Gotc: Wow, I actually had to do some research for this one. Part of the reason this is almost a month late. On a lighter note, I could walk Diagon Alley with my eyes closed. Sorry folks, life kinda smacked me upside the head, so this fic got pushed to the backburner. But I'm back so we'll be able to get things moving again!

Ace: So does that mean this chapter will be, oh I don't know, interesting?

Gotc: Does disemboweling you count?

Ace: You've been watching way too much House.

Gotc: True, but when there's a 24 hour marathon, you can't help but get sucked in. But enough with my newfound obsessions. Let us venture on into the wonderful realm of fanfiction where this chappie resides! And your tour for this evening shall be none other than: Squeaky the Whale!

Squeaky: Squeak! (Hi there everyone! My name is Squeaky and I'll be your guide through this chappie! Please note Gotc owns neither Harry Potter or Yu-gi-oh. The creature currently stuffing his face with Christmas party snacks is an Aceus Idiotus, and is a personal foot slave to Gotc.)

Ace: MURHMH!

Gotc: It'll be a while before he can swallow. So let's just get this fic moving while our human squirrel stuffs away more food for the winter.

Ace: MURHMH!

Gotc: Yeah, yeah…No one cares. Enjoy the fic!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Rising Dragon

CHAPTER 9: If Looks Could Kill

"How come they get to leave the house?!"

The same question had been asked roughly 26 times and by almost every other member of the house as the teens from Domino prepared to buy school supplies.

"Who's gonna be in charge? Ikle Ronnie the Prefect?" Fred complained, "We had stuff we needed to buy!"

"So you could make more of those ears I found?" Mrs. Weasley huffed gathering the four teens around the door, "No, you know perfectly well that we only leave this house when absolutely necessary. I'll buy you whatever you need-"

"Then why do they get to leave?!" Fred and George chorused again.

"Because they need to be fitted for robes, get their wands, and a mirade of other things that I just can't do for them!" Mrs. Weasley shouted at her sons, "Now I don't want to hear another word about it! Gather round the door boys, we'll be leaving in just a moment- oh, where did I leave my bag?"

Fred and George seized the opportunity to slink over to Malik, while their mother hunted for a bag that was resting comfortably in a trunk on the second floor.

"Malik my friend," George said quietly, "since you are one of the lucky few who gets to enjoy a day on the town, how would you like to pick up a few things for us in exchange of a little extra spending money?"

Malik narrowed his eyes at the twins, while his mind was turning with the possibility of just what it was they would be asking him to get. Still, Malik wasn't one to pass up a chance at causing a little extra chaos, and it never hurt to have a few spare coins hanging around in his pockets.

"What do you need?" He asked with a grin that would have done the Grinch proud.

"Bubotubers," Fred said quickly, hearing his mother's footsteps again, "They'll be in the potion shop, since you'll have to head there anyway. Here's the money, and a bag to keep them in after since they tend to have a bit of an odor and we don't want dear old mum to know about this right?"

"Sure," Malik nodded, taking the items and stuffing them in his jacket just as Mrs. Weasley re-entered the room with her bag.

"I finally found this locked in a trunk upstairs," She huffed, waving the offending item at her boys, "And in your room. Any idea how it got there?"

"Honestly mother," George rolled his eyes, "You expect us to keep track of your things too?"

"Next she'll be having us hunt for dad's glasses George," Fred laughed as the two made their way out of the room.

Mrs. Weasley's suspicious gaze followed them even after the twins had disappeared from view, but she only shook her head and turned back to her four charges.

"Well then, shall we be off?" She asked a bit more cheerfully, before opening the front door and hearding the teens onto the front step.

It was more than a tight squeeze crowding five people onto one door step, fortunately since one of them was slightly vertically impaired (as a certain Egyptian was kind enough to point out) they did manage it in the end. Kaiba pointed out that there would be enough room if they simply stepped down to the next step, but Mrs. Weasley only seemed to think such an idea was silly.

"Now," She said, grabbing a firm hold on Ryou's shirt, "Everyone hold onto one another. Be sure you have a firm grip on the person next to you- come on now Seto take hold of Yugi there- Everyone holding onto someone? Good, and whatever you do, don't let go!"

The first time most of the group had apparated, Yugi had been unconscious and the others so preoccupied with escape no one was actually paying any attention to just how it felt to disappear from one place and reappear somewhere else.

The only thing comparable was the sensation of being surrounded by the Shadow Realm. The world around them suddenly became fuzzy as if someone had adjusted an old television set. It became difficult to breathe, like the air had suddenly become very thin. But just as quickly as it had happened, their surroundings came back into focus and it became much easier to breathe.

But where they were standing was far different than the door step they had just left. They were standing in a dusty alleyway that reeked of stale alcohol and garbage, and rats all scurried for cover at the sudden appearance of the five. The only other feature of the small back alley, was an old, weather-worn brick wall at the other end of the alley. Almost the same instant that solid ground re-materialized beneath their feet, Kaiba dropped Yugi's arm, like a hot coal and stalked away from him.

