Chapter 17: - Enough Loose Ends to Tie Up a Rat
"Harry." Sirius said abruptly to Harry as they made their way down the tunnel, "You know what handing Pettigrew over means, don't you?"
"You're free." Harry replied.
"Yes." Said Sirius, "But I don't know if anyone ever told you… I'm your Godfather."
"Yeah, I know."
"Well, your parents appointed me as your Guardian in case anything ever happened to them…"
Harry paused, did Sirius mean what he thought he meant?
"I'll understand of course, if you want to return to your Aunt and Uncle's house." Sirius said stiffly, "But… well… think about it. Once my name is cleared… if you want another home…"
Harry felt a small explosion go off in the pit of his stomach. "What? Live with you?" Harry yelped, accidentally bashing his head. "Leave the Dursleys?"
"Of course, I thought you wouldn't want to…" Sirius said quickly, "I understand. I just thought I'd…"
"Are you mad?" Harry's voice echoed through the tunnel, though his voice was almost as croaky as Sirius's. "Of course I want to leave the Dursleys! Have you got a house? When can I move in?"
Joey smiled slightly at Harry's tone as he led the way, wondering what he would have done if someone had offered him a way away from his father, before stopping in shock as a light came down the tunnel at them. "Professor?" Joey asked in surprise.
"Joey, what is going on here?" Lupin demanded, before staring at the unconscious form that was behind Joey but in front of Hermione. "Pettigrew?" Lupin stared at Black. Black stared back. "You swapped?"
Black nodded, careful not to bash his head on the tunnel ceiling.
"You didn't tell me because you thought I was the spy."
"Forgive me, old friend?" Black asked.
"Of course, though I can't wait to see his reaction when he wakes up in Dumbledore's custody." Lupin grinned maliciously at Pettigrew's form and led them to the surface.
Hermione looked up at the open sky as she emerged from the hole and breathed in the fresh air. The full moon lighting the grounds up brightly… wait… full moon?
Lupin was doubled over and Black got between them and Lupin, who changed in front of their eyes, from their teacher to a…
"He's a Werewolf." Black snapped, "Get out of here." He morphed into a huge black dog.
The werewolf, however, had no interest in attacking them, and merely took a submissive posture.
Wait, Sirius!" Hermione suddenly yelled, "He's taken his Wolfsbane. He's safe!"
Sirius didn't take her word for it, and circled the Werewolf warily, who merely wagged his tail at him and let out a playful bark.
Sirius's dog form looked confused for a second (as confused as a dog can) and then let out a bark and padded towards the school.
The Werewolf got behind the group and they walked back up to the castle.
"Professor Lupin's a Werewolf." Ron said.
"Yes, so?" Harry asked, "Yami's a Pharaoh and Ombre's a Princess."
"Professor Lupin is a Werewolf…"
Hermione shook her head in amusement, this was almost as bad as Yami and 'Bakura was being nice?'
Harry could see the Dementors hovering over the Forbidden Forest and was glad that they were going to opposite direction, reaching the safety of the Main Doors and a welcome from Professor Dumbledore who seemed to gain a look of great confusion.
"Professor Lupin, I would suggest that you head for the Shrieking Shack." He said, "Minister Fudge is still around somewhere and its best if he doesn't see you out and about."
The Werewolf nodded and bounded off.
Professor Dumbledore looked carefully at the man who was being floated along behind Joey and then frowned, "Mr Wheeler, can you go and get the Minster for Magic for me? I believe he's in my office."
Joey nodded and shot into the school.
"Sirius, it would be wise for you to remain in that form for a little while longer. I cannot guarantee that the Minister will be as welcoming."
"How?" Ron asked.
"Professor Dumbledore knows everything." Harry said, Sirius barked.
"Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, why don't you take your new dog to the Hospital Wing, I heard that two of your friends are up there and it looks like Mr Weasley could do with some attention from Madam Pomfrey."
"What about Pettigrew?" Harry asked.
"Set him down Miss Granger." Hermione ended the spell and Pettigrew hit the dirt. "That wasn't quite what I meant." Dumbledore sighed then cast a wordless spell, conjuring chains that weighted Pettigrew down.
"Professor he can…"
"I know. Go before Fudge comes."
"Joey cast a stunner on him." Hermione said before the three children and the dog vanished into the school.
A minute later Fudge and Joey reappeared.
"Mr Wheeler, please go and check on your friend, Mr Muto." Dumbledore said in a tone that made it clear that the others had gone there too.
Joey nodded and re-entered the school.
"Who's this?" Fudge demanded, pointing to Pettigrew, who was still led on the ground.
"Well, Minister. It seems we have a dead man in the castle."
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Yugi opened his eyes to the sound of voices.
"I give up!" Madam Pomfrey was berating Ron for doing something to his leg. "It doesn't seem to matter to your group what time of night it is! Something always happens. However did you manage that in the Common Room?"
A big black dog was led by Harry's feet and Yugi decided that what ever had happened, he was going to have to get them to tell him about it.
Yugi sat up and saw Yami was just yawning and stretching himself, sitting up on the other bed. The Pharaoh looked over at his hikari and smiled slightly. Yugi returned it, his hand resting on the Millennium Puzzle on his bedside table.
Yami was waking up?
Yugi slipped the Puzzle on.
'Why does everyone think that it's a good idea to drug me this year?' Yami complained.
Yugi would have answered but got the Madam Pomfrey treatment next and had to wait until the Mediwitch had stopped fussing over him and locked herself in her office before he could ask questions.
However the others beat him to the punch. "Yugi what happened with the Duel Monsters?"
"Are you alright?"
"Do you know where they've gone?"
Yami didn't ask any questions, he looked like he was waiting for Yugi's answers.
"I'm fine now, a little tired but fine. Mahado asked me to free the Dementors that Yami had sent to the Shadow Realm." Yugi quickly looked at Yami, who looked like he'd figured this out already and wasn't quite sure how to react. "I managed it, but the Shadows wanted out and I'm not a hundred percent sure what happened after that." Yugi looked puzzled, "I managed to stop the Shadows, but the Monsters went somewhere and beyond not the Graveyard, I have no clue where."
