Evelyn woke up to the sound of Mrs. Preston playing cards with Mr. Cuppy.

"Call," Mrs. Preston was saying, "and I raise you twenty."

Mr. Cuppy groaned. "A high roller, eh? All right. Call. What do you have?"

"Would you two knock it off?" Mr. Doggles said irritably. "You haven't got any idea how annoying that is."

Mr. Cuppy's lips twitched. "Whatever you want, Linus." He put the cards away.

Evelyn blinked at a portrait on the other side of the room as she saw Spree, who took off across the other paintings immediately. She stared at the paintings for a few moments and noticed that an ogre and a unicorn were also staring at her.

"Gurg," the ogre said. "Gawang."

"What did he say?" BoBob said, wrinkling his nose at the ogre. The ogre did the same to BoBob and pointed at her.

As everyone turned to look at her, Evelyn blinked at them and grinned feebly. Mrs. Ortega and Mr. Conway came out of the corner, frowning deeply.

"Young lady," Mrs. Preston began, tone soft and deep, "do you know how much trouble you're in?"

Deciding this would be a good time to change the subject, Evelyn announced brightly, "I found an Elemental Stone."

"We know," Mr. Doggles told her. "I've been prodding it for the past four hours."

"And getting upset with anyone who makes the least amount of noise," Mr. Cuppy tossed in.

Evelyn frowned at the Dog. "What do you mean, 'prodding'? Give it back."

"It isn't yours, girl."

"Don't take that tone with me." Nodding to herself, she held out her hand, palm downward, and pointed all five fingers at the Stone, which seemed to glow golden around the edges. Mariboto, she thought forcefully, adding to it as if she were doing fairy magic. It flew from Mr. Doggles's hands into her own. She looked at him triumphantly.

"Doesn't mean you're going to have few lessons on control," Mr. Doggles snapped at her.

"Evelyn," Mrs. Ortega said patiently, "it turns out that Mr. Doggles here isn't the maniacal evil spawn of Satan we had assumed he was."

"Thanks for that," Mr. Doggles said sarcastically, crossing his arms and frowning.

"It turns out Mr. Cuppy put him here to monitor you, find out how much you knew about Aleridge."

Evelyn's eyes widened, an angry expression sweeping across her face. "This is supposed to make me like him more?" she demanded.

Mr. Cuppy grinned. "Glad to see your humor is still in tact," he said calmly. "Your ankle was broken when Mr. Doggles here found you."

The girl didn't say anything but glared at him loudly.

Footsteps were heard outside, and her five friends tore into the room, all arms and legs.

"We found out! We've got a-"

"How's your foot?"

"Guess what?"

"Did you really find the-"

"Can you remember your middle name?"

She looked at them for a few seconds and then started laughing. "You guys are ridiculous," she told them, obviously not meaning it.

"We found a name, we think," Brittany said proudly. "For our house."

"What is it, then?" Evelyn asked curiously, wondering what Brittany had decided on.

Brittany turned to Mr. Cuppy. "Sir, we'd be honored if we could name our house after you. Cuppy House, sir."

Mr. Cuppy grinned. "I'd be honored."

"What about me?" Mr. Doggles demanded.

"Nobody likes you," Evelyn said tartly.

"And us?" Mrs. Ortega asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You'd have bickered about who got more or who won out," Evelyn said firmly. "Anything else?" she asked.

Brittany nodded happily. "Our team name is the Elements, but out mascot is going to be Spree. As in, 'Shooting Spree,' 'Winning Spree,' 'Shopping Spree.' "

Evelyn looked at Spree, who had appeared in the portrait with the unicorn and ogre again. He quickly stuck on a fake mustache and wide-brimmed hat, but it didn't do much to conceal him. She looked at Jacques, who shrugged.

"Spree can be a real charmer when he wants to be," he said quietly. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Evelyn admitted. "I thought I'd feel worse." She looked at the Stone in her lap. "Which Stone is it?"

"It's the Air Elemental," Mr. Doggles snapped. "I could tell you more, but I would eventually need it back. After all, I talked to your grandfather after all this happened, and he says he told you to tell me where it was."

