"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?"
Merlin slowly walked up to the desk and took a seat in the chair in front. He noticed a phoenix in all its glory showing off his feathers and held pride on its looks. His eyes were clear and healthy, feathers glossy and reflected the light slightly, and had strong powerful talons. His magnificently feathers shone in the sunlight and have off a small glow giving him an air of a celestial being.
"I see you have noticed Fawkes," Dumbledore said noticing his gaze trained on the creature. "That very bird has helped me out of more situations than I would care to count."
"He seems to like you a lot. Phoenixes are not usually quite so attached to humans. They prefer to stay away from all the trouble." Merlin added, more talking to himself rather than his interviewer in front of him.
"I see you are knowledgeable with magical creatures as well?" Dumbledore said with surprise. If this man said as he was, be could potentially take over any spot in the school if ever needed.
Merlin's face grew red in embarrassment. "I could have mentioned more, but then it would seem like I was lying about my skills."
"Quite understandable, Mr, Aldrige. Now let us focus on the class you will be teaching." Dumbledore said getting down to business. "There will be a test to see if you are qualified in the matter of teaching History of Magic. Our previous professor has left due to unforeseen events. He wishes the best to whomever decides to take up the class."
"Understood," Merlin said simply.
Dumbledore stood up and gestured him to follow. As Merlin did, the phoenix, Fawkes, flew up from its perch and onto his shoulder. The bright red bird cooed and nuzzled his head like a tamed bird would. Both of them looked up in surprise. Dumbledore was positive that the phoenix had never been that affectionate toward him, even when he was troubled. Merlin looked up and raised his hand to stroke its feathers. The phoenix leaned into the touch and completely relaxed, nearly causing him to lose his balance.
"Emrys…." spoke a soft voice, in what could only be Fawkes. "Your magic fills the air with the Old Religion. Us creatures can feel it whether we know what it is or not."
Merlin was baffled when the phoenix called him that. No one, not even Athusia had said that name to him for a very long time. He asked her to stop using that name because, well, he had failed his destiny and was not able to achieve what he was expected to do.
"I am genuinely surprised to see one of your kind with a human. Don't phoenixes usually prefer to stay out of the business of of humans?" Merlin asked tentatively, referring to Dumbledore and still slightly shocked that the magnificent creature would choose to perch on him.
"The man is part of a line from one who saved the life of my kin many hundred years ago. We are indebted to their family tree," Fawkes responded. "Although I do not mind much, it gives me something to do in my long life."
This time Merlin didn't respond other than a small 'hm' and allowed some of his magic into his hand that was stroking the phoenix. Fawks purred similarly like a cat and flew back to his perch.
Albus was in quite a shock, but did not let it show. Who was this man that could tame a creature as wild as a phoenix? What else could he do that none other could? Simply smiling and putting his thoughts aside for later, he gestured again for Aldrige to come.
Walking through the maze of hallways and stairs, they finally stopped at a classroom. In the classroom there was a stack of papers ready on a desk and a woman with black hair that was greying tucked tightly back into a bun with a stern expression.
"This is Minerva McGonagall, she teaches transfiguration here at the school and will be supervising the test as we do not want any form of cheating. She will give you the rules and an explanation for each task that is needed" Dumbledore explained. He then excused himself and returned to his office.
Merlin stood there awkwardly and not knowing what to do. He slowly walked up to the desk and took a seat down.
"I hope you know that if you do not do well on this test, you will not be seen as incompetent and will be turned down the job." She said.
Merlin nodded, picked up the quill laid out for him and began the test. For having watched all of history through the crystal, he would have thought the test would harder as he could not watch at all times of the day. For Merlin, taking the test was very easy. He could clearly spot some questions where others may have had some issues, but he knew them all. The test was over the general history of the wizarding world whilst being a few questions on more specific areas. It had taken him just over a half an hour. Merlin deliberately took longer than what he could have done just to make it more believable even if it was already not. After handing the paper to Minerva, she told him to go back to the Headmaster's office to finish the interview with a skeptical gaze.
