Oh gosh. I'm very sorry for the late update. I've been grounded from the computer and, therefore, unable to write anything, but I'm still here! I also have been having trouble with this chapter. So I'm sorry if it's a bit choppy. The creative juices just weren't flowing. :(

Special thanks the reviewers:

justarandomNightWorldfan, Relina-Chan, 777angeloflove, xx-Ryou's Dancer-xx, Littlekuriboh1fan, FifthDayOfMay, deathnoteno1fan-codegeasslover, blucross, YankeeSamson

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or Harry Potter. T_T

GrowingUp Magic

Train Ride and Friends

The day had finally arrived. Yugi and his parents had spent the past week in London, getting ready to send the little Mouto off to Hogwarts.

Yugi had spent almost all his time exploring Diagon Alley and shops within it and stayed awake till the early hours of the morning reading his school books. Yugi hadn't been this excited for school since Kindergarten.

His parents were driving to the station, where a train would take him and all the other students to Hogwarts.

Yugi is currently rushing around his room, making sure that he hadn't forgotten anything.

"Yugi! Hurry up! You don't want to miss the train and we're late as it is!" His mom called up the stairs. They had packed the night before because their plane back to Japan was leaving right after the train to Hogwarts.

Yugi jumped on top of his suitcase, trying to close it after stuffing all his extra things. "Coming, Mom!" Yugi sighed in relief when he heard the tell-tail click, signaling his suitcase was firmly closed.

The ride to the train station was uneventful, even though Yugis nerves were going haywire. This was going to be his first real time away from Mom and Grandpa. For most eleven year olds, this was not a very big deal, but for Yugi, it was like a test of his maturity. Could he handle school and friends on his own, or would he be sent home early?

The train station was packed with people hurrying around in all directions. Unfortunately, the Mouto family was beginning to seriously doubt the sanity of the eldest member of their family.

They were standing between platforms 9 and 10, with a ticket that clearly said 'Platform 9¾'. Sugoroku Mouto scratched his head, facing the brick wall labeled 9. "I know there is something special about this wall. I just can't remember what!" Yugis mom sighed loudly and tapped her foot. The elder Mouto stepped back but continued to examine the wall. Yugis mom almost screamed when she saw a kid running full speed at the wall in question with a cart of luggage, but the scream caught in her throat when, instead of crashing, the kid disappeared right into the wall. Grandpa laughed loudly. "Of course! You have to go through the wall!" Shawna almost fainted.

After much convincing, and bribing, the Moutos finally got ready. Yugi was in the front, excited as could be. His mom behind him and Grandpa behind her. Yugi took a deep breath and ran at the wall, but became nervous as it approached. He closed his eyes and anticipated a crash that never came.

Yugi opened his eyes to see none other then a bright red and black steam engine with families crowded around it. Kids were boarding and hanging out the windows to bid their parents good by.

Yugis mom appeared behind him and leaned against the wall to her left, panting. She had never been so terrified in all her life. Sugoroku pushed the two forward. "Come now. You need to find a seat, Yugi."

Grandpa helped Yugi heave his suitcase onto the train, but Yugi had to find a seat on his own. The small boy passed carriage after carriage, all were full. He finally came to the very back of the train. He opened the door and peaked his head in for a nice surprise.

Sitting against the far window was Ryou. The boy he had met at the book store. Yugi grinned. "Hey, Ryou!" The albino in question jumped about a foot off the seat. He hadn't been expecting anyone, but surprise soon turned to nervousness.

"Um... Hi…"

"Is it ok if I sit here? Everything else is full." The boy just nodded.

Yugi pulled his luggage into the large compartment, but when he tried to lift it he struggled and almost fell over. Ryou acted on instinct and quickly rushed to the small boys aid. Together they heaved Yugis suitcase onto the rack above the seats.

"Thanks, Ryou! That thing would have squished me!" Ryou's face turned red and he ducked his head. "No problem"

The whistle sounded and Yugi rushed to the window just in time to see his mom and grandpa.

"Behave yourself, young man! And stay safe for me!" his mother called as the train pulled away from the station. Yugi grinned and waved to them until the train rounded a corner and the station was no longer visible.

Yugi took his seat and glanced at Ryou. The albino looked extremely uncomfortable and he refused to look Yugi in the eye. But the awkward silence was soon gone as the compartment door opened once more.

Yugi gasped as the newcomer stuck his head in. It was the boy who had helped him with his luggage on his first day in London! The tanned face and sandy blond hair was unmistakable! The boy grinned and launched himself at Yugi.

"I thought it was you I saw at the station! That crazy hair of yours is hard to miss!" Yugis face turned bright red and he rubbed the back of his head. "Um… Thanks… I think." The other just continued to grin, till he saw Ryou.

"Hey, Who is your friend here, Yugi? I don't think I've seen him before." Yugi jumped at the chance to introduce his new friends to one another.

"This is Ryou. I met him at the book store in Diagon Alley. Ryou, this is… Um. You never told me your name…" The tanned boy had taken a seat directly across form his small friend, next to Ryou, who had scooted as far against the window as he could. Now it was the sandy haired boys turn to blush. He laughed a little.

"Sorry about that. I was in a bit of a rush that time. My name is Marik Ishtar. I'm originally from Egypt. Cool huh?" Ryou was now very interested in the conversation. His father was an archeologist for Egypt and he had always found the place, and it's people, mysterious.

"My grandfather was once an archeologist in Egypt." Yugi said, hoping Marik would like this, but the Egyptian frowned.

