Chapter 2
The next hour was a flurry of names, houses, and classes that Merlin would never be able to get straight. Everyone from Minerva McGonagall, Gryffindor and transfiguration to Rolanda Hooch, Ravenclaw and flying instructor/Quidditch referee he met over a dozen teachers. Some kinder than others if the glare he was getting from Professor no first name, call me Snape from Slytherin was anything to go by. At least he thought his name was Snape. Some Slytherin he was. He didn’t look cunning or resourceful, he looked like a prick who was used to getting what he wanted through intimidation and cruelty.
The chaotic evening ended quickly with Merlin being shown his classroom, office, and chambers by Professor “You can call me Minerva dear” McGonagall. He was told that it was the exact same as when Binns left, as a ghost he had no use for any of it and as he walked through the rooms he was made aware of just how true that was.
Everything was still there, stacks of books that looked like they hadn’t moved in a decade and piles of dust on every shelf. Going into the chambers he found what he assumed was Professor Binns clothes still in the cupboard and the drapes drawn tight over the windows. A desk was covered with stacks of papers that seemed to be the only organized thing in the collection of rooms. Merlin smiled, it seemed that it was time to do the thing he was best at and oddly enjoyed. Clean.
He rolled up his sleeves and with a flash of his eyes summoned a dust cloth. He rather liked doing manual labor himself, he used magic for mostly summoning or locking and unlocking things. He always did his own cleaning and organizing. He finished wiping down the last shelf in his new chambers before pulling out the clothes from the cupboard and summoning his own. He started folding his neckerchiefs to set on the shelf. He smiled, he’d have to find a cloak to match his neckerchiefs. Maybe add some scarfs to the collection, he’d become rather fond of them over the years.
***
To say Minerva was a little shocked would be a bit of an understatement. This Merlin Pendragon was a bit of a mystery and she was fairly sure that was why Albus had been so willing to hire him. He was brilliant, she could see the knowledge behind his eyes, but she could also see secrets and a guardedness that she had seen in few others. She believed in him though, because he was curious and willing to learn.
As she escorted him to his classroom and chambers they walked in a comfortable silence, content to let their minds wander. She thought about quite a lot in that time, about how he didn’t have a house and didn’t have a wand. She wondered how that would work out, because apparently he still had magic. She thought about how he acted odd, kissing the female hands in greeting and bowing to the males. He spoke oddly, with an accent that she couldn’t place but seemed English, Welsh, and Scottish at the same time with phrases that seemed to be from the wrong century. ‘Gramercy’ for one had confused her, she hated to admit that she only knew that it was a way to say thank you after Dumbledore and whispered it to her from across the table.
He seemed all too familiar with the hallways, needing directions to the room but not gawking at the pictures and moving stairs as she would have imagined he would be. Even she had taken a day to run her hand on the walls and explore all the floors when she was first a teacher, able to go everywhere that she couldn’t as a student but he seemed to lack that want. He looked at ease with the tall ceilings and stone floors, if she was being honest he looked like he would fit right in, as if he could seep into the walls if he wished.
She didn’t know if working here would work for him but she found herself dearly hoping that it would. She was rather fond of the boy and knew it would be a good year with him teaching even if he looked vaguely confused anytime one of them mentioned the years OWLS or NEWTS. He’d find Binn’s year notes and be fine. She’d be happy to help as well so long as he asked.
It was rather peculiar she realized, walking to her own rooms. He didn’t have a wand but could do magic, he used spells that Dumbledore didn’t recognize, and he managed to have already found his place. Minerva was sure they would come to be fast friends and Remus had taken a liking to him. Snape clearly disliked him but he disliked everyone so she hoped the boy wouldn’t take it personally. She thought a lot about this Merlin Pendragon that night and she dearly wished that all would turn out well for him.
***
Merlin woke to the rising sun, a habit that he hadn’t taken the time to break in the 1500 years he’d been alive. He was still the most productive in the morning so he got up and dressed in his signature blue shirt and red neckerchief, clean yet identical to yesterdays. Out his chamber’s window was Hagrid feeding creatures in the eastward meadow. He’d go say hello, he hadn’t gotten the chance to talk much with the large man yesterday but he wished to know him better. He reminded him an awful lot of Percival, the friendly giant.
As he got closer he realized that he truly had no idea what these creatures were, they were like horses but their skin was pulled tight over them and wings that reminded him almost of bats were tucked into their sides. They didn’t have coats of fur but more of a leather hide. Hagrid was surrounded by them as he tossed slabs of meat into the air, Merlin laughed as two of the smaller ones bumped into each other.
“They’re lovely Hagrid.” He put out his hand for the one closest to him to smell it. “What are they?”
