02-14-08: GUILTY BEAUTY LOVE! (sings) Er – anywhoosle… next chapter time! I've been writing this for like a month, so… (guilty – BEAUTY LOVE – look) Yeah, that's right, I was distracted by Ouran… sigh…

Flashback note: Last scene I ended with an AE flashback. I slightly altered it, but it remains basically the same. But you might want to reread it, because the one in this chapter will have the previous conception erased.

Mokuba note: Last chapter, Shadow asked me why Mokuba was so Americanized, so I want to explain that. There are approximately five or six between the Kaiba Corp Grand Prix and this story. I say Yugi-tachi was 16ish when that happened, and they're 22ish now. Point being, Mokuba's 11ish (do you enjoy all my ishes?) when he gets a letter saying he's a wizard, which is how Seto knows about the wizarding world beforehand. As Seto's busy with the company, Mokuba's pretty much free to do as he wants. He takes this time to travel, in addition to his studies, and a majority of his magical training was in America, with Hikari (for those of you new to the story, she's Seto's girlfriend and how I move along plot points when they need prodding – and she was raised in America) – hence picking up the Americanisms.

OC note: I have reduced the number of OCs in this story from seven to three – only one of which is somewhat significant. Briefly, let me explain: Marie/Wendi/Arina (for those of you rereading) were not important to the plot so they were removed; Ceribi is no longer a professor but merely Yugi's older, forgotten sister, and probably will never come back again; Altáriël is not in the sequel and is only for a minor plot point at the end (yes, the same as before for rereaders); it is only Hikari that plays the role of moving plot points along when they get slow, because she happens to overhear (cough) things.

Marie note: Marie Blackfelt is an OC of my friend's who was in the original story. As a tribute to her, I included her in this chapter, but because I didn't really feel like taking her out after all my hard work of putting her in. She will not appear in other chapters, unless it is in passing.

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. For this chapter, the character Marie Blackfelt is property of Random Peron number three, and is used with her permission.

Chapter Eight: The Shadow Realm's Been Opened Again
New Professors, New Adventures

Great Hall, Hogwarts, Scotland

"I hate the first day of school," grumbled Ron as he, Harry and Hermione trudged into the Great Hall the next morning.

"Why?" asked Harry, yawning.

"Because of our stupid timetables, of course," said the redhead grumpily. "Proof that we actually have to go to class and work."

"Oh Ron," said Hermione, clicking her tongue impatiently. "It happens every year, and besides, only one more after this anyway."

"Still say school's a waste of my life," he retorted to Harry darkly as they sat down. Harry grinned.

"Yeah, well, the minute anyone asks if we want to go to school, I'll let you know."

"What up fellow Gryffindors?" asked a familiar voice as Mokuba bounded over. "I'm starving, what's for breakfast?"

Harry reached for his flask of pumpkin juice. "Everything before you," he said, taking a sip.

"Brilliant," said Mokuba, plopping down and grabbing a piece of toast. He attacked it with a buttered knife. "Y'know," he said, taking a bite and sighing with contentment, "B'eakfas' is de mo' impo'tant meawl oaf de dawy."

Hermione rolled her eyes and Ron and Harry laughed. "And you always yell at me, Hermione!" protested Ron. "Why not pester Mokuba?"

"Because he is infinitely cooler than you, Ron," said Ginny, gliding over and sitting next to the Japanese seventeen year old. "McGonagall come with timetables yet?"

"Not yet," said Harry, taking another piece of toast. "Ron's dreading it."

"Don't remind me!" the aforementioned Weasley said with a groan. His sister chuckled.

"Well, Ron, it's only another two years."

"Two years!" Ron banged his head into the table. "I'll die before that happens!"

"Let's hope you do…" muttered a certainly brunette darkly.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, Ronald, eat your breakfast."

They ate the rest of their breakfast cheerfully, talking about various tidbits before Professor McGonagall approached them. "Ms. Weasley," she said, "You are taking Arithmancy, are you not?" Ginny glanced up, then nodded. "Well then." McGonagall tapped a piece of parchment with the tip of her wand, and handed it to Ginny.

