Chapter 6: - Shadow Games and Mad Murderers
Mahado didn't know what to do.
He was so angry, he couldn't settle to anything.
He wanted to destroy something, anything, everything.
Mana was avoiding him.
He was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, trying not to think.
He had almost lost control.
He couldn't do that.
He wouldn't do that.
His theories haunted him now, were they more then just spirit now? Were they alive? Could they die?
He had almost forgotten.
Before he could've attacked Kisara and the only thing that would've been damaged was the scenery.
But now…
Fighting with Kisara could result in injuries or even death.
He had walked away.
This time.
He had to wonder about next time, and the time after that.
Would he forget?
Even if it was only for a moment…
He couldn't take that risk.
But what could he do?
Running away would be… wrong. He couldn't just leave.
He had a duty.
Kisara wouldn't understand.
He hated her.
Why did that hurt so much?
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October came all too quickly, with Defence Against the Dark Arts easily the class of choice amongst most of the student population.
With October came something Harry, Yugi, and sometimes Yami, looked forward to… the Quidditch season. Oliver Wood, Captain of the Gryffindor team, called a meeting for all of the team, reserves included, to discuss tactics for the new season. To Yugi's surprise, they were three reserves down, the other reserve Seeker, Jennie, the reserve Keeper and one of the reserve Chasers had all finished their last year so they were three men, well women, down.
Oliver himself was seventeen years old, and though he was younger then the Japanese students he was in his final year. There was a sort of desperation in his voice as he addressed his team mates.
"This is our last chance… my last chance… at winning the Quidditch Cup," He told them as he strode up and down in front of them, "I'll be leaving at the end of the year, I'll never get another shot at it. Gryffindor haven't won in seven years now. Ok, so we've had the worst luck in the world, injuries, then once we had the reserves , the tournament got called off," Wood swallowed, "But we also know we've got the best-ruddy-team-in-the-school," He said, punching a fist into his other hand, the old manic glint back in his eyes, "We've got three superb Chasers," Wood pointed at Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell, "Two sublime reserve Chasers," He then pointed at Yugi Muto and Danni Knight, "We've got two unbeatable beaters…"
"Stop it Oliver, you're embarrassing us." Said Fred and George Weasley together; pretending to blush. No one had been brave enough to try out as reserve Beaters.
"We've got an excellent reserve Seeker…" Wood pointed at Yami, who grinned at him.
"And we've got a Seeker who has never failed to win us a match!" Wood rumbled, glaring at Harry with some sort of furious pride. "And me." He added as an afterthought.
"We think you're very good too, Oliver." Yami and George said at the same time.
"Cracking Keeper." Said Fred.
"The point is," Wood went on, resuming his pacing, "The Quidditch Cup should have had our name on it these last two years. Ever since Harry joined the team, I've thought this thing was in the bag. But we haven't got it, and this year's the last chance we'll finally get to see our name on the thing." Wood spoke so dejectedly that even Fred and George looked sympathetic.
"Oliver, this year's our year." Said Fred.
"We'll do it Oliver!" Said Angelina.
"Definitely!" Said Harry and Yugi.
Full of determination, the team started training sessions three evenings a week. Between this and Yugi, Yami and Ron's weekly chess club sessions, they weren't around the Common Room much, so they were missing Kari's increasing frustration with her extra class.
Just days later, Kari walked out of her Extra Transfiguration lesson, wondering if her condition was effecting her ability to shape shift. She walked up the stairs, not really paying attention to who, or what, was passing her. It didn't seem to matter what she tried, she couldn't yet change a part of herself into an animal. Professor McGonagall had told her it would take years to get it right, but she'd already been trying for almost a year.
She reached the sixth floor and stopped, looking down the stairs. At this point of the day everyone else would be relaxing in the Common Room relaxing until Dinner, she knew that's where her friends were.
Someone grabbed her from behind, securing her arms at her side and roughly shoving a hand over her mouth, before pulling her into a deserted Ancient Runes classroom. "Ombre!" She yelled down the mind link as Crabbe let her go and joined Goyle blocking the door. She glared at the figure stood in front of her, her hand rested protectively on her Millennium item, "What do you want, Bakura?"
"Ombre!"
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Ombre's head shot up, 'Kari? Kari, what's wrong?'
Yami looked at her, "What's wrong?" He asked, seeing the panic in her eyes. Ombre's expression turned from panic to one of rage as she and Kari spoke over the mid link.
"Bakura!"
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Kari watched as the shadows closed in around them. Why, She thought, why in Ra's name, did I tell Bakura I had my deck on me?
Because he'd've Shadow Gamed you another way if you hadn't? A treacherous part of her brain answered.
Shut up!
'Kari? Kari, what's wrong?' Ombre voice broke through her thoughts.
"Remind me about Shadow Games again."
'Why? Kari…'
"Ombre, I'm in one."
'Wh… Bakura…' Ombre growled over the link, 'Hold on, we're coming.'
"Ready?" Bakura asked, his deck already shuffled and lying on the nearest desk. The area between her nearest desk and his had been cleared. Kari shuffled her deck and pulled out her wand and tapped her deck with it.
"Apparaître!" She murmured. A golden spark shot out of her wand but didn't reach her deck. "What?"
"You expect modern day Wand Magic to have any effect here, in the darkness of the Shadows? You mortal fool, the shadows are infinitely more powerful then any magic formed in these modern times." Kari growled, no holotechnology and no Wand Magic, she'd have to hope she could handle the Shadow Realm by herself. She frowned and placed her deck on the nearest desk, she drew her first hand and looked at Bakura.
"Ladies first!" He smirked; Kari glared at him as she drew.
"I play two cards face down," Kari said as she played her cards, wondering if feeling woozy was natural, "And summon the Skilled Dark Magician."
A four star Spellcaster with 1900 attack points appeared in front of her, however a wave of nausea hit her and her vision blurred, "Y… your move."
"I do believe you're feeling the effects of the Shadow Realm." Bakura said as he played two cards face down and a Wall of Illusion in defence mode, "It's your turn by the way."
"W… why aren't… you affected?" Kari growled as she summoned a second Skilled Dark Magician. "Ow, my head… and my heart… it's like nothing I've ever felt before…"
"Kari!" Ombre shouted, it had taken Ombre, Joey, Yugi and Yami less then a minute to track the Shadow Magic, stun Crabbe and Goyle and open the classroom door. But now a Shadow bubble was standing between Ombre and her hikari and… "She can't survive in there on her own…" Ombre whispered, as Kari's pain radiated through the link.
Yugi caught Yami's glance at him and remembered his first attempt to duel in a Shadow Game on his own. "This isn't good."
