"Who is Peter Pettigrew?" Merlin asked looking back and forth between the twins, Flitwick, Arthur and Ron. They all knew the name but he didn't.
Professor Flitwick coughed. "Peter Pettigrew was a friend of your father's when he was in school," Professor Flitwick said honestly. If he had been anyone else Flitwick wasn't sure if he would be honest. "He was murdered by Sirius Black, the man who betrayed your parents." He turned to the twins. "May I see this map?"
Fred and George exchanged looks. It looked like they were silently having a conversation. Finally, George pulled the map from his robes. He laid it out on Flitwick's desk. Fred tapped the map with his wand. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Flitwick watched in amazement as words appeared. The entire castle was on the parchment in front of them. The names of every student and staff member was on the map.
Merlin was impressed. He scanned the map until he found Flitwick's office. He was relieved to see the names Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom were on the map instead of Merlin and Arthur Pendragon.
"Here," Fred said tapping the spot where the first year Gryffindor boys lived. There was Pettigrew's name. Clear as day.
"That's not possible," Flitwick said shaking his head. "Pettigrew is dead. Is it possible the map is malfunctioning? Who made it?" He flipped the map over. His eyes locked onto four names he never thought he would see again.
"Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs," George answered. "We don't know who they are, only that they must be pranksters."
Pranksters was a bit of an understatement, Flitwick thought. "Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and," Flitwick looked at Merlin, "James Potter. These were their nicknames when they were students."
Fred and George stared at Merlin, their mouths hanging open. "You're the son of Prongs," they exclaimed.
"Getting back to the point," Arthur said before Fred and George could get too excited. "It looks like Pettigrew isn't dead."
Professor Flitwick frowned. "Yes, that is strange. Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban for killing him and twelve muggles, on top of betraying the Potters. But if Pettigrew isn't dead…"
"Do you think Black is innocent?" Ron asked shuddering. He had heard stories of Black.
"I don't know," Professor Flitwick admitted. "It sure looks like he's innocent of murdering Pettigrew, but murdering those muggles and betraying the Potters? That I cannot say."
"Can you look into it?" Merlin questioned. He felt guilty for asking more from Professor Flitwick but Flitwick was the only one that knew everything. The only one he trusted other than Arthur and Ron.
"Yes of course. I will go to the Ministry over the weekend," Professor Flitwick promised.
"What do we do about Pettigrew now?" Arthur questioned. "I don't know about you two but I don't want to sleep with a grown man in my room."
"I will escort you five back to your dorm," Professor Flitwick said. "While I'm there I'll capture Pettigrew. If, Scabbers is in fact a rat he will not be harmed. If he is an Animagus, the term for someone who can turn into an animal," Flitwick added for Merlin's benefit, "then he will be trapped."
Professor Flitwick escorted the five boys back to Gryffindor Tower. Tonight, started out simple. Steal the stone so they could protect it. That was it. But now… now Flitwick had to deal with a possible traitor. He had a sinking feeling that if Pettigrew was still alive then Sirius Black may actually be innocent. He wouldn't voice he concerns until it could be proven.
Fred and George slowed down to match Merlin's speed. "Where do you guys go almost every day?" Fred questioned. Merlin frowned. "Almost every day you three disappear from the map. We managed to track you to the fifth floor and then nothing."
Merlin sighed in relief. For whatever reason this map couldn't see his room. Now that he thought about it, the map must not show places the Marauder's hadn't found. There was no way the four of them knew about Merlin's room. No one could get in. Merlin didn't answer them, and the twins didn't press him for answers.
When they got to Gryffindor Tower the Fat Lady was surprised to see Professor Flitwick along with five Gryffindor boys. "Cutting it a little close to curfew boys," the Fat Lady commented casually. Merlin knew better. She was fishing for information, information he was certain she wouldn't get.
"Excalibur," Fred said, ignoring her comment.
Merlin sighed at the password while Arthur grinned. He did love his sword. Merlin glanced at Arthur and rolled his eyes. Only Arthur would be excited over the mention of his sword.
