In years to come, Silver would never quite remember how he had managed to get through his exams when he half expected Finitevus to come bursting through the door at any moment. Yet the days went by and there could be no doubt that Fluffy was still alive and well behind the locked door. It was swelteringly hot, especially in the large classroom where they did their written papers. They had been given special, new quills for the exams, which had been bewitched with an Anti-Cheating spell. They had practical exams as well. Professor Charles called them one by one into his class to see if they could make a pineapple tapdance across a desk. Professor Echo watched them turn a Micky into a snuff-box, points were given for how pretty the snuff-box was, but taken away if it had whiskers. Infinite made them all nervous, breathing down their necks while they tried to remember how to make a Forgetfulness Potion. Silver did the best he could, trying to ignore the stabbing pains in his head which had been bothering him ever since his trip into the Forest. Antione thought Silver had a bad case of exam nerves because Silver couldn't sleep, but the truth was that he kept being woken by his old nightmare, except that it was now worse than ever because there was a hooded figure dripping blood in it. Razor and Coral were handling it all a lot better, maybe because they didn't actually see him in person. The idea of Finitevus did scare them but they found the constant studying a good distraction. Their very last exam was History of Magic. One hour of answering questions about batty old wizards who'd invented self-stirring cauldrons and they'd be free, free for a whole wonderful week until their exam results came out.

When the ghost of Professor Hawkings told them to put down their quills and roll up their parchment, Silver couldn't help cheering with the rest. "That was far easier than I thought it would be" said Coral as they joined the crowds flocking out into the sunny grounds "I needn't have learnt about the 1637 Zilla Code of Conduct orthe uprising of Elfric the Eager". Coral often would go through her exams afterwards but this made Razor feel ill. They went down to the lake and saw the twins along with Manic annoying the Xorda that was resting in the shallows. Razor stretched out on the grass under a tree "No more revision. You could look more cheerful, Silver, we've got a week before we find out how badly we've done, there's no need to worry yet". Silver kept holding his head "I wish I knew what this meant" he snapped. He started pacing "My head keeps hurting, it's happened before, but never as often as this" "Go to Madam Vanilla" "I'm not ill. I think it's a warning". Razor couldn't worry about it "Silver, relax, Coral's right, the Drive's safe as long as Locke's around. Anyway, we've never had any proof Infinite found out how to get past Fluffy. He nearly had his leg ripped off once, he's not going to try it again in a hurry. And Antione will play Sky Chase for Mercia before Locke lets Locke down". Silver nodded but he couldn't help feel like there was something he was missing, Coral told him it was just exam nerves "I woke up last night and was halfway through my. Transfiguration notes before I remembered we'd done that one". Silver spotted a flicky carrying a letter to the castle. The only person who sent him letters was Big. Big would never betray Locke. He would never tell anyone how to get past Fluffy… Never… Unless "Oh, no". He started running, Coral and Razor chased after him "Where're you going?" "We've got to go and see Big, now".

They didn't understand "Why?" "Don't you think it's a bit odd that what Big wants more than anything else is a dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have an egg in his pocket? How many people wander around with dragon eggs if it's against wizard law? Lucky they found Big, don't you think? Why didn't I see it before?". They made it to Big's house, he was sitting back on a chair relaxing "Oh, hello. Finished yer exams? Got time fer a drink?". "Yes, please" Razor said but Silver cut over him "No, we're in a hurry. Big, I've got to ask you something. You know that night you won Dulcy? What did the stranger you were playing cards with look like?". Big was surprised by the question "Dunno, he wouldn't take his cloak off". They're stunned faces made him raise an eyebrow "It's not that unusual, yeh get a lot o' funny folk in the Enerjak, that's one of the pubs down in the village. Mighta bin a dragon dealer, mightn' he? I never saw his face, he kept his hood up". Silver made sure there weren't anyone else around to hear "What did you talk to him about, Big? Did you mention Soleanna at all?" "Mighta come up". Big tried to remember "Yeah, he asked what I did, an' I told him I was gamekeeper here. He asked a bit about the sorta creatures I look after so I told him an' I said what I'd always really wanted was a dragon an' then... I can' remember too well, 'cause he kept buyin' me drinks. Let's see ... yeah, then he said he had the dragon egg an' we could play cards fer it if I wanted but he had ter be sure I could handle it, he didn' want it ter go ter any old home. So I told him, after Fluffy, a dragon would be easy".

