Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh and Harry Potter or any of their affiliates.
A/N: Umm, I'm back. I know I've been gone for long enough and most readers would have thought that I've abandoned this fic. But no way. Anyway, without any more delay, I will now continue where I left off. And just like before, please read and enjoy.
Yami Bakura is normally referred to as just Bakura. His light is referred as Ryou.
Yami Yugi is normally referred to as Yami.
Chapter 8
The Uneven Journey
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After recovering from the shock of crossing into the enchanted Platform 9 3/4 and a short farewell and good luck wish from the members of the Order of Phoenix who had escorted them there (a teary one in Mrs. Weasley's case), Yugi, Ryou, Marik, together with Harry were now comfortably sitting inside their compartment at the back of the train. Ron and Hermoine, according to Harry were required in the prefect's compartment. Yugi did not find it surprising that Hermoine was a prefect (she was made for one), though he was a bit surprise to know that Ron was one too. He did not seem like the kind who was very rule-abiding. In fact, from the conversations he had had with him before, he sounded kind of rebellious.
Yugi couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief, while adjusting the position of his millennium puzzle into a more comfortable position. They had barely made it into their compartment, as there were so many students around. They were still sweating from forcing their way through the thick midst of people, and dragging trunks that were twice as heavy as themselves.
When Yugi, Ryou and Marik first arrived, they had quite a shock when they realized how many Hogwarts students there were. To think it was possible to hide this number from the non magical community, it was truly a great feat. How could anyone in the King Cross station not notice the sudden mass of all these people was way beyond his understanding. Aside those from muggle families, who at least knew how to dress properly and conduct themselves appropriately, most of those from wizarding community were downright bizarre. Some brought owls with them openly (like Harry, but he did use a cloth to cover it to avoid attention), some even carry their brooms and other magical objects openly as well.
And worse of all, they were already late from their morning fiasco. As if that was not bad enough, they had to endure some students staring at them like idiots and thus, blocking their way. Harry did warn him something like this was going to happen, but he did not expect it to be so bad. He knew that Harry was a famous figure in the magical world (Yugi was quite sympathized with him as Harry obviously loathed the attention), but them being with him made it a thousand times worse. His tri-colored hair as well as Ryou's absolute white weren't helping things at all.
He could hear some not-so-loud comments like;
"Oh my, he's short, but cute"
"Gosh, did you see that, their hair colors are so creative"
"That blonde guy looks weird, though rather hot!"
Yugi sneaked a mild glance in Marik's direction. The tomb keerper's visage was in a state of force calm, which clearly indicate he was still quite piss. Not long after they entered the platform, one of the students holding a broomstick, who was too busy staring at them, had nearly whacked Marik in the head with his carelessness. Luckily, Marik's own quick reflexes saved him from a headache. But that did not mean he was not peeved. Ryou and Harry (who had gotten hang of Marik's temper and impatience) quickly dragged him away before Marik could clout that guy's nose..
"Anyway, Harry", said Ryou suddenly while brushing his white bangs off his sweaty forehead, "how big Hogwarts really is? I mean, could it really accommodate so many of us?"
"Well, I don't know if you guys knew this, but Hogwarts is a castle, an incredibly large one", replied Harry, whose jet black hair was sticking to his skin as well. He had let his hair grown over the summer, which was now a lot longer than before.
This caught Marik's attention. "A castle? As in one in the fairy tale?", the boy with platinum blonde hair asked with curiosity, earlier anger forgotten.
"Yeah, you can say that", said Harry. "The place is really beautiful, you'll see once you get there. It's a rather extraordinary experience if it's your first time", he continued, grinning, thinking about the place he loved as home.
"Oh, that means there are plenty of corridors and grounds to explore, right?", asked Marik casually, adjusting the collar of his white sleeveless shirt to let some air in. But something about his tone immediately caught Yugi and Ryou's attention. Ryou shot him a warning look that Marik pointedly ignored. Yugi winced at the thought of what kind of mischief Marik could possibly had in mind.
"Why, you guys are looking as though expecting me to do something bad?", asked Marik, rolling his dark lavender orbs before Harry could answer, amusement lacing his tone. His annoying and mocking attitude was back in full force.