/He's in a good mood./ Yami chuckled, /He didn't even throw in a back handed comment./

Yugi rolled his eyes, but chose not to respond to the sarcastic spirit. Instead, he watched Mrs. Weasley poke around at the old wall, testing each brick for some unknown reaction.

"If those bricks or something launch themselves at us," Malik mumbled, "Someone's going to the Shadow Realm."

"What?" Bakura jabbed in a voice just above a whisper, swapping control, "He who can control the minds of others has a problem with the element of surprise? No one could have ever guessed that about you, especially not from the way you duel…"

"Can it Thief," Malik hissed, accentuating the last word in Japanese, "I'm just wondering when things are going to stop jumping out at us from every direction."

Almost as if on cue, Mrs. Weasley let out a triumphant cry, as the wall began to fold in on itself, brick by brick, until it formed a magnificent archway. The tangled mass of vendors, customers and busy witches and wizards nearly clogged the narrow streets as they hurried about on their errands. Even Kaiba seemed to be at a loss for words as the group stood at this threshold to the wizarding world.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley!" Mrs. Weasley said cheerfully, bustling the teens through the archway as it collapsed again behind them, "Now we have quite a bit to buy today-"

"With what money?" Kaiba pointed out, "We didn't exactly have time to make any arrangements for traveling expenses before we were spirited away to fairy-tale land."

"Oh don't you worry about that dear!" Mrs. Weasley laughed, "Dumbledore has some money set aside for you al to buy your school things! Thoughtful man. We'll just stop off at Gringott's, and then we'll pick up your things."

"Grit-snots?" Malik asked skeptically, "What is that?"

"Gringott's? It's the wizard bank!" Mrs. Weasley said in that same motherly tone, "Sorry boys, I keep forgetting you're new to this whole experience. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it soon enough!"

"Somehow," Ryou moaned passing a shop with a window full of assorted eyeballs, "I really doubt that."

The Wizarding bank wasn't difficult to find, as it's snowy-white structure towered over every other building that lined the alley. It also appeared to be the biggest center of activity in the hidden marketplace. A steady stream of people poured from it's ornate bronze doorways, while another set of silver ones stood proudly open into the building's interior. As they drew closer, writing on the doors drifted into focus between the throngs of people.

"Enter, stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn.

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there.''

((Ha.)) Bakura scoffed, regarding the warning with a surge of excitement, ((Sounds like challenge instead of a warning if you ask me.))

/No one did Thief./ Yami glared at the intangible Tomb Robber, /This is an opportunity for your hikari as well as yourself. Don't go and ruin it so quickly./

((Hey Marik!)) Bakura called out to the Keeper's spirit, ((Did you hear me ask for his Highness's opinion?))

Both Malik and Marik nearly choked on the laugh that erupted out of their throats, and barely managed to stifle it as Mrs. Weasley cast a suspicious look their way.

(Knock it off Bakura,) Ryou pleaded, (Yami does have a point, and I'd like to be able to fit in-)

((Grow a spine and stop hiding behind the Pharaoh Yandoushi…)) Bakura spat, but disappeared back into the Ring.

Yugi felt Yami's hackles go up, but stopped him before he could go after the Thief.

/This is Ryou's battle Yami,/ Yugi said, /Let him fight it. Besides, he's stronger than I think we all give him credit for./

"Stop talking to yourself, and get with the program Yugi," Kaiba said pushing his way past Yugi and into the building, and stopped short just inside the door.

But Kaiba was not the only one who had seemed to lose all motor function in their legs once they crossed the threshold of the massive building. Yugi ducked past Malik's prone form, and peered into the white marble halls. Wizards moved back and forth between the bank's booths, some disappearing down long corridors, others reemerging with fat sacks jingling at their sides. Yugi was almost certain he could hear Bakura scoff in utter disgust at such blatant displays of wealth. No doubt he would have been a rich man had Ancient Egypt been the same way.

But the real shock did not lay with the money floating around the room, instead, it was held with the creatures that ran the entire building. Goblins. Foul looking, and ill-tempered, were directing the entire operation. One sat behind each booth, while scores of others led the groups of witches and wizards down the corridors into the bowels of the structure.

"Wow….There do exist things shorter than Yugi…" Came Malik's stunned response to the scene before them.

Mrs. Weasley didn't seem to be deterred by the diminutive bankers, and marched right up to the nearest one, almost dragging the four behind her. She cleared her throat, effectively catching one of the goblin's attention. It peered over the edge of it's desk, looking over its thinly-wrought spectacles with a look of distaste as it eyed the outlandish group.

"Can I help you?" It asked in a nasally deep voice, giving each of the teens a scornful look.

