Chapter 18 - Best Christmas Ever

It had been an odd and awkward few days.

Leaving Harry at the castle gates had been difficult. Though, not quite as difficult as it had been in summer, because at least now Merlin knew Professor McGonagall was looking out for his little brother.

But it was still tough.

Merlin knew that Harry would be coming by Floo to spend Christmas day with them soon, but the disaster of Harry's last visit was hanging over their heads. Merlin hadn't even made up with Gaius yet, he couldn't really expect his brother to - not even in the name of Christmas Spirit. He supposed, in that respect, the awkwardness was still pending. The awaited confrontation between his (far too stubborn and fearless) younger brother and his guardian set Merlin on edge.

The blatant glare Morgana threw in Gaius's direction as he parted ways with her and Arthur at King's Cross didn't help his nerves either, but Merlin tried to comfort himself with the knowledge that the Pendragons seemed to hold grudges against certain people at random.

Then again, Morgana had been right about Valiant, and Merlin may have found Professor Nimueh an excellent instructor when it came to magic, but he was also starting to see why some people didn't like her. She had a fairly abrasive personality, not that helped him understand how Arthur had decided to hate her on sight.

Gaius, on the other hand, did not seem at all phased to be on a thirteen-year-old girl's shit-list, and seemed to regard her coolly in return, before focussing on helping Merlin with his school trunk, freeing his arms so that he could carry Aithusa more easily.

But all of that lingering awkwardness closed in on them as they made their way back home, the silence settling uneasily between the two of them.

Merlin had said little more than a brief, "Hello," as he got off the train, and a, "Thank you," when his school trunk was taken off his hands. Gaius's responses had been equally stilted. It seemed, no matter what his intentions were to try and repair their relationship, Gaius didn't actually have any idea how to fix things either.

Meals were filled with sparse attempts at small-talk - the longest conversations there were able to carry out seemed to be about how Merlin's studies were going. And other than an odd look crossing Gaius's face when Merlin brought up Professor Nimueh (yet another mark of suspension against the woman), conversation had run smoothly.

Of course, that was because they were both avoiding talking about the few topics that actually mattered.

Merlin did not bring up their argument from the summer, and he did not bring up Harry. And so far, nor had Gaius.

A decision that seemed to be coming to an end that day.

"We'll have an odd assortment for Christmas day," he remarked casually. "Us and the Lovegoods, and then young Harry and Professor McGonagall. I suppose it might be nice for Luna to meet one of her future professors in a more casual setting first; I know the poor girl is feeling anxious about being away from home when the time comes."

Merlin regarded him shrewdly. It was a very nonchalant mention of his brother, more to do with their plans for tomorrow than anything else. Honestly, the only reason it set Merlin on edge was because of the obvious lack of mention in all of their days previously.

"You know I'll look out for her when she starts in a few years," Merlin assured, not bringing any attention to the Harry of it all. "She's a sweet girl." An odd girl, to be sure, but still sweet.

"I know you will, my boy," Gaius said with a kind smile, "You've a good heart. But I worry there'll be little you can really do unless she's in Hufflepuff with you." He shook his head slightly. "In different years, and different houses, it will be difficult to go out of your way to spend time with her."

"I have friends in all of the other houses, they won't mind keeping an eye out for her wherever she ends up," Merlin told him. "My friend Gwen's little brother started this year - he ended up in Ravenclaw instead of Gryffindor with her, and the first thing Lance and Percy did was introduce themselves so he'd know someone in his house who can help him out if need be."

It was just idle chatter really, none of them were his closest friends or anything, so Merlin wasn't exactly confiding any great personal secrets, but with every name he mentioned Gaius's smile seemed to grow more and more. Maybe he was just glad Merlin had more friends than he'd thought? Or maybe he was just glad that Merlin was offering his friends' services in helping out little Luna when the time came?

Merlin shrugged off the odd reaction.

"I'd be very glad to have any of them looking out for my Luna," he said, his voice oddly emotional, even with the smile still on his face. "I can't imagine anyone better."

"Cheer up," Merlin said awkwardly. "You've got over a year and a half with her still. You don't have to worry about shipping her off to Hogwarts just yet."

"Yes, well," he cleared his throat slightly. "Do you suppose she and Harry will get on?"

Merlin's eyes narrowed at the far more deliberate mention of his brother. "I'm sure they will," he said simply.

And he was - sure, that is.

While Harry might but heads with a few of his friends, they tended to be the more loud and arrogant ones, like Gwaine and Arthur. Merlin was sure he'd have no problem with sweet little Luna, even if she might be a bit confusing to talk to at times. She was also not the type to react to any of the Boy Who Lived nonsense, which would instantly endear her to Harry.

