Hello, my faithful readers! Today I surprisingly got nice message from fanfiction,net as two more readers added my story to Favorites. It was so nice, that even after so long time after last update someone is reading it and even like it. So I just found little bit more time for adding last touches and, here you go, a new chapter! Hey, maybe I'll finish it after all! And now, enjoy! (And of course, don't forget all your thoughts are appreciated)
CHAPTER 14 – EVIL IS STANDING TALL
In some dark dungeon, far from any form of civilization a man in his late thirties sat near a table and sniffed as he brushed his palm against cheek, cleaning up his silent tears. In front of him was bunch of photographies and parchment full of symbols and words, many of which were crossed out. Man sniffed again and wrote "Shadow Land?" onto his parchment. Suddenly the doors of his room creaked and man lifted his head to see who had come. It was his usual visitor. Tall and skinny, with short, brown hair, always in black, stylish robes. The tall man has introduced himself as Seraphim. He could only guess if "Seraphim" was this man's true name.
"Well, Mr. Sevaro, how it is going?" Seraphim asked, his silk and seemingly caring voice was similar to trap.
"I… I have translated some more, but it doesn't make sense… Please, I want to see Alex!" Mr. Sevaro was desperate.
"Hm I'll see what I can do. Now, please translation..." Seraphim motioned towards table.
"Ok." Sevaro sighed and took one of the photos. "You see, here is written 'and as children of Khemet forgot their Gods, forgot their brothers' Now here is missing part. I don't know, maybe there wasn't anything, maybe just it wasn't taken on photo. But here further 'the heirs was born' Here I don't understand, it seems to be some obscure dialect, I don't know these symbols. And here 'the seven sacred Items. Only destined by the Gods themselves can wear, only Son of the Day and Night and only those, faithful to him.' And here further I don't know precise or not but it is written 'Shadow Land has been wild, only Son of the Gods could seal it away. The power of Items has been lost to time.' It's all I could translate on this tablet." Sevaro hung his head as in shame.
"Very good, Mr. Sevaro. You see wasn't so hard after all. And what about this tablet? Who are those men?" Seraphim found one particular photo and put in front of Mr. Sevaro.
"All I could gather is that this one is Pharaoh, also it could refer to the first tablet as Son of a Day and Night and Son of the Gods. The second man is his High Priest. It's all quite hard to translate but it seems that they are playing something called 'Game of Darkness' I have no idea what that is. I never heard about such game."
"Thank you, Mr. Sevaro" Seraphim stood to leave. "I think you deserved to see Alex. I believe you will see him in the next few minutes." With that Seraphim went away and Sevaro face brightened. He will see his child.
"Guys, we need to speak with you." Hermione approached Yugi and others.
"Sure" Marik answered and winked at the Bakura. "It's time for our interrogation."
"Yeah, I'm soo eager." Bakura snorted and rose. "Well, lead the way." he motioned to Hermione.
Hermione turned and Yugi, Victoria, Bakura and Marik followed her. She lead them through the school and into the secret passageway into medium size, comfy room.
"Welcome to the Room of the Requirement" said Harry, which already sat onto one of the sofas. Ron sat besides Harry. "Hermione, please, lock the doors. We don't want to be disturbed." Harry explained to transfers who was looking with mild suspicions.
"Whatever" Marik shrugged and sat down.
Bakura just smirked and sat down near Marik. Yugi and Victoria sat together.
//Ryou, you might do this yourself. At least for now.// Bakura nudged Ryou.
/What?/ Ryou sleepily asked. /I had a good nap.../
//Nap or not, your new friends finally got their guts to ask you all about, well, everything and unless you want me to say something you don't want me to say, then get your mental backside out of your soulroom.//
/Okay, okay../ Ryou sighed and switched with Bakura.
"What did you want?" Victoria asked.
//You have pretty good idea what they want// Vanumi smirked.
/Yeah, and so what? S-T-R-A-T-E-G-I-C, you of all people would need to recognize one./ Victoria mentally smirked.
"Do you work for You-Know-Who?" Ron suddenly blurted out.
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed.
"What? That is all the point." Ron defended himself.
