First Year, 1 September 1991
Merlynn stared into the mirror above her vanity, brush in hand. Her hair, cropped short at the beginning of the summer due to a prank gone wrong, was back to her shoulders, if pulled straight. Her tight curls were the current bane of her existence, wild and easily tangled, and that was why she was here right now. The sun hadn't even begun to kiss the sky, and here she was glaring at her reflection. From the door, her mother chuckled sleepily.
"You know, even back then, your father's hair behaved much the same." Brilliant blue eyes snapped over, and Merlynn smiled as her mother entered, bearing a few different hair products. "He never took proper care of it, but once he was on the run, he didn't even have me to help him. Put that comb down." Hunith nudged Merlynn until she was sitting straight, chin up, before organizing the vanity, lining up bottles, brushes, combs, and hair ties. "Now, since you won't likely have any of your siblings or cousins in the same house as you, Rina will be waking you every morning to do your hair, because I know you would just get frustrated and chop it all off again to save yourself the trouble." Rina was a recently freed house elf that was still trying to get used the fact that no one would punish her for anything, and was a dab hand at working with different types of hair. Merlynn had no doubt that Rina would make her rounds through all the houses - Gwenhyfer's coarse hair required a steady hand, and Rheane's hair, as coarse as Gwenhyfer's and doubly brittle, needed extra care that Rheane abhorred due to the feel of oil on her hands. It was one of the very few things that got her squirrely. Morgana's hair, though curly, was a sort of smooth that dissuaded tangles, causing a bit of hair envy, but Rina would insist on doing Morgana's hair to make things equal. "Are you all packed? I expect you lot to try and keep things light the first week. You won't get the day's rest that Morgana and Leon got. I'm sure you already know the plan, but keep an eye out. The ministry is finally consenting to give Sirius Black a trial. He has two cousins not in Azkaban - Andromeda Tonks, who has a daughter that Graduated with Charlie, and Narcissa Malfoy, who has a son in the same year as the lot of you. Keep an eye on him, and Dumbledore. Rumor has it that Malfoy's are always Slytherin, so you will have to deal with him. But don't forget to delegate." Merlynn smiled as her mother continued to talk, knowing she didn't require a response. Hunith's practiced fingers brushed a smoothing oil through her tangled curls, and a boar-bristle brush worked the tangles loose, working the oil into her scalp, and smoothing out the mess. Soon, Hunith began to pull her hair into two braided headbands, keeping her hair from her eyes, but loose behind the second band. "There you are. Get dressed, make sure you have everything. You know Windy will organize the arrival of the trunks on the train, but don't forget your bag. Poppy will have your lunches packed before we leave. Oh, and let me know if you need any specific... supplies. Okay? See you downstairs." Hunith breezed out of the room, taking the products with her, and she was certain that she was making her way to Gwenhyfer's room. She pulled off her dressing gown and was in the process of pulling on the trousers to her outfit, the robe-like tunic hanging on the door to her open wardrobe, when her door opened again, and Arthur came bouncing in, flaxen hair falling into his eyes.
"Morning Arthur. This is a role reversal. Were you hoping to drag me out of my bed by my ankles?" They grinned, and Arthur perched on her bed, unbothered by her being only half dressed. Today, he was wearing a more Nordic style outfit, and she knew that his robe was going to flair out. No matter what she did, Arthur could not give up his dramatics.
"You still wake up too early, Merls. Nice hair, by the way. I like this style." He reached over and tugged a smooth curl, before stroking a finger over a braid. She could see what he didn't - couldn't - say until they were older. He wanted to mess it up, tangle her curls again, and she knew she would let him - once they were older. Two rules had been set down for everyone. One, in a romantic sense, the youngest person had to be thirteen. two, in a physical sense, the youngest had to be sixteen. Merlynn was the younger of them, though only by a few months, but that was still just over four years for that, though when they got back from the Winter Holiday's of their second year, well, she would have to lay her claim, keep anyone from getting any ideas. This was her king. They smiled, understanding each others unsaid words, and she leaned over to press a kiss to his forehead. "No, I was just wondering if you think Rhea was okay. She's been quieter than usual." Merlynn paused in her motions of pulling on a sleeveless undershirt, turning to frown at Arthur, his eyes only a few shades lighter than hers.
"I hope she is. We can't force her to talk, Arthur. She'll talk when she's ready. Lupin- sorry, Remus has been some good, telling her stories of her parents school years. But Black..." Merlynn trailed off turning to slide her robes up over she shoulders. Arthur joined her, and she let him adjust the front flaps of the robe to line up before they started on the inner section, pushing the outer flap out of the way to reach the tiny, nearly invisible buttons. "Well, Black is a wild card at this point. All we can do is support her. With Dad and Uncle Uther in the political field, we have a better chance, but... this world is big on family and tradition both. Black not only adopted her, but has distant blood ties on her father's side. They could try to rule in her favor, but she's old enough now that they have to listen to her, to a degree. We can just hope the protections afforded her by the Heiress Ring and the necklace will help them realize that staying here with us is what she wants. On top of that, there's Dumbledore." George had tracked down Petunia Dursley, now in prison, actually, posing, as they had planned on all along, as a distant branch of the Evans line that birthed Rheane's mother, and learned that Dumbledore had forced Rheane on her and her family. Every time they had tried to leave with the intent of dumping Rheane somewhere, anywhere, they had been unable to leave the house. That day in the park had been their final hope - letting her get kidnapped. And Merlynn had basically done exactly that, according to the memories of everyone who had been there that day. "We don't know what he'll do once he realizes he does not have a malleable weapon with no training." Arthur hummed as he moved her hands out of the way and continued with the outer buttons - small pearls that glinted like stars on the black silk outer layer.
"Well, we will always support her. I've noticed that Gwaine and Perce won't leave her alone, not that she seems truly upset about that." They grinned, remembering the number of times they had caught Gwaine and Rheane using the giant boy as a pillow, with Gwaine usually trapping Rheane between the two - not that Percival really minded. Most of the time, he just pulled the two down on top of him, letting them get comfortable, before pulling out a book and beginning to read, usually out loud. "And if we're changing the subject..." Merlynn nodded emphatically at the nearly unspoken question, and Arthur leaned forward conspiratorially, "have you noticed the difference between Gana, Gwen, and Lance?" Merlynn chuckled, nudging closer.
