AN: Ahh... *looks up at last updated*. Um... hi? Yeah, I'm... back... Hi... Please don't kill me... After a few alarming death threats from people who said they would kill me in my sleep if I didn't update soon... I UPDATED! YAY! I'm so sorry, I've just been so busy with GSCEs and stuff and really there is no excuse... *sigh* You guys probably hate me. But please review because it makes me smile so much. and i really need some relief because The Day of the Doctor and feels and the Christmas DW special and Sherlock Series 3... So... thanks. I'll probably be updating a few chapters now. at least five. so you guys dont kill me.
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.
CHAPTER 29
Harry and the other followed Professor McGonagall upstairs through the castle towards her office. Merlin was still forced to lean on both Harry and Ron for support, but felt comfort at the fact that Aithusa was at his side, concerned for her Dragonlord. They finally reached McGonagall's office. The sleet-splattered windows were rattling in their frames and the room was chilly despite the fire crackling in the grate. Professor McGonagall closed the door and swept around her desk, placing the necklace in the corner, to help Ron and Harry place the still shaking Merlin into one of the chairs.
"Well?" McGonagall said sharply. "What happened?"
Haltingly, and with many pauses of uncertainty, Hermione attempted to explain what Leanne had told her about Katie going to the bathroom in the Three Broomsticks and had returned holding the unmarked package. She then told her about how Katie and Leanne had been fighting and how the package had torn, with Merlin rushing out and stopping Katie from properly touching it.
"All right," Professor McGonagall said, not unkindly. She turned to Merlin. "What happened when you touched the necklace?"
Merlin inhaled sharply, the memory flashing back into his mind. Aithusa nuzzled him gently, purring softly.
"Its Dark magic attempted to assault my own magic," Merlin explained dryly. "And it hurt. A bit."
"A bit? You were writhing about, screaming on the ground," Hermione exclaimed worriedly, eyes wide.
"Yes, Hermione, and that was my attempt at making it all sound less painful than it actually was," Merlin snapped at her. "Thanks for reminding me."
"Merlin," Aithusa growled.
He sighed and shook his head at Hermione's fearful expression. "Sorry, I'm a bit irritable at the moment."
"Meaning he's an idiot," Aithusa supplied.
"What happened to Katie?" McGonagall asked, turning away from Merlin and facing Hermione, Ron and Harry.
"She collapsed onto the ground," Harry said, before either Ron or Hermione could speak. "And then began to scream."
McGonagall sighed. "Why does it seem whenever something happens, it is always you three?"
"Believe me, Professor, I've been asking myself the same question for the last six years," Ron replied gravely, as Aithusa chuckled.
"Oh, Severus!" McGonagall cried out, as Professor Snape had indeed just swept into her office like a large overgrown bat, his wand in his hand, his sharp eyes flickering between the necklace and exhausted Merlin before surveying Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"I have sent the girl to the Hospital Wing so Madame Pomfrey may give her a remedy for shock," he said coldly. "Show me the necklace."
McGonagall nodded, carefully unwrapping the opal necklace. Snape flicked his wand and it floated into the air above the desk, hanging there. He inspected it carefully, not touching it.
"What do you think?" McGonagall asked cautiously.
"I think that Mr Emrys and Miss Bell are lucky to be alive," Snape stated. He whipped around to face them. "Miss Bell is being transported to St. Mungo's immediately, which brings me to the question, why is that boy not in the Hospital Wing?" he demanded, pointing at Merlin.
Merlin shrugged. "Don't need to go. I feel fine now." This was not completely true. His magic was still trembling inside of him, but it was settling slightly in the calming environment.
"Fine," Snape said scathingly. "You feel fine. You have just been attacked by an extremely powerful Dark curse that's purpose is to kill, and you feel fine?"
"I'm more resilient than others?" Merlin suggested. "Maybe it's my Old Magic. It's different to New Magic, and Dark magic is a form of New. It mustn't have such a great affect on me."
"No – it would affect you anyway. Dark magic affects any kind of magic," Snape snapped.
"Perhaps it's because he's out of his time," Aithusa offered, ruffling her wings. "Merlin's time was long ago, in the era of Camelot, where magic was persecuted. The only reason Merlin just happens to be here now is because –"
"Of my destiny protecting the prat that made me irritatingly immortal," Merlin sighed dejectedly, "And the promise the Old Religion made me that 'The Once and Future King shall rise once again'. Well, I don't see any rising, do you?" he asked sarcastically, as Ron couldn't help but snort.
