A/N: Soooo sorry for not updating! But my essays are now done! I've just got back from an Archaeology field trip to the Isle of Bute and I'm exhausted but just had to get this chapter up! It's been lying around unedited on my computer for too long!
Gaahhh! Almost 1000 reviews! You guys are awesome! And a special shout-out to joebert. obillo! Your review made me laugh :)
I'm loving all your suggestions for a story I might do after this one is done. I'm still not decided whether to do a sequel or prequel. I'll have to try and figure out how to get a poll on my profile.
Anyways, till then … here's the latest chapter! :)
Merlin let loose his spell and the kitchen of Grimmauld Place filled with a bright light. When it subsided the four Death Eaters who'd Apparated into the room were laying on the floor, horrible burns covering their bodies.
Fred whistled. "You nearly singed my eyebrows off there, mate!"
"No time for jokes!" Merlin yelled and ran out of the kitchen with Fred, George, Draco and Remus thundering after him. They emerged into the hall and Merlin stopped dead, trying desperately to sense her.
Where was she?
The protective enchantments that had surrounded the house had completely vanished, dismantled by incredibly powerful magic. The house was completely exposed. She was near, he could feel it. She was here.
"Are there any others in the house?" Remus asked urgently, holding his wand firmly in front of his face, casting his eyes around the room warily.
Merlin paused. There was no one there except themselves, no enemies in the house except the four dead Death Eaters. So where was Morgana? Where were the rest of her cronies?
Screams sounded on the street outside, awful screams of pure terror. Merlin didn't hesitate.
Running past the also screaming portrait of Mrs Black he wrenched open the front door and threw himself out into the night air.
Death and destruction was all about him. Scores of hooded figures were running in the square. Almost every house in the street was aflame. Terrified Muggles ran around, screaming as lethal spells came soaring their way from the laughing Death Eaters. Several already lay dead. Chaos prevailed in the dark and confused night; the only light came from the torched buildings. A stench of burning permeated the air.
For a moment, Merlin was lost in memory. He remembered many a scene like this. Wizards and Muggles fighting, burning buildings, hatred and fear side-by-side. He'd seen this far too often.
But he wouldn't let it end the same way this time.
His face set in a grim determination, he bolted down the front steps of Grimmauld Place, the others hot on his heels. He had to find her.
His eyes flashed and three Death Eaters were blasted backwards and away from the Muggle child they'd just been torturing. They scrambled to their feet and pointed their wands directly at Merlin-
"Reducto!" cried Fred and George cried together, and the three Death Eaters were thrown back again. This time they didn't rise.
"Draco!" shouted Merlin, turning around to the young man, who was pale in the light of the flames. "Get that Muggle out of here. Get the rest as well, and check there's no one in the buildings. Get them all out of here!"
Draco nodded, and ran off looking slightly disappointed he wasn't getting involved in the fight. Merlin didn't want him fighting unless he needed to; many of the Death Eaters held grudges against him for changing sides and Merlin didn't want him made even more of a target. Besides, they needed to get the Muggles out of here as soon as possible. The battle that was about to take place would be far too dangerous for them.
"Remus," he shouted, "send Patronuses to-"
"Already done," Remus shouted back, after taking down another Death Eater. "The Order's been informed. Some are here already."
He pointed, and Merlin turned to see that Tonks, Kingsley, Bill, Charlie, Mr Weasley, Percy, Fleur, Dedalus and several others were popping up all over the place and immediately throwing themselves into battle.
Good, Merlin thought, that's the Muggles and Death Eaters taken care of. Now I can focus.
He closed his eyes and cast out his magic in all directions sensing for what he knew he must find. The Old Religion was everywhere, in all directions; Morgana had given many of the Death Eaters here enhanced wands and shields. They were making it far more difficult to sense anything for certain.
A wailing sound reached Merlin's ears and he groaned. He opened his eyes and through the battle and fighting couples he saw what he had dreaded. Flashing blue lights came into view even as a red fire engine came screaming around the corner. The engine stopped dead, and a line of men in black and yellow uniforms came streaming out. They stood in silence, gaping at the scene before them.
Perfect, Merlin thought, this is all we need.
He ignored them however, hoping against hope that Draco would be able to get rid of them somehow, and began to concentrate again. He had to find her!
He blocked out the sound of the surrounding battle, trying to find the calm within him. Where are you, Morgana?
He sensed something, but not what he'd wished. He opened his eyes again and they flashed golden:
"Hilderand!" he shouted, and repelled the spell that had been soaring towards him. It bounced harmlessly off his shield and went flying back to the perpetrator who fell back with a yelp.
How was he to find her in all this chaos?
The battle was furious. There were at least fifty Death Eaters running here and there around the burning houses, which were roaring in an inferno unmatched by anything else. Glass shattered, people screamed, smoke billowed up into the air. Around the same number of Order members had been rustled up and were putting up a good fight, throwing curses at the Death Eaters with a fierce glint in their eyes. The fire engine stood abandoned- the Muggles that had arrived in it were nowhere to be seen.
A spark of Old Magic caught his attention and Merlin turned his head slightly to see Harry fighting two Death Eaters at once, his eyes burning golden. To his left Hermione and Ron were also fighting.
Merlin's heart hammered. They were all here. If only they'd attacked Morgana first, at least then they would have had a chance at actually killing her, of getting to the Cup of Life. All they could do now was force her back.
Nevertheless …
He ran through the fighting crowd, still trying desperately to find some sign of Morgana. He ducked as spells soared overhead.
'Looking for me, Merlin?'
Merlin stopped as he heard her voice echo in his mind. He cast about with his mind searching for her.
'Oh, you won't find me like that, Merlin. I'm not going to make it that easy.'
Merlin felt the anger boil up inside of him. He sent out his magic once more, searching for any sign of her.
He struggled to control the immense hatred and anger that was running through him. He had to stay calm. She wanted him like this. She was toying with him.
He stopped, and made no further move to search for her. Two could play at this game.
