‘Well, after a few too many wrong turns and a lot more rain on me I decided I had better take cover, so headed down towards a forest I could see below. As I landed and looked for cover I saw ahead of me a unicorn – the largest and most beautiful unicorn I’ve ever seen. It seemed as though it had appeared from thin air. I hadn’t seen it when I walked under the trees.’ The children’s attention was caught by the arrival of the unicorn, reminding them of their flight through the forest on the back of Embarr.
‘The unicorn seemed to be waiting for me,’ continued Fitzhollow, starting to warm to his tale – his gestures becoming more expansive as his hands waved around and he danced from foot to foot. ‘He looked straight at me before turning and walking a little way further into the woods. I wasn’t sure whether to follow or not but when he turned and looked back at me again I knew I had to go on. We walked through the forest for some time – I was totally lost but knew I could trust the unicorn. Eventually we came to a glade, an opening in the forest. The rain was falling as heavy as ever here but in the middle of the clearing stood a single ash tree completely by itself – not another tree within a stone’s throw – well at least a very heavy stone’s throw. The unicorn walked out into the clearing and beckoned me to come out with him. Well, by this time I was soaked to the bone anyway so a bit more rain wouldn’t hurt, but as I approached the tree there was an ALMIGHTY crash of thunder and a crack of lightning right in front of me!’ yelled the little man, jumping up into the air causing the spellbound children to jump back in shock.
‘Wha ...what happened then?’ asked Niamh, slightly breathlessly as she recovered from Fitzhollow’s explosive gesturing.
‘Well, I was thrown to the ground by the force of the lightning bolt but when I looked back at the tree it was barely touched! Can you believe it?’ said the little man brightly.
‘Oh God, yes I can,’ said an exasperated voice from the other side of the door. ‘I told you not to get him going. Jeeaazus but this must be the tenth time I’ve heard this story!’
‘Shut your gob, ya ignoramus!’ yelled Fitzhollow again. ‘This would be a much better story if you didn’t interrupt!!’
‘I doubt it very much, Shakespeare, but keep on going if you must,’ cried his colleague.
‘I don’t know why I put up with him, I really don’t. So help me St Patrick but one of these days I’m going to take a shillelagh to his thick skull!’ Fitzhollow muttered to himself before turning back to the shocked look on the children’s faces. ‘Now, where was I?’ he said slightly embarrassed.
‘On the ground from the lightning blast,’ said Grady, who couldn’t wait to hear what happened next.
‘Right. Yes. So I was. Well, I looked up and the unicorn was gone! Not a trace of him anywhere! I thought for a moment he had been hit by the lightning bolt but then I saw the tree itself had been hit. But not badly – just one small part of it had been clipped by the bolt and a small branch had been sheared off and flung over to me – it was lying on the ground pointing straight at me only a metre away. I picked it up and saw immediately it was the wand wood for you. Almost perfectly straight, strong, flexible – a perfect piece of a perfect tree. And that’s what you have in front of you today, my young man.’ The leprechaun lifted the wands from their cases, passing the first one to Niamh.
Her wand was a slender almost delicate-looking piece of dark brown blackthorn heartwood which felt much heavier than it looked. As she took the wand in her hand she felt the thrill of a magical surge coursing through her body. Just as it did that day in the cave when Embarr used their magic to weave a spell, Niamh’s hair streamed away from her face as if caught in an invisible wind. Grace gasped as she saw her daughter blur and shine with a magical light. In an instant it was gone, but Niamh burst into an enormous smile and jumped over to the leprechaun and gave him a hug that almost sent him tumbling.
‘Oh thank you, thank you, it’s perfect!’ she said, almost crying with joy.
Recovering slightly the leprechaun adjusted his jacket and waistcoat again and said in a rather embarrassed fashion, ‘Yes. Well. Ummm. Glad you like it my girl. Must say I don’t normally get that reaction, but there’s no telling how it takes folk.’
Turning to Grady he gave him a slightly worried look and said, ‘No hugs. Alright?’
Grady nodded eagerly before taking the wand from the little man’s hand. There was no magical wind this time, but the wand glowed richly from deep within. At the same time the hair on Grady’s head seemed to flicker for a moment and flared the same colour as the wand. It was Merritt’s turn to gasp now as the hair on his son’s head seemed to change from curls of red to tongues of flame. The effect was gone as fast as it arrived but there was no doubt in Merritt’s mind what he had seen. The leprechaun noticed it too and turned to Merritt peering over his spectacles. There was no shock on his face. Just a look of Told you so.
‘I said it was a special wand, didn’t I?’ muttered Fitzhollow. ‘But I think the wizard holding it is more special again,’ he said to Merritt and Grace.
Grady stood staring at his wand. Like Niamh, the magic surge through him seemed to have knitted him to his wand. He couldn’t say how but knew this wand would not work for anyone else no matter how strong a wizard they were.
‘Want to try them?’ Merritt asked the children.
Neither Merritt nor Niamh wanted to let the wand maker see how weak their talents were. They both shook their heads, looking down at their feet as they did so.
‘Not now,’ said Niamh quietly. ‘Maybe later.’
