Notes:
Woo 5,000+ words for this chapter. Sorry it's been awhile, I've been busy with school work, trying to get back into the groove of working again.
*This is me ranting over my shitty day, you can skip if you want*
So the 10th was my birthday. And I usually update a chapter on my birthday, but I was busy doing homework, so I didn't have time. I had a sad birthday this year. I didn't even get a cake. I got zero presents, and someone ripped up my birthday card, so yeah, I had a depressing birthday. I was actually really depressed yesterday, and I cried a few times, and it was probably my worst birthday ever.
I will admit I was kind of a bitch yesterday, but nobody was treating me nicely at all, so I thought my attitude was well-placed. I was talking to someone, and mid-conversation, they took a phone call that was not important at all; they were gossiping to someone they wanted to talk to you more than me. Then I was at the store with that same person, and they told me they had a gift card, and I could use it. And so they said go pick out some clothes. I did and I looked at the gift card and I saw how much money was on it, and I started putting the clothes back because I went over the budget on the card, and they got upset with me. I was trying to be considerate and just buy one shirt and a jacket that I thought was cute. But they kept telling me my taste was ugly and that I should buy these way overpriced things. And as we were driving back home, I was asking if I could get a drink. I decided to go into the store myself and grab a drink because I was thirsty. But I saw a bag of chips that I liked, so I bought that and a drink with my own money and as it was being put into the bag and I paid.
In walks said person, and they look at my bag and says loudly into the store, "I bet you filled it with candy and other stuff, right?" and then they proceeded to ask the lady who just bagged my stuff "what did she put in there? Candy?" I was embarrassed. And I found that really rude, which I then proceeded to tell them in the car later that it was rude of them to do that and embarrassing to me. But they took that as an insult, and I got upset and told them that they were bitchy to me all day. And then, of course, the insult got returned back to me. And the fight escalated, and the person who had given me the birthday card ripped it up in my face and then threw it at my face.
I said, "you know what? I don't want to celebrate my birthday anymore. And I said I want to go home." and they were like, no, we're going to the Cake store, and we're buying a cake because your grandma wants to eat one. I said no and to get let me out of the car. And I thought she was going to drop me off a little bit closer to the house. But she drops me off like ten blocks away from my home, and it's like 90 degrees outside.
And the moment I got home, I was then blamed for ruining the party. They said I shouldn't have fought and got into an argument. They said I ruined the party. I ruined my own birthday party. Yeah, I had a fucking terrible day yesterday. And I cried a shit ton, and I'm fucking depressed as all hell. Because after all of that awful shit, I had to sit through a 3-hour class. I was miserable, and I still am.
Sorry for the terrible rant, but I just needed to get it all out there, and you can clearly skip this.
(I'm editing this 0ctober 29, 2020 because of so many mistakes.)
/
Merlin woke up late the next day to an insisting tapping on his window. Groaning, he shot up glaring at the window, to find a small, black owl with yellow eyes. It was carrying a letter and still tapping on the window. Confused, Merlin looked to his stack of unmailed letters, since he did not buy an owl yet. He slowly got up and opened the window.
"Hello there. And who would have sent you? Who knows where I live, huh?" Merlin said softly, talking to the owl who just hooted twice as if it was talking back.
"I see you are from the Ministry of Magic. Whatever would they need me for?" Merlin proceeds to stun the bird by answering it.
The conversation went for a while. Merlin can't talk to all animals, no that would be absurd. But magically enhanced animals were the exception. Merlin slowly opened the letter reading it to the curious owl, who did not, in fact, know what was written inside; the owl had said the wizard who wrote it was grumpy and never gave her the good treats. To which Merlin summoned from his fridge those good treats, mainly leftover raw meat. The owl hooted pleasantly and was munching on the food in delight.
"Well, apparently, the idiots at the Ministry are forcing me to take a seat in the trial. Apparently, all pureblood families have to take a seat in the government, and such duties they have is attending high profile cases. They play the role of a jury. Apparently, all major families have to attend or have someone sitting in for them. Or the Minister will appoint someone of his choosing if I can't find someone. Ugh, what a pain." Merlin said, petting the owl who had already finished his treats.
