“If it smells bad, it’s usually good for you,” smarted the Healer before doing the same to Jasper.
“The same can’t be applied to food though,” said Robin helpfully. She glanced at him, but didn’t say anything. The next moment, the double doors opened again.
“Oh my goodness! You’re okay!” It was Tina, she marched into the room, flanked by Ernie, and ran straight to Jasper, all but knocking the Healer out of the way before hugging him tightly. “I’ve just heard, you and Malakai? Is it true?”
Ernie, with a grave expression came to sit next to Robin on the bed. “What happened?” he said, as Tina turned round to listen — I was a little upset that I didn’t get a hug. I explained the story as best I could, trying not to gag at the foul fumes from the ointment. I explained truthfully, that I thought Jasper was Malakai, that I went after him for I was desperate and wanted to save my place at this school, the battle with Malakai and the eventual redemption — of which I owed to Jasper, who saved my place at Hailing Hall.
Tina didn’t say anything, I don’t think she could — caught between anger and appreciation — I had saved Jasper’s life at the Riptide Stadium and she knew he was retuning the favour. She couldn’t look at me though, that hurt.
Ernie was smiling. “I’m so glad you get to stay here.”
“Who told you?” said Jasper. “About Malakai being back?”
“We just heard it from people downstairs in the Chamber,” said Ernie. “They were saying Avis and Jasper had fought Malakai — I don’t know how they found out.”
I looked at Jasper who looked puzzled — who could it have been? “This means,” said Tina. “That the Lily is going to come under a lot of stick.”
And she was right.
We received several visits from the Condor boys, then the Condor girls, the Swillows, then lots of people I didn't know. They came in, a few at first, but then more and more and more still… until the Healer’s room was practically full to the brim.
— “Why did he go for you two?” said Colin Clapper excitedly.
— “Yeah! What does he look like?” said Herbert Hanningshire.
— “Calm down! Calm down!” called Ernie.
— “How did you defeat him, what spell?” said Hunter.
— “I thought it was Ernie that defeated him?”
— “That’s true! So why did he attack you and not Ernie?”
— “How could the Lily let this happen?”
— “I thought Malakai was gone!”
I couldn't keep up. I lay in the bed feeling dizzy as hundreds of excitable questions rang out at Jasper and me. The Healer became exasperated and shooed them as quickly as she could out of the room.
“This is not a communal space!” she called, ushering Tina, Robin and Ernie out with the crowd leaving Jasper and I to sit awkwardly opposite each other.
When we were finally allowed to leave Robin, Tina and Ernie were waiting outside the Healer’s room for us. “Madness!” said Robin. “I wonder who leaked it?”
“It had to have been someone in that room,” I said. As we walked the Big Walk corridor, eyes fixed to us as we passed. Conversations were on the apparent return of the most evil sorcerer of all time. And why he attacked us. They stopped talking as soon as they saw us — eyes turning to watch greedily.
The Chamber was no better, I was starving, having not eaten for a good day. Lessons had been cancelled which did not help with the on flow of people who wanted their own personal interviews. We sat together, Tina next to Jasper, Ernie and Robin next to me.
Noise and commotion from outside suddenly flooded in — the Chamber doors bursting open as ten to fifteen reporters from the Herrald swarmed into the room like Wasperats. With tape recorders at the ready, their eyes darted around the room, several going for the Magisteers at the top table.
“Avertere,” whispered Ernie, holding a hand above my head, before repeating the same over Robin, Tina and Jasper’s.
“Look here Nigel!” called Yearlove at the head of the Magisteers table. “I’ve known you since you came here as a boy — you know the rules, no reporters are allowed into Hailing Hall!”
Nigel, the lead reporter held up a large microphone. “Magisteer Yearlove, can you tell us what you know about Malakai returning to the school?”
“No he can’t!” cried Dodaline. “Get your men—”
“Magisteer Dodaline! Good to see you again, can you please tell us what you feel this does to the Lily’s reputation now that Malakai has been seen coming into the school for two years straight?”