"Thank you, Professor," she said, as she and Mokuba poured over it. "Dammit!" she suddenly exclaimed.

"What?"

"I don't have Defense Against the Dark Arts until Wednesday!" she exploded. "And Arithmancy, too, oh it's just gr – "

"Hold up!" said Mokuba, pointing to a spot. "You have History of Magic next, that's Yugi's class!"

Ginny gasped. "I'd totally forgotten, I thought I still had Binns! Brilliant! Thanks, Mokuba, you're amazing!" (1)

Mokuba laughed and scratched his head. "Naw, I just read, that's all."

Harry only had a moment's jealousy before Professor McGonagall came back to their table. "Potter, Weasley," she said. "You both are taking the classes required of the Aurors?"

Harry felt himself sink ever so slightly. "I wanted to, Professor," he said, "but my Potions O.W.L. wasn't an 'Outstanding'. Professor Snape doesn't except 'Exceeds Expectations'…"

Harry, Ron and Hermione had all received their O.W.L.s in the summer. Hermione, of course, had gotten all 'Outstanding's except in Defense Against the Dark Arts – an 'Exceeds Expectations' there. Harry had gotten an 'Outstanding' in not only that class but also in Charms; he received an 'Exceeds Expectations' in Transfiguration and Potions (to his surprise) and an 'Acceptable' in Care of Magical Creatures. (He had gotten a 'Poor' in both Divination and Astronomy, and a 'Dreadful' in History of Magic. No surprises there.) Ron had gotten almost the exact same marks, except that he had not gotten any 'Outstanding's but rather 'Exceeds Expectations'.

Professor McGonagall's lips twitched. "Mr. Potter," she said calmly, "Professor Snape has agreed to take both you and Mr. Weasley into his class in this case."

Harry's jaw dropped. "He – wha?" sputtered Ron.

McGonagall's smirk widened a fraction of an inch. She doubled-checked a long list before tapping two pieces of parchment and dropped them before the two before turning to Hermione. As she worked out her schedule, the boys picked up the schedules, exchanged them, and then exchanged them again.

"Dude," said Mokuba after McGonagall had given him his schedule and left, "does anyone else have a totally wicked schedule?"

Ginny pouted as Ron said, "Mate, Harry and I have the coolest schedule in existence. Listen to this – first, we get a break – a break!"

"You'll want to use those breaks for homework, Ron," said Hermione, scrutinizing her schedule.

"Yeah, whatever, but not the first day! Anyway – break, and then double Defense Against the Dark Arts, then Transfiguration, then lunch, then another round of Transfiguration, then break!!!"

"Today is practically empty!" said Harry triumphantly, jumping up and pulling Ron with him. "C'mon, Ron, let's see if we can go with Ginny to sit on in Motou's class, then during our other break we can visit Hagrid!"

"Brill – " Ron's voice died as he, Harry and Hermione exchanged glances. "Are you taking his class this year?"

"Nope," Harry said as Hermione shook her head. "I only took it because I like Hagrid, not the class…"

"Oh dear," said Hermione, watching as Hagrid left the Staff Table and waved. They waved weakly back. "What are we going to say?"

"Er – we'll figure that out later!" Ron motioned to Ginny. "Well, come on then! We don't want to be late!"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I'm off, then," she said. "See you guys at lunch."

Mokuba stood. "Yeah, I've got Ancient Runes with Marik, it should be amusing."

"And I'm off to Arithmancy – you sure Professor Bakura's a good teacher?"

"Hermione, I promise, Ryou is a whiz."

They parted, chatting on the way about their upcoming teachers and classes.

Entrance Hall, Hogwarts, Scotland

Yugi Motou was worried.

"Ryou, can I speak to you a minute?"

He was in the Entrance Hall, right outside the entrance to the Great Hall. The white haired professor turned when he heard his name and smiled warmly. "Of course, Yugi. What is it?"

