August wore on, the square of unkempt grass in the middle of Haven shrivelled in the sun until it was brittle and brown. The inhabitants of number twelve were never seen by anybody in the surrounding houses, and nor was number twelve itself. The Muggles who lived in Haven had long since accepted the amusing mistake in the numbering that had caused number eleven to sit beside number thirteen. And yet the square was now attracting a trickle of visitors who seemed to find the anomaly most intriguing. Barely a day passed without one or two people arriving in Haven with no other purpose, or so it seemed, than to lean against the railings facing numbers eleven and thirteen, watching between the two houses. The watchers seemed to be gleaning little satisfaction from their watch. Occasionally one of them started forward excitedly, as if they had seen something interesting at last, only to fall back looking disappointed. On the first day of September there were more people lurking in the square than ever before. Half a dozen men stood silent and watchful, gazing as ever at houses eleven and thirteen, but the thing for which they were waiting still appeared elusive. As evening drew in, bringing with it an unexpected gust of chilly rain for the first time in weeks, there occurred one of those inexplicable moments when they appeared to have seen something interesting but would quickly return to their positions.
Meanwhile, inside number twelve, Silver had just entered the hall. He had nearly lost his balance as he Chaos Controlled onto the top step just outside the front door, and thought that the Nocturnus might have caught a glimpse of his momentarily exposed elbow. Shutting the front door carefully behind him, he turned off his Chaos Emerald and hurried along the gloomy hallway toward the door that led to the basement, a stolen copy of the Daily Prophet clutched in his hand. The usual low whisper of "Infinite the Jackal?" greeted him, the chill wind swept him, and his tongue rolled up for a moment. "I didn't kill you" he said, once it had unrolled, then held his breath as the dusty jinx-figure exploded. He waited until he was halfway down the stairs to the kitchen, out of earshot of Mrs Acorn and clear of the dust cloud, before calling "I've got news, and you won't like it". The kitchen was almost unrecognizable. Every surface now shone. Copper pots and pans had been burnished to a rosy glow; the wooden tabletop gleamed; the goblets and plates already laid for dinner glinted in the light from a merrily blazing fire, on which a cauldron was simmering. Nothing in the room, however, was more dramatically different than Ghana who now came hurrying toward Silver, Maw's locket bouncing on his thin chest "Shoes off, if you please, Master Silver, and hands washed before dinner" croaked Ghana, seizing the Emerald and slouching off to hang it on a hook on the wall, beside a number of old-fashioned robes that had been freshly laundered. Silver hadn't given Ghana a single order since he returned with Farrel but he seemed to determined to make the three's stay at Haven be as pleasant as possible. It made Silver very uncomfortable but at the moment Ghana being happy and friendly was much better than the alternative. "What's happened?" Razor asked apprehensively. He and Coral had been poring over a sheaf of scribbled notes and hand-drawn maps that littered the end of the long kitchen table, but now they watched Silver as he strode toward them and threw down the newspaper on top of their scattered parchment.
A large picture of a familiar jackal glared up at them all, beneath a headline that read "INFINITE THE JACKAL CONFIRMED AS SOLEANNA HEADMASTER" "No!" said Razor and Coral loudly. Coral was quickest; she snatched up the newspaper and began to read the accompanying story out loud "Infinite the Jackal, long-standing Potions master at Soleanna School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was today appointed headmaster in the most important of several staffing changes at the ancient school. Following the resignation of the previous Muggle Studies teacher, Nicollette the Weasel will take over the post while her brother, Nack, fills the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. 'I welcome the opportunity to uphold our finest Wizarding traditions and values'". Coral threw the paper away "Like committing murder and cutting off people's ears, I suppose! Infinite, headmaster! Infinite in Locke's study-OH SHIT!" she shrieked, making both Silver and Razor jump. She leapt up from the table and hurtled from the room, shouting as she went "I'll be back in a minute!". Razor looked very amused "I've never heard her say that before. I think the stress is finally getting to her". He pulled the newspaper toward him and perused the article about Infinite "The other teachers won't stand for this. Echo and Chuck and Chrysan all know the truth, they know how Locke died. They won't accept Infinite as headmaster" "I can't see that the other teachers have got any choice but to stay. If the Ministry and Finitevus are behind Infinite it'll be a choice between staying and teaching, or a nice few years on Prison Island and that's if they're lucky. I reckon they'll stay to try and protect the students". Ghana came bustling to the table with a large tureen in his hands, and ladled out soup into pristine bowls, whistling between his teeth as he did so "Thanks, Ghana. Well, at least we know exactly where Infinite is now". He began to spoon soup into his mouth.
