After everything he had been through, Gideon wasn’t inclined to put his trust in anyone, especially now that the headmistress might be involved with the fires. Alex didn’t want to come clean about what they knew either, at least until they had proof of who the arsonist was. He maintained that he and Gideon would be the ones in trouble, especially with Gideon’s track record.

They left for breakfast, agreeing to think things over during the Easter break and meet again when Alex returned, where Professor Dandridge addressed the school.

‘Your attention for a moment, please,’ she called out. ‘First, I would like to wish you all a very happy Easter break. I hope you enjoy yourselves and use the time wisely. Sadly, before you leave, I must also share some unfortunate news with you. Last night, Greenhouse Seven was vandalised.

‘As you all know, the greenhouses are strictly out of bounds outside of teaching hours and Greenhouse Seven is only to be entered by sixth and seventh-year Herbology students. Owing to this latest unacceptable incident, I have no choice but to cancel the Quidditch Cup.’

Angry gasps and muttering broke out across the Great Hall. The Quidditch players were up in the air. Gideon noticed his brother in the far corner of the room pounding his table.

‘In addition,’ the professor continued, ‘I warn you all now, should any further incidents of this nature transpire, it is very likely that Hogwarts will be closed. That is all.’

‘Oi! Drake!’ said a voice Gideon didn’t recognise. ‘My team has worked too hard to have all our efforts go to waste and this is my last shot at the Cup! The joke’s over, it’s time to come clean. Everyone knows it’s you.’

‘Not everyone!’ Dorian corrected.

‘Yeah, go sit down, Hargreaves!’ said Eoin unexpectedly.

‘What are you, O’Leary, his accomplice?’ the Slytherin Quidditch Captain accused. ‘Maybe all the third-years are in on it? Maybe that’s the real reason Tim Benton left?’

‘Hey!’ barked Gio, ‘You’re out of line, Jago! I’m on the team too, and Tim was my best mate, but you don’t see me going after Gideon, do you? If I really thought he was responsible, I’d deal with him myself!’

Jago Hargreaves stared down at the boys for a while longer before huffing and storming off, and the hush that had come over the hall quickly returned to its normal din.

Gideon couldn’t help but blush. For the first time in months, Eoin and even Gio had stuck up for him. On top of that, in a roundabout sort of way, they had both expressed that they didn’t think he was responsible for the fires.

Gideon cleared his throat and gave a quiet, ‘Thanks,’ and the boys returned to their breakfast in a silent understanding.

***

‘We need to talk before you leave,’ Gideon told Talia when she left the hall.

Once away from prying ears, Gideon rapidly explained all about cracking Ruby’s code and the previous night’s excitement. Then, he revealed what had come of his meeting with Alex.

‘I’m glad you figured it out, Gideon,’ Talia said, ‘but I can’t believe you went alone! Devil’s Snare is one thing, but you could have ended up like Ruby!’

‘I thought I’d be alright with the Camostone, but then, Sherlock interfered…’

‘It’s annoying that we had to get help from that pretty boy, but at least we know what’s going on now!’

‘Almost. We still need to figure out who’s behind it all. What do you think? Should we go to the teachers now?’

‘Hmm. I don’t know. Grimsby sounds more concerned about his precious Quidditch, if you ask me. But if Professor Dandridge is involved…’ Talia stated uncertainly. ‘You’ve met her a few times now; do you really think she could do this?’

Gideon considered his handful of meetings with the headmistress. ‘I can’t imagine her hurting Ruby. That said, I’m hardly the best judge of character,’ Gideon concluded.

‘What should we do, then?’ Talia questioned.

‘I don’t know,’ Gideon said glumly. ‘We’ve got Easter to decide.’

***

After the school emptied, Gideon sent a letter to his grandmother, wishing her—and by extension, his sister, the elves, and Caroline a happy Easter. He also sent Easter messages to Ruby’s family and to Talia. Come Easter Sunday, Gideon received replies from all of them, along with a veritable mountain of chocolate eggs.

With the school as quiet as it was over Christmas, Gideon quickly got his homework out of the way, then spent most of his free time practicing his magic. He focused on mastered the Stunning Spell and the Shield Charm but made time to go over everything he had been learning ahead of the end of year exams.

He also worked on the tasks Professor Voronov had been setting him. It required a lot of concentration, but he was starting to get a hang of only drawing out his natural magic when casting spells. It made them weaker and harder to pull off, but it was better than continuing to rely on the dark magic.

The rest of the school returned on Sunday the twenty-third of April, following a week of speculative articles about Hogwarts’ imminent closure in the Prophet. The idea that they might shortly find themselves back on the train home, was all those who hadn’t been taken out of school by their parents over Easter, could talk about. Oddly, this latest round of withdrawals didn’t earn Gideon the same antagonism as the last.

