It took Silver several days to get used to his new found freedom. Never before had he been able to get up whenever he wanted or eat whatever he fancied. He could even go wherever he pleased, as long as it was in Avalon, and as this long cobbled street was packed with the most fascinating wizarding shops in the world, Silver felt no desire to break his word to Max and stray back into the Muggle world. Silver would spend each morning eating his breakfast in the Groovy Train while watching the fascinating people who would come and go. After breakfast he would go out the back door and tap his gloved finger onto the brick wall making it open to Avalon. He would spend his sunny days eating outside the many cafes listening to other wizards talking about their day to day or about Elias Acorn "Personally, I don't want my children out alone until he's back on Prison Island". Silver didn't have to do his homework under his blanket with a torch anymore. Now he could do it out in the sunshine by Apotos' Greatest Ice Cream's. The owner of the shop, a human called Dan Green, would often help Silver with his essays. He would also bring him free ice cream every half hour. When he refilled his money from Nameless he had to keep a lot of self control to not spend it all at once. He had to keep reminding himself that the money in his vault had to last him five more years at Soleanna. He almost bought a handsome set of solid gold Gobstones (a wizarding game rather like marbles, in which the stones squirt a nasty-smelling liquid into the other player's face when they lose a point). He was sorely tempted to buy the perfect, moving model of the galaxy in a large glass ball, which would have meant he never had to take another Astronomy lesson. But the thing that tested Silver's resolution most appeared in his favourite shop, Quality Sky Chase Supplies. A week after he'd arrived at the Groovy Train he had went to check out the shop only to find a big crowd of people surrounding it. He squeezed through the excited crowd to the front and then he knew exactly why they were so excited. In the window on a gold podium was a magnificent looking board, one Silver had never seen before. Almost fully rectangular, silver and black and a sleek metal. "Just came out. A prototype" "Faster than anything else" "Favourites for the World Cup" people around him said. Silver got closer and read the sign underneath the board.
The Psychic Wave
THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART RACING BOARD SPORTS A STREAM-LINED, SUPERFINE SURFACE, TREATED WITH A DIAMOND-HARD POLISH AND HAND- NUMBERED WITH ITS OWN REGISTRATION NUMBER. EACH INDIVIDUALLY SELECTED PIECE IN THE CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN HONED TO AERODYNAMIC PERFECTION, GIVING THE PSYCHIC WAVE UNSURPASSABLE BALANCE AND PINPOINT PRECISION.
THE WAVE HAS AN ACCELERATION OF 150 MILES AN HOUR IN TEN SECONDS AND INCORPORATES AN
UNBREAKABLE BRAKING CHARM. PRICE ON REQUEST
Price on request. Silver didn't want to think about how much the Psychic Wave must cost. He had never wanted something so much in his whole life. But he just couldn't do it, he hadn't lost a game yet on his Blue Star. Emptying his vault for the Psychic Wave would be pointless. Silver may not have bought it but he did return to the shop every day just look at it once again. There were, however, things that Silver needed to buy. He went to the Apothecary to replenish his store of potions ingredients, and as his winter gear was now too small for him. He visited Sophia's Clothes for All Occasions and bought new ones. Most important of all, he had to buy his new schoolbooks, which would include those for his two new subjects, Care of Magical Creatures and Divination. Silver got a surprise as he looked in at the bookshop window. Instead of the usual display of gold- embossed spell books the size of paving slabs, there was a large iron cage behind the glass that held about a hundred copies of The Monster Book of Monsters. Torn pages were flying everywhere as the books grappled with each other, locked together in furious wrestling matches and snapping aggressively. Silver pulled his booklist out of his pocket and consulted it for the first time. The Monster Book of Monsters was listed as the required book for Care of Magical Creatures. Now Silver understood why Big had said it would come in useful. He felt relieved; he had been wondering whether Big wanted help with some terrifying new pet. He entered Gerald and Pickles Book shop, the duck owner greeted him "Soleanna?" "Yes, I need-" "Get out of the way!" he said impatiently. He put on a pair of thick gloves, a club and approached the cage of books "Hang on. I've got that one already" Silver said.
