"There, look" "Where" "Next to the tall shark?" "With the long quills?" "Did you see his face?" "Did you see his eyes?". These words or ones similar followed Silver all throughout the next morning. Every line into a classroom had people on their tip toes trying to get a look at him. Silver swore that he would occasionally see the same person pass him twice in the corridors staring at him. He wished they didn't, he was trying to find his way around. The castle seemed to be designed to keep you alert at all times. The 142 staircases shook, changed, a few even had a trick step that vanished. There were walls that pretended to be doors and the coats of armour kept talking behind his back. The ghosts would always suddenly come through the walls unexpectedly. Barney was happy to direct Shinobi in the right direction. Silver took Hamlin's advice and not trust Charmy. It only took a few hours for him to hear horror stories of people getting locked in rooms or being led into bathrooms. He would drop waste-paper baskets on your head, pull rugs from under your feet, pelt you with bits of chalk or sneak up behind you, invisible, grab your nose and screech "GOT YOUR CONK!". Even worse than Charmy, if that was possible, was the caretaker, Rykor, a red Echidna with a metal eye and wearing a black cloak.

Silver and Razor got on the wrong side of him when they tried to get through a door that they were sure led to their class but turned into to be the door to the out of bounds corridor. He wouldn't believe they were lost, was sure they were trying to break into it on purpose and was threatening to lock them in the dungeons when they were rescued by Professor Suguna, who was passing. Rykor owned a Chao called Spooky. She patrolled the corridors alone. Break a rule in front of her, put just one toe out of line, and she'd whisk off for Rykor, who'd appear, wheezing, two seconds later. Rykor knew the secret passageways of the school better than anyone (except perhaps the Mighty and Ray) and could pop up as suddenly as any of the ghosts. The students all hated him and it was the dearest ambition of many to give Spooky a good kick. The lessons themselves were very interesting, that is if you managed to find them. Silver quickly learned there was more to magic than waving your hands and saying some words. They had to study the night skies through their telescopes every Wednesday at midnight and learn the names of different stars and the movements of the planets. Three times a week they went out to the greenhouses behind the castle to study Herbology, with a dumpy little Seedrian called Professor Chrysan, where they learnt how to take care of all the strange plants and fungi and found out what they were used for.

Without a doubt the most boring subject was History of Magic which was the only subject taught by a ghost. Professor Hawking had been very old when he fell asleep one night. He got up the next day to teach but left his body behind. He would drone on and on without much variety as the students wrote down notes. Professor Charles the Hedgehog, or Chuck as he called himself was the teacher for Charms. A very enthusiastic teacher who was always happy to show the class some impressive magic. In Silver's first class Chuck gave an excited squeak when he reached his name on the register. Professor Echo on the other hand was exactly what Silver expected. He knew from first seeing her that she was someone not to cross. She gave them a talk the moment they stepped in "Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Soleanna. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned". She then demonstrated one of the most advanced forms of Transfiguration, Shifters. She turned herself into a Chao in front of the class which made them all applaud. It was at that moment the door opened and Razor ran in out of breath. He smiled and sat next to Silver "Made it. Could you imagine the look on old Echo's face if I was late". Before Silver could warn him, the Chao transformed back into Echo. Razor's eyes widened in shock but then smiled clearly impressed "That was bloody brilliant". Echo gave him a stern look "Well, thank you for that assessment, Mr Razor. Perhaps next time I should turn something into a pocket watch for you. That way you might be on time" "I-I got lost" "Then perhaps a map" she returned to teaching. After making a lot of complicated notes they were given a match and told to turn it into a needle. Silver spent ten minutes awkwardly waving his hands over his match looking like he was massaging an invisible head. Coral was the only one who made some progress. Echo even showed the rest of the class how the match had turned silver in some spots and had a pointy end. This earned Coral a rare smile.