Everybody was on edge, the staff included. When lessons resumed, Professor Long surveyed the students extra attentively during Potions, as if waiting for someone to dare break a rule in front of her. Professor Maxwell was more impatient than usual in Defence Against the Dark Arts, which was saying something now that he was no longer hampered by his rocky punishment.

Professor Blanchard was distant and distracted during Muggle Studies. However, the Barrington sisters contended that this was because he was scared for his otherwise Ministry-secure job. Even Professor Keane didn’t seem her usual chipper-self. Only Professor Sambor seemed unaffected, but he was still new.

After a tiring first week back, Saturday finally arrived, and Gideon and Talia headed to the Student Lounge to meet their new ally. Alex was already sitting by the fire when they entered.

‘Have a good Easter?’ he asked them.

‘Err, sure,’ Gideon confirmed.

‘Whatever,’ said Talia. ‘Let’s just do this.’

‘Well, I’ve had the time to think, and my mind hasn’t changed,’ Alex stated. ‘I think we need to catch the perp in the act. No one will believe us otherwise, and personally, I don’t want to risk being blamed for the school shutting down. Losing Quidditch was bad enough.’

Alex looked to Talia with a raised eyebrow for her opinion.

‘I don’t care one way or another. I’ll go along with whatever Gideon thinks,’ she said.

Gideon knew Talia meant this in a supportive way, but it put all the pressure on his words, ‘After thinking it over, I don’t think we can risk putting our trust in someone who might turn out to be our enemy. I think the best chance for helping Ruby is to identify them, so they can be caught and forced to help her.’

‘Glad we agree,’ said Alex.

‘We have to be smart about this, though,’ Gideon started. ‘All we should focus on is finding out who they are, then, the teachers or the Ministry can take over.’

‘Okay, but how do we do that?’ Alex queried.

Gideon smirked, ‘I have an idea, but we’ll need a little help from Kuroh—’

‘Who’s Kuroh?’ Alex interjected.

‘—and we’ll need one of those instant photo magic cameras. Do either of you have one?’

‘Kuroh is my cat,’ Talia explained, ‘and as for a camera, Verity has one. I’m sure she won’t mind me borrowing it.’

‘Great. Well, the idea is for me and Alex to stay hidden with the Camostone. We’ll get a photo of the arsonist and in case we get into trouble, we’ll immediately give the instant print to Kuroh. He will run it straight to Talia, who will be waiting near Professor Long’s office. As soon as she gets the picture from Kuroh, she’ll alert the teachers with the proof and send them to the Courtyard!’

‘We’re banking on a cat?’ Alex asked with a dubious expression.

‘I trust him more than I do, you,’ Talia snapped.

‘Kuroh’s really smart, Alex,’ Gideon assured him, ‘he’ll do what Talia says.’

‘Alright. Shouldn’t we try to catch the guy if we have the opportunity, though?’ Alex questioned.

‘Wouldn’t it be better if I were with you, Gideon?’ Talia followed up with a glare at Alex.

‘As scary as I’m sure the arsonist would find you, Natalia, I think I can handle it,’ Alex jabbed.

‘You couldn’t handle a flobberworm!’ Talia retorted.

Gideon cleared his throat to interrupt, and addressed both questions, ‘We’re not trying to engage the arsonist, especially if it turns out to be a teacher. As soon as we take the picture, we’ll run away or hide using the Camostone. Kuroh’s fast and small. He’s our safety net in case we get caught or can’t move for risk of the stone’s distortions being seen. Smart, though, he is, Talia, do you think he would leave you and run the picture to Alex?’

‘I guess not,’ Talia sulked.

‘Makes sense,’ Alex conceded.

***

May rolled by quickly as Gideon counted down the days to their big mission. He spent his evenings preparing contingencies with the help of Talia and Alex, whom when they weren’t sniping at each other, had some good suggestions.

Alex pointed out the idea of a smokescreen, remembering how effective Gideon’s had been against him, while Talia offered up some particularly nasty hexes that would keep an enemy at bay.

Lost in his plans and the extra work that the upcoming exams required, Gideon woke up on Tuesday the thirtieth of May, surprised to find a small stack of presents at the foot of his bed. He had forgotten his birthday.

‘Happy birthday, Gideon,’ Dorian offered.

‘You should have said,’ Eoin remarked.

‘Open them, then!’ Gio said impatiently.

Gideon tore into the presents and was happy to find another record from Talia. This one was an old Weird Sisters album she had once recommended. His sister had sent a smart pair of sunglasses she had designed. Its lenses magically changed colour to match the wearers outfit.

Caroline sent something that Gideon thought could be useful for their mission, a box of Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes’ Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. Funnily enough, it supposedly worked like a smokescreen, but was resistant to light. In a departure from her usual gifts, his grandmother had given him an exam study guide, which would shout at you if you wrote the wrong answers in it.

