Silver was several streets away before he finally collapsed at the side of a road. Behind him was a small play park. He sat for a while listening to the frantic heart thumping in his chest. After about ten minutes a new feeling overtook him, panic. Whichever way he looked at it, he had never been in a worse fix. He was stranded, quite alone, in the dark Muggle world, with absolutely nowhere to go. And the worst of it was, he had just done serious magic, which meant that he was almost certainly expelled from Soleanna. He had broken the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry so badly, he was surprised Ministry of Magic representatives weren't swooping down on him where he sat. As he shivered from the cold he wondered what would happen to him. Would he be arrested or maybe banned from the Wizarding World. Silver knew that criminal or not, Coral and Razor would want to help him but they were both abroad and he didn't have Lily so he couldn't message him. He didn't have any Mobium money. He had a small bag of rings but there isn't anywhere near him where he could spend it. He'd have to get to Avalon and get more of his money from Nameless but he can't drag his trunk all the way to Knothole… Unless. He looked down at his gloves. If he was already expelled surely a little more magic couldn't hurt. What if he put a spell on his trunk to make it light as a feather and then tie it to his board. He could easily fly to Knothole then and he wouldn't have to worry about being seen since he had his Chaos Emerald. He could get all his money out of Nameless and begin his life as an outcast.
It was a horrible prospect, but he couldn't sit on this wall forever, or he'd find himself trying to explain to Muggle police why he was out in the dead of night with a trunkful of spell books and a metal board. He opened his case to find the emerald but then something made him stop. He was getting a funny prickling feeling on the back of his neck which made him feel like he was being watched. He got to his feet, the symbols on his gloves started to glow. He then saw it, a large quadrupedal shape was in the bushes on the opposite side of the road. It's small sways that looked like it was breathing made Silver feel tense. It slowly moved out of the bushes revealing it to a red lizard like creature. It revealed its razor sharp teeth making Silver instinctively raise his hands in defence but then with a bang Silver suddenly found himself lying on the wet ground. On the road in front of him was a train, a long white train with a multi coloured star on the outline of the front window. Silver thought for a second that he might have hit his head but then the door in the front carriage opened and a blue desert rat with glasses and a white shirt walked out. He read from a stack of cards he took out of his shirt "Welcome to the Mirage Express. Emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just make your Talisman glow, step on board and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Charlie the Desert Rat, and I will be your conductor this eve-". He stopped abruptly and noticed Silver on the ground "What're you doing down there?" "I fell over" "Watcha fall over for?". Silver scrambled to his feet "I didn't do it on purpose" "Well, come on then. Let's not wait for the grass to grow". Silver didn't get inside though.
He went around the train and looked at the spot where the creature was but it was gone. Charlie followed him "What're you looking at?" "Um… Nothing" "What's your name?". Silver paused and then "Antione the Hedgehog. Can this train go anywhere" "Anywhere on land. Can't do water" "How much to take me to the Groovy Train?". Charlie took out a small device and added up the cost "Eleven Silver Rings. But for fifteen you get 'some chocolate, and for fifteen you get a water bottle an' a toothbrush in the colour of your choice". Silver reached into his bag and gave Charlie fifteen silver rings "Well, come on then. Get on. I'll get that". Charlie groaned as he lifted the heavy trunk and followed Silver into the train. There were no seats inside, instead, half a dozen brass bedsteads stood beside the curtained windows. Candles were burning in brackets beside each bed, illuminating the wood-panelled walls. Charlie put Silver trunk under a bed behind the driver "You can have this one near the door. You won't have an overnighter. This is our driver, Cliff, by the way. Cliff, Antione". Cliff was a bearded old Mobian wearing a Stetson "Take her away, Cliff". There was another tremendous *BANG*, and the next moment Silver found himself flat on his bed, thrown backward by the speed of the Mirage Express. Pulling himself up, Silver stared out of the dark window and saw that they were now bowling along a completely different street. Cliff was watching Silver's stunned face with great enjoyment. Silver realised they were on a busy muggle street "Can't the muggles see us" "Muggles? They don't see nothing. Don't listen, do they?" "Next stop, Charlie!" Cliff said, "Excuse me". Charlie went to the far back of the bus to wake up a few of the passengers. After dropping them off they sped off again. Silver wondered how all these other passengers were managing to sleep through the noise and shaking. Charlie returned to Silver and unfolded a newspaper. Silver could see the other side and saw a familiar face "Who is that? That man? He was on the muggle news". Charlie turned the paper around and then looked back at Silver "Who is that? Who is… That is Elias Acorn, that is. Where yah been, Ant? Of course he was on the muggle news. You ought to read the papers more". He handed the paper over to Silver and he read.
