Once again, Silver Saire has to apologize. T.T I'm so sorry for the long wait! What happened was I got writer's block and then died on a glacier and came back to life reincarnated as a rock and then melted into an light bulb and got into something else and then started getting behind in my other work and… and… and….
Oh, what's the use… I've just had writer's block for a really long time. winces Please don't kill me, please don't kill me, please don't kill me, please don't – looks up I… I'm not dead! Yay! T.T Thad to take this big 8th grade computer test thing and now I have to take the AMC test thingy (American Math Contest) because my Geometry teacher's making me… . !
Also, some people have actually guessed part of what's about to happen, and I congratulate you. Those of you who've figured what's going to happen with and the (I love playing hangman – it's so much fun) should know who you are, since I've e-mailed you telling you. Although there might be a few I missed… tell me your theory again in your review for this chapter and I'll reply through e-mail or something.
I know if I accepted unsigned re grade computer test thing and now I have to take the AMC test thingy (American Math Contest) because my Geometry teacher's making me… . !
Also, some people have actually guessed part of what's about to happen, and I congratulate you. Those of you who've figured what's going to happen with and the (I love playing hangman – it's so much fun) should know who you are, since I've e-mailed you telling you. Although there might be a few I missed… tell me your theory again in your review for this chapter and I'll reply through e-mail or something.
I know if I accepted unsigned reviews, I'd probably get a lot more… but at this point, I don't think I'll be changing that. Maybe after I've finished this story or something – I've gotten this far without anonymous reviews…. But you can tell me your views through AIM, if you're one of those who are either too lazy to sign in, don't feel like it, or just don't have a penname, and think it's better for me to accept unsigned reviews. Or… you can just IM me randomly on AIM, if you're a fan of this story. . That'd be cool. My screen name is syz227 I rarely use my silversaire account on AIM.
Okay, I've talked too much. Now you get to read my less-than-quality-work chapter…!
N.E.W.T. classes had started. Was there any more to say? For the 6th years, it meant starting to take things more seriously, to start thinking about the future. They only had a little less than two years left in school, after all. The homework load was immense. Even people like Hermione had a hard time finishing it. For other people… well… they just had to improve their copying and 'editing' skills.
"Ow…." Malik grumbled, setting his quill (he'd figured out how to use them) down and shaking his left hand around to the point that Draco thought that it would fall off. The Egyptian sighed, now wiggling each and every one of his fingers.
"Haha. Getting used to it now, are we?" asked Draco teasingly. "You're not getting away with copying all my homework this time. You actually have to learn something to become an Auror, y'know." But he, too, put his quill back in the inkbottle that they were sharing and stretched languidly, adding a huge yawn.
"Ugh. We've also got our first Occlumency lesson tonight…" came Malik's muffled voice from the book in which his face was buried. "Ten o'clock? Who assigns a class at ten o'clock?" he protested weakly, eyes drooping from sleepiness. "For all we know, the class could end somewhere around midnight! We'll never get our essays done…."
"Ha. And this is coming from a weird, crazy insomniac that stays up until 5 without sleep? Here – you did the one on 'Warlocks During the Renaissance,' right? And I'm doing the ones that Snape and McGonagall assigned. All we have to do is finish Flitwick's 'Charms for House-Cleaning' and Lupin's 'Hupok Safety,' and we'll be done. I think we can manage it between the two of us. If not, then… well… we can always persuade someone."
"Mmhmm…." It seemed like Malik was asleep, but then he said suddenly, "Oh, that's right – what did Dumbledore have to talk to you about that night? After he kicked the rest of us out of his office?" He was looking questioningly up at Draco from where his head was resting on his forearms.
"My father," Draco answered, keeping his voice even. "It's only a matter of time before he breaks out of Azkaban with the rest of Voldemort's supporters, since dementors are going over to the dark side soon enough. I mean, Voldemort can provide them with much more souls than the stupid Ministry can. And when Lucius does break out… he's probably going to come looking for me. Dumbledore suggested a Fidelius Charm – you know, the same one that they used on Harry's parents, until… until they got betrayed by Wormtail."
