Sparks shot past them. Everyone’s hair blew back, and the pink eiderdown fluttered madly. Ben took a deep breath and pulled out his magic wand. ‘Leave us alone, else I’ll . . . I’ll turn you into a cane toad!’ The dragon laughed and waved one claw. The wand in Ben’s hand burst into flame. Ben shrieked and dropped it. To his dismay it fell away in a shower of ashes. He looked back up at the dragon and waited to be fried. The dragon did not flame him, though. It said, quite nicely, ‘Silly little boy. I’ve eaten the most powerful wizards that ever existed. If you weren’t so skinny, I’d probably eat you too.’ For the first time ever, Ben was glad he was skinny. ‘Why have you disturbed my sleep?’ the dragon roared. ‘We had to come and get Sarah back,’ Ben said. ‘Her mum is so upset. And it’s all my fault. Because I said the spell wrong. We never meant for you to come and take her.’ ‘I suppose you wanted to steal my treasure?’ the dragon said angrily.
