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Merlin/HP: Intrigue (4/?)
Title: Intrigue [Merlin/Harry Potter crossover] (4/?)
Author: dk323
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Merlin/Arthur, Harry, Hermione, Ron/Luna, Draco/Ginny
Spoilers: Harry Potter ~ takes place about three years after the final battle
Merlin ~ A week after “Le Morte D'Arthur” (Series 1 finale)
Disclaimer: The show “Merlin” is property of the BBC. Harry Potter is the property of Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling. No money being made.
Summary: Arthur and Merlin, unwittingly, go forward in time and they find themselves in the wizarding world. In the wizarding world, Merlin is god. But, what he doesn't know is that there's a secret hiding in plain sight. And it's about to be unraveled.
Author's Notes: This chapter goes into a lot of different things and there's a surprise reincarnation reveal. I debated about holding off on it, but it fit into this chapter. And there's a small preview in this part of what's to come... This chapter is considerably long (over 5,000 words), but I haven't updated this fic in a while, so the guilt made the chapter grow...lol. ;)
~ * ~
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3
~ * ~
Merlin came into Arthur’s room not long after he woke up.
“How did you sleep?” He asked the prince.
Merlin sat down in the chair that was inexplicably by the bed. Certainly it hadn’t been there the previous night? Shrugging the thought off, he looked to Arthur.
Arthur rubbed his eyes tiredly. He was wearing a similar night outfit to what Merlin was clothed in. Merlin had found the night wear in his own room before he had settled into a restless sleep. He wasn’t sure how the clothes ended up being there if the rooms were simply spare rooms. He could only conclude that it had been a spell of some sort…that left clothing for guests?
He waved his hand at the pictures hung up around the room. “I’ve slept better. The blasted pictures move and talk, Merlin! And that one over there,” He pointed at the far wall opposite him. “The one of the mermaid or whoever he was. I highly doubt he was a mermaid. He just stared at me like I was the crazy one. And then he appeared to leave the picture – how does that even work?”
Merlin shook his head. He pretended to be just as clueless. “I have no idea, Arthur.” Looking at the picture that Arthur had pointed to, he informed him, “It looks like the man is back, but I think he’s sleeping.”
Intrigued, Merlin moved closer to the picture and he noticed a white kitten resting on the old man’s lap. The man was stroking the kitten idly as he slept in his chair. The kitten purred in pleasure at the contact.
He looked below the picture to find out who this was, but strangely, there was no name given. Instead, it said:
Not Important. DO NOT LOOK HERE.
There. I hope that is satisfactory?
Merlin wondered what the man was hiding, although looking closer at the man’s features; he did see a resemblance to himself. He would have to talk to this man sometime when the old man was awake.
He returned to Arthur’s side.
“Well?”
“I was just taking a look,” Merlin told him.
Arthur gave him a “why in the world would you do that, you idiot?” look before he declared, “I’m certainly not going near that picture again. All this must be a work of magic, don’t you agree, Merlin? Pictures don’t come alive like this! Even if we’re in the future, I still don’t think such a thing would be possible. What was that year again that Harry something or other gave?”
“2001. He said we’re in the year 2001. And you’re right,” Merlin agreed. He knew he had to tell Arthur now. There was no point in keeping it from him anymore. “The moving pictures are a work of magic. Harry and Hermione practice magic.”
“Do they?” Arthur said. He sounded more curious than angered, which definitely surprised Merlin,
“Yes, and well, we really don’t have the choice to leave since we’re in a time that is not our own. I know how you feel about magic, Arthur.”
Arthur sighed. “You’re right. We just have to hope they don’t have ill intentions.” Then he looked at Merlin carefully. “I don’t follow my father’s beliefs without question, Merlin. After all, remember that druid boy that we along with Morgana helped to escape? I think I can be a little more reasonable, shall we say, than my father. And I can accept this situation we’re in. It is like you said; we don’t have a choice in the matter.”
Merlin swallowed, feeling decidedly anxious. Was this a good time to tell Arthur about his magic?
But first, Arthur needed to know about the current situation. Merlin felt a great sense of relief sweep over him that he could stall the reveal just for a while longer.
“It’s not just Harry and Hermione who are magic users, Arthur. This whole world we’re in now – it’s full of wizards and the like. It’s called the wizarding world…”
“So, you’re telling me we’re surrounded by magical entities?”
Merlin nodded. “The wizarding world is supposed to be a sort of hidden world. Non-magical people have their own separate world – they don’t even realize the existence of a magical world right under the noses. It’s all concealed by magic.”
“That’s a tall feat. I assume this world of magic has its own government and the necessary establishments to support itself?”
“Yes. It’s all self-contained.”
Arthur looked interested, which made Merlin smile to see him taking it so well.
“We should get Harry and Hermione to give us a tour. I’d much prefer exploring the place outside of this manor. It sounds far more interesting than these unnatural moving pictures,” Arthur shuddered.
“They’re not that bad.”
“Merlin, there are some things I can deal with, but not pictures that come to life. I’m convinced that mermaid man spent the whole evening staring at me!”
“Well…who could blame him?”
“He was an old man, Merlin!”
Merlin just rolled his eyes at him. “I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it,” Merlin then recalled Harry’s warning the previous evening. Merlin relayed to Arthur, “And just so you know, Harry told me to tell you that you shouldn’t get too friendly with Hermione. For some reason, he has an issue with you.”
Arthur looked confused at that. “I don’t see what the trouble is. I barely know her, but if Harry insisted, then I’ll abide by that. We’re the guests here after all.”
“It would be a good idea not to cause trouble, right, Arthur?”
“Merlin, I do not cause trouble! I have no interest in Hermione. She was about to fall – what – should I have just let her hit the floor? Is it a crime to be helpful?”
Merlin muttered something under his breath.
“Oh, shut up, Merlin.”
Arthur received a cheeky grin in return. He hit Merlin in the face with a pillow.
Upon Merlin nicking a pillow, an impromptu pillow fight commenced.
~ * ~
Meanwhile…
“I’m sure they’re awake by now and undoubtedly hungry,” Hermione remarked. She spread raspberry jam over her toast and took a bite out of the bread.
Harry looked up. “Hmmm?”
“Merlin and Arthur. Our unexpected guests, remember?”
The self-stirring spoon in Harry’s cup loudly clanged against the glass as he groaned, rubbing his brow.
“Damnit, did you have to remind me, Hermione?”
“What is it? I know you have a problem with Arthur for some reason, but...”
Harry appeared to be debating what to say, choosing his words carefully as he said, “I don’t like entitled people. Growing up as I did, you understand.”
“Yes, of course I do. You know how I used to worry about you when you had to stay with the Dursleys over summer break. But that’s no reason to solely judge a book by its cover, Harry.”
Harry gave her a look and then he swiftly changed the subject. “Anyway, I just realized how busy it’ll be at the Ministry today. You’re lucky that you’re pursuing higher education, the bookworm you are.”
“Oh, don’t tell me you didn’t appreciate it at Hogwarts,” Hermione shot back amicably.
Harry smirked at her, remembering all too well how he had depended on her homework assistance.
Then he nodded at her. “You do know that the wizarding world will catch wind of Merlin’s arrival with all the tracking methods that they have. Why the methods haven’t worked in the search for Merlin’s current reincarnation, I wish I knew,” Harry shrugged. Hermione hummed noncommittally to his wondering. She reached over the kitchen table to nick a piece of bacon off of Harry’s plate.
She nibbled on the bacon, listening with due interest as Harry continued on, “Even though it’s the pre-reincarnated Merlin who’s here, the Ministry will still find his presence a matter of high interest. And this is probably even worse because if this Merlin dies before--”
“—before he discovers how to reincarnate himself and all the others, then the wizarding world is doomed,” Hermione finished for him.
“Yes, exactly that.”
