A/N: Massive thanks to everyone that reviewed! :)

The Opening

"Master Emrys! Master Emrys!" A house-elf came running up to Merlin in the library. "Come quickly! Master Emrys!"

"What's wrong?" Merlin asked, looking in concern at the elf who was breathing heavily and staring at him with wild eyes as he hopped nervously from foot to foot.

"Come! Come!" the elf just squeaked, and ran out of the room. Merlin immediately got up and followed, barely managing to keep up with the elf's hurried pace. He turned onto the marble staircase and immediately saw what was wrong.

There was absolute chaos in the Entrance Hall. Scrolls of parchment and quills were lying haphazard around the room, with smashed bottles of ink lying in pools on the floor. Helga, Rowena and most of the teachers were running around with the house-elves in a panic trying to clear up the mess, all the while more ink and scrolls rained down on them from above, along with several rugs, lit candles, vases and pieces of furniture. Peeves was lurking around the ceiling, more and more items magically appearing into his hand as he threw it. There was a malevolent smirk on his face.

Godric and the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Kerr, were firing hexes at him from below, trying to get near enough to grab him, but Peeves just swooped around cackling fiercely, easily evading them.

"PEEVES!" roared Godric, his face red in anger. "Stop this right now or I'll-"

A bottle of ink hit him straight in the face and he fell back stunned for a moment, ink steadily dripping down into his newly grown beard.

Peeves continued to cackle. He threw a small stool at a house-elf who shrieked and ducked out of the way.

"Little old Peevsie isn't allowed at the Feast!" Peeves said, aiming another stool. "Why should Peeves help the Founders? Ickle students won't have a castle to come to!"

Merlin wasn't really sure how to react. The school was getting wrecked, just hours before it was due to open, but then again … the sight of Rowena covered in ink and glaring daggers at the floating poltergeist was rather amusing.

Godric had regained his feet and pointed his wand sharply at Peeves. "I'll get you for this! Impedimenta!"

The spell easily missed Peeves, who turned upside down and blew a raspberry.

"PEEVES!" a new voice joined the foray.

Salazar was marching up from the dungeon entrance, glowering at the form before him. Peeves, miraculously, stopped dead.

"Get out of here, Peeves," Salazar said, fixing him with a rather frightening glare. "Leave, or I'll make you regret it."

Peeves actually looked worried. He hung in mid-air for a few moments, scowled and threw one last bottle of ink and disappeared.

"How the hell did you do that?" Godric demanded, wheeling around to face Salazar.

He shrugged. "You just have to know how to deal with him, that's all. Throwing spells at him is what he wants. You have to take a more subtle approach."

Godric shook his head. "No, there's an art to it, and you're just not telling me."

Salazar smiled. "Where would be the fun in telling you?"

"Now will you consent to have him exorcised?" Helga asked, her yellow dress seeped in ink. "He's a menace!"

Godric looked aghast. "Certainly not!"

"But-"

"Where's the fun in the challenge if you just get rid of the obstacle?" Godric asked. "He will prove a worthy adversary, both for me and for future students."

"He could end up killing one!"

"Then what better way to teach them to defend themselves?" Godric asked. He put his wand back into his stained robes and glanced around the room. "Well … this isn't exactly ideal …"

"Ideal?" asked Rowena furiously. "The students will be arriving this evening! What will we do?"

"I'll help," offered Merlin, finally going down the stairs. "I know a few spells that can clear all this away."

Rowena cast him a sideways glance. "And where were you during the fight?"

"Observing," he answered with a smug smirk. "I didn't want to get my own robes dirty."

Quick as a flash, Rowena whipped out her wand, her eyes burned gold and a discarded bottle of ink tipped itself over Merlin's head.

"And I just observed that," she hissed, still looking furious, even as Merlin blinked the ink out of his eyes.

"Rowena!" Helga reprimanded in a scandalised tone, though touched with a hint of amusement. "That was very immature."

Rowena nodded, looking straight at Merlin. "Well, Emrys is always encouraging me to embrace my inner child."

"So I am," he said, fighting back a smile, despite the ink now dripping down his neck. "I'll watch out for that in future."

She almost smiled back, a mischievous glint in her eye.

The other teachers had begun to clear away the furniture, repairing where needed, and Helga bent down and lifted some of the parchment. "It's all ruined," she said, sounding deflated. "We'll have to order more!"

"No need," said Merlin taking the ink stained parchment from her. He placed his hand over it and muttered: "Feormian."

The ink immediately vanished from the parchment, leaving it as good as new. He passed it back to Helga who smiled.

"Thank you, I shall have to remember that one. It won't help us with our shortage of ink however."

Merlin smiled, and he lifted his hand over an ink puddle on the ground surrounding a smashed flask. "Fæstnian. Eftsīð fram hwanon ēow becuman."

