ME: I hate to do this to all you peoples out there, but I'm really sick
and I'm tired, and my throat hurts, and I have a headache. SO, we're not
going to put the A.N. in this one. I don't own anything in this fic. If I
did I could afford a doctor to keep me from being sick. Or I could afford
to fire my doctor for letting me get sick. But I don't own it so I have to
pretend that I can fire my doctor for letting me get sick. Also, I'm sure
that you've noticed that Jollie_Rancher and I have been out of touch with
civilization for quite some time. We apologize if our Yu Gi Oh info. Is
wrong. Oh, and I warn you, in this chapter I was feeling rather
contemplative, so you get a good dose of my own personal morals. Sorry if
you don't go for that stuff. Also, school just went nuts so it may be a
while before we can update but we promise not to forget our fic. On to the
story. I noticed that it's getting confusing with all the yami's and
hikari's running around, so.
Yami = Yami Yu Gi = //
Estel = Yami Estel = \\
Bakura = Yami Bakura = ( )
Yu Gi = Hikari Yu Gi = /
E.T. = Hikari Estel = \
Ryou = Hikari Bakura = { }
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
Into The Mists
By: Fatih_Kitty and Jollie_Rancher
Chapter Ten: "Nothing Happened!"
E.T. woke from a troubled sleep. Gasping for breath, she looked around for the phantoms that had haunted her sleep for the past month. As usual the door creaked open and Yu Gi slipped in to her room. Even through the tears in her eyes he looked wonderful. She had often woken in the middle of the night, and when she did he didn't stop and change clothes before coming to make sure she was alright. He stood before her now in baggy white pants, shirtless and shoeless. He looked much like Estel's memories, only he didn't look half so fierce. His chest was muscular, but not overly built. Not at all what you would expect from such a small person. His hair stood straight up at all angles proving his claim that it was naturally spiky. His tanned skin looked unbelievably soft, and she longed for those strong arms to hold her while his quiet voice told her that it would be alright. His amethyst eyes were softened with love, but hardened with worry.
"Ealanor, are you alright?" he asked her. He had taken to calling her by her last name when they were alone, even though she planned to keep it rather than change it when they were married. When she didn't answer he came over to her and wrapped her in the comforting circle of his arms. "You had the dream again didn't you?" Silently she nodded. Yu Gi looked down at the pale form in his arms. How could he protect her if he didn't know what he was fighting? Then she surprised him.
"It's Ryou. He's hurt. Bakura is using his energies. We don't have much time. Ryou says they're planning something. If we don't do something quick, Bakura will have that soulless body he always wanted. And then he'll be coming. He's using one of the students to get information. He and the yami are riding piggy-back on one of the students. We have to do something!" All of this was said in a rush. After a stunned moment Yu Gi began to quietly reassure his beloved. After a while she slipped quietly into a deep sleep. Then Yu Gi discovered his mistake. She had fallen asleep in his arms. If he moved she would wake up. If he stayed there all night the students would talk even more than they did now. He looked down at her sleeping form. Then he decided that a little scandal wasn't going to hurt anything. Besides, if he managed to slip out before dawn, no one would know. And E.T. was usually an early riser. It was quite inconvenient when he fell asleep holding her and neither of them woke till noon.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
E.T. jerked awake to someone pounding on her door. She jumped up startling Yu Gi wake. Neither one was fully awake. They blinked at each other groggily as the events of the past night washed over them. She blushed prettily when he coughed at the strange situation they found themselves in. As the door was flung open they jumped apart. He was on one side on her bed wearing nothing but a pair of pants. She was on the other side of her bed in a flimsy white nightgown. At least that's the way they would have been, but during the night they had gotten tangled in the sheets and each others arms. So instead the were sprawled all over her bed, trying to look like they were on opposite sides.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The four came in and found their usual seats for History of Magic and waited for Professor Mouto to come in and start class. Five minuets passed, however without any sign of him or E.T. which was unusual for them. After ten minuets the class became increasingly curious and restless. Suddenly the door flung open and with a flourish of black robes Professor Snape entered the classroom. As he stormed to the front of the classroom a dark cloud seemed to form over the class. Snape was, if possible, in a worse mood than ever.
"Dumbledor has selected me to take over this class for now as Professor Mouto has seen fit not to show up nor to be accessible." He sneered at the students as if it were their fault. "Now, what have you been studying?" He asked the class. "Miss Granger?" He said in a disgusted tone when her hand flew into the air.
"We have been studying Ancient Egypt and the origins and locking away of Shadow Magic. We have also been studying the role of Duel Monsters in ancient times." Hermione rattled off in response to his question.
"Nonsense, utter nonsense. Take out your books we will be studying relevant and true historical events while I am over this class." He told them. Hermione's hand shot up once more. "What is it now Miss Granger?"
"We don't have books Professor." She said timidly.
"What!?!?" He bellowed in disbelief.
"Well, all we were told to get for this class was a non-magical broom and a box." She said pulling out the supply list. He snatched the list from her hand wondering why on earth she still had it and looked it over in growing incredulity. Ron and Harry exchanged an 'Only Hermione' look.
