The school year begins
Merlin Emrys and Arthur Pendragon were, quite honestly, tired. It seemed like the world constantly needed them, for something or other, and they could never catch a break. Every time they got settled, got comfy, they would find themselves in the middle of a war, or Merlin would feel the old religion calling to him and well, he can’t exactly refuse it. The couple were once again under the false hope that this was it for them: the second world war was long over, a baby had managed to kill some up-and-coming dark lord, frankly- the world was peachy. So I’m sure you can imagine the look of absolute outrage on Arthur Pendragon’s face when his husband sported the guilty expression reserved for callings from the old religion.
Arthur sighed, falling onto the squashy chair beneath him.
‘Every time’ he said, looking up at Merlin as if this was his fault.
‘Don’t look at me like that’ the manservant shot back. ‘You know we can’t ignore it,’ he continued, exasperated.
‘I’m the king Merlin, I’m sure I could’
Merlin raised his eyebrows, a trick he had truly perfected after all the years receiving the eyebrow from Gaius.
‘You’re not the king anymore, sunshine’ he said brightly.
Arthur ignored his comment pointedly, choosing instead to look down into his coffee mug, needing something to glare at.
‘There should be rules against this,’ he moaned ‘I mean we haven’t had a break in at least three centuries’
Merlin kept looking at his husband with a raised eyebrow
‘I don’t see why you can’t just,’ Arthur waved the coffee mug around wildly, ‘Magic all the problems away’
Merlin scoffed at that, sipping his own coffee slowly.
‘Arthur, as much as I agree we need a break, the only rules we have are from the Old Religion. Which is forcing us to get up off our asses and-‘ Now it was Merlin’s turn to wave his mug around, ‘Do destiny and stuff’
‘Do destiny and stuff?’ Arthur said incredulously, ‘Honestly Merlin, you would think living this long would leave you with the ability to actually speak properly.’
Merlin smirked at him ‘But its all part of my charm!’
Arthur quirked an eyebrow. ‘What charm?’
Merlin’s eyes flashed gold and Arthur suddenly found his coffee spilling onto his shirt.
‘MERLIN!’ He leapt up, tackling his husband. Merlin just spun and kissed him slowly. Arthur was taken off guard but relaxed immediately, wrapping his arms around the other man’s waist and pulling him forwards. Arthur pulled away softly, smiling now as he met his husbands gaze.
‘Fine’ he whispered. ‘What is it then? How are we saving the world this time?’
Merlin pulled away from him, spinning around to grab a pair of glasses. ‘Well’ he said playfully, ‘I think we’ll make pretty damn gorgeous professors’
‘Oh?’ Arthur said, closing the distance between them.
Merlin slid the glasses on with a smirk.
‘Meet Professor Myriddian Emrys, the new teacher of Defence Against The Dark Arts at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry’
Arthur snorted. ‘Myriddian? That’s an awful name.’
Merlin glared at him ‘Prat. I for one, think it’s a-‘ Arthur raised an eyebrow and Merlin sighed.
‘Fine, it’s awful. But it’s all I could think of so you’ll have to tolerate it.’
‘Ok, ok. What do I get then??’
‘Oh you’re just going with Arthur.’
Arthur looked affronted. ‘Excuse me? I don’t even get a new cool name?? This isn’t fair as all’
Merlin shrugged ‘Can’t trust you to remember it. Don’t you remember 1771?’
Arthur groaned, choosing to throw a pillow at his husbands head. ‘You promised you’d let that go’
‘I lied’ Merlin said cheerfully. ‘So you’re Professor Arthur Emrys, and you’ll teach History of Magic, ok?’
Arthur perked up ‘Emrys? We get to be a couple???’
Merlin winked at him. ‘Figured it wouldn’t hurt’
‘Finally! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for these stupid people to get more tolerant?’
‘Yes Arthur I do, you complain about it constantly’
Arthur chucked another pillow and Merlin ducked, turning to watch it knock a glass off the table, smashing it to bits.
‘Now look what you’ve done you clotpole!’
Arthur raised his eyebrows. Merlin sighed, waved a finger and the cup was whole again, back on the table.
