AN: I'm so sorry this chapter is really really late- I don't know what it is about this story that always gives me writers block but anyway here's the chapter and I hope you like it all the same even though it's not one of my best. I had planned for this chapter to be longer but I thought I should probably at least get something posted.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Merlin wasn't quite sure what to expect as he followed Professor Dumbledore into his office. God knows the aging headmaster was an eccentric fellow (just as Merlin himself was truth be told) but having never stepped foot into his office the warlock could honestly say he was a little bit nervous- strange as that may be.
His interview for the DADA position had been kindly conducted by Dumbledore in a quiet, cosy pub close to Arthur's final resting place.
Which consequently meant Merlin had so far never seen the confines of the headmasters office; a fact that was now about to change. It was perhaps the reason why the sight of the headmaster's office both amused and shocked him so much.
Shocked him because of what lay mounted on the wall behind Dumbledore's chair and amused him as he remembered it's making.
Godric Gryffindor's sword was modelled after Excalibur. After many failed attempts of trying to persuade Merlin to give him the sword from the bottom of the lake Godric Gryffindor had gotten the goblins to make a new sword- which he swore was even better than Excalibur.
Now at the time Merlin hadn't been too bothered by the joyous man's attempts to demean Excalibur; Aithusa on the other hand, not so much. Especially after one pointed comment about forging a sword in dragon's breath.
Suffice to say Godric Gryffindors desperate attempts to quell the flames dancing in his hair had been a source of amusement for the other founders and Merlin himself for weeks after that.
''Something wrong?'' Dumbledore questioned and the warlock realised he had been staring for quite some time.
''Not at all'' he replied, turning to finally face the headmaster ''just remembering something.''
''Anything you'd like to share?''
''I'm afraid it's a long story Professor'' Merlin shook his head; watching the curiosity light in Dumbledore's eyes.
''I understand'' he said instead- taking a seat at his desk and indicating for Merlin to do the same ''and please call me Albus.''
Merlin nodded in acknowledgement before placing the quills clutched in his fist onto the desk, watching the tips gleam in the light ''these were in Umbridge's chambers.''
Dumbledore's features hardened and an odd glint entered his eyes ''I see. May I ask how you knew these to be in her possession?''
''Hermione Granger came to me earlier tonight, concerned over the new scars branded onto Harry Potter's hand because of some night time detentions he had with Umbridge'' Merlin stared at the headmaster as his face paled and he slowly took the quills in hand, wrinkled fingers running over the black feathers.
''Thank you for bringing this to my attention Myrddin- I can assure you I had no knowledge of these happenings or I would have put a stop to them sooner'' the despondency in the old man's voice could not be faked.
''I believe you but I could not in good conscience leave these with her- harming a child is a despicable act.''
''You made the right decision'' Dumbledore assured him, leaning closer ''if Dolores comes to me regarding any sort of theft or such I will let you know.''
Merlin sighed; glad the professor was on his side but still feeling as if he'd aged another century in just the short time of being in the office ''thank you.''
''Forgive me for but for one so seemingly young, you are wise beyond your years Myrddin'' Merlin's heart thumped in his chest and he fought to keep his face neutral ''in fact your eyes look as if to be centuries old.''
The headmaster stared at Merlin with unnerving blue eyes and Merlin held his gaze; feeling a light pressure on his occlumency shields. The warlock reinforced the barriers in his mind and threw Dumbledore out of his head causing the wizard to wince momentarily.
''I apologise'' he said solemnly ''I had no right to try that.''
The raven head merely nodded, accepting the apology despite himself.
It was another moment of tense silence before Dumbledore sighed as if deciding something ''can I trust you Myrddin?''
''I would like for you to trust me'' Merlin said honestly and the answer seemed to surprise the headmaster ''but I cannot make that decision for you.''
''Do you believe Mr Potter to be telling the truth about Voldemort's return?''
''Yes'' he answered without hesitation and a smile briefly curled Dumbledore's lips when Merlin didn't flinch at Voldemort's name.
