Merlin Keeperoliver Chapter Thirty Five

A/N: Well, this is the last chapter and although it wasn't followed too well, I enjoyed writing it and I also got to share some special moments with one of my very good followers. She knows who she is, don't you, 30 Love. She never missed a chapter and had comments on each of them by giving her love chant. I know that by saying this it will tell you all who it is and I hope I didn't embarrass her.

I don't know if I will be writing for a while, as I have to catch up on my reading. That will take a while. I do have a story in mind about Harry's fourth year where both Ron and Hermione doubt Harry's telling them he didn't put his name in the Goblet. He lives the year without friends around him for the most part. That is until someone he didn't know got to him before the final test. Harry will be very OOC in this one, as if that were any different than my other stories. Like I said, I am just thinking on it, like I am about bringing back my last dropped story.

If I bring back Because Of Ron, it will be fresh from my head as that is the only place I kept it after my old computer died. It will also let me make some changes to it. It will still be the story of Seven, but different players will be involved.

Well, let me get back to this story and bring it to a happy ending, I hope. Of course there will be a song in this one, and it is one of my favorites and it is not a rock song. Country, but a different type of country. I am sure you will know it when you see which one I chose. Like I metioned in the last chapter, Hermione will not know how much of it is true. As always, Ollie the Keeper.

Merlin-}

Merl had asked a favor of Albus and he granted it, so the festivities of the Ball just got grander as it would also be the reception party for Merl and Myrtle's wedding. It was so short of a notice, Molly wasn't able to add her touches to it. She did see where, in the near future, she would be having much work to do with three other weddings. She didn't know about Fred and Daphne, or, George and Angelina.

Lily and Myrtle were kept busy sending out announcements to everyone Myrtle wished to be there. She didn't realise how long the list would be until Lily began to throw names at her. She forgot all about the people she met during her spirit days at school.

Merl also asked one of his closest friends to join the ceremony and was taken back when he accepted his request. For the Director to be there was beyond anything he could have hoped for. He wouldn't be his best man as that was too much to ask of his superior. He was listed on the list as D. Rector, Merl's little joke on his boss's behalf.

Merl had to meet him in the cave he used for his arrival above Hogsmeade and take him back to Potter Manor to meet Lily and James. When he first stepped into the Manor, he thought he needed to get out more often to see how other cultures lived. What he saw here was splendid. So cozy and hospitible. It was like he never wanted to leave. He wished he had brought his other half with him as she would have loved it even more than he did,

Lily was everything Merl said she was and so much more. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also brilliant, charming, delightful, whitty and so many more adjectives he could use to describe her. Then he met Myrtle and she was a matched set with Lily. Then there was Marlene, Selena and Narcissa. He had to ask Merl if they were all like this as he also remembered Hermione, Luna, and Ginny. Merl had to laugh at his boss. He tried telling him that the women here were like no others anywhere else. Of course this would be true wherever he may be at the time.

The Director was given a tour of the places that Merl knew the best, to include where Harry trained and the mountains he moved. The Director was impressed by the so called magic that was displayed everywhere he went. The mind control was beyond that which he had ever seen anywhere else. So many able to accomplish so much and not realizing it was all in their heads, except for Harry. That was the reason for the loss of half of Harry's power. The dead brain cells from his death was the cause. Of course no one else has been told of this loss and Harry asked that it stay that way until he told them all about it.

That was another thing he would have to learn about, dancing. He knew that different cultures had their own way to show happiness through dance, but he never took the time to learn them. Now he had to as he would have to share a dance with Myrtle, as the Best Man to Merl. He was grateful for Lily as she was the one who accepted the task of teaching him.

Lily was amazed that he avoided stepping on her feet, and how quick he was to learn the steps. The Waltz was the easiest to learn for him as it was a form of the box step he knew all too well. The faster dances were another matter all together. It took him a while to learn these, but he still managed to learn them in one day.

Finally the day of the wedding and the Ball/Reception arrived and the atmosphere around the castle was chaotic. People running around trying to finish last minute tasks and set up for the wedding. Students running around asking others if they had one of these or a spare one of those. Then someone arrived and the chaos began to come under control. Molly Weasley took it upon herself to take charge and see that everything settled down and get in shape.

Thirty minutes before the wedding found Merl and the Director standing on the platform where the wedding would take place. Merl was the most uncomfortable he had ever felt. He was sweating which was new to him. He had feelings in his stomach he never experienced before. He was shaking for some reason and he couldn't control it.

The Director looked to his friend and wanted to laugh at the look he had on his face. If he didn't know any better, he would call it fear. He remembered back to his own wedding and how he felt before the ceremony and knew what Merl was going through. I believe the people here call it stage fright.