Fitzhollow did not seem surprised by the reaction. ‘Another time then,’ he said kindly to Niamh.
‘I think we should be going now, Feargus,’ said Merritt. ‘I think these two might be a little overtired.’
The leprechaun nodded to Merritt and followed them back out into the sunshine. As they stepped outside Hooligan picked himself up off the bench and sat with his hands in his head for a moment before standing up and giving his bright red hair a good shake.
‘We’ll be seeing you again then?’ he said to Merritt and Grace.
‘Not for a while, I hope. Too many trips to you might just break the bank, Hooligan,’ Merritt said as he shook hands with the little man. As he did so Hooligan pulled him in close and whispered in his ear.
‘I can see what their problem is – and it’s nothing you nor I nor Murdock can fix. Those children need to do it themselves. It may not be pretty either, so be ready.’
Merritt let go of Hooligan’s hand and stared back with a surprised look on his face. Casting a glance at Fitzhollow Merritt saw the leprechaun nod in agreement almost imperceptibly, but with a serious look on his face.
‘We must go,’ said Grace, picking up on the sudden change in atmosphere and hurrying the children back down the path.
‘Go well then!’ said Fitzhollow, smiling in a vain attempt to lighten the mood again.
Merritt gave the two craftsmen a tight smile before heading back down the path after the rest of the family. Dark thoughts of what might lie ahead drifted through his head while the sounds of continued arguments from Fitzhollow and Hooligan drifted along behind him. The door into the alleyway closed behind him with an ominous thump, cutting off the discordant sounds completely. He only wished the warning voices in his own head could be silenced so easily.
Chapter 14
The Principal Witch
The first day of school for the children was a blur of hurried breakfasts, last minute scampering and rushed journeys to get to school on time. Niamh and Grady had been up early, dressed and starting to eat before their parents had barely had time to open their eyes. Despite having all the time in the world to be ready they still seemed to have it all disappear on them and by the time they were making their way down to the stables the morning had become a mad rush. First it was a case of forgetting the iWands (the one critical piece they had been informed they MUST have on their first day at school). Then it was Grady’s blazer – ‘I told you to put it
on ten minutes ago!’ said Grace; and then Niamh’s Broomstick – ‘How could you miss it!!’ howled Grady. Finally they found themselves pulling up on the cobbled road outside Rookwood Hall – their new school. The road was chock-a-block full of other carriages with dragons eyeing each other angrily and the occasional snort of steam or puff of smoke exchanged between them. Their carriage drew a number of interested looks and small groups of children and parents gathered together surreptitiously pointing at both the carriage and the children as they stood nervously outside on the pavement. It was one thing to be excited at arriving at a new school, but another thing completely to be confronted with the curious gaze of a school full of new children either carrying their broomsticks or lazily drifting by on them. The reality of their new environment was a little daunting.
Their worries were suddenly broken by a shout of ‘Niamh! Grady!’ as Bree, Tulliah, Devin and Emily came running over to them. Not far behind Hugh walked with a sullen look on his face, but he still gave Grady a quick if not terribly enthusiastic wave.
‘There you are!’ said Bree breathlessly as she ran up to them. ‘We wondered when you would get here. Do you want to come in with us? We can show you around.’
Niamh looked hopefully back up at her parents. ‘Of course, sweetie,’ said Grace. ‘Off you go. We’ll see you at three o’clock. Okay?’
‘Sure Mum! Thanks!’ said Niamh as she turned and started to run into the school grounds with her friends. Grady and Hugh were not far behind, though they had not had a chance to go far before Merritt shouted out, ‘Hey! What about me?’
Niamh came to a quick halt before turning on her heels and running back to her father, blazer streaming out behind her.
‘Sorry Dad,’ she said as she gave her father a quick hug, followed immediately by her brother.
‘Enjoy it, guys,’ said her father, kneeling down to them. I remember my first day here at Rookwood. If yours is anywhere near as good you’re going to love it.’
‘Come on, Niamh!’ shouted Bree. The children turned and ran back to their friends and in a moment they were lost in a sea of green blazers and swishing broomsticks.
The gates to Rookwood Hall were tall and elegant but not substantial – as though built with the intention of just marking a boundary rather than keeping anyone out. The builders of the school were not, however, about to leave their entrance unguarded. At each side of the gateway stood two tall gargoyle-like creatures which watched over the entrance, scanning everyone who passed into the school grounds.
The grounds themselves were – in a word – expansive. From the gate, a long drive snaked past imperious sycamores and ash before dramatically revealing the stone and marble entrance which dominated the front of the school building.
Niamh and Grady and the rest of the group had decided to make the trip down the driveway on their broomsticks. For both the children it was still a struggle. The new broomsticks were infinitely better than those they had trained on but the children still felt like they had weights on their shoulders and anchors on their bristles. As they made their way down the drive they felt every set of eyes on them, or perhaps on their broomsticks – they couldn’t quite tell which.
‘Where do we go now?’ asked Niamh as they hopped off their brooms and made their way through the towering main doors.
‘Just follow us,’ said Emily, skipping ahead of them. ‘The start of term assembly is always fun – especially for the new kids. Come on. I’ll show you the way!’
