The Dreamwalker's Daughter

Chapter Two Returning

The next few days were just as wonderful. Sarah spent almost an hour on the phone telling Zoe about the ride she took around the glen and how her dad had given it to her, which made her very jealous. However, she didn't say anything about their conversation there. Sarah was having a hard time dealing with the things that had happened and were happening to her. She thought about mentioning the crystal but she had convinced herself that she had imagined it all. Besides, it seemed to be another thing that made her stand out and look freakish and Sarah just wanted all of that to go away.

Sarah couldn't wait until they would go to Chicago next week, and she and Zoe talked about it constantly. Elizabeth showed up Tuesday night with Max and everything else Sarah had left at her house that she needed for school. They had a nice quiet dinner, just the three of them, which ended with John driving Elizabeth and Sarah back to the Glen so that she could see Sarah fly. Sarah and her father had decided that it would probably be a better idea that Elizabeth didn't know who the land belonged to for the time being and decided to keep it their little secret. Elizabeth nearly had a heart attack the first few minutes Sarah was in the air, but finally relaxed when she seemed so sure of herself. John put his arm around her and Elizabeth frowned. "What's the matter honey?" he asked looking at her face.

"You don't think she'll try out for that Quidditch thing do you. It sounds so dangerous."

John laughed, "I suppose that if she did we'd just have something else to worry about." Elizabeth seemed quite unhappy about his answer but allowed her to continue until it started to get dark.

"We'd better get home, we've got to start early tomorrow," John said calling her in. Sarah could tell her mother was grateful that she had both feet now planted firmly on the ground.

It wasn't long after they returned home that Sarah was told to go to bed. It was so nice to have her mother and father together again and tucking her into bed. Sarah supposed that she could get used to this arrangement, even if they weren't going to get back together as husband and wife, and that is the pleasant image that Sarah went to sleep with.

John and Matthew had arranged for their luggage and the animals to be sent to their hotel in Chicago by the time the ladies had risen and showered the next morning. When Sarah and her mom came down for breakfast they found her father decked out in his best blue robes. Sarah looked at him funny, "You're going into Chicago like that dad?"

John looked at his attire. "You don't think I look enchanting enough to be seen with such charming young ladies?" he teased.

"You know what I mean dad," said Sarah giving him a grouchy look.

"Where we're going in Chicago, Sarah, no one will notice," he answered smiling.

"Your dad says that we're going by Floo Powder," Elizabeth winced. "I'm not that fond of it, but we'll get there quicker."

"You've traveled by Floo Powder?" asked Sarah looking at her mother suspiciously. "When?"

"We did some things while you were gone to school last year," said Elizabeth slyly.

"You guys scare me some times," replied Sarah rising from the table. "I'm going to get dressed." Then she thought of something. "Can I wear the green dress that you got me mom?"

"I was hoping you would, I'm wearing mine," she answered winking at her and John.

"Like I said, really scary," Sarah said as she left the room shaking her head.

When Sarah came downstairs, her dad stood up and whistled. "Why Miss Nettleton, you look like a little witch princess."

"Thank you daddy, I think." Sarah twirled around in her new dress. "This is the coolest dress I've ever owned. I can't wait to show Zoe." Sarah was waiting for her dad to say something and he didn't. Sarah realized that he was now staring at something behind her. She turned to see her mother coming down the stairs where a larger and more flowing version of the outfit Sarah had on. Her hair lay down around her shoulders and had gentle waves through out. Sarah's mouth hung open. She couldn't ever remember her mother's hair being down and certainly didn't ever remember it being wavy like hers. Her mom always kept it very up and very tight.

"Mom, you look like a--" Sarah couldn't find the words.

"Like a witch," said Elizabeth laughing.

"Never been a prettier one," added her dad.

Sarah looked at them now standing next to each other and shook her head. "I can't believe you two. This is going to be great. I've never been any where really cool but Dragon's Wood." Sarah was so excited that she started jumping up and down, "Let's go, let's go, let's go."

Her parents laughed at her for a moment or two and then said okay. Matthew, who had been working in the next room, entered the room and after giving both ladies an admiring look and compliment took the odd jar from the mantle, and offered it to each one in turn.

"Sarah you first, just say Settle Inn," instructed John. "Then you Elizabeth, same thing." Both ladies nodded in agreement and stepped toward the fire.

Sarah threw in her powder and called out "Settle Inn."

She remembered how much she hated Floo Powder as soon as she stepped in. The whirling lights and sounds, the smells, the smoke, she had just about had enough when she popped out the other end. Coughing and dusting herself off, she opened her eyes and got a good look at where she was. "Good morning young lady," said a smartly uniformed little man standing in front of her. "Welcome to the Settle Inn." Sarah didn't even have time to respond before her mom and dad stepped out beside her. "Mr. Nettleton, I heard you and your family were coming, it's so nice to see you again," he said turning his attention quickly to Sarah's dad.

"Hallo Marcus, it's great to be back. I see you've met my daughter."

"This is Sarah, I can't believe that. Nice to see you again Mrs. Nettleton," he said bowing.

Sarah and her mother both blushed and greeted the gentleman. "I've all ready taken your things to your rooms and I'm to tell you that the Turners are already here and awaiting your arrival." The strange little man had barely gotten these words out of his mouth when Zoe came bounding across the lobby.

"Sarah, I thought you'd never get here," she said grabbing her arm. "You look great."

Sarah stood back and looked at Zoe. She'd never seen her other than at school in wizard's clothes. She was also wearing a fine dress and cloak however hers was royal blue. "So do you."

"It's what you'd call my witch's Sunday best. There's not many occasions to wear it in Clear Lake," said Zoe showing herself off. "Wait 'til you see Eric and Tabatha."

