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Chapter Text

Merlin walked through the streets of New York with a calm face, despite his apprehension to this whole matter.

Regarding MACUSA's recent problems with their particularly extreme case of magical security, Merlin was certain that it was an Obscurial who was responsible for the attacks, and not just a mere Obscurial, but the most powerful in history. He could feel the presence of the magic of the Obscurial, powerful unlike any other Obscurials he had ever seen.

Obscurials were among the few things Merlin did not hesitate to act to help with, and that was due to the source of the Obscurus haunting their bodies until their deaths, yet another reminder of what had happened due to his mistakes.

The absence of love caused by the "abnormality" of magic, and the rejection... It all brought back painful feelings of regret and sadness that would always haunt his immortal life. This was not only just one of the many results of his failure in Camelot, but one of the most personal failures Merlin had towards his people.

It was the least Merlin could do. He had the ability to remove the Obscurus through Ancient Magic safely and then erase their memories and give them better lives. He had wizarding contacts who could be trusted to take care of those poor souls, and they ended up flourishing.

However, Merlin could also detect the presence of one Gellert Grindelwald here. His aura stood out even amongst the countless wizards and witches in this country as one of the two most powerful modern wizard ever born. Of course, he would want an Obscurial on his side. Merlin wasn't surprised that Grindelwald was here.

Gellert Grindelwald... He had been aware of his past with Albus to a certain degree, but he had to admit he didn't have much personal opinion of the man yet. He was a Dark Lord, but Merlin knew he was more than that. He had faith in Albus that he wouldn't have fallen in love with someone completely evil just because he was desperate to exercise his brilliance.

Merlin stopped at a nearby wizarding notice, his eyes widening as he read the wanted notice before him.

Newt Scamander?

Merlin still remembered that boy, how he performed well in his exams, and how Albus spoke highly of him when Merlin was disguised as an examiner. He had seen a good heart in the boy, so he knew something was wrong.

It just so happened that Merlin had seen him, a Muggle, and two witches preparing to enter the infamous Blind Pig.

Naturally, Merlin knew exactly what would happen to him.

It happened that this form wasn't exactly known to Newt personally, so Merlin did not to transfigure himself whereas he would have if he interacted with Albus.

He entered the Blind Pig in his original form, and just as Gnarlak was about to dismiss Newt, Merlin appeared before him beside Newt.

The look of horror and the realization of who was before him had caused Gnarlak to stumble back in shock, and Newt himself fell back in surprise at his sudden appearance, so silent in his movements that none of them even saw him.

"I'm afraid Mister Scamander here is under my supervision, Mister Gnarlak. You will tell him everything you know without charge, or I can just burn all of your business to the ground. You're not popular amongst the Goblins, so I think there would be no backlash from it, Mister Gnarlak. Do you understand?" Merlin said coldly.

Gnarlak glared at him, before finally giving up. "Well, looks like you got yourself someone seriously powerful on your side, eh, Mister Scamander? Fine. Somethin invisibles been wreakin havoc around Fifth Avenue. You may wanna check out Macys department store. Might help with what you're looking for."

"A Demiguise, I assume?" Merlin asked Newt as he nodded.

"Dougal. One last thing, there's a Mr. Graves who works at MACUSA. I was wondering what you know of him." Newt asked as Merlin frowned.

Percival Graves? Of course, it would be Grindelwald. He would have snuck into MACUSA as the President's right-hand woman to find the Obscurial.

However, he didn't have much time to think when Aurors arrived on the Blind Pig.

"I thought I warned you what was going to happen." Merlin said cooly as he proceeded to place his hand on Gnarlak's head and burn him to death using Ancient Magic, causing him to scream, before he then telekinetically lifted and threw every single object in the bar against the Aurors, stunning them as they were forced to put up shields against the assault.

By the time the Aurors found it safe enough to remove their shields, there was no one else in the bar except for the customers, and the bar had every secret door with evidence of Gnarlak's deeds revealed.

"Who are you?" Merlin turned to Newt and his companions as they arrived at the destination before them, the Macy Store in New York.

"Ah! Mister Scamander! I have not introduced myself yet, have I? My name is Arthur Ambrosius." Merlin said with a warm smile. "I heard about MACUSA's problems with a certain Obscurial, so I'm here to track down that Obscurial and save him/her before they get in trouble and keep the damage from spreading any further."

"Emrys Ambrosius? But... You look a lot like a man named Percival Lionheart." Merlin's eyes widened as he realized that Albus had told Newt about him. He didn't see this coming, admittedly.

"Well, let's just say I am a man dedicated to the protection and preservation of our world, both the wizarding and non-wizarding worlds." Merlin said calmly, thanking the Old Religion for him having always been naturally talented in these kinds of things.

Newt stared at him curiously but he nodded. "Alright. I can trust you, right?"

Merlin nodded reassuringly. "Yes. Now, we're going to capture a Demiguise, right? It's invisible, but I know ways to circumvent that, along with a spell to negate it's power to see the future. Spells of Ancient Magic. My family has a particular grasp of such arts. Are you ready?"

"Excuse me, mister, but Ancient Magic? What's that?" A girl with a quite stunning look and a blonde hair noted.

"You mean you can harness the magic of the Old Religion?" Merlin's eyes widened at the mention of what was perhaps the most unknown secret to most wizardkind.

"I have a particularly excellent teacher named Albus Dumbledore, who researched the old magics and discovered the term of the Old Religion. It's powers are unlike anything normal magic can do. You can harness that magic?"

Merlin gave Newt a small smile as he nodded. "Yes."

With that, Merlin conjured golden runes and waved them to enchant Newt and his companions bodies.

"I've heard that Runes are particularly compatible with Ancient Magic, but such magics are rare. Are you sure you've mastered it?" Newt asked cautiously as he turned to Queenie.

"I... I can't read his mind." Queenie Goldstein stated and Merlin sighed as he gave them all his best reassuring smile.

"Yes. I'm afraid I know my ways with Occlumency that can block out any Legilimens influence. On the other hand, I too have the ability to use Legilimency, so I can tell your names. Tina Goldstein. Queenie Goldstein. Jacob Kowalski. Now, I understand we have just met, but believe me when I say this. I have no evil intentions. I promise I will clear your names by the end of the week, and save MACUSA."

Newt eyed him for a while, before nodding. "Alright. It seems we can trust you."

Porpentina Goldstein said nothing even as her sister sported a smile on her face and proceeded to shake his hand.

"Guess I'm the only one who's finding things a bit awkward here?" Jacob Kowalski asked as Merlin simply smiled.

"Regardless of your lack of magical abilities, Mister Kowalski, you are still a good man. Have faith. Things will be alright."

With that, Merlin went inside along with his new partners, and found the Demiguise easily.

"How do you contain your beasts, Mister Scamander?" Merlin asked calmly as the Demiguise fled as soon as it saw them.

"In my case, Mister Ambrosius." Newt said as he unfolded his case. Merlin hummed, but said nothing.

"Now, do open your case up a little bit, Mister Scamander. I'm going to pull the Demiguise here, and then we can put him inside the case." Merlin said as he opened the door the Demiguise went into and recited an incantation to control all manners of peaceful creature.

"Trûwung ðâgýt, smolt forðgesceaft! wadan into êower lôgian nêalic êower êðel m êðles! beclypping duguð brôðorlufu un−l¯æd êower h¯æsere!" At those words of command, the Demiguise slowly bowed it's head as it began to return to Newt's case, compelled to obey Merlin's request.

"That was Old English, wasn't it?" Jacob asked curiously as Merlin nodded.

"Yes. Old English is the tongue used to cast Ancient Magic spells. It is more uncommonly referred to as the tongue of the Old Religion. The Latin and other language spells used by modern wizards and witches produce Modern Magic. It is said that Old English is just the name it was given as the predecessor of the English language, and that it has a true name, but not even my teacher knew of it." Merlin allowed himself to feel pride at Albus's degree of research into the old ways as Newt indulged Jacob's questions.

He was also pleased to hear Newt had been told about him in truth. It showed him that Albus had been able to put his trust on yet another person, that he had been able to achieve a degree of healing from his past, and beside his magical successes, Albus was also now able to find happiness by teaching to where he could find sufficient comfort to be willing to tell secrets of the past.

But as the Demiguise entered the case, there was the case of an Occamy still around.

"This is my fault. I thought I had them all, but I must have miscounted." Newt said with a frown.

"A Demiguise was peaceful and able to radiate an aura of friendliness, especially around other creatures. Of course it was tending to that." Merlin declared as Newt nodded.

"Occamies are choranaptyxic, so they grow to fill available space-"

Before Newt could finish his words, the Occamy had growled and attacked them. Merlin reinforced his body when the wing struck him, managing to catch the wing before it hit him, though being knocked back a few steps.

"Wow! Are you super-strong or something!?" Jacob asked excitedly, but Merlin had no time. He drew his wand, and cast a motion-freezing spell on the serpentine magical beast, keeping it at bay.

"Find a teapot and an insect! Any kind can do! I'm holding it at place for now. Go!"

In truth, Merlin could probably just conjure all the things needed up, but then again, he had to make sure no one knew he was Merlin. He had to avoid suspicion, so he delegated the tasks to his companions of the day.

Newt, fortunately, was quite capable of handling this situation, and Merlin allowed himself to be proud of Albus and his methods of teaching as he proceeded to conjure insects on his own right while Tina summoned a teapot. 

"Alright!" Merlin focused less on restraining this gigantic beast, and more on using the insect to feed the Occamy, levitating them near it's mouth.

As the Occamy fed on the insects given, Merlin waved his wand at the teapot and cast a containing spell to bind the Occamy until it could be released into Newt's case.

As soon as the spell was activated, the teapot let out a glow of light as the Occamy was sucked inside it before the teapot closed on it's own.

"Please tell me that was the last one?" Miss Goldstein the elder stated while breathing deeply.

"Yes. That's everything." Newt said with no small amount of relief.

"Thank you, Mister Ambrosius." 

Merlin gave a small smile. "Just... Call me Arthur."

"I must say your suitcase is quite the magical marvel, Newt." Merlin said with no small amount of respect in his tone as Newt gently settled down the Bowtruckle he would have sold that he had affectionately nicknamed Pickett. 

"Well, Albus Dumbledore surely is an exceptional teacher. I owe him a lot. He is a good man, and Percival Lionheart is, apparently, even better." Newt said as Merlin's smile became bittersweet at those words.

"By the way, may I know ask you if you are in fact that man?" Newt said as he turned around to face him with sincere curiosity. "The way with which you act are quite similar to the same person Albus showed me so many memories of. It might be brief, but you carry that same aura around you."

Merlin stared at Newt for a few moments, before finally he decided to tip to the Magizoologist his hypothetical hat. "Yes. I am."

"You look as young as you were back when you taught Albus." Newt said simply, looking unfazed by the fact that he obviously had many secrets.

Merlin smiled a bit melancholically. "Would you believe me if I say I am an immortal man who's been around for centuries, and can't die by any means, not even the so-called Killing Curse?"

Newt's eyes widened a bit before they regained composure. "That's why you change names? How long have you been doing this?"

"I have an original name, but I won't tell you what it is. Those who know I am immortal tend to only know that without knowing my true name. I've been alive for so many years. I've experienced many things, and despite all the horror and darkness I've seen, in the end, I always see it, the light of hope, the potential for good, the capacity for nobility, both in Muggles and our people." Merlin stated softly. A part of him wondered why he was telling Newt all this, despite having known him only for a few moments, but perhaps this was fate.

"I never lost faith in the world. I may have once sought release, but now I see my immortality as a burden that comes with responsibilities that I have accepted. I am powerful in ways that go beyond the imagination of the wizarding world, and I use that power to the best of my ability. I am not perfect, and I am not overestimating that some (all) of the major problems of the wizarding world can be attributed to my mistake, but while I at first saw my eternal life as a bitter penance, now I have seen that it simply has to be this way."

"And here I thought Albus had it heavy, but even so, you seem to have accepted it all." Newt said slowly and tenderly as Merlin chuckled.

"Well, I have had years to come to terms with it. Albus is one of the students I am most proud of, and I whole-heartedly approve he chose you to confide in. This is not the first time we've met, Newt. Do you remember Alexander Pendragon?"

Newt's eyes widened. "You were my O.W.L and N.E.W.T examiner. You held the Badge of Qualification that allowed you to administer exams anytime. You were even the only reason why I could complete my N.E.W.T."

Merlin chuckled. "Indeed. You gained my eye when I first saw you perform. You were an outstanding student, but that was not your greatest quality. I'll get to it eventually, but for now, let us discuss Leta."

Newt's eyes hardened from it's previous awe and gratitude as Merlin brought up his former best friend. "Your case with her reminded me of the time where I too had a girl as my friend. She was good, Newt. She was kind, and she was compassionate. One of my greatest failures was that I failed to be a proper friend to her. She had her reasons for doing what she had when I turned my back on her, but I should have tried harder. I didn't. I ended up having to kill her myself."

Newt's eyes went from softening to widening as he stared at Merlin with shock and pity. Merlin gave a pitiful laugh. "In time, I realized my greatest fault was that I didn't try to be better. I'm not asking you to immediately try to reconcile with Leta, but I'm asking you to try and at least retain cordial terms with her. Be there for her if she needs you."

Merlin patted Newt in the shoulder. "To hold a grudge or to abandon all notions of friendship for just a few acts of antagonism is folly. Try. Be better than I am. It's far too late for me, and I will carry that sin with me for the rest of my immortal life and regret it, with none of the tears, the nightmares I suffer from, ever able to grant forgiveness that I do not deserve. Perhaps it is even too late for Albus. He and Gellert Grindelwald used to be best friends, but look where they are now. You should be better than me and Albus, your predecessors, Newt."

With that, Merlin turned back and saw Queenie Goldstein, looking at him with tears of sympathy, while Jacob was looking seriously sad at him. Tina simply looked at him solemnly.

"I'll leave you to talk on it.

"Gellert Grindelwald!" Merlin shouted at the street he apparated into as soon as he located the Obscurial.

The man turned at him in surprise as the Obscurial fled. With an impatient flick of his wand, Merlin undid the transfiguration he had performed to an astonishing degree to become Percival Graves, causing him to revert back to the same physical form he was known for.

"Hey, Mister Ambrosius! What-" Merlin raised his hand to stop his four partners of the day from approaching him.

"The Obscurial went that way. Contain him. I'll fight him." Merlin said confidently as he raised his wand and adopted a confident formal dueling stance.

"He's Gellert Grindelwald! You can't expect us to just leave him here-"

"I'm more than capable, Newt. Have you forgotten who taught your teacher?" Merlin said cryptically as Newt stared at him before reluctantly nodding.

As the four vanished, Merlin turned towards the current Dark Lord, who stared at him with a mask of cautious neutrality, despite the fact Merlin could feel the frustration at the setback.

"Ambrosius... You are a member of the highly esteemed yet secretive Ambrosius Family? My research and knowledge of magical history is deep. I know your family had many ways of helping out, but you always seem to stick in the shadows. Why have you come here today?"

Merlin grimaced at Grindelwald's words. Who would have thought that he knew about the facades Merlin had taken over the years, but then again Grindelwald's knowledge of magic was by no means lesser than Albus's. He and Albus had strength that could rival and surpass even that of the Founders.

"Have you come to rescue Credence? Ah yes, the poor boy, who was abused by his abhorrent adopted mother until he became an Obscurial. Unbelievable, to think one could survive for more than 10 years."

Merlin's eyebrows rose at those words, but then it narrowed. He recalled certain parts of Aberforth's statements and Albus's letters. 

"You seek to use him for his power. I seek to cure him." 

Grindelwald's eyes narrowed at Merlin's words. "Cure an Obscurial? Did Mister Scamander not tell you removing an Obscurus could lead to death?"

"You have no idea who I am, Gellert Grindelwald. I know magics of the old, but we have talked enough."

Without any other word, Merlin fired spells rapidly at Grindelwald, who easily deflected them all to the side, only to be forced to dodge when Merlin manipulated a nearby fire hydrant, causing Merlin to take note of Grindelwald's exceptional reflexes and awareness as he could avoid a surprise attack even with Merlin only using his power subtly.

Merlin noticed piano notes being scattered by fleeing people, and without hesitation, he interpreted the music sheets as runes, forming glowing golden blasts of magical energy that he threw at Grindelwald. 

Grindelwald's eyes widened, but not for long as he noticed a flute falling and proceeded to lift it up and magically play the song, forming purple shields made of tune-like runes that blocked his attack. Another tune of the flute, and a wave of purple magical energy in the form of a few scores of music was launched at him. Merlin conjured up all the music sheets as runes and threw them as a shield, absorbing the attack.

Merlin used the shield to absorb the wave, but Grindelwald threw his hand out, causing the shield to be destroyed and Merlin's runes to struggle with Grindelwald's own, golden and purple energy trails lashing out from the coalition of their attacks.

"Interesting... Usage of the ancient ways. Remarkable. I would have liked to see more of your capabilities, but unfortunately I do not have time!"

With that, Grindelwald made what Merlin recognized as telepathic messages before dispelling the power struggle and throwing a car at him.

Merlin batted it aside without effort, but several followers appeared as Grindelwald disapparated away. 

They threw a magical device that was one of Grindelwald's wicked inventions, causing a powerful barrier to be manifested. Before the barrier was fully activated, the followers also threw a spellbook into the air and impaled it with an obsidian dagger, causing it to explode and manifest several hordes of Inferi and Dementors.

Merlin shook his head as he activated his version of the Patronus Charm.

"Yfel bannan twihynde mundbyrdnes stellandêopnes healh un−l¯æd mîn hreðer, mîn hycgan, mîn mynd, hûru mîn môdsefa!"

With that incantation of Old English, a massive dragon just as huge as a Giant appeared and proceeded to breathe the purest of light into all the dark creatures, destroying them all with ease.

The dragon also tore away at the dark barrier easily, and Merlin immediately disapparated to reach those four before Grindelwald could kill them.

He found them in time to blast Grindelwald away just as he was mere moments from dealing a potentially lethal blow on Newt, having restrained Tina and Queenie with runic binds and petrified Jacob.

"Sorry it took so long. Grindelwald's followers swarmed up on me." Merlin said apologetically as he waved his wand again and again on Tina, Queenie, and Jakob, removing the spells Grindelwald had used on them.

"Well, better late than never." Jacob said with a wary grin as Merlin nodded, just as the Obscurus began to manifest again.

"Get near me!" With that, Merlin formed a protective shield around himself and his four companions, repelling Credence's attacks, and watched grimly as Grindelwald did the same.

The Obscurus continued to lash out, launching attacks of all kinds at the shield, until Merlin had had enough.

"Listen to me, Credence!" With that, Merlin released a bolt of light into the sky, illuminating the night to where it felt as though the sun itself had returned abnormally early.

"Now, I have experienced many children like you. I know that you have experienced great suffering. It's not too late to let it go, Credence. I have saved children like yourself, and I can do it if you give me the chance to." Merlin said appealingly as the Obscurus began to receede.

"Arthur is right. I had seen what that woman did to you. I know that you suffered, but you can choose to be better, Credence. We will protect you. This man... He is using you." Tina said softly.

"Don't listen to them, Credence. I want you to be free. Together, we can create a new order, my boy. We could-"

Before Grindelwald was able to finish his words, however, numerous spells were fired on the Obscurial as Merlin watched in horror.

The spells came from the Aurors of MACUSA and Merlin could only watch as the poor boy was almost destroyed, with only a few shreds of his Obscurus surviving, which would allow him to revive later, but that meant the boy would now be even more embittered.

"You fools! Do you have any understanding as to what you have done!?" Grindelwald shouted at the Aurors and President Picquery.

"What have you done with the real Percival Graves, Mister Grindelwald?" The President asked coldly as Merlin stared at the remnants of the Obscurus with lament. It had been one of his greatest failures that lead to their rise, and there were times he failed to save them. It never stopped burdening him, screams of the children's abuse and their loneliness haunting him in his mind, condemning him for what he had failed to do.

However, Merlin was forced to suppress those feelings, which he had bitterly gotten good at over the centuries, when Grindelwald unleashed a massive stream of electricity upon the MACUSA officers with a scream, the lightning spell bringing every Auror to their knees while Grindelwald lifted Picquery with his wandless magic and threw her into the air with such force that Merlin had to cast a Softening Charm or else it would have killed her.

Merlin charged at Grindelwald, flying him out of the train station and throwing him down to the ground with his right hand, but Grindelwald stopped his fall and landed on the ground skillfully as Merlin landed down as well.

"They must be in cahoots with the same people who killed my son. Kill them!" A voice shouted as several muggle officers fired their guns at him.

Snarling, Grindelwald turned the bullets fired back on their owners and lifted and crushed all the guns before screaming at them as Merlin made to disapparate, only to realize his folly as he stared in horror at what that wandless scream had done.

All the No-Majs were knocked to the ground, moaning in pain and terror at the telepathic onslaught.

Grindelwald levitated half of a torn building and threw it at him, which Merlin sliced in half with a sharp whip of golden energy. Gritting his teeth, Merlin slammed his hand to the ground, unleashing a powerful avalanche-like spell that forced Grindelwald back but did no damage as he raised a shield strong enough to protect him even from Merlin's spell.

"Is this what the so-called noble family of the Ambrosius do? You allow our people to be persecuted, and a broken soul to be slaughtered!?" Grindelwald sneered as he gathered electricity from various sources of light to empower his spell before blasting a sufficiently strong stream of lightning that Merlin was forced to defend seriously, raising a shield made of runes that summoned water and wind to block the onslaught, vapors of such heat as to sear metal just by exploding near it, in the case of exploding straight at it destroying some cars violently.

Grindelwald was extremely powerful, indeed. If it was in a death match, Merlin would win without a doubt, but while he didn't have to be afraid of dying, with how they were fighting in an open space with many Muggles around, if he used too much power, he could kill the whole city. 

The power needed to revive all of them would be such that he would have to go into a deep sleep for months, and he would need Kilgharrah's assistance on top of that. Merlin knew just a few resurrection spells, as it was nearly impossible without the right price even for the Old Religion, and he had almost never used them unless the deceased truly had their lives stripped away from them unfairly.

Fortunately, just as Grindelwald launched a massive stream of purple fire, with Merlin launching an equally large stream of golden fire to dissipate it, Newt had arrived and discreetly fired a binding spell, catching Grindelwald off-guard and restraining him.

Merlin wasted no time and imbued the bindings with runes just as the few surviving Aurors came out, clearly still weak, along with Picquery.

"Take him to the cells now! Those runes won't hold him forever." Merlin said with gritted teeth as the Aurors nodded, but before they dragged him out of his presence, Grindelwald stared at him and Newt.

"Would we die, just a little?" 

While Newt only narrowed his eyes, Merlin shook his head at the meaning as Grindelwald was carried away.

"Now, Newt, I recall you have a Thunderbird?" Merlin asked grimly.

Newt's eyes widened. "Of course! We can use it and a vial of Swooping Evil's venom to erase the memories of Muggles all over about the use of magic."

Merlin cast an umbrella charm around himself. "While you do so, I'll repair the city."

A couple of minutes later, and Merlin was back on the tunnel along with the others as Tina, Queenie, and Jacob eyed them in relief.

"You're back! Thank god!" Jacob said in relief as Merlin nodded with a small smile.

"Unfortunately, I cannot make any exception for him, Mister Ambrosius. He too must not remember this. I'll let you say goodbye." With those words, the President left as Merlin sighed out loud.

And so Jacob accepted his fate and softly went to face the removal of his memories. Merlin did know that the Swooping Evil would only erase bad memories, but even the good ones would be temporarily tempered, considering how strong the rain was, with Merlin also adding in enchantments to ensure every single Muggle would forget about magic. He had made an exception for Jacob, fortunately, anticipating what he would be dealt with, but considering how much magic Merlin infused, it would take some time for him to regain it and he could only do so if a wizard or witch were to rekindle his memories.

"This is for the best. Yeah, I was, I was never even supposed to be here. I was never supposed to know any of this." Jacob said in an effort to comfort them as they all stared at him sadly.

"Everybody knows Newt only kept me around because... Newt, why did you keep me around?"

"Because I like you. Because youre my friend, and I'll never forget how you helped me, Jacob." Newt said softly as Merlin nodded.

"It was brief, but you proved yourself worthy. If this was another country, Mister Kowalski, then perhaps-"

"I'll come with you. Well go somewhere, well go anywhere!" Queenie said desperately and Merlin looked away, unable to watch as the fire of romance was snuffed out before it could even begin.

"See, I aint never gonna find anyone like-"

"Theres loads like me."

"No. No. There's only one like you-"

Jacob stared at Queenie sadly before he affirmed himself.

"I gotta go."

"Jacob!" Newt called out softly, but Jacob shook his head.

"It's okay. Its okay. Its okay. Its just like waking up, right?"

With those last words, Jacob Kowalski went into the rain, and Queenie turned at him.

"Can you... Let me-?"

Merlin nodded in understanding as he waved his wand, causing time to stop. 

"You have a minute, Queenie. Go to him."

And so he watched as Queenie gave one last gentle kiss and when she finally returned to them, Merlin had warped them all to the place where Newt had told him was the home of the Goldsteins.

When Queenie broke down, Merlin watched the scene with a somber heart.

"So this is where we part ways, Newt." Merlin said with a small smile as they went to the harbor.

"Yes. It's only a while, but it's been nice knowing you. Thank you for your wisdom. I'll try and put it to use later." Newt said with a sad smile as Merlin nodded.

"Don't expect it to be easy, but don't give up either. I made a mistake by giving up far too soon. Don't repeat that, Newt."

Newt nodded as he turned towards Tina.

"Well, it's been-"

Tina gave a small laugh. "It has, hasn't it?"

Merlin chuckled. 

"Listen, Newt, Arthur. I want to thank you. It was thanks to all the good word you put about me that President Picquery put me back on the investigative team." Tina said gratefully, although while she smiled at Merlin, she smiled more at Newt.

"Well, I can't think of anyone that I would rather have investigating me." Merlin shook his head fondly at Newt's awkward attempt to romance a girl as Tina giggled awkwardly as well.

It almost reminded him of how Rowena had attempted to flirt with her husband at first.

"Try not to need investigating for a bit."

"I will. Quiet life for me from now on. Back to the Ministry. Deliver my manuscript." 

Newt turned towards Merlin. "Would you like a free copy?"

Merlin laughed as he nodded. "It would be an honor."

"I'll look out for it. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, right?" Tina said excitedly as Newt nodded.

"Does Leta Lestrange like to read?" Tina asked suddenly.

"Who?"

"The girl whose picture you carry." Tina said softly.

"I don't really know what Leta likes these days because people change." Newt said solemnly as Merlin shook his head.

"Yes. I've changed. I think. Maybe a little." And so Merlin watched with a smile as Newt softly caressed Tina in the cheek.

"I'm so sorry. How would you feel if I gave you your copy in person, Tina?" Newt said suddenly as Merlin chuckled outloud.

"I would like that. Very much." Tina said with a smile and Newt nodded with a smile on his own as he left, waving back at Merlin and Tina, as he went into his ship.

Merlin gave a fond sigh as he patted Tina in the shoulder.

"You can have that life with him eventually, as long as you work hard for it." Merlin said reassuringly before he left the harbor too.

Not on ship, but instead through space distortion.

Before that, though, he stopped to check in on Jacob's bakery, founded with help from Newt and Merlin. Merlin had left him with a few particular recipes as well, which had quickly became the most favored. Jacob was incredibly talented in baking, indeed. His passion was caused by his strong desire to make people happy, which only further earned him Merlin's respect.

You may not be a wizard or a magician, but you can still live a happy life, Jacob. Live while helping as many people as you can, as that is your dream.

Merlin's thoughts were interrupted when Queenie entered the bakery.

When Jacob touched the spot he was bitten by a Murtlap, Merlin let out a smile.

Chapter Text

"It's been a while, Kilgharrah." Merlin said as he arrived on the Isle of the Blessed, specifically Kilgharrah's Dragon Sanctuary.

"It has been indeed, Merlin." Kilgharrah acknowledged with a small smile.

"How goes your travel of the world? Did you return to Hogwarts?" Merlin asked the Great Dragon calmly.

"After all these years, I think I have explored more than enough of the world. You too have gone through the same adventure. These days, I usually spend time near the wizarding schools. Seeing the people of magic flourish, even if in secret, is a good way to spend my time." Kilgharrah said as Merlin chuckled.

"And what about Hogwarts?"

"It remains strong. Your student, Albus Dumbledore, continues to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts and do so well as the Head of the brave House of Gryffindor." Kilgharrah said with a hum.

"However, I have summoned you here to tell you something that will soon be the front of the news of the world. Gellert Grindelwald has just recently escaped, Merlin." Kilgharrah said calmly, while Merlin's eyes widened.

"Damn it! I knew I should have placed a few more wards, but I was too cautious and it ended up making that man successful in his escape. Has he gotten far yet? Can I still capture him?" Merlin asked with gritted teeth.

"No. It's too late. He has escaped back to his Fortress Nurmengard, where you cannot attack him without exposing your true capabilities. That said, I fear that a war will soon begin, Merlin. A Global Wizarding War, on a scale larger than any other. Even greater, perhaps, than his own remarkably outstanding magical capabilities, would be his extraordinary cunning and mastery of strategy and manipulation." 

Merlin clenched his fists. He had fought in many wars even if discreetly, helping out anyone who needed it and even lending a few crucial aids for the good side to win while limiting casualties. However, Grindelwald was simply on another level compared to warmongers. He needed to be taken care of carefully.

"If so, then what choice do I have? I have to contain it before it leads to war. If it means getting a bit of the spotlight, then so be it. I'm the only one who could single-handedly topple down Grindelwald and his army, and aside from Albus, the only one who could definitively handle him in a duel-"

"Don't." Kilgharrah had interjected to Merlin's grim resolve calmly as Merlin narrowed his eyes.

"What?" Merlin said with forceful calm.

"Like you said it, Gellert Grindelwald is Albus Dumbledore's matter."

Merlin shook his head exasperatedly. "Albus has gone through enough. I couldn't save him from the burden of possibly killing his own sister, and I can't possibly ask him to bear this burden of having to fight the man he still loved. He's one of my students, and the last time I failed to be there- You know."

Kilgharrah shook his head sympathetically. "I know that you still suffer for the fate of Salazar Slytherin. I too lament his loss. He was a complicated man, with a dark past, but he ultimately had the potential to be good, Merlin. It was not all your fault, though. You tried, Merlin, and while it might not have been enough, we both know we are not perfect. We are not the gods history believes us to be. We have our flaws and limitations, and we can only overcome it with one another's help."

Merlin stared at Kilgharrah resignedly. "How? How can Albus move against Grindelwald? He's bound by a Blood Pact, and that's the greatest binding magical contract there is, beyond even an Unforgivable Vow. If it's not me, then who could-?"

"There is no need to destroy the Blood Pact. Remember, Merlin, that you must give Albus Dumbledore a choice. You must trust in your students ability to overcome his demons when the time is right. We both know that a Blood Pact can be undone besides Ancient Magic."

Merlin's eyes narrowed into slits. "Are you suggesting that I do nothing as Grindelwald is about to kill Aberforth and have Albus risk his life for it?" Merlin asked furiously, but Kilgharrah was not even fazed.

He simply shook his head. "No, Merlin. I cannot tell you all that will happen, but I can tell you this. There is another Dumbledore."

3 Months Later...

Merlin watched as Albus left Newt with those cryptic words and an address to the house of Nicolas Flamel with a smile torn between resignation and fondness.

He had just discovered Credence's whereabouts, and wanted to ask Newt for help, but it would seem that Albus had beat him to it. Merlin kept his presence firmly hidden using his own method of magical concealment, and he had to admit it was ingenious for Albus to tell Newt about that Thunderbird, so he would intercept Grindelwald.

Merlin was also pleased to hear that Newt had kept his word. He had a good time reading the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them when Newt had delivered the copy through owl, although he sadly could not return to New York due to the travel ban imposed on him, and had also tasked Newt to not tell Albus about him in return for a few notes on some of the creatures lost to time.

He followed Newt as he returned to his home, and was admittedly impressed to find yet another well-enchanted basement, expanded to levels of a highly skilled master of the Undetectable Expansion Charm, with several habitats for beasts. 

However, before he could greet Newt, Merlin sensed the presence of two others near the city, in particular one carrying the strong magic of love enchantment. Narrowing his eyes, Merlin went upstairs, and was greeted by Queenie and Jacob.

"Ah! ARTHUR! Nice to see you! Get over here, you brilliant handsome man!" Jacob said excitedly as he hugged him, causing Merlin to smile.

"You're here to see Newt, too!?" Queenie said excitedly as Merlin nodded.

"Hey!" The three turned to find Newt there, looking pleasantly surprised.

"NEWT! Get over here, you maniac." Jacob said as he hugged Newt friendly.

"We hope you don't mind, Newt? We let ourselves in. It's raining out there-cats and dogs! London's cold!" Queenie said with a bit of exaggerated chill.

"But you were supposed to have been Obliviated!"

"I know! It didn't work, pal. I mean, you said it, the potion only erases bad memories. I didn't have any." Jacob said as Merlin began to take in his unusually ecstatic behavior.

Something was wrong with him, but-

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I had some weird ones, but this angel- this angel over here, she filled me in on all the bad parts. And here we are, I guess, huh?"

"This is wonderful!" Newt said with joy as Merlin forced a smile.

"Is... Tina? Tina?" Newt asked curiously before Merlin gently patted him in the shoulder and shook his head.

"Oh, it's just us, honey. Me and Jacob. Why don't I make us some dinner, huh?" Queenie clarified as she offered to make food for them.

"Yes!"

"Tina and I aren't talking." Queenie said with a bit of exasperation as Newt and Merlin sat at the dining table.

"Why?" Newt asked in confusion.