"Very well, I will quiz you on the basics of the Goblin Wars. If you miss more than three of your questions you will serve detention." He threatened. By the end of the class only the Slytherins did not have detention to look forward to. As the students got up to leave class Snape called to them.
"You four, come with me." He pointed to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny as he left the classroom. They followed him into the hall and waited uncertainly to see what he wanted.
"You are all chummy with the Professor and his girlfriend. Where would he be if he were not in his office, class, room, or on the grounds?" Snape asked making them feel like they were being interrogated.
"Have you tried the Room of Requirement?" Harry asked trying to think of places Professor Mouto might be.
"Why would he be there?" Snape queried his voice dripping with contempt at having to ask Potter.
"That's where E.T. stays and when he's not in the places you listed he's with her. Even if they aren't there E.T. usually will leave a note as to their whereabouts." Harry explained hoping he wouldn't get a detention for something like sounding like a know it all.
"Detention Potter. You will show proper respect she is Miss Ealanor to you." Snape hissed and took of for the Room of Requirement. The four followed to see what was going on. When they got there Snape began to pound on the door and soon a large crowd of students had gathered to see what was happening.
"Mouto, I know you're in there, open up at once!!!" He yelled pulling his wand. He flung the door open and the sight that met his eyes was so far from anything he ha anticipated he was momentarily speechless. Yu Gi and E.T. were on her bed tangled in sheets covering them from the waist down trying in vain to separate. She was in a flimsy white shirt and as far as he could tell Yu Gi had nothing on at all. There was a flash that came from Snape's elbow as Collin Creevy snapped pictures. The flash from the camera brought Snape back to his senses.
"What in Merlin's name is going on here?" He demanded.
"Nothing happened!" They both said immediately.
"So this is what you skipped class to do?" Snape's voice full of distaste.
"Nothing happened!" Yu Gi repeated. They slowly untangled from the sheets reveling that he was in pajama pants and she was in a full length night gown.
"The headmaster will not approve and if I have my way you will be gone by sundown." Snape turned on his heel and started for the headmasters office. "Get to class or I'll give you all detentions." He said making his way through the large group of students that had gathered. Only Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny stayed behind.
"Professor I'm shocked. Just think of the example you are setting for the students and the scandal you have created for the school." Hermione said in a scolding yet horrified voice.
"Nothing happened." E.T. insisted.
"Yeah, but will that be good enough to keep Dumbledor from dismissing you?" Harry asked to no one in particular.
"And even if he doesn't what if the Ministry steps in. There are going to be a lot of unhappy parents." Ginny said worriedly. If they left she would be serving her detentions with Snape.
"But nothing happened." E.T. said indicating their clothing.
"If nothing happened, then how did he find himself in your bed?" sneered a drawling voice from behind the four friends. Harry spun at the sound of the voice.
"Stay out of it Malfoy." He hissed in anger.
"Ha! If Dumbledor won't kick them out my father will see that they are." Malfoy said in smug confidence.
"Oh yeah, all the way from Azkaban. Even he doesn't have that long of a reach." Harry threw back. Malfoy's face twisted in anger as he and Harry both reached for their wands.
"Enough! All of you to class. E.T. and I will handle this situation." Yu Gi said regaining his ability to say more than 'nothing happened'. At his sharp words the five headed off to their different classes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Come in." Dumbledor said in response to the tapping at his door. Tapping was the wrong word he thought to him self. Pounding or beating was more like it. The door opened to reveal an upset but gloating Snape.
"Headmaster, we have a serious problem concerning Professor Mouto. He was with that E.T. woman and that's why we couldn't find him when he didn't show up to class. When I found them in the Room of Requirement they were in a bed together and tangled in sheets. The scandal this will create is one the likes of which Hogwarts has never seen before something must be done sir." Snape said the torrent of words tumbling from his lips.
"Well, what did they have to say in their defense? I mean other than the fact that they skipped class what is the problem, I mean they are married." Dumbledor asked as he leaned back in his chair apparently unsurprised.
"Married! No, they are only engaged." Snape said mystified that Dumbledor had mixed his information up.
"Oh yes, that's right isn't it? Well, do you think they would want to have the ceremony here at Hogwarts? That would be an event would it not?" Dumbledor mused.
"Sir, I believe that the immediate dismissal of Professor Mouto is in order if we are to keep this scandal from doing more harm than it already will. There are pictures." Snape said drawing the conversation back to the topic at hand.
"What did they have to say in their defense?" Dumbledor repeated.
"All they seemed able to say was 'nothing happened' hardly good enough." Snape said his voice taking on an air of superiority.
"There you have it nothing happened. I can hardly dismiss someone for a non-event. We will just have to deal with the press as it comes. Thank you Severus, I will speak with Professor Mouto later." Dumbledor said there was a note of finality that was made very clear when the bent his head back over the papers he had been studying. Snape left with a swish of his robes and stalked back down to the dungeons where he had a class waiting.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
E.T. watched as the students filed out of her room, and nearly fainted with relief when the last one left closing the door. Yu Gi coughed quietly behind her. She turned to find him blushing furiously. With a blush that could only be matched by his, she stood for a full minute wondering what on earth they were going to do. Then she realized that her fiancée was standing in her bedroom wearing nothing but his pants, and she was only wearing a night gown.
