Everyone woke up late on Boxing Day and the Common Room was a lot quieter as people didn't have the energy for anything beyond lazy conversation. Coral was back to her normal look "Too much bother doing all that every day" she told Silver. Coral and Razor seemed to have reached an unspoken agreement to not discuss their argument. They were acting very friendly although oddly formal to each other. Silver wasted no time in telling Coral about what they heard last night. Coral wasn't as surprised about Big being half yeti as Razor was "Well, I thought he must be. I get why he hasn't told us though. All this ridiculous fear over half breeds. It's bigotry is what it is".
Silver was beginning to feel nervous, February looked much closer on this side of Christmas. He occasionally brought the egg out and listened to the screeching inside trying to see if he could recognise it. He tried talking to it seeing if that would stop the screech and he even tried throwing it at the wall (He didn't believe that would do anything). He hadn't forgotten what Sonic had told him but his less-than-friendly feelings toward Sonic just now meant that he was keen not to take his help if he could avoid it. In any case, it seemed to him that if Sonic had really wanted to give Silver a hand, he would have been a lot more explicit. He, Silver, had told Sonic exactly what was coming in the first task and Sonic's idea of a fair exchange had been to tell Silver to take a bath. Well, he didn't need that sort of rubbishy help, not from someone who kept walking down corridors hand in hand with Amy, anyway. And so, the first day of the new term arrived, and Silver set off to lessons, weighed down with books, parchment, and quills as usual, but also with the lurking worry of the egg heavy in his stomach, as though he were carrying that around with him too.
Silver had attempted multiple times over the holidays to go down to see Big, but he never answered when he knocked the door. He was hopeful though when term started up. He, Razor and Coral headed down to Care of Magical Creatures hoping to get some time to talk to him but when they arrived, they were surprised to see a pink female dog waiting for them "Who are you?" Razor asked. She stood up straight "Doc Ginger. I am your temporary Care of Magical Creatures teacher" "Where's Big?" Silver asked in a louder voice than he intended. Ginger spoke shortly "He is indisposed". They was a sinister laugh and Silver saw Rutan coming down the snowy hill with Rough and Tumble. The three of them didn't look surprised to see Ginger. Silver kept trying to ask Ginger what happened to Big, but she kept pretending not to hear him. She just continued with he lesson which was on Sprites. All lot of the girls awed at them "Girls, come forward, Sprites prefer a female's touch. Walk slowly". All the girls enthusiastically moved towards the Sprites. Since Ginger was preoccupied Silver whispered to Razor "What do you think's happened to Big. Maybe one of the Plasmas-" "Oh, he hasn't been attacked, Hedgehog". Rutan was listening to them "No, he's just too ashamed to show his big, ugly face" "What're you talking about, Rutan?". Rutan grinned and held out a newspaper, Big was on the front cover looking shifty. Silver took the newspaper and read it.
LOCKE'S GIANT MISTAKE
Locke, eccentric Headmaster of Soleanna School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has never been afraid to make controversial staff appointments, writes Breezie the Hedgehog, Special Correspondent. In September of this year, he hired Striker the Mantis Shrimp, the notoriously jinx-happy ex-Diamond Cutter, to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts, a decision that caused many raised eyebrows at the Ministry of Magic, given Striker's well-known habit of attacking anybody who makes a sudden movement in his presence. Striker, however, look responsible and kindly when set beside the part Mobian Locke employs to teach Care of Magical Creatures. Big, who admits to being expelled from Soleanna in his third year, has enjoyed the position of gamekeeper at the school ever since, a job secured for him by Locke. Last year, however, Big used his mysterious influence over the headmaster to secure the additional post of Care of Magical Creatures teacher, over the heads of many better-qualified candidates.
An alarmingly large and ferocious-looking man, Big has been using his newfound authority to terrify the students in his care with a succession of horrific creatures. While Locke turns a blind eye, Big has maimed several pupils during a series of lessons that many admit to being "Very frightening." "I was attacked by a Black Hawk, and my friend Tumble got a bad bite off a Koco" says Rutan the Echidna, a fourth-year student. "We all hate Big, but we're just too scared to say anything."
Big has no intention of ceasing his campaign of intimidation, however. In conversation with a Daily Prophet reporter last month, he admitted breeding creatures he has dubbed "Plasmas" highly dangerous crosses between Chaos and Blazers. The creation of new breeds of magical creature is, of course, an activity usually closely observed by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Big, however, considers himself to be above such petty restrictions.
