I'm Claudia. Claudia Batwing.  And I go to the College for Witches. I live with mum, dad, and my elder brother, Max. Although, I really hate him. And my pet toad Scruff. Mind you, don't leave anything on the floor because she'll eat absolutely anything in her path.

Next week is the Combined School's Spells Competition and our head teacher, Mr. Froth, wants ME to represent our school. If I haven't told you before, I am really bad at spells. Like really, really bad. I can't believe Mr. Froth chose ME.

Dad said he'd do it for me, but it's a year 7 to year 12 competition, and he's 39. So that won't help me at all.

It had been a long, dreadful, tiring day at school. Emmie Claws got full marks for spell class and then teased me about it. I felt really bad.

The next morning, I woke up with a peculiar feeling. There was a mysterious scent in the air, but still I got up dressed, brushed my teeth, and went down for breakfast.
"Rat stew for breakfast," called mom. My tummy twisted into a knot. I hated rats too.

At school, I slapped my forehead because Mrs. Spindlewick had forgotten to call my name off the roll.  Next was spell class. I felt as if the crushed spiders with noodles I'd eaten for dinner the day before was about to come out of my mouth.  I started to daydream that I was floating away on a soft, fluffy cloud.
"Claudia, how many times do I have to ask you what are the ingredients for growing spells?"
"Ermmmmm" I began...