A/N: Thanks for all your reviews! Sorry about the lack of a Sunday update. It's exam season, and I'm losing track of it all. There will (probably) be an update this coming Sunday (if not, it'll be during the week once I get a moment), but definitely not the following Sunday since I have an exam the next day. I'll compensate with a double update the following week.

Also, there are references in this chapter to events that took place in the prequel. Hopefully I've written it in such a way to explain things for those who haven't read it. If not, just let me know :)

Letter from the Past

Harry's hopes for the Gryffindor Quidditch team in the final match of the season against Hufflepuff for the Cup in a few weeks time were high. He sat astride his broom several feet higher than his team mates, watching their progress like a hawk. Ginny and the other Chasers were flawless as ever, the two Beaters were in top form and even Ron was starting to forget all his nerves and was playing excellently. He hoped this good form would last until the match. As it was, they appeared unbeatable.

He called an end to the practice, and set down on the ground, dismissing his team in a cheerful mood. Everyone except Ron and Ginny hurried off to get changed. Ron was still holding the Quaffle and was looking at it thoughtfully.

"You know, Harry," he said. "I think Old Magic has helped me in Quidditch. I can, I dunno, sort of see where the Quaffle is going to be before it gets there."

"It's the instincts," Harry said, putting the Quaffle and Snitch back in the case. "Old Magic improves them, and the return of the Old Religion means that anyone who tries will be able to improve their own instincts and awareness."

"You know, we might as well just go the whole hog and use Old Magic to win-"

"Don't you dare, Ron," growled Ginny. "We're going to win fair and square, or not at all. We're not going to cheat."

"It's not really cheating," complained Ron. "Only wands are forbidden, not magic itself. That's what Merlin said when he played for us-"

"And Merlin's just as bad as you are," said Ginny. "I can easily see why King Arthur had him put in the stocks all the time. And anyway, when he did it, no one really knew about Old Magic. Now everyone will be able to tell when you're using it. McGonagall will at least, and you can bet she won't be pleased if she catches you."

"Fine," huffed Ron. "It was only an idea."

"We're doing great, Ron," said Harry, turning his eye towards the Bludgers. "We don't need to cheat. As long as you keep control of your nerves, we can't lose."

"But it's our last ever game of Quidditch at Hogwarts," said Ron. "I really don't want to lose."

"We won't," reassured Ginny. She too turned to the Bludgers. "Need a hand getting them in?"

"No, I think I've got a way to do it," said Harry thoughtfully. He held out his hand towards them. "Betræppan!" he cried, and he felt the now familiar sensation of his eyes burning gold.

Immediately, the two Bludgers came zooming towards them full speed.

"Whoa!" cried Harry. "Slāw!"

Immediately, they stopped, now inching towards the three of them as though caught in toffee. When they got close enough, Harry just reached out and grabbed them, locking them safely in the case. Ron was clutching his heart.

"Blimey, Harry! We nearly got our heads smashed in then!"

"Sorry," said Harry. "It's a new thing I'm learning with Merlin, using Old Magic on objects that have been enchanted with Modern Magic. It's actually really hard. You have to get the balance exactly right. Too much and you'll double the power they have, too little and you won't be able to counteract the existing charms-"

"You sound like Hermione," Ron said, rolling his eyes. "Speaking of which, I need to get her to help me do my Potions homework."

"Help?" asked Ginny as they moved towards the changing rooms. "You sure you don't mean get her to do your Potions homework?"

"What do you take me for, Ginny?"

"Just a boy who tried to cheat in Quidditch."

"Point taken," grumbled Ron.

After a quick change, the three of them began to head back up to the castle, strolling pleasantly in the warm, lazy evening air. Ginny walked with Harry, and stretched her hand out to hold his. Ron looked away pointedly, but Ginny just laughed and sidled up closer to Harry, which he was only too happy about.

Although not exactly thrilled, Ron had more or less accepted their relationship, or at least, no longer scowled at open displays of affection. Harry for his part was just elated that he and Ginny could finally be together without the cloud of Voldemort hanging over them. This was what it should have been all along. He had to make up for the year and a half they had lost.

They walked in through the open front doors to find a whole host of people in the Entrance Hall, rather unusually. They turned to head up the marble staircase when suddenly the noise from the people gathered got even louder

Several people were clutching copies of the Evening Prophet, and some people were now looking angrily at Harry and the others.

"What's going on?" Ginny asked, staring defiantly at them all.

"Is it true that Merlin is just an imposter?" one of the apparent ringleaders asked, glaring at Ginny.

