Chapter Organization Note: This chapter is not in chronological order, but it'll make sense at the end. I hope. If you're deathly confused at the end, I'll be happy to send you the outline for the chapter – since I'm rewriting, each chapter has a bullet point list of what I'm writing and in what order, so seeing it written in lines like that might be easier to understand.
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 all original characters by Hikari Daeron.
Chapter Seven: Welcome To Hogwarts
New Professors, New Adventures
Compartment, Hogwarts Express, England
"No. Effin. Way!" Ron squealed, practically toppling forward in excitement. "No way!"
"Way, dude," said Mokuba with a grin, sitting back against the seat. "Freakin' sweet, huh?"
"MAN!" (1) shouted Ron in Hermione's ear (she winced), punching the air. "I can't believe how… how… human they are!"
"Ron!" scolded Hermione. "It's not as if they're from another planet! They're perfectly normal!" Ginny laughed and shoot her head.
Mokuba wasn't quite sure about that, but he wasn't going to object. Instead he said, "But to Ron, they might as well have six heads and green teeth, because they can't possibly ever be human." The last part of his sentence dripped with sarcasm.
Ron sat up. "Oh, ha, ha. Very funny."
Harry hid his smile behind his hand. Mokuba had just told a story involving their new professors that had Ron reeling – apparently it was too much that both Motou and Bakura had set toaster ovens on fire. (2) (Harry decided not to comment on the fact that Ron would too, if he came into contact with the object.)
They'd gotten to the Hogwarts Express with no trouble. Mokuba had stayed behind at the Weasley's when his brother and the others left two weeks previously (despite the brunet's major objections to this). Since then, he, Ginny and the trio had become even tighter friends. They began to give him a better insight of the wizarding world – and even into the battle against Voldemort – and he, in turn, told them stories about the duelists and their past. While the Hogwarts group was more and more becoming open – telling him about most of their adventures – without their knowledge, Mokuba was becoming more and more guarded. If word of the yamis and the Millennium Items got out…!
"Oh look, the Potty crowd has a new follower."
Harry rolled his eyes. He knew that voice anywhere. "Get lost, Malfoy," he said tiredly. "I'm in no mood to kick your ass today."
Malfoy smirked, leaning across the compartment opening. "Actually, Potty, I thought you might fancy a duel," he said snidely.
Harry grinned to himself and pulled out his deck. Fanning the cards – it was something Mokuba had taught him – he said, "Any time, Malfoy. Any time." Harry knew the other had been trying to one-up him – underneath his cloak, Harry saw the bulk of what appeared to be a Duel Disk (it was). He knew, by the way Malfoy kept smirking at Crabbe and Goyle behind him, that he had wanted to catch Harry off guard. However, the other had been expecting such a trick, and was ready.
Malfoy's smirk wobbled before he snapped, "Whatever, Potty! We'll see at school who's the master of the duel!" (3)
Mokuba, who had been casually looking upon the verbal battle with a wry grin, suddenly bit on his fist, hard, to avoid laughter. Malfoy's gray eyes swiveled on him. "What's this!? The new kid's laughing at me?! I'll show you what happens to people who laugh at Draco Malfoy!"
Before he could pull out his wand, he had five others pointed at him. "Don't try it, Malfoy," growled Ron.
"Shut up, Weaslebee," snarled the blonde, backing out of the compartment.
"Like hell," said Mokuba, before he shot a spell that the others had never seen or heard of before. He winked at them as the effects took place. "A little to scare him for a bit," he said with a grin.
Malfoy's hair and fingernails started to grow. He stared in horror as his blonde locks descended to the ground – stopping at his waist – and as his fingernails grew just a little bit and became a sparkling pink. He backed into a wall and noticed that he had grown – because he was wearing heels! "I'll get you for this, kid!" Malfoy shouted towards Mokuba, running down the halls as Ron, Harry and Ginny howled with laughter.
"Get it right!" Mokuba shouted back. "It's MOKUBA KAIBA, BITCH!"
Ancient Runes Classroom, Hogwarts, Scotland
"Marik."
Marik spun around and nearly dropped the parchment he was holding. "Ryou!" he said, clapping a hand to his chest. "You scared me!"
"May I come in? I need to talk to you."
Smiling, the Egyptian nodded and gestured to a chair. "Please, do sit," he said, thinking to himself, He looks a bit uneasy. Everything alright, I wonder?
