Malik didn't have it any easier. The museum being attacked was still on his mind. What if something else had happened since the newspaper came out? What if there was another attack and that was why Dumbledore wanted to meet with him? Then why Yugi and Bakura? The sly way Malfoy kept smirking at him didn't help him to think any. Malfoy was scheming again. Malik was sure of it.

When the last class of the day let out, rather than returning to the common room, Yugi and Ryou walked past the portrait of the Fat Lady and continued on towards the headmaster's office. Halfway along, they met up with Malik just outside the Transfiguration classroom. He was coping with his worry by hiding it underneath a mask of his usual attitude.

"If we're in trouble, it's your fault," he said dryly to Ryou.

"My fault?! How could you blame something you're not even sure about on me? How could it be my fault?" Ryou rapidly began to defend.

"I haven't figured that part out yet. Just letting you know ahead of time that it'll be your fault."

Ryou gawked at Malik. "But according to you, everything's my fault."

Malik placed a finger against his nose. "Now you're getting it."

Ryou huffed and crossed his arms in annoyance. Yugi chose not to get involved. Malik was helping them all to relax somewhat, even if it was slightly at Ryou's expense.

They reached the stone gargoyle and were at a lost as to what to do next. There'd been a password last time, but none of them could recall what it was. Not that it would have done them any good. Passwords were always changing at Hogwarts, and surely the one that led to the headmaster's office was no exception. They didn't have to ponder the situation long, however. After a few minutes, they were startled when the stone gargoyle hopped aside seemingly of its own accord. No one was in sight, and they never heard a password said. The moving stairway behind where the gargoyle once stood was empty. They were too concerned with other things to worry about it long. Hesitantly, the three boys stepped inside, the gargoyle jumping back into place behind them with a resounding clash of stone against stone.

The headmaster's door was closed when they reached the top of the stairs. Yugi and Ryou were unsure of whether to enter, Ryou being particularly cautious, having learned personally what unwelcome surprises could be found behind unfriendly doors. Malik, however, was tired of waiting and impatiently shoved his accomplices forward, much to their protest.

"Please don't dawdle at the door," came the voice of Dumbledore, smooth and inviting. Ryou and Yugi cast uneasy glances at one another and took steps forward, this time of their own will. They opened the door.

"You wanted to see us, Professor?" Yugi spoke up.

Dumbledore nodded and motioned for them to sit at the three cushy chairs that had been conveniently placed in front of his desk. Each of the students took a seat and remained silent, watching their headmaster expectantly, fearing the worst. Dumbledore seemed to sense this. "You needn't be afraid," he comforted. "I only wish to speak with you. I hope you have no objections to enlightening me on a few things?" Yugi, Ryou, and Malik shook their heads, still not entirely relieved.

"Now, it is the first time that we have had special cases such as yourselves at Hogwarts, so this is a learning experience for all of us. I'm afraid I let you get away last time without asking you all I should have. I've tried to research these 'Millennium Items' of yours myself, but there isn't much information on them available, is there?"

"Well, no," Yugi said. "The less people who know about it, the better, right? If more people knew about it, some would try to get the power for themselves. And frankly, I've had enough of that." Ryou looked down as if suddenly finding the floor very interesting.

"That's quite understandable," Dumbledore said. "I respect your wishes if you would rather not discuss it. However, I feel it would be in the best interests of all of us if I knew more. I would like to be able to help you as much as possible. But such a decision shouldn't be made lightly. I will give you some time to discuss it among yourselves. All of yourselves." With that, Dumbledore stood and made his way across the room busying himself with one of the many strange objects that adorned his shelves. Malik eyed Dumbledore suspiciously before turning to the others.

"I don't like this," he whispered. "He's trying to get me to admit to what my rod can do so that he can get me in trouble for manipulating Malfoy."

"I don't think it's like that," Yugi replied. "I think he really wants to help. That's what me and Yami came here for: to get some help understanding our magic."

"What help can he be if all he knows is what you tell him?" Malik argued.

"Well, maybe he can connect what I tell him to something else," Yugi said. "Or maybe it would give him a better idea of where to look."

"I don't think he needs to know anymore than he already does," Malik said stubbornly. "He couldn't possibly know anything of use. Isis and I don't even know it all, and we are the ones who know the most about the millennium items."

"Shadi knows more than you," Ryou said, speaking up for the first time.

"Yes, but one, Shadi doesn't exactly volunteer information. Two, he's never around when you need him. And three, the information he does give is misleading. He's the one who told me that my father's death was the Pharaoh's will, remember?" Ryou chose not to reply and simply looked away again.

