Chapter 13
Getting It Right
Disclaimer: Yadda yadda. All I own are the people you don't recognize.
Note: The chapter title comes from the chorus of The Ataris' 'In This Diary' – "Being grown up/isn't half as fun as growing up/these are the best days of our lives/the only thing that matters is just following your heart/and eventually you'll finally get it right"
Note #2: This chapter is the manifestation of my deep-seated hatred for Fudge. In other words......SUBTLE-FUDGE-BASHING! I doubt anyone will care. o.o
Note #3: There's a WAFF-y scene in this chappie.....I'll give ya a hint: it's between one of the couples that has not kissed yet......
Warning: Order of the Phoenix spoilers.....sorta.....See, I have them go to places that are first mentioned in 'Phoenix' but since I'm writing *this* as their fifth year, they're all, "Wow! I've never been here before!" See what I mean?
Mojobubbles: O___________________O Minna....it's....the last chapter.....and....I.....got over....100....reviews.......
All: *gasp*
Mojobubbles: ........*turns to readers* THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! ^____________^ Thank you for sticking by me and coming to read my story even though it would always take me frickin' forever to update and then not getting on my case for taking frickin' forever to update. You people are the greatest. ^_______^
Kamilah: *V sign*
Mojobubbles: MUCH VIRTUAL HUGS GO OUT TO CHIBI-CLAIRE FOR BEING THE 100TH REVIEWER! I FINALLY GOT AT LEAST 100 REVIEWS ON SOMETHING!
Kamilah: *grin*
Mojobubbles: Well lessee. It's April 27, 2004. I'm typing this in my PJs and I just consumed an entire bottle of Starbucks Frappuccino. *wired* Lessee what we can do on this today.....
*************************
Review responses:
Just Me, Myself, and I: V_V My friend yelled at me when I told her I took down Chibi Neesan. *coughK-CHANcough*
Daricio: oO; Interesting dreams there. *is trying to start every review response with some face* ^^;; *shrugs* Ah, whatever ff.net meant, it didn't kill the story. ^_^ THANK YOU FOR BEING THE 101ST REVIEWER! ^_^
Chibi-claire: ^____^ I'm glad you like! Thank you muchly for being the 100th reviewer!!!!!!!
Namonaki Pharaoh: ^__^ Heehee. Thankies. Comedy is not my strong point; I'm glad you think it's funny.
Princess Krystal01: ^_^ Hope everything's all squared away now.
A Watcher: o.o Um....nope. Not over yet. Because here I am, posting chapter 13. ^_^;;
Curtis Zidane Ziraa: T.T I try to update. I just finished getting over a really rough patch. ¬_¬
BECA: ^__^ Ideas! I like Yami Malik's enjoying good literature. I had fun with that. Uhm. Mokuba did wake up. ......did you miss that? UO__o
Arian Starswing: ^_^ Cuteness. Yaya.
Katiekat1414: @.@ Um......ok.
Yesima (Whatever the heck your penname is now): x.x I couldn't pay attention during the Noa-Arc because the subtitles freakin' suck. ......OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO FEEL BAD FOR RISHID! *glomps Rishid* HOW COULD ANYONE *NOT*!? And is it possible for anyone to not like Amane-chan? *hugs Amane- chan* Heehee. Oh, by the way....I got your review for Deathtree, and the boy's name is Yoichi. ^_^ I'm a Ring-obsessive.....
******************************
"So, what are these 'Ministry of Magic' people like?" Yugi asked, watching the rest of the boys' dormitory put the finishing touches on their outfits.
Well, actually, it wasn't the whole boys dormitory. Most of the school was outside, taking advantage of the cancellation of exams (because Voldemort was gone, obviously) and the fine weather the second Saturday in June had given them. In the dormitory were Ron, Harry, and the boys from Domino, and Yugi could faintly hear the excited chatter of the girls in their dormitory. They, along with Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall were to go to the Ministry of Magic's headquarters to meet with Fudge and be commended for their aid in vanquishing Voldemort for many years to come, if not forever.
"Eh, they're ok," Harry shrugged in response to Yugi's question.
"You're forgetting my dad's one of 'em," Ron pointed out sourly.
"No, you're forgetting how Fudge acted at the end of last year," Harry countered, sounding just as bitter.
"What'd he do?" Shogo and Tristan asked simultaneously, sitting down next to Yugi.
"He didn't believe Voldemort had come back," Harry explained.
"He kept going on like Harry was a raving lunatic," Ron added solemnly.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Gee, than-" But before Harry could finish, a loud whoop sounded from the common room.
"Is that Sirius?" Bakura blinked.
Just then, the door flew open and Sirius stood in the doorway, a childish grin on his face. "BRILLIANT!" he shouted. "JUST BRILLIANT!!!"
"Something you'd like to share with the group?" Malik asked with a raised eyebrow.
"They've got Wormtail! Dumbledore got Wormtail!" Sirius shouted happily. "HE'S GONNA COME TOO AND THEY'RE GONNA USE VERITASERUM!"
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!?" Ron and Harry cried at the same time.
"I'm lost," Joey said, scratching his cheek.
"Wormtail's coming to the Ministry with us! They're going to make him tell the truth!" Harry explained.
"You mean...." Yugi stared.
"I'M GONNA BE OFF THE HOOK!" Sirius screamed, turning and bounding back down the stairs out of the common room.
For a moment, they all stared at each other. Then suddenly, Yugi and Joey tore out of the room and across the room to the door leading the girls' dormitory.
"GUESS WHAT!!" they yelled simultaneously.
"WE'RE NOT DRESSED YET!" the girls shrieked back.
"BUT SIRIUS IS GONNA BE FREE!" they exclaimed.
There was a pause. "WHAT!?"
Joyfully, Joey and Yugi relayed what Sirius had told them, turning the peace of the dormitory into a happy bedlam.
************************
A rather frazzled subway journey later, the large group (now including Sirius) were standing on a crowded sidewalk in the middle of London.
"Wait a minute......" Harry stared.
"What is it?" Sirius asked.
