Zak Turner - A Twist In Time by Noel Pogson

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