/Text/ Spirit to Host

/Text/ Host to Spirit

Chapter 24: Rivalry

The notice board in the common room had been updated by morning, confirming Harry's suspicion. All future Hogsmeade trips had been canceled following the incident with the cursed necklace. To add to everyone's concerns, Katie Bell had to be transferred to St. Mungo's Hospital and everyone was forced to spend the remainder of that weekend shut inside the castle.

If the war itself hadn't dampened the mood in the school, the prospect of being trapped indoors certainly did the trick. To compound everyone's misery, November arrived, and brought a surprise snowstorm that buried the grounds in a white abyss.

The sudden surge of bad weather almost threatened one of the only enjoyable activities left: Quidditch. The first match of the season, Slytherin vs Hufflepuff, had to already be postponed once before due to a rainstorm so heavy it flooded out the Pitch. This time, the match was officially canceled after the blizzard winds sent three students off their brooms during the final practice session before the big game.

The week dragged onwards. The most excitement anyone could say they had recently was the accidental lettings-loose of the magical creatures in Hagrid's class. Both Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology had to be moved to the first floor, which meant both professors had to be a bit more selective on the breeds of dangerous creatures and plants that made up their lessons. Occasionally, someone would be able to hear the cries of a poor third year's Monster Book of Monsters as it ate its own pages and fought with another classmate's edition. For the sixth years, Herbology ran solely out of the textbook while the storms raged outside.

After a while, even Harry was starting to get cabin fever. With everyone stuck inside, the common room was more jam packed than he had ever seen it before. Rather than spend their time huddled in 'their spot' around the Gryffindor fire (which they would currently have to fight the second or fourth year students for, depending on the time of day), Yugi led the group upstairs to their dorm for some peace and quiet, and Hermione placed one of her blue flame jars in the middle of the room.

Ryou had to do a double take the first day they all decided to hide away in the dorm. He wasn't used to Hermione being able to climb the boys' staircase, even though they all had spent an entire afternoon together explaining away the Millennium Items. Honestly, he was surprised his trailing fan club hadn't decided to park right outside their bedroom door. It seemed many more were giving him more dreamy eyes lately (even the younger ones!). Now, if only they weren't able to get up here…that would be a lot better. He wasn't sure just what had come over all these people all of a sudden, but he didn't like it. Someone must have been bulk ordering all those love potions and supplies from Fred and George's shop and sharing it around the school.

With even the unused classrooms used as sanctuaries against the crowded common areas like the library and dormitory towers, Yugi was glad that Kaiba managed to escape to Domino the day before the first snowfall. All of Kaiba's usual hiding places were filling up around the school, and he really didn't want to deal with his rival when he couldn't work in peace.

It was at breakfast the following day when the monotony had finally broken. Yugi was halfway through buttering his toast when Professor Umbridge stood up and made her way to Dumbledore's podium, which was used at best only twice a year.

"Hem, hem."

Normally, the students wouldn't bother to give her the time of day. Now though, it broke up the boredom of the week. Only about a third of the room bothered to turn to acknowledge her – the rest continued their breakfast as if she hadn't gotten up at all.

"Hem, hem," she said, louder this time, and a few more heads grudgingly turned towards the High Table. "The staff and I have noticed the overall lack in morale these past few weeks, and we recognize it is at least in part due to the cancellation of several of your beloved recreational activities."

There were very few murmurs of agreement scattered about the Great Hall.

"Being cooped up inside has not helped, of course," said Umbridge, "But we cannot control the weather. We can, however, boost the overall atmosphere around us. In our last staff meeting, we addressed ways to bring back all of the cheery little faces we have missed recently."

Umbridge cleared her throat. "Our third years and older will remember the Tri-Wizard Tournament, held here at Hogwarts throughout the academic year. The delegations from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons brought fresh faces and the opportunity to make new friends. And while you all watched from the sidelines, eagerly cheering on our champion –ah, champions, there was one event almost all were able to participate – the Yule Ball, held on Christmas Night. Never before in the recent history of the school had so many of you chosen to remain behind at Hogwarts instead of leaving for holiday, to come together and enjoy yourselves in unified merriment, regardless of house or our own standing in the tournament."

Upon seeing the confused looks around, Umbridge held up her arms. "While the Yule Ball is a tradition to the Tri-Wizard tournament, we have decided to throw a formal of our own, to be held on December 22nd, the final night of term before holiday begins."

Yugi and Ryou looked around the hall. It seemed most of the school perked up at her announcement. Somehow, it didn't surprise them that most of them were girls. The room suddenly became a buzz of excitement at the news.

"What's the matter, Ryou?" asked Hermione, "You look like you've swallowed something horrid."

Ryou swallowed the rest of his breakfast nervously and turned in his seat to look around the hall. "I…I think I want to hide in the dormitory for the next month."

Umbridge held up her hands again, and the noise level throughout the Hall quieted down a little. "Unlike when the Yule Ball was held, this occasion will be open to all students, regardless of age. Dress robes will be required. However – any student can be barred from attending, if any rule-breaking is committed. More information will be sent to the common room notice boards in the upcoming days. Let us end the first half of the year merrily, and return for the second term eagerly and bright-eyed."

Ron snickered. "They're still staring at you, mate," he said as Umbridge returned to her seat. "What'd you do to get the eyes of all those people here?"

Ryou put his head in his hands. "I didn't do anything."

"It's the innocent look," said Yugi, "Girls in our school back home were all over him too."

"Having admirers is nothing to be ashamed about," said Hermione.

