Slight of Hand
Her eyes were wide as she stared at him. His hands were empty, but it was impossible to miss the magic before her eyes. She looked down at her wand, wondering if there were any way for him to conceal his own. She came up blank. There were others in the crowd staring at their own wand in awe, and many of the muggles that mingled with them were screaming in shock and excitement.
He had really done it.
She stared up at the great Merlin as he continued to dazzle the crowd with his wit and magic, his eyes lighting up as the crowd was awed by it.
Behind him, she could see the King's knights approaching, their hands hovering over their swords. She yelled out for Merlin to vanish, to hide – it was forbidden to perform magic here. The older wizard just smirked as he turned to face the muggle knights. She saw him reach for his wand, which was tucked into the back of his belt. She felt herself smile as his fingers wrapped around the wood, he turned on the spot, and with a crack he was gone. The non-magical folk in the crowd oohed and ahhed at the trick, the knights yelled for there to be a search, and a reward for whoever catches the wizard. But she knew no one would.
Helga turned from her spot and smiled as she rejoined her party. Rowena frowned slightly as she asked a silent question.
"Not here, Ro," Helga said softly, as she looked back to the place Merlin disappeared.
"Good, cause I think I've found a place," Godrick said as he approached them. "The muggles say there is a haunted castle in the Scots' land, far from anything." Helga nodded, turning to their final member. He looked between them and then agreed to at least check it out. The four quickly ducked into a side street and apparated out of the town.
From her window, a young muggle watched with wide eyes and the two men and two women disappeared from sight. She let a small smile grace her face as she stood there.
"Gwen!" Her father called, his voice strained as he hauled something heavy through their door.
"Coming!" the woman called back, disappearing from the room.
A/N: Words – 382
History of Magic #2: Extra Credit - Write a story set in the era of Merlin and Morgana