Shadow: Well, I updated… (sighs) Sorry, I'm so not in the best mood ever. Somehow or other, I managed to help one of my best friends break her leg, and fall over six times in two days. I cannot skate- either on ice, or rollerblading. Anyway, the fic. You 'Kura fans should like it.

Notes:

/Blah. / Yami to Yugi

(Blah.) Yugi to Yami

#Blah. # Ryou to Bakura

$Blah. $ Bakura to Ryou

With a wave of the Wand

Yugi was leaving the owlery when a hand grabbed the back of his cloak. "Mr. Mouto, if I may have a word?"

"Yes?" Yugi was a little short – getting someone's attention by yanking on their cloak was never a good idea.

Severus Snape bristled. This young pipsqueak had no right to be rude. He was a newbie… and not even a well dressed one at that. He was also foreign. The word was like acid in his mind. "No need to be like that, Mr. Mouto." Sarcasm rang in his voice.

Yugi felt his temper beginning to flare up. He tried to repress it. "I believe you were the one that grabbed my cloak, Professor. Where I come from, that isn't deemed the most polite way of getting someone's attention."

Snape sneered. "And what of where you come from? That bears no weight here. Winning petty card games might have impressed people at home, Mr. Mouto, but a child doing pathetic card tricks certainly doesn't impress me."

/Yugi let me at that baka yaro! Him insulting Duel Monsters I can accept, but not him insulting you! How dare he/

Yugi could feel crackles of shadow magic radiating off his darker half. (No Yami, I'll deal with it calmly.)

/How can you say that! You're barely controlling your own temper/

It was true; Yugi was on the verge of exploding. (Yami! Leave it!) He snapped.

The young professor spoke to Snape. His voice was low, yet it carried a sense of deadliness. "I didn't set out to win your approval Professor, and now I have met you, I'm glad I didn't get it. I'd be disgusted if I'd actually gained it."

Professor Snape growled, and was about to speak, but was cut off by an approaching third year Ravenclaw. The girl squeaked when she saw the two professors, and quickly hurried on. The Potions master turned back to speak to Yugi.

…

He was gone.

Chapter 10: You can always learn something new

"I know this bloke that might be able t' get what we need. 'E deals wiv anthin' 'e does. Nowt 'e don't handle."

Mrs. Weasley's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Does he get his things legally?"

Mundungus looked shifty. "Well… tha' depends whatcha class as legal…"

Mrs. Weasley didn't look impressed. "I've told you before Mundungus, I don't want anything illegal! We've got enough problems with the Ministry as it is!"

"But Molly…"

"No! The Order will have to get its information some other way!"

"How Molly?" Mr. Weasley spoke up.

His wife was aghast. "Don't tell me you're siding with him!" She pointed an accusatory finger at Mundungus.

"Molly, I'm sorry – but how else will we get the information we need?"

"Fine." Mrs. Weasley's shoulders were shaking with barely suppressed rage. "Fine! Go talk to this… this bloke, get the damn information! On your own heads be it if anything goes wrong!" She stormed out of the room.

Mundungus settled himself further back into the shadows of his seat and took another gulp of Firewhisky. After he had downed some of the burning liquid, he let his eyes scan the room he was in. Knockturn alley was well-known for it's shady behaviour – but this bar seemed to be taking that to the limit. Everywhere Mundungus looked there were dodgy goings on. The man smiled widely. His informant had tipped him off about this place – claimed it was where the bloke he was after was most likely to be found… if he wanted to be found. The man Mundungus was after had a pretty big reputation among thieves, in fact, he was known as the king of them. That was only one of his names… there were plenty others. The man was most commonly known as The Jackal.

"I believe you wanted to meet me?"

Mundungus almost dropped his drink in surprise. There, cloaked in the darkness beside his table, was a figure. The shadows obscured most of the stranger's face, so all that could be seen was a faint smile and a chin. Mundungus felt his jaw drop in surprise. "My informant never-"

The stranger's voice was cool. "I have informants too, Fletcher." When the man jumped at his name, the figure's smile turned to a smirk. "Did you seriously think I would come here without first knowing everything- and I do mean everything- about my companion? Tut, tut, Fletcher. I'm better than that." Two amber eyes suddenly appeared, glowing from the darkness, their expression mocking. "Here." A file skidded along the table to Mundungus.