"And…?" Malik prodded.
"And… I said that I would think about it, and I think… um… Malik, could you be my Secret-Keeper? Please?"
Malik blinked. He tilted his head to one side. "Sure! … Just tell me what it is and what I have to do."
Draco almost chucked his copy of 227 Magical Aromatic Plants and Mushrooms at his companion.
"Gosh… I can't believe you still don't know." He sighed. It was time for another Rare and Complex Charms 101 for Malik. "Okay, the Fidelius Charm. It's a pretty complicated spell, and only few can perform it. It involves the magical concealment of a secret inside a single soul. In the Potters' case, it was Wormtail. The information is hidden inside the chosen person, or Secret-Keeper, which is what I want you to be for me. The info then will be impossible to find, unless the Secret-Keeper spills."
"Wow," Malik said. "It sounds… important."
"IT IS."
"Oh. Okay then! I'll be your Secret-Keeper person!"
"Ugh… why am I not feeling reassured?"
"Hey! Don't you trust me?"
"Of course. That's why I asked you in the first place! But you're not being serious about this! It could probably mean life or death for me!"
Malik rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine, you weirdo. How about this?" He stopped grinning idiotically and sat up straight, looking straight into Draco's silver-grey eyes. To Draco, It felt as if his very soul was getting pierced, with Malik's stare.
"I swear on my life, soul, and spirit," Malik said solemnly, "that I will not reveal your secret. I'd rather die first than betray my friend." The whole time he said this, his face had remained completely devoid of emotion. It was almost scary, how grave Malik was.
"Uh…." The other Slytherin was lost for words.
"What now?" Malik asked exasperatedly, now seemingly back to normal. "Do you want me to seal the pledge with my blood or something? Actually, I really wouldn't mind – "
"No! No… that was good," Draco said softly.
Half an hour later…
"Mm… no, Mariku… let me sleep for a little longer…."
"Malik… Malik. It's time to go. Wake up…!" Draco shook his friend on the shoulder, but to no avail. Malik was still drooling. "Come on," Draco said, sighing and dragging his friend out of the chair. They were actually up in their private dormitory (which Dumbledore had granted them at their request.) After all, most of the other Slytherins avoided them because either a) they were scared of Malik, b) they hated Draco, c) they hated Malik too, d) they were 'Gryffindor-huggers,' or e) … well, there wasn't really another reason. Heheh…
Somehow Draco managed to get Malik semi-awake and all the way up to Dumbledore's office. They were the first ones, besides Snape and Dumbledore, who had been deep in conversation before they'd barged in. The Gryffindors were late. Again.
"No no no! We have to go!"
Slam.
"But – "
"THERE'S NO TIME TO FEED YOUR STUPID STINKIN' CAT!"
Thump.
"Ow!"
Crash.
"Get off of me, 'Kura…."
"MEOWR!"
"GET THAT BLOODY OWL AWAY FROM MY CAT! IT'S MOLESTING HIM!"
Thud.
"No, seriously, guys. I really think we have to go now."
"SHUT UP!"
"Ouch… fine! See if I care about YOU people. I'm going by myself then!"
Silence.
"Ah! No! Wait! Ryou!"
At this, a mad scramble for the portrait hole ensued.
"Hey," greeted a slightly disgruntled looking Ryou, stepping into the office and slamming shut the door.
"Um… hi Ry – "
"Ryou! We told you to wait for us! Ow!" Distant voices were heard in the corridor. Three seconds later, the others tumbled in through the door with a crash. Ryou neatly sidestepped them. They landed in a heap of limbs.
"Ow…."
"Get off my head!"
"… you're sitting on my fingers."
Snape and Dumbledore were confused. Very confused.
"Okay. Is everyone sure that they are all alright now?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now we can begin."
