Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Merlin awoke in the morning to the sound of his roommates rushing around the room. Rolling over to shove his head into his incredibly soft pillows, he noticed that Draco was the only one still asleep. He reluctantly sat up before inching over to his bed and tentatively poked his shoulder.

"Draco" He said. When Draco only grunted and rolled over he shrugged, deciding to get ready for breakfast and try again afterwards.

Once he was dressed in his new green and silver garb, he conjured a small gong and snuck back over to Draco's bed. Thankfully by then the rest of the boys had left the room. He stuck the gong next to the blonde's head. He tapped the gong a few times but when that did not work he swept his arm back in one swift motion and the resulting bang shook his eardrums.

Draco's ears did not fare much better. He sat up in his bed and rolled off with a wild shriek almost as soon as Merlin had struck the gong.

"What the bloody hell was that?" Draco's head peered over the bed to level Merlin with a small glare. Merlin just grinned.

"Well you wouldn't wake up so I had to get creative." Merlin said cheerily with his largest grin. Draco wasn't sure he could be angry at that face.
"Fine. Just don't do that again." He said pompously, giving Merlin a quick grin to show he was messing with him.

"Why of course Si-" Merlin quickly cut himself off and his wide grin was replaced by a stony look that didn't belong on his young face. "Umm I'll wait for you in the common room while you get dressed. I'm not sure how much time is left for breakfast."

With that, Merlin swiftly left the room.

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Later as he and Draco were walking to the Great Hall Draco decided to ask about Merlin's little slip up.

"By the way Marvin, if I may be so frank, what was it you almost said back there?” Draco knew he had to ask. The look on Marvin’s face… it was comparable, if not worse, than the looks on the faces of those being told their loved ones were dead after the Final Battle. Whatever Marvin had been through, whoever he had lost, must be behind his transfer to Hogwarts.

Merlin grimaced. He had really hoped Draco hadn’t noticed. He had been doing such a good job of not thinking of… ‘Arthur’ his mind supplied reluctantly. He was not going to refuse to think his name, but the pain, though so many years old, still felt fresh in so many ways. He had traveled so far, learned so many things, and met so many people. He knew that there were likely innumerable years before he was able to see his friend again. He would wait patiently. Some day-

Draco coughed gently, bringing him back to present day. He took a moment to reorient himself.

"Nothing, I just misspoke."

Draco knew there was more there, but he also knew when to stop a line of questioning. He decided to just let it be.

"Marvin!" They turned in unison when they heard “Merlin's” name being called down the hallway. "Hey Marvin how are you? I didn't get to see you after you were sorted." Neville asked as he came to a stop beside Merlin. “Me and Luna were looking for you."

Merlin gave a sheepish smile as he remembered the previous night and how happy he was to sink into sleep for a few hours. "Sorry, I was really tired. Big day, you know? Where is Luna anyhow?"

"Behind you." Came a voice from almost directly behind him. Merlin jumped when he realized he had not noticed her sneak up on him, and had no idea how long she had been there. "It is lovely to see you today Marvin, Draco." She nodded to each of them as she said their names.

It was Neville’s turn to be startled. "Malfoy? I guess I didn't see you there." He said as his cheeks grew a light shade of red.

"Longbottom." Draco replied cordially, if not a little icily.

"Oh look, the Great Hall!" Merlin exclaimed, hoping to diffuse some of the tension between the two. "I'm starved. I guess I will be seeing you in classes then? Bye Neville, bye Luna" as they entered the hall and made their ways to their respective tables.

"Well that was awkward. Are you two not friends?" Merlin asked Draco as they sat at the Slytherin table.

"You could say that." Draco said dryly as he began to eat. Any other conversation was nipped at the bud by the appearance of Professor Slughorn.

"Hello boys! Here are your schedules. And Emerson? Welcome to Slytherin, I look forward to teaching you." He smiled at the two of them before heading over to the next cluster of students to continue his task.

"What've you got first?" Merlin asked through a bite of bagel. Draco peeked over at Merlin's schedule.

"Basically the same as you, except I'm not taking Care of Magical Creatures."

Merlin nodded and then asked "So when do classes start?"

"In about ten minutes. We might want to get moving. First is... Transfiguration with the Ravenclaws." Draco quickly polished off the rest of his food before standing up.

"Hey wait for me!" Merlin said. Of course it didn't sound like that, not with the amount of bagel that was in his mouth. He quickly swallowed before trying again. "Slow down!"