Silver felt the warm blood trickling down his face. He could hear voices and footsteps coming from outside, but he wasn't capable of speaking. His immediate thought was that someone, surely, would check the compartments before the train departed again. But at once came the dispiriting realization that even if somebody looked into the compartment, he would be neither seen nor heard. His best hope was that somebody else would walk in and step on him. Silver had never hated Rutan more than as he lay there, like an absurd turtle on its back, blood dripping sickeningly into his open mouth. What a stupid situation to have landed himself in and now the last few footsteps were dying away; everyone was shuffling along the dark platform outside; he could hear the scraping of trunks and the loud babble of talk. Razor and Coral would think that he had left the train without them. Once they arrived at Soleanna and took their places in the Great Hall, looked up and down the Soleanna table a few times, and finally realized that he was not there, he, no doubt, would be halfway back to Knothole. And that was the least of his worries. If he was right about Rutan he might send some Nocturnus to meet him at Radical Train. He tried to make a sound, even a grunt, but it was impossible. Then he remembered that some wizards, like Locke, could perform spells without speaking, so he tried. He wanted to cast a Patronus and send it up to the castle to get someone "Expecto Patronum" he kept repeating in his head, but nothing happened. He thought he could hear the rustling of the trees that surrounded the lake, and the far-off hoot of a Flicky, but no hint of a search being made or even (he despised himself slightly for hoping it) panicked voices wondering where Silver the Hedgehog had gone. A feeling of hopelessness spread through him as he imagined the convoy of carriages trundling up to the school and the muffled yells of laughter issuing from whichever carriage Rutan was riding in, where he could be recounting his attack on Silver to Rough, Tumble, Jeff, and Cassia. The train lurched, the floor began to vibrate as the engine roared into life. The Express was leaving, and nobody knew he was still on it. Then he felt his Chaos Emerald fly out of his hand and a voice overhead said "Hey, Silver". Silver couldn't see the origin of the voice as his head was stuck staring at the ceiling. There was a flash of red light and Silver's body unfroze; he was able to push himself into a more dignified sitting position, hastily wipe the blood off his bruised face with the back of his hand. He looked around but saw nobody "Uh, how do I turn this off?".

Silver realised they must have summoned his Emerald into their hands "Say Chaos Light" "Chaos Light". Julie-Su then appeared from no where in front of Silver. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet. She handed him the Emerald "Here" "Thanks, Su". Silver noticed that Julie-Su looked as depressed as she did at Deerwood. They heard the train whistle "We better hurry. Come on, we'll jump". Silver hurried after her into the corridor. She pulled open the train door and leapt onto the platform, which seemed to be sliding underneath them as the train gathered momentum. He followed her, staggered a little on landing, then straightened up in time to see the gleaming scarlet steam engine pick up speed, round the corner, and disappear from view. The cold night air was soothing on his throbbing nose. Silver felt angry and embarrassed that he had been discovered in such a ridiculous position. Julie-Su didn't seem to care. She held Silver's head and examined his face "Ow, that's a bad one. Who did it?" "Rutan" "I think I can fix it if you want". Silver did not think much of this idea; he had been intending to visit Vanilla, the matron, in whom he had a little more confidence when it came to Healing Spells, but it seemed rude to say this, so he nodded. Julie-Su then pointed her gun at Silver's face (Obviously not a calming image so Silver closed his eyes) "Episkey". Silver felt his nose go very hot and then suddenly very cold. He felt it and it seemed to be in its proper shape again "Thanks" "No problem" she said sounding very depressed. The two walked up the trail to the castle "Hold on. I'll tell them your coming". She shot a Patronus out, it moved too fast for Silver to identify it but it was a very strange shape. They kept walking, despite her melancholy state Julie-Su remained no less alert as she was kept her gun ready. Silver then wondered "How did you find me anyway?" "I'm stationed at Spiral Hill to protect the school. I noticed you hadn't left the train, and I knew you had that Emerald. I thought you might be hiding for some reason. When I saw the blinds were drawn down on that compartment, I thought I'd check". Silver had already hear about the new protection in the paper but he still found it so strange to hear about the school being guarded like it was under siege "Are you the only Diamond Cutter here?" "No, a few others. Parr, Alexander, Holmes". They trudged up the dark, deserted lane, following the freshly made carriage tracks.

