August 1, 1995
Dear Albus Dumbledore,
I have heard much about the school of yours. Hogwarts is the name I presume if my memory serves me correct. I am known as Mathew Aldrige. You may not have heard much about me nor my family due to the fact that I was homeschooled. Upon the most recent years, I have heard many rumours of a cursed job at your school. I know not whether this is true, but due to the most recent scandals The Daily Prophet has been spouting, it is easy to assume that it would be harder for one to employ for job openings.
As of now, I am offering my abilities to the school. Though am homeschooled, there has always been a love to share my knowledge. Although young, I am competent in history, in potion making and herbology, and any form of defence. I hope that if not now, there will be a place or opportunity soon and that you keep me in mind.
Sincerely,
Mathew Aldrige
August 9, 1995
Dear, Mr. Aldrige,
I am pleasantly surprised to find be asked for a job from one so elaborately diverse in many subjects. I am also glad that rumours don't scare you off from wanting to do what you love. Being young does not dwindle and intelligent brain. As of now, that 'cursed' job has been taken by a Ministry official, but there is a sudden opening in History of Magic. I would greatly appreciate meeting you in person, Aldrige. If possible, could you come by the school in a weeks time at noon? I will send someone to meet you at the train station in London. If there are any issues, send an owl.
Yours Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Hogwarts Headmaster
Rereading the letter one last time, Merlin glanced out of the window of his house with a sigh. The non-magical folks had come such a far way without magic or any help from magic users. Not to mention that many wizards and witches remain ignorant to all of the things they have done. If he had not failed in creating that world with Arthur, then things would have been drastically different from now. Magic users would no longer have to hide their abilities and would be able to help others. He knew that there would have to be restrictions, laws and regulations, and plenty of new discrimintation, but they would be able to practice magic. Deciding to not fall down the rabbit hole of depression and guilt again, he grabbed his things and left to go meet the Headmaster.
The day was a relatively chilly summer day in Scotland. After leaving Athusia by the hidden lake, he quickly realized he had to relearn how to socialize with other humans. While he knew how to operate all of the latest technology, he could not, for the life of him, talk to someone and ask for directions. Because of that, he decided to live in a very small village deep within the Northern Highlands. Taking the form of a man in his late 30's, he slowly got to know the locals and made friends with them. They were friendly to him and understanding that he preferred to be alone. Going by the name Mathew Aldridge, he created a new identity using magic of course and made a backstory.
Mathew Aldrige was born on December 24, 1958. His appearance was simple black haired with blue eyes and a lanky body that went along with his pale skin. He ran away from the abusive orphanage he was in. Having no family, he lived on the streets, having a mild form of autism made it harder to live in a crowded area. He eventually was adopted by a lady named Hunith Aldrige, who happened to be visiting the city, took him in and home schooled him. He was able to get a job as a manager in a small business. The business was only about an hour and a half drive from the village he was moving to. He decided to finally move away when Hunith passed away of lung cancer. With that kind of backstory made it easy for people to not ask to many questions. Which was what he was going for, a backstory that would not provoke any questions or suspicions.
Walking down the sidewalk he saw a small group of children playing. They stopped playing, looked up, and ran over filling with excitement. The children who lived in the village loved hearing his stories and loved the treats he would carry with him. One of the supervising parents took notice of him and called him over.
"Oi! Mathew!"
"Hello John!" Merlin called back noticing him and walking over to the other parents.
"Why, Mathew!" one of the mothers exclaimed taking notice to his suitcase, "Where the heavens are you going to?"
"Well, I have some personal business elsewhere, and will not be returning for at least a year." he spoke with some reluctance. Just vanishing would be a better option, but that in turn would raise some questions if he ever returned.
"What! Mat, you just got here!" John was the closest to him out of the parents. He was a widower, his wife having passed soon before Merlin arrived.
