YD: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

HS: I just didn't know where to go with this story, that's why I left it! I don't know who would be the antagonist! I still don't know who's going to be the antagonist now…

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Yuugiou. Don't sue.

Chapter three

It had been exactly two months since they had bumped into Harry. In that time, the three friends had crammed five years worth of knowledge in their brains. Malik had done so reluctantly. Ryou was the most eager.

After they had met the professors and learned what they taught, it was time for school to begin. September first had descended upon them like vultures to a carcass. The school term was about to begin.

Ryou, Malik, and Yuugi stood amongst the nervous first-years. They had declined being Sorted when they arrived; instead they requested being Sorted with everyone else. Professor Granger stepped forward with a list in her hand and an old, ragged hat in the other. She set the hat down and waited.

"My little friends
A new year begins
Don't look so glum
I know this year will be lots of fun
Something big will happen this year
Make sure you're not quaking in fear
This new threat will test everyone
The spectacle is sure to stun
Be warned, take heed
The Shadows are soon to be freed
Good luck, stay cool
Keep your wits and you'll be nobody's fool
My job is to split you up
I confess, it's all a setup
Should you go to Gryffindor, where they are extremely loyal?
Should you go to Slytherin, where it's all one for oneself?
Should you go to Ravenclaw, where they are sharp and quick of wit?
Should you go to Hufflepuff, who are kind and gentle?
I do not want to split you up like so
But it is my job; it was set for me long ago
So try me on and I'll tell you which House you belong to
Remember my warning and let the Sorting begin, thank you"

A few people looked wary of the hat now that it had delivered its message. The Headmaster looked especially concerned as he kept glancing at the hat every now and then. Professor Granger stepped forward and grasped the tip of the hat.

"Aemire, Rhima"

A tall black-haired girl with dark brown eyes stepped forward. Her posture was relaxed but her eyes told a different story. From her eyes, you could tell she was scared. Rhina sat down on the stool and the Professor placed the hat on her head.

"Hmm… Good mind… Ravenclaw!"

Rhina smiled brightly and joined the Ravenclaws at their table. Everyone clapped politely.

Soon Zhanis, Seshara was sorted into Gryffindor. The only people left were Yuugi, Ryou, and Malik. The three silently wished to be in the same House so they would not be split up by the rivalry. Headmaster Potter stood and gestured for silence.

"We have three new students who will join the six years." A rumble of confusion swept through the hall. Potter waited for quiet. "These three will be treated equally."

"Bakura, Ryou"

Ryou stepped forward and sat on the stood. He felt something probing his mind so he automatically tried to block it out.

'It's alright. No need for mind blocks. Tell me where you think you want to go.'

'I like Ravenclaw. They seem like nice people who enjoy learning.'

'Ravenclaw fits you. Very well then.' "Ravenclaw!"

Ryou smiled and joined Ravenclaw table. He waved to Malik and Yuugi. Malik flashed a thumbs-up sign, knowing very well that Ryou wanted to go to Ravenclaw. Yuugi smiled briefly before turning back to Granger.

"Ishtaru, Malik"

Malik glanced at Yuugi and he nodded encouragingly. The teen gulped and stepped toward Granger. He sat down and waited. It didn't take very long.

"…Slytherin!"

A flicker of worry flickered through his eyes. Malik and Ryou were now rivals and friends. That was never easy. However uneasy Malik was, he still walked steadily. He smiled at Yuugi and sat down at the Slytherin table.

"Mutou, Yuugi"

Yuugi closed his eyes briefly and took a breath. He stepped toward the sorting hat, all the while guessing which house he would be in, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin? He sat down and the hat was placed on his head. Surprisingly, his hair was silky soft and didn't make the hat stick up.

'You had a horrible past. From that, you are more wary of people. Very talented and smart too. Loyal to people who are loyal to you. Suffered much heartbreak… pity for a person so young.'

'Do NOT tell me anything of my past. Some things are better left forgotten.'

'My, my, what anger and hatred. You would go nicely in Slytherin.'

'Whatever. Just put me in a House and let's move along…'

"…Gryffindor!"

Yuugi was in complete and utter shock. He barely remembered getting off the stool and stumbling over to the Gryffindor table. All he could think of was that stupid hat had put each of them in separate Houses. He was completely isolated from his friends. His old instincts kicked in, making him wary of everyone and everything.

Dinner passed with Yuugi eating barely anything. He saw Ryou and Malik get up and walk out the room. Ryou winked at Yuugi, sending him a silent signal. Yuugi complied and stood. He followed his friends out of the Great Hall.