Ryou came in, closed the door, and nervously started to pace. "Marik, I – " He stopped, moved some pieces of parchment that were on a chair, and flung himself down. "Ma-chan, I'll be frank with you," he said. "I'm worried about Bakura."
Marik moved some things on his desk before sitting on it. "Oh?"
"He's never been around Yami for such an extended period of time," the other replied worriedly. "I'm not sure how he's going to act. I… well, he doesn't really listen to me, does he? But you, Marik – he respects you. Do you…" Ryou hesitated, then said cautiously, "Would you do me this favour, Marik? Watch after him; make sure that whatever trouble he causes isn't… dangerous? Restrain him a bit around Yami?"
The blonde clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "He's being blocked right now, isn't he?"
"I don't want him to know. He'll get offended – his pride is so easily rattled, but I'm doing this for his own good, and for the sake of our group. I like Yami and Yugi, and I know that deep inside, he respects them too. But he'll never admit it, and past anger will rile him."
The other exhaled slowly. Great, first Bakura, now Ryou? Watching after Bakura was a responsibility, he knew that, and yet he and the thief had always been good friends. They'd hit it off in Battle City, surprisingly, and now…
Well, it fit into an already-made promise, anyway. Might as well watch over him while watching out for him.
"All right then," said Marik, standing and offering a hand to the near albino. The other exhaled and smiled warmly, taking the hand and lifting himself up. "I'll do my best."
Ryou's smile was so sincere that the Egyptian couldn't help but return it. "Thank you, Marik," he said warmly, drawing the other into a hug. "I owe you one."
Marik waved a hand. "Please, Ryou, after all these years? Don't mention it. I suppose it's time to pay my dues, after what happened at Battle City."
Ryou laughed. "Oh Lord, I got over that long ago, but we'll call it even, if it makes you feel any better."
Lavender eyes danced. "Deal."
Hogwarts Express Platform, Hogsmeade, Scotland
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Mokuba stood outside of the Hogwarts Express, looking around them and wondering what to do with the younger Kaiba. After all, he too had to be sorted into a house – as a seventh year, but sorted nonetheless. They spotted Hagrid and went over to ask him, when someone cut in front of them.
"You are, I assume, Mokuba Kaiba?" said the shrewd voice of Professor McGonagall. She nodded to the others as they greeted her.
"Yes, Professor," said Mokuba, surprised. "How'd you know?"
McGonagall's lips drew into a hint of a smile. "You have your brother's looks." (4)
"Ah – ano, arigatou, McGonagall-san," murmured Mokuba, blushing underneath tanned skin and flicking his gaze downwards. Harry and Ginny caught each other's astonished gazes. They'd never seen Mokuba looked so flattered.
McGongall's lips twitched before she turned away from them. "Come, Kaiba. You are to be sorted separately and quietly, as to not create too much of a scene."
Mokuba glanced up at his friends and nodded with a grin. "See you guys soon," he said with a wink, and followed the emerald-robed Transfiguration teacher.
As the others went off and found a carriage, Ginny said, "Well, that was interesting."
Harry laughed as they climbed in. "It must be hard to live up to the Kaiba name," said Hermione thoughtfully. "Even saying that he looks like his brother must be a huge compliment."
"Considering that Kaiba's dead sexy, yeah, I'd say so," said Ginny with a laugh. Hermione blushed.
"I never said that!"
"Yeah, well, it's true," said Ginny with a shrug. "All of our new professors are drop-dead gorgeous."
As Hermione's blush deepened, Ginny winked at Harry and turned a mock-astonished look towards the other female. "Don't tell me you like one of them!"
Ron decided to tune in then. "What?!"
Harry buried his face in his hands as Ginny prodded the brunette. "No way! Which one?! It's Kaiba, right? It has to be Kaiba. Ah, oh my God, look at your face! Haha, you like Kaiba!"
As Hermione's blush turned even more scarlet and she babbled some excuse, Ron paled and Harry tried not to laugh. Jeez, it's so obvious… poor Ron.
Ginny caught Harry's eye and, guessing his thoughts, mouthed, Poor Ron? Poor Hermione!
When at last they reached the grounds, Ginny fell back to walk with Harry as Ron pestered Hermione about the conversation. "I definitely pity Ron here," he said. "What's Hermione's worry? She'll get over it, just like Lockhart."
