Chapter Seven: In Which Sir Gwaine Declares His Love And King Arthur Doubts His Servant (But Only For A Moment)
Gwaine still wasn't entirely sure how he had ended up on a train to a school for wizards and witches, but he supposed it had started the morning after his night with Merlin.
Not long after being woken up that morning by Ron, Arthur had woken up Gwaine and Merlin and the three had trekked downstairs, lured by the smell of Mrs. Weasley's cooking. When they entered the kitchen and found everybody there, Merlin had stammered out a small apology for worrying everybody.
At first, it seemed as though the matter had been forgotten. Everybody was sat around the kitchen table, eating and making small conversation. Then, Gwaine noticed that Mrs. Weasley was quieter than usual, occasionally looking at Merlin and Gwaine out of the corner of her eye and pursing her lips. It didn't take a genius to figure out what she looked so disapproving about.
Since joining the knights, Gwaine had learnt a thing or two about chivalry (although not all of the lessons stuck). And while he knew that confronting Mrs. Weasley was wrong, he felt as though it would be more wrong to let her think disparaging things about him and Merlin (Merlin in particular).
"Do you have a problem with mine and Merlin's sleeping arrangement last night?" Gwaine asked bluntly.
"Gwaine!" Merlin and Arthur protested simultaneously.
Neither of them should've been concerned about affecting Mrs. Weasley's delicate sensibilities, however. She was a mother of seven and, as Gwaine had rightly guessed, it took a bit more than bluntness to unsettle her.
"Yes," she said, she said simply as she unthinkingly handed to Harry, who was already incredibly full, another large stack of bacon. His eyes, widened and he looked helplessly as his godfather, but Sirius seemed just as determined to feed him to death, since he just nodded and said, quietly, "Eat what you can, pup."
Mrs. Weasley didn't notice this. She was still talking to Gwaine. "You're far too young to be up to that sort of thing."
Gwaine was now offended on several levels. The first being that he was too young: he wasn't. He might've been younger in body, but his mind was no younger than when he had left Camelot. And even by seventeen, he had done "that sort of thing" quite a few times, if he admitted it to himself. The second was that Mrs. Weasley immediately assumed that whatever he and Merlin were up to was inappropriate. It wasn't.
He didn't really know which of these points to address first, and he was going to try to be reasonable, both for Merlin and because Arthur would not be happy if he was anything otherwise.
Sirius settled part of the problem for him by saying, "Molly, I think you're overreacting."
"Oh, am I?" she said waspishly. "I suppose if Harry was living with you, you'd let him have girls spend the night left and right, wouldn't you, Sirius Black?"
Next to Harry, Ron snickered at the thought of Harry bringing women over and even Hermione looked horribly amused. The twins in particular seemed to find this hilarious.
"Of course," one of them said said nodding. "Harry has girls all over him at Hogwarts."
"Last year," the other said, "He had to turn them all down for the Yule Ball so he wouldn't start a riot. The only reason Parvati Patil got to go with him was because she won a lottery!"
"Shut up!" Harry hissed.
Sirius remained calm. "Of course not. But Harry is fifteen. Merlin and Gwaine are seventeen, of age in the Wizarding World, and that's if you choose to ignore the fact that they were de-aged on the way here."
"They're too young to understand-"
"I understand perfectly," Gwaine said sharply. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. "Merlin and I weren't doing anything inappropriate. She had a nightmare. She came to me because she didn't want to be alone. That's all it was."
"Thank the gods that's all it was," Arthur muttered. There were some things he never wanted to be privy to. The things his maidservant and his knight got up to in their spare time was one of them.
"And even if anything else had happened," Gwaine continued, ignoring Merlin's surprised squeak, "I hardly see why there would be any objections. As Sirius said, we're both old enough to make decisions for ourselves."
"There are consequences to those sorts of things!" Mrs. Weasley protested.
Gwaine shook his head. "Then Merlin and I would deal with them together."
"You-"
"You're just going to have to come to to terms with the fact that I love her!"
Merlin, who was sitting next to him, stuffing her face with waffles (she seemed to really like them, Gwaine noticed) almost choked and the rest of the kitchen went quiet. It was then that Gwaine realized what he had actually said.
Huh.
That was not how this was supposed to go. He had known he'd loved Merlin for quite a while now, but he had yet to ever say anything to her. And when he finally worked up the nerve to do it, he had been planning on taking her somewhere nice and being all romantic and everything.
This was certainly not romantic.
