Merlin's Apprentices

Chapter 7

The next day, Harry was presented with an electric scooter that he could ride to Merlin’s.

That was Harry’s routine for weeks. Get up, cook breakfast for the Dursleys, ride to Merlin’s, have breakfast, lessons on magical cultures, lunch, play in the lake, dance lessons, supper, return to the Dursleys, clean, sleep, and repeat.

Then, Harry got a letter.

“Master!” he shouted, running into the room during his free time.

Merlin sighed as he turned to the young wizard. He had stopped trying to convince him to refer to him by his actual name after a while. It was too much effort and Severus had clearly influenced him already. “Yes, Harry?”

Harry was grinning ear to ear as he waved a letter in the air. “I got a letter from Ron! He’s inviting me to go shopping at Diagon Alley with his family. Can I go? Please?”

Merlin nodded with a smile. “If you would like to. I need to take Colin shopping for his supplies anyways. When is it?”

Harry checked the letter again before frowning. “I don't know. He doesn’t say in the letter. Do you think Morgana would mind running the letter for me? Uncle Vernon has locked up Hedwig and won’t let me take her out.”

Merlin felt the sadly familiar rush of anger at the mention of his apprentice’s uncle. He took a calming breath before shrugging. “You’ll have to ask her, but I don’t think she’ll disagree. She’s taken to you better than any other apprentice I’ve had.” Merlin had a sneaking suspicion that Morgana’s maternal instincts kicked in, making her instinctively protective over him after they found out just how abusive his muggle family was.

Harry grinned. “Where is she?”

Merlin smiled and gestured for Harry to follow him. Morgana usually spent the boys’ free time practicing her own magical skills. It was rare of her to show her abilities to those she doesn’t know too well, but Merlin knew she wouldn’t mind with Harry. The young wizard had a way of charming just about everyone he met, including Severus, though the man would never admit it.

Sure enough, they found Morgana in the potions room in human form, brewing what Merlin recognized as the healing potion that Severus had invented his second summer with them. Merlin was surprised to see her in her human form. It had been years since she had taken it.

Morgana’s human form was very beautiful. She looked very much like her namesake, apart from her dark skin and glowing yellow eyes. She wore a red blouse with golden detailing and a pair of skinny jeans. Over everything, she wore an apron, which she took off upon their entrance, placing a stasis spell on the cauldron before approaching them. “Why, hello Merlin. Why have you brought Harry here?”

Harry, having never seen Morgana in her human form, was very confused. “Who are you?” he asked.

“Harry, ask Morgana your question,” Merlin instructed.

Harry’s jaw dropped as he realized that the beautiful woman in front of him was the dragon that constantly mothered him. “Um, I was wondering if you would deliver a letter for me? Vernon has Hedwig locked up.”

Morgana nodded with a smile. “Of course. Merlin, do you think Quilo could accompany me? He needs to learn to carry letters if Colin is to be attending Hogwarts.”

Merlin shrugged. “I don’t see why not. If Colin agrees, of course.”

Morgana hugged Merlin tightly. “Wonderful! Now, go on, Harry, dear. You have a letter to write and I have a potion to brew.”

Harry smiled and the two left Morgana to it.

Once upstairs, Harry sat at the kitchen table and began to write a response. Halfway through, he paused and turned to Merlin. “Would you be able to take me there, or should I ask for them to come get me?”