This is dedicated to my friend Sam Harris. He was a wonderful, kind man who led a happy life for the time that he had. He died on Tuesday, the 21st of October, 2014 after another car hit him in a head on collision. He was 20 years old, and he didn't deserve to die.
Today is going to be Sam's funeral; on 31st of October 2014. I want to wish his twin sister Sophie and his family all the best. And that I am sorry. I am so sorry.
So this is to the man who used to tease, ridicule and love me for who I am as a true friend would.
I will miss you Sam, for the rest of my life.
Rest In Peace
Merlin's Guide as to Why You Shouldn't be Voldemort
Chapter 35 – Part Three of Samhain – The Old Man
"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."
Merlin's POV
Merlin felt giddy as he uttered those words, those heartfelt and glorious words. Those two, simple words that will change his life.
Arthur could return.
No, not could, will return.
"Then it is done. The deal has been made, the die has been cast."
"Her life has been taken," Luna argued bitterly, but he ignored her.
The Old Man felt the smile stretch across his face as he beheld the Cailleach standing across from him and all of a sudden, he felt the almost overwhelming urge to hug her. The only reason he managed to restrain himself was the fact that she was an almighty Goddess (to be exact the Goddess of Death) and therefore he should respect her-
Merlin stepped forward and seized the Cailleach into a bone crushing hug, squeezing her happily and beaming as he did so.
"Oh thank you, thank you thank you, thank you!" He squealed, his voice so high in pitch it could be mistaken for a school girl. Absentmindedly, he picked her up and began to twirl her round in circles coming further and further away from the Veil, as he continued with his celebration.
"I promise that I will worship you for as long as I live – which might only be another five decades now that he's coming back! I will smite all those who reject you and I will lay flowers at your alter every day and –"
"You will put me down this instant before I take you apart and rearrange your molecules and Magic so that if your King comes, you will greet him as an Ass." The Cailleach scolded with pure fury in her voice.
"Well, I suppose I'll do that as well."
Merlin stopped waltzing with the angry Goddess of Death and gently (but quickly) set her down on the floor.
"I'm sorry about that, Cailleach; it's just that I feel centuries younger again. I feel free."
The Ancient Warlock knelt before the Goddess of Death and took her hand, brushing his lips against the frail, cold skin.
"I swear that I will never forget what you have done today, Goddess. If you are ever in need of me, I vow that I will be at your side."
"That is a promise indeed," The Cailleach agreed, albeit with warning in her voice. "And one which I will hold you. You cannot escape to what you have bound yourself with, Emrys."
"I have no reason not to," Merlin protested, still with that ecstatic smile on his face."My King is coming back!"
"So you keep on saying," The Cailleach said sternly, though Merlin thought that he could detect a smile in her voice as she beheld the thirteen hundred year old Warlock beaming like a baby.
"What have you done?"
The Old Man jumped when Luna spoke, not expecting the noise because of the silencing spell that the Cailleach had put in place. But he had forgotten that the Natural Seer had been powerful enough to override the spell.
He turned around, to find Luna staring at the Veil, her eyes wide, her expression one of alarm. The Goddess too, turned, her old eyes regarding the situation.
"The King has disappeared and Loyalty has Passed, the ancient sacrifice made." She swivelled, to look at Merlin. "I must go now."
"I understand," Merlin said gravely. He stood back, and performed a perfect bow from the waist. "I wish you a Blessed Crossing, Cailleach, and remember, if you ever have need of assistance, I have made a solemn oath to help you."
The Cailleach returned the formality as she returned to stand in front of the Veil.
"Remember Emrys; All is not as it seems. The promise has now been forged and the King cannot live whilst she is alive. It is necessary for the Order to remain balanced, whatever the cost."
The Goddess of Death gazed at him with a curious look in her ancient eyes that Merlin couldn't place. He stared into them, troubled by what he saw, but before he could say anything, she smiled softly. It was not a gesture of happiness, or joy, but instead, it was one of sadness.
A breathtakingly sad smile with that heartbreaking look in her eyes.
"Farewell Emrys."
Merlin watched in confusion as she stepped backwards into the Veil, and disappeared. A moment later, the Veil began to morph; collapsing in on itself as it shrank down into size, till eventually it disappeared altogether, leaving the Ancient Warlock to stand alone in the middle of the room.