Dumbledore stepped forward. "We thought for the first few sessions or so it would be easier as a group," he said. "In the next few months, your group members may vary according to level of skill, or perhaps just randomly selected to test for best results. Sometimes, when the presence of a close one – a friend or relative, maybe – better concentration is achieved." He shrugged, but there was still a twinkle in his eye. "I don't know. I have never tried this kind of thing before. Oh, and another thing. Seto is suffering from a headache, so he has informed me that he won't be joining us today. Now… to begin."
He clapped his hands. "So. I think we should all be on a first-name basis starting from now on."
Snape looked like he was going into mental shock.
"Headmaster…"
"Yes, Severus – you too. It has been proved that the mind would be more relaxed if there is less tension between two people. Calling by last names is very formal-like, and represents an air of unfamiliarity with others. It would do well for you to participate as well."
Dumbledore practically was cackling with glee. He was very out of character today. "I know most of you are very familiar with each other," he said, "but for our sakes, and to refresh any memories… we will go around in a circle and re-introduce ourselves, just as if we'd all just met for the first time today. Ah. Draco, as you were the first one here, would you please start for us?"
"Draco Malfoy," Draco said, speaking the word 'Malfoy' with something almost like disgust.
"Anything else?"
"What? Uh… age 16, born and raised in England, an only child, and…" he grinned wickedly, "I am not gay, despite contrary belief." There was silence. "I'd probably say that I was bi more than anything else."
Yugi started giggling uncontrollably, clutching his sides in mirth. Ryou was smiling in an amused way, and Dumbledore coughed slightly. Hermione was blushing, Ron and Harry not much better off than her with equally red faces.
"Malik Ishtar, age 15, born in Egypt. I have one older sister, Isis, and have lived in various parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia," Malik continued, with a completely straight face. Then… "Unlike my friend Draco here, I'm most probably entirely homosexual – "
"Despite what many girls hope," Draco inserted helpfully.
"Yes, and for you guys out there, I'm sorry, but I'm also already taken," Malik finished dramatically. He turned to Draco, laughing. They high-fived, ignoring the fact that Ron, Harry, and Hermione were still beet red.
'Crazy teenagers, crazy abnormal teenagers, crazy sadistic psychopath teenagers… I never should have accepted this job,' Snape thought feverishly, shutting his eyes. 'Too much information….'
"Ryou Bakura, age 16, born in Japan," Ryou started thoughtfully, searching for more facts. "And he is COMPLETELY gay. Deal with it," a silky voice purred. The instant those words were said, it was Ryou again. He gasped, and then covered his mouth with his hands. "What did he just say?" he asked in a panicky voice. "Ugh… 'Kura…! I'm going to kill you…!"
With that statement, Ryou's eyes became glazed. He was no doubt trying to harm a certain silver-haired crimson-eyed yami.
Malik smiled calmly, said, "Please ignore Ryou for a moment," and then motioned for the next person to introduce himself.
"Yugi Motou, um… age 16, born and lived in Japan all my life except now… and…"
Blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda. Let's just skip the rest, shall we? Actually, if somebody sends in some info that every person can say, I might come back and change it. So… if you think you have something good, please send it in your review! . On to Occlumency!
"Occlumency is not, as many muggle-born think, reading minds. Legilimency is the ability to extract feelings and memories from another person's mind. That is quite different from this 'reading mind' idea that some people have." Snape's lip curled, and his eyes flickered over them all. "Now, before you actually begin learning about how one might go about protecting their mind from prodding enemies, we will conduct a little… test." His eyes darkened in anticipation. Harry did not feel safe at all.
"Legilimens!" The movement was sudden, and certainly unexpected. Ryou, who had been sitting there blankly ever since he'd gone into his soul room, convulsed. Just once. Then his eyelids fell shut, and he slumped over in his seat.
Ryou's POV. Kind of.
"Legilimens!" He had barely heard it, and now…
Image after image flew through his mind, a blur of color. Painful memories, mixed in with happy ones.
He was six, crying because his first pet had died. He was eight, and his sister, Amane, was smiling and waving at him through an open window. Then… there was blackness. It was cold. Because of Amane's death, so sudden and abrupt… the funeral of his sister, and then his mother….