"McGonagall said the entrance was here...."
Suddenly, the phone in a nearby, dilapidated, red booth began ringing.
"I say we go for the telephone booth," Joey pointed, and they made their way over.
Yugi stepped in. "Uh....hello?" he asked, hesitantly holding the receiver to his ear.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic headquarters," answered a calm voice on the other line. Yugi blinked in surprise. "Please state your name and business."
Yugi blinked again. "Uh, Yugi Muto, here to-"
But the voice interrupted. "You and your companions will be taken now to the Ministry's atrium, Mr. Muto."
"Wait a minute!" Yugi protested. "Are we all supposed to fit in here?!" But the voice was gone.
He turned to the others, waiting. "Oh, what the heck....." he shrugged. He waved the others in.
"Are we supposed to fit in *here*?" Tristan asked, poking his head in. And as soon as he did so, the phone booth seemed to expand.
Yugi grinned. "Apparently."
It was only a bit of a squeeze to get them all in, as the phone booth seemed to expand every time someone else stepped in.
As soon as they were in, the voice was back. "The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day," it echoed through the phone booth.
With a shudder, the booth sank into the ground, sending the occupants into darkness, much to their dismay.
"Where are you guys!?" Malik demanded, the dark definitely *not* being his favorite thing on the planet. He felt Rishid's hand on his shoulder, though, and he relaxed.
"Uh.....guys...." Tea sounded nervous. "Elevators kind of give me motion sickness...."
With that revelation, the whole group attempted to scoot away from her. Which really didn't work. They weren't sure who tripped first, but someone fell, accidentally taking Bakura down with them.
And by the time the elevator had reached its destination, it's occupants were a mere tangle of arms and legs and protesting voices.
The door swung open, and the group clambered out.
"That.....*sucked*." Ron commented, shaking his head dizzily.
***********************
The 'ceremony' involved a lot of shiny medals and titles that most of the recipients didn't even understand.
They hadn't really realized that they'd saved a whole different world from a growing threat. They'd only been trying to save their friends and family.
None of them cared for Fudge, really. His voice was overly sweet and sticky, kind of like, well, fudge.
And now they were merely anxious to find out what the fate of Sirius would be.
"In what way," Fudge asked Yugi, bringing them all back to the present, "can we show our gratitude to you?"
Yugi turned and looked around at his friends, old and new.
Their eyes met, and they were all remembering.
~*~Flashin' back to the good times~*~
Bakari looked up, and Malik was startled at the pained look in his friend's brown eyes.
"Bakura's so naïve," he growled, trying to mask his feelings. "He doesn't know anything about real life. One day, he's going to have it all taken away-" Malik cut him off.
"That's already happened," Malik said darkly. "You've never heard of Amane? She was Bakura's younger sister."
"What?!" Bakari interjected sharply. "I've never met her......."
"Key word, Bakari: she /was/ his sister," Malik replied. "She died when she was only 7, and Bakura was 11." Bakari said nothing.
"You had a sister too, didn't you?!" Malik gasped, correctly interpreting Bakari's silence.
"Ain," Bakari said softly. "That was her name, Ain."
"Where-?"
"She died a long time ago, ok?! So just......drop it."
**********
Malik grabbed Adara's hand and yanked her into the hallway, where they could laugh as loud as they wanted. They both slumped against the wall, unable to catch their breath.
"That was so cool!" Adara said.
Malik, still grinning, nodded. Then, on a whim, he grabbed Adara's shoulders and kissed her square on the lips.
**************
Kaiba and Aneko hadn't spoken since their encounter. Whenever he passed her, she was always giggling with her Slytherin friends. He could not see how she could keep that happy mask on while she was feeling so much pain. But.....he thought. 'Maybe I made it better....maybe she's going to be alright, because of me....'
And for some reason, this thought warmed his heart.
'Dammit.....I think I'm falling in love.'
*************
And Yami, being the King of Games, said, "I'd like to try this Quidditch game...."
Those that knew Yami amused themselves with mental images of the former pharaoh attempting to ride a broomstick. He frowned as they all burst out laughing.
"It's not funny...." Yami said.
"Yes it is....." Kaya sang, trying to see just how ticked she could get him.
"Shut up."
"Make me!"
The Eye of Horus glowed on Yami's forehead.
Kaya eeped. "Shutting up now......"
The other Gryffindors looked startled and began scooting away.
"Kaya, stop ticking Yami off; Yami, stop scaring the Gryffindors," Yugi said, trying to play peacemaker.
"But they started it!!!" Kaya and Yami said at the same time, pointing at each other.
Isis shook her head and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'immature'. Malik elbowed her.
"Aw, is that anyway to talk about your boyyyy~friend?" he teased. He was about to continue harping on her when he saw the death glare he was receiving from his intended victim.
"Would you all just bloody shut up?!" Bakura interjected. He collected herself. "The match is beginning."
They all blinked.
"Bakari must be rubbing off on him," Tristan muttered to Joey, who nodded sagely.
**********
Adara turned and looked at Malik. She turned back and looked at the boy. "Oh, I'm over it, Jason. In fact, I've got a new boyfriend," she added. Everyone looked startled. Malik looked slightly disappointed.
Adara turned and walked over to him. "Play along," she whispered, before pulling him down to her eye level and pressing her lips against his.
Malik felt like his eyes were gonna pop out of his sockets. 'Play along,' he remembered, and kissed her back, closing his eyes.
Finally, Adara and Malik released each other. She turned to Jason, a triumphant look on her face.
"See?"
With that, she turned and walked down the hallway.
************
Sirius raised an eyebrow at Yami. "You're the King Of Games, aren't you?" he asked, smirking slightly.
"That depends on who's asking," Yami replied, smirking too.
"You have serious attitude issues," Sirius stated, the smirk turning to a grin. "How old are you? 16? 17? You don't look any older than 18?"
"I'm 18," Yami said. "Give or take 3000 years."
"Ohhhhh. You're one of those spirits. The pharaoh, right?" Sirius said, looking amused.
