SOLVED. The Sorcerer's Apprentice? [s]

[Melania]

I wanted to search for a book dear to me that I read when I was younger, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. I don't remember the author at all, but I'm pretty sure the title was something along the lines of 'Sorcerer's Apprentice'.
Here's what I can remember of the plot:
The protagonist, a young boy, was sold by his parents to a man who carved magic stones (I don't remember their purpose), and a side effect of carving those stones was getting silver residue imprinted on his skin and hair. In other words, he has silver hair. He somehow escaped, and almost died malnourished on the streets, until he met a girl who was selling fish, who agreed to give him food if he helps her. They continue to journey together. I'm not sure of most of the middle bits, but here are some details about them: they can both have magical talent, and they find that they're pretty powerful too along the way. The girl's father was an abusive drunkard so she ran away from home. The silver residue on the boy's hair and skin was harming him, it was a miracle he was alive at his age. They were either being followed or were in hiding from the ruler of the country because he was prosecuting magic people. There were some human headed birds which were attracted to strong magic people, so they followed them around.
The cover of the version I read was silver with many bird silhouettes. I've searched many book lists but nothing seemed to match. Please inform me if you know of it. Thank you!

[Kris]

Melania, around what year did you read this book? This will help narrow down the search.

[Anna]

The Spellgrinder’s Apprentice

[Melania]

Anna, thank you so much! That is exactly what I was looking for!