Snape glowered at him before turning back to the necklace. "What did Miss Bell intend to do with this necklace? Has Miss Bell showed any malicious intentions towards anybody before?" Snape questioned McGonagall harshly.
"I know Katie," Harry piped up quickly. "Off the Quidditch pitch she wouldn't hurt a fly. She wouldn't be intending to harm anybody unless…"
"Unless she was cursed," McGonagall finished darkly.
"I should have realised," Merlin muttered. He was angry, furious at himself. In Camelot he had always been vigilant, prepared for any attack that was to be made by Morgana, or Morgause, or another evil sorcerer or sorceress. Now, in these Modern times with the New Magic and different customs, he felt slightly vulnerable, helpless and lost. "It's my job to stop things like this happening."
"I do not believe it is your fault, Mr Emrys," McGonagall assured him. "Do not blame yourself, for you could not have stopped this." She turned to Harry and Hermione. "Did Leanne mention anything to do with Miss Bell's behaviour?"
"She said that Katie had been acting strangely ever since she had got the package," Hermione told her gravely. "That she had seemed almost… well, the exact word she used was possessed."
McGonagall nodded grimly; "Yes, Miss Bell was cursed."
"Who would do such a thing?" Snape asked.
"It was Malfoy."
Merlin had the urge to roll his eyes as Harry stepped forwards. On either side of him, Ron rubbed his nose in apparent embarrassment and Hermione shuffled her feet as if quite keen to put a bit of distance between herself and Harry. McGonagall and Snape turned quite sharply to Harry.
"That is a very serious accusation, Potter," Professor McGonagall said seriously, after a shocked pause. "Do you have any proof?"
"No," Harry answered. "But I just… I just know," he finished awkwardly. He obviously didn't want to explain what happened in Borgin and Burkes.
"You just… know…" Snape growled, stepping forwards maliciously.
Merlin leapt up, placing himself in front of Harry, hands already tingling with prepared magic. Snape stopped before backing away, scowling.
"Mr Malfoy was not even in Hogsmeade today, Potter," McGonagall informed him. "He was serving detention with me."
"It was him," Harry insisted. "I know it was."
"Harry," Aithusa groaned.
"This is not the matter of rivalry, Potter!" McGonagall said angrily. "This is a serious matter!"
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, go back to Gryffindor tower," Merlin told them slowly, staring at Snape defiantly. "I'll catch up with you in a moment. I just need to speak with the Professors about… security issues…"
Harry nodded hesitantly before he, Hermione and Ron trundled out of the office, shutting the door behind them. Merlin watched them go carefully, and as soon as the door was shut he flicked his fingers, eyes flashing gold, casting a spell to stop anybody eavesdropping.
He turned to Snape. "You've got to keep Malfoy under control. I realise that you and Dumbledore intend to allow him to make attempts at the Headmaster's life, as it is his mission set by Voldemort, but I do not believe either of you intended others' lives to be at risk."
"I will speak with him," Snape agreed.
"It is your job to convince Malfoy you are on his side. Offer him guidance and your help. Keep up the pretences."
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand," McGonagall said, looking faint.
"It will all be explained soon enough, Professor," Merlin said impatiently, waving her away, turning back to Snape. "Now, I long ago discovered that you made the Unbreakable Vow to Malfoy's mother to keep him safe and to offer him help, and that if he fails, you will do the deed yourself. I know of your little plan that Dumbledore has set up, and though I do not agree with it, I shall stay silent for now."
"I am in your debt," Snape said, though it looked at if it was last thing he really wanted and despised the fact.
"Twice now, I think," Merlin said cheekily.
"What is Potter doing with my book?" Snape demanded.
"So far I believe he is simply reading it through and using a few of the harmless spells you created for humour," Merlin shrugged. "But I swear that if it does get out of hand, I shall confiscate the book and return it to your possession."
"That boy is nothing but trouble," Snape scowled.
"That boy is Lily Potter's son," Merlin reminded him firmly.
Snape stiffened before nodding and exiting the room, sweeping out of the door before vanishing.
"Goodbye, Professor," Merlin said to McGonagall, nodding at her once and smiling at her bewildered expression as he left the room, marching down the stairs.
