The door opened on their own, Striker's doing "Hello, Silver, come in". Silver slowly stepped inside. Max jovially walked over to him "Silver, how nice to see you, dear boy. How are you?" "Fine, thank you, Minister" "I understand you're the one involved in that unfortunate event with Puff". Silver thought it was pointless to pretend he didn't hear them "Yes. I didn't see Lady Windermere anywhere, though, and she'd have a job hiding, wouldn't she?". Locke smiled behind Max who looked embarrassed "Yes, well… We're about to go for a short walk on the grounds, Silver, if you'll excuse us". Locke got up from his chair "If you would wait here, Silver, I'll speak to you when I get back". The three left him alone in the office. Well not completely alone "Hi, Burst", Burst flew down and nuzzled against Silver's face. Silver petted him until he went back to his perch. Silver sat at Locke's desk and waited. His head had stopped hurting, he felt much calmer now that he was in Locke's office. He looked around the room, Caliburn was resting on one of the shelves and in a glass case was Excalibur. As he stared at it he noticed a strange magenta light was reflecting in its blade. He looked around, the light was coming from a small cabinet that hadn't been closed properly.

Silver slowly got up and approached the cabinet and slowly opened it. Inside was a stone podium with a stand on the top holding a magenta gem. Silver got closer to get better look at the Gem when suddenly there was a strange sound. Locke's office seemed to dissolve into magenta cubes and then reformed into a new place. Silver was sitting in a massive room. It was full of wizards none of which seemed to notice that Silver just appeared out of nowhere. Silver turned to the wizard next to him and was amazed to see it was Locke "Professor… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…Where are we?". But Locke didn't respond, he made no acknowledgement that Silver was there. It slowly dawned on Silver, the last time he was in a place where no one could see him it was in Sam Tund's diary. That must mean that once again he was inside a memory. It couldn't be that long ago though because Locke looked much closer to his present day appearance than he did in Sam's memory. Silver looked around the rest of the room. It was almost certainly underground, more of a dungeon than a room, he thought. There was a bleak and forbidding air about the place; there were no pictures on the walls, no decorations at all; just these serried rows of benches, rising in levels all around the room, all positioned so that they had a clear view of that chair with the chains on its arms. Before Silver could reach any conclusions about the place in which they were, he heard footsteps. The door in the corner of the dungeon opened and three people entered or one person entered flanked by two Prelates.

They held the man, an echidna, by the arms and led him to the chair. The wizards in the room all recoiled as the Prelates appeared. Silver understood, despite being a memory the Prelates still gave him a sickly feeling in his stomach. The Echidna was chained to the chair in the middle of the room and the Prelates exited the room. It took Silver a few moments, but he suddenly realised the Echidna in the chair was Benedict. His time with the Prelates clearly affected him as he somehow looked older than he did in the present day "Benedict the Echidna!". Silver looked over, Puff was sitting in a stand near him with a gavel. He looked mostly the same except a bit more fit and alert "You have been brought from Prison Island to present evidence to the Ministry of Magic. We are to understand that you have important information for us" "I have, sir" Benedict said straightening up in his chair. He took a breath "I wish to be of use to the Ministry. I wish to help. I-I know that the Ministry is trying to-to round up the last of the Dark Lord's supporters. I am eager to assist in any way I can". There was a murmur around the room then Silver heard a familiar growl from Locke's other side "Filth!". It was Striker "He's letting him go. It took me six months to track him down and Puff is going to let him go if he's got enough new names. Let's hear his information, I say, and throw him straight back to the Prelates". Locke made a small noise of dissent which made Striker roll his eyes "Oh, yes, I forgot. You don't like the Prelates, do you, Locke" "I can't say I do. I have long felt the Ministry is wrong to ally itself with such creatures" "But for filth like this". Before they could discuss further Puff banged his gavel to silence the room "You say you have names, Benedict. Let us hear them".

