WOOH! Finally! I got this typed up and updated! (wipes sweat off head) Sorry about the long wait; I promise I'll try to update at least once a month. Thing is, I've been very active on my hikari's yaoi account lately. A story is almost finished and another crossover is just getting started. Plus, Wingleader Sora Jade and I are still tinkering out little bits for our YGO/ Phantom of the Opera crossover.
So sorry for the long wait! I'm actually very sorry that this is a crappy chapter. I meant ti make it more amusing, but it's been so long since I've had this idea stuck in my head, and I hadn't been prepared to read a Professors and yami confrontation so soon! Harry and the others learn about Yami and the gang far later into the story.
But still, I tried very very hard. I did! So please, please please don't hurt me! I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible.
Oh yes, more of the lines go to Yami this time, for allowing Bakura to take over his spotlight lately. I assure you, Yami and Yugi have a far bigger part in this later. Bakura and Ryou have the second biggest part, and Marik has the smallest. This is why when it is sometimes not irrelevant, I allow the lesser character have the spotlight, because sooner or later, the main ones are going to get bombarded with attention.
(reads reviews and cries) Oh my ra you've made me so happy! And why does no one like Yami no Malik? (whines) I love Yami no Malik! I just didnt' add him into Hogwarts because I hated writing his persona! My hikari has enough trouble as it is making him sadistic.
Thank you reviewers! You've made me all so happy! I have a 89 average in school now because you've been so patient lately! Thank you!
READ AND REVIEW!
Fidel: Okay! Okay! It's in the "crossovers" section now! … I didn't know it was such a huge deal. Lizeth and White Angel Chan all have their crossovers under Yu-Gi-Oh…I thought I was following tradition!
Chapter Twenty One
Expectably, all three students bowed their head in shame, although Marik was rather reluctant. Ryou swallowed, fiddling with the sheets with as much as the pain in his body allowed, his eyes firmly locked on his lap.
There was a tense silence, broken only by the door opening, and Professor McGonagall entering. She gave them all a stern, steely glint before she broke the silence.
"I do believe we expect an answer."
Yugi swallowed also, hesitantly scratching the back of his head.
/Yami…/
A silence told him that even Yami had no idea how to deal with the situation. In truth, the ex-pharaoh did not like not knowing the answers, but after being stuck clueless since his Puzzle had fallen possession to Yugi, the former prince figured he had rather gotten used to it.
/Perhaps the best thing to do/ Yami said softly / is to let Bakura explain. We don't know why he was there at all, or what his intentions were./
Yugi swallowed again, chancing a glance at Ryou, who was still staring fixedly at his lap, his bangs shielding his eyes from view.
/But Yami…isn't Bakura fighting off Yami Marik/
The ex-pharaoh gave the softest of sighs.
It was quite obvious that the three Gryffindors had no idea what to say. Professor McGonagall took this chance to whisper her own conversation in the Headmaster's ear, without the chance of the three guilty students to eavesdrop.
"If I may ask, Headmaster," she whispered. "Is it any right at all to punish them? They were only doing things for the Order."
"I never said I was going to punish them, Minerva," explained Dumbledore quietly. "I merely asked them to explain themselves. Enough has been going on without our knowledge." He glanced up, noticing McGonagall's puzzled expression, and the silence that was hovering over the three students.
"Mr. Bakura, your potion is getting cold," Dumbledore said kindly. "I don't think Madame Pomfrey would find it too pleasing when you take it. I'll notify her of it." Nodding a small nod to McGonagall, the Headmaster left the room, with the vice-headmistress at his heels. When they had left the Hospital Wing, Dumbledore firmly shut the door, before turning to McGonagall.
"Minerva," he said grimly, "I have already once made the mistake of not telling Harry the truth about his past. This is my second mistake."
"You did not make a mistake, Albus!" McGonagall said indignantly.
"I did," the Headmaster said firmly. "I had thought that allowing Mr. Bakura to lead us to the weapon was a good idea. It would've revealed his own past to us as well as Mr. Motou's and Mr. Ishtar's. However, now Harry has gotten into it. I had never known that Voldemort would have servants that were once in league with Mr. Ishtar."
"That was unexpected, yes," the Transfiguration professor admitted. "But, Albus, you can't blame yourself. Perhaps something good can come out of this."
"I have sworn to protect Hogwarts with everything I had to offer," Dumbledore said sternly. "I had never known that allowing Mr. Bakura to steal those files would prove so dangerous."
"It is still not your fault, Albus," McGonagall said, her dark eyes narrowing.
Dumbledore merely sighed.
"At times like this, it makes me wonder what the Nameless Pharaoh had to go through."
"Marik," whispered Yugi. "Quickly…can you ask Bakura to come back?"
"I can try," Marik said hesitantly. "But I really don't want to stop him in the middle of fighting Yami no Malik…"
"Try, please?" Yugi pleaded. "Bakura is the only one who knows about this! Please, Marik!"
Sighing, Marik looked around, before concentrating deeply to access Ryou's mind. Ryou remained sitting still in his bed, fiddling with the sheets as much as his pain would allow. Finally, Marik managed to find the deepest part of Ryou's soul room, and promptly knocked on that of Yami Bakura's.
The door opened almost instantly, and a snappish Bakura met him face to face.
"What is it now, Keeper?" Bakura seethed angrily.
"Can you come out?" Marik asked coolly, ignoring Bakura's angry expression.
