A strange way of fortune- telling or The enchanted book

" devil, what do you suppose this is", James Tarleton exclaimed to his friends, Thomas Shofield and several others of the militia's officers. Tomorrow the army would face Napoleon Bonaparte, in battle, at Waterloo. They had all been gathered around the campfire when Thomas had said some kind of a mock fortune-telling spell, to enable them to see his future. A moment afterward a large book had fallen abruptly on James's head.

" I don't know" Thomas gaped " it looks like I summoned forth some kind of a book"

"no," said Reggie winters sarcastically," It's a pigeon"

"shut up" Said Thomas

They all gathered around the book. It was small, on the cover there was a picture of two young women, and it was titled Sorcery and Cecelia or the enchanted chocolate pot.

"Ay Thomas, I wonder why your future concerns those two women" laughed Jerry Sheridan

Thomas ignored him, but he noticed that there was writing on the back. He motioned for James to read it.

"A great deal is happening in London this season.-

"So, Thomas you make it out alive"- Thomas grunted, he wanted to know more
For starters, there's the witch who tried to poison Kate at Sir Hilary's induction into the Royal College of Wizards.

"Good god that horrid prat gets in the royal college" Thomas exclaimed angrily, grabbing the book from James so he could read it himself.

"What on earth do they think they're doing"

"forget Sir Hilary, read on, this is interesting"

Thomas continued reading

(Since when does hot chocolate burn a hole straight through one's dress?!)-

" It can, I never knew that" exclaimed Alan tailworth

" I didn't know you wore dresses" sniggered Reggie

Then there's Dorothea. Is it a spell that's made her the toast of the town--or could it possibly have something to do with the charm-bag under Oliver's bed?
And speaking of Oliver, just how long can Cecelia and Kate make excuses for him? Ever since he was turned into a tree, he hasn't bothered to tell anyone where he is!

"Obviously, if he was turned into a tree he wouldn't tell anyone"
The girls might think it all a magical nightmare . . . if only they weren't having so much fun.

"Now, Thomas its time for you to explain to us, who are Cecelia and Kate" laughed Sheridan

"That's the strange part" Thomas said," I have no idea"

"Well you're about to find out", said James, he flipped to the first page and began reading.