Merlin tilted his head, "I heard about a trial; what trial was it again?" Merlin asked the owl who knew the answer.
She remembered hearing everyone was talking about a human boy named Harry Potter; she said as much in hoots.
"Oh right, that young boy at the bank, that's who told me about it. Hmmm, well, I might as well go this time. But I don't want to go every time, and I really don't want the current minister to pick anyone to speak for me, especially someone I don't know." Merlin thought deeply about it; he didn't trust anyone to speak for him.
Merlin wrote a quick reply that he would attend the trial himself, but he would need more time to pick a stand-in for taking his Emrys seat. He gave a few more treats to the owl and pet it's head a final time, then he attached the letter and sent it on its way, closing the window behind it.
Merlin thought about it for the rest of the day. While he was tinkering with the phone, trying to get it to work. Not that he would know if it did work unless he got it tested by Remus in the first place. But he'd tinker as much as he did his last product and then find Remus again. Since his magic is useless in the testing phase since his magic doesn't affect electronics in the first place. Creating magic and applying it, his magic was perfect for it, but his magic is unique to him, even when he was young. He was untrained then, but he was also different from other sorcerers and sorceresses. Merlin's magic was different from most magical humans. His magic was more the type of magic you would find in a magical beast.
Maybe being a dragon lord changed his magic, or maybe some unknown force affected his ability, but Merlin has always just been different. Not that Merlin enjoyed it all the time, but there were definitely perks from it. The overwhelming power, as well as the ability to adapt to any situation. Then his strong sense of magic in general and his ease of use. Merlin is probably the most skilled magic user on the planet, in this day in age and once he was fully trained in the past, then in the past as well. Of course, Merlin himself will deny it to his undying day, at least he did in the past. But there's no contest to it. There's no evidence to deny these claims.
But anyway now he had to think about what to do for the future of his company and the upcoming trial. Of course, Merlin wants to be a part of this trial, at least give some people in the Ministry his two cents on how they're doing such a piss poor job of managing this case of supposed underage use of sorcery. And how they're not looking at the facts first, instead of going headstrong into just trying to prosecute this child for something that is a mistake and probably is not even guilty of in the first place. And even if he is, to stop a child from using magic is stupid.
At least in Merlin's point of view, because he does not believe in the statue of secrecy at all. He understands the necessity of it now , but he hates it overall. The idea that wizards and witches chose to hide themselves rather than integrate with Muggles just irks him, even though it's been going on for years, it still irks him. And deep down, he blames himself for never accomplishing what he wanted to accomplish when he was young about bringing Albion together and making magic legal.
But while he could do nothing about that now, he could at least pick out the outfit that would be semi-presentable and also completely Wizarding like. As much as he would love to stroll in, wearing a Muggle suit, he can't, because Merlin is supposed to be of pure blood descent, and he's supposed to show off his pure blooded-ness, whatever that is. Basically, he can't look like a muggle, as much as he would like to, he can't. When he represented his business, he could do whatever he wanted, but if he wanted to help Harry, he thought he might as well start with some sort of advantage. At least if he wore muggle clothing, it would be so much less clothing and so much cooler.
But he's forever grateful that he doesn't have to dress up as his old man persona at least this time around. At least he was younger this time around, not literally speaking, of course, but more physically speaking because he can't stand the aches and pains of being old, Merlin thanks the goddess that he never ages. As troublesome as it is, it's also pain-free. Though if there is one thing he wants more than anything is for the chance to grow old, preferably with people he likes around him. But that was a matter for another night, after getting drunk. Merlin put his phone on the table next to his bed and laid back, thinking that tomorrow would be different but more exciting than playing with the phone for another long day.
Anywho, after picking out a royal blue set of robes, he recently bought. He grabbed some nice suede black shoes. And his cell phone and he grabbed his laptop. Not that he really needed it, but he thought he could stop by to see Remus later. Thinking on that thought, Merlin also grabbed the basically done magic proof phone. Oh, and he almost left the house without it; the only wizard who would be Merlin. He almost forgot his wand of all things. But so typical.