The ink rose up in a black wave as the bottle moulded itself back together. The ink fell cleanly into the bottle as good as new, if somewhat dusty.

"You really have a spell for everything don't you?" Rowena said, almost admiringly. "But do you have one that would get these ink stains out of my hair and robes?

"Certainly," said Merlin, his eyes flashing.

The next moment, Rowena was drenched in a huge wave of water that fell on her from above. She shrieked as the cold water hit her, and stood there gasping, her robes and hair sodden.

"Of course, you will need a few more treatments to get the worst of it out," said Merlin, trying not to laugh at her expression of shock. "Would you like me to-"

Rowena immediately whipped out her wand and pointed it to him, armed with a sudden glare. "Don't even try it, Emrys," she warned, even as more watery blank ink ran down her face.

Merlin nodded. "Fine," he said, shaking with laughter.

She shook her head, apparently frustrated with his immaturity and stormed off, giving orders to the several ink-stained house-elves who were running around with mops.

Helga was giggling, even though she herself was covered in ink. "This isn't the best start to the day," she said. "But, I never expected it to go smoothly. I'll clear up in here with those spells, you'd best get to your own work."

"I don't really have any," Merlin said. "I don't have lessons to prepare like you do; the four of you won't be undertaking any Old Magic lessons until the students have settled in."

"Then go to the village," she said. "Greet the students that are arriving and … well, try to keep them all in order. Help Elred with all the robes. Have them all meet at the inn or somewhere, give them a little information about the school and then lead them up here at dusk when I send you a sign. If we're ready by then," she said, sighing as she looked around. She shrugged. "They'll be afraid and a little intimidated, help them adjust before they come up to the castle."

"I thought I wasn't going to be a member of staff?" Merlin asked.

"You're just helping," she said, pointing her wand at some broken furniture. "I will be incredibly busy, and Salazar, Godric and Rowena would just intimidate them. Please?"

"Very well," he said. "I'd better leave in any case. Rowena will find some way of getting her own back."

Helga shook her head. "Just when I think the two of you are getting along … I am afraid I cannot understand your relationship."

"Neither can I," Merlin said absent-mindedly, watching Rowena from afar as she tried to dry her dress with a warm air charm he had taught her. He hoped she was more successful than the last time she had attempted it; she had set her dress on fire.

Helga cleared her throat, and Merlin jumped, only just realising he had been staring. A faint blush came over his cheeks, and he shifted uncomfortably. "I'll just go down to the village then …"

She nodded, her smile a little too knowing. "See you at the Feast."

He turned and left before he could get distracted again, and strode out of the open doors and across the grounds towards the path leading to the village. It was a beautiful summer afternoon, the sun beating down warm and welcoming. The presence of the sunshine seemed to make the grounds seem happierthan normal as it shone through the trees and cast green light onto the ground below. It was a marked change from the castle steeped in winter that Merlin had arrived at several months before. It was almost though the school itself was coming to life the closer it got to welcoming its students.

Just as he was thinking this, he heard a soft snuffling sound coming from somewhere through the trees. He stopped immediately, knowing that this was no woodland animal, and cast out his magical senses for danger. He relaxed as he discovered what it was.

He turned off the path and continued through the trees, searching, until he found what he was looking for. Helena Ravenclaw was sitting by a small stream, her robes dirty as though she had just fallen, sniffing loudly and rubbing her eyes which were red-rimmed and puffy.

"You know," he said, making her jump about a foot in the air, "I've heard there are big dangerous animals in these woods that eat little girls like you for breakfast whenever they wander in here alone."

"I am not afraid," she insisted, sticking up her nose in the air in a proud manner that was so reminiscent of her mother that Merlin couldn't help but laugh.

"You should be," he said, inching closer, and bending down to her level. "Look at this stream. It might have Grindylows in it."

Helena looked worried for a moment, before shaking her head. "Grindylows only live in lakes," she said, but she sounded uncertain.

"This stream runs into a lake," he said. "Maybe it came upstream looking for little girls to eat."

"They only eat fish," she said, though she had pulled her legs far away from the stream.

"You know a lot about Grindylows."

"My mama and Scáthach tell me," she answered.

"You like learning then?"

"Yes!" she said, her eyes lit up. "I want to know everything. I want to be just as smart as mama!"

Merlin smiled. "You'll have to be very smart to do that."

"I will," she promised him. "I'll be smarter than she is. People like my mama because she's so smart. They'll like me too."

"They respect you mama," Merlin said, "but respect and like are two different things. If you want to be as smart as she is you'll have to work hard. You'll go to school here when you're old enough."

At the mention of the school, Helena seemed to huff. She frowned, looking back down at the water.

"Aren't you happy about the school?" Merlin asked her. "You'll be able to learn so many things."