"Oh well, you know, she found out about Jacob and I seeing each other and she didn't like it, cause of the law. Not allowed to date No-Majs, not allowed to marry them blah, blah, blah." Queenie said with shakes of her head, but Merlin was slowly coming to a quite appealing idea of why the sisters were at odds with one another.

"Well, she was all in a tizzy anyway, 'cause of you." Queenie said as Merlin gave Newt a sympathetic glance.

"Me?"

"Yeah, you, Newt. It was in Spellbound. Here-I brought it for you-" Merlin watched with bemusement as Queenie unveiled the Spellbound revealing the false rumors of Newt and Leta being engaged rather than Theseus and Leta.

"Newt Scamander with fiancee, Leta Lestrange, brother Theseus, and unknown woman." 

"No. Theseus is marrying Leta, not me." Newt said quickly as he gave a somewhat of a glare at Merlin, who glanced at him apologetically.

"Oh! Oh, oh dear. Wah. So Tina read that, and she started dating someone else." The sheer disappointed look on Newt's face almost made Merlin feel bad.

After his advice, Newt had in fact made efforts to reconcile with Leta, attending more dinners with her and Theseus and managing to just remain friendly, despite how hurt he must be that his brother was engaged with Leta.

"He's an Auror. His name's Achilles Tolliver."

"Tolliver?"

The shrills of Jacob reminded Merlin to the current situation as he sighed. He had figured it out a few minutes ago that Queenie had enchanted Jacob. It was surprisingly simple.

Jacob wouldn't have wanted to risk marrying Queenie due to the Rappaport Law, while Queenie would have been willing to brave the risk anyway.

"Anyway, we're real excited to be here, Newt. This is a, oh it's a special trip for us You see, Jacob and I, we're getting married." Queenie said joyfully, almost making Merlin hesitate despite how wrong it was, knowing he would have to stop her from following this path, regardless of what she would feel about it.

"I'm marrying Jacob!"

Merlin allowed Queenie to entertain Jacob by conjuring confetti, before he stood up abruptly. One look at Newt, and he knew Newt had came to the same conclusion.

"Queenie... I know you have enchanted Jacob. I can sense the magic in him." Merlin said, getting straight-to-the-point.

"What? I have not-"

"Queenie, you've brought him here against his will." Newt said as well, looking quite upset by what she had done too.

"Oh, that is an outrageous accusation. Look at him. He's just happy. So happy-"

Merlin raised his hand at Newt to stop him from standing up as he made his way to Jacob.

"If that is so, then I suppose you won't mind if I-"

Queenie had got up almost immediately. "Please don't!"

Merlin sighed out loud, but Newt had gotten up at those words. "Queenie, you've got nothing to fear if he wants to get married. We can just lift the enchantment, and he can tell us himself."

"Yes, Queenie. I know ways to get you out of the Rapaport Law, so you don't have to worry." Merlin said reassuringly.

As Queenie backed down, Merlin walked towards Jacob.

"What you got there? Whatchu gonna do? Whatchu gonna do with that, Mr. Scamander? Mr. Ambrosius-"

"Giving your mind the clarity it needs." Merlin said seriously as he placed his palm on Jacob's head and another on his heart, channeling Ancient Magic through his mind and heart.

Jacob spasmed as Merlin began to delicately remove the Entrancing Enchantment on him, allowing him to retain the memories of what he had done while enchanted by Queenie, his hands glowing purple as it removed all the traces of Queenie's pitiful but misguided attempts to enchant Jacob.

Once it was done, Merlin removed his hands from Jacob.

"Congratulations on your engagement, Jacob." Newt said in an attempt to maintain humor, but Merlin had no such thing.

Entrancing Enchantments were one of the things Merlin had absolutely no role in developing, and for a good reason. The idea of forcing love on someone, of selfishly separating couples truly in love for your own happiness, was one of Merlin's greatest displeasures. 

He glared at Queenie straight up as Jacob's eyes widened in horror.

As Queenie ran away soon after and Jacob followed, Merlin turned towards Newt.

"Well, Newt, I'm here to ask for your help again. Grindelwald is heading for Paris, he has plans to showcase something that could potentially gather so many more supporters, and he also has a plan to get Credence in Paris too. I have means that I can use to allow you to get out of your travel ban, even lift it, and I'm sorry I didn't keep in much contact." Merlin said as Newt sighed and nodded.

"Tina is in Paris. If she were to get involved with Grindelwald, she'll need help." 

Merlin gave Newt a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry for what happened between you and Tina. I'll do my best to help patch things up with the two of you."

Newt said nothing as he nodded. 

"How's Leta-"

"She's currently engaged to Theseus, and being in dinners with them just make me look awkward." Newt said coldly as Merlin sighed but said nothing.

"I know it's hard, but you have to let go, Newt. Let go of your love for Leta as a partner while still loving her as a friend. Trust me. I too once had some feelings for the girl that I mentioned to you, and it just made it hurt even more when I failed her and had to kill her with my own hands."

"So magic can open portals, huh?" Jacob asked excitedly as he, Merlin, and Newt excited through a distortion of space, arriving at the Place Cachée.

"No, it's a spell usable only by those who are masters of Ancient Magic. Those who can only harness Modern Magic would be able to only apparate, a far less practical method."

"It's essentially the Ancient Magic's form of Apparition, then?" Newt asked as they walked the streets of this magical district.

"Yes, Newt. How much of Ancient Magic do you know? Does Dumbledore teach you any spells?" Merlin asked curiously as Newt shook his head.

"No. He told me about it's existence, but I never asked him to teach me." Newt said simply.

"Well, would you be interested to learn? I could teach you a few spells that would be useful to deal with beasts and break dark spells. You learned from Albus, so you could learn from me too." Merlin suggested casually.

"Uh... Perhaps, but after this whole situation is settled."

Merlin shrugged. "Suit yourself."

With that, Merlin turned towards Newt. "That said, you are going to have to learn one spell if you want to find Tina quickly. I can do the spell, but I lack the more passionate emotions towards her to make it at maximum strength."

Newt blushed a little, but nodded slowly.

"Okay. This shouldn't take long. Now, I assume you are competent at controlling your magical energies?" Merlin asked Newt as he nodded, looking anxious but determined.

"Well, the first thing you should know is that Ancient Magic can be harnessed through runes. I'll teach you the spell using a particular branch of magic, and you'll cast it. Simple as that. Ready?"

As Newt nodded, Merlin allowed the greatest power of a Dragon Lord, the power to access abilities similar to that of Dragons, a major part in the full extent of his magic being comparable/slightly superior to Kilgharrah as it is now, and proceeded to teach Newt the ways of harnessing the magic of the Old Religion through telepathy. He also imbued Newt with some of the energies of the Old Religion to make it easier for him.

Newt clutched his head by the time he was finished, but he seemed fine.

"Before we begin, give Forbearne a try. You know why."

Newt nodded anxiously and focused for a while before his eyes lit up and he cast the spell, directing glowing fire through the sky and changing the color and shape of it, with astonishing ease.

"How does it feel?" Merlin asked with a smile.

"It feels more natural than Modern Magic." Newt said softly.

"That is because it's the true magic in a sense. Modern Magic came from Ancient Magic, and the one who devised it's system was reputed to be Merlin himself. Now, give those tracking spells a try."

Merlin watched as Newt composed himself, giving a few deep breaths to focus the Old Religion inside him, before he then recited "For−spildan togu of duguð ofer licgan wæfersýn!"

Merlin looked on with a smile as several hologram-like magical projections occured, revealing that Circus Arcanus recently had a show, with Credence escaping and Tina failing to get to him, before she was approached by a person Merlin identified as Yusuf Kama.

"Of course." Merlin said with understanding and pity in his voice as Newt turned towards him.

"So Circus Arcanus had a show here, a Zouwu escaped, Credence escaped along with a Maledictus, and Tina was there trying to retrieve him, but then she met this french man-"

"He's not a mere french man. He's a tragic survivor of a prominent wizarding family, and happens to have a connection with Leta." Merlin said grimly, as Newt turned to Merlin in confusion.

"Let's go. You know the spell. Focus on the image of the person. The name is Yusuf Kama." Newt nodded and began to gather the residual magical energy from the ground while also focusing his wand on the sky, levitating the feather he discovered up.

"Wægn gumrîce bûtan heofon, mægenian ðone as settan un−l¯æd "Yusuf Kama"!"

Dust emerged from the ground and flowed through the feather as the sky also released wind, enchanting the feather to guide them to where Yusuf Kama currently is.

It turned out to be Café Abringer, and there he was, Yusuf Kama. Merlin still recalled the day where he stumbled upon Yusuf as a child and Mustafa Kama swearing him to an Unbreakable Vow to kill the one Corvus Lestrange loved the most, driven insane with grief over the death of Laurena Kama as she gave birth to Leta. It was a quite somber sight, to be honest.

"Bonjeur, sir. Yusuf Kama, I assume?" Merlin greeted cordially as Yusuf narrowed his eyes but nodded.

"Now, I would like to ask if you had came across one Tina Goldstein? I promise I'll make it worth your time if you tell us what you know. I know the truth of that which you seek, and what you should know about it." Merlin stated calmly but firmly.

Yusuf eyed him for a while, before asking "And what is it that I wish to know, Mister-?"

"Ambrosius. Arthur Ambrosius. I know that you seek to know about Corvus Lestrange. I know his fate, and I promise you I will show you proof of what happened to him, if you lead us to Tina Goldstein."

Yusuf's eyes widened, but he composed himself remarkably quickly. "Very well. Follow me."

Needless to say, Tina had clearly been locked up by Yusuf, as their destination turned out to be the undergrounds of Parisian sewers.

"Ah! Tina! It's been a while, my friend. Don't worry, we'll get you out of here soon-" Merlin's words were interrupted when Yusuf suddenly clutched his eyes in pain.

"Yusuf?" Merlin asked in alarm, but Yusuf had collapsed.

As Merlin tended to him, Tina went up and retrieved her wand from Yusuf's pocket as she eyed him in concern.

"A water dragon parasite. Being in the sewers mean you can contract magical parasites. This won't take long-"

Merlin shook his head as he noticed the presence of the Zouwu that escaped from Circus Arcanus.

"Newt, do kindly take care of that beast in the best ways you do. I will cure him, which won't take long."

Newt nodded and went upstairs.

And so Merlin got it done. It took just 3 minutes, as he proceeded to not only remove the parasite, but also cure his body of the residuals of the venom of the parasite, using an Ancient Magic healing spell, and Newt returned with his case and a toy in hand just as he finished.

"So you got it done? Good. Now, I'll do some recon, and then I'll meet you and Mister Kama at the entrance of the French Ministry of Magic. Tell him that I know how to fulfill his Unbreakable Vow. He'll listen."

Newt nodded and Merlin proceeded to open a portal using the coordinates given by the address to Albus's safehouse.

And so Merlin travelled to the 18 Rue Philippe Lorand, where he uncovered the corpse of the half-elf of the Lestrange Family. Through a Divination spell of the Old Religion, he was able to see it was none other but Gunnar Grimmson, the infamous bounty hunter, who killed Irma Dugard.

"You have quite a command of Ancient Magic, indeed, Arthur Ambrosius." Merlin turned back and narrowed his eyes as Grindelwald stood facing him confidently.

"Why are you here, Mister Grindelwald?"

Grindelwald did not respond, simply projecting a few images that had Merlin's eyes narrow, especially as he recognized the Elder Wand easily. Those images contained historical developments he had a hand in.

"You see, I wonder why Albus has not figured it out yet. Perhaps you avoided him constantly?" Grindelwald mused as Merlin eyed him cooly.

"Yes, I am well aware you are "Percival Lionheart", Albus's personal teacher. He told me many things about you, spoke of you in the highest of regards. You were more of a father to him than his own biological father. He was always going about how excited he would be once he could finally leave Godric's Hollow and find you and ask you to join the cause."

"He spoke of you as well in your letters, Grindelwald, if this pleases you." Merlin said unimpressed, even more so as Grindelwald grinned.

"But that's not just it, right? You have been around for centuries without aging, so I assume you must be immortal?'

"I do not have the ability to replicate my immortality, as I was born with the magical power for it, without any need of a spell, if that is what you want to know. The Deathly Hallows that you seek won't grant you immortality either. Their powers are extraordinary, but while you would live for so many years as to seem to be immortal, you can still die, you still have limitations, and you would still be human." Merlin said coldly, the sight of the Elder Wand only further paining him at the realization of how two of the three artifacts he had created ended up causing so many misery and pain.

"Tell me, Mister Ambrosius, why are you against me?" Grindelwald said curiously, not seeming to mind his words of the Deathly Hallows in the least.

"Why? Because I've fought against ideals like yours. Be it wizarding supremacy, pureblood supremacy, I fight against all forms of discrimination for both the people of magic and the people without magic." Merlin said as though it was simple. "But first, I have to admit how was it that Albus loved you? Albus was among the greatest of my students, and had both extraordinary talents and a noble heart. What have you done to him so he would be willing to go along with your crusade?"

Grindelwald scowled at the implications. "I simply gave him what he needed when you couldn't. A company of someone with equal brilliance and desire to change the world. He should have stood by me, if only Aberforth had not ended up causing Ariana's death, and for all that he claims to be a familial man, where was he when his own son languished and suffered?"

Merlin's eyes widened as Grindelwald grinned. "Ah yes! I left behind a particular hint as to Credence's identity in the French Ministry of Magic. See for yourself, and realize just how much of an irresponsible, pathetic man Aberforth Dumbledore is."

With that, Grindelwald disapparated as Merlin thought about the indications and what Kilgharrah told him.

No... How could Aberforth have possibly done that?

The next day...

"You ready?" Merlin asked Newt, Tina, and Yusuf calmly as they stood at the entrance of the French Ministry of Magic.

"So you tell me that Credence is not Corvus Lestrange because you have personally seen that Corvus drowned? How am I to take your word for it?" Yusuf asked cautiously as Merlin shook his head.

"That is why we're going to go to the Records Room, Yusuf. If it doesn't show, then I'll display my memories to you of that day." Merlin said confidently, although he had other reasons to be worried about.

Aberforth had a child? He abandoned that child? No. Merlin couldn't believe it. Aberforth had his faults, but he was still a good man. Was it possible, though, that while grieving for Ariana, he had spend a night with a woman out of a desire for solace, sired a child, and didn't even know of it?

Merlin sighed warily at that possibility.

Yet another failure, yet another unnecessary suffering...

Merlin composed himself before returning to the matter at hand. "Alright, you three ready?"

With that, Merlin turned to Newt. "Time to test if you could put what you've learned to the test, then!"

Newt nodded anxiously and proceeded to cast the spell on Yusuf, Tina, and himself. "Yfel bannan ofer sê cyneðrymm un−l¯æd dwimorlic, belêosan me mid mîn frîend nirewett oð ðone as dierne, lêohte ymbe scua!"

Merlin smirked as he too cast the same spell on himself, distortions of reality and illusions covering their presence to all but their own eyes. "Come on."

They walked through the sections of the French Ministry of Magic undetected. Of course, since it was Ancient Magic, and one of Merlin's own inventions.

"Fascinating. Is this a new form of magic?" Yusuf asked in wonder after they managed to make it halfway to the Records Room.

"No. It's Old Magic."

Yusuf's eyes widened. "Oh. Such magics are exceptionally rare. I wonder how Mister Scamander knew of it."

"He's the real expert, Mister Kama. He taught me that spell, and happens to be a stuff of myth, Dragonlord." Merlin's eyes widened at Newt's unexpected mention of part of his powers.

Let's just say I'm more astute than you might think, Arthur.

"Astonishing. Dragonlords were known to be possibly extinct. So one survived. Rumor has it that they can command Dragons to do whatever they wishes and possesses unknown abilities." Yusuf commented in awe. "You must be a descendant of one of the Druids, said to be the precursor of wizardkind. Although I wish it was under better circumstances, I do have to admit it's quite an honor."

They reached the Records Room without accident. Tina had been unusually quiet, but when they entered the room undetected, she finally spoke up.

"Tina, about that fiancée business-"

"Sorry, yeah. I should have congratulated you." Tina said softly, although her tone made it clear how hurt she was.

"Complicated lives, are we?" Yusuf asked calmly as Merlin nodded.

"Well, yes." Merlin snapped his fingers, causing a glowing light to appear.

"It'll guide you to the Lestrange Records. If you find nothing, take whatever is there and give it to me. I gave you a promise, and I will keep my word."

Yusuf nodded and gave Newt and Tina a brief sympathetic look before heading away.

"Tina, about Leta-"

"Yes. I've just said, I am happy for you."

Newt gave a small bitter chuckle.

"Yeah, well, I don't. Leta isn't engaged to me, Tina. Theseus is engaged to her." Tina's eyes widened as Newt chuckled almost breathlessly.

"I was supposed to be the best man, despite all the troubles I have with Leta." Merlin gave a gentle pat on his shoulder as Newt's tone broke slightly at those words.

Tina's eyes softened as guilt started to show at those words.

"At first, I wanted to move on with you. I thought if I could be with you, then I could stomach it. I never encountered anyone like you, you know? My experiences with Aurors are admittedly negative, and that was why I might have spoken them like career-driven hypocrites. It wasn't about my brother, but I had a friend who was an Auror. I had to kill him."

Tina's eyes widened as Merlin looked away.

"He used to be a good person, you know, but he ended up becoming just like the darkness that he fought. His name was Matthias. When the girl he loved died, he became driven with revenge and sought to ruthlessly hunt down dark wizards, even killing their families. He resigned as an Auror and became a brutal vigilante. 2 years after the World War I ended, I killed him with my own hands. And do you want to know how he died?"

Newt choked as a few tears fell from his eyes. "We fought intensely, but in the end, I won. There's a reason why the Ministry still want me to be an Auror, Tina. As I held him in my arms, he lamented that in the end, life as an Auror meant endangering the ones the Auror loved, unable to be with them for a long time, and regretting it all and dying alone."

Tina stared at him, tears falling from her eyes as well. "In the end, because I wanted to support my friend, he died on my arms. He died because the job of an Auror is only meant for the ones with the best heart and mind, and even then, if it's too long, it corrupts someone-"

Tina hugged him before he could say a word. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

Newt laughed out a bit. "Of course, you don't. Not even Leta knew. Only Theseus did, and he helped secure a proper burial for Matthias."

With that, Newt withdrew from her. "So if you want to still date that Auror, Toliver, then go ahead. I'll wish you to be happy, but I can't follow you on that path. I can't bear to see it. Your eyes, so alike that of a salamander, becoming-"

"You won't lose me. I promise." Tina said softly and hugged Newt again.

Merlin watched those two reconcile with a smile on his face.

As Tina decided to give him and Merlin space and went to help Kama, Newt turned towards Merlin. "Look, I'm sorry for acting the way I did toward you before. You were right. I still care for Leta, and I wouldn't want her to be hurt because of me."

Merlin simply shook his head. "No need, my boy. I understand. Totally."

The good mood lasted until they found that the records had been moved to the Mausoleum of the Lestrange Family.

"Grindelwald. Well, you would have to stick around us a little bit more, Mister Kama. I promise you it will be worth it, or do I have to swear an Unforgivable Vow?" Merlin said calmly as Yusuf sighed but shook his head.

"No need, Mister Ambrosius. I think I can trust you-"

Before Yusuf could say anything, Merlin felt a cough and turned around to see Leta Lestrange there, looking nonplussed to see them all there.

"Hello, Newt. Miss Goldstein, I assume?" Leta asked politely as Newt and Tina nodded.

"Mister Ambrosius, one of the two heroes of New York, I assume? You went off trail so quickly none of the authorities could deliver any thanks-"

"None needed, Miss Lestrange." Merlin stated with a smile as Leta nodded.

However, the mood soured when Merlin noticed Melusine with a pair of Matagots.

"I'll make this quick." Merlin said simply and waved his hand, causing Melusine to fall asleep and have her memories forgotten, before casting a compulsion spell on the Matagots, making them docile and non-aggressive.

"Next stop, the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise." Merlin said as he opened a portal there.

They entered the Mausoleum to find Jacob there.

"Hey, Newt! Tina! Ambrosius! Your pal, Nicholas Flamel, had a vision about Grindelwald doing something here-"

Merlin raised his hand to stop Jacob's words softly but firmly, before he turned towards Credence and Nagini, with Credence staring at him anxiously.

"Well, now that everyone is here, we can discuss what I promised you, Mister Kama." 

With that, Merlin summoned the Lestrange Family Tree, wincing in disgust at the sight of the sexism and bigotry of the Lestrange Family.

"One of the most abhorrent families in the wizarding world, recording only the men in the family, while the women were recorded as flowers, mockingly beautiful, yet never truly acknowledged." Merlin said coldly, allowing some of his anger to show, although he controlled it as to not make it clear it was Merlin himself that was the target of his rage.

If he had been better, perhaps not all, but at least the majority of this could be avoided.

"Let us begin by reciting your tale, Yusuf, Leta. May I? I understand this is a very painful story, so I can make sure you don't hear-"

"Don't. Say it. Say everything about it, but let me be the one to finish the true story." Leta said softly, making even Yusuf stare at her with pity.

Merlin clenched his fists. Yet another person who suffered because of his failures...

"The parents of Yusuf Kama was Mustafa and Laurena Kama, good, accomplished, and decent people, compared to most purebloods. No offense, Mister Kama-"

"None taken. Thank you for the praise towards my parents." Yusuf said gently.

"Deeply in love, their marriage was to end in tragedy when a man from a famous French pure-blood family, one of the most cruelest men to ever live, Corvus Lestrange, came to desire her. With the Imperius Curse, Laurena was abducted and then seduced. I knew the tale because I reviewed one of the echoes of magic around your house, Yusuf, using Ancient Magic. I was there when she died, giving birth to the little girl that was you, and I secured for her a funeral beside your father, a good way to atone for not being able to save her."

"You were the mysterious "Grave Master"." Yusuf said in wonder as Merlin nodded.

"The news of her death drove Mustafa Kama insane, and with his dying breath, he charged Yusuf to seek revenge. Kill the person Lestrange loves best in the world. But that was impossible, at first. I'm sorry to say this, Leta, but he never loved you." 

Leta just stared at him stoically, and it hurt Merlin even more. 

Had he been able to bring about the age of equality and coexistence properly, could Leta have grown up better? Have been raised by good parents?

"He remarried not three months after her death. He loved her no more than he had loved you. But then, his son, Corvus, was born at last. And that man who had never known love was filled with it. Corvus saw the boy as the means to continue his lineage directly, and I am most disgusted to say he might not have truly loved his son, but sought him as just an heir."

"So, this is the truth? I am Corvus Lestrange-"

"No. You're not. You come from another magical family, Credence, one that I am quite associated with, but allow me to finish this tale." Merlin wondered exactly how he could possibly tell Credence about it all.

"Realizing that Mustafa Kama's son had sworn revenge, he sent both Leta and Corvus to America with his servant Irma Dugard, a half-elf. Credence was in the ship that had one of the two infants there died, but-"

With a sigh, Merlin conjured images of the baby who drowned, along with the woman who was related to Credence somehow. "The one who died was Corvus Lestrange, while you were the one who survived, Credence."

Merlin turned towards Yusuf. "You are free of your responsibilities, Yusuf. You do not need to kill anyone now."

"Yes, because I killed Corvus."

Merlin turned towards Leta with resignation.

"My father sent me to America, along Corvus. Irma was to pose as a grandmother with two grandchildren, but Corvus never stopped crying. I never wanted to hurt him. I only wanted to be free of him just for a moment. Just a single moment. So I..."

By the time Leta had finished her tale, Merlin had given her soft pats in the shoulder.

"Failure is not the end. We must be better."

Merlin watched with narrowed eyes as Grindelwald came out to face the large group of followers that had assembled in this mausoleum. This was the trap, as Merlin now realized.

He could feel the Aurors arriving in hordes nearby, and he knew Grindelwald would want to frame them in a way that would make them the villains of the conflict, and he also wanted to use this in any way he could to get Credence.

"My brothers, my sisters, my friends: the great gift of your applause is not for me. No. It is for yourselves." Grindelwald began as Merlin stared at him cooly from afar. Newt and Tina eyed him in concern, but Merlin gave them assuring nods.

"You came today because of a craving and a knowledge that the old ways serve us no longer. You come today because you crave something new. Something different." Grindelwald said with the charisma that surprisingly reminded him of how Arthur carried himself in his serious and motivational mood. Twisted, it might be, but Gellert Grindelwald had strong command over his visions, mind, and leadership.

"Before we begin, let us welcome the man who had once imprisoned me. Arthur Ambrosius." Grindelwald said with a smirk as he turned his eyes towards Merlin, causing everyone there to glare at him as though he was the bane of their existence.

"If you wish to start a duel, at least send your men to safety. I will not be responsible for killing all the people here when they have been misled by you." Merlin said curtly as he apparated down.

Grindelwald chuckled, the attenders of the rally letting out negative responses by booing and shouting at him. "But I am not here to start a duel with you, Mister Ambrosius. It is said that I hate Les Non-Magiques, The Muggle, the No-Maj, the Can't-Spells!"

"They may not have magic, but they're not animals or lesser. They're just like us, human beings." Merlin interjected coldly, Grindelwald silencing the audience before they could respond negatively by raising out his hand.

"I do not hate them. I do not. For I do not fight out of hatred. I say the Muggles are not lesser, but other. Not worthless, but of other value. Not disposable, but of a different disposition-"

"Yes, Mister Grindelwald. They are different, but they have just the same rights as the rest of us."

Grindelwald did not seem to be angered, simply chuckling. "Indeed. However, the undeniable truth is that there is one unnegotiable difference between us and muggles. Magic." 

With that, Grindelwald proceeded to project surges of lightning and balls of fire through the sky, Merlin recognizing the spells as that of Ancient Magic. He stared at Grindelwald coldly unimpressed, even if he did have to admit the level of ease with which Grindelwald harnessed Ancient Magic reminded him of that of Godric's. He had yet to see Albus using Ancient Magic, but he knew Grindelwald's Ancient Magic was only further amplified by the Ancient Magic of the Elder Wand.

He still recalled the day where he met the Three Brothers, where he had made the fatal mistake that lead two of those brothers to their doom. In his melancholy over the day that just happened to be Arthur's death, he gave birth to three of the world's greatest artifacts, and out of those three, two would become the most sinister "modern" magical objects, superior in power to an astonishing amount of the artifacts of the Old Religion due to Merlin's creation. A shame and regret that was, while not nearly as much compared to Camelot and Hogwarts, nothing to scoff at when it came to how much it still haunted him to this day.

There was a reason why those artifacts were powerful beyond measure, but they did not know the full extent of the power of the Hallows. Grindelwald, however, had Ancient Magic, which meant he was far more powerful than the Brothers, and even without it, he would still be above Rowena and Helga, on par with Salazar with no Elder Wand.

As his followers shouted at the effortless and complete control with which Grindelwald manipulated the elements, changing the colors and shapes, from blue to red, red to yellow, and yellow to purple, and from surges to bolts and balls of the elements, cheering at their leader's display of power, Grindelwald turned towards him.

"Magic blooms only in rare souls. You cannot deny that."

"I do not." Merlin said calmly.

"Oh, and what a world we could make, for all of humanity. We who live for freedom, for truth. And for love-"

"Using war and force to dominate the Muggles is not the answer. Many have tried, and many failed, because there have and there will always be those willing to fight for equality and peace. You may be among the greatest, but don't think you're not opposed by others." Merlin said simply as Grindelwald responded by laughing.

"Ah, but unfortunately for you, I fight for equality! Muggles will serve their purpose just as wizards will serve theirs." 

"With great power comes great responsibility. Our powers are not to be used for self-serving or for domination, but instead should be used to protect the world from any threats to it. Both our own kin and muggles deserve that protection without exception, just as much as muggles with an inherent evil deserve to be punished as much as wizards." Merlin said curtly, causing several protests and shouts to occur, some even firing spells that Merlin effortlessly deflected. He noticed, though, that some of the people here looked to be considering his view.

"In that, I agree." Merlin narrowed his eyes at Grindelwald's confidence as he smirked at Merlin.

"The moment has come to share my vision of the future that awaits if we do not rise up and take our rightful place in the world." 

With that, Grindelwald unveiled what seemed to be an enchanted Divination artifact in the form of a skull-hookah. Merlin noticed the inscriptions of "For the Greater Good" in German and the year of 1898, and took in those two clues.

Over the years, Merlin had mastered the skill of both noticing patterns and suspicious notes that few would see, as well as the skill of being patient and composed, rather than just being a "short-sighted genius" who acted on a prophecy and lost everything in process.

1898... Grindelwald and Albus developed their relationship a year later. Was it possible that Grindelwald had just experienced something that wholly traumatized him regarding muggles and that influenced his beliefs and allowed him to connect with Albus? Albus, after all, did have traumatic experiences with Muggles. That must be why Grindelwald was able to influence Albus into-

However, Merlin's thoughts were cut short when Grindelwald proceeded to project his vision. With how impeccable his eidetic memory was, it didn't take long to figure out what Grindelwald was trying to show.

He had been on such grounds, had fought in countless conflicts like that after all, so it wasn't as much as surprising that Grindelwald would eventually begin his war with the entire wizarding world as much as anger and a determination to do what must be done to stop Grindelwald from achieving his goals.

However, his retort was cut short when Merlin suddenly realized the weapons used by the visions were that of Muggle origin. There were plenty of wizards and witches, but it was also Muggles who were fighting one another. And then there was that explosion which rivaled one of Merlin's weaker spells. His eyes widened as he realized what Grindelwald had foresaw.

It was the very same thing that Merlin had foresaw in his dream a month after Grindelwald was captured. He had of course been already planning on how to best interfere, but to think Grindelwald too had the ability to foresee such a thing.

Why so shocked, Mister Ambrosius? You're not the only man who has mastered the greatest of magics, after all. Grindelwald commented telepathically. Your thoughts are exceptionally protected, but it would seem you have not shut off telepathic communication.

"THAT! Is what we are fighting! Their arrogance, their power lust, and their capacity to be barbaric! How long will it take until they turn their weapons against us!?" Grindelwald shouted as Merlin glared at him, the attendants all looking mostly swayed to his side.

"Are you suggesting the entire world of Muggles deserve to suffer just because a select few were evil? You are no god, Grindelwald. Not even the great Merlin himself is a god. You, Albus Dumbledore, and I may be the greatest wizards of this age, but while our magics are powerful enough to be mistaken as divine, we are still human."

"But you would know about Merlin than most, do you? You, whose bloodline comes directly from Merlin. In fact, TWO MERLINS!" Grindelwald said with a smug grin as Merlin's eyes narrowed.

"Ah yes! I am quite the scholar in history. (That is something I've always been better at Albus in, knowing history, after all) I knew there was Merlin Emrys, the Merlin of Camelot, and then from his bloodline came another Merlin, Merlin Ambrosius, the same family line from which you came from. Your family has produced many of the greatest wizards and witches in the world, despite how elusive your family is."

"Yes. Merlin may have had the "powers of a god", but in the end, he was flawed. He admitted it, and he died lamenting his flaws. What makes you think you have the right to subjugate and condemn Muggles, Gellert Grindelwald?" Merlin said coldly as he stared upwards, noticing the arrival of Theseus Scamander and dozens of Aurors.

"Do nothing when I speak of this. You must remain calm and contain your emotions. There are Aurors here among us." Grindelwald said in turn as he noticed them. Merlin turned his attention towards Newt, who nodded. 

Remember our plan. As soon as he shows any signs of vulnerability, be ready.

"Come closer, brother wizards! Join us." Grindelwald called out as Merlin frowned, preparing himself for whatever was going to come next.

At least, Theseus was wise enough to avoid the usage of any force.

"They have killed many of my followers. It is true. They confined me and tortured me in New York after this remarkable man here arrested me with misdirections from Newton Scamander." Grindelwald began, a bit of a challenging smirk at Merlin, who scowled.

If I wanted to end you, you wouldn't have gotten as far as you did. I could still do that, but I won't because I won't fall that low.

"They had struck down their fellow witches and wizards for the simple crime of seeking the truth. For wanting freedom-"

"Freedom? Tell me, if what you seek is freedom, then how is that freedom worth the loss of many others, both wizards and muggles? You believe in the superiority of wizards, and I wonder if you would soon discriminate others based on their blood status?" Merlin said with cool contempt and disgust.

Grindelwald allowed a righteous scowl. "Do not mistake me for those fools who believe in blood supremacy. Anyone with magic is welcomed into the field, even if they are born of muggles. Besides, aren't some of those aurors also believers of such outdated ideals. Your anger, your desire for revenge is natural."

Merlin reacted thankfully fast enough to stop an Auror from making his Killing Curse lethal, casting a shield to lessen the damage and only causing the red-haired witch to fall to a coma.

"No!" Grindelwald shouted as the mass shouted in fury and outrage.

Merlin turned towards Newt, who nodded and began to prepare his Nifler.

He watched as Grindelwald went towards the girl and began to cast a spell to "resurrect" her. Since she was just in the middle of life and death, it wasn't a true resurrection, something which was nigh-impossible even to Merlin, but still complicated.

Once Grindelwald was finished, green and purple runes flowing through her body, causing her to cough up, alive.

"Take this young warrior back to her family. She will be alright." Grindelwald said calmly as Merlin prepared himself for what was to come, disapparating near Newt, who nodded as Teddy returned to him.

Merlin vanished the blood pact vial as Grindelwald issued orders to his followers, telling them to leave and spread the word.

"Tell your brother to get every single Auror out there. They might not be able to prevent Grindelwald from using the pathways he had created for his followers, but they might be able to take at least some of them into custody. I'll deal with Grindelwald." Merlin said to Newt as he climbed down to face the dark wizard.