Magisteer Trunwood stood tall over three of the reporters and bellowed. “You heard them, they asked you to LEAVE!” he called. Steel bars jumped into place around the three reporters and trapped them in a small cell. “And tell your cronies to follow suit!” The cell lifted and began floating out of the Chamber.
“Surely,” said another reporter coming forward out of the pack. “The welfare of the students cannot be trusted with the Lily? He’s already on thin ice is he not, after last year? The Occulus surely a sign that the councillors don't trust him?”
It took for Magisteer Simone to be called until all the reporters finally left, scrambling away under a tirade of bellows and spells from the humungous woman. The Chamber was buzzing. “Let’s finish eating then go,” said Ernie his eyes trained on the room.
We all took a hideout in Partington’s classroom, he saw us on the way up from the Chamber and told us to go there.
It wasn't long however before he came back into the classroom looking puffed out. “The Lily has… called an assembly… everyone must… attend…”
“Another one!” said Tina jumping off the table. “That’s how many now?”
As we stood, a ghost drifted up through the floor and said lazily. “The Lily has required all of your attendance in the Chamber for assembly. This is not on your timetables. It starts in ten minutes.” It droned, before slipping back down through the floor.
We raced back downstairs and into the Chamber, taking a seat together near the back. Most people were already in here talking amongst themselves.
The Magisteers stood, looking rather ruffled, at the front and to attention. Eyes kept swaying to Ernie, Jasper and I at the back, until Ernie repeated a few spells and they stopped. When the Chamber was full, the doors sealed shut with a clink noise. In a blaze of luminous white light sparking like electricity, the Lily appeared at the foot of the Chamber — and began prowling around with a thick worried expression.
“I’ve called you all here today to set the record straight,” he called. “I am not happy with some things — I am aware that group mentality can lead to strange behaviour, but I thought better of you, especially you upper years. Rumours and lies can easily cause undue damage. So let me explain…” You could have popped the silence with a pin. “I have to admit that yes, Malakai has been in the school. It was Malakai that collapsed the stadium — it was not the Djinn. However both are gone.” Whispers broke out, but the Lily held up a hand. “Last night, he attacked two of our pupils — thankfully, they managed to escape with their lives… I hope this clarifies things. I will not be answering questions. The reporters have been Barred from the school, yet, if they do manage to find a way in, or ask questions then I implore you not to talk to them. I am fully aware that my reputation will be challenged, and my ability to take care of you questioned. Understand: all I care about is your continued safety and education.”
***
Robin convinced me to go for a walk in the grounds, out the way of the questioning crowds and awkward questions. I agreed and we followed the rather subdued crowd out of the Chamber.
I looked around the grounds, I could finally relax and enjoy the last few days left. “Come on, let’s go across to the floating island!” Robin said.
“No flipping way!” I cried.
He watched me sorrily. “Avis, it’s magic, it isn’t going to fall! It wouldn’t be their if it was unsafe!”
“Hmm,
” I hummed glancing across at the Stadium. “Course it wouldn’t.”
After a few minutes of pestering, I reluctantly agreed. Approaching the cliff edge I went a bit funny; weak at the knees, dizzy and nauseous. Robin raced ahead along the drawstring bridge. “Come on!” he called as I navigated my foot onto the thin wooden slats, taking each step tentatively, my heart in my mouth — I absolutely hated heights! “Don't look down,” he called. I looked, and nearly feinted. It was the biggest drop I had ever seen. Clouds formed around the beaten rock faces, with moss and small, perilous trees which clinging to the sides. A rushing sound echoed as water fell from the island in a long cascading waterfall down into the canyon below, a rainbow split the air across it. I went dizzy.
“Too late!” I shouted, turning back. But as I did, some sixth years had just stepped on and were waiting for me to move forward. I swallowed and not wanting to look like a weakling, began to tip-toe back towards Robin as quick as I could with my eyes half shut, heart hammering hard in my chest.
