Ch. 26 Second Lesson

Thursday, September 10, 1992

The past week was a blend of awkward and entertaining.

By this point, I gave my first lesson to the first through fifth-year students about Salazar Slytherin.

I was a bit more graphic with the illusions for the fourth and fifth-year students. But the biggest difference was the discussions we had about the alleged magical benefits of being a pure-blood.

The fact that the majority of today's witches and wizards viewed as being the most magically powerful, being all half-bloods, really upset the Slytherins.

The atmosphere around the halls of the castle was lively, to say the least. Especially when Gryffindors and Slytherins were involved.

The rivalry was still going strong, but there was apprehension in their exchanges.

Some of the debates I overheard from the younger years contained details that I shared with the fourth and fifth-years.

The thought of the students having conversations about possible reasons for Slytherin's views and what it meant to be pure-blood was exactly what I wanted.

I wasn't very concerned about their conclusions. It was the act of them looking for justification for their beliefs, that satisfied me.

There was no point in my not trying to make my stay at Hogwarts more tolerable. Especially since I'm stuck here for the next five years!

********

After collecting everyone's homework, I slowly pace around the second-year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws.

"Today's lesson will run slightly different from last week. You will sit quietly and listen carefully."

Each face is filled with excitement for the coming lesson. Even Ron appears attentive.

"The most powerful wizard in history. The Prince of Enchanters. The great Merlin!" A life-size image of the ancient wizard appears before the class. The image of Merlin stood tall and proud, his long white hair and beard, resembling his Chocolate Frog Card.

"It is a name that transcends both muggle and magical worlds. We all have heard his titles and various fairy tales of his life and deeds. What would we see if we looked below the myths and legends? What would we find? What do we know of the man behind those tales?"

I take note of several of the students shifting to the edge of their seats. I guess the thought of learning about the greatest wizard of all time, has them excited!

With a snap of my fingers, the room is submerged in darkness. "Let us begin."

"Merlin was born in the year 982 A.D. This is an estimation due to him being in the first class ever taught when Hogwarts opened in 993 A.D." A beautiful image of Hogwarts appeared before a sunrise.

"There are many myths and theories as to his birthplace and heritage. His ability to speak to dragons has convinced many, his heritage ties in with the Kings of the Sky." An image of a young boy peacefully sleeping on a nesting dragon takes form.

"His ability to commune with nature, and his lack of surname, have many saying he was born of a druid." The dragon morphs into a quiet forest filled with butterflies and fairies.

"And the fact that Salazar Slytherin personally selected Merlin for his house has some declaring him a pure-blood." A grand court emerges from the forest. A young man formally bows to an image of Salazar Slytherin.

"The truth of Merlin's heritage... Is unknown. There is not a shred of evidence to prove one theory over another." The image fades to just a lone boy, standing in the darkness.

"What is known is that Merlin arrived at Hogwarts as an orphan. In need of protection and magical guidance. Due to him being an orphan, Merlin lived at Hogwarts year-round. During his time at Hogwarts, Merlin never gave a surname or ever talked about his past. Why, is a mystery many have spent countless hours wondering."

"What we do not need to wonder about is Merlin's performance at Hogwarts. Merlin is described as not only intelligent and cunning, but he possessed the ability to view the world with a holistic view. This is the ability to understand that an item is not just the sum of its parts." The lone boy now wore robes marked with Slytherin's house as he studied in the library.

"He could see that a spell is more than just an incantation and wand movement. He knew that there is more to people than just bones and muscles. And he understood that people in a community are interdependent on each other to ensure peace and stability." An image of a small village coming together and helping one another complete tasks, fills the room.

"Merlin's unique perspective on how he viewed the world would shape how he lived his life. For the people." In the midst of the village, stood a young wizard, casting spells to help the villagers complete their work.

"After his time at Hogwarts, Merlin disappeared for many years. No one knows where he was during his absence, but we know he was not idle.

"When Merlin stepped back into the view of the wizarding world, he was not alone. With him was a large number of witches and wizards that referred to themselves as the Order of Merlin." The image of a mature looking man appeared standing before a congregation of magical.

"The Order of Merlin was a group of like-minded witches and wizards. They were advocating for the peaceful merger of magicals with muggles. Even policing the witches and wizards that harmed muggles unprovoked."

"Merlin was convinced the entire world would benefit from magicals and muggles working together. Muggles are incredibly resourceful and inventive. With the aid of magic, the muggle inventions and ideas became a reality." The simple village built up from mud huts and a dirt road to a beautiful walled city. Large fountains and sculptures stood at intersections of roads laid with cobblestone. It was orderly and clean, with gleeful people walking the streets.