''There is a group called the Order of the Phoenix that is dedicated to fighting Voldemort and his followers'' Dumbledore began watching Merlin for any reaction ''obviously I cannot recruit you without first speaking to the others in the order but I must ask if it would be something that interests you?''
''What would I do if I joined the order?'' the warlock questioned, already going over possibilities in his head.
''If you joining is approved then you will meet the other members and be informed of any operations that are ongoing or have already been accomplished. For reasons I am not yet privy to disclose I cannot be near Harry Potter this year and so I would like for you to look after and protect Mr Potter instead.''
Merlin nodded ''you have my word that I will do my best to protect him'' he promised and Dumbledore smiled; relieved.
''Thank you.''
The warlock smiled warmly, standing and reaching over to shake the headmaster's hand ''I'm honoured you have chosen to trust me enough.''
With one last glance in Dumbledore's direction he walked out of the door and back to his chambers, thinking of the inspection Umbridge was supposed to be conducting in his classroom tomorrow which would certainly prove interesting after his discovery tonight.
And hell; if Umbridge wanted a war then she was certainly going to get one.
The next morning Merlin decided not to attend breakfast- lest he see Umbridge and accidentally blast her to pieces before he'd got his magic under control- choosing instead to grab toast and a cup of tea from the kitchens before preparing his classroom for his first students; Harry's class.
The tables and chairs were pushed to the sides of the room, freeing space in the middle for the duels he had planned.
''Hem, hem'' the voice, high pitched and unmistakeably familiar, sounded from behind him.
The warlock turned; taking a deep steadying breath to calm the magic bubbling through him like hot magma, he came face to face with Umbridge and her disapproving toad like stare ''What is going on here?'' she asked, attempting to make herself taller as students filed through the door- Hermione, Ron and Harry included.
''A DADA lesson, what else?'' the sharp almost dismissive tone in his voice had the students studying him, Hermione especially whose eyes widened at the defensive stance he exhibited.
Umbridge huffed, nostrils flared as she wrote on the clipboard in her hands.
Merlin turned to the students ''right today we're going to be doing some duelling'' he ignored the titter Umbridge made ''so I would like you all to pair up and then make a line, facing your partner.''
The class rushed to do as he said, practically buzzing at the chance to do practical magic.
''I want to start with the basics-'' he started only to be interrupted when Umbridge coughed once again.
''Yes?''
''What do you think you're doing?'' her smile was predatory, as if she knew something he didn't and he bristled- feeling his magic crackle in the air.
''Teaching'' he stated and the sarcastic lilt had a few of the pupils giggling.
''Duelling is not on the curriculum'' she replied, noting something else on her clipboard ''neither is the practical application of magic in this classroom.''
Merlin scoffed ''then how am I to teach my students?''
''By using the textbooks provided- I believe learning the theory and mastering it will prove successful for in any exams'' she explained primly, beady eyes boring into the young witches and wizards around her when they stared in astonishment.
''So you expect pupils to learn magic without using magic?'' the warlock questioned incredulously; mouth agape.
''I see no problem with that.''
''Then you're delusional'' the statement caused a few more laughs through the class and Merlin took a cursory glance around, seeing the way they were all enraptured with their exchange.
Umbridge fumed; grabbing her quill ''hostile and resistant to change'' she said; scribbling the same words on the parchment.
''What about the patronus charm?'' he threw his hands in the air ''it's one of the hardest charms to master- you really expect anyone to be able to perform the charm without practice first.''
''Like I said as long as the theory has been studied enough-.''
''You're wrong'' he shouted suddenly and she jumped ''you have no idea how wrong you are.''
Merlin glared at the witch, eyes a cold icy blue as he breathed hard- attempting to keep his magic in check. He clenched his fists when she tutted in disappointment; knuckles turning white under the pressure when she turned around, disappearing through the door with a swish of her hideously pink skirt and the slamming of the heavy door.
AN: So that's it- it's not one of my best chapters but I hope you liked it all the same. Please read and review and let me know what you think.