No… his mind protested. He did not want to relive these moments.
He was hunched over in bed, sobs wracking his body. Overcome by misery and grief. So alone… in an empty, dark house. His father, away on another excavation, unable to provide any comfort. He was becoming quiet, talking less. His teachers, noticing the change, sending home letters and notes to parents who weren't there.
And then… the Millennium Ring. He was twelve, welcoming his father home for the first time in six months. It had been a gift, from a random stall in a marketplace in Egypt. His father, leaving for Africa again just a week after giving him the item.
Then, that fateful day. He was slipping the Ring over his head. It had started to glow, the light blinding him and the hot metal burning his skin. He couldn't move, he couldn't scream. And then, it was all over. There was somebody standing in the shadows….
He looked just like Ryou. Close enough to be twins. Soft silver hair, pale skin. But his eyes… they were red. Crimson red, like a bottomless pool of blood. And before Ryou could speak, he found himself pinned to the wall, dagger at his throat. A single drop of blood fell to the floor.
Snape's POV
I decided to attack the pale boy – Ryou – without warning, to test him, as well as to somewhat demonstrate to the others how it would be like.
"Legilimens!"
I had caught him unprepared (of course). It was easy to break into his mind. There was a brief flash of brilliant white light, and I gasped, overcome by the mass of thoughts, memories, and emotions.
… A news report, of a drunken truck driver who had hit a passing car with two passengers. Stunned disbelief. Denial. A young boy, dressed in black, placing flowers at a grave. Afterwards, he had cried. Cried for days. Then, the same boy, clearly a little older, was sitting at a desk, writing letter after letter, but never sending them. He went to the little gravestones frequently. I felt the boy's resentment toward his father, who was never home, and always on archeological assignments.
He had separated himself from the outside world, staying alone in an empty house. Then, when he looked about eleven or twelve, his father returned once more, to give him something that he'd bought in Egypt. It was a strange looking golden ring, with an eye of Horus in the center. His father returned to Africa not a week after he gave Ryou the object.
But Ryou was no longer alone. The ring had emitted a bright, golden light. I watched as another boy – identical to Ryou – stepped out from the shadows. Before I could blink, the other Ryou had him trapped, a gleaming dagger cutting into the skin of his pale neck.
I stopped looking. It had been enough. Usually, this tortured victims to no end, this flash of horrible or private memories. But… I found that I couldn't. The images kept on coming. This had never happened before. Usually, I was in complete control. But the memories continued to blur across my eyes. What was going on?
I saw Ryou call the other 'Yami,' and 'Bakura.' I saw Ryou, scared of him, scared of his threats and psychotic nature. He got punished every day. I saw, more than once, a knife coming down and conjuring up more blood. Ryou was scared for his friends, and tried to stay away from them so that they wouldn't get hurt. It didn't work. This 'Bakura' person, who had appeared so suddenly (was he a spirit?) seemed to take pleasure in inflicting pain upon others. I watched him rip souls out, mutilate bodies, torture his victims. It made Ryou cry.
And then, it started to change. It was so sudden I thought I'd skipped a couple of years. And… I saw perhaps more than I would have liked to see.
Ryou's POV
I shut my eyes, but the vivid images kept on coming. I saw Bakura, sadistically licking the blood that had seeped out of his wound. I saw him kill and murder innocent civilians. I remembered trying to kill myself, and him punishing me for trying. Him pulling a knife across my skin so quickly it was like lightning. I saw the blood leaking out, but then it was also him that lapped the liquid up. I saw him standing in the doorway, leaning on the frame, smirking at me, and my confused emotions. I saw him trying to kill everyone, and destroy the pharaoh. It seemed like he had no feeling but hate. Hate hate hate. And that was it. But… I also saw him walking in the rain, getting drenched in the downpour. Saw him lost in his own feelings and mind. I saw… I saw myself, going out with a jacket and umbrella. He'd snarl at me and push me away, but… I saw myself always going back to him, no matter what he did. And I realized… that it had been the right thing to do.
