Silver awoke early the next morning, he could tell it was daylight but he kept his eyes closed. "It was a dream" he told himself, he dreamt that someone took him away. When he opens his eyes he'll be back in his cupboard. He heard a tapping sound "Alright. I'm getting up". He moved his hand and hit the soft side pillow of the couch. Silver's mind worked slowly, if he wasn't in his cupboard he was in the shack. If he was in the shakd then he was on the couch. If he was on the couch then Menniker must not be here and if Menniker wasn't here that meant… Silver opened his eyes on saw Big sleeping against the wall. Silver then realised what the noise was, a flicky with a newspaper in its beak was tapping on the window. Silver scrambled to his feet full of energy and opened the window. The bird flew over to Big and dropped the newspaper on his stomach. Big didn't wake up so the bird started pecking Big's belt on the table "Don't do that!". Silver tried to scare the bird away but it just furiously snapped his beak at him "Big, there's a Flicky!" "Pay him" Big said barely awake. Silver didn't understand "What?" "He wants payin for delivering the paper. Check the pocket". Silver took the belt and went through each of the pockets until finding a handful of different coloured rings "Give him five of the bronze ones" Big told him.
Silver held out the bronze rings and the flicky raised its left leg to reveal a pouch. Once Silver gave it the rings the flicky flew back out of the window. Big yawned and finally got up with a stretch "Best be off, Silver, lots ter do today, gotta get up ter Knothole an' buy all yer stuff fer school". Silver looked through the money in his hand and he started to feel like the happy balloon inside him had a puncture "Big" "Mm?" "I haven't got any money and you heard Uncle Menthor last night he won't pay for me to go and learn magic". Big got up and scratched his head "Don't worry about that. D'yeh think yer parents didn't leave yeh anything?" "But if the house was destroyed…" "They didn't keep their money in the house, boy! Nah, first stop fer us is Nameless. Wizards' bank. Have a sausage, they're not bad cold an' I wouldn' say no teh a bit o' yer birthday cake, neither". Big handed Silver a plate of sausges but he didn't touch them "Wizards have banks?" "Well there's only one in Mercia. Run by goblins". The plate fell out of Silver's hands "Goblins?" "Yeah, so yeh'd be mad ter try an' rob it, I'll tell yeh that. Never mess with goblins, Silver. Nameless is the safest place in the world fer anything yeh want ter keep safe, 'cept maybe Soleanna. As a matter o' fact, I gotta visit Nameless anyway. Fer Locke. Soleanna business". Big drew himself up proudly "He usually gets me ter do important stuff fer him. Fetchin' you – gettin' things from Gringotts – knows he can trust me, see. Got everythin'? Come on, then". Silver followed Big out onto the rocky island.
The sun was out now but Silver noticed that there was only one boat, the one Menthor used to get here "How did you get here" "Flew" "Flew?". Big nodded "Yeah, but we'll go back in this. Not s'posed ter use magic now I've got yeh". They both got into the boat, Silver was quite distracted by the image in his head of Big flying. Big gave Silver a sideways glance "Seems a shame ter row. If I was ter, er, speed things up a bit, would yeh mind not mentionin' it at Soleanna?" "Of course not" Silver answered eager to see more magic. Big took out his umbrella and tapped the side of the boat twice. The boat suddenly propelled forward like it was a speed boat. Silver saw Big read the newspaper "Why would you be mad to rob Nameless" "Spells, enchantments. They say there's dragons guardin' the high-security vaults. And then yeh gotta find yer way out. Nameless is hundreds of miles under Knothole, see. Deep under the Underground. Yeh'd die of hunger tryin' ter get out, even if yeh did manage ter get yer hands on summat". Big reading the paper reminded Silver of Uncle Menthor who often said that people wanted to be left alone when reading the paper.