"I was just having some fun" he says, before hastily changing the subject. As if this were not enough, the Daily Prophet has now unearthed evidence that Big is not as he has always pretended, a pure-blood wizard. He is not, in fact, even pure Mobian. His mother, we can exclusively reveal, is none other than the Yeti Fridwulfa, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
Bloodthirsty and brutal, the Yetis brought themselves to the point of extinction by warring amongst themselves during the last century. The handful that remained joined the ranks of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and were responsible for some of the worst mass Muggle killings of his reign of terror.
While many of the Yetis who served He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named were killed by Diamond Cutters working against the Dark Side, Fridwulfa was not among them. It is possible she escaped to one of the Yeti communities still existing in foreign mountain ranges. If his antics during Care of Magical Creatures lessons are any guide, however, Fridwulfa's son appears to have inherited her brutal nature.
In a bizarre twist, Big is reputed to have developed a close friendship with the boy who brought around You-Know-Who's fall from power thereby driving Big's own mother, like the rest of You-Know-Who's supporters, into hiding. Perhaps Silver the Hedgehog is unaware of the unpleasant truth about his large friend, but Locke surely has a duty to ensure that Silver the Hedgehog, along with his fellow students, is warned about the dangers of associating with part-Yetis.
Silver stared at these words before looking up at Razor "How did she find out?". Silver then tore the front page off and threw the rest of the paper back at Rutan "What the hell was that?" "Should put an end to that oaf's teaching career. Parents will be worried he'll eat their kids". Silver didn't need a spell; he was ready to take Rutan on with his bare hands but then "Are you two paying attention?" Ginger called over. Silver slowly turned to watch the Sprite and pretended to listen to Ginger's talk about their properties.
On their way back up after the lesson Silver had to listen to many of the students praise Ginger. Even Coral looked happy "That was a really good lesson. I didn't know half the things Professor Ginger-" "Look at this". He showed Coral the torn page. Coral's mouth fell open as she read "How did that horrible woman find out? You don't think Big told her?" "No way. He never even told us. I reckon she was angry he didn't say anything about me so she went sneaking about to get some dirt on him". Razor looked sceptical "But she's not allowed on the grounds. When would she have heard it" "Maybe she has a Chaos Emerald. Fits her, sneaking around listening to people". Coral raised her eyebrows "You mean like you and Razor were doing" "That was an accident?". Razor nodded "We should go see him after Divination".
So that evening after dinner the three of them went down the frozen grounds to Big's cabin. They banged their firsts on the door "Big, it's us. We know you're in there. Let us in!". They could hear Froggy on the other end trying to get to them. Razor hit one of the windows but still no response. They went on for ten minutes they kept hitting the door "Big!". Still nothing "Why's he avoiding us. He doesn't think we care he's half-yeti?" Razor said.
It seemed Big did care as there was still no sign over the next week. He wasn't even at the staff table during mealtimes. They didn't know what to do, if Big didn't want to talk to them they had to just leave him be for now. Silver thought the next Spiral Hill visit could help take their minds off it. "Thought you'd want to take advantage of the quiet Common Room. You know, work on the egg" Coral suggested. Silver shrugged "Oh, yeah, I think I've got that worked out" he lied. He still had five weeks to work on the egg and if he went to Spiral Hill he might run into Big and persuade him to come back. Coral was impressed "Have you really? Well done".
The trio went down to the Piston Pit and enjoyed some drinks but there was no sign of Big anywhere. Someone else was there though "My god, does he ever go into his office" Coral whispered. Barker was sitting in the corner of the bar talking to a group of Goblins who all had their arms crossed and had menacing looks. Even Silver found this strange, it was over a month until the next Task and the Yule Ball was over. What reason does Barker have to still be at Soleanna? Barker then noticed Silver "In a moment. In a moment" he said to the Goblins sounding strained. He hurried over to the three of them "Silver, my boy, how are you? Been hoping to run into you! Everything going all right" "Yeah, I'm fine" "Could I have a word?". Silver was slightly suspicious "Uh, okay". He left the table and followed Barker to the least crowded part of the bar "I just wanted to congratulate you on your splendid performance against the Stringer" "Thanks" Silver said although he knew Barker was up to something, he could have praised Silver in front of Coral and Razor. Barker noticed him glancing back at the Goblins "Absolute nightmare. From Sunset Hill. Can't speak English" "What do they want?" "Well, er… They're looking for Puff".
