The Dreamwalker's Daughter

Chapter Five Halloween Happenings

The next week was wonderful. It seemed that everyone was willing to let Griffin's two apparent mishaps go uninvestigated. In the meantime homework was piling up and all Dillon could think of was the upcoming Quidditch season. On the other hand, Megan and William were starting to talk about the upcoming Halloween Ball. "Wouldn't it be cool if we could win the best group costume prize again?" considered Megan.

"I don't see how," said Zoe, "We really just lucked out last year."

"All we need is another great idea," suggested William.

"What did you do last year?" asked Michayla curiously.

"We were vampires," answered Megan. "It was so cool."

"Yeah but we're not that organized this year, and we have a lot more homework." Zoe slammed her book shut and looked around the library.

Sarah laughed and put her arm around her, "Zoe, you're such a whiner."

"Why don't we all come as famous wizards or witches?" suggested Megan.

"Yeah I could come as the Dark Lord."

Megan gasped and looked to see if anyone was listening. "That's not funny, Zoe."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Lighten up Megan, Zoe just has a morbid sense of humor."

Everyone was quiet for a long time after that and then Zoe spoke up again. "Face it people we should give up the group idea for this year and just wing it on our own."

Megan nodded. "I don't suppose that we have to do something together this year just because we did last year."

" Sounds like a plan to me," started Sarah. "Besides, it's not like I want to repeat everything that happened at Halloween last year," said Sarah, now staring out the library window. No one was willing to approach this statement with or without a ten-foot poll. Even Michayla who had no idea what she was referring to was not willing to ask about it. After looking at their tense faces, Sarah decided that she'd had enough of this conversation and said her good-byes. It was a long way back to the dormitory though without friends to converse with.

"Good evening Miss Nettleton." Sarah who had been in her own world, now spun around to find Professor Killainka walking beside her.

"Oh hi, Professor," said Sarah slowing down a little.

"How are you this evening?" he asked now matching her pace.

"Not too bad."

"It's a little odd to see you without your entourage," he observed.

Sarah stopped and looked into the Killainka's eyes. "Professor," asked Sarah. "How long do you think that it will take me to get over what happened last year?"

Killainka stopped and looked thoughtful. "What makes you feel that you have not dealt with it?"

"Well the fact that everything I've done this year has been second guessed by the faculty, my friends and myself."

Killainka placed his arm around Sarah's shoulder and forced her to walk on. "Perhaps you just need to go with the flow."

"What do you mean, sir?" asked Sarah.

"I'm sure that your teachers, including myself, are just concerned for your well being. I have to admit that probably has been a little on the annoying side for you," he said smiling.

Sarah smiled back. "It's all right sir."

"It's probably not all right, but we're kind of all old and set in our ways," he joked. Sarah chuckled. "I'm sure that your friends are just equally as concerned. You on the other hand are going to have to figure out what it is that's going to make you happy."

Sarah thought about what he said as she walked. "So in other words I need to just wait until a magic voice tells me I'm okay and then everyone will leave me alone," she said sarcastically.

Killainka smiled and stopped, they had just arrived at the entrance to the dorm corridor. "Well that's over simplifying a bit, but you've got the right idea." He looked down the corridor and then pulled out his pocket watch. "I'd love to continue this conversation but unfortunately I have a meeting in about ten minutes, so I'll leave you here." Sarah nodded and forced a smile. He turned as to leave and then stopped. "By the way, I know I said this before but, you did a fabulous job at the tryouts the other day. It seemed to come very naturally to you."

Sarah looked at him sort of embarrassed by his remarks. "I wrote my dad to tell him about it, you were right he used to play, Beater just like me. It's seems that every time I turn around I find out I'm more like him."

"More than you know, Sarah, more than you know," repeated Killainka walking away.

Sarah decided that she had pouted enough and headed toward the common room. Eric was playing chess with Raphael and was clobbering him, so Sarah decided to watch. It didn't take long before they were discussing the upcoming Quidditch Practice and the impending games. It was about a half-hour later that Zoe and the rest of her friends arrived back at the dormitory. Sarah could tell that they were almost afraid to come talk to her, so she invited them in on the conversation. "Hey Dillon, we're talking about Quidditch," Sarah called out. It didn't take very long before they were all talking about Quidditch, homework and just normal conversations again.

"Think your Dad would like some help with the Halloween decorations this year?" asked Eric as the conversation once again turned to the Halloween.

Dillon looked at Sarah, as though afraid she'd get upset again. "I'm sure he would."

"That would be cool, it was so much fun last year," expressed Sarah. Dillon, Zoe, and the rest seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"What are you going as this year, Eric?" asked Megan, relieved that they could continue their conversations about the Ball and costumes.

"That's a closely guarded secret," Eric said, winking at Zoe and Sarah.

