Author's Note: Unfortunately my 200th reviewer was a bit of an asshat. So no dedicated chapter to them. Honestly...It could just be me cause I'm cranky and hormonal, but WTF?! I want to give an enormass THANK YOU to everyone else. I really appreciated all of the feedback and I think it will help me further the story. So thank you again to those of you who left coherent reviews. You guys are the best! Also, I realise that the first bit is a little...disjointed, but its supposeed to be that way. Cyber cookies to the one who can guess WHY.
Disclaimer: I do not own the series Yu-Gi-Oh! Or the Harry Potter books. Those belong to much richer people than I.
Yami
Something was hurting him, but not him. Something was hurting the other him, the one who wasn't dark. This was bad, the Dark One knew this, though he didn't know how or why he knew it to be true.
The Dark One clutched his head as a pain unlike anyother exploded. Vainly, he tried to focus on the matter at hand, but it was futile as it slipped away from him
It left him, breaking, on the floor of a room that wasn't his.
Staring despondantly at the floor, the Dark One tried to recall why he felt such a panic in his breast.
A silver tear slipped unseen down a tanned cheek. The Dark One was losing everything and he didn't know why. He didn't even understand what he was losing.
He felt, deep inside his heart-for his head was forgetting-that he was losing everything that made his who he was. That he was loosing a part of his very soul.
What the Dark One didn't know was how very right his heart was...
Hogwarts
Yuugi bit back a whimper when he woke. It was early, earlier than when even Snape usually got up. His head was killing him. His vision was blurry and it was almost hard to breath, it hurt so much. He lay still trying to figure out what was wrong with him. Why did his head hurt so badly? Was it because he had been separated from Yami for months now? He lay there for an unknown amount of time before Snape emerged from his room, dressed and ready to head to breakfast.
"Snape-sensei." Yuugi managed to murmur, desperately hoping that Snape would stop and see that something was wrong with him.
Snape paused halfway to the door and looked back at Yuugi. The boy looked feverish. He turned around immediately and swooped down to kneel next to him. Yuugi looked as if he was in terrible pain.
"Head...hurts.." Yuugi groaned painfully. Everything hurt, so very very bad. Snape brought a hand up to rest on his forhead and murmured something that Yuugi couldn't make out. Yuugi just looked at him beseechingly, hoping that there was something, anything that Snape could do to make the pain just go away.
Beyond the pain Yuugi felt a prodding at his mind. Something was trying to push past his barriers. Yuugi tried to concentrate to keep the whatever it was out, but the pain was so overwhelming he was having trouble just staying focused on the fact that Snape hadn't left yet. The thing pushed once more and Yuugi whimpered as it broke through his mental barriers and went into his mind. Fearful, Yuugi followed whatever it was into his mind.
'Uh oh……'
That was Snape's last thought as he felt something under the legitimise break. Then there was darkness.
London
Watching ex-Minister Fudge pace slowly near the window was not helping Arthur Weasley in the slightest. Arthur was already nervous because of what Fudge had said earlier. So now the pressing weight of his decision was pushing against him.
"How much longer?" Fudge demanded, his hands clenched impatiently at his sides.
"Soon." Arthur soothed, though he wasn't sure if he was trying to reasure Fudge or himself.
"This is taking too long! He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named could be tracking us!" Fudge panicked, backing away from the window hastily. Arthur bit back a groan and prayed that Dumbledore would reply soon. Some of Fudge's idea's of what was going on were really out there. The one thing that was really bothering him was that Fudge claimed that it was someone using Yuugi's body. Hopefully Dumbledore could assen whether or not Fudge was crazy or if there really was something going on.
Arthur's spiraling thoughts were interrupted by a brilliant flash of light and Fudge's high pitched scream. When Arthur realized that he wasn't dead and that all seemed safe, he peeked out from behind the sofa that he had used for cover. Mentally he thanked the Order training for honing his reflexes.
There was still a faint light, but it was a warm, comforting light.
It was the light of a phoenix.
"Hello Fawkes." Arthur sighed and went over to were the phoenix was perched. Fudge was hovering near by, wringing his hands worriedly. Fawkes trilled softly and lifted a leg to drop a quill and bit of parchement.
The quill dropped straight into Arthur's hand while Fudge's hand shot out to catch the parchement.
"See you soon...?" Fudge murmured, reading aloud.
As soon Fudge finished reading the note Arthur felt the familiar tug of a portkey. The whirl of magic left him dazed, but experience left him on his feet net to the ex-minister. Arthur was aware enough to realize that though they were not at Hogwarts Dumbledore was waiting for them with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Arthur, Cornelius, so good of you to drop by. Would you have a seat?" Dumbledore greeted. The aging wizard made a motion with his good hand to three large stuffed chairs that were placed around a wooden table.