Silver looked sideways at Julie-Su. Last year she had been inquisitive (to the point of being a little annoying at times), she had laughed easily, she had made jokes. Now she seemed older and much more serious and purposeful. Was this all the effect of what had happened at the Ministry? He reflected uncomfortably that Coral would have suggested he say something consoling about Elias to her, that it hadn't been her fault at all, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He was far from blaming her for Elias' death; it was no more her fault than anyone else's (and much less than his), but he did not like talking about Elias if he could avoid it. And so, they tramped on through the cold night in silence. Having always travelled there by carriage, Silver had never before appreciated just how far Silver was from the Station. With great relief he finally saw the tall pillars on either side of the gates. He was cold, he was hungry, and he was quite keen to get inside. But when he put out a hand to push open the gates, he found them chained shut "Alohomora" Silver said confidently. But nothing happened "Security's been tightened. Big's coming down. He'll open it for us" Julie-Su said. They waited a few minutes until they saw a lantern was bobbing at the distant foot of the castle. Silver was so pleased to see it he felt he could even endure Rykor's wheezy criticisms of his tardiness and rants about how his timekeeping would improve with the regular application of thumbscrews. It was not until the glowing yellow light was ten feet away from them that he recognized, with a rush of pure loathing, the up lit Jackal, Infinite, wearing his mask "Well, well, well". Infinite tapped the padlock once with his finger, so that the chains snaked backward and the gates creaked open "Nice of you to turn up, Hedgehog, although you have evidently decided that cleaning yourself up would take away from your appearance". Silver opened his mouth to object, but Infinite looked away "There is no need to wait, Su, he is quite…Safe in my hands". Julie-Su frowned "I meant Big to get the message" "Big was late for the start-of-term feast, just like the Hedgehog here, so I took it instead. And incidentally…". Infinite stood back to let Silver pass "I was interested to see your new Patronus".

He shut the gates in her face with a loud clang and tapped the chains with his finger again, so that they slithered, clinking, back into place "I think you were better off with the old one. The new one looks weak" his malice was unmistakable. As Infinite swung the lantern about, Silver saw, fleetingly, a look of shock and anger on Julie-Su's face. Then she was covered in darkness once more "Good night. Thanks for everythin!" Silver called to her over his shoulder, as he began the walk up to the school with Infinite. Infinite did not speak for a minute or so. Silver felt as though his body was generating waves of hatred so powerful that it seemed incredible that Infinite could not feel them burning him. He had loathed Infinite from their first encounter, but Infinite had placed himself forever and irrevocably beyond the possibility of Silver's forgiveness by his attitude toward Elias. Whatever Locke said, Silver had had time to think over the summer, and had concluded that Infinite's snide remarks to Elias about remaining safely hidden while the rest of the Order of the Wisp were off fighting Finitevus had probably been a powerful factor in Elias rushing off to the Ministry the night that he had died. Silver clung to this notion, because it enabled him to blame Infinite, which felt satisfying, and also because he knew that if anyone was not sorry that Elias was dead, it was the man now striding next to him in the darkness. Infinite's hatred for Silver also didn't seem to dissipate "Fifty points from Shinobi for lateness, I think. And, let me see, another twenty for looking a mess. You know, I don't believe any House has ever been in negative figures this early in the term. We haven't even started pudding. You might have set a record, Hedgehog". The fury and hatred bubbling inside Silver seemed to blaze white-hot, but he would rather have been immobilized all the way back to Knothole than tell Infinite why he was late "I suppose you wanted to make an entrance, did you? And with no flying car available you decided that bursting into the Great Hall halfway through the feast ought to create a dramatic effect".