The class everyone was looking forward to was Defence Against the Dark Arts although they quickly learned that Suguna's lessons were a bit of a joke. Some of the older students insisted Suguna was constantly paranoid that the Muckfoot he met on his leave was coming back to get him one of these days. Suguna told them how he gained the many trophies that hung around his walls although none of the class believed it because he refused to elaborate on any of them. Silver was relived to find out he wasn't falling behind everyone else. Quite a few of the kids were from Muggle families and even the "Purebloods", as he heard Rutan call himself one day, didn't have much of a head start due to the massive work load. That Friday was a great achievement for Silver and Razor, they made it to the Great Hall without getting lost once "What have we got today" "Double potions… Uh, with the Raiju. Infinite's head of their house. They say he always favours them. We'll see if it's true". Silver ate some porridge "I wish Echo favoured us" this might have stopped her giving them a load of homework yesterday. The post then arrived, Silver had gotten used to it by now but you can imagine his surprise on his first morning when over a hundred birds starting dropping letters on the tables. Lily obviously never brought Silver anything although she did fly down sometimes flew down to nibble his ear or have some of his toast. This time however she dropped a letter on his lap. Silver quickly opened it and in untidy writing it said:

Dear Silver,

I know you get Friday afternoons off, so would you like to

come and have a cup of tea with me around three? I want to hear

all about your first week. Send us an answer back with Lily.

Big

Silver borrowed Razor's quill, scribbled back a "Yes, thanks" and sent Lily off to deliver it. It was lucky Silver had tea with Big to look forward to because the potions class was something else. At the start of term banquet Silver got the impression that Infinite didn't like him. By the end of the lesson Silver realised he was wrong. Infinite didn't dislike Silver, he hated him. Potions lessons took place down in one of the dungeons. It was colder here than up in the main castle and would have been quite creepy enough without the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the walls. Infinite, like Chuck, started the class by taking the register and, like Chuck, stopped on Silver's name "Ah, yes, Silver the Hedgehog. Our new… celebrity" he said softly. Rutan and his friends sniggered which Infinite chose to ignore as he read out the rest of the names. He then spoke directly to the class "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making". He whispered every word but they could hear it all, Infinite like Echo had a talent for holding the class's attention "As there is little foolish Talismans here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses. I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death, that is if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach". The room went silent, Silver and Razor exchanged glances. Coral was on the edge of her seat determined to prove she wasn't a dunderhead. Suddenly Infinite's voice broke the silence "Hedgehog, tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?". Silver didn't understand half those words, he looked to Razor who looked equally stumped.

Coral's hand shot up but Infinite ignored her "I don't know, sir" Silver finally answered. Infinite sneered "Tut, tut. Apparently fame isn't everything. Okay, let's try again. Hedgehog, where would you look if I told you to find me a Lulumae?". Coral raised her hand as high as she could without getting off her seat. Silver didn't know what a Lulumae was and he was trying to ignore Rutan, Rough and Tumble laughing "I don't know, sir" "Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming here, eh, Hedgehog?". Silver forced himself to continue staring into those piercing eyes. He had looked through the books but did Infinite expect him to remember all one thousand magical herbs and fungi? Infinite was still ignoring Coral whose hand was now quivering "What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?". Coral was now on her feet but Infinite was still staring at Silver "I don't know, sir. Do you think maybe she does?" he casually answered gesturing to Coral. A few people laughed but Infinite was not happy "Sit down!" he snapped at Coral who did so. He looked back at Silver "For your information, Hedgehog, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. Lulumae is a specially made powder and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite. Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?". As everyone started scraping their quills to paper Infinite added "And a point from Shinobi house for your cheek, Hedgehog".

