Chapter 9: Presents and Professors
Ryou woke up with sunlight streaming across his face through a slit in the scarlet drapes around his bed. He sat up quickly and shook off the blackness creeping in on his eyes. It was his birthday! And what better present on his birthday than starting to learn magic. Ryou dressed quickly, grabbed his bag, and practically ran down the stairs to the common room only to be driven back a bit by a yelp from someone there. It sounded like Yugi. Ryou didn't want to interrupt his friend in whatever the boy was doing, so he walked back up the stairs and played with Phantom for a little while. The next time he went down to the common room, Harry and his friends were there as well, and together they made their way to the Great Hall.
There wasn't as much food for breakfast as there had been the night before, but they'd expected that since it was breakfast after all. Ryou informed Yugi that there usually wasn't anything 'toxic' in English breakfast food, so they happily began eating in peace...until the mail came. Yugi and Ryou were quite startled when suddenly hundreds of owls flew into the hall and began dropping letters on various people, including Hermione and Harry. The beautiful snowy owl that delivered to Harry stopped for a moment to eat a little bit then flew off again. Then, to Ryou's surprise, an owl flew by and dropped a letter right in the middle of his plate. The return address was written in neat Japanese handwriting and said it was from his dad.
Ryou's eyes opened wide with surprise. How had his dad known how to deliver a letter to him? He felt it cautiously, noticed a rather large lump, and instantly grew suspicious. His father was known for seemingly harmless presents that could really be the end of the world. Case in point: the Millennium Ring.
{{No shadow magic.}} Bakura commented lightly from his soul room. {{Go ahead and open it.}}
"What did you get, Ryou?" Yugi asked. Ryou suddenly noticed that the others were regarding him curiously.
"Um, letter from Father. I'm not sure how he knew how to get it here but...I guess I should open it and see what it is."
He opened the envelope and out fell a piece of writing paper and a wrapped object. Great, so he couldn't see immediately what it was. Ryou picked up the letter and read it, the writing also being in Japanese:
Dear Ryou,
Bet you're wondering how I knew to use an owl to get this to you. Well, last night this same owl showed up at the window with a note attached. It was from that Professor Dumbledore and told me how to send letters to you. It was very lucky that owl came, wasn't it?
Anyway, I'd like to wish you a happy birthday. Your friends here wish you the same thing, though I'm sure they'd like to tell you themselves. The present enclosed I found at a pawnshop and I thought you might like it. I've checked it myself to make sure it's not dangerous, but it might be like your Ring and not work unless it's for you.
I hope you have good time at your new school and I expect to hear from you as to how it goes.
Sincerely,
Your father
"Go on, open it Ryou," Yugi urged, staring expectantly at the brightly wrapped present. Ryou picked it up, surprised at how heavy it actually was, and slowly undid the paper. A golden statuette rolled noisily onto the table.
"Is that...?" Ron started, staring open mouthed at the figure.
"It's a statue of Seth, the Egyptian god of chaos and storms," Ryou said, placing the statue upright. "Great, I bet it has some demonic power ready to reveal itself, too," he muttered to himself.
"Is it your birthday, Ryou?" Hermione asked. He nodded, still staring at the golden figure on the table. "Well, happy birthday!"
"Here, you'll like my present," Yugi said as he gave his friend a rectangular package that looked hastily wrapped.
Ryou smiled at him. "Thanks Yugi. I'm glad you didn't forget."
Under the paper was a set of Egyptian Tarot cards and five new Duel Monster cards. Ryou picked up the game cards to see what they were. Invitation to a Dark Sleep, Magical Marionette, Deal of Phantom, Possessed Dark Soul, and a special edition, holographic Change of Heart. Ryou smiled as he looked at the last card, and Bakura began to mentally revise their deck.
"I had to ask Grampa for most of those before we left for Diagon," Yugi said as Ryou looked through the cards again. "I felt they might work with your deck pretty well."
"Yeah, these are great. Thanks Yugi."
