Shadu: Magic is going to be in this story. (Yay!) If you want to know more about him before reading, see Coping with Loss. However, except for that, this story is in no way tied to Coping with Loss. And, I will also add that except for the basic idea, this story is in no way directly connected to History of Magic. And one more thing, I'm not saying that everyone who thinks Yu-Gi-Oh! is set in Japan is wrong, but I like setting it in America.

adritha06: Glad it sounds interesting. Here's more of the story

Blackjack Poplar: No, I didn't get my firsts and seconds mixed up. The first was the person who was mentioned first and the second was the one who spoke first. Anyways, here's the next chapter.

Kayzie Kaiba: I'm going to make the next chapter longer. The prologue was just to wet your appetite. And I'm glad you like the story. Have you, by chance, read History of Magic?

Repmet: You've read History of Magic too?!?! Cool! Well, I really hope this story lives up to your expectations.

Ch. 1

Ebb and Flow

A small, seemingly fragile man slept peacefully on the couch of his apartment. He was content to just lie there and let the world go by. He just wanted it to end. He had seen enough torment for a lifetime. However, his time had not yet come, and so he lived contentedly in a world that was corrupted. He was unaware when his roommate walked past to get the mail that had been dropped in the slot on the door.

"Junk, junk, junk, bill, bill, junk, bill, junk, jun-what the?" he stopped. "Hey Yugi, you might want to see this."

But Yugi didn't respond. He just laid there still, in a deep, unshakeable sleep. His mate sighed. Yugi had been working at the local museum from five to seven, and then going to the graveyard shift at the department of Artifacts and discoveries as a linguist and translator. Since they always needed someone on hand besides the guards, Yugi had volunteered for the position of working the graveyard shift, going from eight at night to five in the morning. Since he didn't have a social life, and probably wasn't going to get to anytime soon, it was perfect for him. Luckily, he didn't have to work on the weekends unless he wanted to. But his weekends were usually spent catching up on sleep. His friend hated to wake Yugi, but knew that this was important.

"Yugi, wake up," the partner shook Yugi.

"What is it Magic?" Yugi asked angrily.

"You've got mail," Magic stated.

"When do I not?" Yugi retorted, turned over to face his back at Magic.

"Yugi, this mail is important, it's from Hogwarts," Magic stated.

At the mention of Hogwarts, Yugi shot up, sitting up on the couch he was sleeping so peacefully on just seconds before.

"Really?" Yugi asked.

Magic nodded, handing Yugi the cream-colored envelope. The address on the front said:

Yugi Mutou

The man sleeping on the couch

2604 W. Pine Cove

Apt. 2309

Domino, CA

2089

United States Of America

Yugi hurriedly opened the envelope, breaking the seal with trembling hands. He didn't know why he was so nervous. He didn't even know why it was such a big deal. I mean he had gotten something before, almost twelve years ago, he thought, though it may have been sooner, from Hogwarts. Still, he was shaky. Magic, however, wasn't surprised. Yugi had been very shaky since...well...for a while now.

Yugi finally got open the letter. Magic read over his shoulder.

Dear Mr. Yugi J. Mutou,

It is my great honor to inform you that you have been chosen to teach a class entitled "The Knowledge of Magic". It is a new course that Hogwarts is starting up. The reason it has been created is for the simple reason that other types of magic has surfaced within just the last millennium. We feel that it is important that the students are well informed about all types of magic, new or old.

I have heard about your profession as a linguist and part-time archeologist and found that you were best suited for the job. Hagrid will be by tomorrow to pick you up and take you to Diagon Alley. I'm sure you might need some stuff from there.

I look forward to seeing you again.

Cordially yours,

Headmaster of Hogwarts,

Albus Dumbledore

"Whoa Yugi, that's a pretty high honor, are you going to take it?" Magic asked.

Yugi was silent in thought for a second, and then, "Yes."

Magic was kind of shocked at his small reply.

"You do realize that you'll have to talk in front of a class, don't you?" Magic asked.

"Yes, and yet, I think I'll be fine there," Yugi smiled a little. "I'll be fine, as long as you come," Yugi added.

"Me? Why do you need me?" Magic questioned.

But the look in Yugi's eye told all. Yugi only wanted him there for support. Yugi wanted Magic there to have a friend there. Now that Yami was....no longer with him....Magic was all he had.

"Yugi, are you sure?" Magic asked again.

Lightly putting a hand on his chest, Yugi looked back at Magic and said, "Yes, I'm sure. It's what Yami would want."

Magic lowered his eyes. He couldn't fight with him when he said that. When Yugi says that, it means his mind was made up and his word was final. He couldn't get Yugi to back out now, even if he had wanted to.