“You know, I really do think the wizarding world can manage just fine without Merlin. At least now,” she said thoughtfully.
Harry just stared at her. “How can you say that, Hermione? If it weren’t for him establishing the foundations of the wizarding world…”
But Hermione pursued her point further. “You misunderstand me. Yes, he established the foundations of our world, but after that, do we really need Merlin to help any longer? Would it not be better to let Merlin's present reincarnation be?"
Harry stared at her, unsure how to best answer her.
Hermione shrugged and she looked down at the table. “I’m just saying that we shouldn’t depend so heavily on Merlin.”
He looked puzzled. “I didn’t know you thought that…you, of all people, Hermione. I thought you’d be revering him rather than wanting him gone.”
Hermione remarked, “Left alone, Harry. There is a difference.”
Harry shook his head. “It’s like I don’t even know you.”
“Don’t tell me that you have never wished for the same. The entire wizarding world hailing you as a hero before you could do a thing about it.”
Harry seemed to relent then, conceding his friend’s point. “All right, Hermione. I admit I hate that bit of it. I wish sometimes that everyone would just shove off and stop scrutinizing every move I make. But you’re in the same situation – if it weren’t for you and Ron helping me to defeat Voldemort, I doubt I would have done so.”
“You have had to deal with fame for far longer than either Ron or me,” Hermione pointed out. She shrugged. “And you should understand how someone such as Merlin feels – it’s like what you contend with times a hundred.”
“This is different, Hermione. Comparing Merlin to me is like comparing Draco to Ron. It’s shoddy at best. Now I may not know much about Merlin and his numerous reincarnations – having not grown up in a pureblood family like Ron, but I have been in the wizarding world long enough to understand Merlin’s importance. It’s like the wizarding world is protected with him around…that’s what Ron told me.”
“It’s not right to depend on someone like that though. Look at you – how much pressure you were under to defeat Voldemort. How much the wizarding world depended on you. The weight on your shoulders was almost too much to bear. I remember, Harry. I saw you struggle,” she said firmly, a fierce glint in her brown eyes.
Harry sighed. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He set a determined gaze upon Hermione. “I understand what you’re getting at, Hermione, but Merlin – the reincarnated Merlin – is far bigger than you or me or anyone in the whole wizarding world. There’s nothing I can do about it. The Ministry will be bent on finding him now. They’ll consider a pre-reincarnated Merlin coming to this time as a sign – an omen that soon we will find--”
“…our savior?” Hermione put in lightly, though her eyes blazed as she spoke the words. “In case you haven’t noticed, but we’re at peace now. Voldemort is gone and the Death Eaters are mostly taken care of. And Draco is doing an effective job at playing double-agent for us. We don’t need anyone to save us.”
Harry inclined his head toward her. “But you never know, Hermione. Things can happen. And with the original Arthur and Merlin displaced in time now – once word circulates of what has happened, things won’t be quiet for long. Better safe than sorry.”
Hermione smiled thinly at him. “I much prefer optimism,” she remarked.
~ * ~
Merlin and Arthur stopped trying to pummel each other with pillows when they heard the door open. They quickly repositioned themselves so that they were sitting next to each other on the bed.
Then the brunette woman from last night entered the room.
“Hello,” she said, seeming a little uncertain about how to talk to them. “I’m sorry about last night – I was drunk and – anyway, I’m Hermione. Harry told you that already, I know, but I just wanted to introduce myself properly.”
“Merlin here is no stranger to drunkenness. Aren’t you, Merlin?”
Merlin shot back, “Oh, look who’s talking! How many times have I had to drag you back to your chambers? I may not be able to hold my alcohol, but at least I don’t try to get as drunk as is humanly possible whenever there’s a feast!”
Hermione couldn’t resist smiling widely at that.
Arthur looked affronted.
Hermione coughed loudly to gain their attention. The two of them looked at her expectantly. “Harry has gone to work, so it’s just me now. I was thinking that you two would be hungry? I hope you found everything all right,” she said, waving at the wardrobe. “You should find more time-appropriate clothes to wear in each of your wardrobes. And where you can freshen up – the bathroom is at --”
“—the end of the hallway, yeah. I found that out,” Merlin finished for her.
Arthur smirked. Merlin glared at him. At least he had the initiative, Merlin told himself. The prat.
She nodded, appearing pleased. “Yes, that’s right. When you two get dressed and --oh! You’re probably completely confused…modern conveniences and all. Though, we do things a little differently,” she paused. Then she looked to Merlin. “Does he know?” Hermione gestured to Arthur.
Arthur, for his part, looked rather annoyed at being treated like he wasn’t in the room. He moved to lie down in bed, folding his arms behind his head.
“I know that you and Harry practice magic,” Arthur informed her before Merlin could speak a word. “Despite that fact could have you executed back in Camelot, I’ll try my best to accept it. Clearly this future you’re living in has different…rules and regulations, so I can do little to impose on them,” he said reasonably.
Merlin gave a tight-lipped smile. Hermione looked at him carefully, which Merlin found particularly uncomfortable. He didn’t know her, nor she him; and yet she seemed to have no qualms at scrutinizing him. Merlin wondered if this is how she treated everyone upon first meeting them…
“He doesn’t know though, does he?” She asked again of Merlin.
Merlin knew what she meant – did Arthur know about his magic? He shook his head.
Arthur looked between the both of them, understandably puzzled. “What is she on about, Merlin?”
She sighed. “On your own time then,” Hermione told him curtly.
Merlin looked at her apologetically. He didn’t mean to delay it, well…actually, he did sort of, but he resolved that he would gather the courage to tell Arthur before the day was out. There was still plenty of time.
Before Arthur could demand what in the world Merlin was keeping from him, someone interrupted them.
“Hermione, is Harry taking the mickey out of me, or--?”
A tall, red-headed man walked into the room. He practically ogled Arthur and Merlin in surprise. “Oh, so he wasn’t,” he uttered.
“Ron, you should be at work," Hermione admonished him.
The redhead looked unconcerned. “I’m taking the day off. And it looks like I couldn’t have had better timing.”
“Oh honestly, Ron. You just want to get some quality Quidditch time in. You can’t fool me.”
He looked shocked at her words. “That’s not true, Hermione. I was feeling a bit under the weather and--”
She stared at him in sheer disbelief. “And Luna wasn’t there?” She asked him.
Merlin perked up at the mention of Luna.
Ron shrugged. “No, she was out. Said she had to leave early to do something urgent. If you ask me, I think Luna’s a spy. Kind of cool, actually. My girlfriend: a spy. Like James Bond, or whatever that muggle character’s name is.”
“James Bond is a bloke, Ron,” Hermione told him tiredly.
Ron was unfazed and he continued on, “Luna is a bit weird though, you have to admit. Weird in a good way… It’s like how you’re scary, Hermione--”
She rolled her eyes, interrupting him. “Oh, I hope you don’t plan on telling my future boyfriends that you broke up with me because I’m scary.”
“I will if they’re not right for you,” Ron countered sharply. “I’ve always been your friend first and foremost after all. Harry too, of course.”
Merlin cut in before Hermione and Ron could completely forget his and Arthur’s presence. “Er, sorry, but you said Luna? Do you mean Luna Lovegood?”
“Am I missing something here?” Arthur inquired to the ceiling.
Ron nodded slowly. “What then? Did she see you last night? Am I right—is she weird in a good way?”
Merlin wasn’t sure what to say to that. “She was all right. I don’t know why she was here. I think Luna came to say hello. It was a bit sudden.”
Which was certainly an understatement, Merlin thought, considering that he wasn’t expecting to meet a reincarnation of (or of anyone really) Morgana at all. And yet, there she had been – blonde hair, strawberry earrings, cork necklace and all.
“Why in the world is Luna making middle-of-the-night visits just to say hello? That seems off…” Ron mused.
