Avis Blackthorn and the Magical Multicolour Jumper (The Wizard Magic School Series, Book 2) (11 page)

In
the first week of December my misery slowly reached fever pitch. The routine became too much, the getting up at five every day to go and do the cooking, followed by backbreaking building. Then the lesson
s
—
not being able to concentrate through lack of sleep, lack of food and most of all, lack of friends. I hardly saw Robin, or Tina, or Ernie — sometimes he waved to me from his form table in the Chamber, before resuming with his work. Ernie was widely recognised as the most talented pupil in the school and was looked up to by all. I wondered what would have happened if everyone knew it was me that defeated Malakai? I wonder. I felt an all encompassing despair wash over me, maybe they would have treated me differently — treated me like a saviour, not the outcast belonging to an evil family. It’s a weird feeling to have but I wanted Mother. Not my Mother,
a
mother. I wanted a nice Mother who could hold me and tell me everything was going to be ok. But, I didn't have one like that. My mother was evil. I don't think she had ever hugged me in my entire life.

My misery compounded totally after a particularly hard lesson with Magisteer Commonside, in which he tested our knowledge of the numerological table over and over, until I fell asleep. Robin wasn't in the lesson, he was sick — reckons he ate a dodgy pie and spent most of the night in the Healers room. Poor guy. Commonside was enraged at the apparent apathy in his lessons and barked at us: “It’s as if you don't think Numerology worthy of your time! Let me tell you this, if you are ever to pass your P.W.W’s, then you must know the difference between a number under the Law of Richardson and a Solvent number!” It was the most animated I’d ever seen him. “You don't bother with homework, or learning the chart—” he blew, red faced.

“Sir please,” said Florence. “All our free time is spent rebuilding the Riptide Stadium.”

“Yeah,” said Grettle. “We don’ have the time to do ‘homework and such.”

Commonside sighed and told us to leave early. When we left, relived, I saw Tina waiting outside for me. She looked happy and was smiling, she was so beautiful — her wavy brown hair was up in a bun and her eyes dark, twinkling and wonderful.

“Hey,” she said smiling that wondrous white smile. But before I’d said anything, a voice behind me said: “Hello gorgeous,” — Jasper Gandy pushed past me and took Tina’s outstretched hand. She grinned up at him, before turning away and walking off down the stone stairs as I stood dumb in the corridor, quite alone.

“Don’ they make a lovely couple…” said a passing Swillow.

Utter rage pierced my heart. Pain like I’ve never felt before boiledinside my stomac
h
— I bent forwards feeling sick. She didn't even see me? I was standing right next to her and she looked straight through me. Nothing felt worse than that. Jasper Gandy? Really? She was going out with him? Ok, he was tall and good looking, with his nice skin and hair but just…
WHY?!
What had I done to deserve this? I thought she liked
me
? She cried at the end of last year when I left to go home—I assumed that things would carry on as they were from the end of last year. But if that disgusting vile witch Simone hadn't have put me in detention, then this would never have happened! All of a sudden blue light popped up in front of me.

“NO!” I cried, but I was too late. The apparitions evil face blasted me with freezing cold ice water. “
AHHHHH
!” I screamed.

“NOW get to your DETENTION!” it called before shooting away.

I was drenched and shivering. Nothing could get worse than this. I fell to my knees, hot tears warming my freezing face. I stood and started in the direction of the kitchens — the rage inside me irrepressible.

“AHH!” I screamed swinging my hand at a suit of armour. It exploded in a flash of bright orange. The air fizzed and crackled as the rage inside me threatened to explode like a bomb. The suit of armour lay scattered in pieces, but it did nothing to replace the torrent waves of emotion that now swept through me like an avalanche.

WOOOO—WOOOO
! Came a shrill noise behind me. A big white Occulus jumped past me and whizzed down the corridor, making a loud siren noise. Now I was in for it. But I didn't care.

I couldn't sleep that night. The image of Jasper and Tina hand in hand swirled through my mind. I tossed and turned in bed, the writhing sick feeling in the pit of my stomach just would not budge. Robin was in the Healer’s room so I couldn't tell him. I just always thought me and Tina would… I don't know. Go out? But then who was I kidding? I was small, scrawny and had a sloping, un-symmetrical face, as Mother always reminded me. I couldn't compete with someone like Jasper. She looked at him earlier, like she looked at me last year.

Hatred for Jasper streamed through my veins — I hated him more than anyone, even my family, and that was saying something.

Expecting more punishment for smashing the suit of armour to bits, I was surprised when nothing materialised — no one came to tell me that I would now be in the kitchen for the rest of the year. In fact, there was some good news. Hunter and I were told we had finished our detentions.

“Thought I was gonna go mad if I had to another day in there!” said Hunter, heading straight towards the Chamber rubbing his stomach.

