Harry Potter, the Half Blood Prince, and the Order of the Shadows
Summary: (HPxYGO) Based on the sixth book (Slight AU). Yugi, Ryou and Malik have been transferred to Hogwarts from Japan's Takazumiryu Magic School to be representatives of Japan in Hogwarts. As the members of the OotS they plan to find out more about Voldemort...
Disclaimer: I do not own any thing of YGO and HP in this fic (or food/drink merchandise or anything that are commonly known)...only part of the plot and OCs...parts of the text truly belong to J. K. Rowling from the book of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (I'll tell which parts)...
Mistakes yet again, I guess the letters got screwed up in the last chapter… I think I won't do any more 'wizard letters' for a moment and the emails kind of went whacked….well I won't be writing any more soon (only 1-3 chapters or so)….
AU Notes: This is the third chapter! Phew, a lot of thinking and research went into this chapter (and maybe the next?). The other day when I was thinking about how would Bakura and Ryou steal from the Ministry…I was like…'How can they?'…yep, my head was buzzing…
With the basic fact that now Scrimgeour is the Prime Minister he would be far more cautious than Fudge, plus the Death Eaters came to their premises a short while ago with Voldemort. This of course invites more heavy security…just wonderful… How am I going do that?
So, I asked my elder sister for an idea. She said to me, "Watch Ocean's 11. It's all 'full of thief work'." I did…and… wow… ideas started to pop out of my head!
So… (grins). This chapter is dedicated to my sister who gave me the idea and all who are reading this fic! Ocean's 11 inspired me doing this chapter!
PS: If you want to know more about this fic I would advise you to read my own feedback to the reviewers (officially at the end of a chapter in the next chapter, not this one). A certain review may be short or very short, but to me as the author they are valuable notes, which you can learn from to develop the story itself. So that's why even the shortest review can give you more ideas and lots of motivation! For any questions, I will try to answer or explain my ideas to the best of my ability.
To TheOldOne:
I'm not quite sure what you mean by if I had removed Orichalcos God from Yami. But as far as I know the Orichalcos God was destroyed by Yami in the end of the anime season. If I'm getting your question wrong don't hesitate to ask me again, I don't want to disappoint any of my reviewers. Actually I found your review to be the base to make this story better so far!
For the long chapters, I guess that's my writing style and you'd know why since I wrote my reasons on the AU notes of the 2nd chapter.
Thanks for mentioning this: About the OCs I know how you feel and it does make you feel awkward; I found out many (not all) YGO/HP crossovers that their OCs tend to overdo their roles. But I'll tell you and all of you who are reading this right now, that for my OCs they will have an important role and some but 'few' will take on larger roles (like in this chapter). I will explain each OC's reason in joining the OotS to add in character depth. HOWEVER, I will only restrict them to 'One to Two' chapters. Afterwards they'll most likely be only mentioned throughout the main story unless they affect the ending, they might make another appearance. I hope this explanation clears this up.
About Kalim, thanks for getting his name for me! I've been pretty busy doing some research for this chapter. I think it's supposed to be Karim with an 'r' since in Japanese 'r' and 'l' nearly sound the same. And it sounds more Arabic as well. But thank you again; I'll try to add him in soon! (With your credit of course!) And I hope you can review again to make this story better!
To Setoglomper:
Yep, another HP/YGO crossover! Why I made it 'unusual', different than the 'usual new students that's all fic' and in TheOldOne's case 'pretty original'? I've spent a lot of time reading over other people's HP/YGO fanfic and I found out there was this pattern about Voldemort going after the Millennium items and Yugi & co. turning to be Hogwarts students and need to be protected. I kind of figured I wanted to break that pattern and start off differently. I re-read the OotP after the sixth book and figured what if there was the OotS? So that's how this fic was created! Thanks for your review! If you have any ideas considering this fic just email or tell me for your next review, your suggestions are welcomed!
To GG7989:
Thanks! It was my intention to have more dimensions in the HP magical world where both muggle and magical can relate to each other. I'm glad you mentioned it in your review! You might of/not notice that every time you read Harry Potter there's less to do with our world. So there's kind of a barrier, a very large one. In a sense most wizards don't wish to learn about muggles more, especially those who agree with Voldemort.
