Egyptian Sorcery

By AlantisB

Chapter Five

"I will only truly have left this school none here are loyal to me... Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it." – Dumbledore

Summer was ending, and the house called Eye of Ra was going through some changes. It was that time of year again where children head back to school to clear the cobwebs that had grown during the break. Yugi had already prepared his school things by the door of his room, locked away safely in his new trunk. He was excited and nervous all at the same time and he found that he was having trouble sleeping. Even Yami was caught up in the energy his other was projecting and couldn't sleep either.

Some time ago, not long after the visit to Draco's manor (which had been exciting, if a bit frightening because it had a dark feel to it), Yami found that he could project his image outside of the puzzle. But the only one who seemed to see Yami as such was Yugi, but it didn't bother him to talk to the spirit like that. He rather liked it, seeing something only he could see and no one else. He felt comfortable around his other half. He didn't have the need to be embarrassed when he undressed in front of him or worry about being watched in the shower. It was like having an imaginary friend, only other people knew he existed they just couldn't see him at the same time they saw Yugi.

They both sat on his bed, surrounded by the green-silver covers as Yugi hugged one of his pillows to his chest. It was a comfortable silence around them and there was no need to spoil it with unnecessary words. Yugi liked this quiet interaction they had between them.

Rags chose that moment to walk into the room and jump up onto the bed. Then he prostrated himself in front of Yugi on his back with his paws in the air and tail wagging, begging without words. Yugi laughed and scratched the dog's belly. "Hi Rags! You big suck up. You just came in here for one last belly rub before I head off on the train tomorrow didn't you?"

Yami just smiled, remaining unseen by rags. He sat looking over Yugi's shoulder, watching his other give their dog some token affection. Rags seemed to laugh at the younger boy the way only a dog can—tongue hanging out of his mouth and his dark brown eyes sparkling in canine amusement. He seemed to enjoy the belly rub immensely, making appreciative growls and affectionate licks on Yugi's cheek when he leaned down to give a better belly scratch. To Yami, it looked as if the dog was going to miss his human a lot.

"Rags," Yugi sighed starting to pet the dog relaxingly. "I'm going to miss you and Meioh. I've never really gone to a boarding school before. I know Yami will be with me, but it won't be the same. Meioh has never left my side before, and well, you're going to be hard to leave too."

Rags calmed down and rolled back over onto his stomach. He nudged his snout under the boy's hand and needled him to calm him down. He made a whine in the back of his throat.

Yugi scratched his snout before moving his hand up to the head, scratching there softly. "I know you'll miss me. Who will feed you those midnight snacks you like so much? You'll get fat if you keep eating like that. I wish I could take you with me Rags. But they don't let dogs in as pets. At least from what I understand," Yugi's voice was wistful but as he continued, his voice carried more and more tones of fear of failure.

"I hope I do well in this school. I don't want to be an embarrassment to my deck for failing to control my own magic. They depend on me to be their duelist in the Games but I'm worried I'll fail."

Yami put a comforting hand on his other's shoulder. The boy couldn't feel it, but he could see it out of the corner of his eye and that was enough comfort for now. The young pharaoh wanted to pull the younger boy into his arms but didn't have enough power at this time to be able to solidify, even for just a moment. But soon, he would be able to give comfort and reassurance to his other when their magic continued to develop. For now, they both had to settle getting their assurances through looks and words.

"Rags, did you come in here to wake up the masters? Shame on you," Meioh said with amusement lacing his voice as he peaked in the doorway. "I told you to let them sleep. Not to wake them up just to give you a belly rub."

Yugi smiled softly. "He didn't wake me up, I couldn't sleep. Rags didn't bother me at all. I like him here with me."

"Be that as it may, Master Yugi, you still have to get up early tomorrow so that you can catch your train. Rags can stay in here with you as long as you get some sleep! It's already twelve o'clock."