"What do you think, Marik?" Bakura asked lowly. "What with Yami no Malik"
"Call Sirius to back him off!" Marik said hastily. "Come on, we really need you out there"
"My main priority is to protect my hikari and nothing else, Tomb Keeper!" Yami Bakura yelled. Suddenly, there was another voice, floating in the depths of Bakura's soul room.
"You go, Bakura. I think Ryou really needs you out there. I'll hold him off."
"Do you really think you can, Black?" Bakura hissed at the air scathingly. Marik stared in utter confusion, before he realized that it was the Prisoner of Azkaban speaking. The wizarding refugee gave a dry, biting laugh.
"You really think you care for Ryou, Bakura? Then just go! I'll fight him off."
"He's strong, Black," Bakura said lowly. "And you are not to speak a word of this! I don't want Ryou knowing"
"that we actually worked together to protect him?" came Sirius's voice, almost holding back an ironic, bitter laugh. "Not a chance. Now stop being such a git and go!"
"FINE!" Bakura growled, stepping out of his soul room and slamming the door shut with a ferocious BAM. "FINE! If Yami no Malik disintegrates you into nothingness, don't blame me! In fact, I just might even go into the Shadows myself and pat him on the back in congratulations. We yamis all have something in common, you know."
"Blabber blabber blah," Sirius's voice floated, clearly irritated. "Work on your recognition speech, later, Bakura. You don't see me writing my eulogy while I'm trying to kill this ….Yami no Malik?"
"CURSE HIM INTO NOTHINGNESS PLEASE YAMI NO MALIK!" Bakura bellowed to darkened ceiling. "Truly, I would wish for nothing else!"
"You are such an insolent GIT!" Sirius roared back. "I would never have thought that there was a darkness worse than you, and now you're really ticking me off! When I'm done with this"
"STOP IT!" Marik bellowed angrily. Both voices fell silent as Marik turned to glare at the equally pissed Bakura.
"Come on, Ryou's really in a tight spot. If Sirius really thinks he can do it, then let him."
"I'm not even sure," Bakura snapped scathingly, "if Black can think at all!"
"I heard that…" Sirius growled. "Once I kill this other yami, I swear I'm going after you!"
"And have Ryou crying in your arms?" Bakura mocked, his voice dripping with baby sarcasm.
"Why would Ryou cry for you?" Sirius retorted, equally smooth.
For some odd reason, this really ticked Bakura off more than anything else, and Marik had to actually leech onto Bakura to hold him back.
"Bakura!" Marik yelled. "Do you understand of the word 'later'? Come ON! RYOU NEEDS YOU!"
Fuming, Bakura threw his companion off, glaring ferociously at his soul room door. Fists shaking, Bakura gave Marik a rather sharp and menacing look, daring the Keeper to stop him. Marik have him a wide-eyed innocent face as he held up his hands in peace, before Bakura followed the Keeper to the outside world.
He felt Ryou's consciousness along the way, and, controlling his anger, mentally poked a bit at his hikari.
Ryou gave a little yelp of pain before he swiveled back, staring into Bakura's eyes with a sad, but inquiring look.
/I'll take over/ Bakura said brusquely.
/Yami…/ Ryou questioned hesitantly. / But..what about Yami Marik…/
The thief's left eye twitched noticeably before he answered. / Black insisted on fighting him off./
Ryou gasped a little.
/Urusei/ Bakura snapped. /He wanted to do it. Let him. At any rate, Yami Marik's far too weak to be taking over now. You are nowhere near the Shadows as you were in the Ministry, so he has some difficulty locating you./
/But…Bakura…/ Ryou said weakly. /You can get into the Shadows so quickly. And Marik left an essence of himself behind…won't that allow Yami no Malik to have better access to my body/
/Only if he can find the entrance that will lead him here./ Bakura explained, his eyes narrowing. /Don't worry. I'll take over. I don't think you can answer all of Dumbledore's questions if you've got this much a conscience./ The thief gave his light a smirk. /Or this little a backbone./
/Yaammiiii…/ Ryou sighed. However, he was startled when Bakura gave him a stern but concerned look.
/You need rest/ the thief said simply, his low voice tinting a note of certainty within it; a note of authority. And with that, Bakura continued on the path of transferring souls, leaving Ryou back into his own soul room to rest.
Yami watched as Marik opened his eyes, and a flash occur beneath Ryou's robes. When the ex-pharaoh released the tense breath he had been holding, Bakura had already snapped his eyes open and was flexing his fingers experimentally.
"Not too bad," the thief smirked. "I still prefer bloody pain."
"Thief…" Yami sighed, groaning to himself.
Suddenly, the door opened again. This time, however, was Professor Dumbledore accompanied by more than Professor McGonagall…Professor Lupin had also arrived, heels clicking as his hazel eyes, clouded with worry, over the hospital beds. Professor Snape (much to Marik's disgust) also appeared, his cold, black eyes narrowed in suspicious contempt.
"Your potion hasn't arrived yet?" asked Dumbledore mildly. "Oh well. I'm sure Madame Pomfrey will have one soon. It's not very often a student at Hogwarts is placed under the Cruciatus Curse."
"I've been through worse," Bakura replied coldly.
"Really?" asked Dumbledore, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Would you…care to elaborate, Mr. Bakura?"
There was a silence in which Bakura merely returned the Headmaster with a stony glare. When the thief did not reply, Dumbledore sighed.
"Mr. Bakura," the Headmaster said softly. "It is not everyday that three students from Hogwarts appear at the Ministry for absolutely no reason. It is my duty as Headmaster to keep you all safe, and I'm afraid to admit that I have neglected that duty, since you have been placed under the Cruciatus Curse while meeting with a couple of Voldemort's own followers."
