Surprised no-one's spotted the Easter egg. Yay me!

Warning, this is a long one. And sad.

Chapter 2.

The Dursleys managed to stay a lot longer than Harry thought. The village was deafened with Dudley screaming his head off one lunch-time. He was last seen racing to the car, followed by the others, with bright green hair that nearly covered his whole body. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia both were covered with orange fur with blue dots, and Piers was now sporting wavy locks in lilac.

Harry, having just returned from cycling club, was watching with Merlina on their cabin steps as the Dursleys drove off leaving a large dust cloud in their wake. The witch looked over to Harry with a raised brow before collapsing into a giggles. Harry followed and soon they were a laughing mess on the floor.

"And that," said a voice above them, "is that." The pair looked up and met the amused blue orbs of Ygraine. "You're with your own kind now, Harry. Feel free to be yourself."

"W-what happen to them? Will they stay like that?" He wiped his eyes with the hem of his shirt.

"The spell I put on their shampoo was more powerful than I thought. Ah well." Ygraine tugged little Artie higher up her hip, "Don't worry. They'll be fine." She pointed to a cloud that had appeared above the car. "The rain from the cloud holds the counter charm and diluted venom of Swooping Evil. They won't remember a thing."

Merlina gasped, "Swooping Evil?! How did you..."

She winked back, "Dumbledore."

Both Harry and Merlina went, "Ooohhh."

Ygraine quickly checked her watch, "C'mon, Harry. A quick wash and you and Merlina will be just in time for cookery club. The extra practice will do wonders for your Potions grades."

Harry shrugged, "I doubt it."

Merlina nudged his shoulder playfully, "Oh, it will. Muggle cooking is just like Potion making. After this course you'll be brewing Potions that deserve an Outstanding."

Harry snorted, "Well, I can only dream. Can't I?"

Soon it was nearing Harry's birthday. The morning of the actual day had started like any other: he had a quick breakfast, finished off the last of his home-work and gone for a bike ride. When he got back he found Merlina washing the car and talking to it in soft tones. Ygraine was busy in the kitchenette. He gave her a small wave before retiring for a quick nap.

Sometime during late afternoon he was awaken by shove to the shoulders and soft hair tickling his face. With a grunt he tried to push away the annoyance only for them to giggle and pull off his blankets .

"Hey!"

"C'mon, Harry. Presents!" Merlina grabbed his arm and pulled him up into a sitting position. "Presents!" She shouted again.

"Presents?" He was groggy from sleep and took a little longer to grasp what she was saying, "Oh!" He grinned and allowed Merlina to haul him up and out the bedroom door. "Oh!"

"Happy Birthday!" Shouted Ygraine, wearing a brightly coloured hat, sparks shooting out the end of her wand like a muggle party popper. Little Artie, dressed in a sailor onesie in his high chair, gurgled in delight at seeing Harry. "I'm sorry if it's not much but..."

"It's lovely. Thank-you." Harry sat at the small table. A tiny spread laid out before him: plates of sandwiches, a basket of spicy chicken wings, bowls of crisps, sweets and a jug of juice. And in the center was a big sponge cake with icing and sprinkles. "You really didn't..."

The others sat next to him. "Of course we did." Went Ygraine, handing him the sandwiches and filling his cup with juice. "You've been part of our family these last few weeks. So, of course, we had to celebrate!"

"Yeah, Potter," Merlina smiled at him, "You're like a dorky brother to me...And I can't believe I just said that." She peered into her glass. "Did you put truth potion in this?"

"Nope." Ygraine cut a sandwich into squares for Artie. "Come on, eat up! Sooner we finish the sooner Harry can have his presents."

" You shouldn't have..."

She placed a motherly hand on his shoulder, "An owl arrived yesterday for you. From your friends at Hogwarts." She gestured to the cake in the middle of the mini feast. "That's my present to you." She smiled nervously, "Hope it's alright because I've never made one the muggle way before."

Harry grinned back, "I'm sure it's fine. Now let's eat!"

The cake was delightful. Harry had never had anything so good, it was light and fluffy and made him all floaty inside. His package from the others were a load of cards from the younger Weasleys, some home made socks from Mrs Weasley, Hermione sent him some books on advanced defensive spells and a bag of sugar-free candy.

