Here be Chapter 9! Once again I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Harry Potter. You know who they belong to!
/Hikari to Yami/
/Yami to Hikari/
(Voldemort's thoughts)
Chapter 9: The Baby Blue Eyes
They bolted down the dungeon stairs and nearly knocked over Professor Flitwick as he was going by.
"Seto!" Hermione cried, "where are we going?" she noticed a height change as Seto became taller and his hair turned a shade lighter.
"We must see Shadi!" he called behind, "if there is an eighth Millennium Item, he would know!"
Running into the classroom, they nearly trampled over Dolores Umbridge as she inspected Professor Shadi.
"One moment, Miss Granger," said Shadi as his attention returned to Umbridge.
"AS I was saying," she began, "how long have you been a professor?"
"I have been teaching "Ancient Magic" for…oh I'll say many years."
"How many years?"
"More than you are living," he said expressionlessly.
"You are new to the school. How do you feel about the classes, students…etc?"
"My interests lay beyond your minor thoughts on this matter, Dolores Umbridge. My loyalties lie to one, and one only."
"I see, a Dumbledore's man?"
"No."
"Minister of Magic?"
"No, your Minister has yet to express the ability to run this community. Albus Dumbledore is a respectable man, yet my true loyalty lies to Egypt, my native home. Are you finished?" It was quite obvious he wanted her out. Umbridge seemed to get the message.
"Yes, I believe I am. You will get the results in ten weeks time." With a sneering look at the two teenagers, she turned on her squat heel and exited. Shadi turned his attention to the High Priest.
"Yes, Priest, what is it?"
"I did some research on my Egyptian," said Hermione, "and there are myths of an eighth Millennium Item. Is this true?" Shadi paused from shuffling essay scrolls from a previous class.
"An eighth Millennium Item…it was wished that certain books be not kept in this school. One you have come across. This may address you, Set, based on what you may recall of your life millennia's ago. You see, before Kumighrash's death, it was said he created an item of darkness, that only true darkness can control. Now, the Dark Priest, your father, wanted the item, and legends state when he would have succeeded in getting you the Pharaoh's throne, Akunadin would try and persuade you to find the item. Now, his plan failed when you 'killed' him, however, he too gave his soul to the item." He saw the widened eyes of Set and Hermione before continuing on.
"Now, this item is different than the Rod, Ring, and Puzzle. True, Akunadin placed his soul there, but it is unable to leave. It feeds the Item and gives it his power. His rage and hatred for your cousin fuels the Millennium Sword and only the Millennium Puzzle can defeat it.
"Now, the 'darkness' is in this land today, alive as we speak. He controls the evil that plagues the cities, controlling death and annihilation universally."
"Impossible, Professor!" exclaimed Hermione, a look of dread and uncertainty on her face, "you mean Voldemort?"
"You are clever, Miss Granger. It is unknown of the effects of the Item, making it more deadly than the rage of the Egyptian Gods combined."
"Ridiculous!" exclaimed Seto, taking control of his body from the Priest, "how can Voldemort, who must have NO relation with the Ancient Past whatsoever, control the Millennium Sword? He can barely keep Bakura in the Ring and in his grasp for more than five minutes!"
"Quiet!" shushed Shadi, "walls have ears. I know Dolores Umbridge remains outside, trying to pry. She is a suspicious one. Keep your friends close. I fear that who plagues this world may go us because of our connection with the ancient past, and/or the ones we hold dear to our hearts. If Voldemort can control too many Millennium Items, we all will be in grave situations."
"But Professor, you said that only a destined man can control an item!" queried Hermione.
"Yes, but remember. The effects of this Millennium Sword remains unknown. It may allow this evil to control any item he wishes." Shadi walked behind his desk. "Is there anything else? Are your essays finished?"
"Ah, mine is," said Seto, giving the mysterious Egyptian his essay; Hermione did the same.
Seto opened the door, allowing Hermione and himself out. Surely enough, Professor Umbridge was outside the classroom. Upon hearing the students coming out she quickly hurried down the hall. Hermione looked up at Seto, "what do you think she heard?"
"I'm not sure, but whatever it was, Umbridge is up to something, but what? I don't trust her. That toad inspected Shadi about a half hour ago, any normal human would be elsewhere when finished, yet she stayed behind obviously listening for some purpose."
Hermione bit her lip, "do you think she's a Death Eater? One of Voldemort's followers trying to get information about that Ancient Battle with the Pharaoh and news about the Millennium Items?" she seemed afraid, Set could tell from his soul room. Hermione may be right about something…thought the High Priest deep in his soul room, Umbridge is not to be trusted, and if she is a Death Eater, we could be in very deep danger based on what she had heard…
They rounded to the staircase, meeting Harry and Yugi at the foot.
"Where are you going, Harry?" asked Seto.
"Information on Akunumkanon," said Yugi, "there's no information on the Pharaoh's father in the library.
"Akunumkanon…"thought Set aloud as he phased out of the Rod, "hmm……I remember some about him."
"Do you?" Harry said, hopeful.
