"How do I get myself into these messes," Ryou sadly asked aloud to no one in particular as they headed back to the castle, the other Gryffindors some distance ahead of them.

"You have some strange talent for it," Malik answered. "You're like a magnet for chaos. I almost envy you." Ryou knew Malik was joking, but he cast a dirty look his way anyway.

"There is a infinite number of things that could go wrong if I get involved in this sport," Ryou said with a sigh. "There is a high risk of injury, I could fall behind in classes, I might never get rid of those girls who insist on following me around... And that's if nothing completely unexpected happens!"

"Relax, Bakura," Yugi said. "They really want you on the team."

"That's why I didn't say no yet," Ryou said softly. "I should have. Competition is not my friend."

Malik snickered. "That's for sure."

"But Bakura," Yugi said, "You should be glad that you found something you're good at without even trying. At least give it a try!"

"Harry and the twins are going to talk it over with me after diner tonight," Ryou said. "I'll let them try to convince me before I turn them down."

"Don't be like that," Yugi said. "You might like it."

"But I won't have time to practice! I'll need to study. I came here to learn magic, not play games."

"I understand," Yugi said with a nod. "I keep trying to tell a certain someone that, but he is somewhat set in his ways." Yami "humphed" from his soul room and Yugi smiled smugly. "But how many chances like this are you going get? They want to buy you a new broom and everything! I'm sure the teachers will help you get through it all."

Ryou narrowed his eyes both in thought and worry. "It would make me a well- rounded student if I participated in a sport," he said. "But..." He paused.

<Are you waiting for my approval?> Yami Bakura questioned.

<No,> Ryou said, still angry about earlier.

<I don't think you should participate,> Yami Bakura continued, ignoring Ryou opinion. <Malfoy plays this sport too, and you will undoubtedly end up facing him. In the air, Yugi and Malik won't be able to help you, and you don't seem to like the help I offer.>

<But Harry plays...> Ryou answered. <And he's experienced in dealing with Malfoy.> Ryou didn't understand why he was arguing on behalf of playing. Maybe it was just because his yami didn't want him to. The previous incident did make Ryou less than willing to agree with the spirit about anything.

<The choice is yours,> Yami Bakura said. <But I warn you, I won't prevent you from playing, but I will also not allow anyone to endanger our body. And I will not hold back my shadow magic for these wand-wielding wizards. I'm quickly growing tired of playing fair, especially since Malfoy seems to have abandoned that. Do as you wish. I don't care one way or the other. But be aware of the risks.>

"Bakura?" Ryou suddenly became aware of a dark-skinned hand waving in front of his eyes. He blinked.

"What?"

"You need to stop doing that. People are going to start getting suspicious," Malik said.

"You need to be more careful about when you talk to the other you. It makes you space out. They're going to start asking questions soon if you're not careful," said Yugi in a concerned tone. "They may already be catching on. You heard Malfoy."

"Oh he was just insulting," Malik said, waving away Yugi's concern. "He didn't know that Bakura was really talking with a voice in his head."

"That may be," Yugi said seriously, "but it's not just Malfoy. I think Harry's on to us. I see him staring at Bakura and me a lot, especially when we've been switching personalities." Ryou suddenly bit his lip and looked down, a motion that did not go unnoticed.

"What is it?" Malik asked.

"Did you tell him anything, Bakura? Or did he tell you something?" Yugi questioned.

"No...but..." Ryou didn't know what to say. He had hoped this wouldn't be brought up again. "Yesterday, when I went to deliver that flask from Professor Snape to Professor White..."

"Yeah, I remember. What about it?" Yugi asked cautiously. This couldn't be good news.

"Well, I didn't say anything because I thought nothing would come of it," Ryou began, voice trembling. "But when I entered the classroom yesterday there was this...thing. Some magical creature. I think they called it a boggart. It...it changes into whatever scares the person it sees. It saw me and... It's my fault, I should have made sure they heard me knock."

"Bakura, are you saying what I think you're saying?" Malik asked. Ryou nodded.

