“I do have to admit one more thing. However, this is not exactly an award, more of an… acknowledgement. But before we do…”
The Lily flashed his hands around at the first year tables. White puffs of smoke shot off in all directions and immediately covered the first years faces. Their heads became engulfed in white smoke balls, until they looked like dandelions. But, they didn't seem to notice, move or care. The Lily seemed happy that their vision and hearing was suitably muted.
“You will see why that is necessary soon,” said the Lily to our perplexed expression, except all the years above us and the Magisteers who looked as if this was perfectly normal and part of the process.
“Near the start of the year, the Riptide Stadium fell down…” the second years perked up. “And the second years were charged with the complete rebuilding of it under the supervision of the Mental and Physical Training teacher, Magisteer Simone.” She gave a small nod, grinning her horrible brown teeth. “The task was used to build up the teamwork, the mental strength as much as the physical and we regard this experiment as very successful,” the Lily grinned. “But we have a small admission to make. The Stadium, at least the first time this year, was collapsed on purpose…”
A small break out of muttering filled the air, mostly from us second years — what was the Lily talking about?
— “They did it to us on purpose, the sly gits!” said Hunter over the noise with a resentful glance at Simone.
— “I can’t believe they’d do this to us…” Gret slammed a fist into the table.
“Shh! I want to hear what he says!” I called at them as the Lily raised a hand and silence fell again.
“We collapsed the Stadium on purpose, not because it was old, but because we thought some practical teamwork and a common goal would pull you together much more than a round of exercises. And I think, it was a success. Would you not agree?”
Small mutters of resentful agreement flittered around us seconds years. Mind you, we all knew there was something fishy going on at the time, why us? Why ask the second years to re-build a Stadium, surely the seventh years or the Magisteers would have been better placed to do so. But it all made sense now.
“I must also remind you that we do this to every second year, every year. There is no year above you that has not had to do this. Nor would the upper years be able to tell you, for we Barred them from doing so. Not that they would,” said the Lily smirking. The upper years were sniggering at the trick — they knew all along for they had gone through the same thing — they were probably laughing at us the whole time while we were doing it.
“A round of applause for the second years!” The Lily put his hands together and began clapping, all the upper years and Magisteers joined in grinning proudly at us — we had passed the test. Hunter stood and took a theatrical bow, to much laughter. Suddenly, a light began to pulse around all of the second year tables — it was coming from our ever-changing ties! The turquoise lit up white hot and began to change.
“We’re levelling up!” called Jack Zapper.
The Lily threw his arms wide. “You are indeed! Now that you have realised you re-built the Stadium, the experience has moved you up a level!”
“Woo!” cried the rest of the Chamber (except the first years).
Looking down, the turquoise tie I’d had for almost two years was changing to maroon — not a second later it morphed into white. I looked around and everyone else on our table had the same colour. Only Brian Gullet and Jasper Gandy had different colours.
“You will start rocketing up through the levels now, mark my words!” called the Lily.
Graham was observing his tie like it was a map. “So… turquoise is one, maroon is two, white three and purple four?”
“Well actually, three is ivory and violet is four,” said Ellen.
“What’s the difference?” said Graham shrugging.
Dennis snorted. “Only about ten shades and fifty levels!” he cried, rolling his eyes.
The Lily waved his arms again at the noise until all attention returned to him. “I almost forgot to mention — after investigating the most recent collapse of the Stadium, we realised it has been cursed. Which means, my usual method of quickly rebuilding it by spell-work cannot be achieved — therefore it’s going to take the summer holiday’s to get it rebuilt. We’re going to be using Golems. So, if some of you do see these on your way back please do not be alarmed.” The Lily waved a hand and the grey smoke that covered the first years faces vanished, they looked up as if nothing had happened. “Now let us proceed with our celebrations!”
A great roar erupted as music suddenly blared out of ten gramophones that burst invisibly through the walls playing: The Hexes ‘Black Cat’s and Broomsticks’.
“What the hec’s a Golem?” said Robin, over the music.
