The other one was found in the Sphinx Clubhouse. One was located on one of the walls by the Grand Staircase, next to the the portrait of the old friend of his real-life counterpart and fellow courtier of King Arthur, Sir Cadogan. Merlin had at least two portraits at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Some of the more prejudiced Slytherins in later history also tended to ignore the fact that the esteemed Merlin was in fact a champion of Muggle rights and disdained pure-blood supremacism. However, this fact is one that the other houses do not like to recognise. Slytherin students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry took special pride in Merlin - "the most famous wizard in history" - having been Sorted into their House. The popular exclamation, " Merlin's beard!", and the more unusual " Merlin's pants!" are examples of such. Merlin's renown led his name to become a part of everyday wizarding vernacular. LegacyĪt some point, either during Merlin's lifetime or after his death, the Order of Merlin switched from a Muggle rights organisation to an award bestowed upon witches and wizards who performed a great deed at personal risk or contributed to the betterment of wizarding society in some way, a sign of the estrangement of the Muggle community from the Wizarding one. His exceptional skill earned him the epithet "Prince of Enchanters". Merlin was also an expert user of charms. To this end, he founded the Order of Merlin, an organisation which promoted Muggle rights, creating rules against using magic on them. Merlin believed that wizardkind should help Muggles and live peacefully with them. He was the enemy of Arthur's half-sister, Morgan le Fay (otherwise known as Morgana), a dark witch. It is also widely believed by the wizarding community that he was friends with Sir Cadogan, which helped him secure a position on the Knights of the Round Table. Later lifeĪt some point in his lifetime, Merlin became a part of the Court of King Arthur, assisting him during his reign. Later on in his life, as an old man, a portrait was painted by him, which he educated to speak and act like himself, and taught about the vaults so that once hung at Hogwarts, it could advise future residents about them, although its warnings were cryptic and, thus, of little use in regard to finding the vaults and breaking the curses. Įither while or after he attended the school, Merlin studied the five secret rooms at the school that would one day come to be known as the fabled Cursed Vaults and, not only the purpose for their existence, but also the ancient magic surrounding them. It is said that Merlin's wand was of English oak (though his grave has never been found, so this cannot be proven). It is possible that he was taught by Salazar Slytherin himself, given the time period Merlin lived in. During his formative years, he attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and was sorted into Slytherin House. Merlin was born sometime during the medieval era. 1.3.1 Merlin's portrait and the Cursed Vaults.