But Merlin felt no need to share any of those insights with Gaius.

Harry still didn't trust the man, so Merlin would not be sharing any personal details about his brother with him. Merlin already felt bad enough about abandoning his brother for most of the holidays, no matter what 'solution' Professor McGonagall seemed to have thought she came up with.

Merlin had left his brother, and was forcing him to spend Christmas day with two strangers and a man he didn't like or trust.

He was a terrible big brother.

Honestly, after Harry made his opinion of Gaius clear, Merlin was fine with spending the holiday at Hogwarts. But Harry hadn't let him. He'd said that he'd wanted Merlin to do what was best for himself. Merlin thought what was best for him was to be with Harry. But it seemed his brother didn't agree with that anymore.

Gaius sighed, pulling Merlin out of his head. "I do wish you would talk to me, Merlin."

He frowned. "About what?" he asked.

Gaius just shook his head. "If you are still not ready to talk about what happened this summer, child, I won't force you. But you barely even speak of your friends, your hobbies, your brother . . . We talk of little else other than your studies. And if that is all you feel comfortable sharing, then, very well. But I do wonder why you came home if you are not ready for us to try again?"

His head span.

"What?" he asked, confused, trying to keep the hurt out of his voice. "If you don't want me here . . . why did you invite me back?"

Gaius looked at him, seeming suddenly very tired and very old. "Of course I want you here, Merlin. But you have made it very clear that you wish you were not." He shook his head. "When I sent that letter, I never meant to try and force you to come home, my boy. I . . . I just . . ."

"I do want to be here," Merlin promised, feeling guilty. How is it that in coming home he had managed to somehow upset both Harry and Gaius? "I'm sorry if I haven't been acting very grateful - I am," he assured quickly, feeling his pulse sky-rocket. "I am grateful, I promise," he rushed to say. "You- you've given me a home, a- a place to stay, and a family -"

"It's okay, Merlin. Take a deep breath for me."

"N- no, you don't understand. I pro- I promise I wanted to be here! I want to be here!" he said, feeling suddenly desperate. Panic seized him. If Gaius turned him away then . . . "I don- I don't want to go back there!"

"You don't have to go anywhere, Merlin."

"Don't send me back to Cenred! I- I'll do better!" he swore.

"No one's sending you back to Cenred." An arm slipped around his shoulders, and Merlin turned into the warmth, clinging to it desperately. "You're not going anywhere. This is your home."

"Pr- promise?" he asked, between stuttered breaths.

"I promise. You will always have a home with me, Merlin. Always."

"Oh," someone sighed, as Harry tumbled out of the Floo, findinging himself faced with large sad eyes. "I thought you'd be special like Merlin and Poppy are," came the disappointed greeting from the tiny blond-haired girl. "Since you're Merlin's brother," she elaborated, as if that cleared anything up whatsoever.

The tall blond man behind her shook his head at her fondly. "Luna, you know that Harry Potter is the Boy Who Lived, yes?"

"Yes, daddy," she confirmed, still sounding disheartened.

"I guess that's not special enough," Harry said with an amused grin, and Luna nodded along knowingly. "Well, I know Merlin's magic makes him extra special," he agreed, picking himself up from the heap he had landed in and brushing the soot off his clothes, "But what's so special about Gaius?"

Blue-grey eyes stared back at him solemnly, before saying, completely seriously, "He's very, very old."

Harry couldn't help but laugh at that. Merlin was right when he told him that Gaius's granddaughter was a little odd, but Harry found he liked it. She was at least honest.

"Well, my Aunt Minnie's coming in a few minutes," Harry told her, "And I think she's pretty old, so you'll have to tell me if she's old enough to be counted as special."

He watched happily as the girl seemed to fill with excitement at the prospect of another potentially 'special' person. He was quite looking forward to Aunt Minnie's reaction to being called old. He was sure she was at least as old as Gaius, so hopefully Luna would be pleased.

"Xenophilius Lovegood," the tall man introduced himself, as his daughter rushed forward to sit in front of the fireplace expectantly, "Lovely to meet you, Mister Potter."

"Oh," he began awkwardly, "You can just call me -"

"Harry!"

Arms suddenly wrapped around him, and Harry happily leaned into gesture, having missed his brother more than he had expected in the week they had been apart.

It hadn't been so bad, being in a mostly-empty Hogwarts. The school had emptied of enough students that Helena had agreed to accompany him once more on his adventures exploring the castle. He couldn't wander around at night any more (Aunt Minnie had caught him sneaking out once and had put a stop to it immediately), but Helena had still agreed to join him during the day, as long as the school was suitably deserted.