Ryou shook his head against the table. "These are worse – they have magic! Next thing I know the Gryffindors will be stalking me outside my bedroom."

"That's a bit extreme, don't you think?" asked Yugi.

Harry thought back to the days of the Tri-Wizard tournament. "Not really." He turned to Ron and Hermione. "Remember how all the girls here treated Victor Krum?"

"Like desperate animals if you ask me," said Hermione, looking at Ryou, "They're treating you and Seto the same way."

"Ugggh," Ryou moaned. "That's why this feels so much worse. They can't use Kaiba as eye candy, so they're all over me instead. I thought Domino High School was bad."

/You're exaggerating./

/What would you know, Spirit? You're not the one who has to deal with this!/

/Hah! I've been here watching the entire time. You can't expect me to take you seriously, if you cannot handle a few desperate teenagers. After all we've been through together, they are what frighten you the most?/

/Yes. You barge in on everything legitimately dangerous – or are the cause of it. Girls are just obsessively scary. …And what's this about taking me seriously – if I may ask, when did you ever?/

/Touché, Landlord. Although, I must say, you have been growing quite a spine since arriving at this school. I quite like it./

Ryou tuned out Bakura and went back to the others' conversation as he pushed away his half-eaten plate.

"Wonder what they see in him?" Harry said about Seto, "It's not like he's a bucket of sunshine."

"Nowhere close to being a bringer of sunshine," said Ron, snickering, "Although…some of them act all lovesick towards you."

Harry rolled his eyes. "It can't be because the Daily Prophet keeps writing about me being the Chosen One," he said sarcastically, "They just want a hero to worship."

"Well, Kaiba's no hero," said Ron, grabbing another muffin. "Plenty of better guys out here to worship than him."

"Surely it can't be for almost the same reason Romilda Vane and her friends keep trying to find ways to slip Harry a love potion," said Hermione, rolling her eyes. "Look at him – he's just as famous and successful in his own world as Harry is here, and being tall and attractive doesn't hurt either. They did the same to Viktor when he was here for the tournament."

"Viktor?" said Ron, narrowing his eyes, "Since when do you call him that?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "It's his name, Ronald. And we've been writing back and forth since last summer."

Ron scowled and muttered something almost incoherent under his breath.

Yugi watched them, frowning. Their bickering was slowly getting more and more intense these days. Hermione must have heard whatever he had said, because she glared at him for a moment before gathering her things.

"Yugi's just as famous back home though," said Ryou, "Don't see everyone fawning over him."

"Don't give them ideas!" Yugi smacked Ryou's arm lightly with his hand. "I like being under the radar."

/HAH! Excellent word choice!/

Ryou sighed. "Bakura agrees with you being under the radar."

Yugi frowned, thought back to his words, and slapped a hand to his forehead. "I caught myself in a height joke again, didn't I?"

"Yep."

"I'll see you all later," said Hermione hotly, "I have to get to Arithmancy."

"Bye Hermione," Yugi waved. "Are we going to look at our Ancient Rune translations during morning break?"

Hermione's attitude suddenly shifted to a smile. "Sure. I'll meet you in the library?"

Yugi nodded. "I'll try to get there early and find a table."

Hermione beamed at him, though it looked a little forced. "Sounds good." Without a look to anyone else at the table, she got up and bolted from the Great Hall.

"I should have known this would happen," Ron said darkly, when he and Harry were later back in the common room after Yugi and Ryou headed off for the library. "It's Victor Krum all over again. She's just as glossy-eyed as the others. What's he got that I don't? – Don't answer that," he snapped at Harry. "They just like him because he's something new and shiny to fawn over. Look at me, Harry. Everyone here knows what you've done with You-Know-Who and all, but what about me? I've helped save this school every year since we started. Who went down the trap door and fought McGonagall's chess set just so we could stop Quirrell from getting the Sorcerer's Stone? And the next year – it was the two of us alone that went down into the Chamber of Secrets and saved everyone. And let's not even get into everything that happened last year."

Harry dropped into an empty chair and sighed. "What about Ryou? You don't seem too miffed about him getting a whole lot of attention."

Ron shrugged. "I don't know…his doesn't bother me too much for some reason. Maybe because he's always so embarrassed by it."

Harry pulled a face. Seto wasn't embarrassed by the attention he constantly got. If anything, he seemed to treat it as any other annoyance and downright ignored it. It wasn't like he went off seeking popularity. Ryou didn't either. "You don't think you're taking things a little…extreme, do you?

Ron flailed his arms about. "Look, Harry, I saw the signs. She was all interested in Kaiba before he even arrived at my house. Remember all those newspaper clippings that Yugi's friends sent him over the summer? Which was the only one she kept stuck in her book like a page marker, huh? Don't think I haven't missed all those looks she gives him, or the way she dotes on him all the time. She was like this with Krum too. All 'Viktor this' and 'Viktor that'."

Harry frowned. He wasn't sure just what Ron was going on about – he certainly didn't remember Hermione worshiping Krum like Ron described. In fact, if he remembered correctly, it was the other way around. Krum was attracted to Hermione in the library because he liked to watch her work, and she was perhaps one of the only female Hogwarts students not fawning over him at every possible moment. Like Ryou and Seto, he also had a large gaggle of fans. But only Krum's followed him relentlessly around the castle. Ryou's sort of held back and ogled him like he was something tasty. And he wasn't sure about Seto – he was always off hiding somewhere so no one could find him.