'Come and find me then,' he sent out. 'If you're so powerful, then why do you hide away? Are you afraid to face me?'
He felt her anger through their connection. He himself was barely managing to stay calm.
'I fear no man,' she said. 'I am here to crush you and your pathetic Order.'
'Then do it,' Merlin said, breathing heavily as his hands shook. 'Come to me, and we'll end this.'
'It will be your end, my old friend,' she said, a smug tone in her mental voice. 'I am immortal, Merlin.'
Merlin knew this only too well. He couldn't kill her, not now. Not without emptying the Cup of Life or …
Merlin froze, amazed that it had taken this long to think of it. Excalibur!
He turned to summon the sword from the house but when he did, he went cold at what he saw before him.
Not ten feet behind him, seemingly unconcerned with the chaos that was going on all around her, was Morgana, dressed from head-to-toe in black, her usual smirk on her face.
"Looking for this?" she asked, and pulled a familiar looking sword out from beneath her cloak. "You really should have been more careful about where you hide this, Merlin."
All else seemed to vanish as Merlin stared straight at Morgana, hatred filling every inch of his body. The word seemed tinged in red.
"Did you really think you could use this to defeat me?" Morgana asked, still smirking, running her eyes along the edge of the blade. "A mere sword against someone as powerful as I? You seem to be stuck in the seventh century, Merlin!"
She grinned, and the darkness in her eyes seemed to sparkle. "Haven't you yet discovered the wonders of the modern world? I have, though I've been here for much less time. All the Muggles don't even believe in magic anymore! How much easier then it will be to subdue them. None shall ever match my power, not your pathetic Order, and not you, not once I'm through with you."
"I thought you couldn't get any madder," Merlin said, his voice low, even as the anger surged through him. "World domination? That's new."
"Camelot is long gone," Morgana answered, her eyes still flashing. "Who else have I to take my revenge on?"
"Revenge," Merlin said, a small smile crossing his features. "Revenge … it'll be the ruin of us all."
"What philosophy do you preach now?" Morgana spat. "Going to give me the same old tirade about how revenge will be my destruction? The destruction of us all? You have not learned! Revenge gives pleasure above all else. Or do you honestly believe that you would derive no satisfaction from killing me?"
Merlin regarded her coolly for one moment. "No," he said simply. "Revenge will give me no pleasure, just relief. Killing you will not bring back the countless that you have massacred. Killing will not erase the past. It was my desire for revenge that prevented me from killing you all those years ago, what made me trap you in the Crystal Cave instead. And look how that turned out. I hate you, Morgana, I want you dead. But not for revenge. What use does revenge serve in the end?"
Morgana stood silent for a moment, a fire raging in her eyes. "You fool," she said quietly. "Self-righteous fool. We shall see what shall triumph in the end."
With a flash of fire, her eyes burned and all else was blocked from Merlin's vision as she sent a great searing ball of energy at him. He laughed even as he raised a shield to repel it.
"It'll take more than that to kill me, Morgana."
Harry's eyes flashed as he forced back another Death Eater with Old Magic. He felt exhilarated. The feeling of this magic flowing through him in battle, it was like liquid fire rushing through his veins, ever driving him onwards. He was careful not to get complacent though, like Merlin had taught him. He knew now just how easy it was to get carried away in the heat of battle. He had to constantly be aware of his limitations in this magic. He couldn't afford to be reckless.
He and the others had arrived only a few moments ago to find the entire street in disarray. The row of houses was on fire. It became apparent that somehow, the enchantments that had been around Number 12 had disappeared if the terrified Muggles were anything to go by; they now stood gawping at the sudden appearance of a new house on their street.
Harry's heart had gone cold. He wasn't entirely sure what had happened, only that it appeared Voldemort and Morgana had made their move first. Why had they waited?
He'd dismissed this though almost immediately. He couldn't think about that at the moment. He witnessed Malfoy and Hestia Jones evacuating the screaming Muggles from their homes, shielding them against awry spells from the Death Eaters. What they planned to do with them he had no idea. How could they keep this situation contained? Stop them from telling everyone what they'd seen? The presence of a large scale magical duel in central London would be hard to conceal, even with Memory Charms.
But this wasn't important. There were dozens of Death Eaters here he had to deal with first. He made his way through them, casting spell after spell from the Old Religion, his eyes more gold than green. Many of them possessed enhanced wands and Old Religion shields, and were overpowering the Order. Harry was the only one able to outmatch them. He was using the Old Religion; they were just using shadows of it.
One thought pressed heavily on his mind. Where was Voldemort?
Harry was by far not as accomplished as Merlin at being able to sense magical presences with the Old Religion, but he was sure that if Voldemort was here, he would feel it. Why wasn't he here?
Another presence grew on his mind however, one that was familiar, yet not so familiar as Voldemort's. It was powerful, and angry. Harry knew that it could only be Morgana.
He thought of running into Grimmauld Place to get Excalibur, but he was too far away, and on the wrong side of the dueling. He considered Summoning it, but wondered whether, like with the Horcruxes, the Summoning Charm would work on a magical object like that. And he wasn't sure of the incantation for Summoning in Old Magic; somehow they'd always only focused on the defensive spells and curses rather than the mundane ones.
He just had to hope that Merlin had it, that at least one of their enemies would be vanquished tonight.
"Harry!"
Harry spun around at the sound of his name, to see Percy, Fleur and Neville hemmed into a corner by three Death Eaters, each of whom was protected by Old Magic; the magic coming from the wands of the Order members was having no effect against them.
"Berstan hlēo!" Harry yelled, pointing his wand at them, and one by one their three shields flickered out of existence. They turned to him, vengeance in their eyes.
"Abēatan!" Harry shouted before they could raise their enhanced wands, and all three of them were forced backwards several feet and fell in a crumpled heap on the pavement.
"Wow!" Neville said, wide-eyed. "Three of them in one go? What's Merlin been teaching you?"
