Title: Harry Potter and the Staff of Merlin

Author: Legolas-gurl88

Disclaimer: All J.K., not me!Author Note: One more chapter, guys:wipes brow exhaustedly

Story time!

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35. A Wizard's Funeral

"That's right, Merlin." said Vivien, letting the hand holding up the leaves drop to her side. However, she continued to twiddle with the Druid coin.

"I thought you were dead." said Merlin from his place on the stretcher. His wrinkles deepened as he tried to sit up in his stretcher.

"No." Vivien replied. "Only cursed… like yourself."

"So-- so you enjoyed my trap, then?" Merlin said. Harry couldn't decide whether Merlin was trying to be friendly or frustrating.

"Oh yes, quite lovely," snarled Vivien, "yes… it's always been a dream of mine to be a mutilated giant, stuck with an idiot who calls himself Grawp."

"Wait." Harry interrupted and Hermione elbowed him warningly, the staff still clutched in her hands. "You're Sarff?"

"Very good, boy." Vivien played, dropping the Druid coin into her pocket and holding the leaves out… the only leaves that could supposedly save Merlin.

"I have a question… Vivien." said Merlin. "Why did you lock me behind the boulder for all those years?"

"That, I do not have to answer. All you have to do if you and your young ones wish to live, is give me your staff."

"Why do you want it?" Merlin asked. Harry began to wonder why anyone would want it if he and Merlin were the only ones who could use it.

"Ah," said Vivien quietly, "that I can answer. You see… all those years ago, back when your idiot boy was king, I tricked you into believing that I actually loved you." Vivien gave a shrieking laugh as she pocketed the leaves. "You actually fell for it. I thought that one so wise as yourself would not, but you did. And you taught me all you knew. It was my desire back then to become the greatest sorceress the world had ever seen. All I needed was your staff. I tricked you into going into the cave where I moved the boulder so you would not get out."

"Yes, and I gave you my staff while I went into the cave."

"Very good." said Vivien. "I used it's power to move the boulder back into place… yes, Merlin… I can use your staff. However, you placed a charm on the staff that if anyone were to steal it, they would be cursed until the staff returned to your hands."

"So you understand my plan. And it worked, didn't it?" Merlin said jokingly, clutching his heart.

"Shut up, fool!" shrieked Vivien. "For thousands of years I remained cursed… void of the splendor I had upon the world! I was loved."

"You were a demon in woman's form." Merlin retaliated. "And you continue to be."

"Fool! It was because of you that I suffered for those long years, trying to seek you out. I knew you had escaped the prison I placed you in. Word received me that you had been near Hogwarts… the very place your staff was hidden. But then you had to run. I knew you would be back and look! I guessed right. I had myself found by that idiot half-giant. He cared for me and his half-brother and I could keep a close eye for when you would return."

"And you've found that I have. Well done, Vivien!" said Merlin.

"My transformation back into a human was not a pleasant one, thanks to you. And when Grawp found out what I really was, he attempted to trample me. I barely escaped."

Vivien pointed to a long cut on one pallid cheek that Harry hadn't noticed before out of shock.

"And now you've come to kill me." finished Merlin.

"That's right. Now hand over the staff and I might find mercy and make your deaths a fast one." She held out her hand to Hermione, who froze and looked at Merlin as though wanting to ask what she should do. Harry, however, suddenly grabbed the staff from her grip and pointed it at Vivien. She paused, her green eyes wide in shock of what Harry was doing.

"If I blast this," said Harry slowly and quietly, "the Centaurs will hear. They don't like threats and they could easily kill you."

"I beg your pardon, boy?" Vivien asked. "I believe you're their threat. I have only a few leafs and a coin in my defense. You have the most powerful and deadly wizard's object in the world. Who do you think they will find more threatening?"

"Fine, then." said Harry jabbing the air with the knot of the staff. "Then I can kill you and deal with the Centaurs myself."

"Ooh, no, Harry!" Hermione whispered. "The Centaurs-- remember last time!"

"Boys," said Merlin, speaking to Ron and Neville, "please put me down."

Ron and Neville nodded and placed Merlin gently on the ground. Once they were sure Merlin was alright, they pulled their wands out of their pockets. Ginny and Mark walked forward, ready to aid Harry if need be.

