"We're not at Hogwarts, that's for sure," said Hermione, "And I don't think we're in the Forbidden Forest either. It's far too bright."
"Think we're still in England?"
"There's only one way to find out. I don't want to stick around for long. Whoever, or whatever, created that light might be here too," Hermione said.
"I reckon we walk until we meet somebody or reach a town," Ron suggested.
"What else can we do? Point me, " She said, and her wand redirected her so she faced north. "This way, and don't lag behind...Ronald."
"Oi!" Ron ran up from behind and spun her around. She laughed and screamed so loud it frightened birds away.
"Guys, be quiet! We don't know what's out here with us!" Harry whispered, and they piped down.
"Sorry Harry!" Hermione apologized. She took Ron's hand and guided them on their aimless trek through the woods in silence. Harry limped along with Malfoy in the back. Even as light as a feather, his lanky body was hard to maneuver. They walked for many miles through the forest. Malfoy grew paler and colder, and Harry's arm was going numb from carrying him. Harry could see that Ron was trying not to complain about his feet. Hermione also grew tired.
"Guys," she said as they approached a small pond, "Let's rest here. I can't take another step."
"But Malfoy-"
"He hasn't died yet, has he?" Harry took his pulse again, and shook his head no.
"Then he can wait a little longer. Set him against a tree or something." She said as she went to the pond with Ron. Harry turned his back and rolled his eyes, but did as she suggested. He lowered Malfoy down and made sure he wasn't going to tip over.
"Your friend looks awful."
Harry whirled around to see a young man in a red scarf gaping at Malfoy. He was skinny, he had jet black hair, and big ears; he wore a brown jacket, baggy pants, and a shirt as blue as his eyes. He didn't emit a dangerous aura, but just in case, Harry pulled out his wand. "Ron, Hermione!"
The Stranger examined Harry head to toe and tilted his head in confusion. "What are you wearing? You look ridiculous." He said, looking at his jeans. Hermione and Ron took Harry's side and withdrew their wands.
"Tell us your name," Harry ordered in the toughest voice he could muster.
The Stranger shook his head. "Sorry, I don't trust oddly dressed teenagers in the forest. Now lower your...sticks...and tell me what you've done to this boy." The three exchanged hesitant eye contact, but in the end, decided it was best to comply. Harry lowered his wand, but stayed ready to cast a spell at any moment.
"We haven't done anything," Ron said. "We were at school, there was a flash of light, and we were brought here. The light must've done it to him."
"So, you claim a magical light did this to him? And you expect me to believe that?"
"Hopefully. We don't know where we are and we've been wandering through these bloody woods for hours. You must know a way to help us," Ron said. The Stranger placed his hands on his hips and glanced over his shoulder like he was looking for something.
"Alright," he huffed, "I'll take a look at him. Lucky for you I'm a physician's apprentice." The Stranger said. He pushed past Harry and knelt down beside Malfoy to prod at his face. "That is a lot of blood. I'm surprised he's still alive, but he doesn't have much time left. This is a magical ailment, I guess you were right about that. I'm sorry, there's little I can do here, but if we bring him to Camelot Gaius might be able to help."
Hermione's face turned ghost white and her jaw dropped. "I'm sorry, did you just say we're taking him to Camelot? As in the Camelot?"
The Stranger cocked an eyebrow and replied, "Yeah...where else would we go?"
"No, it can't be!" She gasped, fanning her face with excitement. "Are we in Camelot?!" The Stranger gave Ron and Harry a confused look, but they were as baffled as Hermione.
"Hermione, isn't that the setting of the King Arthur myths?" Harry asked.
"Don't you ever read? Yes! Merlin's beard! This must be a dream!"
"Excuse me, what did you just say?" The Stranger interjected, eyes wide with fear and bewilderment.
Hermione ignored him. "What's your name?" She asked. The Stranger held back, but if he was going to tell them, he never got the chance to do it himself.
"Merlin!" A man shouted in the distance. Harry didn't think Hermione's mouth could get any wider, but he was wrong. "Merlin!" The man yelled, this time much louder and angrier.
The Stranger stood up and said, "Listen, I don't know who you are, but something is very wrong here. I'll take your friend to Camelot and in return, you'll tell me exactly how you got here and where you're from."
