Chapter 2: In which Merlin, Arthur, and Gwaine Learn the Truth, But Not the Whole Truth
The Order of the Phoenix was meeting again for what to had to be the umpteenth time, in Sirius's opinion, even though very little seemed to get done. At least, not in respect to his godson, which, to Sirius, was the most important thing. The other kids -Hermione and the Weasley family- were already here, so Sirius couldn't see why Harry couldn't come.
Dumbledore argued that Harry was safer at the Dursleys and Mrs. Weasley protested that he was too young to be involved. Sirius thought that they were both kidding themselves.
Sirius wasn't an idiot, despite what some people might've thought. His family life hadn't been the best and he knew when to recognize that in others. When he saw Harry for the first time in over eleven years that night, he'd seen a pale, thin, boy in clothes that were far too big for him, who was ready and willing to move in with a man he'd just met and (up until a few hours ago) believed to have murdered his parents.
If that didn't scream of an unhappy home life, Sirius didn't know what did.
He didn't necessarily know the extent of what when on there, but Sirius knew enough that he wanted Harry out of there right now. Grimmauld Place had enough wards on it to protect Harry...
As for Mrs. Weasley's comments, she could keep them to herself. He knew that she was just trying to look out for Harry, as she had been doing for the past several years (for which he was grateful, really!), but he was Harry's guardian now and James and Lily trusted him to know what was best for Harry. Sirius knew that right now, after what he had experienced in the graveyard, Harry needed his family and his friends.
Not to mention that from what he had heard, Harry had inherited his father's propensity for breaking the rules. Sirius had a feeling that if nobody told Harry what was going on, he would find out on his own, and who knew if his information would be reliable. It was better that Harry learn what he needed to know from somebody he could trust.
Of course, nobody ever listened to an ex-convict, Sirius thought wryly, watching as Dumbledore and Moody debated about how best to protect Potter at the Dursleys' house. At least they realized that Harry needed something other than Mrs. Figg to keep him safe.
Sirius was just about to suggest (again) that they simply bring Harry to Grimmauld Place when a loud crash sounded from the living room, followed by the screams of the kids (who were, much to Sirius's personal satisfaction, no doubt trying to eavesdrop).
The adults in the room all grabbed their wands and ran into the living room. Molly got there first and, by the time Sirius arrived, had pushed all of the kids behind her. Sirius saw why when he entered the room.
On the floor was one of the most bizarre group of people he had ever seen. Not much older than Harry was now, they were dressed in old clothes and looked distinctly ill, as though they had just Flooed for the first time.
The brunette boy sat himself up on his elbows and clutched his head, clearly dizzy. The blonde boy was laying on his stomach, but eventually lifted his head and took in his surroundings. The only girl in the group seemed to check to make sure her friends were alright first before she looked around, too.
When he noticed them, the blonde said, "Who are you? Declare yourselves."
Sirius couldn't help but raise his eyebrows at the tone in the boy's voice. Here was somebody who was definitely used to getting his way.
"Merlin's beard," Ron muttered. The girl on the floor touched her chin.
The brunette had, at this point, recovered, and was much more blunt. He asked, "Why are you all pointing sticks at us?"
"I think we'll be asking the questions here," Moody said, eyes narrowed.
The blonde looked insulted. "Look here-"
Before he could finish, the girl elbowed him hard in the side. "I'd shut up if I were you, Arthur."
"What would you know, Merlin?"
Sirius could tell that he wasn't the only one surprised. They were either the stupidest fake names he had ever heard or it was one hell of a coincidence. Merlin and Arthur. Huh.
"Ah, both of you be quiet," the brunette complained, "I've got a massive headache and you two bickering isn't helping right now."
Dumbledore just waited for a moment, his gaze fixed on them, for the three to fall quiet and look up at him. Once he had their attention, he simply said, "Please, introduce yourselves."
