Two things. Firstly for those of you wanting more epic Merlin he is coming. I'm planning fun with Umbridge and battles galore further into this story. Please be patient. Think of it as watching a really long episode of Merlin, not much magic to start with then he hits you with it.

Secondly, although my anonymous reviewer claims they are no longer reading this, please if you feel the desire to tell me how 'awful' and 'hopeless' my story writing abilities are please find the balls to sign in when posting. I love replying to reviews, even those which contain poor grammar and no helpful information whatsoever.
I don't claim or aim to be a professional writer. I write because I like to and because some people enjoy reading what I write. If you have nothing useful to add to the sum of human knowledge I do know how to remove a brain and will gladly avail you of my services.

Chapter 9: Fifth Year- The Trial

Despite a late night Harry woke early on the morning of his trial. He, Ron and Hermione had talked late into the night, as had become their custom, about the prophecy and the 'power the Dark Lord knows not'. Hermione and Ron were of the opinion that it was going to be something that Merlin would teach Harry, but when they had approached the ancient sorcerer he had laughed and said that anything he knew that they couldn't already do they would not be able to learn.

Though the idea stream had dried up several nights ago, they had talked last night about Harry's trial. Hermione was still trying to insist that the Ministry had to pardon him. Harry wasn't so sure. He had seen the slander in the papers and was certain that Fudge would do everything in his power to drive Harry right out of the wizarding world.

So now Harry was seated at the dining table, slowly eating a piece of toast and jam and trying very hard not to think about how in a few hours he could be wandless and expelled. The only bright side Harry could find amid the chaos was that maybe, just maybe it would mean that he could come and live here with Sirius. Of course there was the prophecy claiming he was the only one who could defeat Voldemort which could cause problems if he was de-wanded and defenceless.

Harry pushed away his plate. He couldn't eat anything else, despite Mrs Weasley insisting that he eat. Instead he tried talking to her. Maybe that would distract her from trying to press more food into his increasingly churning stomach. "So, how am I getting to the trial this morning?"

Mrs Weasley paused. "Arthur was going to take you dear, but Dumbledore thought that it would be best if he took you. He seems to think that the Ministry are going to try something sneaky."

"Wouldn't surprise me." Merlin muttered from the doorway and limped into the room. His hair and beard were ruffled and it was obvious from the huge yawn that he had only rolled out of bed a moment ago. "Your Ministry hates Dumbledore and you, you have them scared and they're going to try anything to scare you back. That sort of tactic hasn't changed since the dawn of time, although I suppose at least now there are slightly fewer assassination attempts."

Harry swallowed nervously and gave a laugh which sounded fake, even to his ears. "Yeah...er...right. So are you coming with us?"

Merlin scoffed and shook his head, accepting a cup of tea and scooping himself a plate of bacon and eggs. "No, I'm afraid you're on your own with this one Harry. I'm trying not to get noticed by the general population. Believe me, things would only get worse if the Ministry got the idea that you and Dumbledore were trying to fool people into thinking that you had Merlin on your side." Merlin chuckled humourlessly. "I'm well aware that the magical community think of me as something between myth and legend and I'm quite content to remain at that status level."

The door behind Harry opened again and he glanced over his shoulder to grimace at Dumbledore. The Headmaster smiled comfortingly back. "Are you ready?"

Harry glanced at his watch. "Isn't it a bit early sir?"

Dumbledore clasped his hands together, his eyes flicking to Merlin for just a moment. "It would not surprise me at all to find, when we arrive, that the time for your trial has been moved forward in an attempt to prevent you from appearing."

Getting to his feet Harry tried to pat his hair a little flatter. Mrs Weasley gave him a quick hug. "Good luck dear, you'll be fine." She said.

Dumbledore was holding the door and waiting so Harry hurried after him. Merlin caught his eye as he left the room. A sharp, firm nod was all Harry got, but Merlin's eyes told Harry that the old wizard would be watching his every move today.

They left the house with Harry feeling slightly more confident, Merlin had been watching him every year and things had always turned out all right in the end. Surely with him watching today things couldn't go too badly.

Once outside Dumbledore stopped and offered Harry his arm. Harry stared at his Headmaster blankly until Dumbledore chuckled and explained. "I'm sorry Harry sometimes I forget that you were not raised in a wizarding family. We are going to apparate. As you are still under-age and not qualified I will take you in side-along-apparition. Please take my arm."

Harry blinked and reluctantly placed his hand on Dumbledore's arm. He had never apparated, he had no idea what it involved or what it felt like. He was hoping it was pleasant.