"Food became bountiful. Shelters tall and beautiful. Life-threatening injuries were quickly healed, and conflict was becoming more and more scarce.

"Many embraced this idea whole-heartedly. The pain and suffering that marked their lives was becoming a thing of history. Muggles showed great love and respect for the witches and wizards that assisted them."

"But not all were so accepting of the merger of the two worlds. There were some muggles and wizards that attempted to end such a union. There were even groups formed of both magicals and muggles that strived to separate the joint communities. The hypocrites!" Images of dark clothed people sprung up in the village. They were shouting and casting stones at the witches and wizards living among them. Another group of wizards wearing black robes sprung up and attempted to attack both muggles and magicals alike.

"The constant attacks and discrimination had the people of Britain crying out for a leader. Many wanted to give the crown to Merlin, but he refused." An image of a long-bearded Merlin stood in the center of the gleaming town as the villagers kneeled, offering a gold crown to the wizard.

The class cried out in a mixture of reactions as Merlin turned down the crown and demanded the villagers to stand.

"Refusing to see the progress he made with fusing the two worlds together harmed, Merlin came up with an idea. His most famous enchantment, the Sword and the Stone."

"Merlin sent a message to every governing body in Britain. All of the self-proclaimed kings, rulers, and chiefs across the land. He invited them all to a royal summit, to choose a High King. His call was met with resounding support!" Great armies were shown traveling over Britain, all heeding the call of Merlin.

"It would take several days for the arrival of all the regional kings and chiefs, and during that time, Merlin commissioned a sword to be made of the finest metal. When the sword was completed, Merlin personally enchantment the sword. The sword could then only be wielded by he who was worthy. The wielder must be pure of heart, noble, and just."

As I continued to speak, the image of a majestic sword being forged and enchanted stood over the classroom.

"Once the sword was complete, Merlin named it Excalibur. Taking the newly enchanted Excalibur, Merlin thrust it deep into a stone!"

"When the royal summit finally took place, Merlin addressed the leaders of Britain. He declared that who so ever should pull Excalibur from the stone, would be declared the rightful King of Britain. He told the delegation that a true king must be pure of heart and just, and that only one with an ancient royal bloodline could free Excalibur from the stone. Those are words that Merlin would come to regret." I spoke the last line with a heavy voice.

"And so, with the agreement of all present, the trials began. All were welcome to try, and many made multiple attempts." Images of nobles and knights taking turns attempting to pull the sword free of the stone, filled the classroom. Each and every image failed in their attempt.

"It wasn't until late in the night when a young dark-haired squire stepped up to the stone. After hours of watching every attempt end in failure, none expected the boy to succeed." A dark-haired teenager hesitantly walked up to the sword and stone.

"However, when the dark-haired squire grasped the hilt of Excalibur, he effortlessly pulled the sword from the stone."

"None spoke a word of protest to crowning the young squire. So, in 1045 A.D., all of Britain was united as one when all kneeled to the new High King of Britain, Arthur Pendragon."

"All of Britain was united under one rule for the first time in history."

"Merlin personally saw to the education of Arthur. Merlin spent years teaching and advising the young High King. He watched him grow into a young man, a good father, and a worthy king."

"Merlin was instrumental in King Arthur's reign. It was Merlin's enchantments that eased the labors of the people, and his constant attempts to enrich the relationship between magicals and muggles."

"Britain still suffered raids from invaders and attacks from dark wizards, but with the combined efforts of wizards and muggles, the armies of Britain stood victorious."

"However, the wonders and peace that graced Britain for so many years came to an end in early 1066 A.D."

"The dark witch and enemy of Merlin, Morgan le Fay, came before King Arthurs court. After King Arthur publicly acknowledge Morgan le Fay as his half-sister, the Queen of Avalon revealed a devastating truth to the royal court."

"Morgan le Fay announced that King Arthur's wife, Queen Guinevere, was having an affair with a Knight of the Round Table, Sir Lancelot."

"King Arthur immediately denied the allegation and instructed his wife to publicly deny such baseless lies."

"Queen Guinevere said not a word. She sat on her throne and silently wept in front of the entire royal court."

"Seizing the moment, Morgan le Fay called attention to the blonde hair of both of Arthur's sons. Morgan le Fay declared those of the ancient royal bloodline had dark hair. Dark like Arthur's hair. Dark like Morgan le Fay's hair, and dark like her son, Sir Mordred's hair."

