Merlin is standing on the edge of the lake of Avalon. He's wearing his servant clothes from camelot. Red tunic, brown pants, blue neckerchief and leather boots. He stands there, and looks around.

"Merlin." He turns to the source of the voice. He smiles,

"Freya." The raven haired girl beams back at him, then frowns,

"I wish this was a pleasure visit. But unfortunately there is much we must discuss." Merlin frowns right back at her, "are you aware how long it's been since you helped turn Camelot into Hogwarts?" Merlin frowns,

"Longer than I realize I'm guessing." she nods,

"It's been almost one thousand years. You lost yourself. You were nothing but a husk, an empty body with no consciousness." Merlin felt the fear rise in him. "But now you are healed."

"Why?" Merlin asked,

"A man, a wizard, named Tom Riddle. He used his magic to split his soul into pieces, over throwing the balance. You and Arthur ust stop him." Merlin froze,

"Arthur?" she smiled softly at him,

"Yes. Arthur Pendragon has returned to Albion. You must restore the balance and stop Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort." Merlin's vision began to fade. Freya smiled brighter, "you are waking. Remember Merlin, stop Voldemort and restore the balance."

Merlin's eyes shot open. First thing he was aware of was that he was staring at a ceiling he hadn't seen in a very long time. He sat up and observed Arthur's chambers. It had been cleaned. Merlin had made it a point of leaving everything as Arthur had left it. The maps, and books on the table, the bed made, though he had never replaced the blanket with the replacements Arthur had ordered, even the dirty clothes on the floor. But it had all been cleaned. Next thing he noticed was the sound of breathing right next to him. Arthur was lying next to him. He was there. Merlin couldn't keep the tears from forming. Arthur was alive, breathing. He was… young. Merlin blinked. Arthur was younger than Merlin had ever seen him. He must be a teenager. Merlin looked down at himself. He was dressed in a soft tunic with stripes and matching pants. But underneath… Merlin stood and rushed over to the mirror. He was also younger. He must be the same physical age as Arthur. He felt a spark of hope and pulled the hem of the shirt down. It fizzled away. The golden triskelion was still there. Right over his heart. Looking closer Merlin realized it was slightly faded. He looked out the window, and upon seeing dozens of cloaked figures he began to remember.

He remembered when he had agreed to help the four magic users to start up a school. With his magic he relocated the entirety of the abandoned Camelot citadel closer to the lake of Avalon. He created the wards and protections around the school, and after sealing off the vault and library he had allowed them free reign. With the promise that the basic bones of the castle remained unchanged. The vault… Merlin knew he'd need to check on it, the library as well. Merlin had moved all the portraits of Arthur, himself, Gwen, and the nights into the vault. As well as all the dangerous magical artifacts like the Crystal of Neahtid and the Cup of Life, and other things he's wanted to save for Arthur, like his mother's seal and all the gold and jewels the castle's last residents had left Merlin, knowing about the prophecy. Merlin also needed to check the library where he'd hidden every last book and scroll on the old religion he could find, but as none of the magical people left could really use it, he'd hidden them away. Along with all the historical books on Camelot and it's people. Merlin remembered his cabin that he'd built on the shore. He'd allowed them to use the castle while he lived in his cottage. He knew he had furnished it, but his most recent memory of the place did not agree.

He remembered. Oh Goddess… Merlin thought to himself, I really did lose myself. I had forgotten why I was in so much pain, why I kept going back to the shore. I had forgotten who I am. Memories floated through him, only blurry glimpses of his time as a ghost, but he knew that towards the end things were clearer. He remembered Arthur holding him in the woods, how Merlin's magic had reacted to him. He remembered how his magic had flowed from himself into the blond. It had felt him, and recognized Arthur's soul.

Next he remembered Arthur laying him on a bed, an old woman, dressed in a strange nightgown had followed after them, as well as two red headed teens, a dark skinned boy with dreads, and an old man with the longest white beard Merlin had ever seen except for on himself in his dragoon persona. The woman had said something to Arthur, clearly upset, the memory wasn't particularly clear, Arthur had responded back almost heatedly, the two redheads had begun to, clearly, complain, the dark skinned boy backing them up, and the old man had tried to insist on something, Merlin thought he remembered him saying something about a hospital wing, and something called aurores. Arthur had gotten extremely upset, and after standing straight and speaking in what Merlin knew was his kingly demand voice, they had all stopped talking. The woman led the three teens away, but Dragoon II, spoke again, but one look from Arthur and he left. Everything went dark.