Evelyn gulped. "Not necessarily."

She could have sworn Mr. Doggles almost laughed. He waved it away dismissively. "Go ahead, keep it, though it may very well be more trouble than it's worth. However, you've learned to block spells with it, so it's probably the best defense you have at your disposal at the moment."

The six children looked at each other, not really knowing what to say.

Evelyn at last nodded solemnly. There was no evidence that she'd gotten rid of Isabella Silverthorn, and no way to prove that Silverthorn wouldn't come back for the Stone again. She felt a bump in the Stone and looked at it, for the first time noticing that there was a small hole near the top. She put the Stone away for the time being, deciding she could put a chain through the hole later to keep the Stone close.

Sean cleared his throat. "Mr. Doggles is going to be our new principal."

Evelyn's cloud reappeared above her head. "Why?"

"Mr. Webber is school president now," Sean said with a shrug.

"We'd appreciate if you didn't mention it anytime soon," Mr. Doggles said slowly. "We're going to announce it day after tomorrow, at the End-of-the-School-Year Party."

Evelyn stared at them in shock. "I've been asleep that long?"

Jacques nodded silently and sat on her bed, careful to avoid her hurt foot but accidentally sitting on her good one. As she yelped and he hastily scooted off of it, he said, "But most of the exams you'll pass whether you take them or not."

"Actually," Mr. Conway said, "Your independent studies are keeping you afloat."

After seeing the look of horror on Evelyn's face, Mrs. Ortega turned and gave him a disapproving look. "Don't scare the girl like that, John. I think that Evelyn ought to be excused from exams. Technically, House C- Cuppy House has already passed all the exams and tests freshmen are expected to take. They're all in sophomore-year stuff now."

"Does that mean we don't have to take the exams either?" Brittany asked dreamily.

Mr. Doggles hesitated and then nodded. "Mrs. Ortega has made a very good point."

"YES!" Brittany, Sean, and Jacob shouted.

"Couldn't we just have a little exam?" Rebecca asked hopefully.

Everyone in the room gave her a very solemn look.

That Friday, Evelyn was well enough to go to the auditorium on her own, though Mrs. Preston flitted around her all the time to make sure she didn't put too much weight on her ankle.

All her things were packed, Cuppy House completely cleaned, and she had already said good-bye to most of the ghosts on the premises.

The settings for their last meal at SAM had already been placed on the table, pearl china with printed silver flowers that blew in an invisible wind. An assortment of spoons, knives, and forks were on either side, with two glasses and a cloth napkin finishing the effect.

Taking her seat at their usual table, she noticed that everyone except Jacques looked a bit confused. Jacob was holding up two forks and looking from one to another repeatedly. "Why so many?" he murmured, lost.

"For real," Brittany added, rubbing her eyes.

"Just go from the outside in," Evelyn said, tired, as she leaned forward to put his silverware back in place. She felt the Stone on its necklace lean lightly against the fabric of the shirt, but knew that other than that it gave no sign of its presence. She'd stuck it on the necklace her grandmother had given her; if anyone looked, all they would see, unless they knew better, was the Rosegold stone, her family heirloom. "Where do you think the other Stones are?" she asked curiously, fingering the gold chain around her neck.

"I don't know," Jacques frowned. "But supposedly, once we've got one, it shouldn't be too hard to find the others." He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. He had seemed more and more distracted since they'd all visited her in the infirmary.

She grinned.

"We can start over the summer," Brittany suggested.

"It's called a vacation, people," Sean reminded them.

"From what? That lady's still out there!" Rebecca pointed out.

Evelyn shrugged. "Let's wait till next school year. The other Stones have been safe for this long. Let them stay there a whlie longer." She looked longingly at her plate, which was still empty. "Besides, I'm tired. And I for one will quite enjoy summer vacation."

"Till Silverthorn gets the Stones first," Brittany muttered.

Evelyn, looking to the front of the auditorium, frowned. Ms. Lewis was looking at the chair beside her where one of the teacher's usually sat as if it stung her. "Where's Ms. Bronson?" she asked, realizing who usually sat there. "Her seat's empty. Is she late?"