Immediately, everybody began to talk excitedly with each other, now that the enchantment which had prevented them from doing so all along had been lifted when the Cailleach has left the Mortal world to return to the Other Side.
And although Merlin could see what they were all doing, he couldn't hear what was being said – and he didn't care either. To him, it was as if the world had gone silent, the only noise the sound of his thumping heart and Luna's laboured breathing as he stood still, looking at the spot where the Cailleach had stood only moments before.
Arthur was going to return.
His Arthur.
His King.
The two sides of the same coin were going to be reunited once more, and for the first time in over thirteen hundred years, Merlin will finally be happy. Truly happy. His best friend, the one who he would willingly give his very existence for was returning.
Arthur was coming.
Unfortunately for him, the people around him didn't appreciate that fact and instead, certain individuals converged around him, with the noise level gradually dying down as students realised that the questions that they had asked could be answered.
Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall walked towards Merlin, surveying him as they moved in time with the other. Behind them was Umbridge, making her way towards the group with a determined gait, apparently thinking that she should be the one to handle the situation.
The Ancient Warlock stood there, bored, knowing that if he tried to escape, they was a slight possibility that they would be able to keep him in before he would be able to reach the entrance. That is, if he didn't want to hurt them.
But as Dolores got closer and closer, Merlin began to finger the swirling knots on his Sidhe Staff longingly. Maybe a little spell which he had used a long time ago wouldn't go amiss-
But before he could think of the right incantation for it to be put in action, he was hemmed in on all sides, by the Headmaster, the Transfiguration Mistress and the Natural Seer, even though she wasn't near him. But Merlin could tell that she wouldn't accept his presence near her right now and as such, he respected her wishes.
"Your beard is good," Merlin informed the Headmaster, eyeing the long mass of white hair that grew from his chin, "But nowhere near as good as mine. Still, it's better than some of the others I've seen over the years."
"Good evening," Dumbledore said slowly, his piercing blue eyes staring into the Old Man's own cobalt blue orbs.
The Ancient Warlock smiled at this. It seemed that the esteemed Headmaster had taken his words to heart when he had reprimanded Umbridge earlier about respect.
"Good," The Old Man crooned softly, "I like to see respect. A very good evening to you too, Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts and Professor Minerva McGonagall, Transfiguration Mistress."
They both looked taken aback at being addressed this way, but said nothing about it. Inwardly, Merlin grinned; even though he was over thirteen hundred years old, it was always fun when he got to play the powerful crabby old man.
"But," Merlin continued, "I am afraid that that evening is about to become less appealing. It seems that we have company."
Professor McGonagall could barely contain her amusement as Umbridge puffed up to join the group. The students, however, had no such qualms and those against the 'woman' burst out laughing, causing the person in question to frown.
"What are you laughing at?" She demanded irritably.
Merlin didn't bother to answer and ignored her, choosing to gaze at the Headmaster instead.
"I am –"
"Dolores Jane Umbridge, part of the Ministry for Morons" Merlin finished for her. "Yes I know. I have already gathered that."
The students began to laugh again as Umbridge slowly went red. "Then you would know to treat the Ministry and I with respect."
"Respect is to be earned, not given." Merlin reprimanded, "And as yet, you have not shown me the courtesy dictated either."
"I," Umbridge hissed, "am the Under Secretary –"
"Only Under Secretary?" Merlin questioned, purposely annoying her.
"I am one of the Minister of Magic's most trusted persons –"
"Whatever," Merlin said dismissively, turning away from her, "I'm not interested."
"Excuse me," Albus Dumbledore said politely, giving Merlin a reprieve from annoying the Toad. "But who are you?"
"Old age really hits you hard, doesn't it," Merlin said sympathetically, "Especially your hearing. As I have already said, I am the Lord of Magic."
"There are no Lords of Magic," Umbridge interrupted. "You are lying."
"Now now Dolores," The Headmaster interrupted hastily, but Merlin was having none of it. He turned to gaze at the repulsive woman standing before him, and he realised dimly that his blood was boiling.
"I'm not the lying one here," Merlin hissed between clenched teeth. "You are."