"I'd rather my mama taught me," Helena said, almost sadly. "She won't have time any more. There'll be other children here, and she'll forget all about me."

"She would never forget about you," Merlin said, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. "You're her daughter. She'll always care more about you than all the other children."

Helena sniffed loudly, and a tear fell from her eye.

"But she likes this school more than she likes me," she said miserably. "She hasn't played with me for a while. She doesn't care any more."

"That's nonsense," said Merlin. "She loves you a lot, Helena. She's just busy with the school for now. And you'll just have to be patient for a little while. This means a lot to her, and she'll need your help. But if you're unhappy, then she'll be unhappy."

"There's going to a lot of children though," Helena said. "She won't have time for me."

"Maybe not at first," said Merlin. "But once things settle down, she'll be able to spend more time with you. Until then, you'll have to make do with me. And you've always got Scáthach!"

Helena made a face, and Merlin laughed. "Alright," he said, "I take your meaning. Where is she anyway?"

"I ran away from her," Helena said, looking ashamed. "I wanted to be alone. And all the new people scare me.

"Do you always run away when you're scared?"

"Sometimes," she said. "But people always find me. One day I'll run away to a far off land and no one will be able to find me."

"I'm sure Scáthach will," Merlin said. "That woman's as tough as nails." He stood up, took Helena's hand and pulled her to her feet. "Come on, let's find her. She'll be out of her mind with worry."

It seemed however, that there was no need. Scáthach herself came charging through the trees, her usually pristine appearance now ruined, her face haggard and frantic. She latched eyes on Helena and ran towards her, screeching in Gaelic.

"You naughty child! Never do that again!"

She then noticed Merlin and glared at him. "I had nothing to do with it," he said in Gaelic, raising his hands. "I just found her."

Scáthach gave him one last glare before attending to Helena, trying to brush the worst of the dirt and grit from her dress. "You shouldn't wander off," she reprimanded her. "Not today of all days. We don't need to worry your mother." She examined her head to toe. "No good, you'll need to go for a proper bath. Get back to the castle."

Helena cast one despairing look at Merlin before headed back through the trees. Scáthach turned to follow her, when Merlin spoke.

"Let her get to know the teachers," he said to her. "Hogwarts is her home and always has been. Now she'll be sharing it with strangers. Help her to adjust. She feels lonely."

Scáthach did nothing more than glare at him and as usual, pretended she could not hear or understand him, despite the fact he had spoken to her in her own language. But, as she turned to head back to the castle, he thought he saw a brief nod.

Merlin stood there for a moment, worried. Rowena would have to be careful not to neglect her daughter in the coming weeks. She may be busy, and Helena may have Scáthach and the house-elves to look after her, but she needed bonding time with her mother, time which Rowena may be hard pushed to find.

Shaking himself out of these thoughts, he turned and found his way back to the path down to the village. Before long, he had passed through the gates and headed straight to Elred's house, passing several excited looking children on his way. He knocked at the door, and after a few moments Tomin answered it.

"Is Elred here?"

Tomin nodded, but grimaced. "He's …"

"I understand," said Merlin, and stepped up and through the door. Inside, the room looked like a storm had blown through it. Scraps of black fabric were lying everywhere like bats hanging over the backs of chairs and tables. Elred and Hilda were in the middle of this chaos, their wands twirling through the air as black material sewed itself in midair, faster than the human eye could see. Two rather baffled looking children were standing in the middle of this, glancing at each other uncertainly.

Finally, Elred and Hilda finished, and took the robes, which also had the new Hogwarts crest embroidered on it and threw it none-too-gently over the heads of the waiting children, and began to pin it into place, tapping the hems with their wands to adjust the length of the fabric. They stood back and examined the children critically.

"Perfect," he announced. "Now, take these with you and wear them up to the castle this evening. I'll come up in a few days with spare sets when I get the time." He nodded to Tomin. "Take their names and their measurements for me, will you?"

Tomin nodded, and ran over to some parchment and a quill on the one bare corner of the table and scribbled down some words and numbers, looking thrilled at being useful.

Elred turned to Merlin and wiped the sweat from his brow. "That's ninety five!" he said, gesturing to the two children. "I've been working for hours and hours!"

"The Founders will pay you handsomely," Merlin promised.

"It isn't that," he said. "We've still got fifteen more by your count, and there's no more children to be found in the village. The others haven't arrived yet!"

"They will," said Merlin, even as there was a knock at the door.

Hilda jumped and hurried to the door, where around six children were standing on the doorstep.

"The other children said we have to come here for-"

"Yes, yes," said Hilda, harried. "Come in then, hurry up."

The children were herded in to the small room, whilst the two children already fitted out were steered towards the door and out into the street, still looking bewildered.

"Who's first?"

"Do you need some help?" Merlin asked, trying not to laugh at the life-or-death expressions Hilda and Elred were both wearing.