"Well – "

"Oi!" came a familiar voice. The two turned to see Marik walking up to them. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No, actually." Yugi exhaled deeply and ran a hand through his hair. "Look – I need to talk to both of you. Well, rightfully, you and Bakura."

Ryou looked momentarily confused before comprehension dawned on his face. With a grin, he shoved a sleepy Bakura in control of the body.

"Wh – hey, what the hell am I doing here? Wait, when…" He scratched his head. "Yugi? What, Pharaoh's too chicken to come out and fight, so he sends his hikari instead?"

Yugi had to firmly push Yami's desperation for control in the back of his mind. "Marik, Bakura, I want you to promise me something."

Instantly, both looked wary. "What kind of promise?"

"Look – it's the first day of school. No one knows anything about anything – no past, no present. To them, we're all respectable professors and famous duelists. Please, please, promise me that you won't cause trouble our first day here."

Bakura and Marik traded a glance before simultaneously saying, "Sure."

Yugi smiled gratefully. "Thanks, guys," he called over his shoulder, walking into the Great Hall.

Bakura turned to Marik with a smirk as the Puzzle bearer disappeared. "For the first day, anyway," said Marik, sharing an identical grin with his companion.

"For the first day."

Outside of the History of Magic Classroom, Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry, Ron and Ginny walked up to the History of Magic classroom. A bunch of students were milling about the hall, but no one was entering the class yet.

Harry turned to the others. "Why d'you think no one's going in?"

"We were told not to," said an unfamiliar voice. The three turned to see an attractive blonde walk their way. "Professor Motou popped out and said that he wasn't quite finished yet – whatever that means." She smiled. "How was your summer, Ginny? I heard that the new professors were staying at your house."

"Yeah, it was pretty neat," said Ginny with a grin. "They're a really cool lot. How was yours?"

"Not bad, my mum and I went to visit my gran in Germany, it was really fun."

"I didn't know you were German!"

"Yeah, my granddad was a Prussian officer and he married an English lady before the Great War." The blonde smiled. "So, yeah, I've got some German in me!" She caught Harry's eye before laughing. "Oh, jeez, where are my manners? I'm Marie."

Ginny slapped her hand to her face. "I'm sorry, I forgot you guys didn't know each other! This is my friend Marie Blackfelt, in Ravenclaw. Marie, this is my older brother Ron and our friend Harry Potter."

She shook hands with both of them. "Ginny's told me so much about you," she said with a bright grin. "I feel like I practically know you, it's so cool!"

Harry raised an eyebrow at Ginny. "You talk about us?" he said in a mock-serious tone. "Oh God."

Ginny whacked his arm. "Harry Potter, you are awful," she said with a grin. "I hate you."

"Now, now, that's not a good way to start off the school year."

The group spun around to see Yugi behind the crowd around the classroom. "Professor!" said Ginny. "We – er, didn't – um – "

"Didn't notice me?" Yugi chuckled. "Quite all right, Ms. Weasley – but if you'd follow me down the hall? I found a room with more light in it, I prefer it."

As his class followed him, Yugi beckoned to Harry and Ron. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, don't you have a class to go to?"

Harry and Ron glanced at each other. "We've got a break," said Ron. "And – well, we were… well, I was – "

"Can we sit in on your class?" interrupted Harry. "It'll probably be only for today, since we don't have any work to do, and we promise to be quiet."

Yugi smiled. "Of course. I am always willing to help an eager student."

Harry and Ron high-fived behind Yugi's back. The Japanese wizard hid his smile behind his hand.

The room Yugi had found was an abandoned classroom. Harry remembered practicing spells for the Triwizard Tournament in either this room or a similar one, and couldn't help but smile sadly. His fourth year… everything had changed, all because of that year…

"Wow."

The classroom had had a complete makeover. Squishy armchairs, couches and beanbags had replaced the usual desks. The windows were decorated with thick, crimson drapes. The walls had been transformed from cool gray stones to cracked decorative sandy blocks; hieroglyphs and pictures were etched into stone, stories transcribed onto the walls around them. Greek columns flanked an imitation of a sphinx, while the bulls of Persepolis sat on either side of a golden throne.