"Morgan le Fay declared there were no true heirs to Britain and demanded King Arthur to name his nephew, Sir Mordred, his one true heir. King Arthur refused and demanded they leave Camelot and never return."

"Before leaving, Morgan le Fay gave King Arthur one month to name his nephew the Crowned Prince, or she would return with an army to right the injustice he has allowed."

"Once the dark witch and her son left, the royal court was in an uproar! They called for the death of Queen Guinevere for the act of treason against the crown, and demanded King Arthur renounce his sons as heirs."

"The court wished for King Arthur to remarry and bear a true heir, but he refused to bring harm to his family."

"Merlin attempted to persuade the court to allow him to prove the two boys were of Arthur's blood with his magic, but the royal court refused. Knowing how much he cared for Arthur and his sons, the court could not trust Merlin to be impartial."

"Seeing King Arthur refusing to pass judgment on his wife, the court was divided. Many understood and sympathized with Arthur, but many saw it as an act of selfishness. Arthur was placing his family over the needs of the country."

"This resulted in a large portion of the royal court abandoning King Arthur. They took their soldiers and joined forces with Sir Mordred, who promised them positions of power and nobility once he was crowned High King."

"Knowing Morgan le Fay to never go back on her word, Merlin began organizing the remaining forces to meet Sir Mordred in battle."

"That battle came in a small village outside of Camelot. The Battle of Camlann."

"It is unknown why, but there was no sign of any witch or wizard on either side during the battle. For once in over twenty years, the muggles faced a conflict without the aid of magic."

"King Arthur was filled with doubt and grief. He found himself facing a battle against the very members of his court in a gruesome civil war. He desperately wished for the advice of his mentor, but Merlin was also absent."

"Legend has it, King Arthur faced his nephew on the field of battle. He intentionally sought out his nephew on the battlefield in hopes of preventing as much loss of life as possible."

"When the two finally met, a horn sounded across the battlefield to cease fighting. All stood witness as their king battled his own nephew."

"Their duel was fierce and frightening to see. Both were masters of the sword, and both wore enchanted armors. Regardless of what side they stood on that morning, all kneeled in respect as Sir Mordred was slain in fair combat."

"But King Arthur took severe injuries during the duel. Injuries that Merlin could have easily healed, but he was nowhere to be found. Without magical aid, King Arthur succumbed to his wounds that night."

"Tragically, a wounded Merlin would appear just moments after King Arthur's passing." The image of an exhausted and wounded Merlin appeared beside the cold body of King Arthur.

"After King Arthur's remains were laid to rest, Merlin disappeared. He was never seen again."

"The loss of Arthur Pendragon and Merlin sent Britain into a war of succession. But that is a story for another time."

As the image of King Arthur's funeral faded from view, the class found themselves in the History of Magic classroom once again.

Looking over the class, I could see several students wiping away tears.

Continuing my walk around the classroom, I give the students a moment to wipe away the tears and calm down.

"So, what do we know? Hogwarts had accumulated a mass of spells and magical knowledge across Britain for the first time in history. Being able to live at Hogwarts year-round, he undoubtedly benefitted greatly from both the personal lessons from Hogwarts founders and the library. There were no N.E.W.T. or O.W.L. standards to teach to. There were only a fraction of lessons taught back then. While the classes were more narrow, they were able to dive much deeper into their chosen fields."

"Make no mistake, Merlin was brilliant. He would hold the title of Hogwarts' Most Gifted Student for well over 800 years. But do you think he would have left such a legacy if he was born twenty years earlier, before the founding of Hogwarts?"

"The Order of Merlin is the forerunner to the Wizards' Council, the governing body for the magical community after Merlin disappeared. Our award and recognition system is even named after their group! But that wouldn't happen until the 15th century."

"We know that Merlin took no magical apprentice. Merlin never published a book of any sort. There isn't even a record of him giving magical lessons!"

"Yet he is viewed as the strongest wizard in history. Which is a fallacy!" My boisterous declaration startled many students.

"There is no accurate means to measure one's magical strength! Many state the ability to cast advance and complex spells is proof of your strength, but that only proves your comprehension of the spell!"

"And so I ask you, class. Why! Why is Merlin considered the greatest wizard of all time? How! How was Morgan le Fay able to so easily turn King Arthur's Court? And lastly... What do you think would be the reaction if Merlin were to return today?!"

"That, dear class, is your homework."

A vibrating bell chime signaled the end of another class.

"A full parchment, due next class!" It was rather satisfying seeing the lost and contemplative looks on their faces.

As the last student walked out, I returned to my office to prepare. After all, I have to get ready for movie night this weekend!