Benedict looked worried "You must understand that He-Who Must-Not-Be-Named operated always in the greatest secrecy. He preferred that we, his supporters I mean…Which I deeply regret now, that we didn't know the names of our fellows. I discovered these names my own ways while in their ranks". Striker let out a quiet scoff "Thought it be good leverage if he lost, didn't ya, you coward". Puff ignored him "These names are?" "There was Scourge the Hedgehog. I saw him torture countless muggles" "And helped him do it" Striker muttered. Puff checked his list "Scourge has already been apprehended. Not long after you" "Indeed. I-I am delighted to hear it". He didn't look delighted, in fact he looked like this was a real blow "Pir'Oth IX" "Pir'Oth is dead. He was caught shortly after you were too. He preferred to fight rather than come quietly and was killed in the struggle" "And took a piece of me with him". Silver looked over and saw Striker jokingly gesturing to his missing eye. Benedict was clearly starting to panic "No-No more than he deserved. Um, there was Infinite. Infinite the Jackal". Locke immediately rose to his feet "I have given evidence already on this matter. Infinite the Jackal was indeed a Nocturnus. However, he rejoined our side prior to Finitevus' downfall and turned spy for us, at great personal risk. He is now no more a Nocturnus than I am". Benedict lost what little composure he had "No! It's a lie! INFINITE REMAINS FAITHFUL TO THE DARK LORD!".

Puff banged his gavel "Silence! Unless the accused can offer any genuine names of consequence this session is now concluded". Benedict calmed himself "I have one more" "Yes?" "I know for fact this person has been working in the Department of Mysterious for many years and is part of this very Chaos Council!". Benedict's words seemed to reinvigorate him, he knew he struck gold "And had been using this position to pass Ministry secrets to the Dark Lord himself" "The name! Give me the wretched name" "Akhlut the Orca". There was a collective gasp from the courtroom and then all heads turned to one member. On the opposite end of the room was a male Orca Whale in a yellow uniform. He was glaring at Benedict in disbelief, it was clear that he thought no matter how much digging Benedict did, he couldn't possibly have found his name. After a second Akhlut suddenly pushed passed his fellow Ministry members and ran to the door. Striker quickly raised his claw and fired a blast that knocked Akhlut to the ground. Multiple security member grabbed him and dragged him away. He fought against them; his face full of fury. Benedict laughed as Akhlut tried to get to him ready to kill "GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF ME!". As Akhlut was dragged away deeper into the dungeons the courtroom dissolved and then returned, clearly some time had passed.

The atmosphere this time was much calmer, almost cheerful. Locke was beside him like last time and opposite him was unmistakably Breezie the Hedgehog. Puff was again in the stand, but he looked much more tired this time. The doors opened and in walked in without a Prelate escort. This was clearly a Barker who was at the height of his Sky Chase career, he was tall, lean and muscular. He sat down nervously in the chair. Puff began "T.W Barker, you have been brought here in front of the Chaos Council to answer charges relating to the activities of the Nocturnus. We have heard the evidence against you and are about to reach our verdict. Do you have anything to add to your testimony before we pronounce judgment?". Silver couldn't believe his ears, Barker, a Nocturnus? Barker smiled awkwardly "Only…Well, I know I've been a bit of an idiot". Striker who was behind Locke this time nodded "You've never spoken a truer word, boy. If I didn't know he'd always been dim, I'd have said some of those Thunderballs had permanently affected his brain". Puff read his statement "Barker, you were caught passing information to You-Know-Who's supporters. For this, I suggest a term of imprisonment on Prison Island lasting no less than-". But there was an angry outcry from the surrounding benches. Several of the witches and wizards around the walls stood up, shaking their heads, and even their fists at Puff. Barker tried to speak over them in defence "I've already told you I had no idea. None at all! Old Akhlut was a friend of my dad's. Never crossed my mind he was in with You-Know-Who! I thought I was collecting information for our side! And Akhlut kept talking about getting me a job in the Ministry later on. Once my Sky Chase days are over, you know. I mean, I can't keep getting hit by Thunderballs for the rest of my life, can I?". Puff stared at him with great dislike "It will be put to a vote. The jury will please raise their hands. Those in favour of imprisonment". Not a single person raised their hand but one walrus woman stood up. "Yes?" Puff asked her, "We'd just like to congratulate Mr Barker on his splendid performance in the Sky Chase finals last Saturday". The court filled with applause. Barker got to his feet and bowed to them with a smile on his face. Puff was furious "Despicable. Akhlut get him a job indeed. The day T.W Barker joins us will be a sad day indeed for the Ministry". The courtroom dissolved again and then returned.

