[Third Person's PoV]
"Foooooood~" Arthur cried out dramatically as he shot up like the Undertaker rising from a coffin. His eyes were half-lidded, and his face looked slightly sunken from the sheer amount of blood he'd recently drawn from his body.
"Luckily for you, I figured this would happen," Merlin said with a smirk, gesturing toward the nearby table. "So I whipped up a little something in advance—a small meal, just for you~"
Without hesitation, Arthur placed a hand over his chest. In an instant, a glowing blue magic circle appeared and hovered over his torso.
[Haste]
A surge of energy ran through him, and in the blink of an eye, Arthur zoomed over to the table and began to scarf down everything in sight. His jaw moved so fast it was almost a blur, devouring the food like a starved beast. Luckily, the speed spell kept him from choking, his body perfectly synchronized to handle the rapid intake.
"Careful not to bite your tongue," Merlin warned, shaking her head with a mix of amusement and exasperation. She watched as he vacuumed up the last of the meal like it was nothing.
Within minutes, the table was cleared. Arthur leaned back, rubbing his stomach with a satisfied sigh, then collapsed against the back of his chair with a content grin. "Mel, you're the best," he murmured, eyes already drooping shut as he prepared to drift into a well-earned nap.
"Don't get too comfortable just yet," Merlin said, her voice lilting with curiosity and mischief. "Something arrived with the owls while you were unconscious."
Arthur cracked open one eye, still half-lost in post-meal bliss. "Hmm? What is it?"
With a grin growing on her face, Merlin reached into her robe and pulled out two envelopes. She held them up like a magician performing a card trick, fanning them out dramatically. "Take a wild guess."
Arthur blinked, his confusion vanishing the second he noticed the wax seal on the envelopes. His eyes widened with realization, and he tried to leap to his feet—only to stumble and faceplant with a dull thud.
Merlin chuckled, barely holding back a laugh as Arthur sprang up again, this time like a startled meerkat. His bright blue eyes shimmered with excitement as an enormous grin spread across his face.
"Wait… Did they really arrive?! Our Hogwarts letters?!"
"Yup," Merlin said, laughing fully now. "One for you and one for me."
"Awesome!" Arthur whooped, practically diving across the table as Merlin handed him his envelope.
He jumped to his feet and began spinning in place, holding the letter above his head like a sacred relic. "Do you know how long I've waited for this?! Since my past life! I've always dreamed of going to Hogwarts—it's literally been a childhood dream of mine. And now it's actually happening!"
Merlin watched him with a fond, endearing smile as he twirled like a kid on Christmas morning. "Well," she said, raising an eyebrow, "are you just going to keep frolicking like a lunatic, or are you actually going to open it?"
"Right, right! Sorry, sorry!" Arthur repeated, practically buzzing with excitement as he tore into the envelope with shaking hands, pulling out the letter inside like it was made of gold.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme
Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. King,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress.
"Hehehe!" Arthur giggled, jumping and twirling the letter around. While Merlin had an exasperated look as she rolled her eyes.
Arthur then looked back down and turned towards the other page of the letter that contained all the things he needed to buy.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners'Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Draughts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
"One day, Merlin…" Arthur muttered under his breath, eyes glued to the parchment listing the required books and materials for first-year students.
Merlin glanced over at him with a puzzled expression, tilting her head slightly. "One day what?" she asked, watching him closely.
Arthur's grip on the letter tightened just a little as he spoke, his voice quiet but resolute. "One day, my books are going to be on this list. If they aren't—if I can't make that happen—then I've failed. That's my goal. Whether it's next year or five years from now, my name will be there, etched in ink."
Merlin blinked, then nodded slowly with a small, approving smile. "That's a noble dream to chase."
She turned her attention back to her own letter, unfolding it with a little more care. Her eyes landed on the name at the top—Ms. Syrme—and she gave a short, thoughtful nod before neatly folding the letter and slipping it back into her robe.