The rhythmic sound of a horse galloping drew closer, and a handsome blonde man draped in chainmail rode over. "Merlin! What the hell are you doing? We're late enough as it is," the man said before dismounting his steed and storming over. Harry couldn't keep himself from staring at Merlin with a slack jaw. Were his eyes and ears deceiving him? Was this Merlin? The most powerful, famous wizard of all time? The Merlin he'd written a ten page essay on for Binns? The Merlin on five of his chocolate frog cards? The Merlin in the painting watching over the Grand Staircase? It couldn't be; this Merlin was far too young and far too beardless.
"Merlin," Hermione gasped like she was out of breath. She'd always been a nerd of the Arthurian legends. Over the years, she'd talked Harry's ear off about them (of course he'd paid little attention).
"I can't believe it," Ron said in the same starstruck voice. Both Merlin and his blonde companion looked very uncomfortable.
"Who are these people?" The blonde asked, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. Harry realized the absurdity of his outfit; maybe they had stumbled onto some sort of Renaissance Fair.
"I don't know," answered Merlin.
"Well," the blonde said. "They certainly seem to know you. Tell me, what has my fool of a servant done this time?"
"Nothing. Our acquaintance has been injured and Merlin offered to bring him to Camelot," Harry explained, gesturing to Malfoy. The blonde's breath hitched at the sight of him.
"Of course. Merlin, share your horse. If we want to save this boy's life we must be quick. Luckily, Camelot is close, " The blonde said. He then turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione to shake their hands. "Arthur Pendragon, Prince of Camelot. Now tell me, what are your names?"
Hermione clutched Harry's wrist so hard it hurt. "My name is Harry Potter," He said before she could do or say anything to embarrass herself. "These are my friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. It's an honor to meet you."
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Merlin lift up Malfoy and freak out about how inhumanly unheavy he was. Because they were in the presence of the most famous wizard of all time, Harry didn't hesitate to bring up magic. "Don't worry about him, he doesn't really weigh that little. It's just a spell."
"Harry!" Hermione scolded, burying her face in her palms. He was unsure what he had done, but Arthur pulled his sword on him, and Harry knew it was bad.
"Sorcerer!" Arthur exclaimed, holding the pointy end to his throat. Harry held his arms up in surrender and his face contorted with confusion.
"Arthur," Merlin said, shuffling over with Malfoy. "They aren't from here, maybe you should go easy on them."
"They have magic, it doesn't matter where they're from, they're dangers to everyone around them. You have violated the laws of Camelot and her people, I hereby place you under arrest for the crime of sorcery. What say you in your defense?" Harry's stomach dropped. He just had to open his mouth, didn't he?
"Great," Ron said as Arthur tied their hands with rope. "We've only been here two hours and we're already being thrown in jail."
But Harry's thoughts were in other places. "What about Malfoy? Are you going to throw him in jail?" He asked Arthur.
"If he doesn't die on the way over, and if Gaius can get him to talk again, perhaps. The King will decide your fates'. Now start walking." Arthur explained, preparing to mount his horse.
"This is ridiculous," Harry said, anger boiling up inside of him. "We haven't done anything wrong!" Arthur ignored him, pretending he'd never heard anything at all.
"It's no use Harry," Hermione whispered. "If we really are in Camelot, and these men are really Arthur Pendragon and the Merlin, by the sound of it, I think we've arrived during Uther's reign." Harry saw Merlin glance back at them with a curious gaze, he must've been eavesdropping. Hermione didn't realize and kept talking. "Magic is still outlawed and punishable by death. It won't even be legal for another five or six years, we might be in serious danger." Harry glanced at Arthur warily, he still had a hard time believing any of this was real. But if it was, Hermione was right: they were screwed.
Merlin wasn't hiding the fact he was listening anymore. He fell beside them and whispered, "Alright, who are you? You talk and dress as if you're from the future. How do you know who I am? How do you know magic will be legalized?"
Harry exchanged uncertain looks with his friends. Should they tell him? Would he even believe them? This could be some kind of fever dream for all they knew. But if they had gone back in time, confiding in Merlin might be the only thing to keep them alive. To make sure this wasn't all an illusion, Harry reached out and stroked the bark of a nearby tree. It was rough, and dirty, and sticky from dried sap. If this was an illusion, it was the most realistic one Harry had ever experienced, and he'd had his fair share of them.