Harry smiled grimly. "Enough."
Neville nodded, and the two of them went after yet more Death Eaters as Percy and Fleur headed off in opposite directions. Each time they took one down, another seemed to replace him immediately.
"How many of them are there?" Neville hissed, nursing a lacerated arm. "How can there possibly be so many Death Eaters? Where are they coming from?"
"I bet half of them are Imperised," said Charlie, stumbling into view, his sleeve smoking. "Or had that Mandrake thing done to them. I just spotted Thomas Callaghan over there. I was at Hogwarts with him. I'm willing to bet all the Firebolts in the world that he's been enchanted. He's just not the type."
"Well, it doesn't matter right now," said Harry as several more Death Eaters came running towards them. "They're all trying to kill us anyway."
Harry fought, throwing as many spells as he could. He felt fatigue seep into him, but he pushed on regardless. Finally, after all these weeks of training with Merlin he was actually making use of this magic. They had to win this.
Just as it seemed that the Death Eaters were finally beginning to disperse, a huge resounding rumbling sound reached them, and the ground itself seemed to shake as a great shockwave reached the duelers. Harry and all the others near him were thrown to the earth, knocking the wind out of him. The trembling seemed only to worsen and the noise increase.
The dueling had stopped, Death Eaters and Order alike struggled to sit up and blinked in confusion, each wondering what had happened.
Harry pulled himself into a sitting position, clutching his bruised ribs and coughing. He peered through the dust and rubble to see what was happening. His jaw dropped open.
It was Merlin and Morgana, but not as he'd ever seen them before. Their duel in Hogsmeade was nothing compared to this.
A giant crater had been blasted into the street, exposing the pipes below, yet Merlin and Morgana still stood there, seemingly floating above the ruins. Spell after spell issued from their outstretched hands, each pummeling the others shields causing fantastic displays of light to illuminate the night sky, neither once gaining an inch. The hatred on their faces was almost inhuman, and their eyes were permanently gold. The rapidity of the spells going back and forth was dizzying to watch. Even from this distance Harry could sense their immense power.
He couldn't tear his eyes away. The very air seemed to hum with magical intensity, crackling with the power that was being directed with such vehemence. Harry's heart almost stopped. He'd never witnessed power like this before.
Merlin's face … it was almost terrifying. Harry had gotten so used to him now he had almost forgotten ... he was Merlin.
"Bærnet!" Merlin screamed, and a blazing fireball engulfed Morgana and burned brighter than the sun.
But a second later, she emerged from it unscathed. "Hweorfan!" she yelled, and the flames that had a second previously surrounded her went screaming back to Merlin in the shapes of hideous monsters and began to eat away at his shield.
"Beorgan!" Merlin retaliated, and the creatures morphed into white fire which surrounded his shield and seemed to strengthen it. He glowed with a fierce white light.
Harry was transfixed. He ran the words of Kilgharrah through his mind again and again; Kilgharrah had said that Merlin was more powerful than Morgana. Harry knew Merlin was more powerful.
But did that mean he was going to win?
He told himself yes, but watching Morgana's magic …
Everyone else seemed to have stopped dead in their tracks. No one could take their eyes away from the couple.
Harry watched Morgana carefully. There was something about her that seemed different …
Then he saw it. Glinting gold, just beneath her cloak … it was Excalibur! She had it!
Harry leapt fully to his feet at this revelation. Merlin had to get the sword! It was the only way to kill her! How had she even gotten it in the first place?
Watching the fight seemed to have an even heavier anxiety resting on it now. Harry didn't even blink; the dueling was so fast he'd be sure to miss something.
Each one of their spells seemed to collide in mid-air with the force of a small bomb. Neither seemed in the least tired. The lights of the spells were so bright it seemed to sear right into his eyes. How could two human beings possess such power? For the first time, Harry saw just how powerful the Old Religion was. It made the magic he'd been using the last few weeks look like child's play.
Harry took a few steps forward, taking him closer to the duel. The ground cracked beneath his very feet. He could feel a terrible heat upon his face. It was literally too dangerous to go any closer.
Then, Harry noticed something change. The stalemate ended. Morgana's face contorted in some new expression, and her spells became more erratic. She seemed to be being pushed backwards, and her shield began to flicker.
Harry's heart leapt; was this the moment?
Merlin pressed his advantage, hammering more and more spells against her weakening shield. Eventually, Morgana gave a cry and was thrown backwards. Whatever magic it was keeping her in the air faltered and she fell into the crater below her and out of sight.
Harry and the others leapt forward to the edge of the crater as Merlin descended to stand just a few feet away, looking down at her, stony faced.
The entire watching crowd drew a collective breath as Merlin raised his hand over Morgana, who lay on the ground struggling to stand.
Harry's heart was in his throat. This was it.
Merlin opened his mouth to utter the fatal curse-
But, he hesitated.
He looked down at Morgana, a curious expression on his face. He gazed at her with a strange look in his eyes, as though he'd seen something there that no one else had. The hatred drained away from his face and was replaced with something that seemed almost like confusion. A quiet acceptance of something.
That second that he hesitated was all that Morgana needed. With a scowl, she uttered a hurried spell and she disappeared in a gust of wind, the Death Eaters and Excalibur with her.
But Merlin made no move. Unlike when Morgana had gotten away from him in Hogsmeade and in Camelot, he didn't cry out in anger or frustration. He just stared at the spot she'd vanished from, a small frown on his brow, thinking hard. He didn't seem to care in the slightest.
Harry was numb with disbelief. He had been winning! He'd overpowered her! Why hadn't he finished it?
"What the hell were you thinking?" George demanded, his face angry. "Why didn't you do anything?"
Merlin didn't answer.
He slowly turned and climbed out of the crater, not seeing anyone, not even acknowledging their presence.
The Order watched him with outraged expressions.
"Merlin!" Kingsley called, looking astonished. "What happened? Why didn't you kill her?"