‘You know, my magic isn’t just for fixing all the things you break because you have anger issues Arth’
‘It so is! It’s to clean up all my messes. Destiny and what not’
Merlin sighed. ‘Why on earth do I put up with you?’ he asked
‘Because I’m absolutely wonderful and you love me with all your heart’
Merlin sighed again ‘Yeah. Yeah, I do’
One week later-
‘It’s along here, I’m absolutely sure’
‘You said that at the last three corridor Merls, just admit it. We’re lost’
Merlin groaned into his husbands shoulders ‘I designed the school Arthur, we can’t be lost.’
‘You’re getting old,’ Arthur whispered
Merlin’s head shot up, ‘I am not getting old! I’m younger than you’
Arthur snorted. ‘No way. I was dead for half of that.’
‘I am not old.’ Merlin growled. ‘The castle’s changed, it’s the only explanation.’
‘Sure, sure, blame the architecture’
Merlin glared at him
‘Old man’ Arthur shot at him
‘I swear to god, I am going to rip-‘
‘I’m sorry to interrupt’ A posh voice rang out. It belonged to a tall woman, with a wise but aging face, grey hair wrapped in a tight bun, robes swishing regally below her feet. ‘But may I inquire as to where you’re going?’
Merlin cleared his throat. ‘I apologise, I believe my husband and I got slightly lost.’
‘Slightly?’ Arthur muttered under his breath. Merlin hit him.
‘Would you mind directing us to the headmasters office?’
The woman narrowed her eyes at the two men. ‘May I ask why?’
‘Of course!’ Merlin beamed at her, ‘You must forgive us for being so rude. My name is Myriddian and this is Arthur, we’re the new professors.’
He saw the woman’s eyes soften and a smile appear on her face. She cleared her throat.
‘Ah, yes, Dumbledore mentioned you two. I’m Professor Minerva McGonagall, I’m the transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor. It’s a pleasure to meet you’
Merlin noted the soft Scottish accent with a smile. Arthur shook her hand firmly.
‘Charmed, really. Transfiguration was always my favourite growing up’
Minerva melted under the gaze of the future king and Merlin rolled his eyes, muttering something about his husband being a total suck up. Minerva shook herself quickly, then motioned for the two of them to follow her.
Merlin couldn’t help but beam as they strode down the corridors, the warlock holding Arthur’s hand like a lifeline. The school had only blossomed since he last saw it, classrooms beautiful, portraits smiling and chatting away. He watched students in wonder as they caught up, telling each other about the holidays, equally exited and dreading the year ahead. The school had turned into everything he had hoped it would. A sanctuary, a home, a safe place away from the prying eyes of a disapproving world. It was perfect.
Arthur was gazing at Merlin as they walked, the way his eyes followed the students as they moved, tracing the doorways of classrooms and lingering on portraits with a soft, beaming gaze. Arthur wrapped an arm around the man, kissing his hair gently.
It didn’t take long for the three of them to reach the headmaster’s office, prompting a
‘See! I told you we weren’t that lost!’ From Merlin. Arthur just rolled his eyes as they said goodbye to Minerva, promising to see her in a short while at the feast.
Merlin took a deep breath as he regarded the statue before spinning to face Arthur.
‘Arthur you have to remember my name, ok. Myriddian.’
Arthur hit Merlin. ‘I’m not going to forget. I’m not a half-wit Mer-‘
The warlock in question raised an eyebrow.
‘Myriddian’ Arthur spat out.
Merlin rolled his eyes, but seemed satisfied. ‘Right then’ he grabbed Arthur’s hand once more ‘Let’s go meet him’
The gargoyle spun, and the two men strode up the stairs. Arthur knocked on the door and it swung open almost immediately. The two were faced with Albus Dumbledore.
‘Aha! Mr. and Mr. Emrys, it’s lovely to finally meet you! Come in, come sit’
The three of them sat around the headmaster’s desk, Dumbledore regarding them with a smile over his half-moon glasses.
‘I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to meet before! On reviewing your experience and... well everything, I found myself eager to hire you without so much as an interview, I hope you don’t think it rude of me!’
