Professor Merlin Emrys

Lessons

"You know the more you push him away, the worse it will get," Merlin says into the quiet now that the room consists of him and Albus. Albus says nothing to this, just sighs as he sits in his chair.

"He needs help, ignoring him will do you no favors, it will make him more of a target," Merlin continues. Dumbledore hums and Merlin grits his teeth, getting tired of being ignored by the man too.

"If you do not want my advice, then I bid you a good night, Headmaster," drawing out headmaster until it sounds anything but respectful. He turns for the door before he hears Dumbledore speak.

"I thought distancing myself from him would protect him, make it easier for me. I am a selfish old man who cannot seem to learn from his mistakes," sounding so tired. Merlin has felt the same, so he turns back to face the man and sits across from him.

"Everyone wishes to spare themselves the grief once they know it will come. But distance never works, it breaks your heart faster than spending as much time with them as you can," Merlin wishes he had known this during his life a millennia ago, having been waiting for his loved ones to die during his time in Camelot. Dumbledore looks thoughtfully at him, though he cannot decide what he is thinking.

"I believe Tom will find out about Harry and his connection. He could easily use Harry's vulnerability as a trap given the right circumstances," Merlin nods because he had thought the same.

"What do you propose, what with you sending Harry off?" Merlin questions. Dumbledore raises a brow as he hits against his mental walls. Merlin brushes the tapping aside, getting Albus to leave his headspace. He gives the professor an annoyed look before understanding creeps onto his face.

He points to himself in disbelief," You...You want me to teach Harry Occlumency?" Dumbledore says nothing as Merlin gets up to pace, muttering to himself as go paces the circle.

"Why?" Merlin asks after a few minutes.

"For the same reason I do not ask Severus," Dumbledore responds. Merlin purses his lips together as he imagines Snape attacking Harry with little warning, not telling him how to close his mind to others, simply telling him to do so. He frowned but concedes that the man does make a good point.

"Alright, fine. I'll teach him," flopping back into his chair he had abandoned in favor of pacing. Fawks flies over onto his armrest which he strokes absentmindedly as they sit in companionable silence. Thinking of how best to teach Harry Occlumency.

Eventually, Merlin leaves as he realizes it's four in the morning and he is still in his navy blue sleepwear and tired. He bids the headmaster and Fawks goodnight, waving goodbye to the portraits as he closes the door.

———

Merlin received the news of Arthur Weasley's stability from Snape that afternoon. The teenagers were supposed to back by dinner because while they needed time to spend with their father, school still came first, not counting the fact they can't make Umbridge more suspicious.

Merlin walked to the Gryffindor table until he reached Harry.

"A moment Potter," Harry shares a look with Hermione and Ron but says nothing as he gets up to follow.

Merlin walks in silence until they reach the east tower, past his classroom until they make it to the top of the astronomy classroom, sky getting rid of the last pink and purple as night falls in earnest.

"Professor?" Harry questions, he had wondered when Harry would ask where they were going. He gave a hmm for Harry to continue.

"Why are we here?" Merlin says nothing as he sits on one of the cushions that littered the opened dome, gesturing for Harry to follow suit. He does, waiting still for an answer.