"Perhaps, Headmaster," suggested Snape, his eyes carefully boring into each of Yami's, Bakura's, and Marik's, "it is best, to put them under the power of Veritaserium? Though the potion is technically only used under severe circumstances…"
"Veritaserium?" Bakura hissed, eyes narrowing. Marik even looked a little wary, his eyes enlarging slightly. Snape's rather conniving smirk grew a little.
"A potion, Mr. Bakura," Snape said silkily. "That forces the drinker to reveal all their truth. My my, I would've thought you would've known that one. After all, it would help immensely to know the circumstances if were caught in my office again…"
Bakura returned the Potion Master's smirk with a crooked one of his own, quite pleased that Snape hadn't quite discovered the reputation of the Thief King.
"That will be unnecessary, Severus," said Lupin firmly. "Why don't we just ask them why they were in the Ministry?"
"Do you really think you can believe the words of three teenage youngsters?" asked Snape mildly, though his black eyes were boring fire into Lupin's. "What with adolescence minds of immaturity and fantasy…"
Bakura and Yami were itching to roll their eyes; Marik was itching to hold back a smirk.
"Something amuses you?" asked Snape suddenly, noticing Bakura's widening grin.
"Many things do," Bakura said idly. "Death, pain, blood…"
Yami would've kicked the thief, that is, if the thief had not been bedridden.
"Mr. Bakura," Dumbledore interrupted kindly, "while your subject of gore is rather enticing my morbid fascinations, I must remind you that we are here to discuss the seriousness of the issue at hand."
"And what issue would that be?" Marik asked lowly.
"Many things," Dumbledore said. "I am most interested as to wonder how Voldemort's followers could once have been yours, Mr. Ishtar, though I doubt that I can expect an answer so fast." He gave the three foreigners an intrigued look. "But…have you three remembered my words from the beginning of the year? These are dark times. I cannot possibly allow the three of you to return to your dormitories and mingle among my students, if there are possibly dangerous secrets you are keeping from me."
"And what could be classified as 'dangerous'?" asked Yami carefully.
Dumbledore gave each of them a scanning gaze, as though his eyes were boring through their very souls. "Though I can't place it, Mr Motou…but there are some times when I can sense a different magical presence about you. I'm not very quite sure what it is, and I do wish you can tell me."
"And if we know it is not dangerous?" asked Yami, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"I'm afraid this time I must be notified," Dumbledore said regretfully. "I have never known it was possible that I had entered a student in Hogwarts who had followers himself."
"So you can just expel me," Marik said casually, shrugging his shoulders. "It doesn't quite matter with me."
"I would still like to know, Mr. Ishtar," Dumbledore said kindly. "You must understand, that I cannot promise my students a peaceful year, if I suspect there might be dangerous magic afoot."
There was a small silence, as the three of them pondered this with heavy tension.
"Mr. Ishtar," said Lupin kindly, "we only wish to be notified. We can't have Death Eaters plaguing anywhere near Hogwarts. I do promise though, that we will keep whatever it is, a secret, if it needs be."
"I can assure you there is nothing to fear," Marik said bluntly, avoiding their gazes. "If indeed they are my followers, then by all means, they will obey my orders and leave the school alone."
"Obviously they didn't quite follow your orders," Snape snapped. "They raided the entire Ministry of Magic."
Marik kept his gaze firmly upon the opposite wall.
"I have felt," Dumbledore continued, "a different presence among all of you. As though you all possess a different sort of magic. I only wished to be notified what sort of magic this is. If it really is dangerous, then we must set precautions. This is what Hogwarts is for. It teaches how to control magic, despite how foreign it may be. And also, Hogwarts serves as a protection, a barrier against the dark forces upon the outside world."
"Well then, you'll just have to kick me out," Marik said, shrugging. "Quite frankly, I don't care. I wouldn't mind going back to Egypt anyways."
"Speaking of Egypt…" Lupin said softly. "Mr. Ishtar…you said you had a sister down there, haven't you?"
Marik's eyes widened drastically, and he whipped around.
"What's happened to Ishizu?" he demanded. Even Yami and Bakura tensed at this newfound piece of information.
"One of our comrades were down in Egypt," Lupin explained calmly. "He met your sister and your adoptive brother…"
"What's happened?" Marik demanded.
"Marik, calm down," Yami said, his eyes flashing a little.
"Don't tell me what to do, pharaoh!" Marik bellowed. He glared angrily at Lupin, his eyes flashing. "What happened to them?"
"Mr. Ishtar, calm down!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed.
"WHAT HAPPENED?" Marik bellowed.
Lupin blinked, his eyes wide. "Mr. Ishtar, I do think you should calm down…"
"Wherever my sister and my brother are concerned, I have a right to be upset!" Marik yelled. "What happened to them?"
'"They are fine," Professor Dumbledore said quietly. "They are fine. Though I daresay, one of their own comrades isn't. I do not remember his name, but the Death Eaters placed a Cruciatus curse upon him, and he disappeared."
Yami, Bakura, and Marik were stunned, before each of them narrowed their gaze, exchanging a glance that only they knew.
"Shadi," Yami mouthed, breathlessly.
"Obviously, we must know the magic that you three possess," Dumbledore explained. "It will put your families in danger if you kept it a secret any longer."
Marik turned away, his back facing them, as he frowned menacingly at the stone floor. A silence followed.
"Marik," Yami finally said softly. "Perhaps it is best if we do tell them. Ishizu and Odeon will only get hurt. And if Odeon gets hurt…"
Another tense silence followed, with Marik's eyes wide open. Bakura nursed his head.