Yugi had grown up a lot in eight years. Most males his age could only dream of being so mature. He didn't joke around or tease like most. He was a very quiet person. In fact, besides Magic, the 23 year-old only talked around a few select people. His eyes still held their roundness a little, but they had lost their innocence years ago. It seemed that Yugi had grown into his eyes, for they were a lot smaller now. In truth, they looked a little more like Yami's eyes and a little less like Yugi's eyes with every painful experience. The only reason you could tell that it was still Yugi was because of the slight roundness they still held. And because of the little innocence left in them. Magic guessed that he would look like this for a good chunk of the rest of his life. Yugi didn't try to tame his hair either. It still looked like his old hair. It grew that way. In that respect, he hadn't changed. He dressed very plain. Tennis shoes, black jeans with a brown belt stretched around his waist, a white t-shirt, which was tucked in and was partial hidden under his navy blue, short-sleeved, button-up shirt with two breast pockets. He usually left this outer shirt open, however, and never tucked it in, just to show individuality. He still wore the puzzle as well. But he no longer played with his cards. He didn't have time. And even if he did, Magic wasn't sure whether he would or not.

Magic, on the other hand, hadn't changed much at all. His coat was still the same blend of all the shades of gray, brown, and black as it had been back when Yugi was still a youth. It even still held its flecks of blue and purpled here and there. The Millennium Symbol was still emblazoned on his forehead. Magic kept himself slender and his muscles fine-tuned. He still held his majestic look, but never lost his heart. His tail was long and relatively fluffy.

"Alright Yugi, if you're sure," Magic sighed.

"Okay, let's start packing," Yugi stated.

Yugi packed nothing but a small backpack. It was a special backpack that he had jinxed to hold many more things than a regular backpack could. It could hold things a lot bigger than it as well. Yugi didn't have that much stuff, however. Some clothes, toothbrush, personal items, things of his youth. Then, Yugi picked up his old Duel Disk System. His deck was still inside it. He wondered if it still worked. He held it thoughtfully. His heart ached. It ached to duel. He hands ached to hold cards once again. All of a sudden, his chest sent a tingle through his body, almost as if telling him to take the dueling system. Yugi allowed a small, sad smile to creep over his face. He would take it. Putting it in his pack, he ran off to get a couple of other forgotten things, posters. He had long since put away his Duel Monster posters due to the ache he got every time he looked at them. But now, as he uncurled them, he didn't ache. Instead, he got a familiar sense of happiness and pride. Yes, he would take them. Putting them in his pack, he grabbed a few other familiar items that he had long since forgotten and put them in his bag and after doing so, completed his packing.

"Magic, you done packing?" Yugi called.

"Are you kidding? I don't need anything, so, heck yeah," Magic called back.

Yugi half-heartedly smiled. No matter what the situation or problem, Magic always could get him to smile. Picking up his amazingly light backpack, Yugi walked into the living room. Dropping his pack beside the couch, he sat down on it and flipped on the TV. Magic, who was lying curled up on the floor, opened one eye to see what Yugi was watching. It was some stupid sitcom.

"Don't stay up tonight, you need to get on a regular schedule," Magic stated. "And I've already notified you're employers. They said that it was fine."

"Thanks Magic," Yugi smiled.

"Now I want you laying down, eyes closed by ten o' clock, got it?" Magic stated.

"Yes mother," Yugi teased.

Magic just snorted and closed his eye. Yugi's happiness came and went. It was like the ebb and flow of the tide. Easy come easy go. And it never stayed for a long time. But Magic knew that he could only get better from here. Or at least, he hoped. With a deep sigh, Magic drifted off to sleep.

Yugi, however, had problems going to sleep. Not because of the noise or lights. If anything, you would think the quiet darkness would help. NO, that wasn't it. And really, it wasn't that he was sleeping earlier in the day. He didn't get enough to satisfy himself. It was the fact that now, whenever he looked at anything that had to do with Duel Monsters, he didn't get that pain in his chest. He took off his white undershirt to look at the massive scar his chest now held. The big, round, ugly scar that was now just a pale, rough white spot. It was about the size of a dragon's claw at the base of the claw, where the claw and hand met. And the scar itself held secrets, pains, memories. It would forever remind him what happened that night so long ago. It would forever remind him, as long as he lived. Yugi softly touched the now ridge and senseless skin. It sent shivers up his spine to know that he's touching the skin, but the skin doesn't feel it. No matter how long he's had that wretched scar, or how many times he's touched it, he still would never get over that unnatural feeling of not feeling. Yugi put his shirt back on and rolled over, sighing. He missed Yami. He missed him so much. Yugi rolled onto his side and fell asleep somehow, thinking of so many things, but especially that night.

Yugi was rudely awakened the next morning by a thumping on the door. Yugi sat up in bed while Magic's ears perked up. They looked at each other while the thumping continued. Suddenly, as if he had been poked with a cattle prod, Yugi sprang into action. He answered the door before the massive man behind it accidentally broke it down. There, standing outside the apartment, was a huge man, at least two or three times Yugi's size, and with three times the bulk. His big bushy beard hid some of his face, but his kind eyes and huge smile couldn't be hidden by anything as he looked down at the bewildered Yugi.

"'Ey there Yugi, name's Hagrid, Keeper o' the Keys a' Hogwarts," the man extended a massive hand for Yugi to shake.

Yugi's hand was nothing in the hands of such a giant. But this huge person was as gentle as anything and probably had a heart much bigger than his physical body. Magic walked up, inspecting the newcomer with his bright, intelligent eyes.

