Hey, I haven't fallen off the face of the planet. Sorry for the late update, my computer wouldn't let me log on to the 'net and I couldn't get to the library along with some other annoying circumstances. In apology I have written an extra long chapter. Hello? Is anyone there?
Disclaimer- What is the point of doing this? They already know what I'm going to say. (Listens to evil lawyer) I'd get what?! Okay I'll do it...I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or Harry Potter, they are owned by their respective authors who get more money in a month then I will see in my entire lifetime. However, (gives evil lawyer an evil grin) the plot does belong to me. So do Aquara and Pyara, one of whom is actually based on me (shallow huh?) and the other on my best friend. (DOES anyone really read this stupid thing?)
Review Response
Darkness' Creation- So you want more, right?
shadowfox9845- Thanks for the compliments! This chapter is going to be regular POV but there will be another first person one soon, most likely Kaiba or Yami.
KarlaBob- Okay I'm going to revise my last statement and say that your reviews are always the longest because you've out done your last one. Thanks for the compliment about the POV thing. You would not believe how many times I had to reread that chapter to make sure it was right! Now to answer your questions:
1. Heh, heh, Yami and the tree. Well...he wanted to watch the duel from a 'better' POV than through Yugi's eyes and he couldn't risk being seen by Harry and co. as a spirit. So he hid in the tree...plus me, the all powerful authoress...was on a bit of a sugar high and it was just to good to take back out once I regained my sanity and revised the chapter.
2. The love triangle consists of: Seto, Hermione, and Aquara. Before you ask Aquara and her partner Pyara will be showing up three to four chapters from now depending on how long they stay hidden at Hogwarts.
I have no intention of abandoning this story so don't worry! I'm just a little slow on the updating thing. Sorry about the cliffie, I was having a bit of a mean streak the night I typed that chapter. Oh, and don't sell yourself short, you may be a good writer and you just don't know it!
queen-galux- cool, glad you like the first person 'cause I'm going to do that again. Hmm...and the current score is one vote Snape, no votes anyone else.
BridgetN- Wow. You're the first person to like the cliffhanger! Most of the other readers are ready to tear me apart for it! Well, you make two votes for Snape so I guess he's in. As for dealing with him I'm thinking an encounter with Yami or Kaiba ought to be interesting, don't you?
Falcon-sama- Sorry 'bout the cliffie I was feeling evil, it happens from time to time. As for melodramatic...no comment. Yes, the psychopathic yamis and their less-evil light halves will be dropping in (all four suddenly fall from the sky). See? Told you. Thanks for the cookie here...have a freshly baked cake. (walks off singing 'If I knew you were comin' I'd of baked a cake, baked a cake...')
GoddessoftheWaters- Harry can't actually duel that well. Yugi wasn't really giving it his all and Harry was. If Yugi really had been trying Harry would have gotten squashed within the first few turns. Thanks for giving my story a chance even if you didn't like the duel.
ladyblueeyesul. - Heh, glad you like it. Wow, you actually like cliffhangers?! You're the second person to say that. I'd do them more often if I didn't think everyone else would tear me apart! Hmm...yet another vote for Snape, why do people like him so much?
You people never cease to amaze me. I write something that I never thought in a million years would get read and then I turned on my computer and found that I have more reviews than ever before. Thank you so much!!
A/N- Hey glad the first person thing was liked. I'm surprised only one person asked me what Yami was doing in the tree. Well enough of that, on to the story before you people kill me for the cliffie. (Eyes lynch mob of readers nervously)
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The last thing Yugi saw was a golden colored ball of magic headed straight for him! It was then that Yami took over, his normally deep purple eyes suddenly lightening to an angry blood-red. Fortunately for him Harry, Ron, and Hermione were to busy staring at the magic ball to notice the differences. Unfortunately it didn't stay that way for long. As the attack closed in Yami called upon his own magic and created a shield to defend himself.
"Ahahahahaha" An all too familiar laugh rang out from behind the bushes where the attack had originated. Yami's heart sank, he knew that voice and he had hoped never to hear it again. 'Curses! How the hell did he break free from the Shadow Realm?!' Yami thought as his fiery temper flared even more.
