from the enclosed room.

Rushing to the door and flinging it wide, Merlin saw his beautiful wife lying on the bed exhausted and the midwife quietly cleaning and wrapping his children in blankets before handing them to their exhausted but happy mother. The powerful wizard quietly walked over and sat next to his wife as the midwife bowed and left the room to give the new family privacy. "Oh Merlin they are so beautiful," Morgana said her face a glow with such joy, "Your sons, Godric Gryffindor Emrys and Salazar Slytherin Emrys." Merlin smiled softly leaning down and kissing his wife.

"Rest my love you've had a very trying morning," he watched as both children began suckling on their mother. "I envy them already," he chuckled.

"Merlin, you prat!" Morgana stated weakly looking at scandalized.

XXX

Merlin stood quietly as an army slowly appears over the rise, creatures best known to the world as the undead, inferi, or in this case Cauldron-Born, poor souls trapped in their mutilated corpses force to do the bidding of the one who summoned them. It was magic at its blackest; at the head of this great evil army road a man dressed all in black wearing a heavy helmet and antlers of a stag the armies War Leader, behind him sitting upon a throne of blood and skulls was a man who conjured this army, the Dark Lord Arawn. "Duncan are the Warden's ready?" he asked the man standing next to him, dressed in silver armor wielding a long sword and a dagger of Dragonbone.

"Yes Milord we are ready to do your will, but you're sure the charm will keep this army from seeing the castle?" Duncan asked.

"Arawn wants my wife and as much as she hates the idea of hiding," he chuckles slightly, "should have seen her eyes, could freeze hell at how furious she was with me going into battle without her."

"Father why keep her away?" Salazar asked.

Merlin frowned heavily, "Arawn wants her power to corrupt it, twist it, and mold it. You see my son she if by far stronger than even I. If she were to be corrupted the devastation she could do to the world would be massive," his eyes softened looking so lost, "Her heart is so pure, so filled love and life, if she were to be corrupted and twisted into that," he gestured toward Arawn and his army. "I cannot bear the thought of your mother becoming like that to hate everything she loves, to turn on everyone with malice that she would gladly adore. I know that I can't always protect her but I will try my hardest to allow her to live a carefree life, to enjoy her family."

Salazar smiled, "You do realize father you'll be sleeping on the couch once this is over."

Merlin chuckled, "I know but only for an evening you mother is very insatiable, tires me out constantly."

The dark haired teenager gave his father a look of disgusts, "Not something a son wishes to hear, father."

"Like you haven't taken Helga into the nearest broom closet and let her snog you senseless," Merlin chuckled again watching the army get ever closer, "Come my son let us end this monster's reign go back to teaching our flock and allow our loves to give us a good row for worrying them."

Salazar smirked before he and his father apparated alongside several others into the midst of the undead army and immediately began unleashing spells left and right.

XXX

The battle lasted well into the night until Arawn faced Merlin and his son the trio firing spells, the entire valley was awash in the spectacular duel before Salazar slammed a large ball of fire that caught the Dark Lord unawares engulfing the wizard. The grotesque looking man staggered screaming in pain, "I curse your house Merlin!"

Merlin walked up panting slightly, "You would of turned my beloved into something as evil and grotesque as you I could not allow it."

The dark lord cackled, "You think I'm the last," the man dropped to his knees, "you'll never have peace Merlin, she's just too powerful those like me want a taste of it they lust after her purity, hunger to feel her, to spoil her, no one is above corruption," he cackled again wincing in pain Salazar approached, "CRUCIO!" he launched a curse at the Emrys boy who fell to the ground screaming in agony before passing out from the pain.

"What did you do to my son!" Merlin roared slamming a gravity spell on the dying dark lord.

"Gave him pain," Arawn gasped feeling his lungs tighten, "as I said you'll never know peace, for as long as one of your heirs lines breaths, you'll be forever cursed to watch them fight. Oh, how I wish I would see your own house destroy itself, and all that you hold dear falls around you."

Merlin's eyes grew troubled looking down at his son, "Then allow my forebears battle and when one line is destroyed your curse will be broken, so mote it be."

Arawn cackled again falling to the ground as his laughter grew fainter, "Enjoy your victory for it is I who truly wins."

