Merlin's Chosen

Rating: T

Summary: Arthur has slept in Avalon, the otherworldly place just beyond the reach of magic for all but Merlin and his chosen, recovering from the injuries sustained in the battle at Camlann. Years have passed and times have changed and Hogwart's school of Witchcraft and Wizardry has taken it's place on the edge of the Lake of Avalon, unknown to modern witches and wizards. The world is in need of the Once and Future King to protect Albion again but to do that the immortal Merlin, the man that has learned to live backwards, must be there and he is nowhere to be found. It is now the job of Merlin's Chosen. Only, Harry Potter thinks he's going mental.

This is based on the mountains that are around the movie version of Hogwarts and the lake that Merlin takes Freya to in season 2 episode 9.

A/N: This chapter has a very different feeling that I hope you will enjoy. It was a break from my normal style, mostly because what the character featured went through. That being said, this one is a short one for the same reason. I have thought about adding more and it didn't feel right. This needs to be on it's own.

As far as myself, while I am in the US, I am in a state that actually took this virus seriously and is doing okay. While I and my family was spared the virus, my mental health took a hit and there were many days that I didn't want to sit and write. I took it one day at a time. Still am. So, please, stay safe. Wear your masks.

Chapter 22

Year: 1979

Regulus Black, second son of the most ancient house of Black, spare turned heir, stared down that the magical self-illuminated basin on an island in the middle of a flooded cave. Next to him, his loyal elf, Kreacher, stared up at him scared.

"You know what to do, Kreacher," he said and handed him a locket charmed waterproof before picking up the cup that lay so innocently next to the basin.

The fake locket dangled from his hand. A testament to his betrayal. Inside was a note. One that he hoped the Dark Lord would eventually read and know what Regulus did.

To the Dark Lord,

I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want you to know it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the Horcux and intend to destroy it was soon as I can.

I face death in the hope that when you meet your match you will be mortal once more.

R.A.B

He dipped in the cup and took a long drag of the acidic potion.

He did't remember much after that.

...MC...MC...

The next thing he did remember wasn't a white light leading him to the great beyond, but was waking up on the cliff that led to the cave wondering how he got there. His clothing was wet and ripped while long scratches ran down the length of his arms and legs.

Infiri.

Why wasn't he dead?

Then he was moving and walking. A couple with a dog was walking toward him, seemingly enjoying the evening.

"Alright there, mate?" the man asked.

Regulus wanted to say yes. Tried to open his mouth to say yes. Instead his wand hand came up, without a wand, a phrase muttered in a language that felt older than time, a pair of screams, and the couple was dead along with the dog.

"No!" Regulus screamed.

His body stopped short.

A hand waved and a rudimentary mirror appeared and floated in front of Regulus's face, but the eyes were not his.

"You weren't as dead as I thought," the man said, bright blue eyes flashing gold. "I will just have to take care of you then."

Regulus screamed as pain erupted. Absently, he saw the man grimace as Regulus felt himself being forced back into the recesses of his mind and then black out.

...MC...MC...

It didn't take Regulus long to learn how best to ignore the doings of the interloper and avoid as much as possible the surface of his brain. It did lead to extensive boredom, but it was better than watching the horrible things the man did.

It also didn't take Regulus long to figure out who had taken over his body. His parents were immensely proud of the fact that the Black family was descended from Mordred and thus Morgana LeFay as if their stories of cruelty and black magic was something to be proud of. Yet through his own research as a teenager and from what he learned from the soul using his body, it was all a load of utter shit.

Morgana LeFay never had any children and by the end was a friend and sister to Camelot.

Mordred never had children and the world was better off for it.

...MC...MC...

For the first few years, Mordred traveled the world. At first, he was searching for Morgana, not having known that she switched sides before Camlann. But there seemed to be some confusion and convoluted memories in relation to that time. He never did find her.

Next, it was research how to expel the original soul without killing the body. Regulus did all he could to derail that line of inquiry. That was how he figured out that he still had some semblance of control over his body, but tired quickly that he had to use his energy in calculated ways, like throwing a fair few notes and journals into the fire while Mordred was sleeping. The revenge inflicted was still worth it.

Everything changed the night the Dark Lord returned. It was the night Regulus learned he had failed and Mordred learned of a possible new ally. Both Regulus, who sat on the surface of his mind having deemed it safe for some entertainment, and Mordred hissed as his left arm burned anew, though at that point Regulus was starting to panic.

"What is the meaning of this monstrosity?" Mordred asked, gazing down at the skull and snake tattoo that undulated on his pale skin.

