Justice of the Worthy
"You see, Professor Emrys? Minister? Confounded, both of them. Black's done a very good job on them-"
"WE'RE NOT CONFUNDED!"
"ENOUGH!" Merlin shouted as he glared at Severus for his ever-present grudge and clear wish to see Black suffer a fate worse than death. His hatred towards Black had compounded over the seeming truth that Lily died because of him, but it did not excuse all this. Severus was positively eager to finally "exact vengeance" for both Lily's death and his previous near-death experience.
"Minister, please do kindly leave, and you too, Severus. I will attend to my godson." Merlin declared curtly and with authority.
"Ah yes, Professor Emrys. You are Harry's godfather now. Harry, that was very reckless of you, to disobey your godfather's orders. I'll leave you two to it, since this has become a familial matter."
Merlin said nothing as Cornelius left, leaving only Severus.
"Don't be stupid and believe Black's lies. You're smart, so I can imagine you won't be stupidly taken in, would you?" With those simple words, Severus left the Hospital Wing, leaving only him and Hermione.
He could feel Albus already closing in, and before he could, Merlin froze time around everyone except him and Hermione, affecting everyone, including even Albus, although admittedly with a decent amount of strain. Albus was the only person powerful enough to potentially neutralize his magic if he wasn't serious on him.
Nevertheless, he didn't let that show as he grabbed Harry and Hermione, cast an illusion spell to show him sternly lecturing the two, and then proceeded to distort space around them before he distorted space and took them all to the topmost cell of the Dark Tower.
As soon as he got there, with all of Hogwarts still frozen, Merlin narrowed the range of his Time Magic to only cover the Dementors, who were dangerously closing in, and blasted down the doors of the cell.
"How-- How --?" Black said weakly as Merlin effortlessly ripped the cell doors apart.
"No time. We have to get to my place." With those words, Merlin looked out and saw grimly as Kilgharrah neared.
The flapping of his great wings was something Merlin was used to as he remained unfazed while Harry and Hermione were not. Even Sirius was a bit unsteady, but Merlin simply conjured a gigantic platform for him to land on.
When Kilgharrah landed, Merlin watched as Harry, Hermione, and Sirius looked awed at the sight of the gigantic golden dragon, but he didn't have time to tell them.
"Hello, Kilgharrah." Merlin said calmly.
"Hello, young warlock." Merlin narrowed his eyes at the old nickname. At least Kilgharrah wasn't stupid enough to call him by his real name.
"So it has come to this? We have to cast that spell to have a real shot at clearing Sirius Black's name?" Merlin asked the Great Dragon.
"Clear Sirius's name? We can do that!?" Harry shouted, looking more hopeful than before.
"Yes, young warlock. Send in the rest of your friends to your manor, and you and I will follow. We have much to discuss, the two of us, so those three can wait out in your house first. They'll be safe there. No one but me could come to your "castle"."
Nodding, Merlin turned his attention towards the three. "Remember, you three. Stay put. I'll be there within an hour. We can still fix this, but I need you three to remain safe. Understand?"
Harry nodded, looking just as anxious as Hermione, while Sirius was clearly intrigued by him.
As soon as he warped the three, Merlin turned towards Kilgharrah.
"Let's get going then. We don't have much time before things could actually get a bit difficult."
With that, Merlin flew using the magic of the Old Religion while Kilgharrah was flying with his wings.
"You haven't revealed your true identity to the reincarnation of Arthur, haven't you, Merlin?" Kilgharrah made it clear he wasn't actually asking, but stating a fact.
"No. The whole world has forgotten about the two of us. Before this year, they didn't even knew there existed "Merlin Emrys" and "Merlin Ambrosius". Kilgharrah shook his head as they both traveled to the location of his house. It wasn't the farthest between Avalon and Hogwarts, since Hogwarts was located in Camelot's Citadel, drastically modified, but it still took time.
"I am well-aware of it. The newspapers were quite clear." Merlin snorted. Kilgharrah may be capable of using constant divination, but he did still found a degree of amusement in reading up newspapers. He would levitate and flick through the newspapers with his magic or he would at certain occasions casually spin the newspapers with his paws to demonstrate his unusual dexterity.
"Yes. Your legend was also revealed. Do forgive me for not being able to erase the myths of how you were all-knowing and the like." Kilgharrah grunted as Merlin gave a slight smirk.