Hermione cleared her throat, and raised her voice to gain everyone’s attention. She said, “All right! We’re not getting anywhere. It’s a good thing you’re here, Ron. You could introduce Merlin and Arthur to 21st century sanitation…or at least the wizarding world’s version of it.”
“Are you serious?” Ron exclaimed.
“I figured it out when I had to go last night,” Merlin informed them. Arthur let out a laugh at that remark. Merlin glared at him. He was sure that the blonde was imagining him spending hours trying to figure out the right way to do his business…while trying to hold it in. Royal prat.
True, it took Merlin some time to first find where the room was. The search occurred not long after Luna, Morgana's reincarnation, had left. Merlin had suddenly felt a need to go, which was inconvenient, obviously, as he didn't know how things worked in this time period. With the absence of a chamberpot, Merlin had initially decided to head outside and try to see if the appropriate place was out of the manor.
But upon reaching a back door, he was surprised to find a young boy – about 11 or 12? –
suddenly appear in front of him and easily blocking his way. The boy had dark brown hair and grey almost white eyes, which gave him a bit of a startling appearance. He didn’t look of this time as his outfit wasn’t reminiscent of what Harry and Hermione had worn and Merlin didn’t find the clothing familiar to his time either.
Everything about the outfit was well-fitted and it gave the impression that the boy was a child wearing sized down adult clothing. Merlin would have guessed that the boy came from a wealthy family – then again, the boy had appeared in this manor. Merlin had to guess that the boy could be someone who used to live in the manor judging by how he seemed to flicker in and out. Merlin had never been convinced that ghosts or spirits were real, but seeing the dark-haired, grey-eyed boy before him, he was beginning to reconsider.
“Who are you?” The boy demanded of Merlin, sounding considerably haughty.
“You’re the one who appeared in front of me. I should be asking you that,” Merlin pointed out to him.
“I’m a ghost, of course,” the boy explained smoothly. “And you aren’t supposed to be awake. I’m running away, all right? So leave me alone. Go back to where you were, will you?”
“Why are you running away?” Merlin asked him, curious.
The boy shrugged. “Because I’m sick of everyone running my life. No one asks me what I want, so I’m going to go some place else.”
“And who are you exactly? What’s your name?”
“I’m a person of no consequence,” The boy only told him. “Now leave me alone.”
The boy moved toward the door, but Merlin wanted to ask him one more thing.
“Wait…just one tiny question, a bit weird, but I was just looking for a place to er…relieve myself… I was thinking of checking outside first.”
The boy turned around, facing him again, and he nodded, understanding. “Wherever you’re sleeping, it’s the room at the end of the hallway,” he told him.
“All right, thanks. My name’s Merlin by the way.”
The boy’s grey eyes widened at Merlin telling him his name. “I have to go!” The boy said in a rush before he opened the door. But before he exited, the boy disappeared.
After that strange ghost encounter, Merlin found the room going by the boy’s directions. He had deduced that the white device with the seat at the right height and the opening at the center of it was, apparently, the chamberpot equivalent in this future world. It was a good thing that he hadn’t had to go that badly because it did take him almost half an hour to orient himself. Some of the time was spent trying to figure out what the silver lever at the side of contraption was meant for. When it turned out that it cleaned the bowl, or whatever it was called, leaving the contents going down the hole (wherever that led to); Merlin decided the silver thing was rather ingenuous, actually.
He wasn’t too sure if he would want to return to Camelot since it appeared that technology in many areas of life would definitely be more advanced here than the time Merlin grew up in.
Still, Hermione was truly apologetic as she said, “I’m sorry if you had trouble working it out. Harry should have known better. Then again--”
“—it’s not every day you get visitors from so far into the past,” Ron said.
“The important thing is that you know how to work a toilet and the bath…” Hermione reasoned.
“So the white device with the lever was a toilet?” Merlin concluded.
“Yes, and the bath is where you wash up properly. Ron will show you both, won’t you, Ron?”
“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
She just gave him a look. “It’s your day off. You should make use of it,” Hermione said. “And, anyway, it’s confusing enough for Arthur and Merlin to be in a different time and place. The last thing they need is a woman showing them – you know. So that’s where you come in, Ron.” She smiled serenely at him.
Hermione looked to both Merlin and Arthur. “Once you two are ready, I’ll have something for you to eat. You must be famished, I’m sure.”
And then she left the room.
Arthur sat up, shifting his legs so that they dangled on the side of the bed. “We are not children," He declared strongly. "I’m certain that we can figure it all out. And Merlin appears to be somewhat of a burgeoning expert.” He chuckled. Merlin shoved him in retaliation.
Ron grinned at them, waving his hand. “It’s fine, really. I don’t mind. This beats work any day. You don’t know about what Harry did, right? You two came here only last night from what I heard.”
Arthur and Merlin shook their heads. “What did he do?” Merlin asked.
“Oh, he’s famous. Been that way since he was a year old. I’ll tell you all about it. It’s not often that there are people who don’t know who Harry Potter is. Hermione and I helped him, of course. We’re his best friends after all,” He said smartly, looking rather proud of himself.
“Helped with what?” Arthur asked.
“To defeat this powerful, dark wizard named Voldemort. You’re lucky you didn’t come a few years ago in the midst of the war.”
The three of them left the room with Ron doing most of the talking.
Arthur was growing rather frustrated when the redhead had asked Merlin if Arthur knew…it was the same question that Hermione had asked Merlin.
Seeing his frustration, Merlin assured Arthur that he would tell him once they had eaten something.
The blonde wondered what could Merlin be keeping from him that Hermione and Ron apparently knew about it (and how was that even possible anyway? They hadn’t met Merlin before, had they?), but Arthur himself didn’t? Merlin had been Arthur’s servant for going on a year now and Arthur thought he knew him rather well after seeing him on a daily basis as he attended to the prince.
Didn’t Merlin trust him enough to tell him whatever he was hiding? What could possibly be…?
And then he saw a boy in his mind’s eye, distracting him from the conversation Ron and Merlin were presently immersed in. The boy had dark hair and grey eyes, almost white, like he could have been blind, but Arthur thought the boy could see just fine. His eyes just seemed to be abnormally pale.
“It’s magic,” the boy said simply.
“Who are you?” Arthur asked silently, just stopping himself from speaking out loud. “How can I see you in my mind when I’m awake?” He wondered.
“I am from the 17th century," The boy informed him, as if that was enough of an explanation. "And this is a little trick I managed to devise. Now, if you just accept it, all of us will be most grateful about it.”
“Accept what?” Arthur asked, confused.
“Learn to listen!” The boy ordered him, his grey eyes flashing.
Then the boy vanished, just like that.
“Arthur, are you all right?” Merlin’s concerned voice brought Arthur back to reality.
Arthur gave a small nod. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
“You looked like you were in another world for a minute there, mate,” Ron said amicably.
“Let’s go down to the kitchen. I’m starving,” Ron then declared.
The three of them walked out of the rather big bathroom and the redhead asked Arthur, “What’s it like being prince then?”
Merlin looked like he wanted to laugh. Now it was Arthur’s turn to glare at him. “His Highness can’t even dress himself,” Merlin remarked in jest.
“Shut up, Merlin,” said Arthur. He had said those words so many times now that it was becoming something of a habit.
Unfortunately, Ron was amused by the comment much to the blonde’s chagrin. And so, both Merlin and Arthur contributed anecdotes about how life was back in Camelot.
Overall, Arthur liked Ron better than Harry after the somewhat cold reception the dark-haired man had given him. Granted, according to Merlin, it might have been due to the man being particularly protective of Hermione. Not that Arthur had anything against that. He hoped that Harry would come around to him soon.