"My brother's a fruit loop," explained Zoe, rolling her eyes. "He never tells anyone what his costume is."

"Maybe that's why he wins first place in the costume contest every year," said Raphael slapping Eric on the back. "The rat."

Eric grinned deceitfully. "You're just jealous."

Raphael laughed and rolled his eyes. "I got to go, it's getting too deep in here for me."

Everyone laughed and then Sarah looked at the clock and decided that she needed to get to bed. Everyone else agreed and Dillon, William and Eric, told the ladies goodnight as they parted, going down opposite hallways. When they were in their pajamas and ready for bed, Zoe plopped down on the bed next to her. "I'm sorry about earlier," she said making a face. "It seems that lately I can't seem to say or do the right thing."

Megan had overheard the conversation and joined them. "Ditto."

"It's all right, I guess I'm just having a harder time with things than I thought. You know it wasn't that bad a year, you know last year," admitted Sarah.

"Yeah, you met me," said Megan beaming.

Sarah and Zoe laughed. "That's true, and we even survived that," joked Zoe. "And we won the Gold Crest, thanks to us."

"Don't get a big head Zoe, I think everyone in the dorm had something to do with it," answered Sarah shaking her head.

Megan laughed and added. "And this year's going to be even better."

Sarah noticed that Michayla was sitting on her bed trying to look as though she wasn't listening. "Especially since we have Michayla now," said Sarah smiling in her direction.

"Yeah," said Zoe running over to plop on her bed.

Michayla smiled and said, "We'll see if you still feel that way at the end of the year."

Everyone laughed and then Madisyn Stevens, one of the other girls reminded them that it was late. After saying goodnight, everyone piled into their beds and drifted off to sleep.

Sarah woke in a cold sweat and patted around the bed for Max, who wasn't very pleased with the fact that Sarah was interrupting his beauty sleep. He changed his mind though when she picked him up and began to stroke him. "Sorry Max," she whispered to the cat, "I had a scary dream, and I need a hug." The lazy tabby rolled over in her grasp and purred with delight. "Thanks." Sarah looked around in the dark and tried to make out every thing and everyone to make sure that it wasn't something that wasn't supposed to be there. There was a chill in the dorm that night, so a fire had been lit in the fireplace. Sarah watched as the flames danced, forming spooky patterns on the walls.

She could hear Zoe breathing gently in the bed next to her. For a moment, she considered waking her, but decided that she didn't wish to open that kettle of fish. She could hear it now, "What do you mean you had a bad dream? We need to wake Professor Quigley or Professor Killainka right away." No, it was much better just to let it go. "Besides it wasn't like before," she was now convincing herself. "No Shadows, no owls no letters. Just people she didn't even know screaming at each other in a dark room."

Max had finally had enough of her attention, yawned, stretched, jumped down, and exited, most likely to get himself some food or drink. Sarah decided that she would attempt to relax and return to sleep, but after almost an hour of staring at the clock, she decided to take a book to the common room and read. She was nearly scared out of her wits when she arrived and found someone already sitting on the couch. "Michayla," gasped Sarah "You scared the crap out of me." Michayla, who had jumped and dropped her book when Sarah entered, concurred. Sarah sat down next to her as she picked up her book. "You couldn't sleep either?" asked Sarah looking at the Transfiguration textbook in her hand.

"Too worried about homework I guess," explained Michayla.

"You seem to be doing fine," said Sarah trying to assure her.

"I suppose, it's just that if I don't do really well, my mother's going to be able to take me out of Dragon's Wood." She looked down at her feet and continued, "I wasn't sure how I was going to like it here at first, but now I couldn't imagine them taking me out."

"I know," sympathized Sarah. "I couldn't imagine what life would have been like if my mother hadn't let me come. Although parts of last year I could have done without. Michayla made a funny face and looked back at the ground again. "You know Michayla, it's occurred to me that you probably would like to know what the heck I'm talking about."

"I figured that in time someone would tell me."

"Professor Killainka thinks I need to deal with it, maybe talking about it with someone who isn't worried about my fragile condition would help." Sarah began by telling Michayla about finding out about her dad on her birthday and how the dreams began. Sarah noticed that Michayla had tears rolling down her cheeks.

"My dad told me on my birthday too. It was pretty weird and that's when all of the fighting began," she explained.

"Well, I can't say my mother was completely happy about it, but she's managed to deal with it all and this summer she even participated in some of Dads activities."

"The whole world will explode before my mother will do that," said Michayla, sighing.

"Well after everything that happened last year I was thoroughly surprised. Oh yeah, where was I?" Sarah spent a long time just talking about the strange things that happened up until school started. She explained about what happened after her shopping trip, her trip to Grace Delphi's, and the trip to the school and what happened during and after the trip. Then she explained about coming to school and what happened at the Halloween Ball.

