Ryou walked alone toward Domino City Park for his one o'clock appointment. The millennium ring was hidden underneath his shirt. He felt it drew too much unwanted attention when it was exposed. As he neared the park, he half expected someone to jump out at him and reveal the joke. But no one ever did.

The fountain came into view. That was where he was told to be. He was a little early, so sat on a bench facing the entrance so he could watch for whoever it was that was supposed to meet him. The white noise from the fountain was quite soothing. And Ryou was so tired after stressing about that letter the night before. He thought he could just rest his eyes for a minute. He was early, after all. He was still expecting someone to spring the joke any minute now.

Dumbledore apparated into the wooded area of the park and walked into the clearing. He scanned the area feeling for magic. He sensed a powerful magical aura surrounding a sleeping teen with hair even whiter than his own. He approached, clearing his throat as he neared and startling the youth awake.

Ryou blinked against the sunlight and rubbed his eyes. He had dozed off. When he saw the form before him, he thought at first that he was still dreaming. "Are you... are you Professor Dumbledore?"

"That I am," he relied. "May I sit?

Ryou nodded and scooted over to make room. Dumbledore sat beside him. For a while, neither said anything. Dumbledore merely stared at the fountain in front of him while Ryou stared at Dumbledore. He knew it was rude, but Ryou couldn't help it. The old man looked just like a wizard out of a children's book. He eventually found the nerve to speak up. "Uh, you wanted to see me about something, sir?"

"Ah, yes," Dumbledore said. "I was just admiring the scenery. This is a lovely park."

'This old man is strange indeed' Ryou thought. <Just some old coot,> was what Yami Bakura had to say about it. But Ryou didn't care. Everyone he had ever known who was worth knowing was strange. He waited for Dumbledore to speak again.

"What if I told you that you have been selected to attend our fine school of wizardry? A place where surprises lurk around every corner and the impossible happens everyday."

"I'd say that it was a dream come true. But," he hesitated, "are you sure I am what you are looking for? It's really a fluke that I have magic. I really can't do anything with it, myself."

"That's what you would be coming to school to learn," Dumbledore said. "Our fine staff can teach you everything you need to know about magic. From transfiguration to caring for mythical creatures. It is natural to be hesitant. But I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for you. I can sense your magic, and it is among the strongest I have ever felt in an untrained wizard. You could do great things."

Ryou doubted that Dumbledore knew that all of Ryou's magic came from his millennium items, the eye and the ring. He also doubted that Dumbledore knew about Yami Bakura and the risks involved in introducing him to new magic (not to mention the mischief he could cause among fellow sorcerers). But Ryou was hesitant to explain any of it. For one, he didn't know where to start. For another, he was afraid it would ruin his chances of being accepted. The last thing he wanted was to be stigmatized by an entire school because of his split personality. He would rather keep Yami Bakura secret, if that was possible.

Of course, Yami Bakura was listening in on Ryou's worries. He advised his lighter half not to bother mentioning him. If he allowed Ryou to attend, it would be the same as it was at normal school: Ryou would be left alone during classes, and Yami Bakura would take advantage of what Ryou learned whenever he felt need of it. Yami Bakura didn't have to do any work himself, for when Ryou learned, he learned. What Ryou normally learned didn't do Yami Bakura any good, but he felt that this Dumbledore's school might prove more useful. Besides, he would love to have one up on Yugi and Malik. Learning modern magic would give him a bit of an advantage should he ever decide to go after the millennium items again.

Ryou had fallen silent while he was literally debating with himself. Dumbledore merely waited quietly as if his potential students zoned out during every interview. When Ryou realized that Dumbledore had been waiting for him, he blushed heavily. "Sorry," he muttered. "I was just thinking."

"That's quite alright," Dumbledore said. "It is good that you think before rushing into things, especially in times like these." He grew solemn. "There is a fierce battle going on in the magic world right now between good and evil. Hogwarts is one of the few places of safety. You could decline my offer and try to stay out of it completely, but I fear it would not be long before one on the side of evil tries to coax you onto their side. They do not always take no for an answer."

