I was suddenly the talk of the school — rumours flew around faster than the end of school fireworks that Ingralo was carefully placing around the school, concealing with charms so as no one accidentally let them off early, or blew their hand off or something. I gave him a wide berth, remembering the awful dream.
Robin clapped me on the shoulder. “You’ve gotta get a grip. It’s like you’ve given up already?” he whispered. “We’ve got three weeks left, that was enough last year… remember?”
He was right, I knew he was. But I felt so dam listless. Last year I had less time to figure out how to defeat the most evil Sorcerer in all of the Seven Magical Kingdoms — now I was sure I could work out how to prove to the Lily that I was right and reclaim my space in Hailing Hall. I just had to get a grip, stop feeling so useless and try.
It was around this time that I noticed the seventh years walking around in tall glassy bubbles. That only meant one thing — their P.W.W exams had started. In the Chamber there were lots of these glass balls surrounding the seventh years. They were a clever enchantment, they blocked out all noise and stopped anyone touching or coming near you so they could study in absolute peace. Actually, I think some of them even played soft, relaxing classical music for better concentration. The Magisteers had their eyes on the seventh years, who all had their faces in book and papers, hands waving around softly as they practiced a certain spell. It had given rise to a kind of unofficial game for some of the younger years to see if they could break the bonds of the enchanted glass balls. One girl — Becky Lewis, I think, from the fourth year Flinkydots form was trying to penetrate her brothers glass ball. He can’t have noticed much inside because he wasn’t looking at her. But then, Becky lost patience trying to distract her brother and instead began slamming her fists into the ball like a madwoman. Magisteer Yelworca stood abruptly at the head of the Magisteers table. The next second an orange smoke arrow shot across the room.
“AHHOOOWWW!” Becky cried as the arrow shot into her bottom. She clutched fruitlessly for it as the Chamber erupted into laughter (the seventh years paying no attention at all.)
“And let that be a lesson to all of you,” Yelworca cried, taking her seat as Becky hopped around clutching her buttocks before the orange smoke dissipated and she took her seat, looking rather red and embarrassed and sitting down a little gingerly. I looked around for Ernie but, he was no where to be seen. He was probably up high in the school, somewhere he wouldn’t be disturbed.
Over the course of the day Robin kept muttering encouraging things to me — I don’t know how or why, but it lifted me out of that depressing haze and now my thoughts returned, in part, back to normal.
A defiant charge was beginning to return. Not completely, but I felt a tiny roar of fire deep down in my belly — I hadn’t given up yet. As we sat eating dinner, I wasn’t too hungry so was just moving a baked potato around my plate, my thoughts began multiplying — I began thinking what I could do to find evidence of Malakai.
That night in bed I realised I only had seventeen days left to save my place at Hailing Hall. I couldn’t sleep — the rain outside still poured hard, I wondered how long it could go on for until everything washed away. Hunter snored loudly, while someone else, Simon I think, was muttering softly in his sleep.
Orange glowing embers crackled in the fireplace. I watched for hours, running everything that had happened through my head. It’s strange how time puts a new skew on things. I thought right back to that fateful moment the Stadium fell — I was so close to scoring and putting the Condors in the final of the Riptide Cup. But no, the Lily now decided (after giving them to me) that my shoes were not sporting. He was right, they weren’t — how could I have thought any else? It was cheating. I had almost convinced myself that I was good at Riptide, that we, the Condors were good at Riptide. We weren't — we just had magic that no one else did, and lots of it. I thought back to the start of the Riptide season. The only reason I decided to wear the shoes was because we were so paranoid about getting hammered again. I had lost sight of the original idea of wearing them, getting too caught up in the hype.
And then suddenly I realised something. The Seven League Shoes — I only knew part of the magic they did… I’d almost forgotten about the time they had saved me from that Outsider who chased me across his field with a pitchfork — his dogs nearly ripping me to shreds — blasting me back to the Magical Kingdoms, straight into a fairy ring and into Gnippoh’s. I was on the cusp of understanding a solution, I just knew it…
Zzzz-ZZZ-ZZZ! Went a gigantic snore from Hunter, causing me to lose my train of thought. Dammit Hunter! I was so close to something.