"Subtle as always, aren't you." Marik laughed.
"Where you got such a silly though?" Yugi asked smiling.
"From you, apparently." Harry answered. "You are acting strangely."
"Oh, all slightly different people are working for Voldemort, stop flinching, Ron." Victoria answered.
"Then, please, explain what happened on Halloween night. We don't believe that you wold simply go and watch statues for no reason." Hermione asked.
"And this disbelief has nothing to do with the fact that you were spying onto us?" Marik raised his eyebrow.
"You saw us?" Ron asked surprised.
"Definitely." Ryou nodded.
"How?" Hermione asked.
"It's for us to know and for you to find out." Yugi smiled with mirth.
"We want answers and we won't leave this room while we won't get those!" Harry started to think that this won't be easy.
//Landlord, it's getting nowhere. Let me.//
//Aibou, maybe me...//
//Victoria, better me.//
Harry blinked. Suddenly in front of him sat those faces, which they saw onto Quitdditch field.
"Do you really think that you can keep us here? Or that you in any way can force us to tell what we don't want you to tell?" Bakura's voice quiet, yet deadly undercurrent could be heard.
"This room was created by my request. You cannot leave unless I allow it." Harry hissed.
"Fool!" Bakura rose to his feet.
"Bakura! Sit down." Vanumi barked.
Bakura snorted, but sat down.
"Why are you afraid of us so much?" Vanumi asked as soon as she was sure that Bakura won't make any comments.
"We are not!" Ron was indignantly.
"Yes you are. Only reason why you are asking us about Voldemort, is because you are afraid of us working for him. Without any actual proof, I might add." Victoria calmly said.
"No proof! You are dangerous! No one in his right mind touches Malfoy! Those weird nicknames, and that dragon! And soon after that cursed game, all Slytherin Quitdditch team is in the Hospital Wing! You even sometimes don't look like yourselves!" Hermione almost shouted.
"Good observation skills. I didn't think that they would notice your switching." Marik with amazement said.
"We are different from you." Yami said. "We have our secrets as do you. But, please, remember, we are not dangerous to you."
"And how can we know that?" Harry asked.
"You can't. And if you don't want to trust us, well, it was nice to meet you, but leave us alone. If anything, I can say that Dumbledore knows why we are different. And he allowed us to stay. So if you trust in his judgment, then trust us." Yami spoke quietly. This was it. He might drove their new friends away. But it was for their own good.
"And what it is that you can't tell us?" Harry had calmed down, but not quite yet.
"Those who know our secrets are in constant danger. And they are danger to us. So unless you want us to paint onto your backs a big target, leave it." Vanumi answered.
"I already have a big target onto my back! Hello, Voldemort!" Harry waved his hands.
Bakura snorted. "Harry, world doesn't turn around you or Voldemort. There are things more deadlier than Voldemort."
"Yeah, like?" Harry narrowed his eyes.
"You are too young to understand." Bakura closed his eyes.
"Not younger than you." Harry pointed out.
"Give or take few thousand years." Vanumi dead-panned.
The Shadow Mages laughed.
"What?" Harry was puzzled.
"Nothing, Harry." Vanumi smiled. "Now, will you trust us? Or it is the end of our friendship?"
"Well, I don't know..." Harry was uncertain.
"You haven't done anything to gain our trust, only to loose it." Hermione said confidently.
"Maybe." Marik answered. "And yet you haven't done anything to gain our trust, but we gave it to you."
"But we haven't done anything to loose it." Ron pointed out.
"Really?" Bakura asked. "Doesn't spying count as one?"
"You deserved it." Harry answered.
"We are getting nowhere" Vanumi sighed.
"Then tell us something!" Harry exclaimed.
"For crying out, do you have a dead wish, Harry!" Bakura waved his arms.
"Why, what are you hiding!" Harry leaned closer and looked into Bakura's eyes. And suddenly he flinched. "Your eyes..."
"What about my eyes?" Bakura narrowed them.
"They different..." Harry suddenly was very confused.
Bakura sighed, leaned back and closed his eyes. "Someone, do something!"
Vanumi looked at Yami, he nodded.