"You had the perfect opportunity!" George insisted.
"After everything that's happened and you let her live?" Malfoy asked in disbelief, having returned to the battle after evacuating the Muggles. "Why did you-"
"I couldn't do it," said Merlin, looking up at the night sky, a confused frown still on his face.
"Couldn't do it?" Harry asked, feeling the anger boil up within him. "Do you really think she can be redeemed? She isn't the person that you used to know! She's evil!"
"That's not what I meant," Merlin said, frowning, looking at his hands. "I … couldn't. It didn't feel right. The Old Religion-"
"Damn the Old Religion!" Ron yelled, looking outraged. "What was it telling you this time? More rubbish?"
"I couldn't kill her," said Merlin. "Not there, not then. It wasn't the way it was supposed to be."
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. How could he stand there and justify willingly letting an evil sorceress get away from him because of a feeling?
"Merlin, are you insane?" Harry asked. "She was right there! It's what you've been waiting for all these years! You could have ended it right there!"
"But it wouldn't have ended," Merlin said quietly. "I couldn't have killed her there, she's immortal."
"Then why didn't you take the sword off her and kill her with it?"
Merlin smiled, and looked upwards. "I wanted to," he said. "Right up to that moment, all I could think about was killing her. But when I finally had the opportunity-"
"You chickened out?" George asked, glowering.
"No," said Merlin, and he looked confused again. "I felt the Old Religion telling me … that this wasn't the way. And for the first time in my entire life, I didn't question it in my heart of hearts."
He looked around at them all. "Every time over the years when the Old Religion has told me to do something, or not to do something, I've questioned it. Every time I wanted to tell all of you my real identity, it held me back. And I hated it, I hated it so much. I obeyed it, but although I knew it was right, there was always something in me that wanted to fight it. But now …"
He frowned. "This time … I knew this was the right thing. It felt right, in all senses of the word. I didn't hold back because the Old Religion told me to, I held back because I suddenly realised that this wasn't the right way to go about it."
"You expect us to believe that?" Ron asked furiously. "I can't believe you!"
"I can hardly believe it myself," Merlin admitted, and again, he looked confused. "But I know this is right. I don't question it in the slightest."
"Well I do!" Harry said. "Why don't you? Can't you see how crazy this is? I thought you hated the fact that the Old Religion had such a hold over you?"
"I did," said Merlin. "But now, I trust it more than I've ever trusted anything in my life. It's had this path laid out for me my entire life. I trust in it."
"Why?" Harry demanded, now aware that everyone was looking between Merlin and Harry with an almost fearful expression. "Why are you willing to trust your life to this? How do you know that the 'Old Religion' wasn't giving you the opportunity to kill her just now and you blew it? How do you know you're not misinterpreting it?"
"I know," said Merlin firmly. "I've doubted the Old Religion my entire life. I don't now. This is the route I'm supposed to take. Why, I'm not sure yet."
"But-"
"What was I telling you about just the other day?" Merlin asked, now looking directly at Harry. "Have faith in your destiny. This is mine, the destiny the Old Religion set out for me. And I trust that I will fulfill it with the help of the Old Religion."
"Well, I wish I had your faith," Harry spat, turning away in a barely controlled anger. "She got away! And what's more, she took Excalibur! What are we supposed to do now?"
Merlin smiled. "I told you, Harry, you won't need that sword. That isn't your destiny."
Harry felt like screaming in frustration. "I'm sick of destiny!" he shouted. "What makes you so sure?"
Merlin shrugged. "Honestly? I don't know."
Harry just stared at him in complete bewilderment. He could hardly believe what was going on.
"Well, isn't that reassuring," said Fred, deadpanning. He offered a weak smile.
"How can you be so calm about it?" Neville asked, frowning. "She's your mortal enemy! And she got away. I thought you'd be annoyed at the very least."
"I'm not," said Merlin, and he seemed genuine. "I don't know why. But, it doesn't seem like a defeat to me. There was some purpose to this. And I know without doubt that this was the right thing. I've never been more certain of anything in my life."
"Well, I'm convinced," said Fred, smiling. "You're Merlin, and most of all, you're my friend. I trust you."
"So do I," said Luna, stepping forwards. "You could have done it. You could have killed her. But you chose not to. There's something greater at work here. And if someone as great as you feels that was the right thing to do, then so do I."
"There are many things we don't understand in this world," said Mr Weasley, looking nervous. "And I believe you when you say that this … was the right thing."
"The paths to what we want often take a strange and winding route," said Kingsley, also stepping forwards. "Sometimes what at first seems to be a bad decision turns out to be the one that seals the victory. We can never know the consequences of our actions."
He looked around at everyone, his face firm. "There's many who questioned the wisdom of allowing Mr Malfoy to join the Order, and yet he's just almost single-handedly saved the lives of over fifty Muggles." Malfoy seemed to flush at these words and look awkward. Kingsley continued: "Merlin was the one who truly advocated that turn of events, and I for one, will trust him in this also. Despite how uncomfortable I am with the thought of it, I am willing to place my faith in him and his instincts."
"I still think you're mental, mate," said Ron, shaking his head. "I just don't get it."
"You don't need to, Ron," said Merlin, smiling. "It isn't meant to be fully understood. No man can understand the workings of the world. All he can do is surrender himself to it."
"Blind trust?" Harry asked, deflated. "How can you say that? What was the point in learning all that Old Magic, or even trying at all if what'll happen is inevitable? What's the point in anything?"
Merlin smiled again. "My point precisely."
Harry just shook his head. His head was pounding and he felt physically sick. Was this all really happening?
"But," he said, "How am I supposed to defeat Voldemort without the sword? That was our guarantee!"
"You won't need it," Merlin said firmly. "Like I said Harry: you're not meant for a sword. Morgana thinks she's won a victory, but she hasn't."
"You mean we have to find the Cup of Life?" Charlie asked. "What was the point in getting Excalibur at all if that was always our plan?"