"Lance is beginning to realize that Gwen is torn. He's also beginning to realize that, whether you want to admit it or not, your sister is HOT. Have you noticed that Lance and Gana have stopped referring to each other as siblings?" Arthur nodded, and Merlynn nearly trembled with excitement. "They're probably going to lay claim to Gwen at the same time. Let her know right off the bat that she doesn't have to chose, that they can all share. I know the rules we have set down, but we might have to find some work arounds... Slytherin, for certain, will try to nab some of us even as first years. Leon's going to be in a bit of a lurch. Gwaine might, because in this instance..." Merlynn rolled her eyes at her brother.
"He's oblivious. To his feelings and theirs. But Rhea and Perce, well that's different." Before either of them could continue, Merlynn's door creaked open.
"What are you two whispering about in here, hmm?" They rolled their eyes at each other before turning to face Rheane. Her blue-black curls were pulled into a very warrior-like mohawk braid, showcasing the right side of her head where it was shorn close, Nordic knotwork decorating her head in an even shorter cut to the rest. It was very crisp, and her robes were a more feminine cut of Arthur's. It made her look very dangerous, but for the angelic look on her face, lulling one into a false sense of safety.
"Relationship gossip. Yours, actually." Rheane grinned, dark skin flushing lightly, vibrant green eyes flashing.
"Really now? What is there to gossip about in a relationship that isn't even there, hmm?" It was a tease, but also a warning. Rheane wouldn't be taking it lightly if something were to go wrong due to a rumor.
"Actually," Merlynn stalked forward like a predator stalking prey, a sharp grin in place as her own robes flared out with her movements, "there is plenty to gossip about. Like, how it's obvious you and Perce are well aware of your feelings. And how it's obvious Gwaine is oblivious. How I can tell that you and Perce are going to end up glaring down anyone who even thinks about having their way with Gwaine - that look right there." Rheane's normally happy features had twisted into a scowl that was right hat home with her mother's Viking heritage, and Rheane's own impressive temperament and anger issues. "Perce has a similar look, you know. Saw it loud and clear when Ronald made that mistake about the non existent contract. I nearly ran from him. And though he didn't realize it..." Merlynn trailed off, and Arthur spoke up from where he was leaning against her vanity.
"Gwaine was also pretty jealous. I don't think I've ever seen him look like that." Rheane's face had steadily darkened, her hands nervously gripping her school bag. "Merlynn, come get your school bag, I bet Rhea was here to tell us breakfast was ready." Though not a question, Rheane took it as such, nodding vigorously and turning to hightail it out of there. Merlynn knew that once she had assimilated that information, it would no longer bother her, and so she let her retreat. She wasn't cruel. This was just making sure her cousin was fully aware.
Morgana, Gwenhyfer, and Lance joined them on the way down. Morgana's hair had been pulled up and braided in a ring around the crown of her head, pulled in such a way that it actually looked like a halo sitting right under her hair. She had a few tendrils escaping, curling endearingly around her face and neck. Lance's dark hair was beginning to grow out, and bounced around his ears currently, not curly, not straight, but behaved enough to not be too annoying. Gwenhyfer's hair was pulled into the style Merlynn remembered most from their servant days, a low braided bun at the base of her skull, but it was neater than it had ever been in those days, likely thanks to both hair products and Hunith's hands. All three were quiet, clutching their school bags, and yawning. It looked like Morgana had had another nightmare, because as they were walking, she was furiously scribbling and sketching in her journal. Merlynn's heart sank. If she was sketching, then whatever was bothering her would come to pass within the year. Lance was guiding her gently, Gwenhyfer walking just in front to catch her if she fell while otherwise occupied. Leon, thick wild red hair that Merlynn knew would darken to auburn curling round his eyes and ears, joined them with a scrunched yawn. Mordred was sleepily hanging off his back, his terminally straight hair swept into the latest emo look that usually had them cackling because Mordred often reminded them of a happy, hyper puppy. Elyan was waiting for them at the end of the hallway, hair already beginning to form an afro - though Elyan would vehemently deny such an existence. Gwaine and Percival were already stumbling down the stairs, and Merlynn snorted upon realizing that Percival was braiding Gwaine's long chestnut hair into much the same style Rheane wore this morning. Behind her, Arthur started to choke on his air. Percival glanced back, and grinned sharply. He knew exactly what he was doing, and had likely overheard Merlynn and Arthur talking to Rheane.
Breakfast was a quiet affair, food being passed, and plates being scraped. Coffee and tea made their way around the table, and slowly, the talk turned to communications.
"I know you were working on something Gwaine, to make it easier to communicate without sending multiple letters with the same owl. Did you manage it?" A groggy Gwaine turned towards the adults, and just blinked for several minutes, before shaking himself.
"Yeah, actually," he mumbled around a yawn. "Finished last night. Never ending pages and damage resistant like Gana's. And all linked together. They all have a specific runic sequence that has basically allowed the books to be named, which can further allow for more private messages without resorting to a new journal. And a built in spell - Leon had to help me with the Arithmancy on that - that can allow you to find the thread of a message, just by tapping it and saying "Message Thread." To send a private message, you make that little "at" symbol from the emails and write down the name of the person you want to talk to. You can send to multiple people by repeating this like so." Gwaine pulled out a quill and parchment and and began to scribble on it in his cramped hand writing.
@Merlynn, @Arthur: Hey
"This would be a private message between Merlynn, Arthur, and me. To respond on the same thread I would tap the message with my quill twice, like so," he tapped twice, once on the first letter, once on the last letter, before bringing the quill back down to parchment to write:
@Arthur, @Gwaine: Hush, sleeping.
Merlynn laughed. There was a good chance at least one of her responses could be that, on any given day.
"Now, this parchment isn't enchanted, but that's the gist of it. I put, on the front page of everyone's journals, the list of journal names." Gwaine hesitated, and Merlynn noticed two extra journals in the stack. "I hope no one minds, but I also included Fred and George. I mean, well..." Gwaine stumbled on his words, and Merlynn, reached forward, patting his hand.
"I don't think we mind at all." Her sentiment was echoed around the table, and Merlynn snatched the journals as Gwaine quietly went back to inhaling his tea - having been denied coffee. They were all plain leather bound journals in varying colors, and each one had a name hammered into the cover in pearly white. Gaius (the of blue that was the lake on a clear summer day), Balinor (the same shade of burnished gold-brown as Kilgaraah's scales), Uther (a marbled Pendragon red and gold), Ygraine (a muted version of Uther's), Hunith (a mottled brown, one of her favorite colors), and George (the same light green as his eyes) were all easy to distribute. But, well, that's when colors started to get a little odd. The colors weren't settled, and kept subtly changing, mostly. Morgana's and Leon's had fully settled into what Merlynn recognized as the Ravenclaw colors: royal blue and dark bronze. "Huh, looks like ours are going to be our house colors, if these two are anything to go by." Gwaine glanced over and hummed.