"That's what all that was about earlier," said Michayla, understanding.

"Yeah, the evening started out great but didn't end up so well. I figure the sooner the ball comes and goes without incident the sooner I can put that past me." Michayla nodded and then she told her the rest of the story without much detail, she nearly explained that an evil presence was possessing people and had taken Dillon. She down played Dillon's rescue best as she could, trying to give little credit to herself and barely mentioning anything at all, about how they had done it. "And so this year my friends are on pins and needles when they're around me and all of the teachers want to know basically what I want to be when I grow up," said Sarah bitterly.

Michayla smiled. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's all right I'm just whining a little," said Sarah shaking her head. "You have a real actual problem. If you ever need to talk just hunt me down."

"Thanks."

Sarah looked around the room; the sun was starting to creep through the curtains. "Looks like we made it to morning. We should probably go to our room before Zoe and Megan wake up and freak out because we're not there."

Michayla nodded and they walked down the hall toward their room. "There's nothing wrong with having a gift like yours you know," said Michayla as they walked.

"It seems more like a curse than a gift most days," moaned Sarah.

"I know it can seem that way."

Sarah stopped and looked at her. "What do you mean by that?"

Michayla turned red. "Nothing really," she said speeding up a little and reaching the door to their room. "I just guess it could be kind of cool." Sarah was about to say something else, when Zoe interrupted her as they entered the room.

"I was just about to come looking for you two," she said looking relieved. Sarah looked at Michayla and shook her head.

"I love you too, Zoe," said Sarah putting an arm around Zoe.

By the time, they had all gotten dressed and headed for breakfast Sarah felt better and had mostly forgotten about her dream and her conversations with Michayla.

Another couple of weeks went by and Sarah now imagined that there had been a faculty meeting about her, since none of her Professors were hinting or demanding anything unusual of her. Divination had continued to be taxing however, it seemed that every premonition that Sarah had seemed to be a warning of some kind. After a while, she stopped looking and just began to make things up. It didn't take long before Professor Semiramise kept her after one day to ask her why. Sarah had not really expected the Professor to know she was lying and didn't quite no what to say. "I'm sorry Professor, but it just seems that everything that I look at screams dread and destruction. I am getting a little tired of predicting my own demise," moaned Sarah.

"Sarah, omens are not always what they seem to be. Sometimes we indirectly influence what we see because of inner conflicts or outward interference," explained the Professor. "Don't be afraid of what you see and never lie about it to me or yourself." Then she looked at Sarah and repeated, "especially yourself."

Sarah had thought about what the Professor had said for days. It was only Zoe's insistence that she commit to a costume that finally took her mind off of it. Mitsey had managed to dig up some old Civil War Uniforms that William and Dillon were planning on wearing. Megan had promised to help them whip up some authentic looking wounds and blood. Potions class had continued to be her favorite and she enjoyed staying after with Professor Ratcliff even more than Wetherspoon. Sarah thought that maybe Megan had even felt a bit guilty that she liked Professor Ratcliff more, considering what had happened to Professor Wetherspoon last year. It really hadn't been her fault that Chinkana had been the catalyst for his retirement after all. However, she felt there was some guilt just the same.

Because of her craving for Potions Professor Ratcliff had offered her the use of one of her very old and beautiful ceremonial robes for the Ball. Zoe however, was insisting that she would make no decision on what she would wear until Sarah decided. Sarah however was not willing to commit. "I'm not sure I even want to go," said Sarah, attempting to bury her face in her Divination textbook one chilly afternoon.

"How can you even say that?" gushed Megan. "You have to go, you just have to."

Zoe rolled her eyes at Megan, but had to agree with her. "How can you not go?" she said closing Sarah's book in her face.

"Zoe!" griped Sarah opening the book again. "It's not like I don't have enough homework to keep me busy for the next two years."

However, it was Michayla that Sarah would be forced to listen to. "Sarah this should be one of the times where you should be grateful that you're here and not in some middle school." Sarah sat back in her chair and looked down at her lap. She could get annoyed with Megan, even angry with Zoe, but she couldn't help but understand what Michayla was saying. Megan and Zoe didn't speak; they weren't sure how Sarah was going to react.

"You're right of course and I'm being silly. I have spent way too much time this year worrying about last year. If I don't stop now, it will be next year and I won't have had a this year." Zoe wasn't going to try to make heads or tails of what she was saying; she was just going to go with the flow. Sarah sat quietly for a long while and then closed her book. "I know we could be ourselves and come as Banshee's," said Sarah with a big grin on her face.

Dillon and William busted out laughing. "That's the truth," they agreed.

Zoe looked at Sarah then nodded her head, "That would be kind of cool. We could scream all night. I bet Professor Murphy would love us."

