/Text/ Spirit to host

/Text/ Host to spirit

Chapter 6: Debate

It hadn't taken long for Dumbledore to arrive after Ryou activated the coin. Roland had escorted the eccentric old man into the office and resumed the same guarded stance by the door as the last time Dumbledore had visited.

"Thank you for contacting me in such short time," said Dumbledore, pleasantly. He took a seat beside Ryou with Yugi and Seto facing him from over on the opposite couch. "Ah, excellent, I see the murtlap I left you has gone to good use, Mr. Kaiba. Now…is it safe to assume a decision has been made?"

"Just about," said Yugi. "I think the general consensus is that we're going to go to this school and help you fight Voldemort. But we have some concerns that need to be addressed before we truly accept your offer."

"I see," said Dumbledore, "Please, continue. Let us get all of our worries off our chest while there is still time to do so."

"Well," said Yugi, frowning, "I don't know how much you know about some of the…uh…adventures my friends and I have been on lately, but we're no stranger to having some madman after us for one reason or another. I think, overall, that we handled each of these threats pretty well."

Yugi looked down at the Puzzle hanging from his neck and then at his hands clasped in his lap. "But a lot of those times, they always struck first, throwing us off guard. And they always went after my friends just to mess with me. I've had my best friend brainwashed to try and kill me before, and fighting him was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. It was only by a small miracle that we both made it safely out of that situation."

"But the one good thing, I guess, of all of that happening, is that I was usually close by for my friends when they needed help. So…I guess what I'm trying to get to, Professor, is how can I protect my friends if I'm halfway across the world?"

Dumbledore nodded pensively. "Do your friends possess the same magical abilities or artifacts?"

Ryou shook his head. "No, they don't."

"The fact of the matter is that this Voldemort has seen footage of the Battle City tournament," said Seto, "Therefore, he would have seen Wheeler out with the rest of Yugi's friends while Yugi and I were tag dueling. And then all of them were gathered during the finals on the blimp. It wouldn't be rocket science to find out that Yugi's weakness is his circle of cheerleaders."

"I see," said Dumbledore. "You are certain they will need protection?"

"I would say so," said Ryou, "Joey and Tristan are pretty street smart, but I don't think any of our friends will stand a chance against these wizards if they're going to fight with magic."

"I just want to be sure that Voldemort won't be able to target them while I'm away. I can't help fight a battle from two sides," said Yugi. "My friends have been through enough. In order for me to be on board with this…I have to know that my grandfather and the others are safe."

"When we are finished here, I can arrange for wards to be placed upon your homes, and the homes of your friends, so the Death Eaters will not be able to target them," said Dumbledore. "Would that be satisfactory?"

"Surely you can't expect them to stay home all the time," said Ryou, "We're all still in high school. I imagine when the Death Eaters find out that they can't get to us from home, they will just wait for an opening…and we all congregate in the same place every day!"

"I can arrange for wards to be placed at your school as well," said Dumbledore. "While powerful, the enchantments are not difficult to cast." He turned his gaze to Seto. "You've been fairly quiet so far, Mr. Kaiba. What do you have to say about all of this?"

Seto crossed his arms over his chest. "Honestly, if Yugi's so intent on continuing to protect his friends all the time, they'll never stand up and fight for themselves, and instead will just wait for him - and by extension, me - to bail them out of trouble again. But I also understand his reasoning for it, since I would do no different for Mokuba. With what you're proposing, some spell protecting the building isn't going to do much good if no one's in it. Yugi's friends aren't wizards. They can't just disappear and reappear at whim. If someone decided to pay them a visit, what are they supposed to do? Wheeler's loud mouth won't do him any favors against someone casting spells."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Ah. And before I commit to anything further, I suppose you have qualms of your own to address?"

"I do." Seto leveled an even gaze at Dumbledore. "We all can't just go at the drop of a hat. I imagine if Yugi and Bakura decide to leave with you, it'll just be written off as some kind of student exchange program. The only responsibilities they have are to school, helping out in Solomon Muto's shop, or the occasional Duel Monsters game in their buddy circle. Good for them. I, however, am Mokuba's legal guardian. I have him to care of and run this company. I won't leave him here to be targeted by another rampaging lunatic."

