The classroom was empty and devoid of any life, save for the rigid woman sitting at her desk and writing something down. The feather of her quill pen fluttered with her quick, precise movement, the morning sunlight reflecting brilliant colors off of the peacock feather. Yuugi knocked before entering. "Professor McGonagall?"

"Good morning, Mr. Motou. Won't you come in?" She asked, not looking up from her work.

He walked in slowly, taking in every detail of the room. The blackboards were covered in what looked like physics formulas, equations battling with diagrams for attention. "May I ask where everyone is?" He inquired.

"This is my prep hour. Spectators are noisy and bothersome. This will be done much more quickly and painlessly without a babbling class to watch." She put her pen into her ink well, sat back, and folded her hands. "How much, precisely, do you know of transfiguration, Mr. Motou?"

Yuugi rubbed his hands together as he thought hard. "Well...I've never had much use for it. I usually just summon whatever I need, rather than transform what I have. But...I'll give it a go with whatever you throw at me."

McGonagall's harsh eyes looked at him sternly. "How do you mean, 'summon?'"

Yuugi bit his lip. Yami usually summoned things from the Shadow Realm. He decided to counter her question, and make it look silly, if he could. "How do most wizards summon things?" At this, he perked an eyebrow in question.

The professor didn't reply right away. "Very well, Mr. Motou." Mentally, he wiped away a bead of sweat. One bullet dodged! She took a plain, white ceramic goblet and set it on the table. "Turn this into a raven, if you would."

Yuugi felt his mind go numb. Make an inanimate object into a living creature? Not possible. Was she expecting it to be real? "You realize," Yuugi started, "that it won't be a real raven. It'll just be...I don't know how to say it...pretend. The magic will imitate, but it won't be real."

"Is this supposed to surprise me, Mr. Motou?"

He frowned. He supposed not. "All right." Raising his hands, he pulled on Shadow magic and wove it around the goblet, as if he were a seamstress at a loom, and concentrated on taking every molecule from the goblet and changing it into magic. Alter the pigment...expand on the shape...and string up the vocal chords so the magic could simulate the cry of a bird...

In a few moments, he was done. A gorgeous black raven sat on the instructor's desk, ruffling its feathers as it preened.

McGonagall wiped the shocked look off of her face quickly. "Well, I'd heard about the use of no wand from you before, Mr. Motou, but until now I was hard pressed to believe it. However, as much as I appreciate your ability, you are here to learn wizard magic. I expect you to use your wand whenever you can, do I make myself clear?"

Yuugi felt put out. Why the hell use a wand when it wasn't needed! "Fine," he muttered. "What's next?"

She slapped a huge hunk of marble on the desk. "Transfigure this into a cup of wine."

Yuugi pulled out the wand. The gold glimmered in the sunlight, shining eerily with a life of its own. This wand really makes me nervous. He concentrated again, and this time added a 'swish and flick' with the wand.

There was a puff of smoke and a spark of electricity, and after the swirling gray gas disappeared it left behind a wine glass. The color of the marble still decorated the outside of it, and inside a dark brown liquid sat still and smelly. "A partial transfiguration, with ale instead of wine. Good try, Motou. You're right about where the fifth years should be. I have a feeling you'll catch up quickly. You'll have classes with me every morning second period. Thank you, and I suggest you hurry on to your next class."

Well...that was quick, and in reality rather painless. Yuugi knew she could have made it a lot worse than she did.

Walking out of the classroom, he pulled the schedule sheet out of the pocket of his robe, and looked down at it. Charms...this ought to be easy...

xxx

Yuugi collapsed on the couch in the common room, his arms exhausted from carrying too many books. Some of the teachers had decided to weigh him down with more references than he felt he truly needed. Some were amazed at his abilities- potions had gone so well Yuugi was certain Severus nearly smiled at him. After getting past the creepy factor, Yuugi could concentrate on Herbology and Divination.

He was tired, and Yami, who had been listening and observing and helping him all day, and finally started snoring in the back of his mind. Now Yuugi couldn't get the vibrations to cease within his skull. "Uuugh," he groaned.

"Tired?" Harry asked him, working on a paper for one of his classes at a table.

Yuugi put his hands to his temples. "I'm exhausted, and now Yami won't quit snoring."