"While still being comfortable, I figured that this would pay homage to the some of Ancients: the Greeks, the Persians, and the Egyptians. Throughout the school year, I will change our decorations to include various other ancient cultures." Yugi came around from the door and sat on the throne. "As you can see, I am King Yugi – as we say in Japan, Yugi-ou (2) – in this room, or, as the other two cultures might prefer, Pharaoh or Shah Yugi." Everyone chuckled and sat when he told them to. As they did, clip boards materialized for each student.

"This classroom is serious business," he said when the class was quiet again. "I know what Professor Binns used to teach, and how. You will not get away with cheating off of another student's work in this class, as it has been in the past. Not paying attention will cost you. While I encourage class participation and in fact will frequently break from the usual schedule, I will mainly be lecturing in this class. Now, before we start, and before I ask for each of your names, are there any questions?"

Ginny raised her hand. "Ms. Weasley?"

"Professor, what are we learning this year?" she asked curiously. "Obviously, about the ancient civilizations and how they used magic, judging from the décor, but is there more?"

Yugi smiled. "An excellent question, Ginny. Yes, indeed, we are focusing on the ancient civilizations and how they approached magic. I have found in much of my studies that many students know vaguely about magical history in the West, but nothing from the rest of the worlds, let alone of years long forgotten. This is to be a worldwide course – that is to say, we will divulge in the magics of not only ancient western cultures, but of those in other parts of the world. Whenever possible, we will physically try and recreate that past magic."

Harry silently whistled. That sounded impressive. Many of the fifth-years around him also looked impressed. "Is that possible?" whispered a voice.

"That it is," said Yugi with a smile. "And with that, I'd like to segue into today's discussion."

Defense Against The Dark Arts Classroom, Hogwarts, Scotland

"Where – ah, there she is!"

Harry pointed down the hall, where Hermione was coming towards them. Ron turned to that direction. "How was Arithmancy?"

Hermione stopped when she reached them and put away the books that were in her arms. "Fascinating," she said, straightening. "I have to admit, Professor Bakura is very knowledgeable about the subject. I was surprised by the precise way he used the numbers and – "

"In other words, it went well," interrupted Ron, nodding solemnly at Harry. He grinned in response, as Hermione huffed.

"Well, c'mon then," she said. "Defense Against the Dark Arts, through the door."

Harry wouldn't have said it aloud, but he was willing to bet that the only reason Hermione was more eager than usual was because of the professor awaiting them inside.

In fact, once they went inside, Harry was more eager than usual for their new class.

The interior of the classic Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom had been redecorated as a Japanese-style dojo. The desks had disappeared; mats lined the floor and walls. On one side of the room was an assortment of weapons on the wall; on the other hung a rack containing numerous traditional-style robes. As students filed into the class, they stared around in surprise and awe at the change rendered to their classroom.

"Welcome."

They all spun around to see the last person they'd expected. Well, truthfully, they expected Seto Kaiba, but not dressed in a significantly taller version of the robes that lay on the wall. "Do sit," he said. "There are going to be changes from what you're traditionally used to."

"Excuse me, Professor," said Hermione hesitantly. "Um, where would you like us to sit?"

Kaiba raised an eyebrow a fraction of an inch. "Why, on the floor, of course." Hermione blushed slightly as everyone plopped themselves on the ground. "Now," said Kaiba, sitting crossed-legged in front of them. "A key core of any defensive technique, magical or otherwise, is the ability to be fully in tune with yourself. It sounds ridiculous, but in fact, some of the best witches and wizards are masters at even the most basic physical training techniques. Before we start with the wand-waving, we are going to learn just how magic works through our bodies and, through that, how we can effectively counter spells that would cause harm to us."

Everyone stared at him. The brunet's lips twitched slightly. "Any questions?"

Harry raised his hand. "Yeah – what?"

