Several people noted that Merlin couldn't apparate through the wards two chapters ago, but he could last chapter. I'm sorry for not explaining this properly, but that was not because of the wards on Hogwarts, but because of the addition of the wards around the place they were landing. If you think back to fourth year Merlin apparated through the Hogwarts wards when he headed for the graveyard.

Chapter 36: Sixth Year: Avalon

Harry stumbled a step as they came out of the twisting darkness of apparition. He shuddered slightly before looking around.

He knew that they couldn't stay here long. The longer they were away from Hogwarts the greater the risk of danger to the people living there. Particularly given that Merlin, their secret weapon, had come with them.

They were standing on a roadside in the soft grey drizzle looking over a body of grey water with a tiny island in the centre.

Narrowing his eyes to see through the fog Harry could just see the ruins of an old tower on the island. Snape flicked his wand upwards, sending the rain cascading away from them. "Is that it?"

Merlin tucked his hands into his pockets and looked out over the rippling and ever growing lake. "This is Avalon, or at least one of the gateways to it. The island in the middle is the Isle of the Blessed, one of the most powerful places in the Old Religion."

"Looks like a dodgy old tower to me." Ron muttered.

"Appearances can be deceiving." Merlin said with a cautious smile, then his eyes shifted until they were looking out over the water again.

"So Excalibur is out there in the water somewhere?" Harry mused and drew his own wand. With the Ministry under Voldemort's control Harry didn't much care they he was under seventeen and so not technically allowed to do magic outside of school. "Accio Excalibur."

Everyone turned and looked at him. "Did you really think that would work Potter?" Snape snapped.

Harry rounded on the Potions Master. He was sick of Snape's sudden changes in mood, Harry didn't know if Snape was on their side or not and it made him angry. "Well if you have any ideas now is the time to speak up, or do you want Voldemort to win?"

No one had a chance to respond as almost immediately following Harry's snarled statement the Boy-Who-Lived doubled over as a spike of pain lanced through his forehead.

A cry burst from him as the blinding pain, accompanied by a flash of Voldemort's delight, sent Harry to his knees. The sensations completely blocked out the loud cracks of apparition and the startled sounds his companions made.

It wasn't until the sickly green burst of light just missed Harry's shoulder that he was able to shove aside the spiking agony in his head and stand up.

Snape was already duelling two of the intruding wizards while Merlin had thrust both hands outwards sending a burst of power to throw a third wizard away from them. "RUN!" The sorcerer yelled at them, sparing a moment to shove Harry and Ron behind him and towards the lake.

Harry still had his wand in his hand and was desperate to join the fight, but the next spell that Snape redirected nearly caught Hermione in the head so he and Ron grabbed her and bolted away from the fight. Behind them Harry could hear voices shouting as the Death Eaters realised the three of them were escaping. Harry didn't spare a look backwards, he had to get Ron and Hermione out of here.

He just wished he knew how, without Snape and Merlin they couldn't apparate. Gasping for air the three friends turned to run along the bank, the soil was slippery from the rain and the fog was getting thicker with every step. There was a shout from behind him and Harry made the mistake of looking over his shoulder. A Death Eater had escaped Merlin and Snape and was slipping and sliding down the banks in pursuit.

Beside him Ron stumbled, nearing taking Hermione with him. As Harry's two friends struggled to get back to their feet the Death Eater raised his wand.

A gust of icy wind swept the word away from Harry, but he knew the beam of red light well. The stunning spell shot past Harry's shoulder and struck Hermione in the middle of her back. She fell without a sound into the grey water.

Harry wasn't sure if he screamed, but he threw everything he had into a shield charm, which deflected the next stunning spell sent their way.

Praying that his spell would stand a little longer Harry turned to help Ron try to pull Hermione out of the water.

Hermione was floating, while Ron struggled to remain standing in the slippery mud and shifting current.

Harry lunged down into the water, reaching for Hermione's hand.

Water logged and unconscious Hermione's weight dragged Harry down the slippery bank and deeper into the water.

Ron slipped and another stunning spell hit the water where his head had been a moment before.

"Ron." Harry yelled as Ron's red hair disappeared under the water.

Hermione slid deeper into the lake taking Harry, who was still desperately clinging to her hand, with her.

The icy water closed over Harry head, but as he tried to get his feet under him Hermione's fingers were pulled from his own frozen grasp.

Finally getting some purchase in the slippery grass at the bottom of the lake Harry tried to push towards the surface, but something closed around his ankle, dragging him deeper into the water.

His friends forgotten as his survival instincts kicked in, Harry struggled to head for the surface of a lake which suddenly seemed deeper than it had been moments before.

Black spots started to dance in front of Harry's eyes and his struggles decreased as his oxygen began to run out.

Harry began to float in the gentle current and the last thing he saw before he succumbed to darkness was a flash of silver.

dun dun dun...yeah sorry I couldn't resist. I feel very cruel leaving it here, because I don't know when I will next update.

Hopefully the next chapter will more than make up for the short chapter and cliffhanger.