<I knew there was a catch somewhere,> Yami Bakura said to Ryou. <They're recruiting for some kind of war.>

<I don't think it's like that,> Ryou replied while trying to listen to Dumbledore at the same time.

<Do what you want,> Yami Bakura said. <Whether I'm bored here or bored in England doesn't make much of a difference to me. But know what you're getting yourself into. I'm not going to rush in at the last minute like Yami Yugi and save you from whatever mess you get yourself into.>

"Well," said Dumbledore as he reached in his robes, grabbed some papers that looked suspiciously to Ryou like parchment, and handed them to the youth. "Now that you are informed about the risks as well as the advantages, you are ready to make a competent decision. You have a week to decide and get your affairs in order. If you decide to attend, go to this address at the time specified. The family there will help you get to England. You needn't pack much because you'll be buying most of what you need in Diagon alley which is also where you will be staying until the train takes you to Hogwarts. You can exchange your yen for Galleons (that's wizard money) at the bank there as well. Your family is welcome to join you as you shop-"

"You mean I can tell people that I'm going to this school?" Ryou said suddenly.

"You're family, of course," Dumbledore said. "We do like to keep the magic world as secret as possible, though. Otherwise, muggles (people without magic) would want a spell to solve their every problem, and it just doesn't work that way." Ryou knew that if this magic was anything like his, it would cause more problems than it solved. But maybe that was just because he didn't know how to use it properly. Or because of the permanent "guest" he gained. Dumbledore continued. "So don't go telling all of your friends. This is strictly on a need to know basis. Do you think your family will join you?"

Ryou sighed. "My father is my only family. He's leaving in a few days for an important job in China. He's an archeologist, my father." Ryou was not looking forward to making this trip alone. Dumbledore seemed to pick up on this.

"I can arrange for an escort to take you around and help you find what you need, seeing as you will be alone. Hagrid, our game-keeper, knows Diagon alley well and is always eager to meet new students. And it would be a chance for you to get to know him. He is your teacher for Care of Magical Creatures. That class is usually an elective, but we are quite full this year and we had to put you in the classes that were still available. Divination is your other elective."

"An escort would be great if it's no trouble," Ryou said thankfully. "And those classes will be fine."

Dumbledore nodded. "You have your instructions, supply lists, and train ticket. The rest is up to you."

"Thank you," Ryou said as he stood and bowed. He said his good-bye and began running toward home, a broad grin on his face. He couldn't wait to tell his father.

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

A week had passed since Yugi had met with the old man who called himself Professor Dumbledore. Yugi didn't like the thought of leaving his friends behind and not even being able to tell them where he was going, but this was a chance for both him and Yami to maybe learn some secrets about themselves and their magic. Yugi had meant to ask Dumbledore about the puzzle during their meeting, but it slipped his mind with all the talk of other things. Yugi didn't think he had even mentioned Yami.

Grandpa wasn't happy about losing his "assistant" to the shop, but he knew this was a wonderful opportunity for Yugi. He was proud that his grandson had been accepted. He knew how much Yugi wanted to understand the magic he possessed.

Yugi took a taxi to the address Dumbledore gave him. He had with him a truck that was only half full but still weighed as much as he did and the generous amount of money his grandpa had given him to buy his school supplies. Grandpa had to mind the shop, so he couldn't be with Yugi, but Dumbledore had said that a fellow by the name of Hagrid would escort him around.

The taxi arrived at a house that appeared normal. The driver was just getting his trunk out when another taxi arrived and stopped right behind them. Yugi wondered if maybe he wasn't the only one making this trip. He didn't have to wonder long, though, as a familiar white-haired figure stepped out.

"Bakura?"

Ryou looked up, noticing his companion for the first time. "Yugi? You were told to be here, too?"

"By a man named Dumbledore," Yugi answered. A look of relief swept over Ryou.

"That's great," he said. "I was worried about being alone where nobody knew about... well, you know." He motioned to the millennium ring concealed under his shirt."

"Same here," Yugi said. He paused for a moment. "If you and I were both invited, you don't suppose..."

"Malik? Gosh, I hope not," Ryou said. He didn't really mind Malik, but his yami was twice as likely to get into trouble with Malik around. The two of them had a habit of egging each other on. Together, the two of them could cause absolute chaos.