This was difficult when he had so many questions with each one being answered created five new ones. Big shook his head disapprovingly "Ministry o' Magic messin' things up as usual". Silver couldn't stop himself "There's a Ministry of Magic" "Course. They wanted Locke fer Minister, o' course, but he'd never leave Soleanna, so old George Acorn got the job. Bungler if ever there was one. So he pelts Locke with Flickys every morning, askin' fer advice" "But what do they do?". Big shrugged "Well, their main job is to keep it from the Muggles that there's still witches an' wizards up an' down the country. They'd be wanting magic to solve all their problems. Best be left alone". Once they made it to shore they went through the town to the train station. Passers by stared at Big the whole way. Silver couldn't blame them, Big was twice as tall as a normal cat. It didn't help that he kept pointing at normal things like parking meters and yelling "See that, Silver? The things these Muggles dream up, eh?". Silver tried to distract him "Big, did you say Nameless has dragons" "Well, so they say. I'd love a dragon". Silver narrowed his eyes "You'd like one" "Wanted one ever since I was a kid. Here we go". Once they got on the train they attracted even more attention as Big took up two seats "You should check yer letter, Silver. There's a list there of everything yeh need". Silver unrolled the second piece of paper from the letter.
SOLEANNA SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform
No uniform is required however it is recommended for you to bring winter clothing, protective gloves if an amulet will not suffice and a name tag.
Set Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Enchantress Rabbit
A History of Magic by Kali-Ca
Magical Theory by Dillon Pickle
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by- Galixina
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Chris Thorndyke
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Merlina
Other Equipment
A first and if required secondary amulet
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring a Flicky OR a Chao OR a Turtle
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST-YEARS ARE NOT
ALLOWED THEIR OWN Extreme Gear
Silver was overwhelmed by the list "Can we buy all this in Knothole?". Big smirked "If you know where to go".
Silver had never been to Knothole before, Big seemed to know where he was going although even Silver could tell he wasn't used to taking what Uncle Menthor would call "The normal way". Big got stuck at a ticket barrier, complained that the seats were too small and that the trains were too slow. Once they were in the city they made good time. Big easily parted the crowds so Silver just had to stay behind him. They passed fast food places, book shops and shopping centres but nothing that Silver thought would sell anything he needed. Silver wondered if there really was tons of wizard money beneath his feet. Silver worried for a few moments that maybe this whole thing was some kind of practical joke by his Aunt and Uncle although these worried quickly disappeared when he remembered they had no sense of humour. Big stopped "This is it. The Groovey Train. Famous place". Silver saw that he was looking at an old grubby looking pub. If Big hadn't had pointed it out Silver doubted he would have noticed it. In fact Silver started to realise that nobody on the street seemed to be noticing it. Every time anyone's eyes came close to seeing it they moved across to something else. Before Silver could ask about this Big steered him inside the pub. The inside didn't look much better than the outside, it was dark and shabby. A few old woman were drinking and talking in the corner with one smoking a pipe. Everyone in the pub seemed to know Big as they all greeted him. The barmen, a panda reached for a glass "The usual, Big?" "Can't, Sam. On Soleanna business".
Sam then noticed the person with Big "Good Lord… Is that… It can't be…". The whole bar went silent as Sam realised "Bless my soul. It's Silver the Hedgehog. What an honour". He hurried out from his bar, seized Silver's hand and shook it frantically "Welcome back, Mr Silver, welcome back". Silver didn't know what to say, he wasn't used to so much attention, especially positive. The woman smoking a pipe was still puffing even though it had gone out. Big was beaming as everyone got to their feet and Silver found himself shaking every hand in the pub "Can't believe I'm meeting you at last" "So proud, Mr Silver, so proud" "Always wanted o shake your hand" "Delighted, Mr Silver, just can't tell 's the name, Ron the Rabbit". Silver recognised him "I know you. You bowed to me once in a shop". Ron looked on the verge of crying "He remembered. Did you hear that? He remembers me!". Once the crowd cleared Silver came face to face with a red lobster in a black robe. He looked nervous and one of his eyes were twitching. Big tapped Silver's shoulder on seeing him "Silver, this is Professor Suguna. He'll be one of yer teachers at Soleanna".
