***Disclaimer*** I do NOT own any of the characters, they belong to the wonderful J.K Rowling. I only own the story line!

This is an A/U of the fifth book that still has cannon to it. May go further then fifth year, depending on the reviews.

PLEASE R&R!

Harry Potter and the Power of Merlin

A/U of OotP

Chapter 1: And So It Begins

After the Dursley's picked Harry up from Kings Cross, Uncle Vernon had already started scolding him.

"Listen here, boy. I have grown tired of you not doing any work around the house when you come back from that freak school. You are to do all the landscaping this summer, as well as paint the house, and putting new shingles on the roof. Understood?"

"Yes, Uncle Vernon." came Harry's response. The rest of the ride home was completely silent.

That night, Harry fell asleep rather quickly, much to his surprise. To further his surprise, he wasn't dreaming of that night in the graveyard.

He stood alone in a beautiful meadow that was at the edge of a forest. As he took in his surroundings, he noticed a figure making its way out of the forest. He normally would have been on edge about something like this happening, but he, for some reason, didn't feel like this was something to fret about.

As the figure approached him, he realized that it was a man, a very old man at that. He appeared to be even more ancient then Albus Dumbledore. He wore midnight blue robes, with silver stars and trimming on them. The man radiated power, such that Harry had never before seen anything like it.

"Who are you?" Harry asked tentatively.

"I, young Harry, am someone that you know of, but have never met; someone that has long since been believed dead. Can you venture a guess as to who I am?"

The only word that came to Harry's mind was "…Merlin…"

"Quite right, quite right. Now, you must be wondering what I am doing here?"

"Yeah, and you also said that you were believed to be dead. Does that mean that you actually are not?" Harry inquired.

"But of course! Now, I would love to continue such small talk, but I believe it to be prudent to begin your training." Merlin stated.

"Wait, isn't this just a dream?" Harry questioned.

"Well, sort of. I have entered into your mind to begin teaching you how to harness all of your magic." He explained.

"Cool! But, what am I going to do? The Dursley's would flip if I don't do the yard work this year…" Harry began.

"Ah, but that's the beauty of teaching you while you are asleep. In reality, you have only been asleep for a few seconds. Each evening will be the equivalent of two years of training." Merlin informed, "and what you do hear will affect your physical appearance as well."

"Okay…" began Harry, completely confused.

"So first thing's first…" Merlin began.

At the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, the Weasley family was unpacking for the summer.

"But I don't understand mum, why can't we just stay at home?" Ron asked.

"I don't have the time right now, I need to get down to the meeting. We'll explain everything as best we can at dinner time." Mrs. Weasley began, heading down to the kitchen.

In the kitchen sat the other members of the Order around the large kitchen table. At the table's head, sat Professor Albus Dumbledore, to his right sat Severus Snape, and to his left sat Minerva McGonagall, his most trusted professors. The other members of the Order that were present consisted of Molly Weasley, her husband Arthur Weasley, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks (who preferred to be referred to by her surname), Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, Elphias Doge, Bill Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Thank you all for accepting my invitation, now let us get down to business…" Dumbledore began.

In the drawing room that was in the Order's headquarter sat Fred and George, Ron, and Ginny.

"What do you think they're talking about in there?" asked Ron.

"Probably how best to combat You-Know-Who." Fred began, turning to George, "I think we should head up to our room and get started on those things…" he finished cryptically.

"Quite right, twin of mine, quite right." George announced. With that, the twins walked off.

"What do you think they're up to?" Ron asked again.

"I don't want to know," Ginny stated, "I want to know what they're discussing in that meeting down there though…"

"You and me both…" Ron sighed.

"I miss Harry." Ginny suddenly stated, causing Ron to go bug-eyed, and question her.

"I thought you were over him?" he inquired.

"I did too…" Ginny said a little sad, "but when I saw him after he finished the Third task, I don't know… It all sort of came flowing back with a vengeance." She finished with a blush rising to her cheeks.

"Hmm… I dunno Gin… this is getting to be kind of a weird conversation…" Ron trailed off.

"…Yeah… maybe if Hermione were here…" she started, causing Ron to blush. She noticed this, and decided to put this bit of information away for later.