The second wind definitely seemed to be exactly what the miniature dragon needed, and now Sparky was positively racing through those final hoops. Toby watched in awe, trying to imagine seeing this happen but like... with the dragon at REAL ADULT SIZE. They would have to be some preeeeeeeeetty big hoops.

"Go on, Sparky! That's it, you're doing great! Home stretch now!"

And it was true, too. Sparky had soared through hoop number ten... eleven... twelve... As he reached hoop thirteen, the dragon started to wobble and falter in the air a bit, in the way that Toby imagined an aeroplane's engine would stall. He sent another, "Incendio!" towards and under the belly of the dragon, and Sparky kept flying, but it was very clear he was not willing to stay in the air for very long, fire or no fire.

Through hoop fourteen he went... just one more... one more hoop! "Here we go, almost there... Incendio!"