Harry woke up to the now familiar sights and sounds of the Hospital Wing. He looked around and saw Cho asleep in a chair next to him, her head drooping. Damon Chang stood next to his little sister sizing up Harry, and Madam Pomfrey was talking heatedly with Professor Dumbledore, the real Mad-eye Moody, and Snape. As Harry sat up to get a better look, the group of Teachers and aurors noticed him.
"Tut. Tut. Mr. Potter are you trying to break the record of most time spent in the Hospital Wing?" asked Madam Pomfrey as she forced a potion into his hand. "Drink."
As Harry did as he was told he couldn't help but noticed the expressions on the faces of the people surrounding him, Apart from Cho and Madam Pomfrey the rest of them looked at him as if they were staring at a wild wolf waiting to pounce.
"Professor, what's going on?" asked Harry nervously.
"Don't start, Potter. If you are Potter." Growled Mad-eye as he raised his wand threateningly.
With all the commotion Cho woke up and saw Mad-eye pointing a wand at Harry, and acting on reflex drew her wand and shouted, "Expelliarmus!" Everyone stared in amazement as the fifth year Ravelclaw disarmed Mad-eye Moody, the considered the best auror in the world. Moody looked down to his empty hand then up to Cho, a look of utter amazement written on his face.
"Miss Chang, have you ever thought of becoming an auror?" asked Moody.
"Oh! I'm so sorry… I didn't mean- Professor…" whispered Cho as her face flushed with embarrassment before she sat down with her face in her hands.
"Don't! That was a ruddy good Expelliarmus, I'm glad that imposter got one thing right, constant Vigilance!" growled Moody before he turned back to Harry."Now where were we, Potter?"
"You were asking me if really am myself, my patronus is a stag, Sirus Black is my godfather, he also did not kill Peter Pettigrew, Peter betrayed my parents, my phoenix feather is from Fawkes." Said Harry as he crossed his arms.
"Well?" growled Moody as he turned to Dumbledore, Dumbledore studied Harry for a second before nodding.
"Well now that we know you really are you, you got some damn explaining to do Potter. Where'd you learn that spell?" threatened Moody.
"Aduro Incendia?" asked Harry.
"That's the one."
"Harry we need to know where you learned that spell, it is of the utmost importance." Said Dumbledore gently.
Harry was torn, he really wanted to tell the group that a voice in his head was telling him these things. On the other hand he didn't want Cho to think he was utterly insane.
"Tell Madam Pomfrey to leave, and Damon Chang if you want but the rest can stay."
"You sure?" asked Harry.
"It's time I revealed myself."
"Madam Pomfrey, can you please wait outside?" whispered Harry as sweat rolled down his neck. She glared at him for a moment before sighing as leaving.
"Cho, If you and your brother would prefer to leave…"
"Don't be silly Harry, I've sat here for almost three days I'm not going to leave when you just woke up." Said Cho as her brow furrowed.
"She's right Harry, it's the least you could do for her." Said a new voice in the room.
Dumbledore, Moody, and Snape whirled around and fired jets of light from their wands towards the intruder. To everyone's shock the man deflected all three bolts of light without much effort. Harry gawped as Dumbledore spell was knocked aside carelessly.
"Albus from what I have heard about you I was really expecting better." Said the man, he had short satin blond hair that seemed windblown, his face was very handsome, not marred by any facial disturbances. His golden eyes twinkled, he was wearing a gold dragonskin jacket. He pulled out a wand and twirled it around.
"Well now the introductions for lack of a better word are over, I taught Harry that spell."
"Who are you?" spat Snape menacingly.
"Careful Snape, best not to talk to your betters that way." Said the man with a raised eyebrow. Snape raised his wand threateningly before Dumbledore motioned for him to stop.
"Severus, that was not a very reasonable greeting. However, you have entered Hogwarts uninvited, a feat I had not believed possible. Who are you?" asked Dumbledore.
"Well, I'm surprised that you haven't figured it out yet Albus, I mean you have so many statues of me around you school, it's quite an honor and an ego boost at the same time." Said the man with a small smile.
At his words Cho let out a small gasp. "I've seen your statue in the Ravenclaw common room! You- You're Merlin."
"Delighted to make your acquaintance Miss Chang." Said Merlin with a small bow.
"You are THE Merlin, Merlin the Great?" whispered Snape, his face ghost white.
"Sorry about that Severus, no hard feelings?" said Merlin as he offered his hand to Snape.
"It is truly an honor Merlin, but may I ask why you look so young." Asked Dumbledore.
Merlin's bright eyes dimed as he muttered, "I would prefer not to speak about it Albus, it's quite shameful really."
"If that is your wish than I will not force the matter."
Merlin turned around and slammed both of his fists into the stone wall before whispering "I was bested." Gasps came from everyone in the room, if someone could beat Merlin the Great in a duel there was truly no hope for anyone else against that person. "To make matters worse, I was beaten by Riddle. He's got my body Albus, he forced my soul out and his soul in, and he's not stopping until we're all dead."