Merlin watched life leave the man's eyes before he drops to the ground in sadness looking at his son, seeing images of what he will do, the rape of a peasant girl named Gaunt will start the path of darkness of the Slytherin line, while Godric and Rowena wed and betrothed their daughter to a member of the Perevell line which start them down their path, he foresees what his beloved Morgana will become in ten short years Imperious by her own son to commit acts of murder, of adultery with her own half-brother to give birth to a child that will eventually end the Pendragon line before it could begin, he could see it and new he was powerless to stop it. But he could also see the battle between the Last of the Perevell-Potter line and Gaunt-Riddle line, and the fact that Morgana's reincarnation would never be joined with his reincarnation; that was what he could change. "You've brought sorrow onto my house Arawn, but you will not bring it to my descendants," with a few quiet incantations Merlin assured that the last of the Perevell-Potter line would meet his beloved's reincarnation. "That is all I can do," slowly standing and picking up his son the most powerful wizard ever returned to his home burdened heavily with the knowledge that his family would be nearly destroyed and suffer to be both dark and light until the last of the descending line on his youngest son will kill the last of the descending of his oldest son. "May you rot in hell for what you've done Arawn and may I join you for being unable to prevent it."

XXX

Harry rubbed his head, ever since he first came to live with Greengrass family he been getting dreams, things he could barely remember afterward. "Why can't I have normal dreams," he muttered to himself walking up to the fifth floor to Dumbledore's office. It had been month since term had started, so far Harry's third year was turning out to be the best one to date, mostly aside from watching Dementors floating above the castle making everyone feeling horrid he was doing great in all his classes, even potions. They had just finished putting in the initial ingredients for their Wolfsbane potion and so far his looked spot on it had that distinctive silver color with silver fumes. Charms and Transfigurations went along splendidly, Ancient Runes was a joy it helped understand how portkeys and wards were created, he felt by the end of fifth year he be able to create his own specialty wards. Arithmancy while annoying at first helped him in other classes, especially potions. Muggle Studies was still a bit of a joke, especially since most of the time he and several muggleborns had to explain most contraptions the professor brought in and their true purpose.

But by far his favorite classes were easily History of Magic, where Narcissa Black would lecture mostly but did so in a way that left you on the edge of your seat. The last three classes she spent telling them about the Wizard wars of the early 1200's, The Magical world's influence during the Battle of the Bulge, and the sacking of Britain during World War II, to Dumbledore's battle with Dark Lord Grindewald, even having Dumbledore himself present to ask questions. Then came Defense Against the Dark Arts, after the Patronus, Yugi went into more basic work, like the anti-Boggart charm, dealing with Mad Caps, Kappas, also how to properly deal with Cornish Pixies, and Lawn Gnomes. The last one made Ron look a bit sheepish, but at the end of each lesson Yugi would have them all perform the Patronus to see how well they were doing. Everyone aside from Draco Malfoy could now perform one, the Daphne's Patronus in public still looked like the Blob.

As for Harry's friendships as they seemed to be branching out, Neville had joined the group. Which Tracey took to flirting with constantly making the poor boy blush, when Daphne asked her later why, "Simple, he's a pureblood, he's very sweet and shy which means he's very malleable, and he'll get better looking as he gets older, I'm snagging him before anyone else can realize it."

Harry simply laughed and shook his head, almost feeling sorry for his dorm mate and friend. His relationship with Daphne also seem to get better, taking her out for the first Hogsmeade weekend and spending all day with her without outside distractions had been fun, the two visited every shop they could, spent time at the Three Broomsticks having butterbeer, conversing over the classes they didn't have together. By the end of the day Harry felt things were progressing well, but he notice how restrained Daphne seem to be, like she was fighting herself and it worried him. He dropped her off at the entrance to the Slytherin dorms where she asked how he knew where they were. He smiled, "Tell you next Hogsmeade you'll love the story trust me," he chuckled at her winsome look before kissing her cheek and walking away missing her blushing face or the fact she watched him leave with a look of such love and adoration that caused a couple of red haired twins to smirk who watched the display.

Now Harry was busy entering the Headmaster's office after being requested to do so by his Head of House. "You wanted to see me Professor?" he asked upon entering noting that Snape was standing next to Fawkes an impassive expression on his face.

"Yes Harry, I believe it would be prudent not to put off some special training for you," Dumbledore stated.

"Special training, sir?" Harry looking at the old wizard confused.

"Yes, Professor Snape and I believe we should begin training you in Occulemency or mind shielding," Dumbledore then began to explain the prophecy and what needed to be done to prepare Harry.

Harry slumped to a chair looking both confused and a bit afraid, "Your certain?"

"Yes Harry I am, and I had thought to give you a regular childhood away from all this until you came to the school," Dumbledore stated sounding regretful. "I did not foresee the horrors your aunt and uncle would place upon you, and I acted far to quickly to establish a Fidelus Charm you would have stayed with your godmother."

Snape's face had soured during Dumbledore's admissions which left the young boy confused. "Petunia should have never came into play Albus," the man stated. "I warned you that night what would happen, Marie warned you, even the mangy mutt warned you."

"I cannot change it Severus, I just hope Harry here will forgive me for my serious lack of judgment," Dumbledore stated looking far older than he had in the past two years.