"You think you're so strong, boy!" shrieked Vivien. "You think you could defeat me?"

"Leave him alone, Vivien," said Merlin. He rolled onto his stomach and pushed himself up weakly, hand still at his heart. "Your fight is with me."

"My fight is with those who threaten me." answered Vivien. She looked back at Harry. "If you think you can kill me… then do so."

Harry watched her angrily, staff still pointed strait at her. It was silent for several minutes, in which time Merlin walked up to Harry and stood next to him, staring at Vivien.

"Give it to me, boy, and I might spare your friends."

Harry glanced around at his friend's pale faces. Neville shook his head urgently. Turning back to Vivien, he glared at her. She smiled and Harry noticed how pretty she really was. No wonder Merlin had fallen in love with her. But long years trapped in the body of a giant helped grow dark shadows under her eyes as if she had really spent the time in Azkaban. Snapping back to the present problems, Harry stared at her, and without looking away, held the staff out to Merlin, who took it up.

"Fool of a boy!" she shrieked once she realized what he'd done. Holding out her hand so her palm with markings and scars cut into them, Harry thought he saw some nearly-invisible fog form. Pulling her arm back she pushed it at him and the next thing Harry knew, he was flying through the air and his head his a tree trunk and he slid down it as he had done the wall back in the chamber. Landing on it's roots, he took a moment to regain any idea of what had just happened.

He felt an pair of hands seize his arm and pull him up. Looking up, he saw Neville's wide and worried eyes staring back at him.

"Leave him be, Vivien!" repeated Merlin. "Your fight is with me!"

"Then fight, old fool, so that I may go on with my life as the most powerful sorceress alive! Don't bring the brats into our argument if you wish them to survive tonight!"

"It saddens me to see what you have become, Vivien." said Merlin, wringing the body of the staff gently under his wizened fingers. "A mere shadow of the majesty that the title 'Lady of the Lake' gave you. Look at yourself, Vivien… see what you have become. You have grown power-hungry. But you can stop it…"

"Save your words for Arthur. I expect you'll be joining him soon." spat Vivien. Merlin's shadow jumped in shock and pointed it's long finger at Vivien as though blaming her for saying such things. In response, Vivien growled deep in her lovely throat that caused the shadow to jump as her own shadow detached itself from the bottom of her dress and charged at Merlin's shadow. They disappeared between the trees.

"Just one last question, Vivien." said Merlin, using his staff to hold him up.

"Why, of all places, did you hide my staff in the Chamber of Secrets?"

Vivien laughed quietly and shortly.

"My true love, Salazar, knew that I only had a few minutes before I would become the monster that I was. He took the staff from my weak hand and said to me, 'Vivien, my love. Though we may not live this life together, I would have you know that I will always care for you. I will keep this safe for you, so you may return one day and avenge yourself.'"

"How touching." said Merlin. "Now, tell me, did you really love him or did you use him for your power, the same way you used me?"

"How dare you besmirch Salazar?" hissed Vivien. "I loved him with all my heart and it was because of you that I was unable to live my life with him."

"How sad," continued Merlin angrily, "and I suppose it was my fault that you locked me in a cave, leaving yourself to die unhappy?"

Vivien chose not to answer the question. Instead, she began spindling her fingers, forming a ball of purple light in her hands.

"I give you one last chance. Give me the staff."

"I completely refuse, Vivien," said Merlin, puffing up his chest bravely.

"Then die."

She threw the light at Merlin and he fell to the ground easily, dropping the staff. He attempted to rise again, but out of weakness, he couldn't. Harry yelled and ran at the staff but Vivien used her powers to summon it. As soon as it was in her hand, she gave a triumphant yell and sent a red light at Harry. He dodged it and it hit a tree, leaving a huge black spot where the force of the spell had been.

Mark, Ginny and Neville ran forward and picked Merlin up by the arms, dragging him to the side of the clearing and tending to him. Ron and Hermione pulled out their wands and went to Harry.

"We're with you, mate," said Ron, setting his jaw and he looked much like Fred and George before a Quidditch match.

"Give up, boy." said Vivien, holding the staff over her hand and zapping a lightning-shaped spell strait at the three friends. Harry and Ron had to dive one way and Hermione another. Vivien rounded on her.