It was some of the best he ever tasted "There are still a load of Nocturnus watching the house more than usual. It's like they're hoping we'll march out carrying our school trunks and head off for the Soleanna Express". Razor glanced at his watch "I've been thinking about that all day. It left nearly six hours ago. Weird, not being on it, isn't it?". In his mind's eye Silver seemed to see the scarlet steam engine as he and Razor had once followed it by air. He was sure Blaze, Antione, and Marine were sitting together at this moment, perhaps wondering where he, Razor, and Coral were, or debating how best to undermine Infinite's new regime "They nearly saw me coming back in just now. I landed a bit too hard when I Chaos Controlled". Razor nodded "I do that every time. Oh, here she is". Razor watched as Coral entered "Coral, we need to talk about your language" he joked. Coral was carrying a large, framed picture, which she now lowered to the floor before seizing her small, beaded bag from the kitchen sideboard "I remembered this". Opening it, she proceeded to force the painting inside, and despite the fact that it was patently too large to fit inside the tiny bag, within a few seconds it had vanished, like so much else, into the bag's capacious depths. "Silvanus" Coral explained as she threw the bag onto the kitchen table with the usual sonorous, clanking crash. "Sorry?" said Razor, but Silver understood. The painted image of Silvanus was able to flit between his portrait in Haven and the one that hung in the headmaster's office at Soleanna, where Infinite was no doubt sitting right now, in triumphant possession of Locke's collection of delicate, silver magical instruments, the Phantom Gem, Caliburn and, unless it had been moved elsewhere Excalibur. Coral went back to her seat seemingly satisfied "Infinite could send Silvanus to look inside this house for him. But let him try it now, all he'll will be able to see is the inside of my handbag" "Good thinking!" said Razor, looking impressed. "Thank you" smiled Coral, pulling her soup toward her.
Silver looked concerned "What if he sees the Core Shard books?". Coral's eyes widened and opened her bag and poked her head inside. After a few seconds she came back out and sighed in relief "Oh, it's okay. The books are in a different section. So, anyway, Silver, what else happened today?" "Nothing. Watched the Ministry entrance for seven hours. No sign of her. Saw your dad, though, Razor. He looks fine". Razor nodded his appreciation of this news. They had agreed that it was far too dangerous to try and communicate with Rob while he walked in and out of the Ministry, because he was always surrounded by other Ministry workers. It was, however, reassuring to catch these glimpses of him, even if he did look very strained and anxious. Razor tried to remember something "Dad always told us most Ministry people use the Flame Network to get to work. That's why we haven't seen Veruca, she'd never walk, she'd think she's too important" "I think we should do it tomorrow" Silver said. Razor choked on his soup. Coral stopped dead, her jaw hanging "Tomorrow? You aren't serious, Silver?" "I am, I don't think we're going to be much better prepared than we are now even if we skulk around the Ministry entrance for another month. The longer we put it off, the farther away that locket could be. There's already a good chance Veruca has chucked it away; the thing doesn't open". Razor shrugged "Unless, she's found a way of opening it and she's now possessed" "Wouldn't make any difference to her, she was so evil in the first place". Coral was biting her lip, deep in thought. Silver spoke more to her than Razor now "We know everything important. We know the entry points. And we know roughly where Veruca's office is, because of what you heard that bearded bloke saying to his mate about the first floor. And we know you get in using those funny coins, or tokens, or whatever they are, because I saw that witch borrowing one from her friend" "But we haven't got any!" "If the plan works, we will have" Silver continued calmly.
