Here's part two of last night's wave of inspiration. I know it's torture to leave you guys hanging for so long and then throw out two chapters in less than 24 hours. I am anything but consistent. I just hope you like the story enough to forgive me. Anyway, let me know what you think! Any criticism is welcome. Reviews make my day!

Still not mine by the way...

All the cards were on the table. Harry had asked the questions he had been volleying back and forth in his mind for so long. Now all he could do was let his professor explain what exactly was going on. Of course, this was maybe not the best time to busy his mind with such worries, with the third task right around the corner. Harry still had no idea what it was or how he would stay alive through it. This was probably not the best time to be creating potential enemies. Nevertheless, here he sat, asking his questions.

The professor's response was, unfortunately, not one that the trio was expecting. He composed himself quite suddenly, and answered in his "teacher voice." The students recognized this from when he finally, and roundaboutly finished with his lessons. There was always a point that needed to be explained in a very direct and educational manner. That way of talking was how he answered them.

"It was long believed, that the four founders we have all learned about, once had help. They were four extremely powerful wizards, but some say that even they had trouble turning this old rotting castle into the expanded, magically protected school it is today. The rumors are endless. Some think that it's all a lie. A story made up to make the four founders seem a little less menacing and powerful. But there are others, who believe that he was very real, and very powerful. This castle, as this book depicts, was not built by the four. It already existed for centuries before they found it and transformed it into what it is today. Some think that the mysterious fifth founder was some sort of caretaker of the property. They believe he allowed the founders to help take care of the land and buildings, and eventually agreed that turning the place into a school for young witches and wizards would be far more beneficial than letting the place rot away."

Merlin paused to take a drink of his tea, and then continued after a pause.

"Because there is no concrete record of his having existed at all however, the fifth founder is not talked about in the wizarding community, nor is he taught about in any sort of schooling. The few people who believe in his existence came across the knowledge in similar ways as the three of you. Old records and texts sometimes have hints or clues that point to a fifth member of the historical group."

Hermione had listened to this explanation with wide eyes and enraptured interest. If this was true, her whole foundation of history would be fractured. A fifth founder? How in the world could that be? "Are you saying that there may be a substantial gap in the history of Hogwarts?" she asked. "Does that mean there could be a fifth house that students could be in? A fifth table in the great hall? That seems like a vital piece of information. Why in the world would no one care to mention all of this to us?"

She was getting worked up, and a little bit embarrassed. If there was a so called "Fifth founder" she could not believe that no one had ever explained that to her.

Ron interrupted her thoughts by exclaiming "That can't possibly be true! And if it is, that still doesn't explain why you look just like him."

Merlin glanced at him, before deciding how best to cover up the truth. He did not like lying to these students. He considered himself a fair and kind person, and he wanted the three of them on his side, if anything were to dramatically change over the next few weeks. "Ron, there are over 6 billion people on this planet as of right now. Just imagine how many have lived since the time of the founding of Hogwarts. Now, Emrys is a very old name. It is possible that someone found a picture of a relation of mine and decided that it belonged to this book. It is also very possible that some random man who seemed to look like me, lived all those years ago, and somehow convinced people of this crazy story. I can't tell you what to believe. I can only tell you the facts and rumors that I am knowledgeable about. I have heard that the fifth founder was tall, with dark hair, but I have never seen this picture, nor have I ever met anyone who knew of its existence."

"But he's wearing basically the same clothes that you do every single day!" Ron cried. "How do you explain that?"

"Very simply." Merlin responded calmly. "I like red and blue. I like scarves. There are lots of people who like the same. Are you going to go around assuming they are that man in the picture?"

That shut Ron's mouth quickly.

Harry had been silent. Taking in everything that Professor Emrys had said. He didn't know what to think. Had his whole education been censored to cut this fifth founder out of the picture, or was this a big mistake? The professor did look exactly like the man in the portrait, but he also had some pretty convincing arguments against that. Harry's overall opinion, however, was that he was right in believing in His professor. Even if he was somehow related to the man in the picture, there was no reason to lie about it, and the information they had been given did not connect him to anything sinister at all. Voldemort was a problem of the present. The picture of the founder was a problem of the past.

"Professor," he started, "I'm sorry that we disturbed you with all of this. To tell you the truth, we have had a lot of strange things happen to us over the years. Finding this picture instantly put us on edge. We got suspicious. Can you tell us anything more about it? Anything at all?"

Merlin smiled at Harry, knowing he had solidified his alliance with him. "I don't know anything for sure Harry, but I know that there are always secrets hidden in history. Maybe this is one of them. You three must decide what you want to believe. I cannot make up your mind for you. What I can do, is help you out with some more pressing matters."

Having said this, Merlin leaned forward across his desk and lowered his voice. "Harry, you and I know that something is going on with this third task. You need to be ready, whatever happens. You still have time to practice, to prepare yourself for what is about to happen."

His demeanor changed back to his usual sunny grin as quickly as it had darkened. "Well, students! I have some more lessons to prepare for. If you would kindly close the door on your way out, I would be extremely grateful." He sprang from his chair and ushered them out the door before they had a chance to say anything.

Ron, Hermione, and Harry had no idea what to think. The questions they had hoped to get answered were avoided, and replaced with new ones. Where was the truth? Where did that picture come from, and what did Professor Emrys have to do with the final task? Harry's complete trust in the man did not extend to his two friends. They were just as suspicious as ever. But Harry felt like he had gained a sense of calm about the third task. He had the full support and encouragement of one of the best men he had ever known. Even if things went sideways, he had this crazy feeling that his professor would be able to handle it all. He didn't look like much on the outside, but underneath, there was so much to his teacher. Harry just hoped he would be around to see just what that was.

Merlin had hurried the trio out as quickly as he possibly could. He had so much to do without this secret revealing picture to worry about. He applauded himself for covering the truth up smoothly, but he knew he hadn't completely convinced them. What would happen when the third task rolled around? Would he tell them? Would they Believe him? Explaining the truth would be so much harder than having to cover it up.

Merlin walked back over to his desk. The book and portrait were still on his desk, drawing his gaze. He picked the first up, still turned to the page depicting his old friends. It had been so long since he had been so connected to anyone. The four of them were his first real allies after Camelot had faded. After they were gone, he hadn't felt the need to reenter the world. Until now.

There was so much to do before the third task, but all Merlin could do was glance from the picture of his friends, to the likeness of himself. Nostalgia compelled him to open the locked drawer in the bottom of his desk. It had been secured with the oldest spells he could remember. In the drawer lay his most prized possessions. He flicked his hand toward the door, sealing it with a thought. Then he slowly drew the items out one by one.

First was his old magic book from Gaius. That stupid thing had gotten him into and out of so many horrible situations in the past. Now it was barely legible. The words were worn and faded. Next was a very familiar ring. He had been smacked in the head with it and several other projectiles so many times over the years, but he would give anything to see its owner again.

The last things Merlin pulled out were two pieces of very worn out cloth. The once brilliant red faded from years of being carried around from one temporary home to another. He laid the pieces next to one another with a heavy heart. His old life and memories flooded back to him. He was overwhelmed with sorrow and mourning. It had been so many years, but the pain still felt like a fresh wound. These two pieces of cloth signified his greatest failure.

One was his old neckerchief, the other, the only remaining piece of his king's cloak.