"I understand that you are responsible for a great many individuals here. We will of course place wards around your home, and this magnificent building you have."

"That might seem acceptable to Yugi, but not to me. The last time I was separated from Mokuba, he was kidnapped. Putting a bubble on our home or even his school won't take away the fact that he'll still end up as bait when Voldemort comes for us. He's been through too much already for someone his age."

"I think I know where you may be headed, Mr. Kaiba," said Dumbledore. "I have already been in contact with the Japanese Ministry and the headmistress of the Mahoutokoro School of Magic. Magical children are added to the schools' lists at birth and once they are of age, receive invitation letters to their respective schools. None of you, your younger brother included, are listed on any current or future admissions list. Unfortunately, that means I cannot admit him into Hogwarts."

"What about us?" asked Ryou. "You invited us to your school."

"I believe I mentioned on our last visit that the magic from your strange artifacts should be a sufficient channel to let you perform modern magic. Bringing you three to Hogwarts had to go through our Ministry of Magic, and it took quite some convincing. Bartering for one more admission would not be wise at this point in time."

"Regardless, Mokuba's eleven," said Seto, "He'll be out of school within the next few days. I can't expect him to sit on house arrest all summer. He has a life to live too."

Dumbledore held up his withered hand. "I believe I have a solution."

"What would that be?" asked Ryou. He could feel Bakura growing restless from within his soul room.

"Obviously I cannot expect your friends and family to sit and thumb twiddle for months on end. I will of course have protective enchantments placed on your homes, and place of business," said Dumbledore, "But, if it will ease your mind further, I can have an associate or two of mine stationed here to help keep an eye on things. They would be discreet and would not meddle in your friends' affairs. If a situation arose, someone would be there to handle it until additional help could arrive."

"If I'm supposed to leave my brother in this stranger's care, I want to meet him before I leave town," said Seto.

"Certainly!" said Dumbledore, "I will make the necessary arrangements when I leave here today. Are those your only concerns?"

"I'll need to be able to return to Japan every so often for work," said Seto. "This is non-negotiable. I just went through two hostile takeover attempts within the last three years. I won't let something else happen here simply because I went gallivanting off to learn magic tricks."

Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully. "How often will you need to return for business?"

"A few days a month. Most of the work can be done remotely, but there are some matters that I would need to be in attendance. You will have plenty of advance notice, and in return I expect my travel arrangements to be honored."

"I see," said Dumbledore. "Would you be willing to travel with a…chaperone of sorts? For your protection, of course."

Seto huffed. "I'm more than capable of taking care of myself, but if you find it necessary, then I suppose I'll have to agree to it."

Dumbledore nodded. "Very well. Is there anything else?"

"Uh, when are we supposed to leave?" asked Yugi.

"Ideally, as soon as possible, but I understand that arrangements across time zones will – why, hello again, Mokuba."

Mokuba froze, turning beet red as the four occupants of the room turned to look at him. Roland closed the door after him. The younger Kaiba dropped his school bag at the foot of the couch and grabbed a seat next to his brother. "Um…hello, Professor."

"And how are you on this fine day? Your brother has mentioned that you will be out of school soon. I take it you're excited for the summer?"

"Uh, yea. I suppose so?" He looked quizzically up at his brother, but Seto did not return his gaze.

Dumbledore turned back to the others. "As I was saying, I will return to England and make arrangements for a few of my associates to be stationed here. When we return, if you could take us to any specific locations that need wards, we will do so at that time."

"Where are we supposed to stay?" asked Ryou.

"A wizarding family has agreed to lodge you until the start of term. Your official Hogwarts letters stating your school equipment lists will arrive sometime in July."

"How are we going to pay for our school supplies?" said Ryou, "I don't think the yen will do us much good, and I imagine we can't buy our school books in any normal store."

"Hogwarts has special accounts at Gringotts Bank to help students purchase their equipment. Of course, you may also bring your own funds to exchange into wizard currency. Your host family will take you to get all of the supplies you need at that time. On my return home this evening, I will stop at the bank and get the most current exchange-rate tables for you."

