Merlin's Apprentices

Chapter 6

Harry arrived home at 8:00, and was immediately put to work. He was not allowed to sleep in his little cupboard until he had cleaned the whole house. Without magic.

Harry wiped his brow as he finally finished scrubbing the floor. He put away his cleaning supplies and checked the time. 3:46. Wonderful. He slumped onto his cot and shut his eyes, getting a couple of hours before he was awoken by his uncle banging on the door and shouting at him to begin breakfast.

“Get up, you useless freak!”

Harry groaned and sat up, banging his head on the ceiling. He really was growing too big for the cupboard. He quickly dressed and went to the kitchen, where he cooked up some eggs and bacon. Unfortunately, he zoned out and burnt the bacon.

Vernon was so mad, he held Harry’s hand over the burner until the boy could smell the flesh burning and had tears streaming down his cheeks. Only then was he thrown to the floor, receiving a few kicks before Vernon stalked off. He quickly remade the bacon, cradling his burnt hand, and set the table.

Then, he checked the time and cursed. He was going to be late to his first day as an apprentice. He jammed his feet into his shoes and took off. He ran halfway there, before he ran into Carly at a stop sign and she offered to drive him the rest of the way.

Now, usually, he would say no, but he was already late, and most people in Little Whinging were nice enough. So, he accepted and Carly dropped him off, not noticing how his glasses were broken and his hand a burnt mess.

As he knocked on the door, he couldn’t help but feel nervous. He was fifteen minutes late on his first day. No doubt Merlin would be furious.

Merlin answered the door and immediately pulled him inside by his good hand. “Sit,” he commanded.

Harry sat obediently, hiding his burnt hand.

Merlin sat across from him, his eyes glowing gold as Harry’s glasses fixed themselves. “What happened?” he asked.

Harry didn’t want to tell the warlock about his punishment that morning, since he knew it was his fault anyways, so he just shrugged and said, “I fell.”

Merlin frowned, but didn’t push the subject. “You need to be more careful,” he scolded. “Now, there’s pancakes and bacon in the kitchen. Go grab something to eat and then join me in here.”

Harry nodded and went to the kitchen, where he grabbed a couple pieces of bacon and a pancake, which he rolled up and ate with one hand, still hiding his other.

“Why are you hiding your left hand?” Colin asked, setting down his fork in concern.

Harry shrugged, not having an answer that didn’t involve telling him his hand was burnt.

Unfortunately for him, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, Colin was pushier than his father. He stood up and grabbed Harry’s wrist, yanking his hand out of its hiding place. “My goddess,” he breathed in shock and horror. Quilo hissed from his place on his shoulder. The sight was grisly. The skin was black and charred and, in some places, bone showed through. “Dad!” Colin shouted.

Merlin was by their side in an instant, now also looking at the hand in horror, though his was much more controlled than his son's. “How dare someone do this to a child,” he hissed. “Colin, go get me my kit.”

Colin ran off and came back a moment later with a small pouch that Harry assumed was enchanted because there was no other way a whole kit would fit in it.

Merlin began to apply healing salve as he whispered a spell. Then, he wrapped it in bandages. “It will heal without a scar,” he announced. “Now, who did this to you, Harry.”

Harry ducked his head. “My uncle.”

Merlin cursed. “This is stupid,” he declared angrily. “I can’t take you from their home, else Albus find out about your apprenticeship.”

“There’s nothing we can do?” Colin asked, clearly upset.

Merlin shook his head. “All we can do is patch him up. Harry, from now on, you will tell us if you are injured in any way. Am I clear?”

Harry nodded.

“Good.” Merlin led both boys to the living room and down to the basement. “Lesson time. Colin, show me what you’ve achieved with Quilo.”

Colin smiled and the two showed off. Quilo transformed into a snake and then an owl. “That’s all we’ve got,” Colin said. “I’m also teaching him how to communicate with words and he’s learning quickly.”

Merlin nodded in approval. “Good job. How about you take him outside and work on flying lessons?”

Colin grinned and nodded, immediately running out the door.

Harry looked at Merlin inquisitively. “What will we be doing today, Master?”

Merlin smiled. “I’m going to teach you the ways of the Old Religion.”

Harry nodded excitedly. “Does this mean I get a familiar, like you?”

Merlin nodded. “Yes, but first you must know of the Old Religion. Then, if you decide to practice it, I will teach you more.”

Harry nodded again.

Merlin began to explain the Old Religion, teaching him about the deities and their followers and beliefs. “I follow the Triple Goddess,” Merlin explained. After he had explained as best he could, he handed Harry a thick leather bound book. “This has the main traditions of the Old Religion. I want you to study it on the side. The main thing I want you to focus on is pureblood traditions.”

Harry wrinkled his nose. “Why?”

Merlin frowned at him disapprovingly. “Because, Harry, the pureblood traditions are the traditions of the magical world. If you do not bother to learn, than you are no better than the muggleborns that Salazar despised. Besides, knowing how to properly greet someone will gain you respect. This will also help at your school dances. Don’t you have Yule Balls?”

Harry shrugged. “Yeah. First years weren’t allowed to attend, but I’ll be going third year.”

“And I don’t suppose you know any traditional dances?”

Harry shook his head.

“Well, I know what you and Colin will be learning in the evenings from now on.”

Harry flushed in embarrassment. He was always clumsy and terrible at anything coordinated, other than quidditch. He would probably fail the dancing classes.
Until lunch, Merlin taught Harry about the culture that muggleborns don’t ever care to learn.

After lunch, Colin and Harry ran out and played with Quilo in the lake. Then it was time for dance lessons.
Harry, as he suspected he would be, was terrible. Colin wasn’t much better. However, Merlin assured them that, with time and practice, they would improve.