All Regulus could do was send a bunch of scrambled memories and feelings, the last of which was the night he almost died.

"A Dark Lord?" Mordred asked, intrigued.

Regulus' panic increased.

"And how would I get in touch with such a man, I wonder."

Regulus retreated then. He wanted nothing to do with Lord Voldemort.

...MC...MC...

Regulus didn't surface again for weeks and when he did it was in the middle of a Death Eater meeting. All he could feel from Mordred was boredom with a small measure of amusement.

Nice of you to finally join me, Mordred thought.

How - ? Regulus cut himself off because he didn't actually want to know.

Masked your face a bit and convinced him I was a low level researcher he marked right before he fell to the Potter boy, Mordred sent. Honestly, he is a bit of a half-wit to take such a story at face value, but since he lets me use his library, I won't complain.

Regulus couldn't help but snort. Then Mordred shifted and they both got a full view of the Dark Lord and Regulus recoiled.

Ah, yes. He had let himself go from the memories you so helpfully supplied, Mordred thought.

What did he do? Regulus thought back. Did the horcuxes do that?

He did mention such a thing. I, however, had to look up what I just happened to overhear, Mordred thought. And it appears so, but he has me on research to fix it. What he doesn't know is that I am going to reverse it. Horrible things, Horcuxes.

Mordred didn't elaborate, but Regulus felt a strange sort of peace at the announcement. It didn't last long.

Plus, there are so many more elegant ways to achieve immortality. Mordred thought. Whether he deserves it remains to be seen.

...MC...MC...

It was quiet for the next few months. Then there was an absolute cluster bomb that was the attack on the Ministry. Regulus wasn't even sure why they were there, until he realized they -he- was there as a fall out guy. Still, Regulus managed enough semblance of control to stop Bellatrix from killing Sirius, not that anyone really noticed the well place rock that took out his cousin.

Mostly because they had to clear our before the Aurors got there, Mordred wasn't even upset that Regulus took over. Though that might have been because he hated her as much as Regulus did, even if they were for different reasons.

After that things seemed to move quickly.

First, Mordred's ritual worked and while Voldemort looked closer to how he looked before that Halloween night, he was non-the wiser that his soul was once again intact and he was once again mortal.

Second, was the next Samhain. Regulus knew the ritual Mordred was attempting was incredibly stupid and any hope he had of making friends with his capture was gone the moment the daggar plunged into the Muggle Prime Minister's chest.

Regulus could feel the veil ripping then nothing. Nothing happened and Mordred erupted. Feelings of anger and madness incased his mind that Regulus had to retreat so he wouldn't be consumed. It was then that Regulus really started to understand how utter mad Mordred's plans were for the world.

From that point, Regulus ignored what was going on in the wider world. At least until Mordred's field trip to the Welsh dragon preserve.

Regulus missed how Mordred talked his way into the place, but by the way the director was simpering and groveling, there as a promise of money involved.

Regulus wasn't even sure why they were there. There was a strange feeling on the air. The dragons seemed to know who was walking among them. Then the white dragon, the one he called Aithusa, was there at the gate snarling and spitting fire. Regulus saw the director go down and a ginger dragon handler that looked a lot like a Weasley, or even a Prewett, was in them, shooting spells and fighting back.

At one moment, the carefully crafted, and held up with magic, hood fell and there was a whispered and confused, "Sirius?" from the man before they were gone and Regulus hoped that he managed to dodge the nasty spell Mordred sent his way.

...MC...MC...

That time when Regulus had to retreat from Mordred's resulting anger and madness, he felt wholly disconnected from the world. He almost felt like it would be better to just give up his body and go the way of his ancestors.

Then Yule happened.

For the first time in seventeen years, Regulus Arcturus Black felt true hope.

His magic was singing.

King Arthur Pendragon had returned.

Then two days later, something shook in Regulus' core and he knew.

Emrys had returned to Albion.

Regulus made a choice then. No matter what happened to him, they had to know what Mordred was planning.

He wrote a letter to his brother knowing that he would know how to get the information to Merlin because if Voldemort was involved, there was a good chance he was the reason, or part of the reason for Arthur's return and if Voldemort was involved, then the Potter boy was involved. Then if the Potter boy was involved then his brother was involved. Plus, there was a niggling thought or memory of a story where the Potter's were involved with Melin, but that could have been wishful thinking.

Regulus ended up having to wait for a few days before he could execute his plan. One, to build up the strength needed to write a letter and send it. Two to wait for Mordred to fall deep enough into sleep for him to take control of his body.

But he managed it and he could only hope that the owl would make it where it needed to go.