Chapter 5

Chapter FIVE That evening when we arrived in the Great Hall for dinner we spotted Beatrix and her family and we sat with them. 'Mirabelle!' said Beatrix, smiling. 'Hi, Beatrix,' I said unenthusiastically. I couldn't help feeling rather annoyed with her. 'Mirabelle!' she said again, in a more

whispery voice this time. 'I am SO sorry! I really didn't mean to get you into trouble like that! I thought your potion wasn't working and I was just trying to help you!' 'Really?' I said. 'Of course,' said Beatrix. 'I didn't hear the guide telling us to slow down until it was too late. Please forgive me. I'm really, really sorry!' 'OK,' I smiled. 'I forgive you. Beatrix smiled back. 'Thank you,' she said.

'And just so you know, my parents are cross with me too. They saw me whizz ahead with you on my dragon.' 'My Mum and Dad have calmed down now,' I said, 'but Wilbur is still really annoyed. He's not speaking to me and he told tales on me!' 'He told tales on you!' gasped Beatrix. 'Yes,' I said, explaining about my witch kit. 'But that's so unfair!' said Beatrix. 'I know,' I said. 'But you know what big brothers are like. I'm sure he'll get over it soon.' 'Hmm,' said Beatrix. Then she slid off her chair. 'I just need the toilet,' she

said. 'I'll be back in a minute. If the waiter comes, tell my parents to order the beetle burger for me.' 'OK,' I said. By the time Beatrix came back all the food had arrived and Dad had magicked up vegetarian mushroom spaghetti for himself, Wilbur, and me. We all started to tuck in. 'Mmm!' said Beatrix next to me as she munched on her beetle burger. 'Delicious.'

'Mine's yummy too!' I said, twirling the spaghetti round my fork. Suddenly, I saw something flick across the table and over my plate, towards Wilbur's plate. 'What was that?' I asked. 'I didn't see anything!' said Beatrix and her eyes were very big and round. 'ARGHHHH!' screamed Wilbur, leaping out of his chair and pointing at his plate.

'WORMS!!!' he shouted. I stared in horror at Wilbur's spaghetti which had turned into a squirming pile of worms. I leapt off my own chair feeling a bit sick. 'MIRABELLE!' shouted Wilbur. 'It wasn't me!' I gasped. 'I didn't do it! How could I? My potion kit's been