"It's bad enough having to deal with him in the Shadows," the thief snarled lowly.
"Che," Marik whispered, staring at the ground. He whipped back around, staring intently each of the Professors' eyes.
"Will you tell anyone?" Marik asked lowly.
Dumbledrore shook his head. "Not if it isn't necessary."
Marik gazed at them once more, before he turned swiftly around, fuming furiously under his breath as he plopped down on the bed next to Bakura. Bakura smirked.
"Shall you precede, Pharaoh?" he mimicked, sneering.
Yami gave the thief a gaze, before he promptly turned to the Headmaster. Sighing, Yami looked up, crimson eyes narrowing.
"I'm not sure exactly where to start," the ex-pharaoh admitted. "It's actually a rather long story, and it's not meant to be an euphemism." Yami sighed again, before he proceeded to reveal the Millennium Puzzle from beneath his robe. "I'm not sure if you are familiar with the myth, but…"
Lupin's eyes widened at the Puzzle. "Mr. Motou…?"
Yami nodded. "I believe I have told you once, Professor Lupin. I told you that when this was given to me, there was a myth that it contained the spirit of an ancient, Egyptian pharaoh." Yami sighed again, straightening as he closed his eyes regally. "Though it may be hard to believe, I am the spirit of the Egyptian pharaoh. I share my body with my host, Yugi Motou."
There was a small silence at this, as each teacher glanced at one another curiously.
"It's understandable if you don't believe us," Yami explained calmly. "And normally, I'd try my best to show my other half, as to prove to you that I am a spirit; however, that could lead to rather devastating circumstances…"
"…that the pharaoh is far too scared to risk it," Bakura suddenly finished, standing up from the bed.
"Mr. Bakura!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "Get back in your bed! You need to heal!"
"As I said before," Bakura said silkily, "I've been in worse pain than this before."
"He took an IV out of his arm when he actually needed blood once," Marik supplied, finally turning around. Bakura sent him a smirk.
"Thief…" Yami started. "No…"
"You want them to believe you, don't you, pharaoh?" Bakura asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Want to tell them the entire truth so that more lives can be spared? Fortunately, I can help with that, if you're not ready to do it yourself."
"It's not that I'm not ready," Yami insisted, his crimson eyes flashing, "Bakura, this isn't the best"
"Too late," Bakura said cheerfully.
Suddenly, the room was drenched in darkness, looming black fog uncurling itself from the darkest corners of the room. Lavender mist and dark violet clouds floated among the midst of black, before consuming the entire room entirely.
"Where…where are we?" Snape demanded. "Where have you brought us?"
"Oh God that's one voice I never thought I'd hear again," said a familiar voice suddenly. "Bakura, what torment is this now?"
Snape's face contorted, his mouth dropping in horrified disgust. Lupin's eyes widened, shining with disbelief. Bakura frustratedly blew his hair from his eyes, glaring at the darkness menacingly.
"This is not the time, Black!" he snapped.
"Black?" Snape hissed, glaring at the darkness that surrounded them.
"Why, if it isn't Snivellus…"
"Sirius!" Lupin exclaimed. "Sirius…is that you?"
There was short silence, one in which Bakura longed to find Sirius and bash his head with Dark Necrofear's baby doll. Yami blinked, sending Bakura an inquiring look that clearly stated, "This is Sirius Black?" Bakura ignored the former pharaoh, quite caught up with random methods of punishment that would be most fitting to bestow upon Black for screwing up a thief's plans.
"Re…Remus?"
"Oh my," Lupin breathed. "It is you!"
"I assume you two know each other?" Bakura asked silkily. Yami's eyes also widened, but they seemed to reflect curiosity, and perhaps even sympathy.
"Oh yes," Lupin nodded at Bakura distantly. He turned back to the darkness. "Sirius…you're not dead?"
"I might just as well," Sirius said bitterly. "It's like a pack of dementors here…really…floating souls and wandering spirits…psychopathic maniacs…"
"Oh crap," Bakura suddenly said, turning towards Marik. The Egyptian's eyes had widened, and he was backing away slowly, gripping his Rod tightly in one hand. "Black, have you destroyed him yet?"
"Oh, you're still here," said Sirius, sounding quite disappointed. "And no, I haven't destroyed him yet. It's quite hard to destroy a spirit, wouldn't you think? If I knew how, I would've destroyed you in an instant."
"You are also a spirit?" asked Professor McGonagall, staring at Bakura with slightly surprised eyes.
Bakura smirked. "Allow me to demonstrate."
Suddenly, the three Millennium Items flashed, and when the blinding glow died down, two more transparent images had joined them; one with large, violet eyes and spiky multi-colored hair, and the other, looking quite weak, with brown eyes and white hair…
"Oh my goodness," Professor McGonagall breathed.
"This," Yami said, wrapping an arm around Yugi's shoulder in a brotherly fashion, "is my friend, Yugi. He had kindly allowed me to share his body whenever in need."
Yugi beamed. "I know it's really hard to believe us now, but…"
"No, no." Professor Dumbledore shook his head. "Not a bit. Though quite uncommon in the wizarding world, sharing one's body with a spirit, or having a spirit possess another, is not unspoken of. This is nothing new."
"What a disappointment," Bakura smirked, leaning back. Professor McGonagall furrowed her brows at him.
"If you don't mind me asking," she asked, "who are you, then? Which one is the real Ryou Bakura?"
