The three boys spent the next week on tenterhooks waiting for news to come from Miro and Mr Lexington. Finally, when they had some free time, they used one of the secret passages to get from the school to Hogsmeade to find out more. When they arrived at the Three Broomsticks they found the two men downstairs with their bags already packed. Unfortunately they didn't have any good news.

"Nothing?" said Fred, as the three boys sat down next to their old school friend and his teacher.

"Nothing, no signs, nothing," said Mr Lexington, disappointedly. He waved a hand across to the barmaid and ordered the new arrivals some Butterbeers.

"But there has to be something," said George.

"The Forest is a dangerous place, this Valek guy might not have wanted to stay around. Kosa are especially tough but they can still be killed by some of the creatures in there," explained Miro.

"We checked out a few of the most likely places," said Mr Lexington, pulling out a roughly drawn map from his pocket. There were numerous red marks and notes scribbled across the parchment. "Caves, a few clearings, and so on, but we found nothing. He could still be there and covering his tracks, or more likely once you two got away he did the smart thing and left as well."

"What about secret tunnels or hideouts? We found Fenter Prevend's hidden catacombs two years ago, there might be more like that?" said Fred.

"I thought the caretaker found that," said Mr Lexington, rubbing his chin. "Fletch, or Finch, or something."

"Filch," corrected George. "We found it but he took the credit. It's not a smart thing to let people know you go wandering around the Dark Forest."

"It's not a smart thing to go wandering around the Dark Forest in the first place," said Miro.

"So what happens now?" said Lee. He mumbled his 'thanks' to Rosemerta as she delivered the boys' drinks.

"We go home," said Mr Lexington, shrugging. "Look, I know you're disappointed but there isn't much we can do without actual proof he is still in the area. If we stay any longer then people in my office will start asking questions."

"What'll we do if he comes back?" said Lee.

"We'll give him the old unicorn horn," said Fred, making a pretend stabbing motion with his hand.

"I doubt he'll come back," said Mr Lexington, shaking his head. "They prefer to have the element of surprise. Now that he's revealed himself he's lost that. I'd be more worried about your uncle. You said he was the main target right? Did you ever hear back after you wrote to him?"

"No," said George. "We don't even know if the owl found him."

"It probably did," said Mr Lexington. "He's a smart man, is your uncle, he'll probably wouldn't risk sending you back a letter until he had dug himself in somewhere safe."

"You know Enoch?" asked George, taking a long drink from his Butterbeer. He wiped the back of his hand across his lips where a frothy moustache had formed.

"Oh yes, he trained as an Auror at the same time as me," nodded Mr Lexington.

"Enoch's an Auror?" said Fred, looking surprised. "He kept that quiet."

"Well he trained as an Auror," said Mr Lexington, smiling as he leaned back on the wooden bench. "It was for about two weeks, before he was kicked out for not exactly following the rules."

"Why? What did he do?" said Lee, draining the last of his drink in one go.

"A whole bunch of little things. Just wouldn't follow the rules," sighed Mr Lexington. "You boys ever dealt with a Boggart?"

"Not in person, but we covered them in class," said Fred. "They're supposed to take the shape of the thing you fear most right?"

"Exactly. Well part of an Auror's training early on is to face a Boggart. This way the trainers get to see what their student's biggest fear is. Now, the Boggart-Banishing-Charm turns the Boggart into something humorous and it's the laughter that this causes that finishes off the creature."

"Riddikulus," said Lee, recalling the incantation they had learnt for one of their Defence Against the Dark Arts' homework.

"Well done. Now that's what you're supposed to do," said Mr Lexington. "That's not what your uncle did. He steps into the room, faces the Boggart and it turned into this horrible looking swamp monster thing, and instead of using the Charm do you know what your uncle did?"

"What?" said Fred and George in unison.

"He walked straight up to it and punched it square in the face. Knocked it right onto its backside," said Mr Lexington laughing. "I can still picture our trainer's face. He didn't know what to do. Your uncle is the only person I've ever known who has beaten up a Boggart."