Of course, he still would have preferred to have his brother around to spend some of his days with. But between Helena floating alongside him, and Aunt Minnie having lots of extra time to spare now that she wasn't teaching (and her new endeavour to teach him how to play chess), Harry didn't find himself too bored.

But he did find himself rather worried.

As much he had come to understand why Merlin was willing to forgive Gaius, it didn't mean Harry trusted the man with his brother. He had already let Merlin down before, and Harry wasn't sure he would ever trust him not to do so again.

"Ah, Harry," the man in question greeted, a friendly smile on his face. "I'm glad you could make it," he said warmly.

Harry eyed him distrustfully, but wasn't going to say anything against the man in front of his own granddaughter. "Thank you for inviting me," he said neutrally, more for Merlin's sake than anything else. He was glad he did when Merlin squeezed his had softly in thanks.

The old man looked around the room for a moment. "I was under the impression that Professor McGonagall would be joining us?"

"She sent me on ahead," Harry said with a shrug. "The headmaster wanted to speak with her about something before we left."

Gaius nodded, as though this explained everything, and Harry found his stomach twisting with resentment at his easy appeasement as soon as Dumbledore was mentioned.

He must have not kept the expression off his face, because Merlin was looking at him all concerned all of a sudden. Harry cursed himself for letting his anger get the better of him. He wasn't supposed to be selfish today. He wanted today to be for Merlin.

"Well, why don't you all make yourselves comfortable. Once Minerva joins us we can get to the gifts." He laughed lightly, "I'm sure you kids have waited long enough."

Harry nodded, and let Merlin pull him towards a comfortable armchair. It was realistically only designed for one, but there was limited seating in the small sitting room, and he and Merlin were both small enough to squish together easily.

Harry sat there comfortably, happily leaning against his brother, happy simply to be reunited, while Merlin made smalltalk with Mister Lovegood. They chatted about the man's newspaper and Harry listened in, vaguely interested, having never even thought that of course witches and wizards would have their own news sources. He wondered how many other mundane parts of life he had never considered having a magical equivalent before.

Gaius tried to usher Luna away from the Floo, to tempt her into sitting with the rest of them, but she shook her head stubbornly, her blond hair flying in all directions around her as she did, intent on waiting right there for Aunt Minnie to come through.

It was rather anticlimactic when Aunt Minnie did eventually arrive. Luna took one long look at her before huffing irritably, and joining her father on the settee with a slump, clearly disappointed once more. Harry couldn't help sniggering slightly at Aunt Minnie's very unimpressed face at the behaviour.

"Ah, Minerva, welcome!" Gaius said warmly, in an obvious attempt to apologise for his granddaughter's actions. "Take a seat! I thought we'd let the children have-at the gifts before we moved on to dinner."

And Luna apparently didn't need much more prompting than that to rush towards the tree, skipping happily, her earlier disappointment forgotten.

Harry looked to his brother, hesitating. He had never had gifts to open on Christmas before . . . he wasn't sure if rushing like that was rude or not? Or maybe not rushing would make him seem ungrateful? He was sure Dudley had always tore into his pile of gifts without a second thought, but Harry wasn't sure if that was behaviour he wanted to copy or not.

Before he could make a decision either way, it seemed Luna had taken it upon herself to deliver to everyone a gift with their name on it. "Thank you," Harry said, relieved.

Luna smiled brightly at him, before grabbing herself her own gift last. "This way we can all open them together," she said happily, and then carefully unfolded the wrapping around her gift, keeping the decorative paper carefully intact.

Harry smothered a smile before copying her actions - he quite liked the little broomsticks zooming across his wrapping paper - it would be a nice memento of his first Christmas.

He wasn't really sure who would have gotten him what felt like a very heavy book, Harry wasn't the biggest reader, after all. But after carefully peeling back the gift-wrapping, Harry saw it was a photo album. With his heart suddenly in his throat, he opened up the first page to see a tall woman with red hair and green eyes - his eyes - laughing with a bespectacled man with dark messy hair - his hair - and settled between the two of them was a tiny, giggling baby. Him.

"You were an adorable toddler," Merlin commented from beside him with a smile, nudging him playfully as he did.

"She's so pretty," he whispered, eyes still locked on his mum. He had a mum! He hadn't ever known before that she had red hair, and it was so pretty and long. She was beautiful.

"Yeah, she is," Merlin agreed, and Harry felt an arm wrap around him. He had his brother next to him, and he was looking at a picture of his parents. Harry thought this might be the happiest he'd ever been.

