It is time to make his leave; much of the preparation is already in place. This year Merlin has put in his transfer request as a fifth year student at the school. This way he will be able to observe upcoming events from a much closer angle. For the students, it is still quite early into summer vacation but Dumbledore, the current headmaster for the school, has requested his presence.
Readying to leave behind his small flat in London was not at all a challenge. Unpacking and repacking can be awfully time consuming so he learned the lesson in light packing pretty early on. It wasn't hard after growing up significantly poor and learning to live with only the necessities. Even still, time can be wearying on all things and he has accumulated quite a collection of artifacts in several vaults located at Gringotts back in Diagon Alley in order to preserve what he believes to be some of the greatest treasures of all time.
With one last brief sweep around his place to make sure that he had everything he needed for now, and his aging spell in place, he swung his bag over his left shoulder and disappeared in a gust of wind to Hogsmeade. It's time to meet the new headmaster.
Merlin appeared right on the outskirts of Hogsmeade; away from prying eyes. The small trek to the castle was quite enjoyable. The feeling of being back in nature is soothing to the senses. It was still about another five minutes walk when the full view of the castle finally came through the clearing and an eager smile spread across his face. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding, it is always a nice feeling being home. This was Camelot Long before it became a school and it held multitude of very fond memories.
Merlin got so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't realize just how close the castle became until he stood right outside the large double front doors and made his way through them. Normally he could walk the castle in his sleep, but rather than drawing too much attention to himself by knowing his way around a castle that he has 'never step foot in,' he began to probe around in search of a teacher to 'show him the way.'
It took quite a while of searching before he heard the demanding clearing of a throat located directly behind him. Merlin slowly turned around to find a strict looking woman dressed in dark robes with a black pointed hat and her hair turned back. She, for a moment, just stood there eyeing me wearily.
"And just who might you be?" she asked.
"Right… uh… hi, I'm Martin Ambrosias," He says, holding his hand out towards her but she doesn't take it and he recedes his hand back towards him after a moment. "I'm here to see Professor Dumbledore about a transfer request to the school, but
I don't quite know my way around and I've been looking around for someone to show me the way. You're the only person I have seen thus far."
He could tell she was examining him. With everything going on recently he honestly couldn't blame her. "Very well, Mr. Ambrosias, if you would please follow me…" She trails off and begins walking so he falls into step behind her.
They finally stopped off at the third floor located right by a stone gargoyle. The muttering of a simple password, "Lemon drops," and the gargoyle moved right along to the side to reveal the hidden staircase to the Headmaster's office. If it paid any attention to Merlin being there it didn't show it.
The office looks different than the last time he was here. The large and beautiful circular room was filled by funny little noises. A number of curious silver instruments stood on spindle-legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke. The walls were covered with portraits of the old headmasters and headmistresses, all of whom were snoozing gently in their frames. There was also an enormous, claw-footed desk where the headmaster resided looking over paperwork, and, sitting on a shelf behind him, was the famous sorting hat.
"Albus," The woman said with authority, "I have a Martin Ambrosias here to see you. He mentioned something about a transfer to the school."
Hearing this, Dumbledore looked directly at him. "Ah yes," he said, "I'm glad you made it. I was hoping that you wouldn't get lost on your way here and it seems you have managed just fine. Thank you Minerva." He looks to the woman and smiles. She nods slightly before turning to leave the room.
A moment passes and the two just stare at each other. "Come sit down why don't you and we can get started?" Slowly Merlin makes his way over to the chair and sits, all the while keeping eye contact with the teacher. "There is no need to be nervous son. Want a Lemon drop?" He asks merlin holding one out to him.
"No thank you," he smiles in reply.
"Very well," Dumbledore begins, "we do not usually obtain such older students. Transfers are a very rare occurrence. Might I inquire as to why you wish to do so?"