"I am," Ryou said, nodding slightly. He turned to Bakura, who was standing in a position of piercing coldness, his face looking quite cross. "I am Ryou Bakura. This is the spirit of the Millennium Ring, that shares my body."
"And who is he…?" asked Lupin, staring from Bakura to Ryou. He then glanced at Yami, who was standing next to a nervously smiling Yugi. "Spirits…if…that one is pharaoh…and that one is Yugi Motou..then…" he turned that to Ryou and Bakura. "…who are you?"
"A git," Sirius's voice echoed, muttering. Professor Dumbledore gave the darkness a smile.
"The spirit of the Millennium Ring, more exactly," Yami explained, stepping forwards. "He in fact, is a spirit of an ancient Egyptian thief."
"Names then?" Snape asked snappishly. "You two are bound to have names then, if you are not just wandering spirits."
Bakura burst out laughing. "Oh, yes, I'm sure, Snape. I know my name quite perfectly well." He smirked, giving a mock bow, "Yami Bakura, Dark Bakura, Thief King Bakura."
"Thief King Bakura?" Lupin repeated, his eyes wide. "Thief King…"
"…Or Thief King Bakura-sama," Bakura laughed.
"So you were the one who stole my wand," Lupin sighed dryly. "And all this time…"
Bakura chuckled. "It becomes a habit, after a while."
"Like introducing yourself with the entire darkness speech?" Yami asked dryly, giving Bakura an interesting look, with one regal eyebrow raised. He turned back to the professors. "Bakura and I go back a long way, or so it seems. He used to be an ancient Egyptian tomb robber, during the time that I was pharaoh. You can quite accurately say that we are not the bestest of comrades."
Marik snorted.
"And…you truly are the Nameless Pharoah, then?" Professor McGonagall asked, her eyes widening a small fraction, though her voice did not betray her surprise.
Yami nodded solemnly. "Yes."
"But if you have no name," Lupin asked, 'then…what do people call you?"
"Yami," Yugi supplied, stepping up also and smiling. "We call him Yami. Or Yami Yugi."
"Yami?" repeated Lupin quizzically. "Why Yami? Isn't that also a prefix for Bakura's name?"
"It means 'dark'," Ryou said quietly. "When our friends first found out about the spirits that housed our bodies, they had naturally assumed that they were our other selves. A darker part of our selves that was quite dangerous and could do them harm. That's why we call them Dark Bakura or Dark Yugi."
"And Mr. Ishtar?" prompted Lupin. "Do you also have a darker half?"
Distinctly, they all heard Sirius make a groan.
Marik shifted uncomfortably, staring at the floor. "I'd rather not talk about it."
Yami glanced back, blinking with concern at his friend. Yugi had already hurried to Marik's side and was asking the Egyptian what was wrong. Sighing, Yami turned back, looking up with regal seriousness in his crimson eyes.
"Where Marik's darker half is concerned," Yami stated calmly, "is a personal issue all on its own. I'm afraid we cannot reveal such a thing yet. Our pasts have been filled with betrayal, confusion, anger and hate. We are known for staying in the dark, especially when considering the circumstances between me and Bakura. I myself rarely appear or use Yugi's body unless I need to. Bakura…."
"I come out whenever I wish," Bakura stated simply. "But sometimes it is not necessary."
"…but, Professor," continued Yami calmly. "You must understand. Marik, Bakura and I, have all literally, been kept in the dark. Bakura and I have been sleeping in darkness for more than three thousand years, and Marik himself does not have the best of pasts. We are not used to even admitting ourselves to outside strangers, much less explain every single detail of our lives."
"That is understandable," the Headmaster nodded. "If you do find yourself uncomfortable to reveal too deep of information, then by all means, tell us whatever feels more relaxed to you."
"You said that you were all called 'dark'," Lupin said inquiringly, glancing between Bakura and Yami. "Except for Mr. Ishtar, I suppose. But the word 'dark' has quite a negative meaning here, in the wizarding world, as you have seen and experienced."
"Our magic has properties that are, indeed, dark," Yami explained. "Such as my Millennium Puzzle. Its power is still unbeknownst to me, but I do know that I can create Shadow games with it alone. I know there is more, but unfortunately, I still require some time to discover its powers to its full extent. That is not to say, it is not dangerous. When fallen into the wrong hands, the magic that each Millennium Item possesses will be very destructive. This is why we, as Millennium Item holders, keep special care with out Items."
"But what is an example of such a magic?" the Transfiguration teacher asked.
"Well, you're here, aren't you?" Bakura asked dryly. "Our Items can create Shadow games on demand, as well as activate the different powers within. My Ring can find and detect other Items that are relatively close, and can also switch the souls of people into that of miniature dolls and other meaningless objects."
"What are Shadow games, exactly?" Lupin asked, frowning a bit. "Isn't it the game…"
"…that erupted in ancient Egypt and almost destroyed mankind," Yami said in a monotone voice, as though memorized by heart. (Which, indeed, was. He had never quite appreciated Ishizu's vagueness of her prophecies.) "This is why he hardly ever use Shadow magic any longer. We are in the Shadow Realm. All of our Items possess the power to banish one's soul to this realm, where they are to live in eternal darkness and suffer to wander the earth forever."
"So they are…" Lupin whispered, "…soulless?"
"Yes," Yami said grimly.
There was a bit of a tense silence, as everyone drank in these words. Almost simultaneously, the professors slowly looked up around the masses of Shadows, and almost distinctly, heard Sirius sigh.
"But…yet…." Lupin said softly, "one of our comrades has been banished. Is there any way to undo the damage?"
