Weava the Wilful Witch by Tiffany Mandrake Page A

land.
    The sign on the block said Brimstone Buildings.
    Weava tucked her broom under her arm and walked through the front door of the building. Still using witchsight, she climbed the stairs to Number 13. The door to the flat was open, so she walked straight in.
    Her sister sat at the table, pasting pink labels on pink bottles and stacking them in a long box. Instead of her usual robes, she was wearing a dress with a full skirt and deep pockets.
    â€˜Merry!’ yelled Weava, and dropped her broom. She raced towards her bigsister and squeezed her in a bear hug.
    Merry’s eyes bulged. ‘What—what are you doing here?’ she asked.
    â€˜I’ve come to stay with you. I’ve got lots to tell—— ub-oof !’ Weava sneezed. She screwed up her nose. ‘Merry, what’s that horrible smell?’
    â€˜I don’t know what you mean,’ said Merry in an odd high-pitched voice.
    Weava sniffed. ‘It’s those.’ She pointed to the pink bottles.
    â€˜That’s Candywaft perfume,’ said Merry. ‘It comes in three scents: Meadow Breeze, Mountain Spring and Forest Bloom.’
    Weava sneezed again. ‘It’s awful,’ she said, dabbing her eyes with her cloak. ‘I suppose it’s something you magicked up to play tricks on humans!’
    Merry’s face went a funny colour.‘Weava…It’s cool to see you, but it’s really late at night for a visit. Is Dad coming to pick you up soon?’
    â€˜No,’ said Weava. ‘He’s at Witchmeet. Let’s put that stinky stuff outside.’ She waved her wand and sang a little spell.
    The box of bottles sailed through the air and disappeared out the front door.
    Weava sniffed. ‘That’s better.’
    â€˜Weava, no !’ cried Merry. ‘You mustn’t do silly tricks here!’
    â€˜It’s only a shift-spell. Merry, look what I’ve got for you!’ Weava reached inside her cloak and drew out a jar of black-magic jam and Merry’s old wand. She put the jam on the table and held out the wand to her sister.
    Merry took the wand and dropped it on the table. ‘I don’t want that.’
    â€˜But you could use it as a spare.I thought I’d lost mine earlier and——’
    â€˜I don’t need a spare wand. I don’t need one at all. I got rid of my other one,’ said Merry loudly. She put the wand in a drawer under a table in the lounge room.
    â€˜But, Merry ! You’ve got to have a wand! You’re a witch.’
    Merry bit her lip. ‘Listen, Weava. You are not to talk about witches or spells or brooms or wands around here. It makes you sound crazy.’

    â€˜Huh?’ said Weava.
    â€˜It’s nonsense,’ said Merry. ‘Can’t you see that? I know Dad likes to play at magic, but it’s silly and dangerous.’ She chewed a fingernail. ‘That’s why I left stupid Wand College. I didn’t belong there. I’m much happier in the city. I have this flat, and a job, selling Candywaft perfume. I even have human friends.’
    â€˜But——’
    â€˜I’m living in the real world,’ said Merry. ‘Not some silly magic game.’
    â€˜Magic isn’t silly,’ said Weava. ‘I’m going to a school for bad fairies soon.’
    â€˜You’re going where? ’ said Merry.
    â€˜It’s called Hags’ Abademy of Badness,’ said Weava. ‘I’m waiting for my invitation.’
    â€˜Don’t be ridiculous!’ said Merry. ‘Of course you’re not going to a school for badfairies.’ The clock struck eleven and Merry jumped. ‘Oh dear, it’s so late,’ she said. ‘I have to be at work early tomorrow. It’s time you went home.’
    â€˜But I’m not going home,’ said Weava. ‘I’m staying with you.’
    Merry started to protest. But then she stopped and stared at Weava. ‘OK,’