My heart did summersaults on the way to the Magisteer Simone’s room, because it meant seeing Zara again. Simone was sitting behind her desk reading the Herrald and gruffed as we walked in, her eyes trained closely on Robin, Hunter and I. Joanna, Gret and Ellen lurked at the back of the room in the darkness as the Snare’s entered slowly, putting their bags at the side of the room. Zara entered last with Sophie. I felt Robin stand taller at the sight of Sophie.
“So. You all thought that because this was the last lesson of the year you could all turn up five minutes late did you?” said Simone from behind the newspaper. “You thought because it’s not a real lesson, that you didn’t need to make a concerted effort to be here on time?”
No one said anything — I could feel what was coming ‘a million push-ups!’ or something. Magisteer Simone put the newspaper down. She looked even more ugly than usual, her monobrow bristled like an angry hedgehog. Her brow furrowed, her thin green lips pursed, dirty brown teeth snarling like an old bear. Then she stood, brown robes hugging her impossibly tight as she moved with all the grace of a colossal bag of wobbly custard.
“You began the year as weaklings, muscular wimps, amoebas, sad little worms and what are we now?”
“Strong worms Miss?” Hunter called, causing muffled laughter.
“NO!” she cried, spit blasting Hunter’s face. “You are still weak, still wimps, still sad little worms. My seventh years can do a thousand press-ups in one go,” she said proudly. “Remember what I said? A Wizard has to be tough, strong — a weak Wizard is a poor Wizard. Next year we will be doing weights…” suddenly the room filled with metal dumbbells. A wave of groans echoed. “That’s it, moan! Moan at the pain you will feel. I tell you this, the more you moan, the more I will command you to do. And if you don’t, it will be detention. Boys…” she looked at me and Hunter. “Tell everyone about your detention.”
“I enjoyed it!” said Hunter causing Simone to wince, her hands curling into fists, she hated Hunter. Now she looked at me.
“It was hard?” I offered. “Working in the kitchens, downstairs, with the ghosts every free hour you have.”
Simone smiled. “The thing is, you are all a lost cause. You are too molly-coddled. If I had my way, we’d have Physical Training daily, no, twice daily!” I glanced around, I had the impression that we all felt that it was a very good job Magisteer Simone did not get her own way.
We waited outside Magisteer Commonside’s room for fifteen minutes before he showed up. “Have you guys been to see Simone yet?” said Graham. Robin, Hunter and I nodded. “Isn't she just the worst?”
“I could swing for her,” said Gret raising a fist, nodding at her twin.
“Such a bad attitude problem…” said Dawn causing some of us to snigger — Dawn was no Gilliggan lady herself. “What? I’m just saying, she’s horrible, but she’ll get what’s coming to her.”
“Why do you say that?” I said. “Do you know something we don’t?”
“No,” she spluttered. “It’s just, you know, what goes around comes around. Karma and all that.” Jake and Simon rolled their eyes.
“Oh?” said Commonside poking his head round the door with a mouthful of doughnut. “I thought I heard voices,” he said dreamily, swallowing the mouthful. “I had quite forgotten we had this lesson…”
“Appraisal Sir,” said Robin.
“Quite right, yes, I meant appraisal. Should have realised, today is a numerological geminus day, perfect days for wrapping things up.”
After sitting down and listening to twenty minutes of Commonside’s explanation of double digits and what you should be doing on a double digit day, Hunter had had enough.
“Sir!” he called. “It’s an appraisal, not a lesson!”
“Right, right…” said Commonside, putting on his glasses and going to his desk, shuffling through piles of paper. “Really should number these,” he muttered. “Aha, right yes appraisal… you are the Swillows—”
“Condors!” called Ellen, Jess and Florence all at once.
***
“Well that was awkward,” said Graham grimacing. “Why did Commonside ask us what we thought of him, if he wasn't expecting us to tell the truth?”
Joanna smarted. “I felt sorry for him, he tries his best.”
“Unfortunately his best is useless,” Simon laughed — I had to agree, I really didn't see much point in learning Numerology for a start, I’d never heard my parents talking about it.