"How much do you know?" Merlin asked the Great Dragon after 30 minutes of silence.
"I am aware that you have sent the soul of Salazar Slytherin to rest, that you have become the godfather of the reincarnation of Arthur Pendragon, and I am also aware of your three classes and how much you enjoyed them. I even had a few records of you teaching them."
Merlin snorted. "Enjoyed that, did you? You always didn't seem impressed whenever I showed some memories of the schools that they didn't knew what true magic was."
Kilgharrah snorted back. "Yes, Merlin. I did enjoy it more than most. I occasionally spy on certain schools too. It reminded me that the truest of magics might have been lost, but it still survived. The world of magic continues to advance. In some ways, it is even greater than the old days. One day, it would be reborn."
Merlin smiled at the reminder of what would come in time.
"But let us get to the more serious topic as to when you would tell the boy of your deepest secret. You know you cannot hide it forever. He will find out in the end."
Merlin shook his head at the reminder. "I know, Kilgharrah. I know. For now, though, the time has not yet come."
"Come with me, the three of you." That was all Harry's new godfather had said as he went up to the third floor, Sirius following Harry and Hermione in climbing up the stairs.
He had to admit that he had heard of the tales of this new Professor, Emrys Ambrosius, who quickly earned a reputation for being on par with Dumbledore himself, taught 2 classes that essentially encompassed most of what Hogwarts had to teach, and a year ago, also became the new History of Magics Professor. Harry had also described details of him, speaking very highly of the man's immense power, skill, and knowledge, as well as his good heart, while Remus stated that it was he who brewed the Wolfsbane Potion.
But what was most peculiar was how this Emrys Ambrosius was a master of Ancient Magic, something very few had. Not even Sirius knew much about it, and from what he had read, not even the Malfoys or the Blacks, despite all their arrogance, had much knowledge of the so-called precursor of "Modern Magic". He had even taught Harry a few spells on it, although Harry admitted he couldn't use it for too much, five being his limit before he would collapse out of exhaustion.
Sirius had to admit he was intrigued by this person, who appeared so suddenly and earned such prestige so quickly. It almost felt unrealistic. He was also admittedly a bit miffed that he was no longer acknowledged as Harry's godfather, but then again, he didn't exactly have that right after his plan to use Peter ended up killing James and Lily. All he could do now was be there for Harry when he needed him.
The castle was exceptionally well-made, with not even the Grimmauld Place or Malfoy Manor coming close to matching the house's beauty and magic. It was thoroughly covered by various exceptional enchantments, done by the Professor himself, and the various mixture of technology and magic in the first floor was quite thorough and fascinating for Sirius, who used to be a competent mechanic and had proudly made a flying motorcycle.
The second floor admittedly had Sirius a bit intrigued as he paused and looked at the rooms. It had a room with several weapons, swords the foremost, and another room full of dozens of physical exercising equipments. Apparently, Emrys was quite fond of Muggles indeed. He was already starting to like him.
After a while, Sirius turned back to see Emrys staring at him, amused, while Harry and Hermione were torn between exasperation and fondness.
They climbed up to the third floor, each of them closed. "This is where I learned magical skills, Sirius."
Sirius stared at the rooms, but then Emrys shouted out. "We don't have time for those!"
Sirius shook his head. He wasn't here for funs or as a guest. Emrys hinted he could fix this, and Sirius was there to take this chance.
And so he watched as Emrys went towards the left edge of the floor and opened the room there.
"Get in, all of you."
When they entered, it was a magical research room unlike any other.
Dozens of runic circles, cauldrons, herbs, ingredients, and books were there, none of which he had ever seen before. The whole room was covered in a galaxy-like theme, obviously an enchantment.
Even Harry and Hermione couldn't help but marvel at the sight of such unprecedented materials and pieces of magic, and neither could Sirius.
"I must say, when you told me to go to the only balcony of the third floor of your castle, I didn't expect it to mean that you would have such a room, young warlock." A deep voice rumbled from the balcony as Emrys opened the door, revealing the same golden dragon Merlin summoned before.
"Well, Kilgharrah, we both know I don't take my work lightly." Emrys stated simply as the dragon named Kilgharrah chuckled.
A dragon was speaking to them? How was that possible?
"Alright, let's get this done."
With a deep breath, Emrys turned towards the three of them.