"You've been out cold for hours." Yami said softly, thinking about what he wanted to say.
"He was really worried Yuge." Joey said, "We all were."
"Yugi, I understand if Mahado told you not to tell me." Yami said. "I'm just glad you're alright." Yugi smiled properly at him this time and Yami smiled back.
"How did you do that?" Yami asked Ron as he slipped off of his own bed and sat on Yugi's.
"You won't believe that night we've had." Joey groaned. The dog thumped its tail on the floor and Harry petted it. It got up and walked over to Yugi's bed and put its front paws up.
"Alright, where'd you get him?" Yami asked as Yugi giggled at the dog's antics.
"I think we need to explain everything else first." Harry said. "Come here, boy." The dog got down and settled at his feet again. "Where do I start?"
Yugi nearly giggled again. That was how he'd started when he'd told them about the Millennium Items.
"You know Black was supposed to have killed Pettigrew and betrayed Harry's parents?" Joey dove into the heart of the matter.
Yami growled and Yugi nodded.
"Pettigrew isn't dead." Harry said.
"What?"
"He's an Animagus, a rat one." Ron looked disgusted, "He was Scabbers."
Yugi's eyes went wider then normal and Yami scowled for a second before asking, "What do you mean was Scabbers?"
"He's now in the custody of Professor Dumbledore and Minister Fudge." Hermione said quietly.
"If Black didn't kill Pettigrew…" Yugi started.
"Apparently my parents swapped Secret Keepers at the last minute," Harry said, "Sirius was the obvious choice so he knew they'd come after him. He wasn't expecting their second choice to go running to Voldemort."
"It was all Pettigrew." Yami said, understanding, "Pettigrew betrayed their group and killed all those Muggles as well as betraying Harry's parents' to Voldemort."
Harry smiled and shook his head, "I forget just how much you guys have been through, this must seem pretty normal to you both."
Yami just shook his head, even for their group… "How did you find all this out?"
"We found Scab…Pettigrew at Hagrid's hut and ran into Black when Pettigrew tried to escape the cats." Ron growled.
"Did Black escape?" Yugi asked.
Yami however was staring at the dog. "Sirius Black." He pointed to it.
Harry's eyes widened and Joey chuckled. Hermione checked Madam Pomfrey's door was still shut and then nodded.
Sirius turned back from a dog to a man.
"Mr Black." Yami nodded. Yugi attempted to get up and introduce himself properly but Black saw how pale he went and just nodded back.
"Which one of you do I owe for saving my Godson's life during that Quidditch Match?" Sirius asked.
"M…me." Yugi said. "I'm Yugi Muto."
"Thank you." Black smiled at him. Yugi smiled back. "Who are your other friends, Harry?"
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"Severus, do you have the potion?" Dumbledore asked as he let the Potions Master into the room.
The man nodded and tipped the truth potion into Pettigrew's mouth, getting him to swallow before Dumbledore pointed his wand at the prisoner and said, "Renneverate."
Pettigrew woke up and looked around frantically.
"Is your name Peter Pettigrew?" Professor Dumbledore said, in a tone of voice that would worry even Bakura if he was on the other end of it. It wasn't loud, but there was power behind it that belayed his calm outer manner.
Pettigrew nodded.
"Were you Lily and James Potter's Secret Keeper?"
"Yes."
"Did Sirius Black blow up half of the street and kill innocent Muggles when trying to kill you?" Fudge asked.
Pettigrew shook his head.
"Did you blow up half of the street and kill innocent Muggles when escaping from Sirius Black?"
Another nod.
Fudge hissed, his guards, the ones he'd brought with him to look for dragons looked at each other.
"Were you a Death Eater under He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" Dumbledore stepped in.
Another nod.
"Did you set Sirius Black up to take the fall when You-Know-Who fell from power?" Fudge asked.
Yet another nod.
Fudge looked at Dumbledore, who frowned and looked back at him. "Take him into custody." Fudge decided finally. "There will be a proper interrogation at the Ministry."
"Minister," Dumbledore said, "I have heard that Pettigrew is an unregistered Animagus. That's how he escaped Black before."
Fudge nodded and one of his aurors stepped forward, casting a reddish orange spell on the chained Pettigrew, who slumped forward, unconscious again.
"He won't be a problem now." Fudge said, "I'm sorry to have come on wild goose chase but obviously coming was a good thing since we found Pettigrew."
"I think you mean wild dragon chase, Cornelius." Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye, "However, I need to check on some students of mine if you will excuse me."
Fudge nodded and Dumbledore left.
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In later weeks there would be an investigation into how two wanted criminals had entered the school grounds, why the Dementors had not stopped them, why the teachers hadn't noticed several students entering the Forbidden Forest, and casting uncertainties onto exactly how safe Hogwarts is. Not to mention the werewolf on staff, an Animagus posing as a pet, and the amount of dangerous creatures that had entered Hogwarts under the term 'pet' or 'study aid'.
Such as 'The Monster Book of Monsters', which was Bakura's favourite book of this century. Much to everyone else's dismay. And if the books could speak, they would surely say Bakura was their favourite person, they wouldn't purr for just anyone.
Well, that wasn't exactly true, the Hufflepuff pack would purr for anyone, strangely enough it was the Hufflepuff books that got the most attention, as the Hufflepuffs had set aside part of their common room for the books, and had assigned a rota for keeping the books happy.
The Ravenclaw pack were the most antisocial, as no true Ravenclaw would condone a book that would happily tear apart other books. So their pack was kept tied up when not in use for class. Except when Bakura decided to sneak them out for a bit of fun.
The Slytherin pack would have been the smallest, if Bakura hadn't seen their potential and acquired several of the savage books. But then if a dangerous beast was on sale and Bakura happened to be in the area… well neither would be in the area for very much longer.