Coral groaned "I don't know, Silver. There are an awful lot of things that could go wrong, so much relies on chance" "That'll be true even if we spend another three months preparing. It's time to act". He could tell from Razor's and Coral's faces that they were scared; he was not particularly confident himself, and yet he was sure the time had come to put their plan into operation. They had spent the previous four weeks taking it in turns to use the Chaos Emerald and spy on the official entrance to the Ministry, which Razor, thanks to Rob, had known since childhood. They had tailed Ministry workers on their way in, eavesdropped on their conversations, and learned by careful observation which of them could be relied upon to appear, alone, at the same time every day. Occasionally there had been a chance to sneak a Daily Prophet out of somebody's briefcase. Slowly they had built up the sketchy maps and notes now stacked in front of Coral. Razor worryingly fidgeted with his hands before saying "All right, let's say we go for it tomorrow. I think it should just be me and Silver" "Oh, don't start that again! I thought we'd settled this" Coral said. Razor shook his head "It's one thing hanging around the entrances with the Emerald, but this is different, Coral". Razor jabbed a finger at a copy of the Daily Prophet dated ten days previously "You're on the list of Muggle-borns who didn't present themselves for interrogation!" "And you're supposed to be dying of N.I.D.S at the Deerwood! If anyone shouldn't go, it's Silver, he's got a ten-thousand-Gold Ring price on his head" "Fine, I'll stay here. Let me know if you ever defeat Finitevus, won't you?" Silver said. As Razor and Coral laughed, pain shot through Silver's forehead. His hand jumped to it. He saw Coral's eyes narrow, and he tried to pass off the movement by brushing his quills out of his eyes. Razor didn't notice "Well, if all three of us go we'll have to Chaos Control separately. We're all too big now to use the Emerald together".
Silver's head was becoming more and more painful. He stood up. At once, Ghana hurried forward "Master has not finished his soup, would Master prefer the savoury stew, or else the treacle tart to which Master is so partial?" "Uh, thanks, Ghana, but I'll be back in a minute…Bathroom". Aware that Coral was watching him suspiciously, Silver hurried up the stairs to the hall and then to the first landing, where he dashed into the bathroom and bolted the door again. Grunting with pain, he slumped over the black basin with its taps in the form of open-mouthed serpents and closed his eyes. He was gliding along a twilit street. The buildings on either side of him were high. He approached one of them, then saw the whiteness of his own gauntleted hand against the door. He knocked. He felt a mounting excitement. The door opened, a laughing female armadillo stood there. Her face fell as she looked into Silver's face. "Madden?" Silver said in a cold voice. She shook her head. She was trying to close the door. But Silver held it steady, prevented her shutting him out "I want Madden". The woman desperately shook her head "Er wohnt hier nicht mehr! He no live here! He no live here! I know him not!". Abandoning the attempt to close the door, she began to back away down the dark hall, and Silver followed, gliding toward her, and his hand now raised "Where is he?" "He move! I know not. I KNOW NOT!" she screamed. Two young children came running into the hall. She tried to shield them with her arms. There was a black shape and then "Silver! SILVER!". He opened his eyes; he had sunk to the floor. Coral was pounding on the door again "Silver, open up!". He had shouted out, he knew it. He got up and unbolted the door. Coral toppled inside at once, regained her balance, and looked around suspiciously. Razor was right behind her, looking unnerved as he pointed his dagger into the corners of the chilly bathroom "What were you doing?" asked Coral sternly. "What d'you think I was doing?" asked Silver sarcastically. Razor looked confused "You were yelling your head off!" "Oh yeah, I must've dozed off or…".
Coral took a deep breath "Silver, please don't insult our intelligence. We know your head hurt downstairs, and you're white as a sheet". Silver sat down on the edge of the bath "Fine. I've just seen Finitevus murdering a woman. By now he's probably killed her whole family. And he didn't need to. It was Sonic all over again, they were just there" "Silver, you aren't supposed to let this happen anymore! Locke wanted you to use Occlumency! He thought the connection was dangerous. Finitevus can use it, Silver! What good is it to watch him kill and torture, how can it help?" "Because it means I know what he's doing" "So you're not even going to try to shut him out?". Silver was getting frustrated now. Reopening the connection saved his life, it's not his fault he can't close it again "Coral, I can't. You know I'm lousy at Occlumency, I never got the hang of it" "You never really tried! I don't get it, Silver…Do you like having this special connection or relationship or what…". She faltered under the look he gave her as he stood up "Like it? Would you like it?" "I…No…I'm sorry, Silver, I didn't mean…" "I hate it, I hate the fact that he can get inside me, that I have to watch him when he's most dangerous. But I'm going to use it". Coral clearly didn't like this "Locke…" "Forget Locke. This is my choice, nobody else's. I want to know why he's after Madden". Coral looked confused "Who?" "He's a foreign Talisman maker. He made Reynard's sword. He said Madden was brilliant" "But you said Finitevus' got Merlin's locked up somewhere. If he's already got a Talisman maker, what does he need another one for?" Razor said. Silver shrugged "Maybe he agrees with Reynard, maybe he thinks Madden is better" "Wait, if he doesn't know about the connection being reopened maybe he's looking for an explanation about the Talismans" Coral suggested.
