A/N: Hello everyone! So here is the next chapter for this story and I hope all of you are going to enjoy it. It may seem that I go a bit fast through the year and have changed a good couple of things in it, but I just don't want to repeat everything from the books. I also like to add that I'm not English, so please forgive me for any mistakes that I have made in this story. Please tell me so I can change it/ learn from it. Enjoy this chapter!

X

A hard hand slapped him on the back and Merlin feared for a moment for his poor back. He looked to the side, seeing a grinning Hagrid sitting next to him. It was clear that the big man was excited about everything that was happening. It wasn't often that he got an 'assistant' to help him.

Albus and Merlin had come to an understanding. The headmaster had wanted him to take on a teaching role, Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Merlin hadn't felt that it was the right role for him. Even so he had realised that it was a good idea to go in the open more now that Tom was so active. It would be easier for him to go around the castle if people knew him.

So now he sat next to Hagrid at the end of the teachers' table. It was rather exciting to see the students fill the Great Hall. A group of Hufflepuff girls were loudly laughing as they sat down at their table, while on the other side a couple of Slytherin and Gryffindor boys were about to start a fight, but with a stern word from Severus they quietly settled down on their own tables. The Ravenclaws were the quietest of the bunch, they whispered among themselves and a couple of them were hanging over the same book, discussing the contents of it.

A frown spread over his face as he saw Ron and Hermione, but no Harry. He searched for eye contact with Hermione and as soon as they met he send her a questioning look, which she also returned to him. He tried to ask her were Harry was, but she shook her.

Well it worried him. He was about to get up and search for the boy when he heard Albus clear his throat. Hagrid next to him patted him on the back. ''Ya should be staying put, Albus is about to start.'' With slight hesitation he sat back down in the chair.

It was great to hear Albus' introduction for the new year and the sorting of the new students. They were all terrified, poor little things. His eyes roamed over the students once more, the Great Hall was emptier than other years. Wizards and witches feared for what was going on in their magical world and in order to protect their family they kept their children at home.

''- and at last the forbidden forest is strictly off limits for all students. Any student that breaks these rules will be punished. Now I would like to introduce all of you to the new members of the staff. First I would like for you to meet Professor Horace Slughorn, who will be taking over Potions from Professor Snape, who himself will be taking over the classes for Defense Against the Dark Arts.'' There was a lot of whispering amongst the students at the later news, but Albus decided to ignore it. ''Next I would like to introduce all to Myrddin Ambrosius who will be assisting professor Hagrid with the care for our magical creatures.'' Merlin felt his cheeks lit up slightly and he gave a small wave and smile as all the students looked at him. ''Now let's eat!''

And with that said the great hall erupted with voices, as friends chatted with each other and people enjoyed the magical food that was presented to them. Even so the new first years looked rather pale and barely ate a thing.

He let the feast take place for a couple of minutes before he stood up, giving a small apology to Hagrid before leaving through the side entrance. Before he went through he shot Hermione, who till then had been staring at him, a quick reassuring smile. He would find Harry.

He quickly made his way down the halls of the enormous castle, he would start his search in the train. He was worried that something had happened, especially since Ron and Hermione hadn't been around. The two were perfects this year and had been attending their duty during and after the train ride.

But he had barely halfway when two figures came into sight and to his relief it was Harry and… Tonks. He hadn't expected the woman to be here. ''Harry!''

He ran up to the two, Harry who till then had looked rather frustrated gave him a smile. ''Oh hi Merlin… I know, I know, I'm slightly late for the feast.''

Merlin lifted an eyebrow. ''Slightly late? We were worried about you and I won't be surprised if you have to face Hermione tonight. You have missed a lot, but for now I will tell you that you have to call me Myrddin when we are around other people. No, I will explain later, now go to the Great Hall!'' The last he said as he saw the questioning look in the boy's eyes.

''But Malf-.''

''We will talk later, now go!'' The last he ordered and with a slightly offended look Harry walked to the Great Hall. He turned to Tonks, who till now had been silent. ''Thank you for bringing Harry here.''

''Ah no problem. Albus had asked me to watch over the students.'' Her eyes turned for a moment to the disappearing back of Harry. ''I found him half frozen in the train, he said that he was cursed by Draco Malfoy.'' She fell silent for a moment, biting her lip. ''He also told me that the Malfoy boy is a Death eater… What do you think?''

''Hmm, well I'm not sure, Albus doesn't seem to be worried about him. I will talk with Harry after the feast tonight.'' He looked back up at her. He hadn't known her for long, but he liked the woman, she was cheeky and funny and she had this amazing trick that she could do with her nose. ''But how are you doing?''