"Well, Yami and me think we should tell him whatever he wants to know within reason," Yugi said.

"I think we're better off not telling these wizards anything more," Malik replied. "They know too much already. If Dumbledore knows, how long before all the rest of them do? The risk far outweighs what's to gain."

Malik and Yugi turned expectantly to Ryou, who was still refusing to make eye contact. "Well, what do you think?" Yugi asked.

"Look up so we know who's talking," Malik added suspiciously.

"It's me," Ryou replied, lifting his head as he was told to. "Not that you would have really been able to tell anyway if he wanted to keep a low profile, so he says."

"You've been talking to him all this time?" Yugi said. Ryou gave a small nod.

"Well, what do the two of you make of this?" Malik asked impatiently.

"I agree with you," Ryou said, looking at Malik. "I would rather not discuss any of it if I didn't have to. I don't believe Dumbledore would really have anything to offer us. And even if he did have some information, I'm not sure I would want to know anything more about the millennium items. It would probably just be more bad news. On the other hand..." Ryou sighed heavily. "The other me agrees with Yugi, or rather, he agrees that we should see what Dumbledore wants to know. He feels we could always just say no if the questions get to invasive."

Malik threw his arms in the air in frustration. "Of all the people... Since when is he up for giving information? Even I can't get anything out of him half the time!"

Ryou shrugged. "Dumbledore trusted all of us from the start even though he knew what we were capable of and, in some cases, what we'd already done. The other me doesn't take trust lightly these days."

"'Cept yours," Malik muttered. Ryou wasn't quite sure Malik meant but he managed to put on a look of indignation anyway.

"Settled then? Three to two and the two oldest people here agree with me," Yugi said.

"Alright," Malik said, defeated. "Don't rub it in. Go on, tell him whatever you want."

"We need you," Yugi said. "As you've said, you do know the most."

"Oh, fine. Whatever. I've broken almost all of the Ishtal traditions already, what's one more. But if this backfires on me, I may decide to try to kill you again, Yugi."

With their minds more or less made up, they turned back to Dumbledore who's gaze apparently had never wandered away from the odd contraption before him. "You've come to a decision?" he asked without turning around.

"Yes," Yugi answered. "What do you want to know?"

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

The firelight flickered, causing the shadows on the large stone tablet to dance in its light. The ancient images engraved upon the stone depicted a battle that had taken place millennia before the man who was now gazing upon them was even born.

"This is the only tangible evidence that was found?" he asked his accomplice without bothering to take his serpent-like eyes off of the images.

"Y-yes, sir," came Wormtail's sniveling reply. "The items are apparently a well guarded secret. We've been searching all of Egypt. This is all that has turned up thus far."

"Are our experts already at work deciphering it?"

"Yes, sir. Pictures have been sent to all the most learned of our group," Wormtail replied. If he expected any words of appreciation, he would be waiting a long time. His master merely continued eying the carvings under his scrutinizing gaze.

There was a commotion at the door. The sounds of arguing. Wormtail rushed to see the cause. "It's Darcy, sir."

"The 'muggle expert,'" the Dark Lord muttered with a touch of amusement in his voice. "You may allow him in."

The doors opened and Darcy nearly fell in. He was an uncoordinated man, dressed in muggle garb save a wizard's hat perched on his head. He bowed respectfully to his master who had not turned to face him. He held his breath, waiting for permission to speak.

"What is it you want, Darcy? My time is precious and there is a high cost for wasting it."

"Lord, I beg you. Let me help in the investigation."

"You, Darcy? Your area is muggle studies, not ancient cultures. What help could you possibly offer?"

"As insufficient as they are at other things," Darcy began, making every possible effort to make it sound as if he were not disagreeing, "muggles have very advanced ways of finding information. I believe that with the help of my knowledge of their technology, I can aide the investigation greatly."

"Do you really believe that muggles would have information of things that most wizards know nothing of?"

"N-no, sir," Darcy stammered. "I...I suspect that maybe muggles have stumbled upon the items. Like-like the tablet. They would know not what they have. They may even try to sell them. I just believe it may be a good idea to look into the matter. I have the means to search every corner of the muggle world from my own home."

"Very well. Wormtail, give Darcy a picture to work with and add him to the list of those to be informed of new information." Wormtail nodded hastily and grabbed a photo from the stack on the nearby desk, doing as he was told. Darcy accepted it gratefully.

"Go, now," Wormtail instructed. Darcy nodded and made for the exit.

"And Darcy," the Dark Lord spoke up, finally turning from the tablet to look at his subordinate with his slit-pupiled scarlet eyes, "don't disappoint me. I don't respond well to disappointment."