When I finally reached the floating island, I clutched the grass gratefully preying my thank you’s.
“Have you seen the drop?!” I cried.
“Magnificent isn’t it!”
“Not the word I had in mind.”
We sat on a bench and watched the view, it was spectacular. You could see the entire view of the Hailing Hall grounds from here, people playing and frolicking around chasing the trees and statues who loved to join in with the games.
Small white rabbits fussed around my feet, Robin bent forwards and picked one up. “They’re so tame,” he whispered stroking it’s long ears — it looked a bit like Sedrick, my fluffy teddy rabbit. I hoped he was okay.
“Can I sit here?” said a voice. It was Zara, the white haired girl in my brother Harold’s form. I nodded stiffly, my heart lurching into my throat as Robin stood smiling slyly and shuffled off with the rabbit, winking at me as he passed. What was she doing here?
Horrible gas filled my stomach and my mouth went dry. This was the girl I’d been trying to talk to all year, but never finding the courage and now here she was coming to talk to me!
Zara sat down in Robin’s old spot. “I just wanted to say I think you’re really brave.”
“Thanks,” I said trying to smile as I gazed at her beautiful white face, her hazel eyes spinning with adoration. “Wait, I mean, what for?”
“Oh come on,” she said smiling. “It was you wasn’t it? Who defeated Malakai?”
I glanced away. “How did you know?”
She huffed as if this insulted her intelligence. “Come on!” she laughed. “Everyone knows — you and that Jasper fought him didn’t you? Anyway, I just came to say that I think you’re really brave. Because, you know, what with your families allegiance and everything.”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “That is a problem.”
“Thing is though, your brother, my form tutor, doesn’t seem evil at all.”
I smiled. “He’s a good actor.”
“Not like you then?” she chuckled.
“Not like me at all.”
“You and Jasper friends now then?”
I laughed. “I wouldn’t say friends…” I swallowed, feeling immensely nervous, wondering if the effects of the jumper still lingered on me and if that was the reason she was coming to talk to me?
I cleared my throat, she was looking at me, waiting for me to say something. “Anyway…” I finally managed. “Enough about me. I don’t know anything about you.”
What followed was a wonderful afternoon talking with Zara. After an hour Robin got bored and re-joined us. It felt so normal, so refreshing. Zara’s friend Sophie came over too and we sat on the grass playing with rabbits and talking. Zara was wonderful. I couldn’t believe my luck — not only did I get to stay in school, but now the girl that I couldn't take my eyes off all year had come to talk to me! She was from Gilliggan in Happendance and was the youngest of two sisters and three boys. Her Dad was a magical-carpenter and her Mum an embroiderer.
I was messing about with daisies, picking them and making them into a chain as we sat talking. “Aww,” she said, when I linked it together. “You’ve made me a daisy chain.”
I smiled and slipped it onto her wrist. “Something to remember me by.”
“Why? You’re not leaving the school are you?” she said frowning.
“No. But I don’t know what the summer holds. Not with… everything that’s happened.”
Zara scowled. “I’m sure,” then she stopped. “Well… I know a spell that will make this daisy chain permanent.” She whispered something and the chain fixed solid. “There,” she said. “Now I will remember you, if you die or anything.” We laughed. I hadn't had this much fun with someone since me and… Tina.
Robin and Sophie were also getting on very well. She was lovely, with her spiralling locks of red hair and talking Robin through the small pile of books she had with her.
“I’ve read that one,” said Robin inspecting the pile. “But not that one. Bartram’s Runescape?”
“Its good,” she said. “Well, I figured I have a lot of catching up to do, seeing as I am an Outsider.”
“Me too!” said Robin.
The conversation drifted on into the late afternoon. I loved the white rabbits, they were so funny and tame and just ran around chasing each other all day. They were crazy. One, a little tired out came and sat in my lap and I stroked its long ears. I’d never touched a rabbit before. It was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I wanted to keep it.
