Chapter Text
Harry sighs and takes his briefcase from the passenger seat before getting out of his car. No matter how long the summer vacation seems in the beginning, in the end it always feels too short. Just as he's about to start his way up the path that leads from the car park to the main building -already bored with the prospect of several weeks of introductory lessons to get rid of a certain kind of students (the lazy, credit seeking kind)- Merlin pulls up beside him. He's instantly relieved upon his arrival since being seemingly engrossed in conversation while wading through the masses of students means that no one will bother them beyond a short greeting (The eagerness of certain individuals to go into every detail of their holiday is quite concerning).
"Well don't you look cheerful today". Merlin closes the door of his car and makes his way towards Harry. "Not everyone has the luxury of pre-tests to weed out their attendees," Harry answers just as Merlin walks by and they head for the university entrance together.
"So you say every year."
"Well, it does bother me every year."
"Then you know what I have to say about the subject."
"Yes, I know-"
"Let's change it then."
Harry raises an eyebrow. "Merlin I swear, if you ask me about my holiday-"
"I won't. I was there for most of it and I highly doubt something lifechanging happened throughout the last week we didn't see each other. No, I actually wanted to talk about- okay what is going on here?"
Merlin and Harry both stop and regard the group of teenagers in orange jumpsuits lounging on last year's Art class project- six huge sculptures in various shapes that should represent unity and important values Harry cannot remember, but ended up looking like strange phallic symbols in different erect states. They mainly serve as seats and skate ramps.
"Unless we lowered the age limit of our university significantly and the fashion industry made very questionable decisions this summer I'm sure that those are convicts."
Merlin rolls his eyes. "I can see that myself. How convicts ended up in front of one of the most expensive private institutions is the question." He starts making his way towards the group, Harry following closely behind. "I highly doubt seven youths broke out of prison and decided to rest in front of a public building still wearing their jumpsuits," Harry says.
Merlin snorts and turns to answer, when he stops suddenly. Harry ends up running into him and stumbles slightly. "Fucks sake Merlin what-"
A female voice he can't quite place greets them from behind. "Good morning Professor Hart. Merlin."
Harry turns around to see a former student of his. "Roxy Morton, isn't it?" He reaches out and shakes her hand. Somehow she manages to look even more professional than she did when she graduated.
"Exactly Sir."
"Didn't you finish your studies a year ago?"
"Yes I did, I'm here as a colleague now. Sort of"
Merlin steps forward to shake her hand as well. "Good morning. Harry, Roxy will be my scientific assistent this year, to work on her junior doctoral dissertation as well as helping me with this bloody project of mine. I was just about to tell you when we were distracted. Speaking about that-"
"Oh you spotted them too, then? The entire university is in uproar, it's quite hilarious."
Harry raises an eyebrow. "I assume you know more than us then?"
"Of course. I've been here for two hours already, preparing today's experiments in the lab." Harry looks at Merlin, his mouth twitching. His friend has tried to find a capable assistent for months now- his new project dangerous and demanding, just like his work ethics and hours. Ms. Morton seems perfect from the way he remembers her, but the next few weeks will tell. "They are delinquents sentenced with community service, aged 16 to 24, eight of them. They will work on minor repairs outside of the building, I just don't know for how long."
Merlin and Harry turned to look at them again. Four of them are hanging around the knee-high statue, deep in very loud conversation neither of them can understand from the distance, but several rude gestures suggest it's of a sexual nature. A slightly older girl leans against the biggest statue in the corner, clearly annoyed and smoking a cigarette. Two boys are sitting on one further off, one nursing a coffee and looking more asleep than anything else, the other one typing away on his smartphone, his expression so bored that his brain seems pretty inactive as well. Lovely.
"Do you know how that came to be?" Harry turns towards Roxy again. This entire circus does not really fit their schools reputation and seems very unlike Chester as well.
"Sadly not, no. Just that the headmaster is in a terrible mood and is trying to get rid of them again."
Merlin turns back towards them as well. "Good, I was worried there for a moment. Chester King offering a place to community service sounds like-"
"Don't Merlin." Harry interrupts.
Merlin just sighs. "Fine. We should head inside and get started then. Harry has some credit-seekers to scare away and we have several experiments to run." Roxy nods and heads towards the building, Merlin and Harry following her. Before Harry can start an attempt to congratulate Merlin for his so far fine choice he runs into someone and stumbles for the second time today. He looks down at one of the convicts, who fell from the impact.
"Shit, sorry!"
Harry holds out his hand to help him up. An orange jumpsuit doesn't invalidate manners, after all. "No harm done. You should get back to your group though."
"Yeah probably. Sorry mate, not really awake yet."
Estate, going by the accent. Still, no reason to forget his manners.
"It really is no problem." He nods and turns towards Merlin who is waiting a few feet ahead. "Try not to make a habit out of it, some of my colleagues might become rather annoyed. Have a nice day." As he follows Merlin up the path, he hears the boy calling after him.
"Of course... Professor."
A moment later a middle aged man wearing the most hideous matching purple jacket and cap Harry has ever laid eyes on exits the university and heads towards the group, calling for them to gather around. Probation officer, if the strangest one he has ever seen.
"Oi!" Harry turns around to see that Sleepy Brain, now without his smartphone, is calling for the missing member of their team. "Oi Eggsy, you coming or what?"
The older boy, still looking in his direction, answers. "On my way!"
Eggsy. What a strange name.
Harry lets the door of the main building fall shut behind him and doesn't think of the boy nor his fellow lawbreakers for the rest of the day.