“Merry Christmas Tina.”
Zzzzz…
***
The bells for Christmas day rang out, nearly deafening us both. “What the hec!” Tina called above the racket, her hair everywhere. When it ended she flopped back down.
“Merry Christmas,” I said smiling.
She rolled her head to the side and looked at me smirking. This filled my stomach with butterflies. “Got me a present?” I swallowed, “I’m only joking,” she laughed.
When I looked around I realised my Shrunken Head which I had grown so used to, had vanished. How strange. It was with me when I left last night to go to the Library. Oh well, I was glad to be rid of it.
Tina stretched. “You better not think this makes us an item.”
I went a little red. “What? No, no way,” I scoffed.
Would I ever?
“Come on,” she said, dressing quickly. “Let’s go and get breakfast.”
It was early, really early. I wasn’t sure how much sleep I’d had but with Tina I didn’t feel tired at all. We walked together through the school, which was alive and brimming with noise and activity. People were running down the halls, knocking on friends dorms. Fireworks blazed overhead, crackling Christmas songs. Snowmen stood grinning in place of suits of armour. Decorations littered the corridors, so much so, that it was hard to take it all in. Impkus the ghost flew past me blowing a trumpet and wishing all he passed a “Merry Christmas!”
In the Chamber, all the Magisteers including The Lily, were up on their table in good cheer, awaiting breakfast. Some of them still in their pyjamas! Me and Tina sat at a table and she grinned at me with her brilliant white teeth. Suddenly Breakfast exploded onto the table. There was everything you could possibly imagine, it was like a heavenly last supper. Me and Tina dined, we dined like there was no tomorrow.
When we finished, these little boxes of presents popped up in front of us. This surprised me as I wasn’t expecting presents. I rarely got a present at Christmas, so this was well, utter excitement.
“Well are you going to open it?” said Tina.
“But, what is it? Who is it from?”
“From the school, I think… You have to open to find that out,” she said, ripping into her box. Inside hers was a tin of Magic Hidden Ink. “Oh brilliant!” She called with genuine surprise, frowning at how anyone would know to get her such a thing. “Go on, you now…”
I tore off the shiny red paper and opened the box, inside… was a key. A small, twirly key. Tina looked non plussed too. “What the?”
I took it out and twirled it round in my hands. It was a very plain, very interesting silver key. I gave it to Tina who inspected it as if it were the missing link then gave it back. “I don’t know what that’s for. Maybe it’s a mistake?” she said.
I tucked it inside my robe pocket and carried on with breakfast. Christmas day with Tina just happened to be the best day of my entire life.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Partington’s
For the rest of the Christmas holidays me and Tina were inseparable. She would leave, saying she was going for a shower, but barely ten minutes later she would be back in the clock tower with a new idea and wet hair. We had a lot of fun. But she also shared my obsession with Malakai. He had caused us both nothing but pain and we talked non stop about what we could do next.
The day before she was due to start lessons again, everyone returned from the Christmas break. We sat and watched them from the clock tower. Tina was in Hubris form, apparently she didn’t really get on with them, because they were all a bit swatty and weedy, no fun basically. She hadn’t played Riptide yet, and was terrified of that day arriving because she “saw how mullered we got.”
Having dinner in a once again packed Chamber was bitter-sweet. It was nice to see it so lively again, but some part of me really enjoyed the solitude and peace of an empty Chamber.
The night before lessons were due to start, Tina said a final farewell, properly this time for she had a weeks worth of homework to catch up on. I walked back to the clock tower, jealous that they all got to return to lessons. Just as I got halfway up the stairs to the clock tower, Partington suddenly leered out from the entrance to the stone staircase.
“Avis! At flipping last!” he cried, looking exasperated. “Do you realise how long I’ve been looking for you, you weren’t in the specified room you were allocated…” he gestated frantically, then sighed and began rubbing his glasses. “Can we talk somewhere?” We went up the stairs a little way, into one of the corridors nearest the clock tower. I wasn’t ready to give away my hiding spot yet.