This is what Silver was waiting for "And did he did he seem interested in Fluffy?" he tried to keep calm. Big tried to remember "Uh, yeah, of course, Blood Beasts are pretty rare. So I told him, Fluffy's a piece o' cake if yeh know how to calm him down, jus' play him a bit o' music an' he'll go straight off ter sleep…". Big stopped and looked horrified "I shouldn't have said that- Wait, we're you goin?". Silver, Razor and Coral didn't speak to each other at all until they came to a halt in the Entrance Hall, which seemed very cold and gloomy after the grounds "We've got to go to Locke". Silver knew it was either Finitevus or Infinite under that hood. He can only hope that Locke will believe them, maybe Thebes could back them up if Thelxe didn't stop him. They didn't know where to go, they'd never been to Locke's office "What're you three doing?" a voice echoed. It was Echo carrying a pile of books "We have to see Professor Locke" Coral said bravely. Echo stared at the three suspiciously "See Professor Locke? Why?". Silver didn't know how much to tell her "It's sort of a secret" he knew the moment it left his mouth that was bad. Echo kept eyeing him "Professor Locke left ten minutes ago. He received an urgent Flicky from the Ministry of Magic and left for Mercia at once" "He's gone" "Yes, Mr Silver, he's gone. Professor Locke is a very great wizard. He has many demands on his time". Silver didn't know what to do now "But this important" Razor said instead, "More important than the Ministry?" Echo said sceptically. Silver had no other option "Professor, this is about the Chaos Drive" he whispered.

Echo dropped her books, whatever she was expecting it clearly wasn't that "How do you-" "Someone's going to try and steal it! We need to talk to Professor Locke" Silver said, he wouldn't dare tell her he thought it was Infinite, it would destroy what small credibility he had. Echo composed herself "Professor Locke will be back tomorrow. I don't know how you found out about the Drive, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected" "But, Professor-" "Silver, I know what I'm talking about" she said shortly. She bent down and gathered up the fallen books "I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine". But they didn't, the moment they got out of earshot "It's tonight. Infinite's going through the trapdoor tonight. He's found out everything he needs and now he's got Locke out of the way. He sent that note, I bet the Ministry of Magic will get a real shock when Locke turns up". "But what can we-" Coral gasped looking at something behind them. Silver and Razor turned around and saw Infinite staring at them "Good afternoon" he said smoothly. He advanced on them "Now what would three young students be doing wandering around on a day like this?". Coral stuttered trying to come up with an explanation, "Ought to be careful. People will think you're…". He noticed Silver glaring at him "Up to something… Good day to you" he strode away. Once he left Silver whispered to the other "Right, here's what we're gonna do. One of us has got to keep an eye on Infinite. Wait outside the staff room and follow him if he leaves it. Coral, you'd better do that" "Why me?". Coral shrugged "It's obvious. You can pretend to be waiting for Professor Charles, you know". He put on a high pitched voice "Oh Professor Charles, I'm so worried, I think I got question fourteen b wrong ..." "Oh, shut up!".

While she followed Infinite Silver and Razor decided to guard the door to the third floor corridor although that didn't last very long. Only minutes after they started Echo appeared and lost her temper "I suppose you think you're harder to get past than a pack of enchantments! Enough of this nonsense! If I hear you've come anywhere near here again, I'll take another fifty points from Shinobi! Yes, Razor, from my own house!". The two headed back to the common room and were horrified to see Coral was there "I'm sorry, Silver!" she wailed "Infinite came out and asked me what I was doing, so I said I was waiting for Chuck, and Infinite went to get him, and I've only just got away. I don't know where Infinite went". Silver sighed "Well, that's it then". They didn't understand, "I'm going out of here tonight and I'm going to try and get to the Drive first". They both had something to say for this "You're mad!" "You can't. You'll be expelled". Silver glared at both of them "SO WHAT? Don't you understand? If Infinite gets hold of the Drive, Voldemort's coming back! Haven't you heard what it was like when he was trying to take over? There won't be any Soleanna to get expelled from! He'll flatten it, or turn it into a school for the Dark Arts! Losing points doesn't matter any more, can't you see? D'you think he'll leave you and your families alone if Gryffindor win the House Cup? If I get caught before I can get to the Drive, well, I'll have to go back to the Dursleys and wait for Voldemort to find me there. It's only dying a bit later than I would have done, because I'm never going over to the Dark Side! I'm going through that trapdoor tonight and nothing you two say is going to stop me! Voldemort killed my parents, remember?". Coral slowly nodded "You're right, Silver" "Can the Emerald cover all of us?" Razor asked. Silver shook his head "What? No, you're not coming with me" "Oh, come off it, you don't think we'd let you go alone?". Coral nodded in agreement "How do you think you'd get to the Stone without us? I'd better go and look through my books, there might be something useful" "But you'll get expelled" "Not if I can help it. Charles told me what marks I got on the exams. They're not throwing me out".