"Hey, don't forget about my present," said a voice from behind them. Malik was grinning right behind Ryou and was holding an oddly package.
"Oh, you remembered," Ryou said dully. " I didn't think you would."
"Hey, I'll keep it if you don't want my charity. But then Isis would get mad at me since it's from both of us."
"No, I really appreciate it, Malik," Ryou answered earnestly, taking the package from his friend. But before he could see what it was, he found a note, also written in Japanese.
Ryou,
I'm writing this down and in Japanese because I know you wouldn't want me to say it out loud. Just so you know, it was Bakura that reminded me about your birthday, not Isis, even though part of this present is from her. So this present is also from him in a way. But I figured that since Bakura doesn't really have a birthday of his own, he could share yours. So this present is also for him. I would have gotten you cards, but I suspected Yugi would cover that.
–Malik
"Come on, Ryou, stop reading and open it already," Malik said impatiently. Ryou obliged and found that inside there was a bronze statuette of Thoth and a golden necklace. The necklace had a pendent that was like a locket and had the Eye of Ra in relief on the front. The chain was thick and golden as well.
"Wow, Malik," Ryou said as he held up the necklace.
"I thought you might like that. It's real gold by the way, I checked. There's also an inscription on the back in Priest's Hieroglyphics that says 'Within holds the spirit of Ra'. Pretty cool, huh?"
"In Priest's Hieroglyphics?" Yugi asked. "Ryou, may I see that for a moment?"
Ryou handed the necklace over and Yugi stared at the hieroglyphics on the back. "Yup, that's what it says. This looks like a locket, but there doesn't seem to be a way to open it."
"Yeah, I noticed that," Malik agreed. "I knew you'd like it anyway, Ryou."
"Yeah, this is great. Thanks Malik," Ryou said as he clasped the necklace around his neck. He instantly felt a dull jolt fly through his body, but it passed so quickly he barely noticed. "And your present was really cool too, Yugi," he said reassuringly.
McGonagall came by a short time later and gave them their schedules. Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't know what to expect, but they knew their schedules would be different since they didn't have the same classes. Even Ryou and Yugi didn't have the same schedule, which could make things difficult. Malik came back over to compare his with theirs.
"Looks like we've got a lot of the same classes, Ryou."
"Yeah, and then I have some similar with Yugi. Looks like double Potions first, then Ancient Runes, and then double Divination."
"What, you're in Divination?" Ron asked. "Good luck, with that Trelawney woman–"
"No, Ron, remember it's Miss Ishtal that's teaching sixth and seventh this year," Hermione reminded him. "They won't have to suffer through Trelawney's classes."
"Speaking of which..." Harry trailed off, staring at the doors to the Great Hall where a woman had just appeared. She wore a lengthy shawl and innumerable beads, bangles, and necklaces. The women seemed to float as she walked over to them.
"I knew I sensed an aura down here," she trilled. "It must be you I was sensing, dear." She pointed at Ryou.
"Uh, good morning, Professor," Harry said, almost laughing. "What brings you down here?"
"Well, I was sitting in my office probing the school with my senses and I sensed a powerful aura coming from this boy. So I came right here to meet him. What's your name, dear?" Trelawney asked.
"Don't you know, Professor?" Ryou asked, trying his hardest to sound as though the 'dear' comment didn't bother him.
"Of course I do!" Trelawney said indignantly. "I just wanted to hear your sweet voice say it."
Harry and Ron rolled their eyes; that meant she had no idea. Ryou seemed to catch on to this and stared at her suspiciously.
"Ryou Bakura. Did you come to meet Isis too, Professor?"
"Yes, yes, it's always nice to meet another possessed of the gift of the Inner Eye. Now, my dear, if you ever need help, you should talk to Miss Brown and Miss Patil–" she pointed to two giggling girls a short distance away– "as they are also on their way to being accomplished Seers. Or you could find me and I will be happy to help you. Oh, and Mr. Potter," she said, now turning to Harry, who already knew what was coming, "I feel it is my duty to tell you. I have seen much danger in your path from a new enemy, my dear. Please keep your eyes and ears open to suspicious activity. Now, I must meet my colleague." She turned and seemed to glide to the teachers' table to meet Isis.