"Hermione!" Harry and Ron yelled together, but Hermione merely flicked her wand and Vivien was blown off her feet by a whirlwind of leaves and twigs.

"Accio staff!" Harry shouted and the staff pulled itself from her grasp. Vivien fell to the ground several yards away, in a heap. She stood up and screamed, lunging at the staff which was soaring through the air, aiming at Harry. At the shock of nearly everyone, Vivien's hands closed about the staff and Harry's spell was broken.

As soon as Vivien landed, however, staff pointed at Harry, Ron and Hermione, she let out a shriek and dropped the staff. With a sudden blast of light that caused Harry to have to cover his eyes again, he heard a loud bang and tiny splinters began hitting his face and landing in his hair. Uncovering his eyes, he saw a large area in which grass, twigs and leaves had been blown away. The staff, however, was not there. It took a moment for Harry to realize with a shock that the staff had exploded into hundreds of pieces.

Merlin stood over Harry, looking angrier than ever, all childish happiness faded.

"Now, Vivien," he said, "that you and I are matched, no staff to come between who has more power or not, let us fight."

"Glad to do so, old man." said Vivien, preparing herself for battle.

"Ladies first." said Merlin, bowing to Vivien, his hand coming to his chest. Vivien began forming another spell and shot it at Merlin. Merlin held up his hand and stopped the spell with a force field that sent the spell strait back at Vivien. She screamed as she was hit by the spell and it took off her arm, which fell to the ground and disappeared. No blood poured from Vivien's wound as if she was not fully human.

The sight made Hermione have to turn away, hands over her eyes. Ron crawled over to her and she sobbed into his shoulder. Harry stood up, but Merlin turned.

"Get down, Harry!" he said and Harry kneeled down, getting out of the way of a spell that Vivien sent at Merlin. With the agility of a child, Merlin tucked and rolled right past her and stopped when he was behind her, knocking her off of her feet. She jumped up again, just as Merlin did, using her only arm to send spells his way.

However, when Merlin stood, he dodged the latest spells and all was silent for a moment while they stared at each other. Merlin looked near crippled, his face showing the pain that he felt. He seemed to remember his weakness, for he swayed continuously, but had no staff to hold him up. Vivien had blown it up.

"You sadden me, Vivien." breathed Merlin, swaying harder. "I thought I loved you. And now this…"

"It was meant to be, old man," said Vivien, sneering at him, her arm raised, the stump of the other arm still not bleeding and she showed no pain.

"I do not wish to harm you, but you give me no choice…" said Merlin. Vivien cocked her head and stared at Merlin questioningly with her big, green eyes. Merlin leaned back, gathering a huge vortex of different colors and Vivien seemed to know what he was doing, for she screamed as if she could not stop him and began to run from the clearing. As she got to the very edge, Merlin threw the vortex at her and it swept her away. Within the wind of colors, Harry could see her beautiful pallid face begin to deteriorate, just as Frost's hand had done. Then, as if she were melting, her skin parted with her muscles, and they too vanished, leaving nothing but a white skull. Soon, it was reduced to nothing but dust. As the vortex vanished, so did the remainders of Vivien.

Merlin let out a loud groan and Harry rushed forwarded, grabbing him under the arms and laying him down gently on the ground, where he clutched his heart.

It was then that Harry realized that along with Vivien, the last of the plant that could save Merlin had been destroyed.

"Merlin…" Hermione whimpered as they all closed in around the wounded wizard.

"Be silent, my youngling," said Merlin, holding out a hand to her. She took it and he used his other hand to pat the top of hers, "it was obviously meant to be this way."

"But Vivien, Merlin…" said Ron, "…she blew up your staff."

"She did not, Ronald." breathed Merlin and Harry could hear the difficulties he had in doing so. His black eyes closed, blocking out the signs of pain. "I did."

"You? But-- but why?" Harry asked. Merlin reopened his eyes and turned to Harry.

"Again, you have much to learn, lad." he said. "I know my time has come… and if I could… protect you from… Vivien… I could rest all the better. Sometimes… sacrifices must be made for those you care for. Much like your dear mother."

