Merlin's Apprentices

Chapter 2

Colin raced to his room and got ready quickly before meeting his mentor at the front door, unsurprised to see him already in his wizarding robes. "Ready!"

Merlin nodded with a smile. "Then let's go!"

They apparated to the shopping center and headed to Gringotts first, since Merlin needed to get money for the shopping trip.

As they walked inside, the goblins all stopped to stare at them, which unnerved Colin greatly. Regardless, they got their money and left.

They walked to an animal shop and Merlin said, "Here we are. You ready?"

Colin nodded excitedly and followed Merlin into the store. "What now?" he asked. He knew that finding a familiar wasn't as simple as just choosing an animal.

"Close your eyes," Merlin instructed. "Feel your magic, just like I taught you."

Colin did as instructed.

"Now, extend your senses. Is anything calling to you?"

Colin frowned and opened his eyes after a few minutes of searching. Nothing in the shop was resonating with him. "No."

Merlin nodded thoughtfully. "We'll try a different store then. This store only holds animals that are allowed at the magic schools."

The next store was the same and Colin started to feel as though he would never find his familiar. He wasn't connecting with any of the animals.

Merlin, however, looked excited. "Alright then, this way," he said, ushering Colin into Knockturn Alley. A small shop there held a variety of different animals. Kneazles, nifflers, snakes, lynxes, owls, ravens, and more.

Repeating the process, Colin found that he felt a connection. He opened his eyes and followed it over to a pure white egg. "An egg?" he said in confusion, turning to look at Merlin, who had wide eyes.

"You are lucky, Colin," he said quietly. "Bring it with us, and carry it gently."

Colin carefully lifted the egg and followed Merlin to the counter, where it was paid for.

They went back to the cottage and Merlin sat Colin down across from him on the sofa. "Your familiar, Colin, is the same species as mine," he said.

Colin's jaw dropped. "My familiar is a dragon?"

"Yes, young one. This is very important and comes with many responsibilities."

Colin frowned. "How so?"

"Only future or current dragonlords can bond with a dragon," Merlin explained.

"But you said that the ability is passed from father to son."

Merlin nodded. "It seems that, when I adopted you, my magic accepted you." Colin looked confused, so Merlin explained further, "When my magic accepted you, it gave you some of my abilities, as any child of mine would receive."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you are my son, Colin. My magic changed yours and you became my son by blood."

Colin bit his lip shyly and said, "Does this mean I can call you Dad?"

Merlin was blown away by the question. He hadn't realized that Colin saw him in that light. He grinned. "If you would like to." The thought of having a child sent a thrill through him. He had always wanted children, but he never fell in love after Arthur. Not once.

Colin grinned back. "So, what else did I get from you being my dad?"

Merlin hummed and scanned his son's magic. "You're immortal," he breathed. Tears of relief flowed down his face. He wouldn't have to bury his son. He focused again. "You're a dragonlord, which we've already established. That's about it."