Silver shook his head "No, it's something else. He has to know by now it wasn't the Talismans. No one could go through what Merlin did and not tell the truth. He's after something specific". Razor glanced at the clock on the wall "Guys, I know this is very interesting but if we're going to the Ministry tomorrow, don't you reckon we should go over the plan?". Silver thought for a second he wanted to argue but dropped it. Razor was right, Silver had no way of knowing what Finitevus was after being stuck in Haven. Reluctantly, as the other two could tell, Coral let the matter rest, though Silver was quite sure she would attack again at the first opportunity. In the meantime, they returned to the basement kitchen, where Ghana served them all stew and treacle tart. They did not get to bed until late that night, after spending hours going over and over their plan until they could recite it, word perfect, to each other. Silver, who was now sleeping in Elias' room, lay in bed muttering the plan to himself for another ten minutes. As his mind trailed off he was thinking not of Metamorphia, Puking Pastilles, or his planned disguise; he thought of Madden and how long he could hope to remain hidden while Finitevus sought him so determinedly.
Dawn seemed to follow midnight with indecent haste "You look terrible" was Razor's greeting as he entered the room to wake Silver. "Not for long" Silver said, yawning. They found Coral downstairs in the kitchen. She was being served coffee and hot rolls by Ghana and wearing the slightly manic expression that Silver associated with exam review "I've managed to get robes for you Razor. But me and Silver will have to take ours". She started poking around her bag "We should all take some ring bombs and shield necklaces. Wear them under your clothes. If people see them it might look suspicious". They gulped down their breakfast, then set off upstairs, Ghana bowing them out and promising to have a steak-and-kidney pie ready for them when they returned "Thanks, Ghana. If we don't come back soon go to the kitchens at Soleanna. You'll be safe there" Silver said. They made their way onto the front step with immense caution. They could see a couple of Nocturnus watching the house from across the misty square. Coral Chaos Controlled with Razor first, then came back for Silver. After the usual brief spell of darkness and near suffocation, Silver found himself in the tiny alleyway where the first phase of their plan was scheduled to take place. It was as yet deserted, except for a couple of large bins; the first Ministry workers did not usually appear here until at least eight o'clock. Coral checked the clock across the road "Right then. She ought to be here in about five minutes. When I've Stunned her we'll take her in their". She pointed to an open door revealed dark corridor. As they knew from their careful scouting trips, it led into an empty theatre. Coral pulled the door back toward her, to make it look as though it was still closed.
Silver and Razor got out of sight while Coral used the Emerald to turn invisible. Little more than a minute later, there was a tiny pop and green female Angler fish Chaos Controlled feet from them, blinking a little in the sudden brightness; the sun had just come out from behind a cloud. She barely had time to enjoy the unexpected warmth, however, before Coral's silent Stunning Spell hit her in the chest and she toppled over. "Nicely done" said Razor, he and Silver emerged from their hiding place. Together they carried the little witch into the dark passageway that led backstage. Coral plucked a few of her scaled and added them to a flask of muddy Metamorphia Potion she had taken from the beaded bag. Razor was rummaging through the witch's handbag "Her name's Angelica" he said, reading a small card that identified their victim as an assistant in the Improper Use of Magic Office. Silver and Razor left while Coral got changed. She returned after a few minutes in the pink dress which was too big for her "I left her some robes. I hope she's not too upset" "No, I'm always happy when I get stunned, stripped and robbed" Razor said sarcastically. Coral glared at him before taking the potion. She shuddered and groaned as her skin turned green and an illicium popped out of her forehead. Once it was done Coral put on a piece of gold jewellery on her forehead and a white belt. She put her flute and hat in an inside pocket "Okay, Razor, dagger and sword Talismans are pretty common so you can just take yours and your necklace should be easy to hide. Mine is a little more rare and they'll be looking out for one's like yours, Silver. We should use our disguise's Talismans when there isn't any trouble. Only switch back to yours if we have to start fighting". Razor and Silver both agreed.
