Zak Turner - A Twist In Time by Noel Pogson Read Free Book Online Page B

them over to join her.  The deputy headmistress had been explaining how the selection process worked with the Divining Orb, and turned as the door opened.
    “Ah, boys.  I’m glad you’ve managed to join us, I trust that you’re all feeling better after your rather abrupt arrival at the school?”
    “Yes Miss,” Zak and Tallion replied in unison, followed just half a second later by Tommy, all of them going a bit pink as they answered.  Zak and Tallion had never met the deputy head before, even though they’d been to the school several times during the summer.  They scuttled over to Sartrina and Robert, whilst Tommy shuffled off to join the other first-years who’d come with him from Hawkstone.
    “Good, good,” continued the deputy head.  “I’m Professor McCathie, deputy head and potions teacher.  I’ll be looking after you here until the selection ceremony is complete, and then later I’ll be taking your potions lessons.”
    The deputy head walked over to another door in the room, and opened it to reveal the Banqueting Hall with nearly nine hundred chattering students sitting at the long benches.  The Divining Orb was placed prominently on the circular platform in the middle of the room.  The first years’ hearts sank, and they began to panic as they realised that they had to walk all the way along the platform to the Orb, and then go through the selection process right in the middle of the room!
    Even Sartrina turned a little pale, but she was determined to go through with it, come what may.
    “Remember, when I call out your name, just walk along the platform to the Orb and place both hands on it like I showed you.  It will speak into your mind and tell you which house you’re in, and will also glow with the house colour.”
    “There are six houses, as I’m sure you’re all aware, and when the Orb has made its selection you should descend the steps from the platform towards your house table.  A prefect will stand up and welcome you.  Don’t forget that everyone in the school has been through this same selection ceremony themselves, so they know exactly how you’re feeling about it!  Does anyone have any questions?”
    A bright-eyed but tiny Welsh boy put up his hand.
    “Yes Gwyndaf.”
    “Please Miss, what are the names of all the houses?”
    “Aquila, Taurus, Lyra, Leo, Moncero and Draco.  The houses group people together based on certain characteristics, but just because you’re selected for one house doesn’t mean that you don’t have the traits of the other houses within you too.  We don’t tell students which house favours which characteristics in advance because that might influence your selection.”
    Professor McCathie knew full well that the students with magical parents would mostly know which was which.  Some parents even encouraged their children to ask for a particular house when they took hold of the Orb, but most realised that their children would be happiest in the house which matched them best.  Forcing the issue tended to make life hard if you got it wrong.
    The headmaster had entered the Hall and was now addressing the older students asking them to make their new housemates welcome.
    “We’re ready for you now,” said the deputy head with a smile at the first years.
    She walked out of the room and onto the main platform, then turned back to face the door and called out loudly,
    “Tammi Andrews!”
    A small thin girl with dark hair walked forward towards Professor McCathie, who motioned her to walk to the centre platform.  She was nervous but determined as she put her hands on the Orb and everyone watched intently.  The students furthest away all stood up so that they could see what was happening.
    A smile broke out on the girl’s face, and the Orb glowed gold.  A new ‘life’ student went and joined her housemates at the Lyra table.
    “Ben Askwith!”
    A mousey-haired boy pushed his way through the other first years, marched confidently along the