Merlin's eyes seemed to glaze over and he looked into the distance. "Because, that was just another step in the journey. Nothing will make sense until its conclusion."
Here, he looked at Harry again.
"Don't you feel it, Harry?" he asked him quietly. "All those feelings when we first met when you knew deep down that you trusted me despite your head telling you otherwise? You had faith in it then, why not now?"
Harry had no answer. He still felt it; he still felt that infuriating feeling deep down that trusted Merlin. He'd questioned it many a time, detested himself for having such blind faith, but it always prevailed.
He turned away from Merlin, determined not to let him see that he'd won. It was true; Harry still trusted him. But his mind wouldn't stop screaming that this was a huge mistake.
"Where's Ginny?" Hermione asked suddenly.
Harry spun around, and to his horror, could see no familiar face there in the crowd of gathered Order members. Where was she? What had happened?
"Ginny!"
"Ginny! Where are you?"
Her brothers and father called after her, but no answer was forthcoming. Harry's heart seemed to stop dead. Why hadn't he checked that she was okay first before he started laying into Merlin? What an idiot!
He raced off into the destruction that was Grimmauld Place, Ron and Hermione keeping pace. There were massive craters, fires burning here and there, bodies …
No, Harry pleaded desperately, no, you can't be …
The Weasleys spread out, running frantically, seizing limp figures and calling out for their sister, their voices sounding more and more afraid. Harry felt a trembling all over. Where was she? She couldn't be …
He stopped suddenly, his breath catching in his throat as he caught sight of some fiery red hair-
"GINNY!"
He bolted, leaping over lumps of rubble and huddled masses of Death Eaters to where he'd seen her.
"Please … no … no …"
He reached the small figure, still in her school uniform, lying face down in a large crater surrounded by hooded and cloaked enemies. He turned her over. She was pale, and her eyes were closed. He thought wildly of when he'd found her in the Chamber of Secrets.
He shook her slightly. "Ginny … Ginny …"
She didn't respond.
Harry seemed to go cold all over. She couldn't be …
"Ginny!" Ron moaned, falling to his knees beside her and grabbing her hand. "Ginny …"
Harry felt like he was falling, falling in some never-ending nightmare. This couldn't be happening …
"But … there's not a mark on her …" Hermione whispered in horror, tears spilling from her brown eyes.
Harry felt tears coming to his own eyes and he blinked them away furiously. No, this wasn't happening. It couldn't be.
Was this Merlin's precious Old Religion? Was this the balance of the world? Was this what was right?
Harry felt the horror seep through every inch of his body as he looked at her face. It was still, and deathly pale. A growing realisation came over him.
"No!" he yelled, tears now spilling freely from his eyes. What had he done? Why had he always pushed her away? Why had he let this happen?
One by one, Ginny's brothers and her father sank down next to Harry, staring at the prone figure in Harry's arms with an awful expression of silent grief that pierced Harry's heart. This really was happening.
He hung his head, feeling a burning sensation in his throat as the tears came pouring down his face. No! It wasn't supposed to happen like this!
A presence came into view at the edge of the crater and Harry looked up to see Merlin standing above him. He looked at Ginny. He didn't look sad. He didn't even look bothered. A fiery fury ignited within Harry.
"When we were all arguing with you about whether or not you should have killed Morgana we could have been here!" Harry shouted. "We could have saved her! But no! You wasted our time! She could have been dying, and you chose to save Morgana instead!"
Merlin didn't even blink, and Harry's fury only increased. Didn't he care? Didn't he give a damn? Didn't he care that the world was empty and all hope of a happy future had now been cruelly snatched from him forever?
He looked away from him, unable to contain his anger any longer if he kept him in his gaze, and instead focused on Ginny's face. It looked so calm, so uncaring … not knowing that her loved ones were here with her and pleading for her to come back to them.
Merlin moved. He stepped around Ginny and moved over to the other side of the small hollow she was resting in. A Death Eater was lying there.
"He's still alive, but only just," murmured Merlin, looking at him curiously. "He cannot recover."
"I DON'T CARE!" yelled Harry, more tears spilling down his cheeks in his anger and grief. "I don't give a damn if he's okay or not. I don't want him to live! He's probably the one who … who … "
He broke off, unable to finish his sentence, the grief overwhelming him once more.
But Merlin stayed where he was. He crouched down next to the Death Eater. He closed his eyes.
"I never thought I'd do this again," he said, almost to himself. "But this is what the Old Religion wants of me … I have to trust it."
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked wildly, clutching onto Ginny's body ever more tightly. "Do what again?"
But Ron had gasped and choked through his tears, looking in incredulity at Merlin.
"A-Aithusa told us ages ago! She- she told us you could- you could … but we didn't know it was you at the time! We didn't know you were Merlin! We forgot! We forgot what you could do! What she said you could do!"
Harry frowned at Ron; what was he talking about? How could he ramble on like that at a time like this?
Merlin had nodded in response to Ron. He closed his eyes again, and laid his hand across the brow of the dying Death Eater, and reached out his other hand to do the same to Ginny. Harry pulled back automatically and moved Ginny out of his way, determined not to let her be taken from him, but Ron shook his head desperately, and laid his hands over Harry's, his eyes filled with tears.
"Let him, Harry," he practically begged. "Let him try …"
"Try what?" Harry all but whispered. He looked around at all the others, who were all silently crying. They looked just as confused as he felt. What was going on? Ginny was dead! That was all that mattered! Why were Ron and Merlin acting like this?
"Please …" Ron said, and Harry looked into his eyes. There was nothing there but grief, and a quiet hope. "Give him a chance. Give Ginny a chance."
Harry blinked rapidly, and looked from Ron's pleading face down to Ginny's motionless one. All feeling seemed to have left his body. With what seemed like great effort, he nodded.
Merlin, who had stayed motionless throughout this, reached out his hand again and laid it gently on Ginny's brow.