A few minutes later Coral was waiting alone again but this time visible. Seconds later there was another pop, and a tall Seedrian in blue robes appeared "Oh, hello, Angelica". Coral or Angelica's face looked very nervous "Hello, Lander. How are you today?" "Not so good, actually" replied the little wizard, who looked thoroughly downcast. As Coral and the wizard headed for the main road, Silver and Razor crept along behind them with the Emerald. "I'm sorry to hear you're under the weather. Here, have a sweet" Coral said holding out a bag. Lander looked surprised "Oh…Uh, thank you" he took one an ate it. The effect was instantaneous. The moment the pastille touched his tongue, Lander started vomiting so hard that he did not even notice as Coral yanked a handful of hairs from the top of his head "Oh dear! Perhaps you'd better take the day off!" "No-No!". He choked and retched, trying to continue on his way despite being unable to walk straight "I must-Today-Must go-" "But that's just silly! Don't worry. I'll tell them why you can't come in". Lander collapsed, heaving, onto all fours, still trying to crawl toward the main street. At last he seemed to accept the truth of her words. Using a repulsed Coral to claw his way back into a standing position, he turned on the spot and vanished, leaving nothing behind but the bag Razor had snatched from his hand as he went and some flying chunks of vomit. Coral held up the skirts of her dress to avoid the puddles of sick "Ugh! It would have made much less mess to Stun him too" "Yeah, but I still think a whole pile of unconscious bodies would have drawn more attention". They got back out of sight and Razor put the hairs in his potion. Within no time at all a Seedrian was standing before them wearing the blue robes Coral had given him. Coral looked relieved the plan was working. She turned to Silver "Now wait here and we'll be back with some hairs for you". He had to wait ten minutes, but it seemed much longer to Silver, skulking alone by the door concealing the Stunned Angelica.
Finally, Razor and Coral reappeared carrying an unconscious buffalo in purple armour "I thought you were just gonna give him one of those nosebleed things" "He wouldn't take it" Coral said. They put him next to Angelica and Silver got into the armour which also appeared to be the man's Talismans. Since they were Talismans the armour also adjusted to Silver's normal size not that this mattered as once the painful transformation was complete Silver was a foot taller and, from what he could tell from his well-muscled arms, powerfully built. Stowing the Emerald and his Talismans inside the pocket of his armour, he rejoined the other two. "Blimey, that's scary" said Razor, looking up at Silver, who now towered over him. Coral handed out the tokens "Here, you have the bag. You'll probably need it" she gave it to Silver. They stepped out of the alleyway together. Fifty yards along the crowded pavement there were spiked black railings flanking two flights of steps, one labelled gentlemen, the other ladies "See you in a moment, then" Coral said nervously, and she tottered off down the steps to ladies. Silver and Razor joined a number of oddly dressed men descending into what appeared to be an ordinary underground public toilet, tiled in grimy black and while "Morning, Lander!" called a monkey as he let himself into a cubicle by inserting his golden token into a slot in the door "Damn pain in the arse, this, eh? Forcing us all to get to work this way! Who are they expecting to turn up, Silver the Hedgehog?". The Monkey roared with laughter at his own wit. Razor gave a forced chuckle "Yeah, stupid, isn't it?". And he and Silver let themselves into adjoining cubicles. To Silver's left and right came the sound of flushing. He crouched down and peered through the gap at the bottom of the cubicle, just in time to see a pair of booted feet climbing into the toilet next door. He looked left and saw Razor blinking at him "We have to flush ourselves in?" "Looks like it" Silver whispered back; his voice came out deep and gravelly. They both stood up.