Sarah was suddenly not sure that she wanted to see Eric. She had almost been overwhelmed last year when she saw him in his Dragon's Wood and Quidditch robes, and then again in regular clothes last week. She wasn't sure she could handle him in dress robes.

In the meantime, Sarah's mom and dad had gone to the front desk and checked in and were now turning to tell Sarah not to dawdle in the lobby too long. Sarah agreed and Zoe and she started to investigate their surroundings. "I love it here," started Zoe, "We've been coming here off, and on since I was a baby. The rear entrance to the hotel is the entrance to the Mall we're going to."

Sarah, who had been taking in the atmosphere of the Inn, now stopped and looked at Zoe with curiosity. "Really?"

"Yeah it's pretty cool but you'll find out about all of that in time," promised Zoe.

Sarah laughed and became distracted again by the colorful, to say the least, people that were passing in and out of the lobby. They hadn't been the only folk to enter via the fireplace, it seemed more popular than the doorway. Looking around at her surroundings, Sarah was trying to think of how she would describe it. All she could think of was the Radisson meets the Crucible. "Come on," barked Zoe, "the sooner that we get settled the sooner we can go shopping."

Sarah followed like a lost puppy behind Zoe. "Your mom, she looks so cool." Zoe was spouting as they climbed the stairs.

"Yeah," answered Sarah. "Blew my mind." After climbing two flights of stairs, Zoe stopped in front of large door that stood open to reveal their moms and dads inside unpacking bags.

"This is our parents room, next to it is Eric's and one more down is for you, me and Tabatha, they're all connected of course," she explained.

Sarah waved to Mr. and Mrs. Turner who heard Zoe talking and stopped to wave back. Zoe then led them to their room, which was a rather noisy place now. Tabatha, who was dressed very similar to Zoe, was listening to her CD player, Max was howling to get out of his cage and Socrates and Mercedes were as equally vocal about their captivity.

"Tabatha," fussed Zoe. "You could have let the animals out."

"Oh sorry," said Tabatha turning to open the first cage door and then returning to her music. Sarah crossed the room and helped Max out of his cage, showing him where his temporary potty and kitchen were. Zoe released Socrates the same time Tabatha released Mercedes and they both flew out the window together very indignantly.

Zoe made Tabatha put on her headphones and when she did the two of them started to pull things out of their overnight bags and place them on the bed. They had left a change of clothes out of their trunks to wear on the train and their school robes, which they now hung in the closet so they wouldn't wrinkle. Sarah saw Tabatha make a face when they did. "What's that all about?" asked Sarah.

"She wants to go of course. I felt the same way every year Eric left," explained Zoe. "I actually feel sorry for her, but I won't tell her that."

Sarah chuckled and thought about Tabatha's dilemma. She hadn't even known about Dragon's Wood before she got to go. She couldn't imagine what it would have been like to wait every year while the rest of your family went. When Zoe and Sarah finished unpacking what they needed to, they grabbed Tabatha and took her to get their parents. "Come on you guys, we have lots of shopping to do," said Zoe impatiently.

Sarah checked her bag to make sure that she had her school list and waited as her parents and Zoe's gathered their things together to leave. They were about to leave when Sarah asked where Eric was. "He's already gone," said Tabatha butting in. "He left with some of his friends that are here."

Now that everyone's whereabouts were established, they decided to head out to shop. Sarah poked all the way through the hotel, trying to see everything she could see. Zoe finally grabbed her hand and starting pulling her. "The really cool stuff is coming," she complained loudly.

"Now Zoe, Sarah will need plenty of time to see everything, don't rush her," said John Nettleton trying to settle Zoe down. As they headed toward the back of the hotel, Sarah could tell that they were walking downhill. It wasn't long before they had come to a wide staircase and went down at least one full flight before coming to a large door. John opened the door and held it for the rest of their party.

Sarah froze four steps from the door. "Where are we?"

"We're under the city," said Zoe grinning from ear to ear.

Sarah looked up at the sky and laughed. "Yeah right, Zoe." Everyone else, including her mother laughed.

"No really, we're under the city it's bewitched to look like the outside. The sun comes up and the sun goes down just like up top, but we're underground. We're in an underground Mall, " Zoe explained.

"Cool," said Sarah staring at the sky.

Again, everyone chuckled. "Come on we've got shopping to do," Sarah's mom said grabbing her arm.

Sarah looked at her. "And I suppose you'll tell me that you've been here too."

Elizabeth nodded. "While you were at school."

Sarah shook her head. "All right then let's go." Elizabeth asked for Sarah's list and Zoe handed hers to her mother.

John looked at the women and then Bill. "If you ladies are going be all right, I think that Bill and I will do a little shopping of our own." Glenda and Elizabeth agreed that would be best and kissed their men on the cheeks.

"How about we all meet at the Hotel around four-thirty so we can settle things before dinner?" suggested Bill and everyone agreed.

When the gentlemen had left, Glenda and Elizabeth decided that they should head to the bookstore first. It didn't take long for the clerk at Barnes and Noble II to set them up with two sets of seventh grade and one set of eleventh grade textbooks, which were quickly sent back to the hotel room.

Next, they made a trip to the Apothecary to purchase the assorted potion ingredients and other items that they would need for the school year. Sarah hadn't been able to go to this shop last year and was thoroughly fascinated by jars and boxes of things that she had never seen before. "This is even better than Potions Class," she remarked looking around. Zoe had to practically drag Sarah out.

After taking a break to eat lunch at a corner sandwich shop, they visited the Tailors to get Zoe and Sarah a new robe, it seemed that they had each ripped one of theirs badly sometime during the last school year. Eric, Zoe, and Sarah had decided that their mothers didn't need to know that they had done this while rescuing Dillon from his underground encampment and had simply let them be scolded profusely about ruining them. Because of this, Sarah and Zoe were very anxious to exit the tailors and dispense with unpleasant memories. Zoe reminded her mother that she needed more paper, pens, and folders. "Yeah, actually I need some writing things too," said Sarah trying to get them to exit quicker. Glenda and Elizabeth had a feeling they knew what the girls were up to but neither was willing to bring up the subject. By the time they were finished buying writing supplies, Tabatha was complaining that she was bored and hungry.

