After Marik FINALLY escaped her, he attempted to clock Bakura. Sakura watched this all in amusement...until Tasogare took over.

"Stand down NOW. Now why have you come?" asked Tasogare.

Marik noticed the immediate change in tone and attitude. Her posture reminded him of royalty, her tone obedience. He fought the urge to bow, and barely won.

"Now you see why I follow her. The Pharaoh just told us what to do. She gains your respect, then commands," said Bakura.

"Who are you?"

"I am the Shadow Master of Magic, Hekara. I command all forms of magic in every form. I sense the touch of the Meddler on you. Have you gotten a letter from an owl, young Magus?"

Marik looked at her with respect, as he took it out of his pocket and handed it to her.

"This man seeks to control forces that would be best left alone. If you went to this school, he would try to force you to do his command."

Marik could sense that she was telling the truth. He asked, "What can I do?"

"When he arrives to claim you, refuse. He cannot steal your magic if you call on me. Despite what he claims, there are other schools of magic. And we have been training the Thief King, the Priest, and the Pharaoh here already."

He thought about it, and accepted her proposal. He would train with the others, after the Battle City Tournament. When they were done, neither the Dark Lord or the English wizards would know what hit them.

A week after it started, and there were ten finalists.

Kaiba

Yugi

Jounouchi

Marik

Harry

Bakura

Ishizu

Odion

Mai

Kura

The first match was Harry against Bakura. He showed no mercy as he played his new cards. In fifteen turns, Harry played his trump cards.

"I summon the Charming Lily! She boosts the Pronged Magician's attack by 2000! Pronged Magician, attack him directly!"

Bakura's life points drop to zero. Then it was Yugi versus Kura. Yami barely beat his friend, and he went on. Jounouchi went against Odion, and beat him after the false Ra went against him. Malik was released and went against Mai. She lost, and was about to be sent to the Shadow Realm via the true Ra.

"Enough of this nonsense!" Tasogare cried out as she stood between Mai and the oncoming flame.

The eye of Horus shone bright against her forehead, as her shadow lengthened. Wings black as the night sky and longer than the blimp flexed from behind her, a set of horns appeared from her head, replacing her familiar cat ears. A tail, spiked was whipping out, and settled around the frightened woman shielding her. Finally, her eyes glowed silver shining against the shadows.

"Shadows, answer a true master! Begone from this place at once!" roared Tasogare. Mai slumped to the ground as her soul was sent to the shadows. Ra vanished from sight as the duel ended. The platform descended, leaving a shaken Malik behind.

"Hikari, what was that about?" shouted Kaiba. He was shocked, to say the least.

"That was a mere sliver of my true form. Sakura knew that she couldn't handle Ra alone, so she gave up complete control over to me long enough to spare Mai from too much torment. Now instead of a cruel stay in the Shadow Realm, it'll only be the usual fare."

Tasogare stepped down, and went inside. Kaiba followed her in, and was surprised to see Sakura crashed on a bed. Apparently using so much Shadow Magic wiped her out. He gently covered her, and went back outside and stepped onto the platform.

Ishizu was already up there, and the duel started. It looked like she would win, when he beat her in a spectacular turnaround.

Everyone headed inside, and took a break. Jounouchi and Yugi went to Harry to ask something that had been bothering them.

"Hey Harry. Where did you get that Pronged Magician? It looks just like you with brown eyes!" asked Yugi.

"Oh, that was my Otou-san. Prongs was his nickname in school. The Charming Lily is my Okaa-san. They wanted to help me out somehow, so Mum offered to turn them into cards. Now I can summon them whenever I want in the Human Realm!" said Harry happily.

Honda and Kate were up on the deck, looking for Ryou's Millennium Ring. It bothered them that it went missing after Harry beat him. Hence why they were looking for it now. Suddenly a gust blew them off the deck onto the side. Honda grabbed the railing and was saved by someone with arabic ties and wearing a turban. Kate took one look at the man and freaked out.

Kate started to attack, and was held back by Honda.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Turbans are a sign of EVIL!" pronounced Kate. She got out of his grip and started pounding the man. Harry appeared, and cheered her on.