"My family doesn't like archeologists much." Yugis eyes widened.

"Why not? Doesn't it bring good tourism and money into the country?" Marik sighed.

"Yes, it does do that, but many of them are nothing but treasure seekers. Besides, don't you think it rude to disturb the dead in their ancient slumber?" Yugi and Ryou exchanged nervous glances. This kid was kinda weird.

Marik noticed the golden pendant around Yugis neck. He instantly leaned in to get a better look. "Is that…. The Millennium Puzzle? The unsolvable artifact that caused the entire excavation team who found it to all die of mysterious deaths!" Ryou gasped. So he wasn't the only one with a cursed artifact from Egypt?

Yugi was unfazed by Mariks accusations. He had heard his grandfather repeat the same story over and over many times before, so he just nodded. "Yes. It is the Millennium Puzzle, and I've heard all that about how it's evil and stuff, but nothing bad has happened to me. In fact… it seems that less bad things have happened since I solved the puzzle." Ryous face fell. He had hoped that he wasn't the only one. Why did he have to be the one with the cursed artifact?

"Well I have one to." Ryou perked up again. Perhaps…?

Marik pulled a long, gold, rod from his back pocket. A small ball sat on top with the same eye as Yugis puzzle! Yugi gasped.

"Oh wow! Is it a puzzle to!" Marik laughed.

"No way. This is the Millennium Rod. It's been in my family for generations. My father claims that the pharaoh who created the items (1) entrusted them to us for safe keeping, until it's dark powers would be needed once more." Yugis eyes widened and he looked at the item in awe. Ryou was quite a bit more cautious.

"So… there are more then just two?" Marik looked up sharply.

"Why do you ask?" He watched the albino carefully.

"You said the 'items' were entrusted to your family. The plural form of item means more then one." Marik made a face.

"Your smart. And yeah I did say 'items'. According to ancient texts, there were seven items created in order to control an evil force that was threatening to engulf the world in darkness. But the creation of the items just made the darkness stronger. Their only solution was to sacrifice the reigning pharaohs soul to the items. Apparently only one of them has his soul in it. And according to the same text, every item has it's own special power that only the true owner can fully utilize." Ryou looked down, deep in thought, but Marik was not finished. "By the way, Ryou, why are you so curious?"

The albino stiffened. He hadn't showed anyone the ring since the first accident had happened. He gulped. These boys seemed safe… and perhaps their items would protect them from his. He could only hope this as he reached into his shirt. "I'm asking because I have a Millennium Item as well." He lifted a golden ring with five prongs hanging from it and a triangle in the middle with the same eyes as the others. Marik gasps and reaches for the ring. Only to feel a slight electric shock as soon as his fingers brushed the gold artifact. He gasped and pulled his hand away. Ryou pulls the ring away from Marik. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for it to shock you, but that seems to happen to anyone who tries to take it… I can't control it." Ryou hung his head in shame, but Yugi put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's ok, Ryou. Everything happens for a reason. Maybe we were all meant to meet like this." Ryou looked into Yugis eyes, suddenly feeling much better. He decided not to tell his new friends about the strange things that happen to the people who get to close to him. He didn't want them to be afraid and to avoid him because of this.

Yugi opened his mouth to ask a question, but Marik stopped him. "No more questions about the item, at least for now. I've heard these stories all my life. I want to talk about Hogwarts!"

Yugi grinned. "Well I read, a little bit of the books… The place seems really interesting."

The trio talked at great length about their new school. All of them excited and anxious.

Partway into the ride, a lady with a cart selling all kinds different foods and candy came by. Ryou politely declined to buy anything, Yugi bought a pocket full, and Marik bought enough for ten people! The Egyptian ripped into his candy, devouring all food in sight. Ryou looked ill. Marik noticed Ryous strange expression. "What's wrong? Don't like sweets?" The albino shook his head

"It's not that… I'm just not hungry. Besides, they are sure to serve us dinner. I might as well not ruin my appetite." Marik shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Yugi absently looked out the window, deep in thought. He couldn't get what Marik said out of his head. That they made evil stronger. He unconsciously touched the puzzle. It always felt so warm, and sometimes, when everything was quiet and still, he swore he could feel a heart beat inside.

It was getting dark and the boys decided to dress in their robes. Ryou and Yugi both stripped down to put on their new clothes, but Marik just put the robe on over his regular attire. Ryou made sure to hide the ring under his robes. He wasn't comfortable with leaving it out in the open, people tended to stare at gold. Yugi kept the puzzle out, he didn't care if people stared or ask questions.

The train came to a stop and Marik reached into the rack above his seat and grabbed both his and Yugis' luggage, Yugi was to short to reach his own. Ryou had no difficulty getting his things.

It was dark and raining when they got off the train amongst the other students, all dressed in black robes.

The three stood off to the side, completely lost on what to do or where to go. The other students filed of the train, most of them had obviously done this before and knew where they were going.

A loud, booming, voice sounded over the hubbub of the crowd. "Firs' years! Over here!" Marik grabbed Yugi and Ryou and dragged them toward the voice. He was determined to not lose his new friends in the crowd.

-oOOo-

(1) – Mariks 'facts' and stories are not always correct or accurate. So just because he says something doesn't mean it's true!

Geez! It's taken me long enough to update _. And I really am sorry about the wait. But I'm still here! Next update should be soon… Hopefully the updates will come a bit faster now that I have all the Harry Potter books! (Got them for Christmas!)

Please review! It helps me update faster if I know people are interested!