"Hermione, I would need to take your Time Turner for this spell."
Sirius narrowed his eyes. Time Turners? They were very rare! Not even his family had any, as they were strictly watched over by the Ministry.
With a grim nod, Hermione handed over her pendant that was the magical artifact.
"Next, Sirius, Harry, and Hermione, I would need your memories."
Sirius's eyes somewhat widened when without even a single gesture, an intricate basin came across them.
Sirius watched as Emrys extracted parts of their memories and then proceeded to place them on the basin. When Emrys made to extract his, Sirius eyed him cautiously.
"You are a man of many secrets, aren't you?"
Emrys simply nodded. "Yes, I am, but those secrets could end up granting you your freedom and your exoneration."
Sirius eyed Harry, looking for his opinion, and at the firm nod of his best friend's son, allowed Emrys to take his memories from him.
As soon as he placed those memories into the basin, Emrys proceeded to crush the Time Turner, withdrawing from the remnants glowing runes that he proceeded to carve into a circle.
"Now, listen you two, I am going to send all three of us back hours before Peter Pettigrew escaped. Here is a particular Potion, a modified Wolfsbane that can grant just one time not transforming into a Werewolf during the Full Moon. Give it to Remus. Finally, this would be the perfect binds for Peter Pettigrew."
Emrys gave Sirius a particular golden chain. "Once attached to him, those chains cannot be removed by any kind of magic. He is also essentially rendered a Squib as long as the chains remain bound. No Animagus Transformation or anything. You also might find it a bit... Screamy."
Sirius gave a grin even as Emrys did not elaborate.
"The final step is here. Kilgharrah, please do infuse your draconic breath into this potion. I'll rather not deal with the hangover while also having to capture a slimy rat."
Kilgharrah nodded, and proceeded to breathe what seems to be a gas of magical energy that Merlin infused into a bottle.
"Good luck, and see you soon."
With that, Emrys summoned a fine sword that had the three of them gasping. It was so intricate, so beautiful, that it was easily the finest artifact he had ever seen. He recited incantations of a language unknown to Sirius, before proceeding to slam the sword upon the basin, causing the runes to glow.
Light covered Sirius's eyes as he was given a second chance.
When Merlin woke up, it was with a rather nasty hangover-symptoms. He shook his head as he drank Kilgharrah's breath to help him recover.
It was a Dragon Magic spell, which he could access upon mastering his powers as a Dragon Lord. Kilgharrah had taken him to the Isle of Blessed and put him in a rigorous 10-years training to master it all along with knowledge of the Old Religion as the sole surviving and everlasting Dragon Lord. That book from Balinor did contain much of the information, as Kilgharrah and him were close and he helped document it all for his successor, but it turned out Kilgharrah still had a few secrets left.
So many powers, so many spells, and Merlin was admittedly awe-struck. He had never faced any difficulty with most kinds of magic before, except healing spells, which was only because he was a frivolous, mischevious, and rash man who didn't appreciate physician work, and yet there were a surprising amount of Old Religion magics that actually gave him genuine difficulty. Nevertheless, Merlin learned to appreciate the Old Religion and the hard-work of precision and development, as Kilgharrah was nice enough to sarcastically remind him that he would need those.
However, none were as tempting or as powerful as the Dragon Magic he learned as a Dragon Lord. He still remembered how sorely tempted he was when he was made aware of this spell in particular. He could have used it to bring Arthur back, but then Kilgharrah pointed out about how he would have altered things far too much, that Arthur would have died of old age, and he would still be unable to accept what Kilgharrah deemed as his "true, unchangeable destiny".
Leaving aside this time-travel spell, there were many other possibilities, but Merlin rarely made use of them. The one time he had used it in 3 decades thus far was to divine Harry's future and confirm he was the reincarnation of Arthur. Dragons after all had a way with Divination even he could not match without using Dragon Magic.
He was able to tap into the magic of the Dragons much more than any other Dragon Lord because he already would always be the most powerful sorcerer in the world and he also had immortality, meaning he didn't need to worry about becoming a Dragon from over-use, but there was hardly anything worth enough to make use of Dragon Magic.
After 30 minutes of meditation, Merlin checked the time and found there was still an hour before Pettigrew could escape, so he decided to tell Albus to call Cornelius Fudge to Hogwarts as part of the preparations for a trial.
