For Every Star in the Sky

Chapter 6

Defying Gravity

I awoke gasping from a nightmare, my body covered in a sheen of cold sweet and I felt clammy and disorientated. The nightmare had had a murky quality that made me feel nauseous. I was not the first nightmare i'd had like that, i'd been getting them for as long as I could remember, maybe once or twice a year. It was like I was seeing through someone else's eyes, although the images were fleeting and half-obscured and often made no sense at all.

As the images from tonights dream came back to me, I was horrified and had to dash for the bathroom, emptying the contents of my stomach. Shakily I remembered how I had crouched in the depths of a forest and drank from the blood of a unicorn I had slayed. Oh God, I thought as I lent over the toilet again. It was so hideously wrong. It wasn't just the fact that i'd been drinking blood, but the fact that it had been a unicorn: the sole symbol of purity. Unicorn's were highly revered creatures in every magical culture, and the understanding even passed over to muggle cultures to a certain degree. To an Artisan though, a unicorn was much more. Although Artisan's were not religious in the muggle concept, they did follow a set of strict rules and customs. The unicorn was considered a sacred creature to the Artisan, to slay one was to condemn the ultimate sin, above all others. The punishment for such a crime was death, the only crime to still carry the death penalty under English magical law.

It was something that had been drilled into me from the day I had set foot in the mysterious Artisan world. It was the reason Debutees tied their hair up with white ribbons, the reason that the S.C.A.R.A.B. used the unicorn as it's symbol. We were ruled by the them, we aspired to be everything they symbolised; to mimic their elegance and grace, their beauty, their purity. The thought that I had killed one, if only in my nightmare's was monstrous and I felt sullied and ashamed.

Shakily I stepped into the shower. I turned the water as hot as it could go so it scolded my skin, in an attempt to wash my impurity away. I felt only marginally better when I exited the bathroom. Glancing at the clock, the outer hands told me it was 5am and sounds from below told me my brother's and mistress had just arrived home. I decided any attempt at further sleep would be fruitless and instead dressed and made my way downstairs.

"Hello!" Aphrodite beamed, giving me an unexpected and enthusiastic hug, "Wha you doin up so early", He slurred, happily.

I couldn't stop the smile spreading across my face as Alcedo let out a chuckle and Ardor grinned like a Cheshire cat. Even Mrs. Pendragon seemed in high spirits.

"I couldn't sleep." I replied, calling for Dippy, one of morning elfs, to fetch us tea. "So, how did it go?" I asked eagerly.

Ardor grinned, throwing himself onto a chair. "Brilliant, he danced like a swan, sang like a lark, exchanged small talk to like a foreign dignitary and drank like a bottomless pit."

Almus laughed, as Aphrodite giggled, "Although, I think all that drinks caught up with him." He said, pushing the boy into a chair.

I don't think i'd ever seen Mrs. Pendragon so happy in her life. "An exceptional performance, and to think we always had such reservations. I take my hat off to you Alcedo for such excellent mentoring, I see a very bright future for you indeed."

Ardor frowned at this, most likely thinking of Ares and his own failed mentoring.

Almus smiled at his son, "Stop scowling Ardor, Ares was always such a wild spirit. I know you have both put you hearts into supporting your brother and what a performance! Congratulations, Sam." He said, softly.

I jumped at hearing Aphrodite's birth name. Although close family and friends were permitted to use a Debut's birth name in private, Mrs. Pendragon was a very firm believer in 'establishing character as early as possible' and frowned upon it. I'd almost forgotten Aphrodite had once been a boy not so different from me, sold to the House as an orphan. He looked so very different now, so happy and content and even though his make-up was flaking as his robes were a skew, he still seemed to radiate beauty and self-confidence.

"Was it a big audience?" I had only ever performed in the Academy theatre for exams and the yearly display. The Lughna Theatre was immense in comparison, it could seat 2,000 people, although many of the private boxes were only occupied for major performances. A Debut's finally performance usually attracted a large crowd and was followed by an after party in the S.C.A.R.A.B.'s Main Hall. I could only imagine performing in front of such a large crowd and having to make small talk with so many people, it must have been terrifying.

"A very good turn out." Mrs. Pendragon replied, pouring herself a up of tea. "No filled of course, but very impressive none the less and we had plenty of interest at the after party. Give it a few hours and the bids will be flying in."

Aphrodite flushed, then gaged as he drank his tea. Almus thrust a two potion vials at him. "Drink those, we need you sober and fully revitalised by this evening."

I watched him drink down the potions obediently, pulling a face at the taste. "Drink your tea." Almus ordered. "I'll fetch Tia to help undress you and Dippy will run you a bath. You'll need to soak for a good hour to get that ink off before you go to bed."

I watched as they gradually left the kitchen, even Mrs. Pendragon choosing to take a few hours kip. Soon I was left to myself and I practiced levitating napkins while I ate breakfast. I used the magic in the air to create a small wind, causing them to float around the room in a fairly precarious manner. I wanted to be able to do it like wizards did, using the magic within me to move the objects more accurately, but every time I'd tried I'd just caused things to blow up or catch fire. Now I was banned from practicing magic outside of class. I floated a napkin higher in a half-hearted protest.