“At least next year we can use that class for getting some extra kip!” said Hunter, tripping up the first step of the spiral staircase causing the entire Condor form to laugh — we made our way up and into Partington’s classroom.
“Well this is very exciting,” Partington prowled the front of his classroom, triangle hat perched on top of his head. “I have followed the progress of your studies this year and I am pleased by what I have seen. Next year will be a culture shock, you have double the classes and double the work,” he said, one eyebrow raised. “Which I’ll come to in a moment. Your Main Book’s have overall been excellent, the marking has been a pleasure. But I will stress that neatness is an issue with some of your books…” Partington picked out and held up one book, ink dripped out of the bottom of the pages all over the desk. “I don’t even need to look at the name on the front of that book. Hunter?”
“Sorry Sir, it’s just I’m still trying to get used to the pen and ink thing.”
“Well get used to it a bit quicker, I go to bed soaking some nights after marking your book. Now, I’ve obviously been talking to your Magisteers over this year and they’ve filled me in on your progress. I am delighted to say that our form is third, to the Eagles and the Swillows in the marking tables — so keep up the good work. Next year, the gold stars awarded in classes will be added up and the form with the most will be getting special prizes at the end of year awards.” — more prizes?! “I was hoping to be able to tell you who you will have next year, but, due to the delicate nature of recent events that looks unlikely. They have not been finalised just yet… so you will find out on the day you get back here. Now, have a great summer!”
***
Iawoke on the last day of school to sun streaming in through the tall bay windows — the rain had finally stopped?
Gradually all the other boys woke and sat up in bed — Hunter was the last, being shaken awake by Jake — he would sleep all day and night if he had the chance.
“So this is it, last day already…” Simon said gloomily.
“Don’t be sad it’s over, be ‘appy it’s ‘appened,” said Jake, brushing his blonde hair out of his face. “Anyway, we’ll be back in seven weeks.”
The summer sun was starting to warm through the school. I thought about home, there was no sun there — my parents had it charmed so that the castle was in constant darkness.
We washed and dressed together and went to breakfast, there was a strange palpable emotion in the air that I hadn't spotted at the end of last year. The first years still walked around a little non-plussed in their turquoise robes and ties — a little overawed by everything still. I put a few extra sugars in my tea — today would be a long day, I could feel it in my bones. Hunter ate breakfast with the tenacity of a Lardpard (a ferocious animal from the cat family that looks innocent, but will swallow you whole if you get too close).
“Slow down,” said Jess. “You’ll give yourself indigestion.”
“Won’t,” said Hunter gobbling up beans and sausages. “I won’t get a chance to eat like this over the summer. Might as well make the most of it while I can.” — Jess raised her eyebrows in apparent disgust while Gret watched amazed. “Free innit!” he cried looking to the boys for approval.
The newspaper popped onto the tables. I noticed a big picture of the Lily on the front next to the headline: Hailing Hall —Can We Trust The Lily?
I didn't bother reading it, I knew what it would say already. I sat back and relaxed. The only thing worrying me now was… going home. I me
an, if my parents were as annoyed with me as my brothers had been when I escaped from the wedding at the start of the year (and crashed their carriage in the Outside world), then I would be in serious trouble.
But, I had heard nothing from them at all. If they were that annoyed with me, then why hadn’t they come to get me? I glanced across at the Magisteers table where Harold sat. When I found out he was working here, I assumed that he would be carrying out my parents orders and bring me back home, or punish me, or something. But he hadn't, in fact, he’d barely said a word to me.
Now that the feud with Jasper had cooled off, my mind switched to other things. Arguably, more important things… going home, John Burrows the Djinn, being in the Heptagon Society (whatever that was), the rune on my pendant. I wondered what it all meant, but my mind returned nothing. Tina no longer dominated my thoughts like she had done, my jealousy had subsided and collapsed like a glacier. Anyway, they didn't seem to be getting on particularly well.
On the way out of the Chamber Robin and I heard a voice. “Hey you two!” we turned, Zara and Sophie walked out with us.
