Power Play by Titania Woods Page B

around, she spotted Teena at the Daisy Branch table, and the two sisters exchanged a wave.
    â€˜Good afternoon, girls!’ said a deep voice from the front of the Branch. Silence fell as the students turned to face Miss Shimmery, their HeadFairy. The stately white-haired fairy hovered above a platform at the front of the branch, her rainbow wings gleaming like opals.
    â€˜I hope you had a lovely holiday – and a very warm welcome to all our new students!’ Miss Shimmery beamed down at the first-year tables, who managed nervous smiles in return. ‘Now, I have just a few announcements . . .’
    Twink settled back on to her mushroom seat as Miss Shimmery went on: school uniforms would be required from tomorrow; there was to be no high-speed flying in the trunk, no bothering the water sprites who lived in the school pond . . . Twink thought with amusement that she could probably have given the talk herself. She practically knew it by heart now!
    Miss Shimmery adjusted her sparkle specs with a twinkle in her eyes. ‘And as for our first-year students, Mrs Lightwing will sprinkle you with fairy dust immediately after breakfast tomorrow, so that you can have your first flying lesson.’
    Excited whispers broke out among the First Years. The rest of the school grinned, remembering the wonder of flying for the very first time.
    Miss Shimmery glanced down at her petal pad. ‘Finally, there will be a meeting of the school Fledge team here in the Great Branch tonight after dinner – you have a lot to decide, as I’m sure you’re aware. And now, I think it’s time for our meal. Butterflies commence!’
    Raising her arm in the air, Miss Shimmery drifted back down to the platform. The double doors to the Great Branch swung open, and a bright stream of butterflies bobbed in, each carrying a tray of seed cakes or a pitcher of fresh morning dew.
    â€˜What does the Fledge team have to decide?’ asked Bimi as a purple butterfly placed a tray of seed cakes on their table.

    â€˜We have to elect a new Games Fairy,’ explained Twink. Madge had completed her sixth year at Glitterwings the term before, leaving the team leaderless.
    Bimi’s blue eyes grew round. ‘Oh! Who do you think it’ll be?’
    Twink shrugged, reaching for a seed cake. ‘Well, it’s Cassi and Zayna’s first year on the team; they were both reserve players last year. So I suppose it’ll have to be either Vera or Romi.’
    She frowned slightly at the thought. Though Vera was a good player, she was lazy – and Romi, while an excellent player, could be difficult to get on with. Neither choice was really ideal, but Twink didn’t see who else it could be.
    â€˜ You should do it, Opposite,’ put in Sooze from across the table. ‘You’d be better than either of those two moss brains!’
    â€˜Me?’ Twink’s voice came out in a squeak. ‘Don’t be daft, Sooze – I’m only a fourth-year student.’
    Pix had been listening as well, and she shrugged as she helped herself to a seed cake. ‘Well, Madge was only a Fourth Year when she started as Games Fairy.’
    Twink realised in surprise that she was right. ‘Yes, but –’ She stopped, and shook her head. ‘Honestly, this is silly! It’s up to the team, not me.’
    â€˜Well, I know who I’d vote for,’ said Bimi firmly. ‘I think they’re right, Twink. It should be you, not Vera or Romi.’
    â€˜I’m not listening any more,’ laughed Twink. ‘Now come on, everyone, let’s change the subject.’
    But as the conversation moved on to other things, Twink found her thoughts returning to who would be the new Games Fairy. It was ridiculous, of course – why would the team vote for her, instead of one of the older girls? Even so, Twink found herself drifting into an exciting daydream with herself as the new team leader.
    Now stop