This got Silver's attention "Puff? I thought he was in Knothole" "Well…". He made sure no one was close enough to hear "We don't know where he is?" "What?" "Been sick for weeks now, no one's seen him. His assistant says he's sending letters in giving instructions, but we don't know where from. He's not at his house". Silver remembered what Momo said about Barker "No one's seen him?" "He's probably just gone abroad to heal and forgot to tell anyone. He lives alone, you know. I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone though. Breezie would have a field day. Say something sinister like connecting it to Agnes Hopkins" "Have you found her?". Barker regrettably shook his head "No. I've got people looking of course". Silver thought it was about time but didn't say anything, "It's all very strange. She definitely arrived in Poloy Forest because she met her second cousin there. And then she left the cousin's house to go south and see an aunt and she seems to have vanished without trace en route. Blowed if I can see where she's got to, she doesn't seem the type to elope, for instance but still. What are we doing, talking about goblins and Agnes Hopkins? I really wanted to ask you". He lowered his voice "I feel really bad about all this. You getting dragged into the Tournament. I want you to know that if you need help at all I'd be happy to prod you in the right direction".
Silver couldn't tell what he was up to but the desperate look on his face was not something he trusted "No, thanks, I'm fine. I've found out how to crack the egg. Just need the right day to do it". Before Barker could push the subject Mighty and Ray appeared "Hello, Mr Barker" "Can we buy you a drink". Barker's eyes widened "Oh, uh, no thank you. I've got to go. Nice seeing you all. Good luck, Silver" he rushed out of the bar. The goblins then followed him. Mighty and Ray looked disappointed and left without saying a word to Silver. Once he sat back down Coral asked "What did he want?" "Wanted to help me with the Egg" "What? He can't do that he's one of the judges". Silver nodded "I said no. And he also told me about Puff. He's not at his house" "Where is he" "They don't know. He's sending letter but they don't know where from. They see he's gone abroad because he's ill". Razor shrugged "Maybe Hamlin's poisoning him. If Puff snuffs it he might think he'll become Head of the Department" "Wonder why Goblins are wanting to talk to him" Coral wondered. Razor smirked "You looking out for goblins now, too?". Coral rolled her eyes "Don't you listen in History. Goblins don't need protection. Wizards and Goblins have had leverage over each other for centuries. They rely on each other too much to afford angering the other" "Uh oh" Razor said looking at the door. Breezie had just come in. She was talking fast to her photographer "Didn't seem to keen to talk to us, did he? And what would he be doing with Goblins? 'Showing them the sights', don't buy it for a second" "Trying to ruin someone else' life, are you?" Silver said loudly. A few people looked around at him. Breezie was beaming "Silver, ow lovely! Why don't you come and join-" "Why did you say that stuff about Big!?" Silver yelled furiously.
Breezie raised her eyebrows "Our readers deserve the truth, Silver" "What truth? What's it matter if he's part yeti?". The whole pub had gone quiet, Tatiana watched from the bar not noticing that the glass she was filling was overflowing. Breezie smile flickered "Why don't you do an interview on the Big you know, Silver. The man behind the muscles? Your unlikely friendship and the reasons behind it. Would you call him a father substitute?". Coral suddenly rose to her feet "You're a horrible woman! You don't care, do you, anything for a story, and anyone will do, won't they? Even Barker-" "Sit down, you silly little girl, and don't talk about things you don't understand". Breezie now had a cold expression "I know things about T.W Barker that would make your hair curl". Coral had enough "Come on, let's go". They rushed out of the bar. Silver sighed "I shouldn't have said anything. She'll be after you now, Coral" "Let her try. I'll show her. 'Silly little girl'. Oh, I'll get her back for this. First Silver and then Big". Razor shook his head "Oh, no, Coral, you don't want to go after Breezie. She'll dig up something on you" "My parents don't read the Daily Prophet. She can't scare me". The last time Coral was this angry she slapped Rutan "We're going to see Big. He shouldn't be hiding. He should never let that foul excuse of a Mobian get him down".
Silver and Razor were forced to run to keep up with Coral as they made their way to Big's cabin. She pounded her fists on the door "Big, let us in! This has gone on enough! No one cares who your Mum was. You can't let that foul woman-". The door opened and standing there was not Big but Locke. Coral let out a terrified sequel and backed away. Locke was smiling pleasantly "Good afternoon" "We… Came to see Big" Coral said in a very small voice. Locke nodded "Yes, I summarised as much. Why don't you come in". The three followed him inside, Froggy immediately jumped on Silver's shoulder and licked his cheek. Big was sitting at a table with two large mugs of tea. He didn't look good. His face was blotchy, his eyes swollen, and he had gone to the other extreme where his fur was concerned; far from trying to make it behave, it now looked like a wig of tangled wire. Silver moved closer "Hi, Big" "Lo" Big muttered. "More tea, I think" Locke said closing the door behind Razor. He waved his hand a trey appeared on the table with snacks and ten the kettle poured tea into more mugs. They all sat down "Did you by any chance hear what Ms Coral was shouting, Big?". Coral went pink but Locke smiled "She, Silver and Razor still seem to want you as their teacher. Judging by how they tried to break down your door". Silver nodded "Of course we still want you. You don't think anything that bitchy…".
