Title: The Houses of Pendragon, Emrys and Potter

Summary: AU OotP, set after M-S5. Merlin had always watched as the wizarding world fought for justice. He watched Harry Potter grow up as a young warlock struggling against Voldemort. At the Department of Mysteries on a Thursday evening when a deadly battle was playing out concerning Harry's destiny, Merlin decided it was time to step in. He will join the fight. This time. DISCLAIMER NOW!

Written by: Alexia Blackbriar (hoping to co-write with Holmes1216)

PLEASE REVIEW.

MULTI-CHAPTER STORY.

This will include Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna, Neville, Hedwig all of the members of the Order (including Sirius), the Professors, the characters from Book 5 and Book 6, Aithusa, Merlin of course and there will be mentions of Merlin S1,2,3,4,5.

DISCLAIMER: Some of this work belongs to the brilliant JK Rowling. I cannot take credit for her stuff! All the characters either belong to HER or the BBC.

"He was going in that direction, I think," murmured Harry as quietly as possible so that the humming Hagrid would not hear them.

"Wait," Merlin whispered, "Aithusa?" They shuffled in sync over into the shadows of a corner and the small white dragon slipped off Merlin's shoulder, landing on the ground underneath the Cloak silently before nodding up at Merlin.

"What's she doing?" Hermione mumbled through her lips that were squeezed together, so that nobody could hear her.

"She's going to follow Malfoy's scent and lead us to him," Merlin explained quietly. "She's placed a spell on herself to make her visible only to us."

They scurried along, peering left and right, through shop windows and doors, until Hermione pointed ahead; Aithusa was jumping and down, trying to catch their attention, flicking her tail around a corner.

"He's turning left," Hermione whispered, "Into Knockturn Alley."

"Big surprise," whispered Ron.

They turned the corner, Merlin leading them underneath the Cloak, conversing with Aithusa using telepathy. He suddenly froze and pulled them back into the wall. Harry was about to complain when suddenly Malfoy appeared, running backwards, checking that nobody was following him, looking around the street before scrambling into Knockturn Alley.

"Quick, or we'll loose him," said Harry, speeding up.

"Our feet'll be seen!" said Hermione anxiously, as the Cloak flapped a little around their ankles; it was much more difficult hiding all three of them under it nowadays, and now it was not only just Harry, Hermione and Ron, but Merlin as well, who was quite tall, and Kilgharrah, who was hunched down on Merlin's shoulder, tucked under his chin a bit.

"It doesn't matter," said Harry impatiently, "Just hurry!"

"What if we're caught?" Hermione fretted, pulling back a bit.

Merlin grabbed her arm and yanked her so she was at his side. "You're with me; if you get caught, it will be blamed on me, so don't worry."

But Knockturn Alley, the side street devoted to the Dark Arts, looked completely deserted. They peered into windows as they passed, but none of the shops seemed to have any customers at all. Harry supposed it was a bit of a giveaway in these dangerous and suspicious times to buy Dark artefacts – or at least, to be seem buying them.

Hermione gave Merlin's arm a hard pinch.

"Ouch!" he hissed. Aithusa! Where's Malfoy?

"Shh! Look! He's in there!" Hermione breathed in Merlin's ear.

They had drawn level with the only shop in Knockturn Alley that Harry had ever visited: Borgin and Burkes, which sold a wide variety of sinister objects. There in the midst of the cases full of skulls and old bottles stood Draco Malfoy with his back to them, just visible beyond the very same large black cabinet in which Harry had once hidden to avoid Malfoy and his father. Judging by the movements of Malfoy's hands he was talking animatedly. The proprietor of the shop, Mr Borgin, an oily-haired, stooping man, stood facing Malfoy. He was wearing a curious expression of mingled resentment and fear.

Aithusa clambered up Merlin's leg, latching her claws into the fabric, hanging a few metres from the ground.

"If only we could hear what they're saying!" said Hermione.

Merlin thought for a moment before telling them excitedly, "We can! Hang on – damn –"Aithusa, would you mind -?

Eavesdropping for you, Merlin, again? Aithusa laughed telepathically. It would be my pleasure.

"What's going on?" Ron asked furiously.

"Merlin, what are you doing?" Hermione asked nervously.