I saw him, leaning in to give me my very first kiss. I felt again my heartbeat rapidly increasing, that rising, content feeling in my chest. These were the memories I didn't want to stop coming. I remembered him, embracing me with unrestrained relief when he found me alive after I had been kidnapped. I saw… remembered… relived… everything.
Him, telling me that… that he loved me for the first time. And then he had blushed. I remembered… him pressing me to the wall, the many fervent kisses that we shared.
Snape's POV
I was definitely seeing too much. I tried to look away, but it was impossible. No matter how tightly I shut my eyes, the images still flashed through my head.
I witnessed Ryou and the other exchange kisses, hugs, and other silly expressions of intimacy. They were truly in love with each other, it seemed. (Bakura still mass-murdered whenever he felt like it, though.) They got closer and closer. (But Bakura stole regularly to keep his 'skills' polished.)
Christmas – I watched Bakura stuff snow down Ryou's shirt and then kiss him silly, still on the snow covered ground. New Year's – They had gone to the shrine together, and written their wishes. Ryou's said, 'I wish 'Kura would stay with me forever.'
Two more years passed in the span of two minutes. I saw Yugi and Malik, understood their relation with Ryou. I saw Seto, and the Battle City tournament. I shivered at the cards' power, and the darkness of the Shadow Realm. I saw Bakura seemingly betray Ryou, take over his body. But then I saw him protect Ryou, against a magnificent red dragon. Battle City was over in an instant. After a flood of more memories, it was summer again.
Then… came Hogwarts. I saw the letters, Diagon Alley, the train ride to Hogwarts, and Hogsmeade. I heard the Sorting Hat's words, tasted the food again at that feast on the first day. I saw the spirit taking advantage of Ryou's every spare minute to tantalize him, but at the same time playfully taking over once in a while to fool around with Malik. But there were still nights that forced me to look away. I saw Bakura paying for his actions by having to mind wipe countless students and professors. I remembered him causing great confusion in the Great Hall with Malik. Despite what it looked like, the two were rather close. I felt Ryou get angry at Bakura's antics, but never for too long. He was very forgiving.
Ryou's POV
The memories were still going in fast-forward, until I finally arrived at recent memories not an hour old. 'Kura had been sitting on my stomach, quizzing me on Transfiguration (the book had been balanced on my chest). Then I remembered that it was time to go. Nobody listened to me. I started for Dumbledore's office alone physically, but I had 'Kura there spiritually to talk to me. I arrived first. We had then started introductions… 'Kura said something weird… and so I went into his soul room to lecture him. He had begun to mince my words, his eyes silently laughing at me, when it happened. The bright light came when I was banging my head into the wall with frustration (hehe)…. And… ow. Total blackness.
"What the fuck did you do to my hikari!"
"Calm down, 'Kura, take deep breaths," Malik coached unhelpfully.
"I don't want to calm down," Yami no Bakura snarled. "He," he pointed an accusing finger at Snape, "said something, and Ryou just suddenly blanked out! He's not answering to me anymore!" A ball of Shadows started to form at Yami no Bakura's fingertips.
Uh oh. Not good, Malik thought.
There was a tense silence. Snape's face was a mixture of surprise and confusion, and Malik was willing to bet that it wasn't because of Bakura. Something had happened between Snape and Ryou.
Yami no Bakura stepped forward threateningly, glaring at Snape with enough hatred to send him on a ride to the Shadow Realm, Hell, and back.
"No…!" came a weak voice. Ryou had his arms encircled around Bakura's midsection tightly.
"Stop… don't harm him, 'Kura. See – I'm not hurt or anything…! Can you please put that magic away?"
Yami no Bakura turned, so abruptly the movement almost shook Ryou off. Ryou crumpled to the floor, holding his head. The sphere of Shadow magic had disappeared.
"Oww…" Ryou muttered, massaging his head with one hand. Yami no Bakura stretched out a hand, yanking Ryou back up when he took it.