Next thing the warlock remembered was being held by Arthur as the king spoon fed him some kind of soup. Merlin couldn't remember what it had tasted like. When there had been no more soup Arthur had called something and after a pop a creature unlike anything Merlin had ever seen before appeared, said something to Arthur, who after giving a response gave the empty bowl and spoon to the little creature who popped away. Everything went dark again.

Merlin was naked, in a tub of warm water. This memory was a bit clearer. Someone was washing him. He recognized this feeling. It was Arthur. Arthur had sometimes washed him when Merlin came back from collecting herbs for Gaius completely covered in mud. Arthur would then have someone else get the tub out, fill it with water, and then he would have Merlin get undressed and then Arthur would bathe him.

The first time this had happened Merlin had been blushing the entire time. Arthur had smirked smugly at him, and even when Merlin was clean, he continued running the sponge over him. One thing had led to another and Merlin had woken the next morning naked in Arthur's bed, and sore. He'd been filled with regret and fear and had tried to get out of Arthur's grip to start the day and forget it had happened. But Arthur had held fast, as he woke. Arthur had held him close, in his lap, and after getting Merlin to calm down, he had told him. He had told Merlin that he loved him, that he had never truly loved Gwen, but married her so that he wouldn't have to marry some prissy princess. And then they were kissing. It was when Arthur had asked Merlin to be his consort that Merlin finally made a decision. He had stood from Arthur's lap and walked towards the window.

"I can't unless I tell you something first." he had begun, he knew the risks, but if Arthur truly love him, he'd be able to accept him. "I have wanted to tell you for so long, but at first I couldn't because I didn't want you to have to choose between me and Camelot. Me or your father." and he had turned back to face Arthur, Unable to keep the tears in at this point, "But then, when you became king, so much time had passed and I was so scared that if I told you, that you'd hate me for lying, for not telling you. But now, now that I know you love me, that you want me, I have to. I can't, I won't allow myself to get into this kind of relationship when you don't know this one thing that is a fundamental part of who I am." Merlin had seen how Arthur's eyes drew together in confusion.

"You can tell me anything Merlin." He had said then, "anything. I'll always love you no matter what." Merlin had turned away as a sob tore it's way from his throat. He had taken a deep, trembling, breath.

"I have magic. I was born with it." And he proceeded to tell Arthur everything. About how he'd been able to move things before he could walk, about how Balinor was his father, about the prophecy, how he had used it to protect Arthur and Camelot, about how he and Dragoon were the same person and how he had tried to save Arthur's father only for Morgana and Agravaine to get there first and do something to make Merlin's spell backfire, about Mordred and the Dragon's warnings, everything. By the end Merlin was curled in on himself on the floor, beneath the window, still naked as the day he was born, and sobbing into his knees.

"I use it for you. Only for you. I'd never hurt you, I'd never hurt Camelot, please please don't hate me." And after a few moments, warm arms wrapped themselves around Merlin, he was lifted up and brought into Arthur's lap, they were back in bed. Merlin had wrapped his arms around Arthur's middle and sobbed into his chest. Kisses were peppered into his hair and around his face, as a soft finger gently stroked his cheek. After a moment Merlin looked up at those gorgeous blue eyes, which shone brightly with love, and a soft smile.

"I know." Arthur had said, apparently he'd known since the Dragon thing, He'd woken up after Merlin had spoken to it in the dragon tongue, and it had called him a warlock and then flown away. He had gone back over his memories since Merlin had come to Camelot and had realized how lucky he'd seem to get since Merlin arrived. And he realized Merlin meant no harm since he had convinced Arthur not to kill his father, by reconvincing him magic was evil. Merlin, upon hearing this, had smiled so brightly, he had planted his lips on Arthur's, and later they held one another in bed, sweaty once again, and Merlin ever more sore than before, but not regretting it. He was thankful that it was Arthur's day off, and after Merlin dressed himself the two spent the day just being together. Merlin had felt guilty about what had been happening between him and Arthur, but now realized that Gwen had known the entire time and just hadn't cared.

Merlin chuckled a bit at the memory tangent he'd gone on, but the memory of Arthur bathing him after finding him in the woods had brought it to the forefront of his mind. Arthur had bathed him for the first time in nearly two thousand years, gently washing off the layers and layers of dirt and grime, before dressing him in the soft clothes he was currently wearing.

Next thing Merlin remembered was when Arthur had stood up to go do something, Merlin, in his still recovering mind, had panicked and thought Arthur was leaving and had thrown a major fit. His magic had made reacted in his panic, books flying off the shelves, papers scattering on the floor, the window slamming open and closed, and the wardrobe exploding open throwing the clothes everywhere. Arthur had rushed back to his side and had calmed Merlin, saying he needed to go to the bathroom. Merlin hadn't really understood what that meant but did calm once Arthur swore to come back. He'd rocked himself on the bed until Arthur returned and pulled him back into his chest. Merlin passed out again.