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

Dumbledore took a seat behind his desk, the many instruments upon it whirring madly. Before the headmaster could even open his mouth, Malik spoke up.

"You're not planning on sharing what we tell you with anyone, are you? I mean, everything said here doesn't leave this room, right?"

"If that is what you wish. I thoroughly understand your caution. I shan't share a word of what we discuss," Dumbledore said, holding up a hand as if swearing an oath. Malik still didn't look happy as he slouched back in his chair but he said no more. "Perhaps we should start with you, Mr Ishtal?"

"I knew this was coming," Malik muttered. Dumbledore made no signs that he had heard him.

"Even though my knowledge of the subject is somewhat limited, I am fairly sure that the complaints of one Mr. Malfoy are not entirely unfounded. Am I correct in assuming that your special, ah, talent is control over another's actions?"

Malik frowned. "He had it coming."

"Did he?" Dumbledore questioned.

"Yeah," Malik replied with a hint of boredom in voice. "And, I'm manipulative, so what? Not really in the sense that Malfoy's thinking. It's not just a matter of making them do what I want them to physically. My millennium rod gives me the power to implant my own thoughts and memories in another. I don't just make them act a certain way, I make them think a certain way. And when I remove the effect, they don't remember a thing."

"Whatever the method you use, the effect is still the same, "Dumbledore said. "Using magic to manipulate another is a punishable crime. I cannot permit you to use such tactics against my students. I will not be able to allow you to continue to study here if you persist. I trust there will be no further incidents?"

"It's self defense!" Malik insisted.

"You will have to find other means to defend yourself while you are here, Mr. Ishtal. Perhaps if you focused more on your studies that would do to help keep you out of trouble."

"If you had let me switch houses, we would have avoided trouble from the start," Malik argued. Dumbledore only eyed Malik, saying nothing. Malik rolled his eyes, sighed, but nodded. "Fine, fine, no more rod on Malfoy." 'There are other ways to keep him out of my hair, I suppose,' he added silently.

"None of your brand of magic on any of the students," Dumbledore corrected. Malik scoffed, but nodded again.

"I'm glad we are at an understanding" Dumbledore said. "Now let us move on. There are seven items in total, correct?" All three boys nodded. "The ministry reported to me that the other items were in the possession of adults. But that information was months, maybe even a year old, if not more. It seems that this is no longer true. Would you happen to know what happened to the items and the people who had them?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Malik asked suspiciously.

"The power of these items is not to be taken lightly," answered Dumbledore. "For safety's sake, I would like to know."

"Well, Shadi has two items," Yugi said. "The millennium scales, and the millennium key."

"Shadi?" Dumbledore questioned.

"But good luck finding him," Malik said, leaning back casually and resting his head on his arms. "He only appears to those he wants to appear to. He's a mystery. Hasn't revealed his motives yet. Don't know that he ever will. Don't really care, though, so long as he leaves me out of it."

"I take it you don't care for this 'Shadi' individual," Dumbledore observed.

"I've manipulated a lot of people in my life. Shadi's one of the few to ever manipulate me," Malik answered, and left it at that, choosing not to go into details. Dumbledore sensed that this was a subject Malik would rather not dwell upon and he moved on.

"Well, that is five items accounted for. That leaves two." Yugi and Ryou blushed but Malik spoke up first.

"My sister had the millennium tauk," he said.

"Did she?" Dumbledore said.

"And she gave it to me," Yugi said finally, reaching into his bag and pulling the precious item out of a concealed pouch and displaying it before the headmaster.

"Why didn't you tell me you had this before?" Dumbledore asked as he eyed the necklace with what appeared to be curiosity.

"'Cause I don't really use it," Yugi answered looking down at the object in his hand. "Isis used it to see through time. I've only had one vision of the future from it, and it already came to pass."

"Then the last item...?" Dumbledore let the question hang. Malik and Yugi shifted their gazes around the room, both determined not to look at Ryou. Without saying a word, Ryou reached into his pocket and pulled out a golden orb, placing it on the Dumbledore's desk.

Ryou took a deep breath. "It...belonged to a man named Pegasus. He's the one who turned the old method of battling monsters into a modern card game. He...he died, and I got the millennium eye. But I'm not going to try to use it. I'd have to lose an eye for that."

"This man Pegasus was a relative of yours, then?" Dumbledore asked, "to have left this to you after his death?"