Kari reeled backwards, one of her Skilled Dark Magician had been destroyed by Bakura's fiend. She stumbled as she walked back towards her desk, knowing that if she lost, Bakura would claim the Orb.
She drew, waited for her vision to clear, then smiled. "Of course," She murmered. "I sacrifice my other Skilled Dark Magician… for my Dark Magician Girl!" She smirked, "T… then…" She shook her head, "Then I activate Mage Power, increasing her… power by 5…500 for every magic or trap card on… my side… of the field…" Kari hissed in pain as her Dark Magician Girl's attack points rose by 1000. Her Dark Magician Girl wheeled around, concerned. "I'm… fine. Attack his… fiend…"
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'Kari, surrender the duel.'
"No. If I lose he'll…"
'Kari, please listen to me…'
"No… I won't let him take the Orb."
'It's not worth it, if you give him the Orb, he'll stop the Shadow Game.'
"And then… he'll come after… you." Ombre was panicking; the mind link was fading quickly. "I won't let him…"
"She's not going to give up!"
"Did you really expect her to?" Yami asked quietly, Ombre wheeled around and glared at him.
"You don't understand!" She snapped.
"I understand better then you think I do."
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"I activate Double Strike." Bakura sneered, "Allowing my Dark Necrofear to attack twice, and since your Mage Power was destroyed…"
"Dark Magician Girl…" Kari gasped. The Duel Monster looked at Kari with fear in it's her eyes, but it wasn't for herself, it was for the Magician's Mistress.
"Dark Necrofear, attack the Dark Magician Girl." Kari monster was destroyed, she staggered backwards, "Now, attack her directly!"
A scream was torn from Kari, pain surged through the links. Ombre fell to her knees, while Mana echoed her scream. Then both links went dead.
Bakura walked over to Kari's unconscious form, his Dark Necrofear was giving him an odd look. "She's still in the lead," Bakura stated, "1200 to 1000, but she can't continue." Bakura reached to take the Orb from the girl when he noticed… "Blood?"
A memory forced its way to the surface, Malfoy had told him…
FLASHBACK
"Ironhide and Wheeler are in for it." Draco crowed as he entered the Dormitory, no one else was around bar...
"Why?" Bakura snapped.
"Well, I heard Ironhide and Granger talking, that mudblood, Ironhide, is pregnant…"
END FLASHBACK
Bakura froze, then took his hand away from the Orb and let the shadows fade away. Joey had him pinned against a wall in seconds, backed up by Yami. Yugi and Ombre were busy checking Kari over. "What did you do to her?" Joey snarled.
"Joey, not now!" Yugi called, panic evident in his voice. "She needs to go to the Hospital Wing."
"Joey." Ombre snapped, "She's bleeding."
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Tobias was hiding; he would not lie to himself over this matter. He did feel a little guilty for hiding, but then what could he do about the matter?
He liked Kisara she was a beautiful dragon and he had been glad to take her as his mate… but she was a little irrational about Mahado.
Mahado was a good friend, always ready to help… but when it came to Kisara he got just a little crazy and now all that either of them would talk about was the fight they had had.
Tobias had to wonder how it would end this time, last time Mana had forbidden them from talking to each other directly and the note insults had begun… it hadn't really ended until Mahado got petrified.
So Tobias was hiding, doing his best to avoid both of them. Somehow he didn't think he was the only one.
It hadn't been this bad back home. Back home no one was silly enough to force Mahado and Kisara within a mile of each other, yet alone the same room. On the few occasions that they had met face to face they had normally glared at each other then turned around and walked (or flew) away, after exchanging insults.
Tobias considered what to do. Anyone with eyes could see that No was hero-worshipping Mahado and Kisara had to learn she couldn't control the first hatchlings any more, they were their own dragons. Someone would have to convince Kisara that Mahado could be trusted.
It was then that the pain coursed through the mental link, easily working along the most used pathways. Mana's scream echoed through the Monster Wing, but it wasn't Mana's pain… but if that was the case there was only one person it could be…
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Joey paced outside the curtain blocking Kari off from the rest of the Hospital Wing. It looked like Ombre was currently asleep; Joey knew better, he knew the Princess was tending to the wounds inflicted to Kari's mind and spirit. The young woman's spirit was barely alive at this point, and Joey understood that Ombre would have to work hard to get Kari to recover. The others were ranged around the room, sat on various chairs and beds, though Yami wouldn't leave Yugi's side.
"Mr Wheeler," Madam Pomfrey called, "Did you know Miss Ironhide was pregnant?"
"Yes," Joey nodded, "Wait a minute, was pregnant?"
"I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this… but she's had a miscarriage."
Joey sat down… hard…
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Yugi, Yami, Harry, Ron and Hermione joined the rest of the school for dinner that night. Joey wouldn't leave Kari's side and Ombre couldn't. It took all four of them to restrain Yami when Bakura walked into the room, but the Tomb Robber didn't look pleased with himself, in fact he looked disgusted and ashamed. There were no taunting comments from him; in fact he wouldn't even meet their eyes. Bakura ate sparingly then left. Yami wrenched free of the four's restraining arms and followed him.
"Bakura!" Yami shouted after him. Bakura spun around to face the Pharaoh, a defensive look on his face.
"What Pharaoh?" Bakura spat at him, "How you come to tell me how low I've sunk? Don't worry, I've already been told." Yami remained silent so Bakura continued, "Do you want to punish me? Or did you follow me so you could stop me once and for all?" Bakura's eyes were filled with self-disgust, and Yami thought he saw a glimmer of self-destruction; did Bakura want it all to end?
Just then Malfoy came out of the Great Hall, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. He took in the scene then turned to Bakura. "Is this lowlife bothering you, brother?"
"No, I was leaving." Bakura said lightly, turning to go and they left, leaving Yami there wondering what to think.
Yugi, Harry, Ron and Hermione came dashing out of the Great Hall. "Yami," Yugi called, "What happened?"
"I'm not sure." Yami replied, "Bakura was acting oddly," They started making their way up the stairs, "I think Bakura was feeling guilty…" Yugi looked at him, "Bakura is capable of feeling guilt…"
"He's in shock again." Yugi told the others with a sigh, "Even with everything he's done to us, this would be the first time Bakura's ever felt guilty."
"Do you think someone had a go at Bakura?" Ron asked, "And that's why?"
"Well who knew Kari miscarried? Most people didn't even realise she was pregnant." Harry said; Hermione silently nodded in agreement.
"…" Yugi didn't answer, he poked Yami mentally, "Yami, what did Bakura say?"
'That he'd already been told how low he'd sunk.' Yami said over the link.
Yugi turned to the others, "Someone did have a go at Bakura."
"Who?" Harry asked.
"Yami?"
