A/N: Umm. Yeah. I don't know why I'm writing this, and I'll be surprised if I get a review. This isn't my main fanfic-writing account, but, meh, don't want my friends to know I'm writing Yu-Gi-Oh. Much less crossover Yu-Gi-Oh with Harry Potter.
I haven't read the manga, or seen the REAL, undubbed, non-KidsWB shows. Don't get pissed at me, understand that 1.) my friends would never forgive me and 2.) my mother's an insane control freak bent on me never buying anything I want. Plus I'm saving up to go to England this summer, so, yeah. No money's currently being spent on anything OTHER than my lunchtime cookies. ^^
Disclaimer: I don't own either Yu-Gi-Oh or Harry Potter, so, don't sue me. If you do… I can give you: exam notes, my number two pencil, and 150 pages on the Lewis and Clark Expedition for Academic Decathlon. Which is great, if you're an overachiever. Or a decathlete. But, otherwise, not too interesting, huh?
/Yugi to Yami/
//Yami to Yugi//
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The Leaky Cauldron
Summer in London, England – 1997
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//You're lost//
A boy with tri-colored hair stopped mid-step to frame a response to his darker half. But, after truly thinking about it, he knew his yami was correct.
/So, what do you suppose I do, oh great one? Last time I asked you for instructions, all I got was 'Hmm, turn left at the next intersection, we should eventually be able to orient ourselves if we get lost enough.' Hmph. We're still lost/
//For a gentle hikari, you can be rather cold. Are you too stubborn, however, to ask for directions?//
At this, the boy looked around to take in his surroundings. His piercing violet gaze saw nothing of too much interest. An abandoned storefront with boards covering the windows, a raucous bar, and a door with the words The Leaky Cauldron written directly above it.
//There, go to that one. That Cauldron place, or whatever it is. It doesn't look quite so dangerous, does it, Yugi?//
/It almost doesn't look like anything at all/
//Aww, go on. All you have to do is walk in, ask the owner where we are, maybe get a map, and find our way back to the hotel//
/Fine. You take over/
The boy, still standing in what would appear to be a trance to anyone who didn't know better, suddenly began walking toward the nearly imperceptible door, occasionally glancing around with his now crimson eyes, and opened the door.
Inside were dozens of people, all sitting in cozy booths in the corner, or laughing in groups at large tables. It was apparently a bar, but not one so unfriendly as many Yami had seen. The room was dark and somewhat hazy, but welcome. Yami Yugi made his way hurriedly to the bar, where a man was cleaning mugs behind the counter.
Yami spoke in crisp English. His hikari knew many languages he'd never heard, a talent he put to good use. "Excuse me, sir, but, I was wondering if you could tell me where I am?"
"Why, you're in the Leaky Cauldron, 'o course. Right at the entrance to Diagon Alley. Where've you been buying your supplies until now? Far as I know, this is the only place, other'n Hogsmeade you can buy all your supplies," the bartender replied in a comforting voice. "You did come here on your own, right?"
"Yes, of course, but, you see, I'm trying to find my way back to my hotel. It's somewhere out there, but I can't seem to find where. I've a plane to catch early tomorrow morning, and I'm hoping to catch at least a little sleep before the flight. Can't sleep well in the air, you know…" Yami trailed off.
/Wonder what he means… you can buy school supplies almost anywhere, can't you?/
The bartender looked puzzled for a moment before regaining his composure. "Nope. No maps. Don't know much about Muggle London, neither. Don't need to know much. Never really had any need to go past Diagon Alley. Got everything a wizard needs, it does. Sorry young –"
Yami cut off the bartender before he could continue, "What do you mean, 'everything a wizard needs'? Who are you? Why must I find myself in the midst of all these terrible hoaxes? Have you no shame?"
"Hoax? No hoax, young sir. Surely you must know. Only magic-folk can find the doors to this humble pub. Unless, of course, you're accompanied by some magic-folk. Which you weren't. So, you're a wizard. Must be, to get in here…" the bartender's voice trailed while he went back to cleaning the mugs. Yami simply stared. Disbelief was the only emotion obvious on his face.
/Umm, Yami?/
//Yes Yugi?//
/What's he talking about? We – I can't be a wizard. Unless it's the puzzle, but…/
//The puzzle is not used for doing magic, it only harbors it. It would not give us the ability to see magic doors. Besides, if it were just the puzzle, only I would have seen the door. We both saw it.//
/True, but - / The bartender's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Can I help you?"
"I don't know. You say I'm a wizard. How could I not know this? If this is not a trick, then give me proof." Yami's voice was commanding, and the bartender stepped back at it, so powerful an attitude did not fit so small a person.
The bartender pointed. "There, that corner table. See? They're making that pitcher float. And them – " he pointed again, "They're enchanting their quills to write what they say."
The young man turned to look at all these things. His astonishment grew as he saw that the bartender spoke the truth. "But – but how?" He stuttered.
"Magic?" He replied, and stuck out his hand. "Name's Tom, and you are…?"
