A/N: There will be a slight hiatus after this chapter as I will be working on a new story for the YGO Big Bang project. As always, my tumblr (dxmichelle) will have fic snippets and updates on when new chapters will be going up.

/Text/ Spirit to Host

/Text/ Host to Spirit

Chapter 35: Fallout

Time seemed to move in a blur, and Hermione could only remember a part of what had actually transpired.

Once he was reasonably assured that there were no more Death Eaters hiding about, Roland had ushered the group out of Seto's office and into the one next door while he had gone back to search for the mysterious magic coin that Dumbledore had given Yugi, Ryou and Seto on his first visit. He had returned minutes later, activated it, and the Order had followed soon after.

In a quick standoff that almost ended up with Roland shooting a cocky member of the British Ministry for getting too close to him, Dumbledore had arrived with members of the Japanese Ministry to help sort out everything. They weren't in the room, but either out in the hallway or in Seto's office, but voices got rather heated at times, and Yugi and his friends were able to hear part of conversations clear as day.

But Hermione could hardly pay any attention to what was being said. Visions of the dead security officers from the hallway kept running wild through her mind, and she felt sick.

Blood was splattered all over the one wall. Was it Seto's? It was too far away to be from any of the people left behind in the hallway. Did the other guard, Fuguta, get a shot off on a Death Eater before he was killed?

And what of Seto? Was he even alive? How long ago was this plan put into motion? There was already at least one Death Eater staged in Domino for a period of time, having impersonated a guard that was at the amusement park. Were there others?

"Point that thing at me again and you'll be casting spells out of a stump!"

Roland's outburst made her look up towards the door. That didn't sound good.

"Should we…interfere or something?" asked Yugi.

"I don't like sitting here, not knowing what's going on," said Harry, "We should be able to help. We were the ones fighting at Kaiba Land."

"Probably for the best you don't," said Yugi. "Didn't you tell us once that you got into loads of trouble last summer for doing magic outside of school?"

"Yeah but it was a life-threatening situation," said Harry, "Like tonight was. And that fiasco was another plot by the old Ministry of Magic to try and discredit me."

Ryou frowned, and sat down next to Hermione on the office couch. "Hey," he said quietly, "Are you going to be okay?"

She shook her head, staring down at her hands.

"Have you been in…other wizard fights before? Besides the Department of Mysteries?"

Hermione sighed. "No…but I was struck by a Death Eater during the Department of Mysteries, and was unconscious for the whole second half of the fight. If it weren't for Harry and Neville, I'd be dead. I can fight…I mean, I know my spells, but this…I've never seen something so ghastly before. Those people in the hallway…. My parents would sometimes watch a few crime shows on television, so I know how terrible firearm injuries and deaths can be…but it's so much worse seeing it in person than in fiction."

She shuddered. "But even still…a wizard's death, if it was by the killing curse, is quick. Painless. Those poor guards outside…I can't get it out of my mind." She turned to him. "How…how are you so calm about it?"

Ryou shook his head. "I'm not. But I've been an accomplice to everything the Ring has done while in my care. I suppose I've been desensitized to a lot of things. Or the Spirit is projecting calm onto me. I'm not quite sure."

"The Spirit of the Ring has killed people while in control of you?" she asked.

"No…not really. But I think when we first connected, I got a glimpse into some of the more violent things he had been up to before he found me. And our bonding wasn't clean in the slightest."

Hermione hugged her arms to her chest. "Your boggart…."

"—Is a terrible reminder of who he is," said Ryou, "I just try to think that we've progressed well enough past that point that he won't regress back."

Footsteps in the hallway caught all of their attention. Tonks walked into the room.

"What's going on over there?" asked Harry, looking towards the wall dividing the two offices.

"Why was Roland yelling?" asked Yugi.

"The British Ministry wanted to try and cover up what had happened," Tonks explained. "A few statements were made that probably shouldn't have been, and it got rather tense. Although, I thought it would have been sort of funny to see that junior know-it-all Auror try and cast a Memory Charm without a wand arm." She looked around. "Are you all okay?"

"A bit shaken, but I think we'll be alright," said Ryou.