But Hermione didn't seem to be acting…well…doting at all. Sure, she used one of the articles about Seto as a placeholder, but she had read all of the news clippings from Domino with great interest. And she had been curious about all of the new students prior to their arrival, not just Seto. Color him blind, but he would hardly lump her actions in like the other girls crushing around the school. Especially considering she didn't seem to treat their new friends that way at all.

Harry sighed. "I'd hardly call it that. She gave him bruise cream. Which he needed, because those marks looked terrible."

Ron slumped down low on the sofa. "You ever see them in the library? They were always off disappearing the first couple of weeks into term."

You've got to be kidding me. Harry shook his head. "Yeah. They did homework. I've stolen peeks at Hermione's Arithmancy stuff before – it all went straight over my head. And if you've even paid a shred of attention to the common room, you'll know it's way too noisy here to work on that stuff. If they're going to hold up camp someplace quiet to do schoolwork, then who cares? And don't forget – the first month or so, he spent every possible minute buried under the Law section in the library to work on his computer stuff. There was nothing going on that you're describing."

Ron grumbled something under his breath, but Harry couldn't make it out. When he raised an eyebrow, Ron huffed and pointed to the back of his hand. "She made him the murtlap stuff after those detentions he had with Umbridge."

Harry gave him a look that clearly said 'duh!', "News flash, Ron – she made me that stuff all last year. I didn't see you getting all pissy from that. She's being helpful because that's who she is."

Harry tilted his head. He had never seen Ron act so bitter before – not even during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. "…Why are you so up in a funk anyway? Were – you're not thinking of asking her to the dance, are you? Is that why you're so…" he struggled for the right words. "…so…angry? You worried she's going to turn you down or something?"

"No," Ron quickly said. Perhaps a little too quickly.

Harry shook his head. "Ron, I think you're blowing this way out of proportion."

Ron glared at him. "Am I now?"

Harry nodded. "Seriously. You're paying so much attention to her – have you even watched him? Like actually see the two of them when she's 'fawning' as you put it."

Ron crossed his arms over his chest and glowered.

Harry sighed. "Really, the only thing I think they have in common is that they're both brilliant and scary in their own right. He's not interested in her – definitely not the way you think she is to him. Look, Ron – he barely gives Yugi and Ryou the time of day – and they're supposed to be his friends. All of us get the cold shoulder the majority of the time, Hermione included. Any of us are lucky to spend five minutes with him outside of class. I'm pretty certain he's not into anyone here."

Ron mulled over his words. He was still pouting with his arms crossed, but at least he didn't look like he was going to bore holes in the couch cushions anymore. "You think?"

Harry nodded. "I think."

After a good two minutes, Ron let out a loud exhale. "….I guess…I guess you've got a point."

Harry nudged his shoulder. "Besides, you really want to go to that dance? It's not like we really had all that great a time at the Yule Ball."

Ron did chuckle at that. "That's true. You dance worse than Percy," he said, "Although...don't have those ancient dress robes anymore though – that's somethin', right?"

Harry laughed. "Yeah. What ever happened to those?"

"I hid 'em up in the attic with the ghoul," said Ron, "Though it doesn't much matter now, they wouldn't fit me anymore anyways."

Domino City

Mokuba pouted and slumped down in his seat as the sleek black car pulled into the drop off circle at the airport. Seto glanced over at him and chuckled. "You're really going to see me off with that face?"

"I don't want you to leave," Mokuba mumbled, before turning to face his brother. "Can't you just stay home this time?"

"Unfortunately not, but this will be the last time I go back until Christmas, and then I'll be home for two weeks."

Mokuba perked up. "Really? Fourteen days – not five?"

"Not five."

Mokuba slumped down again. "Seems almost too good to be true. How many of those days are you actually going to spend in the office?"

Seto raised an eyebrow and didn't bother to hide the amused expression on his face. "I didn't think you were going to let me spend all two weeks at work."

Mokuba snorted. "I'm not. I got plans!"

Seto smirked and ruffled Mokuba's hair. "Something to look forward to then." Straightening out his suit, he stepped out of the car. Both Roland and Fuguta exited the vehicle; Roland moved to the trunk and retrieved two briefcases, and Fuguta switched sides of the car to stand by the driver's seat.

Mokuba scooted over in his seat and jumped out of the car, grabbing Seto tightly around the middle. "I'm gonna miss you."

"I'll miss you too, but it'll be next month before you know it," said Seto, patting his head. He knelt down to Mokuba's eye level. "I'll call when the plane lands, so long as it isn't too late."

"…Okay." He eyed his brother suspiciously. "You'll remember this time?"

"Of course."

Mokuba pouted again. "Last time, you didn't, and you promised. I waited up forever."

Seto sighed. "The last time I was ambushed two steps through the castle door, or I would have."

"You're not gonna get ambushed tonight, right?"

"No," said Seto firmly. "I purposely didn't antagonize anyone before I left."

Mokuba nodded and eyed one of the briefcases in Roland's hands. "Are you gonna finally duel Yugi?"

"That's the plan – but not if I don't get back." He clutched his brother tightly in another hug before ruffling his hair as he stood back up. "Just another couple of weeks, little brother. You can make it."

"It's going to feel like ages," Mokuba whined.

"Versus the last few months? The time will fly."

Mokuba stuck out his tongue playfully, but let go of his brother and moved back a step, waving animatedly. "Bye, Seto!"

Seto waited for the car to pull away from the curb before turning to Roland. "Are you escorting me all the way to the England?"

"Not quite," said Roland, following his employer through the airport to their designated gate. "Rather than take a separate plane, we'll be dropping you off in London, refueling, and then I'll be traveling to the States."