Dawn gave him a sorry look. “Thought you were clever?” she said causing Robin to scowl. “They are creatures made out of clay by a Wizard and given life for a set amount of time.”
“They are perfect builders because they are strong and do whatever you tells ‘dem too. Our entire village was made with Golems,” said Jake. Robin nodded impressed.
What followed was a glorious afternoon of music, food, drink and dancing. I didn't dance, Zara tried to make me, but I refused. I did not dance.
“Come on moody pants!” she cried jigging around next to Sophie, but I honestly couldn't bring myself to — that part of my Blackthorn blood just would not allow it.
“That’s it!” cried Sophie as Robin jigged around like a puppet, being pulled around by strings. “You’re a brilliant dancer!”
“Come on!” said Zara grabbing my hand and pulling me toward her. I saw Tina over Zara’s shoulder, watching curiously until she quickly looked away. The next moment trumpets blared out across the Chamber as the bell in the clock tower rang deafeningly above us. The tables and chairs suddenly shot to the sides of the room with a loud scraping noise.
“Seventh years!” the Lily cried. “You’ve completed your time with us. The Magisteers, your fellow pupils, myself and all who have shared in your time here, will forever remember you.”
The seventh years, dressed in their long bottle green robes came forward, sniffing and welling up with tears. The Lily walked solemnly through the middle of the Chamber.
“When things get tough out there, remember you belong to the Hailing Hall family. Now go and be great Wizards!”
The suits of armour pulled their trumpets out and blew as ghosts burst through the walls in one mass of white and blue and began to sing…
Seventh years, you have been here for seven years.
All of your peers give you our cheers and joyful tears,
And say… thank you very much!
Part of the family, of the Hailing Hall gang,
Go out now and make your mark with a bang!
As best you can: stand up for good, and weed out bad.
Use your memories and knowledge as your launch pad!
Your time here is over, but remember all the good,
Use your memories as beacons, and help all that you should.
Go forth into the world as professional Wizards,
Spells to help and heal, even stopping blizzards.
Whatever you can to make the journey of all…
Better, fulfilled and happy, this is your call.
Thank you seventh years for your time here…
Stand back now as your peer’s CHEEEEEER!
And we cheered! The seventh years hugged each other and us. I didn't know any of them but that didn't matter now. They were leaving, what was their home for the last seven years — I wondered what some of them would be going out to do in the Seven Magical Kingdoms?
“Oh Lauren,” Zara cried hugging a girl with bright white hair like hers. “I don’t know what to say…”
“Don’t say anything,” said Lauren — they looked identical, the same brown eyes, lightly freckled face and naturally bright white hair. “I’
ll see you at home, just a few days and then I’m off with Dan and Helen. We’re going to America?” she said, (I’d never heard of it. I think it was a city somewhere on the Outside — I’d heard about on TV before). “Who’s your friend?” said Lauren pointing towards me as I lurked awkwardly.
Zara smiled. “This is Avis,”
“Nice to meet you Avis,” said Lauren.
I went red. “Nice to meet you too, I wish you all the best on your travels.”
Lauren left with a knowing look at Zara, who flushed pink. Robin, Sophie, Zara and I followed the flowing crowd outside. Carriages were lined up ready to take the seventh years onto their next destination. The Magisteers stood as one, creating a bright white light which lit up the sky and burst. A gigantic rainbow arched across the school, spinning multicolour stars down onto our heads.
Ernie remained standing with Partington and Tina on the steps of the school, waving madly to his friends who got into carriages. Lauren Faraday with her two friends tied her scarf to the carriage door before getting in and shooting into the sky. Zara and Sophie were jumping up and down into the air. “BYEEE!” they screamed.
Simultaneously, loads of carriages shot upwards, scorching purple contrail lines through the rainbow.
“Our turn to leave,” said Sophie. Our luggage was just inside the Hall with all our names on it — I felt sick. I didn't want to go home.
“Robin,” I said as we began stepping back towards the Hall.