'Didn't say.' Yugi repeated Yami's two word sentence. In the next weeks, Harry became certain he'd never seen two people in so much trouble, as teacher after teacher yelled at Joey and Bakura.
However the Tomb Robber seemed to be having a mental crisis, was becoming more unpredictable then usual. Half the time he didn't show up to class, especially if they were with the Gryffindors.
After several lessons on Flobberworms, Bakura seemed to snap. He stopped feeding his Flobberworm shredded lettuce, stood up, glared at said Flobberworm, and sent it to the Shadow Realm.
"What did the Flobberworm do to him?" Ron whispered to Yugi.
"That's it! I've had enough, I'm gone!" Bakura stormed and stomped his way back to the castle.
Yugi watched Bakura go and sensed Yami relax slightly, "Dunno." Joey, who'd only noticed when Bakura had stormed off wondered where exactly the Tomb Robber was heading.
Yugi, Harry and Yami returned to the Gryffindor Common Room that evening after Quidditch practise, cold and stiff but pleased with the way practise had gone, to find the Common Room buzzing excitedly.
"What happened?" Yugi asked Joey, the gang were sat around the fire, and completing homework that was due in the next day.
"First Hogsmead weekend." Joey replied, half tempted to say stuff the homework and go up to the Hospital Wing to see if Kari was awake. "It's on Halloween."
"Excellent," Said Fred, who'd followed Yami through the portrait hole, "I need to visit Zonko's, I'm nearly out of stink pellets."
Harry sank into a chair beside Ron while Yami and Yugi grabbed the remaining one, resulting in Yami perched on one arm and Yugi on the other. Harry's high spirits ebbed away and Hermione seemed to read his mind. "Harry, I'm sure you'll be able to go next time." She said, "They're bound to catch Black soon, he's been sighted once already."
"Black's not fool enough to try anything in Hogsmead," Said Ron, "Ask McGonagall if you can go this time, Harry, the next one might not be for ages… I know, why don't one of you lot sign it?" Ron turned to Yugi, however he was asleep, leant against Yami, he'd already finished his homework and had been up hours before everyone else, Yami was getting worried about the fact Yugi still wasn't sleeping properly. The Pharaoh moved cautiously, trying not to disturb his hikari. Joey got up as Harry pulled out his parchment, ink and quill and started work.
"Just keep him over there, that's all." Ron was saying to Hermione about her cat, Crookshanks, Bastet, Kari's Egyptian Mau, and Kiyoshe, Yami's Norwegian Forest Cat, were ranged around the fire, "I've got Scabber's asleep in my bag, here Harry." Ron said, passing his star chart to Harry.
"I got him." He said to Yami as he went to pick Yugi up. However at that moment Crookshanks pounced on Ron's bag.
"OY!" Ron roared, waking Yugi up and causing him to jump, "GET OFF YOU STUPID ANIMAL!"
"Bed. Now." Yami ordered as Yugi looked around, confused.
Hermione grabbed Crookshanks from Ron and started to fuss over her cat.
"That cat's got it in for Scabbers and it's leading the other cats on!" Yugi heard Ron say angrily as he made his way over to the stairs, "And Scabbers was here first and he's ill!" Ron brushed past Yugi and was pretending to be asleep as Yugi got changed and crashed out on his bed, well aware of Kiyoshe coming up to sleep on her owner's bed.
Next Transfiguration lesson, Yugi and the rest of the group waited nervously as Harry tried to plead his case with Professor McGonagall.
"But Professor, if you said I could go…"
"But I don't say so. And you may not ask the Japanese students top sign your permission slip, I'm sure they informed you that even they had to get it signed by a parent or guardian." She looked at him with what seemed like pity, "I'm sorry Potter, but that's my final say in the matter. You had better hurry, or you'll be late for your next lesson."
Good news came from the Hospital Wing though, which stopped Ron's ranting and Hermione's 'all-for-the-best' expression. "Guys!" Yugi grinned as he dashed into the Common Room ahead of Yami, "Kari's awake."
Madam Pomfrey got six surprise visitors just minutes later, as Yugi, Yami, Joey, Harry, Ron and Hermione dashed in. "Hi guys." Kari smiled weakly at them.
"Kari!" Hermione yelled, rushing forward and hugging her best friend. "Kari? What's wrong?" Hermione asked as she pulled away. Kari wouldn't meet Joey's eyes."
"Joey… I'm sorry." Kari whispered as tears came to her eyes, "If I'd given up when Ombre told me too…"
"Maybe it's for the best." Joey sighed. Kari gave him an odd look.
"What do you mean?" Ombre could sense the girl's growing tension, if Joey didn't watch what he said…
"I mean, we're not really ready for a child." Joey said without thinking. Kari's expression turned from one of thunder and lightening.
"You doubt I would've been a good mother." It was more of a statement then a question.
"No, it's not that." Joey replied quickly, however Kari still scowled at him.
"Kari, please, you're not fully recovered yet." Ombre said quickly, Yami couldn't help noticing that she didn't say anything to back up Joey.
"Oh, so I'm too weak now! No wonder you've been hovering over me, you think I'm too weak to look after myself! I'll have you know I was fine before you came along, Ombre, and I'll be fine after as well!" Kari began to rant, shaking with anger. Ombre let go of Kari's arm like she'd been burnt. Kari yanked the Orb off and shoved it back into Ombre's hand. "Take it!" Kari snapped.
"Kari," Yami caught the girl's attention, "Ombre didn't mean that and neither did Joey. Both of them have barely left your side since your Shadow Game with Bakura. Please, put the Orb back on."
"No, I won't. I want to be left alone, so go away. All of YOU!" She screamed the last three words at the top of her voice, trying to drive them away with sound alone.
"Kari…" Hermione started.
"Out! Out! OUT! OUT!" Kari yelled.
Madam Pomfrey came rushing in and ushered them all out with the words, "How dare you upset the poor girl to this extent. I don't want to see you in here again!"
"B… but…" Ombre stammered.
"No buts." Madam Pomfrey added and shut the door on them.
"What're we going to do now?" Joey asked, Ombre was staring at the Orb now resting in her hands.
"She was fine until you started talking!" Ombre snapped at him and stormed off.
"Omb…" Yugi started to go after her, but Yami grabbed his robes, Yugi looked up at him.
"She'll be fine." Yami said, "They're going through a rough time, and Kari isn't thinking straight. I'm sure they'll be fine once Kari's fully recovered."
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By Halloween Kari had convinced Madam Pomfrey to let Ombre in, in fact while the others were eating breakfast in the Great Hall, Kaiba was in the Monster's Wing, checking on the latest bunch of eggs, though he wanted to know how the mutt's Red Eyes Black had gotten his Blue Eyes White pregnant again, the two were eating breakfast in the Hospital Wing.
