Chapter 8: Fate's gift

Ginny rushed out of her dorm to avoid the "Chatties." That was the nickname she gave the three girls she shared her dorm with. All they did was talk, and gossip, and talk some more. As she was stuck with them for the entire duration of her Hogwarts education, she'd have to learn how to tolerate them eventually, but today was the first day of school. It was game day.

When she arrived at the Great Hall, she realized that she had to be strategic in her seating choices. If she picked an empty part of the table, the Chatties would sit next to her. No, she had to sit somewhere among others, preferably boys. She'd had enough of girl voices this morning.

She scanned the faces of Gryffindor students, recognizing only her brothers: Fred, George, Percy, and Ron, and next to him—Harry Potter. Her cheeks got hot just thinking about sitting so close to Harry. She steered far from them and drifted towards Colin Creevey.

Ginny introduced herself to his roommate, Merlin, an odd boy who wore a scarf to breakfast.

"There are so many students," Merlin murmured, glancing around, silently counting.

Colin had a camera strapped around his neck and was bouncing in his seat, taking it in his hands and then putting it down again like he was aching to use it.

"Do you think now is a good time?" he asked them both. "Because I was really hoping to do it today. Because it's the first day and that's special. There's only one first day of school. Unless you count all seven years. But today is the first day of the first year and… Should I?"

Merlin just shrugged, spinning his scarf like a fan.

Colin must have understood that as approval and ran over to snap a candid picture of Harry. Harry blinked after the flash blinded him and looked at Colin, stunned at first, and then a little annoyed. Ginny had a sudden urge to hit the small boy in the back of the head to teach him a lesson about taking people's pictures without their permission. Harry deserved better than that.

Colin came back, grinning wide, clutching his camera with adoration.

"I just love taking pictures of interesting things," he said, "or people. Harry is the only famous wizard I know and it's hard to believe he's only a year older than me. Isn't it an exciting time to be at Hogwarts? And I just know..."

Colin didn't finish but aimed his camera at the white-haired boy that had approached them.

"Could you not?" the boy said, shielding himself from the flash. "Ah, that was painfully bright."

"Sorry, Jack." Colin did not look sorry at all. "It's just everyone is talking about you and your sister so I wanted a keepsake. Did you notice that you look as if you were identical twins? But you're not, of course, since she's a girl. Can I take a picture of the two of you later? And I want to show your picture to mom and dad to prove that you really have white hair and not just blond. I've never seen anything like it. No wonder everyone is talking about you two. It's so cool though! I wish my hair was that cool and not this boring mousy brown. Is white a common hair color among wizards?"

Ginny had to agree that she had never seen hair like that on anyone apart from elderly people. She had a quick glance at Professor Dumbledore who was chatting away at the staff table and compared his long white beard to Jack's head. No, it wasn't the same. Jack's hair had a healthy luster to it which old people's hair lacked.

"I don't know," Jack said, avoiding Colin's stare. His frown was quickly forgotten at the sight of the food that appeared on the table.

Ginny answered for him, "No, Colin. It's not common." Then, she turned to Jack. "I'm Ginny, by the way."

He smiled and nodded in response but didn't say anything as his mouth was full already.

Thankfully, the food curbed even Colin's excessive enthusiasm, and the rest of the breakfast passed quietly. Ginny felt comfortable in their company. She grew up with six brothers and knew well that food was the best way to shut up a boy.

She had her fill and snuck a glance in Harry's direction. His colorful arrival to school in a flying car gained him some extra fans along with new haters, and he didn't seem happy with the extra attention.

From the Slytherin table at the far end of the hall, a pale-haired boy was shooting him a death glare. It was that Malfoy boy who started the trouble in the bookstore by calling Ginny Harry's girlfriend. That was a whole new level of embarrassment, but Harry acted all chivalrous, defending her. He was amazing.

She glanced at her company and caught Merlin eyeing Harry.

"Do you want Harry's picture as well?" she teased.

Merlin knocked over his drink, which spilled all over his food. "I… uh… I was just wondering what it was like to fly a car."

"Is the car still here?" Colin jumped at the cue. "I would love to take a picture of it. Oh, if Harry could pose for a picture with the flying car, that would be the best photo ever!"