"Of course it isn't!" she objected. "What sort of question is that?"

The boy shook his paper at her. "There's plenty of folk who think he's just faking it. Maybe it's true. The Ministers of Magic in France, Spain and Brazil have all said they don't believe him."

"Then they're idiots," said Ron. "It's obvious he's Merlin. The Old Magic-"

"Yeah, Old Magic," said the boy. "How come he's so picky about who he teaches it to? What right does he have to stop everyone learning it if they want to?"

"Because it's dangerous," said Harry, his dislike of the boy increasing. "People can end up really hurt by using it."

"Then why's he not teaching it to them?" the boy demanded, and several others nodded in agreement. "He only teaches the people he wants to. He's turning folk away that want to learn it."

"Not everyone is able to use it," said Harry. "He can't teach people if they can't do it."

"Yeah and that's suspicious too," the boy said. "How come not everyone's got it? He's behind this."

"Are you thick?" Ron asked him. "It's nothing to do with Merlin who has Old Magic and who doesn't. He teaches the people that can use it, if he can trust them not to do something stupid with it."

"Who's he to decide that?"

"He's Merlin," said Ginny, stepping closer to the boy. "You have no idea how powerful this magic is, especially in the wrong hands. He knows how to use it, the only one in the world who can comprehend it. He has to be careful about who he teaches it to."

"Truth is, he just wants to teach it to his friends," said the boy, glaring at Ginny. "He doesn't care about the rest of us. Look at all this trouble he's caused with Verax. They're going to expose us all to the Muggles. And it's his fault."

Angry shouts rang out in the hall and some people even drew their wands.

"Don't blame Merlin!"

"What's wrong with telling the Muggles?"

"He's mad!"

"He's a fake!"

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. Just a few months ago, everyone here had been at the feast after Voldemort's death, all of them had celebrated, all had crowded around Merlin clamouring for autographs. How could they all turn against him so quickly?

"Lucian!"

Ernie MacMillan had emerged from the crowd and was frowning at the boy who had caused all the trouble. "What's going on here?"

Lucian glared at Ernie. "You're one of those DA aren't you? You believe 'Merlin's' the real deal then?"

"Of course I do," said Ernie. "The evidence is indisputable."

Lucian sneered. "And what about revealing us all to the Muggles, you believe that's a good idea as well?"

At this, Ernie hesitated, and Lucian nodded in satisfaction.

"You see? He can't even convince his own followers! He's completely mad! He isn't the real Merlin!"

"Look!" Ernie said, squaring up to Lucian, his hands on his hips. "He is the real Merlin. And you couldn't hope to be half the man he is, Lucian. Now, all of you, go back to your common rooms right now."

"What right have you to-"

"I'm Head Boy," said Ernie, puffing up his chest. "And if you don't all leave within the next ten seconds, I'm reporting each and every one of you to Professor McGonagall."

Reluctantly, Lucian, and everyone else began to disperse, many shooting glares at Ernie and Harry. As soon as the last of them had trailed away, Ernie turned to them.

"Really, Harry. Causing trouble like that in the Entrance Hall? I know you're my friend but-"

"It wasn't us!" protested Ron. "They're the ones that caused it. We were just passing through."

Ernie nodded, and looked towards the entrance to the passageway that led to the Hufflepuff Common Room and sighed. "I know. Lucian's been sounding off about it for several days now in the Common Room. Apparently his uncle was one of the ones Merlin turned away, and he's not happy about it. But the man spent time in Azkaban for attacking a Muggle, completely unrepentant. You can see why Merlin refused to teach him."

"Is it really getting that bad in the school?" Harry asked. "People are actually doubting Merlin's the real deal?"

"Yes," said Ernie gravely. "And all these issues with Verax aren't helping either."

"How can we hope to get on with Muggles if we can't get on with each other?" Ginny asked darkly.

Outrage at treatment of Muggles

Cruel and callous were the words used yesterday to describe the measures used against the Muggles who witnessed the Liberator's demonstration in a London park on Tuesday. Over four hundred Muggles were Obliviated in what was called the largest operation ever conducted by the Ministry of Magic. Cicero Verax called such a number 'shocking in the extreme'.

The Muggles, many of whom were as young as four, were tracked down and Obliviated, some so poorly in the rush to finish quickly, that they've been left addled and confused. The Obliviators say the effect is temporary, but Verax claims that this is beside the point.

"What right to we have to mess with these people's minds? We are not their masters. We have no right to treat them in such a way. Would you like your four-year-old child to be seized by a stranger and violated like that? Who knows what harm it could do to such a young mind?"