"Uh, I, uh, guess you, uh, better go." She said looking down. Yu Gi smiled bashfully.
"Yes, I suppose so." He started to leave but she stopped him.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered looking at her feet.
"Why?" he asked placing his hand beneath her chin and making her look him in the eyes.
"Because," she said in a voice so quiet he could barely hear her. "I've ruined your reputation. Who knows what Dumbledor will do when he finds out. Maybe it would be better if I left."
Yu Gi shook his head and smiled at her fear for him. "Tahamenea Estel Ealanor. First don't worry about Dumbledor. It was completely innocent, I doubt he'll fire me for it. Second, don't you for one moment think that any of this is your fault. It's not. If it weren't for you I wouldn't know about Ryou and Bakura. And lastly, I love you. If you start to blame yourself pretty soon you'll be telling me that I should marry someone else. Ever since Téa." Yu Gi paused.
He very rarely spoke about Téa's death. She had been found in her home five years before, dead. The cause of death had never been determined. She had been so abused and her body was so mangled it was impossible to determine which wound had killed her. It had been so bad that they had had a hard time identifying the body. Her killer had never been found. Two years later the two of them had met. At the time Yu Gi had become a recluse and very rarely spoke with anyone. Grief had consumed him. Until E.T. stepped in. "Ever since Téa died, you've become every thing to me. I couldn't go on without you. You know that. I love you, and nothing will change that. I don't want you to leave me." She looked at him in wonder. Tiny tears fell from his eyes like crystals. She knew she could never leave him. Liquid crystal fell from her own eyes in answer to his plea.
"I won't go." She assured him. "I,. I think I need you as much as you need me." He managed a weak smile. Then he pulled her into his arms. She rose to her toes to press a soft kiss on his cheek. Then he pulled away.
"Do you promise you'll be here when I get back?"
"Yes."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yu Gi stood in the headmasters office. Dumbledor was slowly reading over some papers. Then his superior lowered them and looked over the top of his half-moon glasses.
"Professor Dumbledor, I know how awkward this situation is, but I swear nothing happened." He paused and looked over at the old man.
Dumbledor smiled slightly. "Professor Mouto, I can hardly punish you for nothing. However, Snape said something about pictures. I know that Creevy lad always carries a camera." Yu Gi sucked in a deep breath and hissed. This was it. He was in trouble. "Perhaps you and Professor Tahamene? would like some copies? I hear that young Colin has some talent."
"Uh, no thank you, sir. That won't be necessary. In fact, it might be best if she never sees those pictures. She tends to get rather, vocal."
"Ah, I see. Well, you needn't worry. So long as nothing happened. By the way, where were you planning on getting married?"
"Well, we've only spoken about it once."
"Hm. Perhaps you would like to have it here over Christmas? Hagrid would love to have a special Christmas. I know he had something extraordinary planned, and needed an excuse to do it. A wedding would be just the thing!"
"That sounds wonderful! E.T. will probably love it! I know the Yamis will!"
"It's settled then. A Christmas wedding at Hogwarts. There is a robe shop down in Hogsmede where the students can get formal robes. We might actually have students stay over the holidays." He mused. Yu Gi smiled and turned to go tell his betrothed the good news. "Oh, Professor," Dumbledor called as he neared the door.
"Yes, sir?"
"Nothing happened?" the headmaster asked in all seriousness.
"No sir. Nothing has happened, and nothing will happen. Not until we are wed. We made a promise to each other. When we first met we swore nothing would happen unless we got married. And nothing will happen until then. A promise is a promise, and a promise of that magnitude is more than a promise. We will remain pure. After all, that was meant to be a wedding gift from a wife to her husband, and it would not do for her to give it away before the wedding." Dumbledor inclined his head. That was what he had needed to know.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
E.T. sat on the side of Yu Gi's desk, her legs crossed at the knee. Every few minutes she would glance at the door, and then down at the simple dress she wore. She hoped he would like it. It was skin tight, showing off her lithe form, and made of black leather. Her raven hair was hanging loose, with the front pulled back slightly to accent her face. Her make-up was done Egyptian style making her large lavender eyes stand out. She had seen the outfit in a store shortly before coming to Hogwarts, and had never thought to wear it, even though she got it because she thought Yu Gi might like it on her. She reached down and wiped some dust off of her knee-high black leather boots.
She jumped when Yu Gi came through the door. His back was to her and he was talking to someone in the hall. He turned to see a female version of himself. After a shocked moment he began to smile. E.T. looked good in leather. He walked over to her and slipped an arm around her waist. She smiled lovingly up at him. She tilted her head up as he bent down to kiss her, and felt the warmth of his lips ad they brushed her own and a shiver ran through her. Kissing him while wearing a 'bad girl' outfit was doing odd things. After a moment he pulled away and his lips opened in a smile. She could feel his warm breath as it hit her mouth.