"And what do we 'ave 'ere?" Hagrid asked, bending down to Magic's level.

"Name's Magic," Magic stated, holding out a paw out of courtesy.

"GACK! It 'eaks?" Hagrid demanded, looking at Yugi, who simply nodded.

"Well, are you going to return the gesture or aren't you?" Magic asked.

"Oh, where are me manners?" Hagrid recovered from his scar and shook Magic's small, but powerful paw.

"That's better," Magic nodded approvingly.

"Well 'ugi, time ta get 'oing," Hagrid turned to Yugi, who nodded.

Yugi picked up his backpack and turned to Hagrid. He looked up at the massive face of the gentle giant, telling him in his own mute way that he was ready to go. But Hagrid didn't move. He had been given instructions by Dumbledore that he was to get Yugi used to talking around others before school started, and he would start now.

"'orry lad, can't take ya any'ere u'til you 'alk ta me," Hagrid shrugged.

Yugi was a little dismayed, but Magic saw exactly what Hagrid was doing. So when Yugi looked back at him for support, all he got was a look that was agreeing with Hagrid. Yugi looked back at Hagrid who wore a stern, but understanding face. Dumbledore must have known about his silence. That's why he was doing this.

Yugi took a shuddering breath and said, "I'm ready to go Hagrid."

"Atta boy!" Hagrid grinned. "Now it wasn't that bad, was it?"

"I, I guess not," Yugi studdered a little.

It had been so long since he had talked to anyone but Magic that, to Yugi, it was really uneasy for him to do so. In fact, it had been that very thing that had caused most people, including his friends (other than Joey and Magic), to think that he had lost his voice, or forgotten how to speak all together. He hadn't. One of the reasons that he didn't talk was the same reason that he was so jumpy around new people sometimes. Yugi never knew when he was there. No, not Yami, him. He could be anywhere, any place, any time. In fact, for all he knew, Hagrid could be him, but Yugi knew he wasn't. Yugi had seen Hagrid before.

"Awright then, 'et's go," Hagrid smiled down at Yugi. "an' I'm a'sumin' you're coming?"

"Of course," Magic nodded.

"Good, I think 'e needs somebody," Hagrid noted.

"Yes, he does," Magic nodded in agreement.

They all walked outside to see a humongous motorbike. It had one passenger seat attached to it on the side and then the main part of the bike. Hagrid saddled himself on the bike. Magic instinctively took the passenger seat.

"Uh, where do I sit?" Yugi asked shakily.

"Why, in front o' me o' course," Hagrid supplied happily.

Yugi gulped a little, then tossed himself up on the motorbike. Hagrid's powerful arms can around Yugi's small body and gripped the handlebars on either side of him. Hagrid looked down at Yugi, who was already beginning to question his reasoning of accepting the job. His face was plastered with fear. Hagrid was almost a little reluctant to take off. But he knew that Yugi was safe between his arms. Even so, Hagrid could sense Yugi's uneasiness.

"It's a'right 'ittle one," Hagrid assured Yugi. "I ain't gonna let notin' 'appen ta ya."

Yugi simply nodded as Hagrid revved up the engine of the huge motorbike.

"'ang on!" he stated.

Magic nodded, rearing and ready. Yugi, however, was not. Hagrid soon took off, flying High above the sky. Flying into the clouds so they wouldn't be noticed, he gunned the machine even more. The bike readily obeyed, speeding even faster. Magic enjoyed the breeze through his hair and the cool sky against his face. Yugi didn't. He was terrified. The only thing that gave him any security at all was the feeling of Hagrid's massive arms on either side of him. But Hagrid could feel his discomfort. He could feel Yugi shaking like a leaf in a violent storm.

"You a'right Yugi?" Hagrid asked.

Yugi couldn't bring himself to say anything, even if he had wanted to. Instead, he just nodded. Hagrid understood, and aimed to land as soon as possible.

"We're a' most there," Hagrid informed Yugi, who just nodded.

Yugi was very relieved to see the ground again as Hagrid started to descend. The landed on a cobblestone road in front of a brick wall. Magic quickly jumped out. Hagrid stood up only after he was sure that Yugi would be okay. He could feel Yugi's small frame shaking all over. And when Hagrid did stand up, Yugi jumped off and looked at the bike as though it were a demon or something. But with a sigh, he turned to Hagrid, who was just starting to advance to the wall.

"Hagrid, allow me," Yugi said in a now steadying voice.

"Uh, sure," Hagrid stepped aside as Yugi walked up to the wall.

Tapping the right rocks in the right order, Yugi sent the wall morphing into the familiar pass way that he had seen once before. Taking in all the sights of Diagon Alley, Yugi sighed. It reminded him so much of happier times. All he could think of how much his life had changed since he had been here last.

The hairs on the back of Magic's neck bristled. Someone was watching. Something, maybe, was waiting. It was waiting for the right time to strike. It was near. And it waited until its prey had been prepared, unknowingly. Magic let out a warning growl before entering the passageway, still alert and wary.