The owner looked very relieved "Have you? Oh, thank goodness. I've been bitten five times already this morning". He then hit the cage to stop two of the books from tearing another one apart "I'm never stocking these again! Never! It's been bedlam! I thought we'd seen the worst when we bought two hundred copies of the Invisible Book of Invisibility, cost a fortune, and we never found them... Well... is there anything else I can help you with?" "Yes, uh…". Silver checked his list "Unfogging the future" "Ah, starting Divination, are you? Follow me". He was taken to the back of the shop where there was a corner devoted to fortune-telling. A small table was stacked with volumes of books such as Predicting the Unpredictable: Insulate Yourself Against Shocks and Broken Balls: When Fortunes Turn Foul. "Here you are" said the manager, who had climbed a set of steps to take down a thick, black- bound book. "Unfogging the Future. Very good guide to all your basic fortune-telling methods. Palmistry, crystal balls, bird entrails. But Silver wasn't listening. His eyes had fallen on another book, which was among a display on a small table: Death Omens.- What to Do When You Know the Worst Is Coming. "Oh, I wouldn't read that if I were you. You'll start seeing death omens everywhere. It's enough to frighten anyone to death" the shopkeeper said. But Silver continued to stare at the front cover of the book; it showed a lizard creature, with gleaming eyes. It looked oddly familiar. The keeper gave Silver his book "Anything else?" "Yes. I need Intermediate Transfiguration and The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Three". Silver exited the shop ten minutes later with a large stack of books. He headed back to Groovy Train after taking a few wrong turns and bumping into several people. He threw his books onto his bed and then turned to the mirror over the basin. He shook his head "It wasn't a death omen. It was just someone's pet". He instinctively tried to make his quills flat and his reflection said "You're fighting a losing battle, dear".
As the days passed Silver started looking for signs of Coral and Razor. With start of term nearing he did run into some fellow Shinobis. He found Larry Lynx and Marcos the Wolf ogling the Psychic Wave just like he was. He also ran into Antione but he didn't have time to talk. Antione appeared to have mislaid his booklist and was being told off by his very formidable-looking grandmother, Ms Vandersnout. Silver hoped she never found out that he'd pretended to be Antione while on the run from the Ministry of Magic.
Silver awoke on the last day of the holiday thinking he was going to have to wait to see Razor and Coral until tomorrow on the Mirage Express. He went to get one last look at the Psychic Wave and then had to decide where to go for lunch when "Silver!". There they were, Coral and Razor sitting together at the Apotos Ice Cream shop waving at him. Razor patted his back as he sat down "Finally. Sam told us you left so we checked all the shops" "I've already got my school stuff. Are you staying at Sam's too?". Razor nodded "Yeah, we had to come when we heard what happened". Silver was about to ask what he meant but then he remembered. Rob worked for the Ministry so he probably heard about the Thunderbolt incident. Coral confirmed this "Did you really blow up your Aunt, Silver?" "It was an accident. I just… lost control" Silver said over Razor's roars of laughter. Coral disapproved "It's not funny, Razor. Silver is lucky to not have been expelled" "I was lucky not to get arrested". Razor nodded "Don't think they would have forgiven me so easily if I had blown up my aunt. Mind you they'd have to dig me up first because Mum and Dad would have killed me. Oh, that reminds me, Dad wants you to come to Radical Train with us tomorrow". Coral nodded "I can come to. My parents dropped me off yesterday with my school stuff". Silver smiled "Brilliant. Have you both got your school stuff?" "Yep. And that's not all". Razor held his chin up making it more obvious, a necklace with golden shark teeth. Razor then took out a dagger "New Talisman. Gaia Rex blood as the source". Razor looked very happy to have his own Talisman, they suited him a lot more than Rotor's old ones. Razor opened his bag "Got our books to. The shop owner nearly cried when we asked for the Monster book". Silver however noticed that Coral seemed to have a lot more books than usual. She had not one but three full bags "What's all that, Coral?" "Oh, I'm taking a few more subjects than you. Those are my books for Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, the Study of Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies" "What're you taking Muggle Studies for? Your family are Muggles" Razor said.
Coral replied earnestly "But it'll be fascinating to see it from the Wizarding perspective" "Are you planning on sleeping or eating at all this year?" Silver asked. Coral ignored them and looked through her purse "I've still got 10 gold rings. Mum and Dad said I could buy myself a birthday present" "How about a good book?" "No, I don't think so. I might get a Flicky. Silver's got Lily and you've got Piopio". Razor sighed "I don't have Piopio. He's a family Flicky. All I've got is Wacky". He took his pet Chao out of his pocket "And I want him checked. I don't think Sandopolis agreed with him". Silver had to agree, Wacky looked much thinner and his green skin looked very faded. Luckily Silver knew Avalon like the back of his hand by now "There's a creatures shop close by. They might have something. And Coral could get a Flicky". They paid for their ice cream and headed to the Magical Menagerie. There wasn't much room inside. Every inch of wall was hidden by cages. It was smelly and very noisy because the occupants Of these cages were all squeaking, squawking, jabbering, or hissing. The squid witch behind the counter was already advising another customer so Silver, Razor and Coral waited, examining the cages. There were normal Mobani animals and Chao of course but there were also more magical creatures like wisps, sprites, even dragons although they had very clear warnings about what was legal to use them for. If you bought one you would have to be monitored until the dragon is proven to be either dead for use of Talisman making or sent away from the country. Under no exceptions could they be bought as pets. Finally the owner returned and Razor showed her Wacky "He hasn't been the same since we got back from holiday". A cage full of Chao stopped doing tricks and were now all watching Wacky intriguingly.
