As Magus pushed his way through the panicked crowd towards the pitch, one thought was running through his mind: "Why today? Why now? Idiots!"

5 dragons in various colors were stomping about the pitch, and a few young people were trying to calm them, dodging their flames.

Magus walked up to a green haired girl with her hair done up in pigtails, who had a rope about a large Chinese fireball's neck. He grabbed her from behind. She gave a little scream and turned. "MAGUS MCNICHOL, YOU'LL PAY FOR STARTLING ME!" She yelled, and letting go of the dragon she pushed him to the ground and planted a kiss on his lips.

Magus turned scarlet. "Zoe, damn it! Get off me! You gotta stop." He stopped, seeing Zoe's pout.

A red head with short wavy hair came up to Magus. She grabbed his ear. "Magus, hon, you're even more handsome since I last saw you!" She laughed.

Magus rubbed his ear. "Lovely to see you, Tris, hon."

Tris bit Magus' shoulder as she passed, laughing madly.

A blonde boy grinned at Magus through his buckteeth. Magus raised an eyebrow. "If you say one stupid word, J.C, I'll hit you."

J.C smiled. "Them girls like you 'cuz yer pretty."

Magus' eyes opened wide. "WHAT?" He swung out his fist and J.C. was soon lying facedown in the grass.

Finally Magus approached a black haired boy with yellow eyes and a shaggy haircut. The boy turned. "Magus Dragonis, you wait. I shall have your dragon."

Magus bowed. "Thank you, Mr. Futch, for that polite greeting. And over my dead body, kendo boy!"

The sound of the teachers approaching- they had been held up in the panic- was heard. Their hurried footsteps echoed through the stairway. Magus ducked behind a Dragon as Zoe stood to meet Dumbledore.

"Albus! It's been a while!" Zoe said, smiling and taking Dumbledore's hand.

"Indeed, Miss Mitsirugi, it has been eleven years."

Zoe looked shocked. "Why.. It really seems longer. I find it almost impossible to contemplate how much Fudge has fudged things! I was hoping we could stay in retirement."

Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed, your organization is small, with complications. However, yours is a rare breed."

Zoe laughed. "Children, hatched from dragon eggs, who live up to age 17 and die suddenly while riding dragons and helping the ministry? I should say we are!"

Dumbledore offered an arm. "Please, Miss Dragonis."

Zoe jumped. "NEVER call me that! I am not the leader, I'm simply the ambassador!" I am a million years younger than the Dragonis!"

Dumbledore corrected himself immediately, and him and Zoe went up for dinner. Futch remained, tying up the dragons. He laughed as Magus went walking up the stairs. "Zoe certainly regards you highly."

Magus turned. "I'm only the Dragonis," he said, and left.

Dinner was full of gossip, the muggle-borns knowing nothing of the Dragon Riders, also known as the Dragon den. However, the wizard and witches were all too happy to tell all they knew about the new guests at the teacher's table.

Magus was one of the only boys who did not get whiplash when Tris, wearing a green tank-top and hot-pants, stood to speak. The other was Harry.

Tris spoke with a flirtatious authority. "Ladies and Gentlemen," she spoke this last word and gave a subtle shoulder shrug that made the boys swoon.

Tris continued, satisfied. "We're very happy to be here at Hogwarts."

There were wolf calls from the 5th years. Tris was glowing. "So pleased, in fact, that we plan to stay here. For the rest of the year."

There was a hush.

Tris pouted, and the boys erupted into applause. She smiled.

Hermione coughed. "Now that was a cover-up for something, Harry." she said, whispering into Harry's ear.

Magus strained to hear. He knew the Dragon Riders were here to help guard the elixir of life, which was kept in the basement here at Hogwarts, and ever since Harry and Ron became friends with Hermione, they kept secrets from him. He suspected they knew something.

In fact, he wasn't sure that Harrry even liked him anymore. That night he visited Lee.

"Heckuva day, MM."

Magus laughed "and you missed it, LJ!"

Lee, or LJ, winked. "I got a visit from that 'Tris' girl. She kissed my injury. She's lovely, isn't she?"

Magus wrinkled his nose. "She got you too, eh?"

Lee laughed. "You must be the only guy she HASN'T got to."

Magus nodded. "Too flirty for me."

Lee smiled. "I heard one of them is actually going to school with us. That boy, the Japanese one."

Magus' eyes opened wide. "FUTCH? Why? Why is he staying?"

Lee jumped. "What's wrong with you? He said it was a secret."

Magus nodded. "N-nothing, Lee. I'll be ok. Excuse me, I have to go. just go." He walked out and made his way to the pitch, where Futch was sitting. Polishing his sword.

Magus grabbed Futch by the collar. "Why, Futch?"

Futch grinned. "I am tired of waiting."

Magus tightened his grip. "Then maybe I should just kill you now."

Futch, realizing Magus meant this, raised his hand in surrender. "OK!" he choked out, and Magus dropped him.

Futch rubbed his throat and glared at Magus.

Magus smiled. "Watch yourself, dragon-less. You have 30 years left."

Futch sighed. "I'll find a dragon. I will NOT be kicked out!"

Magus laughed. "Good Luck. I mean it."

Futch slipped his sword into his scabbard. "Save it for yourself. As soon as I find a dragon, I'll take over as Dragonis."

Magus smiled. "Over my dead body."

Futch grinned. "That's the idea."