Still Silver remained silent, though he thought his chest might explode. He knew that Infinite had come to fetch him for this, for the few minutes when he could needle and torment Silver without anyone else listening. They reached the castle steps at last and as the great oaken front doors swung open into the vast flagged entrance hall, a burst of talk and laughter and of tinkling plates and glasses greeted them through the doors standing open into the Great Hall. Silver wondered whether he could use the Emerald back on to gain his seat at the long Shinobi table (which, inconveniently, was the farthest from the entrance hall) without being noticed. As though he had read Silver's mind, however, Infinite said "No Emerald. You can walk in so that everyone sees you, which is what you wanted, I'm sure". Silver turned on the spot and marched straight through the open doors: anything to get away from Infinite. The Great Hall, with its four long House tables and its staff table set at the top of the room, was decorated as usual with floating candles that made the plates below glitter and glow. It was all a shimmering blur to Silver, however, who walked so fast that he was passing the Yagyu table before people really started to stare, and by the time they were standing up to get a good look at him, he had spotted Razor and Coral, sped along the benches toward them, and forced his way in between them "Blimey! What happened?" Razor asked he and many people in the vicinity were staring at him. Silver used a spoon to see a reflection and realised his face was still covered in blood "Oh" "Here. Let me get it" Coral said. She played her flute and the word "Tergeo" sung. Silver watched his reflection as all the dried blood disappear "Thanks. Does my nose look okay?" "Why shouldn't it? What happened? We've been terrified" "I'll tell you later". Silver was aware half the Shinobi table were listening "But-" "Not now, Coral" Silver said in a tone of finality.

He hoped very much that they would all assume he had been involved in something heroic, preferably involving a couple of Nocturnus and a Prelate. Rutan obviously can't spread the story too far that he attacked another student just as Silver can't explain to the teachers that he was spying on him. Silver quickly helped himself to some of the food before it disappeared. He already missed the Sorting, so it won't be long before the food gets replaced with desert "Caliburn say anything interesting?" "More of the same, really. Advising us all to unite in the face of our enemies, you know. Easy for it to say. It's a sword" Razor said. Silver looked up to the staff table and saw Big waving at him. Silver waved back then noticed Pyjamas on Big's left side. Strange as she rarely left her tower. After learning the truth about Pyjamas last year Silver felt more compelled than usual to not be in her company. He was happy he didn't have to take Divination this year. "Oh, almost forgot, what did Professor Ellidy want?" Coral asked. Silver shrugged "Wanted to know what happened at the Ministry" "Him and everyone else. People were interrogating us about it on the train, weren't they, Razor?" "Yeah, all wanting to know if you really are the Chosen One". Barney the Ghost suddenly appeared between Silver and Razor "A lot of talk about that among the ghosts as well. I am considered something of a Silver authority; it is widely known that we are friendly. I have assured the spirit community that I will not pester you for information, however. I told them I would rather die than betray his trust" "Not saying much considering you're already dead" Razor said. Barney glared at him "Once again, you show all the sensitivity of a blunt axe" he went to the end of the table away from Razor.

Silver ate some more food and then had a look around the hall. After a few more minutes Locke then rose to his feet and approached the podium. The hall went silent immediately "The very best of evenings to you" he said smiling broadly. Many people in the hall starting whispering as they noticed the black veins growing up his wrist "What happened to him?" Coral said. Silver shrugged "Something was wrong with his hand, but I thought he would have gotten fixed by now". Locke, still smiling, pulled his glove up a little further "Nothing to worry about. Now, to our new students, welcome, to our old students, welcome back! Another year full of magical education awaits you…". As Locke went on Coral discussed with Silver and Razor "It must be a curse or a poison or something like that. Something he couldn't cure" "Then what's he going to do?" "He might have to go to Eldorado if it gets worse". Locke raised his voice slightly to stop all the whispering "And Mr Rykor, our caretaker, has asked me to say that there is a blanket ban on any joke items bought at the shop called Mean Bean Machine. Those wishing to play for their House Sky Chase teams should give their names to their Heads of House as usual. We are also looking for new Sky Chase commentators, who should do likewise. We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Ellidy". Ellidy rose to his feet and there was a smattering of polite applause. Locke then continued "Professor Ellidy is an old colleague of mine who has agreed to take up his old position as Potions Master" "Potions?". The word echoed across the hall but Locke then explained "Professor Infinite meanwhile will be taking over the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher" "No!" Silver said this so loud that multiple heads turned to look at him. He did not care; he was staring up at the staff table, incensed. How could Infinite be given the Defence Against the Dark Arts job after all this time? Hadn't it been widely known for years that Locke did not trust him to do it. Razor stared at him "I thought you said Ellidy was teaching Defence" "I thought he was". Infinite did not stand up when his name was announced, he simply raised his hand in acknowledgement of the cheers he was getting from the Raiju table.

