"Septimus, you really need to stop messing around with that dragon."

"But Marcia, Spit Fyre's getting restless. I ought to take him out for a good fly before it starts getting too hot, or he'll just cause trouble."

The imposing ExtraOrdinary Wizard examined her Apprentice. The thought of the Ordinary Wizards forming a mob to get after her for the damage done by Spit Fyre was really quite unappealing, but on the other hand, Septimus really needed to work a little bit. He was still spending too much time poring over the I, Marcellus and all that other Alchemie and Physik nonsense.

"Fine, but quickly," Marcia relented. Septimus had just approached the door when pounding footsteps echoed through the tower.

"I'm sorry, Miss," Catchpoles' voice told the Person, "but I'm afraid I cannot allow entrance."

"This is a Matter of life and death, Boris Catchpole, and if I intend to enter then I will!"

The Persons tone rose into a shriek on the last word.

Marcia strode to the door and opened it to find Catchpole and a young girl of about fourteen in the midst of a struggle.

"Catchpole, let her through." the Wizard commanded. Catchpole moved meekly out of the way and the girl relaxed. As she did, Marcia noticed the Magyk crackling around the girls' person.

"What's your name?" Marcia said.

"Vanessa Tomson."

"Well, Vanessa, you may as well come in and tell me about this Matter of life and death."

Marcia turned and led Vanessa through her chambers, her pointy purple snakeskin shoes tapping away. Vanessa glanced at Septimus, smiling briefly and winking.

Septimus did not return the smile. The older girl intimidated him. Though he could not feel her Magyk as strong as Marcia could, he did feel it, and Vanessas eyes - dark brown - made him uneasy.