Silver was in the exact spot as before with Locke next to him, but the atmosphere could not have been more different. There was total silence except for the sobs of a green female anglerfish in a pink dress. She was sitting on Puff's other side and was crying into a handkerchief. Puff looked very pale and spoke in a cold voice "Bring them in". The doors opened; six Prelates entered flanking four people. As they entered some of the crowd looked at Puff and whispered to each other. The four prisoners were chained to chairs in the middle of the room. From left to right there was a blue hawk who stared defiantly up at Puff. Then there was a green frog in brown clothing whose eyes were darting around the room. Next to him was a red female fox who was sitting on her chained chair as if it were a throne. And finally there was a teenage octopus in a black cloak who looked nothing short of petrified. Puff hit his gavel despite the room already being silent "Predator Hawk, Flying Frog, Fiona Fox and…Mimic the Octopus, you have all been brought here before the Chaos Council, so that we may pass judgment on you, for a crime so heinous-" "Father! Father, please!" the octopus begged. The woman next to Puff sobbed harder. Puff just spoke over the boy's pleas "That we have rarely heard the like of it within this court. We have heard the evidence against you. The four of you stand accused of capturing a Diamond Cutter, Armand D'Coolette and subjecting him to the Cruciatus Curse, believing him to have knowledge of the present whereabouts of your exiled master, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". Mimic fought against his chains "Father, I didn't! I didn't do it! I swear! Please, please, don't send me back to them!". "YOU ARE FURTHER ACCUSSED!" Puff bellowed to silence him "Of using the Cruciatus Curse on Armand's wife, Marie D'Coolette, when he would not give you information. You planned to restore He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to power, and to resume the lives of violence you presumably led while he was strong. I now ask the jury-". Mimic looked to the woman next to Puff "Mother, please!".

She couldn't look at him "Mother, it wasn't me! Don't let him send me back!" "I now ask the jury to raise their hands if they believe, as I do, that these crimes deserve a life sentence on Prison Island!" Puff said coldly. The jury in unison all raised their hands. The people around Silver applauded, their faces were full of savage triumph. Mimic started to scream and try and free himself from his chains "NO! PLEASE! I DIDN'T DO IT!". The Prelates re-entered the room and approached the prisoners. The other three rose to their feet and Fiona smiled "The Dark Lord will rise again, Puff! Throw us onto Prison Island; we will wait! He will rise again and will come for us; he will reward us beyond any of his other supporters! We alone were faithful! We alone tried to find him!". As the Prelates seized him Mimic's will to fight seemed to be drained out of him "No...Please...I'm your son" "You are no son of mine. Take them away!" "I think that's enough, Silver". Silver looked around, there was a Locke on either side of him. One of them was staring at him "Come". The courtroom dissolved again and finally Silver was back in Locke's office "Professor, I didn't mean to…I'm sorry. It was just the cabinet was-" "I quite understand, Silver. Come, sit". Locke took the Gem from it's stand and brought it over to his desk. Silver sat opposite him "What is that?" "It is a Phantom Gem. Sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind. At these times I use the Phantom Gem. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, puts it into the gem, and examines them at one's leisure. It becomes easier to spot patterns and links, you understand, when they are in this form" "So… This thing has your thoughts in it".

Locke demonstrated; he placed two of his right fingers onto the temple of his head. He then slowly moved his fingers back but some of his red fur seemed to be clinging to them. Then Silver realised it wasn't fur, a glowing red substance was coming out of his head. Locke tapped the Gem with his finger, and it seemed to absorb the substance. The room around them dissolved again and then returned "Professor, I didn't mean to… I'm sorry". Silver turned around and saw himself and Locke in the conversation they just had. Locke laughed at his amazement and then the present office returned "I was using the Gem before Max arrived and I must not have closed the cabinet properly" "I'm sorry" "Curiosity is not a sin, Silver. But we must be careful". Locke tapped the Gem again, Silver was now standing at the side of the office and a young blond human girl now sat opposite Locke at the desk "He put a hex on me, Professor, and I was only teasing him, sir. I only said I'd seen him kissing Florence behind the greenhouses last Thursday" "But why, Agnes? Why did you have to follow him in the first place?". The original office returned "Agnes? Agnes Hopkins?" "Yes. That is how I remember her from her school days. Now, if I recall before your got lost in my thoughts you wanted to tell me something". Silver needed a moment to remember "Oh, yeah. I was in Divination just now, and…Uh…I fell asleep". He paused thinking he was about to get a reprimand, but Locke only said "Perfectly understandable. Continue" "Well, I had a dream about Mordred. Finitevus was torturing him. He said someone fixed Mordred's blunder, that someone was dead. And then he said he would feed me to this fire creature he called Ifrit. And then my head hurt like it did in my first year".