Then the music began to play for the start of the ceremony and people began to come through the doors to the Main Hall and walked down the aisle to the platform where they waited for the bride to be. James had been asked to give her away and he took the task very seriously, as he gripped her arm like he never wanted to let go. Myrtle had to ask him to ease up a little as he was cutting off the circulation to her arm. James apologized to her and did let up a bit.

Lily was to the right of Merl as he faced the crowd and would be Myrtle's Maid of Honor. Selena and Marlene were her bride's maids.

Merl left the platform to go down and take Myrtle's hand and lead her up the platform to join him for the ceremony. He thought he was going to have to fight James to get him to release her arm. "James, you do know that she is marrying me, don't you? Well then please release her so that we can get on with it." and James finally let her go. Myrtle did smile and thanked him when he did this and he smiled back.

The wedding went by in a flash and before they knew it Merl and Myrtle were introduced to the people watching as Bizz and Myrtle Alma. This was the first some of them heard Merl's real name. This got Merl thinking as he never knew the Director's name and so he asked. "So, you finally decided to ask. About time because I didn't think you would ever ask. But now that you have, my name is Oberon Task. However, you will refrain from using it when we are on duty. It would not do for you to be friendly towards me during these times. Off duty is a different matter."

"Of course Director, it will be as you say."

"Bizz, in case you hadn't noticed, we are off duty, so you can call me by my name."

"I don't want to get too use to it, in case I forget when I am on duty. But thank you, Oberon, for coming here and doing this for me. Aren't you taking a chance by being my best man though?"

"Why? We have no such custom on Valkyon, so what can they do or say that would get me in trouble. I showed no favoritism by agreeing to be here. Besides, I needed a vacation to get away from the stress. Wish Urnie would have come though. She would have loved it here, with all the colors and wonderful wildlife they have."

"Just like I would have loved to visit the forrest moon of Endor with Luke. But duty called and I had to answer, for which I am very grateful. If not for the call, I would have missed everything here. I would never have met Myrtle, or Lily, or Marlene. Say nothing of Neville and Harry. Even Albus had his good points, once I straightened him out."

"Well, perhaps you should get back to your lovely wife before she leaves you for another. They seem to be lining up asking for a dance sometime during the evening. Luckily she already had me on the list, as did Lily, Marlene, Selena and Narcissa. Now that I think of it, perhaps it was better that Urnie stayed home. Don't you ever repeat what I just said to you about her. You will be back on Hoth with no warm weather gear for protection."

There was a dinner party before the Ball and everyone enjoyed the meal prepared by the Hogwart elves and the wedding cake provided by Molly. She prepared seven such cakes to serve all the people who attended and Myrtle was able to save a piece before Ron found out it was still there. She had it frozen so that her and Merl could enjoy it on their first anniversary.

The gifts were opened and were placed on the table after they were and had the tags stuck to each gift so they knew who to thank for that gift.

After the meal was done and everything moved out of the way, the platform then became the stage for the band to set up and for Harry to get with them and showed them what he intended to play. They all questioned the last song as it was not well known by the group. They were into Muggle Rock, Wizard Rock and soul. American Country was untested ground to them, but they would give it a try. The other songs Harry presented were all good with them as Harry did stay with Rock songs for them.

Now, with everything in place and the tables all moved out of the way, it was time for the dance of the bride and groom, followed by the dance with the bride and the best man and the groom with the maid of honor. The band played slow music for those two dances, much to the relief of Oberon. Lily did teach him the faster dances but he dreaded the time he would complete his first one. He was too old for this frivolity. The third dance was as he feared and it was Lily that went to his rescueas she asked him to dance before Luna went to him. It was a dance where they didn't touch and just gyrated I place to make it look like they were dancing. Lily moved her feet and Oberon tried following her movements. It came off pretty well and he decided to sit the next one out.

Harry went on stage to play his five song the group knew what he was going to play and in what order. They were all set up for him. Harry started off with a song from a group called Foreigner and the song was (I Want To Know What Love Is) and it was a sad song that captured the students attention. Hermione had tears in her eyes as she listened to Harry pour his heart out to her. Then he played a song from a little known group called Firefall and the song (You Are The Woman) and it picked up the spirits of the listeners.

Hermione still had the tears, but this time they were happy tears as once again Harry was telling her of his feelings. The roller coaster ride continued as the next song was another tear jerker from a group called Kansas and it was (All I Wanted) and this one really had her crying as it told her how Harry felt when she refused to have anything to do with him.