And then it struck me… the shoes had saved me and Straker that time when the corridor fell… when we BOTH SAW the hunched figure of Malakai, of course! He liked me now, I was sure he would be able to tell the Lily that we had both seen it, then I would be able to stay! All I needed to do was find him first thing tomorrow morning before lessons and ask him to tell the Lily.
***
It was early, but I was too excited. I rose out of bed after barely a few hours kip. The others were still asleep — I dressed quickly and made my way down to the Chamber. I liked the school at this time, no one was around, except the ghosts busying themselves with laundry and cooking (I did not miss the kitchen). Pushing the doors to the Chamber open I scanned the Magisteers table; disappointingly, only Partington and Wasp were sat up there, both with their heads in the paper. I went over and got a cup of tea. The Chamber was sparse, barely five people sat around quietly reading or doing homework.
“Avis?” called Partington, noticing me. I waved, just being about to leave and try Straker’s classroom. But Partington waved me towards him. I sighed softly and approached his table.
“Hi Sir,” I said sipping the tea and recoiling. It was hot.
“I wouldn’t go creeping around pushing open doors and such…” he said looking down his glasses at me. Creeping around pushing doors open and such? What did he think I was, a Happerbat? (*Note: if you are an Outsider then you probably don’t know what a Happerbat’s traits are — they used to be used by Wizard thieves to sneak into houses and steal the shiniest, most valuable items. They have a tendency to like shiny things, and a good eye for expensive antiques.) “The seventh years are in their second exam right now, and you don’t want to accidentally walk in and disturb them.”
“Quite,” I said. “I was wondering if you could help me Sir. I was wondering if you know where Magisteer Straker is?” Partington’s face fell a little — he and Straker had a mutual hatred of each other, bit like me and Jasper.
“I see,” he said sharply. “No, can’t say I have. He’s usually in the staff room at this time. Perhaps I’d try there first. If you must,” he added sourly — well excuse me for asking, it’s not like Partington was going to do anything to save my place at Hailing Hall was it?
I marched out of the Chamber and towards the staff room, on the other side of the school, near west wing. I passed a couple of people who were slowly rising, walking sleepily to the bathrooms with their towels and wash bits. As I got closer to the staff room, I suddenly realised how nervous I was — I had a lot riding on this. The staff room stood a top a small flight of stairs just up ahead. I could hear them inside — I took a deep breath and slowly climbed the stairs…
“Well I think the Jaloofia’s deserve best kept form this year,” said a Magisteer, it sounded like Yearlove.
“You’re only saying that because it’s your form!” said Simone.
“Well exactly!” said Yearlove and they all burst out laughing.
I stopped on the stairs, listening. “What about most improved form?” said Commonside’s weary voice.
“Well,” said Mallard. “Personally I would have said the Condors after they’re staggering performance in this years Riptide, but, as the Lily has suspended them due to apparent… irregularities, maybe another.”
“The Swillow’s are the first second year team to make it to the final.�
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“Not the Swillows!” said Straker. Suddenly a warm glow entered my stomach, not just because he was here but because he hated the Swillows too. “I’d also question whether their were any irregularities in their play too.”
Dodaline laughed. “Just because they beat your beloved Centaurs.” Straker grumbled.
“I think the Lily is right in suggesting the special award for most improved person should go to Jasper Gandy, what do we think?” — No way! My knees nearly gave way — they couldn't! Did Jasper have the Lily enchanted? What was going on?
“I mean,” started Yearlove. “He has had a rather exponential rise in ability. His tie has changed colour so many times I’ve lost track.”
“True,” said Mallard. “I mean I had him in first year, but he was so unremarkable I barely realised he was the same person.”
Dodaline chuckled. “Quite, he was so small and unassuming when he first arrived. Very middle of the ground kind of boy, not particularly good at anything.”