Elias STILL AT LARGE
Elias Acorn, possibly the most infamous prisoner ever to be held on the Prison Island fortress, is still eluding capture, the Ministry of Magic confirmed today. "We are doing all we can to recapture Elias," said the Minister of Magic, Max the Chipmunk, this morning, "and we beg the magical community to remain calm."
Max has been criticized by some members of the International 31 Federation of Warlocks for informing the Muggle Prime Minister of the crisis. "Well, really, I had to, don't you know," said an irritable Max. "Elias is mad. He's a danger to anyone who crosses him, magic or Muggle. I have the Prime Minister's assurance that he will not breathe a word of Max's true identity to anyone. And let's face it-who'd believe him if he did?"
While Muggles have been told that Max is carrying a gun (a kind of metal wand that Muggles use to kill each other), the magical community lives in fear of a massacre like that of twelve years ago, when Max murdered thirteen people with a single curse.
The picture of Elias on the paper made him look even more dishevelled and sunken "Scary looking thing, ain't he?" Charlie said. Silver handed the paper back to Charlie "He murdered 13 people with one curse?" "Oh, yeah. In broad daylight, too. Dozens of witnesses. A lot of trouble it caused for the Ministry". He leaned closer as if scared someone would hear "He was a big supporter of You-Know-Who. Now, you gotta have heard of him?". Silver slowly nodded "Yeah… Him I've heard of" "Well, when he met his end going after that little Silver the Hedgehog". Silver's heart started racing again, "His other followers, they knew it was over. Went quietly. But not Elias Acorn. Apparently he thought he was gonna be second in command and now he wanted to take over with You-Know-Who gone. Well, he was finally tracked down in a muggle village. But some civilian wizard got in the way. Tried to catch Elias himself. So, Elias panicked. He took out his Taliman, a sword I think. And he blasted half the street apart. It was horrible. The wizard and about a dozen muggle got caught in it. Nothing left. Ministry had a hell of a time covering the whole thing up". He leaned even closer for dramatic affect "And do you know what Elias did then?" "What?" "He laughed. Just standing there laughing. And he was still laughing when Ministry reinforcements got there to take him in. He was mad". Cliff glanced back at them "If he wasn't going into Prison Island he will be now. I'd have blown myself up rather than going in there. Serves him right though". Charlie nodded "But he's out now. No one's got any idea how he's done it. Never happened before. Can't say he's in a better spot though. I hear the Island guards are angry. The Ministry's even letting them help hunt him down". Cliff shivered "Talk about something else, Charlie, there's a good lad. Those things give me the collywobbles". Charlie rolled his eyes and continued reading the paper. Silver leaned his head against the window thinking about the story Charlie might be telling another passenger in a few days "Did you hear about that Silver the Hedgehog? Blew up his aunt. We had him on the bus a few days ago. He was trying to make a run for it". Silver then wondered, was blowing up his aunt enough of a crime to get him thrown on Prison Island. The fearful ton everyone used when talking about it made Silver worry. Big was one of the bravest people Silver knew and he will never forget the look of terror on his face when he was told he would be going.
Finally Silver was the last passenger and the train came to a stop outside the Groovy Train pub. Silver had a plan, he would lay low for a few hours until Nameless opens, collect his money and then set off but where he didn't know. Charlie clapped his hands together "Right then, Ant" "Thanks". Silver walked out onto the pavement "Well, thanks" but Charlie wasn't looking at him, he was looking behind him "There you are Silver". Before Silver could turn around a hand touched his shoulder. Silver turned his head and he felt a bucket of ice hit his stomach. It was Max the Chipmunk, Minister of Magic himself. Charlie and Cliff were both poking their heads out of the train "What'd you call Antione, Minster?". Max gave them a cold exhausted look "Antione? This is Silver the Hedgehog" "I knew it. Look, Cliff, his eyes". Silver's eyes had indeed turned gold the instant the Minister of Magic touched his shoulder. Max nodded thankfully to the Charlie and Cliff "Thank you or picking him up. We were getting worried. Now, Silver we must get inside". Silver found himself being led into the Groovy Train where behind the bar was the familiar Sammy the Panda "You got him, Minster! Will you be needing anything? Beer? A Brandy" "Just some tea, Sam". Charlie and Cliff flowed them in carrying his luggage "Hey, why didn't you tell us you were Silver the Hedgehog" "A private parlour, please, Sam" Max said. He still hadn't let go of Silver who looked back at Charlie "Uh, thanks again. Bye" "Bye, Ant". Sam led them both into a small parlour and with the flick of his finger the fire erupted. Sam bowed himself out of the room "Sit down, Silver" Max said pleasantly. Silver nervously sat opposite Max "I'm Max, Silver. Minister for Magic".