Feeling exceptionally foolish, Silver clambered into the toilet. He knew at once that he had done the right thing; though he appeared to be standing in water, his shoes, feet, and robes remained quite dry. He reached up, pulled the chain, and next moment had zoomed down a short chute, emerging out of a fireplace into the Ministry of Magic. He got up clumsily; there was a lot more of his body than he was accustomed to. The great Atrium seemed darker than Silver remembered it. Previously a golden fountain had filled the centre of the hall, casting shimmering spots of light over the polished wooden floor and walls. Now a gigantic statue of black stone dominated the scene. It was rather frightening, this vast sculpture of a witch and a wizard sitting on ornately carved thrones, looking down at the Ministry workers toppling out of fireplaces below them. Engraved in foot-high letters at the base of the statue were the words "MAGIC IS MIGHT". Silver received a heavy blow on the back of the legs. Another wizard, dolphin had just flown out of the fireplace behind him "Out of the way, can't y-Oh, sorry, Axel!". Clearly frightened, the wizard hurried away. Apparently, the man whom Silver was impersonating, Axel, was intimidating. "Psst!" said a voice, and he looked around to see a Angelica and Lander gesturing to him from over beside the statue. Silver hastened to join them "You got in all right, then?" Coral whispered to Silver. "No, he's still stuck in the bog" said Razor. Coral rolled her eyes "Oh, very funny. It's horrible, isn't it?" she said to Silver, who was staring up at the statue "Have you seen what they're sitting on?". Silver looked more closely and realized that what he had thought were decoratively carved thrones were actually mounds of carved Mobians and humans. hundreds and hundreds of naked bodies, men, women, and children, all with rather stupid, ugly faces, twisted and pressed together to support the weight of the handsomely robed wizards "Muggles. In their rightful place" Coral said. The three quickly wanted to get away from the statue. They joined the stream of witches and wizards moving toward the golden gates at the end of the hall, looking around as surreptitiously as possible, but there was no sign of the distinctive figure of Vera Veruca. They passed through the gates and into a smaller hall, where queues were forming in front of twenty golden grilles housing as many lifts. They had barely joined the nearest one when a voice said "Lander!".
They looked around. Silver's stomach turned over. Kragok, the very Nocturnus Silver stunned at Soleanna was striding towards them. The Ministry workers beside them fell silent, their eyes downcast; Silver could feel fear rippling through them. Someone in the crowd around the lifts called sycophantically "Morning, Kragok!". Kragok ignored them, he was still scowling at Razor "I requested somebody from Magical Maintenance to sort out my office, Lander. It's still raining in there". Razor looked around as though hoping somebody else would intervene, but nobody spoke "Have-Have you tried to an umbrella" "You think it's funny, Lander, do you?". Razor gulped "No, no, of course not" "You realize that I am on my way downstairs to interrogate your wife? In fact, I'm quite surprised you're not down there holding her hand while she waits. Already given her up as a bad job, have you? Probably wise. Be sure and marry a pureblood next time". Coral had let out a little squeak of horror. Kragok looked at her. She coughed feebly and turned away. He looked back to Razor "If my wife were accused of being a Mudblood, not that any woman I married would ever be mistaken for such filth, and the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement needed a job doing, I would make it my priority to do that job. Do you understand me?" "Yes, sir" "Then attend to it and if my office is not completely dry within an hour, your wife's Blood Status will be in even graver doubt than it is now". The golden grille before them clattered open. With a nod and unpleasant smile to Silver, who was evidently expected to appreciate this treatment of Lander, Kragok swept away toward another lift. Silver, Razor, and Coral entered theirs, but nobody followed them.
It was as if they were infectious. The grilles shut with a clang and the lift began to move upward "What am I going to do? My wife's all alone downstairs" "Razor, you don't have a wife" Silver said. Razor slowly nodded "Oh, right. But we can't leave her. We're the reason Lander isn't here" "Well just go fix his office then" "No, that could take ages. You two find Veruca, I'll stop the raining…How do I stop the raining". Of course Coral had the answer at once "Try Finite Incantatem, that should stop it if it's a hex or curse; if it doesn't, something's gone wrong with an Atmospheric Charm, which will be more difficult to fix, so as an interim measure try Impervius to protect his belongings". Razor made notes in a book Lander thankfully had on him. The lift stopped on level four and a grey beetle entered "Morning, Axel. I heard about Errol Blackthorn. From Goblin Liaison? Nice one. I'm pretty confident I'll get his job now!". He winked. Silver smiled back, hoping that this would suffice. The lift stopped; the grilles opened once more "Level two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Diamond Cutters Headquarters, and Chaos Council Administration Services" said the disembodied witch's voice. Silver saw Coral give Razor a little push and he hurried out of the lift, followed by the other wizard, leaving Silver and Coral alone. The moment the golden door had closed Coral said, very fast "Actually, Silver, I think I'd better go after him, I don't think he knows what he's doing and if he gets caught the whole thing" "Level one, Minister of Magic and Support Staff". The golden grilles slid apart again and Coral gasped. Four people stood before them, and in the lead was Vera Veruca.