"Well, well, well we meet again Pharaoh," the owner of the voice as he stepped out from behind some shrubbery. "Aren't you glad to see me?"
"Always a pleasure, Marik." Yami replied, sarcasm practically oozing from his words. As he spoke he prepared a magical attack of his own. 'I have to end this before it becomes a shadow game.' He thought.
"Don't even think about attacking me, Pharaoh. Not unless you want your dear friend Malik to get hurt." Marik said smugly as he reached into the bushed and yanked out a bound, gagged, and struggling teen. Yami felt his anger building but beneath it his curiosity was also perked. How had Marik and Malik gained separate bodies? Shoving his questions aside, the ex-pharaoh was about to say something along the lines of 'How dare you?' (A/N-Petty huh?) when a voice abruptly rang out behind him.
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Harry's heart was pounding. Of the many things he had anticipated finding out about the Duel Monsters Champion, discovering that he was a wizard wasn't one of them! Then the tanned, sandy haired man stepped out from the bushes. In response Harry's heart doubled its efforts to escape his chest. Though his mind told him to run he was rooted to the spot. The pure evil on the man's face had awoken memories of his nemesis, Lord Voldermort. Yet even through his fear he saw and wondered at the look of red-hot rage on Yugi's face. The other teen's entire personality seemed to have changed. As he listened to the two banter questions raced through his mind, 'Who is this nut-case? What does he want with Yugi? Why has Yugi gotten so aggressive all of a sudden? Why does this guy keep calling him 'Pharaoh'?'
Suddenly the man Yugi had called Marik reached back behind the foliage and yanked out a teenager that could have been his twin with two exceptions. First his hair wasn't as feral and second, he looked much gentler than Marik. Harry glanced at Yugi again. The wild haired teen was allowing something that seemed to have been an attack fade away. Harry's thoughts raced, 'He's not going to do anything!? That maniac had his friend as a hostage and he's not going to do anything about it!?'
Without further thought Harry drew his wand, not caring who saw, and pointed it at Marik. He had a better angle than Yugi; if he attacked he could hit the fiend without hitting the teenager whom Marik had called Malik.
"Stupify!"
Following his yell a jet of bright red light flew out of Harry's wand and struck Marik in the side. It also knocked a golden object out of the man's hand. Yugi turned and looked at Harry in surprise, who was just as shocked by what he saw as by his own actions. 'When did Yugi's eyes turn RED?! That's definitely not normal, even for a wizard.'
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Yami spared a second to turn and give Harry a surprised look before retuning his attention to the business at hand. Without further hesitation he ran to Malik and untied the rope around his hands and feet as well as the gag. Though he seemed as shocked as Yami about the unexpected rescue, Malik moved to escape without asking questions. He stopped only to retrieve the Millennium Rod before taking off again as best he could. Yami's sharp eyes took note of Malik's heavy limp almost immediately, but before he could comment Tristan came to help.
"Téa, (A/N-Does anyone know which letter the stupid accent goes on in her name?) Joey, Tristan take Malik and head for the Game Shop. I'm going to lead Marik as far away from here as I am able." Yami said as they approached the group.
"But Ya...Yugi, who's gonna watch yer back?" Joey protested.
"I appreciate the concern Joey, but I can take care of myself." Yami said with a slight smile.
"Sorry, but I'm not gonna leave my best friends all alone with that creep on tha loose." Joey said firmly.
/You might as well give in Yami, he's not going to take 'no' for an answer./
#You're right. Heh, it would appear that I've forgotten how stubborn Joey can be when he makes up his mind.#
"Alright Joey. Harry, I would advise you and your friends to go with Téa and Tristan." Harry considered the suggestion for less than two heartbeats before he spoke.
"Ron, Hermione you go with them, I'm going with Yugi. That is, if you don't mind a tagalong?"
"No." Yami replied with his usual half-way smile.
"Right, Harry I like that plan about as much as Joey liked Yugi's."
"Meaning you want to come with us right?" Harry asked, his voice colored with an emotion that Yami could not name but knew was familiar to him.
"Yep"
"Alright, if we're all decided let's leave before Marik wakes up," Yami said impatiently. He then nodded to Téa, Tristan, Hermione, and Malik, "Ladies and gentlemen we shall meet you at the Game Shop."
