Merlin could really get used to eating like this. The great hall was alight with chatter and laughter everyone seemed in a good mood and Merlin had forgotten about his misgivings, enjoying the calmness of Hogwarts life.

The twins were keeping Umbridge busy and Harry had lightened up a lot since starting the DA. Neville was improving exponentially in his magic and all seemed well.

Merlin should have known better, it was the calm before the storm.

Morgana stalked past the gates easily breaking through the barriers as if they were mere annoyances. She dragged her hand along the stone walls, both familiar and foreign to her. These halls how long had it been since she had last walked them… she smiled. It was no matter soon this place would belong to her just as it was always meant to.

And there would be no one to stand in her way.

Dumbledore stiffened as he felt his wards and spells being broken. Could it be Voldemort? NO impossible how could he be breaking through so quickly. Dumbledore had to work fast the students were in danger. He quickly whispered some magic drawing out his wand. He looked at Minerva and Snape sending them a warning. The two teachers had their wands out in an instant.

Dumbledore didn't want to throw the students into chaos but he needed to get them out. He stood along with the teachers all now weary of the danger and alert. All except Umbridge who looked confused.

"Excuse me, what is going on?" She sniffed

No one answered her as the great hall began to shake. All the students looked around confused. Plates and glasses clattered to the floor. Candles fell from their enchantment hitting the table. One hit Neville square on the head.

Merlin felt the magic and gasped. "No" How could he not have noticed until she was this close. He cursed himself for letting his guard down.

"What's happening" Ron shouted

"I don't know" Hermione yelled back. Harry whipped out his wand.

Merlin was about to use a spell of his own but before he could move Dumbledore was shouting. The old man waved his wand and the shaking stopped.

The great hall was shrouded in silence until "What did you do, what is happening!" Umbridge yelled her screeching voice making people wince.

"Oh do shut up" A woman's voice rang out. There at the end of the room in front of the two grand doors stood a beautiful woman. She had pale skin and dark hair, and was dressed in a black gown. Her gaze was cold and piercing.

She held up her hand at Umbridge, who began to choke her hands coming to lie on her neck as she struggled to breathe. Dumbledore aimed his wand at her and with a flick she had collapsed pulling in breath after breath.

"Impressive, but not nearly enough to stop me old man." Morgana glared

"Who are you?" Dumbledore asked voice booming.

"Morgana Le Fay. Rightful queen of Camelot."

There where whispers and gasps.

Dumbledore observed the woman in front of him; could what she say be true? He did not want to believe it Morgana was a dark sorceress of old. She could not be alive and yet… her magic was like nothing he had ever felt. She seemed almost ancient in her power, this raw magical energy.

"That's not possible" Hermione said

"I've got her chocolate frog card. She looks nothing like the picture." Ron commented

"She's supposed to be dead!" Hermione shot back.

Merlin stared. He was afraid for the lives of everyone around him, but also in some strange sense relieved. He knew she was alive but it was so different seeing her there. Merlin drank in the site of her. She looked not a day older than when he had killed her so long ago. Merlin hated himself for his conflicting feelings but he could not help it. He had been alone for so long. His past long forgotten until now. Morgana was both a breath of fresh air and a poisonous wind.

"Impossible" Minerva whispered. Morgana didn't spare her a glance her eyes on Dumbledore. The man had real power but it could not stop her.

"What do you want with Hogwarts" He could not fight with her here amidst the students. He had to stall her keep her talking. He had sent his patronus out with a message to the order when the great hall had begun to shake. Hopefully they would get here soon.

"Were you not listening, I'm here to take back what's mine" She spread her arms wide "Camelot"

"This isn't…" Minerva started

"You idiots; do you not even know where you live. This place, these hallowed halls were once home to a great kingdom. Camelot. This room, and where you sit so idly, that throne" Morgan pointed at Dumbledore "A throne that belongs to me."

"It doesn't belong to you!" Merlin was shouting before he could stop himself. The anger that had boiled in him at those words could not be held back. His pleasure at seeing someone familiar gone. He could not afford to show mercy. Morgana would not hesitate to kill those who stood in her way. "It will never belong to you, the one and true ruler of Camelot is Arthur!"

"Lance!" Hermione gasped as Merlin stood glaring at Morgana.

Morgana was frozen in place face pale. "It cannot be. You're supposed to be dead!"

Everyone in the hall was confused. How did Lance know Morgana?

"I'm sorry to disappoint you"

"You will not stop me" She moved her hand eyes flashing a wave of magic rushed at Merlin.

Dumbledore waved his wand but he could not stop the spell. It was so strong full of hatred.

Merlin held up his hand his own eyes turning gold and the magic dissipated. Merlin breathed out harshly. He had not used such strong magic in a long time. If it came down to a fight he was not sure he could win.

The golden trio watched in awe. Lance was not who he seemed to be. They might have been angry that they had been deceived but he seemed to be on their side at least.

"HOW?"

"I'm like you once were Morgana. I cannot be killed but with one weapon."

"You've been alive all this time?"

Merlin did not answer he just watched her warily but Morgana could see the answer in his eyes they held such sadness; eyes that had seen too much time. She might have pitied him if she didn't hate him so much.

"You don't have to do this Morgana. Camelot is no more; there is no kingdom to rule!"

"There is an entire world to rule Merlin."

Another round of gasps. Everyone's eyes went back and forth.

Dumbledore was startled once more. He stared at Lance, the boy, the enigma. It seemed impossible everything they knew all that was written in history was being undone in front of their eyes.

"I pity you Morgana to be so lost in your hatred that you cannot see that the world has changed; there is reason to fight anymore."

"No reason! You're pathetic Merlin. There will be war, and you are on the losing side." Her eyes flashed and she was gone.

Merlin felt as though he could collapse. He had been running from his past for so long and now with every eye on him he could run no longer. He had to face it head on.