~ * ~
Hermione was glad for the day off from studying. Though, truth be told, she was mostly able to set her own schedule since she was in an independent study program with a focus on Charms. She knew that she could easily get any job she wanted within the wizarding world by virtue of being Harry Potter’s close friend and subsequently, aiding him in saving the wizarding world from Voldemort. Yet still, she had always wanted to pursue higher education after Hogwarts, to learn as much as she could, and in the process, maybe devise new ways of doing things. She had liked all (well, excluding rubbish Divination) her classes at Hogwarts – from Defense Against the Dark Arts to Potions, but Hermione was currently most interested in the possibilities that Charms work could offer.
Of course, it was perfect timing for her part what with Merlin and Arthur coming here out of nowhere last night. And they certainly couldn’t be left on their own. Though she was sure that there would be wizards stationed outside of the manor now…the wizarding world was heavily dependent on Merlin’s survival after all.
She sighed as she scrambled a few eggs in a pan on the stove.
Some people at the Ministry were utter fools. She wanted to give them a good talking to, they certainly needed it.
Merlin was just fine here without the need for wizard bodyguards. She was certain that they would be Aurors with nothing better to do. Hermione made a note to tell Harry to convince them to back off. Yes, Harry wasn’t Head of the Auror Office (yet), but people listened to him, and that’s what mattered. Let anyone dare to ignore a request by the man who saved the wizarding world.
Hermione nearly stepped back in surprise when she saw a scene, silent – no words spoken as if it were a silent movie; play out in her mind’s eye.
She saw herself backed up against a wall and Arthur, of all people, yelling at her, clearly angered about something that involved her. Then Merlin and Draco walked in on them and Merlin looked understandably shocked at what he was seeing.
But Draco…
Draco just looked smug.
Merlin pulled Arthur away from her to, undoubtedly, have a few heated words with him. Hermione saw herself walk toward Draco, grabbing his arm roughly and directing him into another room. The scene fading out as the two of them disappeared into a different room.
Hermione knew what this meant.
Draco wasn’t dreaming anymore.
She felt relief sweep over her. She decided that she should see Luna sometime soon to let her know.
~ * ~
Ginny walked into Draco’s study, pausing a moment before she fully entered.
Draco looked up from his desk. She smiled at him, and she set the requested documents on his dark cherry desk.
She explained to him as he took the papers and glanced through them. “Those are the specific papers you asked for in the Merlin file. I managed to be quite persuasive. And Harry was nice enough to help me out.”
Draco gave her a soft smile. “Thank you, Ginny.”
He gestured for her to sit down in one of the leather seats in front of his desk.
She did so, and then she remarked lightly, “But you and I both know that you don’t need those documents.”
“Just a formality, love. It’s useful to know how much the Ministry has managed to find out. And by the look of it--” He stopped speaking then as he skimmed through the papers some more. He looked mildly annoyed during his scanning of the information.
Ginny understood why – she knew quite well that the search for Merlin’s current reincarnation was notoriously an unsuccessful, hopeless effort. She herself had only found out where he was, or more like who he was, by complete accident.
“They haven’t even managed to discover the birth year,” Draco remarked in great displeasure.
“Well, that’s a good thing, right? Draco, think about it, there’s a good reason why Merlin isn’t making himself known. I think he just wants to be left alone…in this life at least. We should just let him live out, shouldn’t we?” She inquired.
Draco shrugged. “Merlin can do whatever he likes. If the situation were any different, I would let him be. The trouble here is that the originals are out of their time, residing in Emrys Manor at the moment. That’s going to create a problem. All the Dark wizards will come out to play, so to speak. I’ll have to talk to Harry, so that he’s made aware.”
“I’m sure he knows what’s at stake. We all do, Draco,” Ginny reminded him gently.
“Of course,” he answered her as he perused the papers further.
“But Merlin is there with the originals,” Ginny argued. “He’ll be keeping an eye on them. He doesn’t need to come out and reveal himself to do that.”
Draco clasped his hands together, resting them under his chin. He looked thoughtful. “The silent protector approach is not always the best way to go about it. I will still have to meet with the reincarnation. I will take your advice into consideration though.”
“I hope that you would. We will be getting married after all. I would like my input to be considered,” she said, her tone insistent.
Draco smiled at her fondly. He reached his hand out to place it over her manicured hand, the diamond ring on her finger shining brilliantly.
“You don’t find it…odd at all?” Draco asked her.
She looked at him bemusedly and shrugging, she said, “Maybe, I guess it will take some getting used to. Then again, I have known about Merlin and Morgana’s reincarnations since my first year at Hogwarts. And I have kept the knowledge secret for years now without either of them knowing it. I've come to accept the oddity of it all, I suppose. And now, there’s you…” She trailed off, giving him a half-smile.
“That kind of loyalty, Ginny…” Draco noted. “You do know how much you could have been – could still be paid for that information.”
The redhead nodded. “Yes, but Hermione is like a sister to me. And after the Riddle incident,” Ginny’s brown eyes darkened at the terrible memory. “Luna was one of the few friends I had and she still is. No matter how strange she can be sometimes. I suppose reincarnation could do that to you,” she mused, looking to Draco whose lips twitched only slightly at the comment.
She continued on, “However much my family needed the money back then, I knew it was the wrong thing to do. That’s not how friendship works,” she said firmly. “And anyway, I don’t need the money now. My family is doing well, I have a good job at the Daily Prophet, and I’m marrying you,” She smiled warmly at him. “Though Ron thinks I’m absolutely mad for doing so, no matter if the rest of my family has accepted my decision. You have shown your loyalty to our side after all. I believe Ron just doesn’t want to see it.” Ginny rolled her eyes – knowing it was just like her brother to not let the grudge go.
“Ron will come around… though we have never been on the best terms. I can’t say I like him that much either. I tolerate him – for your sake, of course,” He said with a smirk.
Ginny sighed, shaking her head. Men.
After a few moments of comfortable silence, Draco spoke, “I can travel in time, you know,” he informed her. “Did I tell you that?”
Ginny was puzzled for a moment. “Like with a Time Turner?”
The blonde shook his head, a look of distaste at the mention of the device. “No, not the kind of time travel where the most you can do is a few hours. I’m not limited by a Time Turner. I could travel to the past or the future…after all, barring Merlin, I am the most powerful wizard in existence.” He didn’t even bother trying to appear modest about it. He had certainly not grown up to be modest after all.
Ginny’s eyes widened. “Really? So any year I want to travel to… and you can take me there?” She wanted to make sure. The possibility of that was almost incomprehensible to her, beyond imagining.
Draco’s lips quirked into a wide smile as his fiance’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Where would you like to go on your honeymoon?” He asked her.
Ginny didn’t know where to start.
~ * ~
Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus
Author: dk323
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Merlin/Arthur, Harry, Hermione, Ron/Luna, Draco/Ginny
Spoilers: Harry Potter ~ takes place about three years after the final battle
Merlin ~ A week after “Le Morte D'Arthur” (Series 1 finale)
Disclaimer: The show “Merlin” is property of the BBC. Harry Potter is the property of Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling. No money being made.
Summary: Arthur and Merlin, unwittingly, go forward in time and they find themselves in the wizarding world. In the wizarding world, Merlin is god. But, what he doesn't know is that there's a secret hiding in plain sight. And it's about to be unraveled.
Author's Notes: This chapter goes into a lot of different things and there's a surprise reincarnation reveal. I debated about holding off on it, but it fit into this chapter. And there's a small preview in this part of what's to come... This chapter is considerably long (over 5,000 words), but I haven't updated this fic in a while, so the guilt made the chapter grow...lol. ;)
~ * ~
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3
~ * ~
Merlin came into Arthur’s room not long after he woke up.
“How did you sleep?” He asked the prince.
Merlin sat down in the chair that was inexplicably by the bed. Certainly it hadn’t been there the previous night? Shrugging the thought off, he looked to Arthur.