By the time Peter made it down to breakfast I was getting ready to leave, Salto case in one hand and books in the other. "Good luck with your name seeing."

He gave me a sleepy groan in response, his long russet hair falling messily down his shoulders and his robes only half done up. I rolled my eyes and stole a piece of toast and made my way to the Academy. As I entered the main platza I was surprised to see a large crowd gathered outside the S.C.A.R.A.B. Building.

"What's going on?" I asked a group of students, who were sitting by the purity fountain, watching the crowd.

"That new education bill's just been passed, people are pretty upset because they've kept it all so hush-hush," Said a blonde boy, who I knew from a House across the street. "We're waiting to see if anyone from the authority's going to make a speech."

Glancing around, I noticed the more and more people were gathering in the plaza, and not only Artisan's, there were plenty of Wizards too. "What's it about, then?"

The only girl in the group, probably the child of one of the shop-keepers, spoke up. "They're going to make all students between the age of 11 and 17 take lessons at Hogwarts."

I must have been looking at her like she was crazy, because she suddenly became all defensive. "It's true! Ask anyone! My dad's an Artisan, he says they've been trying to do this for ages!"

I nodded, remembering what Peter had said, "I believe you. I just....it's insane, we just don't have time! What about Debut's? What about Master Artisan's? They can't make them go back to school!"

"Of course they can't," Agreed one of the boys, "Apparently if you gain your Mastership, you don't have to attend. They'll probably make my brother's take their Private Debut's early so they don't have to go."

I nodded again, but still couldn't quite believe what I was hearing. "But we'll have to go?"

The boy nodded, solemnly. "Yes. No way out of it. We have to board too, which I think is just silly, I mean how are Debut's supposed to see clients if they're at Hogwarts months of the year?"

"What about are the Academy though, we can't just stop taking our lessons!" I exclaimed, dismayed. How was I ever going to become a Master Artisan if I had to stop taking lessons at the beginning of my Debut!

"Apparently we only have to take a few wizarding classes in the mornings and we take our normal classes in the afternoons." The boy explained.

"Why do we have to stay there then?" I asked confused, "Surely it would make more sense if we just flooed to Hogwarts for our lessons."

The boy nodded, "Ridiculous isn't it?" He said, fiercely. "Something to do with inter-cultural relations, wanting us to produce a new magical nation 'with greater co-operation and understanding'. I mean whats wrong with the way things are now?"

"It's going to destroy us." A brown-haired boy sudden;y spoke up.

We all looked at him in surprise. No one wanted this to happen, but that was probably going a bit far.

The boy had a pensive look on his face. "Think about it. They want us to grow up with wizarding children, to learn their magic and culture. But that not all they want. They want us to share our culture with them, they want to understand us, every last detail about us. We survive through secrecy and mystery, we use magic in ways they don't understand to entertain them, capture their imagination by creating a fantasy world that doesn't really exist. If they learn all out secrets we'll have nothing left, we won't be Artisan's anymore."

A stunned silence fell over the group. Suddenly a camera flash blinded me and when i'd blinked my vision back, I saw a lady with blonde girls and hideous glasses smiling at us. She wore a lilac witches hat. "Make I quote you on that, young man?" She asked the boy who had made the revelation.

"Um, actually I'd rather you didn't." He stammered, nervously. I noticed that people were beginning to notice the reporter and a group was beginning to gather around us.

"How do you feel about going to Hogwarts? Nervous? Excited? Are you scared you might be bullied?" She fired the questions rapidly at them. She turned to me, I was the only one standing and apparently the obvious target. "Do you feel like your customs are not being respected? Do you have something to hide?" She asked, then smiled like Christmas had come early, when I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.

"Ah, Harry Potter. Wonderful! Could we get a picture please?" She didn't wait for my reply as she the floating camera flashed away. Startled, I tried to edge away. "How do you feel about this bill, Mr. Potter? How would you respond to people who've accused you of being the intended target for this bill? Has there been any ill-regard between you and your fellow students?" She smiled sweetly, waiting for a response.

I groaned inwardly, well if my fellow students wern't blaming me before, they would be now she'd put the seed in their head. Not only that, I was starting to feel frustrated and guilty. I wasn't my fault really, I couldn't help it if the wizard's wanted to control my magic, could I?

See my face fall, the reporter jumped at this, "Feeling a little guilty, are we Potter? Would you say that you're dangerous? Do you think your magic could hurt someone?"

More photos went off and there was some jeering from the crowd. Suddenly there was some jostling from the crowd and a group of people burst through. A lady, who I recognised to be the head of the Academy, stood at the front fuming, several wizards stood behind her. "How dare you?" She shrieked. "How dare you insinuate such things about one of my students! He's a minor, you should not be interviewing him without his House Mistress present either."

The reporter didn't look at all put off. "He's also the boy-who-lived. People want to hear about him, you can't deny the world their hero."