Kaiba muffled his chuckle with his hand. "Alright, a demonstration." He stood, and began to stretch, lecturing all the while. "In martial arts, it is extremely important that you know how your body works first off, and secondly, how to control your body. Magic is the same way. Our magic is channeled through our bodies, and if we understand how, then we can use that to our advantage." He began to go through basic moves: kicks, punches, lunges, blocks and turns. His students stared at him. "Once we understand something, we can effectively block it."

"But physically?" asked a skeptical voice.

The brunet's voice remained impassive. "Try to stun me."

"What!"

"Anyone. You won't get in trouble."

When no one reached for their wands, Harry shrugged and pulled it out of his jeans. He waited for a moment before quickly flicking his wrist and saying, "Stupefy!"

To their amazement, Kaiba spun around and blocked the spell with his hand. It ricocheted off and went crashing into the walls, where the mats absorbed it.

"W-wow! How the blo – on earth did you manage that one?" asked Ron, as flabbergasted as the rest.

Kaiba looked at his hand and shook it. Harry saw a red welt begin to form. "That was a rather strong stunning spell, Potter," said the professor, looking a bit more impressed than he might have. "In any case, physically blocking a spell like that will take months of practice, if not years, and an extremely high magical and physical endurance. I do not suggest it under normal circumstances – but my point is, it can be done." He walked into his office, in the back, and reappeared a moment later, wrapping a bandage around his hand. "My job is not to make professional martial artists out of you. My job is to teach you how to more effectively use your magic, and, with that, defensive techniques that can save your lives against Lord Voldemort."

At the mention of the Dark Lord, the class went silent. Kaiba nodded solemnly. "That's right. It may seem like fun and games, but we're fighting a war. In the end, it's our responsibility to prepare you for what's out there. This may seem like we're just throwing around punches just for the hell of it, but believe me, it'll only be hard work from here on out." He motioned towards the wall. "Now, each of you will pick out a robe and change into it when I tell you to. Initially, we will start out with meditation and lectures about magic and your bodies. Later, when we begin to physically get involved, you will change into those." Kaiba rapped the wall with his fist. A desk and chalkboard slowly slid through it. "And now, class," he said with a smirk. "We begin."

Transfiguration Classroom, Hogwarts, Scotland

As sixth years, any Transfiguration student who wanted to become an animagus would begin the necessary process of learning to do so. Besides the numerous applications to fill out, each person had a specific animal they could become.

"I assume each of you received your wands from Mr. Ollivander," began Professor McGonagall, after telling them that their next period – after lunch – would be spent taking a review quiz on spells and concepts. "He often says that the wand chooses the wizards. In the same way, the animal chooses the wizard as well. Now, in order to find this desired form, there is a potion, and a spell. This is not a task to undertake on your own. I will call you up one by one and we shall see what form you will take, should you decide to become an animagus."

"Blimey," said Ron, as he, Harry and Hermione waited their turns. "Wonder what we'll be."

"It's probably something that matches our personality," said Hermione thoughtfully. "So if someone is particularly vain, they might become a peacock."

"So you mean Malfoy would become a boogie because he's a git?"

Harry roared with laughter at this comment as Hermione tried not to show her amusement. "No, Ron," she said in an almost believably firm voice, and was about to continue when McGonagall called her up. With a sigh, she went.

Ron turned to Harry, grinning. "Well what else would he be? There's no animal that automatically translates to a git."

Harry shrugged. "It's a fair point, mate," he said. "Well, in any case, I'm sure ours will be something interesting."

The redhead rubbed his hands. "I hope I get something cool, like a lion or something."

Harry laughed. "What good would a lion do you?"

"Oh, good point – what about, hm… I dunno, an eagle?"

The other nodded appreciatively. "See, that sounds cool, or a hawk."

Ron grinned. "Or if I fancy eating myself, a sandwich."

The spent the rest of the class laughing about the various ridiculous and useless animals that they could become, and guessing who might become what animals.

At lunch, when they came upon the Gryffindor Table, Mokuba was already seated with Ginny and another girl. "Yo, guys, check her out," he whispered to Ron and Harry when they sat down. "Isn't she something?" Louder, he said, "Harry, Ron, Hermione, this is Altáriël Daeron."