He quickly apparated to Remus', wearing his full Wizarding regalia; he looked like a proper wizard; so much of a contrast from when he first walked in the shop looking like a homeless Muggle. He looked as pureblood as one could look, with the highest priced and latest fashion wizarding robes. Remus was expecting Merlin at this point, not because he knew he was coming but because who else could apparate into the shop. Except when he looked over and saw it was some random wizard since it looked so unlike Merlin, he stood up with his wand out, ready for a fight. Because if it wasn't Merlin, then who could it possibly be.
But he lowered his want to mediately after seeing that stupidly bright grinning face staring back at him. Remus let out a breath of relief, "Myridian, what are you wearing? Not that they're not nice robes, but you normally wear muggle clothing." Were the first words out of Remus' mouth.
The shock of his friend looking so different than the customary greeting right out the window.
"Hello to you too, Remus. I have business at the Ministry, unfortunately. You know that trial going on today? I have to go. I honestly don't know what the Ministry is thinking, putting a child on trial. I try not to get mad but, I can't help but want to punch the current minister and ask what he thinks he's doing." Merlin said, prattling off at the end about his apparent dislike for the Ministry and all those in positions of power.
However, Remus only heard the first part of what he was saying; he didn't expect Merlin to be part of Harry's trial. He knew about the way the trials worked, but he keeps forgetting that Merlin comes from a pureblood family. He wanted to ask Merlin to help Harry, but he didn't know exactly how to ask. Even though he figured they were friends, but what if he had a different opinion of Harry? Not that Remus thought that Merlin was a dark wizard, but you can never be too careful. Remus was quiet for a while, which made Merlin wonder what it was about? Of course, Merlin took it the wrong way, not a bad way… just a different way.
"Did you want to come? I'm sure if I insisted enough, I could maybe get you in. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to try if you wanted to go." Merlin said, thinking if he talked the right way, he could get anything he wanted.
Playing with aristocrats was his pastime, back in the old days.
Remus looked shocked, "Oh, oh, uh, no, no, they wouldn't like it if I was there. But, no, I taught Harry as his teacher in Hogwarts last year. He's family to me." Remus said he wasn't sure about saying that last part, but he trusted Merlin quite a bit.
Maybe it was his eccentric nature or just his big goofy grin, but Merlin was someone you could easily trust. And Remus was certainly not immune to his charms.
"Oh. You're friends with him? So am I, well sort of, I met him the other day at the bank. He told me about his trial then, but I completely forgot until I got an owl yesterday about it. They were getting crowded in the bank by a bunch of random people that just wanted to gawk. He was with a redheaded boy and the boy's father who invited me out for drinks to talk about electronics and whatnot, he seemed very interested." Merlin said, starting to recount his meeting with the boy who lived.
"Oh, I see. Since you're friends with Harry, so you'll help him?" Remus asked, feeling even more trust and friendship building.
Merlin smirked, "Maybe you should come, Remus! I plan to speak up quite a bit. I have a few things to say about the laws of this society. And from what Harry told me in the bank, the trial sounds utterly stupid, and it feels like it's been concocted just to smear Harry's name. And trust me, they're not getting away with that." Merlin, who is speaking so confidently with such a bright yet sadistic smile on his face that Remus believes in him, truly.
Sometimes Merlin seemed to have this sort of power behind his words, but Remus didn't really understand it; it just led him to believe a lot of the things Merlin, since so far, they all came true. But he was still apprehensive about coming along. He really did want to watch Merlin hand it to the Ministry, but he didn't want to bring down Merlin's social standing because of his status as a werewolf, even if Merlin didn't care about such things. But it seems he didn't have to ponder for very long because without even asking, Merlin just grabbed Remus' hand and apparated them both directly into the Ministry of magic. Now that Merlin had been there before, it was an easy task. But only an easy task for one such as himself since the wards around the Ministry of magic was even stronger than the ones around the shop.
If he were to have really apparated, he probably wouldn't have been able to get in. Still, the thing Merlin does is not really apparating; he teleports himself with old magic; he just mimics the cracking sound, and sometimes, if he's bringing someone along, he mimics the weird pulling in the navel feeling. It's the only reason he's able to break the wards because old magic trumps new magic every time. Even if the wards are old and incredibly strong, it's still made of new magic, and Merlin can get through any of them.
