Ryou's night was an unpleasant one. He had to make a mental note to explain to his Yami that their stomach was not made of iron and there are some things that it just can't handle. But Ryou had to wait for a time that he didn't feel like killing his Yami. Yami Bakura must have picked up on these negative feelings, for halfway through the night he offered to take over the body so Ryou could at least get some mental rest. He made it clear though that he was only offering to do this so he wouldn't have to hear Ryou complain later, not out of guilt. Ryou accepted. He didn't have to worry about making Yami Bakura promise not to eat anything. His body sent that message for him. Yami Bakura was better at taking pain than Ryou was, so he had an easier time.

Yami Bakura returned to the confines of his soul room when he heard the other boys in the room waking up. Ryou regained control of his body and found it in much better condition than he'd left it. Whatever problem the rare steak had caused was gone, but he'd eat a light breakfast, just in case.

The fifth year Gryffindor boys' dorm slowly stirred to life as the students fought the sleep that threatened to claim them again. It didn't help that most of them were not looking forward to the day's classes. Eventually, everyone dressed and made their way to breakfast.

Once again, Malik planted himself at the Gryffindor table next to Ryou and Yugi and opposite Harry and company. Yugi scribbled on a piece of parchment as he ate. When asked, he said he was writing a letter home. "I'll have Nightshade deliver it for me. I want to hear how everybody's school year started out. Wish I could tell them where I really was, though. They only know that I transferred to a boarding school, 'because it was a great opportunity.'"

"I told them that I would be traveling with Father," Ryou commented. "I said I was going to have a private tutor."

"That's a good one." Malik said, impressed. Ryou looked a little embarrassed.

"Well, it wasn't really MY excuse," Ryou admitted, poking at his cereal a bit. Yugi and Malik understood what Ryou was getting at. Ryou wasn't a good liar. His Yami, however, was an old pro.

"It's hard not to be able to tell your muggle friends where you are," Hermione sympathized. "But it's a strict rule. I'm sure Professor Dumbledore already explained that to you." Yugi, Malik, and Ryou nodded.

"I'll have to send a letter with yours," said Ryou. "I can't very well just sign yours since we're not supposed to be at the same place. You think your grandfather would deliver it for me?"

"I'm sure Grampa would do it," Yugi assured. "Here." He offered Ryou a blank piece of parchment and a spare quill. He offered it to Malik, too, but Malik shook his head.

"Why would I write to your friends? Never have before."

"Well..." Yugi began, scratching his head absentmindedly. "You could write to Isis and Rishid."

"Already have. They made me promise to send them word after I got settled in. Professor Snape told me how to use the school owls."

"SNAPE did?" Harry said in shock.

"Yeah," Malik replied dully. "He seems to like me."

"Of, course he does, you're a Slytherin," Ron said. "That guy shows more favoritism than anyone else I've ever seen. Course his opinion of you might change if he sees you hanging around with Gryffindors. He hates us."

"Oh, well..." Malik said with his usual lack of enthusiasm.

Ryou cocked an eyebrow in thought as he examined the materials Yugi was still offering him. "It'll seem strange enough if just you send them a letter written on PARCHMENT," Ryou said with emphasis. "What if we BOTH do?"

"We don't have any regular paper..." Yugi said helplessly. He looked toward Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who could only shrug. They only had parchment, too. Ryou sighed.

"Oh, well... We can think up an excuse later if it comes up." Ryou took the parchment and quill and happened to glance at Yugi's letter. "Your grandfather reads English, Yugi?"

"Not more than a dozen words or so. Why?"

"Well, you're writing in English." Yugi glanced down at his paper in disbelief.

"Huh... I am..." Yugi mumbled in confusion. He concentrated and tried to write in Japanese, only to find that he couldn't. Not even his name. "What's going on here?"

Hermione thought hard. "Yugi, were you always able to speak both Japanese and English?"

"Bakura could, but not me. They did a... language charm, I believe, is what they called it."

Hermione snapped her fingers. "That's it! The language charm replaces the last language you spoke with the one you want to speak. It can't just make you learn a new language. I read about it in 'Modern Magical Marvels.'"

"Found that out the hard way last night," Malik said with a bit of a laugh. "I tired to curse Malfoy out in Arabic, and I was a bit surprised when he understood every word I said."