Merlin gave one of his signature beams and the headmaster found himself melting under the genuine warmth of it.
‘Not at all headmaster! Arthur and I were simply happy to be accepted, we’ve both wanting a teaching position at Hogwarts for a while’
‘Do call me Albus, please, we are co-workers after all!’ Arthur nodded with a polite smile.
‘Now’ Albus said softly, ‘Before we all go to the feast, I do have two questions for you’
Merlin’s eyes flashed with worry, but he concealed it quickly.
‘I was wondering which house the two of you were in when you went to school. It’s not information I intend to store anywhere, simply the curiosity of an old man!
Merlin groaned as Arthur eagerly sat up. ‘I myself,’ he said regally, ‘Was a proud Gryffindor!’
‘-And you don’t half go on about it’ Merlin grumbled. Albus let out a tinkling laugh at the banter, before turning to Merlin.
‘And you Myriddian?’
The warlock froze. The portraits of the four founders were on the wall, and they were staring down on him, eyes wide. Choosing a house, to them, would mean choosing a favourite. He couldn’t do that.
‘What would you have me do, reveal all my secrets at once Albus?’ He grinned playfully, ‘I’m afraid I’d prefer to keep it to myself, if only for the time being.’
Albus frowned slowly, as though puzzled by the cryptic answer. He shook himself out of it.
‘Of course, I understand’ he said with a smile, though Merlin could see his eyes, the way he was trying to read the warlock.
‘You said you had another question,’ Merlin prompted politely, though in truth it was simply to get the calculated gaze off his face.
‘Ah yes! The surname Emrys. It’s strange, I’ve never met anyone using the name before you two, but I’d heard whispers of it. Many say it’s the oldest wizard family ever, yet no one remains.’
Merlin smiled. ‘Yes it is interesting. The name comes from my family, as far as I know it’s been passed down for generations. I often wish I could pry about it, but my parents passed when I was young, no siblings or anything, so my own questions have had to go unanswered’
Albus watched with a strange pity as Merlin’s gaze was clouded for moment, with a memory of Balinor and Hunith coming back to him.
‘I’m sorry’ Albus said simply.
Merlin shook his head with a smile, ‘Not at all, I totally understand the curiosity, I wish I could tell you more!’ and Albus for once believed him.
‘Right! I believe it is time for the sorting, and the feast. You two go ahead, I always prefer a grand, dramatic first entrance’
Arthur chuckled softly, and Merlin shot him a look that said ‘He’s clearly not the only one’
Then they stood, telling Albus they would be glad to see him shortly. Once Arthur and Merlin were out of earshot, they both sighed in relief.
‘You’re going to have to choose a house hon’ Arthur said softly.
Merlin sighed, ‘I know. I just can’t, it would be like…’
‘Choosing a favourite, I know’
Merlin smiled up at him. ‘I just can’t imagine the arguing it’ll prompt. ‘Specially if I choose Godric or Salazar’
Arthur chuckled softly, ‘God I love those two’
Merlin’s face fell. ‘God I miss them’
‘I know love, I know.’
They walked in silence to the great hall. Arthur knew Merlin, and he knew not to disturb these moments, the ones where his husband was most fragile, looking into the past and remembering all the people he had lost. It filled Arthur with guilt, knowing that often Merlin would be remembering his death, and all the time he had to mourn, living without Arthur.
When the two professors walked into the great hall, Merlin was torn away from his past, eyes casted up in wonder as he saw what he had made all those years ago. The candles hung on invisible threads from a night sky, a night sky Merlin himself had cast above the hall. Students were staring at the two strange men, hand in hand as Arthur dragged Merlin along, the warlock too busy staring at the ceiling in wonder to realise they should be moving. On reaching the head table, it was a flurry of introductions, Merlin only recognising Minerva, and felt rather overwhelmed when his hand was shaken over and over again with
‘Flitwick’ a high voice proclaimed ‘Filius Flitwick, at your service! Charms Professor and Head of Ravenclaw house!’