Draco was terrified, and for once the Forbidden Forest was pretty low down on his list. He didn't often think about how Bakura terrified him, except when confronted with Ryou. No one could be afraid of Ryou; it was like being afraid of cotton wool. But for Draco, Ryou meant Bakura which meant big trouble, so Ryou was number two on his list. Then there were the books, which had attacked Draco on several occasions on Bakura's command. Then there was the Forbidden Forest. Then there was the fact he was about to betray his father.
All in all, tonight was not a good night for Draco Malfoy, who was only not shaking like a leaf because it was likely to get him killed.
In the confusion of that evening no one would notice that a Hufflepuff and two Slytherins didn't return to their beds until the early hours of the morning. Not until weeks later.
It was not surprising when considering about a quarter of the school was up celebrating the end of exams, or having a final trip to the hospital wing. After all this trio didn't make any noise and the only trouble they caused was four missing textbooks, seven spell damaged textbooks, and it wasn't until they had left that random pages were found throughout the Forbidden Forest and floating in the lake.
It worried the investigators when they found evidence that Lucius Malfoy had met someone in the Forbidden Forest, and lost. The stolen Japanese wand had been snapped, there was blood that was identified as Malfoy's, but no evidence as to who else had been there.
It could have been anyone, but they didn't report it, and there was too much else going on that night to narrow down the traces. All that were left were guesses.
The shadows wouldn't tell.
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Professor Dumbledore heard the excited whispers halt as he turned the door handle and entered the room. Six of the Gryffindor Eight were sprawled on beds in the Hospital Wing and a largeblack dog seemed to be sharing his attention between Yugi Muto and Harry Potter, though unsurprisingly Harry got the most attention.
Professor Dumbledore shut the door and turned to the group. "Pettigrew is in custody and an unofficial confession for all of Black's crimes has been submitted. Next week might be a good time to hand yourself into the Ministry, Sirius." Dumbledore looked at the dog who nodded. "Also," Dumbledore turned to Yugi, who was munching on a chocolate bar that someone had managed to procure out of thin air, "The Duel Monsters seem to be missing, was this a part of the spell you used earlier?"
Yugi shook his head, "It was an accident, but I'm not sure how to get them back."
Dumbledore frowned, "I guess I'll just have to get the hatchlings registered in the Ministry." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he looked around. "I think that after tonight's events, I will award fifty house points each to each of the Gryffindors who went into the Shrieking Shack tonight."
Harry and Ron grinned at each other. That meant an extra two hundred points for Gryffindor and pushed them back into the lead. What a night.
"And now I will leave you to Madam Pomfrey." Dumbledore left the room and everyone relaxed again.
'Yugi.'
"Yes Yami?"
'Do you know how to hide the amount of power you have?'
"No."Yugi looked over, confused. "Why?"
'Because you're practically glowing with it.'
Yugi looked at himself and wondered what Yami saw that he didn't. "Yami, how did I do that?"
'Do what?'
"Shut the door on the Shadows? I didn't think I had that much power."
'I've always said you're more powerful then you give yourself credit for.'
"Yes, but by that much?" Yugi was incredulous, "Yami, surely we'd have felt it by now."
Yami gave a mental sigh, 'Yugi, what do you know about Succession?'
Yugi frowned at him, "That it's where the rightful heir takes over the throne from its current owner." The hikari stared at his yami, "Are you alright?"
'Remember what Shadi said? That our Destinies have changed?' Yugi nodded,'I think the Shadows are preparing for the war by increasing our power and choosing who's supposed to follow on from us if we're killed.'
"Then the Shadows chose me to take over from you if…" Yugi gulped."But didn't Shadi say you'd return to the Puzzle?"
'I don't fully understand what's happened myself.' Yami admitted, 'Just that I guess I have a whole new bunch of lessons to teach you.'
"Do you think the Shadows were planning on all of this?"
'It wouldn't surprise me.' Yami shrugged, 'The Shadows do what they will in reaction to or rather pre-empting events to come.' The Pharaoh smirked slightly and Yugi gave him a rather confused look, 'I just don't think they expected you to turn all that new power against them when they tried to escape with the Dementors.'
Yugi smiled for a second, then it turned to a frown, unease flowing easily through the link, "Yami, I don't know where the Dementors went either."
'We can handle anything hikari, together.'
"Hey, Earth to Muto Twins?" Joey asked, snapping them out of their conversation. "Come in Muto Twins."
Ron and Hermione were laughing and Harry looked content to just sit there with Sirius, admittedly in his dog form, but at least he was family that Harry liked, and soon to be his Guardian.
"What?" Yami asked testily.
"We were wondering if either of you had your deck on you since Madam Pomfrey seems to be of the opinion we're not allowed out of here till tomorrow."
Yugi reached for his but Yami shook his head. "Give it a day before trying anything else with your magic, Yugi." Yami said, pulling his deck out of his pocket. "Alright Joey, it's time to duel."
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The gang spent the night in hospital, leaving the next day to hear the entire school's buzzing about the fact that there had been a Werewolf spotted running away from the school, by a couple of Ravenclaws who'd been looking out of a window. The fact that the sighting had been confirmed by two other groups of students, all of whom shouldn't have been out of their dorms, made the group wonder just how many people had been out and about in the school.
"What do you think was going on?" Ron asked; as they sat at the Gryffindor Table, eating breakfast the day after their release, while listening to everyone go on about the parties that had been taking place… or the pranks.
"It's Hogwarts; something mad is always going on." Kari said, still pretending to be mad at them for having an adventure without her and Ombre.
Yami rolled his eyes, and then frowned as he reached for the last bacon sandwich, which was instantly inexplicably missing.
Joey roared with laughter as Yami realised that Yugi had swiped it out from under his hand.
Harry, who was just about to load the other plate of sandwiches he'd 'borrowed' from further down the table where a group had just gotten up, into his bag to take back up to the dorm for his new 'pet dog', smiled and passed the Pharaoh one, who bit into it reflectively and watched his hikari yawn.
A huge owl, easily as big as an eagle owl landed into front of Yugi.
It had a letter tied to its ankle.