"I figured that, so long as we're at Hogwarts, it'd probably be easier to have journals in our house colors; fewer questions asked. Especially since our notes will be in black journals. After that, the original color spell will take hold, turning the journal to the color or color set that best defines who you are as a person." Mordred chuckled.
"Actually, from what I can tell, the spell mimics a person's spiritual aura." He was glancing around the adults, and Merlynn knew he wasn't actually looking at them.
After that, breakfast went swiftly, and last rearranging of items between trunks and bags occurred. Before she knew it, it was ten minutes to ten, and they were all in the Travel Parlor, standing around the rope Portkey they would be taking every year.
~~
Despite being an hour early, there was a decent crowd already forming on the platform. Hugs were passed around like candy, and Mordred and Elyan clung to whoever they managed to grab. Leon and Morgana managed to grab and close off a compartment, their trunks appearing in the overhead racks, bags tossed on the the seats before warding runes were placed and they jumped back out. They huddled around, talking and observing until fifteen minutes to eleven, when they jumped back on the train, waving and hollering their good-byes to those remaining on the platform.
Fred and George appeared, seven minutes to the hour shortly after their brother Percy (who had gotten picked to be Gryffindor Prefect), looking back at the wall, scowling. Hunith waved them over, grabbing them into a flurry of hugs, before pushing them to join the compartment. Ronald, followed by Molly and Ginny, appeared four minutes later, the first two with worried looks, Ginny with a fierce scowl that evaporated when she saw her older brothers, and, as she called them, the Camelot Family. Waves and hugs were exchanged, not willing to jump off the train, as well as promises of letters. Ronald didn't bother trying to sit with them, instead choosing to walk the train, trying to find Rheane.
"Well, that's him gone, finally." The wheels clacked along the tracks, train swaying as they picked up speed pulling out of the station. Percy had already left with a promise to stop by later to make sure they weren't having any troubles. Once the door was closed, Merlynn, Gwenhyfer, Morgana, and Rheane each scattered to a corner and quickly cast a spell, eyes glowing gold, as runes traced themselves around the top of the compartment walls. The overcrowded compartment quickly grew to fit them, without changing the outside dimensions.
"Next year, we need to see about getting multiple compartments on the same car. We can't do this all the time, it would get really suspicious. And the spells on the train don't really like it." Merlynn threw herself on Arthur's lap, who grunted but wrapped his arms around her when she went to sit beside him instead. Fred and George grinned at the interactions, before glancing at the scarlet and gold journals presented to them by Gwaine, who promptly explained.
"And," he finished, "these two were the most difficult to link because I also made them mirrors. I know you two have twin-speak, and a version of mind-speak, and therefore see each other as an extension of the other - and you're right to, don't think we haven't noticed that you are each one half of the same soul. I didn't want these to be separate when you two aren't, and might never be. So they say Fred&George like this, and what is written in one book will appear in the other." Wicked grins were given in response, and Merlynn sat up as straight as she could in Arthur's lap.
"Wait, that's a genius idea! Do mum and Aunt Ygraine have a set of books like that? Mirrored? Because they would be thrilled to have a way to keep track of ideas for their shop, as well as custom orders, without having to remember to track the other down!" Gwaine stared at her, before staring at the journals in Fred and George's hands. She knew he was lost when he climbed up on a seat by the window to dig through his trunk, muttering wildly. Percival and Rheane gave her an exasperated look as Gwaine handed them books and journals to hold while he searched for his notes.
The day passed quickly, with the modified chess armies and battlefields being brought out and alliances being formed to create a three way battlefield on the floor. Lee, Fred and George's dorm mate and friend, joined them about thirty minutes into the ride, and after a flurry of introductions followed by the game rules, joined up with Leon, Fred, and George. Morgana, Gwenhyfer, and Lance formed another alliance, while Percival, Gwaine, and Rheane formed a third. Merlynn and Arthur looked at each other, looked around the compartment, and sighed. After last month's fiasco of a tournament with this game, they had been banned from being on the same team for a year, so Arthur joined his sister, while Merlynn sulkily joined Rheane's.
They were about halfway through the game - Merlynn and Rheane were crowing their delight as Gwaine and Percival high fived over their heads, the four of them slowly overtaking the battlefield - when there was a knock at the door, and it was slowly opened to reveal a teary eyed, round faced boy, ears sticking a little too far out (not that Merlynn could say much, since her ears were doing the same) and a dark skinned, bushy haired girl.
"Has anyone - what is that?" Distracted, she was staring down at the game in morbid fascination, her companion doing the same.
"It's a modified version of chess, I suppose. We never got around to naming it. These are chess pieces, but their basic functioning spells have been modified. Instead of a chessboard, we put together a battlefield. We have even more pieces at home, allowing us to build fortresses and castles. But it's a strategy based battle scenario games, but not really a turn based game. It can go on for ages, honestly, if we play the right variation of rules. Gana here's in the process of writing them down, and all the various rule combinations for the various games. We've been testing it for our mothers." The girl stared at Gwenhyfer wide eyed as she spoke rapidly, quickly pressing the correct pattern of runes on the control pad to pause the army her alliance was controlling. Morgana and Rheane quickly did the same. "I could tell you more, but you came in to ask a question, right?" They took a moment to look at each other, slightly confused, before their expressions cleared.
"Yes! Has anyone seen a toad? Neville here's lost his." Frowns and head shakes went around the compartment, before Leon lit up.
"Have you gone to the Prefect's carriage at the front of the train? If they aren't patrolling the train, the Prefects usually gather there, making it easier to find someone when you need help. Anyway, they all know the Summoning Charm, and perhaps even a leash charm, to help keep you from losing the toad again. Come on back if you want to hear more about this game. It'll probably last another hour or so, assuming the Killer Duo over there doesn't have anymore tricks up their sleeves." Leon bared his teeth at them, and they just grinned innocently, heads tilted towards each other, in response. The door slid shut, and game play resumed. They barely noticed as the two returned, robes on, and school bags in hand, as well as a newly summoned toad perched on the boy's head. Eight heads bowed in defeat as the winners (Percival, Gwaine, Rheane, and Merlynn) crowed in delight.
"That seemed more like a magical video game than chess." Everyone startled at the girl's voice, before they chuckled sheepishly.
