Zak Turner - A Twist In Time Page 5

  “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 platform to the Orb, and quickly placed his hands on it. Within about two seconds the orb was glowing red, but it was another half a minute before the grinning Ben lifted his hands and jumped down the steps. His housemates at the Leo table cheered as another ‘student of courage’ found his home.

  “Sebastian Azartus!”

  A swarthy boy with dark curly hair stepped forward, and made his way purposefully to the Orb. It took a bit longer this time for the orb to glow, but the green colours of Taurus lit up the eleven-year-old’s smiling face, and he made his way to where his new housemates were cheering and applauding, sitting down next to the prefect who greeted him with a handshake and a clap on the back.

  The procession of students continued, with a surprisingly even split between all the houses. Of the Upper Nettleton students, Reuben Daniel joined Sebastian Azartus in Taurus, Robert Garnham joined his academic housemates in Aquila, and Emily Horton joined Tammi Andrews in Lyra.

  “Shaul Malchus!”

  A hush fell across the room as the very confident eleven- year-old marched towards the Divining Orb. Everyone knew the name ‘Malchus’, and what Shaul’s father stood for, and a fair number of students had suffered at the hands of his elder brother and sister here in the school. It was with some trepidation that they realised another Malchus was joining the school!

  Zak and Tallion hadn’t realised they were standing within a couple of feet of Antares Malchus’ second son. The boy had looked around disdainfully at the other first years in the ante-room, and hadn’t spoken a word all the time they were there. Zak watched carefully as the rather solidly built, dark-haired Shaul reached out towards the Orb, and could have sworn it turned red even before he touched it!

  “That’s a surprise,” murmured Tallion, “his father and brother are both Taurus, and I was sure that he’d follow them.”

  Zak glanced round at the professors who were also watching intently, and saw a good number of them exchange raised eyebrows. Clearly they’d all thought the same! He noted one grey-haired professor near their end of the teachers table close his eyes and shake his head.

  “Probably the head of Leo House,” murmured Tallion who’d also been watching the professors’ reactions. The Orb had very little to say to Shaul however, and less than ten seconds later he was stepping off the platform heading towards the Leo table. There was a muted cheer from the house, and the eleven-year-old more or less ignored the prefect who stood up to greet him and sat where he wanted.

  “Tallion Middleham!”

  Zak felt a jolt of emotion go through him as Tallion flinched at the sound of his name. Zak was feeling nervous, but had thought it was all his own feelings. Now he understood that he was experiencing Tallion’s feelings too!

  Be strong Tallion, why are you worried?

  Now everyone knows who I am Zak. The Middleham name is well-known, but hardly anyone would recognise us!

  Tallion was right. Another hush fell over the hall as the students who’d been muttering about Shaul going into Leo now stopped and looked up at Tallion, nudging each other and muttering. No-one knew of course that the young blond-haired wizard had just survived an attempt on his life by Shaul Malchus’ father, but the irony of his selection coming immediately after Shaul’s was missed by very few!

  Zak’s companion gave no outward sign of nervousness as he walked confidently along the platform to the Orb, ignoring the craning necks of those eager to glimpse the new aristocrat in school.

  He was another one for whom the Orb had no difficulty in making up its mind, and within seconds a strong white light was illuminating Tallion’s hands and face. He didn’t let go for some time though as the Orb spoke to his mind, and when he did he had a worried frown on his face. Zak knew why, too. He’d heard what the Orb had to say to his friend because of the magical bond between them, and the talk of difficulty and danger ahead was hardly comforting!

  Blimey Zak, no-one told us it was going to make a prophecy about our future!

  If it said that about you, Tallion, what on earth’s it going to say about me?!

  Whatever it says is fate’s choice Zak, we can’t change our path in life, we just have to follow it and do our best…

  Tallion’s apparently genuine smile re-attached itself to his face as he approached the Moncero table. No-one there seemed to have had any doubt that he’d be joining them, and he was warmly welcomed. As Zak surveyed them from the privacy of the dimly lit anteroom, he realised that these students looked somehow very at ease with being in school, and confidence seemed to hover over them!

  He was suddenly worried. He didn’t have that kind of confidence, he wasn’t a natural born leader, he was nervous whenever he was out of his own environment, and he shied away from being centre stage. The Orb would never put him in Moncero, he was sure of that. He suddenly felt very alone as he saw his friend almost absorbed by his new housemates.

  Neither boy had noticed the venomous look that crossed Sargas Malchus face as Tallion stood by the Orb. They didn’t see him reach inside his robes for his wand either, although in the end he didn’t draw it out. The headmaster saw it though, his hand already wrapped round his own wand. He’d been watching Sargas closely from the moment Professor McCathie had called out Tallion’s name, and his original surmise about the attacks on the Middlehams was confirmed, as were his fears for Tallion’s safety at the school.

