It had been three weeks since Dumbledore replied to his letter, and now it is 19th August. Merlin was reading the Daily Prophet again.
BLACK STILL AT LARGE!
Sirius Black, possibly the most infamous prisoner ever to be held in Azkaban fortress, is still eluding capture, the Ministry of Magic confirmed today. "We are doing all we can to recapture Black," said The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, this morning, "and we beg the magical community to remain calm." Fudge has been criticised by some members of the International Federation of Warlocks (Merlin snorted at this, for he is the only true Warlock left. But there are some truly powerful wand wielders though, Dumbledore being one of them) for informing the Muggle Prime Minister of the crisis. "Well, really, I had to, don't you know," said an irritable Fudge. "Black is mad. He's a danger to anyone who crosses him, magic or Muggle. I have the Prime Minister's assurance that he will not breathe a word of Black's true identity to anyone. And let's face it-who'd believe him if he did?"
While Muggles have been told that Black is carrying a gun (a kind of metal wand that Muggles use to kill each other), the magical community lives in fear of a massacre like that of twelve years ago, when Black murdered thirteen people with a single curse.
There was still no sign of Sirius Black. Well, he's an animagus, so unless they know what his form looks like, they aren't going to find him. Merlin, himself can change his form with an Old Magic spell, one he can now do without the incantation, and he can change into any animal he wants to. Merlin put the newspaper down on the coffee table, and stood up. He went into his spare room where he keeps his most valuable possessions (in the room next to it is a bed for Arthur in case he does return) and went to the wooden drawer, opened in and took out a wooden box with intricate designs of the Old Religion decorating it. He placed it on top of the drawer and opened it. Inside is a white crystal, on a silver chain. The crystal glowed gold when the box was opened. It was a crystal from the Crystal Caves, that Merlin has enchanted so he can make himself younger. He uses the crystal every time he goes to Hogwarts. It's cloaked too, so no one can see it. But sadly, it doesn't mask all of his scars. He has to try to make sure that he keeps them hidden from others. Merlin looked at his watch, (a fantastic invention) and saw it was 11:30. He has two hours before he is expected to be at Hogwarts. Merlin placed the crystal around his neck, thought the age 13, and almost immediately, he could feel the transformation taking place. His twenty one year old body, began to shrink into that of a thirteen year old. It was always a strange process to go through, no matter how many times he has done it.
Once the transformation was complete, Merlin went over to the mirror to see if it worked. Merlin grimaced as he looked at himself. He was thin. Too thin. But Merlin seldom eats anymore. It's not like he can die anyway. He ears stick out more than when he's an adult, and his sharp cheekbones are very prominent. Merlin laughed bitterly to himself. No wonder Arthur doesn't love him. He wouldn't if he was Arthur. Merlin sighed. Aithusa flew in then, and landed on his shoulder. She took one look at Merlin's appearance and scowled. "You seriously need to eat more, Merlin." She had a sad tone in her voice as she spoke. Merlin just looked away and began playing with ends of his sleeves. They had had this conversation hundreds of times before. "No. Don't even think that Merlin. Don't you dare think that." Aithusa narrowed her beautiful blue eyes at the Ancient Warlock. "Do you really think, Arthur would want you starving yourself?" Merlin didn't answer. Because, no. He wouldn't. Arthur would not want him starving himself. But Merlin is beyond caring. Arthur is dead. So Arthur will never know. "You will see him again Merlin. Of that I promise." Aithusa said, voice soft. Merlin turned his head back to the mirror and smiled sadly at her. It was clear he had lost hope. Merlin's eyes flashed brilliant gold, and the image of his thin stature, disappeared replaced by a healthy(ish) looking "boy". A simple concealment charm. Only those with extremely powerful magic would be able to see through it. And no one is that powerful. Dumbledore may see through it, but he's not entirely sure.
Merlin went into the kitchen and prepared himself a small meal. It consisted of bread, ham and cheese. Also with a bit of Mayonnaise. He grabbed an apple and sat in the living room on the sofa. Aithusa flew in and landed on the coffee table where the Daily Prophet lay, forgotten. As Merlin ate, Aithusa looked at him through speculative eyes. Merlin sighed. He knew what she wanted. "Fine." And he tossed her some ham. She caught it and ate it. "You know, you're the one who wanted me to eat. Yet, you steal my food."