"This is... Very unexpected and grim news, indeed, my friend. Are you alright? Performing such a powerful spell couldn't have been easy." Albus stated as he looked at Merlin warily but with clear belief.
"I'm fine, Albus. Just get Cornelius Fudge into Hogwarts. I'll make sure Pettigrew would be arrested."
He arrived fortunately to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione marching out of the Shrieking Shack with Sirius following them, Peter firmly enchained by the binds he gave Sirius. He had clearly been futilely thinking of ways to escape several times, from how his face was in pain and his body was covered in burns. It was of no use, actually.
The chains Merlin created were made of the Old Religion, and only people on the level of the Founders would be able to still even use magic enough to light a torch. It also contained enchantments to punish any thoughts of escaping judgment with burning parts of their bodies, and from Sirius's sadistic smile, it was clear that he had enjoyed Peter's suffering.
"Nice to see you all came out alright." Merlin said with a smile as Harry and Sirius beamed at him.
"Your chains work wonders. I've enjoyed hearing this pathetic excuse of a rat-" Sirius proceeded to drag Peter through the ground as Merlin shook his head until he reached him. "Scream and beg for mercy over and over."
Merlin allowed a small smile to come across his face. "What matters is that he would be justly acknowledged as the traitor and coward that he is, and you would be free."
"Oh, kind, great professor... Please show me mercy-"
Sirius silenced Peter by knocking his face to the dirty ground over and over again as Merlin narrowed his eyes.
"You want mercy, Peter Pettigrew? Your mercy would be death. You think your Dark Lord had all the power? I have more power and knowledge of magic than him. I could leave you brain dead, the physical equivalent of a Dementor's Kiss, I could torture you into insanity without a Cruciatus Curse, I could break your bones again and again without even using my wand, I could burn you to death, I could freeze and then shatter you to pieces." Merlin said coldly as he proceeded to choke the traitor with a single hand, lifting him off the ground and dismissing the chains. Now that he was here, Peter would not escape.
As Peter choked and struggled in his hand, Merlin smiled coldly. "First, you're going to be shamed and abhorred by the public you have deceived while Sirius receives the acknowledgment, apology, and sympathy he deserved. Then, you're going to be executed by simply having your head cut off. For now, though, you won't be doing anytime except dreaming nightmares and not able to wake up for a day."
He first made Peter fall unconscious, truly on the brink of death over the loss of air on his neck, before he then proceeded to revive him, but kept him in a sleep designed to torture him with nightmares, while he could not even scream out. He was trapped completely in his mind, forced to watch his betrayal.
Suddenly, though, a binding spell was fired at Sirius, which Merlin blocked by placing his hand on Sirius, dispersing the magic wandlessly. He narrowed his eyes upon seeing it was Severus.
"Did you not see what I had done, Severus? It was Peter Pettigrew that caused the death of Lily Evans, not Sirius Black." Merlin said cautiously as Severus lowered his wand, looking at him skeptically.
"YOU? Falling for Black's lies? I thought you were a genius and to be honest, I actually liked some of your ways better than that of Albus's, yet you believe in Black, a man willing to kill a fellow student just because he disliked me? I warned you all this year to be wary of Lupin and to keep the Potter boy safe, yet you ignore my actually sincere advice?"
Merlin shook his head. Severus wouldn't believe without a proof, but fortunately he had one.
Merlin closed on Severus, and proceeded to place his hand on Severus's head.
Severus gasped as his Occlumency tried to fight him off. It was truly well-honed and sturdy, his mind, but Merlin's magic was not so easily denied. He pushed further and further, allowing bits upon bits of information to be received by Severus's mind, the results of his divination spell in particular, to confirm the truth for himself.
His eyes were glowing before as he actually had to put in effort to overcome Severus's mental-shields, but now it was receeding as Severus gradually came to accept the truth. After all of it was properly passed down, he released Severus from his magic.
Severus panted deeply as he clutched his head, causing Merlin to simply place his head on it, curing him of the mental effects of such a forceful application of Legilimency.
"Now, as you have always so dearly wanted revenge for Lily, how about you take Pettigrew to the castle? Albus is already there. I imagine he's already summoned Cornelius by now. Time for you to get the vengeance you wanted. Remember to not kill him, though."
