In the darkness, two "friends" faced a hall of doors. A particular one had an illegible name scrawled across its plaque.
"So, it ends here," Kaiba said leaning against a nonexistent surface. His lips spread into a smirk. "Finally."
"Yeah, yeah," Draco said stepping forward to open the door. "You're just jealous."
"Of you?" Kaiba asked with an incredulous tone.
"I can't blame you," Draco said haughty. "Your fic is winding down and my fic is beginning."
Kaiba looked unruffled, "The sooner this fic is over, the sooner I'm out of this lunatic's mind…" he made a motion to the darkness surrounding them. "Don't forget, Malfoy, you're sharing that fic with Potter."
Draco looked a bit taken aback. "Whatever, you share this one with the Yamis."
"Fair enough," Kaiba shrugged unconcernedly.
Draco smirked and opened the door; a rush of light and inaudible voices flew past the two. Draco stepped into the doorframe. He disappeared in the blur of colors and sounds, the door slammed closed, locking.
Kaiba stood unmoved in the dark. The name plaque on the door was not legible, reading: Bound By Red Strings. He rolled his eyes, what kind of name was that. The other doors were the same with names such as "Dark World" or "Kingdom by the Sea".
In the still darkness Kaiba suddenly felt very, very alone… but he was also very, very suited to it. Kaiba smiled, peace at last.
End Sub-story thing… nope, no more of this. My muses are moving on to bigger and better things.
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Thank you all so much! I really adore the response! And in gratitude, I present an extra long chapter!
Just to clarify, I've decided this book will be a rewrite of the OotP, so that way it will transition into the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. As you should know, this means I'll have to end up with the same results as OotP, sadly. But I have an idea for a certain Dog Star.
Well, this chapter is a bit long. I like it, but I'm worried about the action. I find it doesn't flow but I might just be over critical. Please tell me what you think.
My next update should be soon. My college coarse if finally letting out, Yay! To bad I'm probably getting a D… oh well. ;
And remember, Japanese speech is in italics.
Right then, enjoy!
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Turmoil
By Kaitourei
Chapter Seventeen: Midnight Meetings
"I could try… But then, you might spontaneously combust."
- Seto Kaiba
Kaiba raised an eyebrow. The redhead was boasting; there was no weakness in his strategy, in fact it was infallible. It didn't matter what the Weasly said now, Kaiba would win. He knew it and his pawn moved forward.
"See here," Ron said once Kaiba had called for another queen. "You're a strong player," Ron continued and ordered a rook nearer to Kaiba's king. "But you're not concentrating on protecting your king. Check."
Kaiba's eyes narrowed. Yes, the Weasly was right, his queens were all powerful but the obtain they he sacrificed moves that could be used to protect his king or take the other. Kaiba's fist clenched and unclenched, he should have seen this a long time ago. It was such a simple mistake. Below amateur. There was, though, still a way to turn the game around.
"I'm impressed," Kaiba said coolly. He ordered a knight forward, destroying the rook, next time it would be harder. He would have to trash the queen idea and concentrate on using what he had. Ron took out one queen and smiled mockingly. Kaiba frowned, two queens left. All he had to do was corner the back king and the game was over, just two moves away…
"Hey."
Both players turned toward the voice. It was Harry, and behind him Hermione.
"What?" Kaiba snapped.
"Well," Hermione said, motioning to the students filing out of the classroom. "The Professor just called it a night. We should get going… you know…"
Kaiba frowned again, he hated losing and draws were just as bad. There was not time to argue, though; if they wanted to successfully leave the school now was the time to set the plan into action. He turned to Ron, who looked just as distraught.
Instead of a solacing comment he said, "I would have won anyway." And stood up. "Let's go."
Ron's face flushed red with anger, his fists clenched at his sides. Hermione put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a withering look, plainly stating: Yes he is being a prat, but shut up and deal with it. You know how he is.
Harry silently thanked Hermione and they headed for the exit in silence. The last of the students were filing out. A pale hand found it's way onto Harry's shoulder. He jumped away immediately and Lucius Malfoy withdrew.
"Mr. Potter," he said calmly with no signs of malevolence. The lack of spite in his voice caused Harry to feel more uneasy than usual.
"Yes?" Ron and Hermione had stopped to watch and Kaiba was regarding everyone with an unreadable stare.
"The Headmaster has asked me to give this to you," Malfoy held out a thick scroll. Harry could see the red Hogwarts seal, it wasn't broken. Without saying anything Harry took the parchment. Malfoy nodded and hurried past them to escort the remaining students.