"I can stay… if you want me to." Ombre said, as Kari finished her apple juice.
"You go have fun." Kari smiled at her, "Bring me back some sweets, if Yugi doesn't clear out Honeydukes. I'll work on the ton of homework I have to catch up on."
"Ok, I'll see you later." Ombre got up and she left, Ombre knew Kari was still angry with everyone and was only talking to Ombre because Ombre insisted. Ombre wondered for a fleeting moment, if she should get Kari to talk to Joey, then she shook her head. Kari didn't want to speak to Joey, for which she was glad, Ombre hadn't quite worked out what she felt when Joey and Kari were together, but she didn't like feeling it. Anyway Kari needed a friend right now.
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A Dark presence slithered through the Forbidden Forest, and silence marked the path. He was meant to help guard the castle, but the others had trouble working with him. It wasn't fiery anger that lay between them but cold distrust.
He had volunteered to keep an eye on the forest and he searched it everyday while students were meant to be in classes. After a year at doing this he knew the forest and its inhabitants well.
He considered again his options. He could go home, he knew how but it would entail asking a certain Magician for help. He could leave and go exploring this new world but he would have to go alone and being alone had never appealed to him, or he could stay here and that was looking more dangerous by the day.
He checked skywards, never forgetting that most dragons would go in for a sneak attack. For a moment he couldn't believe his eyes…
A small dragon shape was circling above, looking for something…
Should he hide? No, it was too late, she had seen him and was diving. He waited for her to flare her wings for landing or at least slow down a bit… She wasn't going to stop… she was speeding up… he readied his tail… closer… closer…
Quick as lightening his tail darted out, wrapping around the small dragon just below the wing joints.
"Let me go!" The small dragon shouted as she struggled in his grip.
"Don't be silly. You attacked me. It would be foolish of me to let you go." He explained to the youngling.
"I'll tell my mother!" She threatened. He tried to remember her name but it escaped him.
"Then why should I release you? I have no wish to anger anyone, least of all your mother." She wilted in his grip, terror in her purple eyes.
"What're you going to do with me?" She asked quietly and fearfully.
"I haven't decided. Tell me why you attacked me with no provocation."
"Because of what happened with Kari. Bakura hurt her so badly, I just wanted…"
"You wanted revenge. However I did not attack Kari, neither have I hurt anyone."
"But… you're on Bakura's side…"
"I do not particularly enjoy pain. If I let Bakura get hurt, I feel the pain. Therefore I protect Bakura, it is the only logical course of action."
"But why did Bakura hurt Kari? Kari's nice. Kari lost her egg." He had to smile at this.
"Humans don't lay eggs. As for why Bakura did this. I don't think even he knows why he did it so what chance do I have?"
"That doesn't make sense."
"What should I do with you then? Dragons don't taste very nice."
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Yami caught up with Ombre in Hogsmead later that day. Yugi had gone with Ron and Hermione, though he'd made them promise two things, to call him if Bakura tried anything, and not to go anywhere near Honeydukes until he got back.
Ombre was considering her cravings for chocolate, she hadn't really wanted anything sweet ever since Bakura had attacked Kari.
Yami found Ombre hanging around by the Shrieking Shack. "It's not fair," He said, making her jump, "For you to pit Kari against Joey."
"I'm not." Ombre stated as she turned around. "Kari hasn't wanted to speak to Joey since he said they weren't ready for children."
"And yet you won't speak up in his defence." Yami said as he sat on the nearest rock.
"Kari needs a friend right now. I'm not about to force her into anything she isn't ready for." Ombre snapped, her eyes flashing.
"She needs all the friends she can get," Yami replied, aware he was on thin ice and it was in danger of breaking, "Ever since Kari and Joey got together, you've been jealous."
"Have not."
"Have too, I've been watching you." Ombre sighed at Yami's retort. He was right and she knew it. "I'm not telling you to force her to speak to him, just let her finish being mad at him in her own time. You're being overprotective."
"Pot. Kettle. Black. You have no right to talk Mr I-don't-care-if-I'm-late-for-class-as-long-as-I-walk-Yugi-to-his-first."
"That's completely different."
"How?" Ombre snorted, then an evil smirk came to her face as Shadowfae passed her a message. "Oh by the way, Shadowfae says that Boh says to tell Mahado to tell you," Ombre wondered how she managed to say that with a straight face, "That Yugi's just bought a large supply of sweets and is finding ways of getting it back to the castle without you finding out." Yami went pale and dashed off. Ombre watched him go and smirked, "I was right."
The whole question was… was Yami?
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"You promised you wouldn't go anywhere near the sweetshop until I got back!" Yami was still ranting as they arrived back in the Common Room. Ron and Hermione were ignoring him, and smiled as they dumped a shower of sweets into Harry's lap.
"What Yami doesn't realise," Ron said with a grin, "Is that Yugi's asked eight or nine different Gryffindors to keep a hold of his sweets, so it doesn't matter how much Yami badgers him, Yugi has no sweets on him to hand over."
Harry laughed as Ron and Hermione sank into chairs beside him and described everything that they'd done and seen. Harry, in return, told the group, who'd settled around the fire place, about the fact he'd been having tea with Lupin when Snape had come in with a goblet filled with some sort of potion and…
"Lupin drank it?" Ron gasped, "Is he mad?"
Hermione checked her watch as Yami spotted Yugi eating the last of a chocolate frog. "We'll have to go down." She said, "We've only got five minutes before the feast starts." They were still discussing Snape as they reached the Great Hall which had been decorated with hundreds and hundreds of candle filled pumpkins, a cloud of live bats and many flaming orange streamers which were swimming across the stormy ceiling like watersnakes.
The food was delicious and even Yugi, who'd been munching on sweets since he'd gotten back, managed to eat a second helping of everything. Harry had a question though, was it just him, or were Professor Snape's eyes flicking towards Lupin more often then was natural?
The gang followed the rest of the Gryffindors back along the usual path to the tower, but the corridor with the portrait of the Fat Lady in was jammed with students. Yami pushed his way through, and Yugi sensed his shock. Percy ordered "Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick." The rest of the gang followed the Professors and saw the problem.
"Oh my…" Hermione gasped and grabbed Harry's arm, Yami moved back to the group and to Yugi's side. The Fat Lady had disappeared from her portrait, which had been slashed so viciously that canvas littered the floor.
"We need to find her." Said Professor Dumbledore, "Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady."
"Who could've done this?" Yugi asked Yami but he waved his hand, he was trying to hear what Peeves and Professor Dumbledore were saying, Peeves had taken on the air of someone cradling a large bombshell in his arms.