The fourth one had nothing to do with Harry and Hermione. It was just a song he liked and thought everyone else might like it as well. It was a fast song from a different kind of band called ZZ Top and it was a rendition of another well known singer in Elvis Presley. It was called (Viva Las Vegas) and it had everyone up and dancing including Oberon and Luna. She finally got her dance with him and he laughed through out the entire song. The band behind Harry was splendid and the music was well excepted by everyone so far. Now was the moment of truth for Harry.

He had to speak to everyone before he sang the song, "If you all would allow me a moment to explain this last song. It is for someone very dear to me, but I don't think she realizes how dear she is. It's true we have had our problems in the past and I just have to let her know how I feel about our situation. This song is more to the truth of my current condition than anyone knows, except maybe my Mentor, Merl, or should I say Bizz. Anyway, back to the song, it is by a gentleman from the states named Garth Brooks, and it is a country song, but so different than any other of it's gender. It's called (Shameless) and I hope she listens closely to the lyrics as they will tell her all.

SHAMELESS

Well, I'm shameless, when it comes to loving you

I'll do anything you want me to

I'll do anything at all.

And I'm standing for all the world to see

Oh baby that's what's left of me

Don't have very far to fall

You know I'm not a man who's ever been

Insecure about the world I've been living in

I don't break easy, I have my pride

But if you need to be satisfied

I'm shameless, oh honey I don't have a prayer

Every time I see you standing there

I go down upon my knees

And I'm changing, swore I'd never compromise

Oh but you convinced me otherwise

I'll do anything you please.

You see in all my life I've never been found

What I couldn't resist, what I couldn't turn down

I could walk away from anyone I ever knew

But I can't walk away from you

I've never let anything Have this much control over me

I work too hard to call my life my own

And I've made myself a world and it's worked so perfectly

But it's your world now I can't refuse

I've never had so much to lose

Oh I'm shameless.

You know it should be easy for a man who's strong

To say he's sorry and admit that he's wrong

But I've never lost anything I've ever missed

But I've never been in love like this

It's out of my hands

I'm shameless, I don't have the power now

I don't want it anyhow

So I've got to let it go

Oh I'm shameless, shameless as a man can be

You make a total fool of me

I just wanted to let you know

Oh I'm shameless

I just wanted you to know

Oh I'm shameless

Oh I'm down on my knees, shameless

The music died down and there wasn't a sound coming from anyone when it finally stopped. Harry looked down on Hermione and saw her looking down at her hands. He thanked the group for letting him play his songs and walked off the stage and started to go to Hermione, but changed his mind and went the other way to find him something to drink and to sit and go over what went wrong with the song.

As he sat there, students came by and shook his hand telling him how good he was. Draco and Neville came by and hugged him saying they knew how he felt. He wanted to tell them there was no way they could know how he felt as he felt like his heart had been torn from his body and thrown to the ground to be stepped on by Hermione. He felt his Mia was no longer his.

Hermione had been listening to the song and didn't understand what Harry meant by it being the truth of his current condition. She thought they were getting along much better since they returned from the island. Then she went over some lines near the end of the song, and it dawned on her what he said. I don't have the power now and I don't need it anyhow, so I've got to let it go. Harry was hurt worse than she knew and he was trying to tell her that he's not the same man he use to be.

She looked back up on stage but saw Harry was no longer up there. She tried looking around, but there were too many people around her and she couldn't see very far. She started to go look for him but headed in the wrong direction when she was stopped by Luna and turned around and headed her the other way. She figured that he probably went to get something to drink since he went this way, so she went to the refreshment table.

That was where she found him, surrounded by students that were talking to him about his choice of songs. He wasn't really listening to them as all he had on his mind was Mia. He put his drink down and was ready to leave when the object of his thoughts walked up to him and pulled him in for a hug.

He held it for as long as she kept it there, and it was getting longer as neither of them wanted to break it. Finally Harry stepped back, but still held her hands. "So, did you get my message Mia?"

"Is it true Harry? Did you really lose your power?"

"You did get the message. Good, as I was afraid you missed it. Yes Mia, it's true. I lost too many brain cells due to the oxygen loss. I probably have half my power left. I'm still strong, mind you, but I doubt I could beat Neville now, if it came down to it. Which I hope it never does. It also means that Merl will no longer be needing my assistance anymore, so he may be taking Myrtle and heading home. Depends on what the Director has to say I imagine. He did seem to be enjoying himself at the dance though. Did you see him and Luna dance? I never laughed so hard in my life. She had him doing her type of dance with the hand waving and the foot stomping. It was brilliant." Harry was trying his best to lighten the mood and get Hermione to see that nothing has changed except he wasn't what he use to be.