The squid looked fascinated as she picked him up "Hm, how old is he?" "Uh, I dunno. He belonged to my brother" "Well, he's too small to have started the reincarnation process so that can't be it. What powers does he have?". Razor didn't answer, truth be told Wacky had never shown any sign of special powers. The owner examined him closely "Hm, he's been through the mill" "Hamlin found him like that" "If you would like a new one…". She gestured to the cage of Chao who started skipping "Show offs" Razor said bitterly. The owner took something out of the drawer "Well, if you don't want a replacement you can try this Chao Tonic" "Yeah, I'll take that. Than-AH!". A small white shape hit Razor over the head knocking him over and then went for Wacky "NO, AQUARIUS, NO!" the owner yelled. Wacky leaped from the owner's hands and ran for the door "Wacky!" Razor yelled and chased after him. It took ten minutes for him and Silver to catch Wacky outside the Sky Chase supplies shop across the street. Finally Razor scooped him up and petted his head "What was that?" "I don't know but I think it had tentacles" Silver said. They headed back to the animal shop and saw Coral leaving but she didn't have a Flicky "You bought that monster?" "She's gorgeous, isn't she?" Coral was glowing. Aquarius was a white Chao with mint green around her legs and arms and a necklace of a sea shell. The presumed tentacles were actually very long thin ears. With Wacky out of sight she was happily purring in Coral's arms. Razor didn't look happy "Coral, that thing knocked me over" "Oh, she didn't mean it, did you, Aquarius?" "And what about Wacky? Aqua Chao eat land Chao". Coral laughed "No they don't. That's just a rumour. Oh, that reminds me, you forgot your tonic". She handed him the bottle "And don't worry. We'll be in different dormitories". She hugged her new pet "Poor Aquarius. That lady said she's been there for years. No one wanted her" "I wonder why" Razor said.
They returned to the Groovy Train to find Rob having a drink and reading the paper. He beamed when he saw them "Ah, Silver, how are you?" "Fine thanks, Mr O'Hedge". They sat down at his table and Silver saw the familiar picture of Elias Acorn on the paper "They still haven't caught him yet?". Rob gravely shook his head "Not yet. The Ministry's getting desperate. Even my departments been pulled away from normal duties". Razor looked excited "Is there a reward? We could use some extra money" "Don't be ridiculous, Razor. Elias Acorn isn't going to be caught by a bunch of thirteen year old wizards. Mark my words, it's the Island Guards that'll get him". At that moment Mari-An entered the bar, laden with shopping bags and followed by the twins, Mighty and Ray, who were about to start their fifth year at Soleanna; the newly elected Head Boy, Hamlin; and the youngest O'Hedge child and only girl, Blaze. Blaze who had always been quite taken with Silver seemed to have been even more embarrassed around him. It was somewhat understandable, he did save her life. She went slightly red, muttered "Hello" to the floor and sat far away from him. Alternatively Hamlin solemnly shook Silver's hand like he had never met him before "Silver, how nice to see you" "Hi, Hamlin" Silver replied trying not to laugh. Hamlin looked so pompous you'd think he was the Prime Minister "Hope you are well?". Before Silver answered Mighty pushed Hamlin out of the way and started shaking his hand "Silver, simply splendid to see you, old boy". Ray then did the same "Marvelous! Absolutely spiffing". Hamlin and Mari-An were scowling "That's enough" the latter said. Mighty feigned surprise at the sight of Mari-An and shook her hand "Mum, how corking to see you!" "Enough!". She put her shopping down and hugged Silver "Hello, dear. I suppose you've heard the exciting news". She pointed at Hamlin new badge "Second Head-Boy in the family" she swelled with pride. Mighty rolled his eyes "And last" "I don't doubt that. I notice both of you haven't been made prefects". Ray looked revolted "Why would we want to be prefects? Take all the fun out of life". Blaze giggled making Mari-An frown "You should be setting a better example for your sister" "She has other brothers" Ray shrugged. "I'm going to go change, Mother" Hamlin said. Mighty watched him leave "We tried to shut him in one of the pyramids but Mum caught us" he said to Silver.