Ginny laughed. "Harry, for God's sake, you don't honestly think Kaiba – or, for that manner, any of them – is still single?"
"Wha'due mean?"
"C'mon Harry, honestly, he's Seto Kaiba. He's one of the richest men in the world, and rated as one of the best looking. You can't think he doesn't have a girlfriend hidden away somewhere?"
Harry shrugged. "Yeah, I guess, but – "
"And the others – surely Motou's got a sweetheart? Bakura seems the type to have some sort of arranged marriage, even without his charm, and Ishtar has definitely got at least five girls on him."
The other laughed. "Yeah, right. But Hermione 'll get over – hang on, how'd you know it was Kaiba?"
The redhead raised an eyebrow. "Harry, did you see how she was practically drooling over him the entire time he was at the Burrow? Besides, he's got everything. If I wasn't so levelheaded and utterly nonchalant about men, I'd probably fancy him meself."
"Modest, you are."
"Thanks mate."
They laughed and fell into a comfortable silence. Harry felt himself go slightly pink as his mind started to wander. He hadn't been alone with Ginny for quite a long time now…
"Oi! Why you two lagging behind so?! Well come on then!"
Harry had never wanted to clobber Ron so thoroughly in his life as he did then, but kept his feelings in check. Instead, he and Ginny jogged to enter the giant doors with the other two, both of whom looked slightly disgruntled. Harry and the youngest Weasley caught each other's glances, and looked away with grins.
The four of them filed into the Great Hall, Harry marveling as always how it never changed. The ceiling was dark but starry, with only a few hazy clouds drifting across. As they sat down, they saw Mokuba walking into the Hall from a side entrance. He glanced around and, when he saw their waves, gave them a thumbs up and jogged over.
"Guess who's officially a Gryffindor seventh year?"
"Alright mate!" said Ron as he and Harry gave him high-fives. The younger Kaiba slid in next to Ginny, grins all around.
"I know, I can't believe it!" he said. "The Hat had trouble at first, kept wondering if maybe I'd do better in Ravenclaw, but I told it to send me here. I said, Look, dude, I totally get that because my brother's a genius I should be one too, but honestly, I've risked my ass too many damn times and I've become too good friends with those guys not to get into that bloody house, so you better stick me in Gryffindor or I'll sue." They laughed. "Next thing I know, it's telling McGonagall that I'm one of the worthiest Gryffindors yet."
"Well, congrats again mate," said Harry. "All I can say is, we've got an interesting year ahead of us."
"Amen to that, homie," said Mokuba, stretching. As he did, his sweater – his robes were open and he wore a dark gray sweater over his shirt – lifted slightly, to show firm abs and…
"Is that a tattoo?!" exclaimed Ginny.
"Wha?" said the other with a yawn, glancing down at his hip.
Ginny yanked up his shirt and pulled at his jeans just enough to show the body of some sort of animal. Mokuba blushed. "Is that a dragon?!" said Hermione, her jaw slack.
"Er, yeah, a Blue Eyes White, actually," said Mokuba, scratching his head with his other arm.
"How long have you had that?!" said Ron, awed.
"Er, well, I got it for my birthday," said the other, laughing at their astonished stares. "A friend of mine – she's over eighteen – well, she took me to this place where her friend works, he said he'd do it even though I'm not eighteen yet. It was in the States, you've got to be eighteen to get a tat there." (5)
"Does Kaiba – your brother – know?" asked Harry.
"Hells no!" exclaimed Mokuba. "He'd kill me and my friend if he did!" He shook his head and chuckled. "Jesus, Harry, what do you take me for, an idiot?"
"Screw that, can I see the rest?" said Ginny eagerly. Mokuba looked around the slowly filling Great Hall.
"You think anyone 'll notice if I strip?" They laughed, but Mokuba looked serious. "I'm not kidding!" he said. "Its head's on my shoulder, see, and it goes down my chest and across to the end of my back or so." They stared at him.
"That must have hurt like a mother," said Ginny, wide-eyed.
"It did," said Mokuba with a wry grin, fixing his shirt. "Hikari – my friend – said I was screaming for my brother in the middle, but funny thing is I can't remember…"
They all laughed – well, with the exception of Hermione, who looked a little disapproving – when suddenly, the Great Hall's chatter started to ebb and fade. Harry glanced up and saw Professor McGonagall walk in, carrying a stool and a patched-up old hat. She set the stool down and the hat on top of it. By now, Hagrid and the first years had entered and they were standing around the stool. McGonagall stepped back. Everyone held their breath, waiting…
A rip tore in the hat's brim and it began to sing.