: What's wrong? Are you alright:
Ryou winced. "Yeah. My head just feels like it's going to split into a million and five pieces and then get charbroiled down in hell. In other words, it feels like shit. It… it hurts to talk through the link." He offered a feeble smile, but almost fell onto Yami no Bakura. His yami held him up, but Ryou still rested his head in Bakura's shoulders. "Mm… dizzy…. I'm going to go lay down for a bit," he murmured, so close to Bakura that his lips brushed against his yami's neck when he spoke. Then he disappeared. Yami no Bakura started to go too, but –
:No. You can stay there and listen for me.:
:But…:
:'Kura, please:
Yami no Bakura frowned, but reluctantly took the seat next to Malik.
Harry was confused. This hadn't happened to him. Snape was perplexed. Why had this happened? The others were worried. Would this happen to them?
Dumbledore coughed lightly. "Why don't we… uh… begin actual lessons now. Severus, talk to me after the session."
Snape nodded mutely, and then closed his eyes for a brief second, as if recollecting himself. Then he spoke, in the same tone he always took, although he sounded a tiny bit shaken.
"Under normal circumstances, the subject would have stayed conscious. What you have just witnessed was slightly different from the average result. Now, I would like you to all free yourselves of every thought. Clear your mind. Let go of all emotion."
They stayed in total silence for about a whole minute.
"Open your eyes," Dumbledore said. He walked around so that he was facing Draco. "Severus and I will perform the spell on each one of you, in turn," he told them. "Try to block us out. You might feel a slight pressure, as if somebody is trying to open a door to your head. Keep that door locked and closed. Good luck to all of you."
Draco's POV
It was hard to let go of every single thought. Have you ever tried it? Something will always run across your mind, like, 'Clear every thought… am I doing it right,' or 'Are all my thoughts cleared yet?' or 'This is hard!' It's virtually impossible to not think, to cast a barrier to intruding forces. After the minute was over, I felt as though I had accomplished nothing. Oh well. I guess practice was necessary here to succeed. But the instant the headmaster started striding to me, I felt my hands get cold. Why me first? Ugh. I was definitely not ready to be tested yet. He acted anyway.
"Legilimens!"
I didn't even have a chance to 'block him out.' This occlumency stuff was harder than they had made it sound. A rush of scenes flew past me, but they were rather grey and blurred, and it seemed like I was standing quite far away from where they were speeding through. I was like an unimportant observer, like I was just another person walking down the street. Everything else around me was foggy and cloudish.
Wait a minute… the thing had stopped at one scene, and the different shades of grey were beginning to clear, but just a bit. The fuzzy lines became a little sharper, and I could discern two shapes… hang on. That looked like me! Yes, one of the figures was definitely me – the shorter one. Hmm…. I blinked a couple of times – wasn't that strange? I had blinked… in my memories? Okay. Confused little Draco here… and I've got to stop thinking this much…. So anyway, I squinted, trying to see who the other person was.
No. Wait. WAIT. The picture was getting blurry again! The little square of grey was moving away from me as well. 'Hey! I still had to see who that other guy was!' was the random thought that popped up. Oh well. I let myself get dragged back to my wonderfully uncomfortable chair in Dumbledore's office. Why was I there again? Oh, right. Occlumency. Heh heh. I was pretty spacey today, like a total ditz. Hmm? Why is everyone looking at me that way?
Dumbledore's brow furrowed. Maybe it hadn't been such a great idea for them to have one big lesson together. These cases were rather… strange, and it was no doubt awkward for the rest to watch as the spell was cast on the 'victim.' 'Yes, way to go, Albus,' his mind provided sarcastically. Draco had just sat there, stiff. His eyes had still been open, which was irregular. They had been distant, blank pools of grey, as if he was gazing at something extremely far away, far away in a sense that nobody else would ever be able to see it. And then, when he had actually broken Draco's defenses, everything had been so colorless and bleak, without much detail. What had really surprised him was the fact that he had seen Draco standing on the other side of the river of blurred grey. This Draco's eyes were clear, and full of life, trying to study the pictures carefully. He had been completely conscious and actually very separate from the memories. In other words, Draco had been viewing them from third person, rather than first person, which was the norm for most subjects.