He was wrong.

With a sharp twist that pulled Harry down what felt like a long tube, Dumbledore apparated them both to the Ministry. Harry staggered away from Dumbledore, focused for the moment on not throwing up the little breakfast he had eaten.

Once his stomach had stopped rolling Harry looked up and around. Dumbledore had paused and glanced over his shoulder, indicating that Harry should follow him. Forcing his still shaking legs to move Harry hurried after the Headmaster. "Professor, is this the Ministry of Magic?"

Dumbledore nodded seriously. The room they had arrived in was huge. Smooth black stone fireplaces set into the walls burst into emerald flames every few moments, workers stepping out of the fires dusting soot from their robes.

The room crawled with people, most dressed in work robes, who flowed around a great golden fountain made of statues. As they got closer Harry's interest turned to disgust. The primary statues were of a witch and a wizard, both of who were unattractively good looking. Below them were a centaur, a House elf and a goblin all staring up at the human figures with disturbing looks of awe and adoration on their golden faces. Harry grimaced.

Dumbledore seemed to notice the object of Harry's attention. "The Fountain of Magical brethren, it is supposed to represent magical unity. Like you I find it more difficult to stomach." Harry winced as they fell into line to have their wands examined.

While the middle aged man examined Harry's wand minutely a piece of paper folded into a plane a charmed to fly of its own accord floated down to land on Dumbledore's shoulder. While Harry accepted his wand back Dumbledore read the paper and sighed. He took off towards one of the gilded cage elevators with Harry jogging to keep up. "As we suspected Harry, Cornelius has changed both the time and the location of the trial. It is lucky we decided to go early as it is about to start."

Safely inside the elevator and headed downwards at back breaking speed Harry finally voiced his concern. "Sir, do I have any chance. I mean if Fudge is just going to keep changing the rules on me then can't he just expel me no matter what you do?"

"Ah Harry I don't think you have anything to concern yourself with. Madame Bones is overseeing your trial, if they have not changed that fact, and she is a fair woman. Besides which I have the final say in the expelling of students and I have no desire to see you cast from Hogwarts this year." Dumbledore's light blue eyes twinkled down at Harry. "I do ask however that you do not attempt to hide your concern. It would not do us any good to appear overconfident."

"Yes sir." Harry murmured as the doors opened into a long black stone corridor. There wasn't much hope of Harry being overconfident, he just felt like sinking through the floor and hiding. Stepping from the elevator and hurrying towards one of the other corridors spreading from the original one Harry cast his gaze around. They had to be a long way underground and it was dead silent except for the soft steady beat of their feet.

Dumbledore led the way towards a large metal door set ominously in the black wall. "Go on Harry, I will follow you in a moment."

With a deep breath that shook a little on the way out Harry pushed open the door and stepped into his trial. The room was huge. There was a large gathering of people in red and black robes, lots of people, in fact there had to be at least a hundred of them seated on benches which nearly completely circled the room.

Sitting right in the centre in a silly hat that nearly made Harry laugh aloud was Fudge. The last time Harry had met the Minister for Magic he had seemed like a kindly old uncle, laughing and welcoming Harry. Now was different. He looked genuinely disappointed to see Harry, probably upset that he had received the notice about the change of circumstances.

Harry paused warily at the centre of the room; there was a big chair with chains dangling from the arms and the back. "Please sit Mr Potter; I'm glad you received the news of the change of circumstance." Fudge didn't look glad in fact he looked like he was sucking on a lemon.

"Yes indeed, by luck we were already in the building." Dumbledore's voice rung though the dreary room as he took his place next to Harry. If anything Fudge looked more annoyed, his face had turned a funny colour. However he composed himself quickly and looked around at the gathered witches and wizards. "We are here to examine the case of Mr. Harry James Potter who has been charged with using underage magic in the presence of a Muggle."

Fudge looked down at Harry, who tried not to look too nervous. "Mr Harry James Potter of Number four, Privet Drive Little Whinging, Surrey, you are under the age of seventeen are you not?"

"Yes." Harry admitted, stupid question really, everyone knew he was only fifteen.

"And do you deny using magic on the night of the second of August in the presence of a Muggle?"

Here Harry felt he was on slightly firmer grounds, so long as everyone understood why he was using magic Hermione had insisted that he would be alright. "Yes, but only..."