"He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in you see." Peeves flipped over and grinned at Dumbledore from between his own legs, "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."
He was so angry, he couldn't settle to anything.
He wanted to destroy something, anything, everything.
Mana was avoiding him.
He was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, trying not to think.
He had almost lost control.
He couldn't do that.
He wouldn't do that.
His theories haunted him now, were they more then just spirit now? Were they alive? Could they die?
He had almost forgotten.
Before he could've attacked Kisara and the only thing that would've been damaged was the scenery.
But now…
Fighting with Kisara could result in injuries or even death.
He had walked away.
This time.
He had to wonder about next time, and the time after that.
Would he forget?
Even if it was only for a moment…
He couldn't take that risk.
But what could he do?
Running away would be… wrong. He couldn't just leave.
He had a duty.
Kisara wouldn't understand.
He hated her.
Why did that hurt so much?
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October came all too quickly, with Defence Against the Dark Arts easily the class of choice amongst most of the student population.
With October came something Harry, Yugi, and sometimes Yami, looked forward to… the Quidditch season. Oliver Wood, Captain of the Gryffindor team, called a meeting for all of the team, reserves included, to discuss tactics for the new season. To Yugi's surprise, they were three reserves down, the other reserve Seeker, Jennie, the reserve Keeper and one of the reserve Chasers had all finished their last year so they were three men, well women, down.
Oliver himself was seventeen years old, and though he was younger then the Japanese students he was in his final year. There was a sort of desperation in his voice as he addressed his team mates.
"This is our last chance… my last chance… at winning the Quidditch Cup," He told them as he strode up and down in front of them, "I'll be leaving at the end of the year, I'll never get another shot at it. Gryffindor haven't won in seven years now. Ok, so we've had the worst luck in the world, injuries, then once we had the reserves , the tournament got called off," Wood swallowed, "But we also know we've got the best-ruddy-team-in-the-school," He said, punching a fist into his other hand, the old manic glint back in his eyes, "We've got three superb Chasers," Wood pointed at Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell, "Two sublime reserve Chasers," He then pointed at Yugi Muto and Danni Knight, "We've got two unbeatable beaters…"
"Stop it Oliver, you're embarrassing us." Said Fred and George Weasley together; pretending to blush. No one had been brave enough to try out as reserve Beaters.
"We've got an excellent reserve Seeker…" Wood pointed at Yami, who grinned at him.
"And we've got a Seeker who has never failed to win us a match!" Wood rumbled, glaring at Harry with some sort of furious pride. "And me." He added as an afterthought.
"We think you're very good too, Oliver." Yami and George said at the same time.
"Cracking Keeper." Said Fred.
"The point is," Wood went on, resuming his pacing, "The Quidditch Cup should have had our name on it these last two years. Ever since Harry joined the team, I've thought this thing was in the bag. But we haven't got it, and this year's the last chance we'll finally get to see our name on the thing." Wood spoke so dejectedly that even Fred and George looked sympathetic.
"Oliver, this year's our year." Said Fred.
"We'll do it Oliver!" Said Angelina.
"Definitely!" Said Harry and Yugi.
Full of determination, the team started training sessions three evenings a week. Between this and Yugi, Yami and Ron's weekly chess club sessions, they weren't around the Common Room much, so they were missing Kari's increasing frustration with her extra class.
Just days later, Kari walked out of her Extra Transfiguration lesson, wondering if her condition was effecting her ability to shape shift. She walked up the stairs, not really paying attention to who, or what, was passing her. It didn't seem to matter what she tried, she couldn't yet change a part of herself into an animal. Professor McGonagall had told her it would take years to get it right, but she'd already been trying for almost a year.
She reached the sixth floor and stopped, looking down the stairs. At this point of the day everyone else would be relaxing in the Common Room relaxing until Dinner, she knew that's where her friends were.
Someone grabbed her from behind, securing her arms at her side and roughly shoving a hand over her mouth, before pulling her into a deserted Ancient Runes classroom. "Ombre!" She yelled down the mind link as Crabbe let her go and joined Goyle blocking the door. She glared at the figure stood in front of her, her hand rested protectively on her Millennium item, "What do you want, Bakura?"
"Ombre!"
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Ombre's head shot up, 'Kari? Kari, what's wrong?'
Yami looked at her, "What's wrong?" He asked, seeing the panic in her eyes. Ombre's expression turned from panic to one of rage as she and Kari spoke over the mid link.
"Bakura!"
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Kari watched as the shadows closed in around them. Why, She thought, why in Ra's name, did I tell Bakura I had my deck on me?
Because he'd've Shadow Gamed you another way if you hadn't? A treacherous part of her brain answered.
Shut up!
'Kari? Kari, what's wrong?' Ombre voice broke through her thoughts.
"Remind me about Shadow Games again."
'Why? Kari…'
"Ombre, I'm in one."
'Wh… Bakura…' Ombre growled over the link, 'Hold on, we're coming.'
"Ready?" Bakura asked, his deck already shuffled and lying on the nearest desk. The area between her nearest desk and his had been cleared. Kari shuffled her deck and pulled out her wand and tapped her deck with it.
"Apparaître!" She murmured. A golden spark shot out of her wand but didn't reach her deck. "What?"
"You expect modern day Wand Magic to have any effect here, in the darkness of the Shadows? You mortal fool, the shadows are infinitely more powerful then any magic formed in these modern times." Kari growled, no holotechnology and no Wand Magic, she'd have to hope she could handle the Shadow Realm by herself. She frowned and placed her deck on the nearest desk, she drew her first hand and looked at Bakura.
"Ladies first!" He smirked; Kari glared at him as she drew.
"I play two cards face down," Kari said as she played her cards, wondering if feeling woozy was natural, "And summon the Skilled Dark Magician."
A four star Spellcaster with 1900 attack points appeared in front of her, however a wave of nausea hit her and her vision blurred, "Y… your move."
"I do believe you're feeling the effects of the Shadow Realm." Bakura said as he played two cards face down and a Wall of Illusion in defence mode, "It's your turn by the way."
"W… why aren't… you affected?" Kari growled as she summoned a second Skilled Dark Magician. "Ow, my head… and my heart… it's like nothing I've ever felt before…"
"Kari!" Ombre shouted, it had taken Ombre, Joey, Yugi and Yami less then a minute to track the Shadow Magic, stun Crabbe and Goyle and open the classroom door. But now a Shadow bubble was standing between Ombre and her hikari and… "She can't survive in there on her own…" Ombre whispered, as Kari's pain radiated through the link.
Yugi caught Yami's glance at him and remembered his first attempt to duel in a Shadow Game on his own. "This isn't good."
Kari reeled backwards, one of her Skilled Dark Magician had been destroyed by Bakura's fiend. She stumbled as she walked back towards her desk, knowing that if she lost, Bakura would claim the Orb.