Suguna could barely speak without stuttering "Si-Si-Silver, c-can't t-tell you how p-pleased I am to meet you". Silver shook his hand "What do you teach at Soleanna, Professor" "D-Defence Against the D-D-Dark Arts" he sounded like he didn't want to think about it. He gave a nervous laugh "N-not that you n-need it, eh, Si-Si-Silver? You'll be g-getting all your equipment, I suppose? I've g-got to p-pick up a new b-book on Muckfoots, m-myself" he looked terrified at the thought. The rest of the crowd weren't going to let Suguna take all the time with Silver. It took another ten minutes before Big could get him out of there "Must go. Official Soleanna business. Come on, Silver". Big took him out the back to a small walled up courtyard with no other exit. Big grinned "Told yeh, didn't I? Told yeh you was famous. Even Professor Suguna was tremblin' ter meet yeh. Mind you, he's usually trembling" "Is he always like that?" "Oh, yeah. Poor bloke. Brilliant mind. He was fine while he was studyin' outta books but then he took a year off ter get some firsthand experience". Big leaned down and had a bit of a nasty smile on his face "They say he met Muckfoots in the Black Forest and there was a nasty bit o' trouble with a hag. Never been the same since. Scared of the students, scared of his own subject. Now, where's me umbrella?".
Muckfoots and hags, Silver's mind was swimming. Big meanwhile was counting the bricks on the wall "Three up. Two across. Alright. Stand back, Silver". Big took out his umbrella and tapped a specific set of bricks in sequence. All the bricks started to shift and fold in on one another until the whole wall was gone. Silver was amazed, now in front of him was an archway leading to a cobbled street which twisted and turned out of sight "Welcome, Silver, to Avalon". Silver couldn't help but grin as they walked through. A pile of cauldrons were resting outside the nearest shop "You'll be needin one but we gotta get yer money first" Big said. Silver was wishing he had ten more eyes. There was something in every direction he wanted to continue staring at. There was a Flicky emporium selling all kinds of colours. A group of children Silver's age were looking through the window of another shop at a metal board "Look. A Blue Star. Fastest ever" Silver heard one of them say. Finally after Silver's head was ready to burst from excitement did Big say "There it is. Nameless". Silver saw a snowy white building that towered over the other shops. At the door was a small green creature with long ears and wearing a red and black cloak "Yeah, that's a goblin" Big said noticing what Silver was looking at. They passed the Goblin who gave them a respectful bow. Once at the doors Silver noticed an engraving:
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn,
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there
"Like I said, yeh'd be mad ter try an' rob it" Big said as the doors opened. They entered a large marble hall where about a hundred goblins were all on high stools working at desks. Other goblins were showing people in and out of the dozen doors leading elsewhere. Big guided Silver to a free counter and spoke to the Goblin "Morning. We've come ter take some money outta Mr Silver safe" "Do you have the key, sir?" "Right here". Big handed an old key to the goblin who examined it carefully "Seems to be in order" "An' I've also got a letter here from Professor Locke. It's about the You Know-What in vault seven hundred and thirteen". He gave the Goblin a letter which he again examined carefully "Very well. I'll have someone take you down to both vaults. Grack!". Another Goblin came over and led them away "What's the You-Know-What in vault seven hundred and thirteen?" Silver asked. Big shook his head "Can't tell yeh that, Silver. Very secret. Soleanna business. Locke's trusted me. More'n my job's worth ter tell yeh that". Grack opened a door for, Silver expected more marble but he was instead in a stone passage lit by torches. Grack led them to the edge of a cliff where a pair of tracks hung over a massive drop.