"The creature took on the form of my yami at his worst... And both the teacher and Harry saw it. Harry started asking questions and it put Yami into a mood because he was what scared me most." Yugi suddenly realized why Yami Bakura had reacted the way he did when his yami had brought up his past. Ryou continued. "But I thought I had it all sorted out. I talked it out with the other me. And I told Harry that what the boggart turned into was personal, and he seemed to respect that. He promised not to tell anyone. And he didn't seem to suspect anything weird. He thought it was my brother or something."

"Bakura, you've only known that guy for a few days!" Malik scolded, stepping in front of Ryou and keeping him from moving on. Yugi paused as well. "You are far too naïve. You can't trust a guy you just met! Sure he seems like an okay guy, but we don't know what he's really like. He could have told the whole school about it already!"

"I...I don't think he would do that..." Ryou defended.

"But you don't KNOW, Bakura. You don't know! True, he probably doesn't realize the truth of what he saw, but he still knows too much. Couldn't you have at least lied?"

"I'm not very good at lying," Ryou said, head bowed in shame. "Should I go tell Professor Dumbledore? He may know how to handle-"

"No," Malik said simply. "We should wait until we know more about whether Harry is going to tell, or has told anyone. And then cover it up if he is too close to discovering the truth. A little creativity on my part and it shouldn't be to hard."

"You're going to tell him I'm crazy, aren't you?" Ryou accused. Malik chose not to reply. "But no using the millennium rod, at least," Ryou said. Again Malik said nothing. He only sped up his walking pace. Ryou jogged after him. "Malik, I mean it! No rod!"

They caught up with Harry and company at the castle. Fred and George buzzed with excitement at the prospect of filling a spot on their team with a defensive chaser. Their blue and green hair could be seen flinting from Quidditch player to Quidditch player to inform them of the good news. They couldn't wait to tell Professor McGonagall. She got rather involved in Quidditch and she had been worried about the condition of the team this year. Of course, that was mostly because Fred and George were the captains, but the twins didn't pay any attention to that fact. Ryou really wished that they weren't in such a hurry to spread the word that he might join. It was going to make them all look bad if he decided to decline.

This was one of their less eventful meals. Ryou was too worried to eat much. Worry had never stopped Yugi from eating to his little heart's content. Everyone made pleasant conversation. Malfoy entered rather late, casting them all dirty looks, but saying nothing as he headed to the Slytherin table. Madame Pomfrey had just finished fixing him up, no doubt. Lucky for all of them, she never asked many questions.

Students began to file out of the Great Hall as they finished eating. The twins hurried Ryou along so that they could begin teaching him about Quidditch. Yugi followed. He wanted to hear all about it too. It was a new game, after all. But as Harry got up to follow, Malik stopped him.

"Could I speak to you a moment, Harry? Alone?"

"Er..." Harry wasn't sure if he should accept. Walking off with people he didn't know all that well never proved to be a good idea.

"Please. I really need to speak to you. It's important," Malik said, all seriousness. It was against his better judgment, but Harry felt that Malik was telling the truth.

Harry turned to Ron and Hermione. "Go on ahead. I'll be right with you."

"Harry..." Hermione said in a concerned tone. She knew it wasn't a wise move to go off alone.

"I'll be fine. Go on," Harry answered. "Where do you want to talk," he said turning to Malik.

"Anywhere private," Malik answered. That was a good sign. If Malik was a servant of Voldemort in disguise, then he would probably have chosen a specific location to turn on him. Harry led Malik to down a corridor and into a classroom he knew to be empty.

"Alright, what is it you wanted to talk about?" Harry said.

"Bakura."

"Bakura? What about him?"

"I'm worried about him," Malik said solemnly. "He's been acting somewhat strange."

"Er... Well, you've known him longer than me, right? Is this strange for him?" Harry asked cautiously. Maybe Malik could give him some information, but he didn't want to sound like he was snooping.

