The Broken Prophecy

The Broken Prophecy

Chapter 1: The Party

Merlin Black ran his fingers through his short black hair and adjusted his glasses as he usually did when he was deep in thought. Just one night ago, he had been crying. However, now Merlin could not have been happier because he had rescued Luna Lovegood from the Malfoy family and won her heart. In the process, he also won Gryffindor 220 points thus ensuring that Gryffindor would win the House cup in tomorrow's feast. As Merlin picked some confetti from one of the blue sweaters that he liked to wear, he smiled and looked at the huge banner hanging in the Gryffindor common room which stated We love you, Merlin Black.

Bottles of butterbeer and an assortment of pastries which had come from the kitchen had been stacked on a table. Every so often a Fillibuster's firework had been set off. It seemed to Merlin that a Gryffindor student had toasted him every minute. After a while, several students were asking Merlin to recount the details of his harrowing adventure.

"So you rescued Luna all by yourself?" Lee Jordan asked.

"No, I didn't," replied Merlin. "As you know, I couldn't have done it without Harry's help, plus I had two other very helpful assistants who aided me in my quest."

"Who?" Neville wondered.

"Dobby gave me the information I so desperately needed. He told me who kidnapped Luna and where I could find her. The next time I get to a decent shop, I am going to buy him one of every sock that they have," Merlin explained.

"Why wait?" Harry blurted out. "I'll gladly donate one of mine." Every Gryffindor boy did as Harry did and gave one of his socks to Merlin.

"Who was the other assistant?" Lee Jordan questioned.

"I'd tell you, but you wouldn't believe me," Merlin stated.

"Merlin, you know we'd believe anything you tell us!" Neville exclaimed.

"All right, let's see if that's true!" challenged Merlin. "It was Peeves."

"You're kidding!" Ron yelled.

"No, Ron, I'm not kidding. I was just about to exit the castle when I saw Mrs. Norris blocking the doorway," continued Merlin. "All of a sudden, Peeves comes zooming down the hall knocking down a painting and Mrs. Norris left to investigate the noise."

"Wonderful!" laughed Hermione.

"When I left the castle, Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore exited Hagrid's cabin. They almost saw me closing the door," added Merlin.

"Oh, my gosh!" whispered Neville.

"When they got closer, I realized that they were talking about me. Professor McGonagall was so sad that she had to give me that letter because I had left her office crying. Professor Dumbledore tried to comfort her by saying that he was sure I was going to find a positive way to deal with the situation. Something strange happened next," explained Merlin

"What?" Lee replied.

"I could have sworn that Dumbledore smiled at me, but he couldn't have seen me through the cloak since he isn't Mad-Eye Moody. What do you think, Harry?" Merlin asked.

"In our second year, Ron and I were hiding in Hagrid's cabin under the cloak and I saw Dumbledore looking at us. I think he can see through the cloak," answered Harry.

"If anyone can do it, Dumbledore can," Ron added.

"I rode a thestral to Knockturn Alley and then ran to the Malfoy house. Under the cover of Harry's invisibility cloak, I sneaked through the yard. I saw Narcissa Malfoy working on a Mandrake plant," Merlin stated. He shivered when he remembered how ugly she was.

"How did you stop her?" asked Lee.

"I used two pieces of cloth which I had torn from my robe to plug my ears. I took off the cloak and used my anger to yank off Narcissa's earmuffs and yank out the Mandrake at the same time. Unfortunately, my plan had a serious downfall," sighed Merlin.

"Lucius Malfoy heard the sound and captured you!" Hermione gasped.

Merlin told his fellow Gryffindor students how Lucius Malfoy had taunted him as several gasps could be heard throughout the room. "Lucius took me inside and while he was asking me how I could go to such lengths for a girl so weird, he pointed his wand at Luna. That stupid git was going to kill her!" shouted Merlin.

"Oh, no!" Neville wheezed.

"I answered his question!" Merlin continued excitedly. "I screamed at the top of my lungs that I loved her and pushed my hands toward the table in front of Luna. The table flew into Malfoy's chest and knocked him out. I even broke his wand in the process."

"Yes!" Ron exclaimed as he triumphantly pumped his fist in the air.

"Merlin, did you tell Draco that Luna was your girlfriend?" asked Hermione.

"I found out that Luna had loved me ever since I gave her the necklace I made for her last year. She ran away crying because she didn't know how to deal with her feelings," replied Merlin. Merlin was too shy to tell the others about the kiss he and Luna shared in Knockturn Alley.