As soon as Theseus gave the order to attack, Grindelwald had conjured what Merlin recognized as Protego Diabolica, the Ancient Dark Magic coursing through the ring of blue fire conjured by the spell. Morgana had used this spell before. It was HER creation, after all, although considering how his followers were able to enter without being harmed, he supposed Grindelwald modified it.

Merlin responded by surrounding himself, Newt, and Tina in a golden barrier, before he addressed Theseus Scamander.

"All of you, leave now! Leave him to me! Lockdown the whole city! Try to find as many of Grindelwald's followers as you can, but don't kill them! Try to negotiate. Go!"

"So this is the guy you spoke about?" Theseus Scamander asked as Newt nodded. "We'll be discussing this later, especially as to how it was that you're here, little brother, but for now, do as he said!"

With that, most of the Aurors departed as Theseus eyed his brother. "I'm staying with him."

Theseus looked at Merlin, who nodded. "I can assure you your brother would be safe, Mister Theseus."

But Theseus eyed him curiously. "You look familiar. Never mind." 

Before Merlin could ask anything, Theseus had disapparated, leaving Merlin, Newt, and Tina behind.

"You sure you want to stay? This isn't gonna be easy." Merlin asked Newt, who nodded.

"I'm not one to leave behind a friend."

Merlin gave Newt a small smile. Friend... How easily had Newt came to see him as a true friend?

"CREDENCE!" Suddenly, Newt shouted and Merlin watched with wide eyes as Credence went over to Grindelwald.

With a triumphant smirk, Grindelwald sent Credence away as Merlin gritted his teeth.

"Didn't tell him the truth? That he was the bastard son of your failure of a student?" Grindelwald mocked as he shaped the blue fire into tendrils.

Merlin's wand glowed with light along with his eyes as he slammed his wand to the ground, repelling all the tendrils and causing the ring of blue fire to somewhat dim from the forceful burst of energy.

Grindelwald summoned blue runic circles that spawned several lightning blades with the Elder Wand, while his wandless magic controlled the blue fires of the protection circle, shaping it into a huge ball of energy.

With a wave of Grindelwald's hand and a flick of the Elder Wand, the blades were launched simultaneously along with the ball of fire.

Merlin kept a calm cold face as his right hand conjured a huge circle of golden fiery runes, firing a huge beam of golden fire that collided with and slowly began to burn the blue ball, while his wand slashed at the direction where the blades of lightning were coming from, a crescent slash of wind destroying all the blades of lightning easily.

However, their duel was interrupted when suddenly Merlin and Grindelwald heard Queenie scream "COME WITH ME!"

"You're crazy..." Jacob said in tears as Merlin realized what was about to happen.

"Queenie! Don't do this!" Merlin shouted, but Queenie fired spells viciously at him, which he easily repelled by wandlessly forming shields, although the subsequent attack from Grindelwald, a massive beam of energy from purple runic circles, pushed Merlin back due to temporarily letting his guard down.

"This is all your fault! If only you had kept Jacob enchanted, if only you had just let me-!" Queenie's furious rant was overcome by sobs, before she went inside the fire, causing Merlin's heart to fall.

As Queenie went inside a portal Grindelwald conjured, Merlin narrowly prevented Jacob from being attacked by a wild tentacle of blue fire by distorting space around him and teleporting him near Merlin.

Merlin felt his heart clench as Grindelwald smirked at him even more triumphantly. "For all your "immortal" wisdom, you do not seem to know the best way to treat those with desperation, do you, Mister Ambrosius? Perhaps Albus held you in TOO high of a regard."

Merlin looked at Grindelwald murderously, as he prepared the spell that had once overcome this creation of Morgana, his eyes glowing gold and the magic crackling through the air, the danger even being recognized by Grindelwald as golden fiery energy emerged from both Merlin's wand and his empty hand, the Dark Lord's expression turning serious as he began to create runes upon runes, realizing the duel was going to be decided in this clash of spells.

"Mister Scamander! Do you think Dumbledore will mourn for you? Perhaps he may mourn for his teacher here, but I wonder... Do you think you're significant enough to warrant Albus Dumbledore's grief?" Grindelwald asked tauntingly.

"Oh, I won't die, Mister Grindelwald. Arthur will stop you." Newt declared confidently but with clear anger in his voice. "You couldn't kill him before, even without me, and you wouldn't be killing him now."

Grindelwald scowled as the woman beside Grindelwald looked murderous. "How dare you insult-?"

Suddenly, a spell had came out of nowhere and attacked the french woman. Merlin turned around to see Leta there, having cast the spell.

However, that spell didn't just knock the woman down. It also destroyed the skull-hookah she had been carrying.

Grindelwald clenched his fists and snarled. "Well, Mister Scamander, let's see if your "Arthur" can save Paris from this!"

With that, Grindelwald slammed his wand into the ground and Merlin's eyes widened as Grindelwald's spell traversed wildly through the earth, causing maleficent dragons and beasts of dark fire to emerge.

With a sinister grin, Grindelwald disapparated alongside his right-hand as Merlin wasted no time in slamming his hands into the ground, flowing the magic of the Old Religion fully into the earth to fight off the destructive power summoned by Grindelwald.

Golden purifying fire emerged from the ground and spread to take on the shape of phoenixes and dragons, intercepting all the blue fiery beasts and turning into a fiery trap of sparks as soon as they made contact, and Merlin proceeded to gather all of the dark magic channeled with his left hand, trapping both the beasts and the magic yet to take shape, while his right hand manipulated the golden purifying fire and shot it into the air, causing the fires to cancel each other out in a dazzling burst of embers falling all over the mausoleum.

Merlin gave a deep breath as he turned around towards his allies.

The fight of the day was over. Last time, Merlin won, but now, he had undeniably failed. His salvation of Paris was simply him undoing what could have been worse, but Grindelwald had spread the news of the war that would soon happen, meaning more and more of his people would join Grindelwald, and even worse, he now had Credence. Credence may not be an overwhelming threat to Merlin, but he definitely was to most other wizards and witches. Even Albus would not be able to underestimate him.

Merlin's heart fell over painfully as he stared at Jacob, who was still sobbing and looking utterly broken. Tina looked close to breaking down, as well, with Newt comforting her. Leta gave a small melancholic smile at the sight of Newt and Tina, but said nothing.

"Newt! Leta!" Merlin turned around to see Theseus, who appeared to be fine besides a few scrapes. "We captured 10% of the whole gathered mass there, but most of them got away. You were right. They got access to networks and magical devices beyond what we ever expected. We can only hope those people we got would spill the beans. You okay, Newt?"

Leta stopped Theseus by softly grabbing his arm. "He just lost one of his friends." Leta said softly as Theseus's eyes softened and understanding showed.

"May I have some private time with my friend here?" Newt said as he gently let go of Tina and went towards Merlin.

"Alright. This must be the "Arthur Ambrosius" you told me about? Pleasure to meet you sir. Thank you for looking out for my brother." Theseus said with a small friendly smile as Merlin nodded, shaking hands kindly.

"And it's nice to see you, Mister Scamander the elder. Your abilities were reputed to be quite formidable on the field of war." Merlin said amicably as Theseus just nodded.

"Look, take care of my brother, okay? He can be a bit, but he's a good person, and above all else, he's my family."

And so it was that Merlin and Newt stood over the now desolated grounds of Cimetière du Père-Lachaise.

"Things are going to get much worse, I assume?" Newt asked grimly as Merlin nodded.

"I have to join this war now. Grindelwald has gone too far. I'm worried about Jacob, though-"

"Give him time, Newt. I will contact you again once I have finished my preparations. Like you, I too will join this war, although I will be doing things my own way. Perhaps you would like to learn some Ancient Magic? I don't think you'll be able to get to the level where you could beat Grindelwald, but-"

"I know, but Albus can." Newt said as faith and confidence began to return to him. He held out the blood pact. "Can you destroy it?"

Merlin strongly wanted to say "Yes" and blast that thing to oblivion. He had seen how conflicted Albus was, and he wanted nothing more at this moment but to allow his student the momentum he needed to finally join the war.

However, as if noticing his thoughts, Kilgharrah spoke out.

Merlin. Remember what I've told you. Albus Dumbledore must resolve this himself, or else he will never reach his greatest heights. You cannot protect him forever.

Merlin clenched his fists as he reluctantly shook his head. "I'm sorry, Newt, but I think it's best if Albus tries himself."

Newt didn't seem to be disappointed, just resigned. "Where do I sign for your classes?"

Merlin gave an almost pathetic chuckle. "I'll come to you when I can."

"You've got some nerve, Professor Percival, to show up here. I'll give you that." Aberforth said coldly as Merlin sat down on one of the seats of the Hog's Head.

"This is the day, you know, where Ariana died. Of all the times you chose to have this reunion, this day is your choice?"

Merlin simply stared at Aberforth solemnly. Time had apparently only somewhat reduced his grudge towards Merlin, just enough to tolerate his presence where he previously shouted that he hated him.

"If you want to stay, 20 Galleons for every single service you want." Aberforth said challengingly as he held his wand tight, looking ready to fight Merlin over what he probably believed as the least of what Merlin deserved.

"I'll give you 100, Aberforth, and even let you punch me in the face again if that is what it takes for you to listen to me."

Aberforth stared at him for a while, before settling down in the chair facing his own.

"Is it true? That summer, did you fell in love with a girl and get her pregnant?" Merlin asked, firmness settling over in his voice, as Aberforth's eyes widened.

"I recently had an encounter with Grindelwald, and he now has you boy. The only next generation of the Dumbledore Family, the Obscurial named Credence Barebone. Tell me, is it true?"

After a while, Aberforth drank a few bottles of Butterbeer before finally nodding. 

"Look, I'm not asking you to forgive me, but I'm pleading with you to think about your family. I failed Ariana, yes, but I do want to save your son. I know how to do so. I can cure him of his Obscurus, but I need your help. Please, Aberforth. You can resent me, but do not allow your feelings to let you leave your son to die."

Aberforth stared not at him, but at Ariana's portrait for a while. Merlin considered revealing the true portrait of Ariana, but decided against it. He would gift it to Aberforth not for forgiveness, but as a genuine desire to help him.

Eventually, Aberforth nodded. "Pay 10 Galleons per each service if you want to, and I assume you don't want Albus to know about this?"

Merlin shook his head. "Yes. Please-"

"Who would have thought you would choose me, the lesser brother, the unfavorite, as your partner-"

"You are neither of those things, Aberforth. Albus exceeds you in terms of talent, but you have proven yourself to be better than your brother as a person. I never discriminated you. If you HAD asked for personal time like Albus had, I would have dedicated myself to you just as hard as I worked on Albus." Merlin said earnestly as Aberforth scoffed.

"Don't expect me to be nice."

Merlin simply gave a melancholic smile.

"I know, my boy. I know."

Chapter Text

A Scildan shield appeared to block a Curse from Vinda Rosier as Merlin descended upon them.

"You came in time." Newt said as Merlin landed down from the air. 

Giving a small smile, Merlin waved his hand, causing the mother Qilin to be transported to one of his dimensions. "A precautionary measure. Go. I'll deal with them."

Nodding, Newt grabbed his suitcase and made a run for it with the Qilin baby on hand. 

"I'll leave him to you." Vinda said towards Aurelius, who nodded curtly as she and Carrow went ahead, leaving Merlin and Aurelius alone.

"You don't have to do this, Credence. What Grindelwald told you is not entirely true." Merlin said appealingly as Aurelius glared at him.

"He told me about you. You're immortal, have been using dozens of fake names, and one of that put you in the position to save me, to save my sister." Aurelius stated coldly, causing Merlin to shake his head.

"You are a Dumbledore, but you're not-"

"Silence!" With that, Credence threw several spells at Merlin, who blocked them all with ease.

Credence harnessed the power of his Obscurus, conjuring a dark whirlwind of energy, which Merlin casually dispersed, but Credence had not been idle and threw in another barrage of spells as soon as Merlin dispelled the whirlwind. Making a mental note of how Credence seemed well-trained despite having only had 5 years, Merlin cast a peculiar defensive spell he had made for himself.

"Beswâpan fordwînan!" With a flick of Merlin's hand, the spells completely dispersed into nothing. Growling, Credence fired a beam of the dark energies of his Obscurus that Merlin blocked with a single hand, absorbing the energy with his left hand before redirecting it through his right hand, converting the darkness into light and blasting Credence back.

Merlin jumped down and went to aid Newt, who was taking on several more of Grindelwald's followers. He had to admit his teacherly instincts were proud of how well Newt was holding his own. He made a surprisingly liberal use of Ancient Magic as he formed shields of the Old Religion that none of Grindelwald's followers could overcome while firing spells of remarkable power, having taken down 3 out of 10 of Grindelwald's followers. 

Merlin did not waste any more time and cast binding spells on the lot of them. Newt had improved reasonably in ability over the past five years, although part of that was owed due to Merlin using the "Dragon" side of his Dragonlord Magic to enchant his body to be more capable of using Ancient Magic all those years ago, in addition to passing on some of the knowledge needed, a gift that Newt deserved.

"Nice job, my boy. You're coming along nicely." Merlin complimented as he walked towards Newt.

"Well, it's all thanks to you. Albus was right. You really are one hell of a good teacher. I'll say you're even better than Albus, and no less nicer." Newt said casually as Merlin nodded with a smirk.

However, suddenly the Qilin was wrapped in dark ropes and pulled towards Credence. 

"Credence!" Merlin shouted, but before he could do anything, Credence had grabbed Vinda and Carrow, two of the "Acolytes", Grindelwald's Inner Circle, and disapparated away.

"No!" Newt shouted as Merlin gritted his teeth. He had thought that blast would have incapacitated Credence, but it would seem he underestimated just how much strength Credence's magic and his Obscurus had. It was also the fact that Merlin had held back on the boy that probably allowed all the magic in him to make as swift of a recovery as it is.

Merlin pulled out the Mother Qilin from his pocket dimension and gave her a look of regret, but it would seem that fate was still shining on him and Newt, as the Qilin mother proceeded to delicately reveal that she was carrying another child on her hands.

"Twins... Well, this does give us a possibility to plan for in the worst case scenario." Merlin said as he cast restorative spells on the Mother Qilin and softly petted her head, causing the Qilin to relax.

"I'll be taking the baby Qilin with me, Newt. Go and see Albus. Develop the plans. I'll prepare for the worst case scenario, my boy. As soon as you are ready, call me. Don't hesitate." Merlin said as Newt nodded firmly.

"Thank you."

With that, Merlin opened a portal for Newt to return to his house before sighing.

His next destination would be to Kilgharrah.

Ever the nigh-omniscient, Kilgharrah was waiting for him already.

"Haven't slept at all?" Merlin asked casually as Kilgharrah shook his head.

"There are other matters to attend to, Merlin." Kilgharrah said as Merlin unfolded both the Mother Qilin and the baby.

"Grindelwald got away with the other twin, I assume?" The Great Dragon asked as Merlin nodded grimly.

"Then your friends will need protection from the increase in power his Seer abilities will acquire. You are mostly immune to Divination, due to your unique existence, but your friends will need my magic to protect themselves." Kilgharrah said as he presented a cauldron full of his blood.

"You know the incantation. Finish the potion and have all your allies drink it, so they would gain resistance against Gellert Grindelwald's foresight."

Merlin nodded solemnly as he proceeded to cast the enchantment needed to finish the potion by focusing on his Dragonlord Magic.

"Things are getting close, young warlock. Soon, Albus Dumbledore will finally be able to move against Grindelwald. Have faith in him, but also support him the best way you can."

"How long does he have, in your "omniscient" view of things?" Aberforth asked curtly as Merlin settled down on the Hog's Head. Newt had apparently just been given a mission alongside Theseus and was left to gather the group together. Albus had long since left, so it was safe for him to appear.

After all, Albus might not be aware of him yet, but considering how brilliant of a man Albus was, he would most likely deduce the truth as soon as they met. Right now, Albus knew of him as only "Arthur Ambrosius", according to Newt, someone who kept a low profile and was more of a vigilante.

"Approximately 5 years left. That said, his growing powers are also something that mean he has to be saved as soon as possible. An Obscurial is still capable of expressing their magic, but such phenomena, in my "adequate" experience, come at the cost of their bodies being crippled in one way or another. At this stage, I can still undo any damage that would have been permanent, but if his magic continues to be tainted and forcefully cultivated along with his Obscurus, then I fear he would be permanent in ways even I cannot fix." Merlin said grimly.

"There's also the fact that Grindelwald seems to have deceived him into thinking that he is your brother, rather than your son. He talked about Ariana as though she was his "sister", and blamed me for her death." 

Aberforth merely let out a small bitter chuckle. "Well, he's not wrong about that. I still wonder why you care-"

"Why wouldn't I, when you're my student?"

"Isn't Albus the model student, the student you doted on?" Aberforth said cynically as Merlin shook his head.

"Yes. Albus is the model student, but that doesn't mean I care about you any less, Aberforth. I'm not a perfect man, yes, but I do know that both of you required different approaches. You're both very different." Merlin said solemnly. It was true. Albus's diligent attitude required Merlin to show him more affection and casual wisdom so as to not allow his student to lose sight of what is important beyond the field of improvement and duty, but Aberforth's more sour and less interest in academics meant Merlin needed to be more strict on him while still tempering his personality.

"At least you admit it. I was never really interested in academics, as much as you frequently dragged me to learn, even if it was alongside "brilliant" Albus, although I do wonder if I only graduated from Hogwarts because of your ways. Makes me wonder if I earned the Hog's Head due to your influence?" Aberforth asked sarcastically as Merlin chuckled.

"No, Aberforth. You earned this bar purely under your own merits. Like I said, you are brilliant in your own way. Don't downgrade your abilities. You are you, my boy. You are not Albus, but that doesn't mean you aren't a great person."

Suddenly, the door opened to reveal Newt there.

"I suppose we could talk in private alone?" Newt asked politely as Aberforth grunted but nodded.

"Yes, we can."

With that, Newt and Merlin went to the dungeons of the bar.

"Here." Newt presented Merlin with a card that had been enchanted by the Old Religion. It was a particularly complex spell that they developed and Newt kept secret so they could contact and help each other whenever needed.

"We're going to Berlin. This will take you to the Great Wizarding Express. Albus already booked the train for us. That said, can I ask you to talk to Jacob?"

Merlin sighed. Ever since Queenie had left, Jacob was inconsolable. He had cut off ties with Newt and the others, stating he "wanted out". Merlin had wanted to reach out to him, but one look at Jacob hallucinating Queenie and then bitterly ranting about him had convinced Merlin to give him space.

"Yes. Of course."

In the burst of the distortion of space, Merlin was standing in the air above Kowalski Quality Baked Goods.

"Merlin's beard!" Merlin turned towards the woman who was sitting on the chair outside facing forward the Kowalski Quality Baked Goods. She was a witch and a rather decently powerful one at that.

"So you're that "Arthur Emrys" Newt spoke about? The teacher of Albus who's hell-bent on remaining anonymous around his student?" The woman said as she got up and marched towards him.

"I assume you're Eulalie Hicks? The Charms Professor of IIvermony?" Merlin asked as he recognized her. He hadn't been on IIvermony for 50 years by now, having previously occupied the spot of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, but he still kept constant tabs on the school.

Merlin preferred Hogwarts compared to other schools, but as Hogwarts could not possibly occupy all other magical people, he had to also look out for the next generation in other countries.

"Yes! Oh, look at you, you're quite the handsome teacher!" Eulalie said with a winky smile, causing Merlin to shake his head. 

Unless he was disguising himself, his "handsome looks, well-built body" often tended to make many fawn over him. He had to be careful to avoid having fanclubs in the schools he taught in. He had stopped aging, but only after he became an adult man. It also didn't stop his body from getting muscular, which his trainings in swordsmanship and physical exercises over the years meant he was taller and more lean than he was.

While back in Camelot, there were people who called him good-looking, it would seem that despite Merlin not thinking much about it, he had only grown more handsome.

"Anyway, it's time to get Jacob involved-" Merlin stopped as he sighed upon reading Jacob's mind. He was hallucinating again. 

Merlin allowed Jacob to finish the hallucination, until he finally opened the door to his bakery.

"You!" Jacob shouted as he tried to close the door, but Merlin grabbed his hand before he could.

"Let go of me." Jacob hissed as Merlin stared at the Muggle who had been his friend sadly. The years hadn't been kind for him. Only this bakery seemed to give him any semblance of a life now.

"I said let go!" Jacob made to punch Merlin in the face, but he easily blocked the attack, years of hand-to-hand training, even if it wasn't as prominent as swordsmanship or his magical skills, and the enhanced reflexes unlike any other, allowing him to easily avoid Jacob's attack.

"Listen to me, Jacob." Merlin said firmly as he released Jacob's hand, only for Jacob to went for a pan and try to hit him with it.

Sighing, Merlin blocked all the swings Jacob threw at him, although he had to admit Jacob was well-trained, even despite being out of shape, as he had to put in noticeably more effort than he would with a decent amount of muggles who claimed to be experts in hand-to-hand combat in blocking the attacks.

Having had enough, Merlin allowed Jacob to hit him in the face with the pan, which hurt Merlin more than he expected, before he then simply grabbed the pan, wrestling it out of Jacob's grip.

"Please... Old friend. Just listen to me." Merlin said pleadingly as Jacob finally relented, looking broken and hopeless.

"What do you want? Queenie's gone, Arthur. You were too harsh on her." Jacob said, looking almost in tears as he spoke of Queenie.

"It's not too late for the two of you to get your happy ending, Jacob. Trust me." Merlin insisted as Jacob sat down on the counter heavily.

"But you have to come with us. We need you if we're going to get Queenie back-"

Jacob threw what seemed to be an antique pan at him, but the gesture was far from being meant to throw it like a weapon, as Merlin easily caught it with one hand.

"You don't need me. You're the coolest guy around, right? You can do a lot better than me. I am like that pan, I'm all dented, dime-a-dozen. I'm just a schmo. I don't know what kind of crazy ideas you have in your head there, but I'm sure as hell you could do a lot better than me."

Merlin sighed. Of course, Jacob would think that. He had seen such feelings in some Muggles who associated with his wizard friends. "Look, I understand that feeling. You think you can't help because you don't have magic. You think you're not good enough because Queenie left you. Trust me. I've seen many Muggles like this, but that doesn't mean you should give up. I have faith in you. For starters, if this good woman here had gone through with her plan to put herself in seeming danger, would you have looked the other way, pretended to not see her?"

Jacob stared at Merlin painfully as Merlin went ahead and patted him in the shoulder. "No, you won't. You have bravery, you have strength, and you just need help. That's what everyone needs. Hell, even I needed lots of help before I became the "coolest man around, like you said it."

"I'm just an average Joe-"

"I've seen my fair share of remarkable average Joes who helped save people. You can be that."

Jacob gave a deep breath, staring at Merlin deeply, before finally he nodded. "Alright. Fine. You win."

Merlin smiled as he hugged Jacob tenderly, causing the man's body to shake. 

"Wow, you're really a good motivator, Mister "Emrys"." The IIvermony's Charm Professor praised with a warm smile as Merlin turned towards her and held out the card that Newt had enchanted.

He held it at the reflective surface of the door of the bakery and flowed Ancient Magic into it, activating 3 rays of light that teleported the three of them straight into the Great Wizarding Express.

"Jacob! Welcome, you brilliant man! I was sure Arthur could convince you!" Newt said as he hugged Jacob warmly.

Merlin settled himself down on a conjured chair as he watched Newt introduce the newest member of the Resistance against Grindelwald to their fellows, although his eyes landed on the Daily Prophet Theseus Scamander was reading, and his face turned grim.

From what he had heard, Berlin was effectively Grindelwald's home terrain. The German Ministry of Magic was no longer a resistance, but an ally of Grindelwald's Alliance. He had his own share of network throughout the whole wizarding world that easily rivaled and even surpassed that of Albus's own, which was how he often kept tabs on others, after all.

Those connections were more on the side of recon rather than war allies, though, but they still were efficient in Merlin's capability to keep an eye on things.

"Before Newt can begin his instruction, I shall have to reveal the grim news." Merlin said as he got up and proceeded to create holograms depicting various Germanists who opposed Grindelwald being executed in secret or dumped into the hellhole that was the Erkstag Prison. 

"There is actually no need for us to try to appeal to Vogel, as I am sure that is what Albus hoped to do. What we must do is prepare for the inevitable battle that will occur at the election of Supreme Mugwump. It's too late to stop Grindelwald from being absolved of all his crimes now, but this also presents an opportunity we must approach carefully." Merlin said grimly as Newt and the others eyed him, a bit impressed with how thorough Merlin was in displaying the evidence of that which he spoke of.

"Deliver this to Albus, you should, Newt. You know the proper way, but before that, I would like to present to you all a solution to deal with Grindelwald's capability to see the future, which has been amplified by the Qilin he no doubt killed."

With that, Merlin unfolded several bottles of the potion he had made. "Drink this. It will grant you a resistance to Grindelwald's Seer abilities. Grindelwald's power to see the future is beyond any regular Seer. The vision he demonstrated regarding the coming war all but proves it. He can see things that would happen more than a decade before. I fear that he's mastered the old ways of Divination. Such ways require strict handling."

After they all had drank the potion, which tasted admittedly a bit sour, but all of them managed to drink it without puking, Merlin addressed Newt. "Now, even so, that potion only prevents Grindelwald from directly seeing your future, which means we still have to be careful, as he can still see, although to a more limited degree, how our fates are connected to that of others. Our best hope, I assume, would be to confuse him, Newt?"

Newt nodded. "Yes. Countersight. The best plan being no plan, or many overlapping plans. It will be able to confuse him as he can't predict everyone simultaneously."

"Now, the reason why I am still suggesting we go to Berlin is so that we can gather evidence and trick Grindelwald into believing we are still attempting to negotiate with Vogel and the German Ministry. In reality, Newt will go and gather more evidence on the corruption of the German Ministry of Magic, using the invisibility spells I have taught him. As he relies on Ancient Magic, and from what I have gathered, Grindelwald is not yet aware of Newt's ability to use such magic, along with the fact he would presume Newt could not have mastered it, as typical of a man of his arrogance, it would be efficient."

Newt nodded firmly as Theseus looked doubtful. "You're sure? Infiltrating the Ministry and getting records?"

"Yes. Speaking of which, how is Leta? I'm sorry, Mister Scamander, that I could not attend your wedding. I hear she is currently pregnant?"

Theseus smiled a little. "Yes. She wanted to help out, but couldn't."

"That is understandable. Now, I think Albus has given you all your respective artifacts to be used?"

And so Newt set out to give all of those. Merlin noticed a protective pendant given to Yusuf to protect and strengthen his resolve, a tie that seemed to be like a Portkey to Theseus, and a Book Portkey for Lally. However, what was most interesting was the instructions given to Bunty.

Merlin nodded in approval as the instructions disintegrated as soon as Bunty stopped reading it, but then Newt unveiled the wand Albus had given to Jacob.

It was a well-crafted wand, and Merlin knew Albus had personally crafted the wand himself. He was quite well-versed in wandlore, and had been interested in the art even before he met Grindelwald, asking Merlin to teach him what he knew of it. Unfortunately, while the wand was well-made and able to convince even magical sensors that a Muggle was a wizard, it wouldn't allow Jacob to cast actual spells.

That was something Merlin had to fix.

Merlin got up and walked towards Jacob. "This is the least that I can do for you, my noble friend." With that, Merlin proceeded to infuse the wand with permanent magic using the ultimate secrets of the Old Religion, causing it to glow with runes before dimming.

Merlin casually allowed some of his blood to flow into the absent holder of the core of the wand, causing the wand to gain an orb of golden red as the core.

"It is now capable of casting spells. You don't actually have magic, but you can still cast spells with it. I've programmed some spells. Just recite the words "Un−gewidere" "Acwillan", "Lîesan dôð tîer âðecgan", and "Smîc of s¯ædêor" for offensive spells, "Strangath" for simply moving objects should there be the need to, and "Hilderan þās drhytsele" for defensive spells."

Jacob grinned, the old enthusiasm and joy Merlin had saw in him repeatedly now back in his face, as he hugged Merlin.

"This is awesome, pal! Can I try it out?"

"Why not? Newt, do the honors."

Newt gave Merlin a small smile before they proceeded to practice.

Jacob didn't take long to adjust. While the magic in the wand was obviously extremely powerful, even if it's just a few fractions of his power, Jacob seemed enthusiastic yet also able to cast the right spells.

"I take it that's Ancient Magic? Newt told me you taught him a few spells of those, and he seems a lot more powerful than he was back then." Theseus said as he settled down beside Merlin along with Lally as they watched Newt and Merlin spar in a circle of runes to prevent the spells from getting out and destroying the train. Newt was teaching Jacob to apply the spells in the best way possible, with how limited his skillset was regardless of the power behind the spells programmed into the wand.

"So Ancient Magic uses Old English? Can I cast those spells if I know the incantations?" Lally asked excitedly but Merlin shook his head.

"No. To use Ancient Magic, one must be attuned to the flow of the Old Religion, the energy that keeps the whole universe running. You have potential, but you are not yet ready. Newt was able to perform Ancient Magic because I had "blessed" him. It's a power unique to my family. Not to say that he couldn't, but if he had learned it normally, it would have taken decades."

"So Ancient Magic is very rare? Can Grindelwald use Ancient Magic? Is that why he's so powerful?" Theseus said as Merlin shook his head.

"No. He's mastered BOTH Modern and Ancient Magic. He's like the Founders of Hogwarts in that regard, powerful in ways that might seem unimaginable to a decent amount of our people, proficient in archaic and esoteric forms of magic. Albus too is a master of both. These days, having Ancient Magic is a boon as it's indeed inherently stronger than Modern Magic, but to be truthful, if one can wield the Old Religion as Modern Magic, then the magic of the present can still challenge and even overcome the magic of the old. Besides, with how things are now, one cannot just master Ancient Magic. One must be exceptional at Modern Magic before even grasping Ancient Magic."

"Wait, so Modern Magic too is channeled by the Old Religion?" Eulalie asked curiously.

"EVERY magic, be it the magic of men, the magic of creatures, even the magic of Dragons and Gods, all come from the Old Religion. Modern Magic is just the Old Religion but at a weaker form. Let's say that Modern Magic allows a sorcerer to harness the Old Religion to a certain limit, which is determined by the body's ability to harness magic and the reserves available to the sorcerer/sorceress at the moment. Ancient Magic, on the other hand, means a sorcerer has tapped into the core of the Old Religion."

"While Modern Magic's reserves of energy are limited, Ancient Magic expands the reserves of the Old Religion within a sorcerer significantly, and they can output it into every spell they cast, resulting in significantly greater power even if they were to use Modern Magic spells. Of course, they are still far from having limitless power (Even my powers are still limited, no matter how close they might seem to being god-like), but if Modern Magic users are compared to that of the force of a limited heavy tank, then Ancient Magic users are more like an ultra-high mobility heavy tank, with fuel beyond any normal machine."

"Wow, that's one hell of an explanation." Theseus commented, sounding genuinely impressed.

"I can make it more awe-inspiring, but I think that's enough, yes." Merlin said with a wry smile.

When they finally reached Berlin, however, Merlin was surprised to see Bunty take Newt's suitcase, before turning to Merlin.

"Can I trust you not to tell anyone about what we are going to do next? Can you make sure no one will know until the right moment?"

"Wait, why did you take us to this place? Aren't we supposed to go to the German Ministry of Magic?" Theseus asked with a frown as Merlin warped them all to a well-kept but empty house with 2 floors.

"Only Newt and I will go. You, Theseus, will be contacting Tina as fellow Head Aurors regarding the recent developments. Eulalie, on the other hand, will be tasked with getting in touch and summoning Albus to Berlin by tomorrow. Jacob, you will remain here too. Now is not the time for you to be in the spotlight. Good luck, gentleman." Merlin said simply as they entered the house.

"Alright, but you sure you don't need any-"

"Don't worry, Theseus, we can manage."

With that, Merlin and Newt set out to the German Ministry of Magic.

"I'm not quite at the level where I could learn Spatial Distortion yet, can't I?" Newt asked as they stepped out of the distortion of space near the headquarters.

"Not yet, Newt. That level of magic is something even wizards of the old would struggle, and trust me when I say that I've encountered lots of them." Merlin said reasonably as they maneuvered through the rallies held to support Santos, Merlin unfolding a card as they approached Helmut and his men.

"Mister Helmut, please do kindly allow us access. We have the invitation needed, if you are-"

Without speaking any other word, Helmut stepped aside, maintaining a cold facade, but he could already read the man's allegiance to Grindelwald.

"As planned, as soon as Vogel starts to announce the news, start working on gathering the evidence. I'll try and get support from Liu Tao and Vicencia Santos, prepare them for what's to come." Merlin said to Newt, who nodded.

It was quite fortunate that the "ceremony" was full of important figures, so his and Newt's presence didn't quite attract attention. Merlin walked up towards Vogel, who paused in surprise before putting up a smile on his face.

"Merlin's beard, it's the infamous Arthur Emrys, am I correct?" Vogel said as he raised a hand which Merlin shook stiffly but cordially. That particular swear opened up a few memories, both unpleasant and fond ones, to be honest.

"Herr Vogel, I just have this sentence to tell you. Do what is easy, and not what is right. It's not too late for anyone if they are willing to choose another path." Merlin said simply.

"Tell me, did you come here to announce you wish to participate in the election and potentially become Supreme Mugwump?" Merlin paused at the unexpected words of Vogel, which looked less condescending and more of a challenge.

"No? Then how can you say that, while you refuse to truly take charge and accept power over the wizarding world when you are worthy? You're no better than Dumbledore, who stays in Hogwarts while the world is burning. You fight to avoid accepting responsibility while you could lead the world and be done with it."

With those curt words, Vogel left, which admittedly made Merlin a bit conflicted.