"I do not steal your food." Aithusa said, indignantly. Merlin raised an eyebrow. Aithusa huffed, smoking coming out of her nostrils, but didn't say anything. Once Merlin had finished his meal, Merlin's eyes flashed gold and plate floated into the kitchen and washed itself up. "Really?"
Merlin shrugged. "It's easier." Aithusa rolled her eyes. Merlin looked at his watch again and saw it was 12:15. Merlin got up and went back in the room. He opened the top drawer, and pulled out a long thin box with runes on the lid. He placed the box on top, placing the other box that the crystal was in, back in the drawer and closed it. He gently took off the lid and inside, was his shrunken Sidhe Staff. The blue crystal glinting where the light hit it. The runes on the staff-turned-wand, were still carved in the wood. It was still as beautiful as when he retrieved it two thousand years ago. No doubt magic had made it so that it is untouched by the years. He took the 'wand' and placed it in the pocket of his jeans, covering it with his T-Shirt. Merlin placed the box back in the drawer, and left the spare room, closing the door behind him. Merlin glanced at the room with Arthur's stuff from Camelot in, and sighed. He walked to the window and gazed at the lake once, before turning away and getting ready to leave. In Dumbledore's letter, it said to take the Knight Bus, so that is what he must take. He doesn't like taking the Knight Bus, Apparation would be better than that, but if he doesn't then the teachers would be suspicious. "Aithusa, you have to stay here. I'll be back later." Merlin said.
"Can't I come with you?"
"I'll be taking the Knight Bus."
"On second day thoughts, I won't." Aithusa hates the Knight Bus as much as he does. But if he shows up the way he normally does, too many questions would arise because thirteen year old wizards can't do wandless magic, and can't use magic outside of school. Especially Old Magic. Merlin laughed at Aithusa's disgusted look and she glared at him.
"I have to go. I'll be back soon." Merlin told her, as his eyes flashed gold and he disappeared in a swirl of white mist.
Merlin appeared on the outskirts of the nearest town to him (which was three hours away) and walked over to the road. It was a small town so not many cars went through here. Good. Merlin took put his wand and held it in front of him.
There was a deafening BANG that reverberated throughout the small village. The few passersby didn't see or hear anything, they just carried on their daily lives. Merlin, though, did and he winced at the sound. He stashed his wand away before any of the locals saw. A second later, a gigantic pair of wheels screeched to a halt in front of him. Merlin winced again. He hates that sound. A bright purple, triple-decker bus stood before the Ancient Warlock, with The Knight Bus written on the windshield in gold lettering. The doors slid open and the conductor in a purple uniform, leapt out of the bus and began to speak. "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board, and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike and I will be your conductor this afternoon..." Stan trailed off as he looked at Merlin. "Aren't you a little young to be wandering around on your own?" Merlin barely stopped himself from snorting. Young? No. He's a lot older than he looks. Stan looked to be quite young himself, around eighteen or nineteen with a few pimples and large producing ears. Stan almost makes Merlin feel a little bit better about himself. Almost. For they both have big ears.
Merlin shrugged. "Probably." Merlin said. "I need to be somewhere by half-past one."
"'Ow old are you?" Stan asked, suspiciously.
"Thirteen. I-"
"Woss your name?"
"Myrddin Ambrosius. I need to be at Hogwarts by one thirty." Merlin said, starting to get mildly annoyed. Maybe he should of teleported himself to Hogwarts. It would have been quicker.
"Hogwarts, eh? Bit early don't ya fink? Term don't start 'til September 1st." Stan said.
Merlin heaved a heavy sigh, closing his eyes momentarily to stop from hexing the guy. Opening them again, he looked at Stan's suspicious look. "I have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore. I'm just starting Hogwarts this year, and I received a letter saying to meet him today for my testing."