He sniffled slightly, and looked up, hoping no one had noticed, only to see Aunt Minnie watching them with a watery smile. The others were closely examining their own gifts, with what Harry was fairly certain was intentional vigour.

He mouthed a silent, "Thank you," to her across the room, hugging the photo album to his chest carefully, before flipping to see the next page.

"Look, daddy! It's an erumpent!"

The exclamation was enough to break Harry out of his silent reverie, and he looked over to see Luna excitedly flicking through what looked like a colouring book, only the images on the pages seemed to be moving around.

"That one's from Harry and me," Merlin informed her generously, even though Harry had not in any way contributed to the gift. "I couldn't find any with - erm - humdingers or nargles," he added awkwardly, "But I had your grandad help me add a few blank pages at the back so you can draw them yourself! And then I thought I could try and find a charm to animate them, so they match the rest of the book?"

Luna then launched herself at the pair of them with a squeal of happiness, an arm wrapping around each of them, tugging the pair of them close.

"I love having new cousins!" she cried, and Harry found himself silently agreeing. Luna was a much better (sort-of)cousin than Dudley had ever been. And he had only known her a day.

Harry patted her back awkwardly as he hugged her back, but she only clung to them for a moment before skipping back to her new colouring book and showing her father each page excitedly. "This is the best Christmas ever," she said emphatically.

Yeah, Harry thought, looking from his photo album to his brother, to Aunt Minnie, and to his new sort-of-cousin, it really is.

Christmas in the Pendragon household was a surprisingly informal affair.

For all of his strictness and his rigid personality, Arthur's father was considerably warmer around Christmastime. Long before he had been appointed Prime Minister, Uther had declared that Christmas was a time for family, and was one of the few days a year on which he would voluntarily abstain from work.

When he was younger, before Morgana had come to live with them, when it was just him and father, the family cook had informed him that his mother had always put her foot down when it came to Uther's work on Christmas. She had always refused to let him work through it. It was apparently a tradition that his father continued to honour in her memory.

Young Arthur had adored the only day a year he had where he was the sole focus of all his father's attention. It had been special in a way not even his birthday was, for that too was marred by the memory of his mother's death.

This had always made Christmases extra special to Arthur, even after he had learned to share the day with Morgana as he got older. It was special enough that he had set his anger at his sister aside for the day.

He would go back to being annoyed with her tomorrow, but Christmas was sacred in the Pendragon household.

He supposed that meant it was only natural that Morgana had decided to ruin it.

The day had started off well enough, they had eaten breakfast together as a family before opening whatever lay under the tree. His father, as usual, prefering to show his love through extravagant gift-giving, had spoiled the pair of them. Arthur had an assortment of gifts, but none as exciting as his top-of-the-line new broom, "A well deserved gift after your first Quidditch match," he was told. And Morgana had gushed over her new dress, because why wouldn't you give designer clothes to a thirteen year old girl?

His father had appreciated his quill and chocolates, and promised that he would keep the quill in his home office and endeavour to respond to their letters home using it.

Morgana, too, had seemed equally happy with the book on divination he had gotten her, and with it, the unspoken promise that he would take her dreams more seriously if she came to him about them again. She seemed to have been thinking along the same lines when she gave him a new sketchbook and pencils. It was an acknowledgement of the others' odd ability, and an offer to be there for each other.

And while Arthur found it hard to imagine confiding in her again after what happened last time, he appreciated the gesture.

Arthur put the thought out of his mind, not wanting to think about Professor Nimueh on a day like today. On a happy day.

- which was when the doorbell rang.

Morgana shot up in an instant, her face lighting with a mischievous grin. "Ah, that'll be my last Christmas present," she told them. "Uther, wait here, I want it to be a surprise. Arthur, come help me with the door," she said excitedly, dragging him up by the arm.

He shot his father a confused face, as Morgana pulled him through the doorway, seeing his father crack a genuine smile at the sight of Morgana so excited.

"Morgana, what -"

"Don't freak out," she interrupted him warningly, bringing them to a stop just before the front door.

"Why would I -" But his question was cut off with another impatient ring of the doorbell, and Morgana throwing open the door.

And there in the doorway was Arthur's worst nightmare.

"Hello," she said with a smirk.

Arthur felt his jaw drop. "What are you doing here?" He turned to Morgana, furious. "What is she doing here?"

"Now, now, Arthur," Professor Nimueh said chidingly, pushing past them into the hallway. She shuck off her winter coat, throwing it at Arthur to catch. "That's no way to treat family."

Christmas was ruined.