Tonks nodded. "While Dumbledore finishes up here with the Japanese Ministry, I will be taking you all back to Hogwarts. The Order is going to assist the Japanese Ministry in handling the Muggle involvement at the amusement park and all of the casaulties."

"What about the Ministry?" Harry asked. "You said they were here."

"Oh, yeah," Tonks scratched at her nose, "But after they tried to essentially wipe Roland's memory and poof the bodies, the Japanese Ministry doesn't really want them here."

"I don't blame them," said Ron, "Though covering it all up does sound rather suspect doesn't it?"

Tonks shrugged. "The International Statute of Secrecy still applies," she said, "At the very least, any of the Muggles visiting the park will have to be tracked down, but at least all those guys' families will be able to have some closure."

"You can't tell them the truth though," said Ron.

"Well…no," said Tonks, "But we'll get as close to it as possible."

"What about Seto?" asked Hermione.

Tonks's face fell. "Dumbledore will keep in contact with Roland about any news…but it doesn't look too good right now."

"Doesn't Dumbledore have his spies or whoever? They were the ones who tipped him off about us in the first place," said Ryou.

Tonks paused. "I'm not entirely sure," she said carefully. "You would have to ask him. And I'm sure he will want to sit down with you once he returns to the school and get your sides of what happened."

"You make it sound like we're in trouble or something," said Ryou.

"You're not," Tonks held up her hands defensively. "But he would like to piece the evening together, and Roland wasn't with you for the entire thing, so there's only so much he can say. And most of what's going on next door is how to handle the mess here."

She reached into her pocket and took out the miniaturized Magician Owl plush, the magic that had turned it into a real owl long-since worn off. Tapping her wand against it, Tonks restored it to its normal size before holding it out. "Ready to go?"

"No, wait!" Yugi froze. "What about Grandpa?"

"Remus and Sturgis are with your grandfather at the shop, and Hestia is still at the safe house with Ishizu Ishtar," said Tonks.

"Can I see him before we go?" Yugi said, "Please? I need to be sure he's okay."

"What about our things?" asked Harry, "We're not exactly packed to go right back to school."

"When Remus and I return to Britain, we'll take it all with us." Tonks nodded. "And we can make a pit stop at your home, but we'll have to be fast. Dumbledore is very adamant about getting you all back to Hogwarts as soon as possible."

/I wonder why that is,/ said Yami curiously. /With all of these Aurors around, we would be quite safe./

/I guess there's no telling if the Death Eaters would decide to come back. But I just have such a terrible feeling…/ Yugi sighed. /And I feel like we had a hand in this. What if this all came from that afternoon in Kaiba's office where we failed to summon the Shadow in his mind?/

/We can't think that way, Yugi. The only thing that matters is that we get Kaiba back, and fast./

"Yugi?" Hermione said softly. "You have to grab on."

Yugi broke himself out of his thoughts. He was the only one not holding onto the plush owl. He reached for it when Roland's voice from the doorway made him stop.

"Yugi Muto." Roland nodded his head towards the hallway, and Yugi hurried out to meet him.

"Is she taking you back to school?"

Yugi nodded. "We're checking on Grandpa first." He looked around the corridor. The large bloodstain on the wall in front of Kaiba's office was gone, as were the bodies in the hallway. "What's going on?"

"Dumbledore is talking with the Japanese Aurors," said Roland stiffly. "The local Ministry of Magic is in arms over this."

Yugi paused. "Why?"

"The abridged version? The British Ministry messed up and caused an international incident. But I honestly don't care half about their political agendas thrown back and forth in each other's faces. My people are dead, and what concerns me is that they get the respectful burials they deserve." Roland sighed. "Now I have the task of going back to the safe house and telling Mokuba what he most likely already knows."

Yugi cringed.

Roland sighed and picked up the slim briefcase leaning against the doorframe. "Does your phone work at the school, or is it more or less a glorified paperweight?"

"No, it works."

Roland nodded. "Good." He held out the briefcase. "Take this back with you."

Yugi set it down and opened it up. "Is this the laptop he took to Hogwarts?"

"It is. Dumbledore may not get leads right away to where Mr. Kaiba is, but we might be able to get a head start."