At times I kind of feel sorry for wizards and witches who have to live secretive lives, but then again it isn't a reason to stop learning what's around them (That would be us, muggles). It's something J. K. Rowling never mentioned in her books because she wants us to grasp the idea of a world where magic rules, but I would say it's a great challenge to do these crossover fics.
If you think about it and look around, you we're in the so-called age of 'Globalization' and the 'Technology Revolution' (at least what I hear). You see new things being created and upgraded every day to laptops, security, robots and other breaking-ground technology around you. It kind of made me think (at least as a muggle), why reject all of that?
Then you think again as a wizard, the problem is that 'I don't have a clue how they work' and when you think about something unknown, you only heard of it's negative affects around you the first thing comes to mind is 'Is that thing dangerous?' or 'I don't want to know'. It's like a feeling when you're a six year old kid and you meet with a gun on the couch. Okay… All you had heard from your parents and your kiddy friends that they are 'dangerous' and they 'kill' people. Most likely a scared kid would do is to stay far away from it. As you grow, you begin to know more that not all guns kill, that some put people to sleep. You even start to understand in countries like America it's legal to have one (with a license) and it's also for self-protection or to protect others (by the police, etc). So I think they're in a way still afraid to learn, but some are curious (like Mr. Weasly) actually are wizards that can take the first steps to learn and understand how we feel because we never use magic.
So the idea of the OotS members came in when I thought 'what if there was a Society where both magical and muggle people join together for a common goal?' of course some will say 'Is there a reason we have to?' But in the end there's also the reason 'We live on the same planet, it's both of our homes. Shouldn't we together protect it from harm?' We'll I guess that's what I'm trying to tell people about this fanfic.
Oh yeah, I hope you can spot a very valuable quote in this chapter. It's a shame not many people realize how simple it is and just how much it means. Thank you again on this review! (bows) I know (as you've seen on Setoglomper's & TheOldOne's) that I made a long reply, but in this fanfic I plan to put out the best of my abilities to not disappoint my reviewers. I hope you keep reviewing!
I'll put this note on every chapter:
Yamis mind link -((text))-
Hirkaris mind link -(text)-
Parts form the 6th book or any HP book -text-
Any Japanese will have a translation next to it or somewhere in the same chapter.
Enjoy!
Chapter 3: The Gathering (Part Two) 'Bakura's 7': The Preparation…
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London, United Kingdom
A Muggle Flat near the Ministry of Magic
9:30 AM Local Time (Present)
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-((Ryou hurry up! We need to get going!))- Bakura said who had already controlled half of Ryou's body and it was already running towards the door.
"Okay, just…let me send this…email…" Ryou said struggling to keep his hands on the Laptop. "Done."
Ryou then turned it off and placed the laptop into his bag. They had done packing and moved all their belongings to the Order's Sub-base down 3 blocks across the street, the night before. This was preparation for the 'Big Steal' they were going to execute. "Well, we're all set." The hikari nodded and swapped places with his yami.
"Let's go." His yami smirked.
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Unknown City, Unknown Country
Headquarters of the Order of the Shadows
Two and a half weeks ago…
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The first unofficial meeting of members of the Order of the Shadows just had ended, resulting the four main branches of the Order and the First Phase: Information Collecting. And so this is how it all started.
Yami was walking and reading the Order's members file at the same time, behind him a translucent Yugi, hovering in the air reading part of the file too. Beside him walking but in a rather restless (or bored person would do) was Bakura, his 'spirit form' hikari of course was looking at his yami in slight sympathy that his darker half had been grouchy the last few days.
"You're bored aren't you Thief?" Yami asked stopping their walk.
"Well, duh. It doesn't take a genius to figure that one out, Pharaoh." Bakura snapped.
"Do you want to steal?" Yami asked again. Yugi, looking at his dark wondered what he had in mind.
Bakura only looked at him with a death glare.
"Well then, it's settled. You probably know the Order's regulations that you can't act unless one of the Masters agreed. So I'm giving you a task and chance to steal this time." The pharaoh said calmly.
