A/N

ILikeHotDogs: Ipod... So you're an Apple guy? I prefer Android (Samsung). It's way easier to use.

staininspace: Thank you so much =D I hope you will like the ending.

ChaoticAscension: That episode was the best ;P Just wait until Season five, episode 9. It's hilarious. I also use my phone mostly, except for when I write and post chapters. I'm glad to be of service, haha. But don't worry, Merlin will take care of it. Well, the last chapter is the ending to Harry's story, but the epilogue is the ending to Merlin's. It will probably be quite long and it will take place over several years, but hopefully you'll like it. I will add more details in the A/N at the end about the Epilogue. There won't be a sequel, but there is a possibility of three different spin-offs, so we'll see. It won't be for a while and I have some plans on writing one-shots about the time Merlin lived alone after Camlann and up to when this story starts, so I might do that first. But school will come first right now.

Assassin of Syria: I know =) Who said anything about suicide? I haven't said that ;) And yes, I also liked Harry's and Merlin's interaction in last chapter. I have tried to make Harry act more his age in this fic thanks to Merlin, and I think he really needs someone to look up to now that all his father figures are dead, so a big brother will do instead. Thank you =)

Shayelaylay: Thank you so much =D That is the best compliment I could get. I'm happy you enjoy it so much and I hope you will enjoy the ending even if it means no more updates :) Morgana will make a small appearance in the epilogue, but I can't tell you how, it will ruin it. So I can't answer your question.

wiccancharmedguy: I'm sad to end it as well, but it's time :) I might to a few spin-offs on this story, but I don't know when. I will also do some one-shots about the time Merlin lived alone after Camlann and up to the start of this story, but it might be a while. I'm starting uni in a few weeks, and that will come first right now. I have made a twist on the whole Elder wand thing, so you'll just have to wait until next chapter to find out.

Aquacoral14: Thank you =) Yes, I decided to leave out the whole Luna's father thing since Merlin answered all there questions about the Deathly Hallows already, and the mansion because they are more used to call Voldemort by Tom now, so it's not as easy to slip up and even of they did, Voldemort wouldn't be able to break into Merlin's house. How can a laptop loathe you?

Lady Flurryous: We definitely should =D Thank you =) The Elder wand scenario will be a little different in this story, mostly because Harry will not become the owner of Draco's wand as you will see in this chapter, but I think I have worked it out quite well. There won't be a visit to Luna's house since they already know all they need to about the Deathly Hallows thanks to Merlin. Thank you =)

cat8fish8squid: I'm sorry, but they are so fun to write ;P Thank you so much =D

Female whovian: Thank you so much =D Your reviews always makes me smile. I'm glad you caught that =) I did actually make a Star wars reference as well during the duel, where Merlin tells Voldemort that only insane people deals in absolutes. It's a reference to Episode III when Obi-one fights Anakin.

whatswiththemustache: It shouldn't be to difficult =) Why is Cenred called Tom? And why does it trip you up? Is it in a good way or a bad way? I know, but I still have the epilogue so it's not complete done yet =) I look forward to reading your story for many more years, haha

Kirazalea: No worries =) Then we're HP buddies, haha. Thank you =D

No beta


Chapter 52 The One With the Dragon

Before Hermione had a chance to answer, Merlin gathered up his magic and pushed Yaxley away so he hit the nearest wall and fell down in a heap on the ground.

"Who are you?!" Draco yelled, raising his wand at him and Hermione while nudging his foot at Yaxley to see if he would wake up.

"You don't want to do this, Draco." Merlin took a short step forward, only to be stopped when Draco focused his wand at him.

"How do you now my name?" He called out, anxiety clear in his voice. "What did you do to Yaxley? Did you kill him?"

"I didn't kill him, Draco, I merely stunned him." Merlin tried to assure him, but Draco wouldn't have it. Merlin glanced at Ron who had come up beside him and nudged with his head towards Draco, discretely of course.

"Why are you just standing there?" Draco shouted at Hermione. "Apprehend him or something."

"I can't do that?" Hermione answered with a glance at Merlin, not bothering to sound like Bellatrix at the moment.

