Come on, fifth reviewer gets hugs and/or cookies.

Chapter 7

"Can't you get this wretched thing off?" Chrestomanci muttered. He looked terrible, sick as anything. He was sitting of one of the sofas in a small lounge.

"We're trying, my love, but the spells on it are incredibly strong." Millie said, worriedly. "How on earth…"

"I was going after Cat." Chrestomanci said, coughing.

"You found Eric?" asked Conrad, looking up from the book where he was searching for spells to get rid of the strap.

"Yes…he…" Chrestomanci coughed again. "He's… in Seven C. But he…didn't seem to…to recognise me…"

Millie watched her husband worriedly. She glanced at Conrad, who shook his head.

"Nothing in here." he said, sighing. "Well, at least we know where Eric is now."

Chrestomanci was about to say something else when the door burst open and three exhausted looking children came in, seemingly proud of themselves.

"Daddy, we know how to find Cat!" Julia burst out.

"Yes, and we…what's wrong?" Rodger's eyes fell on his father.

Chrestomanci weakly raised his arm. "Silver." he muttered. "From Seven."

Julia and Rodger looked at each other. "Can't you get it off, Mummy?"

"It's a strong enchanter's magic that's needed for this, Julia." Conrad said, shutting yet another book.

"You mean Daddy's magic." Julia said.

"Or Cat's." Janet and Rodger said together.

"Yes, my loves, what were you saying about Cat when you came in?" Millie asked.

"We know how to find him." Julia repeated. "We have a letter, he's signed it, and…will it work?"

"…give me the letter, Julia." Chrestomanci coughed.

Julia did as she was asked. Chrestomanci looked at the signature. It was signed 'Love from Cat'

Conrad and Millie glanced at it too. "It won't work, will it?" Conrad asked. "It's signed 'Cat'"

Rodger, Julia and Janet held their breath. This had to work.

"No." said Chrestomanci finally. "Even if it…" Cough "…even if it said Eric, I personally taught" Another cough "I taught Cat to protect his signature…so it c…so it couldn't be used against him."

The children visibly deflated. They'd been so sure…

"At least we know he's in Series Seven somewhere." Conrad supplied.

Chrestomanci raised his head just to glare at him.

"He's in Seven?"

"Is that how you got that?"

"Oh, Chrestomanci, did you see him?"

Chrestomanci sighed. "Yes. Yes. And…" Chrestomanci had to get this damned silver band off and fast. "Yes, I did. But he…"

"He didn't recognise Christopher, and he went off with some man" Conrad said frankly.

"But how did you get back from Series Seven without magic?" Janet asked.

"He was spirit travelling, my dear, his body didn't move from his bed." Millie explained. "He leaves a life behind and the rest of him can travel through the Related Worlds. It's a very rare talent."

"That's how he met Mummy." piped up Julia.

"So now you can't spirit travel?" Janet asked.

Chrestomanci shook his head weakly.

"So we can't find Cat?" Rodger asked, desperate.

"We'll do everything we can." Conrad said.

"Let me try the band." Julia demanded.

Millie moved aside. She could see no harm in it.

Rodger tried next, and then they tried together. Nothing happened.

Janet wished, yet again, that she could help.

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The three young ones were outside in the grounds, hours later. Night was falling.

"Now that Daddy's got no magic, what are we going to do?" Julia said desperately.

Rodger sighed. "I don't know, Julia, I really don't."

Janet decided to try something. "Chrestomanci! Chrestomanci, come quickly! Chrestomanci!"

"What are you doing?" Rodger and Julia demanded at the same time.

But Chrestomanci did not appear.

"I knew it!" Janet said triumphantly. "Your father has no magic, so he can't be Chrestomanci anymore!"

"So?"

"So, who's next in line to be Chrestomanci?"

Julia and Rodger looked hopeful, but unwilling to believe it just to be put down again.

"We'll try it in the morning." Janet said excitedly.

Julia and Rodger agreed.

"Come on." said Julia. "Mummy'll want us to be in bed."

They went upstairs, but they did not go to their rooms, instead choosing to spend another night together in the playroom.

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Eh…I think I've been spelling Rodger's name wrong…should it be Roger? Yes, it should. Ah well, doesn't matter.

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