He glared at Morgana incredulously, silently demanding an explanation.

"She's Uther's Christmas present," his sister said simply, her playful grin still in place.

"She's what?"

Nimueh scoffed. "That's definitely not how I'd put it, darling."

"He wants connections in the magical world," Morgana shrugged. "And I have a mysterious great aunt who can conveniently introduce him and give him the rundown of our politics."

"Potentially," Professor Nimueh interrupted quickly. "I agreed to one meeting, as a favour to you, to settle our differences. But I make no promise of setting Uther Pendragon loose in the magical world unless I approve of his goals."

"There, see," Morgana told him frankly. "She's harmless."

"Oh no, certainly not, darling," she said with a grin, striding down the hallway, past the pair of them. "I'm never that."

Arthur spluttered wordlessly for a moment, watching in shock as Morgana calmly followed the madwoman. He made to follow before realising he was still carrying that harpy's coat!

"Ah, there you are, Morgana. What took you so long. . ." Arthur heard his father trail off as he entered the room behind the total stranger Morgana had invited into their home.

Arthur watched from over Nimueh's shoulder as what little warmth there was in his father's face bled out immediately. "Who is this?" he asked coldly, blatantly glaring at the interloper to their family Christmas. For once, Arthur supported his father's instinctual animosity whole heartedly.

"Uther," Morgana began, plastering on her most charming smile. "May I introduce Professor Nimueh Le Fay? She was my mother's aunt, and is our Defence Professor this year. I thought I'd invite her for Christmas dinner, seeing as she's family."

Some of the frostiness in Uther's face retreated at the explanation, but he remained very unamused at Morgana's antics. "And you did not think to inform me of another person joining us before you invited her into my home?"

"Of course not, it was supposed to be a surprise," Morgana informed him casually, uncowed in the face of Uther's annoyance. "I told cook," she defended. "And besides, I thought you'd appreciate gaining an acquaintance in the magical world. Happy Christmas," she finished smugly.

To Arthur's horror, he watched as his father slipped into his classic, charming, politics-smile, recognising the opportunity for what it was. "Uther Pendragon," he introduced himself, stretching out a hand to shake. "It's wonderful to meet any family of Morgana's."

Whereas previously Nimueh had seemed highly amused at his father's irritation, now, her smile dropped into something far more serious as she regarded Uther's outstretched hand.

She didn't take it.

"Does it vex you, having to introduce yourself to those with magic? Not being recognised on sight?" she needled.

"Not at all," Uther said, and Arthur watched his father's eyes narrow at the challenge, as his hand moved swiftly to pick up his wine glass, covering the rejected gesture. "I find it more of a reflection on the average witch or wizard, that they're too ignorant to know who's ruling their country."

"Well, you may rule their country, but you don't rule them." she corrected. "You'll get nowhere in wizarding politics if you act like you do."

"They're British citizens," his father said frankly. "I am the British Prime Minister. Your Minister for Magic answers to me."

"In name only," she scoffed. "I mean, we don't even have the same laws. We're recognised as a legal adult at seventeen, whereas the rest of the country is eighteen. We have different trial procedures, different prisons, different electoral processes. We have an entire independent government. Your muggle laws only apply in muggle areas. We're practically an independent state operating within your country," she all but gloated. "And you know that. Otherwise you wouldn't be having so much trouble trying to get an 'in' into our world."

Arthur watched with wide eyes as they debated back and forth. Professor Nimueh seemed determined to show Uther that he had no place in the wizarding world, while his father found new ways to impress how important he was and how much respect was owed to him.

It was like watching a car crash, Arthur couldn't look away.

And yet, his father was not yelling, and Nimueh had not cursed him. Which meant that Arthur just got to watch them make each other miserable.

He looked over at Morgana, who was still observing all the chaos with a smug grin. "Happy Christmas, brother," she said gleefully.

"You think this is happy?" he whispered, not daring to interrupt the heated debate going on in front of him.

"Well, Nimueh is utterly miserable having to be in Uther's company, which I thought you'd enjoy," she smirked. "And you can't tell me it's not satisfying watching your father lose an argument?" she added knowingly.

Arthur couldn't help but choke back some laughter at that. He supposed that was true.

Uther was a firm believer in the 'because I said so' brand of parenting. It didn't matter how well they articulated or argued their point, if his father said it was so, then that was that and there was no arguing with him. It was refreshing to see the man have to fight for his opinion to be heard.

He turned to her with a begrudging smile, raising his glass of sparkling cider for her to cheers. "Happy Christmas, Morgana."

"Happy Christmas, brother." And then she grinned at him as though it was the best Christmas ever.