Harry's searching eyes locked on Merlins' at the mention of his mother. Merlin took one hand from on top of Hermione's and placed it on Harry's shoulder bracingly.

"You have been through so much in your life, that I can see… and know. I am glad I was able to be a part of it… for a short time."

"You-- you're not?"

"Yes, Harry… I am dying. I doubt very much that I would have survived even if you had gotten that plant. I am old. I have lived a life longer than my betters. I have seen the world… the future… the past. It is enough for me to have been restored to my body, even for a short time."

There was a sudden rustle from behind them and the six students turned to see what it was. Merlin's shadow flew through over the trees, basking in the light that the moon provided. It came to rest right next to Merlin.

"Hello, old friend." said Merlin. "You were wonderful."

The shadow of the old wizard walked around nobly and Merlin laughed.

"I will miss you."

The shadow turned questioningly.

"Yes, it is my time, old friend."

The shadow's shoulders slouched and everyone else looked dully at the ground.

"But I have a job for you."

The shadow looked up and began signing to Merlin, who laughed, but then grimaced as he clung to his heart.

"Young Harry seems to get himself into a lot of trouble." said Merlin, the childish coming back into his eyes as he winked at Harry, smiling through his matted gray beard. "I want you to look after him, old friend."

Merlin's shadow stared at Merlin for a minute before saluting to him and attaching himself at Harry's feet, completely drowning out Harry's own shadow. Harry moved his right hand and the shadow of the old wizard moved his, wizard hat swaying where Harry had none.

"Now you won't forget me," said Merlin to Harry, "and you'll always have my friend there to help you."

"Th-thanks." said Harry, moving his other hand to watch as Merlin's shadow mimicked him, but waving more enthusiastically. Harry could hear a voice in his head.

Hello. I'm your shadow now.

"It's nice to meet you." said Harry politely to the shadow, and he was sure he sounded odd talking to himself. Merlin laughed.

"You'll find he makes wonderful company, lad. Especially when there's no one else that can understand you… like when you're a Hippogriff."

Harry smiled. He looked up at everyone else and they were staring at Merlin's shadow-- his shadow-- with awe.

"Wicked," Ron muttered under his breath.

"I would give you my staff too, but seeing as I destroyed it, I can't." laughed Merlin, as his hand tightened around his chest. The mirth vanished from his voice and complete seriousness took over. "You will become a wonderful wizard, Harry. I can feel it."

"As good as you?" joked Harry.

"No." laughed Merlin slightly, but then sincerity returned. "Better. Much better. Never doubt yourself."

There was silence as the wind began picking up, rustling the trees.

"All of you," said Merlin, turning to Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Mark, "are wonderful witches and wizards and even better people. Do not lose that strength, for wizardry is only a mere piece of what makes you… yourself-- and what makes you whole… and good. It is your choices in life, not the amount powers you are able to wield, that will show your true wonderful selves."

There were collective murmurs of "thank you" and Merlin lay back, laying his head on a root sticking from the ground and he gasped for breath.

"It is nearly my time…" he choked. "I can feel the heavens pulling apart for me." A tear slid down his wrinkled face as he closed his black eyes. "I will finally be able to ride with Pegasus as I so longed to do as a child."

He opened his eyes once more and looked at Harry.

"I will say hello to Sirius for you." he turned his head to Ron and Ginny. "And your father, Ronald and Ginerva."

Ron nodded as his face paled and Ginny began to cry.

"And now, my friends…" said Merlin, his words slurring as his speech dimmed, "I will say farewell to you. Farewell…"

Another gust of wind approached and Merlin took another breath. He opened his mouth and gave a startled cry and laughed, unaware of the students.

"Ah! …Pegasus…"

And then Merlin's spirit sailed away… possibly on the back of the winged horse…

However, his body remained on earth, right next to the six students.

Merlin… Harry shadow whispered sadly. He, himself, stared at Merlin's open eyes before reaching a hand over and closing them, blocking the lost wisdom from the world.

"What d'you suppose we should do with… him?" said Mark, speaking first.

"Dunno," said Ron. "Maybe we could take it to Dumbledore."

"That'd be proper," said Hermione, picking up the conversation. Then she walked stood and walked to Harry, placing a worried hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright, Harry?" she asked.

