Telepathy:
((Yamis))
/Hikaris/
Disclaimer: Hikari Daeron does not own Yu-Gi-Oh! (Kazuki Takahashi) or Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling). The characters Hikari Daeron, Altáriël Daeron and Ceribi Motou are both original characters by Hikari Daeron. And apologies to Little Kuriboh. (laughs) Let's see anyone catch the reference…
Chapter Four: Diagon Alley
New Professors, New Adventures
The Burrow, Outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole, England
"So tell me again… what exactly is 'Floo Powder'?" asked Marik untrustingly. He and the Kaiba brothers had been there only a day when the Weasleys and co. decided they needed to get their school supplies – and sooner, rather than later. And so the professors were about to journey into – to them – the unbeknownst realm of Diagon Alley.
Upon arrival, it was soon apparent that relationships between the duelists and their studentswould get interesting. For one, it seemed a certain bushy-haired young woman was rather attracted to the rather aloof CEO. Seto, of course, was oblivious as always. ("What do you expect?" Yami had remarked. "The man denied my existence for years, and still won't believe that I was once Pharaoh." Bakura had remarked that Yami was only sore "because someone else refuses to take orders from you for a change." Yami had hit him over the head.) And as for how her friends took it? Harry thought it was a laugh, but Ron seemed rather touchy when it came to the issue…
Thank God I'm not girl-crazy, Harry once found himself thinking, trying to ignore the sudden wash of warmness he experienced when the youngest Weasley suddenly walked into the room…
In any case, it seemed Yugi was the only one worried on how Hermione would take it when she realized how completely un-interested Seto Kaiba was in her. Not even Ryou seemed to be worried. "She's a sixteen year old girl, Yugi. Surely she's experienced heartbreak before?"
Marik, on the other hand, found it delightfully hilarious, especially when Seto proved that really was that woefully oblivious when it came to the opposite sex. "Hey Kaiba, why aren't you with your girlfriend right now?"
"Ishtar, are you truly that stupid? My girlfriend's not even in the country."
"I love when I'm smarter than he is," remarked Marik gleefully, when Seto left the room.
Mokuba rolled his eyes. He was getting far too used to this treatment of his brother by the former psychopath.
Speaking of Mokuba, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had easily become friends with him. He was smart; he was charming; "And boy, is he rich!" (It was apparent which of the three had said that.) Mokuba was seventeen, entering his final year of magical schooling – which was, indeed, meant to be spent at Hogwarts. He found the prospects extremely exciting, and not at all daunting. When asked why?
"When you've hung out with Yugi for as long as I have, you'll learn that nothing short of an international disaster can scare you."
Hermione was the only one to press for details. "Let's just say that when you're good friends with Yugi, you never have a boring day." And that's the last they heard of it.
"So what exactly is 'Floo Powder'?"
"Well…" began Harry, who was leaning against the door. "It's a form of transportation."
"How does it work?" asked Bakura suspiciously, examining the pot that Ron was holding. Lupin and Mrs. Weasley were to meet them at the Alley, while the Hogwarts Trio, Ginny, Mokuba, and the duelists were to take Floo Powder.
"You simply pick up the powder and throw it into the fireplace," began Ron.
"State your destination clearly," added Harry, "as you step into the fire." Marik raised an eyebrow.
"Step into the fire? That doesn't sound safe or legal."
((Since when has he cared about legal?))
Ryou laughed in his soul room. /Hush. You know he means well./
((Our Marik Ishtar, mean well? Perish the thought.))
/Shh. Hermione's speaking./
"It's perfectly safe and legal," said Hermione professionally. "You won't get hurt –"
"– Unless you don't keep your elbows tucked in and your eyes closed," interrupted Ron. Hermione glared at him.
"This is ridiculous," said Seto, appearing in the doorway (Mokuba was already in the room). "I've heard enough of this chit-chat. Come along, Mokuba." He walked over and snatched up some powder from Ron. Turning, he swiftly threw it in the fire (which turned into a cackling emerald green), stepped in, and called clearly, "Diagon Alley!"
With a whoosh and a cough of smoke, he was gone.
"… That's it," said Yami, with sudden conviction. "Anything Kaiba can do, I can do." He repeated his rival's actions and within moments, he, too, was gone.
It didn't take much after that to get the others through.
The Leaky Cauldron, London, England
"… Where the hell are we?"
"Obviously Diagon Alley, dumbass."
"Thank you Mr. Obvious! I meant where in the Ra-damned Alley, Marik."
"Well then say so, Bakura! Jeez!"
"Well then, I'll repeat: Where the hell in this Osiris-blessed Alley are we?"
"Couldn't tell ya, sorry."
"Hey, Marik?"
"Yes?"
"You're an idiot."
"Hark who's talking! This is coming from the person that – "
"Alright you two," came Yugi's amiable voice. "That's enough."