The man picked it up and opened it. "What the-?" Mundungus' own face looked up at him from the page.

The amber eyes seemed to be taunting the man. "Everything's in there. Your birth date, jobs, criminal records, criminal activities that aren't in the records…" The stranger paused. "There's nothing I don't know about you."

"Oh?" Mundungus felt brave – or perhaps just stupid. "Then what am I doin' 'ere then? Watcha think I want?"

Eyes regarded him in disbelief and scorn. "Do you really think to unfoot me with such an easy question? Truly Fletcher, you've got to learn. You're playing with fire, and you'd best watch out. You might get burned."

"An'ser my question."

There was a low growl of displeasure from the darkness. Mundungus felt his insides squirm, but kept a brave face. Finally, after some consideration, the voice spoke. "Fool. Fine, since you doubt my credibility, I will answer your pathetic attempt at a challenging question. I am feeling lenient, or otherwise you would be dead by now." There was the smallest of silences. "You are here to try and obtain information on the movements of Deatheaters for the Order of the Phoenix."

Mundungus gulped. "You're good."

"Naturally - I am the best." Dry amusement filtered into the stranger's tones.

Mundungus tried to scrutinise the figure in the shadows, but failed. All he could make out was a vague, slender form leaning against a wall. Something seemed to be moving around the figure's neck, but it was probably just a trick of the light – or rather, the lack of it. Two amber eyes, bordering on chocolate brown, followed Mundungus' movements in obvious nonchalance and pale lips were formed in a wry, knowing smirk. The man's voice was indistinguishable – it bore traces of English and a strange accent which couldn't be identified. The man could fit in anywhere, be anyone. Mundungus felt desperate. "Who are you?"

"Surely even you know the answer to that."

"You're the King of Thieves… aren't you? You're the one they call the Jackal. Don't you have a real name?"

"Many people would pay dearly for the information you ask of. Why do you think I never show my face? If you cannot see me, if you cannot name me, you cannot know me."

"Fine then." Mundungus took another swig of Firewhisky. "If you're ready, we'll do business."

"You want me to break into the Ministry of Magic." It wasn't a question.

For what seemed like the umpteenth time that night, Mundungus was stunned. "Well… yeah. I want-"

"I know what you want." The Jackal's voice broke in. "My question is: what shall I get in return?"

Vaguely feeling like he was out of his depth, Mundungus tipped a leather pouch out over the table. A steady stream of golden coins trickled onto the tabletop. When the pouch was empty, a large pile of galleons sat on the bench. "This an' two more pouches when we get the info."

The Jackal smirked. "You've got yourself a deal."

#The Ministry of Magic. The Ministry of Magic! The Ministry of Magic! BAKURA! What kind of idiot are you that you're going to break into the Ministry of Magic!#

$Oh don't fuss. $ Bakura stroked the crystal snake around his neck fondly.

#Don't fuss! Bakura! #

$Yadounshi, be calm. It's not as if it's anything important. $

#NOT IMPORTANT! IT'S THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC! HOW'S THAT NOT IMPORTANT!#

Bakura rolled his eyes. $Well, it's just another building. 'Snot as if it'll be harder to rob or anything. $

Ryou groaned #I cannot believe you just said that. No, actually I can. It sounds just like one of those stupid, idiotic-#

The gentler albino was silenced by a queer burning sensation around their navel. The millennium ring was glowing white hot, and Bakura and Ryou had to avert their eyes lest they were blinded. The snake around the albino's necks slithered down and hid in the collar of Bakura's jacket. Barely a few minutes later, the light and the heat stopped.