"I have good news." He whispered. She pulled him close and hugged him, her arms sliding up to wrap around his neck and laying her head on his chest.
"Really?" she asked. "I can't wait to hear it."
"Dumbledor agreed to let us have the wedding here at Christmas." He pulled back expecting to see her smile. Instead he was rewarded with a shove.
"You bumbling idiot! That only gives me two months. TWO MONTHS! I have to pick out colors, dresses, flowers, china and silver wear sets, invitations, cakes, entrees, caterers, a bouquet, bridesmaids, groomsmen, I have to make a guest list, I have to find a way to get the guests here, balance the finances, decided seating arrangements, decoration, photographer, arrange to get our marriage license, find a preacher for cryin' out loud, AND WHO'S GONNA GIVE ME AWAY!" All this was said without once stopping for breath. She pushed out of his reach and stormed out the door. Hm, he thought, the kids in detention will be busy this month.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning at breakfast when the owl post came Hermione received her usual copy of the Daily Prophet. Their fears were confirmed, Collins photos were plastered all over the front page. The head line read Students Find New Use for Room of Requirement. Despite the seriousness of the situation they could not contain their laughter, once again their Professor and his fiancé had been mistaken for students. They themselves had thought Yu Gi a first year when they met him and Malfoy, making the same assumption, had made the mistake of attacking him. It was not their actions or clothes that made people mistake them for students but rather their height.
"I can't believe it the Professor's going to have a fit. Not only did they print the pictures and a story that has no basis on fact but they called him a STUDENT." Ron gasped out between fits of laughter. He was having a hard time breathing.
"I know the scandal this will cause is no laughing matter but even Rita Skeeter had more truth to her stories than this." Harry said doubling over to ease the pain in his side. Laughter had broken out in other areas of the Great Hall as well signifying that others were beginning to read the article too.
"Well on the bright side Dumbledor shouldn't have any problems getting them to write a retraction statement." Hermione said regaining her composure. Just then Collin walked past with his head down and his expression full of sadness. The camera he usually wore around his neck was gone.
"Collin, what's wrong?" Ginny asked in concern.
"Some one stole my camera." He suddenly caught a glimpse of the paper on the table. "Oh no, Professor Mouto's gonna kill me I never meant for those to get out. In fact, I was going to turn the negatives and all over to Professor Dumbledor and Professor Mouto." He hung his head in despair a defeated look on his face.
"Don't worry, Collin, I'm sure Professor Dumbledor and Professor Mouto will understand." Ginny tried to console him.
"Yes, and I'm sure they will be able to find out who stole your camera." Hermione agreed. "I'll even go post a note for the prefects to keep their eyes and ears open."
"You mean it, thanks." Collin said his spirits lifting as he continued down the table to find a seat.
"Wow, Dumbledor really won't have any problems hushing this up. The news paper could get in trouble for using stolen photographs especially if they paid for them." Hermione said in a sobered and relieved voice.
"They ought to be sued for slander." Ron said hotly.
"I agree with you Ron. They shouldn't be allowed to go around printing total lies that they can't back up." Harry stabbed his fork into his eggs a little to hard.
"Well, I doubt that Professor Mouto or E.T. let them get away with it. You know how protective their yami's can be when their hikari's are threatened." Ginny said to calm Harry and Ron down.
A sudden commotion at the Slytherin table caused them all to look. Malfoy was imitating Professor Mouto and Goyle was pretending to be E.T. as the rest of the student body looked on. Most thought it was stupid but the Slytherin's seemed to find it hilarious.
"I'll bet you anything that Malfoy is the one who stole Collin's camera." Ron said looking on in disgust.
"Yeah, I bet he sent them along with some of the fake details in the article just to get at Professor Mouto." Harry added a look of hatred crossing his face as he watched Malfoy.
"Well, unless we can prove something it doesn't matter what we think we know, but we could give Professor Mouto the heads up." Hermione pointed out.
"Why don't we leave now and see if we can talk to him before class?" Ginny asked and the four got up to go find Yu Gi.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
E.T. looked at the paper. Of all the .. Urgh! Tap, tap, tap. "What do you want? If it's another picture I'll shove the camera up your, oh, it's you." She said as the four friends entered.
"Someone stole Collin's camera," Hermione said.
"GOOD!"
"No, that's how the pictures got in the paper. He went to go get them so he could give them to Professor Dumbledor, but some one stole them. That's how they got in the paper in the first place." Ginny explained.
"If he hadn't taken the pictures then none of this would have happened" she fumed, "and Yu Gi wouldn't have had to go to Dumbledor, and I wouldn't have to plan a wedding it TWO MONTHS!!!"
"Ohmygosh! You'regettingmarried. That'ssosweet. Canwehelp? PLLLLLLEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSEEEEEE!" The girls shrieked in unison.
