The week following Artemis and her friends' adventure was as uneventful as if they had never even set foot in the Cursed Vault, and not one of them could believe their luck that their antics in the library went unpunished.

"Well, Merula and Ismelda did tell Professor Snape, of course," Barnaby told Artemis in their Care of Magical Creatures class, ignoring the dirty looks that the two Slytherin girls were throwing in his direction, "but there was no proof that we were ever there."

"Really?" Rowan asked him. Artemis had told her everything, of course. "But what about Madam Pince? She must have remembered Tonks attacking her with a mandrake, surely."

"Who's Shirley?"

"No one, Barnaby," said Artemis, trying not to laugh at the look on Rowan's face. "That's a good point, though. How come Pince didn't land us in it?"

"That's the best bit!" Barnaby giggled with glee. "Tonks made herself look like Ismelda when she brought the plant in, so Madam Pince told Snape that Ismelda was the last person she saw in the library. It looked like they'd made the whole thing up to frame you!"

The end of the week saw May turn into June, and the last Quidditch match of the year: Gryffindor against Hufflepuff. Artemis had only watched Quidditch for the first time the year before, and had loved it: the excitement, the drama, the roaring crowds. She went to the stands with Rowan, Penny and Tonks, where the four girls waited impatiently for the game to begin.

"So, who are we supporting this time?" asked Rowan, leaning on the wooden barrier in front of her.

"Hufflepuff, of course," said Penny, with a chuckle and a wave of the tiny yellow and black flag she held in her right hand. Tonks laughed and shook her head.

"Well, yes," Rowan continued, "but even if we win the match, we are out of the running for the Cup, aren't we?"

"Yeah. Slytherin absolutely battered us last term, and Ravenclaw beat us, too," Tonks sighed. "But Ravenclaw won't win, they lost their other two matches."

"So it's either Gryffindor or Slytherin?"

"Yeah. Obviously, Charlie didn't play the match against Slytherin because of your Cruppy biting his hand-"

"That wasn't Scully and you know it, Tonks."

"Well, whoever's Crup it was, that gave Slytherin a chance to beat Gryffindor, so Slytherin are in the lead."

"Not by much, though," said Rowan. "Given the scores from the previous matches. Both their wins were with narrow margins, whereas Gryffindor won against Ravenclaw by a lot more than they lost against Slytherin..."

"You've lost me," Artemis said, laughing at her own expense. "You know I'm rubbish with numbers."

"Basically, if Gryffindor beat us with a considerable margin they'll win the Cup," Rowan informed her. "If we win, or they only beat us by seventy points or less, Slytherin will have the highest overall score."

"Wait, what?" Tonks turned to Rowan, looking torn. "Now I'm not sure who to support, either. We don't want Slytherin winning the Cup."

"Not all Slytherins are bad, you know," Artemis said. From where she was standing, she could just about make out the unmistakeable outline of Barnaby Lee walking to the Slytherin stands with shy Liz Tuttle. "But how likely is it that we will beat Gryffindor, anyway, now that Charlie Weasley is playing Seeker again?"

"Not massively likely."

"You never know," said Penny, still proudly waving her little flag, "we really do have the most wonderful Chasers, so it could be close."

As the match began, it quickly became clear that Penny's prediction was correct. The Hufflepuff Chasers were very skilled, and the score soon started to rack up in their favour. Gryffindor were fighting tooth and nail to keep up, and as the match progressed it became more and more brutal. The Gryffindor Captain, Angelica Cole, had to call a time-out whilst she had her broken nose fixed by Madam Pomfrey, and a penalty was given to Hufflepuff after one of the Gryffindor Chasers fouled the Hufflepuff Seeker. Soon after, the Gryffindor Keeper was knocked out of the sky by a Bludger, leaving the Hufflepuff Chasers free to increase their team's lead.

"We might actually win!" Penny squealed, as one of the Chasers, a tall boy with tanned skin and dark hair pulled into a bun, stood on his broomstick and surfed towards Gryffindor's now unguarded goalposts, throwing the Quaffle through one of the hoops yet again.

A second Chaser, a stocky girl whose brown hair had been dyed blue at the tips, flew towards the first, cheering loudly and clapping him on the back, hard. The player who had scored the goal bowed his head slowly, his expression serene. Meanwhile, the roars from the Hufflepuff stands were almost deafening.

But the match wasn't over just yet. Not long after Penny's exclamation, they saw a player with hair almost as red as his Gryffindor Quidditch robes take a sudden dive. The four girls craned their necks to see as Charlie Weasley pulled up and out of the dive mere feet from the ground, something small and gold glistening in his hand.

