The next day however Silver didn't grin once. It all started at breakfast in the Great Hall. They sat down at the Shinobi table next to Coral who gave them a rather stiff "Morning". However Antione greeted them cheerfully "Mail's coming. Gran is probably sending some stuff I forgot". Silver just started his porridge when sure enough the Flickys all started flying overhead dropping mail. Suddenly a familiar Flicky crashed onto the table in front of them "Piopio. Bloody bird's a menace". The unconscious twitching bird dropped a red letter in front of Razor "Oh, no" "Don't worry. I think he's still alive" Coral said poking Piopio. Larry laughed "It's not the bird. He's been sent a Howler". Antione looking uncharacteristically wise patted Razor's back "You better open it, Razor. I ignored one from my gran once. It was horrible" "What's a Howler" Silver asked. No one answered, everyone was around him was preparing for whatever was about to happen. The letter started to smoke "Open it. It'll all be over soon" Antione said backing away and covering his ears. Razor slowly opened the letter and then "RAZOR O'HEDGE!". Razor dropped the letter onto the table but it suddenly flew back up and turned into a paper mouth "HOW DARE YOU STEAL THAT CAR! I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED!". Razor sunk into his chair so only his forehead was visible, the whole hall had gone silent to listen to who received the Howler "I WOULND'T BE SURPRISED IF THEY EXPELLED YOU. YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW IT WAS GONE". The teachers looked mildly interested, they were probably expecting this after last night "GETTING A LETTER FROM PROFFESSOR LOCKE LAST NIGHT, I THOUGHT YOUR FATHER WOULD DIE OF SHAME. WE DIDN'T BRING YOU UP TO BEHAVE LIKE THIS, YOU AND SILVER COULD BOTH HAVE DIED". Silver hoped his name wouldn't come up, he kept eating his porridge pretending he couldn't hear the voice that made his ears ache "YOUR FATHER'S FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK. AND IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT AND IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT BACK HOME". Razor nodded, the letter then turned down the table and said calmly "Oh, and, Blaze, dear, congratulations on making Shinobi. Your father and I are so proud". Blaze seemed to be doing the same as Silver by pretending she couldn't hear the letter.
The letter then blew a raspberry at Razor before tearing itself apart. After a few laughs at Razor's expense chatter returned to the hall. Silver pushed his porridge away, his insides were burning with guilt. Rob was facing an inquiry at work. After all he and Mari-An had done for him over the summer. They didn't have much time to reflect as Echo came by the table to give them their new timetables. They had Herbology with the Yagyu first. They headed down, Coral seemed to think the Howler was a good enough punishment for them both as she was happily talking to them again. They joined the rest of the class in waiting by the greenhouse when they spotted Chrysan with Geoffrey St John. She had multiple bandages and her hair was covered in sand. Silver felt another twinge of guilt when he realised she must have been tending to the Granifer Giganticus. Geoffrey beamed when he saw the students "Oh, hello there. Just been showing Professor Chrysan the right way to doctor a Granifer Giganticas! But I don't want you running away with the idea that I'm better at Herbology than she is! I just happen to have met several of these exotic plants on my travels". Chrysan looked much more disgruntled than usual "Greenhouse Three, chaps". There was murmurs among the students, they had always worked in Greenhouse One. Greenhouse Three held much more interesting plant life. Silver was about to follow the rest in but Geoffrey touched his shoulder "Silver, I was wondering if I could talk to you. You won't mind, Professor Chrysan?". Chrysan's scowl implied she did mind but Geoffrey just said "That's the ticket" and closed the greenhouse door on her face. Geoffrey walked with Silver "Silver… Silver, Silver, Silver" he shook his head. Silver had no idea what was happening so said nothing "When I heard… Well, of course it was my fault. Could have kicked myself". Silver was about to ask when "Don't know when I've been more shocked. Flying a car to Soleanna! Well, of course, I knew at once why you'd done it. Stood out a mile. Gave you a taste for publicity, didn't I. Gave you the bug. You got onto the front page of the paper with me and you couldn't wait to do it again" "Oh, no Professor-" "Silver, Silver, Silver".