He'd become aware more and more often through the days, as Arthur fed him, bathed him and held him. Occasionally one of the people Merlin had seen before would show up but Arthur refused to let anyone near Merlin.

Merlin was finally pulled from his thoughts as he heard movement from the bed. He steered his gaze towards the noise and watched as Arthur stirred and finally opened his eyes and their gazes met. Merlin felt the tears that had built finally fall as he choked out a cry. Arthur quickly pulled him back into the bed and held him.

"Finally back with us?" Arthur asked with a chuckle, though Merlin heard the slight crack in his voice.

"Yeah." Merlin replied, he threw his arms around Arthur's neck, "I waited" he cried between sobs, "I waited for so long, I thought you'd never come back, I thought I'd be alone forever." Arthur squeezed his arms around Merlin's middle tighter.

"I'm sorry Merlin," he whispered, "I'm so sorry, my Merlin. My warlock. I'm here now. I'm here now. You'll never lose me again." He rocked the two of them back and forth for a minute, before gently grabbing Merlin's chin and lifting his head so their gazes met, and kissing him. They both put everything they felt into that kiss. Their love for each other, their joy at being reunited, their grief for the time lost between them, their anger for being forced apart, everything. It felt like both an eternity and a split second to Merlin before they were parting for air.

"So what's going on?" Merlin asked finally, "why are we younger?" Arthur sighed,

"I didn't come out of the lake." Arthur told him after a pause. "I was reborn. As a wizard." he smirked, "I have magic too now." Merlin couldn't help the hysterical laugh that roared from his chest. Arthur began to chuckle as well after a moment.

"If only Uther could see you now." he said when the laughing subsided, "he'd be rolling in his grave."

"He would, wouldn't he?" Arthur repeated. He paused, before returning his gaze to Merlin. "When I was reborn I had no memory of my life in Camelot. I grew up the only son of a wealthy widower, who runs one of the largest corporations in the world. Meaning I was basically a prince, except without the political power. I'll tell you more about this world later." he added, clearly sensing Merlin's confusion. He's a muggle, so was my mother in this life. Their names were actually Uther and Ygraine, funnily enough. Uther 2 is still alive, he expects me to take over the company one day despite my attending a magic school rather than an ordinary school. He didn't want me to come to Hogwarts but with my begging and the professor who explained everything to us promising that I'd still be able to attend a non magic secondary school, no later than I would have at an ordinary school, he agreed to let me come. I always knew something was missing as I grew up, despite no memory of my previous life, I knew that there was something I was looking for. I thought Hogwarts would be it. Upon arriving here I subconsciously recognized the castle, I knew I had seen it before. I was able to find my way around with minimal trouble. A lot of my skills from my previous life carried over. In defense I was better in the practical stuff than the others, my fighting instincts from Camelot kicking in. In my third year when I started my Care of Magical Creatures class, there were some creatures that I somehow knew things about despite not having read the book yet. But the entire time I was still looking for something, not to mention my friends could tell something was off with me. At one point, I found this ornate mirror. The inscription said that it was enchanted to show our deepest desire," his gaze found Merlin's again, and his cheeky smile led to Merlin's cheeks heating up, "when I looked into it I saw myself as I was in Camelot. And I saw you. I didn't recognize you, but you seemed so familiar. But I couldn't place it. Later I went into the village with my friends, Fred, George and Lee, and this guy comes running into the Three Broomsticks, sort of like a tavern, raving about having seen the Mourning Man. A figure who roams the woods and always ends up at the lake where it starts sobbing. According to him it had been there forever, and was something neither alive nor dead. Legend had it that one day his other half would find him and save him from his curse." Arthur was staring intently into Merlin's eyes. Merlin felt the shame and guilt build up. Arthur kissed his forehead. "Hey, it wasn't your fault. Everything is okay now." Merlin smiled at Arthur's attempt to comfort him. He felt the joy of having Arthur back well up in his chest again. "Eventually me and my friends went into the forest to see him, or rather you, and you must've recognized me, subconsciously at least, because you chased after us. After that, for a few years I started dreaming about Camelot. My memories of my past life began returning to me. Finally I remembered everything, and immediately went to get you and finally brought you here." Merlin smiled,

"I remember some of what happened since then."

"I met Freya in the woods that night." Arthur continued, ignoring Merlin's interruption, "She gave me back the sword you made me, and told me that we needed to overthrow you-know-who."