“Look,” he said in a fast voice. “I’ve managed to convince the Lily to let you back into my lessons.” I wasn’t expecting that. “Hunter is fine with it, some of the others a little less so, but Hunter spoke up for you.”
“Did he? That was good of him.”
Partington leaned a little closer as if the walls were listening. “And er, just to let you know… I erm… I don’t think it was you. I mean… you’re just a kid, a good kid. I know you wouldn’t do that kind of thing.”
I couldn’t stop the smile that crept across my mouth. “Thanks Sir…”
Partington nodded to himself. “I’ve felt awful these past few weeks, knowing you’re rattling around in here somewhere, your hard to find…”
***
I sat in class on my own, at a table near the back. But it was brilliant, so good to be allowed back at last.
Dennis and Ellen walked in first and stopped, staring at me. I smiled as best I could, until they tip toed into the room and took their seats, shooting worried looks in my direction. Then Jess, Florence and Joanna drifted in, their conversation stopping abruptly when they saw me. Simon appeared next with Graham and Robin, who was staring at the floor. Graham and Simon glared at me and took a seat as far away as possible. Robin didn’t acknowledge me at all. Hunter didn’t even notice me when he came in, for he nearly tripped over a pile of cauldrons by the door.
When everyone was seated and quiet, Partington swept into the room, all eyes went from me to him and back again as if to say what is he doing here?
“Yes,” said Partington. “Avis is back in classes, I am glad to announce.”
Hunter turned and smiled at me. Robin was sat very deep in thought next to Dawn, who was doing her best sour face impression. I was pleased, when I looked around, to only see Simon and Graham’s ties had turned maroon.
Just to get back to learning meaningful things was so satisfying. We started studying:
• The science of vibrations and wavelengths of a Spell.
• Magical creatures in the fourth plane.
• The four Spells of enlightenment and the history of Hexes.
Of course Straker wouldn’t accept me into his lessons, so Partington took me through all the stuff I missed while I was away, which, oddly, had nothing to do with any of the work that Ernie had given me. I didn’t question this however because I didn’t want Partington to get cross and chuck me out, just when I’d got back.
I even enjoyed the homework each night because Tina would join me. We would sit, wrapped in blankets under the blue fire, and watch the sun set over the horizon. After we finished we would discuss Malakai and what we could do to stop him. Of course, it was all hypothetical - but I still had this burning desire to set the record straight, one day.
Gradually, I was accepted back into my form. People began talking to me, perhaps realising, in their own way, that I couldn't do something like that to Hunter. Sometimes, at dinner, I would sit back on the Condors’ table, but I waited to see if Tina was around first. When I’d see her, she would start by telling me about the Spells that she’d learnt, and how they could go towards fighting or stopping Malakai.
“What we need to do is…” she said chewing the end of a carrot. “Find out where M goes when he comes into the school… follow him… because I bet, he leads us to the…” then she’d look around, lean in, and whisper. “… the B
ook Of Names. The source of his power. If we stop that, we stop him.”
I nodded along, not entirely sure if we, two children, could just stop him.
A few weeks after being allowed back in lessons, I was walking along the main hallway with its dangling chandeliers and blood red carpets. David Starlight spotted me a way off and scuttled away with his Eagles friends. My stomach rumbled. I imagined myself a minute into the future, tucking into a lovely pie and chips, or jam tart and custard or whatever they had on offer. Just before I got to the Chamber doors, this ghost popped up out of the ground in front of me. My first though was Ernie, but this ghost was old and wore a red uniform.
“You are required to go to the Lily’s office at once…” droned the ghost, before shooting away. People around me were watching and muttering. They thought I had done something else, I just knew it. I swallowed, then turned trekking off towards the Headmaster’s office as my stomach rumbled again. It was about time he told me what was going on.
