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Merlin/HP: Intrigue (5/?)
Title: Intrigue [Merlin/Harry Potter crossover] (5/?)
Author: dk323
Rating: PG-13 (special note for swearing in this chapter)
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. I don’t own the show “Misfits” either. 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.
Chapter Five: Merlin tells Arthur about his magic and Arthur has a good idea about who Merlin's current incarnation is. The problem is Arthur is having a difficult time getting the answer he wants while Merlin tells him to back off. Merlin meets the Great Dragon's incarnation. And two Merlins decide to fake someone's death...
Author’s Notes: It has been forever since I last updated this. Fail on my part. : ( But here’s the next installment wherein Arthur finds out a few things and gets a little adamant about getting answers. And if anyone has seen the TV show “Misfits”, I’m having Nathan Young in this story. It’s an AU version of him. I’m basically keeping some things the same for him, but his back story is very different. No community service pretty much. I don’t want to give too much away, but those who’ve seen “Misfits”…well, you know what Nathan’s like. His power is a big reason why I decided to include him.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4
~ * ~
“You’re looking cheerful, Hermione,” Ron remarked as he noticed her humming to herself as she set everything on the table.
Arthur and Merlin both exchanged questioning glances with each other.
Hermione looked up. “I suppose I am.” She shrugged.
“Well, it looks like I’ve had a change of heart. I think I’ll go into the work today. Quidditch is not as entertaining without someone else to play against,” Ron remarked. He grabbed an apple and bit into it. He waved his wand then and the necessary ingredients for a sandwich appeared on the counter. The bread, ham, cheese, mustard, lettuce and tomato all assembled themselves in the right order as Ron directed them with his wand.
Merlin was curious and he asked, “What’s Quidditch anyway? It’s a game, I’m assuming.”
Hermione shook her head wryly as Ron perked up at being able to explain his favorite sport. “It’s a wizarding sport where the action occurs in the air since you ride on flying brooms. And the goal is for the players who are the Chasers to get the ball past the Keeper, the player who guards the hoops, into one of the three hoops. That’s when you score. I used to play Keeper back at Hogwarts. And then there are the Beaters who have bats to ward off opposing players from scoring. Using their bats, Beaters whack Bludgers, which are particularly aggressive magically animated balls, at their opponents,” Ron explained.
“Arthur would be a good Beater, I bet,” Merlin suggested, amused while Arthur looked displeased at the joke at his expense. But privately, the prince did admit to himself that being a Beater wouldn’t be a half-bad position. Although being the one to score the goals was even more attractive to him.
Ron laughed. “My older twin brothers used to be Beaters on the Gryffindor Quidditch team back at school. They were brilliant,” he remarked, “And lastly, there’s the Seeker. The task of the Seeker is to catch the golden snitch. The snitch is hard to catch as it’s lightning quick fast and you have to have great eyesight and reflexes to catch it. But if the Seeker catches the snitch, then that player’s team will gain 150 points in one go. Usually the team that gets the snitch first is more likely to win because of that big gain in points. Harry was the best Seeker Hogwarts has ever had. He was bloody good.”
“I’d love to see how a game of Quidditch,” Merlin commented.
Arthur shrugged. “Yeah, it sounds worth a look,” he said non-committally.
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll just ask Harry if he’d be up to playing tonight,” Ron decided. The sandwich packed itself and Ron grabbed the sandwich off the counter.
“Ron’s biased when it comes to Quidditch,” Hermione added with a bemused smile, “I only attended the Quidditch games to make sure Harry didn’t get killed. And believe me, that wasn’t just me being paranoid. What with Voldemort and his supporters about back then, it was a wonder how Harry survived his years at Hogwarts.”
“Well, it’s thanks to you and me helping him out,” Ron said with a grin, “And really Hermione. After all those games, I know you’ve grown to love Quidditch.”
“Yes, maybe. A little bit,” she admitted reluctantly.
“I’ll be off then. Nice meeting the both of you,” Ron said to Arthur and Merlin, nodding at them.
He Disapparated with a pop.
“You two need to talk, so I’ll just be going out in the back for a bit,” Hermione announced.
“Oh no, you don’t need to do that,” Merlin was quick to say.
Hermione shot him a look. “It’s really best to deal with it now rather than later,” she said to him.
Arthur looked between the two of them and crossed his arms over his chest in impatience. “Merlin, will you just tell me what’s going on,” Arthur said, too tired to make a big argument about it.
Hermione smiled, appearing grateful that Arthur was on her side. “I’ll be going. Good luck,” she said to Merlin.
Merlin gave her a small nod, though he was looking a little too pale like he was feeling ill.
She headed out through the door leading from the kitchen to the yard outside.
~ * ~
Hermione was sitting at a table outside, looking out over the wide expanse of grass and the Quidditch hoops stationed on either side. She idly waved her hand and a procession of blue smoky horses trotted out before her eyes.
A boy appeared by her side, his form flickering in and out so that there was no denying he was a ghost, a spirit.
He sat down in an empty chair opposite her. “You wished to see me, Merlin?” The boy with the grey eyes asked Hermione.
She gave him a pointed look. “You know I’m trying to keep a low profile. I can’t be addressed by my true name.”
“Yes, I know,” the boy said in an almost petulant tone, “But with our original displaced in time, we need to remember who we are. We need to act accordingly.”
“Yes, Myrddin. I know. That’s why I called for you. I need you to contact Nathan Young. He should be in the muggle world.”
Myrddin stared at her. “The lightning storm made him mental. He said it himself. Well, he was just having a laugh, but I believe there’s some truth to that statement.”
“Yeah, but he’s the only other incarnation who is alive. I mean, I suppose there is you, but--” Hermione bit her lip, worried that she had insulted her past self.
“But I’m only a ghost, an echo from the 17th century. I agreed to be the messenger ghost or whatever you may call it to aid my future selves,” Myrddin said with a shrug, unaffected by her words. “But I could understand why you need Nathan now.”
“I’m not even sure if Nathan wants to return to the wizarding world -- at least for a short while,” Hermione noted, feeling discouraged, “He doesn’t want to make it easier for the Ministry to find out about him. He was lucky enough to get off the Ministry radar after what happened to him. I could understand how he’s feeling. He wouldn’t want to tempt fate by returning if there’s a chance the Ministry will get a clue.”
“But the original Merlin and Arthur are out of their time. I think he’d be concerned enough about that to help,” Myrddin pointed out to her.
Hermione nodded. “Yes, for Merlin, of course. But Nathan never had the chance to know the incarnation of Arthur who corresponded with his own. That Arthur died as a child. I should know – after all, Nathan was my previous incarnation. Until he died his first death, I remember how things were for him. It has been a while since he’s had any interaction with any Arthur. So no, only for Merlin’s sake. It should be enough. I hope at least,” she said, looking more hopeful than she truly felt.
But she would honestly drag her past self – with his devil-may-care attitude -- by the hair if he didn’t decide to come of his own free will. His life, all of Merlin’s lives, would be at risk if the original Merlin were to find himself in danger. After all, Merlin had only figured out the intricacies of reincarnation when he was High Court Sorcerer of Albion, well into Arthur’s reign. She was certain Nathan had enough sense to realize the gravity of the situation.
“So are the originals finally having that magic talk?”
“Yes, they are. Hopefully it’ll go well.”
Myrddin stared at her. “Of course it will go well. We know how the future turned out.”
Hermione gave him a look. “Maybe so. But do you recall in our original life accidentally venturing into the far future? Into the wizarding world? Because I do not. It’s true that I have made a grand effort of keeping all those past memories at the very back of my mind. But I’m positive I would remember traveling to the future back then. For some reason, I don’t remember that event. I know I revealed my magic to Arthur, but I am sure it was in Camelot, not here.”
