Kitty: Alright, peoples, here's chapter 9.
Lina: Kitty is being exhausted by the kids she has to watch, so do cut her some slack, she really is trying to update regularly…
Kitty: (cries) I don't like working with these kids! It gives me no extra time for my fics, WAH!!!!!!
Yugi: At least you get July 4th off, Kitty.
Kitty: Whew, am I glad for that! Anyway, there's another OC introduced…well, partially introduced…in the chapter.
Yugi: (grins, knowing who Kitty's referring to) R&R!
Chapter Nine:
Conclusions and Confusion
Malfoy couldn't believe his eyes when he saw that both Marik and Diana were still at Hogwarts the next day, looking slightly tired but perfectly cheerful. The two (Diana more than Marik) had thought that running into the three-headed dog had been an exciting adventure, and were eager for another.
Diana, Yugi and Marik had told Harry, Seto, Ron and Ryou about what they had seen the night before, and the others were pretty interested in it as well.
Harry had come to the conclusion that when he was with Hagrid to get his school supplies, Hagrid had been the one to empty the vault, if you could call taking one tiny package out "emptying".
"From what Harry said, it most likely wasn't that big," said Ryou, "If he'd seen the thing the thieves were looking for the day he was there, it must be less than a couple inches long."
"It was," Harry agreed, "It probably could have fit on Hagrid's thumb alone."
Harry had also confirmed Diana's thinking by telling them what Hagrid had told him the day they went to Gringotts, "Gringotts is the best place to hide something, except perhaps Hogwarts."
After confirming that the thing from Vault 713 was at Hogwarts, they tried to figure out what it was.
"It's either really valuable," Seto said logically, "Or really dangerous."
"Or maybe both," Diana remarked.
"But there is still something I can't figure out," Ryou stated, frowning, "What happened to the person who wanted to steal it from Gringotts? Likely he'd try to sneak in here so he could steal it if that thing's under the trapdoor."
"You speak about it like it's from experience, Ryou," Ron said in surprise.
Ryou shrugged. "I can always guess, can't I?"
-Guess, my ass,- Bakura growled through their mind link, -That's what I would've done.-
Ryou glared inwardly at his Yami's comment, but otherwise ignored it.
"But Ryou is right," Marik said, "After all, a thief who broke into Gringotts probably isn't going to give up that easily."
"That's true," Harry agreed.
"But he couldn't sneak in here very well, could he?" asked Diana, "Unless he's already here, which is always a possibility…"
Hermione Granger, unlike Diana and her friends, showed no interest whatsoever in what the dog was guarding. She was now refusing to talk to Diana, Marik, Yugi or any of them, but since she was bossy, know-it-all teacher's pet, they saw it as an added bonus.
Diana wasn't too concerned about anything besides the thing from Gringotts, the three-headed dog and revenge. She wanted to get back at Malfoy for his trick last night and for teasing Yugi in their Quidditch lesson, and she soon got her chance.
When the daily post came around, both Diana and Harry got oddly shaped packages. Recognizing Aunt Gwen's neat handwriting on the letter, Diana realized it was her Nimbus, and Harry's must be his new broomstick.
Harry ripped open the letter on his, which was lucky, because it told him not to open it at the Gryffindor table, and added to Diana not to as well. Harry's model was a Nimbus too, according to the letter.
Harry passed the note to Ron, who moaned enviously.
"A Nimbus Two Thousand! I've wanted one ever since I saw one on display in Diagon Alley! Dare, why didn't you tell me you had one?"
Diana blushed.
"Aunt Gwen was going to keep it for my birthday present next year, since first years aren't allowed to have broomsticks, but I found it beforehand… she said she wanted everyone to still be surprised when I opened it. I had to beg her to let me have it now."
Another owl, this one a beautiful tawny, flew down and landed next to Yugi.
"Is that Neko-chan?" asked Ryou, as Yugi grabbed the letter and Seto stroked the owl's feathers.
Yugi nodded. "It's her handwriting."
"Who's Neko-chan?" Harry inquired.
"Yugi's girlfriend," Seto answered, "Her real name's Kitty, which in Japanese is Neko, so that's what we call her. She's a Muggle and two years older than you guys, but she takes care of my owl Kisara, since I can only bring one pet. She's using her to keep in touch with," his voice became snide, "her ickle Yugi-chan."
Yugi punched Seto in the arm, blushing furiously. "Shut up! It's not funny!"
"What's her letter say?" asked Marik, quickly trying to change the subject.
Yugi opened it, and read the following;
Konnichiwa, Yugi-chan!
How's it been going at Hogwarts? I was curious, since you haven't written to me yet (hint, hint). I miss you a lot and so do Joey-kun, Tristan-kun and Tea. Not like Tea is anything I'm worrying about… but she told me to tell you anyway. She just can't get over her old crush on you, goddamn it.
Anyway, Mokuba-chan told me to pass on a message to Seto-san. He says that if his brother doesn't write to him soon, he's going to steal a train ticket to Hogwarts and, when he gets there, write 'complete bakayrou' on his face with black permanent marker. Those are his words exactly, so don't blame the messenger.