He narrowly avoided being swished in the face by Merlin's horse's tail, and replied, "You were right before. We aren't from here. I don't know if we've gone back in time, or if we've been taken to another dimension, or if this is all some crazy vision. All I know is that in our world, magic is legal; hidden, but legal. We're innocent, and I think I speak for all of us when I say all we want to do is heal him," he pointed to Malfoy, "and go home."
"For the record, I'm fine with leavin' 'im," Ron interrupted.
"We heard you the first three times," Harry snapped. He looked into Merlin's eyes, pleading for him to believe them and stop Arthur.
Merlin looked unsure, but he eventually sighed and said, "I've experienced crazy enough things to believe it. I'll talk to Arthur and see what I can do, but no promises." Then trotted ahead to catch up with his master. "Arthur," Harry heard him say. "Maybe we should think about this. They're only teenagers…"
Their voices lowered and all Harry could hear was mumbling. After a few minutes of trying and failing to understand what they were saying, he gave up, deciding not to stress himself anymore than he already was. He focused on the forest; the beautiful, verdant forest. Without lugging Malfoy around, he could take in the fresh air and not the aromatic scent of green apple shampoo. Just walking through the forest, Harry could tell it wasn't ordinary. It was similar to being in the Forbidden Forest, but in place of an ominous, dark feeling, this forest felt whimsical and mysterious.
"Do you really think we're in Camelot?" Ron asked Harry.
"I've been asking myself that question this entire time. All I know is that this feels real and... look at that castle!" They left the cover of the woods and arrived in a small valley of wild grass and flowers. In the near distance, a castle as big and grand as Hogwarts stood dwarfing everything in the surrounding area. The thick forest had been blocking it from their view. It was built out of sparkling marble, the many towers were topped with grey stone, and red flags fluttered in the gentle wind. It was hard to have any doubts about where they were in its presence. Harry had only experienced such a rush of astonishment and awe once before: the first time he'd laid eyes on Hogwarts. No amount of words could describe the chill that went down his spine.
"Yeah," Ron said after a long silence, "I think we're in Camelot." They were so wrapped up in the view, they didn't notice Arthur dismount and walk over holding a knife and wearing a sour expression.
"Today's your lucky day," He said. "Merlin's managed to convince you all to let you live...for now. Don't take it for granted, not many sorcerers have come to Camelot free of chains." Harry rolled his eyes, but let him cut the rope without any sass.
"Is that Camelot?" Hermione asked, pointing to the castle. Arthur nodded yes. "It's beautiful." She said with sparkles in her eyes. Arthur gazed at it with her and his hardened expression softened.
"Yeah, it is."
"You know," Merlin chimed in, "As much as I'd like to stand around and appreciate the view, we need to get moving."
"Since when did you start giving orders?" Arthur said, placing his hands on his hips and strutting over to Merlin's horse.
"Let's see, one, two, no that's three...since the day we met. Mount your horse and get a move on."
Harry had never seen a man as flustered as Arthur was at that moment. His face was bright red with anger and embarrassment. "Merlin I swear," He said as he climbed into the saddle.
Merlin flashed him a fake grin and said, "Yeah yeah you'll put me in the stocks. You need to be more original Arthur, it's starting to get predictable." Arthur scoffed, and Hermione let out a quiet giggle. It was amusing; sure, but Harry wondered why Arthur let his servant speak to him like that. Surely such insolence would have most people thrown in prison during this era.
"Try not to fall behind," Arthur said, and they began moving again. It wasn't a far walk to the gates. There was one more small patch of forest, but after that, the entrance of the city was a clear shot ahead. Harry could see the guards' shields and red capes from down the road. After the guards bowed to Arthur, and after they passed through the gates and into the bustling lower town, that's when the reality of their situation hit Harry.
This was a real place. There were real men and women doing real things and going about their real lives. Their tattered clothes were as real as Harry's ironed clothes, their dirty skin and tangled hair as real as his recently bathed body. The horrible stench of waste and smoke filled the air, and the sound of merchants shouting over each other echoed down the street. Chickens, pigs, cats, and stray dogs roamed at will. Camelot was real, and he was there whether he liked it or not.
As they made their way to the castle, Harry, Ron, and Hermione got their fair share of stares. They must've looked like aliens to the people of Camelot; what, with their jeans and sweatshirts and modern glasses and all. Harry was glad when they reached the castle's decadent courtyard. There were less people to gawk at him.