Gideon was mildly disappointed until he opened a package from Tilly and Tolly. They had baked him his favourite white chocolate cake. This elicited a groan of envy from the boys, so he decided to treat them all to cake for breakfast.

‘Ah thin you miffed one, Gidjun,’ said Eoin with a mouthful of cake.

‘I think he means this,’ Dorian translated, picking up a small, wrapped cube from atop Gideon’s trunk.

‘Oh, I didn’t see that.’ Gideon said as he opened the brown paper wrapping, ‘Was there a card?’

‘Can’t see one,’ Dorian answered. ‘Doesn’t it say who it’s from?’

‘No, it doesn’t,’ Gideon confirmed as he opened the box inside. ‘Oh. It’s a ring.’

‘Who’s the lucky lady?’ Eoin teased.

Gideon took the silver ring out of the box. Its band had a simple but attractive pattern all the way around. It was a little large, so he tried it on the middle finger of his left hand. He thought it looked cool, but he couldn’t help wondering who it was from.

‘Maybe the inside is engraved?’ Gio speculated.

‘I didn’t check,’ Gideon said. ‘Wait. It’s stuck!’ The ring that had so easily slid over his knuckle now refused to come off.

‘Uh-oh. It might be one of those joke rings,’ Eoin suggested. ‘They’re charmed to stay on until the magic wears off. Count yourself lucky it’s not ugly!’

‘Who would bother doing that, though? I didn’t share when my birthday was with anyone, let alone someone I don’t like,’ Gideon exasperated.

‘Don’t worry, I’m sure Madam Longbottom will have it off in a jiffy,’ Dorian reassured him. ‘Just pop into the Hospital Wing after classes. Speaking of, we need to get going!’

***

Gideon spent the day absent-mindedly fumbling with the ring with no luck. Thankfully, it wasn’t tight or particularly bothersome, it just wouldn’t budge. Unfortunately, despite Dorian’s assurance, Madam Longbottom couldn’t remove it either.

‘Every year these silly joke products get smarter,’ the Matron complained that evening. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll check-in with my friends at St Mungo’s about the latest counter-charms. I’ll send for you when I have something.’

Not counting the number of times Gideon complained about the ring followed by Talia offering to remove it along with his finger, the rest of the week flew by. Sunday the fourth of June arrived, and Gideon, Talia and Alex met in the Student Lounge to review their plan one last time.

That night, Gideon slipped out of the Slytherin Common Room at half past eleven. As planned, he made his way to Ravenclaw Tower under cover of the Camostone to collect Talia, and Kuroh, whom she carried. They linked arms and the camouflage spell extended over them. Together, they made their way to Professor Long’s office, dodging the Bloody Baron on the way.

Alex popped out from behind a near-by statue holding his Occurio when they arrived and revealed themselves. ‘Blanchard’s patrolling again tonight. So is Voronov. I left early but I had to wait ages for him to pass by. It was like he could hear my footsteps!’ Alex griped.

Gideon mused at what was surely one of Professor Voronov’s so-called “irregularities”. ‘Right, are we ready?’ he asked Alex and Talia. They both nodded purposefully, then exchanged Verity’s camera and the Occurio.

‘You know what to do, Kuroh,’ Talia instructed as she gave the black cat to Gideon. ‘Go with Gideon and come to me here as fast as you can once he gives you the picture.’ Kuroh purred in understanding.

‘Okay, see you in a bit!’ Gideon promised Talia.

She nodded and said, ‘Be careful, both of you. And you Grimsby.’

The boys linked arms and Gideon uttered, ‘Dissimulo.’ He looked down and watched their bodies and the cat disappear.

It didn’t take long to reach the Courtyard, and they were lucky not to bump into either of the teachers or any ghosts along the way. There were multiple entrances and sight lines into the large grassy area, though, so they stood still by the first alcove and watched for movement.

Gideon’s heart was thumping so hard in his chest that he wondered whether Alex could hear it. It seemed to skip a beat when he noticed something. Not a person but an orange glow. It appeared to be coming from the corner that they couldn’t see directly, so they had to relocate.

Gideon tugged on Alex’s arm, and they moved as quietly as they could around the outside of the walled courtyard until they were at the opposite end. From their new angle, they could see their target. The hooded cloaked figure was waving a wand over the ground where the orange light was shining. They had started marking the fifth point for their ritual spell.

The boys had hoped to arrive ahead of this, before the ritual had begun. Would the teachers arrive in time to stop the arsonist from doing whatever it was the they had planned now?

It didn’t matter. They had accounted for this. The plan stayed the same. They just needed to get the picture and get out of there. Unfortunately, the angle was not desirable for a photo.