"Yes, he was a pretty generous king. Someone poisoned him though, pity. I was helping find a cure…when I…err…" Set glanced at the high ceiling, as if it would spell the answer. "Ah! Someone stopped me quite brutally and I woke up a month later, much after his burial."
"That's all?" asked Harry.
"Hey! This was 5000 years ago, not a 'what did I do last night in my soul room'! I'd have to search out all of my recollections! You're better off asking Shadi."
Footsteps were heard in the hall as Dolores Umbridge headed up the dungeon staircase. She stopped and looked at Harry.
"What are you doing, Potter?"
Harry narrowed his eyes at the professor, "Oh, is it wrong to stop and talk to a friend in the halls or is that now banned too?"
Umbridge looked livid. "DETENTION, Potter! My office, ten tonight!" She huffed up the stairs and out of sight.
That night, Harry returned to the common room, with his hand burning in pain with a new message under the still-there "I will not tell lies". This one read, "I will not disrespect elders". Everyone was already asleep. Harry crawled into bed. Moshi, Bakura's new cat, jumped onto his bed and curled up beside him. The Boy-Who-Lived fell asleep thinking and dreaming about nothing, and for once, nothing felt good.
A week later, Yugi and the rest of the Japanese gang headed down to Ancient Magic class to present their reports. Passing Snape's class, they entered the dark corridor and entered the class. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were already there. The bell rang, signaling the beginning of the class and Shadi emerged from his office, talking to Professor McGonagall. She left, leaving Shadi to his students.
"Good morning, class," he said. The class was used to his monotone voice and expressionless faces. "Most of you have already turned in your Egyptian essays. Very well. Today we will present. Those in the audience will take notes on each other's information, as it will be on your final exam. The order of presenting is completely randomized." A scroll zoomed off of the desk and into the teacher's waiting hands.
"Draco Malfoy – why is this not finished?" he questioned scanning the parchment, "you and your partner were to do this together. Mr. Kaiba did his work, why not you?"
"Sir, the book he used was in this stupid text that I had to translate. I don't know how in the world he came up with it, but most of the time for my report was used translating this bloody book!"
"Show me." Draco Malfoy strode to the front of the class and handed the teacher the book Set had made at the last minute. The professor flipped through the pages, written in English, other than Hieroglyphic. "I see nothing wrong with this book, Mr. Malfoy. Your excuse will not work. You will stay with detention in my office until the work is done. Three o' clock every Saturday for one hour until complete. Understand?" Malfoy nodded and sneered as he trudged back to his desk. "Ryou Bakura, come explain your information…"
Ryou walked to the front and took his parchment.
" Kura (Shadi made Ryou use the name Kura for thief Bakura to not arouse suspicious thoughts to students like Malfoy) was not a Great Pharaoh but a King of Thieves. He was born and lived his childhood through in a small village called Kuru Eruna. When he was eight years old, the Pharaoh of the time ordered the destruction of the village for unknown reasons. Kura was the only survivor. After the massacre of his family and friends, he pledged to get revenge on the Pharaoh. He began raiding tombs and doing other deeds against Egyptian law. To get familiar with the Palace so he could have his revenge, he allowed himself to be captured by the Pharaohs of the time over thirty times, however, he only lasted in a prison cell for a maximum of ten seconds. Kura became the greatest thief in all of Egypt, able to get in and out of any cursed tomb without losing his life to traps."
Bakura listened to his Hikari speak in his soul room. Much of his true life was bleached out to not give away things about the Millennium Items. The Ancient Battle, Yami Yugi's real name, everything Bakura knew wasn't in Ryou's essay. He knew Shadi had a reason for it, otherwise he would have proofread the work the night before it was turned it and placed all of his personal opinions into it saying that the Pharaoh was as good as a petty thief in a sealed tomb (otherwise as a sitting duck, this was the only appropriate term the authoress could think of at the moment, otherwise many curses and swearwords would have been used).
After the students finished reciting their work, Shadi addressed the class as the bell rang. Many Ravenclaws' got up while Shadi was speaking to leave for their next class, but he would have none of that. Waving his arms, the doors closed on their own, letting Shadi go one with the assignment.
Care of Magical Creatures was next. The Late September/early October breeze felt cool against Ryou's skin. It feels nice out here he thought to himself. It would have felt better if a certain tomb-robber wasn't so moody.
/Yo./
/Yo/
/Yo you weakling! I sense another imbalance/
/Like the imbalance you felt when the Kuriboh showed up/
/Yes, go tell Mr. Goody-two-shoes/
/Who/
/My are you slow…the Pharaoh, Ryou, the Pharaoh, You DO know who that is, right/
Ryou didn't answer that.
"The annoying voice in my head (Hey/) would like me to tell you all that he feels there is a disturbance in the Shadows." Yami nodded in his soul room, feeling it as well. Down the steep slope, they headed to Hagrid's hut. Marik stopped suddenly, making Harry turn to him and causing the others to stop as well.
"What's wrong?" asked Ron.
"Is that toad following us?"
"Of course not," said Harry, happily, "why do you ask?"
"It always seems that she goes to all of our classes, one after another, like she's spying on us."
"Are you sure?" asked Hermione, "absolutely certain?"