"Perhaps. Gwen mentioned we've been testing it for our mothers. Well, Aunt Hunith, their mother," Morgana, who had spoken up, gestured towards Merlyn, Gwaine, and Gwenhyfer, "is technically considered a muggle. She cannot use a wand. She goes into the Muggle world often, and likely used that concept, especially for the control pads. Our mother," she indicated, Leon, Arthur, Lance, Percival, and herself, "noticed we preferred to form armies with all the chess pieces in the house, and make them battle in a rush, not a turn based strategy game. So, this happened. Then we started making battlefields and fortresses. And so it evolved. Strategy is still involved, because it's all based on troop movements, and knowing when to press an advantage and when to retreat and regroup. Anyway, I think Introductions are in order." The girl sat straight up, something like horror crossing her face, likely at the lack of introductions being made earlier.
"I'm so sorry! I got distracted by the excitement of it all! I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Neville Longbottom. We're first years!" Her dark brown eyes crinkled with her smile, while Neville's hazel eyes darted nervously around the compartment. Fred and George sat forward as Lee started the introduction.
"Lee Jordan, Gryffindor third year."
"Gred and Forge Weasley, Gryffindor third years."
"Leon Knight, Ravenclaw second year."
"Morgana Pendragon-LeFay, Ravenclaw second year."
"Arthur Pendragon, first year. Everyone else is also a first year."
"Lance DuLac, nice to meet the two of you."
"Percival Strong. Leon, Lance and I were adopted by Morgana and Arthur's parents." A gusty sigh started the next introduction.
"Merlynn Emrys. Please, no jokes or swears regarding my name. I already put up with it from my family. I can punch them, but it's frowned upon for me to punch random people otherwise.
"Only because you hospitalized that one guy. Granted, he was sixteen and leering at you as he exclaimed Merlin's tits and you were seven, but still. Gwaine Green, pleasured."
"Gwenhyfer Smith, but please, call me Gwen. Gwaine and I were adopted by Merlynn's parents. I have a blood brother, but he's two years younger, and so is their last adopted sibling."
"Lily. Evans. Um... my distant cousin, who is also Merlynn's maternal uncle, adopted me when I was three... Changed my name... Hogwarts probably won't... accept that..." Rheane was turned away, tucked under Percival's arm, playing shy. Gwaine was on her other side, bracketing her in. Two faces stared at them.
"Yeah, a bit of a whirlwind, innit?" Lee piped up. "I met Leon and Morgana last year when Fred and George here befriended them. I didn't think that they had, between siblings and cousins, eleven children in one house. Can you imagine? Three households in one house." Laughter went through the compartment, and Morgana leaned forward conspiratorially.
"Did you know, that because of our names, particularly Pendragon, LeFay, and Merlynn, we ended up calling our residence Camelot? We are now, as a whole, the Camelot Family. Fred and George actually made that connection." Hermione smiled nervously, and Neville turned towards her.
"Balinor Emrys is in the political circle, and especially backs Dragon Rights. Says he's a Dragonlord, that the Great Dragons of old will be returning to Great Britain, or rather, Albion as it once stood. Uther Pendragon is in the political circle too, and everyone at least listens to what he has to say, despite technically being a muggle, unable to use a wand. But he's well versed in the Old Religion, and can wield the magic of old. One can study their entire lives, and never manage a spell of the Old Religion, even if they follow all the holidays, and the Religion on a whole." Hermione's eyes went wide.
"Wait, there really was a King Arthur? Merlin was real? I thought they were just myth!" Merlynn snorted, muffling it in Arthur's shoulder. Arthur was pulling on all his courtly training, as was Morgana and Gwenhyfer, but the former knights were also in the process of losing it. Rheane sighed; it was up to her to respond to that, and she had to drop the act enough to do this.
"Actually, because of his name, that's why Uncle Uther named Arthur, well, Arthur. Aunt Ygraine's maiden name is LeFay. Morgan and Morgana are similar. Emrys was said to be a name given to Merlin the Great by the druids of the time. The rest of them just kinda got lucky with their names. It was sometime in the five hundreds, CE, that King Arthur brought about a Golden Age of Peace and Magic." It had actually been Gwenhyfer, after Arthur's death, but they weren't going to get into that right now. "It's kinda a passion of ours, history, particularly of this era, as you can imagine." It was all said softly, her head ducked, but earnest, and Hermione huffed as the information percolated through her mind.
This set the tone for the rest of the ride. Poppy's lunches were shared around and devoured, and when the Trolley came by Chocolate Frogs were the only candies bought. Rheane was an avid chocolate fan, and card collector, not to mention the mount of sugar Merlynn enjoyed on a daily basis, and everyone's basic love of sweet treats. She especially loved to laugh at any inaccuracies on the cards of Morgan LeFay (it's Morgana, first of all and really now...), Mordred (he was not that bloody old!) and Merlin (honestly, she was not a guy, really people?) as well as a few others that Merlynn, Leon, and George had met back then. Hermione soon relaxed, talking classes and books with Morgana, Percival, and Leon. Gwenhyfer and Merlynn had drawn Neville into a discussion about how several herbs turned out differently depending on how they were grown. The sun had just begun to dip below the horizon when Hermione looked around.
"You might want to get into your school robes. We should be arriving soon." She had a worried look on her face, and Merlynn was confused. What what she talking about?
"We are in our school robes," Leon said carefully. "If you look at the supply list and school rule book, it just specified black work robe and we are in black work robes, just from different cultures. We don't like those robes, plus, we prefer the more traditional way of dressing. The robes and uniforms provided by Madame Malkin are a political statement, stating that you side with those who would rather do away with tradition completely. Tradition is the foundation of magic. Tradition is why we have magic. If you take away tradition, you take away magic." Two jaws dropped, and Neville looked down at his uniform. Leon smiled. "No, Neville, your grandmother knew what she was doing when she placed your order. You are still in a fully traditional robe that is made to work with the uniform pieces that are not specified in the rule book, so are not actually uniform. No where does it say that we must wear anything other than work robes and appropriate foot wear. It even specifies that hats are not required outside of formal occasions and feasts." Leon very determinedly did not look at Merlynn, who had ducked into Arthur's shoulder, burying her face completely. The four founders, her children, had wanted the hats all the time. She had nixed that because of Arthur, and that ridiculous outfit he had made her wear when Bayard had visited and the goblet had been poisoned. So they had compromised, and she had quickly learned why Arthur had done that. The entertainment of seeing people wear those pointed hats... oh, she had not laughed that hard in a couple centuries at least. She turned back as Hermione gave a muffled shriek. Leon quickly turned and closed all the blinds in the compartment. The former knights, Lee, Fred, George, and Neville all turned and barred the door, facing it, giving Hermione some privacy as she had automatically started to tear at her robes.
