Chapter 10: Detention with a Demon
Once the bell rang overhead, the class headed for dinner. Mahaad gathered his things, the effects of adrenalin wearing off, and waited for Yugi, Hermione and Ron and they set off toward the Great Hall together. People were already whispering about Harry's encounter with Umbridge. Mahaad was secretly relieved that his own outburst at her had been eclipsed by Harry's more sensational one. Even though Mahaad's stomach growled, it was also knotted with guilt. He rarely ever lost his temper like that. He had stared down Kiaba's Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon numerous times without losing his composure, but he lost it with his so called superior?
When they arrived at the Great Hall, Harry was there already moodily picking at his dinner with his fork. He looked up and gave them a wan smile before they joined him. Yugi broke into a grin as Ryou and Marik made their way over the join them. "The Slytherins are saying that Potter lost his temper with the Umbridge woman," Marik reported, his eyes glittering predatorily. Ryou smiled at Yugi nervously, and avoided looking at Mahaad. Ron shook his head and wondered how someone as timid as Ryou could have ended up as a Slytherin. "I don't understand," Harry complained. "Everyone believed Dumbledore last year when he told them what happened."
"I don't know if they really did, Harry," Hermione said wisely. "All they had was his word and no proof. Then the Prophet goes and prints lies about you and Dumbledore all summer." Once they had finished dinner and were partway through desert, Hermione stood. "I can't stand this anymore, let's go." Mahaad made as if to follow, but Yugi held him back.
"We should let them be. We can go to the common room and start our homework in a minute," Yugi said. Mahaad nodded and returned to the slice of apple pie on his plate. He had picked around it but had managed to eat most of it. Yugi, Marik and Ryou all exchanged stories of their first day of Hogwarts. Mahaad caught Neville's eye and smiled. Mahaad only heard snatched of Yugi's conversation, he tried to ignore it as they had chosen to speak in Japanese. The only thing he heard of note was that the Divination professor had taken a strong liking to the Tomb Robber. They chatted for a few more minutes before Marik and Ryou left, Ryou claiming that he had a lot of homework. The albino seemed distracted and Mahaad wondered if it had to do with his darker half.
Yugi took this as his cue to head back as well, Mahaad following suit after waving at Neville. "Yugi, I would like to apologize," Mahaad said softly. Yugi looked up at the taller man. "You don't have to. I just think it ironic that you got detention on the first day of school." Mahaad nodded. As they climbed through the portrait hole, Mahaad noted that it was still largely empty as most people were still at dinner. The duo found a table, pulled out their books and started on their History of Magic homework.
Rain slapped against the windows, making it hard for Mahaad to concentrate. Mahaad was dimly aware that Hermione's cat had curled up as she Harry and Ron sat in three armchairs by the fire. "How can Dumbledore let that foul woman teach!" Hermione cried, shooting to her feet, as her cat hissed as it landed softly on the floor, looking up at her reproachfully. Mahaad and Yugi exchanged glances. Mahaad stood and quietly made his way over, the heat of the fire soaking into his bones. "I don't know either," he stated softly. Hermione looked at him in surprise. "Please pardon my intrusion," Mahaad said. Hermione nodded absent-mindedly, consumed in her own thoughts. "I stand by what I said in class, that woman can't teach by theory alone. It is not possible."
"What was Dumbledore thinking?! If we can't use magic we will be in trouble when we are face to face against Death Eaters!" Hermione argued, echoing Mahaad's statement.
"And she wants us to spy for her!" Ron added, his expression darkening.
"I know, but we do have a lot of homework. Let's get started."
Mahaad blinked a few times, a bit thrown off by the sudden change. He returned to Yugi's table and resumed his History homework, trying to ignore the hypocrisy of Harry's request. A few minutes later Hermione marched over to confront the twins about testing their joke products on first-years. Mahaad sighed in frustration as several first-years fell to the floor, he shook his head and tried to focus yet again on goblin wars. He had Yugi had years of magical education to catch up on.
"That's enough!" Hermione yelled at the twins. Hermione told them off, but the twins didn't look concerned at all. "What are you going to do Hermione? Give us detention? Make us write lines?" George taunted.
Laughter from the many onlookers in the common room rang in the witch's ears. "No, but I will write to your mother," she warned.
That sobered them and she returned to her chair by the fire. She dug in her bag or the Akkadian homework and began transliterating the lines of text so she could more easily translate them.