After composing himself, Severus's eyes had a degree of disappointment that Black was innocent, but there was a small cruel smile on his face. "With pleasure, Professor Emrys. With pleasure."
With that, Severus harshly grabbed Peter by the neck and then tossed him to the ground before proceeding to drag him by the leg, leaving Sirius, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stunned as Merlin just smirked.
"What the hell-"
"You forgot, Sirius, that Severus and Lily were once best friends? His vendetta towards you may still be there, but it was nothing compared to what he wanted to do for Lily." Remus said understandingly.
"We should be getting back to Hogwarts, soon. Severus could be trusted with that responsibility."
However, suddenly there was a chill in the air, and Merlin froze as he realized what happened.
Dementors were nearing.
"Professor Emrys! Dementors!"
Harry watched with wide eyes as Dementors descended in thousands just like they had done before.
Professor Emrys immediately formed a Patronus, but it wasn't a corporeal one, which had taken the form of a dragon. Instead, his godfather summoned the glowing vapors of an incorporeal Patronus and wrapped it around him and the others.
"Stay in the line! Walk slowly alongside me. Do NOT speed up. If you cross this line, it's over."
Harry narrowed his eyes. Why didn't his Professor just summon a Corporeal Patronus and banish all those Dementors? He had that power, he had seen it when he rescued him, Hermione, and Sirius by casting that first corporeal Patronus he had seen.
"Er, Father?" Harry asked slowly as Sirius flinched, clearly unused to Harry having grown so close to his godfather that he saw him as more than that.
"Why didn't you just conjure that Corporeal Patronus of yours and banish them away?" Harry asked as his godfather paused.
"Excuse me?"
"When a Dementor nearly kissed me with Sirius passed out, I saw a Corporeal Patronus, a dragon, just like how you told me your Corporeal Patronus was a dragon. You saved us by repelling those Dementors. You could do it again!"
Professor Emrys eyed him curiously, before suddenly there was a wide smile on his godfather's face.
"Tell me, Harry, did that Patronus have horns and deer ears?"
Harry's eyes narrowed as he struggled to remember it. He could only recall how it sure looked like a dragon, but then he realized that the dragon was moderate-sized, and definitely would not be close to what his godfather was capable of at full strength.
At that moment, he also realized that while it had the body of a dragon, it also had four legs and just like his father said, had stag horns and deer ears. It hit him at that moment.
It wasn't his godfather that conjured it... HE had summoned that Patronus!
Harry gave his godfather a small smile. "Yes. I understand now."
His godfather beamed. "Then cast the spell."
With a peaceful smile, Harry waved his wand in a circle and calmly recited the incantation.
"Expecto Patronum."
In a flash, a blinding, dazzling silver-golden tribid of a dragon, deer, and stag galloped through the Dementors, sending them into retreat, as his godfather calmly dissipated the sphere formed by his incorporeal patronus.
When they were all gone, the animal flew around, blowing gentle winds at him as if to say that he had won, before then landing down and galloping towards him. It bowed before Professor Emrys and dissipated.
"Prongs..." Sirius muttered softly.
"Lily..." Remus muttered next softly.
"Come on. We should get to the castle. Wouldn't want to keep Sirius away from his freedom any longer, would we?"
A Week Later
"Sirius Black! As per the strong magical evidence of your innocence, provided by Professor Emrys Ambrosius, and the confession made by Peter Pettigrew under the influence of a Veritaserum before his escape, the Ministry henceforth offers sincerest apologies for your unjust sentencing before. You are cleared of all charges, and will be given the recompense of a 10.000.000 Galleons. As for Peter Pettigrew, for the crimes of faking your death, being a spy for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, you are sentenced to life in Azkaban without any possibility for a parole."
Merlin smirked at the final verdict of the Wizengamot as Sirius cheered and happily hugged Remus and Harry, while Peter screamed and begged for mercy futilely as he was carried away into Azkaban.
As soon as he arrived at Hogwarts, Cornelius Fudge was practically still processing the undeniable proof that Peter Pettigrew did not die. When Merlin unveiled the truth and confessed where his suspicions lay, it was too overwhelming for Fudge to not immediately accept his request of allowing Sirius house confinement under Merlin and taking Peter Pettigrew into a cell specifically warded to prevent any magic, in the very same tower where Sirius would have been kissed by a Dementor, with a few Dementors to heighten his misery.