Just as Arthur was still processing the moment, Merlin pulled out another envelope and offered it to him. "By the way, this also came for you while you were out. It's from Gringotts."
Arthur groaned dramatically, already imagining a mountain of paperwork. "Please don't tell me it's more documents to sign. Don't kill the mood. Today's been incredible—I mean, I nearly died, but I got my Hogwarts letter, so the day's still a win."
Despite his words, he opened the envelope and began reading. His eyes scanned the parchment quickly, and his expression shifted in real time—first wary, then curious, and finally, downright ecstatic. With a burst of energy, he jumped into the air and shouted, "BOOYAH!"
Merlin let out an amused sigh, one hand coming up to her face. "I'm guessing it's good news?"
"Oh, it's beyond good," Arthur said with a wide grin as he waved the letter dramatically in front of her. "It's from Goburk. He's letting me know that King's Magical Enterprise is officially up and running! Grand opening is in a week. He called it a 'friendly warning' to get ready—speech, outfit, all that jazz since even the Daily Prophet will be present"
He let out a content sigh, folding the letter and slipping it into his pocket. Then, with a softer smile, he looked at Merlin. "Shall we go tell the Flamels? I'd like them to know."
Merlin's expression warmed as she nodded. "If that's what you want, let's go."
---
A short while later, Arthur and Merlin arrived at the Flamels' quaint home. At this point, Arthur had become so close to them that knocking first felt unnecessary. It was more of a second home now.
He swung the door open with a flourish and stepped inside with barely contained energy. In the living room, Nicholas and Penny Flamel were relaxing peacefully—Penny was knitting, while Nick was lazily flipping through a book with one hand and sipping tea with the other.
Upon noticing the arrival of their young guests, both Flamels turned with bright smiles. "Well, look who it is," Nick said warmly.
"Welcome back, dears," Penny chimed in.
Arthur beamed as he practically skipped into the room, Merlin following closely behind.
The elder couple immediately noticed the spark in Arthur's demeanor—he was practically radiating joy.
"Something good happen, Art?" Penny asked, raising an eyebrow. "You're bouncing around more than usual—and that's saying something."
"It sure did, Grandma Penny!" Arthur declared with a nod so enthusiastic it looked like his head might fall off.
Penny's expression softened at the nickname. What had begun as a silly joke die to her dotting nature now held genuine affection—it warmed her heart every time she heard it.
Arthur reached into his pocket, pulled out his Hogwarts letter with a flourish, and held it up proudly. "Mer-lynn and I finally got accepted into Hogwarts!"
Penny's face lit up like the sun. "Finally!" she exclaimed before crossing the room and pulling them both into a tight, warm hug. "I know how much this meant to you. I'm so happy for you two."
"Thanks…" Arthur murmured, cheeks turning red from embarrassment.
Nick, setting his tea aside, asked with a smile, "So, shall we help you get everything on the list? Could be a fun outing for all of us."
Penny's face lit up even more—if that was possible. "That's a wonderful idea, Nicholas. Probably the best one you've had in a long time!"
Nick feigned offense, leaning back with a hand on his chest. "Hey now, I have plenty of good ideas."
Before the playful argument could continue, Arthur stepped in, voice filled with pride. "Actually, there's one more thing. My business—the one I've been working on—is about to open. Grand opening is next week, and I'd really like for you both to come."
Nick furrowed his brow. "Business? What business?"
Penny was also looking confused now, exchanging glances with her husband.
Arthur scratched the back of his neck, suddenly realizing he might have forgotten a small detail. "Wait... did I not tell you? I swore I did! I've been working with Gringotts— It's called King's Magical Enterprise. Official grand opening is next week."
There was a beat of stunned silence. Both Flamels just blinked at him, trying to determine if this was some kind of elaborate prank.
"WHAT?!" they finally shouted in unison.
Arthur flinched, shrinking slightly as he flashed them a sheepish grin. "Surprise~"
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