There were many reports of terrified Muggles fleeing the streets surrounding the park as they realised their loved ones had become sluggish and confused by the spells so indiscriminately cast. Several had to be Stunned in a shocking display of cowardice by Ministry officials.

Minister Shacklebolt, however, claims this was all in the Muggle's best interests. "What we need to remember is that the Liberators are the ones to blame here. Such a radical step by them on unsuspecting Muggles could have been severely damaging to Muggle society. They forced us to act. It is regrettable, but was necessary to ensure continued peace."

But Verax and his supporters refuse to back down, and state that they will not cease in their efforts to ensure a fairer and more equal society for all, and plan to continue their demonstrations at the Ministry for the foreseeable future.

Merlin threw aside the paper. "I take it then the editor of the Daily Prophet has now joined the Liberators?"

Kingsley's grimace was all he needed in confirmation. Merlin nodded.

"This won't help things at all," he said. "Verax is stirring things up in the wrong way."

"I thought you supported him?"

"Not like this," Merlin said, ignoring the jibe. "I despise secrecy and corruption in all forms. If this is to be done, it needs to be done openly. Not through propaganda and bribes."

The two of them were sitting in Kingsley's office at the Ministry. Merlin had just finished his second lot of Old Magic lessons for the day, and was about to head home. Kingsley was looking through a long list of correspondence.

"We can add Bulgaria, Russia and Mexico to the countries you can no longer visit," Kingsley sighed, casting aside some letters. "They've all joined Spain, France and Brazil in denouncing you as an imposter. Before all this Liberator business started, they were annoyed at you for not teaching them Old Magic, but they haven't openly opposed you until now. They think your support of these Liberators proves you're an imposter, and that your real motivation is control over Muggles."

"That's ridiculous," said Merlin. "I don't want to control Muggles!"

"Many people think you do," said Kingsley. "Several Pure-Blood families have joined Verax; they think you'll be able to control them the way you did in Camelot."

"I didn't control Muggles in Camelot!" Merlin said. "We worked together-"

"That's not the way they see it," said Kingsley. "They believe you ruled over them."

Merlin pushed back the indignation he felt, and sighed. "That's what the Wizards' Council used to believe," he said, referring to the Ministry's predecessor. "They worshipped me because they believed I had controlled Muggles. They didn't know the real story."

"Verax' followers are slowly becoming as biased as the Wizards' Council was," said Kingsley, looking at him hard. "Their visions of reality are becoming warped in this new craze."

"Not all," said Merlin, avoiding looking at him. "There are many of us doing this for the right reasons."

"But Verax is not one of them," said Kingsley, his voice stronger now. "Can't you see that?"

"All I see is a man determined to end the secrecy and lies between our two peoples," said Merlin. "He may be a bit of a slimy character, but he's come further than anybody else has. I believe his intentions are true."

"Really?" Kingsley asked, eyeing him intensely. "Are you sure it isn't because you merely wish it to be so?"

"Give me some credit," Merlin said, annoyed. "I'm not foolish enough to place trust where it is not deserved."

"Are you sure?" said Kingsley. "Many people would place their trust blindly without a second thought if they were desperate enough."

"I'm not a child."

"You're acting like one," said Kingsley, raising his voice now. "Why must you be so stubborn? "

Merlin looked away angrily. He couldn't listen to this. No matter what Verax' followers had done, or what they believed, this was the opportunity he knew he had been waiting for. Old Magic had returned, and that meant peace must come with it.

He turned his head slightly, expecting to see Fawkes perched there, and remembered with a jolt that Fawkes rarely came anywhere with him anymore; all mention of Verax made him anxious. His shoulder felt empty without him.

Merlin felt his insides writhing in discomfort. Fawkes was his companion now, his guide, he should trust his judgment, shouldn't he? He felt so lonely all of a sudden. He looked for that feeling deep inside of him, the Old Religion guiding him as it had always done, but yet again, found only silence. Why did it no longer speak to him?

Please, please guide me. I don't know what to do.

"What's this meeting been called for?" Ron asked, as he, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Luna and Professor McGonagall walked into the kitchen to find Malfoy sitting alone at the table. Malfoy merely shrugged.

"No idea," he said, avoiding looking at Ron.

"Where's Merlin?"

"No idea."

"Talkative today, aren't you?" asked Ginny as she sat at the table. "All alone are we?"