After dinner the three of them sat nervously apart in the common room. Nobody bothered them; none of the Shinobi's had anything to say to Silver any more, after all. This was the first night he hadn't been upset by it. Coral was skimming through all her notes, hoping to come across one of the enchantments they were about to try and break. Silver and Razor didn't talk much. Both of them were thinking about what they were about to do. Slowly, the room emptied as people drifted off to bed. Finally once Manic left "Better get the emerald" Razor said. Silver went up to the dormitory and picked up the emerald. He then realised, the flute Big got him for Christmas. If he took that he wouldn't have to sing to it like he thought he'd have to. He came back down "Okay, I don't if it can cover us all. If Rykor sees pairs of feet-" "What're you doing?". Antione appeared from behind an armchair. Silver hid the emerald "Nothing, Ant" "You're going out again, aren't you?". Coral desperately shook her head "No, no. Antione, just listen" "No, you can't go out again. You'll get Shinobi into trouble again. I'll- I'll fight you" he raised his fists". Razor saw the time "Antione, move! Don't be an idiot" "Don't call me an idiot! You're the one who told me to stand up for myself" "Yeah, but not us". Antione still didn't move but his hands were shaking "Go on! Try it". Coral had an incredibly guilty look "Ant, I'm really, really sorry about this". She played her flute and with a musical whisper "Petrificus Totalus!". A glowing light hit Antione in the chest, his arms shot to his sides and he fell flat on his, stiff as a board.

Silver looked between him and Coral "What did you do to him?" "Body-Bind-Curse. Oh, Ant, I'm so sorry". They turned him over, he couldn't speak but his eyes were moving, staring up at them in horror "We had to, sorry" Silver said. Razor passed him last "It's for your own good, you know". Silver held up the emerald while Coral and Razor had a hand on a shoulder each "Chaos Light". They all turned invisible, they looked down, their feet were gone. They sneaked out of the common room and as quietly as possible made their way through the castle. Their nerves were getting the best of them, every statue looked like Rykor and every gust of wind sounded like Charmy. They passed Spooky at one point and Razor was very tempted to kick her. When they reached the staircase to the third floor they encountered Charmy "Who's there?". He narrowed his eyes "Know you're there, even if I can't see you. Are you ghoulie or ghostie or wee student beastie?". They couldn't get past him and if they made a noise he's know where they are "Should call Filch, I should, if something's a-creeping around unseen". Silver had a sudden idea, he spoke in a deep voice "Charmy! King Boo has his own reasons for being here!". Charmy nearly fell out of the air "Uh, sorry, Mr Boo- I mean, Your Majesty. My mistake, my mistake. I didn't see you, of course I didn't, you're invisible. Forgive old Charmy his little joke, sir". Silver was glad his grin was invisible "I have business here, Charmy. Stay away from this place tonight" "Oh, I will, sir, I most certainly will. Hope your business goes well, Your Majesty, I'll not bother you" he flew away. Razor had to hold in a laugh "We've got to do that more often". They made it to the door that was already slightly open, Infinite is already inside. Seeing the door began to impact them on what they were facing "If you want to go back, I won't blame you" "Don't be stupid" "We're coming with you".