Luckily Merlin apparated them in a deserted hallway. He realized after seeing everyone else only come in through the fireplace that getting past the words or something probably only he could do. He didn't really mind if Remus knew. Merlin was kind of tempted to keep giving him hints to see if you could guess just how strong he was. Or maybe to figure out who he was. Merlin had told people before who he was truly. Even though most people didn't believe him at first, and some people took the secret to the grave. It wasn't a big secret, really, and it was a nice change of pace to be called by his real name instead of his charade of names he picked out throughout the centuries.
Predictably Remus freaked out a little bit. Partially from being suddenly teleported into the Ministry of magic and partially by realizing how strong Merlin was. It's obviously possible that someone could get through the wards, Remus had figured that out by standing where he was, but how powerful did that person have to be to bypass the strongest wards, maybe only beat in strength by Hogwarts' wards. Merlin was waiting for Remus to collect himself, it didn't take long, but the shock was forever plastered on his face as he stared at Merlin in wonder.
"Just how? How did you get so strong so quickly?" Remus finally asked in quick succession.
"I could tell you the answer to all your questions. Where would the fun in that be? Take a while and figure it out. And when you have a solid answer, let me know, and I'll tell you if you're right or wrong, I promise." Merlin decided to play a little game.
He wanted Remus to figure it out on his own. It would leave the man something to do while he's bored in the shop. And Merlin believes it will be fun to hear what he thinks is going on.
Quickly checking his phone, he noticed that he had to quickly get towards the trial; otherwise, he probably wouldn't be let in. Merlin patted Remus on the shoulder and pulled him along; at least this time in the letter, he was told exactly where to go. All he had to do is find an elevator. He googled what that was the other day. He knew all about them. Google was the best friend of someone who was displaced in time because it had all the answers one could ever need. Everything he missed in 500 years was able to be searched up through Google. It was amazing.
All throughout the elevator ride and walk up to the room, Remus was trying to tell Merlin that him going there with him might not be accepted and that maybe he could just meet him after the trial was over. But Merlin was completely ignoring him and pulling him along anyway. If someone were to stop them and claim that he was a werewolf and he wouldn't be allowed in because of that, Merlin would secretly hex them into oblivion. And if they denied Remus access with a good reason because it was a trial and no one who's not given permission to, can't come inside, then probably Merlin will let Remus wait outside like he wants to.
But he's going to at least try to sneak him in first. He was debating if he should just cast an invisibility charm on him, but it was old magic, and he didn't really want to get found out in a courtroom full of wizards and witches with varying degrees of strength. As much as Merlin can't die, he did not want to experience spells that could fatally kill him because they would hurt a lot.
Pulling Remus along all the way until the courtroom doors, which were open letting people still file in. He hadn't seen Harry yet at all. Not on his walk here, not even on the elevator or sitting in the courtroom as he's looking in from the outside.
"Where do you think Harry is?" Merlin asked Remus looking to see if the older-looking man spotted him.
Remus covertly sniffed the air.
He then shook his head, "He's not here yet." Remus answered.
After spending so much time with Harry in Hogwarts and knowing him when he was just a baby, Remus had Harry's sent down packed, even if he wasn't a werewolf fully, like when he transformed under a full moon, his nose still worked better than most. And if he wanted to pick up Harry's sent, it would be easy, but clearly, he wasn't here yet. Merlin frowned. He walked up to some random person, someone who is writing in a notebook.
"Hi, miss, can I borrow a piece of paper?" He asked the women clad in a full shiny green robe, who smiled brightly after looking him up and down.
After taking to the paper, Merlin walked back to Remus. Remus watched as Merlin took out a pen he had on him and watched as he scribbled a neat note. Remus watched as Merlin folded the note seven times before covering it with both hands and closing his eyes. Merlin mumbled the language of the old religion, reciting a spell, and when he opened his hand, the paper was gone. The only two people watching were the woman who handed him the paper and Remus. Neither of them knew how he did it. They assumed magic, of course, but what type of magic, they knew not.
Remus asked, "Who did you send that to? And what spell did you use?"
Merlin smirked, "I sent a letter to Harry. Just to tell him that the trial was starting and that he should hurry up. I feel like there's some sort of foul play at work. And the spell is one of my own creations; maybe one day I'll show you how to do it."