Then, Merlin used magic, but not like any magic that Harry had thus far seen. It wasn't the mundane but impressive magic he saw Merlin use on a daily basis, nor was it the powerfully destructive kind that he'd used only a few minutes previously against Morgana. There was no incantation, no glowing eyes. This was elemental. This was natural. This was Harry's very life force. This was pure Old Magic.
Harry watched, not in transfixed amazement as he had done earlier, but with a quiet desperation. For what, he wasn't sure. But this magic … there was something …
There was no outward sign of the magic. Nothing that indicated a spell was even taken place. But Harry felt it in every fibre of his being. It was life itself.
How long they all crouched there in the rubble of Grimmauld Place, Harry didn't know. All he knew was that he held Ginny's hand tightly in his the entire time, eyes stuck on her face, waiting for he knew not what.
Then suddenly, the Death Eater gave a great shuddering gasp and lay still. He was dead.
Merlin moved slightly, and his power seemed to grow. The whole world seemed to tremble with suppressed excitement.
Then, Merlin opened his eyes. He fixed them straight ahead, gazing into apparent nothingness. He breathed out in apparent exertion.
"It is done."
"What is done?" Harry asked, staring at him desperately.
He received no reply, but the next sound he heard was by far more gratifying.
Ginny, who had lain prone and still, already growing cold, suddenly took a great gasping breath.
Harry and the others crowded around her, each pressing forward, hardly daring to believe what had happened.
Harry's heart hammered painfully. Had he really just heard …
As if to reassure him, something happened. Ginny opened her eyes and blinked a few times. Her eyes shifted and she looked up at the crowd of people now gaping at her in amazement. She frowned as she focused her eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Ginny!" Everyone seemed to cry at once, Harry by no means the quietest amongst them. There was hysterical laughter and many joyful tears. Luna threw her arms around an alarmed Neville, Tonks burst into even louder sobs and fell into the arms of her husband, Hermione did likewise with Ron, and Mr Weasley and the other Weasley men let their tears of wonder and happiness drop unashamedly from their eyes as they witnessed the miracle before them.
Harry for his part was just content to sit and look at her, hardly daring to believe it. Ginny sat up slowly and frowned.
"What on earth happened?"
"You were dead!" Harry got out, letting his eyes drink in her face, now restoring to colour. "You were dead!"
"Dead?" she asked, looking bewildered. "But how-"
"Merlin did it!" said Ron thickly, hugging Hermione and crying at the same time. "He brought you back! He did it!"
Ginny's eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open. "I came back from the dead? But how is that even possible?"
"The Old Religion," laughed Harry, feeling like he was floating. "It saved you. It saved me as well. You're not the first one of us to come back from the dead!"
Ginny looked seriously at Harry, and she looked distressed as she took in the tear tracks on his face.
"You mean you thought … you went through what I did when … oh Harry!"
And with that she threw herself on him and this time, Harry did not resist. He threw his own arms around her and pulled her close, clutching at her like if he didn't hold her tight enough she'd slip away again. He buried his face in her hair and felt the tears coming again.
"I'm so sorry!" he said. "I was so stupid! I should never have pushed you away! Why did I think that it would keep you safer? I was such an idiot! I almost lost you. I'm never going to push you away again."
She pulled back, and looked into his eyes, their faces only inches apart. Her own eyes filled with tears.
"What took you so long?" she whispered.
The next thing Harry knew, she'd launched herself at him, and their lips met. For ten blissful seconds, there was nothing else in the world but her.
Then, he was dragged away from her by the collar and he saw Ron's angry face next to his own.
"Oi! My sister's just came back from the dead! Can't you leave off for five minutes?"
Harry looked back at Ginny, and they both grinned.
"Nope," they said in unison.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Well, tough!"
The next few minutes were a complete confusion as Ron, Hermione, Harry, Luna, Neville, Charlie, Bill, Fred, George, Percy, Mr Weasley, Fleur, Tonks and half of the DA all attempted to throw themselves on Ginny at the same time, all sobbing unrestrainedly. Harry felt himself get bruised all over, but to be honest, he didn't care.
"Careful now!" Merlin called, his tone amused. "You'll end up killing her again!"
They immediately desisted, and all began staring at Merlin in a new light.
Mr Weasley stood up and walked over to him, his eyes watery.
He seized Merlin's hand in his and wrung it vigourously.
"You returned my daughter to me," he said to him, his voice shaking. "You saved her. How can I ever thank you enough?"
Merlin didn't answer; he looked like he was lost for words.
Ginny extracted herself from the mob surrounding her and picked her way through to stand beside her father. Harry followed her immediately, not letting her get more than three feet away from him. She gazed up at Merlin with wonder.
"You brought me back," she said, "And you brought Harry back to me. Thank you."
She threw her arms around Merlin's neck and hugged him tightly, and Merlin returned the hug, looking rather awkward as he did so.
When Ginny had stepped away from him, he looked over at Harry.
"The Old Religion," said Harry, looking at Merlin.
"The Old Religion," agreed Merlin.
Harry nodded. He looked at Ginny, and then back at Merlin. "I owe my life to it, and so does Ginny," he said. "Maybe … maybe it isn't so bad after all."
Merlin smiled. "Maybe."
Nothing more needed to be said between them.
Ginny was once again enveloped by hugs from her family. As she pulled herself from another bone-crushing hug from the twins, she suddenly looked worried and bit her lip.
"What is it?" her father asked anxiously. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" Ginny said hastily. "It's just that … well, I was dead wasn't I? Do I have to tell mum about this?"
Half an hour later Merlin and the others picked their way through the ruins of the street and settled themselves in the kitchen of number 12, the only building in the street that hadn't been set alight, possibly because of the magic in its foundations.
Merlin felt an odd sense of calm. He was surprised. He thought he would be furious, dismayed, feel something at Morgana escaping and taking Excalibur with her.
But he didn't. When he had looked down at her, ready to seize the sword and destroy her, something had held him back. Something far stronger than he had ever experienced before.