She turned to look at him, slightly startled by the question. ''Ehm, me? Well I'm doing fine, more than fine.'' The last she whispered as a small blush spread over her cheeks.

Merlin laughed. ''Remus?''

''You know?''

''It's rather obvious. Don't worry, I am happy for you.''

''Thank you. I promised Albus that I would watch over the students during their trip towards Hogwarts, just in case. But I think that it would be time to take my leave now, I have other duties to attend.'' With that said and a small msile she turned around and walked back towards the entrance. ''Just call me if you need me. See you soon.''

''Goodbye.''

X

Merlin slowly followed the path down to Hagrid's house as his thoughts went over the evening before. After the feast he had confronted Harry about what had happened in the train. He was still not completely sure what to think, but he had promised to keep an eye out for anything suspicious that was happening with Draco involved. So it was a good thing that he had a bit more freedom now that he was Hagrid's assistant. He let out a small laugh as he remembered Hermione's anger towards Harry, the girl did really care for her friend… It's always good to keep such friends around.

Once arrived at Hagrid's house he knocked on the door and he could hear the low barks from Fang through the door. A few quick words were heard from inside to silence the dog, which didn't seem to work, before the door was opened. Dark fur blinded his sight as Fang jumped on him, throwing him to the ground. A startled laugh left his lips. ''G-good boy, come on, get off of me!'' He struggled to get up from underneath the big boarhound, while the dog slobbered all over him. Fang reminded him of Arthur's dogs, he had always had a fondness for dogs, most animals actually, but especially dogs. Merlin brushed his hands over the black fur and he could feel Fang lean into it.

''Ah Me-Myrddin, He seems to like you.''

''Yeah, well he's a good boy.'' The last part mostly directed at Fang, who was happily panting. ''So what has to be done before classes start?''

''The Thestrals have to be fed and their stables need to be cleaned. The third year class will take care of the feeding of the Flobberworms later this morning. Also we will see if the unicorns want to be fed, though they tend to eat when I have already left, it's their nature after all… I have notice that they have become more distant since the incident with he-who-most-not-be-named a few years ago… The poor creatures. Didn't see them for nearly 2 months afterwards.'' He saw how Hagrid's eyes saddened at the memory, the incident also gave him the shivers. He wondered why Anhora hadn't done anything to protect the unicorn, that said he hadn't seen the man in nearly two centuries. Maybe even creatures like Anhora could die.

The half giant started to walk towards the stables and Merlin followed. The world had changed immensely.

The Thestrals sounded happy when he and Hagrid entered the stables and Merlin stroked the nearest one over its nose. He knew that they were seen as bad luck by most, but he kind of liked them, they couldn't help it that they could only be seen by those who had seen dead.

White eyes stared intensely at him before the Thestral brushed its head against Merlin's shoulder. ''Are you hungry?'' He whispered against the creature and the Thestral looked at him with wide eyes, he took that as a yes.

He and Hagrid quickly but efficiently cleaned and fed the Thestrals. A small smile appeared on his lips as he remembered all those times he had mucked out the stables in Camelot, at least he had experience.

They left after the Thestrals were happily eating their meat. Hagrid had swung a big sack over his shoulders and they walked to the edge of the forest. A large stone trough stood hidden underneath a few trees, with a couple of silver and golden hairs laying around it.

''Ah, as I feared. I don't often see them anymore. Hopefully they will make an appearance this year to teach the fourth years.'' He emptied the sack in the trough before bowing down to pick up the silver and golden hairs. ''Poppy asked me to gather them, unicorn hairs make the best bandages.'' Hagrid shot the warlock a big smile.

The half giant had barely said those words when a light tapping noise was heard. A small golden haired foal trotted into sight, whinnying softly as it saw Hagrid and Merlin. The mother wasn't far behind, her silver white fur shinned brightly in the morning sun. She carefully eyed the two men, judging them, before she turned to her foal. She gave it an soft loving push with her nose before eating some of the hay from the trough.

He turned for a moment to Hagrid, who's eyes were shining, it was clear that the man loved the sight of these creatures.

The foal turned to Merlin before walking up to him and pushing its nose in warlock's hand. The warlock laughed as he started to stroke the eager foal. From the corner of his eyes he could see the mother carefully eyeing them, ready to take actions if he would try to hurt her child.

He let his magic out, touching the unicorn with it and he could feel her surprise. She was curious, but slightly suspicious.

They spend a bit more time with them, before they headed up to the castle for breakfast.

Merlin smiled, he hadn't expected to be so enthusiastic about all of this. He was actually looking forward to the classes he would help teach. Maybe this year would be a quiet year that everyone could enjoy, but knowing his and Harry's luck that would most likely not happen.