First of all, I would like to say thank you. Thank you to EVERYBODY who reviewed, or PM me on how to help with my friend. I'm sorry if I haven't been able to contact all of you, but I've been busy doing Costa coffee binges with her as we try and taste the different flavours of hot chocolate (a way to make her eat as well). I have appreciated all of your thoughts and messages, and have passed them onto her. Including the telepathic hugs and prayers.

Therefore, this is dedicated to two groups of people tonight.

This is dedicated to those who helped me, and thus with her, with her grief.

And so, this is dedicated to my friend, who lost her Granddad on the 11th of October, 2014. May he Forever Rest in Peace.

Merlin's Guide as to Why You Shouldn't be Voldemort

Chapter 34 – Part One of Samhain – The Third Visitor

"It's already coming true. The Prophecies, the predictions... all of them. They are for tonight."

He stood up quickly, and then almost lost his balance at the wave that hit him hard.

"Help me."

He filled with dread.

Luna was pleading for him.

Merlin regained his balance and ran.

Draco Malfoy's POV

All Hallows Eve was Draco's favourite time of year. In fact, to be precise, it had always been his favourite time. It was a time where his Mother and Father would take it in turns to tell stories, each one more horrific than the last. His Father would relax and laugh from time to time as he recalled what old stories there were and his Mother would smile, bringing out the treats that the Young Malfoy had always loved.

It was on All Hallow's Eve when Draco had shown his Magical Potential for the first time.

But Draco was torn out of these pleasing thoughts by the nasal voice of the girl sitting next to him, watching the Albino boy greedily.

"Are you feeling well Draco?" A girl with long brown mousy hair simpered.

"Tired." He muttered in reply. Indeed he was; he had stayed up until late last night. "Bad dreams." It wasn't surprising after all, considering what he had learnt –

"Oh you poor thing," She crooned, reaching over to pat his cheek in sympathy before withdrawing it.

"I know," A boy sitting on the opposite side of the table to Draco commented. "I heard you. You kept on talking about somebody –"

Draco frowned. Sleep talking wasn't a habit that he was comfortable to him. After all, what was the point of having carefully laid out and concealed plans if they could be blabbered as soon as he fell asleep? Besides, if he had been talking about... itthen that means that he wouldn't have the upper hand anymore.

Beside the Malfoy Heir, the girl stared adoringly at Draco at this.

"Who were you dreaming about Draco?"

"A girl," Malfoy's roommate answered promptly.

The girl gasped. "Oo, you were?" She blushed delicately, the pink staining her cheeks as she stared at him.

"Hate to break it to you,"The boy said, "Pansy, but he wasn't dreaming about you. It's not as if he likes you."

Two huge boys sitting on the other side of the Malfoy Heir gave out grunts of laughter.

"Oh please," Pansy flipped her hair in what Draco supposed was to be a grand gesture of some sort, but failed as her hair suddenly ended up in his mouth before being whipped back out. "It's not as if you're on his list of favourites, Zabini."

Blaise gave a lazy smile at this. "Oh really," He said coolly, "Then how come I was the one to be told of who's liv-"

Draco shot out his leg, kicking Blaise hard. The boy stopped talking and looked at him, with one of his black eyebrows elegantly raised in a clear gesture of what did I say?

"What?" Pansy demanded, her voice turning hard like her vicious face, "What are you talking about?" She turned her head to look up at Draco. "Zabini's telling lies concerning you Drake."

The Malfoy Heir carefully maintained his facade of calmness and indifference.

"Is he?" He asked unmoved. "If I recall, you were the person telling the whole of this awful school that I was the Heir of Slytherin. And then how I showed you 'my' giant snake which then entered 'your' Chamber -"

"In more ways than one I hear as well," Blaise cut in, a smirk on his lips.

"But Drakey -"

"At least I don't call him Drakey."

Blaise taunted Pansy from across the table as said person pushed Pansy's hand away from his arm where she had placed it. She pouted at this but didn't dare say anything after Draco forcibly removed her hand once again and turned his whole body away from her.

Crabbe and Goyle were still laughing stupidly from when Blaise had first insulted Pansy, even though Draco doubted that they knew what the joke was. They were thick like that. Perfectly thick big bodies of muscle that tailed him around like pathetic Knarls looking for woodlice. Still, at least they knew leadership when they saw it.

"Seriously Draco," Blaise said, catching his attention as he had stopped bickering with Pansy. "You need a proper night's sleep. You've been day dreaming all day."

Pansy sniffed, and it was clear what she thought. Zabini snorted at this.