"It is too surreal," Hermione mumbled and began to walk toward the door. "What does it say, Harry?"
Before he could tear it open Dumbledore's thin loopy scrawl appeared just above the seal. It said, simply: Do not open until destination is reached.
"Well?" Ron said as they followed the group of students.
"We can't open it until we get there," Harry said stowing the letter away. It was from Dumbledore and the headmaster, as usual, had some idea of what was going on. Why they needed to open it at Grimmauld Place was beyond him, though. Kaiba shot him a glance that could have been suspicious – it was hard to tell.
"Why not?" he asked.
Harry shrugged, "Dumbledore said so." Kaiba didn't respond he'd come to the same conclusion as Harry.
They were lagging far behind the group. Malfoy's voice was ringing out, calling the students together. Malfoy lead them past the marble staircase into the Great Hall. They slowed their pace and Ron nodded toward Harry as the students began to disappear through the double oak doors and into the Hall.
From inside his robes Harry produced another piece of parchment, this one he knew very well. It was the Marauders map. He pointed his wand, muttering, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." And as it should, the map began to display Hogwarts.
The other three gathered around silently. A large group of dots in the Great Hall began to spread apart. They could see Professor Malfoy turn and take a smaller group down to the dungeons.
"The third floor isn't clear," Kaiba said monotonously and pointed to the vaguely drawn diagram.
Harry glanced over to the area in which the one eyed humped backed witch was. Indeed, two miscellaneous names (most likely Aurors) strolled back and forth. They stopped in front of the statue and seemed to exchange words of greeting.
"Damn," Ron hissed watching them. "How are we going to get passed them?"
As if to answer their question the two dots suddenly began moving swiftly toward the left corridor. Harry watched in disbelief, they were chasing a smaller black dot labeled: Draco Malfoy.
"Now!" Kaiba hissed and turned toward the marble stairs. The first and second floors were clear, and now, so was the third. Ron and Hermione dashed after him, Harry followed. His mind was still dazed, what was Malfoy doing?
Kaiba was fast. As the three dragged themselves up the stairs as he took them two at a time. Their footsteps echoed loudly, and Harry felt for sure they would be caught. Thankfully the second floor was devoid of life. They pressed on.
Harry glanced at the map in his hand; he could see the small black dot darting back to the dungeons. Malfoy was retreating. His hand covered the third floor; there was no way to tell whether the Aurors were back or not.
"We have to hurry up!" He called.
"It's clear!" Kaiba said as he reached to top of the stairs.
Harry made his way past him, toward the grotesque witch. Hermione was catching her breath, as Ron looked frantically back and forth. He sighed and wiped the sweat away from his brow.
"Malfoy's good for something after all, eh?"
Kaiba shot him a dark look, as if to stay quiet and followed Harry. Silently, the other two also approached the statue. Harry was pointing his wand at the hump.
"Dissendium," he whispered and the hump moved back revealing a passage. He nodded after them, whilst checking the map. The Aurors were slowly making their way back from the second floor. "Get in."
Kaiba wordlessly lowered himself into the corridor and slid down. Harry heard him land with a soft thump. Ron followed, then Hermione. A few muffled words were exchanged, it sounded as if Ron had run into Kaiba. Harry turned toward the map and muttered, "Mischief managed."
He looked over his shoulder before plunging unto the darkness and landing on his feet. Slightly disoriented, he turned to face the direction he thought the others were in. Harry blinked in the darkness, "Everyone alright?"
"A light would be nice," Kaiba's disembodied voice cut through the dark.
"You're a wizard," Ron's voice came along with the rustling of his robes as he attempted to find his own wand. "Magic one."
Kaiba didn't respond, instead he hoped the Weasley could feel his death glare through the darkness. The red head was dense. "I could try," Kaiba said sarcastically. "But then, you might spontaneously combust."
"Right…" Ron said uneasily.
"For god's sake, Lumos!" Hermione said and light erupted in the passageway. The three boys turned their eyes away from the light, wincing.
"Well," Ron said wickedly to Kaiba. "I s'ppose we can start to pry now…"
Harry and Hermione exchanged looks; Ron was being a bit reckless toward Kaiba, and that was dangerous. The CEO had turned and began to walk down the tunnel. He replied in a jaded voice, "I suppose…"
---
Two pale fists banged noisily on the pewter chair and the man with a silver hand flinched. The large snake lifted its head in interest. The room was dark, cold and the air smelt of ancient blood. Lord Voldemort sat in another like chair, staring across the abyss of darkness that took up most of the chamber. He was incensed.