***
“Come on,” said Robin shaking me awake as I yawned. “We have our appraisals today.”
I frowned. “Our what?”
Robin sighed, slipping a jumper over his head. “Our appraisals? The end of year classes with all the Magisteers. Come on, all the other guys are already at breakfast.”
Magisteer Wasp, eyes closed, danced to the music around the centre of the AstroMagical room hardly noticing our entrance. Jake cleared his throat softly, but Wasp still hadn't realised, seeming to be in utter ecstasy at the soft, violin concerto.
“Sir?” called Dawn. “SIRRR!” she screamed, causing everyone to jump, not least Wasp who was so surprised he fell off the plinth.
“Thank you,” he said brushing himself down and waving a hand at the music, stopping it. “These are your end of year class appraisals where we can assess how each other has done this year. Individual appraisals don’t start until the forth year, so these class ones are useful to find out if we’ve missed anything. Now,” he said brushing back his hair. “Learning AstroMagic is about constant daily reminders. Wizards often forget to consult the chart and wonder why their spells are ineffective?” he laughed as if they were so incredibly stupid. “This year I have been impressed with the diligence and willingness of your form,” he smiled. “Much more so than other forms who regard this lesson as nap-time… or of not being worthy to them,” he said bitterly — Robin and I glanced at Hunter who looked sheepish, he was the worst for falling asleep in Wasp’s class. “Individually, I have these notes… Avis your knowledge of the sign of Handen and its fall impressed me, but please work on your homework grades. Simon your aptitude has impressed me, keep up the good work. Ellen, your Main Book has been top notch and Hunter… erm… well done, and… please can you try and learn… any of the AstroMagic chart over the summer?”
We all sniggered, poor Wasp had tried his hardest to get Hunter to learn AstroMagic, but Hunter seemed repelled to it, like a magnet. “I will have you all again next year, where we are going to push on to learning all aspects of the particular signs and their effects on not just a Wizards spells, but on our entire physiology. And I will expect you to all come back knowing the AstroMagical chart off by heart!”
Yearlove walked slowly around the circle playing with his black beard. Jess, Florence and in fact most of the girls had their eyes trained on him adoringly. Tina sat glumly, Jasper now some way from her, a visible gap between them.
; “Quite an eventful year,” started Yearlove looking around, eyes dashing between Jasper and I. “I think you will agree that spell-craft is more than just saying funny words — to properly command a spell you need guts, spirit, something deep inside that commands the spell. We will resume our learning next year when we will dive head first into: Solvent-Spells, the Law of Richardson and the Novo — or the forging of spells. We will learn how to make ice and fire combine. Earth and water separate. We will charm the grass to talk, flowers to sing and trees to jump. We will learn about hexes, curses, bindings and talismans. Next year will be very exciting!” I glanced at Robin as everyone looked around and I couldn't help but meet his grin with my own — next year sounded amazing. Yearlove pulled out some papers. “In particular, special mentions in this class are to given out to: Gemma Dean, Freddie Garbutt, Robin Wilson and Jasper Gandy — all of whom have excelled in their studies and showed remarkable knowledge in Spell-craft. Keep up the good work and for the rest of you, next year I will be giving out prizes — not just any prizes either — so, by improving I will reward you fully.”
A buzz of excitement rippled around the room at Yearlove’s promise of prizes. Not excluding me — I vowed to really concentrate next year and get one of those prizes. I didn't know what it was, but I wanted it. “So, what do we think? What did we learn?” he said dark eyes scanning the circle.
“I very much enjoyed charming ‘de flowers Sir,” said Gret with an evil wink at me, as the class laughed, me included.
Yearlove chuckled. “Yes, that gave us all quite a shock.”
Avis Blackthorn and the Magical Multicolour Jumper (The Wizard Magic School Series, Book 2) Page 36