***

After
a few days off, Robin was better again and came back to our dorm. I was using the time I had back from not having detention, to sleep. It felt wonderful, except for the fact that even in my dreams Jasper’s laughing face cackled next to Tina — her face dreamy and docile, spellbound by love spells.

“What’s up with you mate?” said Robin coming back from the showers drying his hair. All the other boys were outside, relaxing in the glorious sun that was beating down very hot for December. I rolled over on my bed and said it was nothing.

“That’s a lie,” said Robin. “I know I’ve been sick but I’m not blind. Is it the building work?”

“No,” I said a little impatiently, rolling over again.

“What then? You should be happy, no more detentions, the stadiums nearly built, we’ll be back to normal soon.”

I shrugged. “Normal. What’s that?”

“Goodness me, you are depressed. I’ll have to take you to the Healer’s room if you start sounding any more down.”

“Don’t be stupid,” I said pulling my blanket a little closer. This time last year I was living in the clock tower high up in the school. A big part of me felt like running back up there.

After dressing Robin sighed happily, saying he felt much better now. “Done any homework?” he said.

“Sod homework.”

Robin put his towel in the wash basket. “Come on, let’s go for a walk round the grounds. It is Sunday, might as well go enjoy your new found freedom.”

Robin could be persuasive and I felt myself wander after him around the sunny grounds. I scowled, the sun giving me a headache, I wasn't used to it. Nearly everyone was out here which annoyed me even more. I just wanted to be alone. Not even the wandering trees who bowed to people as they passed cheered me up. Or the statues that were serenading a bunch of fifth years with a small water show.

“You are really grumpy,” Robin laughed.

“I saw something when I fell from the stadium,” I said bluntly. “I think it was responsible for the swinging rafter.”

“We were all talking about that, no one understands who it could be. I thought maybe it was David Starlight. Sorry I’m rambling, what did you see?”

“It was… a hunched figure, cloaked, I couldn't see what, but it was small.”

“Well, that narrows it down. So you think someone tried to…
kill you?
”

I sighed. “I don't know… maybe, as revenge for Malakai or something. Your guess is as good as mine.”

“Is that why your depressed?” said Robin.

“What? No!” I sighed and kicked at the gravel. “It’s… Tina.”

“Tina? You two had an argument?” he said puzzled.

“No, she’s going out with Jasper bloody Gandy!” I said unable to control the emotion in my voice. Robin’s face lit up with surprise. “I saw them the other day, she looked straight through me like I was invisible. They held hands.”

“They’re actually official then?”

“What?” I said sharply.

Robin stopped. “Don’t tell me you couldn't see it happening? It was obvious!”

CHAPTER SIX

The Jasper Gandy Show

If
anything, I felt worse after telling Robin. It was now common knowledge about Tina and Jasper. I had no one to talk to, or moan to rather. Jake gave me a sympathetic look as I sat glum by the fireside in the dorm, but then he told me to pull myself together, in typical Golandrian style (lot’s of swearing).

Christmas was fast approaching, the weather the biggest giveaway. Frost clawed at the window every morning, our breath reaching out in front of us as we woke, before someone aimed their arm at the fire and pumped some much needed heat into the room. It didn't do anything to thaw the icy shard that had pierced my heart though, at least that’s what it felt like. A sick, crippling feeling that rendered me useless, nothing interested me. Lessons? Pah. Food, no chance. Homework? Definitely not. Robin tried his best, offering me countless walks around the grounds. “I said no!” I cried, causing Graham to drop his ink pot all over the floor before glowering at me.

“Do you know how much these cost?” he barked. “I am not rich like some people who come from castles.”

I ignored him and rolled over in bed. Idiots.

Everyone was talking about their Christmas plans, which annoyed me. I didn't like Christmas, what was there to like about it? If you’d have grown up with an evil family you’d know what I mean.

***

Yearlove prowled around the outside of the circle of chairs. “So, Freddie if you wanted to stop an attacker in their tracks, what two spells would you fuse together?”

Freddie, a tall boy with bad skin from the Swillows form pitched his face in concentration, as Robin twitched next to me, desperate to answer. “Erm… is it… Dancidious and…” he swallowed, then shook his head. “Don't know.”

“Dancidious is correct, that’s the first… Jasper, what’s the second?”

“
Prohebe
Sir?” said Jasper smiling sickeningly.

“Correct,” said Yearlove surprised. “That’s the first person to have got that right in this stage of lessons for a number of years. Well done.” A shiny gold star popped into the air and flew over to Jaspers robe, pinning itself proudly on his robes. Tina looked up at him adoringly and mouthed
well done.
It was enough to induce a vomiting attack. I felt my eyes roll, I couldn't stand him. The way he spoke, his smile, his horrible voice, the way he and Tina held each others hands under the chair — just all grated on me. I sat seething silently, sinking down as far as I could into the high backed chair, hardly hearing a word Yearlove was saying.