"I really can't picture Malik going to a school," Yugi said. "Conformity, obedience, not really what Malik does."

"You're probably right," Ryou agreed. He doubted Malik would even want to go to school, especially a boarding school.

The taxi drivers helped the boys pull their trunks up to the front door before they drove off. Yugi was about to knock when Ryou stopped him.

"Yugi," he began, "Did you, uh, did you tell Professor Dumbledore anything about how your magic comes from the millennium items? Or about your yami?"

"No," Yugi replied, looking deep in thought. "Did you?" Ryou shook his head. "Do you think we should have?" Yugi asked.

"I don't know. We don't usually tell, but this man seems like he's used to weird things. But I was afraid he wouldn't want me as a student."

Yugi understood where Ryou was coming from and he could tell he was feeling guilty. But now wasn't the time to worry about it.

"Don't think about it now, Bakura. We can tell him when we get there. I'm sure that he'll understand. I'll bet they get stuff like this all the time." With that, Yugi knocked on the door.

They could hear a shuffle inside, and someone approaching before a fairly young woman opened the door. She appeared confused. "Yes, can I help you?" she said.

"Um... Professor Dumbledore told us to be here-" Yugi said before the woman cut him off.

"Oh, yes, now I remember. You're the students I'm supposed to send to London. Alright, then, come on in."

Inside, the house looked like any other. Yugi and Ryou hauled their trunks behind them as the woman lead them, surprisingly, to the fireplace.

"I know Dumbledore from my days of studying witchcraft abroad," she told them as she led the way. "England is a wonderful place to work on your magic skills. You two are very lucky to be invited to study there. Oh, that reminds me, Dumbledore asked me to perform a language charm on you two."

"Language charm?" Yugi questioned.

"Yes, so you can speak, write, and understand English. It's a very good spell. You first, little one." She meant it kindly, but Yugi didn't appreciate being called "little one." He let it slide, though. He watched as the woman pulled what looked like a wand out of a pocket that couldn't have been big enough to hold it. She muttered some strange words and tapped Yugi on the head with it. Yugi felt something strange come over him, but it quickly passed. When he opened his mouth to speak, he was amazed to hear English come out.

"That was odd," he said.

The woman moved to perform the spell on Ryou but he put his hands up defensively. "I know English already, thank you. My first language," he said in English to prove it.

"Very well," she said, switching to English herself. "You two are muggle- born, so I assume you've never traveled by floo powder." She pulled a jar off her mantle and opened it. " You just grab a pinch of the powder, toss it into the fireplace, and clearly say the name of your destination. In this case, you say 'The Leaky Cauldron.' That's the inn where you will be staying." She held the jar in front of Yugi and he nervously took some.

Holding onto his trunk tightly, he stepped into the fireplace, said "The Leaky Cauldron", and tossed the powder to ground. Ryou gasped as Yugi disappeared in a burst of green flames.

Yugi felt like he was spinning. He very nearly let go of his trunk. It did not last long, though. Seconds later, he fell out of another fireplace in what looked like a boarding room. It had a bed, and an adjacent bathroom. He sat staring in awe until Ryou fell out of the fireplace behind him and landed on top of him.

"I don't think I like traveling that way," Ryou said, holding his head in an attempt to make the spinning stop.

"Uh, Bakura," Yugi muttered, "if it's not too much to ask, could you get off me?"

"Oh, sorry," Ryou said as he stood and helped Yugi to his feet. Both boys had to stifle a laugh as they saw the other covered in soot.

It wasn't long before the door to the room was flung wide open and a man stepped in. He did a double take as he saw them and scratched his head. "You would be the two from Japan, right?" Ryou and Yugi nodded. "Right then, I'm Tom, the innkeeper. Dumbledore arranged rooms for you. This one's being used for floo powder travel. Follow me." Tom led them down the hall and showed them their rooms and advised them to clean up. "Your escort arrives tomorrow to take you around Diagon Alley. Oh, and welcome to London," he added.

Tom then left them alone. He had a lot of work to do. Still, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of magical hair care product those kids used to get their hair like that.