After this, only two chapters left! In this chapter, once again, my sucky attempts at a romance pop up again…like I said before this is my first story attempt at romance between Seto Kaiba and Hermione Granger.

There seems to be a 'shipping' for everything now…let's see. Seto/Joey is Puppy, Seto/Yami is Pride, I call Yugi/Tea 'friendship'shipping, Ryou/Serenity is Quiet shipping, now Seto and Hermione is brainshipping! Woopie! (twirls finger sarcastically)

Tom Riddle's Item is almost over!

I don't own YuGiOh or Harry Potter. Oh, and flamescythe, you were right! I hit 101 July 26, and your review was 101! Thanks Julie (Kaiba-Kun, my twin sister), you made the 100!

Chapter 20

To Mokuba's surprise, his hand got squeezed back. He looked up, and noticed the counter had vanished.

"SETO!"

"Hey, kiddo," said Seto, weakly, ruffling his brother's hair. The color returned to Set's ghost form.

"I'm back!" exclaimed the Priest, "I'm back!"

"Glad to have you back mate!" cheered Ron from Hermione's bedside. Yami Bakura phased out of Ryou.

"HEY! You're back! Quick, Ryou! Go to Shadi! Body time, here I come!" the thief rubbed his hands together, mischievously.

"You need to see me, Bakura," said a voice from the door.

"Yea, Shadi…"

"Professor Shadi," corrected Dumbledore coming into the room.

"Professor Shadi…CAN I HAVE MY BODY BACK NOW? HUH? HUH? CAN I? HMMM?" The priest rolled his eyes at Bakura's excited state. Yugi then entered the ward, Duel-disk on his arm, beaming from ear to ear.

"You won, Yugi!" Marik yelled, "Voldemort's no more!"

"Yea," Yugi sank into a chair between the two occupied beds. "How are you guys feeling?"

"Tired," Hermione yawned.

"Weak," Seto admitted.

"AH! You're back too! Excellent. Take this," Madame Pomfrey thrust the orange-scented drink at Seto while giving Hermione a dreamless sleep potion, "you two need rest, and plenty of it to get your energy back. Take that potion, Kaiba and you can have a sleep potion. After a few days, if I see fit, you two can leave."

"We'll check up on you later then," said Harry, getting up. His friends left the hospital wing.

"Ah, before you leave, Pharaoh, you may have your body back."

"YES! FREEEEEEEEEEEDOM! WOOOOOT!" Bakura cheered.

"I didn't address you, Tomb-thief, but come along." They gathered around Seto's bed.

"HEY! This boy needs rest!" Madame Pomfrey protested. Shadi looked at her in his emotionless face. "He can have all the rest he needs in a few moments."

After completing the same ritual as before, Seto thrust the Millennium Rod at Set, who had to dive to catch it, as his host's usually good aim, was a bit low.

"It's all yours, Set. I don't want it."

"Alright, Seto. Come Mokuba, let your brother get his sleep."

Bakura looked around evilly. "Now, where to start…the Pharaoh's tomb…temple in Kul Elna…the world…"

Madame Pomfrey was at her peak in patience, the vein ready to pop from her head. "EVERYBODY OUT! SHOOO!" She pushed everyone, including the teachers, out of the ward.

Staten Island (why Staten Island, you may ask. Well, it's a random place)

Off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, a large Shadow Bubble appeared.

"They can't get rid of me that easily. I'll stay in hiding in waiting for my next move…heh, heh…hahahahaha!" a figure left the Shadow Bubble, waved a stick and disappeared into thin air.

Seto and Hermione were visited each day by friends…and fangirls who left tons of get-well cards at the table on the edge of Seto's bed. Apparently, Hermione learned that she had secret admirers within the school who were too shy to come to her personally. She had a nice amount of girfts at her table as well.

After a few days, Madame Pomfrey released the two, glad to have fangirls, and guys out of her hair. Classes returned to normal, as everyone was piled sky high with homework. Most of the teachers (McGonagall, Flitwick, Shadi, Sprout, etc) didn't give the two homework, as they had almost died, and assigned times to give them the lessons they missed on week-ends. However, Snape and Umbridge acted completely as nothing wrong happened since day 1 and always found Harry to target for no apparent reason. When Goyle's potion blew up in Remedial Potions, Snape blamed Harry for it, even though Harry hadn't been there, he was in Divination, at the complete opposite end of the school.