Become Supreme Mugwump? Become a leader? That... was something Merlin had never did. He had associated with and advised figures with the power to make changes, but he never really wanted the political power to make those changes. He wasn't a god, after all. He would interfere and make sure the right developments were happening, sure, but Merlin didn't exactly have any inclinations to lead entire continents, much less the world.

That was supposed to be Arthur's job, no matter how much Merlin had resigned himself to the fact that the prophecy had either fell through or he would have to go through a lot before Arthur finally came back, but even despite it all, Merlin would not fall as low as to use force and dominate the whole world. He had to be better than that, he had to have faith in humanity.

In the end, Grindelwald was just a particularly dangerous enemy, and like with all other individuals who tried to take over the world and the usual, there was always someone who rose up and challenged their tyranny. Merlin had helped, but he did not take too much credit. His faith was always affirmed, even at the initial days where Merlin once believed he always had to step in, and that was why he still believed that the world would triumph, with or without him.

Merlin always saw himself as more of an advisor than a leader. He might take command at certain occasions, as he did when Hogwarts was first built and during his time dealing with Ranrok and the organization known as R, but while the Founders, Eleazar, and Iris all saw him as very good at it, it was more of the moment. Merlin had no intention of designating himself as a commander, but he would lead if he had to.

Besides, his departure of the Founders lead to his precious children becoming as torn apart as they were, so how could Merlin classify himself as a great leader? He may have lead Hogwarts and laid the foundation for what it was now, but it could have been so much better had he just kept in more thorough contact with them.

Shaking off the thoughts, Merlin proceeded to make his way to Liu Tao.

"刘先生！很高兴, Arthur Emrys!" Merlin said in Chinese as Liu drank from his glass before turning towards him.

"啊!两次与格林德沃一起拯救世界的英雄! How do you do, how do you do!" Liu said politely as they shook hands. 

"我们可以私下讨论吗? 我有一些你可能想知道的事情. 我必须谦虚地问一下我是否可以让桑托斯女士参与这次谈话?"

Liu nodded with a smile. "Of course! 抛开我们之间的竞争不谈，如果是国际社会的事情，我们还是相互尊重的盟友!"

Merlin smiled as he nodded. "很好。那么请收下这张卡片。仪式结束后一小时内，我将在持有这张卡的特定地点见到您和桑托斯女士!"

And with that, Merlin next went to Santos.

"Os melhores dias para si, Senhora Santos! Arthur Emrys aqui, prazer em conhecê-lo!" Merlin greeted with the language of Portugal. It was a common gesture to demonstrate respect and friendship to others by speaking in their own native language, and something that signaled a person as being capable of working alongside those from other origins."

Vicencia stared at Merlin in surprise before smiling warmly at him. "Oh! O melhor dos dias para você também, senhor Emrys! Como vai?"

Merlin shook hands with the Brazilian Minister For Magic. "Um momento do seu tempo, mas infelizmente devo pedir uma conferência, mesmo que isso exija que você e Liu Tao trabalhem juntos. Trata-se de Gellert Grindelwald, minha senhora."

Santos's eyes widened before nodding immediately. "Claro! Gellert Grindelwald é uma ameaça internacional, que TODOS os bruxos devem trabalhar juntos para derrotar. Deixando de lado nossa rivalidade para nos tornarmos o Supremo Mugwump, somos antes de tudo defensores ferrenhos de nosso mundo e estamos dispostos a ajudar uns aos outros independentemente desta competição!"

Merlin nodded gratefully. "Então devo pedir-lhe que guarde este cartão. Dentro de uma hora, este cartão será usado para levá-lo ao local onde podemos discutir a melhor maneira de abordar a situação atual."

Santos nodded firmly just as Vogel went up to the stage. 

Merlin kept a poker face as Vogel announced that Gellert Grindelwald was absolved of his crimes, staring at Santos and Liu glancingly, who nodded grimly, clearly realizing the threat that was to come.

As soon as everyone else had parted, Merlin received the word from Newt.

I'm done. I never expected it to be this thorough. The whole Ministry is under Grindelwald's command now!

I know. We have to approach things carefully. We already got everything we wanted to achieve, so we should leave now.

With that, Merlin walked out of the Ministry, taking note of the foiled election rally of the day, courtesy of Rosier and Carrow. 

He stood at an isolated corner of the Ministry and watched as Newt came out from the runic shortcut Merlin had created using Ancient Magic.

"Most of the shortcuts you've placed have been sabotaged. It was lucky you made sure to place special wards on this shortcut. Grindelwald's got most of them sealed up. Guess he's more powerful than we expected." Newt said grimly as Merlin shook his head.

"That much is expected. He's one of the most brilliant minds I've ever encountered, admittedly, on par with Albus in terms of cunning and charisma. Nevertheless, we still have a blind spot we can use. For now, we should leave."

They had only made it a few steps outside of the German Ministry of Magic when Credence was there, waiting for them.

"Credence..." Newt approached cautiously but Merlin raised his hand.

"Why are you here, Credence? Are you here for Albus?" Merlin asked calmly as Credence glared at him.

"At that time, you could have just told me who I am. Why didn't you? You knew everything from the start. Were you involved in my "exile"?"

Merlin's eyes narrowed at the ridiculous accusation as he shook his head. "Whatever lies and half-truths Grindelwald told you, things are not what they appear to be."

Credence clenched his fists as he launched spells after Merlin, who easily deflected them.

"Newt! Do kindly go to the rendezvous point we agreed on regarding "them". I'll deal with him." Newt nodded and recited the words "Tôhopian onbîdan. Forbeornan cweccung onbûtan and. ðêostornes must sý hyld in byht eft ymbe siðða and!" while drawing runes to access his special dimension.

As Newt disappeared in a flash of light, Merlin turned towards Credence and proceeded to wave his wand around their surroundings, creating a dimension that mirrored their surroundings as to avoid any damage.

Within a matter of moments, they were standing in a dimension with a moon that shone golden light upon it, the surroundings resembling that of Berlin.

"You can still turn away, Credence. Live a better life."

"My name is Aurelius!"

With that, Credence focused a sphere of dark lightning before blasting it out as a beam, which Merlin responds by mimicking the same attack, a sphere of golden lightning that he blasted out as a beam.

As soon as his lightning clashed with Credence's own, his lightning pierced through Credence's within a matter of moments, with Merlin lifting his hand to stop the lightning from hitting Credence and obliterating him.

Credence roared out and covered his hands in the energies of his Obscurus before charging at Merlin, throwing in several vicious wild punches that Merlin blocked with effortless ease, putting to use his naturally superhuman reflexes and centuries of training himself to master not only the magical but also the physical arts. No matter how much power Credence put into his assault, Merlin kept up with masterfully no strain, seeing various opportunities to deliver a finishing blow but choosing not to take them.

He was not here to end the boy, but to help save him.

Eventually, he allowed Credence to deliver a powerful punch, fueled by all that composed his Obscurial, sending him flying several feet and actually making him spit out a few blood.

"This is the strength available to you by harnessing the darkest of your emotions..." Merlin said calmly as he focused into his hands the power of his hope and his undying faith in the better aspects of humanity.

As soon as their fists clashed, however, Credence was thrown back as the sheer force of the punch, without any spell cast on it, caused a small burst of energy.

"But this! This is the force one could muster with hope! With an undying faith in a new era and a new world! With the will to never give up! With the ability to resist the darkness within and be better than your DEMONS!"

With that, Merlin punched Credence in the face with his glowing fist, sending him flying far away into the streets created by this duplication of a part of the real world, all the way to the edge of the dimension, where the real world could be seen.

Flying all the way to Credence, Merlin watched as Credence stared at him weakly, defeated.

"One day, even without all that you've become due to the neglect of others, you too can achieve greatness, can have a better life, Credence. Your family will accept you. Did you know they weren't aware of you? Now that they're aware, they're doing everything they can to save you. Accept their hand, Credence. Be better. I promise you a happy life, free of all the ills that had begotten you now. Albus will come soon."

With that, Merlin transported Credence back to the real world, and whisked himself to the dimension where Newt was greeting his hosts, Liu Tao and Vicencia Santos.

"Mister Arthur." Liu Tao greeted as he bowed cordially along with Vicencia.

"First, I would like to thank you all for forsaking the competition to become Supreme Mugwump for the sake of the greater good of all. It is people like you who prove that this world, regardless of it's flaws and darkness, is worth fighting for." Merlin said in greetings.

The two Ministers of Magic nodded seriously.

"What must we do? To defeat Gellert Grindelwald?"

And so Merlin and Newt told them all about how Grindelwald would intend to use the Qilin to become Supreme Mugwump. 

"This is truly abominable. To think Herr Vogel and the entire German Ministry of Magic is under Grindelwald's control..." Liu Tao said with clenched fists.

"This cannot be allowed to continue. What do you require our assistance for? We will do our best to provide aid." Vicencia declared firmly.

"I must request that you all lend your forces for the battle that will happen on Bhutan. These two golden spheres has the power to show the true allegiance of your men. Choose only the ones you could trust the most, and have them stationed around the village, ready to help us overcome Grindelwald's forces. Also, as you two are fellow candidates of the election, present these evidence when the time is right, when Grindelwald has revealed his true colors. Hopefully, this will truly cement Gellert Grindelwald as the villain that the world must overcome. Can I trust you?"

The two Ministers did not even blink as they nodded. "You can, and we trust you as well. We will give you the means to contact the forces we will prepare when we are finished."

Merlin. Merlin woke up at what he recognized immediately as the landscape of dreams. Kilgharrah had his peculiar tastes after all.

"Hello, Kilgharrah. Still liking the theme of an isolated magical temple?" Merlin said casually as he eyed the surroundings. The dreamscape was like a shrine, but with no gods to pray to, with altars dedicated to the Founders, Arthur, Gwen, and the Knights of the Round Table, and walls covered with various aspects of both Ancient and Modern Magic systems.

"Well, I am a particularly ancient Dragon, Merlin, so I think I like the arcane scenery of a shrine above all others. It resembles the temple we've built together on the Isle of the Blessed, honoring all these people, am I right?" Kilgharrah said with a chuckle.

Chapter Text

"Your face... It reminds me of someone I still remember so fondly. A father to me in all but blood. Is it you, Professor Percival?" Albus asked softly as he and Merlin regarded one another.

"It is. It's been a while, my boy." Merlin said with a small smile. He would have transfigured himself into someone else had Kilgharrah not told him to refrain from doing so.

Albus Dumbledore needs you for him to take his last steps into ascension. Do not appear to him as anyone else but Percival Lionheart. After this, you could modify his memory so he would see you as an aging man still willing to do his part. He would not see you again until decades later.

And so it was that they were standing at the snow, at dawn in the streets of Berlin. 

Albus's head was bowed low as he rasped out "I'm sorry. I should have understood what you truly meant to teach me, Professor. I believed you meant that I should have brought upon a new age to the world, but it turned out you meant I should live according to my heart and by that, I would discover my true purpose. I'm not even half the man that you are, an idiot, a failure-"

"You're right, yet also wrong." Merlin said calmly as he approached his very troubled student.

"Everyone, no matter how great, must have their fair share of failures. Those with great talents especially will find themselves with bigger mistakes than most. In that, you're right. You're a failure, Albus, and you're not me. But an idiot? No... You see, everyone must have their share of failures, but it's how they rise up from their failures, how they change themselves to be better, and how they strive to make up for their failures, that measures a person. It doesn't matter how big the failure is. As long as one is willing to accept their flaws and be better, then that person will transform from being a failure to a success." 

Albus stared at him with small tears in his eyes as Merlin gave him a gentle smile. "Come now. Let us discuss plans with the rest of your brave followers."

"Do you think I'm strong enough to face him? After everything?"

Merlin simply chuckled. He supposed Kilgharrah had indeed gotten much better at making the right decisions and giving the correct pep words over the years. He could see now why it had to be Albus. "I know you can. I have faith in you, and no matter how you fell, how you struggled, my faith in you has never once waned or been proven wrong."

"So this is the plan. Newt and I will go to the Erkstag Prison, and get Grindelwald's opposers out. We will also have to find and use evidences of how Grindelwald had used such inhumane methods to hold his prisoners to further condemn Grindelwald during the inevitable battle on Bhutan." Merlin began calmly as he sat beside Albus and Newt, addressing Theseus, Lally, and Jacob.

"Professor Lally, Theseus, and Jacob will go to the Candidates Dinner. Albus will intercept Credence, a personal matter. Be ready, you all, for this is but the beginning of the inevitable battle that will soon happen on Bhutan. The one who wins will brand the other side as the villains of this conflict, and we must approach this matter both with the mind of a politician and a warrior."

"War can no longer be avoided, and neither can battle, and this first battle will mark the start of the global wizarding war, and we must win this fight, for the good of all of humanity. Both those with and without magic are counting on us to stop Grindelwald. Have faith, remain true to your heart, and we will prevail." 

Merlin finished his speech by standing up and clapping the hands of all those present along with Newt.

"Good luck, you all!"

"Take care of my brother, Mister Emrys-"

"I know, Theseus."

"Don't worry about us. We can take care of this. I'll gladly welcome the "challenge"."

And so it was that he and Newt set out towards the Erkstag Prison.

"A set of curses, used as protections for this prison. Nice try, Mister Grindelwald, but it's nothing before me." Merlin said as he waved his wand and dispersed all the curses blocking the U-bahn entrance disused by Muggles and the location of Erkstag.

Upon entering, Merlin wasted no time in extracting every memory of the warden that would be of use against Grindelwald. 

He clenched his fists upon finishing. Grindelwald had executed nearly half of his opposers already, about 40 people! Truly, Grindelwald had gone too far this time. Not only that, but Merlin was assured he had killed the Qilin and animated it with dark magic. He had gone too far and sunk too low.

With a sneer, Merlin tied up the warden and teleported him to Liu Tao's charge, along with a folder containing a letter and memory records.

"How many of them do we need to save?" Newt asked as Merlin gave a deep breath.

"50. There used to be 90. Grindelwald had killed nearly half of them." Merlin said with clenched teeth.

Newt shook his head in disgust.

"Come on. Let's go in and put an end to all this."

They wasted no time in freeing all the prisoners, who thanked him gratefully and were very much eager to testify against Grindelwald's tyranny and sabotage of the German Ministry of Magic.

However, suddenly dark runic circles emerged from the dark ceilings of the prison, huge swords made of darkness emerging from the circles.

"Of course, he would have backup plans. No matter. Stay close to me, all of you!" Merlin shouted as his eyes glowed with white-gold light. He pointed out both hands, without his wand, at the ceiling as the dark swords were launched at him.

"Sê forswelan orgilde hyht, for−spildan dôð deorcnes ðone as spellian âl¯ædan ûs of pro icortrûwian ortrûwian!"

An enormously condensed sphere of light appeared, so hot as to be able to potentially kill anyone nearby if Merlin had not willed the heat to affect no one with his supreme mastery of magic, and from the sphere, Merlin launched a singularly massive beam of light that obliterated all the swords and the circles that conjured them.

"For the finishing blow, and to avenge all those who have fallen here!" Merlin shouted as he placed his palm into the ground, raising himself, Newt, and all the prisoners up into the air, suspended by a wide runic platform.

A singular runic circle larger and wider than the combined size and length of all the ones Grindelwald enchanted the prison with Ancient Magic emerged, covered in light, and rained down swords upon swords of light upon the prison, decimating this twisted prison and executing the Manticore who had performed Grindelwald's bidding.

By the time Merlin, Newt, and all the prisoners of Erkstag were safely in one of Merlin's safehouses, the Erkstag Prison had been cursed to kill anyone who would try to occupy the prison once more, as the cells and the inner sanctum of the prison burned down into nothing.

All while Merlin Emrys felt nothing as his swords of light transformed into the fire that ended the tyranny of Erkstag.

"Albus has made contact, Arthur. We're going to Hog's Head to plan our next move."

Merlin nodded with a smile. "Good. I need to speak with Aberforth as well."

"All the witnesses testimony has been recorded. We now have all the evidence we need to persecute Grindelwald, and Theseus? You were able to find the proof that Grindelwald tried to poison Madame Santos, right?" Merlin asked as they settled down on Hog's Head basement, seating on chairs Merlin conjured.

"Yep. Here it is. I also found out Grindelwald cast a storm spell and faked that Jacob was the one who did it, so it would seem we've got all the proof we need to incriminate him." Theseus said with a victorious smile as he handed Merlin the records of the evidence needed from his memory.

"And Albus? How is Credence?" Merlin turned towards Albus, who gave a small smile.

"I've discussed things with Aberforth, and it seems that Credence had chosen the right side at long last." Merlin smiled as he nodded.

"Well done, all of you. Get some rest, you all. Tomorrow, we go to battle, and considering how important this is to Grindelwald, he's bound to have stationed some of his most dangerous followers and tons of his followers. We have to be ready for what will come next, but first..."

Merlin conjured a Portkey he had long since created, one special place that connected to the Walk of the Qilin Ceremony. He still remembered how it had been a tradition Merlin himself started, although it faded to myth over the years. 

He still recalled the day where the International Confederation of Wizards were born. It was quite a happy moment, to see wizards from all over the world united, and he had been present as well when the International Statute of Secrecy was signed, a solemn yet inevitable moment. Besides his instigation of the Walk of the Qilin, Merlin's contribution to the ICW was admittedly not much. He focused more on individual countries, especially as the ICW started to include some more corrupt individuals. It was better to work from the shadows, giving advice to those with the "power" to actualize it.

If Arthur should return, perhaps the world would be better, but alas such a possibility remained to this day a wistful dream.

"This Portkey here is special. It took me a day to craft it (actually only a few minutes), but it's ready now. the place where we'll be heading is the Mountain of Eyrie, located in the Kingdom of Bhutan."

Merlin waved his hand into the air, projecting images of the Mountain that even Kilgharrah spoke highly of. "High in the Eastern Himalayans, a place of indescribable beauty, the birthplace of many of the world's most important magics. It's said to be on par with even the mythical Isle of the Blessed in terms of importance. Where we're going would particularly benefit those like me, Albus, and you, Newt, since the Old Religion is very strong there. The power of Ancient Magic cast there and even Modern Magic infused with the power of the Old Religion would be twice more powerful than what we could do on our own."

"I daresay that in a straightforward battle, I and Albus could pretty much take down all of them single-handedly without much effort. Newt would be able to wipe the floor with half or more of those men pretty well too, and he wouldn't have to worry about taxing his Ancient Magic, since the Old Religion is so strong there that it'll help any user of Ancient Magic generate power with less strain and greater power at the same time."

"So you, Albus, and Newt will be our key players there?" Theseus asked with rolled eyes as Newt gave a shaky nod.

"It would seem so. I've mastered enough of that magic to use it in a fight for quite some time, so if what you're saying is true, I think I'm confident I could be a "key player"."

"That said, if we just win this battle, then it would do no good. Grindelwald has kept the facade of being a visionary with altruistic intentions for too long, and to break his hold over our people, we must break his illusions."

Merlin turned towards Albus sympathetically. "I understand, Albus. Grindelwald was once a better man, yes. However, that man is too far gone. If you wish it, then I'll-"

"No. This is something I'll have to do myself. Thank you for offering, but I am capable of fighting him myself."

Merlin gave Albus a small smile as he gently patted him in the head, causing Albus's body to shake, earning several stunned looks from the others. "I'm proud of the man you've become, my boy. Never forget that. You are one of my greatest successes, despite your previous flaws and failures."

"Now rest up, my brave fellows. Tomorrow, we go to war, and we will prevail!" Merlin shouted inspiringly as everyone else there cheered.

"So Credence can be saved by this magic? You're certain of it?" Albus asked Merlin as they sat beside Aberforth.

"Yes, Albus. It will take a few decades, but it can be done-"

"Hey, there's a message on the mirror!" Newt said as he entered the room. 

"It's from Credence, Newt." Albus said as Merlin conjured a chair for Newt to sit on.

"I'll let you tell him. I need to get ready for tomorrow, after all." Aberforth said curtly as he got up and left the room.

"The summer Gellert and I fell in love was the summer my brother fell in love too, you know. It was with a girl from the Hollow. She was sent away. There were rumors about a child." Albus said softly as Merlin sighed but gently patted his boy in the shoulder.

"He's a Dumbledore. If I'd been a better friend to Aberforth, if I'd been a better brother, he might have confided in me-"

"The same goes for me, Albus. I should have been there more for him. Even now, he blames me, you know-"

"Not as much as me. He's jealous of me for getting more attention from you, essentially gaining a replacement for our father, while all he got from you was a normal good mentor-student relationship."

Merlin sighed out loud. While Albus and Aberforth weren't as broken as the relationship between Godric and Salazar were, it would seem jealousy was a common thing in his efforts to be like a father to surrogate children. That was one of his flaws, perhaps.

"Perhaps things would have been different, and this boy could have been part of our lives, part of our family." Albus wistfully wondered.

"He still can, Albus. I promise you."

"You know, do you still remember the few times you met Ariana? I recall mother reacting negatively to your presence at first, only to soon warm up to you. She confided in you much, from what I believe. Ariana also liked you too. She would calm down, and you would take her out to see the stars and walk across the forest at times. It was one of the few times where I interacted with her, being the "arrogant genius big brother", like Aberforth said."

Merlin gave a sad chuckle. "I know, Albus, but you also did your best. You must mourn your sister, but do not let it crush you. You still have so much to live for, and that's what matters the most. It's not about who you used to be. It's about what you still have left to become, what you can still do for the world and the people who love and trust you."

"Phoenix ash. The bird comes to him because he's dying, and he can only be saved by you. I know the signs, although not as much as you do. Ariana never learned to express her magic, as an Obscurial, and her magic only continued to grow darker and began to poison her. Worst of all, none of us were capable of easing her pain, until you appeared. You gave my mother hope, only for me to ruin it all."

"Can you tell me how it came to an end for her?" Newt asked softly as Merlin looked away.

"Gellert and I had made plans to go away together. My brother didn't approve. One night, he confronted us. Voices were raised, threats made. I confess that Aberforth had returned me to reality, especially as he ranted out about how this was not what you would have wanted for me. Aberforth drew his wand, which was foolish. I drew my wand, which was even more foolish. Gellert laughed and cast the Cruciatus Curse on Aberforth, afterwards spitting on my brother while degrading him as inferior. It was at that moment that I realized what Gellert could be." Albus's voice potentially broke at that as Merlin looked at Ariana's painting with remorse and pain in his heart.

"We fought, I helping Aberforth by shielding him. No one heard Ariana coming down the stairs. Can't say for certain it was my... spell." Albus actually shed a single tear at that, and Merlin could feel the pain and anguish at the idea. It felt like being stabbed by thousands of knives in his heart, and was 75% of the pain he felt when he saw Salazar and Godric argue as fiercely as they did.

"Doesn't really matter. One minute she was there, and the next she was gone. By the time you arrived, you arrived to find there was nothing left to save, because of me. I still remember how Aberforth shouted at you, how he punched you in the face again and again, and how you allowed him to hit you while it should have been me who suffered his wrath. I still remember Aberforth spitting at you while his eyes looked as though his heart shattered to pieces once he realized what he had done after he had beaten enough of me in the funeral. Do you still remember it, Professor?"

Of course, he still remembered. How could he forget? 

He still remembered the look on Aberforth's eyes and the last words Aberforth spoke to him.

"The less favorite of the brother again, right? You both took everything from me. Get out of my sight. Enjoy how you use your "brilliance" from now on."

While those words were aimed more at Albus, it hurt him no less.

"I'm so sorry, Albus. But if it's of any comfort, perhaps she was saved some pain-"

"Don't. Don't disappoint me, Newt. You of all people. Your honesty is a gift, even if at times a painful one. You learned from the greatest men I ever knew, and you're a better man than I ever was, so don't be like that."

With that, Albus turned towards the exit and made to rest, but Newt stopped him.

"Albus, Lally said something earlier about most of us being ultimately imperfect. But even if we make mistakes, terrible things, we can try to make things right. And that's what matters, trying."

Merlin smiled at Newt for those wise words. Truly, how the boy reminded him of Helga, of how perceptive she was in terms of the heart.

"We're with you, Albus."

Albus gave a sad smile at that, before leaving.

"Ready for the battle to start the war?" Merlin asked as the room was entered by Newt, Jacob, Lally, and Theseus, Albus and Bunty having already arrived.

"Now, here is the first thing you should know. Each of you will carry a case to the Walk of the Qilin. This was made from Newt's suitcase, duplicated into five. None of them are real. The real one is hidden where only I can access it. Nevertheless, we aim to confuse. We will march forth, meet our allies from the Brazilian and Chinese Ministries of Magic, and then we will fight through anything Grindelwald has prepared. As soon as we reach the ceremony, except a battle to begin. Our allies in Liu Tao and Vicencia have prepared thoroughly, but we must still access one more thing. I have made contact with Queenie, and she has agreed to help us."

"Wait- What?" Jacob said in surprise as Merlin smiled. 

"She's coming back, Jacob. She's realized the error of the path she chose before. I managed to convince her, quite easily. She's already been losing faith in Grindelwald for years. We will meet her near the entrance to the Eyrie, after taking care of every single follower of Grindelwald stationed, and then we will use her memory of him reanimating the Qilin in his disposal and use it to permanently discredit him."

With that, Merlin turned towards all of them. "I hope you have prepared yourself well. Today will be the battle for all of our lives, but beyond that, this will decide the fate of both the wizarding and non-wizarding world. I thank you all for your courage and dedication to the cause. Should you have any hesitations or qualms, now would be the time to express them."

None of them raised a single quarry. 

"I think we're all ready, Professor. United for a single cause, stopping Grindelwald once and for all." Albus said with a smile.

"I just want to say thank you to all of you, especially you, Newt, Arthur. I- I was heartbroken. I was ready to give up on everything, but even so, you never gave up. You showed me back the light. You fought for me and Queenie, and I really, really, appreciate that. And I also want to thank Mister Hicks here and your brother, Newt, for being so tolerant of me, along with you, Mister Dumbledore. I promise I won't betray any of your trust, even though I am a Muggle. You even gave me an actual wand. I have no words-" Jacob's initial sincere speech became choked up as he hugged Merlin.

"Just... Thanks." Merlin smiled as he gently returned the hug.

"I know. And I am sorry for having inadvertently instigated your and Queenie's separation for these years. I can only hope your relationship will grow stronger from this trial."

Jacob gave a small smile as he went to hug Newt too.

"Well, I'm about to become a father, and I would rather die than let my children and Leta's be exposed to all of Grindelwald's delusions. Even if I don't make it back, at least I know Newt will take care of her and my children, would you?" Theseus said with a small smile.

Newt shook his head firmly. "You will come back and be there for them, brother. Trust me."

"Well, I think we all here agree that we aren't afraid of what comes next, so let's get this show on the road, shall we?" Lally said with a smile before she winked at Merlin. "Perhaps, after this, you can give me a book about Ancient Magic. I think I'll like to try it."

Merlin laughed. "Perhaps, Lally."

With that, Merlin turned towards the Portkey, but was interrupted with Aberforth entering the room.

"What? Got no room for another?" Aberforth said simply as Merlin gave Aberforth a surprised yet pleasant smile.

"Well, this is my son we're talking about. Also, despite everything, I guess in the end I am still this Professor's student AND the brother of the "perfect Albus"-"

Albus interrupted his brother's rant by hugging him, causing Merlin to shed just a single tear of joy, seeing the two brothers finally united.

"Thank you, brother." Albus said warmly as Aberforth just nodded.

"Well, let's do this, shall we?"

With that, Merlin transformed the Portkey into a portal in a burst of golden light.

Turning towards his allies, Merlin took on a serious face as he placed the two bells connected to the hiding places of their allies, sending out the signal for the battle to begin.

"Ready yourself." Without another word, Merlin rushed forward first.

When Merlin arrived, it was to find the Brazilian and Chinese Aurors having stood ready near the place where they would arrive.

"Arthur Emrys? I am Xi Wang, Head of the Chinese Auror Office, and this is Confiar Santos, Head of the Brazilian Auror Office and a most trusted family member of Vicencia." The Chinese Auror introduced with a bow of his head along with the aformentioned Confiar Santos.

"Thank you, gentlemen for your bravery and dedication. 21 Aurors?"

"Yes, Mister Emrys. They are all highly trained and capable in their work." Confiar stated with an assuring tone as Merlin nodded.

"Then let us proceed. We'll split this up into four groups. I will go with the Miss Confiar to the north entrance, while Albus and Aberforth will go with Mister Xi Wang heading towards the south path and take a shortcut. Newt and Jacob will take a squad of 7 Aurors and go northwest. Theseus, Lally, and Bunty will take a squad of 14 Aurors and go northeast. That is all. Any objections?"

With no one responding, Merlin nodded. "Then let this conflict begin. May our hearts and our minds, dedicated, guide us to victory!"

And so they all proceeded through their own paths, Merlin sending a subtle activation of the device he gave Queenie to give her the alarm.

As soon as Newt and Theseus's groups had left to their respective paths, as expected dozens upon dozens of German Aurors appeared.

"Traitors." Confiar said coldly as she drew her wand along with Merlin.

Merlin nodded curtly, and without another word, the battle began.

Merlin cast and dismissed Shield Charms as he made to take down each and every single one of the German Aurors with methodical precision, with the Brazilian Head Auror also proving her mettle by effectively taking down her own share of hostiles, Merlin scarcely needing to protect her.

A few bolts of lightning, balls of fire, and Stunning Spells, and within 3 minutes, up to 50 German Aurors laid defeated. Merlin had restrained himself as he always did when fighting alongside wizards who used Modern Magic, but even that was more than enough to defeat those numbers alone had he intended to. As it was, with Confiar's remarkable skill, it didn't take long.

Merlin sent Confiar a nonverbal gesture to tell her to stay put, and she nodded firmly.

A few moments later, just as wands were about to be put in their backs, Merlin had turned his back and took down 2 Aurors with a single punch and kick, throwing them into the other parts of the village, just as Confiar engaged Helmut in a fierce duel, the two Head Aurors fighting fiercely.

Trusting in Confiar's ability, Merlin proceeded to take down the few others who tried to surprise him and Confiar within a matter of moments using simple spells, making robes restrain them and sending 3 of the foes into walls before killing the remaining five with a single stream of lightning.

He then turned towards Confiar and Helmut's duel. Confiar was slowly gaining an edge, but Merlin did not have time to play fair.

He snapped his fingers and Helmut was thrown aside, allowing Confiar to cast binding spells on him.

"Let him live. He'll be useful as a forced testification against Grindelwald." Merlin said as he knocked him out. 

Just so, dozens of Grindelwald's men were thrown through walls by the force of a telekinetic spell of Newt. Merlin nodded in satisfaction as he and his team were more than holding his own, Newt giving decisive orders to the men and firing spells to protect them while he took down more of the enemies than most of his Aurors. Not a single one of them had fallen, and they seemed to be fully on the winning side as Jacob alternated between using his wand, firing spells with the expertise of a good marksman, and fighting with his fists, taking down more than a decent amount of the Aurors on his team with both the magics available and his fists.

Merlin snapped his fingers at the direction where he noticed ambushes were attempted, throwing them into the fight. Newt took one look at him and nodded before blasting a wave of fire, killing them all.

"Go! We got this covered!"

Nodding proudly, Merlin and Confiar proceeded onward.

Halfway to the place where they would reach the Eyrie, Merlin noticed Theseus, Lally, and Bunty fighting against dozens of Grindelwald's Aurors. They were faring as well as Newt had, which was why Merlin assigned Theseus, Lally, and Bunty with more men. Newt with the advantage of the strength of the Ancient Magic in this place would be more than able to hold his own against dozens of Grindelwald's men, while Theseus and Lally required more men to make up for the lack of Ancient Magic.

Merlin waved his hand, blasting down bolts of thunder on yet another group of ambushes, causing Theseus to send a grateful nod before he turned his attention back to the battle that was now on their favor.

Theseus was no longer a match for Newt after how Merlin had trained him, but he was still one of the most capable Aurors in the world. His dueling style was focused and precise, his spells powerful. Lally was no less efficient, her ability as a Charms Professor evident in her skillful usage of both the environment and her own spells to take down scores of enemies. Bunty was less skilled, but she still gave her all and fought remarkably well, supporting the Aurors of the group more than she supported those two.

When they reached the entrance, they were met by Albus, Aberforth, and Xi Wang, having arrived at the same time as they were.

"Enjoyed the action, Aberforth?" Merlin asked with a smile.

"Well, took down 30 Aurors. Albus took down 45. Xi Wang here took down 25. You were right in that Grindelwald knew of the shortcut we used, so he had more men assigned there." Aberforth said curtly as Merlin nodded.

"Anytime."

Within a matter of a minute, Newt, Jacob, and the Aurors on the field had arrived, seemingly hardly winded.

"Wow, that was so awesome. Got to admit, last time I used that wand, it didn't work out too well, but I think I've gotten the hang of it." Jacob said with excitement.

"Jacob did his best. I daresay he took down 35% of the enemy forces. I took down 50%. The Aurors here fared well too." Newt said with an appreciative smile as the Aurors nodded in gratitude.

"Hey, Newt! Arriving early on?" Merlin turned towards Theseus, Lally, and Bunty, who arrived a few seconds later, but seemed about as fine as Newt and his group were.

"Well, Ancient Magic is a very powerful form of magic. I am fortunate to have learned it from Arthur here." Newt said with a small smile as Merlin smiled back.

"And I am proud of how you fared using my teachings."

A few minutes later, and Yusuf arrived with Queenie on hand.

Queenie and Jacob immediately hugged, and Merlin watched with a smile on his face as Queenie apologized to Jacob and was forgiven.

"Your heart is full, but can still be fuller." Merlin said with a smile as he turned towards Queenie.

Queenie held out a vial containing the memory of Grindelwald killing the Qilin.

"This is what you need. Come on. The sooner I get to denounce him, the better." Queenie said as Merlin nodded.

"Well, gentlemen, shall we?"