Judging by the way she was staring at him wide-eyed, mouth still full of waffles and syrup dripping down her chin, she had heard him. Merlin managed to swallow everything down, thankfully, but her lips were still covered in the sweet, sticky, maple syrup that Merlin had drenched her waffles in.
Before Merlin had a chance to reach for a napkin to clean her face off, Gwaine swooped in and planted a firm kiss on her. This was partially to spite Mrs. Weasley, but also because Gwaine liked syrup, too, and mixing it with Merlin was just too strong a temptation for him to resist. Merlin stiffened in surprise, but then relaxed, smiling into it and tangling a hand in his hair. After another second of enjoying the lovely taste of Merlin and syrup (both so sweet), she tugged lightly at his hair, pulling him away.
She didn't say anything at first and Gwaine grew a bit worried.
"Ah, Merlin? This is the part where you say something, too."
"Oh!" Merlin said, surprised. "I love you, too," she said after a moment.
Gwaine grinned back at her and for a moment neither of them said anything. Arthur, growing distinctly uncomfortable, made a noise in the back of his throat.
"Do you have to do that at the table?" He scowled. Before Merlin could point out that they weren't nearly as bad as he and Gwen had been, somebody interrupted them.
"Love is a wonderful thing." It was Dumbledore. Gwaine turned around to stare at him. When had he shown up? "I offer you my congratulations."
"Thank you," Merlin said, unsure, but unwilling to be impolite.
"Professor Dumbledore," Arthur said firmly. "I was hoping you would stop by today. I have something I wish to discuss with you. Namely your earlier offer."
"And what offer would that be?" Dumbledore said. His eyes continued to twinkle brightly and Merlin got the distinct impression that he was only toying with Arthur. "You must forgive me. I am an old man, and prone to forgetfulness."
"Your offer regarding Hogwarts," Arthur said. "Merlin, Gwaine, and I have been discussing it-"
"We have?" Merlin asked. She felt as though she had missed something very important here. Arthur glared at her.
"Yes, Merlin, we have." He turned back to Dumbledore. "We would like to take you up on it."
"We would?" Merlin gasped. When Arthur shot her another look, Merlin hastily corrected herself. "I mean: we would."
"I see," Dumbledore said, his hands clasping serenely in front of him. Unlike just about everybody else in the room, Dumbledore displayed no surprise whatsoever. "In that case, there are many details we need to discuss, along with preparations that need to be made-"
"And you can do them later," Mrs. Weasley said firmly. "The children are helping me clean today."
It seemed as though Mrs. Weasley was still smarting from her earlier loss against Gwaine and Merlin and refused to lose this battle. Merlin sensed that Dumbledore, for all his power, was not stupid enough to take on the Weasley matriarch and agreed that he would come back later, mentioning that he had some business in London anyway. He bid everybody a goodbye and, within moments of him leaving, Mrs. Weasley was ushering everybody upstairs to get ready and meet her back downstairs.
When they returned, she lined them all up as though they were soldiers awaiting inspection and gave them supplies: rags, brooms, mops, buckets.
"You are not allowed to use magic," was the first thing she said. The twins, the only two actually old enough to use magic, protested, but Sirius was the one who silenced them by reminding them that many of the things in the house could be dangerous when exposed to certain spells.
For once, it seemed as though Mrs. Weasley and Sirius were in agreement. Mrs. Weasley then divided the children into teams and gave them designated areas to work on: Merlin and Gwaine were separated. Gwaine with Arthur, and Merlin with Harry. Ron and Hermione, the twins, and Sirius and Remus made up the other teams. She shoed them off and then went into kitchen to clean up from breakfast and prepare for lunch.
For a while, Merlin and Harry, who had been assigned to clean up one of the spare bedrooms, worked in silence. Merlin was not accustomed to being quiet for long, though, and soon she fell back on her old habit of humming while she worked- although rather off-tune. When she finished, Harry laughed and then took up the task, humming a more modern song. Soon, they found themselves trying to outdo each other in humming or singing the most ridiculous songs they could. Merlin had just finished singing a bawdy tavern song that she had once heard a very drunk Leon sing when they noticed, amidst their laughs, that they had finished.
"That went by quickly," Merlin said cheerfully, throwing her now dirty rag into the bucket of soapy water. Harry nodded and threw his rag in with hers.
"The Dursleys made me clean a lot," Harry said, "But I don't think I've ever had this much fun doing it."
"Arthur's chores for me were never this much fun either," Merlin informed him as they made their way downstairs to the kitchen for lunch. Mrs. Weasley looked surprised to see them.