Bakura, Ryou and even his own hikari gaped.
"You, Pharaoh…Out of ALL PEOPLE WANT ME TO STEAL?"
"Yes. But don't think it's going to be easy. Besides you are the best in our branch." Yami said smoothly.
Ryou and Yugi couldn't help but look at Yami. Looks like Yami had some hidden plan.
"So where am I stealing from?" Bakura said emphasizing each word and still trying to recover from shock.
"The Ministry of Magic," stated Yami simply. Then he added with an evil wink, "In broad day light."
"Is the darker part of you starting to kick in or something?" Bakura said quickly.
"I guess so." Yami said smirking. "It would have happened sooner or later after the Seal was released. And it happens to be now… So are you in or out?"
"Alright, I'm in." Bakura nodded quickly.
"Good. You can get the details from Professor Ryu. Actually, it was Professor Ryu who asked me to tell you about it. He has this 'friend' of his who reminded him of you. He also mentions the both of you will definitely naturally click. Well then, I still need to sort out the member files, you can meet him in the tactician's room." Yami headed back to the meeting hall, waved Bakura off, who was still standing with Ryou dumbstruck in the middle of the hall.
-(Yami, are you sure what you're doing?)- Yugi asked.
-((Well, you did see how restless and bored he was. If I didn't put him on task, most likely he'd go suicidal.))- Yami responded.
-(No, stealing from the Ministry is.)-
-((It won't be counted, at least in a thief's mind. More or so it would be counted as a challenge. An enjoyment or a thief's vacation and I don't think he's going to be alone.))-
-(He won't?)- The light was confused.
-((Professor Ryu said he'd collect the best of the best to go for the 'Operation Big Steal' in the Ministry of Magic.))- Yami explained. -((No need to worry.))-
-(Easy for you to say.)- Yugi sighed.
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Headquarters of the Order of the Shadows
Tactician's Room
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"You said there was a task?" asked the Tomb robber in spirit form.
"Yes. Please sit down." Professor Ryu moved a seat toward him with magic.
Professor Ryu Hiroto, 38 years old, one of the youngest headmasters of a magic school in the wizarding world. Roughly as tall as Kaiba, jet black spiky hair, dark brown eyes and if he wore muggle clothes he'd look like some important celebrity or person. Compared to other wizards, he loves technology and respects muggles for their creations, talents and skill.
Ryou and Bakura could only stare at him.
Then, Ryou was the one who asked first, "Yami said this 'friend' of yours would help us? I don't think it'd be enough just two people to steal anything in the ministry, especially in broad day light."
Bakura looked to his hikari. Though Bakura had always worked alone in stealing, his light did have a point this time.
"Not to worry, he should be here soon." Professor Ryu said cheerfully.
'Whoosh!'
"I'd like to meet not only my friend but my nephew Ethan. He's about your age and also half-British." The headmaster introduced the newcomer who had just teleported into the room.
At an instant, Bakura already liked Ethan. He much resembled the headmaster, for his hair was spiky but instead of black he had blond hair and blue eyes. He also had a slight build. There was a normal, innocent look about him that you'd expect he's the last person to commit a crime. But if you look into his eyes… He was no ordinary thief.
Ryou yawned; he was actually tired because he read a book late into the night the previous day.
-((Ryou, get some sleep. I'll take it from here))- the darker half told his light.
Ryou didn't say anything, but went straight into his soul room. He might as well not get into the thief business right now. He was just exhausted.
"Bakura, King of Thieves." he introduced himself smugly.
"Yes, I've heard from my uncle. I'm Ethan, or my codename would be Nox." Ethan said.
"Nox, huh? So you're the one who stole from the Museum of Natural History in America, the Twilight Star (one of the largest diamonds in shape of a star) am I correct?" the tomb robber said starting to like the kid.
"Yep, I got it here." Ethan said showing Bakura the sparkling star diamond. "But I heard you stole something from Gringotts, is this true?" the spiky Brit asked excitedly like a five year kid who was asking what he'd get for his next birthday.
