A/N: Updates will NOT be consistent. I have a very high expectation for myself and hate anything lower than an A- as my class grade. I will attempt to get as much pre written as possible to keep updates consistent. School sucks in general. ;-;

Edit: Some grammar changes and inconsistent naming. Thanks to the one who mentioned it :)


The trip to London was nice and quiet as it was fairly early in the morning. There were a few other people on the train, but not enough to make it feel crowded. He made his way to Leadenhall Market. There were people bustling about due to it being about noon. Walking around he found the abandoned looking store that none of the non-magical folk could see. Remembering what Dumbledore said, he walked into the store and was quite surprised to see it had quite a few people in it. Granted it was a Friday and most people are off on the weekends.

The small pub had a mysterious feel to it. It was only lit by the window that was placed high up letting a small amount of sunlight through and small candles littered throughout. The wizards and witches paid him no mind as they were far more interested in their conversations with each other. The pub had quite an overall pleasant feel and Merlin took note to come and visit sometime. Making his way to the back entrance, he opened the door to a small enclosed area with bareles and brick walls. From what Dumbledore told him, the key to getting to Diagon Alley was the way you pressed the bricks.

"It was… where…? Up three ...then… two across," he mumbled to himself as he tried to remember. He soon began to tap the bricks in the order Dumbledore told him to. With his hand, he allowed a miniscule amount of magic and the bricks in the wall started to shake. He jumped back in awe as the bricks began to form an entry way that led to a long narrow street that was flooding with people.

There were plenty of shops on either side full of magical products. He noticed a massive white building at the end of the street with golden words. Part way through, the building began to tilt inward and Merlin wondered what inspired such an odd choice of design. Dismissing the building for now, he took his time and looked around. He found a bookstore and browsed around. While avoiding running into people, he looked at the many books of varying subjects and found many very intriguing titles. Finally getting to the history section, he looked around and suddenly remembered, he had no money to purchase anything. Quickly walking out, he looked back at the massive white building and could read what the words said: GRINGOTTS BANK

Continuing to avoid and dodge people, he finally was able to get to the bank entrance. After walking through a set of doors, Merlin noticed on the second pair there was a poem engraved:

"Enter, stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed,

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn,

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there."

Merlin felt a shiver go down his spine at the warning. It was clear that the owners here are very protective of the money they keep. He wondered what creature would be so protective of things such as wizarding money. Going past the engraved doors it was explained clearly. The keepers of the bank were goblins. In his experience, goblins were small, green, humanoid things with pointy ears. Granted, it had been at least 1000 years since he had last interacted with other creatures than Aithusa, so they must have evolved into something that would fit their situation. The ones he saw looked more like humans, other than being far too short, having pointy ears and sharp nails, large noses, and a more human-like complexion.

Merlin walked past the two rows of high desks that had goblins working until he had nearly reached the single desk in the back. There were a few other people within the building, but Merlin focused on how he was going to get money if he had no account. Then a small cough caught his attention. He looked down and saw a goblin dressed in an old fashioned suit with glasses.

"Greetings, Emrys." the goblin said.

"H-how d-," Merlin sputtered.

"I am the Head Goblin here at Gringotts," he continued, not paying attention to Merlins shock. "I would assume you are in need of wizarding money, yes?"

"Uh, yes actually," Merlin answers. He was filled with questions that he hoped would be answered.

"Follow me. We goblins have been able to salvage many artifacts of the Old Religion. Including objects from Camelot." the goblin continued. "We have also added a large sum of money in case you ever wished to return from your hiding."

Merlin followed the gobin dumbly. The goblin made his way to a small railway cart with seats and gestured for him to get in.

"How do you know who I am?" Merlin asked.

"Emrys, the many, if not all of the creatures can sense what you are active. We can all feel your presence." the goblin said.

Just as Merlin was about to reply the cart jolted forward and they were off at a blinding speed. They took so many twists and turns so quickly, Merlin thought that they were going to derail. He watched as they went deeper and deeper into the earth. Until the cart stopped and Merlin heaved forward with the force. Nausea flooded over him as he attempted to get out of the evil cart.

As he got out, he noticed something. It was a roar of pain. A cry for help.

"What is that?" Merlin asked.

"That's the Ukrainan Ironbelly, a dragon. It guards the Lestrange vault." the goblin said tartly. "We have it trained to feel pain with a certain sound, we won't get attacked by it."

"How long has it been here?" Merlin demanded. He was now very concerned. How could they do this to a dragon?

"No idea. Maybe a century?" the goblin said without much care. He continued to lead Merlin deeper and the wailing grew softer. "Before you start to get on us goblins about how to guard things, you have not been around for hundreds of years. We too, have struggled to find a place for us so we won't be killed off by the changing world."

Merlin grew silent at this. He felt the need as a Dragon Lord to protect this dragon. He vowed to himself to find an alternative and set the dragon free. But it could not be done now.

"The old goblins felt that they should repay you for some reason. They kept many things of your time locked away in this cave. Including the large sum on wizarding money."

