Charlie Bone and the Library of Fantasy

Chapter One: Nothing happens…

In a very hot room, trouble was brewing. Four elderly women named Grizelda, Lucretia, Eustacia and Venetia sat on there knees. Ezekiel Bloor was also there, grinding some herbs and grain together.

They were inside a circle of scented candles. In the very centre was a pile that contained several objects; a key, a fossil, an ankh (the Egyptian symbol of life), a wooden puppet, a black and white photograph and a symbol that the five people believed was a magical symbol for teleportation.

Manfred burst in, panting, holding a book bag.

"Sorry I'm late."

"What's in there, boy?" Ezekiel inquired.

"Just some fiction books I borrowed from the library before last term ended. I brought them because I need to remember to return them first thing tomorrow, when second term starts. Being a teaching assistant, I must uphold the school rules and return things on time."

"Alright" Ezekiel grumbled, "Just make sure you don't sneeze and ruin things this time."

Manfred put the book bag down and cautiously stepped into the circle of candles.

Ezekiel continued to grind the herbs and grain. Once he was done, a purple powder remained, with flecks of green.

The six of them started chanting, knowing exactly what they were to do.

The four women took out some jars containing odd coloured liquids; they were foul smelling potions. They promptly poured the concoctions on the pile, carefully, in perfect sync.

Ezekiel emptied the purple powder onto the palm of his hand and blew at it. The purple powder was blown onto the pile, swirling and spiraling on its way.

The objects started to glow. The six people were all still chanting.

All of a sudden, a cloud of smoke erupted. They closed their eyes and kept chanting. The dust settled. They opened their eyes and stopped chanting.

The objects were still there but the stuff poured and blown on them were gone.

Ezekiel cursed. It hadn't worked.

"Why did the potions and powder just disappear? We did everything perfectly! The objects should have changed into one great, almighty, breathing being! Not stayed the same, as lifeless, useless objects!"

They all sighed. They had failed. They started packing away the candles.

Soon, the four elderly women had left for their homes and Manfred had gone to his office.

Ezekiel sighed, distraught.

Then he noticed the symbol for teleportation was missing from the pile.

At Number Nine Filbert Street

Charlie woke up, panting. He shook his head.

"What a dream!" He said.

He got up and drank a glass of water, and then fell back into a silent sleep.