"You-know-who?" Merlin asked,

"Lord Voldemort, the maniac who split his soul. My sword can kill him, horcruxes or not, so I just need to get near him and-" Merlin had heard enough.

"No." he declared,

"What?"

"No. You aren't going near him. I won't let you. I cannot lose you. Not again." Merlin stated, Arthur sighed, his shoulders slumping a bit,

"Merlin, we don't really have a choice. You can't use a sword. So unless you plan on hunting down all his soul pieces, I need to kill him. Besides, you'll protect me." Arthur stated as if it was fact, "His magic is no match for yours."

"Like I did at Camlann?" Merlin challenged,

"This is different." Arthur insisted, "Unlike Camlann you'll be right next to me the entire time. Your magic is almost certainly more powerful judging from what I've seen here and what I remember you doing back then, I know you won't let anything happen to me." Merlin did not feel better, even a bit, he lowered his gaze, tucking his chin to his chest in his unease, and Arthur sensing this let out another sigh. "I see I'm not convincing you, so for now why don't I tell you about my friends and classes and teachers?" Merlin couldn't help the small smile, as Arthur leaned down to meet his gaze. Merlin nodded, allowing his blond to change the subject.

Merlin rather enjoyed hearing about Arthur's friends and classes. Arthur told him about Fred and George, who were his friends and dorm mates, and Lee, who was their other friend. They sounded a bit like Gwaine and Percival with their love to cause trouble. He especially enjoyed the story about how they bewitched several snowballs to chase the defense teacher Quirrel around. He enjoyed hearing Arthur explain how the magic here worked, transfiguration, charms and everything. His ancient Runes class sounded fascinating. Professor McGonagall sounded strict but fair, while Snape sounded extremely unpleasant. He was pleased that Arthur continued playing a game called chess with the twins' younger brother, despite the age difference. He found himself fascinated with the new magical world and all the magical peoples. The goblins who ran the banks (he'd have to remember to open up a vault there and move all the stuff in the sealed vault downstairs to the new one,) the giants, the vampires and werewolves. After hearing about the ministry and how they refused to acknowledge Voldemort's return, the warlock decided he'd like to research it and see if there was anything he could do.

"By the way." Arthur began suddenly, interrupting himself when he was explaining Quidditch, "you are gonna need an alias." Merlin frowned and his eyebrows knit together,

"Why?"

"Because, these days you're known as this great, amazing god-like figure." Merlin stared blankly for a solid thirty seconds as he processed,

"What?" Arthur barked laughed,

"Yeah, the wizards use your name in the same way we used to say 'oh lord' and literally everyone here knows your name. Now while they know you were powerful, they actually have mostly forgotten who you really actually were. They thought you were a student here, though in reality you were born six hundred years before the founders." Merlin frowned,

"Why do I need a fake name though? I mean shouldn't I correct them?"

"No. If we want to stop you-know-who, it's best if he has no idea how powerful you really are. Get the drop on him, the element of surprise." I suppose that makes sense. Merlin thought to himself, I wonder if Aithusa is still around. I'll need to check. She probably thought he abandoned her.

"Will I need to lie to everyone?" Merlin asked, he already had needed to keep his druid name a secret, and now apparently he has to keep his actual name secret, the one his mother gave him. He lowered his gaze, upset at the fact.

"No. There's this group, resistance fighters who we should work with." Arthur told him, "we can tell them." Merlin nodded, still frowning, "hey." Arthur began, bringing merlin's gaze back up by his chin. "It won't be forever. Just until we restore the balance. Then you can tell everyone who you are." Merlin nodded, and smiled slightly.

"Oh wait, I actually have something of yours." Arthur said, he reached over to the bedside table and picked something up. "Hold out your hand." he instructed and Merlin did. He held his hands in front of him, and Arthur grabbed his left hand, turned it palm down and slid a ring onto his ring finger. It was silver with gold detailing. And five purple and blue gemstones circling a small diamond. Merlin recognized it immediately. "When this is over, let's get married. Once the bad guy is gone, and I'm out of school and legally old enough to get married, we'll do it. It's perfectly normal here so no one'll stop us, and I want to marry you one day." Merlin began to cry, but this time they were tears of joy and love.

"Yes, I'll marry you one day." He gazed at Arthur, whose eyes sparkled more than the ring on his finger, and who was beaming brighter than a thousand suns, and decided it was worth it. Keeping his name secret, in exchange for having Arthur back. For this he'd do anything to keep.

"So what name should I take?"

Sorry this has taken so long, I've been really busy with university stuff. But anyways... So that's it for now folks, as always please favorite and leave a comment, I do love hearing from y'all.

Happy holidays.