Mokuba returned home when Seto was released and continued life in Domino, living with Grandpa Muto.

The homework was at Ron's breaking point.

"Hermione?" he asked meekly.

"No, Ron. Seto and I have a lot of catching up to do, and we have to meet Professor Sprout in the Greenhouses soon."

"But, you don't know what I'm asking!"

"You want to copy my Defense Against the Dark Arts homework, don't you?"

"How'd you know?"

"Your book is open, and I have to leave. Good-bye Ronald, and ask Natasha about the homework, she already finished it!" she called, grabbed her textbook and hurried out of the common room.

Leaving the marble staircase, she headed past the dungeon corridor, as Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle left the entrance hall, heading in her direction. He's going to insult you. Just keep walking…don't get intimidated. You have Herbology…Herbology…

"Hey Granger! I heard you died and your ghost is haunting the place!"

She turned. Shoot. Why do I stoop to his level…?

"What are you talking about, Malfoy?"

"You don't know? Where have you been the past two months? Flint was in the hospital wing for trying to insult Weasel King (Ron, for those that don't know) when he saw you and that idiot Kaiba stiff as a board. Of course, that was in February…"

"Just leave me alone, Malfoy," Hermione turned back to the entrance doors when Malfoy grabbed her upper arm, twisting her around.

"It's sickening, you know."

"Let me go!" His grip on her arm was extremely tight and it was beginning to cut off her circulation.

"How can you beat me in all of my classes. A Mudblood beat me! HA! Not for long. After you, only Kaiba's beaten me in anything, and I refuse to take third place! Father would never accept anything but the best, and right now, you're in my way" He pulled out his wand.

"Get off me!" she shrieked, and footsteps could be heard echoing off of the marble stairs. Malfoy pushed her into the nearest doorway, the Great Hall, which was empty since dinner was over, Hermione's Herbology textbook forgotten on the ground.

"Guard the door," Malfoy muttered to Crabbe and Goyle.

"Mudbloods like you sicken me," he spat, "you're going down first." Tightening his grip, he aimed his wand between her eyes. "Avada..."

Oh, God, he's going to…there was a thud on the other side of the thick door. Malfoy tightened his grip even more, which didn't seem humanly possible, as the pain brought tears to her eyes, and whirled around to see the commotion, never finishing his incantation.

"Who's there?"

The door opened as Crabbe fell to the ground with a thud, unconscious. Goyle was slumped against the wall. Before Malfoy could react someone quickly aimed a wand at him.

"Stupefy! Malfoy fell over, unconscious. No longer cut off, the blood began to re-flow through Hermione's upper arm.

"Hermione! Are you alright?" Seto rushed in, holding her textbook, along with his own. She sank onto one of the House benches, shaking. "What happened?"

"He…he…"

Seto sat next to her and she sobbed right into his robes, making his face turn extremely red.

"Shh," he said, quietly, trying to calm her down, "it's alright. What did he do?"

"She sniffed loudly, tears falling freely, "he…he tried to…" a fresh wave of tears came out and she didn't finish her thought. What did Malfoy try to do, thought Seto, because he won't get away with it.

"Forget it, c'mon. We'll go to McGonagall. You can't just stay here…"

Professor Sprout entered the castle, and saw Crabbe and Goyle keeled over on the ground and went to investigate. She then saw Malfoy lying on the ground, and her two students sitting at the Ravenclaw House table.

"Oh, my…" she muttered, "what happened here? I was wondering why you two were so late to your private lesson…oh! Ms. Granger, what happened to you?" She too sat down at the Ravenclaw table, pried Hermione off of Seto, and then Hermione cried into Professor Sprouts robes instead. "Shhh, it's alright, dear. Now, dear, calm down, what happened?"

"He…attacked me…" Hermione said through sobs, pointing a shaking finger at Malfoy.