"In your dreams Pansy. He wouldn't be dreaming about you. No," the black haired boy continued, "You should try a Dreamless Sleeping Draft. Pomfrey is actually a good nurse -"

Dreamless Sleeping Draft.

That's what he had said to that boy -

But he was interrupted by his calculating thoughts. The hairs of the back of Draco's neck began to stand up on end and in front of him; he could gradually see Blaise's breath condensing. The candles which adorned the Great Hall bean to flicker and what had once been a nice, warm cosy hall now turned cold. Freezing cold.

"The fires have gone out," The Malfoy Heir noted.

"Why aren't they relighting themselves though?" Zabini questioned, shivering slightly as he wasn't able to stand the fall in temperature due to his Mediterranean blood. "They're charmed to never go out."

"How d'you know that?" Pansy sneered, turning on him. "Been hanging around too much with that Mudblood?"

"No," Blaise bit back frostily, his breath curling around his face, giving him a ghostly look as his skin was so dark, "I actually pay attention in lessons instead of gossiping with Daphne about how sexy Draco is. Though personally, if you ask me, I'm the smokin' one of us two."

Draco zoned the sound of his school mates bickering as he stared up at the Teacher's Table. Dumbledore and Flitwick were in deep conversation, frowns on their faces, gazing once every few seconds at the said fires which kept the room heated. He watched as they waved their wands, crystallising air surrounding them as they said an incantation...

And nothing happened.

"The Old Coot as useless as ever," Draco commented as he witnessed the failure. "He can't even start back the stupid fires. How he ever became Headmaster -"

But Draco never finished his rant. The fires flared up suddenly and over on the Ravenclaw Table, a girl suddenly stood up – the only pupil to do so – facing the large clear area in front of the Professor's Table in the middle of the Hall.

The candles stayed alight, letting Draco see that the girl had long blonde straggly hair that hung down to her waist, and queer blue eyes that had partially been responsible for the nickname that Draco had bestowed on her. It wasn't that her mannerisms had helped either, like what she was doing now.

Loony Lovegood had her arms up in the air, almost in a defensive position as she stared in horror at a particular spot. The Great Hall had gone silent, with everybody watching the peculiar girl. She was always good for a laugh, Draco reflected, as Pansy burst into giggles.

"Shut it Pansy!" Draco scolded her, not bothering to look at the girl in case he missed something amusing. "I want to hear the stupid things she'll sprout."

Pansy huffed in reply, but stopped giggling.

"Leave us!" She shouted her voice loud and confident in the quiet. "You are not welcome here."

"There's nothing there!" Draco yelled, breaking his own restricted condition. "You're seeing things!"

She didn't bother to respond and instead continued to stand there.

"I Saw you coming. I already know what you're going to offer. Leave us. It is not your life to bargain with. By the conduct of the Old Religion –"

She stopped there, and the confident expression on her face crumpled. Her hands rose to her head, clutching it, almost tearing out her hair -

Draco was full on smirking now. This was too funny for words as he watched Longbottom stand up –

"Please! No," She screamed, pleading as she clutched her head. "It isn't yours to take!"

She sank down on the floor, her face wet as she sobbed, still pleading. Draco had to admit that it was a pretty impressive performance. He wondered idly if he could hire her at parties.

"Please," She whispered her voice quiet but clearly audible in the silence, as she stared at the spot, her head high as she besieged an invisible person, "Don't do it. Go, leave us. It isn't yours to take."

"Luna?" Longbottom asked pitiful concern on his face as he made his way quickly towards her.

"Help me," she whispered and then she exhaled slowly.

The candles flickered one last time, and then went out, not relighting themselves.

The Great Hall plunged into darkness.

"Could everybody please remain calm and sit in silence. I repeat could everybody please remain calm." The Headmaster ordered. "Now, on the count of three, all Prefects and teachers will cast the light charm? Ready?"

Draco didn't know why he bothered with asking that seeing as he none of them could see a bloody thing anyway, but Dumbledore continued anyway. "Good. One, two, three-"

"Lumos Maxima!"

The Great Hall lit up in one, blinding flash, revealing something that wasn't there before -

Something that occupied the direct spot where Loony had been pleading with –

Pansy opened her mouth, and began to scream.

Merlin's POV

Merlin stood at the entrance to Hogwarts in the doorway, hardly out of breath at the sprint that he had just made. Beside him, was Orlaithe, whom had flown back with him as he had hurtled through the forest. She landed on his shoulder, and cocked her head at the noise inside.

Screaming. The people of Hogwarts were screaming.