Robin sighed. “I knew that!” he whispered. I smiled, as Robin now glowered over at Jasper who received adorning glances for the first gold star handed out by Yearlove. “That should have been mine.”

“Now then… for another gold star, who can tell me what this spell is called?” said Yearlove, an illusion of a cartoon man stood in the middle of the room. Then suddenly he collapsed like a puppet into the ground. Yearlove looked around as Robin nearly jumped out of his seat, raising his hand high into air. “Yes, Robin?”

“It’s—”

But before he could say anything, Jasper butted in. “—
Tabeo-Ossa
Sir? It liquidates the bones…”

“Correct!” cried Yearlove, flashing his hand as another golden star flashed towards Jaspers chest.

“
Whhaaaat
?” was all Robin could manage.

“You flipping git!” I called at Jasper angrily, unable to help it. “That was Robin’s turn to answer you stupid glory seeker!”

“Avis?” said Tina. “Calm down.”

“Chill out my friend,” said Jasper snarling as the gold star fizzed on his chest. The rest of the class were all looking at me with curious looks. I swallowed and sat back in the chair.

Robin whispered under his breath. “You didn't have to do that mate.”

“Like I said at the start of the year,” said Yearlove. “There are no rules in this class.”

“Yeah well maybe there should be.” I couldn't help it as a few people clenched their jaws awkwardly. Yearlove chewed his lip looking peeved, before choosing to ignore me and move on. I didn't care. Why should Jasper get away with such rudeness? It just increased my dislike of him a hundredfold.

At the end of the lesson Yearlove asked me to wait behind. I stayed in my chair as Robin indicated that he would meet me in the Chamber for lunch afterwards. I nodded, moodily awaiting my fate. More detentions? Talking broke out amongst everyone as they packed up. Tina and Jasper packing their bags together as Freddie turned to them both.

“Tina, did you know your boyfriend is the best Riptide player in our form?”

“Really?” Tina crooned, grinning a bright white smile up at Jasper who grinned. “I learn of his many talents each and every day.”

A couple of other boys from Tina’s form chimed in. “He’s actually probably the best we’ve played against at lunch time,” said Henry, a blonde, rather unkempt boy.

“Unplayable!” said Jeffrey Parsons, from Tina’s form. He had longer hair than most girls. The kid looked like an Orc.

“Oh please you lot,” said Jasper. “You’ll make me blush.” Again, the sickening tone he used went right through me like fingernails on a chalkboard.

Tina grinned. “There’s defiantly something attractive about a great Riptide player…”

After a short talk from Yearlove, I saw Ernie coming the other way down The Big Walk away from the Hall. He was carrying a huge mound of books that teetered, he said something and they hovered into the air behind him. “Homework!” he cried.

“Seriously?”

“No, not seriously. They’re books for Dad, I mean, Magisteer Partington. I’m trying to get on his good side, because he keeps nagging me about getting a hair cut,” he laughed.

“It’s not that long.”

“If you know my Dad, you know the only way to stop him nagging is get on his good side. What’s up with you?” he said frowning at my dark expression.

“Nothing, just…”

“You know you can tell me anything right, after what happened last year I owe you big time.”

I sighed, while that was true, I had told Ernie a lot of secrets when he was a ghost and could probably trust him with anything, the fact is, the reason I was so miserable was to do with his sister. And that was the one thing I couldn't talk to him about. “No, it’s nothing. It’s er… actually you can help me. Did you play Riptide when you were—”

“Alive? Of course. Just go down the West Wing, near the Lily’s office where all the trophies are,” he said winking.

“Oh really?” I said as some giggling girls from the forth year passed by pointing at Ernie. “So… what would I need to do to be really good? Are there any…
secrets
that could help?”

A thick grin crept across Ernie’s mouth. “It can be…
easier
, when you know what to look for,” he teased.

“Like what?”

“Ornaments. They are placed in the Habitat by a spell formula. If you can work out the formula, like I did, then you can work out where they will most likely be,” his words sunk into my brain like a revelation.

“What formula?”

Ernie laughed and looked around. “You’ll have to find that our for yourself, like I did.” He flicked his finger at the books and marched off. “Check the Library,” he called.

“What did Yearlove say?” said Robin scoffing a large slab of jam tart and custard.

“Asked me what was wrong. I said nothing. That was about it.”

Robin wiped his chin. “I like Yearlove, he’s nice. Anyone else would have given you detention for a year,” he said indicating Simone at the Magisteer’s table.

“I was only standing up for you, that was out of bloody order what Jasper did!”

“Language!” said Dawn. “I don't want to hear words like that at the dinner table.”

“Well, spell your ears shut then!” I cried. Everyone on the table gasped. I felt my face grow a little red as I shrunk back in the chair scowling, feeling all their shocked eyes rest on me.