‘There’s no way to get a shot of their face,’ Alex whispered. ‘We need them to turn around. Even then, their hood will be a problem. We should separate. You stay camouflaged with Kuroh and cause a distraction to get him to turn around for the picture. I’ll handle the hood from another direction.’

‘I should go,’ Gideon protested.

‘No. The cat doesn’t like me. Just be ready. Once you see me wave, count to ten, and I’ll give the thumbs up,’ Alex said firmly and pulled his arm free.

Gideon watched as Alex’s body reappeared, crouching below the height of the wall, and rounded the corner. After a few moments, His head appeared halfway down the next length of stone, much closer to the hooded arsonist, and he waved.

Gideon realised he would need a closer shot for the picture. He willed himself to walk out into the grass, counting to ten as he moved slowly closer toward the middle of the space on his toes. Then, Alex’s thumb appeared. Gideon took a deep breath, raised the camera awkwardly while holding Kuroh, and cleared his throat loudly.

The hooded figure immediately spun around and looked in the direction of the invisible Gideon. Then, the figures hood was pulled down magically, and Gideon clicked the camera button. Time seemed to stand still as Gideon realised who he was looking at, and that the camera flash had revealed his location.

Gideon didn’t know whether to move or not, but as his enemy raised their wand, he knew he had to get the picture to Talia. She had to bring the teachers. They had to know that one of their own was working against them.

He yanked the instant photo from the camera and set the cat down on the floor. He gave it the photo to bite down on and whispered, ‘Run to Talia, Kuroh!’

Kuroh dashed away instantly with the picture and left the protection of the Camostone. Gideon watched as their enemy tracked the sudden movement with his eyes, and he began to move in the opposite direction, to where Alex was waiting unhidden below the wall.

‘No interruptions!’ Yelled their quarry and they set off a spell that moved in all directions like an expanding, yellow-coloured dome. Just in the nick of time, Gideon dropped the camera, drew his wand from his arm holster and yelled, ‘Protego!’

The Shield Charm he had practiced so often took the brunt of the impact, but Gideon was still knocked off his feet and the Camostone in his other hand rolled away from him. As he had hurtled through the air, he saw Alex knocked back, too, though, the courtyard wall had hopefully protected him a little.

Gideon was dazed. This wasn’t something they had accounted for. It was okay, though, reinforcements would soon be on the way. He saw the outline of someone standing over him. ‘You’re too late, boys, I have to finish it,’ they said, ‘If you had arrived sooner, you might have been able to save me…’

They returned to the corner where the orange light was still shining and continued chanting. Gideon struggled to his feet as the light grew brighter and brighter still.

‘P-Professor Blanchard!’ Gideon called out as he got to his feet and his balance gradually returned to him. How silly of them. Alex had seen Professor Blanchard tonight and on the night of the fourth marking. They had assumed he was patrolling, but why would there be two teachers on duty on each occasion as well as the ghosts? He had really been on his way to perform his ritual. ‘Whatever it is you’re doing, you don’t have to. Let us help you.’

‘It’s too late!’ cried the Muggle Studies teacher. ‘I-don’t-want-to-do-this, but I have to, he’s making me!’

‘Who’s making you?’ Gideon yelled, but there was a flash and unlike the last time, the rune stretched across the grass and suddenly, a pillar of light burst forth from its centre. The force of it felt like standing in a strong gale.

Gideon couldn’t tell if his balance was still affected or if the ground was really trembling, but he expected it was the latter. The pillar of light widened, and it took in Professor Blanchard, who began screaming. Gideon realised then; the ritual magic had been completed. The Eye of Fire had opened. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Alex was also back on his feet. They nodded to each other in understanding.

‘Stupefy!’ they both yelled, and two jets of red energy were fired at the professor. Unfortunately, they fell short, hitting the light instead. Gideon continued firing unsuccessfully as he made his way over to Alex.

‘What should we do?’ Alex asked as they helplessly watched the professor scream and writhe in agony within the orange field.

‘Let’s just keep trying spells until the teachers get here,’ Gideon suggested.

‘Didn’t you see?’ Alex asked, pointing a finger to the opposite side of the courtyard. Beyond the alcove on that side, Gideon could just make out a small black heap on the floor.

‘Kuroh!’ he said as he realised their hope of assistance had also been caught in Professor Blanchard’s earlier attack.

As suddenly as it had begun, the light disappeared completely, and the man collapsed to his knees, hunched over. After a few moments of silence, Gideon approached him cautiously.

‘Professor? Professor Blanchard are you okay?’ he asked fearfully.

The professor’s head snapped backward abruptly, revealing a pair of glowing orange holes where his eyes should have been. Then, in a deep, hoarse voice that chilled Gideon to his core, he said, ‘Run!’