‘S-s-Sybill Trelawney and may I say your energy is intriguing. I teach an art form to be perfectly honest, erm divination of course, divination’ Merlin shook the shaky, ill looking woman’s hand with a smile.
‘I was always interested in Divination’ he said cheerily, ‘Fascinating subject, just fascinating.’
‘I’m Pomona’ An energetic voice told him, ‘Pomona Sprout, I teach Herbology and I’m Head of Hufflepuff!’
‘Rolanda Hooch, flying’
‘Septima Vector, arithmancy’
‘Aurora Sinistra, astronomy’
‘Rubeus ‘Agrid, I’m just the groundskeeper’
Merlin turned to the final teacher with a smile on his face, but found it drop at the glaring man in front of him. He was wearing all black, with long, greasy hair and a scowl that could have rivalled Uther Pendragon himself.
‘Snape,’ he hissed, voice as oily as his demeaner. Merlin noted that he didn’t give a first name. ‘Head of Slytherin and Professor of Potions’
Merlin gave a tight lipped smile at the stranger and shook his hand. ‘Myriddian Emrys,’ he replied, as cheerily as he could. ‘Defence against the Dark Arts’
Snape raised one eyebrow in suspicion. ‘Emrys?’ he drawled, ‘I’m sure I’ve heard that name before, but I can’t seem to put my finger on it…’
‘Old family’ Merlin replied quickly, too quickly. Snape raised another eyebrow but Arthur stepped in before the potions master could pry further.
‘And I’m Arthur’ he pronounced, ‘Arthur Emrys, History of Magic’
Snape looked between the two of them.
‘You two don’t look related’ he stated.
Merlin snorted, ‘Oh don’t worry we’re luckily not’
When Snape looked at them in confusion, Merlin held up his left hand, showing off the elegant golden dragon ring that snaked around his finger. Snape withdrew from the two of them.
‘Ah.’ he stated wisely, clearly slightly flustered by the revelation of two married Professors.
But Merlin didn’t have the chance to grumble at his reaction, as he was immediately sucked into a conversation with Rubeus Hagrid, the gentle giant of a groundskeeper who saw his ring, and began an earnest conversations about dragons. Merlin found himself exited immediately, telling Hagrid ‘stories he’s heard on his travels’ about dragons in the old world, ones that were wise, talking in cryptic riddles, with skin as white as snow and eyes as sharp as glass. Hagrid lapped it up eagerly, loving the warlock already, and many of the professors listened in too, wowed by the seemingly endless knowledge the new professor had on dragons, and an ancient world none but him had seen.
But it was all over fast when the main doors opened with a bang and the room hushed as Dumbledor strode in, starry robes billowing behind him. Arthur beamed at the spectacle, and Merlin turned to him.
‘Don’t look at that like it’s new,’ he said quietly, ‘I’ve seen you enter halls like that a hundred time’
Arthur turned to his husband and rolled his eyes.
‘And whose idea was it for me to do that in the first place?’ he shot back playfully, ‘You loved it when I did that, just admit it’
Arthur closed the gap between them. ‘Fine’ Merlin whispered, ‘Maybe I thought you looked pretty hot’
Arthur raised a eyebrow ‘Oh did you?’
‘Not my fault’ Merlin said, moving dangerously close to Arthur’s lips, ‘It was that chainmail and that red cape’
Arthur kissed his softly and Merlin smiled into his lips.
‘I miss my chainmail’ Arthur grumbled.
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were second years, and were all staring at the new teachers with suspicious gazes, trying to figure out who they were. Hermione had pointed them out the second the three friends had entered the hall, wondering what they would be teaching.
Watching the two teachers shaking hands with everyone on the table, looking completely flustered had been a surprise, prompting a, ‘So they haven’t even met the teachers yet? They must be very last minute’ from Hermione.
‘Look, the one with black hair must be Defence against the Dark Arts’ Harry said quietly
‘Why?’ Ron asked loudly. Harry just nodded towards the head table, Ron followed his gaze to Snape, staring at the man like he wished he would drop dead on the spot. ‘Ah.’ Ron agreed intelligently.