"You better. How else am I supposed to get everything done in time?" She flopped a huge stack of fabrics into Harry's arms. "Take the boys and pick out all the fabrics you think look good together." Then she ushered them back out the door. "You know," E.T. said to her Yami, "I think Dumbledor had a point. That kid has some talent. You think he would do the wedding pictures."
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ME: Well wasn't that sweet.
JR: Oh so sweet! And you seem to be feeling better.
ME: Yeah three days of sleep does that for a person. Well, you know what comes next. REVIEWS!!!
JR: Yea! Reviews, reviews, reviews!
Yami = Yami Yu Gi = //
Estel = Yami Estel = \\
Bakura = Yami Bakura = ( )
Yu Gi = Hikari Yu Gi = /
E.T. = Hikari Estel = \
Ryou = Hikari Bakura = { }
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Into The Mists
By: Fatih_Kitty and Jollie_Rancher
Chapter Ten: "Nothing Happened!"
E.T. woke from a troubled sleep. Gasping for breath, she looked around for the phantoms that had haunted her sleep for the past month. As usual the door creaked open and Yu Gi slipped in to her room. Even through the tears in her eyes he looked wonderful. She had often woken in the middle of the night, and when she did he didn't stop and change clothes before coming to make sure she was alright. He stood before her now in baggy white pants, shirtless and shoeless. He looked much like Estel's memories, only he didn't look half so fierce. His chest was muscular, but not overly built. Not at all what you would expect from such a small person. His hair stood straight up at all angles proving his claim that it was naturally spiky. His tanned skin looked unbelievably soft, and she longed for those strong arms to hold her while his quiet voice told her that it would be alright. His amethyst eyes were softened with love, but hardened with worry.
"Ealanor, are you alright?" he asked her. He had taken to calling her by her last name when they were alone, even though she planned to keep it rather than change it when they were married. When she didn't answer he came over to her and wrapped her in the comforting circle of his arms. "You had the dream again didn't you?" Silently she nodded. Yu Gi looked down at the pale form in his arms. How could he protect her if he didn't know what he was fighting? Then she surprised him.
"It's Ryou. He's hurt. Bakura is using his energies. We don't have much time. Ryou says they're planning something. If we don't do something quick, Bakura will have that soulless body he always wanted. And then he'll be coming. He's using one of the students to get information. He and the yami are riding piggy-back on one of the students. We have to do something!" All of this was said in a rush. After a stunned moment Yu Gi began to quietly reassure his beloved. After a while she slipped quietly into a deep sleep. Then Yu Gi discovered his mistake. She had fallen asleep in his arms. If he moved she would wake up. If he stayed there all night the students would talk even more than they did now. He looked down at her sleeping form. Then he decided that a little scandal wasn't going to hurt anything. Besides, if he managed to slip out before dawn, no one would know. And E.T. was usually an early riser. It was quite inconvenient when he fell asleep holding her and neither of them woke till noon.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
E.T. jerked awake to someone pounding on her door. She jumped up startling Yu Gi wake. Neither one was fully awake. They blinked at each other groggily as the events of the past night washed over them. She blushed prettily when he coughed at the strange situation they found themselves in. As the door was flung open they jumped apart. He was on one side on her bed wearing nothing but a pair of pants. She was on the other side of her bed in a flimsy white nightgown. At least that's the way they would have been, but during the night they had gotten tangled in the sheets and each others arms. So instead the were sprawled all over her bed, trying to look like they were on opposite sides.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The four came in and found their usual seats for History of Magic and waited for Professor Mouto to come in and start class. Five minuets passed, however without any sign of him or E.T. which was unusual for them. After ten minuets the class became increasingly curious and restless. Suddenly the door flung open and with a flourish of black robes Professor Snape entered the classroom. As he stormed to the front of the classroom a dark cloud seemed to form over the class. Snape was, if possible, in a worse mood than ever.
"Dumbledor has selected me to take over this class for now as Professor Mouto has seen fit not to show up nor to be accessible." He sneered at the students as if it were their fault. "Now, what have you been studying?" He asked the class. "Miss Granger?" He said in a disgusted tone when her hand flew into the air.
"We have been studying Ancient Egypt and the origins and locking away of Shadow Magic. We have also been studying the role of Duel Monsters in ancient times." Hermione rattled off in response to his question.
"Nonsense, utter nonsense. Take out your books we will be studying relevant and true historical events while I am over this class." He told them. Hermione's hand shot up once more. "What is it now Miss Granger?"
"We don't have books Professor." She said timidly.
"What!?!?" He bellowed in disbelief.
"Well, all we were told to get for this class was a non-magical broom and a box." She said pulling out the supply list. He snatched the list from her hand wondering why on earth she still had it and looked it over in growing incredulity. Ron and Harry exchanged an 'Only Hermione' look.
"Very well, I will quiz you on the basics of the Goblin Wars. If you miss more than three of your questions you will serve detention." He threatened. By the end of the class only the Slytherins did not have detention to look forward to. As the students got up to leave class Snape called to them.
"You four, come with me." He pointed to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny as he left the classroom. They followed him into the hall and waited uncertainly to see what he wanted.