  The list of names continued, and slowly but surely the crowd of waiting first years dwindled away.

  “Sartrina Proudfoot!”

  Hafrith Proudfoot would have felt aggrieved by the response from the rest of the school to her daughter’s call for selection. The muted murmuring amongst the older students didn’t abate, and the hush that had accompanied the selection process of Shaul and Tallion was not repeated. Sartrina, however, didn’t notice, and she self-consc
iously walked to the Orb and placed her hands purposefully either side of it. It was about thirty seconds before the Orb started to glow red, and a surprised look crossed both Sartrina’s and Tallion’s faces!

  Blimey, thought the blond-haired wizard to his companion, I would never have expected that!

  I don’t think Sartrina expected it either, judging by the look on her face!

  Heck, I hope she’s okay. Some people get in a right state if they’re put in a house they didn’t expect!

  Sartrina gathered herself and took her hands off the Orb as the red glow faded. She took a deep breath, and turned to face the Leo girl prefect who’d come to guide her to her seat. The two exchanged a few quick words, and the prefect smiled as she put her hand on Sartrina’s shoulder as they walked back to the table.

  Augusta Rhenton was placed in Taurus, and Gemma Tarleton ended up in Draco where she was greeted with a knowing smile by the rather spooky looking prefect who’d stood up to welcome her even before the Orb turned purple!

  “Zak Turner!”

  Zak felt his stomach lurch, and his legs started walking towards the Orb seemingly of their own accord. The last few minutes had been very difficult for the first-generation-wizard as he became more and more convinced that he was going to be separated from Tallion.

  Zak, be strong, came Tallion’s voice in his mind. You have no need to fear. Of all the students here, you are destined to be in Moncero.

  I’m no leader Tallion. You know that!

  The best leaders are those who don’t seek it Zak, your pathway is not your choice, it’s fate’s choice.

  Zak, like Sartrina, wasn’t getting too much attention, as he took hold of the Orb. He was surprised to find it warm to the touch, and it felt to be almost alive under his hands, not really wriggling, but somehow very clearly moving! A soft, gentle, and yet powerful woman’s voice spoke slowly and calmly into his mind as the sights and sounds of the room faded away.

  Ahh! The one with the power to withstand all. The one with the courage to attempt all. The one with the vision to lead all. Long has your appearing been foretold!

  Our world stands on the brink, ready to plunge into the night, yet there is hope, there is still a glimmer of light. You face danger, darkness seeks to overwhelm you, light will all but go out. But where one cannot succeed, two will withstand, and three will overcome.

  Zachary Ryan, do not fear the future. Many are they who will assist you, though at times all will seem bleak and hopeless. Do not give up, for yours it is to subdue, to bind, and to release, to give purpose and direction.

  Your heart is true, your will is strong, your sense of duty is clear, and therefore your success is assured.

  Your house is even now undecided, for you have abilities prized by all. Yet deep within there is a yearning, a need to be with your Soul Mate, the one who will carry you when you are too weak to carry on.

  Moncero, therefore, will be your home, for they will protect and encourage you as no other group can.

  Fare well in all your life’s endeavours, Zachary Ryan.

  Zak was standing holding onto the Orb as though his life depended on it, his shocked and pale face made more ghostly still by the brilliant white light that now blazed out from it, brighter even than during Tallion’s selection! He was frozen to the spot, his eyes closed, almost willing it all to be a dream, and yet fully aware that it wasn’t. All his fears, all his worries, about his power, his name, his destiny, it had all been confirmed.

  His life would be no ordinary life, but a life of rising from one insurmountable challenge to the next, of overcoming impossible odds, of visiting the brink of failure and standing firm as everything crumbled about him, and then trusting fate when the end seemed inevitable. A future beckoned which he was certain he couldn’t fulfil!

  For as long as he held the Orb, the brilliant white light blazed out of it, and it filled his head with many glimpses of the future. Nearly a minute passed after it had finished speaking before the visions faded and he became aware of himself, and aware that he was still standing in the middle of the Banqueting Hall at Mhonarr Castle. He had no idea how long he’d been there. Time had ceased to exist while he communed with the Orb, and neither did he give it any thought, but in all nearly four minutes had passed since he first touched it, which was something of a record!

  There was total silence in the hall when he finally opened his eyes and let go of the Orb, the blinding white light fading slowly away. No-one had any doubt that something extraordinary and unique had just happened to Zak Turner, although only his soul mate would ever know the words which had been spoken.