Bakura laughed and slipped a very large Sapphire and Ruby both as big an adult wrist out of his jacket. "You mean these?" Ethan only looked at the gems amazed that it must be hard to steal them and then Bakura slipped them back carefully.
"It'll be an honor to work with the King of Thieves." Ethan smirked.
"And it'll be an honor to work with the legendary Nox." Bakura shook the other's hand.
"Natural click I presume. Now then, here is the basic information of the Ministry's layout of each floor, basic objective and main objective." Professor Ryu gave Bakura a CD-ROM disc.
"Oh, and you'd need a group. Since you were mad enough to steal from Gringotts Bank Mr. Bakura, I suggest your group should be full mad people as well." The young headmaster added cheerfully and left the room.
Bakura looked at Ethan who was smirking. "So, who do you have in mind?"
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Headquarters of the Order of the Shadows
The Order's Workshop
A few minutes later…
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Ethan had explained to Bakura they would at least need five people, however to make the plans more precise they should get seven members with each their own talents and skill to steal stuff at the ministry especially, a ministry with high security and doing the task in broad daylight.
He also mentioned to the Tomb robber that his uncle had chosen the best individuals (who had a mad enjoyment to steal, of course) from each branch of the Order. Bakura was from the Shadow Casters and Ethan from the Soul Summoners. So what was left in the Order was from the Illusionists and the Element Masters. So now they were in the Order's workshop, soon to meet the last two who are in the main branches of the order.
"Over there, that's Nash, 24 years old, our illusionist." Ethan pointed out.
Bakura looked at a young man who had green eyes and was wearing a technician jacket and trousers. He seemed to have shaved his brown hair short. Nash also wore fingerless gloves and a goggle around his neck.
The illusionist was now testing one of his creations. It was a 'hologram make-up disguise' created to disguise one's identity in magical and muggle areas. With a flick of a switch he was changed into a fat lady, old man, a government official and the turned back to himself.
"Nash! Long time no see!" greeted the thief codename Nox.
"If it isn't Ethan, or Nox." The illusionist greeted back.
Ethan then introduced him to Bakura, who was impressed at the technician's creations and devices.
"So what's your specialty?" the tomb robber asked.
"Gadgets, Explosives and Surveillance or GES" Nash stated.
"Welcome to the group." Bakura said.
"The pleasure is all mine." The illusionist said.
"It seems you're already close with Ethan. You know each other?" the thief asked.
"I helped him in surveillance when he stole a Picasso painting owned by a Canadian collector." Nash smirked.
Then as if on cue a water bottle rolled on the floor towards them. It opened the lid by itself and moved the bottle in a standing position.
Bakura's eyes blinked. Suddenly the water in the bottle burst out and smoothly formed into a human. "So is this the group?" the stranger said.
"Yes, Bakura this is Steven, our Element Master." Ethan said.
Steven, unlike the others he was more built and his magic signature was strong, a trait that commonly differentiates Element Masters from normal wizards. Slightly shorter than Bakura, dark brown wavy hair and blue eyes, he wore a long navy blue cloak over his attire.
"I'm Steven and I'm 25. My specialty: Disguising, Eavesdropper, Analyzer (of situations) and Decoy or DEAD." He copied off the technician and at the same time did a 'mock bow' to him.
Bakura couldn't help but laugh. This is getting more insane…
Nash only stayed quiet, though his ears were getting red.
"So that leaves us three left." Bakura concluded. Then he looked at Ethan.
"The Order's team is assembled and the rest are in London. We'll get ready all the necessary equipment and head for London."
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London, United Kingdom
A Flat near the Ministry of Magic
About 3 hours later… 8:30 AM (Local Time)
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All of them were gathered in a spacious flat that was nearest to the ministry's visitor's entrance. And the last three members had come on time. Bakura was amused when he first saw the last members and when they explained why they had joined the OotS; now all three of them were sitting on the couch.
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To the left was Adrian a 21-year-old ministry worker who checked wands, a cleaner and messenger who went back and forth in the ministry taking important notes and parchments from one department to another. His reason to join the Order was to get back at the ministry. Adrian wasn't too fond of the new system of working under Scrimgeour's rule; even his wage was cut in half because he wasn't there at the ministry when the Death Eaters came. Although it was his shift that fateful night, he had an owl that sent news of his aunt just died of a heart attack and excused himself with a note. However, Scrimgeour did not believe such a story and even didn't want to listen to his uncle who tried defending him because they couldn't find a single note that he was excused.