"I demand that you tell me who you are!" Umbridge shouted angrily.
"I am who I am, who I was, and who I will always be," Merlin told her smugly, giving her one of his smiles that he used to use to infuriate Arthur.
"WHO ARE YOU?"
"I AM THE LORD OF MAGIC," Merlin roared in reply, banging his Staff on the floor.
His eyes turned a gleaming gold as a magical shockwave was sent out, rippling throughout the Hall, and students gasped as the ceiling changed, showing what once was a dark and cloudy night now clear and filled with stars. The wave of gold reached the sky and it separated, to form a glistening gold dragon and starlight white dragon that flew in the stars.
The dragons flew around the Hall on the ceiling, before detaching themselves and headed towards Merlin as they flew down to the ground. As they got closer to him, they somehow became more solid, until eventually they were opaque.
The dragons growled menacingly at Dolores as they stalked closer after touchdown. They stopped in front of Merlin, who still stood there tall, with his eyes glowing gold with the Pure Magic that he was using.
"Do not cross me, or you will live to regret it," The dragons said together in unison, before evaporating into thin air.
Umbridge stared at Merlin, her face red, for once completely and utterly silent.
"Pardon me," Professor McGonagall said, taking the chance to speak since Umbridge had gone red with anger and showing her Gryffindor bravery, "But why exactly are you here?"
The Old Man took a deep breath to steady himself before he spoke, making sure that he treated her with respect.
"To catch up with an old acquaintance."
"But why here?" Professor McGonagall continued with some confusion.
"Because here, I could keep her in check. Because this is a School of Magic, one of the few places left where Old can meet New, and she was running out of time. Justice -" But Merlin stopped himself there. He knew that they did not yet know about Morgana because Snape hadn't left the school, but they will soon.
"How did you get in here?" The Toad demanded, once there was a lull in the conversation.
Merlin rolled his eyes and gave out an angry sigh. "You have to follow one stupid question with another, don't you? I clearly walked in here."
Even Professor McGonagall gave out a snort at this, but she quickly turned it into a clearing of her throat to avoid suspicion.
It looked as if Umbridge finally had enough of Merlin and drew herself up sharply, her chest inflated.
"I am the person who has the authority here –"
"My Lord." Merlin interrupted.
"Excuse me?" Her voice went deadly at the end, as if she knew what she had heard but couldn't believe it.
"When you address me, you address me with my title," He explained, putting extra emphasise on the last word. "But," He continued kindly, "I'll let you off just this once though."
The twinkling in Dumbledore's eyes grew more intense and McGonagall had to turn away from Umbridge as she couldn't control the smirk that appeared on her face. Thankfully and ironically, they were saved by the sound of hooves, and a few seconds later, Firenze appeared from behind the Headmaster and moved to join the group.
Once in a reasonably amount of space, Firenze bowed, lowering his head to the floor.
"My Lord, you came."
Merlin gave a wry smile at this. "I had several messages telling me to come. But yours, I believe, was the most instrumental, apart from the Seer's, of course."
He looked up to glance at Luna, who still stood some distance away, frozen.
"I thank you for this honour," Firenze said, still knelt in reverence. "Is there anything that I can do, Lord?"
"You see," Merlin said, pointing to Firenze with the Sidhe Staff as he looked towards Umbridge. "He treats me with respect. He calls me with my Title."
"He is a filthy half breed."
Merlin froze, as did Firenze. He turned around slowly, anger fuelling his movements.
"Excuse me?"
His voice was calm and controlled. Deadly.
"He is a filthy human half breed," Umbridge repeated with more elaboration. "Just like all the other nasty little cross breeds out there. They are beasts and uncontrollable animals who have not evolved as much as humans as they do not have the brain size-"
BAM.
"Do. Not. Insult. Centaurs."
The Great Hall had gone deathly quiet as Merlin spoke.
"They are not filthy. They are not half breeds. They are not wild animals which are uncontrollable. They have evolved, just like us and are more intelligent than you, a pitiful human. And do you know what?"
Merlin leaned in towards 'Umbridge' menacingly, the air around her shimmering gold as Merlin's Magic surrounded her.