Grack whistled and a small cart came hurtling up the tracks towards them. They climbed in, Big with some difficulty, and they were off. They hurtled through a maze of twists and turns. Silver tried to remember the way but there was just too many. The cart seemed to be driving itself as he saw no sign that Grack was controlling it. Silver's eyes stung from the wind hitting him but he didn't dare close. He swore he saw a trail of fire down one of the caverns. He tried to see if it was a dragon but they already passed it. He was about to tell Big when he realise Big looked very ill. The moment the cart stopped at a door Big got out and leaned against the wall as his legs shakes. Grack got out next "Key please" he asked and Big managing to get a holed of himself gave him it. Grack unlocked the door releasing a cloud of green smoke. Silver waited for the smoke to clear and was amazed to see that inside the vault were mounds of gold, silver and bronze rings. Big smiled "All yours". Silver's mouth was hanging open, it was incredible. His aunt and uncle couldn't have known about this or they'd have had it from him faster than blinking. How often had they complained how much Silver cost them to keep? And all the time there had been a small fortune belonging to him, buried deep under Knothole. Big helped him put some in his bag "29 bronze ones to a silver. And 17 silver to a gold. That should be enough for a couple of terms we'll keep the rest safe for yeh". He turned to Grack "Vault seven hundred and thirteen now, please, and can we go more slowly?" "One speed only".
They made it to the next vault which Silver noticed had no keyhole "Stand back" Grack told them. He stroked the door with one of his fingers and it melted away "If anyone but a Nameless Goblin touched that door they'd be sucked through the door and trapped inside" "How often do you check if anyone's inside" Silver asked. Grack made a rather nasty grin "About once every ten years". Silver eagerly looked inside the vault expecting glowing jewels or some kind of weapon but at first the vault looked empty. The Silver noticed a small pouch lying on the floor. Big picked it up and hid it in his belt pocket. Silver longed to know what it was but he knew better than to ask. Big casually patted his back "Come on, back in this infernal cart, and don't talk to me on the way back, it's best if I keep me mouth shut".
Silver walked out of Nameless overwhelmed by the opportunity in front of him. He had a bag full of money and there were shops in every direction that he wanted to see. Big walked out after him "Might as well get yer winter stuff. Listen, Silver would yeh mind if I slipped off fer a pick-me-up in the Groovy Train? I hate them Nameless carts". Silver couldn't deny that Big looked sick so he went nervously into the shop called Sophia's alone. Sophia was a human woman in a black and white dress "Soleanna, dear?". Silver just nodded making her smile "Don't worry. Follow me". They went to the back of the shop where a young red echidna boy with white tips on his dreadlocks was standing on a stool with another human helping him. Sophia helped Silver onto a stool and examined him "You'll be up in the highlands, my dear, and being a hedgehog you'll need a bit more protection then your friend here". Silver looked over to the other boy who only had a blue vest which was apparently enough. The boy noticed him "Hello. Soleanna too?" "Yes" "My father's next door buying my books and mother's up the street looking at wands". He had a bored drawing voice "Then I'm going to drag them off to look at Extreme Gear. I don't see why first-years can't have their own. I think I'll talk father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow. Do you have one?". Silver was strongly reminded of Menniker "Uh... not yet" "Play Sky Chase at all?" "Uh… No" Silver answered not knowing what Sky Chase was. The boy shrugged "I do. Father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house, and I must say, I agree. Know what house you'll be in yet?".
Silver was feeling more stupid by the minute "No" "Well, no one really knows until they get there, do they, but I know I'll be in Raiju, all our family have been, imagine being in Yagyu, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?". Silver nodded "Yes" "I say, look at that man". Silver realised Big was at the window holding to ice creams "That's Big. He works at Soleanna" Silver was happy to know something the boy didn't. The boy looked like he was doing his best to hide his disgust "Oh, I've heard of him. He's a sort of servant" "Gamekeeper" "Whatever. I heard he's a sort of savage, lives in a hut in the school grounds and every now and then he gets drunk, tries to do magic and ends up setting fire to his bed". Silver was liking this boy less and less "I think he's brilliant" "He's with you? Why? Where are your parents?" "They're dead" Silver said bluntly. The boy looked away "Oh, sorry" after a pause he looked back at Silver "But they were our kind weren't they?" "They were a witch and wizard if that's what you mean". The boy smiled and nodded approvingly "Good. I really don't think they should let the other sort in, do you? They're just not the same, they've never been brought up to know our ways. Some of them have never even heard of Soleanna until they get the letter, imagine. I think they should keep it in the old wizarding families. What're you from, anyway?". Before Silver could answer Sophia stepped up "Got your measurements, dear. Come with me". Silver not wanting to talk to the boy any further quickly left "Well, see you at Soleanna I suppose" the boy said. Silver got a green jacket, a hat with holes to let his quills through and a scarf. He also bought himself a pair of new shoes, white and black with gold cuffs. Silver left and ate his ice cream in silence which Big noticed "What's up" "Nothing".
