History of Magic http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1437069 possible spoiler.

AN: I'm trrryiiiinggg.... This is a possible chapter beginning a came up with today. **sigh** Drawing is a lot less complicated.

------

- Ministry of Magic, Auror Headquarters -

"Sir! Sir!"

Mundungus looked up as his 2IC sprinted towards him and casually closed the hospital folder he'd managed to swindle the night before.

"What's up?"

Jackson looked uncharacteristically grim as he held out a folder, his next words instantly grabbing Mundy's full attention.

"They've found a scapegoat for the Diagon Alley attack."

Already? Mundy thought, taking the folder and opening it with trepidation. I was hoping they'd give me more time before they pinned the blame on some poor, unsuspecting sod-

He froze.

"Some no-account foreigner," Jackson was saying, sounding like he'd been punched in the gut. "No ties to the country. No permanent residence. No one to make a fuss if..."

If he disappeared.

If he was sent to Azkaban.

If he had his soul sucked by over-zealous dementors.

The photo looked like it was from a travel visa, and the face it contained was forebodingly familiar.

Brown eye, black patch and white hair, Janus looked tamer than he'd ever been in back alleys. The pristine documents labelled him as, "Bakura, Ryou"... The master thief's carefully guarded true name revealed, and ironically, in association with a crime he didn't commit.

Janus had no criminal record. The thief was far too good to get caught. As far as the bigwigs were concerned, they might as well be condemning an innocent.

Mundy's jaw clenched. But unluckily for them, this particular "innocent" wouldn't simply roll over. No, Janus would undoubtedly fight back.

...They have no idea what they're asking for, Mundy thought darkly... then blinked as realization slowly dawned. That's right... Releasing the breath he'd been holding, he suddenly felt the beginnings of a devilish smirk tug at his lips.

They didn't know what they were asking for.

The Ministry? Take on the most infamous thief in the Underground? They'd be lucky if they still had a pair of pants to wear tomorrow.

"Well," he chortled, clapping a startled subordinate on the shoulder, "We'd better work faster then, hadn't we?"

---

- Hogwarts -

Mrargh... Yugi thought, and waited for the pounding in his head to subside.

Thud- Thud- Thud-

No, wait, the professor groaned, blearily opening his eyes. That pounding was outside his head.

Disoriented, he attempted to sit up and winced, hand flying to his temples.

My shields are down. Yugi realized belatedly, vaguely surprised as he half-rolled/half-fell off the bed. Somehow, he couldn't seem to muster the energy to resurrect them...

Remus Lupin frowned as he stood in the hall, one hand poised to knock again. The wolf's hearing had only heard silence until a few moments ago. Now, faintly, he could hear uneven steps approaching.

When the portrait finally opened, Lupin almost took a step back in surprise. He smelled-

"Blood. You're bleeding?"

The foreign professor raised dazed eyes to meet his.

"Nani?"

Increasingly alarmed, Lupin grabbed the man's arm when he swayed unsteadily.

"I think you should sit down," he said firmly, pushing the young professor back into his chambers and plopping him down on the nearest available chair.

"M'okay," the foreigner protested. "M'fine."

For some reason, Lupin didn't believe him.

"Hospital Wing," the werewolf said, and headed for the fireplace.

"No, wait! I'm fine, really," Yugi protested, scrubbing his eyes. "Just need coffee-"  and blinked when the table was instantly filled with a tray and desired coffee. "-That was fast."

Lupin narrowed his eyes and frowned at the HoM professor. That was fast, even for the house-elves. And it wasn't even a direct order...

But then he hadn't counted on a certain awe-struck, earring-adorned house-elf.

And Yugi had already downed half a cup of coffee, black, and was actually managing to look more aware.

"Sorry," Yugi said, and cleared his throat, "I'm kinda dead-to-the-world until I've had my first cup of coffee."

Lupin eyed the other man skeptically. Tri-colored hair was tousled from sleep and from the looks of it, he'd fallen into bed without changing. The man's posture denoted aching weariness. Violet eyes were muted and slightly glazed with pain. Bandages were wrapped around his palms.

"Your hands," Lupin stated, caution warring with concern.

Yugi looked at his hands and blinked as if he'd just noticed the same thing, and in fact it was the first time he'd noticed, but the DADA professor didn't need to know that. "...It's nothing serious. Got a bit singed, that's all."

"...I see..."

Yugi suppressed a wince. He didn't need this man's suspicion on top of everything else.

"Did you want to see me for something?" he asked, redirecting the conversation into safer ground.

"There's a staff meeting in an hour to discuss the chimera incident, as well as general Hogwarts security. Ministry's coming. Normally we'd just send a notice but your absence prompted some concern."

Yugi ducked his head. "I'm healing. No need for concern."

/Yami?/ Yugi queried.

//I'm here, aibou,// the a tired voice answered. //And I'm sorry, my own-//

/No, don't apologize. I don't want to think about it right now./ I don't think I could handle it.

Memories licked at his mind like tongues of fire, but he hastily beat them aside. Later, he would remember. Later, he could curl in his bed and wish the pain away, but right now, he couldn't afford to show many more weakness than he already had.

The Shadows reached. His deck was restless, concerned for their master-

I'm fine. Please don't worry...

Yugi sighed, hand unconsciously falling to the card holster at his hip.

/Any advice for deterring suspicious professors?/ he asked his other wanly, fidgeting under Lupin's gaze.

Yami managed a soft laugh, sharing what gathered strength they had.

//Just do what you do best, aibou.//

/Thanks,/ Yugi grunted  irritably.

Yami just smirked. //Always, my own.//

...That sentiment echoed and redoubled by his entire deck.

~We are here. We will not forsake you. We are with you...~

Always.

Taking a deep breath, Yugi looked up and smiled. "Would you like some coffee, professor?"

--------

AN: Okay, found the computer lab, sat down and told myself I'd get some writing done. Four hours later and I didn't have all that much to show for it. XP

Agonized over the sequence of events. Pondered the fate of the unlucky chimera and the repercussions of a possible escape. Threw Lupin in. Took Umbridge out. Threw random Ministry officials in. Took a monster/master bonding scene out. Questioned Yugi's mental state. Listened to my Bakura-muse rant-

Bakura: **glowers** Just try to suck my soul, why don't they- **grumblegrumble** Show them how it's done- **mumblemumble**

Y'know that metaphor with the pebble and the pond? That's what it feels like. So many possible consequences to the actions they take and I keep trying to arrange it so I don't get bitten in the ass later on. :dead:

I'm trying despirately to keep this from becoming too dark, but is it too sappy, do you think?