“Alright?” I said.
“Yeah,” said Zara grinning wide and filling my stomach with butterflies. “Fancy going to the flying adventure play area?”
“Sure!” Robin and I cried together.
By the afternoon we were returning to the Chamber, walking in with Zara and Sophie, who smiled their goodbyes and joined their form table.
Robin grinned at me. He had Sophie’s phone number, and I had Zara’s (not that I knew how to use a phone), they wanted to meet up with us over the summer holidays! I was gobsmacked, honestly. My knees felt weak and I couldn’t quite believe that she wanted to see me outside of school. It was like I was someone else, or I was in a dream or something. We took our seats back at the Condor round table as everyone piled in ready for the end of school assembly. Seventh years piled in amongst the others for what would be the last time, with hands over their mouth, hardly believing that their time was over.
I picked up a glass of mango perry, it’s frothy bitter-sweetness making my insides go all fuzzy. Harold, Dodaline and Straker took their seats at the Magisteer’s table. Then, Ernie came in with an emotional Phoenix form, Magisteer Nottingham bringing up the rear with his hands to his face, small watery eyes blinking rapidly. The girls on our table were already half crying, (except Gret).
“I can’t watch others crying,” said Florence. “It makes me go.”
I tightened my tie and did my top collar button up, everyone looked so smart.
Ernie had some of the Phoenix form in a hug as they sat down. He had spend the best part of seventeen years here. In fact, he had been here longer than most of the Magisteers!
The huge red velvet drapes were pulled across the stage, any second now the third years would perform the end of year play. I was excited, if it was anything like last year then it should be a hec of a laugh! As every seat in the Chamber was filled, the light brackets suddenly went out, as silence fell…
“In respect of the events of last year and in solidarity with our Hailing Hall brothers, we now perform… Ghostly Going’s On…” came a shrill voice from behind the curtain, before, it opened.
I blinked unbelieving, for on the stage was a perfect recreation of… the clock tower! Then, a boy dressed all in blue with a rather crude spell that made him kind of transparent floated around the stage.
“Oh! Oh! Why must I be like this? Why? Why?” cried the boy. “I must reenact my revenge…” — he was playing Ernie!
I glanced across at Ernie who was watching with a big smile, they must have asked him if they could do this beforehand — Partington didn’t look pleased.
“Being a ghost is not all it’s cracked up to be,” said the boy playing Ernie, he had his likeness and voice down well. “You never sleep, your always bored, and you constantly think about that moment you died…” Suddenly, the clock tower faded away, as the third years at the side of the stage commanded a wind spell, which blustered through the Chamber. Then a huge black shadow cast long across the stage as Malakai — stood over Ernie, who lay on the floor. “I will never submit to you!”
“But I will kill you!” cried the deep, rasping voice. “Now tell me where it is!”
“I will never tell you! You’ll have to kill me!”
“You can make this a lot less painful for yourself.”
“I will never tell you.”
“TELL MEEEEEEEE!” screamed the voice, scaring me half to death. The goosebumps on my arms and neck standing as the wind swelled round the room. A drum beat ominously as Malakai’s arms extended towards Ernie.
FLASH! The brightest spark of purple smoke shot around the Chamber as a scream echoed deafeningly loud. “NOOOOO!” through the purple smoke, Ernie slid off the stage as Malakai disappeared. He fell in slowly motion from the ceiling, through flashes of thunder, wind and smoke in complete silence.
BANG! Ernie vanished. Drum’s tapped softly as the clock tower returned and Ernie the ghost sat up.
It was the best play I’d ever seen. At the end, the entire Chamber stood and cheered as the boy playing Ernie took his bow next to all the third years and Mallard, who looked extremely relived.
“Who was that third year playing Ernie?” said Robin clapping hard.
“I don’t know but he was great!” I cried. Ernie was grinning broadly and cheering as hard as he could. Glancing across at Tina I saw she had a face like thunder.