"Hn. Regional office in New York?"

"Ah, no, sir. San Francisco. Mr. Pegasus has finally come to terms that you won't be attending your status meetings on the VR project, and has therefore decided that we'll have to come to him." He bit his lip, thankful to be walking half a step behind so the bout of nervousness wouldn't be caught on his face. He was going to Industrial Illusions headquarters for a project meeting, but…that was also something they could have done over a video call, on the meeting's scheduled date next week. He had a much different reason for going, one that Mr. Kaiba definitely would not approve of – but thankfully, he didn't have to tell him about it. He would most certainly be in hot water if Mr. Kaiba ever found out what the meeting was truly about, but he would deal with that explosion if and when it happens.

Seto shook his head as they boarded the plane. "Sounds like you're going to have so much fun."

Roland scowled behind his sunglasses. "I believe we both gain the same level of enjoyment from the man's company."

"So none whatsoever."

"Yes."

Once the plane took off from the runway, Roland lifted one of the briefcases onto the plane's conference table and opened it. "I think this is the most office work we'll both get done in quite some time."

"We've got all day," said Seto. "Without a single staff meeting."

"That is Fuguta's responsibility today," said Roland. "So…development updates first or budget reports?"

.

The weather finally managed to improve after another few days, increasing the general mood in the school. Finally, after being shut in for so long, they could go back outside. The common room had emptied out, at least a little bit, but not even the good weather could keep Ryou's newfound giggling stalkers away from them, so they kept up their afternoon and evening habit of working on homework in Yugi's dorm.

"I heard from one of the Hufflepuffs that the Quidditch Pitch thawed out enough that we can start practicing there again," said Harry, after Yugi and Ryou returned from their remedial Potions class, "I'm hoping to book it for us in the next couple of weeks."

"Awesome!" Yugi was already beaming when they walked into the room, but that only helped to boost his mood. "I could use all the practice I can get."

"You're not as bad as you think on a broom, Yugi," said Hermione, "I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit."

Yugi sighed. "I know, but I originally didn't make the team. And with Katie still in the hospital…I just don't want to let everyone down."

"It'll be fine," said Harry, "How about if I reserve some extra Pitch time for you when I set up the team practice?"

Yugi nodded. "That'll work. I just wish I had a better broom."

"You could borrow mine, at least for practice," said Ron.

Yugi shook his head, "Thanks Ron. But that'll only work if I'm practicing on my own. We both can't be using your broom for team practice or the games. I just wish we were able to get to the broom shop in Hogsmeade."

"You can write to Quality Quidditch Supplies in Diagon Alley," said Ron, "You might be able to order one."

Yugi nodded his head thoughtfully. "That…might work."

"It's not the same as trying a broom out in person though," said Harry.

Ron snorted. "What would you know, Harry? The only brooms you had were gifted to you."

Harry opened his mouth to retort, paused, and then shrugged. "…Fair enough." He turned to Yugi. "Forget what I just said."

The door opened, admitting Seto, carrying a thicker briefcase than usual with one hand, and a small, skinny box tucked under his other arm. He took one look at the group huddled around a glowing blue fire in the middle of the room and scowled.

"Is the common room not good enough anymore?"

"Hi Kaiba," said Yugi, "Welcome back."

"Hn."

"We've been snowed in for the last few days," said Ryou, "And it's been too rowdy in the common room to hang out."

"And…" Hermione glanced at Ryou with a trace of amusement splayed across her face. "Ryou's hiding from his adoring fans."

Seto raised an eyebrow and set his briefcase down onto his bed. "And why would this be any different than the last three months?"

"There's going to be a dance the night before term ends for the Christmas holiday," said Harry, "I think they're all trying for a date with him."

Seto rolled his eyes and tossed the small skinny box to Ryou. "That would explain the random gift sitting outside the door."

Ryou caught the box and looked it over. "I…I think it's chocolate."

"Uh oh," Ron snickered, "Someone's admirers are getting bold."

Ryou flipped the box over again. "There's not even a note or any indication of who sent it."

"Then it's probably spiked," said Hermione, "Once you eat some of it, you'd just get infatuated with whoever left it for you."

Ryou pulled a face and tossed the box onto his bedside table. "Well, so much for that."

"If they're so interested, then why don't they come up and say hello?" asked Yugi. "It would probably save a lot of hassle."

"No one ever said they were intelligent," Seto muttered.

Yugi tapped the feather end of his quill against his cheek. "I wonder if wizard dances are like the ones back home."

"Music, dancing, partying teenagers," Harry shrugged. "A time of misery if you don't have a date."

"So, yes, just like ones at home," said Yugi flatly. "You didn't have a good time at the Yule Ball?"

"I had to go," said Harry, "Since I was representing the school as one of the two champions. But I didn't necessarily want to."

Ron snickered. "Harry can't dance."

"Neither can you!" Harry shot back.

Ron held up his hands. "Woah – difference there, mate. You had to dance to open the ball. And we all saw you step all over Parvati's feet. I didn't have to dance, so no one will know just how good or bad I can waltz."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't listen to them. It was a lot of fun. I had a good time. Harry and Ron just waited until the absolute last minute to get dates. Their partners ended up finding others to dance with after they got there."

"Thinking of going?" asked Ron, "You got plenty of admirers to choose from for dates."

Yugi shrugged. "Going just for the experience sounds fun." He pointed to the skinny wardrobe next to his bed. "And, I mean…we were fitted for dress robes…so might as well use 'em."