Yugi untied it and froze.
It was addressed to him, Yami and Joey and had the I2 logo on it.
"Yugi?" Ron asked at the look Yugi got.
"I'm not opening it." Yugi said quickly and with more then a little hint of fear.
"I2?" Harry asked.
"Industrial Illusions." Joey growled.
"Pegasus's company." Kari said a lot more calmly then any of the boys could have.
Harry and Ron looked at each other while Hermione started to examine her meal intently.
"I'll open it." Yami said, "That way if it's anything bad, I can defend against it."
"It won't explode, it's not a Howler." Hermione sighed, "Besides he wouldn't booby trap a letter… would he?" Hermione asked nervously.
Harry and Ron stared at her; they remembered what they'd been told before about Pegasus.
"Never mind."
Yami slipped open the letter and six tickets fell from it, along with a letter on embossed paper.
Yugi picked up the tickets as Yami read the letter.
"Tickets for three for a flight to America."
"Industrial Illusions Tournament." Yami said shortly.
"And three for a dance show?"
Another owl swooped in, this time dropping the post in front of Yugi before taking off again.
Yugi spotted one, which had been sent MMM, Muggle to Magical Mail, in a pale green envelope, and ripped it open.
"What is it?" Ombre demanded, Yugi just shushed her and carried on reading, his eyes giving away his excitement. "What?"
"Tea got a place in a Dance Show in America! She's going to be dancing in a professional show!" Yugi whooped, practically bursting with excitement.
He passed the letter to Joey who read it and then scooped up the Dance Show tickets and rolled his eyes, "How to blackmail us into coming this time, provide three tickets to go to Tea's show."
"What?" Yami scowled, passing Pegasus's letter to Yugi and taking Tea's letter and the tickets.
Yugi's excitement for his friend couldn't be quelled, as worried as he was, and his enthusiasm was contagious.
Kari and Ombre were quiet though. As used Harry, Ron and Hermione were to their friends going back to Japan, Kari and Ombre weren't looking forward to a plane ride home with only the Kaiba brothers.
Not that Kari had anything against the Kaiba brothers, but since Robyn was no longer replying to her, as hard as Kari tried to reach her, and lived here in England, Ash had practically fallen out of contact with her, Lily was unreachable, Yugi, Yami and Joey were planning on sight seeing after the tournament as long as Pegasus stayed in line, keeping them in America, the Dursleys would keep Harry under lock and key (hopefully not literally this year and if they tried it they had plans), Ron wouldn't be able to afford to keep in contact too often since international mail wasn't cheap and Hermione had plans of her own over the Summer, it felt like they were splitting up.
Ombre was also well aware that, through no real fault of anyone's, Kari's workload when they got back would be so bad that she quite possibly wouldn't see her hikari unless she went into Kaiba Corp herself.
Without the others it was going to be a long summer and Ombre wasn't sure she was looking forward to it.
Yugi caught Ombre's eyes and for a split second Ombre caught that there was something else on Yugi's mind other then Tea's dance recital, and then it was gone, replaced with the excitement that seemed to have taken a hold on all her friends.
Maybe she was thinking too much, there were always Sundays.
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"Are you sure you want to do this Sirius?" Harry asked as they stood in Professor Dumbledore's office, the afternoon sun shining in the window, a week after they'd handed Pettigrew to Fudge, just a day and a half from the end of the school term.
Sirius had slipped through the secret passages to Hogsmead, after breakfast on the day after they'd been released from the hospital, feeling that it was unsafe to stay in the school with the Dementors around.
Harry hadn't been happy, but had understood his reasons. Even with his friends around, Harry wouldn't have liked to go up against the Dementors.
"I can't clear my name if I don't give myself up." Black looked uncomfortable. "At least Pettigrew has been caught and by now hopefully a full confession has been taken, so I might not end up in Azkaban while I wait." Harry hugged the man impulsively, then let go and looked at the ground.
Sirius ruffled his hair, "Besides Professor Dumbledore is coming with me, so…" He let it trail off. "You should go and see your friends. Go cheer Yugi up for me. He seems a little down."
"I think Yugi's tired from all the training he's been doing with Yami." Harry said thoughtfully, then smiled at Sirius. "You'll let me know how things go won't you?"
"Of course." Black grinned, "It will be my pleasure to see how many notes I can sneak past the guards."
Harry rolled his eyes and laughed.
Dumbledore came into the room. "Did you read the Daily Prophet this morning, Sirius?"
Sirius shook his head and Harry gave Professor Dumbledore a confused look.
"It seems the Ministry has admitted to having found Peter Pettigrew alive and he has admitted to blowing up the street and killing all those Muggles."
Sirius and Harry looked at each other.
"The Ministry are ready to give you a fair hearing, since Pettigrew has been found guilty of all of the charges that you were imprisoned for."
Harry grinned. "Sirius, this means…"
"I know the Ministry." Black didn't look as pleased as Harry would have thought, "Before they get me a proper hearing, they'll take forever finding the paperwork, finding Magical Witnesses, since Pettigrew blew up most of the Muggles and they memory wiped the others."
"It will take a few weeks at least before you're offically cleared, but the Ministry isn't going to send you back to Azkaban." Dumbledore smiled.
"That's great!" Harry grinned. Sirius couldn't help it, he smiled back, relief evident.
"It means you'll have to go back to the Dursleys for this summer." Dumbledore said.
Harry's shoulders sagged and Sirius looked furious. "Isn't there anyone else he can stay with? Putting him with the Dursleys is cruel and unusual!"
"It's his home for now, they still have legal custody until your name is cleared." Dumbledore said quite seriously, "He has to go back there for now."
Harry was inwardly smiling, wondering if he should tell Sirius about his planned escape routes. He decided against it with Dumbledore in ear shot, maybe once they could start exchanging letters he'd inform Sirius, if he knew how to reach him.
"Ready Sirius?" Dumbledore asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Sirius smiled at Harry, "See you soon Harry."
Dumbledore took some Floo Powder and chucked it into the fire. "Ministry of Magic."