#What in God's name was that for? #

$Something's up with the puzzle. $

#Yami and Yugi? Are they-? #

$Ryou, you know as well as I do, the ring would do a lot more than just flash if yami and Yugi were in danger. $

#Then what's happening? #

Bakura shrugged. $Your guess is as good as mine. $

Yami clutched onto the wall for support. The memory flash had left him feeling drained and weak. He gasped for breath.

(Yami! Daijoubou desu ka? Yami!)

The former ruler giddily steadied himself. /I haven't had one of those for a long time. /

(Oh, Yami.) Yugi sounded relieved.

/Did you see it too/

(Aa.)

/I think this memory's message is clear… Something's coming. /

Bakura shrugged. $Your guess is as good as mine. $

Ryou whispered softly. #Oh, I do hope they're okay. #

Bakura smirked. $What baka would take on the pharaoh? As much as I hate to admit it, Yami can look after himself. Yugi'll be alright. $

#Still I-#

Again, Ryou was cut off. A voice from behind the two had suddenly yelled: "Avada Kedavra!"

Pure instinct made Bakura dive to the left as a bright beam of green light zoomed over the albinos' shoulder. The beam intended for them hit a shop, causing it to explode in a myriad of sound, glass and rubble. There was instant chaos.

Bakura was up and running as soon as he hit the ground. He didn't know who had tried to kill him, and at the present time, he couldn't give a damn. He had to get outta there. Knockturn alley was no place to get cornered. To his dismay, the former tomb-robber saw his exit was cut off by a large semi-circle of figures, all of which were dressed in black cloaks. $Shit!$

#Oh dear God. # Ryou was aghast. #They're deatheaters. #

Bakura was pissed off. $I couldn't give a damn!I am not being beaten by a bunch of bakas which never show their bloody faces – whoever they areThe tomb-robber turned to go back the way he had came, but discovered that way was cut off as well. Another semi-circle of cloaked figures waited that way, and slowly but surely they were drawing closer.

$Ra give me strength… I don't like these people. $

Ron, Harry and Hermione were sitting in the Great Hall, eating their breakfast. Suddenly; Hedwig flew down to Harry and dropped a paper in the boy's lap. Harry frowned at it. "What's this for?"

Hermione looked over curious, and then her expression turned to one of horror when she looked at the paper – a copy of the Daily Prophet. "Harry, look at the headline!"

The black-haired teen read it in silence.

AZKABAN – NO LONGER SAFE?

MASS BREAKOUT FROM THE ONCE IMPENETRABLE FORTRESS

The Ministry of Magic has just released news of a mass breakout from the wizard prison, Azkaban.

Speaking privately to our reporters in his office barely minutes ago, Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, confirmed that an as yet unknown number of deatheaters – all close to the heart of You-Know-who's old operations – have escaped.

The news brings horror to the wizarding world after the tragic return of the Dark Lord in the summer. After You-Know-Who's return, panic spread again through he wizarding world.

The Minister stressed: "We must remain calm. Obviously these criminals will rally once again around their former master, but they have been caught before. We here at the Ministry will make sure they are caught again. Under no circumstances are these men and women to be approached. They are highly dangerous. If you believe you have seen one, please report to the Ministry as soon as possible."

A list of names of the escapees was below the article. The trio read it in grim silence.

Harry spoke first. "Why does it not surprise me Malfoy's dad got out?"

Ron scowled. "Malfoy's probably hiding him at their house. The Ministry will never catch him - they're useless."

"Hand over the item." A Deatheater snarled.

Bakura's eye twitched. Ra, this guy had got to be kidding. Hand over the millennium ring? Not over his dead body. "Not a chance."

The Deatheater didn't seem to like his answer. "Look at it this way, freak. You either hand the ring over now, and we'll stun you. If we have to take it off you, you won't live to regret it."

That was it. "Excuse me? You're going to take it off me?" Bakura's tone was derisive. "I'd like to see you try."

The cloaked Deatheater growled. "Fine, Mr. Ryou, that is how it shall be done. Crucio!"