“Of course you can,” he grinned. “You were gonna ask if you could stay at mine this summer right?” I nodded grinning back. “Get ya’ bags then and we’ll go!”
Just as we stepped inside a large shadow filled my path. “Ahhh, Avis there you are.” Harold, my brother stood in my way.
“Hello Magisteer Blackthorn,” said Zara.
“Miss Faraday, a pleasure to see you one last time,” Zara seemed suitably charmed and shot after Sophie and Robin to get her bags.
Harold’s dark eyes came to rest on me. “It seems a shame to waste two carriages on the same journey doesn't it?” he said slowly — I looked down at my feet, dam it! He was onto me. I looked around for support or inspiration, but Robin, Zara and Sophie were way inside the Hall looking for their bags amongst the others. If I went home, they would never let me out of their sight, they might not even let me go back to Hailing Hall! Never mind making it out for one day to see Zara.
“I was going to go and stay at my friend Robin’s house for the summer. He lives on the Outside.”
“What a generous offer,” said Harold in a low, cold voice. Stepping closer until his shadow engulfed me. “But I am afraid I must decline it for you. Come to my office and wait for me to pack, we will take a carriage home together.” Harold stepped closer. “If you fail to show up, I will come looking for you, wherever that might be.” I swallowed. I thought about clicking the shoes together and running off somewhere, anywhere. But Harold wasn't joking around. He would come looking, he would find me and I didn't want to think about the consequences.
“Fine,” I said, deflating. Harold smiled, straightening up and went back inside. Robin walked out with his luggage and frowned.
“I am guessing that means you won’t be getting to see Yorkshire this year then?” he scowled.
“Doesn’t look like it no…” I kicked at small tufts of grass. Stupid Harold! “I’m sorry mate.”
Robin smiled. “Don’t be, it’s not your fault. We’ve had a funny old year haven't we?” he said softly as multicolour rainbow stars continued to fall over our heads. “Just make sure you can make it out for that one day with Sophie, Zara and me. And if you need me, this is my address and telephone number. Instructions on how to use them are on the back — I prepared it already,” he said handing me a detailed piece of parchment.
“Thanks,” I mumbled as Zara and Sophie made their way out with luggage floating behind their head. Sophie pulled Robin into a big hug.
“Avis,” said Zara softly, her brown eyes twinkling. “I wish we could have got to know each other sooner. See you over the summer yeah?” she grinned, before I hugged her tightly. “Our carriage is here, Sophie!” Zara and Sophie climbed into an all white carriage with white horses before sticking their heads out the window and waving as they took off into the air. Robin and I watched it shoot upwards into the rainbow and away, until it was just a spec.
The rest of the Condors moved out of the Hall and onto the grass. The grounds were filled with hugging, crying and waving people. The Magisteers stood as one on the Hall steps and waved away their pupils.
“Here’s me ride!” cried Hunter jumping forwards and clapping me and Robin on the back, before doing the same to the rest of the Condors. “See ya’ guys!” he cried before getting into a brown taxi carriage and shooting into the air.
“Ah… here’s mine,” said Robin surprised, as the small carriage with The Outside written on the side. He waved at Partington, Yearlove and others on the steps — Commonside didn't wave, having his head in a book of numbers. The carriage door opened and Robin took one last look back at the Condors, then me.
“Look after yourself mate. You know where I am…” the door clicked shut as the horses charged forwards — my best friend Robin Wilson shot up into the air and was gone.
Not long after that Jess and Florence took a carriage together. Then Jake and Gret took their very gothic, blacked out, lanterns lit and black lace curtained carriage.
They were followed by Graham, then Simon, Dennis then Ellen, Joanna and finally Dawn. I stood for twenty minutes waving them goodbye and watching all the people I knew get into carriages and shoot into the air. Others were passing through the iron gates, walking to the train station.
Straker stood glumly, having just said his goodbyes to the sixth year Centaurs. He glanced at me as I went to go back inside. “Wait,” he said turning away from the other Magisteers. “Look…” he held out his cupped hands and opened them revealing something with small metallic wings encircling a large, round eye.