The friends watched as the man smiled at Snape, talking politely to the Professor. Then they saw him present his left hand, and Hermione frowned, mostly in surprise.
‘He’s married’ She told them
‘Thanks Hermione’ Ron said sarcastically, ‘But we’re not blind you know’
Hermione rolled her eyes and ignored him.
‘I’m just saying because it’s surprising, that’s all. Hard to sustain a marriage whilst teaching full time, don’t you think?’
Harry shrugged non-committedly.
‘That’s practically a whole year away from his wife, surely that must be difficult’ Hermione frowned in thought.
The three of them didn’t even notice as Dumbledore strode in regally, watching the two new teachers talking, both grinning widely.
‘I think they know each other’ Ron told the others.
Hermione nodded, and they watched as the two men inched closer and closer, exchanging quips until their lips touched. Ron laughed out loud and Hermione flushed pink.
‘I don’t think he has a wife Hermione’ he told her, gleefully.
‘I can see that’ she hissed back, ‘Now be quiet, Professor Dumbledore’s about to speak’
Ron just chuckled to himself and looked up to the head table yet again.
‘Students!’ Dumbledore stated, rather dramatically, Merlin thought
Albus simply continued, ‘Welcome… to another wonderful year at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. We have magic, we have mystery, and most importantly, we have pretty damn good food’
That received a few chuckles, and Dumbledore looked thoroughly impressed with himself.
‘So with that in mind, I’ll try my best not to drag this out. As always, the forbidden forest is… forbidden. And AH! We also have two new staff members I have to introduce.’ He motioned Merlin and Arthur to stand up. ‘Myriddian and Arthur Emrys. Why don’t you introduce yourself’
Merlin cleared his throat when Arthur nodded at him to go first.
He beamed out at the sea of students ‘I’m Professor Emrys, and I’ll be the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher this year! I look forward to meeting you all individually throughout the year…’
Arthur grinned at his husband, before smiling out at the students. ‘I am… also Professor Emrys, but I suppose we can’t have any confusion, so call me Professor Pend! I’m the new History of Magic teacher, and yeah!’
Once the two of them sat back down, and Dumbledore was addressing the first years, telling them where to go, Merlin inched closer to Arthur.
‘Pend?’ He whispered, slightly accusatory.
‘It was all I could think of’ Arthur hissed.
‘You got pretty close to saying your real surname didn’t you’
Arthur spluttered out ‘NO!’, but a quirk of the eyebrows from Merlin and he scowled, muttering ‘I hate going undercover’
Merlin snorted, but looked over at the first years, wanting to guess which houses they would all be in before the sorting. Instead he found his eyes drawn to one girl. She was very pale, with snow white hair and blue-green eyes.
‘Shit,’ he swore in his first language.
‘What is it love?’ Arthur said, suddenly worried as he matched the language change.
‘A druid’ Merlin said, voice full of dread. Arthur gaped at him
‘What do you mean a druid?’ He hissed back ‘I thought there weren’t any druids left??’
‘I thought so too’ Merlin shot back, ‘But she’s a druid, I’m sure of it’
‘Shit shit shit’ Arthur repeated, ‘She’s going to recognise you Merls we are so, completely fucked’
Merlin’s eyes were panicked, but he tried to even out his breathing. ‘It’s fine. I’ll talk to her as soon as I can, I’ll make sure she doesn’t tell anyone’
When he looked back at the girl… the druid, he saw that she was staring right at him, a thoughtful, faraway expression on her face. He swallowed.
‘It’ll be fine’ He repeated.
Flitwick leaned over to the couple, eyes full of intrigue.
‘I hope you don’t mind me asking,’ he said, voice high pitched and tinkling, ‘But what language is that, I’ve done a lot of traveling, yet I’ve never heard anything like it!’
Merlin froze at the question, he hadn’t even realised he’d reverted back to the ancient language that Arthur and Merlin had used back in Camelot. He quickly painted a smile onto his face, looking up at the Professor.
‘It’s an Old Welsh dialect, we learned it a few years back, wanted a special way to talk to teach other. Sort of like a secret code, the kind we all would use back when we were kids! Just a bit of fun’
Flitwick couldn’t help but smile at the answer, though in his head he remarked on the use of ‘just a bit of fun’ for learning an almost unheard of ancient language, but each to their own.