Michayla smiled, but sat quietly. "Of course you'd have to do it too," said Zoe putting her arm around her. "Megan is being all Gothic and everything so you'd just have to join in with us."

Michayla's smile grew even wider. "I believe that a Banshee would not be too out of character for me either," she admitted.

"Cool," said Zoe and they all rolled their eyes. "I'll send my mom an owl and ask her to dig around the attic for something cool for us to wear. That's where all the best stuff is," explained Zoe to Michayla.

"Yeah, there was many a Halloween that Zoe and I were clueless as to what to do until we went on a venture to her attic." Sarah suddenly had a thoughtful look. "You know Zoe, one of those times I was in your attic I'm surprised I didn't figure things out."

Zoe smiled. "Well actually so was I. I always kind of hoped you would, even though I knew I would be grounded for life. I overheard them talking once about you and how if you were to find out on your own your mother would have to let your dad explain. Unfortunately, you were as clueless then as you are now."

Sarah gave Zoe a dirty look and then after a laugh they all continued making plans. Now that they all knew what they would be, they spent the rest of the evening talking about how much fun they were going to have. Megan started telling Michayla about last year's ball and got a kick under the table from Zoe. "It's all right Zoe, the parts that I remember clearly about the Ball were great, and I don't mind thinking about them."

Everyone was extremely happy that Sarah seemed to be cheering up and having a better outlook. As the days went on her attitude got even better. It was two days before the Ball and they all decided to once again hide in a room and try on their costumes. This time though they decided that they'd just use a study room, they weren't willing to take the risk of a repeat of last year, even if Abydos wasn't quite as scary this year.

Zoe's mom came through as always. It had taken, Socrates, Mercedes, Dillon's owl, Eric's owl, and a post owl to bring the packages that she had sent. They were having loads of fun helping each other dress and even more fun impressing Misty and Jimmy again when Eric knocked on the door and then barged in. After being scolded severely by Zoe and Sarah, he was allowed to stay as long as he didn't laugh. "What do you mean? Why would I laugh? You guys look great," he said leaning back in a large armchair.

"You think?" asked Dillon, greatly wanting his approval.

Eric repeated his sentiments and then moved on while they fidgeted and fussed with their costumes. "I came for two reasons," he started. "Number one Dillon are we still helping your dad with Halloween decorations tomorrow? And two, I got permission to have a pre-season practice on the field this afternoon from Professor Killainka, I want you two to be there."

Dillon's eyes lit up. "Are you kidding, I'll be there two hours early," said Dillon enthusiastically. Everyone laughed. "And my dad's expecting all of you so I hope you're still helping us," he remarked trying to recover some of his dignity. There was a quick discussion and explanation to Michayla on how they had helped with the Halloween decorations last year and how they all would be doing it again this year.

"You want to, don't you?" asked Dillon, turning a little pink.

"Sounds like fun," admitted Michayla, smiling widely at Dillon.

Eric stayed as they removed their costumes while discussing the practice, the decorating, and the Ball. William again tried to get Eric to reveal his costume, which was futile, and caused Zoe to boo and roll her eyes at him. Eric just planted a big wet kiss on her and walked away. "Don't forget guys, six o'clock," he said exiting, dodging the cushion that Zoe had just thrown at him.

It didn't take very long for everyone to put away their costumes and leave the study room. Dillon and Sarah finished their homework and then headed down to the Quidditch field followed by Zoe, Megan, William, and Michayla. This was the first time that Dillon and Sarah would be practicing with the whole team and no one wanted to miss it.

Despite the fact that Dillon was so nervous that he was sure he would fall off his broom, they couldn't have been doing better. It had been getting dark so much earlier these days so the lamps had been lit in the stadium so that they could practice. Zoe saw right away that Professor Killainka was sitting in his box, trying hard not to be noticed. She knew that Professor Killainka and her brother had a special relationship that she never quite understood, but seeing him here for simply an extra practice was impressive. Zoe had also noticed that Michayla seemed to watch everything Dillon did with great admiration, which tickled her pink.

Dillon, who was having little trouble catching the golf balls they were throwing at him, decided that he wanted the real thing. It took little or no time to accomplish his goal each and every time, which was beginning to worry the other players who were doing their best to keep him from doing it. Sarah however was having no trouble preventing the Bludgers from hitting them as they attempted to distract Dillon. The whole team seemed to be having a great time. Zoe and the other friends that had gathered to watch were also enjoying the show until some uninvited guest's arrived.

Zoe was the first to notice Malcolm Griffin and some of his teammates come out from under the left side of the stadium. This could have been enough trouble for Sarah and Dillon, but then she saw Malcolm's brother come out and join them. "Great," said Zoe scowling. " Both Griffin's, that's all we need."