They worked in silence for awhile before Hermione pulled out a few woolen hats out of her bag and placed one on the table she had been working on. She came over and put on Yugi and Mahaad's table too. Mahaad cocked his head in confusion. "What are you doing Granger-san?" Mahaad asked. Her expression softened as she placed a broken quill and a scrap of parchment on top of the hat.
"I'm setting these out for the house-elves," set explained. Yugi and Mahaad gave her blank looks. "If they receive clothes, they can be freed. They clean the tower ever night and cook all of our food!" she said earnestly, excited to have someone new to talk about elf rights.
"But what if they don't want to be free?" Mahaad asked, automatically thinking of his own situation.
Hermione shook his head in disbelief. "Of course they want to be free," she stated firmly, even though her cheeks turned a bit pink. She retreated to the girls' dorms, leaving a pensive magician in her wake.
Ron removed the rubbish, concealing the hat nearest him. "They should at least see what they are picking up," he said justifying his actions.
Ron and Harry packed up their things and headed for bed, while Yugi and Mahaad plodded on for another two hours before heading to bed.
Mahaad hoped things would be better the next day, he was wrong. In their first class, Charms, Professor Flitwick reviewed Summoning Charms for most of the class. Mahaad and Yugi were passable at Summoning Charms, and that helped to boost their confidence. That happiness was quickly dashed as Hermione told them Flitwick had assigned them their largest amount of Charms homework ever.
Transfiguration wasn't much better. McGonagall gave them the same speech about OWLs their previous teachers had. She informed the transfers that she expected them to keep up with the class, like Snape had. Mahaad suppressed a groan at that. He was already overwhelmed and they still had two classes they hadn't been to yet. McGonagall gave them some small comfort that even though Vanishing Spells were some of the most difficult they would have to learn for their exam, at least they weren't Conjuring Spells.
/That's a small comfort./ Yugi complained, grimly.
/Do you want me to take over for a bit?/ Yami asked.
Yugi wordlessly switched places with him. The only indication Mahaad gave at the change was a raised eyebrow. "Aauyef. He's tired." Yami replied in Egyptian as the class got to work. They set to work trying to Vanish their snails. Mahaad managed to make his a bit paler by the end of the double period, whereas Harry and 'Yugi' hadn't made much progress at all. They were given spell practice as homework Yami glared at his snail, and prodded it with his wand.
Harry and Ron spent lunch working on Snape's moonstone essay, while Yugi and Mahaad ate lunch with Hermione. Marik and Bakura joined them and swapped stories about the day's events. At one point during the meal, Bakura took over and gave Mahaad a patronizing look, before relinquishing control to his Landlord.
While Yugi rested in his soul room after lunch, Yami joined Mahaad and Hermione as they made their way to the grounds for their first Care of Magical Creatures lesson. Hermione told them it was a class they shared with the Slytherins. Yami was happy to see Marik and Ryou who joined them, and less than thrilled to see Malfoy and his goons.
From what Hermione had told them of some of their previous Care of Magical Creatures lessons, the Pharaoh half expected to see a fire breathing dragon, or at least a snarling wolf. Instead, they gathered in front of Hagrid's hut where Professor Grubbly-Plank stood waiting for them, beside a table of what appeared to be twigs.
Mahaad eyed them with rapt attention, so Yami knew there was something he was missing. He looked closer and realized that the twigs were moving. When the professor asked what the creatures were called, Hermione's hand was first in the air. Yami saw Malfoy a few rows behind her doing a mocking imitation of her enthusiasm, by jumping up and down. Yami frowned in displeasure as Malfoy's girlfriend laughed.
From Hermione's answer the Pharaoh learned that the creatures called Bowtruckles, they lived in wand tress and ate wood lice, whatever that was.
"As you can see, their claws are sharp and can gauge out human eyes, so be careful." Grubbly-Plank warned them. She informed them their task of the day was to grab one of the creatures and draw them, labeling the various body parts. Since there was only enough to share one between three students, Yami and Mahaad paired up with Neville, who looked quite pleased to have been chosen by the duo. As Mahaad went to retrieve their Bowtruckle, he saw Harry and Malfoy talking, but was too far away to hear what was said.
Whatever it was, Harry looked slightly worried as he rejoined Ron and Hermione. Mahaad carefully grabbed one of the creatures and brought it back where Neville and Yami were waiting. They took turns holding it so the others could draw it.