"Well," said Glenda looking at the tower clock on the bank. "It is almost half past three I suppose we could head back to the hotel." Tabatha looked terribly pleased but Sarah and Zoe wanted to look around a little more. Glenda and Elizabeth agreed that they could wander a little longer as long as they stayed on the main throughway and were back to the hotel by four thirty.

When the moms and Tabatha had disappeared down the street Zoe suggested that they go look at the new broomsticks through the window at the Quidditch Supply Store. It wasn't surprising to either of them that they encountered Eric and his friends there. Zoe had been right about Eric looking fine in his "Sunday best," Sarah stared at him for a while through the window of the store, before Zoe popped her and told her to wake up.

"I see Eric's spending the money he earned this summer on a new broomstick," said Zoe, watching the store clerk package up a new broomstick for Eric. "I bet he bought what your dad got you."

"You think?" asked Sarah still daydreaming.

"It's the newest one, silly. Eric wouldn't spend his money on anything else," Zoe explained, irritated.

Sarah and Zoe stood back and waited for Eric and his friends to come out. Sarah now recognized the other boys as players from the Bellarmine Quidditch team, including the one that Zoe had a crush on. Matt had graduated last year and was working somewhere in Chicago. Sarah supposed that he had met Raphael and Eric. "Hey sis," said Eric walking out and spotting the girls. "Hey Sarah, you two loose on the streets alone?" he asked joking.

"Yeah, we finished all the school shopping early and mom said we could wander for a while. What have you been up to besides the new broom?"

"Just hanging," said Eric turning to his friends. "Hey guys you remember my sister and her friend." Eric's friends said their hellos, then Raphael said that his parents were waiting for him and Matt said he also needed to bow out promising to keep in touch.

"Yeah, we better do it too," said Zoe looking at the clock in the window. "We've only got twenty minutes to get back to the hotel for dinner." Eric said goodbye to his friends and caught up with Zoe and Sarah who had gone on ahead. Zoe had been afraid of saying something stupid in front of them.

"I hope we go to Bedazzled for dinner," said Eric after a short silence.

"Yeah right, that's way too cool a place for mom and dad to take us," said Zoe rolling her eyes.

"Bedazzled?" questioned Sarah.

"It's an upbeat restaurant with a hot band and everything," explained Zoe.

"You're probably right," agreed Eric. "But I can dream can't I?"

It didn't take them long to return to the hotel. When they got there, everyone else had already taken their goods to their rooms and was waiting for them in the lobby. As the children suspected, they didn't go to Bedazzled, but the restaurant that they ended up in was cool enough for Sarah. The food had been served family style and made Sarah think of the dinners at Dragon's Wood that seemed to go on forever.

After dinner, they had all wandered around the streets looking at all the unusual sights and things to buy. It wasn't long before Zoe and Sarah's moms declared that it was time to return and get ready for bed. The train would be leaving early in the morning and they all needed to be well rested for that. When the girls had changed and were snuggled down in their beds, their parents came in to say goodnight. Sarah thanked her mom and dad again for the wonderful trip and gave her mom two kisses for being so good about everything these days. When their parents had left and turned the lights out, Zoe leaned over to Sarah and whispered so Tabatha wouldn't hear. "They're doing it."

"Oh, Zoe, I'm going to get you for that." Then she added, "out of my head, get out of my head."

Sarah woke in a cold sweat and looked around to see if she had woken Zoe or Tabatha. She was very grateful that she had not. She couldn't imagine why, after all this time she was thinking about the catacombs again. Perhaps it had been the conversation she had had with Dillon a few nights ago, or maybe it was because it was only hours from now that she'd be boarding the train back to school. Right now, she just wished to push the thoughts she was awakened by out of her head. "Sarah, what's up," came the groggy voice of Zoe from across the dark room.

"Nothing," replied Sarah. "I'm just so excited I can't sleep." Sarah felt bad about lying, but didn't wish to spend the rest of the evening convincing Zoe that she was fine.

"Well, I am too, but we've got to get some sleep," fussed Zoe.

"Yes mother," joked Sarah getting a tut or two from Zoe before she rolled over to go back to sleep. Sarah looked out the window, stared at the stars and tried to convince her self that it was a fluke that she had dreamt of rescuing Dillon and that she wouldn't repeat this dream if she was to sleep again. It would take a lot of convincing for her to finally make it back to dreamland and although she hadn't had another nightmare, she was very happy that the sun was up the next time she woke so that she wouldn't have to go back to sleep again.

By the time, everyone was dressed and ready to leave for the station, John already had the luggage transported there. Sarah and Zoe took one more look around the lobby before they all left in two taxies for Union Station. Sarah had managed to convince her self that the dream was her way of dealing with the apprehension that she felt about going back to school but had to admit that even with the dream, she was less scared and more excited that she had been the year before. She and Zoe were the first through the wall and onto Track 31 and although she knew that she would miss her parents very much, she had convinced herself again that she was going to have a great and worry free year at Dragon's Wood.

Both sets of parents sensed that their babies were just too grown up for any extra fuss and soon after getting them to the platform they all kissed and said good-bye. "Send an owl as soon as you're settled," said both moms as they watched their children board and disappear onto the train.

Sarah and Zoe quickly found the car that held the rest of their Bellarmine friends. Even though most of them had seen each other only days ago, they hugged, talked, and carried on for at least an hour before taking a breath. After they had caught up and calmed down, William pulled out his letter. "I wonder what Divination is going to be like."