Arthur rubbed his eyes tiredly. He was wearing a similar night outfit to what Merlin was clothed in. Merlin had found the night wear in his own room before he had settled into a restless sleep. He wasn’t sure how the clothes ended up being there if the rooms were simply spare rooms. He could only conclude that it had been a spell of some sort…that left clothing for guests?
He waved his hand at the pictures hung up around the room. “I’ve slept better. The blasted pictures move and talk, Merlin! And that one over there,” He pointed at the far wall opposite him. “The one of the mermaid or whoever he was. I highly doubt he was a mermaid. He just stared at me like I was the crazy one. And then he appeared to leave the picture – how does that even work?”
Merlin shook his head. He pretended to be just as clueless. “I have no idea, Arthur.” Looking at the picture that Arthur had pointed to, he informed him, “It looks like the man is back, but I think he’s sleeping.”
Intrigued, Merlin moved closer to the picture and he noticed a white kitten resting on the old man’s lap. The man was stroking the kitten idly as he slept in his chair. The kitten purred in pleasure at the contact.
He looked below the picture to find out who this was, but strangely, there was no name given. Instead, it said:
Not Important. DO NOT LOOK HERE.
There. I hope that is satisfactory?
Merlin wondered what the man was hiding, although looking closer at the man’s features; he did see a resemblance to himself. He would have to talk to this man sometime when the old man was awake.
He returned to Arthur’s side.
“Well?”
“I was just taking a look,” Merlin told him.
Arthur gave him a “why in the world would you do that, you idiot?” look before he declared, “I’m certainly not going near that picture again. All this must be a work of magic, don’t you agree, Merlin? Pictures don’t come alive like this! Even if we’re in the future, I still don’t think such a thing would be possible. What was that year again that Harry something or other gave?”
“2001. He said we’re in the year 2001. And you’re right,” Merlin agreed. He knew he had to tell Arthur now. There was no point in keeping it from him anymore. “The moving pictures are a work of magic. Harry and Hermione practice magic.”
“Do they?” Arthur said. He sounded more curious than angered, which definitely surprised Merlin,
“Yes, and well, we really don’t have the choice to leave since we’re in a time that is not our own. I know how you feel about magic, Arthur.”
Arthur sighed. “You’re right. We just have to hope they don’t have ill intentions.” Then he looked at Merlin carefully. “I don’t follow my father’s beliefs without question, Merlin. After all, remember that druid boy that we along with Morgana helped to escape? I think I can be a little more reasonable, shall we say, than my father. And I can accept this situation we’re in. It is like you said; we don’t have a choice in the matter.”
Merlin swallowed, feeling decidedly anxious. Was this a good time to tell Arthur about his magic?
But first, Arthur needed to know about the current situation. Merlin felt a great sense of relief sweep over him that he could stall the reveal just for a while longer.
“It’s not just Harry and Hermione who are magic users, Arthur. This whole world we’re in now – it’s full of wizards and the like. It’s called the wizarding world…”
“So, you’re telling me we’re surrounded by magical entities?”
Merlin nodded. “The wizarding world is supposed to be a sort of hidden world. Non-magical people have their own separate world – they don’t even realize the existence of a magical world right under the noses. It’s all concealed by magic.”
“That’s a tall feat. I assume this world of magic has its own government and the necessary establishments to support itself?”
“Yes. It’s all self-contained.”
Arthur looked interested, which made Merlin smile to see him taking it so well.
“We should get Harry and Hermione to give us a tour. I’d much prefer exploring the place outside of this manor. It sounds far more interesting than these unnatural moving pictures,” Arthur shuddered.
“They’re not that bad.”
“Merlin, there are some things I can deal with, but not pictures that come to life. I’m convinced that mermaid man spent the whole evening staring at me!”
“Well…who could blame him?”
“He was an old man, Merlin!”
Merlin just rolled his eyes at him. “I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it,” Merlin then recalled Harry’s warning the previous evening. Merlin relayed to Arthur, “And just so you know, Harry told me to tell you that you shouldn’t get too friendly with Hermione. For some reason, he has an issue with you.”
Arthur looked confused at that. “I don’t see what the trouble is. I barely know her, but if Harry insisted, then I’ll abide by that. We’re the guests here after all.”
“It would be a good idea not to cause trouble, right, Arthur?”
“Merlin, I do not cause trouble! I have no interest in Hermione. She was about to fall – what – should I have just let her hit the floor? Is it a crime to be helpful?”
Merlin muttered something under his breath.
“Oh, shut up, Merlin.”
Arthur received a cheeky grin in return. He hit Merlin in the face with a pillow.
Upon Merlin nicking a pillow, an impromptu pillow fight commenced.
~ * ~
Meanwhile…
“I’m sure they’re awake by now and undoubtedly hungry,” Hermione remarked. She spread raspberry jam over her toast and took a bite out of the bread.
Harry looked up. “Hmmm?”
“Merlin and Arthur. Our unexpected guests, remember?”
The self-stirring spoon in Harry’s cup loudly clanged against the glass as he groaned, rubbing his brow.
“Damnit, did you have to remind me, Hermione?”
“What is it? I know you have a problem with Arthur for some reason, but...”
Harry appeared to be debating what to say, choosing his words carefully as he said, “I don’t like entitled people. Growing up as I did, you understand.”
“Yes, of course I do. You know how I used to worry about you when you had to stay with the Dursleys over summer break. But that’s no reason to solely judge a book by its cover, Harry.”
Harry gave her a look and then he swiftly changed the subject. “Anyway, I just realized how busy it’ll be at the Ministry today. You’re lucky that you’re pursuing higher education, the bookworm you are.”
“Oh, don’t tell me you didn’t appreciate it at Hogwarts,” Hermione shot back amicably.
Harry smirked at her, remembering all too well how he had depended on her homework assistance.
Then he nodded at her. “You do know that the wizarding world will catch wind of Merlin’s arrival with all the tracking methods that they have. Why the methods haven’t worked in the search for Merlin’s current reincarnation, I wish I knew,” Harry shrugged. Hermione hummed noncommittally to his wondering. She reached over the kitchen table to nick a piece of bacon off of Harry’s plate.
She nibbled on the bacon, listening with due interest as Harry continued on, “Even though it’s the pre-reincarnated Merlin who’s here, the Ministry will still find his presence a matter of high interest. And this is probably even worse because if this Merlin dies before--”
“—before he discovers how to reincarnate himself and all the others, then the wizarding world is doomed,” Hermione finished for him.
“Yes, exactly that.”
“You know, I really do think the wizarding world can manage just fine without Merlin. At least now,” she said thoughtfully.
Harry just stared at her. “How can you say that, Hermione? If it weren’t for him establishing the foundations of the wizarding world…”
But Hermione pursued her point further. “You misunderstand me. Yes, he established the foundations of our world, but after that, do we really need Merlin to help any longer? Would it not be better to let Merlin's present reincarnation be?"
Harry stared at her, unsure how to best answer her.
Hermione shrugged and she looked down at the table. “I’m just saying that we shouldn’t depend so heavily on Merlin.”
He looked puzzled. “I didn’t know you thought that…you, of all people, Hermione. I thought you’d be revering him rather than wanting him gone.”
Hermione remarked, “Left alone, Harry. There is a difference.”
Harry shook his head. “It’s like I don’t even know you.”
“Don’t tell me that you have never wished for the same. The entire wizarding world hailing you as a hero before you could do a thing about it.”
Harry seemed to relent then, conceding his friend’s point. “All right, Hermione. I admit I hate that bit of it. I wish sometimes that everyone would just shove off and stop scrutinizing every move I make. But you’re in the same situation – if it weren’t for you and Ron helping me to defeat Voldemort, I doubt I would have done so.”