"Already been taken," George cut in, passing by them.

Fred dropped a copy of the Daily Prophet on their table. The newspaper front page was decorated with a picture of a car flying over London. Each twin put a hand on Ginny's shoulder and leaned in.

"How are you doing Ginny? These boys giving you any trouble yet?" George asked, and she could feel herself go beet-red. Why did they have to act like this?

"You treat our little sister well, boys," Fred warned, pointing a finger at Merlin, Colin, and Jack. "She's got four big brothers looking out for her."

Ginny wanted to sink into the ground. This was beyond embarrassing.

"No one is giving me any trouble," she said through gritted teeth. "Unless you count these two annoying red-heads."

Merlin snorted, and a piece of food shot out of his mouth right onto Colin's forehead.

"Our little sister is feisty," Fred said with a smile.

"Remember that," George added, and they finally left her to go about their business.

Ginny promptly changed topics, directing her question towards Jack. "Do you and your sister finish each other's sentences as my annoying brothers do?"

Jack shrugged and swallowed his food. "No, but we know each other well enough to know what the other is thinking."

"Really?" Colin was unsurprisingly excited to hear that. "Like telepathy? What is she thinking right now?"

Jack glanced at the Ravenclaw table, and his sister soon turned around to lock gazes with him. It was peculiar that she knew exactly at which moment to look. She smiled, and he winked at her.

"She's having fun with her new classmates," Jack answered. "She's making friends. Everything is going well."

"It doesn't take telepathy to figure that out," Ginny said, rolling her eyes.

Jack shrugged, "Real telepathy would be cool though." Then, he looked kindly at Ginny, all focus on her. "Don't get mad at your brothers for feeling protective of you."

Ginny nodded and felt herself blush again. Not knowing what to say, she grabbed her things and excused herself. She'd had enough of everyone's attention for the day. It was time to get going to the first classes anyway.

》《

A lot had changed since Merlin had attended Hogwarts as a student, aged down the same way as now. That was a millennium ago when the school had just been founded and wand magic was the new trend. Since then, the castle had sprouted new towers and expansions. Indoor plumbing was by far the best improvement. One of the first wand spells he had learned here back then was a chamber pot cleaning charm. He did not miss that part of the old times.

He had a good chuckle as he passed by a portrait of himself hanging by the grand staircase. Whenever anyone thought of the Great Merlin, they pictured him like this, old and wise. It was a shame that the portrait had been replicated so many times. This was his favorite disguise.

The older version of him winked from the canvas in greeting, running a hand down his frizzy white beard. Merlin adjusted his red and gold Gryffindor scarf, and the portrait-Merlin did the same with his blue scarf as if it was a mirror. This joke never got old.

Merlin left the older him, laughing on his way down. He didn't try to contain his grin even when a few passing students looked at him funny. He tripped at the bottom stair and cursed quietly his uncoordinated eleven-year-old body. Oh, who was he kidding. He never truly grew out of that problem.

He arrived at the History of Magic class and promptly spotted Jack's white head among the rest of the students. The boy never explained where he disappeared to this morning. Was it normal for kids this age to wake before the sunrise?

Jack took a seat at the end of the classroom right in the corner, and Merlin trod over.

"Do you mind?" he asked innocently, eyeing the chair Jack left his bookbag on.

The boy shook his white head and made space for Merlin.

"I don't know anyone here but you," Merlin said, sitting down.

"Yeah, I…" Jack blanched, seeing the ghost that entered the room through the blackboard. He swallowed profusely and shrank down in his seat.

"Are you afraid of ghosts?" Merlin asked.

"Something like that."

The ghost introduced himself as Professor Binns and began reciting a lecture about the historical significance of Gargoyle unions.

"Are all teachers in here ghosts?" Jack whispered. "They're everywhere."

He was right. Hogwarts was the most haunted establishment of all the British isles, but spirits posed no threat to people.

"Uh, I don't think so," Merlin chuckled. "They're just spirits. They're barely even here. So, why are you afraid of ghosts? Any bad previous encounters?"

"They disturb me," Jack said plainly. "Unnatural. They shouldn't be."