"Well," Yugi said after a brief pause, glancing up at Seto next to him before looking back to Dumbledore. "I guess…I guess that covers everything."

Dumbledore clasped his hands in front of him. "Very good. Now, as it seems I have addressed your concerns, perhaps you can reciprocate with one of mine."

Yugi blinked. "What kind of concern?"

"Well, as you, Mr. Kaiba, have a responsibility to your brother and those in your employ, I have a similar duty to all of the teachers and students in my school. Now, however brief our last meeting may have been, I have noticed something."

Dumbledore looked at them over the top of his half-moon spectacles. "I have not seen the supposed shadow magic that Voldemort is seeking. But I have seen possession in you, Mr. Bakura. I believe I asked a question that did not go answered on my last visit, that I believe I know the answer to. Your necklace is not just trendy jewelry, and there is magic within it, correct?"

Ryou looked down at the Ring.

"I am not asking merely for my own knowledge. If you agree to come to my school, I will offer you as much aid and protection against Voldemort as I can. But I also have an obligation to protect my students and staff. If your items are dangerous and have the potential to harm others, I must be made aware. Now, it is obvious that you three know more about shadow magic and the like than I. I am not asking for a comprehensive lesson on your magic. In my previous visit, I have tried to give you a basic understanding of what the dangers are in our world. Today, I am merely requesting the same in return."

"It's…hard to find a place to begin," said Yugi. "Since you've already seen Bakura, I guess that's where we'll have to start."

Dumbledore held up his hands. "I ask only for honesty."

"...They're called Millennium Items," said Ryou. "They come from Egypt, and are about 5,000 years old. This is the Millennium Ring. Yugi has the Millennium Puzzle, and…" he looked around curiously. "…Kaiba has the Millennium Rod…wherever it is."

Seto rolled his eyes. "I moved it to the briefcase under my desk. It's not like I'm going to leave it out for the secretaries to gawk over. Unfortunately – or fortunately – I got stuck with the hunk of gold that can't be worn around my neck."

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Are these the only Millennium Items?" He watched curiously as the Millennium Ring activated and Ryou switched places with his spirit.

"No," said Bakura. "There are others. But since you came here the last time with photographs from the tombs, I believe you already knew that answer."

"Merely seeking confirmation of my theory. And may I ask your name? I can clearly see you are not Ryou Bakura."

Yami Bakura gave a low chuckle. "I am the spirit from within the Millennium Ring. My name is Bakura."

Mokuba raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?" At his brother's sharp look, he shrank back against the edge of the sofa.

"…And does the Millennium Puzzle or the Millennium Rod also contain some sort of spirit?"

Yugi glanced up to Seto, but his rival did not meet his gaze. "…Yes. I…my spirit goes by Yami."

Dumbledore looked at the Millennium Puzzle. "If I may, Mr. Muto, is Yami the figure depicted on the tablet in the museum?"

Yugi nodded. There was no point hiding this from him. "He's a Pharaoh from over 5,000 years ago."

"Fascinating," said Dumbledore, and he turned to Seto. "May I also assume you have some sort of spirit from the Millennium Rod, and that is the other figure depicted on the tablet?"

Seto gave a slight nod, glaring down at Yugi, who seemed to be unconsciously fidgeting with the Puzzle.

"If these Millennium Items contained spirits of those who held them in the past, I would deduce then that the Shadow Magic is in there with them. But I must ask - are these Millennium Item spirits and their Shadow Games putting you in any danger?"

Seto rolled his eyes. "Wearing that Millennium Puzzle has essentially turned Yugi into a danger magnet. But if you're asking if his split personality is going to murder him in his sleep, then no."

"We have been sealed in these Items for thousands of years, waiting for our destinies to be fulfilled. Until then, we are bound to our hosts," said Bakura, "Harming our reincarnations would be counterproductive."

"I see...and what would that destiny be, if I may ask?"

"That," Bakura snapped, "Is none of your concern, old man."

