The first thing Harry noticed as he woke was that he didn't hurt. He felt surprisingly, good. The second thing was the hand carding through his hair. Basking in the warm feeling it gave him, he slowly opened his eyes. An unfamiliar room filled his sight and a small sense of panic started building.
"Shh, beag amháin. You're fine, I am here." Verdant eyes snapped to a raven-haired woman seated beside him. As his mind fully awoke the realization of where he was set in. He had already met with the founders, his ancestors, and as Helga said- here was another person he was descended from. His Occlumency, gifted by Rowena, had ordered a few things while he slept. There was still a great deal left to do, but his mind felt clearer than it had in ages. Even with the new additions. His shock must have shown on his face because the woman chuckled and ran her hand through his hair once more.
"Hello beag amháin, I've waited a long time to meet the one worth of being my heir." Harry sat up and opened his mouth, but she shushed him. A wave conjured a cozy looking love seat that she gracefully sat on. Another gesture brought tea and biscuits into existence while she patted the seat next to her. Slowly he sat and took the offered cup. "My name is Morgana Myriaden Emrys."
"What? Are you a descendant of Morgana and Merlin? Why is your name some weird combination of both?" A gasp escaped him. "Are you some sort of crazy love-child they had?!"Harry couldn't stop himself from shouting and pointing. He caught himself and apologized- realizing how much like Dudley he was currently acting, and shuddering at the thought. Morgana just laughed and waved him off.
"I am Merlin, but I am also Morgana. Wizard and Muggle historians alike, have skewered everything that happened in Camelot beyond recognition. I was born Morgana Myriaden Emrys and was raised to become the King's Consort. It was an honor to be chosen by Magic herself to be the King of Camelot's Consort. Of course, I had no idea at the time I was chosen of whom the king would be. Just about the only true thing left of my life is that King Arthur did pull Excalibur from the Stone."
"Excalibur is REAL?!" Harry's mind spun, obviously he had learned years ago that Merlin was a real person but had never thought to put much stock in all the stories about him and King Arthur. Another laugh rang through the room as Morgana shook her head at him.
"Yes, beag amháin Excalibur is a real sword. It is Magic's weapon of choice. It appears whenever Magic herself deems it needed. Once the sword appears a Consort will be born with the sign marking them as the one to stand by the future king's side. When it was discovered I bore the mark, I was whisked away to training. You must understand that the Consort's position is not only to ehm, please, the king but to protect him as well. When King Arthur was crowned I approached him and explained everything. We fell in love, and he created the identity of Merlin. I could dress and act as a man to ensure that I was always by his side, but the persona also allowed me access to many places that I would have been denied as a woman. Even being the King's Consort only allowed me so many privileges."
"But what about the stories of Morgana being evil and Merlin defeating her?"
"Ah, well that just seems to have been something historians gravely twisted over time. They seemed to have connected Morgana and Merlin together but had no clue to the real story so one was simply made up. Someone decided that Merlin, as Arthur's faithful wizard would have found his Consort to be evil in some way. I do not really understand how my life could have become portrayed that way, but such is the way of a double life." Her eyes showed no emotion as she shrugged it off. "Either way, my name is still revered and adored, even if it is the wrong one." She laughed once more before setting down her now empty cup and turning towards him.
"It matters not of my life back then, what matters is your life now. I set very strict guidelines into finding an heir of mine, which is why no one has claimed to be such. One thing you must know first is that any heir of mine, is also Arthur's heir." At this she gave him a pointed look. Harry blinked, blinked again, tilted his head, then his eyes widened.
"Wait! So, I'm not only your heir, but the heir to the King of Camelot! I don't want to be a king! There must be some mistake. I'm just Harry!" Morgana burst into giggles while he just stared at her in shock. It took a few minutes before he understood that he had repeated the same words he said to Hagrid when he informed him of his magic. Harry laughed with her as well, before the laughs turned into sobs. Warm arms wrapped around him offering comfort and support as he wept.