"I'm kind of looking forward to it," said Megan. "I like the idea of telling the future and predicting what's going to happen next."

"Eric said it was boring," offered Zoe. "But I figure if he thought it was boring it must be an easy class."

Sarah who had sat the whole time quietly summarized, "I guess we'll have to wait and see." She was still thinking about the conversation she'd had with her dad, the few strange things that had happened over the summer and of course her dream. There was a short pause, a deliberate quiet moment that was abruptly interrupted when the person that any of them was least likely to want to see opened the door to their car and entered.

Zoe acted as though she didn't see him enter. "What's that horrible smell? It's liked something died." She then turned and looked at Griffin and his cronies. "Oh, hello Griffin I didn't see you come in." Everyone in the room practically choked on laughter.

"Funny Turner, been working all summer on that one?" chimed Griffin.

"What do you want?" asked William, trying to head off a fight.

"Nothing really," he said smiling devilishly, "Just thought I'd check to make sure no one was fainting or having any spells."

Sarah took a deep breath and looked out the window. Zoe lunged forward only to be stopped by Megan. "He's not worth the effort."

"If I were you, Griffin, I'd be checking to see who might be behind me in the corridor," said William looking up and seeing Eric coming up behind Griffin with most of the Bellarmine Quidditch Team.

"And I believe that," Griffin said smirking.

"You believe what," said Eric standing behind him in the open doorway. "That you're a moron?" Griffin froze and without saying, another word gave them all a dirty look and left quickly, brushing past Eric and his friends.

"Zoe, I'm really sorry to see that you attract scum like that," Eric said joking.

"You know opposites attract," joked Zoe, then she added with a wink. "Thanks bro."

"Anytime," responded Eric as he and his friends left. It wasn't long after their encounter with Griffin that Megan popped up that it was time to don their robes. Then it wasn't long after that they were pulling into Dragon's Wood Station.

Dillon was waiting for them on the platform when they arrived along with his mother and Professor Quigley who quickly rounded up the sixth graders and took off toward the back garden of the school. Professor Ratcliff took the rest of the students to the tram that waited patiently to take them to the front entrance of the school. "This is so cool," said Zoe as they rode up the hill.

"Yeah Dillon, how'd your mom get the job of picking us up?" asked William.

"She always did it, I mean before. Killainka asked her to do it again," replied Dillon.

"That is so cool," repeated Zoe

Everyone shook their heads and smiled. It didn't take long for them to make it to the front of the school and then into the Great Hall. It was a warm summer's night and the large skylights in the Hall were open to let the cool breezes in. They had just gotten settled in at their tables when Professor Quigley entered with the sixth graders and they started the Choosing ceremony. When it was over Bellarmine had six additional girls and four additional boys. The feast that followed topped the last they remembered and when they were finished, Professor Killainka gave his usual address. "Good-evening students and welcome to another year of classes at Dragons Wood Academy. For the information of the new students and reminders for some of the old," with this statement he looked in the direction of the Parathion table. "It's against school rules to do magic in between classes in the hallways or in the dormitories that is not homework related. It is also forbidden and dangerous to wander around school grounds at night. Anyone caught doing so, will face detention."

Sarah remembered this speech from last year and her face went warm, after all, she had her self had broken quite a few school rules last year. As these thoughts entered her head, she caught Eric's eye and he winked. Apparently, he'd been remembering the rule breaking they had done also. She smiled and looked down at the table. She thought about the day's detention that she and Eric had received. She had often thought of cleaning out the old office that day and how it had been such a curious thing that Professor Killainka had asked them to do. She was sure there had been a purpose to this act that she would some day understand. Sarah now realized that she had daydreamed through the last half of Killainka's speech and that she was now staring at a table full of food. "Wake up Sarah," said Zoe smiling at Sarah.

Sarah blushed again and then filled hers. "Sorry about not paying attention," said Sarah after swallowing a big bite. "I was thinking about last year."

"Don't be thinking bad thoughts now, it's all over and this year is going to be great," reassured Zoe in between bites of her own.

Sarah smiled, "You're right of course." She looked down the table where Eric and some of the others were talking to the newly inducted Bellarmine students.

"They look so little," said William noticing where Sarah and Zoe were looking.

"We were just there William, it wasn't that long ago," said Megan looking at him crossways.

"I don't know Megan, it seems like a lifetime ago for me," said Sarah sighing. Dillon who had been listening carefully to their conversation also sighed.

Megan quickly changed the subject. "Maybe we should help them to their first class, we don't want any points taken away from the dorm because they got misdirected by Parathion's."

Dillon smiled, "I suppose you really mean I should help them don't you?"

Everyone chuckled. The group spent the rest of the meal talking about classes and Quidditch. There was only one interruption when the school ghosts made their traditional entrance, scaring the daylights out of the new students. Jimmy had a great time teasing the new Bellarmine boys and probably wouldn't have stopped if Mitsey hadn't drug him away. It wasn't long after that when they had returned to normal conversation.

Dillon was looking forward to dorm tryouts "You know, two members, one of which was the seeker, graduated last year. I can't wait to try out, I'd love to be on the dorm team more than anything in the world."

"I bet you'll get it," said Megan beaming. Sarah and Zoe looked at each other and rolled their eyes at Megan for being so embarrassing.

It wasn't long before everyone was stuffed and Killainka called for the Prefects to take the students to their dorms to settle in. Sarah received several welcome backs from her favorite portraits, and some of the students from the other dorms in the hallway. When they finally entered the dorm common room, Sarah felt very peaceful and content.

Everyone was having a great time rekindling old friendships and romances. Sarah caught Eric giving Annabelle a disgruntled look and had to chuckle a little to herself. It wasn't long before everyone started making their way down the hallways to their rooms. Zoe, Megan, and Sarah pushed their way through the crowd and past the Sixth Grade room to find their new home.

