Chapter 37 - CaerMyrddin



A small whimper escaped Morgaine as she finally opened her eyes, starting slightly at the two men leaning over her. Sirius slid an arm beneath her shoulders and helped her sit up. She didn't need his support for long and he sat back on his haunches, watching her and waiting for an explanation as she shook off the last of her disorientation. When she did, Sirius noticed her eyes fade again with dawning horror. The young Seeress curled in on herself, drawing her knees up to her chin and wrapping her arms securely around them.



"What did you see?" Ron asked quietly.



Morgaine didn't answer for a long moment. Finally, she looked up and she looked terrified. "I need to talk to Rowan and Grandfather. Soon. I . . ." she cut off and her attention pricked forward, towards the hall outside their door.



Sirius started to demand more of an explanation when the door to their cell rattled. Everyone stilled. Morgaine started to say something and the door swung open to reveal Ger Myfanwy standing on the other side. The young wizard pocketed his wand and grinned at them. "Brilliant work at the Malfoys, you two. The complaints were just starting to roll in when I left London. It will be all over the Prophet by morning."



"Ger?" Sirius asked, feeling his mind trying desperately to catch up and process everything. "How . . . you . . . ah . . ."



"How did I find you? Or what am I doing here?" Ger chuckled. Sirius just nodded. "We're under CaerMyrddin. A storage room, actually," he explained. "The twins and I ran across the Headmaster and Grandfather in London. They'd been called away to speak with Minister Fudge, apparently. We explained about Ron here," he nodded to the red-haired boy, "glad to see you're in one piece, by the way - and realised that Rowan was probably in danger.



"About then we started hearing about the . . . ah, disruption at Malfoy Manor, so I sent a few Aurors clear that up and quite a few more to start searching for Ron while Professor Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts with Fred and George. We didn't want to drag the boys into any really dangerous messes."



As he talked, Ger had entered the room and helped the three of them to their feet, looping Ron's arm around his shoulders. The Death Eaters had been none too careful when they'd abducted him and he was limping noticeably. "Looks like you've had a bit of an adventure, Ron Weasley."

"Yeah." Ron nodded weakly and relaxing a bit to lean most of his weight on the older boy. Ger had inherited his father's rather imposing height and slender build, but Ron was by no means small. Still, Ger took the added weight completely in stride and the older boy's easy-going and jovial manner was calming Ron down and distracting him from thoughts of his missing friends.



"Well, it'll give Rowan a reason to fuss," Ger said. "She's always fussy about everyone's health after a battle."

"Battle?" Sirius interjected, feeling a thread of worry wind through his gut. "What battle?"



"Too strong a term, Sirius," Ger assured him. "Grandfather and I Apparated onto the shores of the lake and found a small swarm of Death Eaters being terrorized by Jormangund. We also saw Rowan and Remus race into the woods before everything fell apart. Grandfather stayed behind to calm things down and sent me to the castle to check on things. The house elves told me where you were. I'm sure Grandfather has found the others by now." A slight, proud smile tugged at his lips. "I don't think I've ever seen Grandfather so furious. Especially when I pointed out a few people to him.



"You weren't lying," he said grimly. At their confused looks, he smirked. "I saw Voldemort. More importantly, I saw that bloody traitor. A bit older, and a lot more skittish, but I saw him."



Sirius blinked rapidly, hoping and fearing that Ger meant what he thought he did. "Ger," he began cautiously, cleared his throat and continued. "Ger, you were only . . . what, about eleven when you met us?"



"Fourteen the last time I saw everyone!" Ger defended. "And I'd known every one of you for several years at that point. I've got a good memory, Sirius, and a long one. I know what Peter Pettigrew looked like. And I know that he's alive because he was running for his miserable life from Merlin's little pet and almost ploughed into me!"



Morgaine shrieked in delight and lunged at her brother, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "You're amazing, little brother!"