Malfoy ignored her. Harry noticed that he looked unwell again, and frowned. Ever since Voldemort and Morgana's defeat, he'd been happy, well, at least as happy at Malfoy could look. Something was bothering him. Harry would have bet all the Chocolate Frogs in the world that it was about his father.

In amongst the countless reports of Verax and Liberators, the Daily Prophet, had managed to sneak in a few lines about Lucius Malfoy, and the beginning of his term in Azkaban. Harry wondered vaguely whether Malfoy had been to see his father. Was that the cause of his melancholy?

They didn't have to wait long as the kitchen slowly filled up. Last to enter were Kingsley and Merlin, both looked unusually tense.

"What happened?" asked Mrs Weasley as she noticed the left sleeve of Merlin's robes were covered in blood.

"It's alright," said Merlin, before she could get upset. "I healed it. Nothing major."

"There was another attempt made on Merlin's life today," Kingsley said, seating himself. "Unrelated to the first. They were in the Atrium, and Merlin was … listening to Verax speak. This witch was angry at Merlin for supporting Verax. She attempted to hurt several members of the Liberators as well."

"What did she do?" asked Hermione.

"Oh, something imaginative with some enchanted swords and maces," said Merlin. "She thought it was poetic license. It was all I could do to stop her hurting others. One of her swords managed to nick me when my attention was elsewhere."

"Things are beginning to get more violent," said Kingsley seriously. "The protests are no longer peaceful. From what Minerva tells me, several fights have also broken out at Hogwarts as well. What should we do?"

"I don't see that you can do anything," said Remus. "Trying to control the protestors would just cause more trouble."

"But we can't let them get away with all this-"

Several voices erupted at once, as people began clamouring to be heard. Even amongst the Order, opinion was divided as to whether or not Merlin was right in supporting Verax.

"He's proven himself to be volatile," said Hestia Jones. "It cannot be in anyone's best interests to help him."

"The man isn't the issue here, but what he represents," said Dedalus Diggle. "He's touched upon a subject wizards have been too scared to address the last three hundred years. We should consider it at least."

"But his methods-"

"-International Confederation of Wizards will never agree-"

"-will only lead to civil war-"

Harry found himself completely lost in the conversation, or rather debate, as it was turning out to be. He turned to Ron and Hermione. Ron he knew thought the entire idea was crazy, but Hermione … Her expression was thoughtful as she listened.

"This is such a big step though," she said. "It just can't be done quickly, no matter what Verax says. They have to agree to compromise. We can't just leap into this without thinking."

"But nothing would get done," said Bill reasonably. "You know what politicians are like. They'll sit and debate this for years before deciding not to do it anyway. Verax knows that, and that's why he's piling on the pressure. They won't be able to ignore him."

Kingsley called a halt to the proceedings.

"This was not intended to be a debate," he said. "Just a warning about how out of hand things are getting. To borrow a phrase, we must all have constant vigilance. The whole country is ready to ignite. The Muggle election is going on today, by tomorrow the Muggles will most likely have a new Prime Minister, and you can bet Verax will try and do something about that fact."

Harry felt a sudden dread he could not explain. It was a long time since he had had even a passing interest in Muggle politics. He didn't even know which political party was in power at the moment, or who was likely the next PM, and he doubted many other wizards did either. Surely it wasn't a good idea for wizards to ignore the politics of the society that they co-existed with? It seemed ominous to him.

"I still think you should speak to him about the Liberator movement," Merlin said. "Get his opinion at least."

"Whoever is elected will have a hard enough time coming to terms with the idea of magic without dropping this on him as well," said Kingsley. "I prefer to wait-"

"Always waiting," Merlin said bitterly.

"And what it wrong with waiting?" Kingsley said, his voice hard. "You fail to see the real issue here, Merlin. This is something that must be done slowly. You may hate waiting, understandable considering how much of it you've done over the years, but you must recognise that to rush into this would be foolish."

"You don't need to take this burden on yourself, Merlin," said Luna.

"It is my cross to bear, no one else's," he said. "I will talk to him if you will not-"

"And you think dropping by his office and announcing you're the legendary Merlin would earn you any favours?" Kingsley asked, his voice now raised. "He would think you were mad, and rightly so. I will tell him what he needs to know, and no more until the International Confederation of Wizards has made up its mind whether or not to consider this proposal. Under no circumstances are you to approach him or any other Muggle."

Merlin's eyes flashed. "Is that an order?"

"Yes," said Kingsley, now on his feet, as everyone stared at the two of them. "You may be a powerful sorcerer from legend, but that does not mean you are above the law. I am the Minister for Magic, I am in charge of the magical people of this country. You are one of those in my charge, no matter how old you may be. Do not attempt to control this situation on your own. If you do, I could easily have Tonks arrest you."