Merlin hushed them as Aithusa dropped from his trouser leg onto the ground, scuttling from sight. Merlin wondered how she was going to get inside, but when he noticed Aithusa winging it up to the roof, where there was a window open. She swooped inside, still only visible to the four of them. She perched on the top of the black cabinet and flicked her tail to signal Merlin.

"Here, take my hands," Merlin whispered, holding them out.

"Why would we want to do that, mate?" Ron asked, looking slightly disgusted.

Merlin rolled his eyes. "As a Dragonlord I can look through Aithusa's eyes," he explained. "And I can share that vision with you, if you hold my hands."

Ron no longer hesitated and grabbed one of the warlock's hands. Harry placed his hand on top of Ron and Merlin's and gripped it tightly, impatient, wanting to hear what Malfoy was saying. Hermione hesitated, but eventually took Merlin's other hand.

Merlin flashed them a reassuring grin. "Now, you might feel a small jolt, but don't let go of my hands, okay?"

After they had nodded firmly, Merlin squeezed his eyes shut and forced his way into Aithusa's mind. There was a small click inside of his own conscience and by the way Harry, Hermione and Ron had winced beside him underneath the Cloak, they had received it too, but much more violently. Slowly, Merlin opened his eyes, and held his breath when he found he was looking through his dragon's eyes.

"… you know how to fix it?" Malfoy asked, with a slightly vicious voice.

"Possibly," said Borgin, in a tone that suggested that he was unwilling to commit himself. "I'll need to see it, though. Why don't you bring it to the shop?"

"I can't," said Malfoy, looking disgusted. "It's got to stay put. I just need you to tell me how to do it."

Borgin licked his lips nervously. "Well, without seeing it, I must say it will be a very difficult job, perhaps impossible. I couldn't guarantee anything at all."

"No?" Malfoy said, sneering unpleasantly, taking a threatening step forwards. "Perhaps this will make you more confident…"…

"Ow, Ron!" Ron had accidentally stepped on Merlin's foot, breaking the connection. "Watch where you're stepping!"

"Merlin, quickly, what was he saying?" Harry gasped, grabbing Merlin's hand again.

Merlin quickly dove back into Aithusa's mind, dragging his friends with him.

Borgin looked very frightened, terrified. Malfoy was standing in front of him, leering. Malfoy pointed at him, stepping away.

"Tell anyone," said Malfoy, "And there will be retribution. You know Fenrir Greyback? He's a family friend; he'll be dropping in from time to time to make sure you're giving the problem your full attention." Malfoy had a cruel nasty smirk upon his face.

Borgin shook his head desperately, eyes filled with fear. "There will be no need for –"

Malfoy laughed bitterly. "I'll decide that. Well, I'd better be off. And don't forget to keep THAT one safe. I'll need it."

"Perhaps you'd like to take it now, sir?" Borgin asked him, sounding desperate, pleading.

Malfoy turned around again, looking irritated. "No, of course I wouldn't, you stupid little man. How would I look carrying that down the street? Just don't sell it."

"Of course not, sir," Borgin rushed out hurriedly, his bow as deep as the one Harry had once seem him give Lucius Malfoy.

"Not a word to anyone, Borgin," Malfoy reminded him ferociously, his eyes livid. "That includes my mother, do you understand?"

"Naturally, naturally," murmured Borgin, terrified, as he bowed again.

The next moment, the bell over the door tinkled loudly as Malfoy stalked out of the shop looking very pleased with himself, shocking Merlin out of his trance. Malfoy passed so close to Harry, Ron, Hermione and Merlin that they felt the Cloak flutter around their knees again. Inside the shop, Borgin remained frozen; his unctuous smile had vanished; he looked worried.

"What was that about?" whispered Ron, as Aithusa joined them under the Cloak, climbing up to join Kilgharrah on Merlin's shoulders once again.

"Dunno," said Harry, thinking hard. "He wants something mended… and he wants to reserve something in there… Aithusa, could you see what he pointed at when he said 'that one'?"

The white dragon shook her head. "Sorry, Harry, I lost sight of him for a few seconds."

"What about what he showed Borgin?" Ron asked eagerly. "Did you see that?"