"Danger is upon us
Once again, beware!
I'm trying to help you,
And show you that I care!
The Dark Lord has opened something
That's from ancient times!
This new form of magic,
Will not come in straight lines.
This is complicated, oh how I know!
You all must be confused,
But listen to me carefully,
And you won't remain bemused!
I know I am to split you
Into the houses four
But this year I am saying
Something much, much more.
Gryffindor was always brave;
The first to always go through.
Ravenclaw was the clever one,
And taught us all she knew.
Sweet Hufflepuff was hard-working,
And decided not to rest.
And Slytherin, the cunning one,
Thought that he was the best.
These houses four were friends for long,
Until that sorry day,
When Slytherin left the founders four,
And went on his own way.
And now I am to split you up,
Although I think it's wrong.
For if we remain divided so,
It will not be long
Before the Dark Lord has us all
In his evil hands
So we must stay united
Or he will have our lands.
But luck may be on our side,
For we have new friends
Who join us in this battle
And help us make amends.
These friends have powers beyond us all
So know this now, my dears:
Help them through this fateful year,
More and more, the danger nears.
So now my song must finish off,
I'm afraid this is so,
Try me on and I'll tell you,
Just where you ought to go!" (6)
The Great Hall burst into applause. "These songs get better every year, don't they?" said Ron, dodging Hermione's whack.
Professor McGonagall opened up the roll of parchment in her hands and stepped forwards. "When I call your name," she said loudly to the youngest students, "Come up and sit on the stool. I shall place the Sorting Hat on your heads, and you will be sorted into one of the four houses. Anders, Jane!"
A mousy little girl walked forward nervously and sat on the stool, staring out at the quiet crowd.
With that, the Sorting commenced.
Third Floor Corridor, Hogwarts, Scotland
There was a wiz of an arrow. Bakura stuck his hand out and caught it neatly before saying, "What's up Marik?"
Marik poked his head out of the shadows and said, "Nothing much, just bored." He stepped out, the Shadow bow disappearing, along with the Shadow arrow that his companion had held.
"What's with the gift that you've now taken away?"
"I wanted to get your attention and test your skills at the same time. It was a win-win for me."
The albino laughed, bringing up his hand. He and Marik clapped theirs together in a sort of handshake gesture. "Touché, my good man. That was good; I should try it on the Pharaoh some time."
Marik laughed and walked with the other down the third floor corridor. "You never know, you might actually get him for once."
"Oh, I will. And when I do, I'll make sure to either have it on film or get pictures of it. It'll be all over the Internet." Living in the twenty-first century did have its perks, and despite not being handy in the kitchen Bakura thoroughly enjoyed other modern conveniences.
"Bakura, as amusing as that would be, what if the cameras end up exploding like the toasters?"
"Ah, but you see, I've already thought of that. Kaiba would love to see Yami humiliated, right? So I'll bribe him and have you there to help."
Lavender eyes widened slightly as the Egyptian put up his hands. "Slow down there, thief-chan. When did I get dragged into this?"
Bakura stopped and turned to him. "Marik – and I'm being serious now – would you do me a favour?"
Marik slowed his steps. "What kind of favour?" he asked warily.
The albino shook his head. "No, nothing like that. I…" He stopped walking and faced Marik squarely. "Look, Marik, I'm going to be straight with you. I'm a dangerous person to be around – "
"No shit."
" – and I'm responsible for Ryou. But besides that, in the past, I've always had a second, someone to watch my back. Will you… do that, for me?"
Marik stared at him straight on. "What?"
"I know it's not exactly an easy thing to ask, so I'll dumb it down for you." Bakura grinned at the other's glare. "I watch your back, you watch mine, okay? Any if anything happens to the other, one will avenge the other and pick up where they left off."
The Egyptian exhaled. "I guess so," he said with a shrug. As it was, because of their friendship and the nature of their personalities, he usually watched out for the other anyway. "Sure, why not?" They shook hands.
"Thanks, Marik."
"That's what I'm here for."