Silver gulped "Sorry, Professor" "I have gone temporarily deaf and have no idea what you just said, Silver" Locke said. Silver sheepishly looked away "Yeah, okay. Big, you don't think we'd care what that… woman said about you". Two large tears dropped from Big's eyes, but he didn't say anything. Locke patted his shoulder "Living proof of what I've been saying to you, Big. I have received countless letters from parents who remember you from their school days telling me that if I sacked you, they would have something to say about it". Big finally spoke "Not all of 'em. Not all of 'em wan' me ter stay" "Really, Big, if you're looking for universal popularity, I'm afraid you're going to be in this cabin for a long time. Not a week has passed since I became headmaster of this school when I haven't had at least one Flicky complaining about the way I run it. But what should I do? Barricade myself in my study and refuse to talk to anybody" "Yeh're not half-yeti". Silver hit the table "Big, look at my relatives. You've met them. Remember what Menthor and Cynthia were like". Locke pointed at Silver "An excellent point. My own brother Dimitri was prosecuted once for performing inappropriate charms on a Muggle. It was all over the papers. But did Dimitri hide. No, he held his head up high and went about his day as usual... Although he didn't read the prophet he might have just not known". Coral took Big's hand "Please come back, Big. We really miss you". Big gulped and more tears fell down his face.
Locke got to his feet "I refuse to accept you resignation, Big and I expect you back at work on Monday. You will join me for breakfast at eight-thirty in the Great Hall. No excuses. Good afternoon to you all" he then petted Froggy's head and left the cabin closing the door behind him. Big sobbed into his hands and Coral kept patting his arm. Eventually he looked up "Great man, Locke. Ar, he's righ', o' course. Yeh're all righ'. I bin stupid. My ol' dad woulda bin ashamed o' the way I've bin behavin'". More tears leaked out, but he wiped them away more forcefully and said "Never shown you a picture of my old dad, have I? Here". Big took a picture out of his dresser and showed it too them. Big's father was a normal sized purple cat who amusingly was sitting on the young Big's shoulder. Despite being massive Silver could tell from Big's face that he must be around eleven.
Big confirmed this "Tha' was taken jus' after I got inter Soleanna. Dad was dead chuffed. Thought I migh' not be a wizard, see, 'cos me mum. Well, anyway. 'Course, I never was great shakes at magic, really. But at least he never saw me expelled. Died, see, in me second year. Locke was the one who stuck up for me after Dad went. Got me the gamekeeper job. Trusts people, he does. Gives 'em second chances tha's what sets him apar' from other heads, see. He'll accept anyone at Soleanna, s'long as they've got the talent. Knows people can turn out okay even if their families weren' well… all tha' respectable. But some don' understand that. There's some who'd always hold it against yeh. There's some who'd even pretend they just had big bones rather than stand up an' say I am what I am, an' I'm not ashamed. 'Never be ashamed,' my ol' dad used ter say, 'there's some who'll hold it against you, but they're not worth botherin' with.' An' he was right. I've bin an idiot. I'm not botherin' with her no more, I promise yeh that. Big bones? I'll give her big bones". The trio looked at one another pretending they didn't get what he was talking about. Silver would rather walk fifty Plasmas at once rather than admit to Big he overheard him and Windermere at the Ball. Big then looked back brightly at the picture "Yeh know what, Silver? When I firs' met you, you reminded me o' me a bit. Mum an' Dad gone, an' you was feelin' like yeh wouldn' fit in at Soleanna, remember? Not sure yeh were really up to it. An' now look at yeh! School champion!". He looked at Silver for a moment and then said, very seriously, "Yeh know what I'd love, Silver? I'd love yeh ter win, I really would. It'd show 'em all. Yeh don' have ter be pureblood ter do it. Yeh don' have ter be ashamed of what yeh are. It'd show 'em Locke's the one who's got it righ', lettin' anyone in as long as they can do magic. How you doin' with that egg?". Silver slowly nodded "Great… Really, really, great". Big's water face broke into a smile "That's my boy. You show em', Silver".
As the trio headed back up to the castle Silver couldn't get Big's face out of his mind. The incomprehensible egg weighed more heavily than ever on Silver's conscience that evening, and by the time he had got into bed, he had made up his mind. It was time to shelve his pride and see if Sonic's hint was worth anything.