Chapter 2: A Fresh Start

Merlin, under the guise of the guise of Drugen Dourado*, was standing in the great hall with the other first year students while the older students sat at four tables. Most people from Camelot would not have recognised him. He looked to be only fourteen years of age, slightly older than the average first year, but some were older still. He had let his raven black hair grow out slightly longer so that his ears did not stick out as much. Gone was the neckerchief and old servant attire. He had black trousers with a dark green shirt. Over this he wore a grey cloak as many of the other first year students did. It matched his soft blue-grey eyes, the one feature that had the potential to be a dead giveaway. From a first, even second glance, Merlin appeared to be a typical young boy who was excited and even a little bit nervous to be out on his own, far away from home. But a closer look at his eyes and you saw the wisdom and sorrow of a man much older.

"Drugen Dourado?" Salazar Slytherin called from the dais, reading off a list of all the new students. Merlin made his way to the front of the hall and sat on the stool while Rowena placed the Sorting Hat upon his head.

Well, well. You aren't all that you seem, Emrys, the hat drawled inside his head.

Now hush you; don't go ruining this the first day I get here, Merlin scolded, not at all put off that he was talking to a hat. He had stranger days.

I won't do that, I'm only here to sort you. Although you are a tricky one. You have skill with plants and herbs and loyalty as fierce as Helga coupled with the intelligence of Rowena. Hiding your magic in Camelot, that's the bravery, or stupidity, of Godric. Merlin smiled a little at that. Yet your ambition to protect your king and bring about a golden age of magic, well that is very Salazar. Emrys, you were born of magic. I believe you would know where to sort yourself better than I. The choice is yours. Merlin thought for a moment, remembering what the founders had told them of each of their houses, plus what Merlin had picked up about them as people.

I believe I would do best in Salazar's house.

Very well. The Sorting Hat then called out to the student body, "Slytherin!" There were cheers from all around, but slightly louder from the table against the right wall. So when Rowena took the hat off his head, he sat himself down at that table and exchanged a secret grin with Salazar before the next student was called.

A few more first years joined him at the Slytherin table and the sorting was soon over. Godric stood up to give a speech.

"Welcome, all of you, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. For the first years among us, or those who have simply forgotten, allow me to introduce your professors. Helga Hufflepuff will be teaching Herbology and Healing. Rowena Ravenclaw will be teaching Charms and Enchantments. Salazar Slytherin will be teaching Astronomy and Woodcraft. Aria Hemslock will teach History of Magic. Geoffrey Goodfellow will teach Runes. And I, Godric Gryffindor, shall be teaching Counterspells and Protection." He gave a mock bow and a few of the older student chuckled. "Before we enjoy a most delicious meal, there are a few rules. Student of all houses are expected to work together and respect each other, regardless of background or skill. There will be not practicing of magic in the corridors, this castle is magic enough as it is, we don't need any of you giving it new ideas. There is a restricted section of the library and we expect that to be respected. The forest is still unexplored and should be entered with caution. Other than that, study hard and have fun. Let the feast begin!" He clapped his hands and a small army of serving boys came laden with plates of delicious foods.

Merlin was quite excited. He was a decent cook but he had been starting to miss Camelot's kitchen. The students all dug in eagerly."What did they say your name was?" a girl next to him asked.

"Drugen," he responded. "What's yours?"

"Flora. My mother loved nature."

"My mother did too." They shared a small smile.

"So what type of wand do you have? Mine is Willow with a unicorn tail and is thirteen inches." She pulled it out of her cloak pocket to show him. It was very plain, but elegant in its simplicity.

"I brought a staff instead." Flora looked around, puzzled. "It's with my luggage, it's a bit big to bring if I don't need it. I'll show you when we get to our dorm."

"I would like that. Do you know anyone else here?"

"Not really," Merlin replied. "I recognize a few faces but it may just be a coincidence. What about you?"

"I have a friend named Libæna who grew up in a neighboring village. We used to meet in the fields and play together." She smiled at the fond memories. "She is in Hufflepuff."

"I would love to meet her."

"I'll get her to join us for breakfast tomorrow morning then."

"That sounds excellent."

Later that night, as Merlin lay in the four poster bed, staring up at the ceiling, he realised he had hardly thought about Arthur all day. And he had made new friends. Maybe this would be even better for him than he thought. After all, as a fourteen year old boy, he had no responsibilities to worry about. Not a care in the world.

And with that thought, he drifted off into a deep sleep. More peaceful than he had in a long time."

A/N: Dourado is Gaelic for Golden; I thought it would fit what with his eyes turning golden when he used magic.

Libæna is very similar to the Czech word for love