"No, no, dear," Hilda said, making a young girl and a boy stand up on some stools and taking some measurements. "We'll manage. The other children are gathering at Nessa's inn. You should go and talk to them."

Merlin nodded, privately feeling sorry for the children who were now being poked and prodded with pins.

He left, and turned towards the inn, noting that indeed there were far more children congregated in this area. Some of the local residents were eying them with disapproval, probably annoyed they couldn't get inside for their mead. Some of the poorer children, some of them already wearing their robes (far more luxurious clothing any of them were used to), were playing outside. All the richer ones seemed to have appropriated the common area in the inn. He squeezed inside, to see a sea of black. Everyone was chattering excitedly. House-elves from the castle had come down here earlier and were serving everyone with cold drinks and refreshments, while Nessa the barmaid tried to keep the peace. Despite the uniform, the noble children were immediately evident; they sat on heavy and ornamented trunks, some even having noble owls in cages, giving house-elves casual orders, whilst the poorer children sat on small patched bags and stared at the elves in astonishment, having never seen anything like them before.

Merlin moved to the head of the room and to the bar where Nessa stood, watching the children with narrowed eyes. She muttered a curse in Gaelic.

"I do not like this," she said. "There are too many. I can manage the ones that have been staying for the last three days, but more keep arriving! They cannot all come here. What will happen next year when there are even more?"

"We'll have to think of something," Merlin agreed. "Perhaps we can convince some of the townspeople to take in one or two in the days before term starts next year?"

"Good luck," she said. She sounded unusually irritated.

"Don't worry, they'll all be gone by this afternoon."

"Good," she said. "You can watch them until then."

She moved off to speak to one of the Muggle-Born children who was now poking a house-elf with her wand, looking surprised when it could talk.

Merlin tried not to chuckle. The Muggle-Born children were also obvious. They looked the most relieved to be here. They looked around amazed to find so many others like themselves. They sat staring at their wands in awe. The Founders had arranged with the local wand-maker to have wands provided to all those who could not afford one. The upper-class children of course already had their own, of Ollivander's make, which was far better than this local wandmaker's.

He sat watching over the room for a long time, Nessa bringing him a light lunch as he observed every student in the room. Some looked nervous, some were calm, some terrified, some confused, but all excited. Soon everyone in the room was wearing their new Hogwarts robes, examining the crest in interest. The richer children looked at the robes uncertainly, although the poor children saw the robes as luxurious, the richer ones saw them as substandard, and of mediocre quality.

He tried to count the children in the room, but soon lost count, as they ran around the room, squeezing past each other and laughing excitedly. He chose to just sit and watch, and only occasionally speaking to them when needed. He probed out with his magic, determining the magical ability of all the children in the room. All of them had great potential, and most of it was untapped. Of course, none were as powerful as the Founders. He couldn't help but grin to look at their faces; soon their lives would be changed forever.

The light began to grow dimmer outside, and as dusk began to fall, the chattering increased. The children who had been playing outside now came inside, the room becoming almost unbearably crowded with so many people inside. Merlin bided his time, even as the darkness began to increase. Eventually, the door opened and Elred squeezed in, guiding about ten children including Tomin in front of him, all wearing their robes. He caught Merlin's eye over the crowd and nodded. "All done," he mouthed, and smiled, looking exhausted. At almost the exact same moment, there was a flash of fire, and a single feather was deposited on the table next to him, one that Merlin immediately recognised as coming from Godric's phoenix. It was time.

Merlin nodded back, and stood up, moving to a spot where everyone would be able to see him. He had barely cleared his throat, when everyone fell silent, watching him with barely concealed eagerness.

He smiled at them, despite feeling nervous in front of so many people; he'd always shied away from large crowds since Camelot's day.

"Good evening," he said. "It is time for you all now to head up to the castle to begin your school year. You will all follow me up the path to the castle where you'll attend the Opening Feast and the Founders shall speak to you in person."

All of the children immediately perked up at the mention of a Feast.

"What about our luggage?" asked one wealthy girl, gesturing to two large trunks.

Merlin glanced to the house-elves. "Leave your luggage here, the house-elves will attend to it."

Some of the poorer children looked amazed; they'd obviously never had anyone carry their bags for them before. Merlin nodded to Nessa who handed him several lanterns. He lit these with his wand, not wanting the children to see him use Old Magic, and handed them out to several older children to carry.

"Well," he said, looking at all their joy-filled faces. "We'd better go."

There was an immediate stampede to the door, children pushing each other out of the way to get outside. Some of the more wealthy students looked unimpressed.

"We're walking?" they asked disbelievingly. "But it's miles away!"

"We're walking," said Merlin firmly. "And unless you can sprout wings and fly up to the castle, I suggest you come."

