Chapter 8
“Alright class.” Merlin announced as he stood from behind his desk and put on his thick cloak. “I know it’s getting chilly but I’d like to go outside today.”
A couple of students groaned but they all stood and put on their cloaks.
“I’m aware this is a dreadfully boring class and I’d like to mix it up today. Instead of talking about wars we’re going to reenact one.” his students perked up at this. “I’m making it rather muggle like today so be prepared to not use magic.”
“What?” “It’s History of Magic.” and “they’re wizarding wars.” all sounded behind him as he led the students to an open field by the school. Rows of chainmail and dull swords lined benches next to the wall.
“I know a lot of you are confused but we’re not reenacting a specific war. Just war in general, old war with swords and such. We’re here to talk about strategy and what you would do in that scenario. You won’t actually be sword fighting each other as I don’t want you to get hurt. I will teach basic maneuvers between pairs presenting.”
He continued, “Go get mail and a sword and a paper, each pair should only have one paper and you will be working with your table partner not a chosen partner.” They groaned again and he smiled. “No way to better learn about each other than while fighting a war. Each paper has a different scenario and you and your partner have to choose how to react with 50 men at your disposal. You have 20 minutes to talk about it then we’ll do some basic sword moves. After that one pair will share and then we’ll practice a little. That will repeat till everyone is done.”
The kids broke into their pairs happily and Merlin smiled. Once the first week was through most of his students got along fairly well, there were still definitely stigmas and issues but it was consistently getting better.
“It’s like chess, divert and surround.” Ron said to his partner, Tracey Davis.
“That won’t work with that few people, they have triple the number.”
“It’ll work, if they make enough noise they’ll think we have more. Surrounding them makes them stuck and not able to get out.”
“We need to go head on, surprise attack all at once.”
“So all our men die and all they do is run in all directions?”
Ron was right, Merlin grinned. Arthur was like that, he’d always make their situation work. If you made the others afraid that you had more men they’d be less likely to fight and more likely to surrender.
Merlin thought on that as he wondered group to group, some strategies were better than others but for the most part they would work well enough. Ron really knew strategy and could clearly see the images in his mind. He should be thriving in classes yet he struggled so much even with Hermione’s help. Though her calling him stupid definitely wasn’t helping. He just struggled with reading and remembering even what was told to him.
Another loop around the students and Merlin paused as he realized something. He quickly approached Ron and Tracey who had been joined by Hermione, Harry, Draco, and Millicent.
“Ron. Can you come here for a moment?”
“Professor?” He asked as he stepped away from the group and the others watched them curiously.
“Are you dyslexic Ron?”
Hermione inhaled sharply and Merlin knew she was running the possibility through her head. Ron looked confused.
“I don’t know what that professor is.”
“Do the words float when you read, move around the page even when you write them. Do you struggle to remember what you read and forget entire conversations sometimes? Does it take you a long time to read a text and struggle to concentrate if something is distracting?” Merlin quickly and quietly asked. He knew Ron couldn’t spell to save his life but other things pointed to it too. “You probably think very 3 dimensionally and are probably good at chess?”
Ron looked very confused now. “Yes to all of the above.”
Merlin smiled softly, “Dyslexia is a neurological disorder that messes with things like spelling, reading, memory of context, or processing. Your brain is different, you’re much better at understanding 3 dimensionally, that’s part of why you're good at chess and thriving with this activity. You’re built for things like that, and you're just really good at strategy too.”
Ron paused, “So I’m not just stupid?” He seemed perplexed.
“Not at all.” Merlin leaned closer conspiratorially, “You’re bloody brilliant actually. You had the best plan out of everyone here. You just think a little differently.” Ron smiled. “I know a couple of spells that can help with the tougher parts of dyslexia if you’d like? They keep the words still and keep the letters from swapping a bit. It’ll also make it a little easier to recall things. I’ve had a couple of dyslexic students before and they seemed to help. But only if you’d like.”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation in Ron’s response. “That would be brilliant, Professor.”
Merlin smiled and his eyes flashed gold as he muttered quietly for a few seconds. “Folge min bebod. Wurda gestillan” He swayed for a second but steadied as his eyes cleared back to their normal blue. “There you go, classes should be a lot easier now.”
“Thank you Professor!” Ron grinned widely and Merlin patted his shoulder.
“Happy to help Ron.” Once he had rejoined his group of friends Merlin turned to look at the rest of the pairs and raised his voice. “Alrighty then. Everyone grab a sword, these are long swords. Same style for the 600th century. First thing we need to go over is foot placement.”
The class carried on like this till the class ended, covering parries and various defensive and offensive maneuvers while adding in the strategy of the groups. Merlin grinned as he brought another load of mail into the castle after class. That was one of the best classes he’d taught, they’d all been working together and engaged with no animosity between them.
“You taught your students sword fighting?” Minerva asked as they sat in the kitchens after classes ended.
Merlin nodded
“That’s awesome!” Remus grinned, “Can you teach us?”
“They’re all still alive?” Minerva asked, “They didn’t try to kill each other or anything?”
“They’re fine Nerva.” Merlin smiled into his cup of coffee. “Got along and class went great. I can teach you Remus, I’m not very good though.”
“Not according to rumors.” Remus corrected, “You were great and sent the upperclassmen swooning. It’s all your students were talking about.”
Merlin pulled a face, “I’m actually really bad Remus. Arthur had me on my butt in seconds when we fought together. I think I lasted longer than a minute maybe once. I’m better with knives, they’re lighter and more maneuverable.”
“That’s even cooler! You should teach me that instead.”
“Us.” Minerva corrected as she sipped her tea. “Merlin will teach us.”
“I will?”
“Yes, no choice now.”
“Fine.” he fought a grin as he faked annoyance.
Remus spoke a moment later. “Over Christmas break?”
“I have plans to have people over. I’ll be home.”
“We can come over.”
“Remus, don’t invite yourself over.” Minerva stepped in while Merlin shrugged.
“Sure. Just answer me one question.”
“What?” Remus leaned forward, eager.
“Are you ADHD?”
Remus pouted as Minerva laughed.
“James always asked me that.”
“It’s a valid question.”
“Well the answer is no.”
“Just checking.”
Merlin grinned as Minerva laughed harder and Remus turned a light shade of pink. He loved his friends dearly.