sheâd never forget this term, and Twink had a feeling he was right!
The Great Branch was the largest branch in the school â a long, high-ceilinged space filled with mossy green tables. A different flower hung over each one, so that in the summertime the Branch looked like a bright, sunny garden.
Now, in the heart of winter, the arched windows that lined the Branch were pitch-black, and the only light was from the pale glow-worm lanterns overhead. Twink caught her breath as she and Bimi flew into the Branch with the rest of the school. It was like a moonlit garden, shadowy and mysterious.
The two girls flitted to the Daffodil Branch table, perching on spotted mushroom seats. On the platform at the front of the Branch, Miss Shimmery, the HeadFairy, stood with her rainbow wings folded neatly behind her back. The year heads sat in a row behind her. From their faces, youâd think that nothing unusual was going on.
âI hope she doesnât make us wait too long,â Twink whispered to Bimi.
âI know,â Bimi whispered back. âI can hardly wait to find out whatâs going on!â
When all the fairies were seated, Miss Shimmery flew gracefully up into the air. Instant silence fell over the Branch as several hundred young fairies turned towards her, eyes shining with anticipation.
âWelcome back to Glitterwings Academy, girls,â said Miss Shimmery in her low, strong voice. âI trust that you all had a good Solstice holiday, and that youâre rested and ready to begin a new term!â
Twink fidgeted on her mushroom. Oh, please just tell us! she implored silently. Weâre all dying to know!
The HeadFairy seemed to read her mind. A faint twinkle lit her eyes as she scanned her students. âI have a very special announcement to make. You may have noticed a rather unusual addition to our school as you arrived â the ice pole in the pond.â
..
.
Yes! Twink sat up straight, heart pounding. She and Bimi exchanged a quick, eager glance.
âI will tell you all about it, but first, I must share with you something that not many fairies know,â said Miss Shimmery. âThe older years will be aware that we fairies help to change the seasons through our magic â but the exact means of this has always been kept secret, except for those fairies involved.â
Not a single wing moved in the Branch as the fairies listened.
âAs you may know, spring begins at one exact spot every year, and then spreads outwards throughout the world,â went on Miss Shimmery. âChanging winter into spring is one of the most important duties that a fairy can ever perform. The fairies who do so are chosen personally by Queen Mab.â
Miss Shimmery paused, looking out over the Branch. There was utter silence as the students gazed back at her, holding their breaths.
Finally a very small smile appeared on the HeadFairyâs face. âI am proud to say that this year, Glitterwings Academy has the immense honour of having been chosen.â
A gasp rippled through the Branch. The Daffodil Branch table stared at each other, wide-eyed.
âBut it is not only fairies who change winter to spring,â said Miss Shimmery. âOther magical beings must help as well â and this year, the water sprites have agreed to take part. They are normally secretive creatures who keep to themselves, so we are doubly honoured.â
So it really had been a water sprite! Twinkâs eyes widened.
âThe ice pole was built by the sprites,â went on Miss Shimmery. âThat is half of the magic. The other half will be provided by us. At dawn on the very last day of winter, every fairy in the school will take one of the icy strands of the ice pole and perform the sacred dance that weaves spring into being.â
Twink gripped the edges of her mushroom, her thoughts spinning in wonder. Miss Shimmery smiled as she hovered above them.
âThen, at just the right
JJ Carlson, George Bunescu, Sylvia Carlson