Silver slowly pushed the door open, it made a long creak which made them cringe. Fluffy sniffed around hearing it but it couldn't see them. Silver took out the flute and started to play. He wasn't very good but merely hearing it made Fluffy rest. Razor and Coral removed their hands from Silver and the invisibility wared off from their heads down. Silver kept playing as the two of them opened the trap door. Razor looked down "I can't see anything. It's just black. I think we have to drop down". Silver gave a hand signal that he'll go first. He handed the flute to Coral. The few seconds they weren't playing Fluffy's eyes flickered. Coral quickly played and he went back to sleep. Silver climbed down the hole until he was hanging by his fingertips "If anything happens to me, don't follow. Go straight to the bird house and send Lily to Locke, right?" "Right" "See you in a minute, I hope…". Silver let go, he resisted screaming as the cold air rushed past him. Then he hit something strange, he felt around, it seemed like some sort of plant "It's okay. It's a soft landing, you can jump!". Razor jumped down next and landed near Silver. The music stopped, there was a loud growl, a scream and then Coral landed. She looked back up "We must be miles under the school" "Lucky this stuff is here" Razor said. Coral felt the plant and her eyes widened "Move!". She jumped to her feet and moved towards the wall. It was already too late for Silver and Razor, the moment they had landed the tendrils of the plant had started tying around their ankles. They tried to tear it off but the more they struggled the more it wrapped around them "Stop moving. I know what this is. It's Doom Seed". Razor was trying to stop it getting around his neck "Oh, I'm so glad we know what it's called, that's a great help!" "Shut up! I'm trying to remember how to kill it". She tried to remember, reciting what Chrysan had told them "Fire. We need fire… But there's no wood".

Razor was now staring at her, the fear of being strangled completely forgotten "HAVE YOU GONE MAD!? ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT!?" "Oh, right!". Coral took out her flute and released a flame like the one she put on Infinite. The plants retreated releasing Razor and Silver. They wiped the sweat from their heads "Lucky you pay attention in Herbology, Coral" Silver said. Razor nodded "Yeah… But seriously, there's no wood? Really?". They headed down a stone passage, they started to hear a rustling, clinking sound "Do you think it's a ghost" "It sounds like wings". They entered a brightly lit chamber with a high ceiling. It is full of small, jewel-bright birds, fluttering and tumbling all around the room. On the opposite side of the chamber was a heavy, wooden door "Do you think they'll attack us if we try the door" "I don't know. They don't look vicious". Silver closed his eyes and ran towards the next door. He expected to feel beaks pecking his skin but nothing happened. He tried the door but it was locked, he tried the spell to unlock it but it didn't work and he knew he was doing it right, Coral had taught him. The others came over "Now what?" "These birds can't be here for decoration". They stared up at them, all slowly flying around glittering… Glittering? Silver realised "They're not birds. They're keys" he looked around the room, there was an Extreme Gear board leaning against the wall. The others got the same idea "But how do we know which one?" Razor asked. Silver looked around the different keys, being a seeker he had a knack for spotting things others couldn't. Then he saw it, one of the keys had a broken wing like someone had already used it on the door "That one". He ran over to the board and stood on it. The moment he did the other keys started to dive down and swarm him. Silver hit them away as best he could and flew upwards. The right key started to try and avoid him. Silver was able to keep up and catch it "Here!".

He threw it at Coral who quickly put the key in the door "Hurry up!" Razor said panicking. She got the door open, Silver landed and the three ran through the door and closed it before all the keys could get through. They heard clamouring as they all crashed. Coral released the key she had, it looked very battered now that it had been caught twice. They walked through the dark chamber which lit up as they stepped closer to the middle. They were standing on the edge of a huge chessboard, behind the black chessmen, which were all taller than they were and carved from what looked like black stone. Facing them, way across the chamber, were the white pieces. Silver, Razor and Coral shivered slightly, the towering white chessmen had no faces. The three slowly made their way across the chess board but the moment they got close to the other side the Pawns all raised their swords blocking their way "Now what?" Coral said. Razor looked around "It's obvious, isn't it. We've got to play our way across the room". He went back over to the black pieces, the king turned his head to look at him "Do we have to join you to get across?" the King answered with a nod. Razor was now considering "Now, don't get offended but neither of you are very good at chess" "None taken. What do we do?" Silver asked. Razor stared at the pieces "Silver, you take the place of that Bishop. Coral, you take that Rook over there" "What about you?" "I'll be Knight". The three pieces apparently heard them as they then walked off the board. They took their places "White always plays first in chess". Razor started to direct the black pieces. They moved silently wherever he sent them. Silver's knees were trembling. What if they lost "Silver, move diagonally four squares to the right". Their first real shock came when their other knight moved into place. Coral realised "Razor, you don't think this is like… Real wizard chess, do you?". The white queen smashed the knight to the floor and dragged him off the board, where he lay quite still, face down "Yes, I do, Coral" said Razor, looking shaken "Don't worry though. I meant to do that. Leaves you free to take that bishop, Coral, go on". Coral stepped towards the bishop with her hands trembling against her chest. Thankfully the Biship went off itself instead of her having to do anything. Every time one of their men was lost, the white pieces showed no mercy. Soon there was a huddle of limp black players slumped along the wall. Twice, Razor only just noticed in time that Silver and Coral were in danger. He himself darted around the board taking almost as many white pieces as they had lost black ones "We're nearly there. Let me think. Let me think…" he kept muttering. The white queen turned her blank face towards him "Yes, it's the only way ... I've got to be taken" "NO!" Silver and Coral shouted.