Black and Dumbledore disappeared in a burst of green flames.
"You're free." Harry replied.
"Yes." Said Sirius, "But I don't know if anyone ever told you… I'm your Godfather."
"Yeah, I know."
"Well, your parents appointed me as your Guardian in case anything ever happened to them…"
Harry paused, did Sirius mean what he thought he meant?
"I'll understand of course, if you want to return to your Aunt and Uncle's house." Sirius said stiffly, "But… well… think about it. Once my name is cleared… if you want another home…"
Harry felt a small explosion go off in the pit of his stomach. "What? Live with you?" Harry yelped, accidentally bashing his head. "Leave the Dursleys?"
"Of course, I thought you wouldn't want to…" Sirius said quickly, "I understand. I just thought I'd…"
"Are you mad?" Harry's voice echoed through the tunnel, though his voice was almost as croaky as Sirius's. "Of course I want to leave the Dursleys! Have you got a house? When can I move in?"
Joey smiled slightly at Harry's tone as he led the way, wondering what he would have done if someone had offered him a way away from his father, before stopping in shock as a light came down the tunnel at them. "Professor?" Joey asked in surprise.
"Joey, what is going on here?" Lupin demanded, before staring at the unconscious form that was behind Joey but in front of Hermione. "Pettigrew?" Lupin stared at Black. Black stared back. "You swapped?"
Black nodded, careful not to bash his head on the tunnel ceiling.
"You didn't tell me because you thought I was the spy."
"Forgive me, old friend?" Black asked.
"Of course, though I can't wait to see his reaction when he wakes up in Dumbledore's custody." Lupin grinned maliciously at Pettigrew's form and led them to the surface.
Hermione looked up at the open sky as she emerged from the hole and breathed in the fresh air. The full moon lighting the grounds up brightly… wait… full moon?
Lupin was doubled over and Black got between them and Lupin, who changed in front of their eyes, from their teacher to a…
"He's a Werewolf." Black snapped, "Get out of here." He morphed into a huge black dog.
The werewolf, however, had no interest in attacking them, and merely took a submissive posture.
Wait, Sirius!" Hermione suddenly yelled, "He's taken his Wolfsbane. He's safe!"
Sirius didn't take her word for it, and circled the Werewolf warily, who merely wagged his tail at him and let out a playful bark.
Sirius's dog form looked confused for a second (as confused as a dog can) and then let out a bark and padded towards the school.
The Werewolf got behind the group and they walked back up to the castle.
"Professor Lupin's a Werewolf." Ron said.
"Yes, so?" Harry asked, "Yami's a Pharaoh and Ombre's a Princess."
"Professor Lupin is a Werewolf…"
Hermione shook her head in amusement, this was almost as bad as Yami and 'Bakura was being nice?'
Harry could see the Dementors hovering over the Forbidden Forest and was glad that they were going to opposite direction, reaching the safety of the Main Doors and a welcome from Professor Dumbledore who seemed to gain a look of great confusion.
"Professor Lupin, I would suggest that you head for the Shrieking Shack." He said, "Minister Fudge is still around somewhere and its best if he doesn't see you out and about."
The Werewolf nodded and bounded off.
Professor Dumbledore looked carefully at the man who was being floated along behind Joey and then frowned, "Mr Wheeler, can you go and get the Minster for Magic for me? I believe he's in my office."
Joey nodded and shot into the school.
"Sirius, it would be wise for you to remain in that form for a little while longer. I cannot guarantee that the Minister will be as welcoming."
"How?" Ron asked.
"Professor Dumbledore knows everything." Harry said, Sirius barked.
"Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, why don't you take your new dog to the Hospital Wing, I heard that two of your friends are up there and it looks like Mr Weasley could do with some attention from Madam Pomfrey."
"What about Pettigrew?" Harry asked.
"Set him down Miss Granger." Hermione ended the spell and Pettigrew hit the dirt. "That wasn't quite what I meant." Dumbledore sighed then cast a wordless spell, conjuring chains that weighted Pettigrew down.
"Professor he can…"
"I know. Go before Fudge comes."
"Joey cast a stunner on him." Hermione said before the three children and the dog vanished into the school.
A minute later Fudge and Joey reappeared.
"Mr Wheeler, please go and check on your friend, Mr Muto." Dumbledore said in a tone that made it clear that the others had gone there too.
Joey nodded and re-entered the school.
"Who's this?" Fudge demanded, pointing to Pettigrew, who was still led on the ground.
"Well, Minister. It seems we have a dead man in the castle."
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Yugi opened his eyes to the sound of voices.
"I give up!" Madam Pomfrey was berating Ron for doing something to his leg. "It doesn't seem to matter to your group what time of night it is! Something always happens. However did you manage that in the Common Room?"
A big black dog was led by Harry's feet and Yugi decided that what ever had happened, he was going to have to get them to tell him about it.
Yugi sat up and saw Yami was just yawning and stretching himself, sitting up on the other bed. The Pharaoh looked over at his hikari and smiled slightly. Yugi returned it, his hand resting on the Millennium Puzzle on his bedside table.
Yami was waking up?
Yugi slipped the Puzzle on.
'Why does everyone think that it's a good idea to drug me this year?' Yami complained.
Yugi would have answered but got the Madam Pomfrey treatment next and had to wait until the Mediwitch had stopped fussing over him and locked herself in her office before he could ask questions.
However the others beat him to the punch. "Yugi what happened with the Duel Monsters?"
"Are you alright?"
"Do you know where they've gone?"
Yami didn't ask any questions, he looked like he was waiting for Yugi's answers.
"I'm fine now, a little tired but fine. Mahado asked me to free the Dementors that Yami had sent to the Shadow Realm." Yugi quickly looked at Yami, who looked like he'd figured this out already and wasn't quite sure how to react. "I managed it, but the Shadows wanted out and I'm not a hundred percent sure what happened after that." Yugi looked puzzled, "I managed to stop the Shadows, but the Monsters went somewhere and beyond not the Graveyard, I have no clue where."