"Look, guys, we will tell you one only thing. Then leave us alone. Listen. We are not like you, our life, our destiny, our powers – all what we are, isn't something you know. You, wizards, are too immodest. You think you are the ultimate race – everyone else – muggles, elves, vampires, werewolves and so on – are so lower than you. And yet, you don't know anything about magical powers outside your own. You once will get good kick in your backside from someone you wouldn't expect. Watch onto what you are stepping on, it might stand up." Victoria said with finality.
There were a few second of complete silence as Harry, Ron and Hermione tried to comprehend what they just heard about their kind. And then,
"Wait, you aren't humans?" Hermione exclaimed.
Shadow Mages laughed.
"No, of course we are humans, Hermione." Marik said between laughs.
"But you just said..." Hermione spluttered.
"No, Hermione, I said, 'you, wizards' not 'you, humans'" Vanumi smiled.
"Then what..." Ron was thoughtful.
"No, guys, thats all we will say. If you want to guess, be my guest, but thats all. You will find out, eventually, but your not ready yet." Yami stood up. "We will be going. Think about what we said. We will be somewhere around. Just come and say what you will you decide."
And with that all Shadow Mages stood up. They went to the doors leaving behind Harry, Hermione and Ron thinking hardly. Yami waved his arm and doors opened. They went out and doors closed.
After minute Hermione had metaphorical light bulb switch on. "Harry, did you opened door?"
"No, wha... Oh, how they did that!" Harry's eye went wide.
"Master" Seraphim bowed.
"Speak." Voldemort sat in his throne.
"The tablets spoke about seven sacred Items, lost forever. I believe they are Millennium Items. They also spoke about some Shadow Land which could be sealed only by these Items and they belonged to the Pharaoh and his faithful ones. I believe they were Priests, as they were closest persons to the Pharaoh. Especially the High Priest, the one on the tablet together with Pharaoh" Seraphim reported.
"And no mention of their resting place?" Voldemort inquired.
"No, Master, tablet says that they were lost to the time. Also it says that they could be worn only by those destined by Gods themselves"
"They must be very strong. Destined by Gods, that usually means that only strong person could wield it. I really need them. Go and see what you can find about them more." Voldemort dismissed his Death Eater.
"Master, about Alex Sevaro…" Seraphim asked. "We could put him with his father."
"Why?" Voldemort coldly asked.
"If Dan Sevaro would see his son by his side, he could be more wiling to translate. If not, he could see his son's death…" Seraphim trailed away.
"You have a point. Very well, put him with his father." Voldemort smirked.
"Thank you, Master" Seraphim bowed and left room.
"Yugi" Harry approached Yugi, who was sitting near fireplace in Gryffindor's Common room.
"Yes, Harry" Yugi looked up from the homework.
"We thought about what you said." Harry seriously said. "We decided to let you be. That is, if something won't happen, that seriously will put you into doubt."
Yugi warmly smiled. "We never asked more. Friends?" Yugi gave his hand.
"Friends." Harry smiled, and shook hands with Yugi.
The Black manor had never been very bright place. However, with caring hands of one Mrs. Molly Weasley, it had become a quite livable place, if doesn't count the shrilling voice of one particular Mrs. Black's portrait. However, that wasn't the purpose of this place. As always the secret Order of Phoenix had gathered into dining room to their meeting. Not all of them were present, but the main ones were. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, both recognizable by their flaming red hair, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, with his madly spinning magical eye, Severus Snape, charming as always, Remus Lupin, with his warm, yet tired eyes, Minerva McGonagall, strict, yet kind woman, Kingsley Shackebolt, strong and trustworthy person, Nymphadora Tonks, this time with long, dark purple hair, and of course their leader Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, with his half-moon spectacles and beard what had come out of some fairy-tale.
"So, any news?" Dumbledore started meeting and his gaze swept over all.
"You asked to check missing people, who might know hieroglyphs." Moody said with his usual growl. "Well, in the past month Aurors had received report on missing archaeologist Dan Sevaro and his only family member Alex Sevaro, his son. They are wizards. Dan liked muggles better so he is archaeologist not curse breaker. Although I don't see the difference. Same job, different names. They were in Egypt in some work Gringotts' had paid for. I don't specifically know but something about ancient curses."