With those parting words Yami and his companions took off running in the direction opposite that which lead to the shop.
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Yami kept watch behind them apprehensively as the foursome ran for the shelter of the warehouse. It had not taken Marik long to wake after they had sent the others on their way. He had immediately set off in search of Yami and Harry, whose combined magics had not only foiled the surprise attack but had freed his prisoner as well. The loss of the Millennium Rod only seemed to have infuriated him more. Yet he appeared to be more determined to destroy the pair that had defeated him than to attack Malik and the others. Due to this the past two hours had been spent in a seemingly never-ending game of cat-and-mouse. They couldn't allow Marik to catch them and yet they couldn't get too far ahead of him either, lest he actually decide to turn around and attempt to reclaim the Rod and Malik. To complicate matters, the fiend had called in the Rare Hunters; the organization originally founded by Malik to acquire the Egyptian God Cards and thought to have been disbanded. This obviously not being the case the four were now trapped among the warehoused at the docks. Despite their best efforts it would only be a matter of time before they were found.
"It does not seem that they have followed us as of yet." Yami said as he walked into the relative safety of the warehouse.
"Sheesh, who knew that he 'ad the Rare Hunters just waitin' for us?" Joey said
"I take it that those bloody jerks with bad taste in clothes were the 'Rare Hunters' you two keep talkin' about." Ron asked.
"Yes."
"Is there any other way out of here that you know of?" Harry questioned.
"No." Joey said sadly. Yami remained silent. 'No, there's no way that I know either,' he thought, 'unless...'
#Yugi, do you know any other way out of this warehouse?#
/Nope...I hate to say it Yami but I think we're trapped. Unless there's some kind of magic portal hidden behind these boxes./ Yugi replied trying to lighten his partner's mood with a joke.
#Magic portal? Hmm...wait a minute...Yugi you're a genius!#
/Huh?/
#I'll explain later.#
Yami opened his eyes, his excitement shining brightly in them. Though much of his faded memory had returned, it was still riddled with more holes than slice of Swiss cheese. What he intended to do had been one of those holes, until Yugi had mentioned it, that is.
"Ya...Yugi what is it? Do ya know of another way outta here?" Joey asked.
"As a matter of fact I do Joey. I can transport us away from here to anywhere I wish via magic."
"Alright so get us to the Game Shop already."
"No, with the Rare Hunters backing him Marik is extremely dangerous even though he no longer holds the Millennium Rod. We dare not go anywhere near the shop. No, we need to go somewhere...unexpected...somewhere he won't be able to follow quickly. Like out of the country perhaps."
"Yami are you insane?! If we leave what's to stop him from goin' after tha others?"
"No, but Marik is insane, in addition to being obsessed with catching Harry and me, meaning he will stop at nothing to apprehend us. Also even though he is only after the two of us, all of us will most assuredly be tortured if he catches us."
"Oh."
Now that Joey was calmed down the ex-pharaoh turned to Harry, who was giving him a thoroughly confused look.
"Harry, in order to get us out of here to somewhere Marik won't be able to follow at his leisure I need you to picture a place that you want to be. Joey, Ron, if this is to work you two must blank your minds as much as possible."
"Yami are ya sure ya know what yur doin'?" Joey asked.
"Joey, I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer."
"Yugi, that's twice not Joey has called you by a different name. Why?" Harry asked out of the blue. Yami shot Joey a look that by all rights should have killed the teen before answering.
"There will be time for questions and answers later, after we have escaped this trap of Marik's."
"Right." Harry said by way of answer, agreeing to the implied offer of having his questions answered in return for answering some himself. "So is there anything else we need to do to make this work?"
"Link hands."
After giving him one last look, Yami's companions linked hands leaving a space between Harry and Joey for him. Yami walked forwards and took their offered hands, watching all of them as he did so, waiting for indication that they were ready.
"Okay, I hope you know what you're doing Yugi." Harry whispered. Yami began chanting softly in his native language. Suddenly they were all wrapped in darkness so complete that it seemed as if it had swallowed the light itself. Then the sensation disappeared as quickly as it had come, replaced by an early morning cool and the barest hint of sunrise. Everyone looked around in surprise. Tall trees towered above the foursome and the eerie sounds of a forest at night echoed around them.