The thief sent out a large wave of shadow magic to meet the coming spell. As has happened when Bella's spell met Yami's, it fizzled into non-existence. Bakura smirked at the look of sheer horror on the deatheaters face. "As I said, just try and take it off me."

Suddenly, an intense white blast erupted from behind the albino. It had come from the semi-circle of deatheaters behind, whom Bakura had almost completely forgotten about. The spell caught Bakura full in the back, and knocked him off his feet… but its strength had been miscalculated. Instead of just hitting the albino in one, pure, single beam; the spell had been overpowered, so consequently had branched out and hit everyone on the other side – which just happened to be the opposite semi-circle of deatheaters.

As the blast wasn't as concentrated as it might have been, Bakura was not dead, and was still conscious – practically a miracle. Still, he was flat on his back in Knockturn alley, and he wasn't in likely to be getting up in the near future.

#Bakura! #

$ Ryou…I…$

#C'mon, Bakura. You need to get up. #

$I know… Yadounshi… $ Bakura's voice faded. He was unconscious, but still held control over the body. Ryou couldn't wake him so he could take over.

#Bakura! #

A Deatheater was approaching, glee glowing in her sunken eyes. "You're mine."

/Why didn't you let me deal with him/ Yami snapped at Yugi.

Yugi continued walking along the corridor calmly. (Yami, just because someone doesn't like us is no reason to blast them to the shadow realm.)

/Who says I would've blasted him to the shadow realm/

(Well, what would you have done to him then?) Amethyst eyes were politely curious. /Offered him tea and crumpets?)

/You know damn well what I would've done/

(Which is why I refused to let you deal with it. I do not want to explain to the headmaster why he'll need a new potions master.)

/I-err…/ Yami faltered.

Yugi sighed. (Anyway… we'd best go get something to eat before classes begin. I don't think I can face the sixth-years without breakfast.)

A female Deatheater was there, leaning over to claim her prize. "Fool."

Suddenly, the snake that had been hidden under the albino's collar lunged forward and sank it's fangs into the woman's hand. She pulled back with a scream.

The scream cut through Bakura's unconsciousness. $...Wha-? $

#'Kura! #

Amber eyes focused quickly. $Ra, I hurt. $

#Hurt is good; it means you're still alive. Unless we get out of here soon though, that won't last for long. #

Bakura took in the chaos around himself. $My snake…? $

#Just saved our sorry butts. Now can we move! We can find it later! #

$But-$ Bakura stopped himself. Ryou was right. They needed to get out. $Let's go. $

Hermione stepped into the 'classroom'. "Seth, I summon you!" Her dragon appeared from the darkness, it's crystal white scales glittering in the black. She looked at the two boys. "Well? Aren't you going to summon?"

Harry shrugged. "Sure. Atem, are you there?" A red-clothed Dark Magician came to stand beside the boy.

Ron didn't look so sure. "I-- do I have to?" His friends nodded. "Right." Ron's face was white. "R-Red-ey-eyes Black dr-dr-dr…I can't do it!"

"Of course you can." Appearing almost as silently as the monsters, Yugi placed a comforting hand on the teen's shoulder.

"I can't!" Ron's face was panicked.

"You can." Yugi's voice carried the conviction Ron's lacked. "You can do anything." Soothing magic travelled down his hand and into the boy. "Just relax Ron, and let your magic guide you."

"I'm doomed."

Yugi smiled wryly. (At least he sounds calmer.) "Ron."

The red-head cast appealing eyes to the young professor. "Sir, my guide doesn't even have a name! How can I call something which doesn't have a name to be called by?"

"Then give your Red-Eyes a name."

"Like what!...Sir." He added.

Yugi frowned, his mind deep in thought. Finally: "Ron, tell me: what is the one thing you wish you could have more of? More than money, more than grades. What would it be?"

The teen paused. Memories of his school life flicked through his mind. In his first year, the Devil's Snare sprang to mind. In the second, spiders and Aragog. In his third year, the Boggart, the fourth year was the tournament, and the fifth was at the Ministry. Ron decided. "Courage."