"You know Ishtar," said Seto calmly, as others rolled out of the fireplace. "Your voice is starting to sound more annoying than the mutt's. It might be best if you shut up from now on."
Marik beamed. "I must be growing on him, if he's going to treat me like Joey," he whispered to the other two. Bakura rolled his eyes.
"Yeah right," said Seto from a bench across the room. He didn't glance up from the newspaper he was reading.
Harry, who had already come through and was helping Ron up, said, "How'd he hear that?"
"Well, my brother is a man of many talents," said Mokuba, dusting himself off.
"Yeah, he specializes in creepy abilities, lame insults and, oh, what was that last thing… I know! LOSING TO YUGI IN EVERYTHING HE DOES!"
It was now that the CEO decided to look at Marik – if flicking his eyes in that general direction was a look. "Sorry Ishtar, I don't speak Moron. You'll need to switch to English or Japanese instead."
Marik then did something that wasn't quite normal: he made a frustrated noise, a very rude gesture at Seto, then suddenly his hands… twisted and squeezed the air. It looked very odd to passersby.
"Marik, what the hell are you doing?"
Apparently, it was Bakura's voice that could break the Egyptian's train of thought. He exhaled and said, "C'mon. Let's go get these books. The sooner Kaiba's out of my site, the better."
As Bakura lead Marik away, Yugi strolled over to Seto. Still riffling through the paper, the seated man said, "If I'd known that doing that would make him go away, I would have tried it ages ago."
Yugi chuckled. "C'mon Seto, let's go get needed classroom materials."
His companion stood and tucked the paper under his arm. "You know Yugi," he said. "At times, you're much more sensible than any of them, including your yami."
((HEY! I heard that!))
/I'm sure you were meant to, Yami./
"Yeah, well, Yami loves you too."
"Oh believe me, the feeling's mutual. For all the fact that most of the time, you are a calm, sensible human being, your other half is – " Seto waved a hand and cut himself off. "But I digress. We all know that you can get under my skin just as he does."
Yugi laughed. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Meanwhile, Harry, Ron and Hermione were being ushered away by Mrs. Weasley, looking very puzzled indeed. Mokuba, on the other hand, was trying not to laugh.
Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions in Diagon Alley, London, England
"Too large."
"Too small."
"Too wide."
"Too… tight…"
"Too dark."
"Too light."
"Too long."
"Too short."
"Too purple."
"Too green."
"Too – "
"Too – "
"ENOUGH!" exploded Hermione. She snatched up a few robes and handed them to Madame Malkin. "They'll take these."
The witch nodded and went to go ring them up. Hermione rounded on Ron and Harry, who both looked sheepishly at her. "Honestly you two!" she reprimanded. "This kind lady goes through all that trouble and brings out a bunch of robes, and all you can do is criticize!"
"Well Hermione, we are paying, so…"
"Ronald, that's not the point!" Hermione summon Ron's bag of coins with a flick of her wand and paid for his robes. "C'mon Harry, you too. I've already got mine, because somebody took too long!"
Harry, chortling softly, paid for his robes as well and hurried out after Hermione.
"I think we've rubbed off on her, mate," muttered Ron under his breath as he followed. Harry grinned.
"Us? Never."
"C'mon you two! Don't you want to meet Mokuba at Fred and George's shop?!"
Ron perked up and dashed ahead as Harry laughed and ran to catch up.
Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley, London, England
"Well there certainly are a lot of books here," commented Ryou, eyeing a particularly fluffy book called Madame TuTu's Book Of Ballet with something between amusement and distaste.
Yugi laughed. ((Wow Hikari, what logic!)) commented Bakura dryly. ((It's not like we're in a bookstore or anything.))
/Oh hush you./
In the middle of the shelf, some books separated, and Marik popped his head through. "I just found the coolest book ever!" he said, a gleam in his eyes. "It's all about making weapons more dangerous with magic!"
Bakura practically shoved Ryou out of control and said eagerly, "Lemme see!!"
Marik eyes glinted mischievously. "No way Jose! I'm going to learn some tricks to one-up you!" His head disappeared.
"Bastard!" spat Bakura, running out of the isle and sliding into the next one.
Yugi covered his closed eyes and shook his head. "What do I do to put up with this?" he moaned into his palm.
((Well Hikari, your kind nature and gentle personality makes people think they can walk over you,)) offered his yami.
/Gee, thanks Yam'. Love to hear the confidence in me, it's simply shining in your voice./
He chuckled. ((You know I only have the utmost faith in you, Aibou.))
/Surprisingly, I'm well aware./ Yugi mentally stuck out his tongue at the spirit. The latter laughed at this picture of childishness.
((Look at the King of Games now,)) he said with a grin. Yugi pouted.