"Wormtail…" the Dark Lord said coldly. "You mean to tell me that you've lost the boy? Our equilibrium?"
"Y-yes, my lord…" The man was kneeling, his beady eyes filling with tears. "B-but the Item…"
"Is of no use to us!" The table flew across the room and smashed into the wall. It shattered like eggshells. "Only an Item holder can us it! [1] That is why we must have the High Priest on our side. He and the two Egyptians are the only ones who will know how to translate the Book!"
"Forgive us… please, my l-lord," the man brought his head closer to the ground. "Please, we will not let this happen again… we will bring you Seto Kaiba…"
"Yes, yes," Voldemort said with an uninterested tone, he watched the snake as it approached him. "That is what you always say… I will not forgive you, Wormtail, but I offer you another chance." His wand was dangerously positioned in his placid hands.
"It will be f-fulfilled my lord…" the man squeaked.
"Yes…"
A muggle file fell in front of Wormtail. Pictures spilled out and Wormtail regarded them with little interest. They were muggles in unmoving muggle pictures. A brunette woman and a blonde, both in blue school uniforms. Another picture, this time the blonde boy was grinning stupidly as he attempted to punch another brunette boy in the stomach, behind them the same brown haired woman stood with a short tricolor haired boy and a sexually ambiguous figure with shocking white hair.
"They are one of the factors we need to regain our equilibrium," Voldemort said regarding the pictures with disgust. "From what my agents in Japan have told me, they are worth something to Seto Kaiba… and if they are not a commendable trunk card, then they will be disposed of."
"They will be captured m-my lord…" Wormtail said gathering the file hurriedly.
"I expect better results than your last mission in Cairo… The Egyptian boy should not have killed Rosier, after all, he is only a muggle," Voldemort fixed the rat man with a red gaze. "I expect better from my Deatheaters…"
"Y-yes my lord…"
"Nagini…" Voldemort offered his arm to the snake and let it slowly coil along his flesh. It moved to swiftly, loosely binding his neck and he did not resist. Voldemort turned back to Wormtail, "Go, and take a few with you."
"Yes-s…" There was a cracking sound, Nagini looked interested once again, and a small brown rat scampered away. Nagini hissed irritably.
"Later," Voldemort said stroking her. "Later…" His eyes traveled once again into the darkness and miles away the Mark on Alexander Nott's arm began to burn. Within a minute of its activation there was a loud crack and a thin man appeared in front of the Dark Lord.
Immediately Nott fell to his knees, "Y-yes my lord?"
"Tell me…" Nagini's tongue flicked along his ashen fingers, "Has the potion been prepared? Is it ready?"
"Yes, m'Lord," Nott said keeping his head bent. "S-Severus Snape sent it to me just hours ago."
---
"So, this 'Shadow Realm', people can summon it with Senn-things?" Ron asked incredulously.
"Yes, and it's a Sennen Item or Millennium Item," came the offhand reply.
Kaiba paused as he reached the trap door into Honeydukes' basement. He had given the trio a quick rundown on the Shadow Realm or "plane of dark magic" (as Hermione described it). Though he possessed little actual knowledge on the Realm or the games in it, he had experienced enough of its power to convey the general idea.
"We should leave are robes here," Kaiba said, shrugging off his own cloak. He was wearing a pair dark slacks and a darker top with familiar silver buckles. The only thing missing was his trademark trench coat, unfortunately he'd had to leave that behind and cover his "muggle" clothing with the school cloak.
To say the least, he was quite displeased to see that the Granger girl was wearing a light shade of pink and the Weasley also wore a maroon sweater with a large orange "R" on the chest. Potter, at least, was the only one sensible enough to wear something dark. Harry was also caring a loose book bag in which he'd stored the map and invisibility cloak. Harry was placing the map and the letter in a front most pocket while Ron and Hermione were stuffing their school robes into the larger area of the bag.
Kaiba dropped his own robe on the ground and dismissed the three with a cold glance. They exchanged confused looks.
"So you've been in the Shadow Realm?" Hermione asked as Kaiba began to push up the trapdoor.
"Later," Kaiba hissed in a voice that meant they must stay in absolute silence.
Kaiba pulled himself through the door into the sweet smelling basement. He held the door open for the three to climb through. They were less experienced than he'd given them credit for, he'd expect a bit more tact after all they had supposedly been through. After all, their exploits were legendary throughout the school.