Yugi frowned at Bakura's dark half. "I think what he means to say, Professor, is that it's best for fewer people to know the secrets of the Millennium Items. It's caused a lot of trouble over the years, and for your own safety, we want to keep that close."

"Thank you for being honest thus far. I understand your desire to not tell me everything. To confirm my suspicions, I hazard a guess that the shadow magic that Voldemort is seeking is only channeled through your Millennium Items. Is that not correct?"

Bakura narrowed his eyes. "The Millennium Items do have the power to call on the Shadows, but not just anyone can wield them. Their destinies were predetermined thousands of years ago. If Voldemort is not one of those chosen few, these Items will be useless to him. He will be thoroughly disappointed, and honestly, I hope I'm there to witness it."

There was a quick flash of gold. "Bakura!"

The tomb robber feigned shock at Yami's sudden outburst. "I don't see why you're so offended, Pharaoh. Over time, my Ring has caused at the very least insanity to countless who were not worthy to control it. Your Millennium Puzzle might have done the same if it hadn't been smashed in a box until your runt of a vessel put it back together."

Dumbledore watched the other Yugi jump up angrily off the couch – or, he would have, if Seto hadn't grabbed the back of his jacket to keep him in his seat. Clearing his throat, he began again. "Are there any other Millennium Item bearers I should know about? It is not far off to assume that Voldemort will seek them out once he realizes that you three are out of his reach."

"There is only one other Millennium Item wielder, and I can assure you, he is safer from Voldemort than any of us," said Bakura irritably, "He comes and goes as he wishes, and is impossible to find. He will not need your protection."

Seto glanced at Bakura for a moment. Only one other? I suppose Pegasus doesn't have the Millennium Eye anymore.

"I see," said Dumbledore. "Now that we have established that Shadow Magic does indeed exist, will it be a danger to my students and staff?"

"Kaiba's spirit hasn't been out to play long enough to have a reason to summon the Shadows. The Pharaoh hasn't tapped into it in ages. They're too high-and-mighty to just up and casually use it."

Dumbledore studied Bakura carefully. "That doesn't quite answer my question, but I take it that this is something you have done before?"

Bakura shrugged. "The Shadows are a realm of darkness where souls are sent for eternal suffering after losing a Shadow Game. I've sent many fools there over the centuries I've spent trapped in the Millennium Ring. Being sent to the Shadows can be considered a fate worse than death. While I...enjoy tapping into its power, it is not something done lightly."

Dumbledore was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, it was in a no-nonsense voice that seemed more natural coming from Kaiba. "I must make it quite clear that if you are to attend Hogwarts, I cannot have you performing Shadow Games or taking the souls of anyone in the castle."

Bakura squared a hard look back at Dumbledore. "My host has already agreed to attend your school, against my judgment. While I am perfectly capable of handling any threat your kind will send his way, I will abide by his wish. And only for my host's sake, I will abide by yours and will not submit anyone under your watch to the Shadow Realm. But let me make this quite clear, old man. I need Bakura in order to survive in this world. If these Death Eaters target him, I will do whatever is necessary to protect him, and if that means summoning the Shadows to keep him safe, then I will do so, with or without your approval."

"What he means, Professor," Yami said quickly, glaring again at Bakura, "Is that we're grateful for your offer of protection while we deal with Voldemort, and will not do anything to jeopardize your trust like that. Shadow Magic will be considered an absolute last resort and will not be used against anyone in the school."

"Thank you," said Dumbledore, rising from his seat. "In response to your concerns earlier, I will return to England, and make arrangements for associates of mine to keep watch over your friends and family. We will place the necessary wards upon our arrival, and then I will take you to the Weasley household for the remainder of the summer. I will send an owl to each of you prior to our arrival, but please be ready to leave for that time."

Yugi, having taken control back from the Pharaoh, felt Seto tense up next to him as he nodded. "O-okay."

Seto looked down at Mokuba and frowned. "I'm going to guess shipping us out to England as soon as possible – other than to keep an easier eye on us – is so we adjust to adjust to whatever culture shock we would face by going to Hogwarts. That's all well and good, but there is no way I'll be able to stop everything and leave today or even tomorrow. Yugi and Bakura maybe, but I have commitments here that need to be taken care of before I go. One of your people is going to be here anyway babysitting Mokuba so it's not like Voldemort's Death Eaters are going to jump me the moment Yugi leaves."

