Hey, trying to update. I'm pretty much half awake right now so…yeah, if it's bad yell at me or something. –Falls asleep- Anyway, I had a special band thing today (as in ALL day) and yeah…much playing of the trombone.

Reminders:
/Ryou to Bakura/

/Bakura to Ryou/

'Thoughts of some sort.'

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or Harry Potter.

Turning around at the words he heard Voldemort was hit head on with the killing curse uttered by his enemy. Anyone close enough to see this stared in awe as his body began to show cracks much like a broken mirror. Green light shone through these and eventually were so bright that some couldn't keep there eyes on it. As the light disappeared all that was left of the dark lord was his wand which fell to the ground.

James watched this all in confusion, he didn't have any idea where the curse had come from and how it could have killed Voldemort, an immortal. Finally feeling exhaustion, he slumped to the ground. 'How could he just, disappear like that? Is he really gone from this world, or did he find some odd way to apparate?' James' thoughts filled with questions.

"Dad," Harry ran over to the figure on the ground. "Are you all right?" Bakura and Ryou appeared next, the latter getting support, to see how the man was.

"Yes, I'm fine," was their immediate response. "What happened to him, is he-is he really gone?"

"As gone as he'll ever be," said a calm voice from behind them as Dumbledore stepped in. "His followers are being gathered now, there's no escape for them with so many witnesses," Dumbledore's steady gaze was on Harry. "I would like to see you in my office," he looked at the others, "Let us proceed."

LALALA

Entering Dumbledore's office the headmaster conjured up four chairs. James, Harry, Ryou, and Bakura all sat down waiting to see what the headmaster had to say. After what seemed like collecting his thoughts, Dumbledore spoke up.

"Am I correct in assuming it was you Harry that conjured the curse that killed Voldemort?" he asked and Harry turned pale.

"I-I'm not going to be sent to Azkaban, am I?" he asked with a slight stutter and a small smile came onto Dumbledore's face.

"No, only the people in this room besides you're friend Joey and the girl saw you, and I'm sure neither of them will speak to the ministry about it." Harry sighed of relief at hearing these words, he hadn't thought about the consequences until after he had conjured the spell. As always he jumped into the situation, planning was Ron's strength.

"What should we do now Professor?" asked Ryou who was trying to ignore the pain in his ankle.

"First, we should have Madam Pomphrey see that ankle of yours, and then I suppose start a cleaning project."

LALALA

Walking and limping down the hallway the four met up with Joey, Mai, and Marik. They spoke very little on the way to the hospital wing and once they arrived a chair was conjured for Ryou since all the beds were taken. ("We'll have to start using the common rooms!")

After a short period of time Ryou's ankle was healed like nothing had happened too it, the nurse told them to try and find other survivors. They walked outside and saw many others looking for the injured; it was going to be a long spring cleaning. Since it was winter, it was also going to be cold.

Ryou, Harry, and Bakura walked through the grounds having split from the group. They walked silently looking around their surroundings at all the dead. There was so much destruction, and soon there would be so much pain. The Prophet would be informed for sure, and all the parents would soon find out. How many students would attend the school next year, how many would never perform magic again?

A muffled moan was heard to their left and Harry ran over to a fallen tree. Under the tree lay Neville Longbottom who was in great pain from the constant pressure. "Neville, are you all right!"

"Yeah…I can just barely breathe under here, can you help me get out?"

Harry and Ryou used spells to cut an area of tree around Neville and eventually pulled him free. His bones were crushed in some places and it was certain that he would spend some time in the hospital wing to recover. "What happened?" asked Ryou.

"I don't know, I was throwing spells at the death eaters when a tree fell on me, I think I was knocked out for a bit," said Neville sheepishly.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," said Ryou, "We should get you to the hospital wing."

The four made their way back to the hospital room avoiding the eyes of the watching dead. This was not a joyful day and they dreaded hearing the ratios of the living. How many students had been killed, how many death eaters had been killed? Were any of the teachers gone? So many questions entered their heads as they walked on, supporting their friend. War was painful, to those who fought in it, and those on the outside. This day would remain forever fresh in their memories, the memories of their friendships and the memories of their enemies.

Ryou almost lost the only person who didn't desert him; he and Harry had almost lost their family.

LALALA

Harry and Ryou sat in Dumbledore's office a week later in silence. They did not know the reason for them having to be there and were waiting for the professor to speak first.

"As you two know, you are brothers," they nodded. "I regretfully say, to you two, more Ryou yes, but to both of you that your father and I have been hiding something from you."

"What?" Ryou asked confused. "What have you been hiding from me, from us! Tell me now!" Shortly after the incident Bakura had become a spirit again and ever since then Ryou had been more temper mental. Most thought it was that Bakura had been bothering him, others thought having hung around his Yami so much he was starting to act like him.

At this outburst James came in with a woman following behind him. "Ryou," said Dumbledore, "This is your mother."

Ryou unable to speak stared. She had gorgeous hair the same color as his and almost red eyes. She wore a black robe that billowed out behind her.

"Wh-what?"

"I know it's been awhile," when she spoke it was smooth, almost snake-like, reminding both the boys of their now dead enemy.

"Wait, so you're his mother and my step mother, but…how come we have never heard of you much before?" asked Harry.

"We had to keep her out of the dark," replied James, "If Voldemort knew he had a sister he would have taken her. I didn't know this when my memories were suppressed, but I know Dumbledore has taken great care in finding her a sufficient hiding place."

"She's WHOSE sister?" the boys looked shocked.

"You mean to say," started Ryou.

"That Voldemort is 'our' uncle?" finished Harry.

"Yes," said Dumbledore as all heads turned to him. "And I'm sure you can see they are very much different, Mary Ann here was raised by muggles who loved her so there was no evil influence in her life."

"This seems so wrong…" Ryou said looking in between his parents. "And why couldn't you tell me this?"

"Well, look at how you're reacting now!"

"Point taken."

"I'm sure you'd love to get acquainted. Though you have lost many I wish you all happy Holidays, and I will see you all next year here at school," stated Dumbledore.

"Hey, what are you talking about Albus, we're staying here!" said James, "We wouldn't leave you all to have to deal with all these parents flooding in!"

"Thank you," said Dumbledore, "It's been a long school year already, and I'm sure there will be many who do not attend this school, fear of Voldemort returning. The prophecy has been fulfilled, and our land will slowly return to as peaceful as can be. Families are made and families are broken, but if we find courage and comfort within our fellow magic folk, we will find hope again."

"We'll always find hope through our tangled branches," ended Ryou with a small smile. "No matter what I know my family will always stay strong through it all."

So did you like or dislike? I doubt there will be any sequel, but if you have an idea go ahead and tell me in a review. Oh so close to 100! Anyway, tell me what you loved about it, what you hated about, anything! Thank you so much for reading this. I hope everyone understood the title by now, sorry it kind of came into play most at the end.

"Tangled Branches" was thought up because of the strange little family things I had going on. With Harry finding James as Ryou's father and now in the end how James mistakenly married Voldemort's sister, it intertwines three different (at the beginning) families and puts them into one. That's a bit out there, I know.

Thanks again!
-Maki-sama-