Yugi's eyes lit up. "Really? How?"

Roland tapped at his own "KC" lapel pin. "You may have noticed before, but Mr. Kaiba wears this pin on his suits. He had a similar one on his dueling coat. Most importantly, he wore it today."

"I've seen it before," Yugi said, "He used it when we met with Ishizu. It's like a radio, right?"

"It's more than just that," said Roland, "There's also a GPS tracker embedded inside."

/What!?/ Yami's jaw dropped.

"Assuming that he's back in Britain right now, the signal isn't strong enough to encompass half the globe. But there's a chance that the laptop will pick it up while you're at school." He paused. "Assuming that technology even works wherever he is."

Yugi nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Yugi?" Harry called. "Are you ready?"

"Just about!" He turned back to Roland. "Are…are you going to be okay?"

Roland rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "The fallout from this will take time. But I will be fine. Once the wizards leave here, I will pick up your grandfather and take him to the safe house."

His voice sounded strained.

Yugi hesitated a moment. "I'm sorry about Fuguta," he said. "None of this…none of this should have happened."

"Fuguta was well aware of the dangers surrounding Mr. Kaiba's leave," said Roland, "Our job, above all else, is to protect Mr. Kaiba and Mokuba. As unfair as his death may have been, all of their deaths, they were in the line of duty, and I will do whatever is needed to be done to make sure they are remembered that way."

Hogwarts had never felt so empty before.

There were a few stragglers that stayed behind during the winter holiday, but most of the school was still on break, and not expected back for another two days. The Portkey had dropped the group off in Professor McGonagall's office and she immediately sent them to the hospital wing, despite their claims that their run-in with trouble left them unharmed.

Madame Pomfrey gave them all a quick look-over, taking extra care to be sure that the spell the Death Eater used on Hermione was truly nothing more than a stunner before giving her some sort of tonic to help bring some color back to her face and relax her enough to sleep. She disappeared up the girls' staircase without much more than a 'goodnight' to the group the instant they were back in the common room.

But the standout moment of the day had to be when the most unexpected visitor joined them after dinner in Gryffindor Tower.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Yugi's eyes were wide. "What are you doing here?"

"It's been some time since I've visited my old stomping grounds," said Dumbledore lightly, taking a seat near the roaring fire. "I wanted to check in with you without the formality of doing so in my office."

"You were in Gryffindor House?" asked Ryou.

"Indeed I was," said Dumbledore, "Like you, I sat around this very fire, studying the theories of magic and conspired a bit of mayhem against my own professors." He looked around at the group. "But I wish this visit could be under better circumstances. I trust Miss Granger is alright?"

Harry nodded. "She was hit with a sort of stunning spell while we were on the run from Death Eaters, but otherwise fine. She's…just taking this harder than the rest of us, I think."

"She and Kaiba were close," said Yugi. "Not like…romantic or anything, but they were friends. More than he was to any of us. That and everything we saw at Kaiba Corp…I think it wore her out."

"Ah," said Dumbledore. "I will try not to take too much of your time. I trust all of you must be tired after the day's events, and I'm sure you can guess why I'm here."

"It's about Seto, isn't it?" said Harry.

"Indeed," said Dumbledore. "If I may ask, how did the events of this evening transpire?"

"We were at the amusement park," said Ron, "Everything was fine during the day, but the lights went out at night, and when we went to find out what was going on, the Dark Mark had been cast, and Death Eaters had arrived."

"They were looking for me," said Yugi, "That's what it seemed like, anyway. They were trying to draw me out. But we were able to fight them off enough that we were able to take refuge in the employees-only area of the park. Mokuba took us to the security office, but we didn't realize that the guard in the room was really a Death Eater."

Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "And then?"

"We were cornered, but Remus and Tonks showed up to help," said Ryou. He paused, looking down at his Millennium Ring. "The Spirit created a diversion using a monster from the Shadow Realm, and Roland got us out of the park."

"When we couldn't get a hold of Kaiba, we rushed back to Kaiba Corp, but it was too late," said Yugi.