Harry didn't answer strait away. Instead, he continued to stare at the wizard who had lived through so much before him.

"Harry?"

"Wha-- oh yeah." said Harry, jerking as he looked up at his friends. "I'm fine. Grand."

"Well, we should really get back to Hogwarts now that there's nothing else we can do. It's nearly four in the morning."

And so it was. When Harry checked his watch, the hand clicked to four o' one. As Harry began to rise, his shadow gave an unexpected leap on the ground, totally detaching itself from his feet.

Wait, Harry! Watch!

"Wait," said Harry as Ron and Neville bent down to pick Merlin up. A mist suddenly appeared and totally shrouded the clearing. Merlin's body began to glow white. He began to lift off the ground and the wind began again. Merlin began to dissolve and each time the wind hit him, be became less and less visible to the eye until nothing was left and the mist peacefully floated away and left the spot where Merlin had lain completely empty save grass that had been pressed down.

A Wizard's Funeral said Harry's shadow and it still possessed Merlin's shape, even after the wizard had completely gone.

"Weird." said Ron.

"Merlin's-- my shadow says it's a… a Wizard's Funeral." said Harry.

"It's what he deserves after what he's been through." said Hermione. "I mean… he'd lived so long and seen so much."

"Let's go," said Harry walking to one of the splintered pieces of Merlin's staff and picking it up. He pocketed it right next to his wand, "before the Centaurs wonder what all the racket is."

"Or before Grawp decides he wants to see what's going on." said Ron, shivering.

"So, Harry." said Mark as they began walking in the direction of Hogwarts. "It's cool that Merlin gave you his shadow, eh?"

"Yeah." agreed Harry distantly.

"And you can understand it?"

"Yep."

"Cool!"

"Why'd he blow his staff up?" Neville asked as he tripped over a root.

"He said it was because he wouldn't need it anymore and he wanted to make sure Vivien couldn't get it." said Hermione, pulling Neville up by the arm.

"He said he would say hi to Sirius and… and Dad." whispered Ginny. "D'you really think he will?"

"'Course he will, Ginny." said Ron. "He's not one to break his promise."

"I'll miss him, though," said Mark. "He was really cool."

Harry was silent for the rest of the time, walking with his head down to avoid low branches with his hands in his pockets, one clenched on the piece of Merlin's staff. He listened to the others talk about the recent events, but his mind was lost in thought. Merlin said he would be a great Wizard. And he seemed so serious about it. But how was he great if he could never save anyone? Cedric… Sirius… and now Merlin. How could he possibly be great?

Do not doubt yourself… his shadow reminded Harry of what Merlin had said.

And Harry smiled.

--L--

Yay! No cliffhanger or anything! This only took me one day to write. However, whenever I spend a day writing, I lock myself in my room and write for hours, so my day's gone, but it was worth it. I'm sorry about Merlin! I just thought it was his time. I mean, he was nearly 1,000 years old, if not older (I think he was, but I'm too lazy to look up his birth date right now)! I just hope his passing was realistic. Next update date will be… Wednesday, July 6th! Actually a bit sooner than I'd planned to be finished!

For those who have been not enjoying some of the things I've been writing about, I am extremely sorry you feel that way, but I liked all the ideas I had that you did not find particularly to your own liking. Once again, I'm sorry, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. (I love cookies!) Need I remind those who are not enjoying my story that you may leave at any time: )

Due to a new rule that this website has, I am not allowed to leave replies to reviews :sobs:. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY wish I could, but if I do, I'll get banned and I don't want to be banned when I only have one chapter left to write! I just thought I'd let you know that all of your reviews were read, carefully considered (for those who had ideas or complaints), and hugely loved and appreciated. Whether you reviewed because you liked it or not, it's a review nonetheless and reviews make me happy! Thanks again and don't be afraid to send more reviews as long as they're not… :too: mean! Lol! Luv you all! Hugs: )

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ONE CHAPTER LEFT! AND NEARLY 900 REVIEWS! ALMOST THERE!

And for those Americans reading this story, have a wonderful 4th of July!

May broomsticks be in your dreams!

Luv,

Legolas-gurl88

Next time: It's just a closure, so it's about random stuff. Should be interesting… I hope.