Ellen put her sandwich down. “Avis, you can’t speak to Dawn like that, nor anyone.”

“Say sorry,” said Jake.

“
Whaaat
?” I said, balking at Jake’s serious stare. I looked around at their expectant faces. “Fine! Sorry Dawn.” Dawn sniffed.

Robin leaned closer and whispered “You need to get your temper under control,” he said, looking down his nose at me with a serious expression.

“Whatever. Listen, you know our Riptide matches will be just after the Christmas break right?” Robin nodded. “If it’s going be anything like last year then it will be another utter humiliation…”

“Yeah so? What’s your plan?” said Robin impatiently.

“I spoke to Ernie a little while ago, he reckons that there is a
formula
to finding the Ornaments. And that there are books in the Library about how to win. Imagine it, actually winning at Riptide?” Robin’s eyes lit up, imagining the success and fame that being a great Riptide player brings — one look over at the Centaurs table told you how highly Wizards prize Riptide players — it was packed with adoring fans.

“But… won’t it be like… cheating?”

I couldn't think of anything to say and paused a second too long. “No… it’s just… giving ourselves an advantage.” Robin was almost sold. “Imagine, everyone in the crowd cheering your name as we win with a Libero-Manus! All the girls coming to watch…” something changed in his face. He was sold.

I’ll be honest, it was a crafty move. I had an inkling that he liked a girl from the year above us, which was hilarious enough — but I had no idea who, he wouldn't tell me, denying all knowledge whenever I mentioned it. Robin always kept things close to his chest. But this, I knew, would seal his inclusion in my dastardly plan.

***

“
You
are second years now, of course you are allowed in the Library,” said Partington.

Robin scoffed, as if it was a joke, then seeing Partington’s puzzled face said. “When did this happen?”

“All second years are allowed in the Library, just ask the librarian what you are after. She’s very nice and will show you around.”

I sighed, all this year we could have walked straight in? “Why aren’t first years allowed in Sir?”

“Don't want them seeing things they’re not ready for,” said Partington, his owl-like face fixed on fiddling with something on his desk. “Blowing their spark and such, very messy for all involved. No, it’s much safer to just wait until the second year when you’ve build up a resistance to it, and your subconscious has let all the information sink in.”

Graham, who was rocking back on his chair then chimed in. “Sir, when are we going to practice Riptide?”

Partington chewed his cheek. “Obviously the stadium falling down put a dent in that. But, as soon as its back up, we will be able to put our name down on the practice sheet and be allocated some time slots.”

“But Sir,” said Gret. “Da’ season starts almost as soon as we get back from Christmas?”

“Well, we shall have to fit it in wherever we can.”

A part of me sensed that Partington had all but given up any hopes of us doing well in Riptide.

“I can’t believe no one told us that we could go straight to the Library,” I fumed.

“I know!” Robin steamed sharing my frustration, he liked books almost as much as me. “Not one Magisteer mentioned it! Think of the homework I could have improved!” he whimpered.

“Why do you want to go to the Library?” said Hunter disdainfully behind us, clearly he didn't think they were much fun.

“Because,” I said. “They have books. Books have information. Information is powerful.”

“Pfft, I’d rather go do fun things with my free time, what there is of it,” he said following Graham, Simon, Jake and Gret outside with two flounders under their arms, (flounders are Riptide balls, one red and one blue).

Robin and I pushed the huge golden trimmed double doors of the Library open and walked inside. Noise hit us like a steam train, it was absolutely crammed full. Every available space was taken up with someone — people climbing huge ladders to the top of teetering bookshelves that reached as high as the cathedral high ceiling. Tables were crammed full of sixth and seventh years hunched over books and piles of paper. Haughty, flitting blue ghosts zapped from one place to another tidying books away, and snapping at anyone who made a noise.

“Ouch!” said a third year boy who was shaking the ladder of his friend and giggling, until a fat ghost clapped him round the head.

“Ok,” I whispered across to Robin. “We just need to find some books on Riptide…”

But something very frustrating happened. Apart from all the people getting in the way and constant buzz of low level noise, there was the incredibly annoying factor of ghosts popping up in front of us at almost every book shelf.

“You can’t go down here!” it whispered loudly, for the fifth time.

“Then where are we allowed?” I said, before receiving a very hard, cold slap.

“Keep your voice down! Second years are allowed over there, those three bookshelves.”

“
Three
?” I said before it disappeared. Turned out, we may as well not be allowed in the Library, for the three bookshelves we were allowed to read from where useless. Introductions to things we already knew, or some other pointless, useless drive
l
— entry-level books.

“It wasn't like this when we broke in last year,” said Robin. “There were no restrictions then, look over there where those fifth years are, that’s where I read that book about
Dancidious
, the spell blocker.”

“That settle’s it,” I said. “We break in. Tonight.”