Fudge looked paranoid as he edged towards the chairs, all the while glancing about as if something woul jump out and attack him.
"You're quite sure we're safe here?" Fudge muttered loudly, fiddling with his bowler's hat.
"Oh yes, quite safe." Dumbledore assured. After all, the only people who knew where they were currently was he himself. Fore he was fairly certain that Arthur didn't recognize the builing from the inside.
"Then you'll help me?" Fudge asked, a sliver of hope lining his voice. He seated himself firmly and settled into the inviting chair. Despite his comments all through out his reign in office, Dumbledore had always made him feel safe. Perhaps it was because he was so powerful. After all, the man had defeated Grindewald.
"It would undoubtedly help if I knew the whole story, but yes, I will help if I can." Dumbledore said, taking his own seat opposite from Fudge. Arthur stayed standing, though he moved so that he was behind the empty chair. He wanted to watch and see what would happen.
Yuugi
"Where are we?" Snape questioned harshly. He was tense; he didn't know what was going on or where they were. He absolutely hated it. The last thing he could remember was legitimizing Yuugi……
"We're in my Soul Room…" Yuugi replied shakily. He was trying to concentrate on what Snape was saying but at the same time he was trying to figure out how he and Snape had ended up in his soul room. All Yuugi could remember was that awful pushing at his mind and then his shields gave…
"Soul Room? What the bloody hell is that?" Snape snapped angrily. The boy wasn't really paying attention and hadn't really answered his question.
"Its…well…um…Its like a representation of my mind and soul. It is where I can go when I meditate and its where my deepest feelings and secrets are kept. Everyone has a Soul Room, but not everyone can get into it." Yuugi stuttered at first, trying to think of a way to really describe what a Soul Room was. How did you describe something like that?
"So if this is a representation of you're mind and..soul…than why am I here?" Snape continued, his voice still tinged with its usual edge. Snape stalked over to where Yuugi had gone to stand and looked at a picture that was on a desk near by. There were three taller young men and two beautiful young women along with a black haired boy that was standing next to Yuugi in the picture. But the strangest thing was the young man hanging onto Yuugi who looked almost identical to the boy. How strange…
"I'm not sure…I felt this pressing thing trying to get into my mind and I tried to hold out but my shields gave and then I awoke here. And I think my headache is worse. It doesn't help that I feel as if I'm forgetting something either." Yuugi said quietly, his voice carrying easily in the silence of his Soul Room.
"Why is there a door? Is not that counter-productive to keeping someone out?" Snape continued on as if he had not heard Yuugi, which in all likelihood, he hadn't.
Yuugi sighed as Snape left him and stalked over to the relatively subtle door that led out of his Soul Room. Yuugi had found, after living with the man for several months now, that when Snape found something that he didn't understand he was quite focused on finding out what it was. Snape, despite his overly dark and brooding demeanour was actually quite a curious person.
"Ah, please don't open that door!" Yuugi shouted as Snape did exactly as Yuugi asked him not to. There was silence and then a gasp from Yuugi. The small young man rushed forward, pushing Snape out of the way as he ran into the empty corridor that divided his mind from Yami's.
Snape just lifted an eyebrow at Yuugi's actions and then slowly followed. What was the matter with the boy now? Lately it seemed all the boy would do is mope and be excessively shy, even around him. Snape's sedate pace brought him to Yuugi who was just standing in the middle of darkness. In the poor light, Snape could almost make out something hidden in the deepest part of the shadows.
"No…" Yuugi whispered, tears gathering at his sides. Why was Yami's door so far away? His head throbbed once and the door moved farther back, almost completely out of sight. Without thinking, Yuugi dashed foreword as fast as he could. His head hurt so badly but he dared not stop and take a break. On he ran through the darkness and after what seemed like an eternity, he reached the enormous stone door that blocked him from Yami.
Snape scowled as he jogged after the boy who lately was an unlimited source of trouble. The boy had stopped in front of a massive set of stone doors. The doors were the only thing visible in the darkness, and despite the lack or cracks and dust Snape could tell that they were ancient.
Yuugi slowly inched forward and placed his hands against the door. He couldn't feel anything. Usually there was a thrum of energy just beneath his fingertips, the ancient magic seeping through. Now there was nothing. Not even a tingle. Even in the beginning of this nightmare, Yuugi had still been able to feel that calming energy……now it was gone.