"Are you done already?" She asked. When they nodded, she ushered them into chairs and began scooping out food for them. Harry and Merlin ate in comparative silence, now, waiting for the others to show up. Sirius and Remus came next, covered in dust, but otherwise looking alright. Sirius ruffled Harry's hair as he sat down. Then, Ron and Hermione, both very frustrated looking, sat down, not looking at each other. Then came the twins.
Finally, Arthur and Gwaine showed up. When Merlin saw them, she couldn't resist saying, "What happened to you?"
They both looked as though they had come from battle, not from cleaning a room. Gwaine's shirt was ripped and he was covered in dirt and soapy water. Arthur's hair was a mess and his fingers were wrinkled like prunes.
"I slipped over his Highness's wet floor," Gwaine said with a roll of his eyes.
"I am never washing a floor again," Arthur said darkly.
Merlin said as innocently as she could, "Honestly, Arthur, how hard could it be? All you have to do is wipe it!"
"Shut up, Merlin."
"So you really want to go to Hogwarts?" It was Remus who decided to jump in before the inevitable argument could break out. Merlin, Arthur, and Gwaine all looked at each other, until Arthur finally nodded.
"Yes, we do."
"You'll need to work harder during your lessons," Remus warned, "If you wish to be up to standard to attend classes."
"We understand," Arthur said, once again answering for them.
Looking back, Gwaine wondered if Arthur had really understood what he was getting them all into. If Remus's exercises had been difficult before, they were even harder afterwards, and over the next few weeks, they were all pushed to their limits.
The one day they had gotten a slight reprieve was on the day of Harry's hearing, when they had all waited anxiously to hear the verdict. Much to everybody's relief (including Merlin's and Gwaine's and Arthur's, since they had taken quite a liking to Harry), thanks to Dumbledore, the hearing had gone in Harry's favor.
Now, however, they were done with the summer, and on the train to Hogwarts, although Remus warned them that they'd be taking private lessons with their Head of House.
"So there are four Houses at Hogwarts?" Arthur clarified. They were in a train compartment with Harry, after Ron and Hermione had gone to the prefect's carriage. Harry had also introduced them all to Neville, a quiet boy who was currently examining a cactus, and Luna, a moony-eyed girl who reminded Gwaine a bit of Merlin.
"Yes," Harry agreed. "Gryfindor is the house Neville, Ron, Hermione, and I are all in. It's for the brave. Ravenclaw-"
"That's my house," Luna said dreamily.
"Right. Ravenclaw is for the smart. Hufflepuff, the loyal. And Slytherin- Slytherin is for the cunning."
"You hesitated. Why?" Gwaine asked.
Harry said slowly, "Slytherin has a bit of a reputation. They aren't the nicest bunch of folks. And their Head of House, Professor Snape- you might've seen him around Grimmauld Place a few times, and he's also the Potion's professor- is a real piece of work."
"There isn't a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin," Neville said quietly. "It was You-Know- Who's house."
"That's hardly fair to the Slytherins," Luna said. When they looked over at her, though, she still had her head buried in her copy of The Quibbler.
"How do students know which House they go to?"
Here, even Neville smiled. He said, "We'd be breaking Hogwarts tradition if we warned you. They'll call your names, though. And you'll be in front of the whole school"
Our real ones or our fake ones? Merlin thought bitterly. A few days before Hogwarts, they had been warned that their real names were too distinctive to use at Hogwarts (although Dumbledore hadn't said why). Arthur and Gwaine were both allowed to keep their first names and were simply given generic last names, but Merlin's had to be changed. Everybody had thrown a name around, some boring ("Jill!"), some strange ("Apple!"), and some just- no.
It had been Hermione, surprising who had suggested, "Emma. It's Germanic for 'all-containing' or 'universal.'"
Merlin just stared at her. Only Hermione would pick a name based on its Germanic meaning. Merlin also wondered if Hermione had chosen that name because of its similarity to 'Emrys.' Gwaine didn't seem to care. He was nodding.
"Emma. It's a nice name. Suits you, Merlin." He said, turning to her. "Emma Frey. How's that?"
Merlin was touched. She had told Gwaine the story of Frey worried how he would take it. He didn't seem to hold any of it against her at all and didn't seem jealous in the least.
Still, Merlin couldn't help but do a double-take every time somebody called her a name not her own. She kept quiet for the rest of the train ride, going over everything about Hogwarts she had been told: the Sorting, the Houses, the classes, Quidditch...
Finally, an announcement came on telling everybody to change into their robes. Luna and Merlin found an empty carriage where they could change away from the men before they returned. Merlin wouldn't lie: she quite liked the robes. Thick and black, they were far more familiar to her than the clothes she had been wearing since they had arrived here. Arthur and Gwaine seemed to agree with her.