"I will not be forced into a political side without my consent!" Morgana stilled Hermione's hands as Merlynn pulled down Gwenhyfer's trunk after a glace.
"You are of African descent, right?" Gwenhyfer asked softly. A slow nod was her response, and once her trunk was down, Gwenhyfer pulled out a spare set of robes. "Strip, quickly, and I'll help you put these on. Don't be shy, they guys won't peek, and we're all girls over here." In short order, Hermione was in the new robe, and Rheane was running a hand soothingly through her hair as Hermione continued to rant under her breath. Rheane frowned at Gwenhyfer, who nodded back. They would be cornering Hermione later, as would, they knew, Morgana and Merlynn. The latter two would be addressing the political side, but Gwenhyfer and Rheane were concerned at the utter lack of care her hair was showing.
~~
The boats were an interesting touch from the last time Merlynn had visited Hogwarts, a couple of centuries ago. But that had been in the seventeen hundreds, and trains hadn't been invented. In fact, parents had still been dropping off their under age students, students had learned to Apparate by the time they were fifteen, and many of the students had dropped out after their Ordinary Wizarding Levels - the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests hadn't been required, or even invented at the time. Anything after fifth year was considered Apprenticeship. Gwenhyfer, Lance, Arthur, and Merlynn rode in one boat. Rheane, Percival, and Gwaine, somehow, managed to get a boat to themselves; likely due to Percival's bulk. Hermione and Neville were in a boat near by with two guys, but Merlynn was distracted by the appearance of Hogwarts. It was like coming home, and in a way, she supposed it was. It felt like her children were welcoming her home, like they always had after one of her journeys.
Waiting for the ceremony was a quiet affair as they closed ranks around a very nervous Rheane. She knew she was seen as a bit of a celebrity, but she despised it, hence using Lily Evans in public. Hogwarts wouldn't allow that, though they did, grudgingly, allow the name change to Potter-Evans.
The Great Hall was as beautiful and grand as she remembered, the spell work on the ceiling still holding strong. She noted that the plates, goblets, and silverware were now gold, then remembered that Remus Lupin had attended school. They had likely switched from silver because of him. Arthur nudged her when everyone went silent, and she turned back to the front, smiling at the appearance of the hat she had made for Godric when he was just a boy. Godric had been drunk the night he had been experimenting with Charms, and Merlynn had nearly cried when the hat became sentient, with her dear friend's personality and memories. The brim (and the poor dear needed a good wash and repair) opened wide, and William began to sing.
Oh, you may not think I'm pretty, / But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find / A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black, / Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat / And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head / The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you / Where you ought to be.You might belong in Gryffindor, / Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry / Set Gryfindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff, / Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true / And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, / If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning, / Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin / You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means / To achieve their ends.So put me on! Don't be afraid! / And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none) / For I'm a Thinking Cap!
She groaned under her breath at William's poor verse. One would think after nearly a thousand years of this, he'd make better songs. Then again, it could be due to boredom.
"He's going to be he death of me. Remind me to tell you what happened there," she mumbled to Arthur, who laughed.
"Now, when I call your name, you will come up, I will place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses." Merlynn felt Arthur settle into parade rest, a stance that she was well aware he could hold for hours, and subconsciously, they followed suit, even though Lance, Merlynn, and Gwaine were in the first half of the alphabet.
"Abbott, Hannah." Blonde pigtails did nothing to stop the hat from falling over Abbott's eyes, but it didn't take long for William to declare Hufflepufffor the girl.
"Bones, Susan," a red headed girl well on her way to becoming auburn joined the Hufflepuff, table to much applause. Merlyyn marked this girl, recognizing the last name to be the same as the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, a Madame Amelia Bones, who would be presiding over Sirius Black's much anticipated, and very late, trial next month.
Boot, Terry and Brocklehurst, Mandy joined Ravenclawand Merlynn could see the other second years whispering in their ears, pointing at Leon and Morgana. Morgana found her and rolled her eyes.
Brown, Lavender became the first Gryffindorof the year, to cat calls and wolf whistles from Fred, George, and Lee.
Bulstrode, Millicent joined Slytherin, and Merlynn grimaced at how little applause she got. Her older cousins were right, this was going to be a fight.
Corner, Michael and Cornfoot, Stephen became the newest members of the Ravenclaw table, and this time, Leon got to them first, gaining sympathetic looks from the two first years, as the other two gained looks of surprise.
Crabbe, Vincent and Davis, Tracey became Slytherinstudents, and Merlynn was wondering if this was going to be a lopsided mix of students. Two, four, three, and one. She had been hoping for a mostly equal mix, as it would likely make things easier.
"DuLac, Lance." Those who knew there Arthurian legends paused, almost in a gasp. DuLac was a known name for Lancelot. Merlynn imagined something like this happened last year, especially with Morgana. When William cried Gryffindor, she was almost surprised by the uproar. Even with the great length between then and now, it was a name of a knight. The remaining six clapped for their brother and cousin.
"Emrys, Merlynn." Whispers broke out across the hall about Merlin the Great is returning; has to be him and she grimaced, pausing in front of the stool.
"I am not a male, thank you." The Hall went deadly silent at her soft words. "And any jokes about or swears to my name that I hear, and trust me, you won't ever see the retribution coming." With that, she sat primly, allowing William to be placed on her head. Hello old friend.
Merly! Ah, it has been a good while, hasn't it. You're younger than ever. Met your friend. Or are you calling yourselves cousins now?
You know exactly what we call ourselves, Will. You've already plucked all the information from Leon, Morgana, and Lance. You will get the chance at everyone else. Now, where do you think I should be, according to the ideals of my lovely children? William chuckled lowly in her ear.
Ah, that is quite obvious, Merlynn. Quite obvious considering who your favorite was. Best be "Slytherin!" The last word was shouted out loud, and Slytherin table lost it. It was the most unrefined she was certain they would ever be. With a raised eyebrow, she settled at the end of the table, staring her new house back into order, rather quickly. She ignored all attempts at small talk, choosing to focus on the sorting, or rather, her unsorted classmates. She knew she would be alone, but she planned to clap for all her siblings and cousins.
Entwhistle, Kevin joined Ravenclawwhile Finch-Fletchley, Justin became a Hufflepuff. Finnigan, Seamus joined a loud Gryffindortable as Goldstein, Anthony became the sixth Ravenclaw and Goyle, Gregory joined her in Slytherin. It took nearly five minutes for Granger, Hermione to join Gryffindor, and she huffed a small laugh. Likely, William was debating between there and Ravenclaw.