“Perhaps his father’s death had something to do with it?” said Commonside’s dull drone. There was a small intake of breath from the collected Magisteers. “What?” he said. “Its common knowledge is it not?”
So even they thought there was something suspicious about Jasper — a few more people were walking along the corridor now and I looked a bit silly standing against the wall in the shadows of the small staircase. I moved up slowly and peered around the door — I’d never seen the staff room before — it was quite unremarkable. Lot’s of leather chesterfields, dirty rugs, tables filled with rolls of parchment, as well as a small summoning kitchen table area where they could bring up food and drink from the kitchens.
“Of course,” said Mallard sitting in his pyjamas, not noticing me. “He has had a quite remarkable transformation… Oh!” he cried spilling some of his tea down his front as he spotted me. I knocked on the door, a little late, for most of the Magisteers had already looked round after Mallard jumped, and seen me.
“Avis,” smiled Dodaline. “What can we do for you?”
Commonside looked up from his marking rather dreamily and looked straight through me. “Hello Avis…” he said, before I could answer Dodaline. “I am just marking your work. What a coincidence… well, not if you believe in the powers of numerology anyway,” he said wistfully, turning back to it before tutting. “Oh dear, you’ve not done very well I’m afraid.”
“Right,” I said turning back, spotting Straker standing expectantly. “Can I speak to Magisteer Straker please?”
Straker closed the staff room door behind us and turned to me on the stairs. “How can I help?”
“Well Sir, I suppose you know that I have to find evidence for Malakai being in school before the Lily will let me stay?”
Straker chewed his lip. “I knew,” he said.
“Well… I realised last night Sir, that we have both seen him.”
“We have?” he said looking mightily confused.
“Yes Sir, when the corridor fell… that creature that collapsed it, was Malakai!”
Straker waved his arms a little flustered. “Shhhh, will you. Don’t go around saying that name too loudly just here. People will start talking…”
“The thing is Sir, I thought that if you go to the Lily and tell him that you and I, both saw Malakai, then he will let me stay.”
Straker didn’t say anything for a second, but looked apologetic. “I’m sorry Avis, I don’t think that will work.”
“Why not?”
“A number of reasons — I had no idea that it was Malakai — certainly looks different. I assumed it was that Djinn you set free that collapsed the corridor, they take forms like that when they are released.”
“But Sir, it showed…” I stopped, I nearly said that the Djinn showed me in the crystal ball. “I’ve seen this creature, it’s definitely Malakai.”
Straker shook his head. “You have to understand, even if I went to the Lily and implored him to believe me, it would not make the slightest bit of difference. I’ve been here many years. The Lily needs actual evidence, if Malakai really was that creature — I must say, it takes a leap of faith — then you need to find a possession of his, something with his magical signature on. Then, the Lily can check it, date it and tell for certain that Malakai was in the school.”
The fire brackets popped on as I walked back along the baron corridors. I couldn’t believe it, my heart sank and I returned to misery again. My only option had gone. As I was walking, I saw something in my peripheral vision standing in a dark corridor to my right. This person, was inspecting a book.
“Ernie?” I said.
“Ah!” he said jumping and slamming his book shut, turning to glower at me as I moved closer into the dark. “Oh it’s you Avis. You gave me a right fright,” he softened, straightening his jacket.
“What are doing here? I thought the seventh years are supposed to be in the exams… and why weren’t the fire brackets illuminating you?” I said, Ernie looked around searching for the right answer — looking awkward for a second.
“It’s true, I should be in my Infusions P.W.W Exam and in fact, I am.”
I frowned confused. “What do you mean you are?”
Ernie cleared his throat. “Well, and you better not tell a soul about this!” he said sternly. “The thing is… I am Ernie’s doppelgänger.”
“What, so you’re not Ernie?”
“No, I am Ernie. I am just controlling me and the doppelgänger at the same time. It’s hard to explain.”
“I see,” I looked down at the book in his hands — Advanced Infusions — read the title. “So, I am guessing this isn’t usually allowed?”