"Good luck getting that from Bakura," Sirius suddenly snapped.
"Like I would help you," Bakura snapped at the darkness. "Ask the pharaoh. He's here already."
"Fine then," Sirius growled. "So. Pharaoh…Yami…what should I call you?"
"Yami is perfectly fine," the former prince said calmly, nodding his head.
"Yami, then," Sirius replied. "I'm not exactly sure how to start, so I'll just cut straight to the point. I'm in the Shadow Realm right now. Is there any way of getting out? I lost a duel, but by what Ryou has told me, it wasn't a shadow duel."
Yami sighed thoughtfully, narrowing his eyes. He knew a very good theory as to why Sirius was indeed, in the Shadow Realm, but he did not dare reveal it just yet.
"I do have a theory," Yami said carefully. "But I cannot guarantee that it is true."
"May we at least hear the theory then?" Sirius asked. "I would like to go back to the wizarding world as soon as possible. I have other things to do there than sitting here watching wandering souls and defeating darker halves."
"Maybe it's best to wait, Sirius," Lupin said softly.
"Wait?" Sirius repeated incredulously. "Lupin, you know I am needed there! You know…"
"I know," Lupin sighed, nodding. "But you don't have to worry, Sirius. He'll be fine."
"I made a promise to James and Lily and I will keep it!" Sirius said aggressively.
"Have the need to go back to your hidey-hole, Black?" Snape asked silkily. "My, I have always known you were desperate…"
"Watch it Snivellus!" Sirius cut lowly. There was a tense silence as all five foreigners exchanged a look, each one of them making a slight, casual face. Yami was blinking, narrowing his eyes against the darkness, as though analyzing its whereabouts, as Sirius continued in his same, biting tone. "I've already got to deal with Bakura, and some other darker half maniac, I don't want to waste my precious time with someone like you…"
"Sirius," Professor Dumbledore said calmly. "This is not the time. He is perfectly safe, and we will keep him so until you come back. I know it can be extremely difficult, but you must be patient, Sirius."
"But…!"
"Gods, shut up, Black!" Bakura yelled suddenly. "Do you realize how annoying your complaining can get? You're barely in the Shadow Realm for half a year, and you're already whining for a promised land!"
"YOU, stay out of this!"
"Urusei, baka!" Bakura yelled once more. "I've been waiting in the darkness for five thousand years. You can't even last one. Now shut up!"
"And that's why you're a psychopathic, blood-drinking, bloody mad maniac murderer…!" Sirius bellowed.
"Sirius," Ryou said softly. "Please stop."
At Ryou's voice, Sirius faltered slightly. Muttering followed, then trailed into silence. Bakura growled, turning away.
"One more move, Black," Bakura threatened lowly, "and I swear, I will destroy you from my host's body and you will suffer entirely in the Shadow Realm. You should be glad you have someone to accompany you."
"Thief," Yami warned suddenly, glancing at Bakura sternly. "This is not the time to be arguing."
"You tell that to Black," Bakura seethed, glaring at the former pharaoh with hatred and loathing in his bloody eyes. "You tell that…"
"Bakura," spoke up Marik finally. "Stop it. We don't have time with your antics with Sirius." He gave Bakura a look, and the thief was startled to find even Yugi looking a little understanding. "We know why you've been so moody lately. But you have to simmer down a bit."
"I have not been moody," Bakura growled.
"That's good then," Yami said, his voice sounding slightly derisive, but relieved all the same, "because you'll need all your attention to the situation at hand." He glanced back at the professors, his narrow eyes flashing slightly to prove his point. "Is there anything else? Perhaps something among the wizarding world that we should know, so that we can protect ourselves?"
"Is there more to this Shadow Magic?" asked Lupin curiously. "How is it that one can escape from the Shadow Realm, if there is a chance at all?"
"That's a question you'd better ask him," Yami snorted lightly, pointing to Bakura. "At times, I'm not even sure how he does it, but he's more persistent than a cockroach. How many duels have we had so far, thief?"
"Lost count," Bakura snorted.
"But, in answer to your question, Professor Lupin," continued Yami, "there is one single way for an innocent soul to be retrieved from the depths of the Shadow Realm."
"Black is hardly innocent," Snape said, a sneer forming upon his lips.
"Innocent," continued Yami calmly, "when sent to the Shadow Realm. That means when one has been sent after losing a duel to someone with greedy needs, or to someone with malicious intent."
"And if you defeat that one person," piped up Yugi, smiling, "then all the people that were sent to the Shadow Realm who were innocent and sent by that person, are revived. That's how we…" his eyes wandered towards Marik, who looked very deep in thought. "…we…got Marik out…"
"So you've all…experienced this before?" Professor McGonagall asked.
All five of them nodded, Marik still looking very distant and sullen, while Yami looked very grim.
"I've been sleeping in my Puzzle," explained Yami softly, "for more than thousands of years. I've been sleeping within the depths of the Shadow Magic within for so long that I can no longer even remember my name."
"I've been sent…lots of times too," agreed Yugi weakly. "The first time, I was put into a miniature idol, and the other time, I was separated from Yami, and was getting eaten by the Shadows every minute."
"That goes for me also," said Marik quietly.
There was a small silence as the group of professors allowed the words to sink in, before Ryou spoke up, his voice equally as soft as Marik's.
"I also," he said softly, "had been sent to the Shadow Realm. That's how I met Sirius."
"How?" asked Lupin, concern flitting past his hazel eyes.
Ryou was silent for a moment, before he replied, his voice distant and quiet.
