Merlin's Chosen

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: My semester has begun and while I started the summer thinking I would only be teaching three classes, I picked another one up with like 4 days notice. Thankfully, it is one I am already teaching just online, but still, 4 classes and it is only my second semester of teaching.

Send help.

Anyway, Scrivener did something funny and I nearly lost this chapter, luckily I hadn't synced with my tablet for a while so it had it. I had to fight the system, but managed to save it. I would have been so upset if I had lost it. Ugh...

I do have another chapter written and ready, but I am sitting on it until the next chapter is written. Or more than 6 months have past, whatever comes first. We will see.

Also, thank you for all your comments. It helps fight my imposter syndrome. Lots of love from me!

Chapter 26:

Harry stood just inside the door safe from the wintery wind that was whipping across the lake as he waited for the carriages to pull up with this friends in tow. The sky was clear and the stars bright above them. A stark difference than even a month ago when they couldn't even see the sun through all the fog.

The last couple of days had passed in a blur and Harry didn't know how he was going to tell his friends that Merlin was back. And that he wouldn't really be attending as many classes with them as before. And that apparently he was Merlin's new apprentice.

Hermione was going to have a conniption.

Then again, she probably wouldn't believe him. Even with the new patch that magically appeared on his school robes, just over the Gryffindor patch. It was the same as on what was on the trunk and Merlin explained that he was his house insignia. It signified that he was now Merlin's apprentice and under the House of Emrys' protection. Harry noticed it when he was getting dressed that morning and had a mild panic about it.

Forget Hermione, Ron was going to have a conniption.

Harry let his head fall back and gently hit the wall. He knew his guardians were waiting in the Great Hall for the welcoming feast and Merlin with Arthur, Morgan, and Leon were safely in Merlin's chambers. Still, everything felt a little… wrong.

A shiver went down Harry's back at the thought and wondered what his sixth year would have been like if none of it had happened. Chances are Voldemort would still have made a play for his life at the end of the year, just has he had every year except his third. And who knew who else would have been collateral.

He straightened when he heard the carriages pull up and waited to see who was first into the castle, only to realize he had the worst luck. Even despite everything going on, Malfoy had to be the one that walked in first. They hadn't really interacted all year, mostly because he wasn't in Potions class with them and that greatly reduced their time in the same room.

The Malfoy heir was flanked by the usual crowd and Harry just leaned further into the wall in an effort to go unnoticed. He shrunk back not because he felt intimidated to face the crowd alone, but because he was tired and didn't want to engage in any sort of teenage-witty repartee.

He saw Malfoy glance in his direction, move to turn and face him and then pale. Harry realized then that the other student saw the patch that now lay over his house's and the wide eye look told Harry that he knew exactly what exactly what the patch meant.

"Ah, Potter," Blaise Zabini said, saddling up to the wall. "Rest of the trio not here?"

"Points for noticing the obvious," Harry shot back.

Someone snorted, but Harry didn't bother to figure out who.

Zabini's eyes flashed, but Malfoy pulled him away. "Hardly worth it if the other two aren't here," he said.

Harry just gaped after them as Malfoy led them away and into the Great Hall, which they entered with a glacier look from Sirius as he past them.

"They didn't do anything did they?"

Harry shook his head. "Zabini tried, but Malfoy knew what this thing meant and kept them away," Harry said gesturing to the patch.

"Good for something then," Sirius quipped. "Though it shouldn't surprise me that he knew what it meant. Regulus and I grew up on the stories of Merlin and Arthur. Though, my mother preferred Mordred and Morgana to Merlin and Arthur."

"She would be rolling in her grave to know that Morgan wasn't the evil witch that her stories portrayed her as."

Sirius backed out a laugh. "Might have to introduce Morgan to her portrait then, next time we're home."

"She might self-combust at the mere thought," Harry said as more students poured into the entrance hall.

"Promises, promises," Sirius said, giving him a nod and disappearing back into the Great Hall.

The Castle was starting to feel more alive. Not that it felt dead when the students weren't there, but there was something about how the castle was when it was filled with young magic users that just felt so alive.