Defense Against The Dark Arts Office, Hogwarts, ScotlandSaggi the Dark Clown…
Seto Kaiba sat at his desk, but instead of flipping through the pile of books in front of him, he was going through his deck. He knew it by heart, and no one could dispute that, but…
How uncanny. Saggi, of all cards to come up first…
He knew it was going to be an interesting school year, to say the least. Only recently he had admitted to himself that the yamis did exist. Whether they were 3000 year old spirits trapped inside the golden pendants that Ryou and Yugi wore… well, that was harder to convince himself of.
And Ancient Egypt? How could anyone believe any of that?
Okay, fine, he had been wrong. Magic did exist. Didn't these wizards prove that? He supposed that it did explain all the weird things that happened ever since he met Yugi Motou… but come on! Spirits trapped inside objects just so that when the time was right they could save the world (or in Bakura's case, something more sinister)? It echoed one word: bullshit.
And yet…
Saggi, of all cards…
Seto Kaiba's deck was a crusher. It was a brutal, taunting and strong deck. He once taunted Yugi for carrying Kuriboh, the weakest card in the game – and yet, despite all of his strong monsters, he had Saggi the Dark Clown.
Saggi had been instrumental in the Card Crush Virus strategy. However, he stopped using that after Duelist Kingdom. And yet, here he was now, going through his deck and he finds it again…
I thought I took this out long ago…Maybe he had thrown it back in after a fit of sentimentality. Maybe he had been looking through his thousands of cards and this had slipped in. Maybe he was trying to reconstruct old decks and this had wandered inside of his current one.
Or maybe it had never left.
How ridiculous… this card, it's so…Then again, this was Seto Kaiba. It wasn't as if he couldn't control what was happening, right?
Great Hall, Hogwarts, Scotland
The chatter started to die down as Dumbledore stood up. "Welcome," he said, with arms raised, "to another year at Hogwarts."
By now, there was utter silence.
"Welcome to all of our new friends, as well as the old," the aged headmaster continued, smiling at his pupils. "I am so glad to see everyone return, safe and sound. And now, of course, for the usual announcements: first years are to know that the Forbidden Forest on the grounds is, as its name implies, strictly forbidden, and I believe some of our older students need reminding." Harry, Ron and Hermione smirked at one another. "Mr. Filch has also updated the list of banned objects to include many Weasley Wizard Wheezes products. I know," he said as many of the students groaned. "Fred and George Weasley were always two students I found most amusing, but it is as is. This list of banned object can be found on the door of Mr. Filch's office.
"But now, I must move onto graver matters."
There were hushes before the Hall silenced itself again.
"While Hogwarts is a place of learning and enjoyment, I am afraid that this year, we must be more vigilant than ever. As we all know, Lord Voldemort," there were shudders, "has returned. The Ministry of Magic has acknowledged it, and advises constant guard and awareness. To this they want stricter studies of protection in schools – but we want to take that a step forward. As several of out dear professors have left us this year, we now have four new members of the staff to make your educational experience not only more enjoyable, but more useful as well. Thus, I would like to introduce to you…"
Yugi's Bedroom, Hogwarts, Scotland
"Ooh, my own fireplace!" exclaimed Yugi, rushing forward and examining it. "Look, Yami, I have my own fireplace!"
Yami, materializing in his shadow spirit form, chuckled. "Yes, Aibou, you have your own fireplace."
Yugi 'huffed'. "Don't make fun of me! I've never had my own fireplace, and I've always wanted one."
"Yes, Aibou."
"Shut up."
Yugi walked around his new bedroom, examining its odds and ends. He found it very much to his liking. The bed was large – Queen sized – and draped in thick crimson sheets. There was a thin golden veil over the four-posters, effectively shielding the bed from any unpleasant things – "A.k.a. bugs," as Yugi explained it to a befuddled Yami. Besides that, the desk was large and wooden, with several compartments (and Yugi bet a few hidden ones as well). His dresser was similarly large, wooden, and spacey.
Overall, it was a very homey sort of room. Yugi was excited for the school year.
"Hey Yami?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know where I put that box of decorations? I want to stick some stuff up in my room."
"Wasn't it with the rest of your things?"
"That's what I thought, but – "
"Professor Motou!" squeaked a voice.
Yugi spun around, startled, as Yami disappeared. What greeted his sight was a something about half of his size, wearing an old maroon sweater with a "R" stitched onto the front, a pair of mismatching socks, and a pile of hats. "I'm sorry," said Yugi. "I – um – "
"My name is Dobby, sir," said Dobby, sweeping a bow. /Why didn't those hats fall?!/
((I couldn't tell you.))