Myrddin cocked his head, appearing thoughtful. “Now that you mention it, I don’t recall making such an extraordinary trip either.”
“…and that worries me, Myrddin. Think about it. What enemy of mine would not love to displace our original self and kill him before he fulfills his destiny of advising Arthur and achieving the golden age of Albion?”
“We must send them back to their time then. The sooner, the better,” Myrddin said urgently.
Hermione shook her head. “Arthur may not be receptive to finding out about Merlin’s magic. He will literally have no choice but to accept the truth because if Arthur acts against the original…especially here.”
“He’ll have to contend with the whole of the wizarding world retaliating against him. He’ll be trapped.”
“And I fear that if we return them back to Camelot now, then Arthur would take the opportunity to have Merlin executed… So we really do need to allow Arthur time to properly accept the situation. When we are absolutely sure that the prince won’t turn against our original, then we can send them back to their time,” Hermione reasoned out.
“Why did you tell Morgana, Luna--” Myrddin corrected himself upon Hermione’s pointed look. “--that she should express to our original to confide in Arthur about his magic? You could have just sent the pair back before the situation could get difficult.”
Hermione shrugged. “Well, it is a bit rude to return them when they’ve just arrived. And I know our original would appreciate this chance to see the wizarding world. We can not deny him that… and as such, Arthur needs to know about the magic because if they venture out to the wizarding shops, for example, it’ll be near impossible to prevent Arthur from finding out Merlin’s a sorcerer.”
“Polyjuice potion, maybe?” Myrddin suggested.
“The wizarding world knows about his arrival,” Hermione informed him. She spoke aloud, “Accio Prophet!” and that day’s Daily Prophet appeared in her hand.
“Do you see?” Hermione intimated, directing the boy’s attention to the front page. The day’s headline said, “The original Merlin found his way into the wizarding world yesterday evening. A sign of good fortune? Will the current incarnation of Merlin show himself soon?”
“A simple Polyjuice isn’t going to prevent the wizarding world from making sure they catch sight of our original and…well, they’re even saying how many Galleons the original Merlin’s signature will be worth. This is exactly the kind of nonsense I’ve been trying to avoid. The best I could do now is to look after our original. Make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”
Myrddin nodded, agreeing with that decision.
“And that’s why I need Nathan’s help,” Hermione concluded. She looked up to the sky as if in silent prayer.
“I’ll be off to see him now,” the boy acknowledged.
Then he vanished into thin air.
Hermione Apparated into the manor’s study where there was a fireplace. She hoped Luna was home because she needed to tell her about Draco. A fire chat would be the best way to talk to her now. After all, Hermione couldn’t possibly leave her original and Prince Arthur alone. Only Merlin’s incarnations – those who held a deeply personal stake in the original Merlin’s survival -- would truly understand what it meant to protect him.
~ * ~
Arthur could not believe what he was hearing. “You have magic. You’re a sorcerer,” Arthur stated.
That’s what that odd grey-eyed boy had meant by “it’s magic”…maybe he had been hinting at Merlin’s true nature.
Merlin gave a small nod, looking uncertain at Arthur’s stunned reaction. He sincerely hoped that the prince wouldn’t get angry soon.
Arthur stood up abruptly and waved his hand. “Were you behind this then?” Arthur demanded to know, “The two of us coming here to the future, to the wizarding world? Where everyone’s magic and I’ll be on the wrong end of a sword or a wand, whatever it is, if I threaten you with execution?”
Merlin said quietly, his eyes downcast. “I – I’m important, very important in the wizarding world, Arthur. In my future…I get reborn many times since Camelot and I help out the wizarding world by advising them. But believe me, Arthur, I didn’t know that opening would lead us here. I was – am – just as lost as you are.”
“Maybe you could stay here. Clearly this is the perfect place for you,” Arthur remarked briskly.
“My place is by your side, Arthur. I admit I would enjoy staying here as long as I could, but we both belong at Camelot. I can not stay here forever,” Merlin said resolutely, trying to catch Arthur’s eye.
Arthur didn’t answer him. He just leaned against the table, his hands gripping the edge of the table. He appeared deep in thought.
“You don’t hate me, do you? You don’t want to kill me?” Merlin inquired earnestly, “If we were to return to Camelot--”
Arthur sighed, looking weary. He sat down again. “When we return to Camelot,” Arthur corrected him. “And really, Merlin. I can’t believe you don’t have more faith in me. I just – I need time to think this over. I’ve recognized your loyalty to me and for Camelot, and I do appreciate all that you’ve done for Camelot’s sake. I’m glad I finally know how I was so lucky,” Arthur mused.
“So that’s a no?” Merlin wanted confirmation.
Arthur glared at him.
“Right, okay. I understand. I’ll give you time to think it over. I just hope you understand that I’ve only been trying to help you all this time. My magic is for you. The last thing I want is to hurt you,” Merlin expressed fervently to him.
“I believe you, Merlin,” Arthur assured him, a hint of uncertainty still evident in his tone.
Merlin smiled at him. He was relieved that Arthur finally knew and that the prince appeared to take it well. Hopefully Arthur’s acceptance would hold when they returned to Camelot. But for now, Merlin would give all the time Arthur needed to truly come to terms with Merlin’s secret.
“So, Luna Lovegood – Ron’s girlfriend – she’s an incarnation of Morgana. She told me that she could help us return to our time.”
Arthur raised his brow. “Really? So you’re not the only who gets reincarnated?”
“As far as I know, you, Morgana, Gwen and Lancelot are all reincarnated along with me.”
“Huh,” Arthur uttered, “And did this Morgana tell you where our current incarnations are?”
Merlin shrugged. “She knows where my current incarnation is. But it looks like the wizarding world at large is flummoxed about the location of my current incarnation. But your current incarnation would most likely be in the muggle world. That’s the world where most people don’t have magic. It would make sense that you would be there…”
“Clearly,” Arthur retorted with an eye roll.
Merlin gave him a cheeky grin.
“It’s strange, actually. When I told Luna that I’d like to meet my present incarnation, she found it funny.”
Arthur looked at him weirdly. “Really?”
Merlin nodded. “Why? Do you think that means something?”
“What if she found it amusing because you had already met your current incarnation?”
“But we only met Harry and Hermione when we first came to the manor,” Merlin noted, sounding like he was immediately discarding the pair as possible incarnations.
“What – and they can’t possibly be hiding something? We barely know them, Merlin!” Arthur exclaimed, “This place is called ‘Emrys Manor’, right? You said ‘Emrys’ was a name other magical entities called you.”
“Harry owns this manor,” Merlin put in.
Arthur shook his head. “No, it can’t be him. Too obvious. The wizarding world would have surely pegged him as the one by now. You heard what Ron said to us – he’s some big hero in this world. It would make all these wizards look dumb if it is Harry and they haven’t realized the truth by now.”
“Well, my current incarnation can’t be Hermione either,” Merlin concluded, “She’s Harry’s best friend. She’s just as well known as he is.”
Arthur hummed his assent, but then he joked, “But I frankly wouldn’t be surprised if you get reincarnated as a girl.”
This time, Merlin glared at him, looking affronted.
Arthur laughed.
Hermione came into the kitchen then.
“I hope you two are doing all right,” she greeted them.
Merlin missed the appraising look that Arthur swept over Hermione. Merlin answered her, “Oh, we’re good. Thanks for the breakfast.”
“Merlin just told me about his magic and how important he is to the wizarding world,” Arthur spoke up, still looking at her carefully.