This time, Merlin answered for her. "When the connection between us broke, Aithusa was rendered sightless for a few seconds. She wouldn't have seen what Malfoy was showing Borgin."

"You guys stay here for a second," whispered Hermione.

Merlin's eyes flashed in concern and alarm; "What are you -!?"

But Hermione had already ducked out from under the Cloak. She checked her hair in the reflection in the glass then marched into the shop, setting the bell tinkling again. Unfortunately, Harry, Ron and Merlin were not able to hear what was happening this time.

I think I know what Malfoy showed Borgin, Aithusa told Merlin worriedly.

Merlin's heart leapt. Really? What?

I think… oh, Merlin, I think he's replaced his father as a Death Eater.

Merlin squeezed his eyes shut. I feared as much. He probably has the Dark Mark branded into his left arm…

At Hogwarts we'll have to tread carefully around him, Merlin.

Aithusa, would you keep an eye on him for me when we reach the school? I want to know what he's doing, where he's going, what he's planning.

Of course, Merlin. Should we tell Harry?

No, Merlin answered at once, firmly. We can't tell him. We are here to watch over events, not influence them. I can help Harry understand his destiny, but I can't control it for him.

Suddenly, Hermione burst out of the shop, Borgin slamming the door behind her, swinging the sign saying OPEN over so it said CLOSED. Merlin only had to guess what had happened. Hermione had attempted to find out what Malfoy had reserved, and instead made Borgin suspicious, so he had chucked her out.

"Ah well," said Ron, throwing the Cloak back over Hermione. "Worth a try, but you were a bit obvious –"

"Well, next time you can show me how it's done, Master of Mystery!" she snapped back in reply.

Ron and Hermione bickered all the way back to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, where they were forced to stop so they could dodge undetected around a very anxious-looking Mrs Weasley and Hagrid, who had clearly noticed their absence. Merlin swore in Old English when he saw Fred and George searching the shop for them, dragging the three of them to the back room.

Once hidden behind a Shield Cloak rack, Harry whipped off the Invisibility Cloak, hid it in his bag and joined in with the other three when they insisted, in answer to Mrs Weasley's accusations, that they had been in the back room all along and that she could not have searched properly.

As they were walking back down Diagon Alley, Harry, Hermione and Ron jogged up to Merlin, to talk. Luckily, Merlin was at the back of the group, so everybody else was up front, so they couldn't hear their conversation.

"It was very irresponsible of you, Merlin," Hermione said gravely.

"What was?" Merlin asked innocently.

Ginny fell back to join them and shot Merlin a mischievous grin. "To help Hermione, Ron and Harry escape from Mum's clutches to spy on Malfoy."

"Are you angry?" Hermione asked her.

"No. Just annoyed that you didn't invite me along," Ginny said, shrugging.

"Next time we decide to do some snooping, we'll pick you up then," Ron said teasingly.

"You really shouldn't have allowed them to, Merlin," Ginny told him, "But I'm guessing you've done that kind of sneaking loads of times…"

Merlin shrugged; "I did it every week in Camelot."

"Did you ever get caught?" Hermione asked, trying to prove her point.

Merlin looked guilty and slightly ashamed. "Maybe once. I was following Morgana after she betrayed Camelot… she was visiting her sister, Morgause. They caught me, tied me up and left me to the Serkets…"

"What are Serkets?" Harry asked.

Hermione looked completely horrified for Merlin; "Oh, Merlin, you poor thing! Serkets are like completely massive poisonous scorpions, Harry. They can kill you with one sting."

"I'm glad Kilgharrah was there, otherwise I would be dead," Merlin chuckled trying to turn it into a joke.

"You got stung?" Hermione cried out. "Oh, Merlin! How are you still alive?!"

Merlin didn't answer, so Hermione rushed off to help Mrs Weasley carry Ginny's books. Merlin was carrying his own as well as his new school uniform; Aithusa was carrying a few books as well in her claws and Kilgharrah was flying up above, Merlin's potion ingredients hanging from his talons.

"Do you know what Malfoy was doing?" Harry whispered grimly.

Merlin set his jaw. "I have an idea," he said quietly. "And my ideas are usually right. I'm hoping that just this once, I'm wrong…"