They scowled, but followed the others out the door. They were all now gathered in the street, practically bouncing up and down in excitement. Merlin looked at them with a tinge of worry; that was a lot of children.

"I'll come with you," Elred said to Merlin. "You can't watch over a hundred children on your own."

"Thanks," said Merlin, relieved. He fought his way to the front of the crowd and set off towards the school, the children immediately following in his wake, making him feel like some sort of strange mother duck.

The darkness seemed to close in around them, driven off only by the light of the lanterns they were carrying and the light of the first stars appearing above. Merlin couldn't help but grin as he walked. Somehow, this felt important. These were the very first students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and he was leading them to the place that would change everything for them. All his instincts were letting him know how significant this was. The Founders may not be the ones that he'd hoped for, but this school was important somehow for the both the Old Religion and sorcerers everywhere. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Eventually, the trees began to open slightly, and the lake and the castle looming over it began to come into view. Merlin stopped and turned to grin at the students. "Welcome to your new home."

The looks on their faces said it all. Even the richer children were impressed.

The castle looked even more magnificent than usual. Finally, all the scaffolding had been taken away after the Astronomy Tower had been completed the day before, and the towers stood strong and proud, looking as though they had stood for centuries. Lights blared at every window, twinkling welcomingly in the distance, casting rippling lights over the lake. As the first time Merlin had seen it, he was blown away by it. The Old Religion tingled inside of him.

The children were all staring at it open-mouthed, even the children who had already been to the castle for lessons with Helga and Rowena were speechless.

"We get to live here?" squeaked one young girl. "All of that for us?"

"Yes," Merlin said. "You will eat, sleep, study and play in that castle. It is yours."

He allowed them a few more moments of awed silence, before he turned to the path and continued up to the main gates. He fell back a little to speak to Elred. Tomin was walking shyly beside him, looking up at the castle with a gleam in his eyes.

"You know, Emrys," Elred said, "it might be quicker for students to cross via the lake."

Merlin frowned as he looked. "Perhaps," he said, "it is a more direct route. But I for one don't want to watch over dozens of boats on a lake in the middle of the night."

"Well, maybe only some of them, then," said Elred. "Next year perhaps the newer students can cross by the lake while the others take carriages from the village. When the school gets bigger they can't all walk up here."

"I don't think we have enough horses in the school stables to pull all those carriages," Merlin said. "But I'll pass along your idea to the Founders. Maybe they'll be able to use it."

Elred nodded, looking thrilled at the fact one of his ideas may be used. The rest of the journey passed in much the same manner. The children kept pointing up at the castle looking amazed and having whispered conversations with their friends. Merlin walked in front, getting excited himself the closer he got to the castle.

Finally, they passed through the massive school gates and were soon at the great doors. He pushed them open and led the children into the Entrance Hall, which miraculously showed no sign of Peeves' earlier temper tantrum. They all huddled together looking absolutely amazed and suddenly feeling very small. A couple of house-elves scurried forwards bowing, and took the lanterns from the children, and the bag from the one child who had carried hers, apparently not believing him when he said it would be brought up for her.

"Will you stay for the Feast?" Merlin asked Elred. "You're more than welcome."

"I'll go back," Elred said. "Hilda would never forgive me for going without her. Besides, I'm exhausted! And I've still got spare robes to make!"

"Don't rush yourself," Merlin said, "relax for a while. You're a saviour for doing this much so quickly. You and Hilda both."

Elred just smiled tiredly, gave Tomin a parting hug, and turned and left, whistling to himself.

Merlin moved them all over to the doors leading to the Great Hall, and stopped. He turned to face them. "Behind these doors lies the Great Hall," he said, pointing to the room beyond.

"You mean this isn't the Great Hall?" one child asked disbelievingly. "How can a hall get greater than this one?"

Merlin laughed. "You'll see," he said. "There'll be four long tables in here. Just sit at any one for now. The teachers and the Founders will be at the table at the top of the hall. They will speak a few words to you and then the Feast will begin." He placed his hand on the door. "Prepare yourselves," he said, and pushed open the doors.

Merlin had thought he'd be prepared for what he saw beyond, but even he almost stopped in amazement with the children. The four long House tables were gleaming, golden plates and goblets sparkling brightly. Hundreds upon hundreds of candles, as Helga had wanted, were floating several feet above these tables, making the light beam off the golden plates. They shone so brightly it was only outmatched by the stars directly above. As Helga had dreamed, the room seemed to open directly into the sky above, and the light of many stars were already scattered across the ceiling. True, he had seen the ceiling, the floating candles and the golden plates before but nothing could have prepared him for how they all looked together. It was breathtaking.

The students gasped audibly, and began to talk in thrilled voices, pointing at every corner of the room and exclaiming in wonder. Some were also pointing at the top table. The teachers were all sitting there in a line facing the double doors, watching the children with a mixture of pleasant smiles, and appraising looks.