"Then that is what you shall call your Red-Eyes: Jaribu, one of courage. Now, summon him."

"Alright." Ron swallowed nervously. "J-Jaribu, I summon you!"

Ron's Red-Eyes Black Dragon leapt from the dark, it's wings outstretched. It gave a loud shriek, than settled itself behind it's master. Ron gulped, but remained upright.

Yugi smiled encouragingly. "See? You can do it."

Professor Mouto had begun his lesson. "As you will already know, there is more to this world than originally meets the eye. Before you came to Hogwarts, how many people here didn't know magic really existed?"

Harry, Hermione, and a few others in the class raised their hands.

Yami nodded. "This is a prime example of what I want to discuss today. In a way, the world as we know it is split into two: the muggle world, and the wizarding world. To the muggles, it is as if we wizards don't exist; whereas we, on the other hand, know, live and deal with them on a constant basis. One world is totally unaware of the other." Yami paused. "This is true for more than just the muggles."

There was a dead silence while his words sunk in. Then, Dean raised his hand. "Sir, are you saying there's another world out there? One we've never heard of?"

"That's almost exactly what I'm saying. It's not just one world out there though-there's hundreds."

There was a hushed quiet.

Ron spoke. "Wow."

Yami smiled. "'Wow' indeed, Mr Weasley."

Hermione put her hand up. "Sir? If there are so many other worlds, how will you teach us about all of them? Isn't that impossible?"

The professor nodded. "It certainly is. I would not be able to tell you about even half of them. So, I'm not going to. I'm going to teach you about seven…including the one you're in now."

Yami sat on his desk and began to speak. "There are seven 'realms' that we know for definite about. Information on the others is hazy, and not very reliable. The first 'realm' is the one of mortals- or, earth as we know it already. Humans 'rule' in this world. We've made this realm our own.

The second world is the Wild Realm- and as the name suggests, it is totally wild and uncontrollable. There is no dominant life form in the Wild realm, though there is an abundance of life. Think of it like all the most naturally beautiful places in the earth all together in one place, without any Human aid or intervention.

Next, is the realm of the Lost Ones. This realm's… a little odd. There are many creatures in it… though none which we are accustomed to seeing. There isn't that much information on the Lost One's realm- but what we do know about it isn't that good. Anyone who stays there too long… well, they get lost. We've never found them again.

The fourth realm I wish to teach you about is the realm of darkness. An ordinary mortal entering this realm would be devoured by the dark instantly, and killed.

To balance the odds, there is also a realm of light. Sadly though, this too would kill you on entering. The light is so bright, so intense, only a God-born could possibly enter and live. Everyone one else would be burned by the light."

Hermione raised her hand. "Sir? Are there actually people out there who are God-born? I thought it was just a saying. Surely it can't be true?"

"Miss. Granger, all sayings have an element of truth in them… however hard it may be for us to prove it. Just because our eyes cannot see it is no reason for us not to believe. Tell me Miss. Granger, where do you think we are?" Yami asked.

"The Mortal Realm, Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Yami smiled. "Then Miss. Granger, you have been deceived by what your mind tells you. We are not in Hogwarts, and we are most definitely not in the Mortal Realm."

Bakura was not happy. $Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, STUPID! $ He stormed inside his soul room and slammed the door.

Ryou tentatively knocked. #'Kura-kun? Yami, are you alright? #

$Go away! $ Bakura's yell came through the door.

#'Kura-kun. # Ryou was firm. He'd learnt over the years it was the best way to approach his darker half when he was in a mood. #Yami, let me in. #

$Why should I? $ Bakura sounded like a petulant child.