Soon, the train stopped, then slowed. Merlin, Gwaine, and Arthur exited the train (following Harry and the others) and found themselves standing a platform. They hesitated unsure of where they were going. They could hear a voice calling, "Firs' years! Over 'ere!"
Before Merlin could ask Harry if they went with him or with the first years, the voice called over, "You three! You the exchange students?"
Merlin turned around and was faced with one of the largest men she had ever seen: hairy, slightly dirty, and wearing a large grin. She was speechless.
Harry, who watched the entire thing with a smile on his face, said, "Yes, Hagrid. They are."
"'arry!" the man greeted. "Good to see yeh! Sorry I can't talk. Got to get everybody o'er to the boats. You three included. Dumbledore said he didn't want you miss out on yer first sight o' Hogwarts."
"That was nice of him," Merlin offered as she waved good bye to Harry and began following the giant man named Hagrid. Hagrid grunted before excusing himself to go wrangle in some first years. Merlin couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable with the fact that she actually towered over all the first years.
Arthur noticed and snickered. "Look, M- Emma! You're finally taller than somebody."
"Prat," Merlin said. Arthur just laughed as Hagrid lead them to a small dock, wooden boats waiting for them.
"Four to a boat only!" he called. When it was Merlin's, Gwaine's, and Arthur's turn, Hagrid said to them. "You three get yer own boat, 'cos you're bigger."
Merlin realized what Hagrid meant when she, Gwaine, and Arthur got in. It dipped perilously low in the water, but thankfully it didn't sink. At the signal, Gwaine and Arthur began rowing and Merlin once again enjoyed one of the few privileges that came with being small and female. It was only a few minutes later that Hagrid called out, "Yeh'll get yer first sight o' Hogwarts 'round this turn."
Merlin and her friends were the first to make the turn, no doubt because of the size and strength of its rowers. All three gasped at the same time. Standing above them from a cliff was a large castle, with tall turrets and lit up brightly. It was beautiful.
It wasn't Camelot -not home - but magnificent nonetheless.
"This is a school?" Merlin couldn't but say as the castle grew closer. "Back in Ealdor, the closest thing to a school we had was a small hut where Mr. Weatherly would teach us basic writing and reading and arithmetic. It was dirty and crowded and he tended to spit when he taught us things."
"Fascinating, Merlin," Arthur drawled, just as Hagrid yelled out a warning for students to duck as they floated underneath the castle and into a small overhang. There, Merlin noticed a small harbor, and Gwaine and Arthur skillfully steered the boat into port. Gwaine stepped out, then helped Merlin climb out.
Despite his help, she still tripped and landed on top of Arthur, sending them both sprawling on the floor. "MERLIN!"
Arthur, realizing what he had done, hastily corrected himself by adding "-'S BEARD!"
Thankfully, nobody seemed to notice his mistake.
Merlin scrabbled up, trying to ignore how some of the younger, less fearful, kids were snickering at them. Arthur stood with as much dignity as he could muster. Ignoring Gwaine, who was laughing quite unabashedly, he followed Hagrid to where he was standing by a large, open pair of double doors, ushering students through.
When they approached him, he grinned. "'ow was it?"
"Wonderful," Merlin admitted, thinking back to the view. She was glad that Dumbledore had thought to make sure they saw it. Hagrid nodded happily and stepped aside so they could enter Hogwarts for the first time.
Once inside, Merlin was hit with a gust of warm air. That was when she realized how chilly it had been outside, and she welcomed the air in the corridor that had been warmly lit with candles all along the walls.
The students had gathered to stand in front of a stern looking older woman in a deep green cloak.
"'ere are the firs' years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid announced. Merlin remembered that Professor McGonagall was the Gryffindor Head of House. "And the exchange students."
Professor McGonagall let her eyes settle on Merlin, Gwaine, and Arthur for a moment. Then she turned away, thanked Hagrid, and dismissed them. She launched into a speech about House loyalties, the expectations of Hogwarts, and the like. Merlin tuned her out. Remus had given them this speech back at Grimmauld Place.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school." Professor McGonagall said when she was finished. "I will return in a few moments when we are ready for you."
Professor McGonagall left through another large set of doors. Merlin caught a brief glimpse of a large, room, more candles, and (what she thought was) the night sky. When the door closed behind her, murmuring amongst the students broke out.
Arthur let out a deep breath and turned to Merlin and Gwaine. "Ready?"
