As luck would have it, Matsias had no bad dreams for the rest of the night. He woke up in Westwood House, across from someone other than his usual roommate, and for once, he remembered where he was.
Key and Tilli walked him to breakfast, since he couldn't see well without his glasses. It felt strange to go in his pajamas, but it felt less strange with all the girls in their pajamas too. He felt a twinge of guilt as they sat down. He suspected the girls guessed what had happened the night before, but none of them mentioned it.
Tilli left with him at the usual time, as if they were going to class. Instead, they walked to Mrs. Wayteel's office. If Key had offered to go with him, he probably would have said no. He didn't want her gloating that she had been right or reminding him that he shouldn't be risking his position at Faraday, considering how much safer it was than his home. But Tilli didn't know about those things and apparently, she didn't care. That made the long walk to the headmistress's office easier.
When they arrived in the room, Reed and Mrs. Putyam were both waiting inside with Mrs. Wayteel. Reed looked as anxious as Matsias felt, and Mrs. Putyam looked as if she might catch fire herself. Mrs. Wayteel raised an eyebrow as Tilli came in with Mat, but said nothing. Neither Reed nor Mrs. Putyam protested either, and he was grateful.
"We've investigated the incident that occurred in your room," Mrs. Wayteel said to Mat and Reed.Unable to contain herself any further, Mrs. Putyam produced Mat's dream net, now a charred, tangled mess. "We found this, under your bed." She looked at Reed as she said it. "You, of all people, ought to know how advanced this magic is, and that is should be tested before being put into use. You were lucky it only started a fire. It could have stripped all the magic off you."
Reed glanced briefly at Matsias. "I didn't do it."
"Don't lie. It was under your bed. And--"
Mrs. Wayteel held up a hand. "He's telling the truth." She turned to Mat. "Do you know anything about this?"
Matsias could feel everyone's eyes on him. Tilli squeezed his hand. "I made it."
The silence deepened, made worse by the fact that only Mrs. Putyam looked surprised. Mrs. Wayteel folded her hands on the desk. "That was incredibly dangerous. Dream nets are an art form that take Vitnu craftsmen years to master. You were lucky you didn't injure anyone. And I should not have to remind you of the consequences for reckless uses of magic."
Matsias nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
"Rule breaking is typically handled by the head of the student's house." Mrs. Wayteel turned to Mrs. Putyam. "Do you have a recommendation?"
"He has proven he is a danger to our other students, so I must recommend expulsion."
"Mat, do you have anything to say in your defense?"
"No, ma'am."
Mrs. Wayteel stared at him, as if expecting him to change his mind. Then she sighed and said, "the question of expulsion must be brought before a staff committee. We'll arrange such a meeting within the next few days. In the meantime, you three may return to Victoria House. Mat, Reed, we've moved your things to a spare room, and the building is open again."
Matsias was grateful that Tilli was there as she helped him walk out the door. He heard Reed's voice behind him. Mrs. Wayteel, Mrs. Putyam, I have a question...." Mat and Tilli didn't stay to listen.
Apparently, first period had just ended because Antony ran up to them as they crossed the yard. "Hey! You weren't in class today!"
Tilli wrapped an arm around Matsias. "I don't care if Mrs. Theelnin is angry. I had more important things to do."
"Mrs. Wayteel had to talk to me about the fire." Tilli's arm made it slightly more difficult to walk, but Matsias liked having her shield him, especially with Antony around.
Antony drew closer. "Wait, you saw what happened?"
Matsias tried to walk faster, but it was harder with the crutch. "No, I did it."
Unfortunately, Antony kept pace. "But... why?"
"It was dream magic--like you suggested." Matsias resisted the urge to push the older boy away from him.
"Matsias, I told you not to. I told you it was dangerous."
"Yeah, well, it doesn't matter. They're going to expel me in a couple of days." He drive the crutch harder into the ground, breaking blades of grass and leaving indents in the dirt.
For a moment, Antony smiled, and the smile reached his eyes. "Well, who knows, maybe they'll change their minds."
"Yeah, I doubt it." Matsias breathed a sigh of relief as they reached the door of Victoria House and Antony peeled away to get to his second period class.