"The Snitch has been caught!" Murphy McNully, a boy from Artemis' own house and year, shouted from the commentator's box. "Gryffindor earns 150 points, making the final score 190 to Gryffindor, 150 to Hufflepuff!"

There were thunderous roars from the Gryffindor stands, and even louder cheers from the Slytherin stands.

"I'm guessing they've not won by enough points to stop Slytherin getting the Cup, though," Artemis sighed. On the pitch below, the Gryffindor team were celebrating, however they looked a lot less enthusiastic than they had the year before, when they had won the Cup. "Now what?"

"The Slytherins will be having a party in their Common Room," Penny always knew where the parties would be held. "They never include the other houses in their celebrations. But I'm sure there'll be something going on in the Great Hall we can go to."

The girls decided to pass by the Gryffindor team's tent on their way to the Great Hall. When they got there, they found Hagrid had beat them to it.

"Alrigh', Artemis," he said. "No' a bad game."

"Not bad for Gryffindor, you mean," replied Artemis. "We just thought we'd come and congratulate Bill's brother."

"From wha' I've been 'earing, it's you tha' needs congratulatin'," Hagrid's laugh almost deafened Artemis. "Apparen'ly there's been a lo' less Boggarts aroun' the castle since someone broke into the Restricted Section."

"You know there was no proof that was me, Hagrid."

Hagrid laughed even harder.

"O' course there wasn't," he boomed. "Bu' who else would it 'ave been?"

"Who indeed?" Artemis and Hagrid turned around to see Professor McGonagall staring at Artemis with her eyes narrowed and lips pursed. "Miss Hexley, Professor Dumbledore has asked to see you in his office."

"Dumbledore? But I thought he was -"

"Professor Dumbledore has returned from his travels," McGonagall was brisk. "Wait here and I will escort you to him, once I am done congratulating my students."

"Jus' as well there's no proof it was yeh," Hagrid winked, once Professor McGonagall had disappeared into the tent. "Though if yeh ask me, yeh did a grand job."

"Thanks, Hagrid. Could you tell Dumbledore that?"

Professor McGonagall led Artemis up to Dumbledore's office, where the Headmaster sat calmly at his desk.

"Artemis," he said calmly, his eyes twinkling at her as she walked up to his desk. "We really must stop meeting like this."

"Good afternoon, Professor."

"This is becoming quite the tradition, is it not?" the headmaster looked amused. "Our annual discussion of your unprecedented heroics and complete disregard for school rules."

Artemis gave a small, sheepish smile. This seemed to amuse Professor Dumbledore further.

"It seemed a great deal of mayhem transpired in my absence. Werewolves in plantpots, banshees in bathrooms, Lord Voldemort around every corner," he continued, ignoring Artemis' flinch at the mention of You-Know-Who's name. She remembered the Boggarts in the Vault, and shuddered. "Apparently, even I popped out of a closet at one point, much to the surprise of one unsuspecting - and I presume, somewhat perturbed - first year student."

"Have all the Boggarts been destroyed now, Professor?"

"Sadly, Boggarts can never be truly destroyed. They are born of human emotion, so there will always be more," he bowed his head at Artemis. "But I understand that they are present here in considerably lower numbers since a group of students performed a peculiar sort of heist in the library last weekend."

Artemis felt the colour rise in her cheeks as the headmaster fixed her with a knowing stare.

"I am aware that there is no evidence to suggest who was the ringleader of that group, but I do have a theory. And my theories do tend to be correct. So, why don't you take a seat and tell me about the Vault of Fear?"

Artemis sighed. She knew by now that there was no point in lying to Professor Dumbledore. She sat in the chair across the desk from the headmaster, and told him all about the second Cursed Vault, its bookcase entrance, the seven Boggarts she found within, and the duel that happened inside her own head.

"Do you mind me asking you, Artemis," said the Professor, "exactly what form did the Boggarts in the Vault take?"

"They looked like You-Know-Who..."

"You know, Artemis, I've always thought that fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself," Dumbledore smiled kindly at her. "I would urge you to use his real name, Voldemort. Perhaps then, he will become less terrifying to you. Although, sometimes Boggarts do represent a deeper fear, rather than the exact form they take."

"I think you're right, Professor," Artemis frowned, and looked at her feet. "The Boggarts weren't always You-Know-Who. Voldemort, I mean. The face changed and blurred to look different. To look like my brother. And... like me. What do you think that means?"

Professor Dumbledore was quiet for a few moments, and when Artemis looked up, she saw that he was watching over the top of his half-moon glasses in a way that made her feel as if she were being analysed somehow.