At the mention of the late hour, Yugi yawned, rubbing at his eyes tiredly. Yami smiled softly at his light and disappeared back into the puzzle. Yugi got under the covers and snuggled into their warm embrace. Rags yawned too, and settled down to drape himself over the lump in the bed. Yugi was too tired to argue with the dog that it was too hot for him to sleep over him like that. He soon fell asleep.

Meioh saw the scene and smiled softly. He closed the door quietly behind him as he let his masters sleep.

*

The trip to the school was lonely. It left Yugi by himself with only his deck to occupy his attention. He shuffled the deck, and glanced over his cards looking at each monster, wondering if they would obey him in real shadow games. When he picked the Dark Magician card, he was still there, but looked like a ghost for he wasn't as solid as before.

"Hmm, that's interesting," Yugi muttered quietly and shuffled the Dark Magician back into his deck. He stared out the window the rest of the trip to the school.

When the train came to a stop, Yugi raced outside and paused. The train station suggested old money, especially since it was an old fashioned train. He glanced at a light pole and walked over to it. There was something wrong with the way the light flickered in the bulb. But a big meaty hand grabbed his shoulder and a big voice spoke, " 'ello there. You must be the new student, Yugi?"

Yugi looked over his shoulder to see a giant of a man with a thick black beard and a wide smile. "Er.. Hello. Yes, I'm Yugi."

"Glad ta have you aboard, Yugi." The giant motioned him with his latern. "Follow me and I'll lead ya to the castle.

"What about my stuff?"


"Don't worry. They will be put into the house you're sorted into." The man smiled. "By the way, name's Rubeus Hagrid, but everyone calls me Hagrid."

He smiled and nodded slightly. Following the man, Yugi started to talk to Yami.

He seems nice enough.

Yes he does. If all the teachers are like him, I am sure our time here will be interesting indeed.

True. But every school has a teacher you hate.

Of course. They are usually the ones that push you the hardest, and they are the ones that help you learn the most.

I don't know. I think if you hate a teacher you won't do anything for them.

Not true, you would want to show up the teacher that you are smart. So they will help you strive to become a better student using reverse psychology, aibou.

Really? Maybe Joey is a lost cause. He hates all of his teachers.

Not a lost cause, just stubborn.

Sounds exactly like him.

Yami sent a mental chuckle to his other. It does, doesn't it?

Mmmhmm.

" 'Ey, Yugi? Yugi we're coming up on the castle."

Hagrid's voice startled the two out of their conversation. Yugi nodded to the teacher and dipped his hand in the lake to skim it across the water. He was glad that tonight wasn't a hot night. He would hate to have to wear his leather pants and get them all sweaty. They were impossible to get off when they were wet.

He gasped when he looked up, the castle was beautiful!

Wow, isn't that cool Yami? Look at that!

It isn't as big as the pyramids.

I know, but it's still a huge place. I bet we'll get lost easily in there.

First thing we are going to do is map out secret passages.

Why?

Because aibou, we need to have escape routes in case we need it. You don't know if there are any bullies in school and while I can take care of you if you need it, there are times when I won't be able to help you. Understand?

Yes Yami. I get it. But why wouldn't you be able to help me?

What if the puzzle and you were separated, we would no longer be able to switch or communicate. Or perhaps someone blocks us from switching, possibly the cards would like to see you handle yourself on your own.

This way they know just how strong their master is. Some cards will not like it if you are defeated or killed because you couldn't defend yourself. You know that from Meioh.

I know, I know. But still! We will always be together, you promised to be my best friend forever. I would never let anyone take you away from me. I wouldn't be able to handle it if I could no longer talk to you.

I know. I'm sorry for upsetting you aibou.

It's okay Yami. I forgive you.

They entered the castle and the giant lead him to what he called the "Great Hall". As soon as the huge double doors opened wide, Yugi gapped at the sight. Candles floated near the teacher's table that sat at the head of four large empty tables. Hagrid lead him up the isle to the table. In front of the table sat a stool with an old worn hat as if waiting for him.

"Hello Mr. Mouto, welcome to Hogwarts." The Headmaster smiled at him behind the half moon glasses. He folded his hands in front of him and gazed at the child softly with twinkling eyes.