"Well, um, Dobby, it's very nice to meet you," said Yugi. "I hope I'm not being too presumptuous or rude by asking this, but, um… what are you, exactly?"
"Dobby is a House Elf, sir," said Dobby happily. "But Dobby is not connected to a wizarding master. Dobby is a free Elf, sir, and works for Hogwarts for wages!"
"Ah, I see. Well… um, congratulations, Dobby."
Dobby's large eyes welled with tears. "Oh, thank you sir!" he said. "Thank you so very much, sir!"
((I think they're enslaved, Yugi,)) came Yami's voice. Yugi nodded in understanding.
"Dobby, can I ask you something?"
"Anything, sir."
"House Elves are fairly enslaved to a wizarding master for their entire life, unless they're freed, right?" A nod. "How'd you become free?"
Dobby sighed with happiness. "Harry Potter, sir. Harry Potter helped free Dobby."
Yugi smiled. "Harry's a good boy, I'm not at all surprised."
The other's eyes widened. "Professor Motou knows Harry Potter?"
"I do indeed." Yugi smiled warmly before noticing a box in Dobby's arms. "Dobby, is that my box of decorations?"
"Ah, sorry, sir," said the House Elf, depositing the box at his feet. "That is what Dobby came up to give Professor Motou, sir. And if Professor Motou will ever need anything else, Professor Motou can call on Dobby at any time!"
"Thank you, Dobby." Yugi thought of something. "Hang on – another question."
"Yes, sir?"
"How do you free a House Elf?"
"By giving them clothes, sir." Dobby gestured to his attire. "House Elves are not allowed clothes, but many do not want them either. Harry Potter made Dobby's old master give Dobby a sock, which freed Dobby!"
"Well then, Dobby," said Yugi, opening his suitcase and rifling through it. "I'd like to give you a gift, if I may."
Again, Dobby's eyes filled with tears. "Professor Motou is so kind!"
"Nothing of the sort, Dobby," said Yugi with a smile. He took out a leather jacket of his and walked over to the other. "Sorry, it's a bit big," said Yugi, "but I thought you might be able to shrink it, anyway."
((That was my favourite jacket, Aibou.))
/Oh, hush./
Dobby's eyes filled with tears and he started to cry. "Professor Motou is far too kind to Dobby!" he bawled. Yugi tried to hush him, console him, but Dobby simply walked away with tears of gratitude.
"Remind me never to give gifts again," said Yugi, blinking. Yami materialized with a headshake.
"I liked that jacket."
"Oh, shut up, Yami," said the other amiably, and proceeded to decorate his new room.
"My king! Egypt has been blessed!"
He turned around, a joyous smile alighting his face. "A child?"
"Another boy, sire!"
He pushed past the other and half-ran to the room. "Pharaoh, the Queen – "
Staring at the guarding servants, he made his way past them and then froze.
She lay on the bed, her expression peaceful, arms crossed over her chest. Had it not been for the fact that she lay in a pool of crimson blood, a delicious contrast to the pale flush of her skin, despite a natural tan, it would have seemed as if she were sleeping…
'No…'
He wobbled, but kept himself upright, walking to her side. He took one of her hands in his. 'Still warm…' Gently, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, softly, his eyes squeezing shut to hold back tears.
Crying. Not the call of his name, not the shaking of his shoulders, but crying cut through his silent mourning. He dropped her hand and turned to see a small bundle in the arms of the midwife. He walked up to her, and she bowed. When she raised herself, he took what she was holding from her and unwrapped the blankets.
A babe. A small, beautiful baby boy with thick black hair was in his arms. He was sniffling, but upon turning a brilliant emerald eye on the person carrying him, he ceased to cry. Instead, he gave a sort of smile, a baby's giggle.
Pharaoh couldn't help but smile back, cuddling the child, holding him tightly. He was had unusual looks for a child of Egypt, but they were no stranger than his heir's. "Another son," he murmured. "My son…"
Harry Potter woke up, wondering what on earth that dream was.
Great Hall, Hogwarts, Scotland
He was near the end of his speech. "Thus, I would like to introduce to you our four new professors. First, our new History of Magic teacher, Professor Yugi Motou."
From his position at the Staff Table, Yugi stood, allowing his hood to fall back and reveal his spiky hair. There was a collective gasp.