Hermione smiled. “That’s good to hear. And how do you feel about that?”
“I can’t believe this idiot of a manservant is actually a powerful sorcerer. It is a bit unbelievable,” Arthur said.
“You’re such a prat,” Merlin retorted, rolling his eyes.
Arthur mused aloud, “We were just wondering who Merlin’s current incarnation is. Merlin here says the wizarding world doesn’t know who it could be.”
Hermione waved her wand at the cupboard and a box of orange biscuits floated out of the cupboard. She grabbed the box and after opening it, she started eating a biscuit.
“Yes, it’s one of those things the wizarding world can’t let go. You should see this morning’s Daily Prophet – it’s our newspaper about the latest events of the wizarding world. The main story is about you two arriving. Of course, unsurprisingly, the focus is on you, Merlin,” Hermione nodded at him.
Hermione said a summoning spell and the newspaper came to her. “Here,” she said. She set the Prophet on the table.
Merlin glanced at it. “They think my coming here will mean the current incarnation will show himself?”
Hermione nodded. “Yes, it appears so. But the greater worry here is what ill-meaning wizards will do. We need to make sure the both of you stay out of trouble. You’re at a fragile point in time, you understand. Arthur is not yet King. The future is threatened as a result.”
“I was compelled to go through that opening. I didn’t know where it would lead, but I just had this feeling that I should enter it…”
Arthur gave a great sigh. “How reassuring. I can not believe you trusted a feeling… what if--”
“—one of the Dark wizards, wishing you dead, created the opening by which the both of you entered,” Hermione finished for him. "These Dark wizards may seek to kill you or manipulate you to do their bidding. Merlin is most well-known for helping to establish the foundations of the wizarding world. But as you can imagine, Merlin never delved into dark magic. Some wizards of disreputable standing believe that if Merlin is prevented from building the foundations of this world, then dark wizards would fill the hole. As such, any rules and regulations Merlin put in place would have never come to be. For example, the admission of muggleborn children into Hogwarts. Merlin was the one who impressed upon the Founders to be open-minded regarding the children to enter the wizarding school. It is widely regarded that it was due to Merlin’s mother being non-magical as to why Merlin was adamant about the call for equality. Salazar Slytherin, one of the Founders, was most disagreeable about equal enrollment. He believed that only purebloods should be allowed entry into Hogwarts,” Hermione explained.
She paused, taking the time to eat a biscuit. “I read a lot. I sometimes can’t help going into detail on certain subjects,” she remarked, looking mildly embarrassed.
“So this world I helped so much with is in danger with me here? From history being reshaped if I’m not there to move it in the right direction,” Merlin reiterated.
“Unfortunately yes. I apologize for putting that all on you, but the both of you need to be made aware. You’ll be all right though. We’ll make sure nothing happens to either of you,” Hermione tried to reassure them.
“What about me then? Does it matter if I die?” Arthur spoke up, feeling shunned when Merlin was so clearly more vital to this world than Arthur himself.
“Merlin’s time with you is just as important. While Merlin’s contribution is more significant within the wizarding world, you’re just as vital. I assure you.”
“Right,” Arthur didn’t look convinced, “Do you have any theories about who Merlin’s latest incarnation could be? You live in this world, so I’m sure you’ve thought about it.”
“I’m not that interested, to be honest. My theory is that he’s in the muggle world,” Hermione confided in them.
Arthur asked then, “Were you born in the muggle world?”
Hermione looked at him oddly. “Yes. My parents were both muggles.”
“…and you read a lot,” Arthur pressed onward.
“Arthur, what are you doing?” Merlin hissed at him.
“It’s not odd to read often, is it? I admit I was known as an insufferable know-it-all back at school, but that’s simply who I was. I enjoyed learning things,” Hermione remarked.
“Unless you were pretending and you knew everything already. But you made everyone believe you just read and studied a lot--” Arthur countered.
“Arthur! Stop it!” Merlin yelled at him.
Arthur turned to Merlin. “Did you find out about where Merlin was usually reborn?”
“The muggle world,” Merlin said slowly.
Arthur’s eyes pierced Hermione’s own. “Whoever you are, we deserve to know the truth. At the very least, Merlin deserves to know.”
Hermione looked confused. She said apologetically, “I don't understand what you want from me.”
“You should let it go,” Merlin intimated to Arthur. He gripped his arm when it seemed like the prince was about ready to stand up. Merlin was concerned that Arthur would assault Hermione.
“I’m going to go,” Hermione announced.
She left the kitchen.
“I’ll be back,” Arthur said. He stood up and he went to leave the kitchen.
“Arthur! Don’t you dare!” Merlin shouted at him, “Just leave it alone. Leave her alone!”
Arthur turned his head. “Are you going to stop me with magic, Merlin?” He shot back at him.
“Arthur, please,” Merlin nearly pleaded with him.
But Arthur did not listen to him. He left the kitchen and headed up the stairs, where Hermione had gone.
Merlin was about to follow him when a blond man appeared before him. He blocked his way.
“Stay here for a moment,” the man told him.
“Who the hell are you? I need to go,” Merlin said urgently. He tried to sidestep him, but the man didn’t leave him room to get past him.
Frustrated, Merlin was ready to blast the blond stranger with his magic to make him move.
“Don’t try magic on me. I’m a wizard too,” he said, twirling his wand, “You need to wait a bit. Then you could go.”
“Who are you?” Merlin asked again.
The blond shrugged. “An incarnation of Mordred,” he informed him.
Merlin was startled. “What?”
“Sorry. I just wanted to see the look on your face…but no, trust me, if I was, I wouldn’t tell you.”
“I don’t know. Maybe you’re just the sort of person who would do that,” Merlin replied.
The stranger looked amused. “I’m Draco Malfoy. You could ask Harry or Hermione if you want and they’ll back me up on that.”
“Draco? Draco?” Merlin said in disbelief.
Draco was unaffected. “Pureblood families have a penchant for Latin names.”
“I’m not an idiot. I know what Draco means.”
“Well, if you’re Merlin, of course you would.”
“Are you an incarnation?” Merlin asked of him.
“Yes.”
“Are you – no, that’s – are you the Great Dragon?”
“A bit early in your timeline, isn’t it? It’s really Kilgharrah. I do actually have a name,” Draco remarked.
“How – but how can you be human? That’s not right--” Merlin said, shaking his head.
“Yes, well, I happen to agree with you. But it is what it is… I certainly didn’t ask to be reborn like this, but there’s nothing I can do but accept it.”
“Wait – can you prove it? That you’re the Dragon?” Merlin asked.
“I’m not transforming into a dragon,” Draco said. “But I do remember telling you that, ‘You are but one side of a coin. Arthur is the other.’” Merlin nodded, accepting that for now. After his tense parting with the Dragon before he battled Nimueh, the fight ending with her death, Merlin didn’t really want to see the Dragon in his true form at that moment.
“Now you could go if you want to,” Draco said. He stepped aside, allowing Merlin to pass.
Merlin muttered a thanks before he walked in the direction of the stairs. He looked at Draco when the blond man was apparently following after him.
Merlin paused. He just realized something. If this Draco Malfoy was the Great Dragon or Kilgharrah, as his name was, reincarnated; then wouldn’t he know who the current incarnation of Merlin was?
Maybe that incarnation of Morgana, Luna, wasn’t the only one who knew. Merlin honestly couldn’t imagine anything getting past the Great Dragon – incarnation or otherwise. The magical creature had been frustratingly manipulative with Merlin, but still – the dragon always appeared to be quite knowledgeable.
