Okay, so I've never written a fanfic based on the Chrestomanci series (which, I may add, is not mine – neither are any of the characters), but I've decided to give it a try. So… please read and reviews are loved.

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Chapter 1

Janet Chant was bored. She was always bored when Julia and Rodger were having their witchcraft lessons with Mr Saunders and Cat was learning God knows what with Chrestomanci. Well, at least it was Wednesday, and in about an hour the other young people would be free to do as they pleased.

She loved living here, in this world, but having a bit of magic would make it just perfect.

Janet absentmindedly wandered past the front door, which was thrown open, waking her from her daydream. Standing in the doorway was a man. He looked around the same age as Chrestomanci, but was probably slightly younger.

"Hello" he said in a cheerful voice, spotting her. "Is Christopher available?"

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Cat was getting seriously annoyed now. He hated the way Chrestomanci had of just zoning out. He knew, of course, that the vaguer Chrestomanci seemed towards something, the more interested he was in it, but staring out of the window and completely forgetting that Cat was there was taking it a little far. Cat cleared his throat loudly.

Chrestomanci turned back round, blinking in what seemed to be vague surprise. "My apologies, Cat, my mind was elsewhere."

"Yes, I got that" Cat thought, but although he was on rather friendly terms with the man now, he still wasn't quite ready to say this out loud.

Chrestomanci blinked. "Well, Cat, I'd say we've been here long enough for today, wouldn't you?"

Startled by this abrupt dismissal, Cat nodded, stood up and left the room.

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Cat found Janet speaking to a man he thought he vaguely remembered seeing once before, at one of the big dinners or something.

"Christopher?" he heard Janet stutter. She was obviously quite taken aback by this man.

The man nodded. "Ah, I see. What I meant to say is-" he stopped, seeing Cat come nearer. "Ah, you must be Eric!"

"Yes, I am." was all Cat said as he stood warily beside Janet.

"Or is it, as I hear, Cat?" the man asked, smiling at them both.

Janet nodded dumbly.

"No need to be so shy, you know, I won't bite."

Cat and Janet were unsure how to reply to this. Fortunately, distraction arrived in the form of Chrestomanci's wife, Millie.

The man smiled as he saw her approach. "Millie. You look wonderful."

"Take a hint from this man, Cat." Millie said as she approached the three. "Flattery will get you everywhere. Now, shall I let Christopher know you're here? Or shall we surprise him?"

"A surprise would be good for that man." The Stranger replied, grinning.

"You know, I quite agree." Millie said thoughtfully. She and the man set off, and she turned back to beckon to the children to join them.

Cat and Janet glanced at each other, but neither could see any answers in the others expression.

With a slight nod to each other, they followed.

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Well, there ya have it, the first chapter. Reviews, anyone?