Stomach quite full Harry helped clear up and was on his way to the bins when he heard commotion outside, "You have to go now?" A loud rev of an engine. "OK. I understand. You be safe, you hear?" Two honks of a horn and the sound of a car driving away had Harry peering out the door. He saw the yellow Camaro head down the drive, go down the main dirt path and out the gate. Merlina was watching, all the while clutching at a chunky chain around her neck. "Hiya, Harry."

Caught-out, Harry descended the steps, dumping the bags into the plastic bins and coming to her side. "You Ok?"

She sighed deeply, "I guess. Just wasn't prepared to see him go. But...needs must." She turned offering a small smile. "Well, Mr Potter, I haven't given you my gifts yet." From her front pocket she pulled out a glasses case. Harry raised a brow, she just smiled. "Your glasses please." Wordlessly he handed them over. Merlina took the new pair from the case and placed them on his nose. Harry blinked a few times before taking them off and replacing them. "Neat, huh? They're enchanted lenses, crystal clear vision. No side effects what so ever. Over time you'll forget you're wearing them. They have the usual spells: unbreakable, water proof etc..."

"Erm...Thanks. Been looking for a spell or potion for ages."

"Careful with that, Harry. There's always a price to pay. Now, for your next gift..." Reaching behind her neck she unclasped the chain and pulled the rest from her top. At the end of the chain was an oddly shaped pendent. To Harry it looked like half a face, or a knights helmet, maybe both? "This is my prized possession. My lucky charm. I want you to have it."

"I couldn't... If it means that much..."

Merlina was looking over his shoulder at the sky, past the clouds that had suddenly gathered, No! Not now! She took Harry's hands in hers, the pendent between them. "I insist. Take it. NOW!"

As soon as Harry took the chain the whole camp site erupted with screams and shouts. Witches and wizards poured out of their homes firing spells into the sky. They ducked out of the way as something large and heavy landed, cracks in the ground from impact.

Through the dust Harry looked up and spied a big hulking mass shooting fireballs from its arms, shouting in a language he didn't understand. He was vaguely aware that members of The Order were pulling him to his feet and shoving him away from harm.

"This way, Harry! Towards the barn, get to the ba-AaaHH!" The wizard group helping him were thrown to the air by a huge shockwave. Harry scrambled behind one of the storage sheds. He chanced a peek, and what he saw made his stomach drop.

Amongst the wreckage of the camp site, all alone, was Merlina. She stood her ground as the metal giant stomped towards her, it's blood red eyes never leaving hers. "You're a long way from home, aren't you? What's the matter, Megatron too chicken to finish me off himself?"

The beast growled low in it's voice-box. It raised its arm, a gun replacing the cannon, aimed right at her heart. "Where is the Talisman?! Tell me or die!"

Merlina shook her head, "Never telling."

"You are willing to sacrifice yourself for its secret?"

She drew herself to her full height, waves of old magic swirling around her making her hair tumble loose from its bun and her blue eyes shine golden. "As a dear friend of mine once said : Without sacrifice, there can be no victory. I'm prepared to die. I've done my duty. The Talisman is safe and far from here. You'll never find it. You will not win."

"So be it."

The blast echoed around the camp site. Merlina flew backwards and fell to the ground, her eyes staring into nothingness, her mouth open in a silent scream. Harry's scream mixed with those remaining and able to fight. Spells and curses flew everywhere, many bouncing off the metal armour. Harry made a move to join them when a hand landed on his shoulder.

"Come now, Harry. We must go."

"Dum-Dumbledore? Merlina! We have to..."

The old headmaster shook his head sadly, "I'm sorry, Harry. Come. To the barn, where we can safely get to Hogwarts."

As Dumbledore led Harry away to Apparate to the safety of Hogwarts, another metal beast joined the fight. Rushing through the dust cloud B-127 jumped onto the Decepticon's back throwing the Scout to the ground, stabbing it in the chest repeatedly before firing a lone missile to its head, blowing it clean off.

In the aftermath B-127 made his way to where his oldest and dearest human friend lay and crouched beside her. Seeing her eyes, once so a light with the old magic, now dead and empty brought a sharp pain to his Spark. Along with her family and those who had fought and survived he grieved, his soft whines echoing through the night.

That night he vowed Merlina's death would not be in vain. He vowed to be the best protector he could be and make Optimus Prime proud. He vowed he would find the Talisman of Hope and complete his mission before Megatron or any other Decepticon could find it.

He vowed to destroy any Decepticon foolish enough to get in his way.

Next stop: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Even I teared up writing this. Reviews are like hugs.

M.x