"So I can't understand any Japanese now?" Yugi asked turning again to Hermione.

"Just a few things, like, say, Japanese food. Sushi is still sushi, no matter the language. The spell isn't going to make you say 'raw fish' or something like that," Hermione explained. "Proper places and names work the same way, or so the book said. The spell is new, so it may still have some kinks in it."

It was starting to make sense to Yugi now. That explained why he still could call his other self "Yami" instead of "Dark" or something. It was more like a name. But that still left him with a problem. "So how do I write the letter?"

"Maybe I could write it for you," Ryou offered helpfully. But then his expression fell. "But they might recognize it as my handwriting, if not right away, then when they see my letter." Yugi frowned. Now how was he going to manage this?

"I'll do it," Malik said, snatching Yugi's letter. Yugi gave him a questioning glance. "I can't use Arabic now, but I can still use Japanese. Plus, they'd never recognize my handwriting. I'll get it back to you by tomorrow. That'll give Bakura some time to work on his letter, too."

Yugi was still somewhat unsure, but he smiled broadly anyway. "Thanks, Malik! That's nice of you."

"Don't get mushy or I'll change my mind," Malik threatened.

When breakfast was almost over, the Weasly twin made their appearance, complete with their green and blue hair. "What kept you?" Ron asked suspiciously. "You weren't sneaking those color bombs of yours into the water jugs or something, were you?"

"Nope! But that's a great idea," Fred grinned. "Actually, McGonagall wanted to talk to us. Since Madame Hooch has so many first years to keep her busy, McGonagall wanted us to give these newbies their first flying lessons this afternoon."

Ryou sputtered on his orange juice. "Fly-flying lesson?" he repeated.

"Yep." George said, pouring himself a glass of orange juice. "You can use our old brooms to practice. We had a little extra cash...from the joke business," he quickly added because no one was supposed to know that Harry had given them his winning from the Triwizard tournament last year, "so when we found out we were appointed Quidditch captains we bought new brooms. Nimbuses, both of them. But the old brooms are still good. Perfect for beginners. Well, gotta go! Herbology next. Harry, you guys just take 'em out to the Quidditch field after classes, Ok?" The twins didn't wait for a response. They simply headed out.

Yugi was thrilled. Even Malik couldn't hide the hint of excitement in his eyes. The prospect of flying was indeed something to look forward to. Ryou alone seemed concerned. "What is it?" Malik asked.

"Hm?" Ryou mumbled softly.

"You look worried," Malik said. "It can't be that dangerous or else they wouldn't teach it to people just starting out."

"It's not so much that," Ryou replied, his eyes downcast.

"Then what?"

"I have a bad feeling..."

"That steak still haunting you?" Ron said. "Maybe you should go see the nurse."

Malik snickered. "I told him not to eat that thing," he said gesturing at Ryou.

Ryou shook his head. "It's not that kind of bad feeling. It's kind of a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach." He suddenly noticed that everybody was staring at him. "It's nothing," he said quickly. "Guess I'm just stressing too much. It happens." The gazes left him, but the awkwardness hung in the air. Ryou didn't like making everyone else feel uncomfortable, so he put aside his worries and cheerfully addressed them. "Shouldn't we be getting to class?" he said, plastering on his most comforting smile.

"Yeah..." Harry agreed. "Divination's all the way upstairs. We'd better get going."

"I guess I'll see you guys later," Hermione said, waving.

"Me, too," said Malik. "Gotta go to Defense Against the Dark Arts."

With that, Harry, Ron, Ryou, and Yugi set off towards the North Tower

....................................

Harry and Ron were the first to climb up the silver ladder that led to the circular trapdoor that was the entrance to the Professor Trelawney's class. They beckoned for Yugi and Ryou to follow as they headed up.

"We'll be right there," Yugi said. Harry and Ron shrugged and continued on. Ryou gave Yugi a curious look.

"What is it?"

"Um... hypothetically, of course... Do you think it would be cheating to use a millennium item for classes?"

"You didn't..." Ryou muttered. Yugi blushed sheepishly and reached in his pocket. He pulled his hand out and revealed the millennium tauk.