He couldn't tell Remus that it wasn't new magic. First, he had to figure out a way to cast it with new magic, and then he could teach it to Remus. But until then, he would say nothing and continue to play games because he really couldn't tell him an answer.
Merlin walked in with the insistence that Remus followed him in. Nobody stopped them. Remus couldn't sit next to Merlin. But he did sit off to the side and in the back.
Minutes ticked by as the courtroom began to fill. Yet no sign of Harry Potter.
Those obviously in favor of Harry Potter we're also not in the room. It seems like the whole party of the people who were trying to defend Harry didn't get invited to this occasion. Right after the Ministry of Magic's very own minister himself walked into the courtroom along with the judge presiding over the case and the minister's secretary. In scrambled, just before the doors closed, Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore. Two leading figureheads of the wizarding world, standing side-by-side, looking a little breathless.
Dumbledore was glaring at the minister of magic. While Harry was searching the crowd looking for the one who sent him a note. He caught Merlin's eyes relatively quickly. Merlin just gave a goofy grin and waved. Harry smiled. And seemed just a little bit braver and less nervous than before. He looked a little shocked when he noticed Remus as he scanned the rest of the room. But Remus just shook his head, trying to convey that they would talk later.
The minister of magic looked disgruntled that his seemingly ingenious plan did not work. He had planned to invite Harry and Dumbledore late to the party, so to speak. He wanted them to miss the trail, which would then make Harry look even guiltier. But obviously, the plan didn't work. Even if Merlin had not sent that note. Dumbledore had already figured it out. But he was just a few minutes behind Merlin in the discovery of the tomfoolery that was afoot. But soon the judge presiding over, Madame Bones, called order and for everyone to quiet down. She is the head of magical law enforcement, and she was the one presiding over the case. Since the regular judge is Dumbledore, he could not obviously preside since he was defending Harry Potter.
Fudge started it off, continuously attacking Harry Potter as he laid on the chargers. Merlin was trying to sit there peacefully. He really was. Truly, he tried. But after a truly detestable woman who was clad in pink decided to open her toad mouth, he decided to also speak. He basically butted into the conversation with no manners whatsoever, but there was a limit to how much Merlin could handle, and he was at his limit.
"If I could say something." He garnered the attention of all those in Wizengamot.
Stopping the Minister of Magic mid-sentence. Everyone looked at him sort of shocked, while Remus was in the back rubbing his face, dreading what was about to come out of Merlin's mouth. Remus was all for tearing down and putting the minister in his place, but there is a time and a place for this. And if he did not believe that it was the time nor the place. But once the Merlin got going, nothing could stop him.
"And who exactly are you?" The woman in pink screeched across the courtroom sitting beside the minister.
"Right I guess I should introduce myself, as this is my first time here. My name is Myridian Emrys, from the most ancient and noble house of Emrys. I had something I wanted to add if you don't mind, of course." Merlin said, playing, for now, he could be polite if he needed to.
It was so much fun when you acted all innocent and gentle in the beginning and then came out later with your true self. In the corner of the room opposite of Remus, the lady in the shiny green suit was furiously writing on a piece of paper while her camera was flashing. She got told off for the camera flashing, but the scribbling of the pen on paper never stopped.
Most of the pure-blooded wizards and witches looked shocked at such a young man standing there. Especially considering how much wealth he was now the heir to. They all expected some reasonably older man, maybe in his late 30s to early 40s. But this man was just a child; he looked barely in his late 20s. And he had such an innocent and goofy look that it just didn't seem like he fit the role.
The Minister of Magic seemed to stutter for a second before putting on a fake smile and nodding his head, telling Merlin to say whatever he wanted. He imagined all the money he could take from such a child. The minister of magic thought that since he was so young and innocent-looking, it would be so easy to take his fortune right out from underneath him, literally like taking candy from a baby.
But the Minister of Magic soon learned that Merlin was not as innocent as he looked. The moment Merlin got the permission to speak, he stood adjusting his robes and smirked a little bit.