Ryou glanced over at the discarded candy. "It's been one day. So far I've been visually stalked and left potentially hazardous chocolate. And we have how long until this is over?"

"Over a month," said Ron.

Ryou pouted and looked over to Seto's side of the room. "Any chance you could let me hide wherever you go in the castle?"

Seto dug through his briefcase. "Not a chance. I disappear for a reason. "

Yugi watched him pull some sort of device out of the briefcase along with a box of tools. "What's that?"

Seto shrugged out of his suit jacket, settled back against his headboard and began to dismantle the hunk of metal. "This is a holographic projector."

Yugi craned his neck to get a closer look at it. "It looks like part of our duel disks."

"That's because it is."

"Is it broken?" asked Ryou.

"Not quite." Seto sighed and reached for his own duel disk on the chair beside the bed. "I got my disk working the other week. It turns on, but the holograms won't project properly."

"They don't?" asked Yugi. "That's odd."

"Magic is supporting the disk itself, like everything else, but for some reason the holograms themselves won't stay out. So this should amplify the power source."

Yugi's eyes lit up excitedly, "Does this mean…we're going to duel soon?"

"I'm certainly not doing this for the hell of it."

"You and Ryou would play your card game on the tabletop though," said Hermione, "It's not like you've been deprived of it this entire time."

Ryou smiled. "You wouldn't understand, Hermione."

Yugi laughed. "Once you start playing with the high-tech duel disks, and get used to doing it that way for so long, it's hard to settle back to the old-fashion way of playing Duel Monsters."

Yugi's eyes glazed over for just a moment before he put down his quill, homework completely abandoned in hopes of dueling. "So…when do you think everything will be up and working? An eager spirit wants to know."

"In time for Saturday's duel."

"Saturday? This Saturday?" Yugi exclaimed, jumping up and bolting to his trunk. "I didn't think it would be that soon."

Seto didn't look up from his task, but he was clearly smirking. "I was being considerate. Three days is plenty of advance notice. Certainly a duelist of your caliber hasn't lost their touch already."

Yami phased out of the Puzzle as Yugi tore through his trunk for his duel disk, which of course was all the way on the bottom, having gone unused since it was packed away. "I hope you're ready, Kaiba. Yugi and I have been playing periodically since the summer came and gone. I haven't seen you touch your deck since your Grand Prix Tournament."

Seto scoffed. "I don't need to look over my deck to know what strategies to use."

"Where are you guys planning to duel?" asked Ryou, "Someplace open, I hope."

Seto twisted another screw out of the small projector. "I already booked the Quidditch Pitch for the entire day."

Yami blinked. "You're not going to post all over the school about it, are you?" The Pitch had the chance of turning back into the coliseum that Kaiba had generated during his Battle City tournament, and he wasn't sure if that would be a good thing here or not.

"No," said Seto, with more bite in his voice than Yugi or the Pharaoh expected. "I chose the Pitch specifically not just because it's a large, open space – it's also far enough from the school that we shouldn't be interrupted. I escaped having my phone and laptop confiscated. I'd rather not have to fight for the duel disks too. Without the Hogsmeade visits for the rest of the year, the weekends are going to get excruciatingly dull if there's literally nothing to do except homework."

"Can we come see?" asked Harry. "I really want to see how you guys normally play Duel Monsters."

Yugi smiled. "Sure!" He triumphantly hoisted his duel disk out of his trunk and placed it carefully on Seto's nightstand.

"Don't broadcast it around the school," said Seto, "The idea is to not draw the wrong attention." He locked eyes with Yami, still hovering behind Yugi's spot on the floor in the center of the room. "10am – don't be late."

.

San Francisco

"I must say, I was surprised to see that the team from Kaiba Corp has monopolized my schedule for the day," said Pegasus, "I didn't realize it would be just you paying me a visit, on a Saturday, no less. I suppose you're going to take your notes back to Kaiba-boy and I'll get some sort of call later with all the things he doesn't like?"

"No," said Roland. "I'm not here about the VR project – not really, in any case. That excuse was for Mr. Kaiba's benefit; the VR follow up isn't for at least another week."

Pegasus leaned back in his seat. "Ooh, so you're here on your own then, hmm? Oh dear, I hope Kaiba hasn't thrown you out. I hear he still has quite a temper." He turned to Croquet standing off to the side behind his desk. "Tell me, Croquet," he said mockingly, "Do we have a position open for this poor man?"

Roland glared at them both. "I'm not here for a job, and even if I would choose to leave Mr. Kaiba's employ, this would be the last place I would look."

Pegasus waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, very well, but think of all of the fun you would be missing!"

Roland's eye twitched. "I requested this meeting in private." He looked to Croquet. "Without your lackey."

Pegasus chuckled and turned, humored, to Croquet. "Says Kaiba-boy's own errand-boy." He looked back to the man standing rigidly from the other side of his desk. "No, I don't think so. We both know very well that our dear Kaiba still holds quite a grudge against me, and that our dear partnership is the only thing keeping me from being tossed off the top of his tower when I visit. I have not the pleasure of getting to know you, my dear Roland, but it doesn't take a genius to see that you are just as resentful as your employer – though I can't fathom why. We don't quite share the same rich history as dear Kaiba-boy."

Roland's eyes narrowed. True, Pegasus may not have ever met him face-to-face until well after the Duelist Kingdom Tournament, but he was still directly affected by the cascade of events that took place both before and after that debacle. "If that's why you thought I was here, you would have never let me into the building."

Pegasus shrugged. "What can I say – I'm curious."