He ran up the stairs and soon found Harry, Ron and Hermione slowly striding up the stairs towards the Common Room.
"So who do you reckon Katie was supposed to give the necklace to?" Ron asked curiously.
"Who knows?" Hermione said, grimacing. "But whoever it was has had a narrow escape. Nobody could have opened that package without touching the necklace. If Merlin hadn't been there, Katie would probably be dead."
"Yeah, Merlin, looks like you saved somebody else's life," Ron said, grinning at the warlock in question.
"It's what I do," Merlin replied, shrugging modestly.
"You don't need to be so modest," Hermione told him. "You are famous in both the wizarding world and the Muggle world for good reason. You have saved hundreds of lives, Merlin, maybe thousands."
"I know this will sound bad, but most of the time I didn't really care," Merlin confessed. "Most of the time I saved Camelot as it was the only way I could possibly save Arthur."
"Back to the package," Ron interrupted, glancing at them both. He looked annoyed that Hermione had been gazing at Merlin with what had seemed like awe and respect. "Who was it meant for? We need to think of who Voldemort would love to bump off, who's in the school."
"Well, the package could have been meant for loads of people," Harry said musingly. "Dumbledore – the Death Eaters would love to get rid of him, he must be one of their top targets. Any Order members – but I suppose that only a few are stationed in Hogsmeade at a time and none really come up to the school… Slughorn! – Dumbledore reckons Voldemort really wanted him and they can't be pleased that he's sided with Dumbledore. Or maybe –"
"Or you," Hermione interrupted, looking extremely troubled and wide eyed.
"Couldn't have been," Harry said lightly, brushing it off. "Katie would've just turned around in the lane and given it to me, wouldn't she?"
"Not if she knew Merlin would be with you," Ron pointed out. "She could have been taking it back to the castle to give it to you in the Common Room, when Merlin wasn't there."
"No, she wouldn't have been able to get it into the castle," Merlin said, shaking her head. "It would have made much more sense to deliver the parcel outside of Hogwarts, even if I was there."
"True, true," Hermione sighed. "But who was that package meant for then?"
"Maybe it was meant for Merlin," Ron said, his eyes growing wider as he stopped, glancing at the warlock.
Merlin was surprised. "Me? Why me?"
"You heard Voldemort back in the Ministry," Harry said, pausing also. "'If you won't join me then I'll have to kill you' or something like that."
"Nah, old Tom knows I'm not stupid enough to just accept an unmarked parcel," Merlin said unconcernedly. "It wasn't for me."
"But think about it, Merlin!" Ron urged, eyes wide. "He would just love to get rid of you! He will know by now that you're here to protect Harry, and with you out of the way, Harry's practically defenceless."
"Thanks," Harry said sarcastically.
"You know what I mean, mate."
"Hmm…" Harry wondered, squinting. "I wonder why Malfoy told her to take it into the castle…"
"Harry, Malfoy wasn't in Hogsmeade!" Hermione cried out, stamping her foot in frustration. "It wasn't him!"
"He must have used an accomplice then. Crabbe or Goyle – or, come to think of it, another Death Eater, he'll have loads better cronies than Crabbe and Goyle now that he's joined up –"
"There's no point arguing with him," Merlin whispered, as Ron and Hermione exchanged looks. "He's definitely set on this."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Dilligrout," Hermione said firmly, as they reached the Fat Lady.
The portrait swung open to admit them to the common room. It was quite full and smelt of damp clothing; many people seemed to have returned from Hogsmeade early because of the bad weather. However, there was no buzz of fear of speculation: clearly, the news of Katie's fate had not yet spread.
"It wasn't a very subtle attack, really, when you stop and think about it," Ron said, casually turfing a first-year out of one of the good armchairs by the fire so he could sit down. "The curse didn't even make it to the castle. Not what you'd call foolproof."
"Not what you'd call Merlin-proof," Harry added. "It didn't even make it half-way there. Merlin sensed it before we could even get into the grounds."
"You're right," Hermione agreed, prodding Ron out of the chair with her foot and offering it to the first-year again. "It wasn't very well-thought-out at all."
"I've seen better during my days in Camelot," Merlin said, nodding. "And most of the attacks those days were performed by pretty thick people."
"Yeah, but since when has Malfoy been one of the world's great thinkers?" Harry asked.
Neither Ron nor Hermione nor Merlin answered him.
Though you guys probably hate me, please review.