Bakura phased out of the Millennium Ring. "It seemed Kaiba was the target all along. If these Death Eaters truly wanted Yugi and the Pharaoh, they could have done so with ease. Potter even said that the masked fools weren't casting anything worse than simple stunning spells."

"That would coincide with the lack of Dark Mark over the Kaiba Corp office building," said Dumbledore.

"How did the Death Eaters get into Kaiba Corp in the first place?" asked Harry. "I thought it was said that wards were placed around it."

"They were," said Dumbledore, "And still are. All of us that arrived this evening had to arrive via Portkey. I attempted to disapparate from the office and was unsuccessful."

Yami appeared behind Yugi's chair. "We believe that the Death Eaters arrived through the Shadow Realm."

Dumbledore tilted his head. "How is that possible? I was under the impression, based on your knowledge, that Voldemort did not have a Millennium Item."

Yugi and Yami exchanged looks before Yugi sighed and turned back to Dumbledore. "…We think Voldemort might have a new ally. One with access to the Shadow Realm."

"He doesn't have a Millennium Item," said Bakura stiffly. "That much is certain."

Yugi scratched at the back of his neck. "Oooh-kay, this is going to take some explanation, isn't it?"

Ryou nodded dully.

Dumbledore's brow raised.

Yami sighed. "Not long after Kaiba received the Millennium Rod, he has been attacked while he slept. Something had managed to invade his mind without being in the room with him. We're not quite sure who it is, but we've been calling it The Shadow, since all we see is a dark shape of a person. It's been searching through Kaiba's memories on and off this entire term."

"Up until now, I would have said that the two events were a coincidence," said Yugi, "But we've seen the Shadow use the Shadow Realm before, and we saw the Realm appear on Kaiba's security cameras. If the Death Eaters got into his office without apparating in, the Shadow probably brought them."

"I was unaware the Shadow Realm could be a means of transportation."

"It is," said Bakura. "I've used it before. But to take someone – or a group – draws a great deal of stamina."

"And you've no clue to the identity of this Shadow?"

"We know it is someone related to the Millennium Items, or at the very least knows about them," said Yami, "It knew me as the Pharaoh."

"And it's motives?"

"I believe it is looking for the other Millennium Items," said Bakura. "It already found Ishizu, and while they didn't find him, Death Eaters went after Pegasus's home. None of those events happened until after the Shadow saw them in Kaiba's memories. The only thing we can pick out is that whatever this Shadow is looking for, it is certain only Kaiba has it. Neither my host or the Pharaoh's have been harmed."

Dumbledore clasped his hands together in his lap. "You think they are working together to find the Millennium Items?"

"It's the only thing I can think of," said Yugi. "That was why Voldemort was after us, wasn't it? And so far, the only memories we know Kaiba has had searched had to do with the last people to have the Millennium Necklace and Eye."

"I see," said Dumbledore, standing up. "I will have to take this up with the Order. I will see what I can do with my informants in the Ministry, but I fear finding Mr. Kaiba will be no easy task. Voldemort is likely to keep him close, and without breaking into his inner circle, discovering his location will take some time."

"That's just it though," said Yami gravely. "The Shadow severely hurt Kaiba the last time it infiltrated into Kaiba's mind, and the Shadow wasn't even physically there. If Voldemort and the Shadow are truly working together, time is something Kaiba may not have."

.

Seto didn't make any move to join him at the table.

Voldemort's bony hand was still outstretched to the empty chair. "You need not be afraid, Mr. Kaiba," he said, "I will not harm you."

Seto blinked through the pounding in his skull. "You'll forgive my skepticism. Your people broke in and abducted me from my own office."

"Ah," said Voldemort, "I'm afraid it is rather hard to get a hold of you these days. Dumbledore prefers to keep his prized students close." He pushed a potion bottle across the table towards the empty seat. "Come. This will do wonders for the pain."

"No thanks," said Seto shortly.

"Oh, no," Voldemort chuckled, "I insist."

There was a shift in movement out of the corner of Seto's eye, and he turned his head slightly. A pair of broad-shouldered Death Eaters stood by the door to the study, wands in hand, but not aimed at him. The message was clear.

With a loud exhale, Seto crossed the room and sat in the offered chair. "Happy?"