Clearly whatever they had been expecting it wasn't a mild-mannered statement like that. Sirius hadn't really been expecting it either (and Moody looked quite disappointed that he wouldn't get to hex anybody), but he could tell by Dumbledore's tone and lack of eye-twinkle that he was much more serious than his politeness belied.
The girl spoke first, wearing a grin that looked slightly out of place given the current circumstances. Still, it was a nice grin, Sirius decided, one that made you want to smile back- certainly not one that you would expect to find on a Death Eater. Sirius amended the statement. Well, maybe a very stupid Death Eater.
"I'm Merlin."
Sirius expected Dumbledore to say something about the name, but he didn't. Instead, he waited for an answer from the other two. The blonde looked highly annoyed.
"Don't tell them that!"
Merlin looked confused. "Why not? He asked."
"Yes," the blonde grumbled, "But still! You don't-"
The brunette interrupted them. "Sir Gwaine. Ignore them. Once they get started, they'll go for ages."
The blonde looked highly annoyed at the statement and finally turned his churlish gaze back to Dumbledore. "I am King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot. I demand you tell me who you are and how I got here- wherever here is, for that matter."
Behind him, Sirius heard the kids twitter in surprise, although he couldn't make out what they were saying.
Dumbledore, now looking for more serious, said, "I had hoped that by showing you some common courtesy, you would extend the favor. However, if you won't bother to give us your real names, then I'll have no choice but to use an alternative method."
"But Merlin is my real name," the girl (Merlin, for all intents and purposes) grumbled to herself. Remus cleared his throat to get Dumbledore's attention.
"They do bear a startling resemblance to the figures of the legend," Remus whispered so the group on the floor couldn't hear, "If not a bit younger..."
Moody, who had somehow managed to hear them, snapped, "You can't be saying-"
"I believe," Dumbledore said, raising his voice, "That the children should be taken upstairs until we manage to get this matter sorted."
The children in question grumbled and groaned, but didn't argue with Dumbledore, no doubt knowing better. They had been trying to sit in on the meetings all day, but it was unlikely that Molly would ever let them. The traipsed upstairs loudly. Sirius had a feeling they'd be back (much more quietly) to eavesdrop in only a short amount of time.
"Severus," Dumbledore said, "From what I understand, you finished brewing a batch of Veritaserum not too long ago. Please fetch it."
Severus walked around the three kids on the floor and headed to the fireplace. He picked up a handful of Floo powder and threw it inside. Then was gone in a rush of green flames.
Sirius watched the reactions of the mystery guests curiously. Out of them all, it was "Gwaine" who seemed least bothered. He watched it with an odd look of bored curiosity that was reminiscent of somebody who had seen a bit of everything. "Merlin" looked surprised, but thrilled at the Floo. The blonde, "Arthur," though, he looked angry.
"That was sorcery," he accused. Merlin and Gwaine exchanged a glance and grinned exasperatedly at each other. Arthur didn't notice. "You are of course aware that any use of enchantments is punishable by death in Camelot."
Sirius was surprised at the accusing tone in the man's voice. Aside from the fact that this entire "King of Camelot" charade was really getting old, he clearly knew nothing about history. Magic had flourished under King Arthur's reign, thanks to his and Merlin's work. Although, now that Sirius looked, Merlin looked quite uncomfortable. She schooled her face into a neutral mask when Arthur looked her way. She smiled innocently at him and Sirius couldn't help by smile to himself, impressed.
"It's a good thing you are no longer in Camelot, then," Dumbledore pointed out.
Arthur looked insulted. "Not in Camelot? Then where the hell are we?"
"London, England," Dumbledore said matter-of-factly. He had clearly decided to act as though Arthur and Merlin and Gwaine were telling the truth for the time being. "In 1995."
Arthur scoffed, clearly disbelieving, but Gwaine, it seemed, had a bit more common sense. Once he and Merlin had gotten over their own shock, Gwaine nudged the "king's" shoulder roughly to try and get his attention.