Merlin hoped to continue the intriguing conversation, but Jack ducked his head, pretending to read their textbook. Soon enough Binns' monotone drawl put him to sleep along with most of the class. Merlin supported his chin with his hand while his eyes got droopy. Why did he agree to this torture? Really, any activity would be more interesting than this.

He glanced over at Jack, sprawled on the desk, his fingers twitching like he was dreaming. His magic pulsed in a steady flow like a calm autumn breeze. Was it his potential power or had it been honed to this level? The boy didn't look dangerous, but looks could be deceiving. Merlin was walking proof of that.

He still had not had a chance to talk to Harry Potter. Playing the role of a younger student, he didn't share classes or the dorm with him. Considering how Harry constantly attempted to hide from attention, getting close to him would require a significant effort. Or good timing. As Dumbledore warned, Harry brought only his two closest friends to his escapades. Merlin had to become that friend number three.

When the class ended, Merlin nudged Jack awake, and the boy abruptly sat up straight, eyes wide, breathing heavily.

"Sorry to startle you," Merlin grimaced. "The class is over."

Jack looked around him, disoriented, and once he saw everyone get up, he exhaled with relief.

"Thank the Moon," he said and swiftly left, avoiding eye contact with the ghost still hovering behind his desk.

'Who says Thank the Moon?' Merlin thought.

He added the odd expression to the list of curious things about the boy.

They made their way to the Potions class, all the way down in the dungeons. Their professor, Severus Snape, sauntered into the room and gave them a lengthy introduction, making it very clear that he expected each of them to fail his sacred class.

"He looks a tad like a vampire, doesn't he?" Jack whispered out of nowhere, making Merlin snort loudly.

Professor Snape paused his speech and looked at the two of them intensely. Merlin covered his mouth to stifle a sudden giggle attack. The stony look on the wizard's pale face, framed by the shoulder-length black hair looked so accurately vampire-like that Merlin fully expected bloody fangs to drop out of his mouth.

While Snape glared at the two of them, the class became so quiet as if everyone held their breaths. Jack looked down at the quill in his trembling hand. Merlin finally calmed down and observed how well Snape controlled his students. He had to give it to him, he knew how to strike fear without even saying anything.

Snape took one calculated step towards them and emphasized each word, "Would you care to share the... joke with the whole class so we can all... laugh?"

Merlin was tempted to repeat the wizard's ridiculous introductory speech in response, but snarky remarks would likely not help the situation.

Next to him, Jack lifted his head to look at their Professor. "No, Professor. I'm not even funny," the boy said. "I apologize for the interruption."

After another intense sneering silence, Snape said, "Pity. Five points from Gryffindor," and turned away, swinging his black robes with dramatical flair, "each."

"I get in trouble every time I open my mouth," Jack whispered and shook his head in resignation.

"I thought you handled it well," Merlin said, but Jack didn't look convinced.

This class passed quicker than the previous, as a wave of nostalgia hit Merlin at the memory of his old mentor. He had learned the art of potion-making from Gaius himself, who was considered the grandfather of all potion masters. What would Gaius think of modern potioneers?

Merlin started to notice a pattern in Snape's interactions with the class. He was supportive and helpful to the Slytherin students, who attended the lesson with them, but critical of Gryffindors.

So, the old rivalry existed to this day. Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor were great wizards of their time, but the not-so-secret animosity they felt towards each other had leaked into their students' attitudes. Merlin had hoped that such petty differences would have been resolved with time, but a millennium later the two Houses still hated each other.

After a lunch break, they had Herbology with the Ravenclaws, and Jack broke off from him to talk to his sister, which left Merlin with Colin. Colin was fascinated by the magical plants in the greenhouse and went on a long-winded tale of how each one reminded him of a different sci-fi movie. Merlin tuned the boy out and wandered around the greenhouse, recognizing each of the plants inside. He was still waiting to encounter a subject where he could learn something new.

When Professor Sprout turned around to pick up some supplies, Merlin spotted Jack playing with a venomous tentacula. Did he know that it well deserved its name? The plant was following the boy's pale finger as he kept it constantly out of its grasp. Jack giggled at the plant's unsuccessful attempts to catch him but failed to notice that it snuck up from behind and grabbed his other hand. Jack went wide-eyed with shock as the vine wrapped around his wrist and the thorns pierced his skin.