"Well, mind proving us wrong?", asked Ryou, deciding to use another approach instead.
But Marik was not dense. "Well, you shouldn't worry about me that much. I'm a natural, even if I'm in trouble, I've ways to get out of it. You should pay more attention to him (A/N: meaning Bakura) when we're there", Marik said before he could catch himself.
"Him?", asked Harry, who was always quick on the uptake. "You guys know anyone else in Hogwarts besides us?"
Oh shit, thought Marik.
Ryou glared at him sharply but Yugi quickly cut in. "He means me", he said, ignoring Yami's ranting about why he had to degrade himself.
"Oh", said Harry, his emerald orbs professed his confusion.
"Well, yeah", said Marik quickly, covering up for his mistake like a pro, and as always, at someone's else expense. "I mean, you might not know, but don't be taken in by Yugi's shy look, he's the one who trouble always follow with a capital T", Marik concluded 'seriously', earning a frown from Yugi .
Inside the Ring, Yami Bakura was snickering, obviously enjoying everything. Ryou pondered who he should be more mad with, his yami or his blonde-haired companion.
But luckily, Harry, though still slightly suspicious, decided to drop the subject for the moment and at Ryou's request, he proceeded to tell them about details he felt they needed to know before they reached Hogwarts.
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The journey was rather enjoyable. They were all pelting Harry with random and even stupid questions that came into their mind. Ryou also knew Yami Yugi was restless as machine did not work in places with this kind of magic. Though this did not bother the rest of them much. Also, Harry did not seem to mind their questions too, in fact he enjoyed telling them about Hogwarts. Ryou was now slightly keen to get there, as it sounded like such a magnificent place. It was also a place where he could start his life afresh, a point where he could finally withdraw himself from his bleak and obscuring past. The same could probably be said for Marik as well.
Much to his own surprise, though, Ryou was able to overlook his many worries for a while. To top it all, his Yami had not done or attempt anything that would spell trouble for him. Of course, he might be plotting something, but at least for now, he can put his mind at ease.
Even Marik looked serene, munching on his chocolate frog which they bought a while ago from a lady pushing a trolley. Yugi, meanwhile, was trying to get over the vomit flavor sweet he had eaten. Harry was asking him if he was alright, as Yugi had a pretty green look on his face. Ryou hoped he was not going to puke on them.
But this serenity could also be due to another reason. Anxiousness. Silent fear. Trepidation.
Panic had immediately assailed Ryou's mind when he realized how many students were going to Hogwarts. He was never used to big crowds. And to make matters worse, he, Yugi and Marik stood out so badly that everyone's eyes were locked onto them whenever they passed by. And one of their first friends was the wizarding world's major figure as well. This was like asking to be noticed when you obviously wanted to be ignored.
Ryou suddenly noticed that Harry was fidgeting in his seat opposite him, looking very worried. "What's wrong, Harry?" Ryou asked in concern.
"Oh, I er, just remember that I forgot to do my Potions homework, I'm suppose to do some research on some potions ingredients and write a report on them", groaned Harry, with an anxious look on his face. "I wouldn't have mind if it was any other subject, but Sanpe, who teach Potions, happened to hate me to the core"
"Hate you?", said Yugi in an incredulous tone. "Teachers aren't suppose to sh…"
Yugi was unceremoniously cut off by Marik, who had choked on his chocolate frog's head upon hearing the word homework.
"Homework? We have homework! You must be kidding me", said Marik, when he managed to swallow the rest of the frog.
"Erm, Marik, all students have homework. Isn't that obvious? You know, even normal schools" said Ryou, rolling his brown eyes.
Marik scowled. "I know that. But that stick….can you just wave it and get it done…? I mean, you know, when Ron's mum….."
Harry understood immediately and held back a laugh. Marik had seen Mrs. Weasley cooked and how with a mere wave of her wand, all the cutleries seemed to do their own job. Marik must have thought everything worked that way.
"It doesn't work that way, Marik", said Harry, trying not to laugh as he imagined the look Hermoine would have if she heard this "You can't do that with your homework", said Harry, though part of him wished it'd been how Marik thought. Then Snape's work would have been a piece of cake.