"I wonder if they see them," said William looking up at their Quidditch team.

Eric had seen them and knew that this couldn't be good. It didn't take long before their snide laughter and nasty bantering started.

"There's no way that they see Killainka," said Zoe to herself, looking up to see his reaction. "Crap he left," she said out loud.

"Who left?" asked Megan, looking at Zoe.

"Doesn't matter," mumbled Zoe watching to see what was going to happen. William, Megan, and Michayla also stared as Eric and his friend Raphael took a lap around the field and landed in front of the Parathion crew.

"Don't worry Turner, we're not here to spy on your shitty team. There's nothing your wussy's could teach my pros," the older Griffin said coming into his face.

"We need to get down there," said Zoe starting to stress about her brother and her friends current situation.

"Zoe, I'm sure your brother can handle himself. We need to worry about staying out of trouble," was Megan's concern. Zoe knew she was right but still didn't like the idea of just standing by and watching what was unfolding on the field. She grew even more concerned when she saw Dillon and Sarah now joining Eric on the field.

"Oh look it's the Handyman Seeker," said Griffin as Dillon landed. Dillon didn't say anything, however his face grew red with anger.

"What's the matter, Nettleton, worried there isn't another Chandelier to drop on my brother," said Malcolm Griffin looking straight into Sarah's eyes.

Eric turned to see Sarah's face turn pale, her eyes seemed to glaze over and she placed her right foot out as though to make a move forward. Eric placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "He's not worth it," he whispered in her ear and then to Griffin's face he spoke. "Perhaps you and your brother should worry more about what is behind you."

"And what would that be?" mocked Malcolm.

Eric was now grinning ear to ear; everyone had been so caught up in Griffin's words that no one had been aware of Professor Killainka's presence. Dillon took a deep breath. "Sir, I didn't see you there."

"Funny Ratcliff, I'm not falling for that old trick," chuckled the younger Griffin. However when everyone in the stadium began to stare behind him and one of the older Parathion team members elbowed his brother they all turned.

"Do we have a problem here, Mr. Turner?" Killainka asked as everyone got his or her first look at him.

"What are they saying?" asked Megan trying to strain to hear.

"Quiet," yelled Zoe, also trying to hear.

"Doesn't matter," started William, "Killainka's there, it's all over now."

"I'm not sure Sir, Mr. Griffin here seems to think that we don't have your permission to be practicing on the field. Perhaps if you were to tell him yourself," said Eric smiling.

"I don't think that will be necessary, Mr. Turner. I'm sure that Mr. Griffin and his friends were just concerned about you and your friends getting in trouble. Otherwise they themselves would not be wandering around on the school grounds after dark without similar permission," decided Killainka.

"That's right," said one of Griffin's friends chickening out and starting to exit quickly. "Now that we know that they'll not be in trouble we'll be moving along." Everyone but Malcolm began to head out of the stadium even the younger Griffin. Malcolm gave Eric a look that assured him that this was not over and then followed his entourage. When they had left Killainka turned to the others and smiled.

"I'm very proud of all of you for your performance tonight, in the air and on the ground," said Killainka winking. "But I think that it's probably time for all of you to get some rest. I hear you'll be helping with the Halloween Ball decorations in the morning and we don't anything to ruin the Ball, do we. After all I'm looking forward to your winning entry this year Mr. Turner." Shortly after Killainka's exit Zoe and the others joined everyone on the field to discover the other team members discussing what had happened and congratulating Eric, Dillon and Sarah on keeping their cool.

"What happened?" asked Zoe as they arrived.

"Nothing really. They were jerks, we were cool and Killainka saved the day as usual," said Eric calmly.

"Sometimes, Bro, I think you lead a charmed life," said Zoe giving him a hug.

Eric laughed and reminded everyone that they needed to go in. On the way back, Sarah, Dillon, and the other team members related to Zoe and the bunch word for word what had happened. "Man Sarah I can't believe you didn't zap him," said Megan after hearing Griffin's taunt.

"Yeah, I mean you helped to defeat a death-eater is he a moron?" said William feeling bold. Sarah didn't say anything. She had never felt like a hero and hadn't ever admitted that she had a part in defeating anyone. She had only been there; she had only been a pawn in the game.

"I think that we've had enough excitement for one night," said Eric as they approached the dorm corridor. " The quicker we get to bed, the quicker it's Halloween." Everyone agreed and parted as they headed down the hall. Eric looked at Sarah and winked. "Thanks," mouthed Sarah as they disappeared into the corridor. Sarah was so tired from their practice that she had no trouble sleeping this night.

"It was even more fun than last year," Zoe said after taking a seat next to Sarah and Dillon on the couch.

"I never get tired of it." Dillon was brushing the dirt off the knees of his pants. "It was nice that mom helped too this year."