"That sounds about right," said George, nodding his head.

"Look," said Mr Lexington, letting out a long sigh, "you three are probably fine. This Kosa will have gone back to hiding under whatever rock he crawled out of. I doubt he'll be back, not to Hogwarts at least. This one hasn't survived long without being smart and to try and attack anyone while Dumbledore is here would be very stupid indeed. However, this doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful. Don't go wandering off school grounds on your own. Make sure at least one other person knows where you are at all times and always carry those unicorn horns with you, I'll let you hang on to those for the time being. I'll get Miro here to keep you up-to-date with anything we find."

"Any other tips in case we do end up coming face to face with Valek again?" asked Fred.

"Yes," nodded Mr Lexington, "make sure you are wearing good running shoes."

Over the next few weeks the boys took heed of Mr Lexington's warning to stay inside the castle, although this was more to do with the inclement weather than any actual desire on their part. The Quidditch team's last match of the year wasn't due to take place until after the exams had finished so Fred and George, and the rest of the team, were enjoying an extended break from practices as Oliver spent more time revising for his Ordinary Wizard Level exams. This had left Fred and George with plenty of free time, which they spent trying out spells that they thought might give them an advantage during a fight with Valek.

"What's wrong with Immobulus?" asked Fred, as he and George circled each other wands raised. They had been practice duelling for the last hour or so in their dormitory while Lee sat on the bed examining the Marauder's Map. "It's a Freezing Charm. I think Valek might find it a bit difficult to chase us if he's frozen. Plus once he's frozen we can go over and stab him with the horn."

"It's a direct spell," said George. "They don't work on him remember."

"Okay how about this one?" said Fred. He flicked his wand towards his brother, "Pertificus Totalus."

"You little bugge…" George's sentence was cut short as his entire body turned rigid. He fell backwards like a plank and smacked his back on his bed before spinning over onto the floor and landing on his face.

"Ouch, sorry George," said Fred, quickly performing the counter-curse that allowed his brother to start moving again. "Still, you've got to admit it's pretty good."

"That's not quite the four letter word I'd use right about now," said George, rubbing his nose. "And again, direct spell, so useless on a Kosa."

"This is trickier than I thought," said Fred, tapping his chin with his wand. "Hang on what about… no, that's a direct spell. Oh what about… no, that's the same. Ah how about… no, no, that's one I made up in a dream. Unless there is a spell that makes monkey's fly out of someone's backside?"

"No, I'm pretty sure there isn't a spell like that," said Lee without looking up

"Plus, even if there was it's still a direct spell so wouldn't have any effect on Valek," said George.

"Did I say I was going to use it on Valek?" countered Fred. "Maybe I was going to use it on you and then command the monkeys that came out to attack Valek. Did you think of that?"

"No, no one would ever think of that," said George. He looked over at Lee. "I meant to ask, what are you doing with that any way?"

"I was seeing if Valek would turn up on it," said Lee. "No luck though."

"Would he even show up on that?" asked George.

"That's what I'm starting to think," said Lee, he took out his wand and wiped the map with the incantation. "Maybe Mr Lexington was right. Maybe Valek has left."

"Probably," nodded George, "I was talking to Hagrid about all the things there are in the Forest, other than the ones we've already met, and I'm starting to think that the last place anyone would want to hide. You be afraid you'd wake up half way down something's throat."

"Speaking of things half way down throats," said Lee, nodding at the clock on the wall above the doorway. "Time for dinner."

"Already?" said George. His stomach suddenly rumbled loud enough for the others to hear. He patted it with his hand. "See? That clock is at least a minute early."

"Right, I'll catch you up," said Fred.

"We can wait if you want," said George.

"Oh no need. It's fine," said Fred, waving the other two out of the room.

"What was that all about?" said Lee, as he and George made their way down the stairs. The rest of the House were similarly making their way down to the Great Hall, and the two boys filtered into the queue slowly exiting through the portal into the corridor.