Dumbledore had decided. He coughed lightly. "I… think we will end this session for now," he said abruptly.
"Wha…?" Ron looked confused. "But… but I haven't even gone yet!"
"The whole world isn't revolving around you, human," Yami no Bakura said harshly. "So shut up."
"After considering carefully," Dumbledore continued, "I have decided that this group will be broken up into pairs or small groups of three or four, randomized each week. You will have Occlumency sessions every Tuesday and Thursday still with either Severus or myself, but instead of having one large group and taking longer to get through everybody, we will work with just a few people at a time. It is already half past eleven, and I'm sure you all want to get to bed soon."
'Say yes, say yes,' he thought hopefully. Stupid old geezer.
"Um… okay," Hermione said uncertainly. She had really been looking forward to Occlumency lessons, but… if the headmaster said so, then… it was best to obey. That was the Hermione way of thinking.
Harry was glad that he didn't need to do anything more today. He was tired, sleepy, overloaded with homework, and now he could at least drop the nervousness and anxiety that had been bothering him since they had walked sprinted down to Dumbledore's office.
Malik yawned again. "Sure, sure, whatever," he sighed tiredly.
"Okay then! It's all settled," Dumbledore said in relief. "Information will be sent to you by mail. I look forward to the next time we meet! Good night!"
"Why in the world does he always just kick us out like that?" Yugi fumed. "And we all went there for nothing. 'Clear the mind, clear the mind,'" he mimicked them. "Ha. Why don't they try it for themselves! Sheesh!"
"Uh… he's sleepy. Sleepy Yugi equals grumpy Yugi," Yami offered. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all still looking a bit surprised at Yugi's peculiar behavior.
"Hn. Baka." Yami Bakura vanished into thin air.
"He's got problems," Ron said, shaking his head. "And suddenly disappearing like that – it's like he's Disapparating! Kind of unnerving inside Hogwarts, if you ask me…."
"Did Malik and Draco take another way down to the Slytherin common rooms?" Hermione wondered.
"Uh… dunno. Must have."
But alas, our two Slytherins were still in Dumbledore's office….
"Professor, we need to speak with you about something," Malik started.
"It's about the Fidelius Charm," Draco added.
"Oh?" Dumbledore peered at them through his weird glasses. "Have you decided on a Secret Keeper?"
"… yes. Malik. I completely trust him."
"Hmm… I see…." Dumbledore put down his cup of tea and sighed. "Well then, I suppose we should get cracking then, hm? The charm takes quite a while to perform. Severus, would you get Professor Flitwick for me please?"
"Wow. What happened to you two?" Ryou asked carefully the next morning. Both Malik and Draco had dark bags under their eyes, and weren't looking too bright and happy.
Draco's face fell into his (luckily empty) plate. "…fi… lius… arm…." He said inaudibly.
"Uh… I'm sorry. What was that?"
"Something Dumbledore did after you guys left yesterday," Malik groaned, slumping over and leaning on Ryou. "Took a fucking long time, too."
Ron's eyes widened. "You mean…? He? Dumbledore? To you?"
"… pervert."
Ron flushed. Hermione rolled her eyes. Harry grinned.
"Anyway, we'll tell you later. Nobody's technically supposed to know, so… yeah."
Harry glanced over at the staff table. Dumbledore was looking cheery, as always, but Snape was absent. Flitwick was the only other one that looked different than usual, but… that was because he was wearing one sock on his left hand and another (differently colored) on his ear. He wondered if that had anything to do with Malik and Draco. … nah. Probably not.
"Um… alright then. Has anyone seen Seto?" Hermione asked, voice half-muffled because she was digging through her bag. "I have a question about Arithmancy I wanted to ask him before we had to go to class."
"He's still in bed, I think," Yugi told her.
