Only A Boy

Thoughts Hidden From View

The Weasley twins were popular.

Merlin hadn't expected that, though in retrospect he should have known their warm playfulness had a wide appeal. Students from every house smiled and greeted them as they walked down the corridor. Of course, some were suspicious. A few students shot them apprehensive expressions as they passed by as if they expected a dung bomb to go off at any moment. They were invited to join several compartments, but though the twins poked their heads inside to say hello, they continued on their way up the train.

"Where are we going?" Merlin asked as they finally managed to get out of a compartment filled with giggling Hufflepuff girls.

"Lee Jordan."

"He's our partner in crime," George elaborated. "He's brought a giant tarantula with him – he was showing everyone at the station." Then he grinned and exchanged a look with his brother. "Merlin only knows how much fun we'll have with that."

"What? I don't—"

Fred choked on a laugh, his pace slowing a he turned around to glance at him. "Right! Um... well, Merlin – historical Merlin, I mean – has sort of become..." he trailed off and glanced at George, wondering how best to phrase it.

"A cuss word." George grinned. "Or a god, I suppose."

"A god?" Merlin repeated, staring dumbfounded at him. "You're kidding right?"

"Okay, not a god. More like a wizard saying?" He frowned, as though he didn't like that explanation. "Kind of like how muggles say, 'Oh my god,' wizards say, 'Merlin's beard.' Does that make sense?"

"I think so." Merlin felt a little lightheaded, his ego soaring to new heights.

"Well, you best get used to it. You're going to hear it all the time."

"Just remember they're not actually talking about you."

Actually, they are.

"Right," Merlin said slowly, disbelieving. Arthur had often made his name sound like an expletive. He could only imagine what his reaction would be if he found out it was still in use centuries later. Actually, he knew exactly what his reaction would be. He wouldn't believe him. A small smile of nostalgia touched his features.

"By the way, you're not squeamish about spiders are you?" Fred asked, raising an eyebrow.

Merlin mimicked him. "You even have to ask?"

Fred grinned and stopped before a compartment with a single boy inside, a box beside him. With a flourish, Fred pushed opened the door and went inside, George nodding for Merlin to follow him.

"Lee! So splendid to see you!" Fred said, and he gave a mock bow.

Lee Jordan was a dark-skinned boy with thick black dreadlocks. He grinned broadly when he saw them. "So, very glad you could make it," he said with the same air of mockery. His eyes flickered over to Merlin, and then to George.

"Who's this?"

"The name's Merlin." He stretched out his hand. "And yes, I am named after a thousand-year-old powerful warlock, thank you for noticing."

On either side of him, the twins snorted with laughter. Lee chuckled, looking from Fred to George as he shook Merlin's hand. "Where did you find this guy?" he asked, his words intertwined with laughter.

"On the platform?" Merlin suggested, raising his eyebrow.

George patted Merlin's shoulder. "Found Ol' Snape dropping him off," he said brightly. "Was a bit eerie, to tell the truth."