A/N

Heya,

Just a short note to say that the first chapter is more of a prologue than the proper start of the story. That will begin next chapter.

I don't know if we actually have to do one but I've seen disclaimers on nearly every story I've read so: I don't own any of the characters from Harry Potter or Merlin.

Ok, now thats over with :) on with the story!


He had spent such a long time waiting.

But after a while it became apparent that the time of Arthur's return would not be coming anytime soon, so Merlin decided to get around and do something with his life.

He travelled the world, learning as much as he could and watching as magic evolved around him. Wandless magic was dying out, becoming a rarity even amongst the most powerful wizards at the time. He learned languages, healing, various musical instruments (although that endeavour had come to a rather rapid halt after his teacher threw the guitar out the window in despair) and of course he learned as much magic as he could fit into his head, and when there wasn't enough space he started to write it all down. He had a suitcase he had magically extended in which he kept all his original works. He had another for various artefacts and rare books he had come across during his travels and he had kept a few things for sentimental value, such as the sword Excalibur and a small flag with the crest of Camelot emblazoned in red and gold.

Of course, while Merlin travelling around the magical community he no longer used the name Merlin but went by Emrys Gray. Merlin tried to avoid making good friends, keeping on the move and not seeing them after too many years, so that they didn't get suspicious of his eternal youth. Such friends cannot always be avoided, however, and it came to be that Merlin became good friends with a rather persistent young (by Merlin's standards) man by the name of Nicholas Flamel. They met in France when Merlin was visiting the newly built Eiffel tower. Nicholas had caught Merlin's eye as he had the same intangible aura of someone out of their own time that Merlin had had for the first few hundred years after Arthur had died. Merlin had lost this as he grew so used to moving on when everything else came to an end that it no longer affected him so much. But here was a man who was older than he should be and still getting used to this. Even after more than a few hundred years it was a hard thing to become accustomed to. And so Merlin had approached the man and introduced himself, and they became fast friends after that, Merlin popping by every few decades to check up on the Flamels.

It was on one such visit that Merlin first met Albus Dumbledore. They had only brief introductions as they met as Merlin was walking out of the Flamel's door and Dumbledore was poised to knock. Nicholas had introduced them and they exchanged pleasantries, then Merlin went on his way, pondering the boy with the bright blue eyes. He had sensed a great power in him, by these day's standards anyway.

Dumbledore was a young man, barely out of Hogwarts at the time and he asked Nicholas about the man who had been introduced as Emrys Gray. Nicholas had briefly explained that they were old friends and the young Albus had pushed it from his mind, not thinking of the strange young man with the old eyes again. He wasn't concerned with remembering him, not believing they would ever meet again.


When they did eventually come across one another again Dumbledore had forgotten about the curious stranger he had met a lifetime ago, although something did seem distantly familiar about him, but he brushed the fleeting thought from his mind and smiled at his newest professor of defence against the dark arts.

A/N

Hey guys, this is my first try at writing fanfiction so any comments on how I could improve or if I've messed up my grammar or spelling anywhere are greatly appreciated, so long as you're vaguely nice about it.

I'll try and get another chapter done and posted soon but I do have A levels this year so lots of work to do!

Next chapter will hopefully be Merlin starting at Hogwarts. This is set during book five (Order of the Phoenix) so we will meet the Golden trio. Yay!