Chapter 16

With quite a bit of trepidation the Fifth year students walked across the grounds toward Hagrid's hut. Most were whispering curiously among themselves what Hagrid had planned this year, luckily for them, only Harry, Hermione, and Ron had some idea of what was to come.

"I wonder what that oaf has planned," Malfoy jeered to his fellow Slytherins. "Maybe he's going to bring a dragon and sacrifice himself to it so we can finally get a proper teacher instead of the monstrosity!"

"Oh for goodness sake, doesn't he ever give it a rest?" Hermione asked softly with a sigh, rolling her eyes.

"Maybe Hagrid should get another dragon, and then we can feed Malfoy to it." Ron snapped shooting Malfoy a contemptuous look.

"I pity the dragon that has a git like Malfoy for dinner." Harry said simply, clenching his fists, his green eyes flashing slightly.

With all the mention of dragons, Yugi found himself reminiscing about Kaiba's Blue Eyes White Dragons and the times he'd faced it in duels, and he felt a little sad, but put down to slight homesickness. Then he considered meeting an equivalent of a Blue Eyes and having to take care of it…Yugi paled at the thought.

The class had divided into little pockets of friends who were all catching up with each other when Hagrid finally made his appearance. "Gather 'round you guys! We're going to have a busy year and I have lots of fun planned so we might as well get started! Follow me!" The class blinked, so far this year all the teachers had been stressing the review for the O.W.L.s and how important they were…and Hagrid hadn't even mentioned them! They weren't sure if that was a good thing or not…

The students followed slowly after Hagrid as if trying to delay the inevitable. When Hagrid called something was fun, it could be loosely translated as 'here is something dangerous'. To the students this was synonymous with 'try not to get hurt'. Also what Hagrid considered fun was often times what many students thought of as definitely not fun.

The teacher led them to a clearing much like the ones the students had been to on several different occasions, occasions that most of them did not wish to recall. Hagrid was very excited about whatever it was that he was going to show them today, then again Hagrid was always excited when dealing with Magical Creatures.

"Alright everyone," Hagrid spoke softly, "I have a real treat for you; I bet none of have seen one of these before! Wait right here!" He commanded as he lumbered into the woods for a few moments. Hermione, Ron and Harry exchanged nervous looks.

After a few moments of silence, a struggled Hagrid managed to tug the creature into the clearing, panting slightly. The students stared at the creature Hagrid dragged into view. Some stared at it speculatively, others blankly as they didn't know what it was, and a small fraction (namely Hermione), gasped, their eyes growing wide.

"A Lethifold!" Hagrid announced to the students. "The Ministry has given this creature an XXXXX label because of it's past, but really they aren't all that bad."

Draco Malfoy let out a snort as he gazed at the wriggling creature that looked more like a cloak than a real life creature. The students murmured softly too each other. They weren't sure what they should do, should they get closer, or stay back?

"So...," Hagrid said, trying to break the ice, "Five points to each person who can supply a fact about Lethifolds!" He offered cheerfully.

Yugi stared at the creature. It didn't look like an animal to him…it didn't really look like anything living, if it hadn't been writhing and straining to get away from Hagrid, he would have been convinced that it was a mere cloak and the large man was simply joking around. 'So much for average classes,' Yugi thought a bit sadly, despite his excitement for going to Hogwarts, he was starting to feel homesick…

"Albus, I'm sure you know why I've called you here." Fudge stated matter-of-factly. He hadn't counted on the Headmaster's politely quizzical look, or the delicately raised eyebrow signifying that he really didn't know why he was called here. Fudge knew that Dumbledore did know, he was just toying with him. Well two could play that game. "Because of our recent….disagreement on certain issues pertaining to Hogwarts and the students, I've come to a realization." Fudge had started his speech with a loud strong voice, but under Albus Dumbledore's penetrating stare, his voice had begun to waver and was gradually getting softer. "The Ministry and I, we've always allowed you to do as you've felt was best for Hogwarts, even if we personally felt you were mistaken. We've always trusted you, but in light of past events, we've realized that we made a grave mistake in allowing you to do as you wish."

"Really Cornelius," Dumbledore said simply, it came out more as a statement than a question.

"Allowing you to do as you wished has clouded your mind and judgment. We feel you are no longer up to running Hogwarts on your own, despite however much you may wish to do so," Fudge continued coolly.

"You're mistaken," Dumbledore interrupting firmly and just as coolly as the Minister of Magic, "I do not wish to run Hogwarts solely, nor do I, I have the Heads of the Houses."

"Be that as it may, Albus, we have decided to put in place a new measure, one that you will find out more about soon." Fudge said with a slight smile. "I daresay you'll be thrilled, and I'm sure she'll be able to put Hogwarts back on track…"

The clock struck seven as the workers in the museum began closing down for the night. Rashid over saw the routine for awhile before heading toward to offices to find Isis. Knocking softly, he waited for her to answer, when she didn't right away, he eased the door open. Isis was sitting behind her desk, the lights dimmed; she was staring off into space, playing absentmindedly with one of the gold bangles on her wrist. "Isis?" He asked.

She turned her sapphire eyes to him, "do not close everything up. I'm expecting a visitor."