Another chapter? So soon? Yes, but like everything in the magical world it comes with a price. But first, the chapter.

Chapter 4: Teaching the Teachers

One night, Merlin walked back to his bed and found a note folded on his pillow addressed to him. He opened it to see that it was a letter from Salazar asking Merlin to meet with him and the other founders that night in Salazar's office. They would expect him at ten o' clock. He glanced at the clock to see that it was a quarter till. Figuring it couldn't hurt to be there early, he snuck out of the common room and walked towards Salazar's office. Well, there was a slight detour to sneak another pastry from the kitchens first. He arrived to find the four founders sitting in chairs by the roaring fire and an empty one for himself. Merlin shut the door behind him and let his disguise slip away before sitting down.

"You really must tell us how you do that with such ease Merlin," Rowena said astounded.

"There is a potion that can do it that I used for a while, but now I don't have to think about it." Merlin took the offered cup of tea. "I'll give you the recipe some time, Helga."

"That would be most appreciated."

"So how is it?" Godric asked. "Being young again, I mean."

"It's fun." Merlin grinned. "It's less about being younger and more about not having chores to do or a King to keep out of trouble. And its freeing to be able to acknowledge my magic, even if I have to hide the full extent of my powers. Even I don't really know all I'm capable of."

"You are a mystery as always Merlin," Salazar laughed. "If you ever find something you can't do, I want to be the first to know."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"So what do you think of the classes?" Rowena asked. "I'll admit it seems strange for us to be teaching you when really it should be the other way around." The others nodded in agreement.

"Nonsense." Merlin shook his head and set down his tea on the small table in the center of their semicircle. "Sure I know a lot of the healing arts, but I only just learned the other uses of Athelas. And I don't really know that many charms and enchantments. A lot of what I do is instinctual but for the specific cases I always had to go back to the books. And astronomy? I only know what every country boy knows. What constellations signal the time of harvest and which means planting season. You have already taught me a lot in just this first week alone. You have nothing to worry about."

"Thank you for your kind words." Salazar smiled at him. He had noticed Merlin's pure enthusiasm when he had been teaching him. "I have to say, I'm surprised you ended up in my house, from what I've seen, your passion for learning is as strong as Rowena's." They both blushed a little at that.

"Well, I never got much time for learning in Camelot. It is a welcome relief from all the work." He decided not to outright tell them that he had chosen Slytherin for fear of offending the other three. They nodded their understanding and a pleasant silence fell in the room. Despite Salazar's office being in the basement, with the roaring fire, it felt quite homey to Merlin. There were bookshelves aplenty and night sky charts hanging on the walls. The ceiling was actually enchanted so that the stars were always shining above them and they still would be even during the day.

"I hate to break this comfortable silence," Helga interrupted. "But there was something else we wanted to discuss."

"Oh yes," Godric set down his glass and folded his hands in his lap. "As you know, this school is still very new. Not everyone is used to the idea of a school for people with magic. There are hardly any places of learning for those without magic so people are bound to be suspicious. I'm afraid that although England has become more accepting of magic again, thanks to you and Queen Guinevere, there are still those that are suspicious. And even some of our own kind are wary. We think there is a group of those of the Old Religion who are trying to take this school down. They believe that magic can only truly be taught by their priestesses and by the druids."

"Do the druids share this view? They are mostly a peaceful people."

"No, they are content to stay out of it. As you may have noticed, there are very few druids here since they have been teaching their children for centuries and don't see any reason to change now, but they have acknowledged that Hogwarts is a good idea for those not born to a druid family. They won't be an issue."

"I'm glad."

"But we are worried about attacks from members of the Old Religion. If that happens, we want to know if we can count on your help. We understand that you are in disguise here and-"

"Of course I will help," Merlin interrupted. "I've been defending Camelot against similar threats for years while pretending to be a clumsy servant without a drop of magical abilities. I am not about to let all that you've worked for fall because I want to escape my responsibilities for a while." A visible weight was lifted from their shoulders. They had hoped he would agree, but they didn't want to assume.

"Thank you, Merlin," Rowena said. "We would not like to break your cover if not necessary, so what is the best way to get in touch with you if we do need you?"

"Do any of you have blood ties to the druids?" Salazar put up his hand.

"On my mother's side, her grandmother was a druid."

"Have you used thought communication before?" He shook his head. "It just may work

still." Merlin turned to the rest of them. "The druids have a way of communicating among themselves in their minds. It has proved useful in the past. I have only known druids to have this ability, but you still be able to hear me if I open a link." Nod if you can hear me. They all nodded with wide eyes. Now if you think your thoughts I will be able to hear them because I have opened a communication link.

Just like this? Helga thought.

Just like that Helga, Merlin affirmed.

This is amazing, thought Rowena.

And has the potential to be very useful, Salazar added with a grin that Merlin didn't need to look at him to know was there.

So we can reach you this way? Godric asked.

Maybe. "Now I've broken off the connection, you can't hear each other and I can't hear you. He watched as they took a moment to tried to listen for each other's inner voices but they had no luck. "Now Salazar, you may be also able to open up a connection. It may take some practice before it becomes easy, so try to reach for my mind first. It should be easier to find."

"How?"

"I'm sorry. Again I don't really know. Just let your instincts guide you." They all watched as Salazar bit his lip and shut his eyes in concentration. "Just try to project a simple thought, my name, for instance." Salazar nodded and concentrated harder, trying to feel for Merlin with his mind.

Merlin. It was very faint but he could just barely hear Salazar in his mind.

That's it, Merlin encouraged and tried to subtly lead him down the mental tunnel between their minds he had thrown up to block the normal distractions.

Merlin? His inner voice was stronger now.

You did it! A smile lit up both of their faces.

Now how do I cut off the connection?

It feels like you are in my mind right now, yes? Merlin could see him nod. Just imagine yourself drawing back and coming back into your own mind. Merlin felt his presence recede. Salazar opened his eyes and looked at Merlin.

Am I out of your mind? Merlin watched as his smile got bigger when he realised Merlin didn't hear his question. "This is brilliant!"

"Excellent. Now with some practice, you will be able to make the connection faster and from further away. I'd encourage you to try to make the connection everyday before Astronomy starts. I'll probably be there early so that you have more time to try before class starts; Godric's classroom isn't too far from yours."

"A fine plan."

"Then if something comes up, Salazar can contact me and I can establish a stronger connection with everyone. Until your distance increases a sufficient amount, notes still work or you can send me a raven with a message."

"A fine plan." They all nodded their agreement. "Well we will let you head back before your friends start to think something is up." Merlin stood.

"Thank you for the warning. And the tea." He transformed back into his younger self as he walked to the door. With his hand on the handle he turned back. "Oh, I almost forgot. I should tell you that I built myself a small underground room deep in the forest for some of my other books and things. It's pretty hidden but I thought you should know it is there." And with that, he walked back into his life as Drugen, the young, carefree boy.

And now the price. It's not much, only I need help with the story. I need ideas for pranks that might happen at Hogwarts. Or in any school really. Any half-fabricated ideas, what-if ideas, or full blown ideas that really deserve their own story. Or even something fun you would do if you had magic. Nothing is too crazy. And of course, the more ideas I get directly influences how fast I am writing this story. Cheers guys. I look forward to your ideas.