In the centre of this long table the four Founders were sitting on golden chairs, dressed in their finest, wearing the colours of their Houses. Godric and Helga were smiling warmly at the children, while Rowena and Salazar, as guarded as ever, just watched them calmly, only a slight indication of their joy at being here apparent by the way their eyes seemed to sparkle even from this distance.

Merlin caught Rowena's eye and winked. She smiled briefly and looked down at the plate before her.

The children, after their initial shock, began to crowd around the tables and take their seats, looking around with wide eyes. Several began to pick up the golden plates and examine them with incredulous expressions. Merlin was sure he actually saw one girl pinch herself.

He himself made his way to the top table, where he took a seat between Rowena and the Muggle Studies teacher. He wasn't really sure he should be sitting here at all; after all, he wasn't a member of staff. But Helga had looked at him pointedly and he didn't dare disagree with her.

The students whispered amongst themselves, looking incredibly overwhelmed. Godric stood up, and held out his hands in a welcoming gesture. As they had for Merlin, the children immediately fell silent.

"Welcome," he boomed, his deep voice echoing around the room easily. "Welcome to your first year at our school! Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

There was scattered applause, but mostly people were looking a little confused and wondering if they had heard him right. Some people giggled, others looked disbelievingly at Godric, and others seemed unsure of whether the name was a joke or not. Tomin however was clapping enthusiastically, and, following his lead, the others joined in, laughing openly, but not out of condescension, rather, out of amusement.

Godric grinned, but Merlin noticed a slight blush cross Rowena's cheeks. He reached under the teacher and squeezed her hand. She turned to him and he smiled. She smiled back, shaking her head for being so silly.

"I am Lord Godric Gryffindor!" he announced, beaming at the faces below. "To my right is Lord Salazar Slytherin, and the two ladies to my left are Lady Helga Hufflepuff and Lady Rowena Ravenclaw. We are the Founders of this school and we shall be working closely with Headmaster Whitethorn to ensure your education, safety, and enjoyment whilst here at Hogwarts. I shall now pass you over to him."

Godric sat down, even as Whitethorn stood up and looked at the students seriously, but not unkindly. "Lessons shall begin tomorrow," he announced. "In time, the school will have a system whereby all eleven years olds are in first-year, and you move up through the years as you learn. But at the moment, you are all at different stages. We have had letters from some of you about your magical abilities, and the Founders have met some of you in person, and on that basis, we have placed you all into your years based on your ability. Do not be discouraged if you are the eldest by several years in your class; some of you are more experienced than others, and in time, that will soon change."

He motioned to the Founders. "Two months from now, we shall host the Sorting Ceremony. Each of the Founders shall select the students they believe embody certain qualities to be a part of their 'House'. You shall then live in your House dormitories, attend classes with your fellow House members and the House shall become like your family while you are with us. Until then, you shall sleep in the general dormitories on the fourth floor, girls in the east wing, boys in the west. When you are Sorted you shall be moved to your House dormitory. You will have the opportunity to earn House points by good behaviour, and lose them by rule-breaking. At the end of the year the House with the most House-Points shall earn a special prize."

"There is to be no magic in the corridors, no sneaking around after dark. You must all behave yourselves in class and treat your teachers and fellow students with respect. The house-elves are not your personal servants, though they shall tidy your dormitories and look after you. Treat them with respect also. The forest in the grounds is off-limits, as is the village unless you have permission to leave the grounds. You can be quite comfortable here, I assure you, if you abide by the rules. But break the rules and you shall be punished. I hope you shall enjoy your time here. Oh," he said, struck by a sudden thought, "and watch out for the poltergeist and the Giant Squid."

A few students went pale at this and clutched each other nervously. A few others grinned and looked raring to go and fight the creature. Merlin could already tell that these children would be in Godric's house.

Whitethorn smiled suddenly. "Let the feast begin!"

Then, suddenly the gleaming golden plates were filled with piles and piles of food, appearing out of nowhere. Several children squeaked and fell back in surprise, but the majority grinned and gave cries of wonder. Soon, they began tucking into the sumptuous feast in front of them. Even the wealthier children had never eaten as well as this before. Merlin thought of Tenga and the other elves; they had been so looking forward to this moment. He would have to let him know just how well their food had gone down.

Merlin glanced at Rowena and saw her trying to stop herself from grinning as freely as the children. He nudged her.

"Are you afraid anymore?" he asked her, remembering their conversation the previous night.

She shook her head, looking oddly emotional. "Not in the slightest," she said, her eyes on all of the children.

Merlin had to admit, the elves had far surpassed themselves with the food that was here. He thought it rivaled even the feasts they had had in Camelot, perhaps even surpassing them. Helena was sitting at the end of the table with her nanny, stuffing her face with the food before her, whilst Scáthach fruitlessly tried to get her to eat like a Lady.