Ryou looked solemnly at the ground. "The other me is a thief," was all he said. Dumbledore sensed that this, too, was a sensitive topic and he asked no more of it, though he could guess by the look of guilt on Ryou's face what had happened. Dumbledore would make no accusations, however. Neither Ryou nor his other personality had given Dumbledore reason to fear for the safety of his students.

"Let us move on," Dumbledore said. "Now Yugi, judging from what you said earlier, I assume you have had trouble with people trying to steal your puzzle?"

"Yes. I've practically been fighting to keep it since I got it," Yugi answered. "A lot of people either wanted to steal the puzzle, or kill me because I had it."

"Have you two also been having such problems?" Dumbledore asked, addressing the others.

Ryou swallowed, furrowing his eyebrows with guilt. "Well...the other me was the one trying to do the stealing."

"And I was the one trying to do the killing," Malik admitted without revealing any feelings of guilt in his voice, though he did avoid eye contact with anyone.

"I see..." Dumbledore replied. "It seems you three have quite a troubled past together. You seem to get along fine now, though."

"Yeah, we're alright now," Yugi said with a convincing smile. "Just trying to get by, you know? Like anyone else."

Dumbledore returned the smile, nodding his head slowly. "Excellent. I thank you three for answering my questions. You've been most helpful. That should be all for-"

"Hold on a minute before you send us off on our merry way," Malik interrupted. "We answered your questions, now I want you to answer one for me."

"What is it you would like to know?" Dumbledore answered, not the least put off by Malik's rudeness.

"You seem to be on the inside around here," said Malik. "I want to know if you know anything more about that robbery back in Egypt than the newspaper reported."

Dumbledore blinked his eyes curiously. "I'm afraid the ministry doesn't share as much information with me as they once did. I know no more about the robbery than the Daily Prophet reported."

"Then you don't know what the Death Eaters would want there? What they stole?" Malik asked.

"I don't," Dumbledore answered. "But they must have wanted what they took very much or they would not have risked revealing both their location and their motives. Why do you ask? Are you familiar with the museum in question? You sound concerned."

"Yeah," responded Malik, disappointed with the lack of information. "My entire remaining family works there, so yeah, I'm concerned. I come here and all of a sudden a group of dark wizards show up right when Rishid and my sister have no magic to protect them, and no means to contact me. It's all very suspicious, you know?"

"I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Ishtal," Dumbledore said with honest concern in his voice. "You could, of course, use the school owls to send a message to your relatives."

"I intend to do that. I would be sending it now, but I had this meeting," Malik said bitterly.

"I agree that you should be doing that," Dumbledore said. "All of you may go now. I thank you again for your cooperation. I will see if I can find out anything more of the robbery, Mr. Ishtal, and I will let you know."

"Thanks," Malik replied unenthusiastically as he stood.

"If there's anything else you need to know, feel free to ask. We'll answer if we can," said Yugi. Malik cast him a death glance which Yugi ignored. "And if you find anything that may help us, anything at all, please let us know."

"I am sorry I wasn't able to provide more information to you," Dumbledore said. "I suggest searching our library if you have the time to spare."

"But you said you already tried to research it," Ryou said.

"I did, but you would have an easier time searching for possible sources than I. Sources would not have to be as obvious to you. Here, take this." Dumbledore took a spare piece of parchment and scribbled on it with a large feathery white quill, handing it to Yugi when he was done. "This will give you access to the restricted section of the library. Even I do not know of all the books contained there offhand. If there is any information about your millennium items available, it will likely be there."

"Thank you, Professor," Yugi said, staring down and the headmaster's signature on the parchment he now held in his hand.

The three boys exited the way they came, the stairs now moving downwards as if it had been preparing for them.

Questions:

Yugi didn't need to hide the puzzle when he took it off. He's the only one of the three who didn't feel the need to hide his millennium item. Bakura and Malik would just rather keep theirs quiet if at all possible. Yugi figures if he can wander around Domino with it proudly displayed for all to see, he can do the same at Hogwarts. Hermione asked him about it in a previous chapter, but as far as anybody knows, it's just a pendent.

I saw "Pirates of The Caribbean" too and I was impressed. I also saw "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (worth seeing but doesn't live up to the hype) and "28 Days Later" (a disappointment, but you may like it if like independent British movies. Just be warned of full-frontal male nudity, and not just for a few seconds either).

The glory of unicorns is from another book, but I believe that's the official name.

I shan't say who died in HP 5. I will not spoil it. Go read the book. =P

Over 2000 reviews! Thanks to all of you who reviewed and made this possible. I feel so loved!

Again, apologies for the lateness, but my summer's almost over. Let me be lazy and irresponsible while I still can. =P