"Dumbledore didn't say it would be," Yugi said innocently.

"He also doesn't know we have more than one item," Ryou said. His narrowed eyes made Yugi feel instantly guilty.

"Awww... But I don't have a sixth sense. I have to have something to work with. This IS a fortune-telling class. They never specified HOW you go about doing it." Ryou's expression told Yugi that there was no winning this. He had to try a different approach. "You trying to tell me that you don't have the millennium eye on hand?"

It was Ryou's turn to look guilty. Blush flooded his cheeks. "I only have it because HE won't let me just leave it in the dorm," he replied defensively. "I had no intention of using it. Not that I could, anyway..."

"Well, I don't really know how to use the millennium tauk, either," Yugi said. "I just thought, you know, incase..."

Ryou rolled his eyes and began up the ladder. "Put it away and come on," he called. Yugi reluctantly stuffed the precious item back into his pocket and followed.

As usual, the Divination classroom was sweltering and thick with incense. Yugi swooned as soon as he entered. The atmosphere of the room went straight to his head. The chintz chairs and poufs that usually cluttered the floor were gone, replaced with many small, circular tables with two simple chairs apiece. Yugi and Ryou took a seat at one of the tables and Harry and Ron at another.

Professor Trelawney made her usual showy entrance. He large glasses and colorful robes reminded Yugi of a butterfly, though not nearly as pleasant or graceful. Nor quiet for that matter. Professor Trelawney wore a lot of beads and bangles that clattered together with every move she made. "Good morning," she addressed the class. "I see all of you have made it with the exception of one. But he will be joining us shortly." The students looked around to see who was missing. Neville, of course. He emerged from the trapdoor entrance a minute latter, huffing and puffing as if he had run the whole way to the classroom, which he probably had.

"Sorry I'm late," he apologized.

"I expected it, dear," Trelawney said. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, admirers of the Divination professor, looked on with wide eyes as if they'd never seen anything more amazing. Yugi and Ryou weren't quite sure what to make of it yet.

Harry leaned over to them. "Predicting that Neville's going to be late is like predicting the sun is going to rise," he said. "It's not a guarantee, but it's a strong possibility." Yugi and Ryou nodded. They got the idea that this teacher was all smoke and mirrors.

"My dears, it is time for us to unlock the mysteries of the Tarot," Professor Trelawney said, dripping with all the mysticism she could muster. "For centuries, cards have been used to foresee the future. They've been used in England since the Renaissance. The gypsies brought them all over Europe. The origins of the Tarot can be traced back to both the orient and Ancient Egypt." Yugi and Ryou each cocked an eyebrow in interest. The statement had also caught the attention of their Yamis, both of whom were listening from their soul rooms. Did this woman have actual knowledge about the shadow games of the past? There was only one way to find out.

"Do you know how foretelling fate with cards began?" Yugi asked innocently. Trelawney looked down at him in surprise and seemed at a loss as to what to say. "I... Of course, I do, dear. But that is not the subject of today's lesson. Please don't interrupt. This is your first Divination class, so it is important that you listen and pay attention to the task at hand."

"That means she doesn't have the slightest clue," Ron whispered as soon as Trelawney turned her back to him. Yugi and Ryou couldn't help but giggle a bit even though Trelawney proved to have no useful information. It was just funny how the professor worked so hard to make it seem like she knew all.

Professor Trelawney completed her opening speech with all except her most devoted not really listening. She then instructed them all to take out their textbooks and study up on the meaning of the cards.

"Aren't we gonna lay out the cards or something?" Ron asked.

"Nonsense!" Trelawney said with a shake of her finger. "You must first memorize the meanings. Then you must learn to interpret them and combine them.

"But I already know how to do that..." Ryou muttered sadly. He'd been looking forward to learning something new. Yugi looked at him sympathetically.

"You can help me," he offered. "I don't know any of this stuff. Besides, you'll be ahead of the class. That's a good thing, right?"

Ryou sighed. "I suppose so. It IS the only useful thing my Yami's taught me..."

<I heard that...> Came the voice at the back of Ryou's mind. <I tried to teach you fine dining, but nooooo...> Ryou smiled.

And thus, the class began working. Studying and memorizing was hardly a thrill, and the heavily perfumed air didn't make it any easier. But they were managing.

