"Albus, are you still in there?" Professor McGonagall called out as she swung open the door to his office.
"Yes, Minerva, we are all still here. What did you find out from your friends?"
"Quite a lot actually, some of which is most interesting in regards to the letter you had Fawkes bring me. It seems that there is an ancient ritual that used to be based on the concept of Nocturnal UV light. It was considered very dark magic; but, has been used several times throughout history to destroy true evil by the side of light. I guess the whole fight fire with fire concept. Either way, it seems that this phenomenon is always related to a powerful healer dying, but needing to finish their work on Earth. The Ancient Egyptians, about eight thousand years ago, came across the only known relation between an actual event and the occurrence of the Nocturnal UV light. You are not going to believe this Albus, but it goes back to the 'man in the moon' concept. Just before the destruction of an enemy of an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh, the Pharaoh's priests saw the face of their recently departed, lead healer in the moon. One week later, their greatest enemy was dead."
"Oh my Morgana, this is unbelievable. Are you saying that Hermione was a great healer and that the key to destroying the evil version of Merlin was through her death?" Ron asked in disbelief.
"So it would seem, Mr. Weasley. However, there are some huge unknowns in this story, as well. No one knows how exactly the enemy died - he just did. Furthermore, we have the issue that no one knows where Merlin is."
"That is true, Minerva. For some reason, I feel like I am missing something that is right under my nose," Dumbledore said without a twinkle in his eyes.
Everyone stopped and stared. They could never remember a time when Professor Dumbledore had not known…really known what was going on.
"Then I guess we know where to focus; we need to find the connection between Amberlin Mossuri and Merlin," Severus said. "In the meantime, how do we go about getting Draco back?"
"I'm not sure we can risk a rescue mission until we know for sure of Miss Mossuri's role in all of this," Dumbledore said with real regret in his voice.
"That is not acceptable, Headmaster," Professor Snape said with a hint of steel.
"I agree. You cannot expect me to sit here and do nothing, because I won't. I won't just sit here while that crazy vampire has my Draco," Ginny agreed with Professor Snape.
"I'm sorry. I cannot allow you to try to retrieve Draco at this time. It is not wise."
"Excuse me, Headmaster; but, fuck wise. This is a young man that has suffered, survived and helped the Wizarding World. We owe him more than this!" Severus said with venom in his words.
"I'm sorry," Professor Dumbledore said as he stood, withdrew his wand and placed Ginny and Professor Snape under the Body Binding Spell.
While everyone looked on in horror, they decided not to question the Headmaster's actions after seeing the look of determination in his eyes.
"Now let's get to work. I want everything we have on Amberlin Mossuri on this desk in five minutes. I want this solved tonight!"
After a quick glance at one another, everyone, barring Professor Snape and Ginny, ran to their respective areas and retrieved their information. Within five minutes, all had returned and were pouring over book after book looking for anything to give them insight to the connection of Amberlin Mossuri to Merlin. Dumbledore, with a strong warning, released Ginny and Severus from the Binding Spell. They, too, immersed themselves in the research to save Draco.
Several hours later those that were not on the verge of falling asleep on their books, were contemplating pulling their hair out with non-Magical means.
Daybreak was unfurling her golden spears of light through the windows above Dumbledore's desk when Harry made a choking noise.
"Harry?" Professor McGonagall asked, concern showing for her Gryffindor, "Are you all right?"
"I can't believe it. I feel so stupid. I should have seen this hours ago," Harry said with a bright smile on his face.
"Did you find something, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes! I know the connection of Merlin and Amberlin Mossuri," he confidently told them.
Professor Snape stood up, brushed past Harry and grabbed the parchment that Harry had been working on. He read it, gave a piercing glare at Harry and read it again.
"Bugger, Potter, there may be a brain in that head after all!" Professor Snape said with a touch of humor in his voice. "I do have one question though. Why do you seem to want to beat yourself up over missing this?"
"Because, sir, Voldemort did the same thing with his name and showed me in the Chamber of Secrets. Tom Marvolo Riddle could be rearranged to make 'I am Lord Voldemort.' For some reason, I started trying the same thing about fifteen minutes ago with Amberlin Mossuri; and, as you can see, I think I have made a startling discovery."
"You could say that, Mr. Potter," Severus said with real humor in his voice.
Professor McGonagall gave a great huff and said, "Well come on, share what you have found out, Harry."
"I think it will be more fun to show you," with that said, Harry raised his wand and wrote 'Amberlin Mossuri' in the air. The name appeared as a flame. He waved his wand and arm in a passing gesture and the words rearranged themselves to spell:
Merlin Ambrosius.
"Ambrosia?" Ron innocently asked, "Isn't that food for the Greek gods?"
"Not Ambrosia…Ambrosius. That was the name given to Merlin by Geoffrey of Monmouth," Professor Dumbledore informed Ron.
There were collective, shocked gasps around the room. Everyone stared at the now invisible letters and each other. Ginny seemed to grasp her ability to speak again first and said, "Are you telling us that Merlin already has Draco?"
"It would seem so, Mrs. Malfoy," Dumbledore said with a touch of sadness in his voice.
Harry gave her a nod of agreement and a look of sadness.
"This is a good thing, you fools!" Professor Snape sneered to the people in the room.
Everyone turned and gaped at Professor Snape.
"Please tell me, Professor Snape, how Merlin having Draco is a GOOD thing," Ginny venomously said to the Head of Slytherin.
"Because, Ginny, we now know that there are only certain forms that Merlin can take. Now we know the form; he has returned as a vampire…and as a woman. We can defeat her. She does not know that we have figured this out. We have the upper hand. I'll even go so far as to say that the information Professor McGonagall has handed us is the solution to kill her…and soon."
"Severus, my dear boy, I do believe you are on to something here," Dumbledore said with the twinkle returning to his eyes. He turned to Ginny and gave her a sharp, meaningful look.
"Of course!" Ginny said after a few moments of silence, "The answer to defeat Merlin is in the moon."
"Huh?" Ron finally added to the conversation.
"Hermione! Ron, Hermione is going to save us." Ginny said to her brother with a smile.
Ron's face broke into a wide smile, "This has to do with the information about the Ancient Egyptians, doesn't it?"
"Yes, Mr. Weasley, it does. We can use Hermione's force within the Moon to force the Nocturnal UV light back onto Merlin…UV light that can dust the bastard." Professor Snape told Ron with, had he been anyone else, glee.
"Go Hermione!" Ron yelled, throwing his right hand into the air.
Harry and Ginny exchanged smiles over Ron's head. They then turned back to the group and waited for Dumbledore. Dumbledore retrieved his wand and reactivated the copper pyramid.
"Charlie Weasley, are you there?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes sir, we are here and awaiting your insight."
"We have some new information that gives us-umm- illumination on the matter at hand," Dumbledore said with a chuckle in his voice.
Everyone else groaned at the poor pun usage by the Headmaster. This only made Professor Dumbledore's chuckles deeper.