"GO KATE! BEAT THAT EVIL TURBAN!"

"What's wrong with you two?"

"People who wear turbans are evil, or being controlled by evil. It's a fact of life," explained Harry, as if talking to a particularly slow child...or Jounouchi.

"It's true," said Kate, sitting on top of the man calmly.

He barely managed to get out from under her, and vanished.

The next day...

Everything was going normally, as the semi-finals was about to start on an island. That is, until the blimp gave a jerk and headed off course. Harry stayed on the boat as Sakura, Yugi, Kate, Mokuba and Kaiba got off to investigate. They came back several hours later looking like hell.

"What happened?" said Harry concerned.

"Apparently Gozaboro's biological son was stuck in a computer (as well as the Big five and the old geezer himself) and they tried to take over our bodies. I managed to send Noah to the Digital World, where Moony and Mummymon came from, so he should be able to get a real body soon. But he almost took over Mokie's body."

"Sounds like I missed all the fun..." complained Harry.

"What, Malik wasn't bothering you at all?"

"Not really. He was bothering Bakura and Kura though. Kura was teaching me how to use the shadow realm while we waited."

Kura looked sheepish, as Sakura gave him a grin. Harry went with Kura and continued what they were doing. By the time they got to the island, The order in which they would duel was set. Harry would be a spare. He would duel last against whoever won the fourth duel.

Joey went against Malik and lost spectacularly. Then Kaiba went against Yugi, and lost. He handed Obelisk to him, and then Yami beat Harry in a neck-to-neck duel. He won by the skin of his teeth, and went up against Malik. Kaiba threw Yugi a card, which he put into his deck without looking. By the third turn, Malik had once again called on the shadows.

Yugi was suspended in the air next to Yami. Marik was unconscious next to Malik. Soon the two gods were glaring at Ra. A mega showdown between god cards...which Sakura felt she had to say something to ruin the serious moment. They're bad for your health.

"So Kaiba, have you finished teaching Harry how to play high-stakes poker yet?" she asked.

Yami turned to look at her strangely.

"Why are you teaching him how to play? Wasn't humiliating me, Kaiba and Bakura enough for you?"

"Just because your poker face sucks doesn't mean it's a bad idea! It's for a good cause anyway!"

Malik actually laughed at this. The great pharaoh couldn't play poker? That is hilarious! Sakura grinned, relieved. The serious moment was broken for a while. Even Yugi was grinning, remembering how Yami lost to Kate who had a full house that time. And the party...

"Hey Sakura-san, any chance we can have another game like that?"

"After this is all over and done with, Yugi-chan," said Kate.

Yugi narrowly beat Malik, with a lot of help from Odion. As after they took a picture, they went to check on Ryou. Turned out he'd eaten all the food while they were gone. Sakura took one look at the mess and laughed her ass off.

Back on the mainland...

Sakura got Marik into the high school with Yugi and Kura. Kate squealed when she found out, so Sakura was very glad she'd kept the news secret. Then things went to hell in a hand basket when Kura, Ryou, Yugi, Kaiba, Jounouchi and Marik were all called to the principal's office. They went, reluctantly, and were met with the sight of an old man...who was apparently color blind. Yami, Bakura and Seth took over, and growled collectively. Marik heard this, and made the obvious conclusion.

"You're Dumbledork."

"Dumbledore-san has graciously granted you a full scholarship at his prestigious school in Scotland," said the principal.

"No," said Yami, voicing the others thoughts.

"No what, Muto-san?"

"We don't want to go there. We know full well about the English Ministry, and the age of the first-years at your school. We don't want to get involved in YOUR mess," Yami clarified.

"Besides, we already have tutors on the subjects you teach at that school," said Bakura, smug.

"Muto-san, I've spoken to your grandfather, and he seemed thrilled," started Dumbledore.

"No he didn't. Sakura already spoke to him about your school, and he was very keen on me NOT going. And we are well aware of Harry's situation."