“Arthur seems to believe Hermione is my current incarnation. Do you know if that’s true?” Merlin wanted to know.
“I probably should have mentioned that I just remembered my true identity not long ago. So I’m not aware of who the Merlin now is. But I do have this special sense where any reincarnation of Merlin glows when I see them,” Draco informed him.
Merlin stared at him. “Seriously?”
“No, of course I’m not serious,” Draco said derisively. He clapped him on the shoulder. “But whoever he is, he will find you and tell you. I’m sure of that.”
Merlin had a bad feeling that Draco was lying to him. Bloody Dragon. Even in the future, in a different world completely, Merlin couldn’t avoid the Great Dragon.
~ * ~
Merlin and Draco found Arthur and Hermione in one of the rooms on the second floor. Merlin immediately pulled Arthur away from Hermione.
It didn’t look like Arthur had hit her. Merlin knew that Arthur would never hurt a woman, but Hermione clearly looked startled. When he made eye contact with her, Merlin felt a jolt and he swore he felt what she was feeling – how startled and anxious she felt. Like an emotional connection.
“Merlin, she’s not telling us the truth!” Arthur confided in him, frustration showing in eyes. He looked almost unhinged after his inability to get a straight answer.
“I told you, Arthur. Leave her alone. Or I will make you regret,” Merlin warned him softly. His eyes flashed gold to prove he meant what he said.
Meanwhile, Hermione went to Draco and she grabbed his arm rather forcefully. She led him out of the room.
“Merlin, please. Why can’t you see it?” Arthur said earnestly. Then his eyes lit up like he had just realized something. “Unless she’s preventing you from seeing it,” Arthur guessed.
Merlin looked at him tiredly. “That’s ridiculous. She’s not hiding anything.”
Arthur poked him in the chest. “No. What you need to do, Merlin, is to confront her alone. Then she can’t lie to you about who she is. You should care more. This is your incarnation!”
“I do care!” Merlin said fiercely. “But I’m not going to let you go after her like she’s a criminal. You’re acting like a complete prat. More than usual at least.”
“Come on, Merlin,” Arthur said, looking at him like he was an idiot, “She’s a witch. She can defend herself if she’s half as clever as she says she is.”
“Just leave Hermione alone, okay? If Harry finds out what you did…” Merlin trailed off.
“I just want the truth,” Arthur sulked.
“I told you who I am… I’m not lying to you, Arthur. Isn’t that enough for now?” Merlin asked him, feeling desperate to ease Arthur’s mind.
Arthur frowned. “I hate this. Everyone here has magic and I don’t have any. How am I supposed to defend myself?”
Merlin gave him a small smile. “You have me, you royal prat,” he reminded him, his tone almost fond.
“Well, there’s that,” Arthur noted. As usual, he looked uncomfortable in the particularly emotional moment, but Merlin could see that Arthur was grateful for Merlin’s presence.
~ * ~
“Hey, the immortal Merlin is here!” Nathan declared, his Irish lilt coming through strongly in his words. He flopped back down on the bed, taking a puff from his marijuana smoke.
“Oh, thank Merlin,” Hermione said, sounding relieved.
“Ah, love. You’ve spent too much time in this hopped up world. You’re thanking yourself,” Nathan remarked, looking amused.
Hermione shook her head. “I thought you wouldn’t come.”
Draco looked at Nathan disbelievingly. The man was their age. He was wearing a dark hoodie with a red shirt underneath along with faded denim for pants. He had dark curly hair and green eyes that gave him an almost vulnerable look if not for the shuttered expression on his face. He was certainly not the type to readily give away his true emotions.
“Him?” Draco uttered. Nathan looked at him like he was a nutter.
“Who is he?” Nathan wondered. Hermione opened her mouth to answer him, but Nathan seemed to catch on. “Wait – don’t tell me. Is he that cryptic fucker of a dragon? Shit. That’s the last thing I need.”
Draco looked at Hermione incredulously. “You know you could have traveled to the past and asked for any other Merlin to help with this mess. But no, you chose this one.” He pointed at Nathan to prove his point.
“I’m not that bad,” Nathan said.
Hermione sighed. “Just be quiet, Kilgharrah,” she ordered him, giving him a firm look.
Nathan smirked. “She used your real name. That’s never good.”
“I asked Myrddin to get Nathan because he’s the only one of us who can do things no other Merlin can do. Without the fear of death.”
“What divine being decided to make him immortal?” Draco said, irritated.
“I didn’t ask for that lightning or electrical storm – whatever it was, it wasn’t normal – to give me immortality,” Nathan interjected, “Morgana – the Morgana in my lifetime -- was caught in the same storm, you know. And do you know what happened to her?”
Draco looked at him expectantly.
“She didn’t survive, mate,” Nathan said briskly, “I covered the whole thing up and skived off to the muggle world. And now the wizarding world is too bloody hung up on who Merlin’s current incarnation is that it’s like I never existed. Which is just fine, I say. I don’t want anything to do with this world anymore.”
“Most wizards believe you’re dead because they know that Merlin – me – was reborn again less than a decade after you disappeared. A few believe you’re still missing even if it makes little sense. We can’t be reborn unless the previous one dies," Hermione explained.
“And I’ve died plenty of times,” Nathan quipped. “One time some melonfucker cremated me. I think that might be the reason why I haven’t aged since then.”
“Do you even remember how to use magic anymore?” Draco asked of him.
Nathan looked affronted. “What the hell kind of question is that?”
His eyes flashed a bright white and then what he had been smoking disappeared.
“Impressive,” Draco said drily.
Nathan looked like he would give a caustic remark, but Hermione cut in before the situation could get really tense.
“Draco told me that I should reveal that I’m Merlin to the wizarding world. That with the original Merlin and Arthur here, it would be best to show everyone that there’s definitely a reincarnated Merlin around.”
“But you want to keep quiet,” Nathan said knowingly.
Hermione nodded.
“The two of you don’t understand,” Draco said in annoyance, “You can’t stay hidden forever. You had to know, Hermione, that you couldn’t keep like this for the rest of your life. Especially now, it’s not a good idea.”
“I like my life the way it is now. It’s only going to mess it up. I can’t," Hermione protested.
Draco was about ready to argue when Nathan waved his hand, saying, “Oh, just go,” he said flippantly.
Draco was magically forced out of the room, disappearing from view.
“Thank you,” Hermione said gratefully. She sat down on the bed beside her previous incarnation.
“You know one good way of getting this world off their preoccupation with Merlin’s current incarnation?”
She turned to look at Nathan. “How?” Hermione asked, though she had a feeling regarding what he would suggest.
“We should fake his death – your death, but no one knows it’s you, so there’s some flexibility for the body’s physical appearance. A couple of wizards find the body and we can get them thinking it’s really the current incarnation. The loss is mourned and the wizards will be busy figuring out our next rebirth. Problem solved. Then we deal with the originals being displaced in time.”
Hermione bit her lip. “There’s a problem though. The original Arthur knows who I am. I’m not sure what he’ll do with that information.”
“But you haven’t confirmed it to him?” Nathan asked her.
Author: dk323
Rating: PG-13 (special note for swearing in this chapter)
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. I don’t own the show “Misfits” either. 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.
Chapter Five: Merlin tells Arthur about his magic and Arthur has a good idea about who Merlin's current incarnation is. The problem is Arthur is having a difficult time getting the answer he wants while Merlin tells him to back off. Merlin meets the Great Dragon's incarnation. And two Merlins decide to fake someone's death...
