A/N - Thoughts are in italics
Chapter 1 – A New Beginning
1,442 years ago, Albion
In the middle of a lush forest sat a young Merlin deep in meditation. Suddenly images started flashing through his mind. His Magic swirled around him as he concentrated on what he was seeing.
'Heir of Emrys will return when darkness is on the verge of victory. Though vanquished once by a mother's love, a piece of the darkness will remain. When controlled by the heir it will be the undoing of the dark.
As a black flower dies a bond will be forged to save a life releasing that which was locked and calling the heir to his destiny. Two broken hearts will mend each other become more powerful than any before. The enemy hiding in the light will be revealed when the truth is set free and allies will be stolen from unlikely places when given the chance to change their own fate. Master of the Druid way and trained by the immortal alchemist the Prince of Enchanters will walk again with magic none have seen. Evil hearts will feel the agony of their ways and crumble when judgement is delivered. The rest will bow to the defeater.
Heir of Emrys will return when darkness is on the verge of victory but will only stay till the baby's first cry. Then will be lost once again.'
Merlin opened his eyes in surprise and then he quickly stood and walked back to the enclave.
"I must speak to the chief," said Merlin as he reached the cavern entrance.
'He's in the temple' Merlin nodded and made his way to the temple. When he reached the ornately decorated chamber, a cloaked figure stood in the center of the room waiting for him.
'You have had your first vision. You are very young. You will be powerful Emrys. You must prepare. If what you saw is to come to pass the boy will need your help. We will welcome him when he comes. I suggest you build him and his lady somewhere to live while they are here.' Merlin nodded and turned to leave.
"The other tasks will be more challenging," said Cathbad I. "If you need assistance, I am here."
o – o – o – o – o
611 years ago, London
A middle aged Nicolas Flamel closed up his shop and began his daily walk to the local tavern before heading home. As he walked, he heard steps on the stone pathway behind him. He stopped and turned around, but there was no one there. He kept walking until he heard footsteps again and this time a shadow appeared over his shoulder. He reached for his wand.
"Who's there?" He yelled into the darkness. As he went to turn around again a mysterious cloaked figure appeared in front of him. Nicolas was surprised by the sense of well-being he felt in the man's presence.
"Mr. Flamel, we have much to discuss," said the deep voice as he removed his hood.
"Merlin?!" Gasped Flamel.
"Yes, now if you would please follow me." Merlin said as he turned and continued down the street. Nicolas only hesitated for a second before he followed the aging man. A short time later he turned abruptly off the main road and headed into the trees. They followed a barely trodden dirt path, deeper and deeper into the woods until Nicolas started to get a little uncomfortable. 'Maybe following him was a mistake. He looks exactly like Merlin, but if that's true he's got to be at least 800 years old, and he doesn't look a day older than 420. How is that possible?'
They continued to move through the trees long past when the path disappeared. Nicolas was growing more and more nervous as they walked. Just as he was about to ask where they were going, he sensed they were passing through a magical force field and then suddenly a simple stone cottage appeared in a lush clearing. Merlin walked to the door of the cottage and motioned for Flamel to enter as he held it open.
'Well I guess if you can't trust Merlin who can you trust?' Nicolas took a deep breath and then walked inside. The cabin was sparse. There was a wooden table in the center of the room with two chairs and a fireplace with a kettle, and large cauldron. The only other thing in the cottage was a small potions table and a cot near the fireplace. Nicolas sat down in one of the chairs and waited for Merlin to tell him why he was here. He watched as Merlin walked over and started a fire and put the kettle on the grate all without whispering a word or taking out his wand. 'Does he even have a wand? Perhaps he doesn't even need one.'
"Would you like tea or ale Nicolas?" Asked Merlin.
"You know my name?" Said Nicolas in surprise but he quickly answered the question when Merlin's only response was an intense look. "Well, I guess that depends on what kind of conversation this is going to be Mr. Emrys." Merlin chuckled.
"Ale then," he said as two glasses of ale appeared on the table. Merlin sat in the other chair and sipped his ale leisurely.
"Why am I here?" Asked Flamel after several moments of lingering silence.
"When I was ten years old, I had my first vision." Flamel looked completely surprised by this. It is well known that Merlin was the best seer in history, but having a true vision at such a young age...
"And this vision involves me?' Asked Flamel as his eyebrows rose in curiosity.
"Partially, among many other things. It involves what you have not yet become, an immortal alchemist."
"But I don't know anything about alchemy?" said Nicolas. 'Though I have been very interested in it for a while.'