"Merlin, take them to Gaius. I have to report to my father, but I'll be there as soon as possible," Arthur said once both he and Merlin were dismounted.
The Prince turned to leave, but Merlin grabbed him by the elbow and said, "Don't tell him about them. Please." The look they shared was deeper than eye contact, they were having an entire conversation with their eyes alone.
"Of course not," Arthur spoke softly. "Go, the boy doesn't have much time." Merlin let go of him and he disappeared through the ornate double doors of the castle. After some snide remarks, Ron helped get Malfoy down from the horse, but let Merlin carry him instead.
"This way," Merlin said. He led them to a spiral staircase inside a stone tower. They arrived at a wooden door with the words "Royal Physician" written on a plaque above the door. Merlin kicked it in and shouted, "Gaius!" There was no response. Merlin grumbled to himself, carried Malfoy inside and laid him down on the lumpiest bed Harry had ever seen. "Gaius!" He shouted again, much more impatient.
"Quit shouting boy, I'm busy!" An old man came hobbling down a staircase with a book in his hands. As he descended, Harry took in the quant chambers. Shelves of potions, poisons, and ingredients lined the walls. Every surface in the room was cluttered with books and papers and beakers and cauldrons. In the back of the room there was an open door leading to a small bedroom. The orange sunset spilled through the small windows and lit up the stone floor.
"Gaius we need your help," Merlin said. The physician took one look at Malfoy and inhaled sharply.
"Oh my," He said, setting down the book and rushing over. "That's a lot of blood." He felt his pulse and said, "At least he's alive."
"Can you heal him?" Inquired Harry. Gaius scaled him up, obviously curious about his clothing, but he said nothing to insinuate it.
"Perhaps. How did he get like this?" Gaius asked. He reached into a bucket and pulled out a sopping rag. After wringing it out, he began to wipe away the coats of dried blood all over Malfoy's face.
"We aren't sure," Hermione said. "We found him standing by himself and Harry went to talk with him. There was this burst of blinding light. When it was gone we were in a strange forest and he was unconscious and bleeding. We were hoping you could do something."
"I think it was caused by magic, both the injury and the light," Merlin told Gaius.
"Me too. Would you fetch me a canteen of water?"
Merlin ran into the back room and came back out with a canteen. Gaius took it and poured a meager amount of water past Malfoy's cotton-candy-pink lips, then pressed the back of his hand to his forehead. "He's very cold. Merlin, get me a vial of blood-stopper. He can't afford to lose anymore."
Merlin did what he was told, and Gaius began to poke and prod at Malfoy's body. He checked his pupils, he examined his hands, and opened his mouth to see his tongue. What he needed to see Malfoy's tongue for, Harry hadn't the faintest idea. Seeing Malfoy, who was typically so guarded and poised, so helpless and limp sent Harry's stomach churning. He knew he shouldn't care whether he lived or died; by the disinterested look on Ron's and Hermione's faces, Harry knew they didn't.
Gauis took a small bottle of pink liquid from Merlin and administered two drops into Malfoy's mouth. "That should take effect in about a minute. If the bleeding is temporary, it should stop for good." The physician explained.
"Is he going to live?" Harry asked.
"I believe so, his heart rate is steady and I don't sense any lingering dark magic. But whether or not he'll wake is a different question," Gaius said, reaching for a mortar and pestle to grind a strange herb.
"Merlin, you know what to do with this." He said after he finished grinding the plant. Merlin took the mortar and muttered a small incantation Harry didn't recognize. The dust turned from a dull green to a shimmery gold. "Merlin!" Gaius scolded, tilting his head at them.
"Don't worry," Merlin replied. "They have magic." He smeared the dust under Malfoy's nostrils, eyes, and on his lips.
"Quite a strange bunch you've brought, haven't you?"
Right then, the door flung open and Arthur entered, giving Harry, Ron, and Hermione a wide berth. "How is he?" Arthur asked, going over and standing at Merlin's side. He stole a quick glance at his servant, and then paid all his attention to Malfoy.
"He's alive. This dust should help heal any internal wounds he may have. Ah, the blood-stopper worked." The continuous trickle of blood came to a stop. Gaius used the rag to clean up the last traces of blood, and they could see every inch of Malfoy's snowy skin once again.
"Great, now we can talk about these three," Arthur said.