She drew, waited for her vision to clear, then smiled. "Of course," She murmered. "I sacrifice my other Skilled Dark Magician… for my Dark Magician Girl!" She smirked, "T… then…" She shook her head, "Then I activate Mage Power, increasing her… power by 5…500 for every magic or trap card on… my side… of the field…" Kari hissed in pain as her Dark Magician Girl's attack points rose by 1000. Her Dark Magician Girl wheeled around, concerned. "I'm… fine. Attack his… fiend…"
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'Kari, surrender the duel.'
"No. If I lose he'll…"
'Kari, please listen to me…'
"No… I won't let him take the Orb."
'It's not worth it, if you give him the Orb, he'll stop the Shadow Game.'
"And then… he'll come after… you." Ombre was panicking; the mind link was fading quickly. "I won't let him…"
"She's not going to give up!"
"Did you really expect her to?" Yami asked quietly, Ombre wheeled around and glared at him.
"You don't understand!" She snapped.
"I understand better then you think I do."
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"I activate Double Strike." Bakura sneered, "Allowing my Dark Necrofear to attack twice, and since your Mage Power was destroyed…"
"Dark Magician Girl…" Kari gasped. The Duel Monster looked at Kari with fear in it's her eyes, but it wasn't for herself, it was for the Magician's Mistress.
"Dark Necrofear, attack the Dark Magician Girl." Kari monster was destroyed, she staggered backwards, "Now, attack her directly!"
A scream was torn from Kari, pain surged through the links. Ombre fell to her knees, while Mana echoed her scream. Then both links went dead.
Bakura walked over to Kari's unconscious form, his Dark Necrofear was giving him an odd look. "She's still in the lead," Bakura stated, "1200 to 1000, but she can't continue." Bakura reached to take the Orb from the girl when he noticed… "Blood?"
A memory forced its way to the surface, Malfoy had told him…
FLASHBACK
"Ironhide and Wheeler are in for it." Draco crowed as he entered the Dormitory, no one else was around bar...
"Why?" Bakura snapped.
"Well, I heard Ironhide and Granger talking, that mudblood, Ironhide, is pregnant…"
END FLASHBACK
Bakura froze, then took his hand away from the Orb and let the shadows fade away. Joey had him pinned against a wall in seconds, backed up by Yami. Yugi and Ombre were busy checking Kari over. "What did you do to her?" Joey snarled.
"Joey, not now!" Yugi called, panic evident in his voice. "She needs to go to the Hospital Wing."
"Joey." Ombre snapped, "She's bleeding."
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Tobias was hiding; he would not lie to himself over this matter. He did feel a little guilty for hiding, but then what could he do about the matter?
He liked Kisara she was a beautiful dragon and he had been glad to take her as his mate… but she was a little irrational about Mahado.
Mahado was a good friend, always ready to help… but when it came to Kisara he got just a little crazy and now all that either of them would talk about was the fight they had had.
Tobias had to wonder how it would end this time, last time Mana had forbidden them from talking to each other directly and the note insults had begun… it hadn't really ended until Mahado got petrified.
So Tobias was hiding, doing his best to avoid both of them. Somehow he didn't think he was the only one.
It hadn't been this bad back home. Back home no one was silly enough to force Mahado and Kisara within a mile of each other, yet alone the same room. On the few occasions that they had met face to face they had normally glared at each other then turned around and walked (or flew) away, after exchanging insults.
Tobias considered what to do. Anyone with eyes could see that No was hero-worshipping Mahado and Kisara had to learn she couldn't control the first hatchlings any more, they were their own dragons. Someone would have to convince Kisara that Mahado could be trusted.
It was then that the pain coursed through the mental link, easily working along the most used pathways. Mana's scream echoed through the Monster Wing, but it wasn't Mana's pain… but if that was the case there was only one person it could be…
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Joey paced outside the curtain blocking Kari off from the rest of the Hospital Wing. It looked like Ombre was currently asleep; Joey knew better, he knew the Princess was tending to the wounds inflicted to Kari's mind and spirit. The young woman's spirit was barely alive at this point, and Joey understood that Ombre would have to work hard to get Kari to recover. The others were ranged around the room, sat on various chairs and beds, though Yami wouldn't leave Yugi's side.
"Mr Wheeler," Madam Pomfrey called, "Did you know Miss Ironhide was pregnant?"
"Yes," Joey nodded, "Wait a minute, was pregnant?"
"I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this… but she's had a miscarriage."
Joey sat down… hard…
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Yugi, Yami, Harry, Ron and Hermione joined the rest of the school for dinner that night. Joey wouldn't leave Kari's side and Ombre couldn't. It took all four of them to restrain Yami when Bakura walked into the room, but the Tomb Robber didn't look pleased with himself, in fact he looked disgusted and ashamed. There were no taunting comments from him; in fact he wouldn't even meet their eyes. Bakura ate sparingly then left. Yami wrenched free of the four's restraining arms and followed him.
"Bakura!" Yami shouted after him. Bakura spun around to face the Pharaoh, a defensive look on his face.
"What Pharaoh?" Bakura spat at him, "How you come to tell me how low I've sunk? Don't worry, I've already been told." Yami remained silent so Bakura continued, "Do you want to punish me? Or did you follow me so you could stop me once and for all?" Bakura's eyes were filled with self-disgust, and Yami thought he saw a glimmer of self-destruction; did Bakura want it all to end?
Just then Malfoy came out of the Great Hall, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. He took in the scene then turned to Bakura. "Is this lowlife bothering you, brother?"
"No, I was leaving." Bakura said lightly, turning to go and they left, leaving Yami there wondering what to think.
Yugi, Harry, Ron and Hermione came dashing out of the Great Hall. "Yami," Yugi called, "What happened?"
"I'm not sure." Yami replied, "Bakura was acting oddly," They started making their way up the stairs, "I think Bakura was feeling guilty…" Yugi looked at him, "Bakura is capable of feeling guilt…"
"He's in shock again." Yugi told the others with a sigh, "Even with everything he's done to us, this would be the first time Bakura's ever felt guilty."
"Do you think someone had a go at Bakura?" Ron asked, "And that's why?"
"Well who knew Kari miscarried? Most people didn't even realise she was pregnant." Harry said; Hermione silently nodded in agreement.
"…" Yugi didn't answer, he poked Yami mentally, "Yami, what did Bakura say?"
'That he'd already been told how low he'd sunk.' Yami said over the link.
Yugi turned to the others, "Someone did have a go at Bakura."
"Who?" Harry asked.
"Yami?"