"Not yet. But you will," said Merlin as he conjured a small book onto the table and pushed it towards Nicolas. Nicolas opened it and looked at the foreign symbols curiously before turning a suspicious glare to Merlin.
"I can't even read this." He said incredulously.
"If you accept my proposition tonight you will gain the ability to interpret that book, which will be a power only you will possess. It will teach you everything I have learned about alchemy and allow you to use this," Merlin said as he took a small red gem out of his pocket and put it on the table.
"And what is this?" asked Nicolas.
"It will be your greatest creation. I believe you will name it the Philosopher's Stone. It will turn any metal into gold and produce the elixir of life."
"Immortality? That's how you think I will become immortal? But how do you know it's meant to be me?" Merlin just shrugged and finished his ale.
"Because it is your destiny." They sat in silence for some time while Nicolas processed this.
"Why don't you tell me this proposition of yours Mr. Emrys?" Said Nicolas. Merlin told him all of the details of the prophecy as he waved his hand to remove the kettle from the fire and make a cup of tea.
"I am tired Flamel, I am 831 years old. I have lived many lifetimes, I have watched everyone I know and care for perish, and I have done all I can to ensure my heir is successful at his task. Now that I have found you, it is time that I leave things in your capable hands. I am ready to move on to the next great adventure." Merlin paused for a moment letting that sink in.
"About 100 years after I had that vision, the Druid chief of that time helped me create a spell called Magicae Effusio. No one knows of its existence and an Emrys is the only one that can master it. It will allow me to pass my memories and magic onto you. After I cast the spell, you will fall asleep while my memories and magic are transferred to you. When you wake up you will be Nicolas Flamel-Emrys. To the rest of the world, it will be as if you always have been. Magic herself will always recognize you as Emrys, but if you introduce yourself to others' simply as Flamel, people will eventually forget about the Emrys all together. You will live a very long time after all," said Merlin.
"What will happen to you?" Asked Nicolas.
"I will die." Said Merlin simply.
"If I agree to do this, and I'm not saying I will, but what will you expect me to do after I wake up? I realize that when I gain your memories, I'll know your plans, but I would like to know what I am getting into before I decide," said Flamel, looking vaguely uncomfortable at being the cause of Merlin's death. Merlin nodded.
"You will move to Paris, study the book, learn all you can from it. When you get settled in Paris you will seek out a wizard named Maestro Canches. He will mentor you. Then when the time is right return to England and wait for the subject of the prophecy to be revealed. I must warn you that the use of the elixir comes at a heavy cost. You will for many lifetimes carry the burden of what you can do versus what you should do. You will have immense power and how you wield that power will either help progress society or destroy it." Nicolas thought about Merlin's words and then nodded in understanding.
"How will I know who it is?" He asked.
"When the moment comes you will know," responded Merlin cryptically.
"Then what is it I do with them exactly?" asked Nicolas. Merlin answered patiently.
"Teach him everything you learn over your lifetimes, guide him, help him fulfill his destiny in any way you can and then when there is nothing more for you to do for him, pass my memories, magic and name on to him." Flamel raised his eyebrows at this. 'I am supposed to die for this boy?'
"Don't worry," said Merlin, clearly reading his thoughts. "By the time that day comes you will be just as tired as I am and very much ready for the next great adventure."
"How do you know it will be so far away?" asked Nicolas uncertainly.
"I don't know for sure, but things were very advanced in my vision so I feel confident it is not anytime even remotely soon." Flamel nodded.
"What about my wife?" asked Flamel.
"Yes, I accounted for her. You have a magical bond with her through marriage so she will also become an Emrys and will be able to use the elixir as well. I believe you will need her pure heart to help you carry this burden."
"I feel like this is something I should discuss with her before I make a decision." Said Nicolas seriously
"You have already made your decision," said Merlin causing Flamel to raise his eyebrows. "But very well." Merlin snapped his fingers and suddenly Perenelle appeared in front of the fireplace.
"What in the name of-" she said as she looked around.
"Hello Perenelle," said Merlin kindly.
"Oh Merlin!" She exclaimed as she noticed the man sitting across from her husband who had just spoken. Merlin simply nodded and conjured another chair.
"Please sit. Nicolas has a very important decision to make, and he needs your input." Perenelle felt an overwhelming sense of well-being and contentment as she nodded and took the offered seat. Nicolas told her everything they had discussed so far and what Merlin was asking of him.