"Shh, beag ahmáin. It's ok, everything's fine. Shh." As his tears slowed to a stop she turned him to face her. "I'm sorry that this has become your burden to bear, but it is true. I would not be meeting you here if Magic had not placed Excalibur back into the mortal realm to wait for you. Once you find it, you will be crowned King, and no one will be able to deny you your right. Your Consort is out there somewhere being trained to stand by your side. You might have already met them, or not. They will not be known to anyone but the trainers as the King's Consort until you find Excalibur. Only then will they be revealed to you.
"Being Arthur's heir offers only riches and the crown, no magical talent lies with his inheritance. As my heir however, I offer you the one thing that helped me the most in keeping Merlin known as a separate identity to myself. I bestow you with the gift of the Shapeshifting. Shapeshifting is the forbearer to what you know as Animagi and Metamorphi. If one is a Metamorphagus they cannot assume animal shapes, same as an Animagus cannot change their human appearances only into the form of an animal. Shapeshifting is the original ability that allows any transformation, to another human shape, or into an animal. It does not limit you to one animal form either. You will be able to shift into any animal. The main restriction upon this talent is you have to first lay a hand on the creature before you can assume their form. Your Empathy abilities will come in handy with that.
I am also gifting you with the ability to cast Druidic spells. They are different to the magic you know for two main reasons. First, all Druidic spells have long been lost to the world. The main reason for this is because all Druidic spells are not short words, but long incantations. Not one or two words like you cast magic with now. Also, the power needed to complete the spells requires a longer build-up, which is the main reason for the longer incantation. This means the spells are much stronger, but it is not always beneficial due to the casting time. You must learn when it is best to use which types of spells.
When you wake you will have all my knowledge and a small boost to your already powerful core. I wish I could stay around and instruct you properly, but this is the only time we shall meet. Somewhere in my vaults there are two portraits, one of me and one of me in disguise, please find them. I should think that the future king should have the portraits of the previous Consort and Merlin himself. Also search for my journals, they will help you in practicing and honing your new skills. My portraits should help you as well."
She stood and enveloped him in a warm hug, before holding him at arm's length. She studied his face carefully. "I wish I could stay with you and explain things better, but I must go now beag amháin. It is not my place to do more than bestow my gifts and explain why you are my heir. I can already feel Magic pulling my soul back from this limbo we are in. Any more questions you have will have to be directed to my paintings. I love you, and I shall watch over you always." With a small kiss to his forehead Morgana vanished.
Harry sat, frozen in shock. This was way more than what he had been expecting, he was not sure if maybe he was still dreaming. Maybe when his name had been called he had fainted and not woken yet. Or maybe he did go through the ritual at Gringotts, but his mind snapped under the pressure. Slowly he came to his senses and realized that even in his wildest of dreams he wouldn't have thought up all this. He poured himself a cup of tea and drank while his subconcious finished organizing the new influx of information from Morgana. MERLIN!
He felt a sharp pain in his head and spun around, eyes scanning the room. Another stab of pain jolted him to his feet where he circled, warily. Once more the pain flared, and he closed his eyes, gritting his teeth. When they opened he saw a sharp crooked nose hovering above him. A vicious grin spread across Griphook's face when Harry blinked up at him.
"Welcome back, Lord Emrys-Hufflepuff-Gryffindor-Ravenclaw-Slytherin-Potter-Black." The scarred goblin offered him a short bow, before helping him to his feet. "We have much to discuss, but I will allow you to cleanse yourself of the ritual ink and dress. Ripknot will escort you to the bathing chambers and I will await your return Lord Emrys-Gryffindor-Ravenclaw-Slytherin-Potter-Black." A shorter goblin opened the door and gestured a stumbling Harry through while Griphook sat, fingers folded, eyes roaming the pages of Harry's estate spread out before him. If it was possible, an even more vicious smile spread on his face.