It was slightly larger but laid out much as their room last year had been. Each of the six girls searched for their spot. Sarah had no trouble finding hers again this year, Max was lying right in the middle of the third bunk down. They also soon discovered that they had a better view. "Look everyone," called out Megan. "You can see the Quidditch Field from here." Most of the girls rushed over to look. Sarah, who wasn't sure she was ready to view the field again, hung back. This would spike memories that she wasn't sure that she was willing to approach at this moment. After some additional conversation about the new room and the new year, one of the Prefects knocked on the door and reminded them they should be in bed. It wasn't long before they all reluctantly complied.

Chapter Three Tea Leaves and Offerings

Sarah woke early and brushed her disgruntled cat onto the floor. The sun was just peeking over the Quidditch Stadium when she looked out the window and it did bring back unpleasant memories. Sarah decided that she didn't want to take a chance on having another nightmare about the rescue, picked out some clothes and quietly left to get dressed. She was the first person to enter the common room that morning and took the opportunity to reacquaint herself with her benefactor. "Good morning Miss Bellarmine, it's nice to see that you're still here." Unlike the other portraits at Dragon's Wood, this one did not respond. It was still too warm for a fire in the fireplace but Sarah stood for a while staring into the hearth and thinking about things.

"Is she talking?" Sarah jumped a foot off the floor then spun around to find Eric standing behind her. "I couldn't sleep either."

"I didn't really expect her too, I guess I'm just still a little curious," said Sarah after returning her eyes to the hearth.

"Why us?" asked Eric staring with her.

"Yeah," she agreed.

"We may never know," replied Eric. A few students were now starting to filter down so Sarah went back to retrieve her friends for breakfast and left Eric standing alone and staring at the portrait.

"Where have you been?" asked Zoe pulling the robe on over her clothes.

"Just hanging, I guess I was too excited to sleep," said Sarah, grabbing her backpack.

"Are you sure that was all?" asked Megan concerned.

"You guys are such worry warts. I haven't had any funny nightmares since last spring so stop worrying about me," Sarah scolded not being quite truthful.

"It's just because we love you," said Zoe, smiling crazy and giving Sarah a big kiss on her head.

"You're really strange Zoe Turner." This was enough to break the tension of the moment and after a laugh, they all filtered down to eat.

There were all ready a lot of students eating breakfast, most of them paranoid sixth graders. Eric was there and flirting at the next table with his new girlfriend. This drew him a disapproving glare from Professor Quigley as she approached the table to give them all their new class schedules. "Good morning Students."

"Good morning Professor Quigley," echoed most of the table. She then began handing out class schedules. As she handed them to the sixth graders, she gave her speech about how they had her for their first class and how much she did not like students to be late. Sarah and the gang chuckled quietly, though it hadn't been that long since they had been given the same lecture.

"Let's see, what do we have first?" asked Zoe looking at her schedule last.

SEVENTH GRADE CLASS SCHEDULE BELLARMINE

LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH

"Crap," said Dillon. "It's Dark Arts."

Sarah smiled quietly; she wasn't quite as scared of Abydos as she had been before. It was like they had established some kind of weird bond that neither of them spoke of. "It will be fine, Dillon. Heck with what happened to us last year we should be tutoring the seniors in Dark Arts," she said joking. Dillon looked at her funny and then smiled.

Sarah had been right, Defense Against the Darks Arts class hadn't been a breeze, but Abydos was slightly more charming and even kind of fun. He had decided that they were ready for practical lessons and they had spent the morning watching a hinkypunk that he had trapped inside a large glass aquarium, and learning how it spent most of it's time luring poor unsuspecting travelers into bogs. He had promised that they would be seeing his hinkypunk friend soon so they should be paying close attention. Even Griffin managed to keep his mouth shut and his eyes to himself. This was the first time Sarah could remember that when they were done they hadn't made their usual mad dash out of the classroom.

"Oh cool, next is Divination," cooed Megan, looking at her class schedule as they left Abydos' classroom.

"I know where that is," moaned Dillon quietly, "it's probably the second creepiest place in the school. It's going to take a while to get there so we better get started." As they walked along, Zoe asked why Dillon thought it was creepy. "Well, it's not creepy like Abydos, it's more like Alfred Hitchcock creepy. Professor Semiramise makes me uncomfortable, it's like she looks at you and knows what you're thinking." He paused and added. "Maybe that's because she does."

Zoe laughed. "You don't really think that she can read your mind, do you."

"You won't be laughing when you meet her," Dillon said grimacing.

"I've watched her in the Great Hall she is kind of spooky looking," added Megan, "I heard last year that she warned the staff that something was going to happen to Dillon, Eric and Sarah before it did."

"Well if we're lucky she already knows we're going to be late so we don't need to rush," said Zoe shooting Megan a dirty look. Everyone laughed this time, even Dillon.

It turned out that Divination was the only classroom used in the south wing of the school. Sarah would find out later that it had been at Semiramise's request. There were dark, heavy curtains over the windows leading up to the door and very little additional lighting anywhere else. When they had reached the doorway, most of the Bellarmine and Keynes students were all ready standing outside it, no one wanted to be the first one to go in. "Go on," said one of the boys Sarah did not recognize. He was encouraging his pal to open the door unsuccessfully. Megan would be the one to find the courage to turn the handle.

Dillon had been right it was very creepy. The room was dark, lit only by a couple dozen candles and there was a strong smell of strawberries and cream. Instead of the rows of desks that lined most of the classrooms, a dozen small tables were draped with silk table clothes and flanked by uncomfortable looking chairs. Sarah was reminded of Grace Delphi's front room, which she had referred to as "The Sham Room" except for the smell that had a pleasant memory attached. There was a fire roaring in the large fireplace that was next to her strangely shaped desk. The room however was not hot. Fires like everything else at Dragon's Wood were not always, as they seemed.