"Very much so," said Voldemort calmly, and pushed the potion bottle a bit closer. "That should clear the proverbial fog. I need your mind sharp."

"Why?"

The grin on Voldemort's face was rather unsettling. "In due time. Now – I must apologize, for it seems I have pulled you from a rather important engagement." He waved Seto's phone around in his other hand. "It seems a great number of people have tried to reach you on this device."

Seto merely glared at him.

"I am sure you have a great many questions. As do I," said Voldemort, tucking the phone away out of sight. "But first, dinner. Having traveled to Japan myself, I am aware that time there is not the same as here. You have been unconscious for several hours, and must be famished. I did, after all, pull you from attending your meal with Potter and his friends."

A third Death Eater appeared – from where, Seto wasn't sure, but he produced two plates piled high with offerings Seto expected to see at a Hogwarts feast. He didn't make a move for it, instead stared at it a moment before returning his glare on Voldemort.

"…You expect me to eat that?"

Voldemort only looked amused. "Does it offend you? I can have something else prepared, if you wish."

"How do I know that's not drugged, or poisoned?"

"You don't," said Voldemort, picking up his own fork. "However, you have been in my company, asleep, for several hours. If I had wished you dead, I had plenty of opportunity to do so. But I expect you to dine with me."

Seto crossed his arms. "Do you treat all your prisoners this way?"

Voldemort laughed icily. "Oh, no. You are no prisoner of mine. Quite the opposite. You are here as my honored guest."

The way the words were spoken sent chills down Seto's spine.

Voldemort's lip curled upwards. "And, after all, I have given you quite a personal gift. I trust it is still customary to show gratitude for such things – in which case you may do so by dining and carrying on conversation with me this evening."

"The only gift you've given me," Seto snarled, his voice dripping with venom, "Is a migraine from whatever you did to knock me out."

Voldemort's eyes flared, and he continued to grin. "Is that so? Are you sure?"

"Well, it certainly wasn't whatever was in that bottle, because I didn't drink it."

Voldemort laughed. "Oh, no, not that. I Despite my offering, I did not expect you to take it. I am referring to something else. Something I know you have wanted for quite some time."

Seto's eyes narrowed. What was he on about?

Voldemort tilted his head to the side. "…Perhaps you need a hint. Think carefully."

Seto shook his head. Something he wanted for a long time? He had the means of getting whatever he wanted, so he doubted it was something physical. The only thing on him was the clothes on his back – his phone was gone, and no doubt so was the Millennium Rod –

Seto froze. He didn't notice, not at first with the pounding headache, but his mind was silent. Surely, Set would have been calling out for him by now, to make sure he wasn't hurt…but…nothing. He attempted to switch himself out with Set, to return to his soul room, or at least the corridor, but nothing happened.

"What have you done?"

"I have given you the one thing you craved most: peace," said Voldemort. "I can only imagine the relief you must feel, knowing that your mind and thoughts are your own and no one else's; that there is no extra unwanted whisper questioning your decisions at any given time."

Cold dread washed over him. Seto tensed, gripping the arms of the chair tightly. "What have you done with Set?"

"Ah, so the 'High Priest' has a name after all," said Voldemort.

Seto merely glared.

Voldemort waved a hand. "As I understand it, your connection to the spirit in your Millennium Rod has been severed. The pain you are feeling is a residual effect, it will pass in time."

"You say that as if you weren't the one to do it."

Voldemort's lip curled upwards again. "I didn't. That act was done by a mutual acquaintance of ours."

"The Shadow," Seto said flatly, but he couldn't help but stare down at his right palm. The wounds suffered from sealing the bond with the Millennium Rod had long since healed, but this revelation made him feel slightly ill. He knew the Shadow was powerful enough to invade his mind and both mentally and physically torment him from however far away. But to have the power to remove Set as if he was never there?

Voldemort laughed again. "Is that what you've gone to calling him?"

"It's never given me anything else to go on," Seto crossed his arms.

"You can refer to him as the 'Great Shadow Magus'."

Seto rolled his eyes. "So Shadow for short. Doesn't kicking Set out defeat the purpose for bringing me here?"

Voldemort tilted his head, eyeing him curiously. "I'm afraid I don't quite follow."

