Professor Merlin Emrys

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Merlin's POV

Aithusa and I quickly said goodnight to the house elves, making our way to my quarters. Hopefully Mimsy will make good on her part of the plan. A very complex plan according to Aithusa, even though it's only a step plan, I wouldn't dare tell her that. Literally, Mimsy just has to spike Umbridge's pumpkin juice. By the time we reach my room it's well after midnight, I slip out of my robes, into a nightshirt and promptly fall asleep, dreaming of magical toads that turn into golden haired kings.

I wake up to the smell of singed eyebrows and a puff of smoke courteous of one mini dragon.

"I'm up, I'm up. Why do you always go for the eyebrows?"

"It's very funny that's why. Besides, you were taking too long, we are going to miss her drink it the potion if you sleep any longer." Aithusa slightly bouncing on my stomach. Looking out the window, first light was on the horizon, I shoot Aithusa a disbelieved raised eyebrow, which she sheepishly shrugged at.

"Okay, so maybe not but I thought you might want to take an item or two off your list. Maybe the wards and visiting the centaurs." I huff a breath.

"Fine, I'm up now. I won't be able to fall back asleep anyhow." I shower and change, wearing a deep blue robe that Aithusa said brings out my eyes. Aithusa jumps on my shoulder and we stealthily make our way to the Astronomy Tower. I try not to think about going up there to teach Rowena and eventually Helena about the stars. No matter how hard I try to push the memories back they come full force. Rowena falling asleep in my lap or on my shoulder and Helena in either of our laps, sometimes both. How we would make up stories to go along with each constellation. So, lost in my thoughts I didn't notice we made it until Aithusa wacked me upside the head with her tail.

I set down some ingredients to make the spell more powerful, before tearing and reweaving the wards around the school and adding a few to the village. Aithusa adds silent support, letting me take some of her strength so I don't end up lightheaded afterwards. I may have grown in power over the centuries, but completely remaking and adding wards would leave any normal witch or wizard in a comatose like state, even Morgana would end up sleeping for at least a week or two. After maybe an hour we head down to breakfast, the centaurs will have to wait until tonight.

By the time we made our way down the great hall was half full. Umbridge hadn't arrived yet thankfully. As soon as I sat down Aithusa made her way on top of my head to take a short nap, all to used to it, I carefully eat breakfast. By the time Umbridge arrives the great hall is full of students, no one pays her any mind, but Aithusa and I, sneaking glances her way. A sudden shriek instantly made the hall silent, heads turning in the direction of Umbridge.

The hall burst into laughter, even some Slytherin's snickered behind their hands. Umbridge was now the proud owner of a true toad face, the potion would only turn the person's face into the animal face they mostly resembled. Pleased to potion had the desired effects, but remaining a slight poker face was hard, especially with Aithusa cackling in my mind. My poker face cracks slightly, pulling the eyes of Snape and Dumbledore. Something in Dumbledore's is twinkling, but this time something else is present to, whereas Snape's eyes narrow slightly towards suspicion causing me to sober up with a sinking feeling.