Sister Secrets by Titania Woods

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    Chapter One
    Twink Flutterby felt like singing as she and her mother skimmed over the top of the hill. How wonderful to be flying in the spring sunshine, with a brand new school year at Glitterwings Academy ahead of her!
    Down below, Twink’s little sister Teena was riding on Brownie, the Flutterby family’s mouse. It was Teena’s first term at Glitterwings, and Twink thought she looked just as excited and nervous as Twink had once felt.
    But at least Teena had an older sister to show her around. Twink felt very grown-up all of a sudden. It was her third year at Glitterwings, and she knew Teena would be looking up to her and asking for advice.
    â€˜Here we are!’ said Twink’s mother cheerfully as Glitterwings Academy came into view.
    The massive oak tree stood in a field of yellow wild flowers, its new spring leaves green and curling. Tiny golden windows wound their way up its trunk, and the ornate double doors at its base stood open in welcome.
    Good old Glitterwings, thought Twink. Oh, it was glimmery to be back! Then, remembering how she’d felt on her first day, she swooped down close to Teena.
    â€˜Just think,’ she whispered in her sister’s pointed ear, ‘tomorrow you’ll be sprinkled with fairy dust, and you’ll be able to fly!’
    Teena grinned at her. ‘I know – I can hardly wait.’
    Twink and her mother touched down on the front lawn. Crowds of returning students hovered about the tree like brightly coloured butterflies, shouting and calling to each other. Others stood chatting with their parents or checking in with their year heads. Teena, still perched on Brownie’s glossy back, looked wide-eyed at the busy scene.
    â€˜Oh, Glitterwings is so lovely in springtime,’ sighed Twink’s mother, gazing up at the tree. ‘I think it’s my favourite term of all.’
    Twink gave Teena a nudge. ‘Get used to this – she says it every term!’ she hissed.
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    Twink’s mother overheard her and laughed. ‘All right, clever-wings! Come along, Teena, let’s tell Mrs Lightwing you’re here. Twink, could you sort yourself out while I see to Teena?’
    â€˜Of course!’ said Twink, pleased that her mother thought she was old enough to check in on her own.
    She flew across to the third-year check-in area, beside one of the tree’s roots. Her new year head was a tall, slender fairy called Miss Twilight. She had silver hair and purply-grey wings, and was the most exotic-looking teacher Twink had ever seen.
    â€˜You’re in Violet Branch this year,’ Miss Twilight informed Twink, ticking her off on a clover-leaf list. Her cobweb robes shimmered with tiny moonstones. ‘And I’m going to be one of your teachers, so we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.’
    â€˜Oh, which subject?’ asked Twink eagerly.
    â€˜It’s a new one,’ said Miss Twilight with a mysterious smile. ‘Miss Shimmery will be announcing it later!’ She turned away to check in another student.
    What could the new subject be? Lost in thought, Twink flew back to find her mother and Teena. She stopped short as she caught sight of a young first-year fairy waving goodbye to her parents. The fairy had bright purple wings, and orange hair !
    Twink gaped. She had never seen orange hair on a fairy before – and this fairy’s hair wasn’t just orange, it was a brilliant, blazing orange, like firelight!
    As Twink watched, the fairy dropped her hand with a sigh, and then noticed Twink observing her. A scowl creased her face. She snatched up her oak-leaf bag and stalked off.
    Guilt pinched Twink’s conscience. She hadn’t meant to make the other fairy feel bad! Flying quickly over the grass, she landed beside her. ‘I’m sorry I was staring,’ she said earnestly. ‘It’s just that I’ve never seen hair the colour of yours before.’
    The fairy’s cheeks