Even so the ministry itself was restless and had a fore boarding feeling. The feeling of insecurity was most likely to drive superior workers nuts and in the end they take the anger on their workers who were at the lowest ranks. And Adrian was one of the victims.
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In the middle of the couch was Justin, a 28 year old who also was ministry worker but he was an Auror from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Bakura's eyes went wide. Someone who's defending the ministry was trying to rob it? Now that's something new… Justin much like Adrian was getting more pushed down by the ministry's ways. He also had a strong sense of justice and was not happy that when he got into being an Auror was not what he expected. One thing that ticked him off was that most of his superiors were not equal to everyone, especially muggle born wizards. He liked the Order's attitude in respecting one another as a team. Unlike the ministry who were walking around in circles because internal affairs, the OotS were moving gradually from new information to the next information and even accepting others who ministry would never accept.
Professor Ryu was the one who introduced him to the Order. It was he who told Justin what was the 'base' of the OotS. And it even surprised Justin that such a base was a quote from a muggle leader named Bill Clinton who had recently finished a book called 'My Life'.
"Did you know what he wrote on the last sentence on his first page? No? Well, I'll tell you." The Japanese head master took a breath and said "And to the memory of my grandfather, who taught me to look up to people others looked down on, because we're not so different after all."
Despite those words were from a muggle leader, he had to admit from those words showed that Bill Clinton's love for the people to live in harmony was greater than both Fudge and Scrimgeour stuck together. At first he was hesitant to help thieves when Professor Ryu told him about the mission. But then, his curiosity beat that feeling of him being an Auror in the end and asked (as a normal person) what and why to Ethan did he like being a thief.
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'What? Who? Me? I never really thought about money. Nah, it's nothing to do with the rich stuff really, hurting people isn't my style either, more or so I do it for myself. I don't really know how to explain it. It's that feeling to go up for the challenge; you risk everything and come out as the victor! For me the reward of an object I've stolen in the end is only 25 of that satisfying feeling, since one victory is always temporary. To the 75 is the feeling for the journey itself. This of course sticks to you for the rest of your life; a Great Memory is actually a Priceless Treasure that I'm making…well… since you can't steal one." Ethan ended it with a laugh.
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Justin thought about it. He became an Auror because it was a challenge, he even might have to risk his own life and he wanted that wonderful feeling that he had done something for the better. Wouldn't muggles feel the same thing? They kept creating things because it was challenging, they even risk a lot on their experiments and all of that was for making their lives better because they wanted to accomplish something. And they never had magic in the first place. "So that what the quote meant…because we're not so different after all." Justin thought. And so that was his story.
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On the right was their last and oddest member. His name was Lenny the House Elf. Not just any ordinary one, but Scrimgeour's ex-House Elf who was 'accidentally and unintentionally freed' by his own master. On a hot summer's night, Scrimgeour got into a fight with one of the ministry officials, and by accident without realizing it…
'Had thrown his old battered scarf due to anger, which had landed into Lenny's arms and stomped out of the office like walking volcano bursting out lava and said to the elf to get out of there.'
He never knew or noticed he just had freed his servant.
Lenny of course had appareted due to happiness without thinking and when he was not at the ministry anymore and literately screamed, "I'M FREE!" into a game shop with a hikari and a yami staring at him. He apparently had apparated to Domino, Japan. And immediately stopped to look at Yugi (he can't see Yami). Lenny backed off.
"It's alright. I won't hurt you. You're a house elf right? I'm a wizard so don't worry." Yugi said kindly as he showed his wand.
"Oh, sorry." That was only the words that came out of the elf's mouth.
"So where are from? And what's your name?" the hikari asked gently.
"London. Lenny is my name sir. My master just freed me by accident, a Horrible Master. Don't know where to go now." The elf said truthfully.
-((By Accident? Now that's something. Yugi, give him a tour of the shop.))- Yami insisted.