"Why not?" Draco glared at her. "He stunned Yaxley and he didn't even use a wand." Just then, Ron had managed to sneak up to Draco and grabbed his wand. With one fast movement, he had successfully taken the wand from Draco and was now hiding it under his cloak. "Wh-where did it go?" Draco stuttered and swirled around. "Who took my wand? Show yourself?" He glared at Merlin and Hermione.

"Draco, calm down." Merlin said and walked up to him.

"I will not calm down." Draco said and flinched away when Merlin tried to grab his shoulders.

"Argh, forget it." Merlin rolled his eyes and placed a quick hand on Draco's forehead. "Swefe nu!" And with a flash of his eyes, Draco crumbled and Merlin had to catch him before he fell. He lowered him down on the ground and placed him beside Yaxley. "That's taken care of." Merlin said and brushed his hands off on his trousers. "Good thinking with the wand, Ron." He smiled at the boy.

"What do we do now?" Arthur asked and looked at Yaxley and Draco. "Do we just leave them here?"

"I don't see what else we can do," Merlin answered and crouched down beside Yaxley. "But first I want to try something." He placed a hand on Yaxley's left arm, right above where his mark was, and closed his eyes, tracing every drop of magic inside him.

It took a few minutes and when he was done; he stood up and stretched, getting rid of the stiffness in his body. Afterwards, he noticed how they were all looking at him.

"What?" He asked.

"What did you just do?" Ron asked with his eyebrows raised.

"I just wanted to see if he was under the influence of the cup." He shrugged like it had been obvious.

"And was he?" Arthur asked, sounding impatient.

"No," Merlin shook his head. "But thanks to his mark, I could trace the magic to the Death Eaters who are. None of whom are in Tom's closest circle." He scratched the back of his head. "I guess he wanted to keep them as clear headed as possible."

"Were you able to find out something about the magic of the cup?" Hermione asked, looking eagerly at him.

"I found out enough," Merlin smiled.

"What was it then?" Harry asked.

"Well," Merlin began. "I was able to trace the magic all the way back to the cup itself, and then it was no biggie to actually find out the structure of the spell and from that, figure out the exact side effects."

"Come to the point, Merlin." Arthur sighed.

"I was about to," Merlin huffed and sent Arthur a glare before redirecting his eyes to Harry again. "It seems my suspicions were right, his Death Eaters are immortal but they still have a mind of their own."

"Then where did that part of the magic go instead?" Hermione asked with a frown.

"To Tom," Merlin answered simply. "His life is now bound to the cup just like his Death Eaters. If the cup empties, the part of his souls that is in his body will die."

"Not the Horcruxes?" Harry asked, disappointment clear in his voice.

"I'm afraid not." Merlin shook his head. "He had been apart from those parts of his soul for too long."

"What happens if Tom dies without emptying the cup?" Ron asked.

"Now you're asking the right questions." Merlin grinned, earning an eye roll from Arthur. "Killing him before the Horcruxes are destroyed won't do anything,"

"But..." Harry began.

"Let me finish," Merlin held up a hand to silence him. "But killing him after they are destroyed will be like emptying the cup."

"I'm not following." Arthur said, his brow scrunched up.

"All of his Death Eaters that have been subjected to the cup's magic will die with him." Merlin beamed.

"That's..." Hermione began.

"That's bloody brilliant." Ron finished for her.

"Good," Arthur smiled. "I thought I was doomed to hunt Death Eaters for the rest of my life after this was over."

"Well," Merlin tilted his head. "The exercise could do you some good." He grinned.

"I'm fighting fit," Arthur snarled and attempted a head lock on Merlin, who ducked just in time, making Arthur stumbled forward and right into Hermione. Making both of them tumble onto the ground with Arthur's cloak halfway of, making it look like he only had a torso.

"I'm so sorry," He quickly scrambled of off Hermione and then extended a hand to help her up.

"No problem," She said but refused to meet his eyes. She brushed of the dirt from her dress with angry strokes.

"If you're all finished playing, I would like to get a move on." Merlin tapped his foot impatiently.

"Wha- You little," Arthur muttered, glaring at Merlin while readjusting his cloak.

"I'm just gonna obliviate these two, and then we're on our way." Merlin said, ignoring Arthur.