Roland didn't make a move to sit down in front of the desk. "Regardless of what your opinion is of me or my official positions under Mr. Kaiba, I am currently the head of his company in his absence and request at least the respect that title is due. Knowing your history with Mr. Kaiba, I realize that is asking quite a bit, so I'll settle for half. But don't you dare compare me to the statue you have behind you; I am not Mr. Kaiba's 'errand-boy'. "

"Oh, very well," said Pegasus, shrugging nonchalantly again. "Now my interest is peaked. I know Kaiba-boy has gone off the map to school; at least that's the official story. But if you're running his dear empire, what's happened to little Mokuba? Surely he hasn't also dropped off the face of the earth."

Roland deadpanned. "Mokuba is twelve. His current responsibilities do not include maintaining his brother's company."

"He is still the vice president."

"In title only," Roland spat, "But I never would expect you to understand, since he was abducted in a corporate espionage plot that you spearheaded when he was only ten."

"Oho!" Pegasus clapped his hands together, and swiveled around in his seat to look at Croquet again. "Now we get to the crux of our issue, Croquet. I've always wondered why he held such disdain for me." He swiveled back, looking almost giddy. "Is that it? Do you resent me for my actions back in Duelist Kingdom? You weren't even a player in that venture."

"If I were, I assure you that the events you seem to have taken much pleasure in would not have happened," Roland snarled.

"Hm. I suppose that's possible, but we'll never know now, will we?" said Pegasus, leaning back lazily in his chair. "I suppose saying I'm a changed man now will do little to change your mind. Duelist Kingdom was a long time ago, my friend. The brothers Kaiba have put it to rest, perhaps you should too."

"One of the brothers may have put it aside, but some grudges run too deep to be forgiven or forgotten. For what you pulled, you should be in prison."

Pegasus laughed. "And who would believe the claims against me? That a magical eye captured the soul of Yugi-boy's grandfather through his television, or put our favorite orphaned brothers into comas, only to be awakened by a defeat at my own game by someone who went from a novice nobody to an overnight name by conquering the world champion in an unofficial match? The Big 5 fled to who-knows-where, probably hiding from dear Kaiba's wrath. And speaking of – if Kaiba-boy truly wanted me punished for my hand in kidnapping his brother and trying to take his company, he would have done so, even after the little mishap the Big 5 laid out for him with his first VR game."

Pegasus clasped his hands together at his desk. "So…if all we're going to do is share the intricate memories of days long-gone by, I'm sorry to say that the day will be wasted. Kaiba-boy hasn't fired you; you're not here for our next project development meeting, so please regale me with the reason for your visit today."

Roland crossed his arms. "It actually has everything to do with your hand in Duelist Kingdom. And the only reason I am here, is because the same twelve year-old that you had kidnapped and tortured, not only had the heart to forgive you, but now worries that you will befall some terrible fate, all because you once had a hunk of gold jammed in your eye socket."

Pegasus blinked. "Is he now? Little Mokuba didn't want to send his wishes himself?"

Roland sighed, resisting the urge to heavily roll his eyes. "Despite the lifetime ago that it seemed some events took place, I wouldn't let him anywhere near you."

"Of course not, you're the ever faithful guard dog. Are those orders from Kaiba-boy himself?"

"No, that's the judgement of a guardian trying to keep a child away from the men who abducted and chained him up in a dungeon."

Despite the seriousness, Pegasus looked amused again. "Oh, so you're not only acting-Seto Kaiba the Kaiba Corporation President, but Mokuba's dear father, too? I wouldn't think Kaiba-boy would relinquish that title to anyone."

"In this case, I am acting in both of their best interests."

"Ah, ah," Pegasus tutted and waggled a finger, "That can hardly be true – you said so yourself that dear Seto doesn't know you're here, and we both know that he wants nothing more than the bare minimum to do with me most days."

Roland sighed again and rubbed at his temples. "He may not know the extent to why I'm here, but just the same, I am following his orders."

"Ooooh," Pegasus leaned forward, intrigued. "Do tell then. I love a good secret. You said this has to do with the Millennium Eye, hmm? Perhaps I've forgotten, but I thought Kaiba didn't believe in anything supernatural? Even if it slapped him right across the nose."

"…That mindset has been…swayed."

"Kaiba hasn't believed in magic for ages," said Pegasus, and the tone of his voice was all business, the mocking cheeriness gone. "Whatever happened must have been quite a game-changer for him."

"It was." He took a deep breath. "Mr. Kaiba has acquired a Millennium Item."

Pegasus froze. He stared at Roland's stone-cold face for several minutes, to gauge whether or not the man was joking. "Surely you jest."

Roland eyed the man across the desk before reaching down and setting his thin briefcase on the desk. He opened it, removed a photo and slid it across the wooden surface.

Pegasus picked it up. The timestamp on the image was from June. "This is Kaiba's office. A very clear image for security footage, I might add. He surely doesn't waste any expense when it comes to his technology."

"No, he doesn't. And because of that, you can very clearly see the item in his hand."

Pegasus sighed and looked at the image again. Kaiba was standing in front of his desk, holding the Millennium Rod out to Yugi. "Just because he holds one doesn't deem him a bearer."

This time, Roland did roll his eyes. "I didn't peg you to be a skeptic, all things considered."

"I just find it hard to believe that Seto Kaiba inherited a Millennium Item after all this time."

Roland drew another photo and held it in the air in front of Pegasus. "Yugi Muto put it down in front of him, along with one of his many preaches about destiny. Mr. Kaiba picked it up off the desk to give it back, and immediately suffered second-degree burns as it took him over." With his hand holding the picture in the air, he gestured with one finger towards the empty socket hidden behind silver hair. "Are you going to tell me you just woke up one day and there was a golden eye where your own was supposed to be?"