"Thank you for allowing me to say something, Minister, I had read about this coming trial in the daily prophet, and I must say that I am utterly dissatisfied with what is happening. The fact that you would so harshly try a child, with all these preposterous charges. That you don't even let the poor boy speak to defend himself. Or to let him say his side of what really happened. Plus how you attack him like he is a criminal. I must say I'm truly disappointed in how this system works. The Ministry has lost my favor, at least so far. As a first impression, I'm highly disappointed. I had hoped that this trial would be fair and just. I thought that you wouldn't be harassing the poor boy, but it seems I was wrong. That is all I wanted to say." Merlin said, his little speech, as he increasingly got angrier looking and more serious by the end.
By the end, he had a big frown on his face, and he sat down, leaving everyone looking extremely shocked. Harry looked grateful. While the minister looked utterly embarrassed. Surprisingly enough, a few wizards and witches in Wizengamot looked swayed by his words. Seemingly to agree with what Merlin had said and shown more support than they originally had for Harry Potter.
Whispers had broken out not long after he finished speaking. But all too soon, Madam Bones called to order.
She silenced everyone from speaking and turned towards Merlin herself,
"I am sorry we have made you feel this way. And I take your words to heart. I agree with you. I would also like to hear Mr. Potter's side of the story. And I would also like to see more detailed proof. I will adjourn for 5 minutes, please collect yourself and be ready."
Nobody moved. It was more of a time for Harry to collect himself and for the Minister to produce the evidence that they had. The Minister had tried to complain to Madam Bones, trying to say that this was not how this was supposed to go. But she quickly put him in his place and told him that she was in charge of the courtroom and she would decide how things went.
Remus was pleasantly surprised that things were going exactly how Merlin wanted them to go. He didn't ask for anything to happen, but just his disappointment swayed so many people. It seemed that Merlin's charms did not only work on him but on everyone. Merlin knew how to manipulate people, and obviously, he was very good at it. Because it was so subtle that you wouldn't notice it, but the effects were quickly seen if you knew to look for them.
And all too soon, the five minutes were up. Harry Potter looked much calmer though still nervous since he had to speak in front of so many people. Fudge still looked angry, but there was nothing he could say or do at this point.
Madam Bones gave the floor to Harry Potter, to which he told the actual events of the story. He told them all about the Dementor's that had attacked him and how they tried to attack his cousin, the muggle in question, had already known about magic since he was a family member. He told the courtroom how he cast a Patronus and drove the dementors away.
That part of the story shocked quite a few witches and wizards. Since that particular spell was hard to cast and he was far too young to possibly be able to cast it.
Well, at least that was the Minister of Magic and his truly annoying secretary's argument. They were shouting, "Prove it!" And for a completely different reason, Madam Bones wanted to see Harry Potter cast a Patronus. Harry potter shyly obliged and cast a corporeal Patronus. The misty figure of a deer poured out of the tip of his wand, walking around the courtroom, shocking everyone and, most especially, the Minister of Magic himself.
After the spell was cast, Madam Bones decided that she didn't need to see any more evidence and that clearly, they would have to look into the Dementor attack. Seeing as it would be impossible for the dementors to roam freely around London since they were in the control of the Ministry. And if they were freely roaming, they would have to stop that.
She raised the vote to drop all charges to Harry Potter and conduct a full search of the department dealing with the dementors and Azkaban. She meant to do this anyway since the breakout. And surprisingly, a majority decided to side with Harry Potter, and Harry was free. The trial went in the direction that nobody expected. Especially since it moved along so smoothly.
The courtroom was adjourned, and soon everyone was getting up to leave. Harry Potter had the biggest smile on his face. Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling, giving a curious look to their savior Myridian Emrys, who was slowly walking towards Remus, looking to be leaving. He seemed to not notice the crowds trying to catch his attention. Unlike the adults who were trying to catch his attention yet still trying to be polite, Harry Potter walked right up to him, engaging in conversation.
"Thank you so much, sir. If you didn't say what you had said, I would've been found guilty, and nobody would've heard my story." Harry said, shaking Merlin's hand.
Merlin just gave a lazy smile.
"Well, I did tell you I didn't agree with the charges against you. And don't worry, I doubt you would've been charged guilty. I just move things along quicker is all." Merlin didn't do well taking credit for things.