Author’s Notes: It has been forever since I last updated this. Fail on my part. : ( But here’s the next installment wherein Arthur finds out a few things and gets a little adamant about getting answers. And if anyone has seen the TV show “Misfits”, I’m having Nathan Young in this story. It’s an AU version of him. I’m basically keeping some things the same for him, but his back story is very different. No community service pretty much. I don’t want to give too much away, but those who’ve seen “Misfits”…well, you know what Nathan’s like. His power is a big reason why I decided to include him.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4
~ * ~
“You’re looking cheerful, Hermione,” Ron remarked as he noticed her humming to herself as she set everything on the table.
Arthur and Merlin both exchanged questioning glances with each other.
Hermione looked up. “I suppose I am.” She shrugged.
“Well, it looks like I’ve had a change of heart. I think I’ll go into the work today. Quidditch is not as entertaining without someone else to play against,” Ron remarked. He grabbed an apple and bit into it. He waved his wand then and the necessary ingredients for a sandwich appeared on the counter. The bread, ham, cheese, mustard, lettuce and tomato all assembled themselves in the right order as Ron directed them with his wand.
Merlin was curious and he asked, “What’s Quidditch anyway? It’s a game, I’m assuming.”
Hermione shook her head wryly as Ron perked up at being able to explain his favorite sport. “It’s a wizarding sport where the action occurs in the air since you ride on flying brooms. And the goal is for the players who are the Chasers to get the ball past the Keeper, the player who guards the hoops, into one of the three hoops. That’s when you score. I used to play Keeper back at Hogwarts. And then there are the Beaters who have bats to ward off opposing players from scoring. Using their bats, Beaters whack Bludgers, which are particularly aggressive magically animated balls, at their opponents,” Ron explained.
“Arthur would be a good Beater, I bet,” Merlin suggested, amused while Arthur looked displeased at the joke at his expense. But privately, the prince did admit to himself that being a Beater wouldn’t be a half-bad position. Although being the one to score the goals was even more attractive to him.
Ron laughed. “My older twin brothers used to be Beaters on the Gryffindor Quidditch team back at school. They were brilliant,” he remarked, “And lastly, there’s the Seeker. The task of the Seeker is to catch the golden snitch. The snitch is hard to catch as it’s lightning quick fast and you have to have great eyesight and reflexes to catch it. But if the Seeker catches the snitch, then that player’s team will gain 150 points in one go. Usually the team that gets the snitch first is more likely to win because of that big gain in points. Harry was the best Seeker Hogwarts has ever had. He was bloody good.”
“I’d love to see how a game of Quidditch,” Merlin commented.
Arthur shrugged. “Yeah, it sounds worth a look,” he said non-committally.
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll just ask Harry if he’d be up to playing tonight,” Ron decided. The sandwich packed itself and Ron grabbed the sandwich off the counter.
“Ron’s biased when it comes to Quidditch,” Hermione added with a bemused smile, “I only attended the Quidditch games to make sure Harry didn’t get killed. And believe me, that wasn’t just me being paranoid. What with Voldemort and his supporters about back then, it was a wonder how Harry survived his years at Hogwarts.”
“Well, it’s thanks to you and me helping him out,” Ron said with a grin, “And really Hermione. After all those games, I know you’ve grown to love Quidditch.”
“Yes, maybe. A little bit,” she admitted reluctantly.
“I’ll be off then. Nice meeting the both of you,” Ron said to Arthur and Merlin, nodding at them.
He Disapparated with a pop.
“You two need to talk, so I’ll just be going out in the back for a bit,” Hermione announced.
“Oh no, you don’t need to do that,” Merlin was quick to say.
Hermione shot him a look. “It’s really best to deal with it now rather than later,” she said to him.
Arthur looked between the two of them and crossed his arms over his chest in impatience. “Merlin, will you just tell me what’s going on,” Arthur said, too tired to make a big argument about it.
Hermione smiled, appearing grateful that Arthur was on her side. “I’ll be going. Good luck,” she said to Merlin.
Merlin gave her a small nod, though he was looking a little too pale like he was feeling ill.
She headed out through the door leading from the kitchen to the yard outside.
~ * ~
Hermione was sitting at a table outside, looking out over the wide expanse of grass and the Quidditch hoops stationed on either side. She idly waved her hand and a procession of blue smoky horses trotted out before her eyes.
A boy appeared by her side, his form flickering in and out so that there was no denying he was a ghost, a spirit.
He sat down in an empty chair opposite her. “You wished to see me, Merlin?” The boy with the grey eyes asked Hermione.
She gave him a pointed look. “You know I’m trying to keep a low profile. I can’t be addressed by my true name.”
“Yes, I know,” the boy said in an almost petulant tone, “But with our original displaced in time, we need to remember who we are. We need to act accordingly.”
“Yes, Myrddin. I know. That’s why I called for you. I need you to contact Nathan Young. He should be in the muggle world.”
Myrddin stared at her. “The lightning storm made him mental. He said it himself. Well, he was just having a laugh, but I believe there’s some truth to that statement.”
“Yeah, but he’s the only other incarnation who is alive. I mean, I suppose there is you, but--” Hermione bit her lip, worried that she had insulted her past self.
“But I’m only a ghost, an echo from the 17th century. I agreed to be the messenger ghost or whatever you may call it to aid my future selves,” Myrddin said with a shrug, unaffected by her words. “But I could understand why you need Nathan now.”
“I’m not even sure if Nathan wants to return to the wizarding world -- at least for a short while,” Hermione noted, feeling discouraged, “He doesn’t want to make it easier for the Ministry to find out about him. He was lucky enough to get off the Ministry radar after what happened to him. I could understand how he’s feeling. He wouldn’t want to tempt fate by returning if there’s a chance the Ministry will get a clue.”
“But the original Merlin and Arthur are out of their time. I think he’d be concerned enough about that to help,” Myrddin pointed out to her.
Hermione nodded. “Yes, for Merlin, of course. But Nathan never had the chance to know the incarnation of Arthur who corresponded with his own. That Arthur died as a child. I should know – after all, Nathan was my previous incarnation. Until he died his first death, I remember how things were for him. It has been a while since he’s had any interaction with any Arthur. So no, only for Merlin’s sake. It should be enough. I hope at least,” she said, looking more hopeful than she truly felt.
But she would honestly drag her past self – with his devil-may-care attitude -- by the hair if he didn’t decide to come of his own free will. His life, all of Merlin’s lives, would be at risk if the original Merlin were to find himself in danger. After all, Merlin had only figured out the intricacies of reincarnation when he was High Court Sorcerer of Albion, well into Arthur’s reign. She was certain Nathan had enough sense to realize the gravity of the situation.
“So are the originals finally having that magic talk?”
“Yes, they are. Hopefully it’ll go well.”
Myrddin stared at her. “Of course it will go well. We know how the future turned out.”
Hermione gave him a look. “Maybe so. But do you recall in our original life accidentally venturing into the far future? Into the wizarding world? Because I do not. It’s true that I have made a grand effort of keeping all those past memories at the very back of my mind. But I’m positive I would remember traveling to the future back then. For some reason, I don’t remember that event. I know I revealed my magic to Arthur, but I am sure it was in Camelot, not here.”
Myrddin cocked his head, appearing thoughtful. “Now that you mention it, I don’t recall making such an extraordinary trip either.”
“…and that worries me, Myrddin. Think about it. What enemy of mine would not love to displace our original self and kill him before he fulfills his destiny of advising Arthur and achieving the golden age of Albion?”
“We must send them back to their time then. The sooner, the better,” Myrddin said urgently.
Hermione shook her head. “Arthur may not be receptive to finding out about Merlin’s magic. He will literally have no choice but to accept the truth because if Arthur acts against the original…especially here.”