# Because it's not my fault you're upset! Let me in! #

The door swung open slowly. $Fine. $

Ryou entered. Bakura was sitting on a couch in his room, his arms wrapped around his legs. His eyes were deliberately averted from his hikari's, and he hid as much as possible of his face under snowy bangs. #Oh, 'Kura. #

$Please Ryou, just go away. $

#No. # The white-haired hikari shook his head. # Bakura, it wasn't your fault. #

$How can you say that! It was my fault we were down that alley, wasn't it! If I hadn't took us there we wouldn't have been attacked, and I wouldn't have put you in danger. It's-$

Ryou cut him off. # -not your fault. How can I blame you for what you are? No man can do that- it would condemn us all. #

$But if I-$

# 'Kura, they asked for the ring. They would have sensed it's powers wherever we were. It was just bad luck we were caught in Knockturn alley. #

$I didn't pay attention! I could have got us both killed! $

Ryou laughed softly. # 'Kura-kun, I never thought I'd hear you say that. I'm used to near-death experiences; they're part of my life now. How could they not be? We bear a millennium item. That alone is enough to have us on a million death warrants. #

$Still I-$

#'Kura, you idiot! # Ryou bent down and hugged his darker half.

Bakura let out an undignified squawk. $Ryou! $

His hikari laughed. # Baka. # He ruffled the other's spiky bangs. #I don't blame you for anything 'Kura, so don't blame yourself. # Ryou got up quickly and left.

Bakura was left, staring astonished after his light.

Shadow: Return of the reviews! (Twilight zone music)

Yugiohfreak: Nope, still didn't work. Try putting spaces between the URL.

Hikari Skysong: 'Tis seriously creepy. Somebody did that to me and I freaked. And then the person comes up behind me and says hi! And she wondered why I was jumpy after that…

Marina-Kashu: Thankyou for your oh-so-not-so-subtle hints. Please don't go hyper… but yes, he'll make an appearance at the tour- waiiit. Note to self: never give away big plot lines. Oh yeah, as for the country, England. Since American (it is, isn't it?) most people who use it are most likely to be American. (Please don't take offence if you're not.) My updates are usually few and far between, so that's why this is a bit of a surprise to me.

Kayono: Ooooo. I like that name. Do you know any other stuff about him? I don't care if it's rumours or not. He's a key character… believe it or not.

Hermioneandterrastetwin16: Y'know, that's the problem with putting your reviews at the end. The reviewers have already read the story. (sighs.)

Shadowyokokitsune: Nah, I won't die. (unless some giant meteor suddenly decides it's pinpointed my location and…. Or an assassin has… let's just not dwell on that….) You can really tell who the 'Kura fans are.

Killah-sama: Hey, thanks. You read the reviews page? Just out of sheer curiosity here… why? Ah, yes… Bakura's name is everywhere. Thant 'preview' got quite a few people hyper.

Just want to help: Thankyou… and I did kinda go overboard with his accent, didn't I? Oh well, thanks for saying so. I can edit it for his text in later chapters.

Nefertiri Riddle: I still think your picture of the cat was cool. Forgive me, it's got nothing to do with this story, but it was still cool. Thanks for your beta-ing.

Jordan: The tournament hasn't quite started yet.

Seventhspanishangel12: Done.

Luna's meow: I still haven't worked out the number link… but the explanation sounded cool. (Blushes.) I fell in love with the name as soon as I saw it.

Ceribi Motou: Girlfriend? Hmm… (evil smirk) I dunno… Might do. Thanks for the offer.

Temiya: Umm….Tadaaaaaaaa!

Skittles the sugar fairy: I haven't seen that yet! (Wails) But I'm going to see it on Saturday. Woot! Go me! Oh yeah, thanks.

Kenmeishouri: What's onegai mean?

Anette chase: I'm fourteen now, 'twas my birthday last week. I've always liked reading and writing, maybe that helped? Anyhow, hope you can read this before your hols. Sorry if you have to live in suspense.

Dark Mage of Sea: I like making him evil… then everyone can go and happily stomp on him. Yes, I am a little vindictive authoress, aren't I?

Shadow: Oh God, yes, I'll still do the stupid 'preview'.

PREVIEW

More news on the tournament sparks off big debates… Lupin's DADA class! Duel Monsters classes! Hermione gets nosy…

Shadow: Oh yeah… you might have to wait a little longer for the next update. I still haven't finished typing it up. As always, read and review… (please).