Molly Wasley's eyes widened in realization. "We have to ask Bill about this man. He probably knows him."
"Yes, you're right, Molly. You cold get in touch with Bill." Dumbledore nodded.
"May I ask why we are looking after missing archaeologists in other side of planet?" Kingsley asked curiously.
"You know about new students Hogwarts have?" Dumbledore waited for nods. "Well as we recently found out their powers are linked to Ancient Egypt. As you know we already speculated that Voldemort may be after these children. Recently I got a warning about possible attack on some specialist who could decipher hieroglyphs. And it seems that he was absolutely right about this one."
"Who warned you?" Snape asked.
"I promised not to reveal him to anyone and I will not. I know that I can trust him and that's enough."
"And what about those youngsters?" Moody asked.
McGonagall, Snape and Lupin looked to Dumbledore with question in their eyes.
"For know I will not reveal to anyone outside those who already know anything more about them. They trusted me and for now I trust them. I can only say, they could be powerful allies, if they will trust us."
"Allies? Albus, they are children for God's sake!" Molly exclaimed.
"Yes, but they have seen more in their lives than many old man. They didn't quite elaborate on this part, but it could be seen in their eyes." Dumbledore answered. "And like we that or not, they will fight. Main question: on witch side. I don't think they will turn to dark side easily…."
"They think that Dark Arts are pathetic…" Lupin murmured and Snape scowled.
"Yes, there is that." Dumbledore nodded, and everybody around the table who wasn't at this particular discussion sat with surprise on their faces. "But they could, if there would be some… let's say, circumstances. And that would not bode well for us."
"You mean they could be blackmailed?" Moody elaborated.
"Yes, they are very concerted about their families back home. And I can't blame them. We, of course, have Aurors guarding their families, but as Ms. Logan pointed out 'sometimes even everything is not enough.'."
"Smart witch" Moody pointed out.
"Yes that she is." McGonagall with proud acknowledged his appraisal. Victoria Logan was her student after all.
"But what we do?" Lupin asked.
"First of all, we should understand what Voldemort is planning and what he has that is needed for translation. I believe it could be something dangerous. Molly, you should check with Bill, is there missing something important, maybe something concerning ancient magic." Mrs. Weasley nodded. "Secondly but not least important – we need to find and rescue Sevaros. Then there is small but very sore fact. Christmas is coming, and I am almost positive that transfers will go back home for holidays. There they will be most vulnerable. We should send some man to guard them, but I'm not entirely sure that we have enough resources." Dumbledore planned.
"They could stay in Burrow for holidays together with rest of the children." Mrs. Weasley suggested.
"We can offer them that, but they are quite devoted to their families and they haven't seen them more than a half year. I think they will decline your offer, Molly." McGonagall spoke.
"More than half a year? It's barely four months into term!" Mr. Weasley was surprised.
"They had some kind of vacation here, in England for about two months before we sent them letters." Dumbledore explained.
"Vacation? Here? Alone?" Mrs. Weasley almost fell over. "What are their parents thinking?!"
"Molly, calm down." Moody ordered. "They are sixth years! They are old enough and apparently wise enough to live on their own! Or you think that next year they will be smarter than this year only because they will come of age?"
"Of course not! But, but…" Mrs. Weasley still was shocked.
"No buts, Molly. This is life. If they understand it already, it will give them more time to live it, not lick their scars only because they know nothing about it. Loving and protecting sometimes means to let go."
"I understand that…" Mrs. Weasley whispered. "But it doesn't mean I like it."
"You may not like it, but Alastor is right." Dumbledore stated. "Now about finding Sevaros…."
And meeting continued until midnight. At twelve o'clock everything was arranged, and members of Order of Phoenix started to leave. They would rest and than there were much work to do.
"Well, guys, that was one bloody brilliant move!" Ron carried his broom over his shoulder to the Gryffindor tower, wearing his red with gold Quittditch uniform. The game against Huplepuffs was fast and in favor of Gryffindors.
"You wasn't bad yourself, Ron" Marik pointed out.