Upon arriving at the Eyrie, they were met by none other but Henrietta Fischer.

"Ah! Miss Henrietta, Herr Vogel's trusted woman. May I ask where he is?" Merlin said with a curt smile as Henrietta eyed him and the small squad he had brought with him in shock. Apparently, Grindelwald had not expected such an alliance between Brazilian and Chinese Aurors.

"Please do kindly allow us to ascend, or we will make you and anyone else in league with Gellert Grindelwald move. Most of the forces you've stationed on Bhutan are either restrained or dead, so you can step aside, or meet the same fate." Merlin said coldly as he sent a telepathic image of the complete victory of him and his allies over Grindelwald's men.

Henrietta glared at him, but slowly and reluctantly stepped aside, rushing to apparently inform Grindelwald and Vogel.

"Come on." Merlin said just as Vogel's voice declared "I thank the candidates for their words. Each represents a distinct vision of how we will not shape only our world, but the non-magical world as well. Which brings us to the most important part of our ceremony, the walk of the Qilin. The Qilin has seen. Seen goodness, strength, qualities essential to lead and to guide us. Who do you see?"

Merlin sneered as he and the others marched forward, not even surprised when most of the international representatives backed away, a decent amount of them even nodding hopefully at him.

"Gellert Grindelwald is the new leader of the magical world, by acclamation."

Ignoring the cries of victory from members of the Alliance, Merlin climbed the stairs.

With a victorious smirk, Grindelwald reached out and Merlin's eyes widened to see Jacob being pulled by Grindelwald's wandless magic.

"This is the man who tried to take my life. This man, who has no magic, who would marry a witch and pollute our blood knowingly, to create a forbidden union
that would make us less, make us weak, like his kind. He's not alone, my friends. There are thousands who seek to do the same. There can only be one response
to such vermin-"

"Is that so, Mister Grindelwald?" Merlin said coldly, projecting his voice so powerfully as to silence every single sound yet not overwhelm the ears of the others, reverberating through the entire mountain.

"Crucio." Grindelwald said calmly, ignoring Merlin's cold announcement.

Merlin's eyes narrowed to slits as Jacob suffered.

"Our war with the Muggles begins today-"

"IT WILL NOT BEGIN! Not now, not ever!" Merlin shouted as he snapped his fingers, causing the Elder Wand's magic to dissipate it's hold on Jacob, freeing him, and another healing spell to cure Jacob.

The other Ministries of Magic watched Merlin and Grindelwald cautiously as Merlin rushed forth to greet Grindelwald, who scowled at him.

"Mister Grindelwald... This is the end of all your ambitions. All your words, designed to deceive others into accepting you as the rightful leader, all your manipulations and tactics, is now in vain." Merlin said coldly as he snapped his fingers, causing the memory of Queenie to be projected through the Eyrie, revealing Grindelwald's murder of the Qilin, along with also summoning the memory Credence sent to him through Legilimency to continue and display Grindelwald's animation of the Qilin.

"He's right!" Merlin turned backwards to see Credence walking forward. "That creature is dead. Grindelwald forced me to get the Qilin, but the other survived. He is a liar. He lied to me about my true origins, tricking me into believing my family abandoned me like trash, while they never stopped looking for me."

"He promised to create a world where everyone can love freely. Look where that promise is now. He's a liar! A man of bigotry!" Queenie supported as Merlin raised his hand with all the authority he could command, getting everyone's attention.

"That is not true. This is the-"

Before Vogel could open his mouth, Merlin snapped his fingers, undoing the reanimation spell and causing the dark energies of Necromancy to flow out of the body.

"Anton Vogel, along with the rest of the German Ministry of Magic, has fallen under the thrall and sway of Gellert Grindelwald, indeed. I have heard rumors of many unrighteously imprisoned individuals, but to think you had sunk so low-!" Liu Tao declared as he went towards Merlin and eyed Vogel with disgust, acting like they had planned out.

"Indeed, Minister Liu Tao, here is the proof from each and every single prisoner I was able to save from Erkstag Prison." Merlin said as he pulled out an orb and proceeded to activate the recorded confessions of innocence and condemnation towards Grindelwald.

"This is outrageous. I hereby declare my complete opposition to Gellert Grindelwald ever holding any spot of authority." Vicencia declared as well, pulling out the device Merlin had given her and crushing it along with Liu Tao to reveal to everyone the corruption that had taken place in the German Ministry of Magic.

Grindelwald's face turned even more scarlet at the complete ruin of all his plans as Merlin smirked victoriously.

"Now, let the true Walk of the Qilin begin!" Merlin said triumphantly as he unveiled the Mother Qilin and the twin of the Qilin Grindelwald had murdered.

The Mother Qilin let out a deep wail as she beheld her lost son, before gathering herself and leaving her other child in the care of others as she bowed before Merlin.

Merlin's eyes widened in surprise. Him? No, he wasn't-

"Mother Qilin, I must humbly deny your offering. I have no intention to be a leader. I am content to be a protector of our world from afar."

The Mother Qilin nodded, and turned towards Albus, who rejected it, before finally choosing Vicencia.

In anger, Grindelwald sent out dozens upon dozens of enchanted dark magic blades upon the mountain, causing screams and gasps to occur as Merlin turned towards Grindelwald.

Before he could parry Grindelwald's spell aimed at Credence, Albus and Aberforth's spells had beat him to the punch, and Merlin smiled as he noticed the pact starting to crack.

"Leave him to Albus. All of you! We deal with what Grindelwald has in store."

With that, Merlin disapparated down the stairs along with the others and engaged Grindelwald's furious gifts: Hordes of Inferius, Dementors, and Gythrashes, spawned by the Dark Ancient Magic of the swords that were stuck at the Eyrie.

"Newt! All of you! Hold off those monsters while I gather the energy needed to destroy those swords!" Merlin shouted as his eyes glowed bright, Excalibur manifesting with a sheath, as Merlin gripped the sword's sheath tightly, gathering magical energy.

He gave a small smile as he noticed Newt taking the lead, casting powerful Ancient Magic fire spells to destroy the Inferius even as more keep coming, conjuring 3 corporeal Patronuses to banish Dementors into oblivion, and supporting the others with powerful defensive spells as they worked to protect the innocents that had long since backed away to safety.

He also took notice of the dimensional shift that was currently being the ground for Albus and Grindelwald's duel, and was pleased to see him fighting fiercely and hard. Both of his students were making him proud now.

Merlin unsheathed the sword, having gathered all the energy required in the motion, and now focused to control the energy, swinging it slowly through the air to emphasize control.

Moments later, Merlin's eyes turned sharp. "And thus is the blight of bigotry severed!"

With that yell, Merlin swung the sword, unleashing a wave of energy that left the protectors unharmed even as it cut through every single dark being conjured by the swords and dissipated them in a swirl of purple energy.

Without any further ado, Merlin, noticing that Grindelwald and Albus had just ended the dimensional shift, rushed towards the Dark Wizard, tackling him down to the forest below.

"You have interfered with my plans for too long!" Grindelwald shouted with a manic rage as he blasted a massive bolt of lightning with the power to destroy mountains.

Merlin kept his calm as he raised out his palm, absorbing the attack completely and then redirecting it back at the Dark Wizard.

Grindelwald furiously dismissed the attack with a void, the abyss swallowing the lightning, before throwing the dark spell at him. Merlin simply waved his hand at the void, transforming the abyss into butterflies.

Grindelwald's eyes widened at the sight even as Merlin enchanted the butterflies with fire and launched them at him, forming a shield of water in haste.

He formed a huge orb of light. Bliccettan hi mountain wægn rînan im and râd fordêman!

The orb rained down rays of light at Grindelwald, who gritted his teeth as he pointed the Elder Wand at the rays.

"âbîtan forswelan, belimpan ðêostorfulnes!" The rays of light, upon hitting the purple shield that Grindelwald conjured, turned into dark rays and were thrown at Merlin.

Unimpressed, Merlin slowly waved his wand...

And summoned dozens upon dozens of runic circles in front of him.

Grindelwald's eyes stared at the sight almost as though in awe. 

"There's a reason why Albus considered me the greatest wizard he's ever met, Grindelwald, and that's without neither him or you knowing my true secrets." Merlin declared coldly before he unleashed from the runes a huge wave of light that tore through half of the forest.

When the cloud cleared, he saw Grindelwald had cast a runic shield of darkness, although his hands were slightly burned from the impact. 

"Codd orgilde dôð wâð comêta, yfel meldian!" Upon finishing the incantation, a huge meteor rained down from the sky, causing Grindelwald to form a protective bubble of magical energy in haste, spanding wide and reaching above the trees of the forest.

The bubble managed to block the meteor, although the impact shook the whole forest and weakened the bubble enough that Merlin simply fired a bullet of light at Grindelwald to breach the bubble with his index finger.

Grindelwald stared in shock at what happened, looking at his cut cheek, while Merlin stared at him impassively.

"You do not seek to kill me?" Grindelwald asked slowly as Merlin shook his head.

"No, and not because I am above such brutality. I could pretty much end you right now, but I won't. Albus would be the one to decide your fate, as he deserved to."

Grindelwald sneered as he held the Elder Wand in both hands.

His next spells were cautious and aimed to slowly earn a rise from Merlin, which Merlin did not fall for, deflecting the spells with Shield Charms and retaliating with his own, the two moving at speeds and reacting with reflexes that would make most wizards look human in comparison.

While on the surface, it would appear they were evenly matched, it was obvious, both to Grindelwald and Merlin, that Merlin was slowly but surely gaining the upper hand, even as they dueled with Modern Magic alone. He had been practicing BOTH forms of magic for centuries, after all. 

Numerous attempts of masterful subtlety and dueling techniques were made, but Merlin efficiently countered them, vanishing conjured ropes while simultaneously raising a shield, manipulating several rocks to block a blast of fire while his other wandless hand absorbed and redirected a bolt of lightning. 

"Interminabilis tenebrae!" Grindelwald shouted out as he unleashed an overwhelming wave of pure purple darkness.

"Ultima!" Merlin shouted out in return, firing an equally overwhelming wave of light. 

The two waves collided with each other, the wave of light slowly but surely overpowering Grindelwald's until within a minute only the slightest of darkness remained as Merlin's light dangerously closed over the Wand whose creation he had came to regret.

Grindelwald narrowly managed to disapparate into the sky to avoid being completely defeated.

"The world where wizards and muggles coexist is but a FANTASY! Wizards must RULE!" Grindelwald screamed, clearly at the end of his patience.

"The only fantasy here is yours, Gellert Grindelwald, and though you may escape this day, I have faith that Albus would one day bear witness to the end of your dreams, dreams that he chose to reject as rightfully wrong." Merlin said calmly.

"Never!" Grindelwald shouted as he created a huge sword made of darkness.

Merlin responded by creating an equally huge sword of light.

As soon as they were thrown from their conjurer's arms, Merlin's sword cut straight through Grindelwald's sword, and Grindelwald was struck in the heart by the sword of light, which exploded as soon as it hit his body.

Grindelwald screamed as he just managed to wrap himself in a barrier of darkness.

"This isn't over! You have started a war! I could have united our world, but you chose to fight!" Grindelwald shouted out one last time before he wrapped the barrier around himself and teleported away with Spatial Distortion.

Merlin shook his head as he proceeded to calmly repair all the damage done to the forest.

Before leaving, Merlin looked at the sky. It was just about sunset.

"No. Unity cannot be created through force and deceit. It must be made through experiencing difficulties and overcoming them together. True bonds of trust and equality can only be formed by understanding one another through working together and seeing the true nature of those you work with."

"Lay here, Credence." Merlin asked gently as he lead Credence inside his castle's dungeons and pointed him to a coffin.

It was a coffin with exceptionally powerful healing magics carved into the coffin as to be able to heal the very soul of a person. With someone of Credence's level of exposure, it would take him at least 70 years of sleep before he could be healed of his Obscurus, but it was possible, actually, and Merlin could prolong Aberforth's life if he wanted too. Not grant him immortality, but allow him the time he needed to raise his son once he woke up.

"T-Thank you for still doing so much for me. I-I was wrong to blame you. You were right. Grindelwald was using me all along. I'm not even Albus Dumbledore's brother, but his nephew. My father never meant to abandon me. We spoke briefly, and he was gruff, but he did care for me. My uncle also wished me the best."

Merlin smiled as he patted the boy in the shoulder. "It'll just be decades of sleep, Credence. Once you wake, you can go and claim the name of Aurelius Dumbledore, the next generation of Dumbledore."

Credence nodded with a small appreciative smile and laid on the coffin. "It'll be a peaceful sleep, Credence."

With that, Merlin gently closed the coffin and recited the incantations to activate the coffin.

Within moments, a blue wave of water embraced the coffin before freezing itself, beginning Credence's sleep of healing.

"May you dream of good things and be at peace once you return to the real world."

"Hello, Kendra. Ariana." Merlin said softly as he arrived on the Godric's Hollow graveyard. He still remembered the day where he helped Godric rebuild his home village, giving unsheltered wizards and witches homes and eventually having it acknowledged by the Ministry of Magic. He would return to it at certain occasions, but the most depressing affair was when he laid Ignotus Peverell to rest personally.

The fate of the Three Brothers was something Merlin tried not to think too often, but still would nag and haunt him at certain occasions, but at least Ignotus proved truly worthy of his gift.

"You know, I still remember how you opened your heart to me, how you trusted and was grateful to me for all I did for Albus and Aberforth. Your sons live on, and though slow, hope remains for a reconciliation, and your youngest son even produced a new son to continue the bloodline of the Dumbledores. It does not undo my failure to save you and Ariana, but I will do my best to ensure your family lives on."

Merlin conjured flowers and laid it down on Kendra's gravestone. "Albus will go on and do many great things in the future. I promise you. And... If you are angry for how he failed Ariana, then be angry at me instead. I am the one responsible for the greater picture of your misfortunes, and I confess I should have waited longer and been there for you and Albus more. Albus is a great person, not flawless, but his failures are not his own."

Merlin turned towards Ariana's gravestone and laid down flowers there too. "Your daughter has seen much of the world, and I can only hope she shares her experience with you, even if as a Portrait Spirit."

As he turned to leave the graveyard, he met Aberforth. 

"Here to give your regards to my mother?" Aberforth asked curtly as Merlin nodded.

"Yes. Aberforth, you may not be as great of a student and intellectual man as Albus in terms of the magic, but you are an undeniably braver and emotionally wiser man than him. I am no less proud of you as I am of him. I am not perfect, and it was true that I was more involved with Albus, but do know that I care about you just as much as I care for Albus." Merlin said sincerely. "You were not the unfavorite, just different."

Aberforth chuckled softly. "Well, I guess that's true. My big brother always thought too far ahead, like you said. Things won't ever be the same with him, just like it probably won't with you, but I guess I am willing to give you a chance. Want to have a few drinks?"

Merlin chuckled. "I'll be glad to."

It was a start of new hopes between him and the Dumbledore Family. Merlin didn't think it could all be fixed, but seeing Aberforth go forward with a lighter shoulder, it reminded Merlin that he still had hope with those two.

When he arrived at Jacob's Bakery, it was to be greeted by Queenie in full wedding dress.

"It's good to see you back, Queenie. I apologize for my previous harshness. It's just that you must understand that I have experienced many such affairs, and believe me when I say not a single one of them ended well." Merlin said humbly as Queenie smiled.

"It's alright, Arthur. Thank you for making this possible, for never giving up on me, for helping Jacob rise up again. I heard you gave word for the MACUSA to allow me and Jacob to be granted special permission to marry. Jacob also went on a full excited rant about how you let him keep his wand."

Merlin simply chuckled. "I wish you all the happiness you and Jacob deserve, Queenie."

"Was the friend you mentioned the only person you had feelings for? Was there another?" Queenie asked softly as Merlin gave a sad but sincere smile.

"Actually, I loved a girl once even while I was still good friends with the friend I killed with my own hands. She died in peace, and I admittedly only realized I had feelings for that friend a few years after contemplating what I had done to her. It hurt to think about it, even though it wasn't as strong as the shared love I had with the other girl. Her name was Freya. I can't say who my friend is, but her tale was a tragic one, and I have no one but myself to blame for it."

It was perfectly true. Merlin had crushed over Morgana, and a part of him did grow to love her after Freya's death, but it never blossomed or amounted to anything due to his foolishness. Perhaps he could have been allowed to be happy with her had he been a wiser man, but it would seem to have the company of a lover was a dream impossible to reach by now.

"Be happy, Queenie. Don't waste the chance you've been given." With that, Merlin walked out to talk to Newt, who was walking towards Albus.

"Memorized the speech well, my boy?" Merlin asked teasingly as Newt chuckled.

"Yeah. That was quite an elaborate speech, but compared to Ancient Magic, it might as well be nothing in difficulty."

"A historic day, isn't it, Professor? Where once was before, there will be another." Albus said softly as Merlin grinned.

"Yes. The thing about historical days, though, is that it can be anything. It can seem so ordinary on the surface, yet deep meaning in the inside."

Albus chuckled before he turned serious. "How is the cleanup of the German Ministry of Magic going on?"

Merlin turned serious as well. "It's going well. With help from Liu and Vicencia, we've been able to retake the German Ministry of Magic. The information I forced out from Vogel and Helmut with Legilimency was useful, and we're wiping out network after network that Grindelwald can use. It also seemed that Vogel might have been imperiused, though, so he hasn't been punished yet. I've lifted the curse, and he's becoming more cooperative. Helmut had a part in it, and Vogel and the rest of the ICW voted Helmut to be sentenced to life."

"Good. What happened to Grindelwald?" Newt asked slowly.

"We fought hard across the forest until he decided he couldn't beat me and escaped." Merlin said in half-truth. He had actually given Grindelwald a quite decisive beating, but considering how even Albus wouldn't have mimicked that kind of victory over him, he left it out.

"Will I see you again?" Albus asked softly as Merlin smiled and gently touched his forehead with Albus's.

"You will, but you won't for quite some time from now. I've helped you with what I could. The rest of your journey you must take alone, and I have faith in your ability to do so." Merlin said as he hugged Albus, one of the few times where he indulged in such gestures since Camelot.

"You will find redemption and greatness, Albus. Now, shall we get going to the wedding ceremony, Newt? I'll meet you at the church I've arranged."

With that, Merlin got up, but not before Albus grasped his hand.

"I'm proud to be your student, no matter what, and I hope by the end of the day, you'll be proud of me too."

Merlin simply grinned. "I know I will, without any shred of a doubt."

And so it was that on the Kirkpatrick Chapel, at the end of 1932, that Merlin Emrys officialized the first in centuries marriage of a New York Witch and a New York Muggle.

He recalled the day where he married Godric and Helga, but even compared to that, this was special.

Slowly, but surely, this would change the dynamic between wizardkind and muggles in New York. He failed to prevent the Rappaport Law, but now here he was, taking yet another small step at fixing the rift between his people and Muggles.

In the end, as Merlin watched Jacob and Queenie embrace each other, as he stood at the center with Newt by his side and Jacob by the other, as he held the picture of him and the friends he had smiling, Jacob and Queenie in tears of joy, Merlin Emrys felt contentment just for a day and slept with a smile on his face on the castle that had became his home.

Kilgharrah flew from New York City back to the Isle of the Blessed with a small smile on his face.

It was pleasant to see Merlin beginning to undo the Rapaport Law that he blamed himself for, and it was nice to see wizards and muggles having such relationships. It reminded Kilgharrah of the world that was to come.

A world that Merlin would bring and maintain, which would grant Merlin the acceptance of his immortality at long last, and also redeem Kilgharrah of the failure that was Camelot's fall.

Speaking of which, Merlin had no idea how his destiny had changed, hadn't he? It was a surprise that would be shaking to Merlin when Arthur's soul finally found reincarnation.

"Your destiny approaches slowly but surely, Merlin. You have all but shown the markings of worthiness for it, and I have faith that although you would not accept it easily, you will and you would thrive."

Chapter Text

Merlin approached the hamlet of Feldcroft cautiously, analyzing the situation in front of him. He had heard about the village being struck by a drought, but he had to admit even he did not expect it to be so harsh. It also happened that the Feldcroft Catacombs contained one of the artifacts he sealed away personally, created by Morgana to be capable of controlling all kinds of dark magic, and he didn't want the drought to make the relic vanish.

Well, he could fix this up easily if he were to use Ancient Magic, and the people could be convinced to not say anything about it. He just had to-

Merlin paused his train of thoughts when he noticed the presence of 4 remarkable magical powers closing in. They all clearly were surprisingly in tune with the Old Religion, but there was one aura in particular that stood out, an aura that was more... natural in it's command over Ancient Magic. 

Merlin looked upwards and saw 3 wizards and a witch approaching the village. He recognized one of them as Charles Rookwood, a particularly accomplished master of Transfiguration who taught the subject at Hogwarts as the Head of Slytherin and established the Rookwood Castle on Feldcroft, and due to recognizing him, he also realized who the group was. 

The Keepers? Here? I've seen traces of their work before, and their skills in Ancient Magic was commendable for those who did not have the magic from birth. I knew they were dedicated to using Ancient Magic for good and protecting it's secrets, but I never knew they had a genuine Old Religion sorcerer, nor that they could be born in this era.

As Merlin eyed them curiously, he recognized the woman as Niamh Fitzgerald. He hadn't been back into Hogwarts for a decade by now, but he had seen her in the newspapers as she was the Headmistress of Hogwarts. He also happened to see her at certain occasions in events held by Hogwarts, and she definitely portrayed the look of a compassionate and wise leader. He supposed she was the leader of the Keepers then.

Merlin concealed himself using Ancient Magic impenetrable to even those who could sense the Old Religion as he watched them cast a powerful water spell to revitalize the hamlet. From what he could sense, the elderly wizard was the one giving off a naturally genuine connection to the Old Religion, while the others had to master Ancient Magic first before they could truly tap into the Old Religion within them.

However, there was another person who emitted the same natural connection to the Old Religion, a small girl who appeared to be just 7 years old. Merlin could tell just by looking at them, as he had long since trained himself to the point where his eyes were a magical sensor beyond detection and truth spells, both magically and intellectually.

Seeing the village didn't need his help anymore, he left to secure the Feldcroft Catacomb, leaving the Inferi alone as they served as guards due to Salazar's elaborate enchantments. Salazar might have fallen off the deep end, but before he had used the powers of darkness for good, and Merlin wanted to respect and preserve as much as he could of Salazar's legacy. He owed it to his lost son.

Fortunately, the Relic was still there, secure, and Merlin breathed out in relief as he left Feldcroft soon after, but not before healing a few villagers who had fallen ill, as the Keepers clearly didn't went far enough to cure them. He didn't use Ancient Magic, of course, simply Modern Magic, but he had to admit he was now really interested in the Keepers. He had only observed from afar as Rookwood met with his fellow Keepers through the use of Divination, albeit limited as the Keepers were able to guard themselves well and Merlin had to be careful around it, and since they were sincere, Merlin had allowed them to use their powers.

Now, though, he wondered if he should research them a little bit more...

"Welcome, Merlin. What brings you here, young warlock?" Kilgharrah asked as Merlin approached him in his Dragon Sanctuary.

"Recently, I went to Feldcroft because it was flooded and in dire need of revitalization, along with also having to make sure Morgana's Relic stayed where it should be, but I have to admit I saw the Keepers. They were the ones who helped the village. Something is strange, though. One of them possess a natural connection to the Old Religion, and that's the first time I've ever seen it before. I even encountered a young girl who also had a natural connection to the Old Religion. Do you know something about it?" Merlin asked the ancient Dragon as Kilgharrah hummed.

"You're talking about Percival Rakham, the late-bloomer, I assume? The Leader of the Keepers, and one who manifested magical abilities at the age of fifteen, as the perquisite for having a stronger connection to the Old Religion than a normal sorcerer?" Kilgharrah asked calmly as Merlin's eyes widened.

"A late-bloomer? That doesn't explain why he can use Ancient Magic, Kilgharrah. I've seen late-bloomers before, and they aren't connected to the Old Religion naturally-"

"It was a rare thing, but possible, for sorcerers to be born with the power of Ancient Magic to a higher degree than most, long since the old times of the Old Religion, Merlin. Percival Rakham was the first ever since Camelot fell, yes, but this proved that while the Old Religion had dimmed, it's power still remains strong. It's not a matter of strong concern, Merlin." Kilgharrah said simply as Merlin took the information in.

So the Old Religion can still manifest it's power through people naturally, rather than just surviving artifacts and locations of the Ancient Magic?

"Okay, but I'm curious about that other girl. Is it possible for two such unique late-bloomers to exist simultaneously?" Merlin asked as Kilgharrah nodded.

"Yes. In fact, I recall a time where there was a triplet of such late-bloomers. They were some of the greatest sorcerers in the Old Religion, with power that could be compared to even that of Morgana's own. But it doesn't have to be blood connection, as I've seen instances where unrelated late bloomers coexisted. It's not like it's an anomaly, just a blessing that the Old Religion can grant to those they saw fit to." Kilgharrah answered as Merlin took in the information.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to see that girl and how the Keepers will react to her. She's from Feldcroft, which happens to be one of the main sources of Hogwarts students, so she'll attend the school at her fifth year. I'll be there to check when she gets her examinations." Merlin spoke out loud as Kilgharrah simply hummed.

"So be it. Do what you think you must do."

"Ah! Mister Richard! Welcome to the school!" Headmistress Niamh greeted him politely as Merlin smiled at her.

"I'm happy to be here, Miss Niamh. The education in Hogwarts has improved much since your takeover. In particular, I heard that Isidora Morganach, the most talented of your students, has managed to achieve various accolades?" Merlin asked with a convincing smile as the Headmistress merely nodded with a small smile.

"Yes. She was quite the student. She was a late bloomer, yet she was outstandingly talented. She was eager to learn the ways of magic after the death of her brother, which made her father particularly heartbroken, so as to be able to help her old village recover. She has a good spirit and a strong desire to help people. Now, I think I should introduce you to the other professors?" 

Merlin smiled and nodded while he took in that information. He had heard that Isidora had lost her brother from sources he had on Feldcroft, so he decided that after a few months, which was now, would be the right time to go along with what he wanted. 

Headmistress Niamh lead him to the Headmaster's Office, and Merlin couldn't help but smile. He still recalled the days when Godric and Salazar would compete to be allowed to seat on the chair while Merlin just playfully gave each of them an hour's time to act as though they were the Headmaster, which lead to them trying to order around Helga, Rowena, and most importantly, each other.

That smile did fade, however, when he noticed a few paintings of what he easily recognized as telling of the Deathly Hallows, causing him to shake his head briefly, which did not went unnoticed to Niamh. "Something wrong, Mister Richard?" The Headmistress asked in concern as Merlin shook his head.

"Ah, no. I see that you're quite a fan of the Tale of the Three Brothers, I assume?" Merlin asked as he quickly regained himself, causing Niamh to smile simply.

"Yes. In my opinion, that tale depicts what I believe to be the truth. Just as the first and second brother fell because they were too eager to use their new powers and ended up overusing the tools they were granted, it proves that there is no light without shadow. One mustn't strive for a complete victory, but instead do their best and accept the results. Only then can they truly be happy, and by accepting the fact that evil will keep rising and must constantly be fought to keep the world in balance, a wizard or witch can find peace." 

Merlin paused at that as the current Headmistress of Hogwarts smiled at him. He had never really thought of it that way. What happened to Cadmus and Antioch was one of his greatest regrets. Look at what the Elder Wand had caused, and how the Resurrection Stone had tempted many to seek out a way to defeat death. It was all his fault, and he honestly couldn't agree totally with her, but he did have to admit he agreed with what she believed about light and darkness. It was the reality of things, to be honest. Even had Arthur survived and lead the world to what it should be, there would still be villains and darkness around.

"Such wise words, Miss Niamh." Merlin said with a small forced smile that made her nod curiously at him, clearly noticing some of his emotions. 

"Ah! The representative of the Wizarding Examinations Authority, Mister Richard Pendragon, I assume?" Professor Percival said genially as he got up and shook hands with Merlin. "Welcome to Hogwarts! We are pleased to welcome you."

"The pleasure is mine, Professor Percival. I must say your Divination capacities are quite remarkable, especially as it's quite the esoteric branch of magic, yet it would appear that your students are well-learned from what I am aware, learning practical spells. Impressive." Merlin praised the teacher before him as the man merely smiled.

"Why, thank you, Mister Richard. Your family's name too is quite impressive. I've heard rumors of how the Pendragon Family had wizarding ties, but I have never encountered one before. If I may implore-"

"Well, that's clearly a thing. I myself do not know too much of the legacy of my Family, but what I do know is that the Pendragon Family's wizarding ties began with Merlin, who took up the name of the man he saw as his brother in honor for who he was. There are three families who have the "Blood of Merlin", the Emrys, the Ambrosius, and the Pendragon. I must humbly ask that you keep this knowledge in wraps, however, for the golden days of the old are over. I know Ancient Magic's existence, but I do not possess the power to wield it, for example." Merlin said with a convincing smile, although he felt like clenching his fists several times over.

He had been taking up names that more regularly was inspired from either his deceased friends of Camelot or names he came up at the fly, but even he could not prevent rumors of "wizarding families connected to Merlin". Emrys and Ambrosius were among the ones most well-known, and there were many other speculations aside from those "definites". Sometimes, he wondered if he was doing right enough to justify taking up his friends name after how his failures lead to Camelot's ruin.

"Ah! Such a curious detail, but we do not mind if you wish to keep it a secret. From what I am aware, Ancient Magic is full of mysteries, and only Merlin was said to have mastered Ancient Magic completely. It was said that Ancient Magic was the roots of the magic we wield today, created by Merlin's genius of magic that gave birth to the magics of the present to match what we only know as "The Decay" or "The Weakening" of Ancient Magic." Percival said with an understanding smile as Merlin chuckled and nodded.

"Thank you for sharing what you know, as well, Professor Percival." He didn't want to prolong this discussion too much, especially as he knew it was only half right. While he did create the fundamentalism that would lead to the birth of Modern Magic, it was not all him. Kilgharrah also helped out.

"Hello, San, Charles!" Percival called out, causing Merlin to turn around and watch as the two other Keepers came into the office.

"Mister Richard Pendragon! A pleasure. Charles Rookwood, Professor of Transfiguration."

"I am Professor San Bakar of Care of Magical Creatures, as well. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Merlin shook hands with all of them. "The pleasure is mine. I've heard many things about your effectiveness as professors, and your curiculums are quite well-managed."

Charles merely smiled warmly at him while Bakar nodded appreciatively. "Your praise pleases us, Mister Richard. Now, let us discuss about the incoming O.W.L.S-"

"Before that, may I ask how would you approach the matter with one Isidora Morganach? As she entered the school as a fifth-year, how would you wish for O.W.L.S to be held regarding her?" Merlin asked profesionally, making sure to not appear suspicious.

"Ah! Do not worry, Sir. She will receive her O.W.Ls personally. She's quite the gifted student, and I daresay it would only take 7 days after the O.W.L.S before she would be ready to be tested by you. We will be there for her, of course." Niamh stated confidently as Merlin nodded with a smile.

"I'm pleased to hear that, Professors. After all, regardless of circumstances, all students deserve the chance to thrive in their own way." Merlin said kindly as the professors before him nodded politely.

It went well, thankfully. He watched over the O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S for this year, having done this about 5 times before. If anything, he was responsible for codifying the standards used by the Wizarding Examinations Authority, having funded it as part of his efforts to support magical education and then spread the usage of O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S through the other schools available.

Seeing the students eagerly do their exams and practice were fond memories of Merlin, not only when he was in Hogwarts, but also while he was in the other schools. The fact that, despite everything, children could still thrive while possessing magic served to warm Merlin's heart when looking back. Merlin himself was always well-liked by the students for his willingness to praise their performance, and would add in supportive comments at certain occasions.

Part of the reason why this was so easy for him, and why he had a particular liking to this kind of thing was because he still remembered the days before O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S had came into existence. When he was still Headmaster of Hogwarts, he and the Founders would watch over the students in their tests and Merlin would be casually standing by, watching as his children carried out their duties and stepping in whenever they ended up causing discomfort to the students with their quirks. 

Alas, the old days were long gone, never to come back...

Anyway, after two weeks of looking over the students and being well-liked by them all, he was now ready to test Isidora Morganach. 

"We must thank you, Mister Richard, for being such a respectable examiner. You carried out your duties much more efficiently than any other we've seen before, I confess. The students warmed up to you quite quickly, and you not only respected them, but supported them. As Headmistress, I would like to express my thanks for it." Merlin merely smirked at Niamh's words as he casually nodded back.

"Thank you for your kind words, Headmistress Niamh, but I simply did what I think anyone should." Merlin said simply as the Headmistress smiled.

"Ah! Mister Richard Pendragon, I assume? My name is Isidora Morganach, and I am very appreciative that you have agreed to take up my... unique case." Merlin smiled politely at Isidora as she quickly got up and greeted him with a grateful smile.

"Yes. Now, let us begin, Miss Morganach. Which do you like to take on first? Practical or theory?"

Isidora merely smiled. "Practical, first, please!"

And he had to admit she truly lived up to her reputation as the brightest of her year, indeed.

Isidora was able to perform all the magic she was required to show at a level unmatched by her fellow students, which only further strengthened Merlin's suspicions that she really had a natural connection to the Old Religion. Even without tapping into it, the Old Religion still strengthened her powers, giving her plenty of opportunities to refine her work from. 

"You have quite an exceptional grasp over Transfiguration, Miss Morganach. Transfiguration is quite the difficult field, yet you performed astonishingly well. You were able to vanish all the objects required and perform switching spells at a commendable level. I have never encountered one as talented as you are, admittedly." Merlin praised earnestly as she finished her O.W.L.S.

"Thank you for your kind words, Mister Richard, but... That's not what I truly seek to specialize in." Isidora said with a small smile.