"One of these days," Arthur muttered just loud enough for Merlin to hear, luckily he had his back to Arthur so he didn't see the huge grin he sported.

"One question," Harry said. "Shouldn't we leave Draco's wan here if you obliviate them? Won't it make him more suspicious if he wakes up without a wand?"

"Ah, that's a fair point." Merlin said and stood up. "Ron, put the wand back."


The rest of the way to Gringotts went smoothly from there on and they arrived in front of the big doors in one piece.

In front of the doors stood two wizards holding Probity Probes to detect spells of concealment and hidden magical objects. Merlin had noticed them when he was visiting Gringotts the last time a few months ago, so he had taken every precaution in his spell casting to make sure they wouldn't be discovered.

He and Hermione got searched but neither probe detected anything so they stepped into the bank without trouble. Merlin could see Hermione letting out a breath of relief when they had passed the inner doors. They then proceeded to walk up to one of the Goblins at the counter.

"Madame Lestrange," The old goblin said, immediately going on alert mode. "What can I do for you today?" He asked with a false smile. Merlin could sense the other goblins staring at him and even though he had cast a spell on himself that would diminish his magical trace to others, he was worried they could still feel it.

"I wish to enter my vault." Hermione said, her chin held high in defiance.

"Of course, Madame." The goblin said and clapped his hand. A younger goblin appeared beside him. "I shall need the clankers." He said to the younger goblin who hurried away. He then jumped down from his high seat and walked around the counter to come face to face with them. Moments later, the other goblin appeared with a leather bag containing what Merlin guessed were the clankers. "Very good," He said to the goblin. "If you come with me, Madame Lestrange." He said and indicated for them to follow him through a pair of door on the other end of the atrium and coming out into the rough stone passageway lit with torches, leading down to the vaults.

The goblin whistles once and a cart came out from the darkness, towards them. Hermione climbed in behind the goblin and Merlin followed. Harry, Arthur and Ron squeezed in behind Merlin, who cast a quick and silent spell that would make the cart seem larger.

The cart set of at a high speed along the labyrinthine passages, dodging stalactites every so often while going deeper and deeper into the earth. The cart rattled so high that it was impossible for Merlin to talk to the others, but he could feel Arthur's hands on his waist, holding on for dear life.

After what felt like ages, the track bend in a hairpin curve, which the cart drove through without breaking speed, making Arthur clutch on tighter and even Merlin felt a bit nauseated. But after that, it was only a short distant left until they reached the bottom and the cart stopped with a screech.

"The clankers please." The goblin said after they had climbed out of the cart and Merlin reached down again to retrieve the leather bag and handed it to the goblin.

Merlin had an inkling as to what the clankers were for, but he wasn't sure until they walked around a corner and into a chamber housing four vault doors. In the middle of the chamber was a dragon about half Aithusa's size, but still large when compared to other breeds.

It had cuffs around its rear legs, connected to heavy chains which led to enormous pegs driven down in the ground, making it impossible for the dragon to fly around. Its scales, which were impossible to see what their original colour had been but Merlin suspected they had been light blue, were pale, almost white, and flaky due to lack of grooming and sunlight.

Its great spike wings were folded close to its body, but Merlin could see that they would have filled up the entire chamber had the dragon been able to spread them. When it turned its large head towards them, large ugly scars were visibly on its face, probably due to vicious lashes during its training period.

It roared at them, the noise making the rocks tremble, and it opened its large mouth and sent a jet of fire at them.

Merlin could see the other retreat with fear while the goblin took out the clankers and started banging them, the noise echoing off the rocky walls, grossly magnified and the dragon backed away into a hidden alcove, making it possible for them to go up to the vault.

Merlin hadn't been so angry in a very long time. It took all his willpower not to open his mouth and cast a spell at the goblin for mistreating a majestic creature like that, knowing the mission to retrieve the Horcrux was more important.

He knew they used dragons at Gringotts, but he had just never seen it for himself, his vault being one step under these ones and he had refused to consort to such cruel methods.

The goblin walked up to the vault and placed his palm on the door, making it melt away, leaving a cave-like opening in its wake.

