The Warlock and the Dragonlord

Summary:

Finally! Morgana comes and they're gathering the crew to help!

Notes:

I have a random question. I've been trying to decide if I should write and include a scene with Headmistress McGonagall and Harry confronting the Ministry, or go straight to the rescue. Thoughts?

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When the help arrived, Arthur was sitting in the family room. He hadn't been able to sleep well since Merlin had been taken, his sleep riddled with fears, and hating himself even more every minute that he couldn't just use his own magic to find and free Merlin. He had to rely on others to help, and he didn't even have a quick way to get in contact with anyone.

It had been nearly three days before before Arthur was sitting on the couch and drifting off before he jerked fully awake at the at a roaring sound, and the fireplace flashed in green flames. Suddenly Morgana was stepping into the room, and Arthur stared, mouth agape. Arthur snapped out of his shock fairly quickly, for saying he'd just seen his sister walk out of the fireplace, and jumped toward her. "Morgana!" He immediately wrapped her in a hug, squeezing tight as he tried not to sob.

Morgana held him just as tight, soothingly. "Shh… it's alright, Arthur." Yet she was shifting him away from the fireplace that had suddenly spouted off strange colors, and five seconds later there was another flash, and suddenly a tall lady entered the room, wearing robes like Morgana, and stepping to the side as well. Arthur pulled away from his sister to watch the new arrivals, feeling a profound relief at the new help coming.

A few seconds after that one more flash sounded, a man with glasses and black hair came in as well.

"You must be Arthur," the lady said, coming closer. "You said there was a kidnapping of a magical kid?"

"Yes." Arthur swallowed, thankful for them getting down to business.

"I'm the Headmistress at Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall. This is Harry Potter. He's an Auror in the wizarding world."

"That's like a… detective, right?"

"Close enough." Harry nodded to him. "How about we sit down and you can tell us everything you know."

Arthur nodded, immediately gesturing for them to sit, and barely remembering his manners. "Would you like some tea?"

"No, I think we should get straight into it," Harry answered. McGonagall also shook her head. Relieved, because he really hadn't wanted to waste time with any social proprieties, Arthur sat with them and got right into it.

"Where should I start?" Because they needed to know about Merlin's magic as well as the kidnapping to have the best chance in finding him.

"You said this kid has magic? And the guy who took him did as well?"

"Yes." Arthur nodded, then went on to explain the kidnapping scene.

"Wait, you felt his magic?" Harry leaned forward in sudden interest.

"Yeah." Arthur shrugged, as though it was no big deal. He knew it was, though he'd been feeling it for so many months now that it had become so normal to him. "It was panicking with Merlin, it felt like."

The three wizards in the room exchanged glances and Arthur shifted uneasily at the look on their faces. Harry and McGonagall both turned back, a more intent look on their faces. Harry even shifted slightly closer.

"Okay, Arthur, I need you to tell me a little bit more about Merlin's magic. When did you find out about it? What can he do?"

"Uh…" Arthur looked to his sister, who was eyeing him with obvious intrigue. "Is this going to help find him."

"It might." Harry said gently. "Knowing what he's able to do might help know what kind of people would have interest in taking him. I would also like to know more about what they both look like."

Arthur nodded. "One second." He ran quickly to his room, getting his notebook out that he'd written all his notes in, then came back. "I wrote down everything I could remember about the man and the situation on here."

Harry looked impressed. "Good thinking." He grabbed it, but put it to the side so Arthur could continue with the story.

"Okay." Arthur drew a deep breath, then went on to tell about how he'd learned about Merlin's magic. When he explained about the bullies, however, he noticed Morgana's fists tighten out of the corner of his eye, and he refused to look at her. He hadn't told her about any bullying.

He didn't talk about everything Merlin told him — nothing that didn't have to do specifically with his magic. He also didn't get specific about having to comfort him, just explained that it happened when they touched.

They listened closely, all seeming surprised when he mentioned that Merlin's eyes had turned gold when he used the magic, and worried when they knew of Merlin's fears.

Arthur sat in silence as they thought for several long moments. Harry lifted the notebook page up to read it while McGongall spoke. "This is… very unusual."

Arthur looked at her. "I don't know, I mean, it's all unusual to me, and yet… it's magic. I don't know anything about magic, really, so it all feels way out there, and yet completely possible at the same time."

McGonagall smiled at him, kind of surprising him, as she's seemed stern so far. He could see how she would be a good Headmistress, strict and firm, yet an underlying kindness.

"I mean, I haven't heard of anyone's eyes changing colors while using magic. And definitely never heard of a muggle being able to actually feel someone else's magic in the way you are explaining."

Arthur fought not to wince at the word muggle. "So it's not usual? Is Merlin in danger then? I mean, obviously currently, but just by being… whatever kind of wizard he is?"

"Hmm…" Harry didn't answer the question, but looked up at Arthur as though in realization. "Headmistress, look at this and tell me what it reminds you of."

McGonagall read through it and her forehead scrunched up the more she read. At last she looked up to meet Harry's gaze who nodded.

"The Ministry?" She asked.

"It sure sounds like it," Harry agreed, tapping his fingers.

"The Ministry?" Both Morgana and Arthur asked, though Arthur was asking for clarification, while Morgana's was in a tone of disbelief.

So something that wouldn't usually take kids like this?

Harry looked at the two of them again, shifting. "Three days ago, a Ministry worker recorded that he had brought an underage kid in that was using magic outside of school. The next afternoon, we were told that it was dealt with and that the kid was returned where he belonged."

"But obviously he wasn't." Arthur snapped, standing quickly and pacing. "What's the Ministry? Who is the guy? Is he trustworthy? Why would Merlin not be back here?"

"The Ministry is like the wizard government. I work as essentially a police officer there. The one who brought him in, from your description of his attire, as well as who gave the report, is one as well."

"Where would he have taken Merlin, then?" Arthur turned to face him. "He's not here, and if he's not still at this… ministry… who is that man? How do we get him back?"

"Look." Harry steepled his fingers. "I'll go ask around, figure out where this man was last seen. Check his house and any other corresponding areas he might go to. I'll keep you updated on everything, okay?"

"How long will it take?" Arthur couldn't help the desperate tone to his voice. His friend was essentially kidnapped!

"I'll check everything out today," Harry promised, standing.

"I'll come with you. It may do good to have this come from the Headmistress of the school, seeking to get a kid with magic back in school."

"You're right, that may do good." Harry nodded at her in gratitude. "We'll be back, Arthur."

"Morgana? You want to head back to Hogwarts?"

Arthur's sister shook her head and put a hand on Arthur's shoulder in support. "I'll stay with Arthur until Merlin is back safe."

McGonagall nodded at her, then the two of them left.

Arthur felt his shoulders sink as he exhaled long, putting his hand over his eyes. Morgana pulled him into another hug, holding tight for several long minutes.

"It's going to be okay," she told him. He forced himself to nod. When she pulled away, she kept her hands on his shoulders, a piercing look in her eyes. "Now. What is this about bullies?"

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Part 2 will be coming out this Thursday!