"Whoa, where are we?" Joey said as he glanced left and right.
"I...I...don't know. This isn't where I imagined us going." Harry stammered.
"Harry, is it just me or does this place look entirely too familiar?" Ron said.
"What do you mean Ron?" Harry asked.
"Harry, I know this is going to sound crazy, but...I think that we're in the Forbidden Forest."
"Hey, guys anythin' with tha name 'Forbidden' generally isn't a good place ta be." Joey said nervously.
"Well in this case it's a better place to be than where we were." Harry responded.
"Yeah, I guess yur right. Whadda you think Yam...Yugi?" Joey asked turning toward the last member of the group. "Whoa, man are ya alright?!"
Yami was kneeling on the ground breathing heavily.
"Yes...I'll be fine...I'm just...tired,...we must have...gone much farther...then I ...thought we would." Yami responded between breaths.
"I know you need to rest Yugi, but can you walk? This place may be safer than where we were but it's far from totally safe." Harry said glancing around as he spoke.
"Yes, I can walk as long as I need to." Yami replied after a moment.
"Good, I don't think we're very far from Ron and my's school Hogwarts."
"Harry, are you nuts?! We can't take them to Hogwarts! Dumbledore'ed have a bloody fit! And bloody hell! I don't even want to think about what my mum and dad are gonna say when they hear about this!" Ron exploded.
"We don't have a choice, Ron. We need someplace safe to recover and explain things and I don't know about you but I am not about to walk to London. Besides Professor Dumbledore is not the type of person to turn away someone who needs help." Harry replied calmly. Ron didn't have a reply to that so he slowly looked around instead.
"Well, I think that we're near A-A-Aragog's lair so Hogwarts should be that way." Ron finally said pointing behind the group.
"Alright, let's go." Harry said and motioned to Ron to lead the way. Looking up Yami stood shakily and began to follow the red-head, stumbling as he did so. Joey stared as he followed, his beginning to race. 'Yami stumbled? He actually stumbled?! Oh man, he must be really wiped out if he of all people stumbled. Yami never stumbles because he always seems to...flow, like...like a cat. Yeah, that's it a cat. And I've never seen him tired out like this...at least I think I haven't. Aww...who cares? Right now he looks like he's gonna collapse, and that's tha only thing that matters. I wonder why Yuge hasn't taken over. Unless, that spell wiped him out too.'
"Joey are you coming?" Harry yelled suddenly.
"Huh?" Joey looked up, just now realizing that he had stopped moving. "Oh, yeah I'm comin' I was just thinkin'."
"Well, they must have been some deep thoughts." Harry replied. 'Man you have no idea.' Joey thought before running to catch up with the group.
"So, what's an Aragog?"
Ron's whimper of fear at the name and Harry's bark of laughter echoed back through the tall silent trees.
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"We've been walkin' for at least two hours, are you two sure ya know where yur goin'?"
"I hate to say it Harry but I think we're lost." Ron said.
"I think you're right Ron," Harry said. "How are you holding up Yugi?"
"I said I can walk for as long as I have to and I will." Yami replied. In reality he knew those words wouldn't hold true much longer. 'I just hope that we find their school before my exhaustion makes me a liar.' Yugi had passed out right after they came through the shadow portal. Said exhaustion coupled with unfamiliar surroundings and the odd silence in his mind was making Yami uneasy. He snapped out of his thoughts just in time to see Harry look at him and do a double take. 'I wonder what he saw that surprised him. Unless he noticed earlier that my eyes were red...and now have returned to their normal color. Blast it! I'm going to have to be more careful in public or Yugi might end up facing some scrutinizing questions.'
"Oh man Serenity's gonna kill me for gettin' myself inta this." Joey moaned as Ron and Harry debated about their whereabouts. This caused Yami to look at him sternly.
"You were helping a friend Joey, Serenity is not going to blame you for that. Besides if anyone is at fault it's me for not insisting that I do this alone." The ex-pharaoh said firmly.