Merlin reeled as though he had been hit, and everyone else sat in stunned silence, Tonks looking particularly uncomfortable. Kingsley was still standing, though he seemed to have calmed down somewhat.

"I am sorry," he said, his voice more gently. "But my decision is final. I am not about to bow to your demands, or Verax'. I must keep a level head. Please, do not make my job more difficult. If you really want this as much as you say you do, I need your support, not your condemnation. If this is to happen at all, we need to work together, and not be at odds with each other."

"You do not believe me when I say that this is the right thing," said Merlin, he too now seemingly controlling his anger. "How could we work together when we disagree on such a fundamental thing?"

"I want Muggles and wizards to live side-by-side peacefully as much as you do," said Kingsley. "My only issue is timing. It will happen someday, I have no doubt. But in this century, no, and perhaps not even the next. But in the meantime, we can ensure we can continue the peace we have now.

"Can it be called peace when one party is completely oblivious to the other's existence?" said Merlin, his voice now sad rather than angry.

"It is the only feasible peace at the moment," said Kingsley. "And I am determined to uphold it until we can all agree the time is right."

He left the room, leaving everyone still reeling from the argument they had just witnessed. Ron whispered to Harry: "Did he seriously just threaten to arrest Merlin?"

Everyone was looking uncertainly towards Merlin now, no one seemed willing to speak. Harry kept his eyes fixed firmly on Merlin, worried by the dark circles he now saw forming under his eyes. He'd spent centuries torturing himself waiting for the return of the Old Religion, why did he have to go through this again? Why couldn't he find the peace that he'd wanted for so long? Harry certainly had; the last few months had been the happiest and carefree of his life. Merlin deserved the same.

"I suppose now wouldn't be a good time to mention my latest discovery?" Bill asked uncertainly. Everyone looked to him in relief for speaking up first. Remus turned to him with a rather forced smile.

"What did you discover?"

Bill reached into a bag he had by his side, and withdrew an ancient leaf of parchment, tied in a scroll with a heavy seal on it. He hesitated slightly.

"I've been helping the goblins clear out Slytherin's castle," he said, trying to catch Merlin's eye. "He had so many old valuable trinkets lying around; the Gaunts didn't seem to want to take them all when they left the place to build their own castle, and there's loads of secret rooms and stuff, with some pretty nasty things inside. Well, yesterday, I found a concealed door in the old library, with a small space behind it, like a sort of safe. All that was in it was this scroll."

"What is it?" Hermione asked. "A spell or enchantment?"

"Probably a curse, going by Slytherin's reputation," said McGonagall, eying it closely. "Have you read it?"

"No," said Bill, again looking straight towards Merlin. "There's a name written on the front. It took me a little while to be able to read it, the ink's faded and I couldn't read the writing at all; it was in some script I wasn't familiar with. But one of the experts at the Ministry helped me. The name is Emrys. The scroll is for you, Merlin."

Merlin immediately looked up, and all anger and resentment at the argument faded for a moment, replaced with an eager curiosity. "My name?" he asked, frowning. "But-"

"The seal is Slytherin's," said Bill, pointing it out. "It must be a letter from him. We haven't read it."

He held it out to Merlin, and Merlin took hold, carefully handling the aged parchment. He looked at the name on the scroll.

"Yes," he said. "It is Salazar's handwriting alright."

He hesitated for a moment, before carefully breaking the wax seal and unfurling the scroll, holding it up to the light. Harry caught a glimpse of some slender handwriting crammed into a small space, but was unable to recognise any of the words.

"What does he say?" Fred asked, leaning in for a better look. "Can you translate it for us?"

Merlin nodded. His cast his eyes over the first few words. "This is what it says:

'My friend, Emrys

I leave this scroll in the walls of my library, in the vain hope that one day it shall be discovered. In writing this, I am acknowledging my belief that you shall be able to read these words in the future, in however many centuries that may be.

Yes, Emrys, I know you are immortal, or long-lived at least. I believe I have known for a long time, though I never voiced it to you, nor to the others, though I suspect they believed the same. Your constant references to Camelot, the melancholy that overcame you whenever one of us would mention that city and several other factors led me to my conclusion. My suspicion was first seriously aroused during our trip to the Wizards' Council, when talk of Merlin and Camelot were always constant, and you seemed to have such intimate knowledge of the past. And when Chief Merrol raised the fact that you spoke with a rather archaic accent, the pieces began to fall together. I knew that you must be from the time of the Old Religion, that no other person would be so knowledgeable about a subject that had fallen into decline (your arguments with our Druid Divination teacher also led me to that conclusion). You mentioned waiting for your time to come, constantly waiting, and I knew then that the Old Religion had entrusted you with a task far greater than any one us could comprehend. I only sincerely hope that your destiny has finally come upon you, and you can find the peace that so eluded you in our years at Hogwarts.