"Yes," Mrs. Weasley said in a matter-of-fact tone, "I'm here to collect the school funds for a Bakura, Ryou, Ishtar, Malik, Kaiba, Seto, and Muto, Yugi. They should have been sent by Albus Dumbledore."

"Yes…" The goblin scowled, before reaching under his desk and producing four small brown satchels and set them down on the desk with a clink, "I'll need to see your wand please…"

Mrs. Weasley pulled her wand with a flourish and presented it to the goblin who took it for only a moment before handing it back to her, along with the four bags of money. It took one last look at the four, as if to study them one more time before bidding them all a good day and beckoning to the next customers with one long finger. They were all glad to be able to leave that place, sticking close to the bustling Mrs. Weasley to find the fastest way out.

"Did any of that seem odd to you?" Ryou asked once they were heading down the bank's steps.

"What part? The fact Yugi could now be classified as a giant, or the creepy stares from that duel monster reject?" Malik replied.

"Ha ha.." Yugi said sarcastically, not quite able to shake the feeling that he had missed something behind those stares.

"Accepting a hand-out…" Kaiba growled under his breath, "My stocks would tank if my shareholders ever found out…"

"It's free money ," Malik laughed, "Call it a tax write-off or something."

"Boys," Mrs. Weasley cut in, "I have one quick errand to run, a few things I need to pick up for tonight. But if you'll wait for me there at Flourish and Botts, you can start picking up all of your books and I'll meet you there in a few minutes."

"Sure," Malik said pocketing the money, "Need any help?"

"No no dear," Mrs. Weasley laughed, tussling Malik's hair, "I'll only be a minute. Now you go on and I'll meet you all there!"

It took no time at all for Mrs. Weasley to be lost in the crowd of people hurrying through the streets, leaving the teens standing in front of the bookstore.

"Kiss-up," Kaiba scoffed, walking into the store, behind Yugi and Ryou.

"Flies and honey, Kaiba," Malik said in a sing-song voice edging away towards the neighboring store.

Unlike the pristine order of the bank, the bookstore was a chaotic jumble of paper, books, and strange enchantments that seemed to fly from the pages at an unwary reader. The man that seemed to be the owner was currently amongst a knot of patrons all demanding to be seen first. Kaiba strode straight into the middle of it, while Yugi and Ryou turned away and headed down a different aisle of books to avoid a fresh rush of people pouring into the store.

The books in the aisle could hardly be considered to be in good condition. The air smelled of musty paper, and the spines of many tomes were crumbling away into the dust that coated the shelves. Some had been rifled through, but many looked as if no one had disturbed their contents in hundreds of years.

"Ancient history," Ryou said reading a faded yellow label on one of the shelves, "I'm guessing this must not be a popular subject."

"Some one thinks it is," Yugi said, pointing to a dusty old table at the end of the aisle, covered in open books.

It seemed like there were nearly a dozen different languages, spanning every century since recorded time on that flimsy wooden worktable. There was a half-buried pad of note paper laying amongst a few of the books, with unintelligible writing strewn across it's surface. One tome in particular caught Yugi's eye, as a depiction of a familiar looking monster peeked through the pages. He could have almost sworn he could see the Mystical Elf looking at him from the pages, but as he reached out to spin the book around to get a better look, a rough hand slammed down on top of the tome. A man who looked as if he belonged in the college professor reject file stood before them. Yet another weathered old book was nestled under the crook of his arm, as he glared down at the teens with hard blue eyes burning with a cold rage.

"There's plenty of other books around here," He growled menacingly, pushing himself between Yugi and the book, "I'm sure you can find some that are interesting, and that don't already belong to other people."

"Sorry sir," Ryou quickly apologized, "We didn't know they had already been bought."

"And now you do," The man snapped, slamming the book shut behind him, and tossing the other onto the dusty stack, "So go on and waste someone else's time now that you're done wasting mine."

Yugi had to fight the urge to try and peer around the man's wiry frame, to just look at the book one last time, but his eyes caught for a moment with those cold blue ones. He looked at the ground hurriedly, and mumbled another apology, before both turned and beat a hasty retreat back down the aisle, felling those eyes boring holes in them all the way.

"Ryou?" Yugi whispered in an urgent voice, trying to shake off the tingling that was going on in the back of his head.

"Bakura and I saw it too," Ryou answered, "But did you see that other book he was carrying?"

"Yeah," Yugi nodded, "It had the Eye of Horus on the cover. I think it had to do with the Millennium items."

/Yugi,/A worried voice echoed in his mind.

/Yeah? What's wrong?/

/I….I think I've seen that man before./

Gotc: IMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRY! Hopefully that cliffe will sorta-kinda make up for that horribly long wait all of you so faithfully endured! More updates coming up soon, as well as getting further into a thickening plot! Please bear with me, you're reviews are what keep this fic alive! Remember to give me that feedback, and I'll so you all next chappie!