"I'd look around if I were you," he muttered to Arthur. "We clearly aren't in Camelot anymore."
While Arthur was quiet and digested this information, both Gwaine and Merlin looked around the room, seemingly unconcerned about the entire situation.
At that moment, Snape returned in the Floo. He held out the small phial containing the Veritaserum without saying a word. After that, he simply watched the three on the floor. Merlin eyed the phial curiously.
"What's in there?"
"Truth serum," Dumbledore said calmly. "If you are telling the truth-" here Dumbledore sounded as though he clearly doubted it- "Then it's a simple matter of one of you taking this serum and answering a few questions."
"I don't condone the use of sorcery!" Arthur protested.
Merlin coughed. "Arthur, I don't mean to be rude-"
"Really?" Arthur laughed disbelievingly. "You do it on accident most of the time, then? Or do you really suffer from some sort of mental affliction like my father thought?"
"Like I was saying," Merlin stressed, looking around the room nervously. "Do you really want to argue with the sorcerers who clearly outnumber us three to one?"
Arthur looked like he was incredibly reluctant to admit Merlin's point, but finally nodded his head in acquiescence to Dumbledore's request. "Very well. We will do as you ask."
He began to stand up, slowly as to not alarm any of the wizards pointing wands his way. Gwaine also stood up and then reached down to help Merlin climb clumsily to her feet.
"I'll do it," all three of them said firmly.
Sirius smirked to himself as the three exchanged indignant glances. Gwaine and Arthur said, at the same time, "You, Merlin?"
Gwaine looked more concerned. Arthur just looked doubtful. Merlin seemed to think about it and then blushed, shuffling her feet awkwardly. She grinned sheepishly. "Right. Probably not the best idea. I'll keep out of this one, then."
Gwaine turned immediately to Arthur. With a sort of devotion in his voice and a somberness expression that surprised Sirius even though he had only known (that really was stretching the term) him for a few minutes, Gwaine said, "Sire. I'll gladly take the serum. It's my duty to protect and serve you. It'd be an honor to help."
Arthur shook his head. "I appreciate your loyalty, Gwaine, but I believe this is my duty to bear. As King, I cannot stand idly by while one of my people puts themselves in danger for me. I'm sorry."
Sirius couldn't help but be slightly impressed and, judging by the proud look on Merlin's face, she clearly was, too. Maybe Sirius had underestimated Arthur. Gwaine, though, looked ready to protest.
"That's an order, Sir Gwaine."
Gwaine made a face, but didn't say anything else as Arthur turned to Dumbledore. Arthur said, "Alright. I'm ready."
Dumbledore conjured up a chair, making Merlin, Arthur, and Gwaine jump slightly. As Arthur sat down, though, Merlin asked, "Do you need those sticks to do magic?"
"They're wands, not sticks," answered Remus, never once to miss out on an opportunity to teach. "And yes, except in rare circumstances."
"Sorcerers in Camelot don't have wands," Merlin said curiously. "W- They just use their hands most of the time."
"Really?" Remus suddenly looked fascinated, forgetting for a moment that these people might've been Death Eaters. "I wonder why that is. If you wouldn't mind, maybe later we could sit and discuss-"
"Moony!" Sirius said, exasperated. At the same time, in the same tone of voice, Arthur said, "Merlin!"
"What?" they answered simultaneously. Arthur rolled his eyes, still managing to look extremely nervous as Dumbledore approached with the serum.
He asked, "So, ah, how does this work, then?"
Dumbledore explained by saying, "You will take a sip or two of the serum. You'll go into a sort of trance. It shouldn't hurt. You'll simply feel as though you are dreaming. We will ask you some questions and, once we are satisfied with the answers, we remove you from under the influence of the potion. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes, if what you say about who you are is true."
"How will you know when he's entered into the trance?" Merlin asked. Sirius saw Moody grip his wand tighter. For whatever reason, he clearly thought Merlin the most dangerous of the three, perhaps simply because of her namesake and, because out of the three, she seemed the least dangerous (which Mood always found more suspicious).