Hermione did her best to hold back her giggle. She didn't do very well.

Getting up without great effort, Yuugi trudged upstairs. "I'm going to bed. I'll see you guys in the morning."

"'Night," they all replied.

The room was dark, as most people were still downstairs. The evening wasn't really that late, but he was tired. He wanted to make sure he got enough sleep for the next day.

At least he didn't have any homework tonight. He would tomorrow, as some of the classes he went to would actually be the 'first' day of class. There were only a couple more that he'd have to test first to see where he was in skill level. Yuugi was positive that he didn't want to take arithmancy, but it was Yami's favorite subject. So long as the spirit would do the homework, Yuugi would take it. He was definently going to take Care for Magical Creatures, and Transfiguration he was already signed up for. Potions would be easy, Charms was...well...charming, and he was required to take Defense Against the Dark Arts. The History of Magic class would be done as a kind of 'self-driven' class, as he wouldn't be showing up for lectures, since he didn't have the time. It was required, though, so he would be given the assignments from the teacher, and turn them in as soon as he got them done. Herbology and Divination were out of the question. He just didn't have the time.

:Yami...are you awake at all:

:Yes, love, a little. What's wrong:

Yuugi sighed, pulling the curtains closed around his bed. :I love you.: He laid down, burying his head in his pillows.

The bed groaned as the spirit solidified next to him. Yuugi felt arms wrap around him warmly. :I miss you.:

:I know, Yuugi. I'm still trying to find a way to get us home. I think...:

Yuugi rolled over, gazing into those endless ruby eyes. :You think what:

He sighed a little, rubbing his nose against Yuugi's. :I think the Duel Monsters know how to get us home. I just need to figure out a way to communicate with them properly to do so.:

Elation filled his heart. :Oh, I certainly hope so! When did you realize this:

:The Dark Magician came and found me during our lunch break. He seemed like he'd been looking for us. Don't worry, love, I'll get us home. Just be patient.:

Yuugi kissed his darkness deeply. :As long as you're with me, I have all the patience I need.: With that, Yami started to fade away again. Yuugi felt a little helpless, not wanting to lose the spirit's touch so quickly. :Please: He cried. :Stay with me a little longer.: He held on to Yami's waist tightly.

His resolve faded. :All right, aibou. I'll make myself invisible to others who might see me, and I'll stay with you.: He just hoped that there wasn't anyone that could see past his cloaking device.

Yuugi smiled as Yami slipped underneath of the covers with him. :Thank you.:

Yami kissed him again, holding him close. :I love you.:

xxx

The days passed into weeks, and weeks into a month, and then two. Halloween was coming around again, and so was the time to visit Hogsmead.

Yuugi stood in front of Professor McGonagall, his stance stiff as he summoned up with will to argue with her. He knew he would have to argue, too, for he knew her temperament by now all too well. "Professor McGonagall?" He asked her.

She looked up from her desk. It was after class, and she had expected everyone to be gone by now. "Can I help you, Mr. Motou?"

"I would like to go to Hogsmeade when the other students are allowed to."

"No, Mr. Motou. That is out of the question. You are hiding right now from the Ministry of Magic. Not to mention the fact that you have no signature from a guardian stating that you can go."

"And who's my guardian?"

"Hogwarts faculty."

Yuugi was getting annoyed. "Surely you've been told of the thief from my world that is on the loose."

"Yes," was her curt reply. "All the more reason to keep you here."

Yuugi felt Yami pushing for control, and gave it to him. "Stupid woman," he spat. "I am the only one that stupid tomb raider hasn't been able to defeat, and my hikari is the only one that will be able to reason with Ryou. We need this opportunity to go looking for him."

Yuugi couldn't remember if McGonagall knew about Yami or not, but she was sure to found out now. Speaking of which...the professor's face was colored with rage. "How dare you speak to me that way, Motou."

"I'm not Yuugi, Professor. I'm Yami, his darkness."

Minerva looked at those deep red eyes hard. "Dumbledore told me about you. You'd better listen well. I don't care how old you are, you have no right to speak to me that way."

"And you have no right to keep me here when I can be doing something useful out there."

"No. You must stay here."