Sarah looked at Dillon and thought about the differences between this Halloween and last. It had been a good time helping Dillon's father last year but Sarah could tell the difference this year, after all this year it had been Charlie Ratcliff. Sarah abruptly had twinges of dread again for the upcoming evening, and Eric noticed it right away. "Hey, let's go get some lunch, I'm starving," he said, slapping Zoe and Megan on the back.

"Sounds good," echoed William and they all rose and headed out of the common room.

Sarah hung back a little as they walked and Eric hung with her. "It's going to be fine, you know." Sarah was embarrassed that Eric could tell something was wrong and she gave him a funny look. "What, you didn't think that I would know how you felt?"

Sarah looked down. "I don't know why I'm still stressing about this. I know that nothing's going to happen tonight, but I just can't shake this weird feeling." Sarah stopped and looked around. Everyone else had gotten a ways up the corridor and no one had noticed the two of them lagging behind. "Can I tell you something?" Eric nodded, looking concerned. "I've been having strange dreams again. Not like before," she quickly added, "but strange."

"What about?" asked Eric looking around also to see if they could be heard.

"Michayla. Ever since she arrived I've been having strange dreams about her."

"Like what?"

"Well first of all it's very strange in how they occur, different than a regular dream. It's like I'm sitting up in my bed and watching a movie on a movie screen."

"Go on," he encouraged.

"Sometimes she's in court and people are crying and yelling everywhere and there are these two people who keep pulling and pulling on Michayla until they pull her apart." Sarah looked at Eric. "I know I sound crazy."

"Not really. I've had stranger dreams than that," said Eric reassuringly. "Have you thought about telling Professor Chalipun?"

Sarah nodded. "Yeah, but I'm not sure I want to know what all of this means. In addition, it could just be me sympathizing with her. I mean we do have a lot in common."

"I suppose that could be true," said Eric thinking about it for a while. Eric noticed that they were now attracting the others attention. "Why don't we talk later? In the mean time, Chinkana's gone and you guys have great costumes, and you have to be there when I get in trouble tonight for mine," Eric said grinning.

Sarah looked at him oddly and smiled. "You're coming as Voldemort?" asked Sarah.

Eric winced. "I'm not willing to get in that much trouble. But it will be good, I promise," he said winking just as Zoe and Megan returned for them.

"You guys let's go," Zoe said nagging.

"Yes sis," said Eric messing up her hair.

"Oh like that was necessary," said Zoe trying to smooth down her hair

"Give it up Zoe, it's a lost cause," joked Sarah. Lunch was fantastic and just talking to Eric had made her feel better. Sarah decided that she would put her best effort forth to have a great time at the Ball.

It wasn't very hard not to get into the spirit anyway. As with last year the ghosts were given the freedom to do as they pleased and were having a great time popping up in unexpected places and scaring the pants off of the new students. Arthur even managed to give Michayla a terrible fright after mistaking her for one of the Parathion girls. "I'm sorry miss," he apologized, before flying off. Dillon explained that Arthur was all right and could be a very useful friend and Michayla wasn't frightened anymore.

Even the faculty were in the appropriate mood. Sarah and Zoe almost died laughing when they saw Professor Murphy looking like a werewolf and chasing some Broughton boys around the east wing corridor. "Sixth graders," said Zoe as they watched and laughed.

As it grew darker and nearer the time for things to start the excitement and the noise level in the school increased. By six o'clock, all of the hallways and rooms surrounding and leading into the Great Hall were aglow with thousands of candles and brightly lit jack-o-lanterns. Sarah was convinced now that Professor Killainka made it storm on Halloween, since there was an equally impressive storm outside the school walls as last year. Looking briefly out a hallway window, Sarah remembered how much she used to like a storm, that was until she lost part of a night in one.

"Hey Sarah daydreaming again?" asked Dillon, coming up behind her. Sarah had a sudden panic attack, and whacked Dillon on his arm. "Ouch!" screamed Dillon, "What was that for?"

"Just making sure you're real," she said smiling.

Dillon laughed and then looked out at the storm, "It is kind of spooky isn't. But I assure you that I am not possessed," he said coming at her with a possessed look on his face.

"Ha, ha," responded Sarah grinning." Let's go find the others, it's almost time to get dressed and go." Sarah and Dillon walked along for a moment quietly and then Sarah spoke again. "Dillon, I was wondering how have things been for you this year. I mean everyone's been making this big deal about sheltering me and you spent a couple of weeks in hell last year."