The Lily’s office was in the very middle of school, somewhere between the Numerology department and the Horticulture wing. The doors were massive, like great big white wings, pointed at the top and decorated with all the schools form symbols. As I tapped the big shiny ringed knocker, I had a barrage of questions and insults ready to hurl at the Lily.
“Avis hello…” said the Lily as soon as the doors opened, beaming at me from behind his desk. I stepped forward slowly as the door shut behind me with a click. “Come ahead, take a seat.”
I had to squint. The room was big, bright and almost everything in it was white. The chair before the Lily’s huge decorative, white desk, was big and soft. I felt like a leprechaun as I jumped up into it.
“Thank you for coming. I appreciate the last few months have been… taxing on you. For that you have my highest sympathy and apology.”
All the way up the corridor I was thinking of the best curses for the Lily and my choicest words. But now, sitting opposite him, with his hands folded, and serene eyes looking deep into me, all that was lost. His voice and body language was so calming that all negativity left me. I saw a deep meaningful apology, empathy and understanding in his eyes. Something more than words would be able to communicate.
“It’s fine,” I mumbled.
His desk was very organised and optimised the room. Everything in it had its own place. Light flooded in through tall, floor to ceiling windows, either side of the desk.
“Would you like to tell me, in your own words, what happened. And I want to know everything…” he smiled.
It felt good to tell the Lily, whose kind eyes didn’t sway or judge but simply accepted. When I finished he nodded, pressing his hands together.
“The greatest men have often faced great adversity. It’s what makes them great.”
It was strange how he made me feel so comfortable, so able to tell him everything - I wasn’t sure if I liked it.
“Now, Avis… I would quite like to know about your upbringing and family. You, I have heard, are something of an anomaly in your family.”
“Yes, they are all evil, you know, the famous Blackthorns. Except… I’m not, never have been…”
“Clearly,” the Lily smiled urging me to speak on.
“I don’t know,” I fumbled. “I suppose it was hard growing up, they treat me like some sorry old pet, a burden to the family and the name. I can’t do anything right in their eyes. I thought maybe being evil would make them pleased, but it’s not who I am. I just can’t do it, no matter how hard I try… I’m just not as strong as them.”
“On the contrary Avis, I think there is more courage in you then there is in all of them. You stood up to them and stayed true to who you are. I would say the opposite if you were sat here with me knowing you had committed evil acts, but you didn’t. In that way, you are a thousand times what they are.”
I nodded unable to prevent a smile. “And do you believe that it wasn’t me, who set that demon on Hunter?”
He raised his eyebrows high. “Of course I don’t believe it was you. I never did.”
“Then why, if you knew I was innocent, did you let people think I was the one who set the demon on him?”
“Now, I never said anything about who it was to anyone. There were higher forces at work and… I am afraid politics came into play, for which I can only apologise. For your own safety we separated you from the rest of the school while we found out what happened. If we would have told the truth, my feeling is the school would have been shut with immediate effect…” the Lily sighed and I saw lines appear on his old face. “I let Malakai in… it was a case of, keep your friends close and enemies closer… it’s hard to explain,” he said, looking agitated.
“But, no one told me anything, for ages,” I said.
“I know,” moaned the Lily. “I always try and find a solution that appeases all. Malakai is a very powerful Wizard. By letting him in, I could gain an insight into what he was doing.” the Lily got up and moved around the room, long white cloak dragging behind. “I went to school with him, we were in the same class would you believe. Never would I think that he would grow to be what he is now. He threatens all that we stand for. You see, Magic is a funny old thing. For most it is an extension to life, it makes things easier, more enjoyable, more productive. But for others who let it, it can become like a drug - addictive, destructive, and can rein your thoughts entirely.” He chuckled and pulled open a drawer on a huge white chest.