Pegasus inwardly shuddered. He hadn't had the Millennium Eye for a long time now, and it was even longer from the day he first received it. Like other things, it was a time he tried hard to forget, but there was no banishing the memory of the pain of losing his left eye. But Seto Kaiba obtaining one of these Items? It hardly seemed possible, and he had trouble wrapping his head around the notion.

He mulled over Roland's words for a moment. "Your protectiveness over little Mokuba and Kaiba-boy's long absence…this Item hasn't, well, possessed him, has it? We're not going to have to go saving the land from him, right? Or Kaiba-boy from himself?"

Roland paused. Mr. Kaiba was already going to tear him out over this meeting. The less he gave out about the Millennium Rod, the safer he would probably be in the end. "No."

Pegasus sighed, obviously relieved. "Oh, good. I'd hate to see what a mind-hoaxed Kaiba would be like. We're lucky that this past incident with Dartz and Atlantis didn't take him over. I heard even Yugi-boy noble ways faltered a bit in that mess."

Roland nodded. He had also heard from Mokuba hanging out with Yugi's friends how the small duelist had been tempted by the evil magic. The last thing he would have wanted was Mr. Kaiba to be controlled, his own negative emotions from having the company seized to be tempted dangerously by the Orichalcos. Thankfully that was avoided.

Pegasus gestured to the seat again, and was pleased that Roland actually took it this time. He twisted around to look at his assistant and raised the empty mug that had been on the desk since yesterday. "Start a pot, Croquet. I have a feeling we're going to be here for a while."

.

Yugi entered the Great Hall to a wide assortment of looks as he passed by half of the student body to take a seat next to his friends at the Gryffindor table. Pulling a plate close, he began spooning scrambled eggs and sausage onto it. After a few bites, he finally looked up to the looks Harry and Ron were giving him, or, more precisely – his clothes.

"Yugi, mate," said Ron, "What…are you wearing?"

Yugi looked down at his outfit. It felt good to be back in his usual dueling attire, from the Millennium Puzzle hanging easily around his neck to the leather and buckles down to the deck box hanging off the second belt on his hip.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Yugi asked.

"It's…" Harry swallowed a bite of his breakfast. "…different. I don't remember you dressing like that over the summer at Ron's place."

"Oh," Yugi laughed. "No…I guess I didn't. But this is what I normally would wear back home, for dueling, and stuff."

Ryou snickered. "If you think that's weird, wait 'till you see Kaiba."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Three words," said Ryou, raising that many fingers, "Gravity. Defying. Coat."

To his and Yugi's amusement, Harry and Ron exchanged baffled looks.

"Where's your duel disk thing," asked Hermione, "Won't you need that?"

Yugi nodded. "Kaiba still has it. Since he wasn't in the dorm when we got up, I imagine he's already out on the Pitch, probably setting up those amplifier things he brought with him from home."

"Do you think you'll be ready for your game?" asked Ron. "I'm pretty excited to see one of these matches in person. You've been hyping it up for a while now."

"Duels against Kaiba are as challenging as they get," said Yugi, "We push ourselves to the limit every time. It's like an adrenaline rush!"

"He's probably the only person who can square up to you though, right?" asked Harry, "Since you're the King of Games and all."

"I've fought a lot of tough opponents," said Yugi, and nudged Ryou's arm. "Like Bakura! But as far as squaring up to each other, I'm the only person who's been able to defeat Kaiba in a fair fight."

"I'd hardly call our duel a fair fight," said Ryou, pushing Yugi's arm away. "My spirit hardly plays that way."

Yugi shrugged. "They were both really difficult games. And you're not a bad duelist yourself, when he's not butting in. You need to have more faith in yourself."

"I'm more surprised Kaiba didn't invite the entire school," said Ryou. "You know how much he loves being the center of attention."

Yugi nodded. "Yeah, or he did, at least. But he had a point. The last thing he wants is for someone to try and take the duel disks from us because of the monsters, even though they're harmless. We saw how he had to defend his phone, and that was just to keep in contact with his brother."

"So, Yugi," asked Hermione, "Which of you are going to duel?"

"The Pharaoh," said Yugi, smiling. "He's been itching for this fight for a long time."

Once they had finished eating, Harry led them outside towards the Quidditch Pitch. The sun was peeking in and out of the puffy clouds, but thankfully there didn't seem to be any inclement weather in sight; which was a relief, because Yugi was sure that rain or shine, Kaiba would have dragged them out to the Pitch for the match, even if they had to spend the week bedridden and ill from getting soaked to the bone. And that made Yugi suddenly curious – were the duel disks waterproof? He never tried to play in bad weather before. That would be an experience; though he wasn't sure he wanted to get his cards ruined just to retain a dueling title.

They passed by Hagrid's hut on the way, and Ryou stopped short, pointing off towards the pumpkin patch. "W-what are those?"

Yugi followed his gaze. The only thing in the pumpkin patch was the scarecrow hanging on the post. "What are you looking at?"

Ryou looked around to the others. "You don't see it?"

Ron and Hermione looked at each other. "Scarecrow?"

"No," Harry shook his head, and gestured to the odd-looking creatures. "Those are thestrals."

Yugi frowned. "I still don't see anything."

"Most people can't," said Harry, "Unless you've witnessed death."

Ryou took a step towards one, before turning back to the others. "They're not…dangerous, right?"

