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"Yes, Septimus, today I trust the ends of your sleeves are still clean You didn&039;t get any egg on them at breakfast, did you?"

Septimus inspected his sleeves "No, they&039;re fine"

Marcia stood up and so did Septi Marcia picked up the ribbons and placed thereen sleeves In a puff of Magykal purple mist, the ribbons curled themselves around the hems of the sleeves and became part of his tunic Septimus stared at them, amazed He didn&039;t knohat to say But Marcia did

"Now, Septihts and duties of a Senior Apprentice You may determine fifty percent of your own projects and also your main timetable - within reason, of course You may be asked to deputize for s - for which, incidentally, I would be very grateful As Senior Apprentice, you h it is considered courteous to infor and at what ti, I would add that I do require you to be back in the Wizard Tower by nine PM on weekdays - ht at the latest on special occasions - understood?"

Still gazing at the Magykal purple stripes shi on the ends of his sleeves, Septimus nodded "UnderstoodI thinkbut why?"

"Because," Marcia said, "you are the only Apprentice ever to return from the Queste Not only did you return alive, but you returned having successfully completed it And - evenbefore you had even gotten halfway through your Apprenticeship - and you still did it You used your Magykal skills to better effect than many Wizards in this Tower could ever hope to do This is why you are now Senior Apprentice Okay?"

"Okay" Septimus smiled "But"

"But what?"

"I couldn&039;t have done the Queste without Jenna and Beetle And they&039;re still stuck in that s Post So are Nicko and Snorri We proht back for them"

"And ill," Marcia replied "I am sure they did not expect us to turn around and fly back immediately, Septimus Besides, I haven&039;t had asoarde - both of whoht, but I shall set off on Spit Fyre first thing to to collect them all They&039;ll be back very soon, I promise"

Septiykal sheen, like oil on water He remembered Marcia&039;s words: "As Senior Apprentice, you h it is considered courteous to infor and at what tiet the into Senior Apprentice mode

"No, Septi that she was now talking to a Senior Apprentice "It is far too risky, and you are tired after the Queste You need to rest I shall go"

"Thank you for your offer, Marcia," Septiht Senior Apprentices probably should speak "However, I intend to gooff on Spit Fyre in just over an hour&039;s tiht, as this can reasonably be classified, I think, as a special occasion"

"Oh" Marcia wished she hadn&039;t inforhts of a Senior Apprentice She sat down and regarded Septihtful look Her new Senior Apprentice seereen eyes had a newly confident air as they steadily returned her gaze, and - yes, she had known so was different the moment he had walked in - he had combed his hair

"Shall I come and see you off?" Marcia asked quietly

"Yes, please," Septimus replied "That would be very nice I&039;ll be down at the dragon field in just under an hour" At the study door he stopped and turned "Thank you, Marcia," he said with a broad grin "Thank you very much indeed"

Marcia returned his smile and watched her Senior Apprentice walk out of her study with a new spring in his step