Yami snorted. "Hn. Not likely. Just try to stop me. See if you can. I will warn you now: we are going to Hogsmead. We are going to find Bakura. If you don't let this happen, I promise you now, more than Hogsmead is going to suffer a brutal death. Bakura is not to be trusted right now. Only Ra himself knows what he's up to, and whatever it is, it's not pretty."

McGonagall started writing down some more notes. "Stop overdramatizing, spirit. This is nonsense."

Irate anger. That's what he felt at the moment. "Fine, Professor. Have it your way." At this, he lifted his open palm in her direction. "Why don't you take a look at my hikari's memory? You might find this information will sway your opinion."

The night was dark, the moon barely a sliver in the void of the sky. The air was thick with screams. The sounds shivered up and down his spine, the pain of the victims nearly tangible. Yuugi ran down the alley as quickly as he could. Ryou warned him something like this would happen. How could he have let it slide like this? Why hadn't he done something sooner?

He knew he was close when his feet ran alongside bloody footprints. The smell of the red liquid rank of copper and left a foul taste on his tongue. He stopped short when he saw the person pinned against a wall, a shadowy figure holding him up and laughing insanely. "Baura!" Yami shouted. "Let them go!"

The head of the figure turned, a lock of hair falling into the glow of the street light. It shimmered with white, a dilated ice blue eye regarding him passively. The man laughed. "Shut up, pr-Aa wxA." He laughed at his own insult. "Can't you see I'm playing a game? Surely you can appreciate that."

"He's nearly dead," Yami barked. "Stop torturing him and let him go!"

Bakura just kept laughing, plunging his fist deeper inside of the man's stomach. The screaming turned into a loud gurgle.

No! Yami felt Yuugi pull away from him, separating into his own body. He ran off into the shadows of the alley, far into a space that he hadn't noticed before. "Ryou!" Yuugi cried. "Are you all right?"

"Don't you touch him!" Bakura spat, throwing shadow energy his way.

Yami's apprehension turned to anger, and he called the energies back to himself. The Shadow Realm obeyed him, after all, above all others. "Damn it, thief!" Losing his patience, he drew a card out of his deck holster and threw it in the white haired man's direction. Bakura shouted out in anger when a shadow spell threw him against the opposite wall and locked him in place, the chains icy and hard.

Yuugi was picking up Ryou who was still coughing on the ground. "What happened?" He asked. "Yami and I felt shadows suddenly fill up half of the city! Hundreds of people could have been hurt!"

Ryou had blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. He glanced at his darkness that was struggling against his constraints. "That man...he was going to..." he stopped, coughing again. There were bruise marks all over his neck, revealing signs of strangulation. "To rape me," he gasped out. "Bakura went mad. More so than usual, at least..." Yuugi helped him up, walked him towards Yami, and presented him to Bakura, who was still fighting against the chains and screaming profanities and death threats.

"Do you see this?" Yuugi yelled. "Do you see what's happened to him? You're playing in someone's blood and your host is lying on the ground in pain!"

Bakura snarled, enlarged canines looking menacing. "Get your hands off of him! He's mine!"

"Someone had to help him up! You were ignoring him!"

"No!" he argued. "I was saving him! He's mine! I always save him!"

"Yami...please..." Ryou gasped. His throat felt like it was on fire. "Stop..."

Those icy eyes looked down at the pathetic form, and suddenly his struggling ceased. "Why didn't you tell me to stop?" he asked, confusing and shock slowly attempting to color his words.

Ryou shook his head. "Couldn't...couldn't get through...your thoughts so...crazed...you couldn't hear me..." he started coughing again.

Yami removed the chains with the flick of his wrist, and Bakura tumbled to the ground. Yuugi stepped away as he ran to embrace his lighter half. Ryou just shook his head, tapping on the ring hanging around his neck. "Back inside," he pleaded.

Bakura bowed his head, but complied. He vanished into thin air. Yami returned to Yuugi's body as well. Somehow, they had to find a way to calm the spirit's warped mind, or the next time Ryou was threatened, an entire city just might go up in shadows...

Yami stepped away, watching as the glazed expression left the professor's eyes, only to be replaced with shock. "Now do you understand?" he asked her. "We have to find him, and we're the only ones that can. We're the only ones with magic strong enough to counter him." He thought for a moment. "And the only ones stable enough," he added, thinking of Malik.