"I'm sorry everyone," Merlin hated leaving these people behind and lying to them about where he was going, "I truly wish I could stay, but-" He was cut by sighs from John and a few other parents.
"Just go, Mathew. We understand that you have things to do, the children will be broken hearted, but, just, stay safe." John sadly said. He had found someone he could confide in only for that person to leave so soon.
"I'll tell the children." He quickly said and walked away over to the children, scared to see their saddened faces.
"Mr. Sir! Do you have any more candy?" a young by called out when he sat down with them, only to be kicked in the shin by a girl about the same age.
"Don't ask for candy now! Ask for it after he tells the story!" she replied angrily and quickly turned her attention to him. "You will tell us a story, right?"
"Yes, I am going to tell you a story." Merlin said with a bit of sadness in his voice. He was going to miss them even after only knowing them for a few months. They reminded him of when he was young, full of hope for the next day and excitement for what was to come. "But pay attention, because I'm going to leave soon."
"Why?" she simply asked.
"Because I am not meant to stay in one place for too long."
"Will you remember us?" This time a different child spoke. He was clearly worried about being forgotten.
"How could I ever forget you bunch!" Merlin exclaimed. The children helped remind him of the youth that still had a chance to make a difference in the world and could do great things.
All the children seemed satisfied with his answer and proceed to pester him on and on about telling another story.
"Tell the one about the dragon!"
"No! The one about the prince!"
"The one about the king and his evil rule!"
They went on and on about other of their favorite stories he told them. Each wanting their favorite when he finally decided on one of the stories.
"Ok, ok. I've decided." he said and the group went silent awaiting for his choice of the many stories he told them. "I will tell you a new story," all their eyes were trained on him.
"Now this story is about a young boy. This boy grew up with only a kind mother and loved him very much. He grew up in a small farming village and played with the other children. But, he was different from the rest. He had something that others would work for years and still never be able to do what he could. He had magic, he could make things float in the air before he could talk.
"For him, life was hard. The people in the village didn't like magic, They thought it made people evil and would cast anyone with it out into the dark woods to be eaten by the creatures that roamed there.
He had now fully capitated the children. "Did he get eaten?" asked the girl.
"No, then the story would be unfinished. The boy was good at keeping secrets so he hid his magic from everyone in fear of being cast away. He slowly stopped playing with the other children in fear of being found out and played in the woods instead. One day, one of the village boys found him using his magic. Instead of telling the others, he decided to keep his secret. The two of them soon became the best of friends and would stand up for each other."
The parents watching on saw something the children didn't. This was no story, it was a part of his childhood just with a fantasy flare to it. They soon found themselves listing in with great attention. Mathews words capticated them all. He had the air of a wise old wizard surrounding him. Like he was giving them advice on what not to do.
"As the boy grew up, it slowly became harder to hide his magic. The magic wanted to be used and help others, rather than be hidden. It would burst out in sudden small explosions. This caused the village people to be rather suspicious.
"His mother became increasingly concerned and sent him away to a large kingdom where she knew a friend who could help teach him how to control his powers. So when he reached 18, he would make the journey to that friend.
"Where he was going was where using magic was punishable by death. While it seemed to not be the best idea where he was being sent, that friend was able to help teach him how to control his magic and use it for good.
"Now, in that place where he was being sent, there was a prince. That prince was a argant one who only thought of himself, was what the wizard thought. As time went on, the wizard continues to hide his magic, but two became close friends and would put themselves in the way of harm to protect the other.
"Along the way, they faced many challenges and meet new people. Until the prince became the king and had to fight in a war to protect the kingdom. The wizard had heard of a prophecy of his king dying in that war and did everything he could to prevent it. He sadly failed and his king died in his arms.
"That king was supposed to create a world where both the non-magical and magical could live together in peace. Due to his failure, the wizard was forced to live an immortal life until his king would rise again to change the world."