******************
"Don't worry," Rishid said softly, startling them all. "No matter how hopeless it looks, it will turn out in the end. Even if it looks as though the dark is overpowering, as though there will never be light again.......The light will overcome the dark, I know it. People can surprise you in that way. I've seen it happen before......."
Isis smiled and gently pulled away from Yami. She walked over to Rishid and laid her head against his shoulder, blinking away sudden tears.
She knew exactly what he was talking about.
~*~End the happy flashbacks~*~
Yugi turned back to Fudge and the others, swallowing the lump in his throat. "If it's not too much trouble.....could we establish a way to.......go from Japan to England? Or, more specifically.......Hogwarts? Like, through a portal, or something?"
"My dear boy," Fudge began, sounding annoyed and amused at the same time. "One simply cannot go sticking portals wherever one pleases. Besides, a means of transportation would greatly endanger the entire wizarding community. Even if one's intentions are good, one's actions can still have terrible consequences. I'm afraid your request is out of the question."
Yugi nodded, shoulders drooping, and turned to the others with a pleading look in his eyes that said, 'Well.....I tried.....don't be mad....'
"I see," Yugi said softly, staring at the floor.
Fudge cleared his throat. "Once again, children, I'd like to extend to you our most profound gratitude. You are excused."
The group filed out of the room, trying not to let their disappointment show.
Fudge, confused and irked, turned to Dumbledore. "I don't understand it. Most wizards.......most of them would be ecstatic at such an honor."
Dumbledore smiled knowingly. 'Ah, but you forget, Fudge, that they are *not* 'most wizards'....' he thought. He began to form a plan.
"Minister," he began. "I was thinking about what an enriching experience this has been for my students, and for those of Japan. I would like to, with your permission, of course, be allowed to use the means necessary to give others this simply wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience."
"Yes, yes," Fudge said. "Wonderfully enriching. Go on, then. Now then......I suppose we have to be at this little shenanigan of Black's?"
*********************
Needless to say, all were incredibly anxious to find out Sirius' fate. They were able to push all disappointment out of their minds, as the lot of them waited outside the door on the bottom level where the hearing/trial was taking place.
Harry felt a chill run up and down his spine. Was it because they were in the Ministry's dungeon, or was he nervous?
But surely.......surely there was no need to be nervous......Dumbledore was there, and Dumbledore seemed to have a knack for pulling miracles out of nowhere.....besides, they had the Veratiserum......it was the strongest truth serum around. Only three drops and you would be blurting out your deepest secrets without a backward glance.......so of course, they'd have to see that Sirius was innocent.....
Suddenly, the door opened, and Sirius came out, covering his face with one hand. He was shaking.
They all stared in shock.
No......they hadn't......they couldn't have......
Without warning, Sirius took his hand away from his face and burst out laughing.
"Oh, that was priceless! You shoulda seen the looks on your faces!" he crowed.
"Sirius, you jerk!" Ginny and Adara cried indignantly at the same time.
Sirius beamed. "I'm off the hooook!!" he sang.
Harry grinned and shook his head at his insane godfather.
Without warning, they all charged forward and hugged Sirius, with the exceptions of Isis and Rishid, who smiled at their antics.
"Sirius got oooffff!" Shogo and Mokuba sang joyously. They all laughed, a happy jumble of arms and ecstatic faces, and for just a little while, thoughts of the impending goodbye was erased from their minds.
****************************
That night, the Gryffindors sat together in the common room, Yami sat watching Yugi and Shogo coaching Lindsey on in a duel against Serenity and Joey. He shifted in his seat. Why did he feel so restless?
He looked around, and noticed Isis sitting in a squishy armchair, facing in the opposite direction. Yami chewed his lip, and made a decision. He got up and walked up to the chair.
"Uh, erm, Isis, I, uh-"
Yami mentally slapped himself. That was one of the biggest downsides of being pharaoh – no one ever taught you any people skills. You didn't need them; everyone worshipped you so much they'd do whatever you asked.
She turned to him, her eyes questioning.
"I......was wondering if you'd come with me? It's getting stuffy in here," Yami said, mentally congratulating him on such a good comeback.
Isis nodded. "Alright."
They didn't notice the two that got up and followed them out of the common room......
*************************
It was a slightly cliché but very peaceful summer night. Yami and Isis walked along the lake, watching the giant squid lazily drifting through the deep blue waters under the starry night.
"This is why Malik wanted to live above ground," Isis said softly, a breeze tousling their hair. "You just.....feel so free, even if you're not......"
Yami stared at the ground, hiding his blush. She looked really pretty with her hair blowing the wind like that......
(Ok, I'm done setting the mood now. XD)
They didn't notice Malik and Kaya sneaking up behind them.
"C'mon," Kaya whispered, pointing. "Let's hide behind this conveniently placed bush."
"Good plan," Malik snorted, and they crouched down behind the bush to watch.
"Are you alright?" Isis asked, suddenly. "You seem very quiet."
Yami nodded. "I'm just thinking......about everything." He sat down on the edge of the lake, and Isis sat down next to him.
"Have you ever noticed how something can seem like the worst thing that's ever happened at the time, but then later it turns out to be something wonderful?" she asked.
He smiled somewhat wryly. "Yes, I know the feeling."
"Yami.....you see, I realized something because of what we faced today." She looked at him.
"I realized I love you....."
He jumped in surprise.
She turned away, blushing. "I'm being impulsive, aren't I?"
Yami smiled, reaching out and placing his hand over hers. "That's alright." She turned, surprised.
Malik and Kaya watched with bated breath.
"I've come to realize....since the day I met you, Isis, there's been something about you...." He lifted her chin to him, and leaned forward.
And then (and they all knew it was coming) he kissed her.
Kaya's jaw dropped. Malik blinked repeatedly.
".....whoa....." they mumbled.
"W.....why are we sitting here behind this bush watching our older siblings trade spit with each other?" Malik asked slowly.
"....good question," Kaya replied. And then they bolted.
Isis and Yami turned suddenly and watched the two figures darting across the grass, and they laughed to themselves, as Yami reached out and hugged her close.