Bouncing on ahead, Emily raced through the entrance hallway and into the courtyard beyond. Away to the left stretched corridors with stairways running up to the floors above and down to the levels below. The corridors to the right mirrored those on the left but the spaces ahead took the children’s breath away. They had become used to beautiful gardens and exquisite spaces living at the castle, but the view ahead of them was something special. Immediately ahead stretched a long lawn which swept down to the river beyond. The morning sun had cast long shadows over the space but it seemed to highlight, rather than take away from, the amazing statues which lined cloistered walkways that bounded the sides of the common. Golden coloured walls and sparkling glass windows lined the four floors above the cloisters and stretched up towards the turrets and garrets scattered at odd intervals around the roof. The enormous grassed grounds beyond were speckled with various delicately spaced buildings, each with its own unique purpose – some looking like art houses, some like chemical beakers, some like shooting galleries, and between them all flitted children on broomsticks, children running, and boys – as usual – firing spells at each other causing little explosions of sparks here and there. It looked like chaos, but Niamh and Grady could see after a moment or two that the general drift of people and noise was towards a huge hall off to the right down by the river.
‘What’s that?’ said Niamh to Bree, pointing towards the huge glass walled edifice.
‘That’s the assembly hall,’ replied Bree. ‘That’s where we need to get to now – you don’t want to be late getting to your first assembly. This way!’ she said, racing back through the corridors off to their right. They ran down dark corridors, their eyes taking a moment or two to adjust before they could make out the black and white tiled floor. The statues spaced down the corridors seemed to be keeping their eyes on the children. Armoured knights of dark stone lifted their lances and swords out of the way as children darted back and forth in the corridor while others lifted their robes to avoid tripping up the roiling throng.
‘Mind yourself there!’ shouted one particularly grumpy-looking statue to Grady as he went barrelling past. As the statue shouted out, another beside him gave a start and dropped the books he was cradling in his arms. The books tumbled to the floor in front of Niamh causing her to slide to a halt.
‘Oh, excuse me!’ said the clumsy statue. Niamh suddenly realised it was a twin of Bardolphus up in the castle.
‘Bardolphus!’ exclaimed Niamh. ‘What are you doing down here? Aren’t you meant to be up in the castle?’
‘Oh. Oh yes, of course,’ said the slightly flustered statue. ‘I heard you ran into my twin. He spoke very highly of you. Said you were very polite to him and ummmmm ... helped him pick up his books?’ said the clumsy statue with a look towards the spilled marble copies on the floor and a hopeful look on his face.
‘Of course,’ said Niamh as she bent down to help retrieve the books.
‘Thank you. I must be getting stiff in my old age,’ he said, smiling back. ‘Can I pass on any messages back to the castle?’
‘You can do that?’ asked Niamh, surprised. ‘Talk to people back in the castle?’
‘Well I can’t talk to them,’ said the statue, ‘but what I hear my twin hears and he hears what I hear.’
‘Gosh, how very clever!’ said Grady, who had come back to see what the statue was saying to Niamh.
‘Oh! And here comes your fiery brother as well! Delighted to meet you,’ said Bardolphus, bowing to Grady who looked confused that the statue knew who he was.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Niamh to Grady. ‘I’ll explain later.’
‘Come on, you guys!’ shouted Emily from further down the corridor. ‘We’ll be late if you don’t come on!!’
Niamh and Grady finished helping Bardolphus recover his books before racing off back down the corridor towards Emily – their bags bouncing off their shoulders as they ran. The corridors twisted and turned, sloping down towards the river and hall. As they ran they found more and more children entering the hallways from side doors until they at last crossed a sweeping bridge which connected the main school to the assembly hall. The bridge climbed gracefully up into the air so the lawns below could run uninterrupted down to the river beyond. The crush of children spilled out of the bridgeway into the hall. It seemed there was no way the number of children entering the hall could fit, but Niamh and Grady found their breath taken away at the space inside. It seemed as though the laws of physics didn’t apply in here. The roof was high
er, the walls further away from each other, and the thousand children now inside were easily able to find seats on the chairs and cushions and benches scattered around the room. It looked like no assembly hall Niamh had ever seen. Groups of children had gravitated towards each other – obviously friends from prior years. In the middle of the hall was a round stage towards which all the light entering the hall seemed to be focused so that it appeared there was an enormous spotlight on the dais.
‘Down here,’ gestured Bree, half dragging Niamh towards a set of cushions near the centre of the room. ‘You don’t want to stay too close to the back. That’s where the older kids sit. The last seventh year who tried to sit back there ended up as a toad for a week!’
As Niamh looked around her she could see the natural order of the room with the spaces at the back of the hall clearly reserved for the taller and older witches and wizards lounging around in the big armchairs and sofas at the back.
As they settled down, the dais before them started to disappear into the ground and another floated in from the ceiling. Grady gasped as he realised there were several teachers standing on it. At the front of the dais was a slim woman of no apparent age, with sparkling silver hair and a deep purple gown stretching to the floor. Her ears were clearly elvish in nature and her bearing left the children in no doubt that this was their new school principal. As the dais floated closer to the floor a hush came over the hall.
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