Merlin was about to run to his rescue, but Elsa got to her brother first. She held her hand above the vine, and the plant froze under her touch. Jack pulled, and the plant shattered. Elsa hovered her hand over his bloodied wrist. When she let go, Jack's skin was clear of all wounds.

"Thanks, sis," Jack said, rubbing his wrist.

"Be careful in the future," she said and turned her back on him to listen to Professor Sprout's lecture.

Throughout all of this, she did not pull out her wand.

The magical loneliness Merlin had been ignoring bubbled up to the surface.

"They know Old Religion," he whispered to himself as his heart constricted.

Even when surrounded by wizards, he was alone in this world. The beliefs and the craft of Old Religion had faded into ancient history no one but him remembered. He had tried to teach others how to use magic the way he practiced it, but very few had the special ability. The popularity of wand magic made them even harder to find now.

Jack shook his finger at the venomous tentacula and only then noticed that Merlin was watching him. He pointed at the plant and warned, "Watch out for this one. Don't let it grab you."

Merlin felt an unexplainable urge to give the boy a hug, but for now, he had to settle for a smile from a distance. Fate had a way of bringing him things he didn't know he needed. Now, fate brought him a kin soul. He wasn't alone.

The rest of the day passed in a daze as Merlin couldn't focus on anything else. He was so glad that he accepted Dumbledore's invitation, he was ready to sit through whatever boring classes were in store for him.

But good fate had more luck for him back in the Gryffindor common room, where he found Harry Potter reading a book, uncharacteristically alone. Merlin sat across from him, promptly joined by Jack who plopped down next to him with a groan as if he was mortally wounded.

Jack exhaled dramatically. "I'm bored. What do you do for fun here?"

"We play Quidditch," Harry replied, looking up from the book.

"What's that?"

"It's a game played in the air," Harry answered. "We fly on brooms and try to get balls through hoops while Bludgers try to knock us off. And I'm the Seeker, which means I look for the Golden Snitch, a tiny ball, nearly impossible to see. The game will not end until it's caught."

"You fly on brooms?" Jack instantly perked up. "That sounds awesome. When can I play?"

"Well, first-years usually don't get to be on the team, but Madam Hooch will be giving you flying lessons soon."

From there, Merlin took the cue to keep the conversation on Quidditch, which Harry was happy to talk about. Merlin had never played the game, but he had seen a few matches and was familiar with it enough to hold a proper discussion on the topic. He was glad he found some common ground to engage in with the boy. It was peculiar that Jack, being pure-blood, wasn't familiar with the most popular wizarding sport.

They were exchanging Snape horror stories, Harry particularly liked the vampire comparison, when they were joined by Colin, who immediately asked Harry if he would pose for more photographs. This prompted Harry to leave under the excuse of having a load of homework.

"Harry is so cool," Colin said, bouncing on his couch cushion. "He was so good at flying that they put him on the team in his first year. As a Seeker! I hear that is the hardest role. They had not done that in like a hundred years. Can you imagine? He was THAT good. I can't wait to watch him play for the first time. I'll bring my camera. I've never seen Quidditch before. How violent do you think this game gets? I heard that Bludgers hit really hard. Should we be worried about Harry?"

"Most injuries can be healed with a spell," Merlin said, thinking about what he witnessed in the greenhouse today. Elsa used a remarkable healing spell. Jack didn't look affected by the plant's poison at all.

Jack jumped to crouch barefoot on the back of the sofa. "Merlin, we have got to do something fun. I'm dying here."

"You've been here only one day. You're dying already?"

"You saw what our classes were like. BORING! I can't be cooped up in one place for this long. I need to… do something."

Colin stood up, mouth open, eyes wide. "We could explore the castle!"

"Let's go!" Jack said, jumping off the sofa and heading for the door.

Merlin followed them and pointed out, "You forgot your shoes."

"No, I didn't," Jack said, wiggling his bare toes happily.

A/N: To Mericate: Good memory with the lion scene! I took that out long long long ago because I felt that it made Jack a little too skilled so early in the story. I hope to be able to reuse it somewhere else.