(Heh, hopefully Marissa will not mind that I cut out the line about Egyptians living in Japan who are currently French-kissing in England....)
*************************
It was a rather subdued end-of-the-year feast for the Gryffindors that year. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were somewhat infected with their gloom, and the Slytherins were down about, once again, losing the House Cup to the Gryffindors. But even that seemed a small affair.
The Slytherins pushed their disappointment aside, taking comfort in the fact that all the Muggles would be leaving with the rest of the school, never to return.
No one noticed Dumbledore watching the downcast Gryffindor table with a smile and gleam in his eye.
**************************
Kaya and Bakura sat together in a seat on the train the next day, both of them staring at England's somewhat soggy landscape. They'd miss how it smelled after a particularly heavy rainfall.
No one had said anything, really, since they'd gotten on the train, and frankly the silence was slightly disturbing.
"Anyone wanna duel?" Yugi said suddenly.
"Lemme try," Aneko replied.
"You can borrow Niisama's deck!" Mokuba chirped, glad as well for relief from the silence.
Yugi got up and walked over to the trunks shoved in the back of the compartment. He located his, and opened it, shuffling around for his deck. Then he noticed the package wrapped in brown paper, and the letter attached.
He blinked. "Who left this here?" he asked, moving aside so the others could see it.
"No idea," Ron said.
"Open it," Kaya suggested.
Yugi shrugged and reached for the letter. He ripped it open, and read the first few lines. "It's from Dumbledore," he said confusedly.
"Yugi," he read aloud. "Hopefully you will open this letter before you leave the train."
"I bet he figured you'd probably end up opening your trunk for your deck," Shogo shrugged.
"I suppose I'll be concise and to the point," Yugi continued. "In the package I left with this letter, you will find a ring of keys: one each for you, the Wheelers, Miss Tanaka, the Ishtars, Mr. Ryou, the Kaibas, Mr. Aoyama, Mr. Taylor, and Miss Gardener."
"Keys?" Tristan blinked. "For what?"
Yugi narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Dunno....." He read ahead. "Weird......" His eyes widened. "What.......?"
"What, what is it?" Malik asked.
"P-please take good care of these keys," Yugi read, "they are Portkeys that will transport the user to Hogwarts."
The witches and wizards in training froze.
"Does it really say that!?" Lindsey shrieked, jumping up and reading over Yugi's shoulder.
"Portkeys!? You guys get Portkeys!?" Harry repeated.
"I don't get it!" Joey wailed. "What's a Portkey!"
"You touch a Portkey," Hermione explained excitedly, "and it takes you to a preprogrammed destination!"
They all stared.
"Does that mean......." Tea grinned.
"WE'RE GONNA SEE YOU AGAIN?!" Malik exclaimed.
"Yes!" the Hogwarts students shouted back.
One standing outside the compartment may have thought that some small explosion had taken place. They were so ecstatic; even Hermione didn't reprimand them for being too loud.
Yugi clambered up on top of one of the seats, letter in hand, in order to make himself heard. "Of course," he read, "these Portkeys will not be activated until the beginning of next term, September 1st. You are, however, allowed to communicate by means of owls this summer. I expect that you will all use this privilege wisely. I am looking forward to seeing you all next school year for a visit."
Everyone grinned at each other, and the compartment erupted into happy bedlam once again.
"WAIT!" Yugi cried. "There's a PS! It says, 'Harry, there will be a bit of a surprise waiting for you at King's Cross.' "
They pondered over the meaning of these words for a moment, but excitement took over and they began planning their next meeting immediately.
"This is awesome!" Tea exclaimed breathlessly.
"Imagine the expression on Malfoy's face when you guys come back!" Ron crowed, and Joey instantly launched into impressions of Malfoy.
Kaiba rolled his eyes at their antics, but the prospect of seeing Aneko again had him happy as well.
"Oh, there's still so much you guys didn't get to see!" Ginny exclaimed.
Hermione nodded eagerly. "Like you didn't meet Dobby, and you barely met Hagrid, and Lupin, and......"
"Next year's gonna kick butt!" Joey and Tristan whooped, and they all nodded in agreement.
******************************
All too soon, however, the train pulled into the station.
"Now you guys get to meet *my* family....." Harry groaned somewhat good- naturedly, as they all lugged their bags off the train.
But instead of Vernon standing there.....
"S.....Sirius?" Harry stared, hopeful.
Sirius strode over to them all, grinning. "Hey.....Harry, you remember what I asked you at the end of your third year? Whether you wanted to live with me, once my name was cleared?"
Harry nodded dumbly.
"You still want to?"
Harry seemed at a loss for words.
"Of COURSE he does!" Ron and Hermione answered for him.
"The Dursley's put bars on his window once, Sirius!" Ron added.
"That settles it, then," Sirius said firmly, in the all-too serious tone he used when joking.
"Oi, Yugi!" called a voice behind him, and the gang turned, seeing Yugi's grandfather standing there, waving at them all.
And so the friends said goodbye ("You're so lucky!" Adara had wailed, grabbing onto Kaya and motioning to Bakura. "You get to keep yours!"), but the goodbyes were not final.
They would see each other again, and they had their memories of tears, laughter, and love to last them till then.
END.
*********************
Mojobubbles: ........*screams*
All: *plug up ears* ....ow.
Kamilah: Ooh, aibou, you left it wide open for a sequel....
Mojobubbles: O______O *runs in circles at the mention of a sequel* No I didn't!! No I didn't!! No I didn't!! No I didn't!! No I didn't!! No I didn't!!
Kamilah: Okay, okay, you didn't.....geez....
Mojobubbles: Oy vey, minna-san.....I can't believe it.....but I did it.....I wrote about 20 pages of stuff all in one sitting....in HPH, no less....
Kamilah: It only took you 462 days to do it! ^____^;
Mojobubbles: Sooooo sorry it took so long.......things just got so bad, minna-san.....
Kamilah: *hugs her* Yes, we all know. *turns to you* Now REVIEW!