  The Moncero prefect was standing waiting for him, and Zak swallowed and turned towards him, slowly climbing down the steps from the platform. With every eye in the room fixed upon him, the prefect quickly led him back to their table. The sounds of the school around him started to register in his ears, and a round of applause rippled round the room, started by the Monceros. Then he was safe, sitting between Tallion and the prefect, still trembling from the prophecy about his future.

  Zak, are you okay? I mean really okay. You look terribly pale.

  I’m okay Tallion, but I don’t think I can fulfil that prophecy, I’m just Zak Turner, an eleven-year-old schoolboy, what can one boy do by himself…

  So once were all great men Zak, besides, you’re not by yourself, you have me with you! One hundred percent of me, and I’ll be with you always. I promise I will carry you when you’re too weak to carry on …

  I don’t want to be great Tallion. I want to do my part, yes, but great? A leader? That’s not my role! That’s your role in life!

  It’s our role Zak, together. Both of those prophecies were for the single person that is both of us.

  Zak Turner sighed and paused, his head down. Then slowly he nodded, and closed his eyes. He so wanted to be alone with Tallion, to take his hands, to feel safe like a small child with an older brother. While he was feeling so lost, he suddenly felt a familiar hand take hold of his, and he could barely hold back the emotion that it unlocked.

  * * *

  The rest of the selection ceremony, the speech by the headmaster, and the fabulous Welcome Banquet, all passed Zak by. He heard it, and saw it, and ate it, but very little registered properly in his mind because the words of the prophecy kept ringing through his thoughts.

  …plunge into the night… darkness will seek to overwhelm you… at times all will seem bleak and hopeless… do not give up… your heart is true… where one cannot succeed…

  What did it all mean? His mind was racing and then freezing. He recalled Barty’s description of the battle he’d faced earlier in the year, and Zak knew that he’d end up in the same situation, maybe several times. Would he be able to survive? Would he be able to sense magic, to build spells on the fly, to anticipate the next blow before it fell? He very much doubted it…

  Suddenly a very welcome voice entered his swirling thoughts.

  Yet deep within there is a yearning, a need to be with your soul mate, the one who will carry you when you’re too weak to carry on...

  Zak smiled and turned to Tallion who was sitting quietly next to him watching his face. Tallion smiled too as their eyes locked together.

  “Thanks, Soul Mate!” he murmured, too quietly for anyone else to hear above the hubbub of the banquet.

  “My pleasure,” grinned back the next Lord Middleham. “I need to understand what a soul mate is though, that sounds a bit more serious than a simple magical bond!”

  Another frown creased Zak’s brow for a moment, then he relaxed. He didn’t care what it meant! Whatever it was, it proved that he and Tallion were never going to be separated, ever! The relief of that thought finally brought some calm to his churning mind.

  * * *

  Sir Philip left the infirmary after Nurse Salvae healed Zak and Tallion but before the headmaster revived them. He was keen to make his young men stand on their own two feet, and not always rely on a parent being close at hand. H
e walked through the mainly deserted entrance way and climbed the intertwining spiral stairs up to the portal room.

  His intention had been to go back to London to the Wizard Council, for there were many things to be discussed and decided, and he still didn’t have a full picture of what had happened. As he got to the top of the stairs however, he found himself in front of the Kirkstall portal having subconsciously chosen his ‘normal’ staircase to climb. It was fully restored and operational again, looking as if nothing had happened. The headmaster had of course used it to return to school after he’d reinstated it.

  Sir Philip decided to go back to Lofthouse and explain everything that had happened to Bella. There were sure to be rumours circulating already because the portals had all been temporarily closed, and several parties of Kirkstall students had been diverted via the Raby, Hawkstone, and Spalding portals.

  He arrived in the Lofthouse Castle portal room to find his wife waiting for him, and he smiled as he wrapped her in a hug.

  “I knew you were coming. I sensed it, together with your fear, relief, and anger, several times during the afternoon.”

  “It’s been a very bad day Bella. What have you heard so far and I’ll fill in the gaps.”

  “There has been talk of an attack on the Kirkstall portal as students were going through it, and also that a student has died, and others who weren’t students. There has also been a special edition of the paper with details of an attack on the Wizard Council in London.”

  Sir Philip sighed and nodded.

  “None of that’s wrong. Did the paper mention who was attacked, or did any of the talk mention names?”

  “No love, it was all generalities.”

  Sir Philip sighed again, this time with a little relief, and ran through the events that had befallen him at the Wizard Council, followed by what had happened to Tallion and Zak, and how it seemed that Tallion had survived a direct hit by a Libra Mortis curse as he rushed through the Kirkstall portal.