Dumbledore tried each of them, even mentioning that his school was the best place for them and that their magic would be sealed permanently if they didn't go. None of them budged. He left, defeated. They all immediately headed to Sakura's, since the meeting made them miss the rest of the class.

Sakura took one look and said, "What happened?"

"Dumbledork."

"Ah. I've checked on your Grandfather Yugi, and removed the charm that was placed on him. He's furious, but he'll be fine."

Yugi sat down, relieved. A series of cracks was heard outside. Sakura sent Harry a text telling him to stay at his pond, and for Mokuba not to come over. Remus, upon hearing the cracks, looked out, and ducked back in quickly when he was nearly hit with a stunner. The door was busted down, and Tasogare took over.

"What the bloody hell is the meaning of this?"

"Aurors ma'am. We've had a report of Dark Arts in the area, cast by six unregistered wizards."

"Bullshit. You came because Dumbledore lied to you. These boys don't know any spells that can be qualified as Dark Art. Which ministry are you with?"

"Japanese."

Tasogare gave him a look as she said, "You do realize who's house you've broken into, correct?"

They looked highly confused, and she started to be annoyed.

"This is the home of the American Ambassador to JAPAN. My home. My name is Hikari Sakura."

The man who had spoken to her blanched. Everyone had heard of her. She was the only ambassador that the Japanese ministry liked, mainly because she didn't care about messing with foreign affairs. While she did vote on key issues, she usually stayed out of their way. She was also the only one to get a job in a Japanese company and hold it for a year.

"Sumimasen...We had no idea that you were the Ambassador. I take it these are the boys in question?"

"They are registered magi, at least five of them are. The Egyptian boy with the wild hair hasn't had the paperwork come through yet. But I found them, and have been teaching them magic for weeks now."

This news brought a look of fury onto the Auror's faces. The man had one last question to ask.

"Why did the Headmaster of the English school file a false report?"

"Because I warned them about Dumbledore, and his manipulative ways. Once I informed them of the problems currently plaguing England, they didn't want to go to Hogwarts. Dumbledore is just upset because I out manuevered him. All he wants is power."

The Aurors left, furious.

The Daily Prophet the next day:

"Albus Dumbledore banned from Asia!

Albus Dumbledore, Chief Wizangamot, Order of Merlin First class, and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been formally banned from all Asian countries for crimes against underage wizards. It has been revealed that the Headmaster has commited the following crimes against the island nation of Japan.

Filing a false Dark Art report

Going against the last will of a English Citizen, resulting in trauma

Forcing a Japanese minor to attend only one school

Deny a minor legal rights

Placing a wizard with known Magic hating Muggles

Improper use of Legimency

Convincing a Wizard family into using a known traitor as Secret Keeper

Attempting to force six minors from foreign nations into attending Hogwarts

Dumbledore has declined comment, but we at the Daily Prophet will seek the truth! What other crimes has this man commited?"

Harry laughed out loud when he saw the article, and passed it around. He was staying at the twin's house, which they called the Burrow. While he thought it was a tad crowded, he had to admit, he liked it.

"It's brilliant! Such a unique shape! I'm sure my Mum would love this place too!"

Harry bunked with the twins, seeing as how he and Ron weren't on speaking terms. They loved it, mainly because Harry let them in on the plan to prank the Welcoming Feast. He brought up the IM board, and soon the plotting began.

XXXXX

Prongslet: Everyone on?

DeviousFae: Here!

DragonClaw: Here.

Bookworm: here.

ZMan: yo.

MidoriMaster: here

MaraudingPrankster: this is cool!

PrankMaster: Agreed brother of mine.

LunarGirl: hello all.

Prongslet: Ah good, Luna's joined the group. Everyone, meet Luna Lovegood. Don't let the crazy fool you, she's brilliant.

DeviousFae: another Mini-sis then?

Prongslet: Exactly!

ZMan: I wasn't too sure about this before...but this IM board thing is pretty nifty.

Prongslet: before I forget, let me introduce three people near and dear...

Moony: Greetings

Padfoot: Yay! I officially LOVE muggle tech

Prongs: Am I doing this right?

MaraudingPrankster: no...it can't be...