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Seto? Still in bed? Hmm… I wonder if he's not feeling well or something. Yeah… yeah, that must be it." She seemed surprised to hear that Seto was slacking off. "Well then, I'll have to go ask someone else, then… I'll catch you guys later."
"Weird girl, isn't she?" Ron sighed, watching her hurry off to the Ravenclaw table.
"Where's Seto?"
"Bathroom."
"Um… excuse me, but do you know where Seto is?"
"Common room."
"Heyy… ya'll, like, know Seto, right? D'you know where he, like, is?"
"No. Try the Forbidden Forest." Yugi said, in his soft and high-pitched I'm-too-innocent-and-naïve-to-lie-so-you-can-believe-ANYTHING-I-say voice. Complete with big, googly round purple eyes.
"Nice…," Draco said admiringly.
You're getting better at that,Yami commented.
/I know,/ Yugi replied smugly.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione's mouths were open. It looked like they were regarding Yugi in a completely different light.
The girl (blonde, ditzy, stupid, GULLIBLE) 'squee'd, said yelled, "THANK YOU!", and ran over to another group of people. After half a second of quick yabbering, they all dashed out of the Great Hall.
"Ugh… stupid idiot fangirls," Malik muttered, starting to walk up the marble staircase, but only to get stopped by another mob of girls. Ugh. Ra, I'm tired. LET ME SLEEP. PLEASE.
Ra evidently chose to ignore Malik's plea.
"O-M-G," one girl – the mob's leader, it seemed – spelled out. She turned to her 'followers,' speaking loudly to make sure Malik heard. "It's Malik! Let's ask him! He should know!" The followers giggled and nodded. She was emboldened. "HI MALIK." Malik said nothing. She waited for an answer, tapping her foot impatiently.
Our poor blond bishie sighed in exasperation, pictured himself ripping the girl's limbs off, and replied. "What, Ann Marie?"
"OH! You remembered my NAME! How kind of you!" She smiled at him, waiting expectantly for another reply.
"Well, you remembered mine," Malik said, as politely as he could without tearing her head off. He imitated her, tapping his foot with annoyance.
"WELL…." Ann Marie said slowly, waiting to see his reaction. Malik almost fell asleep standing up. It looked like Ann Marie had given up her quest to annoy the cute bishie Egyptian. "MeandmygirlfriendswerewonderingwhereSetowassowethoughtyouwouldknowsinceyouhangoutwithhimallthetimeandsoyeahcanyoupleasetellus?"
Malik blinked. But then he realized that it probably didn't matter whether or not he got the exact wording of the phrase. 'Translation Where is Seto Kaiba?,' he thought to himself. It was time to come up with another random answer. "The dungeons," he told her, yawning. "He and Snape have some sort of secret affair."
Ann Marie had obviously missed the sarcasm. Her eyes widened, bypassing Yugi's, until they were the size of saucers. "O-M-G. NO WAY."
"G'night," Malik said dismissively, starting up the staircase again.
Ann Marie blew a kiss, exclaiming, "Thank you Malik! I love you! Goodnight!" and then running down another passageway to the dungeons, her trail of friends following her like some long, multi-colored tail. She did not see Malik flinch at her statement.
"Where is he?" they heard him mutter to himself.
Mm… first person POV – it's really not my style. So… if I messed up, I'm really sorry. .;
Yes. Malik is left-handed. . And a vegetarian.
Eh… Snape knows Japanese…? I dunno. .;
I'm sorry this chapter kind of sucked. I had no ideas. But… you'll be glad to hear that I already have the next one done. . And since this is Thanksgiving break… I'll probably be able to post it once I think everyone's ready. Input and suggestions are, as always, welcomed thank you all so much for reading this far!
I can't believe this… I read all of the previous author notes, and… they were from MONTHS ago. . That isn't too good. I can't say how sorry I am, so I won't even try. I don't want to make up excuses, either… ugh. I feel awful for not updating in so long. I hope you don't hate me! >.
It was my birthday on Sunday! February 27th - I'm 14 now! .