"I think so," Gwaine shrugged. "Can hardly be worse than some of the other things we've done."
"Why?" Merlin asked grinning. "Are you scared?"
Arthur aimed a slap to the back of Merlin's head, but she ducked at the last minute, so he missed and hit Gwaine instead. Gwaine lunged to retaliate, but a sharp cough stopped him. McGonagall had returned. Gwaine straightened and had the good grace to look abashed.
She cleared her throat again and said. "If you would please form a line and follow me, the Sorting will now begin."
Merlin and her two friends took their places at the back of the line, as they were tallest and didn't want to block anybody's view.
(This was actually Merlin's concern, since, being as small as she was, she had an acute awareness of how annoying it could be being stuck behind somebody taller than you were.)
Merlin, who stood well above the first years in front of her, was thrilled when she got a full view of the Great Hall for the first time. She was gratified to see that she was right: there was a night sky. She had a feeling that it was an enchantment.
Now, in the heart of the school, surrounded by other witches and wizards, Merlin could feel something. There was a tingle in the air, a humming in her veins, something shifting inside her. This was magic of the strongest sort.
Merlin could literally feel the soul of Hogwarts itself, and the love she bore for her students and it was wonderful.
"It is something else, isn't it?" Gwaine asked from behind her, leaning forward to whisper in her ear. She nodded mutely. Then he said, "Look! Professor Dumbledore!"
There, seated at a table at the head of the the room was Dumbledore. Harriet also saw Hagrid (he was impossible to miss), Professors Flitwick, Sprout, and Binns (at least, who she guessed were Flitwick, Sprout, and Binns, based on Ron's descriptions), and Professor Snape. Merlin had seen Snape around the Order headquarters before, but never had a chance to talk to him. He was a mean looking man and judging by the way the other students talked about him, he was as grumpy as he looked. There were also several professors Merlin didn't realize, including a fat woman dressed in pink.
Something about her made Merlin feel off.
Merlin glanced around at all the tables, all seated underneath banners indicating their houses. She caught a glimpse of Ron, Hermione, Harry (looking a tad disconcerted, for whatever reason), and Neville at the Gryffindor table. The twins were there, too. Their familiar faces all made Merlin feel much better.
Then, Professor McGonagall stepped forward, holding a tattered looking hat and the Hall fell silent. Merlin watched curiously, wondering what was about to happen. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on a small stool and stepped back.
Then, the hat began to sing!
In times of old when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started
The founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted:
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning,
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.
"Together we will build and teach!"
The four good friends decided
And never did they dream that they
Might someday be divided,
For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Why, I was there and so can tell
The whole sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those
Whose ancestry is purest."
Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose
Intelligence is surest."
Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those
With brave deeds to their name,"
Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,
And treat them just the same."
These differences caused little strife
When first they came to light,
For each of the four founders had
A House in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure-blood wizards
Of great cunning, just like him,
And those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor.
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,
And taught them all she knew,
Thus the Houses and their founders
Retained friendships firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony
For several happy years,
But then discord crept among us
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The Houses that, like pillars four,
Had once held up our school,
Now turned upon each other and,
Divided, sought to rule.
And for a while it seemed the school
Must meet an early end,
What with dueling and with fighting
And the clash of friend on friend
And at last there came a morning
When old Slytherin departed
And though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four
Were whittled down to three
Have the Houses been united
As they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score:
I sort you into Houses
Because that is what I'm for,
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfill my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you...
Let the Sorting now begin.
The hall was quiet and Merlin understood why. Not only did a hat just sing, but it had sung a rather dark and ominous song. McGonagall, looking a bit shaken stepped forward, holding a piece of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will step forward and try on the Sorting Hat. He will then sort you into your houses."
She read off a name. Merlin didn't hear it. Her nerves were too fraught.
A small boy walked up to the hat and sat down on the stool, placing the hat on his head. The hat seemed to consider for a moment. Then, it yelled out, "Ravenclaw!"
Cheering erupted from the Ravenclaw table. Several more names were called, sorted int Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Then came the call for, "Exchange student Gwaine Alden!"
Gwaine.
He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then Merlin watched as he stepped forward. He hopped up onto the stool and McGonagall placed the hat on his head. It remained on his head for a moment and then yelled out, "Gryffindor!"
He was the first Gryffindor of the night and the table erupted into cheers. Gwaine smiled as he took the hat off and went over to the Gryffindor table, taking a seat next to Harry and the others. Merlin gave his shoulder a squeeze as he walked by.
More names. A few more houses. Then, "Exchange student Arthur Gold!"
Arthur.