Marik groaned aloud. "Great, and here I thought the great thing about going to this magic school is you can have magic do everything for you"
"And that explains why you've the brain the size of a pea", said a drawling voice from the compartment door. Malfoy could be seen strutting in with his cronies.
Ryou's eyes widened as he recognized they were the guys his Yami had antagonized and immediately try to sank down in his seat as much as possible, trying to stay invisible. However, that was not an easy task when you're sitting beside Yugi, who was at least a head shorter than him.
"I don't remember inviting you here, Malfoy. Or are you so dense that you can't see you're not wanted here?" said Harry coldly while standing up. Whenever he saw these guys, the incident in the Ministry of Magic would flash across his mind, and the image of Sirius too. It made his blood boil in an inexplicable way and it was all it could do to keep his hand off his wand.
"Shut up, Potter", said Malfoy, smirking at him. "As usual, you really do love associating with…mudbloods" His eye glance in Yugi and co.'s direction with a degrading look. From what he had gathered from their last 'meeting', it was rather obvious to Malfoy that these freaks were mudblood. And that blonde's last sentence just served to substantiate his theory.
His eyes narrowed when they landed on Ryou, the previous incident still fresh in his mind. It freaked him out just to think about it, though there was no way he would ever admit that. It was probably just some muggle trick they were playing on him. That white-haired boy looked so tame now that Malfoy can't help but wondered how he even managed to intimidate him in the first place. But it was payback time.
Marik could read what was going through that pale faced idiot's mind as easily as he could tell the difference between his friends and their Yamis. He could tell by just the way he glanced in Ryou's direction, thinking he was harmless and the previous incident was a fluke, just like how those with slow uptake would perceive. It was time to step in, though he was always in terms with Bakura, it'd be positively troublesome if the dark spirit ended up killing this idiot.
Marik stood up, joining Harry and in one swift step, he was in front of Malfoy, before he could even took a direction in Ryou's way. Yugi looked worry but Marik gave him a look that told him not to intervene. Marik had no intention of using the shadow magic. While they may be slow, but like that irritating pharaoh said, all of them, including Harry would pick up something if they continue to flaunt their magic carelessly.
"Well, for someone with such a thick skull, I was surprised you can come up with the pea size comment", said Marik, with a smirk that was both annoying and infuriating. "How long did you take to come up with it, huh?"
"As if you know anything, you nutcase. For someone who called a wand a stick", Malfoy retorted.
Marik burst into laughter. "Sorry, but for a moment I thought you're talking about yourself". "Of course, your hair look like it was highlighted"
"It is natural", cried Malfoy angrily. Yugi thought he really had to hand it to Marik, he could easily get a rise out of anybody, which miraculously included even someone as stoic as Yami Yugi. Though of course, hearing Yugi's thoughts, the pharaoh immediately denied it.
"You people thought you're so smart, don't you? Just because you're hanging out with the famous Potter with that stupid scar. Well, I'll tell you. You have chosen the wrong side of this war. The Dark Lord is back, and you mudbloods and blood traitors will be the first to…"
Marik could feel a burst of anger beside him as Harry pulled out his stick, which was apparently wizards' form of weapon. It did not take a genius to figure out that whatever this Malfoy boy was bragging about, it obviously hit a nail with Harry. With every sentence he blurted out, Marik could feel a rise of hostility from his new wizard friend, until he could no longer contain that rage.
"Harry", Ryou said worriedly. "Don't take his words seriously. He's just trying to scare us". Of course, Ryou was not that sure what Malfoy was on about. He knew the dark lord must have meant Voldemort, the apparent spawn of devil in the wizarding world, who, from what he had heard, was no less evil than his darker self at his worst.
"Get out, Malfoy", said Harry, his voice shaking with something akin to hatred. The last of his self control was slipping with every moment. However, Malfoy had taken out his own wand from within his robes and said "Come on, then, Potter, if you even dare, that is"
As the taunt escaped Malfoy's mouth, Harry saw red. And to Marik's surprise, who had been expecting some light show he had witnessed before, watched as, in blinding speed, Harry's right fist made contact with Malfoy's face, sending the blonde sprawling into his cronies.