"You are all chummy with the Professor and his girlfriend. Where would he be if he were not in his office, class, room, or on the grounds?" Snape asked making them feel like they were being interrogated.
"Have you tried the Room of Requirement?" Harry asked trying to think of places Professor Mouto might be.
"Why would he be there?" Snape queried his voice dripping with contempt at having to ask Potter.
"That's where E.T. stays and when he's not in the places you listed he's with her. Even if they aren't there E.T. usually will leave a note as to their whereabouts." Harry explained hoping he wouldn't get a detention for something like sounding like a know it all.
"Detention Potter. You will show proper respect she is Miss Ealanor to you." Snape hissed and took of for the Room of Requirement. The four followed to see what was going on. When they got there Snape began to pound on the door and soon a large crowd of students had gathered to see what was happening.
"Mouto, I know you're in there, open up at once!!!" He yelled pulling his wand. He flung the door open and the sight that met his eyes was so far from anything he ha anticipated he was momentarily speechless. Yu Gi and E.T. were on her bed tangled in sheets covering them from the waist down trying in vain to separate. She was in a flimsy white shirt and as far as he could tell Yu Gi had nothing on at all. There was a flash that came from Snape's elbow as Collin Creevy snapped pictures. The flash from the camera brought Snape back to his senses.
"What in Merlin's name is going on here?" He demanded.
"Nothing happened!" They both said immediately.
"So this is what you skipped class to do?" Snape's voice full of distaste.
"Nothing happened!" Yu Gi repeated. They slowly untangled from the sheets reveling that he was in pajama pants and she was in a full length night gown.
"The headmaster will not approve and if I have my way you will be gone by sundown." Snape turned on his heel and started for the headmasters office. "Get to class or I'll give you all detentions." He said making his way through the large group of students that had gathered. Only Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny stayed behind.
"Professor I'm shocked. Just think of the example you are setting for the students and the scandal you have created for the school." Hermione said in a scolding yet horrified voice.
"Nothing happened." E.T. insisted.
"Yeah, but will that be good enough to keep Dumbledor from dismissing you?" Harry asked to no one in particular.
"And even if he doesn't what if the Ministry steps in. There are going to be a lot of unhappy parents." Ginny said worriedly. If they left she would be serving her detentions with Snape.
"But nothing happened." E.T. said indicating their clothing.
"If nothing happened, then how did he find himself in your bed?" sneered a drawling voice from behind the four friends. Harry spun at the sound of the voice.
"Stay out of it Malfoy." He hissed in anger.
"Ha! If Dumbledor won't kick them out my father will see that they are." Malfoy said in smug confidence.
"Oh yeah, all the way from Azkaban. Even he doesn't have that long of a reach." Harry threw back. Malfoy's face twisted in anger as he and Harry both reached for their wands.
"Enough! All of you to class. E.T. and I will handle this situation." Yu Gi said regaining his ability to say more than 'nothing happened'. At his sharp words the five headed off to their different classes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Come in." Dumbledor said in response to the tapping at his door. Tapping was the wrong word he thought to him self. Pounding or beating was more like it. The door opened to reveal an upset but gloating Snape.
"Headmaster, we have a serious problem concerning Professor Mouto. He was with that E.T. woman and that's why we couldn't find him when he didn't show up to class. When I found them in the Room of Requirement they were in a bed together and tangled in sheets. The scandal this will create is one the likes of which Hogwarts has never seen before something must be done sir." Snape said the torrent of words tumbling from his lips.
"Well, what did they have to say in their defense? I mean other than the fact that they skipped class what is the problem, I mean they are married." Dumbledor asked as he leaned back in his chair apparently unsurprised.
"Married! No, they are only engaged." Snape said mystified that Dumbledor had mixed his information up.
"Oh yes, that's right isn't it? Well, do you think they would want to have the ceremony here at Hogwarts? That would be an event would it not?" Dumbledor mused.
"Sir, I believe that the immediate dismissal of Professor Mouto is in order if we are to keep this scandal from doing more harm than it already will. There are pictures." Snape said drawing the conversation back to the topic at hand.
"What did they have to say in their defense?" Dumbledor repeated.
"All they seemed able to say was 'nothing happened' hardly good enough." Snape said his voice taking on an air of superiority.
"There you have it nothing happened. I can hardly dismiss someone for a non-event. We will just have to deal with the press as it comes. Thank you Severus, I will speak with Professor Mouto later." Dumbledor said there was a note of finality that was made very clear when the bent his head back over the papers he had been studying. Snape left with a swish of his robes and stalked back down to the dungeons where he had a class waiting.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
E.T. watched as the students filed out of her room, and nearly fainted with relief when the last one left closing the door. Yu Gi coughed quietly behind her. She turned to find him blushing furiously. With a blush that could only be matched by his, she stood for a full minute wondering what on earth they were going to do. Then she realized that her fiancée was standing in her bedroom wearing nothing but his pants, and she was only wearing a night gown.
"Uh, I, uh, guess you, uh, better go." She said looking down. Yu Gi smiled bashfully.