The lesson didn't improve, Infinite put them into pairs and set them to mixing up a simple potion to cure boils. He swept around, watching them weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs, criticising almost everyone except Rutan, whom he seemed to like. He was just telling everyone to look at the perfect way Rutan had stewed his horned slugs when clouds of acid green smoke and a loud hissing filled the dungeon. Antione had somehow managed to melt Larry's cauldron into a twisted blob and their potion was seeping across the stone floor, burning holes in people's shoes. Within seconds, the whole class were standing on their stools while Antione, who had been drenched in the potion when the cauldron collapsed, moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms and legs. Infinite didn't seem to have much sympathy "Idiot boy!". Infinite put on the mask on his desk and waved his hand. The Ruby in his chest glowed and the potion immediately vanished "I suppose you added the ingredients before taking the cauldron off the fire?". Antione just whimpered from the pain "Take him to the hospital wing" Infinite ordered Larry. Then he rounded on Silver and Razor who were working next to Antione "You, Hedgehog, why didn't you tell him to take it off the fire. Thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That's another point you've lost for Shinobi". This was so unfair that Silver was about to argue but Razor hit. Once Infinite turned around Razor whispered "Don't push it. I've heard he can get really mean". For the first time this week Silver felt like he was back with his Aunt and Uncle, right down to someone hating his mere existence.

The two had a quick lunch in the great hall before heading down to Big's. As Silver ate his sandwich he saw Larry using his talismans. A pair of yellow goggles and clawed wrist blades. He was waving his hands over his goblet "Eye of rabbit, Harpring hum, turn this water into rum" he kept repeating this over and over. Silver leaned closer to Razor "Does that work?". Razor shrugged "Sometimes. He actually managed to turn it into tea yesterday. Before-" *BOOM*. They both jumped and looked back, the goblet Larry was messing with was now smoking and his face was covered in soot. Everyone around him laughed.

Silver and Razor arrived at Big's wooden house on the edge of the Deep Woods. They noticed a crossbow at the door which they cautiously approached. Silver knocked the door. The door opened revealing Big, there was something on his shoulder which suddenly jumped onto Razor's head. Razor screamed but Silver carefully took it realising it was a frog "That's Froggy. He's harmless" Big said. Big invited them in, it was one room, there were cages hanging from the ceiling, a kettle in the middle of boiling and a large bed by the furthest corner. "Make yourselves at home" Big said. Silver sat down and Froggy slipped out of his hands. He jumped back to Razor and started licking his face "This is Razor" Silver said. Big poured them some tea "Another one o Rob's kids, eh? I spent half me life chasin' yer twin brothers away from the Forest". Froggy rested on Silver's knee as he told Big all about his first week. He and Razor were delighted to hear Big go off about Rykor "That old git. An' as fer that Chao, Spooky, I'd like ter introduce her to things in the forest some time. D'yeh know, every time I go up ter the school, she follows me everywhere? Can't get rid of her. Rykor puts her up to it". Silver then told Big all about Infinite, Big and Razor both seemed to agree not to think anything of it. Infinite hardly liked any of the students "But he seemed to really hate me" "Rubbish. Why would he?" Silver felt like Big didn't meet his eye when he said that. Big quickly looked to Razor "How's your brother, Rotor. I like him. Good with animals". Silver could tell what Big was doing but dropped it. As Razor explained about his brother working with Dragons, Silver picked a piece of paper from the table. It was a cut out from the Daily Prophet:

Nameless BREAK-IN LATEST

Investigations continue into the break-in at Nameless on 31

July, widely believed to be the work of dark wizards or witches

unknown.

Nameless goblins today insisted that nothing had been

taken. The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied

the same day.

'But we're not telling you what was in there, so keep your

noses out if you know what's good for you,' said a Nameless

spokesgoblin this afternoon

Silver remembered Razor telling him about the break in but he didn't mention the date "Big, the Nameless break in happened on my Birthday. It might have been happening while we were there". Silver was sure Big averted his eyes that time, all he did was offer him another cup of tea. Silver remembered that Big emptied a vault. The two eventually left and headed back to the castle. Silver didn't find anything in his lessons as interesting as tea with Big. What was in that package Big took, who was after it and what was Big not telling him about Inifnite.