“You have had to deal with fame for far longer than either Ron or me,” Hermione pointed out. She shrugged. “And you should understand how someone such as Merlin feels – it’s like what you contend with times a hundred.”
“This is different, Hermione. Comparing Merlin to me is like comparing Draco to Ron. It’s shoddy at best. Now I may not know much about Merlin and his numerous reincarnations – having not grown up in a pureblood family like Ron, but I have been in the wizarding world long enough to understand Merlin’s importance. It’s like the wizarding world is protected with him around…that’s what Ron told me.”
“It’s not right to depend on someone like that though. Look at you – how much pressure you were under to defeat Voldemort. How much the wizarding world depended on you. The weight on your shoulders was almost too much to bear. I remember, Harry. I saw you struggle,” she said firmly, a fierce glint in her brown eyes.
Harry sighed. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He set a determined gaze upon Hermione. “I understand what you’re getting at, Hermione, but Merlin – the reincarnated Merlin – is far bigger than you or me or anyone in the whole wizarding world. There’s nothing I can do about it. The Ministry will be bent on finding him now. They’ll consider a pre-reincarnated Merlin coming to this time as a sign – an omen that soon we will find--”
“…our savior?” Hermione put in lightly, though her eyes blazed as she spoke the words. “In case you haven’t noticed, but we’re at peace now. Voldemort is gone and the Death Eaters are mostly taken care of. And Draco is doing an effective job at playing double-agent for us. We don’t need anyone to save us.”
Harry inclined his head toward her. “But you never know, Hermione. Things can happen. And with the original Arthur and Merlin displaced in time now – once word circulates of what has happened, things won’t be quiet for long. Better safe than sorry.”
Hermione smiled thinly at him. “I much prefer optimism,” she remarked.
~ * ~
Merlin and Arthur stopped trying to pummel each other with pillows when they heard the door open. They quickly repositioned themselves so that they were sitting next to each other on the bed.
Then the brunette woman from last night entered the room.
“Hello,” she said, seeming a little uncertain about how to talk to them. “I’m sorry about last night – I was drunk and – anyway, I’m Hermione. Harry told you that already, I know, but I just wanted to introduce myself properly.”
“Merlin here is no stranger to drunkenness. Aren’t you, Merlin?”
Merlin shot back, “Oh, look who’s talking! How many times have I had to drag you back to your chambers? I may not be able to hold my alcohol, but at least I don’t try to get as drunk as is humanly possible whenever there’s a feast!”
Hermione couldn’t resist smiling widely at that.
Arthur looked affronted.
Hermione coughed loudly to gain their attention. The two of them looked at her expectantly. “Harry has gone to work, so it’s just me now. I was thinking that you two would be hungry? I hope you found everything all right,” she said, waving at the wardrobe. “You should find more time-appropriate clothes to wear in each of your wardrobes. And where you can freshen up – the bathroom is at --”
“—the end of the hallway, yeah. I found that out,” Merlin finished for her.
Arthur smirked. Merlin glared at him. At least he had the initiative, Merlin told himself. The prat.
She nodded, appearing pleased. “Yes, that’s right. When you two get dressed and --oh! You’re probably completely confused…modern conveniences and all. Though, we do things a little differently,” she paused. Then she looked to Merlin. “Does he know?” Hermione gestured to Arthur.
Arthur, for his part, looked rather annoyed at being treated like he wasn’t in the room. He moved to lie down in bed, folding his arms behind his head.
“I know that you and Harry practice magic,” Arthur informed her before Merlin could speak a word. “Despite that fact could have you executed back in Camelot, I’ll try my best to accept it. Clearly this future you’re living in has different…rules and regulations, so I can do little to impose on them,” he said reasonably.
Merlin gave a tight-lipped smile. Hermione looked at him carefully, which Merlin found particularly uncomfortable. He didn’t know her, nor she him; and yet she seemed to have no qualms at scrutinizing him. Merlin wondered if this is how she treated everyone upon first meeting them…
“He doesn’t know though, does he?” She asked again of Merlin.
Merlin knew what she meant – did Arthur know about his magic? He shook his head.
Arthur looked between the both of them, understandably puzzled. “What is she on about, Merlin?”
She sighed. “On your own time then,” Hermione told him curtly.
Merlin looked at her apologetically. He didn’t mean to delay it, well…actually, he did sort of, but he resolved that he would gather the courage to tell Arthur before the day was out. There was still plenty of time.
Before Arthur could demand what in the world Merlin was keeping from him, someone interrupted them.
“Hermione, is Harry taking the mickey out of me, or--?”
A tall, red-headed man walked into the room. He practically ogled Arthur and Merlin in surprise. “Oh, so he wasn’t,” he uttered.
“Ron, you should be at work," Hermione admonished him.
The redhead looked unconcerned. “I’m taking the day off. And it looks like I couldn’t have had better timing.”
“Oh honestly, Ron. You just want to get some quality Quidditch time in. You can’t fool me.”
He looked shocked at her words. “That’s not true, Hermione. I was feeling a bit under the weather and--”
She stared at him in sheer disbelief. “And Luna wasn’t there?” She asked him.
Merlin perked up at the mention of Luna.
Ron shrugged. “No, she was out. Said she had to leave early to do something urgent. If you ask me, I think Luna’s a spy. Kind of cool, actually. My girlfriend: a spy. Like James Bond, or whatever that muggle character’s name is.”
“James Bond is a bloke, Ron,” Hermione told him tiredly.
Ron was unfazed and he continued on, “Luna is a bit weird though, you have to admit. Weird in a good way… It’s like how you’re scary, Hermione--”
She rolled her eyes, interrupting him. “Oh, I hope you don’t plan on telling my future boyfriends that you broke up with me because I’m scary.”
“I will if they’re not right for you,” Ron countered sharply. “I’ve always been your friend first and foremost after all. Harry too, of course.”
Merlin cut in before Hermione and Ron could completely forget his and Arthur’s presence. “Er, sorry, but you said Luna? Do you mean Luna Lovegood?”
“Am I missing something here?” Arthur inquired to the ceiling.
Ron nodded slowly. “What then? Did she see you last night? Am I right—is she weird in a good way?”
Merlin wasn’t sure what to say to that. “She was all right. I don’t know why she was here. I think Luna came to say hello. It was a bit sudden.”
Which was certainly an understatement, Merlin thought, considering that he wasn’t expecting to meet a reincarnation of (or of anyone really) Morgana at all. And yet, there she had been – blonde hair, strawberry earrings, cork necklace and all.
“Why in the world is Luna making middle-of-the-night visits just to say hello? That seems off…” Ron mused.
Hermione cleared her throat, and raised her voice to gain everyone’s attention. She said, “All right! We’re not getting anywhere. It’s a good thing you’re here, Ron. You could introduce Merlin and Arthur to 21st century sanitation…or at least the wizarding world’s version of it.”
“Are you serious?” Ron exclaimed.
“I figured it out when I had to go last night,” Merlin informed them. Arthur let out a laugh at that remark. Merlin glared at him. He was sure that the blonde was imagining him spending hours trying to figure out the right way to do his business…while trying to hold it in. Royal prat.
True, it took Merlin some time to first find where the room was. The search occurred not long after Luna, Morgana's reincarnation, had left. Merlin had suddenly felt a need to go, which was inconvenient, obviously, as he didn't know how things worked in this time period. With the absence of a chamberpot, Merlin had initially decided to head outside and try to see if the appropriate place was out of the manor.
But upon reaching a back door, he was surprised to find a young boy – about 11 or 12? –
suddenly appear in front of him and easily blocking his way. The boy had dark brown hair and grey almost white eyes, which gave him a bit of a startling appearance. He didn’t look of this time as his outfit wasn’t reminiscent of what Harry and Hermione had worn and Merlin didn’t find the clothing familiar to his time either.