He, Hermione and the goblin walked inside the vault which was crammed from floor to ceiling with golden coins and goblets, silver armour, the skins of strange creatures, some with long spines, and others with drooping wings, potions in jewelled flasks, and a skull still wearing a crown.

"Néadhæs!" Merlin cast at the goblin. "Stay here and don't make a sound." He told him as he ventured further inside the vault, the other four looking at him with various forms of frowns.

"What did you do?" Ron asked, looking at the slightly drooling goblin with raised eyebrows, as he walked inside.

"I compelled him," Merlin answered, his back to him. "You can take of the cloaks, he won't do anything." He looked over his shoulder before turning his attention to the shelves again when all of a sudden, the door closed, sending them into total darkness.

"What now?" Ron moaned.

"The vault has detected us as imposters," Hermione said before Merlin had a chance to. "It's going to report us as thieves; it will only be a matter of time before they're here."

"Then we better hurry." Merlin muttered. "Léoht." He chanted, creating several balls of light above them, lighting up the vault for them. "Don't touch anything; the items here are most certainly cursed with Gemino and Flagrante which should have been activated now that the vault has recognised us as intruders." He said after inspecting a pair of gloves.

"What does that mean?" Arthur asked, carefully stepping around the coins on the floor.

"It means they will burn and multiply with contact." Hermione answered for him, while examining a pile of gold.

"That's bloody brilliant," Ron muttered, pulling back his hand from a glass ball. "Just what we need."

"Harry!" Merlin called, his back to Harry, making the raven haired wizard avert his eyes from one of the shelves when he heard his name.

"What?" Harry asked a frown on his face.

"Can you describe the cup to me one more time?" He asked, still not looking at Harry.

"Sure," Harry nodded quickly. "Its... Its small and gold, it's got a badger engraved on it and it has two handles."

"Good," Merlin said and turned around with a smile. "I think I've found it." He said and pointed to a cup placed high upon a shelf.

"How will we get to up there if we can't touch anything?" Arthur said, walking up to Merlin.

"Accio." Hermione pointed her wand at it but nothing happened.

"That won't work, Hermione." Merlin muttered. "We will need to reach it the mundane way."

"I might be able to reach it with my sword." Arthur said and unsheathed Excalibur. He took as many steps forward as he could without touching anything and then raised the sword, but it was a bit short. "Damn it," He cursed and lowered it again.

"Wait!" Ron exclaimed. "I got it." He took the sword from Arthur before he had a chance to protest and pointed his wand at it. "Wingardium Leviosa." The sword rose inte the air and Ron used his wand to direct it up towards the cup, all of them holding their breath while the sword slowly slid through one of the handles and the cup was lifted into the air. Ron brought the sword and the cup down slowly, careful not to drop them, until it was low enough for him to grasp the handle of the sword again.

"You did it!" Hermione squealed and Merlin could tell she was holding herself back from giving the red-head a hug, afraid he would drop the cup.

"We better get out of here." Harry said and looked at the door. "They're here." Merlin strained his ears and heard the muffled voices outside. They were trapped.

Merlin directed his eyes to the goblin. "Open the door." He told him and the goblin obliged. Just as the door melted away, Merlin put out the lights, sending the room into darkness once again. He could hear the confusion amongst the wizards and goblins outside when no one came out and Merlin walked up as far as he could to the opening, while still being clouded in darkness. "Forþ fleoge!" He yelled out, sending the nearest guards away with a strong wind, several of them getting knocked out when hitting the hard stone floor.

It only took a few seconds for the remaining wizards and goblins to gather themselves and soon spell flew in all directions, Merlin and the others giving as well as they got.

They managed to get out of the vault, but it would be impossible to take the same way back without taking too drastic measures which Merlin wasn't prepared to do just yet, these wizards and goblins were just doing their jobs.

That was when Merlin got a glimpse of the dragon again, huddled away from a few goblins whose job it was to use the clankers while the others fought.

"Harry!" Merlin yelled and caught the boy's attention. He tilted his head towards the dragon and Harry nodded once at him before Merlin's attention was diverted and he had to conjure up a shield to protect Arthur from a stunning spell.