And guess what: I got this weird package with magic books inside the other day. I don't know whom it was from, but there was a note in loopy handwriting that said, "Something tells me you'll need these. Use them well." They look so cool! I've already read three of them.
I got a copy of the Daily Prophet recently about an attempted robbery of the Gringotts near you. I was worried, and the paper didn't tell me much, other than the thing was taken out the same day, before Dark wizards could take it. You know anything I don't know?
Whatever. Write back to me soon, or else I'll train Kisara to peck you to death. I think Seto would find that useful, anyway.
Lots of Luv,
Kitty
Yugi blushed as he reread the line about Tea.
/She still likes you, Yami-kun?/
-You bet,- Atem growled, -I'm quite surprised she hasn't gotten over it.-
"She seems nice," Ron commented dryly.
"She is, but she's a loner, mind you," Yugi said as he folded up Kitty's letter, "She's real smart, though," he then frowned, "She'd probably be better at doing magic than I am, anyway."
"Oh, shut up," said Diana impatiently, "You're only bad in Potions, Yugi. And Flying. But you're good in McGonagall's class…and Sprout's…and Flitwick's…and Binns's."
"That's only 'cause we fall asleep every time we get into his classroom," Yugi said tiredly, "But thanks anyway, Dare-kun. Maybe Neko-chan would actually be interested in Binns-sensei's class...History is her specialty."
Harry and Diana decided to leave the Great Hall so that they could open up the packages. Ron came too, not wanting to miss the unwrapping of a Nimbus.
On the way there, they met Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.
Malfoy seized Diana's package, and felt it.
"That's a broomstick," he said, throwing it back to her with a mixture of jealousy and spite on his face, and looked at Harry's, "Both of them are. You'll be in for it this time, first years aren't allowed them."
Ron couldn't resist.
"They're not just any old broomsticks," he said, "They're Nimbus Two Thousands. What did you say you've got at home, Malfoy, a Comet Two Sixty?"
Ron grinned at Diana, and Diana gave a subtle smile back as he added, "Comets look flashy, but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus."
"What would you know about it, Weasley, you couldn't afford half the handle," Malfoy snapped back, "I suppose your brothers have to save up twig by twig."
"You speak about Ron not being able to afford all the things you have, Malfoy," Diana said smoothly, "But the point is…why would Ron want everything you have, when all you have is Dark Arts and cowardice up your sleeve?"
Ron stared in shock and worry at Diana. This topic was very dangerous ground to be talking about with a Malfoy, let alone Lucius Malfoy's son.
Malfoy glared at Diana.
"You know my father wasn't accused of being a Death Eater, Randall."
"Oh, but he was," Diana said quietly, "He just wasn't convicted because he used his money and his job at the Ministry to bribe the court to let him off the hook!"
"Power helps those who work up in life!" Malfoy snapped.
"Most people do," Diana retorted, "But the honorable ones aren't helping Voldemort to get what they want!"
"You know that there's no proof for that statement!"
"I've been looking for proof!"
"Why, because my father's high up and you want your aunt to be that powerful?"
"NO, BECAUSE HE HELPED KILL MY MUM!"
"Not fighting, I hope?"
They looked up at Professor Flitwick.
"Potter and Randall have been sent broomsticks, Professor," Malfoy said quickly.
Diana growled furiously. /That is a coward's way out of an argument./
"Yes, I've heard about the special circumstances," Flitwick said, smiling toward Diana and Harry, "What models are they?"
"Nimbus Two Thousands," Harry said, grinning at Malfoy's look of shocked horror when he added, "And it's really thanks to Malfoy here we got them."
The three were laughing about it later.
"Well, it is true, if you think about it," Diana said through her laughter, "If Malfoy hadn't stolen that little golden ball from Yugi, we wouldn't have been put on the team."
"And you think that's a reward for breaking rules?" demanded a snooty voice from behind them.
They turned around as Hermione Granger brushed past them, looking rather arrogant.
"I thought you weren't talking to us?" asked Diana absently, as she tucked her package back under her arm.
"Don't stop, it's doing all of us so much good," Ron added scornfully.
Hermione huffed, and sauntered away, her nose in the air.
Diana rolled her eyes.
"Really, does she think we care if she gives us a second glance? If she does, she's not as smart as I thought she was."
In Charms class, the pairings were like the first day.
Diana tried everything she could to do "Wingardium Leviosa", the Levitating Charm, on her feather with no avail, and even Seto was having difficulty.
Ron kept trying, waving his long arms like a windmill two seats over, and Hermione Granger, his partner, kept criticizing him.
"It's Lev-vee-oh-sa, not Lev-vee-oh-sar," she hissed, "And make the 'gar' nice and long."
"You do it then if you're so clever," Ron snapped.