Getting It Right
Disclaimer: Yadda yadda. All I own are the people you don't recognize.
Note: The chapter title comes from the chorus of The Ataris' 'In This Diary' – "Being grown up/isn't half as fun as growing up/these are the best days of our lives/the only thing that matters is just following your heart/and eventually you'll finally get it right"
Note #2: This chapter is the manifestation of my deep-seated hatred for Fudge. In other words......SUBTLE-FUDGE-BASHING! I doubt anyone will care. o.o
Note #3: There's a WAFF-y scene in this chappie.....I'll give ya a hint: it's between one of the couples that has not kissed yet......
Warning: Order of the Phoenix spoilers.....sorta.....See, I have them go to places that are first mentioned in 'Phoenix' but since I'm writing *this* as their fifth year, they're all, "Wow! I've never been here before!" See what I mean?
Mojobubbles: O___________________O Minna....it's....the last chapter.....and....I.....got over....100....reviews.......
All: *gasp*
Mojobubbles: ........*turns to readers* THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! ^____________^ Thank you for sticking by me and coming to read my story even though it would always take me frickin' forever to update and then not getting on my case for taking frickin' forever to update. You people are the greatest. ^_______^
Kamilah: *V sign*
Mojobubbles: MUCH VIRTUAL HUGS GO OUT TO CHIBI-CLAIRE FOR BEING THE 100TH REVIEWER! I FINALLY GOT AT LEAST 100 REVIEWS ON SOMETHING!
Kamilah: *grin*
Mojobubbles: Well lessee. It's April 27, 2004. I'm typing this in my PJs and I just consumed an entire bottle of Starbucks Frappuccino. *wired* Lessee what we can do on this today.....
*************************
Review responses:
Just Me, Myself, and I: V_V My friend yelled at me when I told her I took down Chibi Neesan. *coughK-CHANcough*
Daricio: oO; Interesting dreams there. *is trying to start every review response with some face* ^^;; *shrugs* Ah, whatever ff.net meant, it didn't kill the story. ^_^ THANK YOU FOR BEING THE 101ST REVIEWER! ^_^
Chibi-claire: ^____^ I'm glad you like! Thank you muchly for being the 100th reviewer!!!!!!!
Namonaki Pharaoh: ^__^ Heehee. Thankies. Comedy is not my strong point; I'm glad you think it's funny.
Princess Krystal01: ^_^ Hope everything's all squared away now.
A Watcher: o.o Um....nope. Not over yet. Because here I am, posting chapter 13. ^_^;;
Curtis Zidane Ziraa: T.T I try to update. I just finished getting over a really rough patch. ¬_¬
BECA: ^__^ Ideas! I like Yami Malik's enjoying good literature. I had fun with that. Uhm. Mokuba did wake up. ......did you miss that? UO__o
Arian Starswing: ^_^ Cuteness. Yaya.
Katiekat1414: @.@ Um......ok.
Yesima (Whatever the heck your penname is now): x.x I couldn't pay attention during the Noa-Arc because the subtitles freakin' suck. ......OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO FEEL BAD FOR RISHID! *glomps Rishid* HOW COULD ANYONE *NOT*!? And is it possible for anyone to not like Amane-chan? *hugs Amane- chan* Heehee. Oh, by the way....I got your review for Deathtree, and the boy's name is Yoichi. ^_^ I'm a Ring-obsessive.....
******************************
"So, what are these 'Ministry of Magic' people like?" Yugi asked, watching the rest of the boys' dormitory put the finishing touches on their outfits.
Well, actually, it wasn't the whole boys dormitory. Most of the school was outside, taking advantage of the cancellation of exams (because Voldemort was gone, obviously) and the fine weather the second Saturday in June had given them. In the dormitory were Ron, Harry, and the boys from Domino, and Yugi could faintly hear the excited chatter of the girls in their dormitory. They, along with Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall were to go to the Ministry of Magic's headquarters to meet with Fudge and be commended for their aid in vanquishing Voldemort for many years to come, if not forever.
"Eh, they're ok," Harry shrugged in response to Yugi's question.
"You're forgetting my dad's one of 'em," Ron pointed out sourly.
"No, you're forgetting how Fudge acted at the end of last year," Harry countered, sounding just as bitter.
"What'd he do?" Shogo and Tristan asked simultaneously, sitting down next to Yugi.
"He didn't believe Voldemort had come back," Harry explained.
"He kept going on like Harry was a raving lunatic," Ron added solemnly.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Gee, than-" But before Harry could finish, a loud whoop sounded from the common room.
"Is that Sirius?" Bakura blinked.
Just then, the door flew open and Sirius stood in the doorway, a childish grin on his face. "BRILLIANT!" he shouted. "JUST BRILLIANT!!!"
"Something you'd like to share with the group?" Malik asked with a raised eyebrow.
"They've got Wormtail! Dumbledore got Wormtail!" Sirius shouted happily. "HE'S GONNA COME TOO AND THEY'RE GONNA USE VERITASERUM!"
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!?" Ron and Harry cried at the same time.
"I'm lost," Joey said, scratching his cheek.
"Wormtail's coming to the Ministry with us! They're going to make him tell the truth!" Harry explained.
"You mean...." Yugi stared.
"I'M GONNA BE OFF THE HOOK!" Sirius screamed, turning and bounding back down the stairs out of the common room.
For a moment, they all stared at each other. Then suddenly, Yugi and Joey tore out of the room and across the room to the door leading the girls' dormitory.
"GUESS WHAT!!" they yelled simultaneously.
"WE'RE NOT DRESSED YET!" the girls shrieked back.
"BUT SIRIUS IS GONNA BE FREE!" they exclaimed.
There was a pause. "WHAT!?"
Joyfully, Joey and Yugi relayed what Sirius had told them, turning the peace of the dormitory into a happy bedlam.
************************
A rather frazzled subway journey later, the large group (now including Sirius) were standing on a crowded sidewalk in the middle of London.
"Wait a minute......" Harry stared.
"What is it?" Sirius asked.