"Greene, Gwaine," saw Gwaine saunter up to the stool, and Merlynn shook her head at some of the reactions of the student body. Percival and Rheane were going to have their hands full, especially once he joined the Hufflepufftable. Her housemates stared at her in askance as she clapped for her brother. She ignored this with a small smile.
Greengrass, Daphne was the first Slytherinbrave enough to sit by her once sorted, and she glanced at the icy expression that was just daring her to refute her seating. Merlynn smirked and turned back to the sorting. Hopkins, Wayne was sitting, or rather, attempting to sit but was instead bouncing in place, next to Gwaine at the Hufflepufftable. Jones, Megan quickly joined him and slung an absent arm over his shoulder, stilling his movements. Li, Su demurely joined the Ravenclawtable, ducking in embarrassment at the applause. Longbottom, Neville was another near hatstall before joining Gryffindor, though it looked to Merlynn like that had been due to an argument between the two rather than a difficult decision. A quick count told her that they were just over halfway through the list - twenty-four of the forty-six students had been sorted.
MacDougal, Morag shuffled off to Ravenclaw already reading a palm sized book, while Macmillan, Ernie strutted gently (and she wasn't sure just how he managed that) into Hufflepuff. Malfoy, Draco tried to sit across from her at the Slytherin but identically icy looks from her and Greengrass, as well as a dainty sniff from Greengrass' other side, that turned out to be Davis, saw his scooting away, proverbial tail stuck between his legs. A Malone, Roger stumbled in a very shocked manner over to Hufflepuff, and she grimaced lightly. Either he was a Muggleborn expecting to be told this was a terrible mistake, or he had been hoping for a very different house. Moon, Lily became a Gryffindor, and Nott, Theodore successfully sat across from her at the Slytherin table, ignoring the glares sent his way by Malfoy. Parkinson, Pansy didn't even galnce at her, instead choosing to try to cuddle up to Malfoy almost as soon as William sorted her into Slytherin. Then came a set of twins, (Patil, Padma - Ravenclaw and Patil, Parvati - Gryffindor) followed by:
"Pendragon, Arthur." There was another bout of whispering much like with her name, and she smiled at the moment of panic he shot her way. Arthur chose to ignore it, and instead sat on the stool. Unsurprisingly, it didn't take long for a declaration of Gryffindor to sound out across the hall, and another rousing cheer went up. She clapped politely for her love, once again ignoring the looks from her housemates.
Perks, Sally-Anne Joined Hufflepuff, and Merlynn sat forward slightly, knowing just who was next.
"Potter-Evans, Rheane." She almost laughed at the third bout of frantic whispering that broke out across the hall. She saw Rheane blanch, before stumbling forward. As she sat under the William the Hat (and William, she noted, was taking his sweet time sorting her, it was already nearly five minutes, wasn't it?) she noted the looks exchanged between the four heads of houses and the headmaster with a nearly sick pleasure. After all, hadn't they told those five they had pulled Rheane from an abusive situation? Professor McGonagall was about to reach for William (ten minutes was a new record, she should know, as the castle imparted some information) when he announced Gryffindor for the Hall to hear, and explode to. She clapped, relieved that their plan was beginning to come together.
Rivers, Olivia joined Hufflepuff, while her apparent friend, Roper, Sophie joined Gryffindor. A Runcorn, Alena joined Slytherin, actively trying to avoid her, then it was:
"Smith, Gwenhyfer." Gwenhyfer marched boldly to the stool, leaving Percival alone, his bulk undiminished, and easily joined Gwaine in Hufflepuff. A Smith, Zacharias followed her with a frown, almost before she could stop clapping for her sister, and;
"Strong, Percival," elicited several mentions of No way and He's definitely a Lion, look at his size. She almost laughed at the disbelief when William sent him to Ravenclaw instead, and she clapped for her final family member this year. Thomas, Dean joined Gryffindor to much, if still diminished, applause, and she understood. There were now three students, one of whom she was dreading, and by now, lunch had been too far away.
Turpin, Lisa became a Ravenclaw, Weasley, Ronald (to her dismay) joined his brothers in Gryffindor, and Zabini, Blaise finished out the sorting when he joined the Slytherin table. While Professor McGonagall marched off with William and the stool, Professor Dumbledore stood up to say:
"Nitwit, Blubber, Oddment, and Tweak." She ignored the appearance of food long enough to catch the eyes of her family, all of them exchanging classic looks of What did I just witness?
She was just loading her plate when Zabini leaned forward.
"I heard a rumor that the Emrys line was descended from Merlin the Great. Is it true?" Chatter around them slowed down, and she raised an eyebrow, not stopping in the cutting of her grilled chicken.
"I am unsure as of now. Dad and I are still trying to learn the language of the older texts in the family library, so that we may begin to decipher the journals of the time. I will not say anything else at this time. I will also say this - I do not know about the Pendragon line, as they are attempting the same thing with their family library. Any other questions, or may I enjoy my meal in peace while I figure out how to stay connected to my eight family members here in the school, none of whom are in the same house as me?" She took a bite of food, indicating her last question had been utterly rhetorical, when Davis leaned forward to look around Greengrass.
"Just one. I figure those you clapped for were some of your family, despite the last names. Actually, possibly more than one question, but all related. Who else is there?" Davis paused, waiting for an answer, and she set down her fork to count.
"Leon and Morgana, second year Ravenclaws. Perce, first year Ravenclaw. Gwen and Gwaine, first year Hufflepuffs. Arthur, Lance, and Rhea, first year Gryffindors. Before you ask: adoption and three households, some are my siblings, the rest are my cousins." She picked up her fork again and Davis blinked.
"I hadn't even considered those questions. How did Potter, or I suppose now it's Potter-Evans, join your family?" This seemed to be the biggest question, and she narrowed her eyes at the rest of the table.
"Turns out my mother's line is a distant relation of her mother's line. The family she was with gave her up as soon as we proved the connection, my uncle adopted her, adding the name Evans, which, funnily enough, was her mother's maiden name as well. It was done through the Goblins, so there is no undoing it. Now, eat." She turned and started to do just that, observing the Hall at large.