Said man jumped at the laugh but looked at him almost sadly before responding. “They’re thestrals Professor. They can only be seen by those who’ve seen death.”
Merlin’s smile dropped a little, he’d seen a lot of death so it was no surprise to him that he could see them. “Well they’re beautiful. What are they for if not everyone can see them, surly people don’t ride something they can’t see.”
Hagrid laughed, “No, no one rides them if they can’t see them and it’s a rare thing even if you can see them. They’re rather picky about people.” He motioned towards where Merlin was petting one. “Though they seem to like you fine. We use them for pulling the carriages to the castle. Adds to the magic if the kids think they're being pulled by nothing.”
He smiled sadly, he’d be amazed at that too. “ Is there any confusion when some can see them but most can’t?”
“It happened ‘ast year, professor. Harry saw them, as did Luna but the others didn’ believe them. It sorted itself out pri’y quick though.”
Merlin only nodded and continued to pet the nearest one. It really did act just like a horse, though a horse that ate meat, he added as he watched Hagrid toss another steak into the air.
“Why’r you up so early?” Hagrid asked, seeming to not care for the silence when another was present.
“Always am. I used to be working by dawn and I seem to still get up for it.” He laughed a little, “At least I get to enjoy the morning sun.”
“True that.” Hagrid picked up the now empty bucket where the meat was and started to head back to his cottage. “See you later, professor!”
Merlin waved once then started to make his way back to the castle. Maybe he’d swing by the kitchens to see Zookey and grab some breakfast.
“Merlin!”
He spun to see Minerva walking down the hall behind him.
“Morning Minerva” He gave a half bow before he could catch himself. He really did seem to still be in the habit of that.
“Morning. Headed to breakfast?” She joined his side as he began walking again, her Scottish accent adding a fun lilt to her words.
“Yep. Was going to grab some from the kitchens then go back to my room to look at classwork.”
“Nonsense Merlin. You’ll eat with me and we’ll talk.”
It may have been years since he took orders yet he still knew when an offer wasn’t a suggestion.
“Alright, but can we do it in the kitchens? I rather like it there and I want to visit a friend.”
Minerva raised an eyebrow, “How do you know where the kitchens are? I thought it was fairly well hidden.”
If she saw Merlin stumble at her words she didn’t comment. He just looked at her and shrugged, “I followed the smell of food?”
It was a stupid excuse but she dismissed it as a weird quirk and didn’t argue. “Alrighty then. Breakfast in the kitchens, I haven’t done that yet.”
“You’ve never been to the kitchens?”
“Not yet I haven’t, seems I get to try something new today.” She laughed, “A little adventure for the Gryffindor. Been a while since I did anything new.”
Merlin smiled as he once again ticked the pear and entered the bustling room.
“Sir!” Zookey called from across the room and ran over, dodging food trays on the way. “What can I get Sir for breakfast?” She saw Minerva a moment later. “And Miss too!”
“I would love a plate of bread and a couple of strawberries, Zookey. Do you remember what I told you yesterday?”
“To call you Merlin, sir.”
“You don’t have too but it would be appreciated.” he motioned to Minerva a moment later and she followed his lead.
“I’ll have toast and an egg please Zookey.”
A moment later the elf was gone and Minerva was smiling before getting tugged by the sleeve by Merlin to a little table in the corner. A moment later their food was there.
“Thank you Zookey.” They each said respectively.
“Happy to help Merlin sir and Madam.” she was gone a second later.
Merlin started laughing as he made eye contact with the other professor, “You look like a startled stoat Minerva.”
“I feel like a startled stoat Merlin. I’ve never done this before and it’s quite nice actually.”
“Right?” He smiled, they were going to be fast friends. “Alright. You wanted to talk?”
“Right! I had forgotten.” She smiled, “I wanted to tell you that if you had any questions, any at all to come to me. Binns was rather organized but if you needed any help you could just ask me.”
Merlin smiled, “I found the work organized by grade level and tests and material and such. I should be fine but I will come if needed for anything. Thank you.”
“I have a question.”
Merlin waited for her to go on.
“What is your favorite color?”
“My favorite color?”
“Yep. I want to know what your favorite color is. We know nothing about each other. Most of us professors were taught by each other or were in school together. You’re all new. So, favorite color.”
“Red.”
“Mine is green. You ask a question now.”
“Favorite food.”
This was their morning, and the next, and even the one after that all the way till the summer was well and truly over. They got to know each other better and at some point Remus joined in their breakfasts. He was still up well before the others but he would just tidy up till their meeting time. After breakfast he would study plans for classes and read the curriculum books. The time had flown by and he had learned most of what he had missed in the magical worked. Now it was the day before school started and with Minerva and Remus with him, he was going to get a wand.