The Rising of Merlin

The One With the Welcome Speech

Chapter 17 The One With the Welcome Speech

He started at Compartment C, where Professor Slughorn had had his lunch party, and then walked briskly along the aisle. It didn't take long before he found Harry lying on the floor in one of the Compartments, covered in his invisibility cloak and blood running down his nose. He had been paralysed from a spell, which Merlin quickly broke with a wave of his hand.

"Hello, Harry." He grinned at him, while he slowly sat up.

"How did you find me?" Harry asked a little groggy.

"I'll explain as soon as we're off this train." Merlin told him. He could hear the engine starting up again and took Harry's hand. Together they ran to the nearest door and jumped down to the platform. Just in time to, for when they had regained their balance the train was already half way, away, from the station.

"Phew, that was close." Merlin chuckled.

"Is everything okay there!?" Someone called at them. Merlin recognised the voice from this summer. It was Tonks.

"Everything's peachy, Tonks." He smiled at her and he noticed her rat coloured hair and her forlorn look. He hoped she and Remus would work things out soon. He had tried to talk to Remus about it, but he just kept coming up with lame excuses.

"Just saving Harry as usual." He grinned at Harry, who didn't look amused at all.

"Why were you saving Harry?" She asked when she had reached them.

"You should probably ask him that." He said gravely and turned to Harry. "Well? Why did I need to save you?"

"It was nothing." He said and shrugged. Merlin gave him Gaius's 'Eyebrow of doom', which he had perfected during his long life. "It was Malfoy." He said with a slight guilty look. "I saw an opportunity and I took it."

"Is he the one who did that to you?" Tonks asked and pointed at his nose.

"Yeah, he discovered me and decided to have a little fun." He said grimly.

"I can fix it for you if you want." She said. "Stay still, Episkey." His nose healed nicely and Harry looked immediately happier. "You should probably go back to the castle now, before they notice you're gone."

"Yeah, we will. Thank you Tonks." Merlin shook her hand and then indicated for Harry to start walking. When they were out of view from Tonks, he stopped him. "Put this on." He gave Harry the cloak, which he had been holding since he found Harry on the train.

"Will you explain to me now, how you were able to find me?" Harry asked, while he put on the cloak.

"Ehm...I can sort of see through your cloak." Merlin said and gave him a sheepish look, while scratching the back of his head.

"You can what!?" Harry exclaimed.

"Ssh, not so loud." Merlin waved his hands. "It's because my Magic is so strong. I can see the Magic in the cloak, which makes it translucent to me. You don't have to worry; nobody else will be able to see through it."

"Oh." Harry said.

"Oh, indeed." Merlin grinned. "I can actually see the Magic around Hogwarts as well, if I concentrate hard enough. It's like a big shimmering shield covering the entire castle and grounds."

"That sounds amazing." Harry said stunned.

"It is," He said, still grinning. "But now we have to hurry. Take my arm and I will transport us inside the castle. You should have time to blend with the others without being noticed."