Brittany shook her head. "Missing. Been that way since you- well, you know- since you found the Stone and all."

"Oh look," Jacques interrupted. "It's the Dog. Wonder what he wants now."

Mr. Doggles was taking the stage now, walking up to the podium alone. Once there, his gaze slowly crept around the auditorium, making many people shiver. At last he cleared his throat and spoke. "My name, as many of you may know, is Mr. Doggles. I used to be a teacher here at School of American Magic. I am now the new principal; I shall be taking my place at the end of this year. That is to say, this very night."

The six at the table looked at each other.

"I wonder what Mr. Webber thinks about that," Rebecca said slowly. "I feel kind of bad for him."

"His own fault for not listening when he should have," Jacques growled.

The glint of Mr. Doggles's eyes swiveled over to them and remained there for a few seconds before moving on, as if he had heard every word and wanted to make sure they wouldn't speak again while he was talking. "When you return next year, I believe you will find many changes have taken place," he reported slowly. "For one thing, I am disappointed that as one of the four major schools in America and one of the best, we are so lax. Starting next year, we will have tougher exams to fit tougher classes, and stricter discipline will be enforced. Also, we will be wearing uniforms. It's about time we stopped looking like slobs."

The muttering of complaint slowly began to rise among the students. Evelyn looked at her friends in shock.

"Uniforms?" Jacob said slowly, face pale.

"Discipline?" Sean choked out.

"Tougher classes," Rebecca murmured dreamily. "Tougher exams!"

Brittany snapped out of her own morose thoughts and stared hard at Evelyn. "You okay?" she asked. "Do you need to rest or something?"

Evelyn, her head bent slightly to catch a sound, shook her head quietly, picked up her glass of water, and threw it at the end of the table. Standing, she grinned.

Mr. Doggles went quiet, noticing the small group had the attention of everyone in the room.

"What was that for?" Jacques demanded, standing himself.

"Look for yourself," Evelyn responded tartly.

Spluttering, the shape of a woman's face slowly came into view as drops of water fell off it, unseen. Brittany, realizing what had happened, grabbed her napkin and started scrubbing at the woman's face.

"Stop that, you miserable brat!" the woman shrieked. She was looking around at the teachers, seeming very afraid.

"Danielle Twain, I take it," Evelyn said carefully.

Danielle Twain stood. "Ms. Smith. How nice to meet you in person, at last." She held out a well-manicured, invisible hand. Her dark-brown hair was sopped and sticking to her scalp. Her makeup had been smeared by Brittany.

Knowing she wouldn't take it if she could see it, Evelyn ignored the area where the hand ought to be. "It's my understanding, Ms. Twain, that reporters aren't allowed on the premises."

Ms. Twain's smile was frozen on her face as she used the napkin to dry off her hair, more of which was becoming visible with each pat. "Well, anything for our readers. Could I borrow another napkin, please? I'd like to get all this gook off, now that my secret seems to be out."

"No napkin!" Mr. Doggles barked. "Ms. Twain! You are in direct violation of trespassing on the property of the School of American Magic. I must ask you to leave. And, if you do not leave immediately," there was another steely glint in his eye, "I will be forced to call the MBI. You know well, I am sure, that Mr. Cuppy and I are very good friends."

What could be seen of Danielle Twain's features paled slightly before the flush of indignation kicked in. "How dare you! Well, I wouldn't want to stay in this miserable place, as I was about to say. Ms. Smith, you'll be seeing my next column, I'm sure. It's one you won't want to miss."

"I doubt that," Evelyn muttered.

Danielle Twain turned fiercely, and she stomped out of the auditorium, a few teachers leaving with her to make sure she got off the grounds, as students stared at her, dumfounded, looking through her body at other students on the other side.