Dillon sighed and glanced out a window at the last lightening strike as they went by. "Actually, I haven't had any nightmares since school started back and being back in the dormitory and classes, well I have enough to think about," he chuckled. Sarah smiled. "Besides, I'm more worried about you and Eric. That thing, he wanted me because," Dillon choked on the words, "because I was his son. He wanted you and Eric because you were you." Sarah felt a chill run down her spine. He was right of course and Sarah had thought about it a lot over the summer. The words that he had spoken still rang in her ears when she was alone. What had he meant about her potential and her father's name? How would she have been an asset in his dark plan? There were tears rolling down Sarah's cheeks now and she stopped to hide them. Dillon stopped and raised her head gently with his fingertips. "I didn't mean to upset you," he apologized.

Sarah sniffled and forced a smile, "I'm sorry Dillon it's just that, well things have been happening that I haven't told any of you. Not even Zoe," she admitted. "Then there is all of this craziness with the chandelier and the Bludger."

"Sarah, my mom says that there was no proof that any of us had anything to do with either of those things, that's why they let it go," said Dillon releasing Sarah's chin and pulling out a tissue for her face from his pocket. "It must have been one of the upperclassmen pulling some kind of a prank and trying to get us in trouble."

"Like the crystal ball in my back pack," retaliated Sarah. Dillon gave her a puzzled and kind look as she wiped her tears.

"Well all I know is that I'm alive and well because of you, Sarah Nettleton, and if you have something special about you that makes you different and even makes you desirable to Dark Lords I'm glad you're my friend," said Dillon grinning. "It doesn't matter what you or anyone else thinks or says about you anyway, Sarah, you'll always be special to me," he teased.

"I'm leaving, going quickly before I throw up," said Sarah hurrying down the corridor and laughing. When they reached the common room, they found many of the students already dressed and admiring each other. Megan and Zoe had half of their costumes on and were looking for them.

"Where have you two been?" griped Zoe.

"Nowhere," said Sarah.

"Oh God, you were watching the storm again weren't you?" complained Zoe.

Dillon and Sarah turned to look at each other and laughed. "Oh hush Zoe, we need to get ready," they said walking past her and heading to their rooms.

It was a quarter till seven when they were all assembled in the common room. "You guys look great," admired Dillon, as he looked at Zoe, Sarah, and Michayla in their hauntingly spooky gray tattered gowns. All three of them had frizzed their hair up badly and were covered with green makeup and their eyes looked old and sunken.

Dillon and William were equally as eerie with their bloody, torn, civil war uniforms, realistic wounds, and equally bloody faces. Megan was the only one who did not look like a corpse. The robe that Professor Ratcliff was the most beautiful thing Sarah had ever seen. Megan who loved being glamorous was in heaven when she entered the room and received several whistle calls and admiring looks from the older boys and William. When they were all finished admiring each other, they gathered and proceeded to the Great Hall along with some other ghosties and ghoulies, some of them real.

"Where's your brother?" asked Sarah as they walked.

Zoe shrugged. "Don't know. He likes to make an entrance you know." Everyone nodded and chuckled.

The Great Hall was even more beautiful and scary than last year and was now packed with students dressed in the best, cutest, or scariest costumes they could think of. Zoe noticed that Professor Murphy had given up the werewolf guise for a dress robe like the rest of the teachers, but was still pulling various scary things out of his pockets to produce screams from every sixth grader that he passed. Sarah could swear that she saw Professor Killainka pass him some of them when he thought no one was looking. Zoe was having a great time walking around the room with Michayla and forcing her to wail at other students. However, the highlight of the evening had been when Professor Murphy had spent ten minutes relating to them the story of his first encounter with a real Banshee.

Sarah and the rest of them had just about forgotten about Eric when someone screamed at the top of their lungs causing the entire room to come to a complete quiet. "What is it?" asked Megan trying to strain to see what had caused the panic.

"It's a Dementor," whispered one of the older students.

"What's that?" asked Michayla.

"Just about the scariest thing on earth next to the Dark Lord," explained Megan as quietly as she could. Sarah was more curious than scared. She had heard her father and Zoe's talk about the Dementors once before and she was wondering what they looked like and what one would possibly be doing there.

"They're the guards at the wizard prisons. They'd just as soon kill you as look at you," whispered another student nearby.

"They'll take your soul," whispered another.

Zoe rolled her eyes and laughed out loud. Megan kicked her shins and looked at her like she was crazy. The tall dark robed figure moved closer and parted the crowd as it moved. It seemed to glide across the floor as opposed to walk and no one was willing to approach it until Killainka came forward. He seemed to have the same approach to the creature as Zoe had and moved forward. He began to clap, "Well done, Mr. Turner, however I'll always have a soft spot for last years costume."

Zoe was now laughing louder as Eric lowered his hood, raising several gasps from the crowd, and was grinning from ear to ear. There were mixed cries of relief and bravo as the whole room returned to the festivities after clapping for Eric. As Eric expected though, he received a thorough tongue lashing from Professor Quigley after she had given him her vote for best costume. It wasn't long before Eric was mingling with his friends and dancing with his new girlfriend and the other friends followed his lead. As last year, Zoe talked everyone into getting on the dance floor and making fools of themselves. Unfortunately, they ended up drawing the wrong kind of attention. "Nice moves," mocked Griffin coming up from behind the group scoffing at their dancing.