Silver already knew this, he had seen Max last year although he'd prefer Max didn't find out about this. Max returned with a tray of tea which he put on the table before leaving again. Max poured them both a cup, Silver didn't usually drink tea but right now he could drink anything if it could calm his nervses. Max then buttered a few of the crumpets "Well, Silver, I can't say what you did wasn't foolish. Running away from your Aunt and Uncle's like that. You had us all very worried. I started to think… Well, the important thing is you're safe". He moved a plate of crumpets to Silver "Eat something. You look dead on your feet. Now then... You will be pleased to hear that we have dealt with the unfortunate blowing-up of Miss Thunderbolt. Two members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Department were dispatched to Penders Drive a few hours ago. Miss Thunderbolt has been punctured and her memory has been modified. She has no recollection of the incident at all. So that's that, and no harm done". Max looked over the rim of his cup at Silver like an uncle surveying his favourite nephew. Silver couldn't believe his ears. He tried to speak but couldn't find the words, "Ah, you're worrying about the reaction of your aunt and uncle? Well, I won't deny that they are extremely angry, Silver, but they are prepared to take you back next summer as long as you stay at Soleanna for the Christmas and Easter holidays". Silver finally had something to say "I already do that, sir. I don't want to go back to Penders Drive. Ever" "Oh, you'll feel differently once you've calmed down. They are your family after all". Silver didn't feel like pushing the issue with the Minister of Magic so Max continued "So, all that remains is to decide where you're going to spend the last two weeks of your holiday. I suggest you take a room here at Groovy Train". Silver just managed to stammer out a reply "Uh, Sir… I-I don't understand" "Understand?" "I broke the law. I'm not supposed to use magic outside of school". Max laughed finally understanding "Oh, Silver, we don't send people to Prison Island for a simple accident. Believe me, much older wizards than you have had trouble controlling their emotions. Now, you finish your tea while I go see if they have a room for you".
Max strode out of the parlour and Silver stared after him. There was something extremely odd going on. Why had Max been waiting for him at the Groovy Train, if not to punish him for what he'd done? And now Silver came to think of it, surely it wasn't usual for the Minister of Magic himself to get involved in matters of underage magic? He quickly returned "Room 11 is free, Silver. I think you'll be very comfortable there". As he walked Silver to his room he told him "Now, there's one thing I must ask of you. I'm sure you'll understand. I don't want you wandering into Muggle Knothole. Keep to Avalon and I want you to be back before dark each night. I've asked Sam to keep an eye on you". Silver nodded "Yes, sir. Can I ask why?" "Oh, just don't want to lose you again. With the climate right now" "Elias Acorn, you mean?". Max didn't hide his surprise very well "Oh, you've heard of that? Yes, his escape has caused a bit of a ripple. But we'll catch him eventually. Best just to take precautions in the meantime". He held out his hand and shook Silver's "Well, best be off. Stay safe, Silver and enjoy your stay". Silver was tempted for a moment to ask Max to sign his permission form. Surely if the Minister signed it he'd have to be allowed to go. but with how worried Max was over Silver's safety he thought it would be a waste of time. With a final bow of the head Max was gone. Sam took Silver the rest of the way to his room. For such short notice the room was better than Silver was expecting. All his luggage had been taken up, a comfy bed, a large wardrobe and perched on top of it "Lily!". Lily flew down and landed on his shoulder making Sam laugh "Smart one you've got there, Mr Silver. Arrived about five minutes after you did. If there's anything you need from me, don't hesitate to ask" he bowed his head and closed the door behind him. Silver sat on his bed for a long time, absentmindedly stroking Lily. The sky outside the window was changing rapidly from deep, velvety blue to cold, steely grey and then, slowly, to pink shot with gold. Silver could hardly believe that he'd left Penders Drive only a few hours ago, that he wasn't expelled, and that he was now facing two completely Menthor and Cynthia-free weeks. "It's been a very weird night, Lily" he yawned. And without even a second thought, he slumped back onto his pillows and fell asleep.