"I've never seen magic like that before," she commented. "What was it?"

Yami had no intention of letting her know. "It's mine. Now, will you let us go? Or are we going to have to force ourselves through?"

"I...will have to talk with Dumbledore, but I'm sure there won't be any problem in letting you go."

Yuugi felt himself pushed back into control. McGonagall watched as his eyes went back to their normal violet. "Good. I'm glad to hear it." And with that, he left.

xxx

"You got McGonagall to let you go?" Ron asked bewildered.

"Yep," Yuugi responded. "You just have to know how to talk to her."

"Spill," Harry said. "Whatever method you've found to get sense into McGonagall, spill! We've been trying for years to get her to listen!"

"I think it was something shady," Hermione said. "McGonagall has never been one for rash decisions. Why on earth would she let you go? It's too dangerous!"

"Worry wort," Yuugi replied, taking a bit of the chicken from his plate. Dinner was probably his favorite time of day. "We'll be fine. We know how to take care of ourselves."

"I still don't know if I'll ever get used to you always referring to yourself as 'we'," Ron stated. "It's just weird."

"Yeah, our friends back home would always say that, too," Yuugi replied. He finally decided that he was full. "Well, I'm done. I'll see you guys back upstairs, if you're still going to eat."

"Yeah, okay, see you," Harry said, grabbing some pudding since the table had now been replaced with dessert.

He got up and walked out of the Grand Hall. He had a lot of homework to get to, and really wanted to get a head start before the rest of the House decided to take up residence in their favorite chairs in the common room.

Just as he was about to set foot of the first stair, a voice behind him called his attention back. "Well, if it isn't the little orphan boy from Madame Milken's. Haven't seen much of you around this year, shrimp."

Yuugi felt the vein above his left eye twitch with annoyance. If there was one thing he hated more than anything else, it was bullies. He turned around, allowing Yami to take over. "Is there anything I can help you with?" the Pharaoh asked annoyed.

Draco's goons Crabb and Goyle cracked their knuckles behind him. "I see you've befriended the freaks."

Yami shook his head. "I don't have time for this. I've got arithmancy to do. Have a pleasant evening." He turned around to walk back upstairs.

"Coward!" Malfoy taunted.

Coward indeed. Yami grinned when a stroke of genius hit him. "All right, fine, I'll bite." He turned back around, leaning nonchalantly against the railing of the stairs. He grinned ferally. "What do you say we play a little game?"

Malfoy grinned maliciously. He got the response he was looking for. "Games are for children."

Yami licked his canines. He really, really wanted a good game right now. "These are the rules. The first one to scream is the loser. If I win, I am allowed to deal you a penalty game. Everything clear?"

Draco laughed. "Crystal." This was going to be too easy!

Yami grinned seductively. "Good." He could feel his heart pound with happiness and excitement as he allowed the Shadows to creep into the corners, crawl across the floor, and stretch out over the ceiling. "Here is your first test," he said.

Draco's eyes became wide when he saw just how dark it was becoming. No, it was just a spell to scare him. He laughed. "You think a little darkness is going to scare me?"

Yami chuckled richly. "Oh, no, it's not the darkness you should be worried about."

Crabb and Goyle watched as a purple ball of fluff pounced its way up to Draco. The blonde boy laughed, nudging at the Kuriboh with his foot. "Is this supposed to scare me?" He picked it up and looked at it, laughing.

"Things are not always as they appear," Yami spoke.

Suddenly, the Kuriboh narrowed its wide green eyes, then opened up a mouth it didn't appear to have at first. A huge mouth riddled with large, jagged teeth hissed at him. Draco gasped, dropping the duel monster and kicking it away.

Yami frowned, kneeled, then picked up the quivering purple mass as it rolled up to his feet. "Oh, that wasn't very nice at all." He stood up, running his hand over the monster as he pet it. "My pets are now angry at you."

Malfoy hadn't noticed until now just how thick the darkness around them was. He froze with terror when something red and shiny slithered out in front of Yami and wrapped itself around him. It looked like...it couldn't be...

Massive jaws, one set stacked upon the other, opened wide, long and sharp and bright. The dragon crouched by its owner, poised to strike. Osiris the Sky God roared at him loudly, licking at its long teeth.

Malfoy screamed.