PrankMaster: The Marauders?

Prongslet: Let me introduce my dad, dogfather and uncle/Magical Guardian. Moony is my Guardian, Remus Lupin. Prongs is my dad, James Potter. Don't ask how he's even on, cause I have NO clue. And Padfoot is my Dogfather, Sirius Black...who Sirius-ly needs a bath!

Padfoot: lol

Bookworm: isn't Black in Azkaban?

Prongslet: Mum slipped him one of her bracelets. She's been sending him mage-tech for months now.

Prongs: Now what's this I hear about a prank at the welcoming feast?

DragonClaw: You heard right. Any suggestions?

DeviousFae: We were going with a pool of ice cream

Prongs: why not turn them into animals?

MidoriMaster: how? I can barely transfigure a teacup!

Prongslet: In that case, we'll leave the banner to you

ZMan: What banner?

Prongslet: Well what would the point of pranking the entire school be if we didn't claim credit for it?

Moony: I hate to admit it, but he has a point.

Padfoot: What are you going to turn Dumbledore into?

Prongslet: Weasel is out...as is a dog...

Bookworm: How about a snake? After all, Dumbledore doesn't really like Slytherin house, does he?

Prongslet: He doesn't like Slytherin at all. But a snake is out. How about a slug?

LunarGirl: what about a spider?

MidoriMaster: that actually sounds good. Dumbledore likes to manipulate people a lot, doesn't he?

Prongs: and Snape?

Prongslet: How about a badger?

DragonClaw: McGonagall should turn into a snake, Flitwick a lion and Sprout a raven.

ZMan: I love it. The heads of house change into an animal from another house.

Padfoot: I dare say you lot are brilliant.

PrankMaster: what about the tables?

Prongslet: how about we turn everyone, including ourselves into the colors of their least favorite house? For example, Ron would turn Green and silver.

MaraudingPrankster: We can help with that. And if we add our new Canary Creams into the mix, it'll be a blast!

Padfoot: Canary Creams?

PrankMaster: If you eat one, you turn into a giant canary for five minutes.

Padfoot: what I wouldn't give to have you two during our school days. Could you imagine the pranks we could have come up with?

Prongs: I can only imagine...Dumbledore the Canary! rotfl

Moony: oh dear...

Prongslet: I think we've created a monster...

XXXXX

"Alright Harry, before you go back to school I have one last assignment for you. You know how Kate and I train with swords right?"

"Kate uses a Chinese Jian sword, and you use a katana now."

"Yeah, the tiger hook swords wouldn't cooperate with me, no matter how many hours I put in. Anyway, your assignment is this. I want you to either find a sword or weapon that suits you, and begin your weapons training."

"Why don't you use a gun?"

"Too noisy for my taste."

"So what sort of weapon should I choose?"

"It depends on you. If you show a preference to projectiles, such as guns or arrows, or close range weapons, like a knife or dagger, I can get you someone to teach you how to defend yourself using your chosen weapon."

"What about the others?"

"If your friends show an interest in weapons, and need help with their training, I will assist them."

Sakura took Harry, Yugi, Malik, Mokuba, Kaiba, and Jounouchi to Diagon alley to get supplies. Yugi understood why she didn't bring Ryou or Kura when he saw the bank's poem. Their eyes widened when they saw the goblins.

"Mr. Potter and Mr. Kaiba wish to make a withdraw. Malik, Yugi and Jounouchi you stay here. The last thing you lot need is a ride in the cart."

Seto looked highly ill as the cart barreled through the tunnels. Mokuba and Harry cheered as they loved the feel of the wind. Sakura laughed at the look on Seto's face, and enjoyed the ride thoroughly.

After Harry retrieved his gold, he thought of something.

"Did my father's family have any weapons stored in any of the vaults?"

"There are only two swords that belong to the Noble house of Potter. One, the sword of Godric Gryffindor, has been lost for many centuries."

"And the other?"

"Hmm...if your companions can tolerate a second ride, I will show you to a vault that has yet to be used by any of the Potter family in almost a millenia."

"Why is it unused?" asked Sakura.