“And NOW!” the Lily bellowed, taking to the lectern which shot up in front of him as he approached. We all sat. “We crown this year’s Riptide League Champions. Please put your hands together for…” We all began drumming on the tables. “The CENTAURS!” — A huge eruption of noise filled the Chamber as they jumped up out of their seats. They had won again?!
“Madness!” cried Jake. “They are just too good!”
Golden confetti streamed down from the ceiling covering the Centaurs as they made their way over to pick up the trophy.
“That’s three years in a row!” called the Lily.
Receiving their medals were Gemma Icke, Marshall Compton-Campbell and Jenson Zhu — the stars of the team. Ingrid Bloater, the captain picked up the big golden trophy and lifted it high into the air.
“We have it on good authority,” said the Lily, grasping the three stars of the team. “That our high scoring trio have been scouted for the Merlin Premier League! So a huge congratulations to Marshall Compton-Campbell, Gemma Icke and Jenson Zhu! Let’s hope you will be able to juggle your seventh year studies and practice,” said the Lily ushering the Centuar’s back to their form table.
“Now on the subject of Riptide, some of you have been anticipating my decision on the Riptide Cup Final and here it is…”
The Hesserbouts had hands over their faces — it had been said that this was their best chance to win the cup, since the Centaurs had been knocked out by the Swillows. I was still a little raw about the Lily’s decision, but how could I argue against it? Jake, Gret and Joanna were shaking their heads slowly, they still couldn't believe it.
The Lily sighed. “I’ve cancelled the final.” Silence.
The Hesserbouts stared forwards, unmoving. The Swillows hardly reacted either, Jasper just dropped his head. “Since we found out Malakai had been coming into the school and attacked one of the finalists, we cannot trust our security. Let me reiterate, this is not my decision, but the Magical Councils.”
The Hesserbouts collapsed into long moans and groans — that was bad luck, that was their best chance of winning the Cup in years.
“Oh well, you still owe me two gold pieces,” said Simon nudging Graham in the side.
Graham glanced sideways. “What you on about? Did you not just here him, he said it’s cancelled.”
“Yeah I know, but you bet me two gold pieces that the Centaurs wouldn’t win the league again.” — Graham grimaced muttering something about hoping he’d forgotten that before fumbling around in his gold bag.
I made up for the lack of recent meals by stuffing lots of pudding down myself — three helpings of jam tart and custard. I loved the ghosts jam tart. I was cautious to try it at first, as I had once been persuaded to eat some my sisters had made especially for me. I was in bed for three weeks afterwards.
The Lily re-took to the lectern. “And NOW…” he waited for silence. “The Hailing Hall School Awards! Given out to those pupils who we, the Magisteers think deserve it. So without further ado… the winner of the best kept dormitory is… the Phoenix girls!”
A round of applause echoed hard around the fish bowl roof as seven pristine girls went up to collect their hexagonal leather boxed prizes.
“And the winner of the most improved students of the year are… the Flutteryouts!”
“Wooo!” They cried jumping up and running to get their prizes — then raising them into the air as if they had just won the Riptide Cup.
“Now for the special awards!” bellowed the Lily, a little tingle of excitement rushed through me — I remember winning one last year. “This one award goes to someone who has not just excelled spectacularly in their studies, not just excelled in their Riptide performances, not just charmed all the Magisteers and myself. But also, faced things that no boy should have to face, the loss of a loved one and the wrath of the most powerful Sorcerer of all time. So this very special award goes to… JASPER GANDY!”
Small fireworks erupted into the air — a bit over the top if you ask me — but still, I stood with everyone else and clapped hard. He had saved my life and my place at Hailing Hall, I suppose. He stood and walked up slowly, taking a place next to the Lily.
“It takes great guts to think of a plan under pressure, but you did it. Saving many lives in the process and expelling Malakai from the school.”
Tina was standing and whistling loudly, clapping, along with everyone else. “Well done Jasper!” the Lily called and Jasper marched back to his seat at the Swillows table, getting mobbed by them.
Avis Blackthorn and the Magical Multicolour Jumper (The Wizard Magic School Series, Book 2) Page 37
