Merlin had just finished up the first-year class, surveying the room with a calm but authoritative gaze. She clapped her hands lightly to draw everyone's attention and said, "Alright, students, remember summer break is about to begin. I want you all to have fun, but if you come back next year with empty heads, I'll be severely disappointed. Class dismissed."
The room immediately filled with the sounds of scraping chairs and excited chatter as the students began filing out. Just as the last few were heading for the door, Merlin spoke again, her voice casual but precise.
"Oh, Ms. Weasley, can you come here for a moment?"
Ginny froze for half a second, then hurried over, her expression a mix of nerves and curiosity. "Yes, Professor."
Merlin studied her for a brief moment, eyes sharp and knowing, before saying gently, "Hold still for just a second."
In one swift, practiced motion, Merlin snatched the black leather-bound diary from Ginny's belongings. Before Ginny could react, Merlin incinerated it in her hand. As the diary burned, a massive, smoky shadow tore itself free, letting out a wailing, distorted cry before dissolving into nothingness.
Ginny stared, wide-eyed and shaken. "What was that?"
Merlin rested a reassuring hand on Ginny's head and smiled warmly. "Don't worry about it, kiddo. Do you feel better?"
Ginny paused, checking herself, then nodded slowly. "Yes, Professor. Thank you."
Merlin gave her an approving nod. "Good. Off with you now. You have classes to attend."
She watched Ginny leave, her smile lingering for a moment longer. Once the hallway was quiet again, Merlin turned back to the empty classroom and said softly to herself, "Well… just a few things left to handle now."
-----
Merlin sat beside Dumbledore in his office, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp as she quietly observed the exchange unfolding before them. From his desk, Dumbledore calmly but subtly accused Lucius Malfoy of having given the diary to Ginny Weasley. When Lucius finally turned to leave, clearly displeased but unwilling to argue further, Merlin spoke up.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Malfoy."
Lucius paused and turned back, fixing Merlin with an arrogant, measured look. "Yes, Professor Ambrosius. How may I help you?"
Merlin met his gaze evenly and said coolly, "That elf of yours… I'd like to buy him."
She reached out and handed Lucius a small piece of paper with a number written neatly on it. His eyes flicked down to the figure, and for a brief moment, surprise broke through his practiced composure. After a pause, he straightened and said stiffly, "Yes, well… Dobby, you belong to Professor Ambrosius now."
Lucius and Merlin shook hands, and as they did, the unseen magic of the contract binding Dobby shifted, transferring cleanly and decisively to Merlin. Dobby hesitated before nervously moving to stand beside her, clutching his hands together as Lucius swept out of the office without another word.
Merlin turned to Dobby, her expression softening into a genuine smile. "Dobby, my room could use a cleaning. Take care of that for me, please. Afterwards, help yourself to some tea and cake on the table."
Dobby's eyes widened, and a massive smile spread across his face. "Truly, mistress?"
Merlin nodded happily, encouraging him.
"Of course, mistress. Dobby will take care of it immediately."
With a sharp pop, he vanished.
Dumbledore watched the spot where the house-elf had disappeared before turning his gaze back to Merlin, his tone thoughtful. "Well, now that all the drama is settled, have you thought about what I asked, Professor?"
Merlin met his eyes and replied calmly, "I have. And the answer is yes."
-------
In the Great Hall, Dumbledore rose from his seat and lifted his voice.
"Silence!"
The room gradually quieted as hundreds of eyes turned toward him. Once he was satisfied, he continued, his tone warm but carrying easily through the hall.
"Before we announce who won the House Cup, I have an announcement. For the first time in half a century, our Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts will be staying on for another year. So everyone, please applaud Professor Ambrosius for staying with us."
The Great Hall erupted into cheers and thunderous applause. Amid the noise, Merlin stood, offering a graceful wave, a composed yet pleased smile resting on her face as she acknowledged the students.
Dumbledore waited for the clapping to die down before turning to her. "Any words for our students, Professor?"
Merlin inclined her head slightly and spoke clearly. "My lessons this year were merely me finding my footing as a professor. Next year they will be harder and more challenging for you, but they will be equally rewarding."
With a sharp snap of her fingers, a soft shimmer of magic rippled through the hall. Instantly, a book appeared in front of every student. Its title gleamed across the cover:
Merlin's Guide to Unlocking Unique Magic.
Merlin continued, her eyes sweeping over the hall. "I want each of you to read this book over the summer. If you can grasp its contents and unlock your own unique magic, wonderful. But if not, don't fret. It will be one of the first lessons we go over in the first semester."
All across the hall, students stared down at the books in open curiosity, each quietly wondering whether they truly possessed unique magic locked away inside them, and what form it might take.
At the staff table, the other professors exchanged glances, eyebrows raised in varying mixtures of surprise and intrigue. Merlin noticed and merely giggled softly before snapping her fingers once more. Identical copies of the book appeared in each of their hands, and after a moment of inspection, they leaned back in their seats, expressions settling into clear satisfaction.
-----
Harry stood on the platform, luggage stacked beside him, just moments away from boarding the Hogwarts Express. As he reached for his trunk, the conductor stepped forward with an apologetic look.
"Mr. Potter, I've been told to tell you to return to the castle."
Harry blinked, confusion flickering across his face. "By who?"
The conductor adjusted his hat and replied matter-of-factly, "Professor Dumbledore, of course."
With no further explanation offered, Harry made his way back to Hogwarts. Upon entering the castle, he found Merlin waiting for him, leaning casually as if she had been expecting him all along. A knowing smile curved her lips.
"Ah, there you are, Mr. Potter."
Harry straightened slightly. "Hello, Professor. Do you know why I've been called back?"
Merlin nodded, her eyes bright with quiet satisfaction. "I do, in fact. You see, I managed to convince the Headmaster that you'd be better off spending your summer assisting me, and so until further notice, I have been named your guardian."
Harry's eyes widened, excitement breaking through his usual reserve. "Really?"
"Yes," Merlin confirmed smoothly, holding up a finger before his enthusiasm could fully run away. "But before you get too excited, it means you'll be spending your summer traveling with me as my research assistant. Can you handle that?"
Harry didn't hesitate. He nodded firmly. "Of course, Professor."
"Good," Merlin said, clearly pleased. "For our first stop, we'll be going somewhere to improve your combat experience. After that, we'll be going to study magic in various worlds."
Harry swallowed, equal parts nervous and thrilled. "Ok, Professor. When do we start?"
Merlin answered by snapping her fingers and a swirling portal burst into existence beside her, humming with power. She gestured toward it with a smile.
"Right now.".
(Authors Note: So I'm going to be doing a lot more Merlin chapters in the future I've been neglecting them and I really want to get to goblet of fire)