Professor Sprout put a comforting arm around Hermione's shoulder and helped her to her feet. "Come on dear, off we go. We have to see your Head of House. Mr. Kaiba, did you witness the event?"

Both he and Hermione nodded. "He...(sniffle) found me," Hermione said. Professor Sprout waved her wand, conjuring a handkerchief, and gave it to Hermione, "alright. Come with me. Come on, dear, dry your tears."

Hermione wiped her eyes, ending the flow of tears. Professor Sprout brought them to Professor McGonagall's office. Their Head of House opened her office door, saw the three and ushered them inside.

"Minerva, I'm going to round up the other three." Sprout left. Professor McGonagall sat at her desk, and Seto sank in a chair in front of it, Hermione by his side, with hot tears falling from her eyes.

"Miss Granger, what happened?"

"He…"

"He?"

"Malfoy," corrected Seto, "Malfoy attacked her."

"When did this happen?" she asked. Hermione dried her eyes again, sniffling loudly, "I was going to Herbology to make up a lesson. In the Entrance Hall, he began insulting me…(sniffle) then he grabbed me when someone was coming down the...(sniffle) stairs and shoved me into the Great Hall, where he was saying that his father wasn't happy that he was third of his class, under Seto and me. That we were in his way and he was going to get rid of me…(sniffle) and…and…" she broke out again. Seto put his arm around her, in a warm embrace, and it calmed her slightly, until Professor Sprout re-entered the office with Malfoy, her wand at the ready and his wand in her other hand.

"…and, Ms. Granger?" asked McGonagall,

Hermione looked at Malfoy from the corner of her bloodshot eyes and said, wiping away her tears, "he…(sniffle) tried to kill me…" The tears returned, and she buried her face in Seto's arms. Still the color of Ron's hair, attempted to soothe her, but it didn't work.

"What!" Professor McGonagall quickly got up from her seat and strode over to Malfoy, a look of pure anger on her face, "Mr. Malfoy...HOW DARE YOU JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF A STUDENT HERE! I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED! ONCE THE HEADMASTER GETS BACK FROM THE MINISTRY, OH YES, YOUR FUTURE HERE WILL BE EXTREMELY DEBATABLE!" Professor McGonagallseemed to calm a bit befre continuing, "Until then, I take away every single house point from Slytherin, ban you from the Slytherin team, and…oh forget that! The Slytherin team is no longer able to compete for the Quidditch Cup! You are to hand over your wand, now. Give it to me!"

"Ah, here it is, Minerva." Sprout gave McGonagall the wand.

"Oh, Professor McGonagall," said Umbridge entering the room, "you don't have the authority to ban the Quidditch team," she said, triumphantly, "it is only by the power of the Hogwarts High Inquisitor and the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore."

"Professor Dumbledore is unable to be here at the current moment, so I am the Headmistress at the time, Dolores. This boy was caught trying to kill a student and you are – Ms. Granger!"

Seto then realized that Hermione was no longer crying into his drenched sleeve. She was staring at Umbridge with hate clearly written on her face. She stood up.

"This is all your fault!"

"Ms. Granger, I think your hysterical," said Professor Umbridge calmly walking toward her, "obviously, Mr. Malfoy is the guilty one here, not me. Now come, I'll take you for a calming potion…"

(Warning! Seto's gonna unleash a lot o' steam! If you can't handle it, scroll up!)

"No! She's right!" Seto said, striding forward. "You teach Defense Against the Dark Arts and what do you do for a class? Read a book, take notes on the theory! Wonderful! We can learn the definition of a shield charm, but what good is it if you don't know how to cast it?"

"Now, Mr. Kaiba, calm yourself, or I may take points from Gryffindor…"

Seto was now right in front of Professor Umbridge, "You teach the class that is supposed learn how to protect oneself against dark magic, or in attacks. However, you teach us to read and take notes. What kind of class is that? If you don't teach us how to protect ourselves, then you shouldn't teach at all!"

"MR. KAIBA!" shouted Umbridge, "50 points from Gryffindor! I want you to return to Gryffindor Tower immediately!"