True to his heritage, Arthur never faltered as he headed towards the hat and sat on the stool. Even on such a small chair and wearing such strange clothes, he looked every part the king. McGonagall went to place the hat on his head, but it had barely touched him when it yelled out, "Gryffindor!"
Merlin clapped as loudly as the rest as Arthur was sorted. Oh gods. Now she was the only one left. What was she going to do? What if the hat didn't like her?
What if...
What if...
What if...
She was so busy worrying that she didn't hear her name called: "Exchange student Emma Frey!"
There was silence as Merlin didn't move. In fact, Merlin might've stood there all night if something soft hadn't hit her in the head. "Ow!"
She turned and looked behind her. Arthur had thrown a bread roll at her head. "That's you, idiot!"
Merlin's eyes widened, "Oh!"
Blushing bright red and ignoring the titters of her new schoolmates, Merlin ran up to the front and sat down at the stool. Professor McGonagall looked only a bit disapproving as she sat the hat on Merlin's head. It was far too big for her and covered her eyes. Now, all she could see was darkness.
Then, the hat talked. "Well, I was wondering when I would get to you. Especially after meeting your friends."
Merlin didn't really know what to say. Was she supposed to say anything?
"No, my dear, you don't. Not unless you wish to. Most do. And yes, I can read your thoughts," the hat added as an afterthought.
Merlin was about to panic, but the hat assured her, "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. I have little to no interest in meddling with the affairs of men."
"Really?" Merlin couldn't help but ask. "Your song didn't give that impression."
"The affairs of men and the affairs of Hogwarts are not one and the same," the hat tutted. "You know. You felt her, didn't you? No point in denying it. I can see it right here, in your head. That was a rare gift, my child. Few have ever felt Hogwarts herself- that was a privilege afforded only to the Founders, and they are long since dead. Don't take that for granted. It was a sign of great respect."
"I'm grateful for it," Merlin admitted. "It's been a while since my magic has been so openly acknowledged."
"Ah, yes. Your other secret. Well, Hogwarts will keep quiet, if I know her." The hat said seriously. "She has other concerns at the moment. These are dangerous times, as I am sure you are aware"
"I know," Merlin said (thought?) immediately. "That's why you need to put me in Gryffindor!"
"Really?" the hat said, sounding only politely interested. Merlin had a feeling that he had already made up his mind about where he wanted to put her. "I have, but do you think you could change it? Go on. We have a few more minutes."
"I need to protect Arthur," Merlin responded. "I need to be close to him."
"Which is why you've been masquerading as a servant," the hat finished. "That really is quite impressive, you know. Not many could manage that level of subterfuge for so long."
Merlin's heart sank. He still wasn't going to put her in Gryffindor.
"Unfortunately not," the hat apologized. "I am sympathetic, truly I am, and I do occasionally honor the wishes of my students, but- no. Not today. You see, I've known where I was going to sort you since before you stepped through those doors."
"How?"
"Well, I did it before, you see."
"Wait, what?" Merlin thought. She would've remembered this.
"Your house is well documented."
"Documented where?"
"Everywhere, dear girl."
"So you're going to sort me somewhere because history says that this is the place where you will now sort me?"
"Something like that."
"Time travel is confusing."
"It certainly is. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an announcement to make."
It was here that Merlin realized two different things. The first was that in that entire conversation, the hat had never actually told her where he was going to sort her. The second thing was that it had been a long conversation. Almost five minutes. And some people were starting to look worried.
The hat finally made his announcement.
"SLYTHERIN!"
There was silence as the hall processed the sudden announcement. Then, the Slytherin table erupted into cheers and claps for their newest member. Merlin still sat, frozen, as McGonagall took the hat off her head. Then she risked a look at Arthur and Gwaine. Gwaine was clapping along with the Slytherins, uncaring where Merlin was sorted and, for a moment, Merlin felt better.
That feeling disappeared when she saw Arthur's face. He looked shocked, dumbfounded, even betrayed. Merlin's stomach sank as she finally got up, doing her best to put a smile on her face (this was something she had gotten quite good at) as she walked over to the Slytherin table. She was greeted by several students. Merlin had to admit that up close, they didn't look so scary, but for the rest of the dinner, all she could see was Arthur's expression.
She missed the rest of the Sorting.
She missed Professor Umbridge's speech (well, she tried to- the Professor's voice was rather irritating to listen to and cut through even her deepest thoughts).
She even missed most of the feast, satisfying herself with only small bits of food.
The moment the students were dismissed and first years began to line up with prefects, Merlin shot up and made a beeline for Arthur. He was following the other Gryffindors to their dorms.