They hurried silently up the stars, dodging the crates and barrels of sweets. The shop was dim and silent. Kaiba headed for the door.
"Do you think we could take something?" Ron asked quietly from behind Kaiba and the CEO knew his eyes were fixed on the rows of candies they were passing threw. "Some chocolate frogs for the trip?"
Kaiba heard Hermione smack Ron's hand and whispered, "No, Ron! Do you want to set off an alarm!"
They had reached the door. Kaiba stepped aside and let Granger step forward, with a quick, "Alohamora!" The door clicked open and they exited quickly. The train station was only a few blocks away. Kaiba lead them at a moderate pace, through the shadows, sticking close to the walls.
The station was silent; Kaiba could see no Aurors guarding it. Suddenly a low whistle issued from the station and the rumble of steel alerted him.
"The train's leaving!" Harry said in alarm. Hermione began to check her watch, while Kaiba analyzed the situation. They had stopped short of the station, shadows concealing them.
"They must have changed the original schedule due to the attack!" she said in dismay. Ron looked confused.
"This is our only chance," Kaiba said, his eyes fixed on the train. It was slowly preparing to peeling out of the station. He turned away and fixed the three with a solemn gaze. "Whether you choose to come or not, I really don't care. But I'm getting back to Grimmauld Place with or without you."
"You're not going to try to…?" Hermione stared at him with wide eyes. "You're not going to try jump onto the train are you?"
A final whistle issued from the station and Kaiba turned away. His mind was very desperate at the moment. With no technology, besides his laptop, he was reduced to physical means. Checking for the clear, he dashed at top speed toward the station and onto the platform. He could hear footsteps behind him and tetchy voices.
"He's mental, isn't he?" Ron Weasly was saying. Kaiba could hear their footfalls still pounding.
"That must mean were mental, too," Harry called.
Kaiba ignored the idiotic blabbing and, as the back of the train came closer, jumped onto the small ledge. It was a three-foot outcrop standing between the last compartment and the rapidly moving ground. There were two vertical standing poles that connected the ledge to a small metal awning. A door with a silver brass knob was centered in the middle of the layout. He caught a pole, swinging himself on.
Harry Potter came next, diving for the pole also. Kaiba moved instinctively to avoid a collision. Harry landed rather awkwardly, one leg and his arms wrapped around the he pole for balance. The heavily loaded bag banging back and forth from his side.
"Give me you hand," he said letting go and reaching for Hermione. She in turn grasped his outstretched hand and jumped. Harry swung her lightly toward Kaiba, who braced himself as she crashed into him.
"Sorry," she muttered, steadying herself by grasping the doorknob, and turned back to see Ron panting along with the train. He ignored her apology and watched with morbid interest - the platform was running out.
"Ron!" Hermione called and held out her hand like Harry.
"Jump, Ron! You can do it!" Harry's words were swept away with a whistle from the train.
Ron, seeing the landing vanish ahead, launched himself at the train with no aim whatsoever. Harry managed to catch his sweater sleeve. Ron was soon flying, his free arm and legs flailing. Kaiba saw the scene progress slowly. Harry was loosing his grip, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Hermione was trying to grasp her friend, but didn't dare let go of the doorknob anchoring her.
Kaiba lurched forward, grasping Hermione's shoulder for support and leaned off the train attempting to read the redhead. His finger's grasped the top of Ron's head and pulled him in by the hair. Ron came crashing next to Harry with a yelp. He glared at Kaiba.
"Could have been a bit more gentle," He said rubbing his head, and Kaiba gave him a sidelong glance.
"You're welcome," the brunette returned sarcastically. "Unfortunately I couldn't have your corpse littering the rails. It would be a bit suspicious."
Hermione cleared her throat, "Well, that's one way to avoid paying for fair." Ron and Harry, who was not standing, shot her disbelieving looks. She huffed, "What? Anyway, I don't think we can get in." She motioned for the door. "It looks like we're locked out - "
"Look!" Ron was pointing to a circular patch of light traveling rapidly along the tracks. Kaiba squinted back to the platform, there were two silhouetted figures standing where Ron had jumped. Harry had come to the same conclusion.
"Aurors," he said lowly and glanced at his three companions. "We'll have to use the cloak on the way back… but it'll be hard."
Ron shivered as the light diminished. "Speaking of cloaks I wish I'd worn mine, it's to bloody cold out here." He turned to Hermione hopefully. "You know a warming spell?"
She shook her head, "We're off Hogwarts grounds, magic is illegal, and that's why I can't open the door."
