Professor Merlin Emrys

Samhain

Harry's POV

The morning at breakfast talk mostly consisted of the Halloween feast later in the day. Decorations filled the hall along with origami bats and ghosts flying around the hall, Jack O' Lanterns replaced the floating candles, and the usually bright enchanted sky was filled with a full moon surrounded by fog. The only person who didn't look excited was our DADA professor, his brilliant blue eyes were dull, enhanced by the dark bruising underling them. His normally pale complexion was working on sickly, his raven hair looked like no effort was made to tame it and his clothes slightly wrinkled. All in all, he looked awful, I look around and I'm not the only one to notice, Ron and Hermione have a concerned look on their face along with most of the teachers. What surprises me is Draco who is showing an openly worried expression directed at the professor. I follow his gaze back to see Emrys picking at his food not eating a bite. Hermione's voice breaks my train of thought.

"I wonder what happened to make him look like this?"

"I don't think I've ever seen him down, angry, but never without some smile," I mutter.

"He was fine yesterday, what could one day do?"

"Maybe something bad happened, I mean my parents died today."

"Oh, Harry I'm sorry I forgot it was today." "It's ok Hermione." Ron who was stuffing his face whilst listening joined the conversation.

"Do you think we should ask him after his class?"

"Of course, why didn't I think of that. We should ask Draco if he wants to come." "WHY!?" Ron ducks his head as several heads turn their way.

"Because Ron, he seems to care about the professor too." Ron rubs the back of his neck and nods.

The rest of the day is anxiously tapping my foot against the floor for DADA. Entering the class brings a cold chill, the normally vibrant and warm room is a stark contrast to now. The fireplace in the corner is lit, but no warmth seeps through the chilled stone. Emrys looks no better than he did this morning, everyone notices.

"Alright class, today is a study period, work on anything for any class, homework, classwork, or just studying. Please, no talking." The professor's voice sounds exhausted and rough, now looking up close his eyes look slightly puffy and red, most likely from crying earlier. I frown and catch Draco's tight-lipped face, our eyes meet and form a silent agreement. The class goes by slowly, but when it finally finishes everyone rushes out, everyone but us four.

"Professor" Emrys lifts his head from his desk" Are you alright?" His hands go to rub his face.

"I suppose I look awful, no I'm not alright, but I will be Miss Granger. Thank you for your concern." A dismissal if I've ever heard one.'

"Is there anything we can do?"

"No." His bluntness and unwillingness to elaborate feels like being slapped. He's always helping someone else, but never seems to have anyone to help him. Hermione looks like she feels the same.

"Alright, do you mind if we come back later?" Emrys looks thoughtful for a moment before shaking his head.

"I have somewhere to be later, but I suppose you can come. You are too stubborn for your own good Miss Granger." Hermione nods before we exit the room and enter the hall.

"He never told us when to meet him." Draco's voice halts us, I run back to the room, luckily the professor hasn't moved.

"Professor Emrys, you never told us what time to meet you."

"Right, after dinner meet me here." I nod and rush back to the trio.

"Well?"

"After dinner." Draco nods before heading to his next class, leaving us to make our way to the next class.