"That was...odd," Yugi finally said.
"Trelawney's just a big fake. I wouldn't believe much she tells you," Ron answered.
"Why did she tell me to talk to them if I need help?" Ryou asked, glancing down the table at the two girls.
"Those two practically worship Trelawney. They're the top students in Divination. It wouldn't surprise me if they're in you class, Ryou."
"I wish I could see their reactions to Isis," Harry said. "She is a real Seer, right."
"Her predictions have usually been accurate," Yugi answered, remembering her duel with Kaiba. "We'll tell you how they react. I'm in Divination, too."
"Oy! Harry!"
An older girl with brown hair was approaching them and looking very excited.
"Hey Katie," Harry said as she stopped next to him.
"Hey. Listen, I've been made Quidditch captain–"
"See, told ya Harry," Ron said.
"–And our team's in pretty bad shape. With you back, we really only have you, me, and Ron–"
"What about Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper?" Harry asked, remembering the replacement Beaters from the previous year.
"Oh, they resigned right after the Quidditch Cup. Said they had enough to do without being on the Quidditch team, too. So anyway, I want you to make it for the tryouts next week. Don't land yourself in detention like last year." She was about to walk away when she clapped her hands together and said, "And one more thing. Professor McGonagall asked me to tell you we're going to be giving these two flying lessons–" she gestured to Yugi and Ryou– "and I want you and Ron to be there. We start tomorrow after dinner." She smiled and walked away.
"Fl-flying lessons?" Ryou squeaked. "Like, up in the air on broomsticks with nothing to catch you flying?"
"What other flying is there?" answered Ron, grinning. "Listen, we should probably get to class. I've got Herbology first, so I guess I'll be seeing you guys later. Don't let Snape bully you too much." With that, Ron got up and left the table.
"He's right, Harry," Hermione said as she herself got up from the table. "You know what Snape's like if we're late, and he won't be too happy anyway since we're in his advanced class."
"Great, Malfoy and Snape right after breakfast," Harry answered. "I hope this doesn't ruin your birthday, Ryou. Snape isn't the nicest person and he favors Malfoy, plus he's the head of Slytherin house and really doesn't like me or the other Gryffindors. Especially me."
"Looks like I won't have a problem then," Malik said.
"And he doesn't like anyone who hangs around me, either."
"Oh."
"Um, Harry," Ryou started, "which one is Professor Snape?"
"He's right there." Harry pointed to the Professor where he was just standing up. Ryou and Yugi groaned; that was the man Bakura had pissed off in Knockturn Alley. This would not be an easy class. "What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"Well, we've kind of...met him already," Ryou said.
"Yeah, and he didn't like us," Yugi continued. "You'll probably see that when he sees us."
"Looks like I won't be the only one he hates this year then," said Harry. "We can help each other though it. Come on, we'd better go."
They left the hall and headed toward the dungeons where Potions classes were always held. Malik shuttered slightly as he looked around; this and the Slytherin dorms reminded him too much of the Pharaoh's tomb where he'd grown up, and those were memories he'd like to forget. They approached a group of students standing outside the classroom door and joined them to wait, hopefully in peace, but Malfoy caught sight of them first.
"I'm surprised to see you here, Potter," Malfoy drawled as he came closer. "What with your needing Remedial Potions last year. I didn't think you would be smart enough."
"What about you Malfoy?" Harry countered. "Did you have to get your father's help to get in–oh wait, that's right, I sent him to Azkaban, didn't I?"
Malfoy's eyes filled with fire. "I haven't paid you back for that yet. You mark my words, Potter, you and your new friends will wish you hadn't come this year."
"I think I can handle myself, Malfoy."
Malfoy got a mischievous gleam in his eye and his hand began reaching to his pocket. "But your friends here can't."