"It sounds like this boy will need us. I don't know why, but it feels like it is what we are meant to do," said Perenelle sincerely when Nicolas had finished. Nicolas nodded in agreement.
"That's because it is what you are meant to do. It is your destiny," said Merlin drawing Perenelle's attention back to him.
"Merlin, you say that you have no idea when the boy will be born. Would if it is like 2,000 years from now and we don't feel as though we can continue to wait for him, is it possible to pass the task on to someone else?"
"If there is no other option you may but be very careful. If the person you choose is not truly pure of heart using the spell will kill all three of you and then there will be no one there to guide him when the time comes and the wizarding world will fall to darkness," said Merlin.
"Very well, we will make sure we are there for the boy." Said Nicolas as he turned to his wife. She nodded at him encouragingly.
"We vow to do as you ask and prepare for the boy's arrival and assist him in any way we can." Merlin nodded and let out a relieved sigh.
"I had no doubt you would Flamel. Are you ready?" he asked.
"I guess so," said Flamel. Merlin stood and pointed his hand at Nicolas.
"Magicae Effusio," he whispered. A bright beam of light shot from his finger tip and struck Nicolas in the chest. All three of them fell to the ground with a soft thump. Two hours later, Perenelle and Nicolas left the secluded cabin, leaving a white pile of ash behind.
o – o – o – o – o
51 years ago, Paris
"So Albus is not who we thought he was?" Asked Perenelle sadly.
"No my dear, I'm afraid not," said Nicolas as he wrapped her in his arms. "No one else knows this, but Dumbledore was working with Grindelwald the whole time. His defender of the light campaign is all a rouse. Killing him in that battle was an accident. I saw it myself. Grindelwald's own spell backfired. Albus did nothing but cast stunners and shield throughout the whole affair."
"He seemed like such a nice young man when we first met him." Said Perenelle in disbelief. "I was so sure."
"I know I was too, but unfortunately I think he was very intentional in coming to visit us all those years ago. It is not just the Philosopher's Stone he was interested in, he knows more than he should. He called me Emrys tonight." Perenelle sighed tiredly.
"I was hoping we could rest soon." She said.
"Me too, my love." He said as he kissed her forehead.
"So we wait?" Perenelle said.
"Yes, but I think it is time we move back to England," responded Nicolas.
o – o – o – o – o
Present Day - 18 June 1996, Wiltshire
Narcissa Malfoy had been deeply saddened to hear of her cousin Sirius' death a few days before. It had been many years since they had spoken, but she adorned him when she was little, and they had been good friends until Walburga had disowned him and forbidden anyone else in the family from talking to him. It was because of this grief that Narcissa had seeked out the only secluded spot she had in Malfoy Manor. It was a small nook in the back of the library, where she had the house elves place a small table and a comfortable love seat. Lucius rarely came into the library, and when he did ne never came that far back. It was the one place where Narcissa didn't have to hide behind her mask of pureblood superiority and indifference. It was the one place where she was allowed to feel, and these small escapes were what allowed her to keep her mask in place all of the other times.
Narcissa knew that Lucius would not approve of her hiding out in here, but she wanted to mourn her cousin's death even if it was only for a few minutes. She could hear Lucius's heeled shoes clicking up the staircase and she inhaled sharply, wincing from the pain in her ribs that still lingered from their last encounter. Things had been getting worse with Lucius. He was continuously keeping an eye on her and his temper could not be satiated. He had always been demanding of her, requiring her to maintain a certain façade and follow his every direction. She didn't necessarily agree with everything he did for the Dark Lord, but she never said anything. She knew what was expected of her. She had been raised to know, so she kept her opinions to herself and did what he asked of her and enjoyed the luxuries of being a rich, influential mistress of a large estate. But when the Dark Lord returned everything changed. She had learned then that Lucius was a coward and she had lost any respect she still had for her husband.
The Dark Lord had been furious when he found out about his diary. She didn't know why he cared so much about an old book with nothing in it, but he had tortured Lucius for hours. Lucius came home humiliated by his failure and subsequent punishment and used Narcissa to make him feel powerful again. That was the first time he had hit her. She had thought about running away many times since then, but she had no where to go, and Draco still needed her.
She could hear his footsteps getting closer and wiped the tears from her cheeks and magically fixed her makeup. 'Something else must have happened with the Dark Lord.' This was going to be bad for her, she could feel it. The Dark Lord was even more livid then usual after the fiasco at the ministry and she knew Lucius had been punished most severely of all for losing the prophecy. 'How does he keep getting outwitted by a little boy, I really don't understand.' When she heard Lucius call for her, she put her mask back in place and stood up, making sure her dress was perfectly creased.