Fudge immediately cut him off. "You have previously been cautioned on the illegal use of magic outside of school and in the presence of Muggles." Fudge didn't even wait for Harry to agree to this before he looked about at the other witches and wizards most of whom just looked bored. "I think this court can easily see that Mr. Potter..."

One of the women on the bench, dressed in a deep scarlet robe cut Fudge off rather abruptly. "If you don't mind Minister I believe the boy has more to add."

Fudge turned purple, but glared at Harry to continue. Harry did so, but not before throwing a cautious glance at Dumbledore.

The Headmaster nodded encouragingly at him. Time to gather his courage. "I did use magic, but it was because of the dementors which attacked me and my cousin." Harry paused and blinked. "Also the only Muggle I used magic in front of was my cousin and he already knows about magic so that's like using magic in front of a wizard...isn't it?' Harry trailed off. He wasn't sure about that, but really it wasn't like he had broken the Statute of Secrecy by using magic in front of Dudley. It wasn't like the Ministry had to send out someone to modify his memory.

The woman tilted her head. "That is true; however these dememtors you mentioned are of more concern. You're sure they were dementors?"

"Yes ma'am, I saw them when they were at Hogwarts in my third year." Harry reminded her. "And they attacked me and my cousin that night."

"Excuse me. So sorry, but I think I misheard you. It sounded to me as though...so silly, you were suggesting that someone set these dementors to attack you." This came from a witch dressed in pink under her black robe and she had a black bow settled on her head. She also had a wide mouth that reminded Harry of a frog, or a toad.

"Well unless the dementors are just wantonly going around attacking people." Harry snapped, but settled when Dumbledore set a firm hand on his shoulder.

The witch giggled. "The dementors are under the complete control of the Ministry of Magic, it seems to me that you are suggesting that a Ministry official sent a dementor to attack you..."

"We are not suggesting anything of the sort." Dumbledore pipped in pleasantly. "Harry is merely relating what he saw."

Fudge snorted. "A load of rubbish; Muggles can't see dementors so the Muggle boy can hardly be called on as a witness to their presence." Turning to the gathering of witches and wizards he continued. "This is obviously a fabrication on the part of Mr. Potter and Albus Dumbledore to try and get the boy out of trouble for his second case of underage wizardry. Mr. Potter you have been given more than enough leeway since your acceptance to Hogwarts."

"It wasn't me last time, it was a House Elf." Harry burst out before Dumbledore could cut in. He knew Fudge was going to twist this around to make him as guilty as possible.

"Oh ho, a House Elf." Fudge laughed, several of the other members of the jury laughed with him. The biggest offender was the pink witch who gave a high pitched girly giggle that set Harry's teeth on edge.

"The House Elf in question currently works at Hogwarts. If you wish to question him then it is the work of a moment to call him here." Dumbledore offered quickly.

Fudge glared. "That won't be necessary. It is after all this case of underage wizardry that we are addressing not the last. Members of the Wizamagot Harry Potter has blatantly flaunted his so called 'fame' in an obviously desperate attempt to clear himself of the charges laid at his feet. The use of the Patronus Charm in the presence of a Muggle is a clear and obvious breach of the laws of the Ministry."

"Precisely and since when has the entire Wizamagot been required to deal with such a simple case of underage wizardry. Now I have presented my opinion, Minister, on who is responsible for the presence of these dementors in Little Whinging, I can offer a witness to the presence of the dementors. A Squib lives in the area and saw the attack on Mr. Potter and his cousin, I can call on her should you so wish." Dumbledore offered firmly.
"However I am hoping this is not necessary. The event which all you good people have been called together for is nothing more than a minor misdemeanour by one of my students. His continuation of his studies at Hogwarts is not and never has been the decision of the Ministry. I would ask you all to consider how many far more important things you could be doing should this trial continue."

There was a stretch of utter silence where Harry was worried that Dumbledore's words had completely ostracised all the people in the room who could potentially have believed him. Then Madame Bones spoke up. "All those in favour of finding Mr. Potter guilty of his charges?"

Harry swallowed nervously as a number of hands rose into the air, including Fudge and the pink witch. He didn't have time to count them before the witch spoke again. "All those in favour of clearing Mr. Potter of all charges?" She lifted her hand into the air and glanced around at the others who followed suit.

Harry chewed nervously on his lip; it had seemed to be a pretty close call. He really hoped that Dumbledore's closing argument had gotten through to people, or at least hadn't annoyed them too much. Madame Bones nodded severely and Harry's heart sunk. "Very well then, cleared of all charges. Mr. Potter you are free to go." All the witches and wizards rose from their seats and began to file from the benches. Harry stared blankly at the slowly emptying area in front of him. "Cleared of all charges?" He muttered to himself.