I know not why I write this to you, except that I wish you to know I have not forgotten your teachings, though I suspect history may paint me otherwise. I am now at the end of my life, Emrys, the last Founder, old and grey, which gives me much time to reflect upon the follies of my youth. I know now why you had to leave us, Emrys, though at the time, I blamed you for it. I hated you for abandoning us, I blamed you for the arguments that erupted between Godric and myself. We needed you, Emrys, but I understand now why it was not to be.

I was a fool. So often you counselled me to forget my prejudices and my hatred of Muggles, but so often I rebuffed you, did not listen to your wise words. You may not believe me, but I am truly, truly, sorry. Perhaps it has taken my own dwindling health for me to realise it. My own son has deserted me, he cares nothing for me, and neither should he, for I was harsh and unkind to him. I have no one to comfort me in my final days. I regret my actions all those years ago, for now I am left friendless and alone, when once my life was filled with friendship and laughter.

Do you remember the good times we shared? The time by the lake when the school motto was born, the annual balls and feasts, when even Rowena could be induced to smile and have fun? The loss of those friendships has pained me more than I can express to you in a letter. Godric was my dearest friend, and I regret to say I never reconciled myself with him before his death last year. Nor dear, sweet Helga, whose death I learned of just two weeks ago. She wrote to me a few times, begging me to return, but I ignored her letters. Even when she wrote to me of Rowena's illness and Helena's disappearance. I was callous, I was wrong, and more than that, I was a coward. She told me you were with Rowena when she died. I can only imagine the pain that must have caused you. I am sorry I was not there.

When I heard you had once again reappeared, miraculously unaged after ten years of absence during which I had made my shameful departure from the castle, I immediately began to search for you, for even then, I had begun to regret my actions. But you disappeared just as efficiently the second time as you did the first, and I was unsuccessful.

So now I tell you what I wished I could have told you in person. I did not truly appreciate the Old Religion, the gifts it gave me. I forgot all that you had taught me in my own blind hatred, and now perhaps it is only a fitting fate for me to die alone in this castle, friendless. Nothing I ever say can make up for what I did, abandoning the castle like that. I only ask that you can forgive me, undeserving as I am.

The school is now to be left without any Founders, and I fear for its survival. The Wizards' Council has closed in on it, despite our old efforts. I trust that you can protect the school from afar as efficiently as you once did. I pray that you can restore its old values, the ones I forsook myself. I have seen the death of everything I love, but the castle must remain strong. All our old hopes and dreams now rest within it. A peace between Muggles and wizardkind we always knew to be a long time away. I hope one day you can witness what we could not.

I conclude this letter with my thanks for all that you taught me, and my sincerest apologies that I could not maintain the vision you had. The thought that you may one day read this puts my weary mind at rest, and I wish you every happiness for whichever century you now find yourself in. Do not waste your talents like I wasted mine.

Your friend, Salazar

Merlin, whose voice had become rather choked and thick as he read the letter, placed the scroll down on the table. He stared at it for a few moments; he looked oddly emotional.

"So he did regret what he did," he murmured softly. "I always wondered. "

"Sounds like you were good friends with him," said Tonks.

Merlin nodded. "Yes, I suppose I was." He leaned back. "I always guessed that the Founders knew I was older than I let on. It's not really a surprise."

"You believe him when he says he was sorry?" Ron asked, frowning.

"I do," said Merlin, looking back down at the letter. "Salazar was many things, but he never lied. I believe him. He was always such a conflicted man. I'm sorry it had to end that way for him."

He looked sadly down at the letter once more, and Harry found himself tracing the words with his eyes himself. It was odd to think of a man so widely known as Salazar Slytherin actually writing that letter one thousand years ago in the hope that Merlin would one day read it. Even stranger to think Harry would be around to hear it. It made the Founder's era seem so much closer. It made it seem so much more real.

"But do you forgive him?" Malfoy asked, looking hesitant. "I mean, after all that he did."