Merlin made his way back to the office when he noticed something off about the paintings. They were moving! Granted this was a school for witches and wizards, and moving paintings were quite normal for the wealthy. But the amount of living paintings was astonishing. The people within the paintings chatted amongst themselves and paid him no mind while Merlin was in awe.
After gawking for about a minute, he made the rest of the way to the office. Speaking the password and walking up the spiral staircase he wondered if Fawkes would perch on his shoulders again. The phoenix seemed quite friendly and having someone always in the Headmaster's office would give him information if anything big came up.
"Ah, Mr. Aldridge," Dumbeldore said. "I was not expecting you for at least another hour. The test was made to be difficult."
"Well I found the test quite easy." he responded. Fawkes flew down to his shoulder again and began to sleep while the interview took place. "Whoever made that test should remake it with harder questions because they were all on the past 600 years. There are plenty of interesting stories that date back over 1000 years ago and yet the curriculum was only over the total timespan of 600 years." Merlin added with dislike. There was only one question over ancient magic and that upset him to no end. Magic has been a part of the world since the dawn of time. Why there was only one question over it baffled him.
Dumbledore could feel despite rising within him, I made that test specifically to be difficult. Who is this wizard making me look like a fool?
"Although there were a few I was uncertain of." Merlin added quickly. He could see the malice in Dumbledore's eyes hidden beneath the wall of gentle twinkling kindness. Having a bad reputation with this man would only cause more issues for him. Dumbeldore was a greatly liked figure and one of the more powerful wizards of this era
"Right, so," Dumbledore said getting back on topic. "The previous professor, Professor Binns, has had to leave due to some personal issues in the spirit world. He told me that he would regretfully be gone for a few years wishing for the new teacher good luck in getting the children readjusted."
Merlin nodded in understanding. There was one thing he knew, most teens did not do well with changes. Especially things they have or had grown up with.
The rest of the interview was simple enough. He was asked basic questions on his family, work ethic, and his achievements answering them all with ease. Dumbledore said that he would get back to him as soon as he could. Though with all of the things going on, finding people who will actually stick with the teaching job was much harder than what it used to be. Even Dumbledore himself began to believe the curse on the Defence Against the Dark Arts spot. They both chatted for a while and talked about the rules of the school. Including the 'Forbidden Forest' which wasn't really all that forbidden because the class Care of Magical Creatures, some detentions, and the Keeper of Keys are allowed there, as well as Diagon Alley. Dumbledore mentioned it once and Merlin had no idea what he was talking about. Dumbledore took his excuse of 'being homeschooled' and 'living in a remote area' for not knowing what it was. Then explaining what it was and how to get to it. After some time, Merlin decided it was time for him to leave. Waking Fawkes, he bid Dumbledore a farewell he left.
While looking around at the surrounding area, he noticed a small village nearby the school. He hoped there was a place he could stay in for the time being. The town was called Hogsmead and the locals were quite welcoming. He found an inn called the Hogs Head and decided to stay there for the time waiting to hear Dumbledore's response. Walking in, he realized how tired he was from the day. He paid for his room and not even unpacking his things yet, he laid on the bed was was able to take a much needed nap.
He spent about just over a week waiting for a reply in the inn when he finally got one and it read:
August 18, 1995
Mathew Aldrige,
I can inform you with great pleasure that you will be able to teach this year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding as the History of Magic professor. We will need the required books and or other materials that you have chosen for the class.
The Semester will start on Sept. 1st. and you will be expected at the school at approx. 5 o-clock. Then you will be shown your classroom and the optional room where you can stay. You are not required to stay in the school, but there are accommodations ready if needed. We look forward to seeing you this year at Hogwarts.
Sincerely,
Headmistress of Hogwarts,
Minerva McGonagall
Merlin sighed in relief and relaxed for a moment reading that he was going to be able to teach. Then proceeded to realize he needed to inform them of the books the students will need for the year.Walking out of the inn, Merlin made his way to the train station. Purchasing a ticket to London, he was on his way to Diagon Alley.