"McGonagall said the entrance was here...."
Suddenly, the phone in a nearby, dilapidated, red booth began ringing.
"I say we go for the telephone booth," Joey pointed, and they made their way over.
Yugi stepped in. "Uh....hello?" he asked, hesitantly holding the receiver to his ear.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic headquarters," answered a calm voice on the other line. Yugi blinked in surprise. "Please state your name and business."
Yugi blinked again. "Uh, Yugi Muto, here to-"
But the voice interrupted. "You and your companions will be taken now to the Ministry's atrium, Mr. Muto."
"Wait a minute!" Yugi protested. "Are we all supposed to fit in here?!" But the voice was gone.
He turned to the others, waiting. "Oh, what the heck....." he shrugged. He waved the others in.
"Are we supposed to fit in *here*?" Tristan asked, poking his head in. And as soon as he did so, the phone booth seemed to expand.
Yugi grinned. "Apparently."
It was only a bit of a squeeze to get them all in, as the phone booth seemed to expand every time someone else stepped in.
As soon as they were in, the voice was back. "The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day," it echoed through the phone booth.
With a shudder, the booth sank into the ground, sending the occupants into darkness, much to their dismay.
"Where are you guys!?" Malik demanded, the dark definitely *not* being his favorite thing on the planet. He felt Rishid's hand on his shoulder, though, and he relaxed.
"Uh.....guys...." Tea sounded nervous. "Elevators kind of give me motion sickness...."
With that revelation, the whole group attempted to scoot away from her. Which really didn't work. They weren't sure who tripped first, but someone fell, accidentally taking Bakura down with them.
And by the time the elevator had reached its destination, it's occupants were a mere tangle of arms and legs and protesting voices.
The door swung open, and the group clambered out.
"That.....*sucked*." Ron commented, shaking his head dizzily.
***********************
The 'ceremony' involved a lot of shiny medals and titles that most of the recipients didn't even understand.
They hadn't really realized that they'd saved a whole different world from a growing threat. They'd only been trying to save their friends and family.
None of them cared for Fudge, really. His voice was overly sweet and sticky, kind of like, well, fudge.
And now they were merely anxious to find out what the fate of Sirius would be.
"In what way," Fudge asked Yugi, bringing them all back to the present, "can we show our gratitude to you?"
Yugi turned and looked around at his friends, old and new.
Their eyes met, and they were all remembering.
~*~Flashin' back to the good times~*~
Bakari looked up, and Malik was startled at the pained look in his friend's brown eyes.
"Bakura's so naïve," he growled, trying to mask his feelings. "He doesn't know anything about real life. One day, he's going to have it all taken away-" Malik cut him off.
"That's already happened," Malik said darkly. "You've never heard of Amane? She was Bakura's younger sister."
"What?!" Bakari interjected sharply. "I've never met her......."
"Key word, Bakari: she /was/ his sister," Malik replied. "She died when she was only 7, and Bakura was 11." Bakari said nothing.
"You had a sister too, didn't you?!" Malik gasped, correctly interpreting Bakari's silence.
"Ain," Bakari said softly. "That was her name, Ain."
"Where-?"
"She died a long time ago, ok?! So just......drop it."
**********
Malik grabbed Adara's hand and yanked her into the hallway, where they could laugh as loud as they wanted. They both slumped against the wall, unable to catch their breath.
"That was so cool!" Adara said.
Malik, still grinning, nodded. Then, on a whim, he grabbed Adara's shoulders and kissed her square on the lips.
**************
Kaiba and Aneko hadn't spoken since their encounter. Whenever he passed her, she was always giggling with her Slytherin friends. He could not see how she could keep that happy mask on while she was feeling so much pain. But.....he thought. 'Maybe I made it better....maybe she's going to be alright, because of me....'
And for some reason, this thought warmed his heart.
'Dammit.....I think I'm falling in love.'
*************
And Yami, being the King of Games, said, "I'd like to try this Quidditch game...."
Those that knew Yami amused themselves with mental images of the former pharaoh attempting to ride a broomstick. He frowned as they all burst out laughing.
"It's not funny...." Yami said.
"Yes it is....." Kaya sang, trying to see just how ticked she could get him.
"Shut up."
"Make me!"
The Eye of Horus glowed on Yami's forehead.
Kaya eeped. "Shutting up now......"
The other Gryffindors looked startled and began scooting away.
"Kaya, stop ticking Yami off; Yami, stop scaring the Gryffindors," Yugi said, trying to play peacemaker.
"But they started it!!!" Kaya and Yami said at the same time, pointing at each other.
Isis shook her head and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'immature'. Malik elbowed her.
"Aw, is that anyway to talk about your boyyyy~friend?" he teased. He was about to continue harping on her when he saw the death glare he was receiving from his intended victim.
"Would you all just bloody shut up?!" Bakura interjected. He collected herself. "The match is beginning."
They all blinked.
"Bakari must be rubbing off on him," Tristan muttered to Joey, who nodded sagely.
**********
Adara turned and looked at Malik. She turned back and looked at the boy. "Oh, I'm over it, Jason. In fact, I've got a new boyfriend," she added. Everyone looked startled. Malik looked slightly disappointed.
Adara turned and walked over to him. "Play along," she whispered, before pulling him down to her eye level and pressing her lips against his.
Malik felt like his eyes were gonna pop out of his sockets. 'Play along,' he remembered, and kissed her back, closing his eyes.
Finally, Adara and Malik released each other. She turned to Jason, a triumphant look on her face.
"See?"
With that, she turned and walked down the hallway.
************
Sirius raised an eyebrow at Yami. "You're the King Of Games, aren't you?" he asked, smirking slightly.
"That depends on who's asking," Yami replied, smirking too.
"You have serious attitude issues," Sirius stated, the smirk turning to a grin. "How old are you? 16? 17? You don't look any older than 18?"
"I'm 18," Yami said. "Give or take 3000 years."
"Ohhhhh. You're one of those spirits. The pharaoh, right?" Sirius said, looking amused.