"I do," said Merlin again. "Salazar was a product of his times. Hatred and fear of Muggles was all that so many people had been raised to believe. He took it further than most, but I knew him well, and I know that in his heart, he was truly sorry for what happened. He always knew immediate peace with Muggles was unachievable."

"Then why do you think it is now?" asked Harry. "If you all knew back then how long it would take, why are you rushing into things now?"

Merlin fixed him with a long look. "Because that was one thousand years ago," he said. "Surely the time is near? True, we've stopped killing each other, but our friendships too have ended. What use is there in 'peace' with Muggles if it cannot be enjoyed? I owe this to Salazar and the Founders, and all those people over the centuries who've made this their lives' work. I can restore the peace they longed for."

"And why?" asked Harry. "Why does it have to be you?"

Merlin laughed. "Look who's talking, 'Chosen One'. There are some tasks that are given to us to complete on our own. This is one of them."

"I'm not sure about that," said Harry. "I don't think this is what the Old Religion wants. If it was, I'd feel it somehow, I'd know it, but all I feel is confusion and dread whenever I think of ending this Statute. I know I'm new to this, but that has to mean something. You must feel it too. Is this what you hear the Old Religion telling you to do, or is this something you're doing for your own benefit?"

Merlin did not answer him, and instead continued staring at the letter, his brow furrowed.

"So, Slytherin regretted what he did, did he?" said Fred. "I suppose that makes everything all right then."

"Of course it doesn't," said Merlin. "But I can understand, and I can forgive. What use is holding a grudge anyway?"

"I still say he was a slimy git."

Merlin couldn't help but smile. "And you're a true Gryffindor. I can only imagine how the two of you would have gotten on.

It was the morning after the meeting, and Merlin, Fred, George and Draco were walking around London, Merlin having each of them practice Old Religion disguise charms. They were heading in the direction of Diagon Alley in order to try them out.

They weren't in any particular hurry, and strolled leisurely through the Muggle streets past everyday commuters and tourists. It was oddly calming, being so lost and anonymous amongst so many people, and Merlin was using the calm to try and sort out the constant muddle his brain had seemed to become.

The streets were lined with tatty posters of various political parties with the smiling faces of the different candidates smiling down at them, each of them completely still. Draco was watching them curiously.

"Strange that Muggle pictures don't move," he said, looking up a a parliamentary wannabee's face on the nearest poster. "I thought Muggles did have moving pictures?"

"They have television, which is completely different," aid Merlin. "That's moving pictures I suppose, but photographs don't move, no."

"Weird," said George, looking up at another poster.

They passed a newsstand, and Merlin cast a glance at the front page of the Daily Telegraph: "Shock landslide for the People's Party", was the headline, over a map of Britain coloured vibrant orange to signal the new People's Party constituencies. Next to this was a small photograph of the leader of the People's Party, the new Prime Minister, standing victorious at the announcing of the results.

"That's weird," said Merlin. "The People's Party? It was never even properly in the running. How come it won a landslide?"

"You're asking the wrong people, mate," said Fred, looking dumbfounded at the paper. "I don't know a thing about Muggle politics."

Merlin felt a stab of annoyance as he always did at every mention of ignorance of the Muggle world, but pushed it aside. He took a galleon from his pocket, and closing his eyes to hide the glow, he Transfigured it into a pound coin to hand to the vendor. He took the paper and flicked through all the list of constituencies, seeing that the People's Party had won a majority in almost all of them.

"This is really strange," said Merlin. "This party came out of nowhere. It only won six seats in the last election, how come it now has six hundred?"

"If I even knew what that meant-"

But Merlin wasn't listening, but was pacing up and down on the pavement, reading through the reports.

"I don't understand it," he said. "The three major political parties don't even get a look in. How could such a marginal party win an election? This wasn't what was predicted at all."

He stopped his pacing, and turned to the others, a sudden dread within him.

"You don't think there's something suspicious about this?" he said. "That the Liberators started their campaigns around the time the Muggles were gearing up to vote, that something like this has happened?"

"What could Muggle government have to do with them?" George asked. "Unless they think this new Prime Minister would be more open to negotiation with Kingsley about ending the Statute?"

"Possibly," said Merlin, resuming his pacing again. "The last Prime Minister was completely against it. They might be trying to exert their influence by tampering with election results."

"But how could they do that?" Draco asked. "Muggle elections involve millions of people, don't they?"

"It's like I've suspected, they've been planning this for months," said Merlin. "This has happened at exactly the right moment for them."

"So, is this a good thing or a bad thing?" Fred asked. "Do we think this new PM will help the Liberators? Wait, you think he's a Squib or something?"

