Chapter 45 – Thesterals and the Christmas nightmare.

"I wonder what Hagrid is going to teach us." Lee muttered, as they headed down to Hagrid's hut.

"Hermione's been trying to get Hagrid to follow some lesson plans she made." Ron whispered to Lee.

"Seriously? I like Hagrid's lessons." Lee smiled. "He doesn't need to change his teaching ways. Oh, there's Ha…erg…" Lee covered her mouth. Hagrid was carrying a dead calf over his shoulder, Harry grimaced and Hermione looked horrified. Ron squeezed Lee's hand as the stopped in front of Hagrid, the rest of the class crowd around too.

"We'll be working in there today. A bit more sheltered, they prefer the dark." Hagrid smiled, pointing to the tree behind him.

"What prefers the dark?" Malfoy panicked.

"Ready? Right, well, I've been saving a trip into the forest for your fifth year. "Hagrid "Though you may want to see these creatures in their natural habitat. What we're studying today are pretty rare, I am probably the only person in Britain who's manage to train them…"

"You're sure you've trained them?" Malfoy asked. Lee rolled her eyes, they acted tough, but they weren't, she chose just to ignore the Slytherin.

"I hope they are dangerous." Scarlet whispered to Lee, who smiled and shook her head.

"You hope everything is dangerous." Lee replied. They followed Hagrid into the forest, for ten minutes they walked until they reached a place where the trees were so close together there was snow on the ground what so ever. Hagrid lumped the cow on the ground.

"Gather around, gather around." Hagrid told them. "Now, they'll be attached to the smell of the meat. But, I'm gonna call them, just so they know it's me." Lee and Ron stood, looking around.

"Why doesn't Hagrid call them again?" Ron whispered.

"Here comes another now." Hagrid looked at them. "Put yer hand up if you can see them?" Lee was surprised to see Harry and Neville put their hand up.

"What are we meant to be looking at?" Malfoy asked, Hagrid pointed the cow, several girls screamed.

"Cool!" Scarlet grinned as meat was being stripped from the body and vanishing into thin air. Hagrid explained that the invisible creature was a Thesteral, and that they could only be seen by people who had seen death. Then the lesson was ruined by the entrance of Umbridge.

That evening was another DA meeting. The hour was up in no time, Lee smiled at Ron, who had really improved.

"You're getting really good. When we get back from the holiday's, we can start doing some of the big stuff." Harry told everyone. "Maybe even Patronus'" Lee looked down at her wand, she, Ron and Hermione left. Hermione walked ahead.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked "You didn't look too happy when Harry mention Patronus'"

"It's just, I already know it. Cedric taught me it back when…" Ron nodded in understanding. "Besides, I am not sure if my Patronus will like Harry's."

"Why?" Ron asked, looking intrigued.

"You'll have to find out when have that lesson." Lee smiled. "Good night."

"Night." Ron replied, lee headed back down to her common room.

The next morning, Lee was worried. Harry, Ron and all the other Weasley's had vanished from the school overnight. She sat at breakfast wondering where they were.

"Miss. Smith, may I have a word with you later, in my office?" Lee jumped, Umbridge came up behind her.

"Of course Professor, do you have a preferred time you want to speak to me at?" Lee pulled out her diary.

"How about after Breakfast." Umbridge smiled

"Okay Professor." Lee nodded, she watched Umbridge go to the staff table.

"What was that about?" Rena frowned, sitting down next to her friend.

"Oh, Umbridge wants to speak to me." Lee told her.

"I wish you luck my friend. It was nice knowing you." Rena said, Lee rolled her eyes.

Twenty minutes later, Lee was knocking on the door of Umbridge's office.

"Come in." Umbridge said, Lee entered. The room was completely pink with plates with cats on them. "Please sit Miss. Smith. Would you like some tea?"

"Um, Okay." Lee said, Professor Umbridge made Lee a cup of pink tea. She took a sip; it was actually quite nice.

"I only want to ask a few questions Miss. Smith." Umbridge sat across from her.

"Okay." Lee nodded

"Where is Mr Weasley and Mr Potter?" Umbridge asked.

"I don't know professor. I only realised they were gone this morning." Lee replied, taking another sip.

"Do you know where Sirius Black is?"

"No professor."

"Well, Miss. Smith, may I ask who you live with?" Umbridge asked

"Mr and Mrs Diggory. My parents are muggles and they disagreed with the fact I could use magic. Cedric was like my big brother at Hogwarts, and his family allowed me to stay with them." Lee explained, she began to wonder why she was telling Umbridge all this.

"Well, they will be receiving an owl on your kind co-operation." Umbridge smiled

"That's not really necessary Professor." Lee said

"Not at all, run along now." Umbridge told her. Lee left the room, she jumped as Orson landed on her shoulder with a letter. Filch came running over.

"Is that your owl?" He gasped

"Yes." Lee looked at the letter, the was no name on it. She wondered who it was from. "It must be from my grandparents."

"Very well." Filch walked off. Lee opened the letter as she walked, it was from Ron!

Lee,

Dad's been…well, it's hard to explain in a letter. Especially since you are still at Hogwarts. I will tell you after the holidays."

Love

Ron'

Lee frowned, what could have happened to Mr Weasley?