Ryou somehow knew exactly what the other boy was going to do, so he reached back for his own wand and said, "I think you'll find we can manage as well, Malfoy."
"You!"
The shout came from behind them and they all turned to find Snape striding angrily toward them. Ryou groaned inwardly as the man approached. Great, he thought, this guy's already caught me doing something suspicious and class hasn't even started yet.
"You," Snape repeated. "Didn't I warn you I'd be watching you? And you're already starting trouble!"
"I'm sorry, sir," Ryou said. He didn't have any idea what Snape was talking about otherwise. What warning? Bakura stayed distrustfully quiet in his soul room. "But it was really Malfoy who started it. I was just going to defend myself against a possible attack, Professor."
"And I suppose that's why you were buying weapons in Knockturn Alley as well," Snape snarled as he glared at Ryou.
{Is that what you were doing? That's why he doesn't like me?}
{{... ...}}
{You'd better not have snuck anything into my bag, koe.}
{{... ...}}
"All right, everyone into the classroom, now!" barked Snape. The students turned and shuffled into the classroom, Harry and his friends being last. "Pair up!"
Harry and Malik went to one cauldron and Hermione and Yugi went to another, leaving Ryou alone to wonder who he was supposed to go with. Yugi was about to switch places with him, but then a hand grabbed Ryou and pulled him off to another cauldron. It was one of the girls Professor Trelawney had told him about. This one had dark brown hair down to her waist and wore several bangles on her wrist. He could see the other girl pairing up with a boy he knew was named Seamus across the room so he was stuck with this one.
Snape set them to work on a highly difficult potion for improved courage and he didn't seem to care whether the new sixth years were at a far lower level. As he walked around between the groups watching everyone begin the potion, he frowned at the new students, but he didn't say anything.
"My name's Parvati Patil," the girl said once Snape was on the other side of the room. "Professor Trelawney said I should help you whenever possible, Ryou."
"How did you know my name?"
"The Professor told me. She said you're going to do really well in Divination this year." Parvati pulled out a vile from her bag and dropped a few drops of violet liquid into the cauldron. "I wonder if Professor Ishtal will be as good as Professor Trelawney."
"Isis is a very good Seer," Ryou answered as he stared at the blackboard and selected a bottle from his bag. "Her predictions have always been correct and really accurate."
"You called her by her first name," Parvati observed. "Do you know her?"
"Well enough. She's one of my friends, and she's helped me before." Ryou glanced at Snape and noticed he was staring at him. Ryou smiled; he was getting the hang of potion making already, and if he was able to do well in this class, maybe Snape wouldn't hate him so much.
"Have you ever seen the future, Ryou? I have lots of times. Professor Trelawney says I'm going to be a famous Seer when I leave school."
"I've...anticipated some events before they happened, yes. Isis is much better than I am, though."
For the next half hour they worked almost in silence, talking only when they had to let the potion simmer for a few minutes. Ryou learned that Harry had gone to the Yule Ball with Parvati two years ago, and that he never seemed to get the hang of anything but Defense Against the Dark Arts. Ryou also learned about Harry's past with Voldemort and why they were famous. Actually, they talked a lot about Harry.
Eventually, Snape told them all to fill a flask with their potion, label it, and put it up and his desk for him to grade. Ryou noticed that his and Parvati's potion looked just like Hermione and Yugi's, and he figured that since Hermione seemed to be pretty smart, his group hadn't done anything wrong. He smiled as he placed the flask on Snape's desk; this was class he felt he was good at, so maybe Snape wouldn't hate him so much.
He and Malik met at the door and were soon joined by Hermione, as she was going to the same place. Malik was muttering something about "damn Voldemort, doesn't know when to mind his own business"; Ryou had a feeling he wasn't the only one to have learned more about this 'Voldemort' person.
Then, just as Ryou walked though the door, he was hit with a wave of nausea and his vision began t fade. The exclamations of the others seemed faint and his legs were shaky. And then Ryou blacked out...