"Oh? Then what is it? Defense Against the Dark Arts? You were flawless in your repelling of dark creatures and performing various counter-jinxes, so-"

"Er, no, I'm most interested in Charms, you know. Charms are the fundamentals of all types of magic, from what I have learned about in Magical Theory. I think I would like to develop spells that could further help others. Do you think I'm capable of that?" Isidora asked enthusiastically as Merlin kept a smile on his face, although for some reason, he felt that something was... odd, like a foreboding, despite how she seemed sincere.

"Of course! I think you have that skill, with how proficiently you cast the Charms required to pass. However, I must warn you that developing a new spell is quite the complex magical practice. You might want to take it slow and broaden your skills before you attempt such a thing." Isidora beamed at him as she nodded.

Not only her magical skills, but her intelligence and knowledge was also quite exceptional as she was able to answer all the theoritical questions given flawlessly.

"Mister Richard, can I ask you if you've had any experience with spell-creation?" Isidora asked innocently at the last day of her examination, Magical Theory. "It's just that I've heard from Professor Percival that you were descended from Merlin himself, so you must have quite a few knowledge of magic outside the norm?"

Merlin innerly flinched, but remained calm externally as he nodded. "Well, I suppose I can tell you a few things. First, when you create a spell, you must design the proper wand movement and incantation. Depending on the type of magic, you'll need to choose different languages. For example, the magic of my family, a special one for which I cannot divulge, uses Old English as it is a particularly powerful form of magic, quite old, while the magic of Britain uses primarily Latin. Secondly, to create a spell, you MUST properly understand what EFFECT you want your spell to have, and from that understanding, craft your own method of manipulating magic."

"The latter step is first and foremost, Isidora. If you do not understand what effect your spell does, then it could end up being too much or have the opposite effect. Remember that you must be a witch of outstanding experience and power to successfully accomplish such a feat."

Isidora nodded eagerly before asking again. "What do you think, Mister Richard, about your connection to Merlin? I imagine it must be quite the honor, to be related to-"

"Isidora... Merlin is not a perfect figure. He's a great wizard, yes, but is he a great man? Perhaps he had a good heart and noble intentions, yet in my opinion, Merlin failed. He didn't manage to do what he set out to do with King Arthur, and had to leave behind the prospect of uniting the wizarding and non-wizarding worlds to the next generation. Don't look at the past, but at the future. Be better." Merlin said softly as he gave her a small tired smile.

Isidora's eyes lost it's gleam as she stared at him sympathetically. "You seem quite distraught when you think of that. You... remind me of my father, who hasn't recovered from losing my brother after all these years."

"Well, people like me are quite old, Isidora, so I have had my fair share of pain and regret, but every single one of those experiences, no matter how much they hurt, give me reason to carry on. I do hope you remember that in mind." Merlin said simply as she patted her shoulder.

A few years later, and Merlin would stumble upon Isidora again by an accidental twist of fate. He was just keeping an eye on the seal placed at Feldcroft's Catacombs when he sensed Isidora's power, now much more in tune with the Old Religion than it was, along with the Keepers.

Since he wasn't meant to know about their connection to Ancient Magic, he chose to hide himself as he observed Isidora and the Keepers, settling himself in a standing position inside Isidora's house as he watched her interaction with her father first.

"I can't bring brother back, father, but I can bring you peace." Isidora said softly at the despondent Mr Morganach, causing him to look away. He knew better than most the feeling of lacking a father figure, after all. 

When the door opened and the Keepers stepped in, Merlin watched as Isidora and her father greeted the guests. 

"Now, on my travels, with the hints on spell-creation Mister Richard gave me, combined with my personal research on Ancient Magic, I was able to discover a few things. First, Ancient Magic's connection with the normal magic used by others comes from the fact that they all rely on one source of power, the Old Religion." Merlin's eyes widened at the term he never thought he would hear again from a modern wizard.

"The Old Religion? You mean the "source of magic" we have all been only somewhat aware of?" Niamh questioned Isidora curiously.

"Yes. There's surprisingly little I was able to discover, even as I traveled ancient ruins, especially ones connected to the Kingdom of Myth, Camelot, but I was able to find that the Old Religion appears to be the very energy that keeps the universe itself in harmony. It's like the life force of the spectrum of the reality, space, and time continuum, and it governs all magic in existence. It's one with the very will of the world itself, which I believe to be the reason why our magics are so powerful compared to normal. We harness the Old Religion more acutely than normal wizards could." Isidora gladly explained as Merlin shook his head.

He had warded the ruins of Camelot, especially ones containing knowledge of magic, but he supposed he had never really thought an Ancient Magic user could bypass his protections, since they were rather outdated compared to his current level of skill in magical warding. Somehow, he felt that Isidora discovered more than that.

"I see. That's quite the discovery, Isidora."

"But that's not all. While studying the ruins, I discovered the Journal of Merlin himself, along with a couple of books on Ancient Magic." Merlin's eyes widened even more as she casually took out a few books and presented them to the Keepers, who took them and began to read curiously, but what made him actually start to feel the tinges of wariness was the book Isidora kept to herself. It was indeed his OLD journal. He had wrote on it while having started his training under Kilgharrah as Court Sorcerer of Camelot, although he only truly began to dedicate himself to learning what the Great Dragon had to teach him after he had came to terms that he would never die.

"Some of them are written by Ancient Runes, but Merlin's journal was written in just plain English. This journal contained details of Merlin himself when he was still training to master his powers, and the wisdom contained inside it was quite enlightening. It was with this that I was able to discern one thing I always believed. At first, I thought Mister Richard had not properly communicated what was needed for Spell Creation, but now I realize that I lacked the component needed for the spell I've always wanted to create. Truly, he was right. Understanding what you want to weave into the world and then reciting the incantation that resembled it."

With that, Isidora began to focus deeply as she recited incantations. "Pîn w¯ære griellan sôðlic ætgenumen toward ðone as hyge!" The effect was instantaneous, and Merlin watched, with wide eyes, as dark wisps of magic came out from Mister Morganach's heart as Isidora directed it into a jar made of Goblin Silver. 

"Oh Isidora... What have you done?" Merlin said softly to himself just as Percival also said the same.

Percival was able to tell that Ancient Magic being used in such a way was very much new, even for Merlin himself, but Merlin could already sense the power of that spell, the nature of the spell. It was disturbingly dark, passionate in ways that could easily be harmful.

He teleported to Kilgharrah immediately. The Great Dragon smiled as he casually waved his paw at Merlin. "Ah, Merlin. Nice to see you continue to see the Isle of Blessed as a good place to take some time alone-"

"I have quite a few urgent news, Kilgharrah." With that, Merlin proceeded to project memories upon Kilgharrah about the details of what he saw Isidora did, still feeling chills from experiencing the power of the spell.

After the memory was finished, Kilgharrah looked to be in deep thought. "What do you think, Kilgharrah? That spell is definitely dark. It actually sent chills into my body. It's power is more... passionate than any I've seen before."

"This is quite disturbing, indeed. We should approach this with caution. I will have to think first, Merlin. Meanwhile, be on the lookout for any possible outcomes." Kilgharrah said after a while as Merlin nodded warily.

"Did I make the wrong choice? Telling her about Spell Creation? Like, she probably would have come to her own conclusion, but-"

"Merlin, you are not responsible for every single thing that the people who you interact face. You gave them free will, and that free will comes with just as much of a chance for darkness as it comes with light." Kilgharrah said firmly. "You did your best, young warlock. Do not blame yourself."

A year later...

"So you're absolutely sure it would work?" Merlin asked Kilgharrah again testily as he prepared to head out and undo the damage that Isidora had unwittingly caused.

It had been just 2 months since he picked up that Isidora's actions caused people to practically lose all emotions. It was a horror for him to learn exactly how far Isidora had fallen, and since he was partially responsible for her discovery of that overwhelming spell, he saw it fit to work to find a way to restore the damage, and who else but Kilgharrah who could help him, who at this point was still somewhat more powerful than him and also happened to be more experienced and knowledgeable.

"Yes, Merlin. This could work, but do remember that this does not automatically take away the magic Isidora now has in her disposal. We should treat her with caution." Kilgharrah said grimly as Merlin nodded.

"I'll set off to treat the ones she had stripped emotions from, then." 

Isidora had fortunately only practiced her magic on 20 individuals for now, which made it easy for him to cast the counter-spell and restore what had been taken away from them. He just had to recite "Hiertan, yfel onbûgan wið wægn willa ofbrytenwongas æghwilc midd su midmest onwille to êow. Stician hit hê sârwylm, sibgeornes, welhwâ pro myne midde êow hwæðre êower æftersona!" and all the damage could be undone after 10 minutes full of pain. It wasn't fatal, and would allow the people to return to their normal lives... Except not all of them were grateful for what he had done.

Most were very relieved to have their emotions returned, describing it as a very tormented existence where they could feel nothing and giving him as much Galleons as they could, despite Merlin insisting he had no need for Galleons. 

However, 6 of them did not appreciate Merlin restoring their emotions and even lashed out, stating that they felt better unable to feel anything since they had lost their loved ones or any drive to live. It was quite painful, to be honest, seeing them in a manner just as bad or even worse than his brief spiral into seeking a way out in death. He couldn't bear it, no matter how much he had affirmed himself not to intervene. In the end, he chose to take away their painful memories to allow them a new start in life.

"You have had a hard time, Merlin. I am aware. Isidora's motives are quite sympathetic, but she went on it the wrong way. We both have gone through our fair share of pain and failures, but it's only by overcoming them that we're able to become the person that we are now. Never forget that." Kilgharrah said softly when Merlin returned to the Isle of Blessed.

Merlin gave a sad, melancholic grin. "I know, Kilgharrah. I keep myself awake at certain nights thinking about that, after all."

Of course, there was simply no way that it would be that simple, with how dedicated Isidora was. It had been just a week when he had undid what Isidora did when he learned that Isidora had been wielding that magic on students.

"WHAT!?" Merlin shouted as he immediately clenched his fists, his magic boiling in his body as explosions began to occur around him and Kilgharrah from the uncontrolled energies he was letting out.

"Calm down, Merlin." Kilgharrah said with power as his explosions actually burst entire buildings apart. Several golden magical sigils appeared as Kilgharrah's magic swiftly repaired all the mess he caused by reconstructing the buildings and putting out the fires with water before making it as though there was no trace of harm left. "Now is not the time to lose yourself to wrath, but to focus on the situation at hand."

Merlin forced himself to calm down as he breathed deeply a couple of times. "She's gone too far. I have to take her out. I'll go back to Hogwarts now. Where is she, Kilgharrah? Take me to her, NOW!"

Kilgharrah looked away. "This will lead to another adventure, Merlin, eventually, but for now, she must be stopped, yes."

With that, Merlin flew into Kilgharrah's back and allowed the Great Dragon to distort space, reaching caverns that Merlin recognized as the very same ones he once took the Founders for family walks and had them practice Ancient Magic.

"This caverns were the place where I would hold certain classes with the Founders, to think it lasted all this time..." Merlin said, almost in wonder and longing for the old days, before he shook his head and clenched his fists.

They're not coming back. Right now, the only thing I can do is make sure Hogwarts remains standing.

"Yes. I still recall the days where Godric would challenge me to certain trials, I remember when Rowena would exchange wisdom with me, and I remember Helga's passion for healing as well as Salazar's uncanny sense of humor, as well." Kilgharrah said fondly as Merlin shook his head.

"Those are days long gone, Kilgharrah. They're not coming back." Merlin said bitterly as he walked forward. "Isidora is at the edge of the cave, is she? I'll need to transfigure myself as to take her down without causing any potential ramifications." With that, Merlin transformed into a younger version of his "Dragoon the Great" old disguise, still old, but only at the level of a 50 years old compared to the 75-old guy he was when he first used an Ageing Spell. His current body was that of a 34 years old, as he stopped aging upon completing his adulthood.

"Let's do this." Merlin said, but before he could move up, he noticed students walking towards him in a daze. He clenched his teeth at the sight of their emotionless looks. 

"Focus, Merlin. You can undo the damage she has done after she's been taken care of. The first thing you must do is support the Keepers in your own way." Kilgharrah reminded him as Merlin nodded. He could already feel the Keepers and Isidora at the edge, confronting each other.

Merlin used the simulation form of his Spatial Distortion to cross the distances as fast as he could, moving as trails of energy swiftly through the cave.

3 minutes later, and he noticed the fight had already began. Niamh had just been flung aside by an explosive spell that Percival protected himself and Charles from. Percival immediately fired a spell that unleashed bolts of lightning, but Isidora easily dispersed them with a wave of her wand that unleashed waves of wind. Isidora retaliated by forming eagles of fire and throwing them at the two Keepers, but Percival and Charles combined their magic to create a large serpent-like dragon that easily devoured the eagles.

Unfazed, Isidora vanished the dragon by flicking her wand at it and manipulated the water composing it into swords of water that Charles neutralized by forming a large transfiguration sigil that transformed them all into butterflies, with Percival following up by creating a dazzling orb of light that gathered all the butterflies and imbued them with light and launching them at Isidora, who countered by firing a bolt of energy that destroyed the orb along with the butterflies inside.

Merlin was about to jump in when he noticed Niamh had recovered and immediately launched a massive beam of fire that forced Isidora back a few steps even as she blocked it. The Keepers then surrounded Isidora as they worked together to fight back against the superior power her dabbling with the magic of emotions allowed her to access.

It became evident that although Isidora surpassed the Keepers easily in power, they had her beaten in terms of experience and were able to efficiently coordinate their magics together to fight back, allowing it to be a well-matched fight as Isidora began to struggle against all four of them, neither sides being willing to give in as they fired spells mercilessly at one another.

Percival, as the one who had the natural connection to Ancient Magic, was apparently the one who understood her spells the most and was able to lead the other Keepers into efficiently countering, and Merlin could not help but admire the man's skill. He truly was one of the best Hufflepuffs Merlin ever knew from this fight alone. He repeatedly saved the other Keepers with excellent leadership and powerful magics and slowly but surely, the tides began to turn against Isidora as any attempt to reach out was ignored by the other side or dismissed into a plea to relent.

After 7 minutes, it ultimately came to an end. Percival had just conjured dozens of fiery badgers while also using runes to fire lightning while Niamh created icicles sharpened further by trails of wind and threw them at Isidora. As Isidora focused against the combined attacks, her defenses weakened just for a single moment, and San Bakar did not hesitate. With narrowed eyes, Merlin watched as Isidora was killed by a Killing Curse to the back, a sudden abrupt end after all the fight she put up.

Shaking his head, Merlin felt his anger leave him as he allowed himself to pity Isidora Morganach. She had reminded him of Rowena, only while Rowena was able to tame her passion for knowledge, Isidora fell into the darkness as she became corrupted by her knowledge.

Merlin discreetly warped Isidora's corpse away as he noticed Kilgharrah flying ahead and nodded at him.

A few hours later, and Merlin had already finished burying both Isidora and her father. Despite everything, he believed Isidora at least deserved to be laid to rest at her own home, beside her family. Her father, who was too far gone, Merlin regretfully killed with his own hands, hoping he would find peace with his family.

"The Keepers have been "enlightened"?" Merlin turned towards Kilgharrah, who nodded. 

"Yes. I've also undid all the harm Isidora did to the students. Their memories have been modified, and the Keepers have decided that Isidora's death will be falsified as caused by an accident in an experiment with no bodies left to bury." Kilgharrah declared as Merlin shook his head and stared at the unmarked gravestone mournfully. It reminded him of how he never got to bury Salazar. He was able to bury Godric, Rowena, and Helga, but-

"You did what you could, Merlin. Do not blame yourself, and more importantly, use this as a lesson on how important it is to hold on to your humanity. Is it painful? Yes, but pain is part of being a human. It's better to be able to be hurt yet then find solace and happiness, rather than live a hollow life." Kilgharrah said as he approached Merlin.

Merlin gave a small melancholic chuckle. "I know, Kilgharrah. I know. I have lived for 7 centuries by now, and though there seems to be no end at sight, I still keep going. Not just because I have to, but because it serves as a penance for my old failures."

With that, Merlin turned away and apparated back to his home.

For some reason, he felt that things were far from over. That one day, he would have to face an outbreak caused by the magic he had a part in giving birth to.

500 Years Later...

"Can it be?" Merlin smiled tiredly, nothing in the physical sense, as he eyed Percival Rakham. 

Centuries had passed, yet he still remembered what had happened between the Keepers and Isidora. As he had expected, the past had came back and he must face it now.

"It's good to see you, Professor Rakham. I am afraid we parted ways with me hiding the truth of who I really am. You deserve to know. I am... Merlin."

Chapter Text

"So, Father, where are you taking me?" Merlin merely smiled at his godson as they walked through the caverns deep inside Hogwarts.

"Remember the History of Magic class where I spoke about Goblin Rebellions? This is the very place where the final battle took place, Son." Harry's eyes widened.

"Really!? Wow! It sure looks like it's seen a lot of battle, but where is the Repository?" Harry asked excitedly as Merlin's smile became more solemn.

"I destroyed it, along with the magic within it. It was too dangerous, and I put an end to a 5 century-old pile of secrets and corrupted power. I wish I could have done more before it happened, but alas, I could not undo the past, only walk forward." Merlin said before he turned to Harry.

"Now, Harry, let us begin with the story of my interaction with the Keepers, shall we?"

"Merlin? You mean, you're the Merlin of legend?" Percival eyed him, visibly surprised, as Merlin merely shook his head.

"Trust me, most of the legends are either overdone, or just plain false." Merlin said with a small tired smile. 

"Wait- I think we have met each other, back then. You- You were using the name "Richard Pendragon" at the time." Percival said after a while of contemplating Merlin's simple, but undeniably truthful words.

"Indeed. The thing with having lived for centuries? You get used to making false names and alternating between appearing as yourself and as someone else." Merlin said in an attempt to introduce humor into this conversation. "I apologize for not telling you the truth of my identity, but to be honest, no one should know I am alive. Very few do. The only ones who knew are sworn to secrecy."

"I- I see. I assume you are... Immortal, then? Due to Ancient Magic?" Percival asked slowly as Merlin gave a sad smile. 

"Yes. I am immortal. In a way, you could say I am Magic. I am like an incarnation of magic itself, made human form, having powers no one would ever be able to match. I am still very much human, but my powers? Well, to paraphrase those who know the full extent of it, sometimes even the word of "god" might not be able to accurately describe my magic." Merlin said as he shook his head. "Anyway, I went into Vault 12, saw your memories, and it seems you have left behind a challenge that might be fruitful for the current age. I have come here to both resolve your worries and thwart an incoming danger."

"Oh... Yes! Of course. Do forgive me, I am quite surprised that Merlin looks like an adult at his prime. I was, no offense intended, thinking that Merlin was an old, wise man, burdened by grief yet filled with hope for the future." Percival said with an awkward smile as Merlin couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're very much correct on that last part. I have seen so many things, so many darkness, yet despite everything, I still have faith. I still keep fighting for both our people and that of the non-wizarding world, because I believe the world is worth fighting for." Merlin said, smiling solemnly, as Percival stared at him with sympathy."

"I cannot say I understand, but as someone who can also harness Ancient Magic, who bear a great secret, I would like to express my condolences. Anyway, while the fact that you are the same Percival Pendragon that we met all those years ago is proof that you are indeed immortal, I'm afraid I and the other Keepers have made a vow to not share our secrets so willingly unless the one who discovered the secret has proven their worth. You will have to first-"

"Place the book on the pedestal? I know." Merlin said simply as he casually manifested the book he saw fit to keep in his personal dimension. Professor Fig had wanted to analyze it, but Merlin had managed to persuade him to let him keep it.

When the book was placed where it should be, the Map Chamber unveiled it's secrets, creating a spectral map comprising of Hogwarts, locations close to the school, and beyond. "Magnificent." Merlin praised openly as he eyed the beautiful, Ancient-Magic formed map.

"Thank you, Lord Merlin. Now, shall we move on to the four trials? Each of the Keepers have their own trials, and if you really are Merlin, I can safely assume you will be more than capable of completing all the Trials ahead. I apologize if this might seem an insult, but-"

"I have seen plenty of insults, Professor Percival, and believe me, your efforts are not. If anything, I must say I admire your capacity, your dedication to the future. You have truly made Hogwarts proud. The Four Founders themselves will be glad to have you in their houses." Merlin praised to cut Percival's hesitant challenge.

"I commend you for your understanding. Now, before-"

"That said, I must ask you about a disturbing phenomenon which is part of why I have returned to Hogwarts for the 30th time in my life. A Goblin Rebellion has risen, the leader, Ragnok, wields powerful, dark, Ancient Magic. He tried to stop me from leaving your fault, but I was able to overpower him and kill all of his men. That said, I fear this appears to be connected to the "power" you seek to hide. I assume from my knowledge of your fall-out with Isidora that it is indeed another one of the Repositories she was able to make?"

Percival looked quite grim indeed, as he shook his head. "Yes... But how do you know about Isidora, Lord Merlin?"

"I was responsible for saving the lives of the ones who had their emotions taken from them. It was the only thing I could do to make amends." Merlin said as he looked down with clenched fists.

"I see. Very well, then, in light of the fact that you are, quite likely, Merlin, I shall tell you the location of the First Trial, which you may find on the map."

"So they gave you Trials? But why? You're Merlin? They could trust you!" Harry said curiously as they walked through the caverns.

"Harry, to acquire great power, one must prove to be worthy of carrying a great responsibility. I thought you've learned that. Even I am no exception. My power is great, but I use it to prove myself, as I have, every day. Remember that." Merlin said with a small smile as he fondled his son's hair.

"And so I went to a Tower at the north of Hogsmeade to prove myself by completing the trial. Complete it, I did. At this point, Professor Fig has not yet joined my quest, nor has my dear 3 friends from that time, but being alone, to be honest, actually is the environment where I could fight without regard to what lies in front of me."

Orange flames rampaged through the field of ruins outside of Hogsmeade as Merlin simply waved his hand at the Goblins trying to attack him, burning them all to death without them being able to react. His body turned into spectral golden mist to avoid the attacks launched by Goblins from behind him, before he swiped his wand at them, combusting them from the inside.

Another Goblin tried to attack him, but Merlin didn't even bother to use his wand this time. He simply punched with his magic enhancing his strength to both shatter through the axe and punch through the Goblin's heart, dispassionately watching as the Goblin fell down.

Instead of running, the remaining Goblins cried out in anger as they charged towards him. Merlin effortlessly dispatched 10 of them with hand-to-hand combat, having had plenty of practice with such techniques over the years, skillfully dodging their weapon attacks and disarming them with kicks before casually either snapping their necks with one hand or setting 5 of them ablaze by placing his palm on their chest after stunning them with a punch.

The remaining ones, Merlin simply summoned a small storm of both lightning and wind and completely atomized them as he moved the storm around to dispatch any survivors. No mercy. There had been too many people killed for him to be willing to be merciful in this occasion, and he had long since gotten used to killing without batting an eye when he had to.

Only 4 minutes and a half had passed before Merlin was now facing Percival's Portrait calmly, ready to face the trial. "I must say, I am quite impressed with how easily you took care of whatever disturbance you must have faced. Although I must admit, I am disturbed to hear that Goblins knew of this tower too. We must move forward. Down, you will find a reservoir of Ancient Magic-"

"I already unlocked it, but thank you, Percival. I understand your hesitation, and I will do my best to prove myself." Merlin said with a small nod as Percival shook his head.

"Yes, do forgive us, Lord Merlin, but-"

"Just call me Merlin, please. I'm not Lord of anything. I'm just... an unbelievably powerful mage. You can call me "Merlin the Great". That's understandable, because I have done great things in the eyes of the people, but don't call me Lord. I never ruled over any government, so I am not fit to be called a Lord. I never was." Merlin said simply as he nodded at Percival.

In a flash, Merlin was there at the entrance to the First Trial. Whispers of Ancient Magic made it easy for him to find the door that would take him there. While Ancient Magic may lack prominence these days, Merlin was so well-attuned to the flow of the Old Religion that he could tell the difference between the Modern and Ancient Magic with ease, a talent that made it just as easy for him to shift between or even mix them together.

Opening the door, Merlin didn't think twice as he rushed into the place where he could feel a reservoir of Ancient Magic thrum. 

A disillusioned bridge. Simple, but undeniably efficient. And yet...

A simple snap of Merlin's fingers, and the bridge revealed itself, allowing him to cross it. He was not here for adventures, but he could at least enjoy using his more "ancient" powers a bit.

The next concealment was traces of the Old Religion revealing a mirror-like portal to another part of what seemed to be an alternate dimension of sorts. When Merlin crossed through, he shook his head as guardians armed with medieval weapons emerged.

I assume the Keepers must have been inspired by the books they got from Isidora. Those designs resemble that of Camelot. Well, I suppose for good old days...

Merlin manifested Excalibur as the Pensieve Guardians charged. He easily blocked the larger one's attempt to attack him from above and exchanged a few blows with it before quickly discovering openings and exploiting it, Excalibur hitting true as it pierced through the chest of the Guardian easily as they crumbled.

The "Sentinels" fell easily as Merlin casually blocked their attacks and sliced off their helmets. He kept Excalibur on him as he continued to maneuver through this maze of a puzzle, knowing there would be more, and he was quite right.

Well, I must say this would present a good challenge for anyone that wasn't me. Not just magical skill, but also wisdom, cunning, and mastery of the environment is required to get through all this. Fortunately for me, those traits have been mastered years ago. The way with which the platforms were stationed was brilliant, and they made sure to place the Protectors where they would most certainly catch a decent amount of adventurers off-guard.

Faced with dozens of what was stronger guards of the Trial, Merlin focused magic into Excalibur and swung it, releasing a crescent of energy that cut down half of the Protectors. Practically, any tool could be used to harness magic, and with weapons like swords and axes, they could be just as devastating as, or even more so, than wands. He still recalled how he would teach Godric "sword spells" and also gave Salazar a staff, Helga a double-edged knive, and Rowena a scepter, fond memories, no matter how much time had passed.

He cut through dozens of the guards with ease, his swordsmanship having long since been refined to where he was Arthur's better. While using the opportunity to practice his swordsmanship, he couldn't help but recall memories of time long gone, where he would spar with the Knights of the Round Table or Arthur, as they would either tease or compliment him for getting better. He still remembered the sincere congratulations and the looks of awe on Leon's face when he finally bested him in a sword fight.

The past, as painful as it is, can never be forgotten, and it shouldn't be anyway. It reminds me to be better, no matter how painful my mistakes are. Not all of the past is full of misery, either, so I guess I'll just take what happiness I could from it.

Laughing a bit at that, Merlin marched forward. Now was not the time to remember the past, as easy as it was to get lost in memories. He had a trial to complete.

The last challenge of the Trial happened to be one particularly powerful armored Guardian, capable of strong magic, after he took out dozens of the normal Guardians. However, Merlin didn't bother drawing his wand as he simply used Excalibur again, and this Guardian lasted for about 3 minutes as Merlin easily deflected aside the spells it could use, discovered when it would be weak to certain magics, and harness his own magic through Excalibur to repeatedly ground and damage the armor of the guardian before he finally killed it with a powerful overhead slash that cut it in half.

As the Guardian dissipated into a puddle of energy, Merlin walked towards the way that would reveal the Pensieve with a small smile.

I guess there's still some thrill to look forward to, after all.

Merlin reached a statue of Rakham, the end of the Trial, and calmly pointed at it, extracting the memory it meant to show before reciting the incantation. "Mynd, sweotolian wægn sôðsagu êow hæfde." The tear-like magical shape swiftly expanded, overriding the space around him as he was able to see the memory without needing a Pensieve, but temporarily taking him to the point of time where the memory occured. It was a lesser form of Time Magic, as it didn't allow him to influence the past, but did allow him to truly jump back through time.

He was at the edge of a cliff, with Percival watching over Isidora as she practiced Ancient Magic to use Elemental Transfiguration to create pillars on the opposing mountain.

"Your ability to transfigure the world around you is... Remarkable." Percival praised as Merlin shook his head. It pained him, still, to see the two of them so close, knowing what would happen in the end. It was partially his fault, too, after all.

"My father isn't getting better. I don't think he'll ever recover from the pain of losing my brother." Isidora said softly as Merlin looked away and cast an analysis spell on the time period. It just happened to be a week after she finished her O.W.Ls under him. That only made his heart fell.

"It is agonizing to see those we love suffer." 

Oh, that I know very much. So many times I could simply fix the problems of those I came to see as friends, and dozens of times I chose to believe in them, for varying results.

"The drought was years ago, but the pain of losing him is as deep for him as it had happened only yesterday... He doesn't need pretty pillars. He needs peace. What if- What if I could help him, Professor?" 

And by trying to use what I told her to help, she ended up dooming both herself and her father. Are you at peace now, Isidora? Have you reconciled with your father and brother? In the other side? Where I will never be able to go...

He still recalled how he held his mother as she closed her eyes forever, what her last words were.

Don't... Ever give up, Merlin. You have such a good heart. It pains me I can't live to see the man you'll grow to be, but I have faith you'll prove yourself to be great. Help people, Merlin. Use our memories not as a chain, but as a motivator to make you be better. I will always be with you, as your father too will always... Be... With... You...

His pain was no less than that of Isidora, no less than that of Salazar. He knew the pain of losing a parent. He had lost Balinor first before his mother died and Gaius followed 5 years later. Yet, both times he failed. He could have used his experience to make them better, but he failed.

Percival nodded sympathetically. "You do so much for your father, already, Isidora. Why, Mister Richard spoke of how you talked about him. It's not that you aren't inadequate, but-"

"It's not enough! I-I want to take away his pain. Mister Richard said I could potentially develop a spell to-"

Percival softly gripped his student's shoulder. "Mister Richard told us about your desire to craft a spell, yes, but you must understand that while the art of spell-creation is a possibility and has been done so many times, we do not know if it's possible to use such a concept on Ancient Magic. Only Merlin himself is said to have that kind of skill, and he's long since passed. It's tempting, I know, to use this magic you're mastering to transfigure more than the physical world, but human emotion? That's one of the taboos Merlin himself placed on Ancient Magic. It's such a potent force that even he dreaded the idea of anyone tempering with it. You must understand, Isidora, that not even the most competent and well-meaning masters of magic can anticipate the consequences of irrevocably manipulating it."

"So I'm to watch as my father's pain destroys him!?" Isidora said desperately as Merlin barely stopped himself from shedding a single tear.

I couldn't save my parents too. I was helpless to do anything but watch as they succumbed to the pains of old age, as they perished from mortality. Your intentions were good, but you just went about it the wrong way.

"It's not your pain to take, Isidora. Come, now, let us return to Hogwarts. We could-" Isidora had brushed past Percival bitterly as the teacher just sighed and stared at the scene remorsefully.

"Mister Richard, it is as you feared. That said, you were wise to tell us what you spoke. We shall do our best to take care of her." Merlin gave sad bitter chuckle at that. He had told the Keepers about how Isidora proceeded with her O.W.Ls, and had even warned them of the signs of potential corrupted passion he saw in her, but it wasn't enough. He didn't do well enough. He-

The space around him warped as he traveled through time to a limited extent to see the next memory.

It was Percival chatting friendly with Charles, talking about the silly things a student would see in tea leaves and mishaps in Transfiguration, and Merlin allowed himself to smile a bit. It had been years, and he still couldn't let go of his love for teaching. This time, though, he was here as a student, and he would have to act like one.

The brief reprieve of the dark emotions in him was swiftly crushed, however, as he watched Isidora enter, now Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. She had shown quite the promise as a teacher at first, swiftly becoming the favorite of quite a few students, from what he heard, but he supposed she came to care too much about them.

He placed his palm on his head at Isidora's invitation and Percival's cheerful reaction. Knowing how it would end contrasting with how warm and genuine the friendship between them used to be saddened him greatly, almost reminding him of the Founders themselves.

"So they started out by showing you memories?" Harry asked as they continued to walk slowly inside the caverns. "What was the point of it?"

Merlin merely shook his head. "They began by showing me memories because they thought the one who could be trusted to bear the burden of the secret needed to learn, slowly but surely, the responsibility of power. That's something I used to struggle with, so I understand. Anyway, I was thinking of taking you to those trials, having you test your skills in various ways, so I do hope you had been paying attention to some of my descriptions. You'll find yourselves going through them soon."

Harry merely grinned. "I am ready!"

Merlin gave a small, solemn smile. "I hope so, my boy. I hope so..."

By the time Merlin had returned to the Map Chamber, Charles Rookwood had already appeared.

"So you... Truly are Merlin, himself? Imagine it, Richard Pendragon was Merlin! The one who helped us prepare for Isidora turned out to be the immortal great warlock!"

Merlin smiled bitterly. "I'm afraid I can't take your praises or gratitude on the regard of Isidora, but yes, I am Merlin."

"I must say, you clearly didn't have any trouble figuring out any of our initial challenges, did you? You completed the First Trial in an astonishing 7 minutes, too! Such skill must mean you're exceptionally experienced and competent at your line of work, indeed!" Charles said as he bowed before him with a smile.

"Well, it comes with being about more than 500 years old." Merlin said simply as he bowed back in return to show respect. "This Artifact, I assume, will be of use, later on?"

"Ah, yes! Please keep them. There will be more through each Trials, and they will serve a purpose once you have completed all the trials. Again, I apologize for any kind of offense, but the Trials must be held, even for you." Merlin simply smiled as he gave them a thumbs up. 

"I know, Professor. I know. Speaking of which, where are the other Keepers? I think everyone should know of this situation, especially regarding the Goblins?"

And so Merlin had Charles knew everything about the Goblin Rebellion, also going into more detail than he did with Percival.

"This is... Quite grim news, indeed. I'm afraid we shall need more time to gather the other Keepers. Until then, I'm afraid I must halt the Trials." Charles said as he stared apologetically at him through the Portrait.