Razor snapped "That's chess! You've got to make some sacrifices! I'll make my move and she'll take me. That leaves you free to checkmate the king, Silver!" "But-" "Do you want to stop Infinite or not?" "Ron-". Razor hit his fist against his horse "Look, if you don't hurry up, he'll already have the Drive! There was nothing else for it. Ready?". Razor's face was pale but determined "Here I go, now, don't hang around once you've won". He moved to the square, the queen pounced and struck Razor hard on the head with her stone arm "RAZOR!" Silver yelled. Coral was about to help him but "NO! Don't move! We're still playing!" Silver told her. They watched the queen drag the knocked out Razor by the leg. Silver took a deep breath and moved across the board and trapped the enemy king "Checkmate!". The King dropped it's sword in front of Silver, they won. The chessman all bowed to them before stepping off the board. The two ran over to Razor's body and checked him "He's still alive" Coral said. Silver knew they didn't have much time "We've got to go. He'll be fine". They both slowly got back up and headed for the next door "What do you think is next?". Coral tried to think "Doom Seed would be Chrysan. The keys would have been Echo. The Chessman would have been charmed by Chuck. That leaves Suguna, Infinite and Locke will probably be last". They opened the door and a horrible smell hit their nostrils, they covered their faces. In front of them, lying on it's stomach was a Kraken even large than the one they faced before knocked out "At least we don't have face another one". They went through the next door expecting something horrifying but instead there was just a table with seven bottles of liquid, the bottles were lined up smallest to biggest. Once they approached the table the door they just came through suddenly had a wall of purple fire. The door to the final room then had a wall of black fire. Coral picked up a piece of paper in front of the bottles and read it.

Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,

Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,

One among us seven will let you move ahead,

Another will transport the drinker back instead,

Two among our number hold only nettle wine,

Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.

Choose, unless you wish to stay here for evermore,

To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four:

First, however slyly the poison tries to hide

You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;

Second, different are those who stand at either end,

But if you would move onwards, neither is your friend;

Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,

Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides;

Fourth, the second left and the second on the right

Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight.

Coral let out a sight and for some reason smiled, the last thing Silver felt like doing right now "Brilliant. This isn't magic. It's logic. A puzzle. There are great wizards who'd be stuck on this, they don't have an ounce of logic". She read through it again "Everything we need is here on this paper. Seven bottles: three are poison; two are wine; one will get us safely through the black fire and one will get us back through the purple". She paced around the table, her eyes fixed on the bottles "I've got it. The smallest bottle will get us through the black fire, towards the Drive". Silver picked up the bottle "There's barely any left. Just one of us. Which one will get us back to Razor?". Coral picked up the bottle on the other end. Silver nodded "You drink that- No, listen. Go back and help Razor. Take the board from the key room. That'll get you past Fluffy, go straight to the bird house and send Lily to Locke. I can't take on Infinite but I might be able to keep him busy". Coral tightened her grip on her bottle "But… what if You-Know-Who is with him?". Silver really didn't want to think about this "Well… I got lucky once. Maybe it'll happen again". Coral suddenly launched forward and wrapped his arms around him "Coral!" "You're a great wizard, Silver". Silver was embarrassed as she released him "I'm not as good as you". She smiled "Me? Books and cleverness. There are more important things. Friendship and bravery… Oh, Silver, be careful". Silver nodded "You drink first. You sure these are right?" "Absolutely". Coral gulped hers down and shuddered. Silver stepped forward "What's wrong? Is it poison?" "No, it's just icy". She had to go before it wore off "Take care!" she yelled before disappearing into the fire. Silver approached the black fire and gulped down the potion. It did indeed feel like ice was going through his body. He dropped the bottle and walked through the fire. He couldn't see anything but the flames but he couldn't feel it. He finally made it through to the other side into he final chamber. There was already someone there but it wasn't Infinite. It wasn't even Finitevus.