The doors opened again and in the midst of another cold blast of air, in walked Ron and Hermione, with Ginny, Neville, and Luna trailing behind them.

"Harry!" was all the warning that Harry got before he was enveloped in a fierce hug from Hermione. He grunted and staggered a moment before wrapping his arms around her and returning the hug.

"Hey, Hermione," he whispered into her ear and returned her bright smile as she pulled away. "How was your holiday?"

"It was great!" Hermione defended into a run-down of her Christmas with her parents. Behind her Ron, Ginny and Neville stood waiting Hermione out at least until Ron saw the new badge on his uniform.

"Uh, mate," he said, pointing at Harry's cloak. "What is that?"

Harry glanced down even though he knew exactly what Ron was talking about. "Uh, can we talk about it after the feast?"

"Sure, but that doesn't sound ominous at all," Neville said quickly, forestalling any objections from the rest of the group.

"The bird has merely returned to roost and the world is better for it," Luna said appearing behind them.

Harry cringed, but also made a mental note to introduce his friend to Merlin and the rest. He had a feeling there were more to her ramblings than met the eye, and knowing even a part of Morgan's story added to the resolve.

The group followed the rest of the student body through the Entrance Hall and into the Great Hall and Harry was getting a little nervous. He wouldn't put it past Professor Dumbledore to say something mysterious that sounded wise only for it to bite Harry in the ass. At least at this feast he didn't have to worry about the sorting hat spouting off his secrets.

Thankfully, it didn't happen. The headmaster merely welcomed the students back for another term and set them off to eat their hearty dinner before shuffling off to bed. Harry was gratefully tired and full of food, at least until Ron gave him a look and reality came crashing down on him. As the rest of the student body stood and headed to the bed. Harry stood and stopped by Sirius to ask if could take the group that was waiting dutifully next to the doors to the entrance hall for him to their rooms to explain things and his godfather nodded.

"Remus and I have rounds in two hours but it should be okay as long as you are back in your towers by then," Sirius said.

"If not, you at least know where we are," Harry pointed out. "And when I'm done explaining then you can escort us back."

"Also a good point, but try not to take too long," Sirius said.

Harry nodded and motioned for the group to follow him. There was an air of anticipation as he led the group through the halls of the castle and to Sirius and Remus' chambers and in an effort to avoid the actually conversation he went and made tea before bringing it out to the group and settling himself on the floor in front of the fire.

They sat in silence, his group of friends staring at him waiting for him to start.

"I have no idea where to begin," he said finally.

"You could start with the patch," Luna suggested.

"Or you could start with why your magic has been wonky all term," Ginny said.

"Or you could explain the extra trunk that sits by your bed," Neville added.

"Considering they are all connected, none of those suggestions help," Harry said.

"You could just say you are a Merlin's Chosen and go from there," Ron said helpfully.

Ginny and Neville's eyes widened. Luna smiled dreamily while Hermione just glared.

"What is a Merlin's Chosen?" Hermione asked. "Ron called you that before but no one bothered to explain it to me and I couldn't find anything in the library." She really seemed peeved that she was denied any sort of knowledge and Harry was almost annoyed at the attitude.

"Legend has it that it was a family chosen by the magician Merlin himself to be the guardian of the way to Avalon," Neville said. "No matter what the Slytherins say he wasn't taught here. He predates Hogwarts."

"If he lived at all," Hermione said.

Nevill rolled his eyes. "That's the muggle upbringing in you. It's more like if he never died."

At Hermione's scoff, Neville smiled. "It is said he is magic itself, Hermione. Who is to say he can't live forever."

"Where is any of this said?" Hermione groused. "I searched and searched and found nothing of Merlin in the library!"

"And you wouldn't," Ginny said. "Not really, because it is really a part of our oral traditions and not written down. Ron and I grew up on all of those stories."

"Which is just fantastic for us muggleborns and muggle-raised!" Hermione exclaimed. "How else are we going to know these things if we don't even know to ask!"

"At the same time you need to know not to scoff at things that you don't understand!" Neville shot back.