"Very well. I will also have to take care of the Goblin Rebellion, too. For the past 3 months, killing Goblins and rebellious wizards has been essentially my agenda when I'm not attending classes as a student would." Merlin said approvingly.

"Ah, I see. Good luck to you, then! However, how will we contact you when the time is right?" Percival asked as Merlin turned back.

"This." Merlin said as he cut his palm and drew a runic sigil with the blood. "Whenever you need me, speak "Wið ðe fals, yfel meldian". It'll summon me, so I know when the time is right."

And so Merlin walked out of the Athenaeum, thinking through everything.

I suppose I've made progress with figuring out how Isidora's exploits would be connected to the Goblins, but I can't help but feel something is wrong. I could take care of those Trials easily enough, but it's this whole Goblin Rebellion thing that had me worried. Could it be? I have a few ideas as to what is possible, and none of them are good. As for Charles, I have faith he is a good man, but Viktor Rookwood definitely is not. I'll have to kill him, sooner or later, if I'm going to stop his crooks for good.

"Ah, so this is where you've been." Merlin was snapped out of those thoughts as he eyed Professor Fig. "I assume you have made progress with the whole thing, figured out what to do with the book?"

"Yes, Professor. Don't worry. I have it under control-"

"May I ask to join you in whatever endeavor you are undertaking." Merlin shook his head as he eyed the Professor of Arithmancy cautiously.

"I'm afraid not. This is a personal matter, a family matter, you can even say. As such-"

"I understand that I might seem intrusive, but I think you could use a helping hand or two? I am very good at magic, and I am also well-aware of your "circle of friends". Are they aware of this?"

Merlin's eyes narrowed. "No. It's best they don't know. I assure you, Professor Fig, that by the end of the year, your wife will be avenged and everything will be fine."

Professor Fig gave a small smile. "I know that I can trust in your skills. You're certainly much more capable than I am, but I think I could still be there for you when you need me, don't you think? How about this? I'm well-aware that you've been taking out hordes of Ranrok's followers, so perhaps we could work together on that?"

Merlin sighed as he knew Fig wouldn't stop bringing this up. That said, he supposed he could use some help too, not when on the field, but with assuring the friends he had gained. "Very well, Professor. I'll contact you when the time is right."

Chapter Text

When Merlin entered the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, it was to be met by a Gryffindor and a Slytherin dueling each other, causing Merlin to shake his head. He still recalled how Godric and Salazar would duel each other for training, and such dynamics were regular during dueling classes that Godric taught. He had to step in 5 times back then to stop things from getting too out of hand between Godric and Salazar's students. Sometimes they could get lost in rivalry.

However, when the Slytherin attempted to cast Bombarda at the Hebridean Black Skull, Merlin immediately stepped in, levitating the skull before it could hit the Gryffindor and placing it back. "While usage of the environment is good for any duelist, do remember that this is not a duel to the death. That could have killed your opponent, Mister-"

"Oh! You're the new student. Sebastian Sallow. This is Prewett, by the way." The Slytherin introduced himself cordially just as Professor Hecat appeared. 

"I see you're at least quite familiar with the theory of dueling, Mister Lancelot. From what I heard of Professor Fig, you appear to be quite the duelist for someone of your age." The Professor praised as Merlin eyed her curiously. He could tell how her body had been affected by some kind of powerful time magic. Department of the Mysteries, perhaps? Former Unspeakable? He had heard of how she had single-handedly disbanded the largest poacher ring in East Wales, and she definitely wasn't much older than Black.

"Thank you for the praise, Professor Hecat." "Lancelot" thanked her with a small smile.

Over the years, names inspired from Arthur and Lancelot were the ones that he used the most, as they were some of his best friends... And among the two he failed the most, Arthur by being such a jerk to Mordred when Mordred could have chosen another path, Lancelot for being unable to stop him from being used as a Shade by Morgana.

Merlin was no stranger to the fact that he was not Lancelot. He might be the "greatest warrior" in the world, by de facto of having over a millennia of experience that allowed him to master not just magic but also swordsmanship and all kinds of things related to fighting and traveling and being technically unstoppable due to his immortality, but he wasn't the same selfless, compassionate man as Lancelot was. No matter how much his mother and Kilgharrah always spoke of his good heart and nobility, Merlin knew he paled compared to Lancelot, which made his decision to use his name even more bittersweet for him.

Besides, he wasn't really a "Knight", no matter how good he was now with the sword, spear, crossbow, and practically every weapon around. He was, first and foremost, a "Warlock". A Warlock that had gotten so used to lying and manipulating that it was like a second nature, a Warlock with the "powers of a god", and a Warlock who had to accept the fate of eternal life and permanent separation from the ones he loved. If there was a reason why he took the name "Lancelot", it would be because he happened to be in the mood for some bitter irony.

"Now, before we begin, how about we have a duel between you and Mister Sallow? If you are good enough, then perhaps I might even take you on in a duel." The Professor said as Sallow merely grinned.

"Time for a proper Hogwarts welcome, then!" Merlin couldn't help but hum at that. A Slytherin who seemed particularly eager to duel? That wasn't like Salazar, who might have done his absolute best to become one of the greatest duelists of all, but he was, true to the cores of his house, more on the side of cunning and pragmatic diplomacy.

With that, they were raised up a dueling platform as Merlin saluted at Sallow, who raised an eyebrow, but saluted him back. "Begin!"

Sallow fired quite a few potent offensive spells for someone of his age, Merlin had to admit. It would be nothing compared to Merlin, of course, and he had no real trouble blocking his spells,  and for a time, he wondered if he should let Sallow beat him, but immediately shook off the thought. It wouldn't work. He might want to keep as low of a profile as possible, but as Fig had already told Hecat about how he fared against the Goblins on Percival's vault, it would be useless.

So Merlin effortlessly deflected all of Sallow's spells before closing in and while dodging a spell from Sallow, used a subtle Levioso wandlessly while pretending that it came from his wand, and with Sallow hapless, fired a Knockback Jinx that knocked him out of the dueling platform, causing everyone there to stare at him stunned.

"Quite the good display! Put on the spot and you rose to the challenge so easily! 50 Points to Ravenclaw." Merlin had chosen Ravenclaw because he knew he was going to have to act primarily like Rowena this time, a cool-headed strategist to deal with the Goblin Rebellion.

"Thank you, Professor Hecat." Merlin said respectfully as Sallow approached him.

"That was one hell of a good form, alright. That Shield Charm of yours blocked 5 spells of mine! You also used Levioso too, a rather handy simple charm that was." Sallow said, looking quite unfazed by his loss and instead curious about him.

"Well, I've seen my fair share of wand combat, but that was a practice duel, not an all-out match. I've been fighting to quell the Goblin Rebellion before entering Hogwarts, which was what Professor Fig mentioned." Merlin responded simply, coming up with a quick way to explain himself for his abilities easily.

"Oh! Right, Goblins..." Merlin detected anger at the boy's mind, before he quickly shrugged it off. "Well, may I invite you to a certain exclusive, unsanctioned dueling organization?"

"A... Certain exclusive and unsanctioned dueling gathering?" Merlin asked slowly as Sallow merely grinned. 

"Well, be it joining a secret dueling club, sneaking into the Restricted Section, rules in Hogwarts should be broken a bit if you want to enjoy the school!" Merlin had to laugh a bit at that. How surprising, to see this Slytherin so casual about speaking rule-breaking. Salazar would be fuming to see a student from his house act like this, for sure.

"We'll see. I suppose I'll be seeing you again soon." Sallow nodded with a small smirk.

"Defiinitely. Look for Lucan Brattleby near the Clock Tower if you're interested!"

"I know Sebastian vouched for you. Lancelot Ambrosius, right? I coordinate duels for Crossed Wands." Merlin could not help but be amused by the usage of such a simplified term for dueling. 

"Oh? May I ask what is it?"

"A "secret" dueling club that I founded with Sebastian's help. It's invitation only. I got to admit, you must have really impressed Sebastian. He said you beat him pretty swift."

"Sebastian wasn't a bad duelist, but these days, the ones who have more experience in life-or-death situations will obviously have an advantage over those who simply practice dueling." Merlin acknowledged truthfully, causing Lucan to grimace.

"Yeah, I know. Sebastian told me about how you apparently have been fighting against Goblins. By the way... Er... Would you mind helping the duelists train?" Merlin hummed at the simple yet brilliant idea. It would certainly help minimize any potential casualties for potential Ranrok attacks. He won't take them out into the field, though, simply helping them be ready.

"Good idea. I think I am competent enough for that. That said, I think I would like to first spar with every other member of Crossed Wands other than Sebastian, please? That would help me learn where to start with them." Merlin asked politely, causing Lucan's eyes to widen.

"There- There are 11 members outside of myself and Sebastian. Are you sure you want to take all of them on at the same time?" Merlin merely shook his head.

"I have taken down dozens in real all-out duels. I think I can take them down a peg." Merlin said confidently as Lucan nodded shakily.

And so it was that Merlin was pitted against practically everyone who he happened to have already interacted with. 

"Wow, got to admit, you really have a lot of guts, Lancelot. You're definitely worth that name." Sebastian said with something resembling awe as Merlin flinched at that.

"Ready for this, Lancelot? We won't hold back since you've already taken on so many baddies!"

"Bring it, and don't hold back either. In reality, all-out duels are meant to be hard." Merlin responded simply towards the 11 students he was about to duel.

Soon enough, spells were launched at him as he calmly and efficiently blocked each and every single one of them. He could tell they all weren't "too bad", enough to take down a couple of normal villains, but they weren't prepared for the harsh and strict conditions of a real battle. 

His reflexes sharpened by centuries of training and combat had absolutely no problem deflecting each and every spell thrown at him despite how it was 1 vs 11. Soon, Merlin began to advance, using Depulso, Flipendo, and Stupefy in rapid succession, using just those three spells to steadily take out every single one of them without taking a single spell in.

Only 4 minutes since the duel started, and Merlin already had all 11 students who were hesitant to challenge him beaten, leaving both Sebastian and Lucan speechless. 

"Well? I think I am qualified to teach you with this, I assume?" Merlin asked politely as Lucan coughed out and nodded.

"Yes! Definitely! There is no need for more rounds, since you already beat Sebastian, then you beat everyone here! You've won the tournament! Allow me to present this simple but elegant token of supreme dueling accomplishment!" Lucan declared as he presented a fairly refined dueling attire for a club that was so secret.

"Thank you. Now, I'm afraid I have a decently busy schedule, but I can afford teaching you at noon and night. I also have a few words to announce. First, I will help you prepare yourself for the dangers ahead, but you are not expected to jump into them. You are still students. I- It's in the blood for me. That's all I'll say. You should enjoy life more. If you wish to learn how to properly duel, then I shall do my best to help you. That is all."

"Ah, Natty! Sebastian! There you two are!" Merlin greeted with a wave as the two approached him. 

"Going to Hogsmeade, are we? Well, the two of us have been assigned to look after you. Not that you really need protection, since you could duel so well." Sebastian said with a small grin, clearly still remembering Merlin wiping the floor with the entire Cross Wands club. 

"That doesn't mean you should go to Hogsmeade alone. We are quite happy to help you get used to being around." Natsai insisted gently as she shook her head.

Merlin didn't really need it, but he supposed going out on a walk with "fellow students" was something he had earned. "Of course! Lead the way, please."

And so they traveled to Hogsmeade on foot, and Merlin assessed his views of Sebastian and Natsai. Both were clearly quite brave, adventurous souls indeed, as evidenced by their confidence in traveling to the Forbidden Forest. They exchanged banters about the classes, Merlin earnestly explaining his views on every lesson and impressing them.

"Wow, got to admit, you're good at almost, if not all, of everything." Sebastian praised out loud as they neared Hogsmeade.

"Well, when you've been traveling for quite some time, you find you'll pick up lots of useful skills and come to appreciate many skills." Merlin said with a small grin as Natsai hummed.

"Just how much have you experienced, Lancelot? You're clearly a veteran. Can you share some experiences with us, or take us with you on your adventures?" Natsai asked curiously as Merlin froze in his tracks.

"Good idea! Maybe one day! Anyway, got to thank you for giving me a way out of detention with the librarian. She's a bit of a bitch." Sebastian said with a smirk as Merlin shook his head. Clearly, he had the ambition of a Slytherin while also having the enthusiasm of a Gryffindor.

If only Godric and Salazar had-

Merlin shook those thoughts off. It won't do him any good thinking about it. They were their own people, not their forefathers.

Of course, things would not work out so well for him. Soon upon arriving at Hogsmeade, an armored troll corrupted by Ancient Magic emerged.

"What the hell!?" Sebastian shouted as he fired spells at it, but Merlin stopped him.

"I can take care of it myself." Merlin said grimly as he focused a powerful burst of the Old Religion into a stream of golden energy before lashing it at the Troll, causing it to explode as soon as the stream hit it.

"What was that magic? You just- You just exploded a Troll!" Natsai declared in awe as Merlin shook his head. He didn't want to endanger anyone, so using just a single spell of Ancient Magic was the only solution. He could fight it without much problem using just common spells, but that could cause collateral damage.

"A... Family magic, you could say." Merlin said shortly and evasively as the two eyed him curiously, but Sebastian above all else made him wonder. However, he sensed the presence of Ranrok along with another powerful wizard.

"Wait for me in the Three Broomsticks." Merlin asked earnestly before he flashed himself near the location where he could feel the sinister magic. Once there, he immediately recognized the two men as Viktor Rookwood and Theophilus Harlow.

So even wizards now are working with Ranrok? This is getting worse than I expect.

"Unfortunately, your distraction was nothing to me." Merlin called out calmly and coldly as Ranrok, Rookwood, and Harlow's eyes widened at him calmly approaching them. "Mister Rookwood. I should have known. You and your lot are some of the most disgusting wizards in history. I suppose it's time to get rid of all of you."

Ranrok growled as Rookwood and Harlow readied themselves for combat. "Retreat, now! We are no match for him without the power of the Repositories. I expect you to make a breakthrough regarding that, or else we won't be able to stop him!"

Merlin was about to cast a particularly powerful lightning spell to wipe them out when Sebastian and Natsai came rushing forward.

"Lancelot!" Merlin paused, disrupting his magical charge and allowing the three to disapparate. "What the hell was that? Wasn't that Viktor Rookwood and Theophilus Harlow!? Why were you looking like you were about to fight them?"

"I was going to. It seemed that they're gone for now. Another time I suppose." Merlin said shortly as he turned towards them.

"Now, I think we both deserve a drink at the Three Broomsticks after everything?"

Both Sebastian and Natsai were clearly getting more suspicious of him, but Merlin didn't want to involve them in this. Had he gotten too attached to them? Should he distance himself from them from now on?"

"So shall we go to the Restricted Section, Lancelot?" Fig asked as Merlin looked on apprehensively. Should he allow Fig into this? No, he couldn't. He suspected the Keepers would have done something as created elaborate portraits of themselves for this situation. He couldn't risk it. But how to-?

His salvation ended up coming for him when the fraud of a Headmaster that was Phineas Nigellus Black came and demanded Fig to work for him. However, despite everything, Merlin found he could not tolerate this man anymore.

"Tell me, Phineas, how on earth were you made Headmaster of Hogwarts?" Merlin asked coldly, allowing his tone to carry authority as he eyed the man before him with nothing but utter disgust for his incompetence.

"Now, young student, please do remember that while your circumstances are unique, you are-"

"I belong to the House of Ambrosius, descendant of Merlin himself, and I think you'll find that I am quite capable of discrediting you before the public if I so wish it." Merlin declared as he walked forward until he was eye-to-eye with the fraud, who went from being dismissive to visibly unnerved.

"You see, your power comes from being the Head of the House of Black, but the House of Ambrosius, from what I remember, is several times more influential than any other house. We have permanent rights over the Ministry of Magic, and I have all that power. I can declare how much of an incompetent, a bigotted, a fool, of a Headmaster that you are, and everyone won't support you at all. Your house is nothing compared to mine, Phineas, and I find I can tolerate your methods of running this school no more." Merlin said coldly as he allowed his eyes to glow with power, startling the already quite disturbed "Headmaster" even more.

"So here is the deal. Within the end of the day, you will announce that you will remove the ban on Quidditch. Within the end of the week, you will make efforts to prepare Hogwarts for the Goblin Rebellion, and you will remove any and all rules that favor the pureblood. You will also make actual effort to be a Headmaster rather than just seeing this as a social chance. Failure to do even a single one of those, and you will find yourself swiftly removed from Hogwarts AND sent to Azkaban. I know some of the more shadier dealings you've been having, and I can easily expose them all. Send as many men as you want to kill me. It won't work. Am I clear?" Merlin said, projecting his power enough to make the smug Headmaster of Hogwarts sweat in fear.

"You may take Professor Fig for now, but remember... I'll be watching, and so will those who come after me. You will do what you are bound to do as your duties as Headmaster, or you will find yourself ruined." Merlin finished as he simply walked away, not even giving Black any chance to retort. The man was so beneath him that Merlin could smite him with a simple wave of his wand if he really wanted to, and he would NOT allow Hogwarts to be ruined by such a blatantly uncaring Headmaster.

As for getting into the Restricted Section, he supposed he could use some help from Sebastian. The boy had been quite eager to get in more touch with him since what happened on Hogsmeade.

"So, mind telling me what's going on? Natsai's been pushing it harder than me, I take it?" Sebastian asked a bit smugly as Merlin nodded. "Why was Viktor Rookwood AND Ranrok after you? How do you know they're working together?"

"I- I cannot tell you all the details yet. This is a personal crusade for me. I promise I'll do whatever I can to resolve things in the best way possible. Don't worry about me, and you should focus more on your sister, Anne. Speaking of which, I think I recall you stating you had problems with the Restricted Section? I can help you with that. When would you like to go there?"

Sebastian went from looking disappointed to widened eyes. "Wait- Really? You'll take me to the Restricted Section? How about tonight then?"

"So be it. I'll meet you there. We can discuss the details while on the way, safely concealed."

And so here they were, traveling through the Library completely concealed by Merlin's magic, blocking sight, sound, smell, and even magical detection of any kind. While Merlin's magic helped them bypass anything easily and kept Peeves off by radiating Power over Life and Death, a threat to stay out of the way or be banished to the veil, Sebastian proved true to his word as he helped him navigate through the Restricted Section.

"This is amazing! Say, you said something about "Family Magic". What does it mean?"

Merlin gave a deep breath as he looked at Sebastian. "Alright, I'll tell you a few details. First, my family is descended from Merlin himself. I think that speaks enough as to why I have access to magic beyond the ordinary?"

"Wait- What!? You- You're a relative of Merlin? Does that mean you're familiar with something called Ancient Magic?" Merlin froze at the term he thought was a secret to almost all regular wizards and witches. "My parents studied a bit about Merlin, and so did I. I wondered always if Merlin could cure my sister, you know? She- She was cursed by a powerful dark magic. Nothing the Healers tried have worked. I've been trying to research, but I've been getting nowhere thus far. Maybe you can help?"

"I- I think I might be able to. I'll see what I can do later. For now, you should find your way out. Here." Merlin removed the hold of the cloaking spell he had cast on himself and focused it solely on Sebastian.

"Go. The magic will hold until you return to the Common Room. I can take it from here. Go!"

Sebastian looked a bit hesitant, but nodded eventually. "You're full of secrets, but I think I like you. You can trust in me, you know that?"

As Sebastian left, Merlin looked away.

It's not that I don't trust you, certainly not because you're a Slytherin, but it's just that I don't want to put anyone in danger.

Chapter Text

"Do you know where this is, Harry?" Merlin asked as they arrived at the entrance of the old, abandoned battlefield of the Austrian Alps where the legendary duel between Albus and Grindelwald took place, a duel where he had been present in, especially as the battle that ended the Global Wizarding War as a whole also occurred due to his efforts and Newt's. Even now, scars left behind by magic still remained etched in the mountain, but not nearly as prominent as the marks left behind by the spells cast by Albus and Grindelwald, the two most powerful wizards of this age.

"The Austrian Alps. Are we heading to Nurmengard, Father? Isn't that the place where Gellert Grindelwald was imprisoned after losing to Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked curiously as Merlin gave a small, solemn chuckle before shaking his head. From what he heard, Grindelwald had began to show remorse for what he had done. While they might have engaged in battle three times before, Merlin couldn't help but feel somewhat bad for him and be hopeful that he really did feel regret for what he had done.

"Actually, no. We're just going to practice your navigation skills. Time for an open-environment challenge, Harry. Last time, we've tested your skills in dueling dark wizards and witches and your resourcefulness with environments. Now, we will be practicing the latter, only this time your target will be dark creatures, and you will also be required to break curses. Are you ready?" Harry nodded excitedly as Merlin held out 5 purple orbs and scattered them through the Austrian Alps, along with cauldrons and chests containing potion ingredients.

"Now, I'll be conjuring Inferi, Acromantulas, Gytrashes, and Zombies, and you have to defeat them all. As soon as you step into the forest, the way back to me will be blocked by cursed barriers conjured by these orbs. The orbs will be protected by the life force of the dark creatures I summon, each orb having 20 guardians to them all. Since this is much more challenging than your first try, I'll allow you to collect potion ingredients and use them to brew healing potions or offensive potions."

"Your score will be determined by not just how you defeat your enemies and break the curses, but also how you adapt to any situation and use what you are allowed to do. Depending on how you fare in this challenge, I'll teach you something up your level. Are we clear, my boy?" Harry nodded as he casually stepped into the forest. "Very well then. Begin!" With that, Merlin snapped his fingers, causing the orbs to activate their dark magics as Harry rushed to take on the challenges.

Merlin conjured a seat for himself as he activated all the observing runes he had placed before he began this test, so he could watch over Harry, but even as he smiled at his son's displays of great skill and courage, he could not help but recall the memories brought upon by the Deathly Hallows, the most powerful of all of his "magical creations", and how they had changed the world.

2nd November 1945

Merlin looked on with a proud smile as Grindelwald fell down, unconscious, after Albus overpowered him in one last clash of their magics. It had been quite the symbolical way to end the fight, Albus and Grindelwald combining all elements into a singular shape and throwing it at each other. Albus had chosen the very symbol of Hogwarts, a proud, golden crest containing all the four houses at once, while Grindelwald had, naturally, chosen the symbol of the Deathly Hallows, a malicious, black triangle-circle-line showing off the three creations Merlin had came to deeply regret.

The battle had essentially began last night, where Albus, Newt, and the others came up with a plan to ambush Grindelwald and his forces now that they have been able to retake a fair share of the countries who have fallen to Grindelwald, with Merlin's discreet assistance. Merlin was responsible for opening the large-scale portal so Albus could bring in all the resources and the wizards and witches he had for this one final battle, and, of course, he also fought against Grindelwald's army for a while until he had left enough damage so Newt was assured to lead the others to victory.

Merlin was there to ensure Grindelwald's defeat, too. Even if his followers fell, as long as Grindelwald remained, the world would NEVER be safe. Even with just the Elder Wand, Grindelwald was already almost unstoppable to anyone in the modern times. If he were to get all the three Deathly Hallows, then Merlin would have to intensively step in, so he might as well do so now when he could still stop things from getting out of hand. Should Albus lose and be almost killed, Merlin would stop and capture Grindelwald himself.

To Merlin's joy and pride in his student, he hadn't really needed to interfere at all. Albus was quite capable of matching and surpassing Grindelwald in this all-out duel. The duel was astonishingly intense, and could be said to be the modern days equivalent of his duel with Morgana, except Albus and Grindelwald were very nearly equal while Morgana was not. It had taken about 3 hours before the duel finally concluded, whereas even a holding-back Merlin won within 2 hours of dueling Morgana.

Albus and Gellert skillfully switched from Ancient to Modern Magic, having mastered them both to a degree that only Merlin doubtlessly surpassed, their raw powers overwhelming as well. Grindelwald would normally have an edge against Albus due to having the Elder Wand, which boosted his powers, but Merlin had thought wisely to enchant Albus's own wand so it would be able to neutralize the Elder Wand's strengthening effect on Grindelwald's.

Of course, he didn't outright tell Albus this, nor did he turn Albus's original wand into anything like the Elder Wand. Merlin just gave Albus's wand the ability to effectively combat the Elder Wand, and Albus's own skills and power did the rest. Of course, this enchantment wouldn't have sufficed if Grindelwald had collected all the three Deathly Hallows and became the "Master of Death", but the Elder Wand's level of power came from Merlin himself. It was Merlin's magic that created it, and now Merlin added a "counter-agent" in Albus's wand to allow it to match the Elder Wand.

Anyway, Albus and Grindelwald traded spells of truly immense power, some of which were even spells Merlin and Morgana themselves had used. Incredibly powerful protective spells stood firm, ranging from normal Shield Charms to those powered by Ancient Magic, be it the "low-level" Scildan to Beteon all the way into far more intricate defensive forms such as a protective bubble of fire, a sphere of light, or a runic barrier, while elemental magics were used in ways beyond what most would dream of, from manifesting dazzling to hideous creatures of pure elemental, unleashing and neutralizing city-scale elemental spells, making even the Fiendfyre look like a child's play in comparison.

Transfigurations of the highest level were performed one after the other as dozens of mighty constructs were vanished or turned into something else, counter-spells, mainly from Albus, dissipated curses, jinxes, and hexes swiftly without the need for shield spells. and liberal usage of runes were included as the Old Religion flowed strongly in their bodies and were channeled in virtually every part of the duel. Both wandless and using their wands, the spells cast and countered were truly a dazzling piece of sorcery and martial magic.

They were no match for him, of course, but they were still overwhelmingly powerful and skilled wizards who would rank highly even in the standards of the wizards of the old. However, they did not just fight with magic. At some point, they would exchange spells in dangerously close-range, nimbly dodging and retaliating, or they would outright turn their wands into swords and briefly duel with each other, or they would just physically tussle with each other.

Merlin amusedly recalled how he had suggested Albus learn fencing, a skill that proved useful as Albus clearly had the upper hand whenever Grindelwald tried to engage him with swords. Albus was also just adept enough in physical combat to neutralize Grindelwald's efforts at taking cheap, physical shots and punish them properly.

Of course, all things eventually came to an end. As well=matched as the duel was at first, Albus eventually gained the upper hand due to his superior skill and Grindelwald was pushed to the corner. The duel had been as emotional as it was a stuff of legends, both of them arguing and screaming at each other about their past and their conflicts. It actually made Merlin feel sad. Perhaps if he had encountered Grindelwald in his youth, had steered him away from this path, had even introduced him to Albus, then those two could have been happy together.

In the end, what truly made Merlin shed just a single tear of joy and pride was the fact that Albus manifested Hogwarts to overcome Grindelwald's Deathly Hallows. On one side, he was very proud that his prized student had chosen true dedication to Hogwarts, but more importantly, Hogwarts was Merlin's greatest success just like how the Deathly Hallows were one of his greatest failures. He supposed Kilgharrah's words of how things often tended to collide one way or the other held true indeed.

2nd November, 1234

Merlin walked across the forest with his hooded robe around him, a calm, relaxed smile on his face for once. Such strolls around nature were one of the more relaxing routines of his life, where he could just enjoy the surroundings around him for what they were, without having to keep constantly fighting. He was enjoying the scenery as he settled down on a tree near the road, humming as he began to sing a tune to himself.

At this point, he had became at least good enough in composing and singing to not be laughed upon by those who heard his songs. Hogwarts Watty Hogwarts definitely taught him the importance of being good enough at music if he didn't want to be the target of people's scorn when they heard him sing. Hell, most students and teachers at Hogwarts practically abhorred that song, and Merlin was no better.

Merlin continued to stroll around in a casual pace until he encountered an old friend from Hogwarts. Ignotus Peverell. It was only 2 years ago since they parted ways. Merlin had decided to become a student of Hogwarts and enjoy being on the receiving side of education instead of always teaching, and this was the third time he had done so.

He had befriended Ignotus because they both were Gryffindors. Fitting, as Ignotus was actually a descendant of Godric and Salazar, along with his brothers. The two bloodlines must have joined together at some point, and Merlin supposed it felt nice to hear that despite how badly things turned out for their forefathers, Godric and Salazar's children were still capable of uniting. Ignotus was one of the best in their year, just like his older brothers, and they had gotten along fairly well.

He supposed it wouldn't hurt to say hello, so he apparated towards the bridge of the river they were about to cross and excitedly waved at Ignotus, but found that he was with his brothers. "Oh, it's you! Hey, Gorlin! How you doing!?" Ignotus greeted out, but Merlin saw that neither of his two brothers were pleased to see him. 

"What are you doing here? We were just about to cross this bridge- Wait a second, are you Death!?" Merlin's eyes narrowed at Antioch's unexpected words. “Yes... You're here because you're angry that we cheated you, didn't we!? We would have died without our magic to help us across, but we have. Well, I'm sorry to say you will be cheated again, Death!" Antioch proceeded to cast a flurry of spells at Merlin, who easily dodged each and every single one of them without retaliating while feeling marginally irritated more and more. Really? Ignotus had described his oldest brother as being a combative man, but to THIS extent??

"That's right! You- You took my fiancee from me! We just had two children, and you took her away from me!" Cadmus shouted as he joined his brother in throwing spells at Merlin's direction. Now, this was getting out of hand, so Merlin decided to get this over with quickly. He manifested a defensive sphere around him that easily repelled any and all spells they threw. No amount of Modern Magic could break this spell, and so Merlin waited until they had exhausted themselves before Ignotus finally interefered.

"Brother, stop! He's my friend from Hogwarts. He's not DEATH-"

"Ignotus, have you not seen what he has done!? He's far beyond the level of anyone who just graduated from Hogwarts within 2 years. I don't know why he might have befriended you, but he must be Death! DEATH! I will fight you again and again, until you fulfill our wishes!" Cadmus declared as he continued to cast more and more spells. Merlin, however, frankly, had enough. He made his eyes glow gold, and both Peverell Brothers were thrown back to the edge of the bridge. 

"Look, I am NOT Death. Let's just say that I'm "Magic", but even so, what can you possibly want from me anyway, huh?" Merlin said exasperatedly as the two brothers got up from being knocked down.

"Each of us gets a single wish, a reward as proof that we have conquered death." Cadmus declared boldly as Merlin sighed. Did they not hear any words of what he had said? "We bested you today, and everyone knows it's nearly impossible to cheat death, so that means we have the right to demand a reward." Merlin looked at Ignotus, who was visibly shaken at his display of power, and shook his head. As if Death actually cared about people cheating him. He was completely immortal, yet Death made no inclinations of hating him. He just got people he cared for dead due to either old age or Merlin being a failure.

"Fine. You all may wish for something, and I will do my best to fulfill it." Merlin said exasperatedly as Antioch immediately walked towards him at that.

"I wish for a wand more powerful than any in existence, a wand with the power to channel what I only know as "the true source of magic", but since you are Death, you should know exactly what it is and how to cast it. You're primordial, after all." Antioch demanded boldly, and Merlin internally flinched. He was no deity, of course, but considering that he was effectively the physical incarnation of Magic itself, "primordial" might be true, at least in terms of power. He supposed that Ignotus's words of how his brothers were ambitious wizards were true after all.

Now, Merlin obviously couldn't give him his own "wand", since his wand was just his old Sidhe Staff that he disguised, but as it happened, he had just acquired a few dragon scales from Kilgharrah, which meant for an excellent conduit for Ancient Magic. With that, Merlin summoned a branch from an elder tree and proceeded to delicately whittle away at it using a small knife. Whittling was a good way to remain at shape when he had to get his hands on more "manual labor", and since creating wandlore, he had went on to master whittling other shapes, so this was easy enough for him.

Once it took the shape of a long, straight wand, Merlin melted the dragon scales he got from Kilgharrah and infused their magic into a pair of Thestral hairs he got from his last time visiting the Forbidden Forest before guiding it into the core, using the same process he had performed for the wands of the Founders so they would be able to safely harness Ancient Magic after they broke so many wands. With that, Merlin just handed it over to Antioch. He could only hope Antioch used it's power well. "Do remember that power isn't exactly everything, Mister Antioch." Merlin warned, but the man had taken the wand and brushed past him as Cadmus followed next.

"I want the power to recall the dead from beyond the grave. I want to bring my wife back from the dead. She deserves to know her children. We were only married for 2 years. How is that fair that she died? Why did you TAKE her from me?" Cadmus said, allowing his grief to flow despite his prideful demeanor. Merlin looked away. To be honest, that was the question Merlin asked himself everytime up until his mother's death as everyone he loved in Camelot began to leave him. 

"Death is inevitable for everyone. Sometimes, there are even fates far worse than that. Are you sure you wish for this?" Merlin asked as Cadmus merely growled in his nod, looking about seconds away from attacking Merlin. With a deep breath, Merlin considered his options. He couldn't possibly tell Cadmus that he knew a few "true resurrection spells", as in the end those were literately sacrificing someone else's life to bring back the dead. The Power over Life and Death always demanded a balance, and even ones that didn't exactly require sacrificing a life always came with a heavy price.

In the end, Merlin decided to unveil what he had came to consider as a "spiritual conjuration", conjuring a stone and infusing it with the power to bring back spectres of the dead, much more than ghosts but not truly alive. He handed it over to Cadmus, who took it and left as though fearing Merlin would recall that power away from him. If only he knew the truth, and Merlin could only hope he would learn to understand the futility of seeking true resurrection and come to terms with things Merlin had to realize himself as he faced more and more deaths.

Finally, there was only Ignotus. "I don't think you're Death, Gorlin, but what did you mean when you said you are Magic?" Merlin merely shook his head remorsefully, making it clear he could not tell the truth. Ignotus, fortunately, seemed to understand. "Okay, then do you remember how I always wanted a Cloak of Invisibility that lasted forever and could protect me from anything except dying from old age?" Merlin nodded in earnest as Ignotus smiled a bit dreamily. "Can you make that kind of cloak?"