Seto peered down the hill and narrowed his eyes. "Well, Hermione," he said, "for starters…" Seto pointed down at the entrance to the Hut. Professor Umbridge was waiting patiently outside of Hagrid's hut, clipboard in hand.
"Holy Ra, its another inspection!" whined Marik, "I hate that woman, won't she ever go away?"
The class gathered at the front door. Hagrid came out looking very pleased with himself.
"Gather 'round class! This beastie is a bit interestin'! Normally, Professor Dumbledore would have 'em shipped off to Romania, but he let me teach a class about it. It's so cute! Just wait till – "
"Well, where is it, already? Do we have to listen to you all day?" snarled Malfoy. Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson snickered. Hagrid gave them a warning scowl and retreated into the forest. A few minutes later he returned holding something in his arms. Yugi noticed Seto sway on the spot and since he was the tallest there, was able to see the best what Hagrid was holding. Yugi jumped up and down, unable to see.
"Ron! You're tall! What is it?"
"A-a dragon…"
Umbridge looked furious. "Now see here, Professor Hagrid, Dragons are not allowed here on school grounds. This beast must be removed or exterminated…"
"Oh shut up!" called a student from the back of the crowd. Umbridge turned pink, but did quiet down.
Malfoy screwed up his face in disgust. "What is that bloody beast? It's disgusting!" Seto rounded on the Slytherin, giving the scariest glare he could. Malfoy squeaked and flinched. Crabbe and Goyle moved in front of Malfoy as if the CEO was planning to chop his head off.
"Now, class," said Hagrid, trying to get the attention back onto him, "this is a – "
"Blue Eyes," muttered Seto.
"A what?" snarled Malfoy, "looks like vermin to me. God this place gets worse and worse each year!" The baby dragon seemed to have heard, flying out of Hagrid's arms using its small wings and opening its mouth. Small jets of lightning darted out, missing the Slytherin's left ear by a centimeter.
"Eep!" he squeaked and hid behind Goyle. Hagrid turned back to the class, surprised, but trying to hide the joy and hold back the laughter that would have joined in the rest of the class.
"Whoa! Didn't know he could do that! Well, err…who wants to hold 'em?" Naturally, Seto was there first. The dragon flew down a bit and landed in his arms. Yugi noticed the happiness on Seto's face that usually only appears when he is with Mokuba. Seto Kaiba was in pure bliss. Once again, the only thing to ruin the moment had returned. Umbridge rounded on Hagrid once again.
"Rubeus Hagrid, you know better than to bring dangerous creatures such as that to class!"
"How was I to know it was dangerous!" retorted Hagrid, "you can't stand a class that is fun!"
October 1. Dumbledore addressed the hall at breakfast.
"To all students, as you know, Halloween is coming…" Cheers erupted and Dumbledore waited for silence before continuing, "this year, we are having a costume party! A dance will come on Halloween from dinner to midnight. Those who wish to wear a costume may enter a costume contest. Also, we are having a bit of fun this year. We are having another type of competition where friends may dress as a set. In a group of three or more, you may come up with a costume theme. In this theme, everyone must have appropriate attire for the party and to win the competition, you not only need the best costumes, but a little act as well. Outfits may be purchased at the Hogsmeade weekend approaching or you may make them yourself. That is all."
/Hmm, a costume contest./
/What do you think we should do, Yami? Do you want to do a set with the gang?/
/I see no harm in the subject. It will be some relief from classes./
"Hermione!" Natasha Edwards, Hermione's friend in Muggle Studies, came running into the hall, "did I miss anything?" she grabbed some butter and toast.
"Not really. Hogwarts is having a costume contest this Halloween along with a dance from dinner to midnight. You can be alone or dress up with your friends in a costume set where you do a little act to enhance your costume and win the competition."
"Ooh, fun!"
"Come on, Ryou!" Marik dragged the boy from his seat. "Time to plan our victory on Halloween. Coming, Yugi, Seto?"
"Sure," Yugi got up, and with some effort and help from Harry and Ron, he pulled Seto up and yanked him out of the Great Hall to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Boys," muttered Hermione as she and Natasha followed after.
/Ryou./
/Yes, O Wise Evil One/
/You are going as me for Halloween. Got it/
/Me, be you? Why/
/Marik and I already figured it out. The theme is the ancient past. However/ the thief mind spoke with a glint in his eyes /If you are too chicken to go, I'll go in your body with your identity and cause all of the mischief and destruction I want so you get in trouble! What do you say to that/
/What do I say/
/Yes./
/I say, "Hello, I am your tour guide, the King of Thieves. Any questions?"/
/Glad to see things my way/
/Oh shut up/ Ryou pouted all the way to the common room, the idea of posing as his Yami not on his list of things to-do.
Thanks to all who reviewed so far! Another note I want to make is that anything Set says in this story about his past life will most likely come from another fanfiction I'm working on Dawn of the Duel. It's really the whole Memory saga except it's the original battle.
Another note, is that I have finished this story as of March 29th 2006. Every chapter is complete across three spiral notebooks, but school and such may interfere with updating right away. I can't help it. Tests, battle for the Internet, and working on three other fanfictions at once isn't easy. Please review, and I'll upload sooner!