"This sucks, guys. We're all in different Houses and going to be split by the stupid rivalry. Slytherin really hates Gryffindor for some reason. I think it's bull." Malik complained. Yuugi relaxed a bit, knowing his friends wouldn't hurt him.

"I don't think I can go back. Good night, guys. I'll see you tomorrow, hopefully." Ryou and Malik watched as their smaller friend walked off in the direction of the Gryffindor common room.

"I'd better go too. Better to be unnoticed then to be constantly asked if I'm a girl or guy." Malik suppressed a laugh. Ryou mock glared at his taller friend. "Bye, Malik." He turned to the Ravenclaw dormitories, leaving Malik all by himself.

"Kuso…" Malik felt no need to go back to the Great Hall. Instead, he slowly walked toward the Slytherin common room. He never noticed the shadow following him.

In the common room, (Yuugi had already known the password) Yuugi sat down in front of the window, watching the darkness outside. He saw the full moon and could faintly hear the howl of an animal. When the Gryffindors came in, they stayed away from the boy. Everyone, except for a foolish idiot.

Amir Saedie was a fifth year idiot. He loved picking on smaller kids. Some people in Gryffindor wondered how he had ever made it to their House. As a result, not many people hung out with him. Amir was the outcast.

"Hello little boy." Yuugi mentally sighed. He reached out with his mind, tapping into his powers. This boy was going to hurt him.

"You baka. I'm sixteen."

"I don't give a damn." Amir grabbed Yuugi and turned him around. Yuugi internally winced. His wrist was going to be a bruise tomorrow. Amir was about to break the fragile wrist before his eyes caught sight of a pure-gold pendent around Yuugi's neck. It was kinda hard to miss.

"You can't have it." Yuugi said, noticing that Amir was distracted. He still held Yuugi's wrist in an iron grip so Yuugi had no intention of escaping.

"Fine." Without warning, Amir's other hand shot forward and yanked the middle piece out, the Eye. Yuugi felt like his senses were on fire. That Puzzle was his life. He screamed in pain. Amir dropped his wrist. Yuugi tried to fight off the darkness that was coming for him.

No one noticed that shadows were drifting from the gap in the Puzzle. No one noticed that Yuugi was in massive agony. Fire and ice ripped at him, both trying to get the upper hand. All in all, he was in agony.

"Malik… Ryou… help me…" Amir just stared at the boy. A crowd had gathered around Yuugi. No one knew what to do.

"What happened here?" A booming voice inquired. Everyone shrank back in fear. Yami Atemu was a very unpredictable person and didn't seem to care for anyone. Many wondered why he was in Gryffindor too.

"I just…" Amir faltered under that soul-searching crimson glare. He gulped and continued, "…I pulled a piece of the puzzle out." Yami held out a hand, obviously wanting the piece. Amir handed in over and shrank back. Yami turned back to the boy on the floor.

Yuugi was still lying on the floor in agony. The swords of fire and ice stabbed him continuously. His vision was getting darker. Red was all he could see. He tried to force words past his lips, succeeding for a while.

"Put… the puzzle piece… back in…" His voice was barely above a whisper but somehow, Yami heard him. Gently, the Eye fell into place. Immediately, the pain stopped. Yuugi gathered the last of his strength and looked up.

Violet, pain-filled eyes met the concerned stare of blood-red. Yuugi smiled and clutched the Puzzle to his chest, holding it protectively.

"Thank you." With one brief smile, Yuugi fell unconscious. Yami quickly caught the other before he hit the ground painfully. The crowd dissipated instantly, not wanting to make Yami angry.

Yami stared at the unconscious angel in his arms. For some reason, it felt so right. And why did he look so much like him? There were key differences but they did look the same.

No one noticed that the shadows still drifted.

"We have been locked up too long… We will get our revenge… We need time… We need a vessel…"

Up in his office, Harry Potter fell out of his chair in shock. Professor Granger cried out in pain and fell unconscious. Professor Malfoy felt a migraine developing. Professor Ronald Weasley clutched his stomach as if he was punched. Professor Ginny Weasley fell to ground, unconscious. All in all, something affected the professors of Hogwarts.

"We will have revenge!"

Inside himself, Mutou Yuugi screamed until his voice was hoarse. The Shadows had gotten free because of the incompetence of one fifteen year old boy named Amir Saedie. The power that Yuugi fought so hard to subdue was back and it wanted revenge.

Miles away, crimson eyes shot open…

To Be Continued

YD: I've finally decided on an antagonist.

HS: Thank the Gods, now this story will finally get somewhere!

YD: I'm terribly sorry for the slump, I just had no ideas. My co-authoress, Carmina continently forgot about helping me.

HS: I will never go three months without updating again!