“He’ll have to contend with the whole of the wizarding world retaliating against him. He’ll be trapped.”
“And I fear that if we return them back to Camelot now, then Arthur would take the opportunity to have Merlin executed… So we really do need to allow Arthur time to properly accept the situation. When we are absolutely sure that the prince won’t turn against our original, then we can send them back to their time,” Hermione reasoned out.
“Why did you tell Morgana, Luna--” Myrddin corrected himself upon Hermione’s pointed look. “--that she should express to our original to confide in Arthur about his magic? You could have just sent the pair back before the situation could get difficult.”
Hermione shrugged. “Well, it is a bit rude to return them when they’ve just arrived. And I know our original would appreciate this chance to see the wizarding world. We can not deny him that… and as such, Arthur needs to know about the magic because if they venture out to the wizarding shops, for example, it’ll be near impossible to prevent Arthur from finding out Merlin’s a sorcerer.”
“Polyjuice potion, maybe?” Myrddin suggested.
“The wizarding world knows about his arrival,” Hermione informed him. She spoke aloud, “Accio Prophet!” and that day’s Daily Prophet appeared in her hand.
“Do you see?” Hermione intimated, directing the boy’s attention to the front page. The day’s headline said, “The original Merlin found his way into the wizarding world yesterday evening. A sign of good fortune? Will the current incarnation of Merlin show himself soon?”
“A simple Polyjuice isn’t going to prevent the wizarding world from making sure they catch sight of our original and…well, they’re even saying how many Galleons the original Merlin’s signature will be worth. This is exactly the kind of nonsense I’ve been trying to avoid. The best I could do now is to look after our original. Make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”
Myrddin nodded, agreeing with that decision.
“And that’s why I need Nathan’s help,” Hermione concluded. She looked up to the sky as if in silent prayer.
“I’ll be off to see him now,” the boy acknowledged.
Then he vanished into thin air.
Hermione Apparated into the manor’s study where there was a fireplace. She hoped Luna was home because she needed to tell her about Draco. A fire chat would be the best way to talk to her now. After all, Hermione couldn’t possibly leave her original and Prince Arthur alone. Only Merlin’s incarnations – those who held a deeply personal stake in the original Merlin’s survival -- would truly understand what it meant to protect him.
~ * ~
Arthur could not believe what he was hearing. “You have magic. You’re a sorcerer,” Arthur stated.
That’s what that odd grey-eyed boy had meant by “it’s magic”…maybe he had been hinting at Merlin’s true nature.
Merlin gave a small nod, looking uncertain at Arthur’s stunned reaction. He sincerely hoped that the prince wouldn’t get angry soon.
Arthur stood up abruptly and waved his hand. “Were you behind this then?” Arthur demanded to know, “The two of us coming here to the future, to the wizarding world? Where everyone’s magic and I’ll be on the wrong end of a sword or a wand, whatever it is, if I threaten you with execution?”
Merlin said quietly, his eyes downcast. “I – I’m important, very important in the wizarding world, Arthur. In my future…I get reborn many times since Camelot and I help out the wizarding world by advising them. But believe me, Arthur, I didn’t know that opening would lead us here. I was – am – just as lost as you are.”
“Maybe you could stay here. Clearly this is the perfect place for you,” Arthur remarked briskly.
“My place is by your side, Arthur. I admit I would enjoy staying here as long as I could, but we both belong at Camelot. I can not stay here forever,” Merlin said resolutely, trying to catch Arthur’s eye.
Arthur didn’t answer him. He just leaned against the table, his hands gripping the edge of the table. He appeared deep in thought.
“You don’t hate me, do you? You don’t want to kill me?” Merlin inquired earnestly, “If we were to return to Camelot--”
Arthur sighed, looking weary. He sat down again. “When we return to Camelot,” Arthur corrected him. “And really, Merlin. I can’t believe you don’t have more faith in me. I just – I need time to think this over. I’ve recognized your loyalty to me and for Camelot, and I do appreciate all that you’ve done for Camelot’s sake. I’m glad I finally know how I was so lucky,” Arthur mused.
“So that’s a no?” Merlin wanted confirmation.
Arthur glared at him.
“Right, okay. I understand. I’ll give you time to think it over. I just hope you understand that I’ve only been trying to help you all this time. My magic is for you. The last thing I want is to hurt you,” Merlin expressed fervently to him.
“I believe you, Merlin,” Arthur assured him, a hint of uncertainty still evident in his tone.
Merlin smiled at him. He was relieved that Arthur finally knew and that the prince appeared to take it well. Hopefully Arthur’s acceptance would hold when they returned to Camelot. But for now, Merlin would give all the time Arthur needed to truly come to terms with Merlin’s secret.
“So, Luna Lovegood – Ron’s girlfriend – she’s an incarnation of Morgana. She told me that she could help us return to our time.”
Arthur raised his brow. “Really? So you’re not the only who gets reincarnated?”
“As far as I know, you, Morgana, Gwen and Lancelot are all reincarnated along with me.”
“Huh,” Arthur uttered, “And did this Morgana tell you where our current incarnations are?”
Merlin shrugged. “She knows where my current incarnation is. But it looks like the wizarding world at large is flummoxed about the location of my current incarnation. But your current incarnation would most likely be in the muggle world. That’s the world where most people don’t have magic. It would make sense that you would be there…”
“Clearly,” Arthur retorted with an eye roll.
Merlin gave him a cheeky grin.
“It’s strange, actually. When I told Luna that I’d like to meet my present incarnation, she found it funny.”
Arthur looked at him weirdly. “Really?”
Merlin nodded. “Why? Do you think that means something?”
“What if she found it amusing because you had already met your current incarnation?”
“But we only met Harry and Hermione when we first came to the manor,” Merlin noted, sounding like he was immediately discarding the pair as possible incarnations.
“What – and they can’t possibly be hiding something? We barely know them, Merlin!” Arthur exclaimed, “This place is called ‘Emrys Manor’, right? You said ‘Emrys’ was a name other magical entities called you.”
“Harry owns this manor,” Merlin put in.
Arthur shook his head. “No, it can’t be him. Too obvious. The wizarding world would have surely pegged him as the one by now. You heard what Ron said to us – he’s some big hero in this world. It would make all these wizards look dumb if it is Harry and they haven’t realized the truth by now.”
“Well, my current incarnation can’t be Hermione either,” Merlin concluded, “She’s Harry’s best friend. She’s just as well known as he is.”
Arthur hummed his assent, but then he joked, “But I frankly wouldn’t be surprised if you get reincarnated as a girl.”
This time, Merlin glared at him, looking affronted.
Arthur laughed.
Hermione came into the kitchen then.
“I hope you two are doing all right,” she greeted them.
Merlin missed the appraising look that Arthur swept over Hermione. Merlin answered her, “Oh, we’re good. Thanks for the breakfast.”
“Merlin just told me about his magic and how important he is to the wizarding world,” Arthur spoke up, still looking at her carefully.
Hermione smiled. “That’s good to hear. And how do you feel about that?”
“I can’t believe this idiot of a manservant is actually a powerful sorcerer. It is a bit unbelievable,” Arthur said.
“You’re such a prat,” Merlin retorted, rolling his eyes.
Arthur mused aloud, “We were just wondering who Merlin’s current incarnation is. Merlin here says the wizarding world doesn’t know who it could be.”
Hermione waved her wand at the cupboard and a box of orange biscuits floated out of the cupboard. She grabbed the box and after opening it, she started eating a biscuit.