As the feast ended, she let the headmaster's speech filter through - she would review her memories later, but for now, she was in mind-speak with her family, all choosing a tune for the School Song. They eventually, after a quickly whispered conference with Fred, George, and Lee, to use a funeral dirge for the song. Merlynn hid a wicked grin behind her goblet of cider - a new thing this year due to the removal of pumpkin juice, and anything else in the pumpkin family due to Rhea's severe anaphylaxis reaction to the gourds - as she glanced around the Head Table. She spotted the four Heads of Houses, and had to control herself as she spotted Hagrid, a lovely half-giant with a Scamander-like view of creatures that she adored, sitting next to the diminutive Professor Flitwick. Professor Trelawney was drinking deeply at the very end. She spotted the various Professors that she would have very little contact with until third year, before her gaze was drawn to her Head of House, Professor Snape. She knew George had remained in contact with the man, despite the terse replies, but what bothered her the most was the man beside him. A nervous looking fellow, with ill-fitting robes (though it wasn't as obvious) and a royal purple turban. But none of that mattered. No, there was a dark aura surrounding the man, an aura that felt familiar to her... but the recognition eluded her, and she turned her attention back in time to stand with the rest of the hall to sing the School Song.
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts / Teach us something please
Whether we be olde and bald / Or young with scabby knees
Our heads could do with filling / With some interesting stuff
For now they're bare and full of air / Dead flies and bits of fluff
So teach us things worth knowing / Bring back what we forgot
Just do your best / We'll do the rest
And learn until our brains all rot!
The twelve of them, scattered across the hall, were the last in the truly horrendous cacophony of voices that had filled the hall, and Merlynn smiled at the looks of horror reaching across the staff. The first three in Gryffindor had been a start, then the two Ravenclaws last year had metaphorical sweat drops forming amongst the staff. Now, there were twelve students, across the four houses, that seemed like they could team up even in different houses. While it had never been part of their plans, Merlynn was aware of herself enough to know that she would welcome these next seven years of mostly controlled chaos. After all, people were likely, she had noticed, to let things slip when constant chaos was applied around them. Especially if, despite all appearances, they were meticulous people. And Dumbledore was meticulous.
She followed the fifth year prefects (Gemma Fawley and Adrian Pierce) to the Slytherin Common Room, barely keeping a sneer at bay at the state of the stones. She would have to check on the wards this weekend. She gave a small smile as she looked out the bay windows into the lake. A quick glance saw the portrait of her youngest sitting above the fireplace, and she winked, which was returned as he quickly caught her plan to come back later. She was pulled from her musings, taking in the changes to the common room, by the arrival of Professor Snape, bringing instantaneous silence to an already relatively quiet room.
"Welcome to the Pit, the House of Slytherin," his soft voice carried an undertone of harshness that could quickly come forth if aggravated, and she repressed a shudder, remembering a time when it was Uther's, before she quickly refocused. "Many believe this house to be of evil. You will," he turned his gaze to the first years, before turning to the second and third years, with the barest glimpse at the fourth years and older, "be attacked by the other students. Mostly Gryffindors, sometimes some Ravenclaws. Very few Hufflepuffs actually dare, but expect little help from that quarter as well. Be warned, little help will come from most of the staff as well. Remember, we are Slytherins. We are cunning and ambitious. We are hidden, like our symbol, and we are patient. We do not retaliate. We get even. Most importantly, do not get caught. If you get caught, I will also punish you in private." He paused in what was obviously a long practiced speech. "We must provided a united front to the rest of the school. If you have any issues with your fellow housemates, resolve them in house, and do not let anyone see any rifts. Understood?" It seemed she alone was unaffected by his glare. He continued on to announce that Fourth and Sixth year students were available for tutoring as needed, the Fifth and Seventh Years were to be left alone in terms of studying, especially as exams neared, and if the prefects were unable to resolve any conflicts, then, and only, then, was he to be called. As he turned to leave, Merlynn smirked and turned to Salazar's portrait, and spoke, in Parseltongue, bringing the room to a standstill.
"Salazar, son, you simply must catch me up on the gossip in here!" Salazar smirked at here, swift to reply.
"Mother, you are looking younger than ever. I will, but later. I must say, the looks are simply divine. I do believe that the necklaces will be available by the morning." She smirked wickedly, nodding as she stepped closer to sink gracefully across what she was sure was the most prized spot in the Common Room - a comfortable armchair right next the fire that provided cover from behind and a view of every corner of the room. "And, if 'Wena's predictions are as accurate as always, then you and your cousins will be ruling each house by Samhain."
"Oh, darling, you know she is never wrong. I do believe she will be announcing her presence tonight, to silence the rumors about 'Gana once and for all. She let it happen last year because 'Gana was able to ask her to wait." She took a deep breath, the two nodding at each other, silently promising to talk later, in absolute privacy, and Professor Snape found his voice once more.
"And what, pray tell, was that, Miss Emrys?" A haunted look had taken over his face, and she could see the upper years were frantically gesturing to one another.
"A simple question and introduction, Professor. I had noticed that there was something different about the man portrayed here, and I remembered the rumors that our esteemed House Founder had been a Parselmouth. So I decided to test my theory." She gave an elegant half shrug, eyes on the upper years who had been glaring at her since she had seated herself, silently daring them to do something.
~~
Salazar glanced around the Common Room from his perch over the fireplace, already having sent a message to his siblings through the connection he still had. The return of their mother heralded both great and grave tidings, and it would soon be time. It was best that they be warned.
~~
Morgana and Leon got to the tower before even the upper years, having explored so much last year that they hadn't had much need for that useful map that Fred and George had shared with them - not that they would deny the chance to use it, useful as it was to know where people were. They stood side by side in front of Rowena's portrait, gazing silently as they waited for the first signs of approach. Even as the rest of their house filtered in, the three remained locked in a silent contest, and it was not until the prefect arrived with the first years that anything happened. A sixth year called out.
"So, are you going to keep the Tower awake night after night again, Pendragon? We don't need your screams disrupting us anymore!" He turned to the first years and smiled. "Best not get involved with those two. Absolute troublemakers, and the girl can't sleep apparently." He was cut of by Percival's snort.
"Of course she can't when all she sees is the death and destruction of those around her. Dumbledore won't let her get any training from a Seer to control her visions. And before anyone says anything, research was done, and the Professor of Divanation is a Prophetess. Completely different, and completely unable to help." Perce stalked forward, easily parting the students, to stand beside his symbols, as Rowena chose to speak up.
"Oh! It has been nearly two-hundred years since the last True Seer walked these halls. Please, despite being a portrait, I can assist. I was known for my wealth of knowledge, yes, but less so for my predictions and visions. With your brothers here to be my hands, I can help guide you. Do you know meditation?" Rowena carefully ignored the rest of the house, well aware of the disbelief rolling through the gathered students. The Kneazle had been well placed amongst the Snidgets. The attitudes of her House - once known for being a place to share intellect and ideas, now hoarded and thought above everyone else - would change this year. She briefly glanced around. "Welcome, Ravenclaw's, to the Nest. Any and all questions may be asked at a later date and time. If she is Seeing death and destruction, it is quite best I focus on her tonight."