That stopped everyone dead in their tracks. Surprised that Neville even raised his voice. Harry tried not to smile at the confidence that Neville was sporting, but at the same time he didn't want to antagonize Hermione further.

Harry cleared his throat and brought the attention back to him. "Perhaps… we are getting a bit off track." Even if he agreed with Hermione on the whole oral tradition thing and lamenting once again that his parents were gone.

Hermione and Neville looked away from each other at a stalemate and allowed Harry to continue.

"A lot has been going on," Harry said. "My magic is different. Now. Morgan said that I went through some kind of inheritance that caused the change. I don't really need a wand anymore." Harry took a breath and looked up to see his friends shocked faces. Well, except Luna and surprisingly Ron.

"Your eyes glow gold when you do magic now," Ron said.

Harry groaned. "I thought I fixed that."

"Considering that everyone else is shocked I think I am the only one that noticed."

"How is it different?" Hermione asked and Harry was happy that her question was gentle rather than snippy.

"It is more intention based now rather than spell driven. Though as I work on it and learn some stuff that may change a bit. Plus, my eyes glow when I cast now which is super annoying," Harry said. "Morgan talked about how my magic is closer to what it was back in the time of Camelot." Harry raised his hand staving off a question he knew was coming. "I have no idea when or why magic changed into how it is today."

"There are some families whose magic is closer to that than the wand based," Neville said, his words kind and informative. "It is said that it is has nothing to do with power level or light magic versus dark, it just is. Some people find magic easier without a wand and others need that focus. Though I will admit that I have never heard of someone's eyes glowing when they cast."

The group turned back to Harry looking expectant and he groaned but looked around for something to float, finding a pillow, before taking his glasses off.

It was only the day before that he and Merlin had an extensive discussion about his abilities and what he wanted to learn and Harry appreciated that Merlin didn't bat an eye when Harry brought up the possibility of being a teacher. After they talked, they with Morgan went through what he currently could and couldn't do with his magic, since he had yet to really learn any of the old magic language.

Right then, he wasn't even sure if it was going to work, but he looked in the direction of the pillow and with some feeling, said, "Float."

He felt the rush of power and he heard the gasp of his friends as he rushed to put his glasses on. He did it in time to see not only the pillow he intended but several around the room floating.

"Merlin," Neville breathed and Harry snorted.

Not really knowing what else to do, he let what control he felt over the spell go and the pillows dropped and the magic dissipated.

The room was silent for a moment and Harry glanced nervously to each of his friends and there was a variations of awe on their faces.

"So, yeah," Harry said lamely. "That happened."

"Merlin's saggy —"

Harry choked back laughter before Ron could finish the swear. He could hardly wait for Arthur to hear one of those. He was still teasing Merlin that the magic folk swore by him. He could only imagine the teasing that would occur with the rest of them.

"So what does this have to do with being a Chosen?" Ginny asked.

"From what I have been able to figure out, my ancestor was chosen by Merlin himself to be the person to open the way if he could not because his magic was closer to Merlin's own," Harry said.

"The way to what?" Ginny asked.

"Avalon," Luna said. "The summer country. The resting place of the Once and Future King. Arthur Pendragon." She looked up at him and smiled. "Though from the fact that the sun has returned to Albion, our king has as well."

Harry nodded.

"You can't be serious, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. "That man was not King Arthur!"

"You weren't there, Hermione. You didn't see it! I did! And I opened the door," Harry shot back.

"Are you telling us that King Arthur, the legendary once and future king is back?" Hermione asked, once again stuck in her narrow mindedness.

"Are you telling me that in all of you years of learning magic, something that was beyond our reach when we were children and you can't believe for one moment that King Arthur is back?" Harry shot back. "For once believe in something you haven't read in a book!"

Hermione reared back as if slapped.

"Why must you fight everything I do if it doesn't immediately come from you?" Harry said, almost whispering.

"Harry…"

It was Ron that brought him back to the group. The now silent group who stared between the three of them with trepidation.