Yugi only smiled, he knew Yami was thinking the same thing as he was.
"Well since you haven't figured out where you're going, you can stay here if you want. There's a spare bedroom." Yugi said and walked to the entrance of the shop; turn the shop sign to 'CLOSED'. Then he turned to the Elf, "Come on, I'll show you around."
Lenny's eyes glittered with each passing moment. Yugi's kindness in showing every type of game as they toured the shop had reminded him of his 'Grand Mistress' (Scrimgeour's mother). Before she died he was treated kindly by her as a friend despite she, (Scrimgeour's mother) was from a pure blood family. But after her death, automatically he was inherited to her awful son. An awful master he had to have.
Soon they were in Yugi's room; one of Yugi's leather wristbands had caught the elf's attention. Yami even laughed and said –((Go on, you can give it to him. You still have plenty))- Yugi did what Yami had told him. The elf's eyes watered. He had missed the feeling of kindness for too long.
Currently Yugi was now showing Lenny playing a video game. He handed the joystick to the elf that was soon getting the hang of the game. And lastly he also showed the elf the card game 'Duel Monsters'. It had dragons, magicians, beasts and many more characters. But then the elf stopped dead and kept asking Yugi to forgive him that he had wasted his time.
"I'm not worthy of such presence of Yugi Mutou! I'm small dirty house elf! Too weak to you sir!" The house elf cried.
Yugi only looked at the elf in sympathy. Suddenly the hikari got an idea; he lifted up Lenny under his arms and on to the desk. He then pulled out two cards from a pack of cards he bought recently that was on the desk.
"Hey, don't say you're weak. See these two cards? It's Mystical Elf and Celtic Warrior; they're both elves in Duel Monsters." Yugi said.
This of course got the house elf's attention.
"They're both aren't the strongest cards, but they always try their best to help me and any other beginner's basic deck in a duel." Yugi handed them to the house elf and said, "Right now you're tall as me right? We're equals and friends okay? Remember, it's not the size of your body that counts but how kind your heart is to others and yourself."
"I…thank you sir! Thank you!" the elf bowed still crying but this time tears of happiness came down his face.
"B-but Lenny wants to get back on ex-master, all for what he has done!" the elf growled.
"Who's your ex-master Lenny?" Yugi asked.
"Scrimgeour." The elf spat the name in disgust.
"The next Prime Minister of the Ministry of Magic is your ex-master?" Yugi raised a brow. Yugi thought for a while.
–((Why not let him in the Order? Professor Ryu likes house-elves. ))- Yami pointed out.
"Say, do you want to join in the OotS Lenny?" the hikari offered.
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And thus 'Bakura's 7' was born. Bakura, Ethan, Nash, Steven, Adrian, Justin and Lenny. And so…'Operation Big Steal' had started…
Okay… back to London…
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"Alright folks, listen up." Ethan announced. "Our target in 'Operation Big Steal' is one, the Prophecy Shards (On the Boy Who Lived) that is heavily guarded in the Department of Mysteries on Level Nine, two, Scrimgeour's secret files on plans of the ministry on a Secret Level and three, on Level Five in the International Magical Trading Standards Body there is an item called the Unknown Prophecy of Destiny (UPD), that the Order has been trying to look for. Any questions so far?"
"I've heard about the Prophecy Shards and the secret files, but what's this Unknown Prophecy of Destiny all about?" Justin asked.
"The UPD is a seal actually similar to the Millennium Charm, in the Soul Summoners' branch long ago a Seer made a prophecy that…
'When the dark wizard whose name is feared above all rises again for the second time endangering the world, 4 groups of members shall join, Under the name of the Shadows. To defeat the dark lord, seek the Unknown Prophecy of Destiny.'" Ethan explained.
"That was long." Adrian said.
"You're saying we're all here because…" Bakura trailed off, but gave an indication he knew what he was trying to say.
"Yeah, the prophecy points to all of us." Ethan sighed.
"Figures we get into something like this." Steven muttered.
"Not that I care, when do we start?" Nash asked.
"How about now?" Bakura insisted.