"You've been out cold for hours." Yami said softly, thinking about what he wanted to say.
"He was really worried Yuge." Joey said, "We all were."
"Yugi, I understand if Mahado told you not to tell me." Yami said. "I'm just glad you're alright." Yugi smiled properly at him this time and Yami smiled back.
"How did you do that?" Yami asked Ron as he slipped off of his own bed and sat on Yugi's.
"You won't believe that night we've had." Joey groaned. The dog thumped its tail on the floor and Harry petted it. It got up and walked over to Yugi's bed and put its front paws up.
"Alright, where'd you get him?" Yami asked as Yugi giggled at the dog's antics.
"I think we need to explain everything else first." Harry said. "Come here, boy." The dog got down and settled at his feet again. "Where do I start?"
Yugi nearly giggled again. That was how he'd started when he'd told them about the Millennium Items.
"You know Black was supposed to have killed Pettigrew and betrayed Harry's parents?" Joey dove into the heart of the matter.
Yami growled and Yugi nodded.
"Pettigrew isn't dead." Harry said.
"What?"
"He's an Animagus, a rat one." Ron looked disgusted, "He was Scabbers."
Yugi's eyes went wider then normal and Yami scowled for a second before asking, "What do you mean was Scabbers?"
"He's now in the custody of Professor Dumbledore and Minister Fudge." Hermione said quietly.
"If Black didn't kill Pettigrew…" Yugi started.
"Apparently my parents swapped Secret Keepers at the last minute," Harry said, "Sirius was the obvious choice so he knew they'd come after him. He wasn't expecting their second choice to go running to Voldemort."
"It was all Pettigrew." Yami said, understanding, "Pettigrew betrayed their group and killed all those Muggles as well as betraying Harry's parents' to Voldemort."
Harry smiled and shook his head, "I forget just how much you guys have been through, this must seem pretty normal to you both."
Yami just shook his head, even for their group… "How did you find all this out?"
"We found Scab…Pettigrew at Hagrid's hut and ran into Black when Pettigrew tried to escape the cats." Ron growled.
"Did Black escape?" Yugi asked.
Yami however was staring at the dog. "Sirius Black." He pointed to it.
Harry's eyes widened and Joey chuckled. Hermione checked Madam Pomfrey's door was still shut and then nodded.
Sirius turned back from a dog to a man.
"Mr Black." Yami nodded. Yugi attempted to get up and introduce himself properly but Black saw how pale he went and just nodded back.
"Which one of you do I owe for saving my Godson's life during that Quidditch Match?" Sirius asked.
"M…me." Yugi said. "I'm Yugi Muto."
"Thank you." Black smiled at him. Yugi smiled back. "Who are your other friends, Harry?"
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"Severus, do you have the potion?" Dumbledore asked as he let the Potions Master into the room.
The man nodded and tipped the truth potion into Pettigrew's mouth, getting him to swallow before Dumbledore pointed his wand at the prisoner and said, "Renneverate."
Pettigrew woke up and looked around frantically.
"Is your name Peter Pettigrew?" Professor Dumbledore said, in a tone of voice that would worry even Bakura if he was on the other end of it. It wasn't loud, but there was power behind it that belayed his calm outer manner.
Pettigrew nodded.
"Were you Lily and James Potter's Secret Keeper?"
"Yes."
"Did Sirius Black blow up half of the street and kill innocent Muggles when trying to kill you?" Fudge asked.
Pettigrew shook his head.
"Did you blow up half of the street and kill innocent Muggles when escaping from Sirius Black?"
Another nod.
Fudge hissed, his guards, the ones he'd brought with him to look for dragons looked at each other.
"Were you a Death Eater under He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" Dumbledore stepped in.
Another nod.
"Did you set Sirius Black up to take the fall when You-Know-Who fell from power?" Fudge asked.
Yet another nod.
Fudge looked at Dumbledore, who frowned and looked back at him. "Take him into custody." Fudge decided finally. "There will be a proper interrogation at the Ministry."
"Minister," Dumbledore said, "I have heard that Pettigrew is an unregistered Animagus. That's how he escaped Black before."
Fudge nodded and one of his aurors stepped forward, casting a reddish orange spell on the chained Pettigrew, who slumped forward, unconscious again.
"He won't be a problem now." Fudge said, "I'm sorry to have come on wild goose chase but obviously coming was a good thing since we found Pettigrew."
"I think you mean wild dragon chase, Cornelius." Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye, "However, I need to check on some students of mine if you will excuse me."
Fudge nodded and Dumbledore left.
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In later weeks there would be an investigation into how two wanted criminals had entered the school grounds, why the Dementors had not stopped them, why the teachers hadn't noticed several students entering the Forbidden Forest, and casting uncertainties onto exactly how safe Hogwarts is. Not to mention the werewolf on staff, an Animagus posing as a pet, and the amount of dangerous creatures that had entered Hogwarts under the term 'pet' or 'study aid'.
Such as 'The Monster Book of Monsters', which was Bakura's favourite book of this century. Much to everyone else's dismay. And if the books could speak, they would surely say Bakura was their favourite person, they wouldn't purr for just anyone.
Well, that wasn't exactly true, the Hufflepuff pack would purr for anyone, strangely enough it was the Hufflepuff books that got the most attention, as the Hufflepuffs had set aside part of their common room for the books, and had assigned a rota for keeping the books happy.
The Ravenclaw pack were the most antisocial, as no true Ravenclaw would condone a book that would happily tear apart other books. So their pack was kept tied up when not in use for class. Except when Bakura decided to sneak them out for a bit of fun.
The Slytherin pack would have been the smallest, if Bakura hadn't seen their potential and acquired several of the savage books. But then if a dangerous beast was on sale and Bakura happened to be in the area… well neither would be in the area for very much longer.