"What do you think it means?" he asked, eventually.

"That the thing that scares me isn't really You-Know-Who. Voldemort," she corrected herself again, and the headmaster nodded curtly. "It's just that he's the most powerful dark wizard I can think of, and people have always said that Jacob was... well, that he was on his side, the bad side. I don't believe it, but it still worries me for some reason. The idea that he might not be good and true. And the idea that I might not be, either."

Artemis chewed the inside of her cheek, unable to meet Dumbledore's scrutinising eyes.

"We all have light and dark inside of us, Artemis. It is natural to be afraid of the shadows in the ones we love, and those in ourselves, as well."

"I suppose so," Artemis was silent for a moment as she contemplated. "What does a Boggart look like for you, Professor?"

"A bunny rabbit," Dumbledore said, matter-of-factly. "With a particularly fluffy tail. Terrifying."

"That might represent something, too," Artemis grinned, realising that the Professor was joking. It was a very personal question, she supposed. "Overpopulation, maybe."

"Maybe," the headmaster chuckled. "It would appear, however, that the Boggarts of Hogwarts were released by someone other than you tampering with the Cursed Vault."

"That's what I thought! But you must know more than I do about that."

"There is someone who would know more than either of us," Dumbledore's face became serious. "Do you know where I have been for most of this year, Miss Hexley?"

"Hagrid said you were looking for someone."

"He let that slip, did he? As a matter of fact, I was looking for someone. A Curse-Breaker. One of the very best."

"Did you find him?"

"I found her," Dumbledore said, raising his eyebrows. "In Brazil, investigating some ruins in the shadow of school Castelobruxo. But once she has finished up there, she will be coming here to Hogwarts. I will be most interested to hear her thoughts about the Cursed Vaults. And about you."

"A real Curse-Breaker is coming to Hogwarts?" Artemis couldn't hide her excitement. She couldn't wait to tell Bill Weasley.

"A real Curse-Breaker, indeed," Professor Dumbledore's face grew even more stern. "Which means we shall have no need for amateurs. Miss Hexley, it seems that each year I tell you to stay well clear of the Vaults, and each year you directly disobey me."

"Are you going to punish me, Professor?"

"Not today," to her relief, Dumbledore shook his head. "But I am running out of excuses for you, Artemis. Let me make this very clear. If you attempt to enter another Vault, I will have no choice but to punish you, and any other students you may encourage to join you in your misadventures. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Professor," said Artemis. A sudden thought struck her, a niggling worry that had been playing at the back of her mind. "Sir, there is one other thing I wanted to ask you. About You-Know - sorry. About Voldemort, I mean."

"And what might that be?"

"Well, Penny's friend Talbott said that he didnt think that You - that Voldemort - was really... well, gone," Artemis frowned. "He thinks that a wizard as powerful as Voldemort couldn't be killed by just a baby."

"That's not technically a question. I presume you want to know my thoughts on the matter?" Artemis nodded in response to the Headmaster's question. "What do you think, Miss Hexley?"

"I don't know. He disappeared just before Jacob did, and we were all told that he'd died. I'd never really thought about it not being true before," Artemis frowned. "If grown ups tell you something, you just believe it, don't you? I mean, it might be that I just didn't want it not to be true. But Talbott's right, how could a little baby kill Voldemort?"

"It appears that the Cursed Vaults are not the only mysteries in our world," Dumbledore's eyes sparkled behind his half-moon glasses. "I am afraid that I must agree with Mr Winger. I do not believe that Lord Voldemort is truly gone, as you put it."

"So, do you think he might come back one day?"

"I am certain that he will," Dumbledore stood up, and Artemis followed suit. "But that is a worry for another day. I have taken up enough of your time, Miss Hexley. I fear I am keeping you away from an event that your friend Miss Haywood is waiting to drag you along to."

"Probably, Penny does love parties."

"I should make use of that someday," Dumbledore chuckled as he lead Artemis to the door. "We could all do with more festivities around here."

"Yes, Professor," Artemis smiled as she left the room. "Thank you, again, for not punishing me."

"You are welcome, Miss Hexley, but do remember what I said. Next time I will not be so lenient."

"Who said there's going to be a next time?"

Perhaps it was the summer weather, the end of exams, or the lack of Boggarts terrorising the school - or it might have been a combination of the three - that caused the summer term to end with so much jubilation from the students. Even Slytherin winning the House Cup couldn't diminish the high spirits of all attending the End Of Year feast.

Soon it was time for the students to return home on the Hogwarts Express. Artemis and the other girls from her dormitory were joined in their carriage by their old friends, Ben Copper and Bill Weasley, his brother Charlie, and their new friends, Tulip Karasu and Barnaby Lee.