"I believe the family did not wish to spill any of their precious Pure Blood. The vault requires one of the bloodline to open it by spilling a minor amount of blood."

"That explains a lot..."

XXXXX

Harry stood before a door, rusted with age and neglect. Sakura had to ask, "Does he have to apply the blood directly, or can a knife be used?"

"A knife is permissible. I believe that was how the vault was originally sealed as well."

Sakura handed Harry a knife with a sharp edge and a butterfly etched on the blade. Harry flipped it open, and cut lightly into his palm. He pressed the blade to the door. To everyone's collective shock, especially Harry's, a light shone from him and hit the door.

"A child of Light...that explains so much," murmured Sakura.

The goblin looked shaken, and lead the boy inside. A ancient sword, simple in it's design, hung from the wall. It had several rust stains, especially along the blade. Harry walked up to it, and lightly touched the hilt.

The sword dropped into his hands, the rust falling away en masse. The blade shone with an unnatural light, and sang when Harry moved. It seemed to fit perfectly with Harry in every way, as if it were an extension of Harry's body. The goblin found the sheathe and handed it to him. Harry checked, as Sakura had taught him, and then placed the sword in it. He then made sure the sword would come out easily, without snagging just in case.

Harry and Mokuba then went into Flourish and Blotts, where they met up with the Weasly clan and Hermione Granger. Neville joined them with his grandmother, who looked at Harry's sword with silent disapproval.

"Madam Longbottom, it is a pleasure to meet you. Harry and Mokuba has told me great things about Neville and his natural gift with plants. He practically tutors them in herbology, and has even helped the Malfoy heir with his homework," said Sakura respectfully.

Augusta Longbottom lost quite a bit of her disapproval, and started to like the young witch.

"Indeed. Neville has told me some things about you, including how his study group came to his aid against an adult mountain troll."

Harry walked up to her, and after sparing a glance to Mrs. Weasly and her husband, said to the woman, "I've often thought that Neville acts more like a Gryffindor than Ronald Weasly upon occasion."

Neville blushed a bit at the praise. It was common knowledge to the Gryffindors that Harry was the heir of their house.

"Is there any reason for the sword?"

"As the heir to the Noble house of Potter, I thought it would be a good idea to teach Harry how to wield a sword. His assignment before returning to school was to find one that would suit him best to begin his training."

Madam Longbottom looked at her in approval. They went back into the store, and were swamped due to the book signing.

Sakura gave an unladylike snort when she saw who it was. Madam Longbottom gave her a look.

"Gilderoy Lockhart is a fraud with good teeth. As Harry's magical guardian is a werewolf, he would naturally know of a hex which would reverse the transformation. Also, some of the events that he claimed to have witnessed happened when he was an infant," Sakura explained.

Hermione heard this, and was visibly upset. When Lockhart saw Harry, he attempted to drag him for a photo-op. Harry promptly used a few tricks Jounouchi had taught him and broke the man's in-step. Lockhart collapsed, whimpering, and the signing was immediately canceled. Sakura bought the books that were required, and they were about to leave when Lucius caused a problem. Draco stood aside, looking highly embarrassed to be related to the man. He alone spotted what his father did after the man started a fight with the Weasly Patriarch.

Hagrid separated the two, and Lucius left alone. Draco was going to return with Mokuba, having already cleared the sleepover with his mother. (Whom Lucius would never dare cross. Mainly due to the last time he tried he ended up in the Malfoy Mausoleum for two weeks without bathroom breaks.) Draco walked up to Ginny and pulled something from her cauldron.

"Did any of you buy this for her?"

They seemed highly surprized by the book, and he handed it to Sakura. Her cat ears switched to panther mode instantly when she touched it. She hissed violently, and her eyes narrowed to slits.

"What's wrong mum?"

"This book is Death. It must be destroyed promptly!"

This declaration startled them for a reason, as she was a major bookworm who advocated the care of books, and often got on to them about treating their tomes with utmost respect.

When Harry and the others returned, they immediately went with her to see how she would get rid of the book.

"Harry I will most likely need your help with this..."