Draco was terrified, and for once the Forbidden Forest was pretty low down on his list. He didn't often think about how Bakura terrified him, except when confronted with Ryou. No one could be afraid of Ryou; it was like being afraid of cotton wool. But for Draco, Ryou meant Bakura which meant big trouble, so Ryou was number two on his list. Then there were the books, which had attacked Draco on several occasions on Bakura's command. Then there was the Forbidden Forest. Then there was the fact he was about to betray his father.
All in all, tonight was not a good night for Draco Malfoy, who was only not shaking like a leaf because it was likely to get him killed.
In the confusion of that evening no one would notice that a Hufflepuff and two Slytherins didn't return to their beds until the early hours of the morning. Not until weeks later.
It was not surprising when considering about a quarter of the school was up celebrating the end of exams, or having a final trip to the hospital wing. After all this trio didn't make any noise and the only trouble they caused was four missing textbooks, seven spell damaged textbooks, and it wasn't until they had left that random pages were found throughout the Forbidden Forest and floating in the lake.
It worried the investigators when they found evidence that Lucius Malfoy had met someone in the Forbidden Forest, and lost. The stolen Japanese wand had been snapped, there was blood that was identified as Malfoy's, but no evidence as to who else had been there.
It could have been anyone, but they didn't report it, and there was too much else going on that night to narrow down the traces. All that were left were guesses.
The shadows wouldn't tell.
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Professor Dumbledore heard the excited whispers halt as he turned the door handle and entered the room. Six of the Gryffindor Eight were sprawled on beds in the Hospital Wing and a largeblack dog seemed to be sharing his attention between Yugi Muto and Harry Potter, though unsurprisingly Harry got the most attention.
Professor Dumbledore shut the door and turned to the group. "Pettigrew is in custody and an unofficial confession for all of Black's crimes has been submitted. Next week might be a good time to hand yourself into the Ministry, Sirius." Dumbledore looked at the dog who nodded. "Also," Dumbledore turned to Yugi, who was munching on a chocolate bar that someone had managed to procure out of thin air, "The Duel Monsters seem to be missing, was this a part of the spell you used earlier?"
Yugi shook his head, "It was an accident, but I'm not sure how to get them back."
Dumbledore frowned, "I guess I'll just have to get the hatchlings registered in the Ministry." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he looked around. "I think that after tonight's events, I will award fifty house points each to each of the Gryffindors who went into the Shrieking Shack tonight."
Harry and Ron grinned at each other. That meant an extra two hundred points for Gryffindor and pushed them back into the lead. What a night.
"And now I will leave you to Madam Pomfrey." Dumbledore left the room and everyone relaxed again.
'Yugi.'
"Yes Yami?"
'Do you know how to hide the amount of power you have?'
"No."Yugi looked over, confused. "Why?"
'Because you're practically glowing with it.'
Yugi looked at himself and wondered what Yami saw that he didn't. "Yami, how did I do that?"
'Do what?'
"Shut the door on the Shadows? I didn't think I had that much power."
'I've always said you're more powerful then you give yourself credit for.'
"Yes, but by that much?" Yugi was incredulous, "Yami, surely we'd have felt it by now."
Yami gave a mental sigh, 'Yugi, what do you know about Succession?'
Yugi frowned at him, "That it's where the rightful heir takes over the throne from its current owner." The hikari stared at his yami, "Are you alright?"
'Remember what Shadi said? That our Destinies have changed?' Yugi nodded,'I think the Shadows are preparing for the war by increasing our power and choosing who's supposed to follow on from us if we're killed.'
"Then the Shadows chose me to take over from you if…" Yugi gulped."But didn't Shadi say you'd return to the Puzzle?"
'I don't fully understand what's happened myself.' Yami admitted, 'Just that I guess I have a whole new bunch of lessons to teach you.'
"Do you think the Shadows were planning on all of this?"
'It wouldn't surprise me.' Yami shrugged, 'The Shadows do what they will in reaction to or rather pre-empting events to come.' The Pharaoh smirked slightly and Yugi gave him a rather confused look, 'I just don't think they expected you to turn all that new power against them when they tried to escape with the Dementors.'
Yugi smiled for a second, then it turned to a frown, unease flowing easily through the link, "Yami, I don't know where the Dementors went either."
'We can handle anything hikari, together.'
"Hey, Earth to Muto Twins?" Joey asked, snapping them out of their conversation. "Come in Muto Twins."
Ron and Hermione were laughing and Harry looked content to just sit there with Sirius, admittedly in his dog form, but at least he was family that Harry liked, and soon to be his Guardian.
"What?" Yami asked testily.
"We were wondering if either of you had your deck on you since Madam Pomfrey seems to be of the opinion we're not allowed out of here till tomorrow."
Yugi reached for his but Yami shook his head. "Give it a day before trying anything else with your magic, Yugi." Yami said, pulling his deck out of his pocket. "Alright Joey, it's time to duel."
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The gang spent the night in hospital, leaving the next day to hear the entire school's buzzing about the fact that there had been a Werewolf spotted running away from the school, by a couple of Ravenclaws who'd been looking out of a window. The fact that the sighting had been confirmed by two other groups of students, all of whom shouldn't have been out of their dorms, made the group wonder just how many people had been out and about in the school.
"What do you think was going on?" Ron asked; as they sat at the Gryffindor Table, eating breakfast the day after their release, while listening to everyone go on about the parties that had been taking place… or the pranks.
"It's Hogwarts; something mad is always going on." Kari said, still pretending to be mad at them for having an adventure without her and Ombre.
Yami rolled his eyes, and then frowned as he reached for the last bacon sandwich, which was instantly inexplicably missing.
Joey roared with laughter as Yami realised that Yugi had swiped it out from under his hand.
Harry, who was just about to load the other plate of sandwiches he'd 'borrowed' from further down the table where a group had just gotten up, into his bag to take back up to the dorm for his new 'pet dog', smiled and passed the Pharaoh one, who bit into it reflectively and watched his hikari yawn.
A huge owl, easily as big as an eagle owl landed into front of Yugi.
It had a letter tied to its ankle.
Yugi untied it and froze.
It was addressed to him, Yami and Joey and had the I2 logo on it.