"I doubt it," said Merlin. He looked down at the newspaper again, examining the face of the new Prime Minister, a man he hadn't even known existed. "But I'm sure Verax is behind this, and I won't be happy until I find out why."

They continued on their way, and soon wound up in Diagon Alley, where not a single witch or wizard seemed concerned with the Muggle election. Verax and the Liberators were the subjects on everyone's lips. Merlin couldn't even be distracted by Fred and George's pranks at their joke shop, and couldn't wait to be on his way again. Even now, the new PM was entering Downing Street. Was Verax influencing him?

After a few hours, they ended up back on the streets of central London, Fred and George doing a good impression of their father by examining every single Muggle artefact they came across, with even Draco looking interested. They emerged into Trafalgar Square, and sat down by the fountains.

Masses of tourists filed past, their cameras clicking non-stop as dozens of pigeons soared overhead and children cooled their feet in the fountains and climbed the monumental lions that surrounded Nelson's Column. But even here, the election was being discussed. Men in suits crossed the square, each carrying copies of newspapers and others sat on benches reading through the papers with frowns on their faces. A couple of news reporters stood in one corner, apparently interviewing one of the disappointed candidates, a large colourful rosette on his shirt.

The feeling of dread that had accompanied Merlin ever since the morning seemed only to increase as he sat here, concealed within the heart of Muggle London. As much as he wanted the end of the Long Separation, the idea of tampering with Muggle elections made him uncomfortable. He had thought Verax had had good intentions, but the demonstration in the park and now this made Merlin wonder whether he had been mistaken. Perhaps Kingsley and Mr Weasley were right, and Verax truly was not to be trusted. Merlin did not like his methods.

The bad feeling grew and grew.

Suddenly, a great green flash filled the entirety of the square, so bright it stung at his eyes, a clap of thunder sounded and several people screamed. The entirety of Nelson's Column had been set alight by emerald flames that licked their way up and down the stonework like fire on a tree trunk. The top was engulfed by a great fiery ball of green energy.

Terrified tourists turned to the column in frozen terror, and the television crew pointed their cameras hurriedly at the column, their interviewee forgotten. Merlin and the others leapt to their feet, but they too were frozen at the sight of the flaming column.

Popping noises filled the square as about twenty men and women Apparated in front of the column, surrounding it on each side, each of them with their wands outstretched. One of the witches stepped forwards, her face cast in an eerie light by the still flaming column.

"Fear not, Muggles," she cried to the terrified crowd. "We have come to end your oppression! We, your magical brethren welcome you back to our world. Let our two races never be separate again!"

Then, all the Liberators raised their wands and cried out a multitude of spells. The great carved lions came to life and stood up, stretching themselves and roaring loudly before rearing up onto their hind paws and running off to surround the Muggles, who screamed hysterically. Each of the fountains burst open as jets of water streamed from each of them several feet into the air like geysers, combining above the heads of the Muggles like a curtain of water, which shimmered with light. Wands were pointed into the air, and flowers rained down below. Birds issued from the ends of wands. Cars and busses in the streets beyond swerved and crashed into to each other with a great noise. The policemen patrolling Trafalgar Square were hastily calling for back-up. Children began to cry. Everyone tried to run from the blazing column.

But something held them back, some great force field at the edge of the Square. They tuned back to the witch.

"We are the witches and wizards of your country," the witch announced, her voice magically amplified. "We come to join with your people once more. Magic and non-magical people shall live together once more. Cicero Verax has commanded it, and all of you shall join with us in realising his vision. Magic, has returned!"

Merlin didn't have to hear the terrified screams of the Muggles, see the red light of the news camera broadcasting live to the nation, or the looks of horror on his companion's faces to know just how serious this situation was.

Everything was about to change.

A/N: Dun, dun dun ... what now? ;)

Quick note: In this chapter and the following couple, there are a few mentions of British politics, which I have deliberately tried to keep as simple as possible, as I know there are a lot of international readers of this story who may not be familiar with the British political system (I certainly don't know a thing about American politics, Australian politics etc). The People's Party mentioned in this chapter are not a real party, and I'm working on the assumption that all Muggle politicians mentioned in the Harry Potter books do not equate to real life e.g. Tony Blair who was elected in 1997 and was really PM in 1999 was not the one defeated in this General Election. None of the characters or policies in future chapters are based on any real life political party to stop me from being accused of Labour/LibDem/Tory bashing in the fic.

Don't know much about politics myself, so it won't be too in depth, so don't worry. Just ask if I'm not clear about certain things :)