"Come along Harry you should be getting back home and I have school matters to attend to." Dumbledore grasped Harry's elbow and lifted him to his feet.

"Sir, did I hear right?" Harry asked tentatively.

Dumbledore chuckled as he led Harry out one of the back doors, back into the black stone corridor. "Yes Harry, you have been cleared of all charges. Now I'm sure there is a party brewing back at Headquarters so you had best be getting back. I'll walk you to the Floo network."

Once in the gilded elevator again, Dumbledore glanced down at Harry. "Tell me Harry, did you happen to notice the witch in pink?"

"Yeah, seemed a really nice person." Harry drawled as flatly as he could.

Dumbledore nodded seriously. "Her name is Delores Umbridge and unfortunately unless circumstances change at dinner tonight she will be your Defence against the Dark Art's Professor."

Harry twisted to look at Dumbledore. "But Professor..."

Dumbledore held up a hand and the doors dinged open, allowing them to step out into the Atrium again. "I understand your feelings Harry, I even share them. However I have been unable to find another person willing to take on the position so the Ministry has had to appoint someone."

"But sir she's horrible." Harry dropped his voice slightly now that they were within the still crowded Atrium. Heading for the imposing black fireplaces the two of them skirted through the crowd while still holding their conversation.

"Yes I imagine her presence at the school will cause problems in more than one way. Fudge is worried that I have plans to take over the Ministry as I'm sure the others have told you and I have no doubt that while at Hogwarts Delores Umbridge will attempt to undermine my position as Headmaster." Dumbledore admitted as they fell into line.

Harry clenched his teeth in determination. "Well we won't take it sir. The students and the other teachers will stand by you."

Smiling warmly Dumbledore offered Harry a bag of Floor powder. Harry accepted reluctantly. "Thank you for your loyalty Harry. However as I said, I have hopes that tonight will change this appointment."

(Later, at dinner)

Dinner that night was a festive affair.

Harry had been severely squashed upon his arrival back at Grimmauld Place. Despite insisting that they were sure he would get off both Hermione and Ron had seemed glad that Harry had come home with such good news. They were less pleased to hear Harry's other news, of their new DADA teacher. Still the streamers and bright banner reading 'HE GOT OFF' that the twins had erected certainly cheered up the room in general and everyone's mood specifically. Even Sirius seemed positively cheerful.

Still eager to find out what Dumbledore's secret for tonight was Harry, Ron and Hermione arrived early to dinner and helped Mrs Weasley set the table. Merlin arrived moments later and watched them from under his eyebrows. "You know, as much as I like the fact that magic is so universally accepted today you not being able to use it outside of school is really ridiculous."

"Yeah I can't wait until I'm seventeen." Ron replied wistfully as he dumped the plates on the table.

Merlin grunted and flicked his fingers at the table. Harry yelped in surprise as the glasses he was carrying were ripped out of his fingers and the table set itself neatly. Merlin chuckled. "I always wanted to do that back home. Chores are so much easier with magic."

Ron dropped into his seat. "But why didn't you use magic for your chores all the time?"

"Magic wasn't as universally accepted in Camelot as the stories make out." Merlin grumbled and took his own seat. "Glad to hear you were cleared of the charges Harry." The old sorcerer added.

Sitting down as well, Harry smiled. "Thanks, were you watching?" He asked.

Merlin shook his head. "I tried, but something about this Ministry of Magic stopped me from getting a good look inside. I really should look into that." He muttered the last bit to himself.

At this point they were distracted by the arrival of Sirius, Lupin, Mr Weasley, Mrs Weasley, the twins and Ginny. By the time everyone was crowded into the kitchen the festivity level seemed to have skyrocketed. Harry found himself sandwiched between a moody Sirius and Ron who was too busy filling his plate to realise that there was still an empty seat.

The seat, at the head of the table, wasn't empty for long. Before Ron had managed to shovel in his first mouthful, Dumbledore joined them with a pleasant smile. "So sorry I'm late. Please don't wait on my account."It was hard to tell if this was sarcasm at Ron's now full mouth.

Harry watched Dumbledore fill his plate with undisguised interest. Every time Dumbledore came to dinner interesting things happened. Exchanging a look with Ron and then Hermione Harry settled down to eat. Dumbledore seemed intent on his own meal so Harry had to assume that whatever information he was going to reveal wasn't going to be revealed until later.