The tears falling from her eyes told him she didn't care about that. She only cared that he felt he had to show her how much she meant to him, that he would say it in a song. The thing that got her interested in him in the first place. She took his hand and led him back onto the dance floor and they stayed that way for about three dances in a row. It was good that they were all slow and she could keep him in her arms during the whole time. Then she was tapped on the shoulder and saw Ginny had asked her if she could get a dance with Harry and she forced herself to let him go.

Ginny watched as Harry looked to Hermione as she brought him into her arms for their dance. "Don't worry Harry, I'll give you back to her after this dance. I just had to say how beautiful your songs were. Neville and I both had tears from that last song as he explained to me what you meant by it being the truth. I'm sorry, Harry, that you lost your power. It must be a terrible feeling knowing what you lost."

"Actually Ginny, It feels great, as now Hermione and I can finally be together the way it was meant to be. I want to thank you for your concern and to tell you that you look fantastic. You are glowing, you're that radiant. Green is definitely your color. And did you see Hermione. I didn't think pink was anyone's color, but she looks fantastic as well."

"That's another thing I have to tell you. Thank you so much for this dress and these wonderful shoes. They actually saved my feet as Neville, I swear, was looking for them to step on." Ginny laughed as she said this, getting Harry to laugh as well. The dance ended and Ginny hugged and kissed Harry on the lips as she brought him back to his Mia.

Harry and Mia were only disturbed one more time as Luna had to have her dance with Harry. Then he returned to Mia, and for the last hour of the Ball, they danced until the last note was played.

Merlin-}

Oberon was asked by Lily and James to stay with them for the Holidays and he accepted their invitation so that he could witness the Holiday with friends and family. Bizz and Myrtle would be there as well and he had to talk to him anyway.

James showed him to his room and Oberon was stunned by the room he was given. He had stayed in places in his past that could hardly be called pleasant and some he called too extravagant, But this was the closest he found to a home like setting. There were personal touches to the room that made it feel like you were a part of this special group of people. Pictures of realtives and the current family hung on the wall or on tables and the desk. A closet to hang his clothes in that was big enough for him and his wife to share their entire wardrobe. There was even a private bathroom which he would only need to use the shower.

He finished setting up his room and joined the Potters down in the sitting room and listened to what they planned for this festive occasion. Visits to and from friends through out the season. Shopping for everyone. Special meals planned. The list went on and on. He didn't think there was enough time to accomplish everything said.

Of course he was wrong as what he thought would take a long time was done quicker with the help of their magic. A large tree was brought in by Remus and Sirius and Lily and Myrtle took on the task of decorating it. This took an hour and when it was completed, the end results were spectacular. Oberon was once again amazed at what these people could do with their abilities.

He even got to help out with some of these chores, like room decorations and outdoor decorations. Going shopping with James and Lily for gifts and food for Christmas. Cards to send out. He was kept fairly busy up to Christmas day, and then he saw the celebration of the gift of the Maji. He heard different accounts from people about magic and the devil going hand in hand and felt this was so wrong. This family was all about the spirit of Christ and his gift to man.

Then the holiday was over and then so was the season and it was time for the students to head back to Hogwarts. He said his goodbyes to them all as he would be leaving soon and wouldn't see them again.

Harry asked him to contact Crighton and send them his and his teams regards. Oberon would do as he asked and then they were all gone. Him and Lily watched as the train made it's way down the tracks and then was lost from sight. They joined Molly and Selena and they made their way to Diagon Alley where Oberon would get to see Remus in his shop and all the wonders it held.

He was pleased to find Bizz there as well, and he got to pull him off to the side to talk to him. "Bizz, I know you have gotten use to your stay here and I bet your wondering when you will have to leave. Well, to be honest, the council has decided that a new branch is to be set up, and they want you to take charge of it, here on Earth. We are searching for the right person to join you as a trainer. It would have been Harry, but his accident had cancelled this idea. I'm sorry for him, but I think in the long wrong, this will be better for him. Do you think Albus will let you use his site for your home office. You won't have to live there, but you must be in an area that can not be seen by innocent or criminal eyes."

"We could ask him as he is waiting for the students to arrive back at Hogwarts, but that won't be for another six or seven hours. We'll use Remus' floo to talk to Albus." and Albus agreed to let them use the facility for what ever they needed. There was no money involved and Albus asked if he could visit there on occasion. He was told there were times when it couldn't be allowed, but the rest of the time he was welcomed to visit. Merl would have a staff of twenty personnel and they would all be from here and Merl would be selecting them and setting up a schedule for their work hours. They would have to set up a launch site like on Valkyron. He asked Albus about security and Albus smiled and said he would call around to ask for some favors. He knew of two at least that he would be calling.

