Small Note
Sakura: Normally I have some kind of message for my readers, but nothing today. I really don't have much to say so as always enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter Twelve
Dumbledore's Army (Part One)
Yami had no idea why but he felt the need to go after the headmaster. He did not even have time to tell his lover where he was going before he was hurrying after Dumbledore. There were so many unanswered questions that Yami felt he needed to know the answers to. Of course Dumbledore was not making things easy with his quick steps and the way he seemed to walk through the students as if they were not there.
It was only when Dumbledore turned down a quieter hallway that Yami was able to call out to him. "Professor Dumbledore, wait a moment please!" Yami called out hoping the headmaster would either slow down or stop. He just wished to speak with him. That wasn't too much to ask was it?
At first he thought the headmaster had not heard him that was until he noticed the professor had slowed down to a brisk walk. It gave Yami a chance to catch up within a few long strides. Once he was side by side with the headmaster did Yami asked the first question that had been bothering him.
"Why do you let her get away with this?"
"You must understand Yami I am in a very delicate position at the moment." Dumbledore informed him, "The minister is being lead to believe I cannot be trusted since I have sided with Harry in believing Voldermort has risen back to power. He sees me as weak and that I cannot run this school as I should. The ministry has more power over what goes on in Hogwarts than most truly know. I'm simply a figure head, but I had the trust of the ministry to run this school how I saw fit."
"But do to recent events that trust is no more," Yami was able to piece together. The way Dumbledore ran Hogwarts was never a problem until he decided to side with Harry.
Dumbledore nodded his head as he continued to look forward at the path they were taking, "You should count yourself lucky Yami."
Yami's eyes widen as he looked up at the professor briefly, "Why do you say that?"
"Because you have one remarkable partner who is willing to do anything to ensure you get to follow your dream."
At first Yami was confused about what he was talking about, but then he remembered the way Yuugi stood up for him when Umbridge came to view his class. It did not take a genius to figure out what Dumbledore was really trying to say as Yami stated, "Umbridge was gunning for me to be fired."
"Yes you were the one she wanted to have fired, however it would seem Yuugi strikes more fear in the ministry than Voldermort ever did. They know that if they got on his wrong side he could do so much more damage back." He explained to Yami who was slightly surprised to learn that.
"Wait…." Yami stopped right in his tracks causing Dumbledore to stop and look at him, "If Yuugi strikes so much fear than why is the ministry still after Sirius?"
Dumbledore had a slight smile on his face as he said, "Who is to say they are still after him…"
The realization of it all was hitting Yami hard as he confirmed what he was starting to figure out, "It was different when he was younger, but now that he is older and in control of his magic he is more dangerous." The ministry could make it look like they were still after Sirius through the media, but behind the scenes they were doing nothing.
"He was only a toddler when his father was put away and no threat. Even after Sirius broke out and came to Hogwarts he was not much of a threat because he did not know the truth. The ministry wanted to get to Sirius first before Yuugi, but as it shows that did not happen. Once Yuugi learned the truth that they put an innocent man behind bars the ministry knew they would lose him." Dumbledore looked out one of the windows at the scenery displayed before him, "If the ministry were to get their hands on Sirius now, Yuugi would have their heads."
Yami knew Yuugi was talented and there was that prophecy about Yuugi that Ishizu had talked about. It was just hearing all this about the ministry fearing Yuugi so much that they wouldn't allow Yami to be fired and that Sirius technically wasn't being hunted anymore. Just the idea of it all seemed unreal. His little lover had everyone in the palm of his hand and judging by what had happened with Umbridge he wondered if Yuugi knew this.
"Yuugi is a remarkable young wizard, but above all I can see that he would never use his abilities unjustly." The headmaster looked Yami's way one more time as he said, "Yuugi will protect those he cares about with his own life if he has to. Keep a watchful eye on him Yami."
Yami was left to stand there taking everything in as Dumbledore turned and took his leave.
After a conversation like that with the headmaster, the young professor needed a moment to himself. He was not quite ready to face Yuugi with the information he had just learned and he was not sure if he wanted to tell Yuugi. Power can make people do stupid things and he did not want to think that of Yuugi. Yuugi either protected Yami out of love or he knew the ministry would do nothing to stop him.
Yami loved his partner more than anything in the world. The knowledge he had just learned scared him in more ways than one because he liked to think he knew Yuugi. But overall the only way he would be able to sleep that night was if he talked it out with Yuugi. It would most likely not be a pleasant conversation, but above all Yami wanted to be able to trust Yuugi.
However the conversation would have to be put on hold Yami quickly realized when he entered his and Yuugi's common room. As soon as he stepped into the warmth of their living quarters, he heard Hermione say, "Foul evil little gargoyle!"
As he stepped in further after hanging up his robes, he found Hermione pacing in front of the lit fireplace with Ron sitting on the couch in front of her. Yuugi and Harry were sitting at the table just behind the couch with the radio turned on but it was on low. Most likely Yuugi had invited them back to their quarters after all that happened.