Geoffrey put his arm around Silver and grasped his shoulder "I understand. Natural to want a bit more once you've had that first taste and I blame myself for giving you that, because it was bound to go to your head but see here, young man, you can't start flying cars to try and get yourself noticed. Just calm down, all right? Plenty of time for all that when you're older. Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking! 'It's all right for him, he's an internationally famous wizard already!' But when I was twelve, I was just as much of a nobody as you are now. In fact, I'd say I was even more of a nobody! I mean, a few people have heard of you, haven't they? All that business with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named! It's not quite as good as winning Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award five times in a row, as I have but it's a start, Silver, it's a start". He gave Silver a hearty wink and strode off. Silver stood there stunned for a few seconds before remembering he had class. He took his place with Coral and Razor in Greenhouse Three which allowed Chrysan to begin "We'll be repotting Baby Meridian Roots today. Now, who can tell me the properties of the Meridian Roots?". To nobody's surprise Coral raised her hand "Yes, Miss Coral" "Meridian Roots are a powerful restorative". Silver occasionally had the thought that she swallowed the textbook "It is used to return people who have been transfigured or cursed to their original state" "Excellent. Ten points to Shinobi! The Roots form an essential part of most antidotes. It is also, however, dangerous. Who can tell me why?". Coral almost hit Silver as her hand shot up again "The cry of the Root is fatal to anyone who hears it" "Correct. Take another ten points. Now, watch me first". She went over to a group of pots which had shaking plants sticking out of them, Silver didn't understand what Coral meant by cry. Chrysan took one of the pots to her desk "Everyone put on a pair of earmuffs. Make sure they're on securely and don't take them off until I tell give a thumbs up". Everyone quickly did so not wanting to hear whatever the cry was. Chrysan gripped the leaves at the top of the plant pot and yanked it out. Silver let out a scream that nobody else hears. There was a grey, muddy looking baby made out of wood. It was struggling and despite not hearing it Silver could tell it was bawling its eyes out. Chrysan put the Meridian Root into a larger pot and buried it in warm compost until only its leaves were visible. Professor Chrysan dusted off her hands, gave them a thumbs up and everyone took off their earmuffs "Now, as our Roots are only seedlings their cries won't kill you yet but you will be knocked out for several hours and as I'm sure none of you want to miss your first day back, make sure your earmuffs are securely in place while you work. I will attract your attention when it is time to pack up".
They worked four to a tray, the trio were joined by a small male bear in an orange striped shirt and green hat. Silver knew him by sight but had never spoke to him before. He shook his hand "Smokey the Bear. Know who you are, of course, the famous Silver the Hedgehog… And you're Coral the Betta, always top in everything". Coral beamed as she had her hand shook too. He then shook Razor "And Razor the Shark… That was your car, wasn't it". Razor didn't say anything, the Howler was still on his mind. As they started collecting their compost Smokey continued "That Geoffrey is something, isn't he. Awfully brave chap. Have you read his books? I'd have died of fear if Id been cornered in a telephone booth by a Zilla, but he stayed cool and zap, just fantastic. I was down for a Muggle school before coming here. I can't tell you how glad I am I came here instead. Of course, Mother was slightly disappointed, but since I made her read Geoffrey's books I think she's begun to see how useful it'll be to have a fully trained wizard in the family". There wasn't much more of a chance to talk as they had to get their earmuffs on. Chrysan made handling the Roots look easy but it was anything but. They seemed to hate being pulled out of the pots but didn't like being put back in either. They squirmed, kicked, flailed their sharp little fists, and gnashed their teeth. By the end of class Silver like everyone else was sweaty, aching, and covered in earth. Everyone traipsed back to the castle for a quick wash and then the Shinobis hurried off to Transfiguration. Echo's classes were always hard work, but today was especially difficult. Everything Silver had learned last year seemed to have leaked out of his head during the summer. He was supposed to be turning a Mobani beetle into a button, but all he managed to do was give his beetle a lot of exercise as it scuttled over the desktop avoiding his hands. Razor was doing even worse. He was able to save a single drop of Dragon Blood that belonged in his talisman but it clearly wasn't enough to power Rotor's old gloves especially without the bandolier which was beyond repair. His beetle exploded with a little pop leaving a very foul odour. Razor had to ask for a new one, Echo was not pleased. Once the lunch bell went everyone scurried out of the class except Razor who kept hitting his desk with his gloved hands "Stupid, useless thing!" "Write home and get a new one" Silver suggested when the gloves started releasing sparks. Razor frantically shook his head "Oh, no. I'm not getting another Howler".
At lunch Razor's mood had not improved. He reached for Coral's time table "What've we got" "No, wait!" Coral said. Razor stared at the timetable, they had Defence Against the Dark Arts next "Have you outlined St John's lessons with little hearts?". Coral, blushing furiously and grabbed the timetable back.
During lunch Coral wanted to do some last minute studying before Defence Against the Dark Arts. Silver and Razor left her in the hall and went outside into the courtyard. The two discussed Sky Chase for a few minutes until there was a blinding flash. A yellow fox was standing in front of them with a camera and an excited grin "Hi, Silver. I'm Skye. I'm in Shinobi, too. Do you think… Maybe… I could get a picture?" "A picture?" "So I can prove I've met you. Everyone's told me about you. About You-Know-Who". He made an eager glance at Silver's eyes which remained blue "A boy in my class said if I put the picture in the right potion it'll start to move. It's amazing here, isn't it? I never knew all the odd stuff I could do was magic till I got the letter from Soleanna. My dad's a milkman, he couldn't believe it either. So I'm taking loads of pictures to send home to him. And it'd be really good if I had one of you. Maybe you could sign it" "Signed photos?". Silver gave a sigh as Rutan had appeared with, as always, Rough and Tumble behind him "Everyone line up! Silver the Hedgehog is giving out signed photos" "I am not! Shut up!" "You're just jealous" Skye added. Rutan no longer had to shout as the whole courtyard was now listening "Jealous? I don't think getting some freak eyes is praise worthy, personally" "It's more than you've done you're whole life" Razor said. Rutan eyed him "Best be careful, Razor. You don't want to start any trouble or your Mommy'll have to come and take you away from school. 'If you put another toe out of line'". A group of Raiju's nearby laughed "Razor would like a signed photo, Hedgehog. It'd be worth more than his whole house". Before Razor could risk using his damaged gloves "What's all this?". Geoffrey had arrived "Did I hear signed photos?". Before anyone could answer Geoffrey put his arm around Silver "Of course. I shouldn't have asked. Come then, Skye, was it. A double portrait and we'll both sign it".