"You remember what next week is don't you?"

"Yeah," said Lee, "Easter holiday. It can't come quick enough."

"I thought you were staying here for the holidays?"

"I am," said Lee, saying a quick 'hello' to the Fat Lady as they passed by her portrait, "I just meant that it gives us two weeks without any getting any more homework. I swear they are deliberately doing it so we have less free time."

"That's okay, you can copy off me if you want," said George.

"If I'm copying off you , who are you copying off?"

"Easy, Fred of course."

"And who is he copying off?"

"Have no idea, but hopefully it'll be off someone good. I nearly failed my last History of Magic," said George.

"Didn't you copy that one off me?" said Lee, indignantly.

"Yes, and you should put a bit more effort in next time. My grades are counting on you," scolded George. "Anyway that's not what I meant about next week."

"Oh really? Why? What's happening… oh no. No, no, no," said Lee, stopping in his tracks so suddenly a second year boy bumped into him.

"Oh yes," said George, smiling as he nodded. "It's Fred and my birthday, which means…"

"A day of horror and dread?"

"Close. April Fool's day, a glorious day of pranking my brother into submission."

"So basically the same thing then? I wonder if it's too late to ask my parents if I can go home for the holidays?" said Lee, thoughtfully. "So what's that got to do with Fred staying behind?"

"Obviously he's checking on his pranking supplies," said George, tapping his nose with his finger. "There's a loose floorboard next to his bed, I think he's been hiding his stuff there. I'm planning on stealing them the night before and maybe sticking an exploding custard pie in their place. It's a cheap shot but sometimes those are the funniest."

"Right, I just want you to know, I am not getting involved in this in any way," said Lee.

"Oh? So you're taking his side then are you?" said George, casting a suspicious sidelong look at his friend.

"What? No," said Lee, quickly. "I'm not taking anyone's side."

"Ah, so you're planning something on your own are you?"

"No. I'm not taking sides, I'm not planning anything, I just want to survive the day," said Lee.

"Okay, I read you. I fully understand," said George, giving his friend a knowing wink.

"No, seriously," said Lee, stopping in his tracks. "I need you to understand, I am not getting involved in this."

"Sure thing," said George, nodding slightly whilst winking again.

"No, seriously… wait."

Lee continued to try to convince George that he wanted no part in the upcoming April Fool's day pranks between the two twins, and was still trying by the time Fred had joined them at the table in the Great Hall. The food was hot and plentiful, and pleasant smells filled the entire room.

Halfway through dessert Fred looked up and saw a handful of owls had flown into the Hall.

"Evening post is here," said Fred, taking a large spoon of custard and dumping it into his bowl.

"That's like your third helping of that ," said Lee.

"Don't worry, there's plenty of room left for fourths," said Fred, patting his stomach.

"Don't get him started on custard," warned George. "If he could live on the stuff…ouch. Hey!"

George had been interrupted by a owl dropping a letter onto his head. He picked up the envelope, shooed the bird away, and read the writing on the front.

"It's from Enoch," said George, opening the letter and reading it for a few moments. He frowned. "This doesn't make any sense."

"Why? What does it say?" asked Lee.

"It's all over the place. He's talking about Aunt Taffeta in one sentence and then he's on about our mum and dad in the next. He doesn't mention anything about Valek. You don't think he's finally cracked, do you?" asked George.

"Give us a look," said Fred. He took the letter. "Something's got to be up. This is just rambling. What do you think, Lee?"

"Why does he keep putting capital letters in when he doesn't need to and missing some out when he does?" said Lee, taking the parchment from his friend. "Hang on a minute. Has either of you got a quill?"

"No, but I've got the next best thing," said Fred, excitedly, "I got it off one of the Muggleborn kids. Check it out."

"What is it?" said Lee, examining the long thin object in his brother's hand.

"It's called… a biro," said Fred, he clicked his thumb on end. "You write with it. I was going to send it to dad, he collects them."