The two bough parchment and Silver was cheered up slightly when he bought a bottle of colour changing ink "Big, what's Sky Chase" "Blimey, Silver, I keep forgettin' how little yeh know – not knowin' about Sky Chase!" "Don't make me feel worse". Silver told him about the boy in Sophia's "And he said people from Muggle families shouldn't be allowed in" "Yer not from a Muggle family. If he'd known who yeh were… he's grown up knowin' yer name if his parents are wizardin' folk. You saw 'em in the Groovy Train. Anyway, what does he know about it, some o' the best I ever saw were the only ones with magic in 'em in a long line o' Muggles. Look at yer mum! Look what she had fer a sister!". Silver felt a bit better "So what is Sky Chase?" "It's a sport. Wizard Sport. It's like– like football in the Muggle world. Everyone follows Sky Chase. It's played up in the air on Extreme Gear boards and there's four balls. Sorta hard ter explain the rules". Silver tried to remember what the boy called the other thing "What're Raiju and Yagyu" "School houses. There's four. Everyone says Yagyu are a lot o' duffers, but…". Silver had a bad feeling "I bet I'm in Yagyu" "Better Yagyu than Raiju. A lotta bad people came outta that house". The two entered the book shop, Gerald and Pickles.
The place was full of so many interesting books that Silver thought Menniker who hadn't read a thing in his life would go through them all. Big had to drag Silver away from buying "Curses and Counter-Curses (Bewitch your Friends and Befuddle your Enemies with the Latest Revenges: Hair Loss, Jelly-Legs, Tongue-Tying and much, much more)". Silver couldn't take his eyes on it "I was trying to find out how to curse Menniker" "I'm not sayin' that's not a good idea, but yer not ter use magic in the Muggle world except in very special circumstances. An' anyway, yeh couldn' work any of them curses yet, yeh'll need a lot more study before yeh get ter that level". Big had to stop Silver buying a solid gold cauldron as well reminding him that the list said Pewter. They bough a pair of scales for potion ingredients and a telescope. They then went to an apothecary to buy potion ingredients. Silver was distracted by some of the things on sale, Sprite saliva for 21 gold rings, dragon teeth 100 gold rings and beetle eyes 5 bronze rings a scoop. Once they left with everything they needed Big checked the list "Just a talisman left and oh, I still haven't got ye yer birthday present". Silver turned red "You don't have to-" "I know I don't have to. Tell yeh what, I'll get yer animal. Not a turtle, turtles went outta fashion years ago, yeh'd be laughed at. An' I don' like Chao, they make me sneeze. I'll get yer a Flicky. All the kids want Flickys, they're dead useful, carry yer post an' everythin".