Only wizards and witches would be used on site as they were already in knowledge of Merl and Oberon. Albus called the Dragon Reserve in Romania and asked to speak to site leader Manion. Albus asked him for a big favor that would require the use of two Dragons and three handlers that could train other handlers. Albus then called the Ministry and Amelia Bones, the new Minister of Magic. He asked her for six Aurors in training to help out with a security problem. Again he asked for one in particular.

Merl was going to have his staff, and Albus would ensure that two who he felt needed to be together would be together and working for Merl.

Merlin-}

The students were starting classes the morning after they arrived back at school and Harry joined Hermione in their first class together. It just so happened to be Potions with Severus and he couldn't help rubbing it in on Harry. "Well, we seem to have a celebrity in our midst this morning. Mr. Potter, so good of you to join us. Is this be a permenent placement, or are you here to see how the other half lives?"

Harry laughed at Severus' rub, "It seems I am the other half now Professor. I am ready to learn all you can teach me. That is if you know how?"

"Don't get cheeky boy. I'm still the Professor and you are still a student. Now tell me Mr. Potter, what is the proper brewing time for Veritersirum?"

"One month sir. If it remains clear then it is perfectly brewed. Any slight discoloration and the brew is no good."

"I don't remember asking that of you Mr. Potter, but what you said is correct. I will give you five points for the brewing time but not for the rest."

"Thank you Professor." Harry had to contain his laughter for this. Severus knew Harry worked with Lily on potions and his knowledge was almost up with her. His question, though a sixth year knowledge, was something Harry learned before he even started school.

Hermione didn't know this and congratulated Harry on a job well done. Even she hadn't gotten that far into her books. The class was easier than Harry thought it would be and he received more points, along with Mia, for their perfect blood replenishment serum. They were aslo the first to turn in their brew.

The rest of the classes went as easy for him and between him and Mia, were building quite a number of points for Gryffindor. Of course, what they built up, Fred and George took away half of them. No one got upset about it though, as it was expected by the twins.

The study group was also helping out with Harry and Hermione's relationship, as what Harry taught them prior to his accident was more than enough for them to help new members of the group. Even Ron and Seamus were able to help out. Ron was amazed at what Harry told him and how much it helped him out with his school work. He even was holding two O's in Charms and Care of Magical Creatures.

Seamus was doing even better as he had O's in Charms, Transfiguration and Herbology. E's in all his other classes.

Harry and Mia were finally able to settle in on their relationship and were becoming closer to where they wanted to be.

Neville and Ginny were telling each other that they loved each other and would never part.

Draco and Luna didn't have to say anything, as it showed in the way they were around others. They were never seen without hold each others hands. They would stop what they were doing anytime and share a kiss.

For the next five and a half years this team stayed like this and grew to like family. Fred and Daphne and George and Angelina were also a part of this team. The twins would leave school two years before the rest, but when Daphne left Hogwarts, she joined them in their dream of opening a joke shop that would rival the MMM. WWW and MMM were the best two places to shop in the magical world.

Merlin-}

By the summer of Oberon's visit to Earth, Merl had the new site up and ready. Albus had done as he was asked, and Merl was more than happy with the results as his securtiy team of Charlie Weasley and Nymphadora Tonks with their two dragons Norbit and Whizbang had stopped three attempts by unknown assailants and had them apprehended. They were wizards and their attempted breech was handled by the Ministry.

Albus knew the two in charge had a thing going in their last year and he thought they should be together so his calls were answered and now they were engaged to be married. No one lived on site and it was manned twenty four/seven. There were no long shifts and each member had two days off a week and a two week vacation each year. They were paid well and as a bonus, were able to visit other planets that were authorized by the council. Charlie and Tonks never wanted to take this job, but now that they had it, they never wanted to give it up. No one that worked there wished to leave once they started.

Merl and Myrtle were sitting in their living room just holding each other and listening to the wood in the fire place as it burned. Then Myrtle turned to Merl and said, "Did you ever imagine any of this when you first came here Merl?"

"What do you mean Sweets? Did I imagine getting married, or living here on Earth and getting a position here?"

"And one other thing you don't know about yet?"

"What's that?"

"That your going to be a father?"

Merl sat up staright and looked into her eyes, "Are you really?"

"Um Hmm."

"OBERON, YOU NEED TO COME DOWN HERE IMMEDIATELY. IF I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS, I'M NOT DOING IT ALONE."

Finis!