"Well, he's been one for rapid mood shifts as long as I've known him," Malik said truthfully. "He's normally a nice enough guy, a pushover even, but like everyone, he has his moments. No doubt you've noticed." Malik paused, giving Harry an opportunity to say something, but Harry remained quiet, so Malik continued. "It's not his fault; he's had a rough life. It even surprises him how he can behave sometimes. I suspect he scares himself." Malik paused again, noting from Harry's expression that the gears in his head were turning.

Harry made the connection that Malik had been trying for. Perhaps that was why the boggart took on the form it did. But part of that didn't make sense. If Bakura had been in fact seeing himself, then why would he have been so terrified, no matter how "scared of himself" he was? The way Bakura responded was not a reaction one would associate with such a fear. Bakura had appeared scared for his very life, like he expected the absolute worst. He'd been in hysterics. All that for a simple mirror image? Couldn't be...

But Malik had not been present during the incident, so he had no way of knowing all this. If he had, he could have come up with a better way to throw Harry off the trail. After all, twisting the truth was a talent Malik excelled at, which prepared him for anything Harry could throw at him.

"Well, if he normally acts like that," Harry said, "what do you mean when you say he's been acting strange?"

"He's been lost in his thoughts more recently," Malik said. "Something's been worrying him, and I don't mean simple school matters. I thought I would ask you about it since you're in his house. Did something happen in one of your classes or in the dorm?"

"Why are you asking me instead of Yugi?" Harry asked, somewhat suspicious, but not showing it in his voice.

"I respect Yugi and all, but he has perception the size of a pea when it comes to these things. He can come up with the most complicated strategies you've ever seen, be he often can't see what's right in front of him. But you. I can tell you have sense. And you seem observant, so I thought you would have noticed if something was going on. Besides," Malik added, "I started noticing this strangeness yesterday afternoon, after classes. He seemed awfully...distracted. Concerned even. He wasn't like that earlier in the day. Did something happen between Care of Magical Creatures and that evening? He was around you the whole time, right?" Malik knew that how Harry answered this question would tell him all he needed to know. If Harry told him about the incident with the boggart, then it meant that he was a concern. A decent person, but a concern nonetheless. And Malik would have to do something to make sure that there was nothing to worry about. And if that meant using the millennium rod, then that's what he would do, for the sake of keeping their secrets. But if Harry didn't tell him, then he could be trusted. It all depended on where Harry's principles lied. Did he put more importance on Malik's worry for Ryou, or his promise not to tell anyone? It was the ultimate test of a good person.

"I don't know of anything you don't," Harry said after a moment. "Maybe it's because he got involved in this fight with Malfoy. That did happen in Hagrid's class. Maybe it just didn't hit him till that afternoon. He does seem like the type that would rather avoid a fight. Most of the time, anyway..."

Malik gave a sigh of relief. "I suppose you could be right. Thanks, Harry. I appreciate your honesty with me."

Harry's insides seemed to be tied in a knot. He was torn between what was right. He'd given his word not to tell, but Malik was Bakura's friend and he seemed worried. What would he want if he were in Bakura's situation? Well, he felt he could trust his friends with just about anything. But Bakura had clearly expressed his wishes. He did not want Harry to tell anyone. And Harry had to respect that, no matter what his personal opinion was. He wasn't going to mention it to anyone who didn't know about it already. But Malik had also not convinced him that there was nothing especially odd about Bakura. Harry was still unsure about what to think. Hopefully speaking with Sirius would make him feel better.

"Well, I suppose I'll see you tomorrow," Malik said. "Thanks again. I guess I should have figured this was somehow Malfoy's fault. Everything seems to be. Maybe Bakura will be better if he has that sport of yours to distract him." Malik smiled in a friendly manner and turned to head to his dorm, pausing for a moment to give Harry one last opportunity to tell him Bakura's secret. Malik was satisfied when Harry said nothing. 'I am so good at what I do,' he thought as he left.

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

"The Keeper tries to block the Bludger, and the Seeker-"

"No, no!" Fred corrected. "The Keeper tries to block the Quaffle. It's the other team's Keeper that you will have to try to get around."

"Then what does the Seeker do?" Ryou asked, scratching his head in utter confusion.