Ernie grinned a big wide grin at me. “It’s no fun if it is.” But then his grin subsided and he looked around worriedly. “You here alone?” I nodded. “Good, well… and you won’t tell anyone about this?”
“Course not,”
“Okay, maybe I’ll teach it to you one day,” he grinned. “And if there’s anything I can do, you know, in return then you just let me know old chap,” he said playfully.
“Well, seeing as you mention it… there is something you can help me with.”
***
I stood looking out at the round glass clock face at the impressive view. Heights were not my thing, but up here, they didn’t seem to bother me. Rain battered the grounds with a ferocious energy, the grounds had now descended into a muddy, soaking bog, the trees had took cover in the forest huddling together and the statues were hiding in the hedges.
The roof hatch swung open. In climbed Robin, Ernie close behind.
“Woah,” he said gazing around. “Haven’t been up here since…”
“Since you tried to kill me when you were a ghost,” I smirked.
Ernie chuckled nervously. “I never tried to kill you—”
“—You don’t have to explain,” I said. “I remember what it was like being a ghost.”
Ernie had agreed to help me find evidence of Malakai — and we met in the clock tower to discuss. “So how do you think we can find evidence of him being in the school again?” I said nervously.
Ernie tapped his chin. “Hmm… there’s a few things I’d like to try first. Just routine things.”
“So…” said Robin, his beady eyes flicking from me to Ernie before he said in a small voice. “Do you think Malakai is actually in the school then?”
I shot Robin a fierce glance. “You don’t believe me either?”
“No it’s not that, I mean, it’s just that the Lily said you could be tricked by the Djinn…”
Ernie got down on his knees, a small rug appearing beneath him. “If Avis say’s Malakai is in the school, then I trust him. I have no reason not to. Anyway, I’m gonna perform some checks to see.” Kneeling on the floor Ernie pressed his palms skywards and recited something. Green-blue smoke collected above his head in a ball before exploding off in all directions. Ernie’s eyes flickered, hands still spread skywards. Five seconds lat
er the smoke returned back to a ball above his head, electricity sparkling slightly as if it had its own atmosphere. Ernie inspected the smoke as if you might a child for nits, then shook his head. “Nothing…” He set about with some more spells, using several candles, talismans and lucky charms — but, after a good hour of trying looked up and shook his head.
“We’re not gonna find out where he is by spell-work,” said Ernie. “Anyway, I think we should leave it there for tonight. I’ve got an exam first thing. I’ll have a good think and see if I can find some spells that will give us a better indication.”
Over the next week, after dinner, we met in the clock tower to discuss, plan and act. Every new day that we came back with nothing made my heart sink a little more. The voice in my head already condemning me to permanent expulsion.
I was laying in bed, trying for sleep as best I could. I was annoyed. Robin and Ernie were trying, they really were, but even though Ernie had a terrific amount of magical knowledge — everything we tried returned nothing. I just knew Malakai was in the school somewhere, I just knew it. The Djinn had shown me a place that Malakai had returned to just after I defeated him — it looked like a disused classroom, but there were hundreds, if not thousands of them.
In the middle of the night I turned over to watch the orange fire embers, everything turning over and over in my head — Hunter snored violently: zzz-ZZZ-ZZZ! He went, reverberating the whole room. Something solid clicked into place… I remembered what I was thinking about before… about my shoes. I was sure the answer to my predicament lay in my shoes. At least something in my gut, somewhere deep down was telling me this, but I just needed to extract it to have any chance of staying.
I was pacing the clock tower — Robin and Ernie were late. I paced the floor, kicking up dust and thought about my shoes — at first I didn’t know how to use them, then I realised that they took a double tap and whoosh, off I went, at the speed of light. But, it was only when Hunter had clipped my heels that time that I sped off and stopped stock still outside the bathrooms… our original destination — that’s when I realised that you had to have a destination in mind.
Avis Blackthorn and the Magical Multicolour Jumper (The Wizard Magic School Series, Book 2) Page 32