And so Merlin took Sirius into his house, where Sirius quickly took a liking to it and asked if Merlin would be open to letting him stay there permanently. Merlin had agreed and created a comfortable hut for him to live on. He also gathered further evidences and proofs, ensuring Peter had no chance of surviving the trial.
"We did it!" Harry shouted in joy as he hugged Merlin, who simply hugged him back in return.
"Indeed, my boy. We had done it."
They walked out of the court room and headed towards Hogwarts, as Merlin still had his final exams to hand out to the students and Sirius was a free man, so he was allowed to come with him to Hogwarts. The final exams had been postponed for a week so Merlin could finish his matter with the trials. He ensured Harry was not accompanying him, but studying as well.
"That Patronus of mine..." Harry began softly as Merlin simply smirked, encouraging his godson to go on.
"Why was it so unique? A mixture of a dragon, deer, and a stag? I mean, the dragon parts are definitely the dominant ones, but from what you said, Professor Lupin, that was the first recorded Patronus to ever had a mixture of three animals simultaneously."
Merlin simply chuckled. "Harry, the real truth is that a Patronus isn't limited to animals. In fact, imagine if you admired Superman, then Superman would be your guardian. It could be anything."
Indeed. That was the simplest truths, and one of the reason why a Patronus Charm was one of his proudest works. It essentially symbolized Merlin's hopes for humanity understanding and mastering themselves, both wizardkind and non-wizards.
"Therefore, why that Patronus of yours was so unique is simple. The dragon is the embodiment of your strong feelings of admiration and love towards me, and as your main parental figure, it dominated the form of your Patronus. A Dragon represents bravery, wisdom and strength, both which I have quite a lot of, as all three of you are well aware."
Merlin chortled along with the three.
"HOWEVER! Your parents were also present. The horns and antlers of a stag represents that you have came to terms that while James Potter was not a perfect man, in the end, he had matured and was worthy of your love. The ears of a deer represents how you admire and have inherited your mother's capacity for compassion, her willingness to help anyone who needs it, and her loyalty."
Sirius and Remus looked touched at the mention of their two fallen friends, and Harry looked pleasantly surprised too, which further added Merlin's pride in his godson.
"You see, while I am your father now, the truth is nothing can stop the bonds of love, be it friendship, romance, or familial, as long as they're strong enough. Even death cannot stop it, just like how the past cannot be entirely changed."
At the confusion of the three, Merlin simply smiled. "Even though you're now free, Sirius, even though Peter will now get what he deserves, it doesn't change that your parents are dead, Harry. Even if they were to come back, I think we both know you would have still chosen and preferred me over them."
Harry looked at him solemnly, and that was good too. Merlin did not want to take over James and Lily. He would be a good father to the boy before him, but he would make sure Harry honor their memory as well.
"So that is why the future is ultimately what's most important. We must be better than those who came before us, better than the failures we had committed in the past, and better than the ones who we oppose. Nothing can grant us the wisdom to be better more so than love, for it is love that allows us to accept our failures and move on by drawing on the strength granted by the loved ones still with us. It is love for the deceased that allows us to continue on in order to honor their sacrifices and commit your life to fulfilling their ideals as much as you could. That is what your Patronus symbolized, Harry. Acceptance of both the past and the present, and hopes for the future."
Harry sobbed at that as he cried and laughed at the same time before hugging Merlin one last time. Sirius and Remus too looked emotional as they hugged Harry upon him letting go of Merlin.
Yes. This was a victory that granted happiness and righteousness both, and Merlin was proud of his godson more than any spell he mastered.
"Nice one, Harry!" Fred and George shouted as they joined him, Ron, and Hermione up towards Professor Emrys's classroom for their special exams. His godfather had given them a break of three days after the trial, before they would hold a personal final exam just for the three of them. The others had already taken their own tests, so it was just them. At the end of the day, the term would end.
"That was reckless, yet very exceptionally competent, of the three of you. You, above all else, Harry. I heard you held your own against Black not once but twice, and you, Hermione, and Ron had him beaten to the ground! Of course, he was innocent, but you helped prove that too! Well done, the three of you. I can be assured now that Ron and Ginny will be at good hands under you, Harry, and I'm counting on you to keep Ron in check at particular." Percy stated, trying at first to be stern and firm before swiftly displaying his pride and joy over the situation.