Merlin knows even the slightest mishap in his story will be heard. Dumbledore can be very calculating. As one of the few believers in the return of Voldemort, Merlin joining the school will have a lot of suspicion. "Well, I lost my parents young." Dumbledore furrowed his eyebrows. Given Merlin's current age, this is in fact not a lie. "In turn I lived with my uncle Gaius. He became the father figure I never had. Everything I learned growing up in regards to magic, I learned while under his care." Also not a lie. "But he died not to long ago, and without him my education has come to a standstill. With nobody to guide me and recent events unfolding, I figured it would be much safer to learn with the protection boarders of the school."
He could tell Dumbledore was listening patiently as he spoke. "And who do you live with now Mr. Ambrosias now that your uncle has passed?"
"I don't live with anyone. There really is no family left to take me in."
"Then where have you been staying all this time? How have you been getting around?"
"Well, money hasn't been an issue. I was left an inheritance, but being only fifteen and under age have caused hiccups. The flat left to me by my uncle is located in muggle London. Through transportation methods I have been getting around by way of floo powder, the night bus, or regular transportation methods such as walking or muggle taxis." Now a simple stretching of the truth.
"Interesting, and how long have you been managing this?"
"A few months." There's the lie.
"Well Mr. Ambrosias, everything seems to be in order. If you won't mind being tested by the faculty today to make sure your level of magic is up to par with the rest of your class."
"Not a problem," Merlin replied.
"Also, given your young age, it is the school's responsibility to ensure that all students are safe regardless of whether or not you are on the school grounds. With this in mind, I would like to assign you to a caretaker for the remainder of the summer until you return here on the train with the rest of the students." It was not a question but Dumbledore look at Merlin regardless waiting for a response to ensure the 'boy' understood the situation. Merlin just gave a simple nod in response. "Very well, let's get started shall we?"
The series of tests went off without a hitch. Merlin reigned in his magic to meet all necessary standards. It had been long ago that he became well versed in Latin in order to evolve with changing times. Though Old English spells come far more easily, he has managed to adjust. His wand; however, is another story entirely. Once he found that the mere attempt of using his magic through any wand caused a much-undesired explosion, he had to result to other methods. Fastening himself a piece of wood with the appearance of any other wand, he gave it no core. In all honesty is 'wand' was just a fancy looking stick. He only ever used it for appearances when necessary. Luckily, nobody ever noticed.
Right now, Dumbledore and Merlin have apperated to a field with extremely tall grass and a small swampy area nearby. About two minutes in of walking they came to a large clearing where a single house resides. The house is ugly; there is no doubt about that. It gives off the appearance of a multi-story misshapen cylinder with a single room on each level.
"Where are we?" Merlin asks the Professor.
"We are here to discuss your living situation for the summer. A woman by the name of Molly Weasley has graciously accepted to take you in for the time being. Outstanding woman, very hard to come by someone like her."
"Is this where I will be staying then?"
Dumbledore looked at Merlin for a slight moment. He could have sworn there was a slight twinkle in the man's light blue eyes. Sadly, he couldn't confirm what he saw when the professor began to once again make his way to the… house?
A light rap at the door caused Mrs. Weasley to look up from her cooking. Then she looked to Ginny and Ron who were sitting quietly at the dining table. "Ron, could you check who's at the door?"
"Sure mom."
The moment the door opened and Professor Dumbledore stood at the entrance was quite a surprise. "Professor! What are you doing here?"
Behind Ron came a sudden, "Hello Professor," from Ginny still located at the table.
Looking beyond Ron towards his mother, Dumbledore smiled. "You told me you would care for a young Mr. Ambrosias for the summer until school begins. I hope it is not too much of a problem that we arrived a day early. There was also something I wished to speak with you in regards to…" Dumbledore did not finish that sentence but looked at Molly with a straight face and her reaction was enough to know she knew what he was implying.
"Ah, yes! Not a problem sweetie, I'm happy to oblige. Ron, why don't you accompany Martin up to your room where he will be staying with you until its time we head out? I just need a quick moment with Dumbledore to discuss some urgent matters," she turns to her son with a do-it-now expression.
Both boys nod and Merlin follows Ron up the stairs. "You too Ginny dear," she tells her daughter who leaves the kitchen begrudgingly. "So what is this about?"