Yami looked at Bakura and Marik and quickly noted that the Thief was out. He and Marik had a Bowtruckle between them and were examining it. Marik laughed as the overly docile creature walked away from them and straight into a rock, while they laughed. Yami saw a very faint glow underneath Marik's robes and instantly knew what they were up to. He stood and walked over to them. Both stood at his approach as well, Marik folding his arms, and Bakura narrowed his eyes.
"His royal Highness has come to ruin our fun," Bakura growled in Japanese. Yami raised an eyebrow in response.
"We can do our own homework, we don't need you butting in!' Marik said.
"Harming innocent creatures is not doing your homework Marik," the Pharaoh replied coolly.
"So we are having a little fun. Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong Pharaoh," Bakura warned.
"Or what?" The Pharaoh challenged.
"I'll make you wish you had never been born, Pharaoh," Bakura said smoothly.
Grubbly-Plank moved closer to where they were and Yami glared at the Tomb Robber before rejoining Mahaad and Neville.
"Father is very concerned with the poor teaching standards at Hogwarts. If that fat oaf, ever shows his ugly head here again, he'll just be sacked and sent packing!" Malfoy said loudly.
Harry clenched his fist so hard he almost snapped the Bowtruckle in his hand. The creature yelped in protest and took a swipe at him and dug his claws his flesh.
"OUCH!" Harry cried and dropped the twig-like creature. Harry wrapped his hand in a handkerchief from Hermione, as the bell rang. Malfoy sauntered away laughing.
"I don't care what he says, Hagrid is a good teacher!" Harry's voice easily carried back to Mahaad and Yami who were trailing behind them. "And don't say he is a bad teacher!' Harry threatened turning to look at Hermione accusingly.
"I wasn't going to Harry," Hermione replied calmly.
When a class filed out of the greenhouse, Luna ran up to Harry and said without preamble that she believed Harry's account of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's return. Harry shifted his weight awkwardly. "Err, thanks Luna."
Lavender pointed to Luna's ridiculous earrings and laughed. Luna stood up straight and rounded on her. "I believe Harry! You can laugh, but people used to not believe in Wackspurt or Assyrian gods either!" She snapped. Hermione hit a snort behind her hand.
"There aren't such things as those," she countered, and Mahaad's blood ran cold. While Luna stormed away, Harry turned to Hermione. "Do you mind not offending the one person who actually believes in me?" Harry said irritably.
"Harry, Luna is loony. Her father is the editor of the Quibbler, and only believes in things until there is some actual evidence!" Hermione countered.
As the class shuffled into the greenhouse, Ernie pledged his support for Harry too, which silenced some of the whispers in Harry's immediate vicinity.
Mahaad tensed as he made another note, adding Professor Sprout's essay to his growing list of homework. The only thing he knew he could do easily was Professor Ishtar's translation. Mahaad wrinkled his nose in disgust as he caught another whiff of the dragon dung they had been using as fertilizer. Mahaad and Harry headed straight for dinner with their school bags, as they wanted to eat something before detention. Mahaad gave Harry a sympathetic looks as Angelina Johnson glared at Harry as she strode toward him.
"How could you get detention this week Potter! I told you I wanted the whole team there to see how the new person fits in with everyone!" Harry looked surprised before his face fell as the full weight of what she was saying crashed around him.
"Oh yeah. Keeper tryouts," Harry said slowly.
"Yes and you decided you didn't want to be there!" she accused.
"I didn't do it on purpose! I got detention from Umbridge because I told the truth about You-Know-Who!"
"I don't care Potter! Tell her whatever you have to, to make sure you are there on Friday!' She walked away fuming.
Ron, who had caught the tail end of the conversation, sat down next to Harry. "What do you think the chances of her letting you off?"
"Less than zero," Harry replied glumly.
"How is your homework coming?" Yugi asked Mahaad as he took a seat next to the magician. "I have Snape's moonstone essay, spell practice and Professor Ishtar's translation left, besides all the new stuff we got today."
Yugi's eyes widened. "I thought you have finished that first. I tried looking it over and I was wondering if you could look it over after detention?" Yugi asked hopefully.
"Of course," Mahaad replied automatically as he finished the last of his mashed potatoes.
Ron and Harry commiserated about the alarming amount of homework they had and Ron's ears turned pink as he complained about the weather too.
