Chapter 25
So fair warning guys, the next few updates may be a little sparse. I know that doesn't say much coming from me, but bear with me. So I started this story in 2015, a little under a year and a half ago (and you're only on chapter 25? Pull it together) but I was a Sophomore when I started this (for any non-Americans that's the second year of high school) and now I'm dealing with the SAT and ACT ect. Any of you that have survived junior year know how hard it is to manage AP tests, and finals, and the ACT, and the SAT and everything else. Also by the way, I've gotten a few notes saying America is not the United States and I kinda get where you're coming from but like...I live there? I call it America? All my friends call it America? Like when I say America you're not like oh yes of course she's talking about Canada. It may not be a totally correct but like honestly guys I don't care and it's just natural. Sorry? I guess? (also I hear public figures call it America so it can't be that wrong).
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"Fine, tell him to call for me when he is ready" said a figure sat in the faded armchair positioned to face the floor to ceiling window across the room.
"Of course my lady" said a lanky man with nearly white hair.
Morgana felt the tension in her shoulders leave as soon as she heard the door close behind the man.
She barely knew where she was, let alone who owned the large mansion she had been staying in. A few of the people living there had kindly taken her in after she awoke in the splinters of what she assumed used to be a tree. She knew it was very rude to ignore a host asking to see a guest, but every instinct in her body told her to run from him.
She also knew that even if he was a magic user she was most likely exponentially more powerful than him.
That was why she didn't run.
But now it had been nearly a week since he first called for her, and she knew she could ignore the request no longer.
Her hair had been piled into some sort of stretchy tie on the top of her head and she wore a piece of garb borrowed from one of the other witches of the house. It was much less elaborate than what she was accustomed to, but she also felt she had no right to complain.
She grabbed a thick cloak from her bed and wrapped it around her shoulders. She opened the door to find the pale haired man waiting just outside her door expectantly.
"Are you ready Miss Morgana?" he asked, eyeing her wearily.
"It is Lady Morgana, and yes lead the way" she answered primly, holding her regal chin high.
"Follow me" he replied, making an expression that looked as if he had taken a rather unpleasant bite of moldy food.
The two walked silently down the long and drafty hall that lead from Morgana's room to the library.
"The Dark Lord will not take kindly to your snake like tongue woman" the pale man warned, "I would suggest y..." His voice was suddenly cut off as Morgana's eyes flashed gold. He began to gasp for air and found his hands clawing at his throat after a few seconds.
"I do not need his kindness nor approval" Morgana answered as she looked down at the pathetic man gasping for air, "I could destroy all of you if only I wish."
She opened the heavy door herself as she released her guide from her magic and left him to heave on the floor as she entered the dimly lit library.
She glanced around at the damp and peeling wall paper and then to the fireplace on a far wall. It seemed to be the only source of warmth in the entire dank and drafty room.
"What a beautiful home" Morgana scoffed, glancing over to the large armchair placed directly in front of the raging fire.
"Sometimes one cannot afford to be picky about their hideouts" a voice responded from the chair.
"You can perform magic, your options cannot be this limited" Morgana answered, tucking a piece of wavy black hair behind her ear.
"It seems you do not understand who I am" the figure responded, finally rising from the chair. The corner of Morgana's blood red lips twitched slightly in disgust as she finally gazed upon her host.
His pale skin rivaled even hers, each and every vein was visible like a thin blue crack. His cold blue eyes locked with hers, sending an uncomfortable shiver down the witch's spine. Morgana could not help but imagine a snake slithering towards its next meal as he slowly walked towards her.
"I have no idea who you are, where I am, or why I am here" Morgana answered, holding her chin high so she was still in a position to look down at the man, if she could call him that, only ten feet away from her.
"I see" the snake like figure said in a tone she could only assume to be a mocking imitation of warmth, "my name is Voldemort, and you are...?"
"Voldemort" Morgana repeated, narrowing her eyes, "quite a strange name, is it not?"
"It holds recognition" he replied simply, and again Morgana felt a strange aura radiate from him.
She sighed internally, "well it is only proper for my introductions as well. I am the Lady Morgana." She did not miss the slight uptick in the man's shark like mouth.
"I see. Am I being too presumptuous to assume you are the same Lady Morgana from legend?" he replied.
"Legend?" Morgana questioned, crossing her arms.
Voldemort smirked slightly, he could only hope his plan would work, "of course my Lady. You are a myth in the magical community. An...inspiration."
"Is that so?" Morgana asked, suddenly much more interested in the man standing in front of her.
"Indeed. You are known as the savior of the magical of the community. The only one brave enough to stand up to that demon Warlock...Merlin." Voldemort paused for a moment. If his assumptions were correct he could persuade the Lady Morgana to his side. However, if the professor at Hogwarts was not who he said he was, his plans would be shredded.
"Demon..." Morgana repeated, looking back in her memories at the Merlin she had known for years. Her and Merlin were enemies, she hated him and everything he stood for. But, he was not a demon. She knew he had simply been brainwashed by his love for Arthur and his knights. He had simply stood in her way, but he was not evil.