"Next, our professor of Arithmancy, Ryou Bakura."
From his place next to Yugi, Ryou also stood. "Professor Marik Ishtar will teach Ancient Runes," the Egyptian stood, "and, of course, our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is Seto Kaiba."
When all four had stood, someone started to clap. Slowly, applause collected around the Great Hall until there was a thunderous roar. It took five whole minutes until Marik screamed, "Yo, my legs are tired! I want to sit, already!" There was laughter, and then the applause died. When he sat, he exclaimed, "Ra! You'd think they'd never seen a celebrity before!"
"I think they were clapping because of me," said Yugi, hiding his grin.
"Were not! I'm obviously more famous than you!"
"Of course, Ma-chan, of course…"
Meanwhile, Mokuba and Harry were debating.
"Don't do it, man. He might not appreciate such a public display."
"But he's Seto Kaiba, he's not going to care if his brother asks him a question! And he knows I'm too lazy to go up there myself and ask him!"
Harry shook his head. "Man, if you don't get detention for this…"
Mokuba laughed. "Might as well try." And he raised his hand.
The chattering turned into curious murmurs. Professor Dumbledore blinked from his position at the Staff Table. "Yes?"
"Sorry sir, I've a question for Professor Kaiba."
Kaiba looked up from his dessert. "Yes?"
"Can I stay up tonight?"
There was laughter, but Kaiba was unfazed. "It's a school night, you know the answer."
"But bro, I wanna party it up with Harry and Ron!"
"Exactly why you shouldn't be up."
"What!" Mokuba exclaimed. "Ugh, Nii-sama, you're so mean to me!"
"Your first day of classes start tomorrow, being tired won't be an excuse for not performing your best."
"Oh come on! Please, Nii-sama? PLEASE?? I'll call you Aniki."
Marik choked on his pumpkin juice. "Man, Mokuba, crossing the line there!" he said, laughing.
"Shut up Ishtar," said Kaiba. "No, Mokuba, you're going to bed on time, and that's final. If I have to check up on you then I will."
"Man, bro, you suck," said Mokuba dramatically, slumping over the table.
No one outside of the two groups was quite sure what to make of the exchange.
(1) As far as I know, Brits aren't prone to screaming "DUDE!" like us Americans are. (laughs) I needed some sort of exclamation. (If it was Yugi, I'd have written, "YATTA!" Hahahaha…)
(2) The yamis, obviously. (grins) Everyone has stories where they set stuff on fire, so… here you go. However their destruction of Ryou's and Yugi's houses are not nearly as interesting as the time they fought over teacups…
(3) "I'm way to cool to duel for jewels." "Hahaha! I think rhyme-ing's funny!" HAHAHAHA I LOVE THE DUB OF EPISODE 106. Ah, GX, how you amuse me so… still, that's never as good as, "RULE NUMBER ONE! Never interrupt The Chazz when he's in the middle of a long monologue!" xDDDDDDDDDD I freakin' love Manjyome! "Thunder it up!" Ahahahaha… Inside jokes with yourself are ALWAYS the best.
(4) I think Mokuba's someone who would become extremely good-looking. At first I was going to put "You have your brother's eyes", but I think his eyes would always remain a shadow of his brother's, never quite that same rich sapphire shade. As a seventeen year old, I see Mokuba as tall, tan, and built, with long and messy black hair, a deeper voice, and a bit of a daredevil. He doesn't seem like it much now, but later on he's going to do some things that'll thoroughly piss off Seto. (laughs) (If anyone's read Stephenie Meyer's vampire love saga, I see him a lot like Jacob Black, but more mature.)
(5) Like I said… Mokuba's a wild one. (laughs) A "tat", incidentally, is slang for a tattoo, if you didn't know. I'm not sure how common it is, we use it in my city – and I'm pretty sure in the States in general. Speaking of the States, the friend here is, of course, Hikari. She does stuff like this to piss Seto off… she finds it amusing… (grins) Oh, and of course, you didn't think Mokuba would get the tat of something other than a Blue Eyes White Dragon, did you? I bet it would look awesome…
(6) I wrote that for the very original draft years ago, and I've kept it, because it's not half-bad and it took me forever to write.
Me: I have to say, I had a lot of fun writing that last scene… Mwhahaha… Well, super long, like I promised, so I hope you all enjoyed it!