"My boy, you did far more than moving things along. You quite eloquently swayed a lot of people with your words. Truly captivating to watch." Albus Dumbledore said, moving into the conversation.
Merlin tried not to giggle at being called a boy; he was many times older than the man in front of him, though Dumbledore did look awfully similar to his fake persona as an old man. Just more modern looking, not 21st century modern but more modern than the Middle Ages.
"I guess. It's a pleasure to meet you, Dumbledore." Merlin held out his hand, genuinely happy to meet the man since he was one of the leading contenders on the light side fighting Voldemort.
"Likewise, Mr. Emrys. And if I may impart some wisdom on you, your name seems familiar, and I just remembered that one of your great ancestors was one of the 3 founders of the Order of Merlin. I remember seeing your surname mentioned in a few books that I read about the Order of Merlin when I was younger." Dumbledore said, remembering reading a book about the founding of the Order of Merlin, and it listed the names of different purebloods at the time that formed the order.
And he distinctly remembered that the name Emrys was in the three main founders.
It seemed to take Merlin a minute to understand what he was talking about. And he had to stop himself from rolling his eyes and sighing. He lets out a sentence that he didn't really mean to say, but he mumbled it just enough that they all heard him, but the moment they registered what he said, they thought they must've missed heard. Except for Remus, who knows he heard right.
"Oh, you're talking about that stupid fan club. "
After noticing the weird looks though, he waved his hand in the air and said,
"Just forget it. Never mind that."
But it was clearly not forgotten, and everyone was clearly a little bit confused and suspicious of Merlin. Not of a malicious sense but that he was just hiding something; he had an air of mystery around him that was seemingly unsolvable.
Merlin slightly waved, saying he had some business to take care of and that they should all meet for drinks to celebrate later. Since coincidentally, they all knew each other. Before they could all leave the courtroom, they were suddenly stopped by a woman, the very same woman who lent Merlin paper earlier that day. She had a notepad at the ready and a camera in her hand, already snapping pictures before she even opened her mouth.
"Hi! My name is Rita Skeeter, and I am the reporter for the Daily Prophet; I was wondering if I could have an interview with both of these wonderful stars today!" She said, seemingly excited, and if she could, she would probably be bouncing off the walls.
Though her stare wasn't so innocent, it was predatory in a sense like she was going to get the interviews no matter what. Harry grimaced, dreading this.
But Merlin to the rescue, "Sorry, today has been a trying day, and I'm sure that you have good intentions with this paper, but I don't feel up to doing an interview right now and seeing as Harry has just finished his first trial, I think he also would like to rest peacefully. Maybe another time. If you'll excuse us, miss Skeeter." Merlin said respectfully, as he ushered Harry Potter and everyone else passed her.
But before everyone could pass her, she caught the eye of Remus.
She let out a startled squeak, "Your Remus Lupin, the werewolf teacher, let's do an interview on how you got fired from Hogwarts and your story of becoming a werewolf!" She said, grabbing his arm, stopping him.
Many others around the room had heard her exclamation and turned a distasteful eye on Remus. A few shied away and backed off, looking like he would attack at any moment. Remus looked embarrassed and upset and overall like he wished he could just disappear into thin air. He didn't want to embarrass his friends or bring this judgment onto them. He tried to pull his arm free, but the woman was insistent. And he didn't want to put any strength in it because he didn't want anything to happen.
But in the corner of his eye, he noticed something. As all the attention was focused on Rita and him, nobody was looking at Merlin anymore. But he noticed it because he was worried that she had just set Merlin off.
She had. Oh, she truly had. Merlin, at the moment, only noticed by Remus, had taken out his wand and was wordlessly casting a spell pointed directly at Rita Skeeter. Nothing happened for a moment until a small orange flame appeared on her notebook. Nobody noticed at first until the whole notebook was engulfed in flames.
Rita Skeeter let go of Remus' arm right away, backing away from the fire. Everyone else looked shocked and was looking for the culprit. But Merlin had already put his wand away. And with the momentary distraction, he ushered everyone, including Remus, out.
/
Notes:
So shitty birthdays aside, how was the chapter?
Leave a comment letting me know what you think, so far.
*Side note I fell asleep while editing, so, sorry about that.*