Zoe looked him and his cronies up and down taking in the horrible job they had done dressing as vampires. "A year late and a dollar short huh Griffin." Sarah and the others snickered.

"It doesn't matter how much makeup your half-breed friends put on Turner, they can't disguise the fact that they're Mudbloods."

Zoe saw a tear roll down Michayla's cheek and turned to advance on Griffin. "I suppose that I could say the same for your ignorance, scum ball."

Dillon watched as Sarah's face turned red and she started to breath heavily. He began searching the crowd for Eric or perhaps one of the teachers, but no one was near and those that were weren't paying attention. That is until the bottom of Griffin's robe was suddenly in flames. "Shit!" yelled Griffin loudly as he tried to beat out the flames and was unsuccessful. It took one of his goons grabbing a passerby's drink and dousing him to put it out.

"You did this!" Griffin screamed pointing at Sarah as everyone in the room began to take notice. "Wait until I find my wand and I'll get you," he said searching through his robes.

"You'll do no such thing," came Professor Murphy's voice from behind Dillon who now moved to let him through. "I'll take that Mr. Griffin," he said holding out his hand. Griffin, who was sorry now that he had found it, handed his wand to Murphy, who in turn handed it to Professor Killainka who had now joined the scene.

"I don't know what's going on here but it's just about time to announce the winners of the costume contests and I assure you, that is more important than anything you could be saying or doing here Mr. Griffin," Killainka said surveying the crowd.

Sarah was still red and breathing hard but was calming slightly. Professor Murphy looked at her and held out his arm, "It wouldn't be a proper Halloween Ball without a Banshee or two on each arm," he said smiling. Sarah hesitated and then smiled back and took his arm. He now held out his other arm toward Michayla and Zoe. "Ladies?" Zoe breathed a sigh of relief as they all allowed themselves to be escorted to the front of the room. As they walked, Zoe shot accusing looks at Dillon and William, who in return shrugged their shoulders at her. When they reached the front of the Hall Professor Killainka began.

"Good evening everyone, from the looks of things it seems that we have all done well this year in our costume choices." He paused as everyone turned to admire and congratulate his or her neighbors. "But as in every year we are forced to make the decisions as to who had the best." Killainka now reached into the air and came back with a piece of gold parchment. "It is my great pleasure to announce that despite the fact that he may be serving detention at the request of Professor Quigley," Killainka said, grinning, "That for the fourth year in a row the prize for the best costume goes to Eric Turner, for his brilliant, and as some of our younger students may tell you, terrifying, Dementor costume." The room burst into spontaneous applause as Eric, who was again hooded came to the front to except his prize. Killainka laughed heartily as he handed it to him.

Zoe rolled her eyes as she clapped. "Every year his head gets bigger and bigger," she complained to Megan.

As Killainka began to announce the winners of the remaining categories, Zoe first looked around for Sarah and then to see if anyone else was around to listen. "Please don't get mad at me," she began, "but did you do that?"

Sarah shook her head. "I swear that I didn't" But she sounded as though she was trying to convince herself. "I couldn't have, could I?"

Zoe looked at her confused. "Don't you know?"

"No, I don't," she whispered looking around. "When the chandelier fell, when the Bludger flew and just now, I was angry, I mean really angry. There was this funny feeling, like a burning in my stomach and then it happened. Could I have done it without knowing?"

Zoe shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe we should ask someone."

"No," said Sarah quickly, "What if I did? I probably could get expelled for attacking another student."

"Not if it wasn't intentional," said Zoe. Sarah wasn't so sure and she made Zoe promise she wouldn't repeat her concerns. Which she did just as Killainka announced the Megan as the winner of the most elegant costume. Sarah and Zoe clapped as she made her way to the front and with that being the last announcement for the evening the group decided to retreat to a corner table to eat some dessert and pretend that nothing strange had happened that evening.

"All in all," Sarah thought to herself, "It was a great party and the best Halloween she had ever walked away from." This made her chuckle but only for a minute the reality of what had happened came back when she looked up and made eye contact first with Griffin and then Professor Killainka. "Hey Zoe, I'm tired and this makeup is killing me do you care if we go?"

"I was just going to ask you," Zoe said smiling. They soon discovered that everyone was listening and agreed.

As they walked back to the dorm, the obvious highlight of the evening was avoided and when the girls were all snuggled down in their beds and the lights went off Sarah looked over to the fire in the hearth and sighed. "Help," she said softly as she faded off to sleep.