Magical Mayhem by Titania Woods

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    Chapter One
    It was the start of the new winter term, and Twink Flutterby was flying more slowly than usual as she travelled to Glitterwings Academy with her father and little sister, Teena. On the ground below trotted a salamander with a bright red harness around his chest. Twink held his lead proudly, watching him scamper along the winter-brown grass.
    Teena had been flying some way ahead, but now she swooped back with her hands on her hips. ‘Can’t you hurry , Twink?’ she complained. ‘We won’t get there until midnight at this rate!’
    Twink shook her head. ‘I don’t want to tire Sal out – we’ve still got lots of work to do on our project once we get back to school.’ She smiled down at the salamander, admiring his glossy black skin and vivid yellow spots.
    Everyone in Twink’s Weather Magic class had wanted to work with the school’s salamander-thermometer for their winter term project, but Mrs Starbright had chosen her . Even better, Twink had been allowed to take the brightly coloured creature home with her over the holidays, so that she could start taking temperature readings with him. Twink and Sal had had great fun together over the last few weeks, and were now firm friends.
    Teena rolled her violet eyes. ‘Oh, bother Sal and your stupid Weather Magic class! That’s all you’ve gone on about all hols – when you haven’t been off measuring the temperature with him for hours on end.’
    Twink looked at her little sister in surprise. ‘Well, it’s an important project! Everyone in our Weather Magic class is doing something to see whether winter is coming later than usual this year, and then we’re all going to present our results in a few weeks, and –’

    â€˜Blah, blah, blah,’ interrupted Teena. ‘I’ve heard it a million times already, Twink!’ Before Twink could respond, Teena had darted away again.
    Stung, Twink glanced at her father, who was flying nearby. From his expression, she knew he’d overheard. ‘Um . . . I suppose I have talked about it a lot over the hols,’ she admitted.
    â€˜Just a bit,’ said her father with a smile. As usual, he was carrying both her and Teena’s oak-leaf bags as he flew – and looked as if he’d be very glad to put them down!
    â€˜But Dad, it’s really interesting,’ said Twink eagerly. ‘Did you know that we haven’t even had a frost yet? Mrs Starbright says that’s because the weather’s getting warmer and warmer each year, and –’
    She broke off. Her father’s eyes were twinkling. ‘Oh. I’m doing it again, aren’t I?’ she said sheepishly.
    He chuckled. ‘I’m glad you’re enjoying your studies, Twinkster. Teena’s just been feeling a bit left out, that’s all.’
    Father and daughter skimmed over the crest of a hill, with Sal trotting along below. Twink smiled as Glitterwings Academy came into view. The great oak tree stood on a hill of its own, its winter branches almost bare of leaves.
    Even on a grey, cloudy day like this, Twink thought her school looked beautiful. Tiny golden windows spiralled up its trunk, and the grand double doors at its base stood open in welcome. Returning students hovered about the tree in colourful clusters, chattering and laughing.
    As Twink and her father landed, Teena flitted back over to them. ‘Dad, I’ve checked in already,’ she said. ‘I’m going to go up to Snowdrop Branch now with Zuzu, all right?’ Zuzu was Teena’s best friend, a fairy whose pink hair and lavender wings were the same as Twink and Teena’s.
    â€˜I can tell you’re heartbroken to leave your poor old dad!’ said their father wryly, handing over Teena’s bag and giving her a hug. ‘Have a good term, then.’
    Teena made a face. ‘ Anything has to be better than how boring the hols were! Plus