“Yes, it’s one of those things the wizarding world can’t let go. You should see this morning’s Daily Prophet – it’s our newspaper about the latest events of the wizarding world. The main story is about you two arriving. Of course, unsurprisingly, the focus is on you, Merlin,” Hermione nodded at him.
Hermione said a summoning spell and the newspaper came to her. “Here,” she said. She set the Prophet on the table.
Merlin glanced at it. “They think my coming here will mean the current incarnation will show himself?”
Hermione nodded. “Yes, it appears so. But the greater worry here is what ill-meaning wizards will do. We need to make sure the both of you stay out of trouble. You’re at a fragile point in time, you understand. Arthur is not yet King. The future is threatened as a result.”
“I was compelled to go through that opening. I didn’t know where it would lead, but I just had this feeling that I should enter it…”
Arthur gave a great sigh. “How reassuring. I can not believe you trusted a feeling… what if--”
“—one of the Dark wizards, wishing you dead, created the opening by which the both of you entered,” Hermione finished for him. "These Dark wizards may seek to kill you or manipulate you to do their bidding. Merlin is most well-known for helping to establish the foundations of the wizarding world. But as you can imagine, Merlin never delved into dark magic. Some wizards of disreputable standing believe that if Merlin is prevented from building the foundations of this world, then dark wizards would fill the hole. As such, any rules and regulations Merlin put in place would have never come to be. For example, the admission of muggleborn children into Hogwarts. Merlin was the one who impressed upon the Founders to be open-minded regarding the children to enter the wizarding school. It is widely regarded that it was due to Merlin’s mother being non-magical as to why Merlin was adamant about the call for equality. Salazar Slytherin, one of the Founders, was most disagreeable about equal enrollment. He believed that only purebloods should be allowed entry into Hogwarts,” Hermione explained.
She paused, taking the time to eat a biscuit. “I read a lot. I sometimes can’t help going into detail on certain subjects,” she remarked, looking mildly embarrassed.
“So this world I helped so much with is in danger with me here? From history being reshaped if I’m not there to move it in the right direction,” Merlin reiterated.
“Unfortunately yes. I apologize for putting that all on you, but the both of you need to be made aware. You’ll be all right though. We’ll make sure nothing happens to either of you,” Hermione tried to reassure them.
“What about me then? Does it matter if I die?” Arthur spoke up, feeling shunned when Merlin was so clearly more vital to this world than Arthur himself.
“Merlin’s time with you is just as important. While Merlin’s contribution is more significant within the wizarding world, you’re just as vital. I assure you.”
“Right,” Arthur didn’t look convinced, “Do you have any theories about who Merlin’s latest incarnation could be? You live in this world, so I’m sure you’ve thought about it.”
“I’m not that interested, to be honest. My theory is that he’s in the muggle world,” Hermione confided in them.
Arthur asked then, “Were you born in the muggle world?”
Hermione looked at him oddly. “Yes. My parents were both muggles.”
“…and you read a lot,” Arthur pressed onward.
“Arthur, what are you doing?” Merlin hissed at him.
“It’s not odd to read often, is it? I admit I was known as an insufferable know-it-all back at school, but that’s simply who I was. I enjoyed learning things,” Hermione remarked.
“Unless you were pretending and you knew everything already. But you made everyone believe you just read and studied a lot--” Arthur countered.
“Arthur! Stop it!” Merlin yelled at him.
Arthur turned to Merlin. “Did you find out about where Merlin was usually reborn?”
“The muggle world,” Merlin said slowly.
Arthur’s eyes pierced Hermione’s own. “Whoever you are, we deserve to know the truth. At the very least, Merlin deserves to know.”
Hermione looked confused. She said apologetically, “I don't understand what you want from me.”
“You should let it go,” Merlin intimated to Arthur. He gripped his arm when it seemed like the prince was about ready to stand up. Merlin was concerned that Arthur would assault Hermione.
“I’m going to go,” Hermione announced.
She left the kitchen.
“I’ll be back,” Arthur said. He stood up and he went to leave the kitchen.
“Arthur! Don’t you dare!” Merlin shouted at him, “Just leave it alone. Leave her alone!”
Arthur turned his head. “Are you going to stop me with magic, Merlin?” He shot back at him.
“Arthur, please,” Merlin nearly pleaded with him.
But Arthur did not listen to him. He left the kitchen and headed up the stairs, where Hermione had gone.
Merlin was about to follow him when a blond man appeared before him. He blocked his way.
“Stay here for a moment,” the man told him.
“Who the hell are you? I need to go,” Merlin said urgently. He tried to sidestep him, but the man didn’t leave him room to get past him.
Frustrated, Merlin was ready to blast the blond stranger with his magic to make him move.
“Don’t try magic on me. I’m a wizard too,” he said, twirling his wand, “You need to wait a bit. Then you could go.”
“Who are you?” Merlin asked again.
The blond shrugged. “An incarnation of Mordred,” he informed him.
Merlin was startled. “What?”
“Sorry. I just wanted to see the look on your face…but no, trust me, if I was, I wouldn’t tell you.”
“I don’t know. Maybe you’re just the sort of person who would do that,” Merlin replied.
The stranger looked amused. “I’m Draco Malfoy. You could ask Harry or Hermione if you want and they’ll back me up on that.”
“Draco? Draco?” Merlin said in disbelief.
Draco was unaffected. “Pureblood families have a penchant for Latin names.”
“I’m not an idiot. I know what Draco means.”
“Well, if you’re Merlin, of course you would.”
“Are you an incarnation?” Merlin asked of him.
“Yes.”
“Are you – no, that’s – are you the Great Dragon?”
“A bit early in your timeline, isn’t it? It’s really Kilgharrah. I do actually have a name,” Draco remarked.
“How – but how can you be human? That’s not right--” Merlin said, shaking his head.
“Yes, well, I happen to agree with you. But it is what it is… I certainly didn’t ask to be reborn like this, but there’s nothing I can do but accept it.”
“Wait – can you prove it? That you’re the Dragon?” Merlin asked.
“I’m not transforming into a dragon,” Draco said. “But I do remember telling you that, ‘You are but one side of a coin. Arthur is the other.’” Merlin nodded, accepting that for now. After his tense parting with the Dragon before he battled Nimueh, the fight ending with her death, Merlin didn’t really want to see the Dragon in his true form at that moment.
“Now you could go if you want to,” Draco said. He stepped aside, allowing Merlin to pass.
Merlin muttered a thanks before he walked in the direction of the stairs. He looked at Draco when the blond man was apparently following after him.
Merlin paused. He just realized something. If this Draco Malfoy was the Great Dragon or Kilgharrah, as his name was, reincarnated; then wouldn’t he know who the current incarnation of Merlin was?
Maybe that incarnation of Morgana, Luna, wasn’t the only one who knew. Merlin honestly couldn’t imagine anything getting past the Great Dragon – incarnation or otherwise. The magical creature had been frustratingly manipulative with Merlin, but still – the dragon always appeared to be quite knowledgeable.
“Arthur seems to believe Hermione is my current incarnation. Do you know if that’s true?” Merlin wanted to know.
“I probably should have mentioned that I just remembered my true identity not long ago. So I’m not aware of who the Merlin now is. But I do have this special sense where any reincarnation of Merlin glows when I see them,” Draco informed him.
Merlin stared at him. “Seriously?”
“No, of course I’m not serious,” Draco said derisively. He clapped him on the shoulder. “But whoever he is, he will find you and tell you. I’m sure of that.”
Merlin had a bad feeling that Draco was lying to him. Bloody Dragon. Even in the future, in a different world completely, Merlin couldn’t avoid the Great Dragon.