It wasn't like when the Old Religion had told him not to interfere in the lives of wizards over the centuries, not like when it had told him to enter into the Battle of Hogwarts, not like when it had told him not to reveal his identity … it was far more than that.
It wasn't a simple urging, not a feeling that this is the right thing to do. It was as if the Old Religion was speaking into his mind, whispering into his ear. He hardly knew what he was doing any more; he was literally being ruled by the magic within him. And for once in his very long life, he wasn't angry.
This was his destiny, the one he'd been given all those years ago when Arthur died; to kill Morgana, and right her wrong, and to help Harry destroy Voldemort and return the Old Religion to the world. Everything now made perfect sense.
Even when he had seen Ginny lying there dead, he hadn't panicked. He had known that this was not what the Old Religion had intended. He hadn't even been distressed, nor felt the slightest sense of grief or loss. Everything had been glaringly simple.
The Old Religion was no longer operating in simple hints and urgings; it was finally doing so openly. He no longer doubted himself or his interpretations of it.
He knew what he had to do so clearly it was almost as if he had known all along.
The Order began filing into the kitchen, with Mrs Weasley who'd turned up five minutes previously clutching to her daughter with a fierce loving look in her watery eyes. Merlin began to follow them, determined to say what he knew he had to, when he felt a tugging on his arm.
He turned to see Ron standing there looking awkward, his face still tear-stained. He opened his mouth to say something and then closed it, apparently at a loss.
He looked in through the kitchen door to see Ginny who was locked in her mother and father's arms with no hope of escape.
"I-uh …I want to … uh …"
"You don't have to," said Merlin quietly, smiling.
Ron shook his head looked distressed. "You saved her, Merlin. You brought her back from the dead! We owe you so much-"
"You don't," said Merlin firmly. "Ginny was never in any real danger. I knew that. I was only following what the Old Religion told me to do. And even if it hadn't, I would have tried anyway. You don't owe me a thing. It's a testament to Ginny's character and the love you and your family have for her that the Old Religion chose to spare her."
Ron looked down. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "All the time you talk about the Old Religion, I … I … well, I don't really believe you. I've been angry at you, I've suspected you and accused you. Like when you wouldn't tell us who you were, and when you said we should trust Malfoy. I always questioned you and … well, thought you were insane. I'm sorry."
He looked up. "I'm sorry, Merlin," he said. "I should never have doubted you. Harry and Hermione never have, I'm sorry I didn't have as much faith."
"It's alright, Ron," said Merlin. "I understand."
Ron smiled weakly. "Thanks for bringing her back," he said, looking fondly into the kitchen at his sister. He looked back at Merlin and he looked him up and down, a strange expression in his eyes. "You know," he said slowly. "When I found out you were Merlin, I couldn't believe it, and I was a bit overwhelmed. But after a bit, it faded away and I stopped thinking of you as the Merlin, and just as our friend. And then you go and do something like that …" he stopped and took a deep breath. "It just reminds me … you're Merlin. And all the legends that I'd forgotten just came rushing back. And they're not exaggerated. They really aren't."
Ron smiled again, and suddenly flushed with embarrassment. He sidled around Merlin and headed into the kitchen quickly, avoiding his gaze.
Merlin stood smiling to himself for a moment before also heading into the kitchen.
Three Order members had been killed in the attack, and many others wounded. A couple of people were moving around the room trying to heal the injured. Everyone was chattering noisily and taking turns in hugging Ginny. They all fell silent as Merlin entered the room. Harry sat at the table, his eyes fixed on Merlin.
Merlin looked around at them all, knowing what he had to say to them now. He caught Kingsley's eye. He was watching him with the same sense of awe that he had when he'd first learned of Merlin's identity.
Merlin took a deep breath, feeling the Old Religion spurring him onward.
"We have to leave," he said firmly. "Almost immediately."
Kingsley nodded. "I agree. We should leave this house now before they return. I've already set people to attend to the Muggles that are swarming around-"
"No," interrupted Merlin. "That's not what I mean. We have to go now. We have to go to Slytherin's house and face down Morgana and Voldemort for the final time. Tonight."
Everyone cried out in surprise and looked at Merlin as if he'd gone insane. Merlin noted that Harry, Ron Hermione and the rest of the DA looked eager and determined.
"But," said Kingsley, his eyes wide. "I thought you said that we needed to prepare? To marshal our forces? We're nowhere near ready now!"
"Yes, we are," said Merlin. "We're more ready than we've ever been. We've all been brought here together for a purpose. This is finally it."
"They won't be expecting us," he continued. "Morgana thinks she's won this round, that we'll be scattered and afraid. She won't anticipate an attack. She has no idea that we know where she is."
"But she has Excalibur!" Charlie said. "How's Harry supposed to defeat You-Know-Who without it?"
"Trust me," said Merlin. "I know that this is what he's supposed to do."
"And you can decide that for him?" Mrs Weasley asked, siting with Ginny's hand clenched tightly in hers. She was very pale. "Are you really going to send him out there alone and without a weapon?"
"He has the Old Religion," said Merlin. "And he won't be alone."
A heavy silence hung over the room. Merlin stood his ground.
"I'm going there, tonight," he said to them. "I'm going to defeat Morgana tonight. Who will come with me?"
"I will," said Harry immediately, leaping to his feet. He glanced at Merlin. "I trust you. Now more than ever."
"We're coming," said Ron and Hermione, also standing up. Ron nodded to Merlin.
"We'll all come," said Remus, standing up, with Tonks, Daedalus, Hestia, Neville, Luna and several other Order members. "We'll all follow your lead."
"Yeah," said Fred, standing up and grinning. "What's the point of having the world's most powerful sorcerer on our side if we don't listen to his advice?"
All the other Weasleys also stood up.
"I'm coming too," said Ginny taking her place at Harry's side.
"No," Mrs Weasley said firmly, her eyes blazing. "You just died, Ginny! You're not going anywhere!"