~~
Helga smiled gently at the students gathering in the Sett. While the attitudes in and around her house had shifted, she knew, without having to speak to anyone, that this year's crop of students, in addition to the next few years and last few years, would change it all. The two that caught her eye, that had a taste of her beloved Mother, would be instrumental. She frowned as one of the first years started going off.
"You need to change your name. The Smith name is descended from Hufflepuff, father to son, and you obviously are not of our line, and I can't have you tainting the name through association." She cried out her outrage as the boy pushed the girl with her Mother's taste, bringing the room to silence.
"I beg your pardon, young man! First, you should not lay hands upon a lady like that, and never without permission! How uncouth! Second, my line is maternal, not that it matters, seeing as I was an only child with no children of my own. Of the four of us, only Rowena had a child, and said child died childless herself. There are no heir for the founder lines. Third, Keep that up, and I will see you resorted. Understood, young man?" She glared at him, quite wishing she were alive once more to take him to task in person. As it was, she could tell it was having little effect.
"Who do you think you are, then?" The boy was quick, she noted, to shoot back, and she drew herself straight.
"I am Helga Hufflepuff, and you best remember that. I see that a lot has been lost over time. What a shame. I do believe something will have to change - I will call a meeting once I have an outline, understood?" She glared around the room, getting many startled nods, and she smiled. "In the meantime, Welcome to the Sett, children. Here, we learn to be open individuals, willing to work hard for our goals and persevere. We may not be known as leaders, or as scholars, or as strategists, but the world would crash and burn without people like us helping keep these leaders, these scholars, these strategists in line and alive. Do keep that in mind as you face the school, dears." She settled back and went back to smiling gently at the students, gaze not faltering as everyone stared at her, speechless.
~~
Godric hid his wild grin as his students (despite no longer being a professor, he still considered them his) trickled in. This year, Hogwarts had told him, saw the return of his Mother. Winnifred may have birthed him, and even loved him in her own way, but she had not been mother material, and readily admitted it. His grin got wider as he saw those Twin Terrors and their friend that set off the best pranks enter, giving him a shocked look, before grinning. Ah, looks like they had been clued in. Meeting Morgana and Leon had done them well, and he was quite happy with that. He would have to visit his siblings sometime, get an idea as to what all would be happening. Then he froze. Right there, that had to be Mother's lost love. Dirty blond, ice blue. There was no mistaking that look, despite the fact that he had never met him. That was King Arthur. Things would only get better for the world from here on out. One didn't have to be a Seer or scholar like Rowena to know that. But, as any Strategist, like Salazar, would say, things often got worse before they got better. With Helga's help, however, they should persevere. He looked further, and took note of the way a young girl, looking quite like a feminine James Potter from so long ago, sank into Arthur's side, away from a redhead that seemed to be leering at her. She was swiftly bracketed by another boy, looking something like a younger version of a knight from one of Mother's sketches. Completing this little pod were two others, one looking like a Longbottom, and an unknown who was watching with a stare he usually saw on his more cerebral siblings - a look of someone trying to figure out a difficult puzzle.
He wasn't given much more chance to observe as the five immediately went to join the three by the fire, pulling out journals and sheafs of parchment, heads bending close. They were close enough to him that he knew they were planning a harmless, if chaotic, prank to take place this coming weekend, and he grinned at the subtle shift in the Potter girl. She probably belonged in his brother's house, honestly, with that level of acting. The Snake in the Lion's Den, this should prove to be quite interesting. His attention was diverted towards the redhead that had been leering at the Potter girl, and he frowned at what he was hearing - something about teaching her her proper place as his future wife?
"There is no need for language such as that in the Den! I will not stand for it. Contract or no, I will not hear of this abuse." He was cut off as the girl in question stood up.
"There is no contract in place, something I had the Goblins check for this summer, even after your brother said the same thing. I will never be interested in you, so knock it off. This is your second strike. Third one, and you won't like the retribution, understood?" The boy stared crosseyed at the wand in front of his nose, nodding rapidly, and she smirked. "Good. I belong to no one but my family, and everyone best remember that. I owe no one anything." Godric smiled. Perhaps he had been wrong about this one. She really was a Lioness.
"Well then, young lady, I do apologize if I overstepped my bounds earlier, it is quite obvious you can defend yourself." There were a couple of snorts from the boys who had bracketed her.
"Tell that to Gwaine and Perce, sir. They still jump between her and perceived danger, despite the number of smackdowns she delivers." The Terrors took their turn to laugh.
"Percival Strong? Smacked down by Little Miss? No offense meant, Rhea, but you are quite a bit smaller than him." This came from the Terrors' friend, and Rhea smiled wickedly.
"You just have to know where to hit, and I'm not talking about playing dirty. Though, to be fair, Perce just takes a verbal lashing. It's why he's in Ravenclaw, he's smart like that. Gwaine, well... he's a little more thickheaded than that. It's quite endearing, however, and nice to know that if something were to happen, they would always do their best." With that, she turned back to the table, sharing one last knowing grin with Godric. Ten minutes. Hogwarts had told her that this child had been under William for ten minutes, and all four of them had been considered. And William was right to consider them. With just thirteen sentences, she had managed to get the entire house to think twice about crossing her. He didn't doubt it wouldn't happen, because, he even he had to admit, most of his house were the headstrong, stubborn type. He gave it a week before she had to defend her subtle takeover.
~~
Merlynn settled into a lotus position on the yoga mat she had spread out in front of the bay windows. Salazar would stop anyone from interrupting her yoga and meditation, and she sank into her mind, reaching out to connect with her siblings and cousins in the castle, to discuss how everything went.
From the positions around the chair she had claimed this evening, Greengrass, Davis, Zabini, and Nott sat quietly, each contemplating what changes Emrys would likely bring them. They each hoped for a brighter future, for Slytherin, for their families, for Tradition, for Magic, for the world. And despite everything that had been said, and more importantly, NOT said, Emrys was The Emrys, and the Olde Religion would return. They each practiced the Olde Ways, and they each knew that the political powerhouses known as Uther Pendragon and Balinor Emrys were only the tip of the iceberg that would crash their world. Greengrass turned towards the other three.
"We need to network into the other houses. She," she turned her head slightly towards the meditating figure, "is the key. as are her siblings and cousins. The fact that she calls Rheane Potter a cousin is a big deal. We want better, and Theo, you want out. This is our way." The other three gave firm nods, and Salazar above them smiled. By the end of the week, things would be in motion.