Before Joey could reply the sound of hooves thudding dully against the hard packed ground distracted them. As the four watched the creature attached to said hooves came into view. It had the body of a horse and the head, arms and upper torso of a man. While Joey's eyes widened in fear and Yami's in shock, Harry and Ron's eyes made and attempt to pop out of their sockets in recognition.
"Firenze! Where did you come from? How did you find us? Can you show us how to get to Hogwarts?" Both wizards exclaimed in unison.
"Calm yourselves young ones. The stars told me that you would be arriving and that you would require aid. I came to guide you to Hogwarts when I knew the time was right. However I must confess that I did not expect you to be accompanied." Firenze replied looking back and forth between Joey and Yami before finally settling his gaze on Yami.
"You honor me with your presence Ancient One." He said with a bow. Yami smiled tiredly and nodded at Firenze.
"Likewise Wise One." He replied.
"Am I missing something?" Ron asked Harry quietly.
"Don't worry, Ron, I don't know what they're talking about either." Harry whispered back. "Although I would like to know where a centaur learned to speak Japanese."
Before the conversation could continue Firenze interrupted them.
"We should be on our way, the Forrest is not safe."
Everyone nodded and started to walk in the direction the centaur was indicating. They stopped when Yami stumbled and fell to his knees. Firenze walked over to stand by the fallen former pharaoh. (A/N Heh, say that three times fast!)
"Ancient One you are not well. If you wish you may ride upon my back to our destination." He said.
"As much as I hate to admit it I fear I must take you up on your offer Wise One. I apologize if this will cause trouble or discomfort for you." Yami replied sounding exhausted.
"It is no trouble or discomfort I assure you." Firenze answered simply. He then held still as Yami mounted with the ease of long practice at getting on horses.
"Hey man, are ya sure ya can stay on 'im?" Joey asked as they begun walking, worry coloring his tone.
"Joey the day I can't remain mounted on anything that can be ridden is the day you will admit that you deserve to be called a dog."
"Point taken." Joey replied sheepishly.
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Roughly 30 minutes later the Forrest began to thin, indicating that the weary travelers (barring Firenze) had reached the edge of it. As they continued on a rough looking cottage came into view. 'There's Hagrid's cottage, but where's Hagrid?' Harry thought. 'Well maybe it's a good thing he's not here or he might scare Joey and Yugi.' As if summoned by Harry's thoughts the cottage door opened suddenly to reveal none other than Hagrid.
"Whoa, who tha?!" Joey yelped. Still seated on Firenze's back Yugi looked up in mild surprise at Hagrid. 'Huh, Yugi doesn't seem startled at all. Maybe because he's used to those life-sized Duel Monsters holograms? But if that were the case Joey wouldn't have jumped.' Just then Hagrid called a greeting startling Harry out of his thoughts.
"'Ello Harry, Ron, and...uh..."
"Yugi Mutou, nice to make you're acquaintance."
"Joey Wheeler, glad to meet'cha."
"Well nice ta meet you too. Name's Hagrid, groundskeeper and Care of Magical Creatures teacher 'ere at Hogwarts."
"Hey, Hagrid you don't seem surprised to see us, how'd you know we were coming?" Ron asked.
"Firenze told me earlier before 'e went out lookin' for you. Said 'e was gonna bring ya back 'ere when 'e found you."
"Uh, sorry for interrupten' but where's this 'Hogwarts' ya'll keep talkin' about?" Joey asked tentatively.
"Why it's right there." Hagrid replied waving one of his big hands behind him. Harry couldn't help but smile at the looks of awe on Yugi and Joey's faces. The morning sunlight reflecting off of the windows seemed to bathe the great stone structure with a white aura making the castle a truly awesome sight to behold.
"Yugi, Joey welcome to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
To Be Continued...
A/N- Once again I am truly sorry for the incredibly slow update! Oh and don't worry, next time you'll find out what happened to the others, some of them anyway. Until then please, please, please review. By the way, Snape, Dumbledore and Peeves will show up for certain. If anyone has any suggestions about other teachers, ghosts, etc. that the YGO characters should encounter at Hogwarts and who should encounter them e-mail me (My address is on my bio). The first five will be written into the story during our heroes stay at the castle. Well until next time. (Uh, did I mention please review?)