20 minutes later Silver left the emporium carrying a cage with a beautiful blue Flicky. Silver couldn't stop stammering his thanks which made him sound like Suguna "Don' mention it. Don' expect you've had a lotta presents from them Muggles. Just Merlin's left now, only place fer talismans, Merlin's, and yeh gotta have the best talisman". A talisman was the thing Silver was really looking forward to. The last shop was narrow and shabby. Peeling gold letters over the door read "Merlin's: Makers of Fine Talismans since 382 BC" an old necklace rested on a pillow at the window. The two entered and Big sat on an old chair waited and gestured for Silver to go on. Silver went to the front desk and saw hundreds of random objects hanging from the walls. Swords, necklaces, hats, belts, canes and there were even jewels of all shapes and colours "Good afternoon" said a warm voice. Silver jumped and spotted an elderly yellow fox wearing a black cloak "Hello". The fox smiled "Ah, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon, Mr Silver". He got closer and looked Silver up and down "You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here buying her first talisman". He tried to recall "Golden tiara with a necklace as a secondary. Used Chaos water. Good talisman for charms". He got closer as he continued to think "Your father on the other hand preferred a gold ring bracelets with black cuffs as a secondary. Used Black Arm blood. Perfect for transfiguration. Very powerful". Silver found Merlin's unblinking stare a little creepy which he didn't realise turned his eyes yellow. This caught Merlin's attention "I'm afraid to say I sold the talisman that did that. Gauntlets with a black cape as a secondary. Very power in the wrong hands. Had I known what it would be used for I…".
He stopped and his mood suddenly changed when he spotted Big "Ah, Big, good to see you. Fishing Rod and a green float if I remember correctly. Used Karel Venom. Unusual choice but I can't deny it was a good one. I assume it's gone now though". Big nodded "Uh, yes, sir. I still have the rod though". Merlin looked stern "You don't use it though, do you?" "Uh, no, sir" Big said although Silver noticed him grip the handle of his umbrella rather tightly. Merlin turned his attention to Silver "Now, Mr Silver, you have two options for talismans". He took one of the jewels from the wall "You can either use a single jewel which you can absorb". Merlin put the jewel to his chest and it seemed to phase through his skin. He then waved his hand and the jewel appeared in it. Silver decided almost immediately that nothing was going inside him. Merlin seemed to read Silver's expression. He wasn't offended, in fact he seemed happy that the range in choices had now grown "Very well. You may use an object although you will require a secondary. Have a look around". Silver moved around the shop seeing all the different choices. He eventually stopped on a pair of white gloves with cyan symbols on the palms. Merlin took them "Ah, well let me see". He took them over to his desk and checked the drawers "I would recommend these as a secondary". He took a pair of gold bracelets with the same cyan pattern on them "Would you like these". Silver couldn't help but smile as he nodded, "Very well. Try them on and then we'll decide your source". Silver did so, they felt comfortable over his hands and wrists. Merlin returned with a glass vial holding hair inside "Clawbeast fur". He put the hair on the symbols which seemed to absorb them "Now try something". Silver felt very silly but waved his hands. As he did the symbols glowed cyan but Merlin grabbed his wrists before anything else could happen. He waved his hand and the hair was removed from the gloves. He tried something else "Stone of a rock giant".
Silver barely moved his hand this time before Merlin removed the stone "Sprite essence" again removed. Silver had no idea what Merlin was waiting for. The pile of vials containing failed sources was growing. The larger the pile grew the happier Merlin seemed to get "Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere… I wonder, now… Yes, why not". Merlin returned with a vial containing a glowing red liquid "Hyper energy". The moment Merlin poured the liquid onto the symbol Silver felt a warm breeze wash over him. He waved his hands and red sparks appeared. Big rose to his feet and applauded as Merlin watched amazed "Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed, oh, very good. Well, well, well... how curious... how very curious...". Silver was broken out of his amazement "Sorry, sir, what's curious?". Merlin gave him a strange stare "I remember every Talisman I've sold, Mr Silver. The hyper energy in your gloves came from a Burst Wisp. A Wisp that gave just one other vial. Just one. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this Talisman when its brother gave you those scarred eyes". Silver gulped "And who owned that one?". Merlin glanced at Big before answering "We do not speak his name. The Talisman chooses the Wizard, Mr Silver. It's not always clear why". He stepped closer "But what is clear is that we can expect great things from you. After all, He Who Must Not Be Named did great things. Terrible but great". Silver didn't want to be here in more, he paid for his Talisman and left without saying another word.