Finishing his story, he gave the children a small chocolate to distract them. He looked back to the parents, one look in their eyes told him that they had figured it out, it was part of his story. Giving them a small sad smile, he picked up his suitcase and continued to walk until he reached the train station. While getting on the train, he took one last look at the small village as the train started moving.
The train ride was not too bad. The constant stopping was getting on his nerves and made the ride much longer than what it could have been, almost deciding it would be better to transport himself using magic. The thought quickly left. After Arthur had passed, whenever he used his magic, it would never feel right, like something had been stripped away from him.
As the ride droned on, he began to doze off. He dreamt of Arthur and Camelot. They were together with the other knights, riding out to save the kingdom once again. He felt happy. Then Mordred appeared and stabbed Arthur. Gwains, Percivals, Elyans, Leons, and Lancelot's corpses were all lying dead behind him. They were all blodieded and mauled as if they had been attacked and half eaten by a ferocious creature. He could almost taste the blood and could hear the clang of metal. Gwen was screaming at him to save her husband while Mordred was laughing. Athusia swooped down and grabbed Gwen tossing her in the air. She fell down on a spear, it impaled her neck. Blood flowed freely from her wound and out her mouth. Her eyes were glassed over and held the fear of death in them. All the while, Arthur was calling out to him, "Help them," he cried, "help them, SAVE THEM!" His plea quickly turned into a scream. Arthur now on the ground crawling to him was screaming at him to save the others. Merlin couldn't move, he was on his knees, shaking but no sound nor tears escaped him. Arthur was now close enough so that he could grab Merlin. They both stared at each other for a split second in silence, all of the sound being drowned out by that stare. "You. Failed." Arthur said with absolute disgust in his voice.
Merlin woke to the train stopping and the announcement that his stop had been reached. Though he didn't know at first. He thought he was still in the dream and was about to finally cry out when he realized where he was. He was on a train, he was going to a school for witches and wizards to learn how to control their magic called Hogwarts, and he was going to have an interview and teach them himself. Swift getting off the train, a grey and black tabby cat was staring at him with intense eyes. An animagus, he thought and walked over to where the cat was. The cat started walking towards him and as soon as they passed each other, he felt a hand on his arm and they both apparated.
They reappeared at a different train station that was located deep within the woods. The cat, now woman had a stern, but kind look to her face. She was tall and her gray hair was tied up into a neat tight bun.
"I am the Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall." she spoke with a tone that said 'let's get going'.
"I'm-"
"I know who you are, Mr. Aldrige. If you may, let us hurry up to the Headmasters office as we do not want to be late." she gestured toward a carriage.
The carriage was being driven by black horse like creatures. They looked to be just skin and bones and had large wings. He stared at them while they stared back. McGonagall took notice him staring at the creatures.
"Those are thestals, they pull the carriages here." she said climbing into the carriage, "They can only be seen by people who have seen death." she added looking at him with a glint of suspicion in his eyes.
"Oh." was all he could say climbing in after her.
The rest of the ride to the caste was quite, other than for the sound of the thestals making their was through the forest. He could feel all the magical creatures that roamed throughout the forest. It was quite peaceful to him, to others, the feeling of the creatures surrounding you would bring a feeling of unease. Approaching the school, Merlin could not believe that it was a massive castle. He could feel large amounts of magic flowing out of it. Getting closer to the main entrance the carriage stopped and both exited.
Following McGonagall and walking through the school, Merlin couldn't help but feel nostalgic. He had not been in a castle in many years and walking through one now reminded him of his years spent in Camelot. Walking for a few more minutes, they finally came upon a golden statue.
"Lemon Drop." she spoke. Then the statue began to spin upwards and revealed stairs. Once the spinning stopped, they both walked up until they reached the top.
"Ah, Mr. Aldridge. I have been expecting you." said an old man sitting at the deskin the center of the room. "I am Albus Dumbledore." The man smiled and gestured toward the chair in front of his desk. "Let us talk about a job for you this school year, shall we?"