"Yes, I suppose so." He started to leave but she stopped him.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered looking at her feet.
"Why?" he asked placing his hand beneath her chin and making her look him in the eyes.
"Because," she said in a voice so quiet he could barely hear her. "I've ruined your reputation. Who knows what Dumbledor will do when he finds out. Maybe it would be better if I left."
Yu Gi shook his head and smiled at her fear for him. "Tahamenea Estel Ealanor. First don't worry about Dumbledor. It was completely innocent, I doubt he'll fire me for it. Second, don't you for one moment think that any of this is your fault. It's not. If it weren't for you I wouldn't know about Ryou and Bakura. And lastly, I love you. If you start to blame yourself pretty soon you'll be telling me that I should marry someone else. Ever since Téa." Yu Gi paused.
He very rarely spoke about Téa's death. She had been found in her home five years before, dead. The cause of death had never been determined. She had been so abused and her body was so mangled it was impossible to determine which wound had killed her. It had been so bad that they had had a hard time identifying the body. Her killer had never been found. Two years later the two of them had met. At the time Yu Gi had become a recluse and very rarely spoke with anyone. Grief had consumed him. Until E.T. stepped in. "Ever since Téa died, you've become every thing to me. I couldn't go on without you. You know that. I love you, and nothing will change that. I don't want you to leave me." She looked at him in wonder. Tiny tears fell from his eyes like crystals. She knew she could never leave him. Liquid crystal fell from her own eyes in answer to his plea.
"I won't go." She assured him. "I,. I think I need you as much as you need me." He managed a weak smile. Then he pulled her into his arms. She rose to her toes to press a soft kiss on his cheek. Then he pulled away.
"Do you promise you'll be here when I get back?"
"Yes."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yu Gi stood in the headmasters office. Dumbledor was slowly reading over some papers. Then his superior lowered them and looked over the top of his half-moon glasses.
"Professor Dumbledor, I know how awkward this situation is, but I swear nothing happened." He paused and looked over at the old man.
Dumbledor smiled slightly. "Professor Mouto, I can hardly punish you for nothing. However, Snape said something about pictures. I know that Creevy lad always carries a camera." Yu Gi sucked in a deep breath and hissed. This was it. He was in trouble. "Perhaps you and Professor Tahamene? would like some copies? I hear that young Colin has some talent."
"Uh, no thank you, sir. That won't be necessary. In fact, it might be best if she never sees those pictures. She tends to get rather, vocal."
"Ah, I see. Well, you needn't worry. So long as nothing happened. By the way, where were you planning on getting married?"
"Well, we've only spoken about it once."
"Hm. Perhaps you would like to have it here over Christmas? Hagrid would love to have a special Christmas. I know he had something extraordinary planned, and needed an excuse to do it. A wedding would be just the thing!"
"That sounds wonderful! E.T. will probably love it! I know the Yamis will!"
"It's settled then. A Christmas wedding at Hogwarts. There is a robe shop down in Hogsmede where the students can get formal robes. We might actually have students stay over the holidays." He mused. Yu Gi smiled and turned to go tell his betrothed the good news. "Oh, Professor," Dumbledor called as he neared the door.
"Yes, sir?"
"Nothing happened?" the headmaster asked in all seriousness.
"No sir. Nothing has happened, and nothing will happen. Not until we are wed. We made a promise to each other. When we first met we swore nothing would happen unless we got married. And nothing will happen until then. A promise is a promise, and a promise of that magnitude is more than a promise. We will remain pure. After all, that was meant to be a wedding gift from a wife to her husband, and it would not do for her to give it away before the wedding." Dumbledor inclined his head. That was what he had needed to know.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
E.T. sat on the side of Yu Gi's desk, her legs crossed at the knee. Every few minutes she would glance at the door, and then down at the simple dress she wore. She hoped he would like it. It was skin tight, showing off her lithe form, and made of black leather. Her raven hair was hanging loose, with the front pulled back slightly to accent her face. Her make-up was done Egyptian style making her large lavender eyes stand out. She had seen the outfit in a store shortly before coming to Hogwarts, and had never thought to wear it, even though she got it because she thought Yu Gi might like it on her. She reached down and wiped some dust off of her knee-high black leather boots.
She jumped when Yu Gi came through the door. His back was to her and he was talking to someone in the hall. He turned to see a female version of himself. After a shocked moment he began to smile. E.T. looked good in leather. He walked over to her and slipped an arm around her waist. She smiled lovingly up at him. She tilted her head up as he bent down to kiss her, and felt the warmth of his lips ad they brushed her own and a shiver ran through her. Kissing him while wearing a 'bad girl' outfit was doing odd things. After a moment he pulled away and his lips opened in a smile. She could feel his warm breath as it hit her mouth.
"I have good news." He whispered. She pulled him close and hugged him, her arms sliding up to wrap around his neck and laying her head on his chest.
"Really?" she asked. "I can't wait to hear it."
"Dumbledor agreed to let us have the wedding here at Christmas." He pulled back expecting to see her smile. Instead he was rewarded with a shove.