Seto huffed. "Look, it's no secret that you've been looking for the Millennium Items. You've gone off attacking people related to them. And the first thing you after nabbing me is cut off the only link I have to one?"

"Ah," Voldemort said. "I may be searching for the Millennium Items, but that is not the sole reason for having you brought here. The Shadow, as you prefer to call him, and I have similar but separate goals. I wished to speak to you without the distraction of your spirit friend. He needed assurance that…" Voldemort paused, remembering the Dark Priest's recent failures to breach the boy's mind. "…outside forces would not interfere with his plans. Our interests in this case were aligned."

"And what are his plans?"

Voldemort merely smirked again. "I am certain you will find out, once he has recovered his powers. Cutting you off from the Millennium Rod was a rather tedious act for someone with no true anchor in this world."

Seto stared icily.

Voldemort waved his fork again, "Though I am surprised that you believe yourself to be here on the basis of the Millennium Items alone."

When Seto didn't make a move to say anything, he continued, "In fact, I have been looking forward to this day for quite some time."

"Have you."

"Oh yes," said Voldemort, "Between yourself and Yugi Muto, I was much more invested in meeting you."

This didn't make any sense, Seto thought to himself. If this were about the Millennium Items, Yugi should have been the more sought after target. Everyone wanted something from Yugi, one way or another. Marik's freak personality went so far as wanting the Pharaoh dead. Even if Bakura was still completely off Voldemort's radar, Yugi was the greater expert on all the Millennium Item nonsense that had been going on. He's worn the Puzzle for years, versus the Rod that was in his own possession for only so many months.

"Why?"

"You're not eating."

"I'm not hungry."

"And I said you are to dine with me," said Voldemort.

"What are you going to do, point a stick between my eyes if I don't take a bite? Is that how you treat your honored guests?"

"No, not at all," said Voldemort. He placed the fork down and clasped his bony fingers together in front of him. "Let me tell you how this will work, Seto Kaiba, and then you may decide if you wish to rethink your decision.

"I have a number of visitors, so to speak, that I must equally split my attention, along with my routine matters of the day. I have decided to spend my meals here in your company. You may choose to eat and talk, which are the only two requests I have made, or you may sit and be silent. But know this – you will only be fed whilst I am here. I will not force you to dine, nor will I have one of my Death Eaters feed you. You will not receive anything while I am gone."

"If that's supposed to scare me, it doesn't."

"Very well," said Voldemort, and he held up a hand. The third Death Eater appeared again and set a dark bottle of some sort of liquid onto the table before stepping back towards the door and the other two sentries. "I am aware how long a man can live without food or water. I don't need you healthy, just alive. And if I must take other measures to keep you that way, then so be it. By that time you will be in no state to keep up your defiance, and I will get what I want anyway."

Voldemort leaned forward. "May I also remind you that The Shadow Magus is here, and has been eager to see you for quite some time. Should you choose to weaken your mind and body by starving yourself, I am sure he will have no trouble at all paying you a visit even in his current, weakened state."

He couldn't resist adding in. "And without the Spirit of the Millennium Rod to assist you, I imagine such a visit would not be a pleasant one."

Voldemort watched with glee as the color drained a bit from Seto's face. But the dark look his way continued, and his guest stayed silent.

After a moment, Voldemort vanished his plate away and stood from the table. "I hear you are a rather bright individual, Mr. Kaiba. I trust you will think this through and come to a sound decision. For this night, you can keep your dinner. I assure you, the plate is not laced with any poisons or ill intent. But I expect you to be a bit more compliant come morning."

He was halfway to the door before he turned back. "Feel free to use the study as you see fit while I am gone attending other matters," said Voldemort. "Read the books if you wish. Rest if you so desire. The Death Eaters will not harm you so long as you make no move to leave."

Seto raised an eyebrow. "And if I did?"

"Attempting to escape will force me to move you to less comfortable accommodations," said Voldemort, "And I'd rather not have to do so to someone so special. So weigh your options carefully, Mr. Kaiba. I will return in the morning. Pleasant dreams."

And with a final curl of his lip, Voldemort disappeared from the room.