"Why would they feel that need?" Merlin asked. He had never done anything for the goblins. Why would they feel the need to repay him for something he never did.

"How could I know? They did what they did and passed this cave through the generations." the goblin replied.

Merlin could feel some sort of dislike by the goblins tone, so he left it alone. Continuing the trek in the dark and damp cave they suddenly stopped.

"Only the Head Goblin of Gringotts are able to access your vault. They are also the only ones who know that we still have this vault. It goes by an unidentified number and was the first ever case of goblins to keep safing valuables for others."

The Head Goblin spoke and dragged his finger on a seemingly ordinary section of the cave wall. The wall began to move, twist and reveal a massive area. It was full of old Camelot things, old relics from the Old Religion, and a large mountain of gold, silver, and bronze coins.

Merlin walked in as he saw the familiar red bearing cape of the Pendragon Family Crest. A large, embroidered, golden dragon was stretched out and held its mouth open in a triumphant roar. One good look at it, and the memories came flooding back of Will, Lancelot, Gwain, Percival, Eleyan, Gwen, Gaius, and Arthur. It was then Merlin realized he couldn't remember their faces. As the years went by, somewhere in that time, he must have forgotten what they looked like. He even couldn't clearly remember what happened in his time at Camelot, or Elordor. The burning feeling of tears and his anxiety rose. How much had he forgotten while hiding away?

"If you have no other business here, I would suggest we leave before any other goblins begin to wonder where I am located." the goblin said at the entrance of the vault.

Merlin quickly pushed back his thought and grabbed a good handful of each type of coin and took one last glance back at the vault.

"If you wish to take anything else with you, you may. It's yours." said the goblin.

With that, Merlin quickly grabbed one of the capes, folded it, and tucked it under his arm. Not being able to face the other things in his vault, he darted out.

"I would also suggest you make a wand of your own. Wizards and witches of this time use them more frequently than what they used to." the goblin mentioned walking back to the cart.

Merlin froze for a split second. He had forgotten something else. A wand. How was he going to gain any info on wands, let alone, get one? Merlin knew that wands 'chose' their user, but his magic would kill the wand with just being near it.

Merlin climbed back into the evil cart and took a hellish ride back up to the surface. Thanking the goblin, he left Gringotts with a bag full of money ready to purchase anything he needed.

Walking about Diagon Alley, he noticed a pet store. He figured he needed to get an owl for communication and walked in. Seeing the assortment of cats, toads, rats, and owls, he took particular notice of a tawny owl. It cooed at him and stared right back at him.

"That one has a bad eye. Makes traveling difficult for the little thing." said the owner walking up.

"I'll take him." he said.

"You sure, mate? We have owls that will travel much faster than that one." the owner said uncertainty.

"Yes, I am sure." Merlin said. There was no room for questions in his tone. "How much for the tawny owl?"

"10 galleons." said the owner. "The gold ones." he added when he saw Merlin fumble about with his money.

Merlin paid the owner and took the owl with him. It cooed happily as they walked out the doors of the store. Merlin then made his way to the bookstore to look for any good history books. Unfortunately, he did not find any that suited what he had in mind for the curriculum. So, he bought a few novels to pass any free time he might have.

His arms were now a tad bit full. He would have to come back for more supplies later. But he still needed a wand. Walking by the wand store he stopped to overhear some of the conversations. He eventually learned of a few woods that were used in wand making as well as the magical cores.

With his new gained information, he made his way back to the Leaky Cauldron with his money, books, and owl. It was now almost past 5 pm when he finally reached the small pub. He asked the bartender if there were any rooms he could rent for a time. The bartender said yes, but he would have to pay for each night. Merlin paid the man 16 galleons for up until September 1st, when the term started. He used this time to gather materials needed to make a believable wand and to find any other information. Learning about how the wizarding world worked was his top priority. Taking a considerable amount of time, he looked over all of the spells used in Hogwarts curriculum and figured out similar spells using his magic. He also looked over many books on magical creatures. His favorite was Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them, by Newt Scamander. Merlin could tell that the man was very passionate about these creatures and hated they way some were treated unjustly.

'FUCK!" Merlin shouted.

He had spent the entire day reading his books and had not realized it was the first of September. He should have been at Hogwarts by now and be sitting with the other staff members. Not scrambling up his belongings is a desperate attempt to leave the room. Using his magic, his belongings started to pack themselves in small suitcases.

He took one look outside and saw how rainy it was. Tossing on his new cloak, he gathered the rest of his things by hand to quicken the process and put them in his bag. Swiftly walking out the room, he paid for the last day of rent and made his way out and into the streets of London. He walked into a small dark corner and teleported himself right next to the school. His owl, Aluxo, as he was named, would be able to find him quickly. Merlin discovered with Aluxo's lack of speed, he was strong and had amazing navigation skills. He knew for a fact that Aluxo would not be happy about searching for him, but Merlin could not wait.

Merlin walked to the main entrance and placed his suitcases into his small bag. Almost running toward the Great Hall, he opened the doors a little too hard and they let out a loud bang. All eyes were on him. What an amazing start to his first year teaching at Hogwarts.