"Okay, so far from the other OotS members like Joey, Tristan and other Element Masters had managed to find out the structure of the ministry premises. The most advantageous time to execute our mission is when the ministry is in a lunch and break time when the visitor's entrance is most packed with people. So I'm saying about 11: 30AM to 1: 30PM. And this operation will take place in two and a half weeks time." Ethan gave the details at the same time showing a video on the TV of the ministry building that was underground.
"Two and a half weeks? There's something up, is there Nox?" the tomb robber smiled.
"I wanted to make the plan very precise and in the best situations. For this information I'll let Lenny to explain this." Ethan gave a hint to the house elf to talk.
"My ex-master will officially succeed Fudge in that given time and during 11: 30 AM to 1: 30 PM should be far more crowded than normal days. Of course, most of the ministry will be celebrating." The little elf grinned.
"So…we're crashing the party! I like that." Bakura cackled. "There will be more people coming in and it means more chaos!" shouted happily.
"Weird, the new minister usually takes a month to officially succeed from the previous one. I guess they're in a hurry. Well, in a hurry to make their reputations being trodden on by us." Adrian added, which made everyone laugh.
"For the main steps of the Operation, I'll let the King of Thieves explained this." Ethan pointed to Bakura.
"Ok, listen close. There's a lot of preparation we have to do in two and a half weeks time. Especially since we're doing this operation where there's a LOT of people and where there's LOTS of Law enforcements around. You could say it's an 'ALL or Nothing at All' situation. " Bakura said.
The thief looked around and made sure he had everyone's attention and took a breath.
"Since you're all eager to get going, this is my guide…"
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Pro Thief Rule No.1: Reconnaissance.
"We need to know everything that's going on inside the ministry building. From the rotations of the security guards, staff, other important people on their names, nicknames to even how they drink their coffee. Also, we have to know our enemy, Scrimgeour's schedule everyday. I would recommend that we all should know the ministry's building off by heart, it's basically a labyrinth in there so make sure we know all the secure and quick ways out incase something gets ugly."
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Pro Thief Rule No.2: Power
"Even though this is during the afternoon, we all know the ministry is underground. To make our movements easy I suggest cutting all the magic sources or in our muggle terms is to cut the electricity off. They'll be blind in the darkness. Nash do you have something that does this?"
"Yeah, similar to a Put-Outer which takes out muggle lights, I made one that cancels out magic. Even wands won't work when they use the Lumos Charm! Also it doesn't affect our technology; it's called an M-Put Outer, though there is a problem." The technician said.
"What's that?"
"I need someone to ignite or press the red button from inside the ministry."
"I'll leave this to you Lenny; you probably want to cause a chaos on Scrimgeour's special day." Bakura smirked at the elf.
"Yes sir!"
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Pro Thief Rule No.3: Surveillance.
"They may not have any security cameras, but we need our own ears and eyes when nearly every one of us is inside. Steven, you'll be our ears and eyes on the inside and Nash from the outside. Got more gadgets GES guy?"
"Yup, I have translucent sticker cameras with night vision too. The smallest cameras I've made, just stick them in a strategic place and it can be used in looking and hearing, keep in contact and the M-Put Outer won't affect them."
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Pro Thief Rule No.4: Construction
"Actually, I would call this practice. A task to Justin, Adrian, and Lenny, I want you all to go around the ministry to all the areas that usually normal people don't have access to. From your memories we will make a magic simulation of the ministry itself, so that on the day we can lessen the mistakes we're going to make."
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Pro Thief Rule No.5: Intelligence
"We need the codes to get into the visitor's entrance and the Secret Level of Scrimgeour's secret files. Also, we need all security codes there are among the staff, this is extremely important so when we start this operation, get cracking."
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Pro Thief Rule No.6: Transport (Escape)
"This is the hard bit. I suggest we stay away from the Floo Powder and Apparition since both of its networks can be tracked down. Instead, focus on the visitor's entrance lift or an exit for ministry officials. For Lenny, you're the PM's house elf so you won't be targeted by the Law enforcement; I doubt Adrian or especially you Justin would be asked, since you're both ministry workers. However when this is all finished I want you to all leave normally and try not to be too conspicuous. We'll meet at the Rendezvous point at 4: 00 PM, don't forget to wear hologram make-up disguise.