The common area was surprisingly empty when they stepped inside. That was a good thing. Professor Flitwick didn't want others aware of what he was about to do. The less witnesses the better. The only problem now was Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan, who lived in the dorm with Merlin, Arthur and Ron.
Professor Flitwick pushed the door open and sighed in relief when he saw Dean and Seamus were already asleep. He closed the door and turn to the others. "Fred, George go to your room. If this is Pettigrew, we don't want to spook him." Fred and George frowned but did what they were told. "You three get ready for bed. I'm going to stun Pettigrew and take him back to my office." The three nodded.
The three entered the room. They ignored Scabbers cowering in the corner, watching the three as if he knew what was going on. Flitwick entered the dorm once he was certain Scabbers was focused on Ron, Merlin and Arthur. "Stupefy," Flitwick cast, his wand pointed at the rat. Scabbers slumped down unconscious. Flitwick grabbed the rat by its tail and walked out of the dorm without a word.
"What do you think?" Arthur asked Merlin once the three were ready for bed.
"This is highly suspicious," Merlin noted. "Do you think your grandmother can look into Sirius Black's case?"
"I can ask," Arthur agreed. "I don't know if she will be willing. But I'll check. If Black is innocent, she will want to help." Arthur studied his best friend. "Get some sleep Merlin. You look exhausted."
"Good night Arthur," Merlin said before rolling over.
It took two full days before Merlin had a chance to talk to Professor Flitwick again. During that time the trio spent their free time with Hermione Granger. The first time they sat with her she had been speechless. Hermione had no friends and was instantly suspicious of anyone coming near her.
By day two Hermione was slightly more relaxed in their presence. She still didn't say much to them unless they asked her something but she wasn't worried they were going to hex her without warning.
"Hermione," Merlin greeted, sitting down across from her. He had gotten up a few minutes early because he knew Hermione would be here. Arthur and Ron were still asleep when he left.
"You're alone," Hermione just realized. "You're never without Ron and Neville."
"They were still asleep," Merlin said with a shrug. He failed to mention the three stayed in Merlin's room until well after curfew. Merlin had borrowed the map from Fred and George so they wouldn't get caught.
"Aren't you worried they will miss classes?" Hermione asked. Even if Merlin wasn't worried, Hermione was.
"No, the elves will get them up," Merlin answered. He made a mental note to have Mipsy wake them if they weren't up. It wasn't the elves jobs to wake up kids, not that Hermione knew that.
"Elves?" Hermione questioned confused.
"House elves," Merlin clarified. "They're small, magical creatures that cook and clean."
"They're slaves," Hermione said horrified.
"Not slaves, servants," Merlin corrected.
"What's the difference?" Hermione demanded.
"The difference is slaves are generally treated poorly," Merlin said patiently. "Servants, namely house elves, are treated well." Merlin could tell Hermione wasn't convinced. "Hermione, house elves have to serve a wizarding family or they die. The bond between a wizard and an elf is the only way to stabilize their magic. If you try to do anything to help free them, all you will do is get them killed."
Hermione's face fell. "I still don't like it," she admitted.
"I know," Merlin said. He didn't like it either. Growing up as a servant he understood the house elves better than most. "But is it worth killing house elves in your misguided attempt to help them?"
Hermione didn't answer and Merlin knew he got her. Hermione would do whatever it took to help someone but she wouldn't do it if it got the house elves killed. She was a genuinely good person. It was quite refreshing to be around someone with no hidden agenda.
Merlin glanced up and saw Arthur and Ron hurrying toward him. That was good. It would save Merlin from having to call Mipsy. Mipsy had to be tired after last night and the poor elf deserved to rest.
"Why didn't you wake us?" Arthur hissed.
"You needed to sleep your highness," Merlin said with a cheeky grin. "Seriously though, I could tell how tired you two were. I was going to send Mipsy to wake you before class and bring you some food."
"What about you though?" Arthur asked confused. "Don't you need to sleep?"
"I'm used to getting little sleep," Merlin said with a shrug. "I'll be fine."
