The first day of term had finally arrived. Remus had been busy getting his class ready and had little time for the group of travelers, who had worries of their own. "Today is when we meet everyone. I don't know why I'm so nervous. I should be used to this by now." Arthur said as he paced in front of the fire place.
"It will be fine Arthur; there is nothing to worry about." Gwen assured. She and the others sat on the furniture, watching as Arthur paced.
"Arthur, sit down before you wear a hole in the carpet. Everything is going to be fine Princess, wouldn't want to make an even bigger fool of yourself with all of this worrying." Gwaine smirked. All he received in reply was a steely glare from the Prince, which was easily brushed off.
"Don't glare Arthur," Merlin scolded, "All we are doing is having dinner. Remus even said that we could sit by him. We will be fine."
"Yeah, but what if we get asked questions we don't know the answers to?" Arthur asked, "What if we are not welcome?"
"Arthur, we are welcome by Dumbledore and Remus, frankly, that's all that should matter." Merlin replied.
Arthur stopped pacing and sighed, "Your right Merlin," He plopped onto the couch, squishing his friends against the side, "There's nothing to worry about. We'll be fine." The prince smiled.
"Prat" Merlin muttered as he pushed the prince away from him.
"What was that Merlin?" Arthur smiled.
"Nothing sire, absolutely nothing." Merlin said innocently. Arthur hit him in the back of his head, causing the others (except Uther) to laugh.
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Remus came down and led them to the Great Hall. The group was enchanted by the room, mouths open in awe as they inspected the bewitched ceiling. "Is that real?" Merlin asked.
Remus looked up and smiled, "It is a spell to make it look like the night sky, quite beautiful isn't it."
The group, even Uther, nodded before following the man to the large table in the front of the room. They were the only ones in the room, settling in to their seats. Soon, Professors started to enter the room, only glancing at the new comers for a brief moment before returning to their business. Soon Dumbledore entered and took his place at the large chair in the middle of the table.
Students soon filtered in and sat at the four large tables in the room. Moments later, the first years came in led by a strict looking teacher that Remus introduced as Professor McGonagall. Everyone in the group jumped at the voice coming from the ratty hat sitting on the stool.
The sorting was soon finished and the students were happily talking amongst their friends. Dumbledore stood and McGonagall tapped the edge of her glass, grabbing everyone's attention. "Welcome to Hogwarts first years and welcome back everyone else. Before we start our wonderful feast I have a few announcements. Like always the Forbidden Forest is, as it always will be, forbidden. Our caretaker Mr. Filtch would like to ask that curfew is followed and that all Weasley's Wizard Wheezes products are banned." He paused, "Now, to introduce our new arrivals. This year, Hogwarts will be home to a group of advisors that have come here to evaluate the school." He motioned to them and they all stood. "I want you all to give them your respect, they are only here to watch and I want a good report at the end of their stay." He motioned them to sit back down. "And a few more words to start the year off with, meet, feet (^-^), eat." As he finished his last word, food blossomed on the once empty platters. The room was filled with conversation.
"Amazing, it just sprouted out like that." Merlin said as he filled his plate.
"Yes, it is quite amazing." Remus smiled.
"Remus, where is Teddy?" Gwen asked, looking for the blue haired boy.
"Oh, he is currently at his grandmother's house. He often stays there for a few days during the school year." Remus replied, not looking up from his food.
Merlin and Gwen shared a glance, but decided not to push.
When dinner ended, everyone returned to their quarters. Once there, Gaius immediately bid the group good night and retired.
"That was one of the best meals ever. It even beats Cooks dumplings." Merlin smiled.
"And how would you know what the cook's dumplings taste like?" Uther scowled.
"Well, sometimes I steal a few while I'm washing Arthur's clothes." Merlin replied, unaware of the glare he was receiving from the king.
Gwaine, wanting to have some fun with the ruthless king decided to join in, "It is fun stealing from the kitchen isn't it? I remember a few times Percival and I tried to get some chicken, had to lower a hook from the ceiling." (It was Percival and Gwaine right? I think it was)
"WHAT!" Uther bellowed.
"Calm down father, it was just a chicken. No harm done." Arthur assured.
"Arthur, your knights are stealing from our kitchen. How can we be assured that they aren't stealing anything else from the castle?"
"I trust them father, you don't know them." He defended.
"I know them well enough not to trust the likes of them. This is why commoners aren't knights. This is why we have the code. To be King, you need to understand this." Uther pressed.
"Not all rules are right father. They might be commoners but they are the noblest men I know and they have proven to me that they deserve to be knighted." Arthur said.
"You have a lot to learn Arthur, if this is your judgment." Uther turned and stalked into his room.
Arthur sighed and sat down, running his hands through his hair. "Arthur" Lancelot asked hesitantly.
"Lancelot" He looked up at the knight.
"Thank you sire, for believing in us" the others nodded.
"You're welcome. My father had no right saying those things."
They said nothing, but bowed and retired to their rooms.
After a few moments of silence, Arthur stood up, "Well, I think I will bid you all good night." He nodded and headed off to bed, leaving Merlin and Gwen with Remus.
"Remus" Gwen asked after a few moments.
"Yes" The man looked up from the book he was reading.
"At dinner, why did you look so sad?" she asked.
"Sad?"
"Yes, when I asked about Teddy."
"Oh" he returned his gaze to his book.
"Remus," It was Merlin this time, "Are you not allowed to have Teddy during the school year?"
Remus gave a humorless chuckle, "I guess you could say that." He looked at their confused faces and elaborated, "My mother in law doesn't approve of me."
"Why not?" Merlin asked.
"For one, I'm a werewolf, two, I deserted my wife when I found out she was with child, and three, I cannot provide for my family as well as others, not to mention I'm too old for her." Remus explained.
"Well that sounds terrible. From what I have seen you are a wonderful person. Why shouldn't she like you? You being a werewolf should have no say in the matter." Gwen whispered harshly.
"I have to agree, but why did you desert your wife? Isn't Tonks your wife?" Merlin asked.
Remus sighed, "Yes, but when I found out she was pregnant, I panicked," He closed his book before continuing; "Werewolves are seen as dangerous, dark creatures. No one trusts us and we are outcasts. It took me years to propose to her. I didn't want to make her an outcast. When I found out that she was with child, I ran away, thinking that I was doing what was best."
"It's okay Remus, we don't think any less of you." Merlin assured.
"Yes, you came back, that is all that matters. You aren't a coward, you are just used to thinking you are useless. You reacted like you were conditioned to. Your mother in law has no right for blaming you, especially if your wife doesn't." Gwen said.
"As for not providing for your family, you have a job, a place to live, and food on the table. How is that not providing for your family?" Merlin asked.
"We don't have a house" Remus supplied.
"Nonsense, I'd much rather live here than any house. You are surrounded by friends here, you don't have to worry about cleaning; you are truly living like a prince. How can anyone not like that?" Gwen said.
"And you think you're too old? Age is but a number my friend. As long as you love each other, that is all that matters. Nothing can get in the way." Merlin added.
"Thank you" Remus smiled.
"You are a good person Remus," Gwen squeezed his hand, "Never let anyone tell you different." With that, both Merlin and Gwen got up and left to their rooms.
Okay, kind of a useless chapter, but I liked it ;)
Next up...CLASSES! I think I'll put Uther in Care for Magical Creatures with Gwaine ;)
Review Please!