"It was …before I got my letter for Hogwarts," he said weakly. "Yami Bakura was dueling Marik's darker half, and…well, Bakura lost," he said lamely. "But both of us had to suffer for that Shadow Game. It was during that time when I was awaiting Yugi's rescue did I meet Sirius."
"And when was this?" asked Dumbledore suddenly. His soft voice had startled everyone, since the Headmaster had been mostly quiet during the confrontation.
"Somewhere in the end of June-ish," Ryou estimated thoughtfully. "I can't remember exactly when."
Professor Dumbledore nodded. "I see…"
Expectedly, the professors all turned to Yami Bakura, who had still not spoken yet about his own experience with the Shadows. For a moment, Yami was a little concerned. He had well known what it must've been like for Bakura to live in the Shadows for so long, especially since the thief had been rambling on about it for months at a time, something that he prided. But now, Yami wasn't so sure. It was normal for Bakura to already be beginning his own little tale about being in the Shadows, for the time being, the thief looked very occupied, his eyes trailing thoughtfully into the Shadows.
"I have been sent to the Shadows numerous of times," said Bakura finally, frighteningly calm. "Enough for me to get used to it, and become one. I am the Shadows. The Shadows are a part of me."
There was another small silence at Bakura's quite proclamation. Some of the professors exchanged looks, before Professor Dumbledore spoke up.
"And what is exactly 'shadow magic'?" he asked, looking mildly curious. "I have heard rumors, but I have not seen it for myself."
"Shadow magic is controlled based upon the power of each Millennium Item," Yami explained.
"It is where we can summon monsters," Bakura explained, looking slightly sneaky, " or more accurately…"
"Kas," spoke up Marik. "Kas. They are something along the lines of….they're sort of, a part of your souls," he explained. "You can summon Kas in the Shadow Realm to form monsters, or otherwise use other methods to summon monsters."
"It gets really complicated," Yami said hurriedly.
"A demonstration then?" Bakura asked, an evil glint in his eye as he produced a card. All the professors blinked at it.
"Is that one way to summon a monster?" asked Lupin curiously.
Bakura nodded as Yami took out his own deck, shuffling through it absent-mindedly. Without a moment's notice, Bakura threw the card into the air, and yelled,
"SUMMON DARK NECROFEAR!"
"SUMMON DARK MAGICIAN!"
"SUMMON DRILLAGO!"
Instantly, three monsters appeared before them, materializing from wisps of smoke, before knitting themselves together to form full spirits. A tall man, cloaked in purple armor and holding a green staff in his hand, folded his arms proudly in front of his chest, as he floated in front of Yami. Yugi smiled.
"This, is Dark Magician," said Yami quietly.
Mouths dropped open and eyes widened among the professors, before they blinked in wonder at the newly formed creatures. Within seconds Dark Necrofear had fully appeared also, her broken doll cackling in her hands.
"Dark Necrofear," introduced Bakura smugly.
"And Drillago," said Marik off-handedly. His monster seemed to be rather mechanic, its arms replaced by twirling mechanisms. "A rather weak monster, but it doesn't quite matter. I really don't have a favourite card."
"Yes you do," Bakura snapped. "The Winged Dragon of Ra."
Marik gave the thief a hard look. "Well I can't really summon that now, can I?" he sneered.
Yami sighed, before he raised one eyebrow. Taking chance of Marik's distraction, the former pharaoh pointed idly at Marik's creature. Within the next instant, the magician had struck the monster down with its staff. Marik gasped in surprise, before his face contorted in annoyance.
"What was that for, Pharaoh?" he asked, as his monster shattered and disappeared.
Yami shrugged. "Wanted to have some fun?" he tried. "We've hardly dueled at all since we've been here."
"The King of Games just HAS to give in to his temptations," Bakura drawled. "His instincts always tell him to win win win."
Yami rolled his eyes.
"So…that's what Shadow Magic truly does," Professor McGonagall breathed. "Amazing."
The students straightened, before the darkness began to ebb away. Within a few seconds, the hospital wing had appeared, and the darkness retreating into the darkest corners of the wing. Ryou and Yugi dissipated along with the Shadows, returning to their respective owners, before all three students, inhaled deeply.
Another silence fell upon them, before Dumbledore nodded.
"I see," he said simply, looking rather distant. Turning to Yami, he nodded. "I can see why you would want to keep this a secret. However, there still must be precautions made."
"And that would be?" asked Yami easily.
Dumbledore gave them each a look. Though it may have seemed mild and blank, his blue eyes said otherwise, looking stern but kind.
"I must ask you, each and every one of you," said Dumbledore quietly, "to suppress your powers while you are here. As I had said before, Hogwarts is a school free for all students, pure-blood or half-blood, and foreign magic or no foreign magic. However, in order to insure that safety," he gave them all a look again, "I must ask you never to use Shadow Magic in Hogwart's presence. Is that clear?"
Both Bakura and Marik twitched at this. Marik shot Dumbledore a nasty look and Bakura's face narrowed slightly. Taking a breath, Yami steadied himself, and slowly nodded.
"Understandable," he said calmly. "But only on one condition."
"And that may be?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"We will only use Shadow Magic," said Yami softly. "To protect ourselves. Yugi though he is my best friend and most faithful companion, still shares his body with me. Should any harm come to him, I would have no other option but to use Shadow Magic to protect him."
"Though I despise such a condition," snarled Bakura, "I have to agree with the Pharaoh. Ryou is my host. I share his body, and without him, I cannot survive."