Dinner that night was an enjoyable affair. Sam had kindly put three of the tables together allowing the O'Hedges, Silver and Coral to make their way through five delicious courses. "How're we getting to Radical Train tomorrow, Dad?" Mighty asked. Rob swallowed the food in his mouth "Ministry's sending cars". Everyone stopped eating and stared at him "Why?" Hamlin asked leading to Mighty saying "For you, Ham. They'll be little flags on it saying HB. For Humongous Bighead". Hamlin ignored him "Why are they sending cars, father" "Well, we don't have ours anymore and someone owes me a favour". He was trying to sound casual but Silver could tell something was up. Silver could see a bit of Razor in Rob's face at this moment, they made a similar expression when they were under pressure. Rob continued "Good thing too. You'd all be a sight on the Underground with all that luggage. You're all packed aren't you?" "Razor isn't. He dumped all his stuff on my bed" Hamlin said. Razor scowled at his brother before dragging himself up to his room. After dinner everyone was quite tired and went up to their rooms. Silver locked his trunk ready for the morning and was about to go to bed when he heard angry voices through the walls. Silver ran out to see what was going on. In the room next to his Razor and Hamlin were yelling "It was here on the bedside table!" "I didn't take it, alright!".
Silver opened the door "What's up" "I took off my badge for polishing and now it's gone" "And so's Wacky's tonic. I might have left it in the bar" Razor added. Silver knew Hamlin wasn't going to let Razor leave until he found the badge "I'll get it. I'm already packed". Silver was halfway along the passage to the bar, which was now very dark, when he heard another pair of angry voices coming from the parlour. A second later, he recognized them as Rob and Mari-An. He hesitated, not wanting them to know he'd heard them arguing, when the sound of his own name made him stop, then move closer to the parlour door. He heard Mari-An "It makes no sense to tell him" "Silver's got a right to know. I've tried to tell Max, but he insists on treating Silver like a child. He's thirteen years old and-" "Rob, the truth would terrify him. Do you really want to send him back to school with that hanging over him? For heaven's sake, he's happy not knowing". Rob sighed "I don't want to make him miserable, I want to put him on his guard. You know what Silver and Razor are like, wandering off by themselves. They've ended up in the Deep Woods twice! But Silver mustn't do that this year! When I think what could have happened to him that night he ran away from home! If the Mirage Express hadn't picked him up, I'm prepared to bet he would have been dead before the Ministry found him". Mari-An frantically shook her head "Don't say that. He's fine. There's no reason to worry him" "Mari, Elias isn't some brainless grunt. They keep saying he's mad but he got off Prison Island. He's clever. We haven't gotten one hint of him in weeks. I don't care what Max is telling the Daily Prophet, we're no where nearer to finding him. The only thing we know is what he's after". Mari-An started to sound worried "He won't get into Soleanna" "We said he wouldn't get off Prison Island" "But we don't know for sure that he's after Silver".
There was a thud, Rob had banged his fist against the table "Mari, how many times do I have to tell you? They didn't report it in the press because Max wanted it kept quiet, but he went out to Prison Island the night Elias escaped. The guards told Max that he's been talking in his sleep for a while now. Always the same words: 'He's at Soleanna... he's at Soleanna'. Elias is deranged, Mari, and he wants Silver dead. If you ask me, he thinks murdering Silver will bring You-Know-Who back to power. Elias lost everything the night Silver stopped You-Know-Who, and he's had twelve years alone on Prison Island to brood on that". Silver leaned closer to the door to hear them "Alright, Rob, you must do what you think is right but I just don't think Elias would dare with Locke at Soleanna. If You-Know-Who couldn't do it Elias won't". She took a breath "Does he know about this?" "Yes, it was the only way to get him agree to the new security measures. He wouldn't have allowed it if he didn't know the students were in danger. He wasn't happy though" "Why shouldn't he be happy? If they catch Elias…". Rob gave a wearily nod "I know. I know. If they protect Silver I'll never say another word against them. It's getting late, Mari, let's get to bed". Silver heard their chairs move and he quickly and quietly went back up the stairs to his room before they saw him. He waited until he heard them close the door to their room before going back downstairs to get the bottle of tonic. When he came back he saw Mighty and Ray laughing as they heard Hamlin tearing his room apart "We have his badge. We've been improving it". The badge now said "Bighead Boy". Silver kept a straight face as opened the door, handed the tonic to Razor and quickly went back to his own room.
So, this Elias Acorn was after him, this explained everything. Why Max seemed so relieved to see him alive. Why he was told to stay in Avalon where there were plenty of wizards to keep an eye on him. And why the Ministry were sending cars, so Silver would have people with him until he got on the train. Silver lied down on his bed and wondered why he didn't feel more scared. He guessed he just agreed with Mari-An, there's no way Elias could get him at Soleanna. Finitevus was terrified of Locke so Elias as his right hand man must be scared of him as well. The chances of him getting into the school seemed pretty remote, especially with these new apparent security measures. All in all the only thing that bothered Silver is if a killer was after him then his chances of going to Spiral Hill seemed to have dropped even lower. Nobody would want him leaving the castle until Elais was caught. Silver felt like he's going to have to get used to people keeping an eye on him this year. He scowled at the ceiling, he can look after himself, he wasn't completely useless "I'm not going to get murdered" "That's the spirit, dear" his reflection in the mirror said sleepily.