"Very well," said Dumbledore. "I do realize that I am asking a lot of all of you. When you have your affairs in order, just let my associate know and we will arrange your transport."

Seto gave a slight nod.

"On that matter, will you two be alright going on such short notice, or will you need additional time?"

Yugi and Ryou looked at each other. "I think...we'll be okay. So long as we can maybe have one last group gathering with our friends before we leave?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Perfectly acceptable. Now, I believe that will do it for today, gentlemen. Please look for my owl, and do not hesitate to use the coins I gave you if you think of anything else or require aid."

Once Dumbledore had apparated away, Mokuba turned to his older brother with widened eyes. "…Are…are you actually going, Seto?"

Seto returned to his seat behind his desk. "I must be out of my mind," he muttered, opening his laptop.

"Well…we ought to go home and start to get our stuff together," said Ryou, nodding Yugi towards the door. "I'm sure you want to spend some time with your Grandpa before we leave, right Yugi?"

"Uh, yeah," said Yugi. He turned back towards Seto. "I suppose we'll see you in England, Kaiba." Taking the slight mutter as an acknowledgement, he left the room with Ryou.

"Mokuba, can you go down to Lab 1 and have the technicians set up the Duel Simulator? Let them know I'll be on my way shortly."

Mokuba frowned. "Sure... Uh...are you alright, Seto?"

"I'm fine. I just need to finish this up and then I'll be down."

Mokuba watched his brother begin to type something in his usual lightning-fire pace and turned to Roland, but he didn't speak or move from his spot by the door. Sighing, Mokuba trudged out of the office. He'd weasel whatever was bugging him out of Roland later.

Once the door was closed, Roland walked forward and stood in front of the desk. "I'm surprised you agreed to go."

Seto raised an eyebrow and continued to work without looking up. "If I recall correctly, you were the one encouraging me to leave in the first place."

"Yes…but that was also before finding out that Mokuba would not be able to accompany you."

"As much as I would prefer to stay here, I won't wait around for this madman to find me. I need to be able to fight this, and if I have to travel across the world to do it, then so be it."

"And Kaiba Corp, sir?"

"Once I end up at that school, I'm leaving you in charge of the day-to-day operations and I'll check in remotely as my new schedule will allow. I'll return for a few days every so often for the meetings and development updates that I can't avoid. We'll arrange some sort of timetable before I leave for England."

"What about Mokuba?"

"Mokuba is to go to school, hang out with his friends, and continue to live as normal a life as he can. I do not want him taking over for me while I'm gone. An eleven-year old doesn't need to deal with my workload."

"Of course, Mr. Kaiba."

Seto stopped typing and straightened in his chair. "Dumbledore may trust the lackeys he posts out here, but I don't. If anything seems wrong…."

Roland held up a hand. "With or without these wizards, I won't let anything happen to Mokuba in your absence."

"I know," Seto sighed. "You're the only other person I trust to keep him out of trouble."

Roland raised an eyebrow. "What about Yugi's friends?"

Seto's gaze turned icy. "No thanks. He likes them, and if he wants to hang out with Wheeler and the others, then I won't stop him. But trouble follows them as much as it does us. Wheeler is just as much a bait target as Mokuba. He and his buddy Taylor have street credit, but I still wouldn't trust them to protect him."

The following day passed in a blur. Owls arrived promptly at noon at both Ryou's apartment and the Kame Game Shop, and Dumbledore had made his appearance not an hour later, with three wizards that would be rotating on duty: Emmeline Vance, Sturgis Podmore, and Hestia Jones. They had spent the better part of the afternoon on a tour throughout Domino, making sure protective wards were placed, ending their day back at the Game Shop where his friends had gathered to see them off.

Yugi was surprised that Mokuba had come, though his brother did not make an appearance, and Yami reminded him that Mokuba was just as much a friend to them as Joey or Téa, and would also miss them when they departed. He hadn't expected the younger Kaiba to pull him and Ryou aside from the festivities in his living room and into the closed shop.