Arthur glanced at Hermione who was trying hard to pretend she wasn't listening. "Harry," Arthur started. Oh, how he hated calling his best friend Harry. It didn't fit him at all. "You need to try to sleep more, at least take a nap after lunch."
"I'll try," Merlin promised. "But there's no guarantee. I have a lot to do." He checked his watch. "Grab your food to go. We're going to be late for class."
Arthur and Ron stacked some toast on a napkin and followed Merlin out of the Great Hall. The group of three made their way to History of Magic, after first saying goodbye to Hermione. Hermione was finishing her breakfast before heading to class.
"I hate this class," Ron moaned in between mouthfuls of toast. One of the things he learned from Arthur was never to talk with his mouth full of food. He looked at Merlin. "Can't we skip and you just teach us?"
"Sadly no," Merlin said. He understood Ron's frustrations. Merlin had hated Binns when he was alive. Now he was even more boring. And since Binns was forever a ghost and unable to move on Dumbledore really couldn't replace him as a teacher. "I could teach you guys though," he added thoughtfully.
"Please," Arthur and Ron said together.
"Fine," Merlin agreed. Now that the stone was safely in his possession, he did have some free time. Although he still needed to make his potion…
"Great, I'm taking a nap," Ron declared. Arthur nodded in agreement.
Merlin rolled his eyes but didn't comment. He didn't blame them. There was more to the wizarding worlds history than the goblin wars. Binns wasn't even alive during the goblin wars so Merlin couldn't understand his obsession.
The trio took their usual spot at the back of the room. Ron put his head down and was asleep within minutes.
"When are you making that potion?" Arthur questioned.
"I don't know," Merlin admitted. "Possibly after the holidays. It will give me a chance to collect what I need."
"When are you planning on talking to Flitwick?" Arthur asked.
"Today if possible," Merlin answered. "I want to take him to my room." He paused when Binns looked in their direction, not that the ghost would notice them not paying attention. "Rowena has a room in the castle that I want to find."
"Did all the Founders have rooms?" Arthur wondered.
"Yes," Merlin replied. "Helga's room can only be accessed by a blood relative. Salazar's needs a Parselmouth. Rowena's can be accessed by anyone as long as you know what you're looking for. Godric's is the Headmaster's office."
"Why do you want to find Rowena's room?"
"The room is rather… special," Merlin said slowly. "I helped her create it. The room will become whatever the seeker wants. There are limits, of course. The room can't conjure food for one."
Arthur's eyes widened. "So, if I wanted a replica of Camelot's training grounds?"
"It would appear," Merlin finished.
Arthur's eyes lit up. "We have to find that room."
Merlin turned to look at Arthur. "You know It won't recreate the entire castle. There's not enough magic for that."
"I know," Arthur said not meeting Merlin's gaze. "But I need to get back into fighting shape. This will help with that. Plus, I know Ron wants to learn."
"Do you think it's smart teaching Ron to fight like one of your nights?" Merlin asked. "He's just a child."
"I started training when I was younger than him," Arthur pointed out.
"That was a different time," Merlin said. "It was your father that made you learn. We may have his best interests at heart but we are not his parents."
"It's his decision though," Arthur countered. "If he can decide to help us get the stone then he can decide to be trained."
Merlin didn't respond, mainly because he knew Arthur was right. Ron may be eleven but he could make his own choices. Just like Arthur and Merlin had.
"Fine," Merlin said with a sigh. "But you can't be too hard on him. We can't afford for him to get hurt. And, I would like Flitwick to be involved. He was a dueling champion after all."
Arthur nodded. "I can live with that." He pushed away his parchment. "I give up."
Merlin's eyes flashed gold and words appeared on Arthur's parchment. "That's what you need to know for the year." Merlin's eyes flashed gold again as he made another copy for Ron. "You'll need to look up the info on your own."
"Thanks Merlin," Arthur said, relieved he didn't have to listen to Binns anymore. He scanned the parchment. "Did you really put me on here?"