"No! I'm not going anywhere! You can take all the points from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff AND Ravenclaw away, but I'm not moving. We're in the middle of a WAR, Umbridge! What's going to happen to all of the seventh years in this school who graduate, and for the last two, most important years of their education, were stuck reading a stupid book in Defense Against the Dark Arts, and expect to help the Wizarding World win a war, but can't because they can't protect themselves. What's going to happen when Death Eaters arrive at their house for a good kill, but they can't protect their loved ones? Family a good distance will say, "Yea, Hermione Granger, the smartest witch of her year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was killed in a Death Eater attack, the only reason she died was because her DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS teacher didn't teach any defensive spells…NOOOOO, she taught that if one understood the theory, they can cast the spell. Do you know what you're doing? You're making the graduates of this school this year, and even last year easy Voldemort prey. There go a bunch of futures, right out the door!"

"Well, it is true!" Umbridge argued, "if one understands the theory…"

"FORGET THE DAMN THEORY!"

"DETENTION, MR. KAIBA! Treat your teachers with a little more respect! My office, now." Umbridge turned to leave.

"You can put me in detention for the rest of the year, hell, even the entire summer, but you won't find me there," Seto growled, in a very menacing tone, sending shivers up Umbridge's spine. "I'm not going to your detention to have me write lines when I'm here to support someone I happen to care about who was almost killed!"

"150 POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR! NOW GET IN MY OFFICE OR IT WILL BE ALL OF THEM!

"No."

"Is this a bad time?" Professor Dumbledore strode in, a quirkygrin on his face,"I must say, Mr. Kaiba, this is quite an argument. I heard you three floors down."

"Headmaster, this boy is jeopardizing the ability for Gryffindor to win the house cup, the ability for his team toplay for the QuidditchCup, AND his future here in the school – "

"Well, if Gryffindor doesn't win, Slytherin won't either…"

"SILENCE, KAIBA!" yelled Umbridge, "this boy has received detention, is unwilling to attend, and is shouting out upright nonsense…"

"IT IS NOT UPRIGHT NONSENSE, YOU JUST WON'T ADMIT THAT YOU'RE TOO STUBBORN TO LISTEN TO THE TRUTH!" Seto shouted loudly. Malfoy, who was on the complete other side of the room, guarded by Professor Sprout, could still hear his ears ringing.

"Mr. Kaiba," said Dolores Umbridge, threateningly, "get in my office, now!"

"And what if I don't? You're going to take all of the house points away, ban me from the House team, give me detention 'till I rot? Please, there's a million things I'd rather do."

"Well, maybe I will!"

"I'd like to see you try!"

"Seto," Hermione pleaded, "it's not worth – "

"No, Hermione. It is. It is worth it. This is our future. Either we learn to defend ourselves, or randomly on the street, we end up going down without a fight."

"Ah, I see what this is about," Dumbledore said, "but the original debate was about something completely different, wasn't it?"

"Yes," declared McGonagall, and for a moment, Hermione forgot she was there. "Ms. Granger was attacked and this matter needs to be settled."

"Hermione," said Dumbledore calmly, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, "tell me what happened."

By now, Hermione's tears had ended. "Malfoy... tried to kill me. He…almost muttered the entire curse. But of course, if I was able to protect myself from the start," she said, glaring at Umbridge, "it may not have happened. But it did. And I almost died."

"And am I right that Seto here saved your life?"

She nodded.

"Then, may I ask, Dolores, what you and Mr. Kaiba are arguing about?"

"The only thing I am trying to put across is that Professor Umbridge should change her teaching methods.

"My teaching methods are perfectly fine!"

"APPARENTLY NOT, SINCE SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, WASN'T ABLE TO BE DONE BECAUSE OF YOUR CLASS."

"MR. KAIBA! HOLD YOUR TONGUE!"

Umbridge was breathing heavily. She put the most menacing face she could and looked straight up into Seto's hard glare, which looked a lot scarier than hers.

"Mr. Kaiba," threatened Umbridge. "Go to my office and wait for me there. We need to talk."

"About what? As far as I know, we're talking right now."

"We need to talk about your detention…"

"What detention?"