Everything about the outfit was well-fitted and it gave the impression that the boy was a child wearing sized down adult clothing. Merlin would have guessed that the boy came from a wealthy family – then again, the boy had appeared in this manor. Merlin had to guess that the boy could be someone who used to live in the manor judging by how he seemed to flicker in and out. Merlin had never been convinced that ghosts or spirits were real, but seeing the dark-haired, grey-eyed boy before him, he was beginning to reconsider.
“Who are you?” The boy demanded of Merlin, sounding considerably haughty.
“You’re the one who appeared in front of me. I should be asking you that,” Merlin pointed out to him.
“I’m a ghost, of course,” the boy explained smoothly. “And you aren’t supposed to be awake. I’m running away, all right? So leave me alone. Go back to where you were, will you?”
“Why are you running away?” Merlin asked him, curious.
The boy shrugged. “Because I’m sick of everyone running my life. No one asks me what I want, so I’m going to go some place else.”
“And who are you exactly? What’s your name?”
“I’m a person of no consequence,” The boy only told him. “Now leave me alone.”
The boy moved toward the door, but Merlin wanted to ask him one more thing.
“Wait…just one tiny question, a bit weird, but I was just looking for a place to er…relieve myself… I was thinking of checking outside first.”
The boy turned around, facing him again, and he nodded, understanding. “Wherever you’re sleeping, it’s the room at the end of the hallway,” he told him.
“All right, thanks. My name’s Merlin by the way.”
The boy’s grey eyes widened at Merlin telling him his name. “I have to go!” The boy said in a rush before he opened the door. But before he exited, the boy disappeared.
After that strange ghost encounter, Merlin found the room going by the boy’s directions. He had deduced that the white device with the seat at the right height and the opening at the center of it was, apparently, the chamberpot equivalent in this future world. It was a good thing that he hadn’t had to go that badly because it did take him almost half an hour to orient himself. Some of the time was spent trying to figure out what the silver lever at the side of contraption was meant for. When it turned out that it cleaned the bowl, or whatever it was called, leaving the contents going down the hole (wherever that led to); Merlin decided the silver thing was rather ingenuous, actually.
He wasn’t too sure if he would want to return to Camelot since it appeared that technology in many areas of life would definitely be more advanced here than the time Merlin grew up in.
Still, Hermione was truly apologetic as she said, “I’m sorry if you had trouble working it out. Harry should have known better. Then again--”
“—it’s not every day you get visitors from so far into the past,” Ron said.
“The important thing is that you know how to work a toilet and the bath…” Hermione reasoned.
“So the white device with the lever was a toilet?” Merlin concluded.
“Yes, and the bath is where you wash up properly. Ron will show you both, won’t you, Ron?”
“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
She just gave him a look. “It’s your day off. You should make use of it,” Hermione said. “And, anyway, it’s confusing enough for Arthur and Merlin to be in a different time and place. The last thing they need is a woman showing them – you know. So that’s where you come in, Ron.” She smiled serenely at him.
Hermione looked to both Merlin and Arthur. “Once you two are ready, I’ll have something for you to eat. You must be famished, I’m sure.”
And then she left the room.
Arthur sat up, shifting his legs so that they dangled on the side of the bed. “We are not children," He declared strongly. "I’m certain that we can figure it all out. And Merlin appears to be somewhat of a burgeoning expert.” He chuckled. Merlin shoved him in retaliation.
Ron grinned at them, waving his hand. “It’s fine, really. I don’t mind. This beats work any day. You don’t know about what Harry did, right? You two came here only last night from what I heard.”
Arthur and Merlin shook their heads. “What did he do?” Merlin asked.
“Oh, he’s famous. Been that way since he was a year old. I’ll tell you all about it. It’s not often that there are people who don’t know who Harry Potter is. Hermione and I helped him, of course. We’re his best friends after all,” He said smartly, looking rather proud of himself.
“Helped with what?” Arthur asked.
“To defeat this powerful, dark wizard named Voldemort. You’re lucky you didn’t come a few years ago in the midst of the war.”
The three of them left the room with Ron doing most of the talking.
Arthur was growing rather frustrated when the redhead had asked Merlin if Arthur knew…it was the same question that Hermione had asked Merlin.
Seeing his frustration, Merlin assured Arthur that he would tell him once they had eaten something.
The blonde wondered what could Merlin be keeping from him that Hermione and Ron apparently knew about it (and how was that even possible anyway? They hadn’t met Merlin before, had they?), but Arthur himself didn’t? Merlin had been Arthur’s servant for going on a year now and Arthur thought he knew him rather well after seeing him on a daily basis as he attended to the prince.
Didn’t Merlin trust him enough to tell him whatever he was hiding? What could possibly be…?
And then he saw a boy in his mind’s eye, distracting him from the conversation Ron and Merlin were presently immersed in. The boy had dark hair and grey eyes, almost white, like he could have been blind, but Arthur thought the boy could see just fine. His eyes just seemed to be abnormally pale.
“It’s magic,” the boy said simply.
“Who are you?” Arthur asked silently, just stopping himself from speaking out loud. “How can I see you in my mind when I’m awake?” He wondered.
“I am from the 17th century," The boy informed him, as if that was enough of an explanation. "And this is a little trick I managed to devise. Now, if you just accept it, all of us will be most grateful about it.”
“Accept what?” Arthur asked, confused.
“Learn to listen!” The boy ordered him, his grey eyes flashing.
Then the boy vanished, just like that.
“Arthur, are you all right?” Merlin’s concerned voice brought Arthur back to reality.
Arthur gave a small nod. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
“You looked like you were in another world for a minute there, mate,” Ron said amicably.
“Let’s go down to the kitchen. I’m starving,” Ron then declared.
The three of them walked out of the rather big bathroom and the redhead asked Arthur, “What’s it like being prince then?”
Merlin looked like he wanted to laugh. Now it was Arthur’s turn to glare at him. “His Highness can’t even dress himself,” Merlin remarked in jest.
“Shut up, Merlin,” said Arthur. He had said those words so many times now that it was becoming something of a habit.
Unfortunately, Ron was amused by the comment much to the blonde’s chagrin. And so, both Merlin and Arthur contributed anecdotes about how life was back in Camelot.
Overall, Arthur liked Ron better than Harry after the somewhat cold reception the dark-haired man had given him. Granted, according to Merlin, it might have been due to the man being particularly protective of Hermione. Not that Arthur had anything against that. He hoped that Harry would come around to him soon.
~ * ~
Hermione was glad for the day off from studying. Though, truth be told, she was mostly able to set her own schedule since she was in an independent study program with a focus on Charms. She knew that she could easily get any job she wanted within the wizarding world by virtue of being Harry Potter’s close friend and subsequently, aiding him in saving the wizarding world from Voldemort. Yet still, she had always wanted to pursue higher education after Hogwarts, to learn as much as she could, and in the process, maybe devise new ways of doing things. She had liked all (well, excluding rubbish Divination) her classes at Hogwarts – from Defense Against the Dark Arts to Potions, but Hermione was currently most interested in the possibilities that Charms work could offer.
Of course, it was perfect timing for her part what with Merlin and Arthur coming here out of nowhere last night. And they certainly couldn’t be left on their own. Though she was sure that there would be wizards stationed outside of the manor now…the wizarding world was heavily dependent on Merlin’s survival after all.
She sighed as she scrambled a few eggs in a pan on the stove.
Some people at the Ministry were utter fools. She wanted to give them a good talking to, they certainly needed it.
Merlin was just fine here without the need for wizard bodyguards. She was certain that they would be Aurors with nothing better to do. Hermione made a note to tell Harry to convince them to back off. Yes, Harry wasn’t Head of the Auror Office (yet), but people listened to him, and that’s what mattered. Let anyone dare to ignore a request by the man who saved the wizarding world.