"This is for you guys," Mokuba had said, placing a shiny new phone into Yugi's hand. "Seto built it from scratch, and the signal runs through our satellites and not a normal cell carrier, so you don't have to worry about being near a tower. There's one for your grandfather too, plus one for the gang. I gave that one to Joey. Phone numbers are auto-programmed into it. All of your friends are in there, and so is mine, in case you want to say hi or something and Seto's not around."

Yugi stared down at the device in his hand, mouth hung open. "Thanks, Mokuba! This is…well, uh…unexpected. When did he have the time to do this?"

Mokuba shrugged. "Seto was up late last night at the lab, but I have a feeling he had been working on them since that Dumbledore guy's first visit. I think he knew all along that you were going to go. I guess he figured you would want to be able to stay in touch with the gang here. And, well…he didn't want Joey to end up getting his number so his cell phone would be out of the question."

Yugi heard Ryou snicker next to him. "I could hear him saying that."

Mokuba hesitated for a moment, and then threw his arms around Yugi. "I'm gonna miss you," he said sadly. "It's gonna be so quiet around here."

"Oh, Mokuba, it'll be alright," said Ryou. He patted Mokuba's shoulder. "I'm sure we'll be back home before you know it."

Mokuba drew back and wiped a stray tear from his eye. "You'll...um...can you try to promise me something?"

Yugi nodded. "Of course."

"Well...it won't be easy. But can you try to make sure Seto...well...takes care of himself over there?"

Yugi and Ryou exchanged worried glances. "Is he alright?" Yugi asked.

Mokuba looked down at his sneakers. "He's not sick or anything...but I remember what happened with our step-father years ago. Seto still sometimes thinks he can get away with a diet of only coffee and two hours of sleep. At his desk. I'm not gonna ask for a miracle or anything, but just look out for him?"

Yugi put his hand reassuringly on Mokuba's shoulder. "No problem, Mokuba. I'm sure the spirit in the Millennium Rod will help us out too."

Mokuba nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah...if some voice in his head nags him enough to go to bed, he just might! Good idea!" He laughed, "I guess we should return to your party before they send out the search for us."

Mokuba's ride home an hour later seemed to signal the end of the party. He waved goodbye from the car window as the vehicle sped away. Once Yugi dragged his packed bags down towards the front door, he went off to look for Joey. There was one thing he had left to do before they met with Hestia Jones.

"Yami has a favor to ask." he said.

Joey leaned against the door separating the house from the shop. "Sure thing, pal. What's up?"

Yugi put a hand on the Puzzle, and after a brief flash of golden light, Yami took over. "Keep an eye out on things. We trusted Dumbledore's word, but we don't know anything about this world we're going into. It would help put me – and especially Yugi – at ease to know you all are doing okay."

"Leaving ain't easy for him, I suppose. It's no picnic for us either, but we'll manage. Sure, school will be quiet, and it'll be downright boring without you to duel or Kaiba to bother, but hey, a little bit of peace and quiet is good every once in a while."

"You'll let us know if anything seems out of the ordinary? Mokuba left a phone with Grandpa to contact us."

"You bet, Yug'. I got one too. Now go out there and do what you gotta do. I'm sure you'll kick that creep's butt so hard he won't know what hit him."

Yami lowered his head, smiling. "Thank you, Joey." He touched the Puzzle again and returned control to Yugi.

"Anytime. Now go find Bakura. Those guys outside are waitin' for you!"

Dragging a suitcase each behind them, Yugi and Ryou left the house. Dumbledore was waiting patiently on the other side of the street.

"Where are the others?" asked Ryou. "I thought Miss Jones was meeting us out here today. Something didn't happen already, did it?"

"Nothing that drastic, I assure you," said Dumbledore. "While you were inside, I set up Mr. Podmore and Miss Jones in a house centrally located between here and your friends' homes. Miss Vance is currently with Mr. Kaiba and his security chief. As Mr. Kaiba's home and business are a bit further out of the way, he as agreed to put her up in his home."