Sarah, Zoe, and Megan sat down at one of the tables close to the door. William and Dillon sat at the one next to it and were later joined by a couple of the Keynes boys. They were getting a little edgy when the Professor finally stepped from a shadow by her desk. "Good Morning Class," she said quietly. Her voice was calming and song like, Sarah suddenly felt totally at ease. "Welcome to Divination." She was very petite and had long auburn, wavy hair and wire-rimmed glasses that were tinted blue. She wore a layered outfit of gold and blue silk and a violet robe that glistened as she moved. Sarah thought how unlike any of the other professors she was. No one spoke as she rounded her desk and stood staring at the table of Keynes students who sat closest to her desk. "If you were to open a Webster's Dictionary and look up the word Divination you would find that two meanings are listed. The first being, 'the attempt to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge by occult, or supernatural means,' and the second being, 'perception by intuition'." She paused and moved closer now focusing her attentions on a table of Bellarmine boys.

"We will examine many forms of Divination in this class, from Chinese Iching to Tasseomancy, the reading of tea leaves, to Scrying in many forms including Crystal Balls and pools of water. You will learn that acquiring knowledge from supernatural powers can be divided into two classes. There are those who will learn to obtain this knowledge by human agency. That is to say the use of dice, stones, and Tarot Cards etcetera. And there are those who this ability comes naturally to and have little or no need for such devices." Sarah grew suddenly cold and froze in her chair as she realized that the Professor stood only feet away now and was staring directly into her eyes. "I believe that everyone has supernatural abilities. Their ability to use these powers depends on their willingness to let go of objective reasoning and believe."

That was it. The candle from Sarah's table now lay burning on the floor. Megan screamed as Zoe stood and tried to stomp out the flame out. "I'm sorry," apologized Sarah after Semiramise doused the fire with the wave of her wand. Sarah hadn't any idea how she had started the fire, but she knew that she had.

"It's all right, Miss Nettleton my room can have an unnerving effect on some." She turned quickly and began to talk faster and a bit louder. "I expect for everyone to have read the introduction and the first chapter in their book before the next class. If you are in possession, as Miss Nettleton is, of any Divination equipment I will expect for you to bring it also to the next class." She turned again and looked at Sarah. "Would you like to share the Crystal that is in your backpack with the class, Miss Nettleton?"

Sarah was confused, how could she possibly know that Sarah had a Crystal Ball and why did she think that it was in her backpack. "P-professor, I don't have it with me," stuttered Sarah.

"Are you sure?" asked the Professor. Sarah leaned down and picked up her backpack, it was suddenly heavier than it had been. She reached in, pulled out the crystal and the brass dragon stand, and placed them on the table.

"Cool," said Zoe. "You brought it."

Sarah shook her head and stared at the crystal. "No I didn't," she whispered, her voice very shaky and then she smiled at the Professor. "This is going to be the longest hour of my life," she thought to herself.

One of the girls from Keynes dormitory reached over and tried to get the crystal. "NO!" cried the Professor scaring everyone in the room. "You should never touch someone else's Crystal. Only the owner should hold it otherwise you can transmit your vibrations onto it." Sarah scooted back a little in her chair, not so sure that she wanted to touch it now. "Would you perhaps give us a demonstration?" asked the Professor softly.

"I'd rather not," whispered Sarah and then to appease the Professor she added, "At least not today."

"Very well," said the Professor turning and walking away. Sarah took a deep breath and sighed. "I will be interested to see which of you will have the gift and which of you will simply learn to get by. Please note that I'm not easily fooled, and would be disappointed in anyone who cheated off another student or one who decided that since Divination is not an exact science they could fool me by making things up."

William and Dillon looked at each other and flinched. Professor Semiramise stopped again at the front of the classroom and glanced across the room. After a second, she summoned a tray with cups of tea and asked one of the students in the front row to pass them out. When everyone including herself had taken a cup, she suggested that they turn to page twenty in their textbook while they drank their tea. "When you are finished reading this section and drinking your tea, compare your tea leaves with the diagrams pictured and make your predictions. I want them in writing and passed forward without anyone else looking at them. I do not want your name on them, just your predictions."

There was a great deal of snickering and tongue wagging that got many of the student's ominous looks from the teacher. Sarah didn't laugh but wasn't sure she was looking forward to all of this mess. The tea was good, it was like Professor Semiramise's voice, soothing and comforting and the section that introduced Tasseomancy was interesting. It didn't take long before she was to the bottom of her cup and searching her tealeaves. Megan and Zoe were also comparing messes. "What do you think that it means?" asked Megan.

"I think it means she needs to get better teabags," joked Zoe as she turned to see the Professor staring at her displeased. "Okay, so I won't say anything else again," whispered Zoe to herself.

Sarah looked at her tealeaves and made a face, and then hanging over her paper, she agonized over what to write. Sarah took her time so that she was the last to hand in her paper as the bell rang. Sarah met the Professor's eyes as she handed her the paper and for a brief, second they were both holding the paper at the same time. Sarah felt strange, like a sudden burst of energy had filled her body. It scared her and she jumped back letting go of the paper. "Do not be afraid, Sarah," said Semiramise. "There is nothing in this place that can harm you." Sarah swallowed hard, nodded, and left the room as soon as she possibly could. Zoe was trying to keep up with her as she rushed off quietly.

"That was wild," Megan said trying also to keep up.

"I suppose," said William. " I guess it won't be too boring."

"Kind of spooky how she knew you had your crystal ball," said Dillon catching up to the rest.

Sarah, who had not said a word since they left the classroom, stopped dead in her tracks. "I didn't bring the crystal ball, and I don't appreciate the fact everyone was in on the joke," said Sarah crossly.