"If we could all take our seats again," Mr. Doggles said, sounding exasperated. He was gripping both sides of the podium, and he seemed to be angrier than he was letting on. The small group of House C residents obeyed, grumbling. "Good. Now, I trust you will all enjoy your last meal at SAM. Remember to eat the dessert that comes afterward. Next year, we'll be including more healthy food. We'll make this a school to be proud of, and I know-" he gave them all a hard stare "-that you will be proud to be here."

"After the brainwashing seminar," Evelyn muttered.

Mr. Doggles looked at her coldly. She grinned and waved a little. After Mr. Doggles threw a brief scowl her way, he left the stage and took his place at the faculty table.

"How was she invisible like that?" Sean wondered as he looked at the puddle on the floor.

"Invisigo makeup," Evelyn said, waiting impatiently for their food to appear.

"Huh?"

"It's makeup," she explained hurriedly. "Brittany and I saw it in King's Wands and Other Magical Objects. You remember, surely. The day we went shopping for school supplies. I'd forgotten all about it until I heard the pen scratching."

" 'Pen scratching?' " Brittany echoed. "I didn't hear anything."

"I guess it comes from working on the newspaper for so long," Evelyn shrugged.

"Advanced hearing comes from working on the newspaper too- I mean, for so long?" Rebecca demanded.

"No," Evelyn said. "From listening to everyone write things in pen and pencil for so long."

"Just forget about it," Brittany said as the middle of the tables began to fill with foods. Someone had finally pressed the switch. "Eat first. Bicker later."

"Agreed," everyone chimed in.

After the first two dishes, Evelyn had slowed down enough to ponder aloud, "You know, there's a lady living in my house now. Angelica or something. I'm going to be stuck with her for three months."

Jacques shook his head, trying to keep the corn on the cob he was holding in place. "Slightly over two, less than three."

"See if you can spend the night at my house sometime," Brittany said.

"Or mine," Rebecca offered.

Evelyn nodded. "Thanks, guys. I'll think about it."

Dusty rubbed against her legs from below. "You're finally growing up," he purred.

Evelyn glared down at him. "And where were you?" she demanded.

Her cat twitched his whiskers to shrug. "Nowhere in particular."

" 'Nowhere in particular?' I nearly died, you little rascal, and that's all you can say? You're my familiar! You're supposed to help me in dangerous situations like those!"

"I was . . . unavoidably detained," Dusty managed after a short while.

Just then, Jake and Nick walked by, each with a lei around his neck. "Aloha-ay, aloha-ay, la dum, de da duh dum de dum!" Jake sang.

Evelyn glared at Dusty, who grinned a bit and grabbed some chicken from the nearest dish before he took off.

"Admit it," Jacques said, watching them disappear from the auditorium. "You love them."

"I know I do," Evelyn sighed. "But they don't know that." She grinned evilly. "Wait till next year. They'll be really frightening then."

Jacques took a slice of chocolate cake for dessert. "I shudder to think about next year."

"With the Dog as Best in Show," Rebecca grumbled.

"Hey," Brittany whispered. "Remember House B?" The others looked at her, scared but knowing what she was about to say. "Next year, do you guys want to give the Dog a run for his money?"

They all looked at each other and shrugged.

There are some striking similarities between the characters in this book and people I actually know or have heard of. Their names and in some cases situations were intentionally written into the story, as at the time my friends and I wanted many of the people we knew in SAM. We nearly held a raffle. However, there are some cases in which I must apologize for the light I've cast on some of the characters. Mr. Webber's real-life counterpart is not actually a fiend who doesn't listen to any of his students. As to Marie, well, she asked to be cast as the bad guy, so we'll just leave it at that. Brittany, Sean, and Jacob are also based on real people with the same names. Brittany is cast in a muted light, Jacob in a favorable one, and I never liked Sean. Perhaps it shows. Mr. Conway and Mrs. Ortega, along with many other members of the faculty I took the liberty of sticking in are truly wonderful teachers at my high school. I can only hope, if they read this, that they don't hold certain things against me. Any other similarities which I can't account for are mere coincidence, I hope. I'm not sure if I can remember why or how I wrote some of the things I did. I mean, uh, yeah. It's just mere coincidence. I hope you enjoyed the story. Thanks for reading this far, at least!