"The Seeker tries to catch the Golden Snitch. But you don't need to worry about that," George said. "You need to focus on getting the Quaffle around the opponent's Keeper."

"But what are the Bludgers for, then?" asked Ryou.

"They fly around trying to knock people off their brooms," George said. Ryou's eyes widened considerably. "Oh, but that's what the Beaters are for. That's us," said George indicating himself and Fred. "It's our job to protect our team from the Bludgers, and we're good at it."

"Besides," Fred said, "We saw from your earlier flying that you're a natural when it comes to defensive flight. If you were able to predict Malfoy's moves, the Bludgers shouldn't be a concern."

Ryou sighed heavily. "You know, I'm really more of a board game person..."

"I can't say I blame you," Hermione commented. "A board game is a lot less dangerous." Ryou laughed nervously. That's what she thought...

"Come on, Bakura," Yugi encouraged. "You need to branch out more. Try new things."

"Oh yes," Ryou replied with a hint of sarcasm. "Wouldn't want to be playing the SAME GAME over and over again, would I?" Yugi gave his best "I don't know what you're talking about" look and glanced away.

It was about this time that Harry returned. "What did Malik want?" Ron asked.

"Nothing important," Harry replied with a shrug.

"Come here, Harry," Fred gestured. "Maybe you can make him understand Quidditch better."

"I can try."

Thus, Harry began his attempts at teaching Ryou the rules of Quidditch. It took some time, but Ryou eventually got the gist of it. Harry recommended checking out "Quidditch through the Ages," from the library for more help.

The common room began to clear as students headed to bed. Hermione took this opportunity to ask a question that had been on her mind. "Yugi? May I ask you about that pendant you always where?"

"My pendant?"

"Yes," Hermione said with a nod. "I thought it looked interesting. I've been meaning to ask you about it. Where did you get it?"

"My Grampa. He got it from Egypt," Yugi said. "It took me eight years to finish it."

"Finish it?" Ron questioned.

"It's a puzzle," said Yugi, holding it up so that they could see the tiny lines that proved the pendant to indeed be a puzzle.

"That's neat," Hermione said. "I've never seen anything like it."

"It's one of a kind," Yugi said with a grin.

"Do you where it all the time?" Harry asked.

Yugi nodded. "Just about. I'm kinda attached to it," he said with a laugh. "It's my most important possession. You wouldn't believe how many collectors have been willing to kill to get their hands on this." The others laughed, not knowing the truth in Yugi's statement. Ryou couldn't help but shuffle uncomfortably.

It was starting to get late. They packed up their homework and various other things to be brought to their rooms. "I'll let you know about that Quidditch thing soon," Ryou assured the twins. "I need to sleep on it."

"But you're going to say 'yes', right?" Fred said with a sly grin.

Ryou sighed, defeated. "Probably."

"All right! Thank you, Whitey; the team appreciates it. Oh, here. You dropped your inkwell on the chair." George tossed the tiny glass bottle to Ryou.

THWACK!!!

The bottle smacked Ryou on the forehead and fell to the floor, thankfully not breaking. Ryou stumbled backwards and his hand shot up to the location of the impact.

"Ow..." he said, letting the low moan of pain escape him as he rubbed his forehead.

The twins put on identical expressions of anxiety. "Please don't tell me he can't catch..." George groaned.

"Did I neglect to mention that Phys Ed was my worst class?" Ryou muttered.

"Whitey, throw something to me. Balled up paper, anything," George said, suspecting that his defensive flyer was too good to be true. Ryou did as he was told. Still rubbing his forehead, he crumpled up a piece of parchment and threw it towards George. It fell three feet short.

"So he flies like an ace, but he can't catch and he throws like a girl, we can still work with that, right?" Fred asked hopefully.

Hermione "humphed". "I throw better than that." She, of course, meant not to associate girls with an inability to throw, but that's not how it sounded.

"Well, the Quaffle's a larger ball," said Fred, trying to remain optimistic, "Maybe he'll be able to handle it better." The expression on Ryou's face told George that wasn't necessarily true.

"Oh, boy," George sighed.