"You ask something much easier than your brothers do, Ignotus. It'll be quick." Merlin said with a small smile as he proceeded to conjure a cloak and imbue it with several powerful everlasting enchantments of invisibility, protection, and life-prolonging. It was the least he could do for someone like Ignotus. Merlin was the only one who could see through it normally, and only spells cast by the Old Religion could reveal the Cloak, but Merlin had made sure to ward it so the Cloak would protect from harm to an extent.

"Thank you, old friend. I hope we'll see each other again." Ignotus said gratefully as he bowed before him respectfully and joined his brothers, leaving Merlin to look as they eventually disappeared from his sight. Somehow, Merlin had the feeling he had did something irreversible.

"Well-played, Harry. You've got the equivalent of an Exceed Expectations in O.W.L for your performance in this challenge." Merlin said as Harry returned to him, looking visibly tired but very much on adrenaline as he smiled at him. "I think that's enough for now. You should go back to the Emrys Castle first. I have a few... unfinished business here." Harry eyed him curiously, but Merlin just gave him a small, solemn smile as he opened the portal. Harry went inside, but not before he gave him an assuring nod. As soon as Harry disappeared, Merlin gave a small sigh as he decided to finally face someone who might well be expecting him from the start. 

True enough, when Merlin appeared, floating on the topmost cell of the highest tower in Nurmengard Castle and having casually vanished the window, Gellert Grindelwald eyed him with a distinct lack of surprise, merely smirking. "After 20 years since your last visit, Emrys, or should I say... Merlin? I must say, you've given a few subtle clues, alright, in your previous other two visits, but that was enough for me to figure out exactly who you are in the end. Now, are you telling me you are finally ready to tell me the true nature of the story of the Deathly Hallows?"

Chapter Text

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, but the tale of the Deathly Hallows is something that I myself have no love for, a reminder of an old project went wrong, a project that gave birth to hundreds of misfortunes from those tempted by the power of the Deathly Hallows. It's the third greatest of all my failures, and considering that the first is the fact that I failed to keep the ideology of Camelot, a place where both the wizarding and non-wizarding worlds unite, alive and the second being the rift that existed in Hogwarts due to my failures as a father, I think you know just how high it was." Merlin said solemnly as he conjured a seat and sat facing Grindelwald.

Merlin had taken pity on Gellert, admittedly, for he was just another life ruined by the twists of the tale Merlin had personally brought into existence, and even worse since he uncovered details about Gellert's past. It was another grain of salt into the wound that was his failure to keep both worlds united, but it still stung. That was why Merlin had visited Gellert a couple of times since he was imprisoned, giving him a few books to pass the time and ensuring he was able to remain relatively healthy and fit. Gellert had asked him about the Deathly Hallows, and each time, Merlin would deny him. However, he had told Albus the tale, and now was the time to finally tell him.

"That said, things have changed and I believe I am ready to tell you the truth now that Albus has learned of it directly from me-"

"Wait, you told Albus already? I got to admit, I'm impressed. I take it he is aware that you are Merlin? Got to admit, it's quite the surprise. Oh well, I assume you told him rather than having him figure it out, did you?" Merlin merely shook his head as he nodded, causing Gellert to grin a bit impishly. "Heh, anyway, back to what you were about to say. Before you speak the tale, though, may I ask if the rumors of the "Master of Death" was true in any sense? Was there ever any form of invincibility, any great power, that would have been granted to those that united the Hallows?"

Merlin merely narrowed his eyes. "Unfortunately, no. The Deathly Hallows, on their own right, were made out of some of the most ancient powers in the wizarding world. The Elder Wand carried fragments of my own power, giving it the unique ability to constantly harness the power of the Old Religion and proper compatibility with the spells of Ancient Magic, the Resurrection Stone contained the power of "Spiritual Conjuration", the ability to call upon spirits of the dead, and the Invisibility Cloak contained permanent spells of protection, concealment. They were already the three most powerful magical objects in existence."

"Uniting all three would grant you a visible increase in power, sure, but it would not make you invincible, Gellert. You would still be susceptible to death and defeat, just much harder to do, and you can still die of old age. Your lifespan would reach a millennia, but it would eventually end because no one could be truly immortal. I- I don't know if I am human. I'm probably closer to being a primordial incarnation of magic, given a human body with all the emotions that came with it. Magic is eternal, and as such, I, it's incarnation, am eternal. However, no singular or combined forms of magic could grant that kind of immortality."

"Now, back to the tale. As you know, it was I who met the Three Peverell Brothers on that day. They mistook me as Death, and I was friends with Ignotus Peverell due to being a fellow Gryffindor student at the time-"

"Ha, so even you do have some activities beyond simply living life, eh?" Gellert asked as Merlin merely chuckled a little.

"You can say that. Anyway, Ignotus's older brothers would not relent. As such, I decided to grant their wish. At first, I hoped that they would learn that the Hallows were powerful, but their wishes were not something that could be granted. Only Ignotus's humble wish of a long, happy life that would eventually end and a tool that could protect his loved ones were available. I even had an overly idealistic thinking that they would use the artifacts for good. Alas, it was not to be..."

2nd November 1945

Thunder flashed as Merlin watched Albus depart from Nurmengard. He had sealed Gellert inside with dozens of powerful wards woven by the Elder Wand's magic. It was wards even more secure than the ones Albus used at Hogwarts, wards that even he would have trouble overcoming. He had to give Albus credit. He truly was, in terms of magic, the best of his disciples. However, Merlin's pride was tainted with feelings of sorrow and pity as he saw the pain in Albus's eyes, the melancholy within.

With a deep sigh, Merlin once again recalled his old regrets of having ever created the Deathly Hallows. The Elder Wand was the most visible of them all. Since the death of Antioch Peverell, the Elder Wand had fallen into more and more shady hands. Not so few times where Merlin was forced to fight the bearers of the Elder Wand and kill them, relinquishing his hold over the Wand soon enough and leaving it to rust, only for it to return again and again. Now, for the first time, a student he personally trained was suffering due to his actions.

As Albus collapsed soon enough from the strain, Merlin had quickly rushed towards him, performing the healing magic needed to ensure he was stable and only needed much rest. The amount of power Albus had expended was truly amazing even for the standards of the Old Religion. Still, Merlin had hope that it was all worth it. Physical injuries would heal, and this victory was not just a magical triumph, but a philosophical and emotional one that provided a light of hope for Albus.

Albus had won the wand fairly and squarely. He had proven he was worthy of the Elder Wand, and had the wisdom needed to use it for good. Perhaps this might be what Albus needed to remain strong in his life. Not only that, by using the Wand, Albus could potentially prove to himself that he had moved on from his old delusions. It was better this way.

And so Merlin disguised himself as someone who picked Albus up and took him to be healed, leaving after sharing a few torn glances at Albus and the Elder Wand. He knew he would be having a few nightmares for sure, or at least a vivid reminder of what he had done, when he slept that night. He was right on the latter.

December 1234

The foreboding feeling that stuck with Merlin ever since he met the Peverells proved true only a month later. He was just wandering into a wizarding village when he noticed the same wand he had given to Antioch being used by another man. The man in question was quite cruel and liberal, killing duelist after duelist and boasting of how he had stolen the wand from a wizard claiming to have been "blessed by Death". Needless to say, Merlin narrowly contained himself from immediately challenging the man, instead waiting until he had arrived in his home. "Ha! Another challenger wishing to test the might of the Elder Wand!? So be it!"

Despite the man's bravado, the duel ended within approximately 2 minutes and only lasted that long because Merlin wanted to clarify the effects of the Wand he had foolishly made. The wizard was only "adequately strong" in normal standards, which meant "weak" in Merlin's own. He made use of offensive spells with quite the power, but the only reason why Merlin had to pay any caution was due to the Elder Wand being confirmed to be capable of channeling the Old Religion, thus making his spells much more potent than normal.

As soon as Merlin was thorough testing the Wand's power, what ended his life was not a powerful spell. Merlin just casually threw a sword at the man with enough force to pierce his stomach despite having cast a Shield Charm and then proceeded to slice the sword up the man's body, causing the sword to lacerate the man's heart and kill him in an instant. Considering the way with which his opponent used the Elder Wand, the death Merlin inflicted on him was very much deserved. Although Merlin was not a cruel man, these days, he did develop an inclination to inflict karmaic deaths at certain occasions.

And so Merlin had taken the Elder Wand to Kilgharrah, explaining what he had done to the Great Dragon. His sole living friend from the days of Camelot had remained silent for a few minutes, apparently invoking Divination voluntarily. Merlin, for once, actually prayed to the Old Religion that Kilgharrah would be shown a vision that meant the best course of action for Merlin was to destroy the Elder Wand until not even dust remain from it. Of course, leaving aside the plethora of powers and advantages of being an incarnation of magic, the Old Religion never made things that easy for Merlin.

Kilgharrah shook his head. "From what I was able to divine, it seems that you have done something that should not be undone, Merlin." Merlin narrowed his eyes into slits, but Kilgharrah was unfazed. Their power levels were very close, after all, Merlin being just a tiny bit more powerful at best, so Merlin's aura, while shaking the ground, did nothing to Kilgharrah. "Do not destroy them. They will prove... Useful in the future." Merlin snarled as he threw the Wand at a nearby tree with about enough force to crush it, but Kilgharrah simply caused the Wand to vanish before it could hit.

"Where did you send it?" Merlin said with a snarl as Kilgharrah shook his head.

"Trust in the Old Religion, Merlin. Yes, there will be terrible things to rise from what you have created, but-" Kilgharrah proceeded to move his face closer towards Merlin. "Like with Camelot and Hogwarts, the good will eventually shine above the bad manifested by the artifacts you have created. From what I've seen, they shall be known as the Deathly Hallows."

"Yeah, right. I can't believe I've done this." Merlin said with a snarl as he kicked a few rocks with enough force to topple a few trees, his magic subconciously amplifying the strength of his physical venting. Kilgharrah merely raised his claws and Time Magic returned all the threes toppled back to normal. "I should have known this was going to happen. The Old Religion and sorcerers these days hardly mix well." 

By the end of the year, Merlin was sorely tempted to screw Kilgharrah and the Old Religion. He had, by some accident, arrived into the village where Cadmus's wife resided. The villagers there were talking in hushed whispers about the fact that Cadmus had tried to use a magic stone granted by Death himself to bring back his wife, which he found out was named Laura, and even tried to share the comfort of having their dead loved ones returned to the villagers. However, the stone Merlin gave him did not quite have this power.

Apparently, the villagers were all bitter towards Cadmus for not being able to "truly bring back the dead", and Merlin, feeling guilty, decided to visit the man. He found his home easily enough, his senses picking up on the Resurrection Stone's energies. And to say Cadmus looked horrible was an understatement. The man looked like he had been crying a thousands times from the way his eyes looked, his body was not the same fit and handsome state it was back then but rather poor. 

"You tricked me." Cadmus said with a growl as Merlin went to slowly sit facing the man. "I asked for the power to recall loved ones from the hands of death, and you-!" Merlin shook his head as he eyed the man before him. Earnestly, he just pitied him. He had gave the man the Resurrection Stone because he had hoped that by experiencing the power to briefly call upon the souls of the dead as more than just a ghost, he would learn to accept his losses and inspire others, but of course, that backfired.

"That's impossible." Merlin said softly as he looked away. "Life and death is an area that extremely few magics could temper with. In order for death to be truly undone, another life must be given for a true resurrection to occur. Even though there exists true resurrection spells, the costs of it would alter your surroundings and affect your lives in a way that few could hope to bear. Trust me, Cadmus. I've seen many deaths in my life, and I've grown to accept that death, in the end, is just-"

"I've sent away the Resurrection Stone." Cadmus said shortly, looking just too tired and bitter to listen to what Merlin was trying to say. "For my children, so they may one day discover the true ways to defeat death and allow those who died to return to life properly. If you've came for the Resurrection Stone, then you are too late." Merlin said nothing, merely watching solemnly as Cadmus picked up his wand. "Look into my eyes, oh Magic, Death, or whatever you are. This is my curse to you."

And so Cadmus Peverell became the next Peverell Brother claimed by the Deathly Hallows. He set himself on fire, but he didn't cry out or scream. He continued to eye Merlin with hatred and misery, and all it did was just further increase Merlin's pity and guilt. The man was Salazar's direct descendant, and Merlin swore he saw Salazar at that moment, sneering at him and baring the full extent of his darkness. His face was numb as he stood up, cast a spell to restore Cadmus's body, and buried him in the Godric's Hollow. He had arranged for Antioch to be buried there before, and now the least he could do was offer Cadmus the same.

Merlin found it bitterly ironic, that here lay descendants of both Godric and Salazar, united by some miraculous marriage between their respective bloodlines, what could have been a symbol of hope now crushed once again. Just like how he had broken the Founders of Hogwarts by leaving, now he had broken them again, and to make things worse, it was Godric and Salazar, two of the children he loved the most.

"So in the end, you didn't make those artifacts as powerful as you could have, did you?" Gellert mused out with a small frown as Merlin shook his head, eyeing him skeptically. "But I suppose I could understand, to some extent. In the end, even magical legacies created by you, while extraordinary, were ultimately not perfect. In fact, Hogwarts, whose building and wards were constructed by your magic, still relied on the Headmaster to ensure maximum security and efficiency. It was only when Albus ascended as Headmaster that the school became the closest it ever was to being as secure as it was under you."

Merlin nodded solemnly at that as Gellert gave a small, humorless laughter. "I suppose I do owe you one, too. You had to put up with a lot of my attitude whenever you came to visit me, yet you still helped me remain pretty in shape for someone of my age and circumstances. For that, you have my thanks." Merlin gave a small appreciative chuckle as he nodded. "But what about the third brother? Ignotus Peverell? Did you see him again before he "greeted Death as an old friend"?"

At that, Merlin smiled solemnly. "Ah... The finale of the story... Yes, I did meet him, and it was due to that meeting that I gained the closure and willingness to not destroy the Deathly Hallows, after all." He still remembered that day, happening just 58 years after Cadmus's death...

2nd November 1292

Merlin stood morosely over the bridge where he met the Peverell Brothers in. He didn't know why he had came here, really, but perhaps he wanted to remind himself of how stupid he was to have created the Deathly Hallows in the first place. After all, just 2 centuries weren't quite enough to beat his tendencies to go to places that especially hurt him and just stay there for hours remembering and feeling all shitty about his failures. He avoided doing so in front of his house, though, since Freya would show herself and try to comfort him. The pain WAS the point, after all.

Even after having long since gave up on dying and chose to keep living and fight for the world that, for all of it's imperfections, was still worth fighting for, this particular "disturbing hobby" was something that didn't seem erasable, and he wasn't trying to bring up any kind of good memories either, just thinking about all the bad. If it had been centuries ago, he would have cried, but by now, Merlin rarely cried. He had already experienced so much sorrow and guilt that he was practically numb to it even should it keep growing. So he was just staring into the river with empty eyes.

It had been 58 years since the death of Cadmus and Antioch, yet another failure he committed towards Godric and Salazar. He couldn't bring himself to look for Ignotus, not wanting to see the look of possible hatred and anguish in his friend's eyes. Considering that Ignotus's Cloak was meant to protect himself and others, he knew Ignotus wouldn't misuse the Cloak, and that the chances of him suffering a particularly nasty fate like his brothers were quite low. Ignotus was humble, after all. Still, he wondered what Ignotus felt when he heard about the death of his older brothers.

As though the Old Religion answered his discreet longing for closure, however, just as he was thinking about Ignotus, the sound of an Owl landing down near him attracted Merlin's attention as he briefly shifted from his melancholic sitting to turn his head towards the Owl. His eyes widened when he noticed it was Ignotus's owl, carrying a letter that contained the address to his new home along with the simple words of "Meet me one last time, old friend, for I am old and dying."

"Ah... You made it." Merlin said nothing as he eyed his now elderly friend who he had not seen in decades. He was lying down on an old crypt, for it was clear to both of them that his time had came and he would die soon enough. The Cloak granted Ignotus a fair degree of protection, but it could do nothing against old age. "I'm glad to finally see you again, old friend, and that you look all the same as that person who was my dear friend in school."

"I'm sorry that I couldn't say the same out of you, Ignotus." Merlin said simply, at a loss of what to say. Apologize? That wouldn't bring back Antioch or Cadmus. He was, at the very least, glad that Ignotus had clearly lived a good life and had found love and had children, but that didn't take away the fact that Antioch and Cadmus died because of the gifts he created.

"I gave the Cloak to my son. I made him swear he will take good care of it, and to never use it for evil purposes, although... Do forgive me for not including mischievous and rule-breaking things into the list of things my son was sworn to never do with the Cloak." Ignotus said with a small grin, his old frizzled face showing the same old joy. As though nothing really happened, as though Merlin had not sent Ignotus's brothers to their demise. 

Merlin could only smile weakly. "No offense taken, old friend. Listen, about-"

"About my brothers?" Ignotus said casually as he shook his head. "Gorlin, it's NOT YOUR FAULT. In the end, we all chose our fates. I mourn for their fates, but you had given them artifacts that they could have used responsibly. Instead, they chose to squander the gifts you granted them. Yes, you did have a part in their demise, but in the end, it was their choices that lead to their deaths. Do not ask for my forgiveness, because there is nothing to forgive."

Merlin stared at Ignotus in a mixture of awe and emotions. At first, he thought Ignotus, while brave, didn't inherit Godric's light-heartedness due to his more reserved nature, but now, he realized that Ignotus truly was a descendant of Godric. "Ha, that's the first time I ever saw you look like that, old friend. I was always the one in awe of your genius back in school." Ignotus chuckled, but suddenly he coughed several times as Merlin attempted to help him, only for Ignotus to raise his hand.

"I have lived a long life, Gorlin. With your Cloak, I experienced quite a lot of adventures before I settled down and married my wife. I have nothing but gratitude at you for making the Cloak and allowing me to go through all that. I have faith that, one day, the Elder Wand and the Resurrection Stone will be used for good, once a man with the wisdom and heart to understand their importance masters them. You should have that faith too." Ignotus said after regaining his breath, giving him a soft but utterly genuine smile full of conviction.

After a while, Merlin gave a small, sad laugh. "Perhaps, Ignotus. Perhaps..." He supposed he couldn't argue with that. The Cloak was used by Ignotus to live a happy life, and though it was just one of three, it served to prove that there was a potential for good within those objects he created. For that, he supposed he wouldn't want to destroy them yet until they had proven that they were beyond salvageable.

Ignotus's hand gently reached out to touch Merlin's. "Do not shed tears, Gorlin. In the end, there is no greater victory than to pass away from this world as a man who had defeated Death. I am sure that, one day, those artifacts would be passed on as a tale of objects created by "Death". However, rest assured that my son shall add an extra twist into it. That is, the third brother greeted death like an old friend and departed from this world content." Merlin just chuckled somberly. Ignotus, right now, was demonstrating wisdom that even Rowena would have to acknowledge.

Ignotus's hand slacked as he gave Merlin one last peaceful smile before he closed his eyes...

And his hand fell off Merlin's right hand entirely.

Merlin exhaled deeply. Yet another friend lost. Still, he supposed Ignotus's words brought back into him hope that the Deathly Hallows weren't such a colossal mistake, after all. He gently kissed his old friend's forehead as he smiled solemnly to himself. "And that twist of the tale which your son shall include will be a legacy that will never be forgotten. Even if your name fades, I shall never forget, and that extra part of the tale shall always remain, even if it is to be reduced to being just a child's story. And one day... Perhaps the truth shall come into light."

Having finished his tale towards Gellert, who was completely silent now, Merlin was about to leave when Gellert spoke to him. "I think the Elder Wand has already found the right master, don't you think? Albus made good use of the Elder Wand, and he never boasted of it's power. In the end, your decision to not start a world-scale hunt for the Deathly Hallows and destroy them did bring about a few good things here and there." Merlin laughed softly as he nodded in whole-hearted approval. In the end, he supposed that was right.

He recalled the day where he watched over Ignotus's son as he spoke of the tale of the Deathly Hallows to his children, how the man had smiled as his children fell asleep upon hearing his story to the finish, how he had portrayed the "Master of Death" as being not a position of power, but one of wisdom and acceptance of the cycle of life and death. Although Merlin was one of the only two beings excluded from such a natural cycle, he couldn't help but feel joy and hope that, even despite all the warts and bad things, the Deathly Hallows did have the potential to do good after all.

And so Merlin returned to the Emrys Castle, to be greeted by his son, who looked at him with a bit of pleased confusion. "You seem quite happy with yourself, father. What happened?" Merlin merely smiled at Harry as he nodded.

"I'll tell you all about it, one day. Now, I believe I have kept you long enough from my delicious cooking, so shall we have lunch, my boy?" At Harry's bark of laughter, Merlin's grin widened as he closed the door to his home and prepared to enjoy a hearty meal with his godson.

Chapter Text

"Hello, Sebastian. It's been a while. I had finished dealing with certain stuff regarding the Goblins when I received your owl. What do you need from me? I do owe you for your help with the Restricted Section, after all." Merlin stated as he approached Sebastian. It had been 3 days since he had completed the First Trial, and since then, Merlin had continued to either attend classes or head out on territories where Ranrok's Rebellion were particularly strong and free areas while not leaving traces for himself. Subtlety was something he had long gotten used to, and the Ministry was still trying to find and either reward or recruit him by now.

"Hey, Lancelot! Glad that you came! Come here! I'm going to show you the Undercroft, where we can talk more about stuff without anyone overhearing." Merlin allowed a small smile at the idea of that particular spot. It was one where Salazar used to brood whenever he wanted to be alone. Merlin would find him there about once or twice a month at least. The times they spent there were particularly bonding, even though everything ended up falling apart for Salazar. Merlin supposed it would be nice to go there and enjoy the scenery once more.

Indeed, the Undercroft brought back fond memories of Salazar. It truly had not changed much after so long, and it brought Merlin joy that spots where he used to care for his children still remained to this day. Not only that, there wasn't any kind of dark magic infesting here, and although this meant little in the bigger scope of things, Merlin was at least glad that Salazar still treasured this place and the memories it had. "What do you think? I knew of this place thanks to my best friend, Ominis Gaunt. We used to play Gobstones here all the time - with my sister Anne. She loved that infernal game. What I wouldn't give to lose to her again..."

Merlin merely patted Sebastian in the shoulder as he nodded sympathetically, causing Sebastian to regain his smile after falling sad for a moment upon recalling his sister. "I should tell you that I swore to Ominis I would safeguard this place, so please keep this between us. He never confides in anyone- but he's trusted me since the day we've met. I wouldn't want to jeopardise that. We used to sneak in here daily, and we've never been caught." Merlin hummed at that. He supposed this place still remained as secure as the days where Salazar would confide only in him privately. What he would give to have Salazar here again...

"No need to worry. Actually, my family knows of the Undercroft as well." Sebastian's eyes widened as Merlin smirked a little bit. "I'm the sole survivor of my family, but my family has known secrets both in and out of Hogwarts. As descendants of Merlin, it's practically our job and daily life to help others from afar using what our specialities can give to the world. With great power comes great responsibility, and I've been doing this for quite a long time, so you don't have to worry. Even if your friend comes, since I already know, you wouldn't be breaching the secret after all."

Sebastian stared at him with wonder as he quickly started grinning. "Okay then. So now, may I ask you about what is it exactly you have been doing back then?" Merlin shook his head as he grinned back. He couldn't let Sebastian into this whole thing, but he could offer him something else.

"Now, I believe you've spoken about your sister being ill? I MIGHT be able to do something for her. My family has "special" methods of healing. From magical injuries, curses, and hexes, I am confident I could heal your sister." Sebastian choked at that as he looked at Merlin with awe. "I can do Ancient Magic, so perhaps that would be the key."

"Ancient Magic!? I don't know what I was expecting to say, but it certainly wasn't that! Well, Anne surely could use the company of a new student. She missed Hogwarts a lot, you know, and if you can heal her, all the better! Watch out for my uncle, Solomon Sallow, though. He's our guardian, but so far, all he's done is doing nothing as Anne suffers." Sebastian said, his initial jolly tone shifting to bitterness and outrage at the last part as Merlin's face softened. He laid a hand on Sebastian's shoulder.

"He does care. I know he does. He just can't see a way out and is trying to salvage the situation. I've had experience with people who might be gruff, but actually do care, and I- I once had someone who I blamed for not being good enough, but he ended up dying to save me. Trust me, Sebastian, he does care." Sebastian exhaled deeply as he nodded. "Now, I believe I can enable us to quickly head over to Feldcroft. It can't be for too long, but I know ways to-" Just then, the doors to the Undercroft opened.

"Sebastian! You brought a student here!?" Merlin turned towards the sound of the accusing voice. It was Ominis Gaunt, the "blind" Slytherin student. Merlin had not gotten to interact with him much, but he knew about his past. He had kept an eye on the descendants of the Founders, and not even Salazar's was an exception. He helped those who were willing to embrace goodness that was within them to run away from their families, forge new names, and live better lives. It was the least that he could do.

"Greetings, Mister Ominis. I can safely assure you that I would not tell anyone about the Undercroft. In fact, I will be honest and say that my family already KNOWS about it before. I am descended from Merlin himself, and our family knows virtually everything there is to know about Hogwarts. The Undercroft is a valued place for the peace and simplicity it enables. I have no intention of sullying it. My name is Lancelot Ambrosius, and I-" Merlin declared calmly yet with kindness as he balanced authority and compassion at the same time.

"Ambrosius? You mean, the family that many respect but my family seem to be torn between acknowledging and hating because of just how much you've been a thorn in the side of their beliefs of pureblood supremacy?" Ominis declared, looking more curious than aggressive now. "That family hasn't shown it's face for a while. What proof do you have that you are one of them. I warn you, I know fully well the lore of those family as much as my family knows! They are known to have performed many magical miracles, and are the nicest of the lot!"

"Then how about I restore to you your eyes, Mister Ominis? No spell was able to reverse it, but Ancient Magic is different from Modern Magic. However, as proof that I am not just a custodian of raw power, I could also offer skillful, gradual usage of potions and herbs to restore your sight bit by bit. Knowledge is even more important than power, after all. However, if you wish to perceive me in the side of "nicest of the lot", then I shall have to prove myself in a much different way, which I am quite capable of." Merlin said simply as he gave the boy a chance between seeing power or good.

"You really left Ominis with quite the shock, you now?" Merlin merely smiled as he walked alongside Sebastian into Feldcroft. "Offering him to just fix the eyes that no one was able to fix, then telling him you could make potions and herbs to make it "slow yet steady", and finally asking if he would prefer for you to show him "good deeds"? Damn, I've never seen anyone put Ominis in his place that well. Even I never could have done that. Anyway, we should keep an eye on things. Ever since Ranrok's Loyalists took a peculiar interest in Rookwood Castle, no one felt really safe there."

"Don't worry, I'll deal with them eventually. You and everyone else should just try to avoid too much trouble with them until then. By the end of the year, I would have cleaned things up, that I can promise you. That's how my "family" operates, after all. We stay in the shadows, don't make too much influence on the world unless we're needed, and primarily do the impossible with our unique capabilities." Merlin said with as much convincing charisma as he could muster, but in truth, he always felt the ashy sting of his words.

It always stabbed at his heart, whenever he had to speak too much about "the Ambrosius and Emrys Families", as he knew that he didn't have any family. Kilgharrah was a good old friend, but his mother and father were dead, he had no relatives, and he had no one to sire family with. Two of the people he once loved and might have eventually formed a family with had died, one of them even by his own hand when he was too busy being a prick. 

"Well, you've definitely lived an interesting life. It doesn't seem like you actually needed that much special care back at Hogwarts, eh?" Sebastian said with a small grin as Merlin instantly put back on his usual facade and smiled cordially at him. "Like, being descended from Merlin himself? That's already some serious power. Anyway, you wouldn't happen to know exactly WHY Ranrok is so interested in Rookwood Castle. Back on Hogsmeade, you literately made it clear you were confident you could kill Rookwood, so-"

"It's a sordid story, one connected to Ancient Magic, and I really don't want to talk about it for now. Let's just fix Anne, and then we can get back to Hogwarts. I'll help fortify the village in case attacks occur, but please try to stay out of trouble." Sebastian frowned, but said nothing as he opened the door to his house. His face quickly morphed into a mischevious smile as he went towards the girl sitting on the chair and tickled her, causing her to laugh as she turned her face and greeted him. While at it, Merlin probed her with his eyes, not needing any spell to perceive the curse within her.

A malicious curse, one of the spells I taught Salazar. He must have modified it to be more like Modern Magic. It retains it's designs of causing debilitating pain and agony, while also causing sickness and still being unable to be cured by conventional means. I've never been that interested in the Dark Arts, but of course, leave it to him to be like that. That prodigious, tragic son of mine-

"Sebastian, so you've brought a friend here, and you believe he can reverse Anne's curse? What makes you think he can, when the healers have all but given up?" Merlin turned his eyes towards the man that must be Solomon Sallow. He was formidable-looking, and clearly was powerful even for the standards of an Auror, but above all else, he had that cynical look that belied much sorrow.

"Oh yes, he can! Because he's descended from Merlin himself! He's one of the Ambrosius Family! Know him? No? Well, I don't care! He's going to try, and that's final!" Sebastian said smugly as he glared at his uncle, who looked at Merlin with suspicion yet also curiosity. 

"I believe I know exactly what this curse is, and how to reverse it. Or, more accurately, shift it." Merlin said casually as he conjured broken pieces of a wand that he had reserved as ingredients if absolutely necessary. "Sebastian, please get Anne to her bed. Mister Solomon, my name is Lancelot Ambrosius and I can safely assure you I mean no harm. And Miss Anne? Please believe that my intentions are nothing but pure. I owe your brother a debt, and he's proving himself to be a good friend, so I believe you can trust me on this."

Anne stared at him for a while, before nodding and smiling softly. "Ah, of course. Thank you for making the time and effort." Solomon was still suspicious, but Sebastian had already helped Anne to her bed without looking back as Merlin gave a small bow at the man before heading over to the bedroom, Solomon following from behind but not looking like he wanted to stop this yet.

Only a few minutes later, and Merlin had already woven several magical circles carved in Old English runes as Solomon watched the procedure with increasing curiosity, although the suspicion was still there. "All set, no failures. Thank you for providing the enchanted chalkboard, Mister Solomon. The circle needed to be enchanted and prepared with no flaws, or else it would fail utterly. Now, where is Sebastian?"

"Right here!" Sebastian entered the room with a wide grin as he held a single bag. "A few dozen grams of Shrivelfig, buckets of Feldcroft's waters, a silver cauldron, and Dittany, as you said! Wow, you've really gone a bit far, haven't you? None of the healers ever tried this, for sure!"

"This is less of a spell and more of an elaborate magical ritual, Sebastian. First of all, I asked you for the cauldron and those ingredients because they would be pain-killers, designed to ensure Anne does not suffer excruciating pain from the ritual. Dittany provides the resistance to dark magic to enable Anne's body to avoid pain, buckets of Feldcroft's waters are the natural ingredients of the world to enable the connection to Ancient Magic, and Shrivelfig's medicinal properties binds all of them together."

"And the broken pieces of a wand? How would they help in healing Anne's curse?" Solomon asked, finally breaking his silence as he watched Merlin prepare the potion skillfully and quickly. Adding ingredients, mixing them, stirring up the cauldron, and waving the wand, even though he could just wave his hand instead, it served as a certain form of meditation to enable him to quiet his mind. 

"To put it simply, Anne's curse is a form of Ancient Magic, reverse-engineered to be more compatible with Modern Magic. Salazar Slytherin was, after all, from times where Ancient Magic still existed. As such, only Ancient Magic can reverse it. By using old spells, I can remove Anne's curse from her body and place it on the broken pieces of the wand, where it would then be destroyed to remove the curse once and for all. Broken wands have that kind of property, after all. Absorbing magic as to make it their own and dissipating it upon being truly destroyed."

As the potion was completed, Merlin levitated the cauldron and sprinkled it all over Anne's body. She grimaced as the liquid seemed to seep into her bones, but otherwise seemed fine. The pale looking girl looked more in awe rather than being hurt. "It feels like my entire body's grown numb. The pain's stopped. I've never felt this kind of freedom since that night." She spoke softly as Sebastian's grin grew and Solomon's face finally started to show some hope.

"Now, the ritual would take 5 minutes and until that time, I cannot be disturbed. Please assure no one comes here, the both of you. Intervention could prove disastrous." Sebastian nodded as he happily patted Merlin in the shoulder and whispered good luck while waving at Anne, who waved back too.

Before leaving, however, Solomon took one last good look at him. "My nephew's inherited much of his parents wunderkind attitude, Mister Lancelot. Perhaps, after this, you could successfully reign him in," With a small sigh, Solomon looked away. "I can only hope he doesn't meet the fate of my brother and his wife, spending nearly every waking moment in their cellar library and being too lost in their work as Professors. Too focused to see how the lamp in the cellar was defected until they were poisoned to death."

Merlin's face softened in empathy as he nodded. He supposed he could now understand why Solomon was so frustrated with Sebastian. He too had experienced that kind of treatment, to a certain extent, from his mother after all. 

As Solomon left the room and closed it, Merlin turned to Anne, who was looking distraught. "We were so young back then, you know? We didn't have any magic, and we couldn't have helped them. Sebastian wanted to be more like them, and I respected that. However, I sometimes worry that he could end up like them. Since I've been here in Feldcroft, I've had time to further appreciate the nuances of scholarship, you know? Had to pass the time. But I still kept myself from going too far. I only hope he understands that, and that he'll appreciate that our uncle does care about him in his own way."

Merlin gave a smile that might have appeared optimistic and friendly, but his heart was being affected heavily. "Let's start with the ritual, shall we, Miss Anne?"

Even as Anne nodded softly and braced herself, Merlin paused for just half a minute before he began the ritual.