Merlin returned back to the hospital wing an hour later. Madame Pomfrey has also been summoned to Dumbledore's office to discuss Hermione's status, trying to determine what exactly happened to the girl. Now he sits by her bedside watching her intently. For a while she seemed to be unchanged but Merlin began to notice her eyes roaming quickly beneath her lids. It would appear that her mind is completely oblivious to the fact that her body is immobile. This continued for another few minutes or so before her eyes flew open and she screamed at the top of her lungs in an almost seemingly painful manner, "Merlin!" Her eyes were blazing gold and her back arched before she went completely limp again and her eyes shut once more. This time her eyes stopped moving and he knew she was completely unconscious once again.
Arguing could be heard heading towards them and Merlin grew livid; he could recognize that toad's voice for miles. The other among them was that of Madam Pomfrey who seems to be returning from Dumbledore's. He would bet anything that Umbridge followed her down to put in her own opinion on the matter.
Upon rushing into the wing after Hermione's ear piercing scream, Umbridge looked straight at Hermione and then at him. "And just what are you doing here?" She asked.
"I was just checking up on Hermione." He flat lined his response towards her.
"Why might I ask?"
"She is a dear friend of mine… I was worried about her."
"And just how did you know she was here?" Umbridge inquired.
"He carried her up here… alongside Professor Plank! The two of them were in class together," Madam Pomfrey insert before he could answer.
"And this was Care of Magical Creatures correct?" Merlin furrowed his eyebrows and glared at the woman as he nodded. "Well it turns out that I now know which class inspection I am going to conduct next." She smiles and once again lets out an eerie giggle. Merlin had half a mind to put her in her very own hospital bed. He could imagine how easy it would be. No one would even expect him without his wand here. He could literally feel the words tugging at his tongue to let them free but at that moment he saw movement in the corner of his eye. Turning, he saw Hermione looking around with a confused expression.
"Why am I in the hospital wing?"
"You were attacked during an unauthorized lesson in Care of Magical Creatures. Do not worry Ms. Granger this problem will be resolved." Umbridge smiled arrogantly at them before turning and walking out. Nobody spoke until the clacking of her ugly pink heels could no longer be heard.
"Attacked?" Hermione asked looking at Merlin.
"Well, I wouldn't say you were attacked. This whole thing has been blown way out of proportion. Unicorns are among the purest beings, they don't attack unless they feel threatened." He responded.
"Then what did happen? I don't even remember being in the class. My last memory is of walking out of the castle with Ron and Harry to head down to it."
"You know… I'm not entirely sure. In all my years I've never… perhaps Anhora would… but I haven't seen him since…" It had taken a second for her to realize he was no longer talking to her. It seems he sometimes unintentionally projects his thoughts but not enough of them to actually understand a thing going on inside of his head. She took the time of his distraction to really study him now. The pitch black of his shaggy, raven colored hair stopped just above his eyes, which were one of the most beautiful shades of blue she has ever seen. Despite is abnormally thin frame; everything he did hide beneath his robes seems to be entirely raw muscle. It's a little strange given how hopeless he seems to be during training.
"How long have I been here?" she suddenly asks, breaking him out of his reverie.
"A little over an hour. You missed the last lesson of the day; the feast will be beginning soon."
"Madame Pomfrey will I be allowed to go to the feast his evening?"
"I'm afraid not dear; as of yet I have no idea of the affects everything has had on you. I would like to keep you here until tomorrow for a further analysis."
Hermione looks a little glum at the prospect. "Don't worry," Merlin inputs, "you're not going to want to be there tonight anyways. Trust me?"
"Pardon?"
"Madame Pomfrey?" Merlin calls to the woman behind him. "Would you just give us a moment and then I will be out of your hair?" She smiles at him and nods before heading to her office.
"Be quick though."
"Martin what are…"
"Pú awefecung," he cut her off. The last thing Hermione knew before quickly drifting to sleep was a pair of bright yellow eyes. Whose they were she has no idea, her mind won't let her form a coherent thought as she drifts deeper and deeper and deeper until…
Merlin looked down on the sleeping young girl. Right now all the worry and dread seem to be wiped completely off of her face. Madame Pomfrey walks back into the room, "What happened?"
"I guess she was just really tired."
"Well, it's getting late. The feast is beginning soon so it's about time you head on over there."
"Of course Madame, I am thankful you have allowed me to see her at all." He stood and bowed his head briefly to her in respect before taking one last glance at the sleeping form of Hermione and exiting the wing. Whatever is happening is happening soon. He thinks to himself, 'Damn Samhain.'
Merlin made sure the trip to the Great Hall passed relatively slowly. He is in no hurry to further any events tonight; but as it is you can only walk so slowly before you eventually arrive. Most of the students still aren't present but he could see Ron and Harry sitting together at one end of the Gryffindor table. He decided to head over before taking his own seat next to the irritable looking Arthur.
"He Martin," Ron greets. "How's Hermione?"
"She's doing fine. She woke up briefly without a memory of the incident. It would seem she was still awfully exhausted because she went right back to sleep within minutes. That's when I left."
Harry furrowed his eyebrows, clearly indecisive about asking but goes ahead anyways, "What do you reckon happened to her?"
"Yeah that was bloody scary." Ron input.
"Well despite everything that's happened she seems completely normal." Merlin smiles. Again I have to lie. If anything Merlin is more confused than ever. Here he is still trying to piece Hermione into all of this and she happens to call him out by name. Not to mention the clear link she has to Old Magic, which he noticed the instant she opened her eyes.
Turning to Ron, Harry says, "Maybe we should visit her a little later." He quickly glances at Merlin and then back at Ron, "You know, just in case."
Ron glances between Harry and Merlin before his eyes finally set on the latter, "uh… yeah sure, I guess we could. What about you Martin?"
"No it's OK but you two go ahead." He looks around; a lot more people have arrived in the hall. Most of the Round Table occupants are already in their seats. "Anyways, I should probably get back to my seat. The feast will probably start soon." He smiles quickly and leaves.
On the way over, he could still feel the eyes of Ron and Harry watching him. On top of everything else today, now he felt as if he is being scrutinized.
Upon sitting down, the first thing he heard was a, "This is rubbish," muttered from Arthur to his left.
"What's the problem?" Merlin asks him.
"Where are the Bats? Where are the water snakes? All that are out are the Pumpkins and streamers. I bet it's that old toads fault. The Ministry won't even allow us to enjoy the holiday."
"Oh," was all he said.
"You would understand if you had been here to celebrate instead of transferring so late. In fact, first year a troll got into the Dungeon. I believe it was Harry Potter who later figure out Professor Quirrel was behind that particular event."
"Mhm."
"Why so glum Martin? Still reeling from Care of Magical Creatures are we?"
"No, I just hate… Halloween. I have for a very long time."
Turns out Gwen overheard him because the next thing he knows she is loudly exclaiming, "You hate Halloween?" and all of the students around the table are staring at him.
"Why?" Gawain asked.
"Halloween is my favorite holiday," Geraint input.
"Don't worry about it, it's nothing." Merlin just ignored any further questions after that and soon everyone gave up. By now, all of the students have made it into the hall and Dumbledore stands up with a quick, "Happy Halloween, enjoy" and the food arrives in front of everyone. Might as well enjoy the peace before it ends and Merlin puts some food on his plate despite his complete loss of appetite. This is going to be a long evening.