Hello everyone.
I would like to sincerely apologize for my lack of an update, I know I promised to update every two weeks, but this last semester of University really hit me hard. I have completed this chapter and have purposely made it extra-long just as an apology for my absence. I do want to thank you for your wonderful reviews and comments and for sticking with me even with the lack of an update. Please. Enjoy. You deserve it you wonderful bunch of people.
And please, review, I do love hearing from you and I hope that this meets your expectations.
Sincerely,
Your extremely sorry author,
Lappalla
Harry sat down on the bench at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall and quickly leaned over the whisper to Ron and Hermione. "Guys, I think Yugi is hiding something from us."
"Well everyone has secrets Harry, it doesn't mean they are dangerous." Hermione interjected.
"Plus I like Yugi's class." Ron took a sip of pumpkin juice from his goblet and continued. "I mean did you see what he did today! Bloody hell, it was amazing! I wonder if Hagrid has ever seen a creature like that."
"Yeah but how did he do that Ron? I have never seen anything like that before. And you heard him yourself, he said it was Shadow Magic!" Harry leaned closer to the two and quickly glanced around. "Plus, something happened last night."
"What do you mean Harry?" Hermione asked. Harry pointed to his scar. "You saw something?"
"We shouldn't talk about this here. Let's go back to the common room, and I'll tell you what happened."
Yugi was roaming aimlessly along the corridors.
"Good evening Professor Mutou."
/Not this again./ Yami inwardly sighed as he appeared in spirit form beside a relaxed, unfazed Yugi.
/Hush Yami./
"Good evening to you too Professor Umbridge. It has been wonderful weather we have been having, wouldn't you agree?" Yugi smiled innocently, his violet eyes shining as he continued to gaze out the window.
"Indeed. It has come to my attention that you have drifted from the chosen ministry appropriate curriculum set in lace for your class Professor." She smiled, the hint of her teasing smirk gleaming as she waited for an outburst.
"Ah. Draco I assume has informed you of this?"
"It hardly matters who I receive my information from, regardless, this change in curriculum is unacceptable and I'm afraid it will have to stop-"
"Pardon?"
Umbridge looked confused as Yugi turned around and smiled. "I said, that the proper ministry approved curriculum will need to be enforced, I can't have the students being taught dangerous magic-"
"I'm sorry Professor Umbridge, but I think you have me confused with someone who cares about what the ministry agrees or disagrees with. " Yugi smiled and slowly paced over to the flashy pink Professor, Yami watching curiously from the windowsill.
"I beg your pardon. Professor Mutou you must be confused, you see the Ministry-"
"The Ministry is not of my concern Professor, and neither are you. I am here to do my job and my job does not require me to come at your beck and call. I have decided on my own curriculum and I intend to stick with it. What you agree or disagree with matters not to me, for I do not answer to you, I answer to Dumbledore. He brought me here and he hired me to teach whatever I felt would give the students a rewarding experience." Yugi smiled at the enraged Professor and continued to speak, "I would appreciate if you would cease your attempts to interfere with my job Professor, I'm sure you have your own work to attend to. So please, have a nice day." With that Yugi turned around and walked back over to the window to continue enjoying the view. "Oh, and one more thing, please inform Draco that I still expect to see him tonight at seven. Please remind him that I do not tolerate tardiness, as I am sure you will see him eventually." Yugi smirked as he heard the angered clicking of heels retreat down the corridor.
"Yugi, you spend way too much time with me." Yami stated, trying to hold back a grin.
"I told you, I learn from the best." Yugi was going to continue when he was quickly interrupted.
"You know Yugi, if you keep talking to Yami out in the open, people are going to start assuming you've gone mad." Ryou stepped out from behind the corner of the corridor and smiled.
"Ryou! You are just the person I have been wanting to see!" Yugi rushed over the the albino and grinned. "You won't believe what I did today!"
Bakura phased out of the ring and raised his eyebrows questionably while looking at the transparent form of Yami. Yami slid off the windowsill and walked over to where the three were standing.
"Oh? Was it in your class? I have to tell you Ishizu's lesson was pretty dull, would I maybe be able to join you in your class?" Ryou asked tentatively.
"Of course you can! That would be great! I could even work you into helping with my lessons! But seriously! Guess what I did today!" Yugi slightly jumped at the excitement and smiled, peeking around the corner to make sure no one was around to hear him. "Ryou, I summoned Kuriboh, all by myself."