Ger blushed slightly and ducked his head, making his dark hair fall over his eyes to hide them from view, but said nothing more as the four continued their trek up to out of the cellars of CaerMyrddin.

~*~

At some unheard call, a small boat sailed out of the mist to ground itself right in front of them. It didn't seem large enough to hold more than two or three people, but Merlin gestured them all to board and both Rowan and Remus stepped in without hesitation. Harry quickly realized that the vessel had been enchanted as everyone climbed aboard and found seats easily. Rowan immediately took a solitary spot near the prow, wrapping one arm around the carved dragon head and letting the other rest in her lap as she stared out across the water. Harry didn't know what she was thinking or remembering, but her eyes seemed so sad that he wondered if it was more than just what had happened that night.



"This place holds deep pain for her," Merlin supplied, making Harry start slightly. He looked over to see the ancient wizard sitting beside him and watching him with kind eyes. "And many things will change now. Though with you safe, and Sirius returned to her, I think she may finally heal."



"You mean she won't lose control like she did earlier again?"



"That is the least of my concerns, Harry," Merlin told him. "Demon blood is both powerful and volatile, but it can be controlled. I have lived with being half demon all of my life and it is not the curse some make it out to be. Rowan is simply very young. She needs to grow into her new abilities."



"I'm not a little girl, Grandfather," Rowan protested, folding her hands into her sleeves. "I'm thirty-three years old."



"And I am, technically, 1196 this coming April," Merlin responded calmly. "You are very young to me."



Rowan levelled a mild glare at him before turning her attention back out over the water and to the new shore they were quickly approaching.



The boat glided to a halt several paces from the shore and sat, rocking in the light swells of the lake. Harry wondered if they were supposed to swim through the icy water the rest of the way to shore, when a the soft sound of rushing water drew his attention. Vines and roots were rising from the dark lake waters. The vines twisted and fused themselves until no gaps remained and they formed a solid pathway all the way to the shore.



"It's quite safe," Merlin chuckled, observing their dubious looks. He easily stepped out onto the living bridge and reached back in to assist Hermione. Harry clambered out, not quite as gracefully, and offered his hand to Ginny. She smiled at him and hopped out, only stumbling a bit as she re-accustomed herself to solid ground.



Once everyone stood safely on dry ground, Harry looked back to see the vine bridge disentangle itself and slip back into the dark water with another quiet rush of water, leaving the dragon boat rocking gently in the surf.



The small group silently set off again, following a snowy path that wound its way through the thick forest trees that grew almost all the way up to the shore. Harry bit back an exhausted yawn. It was long after midnight now, and the others looked as tired as he felt.



Exhausted as he was, Harry looked around his surroundings, enjoying the ancient feel of the forest around them. The forest trees were very tall and stately even in the depths of winter. Tiny glowing lights swarmed through the trees around them. As one floated over to inspect him, perching on the tip of his nose, Harry realized they weren't just lights, but tiny birds, each no bigger than his fingernail! They reminded him of the tropical birds that Sirius used to send his letters with their long, shimmering feathers. The tiny bird soon fluttered away to join the others dancing through the trees.



Harry soon saw Rowan drop back from her place near the front to walk alongside Merlin, allowing Professor Lupin to lead them towards their destination. Harry glanced back several times to see the pair speaking quietly with one another before giving in to his curiosity. As nonchalantly as he could, Harry fell back a bit until he was close enough to catch bits of the conversation.



"Will it be enough?"



"Granddaughter, your blood is as strong as my own at this point. It will be more than sensible to bond the boy to you and your mate. From what I have seen in the short time I've know Harry, he will agree to leaving his aunt and uncle." Merlin's dark blue eyes fairly twinkled at the younger witch. "Of course, this would require you to actually accept young Sirius as your husband."



"Grandfather!" Rowan looked utterly horrified. "You're blackmailing me!"



"Not at all, my dear!" the old wizard laughed outright. "I'm protecting Harry and, incidentally, not giving you two the opportunity to talk yourselves out of something that has been delayed quite long enough."