"Narcissa, where are you woman. I expect you to come when I call for you," bellowed a drunk Lucius from the top of the stairs. 'I can smell the firewhiskey from here.' Narcissa took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and walked out of the library, head held high.
"I am here Lucius, how may I serve you?" asked Narcissa easily falling back into the subservient partner role that was expected of her as walked over to him.
"At least you still remember your place," he sneered as he lifted his hand and smacked her brutally across the cheek. Narcissa heard the slap before she felt it, her cheek burning fiercely as he aimed for the other side. She winced as he grabbed her by the hair harshly and began to pull her towards his bedroom. They hadn't shared a bedroom since Draco was born.
Narcissa woke up several hours later on his bedroom floor in a pool of her own blood. She didn't really remember what happened, but she knew she was in bad shape. She tried to sit up to survey the damage, but she realized she couldn't move, so she whispered a diagnostic spell and tried to sense where the worst damage was.
'At least three broken ribs, a broken wrist, massive swelling on my brain, one eye completely swollen shut and I can feel the bruising all over my body and face. By the pain in my abdomen, I would guess there is also some pretty significant internal bleeding.' The room was eerily silent as she tried to get her bearings on her surroundings.
'Well, at least he's gone. Probably passed out somewhere. I have to get out of here. I won't survive if I don't get help, but who would possible help me?' She lost her concentration for a moment as she tried to focus on drawing in increasingly painful breathes. 'Come on Narcissa, you are a Black, you can get out of this' Narcissa gasped as the realization hit her. 'That's it! When Sirius died, the title didn't fall to Draco so that means he must have made someone else his heir.'
"They could – gasp – help me," she said as she coughed violently and added more blood to the pool on the floor. 'It may be too late to heal me, but they can at least annul my marriage to Lucius so I can die a Black, I could be free, and maybe I have enough time to convince them to help Draco.' With a new found determination Narcissa drew in a ragged breath and spoke the only name she could think of that could get her where she needed to go.
"Kreacher," she croaked. With a small pop an elderly house elf appeared in the bedroom and Narcissa sighed in relief.
"Kreacher lives to serve the House of Black," said the house elf solemnly.
"Kreacher, I need you – gasp -to – to take me to the new Lord Black, quickly!" said Narcissa before shutting her eyes as dizziness overtook her.
o – o – o – o – o
Present day, same time, London
Across town Harry Potter was fuming as he got ready for bed. They had just finished the reading of Sirius' will. Apparently, he had been named Sirius' heir, but nobody would tell him what that meant. All he knew was that Grimmauld Place was now his. 'Why does Dumbledore keep hiding everything from me?' It had taken him hours to convince the others to leave him alone at Grimmauld Place. Dumbledore seemed to be especially reluctant, but he had played on their guilt, saying he needed time alone to mourn Sirius properly and eventually they all relented and went home. Although Harry was pretty sure Dumbledore had left a couple of Order members outside on guard duty.
Harry jumped as he went to lift the covers on the bed in the master bedroom and a bloody, battered body suddenly appeared in the center of the bed, Kreacher clutching the person's hand tightly.
"What the hell Kreacher?" yelled Harry, before turning his attention to the clearly dying woman on his bed. He leaned down to look at her facial features closely and gasped when he realized who she was.
"Narcissa? How did you- why – what happened to you?" said Harry frantically.
"Walburga," choked Narcissa as she gained consciousness again.
"Oh Merlin, you are hurt really, really bad," Harry said as he looked her over. "I should get you to Saint Mungo's."
"No, you can't," said Narcissa hysterically. "They will call Lucius, please, no."
"Lucius? Did he do this to you?" asked Harry, fire blazing in his eyes.
"It doesn't matter right now. I need your help, please." Said Narcissa as she started to cough again.
"What can I do?" asked Harry frantically, paling at the sight of her worsening condition.
"I need you to annul my marriage to Lucius. I – gasp – don't have a lot of time – gasp but I want to die a Black, I want to be free of him, please Lord Black."
"But…." Started Harry
"Ask – gasp – Walburga." Said Narcissa before she lost consciousness.
"Kreacher, stay with her and clean her up the best you can," said Harry as he quickly put his trousers on and ran to the entryway where the portrait of Sirius' mother hung.
"Mrs. Black?" asked Harry when he reached the portrait.
"What do you want half-blood?" yelled Walburga.