"My history is studied every year," Merlin said with a shrug. "You're mentioned a little and Morgana is mentioned in later years. Most of what is learned isn't true," Merlin added with a frown.
"Like what?" Arthur wondered. This should be the one topic Arthur didn't have to study and they got it wrong?
"Like I was an old man, like Dragoon, when we first met," Merlin began. "The whole me and Morgana as lovers."
Arthur rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe that's what the wizarding world thought. "What did the wizarding world think about me?" Right now he knew most of the wizarding world didn't care about him, simply because he was a Muggle. But there were those that appreciated what he had done. It was because of him that magic had no longer been banned in Camelot. It was something he was proud of. His father thought magic would destroy Camelot but in reality it was opposite. The kingdom had thrived. Arthur only wished he had been around to see it.
"Back in the time of the Founders you were revered by witches, wizards and Druids," Merlin said. "You made something like Hogwarts possible. You made people like me not be afraid of who they were." Merlin sighed. "But over time they stopped celebrating you. You simply became a muggle in the story of Merlin." Merlin shook his head. "I hated that. I hated hearing how you're nothing. We were prophesized to do such great things together and it became meaningless."
"I was also prophesized to return," Arthur pointed out. "Maybe someday the wizarding world will be aware of exactly who we are."
Merlin nodded. "I was thinking the exact same thing." He glanced around the room, making sure no one was paying attention to them. He wasn't about to let anyone else know who they were. "When I got my memories back, I started thinking about who we were and why we were back now," Merlin began.
"Any theories?" Arthur asked curious.
"At first I thought it had something to do with me being Harry Potter. I have a lot of influence in this life," Merlin stated. "But now I'm starting to think it's less about me and more about you. You reunited Albion and now… I think you are here to reunite the wizarding world."
"Me?" Arthur asked in disbelief. "Why me? That makes no sense."
"Actually, it does," Merlin disagreed. "I was always there to help you do the right thing but I was never a leader. You were always the leader. Now I'm here to do it again. One day you will be Minister of Magic."
"Minister?" Arthur choked out. "I'm not cut out for that. You should be Minister."
Merlin shook his head. "I've always been your advisor. You are the leader. You will be the one to reunite the wizarding world, like you did Albion."
"But you're Harry Potter," Arthur protested.
"Exactly. I'm Harry Potter and I will use my influence to help you," Merlin exclaimed. "Just like I used my magic to help you back then."
"How exactly do you plan on getting Fudge out of office?" Arthur questioned.
Merlin shrugged. "We're eleven. I'm not worried about it right now."
After dinner Merlin made the familiar trek down to Flitwick's office. This time he was alone. He made Arthur and Ron get some rest. Arthur only agreed if Merlin promised not to stay out late so he could also get some sleep.
Merlin didn't bother knocking anymore. He simply let himself in. He was relieved to see Professor Flitwick at his desk, grading 7th year papers.
"Merlin," Flitwick squeaked. He hadn't expected to see the warlock. Although he shouldn't be surprised that Merlin sought him out. It had been a few days since they last spoke.
"Any news on the stone?" Merlin questioned, sitting across from the man.
"Dumbledore still doesn't know it's missing," Flitwick reported. "If Voldemort is in the castle there's no indication that he's aware the stone is gone."
"Good. The longer everyone is unaware about the stone, the better," Merlin said. "There's only a few weeks till we leave for the holidays. I plan to put the stone in my vault as soon as I can." He glanced at Professor Flitwick. "There's something I would like to show you, if you're willing."
"Show me what exactly?" Professor Flitwick questioned.
"Nothing bad," Merlin assured him. "I promise you will like it."
"Very well," Professor Flitwick said setting down his quill. "Where are we going?"
"Fifth floor," Merlin answered.
Professor Flitwick followed Merlin to the fifth floor. When they got to the abandoned corridor Professor Flitwick stopped. "Merlin, there is nothing here."
Merlin grinned at him. "There's plenty here." He stopped outside his room. "Don't you trust me Professor?" Professor Flitwick sighed and walked over to Merlin. "Open," Merlin hissed.
The door opened and the two stepped inside.