******************
"Don't worry," Rishid said softly, startling them all. "No matter how hopeless it looks, it will turn out in the end. Even if it looks as though the dark is overpowering, as though there will never be light again.......The light will overcome the dark, I know it. People can surprise you in that way. I've seen it happen before......."
Isis smiled and gently pulled away from Yami. She walked over to Rishid and laid her head against his shoulder, blinking away sudden tears.
She knew exactly what he was talking about.
~*~End the happy flashbacks~*~
Yugi turned back to Fudge and the others, swallowing the lump in his throat. "If it's not too much trouble.....could we establish a way to.......go from Japan to England? Or, more specifically.......Hogwarts? Like, through a portal, or something?"
"My dear boy," Fudge began, sounding annoyed and amused at the same time. "One simply cannot go sticking portals wherever one pleases. Besides, a means of transportation would greatly endanger the entire wizarding community. Even if one's intentions are good, one's actions can still have terrible consequences. I'm afraid your request is out of the question."
Yugi nodded, shoulders drooping, and turned to the others with a pleading look in his eyes that said, 'Well.....I tried.....don't be mad....'
"I see," Yugi said softly, staring at the floor.
Fudge cleared his throat. "Once again, children, I'd like to extend to you our most profound gratitude. You are excused."
The group filed out of the room, trying not to let their disappointment show.
Fudge, confused and irked, turned to Dumbledore. "I don't understand it. Most wizards.......most of them would be ecstatic at such an honor."
Dumbledore smiled knowingly. 'Ah, but you forget, Fudge, that they are *not* 'most wizards'....' he thought. He began to form a plan.
"Minister," he began. "I was thinking about what an enriching experience this has been for my students, and for those of Japan. I would like to, with your permission, of course, be allowed to use the means necessary to give others this simply wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience."
"Yes, yes," Fudge said. "Wonderfully enriching. Go on, then. Now then......I suppose we have to be at this little shenanigan of Black's?"
*********************
Needless to say, all were incredibly anxious to find out Sirius' fate. They were able to push all disappointment out of their minds, as the lot of them waited outside the door on the bottom level where the hearing/trial was taking place.
Harry felt a chill run up and down his spine. Was it because they were in the Ministry's dungeon, or was he nervous?
But surely.......surely there was no need to be nervous......Dumbledore was there, and Dumbledore seemed to have a knack for pulling miracles out of nowhere.....besides, they had the Veratiserum......it was the strongest truth serum around. Only three drops and you would be blurting out your deepest secrets without a backward glance.......so of course, they'd have to see that Sirius was innocent.....
Suddenly, the door opened, and Sirius came out, covering his face with one hand. He was shaking.
They all stared in shock.
No......they hadn't......they couldn't have......
Without warning, Sirius took his hand away from his face and burst out laughing.
"Oh, that was priceless! You shoulda seen the looks on your faces!" he crowed.
"Sirius, you jerk!" Ginny and Adara cried indignantly at the same time.
Sirius beamed. "I'm off the hooook!!" he sang.
Harry grinned and shook his head at his insane godfather.
Without warning, they all charged forward and hugged Sirius, with the exceptions of Isis and Rishid, who smiled at their antics.
"Sirius got oooffff!" Shogo and Mokuba sang joyously. They all laughed, a happy jumble of arms and ecstatic faces, and for just a little while, thoughts of the impending goodbye was erased from their minds.
****************************
That night, the Gryffindors sat together in the common room, Yami sat watching Yugi and Shogo coaching Lindsey on in a duel against Serenity and Joey. He shifted in his seat. Why did he feel so restless?
He looked around, and noticed Isis sitting in a squishy armchair, facing in the opposite direction. Yami chewed his lip, and made a decision. He got up and walked up to the chair.
"Uh, erm, Isis, I, uh-"
Yami mentally slapped himself. That was one of the biggest downsides of being pharaoh – no one ever taught you any people skills. You didn't need them; everyone worshipped you so much they'd do whatever you asked.
She turned to him, her eyes questioning.
"I......was wondering if you'd come with me? It's getting stuffy in here," Yami said, mentally congratulating him on such a good comeback.
Isis nodded. "Alright."
They didn't notice the two that got up and followed them out of the common room......
*************************
It was a slightly cliché but very peaceful summer night. Yami and Isis walked along the lake, watching the giant squid lazily drifting through the deep blue waters under the starry night.
"This is why Malik wanted to live above ground," Isis said softly, a breeze tousling their hair. "You just.....feel so free, even if you're not......"
Yami stared at the ground, hiding his blush. She looked really pretty with her hair blowing the wind like that......
(Ok, I'm done setting the mood now. XD)
They didn't notice Malik and Kaya sneaking up behind them.
"C'mon," Kaya whispered, pointing. "Let's hide behind this conveniently placed bush."
"Good plan," Malik snorted, and they crouched down behind the bush to watch.
"Are you alright?" Isis asked, suddenly. "You seem very quiet."
Yami nodded. "I'm just thinking......about everything." He sat down on the edge of the lake, and Isis sat down next to him.
"Have you ever noticed how something can seem like the worst thing that's ever happened at the time, but then later it turns out to be something wonderful?" she asked.
He smiled somewhat wryly. "Yes, I know the feeling."
"Yami.....you see, I realized something because of what we faced today." She looked at him.
"I realized I love you....."
He jumped in surprise.
She turned away, blushing. "I'm being impulsive, aren't I?"
Yami smiled, reaching out and placing his hand over hers. "That's alright." She turned, surprised.
Malik and Kaya watched with bated breath.
"I've come to realize....since the day I met you, Isis, there's been something about you...." He lifted her chin to him, and leaned forward.
And then (and they all knew it was coming) he kissed her.
Kaya's jaw dropped. Malik blinked repeatedly.
".....whoa....." they mumbled.
"W.....why are we sitting here behind this bush watching our older siblings trade spit with each other?" Malik asked slowly.
"....good question," Kaya replied. And then they bolted.
Isis and Yami turned suddenly and watched the two figures darting across the grass, and they laughed to themselves, as Yami reached out and hugged her close.