Dumbledore nodded. "It is understandable. After all, there are even Ministry precautions about such things." He nodded once more, more firmly. "Alright. I will only allow you to use Shadow Magic to protect yourselves. But nothing else. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," muttered Marik, stuffing his Rod into the back of his belt.
"You will tell no one?" asked Yami, giving each of the teachers a sharp look.
"Only we will know," Dumbledore assured. "Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Professor Lupin and I will be the only ones in this school who shall know. If needs be, we will notify you if other teachers need to be as well. Is that alright with you?"
"And what circumstances would possibly drive you to reveal our secrets?" asked Marik lowly.
Dumbledore gave him a small smile. "Only if you ever use Shadow Magic again for any other reason other than self-defense."
Marik sighed obviously, turning away. Dumbledore smiled, and then turned to Bakura and Yami.
"So. I can hardly say that I'm not surprised," the Headmaster smiled. "Never had I known that the Pharaoh of Egypt himself could ever come to Hogwarts. Nor the thief of ancient Egypt so long ago."
Bakura shrugged, absent-mindedly twirling a wand within his fingers. Lupin groaned.
"That's mine!" he said.
Bakura gave him a sneer, then threw it back at the Professor.
"And," continued the Headmaster, with a small wry smile on his face, "I must ask you, Mr. Bakura, to keep your thieving fingers to yourself. We can't possibly have student's things go missing on Hogwarts ground."
"First you tell me to give up Shadow Magic," sighed Bakura angrily. "Then you tell me to give up thieving. Ridiculous. I've been stealing for more than five thousand years."
Dumbledore chuckled. "At the very least, Mr. Bakura, please refrain from doing it in Hogwarts."
Bakura smirked. "I'll try."
"Good luck," said Yami under his breath, a faint smile on his lips.
"Another condition," said Marik suddenly.
They all swiveled around to meet his eyes. He was standing strong, on hand on his hip, and his gaze was sharp and stern.
"Yes, Mr. Ishtar?" asked the Headmaster mildly.
"Will you tell us if anything happens to our families?" asked Marik, his voice hard. "Or if anything has to do with us at all? Those who possess Shadow Magic are usual targets for many. Will you tell us if there's something you know about us?"
Dumbledore gave the softest of sighs, before he replied delicately.
"We will notify you," Dumbledore said softly, "if we think you need to know. We don't want to alarm if you something irrelevant happens. That is all that I can promise, Mr. Ishtar."
Obviously, Marik wasn't pleased with this answer, and returned to his hostile attitude.
There was another silence, this time awkward, before Yami spoke up.
"We'll be returning to our respective Items, then," he said. Closing his eyes and nodding regally, there was a blinding flash of light, as the ex-pharaoh retrieved into his Puzzle. There was another flash of light, before Ryou appeared back in control, steadying himself with his hands on his knees. Yugi looked up at them sheepishly.
"You won't tell anyone, right?" he asked.
Dumbledore shook his head. "No."
Yugi smiled. "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," he said, looking quite relieved. He looked up at them uncertainly. "Can we…can we go now?"
"Oh, of course!" the Headmaster replied. Ryou weakly stood back up, his cheeks flushing from embarrassment, as he passed by the Headmaster. As he did so, Dumbledore dangled a potion bottle in front of him. Ryou stopped short, staring at it numbly.
"This is will probably help with the pain," Dumbledore said, smiling.
Laughing weakly, Ryou accepted the bottle, before looking up at the Headmaster. He turned from Dumbledore, to McGonagall, to Snape, and then to Lupin.
"Thanks," he breathed. "I didn't want to be expelled. I'm very sorry for going to the Ministry, but…" he gestured weakly at his Ring, which was still giving off a slight glow. "Sometimes, he can be incontrollable."
"Understandable," Dumbledore nodded. He gave Ryou, Yugi, and Marik a smile. "Go off now. It's getting late. The professors and I still need to discuss something of importance."
Nodding and looking very relieved, Yugi, Ryou and Marik all left the Wing. As the door shut, Professor Dumbledore smiled, then turned to his Order members.
"That was….different," Professor McGonagall said simply. "A Nameless Pharaoh and a Thief King in the presence of our students. Perhaps that may have not been the best choice to let them stay, Dumbledore."
"We have to give them the chance," Dumbledore said quietly. "Just because of the darker spirits within them shouldn't prevent the lighter Bakura and Mr. Motou an education in magic."
"So we've had the Pharaoh here all along," Snape said, cutting straight to the point, dark eyes narrowing. "Shouldn't this make things easier for us then?"
Lupin sighed. "I doubt it…but at least we know that Sirius is alive. Voldemort still has the two of the Items, and judging by how protective Mr. Bakura and Mr. Yami are of their hosts, I don't think we can persuade them of any more activity any time soon."
Dumbledore nodded. Making a thoughtful face, the Headmaster then turned around, opening the door and smiling back at his members.
"Amazing which hand luck can hand us, isn't it?"
I wanted to try a different approach than White Angel chan's and other YGO/HP crosses. Usually they make the YGO characters very...amazing and glorified. I tried this the HP approach. That's why everything's taken calmly, and that's why sometimes one may think that the yamis are portrayed as weaker. I assure you, they won't as Harry begins to find out mroe about them.
Just for the heck of it, for all you yaoi lovers, I'll give you the link to my hikari's yaoi account. Just for the heck of it. people? Because I know some of you actually have her on your favs list. XD Her username is Aproditelove.
ANYWAYS, HAVE A LOVERLY EASTER AND SPRING BREAK!
-HX