“The Volumino!” I cried.
“Shhh!” he said putting a hand to my mouth. “I want you to have it.”
I swallowed, taken aback. “But Sir, it’s yours, I… I…”
“Just take it before I change my mind,” he said smiling. “I am pretty sure you have more need of it than I.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I said taking the Volumino, which felt soft and warm in my hand. It was so small. Its eye closed and cupped.
“I fixed it. You know how to work him.” Just then, Hayden Carmichael approached and tapped Straker on the shoulder. I turned away smiling from ear to ear. I couldn't believe it, the Volumino was mine!
I placed the sleeping winged eye into my robe pocket, before collecting my bags. “Nomusco,” I said and the bags shot into the air up behind my head — I moved up in the direction of Harold’s classroom. As I reached the top of the stairs I heard a voice call my name. I turned, standing in the doorway behind the Magisteers, was Tina. “Wait for me,” she said. A little butterfly jumped in my stomach — but why did she want to talk to me now?
“Arn’t you going to Jaspers for summer?” I said as we moved through the desolate hallway.
“No,” she said. “He’s going to come to mine for a week, maybe. Let’s go up to my Dad’s classroom. I want to tell you some things…”
Partington’s classroom looked strange with white sheets covering everything. Tina sat on one of the tables and flicked the hair out of her face. Outside the window, carriages continued to launch into the air, flinging up making a noise like a charging Wolfraptor, with lines of purple smoke contrails streaming through the rainbow sky until it looked like some amazing colourful artwork.
“I can’t be long,” I said. “I’ve got to go and find my brother Harold soon, he won’t like me being late,” my tone was short. I felt annoyed at her, really annoyed of her treatment of me over this last year and I couldn’t hide it in my voice.
“That play about Ernie was… s
omething wasn't it?” she said monotone.
“Suppose so.”
Tina leaned forwards. “I really am sorry,” she said softly, her beautiful face flashing imperceptible white lines in the sun light — the scars from last years Malakai attack. Her eyes swam with tears, but none fell.
I swallowed as a year of hurt bubbled to the surface. “Look, I am not jealous of you and Jasper, not anymore. I’m not even sure I was in the first place. Think I was just frustrated because I thought we were friends and then we weren’t. I didn't get an explanation…” I sighed, leaning back against the table as her glassy eyes watched me. “I know we would never have gone out, just friends I know that. But after everything we went through in first year, after the pact, I thought at least we had an understanding? And I know its my fault I accused Jasper of being Malakai. I really am sorry about that. I let the… frustration cloud my judgement and that was stupid. But I’m not jealous of you two being together, in fact, I think you are a brilliant pairing. He is a better man than I’ll ever be.” I couldn't help the cold, resentful tone creep in as I spoke.
Tina looked up slowly, lip trembling. “But I do like you, don’t you see that? I really, really do. I never stopped liking you.” A lone tear spilled down her face. “You don’t just stop liking someone. And I saw you and her together…”
“Who?”
“Zara Faraday. I got jealous. I can admit it.” She wiped her face — I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
“Why haven't you spoken to me all year then?” I said incredulous, all the lost time we could have spent together flashing through my minds eye.
Tina rubbed her eyes. “I really like Jasper too though, that’s whats messed up. And I caused all the problems this year. Nearly got you both killed!” she cried. “I was just trying to do what was best…”
“I don’t understand,” I said utterly confused, my heart beating a million miles an hour.
“I thought the pact would be safer if we stopped talking and going out with Jasper and being friends with you just complicated things. So I had to choose. Also, if I broke the pact Ernie would get into trouble and I didn't want to lose him again, not so soon after… everything. Him taking the credit for defeating Malakai has put him in a really precarious position you know that right? Now, he’s got to watch his back constantly, that some Darksider doesn't try and put a knife in it.”
Avis Blackthorn and the Magical Multicolour Jumper (The Wizard Magic School Series, Book 2) Page 38