"Okay," said Lee, taking the pen from his friend. "Just need some ink now."

"No, need," said Fred, smugly. "Just write with it, the ink is already inside."

"How?" asked Lee, looking at the end of the pen.

"No idea, probably tiny imps or something," said Fred. "I had two but I tried opening the other one and I just broke it and got ink everywhere."

"Okay, where was I? Oh yes, the letter," said Lee, turning back to looking at the page. "Right 'M', 'E'… Merlin's Beard, it writes so smoothly."

"I know, right? I'm thinking of getting one for class, much easier than the quill and ink," said Fred. "What's with 'M' and 'E'?"

"Oh, they're the capital letters," said Lee, pointing at the parchment. "I'm thinking they might be a secret message."

"'M' and 'E'? Me?" said George.

"'E', 'T'," said Lee, continuing marking the letters down.

"Me et? Hmmm, so he ate something did he?" said Fred, rubbing his chin.

"'M', 'E', 'A', 'T'."

"Me et meat," said Fred, triumphantly. He frowned. "That's hardly news is it? I saw him once each a whole chicken by himself."

"Why don't you wait until I've finished?" said Lee, still scratching down letters.

"Just thought I was helping," said Fred sulkily before turning back to his bowl of custard.

"There," said Lee, eventually.

"Let's see what we've got," said Fred, peering over his friend's shoulder. "Right, 'me et meat mdn ght br thdy fire plc comrm.' Okay, I've got it: Enoch's gone crazy."

"No," said Lee, shaking his head and concentrating. "I think the first word isn't 'me', it's 'meet'."

"Right so, 'meet meat'… meet meat?"

"Or it's 'meet me at'," said George, pointing to each individual word.

"Nice one George," said Fred. "Although the rest is still gibberish. The only word I can make out is 'fire'."

"What about 'fireplace'?" said Lee.

"There's no 'a' or 'e'," scoffed Fred. "And I thought my spelling was bad."

"Maybe he shortened it. 'Comrm', could be… got it. Short for 'common room'," said Lee, looking pleased. "Fireplace common room."

"Okay so he wants us to meet him at the fireplace in the common room at 'Mdnghtbrthdy'," said Fred, slurping on his spoon. "Mdnght, mdnght, mudding hot? Mad nag hit? Medan ghoat?"

"Now you're just making up works," said George.

"I don't hear you coming up with suggestions," complained Fred.

"That's because I'm trying to think, but I can't because you're just gabbling on."

"I'm not gabbling on, I'm thinking out loud."

"Can you try doing it a bit quieter?"

"How can you think out loud quietly? The word 'loud' is right there. Otherwise it would be called thinking out quiet. Think about it," said Fred, tapping the side of his head with his spoon. He had to wipe a bit of custard out of his hair with the back of his hand.

"Just be quiet will…"

"Midnight," said Lee, suddenly. "It's midnight, and birthday. 'Meet me at midnight birthday fireplace common room.'"

"Brilliant. Lee, you're a genius, " said Fred, slapping his friend on the back. "Now, when's Enoch's birthday?"

"It's in the summer I think," said George.

"Lee, you're an idiot, it's not his birthday for ages. The message doesn't make any sense," said Fred.

"It's your birthday next week," pointed out Lee.

"Aw, you remembered. Oh wait, maybe Enoch meant our birthday. Lee, you're a genius again," said Fred, slapping him on the back once more.

"Midnight on our birthday," nodded George. "I think we can do that."

"Wait, is that midnight going into your birthday or midnight when you birthday finishes?" said Lee, quickly. He looked at the twins who seemed confused. "It could be either at the start of your birthday or the end. Which do you think he meant?"

"Start, obviously," said George.

"End, obviously," said Fred at the same time. They looked at each other.

"Start."

"End."

"Start!"

"End."

"Bet?"

"Eyebrows?"

"Deal."

"Idiots," muttered Lee.