Yami stepped up behind Yuugi and placed his hands on his partner's shoulders as Hermione started to rant again, "We're not learning how to defend ourselves… We're not learning how to pass our OWLs.." She paused in her walking to address them all, "She's taking over the entire school."
Yuugi reached to place a hand on Yami's to let him know he knew he was there, but said nothing. Both he and Yami had seen it coming a mile away that Umbridge was gunning to take over Hogwarts. As the quiet settled over them the radio could be heard clear as day. The minister was giving a speech and a certain message he was giving caught all their attention. Harry quickly reached over to turn it up.
"Furthermore we have convincing evidence that these disappearances are the work of notorious mass murderer Sirius Black…." Yuugi growled as he reached back over and turned it completely off. The disappearances in the newspaper that had been happening over the last few months were not his father's doing. He was sick of the ministry trying to twist things around.
The fireplace behind Hermione let out a rather loud pop causing her to jump and turned toward it. Everyone soon joined her as the face of Yuugi's father started to appear. Yuugi couldn't believe his father was trying to contact them this way. "Dad what are you doing?"
"I'm answering your letters," Sirius said toward both Harry and Yuugi who were the only ones in the room who would send Sirius anything. "You two were worried about Umbridge. What is she doing? Training you to kill half-breeds..." He said that last part as more a joke to lighten the mood.
"Sirius she's not letting us use magic at all." Harry told his god father.
Sirius sighed, "Well I'm not surprised, latest intelligence is that Fudge doesn't want you trained in combat."
"Combat..?" Ron questioned confused by that, "What's he think we're forming some kind of wizard army?"
"That's exactly what he thinks. That Dumbledore is assembling his own forces to take on the ministry. He is becoming more paranoid by the minute." Sirius said referring to the minister before he quickly changed the subject. "The others wouldn't want me telling you this, but things aren't going at all well with the order. Fudge is blocking the truth at every turn and these disappearances are just how it started before. Voldermort is on the move…."
"What can we do?" Harry asked and it was after that, they all heard the echo of a door opening in the background. Since no one would be entering Yuugi and Yami's living quarters they knew it came from Sirius's end.
"Someone's coming," Sirius whispered, "I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but for now at least it looks like you're on your own." Those were his parting words before his face completely disappeared from the fire.
The fire continued to burn as they all slowly moved away taking in what Sirius had just told them. Hermione was the first one to break the silence as she asked, "He's really out there isn't he?"
They all knew who she was referring to and with all that was happening in the world it was plain as day that Voldermort was back. Harry was the only one to have seen him rise back from his near death state so only those close to Harry had chosen to believe him knowing him to not lie about something like that. Now the truth was physically coming out but the ministry was still covering it up choosing not to believe.
"We've got to be able to defend ourselves." Hermione added as she turned to them all, "And if Umbridge refuses to teach us how we need someone who will."
Yuugi was not blind to see how her eyes went to him and Yami. Out of all the professors here at Hogwarts they were the ones Harry and his friends trusted the most. Plus Yami was skilled in the dark arts and he would be the best to teach them how to defend. Honestly Yuugi was all on board with the idea, but it would be hard given they had classes they had to focus on too.
"Let's call it a night for now," Yami said out of the blue causing all eyes to turn to him, "A lot has happened today and I think we all need a good night's sleep." It was obvious he too had picked up on what Hermione was silently asking and wanted a moment to think it over.
The three fifth years looked at Yuugi who just smiled at them, "It is getting late and it wouldn't be wise if you three were found outside your dorms. We'll meet up in the morning during breakfast." He promised as he started for the door to see them out.
Since they did not seem to have a choice, the three followed Yuugi and let him see them out before he closed the door behind them. Once they had the place to themselves Yuugi sighed and started right for the sofa. He plopped down on it right next to Yami who sat down a little more graceful.
"Today has just been hell hasn't it?" Yuugi said as he fell over putting his head in Yami's lap.
Yami nodded as he continued to watch the fire burn in the fireplace. "Do you really think they mean it?"
Yuugi looked up at Yami as he asked, "You mean about the army thing?" His husband nodded so Yuugi went on to say, "I think they really mean it. They aren't learning anything from Umbridge and with Voldermort back the students need to know how to defend themselves. There's no telling what Voldermort is planning in the future so everyone needs to be ready."
"Yeah but is it really our place. I doubt Voldermort is planning on attacking Hogwarts anytime soon."
"It's not just about Hogwarts it's also about when the students are away from the school. They need to be prepared," Yuugi explained to Yami as he changed positions and sat up. Something seemed off about his partner and he wanted to know what. "By the way where did you run off to this afternoon?"
Yami looked away not wanting to meet Yuugi's eyes, "I had a talk with Dumbledore that's all."
"I doubt a talk with the headmaster would put you in this kind of mood," Yuugi said as he poked Yami's cheek, "What happened during your talk?"