"I wanted to bring you all into this, because I care about you all and wanted you to understand what has been going on with me," Harry said, suddenly feeling very tired. "I guess now I want to tell you that I won't be in all of our classes with you, because of this." He pointed to the patch on his chest. "It means more than that I am a Chosen, more than I am under the protection of House Emrys, but that I am now Merlin's apprentice."

The responses were varying degrees of shock and surprise, though for what Harry didn't know.

"Merlin's back too!" Ron said, looking really excited.

"He's in his rooms right now," Harry said. "He didn't want to go to the welcoming feast because it would have antagonized the Headmaster. They don't really get on."

"Why would he have rooms here?" Ginny asked.

"He taught for a time here," Harry said. He knew he wasn't explaining his well, but glad for the change in tone. "It was actually how he met my ancestor. When things were getting a bit awkward with him not aging, he appointed the Potter as a Chosen and went traveling."

"Why don't he and the Headmaster get along? Professor Dumbledore his a great wizard —." Hermione tried.

"I don't know everything, but what I do know is that Merlin knew that Dumbledore knew about my home life and did nothing," Harry interrupted. "I don't know anyone's reasonings and frankly I don't care because I will never see the Dursley's again, but —, Merlin, I am not explaining this well at all and you are probably thinking that if he knew about the Dursleys then why didn't he save me, and all I know is that he didn't know the full details until he got back to Albion a few days ago and he was not happy."

Harry sighed, tired of the conversation and exhausted all around.

"Really the important parts that I wanted you to know is that King Arthur is back, so is Merlin, I am now his apprentice which means I won't be taking all of my classes with you," Harry concluded and he knew they had questions and feelings and opinions, but he also knew that they all had to get to bed soon if they were going to make it before curfew. "We can talk about the rest when you meet him."

"We're going to meet him?" Neville asked.

Harry was confused. "Of course. Why wouldn't you?"

A look crossed Nevilles face and floated over Ron's and partially over Ginny's. Hermione still looked annoyed, but seemed close enough to confused that Harry lumped her in with the others. Only Luna, dependable Luna didn't look confused at the possibility of meeting Merlin and the rest of the castle visitors.

"You're my friends. My trusted friends, so of course, you're going to meet him and the rest of them."

"It's almost like we are your knights of the Round Table," Luna said and Harry couldn't help but agree.

The portrait door opened and Sirius and Remus walked in fresh from their rounds and not at all surprised that the group were still gathered there.

"Right you lot, it is time for bed," Sirius said. "You can finished whatever you need to finish tomorrow."

"Sirius will escort you five back to the Gryffindor tower while I take Miss Lovegood back to the Ravenclaw tower," Remus said and from there the group broke up.

Harry, despite doing exactly what he set out to do and even talked about with Merlin, felt uneasy. He hadn't expected everyone to take the information and news easily, but he also hadn't expected the outright hostility from Hermione. He didn't know what to do and he knew nothing was going to be resolved that night.

"Hey," Sirius said, appearing next to him. The rest of the group were ahead of them and Harry could see the Fat Lady up ahead. "You okay?"

Harry looked over at his god-father and shook his head. "None of it went as I thought it would have and I think Hermione is upset with me and beyond that, doesn't believe me."

"Some people need proof," Sirius said and Harry agreed.

"But sometimes I wish she would just take my word." Harry stopped and watched as the rest went through the Portrait. "And I am not even sure if she would believe with Merlin standing in front of her doing magic that even the Headmaster could only dream of."

They had reached the end of the hall and the others already gone. The pair were alone in the moonlit corridor. Sirius pulled him into a hug and Harry sank into it.

"Things will be okay," Sirius soothed. "And generally things look better after a good night's sleep."

Harry pulled away with a small smile and nodded. "I will certainly try."

"Good man," Sirius said. "Go on and I will see you at breakfast."

Harry waved and headed through the portrait and up to bed.

Seamus and Dean were already asleep with Neville and Ron getting ready when Harry walked in. He didn't feel much like talking and went to his trunk and pulled out his pajamas. Getting changed, he used the loo and crawled into bed.

He knew that the other two boys were still awake when he dowsed his candle and the room descended into darkness. But none of them said anything as they all fell asleep.