Author's note:

Thank you very to my beta: FalconFate, who is currently writing a really great Merlin/Harry Potter story, which you should defiantly check out! (I haven't been asked to tell you this, but it's really good so I want to.).

Here's chapter 14, enjoy!

Chapter 14: Old Ghosts

"He doesn't need a wand?"

"That's right, and he can send someone flying without a second glance. He did it to Hugo just the other day."

Merlin paced the room of Requirement; hands pushed against his lips, locked in a prayer-like gesture.

"What does he look like?"

Harry shrugged, "Blue eyes, brown hair… quite small."

"Can I see him?" Merlin asked

"Why? Does this have anything to do with you?"

"It's a bit of a coincidence isn't it? I start looking for the sword, and this boy turns up; then, just as you're going to get the sword it disappears."

Harry was silent for a few moments, but he soon bit his lip and looked back at Merlin.

"I could invite him into mine and Ron's office… There's quite a large cupboard at the back of it; you could hide in there."

Merlin nodded, shrugging. "It's worth a try."

"Hello Leo, have a seat."

Merlin was hunched over, hands on his knees; peering, though the gap which is always made when a door is left ajar.

He couldn't quite see the boy's face; he was shielded by the back of Harry's head. He wore a black, Giffindor cloak, and apart from that had no distinct feature that Merlin could see from his current position.

"You're a very quiet boy Leo." Harry began. "Hugo and Lily are worried about you; they haven't told me personally, but I trust me I know. Is there anything wrong at all?"

At that, Harry got up, and moved round to the boy's side, and finally his face was revealed.

Merlin stifled a gasp, then as realisation sank in, he clasped his fist tightly, anger replacing shock.

He had died; that 'boy' was dead it couldn't be. But there he was, as true as the sun which sparkled in his bright blue eyes. Mordred was alive.

The shadows enthralled his features, with the aid of his spell he blended into them. He was silent, breath barely even touching his lips. Not that a single breath would ever penetrate this magical barrier.

He recalled telling Harry who this so called 'Leo' was. Harry had panicked; of course he had, many stories had been told about Mordred, riddled with lies, maybe, but all told of the same, harsh evil.

Merlin watched the witch and the druid as they quietly conversed. It took all of Merlin's strength not to walk over now and strangle the both of them; or to send a curse flying at their backs, making them regret that they had ever crossed him.

"We need to get the sword away." The witch's voice made Merlin's lip curl in hatred. "Mordred, I need you to take it to the forbidden forest; an old friend of mine will be waiting there, give the sword to him. I would do it myself, but I have a class to teach." Once or twice Morgana's eyes flitted to the corner in which Merlin stood; every time they did, breath caught in Merlin's throat. Could she somehow sense that he was there? And what did she mean by old friend? Did Merlin have yet another unwanted foe to contend with?

Merlin's brow furrowed over these new questions, and he almost missed Mordred grab the sword and walk out the door. Merlin slipped through the closing gap after him; he studied the sword from his vantage point as he walked, oh how much it hand changed; it no longer had the gold plate down its two flat sides, no leather bounding that incased the hilt.

Instead, silver ran the whole length and width of it, and red diamonds glinted in the light from a nearby candle.

Not even the writing was the same; instead of the original: 'Take me up, Cast me away'. Instead, it read: 'Godric Gryffindor'.

Clever, Merlin thought, but not clever enough to stop Mordred's filthy hands that now smothered its handle.

The boy pulled a bag out of his pocket, and opening its drawstring he pushed the sword into the purse of slick.

To Merlin's surprise that sword vanished, and Mordred stuffed the bag back into his pocket like it held nothing.

At the next corner the boy turned left, but Merlin, almost at a run hurried down the right corridor, the huge door magically appearing in front of him; opening at his will to reveal his friends who waited worriedly inside.