He didn't have to wait long for the revelation. The plates were cleared with a wave of Mrs Weasley's wand and Dumbledore leant forward and steepled his fingers. Merlin blinked and two sets of blue eyes met. Dumbledore smiled easily. "I have been considering your request to be present at Hogwarts during the school year and I believe I have come up with a solution, if you are amenable to it."

Arching an eyebrow suspiciously Merlin waited along with everyone else.

"There is currently a teaching position open, Defence against the Dark Arts, I have been unable to acquire a new Professor up until this point and unfortunately unless I can find someone in the next few days the Ministry will appoint someone."

The room was silent for a moment. Harry could see Merlin considering the suggestion and decided to add in his support. Not only would be much prefer Merlin as a Professor to the Umbridge woman, but he was sure Merlin would be a brilliant teacher. However before he could utter a word the ancient sorcerer shook his head. "No."

"But you'd be perfect!" Hermione gasped. "I mean you're Merlin, there can't be anyone who knows as much about magic than you." Ron and Harry joined the twins in nodded enthusiastically.

Merlin shrugged uncomfortably. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I'm really not the right person for this. I've never taught magic before, I've never even been taught magic." At their looks of confusion he added. "I taught myself from books and scraps of knowledge from my guardian. Besides which I thought we agreed that it would be in everyone's best interest for the Ministry to not be aware of my presence."

Dumbledore frowned. "I understand." At the cries of protest from the students he raised a hand.

Lupin quietened them down. "Please all of you, it is Merlin's choice to help here and you all yelling is hardly going to change his mind." When the shouting had stopped he looked over at Merlin who looked appreciative. "You did say you wanted to stay at Hogwarts this year. So what were you planning?"

"I want to be as unnoticeable as possible. Joining the staff would be ideal, but if there is going to be Ministry attention on the school then I'd rather be someone unimportant." With a dry smile Merlin added. "It's always worked rather well for me in the past."

"Meaning?" Sirius snapped.

"I thought that I'd help Hagrid out. He's still teaching Care of Magical Creatures when he returns and performing his Gamekeeping duties. He could use a hand and I'm not too awful with physical work."

There was complete silence in the room as everyone examined Merlin's elderly and slightly scrawny frame. Merlin didn't seem to notice the attention as he continued talking. "It'll give me good access to Hogwarts without being obvious about it and seeing as Harry, Ron and Hermione are good friends with Hagrid it won't raise suspicion when they come down to visit."

"I'm sure Hagrid will be delighted to have you when he returns." Dumbledore said slowly. "However..."

"Aren't you too old?" Ron blurted out. Everyone in the room winced; Merlin however frowned and looked down at his hands as though confused.

Suddenly he burst out laughing. Harry exchanged a look with Ron which suggested concern over the sorcerer's mental health. "Sorry sometimes I forget I've got this bloody spell going." Merlin chuckled and he rolled his shoulders.

It was like watching someone melt in reverse. Merlin's long white beard and hair receded into his head and darkened, the wrinkles which marred his face smoothed over, his face rounded and his scrawny frame filled out. When the whole process was over the stunned occupants of Grimmauld Place were faced with a young man with short black hair, smooth pale skin and the brilliant blue eyes of the old sorcerer. A cheeky grin split the new face as the now young Merlin rolled back the robe sleeves and leant back in his chair.

"How?" Mr Weasley gasped out.

Merlin shrugged. "I stopped aging when Arthur...well anyway... being an old man, people tend to leave you alone. They assume you know what you're doing. Like this I found people either thought I was lost, in trouble or about to cause trouble." When the looks of startled confusion didn't fade Merlin added. "I know you have aging spells, that's all this is. Admittedly it's hard to hold for such a long time, but I get by."

Harry couldn't stop gaping. He would never have ever thought that Merlin would be young. Every story that he'd ever heard about Merlin, which was all those Hermione had managed to find in the Black library in the last few weeks, had labelled him an old man.

Finally getting over his shock Harry thought of one final thing that could cause issues. "But, if you want to stay out of the way of the Ministry then what are we supposed to call you? Cause we can't call you Merlin without having to either explain who you are or tell people that your parents were really really conceited."

Merlin considered that and slowly a sly smile spread over his face. "You can always call me Emrys."


Finally the apparently long awaited event, Merlin in his young body in front of other people.

No Merlin will not be teaching this year, at least not officially. I love Umbridge and having her as the DADA teacher is too delicious a chance to give up. Besides I can't see Merlin being a particularly good teacher.