Before he could pry further, about to ask what the language was called, the sorting began.
Merlin zoned out for most of it, but blinked back into reality when he saw the druid girl put on the hat, and he focussed, deciding now was the best time to have a talk with her.
‘So where to put you… OI EMRYS YOU CANT JUST-‘
Merlin chuckled at the hats reaction to his intrusion. ‘I made you, be quiet for just a minute, please’ The hat grumbled but somewhat stopped talking. The girl, Luna, he discovered piped up.
‘Don’t worry, Emrys’ she said, and her voice was soft, almost melodic. ‘I won’t tell anyone who you are, you needn’t worry’
Merlin sighed with relief, that was easy, he thought.
‘Thank you’ he said genuinely. ‘And I’m glad you’re here. I haven’t seen a druid in far too long’
The girl simply smiled, and Merlin left. And if that sorting took about a minute longer than the others, then no one but Arthur noticed, who saw as Merlin’s eyes unfocused, and knew exactly what was going on. He waited patiently for his husband to return, and when he did, Arthur immediately cocked his head, a silent question.
‘She won’t tell anyone,’ Merlin whispered.
‘Thank god’ Arthur murmured.
‘Ravenclaw!’ The hat yelled.
When the food finally materialised in front of them, Arthur had been complaining of hunger for at least half an hour, and Merlin was extremely close to throttling him.
Yet he watched with a chuckle as Arthur piled things onto his plate like they were about to disappear any second, before picking up a spoon himself and grabbing a small helpful of roast potatoes, then some roast cauliflower.
Arthur snorted at his warlocks dainty eating style in-between huge mouthfuls of sausage and potato.
‘You’re still trying to save the animals then, Myr?’
Merlin glared pointedly at him. ‘And you’re not.’ He stated.
Arthur rolled his eyes, and went back to inhaling his food. Merlin jostled him with his shoulder.
‘Remember to breathe sunshine’
Arthur just ignored him, and Merlin looked away in favour of conversation with Minerva about animagus.
‘A cat?’ He guessed, first time, and she raised an eyebrow, impressed.
‘That’s the first time anyone’s got it in one, I do believe!’ She said brightly.
‘Well, what can I say, I have a knack for lucky guesses’ Merlin said. Arthur snorted next to him, and Merlin elbowed him.
‘What about me Minerva, I wonder if you’ll be able to guess in one’
The women looked at him, deep in thought, before answering.
‘I’d guess a lion?’
Merlin looked up, interested. ‘I’m flattered, Minerva, but unfortunately not. It is, however, Arthur’s animagus!’
Arthur grinned at her, very proud of it.
‘It’s my Patronus though’ he said softly, smiling at Arthur.
Minerva felt a realisation dawn on her, and turned to Arthur.
‘And your Patronus?’ She asked him.
Merlin grinned, ‘She’s figured it out now!’
‘A dragon,’ Arthur said, beaming with pride.
‘No!’ Minerva said, spinning to face Merlin, ‘No way!’
Merlin shrugged, slightly embarrassed by the awe in her expression.
‘Your animagus is a dragon? I didn’t know that was even possible, that’s amazing!’
Merlin went bright red, but Arthur beamed at his discomfort, putting an arm around the warlock’s shoulders.
‘It really is, isn’t it. Huge dragon as well, huge, blue dragon!’
‘Blue?’ Minerva asked in wonder.
‘Royal blue, shiny, magnificent’ Arthur replied, watching his husbands face resemble a tomato, the red reaching his ears.
‘I hate you’ he said to Arthur, burying his face in his shoulder.
‘Love you too carwr’ he said softly.
And if all of the Hogwarts professors found themselves warming to Arthur and Merlin, that was fine. Albus had regarded it all with interest, wondering how two seemingly impossible men could win the trust of some of the most critical witches and wizards in the country in mere minutes. But even Albus couldn’t deny that he already seemed to trust the men more than anything, but found himself unable to explain why.