"Thank you for accepting me sir," Yugi replied softly, looking at the ground. "Meioh wanted me to thank you again for him sir, and I want you to know I am really excited to be able to go to a magic school."

Professor Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, well we can all tell that. Now, I want you to go to that stool right there and put the hat on your head. You will be sorted into your house. We can get on with dinner afterwards. When dinner is finished, the Head of your new House will lead you to your dormitory so that you can get some sleep."

Yugi nodded and walked over to the stool. He grabbed the hat, sitting down quietly with a light swoosh of his cloak. He put the hat on his head and waited. He didn't have to wait long before a little voice spoke into his ear.

"Ah, it is an honor to meet you young pharaoh. Now, let's see which house you belong to. Hmm, well you are no Hufflepuff despite the amount of loyalty you have. You both are brave, but between the two of you, I think the two houses which suit you best are Ravenclaw and Slytherin.

Now, you are a difficult one aren't you? Let's see, you have an excellent mind, but I sense a great thirst to prove yourself to your deck. Hmm.. Well I have decided. You shall go into… SLYTHERIN!"

Yugi took off the hat to hear the teachers clapping politely. He saw a black greasy haired man with dark eyes looking at him with a raised eyebrow. He was clapping also, but looked surprised by the hat's choice. He needed to keep an eye on that teacher, he was interesting.

"Wonderful!" The Headmaster exclaimed. "Now, let us eat. Yugi, you can sit in the empty seat next Professor Snape and I."

He walked around the table to sit between the two men. The Headmaster clapped his hands once and the table was full of food. When Yugi finished dinner, his plate disappeared and he sat idly waiting for the teachers to finish. He started to get bored, and took out his cards. He shuffled them absentmindedly.

"What are those?" Professor Snape glanced over at the boy as he spoke. He was shuffling a deck of some sort. It looked like a muggle game but for an odd reason he had the shivers looking at them.

"This? It's my duel monster deck--a game I play."

"I see. And what do you do with these cards?"

"Well, I usually play against another duelist. But when I just have myself to play with I use them to tell fortunes. Sometimes I get them right like tarot cards, but sometimes I'm way off." He shrugged and smiled. "It's a hobby."

Professor Snape twisted in his seat to look at the child that was a part of his house now. He smirked and ran a few fingers through his hair. "Tell me, what will this years Defense Against the Dark Art's teacher like?"

"I don't know sir. Can you point the teacher out?"

"He isn't here yet. He won't arrive until tomorrow."

"Oh, um, well I suppose I can do a fortune like this. I'll try." Yugi shuffled his deck and placed seven cards face down on the empty table top in front of him. His eyes gazed as he seemed to go into a trance. His body moved on automatic, as if there was no one home.

He flipped the first one. It was Summoned Skull (2500/1200). His voice was monotone as he spoke. "An enemy will use dark powers to confuse the enemy."

The next card was flipped; Curse of Dragon (2000/1500). "Powerful wizard, but dabs into darker things, and has a bad temper too."

Mammoth Graveyard (1200/800), "The protective side of the pack, a leader is provoked into his ruthlessness when it faces a threat to steal away something important."

Ansatsu (1700/1200), "Someone will be hurt, or killed by sneak attack."

Magical Ghost (1300/1400), "While they send the school in a panic, it will attack as the terror and panic hits the school."

Change of Heart is flipped up. "A great power will use someone for a time, it doesn't matter who, until the person has completed the mission sent."

Neo the Magic Swordsmen (1700/1000), "The person that attacks knows sorcery, but is also a great warrior of the Martial Arts."

After the last card was flipped, they started to glow a golden color. Unseen to all the teachers because they were staring at the cards in shock, a magical eye, the same as on his puzzle, showed on Yugi's forehead. Then he slumped forward in exhaustion, his deck falling from his hands to the floor.

The Dark Magician Card flipped on top, staring up at his weakened master from under the table.

TBC