Yuugi's breath hitched as he struggle vainly not to cry. Pressing his forehead against the door, Yuugi cried silently. Silver tears traced lonely paths down his cheeks.
Why was this happening to him? Why were the doors getting farther and farther away? Where was Yami? A sob finally escaped him and he slid to the base of the doors and let out month's worth of anguish. He thought briefly of the vow he had made not to cry and continued on anyway, unable to contain himself.
Snape looked on despondently. What was he supposed to do? The last time had been easy, the boy was right there. Now he was curling into a door. How was he supposed to pry the boy away from what seemed to be his only comfort? He shifted uncomfortably and eyed the shadows around them. While they didn't move like the ones from before, there was still something not quite right about them.
Yuugi hiccupped and stopped crying suddenly. The Dark Magician! Maybe he could think of something to get the doors open! Oh why hadn't he thought of it before? Closing his eyes he concentrated hard. Lately, focusing on his magic had gotten difficult. Yuugi let out a breath as his magic curled inside of him and leapt out to find and bring the Dark Magician back.
Snape watched silently. What was going on? One moment the boy was sobbing and going on as if his world had ended and now he was standing determinedly with a fierce look in his eyes. A shadow rose up from the floor and took on the shape of a strangely robbed man. Snape took an uneasy step back and brought out his wand.
The Dark Magician glared down at the pale man that dared intrude upon the mind of his Master. He brought his other hand to his staff threateningly. Sharp eyes caught the disapproving violet eyes of his short Master. Why had he been summoned if not to vanquish the one before them?
"Please don't hurt him. He's a little mean, but he's really a good person. Kind of like Seto." Yuugi assured one of his favourite monsters. The Dark Magician frowned but relaxed his hold on his staff. Tipping his head to the side he asked silently why he had been summoned.
"Please, is there anyway into Yami's Soul Room?" Yuugi pleaded, hoping for a good answer.
The Magician shook his head, remembering the strong chains and lock on the other side of the door.
Yuugi slumped, crushed. Why couldn't he get the door open? Why wasn't Yami opening the door from the other side? Was he trapped in his own Soul Room? But if he was in his Soul Room, why did it feel as if it were empty?
Snape frowned as he watched the exchange. Why was this other being silent?
The Dark Magician's head was bowed in silent apology when it snapped up. His eyes widened as he felt a familiar tug in his chest. The other half of his Master was calling. He faded away slowly, locking eyes with Yuugi to let him know what was happening before he completely fell to the summoning of his Other Master.
What is going on here?!
The strange words echoed eerily and Snape grabbed hold of Yuugi protectively when the boy seemed confused and frightened.
"We've been here far too long." Yuugi said and grabbed Snape's arm.
"I would assume then that you have a way out?" Snape questioned crankily.
"Don't worry," Yuugi said with a small smile that didn't reach his eyes. Letting go of each other's arms, Snape was started when Yuugi reached forward and pushed him. He felt the distinct sensation of flight before he was forced to blink his eyes. Sitting up straight he realized with some disdain that he had been slumped forward rather uncomfortably. There was a crack as his spine realigned itself and soft groan of pain as Yuugi came to.
"Have a good nap, my boy?" Dumbledore asked good naturedly from the door. Beside him a frazzled looking Arthur Weasley was holding the shoulder of one Cornelius Fudge. Fudge was purple faced and puffed up, like some deranged angry bird. He was sputtering incoherently and Dumbledore, despite the strangeness of the situation was grinning.
Snape stood, confused, though his face portrayed none of this. What was going on? Why was everyone in his chambers? And what in the Gods names were Mr.Weasley and Fudge doing at Hogwarts?
'We're doomed.' Inner Snape intoned.
Pushing dooming thoughts away, Snape lifted an eyebrow to ask what was going on. Thankfully the Headmaster was paying attention and answered him.
"It seems that Cornelius has something or rather someone that belongs to our young Mr. Mouto." Dumbledore said, smiling though there was no reassuring twinkle in his eye. The lack of twinkle alerted Snape to the seriousness of the situation.
"Me?" Yuugi whispered, his voice hoarse as he sat up blearily. His headache, while still present had dimmed somewhat. It was as if whatever had caused the builinding pressure was slowly leaving. Curious…
"Yes, I believe you call him 'Yami'." Dumbledore said and closed the open doorway that he was been standing in. He had a feelling that there was going to be some yelling.
End note: It is only now, looking and reading back that I realize how disjointed this has become. I aplogize for that and can only hope that you'll all bear with me as I try and bring this fic back to what it's supposed to be. Thank you for sticking with me this far. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. There will only be a few more so watch out!