"Be that as he may, your accosting manner of interviewing is completely inappropriate, Ms. Skeeter." A old man stepped forward in hideously lashing wizards robes. I recognised him from the papers and the day of my auction. I looked around anxiously and was slightly relieved to see that the dark-haired man 'Severus', who I thought was probably a teacher was with him. I then mentally scolded myself for wanting him to be there. I didn't even know him, why was I bothered by it? He looked at me again and once again that feeling of electricity went down my spine. The headmaster glanced at us in surprise as though he'd felt it and Severus quickly diverted his eyes.

The reporter had backed down now, but the crowd had not dispersed, as though they were waiting for the two head teachers to say something further. The Hogwarts headmaster seemed to have anticipated this and turned to the crowd.

"Myself and the head of the Pegasus Academy will be working together to limit disruption to the student's important Artisan training and I assure you will make every effort to create a smooth transition for both our students, so they make achieve a better inter-school and inter-cultural relationship. It is important to preserve every part of our heritage, customs and culture, particularly something as delicate and elusive as the Artisan. However, we also look to the future for a better cultural understanding the next generation of magical Britain in the hope of preventing such atrocities that have occurred in recent decades. This magical bill, although not welcomed by al, will help us achieve things goal, but only if we all work together as a magical community to support it."

The wizard exchanged a look with my head teacher and turned to me. "I'm looking forward to seeing you at Hogwarts, Harry. I trust you will do you best to try and make the transition as smooth as possible."

I blinked, confused. Just what exactly did the headmaster think I was going to do? Throw bung-bombs in the corridor? Refuse to attend lessons? If I had to attend Hogwarts, then I would do so, and it was more than my life's worth not to try my hardest at my lessons. It was drummed into us; hard work made a good Artisan, a good Artisan made a free Artisan. "Of course, Headmaster." I replied, politely. "I look forward to attending."

"Of course you do," Muttered Severus, sarcastically. I looked at him wide-eyed, feeling a little hurt. He didn't even no me? Why did he think I would lie? Catching my eye, he looked for a moment a little surprised, as though he'd expected to catch me out.

"Such expressive eyes," Skeeter interrupted, "Do you take training in that, dear?"

Severus scowled at her and she took a step back alarmed, then recovered herself quickly. "Professor Snape, I believe you have some Artisan associates, will you be attending Mr. Potter's Debut? I believe its in three weeks."

Severus snarled at the lady, he seemed annoyed to have been put on the spot. I looked up at him, I tried not to look to hopeful, but I was useless at concealing my emotions, my eyes always gave me away. Onyx eyes stared back at, until suddenly Severus looked away as the headmaster interrupted them.

"We would be delighted to attend Harry's Debut, it would be very a very appropriate way for us to show are support. It's been such a long time since I've seen a solo performance, it would be our pleasure." He beamed, his eyes twinkling. Severus looked completely taken aback.

The Academy Mistress, interrupted, although she seemed very pleased with the development. "Thanks very kind of you Headmaster, Professor Snape," She nodded at Severus. "Now I really must insist you boys get to class, you've very late."

Realising just how late we were and how much trouble we'd be in with our teachers, the five of us immediately scrambled for are things and made a dash for it. Hastily making a bow to the headmistress as we passed. "I say," Headmaster Dumbledore exclaimed, delightedly. "They're very enthusiastic to get to class."

The headmistress smiled, smugly. "My students have excellent discipline and understand the importance of their education."

As I brushed passed Professor Snape, someone tripped me up, sending me head first. My Salto box flew from my hand, bouncing off the stone floor, the clasp clicked open and I watched in slow motion as my Salto bands flew into the air. Gasping, I scrambled to my feet. Snape had his wand out, but I got their first, raising my hand I summoned a strong wind. It tugged violently at my robes, but held the Salto bands just above the floor, before they could land. Letting out a relieved sigh, I lowered them gently to the floor and placed them lovingly into their box. Standing up I noticed the crowd was deadly silent, every single pair of eyes was on me. Swallowing, I did the only thing I could think of; I pretended I was in full Debut regalia, my face behind a mask of make-up and held my head up high, made a low graceful bow to Snape and slowly glided away.

Only when I was safely out of sight inside the Academy did I let my shoulders slump and broke into a full run. My heart felt like is was about to pound right out of my chest. How many times had Mrs. Pendragon told me never to practical the Arts in public? I was going to be in so much trouble when she found out! Not only that, I'd done it in front of reporters! Knowing my luck, someone had probably managed to take a few shots!

I stopped short of the classroom, lent against my forehead against the wall and tried to take deep calming breaths. On the up side, I had saved my Salto bands. Although, I should never fallen over in the first place. My custom's teacher would be furious: an Artisan never trips or stumbles, let alone falls flat on his face in public, in front of the press no less. I groaned, eternally embarrassed. I would never have the natural grace Ardor had, nor Peter's public confidence. However, I thought straightening my robes and hair, the astonished look on my soon-to-be Professor's face had been priceless. With a grim smile I opened the classroom door, prepared to take my punishment.