"Arthur!" She called. She managed to catch his arm. "Wait! You have to listen to me!"
Arthur was far stronger than she was and easily broke her grip. He avoided looking her in the eye as he said, "Sorry, Merlin. I need to go find the Gryffindor common room."
He left Merlin standing alone at the entrance to the dining hall, shocked. Gwaine came up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, princess, I'll talk some sense into him."
All Merlin could do was nod and Gwaine gave her a quick kiss before running after Arthur. Merlin could hear him yelling out "Oi! Queenie! Wait up!" and she let out a sound that sounded suspiciously like a mix between a laugh and a sob.
"Emma?" Merlin, having learned her lesson from earlier, turned to see a tall, Slytherin seventh year looking at her. The girl had introduced herself earlier, but Merlin couldn't remember her name for the life of it.
"Ah, yes?" Merlin asked.
"I was asked to show you to the Slytherin common room and then give you a quick tour. Afterwards, Professor Snape wants to speak to you about some technical details regarding your exchange program."
It took a moment for all this to sink in. "Oh. Alright. Lead on, then, I suppose."
And lead on the girl did. It took all of Merlin's concentration to keep up with what she was saying. She spoke quickly, walked quickly, and Merlin had a feeling that she didn't put up with any nonsense. By the time the tour was over, Merlin found herself in the Slytherin common rooms (in the dungeons), panting just a bit.
"Any questions?"
Merlin just shook her head, still too tuckered out to speak. Nodding the girl showed Merlin Professor's Snape's office. It was empty. Professor Snape was apparently still speaking with the first years. Merlin would have to wait.
"Let me know if you need anything later, alright?" Merlin'd guide offered, right before she left. She sounded very sincere and Merlin realized that she might've misjudged her. Perhaps the Slytherins weren't too bad, after all. Merlin nodded and then was left alone.
She took the opportunity to look around Professor Snape's office. Anything to keep her mind occupied.
The office was dark, but then, so were most of the dungeons. There were plenty of books and papers all neatly sorted. There were also several unopened letters on the large, wooden desk, along with parchment and quills.
A black owl stood on his perch and let out a disapproving hoot when it saw Merlin take in the second half of the room. This part of the room was made up mainly of a large work table. There were several different cabinets, all filled with herbs and plans of different sorts, clearly labeled. There were beakers and tubes and knives and a cauldron and Merlin suddenly found herself missing Gaius and his workshop all the more.
Merlin moved in for a closer look. On the table, on a cutting board, was a plant with small, white flowers.She picked it up gently.
"May I ask what you are doing?" drawled a low voice from behind her. Merlin immediately put the plant down and looked behind her. Professor Snape had snuck up behind her.
Merlin apologized. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. This just reminded me of my Uncle Gaius's quarters. He's the Court Physician, you see, and I'm apprenticed to him."
Before arriving at Hogwarts, Dumbledore had informed them that only a handful of people would know their true identities: any professors already part of the Order, the Heads of Houses (two of whom were already Order members), and Madam Pomfrey, the Healer in the school. Snape happened to be one of these professors, which is why Merlin didn't hesitate in telling Snape about Gaius.
Professor Snape didn't look too impressed.
Feeling a bit intimidated, Merlin did what she did best. She talked. Merlin gestured to the plant. "I recognize that one. It's yarrow. We blend it into a paste and use it to treat minor cuts, bruises, burns, and the like. What is it used here for?"
Snape seemed to evaluate her for a moment, as though trying to decide whether or not he should deem her reply with an answer. Finally he said, "Here, it is called Arrowroot. It can be used in a number of potions. Now, sit down."
It wasn't a request and Merlin didn't take it as one. He took a seat behind his large desk and she sat down across from him.
"First," Professor Snape began, "I will warn you not to meddle in my things again. Students in other houses may tell you that I am simply being rude and unfair, but I assure you, it is more for your safety than mine."
Merlin resisted the urge to tell him that she knew the difference between a normal plant and a potion being brewed. Instead, she nodded her head.
Professor Snape continued. "Slytherins have a reputation as being selfish, back-stabbing, and dark. None of these are true. We are seen as selfish because we are willing to do what we need to do to survive; we are seen as back-stabbing and dark because because unlike others, we do not immediately declare our allegiances, but instead we watch and wait and judge. Slytherins are quiet. Slytherins are careful. Most of all, though, Slytherins are subtle. Do you understand so far?"
Slowly, Merlin nodded.