"You bumbling idiot! That only gives me two months. TWO MONTHS! I have to pick out colors, dresses, flowers, china and silver wear sets, invitations, cakes, entrees, caterers, a bouquet, bridesmaids, groomsmen, I have to make a guest list, I have to find a way to get the guests here, balance the finances, decided seating arrangements, decoration, photographer, arrange to get our marriage license, find a preacher for cryin' out loud, AND WHO'S GONNA GIVE ME AWAY!" All this was said without once stopping for breath. She pushed out of his reach and stormed out the door. Hm, he thought, the kids in detention will be busy this month.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning at breakfast when the owl post came Hermione received her usual copy of the Daily Prophet. Their fears were confirmed, Collins photos were plastered all over the front page. The head line read Students Find New Use for Room of Requirement. Despite the seriousness of the situation they could not contain their laughter, once again their Professor and his fiancé had been mistaken for students. They themselves had thought Yu Gi a first year when they met him and Malfoy, making the same assumption, had made the mistake of attacking him. It was not their actions or clothes that made people mistake them for students but rather their height.
"I can't believe it the Professor's going to have a fit. Not only did they print the pictures and a story that has no basis on fact but they called him a STUDENT." Ron gasped out between fits of laughter. He was having a hard time breathing.
"I know the scandal this will cause is no laughing matter but even Rita Skeeter had more truth to her stories than this." Harry said doubling over to ease the pain in his side. Laughter had broken out in other areas of the Great Hall as well signifying that others were beginning to read the article too.
"Well on the bright side Dumbledor shouldn't have any problems getting them to write a retraction statement." Hermione said regaining her composure. Just then Collin walked past with his head down and his expression full of sadness. The camera he usually wore around his neck was gone.
"Collin, what's wrong?" Ginny asked in concern.
"Some one stole my camera." He suddenly caught a glimpse of the paper on the table. "Oh no, Professor Mouto's gonna kill me I never meant for those to get out. In fact, I was going to turn the negatives and all over to Professor Dumbledor and Professor Mouto." He hung his head in despair a defeated look on his face.
"Don't worry, Collin, I'm sure Professor Dumbledor and Professor Mouto will understand." Ginny tried to console him.
"Yes, and I'm sure they will be able to find out who stole your camera." Hermione agreed. "I'll even go post a note for the prefects to keep their eyes and ears open."
"You mean it, thanks." Collin said his spirits lifting as he continued down the table to find a seat.
"Wow, Dumbledor really won't have any problems hushing this up. The news paper could get in trouble for using stolen photographs especially if they paid for them." Hermione said in a sobered and relieved voice.
"They ought to be sued for slander." Ron said hotly.
"I agree with you Ron. They shouldn't be allowed to go around printing total lies that they can't back up." Harry stabbed his fork into his eggs a little to hard.
"Well, I doubt that Professor Mouto or E.T. let them get away with it. You know how protective their yami's can be when their hikari's are threatened." Ginny said to calm Harry and Ron down.
A sudden commotion at the Slytherin table caused them all to look. Malfoy was imitating Professor Mouto and Goyle was pretending to be E.T. as the rest of the student body looked on. Most thought it was stupid but the Slytherin's seemed to find it hilarious.
"I'll bet you anything that Malfoy is the one who stole Collin's camera." Ron said looking on in disgust.
"Yeah, I bet he sent them along with some of the fake details in the article just to get at Professor Mouto." Harry added a look of hatred crossing his face as he watched Malfoy.
"Well, unless we can prove something it doesn't matter what we think we know, but we could give Professor Mouto the heads up." Hermione pointed out.
"Why don't we leave now and see if we can talk to him before class?" Ginny asked and the four got up to go find Yu Gi.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
E.T. looked at the paper. Of all the .. Urgh! Tap, tap, tap. "What do you want? If it's another picture I'll shove the camera up your, oh, it's you." She said as the four friends entered.
"Someone stole Collin's camera," Hermione said.
"GOOD!"
"No, that's how the pictures got in the paper. He went to go get them so he could give them to Professor Dumbledor, but some one stole them. That's how they got in the paper in the first place." Ginny explained.
"If he hadn't taken the pictures then none of this would have happened" she fumed, "and Yu Gi wouldn't have had to go to Dumbledor, and I wouldn't have to plan a wedding it TWO MONTHS!!!"
"Ohmygosh! You'regettingmarried. That'ssosweet. Canwehelp? PLLLLLLEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSEEEEEE!" The girls shrieked in unison.
"You better. How else am I supposed to get everything done in time?" She flopped a huge stack of fabrics into Harry's arms. "Take the boys and pick out all the fabrics you think look good together." Then she ushered them back out the door. "You know," E.T. said to her Yami, "I think Dumbledor had a point. That kid has some talent. You think he would do the wedding pictures."
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ME: Well wasn't that sweet.
JR: Oh so sweet! And you seem to be feeling better.
ME: Yeah three days of sleep does that for a person. Well, you know what comes next. REVIEWS!!!
JR: Yea! Reviews, reviews, reviews!