"Hey Harry, I think I've found your suit," Ron said.

"What is it?" Harry asked cautiously.

"The swords! Look, they have almost nothing but bad meanings. Failure, deception, Anxiety... This card even has a guy with TEN swords stuck in his back. TEN! I bet you'll get a bunch of these when we actually start dealing."

"Probably," Harry said half-heartedly. Figures. Trelawney couldn't use the one Death card against him, but she could use the fourteen swords.

Trelawney walked about the room observing the students. She stopped when she got to Ryou and Yugi's table. "And why aren't you studying the cards?" she said to Ryou.

"Um, I know them already, Professor," he answered softly. The way she stared down at him with those bug eyes reminded him of a praying mantis.

"And their combinations? Reversed interpretations? Do you know that?"

"Yes..."

"And I suppose you know the spreads as well," she said. Ryou still wasn't sure if she was scolding him or complimenting him.

"I know some."

Trelawney suddenly smiled. "Ah! Finally, a new student with the making of a true seer," she beamed. "It is so rare to find a beginner who possess the proper knowledge." Parvati and Lavender gazed around their teacher with interest. Their stares made Ryou even more uncomfortable than Trelawney's.

"Would you give us a demonstration of your skills?" Professor Trelawney asked.

"Yes, please do!" Parvati and Lavender echoed. Ryou blushed. He didn't really want an audience. Unfortunately, every student in the classroom was circling around him, eager for something to get them away from their own studies.

"You really know how to do this, Bakura?" Ron asked. Ryou gulped and nodded, a little less sure of himself than he had been before.

"Hush!" Trelawney glared at Ron. "You mustn't distract him. He must be able to focus." Ryou's face reddened further as he reluctantly reached in his bag and pulled out his Tarot deck. It was wrapped in black silk (of his own doing) and he gently undid it.

"Just a general reading, then?" he asked, his voice shaky and barely above a whisper. Trelawney nodded. Ryou was so nervous he was having difficulty swallowing. His mouth felt dry and that feeling in the pit of his stomach was returning. He began shuffling. His hands were shaking but he was determined not to drop the cards. All those piercing stares were getting to him, though. He hated being on the spot.

Everyone watched as Ryou placed the deck on the table and cut it three times with his left hand. He then placed seven cards facedown in a circular pattern on the table. "This is... an unusual spread," Professor Trelawney observed. Ryou couldn't think of a way to reply so he said nothing. In the center of his formation he placed two cards face down, one crossing the other.

Sweat began to bead on Ryou's brow. There was no way he was going to be able to focus. He was going to be made a fool of in front of the whole class. And this feeling he had...he felt like he didn't want to see what those cards were going to reveal. But he couldn't back down now. He only saw one way out of this.

<Yami, help!>

<You sure?> Yami Bakura asked in a bit of a mocking tone of voice. <Wouldn't that be cheating?>

<You can give me the guilt trip later. Now, please?! I-I can't do it. I'm getting an ominous feeling from the cards... I can't concentrate like this!>

<Very well...>

Ryou closed his eyes and took a deep breath. To the untrained eye, he simply appeared to be calming himself before he started. But Yugi saw the truth. 'Why's he letting Yami Bakura read the cards?' he wondered. Yami couldn't help but wonder the same thing.

<Let me take control. I want to see how this turns out.>

<Well... alright...>

Harry saw the transformation from Yugi to Yami out of the corner of his eye. His mind was still trying to tell him that he was just seeing thing. He looked around to see if anyone else had noticed. No one had...except Bakura. When he saw Bakura's now stern gaze hesitating on Yugi he knew. It wasn't just him.

Yami Bakura didn't concern himself with Yami's appearance too long. Ryou had been right... these cards did generate a feeling of dread. Even he was hesitant to reveal them. But he bit his lip and began the reading.

"The seven exterior cards represent the general future; they show us what to expect." He turned over the top card and bit his lip harder. "The Tower. This card represents a sudden catastrophic change, usually in a negative sense. Something's going to happen that will have a drastic affect on the future." He flipped the next card.

"Here, the six of cups represents someone or something from the past. This card usually means a happy reunion, but it's upside down..." Yami Bakura let it hang at that and continued.