Locke looked deep in thought "Has your head hurt any other time beside now and over the summer" "How…How did you know about that?" "You are not Elias' only correspondent. I'm the one who suggested that cave he's hiding in". Locke paused and then clasped his hands together "I have a theory as to why your head hurts apart from a normal headache of course. It hurts when Finitevus is near or when he's feeling particularly angry" "But…Why" "Because you two are connected by the curse that failed. The same reason your eyes turn gold". Silver hated being reminded of his connection to Finitevus "So that dream…It actually happened?" "Possibly. Did you actually see Finitevus?" "No. But there wouldn't have been anything to see would there? He doesn't have a body". This actually made him hopeful "So it must have been a dream them because how could he have used his Talisman". Locke said nothing which worried Silver "Professor, you don't think he's getting stronger?" "I don't know, Silver. Finitevus' original rise to power were dark times. People disappearing. And you saw in my memory how far his influence stretched. Akhlut wasn't the only the spy we found. It's frightening how easy the devils get inside the walls". Locke gave an uncharacteristic sigh "And now Agnes has disappeared where Finitevus was last known to be. Puff has disappeared on Soleanna Grounds. And a third disappearance that. I regret, the Ministry doesn't consider important. A human muggle called Larry disappeared from the village where Finitevus' father grew up. Unlike my Ministry friends I read the Muggle newspaper. I believe these events are linked but as you heard when you came in, Max does not agree". There was a few moments of silence. Silver had to ask something, something that was bothering him "Professor, that memory you found me in. The one with Puff's son. Puff said D'Coolette…Was he talking about Antione's parents?".

Locke gave him a sharp look "Has Antione never told you why he was brought up by his Grandmother". Silver shook his head, he felt a twinge of guilt, how could he have never asked Antione in the four years they knew each other. Locke slowly nodded "Yes, they were talking about Antione's parents. His father, Armand, was a Diamond Cutter just like Striker. He and his wife, Marie were some of the best people I've had the privilege of knowing. After Finitevus' downfall they were tortured for information". Silver remembered Antione's reaction to the spider "Are they dead?" "No". Locke had a sound of bitterness that Silver had never heard from him before "They are insane. They are both in Eldorado Zone District Hospital. I believe Antione visits them, with his grandmother, during the holidays. They do not recognize him". Silver was horror struck, he didn't know, for four years he never even bother to ask. Locke looked pained to recount these events "The D'Coolettes were very popular. The attacks on them came after Finitevus' fall from power, just when everyone thought they were safe. Those attacks caused a wave of fury such as I have never known. The Ministry was under great pressure to catch those who had done it. Unfortunately, the D'Coolettes evidence was, given their condition, none too reliable". Silver remembered the terrified face of Mimic "So, Puff's son might have been innocent?" "For that I don't know". There were two more questions Silver was burning to ask both concerned the guilt of living people "Uh, Mr Barker…" "Has never been accused of any Dark activity since". Silver nodded "Right. And…" "And neither has Professor Infinite" "What made you think he'd really stopped supporting Finitevus, Professor?". Locke stared at him "That, Silver, is between me and Professor Infinite". Silver didn't push the subject. Locke had a talent for ending conversations without showing any anger. Silver stood up to leave but Locke said one final thing "Silver, please to not speak of Antione's parents to anyone. He has a right to let people know when he is ready" "Yes, Professor". Locke smiled "And good luck on the Third Task. I think we'll all breathe freely once this is all over".