Harry just smiled at the three older Weasleys, while Ron gave Percy a bit of a glare for the last sentence.
"Well, Percy, how did it went for your N.E.W.Ts?" Harry asked kindly, causing Percy to smirk.
"I had gotten top scores in all of it. Professor Emrys, in particular, was quite impressed with my performance as I ranked among the best of my year. I had never been prouder than when Professor Emrys honestly complimented my abilities, both when he personally oversaw his classes O.W.L and my N.E.W.T! He encouraged me to help out in the Magical Law Enforcement and even gave me tips about what laws to propose and the best ways to approach them! Great man, he is."
"Oh? Then I suppose he wouldn't mind helping us out too, for our own plans?" Fred and George asked with a smirk as Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yes. I suppose you have earned it. You were so shameless in admitting about how the only reason you bothered to get Outstanding in all your O.W.L was because you didn't want to disappoint him, but I suppose in the end, it was worth it." Percy said with a neutral tone that clearly hid his approval as Fred and George smirked.
"Here it is! Be seeing you at the feast!"
And so they entered the classroom to find Professor Emrys already waiting, a smile on his face.
"Alright you three! Ready for my final exams?"
Harry smirked as his identical grins were matched by his two friends. "BEYOND ready, Professor."
Indeed, he was.
Professor Emrys's Repository of Magic tests ranged from performing all the spells they had learned from his class in various ways for Transfiguration and Charms, tending to plants and dealing with dangerous ones for Herbology, brewing various Potions in the time limit, and countering a few dark spells as well as besting dark creatures for Defense Against the Dark Arts.
After his godfather casually announced Harry got perfect marks, that of 200% score, while Hermione earned 190% score and Ron 185% score, they proceeded to the Repository of Usefulness. For Arithmancy, Professor Emrys had them both answer various magical theory and mathematical questions. Harry got it rather easily done for magical theory, but struggled more for math.
Well, not that it mattered, since he was sure even before the results was announced that he got perfect scores on Muggle Studies, particularly the ones regarding fencing forms and how they were adapted into dueling, and all the others. None of them bothered to acknowledge why Professor Emrys screwed Divination, and Harry didn't think too much of the other exams.
He had been through a lot, and finally gotten justice for his parents. He had also realized the importance of friendship and looking into the future. Nothing was more important than that.
And so when Professor Emrys proudly declared Harry's marks were that of 190% score, just 5% below Hermione, while Ron's were 180%, all of them took it in stride and happily congratulated one another.
They marched towards the Great Hall for the Final Feast, and Harry's joy increased even more when Gryffindor had yet again won the House Cup. This time, Ravenclaw had managed to overtake Slytherin for the second place, too!
There was a bit of sadness, though, when Professor Emrys solemnly announced that Professor Lupin would not be returning, as he needed to be there for Sirius and had resigned to help his best friend. They were now currently living on a comfortable hut at the perimeter of his godfather's castle.
Nevertheless, all things considered, everything was mostly fine.
That said, there was a bit of a downer news when he and his godfather arrived on the castle.
Under Professor Dumbledore's permission, he could now live here entirely, and no longer had to stay with the Dursleys. He was just about to ask Professor Emrys if he could visit Aunt Petunia when Sirius and Remus stood up from the living room, their faces grim despite their recent victory.
"It's Pettigrew. He escaped from Azkaban." Harry's eyes widened at the unexpected news.
"But how-"
"It would seem we underestimated him a lot. Just as he was escorted to Azkaban, Peter, in what was described as a mad dash for freedom, managed to overpower the three Aurors accompanying him by using enough wandless magic to summon his wand to him and then cut off one of his hands before taking the three incompetent guards off-guard as they were surprised by how he amputated his own arm and then stunned them."
Harry clenched his fists, but his godfather had calmly placed his hand on his shoulders. "Don't worry. We have nevertheless secured a victory in that we acquitted Sirius, and Peter is now a hunted man. For now, we rest. We should be ready for whatever comes next. Now, how about you practice some fighting skills with Sirius, Harry? He was quite eager when I offered him to."
Harry calmed himself down at his godfather's words and nodded.
Nevertheless of Peter escaping, Sirius was free. He had saved the life of an innocent man, had honored his parents by being willing to show the mercy he knew they would have shown, and that was enough for now.