(Heh, hopefully Marissa will not mind that I cut out the line about Egyptians living in Japan who are currently French-kissing in England....)
*************************
It was a rather subdued end-of-the-year feast for the Gryffindors that year. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were somewhat infected with their gloom, and the Slytherins were down about, once again, losing the House Cup to the Gryffindors. But even that seemed a small affair.
The Slytherins pushed their disappointment aside, taking comfort in the fact that all the Muggles would be leaving with the rest of the school, never to return.
No one noticed Dumbledore watching the downcast Gryffindor table with a smile and gleam in his eye.
**************************
Kaya and Bakura sat together in a seat on the train the next day, both of them staring at England's somewhat soggy landscape. They'd miss how it smelled after a particularly heavy rainfall.
No one had said anything, really, since they'd gotten on the train, and frankly the silence was slightly disturbing.
"Anyone wanna duel?" Yugi said suddenly.
"Lemme try," Aneko replied.
"You can borrow Niisama's deck!" Mokuba chirped, glad as well for relief from the silence.
Yugi got up and walked over to the trunks shoved in the back of the compartment. He located his, and opened it, shuffling around for his deck. Then he noticed the package wrapped in brown paper, and the letter attached.
He blinked. "Who left this here?" he asked, moving aside so the others could see it.
"No idea," Ron said.
"Open it," Kaya suggested.
Yugi shrugged and reached for the letter. He ripped it open, and read the first few lines. "It's from Dumbledore," he said confusedly.
"Yugi," he read aloud. "Hopefully you will open this letter before you leave the train."
"I bet he figured you'd probably end up opening your trunk for your deck," Shogo shrugged.
"I suppose I'll be concise and to the point," Yugi continued. "In the package I left with this letter, you will find a ring of keys: one each for you, the Wheelers, Miss Tanaka, the Ishtars, Mr. Ryou, the Kaibas, Mr. Aoyama, Mr. Taylor, and Miss Gardener."
"Keys?" Tristan blinked. "For what?"
Yugi narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Dunno....." He read ahead. "Weird......" His eyes widened. "What.......?"
"What, what is it?" Malik asked.
"P-please take good care of these keys," Yugi read, "they are Portkeys that will transport the user to Hogwarts."
The witches and wizards in training froze.
"Does it really say that!?" Lindsey shrieked, jumping up and reading over Yugi's shoulder.
"Portkeys!? You guys get Portkeys!?" Harry repeated.
"I don't get it!" Joey wailed. "What's a Portkey!"
"You touch a Portkey," Hermione explained excitedly, "and it takes you to a preprogrammed destination!"
They all stared.
"Does that mean......." Tea grinned.
"WE'RE GONNA SEE YOU AGAIN?!" Malik exclaimed.
"Yes!" the Hogwarts students shouted back.
One standing outside the compartment may have thought that some small explosion had taken place. They were so ecstatic; even Hermione didn't reprimand them for being too loud.
Yugi clambered up on top of one of the seats, letter in hand, in order to make himself heard. "Of course," he read, "these Portkeys will not be activated until the beginning of next term, September 1st. You are, however, allowed to communicate by means of owls this summer. I expect that you will all use this privilege wisely. I am looking forward to seeing you all next school year for a visit."
Everyone grinned at each other, and the compartment erupted into happy bedlam once again.
"WAIT!" Yugi cried. "There's a PS! It says, 'Harry, there will be a bit of a surprise waiting for you at King's Cross.' "
They pondered over the meaning of these words for a moment, but excitement took over and they began planning their next meeting immediately.
"This is awesome!" Tea exclaimed breathlessly.
"Imagine the expression on Malfoy's face when you guys come back!" Ron crowed, and Joey instantly launched into impressions of Malfoy.
Kaiba rolled his eyes at their antics, but the prospect of seeing Aneko again had him happy as well.
"Oh, there's still so much you guys didn't get to see!" Ginny exclaimed.
Hermione nodded eagerly. "Like you didn't meet Dobby, and you barely met Hagrid, and Lupin, and......"
"Next year's gonna kick butt!" Joey and Tristan whooped, and they all nodded in agreement.
******************************
All too soon, however, the train pulled into the station.
"Now you guys get to meet *my* family....." Harry groaned somewhat good- naturedly, as they all lugged their bags off the train.
But instead of Vernon standing there.....
"S.....Sirius?" Harry stared, hopeful.
Sirius strode over to them all, grinning. "Hey.....Harry, you remember what I asked you at the end of your third year? Whether you wanted to live with me, once my name was cleared?"
Harry nodded dumbly.
"You still want to?"
Harry seemed at a loss for words.
"Of COURSE he does!" Ron and Hermione answered for him.
"The Dursley's put bars on his window once, Sirius!" Ron added.
"That settles it, then," Sirius said firmly, in the all-too serious tone he used when joking.
"Oi, Yugi!" called a voice behind him, and the gang turned, seeing Yugi's grandfather standing there, waving at them all.
And so the friends said goodbye ("You're so lucky!" Adara had wailed, grabbing onto Kaya and motioning to Bakura. "You get to keep yours!"), but the goodbyes were not final.
They would see each other again, and they had their memories of tears, laughter, and love to last them till then.
END.
*********************
Mojobubbles: ........*screams*
All: *plug up ears* ....ow.
Kamilah: Ooh, aibou, you left it wide open for a sequel....
Mojobubbles: O______O *runs in circles at the mention of a sequel* No I didn't!! No I didn't!! No I didn't!! No I didn't!! No I didn't!! No I didn't!!
Kamilah: Okay, okay, you didn't.....geez....
Mojobubbles: Oy vey, minna-san.....I can't believe it.....but I did it.....I wrote about 20 pages of stuff all in one sitting....in HPH, no less....
Kamilah: It only took you 462 days to do it! ^____^;
Mojobubbles: Sooooo sorry it took so long.......things just got so bad, minna-san.....
Kamilah: *hugs her* Yes, we all know. *turns to you* Now REVIEW!