Fairy Dust Read Free Page A

moment, we will use fairy dust to transform the pole into a green, growing thing. Spring will then begin, and will spread outwards from Glitterwings throughout the world.’
    Fairy dust? But . . . they wouldn’t learn how to use it until next year! Twink’s throat went dry. Glancing around her, she saw the same worried look on the other First Years’ faces. Were they not going to be allowed to take part?
    Miss Shimmery’s voice deepened. ‘As I said, this is a very secret ceremony. The only fairies who will observe it will be us here at Glitterwings . . . and Queen Mab and her counsellors.’
    For a moment the Great Branch didn’t react, and then a quick intake of breath rippled through the room. Queen Mab! Here at Glitterwings! There was a low buzz of excited whispers.
    Twink’s eyes burned as she struggled to hold back tears. She had always longed to meet the beautiful and brave fairy queen. And now Queen Mab would actually be here, and she and her friends would have to sit on the sidelines! She swallowed hard, staring down at the gleaming wooden floor.
    â€˜I need hardly tell you that this is a once-in-a-lifetime event,’ said Miss Shimmery gravely. ‘We want every student to be able to take part – and so the first-year students will be given the chance to learn how to use fairy dust this term. Those who master it will be included in the Spring Ceremony.’
    Relief flooded through Twink like a mountain stream. She and Bimi squeezed hands, bouncing on their mushrooms. Across the table, Pix’s eyes were shining like dewdrops. Even Mariella and Lola looked excited.
    â€˜That’s all,’ said Miss Shimmery with a smile. ‘And now I think we should have a well-deserved meal. Butterflies commence!’ She lifted an arm in the air as she drifted back down to the platform.
    At her command, a rainbow of butterflies streamed into the Great Branch, carrying oak-leaf platters heaped high with seed cakes. They deposited the food on the tables with graceful flutters as the Great Branch burst into conversation.
    â€˜Just think!’ gasped Sili. ‘We’ll be the fairies who change winter into spring this year!’
    â€˜ If we can learn how to use fairy dust.’ A worried frown touched Bimi’s face.
    Pix laughed. ‘Well, it can’t be too hard – after all, Sooze’s sister got the hang of it!’
    â€˜Flap off,’ said Sooze with a grin. Her sister Winn was a fourth-year student at Glitterwings, and very like Sooze herself.
    Twink swallowed a bite of seed cake. ‘Sooze, has Winn ever said anything to you about how to use fairy dust?’
    Sooze stared at her like she was mad. ‘Why would we talk about lessons ? We get enough of them at school! But I’m sure it’s easy. All fairies can use fairy dust.’ She poured herself some fresh dew from the almond-shell pitcher.
    Twink bit her lip. All fairies could fly, too – but she hadn’t been able to for ages. Would fairy dust cause her the same problems?
    Bimi squeezed her hand. ‘Don’t worry,’ she whispered. ‘You’ll be fine!’
    Twink smiled gratefully at her. The best thing about having a friend like Bimi was the way they could almost read each other’s minds.
    â€˜So will you,’ she murmured back. Bimi didn’t have a very high opinion of her own cleverness at times, even though she had more common sense than any fairy Twink knew.
    Bimi made a face. ‘I hope so . . . I suppose we’ll just have to see what happens.’
    As the conversation buzzed at their table, Twink took another bite of seed cake, hardly tasting its sweetness. Her mind whirled with ice poles, water sprites and springtime.
    Her father had been right. This term was going to be unforgettable!

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    Chapter Two
    The Daffodil Branch fairies had never been so early for a lesson before. Long before Miss Sparkle was due to arrive at the Fairy