"Yugi. Yugi Motou."
"Odd name. Not from 'round here, I suppose." He heaved a sigh, "I can get you a room for the night, since the sun seems to be settin', and neither one of us really knows where you're supposed to be. Do you have anything in your hotel you really need? I'd hate to see you go out on those streets and get lost again. London ain't the best place to be at night."
"No, nothing's at the hotel. I was just at a tournament yesterday, and tomorrow was the next flight available for me. They put me up in a new hotel for the night. I have everything I need right here."
/Are you sure about this?/
//No, aibou, I'm not too sure about anything right now. We've got the pitcher over there defying gravity, and the pen there that's writing on its own. Would you be all too sure at this point?//
/Well, I suppose. I hope you're right Yami. I trust you/
Yami smiled to himself. He couldn't help it. His hikari was too gentle, too accepting. It seemed they were switching roles at the moment, but both were very confused.
Tom's voice broke Yami's reverie once more, "Shall I call Professor Dumbledore?"
"Who?"
Tom chuckled, "He's a teacher at the school. Great man." At Yami's puzzled look he continued, "He's headmaster over at Hogwarts. He oversees all the students and teachers, you know, makes sure everyone's where they need to be. Full name 'o the school's 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry'. He'd be the best to handle your admission and tutoring. If, of course, you want him to?"
"Admission? To the school? And learn magic…?" Yami knew internally he'd have to speak with Yugi. But he would not overlook this opportunity to learn new magic. "I'll meet with him, if he can make time. My flight can always be changed."
"Good, good… well, I'll owl him tonight, see if he can make some time to pay you a visit – or let you pay him a visit – tomorrow. Here's your key – " the bartender held out an old key with a card reading '7' on it, "Fourth room on the right. Have a good night, Mr. Motou."
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Yami had retreated into his soul room after his discussion with the strange bartender. Oddly, the former pharaoh believed him. There was nothing telling him that this man was lying, but part of him felt the new revelations were nearly too good to be true.
/Yami, do you think I should go to this school and learn magic? If, of course, they say I can?/
//I think you should speak with this Professor Dumbledore and hear what he has to say. The decision is up to you, Yugi.//
/All right. But what about my friends? What about Jou and Honda and Anzu and Ryou and - /
//The decision is yours. I can understand very well why you would reject any offer to learn in a school so far from your friends, but think about it Yugi: This is a new opportunity. This will be a chance for you to do something. Isn't that what you're always complaining about? Your lack of real purpose?//
Yugi knew he was defeated. He dressed quickly and hurried down the stairs to see what news the bartender would give him.
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"Mr. Motou, pleasure to see you about so early. I sent that owl to the Professor, and I expect a reply around eight. Right around breakfast…"
"Owl?" Yugi inquired.
"It's the system of mail we use. More effective than that ridiculous Muggle post. Yep, just give the letter to the owl, and off he goes to deliver it. Quick and effective."
Yugi nodded. It was understandable, he supposed, but he had another inquiry for Tom. "What's a muggle?"
"Non-magic person. They don't know much about magic. Just what they read in fairy tales and stories and such. There's another thing; don't go about Muggle London tellin' everyone you met you just found out you're a wizard. Bad thing to do, that. 'Gainst our laws, too."
The teenager sighed. /There seem to be a lot of things to learn in this magical world, Yami./
//Yes, but what would be the point of finding out you're a wizard and doing nothing with it? Of course you have to learn, you can't just bbe/b something. You have to get there first.//
/Hai. I suppose/
The clock on the wall above the bar suddenly began chiming. Eight in the morning. And owl flew in through a nearby window and dropped a letter before Tom, then flew to a cage where its own meal had been set out.
"That'll be it!" Tom exclaimed as he picked up the letter. "Yep, right from the desk of Albus Dumbledore. He wants to meet you right in here in two hours. That good?"
Yugi nodded, "Yes, of course, that's fine."
"Good. Now, I'll fix you up with some breakfast. Then you can head over to Gringotts, get some money exchanged 'fore the Professor arrives. He'll want you to have a wand, at least."
"A wand?"
"Of course! What else would you be doing magic with, a stick? No, you'll need a wand. Perhaps, though, Gringotts can wait."
/I'm not entirely understanding what he's saying. Are you?/
//I'm under the impression that Gringotts is a type of bank, or currency exchange. If you decide to stay, you'll probably need to attain supplies, so I think he's simply rambling about all the things you'll need if you decide to go. He's certain you will.// Yugi smiled at his yami's reaction. He was acting so predictably. He was jumping to conclusions about Tom jumping to conclusions.
"I'll just get ready then. Ten 'o clock?"
"Yep. Ten 'o clock over in that little private meeting room." He pointed, "the Professor's lookin' forward to meeting you."
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So… how was it? Like it? Hate it? Loathe it with the fire of six thousand suns? No matter, please review. I'll update more quickly if I get enough. I have an idea for the basis of an entire fic, I just need the drive. Drive as in reviews. So, if you have a heart, review my lonely fic. :'(