"They are glad that they are not related to humans. Because when they see what disgusting examples there are out there, there is nothing worse than being called a half breed. Because you see, Dolores, when they look at you, they see the worst in humanity. And they wonder; why do they want to be like you? Why do you call them a half breed, when you are no more human than I am?"
He stepped back, throwing his arms wide, ensuring that Professor McGonagall ducked to avoid the Staff whacking her on the head, and a stiff and angry Firenze take a step back.
"Behold, Delores Jane Umbridge, a proud human and hater of half breeds."
The cloud faded away, and everybody gasped.
Umbridge had gone green. And scaly.
Her dumpy body became more shaped and rounded, and her short legs buckled slightly. Although her hair was smoothed to her head, it stuck up at irregular intervals, with the ridiculous black bow now tilted to the side. All of the skin on offer had gone green and rough looking, complete with scales and warts. Below her head, the bits of her skin that was no covered up with the now clashing pink had gone a pale green yellow colour, marking her soft underside.
In all, Umbridge had become a toad.
"Now see what you have become. You are now a half-breed in itself."
She opened her mouth to speak, and Merlin saw that even her tongue had changed, so now it was long and forked. Her teeth gleamed white as she regarded him with hatred. Then;
"Rebbet."
She looked surprised and tried to speak again.
"Rebbet!"
Horrified realisation dawned in her buggy eyes and she stared at Merlin with even more hatred then he thought could be humanly possible (see what he did there?)
"I gave you a warning, Umbridge."
When Merlin spoke, his voice sounded old, and tired. He gazed at her with sadness in his eyes and as he continued to speak, it seeped into his tone.
"I gave you a warning and you ignored me. This is your reward for that act. I... I am so old now, and I used to have so much mercy. Do not test me on how far it will go, Dolores Umbridge."
He stared into her eyes for a moment, as the Great Hall stayed silent, emphasising his point. Then he turned to meet Dumbledore, McGonagall and Firenze.
"It is-"
He stilled suddenly as he noticed something.
"OI! You!"
The Ancient Warlock brought out his Staff and slung it sideways, catching an old man in the act of getting up from the table. He froze, before he was taken over the heads of the students to stand in front of the Teachers and Merlin.
"What are you doing here?" Merlin asked him crabbily. "This is a school of Magic for children, not some old man who has reached his mid life crisis."
Professor McGonagall interceded at this point, stepping slightly in front of the student as if to protect him.
"This is a student. There was a... accident the other day, and Malcolm here was caught in the cross fire of the spells being thrown. It has transfigured him into an old man, and we cannot change him back. Indeed the only person who can..."
"A food fight isn't an 'accident' you know." Merlin said irritably. "That prank was a good one."
Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore exchanged a quick look at this and Merlin sighed in annoyance as the Transfiguration Mistress didn't move out of the way.
"How am I supposed to reverse the spell, if you are in the way?"
Another quick glance was exchange.
"You know," Merlin continued, "I am protecting these students, not harming them. Although there are a few that I would like to leave out to the wolves. It makes them stronger you know. Like in the good old days when Lupa would test them before being deemed a worthy child."
"That was child cruelty."
"That was the roman times for you. Now stand aside. If I wanted to harm Mr McGine here, I would be able to do it whether or not you were casually standing in front of him. So move."
Professor McGonagall moved.
"Hmm..." Merlin said as he studied Malcolm, walking around him in a slow walk. "Yes... I see."
He stopped back where he had started and flung a question at the boy.
"Who old do you feel?"
"Old." Malcolm replied abstinently. "My back hurts."
"Deal with it." Merlin said shortly. "That's life. It's awful. Stay as a puny little child forever. Now, yes, I think I've got it."
He took a deep breath, formulating the words in his mind, before focusing on Malcolm.
"Edhwierft hýrmen sóþ æfterield."
It was quite a sight to see.
It was as if time had been sped up, and was now reversing backwards. Malcolm straightened out, his hair and beard growing back inwards, slightly reducing in his side and the skin being pushed back together, the wrinkles disappearing. More meat was put onto his bones, and the partial cloudiness that had covered his eyes in a thin film retracted, until they were clear once more. The teeth grew back in, becoming slightly off white, in full form.