Skye fumbled with his camera to take the picture, thankfully the bell rang before Silver had a chance to sign it. Goeffrey guided him inside the castle "A word to the wise, Silver. I covered up for you back there with young Skye. If he was photographing me, too, your schoolmates won't think you're setting yourself up so much". Silver felt too dead inside to defend himself "Let me just say that handing out signed pictures at this stage of your career isn't sensible, looks a tad big-headed, to be frank. There may well come a time when, like me, you'll need to keep a stack handy wherever you go, but I don't think you're quite there yet". He let Silver go when they finally reached his classroom. Silver sat at the very back of the class and began taking out his books. Coral entered and sat in front of him with Honey Cat. Razor sat next to Silver "You could fry an egg on your face right now. I hope Skye doesn't meet Blaze. They'll start a fan club" "Shut up". Once the class all arrived Geoffrey began "Let me introduce you to your new Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher. Me. Geoffrey St John. Order of Forelock, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Défense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award but I don't talk about that. I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her". He laughed at his own joke as he passed a portrait of himself painting another portrait of himself "I see you've all bought a complete set of my books, well done. I thought we'd start today with a little quiz. Nothing to worry about, just to check how well you've read them, how much you've taken in". He started handing out papers, when he gave one to Coral she started excitingly whispering to Honey. When Razor was handed his head forced a pleasant smile which turned to a look of disgust when he looked back at Silver "You have thirty minutes. Start now". They turned their papers over. Razor and Silver both gave each other confused looks at the contents of their quiz.
1. What is Geoffrey St John's favorite color?
2. What is Geoffrey St John's secret ambition?
3. What, in your opinion, is Geoffrey St John's greatest achievement to date?
.
.
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54. When is Geoffrey St John's birthday, and what would his ideal gift be?
Once their time was up Geoffrey collected up the papers and looked over them "Tut, tut. hardly any of you remembered that my favourite colour is lilac. I say so in Year with the Yeti. And a few of you need to read The Zilla Gorilla more carefully. I clearly state in chapter twelve that my ideal birthday gift would be harmony between all magic and nonmagical peoples. Though I wouldn't say no to a large bottle of Echidna made Whisky!". Most of the class were holding in laughs but Coral was hanging on his every word and blushed when "But Miss Coral knew my secret ambition is to rid the world of evil and market my own range of hair-care potions, good girl! In fact where is Miss Coral". Coral raised a trembling hand "Well done. Excellent. Full marks and take ten points to Shinobi". Geoffrey then took something large and covered in a tarp out and put it on his desk "Now, be warned. It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizard kind! You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here. All I ask is that you remain calm". He tapped the object and it shook making Silver believe it was a cage. No one was laughing now, Geoffrey now had their full attention "I must ask you not to scream. It might PROVOKE THEM!". He pulled the tarp off revealing what looked to be large colourful moths which were hitting against the sides of the cage trying to escape. Larry Lynx laughed "Mothmacin?" "Freshly caught Mothmacin! Do they not impress, Mr Larry?" "Well, they're not dangerous, are they". Geoffrey chuckled "Don't be so sure. They can be devilishly tricky little blighters. Let's see what you make of them, now!". He opened the cage door and the Moths all flew out in all directions. The students scattered as the Moths started destroying the class room "Come on, round them up, round them up, they're only moths!". Antione ran to the door but one of the moths grabbed him by the head. Despite it's small legs the moth had the strength to pull the screaming Antione up and hang him on the ceiling by his cape "Help! Get me down!". The moths started dropping ink on more students. Geoffrey tried a spell which had no affect. A moth grabbed the crossbow from his arm and shot it onto the ceiling breaking one of the hanging ornaments which hit the floor with the crash. Coral was taking cover behind some tipped over desks with Silver and Razor. One of the moths grabbed her head "Get off me!" "Hold still!" Silver yelled. He whacked the moth off her with one of his books. The rest of the class had escaped the room. A nervous Geoffrey ran to his office door "I'll ask you three to put the rest back into their cage!" he closed the door. Razor hit another one off his arm "What do we do now?". Coral took out her flute and played a tune. In a musical tone came the words "Immobulus!". A blast shot up into the ceiling and then spread across the classroom. All the moths froze, floating in place. The three of them gave great sighs of relief, they then realised Antione was still hanging from the ceiling "Why is it always me?".