"He will relax his shoulders, his jaw will slacken, his eyelids will grow heavy, and a glazed look will enter his eyes," Dumbledore said.
"Right." Merlin paused. "Sorry, but how again will you be able to tell? Because Arthur almost always looks like that."
Sirius couldn't help it. He laughed. Gwaine caught his eye and smiled slightly, as though agreeing with him.
"Merlin," Arthur grumbled. To Sirius, he looked ready to go into a full-blown rant, but Dumbledore took that opportunity to shove some of the serum in his mouth. He sputtered as he choked on it, but clearly some must've made its way down because, a moment later, he looked completely relaxed.
"Very well, then," Dumbledore said, any amusement suddenly gone from the room. "What is your full name?"
Speaking in a strange tone of voice, Arthur replied slowly, "King Arthur Pendragon."
Sirius wasn't the only one who stiffened. They were all thinking more or less the same thing: They had been telling the truth- or at least partially.
Dumbledore continued, although Sirius could tell that he had been a bit rattled by the information. "Who is it that is with you right now?"
"Sir Gwaine, a knight of the Round Table, and Merlin, my personal maid-servant and good friend."
Merlin beamed at this, although Sirius was a bit surprised. He never remembered reading anything about the all-powerful Merlin being a maid-servant. Of course, he was never that brilliant at history. He'd ask Moony about it later, he resolved.
Dumbledore asked, "Where are you all from?"
"Camelot."
"I see," Dumbledore said slowly. "How is it that you all came to be here?"
"I don't know," Arthur said. "Merlin, Gwaine, and myself were in the chambers I share with my wife. Merlin was changing the sheets on my bed and Gwaine and I were going over some patrol schedules and other such business. Then we were here."
Dumbledore clearly didn't have anything else to add. Moony, though, did.
"What did you mean," Moony interjected, "By your comment that sorcery and enchantments were not allowed in Camelot?"
"Magic has been banned in Camelot for over thirty years," Arthur began, "Ever since the Great Purge, under my father's rule. It is for the protection of Camelot and her citizens that no magic be allowed, since those who practice magic are evil and dangerous. Magic killed my mother and my father and corrupted my sister. The practice of magic is punishable by death in my kingdom."
Throughout Arthur's speech, Sirius couldn't help by keep looking at Merlin. If this Arthur was as a matter of fact the real King Arthur, then there was no doubt that this Merlin was the actual Merlin. She even bore some resemblance to the paintings Sirius had seen, although much younger now. At the moment, she looked incredibly uncomfortable and even hurt, but mostly guilty. Gwaine kept sneaking glances at her, too, looking very apologetic.
Sirius wondered how Merlin had come to live under such a Camelot, why the books never mentioned anything like this, and how the legend as wizards today knew it came about in the first place.
Merlin said to the wizards in the room, clearly worried about their reactions to Arthur's little spiel, "Please- don't- don't hold it against him. It's not his fault and he won't try anything stupid I promise-"
Dumbledore held up his hand to calm her, since she had grown a bit hysterical. Sirius marveled at the fact that she was defending him. If she had magic, surely, then, she would hate him. Sirius knew that he would, if he were in her position.
Dumbledore said gently, "Each is entitled to their own opinion. Even now, thousands of years in the future, there are still those who share his strict views on magic. I assure you, it is alright, as long as he respects us while he is here."
So, then, Dumbledore had no idea how the three had gotten to London in the first place, Sirius decided. Nor did he know how to get them back. They'd be here for some time in the foreseeable future.
"You're king, then, Arthur?" Remus asked, the only one to keep his head throughout that entire monologue.
"Yes."
"You're awfully young," Sirius couldn't help but exclaim. It wasn't a question, but Arthur answered anyway.
"We were older before we arrived here. It seems as though we were somehow de-aged on the journey here."