"Whoa," said Zoe stopping also. "I don't know what you're talking about Sarah." The rest of her friends chimed in agreement.

"All right then if you all didn't do it, who did?" asked Sarah very irritated.

"Maybe one of the older students did it, knowing how the Professor was," proposed Megan.

"I guess it doesn't matter," said Sarah calming down a bit and once again heading toward the next class. "It guess it was kind of cool finding it there."

No one knew what to say so they were all quiet for a moment as they walked. "Professor Chalipun is next, I love her class," oozed Megan.

"Yeah, I can't wait to see what we'll do this year," agreed Dillon.

As they expected, Transfiguration was as good as it always was. Professor Chalipun let them know that by the end of this year they would be turning larger objects into larger animals, which made everyone thoroughly contented. When class had ended, Professor Chalipun asked Sarah to stay behind for a moment. Sarah told the others she would meet them in the Great Hall for lunch and then went down to the Professor's desk. "Yes ma'am," said Sarah a little reluctantly.

"Sarah, it's all right really, please have a seat," she said coming around to sit down next to her. "I just wanted to see how things had been going for you."

Sarah sighed with relief. "I'm fine Professor, made it through the whole summer without one nightmare. Well not one that I didn't ask for," she joked.

Chalipun smiled. "That's fine, but that's not exactly what I was talking about," she said shifting in her chair.

"What then Professor?" Sarah said curiously.

"I just wondered whether you had thought things over the summer and had any more perspective on what you would like to do with your gift." Sarah wasn't ready for this question. Sure, she had thought about what had happened and what she had done last year she really didn't understand any of it and had no idea whether she even wanted to revisit her apparent "gift." Other than the one conversation with her dad and a lot of awkward conversations about the things that happened with her mom, she hadn't really talked about it enough to make any decisions about it.

"I guess I really haven't thought that much about it," said Sarah thoughtfully. "I still am having a hard time thinking about what's happening to me as a gift."

"I could see where that might be a problem," said Chalipun smiling. She got up and walked toward her desk. "I hear that you're taking Divination this year."

"Yes ma'am."

"There are a lot of wizards and witches who think that reading signs and predicting the future is a lot of garbage." She turned and sat on the edge of her desk.

"What do you think, Professor?" asked Sarah.

"I think there are a lot of Sayers, both Muggle and wizard born who use gifts real or made up to fraud a lot of people. However, I also know there are people both Muggle and wizard born, who have a true gift who never use it as they should. I also know that there is a lot more to Divination than predicting prosperity or death." Sarah sat quietly waiting for her to continue and after a long pause she did. " Professor Semiramise is a very old and dear friend of mine. Trust her as you have trusted Professor Killainka and me. In her hands perhaps you will find your purpose." She paused again and rose from her desk. "Now hurry along or they'll have everything eaten before you get there," she said smiling.

Sarah thanked the Professor and made her way to the Great Hall for lunch. When she got there, Zoe and the others wanted to know what Chalipun had wanted. "She just wanted to see if I was okay, you know last year and all," Sarah lied. Sarah was beginning to feel guilty about not sharing her conversation's with Zoe and her friends, but Sarah kept hoping that eventually they would end and she could go back to being just Sarah Nettleton.

"That was nice," said Megan and everyone else agreed.

It wasn't long before everyone had turned the conversation to Divination. Zoe had to relate the Crystal Ball incident to Eric out of Sarah's earshot; she didn't wish to be accused of masterminding it again. Eric seemed interested but let it go when Zoe told him how upset Sarah had gotten. Sarah at the other end of the conversation was agreeing with Megan that it had been fascinating. "What did you see in your tea leaves?" Megan asked Dillon enthusiastically.

"According to page twenty-one," started Dillon. "I'm going to be a sheep-herder when I grow up," Dillon joked and everyone laughed. "I didn't understand it at all. But they did look like a pear, the closest thing I could find was an apple which means prosperity and achievement," he said sort of sarcastically.

"Well you are pretty smart that's a great achievement," purposed William. " Mine looked like a mushroom. Unfortunately that predicts an upcoming disturbance," he said frowning.

"That could be anything, William, including bumping into a Griffin boy," chuckled Sarah. "Don't let it bother you."

Zoe, who had now rejoined the conversation, wanted to know what Sarah saw. "It took you an awful long time to write."

"I really would rather not say, you guys would just make a big deal out of it," said Sarah turning to eat some more of her sandwich. She hoped that they would drop it but that wasn't going to happen. "I saw a snake," said Sarah giving into the pressure. "But that's all I'm saying." With this statement, she rose from the table. "I'm going to take my Crystal back to the dorm before Flying Class, it's too heavy. Besides I need to get my broomstick."

Megan got out her book and quickly looked up the snake. When she found it, she passed the book to Zoe with her mouth gaping open. As Zoe read it, everyone else kept asking repeatedly, "What does it say?"

Zoe slammed the book shut and looked up at Dillon. "It means there's an enemy nearby."

Sarah beat everyone to flying class and was standing close to Sir Roger when they arrived. It was obvious to Zoe that she didn't want to talk about Divination class anymore today. They had Flying class with the Parathions again this year, so Sarah was having a great time showing off her birthday present. Zoe couldn't belief that anything could have made Griffin speechless, but Sarah's good luck obviously had.

Sarah very generously let all of her friends take one try each on her broom with Sir Roger's permission. He of course thought it a "splendid" idea. At the end of class, Sir Roger announced that Dorm Quidditch tryouts would be held next Friday and that anyone interested should sign the sheet that was posted that morning in their dorm common rooms. That was enough to take the minds of everyone off of Sarah's omen. William and Dillon talked about nothing but Quidditch and making the team all the way to Potions class. In fact, they were still talking about it when Dillon's mom entered the class and called the room to order. "Sorry mom, I mean Professor," said Dillon turning red. Everyone snickered a little and then got quiet.