"Righ'" Stan said. Shaking his head, he dropped the topic. "That'll be a Galleon*." Merlin dug into trouser pocket and took out a gold Galleon. "Fanks." He said, taking the Galleon. "All aboard." Merlin grimaced as he stepped on the Knight Bus. When he sat down on one of the seats nearest the door (so he can make a quick exit) Merlin closed his eyes to hide the flash of gold. That will keep him in place while the bus is moving. The bus doesn't seem to be that busy. Which was surprising considering its the holidays, but Merlin isn't complaining. "This is our driver, Ernie Prang. This Myrddin Ambrosius, Ern." Ernie Prang, an elderly wizard wearing thick glasses, nodded to Merlin, with something akin to recognition in his eyes. Merlin's eyes widened slightly. He went to school with Ernie about a hundred years back. Merlin didn't even know if he was still alive. Then again, magic-users do live longer than non-magic people (or Muggles). "We're goin' Hogwarts. Take 'er away, Ern." Stan said taking a seat in the armchair next to Ernie's. With a tremendous BANG, they were off. Merlin now remembered why he hated to Knight Bus. Merlin was thrown backwards on his seat as the bus zoomed down the streets in milliseconds. If it wasn't for the spell Merlin cast he feared it would would be a lot worse.
The Knight Bus jumped hundreds of miles at a time and Merlin was very relieved when Ernie slammed on the brakes and the bus stopped outside the Hogwarts castle. Merlin couldn't leave his seat any quicker. He jumped up and practically ran out the door. Merlin leant against the castle wall, feeling very happy to be on solid ground again. "Thanks." Merlin said to Stan, still leaning against the wall. Merlin pushed off the wall once he got his balance back. "Bye." Stan disappeared into the bus, and with another bang, it disappeared. Merlin looked at his watch. 13:24. Good, he's not late. Merlin walked up to the castle gates, and was met by a man with black greasy hair, a hooked nose and sallow skin. He wore plain black robes and his dark eyes locked with Merlin's. Severus Snape. Merlin recognised him from the Crystal of Neahtid.
"You must be Myrddin Ambrosius." Snape said. Merlin nodded. "Come." Snape turned around and walked through the gates. Merlin followed the professor up to the castle. Merlin had almost forgotten how beautiful Hogwarts was. As they entered the double oak doors into the castle, the magic of the castle seemed to hum as, she welcomed him back. He always did feel most at home in Hogwarts. They walked in silence for the entire way. After about fifteen to twenty minutes, they reached an ugly, but familiar, stone gargoyle. This is the entrance to the Headmasters office. "Sherbert Lemon*." Merlin raised his eyebrows. That's a strange password. It sounded even stranger coming out of Snape's mouth. The gargoyle sprang to life and hopped aside as the wall split in half, reveal a spiral staircase that was moving smoothly upward. Merlin gave a half smile. This was his idea. They stepped onto it and the wall slammed shut behind them. They rose upwards in circles, higher and higher, until it stopped. The were stood in front of a gleaming oak door ahead, with a brass knocker in the shape of a Griffin. Merlin could barely contain the laugh that threatened to break free at the thought of the jokes the servant, George, would tell Arthur if he were to see the knocker in Camelot. Snape looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Merlin looked back at the professor innocently. Snape's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't question anything, instead he stepped off of the stone staircase to the door. Merlin followed suit. Snape rapped on the door, thrice.
"Enter." A voice called. Dumbledore, Merlin presumed.
Snape pushed open the door, to reveal a large circular room, full of funny noises. A number of silver instruments, that even Merlin didn't know what they were, stood on spindle-legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke. Portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses covered the entirety of the wall. They were all snoozing, but Merlin knows well enough that they are faking. Closing his eyes, to hide the gold of his eyes, he cast a silent enchantment on all the portraits to stop them from recognising him. When he opened them again, the gold had almost vanished, only a flicker remained, which disappeared as soon as his eyes were fully open. In the centre of the room, sat behind an enormous claw-footed desk, was Albus Dumbledore himself.
A/N:
Galleon* I didn't know what price to do it to Hogwarts, so I done a Galleon.
Sherbert Lemon* I know that that is the password used in The Chamber of Secrets (film) but I didn't know what password to use.
I hope you liked the chapter.
Triquetra123