'Didn't say.' Yugi repeated Yami's two word sentence. In the next weeks, Harry became certain he'd never seen two people in so much trouble, as teacher after teacher yelled at Joey and Bakura.
However the Tomb Robber seemed to be having a mental crisis, was becoming more unpredictable then usual. Half the time he didn't show up to class, especially if they were with the Gryffindors.
After several lessons on Flobberworms, Bakura seemed to snap. He stopped feeding his Flobberworm shredded lettuce, stood up, glared at said Flobberworm, and sent it to the Shadow Realm.
"What did the Flobberworm do to him?" Ron whispered to Yugi.
"That's it! I've had enough, I'm gone!" Bakura stormed and stomped his way back to the castle.
Yugi watched Bakura go and sensed Yami relax slightly, "Dunno." Joey, who'd only noticed when Bakura had stormed off wondered where exactly the Tomb Robber was heading.
Yugi, Harry and Yami returned to the Gryffindor Common Room that evening after Quidditch practise, cold and stiff but pleased with the way practise had gone, to find the Common Room buzzing excitedly.
"What happened?" Yugi asked Joey, the gang were sat around the fire, and completing homework that was due in the next day.
"First Hogsmead weekend." Joey replied, half tempted to say stuff the homework and go up to the Hospital Wing to see if Kari was awake. "It's on Halloween."
"Excellent," Said Fred, who'd followed Yami through the portrait hole, "I need to visit Zonko's, I'm nearly out of stink pellets."
Harry sank into a chair beside Ron while Yami and Yugi grabbed the remaining one, resulting in Yami perched on one arm and Yugi on the other. Harry's high spirits ebbed away and Hermione seemed to read his mind. "Harry, I'm sure you'll be able to go next time." She said, "They're bound to catch Black soon, he's been sighted once already."
"Black's not fool enough to try anything in Hogsmead," Said Ron, "Ask McGonagall if you can go this time, Harry, the next one might not be for ages… I know, why don't one of you lot sign it?" Ron turned to Yugi, however he was asleep, leant against Yami, he'd already finished his homework and had been up hours before everyone else, Yami was getting worried about the fact Yugi still wasn't sleeping properly. The Pharaoh moved cautiously, trying not to disturb his hikari. Joey got up as Harry pulled out his parchment, ink and quill and started work.
"Just keep him over there, that's all." Ron was saying to Hermione about her cat, Crookshanks, Bastet, Kari's Egyptian Mau, and Kiyoshe, Yami's Norwegian Forest Cat, were ranged around the fire, "I've got Scabber's asleep in my bag, here Harry." Ron said, passing his star chart to Harry.
"I got him." He said to Yami as he went to pick Yugi up. However at that moment Crookshanks pounced on Ron's bag.
"OY!" Ron roared, waking Yugi up and causing him to jump, "GET OFF YOU STUPID ANIMAL!"
"Bed. Now." Yami ordered as Yugi looked around, confused.
Hermione grabbed Crookshanks from Ron and started to fuss over her cat.
"That cat's got it in for Scabbers and it's leading the other cats on!" Yugi heard Ron say angrily as he made his way over to the stairs, "And Scabbers was here first and he's ill!" Ron brushed past Yugi and was pretending to be asleep as Yugi got changed and crashed out on his bed, well aware of Kiyoshe coming up to sleep on her owner's bed.
Next Transfiguration lesson, Yugi and the rest of the group waited nervously as Harry tried to plead his case with Professor McGonagall.
"But Professor, if you said I could go…"
"But I don't say so. And you may not ask the Japanese students top sign your permission slip, I'm sure they informed you that even they had to get it signed by a parent or guardian." She looked at him with what seemed like pity, "I'm sorry Potter, but that's my final say in the matter. You had better hurry, or you'll be late for your next lesson."
Good news came from the Hospital Wing though, which stopped Ron's ranting and Hermione's 'all-for-the-best' expression. "Guys!" Yugi grinned as he dashed into the Common Room ahead of Yami, "Kari's awake."
Madam Pomfrey got six surprise visitors just minutes later, as Yugi, Yami, Joey, Harry, Ron and Hermione dashed in. "Hi guys." Kari smiled weakly at them.
"Kari!" Hermione yelled, rushing forward and hugging her best friend. "Kari? What's wrong?" Hermione asked as she pulled away. Kari wouldn't meet Joey's eyes."
"Joey… I'm sorry." Kari whispered as tears came to her eyes, "If I'd given up when Ombre told me too…"
"Maybe it's for the best." Joey sighed. Kari gave him an odd look.
"What do you mean?" Ombre could sense the girl's growing tension, if Joey didn't watch what he said…
"I mean, we're not really ready for a child." Joey said without thinking. Kari's expression turned from one of thunder and lightening.
"You doubt I would've been a good mother." It was more of a statement then a question.
"No, it's not that." Joey replied quickly, however Kari still scowled at him.
"Kari, please, you're not fully recovered yet." Ombre said quickly, Yami couldn't help noticing that she didn't say anything to back up Joey.
"Oh, so I'm too weak now! No wonder you've been hovering over me, you think I'm too weak to look after myself! I'll have you know I was fine before you came along, Ombre, and I'll be fine after as well!" Kari began to rant, shaking with anger. Ombre let go of Kari's arm like she'd been burnt. Kari yanked the Orb off and shoved it back into Ombre's hand. "Take it!" Kari snapped.
"Kari," Yami caught the girl's attention, "Ombre didn't mean that and neither did Joey. Both of them have barely left your side since your Shadow Game with Bakura. Please, put the Orb back on."
"No, I won't. I want to be left alone, so go away. All of YOU!" She screamed the last three words at the top of her voice, trying to drive them away with sound alone.
"Kari…" Hermione started.
"Out! Out! OUT! OUT!" Kari yelled.
Madam Pomfrey came rushing in and ushered them all out with the words, "How dare you upset the poor girl to this extent. I don't want to see you in here again!"
"B… but…" Ombre stammered.
"No buts." Madam Pomfrey added and shut the door on them.
"What're we going to do now?" Joey asked, Ombre was staring at the Orb now resting in her hands.
"She was fine until you started talking!" Ombre snapped at him and stormed off.
"Omb…" Yugi started to go after her, but Yami grabbed his robes, Yugi looked up at him.
"She'll be fine." Yami said, "They're going through a rough time, and Kari isn't thinking straight. I'm sure they'll be fine once Kari's fully recovered."
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By Halloween Kari had convinced Madam Pomfrey to let Ombre in, in fact while the others were eating breakfast in the Great Hall, Kaiba was in the Monster's Wing, checking on the latest bunch of eggs, though he wanted to know how the mutt's Red Eyes Black had gotten his Blue Eyes White pregnant again, the two were eating breakfast in the Hospital Wing.