"The Devil card stands for the evil in the world. Greed, Materialism, a desire for destruction. This...this is likely brought on by the thing from the past as represented by the six of cups."

Several students were wide eyed. Whispers were heard of "You-Know-Who." Yami closely examined the look on Yami Bakura's face. He couldn't quite place the expression. Harry and Ron were getting nervous, while Professor Trelawney looked like she had just won the lottery. "Continue, my dear..."

Yami Bakura ignored the "my dear" comment and flipped the next card. "The two of cups represents a partnership, usually a positive one, but again, it's upside down. The seven of swords represents deception. Someone avoiding a direct confrontation and instead relying on deceit and the manipulation of others. This is likely caused by the said partnership which involves the thing from the past..." Yami Bakura really didn't like the whole feel of this. He didn't want to continue, but what choice did he have at this point? If he quit now, Ryou would never let him hear the end of it.

"The Lovers card stands for a serious emotional decision in this case, rather than a romantic relationship as implied by its name. A big choice will have to be made. Probably one with few options. The sense created by the other cards also gives me the impression that the options that are available are not happy ones..."

"The last card of the circle... The Hanged Man. This has a double meaning here. The Hanged Man often means waiting. Probably related to the said decision. But often in these cases, waiting is the worst thing that can be done." He took a deep breath. "This card also stands for a sacrifice. No matter the outcome, there will be a great price. The aforementioned decision shall be waited on due to hesitation over the costs."

Yami Bakura stared at the two center cards. He'd come this far, he had to finish it. But this was certainly taking a lot out of him. He was frighteningly pale and this did not go unnoticed by Yami. Yami didn't read the cards himself, so he didn't really understand why both the Bakuras were reacting this way.

Yami Bakura reached over and rested a trembling hand over the crossed cards. "The-these represent the root of future. That which is most directly responsible for what the other cards show." Everyone leaned in for a better look. Yami Bakura breathed deeply and tasted blood. He'd bitten his lip too hard. He exhaled and quickly flipped the cards... and the bell rang, signaling the end of class.

Yami Bakura scooped up the cards before anyone but him had gotten a good look at what was revealed. He tossed the cards into his bag without bothering to wrap them in the silk. He stood to leave. Professor Trelawney protested.

"What did you see?! You must tell us what was revealed! You cannot stop in the middle of a reading!"

"Can't stay, I gotta go!" Yami Bakura answered, throwing his bag on his back and making a break for the exit. He threw open the trapdoor and slid down the ladder. Yami darted after him while most of the rest of the class was still in shock.

"What was that about?" Ron wondered aloud as he and the other students slowly packed up, most of them still somewhat disturbed by the haunting atmosphere created by the reading. Professor Trelawney looked as if someone had canceled Christmas.

Yami caught up to Yami Bakura in a deserted hallway. "What was that about?!" he asked at a loss for patience. "Why'd you just up and leave?"

"Nothing for you to worry your spiky head about, Pharaoh..." Yami Bakura muttered. Yami grabbed Yami Bakura by the shoulder and roughly turned him around, forcing the grave robber to face him. Yami Bakura was still very pale. A small trickle of blood ran down his chin from where his lip was cut. Yami's anger softened but he remained forceful.

"I saw your face, I know it isn't 'nothing,'" Yami said firmly. "If there's danger, I want to know about it."

"Do you, Pharaoh?" Yami Bakura said. There was no insult in his voice. No mocking or threat. Just seriousness. "Do you really want to know?" Yami nodded and released Yami Bakura's shoulder. "The last two cards were the King of Wands crossed by The Moon."

"And?" Yami asked impatiently.

"The Moon affects the person represented by the King of Wands. It stands for confusion and a loss of control. And that affected person is most directly responsible for all the other disasters represented by the cards. Get it yet?" Yami remained silent. "Perhaps it would help you to know that the suit "Wands" has another name."

"What name?"

Yami Bakura's harsh gaze met Yami's. "Rods."

"Malik..."

................................

Before you ask, yes, I know how to read the cards and these interpretations were done in my own style, but they would still be accurate. And you got an extra six hundred words this chapter (don't count on that always, I'm only gonna do that for big chapters), so be happy and R&R!