Soon, the hall was filled with the sound of contented laughter. Some of the children had looked nervous at the prospect of so many rules, but all of that was forgotten in the light of the magnificent meal. The candles seemed to glow brighter even as great smiles were breaking out on the faces of the children.

"It's wonderful," Helga was saying, barely even touching her own food. "I could never have hoped that it would be as amazing as this."

"You got rid of Peeves then?" Merlin asked.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, he's sulking somewhere down in the dungeons. I couldn't care less about him right now."

Godric was listening to their conversation. "Is it everything you dreamed of, Helga?" he asked her, his expression affectionate. "Is it what you hoped for all those years ago when you first suggested it?"

"Better," she said, tears in her eyes. "And the school will only improve in the years to come."

"I'll drink to that," Salazar said, from Godric's other side.

"So will I," said Godric, but he stopped Helga from raising her own cup. "Wait a moment, Helga. I have something for you."

He motioned for a servant standing by the doors to come forwards. He was carrying a small wooden chest. Godric opened it and withdrew something from within. It was a golden cup, seemingly glowing even brighter that the other golden crockery on the table. It caught the light, and seemed to have almost fiery depths.

"I had this made for you," Godric said, handing it to Helga. "It was years ago, but I never had the right opportunity to give it to you. I think this may finally be the time."

Helga was speechless as she examined the cup in her hands. She turned it around and on it was carved an intricate badger. Her fingers trailed tenderly across it.

"I know it's your family crest," he said, looking slightly awkward now, "and to be honest, it's a relief that you chose it for your House crest as well. I thought now … with the school opening … well, I hoped you would like it."

Her face broke into a glorious smile and she laughed softly. "I love it!" she said, leaning forwards and planting a kiss on Godric's cheek. Some of the students noticed and giggled a little, but neither Godric nor Helga paid them any heed. Godric was as red as his robes.

Helga motioned for a servant to pour some wine into the cup, and she held it up. "Salazar? You were making a toast?"

Salazar laughed softly. "Where's my present, Godric?" When Godric retaliated with a glare, Salazar shrugged. "Not pretty enough am I? Oh well. Where was I? Oh, yes, to Hogwarts!"

And all four of them, along with Merlin, drank. Helga continued smiling adoringly at Godric.

Merlin cast a sidelong glance at Rowena. "And you tell me you still don't see the attraction between them?"

She laughed softly, but otherwise ignored him, and continued with her meal.

A happy glow seemed to settle around the Great Hall that evening. The children laughed, the teachers chatted freely, and the Founders looked about fit to burst with pride. Merlin felt a great satisfaction settle deep within him. This was what he had been supposed to come to Hogwarts for. The Founders may not be the ones who would bring back the Old Religion, but Merlin knew that this school would be important.

Perhaps the one Kilgharrah spoke of would one day be a student here? Would this school help to influence them in such a way that they would succeed in bringing back the Old Magic? Merlin had no doubt that this school would play a vital role in the future.

Finally, the golden plates were sparkling clean again, and Godric stood. "Now, it is time for bed," he announced, smiling around at you all. Lessons will begin after breakfast tomorrow, and I suggest you get plenty of rest. Girls, follow Lady Helga and she will show you to your dormitories. Boys, follow Emrys. Good night to you all!"

There was a great scraping sound as everyone pushed back the benches got to their feet. Merlin rounded on Godric.

"Why am I left to babysit?"

"Salazar and I must speak with Whitethorn," he said apologetically. "I know you're not technically a member of staff, but you know the place better than any of the new teachers."

Merlin sighed. "Fine."

He moved from his spot at the high table, walking towards the group of about fifty boys, ranging in age from eleven to about sixteen, all of them looking slightly nervous.

"Follow me," he said, and left the hall, avoiding Helga and the gaggle of girls she was leading and heading to the marble staircase ahead of them. The boys followed looking around in interest. They went along some corridors and up a few more staircases.

"We'll get lost!" one of the younger ones said.

"Well, then, pay attention," Merlin said. "The timetables you will get at breakfast tomorrow morning will have your classroom numbers and what floor they're on, and it will be up to you to find it. You're all intelligent, you'll figure it out."

"I already know my way around," said one of the village children rather smugly. "I've been here before."

"That doesn't count for anything," Merlin said, winking at him. "The staircases move around. Corridors change, there are trick steps, doors will lead to different areas on different days and some will just be walls pretending to be doors. It will be your job to learn all of this."

"That's impossible!" someone complained, looking at the staircase they were on as though worried it was about to move while he was on it. "How are we supposed to do that?"

"I've done it," said Merlin, "and so have the teachers, more or less. "Blame Lady Rowena for the idea; she thinks it will make you more observant and logical. There is a distinct pattern to it you'll need to discover. But don't worry, there's always a house-elf or two wandering around who'll point you in the right direction. Just don't listen to the poltergeist. He'll send you right out a window."