"How, and does that mean that I can do it too?" Ryou asked, giving Yugi a questioning glance.
Yugi started walking down the hallway towards the Great Hall, Ryou quickly following. "I think so Ryou, It was a really interesting experience, and the students absolutely loved it, well most of them anyway." Yugi grinned and walked into the Great Hall.
"Yugi what are we doing in here?" Ryou asked, looking around at the floating candles above the ceiling. The students and staff had long since left the Hall and all that was left was four long wooden table stretched across the room. Yami and Bakura slowly made their way into the Hall, silently questioning where their Hikaris were going.
"Well, I was wondering around after my lesson trying to find the kitchens, because I wanted to avoid as much confrontation with that pink lady as much as possible." Yami interrupted with a grin.
"I believe you handled her quite well Yugi."
"Yeah. I did didn't I! Anyways, I was wondering around looking for this so called 'secret entrance' to the kitchens that the twins told me about-"
"Twins?" Ryou looked confused and sat down on one of the empty benches.
"Oh right. You weren't at the Order, they are two students, you know Ron right? He was in my lesson when you and Bakura showed up. The red head?"
Ryou closed his eyes to try and remember. "I vaguely remember seeing a read head, up near the front right?"
"Right! Well the twins, Fred and George, are his older brothers, very mischievous though." Yugi frowned and continued speaking. "Anyways Yami suggested I go and find something to eat, but I couldn't seem to locate the kitchens, so I thought I'd try and get here before supper was over, but I guess I missed out on that. " Yugi smiled sheepishly.
"I'm sure Malik already knows where it is, he does have quite the appetite." Ryou stated.
"Appetite is an understatement that guy eats enough to feed all of Egypt." Yami chuckled as he imagined the young Egyptian. "Poor Ishizu."
"Alright Harry, no one is here. Talk." Hermione said, placing her books beside her on the couch in the Gryffindor common room.
"Alright. Last night, I saw Voldemort's thoughts. But, it was different, I mean normally I see a picture or a vision of what is happening, but this time I just heard his thoughts." Harry answered.
"Well what did you hear?" Ron asked, plopping down on the couch across from Hermione, close to a burning fire.
"That's the thing. It was just four words. 'Power. Shadows. Spirit. Mutou.' Then, this really strong force just cut off the connection."
"Maybe it was someone skilled with Occlumency? I mean, we know Professor Mutou is powerful, maybe he does know some powerful spells. It's possible." Hermione answered, frowning at the thought.
"But Professor Mutou said he was a muggle." Ron stated, confused.
"Professor Mutou may be a muggle Ron, but I think he's hiding something. I think Dumbledore knows what it is, and I don't trust this secret." Harry said, glancing at the fire.
"But Harry, if Dumbledore brought him here, there shouldn't be any need to worry about the secrets he might hold."
"Voldemort's Death Eaters have slipped past Dumbledore before." Harry replied.
"Are you saying you think Professor Mutou is a Death Eater?" Ron asked.
"No, Why would Voldemort be questioning him if he was a Death Eater. No, I think it's something else. Professor Mutou is hiding something dangerous, and I think we need to find out what it is."
Yami sat at the desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the dark, wooden surface. He glanced at the clock and sighed, "Half past seven."
Yugi materialized next to him and glanced warily at the door. "Maybe he forgot?"
"Yugi he didn't forget, he is purposely neglecting his detention."
"I'm sure he has a good reason.."
"Aibou really?" Yami gave Yugi a look and laid his head on the desk.
Yugi sighed. "You look tired Yami. Maybe we should head back to our room, I mean we do have a class tomorrow morning, we can deal with him then."
Yami debated this for a moment then stood up and gathered his cards off the desk. He paused, picking up one card in particular. "Kuriboh."
"Hmm?" Yugi asked, watching blissfully out the window as the sun set over the lake.
"I'm still amazed Yugi."
"Amazed at what?"
"That you summoned him. I mean don't you feel exhausted? Tired? At the very least sleepy?"
Yugi paused and thought this over then glanced back over at Yami. "Of course I do, but if I gave up trying even when I knew the consequences of my actions, then nothing great would ever be accomplished."
Yami smiled. "Good answer."
"Yugi shrugged and bounced on his feet. "I've learned from the best."