"I wonder how the Slytherins are taking the expulsion of Draco and his cronies," asked Ron.

"You can bet that they blame me for it," replied Merlin. "They are in their common room right now scheming and plotting revenge against me. I'd wager that the remainder of my stay here at Hogwarts is going to be a bit more dangerous."

Chapter 2: The Voyage Home

As Merlin arrived at the End Of Year feast in the Great Hall, all eyes focused on him. It seemed that every Gryffindor student wanted Merlin to sit by them. However, Merlin sat next to his best friend Neville Longbottom as he always did. After he sat down, Merlin glanced at Luna sitting at the Ravenclaw table who had smiled at him. Luna's smile burned into Merlin's heart and he smiled back. Neville glanced knowingly at his friend and smiled as well. Even though Merlin's popularity had skyrocketed, he could still see several people staring very coldly at him. Every Slytherin student had an intense look of hatred on their faces. Merlin counted his blessings that he couldn't read their cold calculating schemes that were being hatched against him. After much chatter had been exchanged between the students, Professor Dumbledore stood up. All chatter ceased immediately.

"Welcome students to our last feast of the year. Before we all fill our tummies and prepare to go home. I have several announcements," Dumbledore spoke eloquently. "First, I would like to remind you all that all underage students are forbidden to do magic outside of the school. Now I think it is time to award the House cup."

Merlin then glanced up at the red and gold banners that were hanging on the wall which symbolized Gryffindor winning the House cup. Every student at the Gryffindor table cheered and clapped loudly. Those closest to Merlin were patting his back and congratulating him.

"I see that Gryffindor has won the House Cup due to the love that one student in this room has for another," Dumbledore continued. " I have always known that love is the strongest motivator of all. Therefore, when you are faced with a hard decision in life, I would like to encourage you to think about what is most important to you. Instead of taking the easy way out, take the route that is the most fulfilling as Mr. Black has done. Now, I think it is time for his fellow Gryffindor students to honor him appropriately."

Every Gryffindor student stood up from their seat and raised their glass in honor of Merlin. However, he did not see any of the glasses rising at his own table. Merlin was too busy watching a single glass rising at the Ravenclaw table, Luna's glass. He knew that even without Gryffindor winning the House Cup and all the glory that came with it, the risk of his own life had been well worth it. Merlin knew that he could not bear the thought of living without Luna. He would have given up his own life if it would have saved Luna's.

After the feast, all of the students packed to leave for the summer. Merlin packed his things after giving his present of socks to Dobby. The students left for the Hogwarts Express via the carriages. Merlin sat in a compartment with Neville Longbottom.

"I can't believe another year has passed," Merlin mused.

"I can't believe you left the castle all by yourself to rescue Luna!" exclaimed Neville.

"Neville, I had to do it," replied Merlin. "I would never have been able to bear the thought of the Malfoys hurting her."

"You really love her, don't you?" Neville asked.

"I would have given up my life for her," Merlin stated authoritatively.

The compartment door opened and Luna entered.

"Can I sit with you, Merlin?" Luna asked with a dreamy smile on her face.

"Of course you can!" Merlin answered.

As an irresistible urge took control of Merlin, he took Luna's hand and she smiled. Neville sighed and left the compartment to find someone else to talk to.

Merlin gazed into Luna's eyes passionately and wanted to kiss her. As he bent over to kiss Luna, a rumbling sound was heard from the overhead compartment. Merlin's trunk flew out of the compartment and he embraced Luna to protect her from the falling trunk. The trunk hit Merlin's elbow and he fell to the floor in pain. As he clutched his elbow, tears came out of Merlin's eyes.

"Ow!" Merlin cried out.

"Are you all right?!" Luna exclaimed.

"I think so," Merlin whispered as he flexed his elbow to see if it was broken. Fortunately, it was not.

"Is there anything I can do?" Luna asked.

A mischievous smile played across Merlin's face as he answered, "You can kiss it to make it better."

Luna smiled and obliged Merlin's request. As Luna was kissing Merlin's elbow, Neville and Harry ran into the compartment. Neville blushed with embarrassment since he had caught his friend in a tender moment.

"Are you all right?!" Harry shouted.

"I'm fine, Harry," Merlin stated. "Just a little accident."

"I don't think it was an accident," Harry replied.

"Why not?" questioned Merlin.

"When we were running over here, we heard someone laughing," Harry replied.