"As you know Molly, recent event must be taken into account. Whether or not we can yet trust this boy is unclear. I figured, under your care, we could keep a far better eye on him."
"I agree."
"The order is assembling. In a few weeks time you are to relocate to Sirius's family home where the headquarters has been established."
"Alright."
"See you soon Molly. You will continue to be kept informed. Remember to watch the boy." With that Dumbledore exited the house and returned to Hogwarts. Mrs. Weasley went back to cooking dinner.
Ron doesn't quite know what to think of Martin yet. The boy appears tall and lanky with short raven black hair and bright blue eyes that appear far to old to be on somebody so young. The smile on Martin's face has not ceased since walking through the front door. He is wearing what appears to be a dark blue T-shirt beneath a really worn brown jacket with a deep red scarf thrown around his neck followed by casual black jean pants and a pair of over-used boots.
Reaching his room took no time at all. Inside Merlin saw a small room located towards the top of the house directly beneath the attic, decorated with posters of the Chudley Cannons with burnt orange colored walls.
"Are we both going to fit in here?" Merlin asked Ron.
Ron jumped at that. It was the first time actually hearing the bloke speak. "Well I mean, I know its small and all but I'm sure we can make do."
"I just want to make sure that I'm not cramping you in your own room. As a guest, I am very grateful to you for allowing me to share it with you." With that Merlin walked in with Ron behind him and looked around then looked to Ron questioningly.
"Oh! You can just go ahead and set your stuff down right on the bed for now. You came early so the camp bed hasn't been set up yet." Merlin shrugged slightly and placed his stuff down. "Come along then, we'll head back downstairs. Mom says dinner is almost ready," and Ron turned and left with Merlin following slowly behind.
The weeks following Merlin's arrival at the 'Burrow', as everyone calls it, have been incredibly slow. The whole situation has been filled with pervading questions as everyone tries to figure him out. The feeling of living with other people again is an odd sensation. The last time he had was while he studied at the University of Brown only a few decades ago and shared an apartment with a young man names Tobias Hartley.
The young man Ron, whom Merlin is sharing a room with, has been rather interesting to get to know though. To fill awkward silences in the beginning, Ron would many times talk about his previous years at Hogwarts. All of the adventures, and the students, and the teachers and the lessons came pouring out of him. Merlin already knew about most of the big events but it is different watching things from a distance. Ron's take on the events from first hand eyes made it feel like a whole new story entirely. Now, even though Merlin still spends most of his time keeping to himself nose first in a book, many will still often find him and Ron hanging out when he's not. In the short time he's been with the family, a part of him had become rather fond of the youngest Weasley boy. Ron could be insecure and questioning and doubtful on a regular basis. Unlike the founders who seemed to resemble Merlin by his eagerness to grow and learn, Ron resembled that part of him that made him human and humble. Back in Camelot, these traits would get a good joke and a laugh out of Arthur and the knights, but they were all good fun. He even developed a great deal of close friendships with those knights who admired his courage to remain at Arthur's side but also who felt the need to take him under their wings because he could appear fragile. This was also the part of him that caused him to be reluctant to do what needed to be done when it mattered most. Too many times Merlin regarded Morgana, Arthur's half sister intent on taking her 'rightful' place on the throne using any means to obtain it, and allowed her to keep going because he couldn't find it in himself to finish the job. As a close friend of Harry Potter's, Ron might one day find himself in a situation where he will be tested. Merlin only hopes that these traits don't cloud his judgment as well.
Tomorrow, apparently everyone is relocating. Merlin is heading with the family to a new location where they will be remaining until school begins once again in September. Last minute preparations are being made as everyone quickly rushes around the Weasley household in an effort to pack last minute necessities. Such hectic chaos reminds him of a battlefield. Everyone is too preoccupied to pay much attention to him and Ron sitting at the breakfast table. Somehow, if Merlin hadn't talked Ron into packing earlier he would probably be worse than his family on the matter.
The remainder of the day played out with idle chitchat here and there. Everyone was a little to eager to leave.