Harry rubbed his arm a bit nervously actually a bit surprised that Snape of all people was rushing to his defense. "All is forgiven, I'm with Aunt Marie now."

"Yes thank you, now I think I can finally warm up," Dumbledore chuckled. "Your godmother is a warm and loving person, but to harm anyone she sees as family invites a glare colder than the Artic plains." He glanced at Snape who shuddered a bit remembering his own brush with the blonde haired woman.

Harry had to chuckle a bit at Snape's reaction, then the primary lesson for Occulemency began first Dumbledore asked Harry to visualize a way to organize his thoughts while focusing and containing his emotions, which immediately got him thinking about Daphne's Ice Queen persona. The bespectacled boy first needed something to organize his thoughts, at first he thought of a file room with numerous cabinets, but he felt this would too easy though time consuming to go through. Then he thought of rooms behind locked doors, but felt it too cliché and again well time consuming he felt anyone with a strong spell could knock down the walls and expose everything. Finally he decided on something a bit more modern and something a wizard who's never been exposed to technology as advanced as the current muggle world would be ideal. He thought of a desk with a modern day apple computer password protected and a chair. "I'm finished," he replied coolly.

With a nod from Dumbledore, Snape pour his Legilimens spells and found himself in front of a contraption he had no earthly idea how to work a few seconds later he was standing in front of Dumbledore looking rather confused. "What was that thing on the desk Potter?"

"Muggle computer, holds loads of information Professor and its password protected so even if you managed to work it you'd have to know the password," Harry stated.

Snape blinked before actually smiling, "If I haven't foggiest how to work it, the dark lord will be utterly confused and I've actually seen some of Lily's strange muggle gadgets."

Dumbledore chuckled, "seems young Harry has devise a rather strong Occulemency shield that I doubt any Pureblood could hope to break, excellent," he mused. "You'll need to work keeping it up at all times, so do not be shocked to feel myself or Professor Snape randomly probing your defenses during the course of the year."

"I understand professor," Harry replied.

"Good, now that is out of the way for the most part. I believe that increasing your knowledge in spells, both standard and elemental would be in order," the old wizard stated.

"Elemental sir?" Harry looked up confused.

"Elemental magic is by far the most powerful, but it is difficult to control most like the Incendiary spells are considered minor versions of greater fire based spells. There is two that were considered to be Merlin Emrys and Morgana le Fey's best," Dumbledore explained.

"Has anyone ever tried to duplicate them?" Harry asked.

With a grim nod the old wizard stood up walking over to Fawkes and stroking the phoenix's plumage. "A few and they all died, these two spells were called Inferno and the Phoenix Flare, the incantations for these have been lost to time which is why none dare attempt them except those desperate to achieve power. But each elemental has a powerful spell and unfortunately only Merlin and Morgana knew them all."

"So I can't learn the most powerful ones, what else can I learn?" Harry asked.

"A few I've picked up here and there," Dumbledore chuckled. "You may even create your own once you get the hang of them, we'll begin training you after the Christmas Holidays, as I sense you're enjoying your time unburdened by anything more than trying to convince yourself not to snog your betrothed during your next Hogsmeade weekend," he chuckled watching the boy blush. With Harry left the room, Dumbledore went back to his chair taking a deep breath before sitting. "My age is really creepy up on me Severus, the boy is astounding."

"To master Occulemency in such a short time span is unheard of, not since Merlin," Snape replied. "You don't think Potter is the reincarnation do you?"

Dumbledore gave a single nod, "Voldemort is the last of the Slytherin line, young Harry is the last of the Gryffindor line, the proof was made clear last term when Harry pulled the sword from the sorting hat. Two prophecies colliding into one I'm afraid," the man slammed his hands on the table looking both angry and downtrodden. "Blast it, why that poor boy has he not enough on his plate."

Snape had no words to say his own feelings of regret at how he treated the boy the two previous years circling around in his mind. He could no longer see the boy that was the son of his hated enemy, all he could see was the son of the woman he loved most and vowed to help him through his most gravest of trails to come.

Author's Note: Boom, Boom, Boom, POW! Another one bites the dust, my theory about Morgana and Merlin is mostly the mix and match stuff I've read or seen in movies, Excalibur being the most prominent source material I've got it's an old 1980's film about Arthur's rise and fall with Merlin and Morgana playing central roles in the film and probably one of J.K. Rowlings inspirations though I'm not sure. In most myths Morgana is played as this beautiful but evil sorceress who was once both Merlin's apprentice and lover so I took it the route I went with Morgana being this amazing powerful witch that every dark wizard wanted to use, corrupt, etc. And in the end is corrupted by her own child, which forces her husband to stop her. As for the references for the character Arawn look to the Chronicles of Prydain novels by Lloyd Alexander good reads and were inspired from stories about King Arthur, Merlin, and the like.