"You can't stop me," said Ginny fiercely.
"I can't risk losing you!" Mrs Weasley said, her voice thick with emotion. "We came so close …"
Ginny's expression softened slightly. "Mum," she said softly. "I have to do this. I can't stay here when everyone else goes. We need all the help we can get."
Mrs Weasley looked conflicted and she shook her head sadly. "I don't want all my children going off to war," she said. "But …"
"Let her come," said Harry suddenly. He looked down at Ginny and something passed between them. "She deserves to fight for what she believes in. I wouldn't expect anything else from her."
Merlin grinned. The Old Religion had been right. It had brought them together at exactly the right moment.
Kingsley now stood up. He looked long and hard at Merlin.
He smiled. "We'd best get started then."
Harry's heart thumped wildly as he and the others all followed Merlin out onto the street outside. The place was in ruins, fires still burned and Ministry wizards were rushing here and there trying to extinguish them and restore order. The entire thing seemed surreal.
Ginny walked by his side. He had her hand in his. He didn't want her out of his sight. After almost losing her he thought he'd have become even more protective than normal, but strangely, he wasn't. All he knew was what Merlin had told him ages ago. He didn't know how much time he had left, and he knew that if he died, or Ginny died, he wouldn't want it to be when the two of them were estranged. Whatever happened, he was no longer going to push her away. Even when they weren't together, his feelings for her hadn't diminished, and he now knew it was entirely pointless to try and keep her safe. She wouldn't let him.
And Harry wouldn't have it any other way.
Merlin, who they'd all been following in silence stopped in the street. He motioned for them to gather around.
"We'll head to the town just outside of the castle," he said to them. "And then I'll break the enchantment and we can all get in."
"Is this really wise?" Bill asked him. "I mean, I'm not trying to back out or anything, but it seems a bit sudden."
"I've been waiting thirteen hundred years for this moment," said Merlin. "I'm not waiting even another night."
No one spoke.
Merlin looked at Harry and the others.
"The town is called Yarlowe," he said. "A few miles east of Peterborough. Kingsley's evacuated the Muggles that live there already. We should hurry."
Harry nodded, and together, he and Ginny twisted and found themselves in crushing darkness.
When he emerged, he found himself in an average looking small town. The streets were deserted. The stars shone overhead.
Harry and the fifty other Order and DA members who'd Apparated shivered in the cold night air. His breath misted before his face.
"This is where You-Know-Who's hiding?" asked Ron, his teeth chattering.
"No," said Merlin, who didn't even look like he was cold, despite the thin t-shirt he was wearing. "Up there."
Harry and the others turned and looked up at where Merlin was pointing. It was a large hill a few miles outside of the town. It had a large flattened top. There was nothing visible, but as Harry looked at it, he seemed to tingle all over. The Old Religion seemed to spike within him.
He was there.
"Wow," said Ginny softly, looking up at the hill. "This really is it."
Harry didn't answer her.
"Merlin?" Neville called, sounding alarmed.
Harry wheeled around to see Merlin standing alone in the street with his eyes closed. He seemed to glow with some magical energy.
He opened his eyes, and they blazed golden.
"Lǣtan mec besēon min andsaca! Lǣtan min metod ālimpan!" he said in a harsh tone, his voice growing ever louder.
His eyes glowed even brighter, and the air seemed to hum with magic. The very earth seemed to tremble as Merlin cast his spell and Harry felt a monumental shift in the magic around him.
Then, Hermione gasped.
Harry looked back up at the hill, and saw that there was a shimmering mist hanging over it, flickering in and out of existence. A second later and on top of the previously bare hill there now stood an ancient and magnificent castle.
It was made of dark stone, and had many turrets and towers. Red lights glowed in the slit-like windows and it loomed over the town like some crooked and evil guardian. It seemed permeated with evil, or was that only because Harry knew what lay within?
Merlin breathed in relief as he finished his spell.
He gestured to the others.
"She'll already have noticed the spells being undone," he said quickly. "We need to move fast. If this castle is anything like the one that came before, the dungeons will be on the eastern side. Half of you need to get in there and make your way through the castle, dealing with the Death Eaters as you find them."
"The other half, come with me. I'll take you into the courtyard and we'll fight our way to the Great Hall which is where I'm guessing Voldemort, Morgana and the Cup will be. Are you all ready?"
He was looking directly at Harry as he said this. Fawkes appeared in a flash of fire and settled himself on Merlin's shoulder. He crooned one long soft note.
Harry looked away and back up at the castle. He looked around at his friends who were gathered around, each of them with their wands drawn, ready. Lastly, he looked at Ginny, who still stood by his side, a fire blazing in her eyes.
Was he ready? Was he finally ready to face up to the destiny he'd been carrying around since he was one year old?
"Yes," he said finally. Merlin nodded and motioned for everyone to join hands and hold on to him.
"Then let's end this."
A/N: I was so nervous about putting this chapter up! I hope you think letting Morgana live wasn't a cop out! I have plans …
And besides, where would the fun be if the villain was killed off too early? ;)
Someone asked a question in an anonymous review (please don't do that; it means I can't answer you personally!) about something that occurred in an earlier chapter, where Merlin admires Dumbledore's genius in naming his phoenix after a Muggle criminal.
I completely forgot that someone outside the UK may not get that reference. For clarification, Guy Fawkes was a man who was a part of the Gunpowder Plot, in which several people tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill the King on 5th November 1605. Since then, every 5th November, we celebrate the failed attempt as Guy Fawkes Night, where we have fireworks and massive bonfires where we burn straw 'Guys' in effigy. It's also called Bonfire Night, and this was actually mentioned in the first chapter of the first Harry Potter book (the weatherman on the Dursley's tv thinks the colourful sparks in the air as wizards celebrate Voldemort's downfall is actually people celebrating Bonfire Night early).
So to sum up … when anyone in UK hears the name 'Fawkes' they think of fire. Kind of apt for a phoenix don't you think? ;)