"It's nice to see such enthusiasm on the first day of school," admired the Professor.

"Sir Roger announced Quidditch Tryouts," explained one of the other Bellarmine boys.

"Well I could see where that would be far more exciting than Potions, but let's try to concentrate anyway," she said moving toward the class. "If we can focus on class now we'll go over some of the things that we will be learning this year."

Professor Ratcliff spent the next half-hour going over what they would try to accomplish this year. In addition to revisiting last year's potions, they would be brewing new concoctions that would range from growing hair to warding off Vampires. She also mentioned that they would be learning to bake cakes that would only be digestible if the consumer was truthful and honorable. Zoe whispered to Sarah that she would like to feed one of those to Griffin and Sarah laughed. Finding Sarah in a better mood and noting that Professor Ratcliff was preoccupied with some students on the front row, Zoe took the opportunity to spring a question on her. "Sarah, are you worried about the omen in your tea cup?"

"Oh Zoe, why would I be? I don't know enough about Tasseomancy to actually read the signs and besides I haven't even decided whether or not I believe in all of that," said Sarah matter-of-factly.

There was something in Sarah's voice that was unconvincing, but they were now getting a look from Professor Ratcliff so she decided to let it go until later. By the end of the class, Professor Ratcliff had split them up into Lab groups. Dillon and Sarah had been paired with Grant Sanders and Michelle Blair from Keynes and Zoe, Megan and William had been partnered with Jeffrey Thomas from Keynes. When they were all partnered up they were given their first assignments and had began reading about it right before the bell rang for their next class, Herbology, which they also had with Keynes.

Sarah hadn't hated Herbology last year but had never really found it very interesting. She loved planting flowers and gardening at home, but had done it mostly for pleasure and as a stress relief activity. Unfortunately potting slimy plants and grooming man eating ones wasn't exactly her idea of relaxation. Zoe, however, was really into it. If everyone had a favorite teacher, Zoe's would be Professor Green. He was a strange little gray-headed old man who always dressed in denim overalls and wore an old brown cloak that was way too big for him and torn all along the bottom where he stepped on it constantly.

The few times that Zoe was missing from the common room on Saturday afternoons last year she had been in the greenhouse learning more than anyone could possibly want to know about Feggylons and Rendylows. Sarah sat on the greenhouse floor listening as best as she could to the lecture that Professor Green was giving them on Veining Mice-Eaters and watching Zoe. She chuckled to herself as she saw her hanging on his every word.

Sarah had been so busy that day that she had not allowed herself to think about the omen of her tealeaves. However, the boredom of the Herbology class was now allowing the time and the solitude to revisit it. She also thought about what Professor Chalipun had said and wondered if she had known what happened in Divination. At first, she laughed it off and then remembered how she and Professor Killainka had known everything last year and she suddenly thought that perhaps he would know also.

Sarah daydreamed through the rest of the class and had to be poked in the ribs by Megan when it was time to go. Zoe went on and on about Herbology all the way to their final class, which was Charms. Professor Quigley actually smiled when they entered into the room. It seemed that she had had a particularly rough day starting with one of the sixth graders blowing up his desk and followed close behind by a senior who had managed to make the chalk board walk across the room and jump out an open window. She had decided to just let them read for a while in their textbook while she sat by quietly waiting for class to be over.

Zoe and the rest of the gang couldn't have been happier about this except for the fact that they also shared this class with Parathion and it was such a shame to share this blessing with those creeps. Professor Quigley even let them all go early and then walked her students all the way back to the dorm chit chatting about their day. When they hit the dormitory corridor, she bid them farewell. Sarah plopped herself down on the couch and took a deep breath. Zoe jumped over the back and joined her. "What a great day huh?"

"Yeah, all and all it wasn't bad," answered Sarah.

"Hey sis, squirt," said Eric joining them after taking off his robe and throwing it on the chair next to him.

Zoe and Sarah both greeted him by throwing pillows off the couch at him. Eric ducked and then laughed. "Did you blow anything up today?"

"Nah," said Zoe seriously. "Maybe tomorrow."

Eric laughed. "How'd you like Divination?" he asked looking mostly as Sarah.

"It was alright," said Zoe, shooting a look at Sarah and then back at Eric.

"Yeah, Zoe predicted that Griffin would turn himself into a toad next Thursday. I can't wait to see if it comes true," joked Sarah.

Eric laughed but stopped when he saw Zoe was barely chuckling. "Hey, are you lovely ladies going to grace me with your presence for dinner?" he asked making eye contact with Zoe and asking for approval.

"I don't know, we have a reputation to protect," said Zoe, winking.

"Oh yeah, I forgot you're seventh graders now, way too mature for me," said Eric sarcastically.

"You're right," laughed Sarah. "But we'll eat with you anyway. Just let me change my clothes. I think I sat in something alive in Herbology." Sarah got up and looked down at Zoe. "Are you coming?"

"Nah, I don't care if I sat in something live in Herbology I'm too tired to change. I'll just wait here," said Zoe, giving her brother a strange look.

"Yeah me too, I'll wait here. But hurry, I'm hungry," complained Eric grinning.

Sarah shrugged and then disappeared down the hall, Eric leaned toward Zoe. "What's up?"

"Professor Semiramise asked us to read tea leaves," informed Zoe.

"And?"

"And, Sarah's leaves were shaped like a snake, that means--"

Eric interrupted her, "I know what it means, Zoe." He looked down at the floor and then up at Zoe. "I'm sure that it doesn't mean anything. I mean Tasseomancy is not an exact science," said Eric unconvincingly. "But I'll keep it in mind." He stood up leaned down, put his arm around Zoe, and said, "Cheer up, I heard Griffin saw an airplane. That's supposed to mean an impending journey. Maybe he's going to be expelled."

.