"Well, this game kind of beats previous. Now at least I fully remember ending." Vanumi grinned.
/Well, I think Slytherins are only ones who cheat/ mental grin was sent to Vanumi.
//And for that they still are in Hospital Wing// Vanumi mentally winked to her partner.
/Shouldn't they be up already?/
//They probably woke up during the game. I highly doubt that Madame Promfey will let them out so soon// Vanumi answered.
"So, Ryou, what do you think about game?" Harry asked one of his Beaters – the maddest in probably all Hogwarts history, not that he know to whom he was speaking.
"It's fun. Better beating Slytherins, of course, but it is still fun." Bakura grinned.
"Beating Slytherins?" Harry arched his eyebrow.
"Yeah, you know," Bakura weaved nonchalantly. "I hate cheaters. I would be happy beat some of them from their brooms. Preferably while very high in the sky." Bakura answered and started humming "Six Snakes in the sky, beat one down, five Snakes in the sky left. Five Snakes in the sky, beat one down four Snakes in the sky left."
Marik stopped, listened for a while, snorted and added his voice. "Four Snakes in the sky, beat one down…"
Yami and Vanumi looked at each other, laughed and joined the duo "Three Snakes in the sky, beat one down, two Snakes in the sky left. Two Snakes in the sky, beat one down, one Snake in the sky left. One Snake in the sky, beat one down… Snakes are DOWN!"
As they finished now quite loud song they all burst in laughter, leaving very confused Harry and Ron looking at them very weirdly.
"Okaay… What was that?" Harry asked as rest of his team calmed down.
"Oh, Harry, Bakura just though about brilliant song. In English it sounds: Six Snakes in the sky, beat one down, five Snakes in the sky left. And so on, you know, like those bottles on the wall." Yugi managed to explain with some giggle.
Ron grinned. "That is bloody perfect! Need to tell that to everybody!"
"I didn't know that you are a poet, Ryou" Harry smirked.
"Call me that again, Harry, and I can assure you that you will get to know Mister Shiny Pointy very well." Bakura grumbled.
"Mister Shiny Pointy?" Harry was puzzled. "What…"
"Knife, Harry, knife" Marik interrupted Harry with sympathy. Harry was so lost on the matters of good weapon.
"Oh" was Harry's oh so smart response
"Master…" young Death Eater knelt before his Master.
"Yes?" Voldemort allowed man to speak.
"Firel wanted to show you something important." Death Eater still knelt and didn't look up.
"Then why are you here, not him?" Voldemort asked slightly amused. How very natural of Firel to send some of the new ones with his messages.
"I don't exactly understand but it is something with that muggle thing he is experimenting. He didn't trust anybody with it."
"Ah, well, I see. Better be something good. Well, lead the way." Voldemort stood up from his throne and motioned towards door.
Death Eater rose and walked out of the room and Voldemort followed. Five minutes and one Apparation later, Lord Voldemort entered small apartment in muggle part of the local city.
"Firel, for your own good, I hope this visit will be worth it." Voldemort suddenly spoke behind small, unnoticeable man.
All Death Eaters despised Samuel Firel because of his fascination of muggle things. And yet he had been useful.
"Yes! Master, I assure you, you will be interested." Firel touched something on that muggle thing, and suddenly there were picture of some young man in front of them. Brown hair, piercing blue eyes and sharp look.
Voldemort stared at the screen. "This is amaizing! This is really him! Firel, you amaze me! What else you can tell me about High Priest?" Voldemort was eager. Well in his own way.
Firel moved picture and started to read. "Seto Kaiba, CEO of Kaiba Corporation, multimillionaire, currently 17 years old. Orphan, only living relative – brother Mokuba Kaiba, Vice president of Kaiba Corporation, currently 12 years old. Both currently living in Domino city, Japan."
"Does he have Millennium Item?" Voldemort asked while looking at the picture.
"I can't find anything. But if he has it I highly doubt he would tell anyone." Firel responded.
"Well, it doesn't matter much. Even if Priest reborn can't have his Item, I believe he has much more things to share." Voldemort smirked. "Let's pay him a visit."
END OF CHAPTER 14