~ * ~
Merlin and Draco found Arthur and Hermione in one of the rooms on the second floor. Merlin immediately pulled Arthur away from Hermione.
It didn’t look like Arthur had hit her. Merlin knew that Arthur would never hurt a woman, but Hermione clearly looked startled. When he made eye contact with her, Merlin felt a jolt and he swore he felt what she was feeling – how startled and anxious she felt. Like an emotional connection.
“Merlin, she’s not telling us the truth!” Arthur confided in him, frustration showing in eyes. He looked almost unhinged after his inability to get a straight answer.
“I told you, Arthur. Leave her alone. Or I will make you regret,” Merlin warned him softly. His eyes flashed gold to prove he meant what he said.
Meanwhile, Hermione went to Draco and she grabbed his arm rather forcefully. She led him out of the room.
“Merlin, please. Why can’t you see it?” Arthur said earnestly. Then his eyes lit up like he had just realized something. “Unless she’s preventing you from seeing it,” Arthur guessed.
Merlin looked at him tiredly. “That’s ridiculous. She’s not hiding anything.”
Arthur poked him in the chest. “No. What you need to do, Merlin, is to confront her alone. Then she can’t lie to you about who she is. You should care more. This is your incarnation!”
“I do care!” Merlin said fiercely. “But I’m not going to let you go after her like she’s a criminal. You’re acting like a complete prat. More than usual at least.”
“Come on, Merlin,” Arthur said, looking at him like he was an idiot, “She’s a witch. She can defend herself if she’s half as clever as she says she is.”
“Just leave Hermione alone, okay? If Harry finds out what you did…” Merlin trailed off.
“I just want the truth,” Arthur sulked.
“I told you who I am… I’m not lying to you, Arthur. Isn’t that enough for now?” Merlin asked him, feeling desperate to ease Arthur’s mind.
Arthur frowned. “I hate this. Everyone here has magic and I don’t have any. How am I supposed to defend myself?”
Merlin gave him a small smile. “You have me, you royal prat,” he reminded him, his tone almost fond.
“Well, there’s that,” Arthur noted. As usual, he looked uncomfortable in the particularly emotional moment, but Merlin could see that Arthur was grateful for Merlin’s presence.
~ * ~
“Hey, the immortal Merlin is here!” Nathan declared, his Irish lilt coming through strongly in his words. He flopped back down on the bed, taking a puff from his marijuana smoke.
“Oh, thank Merlin,” Hermione said, sounding relieved.
“Ah, love. You’ve spent too much time in this hopped up world. You’re thanking yourself,” Nathan remarked, looking amused.
Hermione shook her head. “I thought you wouldn’t come.”
Draco looked at Nathan disbelievingly. The man was their age. He was wearing a dark hoodie with a red shirt underneath along with faded denim for pants. He had dark curly hair and green eyes that gave him an almost vulnerable look if not for the shuttered expression on his face. He was certainly not the type to readily give away his true emotions.
“Him?” Draco uttered. Nathan looked at him like he was a nutter.
“Who is he?” Nathan wondered. Hermione opened her mouth to answer him, but Nathan seemed to catch on. “Wait – don’t tell me. Is he that cryptic fucker of a dragon? Shit. That’s the last thing I need.”
Draco looked at Hermione incredulously. “You know you could have traveled to the past and asked for any other Merlin to help with this mess. But no, you chose this one.” He pointed at Nathan to prove his point.
“I’m not that bad,” Nathan said.
Hermione sighed. “Just be quiet, Kilgharrah,” she ordered him, giving him a firm look.
Nathan smirked. “She used your real name. That’s never good.”
“I asked Myrddin to get Nathan because he’s the only one of us who can do things no other Merlin can do. Without the fear of death.”
“What divine being decided to make him immortal?” Draco said, irritated.
“I didn’t ask for that lightning or electrical storm – whatever it was, it wasn’t normal – to give me immortality,” Nathan interjected, “Morgana – the Morgana in my lifetime -- was caught in the same storm, you know. And do you know what happened to her?”
Draco looked at him expectantly.
“She didn’t survive, mate,” Nathan said briskly, “I covered the whole thing up and skived off to the muggle world. And now the wizarding world is too bloody hung up on who Merlin’s current incarnation is that it’s like I never existed. Which is just fine, I say. I don’t want anything to do with this world anymore.”
“Most wizards believe you’re dead because they know that Merlin – me – was reborn again less than a decade after you disappeared. A few believe you’re still missing even if it makes little sense. We can’t be reborn unless the previous one dies," Hermione explained.
“And I’ve died plenty of times,” Nathan quipped. “One time some melonfucker cremated me. I think that might be the reason why I haven’t aged since then.”
“Do you even remember how to use magic anymore?” Draco asked of him.
Nathan looked affronted. “What the hell kind of question is that?”
His eyes flashed a bright white and then what he had been smoking disappeared.
“Impressive,” Draco said drily.
Nathan looked like he would give a caustic remark, but Hermione cut in before the situation could get really tense.
“Draco told me that I should reveal that I’m Merlin to the wizarding world. That with the original Merlin and Arthur here, it would be best to show everyone that there’s definitely a reincarnated Merlin around.”
“But you want to keep quiet,” Nathan said knowingly.
Hermione nodded.
“The two of you don’t understand,” Draco said in annoyance, “You can’t stay hidden forever. You had to know, Hermione, that you couldn’t keep like this for the rest of your life. Especially now, it’s not a good idea.”
“I like my life the way it is now. It’s only going to mess it up. I can’t," Hermione protested.
Draco was about ready to argue when Nathan waved his hand, saying, “Oh, just go,” he said flippantly.
Draco was magically forced out of the room, disappearing from view.
“Thank you,” Hermione said gratefully. She sat down on the bed beside her previous incarnation.
“You know one good way of getting this world off their preoccupation with Merlin’s current incarnation?”
She turned to look at Nathan. “How?” Hermione asked, though she had a feeling regarding what he would suggest.
“We should fake his death – your death, but no one knows it’s you, so there’s some flexibility for the body’s physical appearance. A couple of wizards find the body and we can get them thinking it’s really the current incarnation. The loss is mourned and the wizards will be busy figuring out our next rebirth. Problem solved. Then we deal with the originals being displaced in time.”
Hermione bit her lip. “There’s a problem though. The original Arthur knows who I am. I’m not sure what he’ll do with that information.”
“But you haven’t confirmed it to him?” Nathan asked her.
Hermione shook her head. “I don’t think he has solid evidence either. At least I hope he doesn’t.”
“That still shouldn’t affect our plan. We should just make sure Arthur doesn’t discover the truth about your friend, Harry. That would be awkward,” Nathan commented, making a face.
Hermione couldn’t help but agree with her past counterpart.
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Oh boy so many secrets. Looking forward to the continuation of Arthur's feelings about Merlin's magic, and the reveal of Harry as Arthur's reincarnation. And Hermione and Nathan's plan! So glad you're continuing this series, I cannot believe that with how awesome it always was, it now also includes Nathan. :D
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Really I'm just happy to have a well-written Harry Potter/Merlin fic...
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It has been some time since I've updated this. I do hope to come back to this story at some point. It's undergoing a bit of a revamp. I'm sorry that you're reading this now and it's been months since my last update. I can't say for sure when I'll update this next, but I haven't abandoned this story. Though currently my focus is on another fic.
I'm glad that you find this well-written. :) There can never be enough Harry Potter/Merlin crossovers. ;)
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I just needed something inbetween searching for a well-written Hermione/Doctor fic... and I had hoped to find something HP crossover or DW crossover related on
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I'm glad you've found this story enjoyable. :)