"So it begins, Merlin?" Kilgharrah asked Merlin solemnly as the man approached him on the Isle of Blessed.
It was a favorite occasion for him, to settle down on the rebuild Isle of Blessed. This was once the place where all magic beings settled down, a place where everyone could be happy, be it sorcerers, sorceresses, goblins, or even dragons. It was quite painful for the Great Dragon to see how far it fell into ruins, and so he and Merlin worked together to repair the Isle of Blessed and cast everlasting enchantments upon it.
Now, the Isle of Blessed was restored. The forests now freely contained the same old magical trees, herbs, and filled with the fairies and forest creatures that once inhabited it. Kilgharrah had found and took several Old Religion creatures to thrive here. The buildings were repaired, and though empty, they were well-cleaned. Kilgharrah had plans for the whole place once everything had settled down, a particular idea he earned from the Muggles.
It was one of his proudest works in his long life, and Kilgharrah often returned here, no matter where he traveled, for this was the only place who could truly be called home for him. The people who once worshipped him were gone, but in time, perhaps this island could have inhabitants again.
"Yes, Kilgharrah." Merlin replied softly. He didn't need to clarify on what he meant by that. He was well aware of the escape of that person named Peter Pettigrew.
As the most powerful of the Dragons, Kilgharrah had the capability to foresee the future more clearly than all of his kin, a practice that was later implemented into a study of magic named Divination. Even with Merlin having advanced various forms of it, he still could not match the Great Dragon's ability to see the future. Back then, though, he was too hardened, too cynical, mistakes that cost him what could have been a better future for all.
He understood now just how Divination ultimately only accounted the sum of the choices of others, and that had he supported Merlin in his approach regarding Morgana and Mordred, things could have changed. Nevertheless, while Merlin came to regard Divination with skepticism, Kilgharrah still acknowledged the ability for it's worth, but no more would he be blinded by it's seeming absoluteness.
He did after all help Merlin develop the past and present forms of Divination, and at certain points, he assisted the young warlock in developing "Modern Magic". Only some of them, as Merlin had more than mastered the magics of the Old Religion, which he had now dubbed Ancient Magic, but he was familiar with Merlin's technique and methodology of creating spells usable by the current form of magic affordable by most wizards and witches.
"When will you tell the Potter boy about the secrets he deserves to know?" Kilgharrah questioned as Merlin sighed deeply.
"When the time is right-"
"I'm not talking about your true identity, Merlin, or the true fact that he is the reincarnation of King Arthur. I'm asking about him learning that he is the "Chosen One"." Kilgharrah waited for Merlin to respond calmly.
"Nothing seems to escape you, eh?" Merlin asked sarcastically as Kilgharrah frowned.
"We both know the time is nearing. The boy has proven exceptional, has the clarity and wisdom needed, and he is ready for the truth. You cannot keep it from him much longer." Kilgharrah insisted.
"Are you asking that I ruin the victories he has recently acquired? He has managed to make peace with his inner demons, Kilgharrah. Yes, the time is approaching when he would be ready, but not now." Kilgharrah sighed as Merlin turned around and left without another word.
"Will you tell him only when that man calling himself Lord Voldemort returns?" Merlin paused at that as he turned back to face Kilgharrah.
"We both know it's inevitable. The escape of that traitor only further proves it. You have saved the life of Sirius Black, but the return of Lord Voldemort is essential to the ascension of Harry Potter and it cannot be stopped. That is one of the absolute stone-written fates of the Old Religion."
"I know, Kilgharrah. I know. However, I cannot possibly ruin the already somewhat damaged happiness Harry has earned this day any more. Please understand. I promise you I will, but only when the time is right. We also both know I will eventually tell him the truth about myself, but that's still far in the future."
With one last bow, Merlin left the Isle of Blessed through Space Distortion, an advancement to the old Transportation spells that conjured Whirlwinds that Kilgharrah helped made.
Kilgharrah shook his head. For now, he would honor Merlin's wish to not divulge anything to the boy. Merlin had wished for Harry Potter to enjoy his happiness and life more, and that Kilgharrah could understand.
However, the question was not if he would have to bring up the subject again, but when did he have to.
"Alas, Merlin. If only Lord Voldemort was the worst of your worries. There is a far greater darkness, yet a much more tragic villain, that would rise. Not as soon as Lord Voldemort's rise, but inevitable as well."