"Orlaithe," Merlin said firmly. "It's not safe for you. Go. Go to the Owlery and get some sleep."

She chirped angrily, but the Warlock put his finger on her beak, cutting her off.

"Please. I cannot see you getting hurt too. You will be much safer. Please, for me."

She whistled a high, friendly sound that filled him with warmth and courage. Then she took off, into the night, the rising moon reflecting on her magnificent plumage as she flew up and up, towards the Owlery.

Closing his eyes, Merlin wordlessly said the incantation before opening them and watched in satisfaction as he transformed. He walked into the Entrance Hall and did a once over at himself, checking for anything out of the ordinary.

His hair was long as was his beard, hanging down to his waist, in strands of moon white. His clothes had morphed into his usual outfit that accompanied his hairdo – the attire that Gaius had let his borrow – and in his left hand, he clasped the Sidhe King's Staff.

The screams were louder now.

Taking a deep breath, Merlin reached out, and entered the Great Hall.

Immediately, the Great Hall went silent as the Old Man entered. Mutters could be heard as friends tried to comfort others who were scared, but most were now watching him, watching them play it out.

Reflexively, Merlin's eyes began to widen as he saw who the 'Third Visitor' that Firenze had mentioned but quickly relaxed, showing no change in expression to those watching. He kept on striding forward, his staff clinking against the stone floor at every step. As if time had slowed down simply by her arrival, it seemed to take an age for him to reach the centre of the Hall, opposite her.

Looking down, he saw Neville beside Luna, gently helping her up and back to her seat, casting scared glances at the Visitor. The Seer followed willingly, but was only able to walk a few steps behind Merlin before collapsing. The Warlock worried at this, but soon pushed it out of his mind – at least she was out of the way if things went wrong – he had more important things to worry about.

For, across from the Ancient Warlock stood the Cailleach, and behind her, the Veil.

"Emrys," She said, performing a waist bow in a show of respect.

"Cailleach," The Ancient Warlock replied, giving a deep nod in return.

She had not changed since he had last seen her all those centuries ago. She wore a long, dark cloak, ripped as if the souls that she had taken tried to fight back. Her staff was in her right hand, a mirror of his own staff, which was in his left. Her face was pale, huge bloodshot shadows under her eyes. And her eyes... They were so sad... So much pain in them.

"It has been a long time since I have last seen you."

"It has been a long time since I have visited the Mortal World," She acknowledged, her voice sounding like it came from the depths of the Earth, from Time itself.

"Then why now?" The Ancient Warlock asked dread building in the bottom of his stomach at what her answer could be. "Why have you decided to return?"

"For the same reason that you have, Emrys." She said, and her eyes turned sad.

"Who are you?" A voice asked, and outwardly, Merlin groaned. He turned to face the raised dais where the Professors were seated, stunned at what was being performed in front of them. Only, it seemed that one person had been brought out of their stupor.

One annoying, pink toad-like person.

"Who are you?" Umbridge demanded, stepping off the Dais and advancing towards them. "This is under the Ministry's protection. Nobody should be able to get inside without permission –"

"We are not normal people." Merlin said. He took a step towards her and watched in satisfaction as a flash of terror appeared in her eyes. "So you will talk to us with respect."

"Who are you?" She hissed again. "By the order of the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, High Inquisitor for the Ministry of Magic, I demand that you tell me who you are."

"Why," Merlin said, taking a step backwards so that he was standing next to his visitor. "I'm the Lord of Magic."

"And I am Death," Cailleach said, a deep sadness in her eyes at the fate that she had been assigned.

There was a shocked silence at her words and in front of them, Umbridge flinched again.

"Now," the Ancient Warlock said pleasantly, "if you would excuse us, we have an important matter to discuss. We would appreciate it if you wouldn't disturb us."

He turned to face the Cailleach who stood there, waiting patiently for him. But before they could start discussing whatever she wanted, they were interrupted once again.

"How dare you ignore me! I am Dolores Jane Umbridge! Senior Undersecretary to the Ministry –"

"Yes yes, we know." Merlin said in a bored tone. "Unfortunately, this is for important people only, so... shoo."

Umbridge drew herself up at his words, looking as if she was about to explode, but before Merlin could react and turn her into an actual toad, the Cailleach unfortunately took over.

"Silence." She commanded.

An unnatural quiet settled over the room, and the Ancient Warlock realised that she had taken the voices from everybody, so that nobody could speak apart from them.

"We cannot be interrupted any longer," She said by way if an explanation. She turned to face Merlin. "We have little time before the Veil closes; the sacrifice of Loyalty has weakened over the years and I no longer have the strength that I used to. I have come to deliver a Gift and a Warning to you."