Harry's heart sank, if Merlin wasn't a match for Voldemort how anyone hope to match him. Dumbledore didn't betray any expression but Harry could see the saw fear flicker in his eyes. Moody was focusing his gaze intently on his gnarled staff. Cho and Damon we're sitting there still stunned by the fact that Harry had been learning from Merlin.
"He found the tree where my body was encased as soon as he let me out, I knew who he was and we dueled. It took himself and quite a few of his 'Death Eaters' to overwhelm me. I still can't believe I let such an inexperienced fool beat me." Sighed Merlin as he turned around to face them."But I have spoken too long. Headmaster, I take my leave." Stated Merlin matter-of-factly before he faded into mist.
"What has just occurred must not leave the room, is that understood?" said Dumbledore. The others could only nod. "Harry I believe its time you know what Aduro Incendia is. It is ancient magic. That spell you preformed on the pitch today has not been seen since the time of Merlin the Great, the ability to cast it was thought to be long lost. It was part of a group of spells that have only been cast by a unique type of wizard, a type of wizard so unique only one was thought to have existed. This set of spells only works for that of a Redeemed." Said Dumbledore as he stared out of the window down onto Hogwart's Grounds.
"What is a Redeemed?" Harry asked
"They are Wizards who had fallen into darkness, but returned to the light." Whispered Cho, "As you can guess there aren't that many of them."
"So how was I able to cast the spell?" asked Harry.
"Think Harry, what did Voldemort do in order to return? What ingredient did he so desperately need to complete that dark ritual?"
Comprehension slowly dawned on Harry's face. "He used my blood."
"Exactly, by using you blood he solidified the connection between the two of you. Your soul exists in the dark and in the light at the same time. Few know but the Redeemed are the most powerful wizards that have ever walked this world. They draw their strength from both the light and dark the massive energy they wield has only been seen twice in recorded history. Merlin the Great and High King Arthur were the first two Redeemed, there have been no other Redeemed since the two of them. You are the first one in over one thousand and eight hundred years." Stated Dumbledore.
"Don't think about that right now. You have every reason to be happy." Said Damon Chang with a grin on his face. "Welcome to the England Junior National Team."
Harry stared blankly at Damon for a minute before his brain managed to comprehend what he just said. Cho hugged him after she saw he had overcome the sensory overload. "Nice job, dummy." As he pulled Cho closer he mouthed to Damon "What about Cho?" Damon replied without speaking as well "Reserve Seeker." He grinned, things were finally starting to look up.
"Harry, unless you want to smother me can you let go?" said Cho from his chest.
"What? Oh right sorry." Said Harry as he released his arms and blushed.
"Careful Harry, my sister's like a Chinese cougar, only younger. Look she had Cedric completely whipped after a few weeks." Said Damon grinning.
"Gu Gu, How could you say that?" asked an aghast Cho her face was bright crimson as she launched herself at her brother.
"Just warning the boy so he realizes what he's getting into and- AGH!" yelled Damon as Cho jumped him. Harry wished he had the strength to look at what was happening but looking at the expressions of Dumbledore's face, he had a pretty good idea.
"We'll leave you then." Said Dumbledore as he motioned for Snape and Moody to leave.
Harry said into the ceiling "You know Cho, I think you brother is quite terrified of you now."
"Humph, Gu gu you deserve it."
"Mei mei, just giving the boy a chance to run away – OOF!" groaned Damon as Cho punched him again.
"Shut it Harry! He deserves this!" said Cho as she showed her brother no mercy.
"Harry- Ugh! A little OW! Help here?" begged Damon.
Harry sighed as he slid out of the Infirmary bed, just as his feet touched the ground Cho had tackled him to the ground. With a groan Harry realized he'd been set up. Cho was straddling him and pinning his arms over his head with one hand and another hand was twirling her wand dangerously. An innocent smile appeared on her face but the glint in her eyes betrayed her. Damon Chang stood over him apologetically.
"Sorry Harry, but you know what they say, family first. Hope she's not to rough on you." Said Damon with a wave and a grin before leaving the Infirmary. Harry just whimpered.
"Cho… please…" begged Harry, but from the look in her eyes he knew he wasn't going to get off easy.
"Now we fixed your hair last time… Hmm… I think you'd look good with a nose ring." Said Cho as she laughed at the look of pure terror on his face. "Relax Harry, I'm not that bad."
She let go of Harry's arms and laid her head on Harry's chest as she closed her eyes and hugged him. He felt the warmth of her body against him as he brushed some raven black hair off of her face as she smiled. He would never understand what she saw in him, but he was immensely glad all the same. The Infirmary door opened and Madam Pomfrey walked in, stared and turned around muttering, "I'll never understand teenagers…"
Harry and Cho took one look at each other before laughing, and as Harry held Cho tightly he couldn't think of anything that would make this moment better. He was going to play for England, he was dating the girl of his dreams. For once it seemed like he could forget about Voldemort, the Triwizard Tournament and simply be content.