The trip was quiet save for Hermione who was pelting Kaiba with questions, which he answered in compete monotone. The brunette had sat down pressed between the pole and compartment wall, his knees down in toward his chest. The wind was whipping through their hair as Hermione fired another shot.
"So this 'Yami' he's a Pharaoh?"
"Yes, Kaiba's voice was exasperated. "He existed three thousand years ago (about one thousand BC for those who can't subtract). From what I picked together, he and I have a millennium long rivalry. Apparently I tried to overthrow him."
"And you believe this?" Ron said with wide eyes. Kaiba gave him a dark look that clearly said: Seto Kaiba is not an idiot. Ron gulped, "Right…"
"I'm telling you what I've been told."
"And what about your magic?" Ron asked. "Hermione thinks its some different kind."
"And I'm probably right," Hermione answered him. "If all this is true, then Kaiba, your linked to this Shadow Realm. You are a direct link to at magic; your wand may act something like a Millennium Item."
"True," Kaiba said. "But if it were entirely true I would have either dragged that charms class into some hellish abyss or summoned a full-fledged monster."
"Monster?" The three echoed.
And so the conversation turned again, this time to the concept of "Shadow Games" and "Duel Monsters". Kaiba was careful to let them have the bare facts, nothing about his actual experiences in the game or losses, more importantly, were leaked.
The train was slowing to a halt and Kaiba jumped off before it fully stopped. They made their way onto the brightly light platform. Harry Ron and Hermione had covered themselves in the invisibility cloak. Kaiba strode confidently past the few people milling around and out the exit. The three appeared behind him, the cloak stuffed into the bag again.
Following Kaiba's lead, they headed for a cab. Kaiba despised cabs, but they were the fasted transportation he had at the moment. He motioned silently for the other to follow and sat next to the small mousy man behind the wheel, saying, "Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, London as fast as you can."
"Grimmauld, right, right…" the man muttered starting the cab. His eyes darted toward Kaiba. "'Ave I seen ye before?"
"No," Kaiba said flatly and handed him a piece of currency. "As fast as you can."
The cab rocketed off through the London streets. In the back Kaiba could see Ron let out a silent yelp and gripped Hermione's arm. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The cab had turned down a run down Side Street. He turned his head toward the London nightlife. It was… interesting to say the least. A woman with more spikes in her than Yami's hair was hanging off a light post. Further on, a lone pair - a white haired male was conversing with a tricolor haired…
"Stop the car!"
"But, sir," The cab driver said. "Grimmauld Place is just up the way." He motioned to a desolate street.
"Here," Kaiba threw a wad of cash at the man who caught it with surprise. Ron, Hermione, and Harry were getting out of the cab bewilderedly.
Kaiba stepped out of the cab and a disbelieving voice hit him. "Kaiba?"
Indeed, Yugi Motou, or Pharaoh, was standing in front of him. Ryou Bakura, with a bemused expression on his face and flashing dark eyes stood behind him. They had both turned toward the cab as it skidded to a stop.
"Well, well, well," Bakura said as Harry and the rest stepped out, the cab speeding away. He surveyed them before saying, in accented English, "Who are you're new friends, Kaiba?"[2] His fingers were groping a large gold ring around his neck. In the center was a very familiar eye.
Harry nearly gasped and at the figures' blood red eyes. He did not like the eyes. They were much like that of Lord Voldemort's, although these knew eyes held a more human quality. Kaiba traced Harry's line of sight to Yugi and then to Bakura. In Japanese he said, "Put that away. And explain just what the hell you're doing here."
"Better yet," Yami crossed his arms, his eyes narrow. "What are you doing here, Kaiba?"
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Just for the record, there is a character called "Nott" (first name unknown), he is a Deatheater and his son, Theodore, attends Hogwarts as a Slytherin.
[1] For those, who have asked me, yes I know the Items cannot be used by anyone but their holders. Voldemort doesn't care about them, why do you think he threw Wormtail into a wall for bringing him the Rod in chapter four? I'm sorry if I didn't clarify this sooner.
[2] I supposed Yami Bakura could speak English. He seems the type; after all he's been around for a long time and probably knows a lot about different cultures. I guess I also let the English accent from the dub influence me… bad me, bad dub…
Next Chapter: Number Twelve Grimmauld Place
Kaiba and Yami Bakura play translator for the trio and Yami. Mokuba's fate is revealed and a certain white haired yami meets Mrs. Black. But first, they've got to figure out how to get in.