"The detention I administered to you fifteen minutes ago."

"Oh yes," said Seto, nodding, looking at the ceiling "the detention about my opinions…"

"That's right."

"Then you have to give detention to Hermione too, after all, she started it by blaming the incident on you."

"Yes, but she didn't say anything beyond that."

"I see how it is. Hermione was about to die, and she couldn't do anything about it. Meanwhile, because the two of us had a private lesson of make-up work from February, I was able to save her life, and you are giving me detention for doing a good deed. Uh huh…you can discuss your detention with yourself, because I'm not going."

"What!"

"You heard me, you toad! Instead of giving the innocent bystander with an average opinion detention, why don't you take all of the house points from Slytherin, ban MALFOY from the house team, and give MALFOY detention for the rest of his sludgy life!"

"Hey! My life isn't sludgy!"

"YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!" shouted Umbridge and Seto at the same time.

"If I may, you two," said Professor Dumbledore, interrupting the latest shouting match, "while you were arguing, Mr. Malfoy's punishment has been decided."

"Has it?" asked Seto, forgetting for a minute that Dumbledore and McGonagall had indeed been talking quietly.

"Yes, you two may return to Gryffindor Tower. Now, Ms. Granger, if another student threatens you again, come straight to me. The Password is 'Earwax'. Now, Dolores, as much as you would like to continue your argument, it is rather late. Seto, Hermione, off you go and your Herbology lesson will be next Saturday immediately after lunch. Mr. Malfoy, you may go as well. Your wand will remain with me at all times, until your hearing."

Hermione could have sworn she saw Malfoy wink at Umbridge as he left, and thought she saw Umbridge wink back.

"Thank you," said Hermione, climbing into the Portrait hole. "If you didn't pass the Entrance Hall, I…"

"It's alright, 'Mione. If I were Yugi, Harry, Ron, Ryou, Marik, we all would help a friend."

Before he knew it, she flung her arms around his neck, tearsstreaming down her cheeks,"thank you…"

Seto turned beet red again, just after the redness had finally faded. "It's all right now, Malfoy can't hurt you anymore."

"When he left, I saw him wink at Umbridge, as if everything was fine and dandy, and she returned the favor. There's something up between them…but what?" She yawned, "I'm going to bed. Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow after a nights sleep. Night."

Seto watched her go up the girls' stairs.

Something between Umbridge and Malfoy. If that's true, this isn't over and I have a feeling my row with Umbridge didn't end just yet…

Later, Seto was downstairs by the still going Gryffindor fire, in a pair of white flannel pajamas, on his laptop, in one of the comfy red chairs.

"Are you still up?"

Hermione came down the girls' dorm stairs, in pale blue pajamas.

"Couldn't sleep?" Seto guessed, and she shook her head. She sat on the soft couch near the fire. "I'm scared…Malfoy is still in the school until his hearing…but…what about Crabbe and Goyle? He had them there with him! Those two got off free! What if he has them do something to me to get his way!" Her eyes were glistening again. "I'm frightened." She was trembling from head to toe.

Seto sighed, and saved his work, closing the lid on the computer. He sat next to her, "nothings going to happen to you…Malfoy won't harm you anymore. If Crabbe and Goyle think they can do their buddy's lazywork, their sadly mistaken."

"Well…what if…"

"I won't let them, 'Mione. I'm not going to sit here and let you go through the ordeal all over again. No way, not again."

"Really?"

"I won't let anyone hurt you. Not anymore. Not Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Professor Umbridge, not anyone."

She nodded, smiling a bit.

"One more thing," he said turning to her, "about that night at the manor over the Christmas holidays…the kiss you gave me…"

Hermione turned beet red. "Oh, erm…Seto…um…" she noticed, he too, had a red tinge to his face and it wasn't because of the fire.

"Hermione…I'm not sure how to say this…but…erm…I…uh…(Seto's stammering'! Quick! Get it on film!)…I don't want to see you get hurt anymore, 'Mione, …I…I love you," he blurted quickly, his face going redder, and redder, and redder by the second. (Yep, my sad attempt at romance!)