"Um Narcissa Mal- Narcissa is here, she has been beaten pretty badly, I think she might be dying. She told me to ask you how I can annul her marriage to Lucius." Walburga looked at him clearly intrigued by the turn of events.
"You would help her?" she asked disbelieving.
"Yes," said Harry simply.
"Very well, the annulment paperwork should be in Orion's desk in the study. Since you are the new Lord Black, all you have to do is open the top drawer and ask for them and they will appear. Just add Narcissa and Lucius' names to the blank spaced, put the reason and then sign at the bottom."
"Thank you," he said as he turned to leave, but he stopped before he got out of sight.
"Mrs. Black, is there some way for me to help her? She says she doesn't have much time, but I can't just let her die if there is some way to save her," said Harry hopefully. Walburga appeared to be thinking for a moment before a sneer darkened her features even more.
"There is one thing I can think of," she said delighted. From the look on her face Harry knew that whatever it was it wasn't going to bode well for him, but it didn't matter he already knew he would do whatever it was.
"Okay, tell me what to do." Said Harry
"There is a book in Orion's study called Sanitatem Vinculum. I believe it is on the bottom shelf. The spell you want will be on the third page."
"Thank you," said Harry with a nod as he ran to Orion's office. He found the annulment paperwork easily and filled it out, signing it on the bottom with a flourish. As soon as his quill left the parchment the document disappeared. Harry panicked for a moment before he saw it reappear with a giant Gringotts stamp on it. 'Wow, they really are efficient.' He put it back in the drawer and then went over the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves behind the desk. He kneeled down and looked through the books on the bottom shelf before finding the one Walburga had mentioned and carefully removing it. He ran back to his bedroom and hastily opened the book to the third page.
"I have taken care of the annulment and Walburga said there is a spell that will help you in this book," he said frantically as he walked to her bedside, opposite from Kreacher. Narcissa opened her eyes. Harry could tell that it took a great deal of effort.
"Let – me – gasp – see it." Harry showed her the page and watched as her eyes widen in surprise and then shrunk back down in defeat.
"Yes, it will heal the damage – but – but you cannot use it," said Narcissa as she coughed up more blood.
"Why not?" asked Harry frantically, but there was no response. "Narcissa – Narcissa, why not?" he yelled as he shook her gently. Her eyes slipped open, and she looked at Harry wearily.
"It will bind us together and I – I cannot – do that to you." She said weakly.
"Well, is there anything else we can try?" asked Harry as he frantically flipped through the pages of the book.
"I – I don't know, but I'm very tired. I think I'll sleep now." Then she moved her hand just enough that it was lightly touching his. "Please – gasp - help Draco," she finished as her eyes slid shut again. Harry watched as her breathing shallowed and blood slowly trickled out of her mouth and nose. He only hesitated a moment before looking down at the book and flipping back to page three. He began the incantation and when it told him to, he conjured a knife and cut through both of their palms before clasping their hands together. He put the open book on Narcissa's chest and then gently placed his other hand on her right temple.
"With my magic heal this body, the mate of my blood and soul," he read from the book. As he said the words a bright globe of light surrounded them, but nothing seemed to be happening.
"Did I do something wrong?" asked Harry in a panic as he tried to reread the page for something he may have missed.
"You must kiss her young master," said Kreacher, as he continued to wipe blood from her face, clearly feeling more friendly towards him since he was helping Narcissa.
"Right," said Harry with a chuckle. "Of course, I do." He leaned over and gently pressed his lips to hers. As their breath mingled, he felt a warm sensation travel throughout his body and then the light that was surrounding them shot into his chest and he was thrown backwards, letting out an excruciating scream as his back hit the floor. Harry had never felt this overwhelming sort of pain before. It felt like his whole body was on fire, like something was pushing on him from deep inside trying to burst out and his organs were splitting apart from the pressure. Harry continued to writhe and scream as he could vaguely sense Narcissa moving on the bed. 'At least she's alright.'
Suddenly the light surged from his body in all directions and Harry passed out. The light travelled from Grimmauld Place like a shock wave moving over the northern hemisphere before disappearing so quickly that anyone who saw the brilliant flash of light would assume they had imagined it.
o – o – o – o – o
Present day – same time, Devon
Nicolas Flamel was sleeping fitfully, writhing as if he was having a nightmare when a dazzling beam of light soared into the room feeling him with a sense of peace and contentment. He woke with a start and sat up in bed, eyes wide.
"Harry Potter," he gasped as he turned to Perenelle and woke her up gently.
"Perenelle, my dear, it is time, we must go to London."