"So, exactly what did happen in the Cursed Vault?" Bill asked, his interest in Curse-Breaking fully restored now that he had finished his O.W.L. exams.

Artemis, Tonks, Tulip, and Barnaby took turns recounting their adventures in the library, as Rowan, Penny, and the three Gryffindor boys listened intently.

"I'm regretting not going with you now," Bill sighed. "I'd forgotten how amazing getting into the Vault was last year."

"Serves you right for being boring, doesn't it?" Artemis said, and Bill kicked the air next to her shin.

"It doesn't sound amazing to me," said Ben, with a shudder. "It sounds terrifying. I'm glad I've never had to go into a Cursed Vault."

"Are you sure about that, Ben?" Rowan asked, a single eyebrow raised in suspicion.

The colour rose in Ben's cheeks and he looked at the floor, his face anguished. A tense silence settled over the carriage, and broken only by the sound of Bill clearing his throat.

"Last year you found that broken wand in the Vault, Artemis," he said. "Was there anything in this one?"

"Yes," Artemis lifted Fergus off her lap and onto Rowan's, and started to rummage in her trunk, pulling out the map and the broken arrow. "Here. I was hoping you'd take a look them for me, actually. This looks like an arrow, only it's missing the pointy bit, and then there's this map. It doesn't look like the castle though."

She handed the items to Bill, who began to examine them closely, starting with the arrow.

"Someone's put a lot of time into making this. It's a really intricate design," he said, turning the pieces over in his hands. The wood was engraved with twisting vines, and the fletching shining gold and vivid emerald green. He turned his attention to the map, and continued, "and this isn't a building at all, it's got to be an outdoor location. A forest, maybe?"

"That's not just any forest, it's the Forbidden Forest," said Charlie, peering at the map over his brother's shoulder. "See the shape here, that's the treeline behind Hagrid's hut."

"That must be where the next Vault is," Rowan turned to Artemis. "I know what I'll be reading about all summer."

"What's the letter 'R' in the corner about, though?"

Bill immediately looked up from the map and stared at Artemis, who exchanged glance with Rowan, before all three turned their eyes towards Ben.

"Why are you all looking at me?" Ben asked, shrinking back in his seat.

"Well," said Artemis, "last year Rowan and I found some letters from someone who called themselves 'R'."

"And what has that got to do with me?"

"Because the letters had been sent to you," Rowan glared accusatively at Ben. "That's how we found you trapped in the ice. But of course you won't remember any of this."

"No, I don't remember," Ben shook his head. He looked like he might cry. "You believe me, don't you, Artemis?"

Artemis sighed. She hated seeing the helpless look in Ben's eyes, and desperately wanted to reassure him, but she could also feel Rowan's cold anger to one side of her, and didn't want to contradict her best friend, either.

"I want to believe you," she said, trying to sound diplomatic. "But Rowan has a right to be sceptical. She and Bill both got hit with the ice, and neither of them lost their memory."

"Why would I lie about this?"

"Lots of reasons," Rowan muttered darkly, as Ben began to look even more desolate. Artemis shot Rowan a reproachful look, and she softened slightly. "Maybe for some kind of noble reason, I don't know. But if you do remember what happened, you really should tell us, you know. We are your friends, we deserve the truth."

"I think Ben's made it pretty clear that he doesn't remember anything," Charlie said shortly. He looked up from the map of the forest, and smiled at Rowan in a good-natured way. "Maybe we should talk about something else."

"What's everyone doing over the holidays?" asked Tonks, leaning forward and slapping her hands on her thighs. She obviously hadn't meant to slap as hard as she did, as she winced as her palms made contact with her legs.

"I'll probably be staying with my Great-Aunt and Uncle for a while," Artemis replied, glad for the change of subject. "I usually go there for a couple of weeks or so in the summer."

"If you do, can I fly over at some point?" Charlie asked her, and handed her back her map. "I still haven't gone to visit Dragon. Both of the Cruppies must be nearly fully grown by now."

"Of course," Artemis smiled broadly. "I'm sure if any of you wanted to come and visit while I'm there they'd be fine with it."

"Does that mean that you're okay with everyone meeting your uncle?" Rowan smirked. "I thought his identity was top secret."

"What?"

"Top secret? What do you mean, top secret?"

"Who is your uncle?"

Artemis sighed. Rowan was right, friends did deserve to know the truth. She grinned, and told the others all about her great-uncle, and as the train continued to hurtle towards Kings Cross Station, not another word was said about the Cursed Vaults.