Harry surveyed the girl across from him. She was extremely attractive, with silvery-gray eyes and short hair, the top of which was white and underneath, black. (3) At the moment her bags were sprawled every which way, aided by the fact that she kept running her long and slender fingers upwards through them. Glasses were propped on a small nose, which was on a fair face; from his view, she looked slender but shapely (her robes her open, displaying flattering but not immodest clothes). She had been looking through a book propped partially on the table, but at the mention of people coming she glanced up.

"Hey," she said with a smile. She stood up and leaned across the table, extending a hand. "How's it going? I'm Altáriël, like the man said."

"I'm Harry." He shook her hand. "Very nice to meet you."

"Ditto, heard a lot about you." She turned to Ron. "Ah, so you must be Ginny's brother?"

"Yep, I'm Ron." He, too, shook her hand.

"Which leaves – Hermione?" Hermione nodded stiffly. She seemed a tad disapproving of Altáriël's easygoing manner and her hair. Altáriël, sensing this, added, "I've heard you're the smartest person around, so can you help me with my Arithmancy? Bakura's being an absolute ass and wants to give me a special quiz all on my own, when we're not in class."

At the mention of a compliment and a class, Hermione brightened and went to go sit next to her. Harry and Ron sat on either side of Mokuba. The former said, "What do you mean, a special quiz when you're not in class?"

"Altáriël's a cousin of a good friend of ours," said Mokuba. "She met Bakura – when? Two years ago?"

"I think it was three," said Altáriël, scratching her head with a quill. "Whenever Hikari met you guys, sometime afterwards."

Mokuba shrugged. "Yeah, well, there you go." Whispering to Ron and Harry, he added, "The last time I saw her she was no where nearly as hot as she is now." The other two chortled and began to eat.

After a while, Harry said, "Wait a minute, our animagus forms! What did you two see?"

Ron nearly choked and Hermione stopped in mid-stream lecture. "I'd clean forgotten!" she said, then added eagerly, "I'm an eagle! Isn't that exciting?"

Harry grinned at her while Ron said proudly, "I'm a wolf. Next I'll start how-how-HOWLING at the moon!" He added a bit of a howl to the last part; they all laughed.

Ginny turned to Harry. "Well, what about you?"

He blushed a little. "A lion," he said. Ron laughed a leaned over Mokuba to push his shoulder. Altáriël flapped a hand.

"Man, it's all good! I'm a tiger meself, think it's bloody brilliant."

"Did you see too, Mokuba?" asked Ginny. The other grinned.

"Yeah, but not totally useful – an otter, can you believe it? Of all the animals I might have been, I have to be the one that's only uses are swimming when it gets too cold to walk."

They all laughed and continued to joke and talk, Ginny moaning about how she had to wait another year before discovering what she was when –

"Well, if my dad and his mates did it in their third year, I reckon you can do it illegally now, and just get legal later, if you must," said Harry. When they laughed, he said, "No, I'm serious! Hermione can make the potion, one of us can do the spell – it'll be nothing to it! And then whatever we do Ginny 'll do, and there you have it."

Although Hermione disapproved a bit, Ginny liked the idea, and so they started to put their plan into action. In the spirit of secrecy, they decided to call it, "Operation Barbossa" because secretly, Ginny was a history buff, and who didn't love allusions to German failures? (4)

Hagrid's Hut, Hogwarts, Scotland

After their Transfiguration quiz, Harry and Ron trudged down to Hagrid's hut to visit him during his lesson. He was gathering the others around when he saw them. He gave them a sulky look before turning to the class. Harry and Ron traded a guilty glance.

"Righ' then," said Hagrid. "This 'ere's the newest batch o' 'stuff' the Ministry's given us. They wan' us ta observe various creatures before they either release them or sen' them off somewhere. Pity we can' keep 'em… well, anyway, this 'ere's a dragon, and a breed we've ne'er seen before. Now don't be afraid," a few students had shrunk away. "It's been studied and seems friendly enough. The Ministry thinks we best give it a shot, 'tis all. Not for long, but… well, better tha' nothin', ain' it?"