Yugi yawned and sat crossed legged on the top of his desk. He wore his usual attire, but his normally perfect hair was drooping and he rubbed carelessly at his eyes holding a large cup of tea in one hand.
"Ummm Professor? " Hermione asked cautiously.
"Yes Hermione?"
"Not to be pushy or anything, but why haven't we begun the lesson yet?"
Yugi smiled and placed his tea on the side of the desk. "Because we are waiting."
Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but quickly silenced herself as a playful smirk danced across Yugi's face.
"But, I wish to thank you for addressing me Hermione. I almost ad forgotten something, so I will take care of that before my guest arrives." Yugi turned on his heel and stepped down the few stairs to stand facing the students. "I'd like a volunteer." Hermione and Harry both raised their hands, along with a few eager Ravenclaws, but Yugi had his eyes set on one person. "Ah, Draco, seeing how you failed to show up for your detention last night, please, join me at the front of the class."
Draco smugly walked to the front and glanced at Crabbe and Goyle at the back of the room.
"Now class, I know a few of you are muggleborn, is anyone a fan of duel monsters?"
A few students warily raised their hands, including Neville.
"Neville! Please come here."
Hermione nudged Neville and he quickly scurried to the front of the class to stand beside Yugi.
Yugi sifted through his deck and glanced at the cards, quickly slipping five of them into his other hand, no one noticed the flash of crimson in his eyes. "Now class, I would like to teach Draco here a bit of a lesson. Seeing how this is a school and I am the Professor, I believe I deserve a certain amount of respect. Now Neville, if you would please pick a card." Yami handed Neville the five cards.
The class waited patiently, eying Neville as he glanced at the five mysterious cards in front of him. "Professor?"
"You've picked one?"
Neville nodded and handed Yami the card.
Yami glanced at the card and smiled. "This is perfect Neville. Now class, Neville here has chosen a card very dear to my heart, a card that Mr. Malfoy is going to personally interact with. Seeing how you were unable to respect Kuriboh, I believe that you need a little lesson in respect so if you would please be gracious and welcome the lovely Dark Magician Girl."
Everyone watched as a faint light appeared in front of the card, growing in size until finally a blue clad blonde haired girl appeared holding a staff in front of Malfoy.
"Professor how did you-"
"I will explain later on in the lesson Hermione. Please, be patient." Yami smiled and looked at the Duel Monster. "Dark Magician Girl," he spoke in ancient Egyptian, "I would like you to please greet these two fine students."
Dark Magician Girl smiled and stared at both Neville and Draco. Draco watched in terror as the previously printed Magician stood before him. Dark Magician Girl floated over to Draco and stared at him, watching his every move, until she swiftly wacked him on the head.
The class stared on in shock as Draco stood stunned, watching the Magician float in front of him, giving him a rather nasty frown.
"Draco you may sit down." Draco clambered to the back of the class and sat down next to a laughing Crabbe and Goyle.
Yami watched on curiously as the Dark Magician Girl drifted over to Neville.
/Yami./ Yugi said, appearing in spirit form next to Yami. Dark Magician Girl quickly spun around to stare at the spot where Yugi had appeared and smiled, looking fondly over at her favourite master.
Harry nudged Hermione and whispered quickly to her, "Did you see that?"
"See what Harry?"
"That Magician, she's looking at something."
Ron squinted at stared at the Duel Monster, "I think you're right Harry. She is staring at something…"
/Hello Dark Magician Girl. It's a pleasure to see you, as always./
Dark Magician Girl nodded and turned back to Neville. She circled around him and picked at his hair playfully, noticing the look of sheer terror on the boy she frowned and quickly floated over to the windowsill to pluck a simple daisy out of a pot and handed it to him.
Neville looked confused and glanced at Yami.
"It seems she wants to be your friend Neville. Will you accept her friendship?" Yami's eyes flashed Crimson and dimmed to their normal violet state.
Neville looked at the floating Magician and carefully took the flower from her hand, swiftly being crushed in a hug from the happy Magician.
Yugi laughed and helped the shocked Neville back to his seat, "Alright Dark Magician Girl, you may leave now, thank you for your help."
Dark Magician Girl nodded and disappeared in a quick spark of light. It was then that the class erupted into questions, until a soft knock came from the classroom door.
"Ah." Yugi smiled and bounced to the door quickly. "It would appear that my guest has arrived."