"Relashio!" Merlin could hear Harry shout and soon the sound of metal cuffs hitting stone was heard.

"Get on it!" Merlin yelled at Arthur and Ron, while Harry did the same with Hermione.

"Are you sure?" Arthur questioned but ran towards the dragon at the same time.

"Yes!" Merlin said, walking backwards towards the dragon while propelling one of the attackers away. "Hurry or it will leave without us!" He yelled, conjuring up one last shield before turning and climbing up on the dragon, seating himself further back, behind Hermione, while firing spells at those wizards who broke through the shield.

The dragon finally seemed to realise it was free and with a mighty roar, it hurled through the passage way, blasting a hole with its fire while using its claws to make it bigger.

"Help it!" Merlin called and the trio immediately started to fire spells to help make the hole bigger.

The dragon crawled its way upwards, the fire and the trio's spells blasting a hole through the ceiling and soon they were up in the marble hallway, goblins and wizards running for cover. The dragon stretched out its wings for what was probably the first time in decades. It seemed to smell the fresh air through the metal doors, and with brute strength, it pushed its way free and out into Diagon Alley, where it stretched out its wings again and took to the air, leaving Diagon Alley behind them.

"O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!" Merlin roared out to the dragon. "Ptí̱si̱ pros ti̱n asfáleia. Voi̱thí̱ste mas na xefýgoun apó to kakó tous ándres!" The dragon roared as an answer and obeying his Dragonlord, he speed up and left London far behind them.


The dragon took them to a lake up north, far away from any settlements. It landed heavy on the snow-cowered ground and Arthur didn't hesitate to jump of, glad to feel the solid ground under his feet again even if there was a thick layer of snow in between.

The trio jumped off after him but Merlin took longer. He watched as Merlin slowly jumped down and walked up to its large and dangerous head, only to start speaking softly to the beast in a languages Arthur didn't understand.

"Lypámai tóso polý. Makári na eícha gno̱stó no̱rítera póso tha ypéferan, allá eíste eléf̱theroi tó̱ra." Merlin caressed the beast's head, which seemed to almost purr at his touch. Merlin had tears rolling down his cheeks but he didn't seem to care. "Petáxte sto Kámelot, ótan eíste arketá kalá, kaneís den tha eínai se thési̱ na sas vlápsei ekeí. Eínai éna katafýgio gia ólous tous magiká plásmata, sas to ypóschomai."

"What is he saying?" Arthur turned to Hermione and Harry. Hermione was still in her Bellatrix outfit just like Merlin still sported a bushy beard.

"I have no idea." Harry said quietly, looking at Merlin in awe.

"It's the dragon language." Hermione stated her too looking at Merlin with wide eyes. Arthur turned to Ron instead who just shrugged.

"Do you have the cup?" He asked the read-head.

"It's right here." Ron said and pulled the cup out from his jacket.

"Good," Arthur nodded and Ron walked over to Harry and Hermione, and started talking in hushed tones while Harry pulled out Gryffindor's sword which he had strapped at his waist just like Arthur had Excalibur at his waist.

Arthur watched as they used the sword to destroy the Horcrux before turning his attention back at Merlin.

"Ótan o pólemos échei teleió̱sei, tha káno̱ ó, ti boró̱ gia na epouló̱sei tis pli̱gés sas." Merlin continued and traced one of the long scars on its head. "Gia makrozo̱ía kai na ev̱i̱merí̱sei o fílos mou." He stepped back and watched as the dragon lifted itself up and flew out over the lake, swallowing mouthfuls of water at the same time before landing on the opposite side of the lake.

"You're Dragonlord." Arthur stated as soon as Merlin turned away from the lake and walked up to them.

"Yes." Merlin said defiance in his tone to challenge Arthur to say something.

"How?" Arthur asked, not quite believing that Merlin had kept something like that from him. "How long?"

"A Dragonlord inherits his gift from his father when he dies," Merlin began. "My father died when I was almost eighteen."

"Wasn't that a few months after the Great Dragon escaped?" Arthur asked, trying to think back. He clearly remembered celebrating Merlin's birthday together with Gwen and Gaius a few months later.

"Yes..." Merlin said, glancing at the trio for a second before looking down.