There was a baby dragon in Hagrid's arms. It was black, with deep, crimson eyes, surveying the group of wary students around it. It burped, a small puff of fire exiting its mouth. A girl giggled and whispered, "It's cute," to her classmate before hurriedly looking at her notes.

Hagrid gently placed the baby dragon into the center of the ground. "Don' worry, now," he said with a chuckle. "It's friendly. Jus' gotta be careful not to bother it."

Keeping an eye on the class, he turned to Ron and Harry and growled, "What 're ye two doin' here? Yer frien' not botherin' to show?"

Harry crossed his arms. "Well then, if you're going to be nasty about it, we might as well go." He turned. "C'mon then, Ron – "

"No, wait, don't go." When Harry turned, he said Hagrid look bashful. "Look – it's jus' 'at – "

"We know, Hagrid," said Ron. He motioned towards the dragon that was now having the fifth-years giggling. "But look here, Hagrid, where'd you really get the dragon?"

Hagrid looked affronted, but Harry wasn't surprised at the question. The last dragon Hagrid had gotten wasn't really his – Charlie Weasley, Ron's brother, was with other dragon keepers from Romania during the Triwizard Tournament – and his first dragon was hatched from an illegal egg that he won from a mysterious figure. It was a valid enough inquiry.

"I tol' ye, the Ministry gave it t' me," said the half-giant. "An' I'm serious!"

Ron rolled his eyes at Harry. The latter grinned and then turned to look at the dragon, which was walking in a circle, looking at the curious fifth years. Something was familiar about the dragon, somehow. He racked his brain but the only thing that kept popping back into his mind was a hazy illusion of a larger dragon, which obviously didn't help.

Harry shook his head, bothered. Something was pressing at him. He felt as if someone was trying to tell him something but could not, a convoluted memory or image trying to expand but was whose cage was being stubbornly unyielding.

Towards the end of class, while Ron, Harry and Hagrid discussed their summers, Harry suddenly shouted, "Red Eyes Black Dragon!"

They stared at him. The members of Hagrid's class who overheard him turned to give him an odd look. "What?" asked Ron, scratching his head.

Harry leaned forward and lowered his voice. "You remember how Mokuba told us about some duels that Motou and them have had? And he mentioned some American-Japanese friend of theirs, whose top card was the Red Eyes Black Dragon?"

Ron nodded. "Yeah? What's it got to do with anything?"

Harry pointed eagerly to the dragon. "It looks just like it!"

"What?"

"Mokuba showed us a picture of the card – that dragon looks like a baby version!"

There was no use hiding it: Ron positively roared with laughter. "Harry!" he said, chortling. "Listen to yourself, mate! That baby dragon looks like a Duel Monster?"

When it was relayed like that, Harry had to admit that it sounded stupid. He scratched the back of his neck. "Well, when you put it like that…"

"Harry," said Ron seriously, "mate, even if it does, it's a coincidence. Who ever heard of a real live Duel Monster?"

He had to admit that for once, Ron had a point. And yet…

"Hullo Professor," boomed Hagrid.

Ron and Harry turned to see Yugi trotting towards them. His arms were covered to the elbows with dirt, and his clothes – an old white t-shirt and jeans – spotted various feathers, grass and other types of stains. He waved tiredly and came to join them. "Hello everyone," he said. "Good days?" Harry eyed his appearance.

"Um, Professor, I don't mean to be rude, but what were you doing?"

Yugi glanced down at himself and chuckled. He wiped the back of his forehead with his hand, leaving a streak of dirt there. "Ryou and I were helping Professor Sprout and then I thought I heard something in the forest so I went to have a look and – well, as you can see, it wasn't a very clean job."

They laughed. Yugi turned and noticed the group of students that were huddled around the dragon – without seeing what they were looking at. "Oh?" he said, curiously. "What are the observing today, Hagrid?"

"A baby dragon," beamed Hagrid proudly. "Ministry a'proved an' all."