Harry shook his head. "No, those are tame. They're gentle, and won't attack unless they're seriously provoked."

"So you can see them," said Ryou.

Harry nodded glumly. "Yeah…."

Ryou took another cautious step towards the thestrals. They looked like a cross between a reptile and a winged horse. Its coat was thin enough that he could clearly see the shapes of its bones. Overall, it looked like something that would be on one of his occult-based Duel Monsters cards.

He held out a hand and carefully stroked the nearest one's head. "Have they always been here at the school?"

"I think so," said Harry. "I've just never seen them until recently. They pull the carriages to and from the train at the beginning and end of term. They've also got an incredible sense of direction. We used them to go to the Ministry of Magic last year, and having never been there from the school before – they knew exactly where to go, and got us there faster than relying on even the quickest broomstick."

"Huh – interesting," said Ryou. He gave it another pet before returning to the group. "I bet they get a lot of flak for being scary-looking."

"Sometimes," said Hermione, "People say they're unlucky because of the grim circumstances involved in order to see one."

"Can you all see them? Or just me and Harry?" Ryou asked as they continued towards the Pitch.

"I think between the three of us, only Harry can," said Ron, "It made getting to the Ministry really weird, clinging to a beast that we couldn't even see."

/Interesting./ Bakura said from his room.

Ryou tilted his head up slightly. /What is interesting, Spirit?/

/That for all the old man's protections around this place, you could just get on one of those things and fly off. They're not even penned in./

Ryou mentally frowned. /You're not going to take me over one day and just escape the school…are you?/

/No/ Bakura said, and Ryou was surprise at the level of snap to his voice, considering he asked that in jest. /I'm merely commenting on the lack of foresight to keep people in this school./

/Maybe no one expects anybody to just jump on one and get away./

/Hm./

Yugi walked out onto the Quidditch field as the clock tower back at the school chimed on the hour. As he expected, Seto was standing in the center of the field, with the calm breeze catching the tails of his stark-white coat.

"I've been waiting for you, Yugi."

Yugi put a hand to the Millennium Puzzle, allowing Yami control as he joined his rival in the center of the field. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ryou lead Harry and the others off to the side, away from the Pitch's center. Hermione waved her wand, conjuring chairs for them to sit.

"You did say 10am, Kaiba."

Seto knelt down to the briefcase at his feet and tossed over Yugi's duel disk, which Yami caught one-handed.

Yami looked it over. "What's this?" he asked, indicating a small chip secured near the underside of the monster card zone. "I don't remember that being there before."

"It's to connect to the amplifier," said Seto, pointing down to the device off to the side, near his open briefcase. Another was situated a bit farther off, and Yami guessed that's where he was to take up his spot to duel.

Yami nodded. "Alright." He eyed Seto suspiciously. "I take it this isn't a high-stakes duel."

Seto shook his head irritably. "If you're referring to the God Cards, then no."

Yami looked amused. "No? Have you lost your touch? Seto Kaiba isn't after the three most powerful Duel Monsters cards? I think I must be hallucinating!"

"Don't be an idiot," Seto snapped, "Of course I want the God Cards. But when I win them from you, and I will, it will be after I defeat them all in battle, and that's not going to happen today."

Yami blinked. That wasn't quite the answer he was expecting at all. "It's not?"

Upon seeing the udder befuddlement on the Pharaoh's face, Seto sighed. "I suppose I have to break things down to Wheeler's intelligence level. Surely you remember what happened the last time the Gods clashed in one of our duels."

"Of course," said Yami, "They linked us back to a vision of the ancient past. But they were fighting against each other that time. I have them all here, so I don't see something like that happening today."

"That's not quite what I was getting at," said Seto. "I already told you that the holograms were having difficulty staying out here. The technology, which is now running on magic, is acting alongside all of the concentrated magic surrounding the school. But Obelisk, Slifer, and Ra have a power all their own to it – probably having to do with the Millennium Items."

Seto drummed his fingers against the crook of his arm. "I haven't tested what monsters with that much power will do to the amplifier – or your duel disk – in this setting. Think about it – they fried televisions in mainland Domino City, and we were in the middle of nowhere atop the Duel Tower. Do you really want to find out how much damage they could do to the castle if they react badly to the magic around Hogwarts?"

Yami looked down to the deck in his hands. "I suppose you've got a point." He shuffled through his cards, pulled the three monsters, held them up for Seto to see, and placed them back into the deck box hanging on his hip. "Are you sure that our other cards won't break the system?"

Seto snorted. "Considering my deck is stronger than yours anyway, that's a moot point, don't you think?'

"You haven't managed to beat me yet."

Seto glowered as he slipped on his own duel disk over the metal bracer around his wrist. "Your win in Battle City, like most others, was reliant on luck. We both know that if that Anubis freak hadn't crashed the party during our last rematch, I would have been the victor."

Yami tauntingly waggled a finger at him. "You don't know that, Kaiba."

"Face it," Seto activated his disk and set his deck into the slot. "My strategies outshine yours by a long shot. Your days as a champion are numbered."

Yami moved to stand next to his amplifier. "Then I hope you've counted fairly high, Kaiba, because I have no plans on being dethroned today."

Ron leaned back, looking around Harry to nudge Ryou's shoulder. "Is the trash talk normal?"

Ryou nodded. "It's part of their routine. You get used to it."

"...If you're so certain you're going to win," Seto snarled, as his trench coat flared dramatically in the air behind him, "Then prove it."

"I shall," Yami pronounced, slipping on his own duel disk.

"DUEL!"