"Does this mean what I think it means, from what Marik told me, you were no softie except to Mokuba, you've lightened up!" she teased, kissing his cheek. (Once again! I am not the best romance writer! Don't sue me if you hate it!) She yawned and leaned against him. Seto took his wand from the table next to the couch, now holding his laptop and conjured a blanket. He wrapped the blanket around her and took out a book from his bag, and would have read it, but became tired, and fell asleep, right then and there, curled up on the couch, both of them laying together under the blanket.

Here I go thought Lucius, I'm going to talk to a snake… He walked over to Nagini, who was digesting a mouse.

"Err…Nagini, um, your master never returned from his duel at Hogwarts…and um…I don't think I'll be able to care for you every day, although the Dark Lord did request it…"

"No need, Lucius…" Voldemort was in his chair, and waved a hand so Lucius could tell he was even there, as the chair hid him completely from view.

"My Lord!" exclaimed Lucius, "You're back! But how?"

"The blast from the Millennium Sword didn't kill me, only weakened me, which is fortunate. I used the Shadow Realm to escape just in time.How did your son do on his first mission?"

Lucius grimaced, "he failed to kill Granger although Professor Umbridge was coaching him the way through. He was caught by Seto Kaiba. While in one of the Professor's office, he and Umbridge had a good row, although Dumbledore ended it.

"Hmm…double your son's training. Move on to 'the deed', but he still has to complete what he failed."

"Yes, sir."

Soon, Potter. You will be mine!
After inspecting Professor Trelawny's class for the umpteenth time, Umbridge headed to her fire, holding a bunch of powder in her fist. Everyone thinks I'm with the Ministry…who needs them!

"Knockturn Alley!"

She tumbled out of the fireplace, quite painfully, as she fell onto her head with a loud bonk.

"Ouch," she muttered.

"Ah, Dolores! Good to see you again!" greeted Borgin, from the back of his shop. "The Ministry's been here awfully often, looking for all sorts. I've had enough. Wish the Dark Lord would finish off the entire Ministry in one shot, nosy fools. It would do us all a favor."

"Maybe," said Umbridge, "May I ask where I might find Lucius Malfoy?"

"Why don't you ask Draco, his son? You teach him, don't you?"

"My dear, Borgin, it would give away my cover! He may already know my true allegiance, but if certain students found that I've been spending time with students for more than extra help, it would be suspicious, especially, during the war and all. Everyone thinks my loyalty lies within the Ministry of Magic!"

"Well then, you can contact Lucius…"

An old man was barely able to stay balanced on his broom as he flew up to the Astronomy Tower. Getting off he was barely able to stand. Students under an invisibility cloak were foot-visible as they ran into the tower.

"Petrificus Totalus!" It caught the two by surprise and they fell stiff like wood under the cloak. The old man was very weak, on his knees, and breathing heavily. Another entered the Astronomy Tower, and it looked like Draco Malfoy.

"No, Draco," said the old man, "you won't carry it out. You won't do it."

"Shut up!" yelled Draco, "of course I will!" He raised his wand and blasted the elderly man's wand off of the tower. The old man seemed to be reminding Malfoy of something, as it had a powerful effect on the boy as Malfoy began to tremble. More Death Eaters entered the Tower, along with Snape, his wand outstretched.

"Do it, Draco," shrieked a female servant of Voldemort.

Malfoy was still trembling.

"Severus, please," pleaded the old man. Snape raised his wand. "Severus…please…don't do this!"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Harry sat up quickly in bed. Oh man. No more donuts with Dobby after midnight. Was that a dream or a vision of something to come? Everything was so strange! Who was the old man? Who did Snape kill? What was Malfoy going to do?

Only time will answer Harry's questions.

Well, that's all here! Yep, I'm sick. Sick, sick, sick, sick, sick. A fever finally got off, but now there's the cold that won't go away. Forget week by week. All of the chapters are finished, revisions made, and all are in the Document Manager. I'm guessing that by August 15, the story willl be done. Then I'm going to try and finish up my unfinished fics and then the sequel to this...the title is still up in the air.

See ya next time!

Michelle