Merlin nodded in recognition. "The Old Religion and indeed, the vessels of the Triple Goddess, have warned me of this moment. It seems that I have to make a choice."

She nodded gravely. "There will be consequences... repercussions on what you will decide tonight; whether to accept the gift; whether to reject it; whether to forge your own way; whether to submit."

"There already have been consequences," Merlin agreed softly. He took a step forwards, towards the Veil."Who gave their life so that this could be brought here?"

People gasped at this, and Merlin noted absentmindedly that although the Cailleach had taken the voices from them, they could still make noises. It seemed that they realised it too, and the smarter ones (mainly Ravenclaws and Slytherins) began to communicate with each other about what was going on in front of them.

"A young girl," The Cailleach announced. "She had been bought into slavery and was in the process of being mistreated. If I hadn't interceded and offered her the choice, then she would have suffered in pain for five days before she died. This way, she passed peacefully."

Merlin bowed his head in a show of respect. "Thank you for choosing wisely."

The Cailleach smiled faintly, but otherwise did not react at the impudence in his words. "Not all of the people who require my services are the ones who are not supposed to die. If I recall, he choose willingly."

"He passed when it was not his time!" Merlin protested, banging his staff on the floor, getting angry as he remembered how Lancelot died the first time.

"He came back." The Cailleach stated smoothly, almost arguing. "He returned, did he not?"

"Yes, but not as himself. He had become a Shade. He had been raised from the dead simply to destroy one who had gotten what she had wanted." The Ancient Warlock said angrily. He breathed in and out slowly, closing his eyes as he did so, letting the tension leave his body. "But enough of the past. Tell me why you are here."

"I have come to offer you a... gift and a warning."

"You say," Merlin commented drily.

The Cailleach gave him an amused look. "You will need that humour in the days to come."

The Old Man did a double take at this. "That's my warning?" He said incredulously, "I will need my sense of humour?"

"Things are not as they seem, Emrys." She said simply.

Merlin moved his hands over the surface of the Sidhe Staff, in order to calm himself.

"Everybody keeps on saying that to me! 'Things are not as they seem' or 'something is not right' or –"

He froze, remembering something.

"And tread cautious and tread wise." He gazed at the Cailleach. "The Prophecy... it's about this? Today? Right here, right now?"

"I do not know of this Prophecy, but it is likely," She said gravely. "This day will shape the rest of the battle."

"There is no battle -"

"Not one that you can see." She looked behind her, into the Veil for a moment. "Loyalty is approaching, with the King. We have little time left."

She turned to face Merlin.

"A life for a life, Lord Emrys. Return the Murderess to me. She has escaped the judgement that has been set upon her and I cannot allow that. Return her to me and the one you wish for most will return."

Merlin mouthed Arthur to the Cailleach, but there was no sound. The air had been knocked out of his lungs as he had heard her proposal.

He didn't have to wait any longer. He could see Arthur again. Two sides of the Coin could be reunited! He will be beside his King again as Arthur strives for all to accept Magic. He can be who he is and not what everybody thinks he should be-

"You can't!"

"What?" Merlin twisted around, to see Luna waking away slowly and unsteadily from Neville, towards them.

"The Seer," The Cailleach greeted. "You are indeed powerful. Powerful enough to see me in my temporal state, powerful enough to stop my enchantment..."

But Luna ignored her and stared straight at Merlin.

"It isn't yours to take. Please. Don't do it." She begged weakly. "All. Is. Not. As. It seems."

"Yes it is," Merlin protested. "All I have to do is to bring the Murderess who escaped justice, in return for him to come back. And for clarification, the Murderess is the one who lived when my King was alive?"

"Yes," The Cailleach agreed. "She is."

"Fulfil the task you once held dear, or let darkness conquer light." Merlin said, recalling the Centaur's Prophecy.

He looked up at Luna with new resolve.

"I am sorry, Seer, but I have to do this. My task was to protect my King, and I will not be completing my duty if I reject this Gift."

He turned to the Cailleach.

"I accept."

I am needed to go elsewhere and will not be able to access the computer for most of the day, and also for the rest of the week as I am on Work Experience. Therefore, I decided to end it here...

I hope that it has lived up to your expectations. There will definitely be another part to the 'Samhain' storyline, perhaps even another one after that, it depends...

P.S. MugetsUPipefox I hope you understand that I cannot write your One –Shot at the moment. I am either writing this or comforting my friend. I'm sorry, but I swear that I will write it. Perhaps in the half term (two weeks away) when I have time.

Please review!