Mahaad and Harry left the table with five minutes to spare, bidding their friends goodbye, and heading toward Umbridge's office on the third floor. They walked in silence until they arrived at her office. Mahaad took a breath and knocked.
"Come in," came the sickly sweet voice. Mahaad opened the door and was instantly shocked to see how much pink the room contained. There were lace and other clothes draped on almost every surface. There was a vase of dried flowers on a small table. There were plates decorated with cats who wore frilly bows around their necks.
"Good evening Mr. Potter, Mr. Ishtar." Harry jumped having been taking in the strangeness of the office. Mahaad shifted uncomfortably. Umbridge smiled sweetly at them. She wore a set of floral robes and nearly blended into the wall behind her.
"Good evening, Professor Umbridge," Mahaad replied in a monotone, he used to use when irking Seth. Harry simply replied with, "Evening."
"Well sit down," she said curtly, she said pointing to yet another lace covered surface. There were two uncomfortable looking, straight back chairs facing away from each other with a blank sheet of parchment on the table in front of them.
Unseen by her Mahaad raised an eyebrow, as he felt his body relax. All he had to do was write lines? That was how he learned Egyptian, this would be easy even if it was boring. Mahaad's face threatened to crack a smile as he and Harry took their seats, facing away from each other.
"Err, before we start Professor, I—I wanted to ask you a favor," Harry asked. Umbridge gave him a patronizing look.
'Oh yes?"
Harry explained about being on the Quidditch team and that trials were set for Friday night.
"Oh no, Mr. Potter. No, no, no. This is your fitting punishment for spreading nasty lies. Missing something you care about dearly will reinforce what I am trying to teach you. No, Mr. Potter, you will come here tomorrow night at 5 o'clock and every other night this week, including Friday. Now both of you are going to do some lines for me, with very special quills of mine," she added as both boys reached for their school bags.
She handed a long black quill with a sharp tip to both of them. Mahaad turned it over in his hands, examining it.
"Mr. Potter I want you to write, I must not tell lies. And Mr. Ishtar, I want you to write, I will learn my place."
"How many times?" Harry asked.
"As long as it takes for the message to sink in properly. Off you go."
"You haven't given us any ink Professor," Mahaad pointed out. Harry had almost forgotten he was there.
"You won't need ink," Mahaad thought he detected a note of anticipation in her voice.
Mahaad picked up his quill and wrote, I will learn my place. in Egyptian demotic script. As soon as he finished the line, he let out a gasp of pain. A chill went down his spine as well, the ink was shiny and red. Red was the color of chaos, that didn't bode well. Behind him, Harry gasped too. The words on the back of Mahaad's right hand as if carved by a knife. The skin healed over and left no trace expect the skin was a bit redder now. Mahaad steeled himself and wrote the line again, slower this time. The words appeared in the same way they had before on the parchment and the back of his hand, he fought the gasp that welled up in his throat, his hand searing painfully.
They continued writing and Mahaad lost track of time. He knew that she was looking for signs of weakness and he was determined not to give them to her. Again and again he wrote, I will learn my place, and every time they appeared on the back of his hand and quickly healed over. Darkness fell and they continued working.
"Come here, Mr. Potter."
Harry said nothing as he scraped his chair on the floor as he rose and approached her desk.
"Hand."
"Tut, tut. I don't think we made much of an impression. Well have to try again tomorrow evening. You may go."
Harry grabbed his bag and left without a word, shutting the door behind him. Mahaad kept writing. He wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of asking when he too might be dismissed. She kept him for several hours or so it felt like, after she had released Harry. She seemed determined to give him a week's worth of detention in one night.
"Come here, Mr. Ishtar." Mahaad rose and stood in front of her desk and mutely extended his hand. She grasped it and examined it. He repressed a shudder.
"We have made a bit of an impression tonight. If you speak out again, we'll make it deeper. You may go."
Mahaad grabbed his bag and set off for the common room, his hand raw and stinging painfully. He didn't know what time it was, but he hoped Yugi hadn't gone to bed yet.
He'd promised to help him with Akkadian…
Author's Notes:
Guest: I hope this was a fast enough update for you!
YumiStar: That's true, the Pharaoh doesn't like when people abuse their power. The question is, what will her Shadow Game be like, and when will it happen? I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
lumigo akvo9504: That is a good question, what would she do? Maybe we'll have to find out soon.
Thank you everyone for your support!