"Wow," said Yugi. That's...rather nice of him...

"Did Kaiba say when he was going to be joining us?" asked Ryou.

"Ah, not quite," said Dumbledore. "It's only been a day, of course, but he expressed quite clearly that he would be staying here at home through the beginning of July for young Mokuba's birthday, and then would make the journey. I offered to give him transportation home during the summer to see his brother, but he was quite adamant at staying here through that entire period of time."

"That's just a few weeks though," said Yugi. He looked back towards the front door of his house where Grandpa and his friends had gathered. Téa waved. Yugi waved back.

"Well…I think I'm ready," said Ryou. He waved back as well, and tightened his grip on the handle of his suitcase.

"Very good. Mr. Muto?"

Yugi gave one last look back at his home before turning to Dumbledore. "I'm ready."

"Excellent." Dumbledore reached into one of the long pockets of his robes and produced a tattered old sock. "This may look like an ordinary sock, but it has been enchanted into a Portkey. It allows us to travel to a specific location instantly. It will go off in the next few moments, so be sure to keep a grip on it, and above all else, do not let go once we depart."

With one hand gripping their luggage, they each grabbed hold of the sock. After a few seconds, Yugi felt a jerk around his navel as they spun off…

…and landed in a grassy field. Neither Yugi nor Ryou were upright after being dropped by the portkey, Yugi landing flat on his back and Ryou wobbling a few steps before dropping to his knees, gasping for breath.

Ryou didn't stand up until his head had stopped spinning. "Ugh…"

"Where are we?" Yugi asked, still sprawled on the ground.

"We are at the Burrow, or at least in the field around the house. The Burrow is home to the Weasleys and is very well protected."

"Is that it over there?" Ryou pointed to the strangest building he had ever seen. It was about seven stories high with multiple chimneys. Each floor from the second up looked like it was built with whatever spare parts may have been found at the time. The different levels were not even, and if Ryou had to guess, the house had to be reinforced with some kind of magic to keep it from collapsing.

"It is," said Dumbledore, reaching over to help Yugi to his feet. "Are you alright, Mr. Muto?"

"I think so," said Yugi, "That's going to take some getting used to."

"Portkeys are an uncomfortable way to travel, I admit," said Dumbledore, "But side-along apparition is not without its side effects either. Now, shall we be off? Molly will be expecting us."

Yugi was thankful that he and Ryou had rolling suitcases as they crossed the field. The closer they got to the lopsided house; he could also make out what looked like a chicken coop and a garage, though he couldn't see a car anywhere. There was a garden and an orchard around the side.

Dumbledore led them around the house to the back and rapped on the door.

They could hear shuffling on the other side of the door before a woman called out in a shaky voice. "Who is it?"

"It is I, Big Beard, bringing the Spike Brothers."

Yugi and Ryou looked at each other. Spike Brothers?

Dumbledore leaned down to them. "Codenames," he said softly. "To be sure visitors are who they claim to be, and not dark wizards in disguise."

The door opened to reveal a short, motherly-looking woman with fiery red curls. "Hello boys," she said, smiling, "I'm Molly Weasley. Now, don't just stand there in the doorway, come in, and we'll get you all settled." She stepped aside to let them pass and turned back to Dumbledore. "Will you be staying as well, Professor?"

"Afraid not, Molly. I have to meet with the Hogwarts staff to prepare the school for the next year."

"Of course," she nodded, and turned to look at Yugi and Ryou, who were taking in as much of her kitchen as possible, noticing that they seemed to be enthralled with the dishes that were cleaning themselves, and the grocery list that was being written without any writing utensil. "Weren't there supposed to be three of them?"

"Yes," said Dumbledore calmly, "Mr. Kaiba has some matters to take care of at home and will be joining at a later date this summer. Once he arrives, I will send along their equipment lists. Ah – don't fret, Molly. Order members are stationed in Domino and we put up wards before departing. He will be just fine. Now, I must be off. I will be in contact again in a few days."

Mrs. Weasley closed the door once he departed and turned to her two new charges. "Well, boys, welcome to the Burrow!"