“You see this?” he held up a large black and white picture. “This was Malakai when he was about your age…” He held the picture up and let it float in the air, coming round to view it with me. We both stared at a plump, wide eyed, blonde boy in long, unfitting robes. But then I noticed something, something that made me quiver a little inside. On this boy’s wrist, was an amulet channeller, exactly the same as mine. I glanced down at my own, the pattern was exactly the same all the way round.
“So… did you know his name back then?” I said tucking it back under my sleeve. The Lily looked away from the picture and frowned, confused by the question, so I sped ahead. “I mean, like, what was he called in school?”
“He had a few names in the first year, couldn't decide it seemed. Then in third year he settled for Malakai - god knows why, he was teased non-stop. He was an Outsider you see, didn’t have the faintest clue about Magic until he got here.”
I nodded, little bits of information clinging together in my brain. There was something on the cusp of being discovered. I just knew it.
“People have true names don’t they sir?”
The Lily rolled the picture back up. “Yes. Everyone. But if you’re thinking you will go and find out Malakai’s true name, don’t. I have been there and done it. He’s been back and deleted all sign and notion of it,” the Lily began pushing pens around the table. “Avis…” he said. “I want you to remain strong. You have a great future ahead of you, if you work hard, keep your head down, and forget the past.”
I left his office buzzing. The revelation being… I was wearing Malakai’s old channeller.
For the first time in ages, I skipped along the corridor back to my clock tower. I hadn’t skipped in ages. I was still starving, my stomach rumbling all the way along and I couldn't decide whether to go and get some food or find Tina and tell her the revelation. Following my stomach, I grabbed a small plate of sandwiches from the Chamber and slid out before anyone saw me. Luckily, I didn’t have to go to lessons because Wednesday afternoon had officially become ‘homework afternoon’, which meant, of course, no one actually did any.
When I pushed open the hatch to the clock tower however, Tina was already there, standing, arms folded looking out of the clock.
“Oh Tina, there you are… guess what?!” I said jumping through the hatch. “I’ve just…” Then I stopped as another face appeared.
Robin stood looking sheepish. “Hiya mate…”
I stood dumb for a moment. Something in my head really annoyed with Tina for showing Ro
bin my secret place. And another part of me confused, what was he doing here? Last time we spoke he all but cried with shock when he saw me.
“I hope you don’t mind,” said Tina. “He came to find me, asked me where you were…”
Robin stared at his feet for a moment and looked up, beady eyes beating fast behind their glassy frames. “I er… I’m sorry… like, really sorry.”
“It’s fine,” I mumbled.
“No it’s not fine,” Robin said. “I know now. You’ve been living up here, alone and… you couldn't have done that stuff… I honestly thought it was you at the time. It all kind of made sense, in the moment, you talking about demons and then one attacks Hunter after he messed the plan up,” he shuffled on the spot not knowing where to look. “I’ve missed ya’ in lessons and stuff…” He looked awkward, and swayed his long arms around, then he walked towards me and put his arms out for a hug.
I didn’t do hugs, so just of stood there and patted his back. Don’t get me wrong, I was glad Robin was here, really glad. But, a little part of me… preferred it to just be me and Tina. It was selfish I know, but we had a routine, and I liked my current comfortable routine.
“Anyway,” said Robin, relinquishing me. “It’s really hard to raise a demon and you’re crap at Magic, so it couldn’t have been you.”
“Oi!” I said laughing.
“What did you want to tell us?” said Tina smiling wide and sitting down on my bed.
“Well…” And I explained with great gusto the recent meeting with the Lily, the picture of young Malakai and the fact that we had the same amulet channeller.
“No way!” said Tina when I finished. She stood and paced, dust rising in to the air behind her. “But… but… do you think he knows?”
“The Lily said that Malakai had been through his past and deleted stuff…” I said.
Robin hummed. “Yeah, that would make sense… didn’t want people finding clues out about him…” Tina who was chewing her lip aggressively, nodded.
Avis Blackthorn: Is Not an Evil Wizard! Page 12