Hermione gave him a superior look as she flicked her wand, and said, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
The feather flew up toward the ceiling, and Professor Flitwick said, "Oh well done, Miss Granger! Ten points to Gryffindor! Splendid, absolutely splendid!"
Both Ron and Diana looked sour about this.
"'It's Lev-vee-oh-sa, not Le-vee-oh-sar,'" Ron mimicked after class, "She's a nightmare, honestly!"
"Do I know it," Diana said in a bored fashion, "Really, it's no surprise she doesn't have any friends…"
Someone shoved past Diana.
"Hey, watch where you're-" Diana started, before she saw that it was Hermione, and she was crying.
"I think she heard you two," said Yugi, biting his bottom lip.
"Who cares?" snapped Ron, trying to block away his guilt, "It's the truth."
"Even the truth can hurt," Harry said, "Especially when said in such a harsh manner."
Ron looked uncomfortable. Diana put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Ron, I'll go over to her later and tell her we're sorry, okay?"
Ron looked a little better. "Okay, Dare."
Little did Diana know about the plan that was going to unfurl that night, which was only a small piece of a larger and greater scheme…
Kitty: That's it for Chapter 9!
Lina: (looks at Kitty) I noticed you put yourself in there.
Kitty: (sweatdrop) Oh, come on! The Kitty in this fic will have a big role!
Lina: (sighs) Whatever…
Yugi: (types on Kitty's computer) We got some new reviews!
Lina: From…?
Yugi: The first is from Avemtilla. She says, "Thank you! I'm very happy! Poor Atem, I know what it's like to be slightly clumsy. The others would not be laughing if they slammed THEIR feet into chairs, boxes, doors, walls, and such! Ouch, it hurts! Anyway, great chapter! UPDATE SOON! Please? Ya know, I think I have an obsession with bad/loner boys. I mean, Raven from Zoids, Severus and Tom Riddle (NOT VOLDEMORT!) from Harry Potter, Seto, Marik, and Bakura from Yu-Gi-Oh!, Ken the Kaiser, Matt, and Kouji from Digimon, James from Pokemon, Spike from Buffy/Angel (I've only seen Angel though), you get the point. And most of these guys have dark hair, so I must have an obsession with dark haired boys as well. That's about all... OH YEAH! And I loved the chapter! Adios Amigos!"
Kitty: At least someone knows what it's like to be a klutz, Atem…
Atem: I'm NOT a klutz! I'm poise-challenged!
Kitty: (giggles) Whatever you say… (ahem) Dark haired guys are cute. (smiles) Atem and Yugi are the only guys I like that don't have dark hair, and even they have some black in their hair. (winks) And thanks! Nice to know you're a repeat reviewer!
Yugi: (types on Kitty's computer) The next one's from SGCred. She says, "Oh, another great chapter. Think about authoring as a career hun, cause you have serious potential. Shame for Atem and Yugi, but I'm sure when he sees Malfoy, he will be obliterated. Maybe let Fluffy use him as a chew toy. I have updated so please review, though some violence, swearing, but a certain pest in my story is removed, (a certain shrieking banshee blonde) Looking forward to your review. As for the surprise, I will reveal it to you (Drumroll please): Instead of a Yugi/OC, I plan to make the dedication to you. My version of your romance. Do you approve of me writing a Yugi/Kitty fic. I have been planning it to be very fluffy. Say what you think, I'm more than happy to do those dedication fics."
Kitty: I tried to review your latest chapter, but it wouldn't work… (cries) I really liked it, but I hope Luna's alright… Anyway, A YUGI/ME FIC?! YAY!!!!!!!! (glomps Yugi)
Yugi: (grins) I like it too!
Kitty: (grins widely) I like writing so much, so knowing you like it that much is very pleasing! And Malfoy is a BASTARD… (growls)
Yugi: I agree! (glares in the direction of under Kitty's bed, where Malfoy's still hiding)
Lina: Next one?
Yugi: (types on Kitty's computer while having her glomp him) Um… Kani. She says, "YAY! They've met Fluffy! (pets Fluffy but almost gets hand bitten off) er…yeah…(hands you a lollypop) Your story is good, buaha!"
Kitty: (imitates Hagrid) Who told yeh 'bout Fluffy? (imitates Ron) Fluffy? (imitates Hermione) That THING has a NAME? (grins)
Ron and Hermione: (sweatdrop) Oh, bloody hell…
Yugi: (sweatdrop) My bishojo is so talented, it's scary…
Kitty: (grins) So true. I'M GONNA SEE SPIDER MAN 2 TOMORROW!!!!
Yugi: That does look exciting…
Diana: Yeah. Kitty loves Spider Man…series, comics AND the movie.
Kitty: He's my fav superhero! There's a song by Weird Al about him! (sings) Poor Peter Parker was pitiful, couldn't get any shyer, Mary Jane still wouldn't notice him, even if his hair was on fire…
Yugi: (grins) Oh, God, that's a funny parody…and of the Piano Man, none-the-less…
Lina, Bakura, Atem: (sweatdrop)
Kitty: (grins) R&R!