"Yugi?" Ron asked at the look Yugi got.
"I'm not opening it." Yugi said quickly and with more then a little hint of fear.
"I2?" Harry asked.
"Industrial Illusions." Joey growled.
"Pegasus's company." Kari said a lot more calmly then any of the boys could have.
Harry and Ron looked at each other while Hermione started to examine her meal intently.
"I'll open it." Yami said, "That way if it's anything bad, I can defend against it."
"It won't explode, it's not a Howler." Hermione sighed, "Besides he wouldn't booby trap a letter… would he?" Hermione asked nervously.
Harry and Ron stared at her; they remembered what they'd been told before about Pegasus.
"Never mind."
Yami slipped open the letter and six tickets fell from it, along with a letter on embossed paper.
Yugi picked up the tickets as Yami read the letter.
"Tickets for three for a flight to America."
"Industrial Illusions Tournament." Yami said shortly.
"And three for a dance show?"
Another owl swooped in, this time dropping the post in front of Yugi before taking off again.
Yugi spotted one, which had been sent MMM, Muggle to Magical Mail, in a pale green envelope, and ripped it open.
"What is it?" Ombre demanded, Yugi just shushed her and carried on reading, his eyes giving away his excitement. "What?"
"Tea got a place in a Dance Show in America! She's going to be dancing in a professional show!" Yugi whooped, practically bursting with excitement.
He passed the letter to Joey who read it and then scooped up the Dance Show tickets and rolled his eyes, "How to blackmail us into coming this time, provide three tickets to go to Tea's show."
"What?" Yami scowled, passing Pegasus's letter to Yugi and taking Tea's letter and the tickets.
Yugi's excitement for his friend couldn't be quelled, as worried as he was, and his enthusiasm was contagious.
Kari and Ombre were quiet though. As used Harry, Ron and Hermione were to their friends going back to Japan, Kari and Ombre weren't looking forward to a plane ride home with only the Kaiba brothers.
Not that Kari had anything against the Kaiba brothers, but since Robyn was no longer replying to her, as hard as Kari tried to reach her, and lived here in England, Ash had practically fallen out of contact with her, Lily was unreachable, Yugi, Yami and Joey were planning on sight seeing after the tournament as long as Pegasus stayed in line, keeping them in America, the Dursleys would keep Harry under lock and key (hopefully not literally this year and if they tried it they had plans), Ron wouldn't be able to afford to keep in contact too often since international mail wasn't cheap and Hermione had plans of her own over the Summer, it felt like they were splitting up.
Ombre was also well aware that, through no real fault of anyone's, Kari's workload when they got back would be so bad that she quite possibly wouldn't see her hikari unless she went into Kaiba Corp herself.
Without the others it was going to be a long summer and Ombre wasn't sure she was looking forward to it.
Yugi caught Ombre's eyes and for a split second Ombre caught that there was something else on Yugi's mind other then Tea's dance recital, and then it was gone, replaced with the excitement that seemed to have taken a hold on all her friends.
Maybe she was thinking too much, there were always Sundays.
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"Are you sure you want to do this Sirius?" Harry asked as they stood in Professor Dumbledore's office, the afternoon sun shining in the window, a week after they'd handed Pettigrew to Fudge, just a day and a half from the end of the school term.
Sirius had slipped through the secret passages to Hogsmead, after breakfast on the day after they'd been released from the hospital, feeling that it was unsafe to stay in the school with the Dementors around.
Harry hadn't been happy, but had understood his reasons. Even with his friends around, Harry wouldn't have liked to go up against the Dementors.
"I can't clear my name if I don't give myself up." Black looked uncomfortable. "At least Pettigrew has been caught and by now hopefully a full confession has been taken, so I might not end up in Azkaban while I wait." Harry hugged the man impulsively, then let go and looked at the ground.
Sirius ruffled his hair, "Besides Professor Dumbledore is coming with me, so…" He let it trail off. "You should go and see your friends. Go cheer Yugi up for me. He seems a little down."
"I think Yugi's tired from all the training he's been doing with Yami." Harry said thoughtfully, then smiled at Sirius. "You'll let me know how things go won't you?"
"Of course." Black grinned, "It will be my pleasure to see how many notes I can sneak past the guards."
Harry rolled his eyes and laughed.
Dumbledore came into the room. "Did you read the Daily Prophet this morning, Sirius?"
Sirius shook his head and Harry gave Professor Dumbledore a confused look.
"It seems the Ministry has admitted to having found Peter Pettigrew alive and he has admitted to blowing up the street and killing all those Muggles."
Sirius and Harry looked at each other.
"The Ministry are ready to give you a fair hearing, since Pettigrew has been found guilty of all of the charges that you were imprisoned for."
Harry grinned. "Sirius, this means…"
"I know the Ministry." Black didn't look as pleased as Harry would have thought, "Before they get me a proper hearing, they'll take forever finding the paperwork, finding Magical Witnesses, since Pettigrew blew up most of the Muggles and they memory wiped the others."
"It will take a few weeks at least before you're offically cleared, but the Ministry isn't going to send you back to Azkaban." Dumbledore smiled.
"That's great!" Harry grinned. Sirius couldn't help it, he smiled back, relief evident.
"It means you'll have to go back to the Dursleys for this summer." Dumbledore said.
Harry's shoulders sagged and Sirius looked furious. "Isn't there anyone else he can stay with? Putting him with the Dursleys is cruel and unusual!"
"It's his home for now, they still have legal custody until your name is cleared." Dumbledore said quite seriously, "He has to go back there for now."
Harry was inwardly smiling, wondering if he should tell Sirius about his planned escape routes. He decided against it with Dumbledore in ear shot, maybe once they could start exchanging letters he'd inform Sirius, if he knew how to reach him.
"Ready Sirius?" Dumbledore asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Sirius smiled at Harry, "See you soon Harry."
Dumbledore took some Floo Powder and chucked it into the fire. "Ministry of Magic."
Black and Dumbledore disappeared in a burst of green flames.