Just like he had all afternoon, he was debating again whether to talk to Yuugi about this or not. It seemed better to keep it to himself and make sure Yuugi did not do anything too drastic. However after the talk with Sirius and Hermione's idea about someone else teaching them behind Umbridge's back, it just seemed like they needed to clean the air so he could get a better understand of it all.
Yami let out a sigh before he turned to Yuugi asked, "Can you be honest with me about something?"
Yuugi was taken aback by the question, but nodded and said, "Sure…"
There was no reason not to come out and just say it and that is what he did, "Do you know that the ministry fears you?"
The question had Yuugi completely floored, he had no idea why his partner would ask such a question but during the time he had his talk with Dumbledore something had to have been said. Sure he knew the minister feared him, but he never knew that until the past few years right before his father had escaped. "I did partly, but it was never confirmed until before my father escaped from Azkaban." Yuugi answered honestly wondering if that was the answer Yami was looking for, "Why are you bring this all up? Did Dumbledore say something to you?"
Yami lightly nodded his head as he looked away again, "I figured I would be the one to be fired before Trelawney due to my family's past. So I went after Dumbledore to find out why I was still here. He told me it was due to you that the ministry won't touch me because it could set you off."
Silence followed as Yuugi took in what Yami was telling him. Something about the way he said it, made Yuugi believe that there was something more to this. "You think I'm using my own power to scare the ministry into leaving you alone." He found himself saying more as a statement than a question. The only reason Yuugi wouldn't back down from Umbridge was because he knew she had been gunning for them since she came here. Yami was a great professor and no matter his past he should be allowed to teach. "Yami you heard my father. Fudge is paranoid and will do anything to make sure things appear fine when they are not. I don't mean to scare anyone I just want Umbridge to leave us alone. I can't control how the ministry views how I act out. I was trying to protect someone I care about and nothing more."
"Then this army business? If we start something behind Dumbledore's back, there is no telling how Umbridge or the ministry will view it. Our families have suffered enough and I don't want the people to think we are truly trying to take down the ministry when we are not."
Yuugi reached out and turned Yami's face so he was looking at him, "They won't be able to view it as such because they'll never know about it. I want these students to remain safe and know how to defend themselves. There is a new war coming and we have to be ready. You don't have to be involved if you don't want to I just think these students need a better teacher than Umbridge." He wanted Yami to decide whether to join or not and not force him to.
"We could get in a lot of trouble for this," Yami commented as he pulled his partner close.
Yuugi lean against Yami and smiled, "Does that mean you'll help me?"
"Yeah, but I can only do so much. I do have classes to tend to you know."
"I do and I promise it won't interfere with any of them." Yuugi promised as he snuggled farther into Yami's side. Sure some of his actions did look suspicious to some in the ministry, but he knew what he was doing. Everything he did was to protect those he held dear. Yuugi wasn't out to take over the world like Voldermort wanted to. He just wanted to be able to live his life like he wanted to with his family and friends by his side. One day that would be a reality or so he hoped it would be.
"This is mad. Who'd want to be taught by me? I'm a nutter, remember?" Harry asked as the small group made their way toward the Hog's Head pub not far from the little town of Hogsmeade where students from Hogwarts were allowed to go every weekend. It was the next day and after getting together early during breakfast, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Yuugi were making their way to a meeting spot that Hermione had set up. Apparently other students were going to be there that she invited secretly to see who else would like to join them.
The only one not with them was Yami, who couldn't get out of a professor's meeting that McGonagall dropped on him that morning. So since Yuugi did not have to be there he gladly skipped out on the meeting to join his little brother and the others. Of course Yuugi dropped his own kind of idea on Harry since he knew there would be some times when Yami could not be there.
"Look on the bright side. You can't be any worse than old toad face." Ron added with a chuckle.
Harry sighed, "Thanks, Ron."
"I'm here for you, mate."
Yuugi shook his head with a smile, "Come on Harry, it won't be all bad. Plus there's no telling how often Yami will be able to join us. You've fought Voldermort before and would be the best one to help us teach everyone the best way to defend."
Harry could tell it was a losing battle so he changed the subject and asked Hermione, "Who's supposed to be meeting us then?" It could not be a lot of other students since Hermione did not have that much time to get the word out about their plans.
"Just a couple of people," was her only reply as she pushed open the doors to the Hog's Head. The place looked abandoned to Yuugi as he stepped inside to an empty pub with only an old goat and the bartender in the whole place. He figured not a lot of people knew of this place and that was probably why Hermione picked it. It was away from the school and they wouldn't be disturbed by anyone coming and going.
"Lovely spot," Ron commented sarcastically.
Hermione was the first one to step in and say, "Thought it was safer off the beat and track."
'It may be safer, but it's creepy as hell and smells like something died…' Yuugi thought as he followed the others inside and out of the cold. Hopefully this meeting turned out a lot better than it was already looking.
Sakura: I was going to keep going, but decided to break up this chapter into two parts. Don't worry Yami's going to be involved in Dumbledore's army, just not right now.
Next Time: Dumbledore's army is coming to life and Yuugi gets to be a bit of a show off.
Yumi: Review!