Silver and Big were back at the Groovy Train, Sam was nice enough to give them a private table, thinking that Silver had enough of the gawking. Big noticed Silver hadn't spoken since leaving Merlin's "You arlight? Yer seem quiet". Silver glanced up from his soup "He killed my parents, didn't he? The one who did this" he pointed at his eyes and on command they turned yellow. Big nervously shifted his eyes "I suppose someone had to tell you. You can't go to Soleanna not knowing". He pushed his food away "First, there's somethin ya gotta understand, Silver. Not all Wizards are good. Some have gone bad. An a few years ago one wizard went as bad as ya can go. His name was…". He stopped himself looking scared "His name was…" "Could you write it down" "No, I can't spell it". He leaned in closer "Finitevus" "Finitevus?" "Sshhh!". Big looked around making sure nobody heard "Anyway, this wizard, about twenty years ago now, started lookin' fer followers. Got 'em, too. Some were afraid, some just wanted a bit o' his power, 'cause he was gettin' himself power, all right. Dark days, Silver. Dark Days. Didn't know who ter trust, didn't dare get friendly with strange wizards or witches. Terrible things happened. He was takin' over. 'Course, some stood up to him an' he killed 'em for it. Horribly. One o' the only safe places left was Soleanna. Reckon Locke's the only one You-Know-Who was afraid of. Didn't dare try takin' the school, not jus' then, anyway. Now, yer mum an' dad were as good a witch an' wizard as I ever knew. Head Boy an' Girl at Soleanna in their day! Suppose the myst'ry is why You-Know-Who never tried to get 'em on his side before. Probably knew they were too close ter Locke ter want anythin' ter do with the Dark Side. Maybe he thought he could persuade 'em. Maybe he just wanted 'em outta the way. All anyone knows is, he turned up in the village where you was all hiding in, on Hallowe'en ten years ago. You was just a year old. He came ter yer house an…".
He sighed and wiped his eyes "I'm sorry. Knew yer mum an' dad, an' nicer people yeh couldn't find. He… He killed them. An' then, an' this is the real myst'ry of the thing. He tried to kill you, too. Wanted ter make a clean job of it, I suppose, or maybe he just liked killin' by then. But he couldn't do it. That's why your eyes are like that? Tha's no ordinary magic. That's what yeh get when a powerful, evil curse touches yeh". Silver took all this in and suddenly that vision of the gold light came into his head and was accompanied by a haunting, malicious laugh "What happened to Fini… You-Know-Who?". Big tried to think how to answer this "Some say he died. Codswallop, in my opinion. Dunno if he had enough Mobian left in him to die. Some say he's still out there, bidin' his time, like, but I don' believe it. People who was on his side came back ter ours. Some of 'em came outta kinda trances. Don' reckon they could've done if he was comin' back. Most of us reckon he's still out there somewhere but lost his powers. Too weak to carry on. Cause somethin' about you finished him, Silver. There was somethin' goin' on that night he hadn't counted on. That's why you're famous. That's why everyone knows your name. You're the Boy Who Lived". Silver couldn't believe this, surviving the most dangerous wizard alive when he was a baby "But… I didn't do anything. I don't have any special powers. All those people who expect great things from me. I don't know anything about magic". Big gave a warm smile "Don't worry. You'll learn fast enough. Everyone starts at the beginning at Soleanna, you'll be just fine. Just be yerself. I know it's hard. Yeh've been singled out, an' that's always hard. But yeh'll have a great time. I did. still do, 'smatter of fact". Silver didn't feel much better but smiled anyway so Big wouldn't worry. Big checked his watch "Better get ya home". The two left and headed back out to Knothole and headed for a train station. As they waited for the next train Big took out a piece of paper "Yer ticket fer Soleanna, First o' September. Radical Train Station, it's all on yer ticket. Any problems with your Aunt and Uncle, send me a letter with yer Flicky, she'll know where to find me. See yeh soon, Silver". Big held out his hand and Silver shook it "Thanks, again" Silver said. Big smiled and watched Silver got on the train before leaving.