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"We're finished here. Now, Let's Start!" Ethan announced enthusiastically.
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For the first week, Bakura's 7 focused on knowing the ministry building (by sticking the translucent sticker cameras everywhere) and walking in as a visitor (with Nash's hologram make-up disguise) and its people inside it, especially Scrimgeour who, from day to day was looking happier that he was succeeding Fudge. Justin and Adrian easily intercepted the security codes from the staff. They also did simulations and practices to make sure that if something went wrong they had a plan B to a plan F to wriggle their way out.
The second week was focused on getting more information to the areas of the UDP and the Prophecy Shards, since Lenny knew everything about Scrimgeour's secret files. How you might ask? Scrimgeour 'still thinks' that Lenny the house elf is his servant. The PM told him everything about the Secret Level incase the elf needed to get the files to deliver them to him and also said a couple of other ministry officials know about it. He did say to the elf to keep it a secret. Lenny could and would, but he wasn't the PM's house-elf anymore. With a celebration going on, they needed to know all who are invited to make sure who were thegood, the bad and the ugly. Knowing the stronger and wiser wizards and witches who will come, has its advantages, so on their way out, it was better they (Bakura's 7) stay out of those exceptional wizards and witches way.
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Back to the Present time…
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London, United Kingdom
Inside a Heaters Repair van a street away from the Visitor's Entrance of the Ministry
11: 00 AM (Local Time)
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That van looked pretty normal on the outside, but on the inside Nash's surveillance system was already online.
Everyone was making the last preparations to the operation. Adrian, Justin and Lenny were already inside now it was up to the members of the OotS. Bakura had the hardest stealing task, which was to steal both the Prophecy Shards and the UPD. It meant two detours before he was going for the exit. But inside him his thief pride was smiling and couldn't wait to get into the ministry.
Ryou was checking everything they needed once they were inside. He wasn't at sure first when he heard about the actual plan, but later he agreed since his yami was in a lighter mood. He took the role a look out for Bakura since Steven was going to be busy looking out for Ethan.
The hikari stuck a translucent sticker camera on his shirt on a button and finally finished by pressing a switch on the hologram make-up disguise. He looked at himself; he looked (and was) a businessman (or wizard) whose job was trading.
-((You look nice Ryou.))- His dark mocked.
-(Well you're not doing this aren't you?)- Ryou looked at his yami annoyed.
-((Hell no, you're better at acting nice than I am.))- Bakura grinned.
"I'm all set." Ryou told everyone.
"Good, I'd say each of you three should teleport at least 3 blocks away, you know your positions." Nash reminded them for the last time.
The three nodded.
"Operation Big Steal, Start!"
TO BE CONTINUED…
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Yep! A cliffy! Not that I wanted to…I had to cut down my writing in half (This chapter is about 5000 words! No AU notes and review replies included. If included …words.) So there you go, another long chapter!
Yami wants Bakura to steal! (laughs)… well Yami has got his 'darker behavior' back after all…huhahaha…
To the Bill Clinton's 'My Life' quote belongs to him. I read his book and it's EXCELLENT! It was also my inspiration how Justin could accept Ethan as how a 'normal' person would feel and not as an Auror. So I made it the 'base' motto of the OotS. For you speedy or serious readers out there, the book 'My Life' is a must!
On Ethan's quote as a thief, I think this is how a professional thief thinks (Bakura as well). I don't think they look for the riches, well since professional thieves are loaded (with money) from their 'first robberies' I think they're now looking for the excitement and adrenaline in stealing.
I like doing the Pro Thief Rules! I had to watch over Ocean's 11 three times or so to write down the main points. Parts of the text, belongs the film Ocean's 11, while most of it is mine.
You'd probably noticed the word 'teleport' form the Order members; I wanted to make their magic different so it's not possible for the ministry or even Death Eaters to track them down.
In the next Chapter…
Execution of 'Operation Big Steal'!
Reviews, ideas, and contributions welcomed!
Update 13/10/2006: Fixed up italics... and separating stuff...