"I can stay… if you want me to." Ombre said, as Kari finished her apple juice.
"You go have fun." Kari smiled at her, "Bring me back some sweets, if Yugi doesn't clear out Honeydukes. I'll work on the ton of homework I have to catch up on."
"Ok, I'll see you later." Ombre got up and she left, Ombre knew Kari was still angry with everyone and was only talking to Ombre because Ombre insisted. Ombre wondered for a fleeting moment, if she should get Kari to talk to Joey, then she shook her head. Kari didn't want to speak to Joey, for which she was glad, Ombre hadn't quite worked out what she felt when Joey and Kari were together, but she didn't like feeling it. Anyway Kari needed a friend right now.
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A Dark presence slithered through the Forbidden Forest, and silence marked the path. He was meant to help guard the castle, but the others had trouble working with him. It wasn't fiery anger that lay between them but cold distrust.
He had volunteered to keep an eye on the forest and he searched it everyday while students were meant to be in classes. After a year at doing this he knew the forest and its inhabitants well.
He considered again his options. He could go home, he knew how but it would entail asking a certain Magician for help. He could leave and go exploring this new world but he would have to go alone and being alone had never appealed to him, or he could stay here and that was looking more dangerous by the day.
He checked skywards, never forgetting that most dragons would go in for a sneak attack. For a moment he couldn't believe his eyes…
A small dragon shape was circling above, looking for something…
Should he hide? No, it was too late, she had seen him and was diving. He waited for her to flare her wings for landing or at least slow down a bit… She wasn't going to stop… she was speeding up… he readied his tail… closer… closer…
Quick as lightening his tail darted out, wrapping around the small dragon just below the wing joints.
"Let me go!" The small dragon shouted as she struggled in his grip.
"Don't be silly. You attacked me. It would be foolish of me to let you go." He explained to the youngling.
"I'll tell my mother!" She threatened. He tried to remember her name but it escaped him.
"Then why should I release you? I have no wish to anger anyone, least of all your mother." She wilted in his grip, terror in her purple eyes.
"What're you going to do with me?" She asked quietly and fearfully.
"I haven't decided. Tell me why you attacked me with no provocation."
"Because of what happened with Kari. Bakura hurt her so badly, I just wanted…"
"You wanted revenge. However I did not attack Kari, neither have I hurt anyone."
"But… you're on Bakura's side…"
"I do not particularly enjoy pain. If I let Bakura get hurt, I feel the pain. Therefore I protect Bakura, it is the only logical course of action."
"But why did Bakura hurt Kari? Kari's nice. Kari lost her egg." He had to smile at this.
"Humans don't lay eggs. As for why Bakura did this. I don't think even he knows why he did it so what chance do I have?"
"That doesn't make sense."
"What should I do with you then? Dragons don't taste very nice."
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Yami caught up with Ombre in Hogsmead later that day. Yugi had gone with Ron and Hermione, though he'd made them promise two things, to call him if Bakura tried anything, and not to go anywhere near Honeydukes until he got back.
Ombre was considering her cravings for chocolate, she hadn't really wanted anything sweet ever since Bakura had attacked Kari.
Yami found Ombre hanging around by the Shrieking Shack. "It's not fair," He said, making her jump, "For you to pit Kari against Joey."
"I'm not." Ombre stated as she turned around. "Kari hasn't wanted to speak to Joey since he said they weren't ready for children."
"And yet you won't speak up in his defence." Yami said as he sat on the nearest rock.
"Kari needs a friend right now. I'm not about to force her into anything she isn't ready for." Ombre snapped, her eyes flashing.
"She needs all the friends she can get," Yami replied, aware he was on thin ice and it was in danger of breaking, "Ever since Kari and Joey got together, you've been jealous."
"Have not."
"Have too, I've been watching you." Ombre sighed at Yami's retort. He was right and she knew it. "I'm not telling you to force her to speak to him, just let her finish being mad at him in her own time. You're being overprotective."
"Pot. Kettle. Black. You have no right to talk Mr I-don't-care-if-I'm-late-for-class-as-long-as-I-walk-Yugi-to-his-first."
"That's completely different."
"How?" Ombre snorted, then an evil smirk came to her face as Shadowfae passed her a message. "Oh by the way, Shadowfae says that Boh says to tell Mahado to tell you," Ombre wondered how she managed to say that with a straight face, "That Yugi's just bought a large supply of sweets and is finding ways of getting it back to the castle without you finding out." Yami went pale and dashed off. Ombre watched him go and smirked, "I was right."
The whole question was… was Yami?
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"You promised you wouldn't go anywhere near the sweetshop until I got back!" Yami was still ranting as they arrived back in the Common Room. Ron and Hermione were ignoring him, and smiled as they dumped a shower of sweets into Harry's lap.
"What Yami doesn't realise," Ron said with a grin, "Is that Yugi's asked eight or nine different Gryffindors to keep a hold of his sweets, so it doesn't matter how much Yami badgers him, Yugi has no sweets on him to hand over."
Harry laughed as Ron and Hermione sank into chairs beside him and described everything that they'd done and seen. Harry, in return, told the group, who'd settled around the fire place, about the fact he'd been having tea with Lupin when Snape had come in with a goblet filled with some sort of potion and…
"Lupin drank it?" Ron gasped, "Is he mad?"
Hermione checked her watch as Yami spotted Yugi eating the last of a chocolate frog. "We'll have to go down." She said, "We've only got five minutes before the feast starts." They were still discussing Snape as they reached the Great Hall which had been decorated with hundreds and hundreds of candle filled pumpkins, a cloud of live bats and many flaming orange streamers which were swimming across the stormy ceiling like watersnakes.
The food was delicious and even Yugi, who'd been munching on sweets since he'd gotten back, managed to eat a second helping of everything. Harry had a question though, was it just him, or were Professor Snape's eyes flicking towards Lupin more often then was natural?
The gang followed the rest of the Gryffindors back along the usual path to the tower, but the corridor with the portrait of the Fat Lady in was jammed with students. Yami pushed his way through, and Yugi sensed his shock. Percy ordered "Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick." The rest of the gang followed the Professors and saw the problem.
"Oh my…" Hermione gasped and grabbed Harry's arm, Yami moved back to the group and to Yugi's side. The Fat Lady had disappeared from her portrait, which had been slashed so viciously that canvas littered the floor.
"We need to find her." Said Professor Dumbledore, "Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady."
"Who could've done this?" Yugi asked Yami but he waved his hand, he was trying to hear what Peeves and Professor Dumbledore were saying, Peeves had taken on the air of someone cradling a large bombshell in his arms.
"He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in you see." Peeves flipped over and grinned at Dumbledore from between his own legs, "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."