"Yes, you killed King Arthur..." He continued, trailing off as he saw the first trace of emotion in the enchantress's face. He smiled inwardly as all his suspicions about Professor Emrys were confirmed.
"I killed him?" she asked, quickly recovering from the surprise.
"You did not know?" Voldemort questioned, narrowing his eyes.
"I remember...a battle" she replied, "Arthur was injured, not by myself, but he was injured all the same. Merlin and I fought...and he dealt a blow with Excalibur. After that I remember nothing."
"You died" Voldemort said simply. Morgana nodded calmly, though inside she felt rather strange. It was not as if she had expected a different answer, but hearing it said out loud was rather startling.
"But, My Lady, I too am fighting for a cause, just as you were" Voldemort stated, linking his fingers and looking at Morgana.
She narrowed her eyes, "and what do you need from me?"
Voldemort laughed a dead strangled laugh, "right to the point I see. I am sure you are unaware but your nemesis Merlin still lives, and as of last week, so does King Arthur."
"As of last week..." Morgana repeated, "how long has it been since I last walked this earth?"
Voldemort paused for a moment, "by my best estimate a millennia and half."
"Impossible..." muttered Morgana, eyes wide, "how are they still alive; how am I still alive?"
"Magic I assume" Voldemort answered, and Morgana scoffed.
"You say you are fighting for a cause. What exactly is it?" Morgana asked, still distrusting the man.
"Since you left this earth the muggles- or non-magical people- have taken over this earth. They persecute those of us with magic and kill us if we are found. Some...misguided...wizards have sided with the muggles, empathized with them. They will be the death of our kind. For magic to survive the muggles must die. They are...unclean...inferior and a plague on our kind" Voldemort said with a calm tone.
"So nothing has changed" Morgana said darkly.
"Yes. Your old enemy has also sided with the muggles and is readying his armies with his King to destroy our cause" Voldemort finished, setting his trap for the ancient witch before him.
"I do not know your cause or your people. I do not know your values or how the world has changed while I was away. But I do know Merlin. I do not wish to become your soldier, but I do empathize with your struggles. If Merlin steps in your way, I will strike him down. Do not ask any more of me" Morgana stated simply, daring her new reluctant ally to challenge her.
"Of course My Lady, I could not have asked for any more. Thank you for your help" Voldemort smiled, claw like hands tightening on the arms of his chair in excitement.
Morgana nodded and turned to leave the room, "I will be in my room if I am needed." With that she left the library and the door closed behind her. She could not shake the feeling that she had just made a deal with the devil.
Morgana would never side against magic, but after so long devoid of life much of her age old anger had dissipated. She could not remember the rage that had consumed her so long ago, that drove her to make the choices she made. But she remembered her pain and her values. She remembered Uther and his Tyranny, but she also remembered Arthur.
She was too proud to admit mistake, but deep down Morgana knew Arthur had been a great King. She knew he could not truly escape his father's prejudice during his reign, but she could never forgive the Pendragon's treatment of magic. Morgana had no love for her Father, it disgusted her to even call him that. But Arthur had a good heart, and Merlin only did what he thought was right. But Morgana wanted more than that. She wanted magic to once again take its rightful place on the throne of Albion.
Morgana was tried. Tired of fighting, tired of running, tired of hatred. She wanted peace, and if she needed to fight to attain the peace she desired she would.
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"Professor!" Hermione Granger called.
The man in question turned to face one of his star pupils and smiled, "hello Ms. Granger. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Yes. I'm worried...about Harry" she explained, crossing her arms.
"Has something happened to Mr. Potter?" Merlin asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"I'm not sure. Things have been happening in the past few months and every time I try to talk to him about it he just tells me he's fine, but I know something's wrong" Hermione said, tightening her arms around herself.
"What kind of things Ms. Granger?" Merlin asked.
"This is going to sound absolutely insane, but I think he's been having issues with...accidental magic" Hermione stated.
"Accidental magic? Are you sure?" Merlin questioned, feeling his stomach drop as Hermione confirmed his worst fears.
"Well a month or two ago Professor Snape lost his temper and called me a...Mudblood" Hermione explained uncomfortably.
"Yes I remember" Merlin interjected, eyes darkening.
"And when Snape said it- sorry Professor Snape- Harry kind of lost it. All the potions around us exploded and then yesterday when the Minister said it again all the glass on the windows was cracked. I don't know if anyone noticed but me and Harry says nothing is wrong...but I think something's happening" Hermione explained, fidgeting with worry.
"I think you may be right Ms. Ganger" Merlin sighed, "as always."
"S-sorry professor" Hermione apologized with an embarrassed blush.
"No, no don't apologize" Merlin said with a wave of his hand, "never be sorry for you gifts Ms. Granger."
"Thank you Professor" Hermione said.
"I'm going to make sure nothing is wrong with Mr. Potter, thank you for bringing this to my attention" Merlin sighed, smiling at his student.
Hermione returned the gesture, giving Merlin one of the most genuine smiles she had managed in a long time.
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So I actually got this out a lot faster than I thought I would. We're bringing in the dream team Merlin and Hermione. I always thought they would be friends. They're both so loyal and smart. Please excuse me but the Chainsmokers just released a whole album and I need to go lose it for a second. K bye.