"You're doing it again," Rowan accused softly, her eyes narrowing in displeasure.



"Doing what, exactly, little one?" Merlin smirked, looking rather pleased with himself.



"You're distracting me from my problems by focusing me on someone else,"



"And it is working," he observed. "You are going to speak with young Harry about this."



"And apparently going to be married before the sun rises! This is hardly romantic," she hissed back, noticeably trying to wrestle down the blush staining her ears and cheeks.



"And your current state of affairs is no more romantic than a bad habit," Merlin told her firmly, the gentle amusement never leaving his face. "I once instructed a young man not to take a very lovely girl as his bride. He didn't listen either and caused a great amount of pain with his choice. Rowan, Arthur didn't fully love Gwenivere; it was not the style of the age and true love is rare in any time. He only saw a prize to place beside his throne." Merlin reached out and lovingly took his granddaughter's chin to gently bring her eyes to his. "You are truly greater in my eyes than that vain queen, little one. You have never ceased to be faithful to your love, even when he was not only absent but had apparently betrayed you."



"You're a conniving old dragon, Grandfather," she told him. "Harry, stop eavesdropping and come walk with us." Harry felt his face flame at being caught, but obediently dropped back to join the two.

"I assume you caught most of that."



"You're going to marry Sirius," he responded, still not quite sure how he felt about the idea.



"That's about the smallest bit of it," she laughed wryly. "Do you know why? Rather, do you know what this will mean for you?"



"I'll be able to leave the Dursleys?" Harry asked carefully, trying desperately to tamp down the feeling of giddy hope that was trying to bubble up in his chest. He didn't want it to be snatched from his hands at the last moment yet again. "Permanently?"



"Permanently," she confirmed. "It would be too dangerous for them and for you to go back. I'm sorry, Harry, but you know Voldemort will try and kill anyone you're closely associated with. Do you mind?"



"You underestimate how much I hate the Dursleys," Harry assured her quickly. "But what about you and Sirius? You'll be hunted too."



Merlin chuckled and Rowan just raised an eyebrow sardonically. "Yes, and what a change that would be. There is more, and Sirius needs to hear it too and agree, or . . ."



Rowan took a deep breath and, abruptly, Harry realised what she was referring to and felt himself pale. Between his exhaustion, Voldemort, the creature in the lake, and Rowan's . . . episode, he'd forgotten something vitally important.



"The Amulet's curse is going to kill me, isn't it?"



Rowan nodded slowly. "In less than a day, according to Grandfather. Unless. . . Well, there is a way to stop it, but . . . you need to know what it will mean, and it will make Voldemort more desperate to kill you."



Harry wondered silently if it was even possible to make the Dark Lord want him dead even more than he already did. He didn't say this out loud, but just nodded for her to continue.



Surprisingly, Merlin answered him. "It's a ritual, Harry. We can infuse you with a small portion of demon blood and the curse will stop trying to destroy you."



"Harry, you need to understand what this will mean," Rowan told him softly. "This is ancient magic; demon magic. It does not do things half way. Invoking this makes you my son almost as much as you are - and will always be - Lily's. Legally, though, you will be the heir of the Myfanwy clan. My heir."

~*~*~*~

Yes, I promised that this would be the last chapter. But it seemed like such a good spot to leave off, you'll just have to put up with one or two extra chapters. One person asked that I include a list of Harry Potter stories I follow. Um . . .that would be hard, as I don't follow any currently. Between writing "Heir" and beta'ing for Gryffindor Tower, I don't have any desire to read more HP fanfic. Perhaps after Book Five I will. As you may notice in my profile, I'm obsessed with Inuyasha right now, so I read mostly in that fandom and my next large story will be one set in that universe. I invite everyone to read it because it will be Alternate Universe and should be easy to understand even if you've never seen the show. :) Thanks for reading, everyone!