Some of the boys looked nervous again, probably wondering what a poltergeist was, and whether they should be scared of one or not.

They came to the fourth floor, and Merlin led them all to the west wing, passing along a corridor lined with paintings. The Muggle-Born children gasped and looked astonished when they saw them.

"The pictures are moving!" one squeaked, watching as a dragon swooped around an old tower while archers below tried to subdue it.

One other boy rolled his eyes. "Well, of course they are. What did you expect?"

The Muggle-Born's eyes went even wider if that was possible. "Wizard pictures move?" one whispered. "Staircases change … little elves do the chores … am I dreaming?"

Merlin chuckled, and felt a secret thrill. How could the Wizards' Council say this was wrong? All you had to do was look at the expression of delight on these Muggle-Born children's faces to see that it was right. They had finally discovered that they were not alone and were able to embrace the wonders of the world they were born to inhabit.

Finally, he led them to a small nondescript door and he opened it, leading them all inside. It was a spacious common area, with plenty of comfortable chairs and tables, a large roaring fire and a cosy atmosphere. From this, three doors led off.

"Your quarters are through there," he said, pointing. "You'll live here until the Sorting. Any questions?"

The poorer children were looking around in barely concealed glee. The common area alone was probably bigger than most of their homes, and certainly far more comfortable. However, not everyone was satisfied.

"We all share?" one asked, looking incredulous.

"Yes," said Merlin. "There are three rooms, large rooms, I might add. Twenty to a room. One you're Sorted into your houses it will be about half a dozen to a room."

The boy did not look satisfied. "But all of us?" he objected. "All of us? Regardless of … background?"

"Yes," said Merlin firmly. "Everyone is equal at Hogwarts. If you don't like it, I suggest you take a few blankets and set up camp in a classroom. Better yet, the Forbidden Forest. I'm sure the werewolves won't mind."

The boy went pale, and shook his head quickly. Merlin smiled; there of course weren't any werewolves in the Forest, but a few harmless rumours wouldn't go amiss.

"I suggest you all get to sleep," he said, moving over to the door again. "You'll need to be prepared for tomorrow."

He left the room and moved back to the staircases, determined to get to his room on the seventh floor. He was exhausted. However, as he was heading along the corridor, he stopped when he saw a figure in his path.

"Rowena," he said, smiling despite his tiredness. "Why aren't you in your Tower?"

She smiled. "I wanted to thank you."

"Thank me?" Merlin asked, taking a few steps closer to her, his smile widening. "And what for?"

"For helping to make all of this possible," she said. "I thank you."

"That is unusual," he said, stopping just inches from her. "You do not like to share credit."

"I am not," she said, smirking. "A House shall bear my name. None shall bear yours."

"True," he said, "but I would not have it any other way. This is your school. You were the ones who founded it. I did very little in comparison."

Just as as have done for the last three centuries, he silently added. If only I had had the vision to do something like this.

She shook her head. "Nevertheless, I thank you, Emrys."

He placed a hand under her chin and made her look at him. "And I thank you, Rowena," he said sincerely. "You've made me feel alive in a way I haven't in a very long time."

He tilted his head and smiled. "You're happy?"

"I never thought I could ever be this happy," she said, her eyes slightly watery. "I told myself that I was doing this solely for the renown and the intellectual achievements that I would be remembered for. But I failed to anticipate how happy it would make me to see those children there, ready to learn, given an opportunity that so many others have been denied."

"You're beginning to sound like Helga," Merlin said, and she laughed.

"Perhaps I am," she said. "But I am not ashamed of it. She is a good woman. And I no longer see embracing my own happiness as the weakness I once did. If anything, It will make me stronger."

She took a step closer, reached up and traced his face lightly with her fingers. "You struggle with that, don't you?" she said. "You don't want yourself to be happy because you feel you do not deserve it."

"I do feel that I have something to atone for," he said, covering her hand in his. "But when I'm here in this castle, when I'm with you, I forget that I should be being punished. I am afraid to embrace anything that will make me happy. I know it cannot last."

She smiled. "Nothing will last. Not even this school. But joy can be found in these things regardless."

She reached up then and kissed him, winding her arms around his neck. He pulled her closer, feeling the usual exhilaration of being this close to her, of being able to forget his crushing destiny. He deepened the kiss, and let himself forget everything, everything except her.

After what could have been either hours or mere minutes, they moved apart, both a little breathless. She giggled, most uncharacteristically. She ran her hand along his arm.

"Helena is asleep," she said, looking up at him. "We can be together."

And she took his hands, and led him back to her quarters. And this time, not even the rational side of his mind offered an objection.

He followed her.

A/N: Next update will be within the next couple of days! :)