/You're the King of Games, stupid./
((No, we're the Kings of Games. I'd say we're damn tied in skill. But Yugi…)) Yami grew suddenly quiet, seriousness in his voice. ((There will come a day when you will surpass me… and when that time comes…))
He was interrupted by a crash resonating throughout the store. He raced towards the sound, and was not surprised to see Marik and Bakura in a heap of books, looking sheepish.
The manager came in with thunderous footsteps, wanting to know "just what the bloody hell in the name of You-Know-Who is going on here?" With a nudge from Yami, Yugi relinquished his control and the pharaoh came out with all his authoritative glory.
"Excuse me?" said Yami to the fuming manager. "These two are with me."
The manager spun on his heel. "Can you explain why they were running around my shop, making a bloody ruckus?"
Yami was unperturbed. He coughed softly, and leaned in, as if telling a secret. Dropping his voice, he said, "Just got back from St. Mungo's. Spell Damage Control. They do some funny… experiments. The last one got a little out of hand, and they haven't been quite the same since… I'm afraid your vast collection of books was just too much for them, especially the various subject matters. Just a word with them and I'll straighten it out. They're truly charming fellows." He winked confidently.
The shopkeeper found himself in a predicament. Although happily married and very much straight, he wanted to almost blush at this young man. Everything about him was flirtatiously authoritative. The way his golden bangs delicately framed his face, or the way shining leather pants hugged his small waist. The gentle touch to the keeper's arm, the way he subtly leaned in. His breath tickled the tiny hairs on the other's neck. He looked up from under thick black lashes, crimson orbs sparking to life as the shopkeeper stared in wonder, breath held tightly in his chest. Even the wink had sex appeal, laced with hidden wonders and joys that could be found if he just leaned in…
With a jolt and a stumble backwards, he stammered out, "O-of course, sir. Anything you say."
Yami flashed a dazzling, blinding smile before turning to Marik and Bakura, who were laying on the ground, staring at him. "C'mon you two," he said calmly. "It's about time we were off."
Without thinking, they scrambled up to their feet and shuffled obediently out of the store. The former pharaoh turned back to his stunned audience and once again addressed the manager. "I believe Mr. Kaiba is picking up the tab." He motioned his head to the brunet who was walking towards the register.
Upon hearing his name, Kaiba turned around and blinked at the situation. Without missing a beat, he said, "Of course. If you please?"
The shopkeeper turned around hastily and quickly rung up the books the lot had bought. He stared as the taller man swept past the spirit. Daintily, Yami followed him.
Outside, Kaiba faced the other three professors. "You owe me money," he said, but his voice revealed that he didn't care. "What happened back there?" he asked, without a trace of curiosity.
Marik and Bakura, finally realizing what had transpired, turned towards Yami. "I never knew you were such a compulsive liar and a flirt, Pharaoh," said the Egyptian, with something close to awe.
Yami had the grace to blush subtly, and look away.
Weasley Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley, London, England
"Blimey! Look 'ere, Harry! They've invented a standard class day dream!"
"Wicked! And look here, Ron, they've expanded their line of fake wands!"
"This is all very impressive," said Mokuba. "Are they really your brothers? They're geniuses!"
"Just for that, Mokuba, you can get that happiness potion for free," said a familiar voice cheerfully.
"Fred! George!" said Harry. He shook their hands eagerly. "Business well, then?"
"Invariably," said George, beaming around the busy shop. "And it's all thanks to you, mate, honestly. Couldn't have done it without you."
Harry waved a hand. "Honestly, no problem." He motioned towards Mokuba. "This is Hogwarts'…" He trailed off. "Hang on, you called him by name! You three 've met?"
Mokuba nodded. "They were part of the guard that picked me, Marik and Niisama from the airport."
Fred nodded solemnly. "Your brother is an awfully quiet fellow."
"Kaiba?! Our Seto Kaiba, quiet?!" blustered Marik's voice from behind them. "When did this happen without my notice or approval?"
"Good to see you again, Marik," said George, clapping the Egyptian on the back. "Like the shop?"
Marik indicated the bag of items he was already carrying. "Love it. Honestly, you two are smarter and more useful than Binky-boy."
("Who?")
("Kaiba.")
("Oh.")
The twins beamed. "Now you're making us blush," said Fred, batting his eyelids. Marik grinned and linked arms with him and the other redhead.
"Let's go explore, shall we…?"
Mokuba groaned. "I'm afraid of what will happen with the three of them, especially if Bakura joins them."
"Oh?" Hermione's voice was the politely interested one that she used whenever she wanted to find something out. "Is Professor Bakura rather rowdy?"
Mokuba hadn't meant to let that slip out, so he stuttered out, "W-when he's drunk, yes." Hermione pursed her lips, but said nothing. Mokuba added hastily, "I mean, the twins have already decided to make a product that makes your hair as crazy's as Yugi's. Who knows what they'll think up next!"
Me: There we go! Now, I'll try to update when I get back from my trip. (bows)