"But if you inherited your gifts from your father, he must have been a Dragonlord as well, and the only Dragonlord alive back then was..." Arthur trailed of as the realisation hit him. "Balinor was you father." He said quietly and saw how Merlin took a deep breath before looking up at him.

"Yes," Merlin said equally as quiet.

"And I told you he wasn't worth your tears." Arthur muttered and stepped forwards so he stood in front of Merlin and engulfed him in a hug. It took a few moments before Merlin returned it, but soon he was clinging to Arthur like his life depended on it while sobbing quietly. "I'm sorry." Arthur said into his hair, holding on tighter.

"I was the one who realised the dragon." Merlin said so quietly that at first Arthur didn't hear what he said. "I made a promise that I had to keep. I didn't know he would turn on Camelot like that." Merlin was now openly sobbing and Arthur wasn't sure if he should be mad at the warlock or not.

What he had done was unforgiveable, hundreds of people had died in the attacks, but he also knew that Merlin would never do anything like that without a reason.

"You never killed him." Merlin's breath hitched. "I lied. I sent him away." Arthur couldn't take it anymore.

"Don't, Merlin." Arthur leaned back and looked into his eyes. "I don't want to know. What's done is done, there's nothing to change it." Merlin didn't say anything, but he swallowed large and nodded.

"Harry!" Hermione's shriek tore them apart and Arthur watched as Harry grasped his head while falling down on his knees, obviously deep in pain.

He then collapsed down on the ground, his body twitching on the snow-cowered ground, but his eyes remained closed. It wasn't until several minutes later that the boy stilled and he slowly opened his eyes, all of them standing above him in worry.

"He knows," Harry gasped out, trying to stand up. "He knows, and he's going to check where the others are, and the last one," He leaned on Hermione for support while looking at Merlin. "Is at Hogwarts."


A/N

Swefe nu = Now send to sleep.

Obliviate = Used to hide a memory of a particular event.

Néadhæs = Order which one must obey/ a command which is attended by compulsion.

Léoht = Light

Accio = This charm summons an object to the caster, potentially over a significant distance.

Wingardium Leviosa = Levitates objects.

Forþ fleoge = Fly forth

Relashio = A charm used to force someone or something to release that which it holds or grapples by means of shooting fiery sparks out or, underwater, shooting hot bursts of water.

O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes! = O dragon, permit the appeal for an audience to speak here, fierce, wise-minded one.

Ptí̱si̱ pros ti̱n asfáleia. Voi̱thí̱ste mas na xefýgoun apó to kakó tous ándres. = Fly to safety. Help us escape from the evil men.

Lypámai tóso polý. Makári na eícha gno̱stó no̱rítera póso tha ypéferan, allá eíste eléf̱theroi tó̱ra. = I'm so sorry. I wish I had known earlier how much you were suffering, but you are free now.

Petáxte sto Kámelot, ótan eíste arketá kalá, kaneís den tha eínai se thési̱ na sas vlápsei ekeí. Eínai éna katafýgio gia ólous tous magiká plásmata, sas to ypóschomai. = Fly to Camelot when you are well enough, no one will be able to hurt you there. It's a sanctuary for all magical creatures, I promise you.

Ótan o pólemos échei teleió̱sei, tha káno̱ ó, ti boró̱ gia na epouló̱sei tis pli̱gés sas. = When the war is over, I will do what I can to heal your wounds.

Gia makrozo̱ía kai na ev̱i̱merí̱sei o fílos mou. = Live long and prosper my friend.

Okay, so, the I used goggle translate to write the dragonlord speech so if there's any spelling mistakes or inconsistency, blame google. It's in Greek, because the dragonlord speech on the show is in Homeric greek but I can't find a translate for that, so regular Greek will have to do.

Only one more chapter after this one, and then the epilogue. But here's the thing, I'm moving to London next Monday and the Monday after that, I start Uni, so I will be busy. I will try and finish the Epilogue this week, but I can't make any promises, and I also don't know if I will be able to post the chapter next week, only time will tell. But I will do my best to post and finish the story, but if there's a few weeks without updates, it's only because I'm to busy and not because I've abandoned the story. I will never do that.

Have a great week everyone =)