"You've given me a lot to think about," Dumbledore mused after moment, once it became clear that that was it and that nobody had anymore questions. "We are finish-"
"Wait!" Merlin interrupted, looking incredibly gleeful in that moment. "Can I just- Can I ask one question? Please?"
"Go ahead," Dumbledore said curiously.
Sirius was expecting a wise question about the state of mankind or magic or something befitting the Merlin.
Instead, Merlin asked, "Was it really Percival who stole my birthday cake a few months ago like you said?"
From across the room, Moody rolled his glass eye.
Arthur said, "No, I lied. I ate the cake."
"I knew it!" Merlin said triumphantly. "Gaius made me that cake! He worked all day on it!"
"I'm sorry."
Merlin turned to Gwaine, clearly in shock. "You heard that, right? Please tell me you heard that."
"I did, princess," he said, much to Merlin's delight. "Arthur finally apologized to you about something."
"If that is all-" Dumbledore began and, when Merlin nodded, he finished speaking as he waved his wand, "-then I suppose we are finished with the questioning."
It took a moment, but Arthur eventually seemed to shake himself out of his stupor. When he was fully awake, he looked himself over, as though making sure that he wasn't injured. Satisfied, he turned to Dumbledore. "Well, then?"
"I am sorry for doubting you, your majesty," Dumbledore said respectfully. Sirius didn't think he had ever seen something so strange as Dumbledore taking a subservient role to somebody as young as Arthur. "These are dangerous times for us, however, and we must use caution."
"Apology accepted," Arthur said, not really sure what to make of what Dumbledore's comment on dangerous times.
There was silence for a moment as nobody was really sure what to do. Finally, Arthur (King Arthur, Sirius thought to himself, not really sure how to react to that), spoke.
"Merlin, Gwaine, and I have been cooperative with you thus far. I would hope that you would do us the honor of doing the same for us and answering some of our questions. As you can imagine, we are quite at a loss."
"Of course," Dumbledore said, since he had apparently been elected as unofficial spoke-person for the group. Nobody else said anything. They were all too terrified, Sirius supposed. There was a lot of danger involved in time-travel. It was something all wizards knew. And now they were currently talking to some of the most famous characters in wizarding history.
He gestured for Merlin and Gwaine to also take a seat on two new chairs he had conjured up. Now that it seemed as though the immediate danger had passed, the rest of the Order relaxed a bit, although still ready to take action if necessary.
Having King Arthur and Merlin currently making themselves comfortable in the living room was clearly not a situation anybody had anticipated.
"I'm sorry," Arthur said, Merlin and Gwaine remaining silent, "I didn't quite catch your name-"
"Albus Dumbledore.
"Well, then, Mr. Dumbledore, sir," Arthur began, "I don't suppose you know how the three of us came to be here?"
Dumbledore shook his head.
Arthur looked rueful. "And I don't suppose you know how to get us back home? I promised my wife I'd have supper with her tonight."
Sirius found it strange (as if everything else was completely normal today!) to see somebody as young as Arthur talking about having a wife.
Dumbledore shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't. My sincerest apologies to your wife."
"Well, this day just get's better and better, doesn't it?" Arthur scowled to himself, clearly frustrated beyond all belief. Sirius didn't blame him.
"C'mon, Arthur!" Merlin said cheerfully. "It could be worse!"
"How?" Arthur snapped, quite loudly.
There was a sudden tension in the air. Then it snapped. A vase in the corner chose that moment to explode. Everybody ducked and thankfully nobody was hurt. When they looked back up, they all looked at Arthur, who was in shock, staring at his hands.
They recognized the accidental magic of an untrained wizard when they saw it.
Clearly, Merlin did, too. She cleared her throat.
"Like that," she said delicately.
AN: Yay! Another chapter :) I have to say that I am flabbergasted at the response the first chapter received. It's amazing! Please keep it up. Most importantly, though, enjoy!
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