"I am your Head of House. You will report to me everyday after dinner for tutoring. From what Dumbledore has told me, your magic needs quite a bit of work if you wish to be up to par with the others."
"What about Gwaine and Arthur?"
"Professor McGonagall will be instructing them. As your Head of House, I am also the first one who you report to if you have any problems. I do not anticipate any. Those in Slytherin will protect you and look out for you. Slytherins are loyal first and foremost to each other."
Merlin decided to say something. "If that's the case, then I think the Sorting Hat made a mistake."
"Why is that?" Snape asked, looking faintly surprised. It was the first emotion that Merlin had seen him show today.
"Because my loyalties lie first and foremost with Arthur."
"Even if he'd kill you if he knew the truth about who you are?" Professor Snape didn't mince words, Merlin was coming to realize. Merlin wondered if she liked that or hated that about him.
A lump rose in her throat, but Merlin swallowed it down. She looked at Snape defiantly in the eye. "Yes."
"I see," Snape said finally. Then he said, "You've been lying to him all this time. Why?"
Merlin blinked. "Because- Well, because I have to. I have to protect him. Protect his destiny."
"And you believe that this is worth the pain it might later cause you or him." Professor Snape said bluntly. "You have been beside him all these years, and yet he does not know, because you, like all Slytherins before you, are willing to except that sometimes the end justifies the means. That sometimes, you have no choice but to be dishonorable. The Sorting Hat did not make a mistake. Is there anything else?"
Merlin shook her head.
"Then you are dismissed."
Merlin left with an odd feeling in her chest. She was a Slytherin. Huh.
Arthur and Gwaine also couldn't really believe it. After meeting with Professor McGonagall, much like Merlin had met with Snape, they went to look for Ron, Hermione, and Harry in the common room.
The three were talking.
"I can't believe Merlin is in Slytherin!"
"It's well recorded, Ronald," Hermione began, but she was shushed by Harry as Gwaine and Arthur returned.
"You were talking about Merlin," Arthur said immediately. He could tell by the looks on their faces.
"Ah-"
"Never mind," Arthur muttered. Hermione skillfully shifted the topic to Umbridge's interference at Hogwarts, but Arthur finally couldn't take it and headed upstairs to his new dorm. Gwaine followed him.
As soon as they were inside, Gwaine said, "You can't really believe that Merlin is evil."
"What?" Arthur said, looking at him surprised as he changed into his night clothes. "No. Of course not."
"Then why have you been acting so oddly since she's been sorted into Slytherin?" Gwaine asked.
Arthur shifted uncomfortably. "I just- I always thought Merlin was the bravest person I ever knew. What if I was wrong?"
"You don't honestly believe that," Gwaine said firmly. "Merlin is brave. You've seen that proven time and time again."
"Then why wasn't she sorted into Gryffindor?" Arthur protested.
Gwaine didn't know. "All I know is that Merlin is still Merlin, no matter what, and that you'd do best to remember that."
With that Gwaine, who had changed as well, hopped into bed and went to sleep. It had been a long day and they would have an early morning tomorrow. Arthur stayed up for a bit longer, thinking.
The next morning, though, he was resolved. He sat at the Gryffindor table for breakfast with a firm eye on the doors to the Great Hall, waiting for Merlin. When he saw her, clad in her Slytherin robes and looking exhausted, he called out to her. "M- Emma!"
She turned to him, looking surprised. Ron, who sat across from Arthur, asked, "What are you doing?"
"Is there a rule against students from different houses sitting at different tables?"
"No," Hermione said, immediately realizing what Arthur was up to.
"Then I'm inviting Emma to sit with us." Arthur said. He called her name again.
Merlin, who had heard, stared at him, dumbstruck. A Slytherin who Merlin had met earlier came up beside her. "Aren't you coming Emma?"
It had come down to a choice, Merlin realized, of her loyalties. She looked up at Snape, who was watching the entire thing. His expression was blank, but Merlin knew that he was curious. She nodded once to him.
For Merlin, this wasn't a choice at all. She went to sit with Arthur.
AN: So, a couple of quick things. One: long chapter. Woohoo! Two, a few people probably won't be happy that Merlin was sorted into Slytherin, but JK Rowling has said that Merlin was in Slytherin, and who am I to argue with her? Three, in my opinion, Snape wasn't out of character here. We always get the impression that he acts differently around his Slytherins than others, and this is Merlin, after all. She's destined to be the greatest witch to ever walk the Earth and even Snape can't be immune to that. Plus, if anybody can understand sacrificing all you are for a dream greater than yourself, it would be Snape and his all encompassing love for Lily.
Until next time,
tinyrose65