Within a matter of moments, the Transfiguration had been complete.
"One fully normal boy." Merlin said with a wave of his hand. "My good deed is done today. I get brownie points I presume. I'll be unhappy if I don't get brownie points. I better get brownie points. I helped Lord Baden-Powell coin the phrase you know. They owe it to me."
"Yes," Firenze said straight faced, without rolling his eyes. "You get brownie points, My Lord. The Centaurs will see to it."
"Oh thank you!" Merlin beamed. "Centaurs are always such a helpful race."
"We live to serve you, My Lord."
"Well," Merlin said, looking towards the Deputy and Headmaster. "Must be getting on. Got things to do, dragons to annoy, an Old Priestess to destroy, a friend to return. Yes," He continued, clapping his hands excitedly, causing a loud boom to come from outside and looking up saw that it had started to rain.
"Oops," Merlin said sheepishly, "Forgot that happens when I carried the Staff. And it was such a beautiful night..." He sighed. "Well, at least that is one of my tasks completed. Down side is that my hair will get wet. I mean," Merlin continued, leaning in towards Dumbledore, "I took ages styling it before I came here. I straightened it and everything! Now look. Now it's going to be ruined. It will go frizzy."
Dumbledore nodded gravelly. "I have exactly the same problem."
"You know," Merlin said decisively, still looking up at the ceiling. "I think I will just take the easy way out. Do you agree? Good. Well, thank you then."
Merlin hobbled over to the raised dais and up it, walking in front of the Teacher's Table.
"Pleasure to meet you." The Old Man commented as he walked past, greeting the bemused staff members. "Hope your plants do well. May the odds be ever in your favour – Jupiter is in alignment after all. And you..."
He stopped in front of the Potions Master, who regarded him with his beetle black eyes.
"First of all, Professor, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't try to read my thoughts. It's much harder to concentrate when not only do I have to block out the student's thoughts of have delicious the pudding looks, or that Lavender Brown looks pretty or that Draco Malfoy looks hot, I also have to block the more intrusive ones."
He glared at the Potions Master, who glared back. Merlin's lips curved upwards slightly at this display.
"Secondly," He continued, lowering his voice so that only Severus could hear him as he covertly passed him something underneath the table. "When you get Called by the mark – and yes, I know he's back and that you're on Albus Dumbledore's side – give their newest resident this will you? I am sure it will be appreciated and tell her..."
"Tell her that this dance is mine."
Merlin stepped back in satisfaction and continued along the dais.
"Oh no, this cannot do." he commented when he stopped in front of an abominably pink thing. "Oh no... not at all."
With a tap of his staff, the chair changed from pink to a colour that seemed darker than midnight. It's outline wavered, before solidifying in a different form. Now, there was a high leather backed chair, with a little slot for Dolores to put her Wand there when she sat down.
"Oh yes," Merlin cried out in satisfaction, "that looks good. Much more macho."
He turned around, to find the whole hall staring at him.
"The sun has gone down, and so to bed must I."
He blew them all a kiss as he raised his Sidhe Staff. Then it came down hard on the floor and he vanished.
(This is simply third person POV. It is nobody in particular, for it is only a few lines. But an important few lines)
The Lord of Magic blew them all a steamy kiss, and as he brought the Staff down, his hair waved in the wind. Then he brought it down, and he disappeared in a whirlwind.
The din of the students rose beyond the preceded level as everybody discussed what had just happened. Teachers stood or sat there, dumb struck by what they had witnessed and as such, didn't bother to control the talking. For they too, were shocked by what had happened.
But there was only one person not talking.
And as she stared towards the entrance to the Great Hall, after seeing something that only she witnessed, a tear trickled down her check.
"Oh Merlin," Luna whispered in horror, "What have you done?"
So there you are. One completed and admittedly, slightly weird chapter. I think that when I wrote I was letting out some of my grief and... yeah.
As you can tell, I'm not really in the mood for talking.
So I will hopefully update fairly soon, but there are mocks coming up so I will need to revise for those (plus my January exams).
P.S. At the end, Umbridge looks like a more disgusting version of Madame Vastra from Doctor Who
P.S. Who do you think Missy is from Doctor Who and what do you think will happen with Clara?