Hermione nearly stepped back in surprise when she saw a scene, silent – no words spoken as if it were a silent movie; play out in her mind’s eye.
She saw herself backed up against a wall and Arthur, of all people, yelling at her, clearly angered about something that involved her. Then Merlin and Draco walked in on them and Merlin looked understandably shocked at what he was seeing.
But Draco…
Draco just looked smug.
Merlin pulled Arthur away from her to, undoubtedly, have a few heated words with him. Hermione saw herself walk toward Draco, grabbing his arm roughly and directing him into another room. The scene fading out as the two of them disappeared into a different room.
Hermione knew what this meant.
Draco wasn’t dreaming anymore.
She felt relief sweep over her. She decided that she should see Luna sometime soon to let her know.
~ * ~
Ginny walked into Draco’s study, pausing a moment before she fully entered.
Draco looked up from his desk. She smiled at him, and she set the requested documents on his dark cherry desk.
She explained to him as he took the papers and glanced through them. “Those are the specific papers you asked for in the Merlin file. I managed to be quite persuasive. And Harry was nice enough to help me out.”
Draco gave her a soft smile. “Thank you, Ginny.”
He gestured for her to sit down in one of the leather seats in front of his desk.
She did so, and then she remarked lightly, “But you and I both know that you don’t need those documents.”
“Just a formality, love. It’s useful to know how much the Ministry has managed to find out. And by the look of it--” He stopped speaking then as he skimmed through the papers some more. He looked mildly annoyed during his scanning of the information.
Ginny understood why – she knew quite well that the search for Merlin’s current reincarnation was notoriously an unsuccessful, hopeless effort. She herself had only found out where he was, or more like who he was, by complete accident.
“They haven’t even managed to discover the birth year,” Draco remarked in great displeasure.
“Well, that’s a good thing, right? Draco, think about it, there’s a good reason why Merlin isn’t making himself known. I think he just wants to be left alone…in this life at least. We should just let him live out, shouldn’t we?” She inquired.
Draco shrugged. “Merlin can do whatever he likes. If the situation were any different, I would let him be. The trouble here is that the originals are out of their time, residing in Emrys Manor at the moment. That’s going to create a problem. All the Dark wizards will come out to play, so to speak. I’ll have to talk to Harry, so that he’s made aware.”
“I’m sure he knows what’s at stake. We all do, Draco,” Ginny reminded him gently.
“Of course,” he answered her as he perused the papers further.
“But Merlin is there with the originals,” Ginny argued. “He’ll be keeping an eye on them. He doesn’t need to come out and reveal himself to do that.”
Draco clasped his hands together, resting them under his chin. He looked thoughtful. “The silent protector approach is not always the best way to go about it. I will still have to meet with the reincarnation. I will take your advice into consideration though.”
“I hope that you would. We will be getting married after all. I would like my input to be considered,” she said, her tone insistent.
Draco smiled at her fondly. He reached his hand out to place it over her manicured hand, the diamond ring on her finger shining brilliantly.
“You don’t find it…odd at all?” Draco asked her.
She looked at him bemusedly and shrugging, she said, “Maybe, I guess it will take some getting used to. Then again, I have known about Merlin and Morgana’s reincarnations since my first year at Hogwarts. And I have kept the knowledge secret for years now without either of them knowing it. I've come to accept the oddity of it all, I suppose. And now, there’s you…” She trailed off, giving him a half-smile.
“That kind of loyalty, Ginny…” Draco noted. “You do know how much you could have been – could still be paid for that information.”
The redhead nodded. “Yes, but Hermione is like a sister to me. And after the Riddle incident,” Ginny’s brown eyes darkened at the terrible memory. “Luna was one of the few friends I had and she still is. No matter how strange she can be sometimes. I suppose reincarnation could do that to you,” she mused, looking to Draco whose lips twitched only slightly at the comment.
She continued on, “However much my family needed the money back then, I knew it was the wrong thing to do. That’s not how friendship works,” she said firmly. “And anyway, I don’t need the money now. My family is doing well, I have a good job at the Daily Prophet, and I’m marrying you,” She smiled warmly at him. “Though Ron thinks I’m absolutely mad for doing so, no matter if the rest of my family has accepted my decision. You have shown your loyalty to our side after all. I believe Ron just doesn’t want to see it.” Ginny rolled her eyes – knowing it was just like her brother to not let the grudge go.
“Ron will come around… though we have never been on the best terms. I can’t say I like him that much either. I tolerate him – for your sake, of course,” He said with a smirk.
Ginny sighed, shaking her head. Men.
After a few moments of comfortable silence, Draco spoke, “I can travel in time, you know,” he informed her. “Did I tell you that?”
Ginny was puzzled for a moment. “Like with a Time Turner?”
The blonde shook his head, a look of distaste at the mention of the device. “No, not the kind of time travel where the most you can do is a few hours. I’m not limited by a Time Turner. I could travel to the past or the future…after all, barring Merlin, I am the most powerful wizard in existence.” He didn’t even bother trying to appear modest about it. He had certainly not grown up to be modest after all.
Ginny’s eyes widened. “Really? So any year I want to travel to… and you can take me there?” She wanted to make sure. The possibility of that was almost incomprehensible to her, beyond imagining.
Draco’s lips quirked into a wide smile as his fiance’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Where would you like to go on your honeymoon?” He asked her.
Ginny didn’t know where to start.
~ * ~
Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus
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and SERIOUSLY Arthur! HOW MUCH CLEARER DOES ONE HAVE TO BE WITH YOU! *slaps him up the back of his royal, blonde head*
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And I hoped that I answered a few questions here even as new questions were raised.
Arthur's a bit slow on the uptake. Shame on him. ;) He will find out in the next chapter. I feel bad for moving the reveal back like this, but I think it'll work better in the following chapter.
Thank you for reading and commenting. :)
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I now so need to know who Arthur is I mean we're running out of major characters rapidly. Unless they;re not always together but my brain just refuses to accepe that.
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Also is Draco just an amazing wizard or is he like the reincarnation of Mordred or something?
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That's all right. Happens to all of us. :)
Also is Draco just an amazing wizard or is he like the reincarnation of Mordred or something?
Draco isn't Mordred. He's a reincarnation though.
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Yeah, a reincarnation of Merlin that's laying low, so to speak. A bit of an unconventional approach since usually it's Harry who's Merlin in these kinds of fics, but I wanted to go a different route.
Arthur's reincarnation will be made clearer in the next chapter. I agree with you - I find it hard to keep them apart. They can't help but be drawn to each other. :)
Thank you for reading. :)
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I knoooow who Draaaaco isssss (ok, you confirmed it, but, I did guess eventually right?) Ginny is completely chill, hee. Can't wait to see where they go on their honeymoon. Interesting reveals about Ginny this time around.
Arthur being kind of stalked by a moving-picture merman, and Arthur being super creeped by it, is unspeakably hilarious to me. And Merlin asking 'Who can blame him?' LOL XD
And speaking of LOLs, Merlin figuring out the mechanics of toilets and thinking them ingenius is seriously one of my favorite parts of the story so far. I can absolutely picture him using the handle to flush and being SO PLEASED.
Really love the conversation between Harry and Hermione. Can't wait for upcoming conversations between Harry and Arthur, ooooh. *rubs hands* As well as Merlin and Arthur, of course. I hope Arthur continues his understanding attitude...
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Here are chapters 5 and 6:
Chapter 5: http://dk323.livejournal.com/145707.html
Chapter 6: http://dk323.livejournal.com/200521.html
The story isn't completed, I'm sad to say, and I don't know when I'll finish the story. I can't give a definite answer there. :( I'd like to finish it though. Chapters 5 and 6 are pretty long, so I hope that helps.
Thank you for your interest in this story. I appreciate it. :)
Just my luck
Just my luck