Yugi whistled. "Wow. That's impressive." As the students began to pack up – classes were wrapping up for the day – Yugi went forward to inspect the dragon. When he saw it clearly, he froze.

Harry watched curiously as Yugi's knees buckled. He came up to the professor and knelt next to him. As Yugi ran a hand over the baby's scales, it began to purr, in a dragon-like way. Yugi stared at the dragon, mesmerized.

/I must be dreaming./

((What is it doing out of the Realm?)) asked Yami, disturbed. ((This isn't right. First Man Eater Bug, then Red Eyes Black Chick?))

Yugi lowered his head and gently placed his forehead against the dragon's back. Harry blinked rapidly and stuttered, "Er – p-professor?"

Fluidly, Yugi relinquished control and Yami whispered, "You should no be here, little one."

The Red Eyes Black Chick looked at him and burped a small flame. Yami gently reached out with a tendril of the Shadows and touched the chick's mind. ((How did you get here?))

(/A portal! A portal!/) chirped the dragon. (/It was wide open! Me and some others went through it by accident, but it was fun!/)

Yami paled significantly. Within his soul room, Yugi felt himself go cold. /Oh… Kami-sama…/

"It's been opened," whispered Yami, horrified. "The Shadow Realm's been opened again."

"Atemu, I want up!"

"No, Abi! I don't wanna!"

"Abidos, Atemu, what are you to doing?" Pharaoh entered the room and surveyed his two squabbling sons. "Where is Mahaado?"

"Sire," came a gasping voice. A brown-haired boy came in, panting for breath. He bowed. "Forgive me, Majesty, Mana was causing trouble outside, I did not mean – It was wrong of me to – "

Pharaoh absently waved a hand. "Father," said a three-year-old Abidos. "'temu's not being nice!"

"He's being bossy!" shout back his five-year-old brother. "Father, I'm the Crown Prince, I should be the one bossing him!"

Akunumkanon hid a smile behind his hand. "Mahaado," he said, turning to the other boy. "Why don't you play a game with the boys? Something to keep them busy?"

At once, Mahaado bowed and scooped up the small boy. He took Atemu's hand in his free one. "Come, Highnesses," he said. "It's not a matter of who is bossing who. One day, you will both have to work together in order to rule Egypt."

"But I'm Crown Prince!"

"But I don't wanna!"

"Well then, how about a game? If you don't work together, I'll beat you both!"

"No way! Abi and I are gonna win!"

"Let's go 'temu!"

Akunumakanon smiled as he watched his sons. 'One day… the time will come when you will have to work together to conquer the evil left on our soils…' He was staring at the walls, stained red by the setting sun. 'And when that time comes…'

(1) So… Ginny and Mokuba… (cracks up) Oh, I'm so, so mean to Harry… well, I won't tell you where/how this ends up.

(2) Could I resist? Nope. And since Yugi-ou really does mean King Yugi, or, more accurately, Game King, it worked. (I love how I thought about that like a month after I started writing the chapter. XD)

(3) Yeah, you guessed it, I've started watching Fruits Basket at long last. xDDDDDD She looks like Haru (only female), or whatever his name is … the cow (no, not as in fat, in the zodiac he's the cow). The dude that's gay or whatever (he says Yuki's his first love… I assume he's gay). He first appears in Episode 10.

(4) Operation Barbossa was the German offensive against the Soviet Union in 19… 44? (I should know this, I just read a book on Stalin.) Well, in any case, it was part of the Blitzkrieg after the western battle front fell, and was winning until Hitler was all like, "No! Let's go to Ukraine to get food and split our soldiers and be stupid!" Well okay obviously a bit of paraphrasing there (grins) but you get the point. Want to learn more? PM me and I'll give you a long spiel about that, and its effects on the Soviet Union, and on Stalin, and the turning points, and et cetera, et cetera.

Me: These damn chapters/scenes are always longer than I want them to be… the first scene was supposed to be short and sweet, and it was three pages! I wanted it to be like, one! Jeez…