Despite wearing his mask Silver was sure Infinite had a look of triumph "Well, there's one good thing, Infinite will be gone by the end of the year". Razor nodded in agreement, but Coral didn't understand "What'd you mean?" "The job's jinxed. No one's lasted more than a year and two have died. Personally, I'm hoping for a third" "Silver!" Coral said hitting his arm. Locke cleared his throat silencing the hall once again. His expression was now very grave "As you no doubt noticed on your way in today, Soleanna's security has been increased. Magical fortifications have been strengthened, Diamond Cutters are patrolling the area and you were all searched before entering. For your own safety, I would urge you all to abide by any restrictions the staff may place on you as well as stay alert for anything suspicious. However, I believe that if you are to face these new rules then you have the right to know why". He paused considering his words "Many years ago there was a boy who once like you sat in this castle's hall, ate at these tables, learned in these classrooms. He seemed to all the world a student like any other. His name…Sam Tund". There was another outbreak of muttering, Silver noticed Blaze suddenly become very still. Locke went on "Today, he's known all over the world by another name which is why as I ask you all tonight to remember one sobering fact. Every day, every hour, this very minute perhaps, Dark Forces attempt to penetrate this castle's walls. But in the end their greatest weapon is you. Just something to think about". There was a short silence before Locke smiled again and cheerfully clapped his hands together "But now, your beds await, as warm and comfortable as you could possibly wish, and I know that your top priority is to be well rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say good night. Pip pip!". Everyone slowly rose from their tables "That was cheerful" Razor said sarcastically. Silver, who did not want to leave with the gawking crowd waited for most of them to leave. Coral went ahead to fulfil her Prefect duties but Razor stayed behind "It was Rutan, wasn't it" "What?" "I saw him miming stamping on something to a bunch of Raiju".

Silver sighed, feeling humiliated "Yeah, it was. But never mind that listen to what I heard". As the two walked out of the Hall Silver explained everything from the train. Razor was not impressed "Oh, come on, Silver. He was just trying to impress Cassia. What would Finitevus want with him" "Maybe he needs someone inside Sol-". The two heard familiar footsteps behind them and stopped talking. Big caught up with them "What're you two talkin about?" "Nothing". Big looked suspicious "So how come yeh were late, Silver? I was worried" "Got held up on the train. Why were you late?" "I was with Eddy. Los' track o' the time. He's got a new home up in the mountains now, Locke fixed it. Nice big cave. He's much happier than he was in the forest. We were havin' a good chat". Silver couldn't hide his scepticism over this "Really?" "Oh yeah, he's really come on. Yeh'll be amazed. I'm thinkin' o' trainin' him up as me assistant". Razor snorted loudly but managed to pass it off as a violent sneeze. They were now standing beside the oak front doors "Anyway, I'll see yeh tomorrow, firs' lesson's straight after lunch. Come early an' yeh can say hello ter Volt-I mean, Witherwings!". Raising an arm in cheery farewell, he headed out of the front doors into the darkness. Silver and Razor looked at each other. They knew the other was thinking the same thing "You're not taking Care of Magical Creatures, are you?". Razor shook his head. "And you're not either, are you?". Silver shook his head too "And I doubt Coral's doing it". They dreaded what Big would say when he realized his three favourite students had given up his subject.