Malfoy, enraged, made for Harry with his cronies, blood pouring out of his nose like water out of a pipe. Harry obviously put quite some force into his punch. All wands went forgotten.
Marik cursed and reached for the pockets of his black jeans. Yugi almost flipped, thinking that Marik was going for the rod, but was stunned to see Marik pulling out his wand instead. What's he gonna do with that? He can't even cast a spell to save his life.
Malfoy jumped onto Harry and both of them went crashing down against the bench. Marik managed to stop both his cronies from jumping onto Harry, which would have no doubt crushed the skinny boy. However, one against two idiots the size of a gorilla wasn't always a good idea.
The three of them tangled on the ground near the compartment door. Marik barely managed to dodge a punch from Crabbe while he smashed his right elbows into Goyle's fat face with considerable force, which send him reeling. However, Crabbe's second punch caught him squarely on the jaw, drawing blood from his lips. Angrily, Marik shoved the stick in his hand into Crabbe's stomach as hard as he could, causing the boy to howl in agony. I knew I could find some use for it. However, his satisfaction was short-lived as Goyle grabbed him from behind in a deadlock. Marik cursed aloud.
Ryou watched in horror at the chaotic scene before him. A tingling sensation beside him alerted him to Yami Yugi's regal presence. His Yami was sleeping, not that he'd be of any help in this situation. Against his better judgment, Ryou tried to help Marik by prying Goyle off him before he died of suffocation. And to his own surprise, he managed to do so with his limited strength just as Marik took the opportunity to knee Goyle in the stomach. Still, Ryou was knocked from behind by Crabbe, sending him right into Marik and both of them fell unceremoniously in a heap, with him on top of his blonde comrade.
Yami Yugi swore at the childishness of the whole situation. Words fell on deaf ears. Harry managed to give Malfoy a black-eye while he himself had a bruised lip and a cut on his temple. Just as he was about to resort a bit of shadow magic, the compartment door opened again and this time, Ron and Hermoine entered, shock registered on every inch of their faces. Yami was glad that it was an ally this time.
Their arrival stopped all of them for a moment. Yami took the chance to pry Malfoy and Harry apart.
"What the hell's going on here?" asked Ron rhetorically, not that he needed any explanation. He looked as though he wanted to join Harry in pounding Malfoy.
But luckily, Hermoine took control of the situation. "Stop it, all of you. What were you thinking?"
Malfoy looked like he was going to snapped at her but Hermoine said in an authorative voice. "Malfoy, you're prefect. If you don't stop now, I'll report you to the Head Boy as well as Professor Dumbledore"
"That's right. Get out now, you're outnumbered anyway", said Yami Yugi, in a tone that was laced with annoyance and if possible, more authority than even Hermoine's. His ceremonial presence made more of an impact in the atmosphere in the room.
Malfoy quickly pulled himself out of Yami Yugi's grasp, while giving him a strange look. He motioned to his cronies to follow him.
"Well, just remember to watch out. Even Dumbledore can't protect you forever", he said scathingly before exiting the compartment.
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TBC
Ok, first of all, I've a question. What's the name of the creature that's pulling the Hogwarts carriage again, the one which you need to see someone dies to see it? Sorry, I'm in college now and I'm deprived off all my HP book. And how many of you agreed that Ryou, Yugi and Marik should all be able to see it?
Finally, this conclude another chapter. This chapter has more safe violence, before we all moved into a world full of magic violence. Or you can say it's a pre act before we moved into Hogwarts, where everything was going to begin.
Anyway, a big thanks to those who review my story, even during my absence (I know, I deserved whacking). Your reviews are what motivated me to produce this chapter now, when I'm clearly suppose to be studying for my chemistry test instead……
Also, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. And now that we're moving into Hogwarts, I'm quite opened to any ideas you want to contribute to help me move this story along, though I already outline my plot.
And finally, PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! It won't take long for you to press the submit button and wrote whether it's good or bad, right? Again, thanks for your time
