The Dreamwalker's Daughter

Chapter Nine Sarah's Nightmare Before Christmas

No one was surprised when Dillon managed to pull off the highest marks in the Seventh Grade for the third time since he'd been attending Dragon's Wood. They were, however, impressed when Michayla was right up there with him. This seemed to Sarah to be the deciding vote that they were destined to be together, causing a slight twinge, out guilt and perhaps jealousy once more. Again the others seemed to do well enough in there subjects to rank up next to their friends and Eric held his top spot in the junior class, so they had plenty to talk about over their last lunch together.

It had stopped snowing long enough for them to all go down to the station and wish their friends a fond farewell and a Merry Christmas. Zoe hugged Sarah three times before Cedric reminded them that the train needed to be on it's way. This would be the first Christmas since they were babies that they hadn't been together for at least part of it. Zoe reached into her robes at the last minute and pulled out a wrapped box about the size of a large shirt box. "Merry Christmas, it's from Eric and I, he got it on his last trip into town. Don't open it until tomorrow and send me an owl to tell me how much you like it," she said almost all in one breath. Sarah laughed and told her that their presents had all ready been sent to their house and would be there when they got there and then gave her one last hug as she received one last dirty look from Cedric and boarded the all ready moving train.

Sarah, Dillon, and Michayla stood on the platform with the other students who were staying behind and waved until the train was completely out of sight. Sarah didn't say a word the whole way back to the school, keeping a tight grip on the package that she had just received from her best friend and only releasing it reluctantly when she placed it under the dorm Christmas tree.

The three friends had dinner together in the almost empty Great Hall. It was Christmas Eve and even some of the teachers where not in attendance. Dillon's mom and dad came out into the dining room and sat next to the few Bellarmine students that remained.

Sarah couldn't believe it when she witnessed Professor Abydos flirting with Professor Chalipun for the third time. She decided that there had to be more to this relationship that met the eye and then she met eyes with Professor Chalipun. Sarah hadn't been ready for her suspicions to be validated, but the warm feeling that she got from Chalipun's glance had let her know that she needn't be creeped out. At this moment, she was sure that there was going to be times when this 'gift' was going to tell her things that she didn't need or want to know.

Sarah had tried her best to stay in her own little world as much as possible, opting to let Dillon and Michayla spend this time together alone, until it was time for Dillon to head out to his mom and dad's place. After telling them good night, he assured them that he would be back first thing in the morning to watch them open their presents and then left.

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Sarah was still moping over the fact the she was not going home for the holidays and her best friend was not going to be there and found herself sitting in front of the fire, wishing that it would hurry and be January 1st so that everyone would be back and she wouldn't be so alone. Then Sarah noticed that the fire was swirling and sparking in a usual way and leaned closer to get a look.

"Feeling sorry for your self?" Came a soft almost silent woman's voice.

Sarah was taken back for a moment but then smiled and leaned back in her chair. "Yes, but I'm trying hard not to."

"At least you're not in the Infirmary."

Said chuckled and smiled, "I suppose that is a plus." She paused and leaned into the fire again. "Thanks. I needed that." There was no response. Sarah felt a tear roll down her cheek and wiped it quickly. Then looking around at the almost empty common room she decided to head to bed. Socrates was sitting at the bottom of her bed preening him self and squawked appreciatively as she entered the room. "Hey guy, I can't believe you made it back so soon, you got something for me?" said Sarah sitting down on her bed and seeing the brown paper wrapped package and two letters which looked suspiciously like Christmas Cards. Sarah opened the red one first recognizing her mother's handwriting. There was a lovely Christmas card with a picture of Clear Lake covered in snow and a note from her mother inside.

 Dear Sarah,

Thanks for the letter I miss you too. I wish we could have been together but since I will only be home on Christmas day and then off again, it didn't seem fare to have you come home. I assume that you received my packages; since Socrates is so reliable, please let me know what you think as soon as you open them. I will open yours when I am home for good. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow all day. Miss you much. Love, Mom

P.S. Your dad and I have made a date for New Year's Eve in New York's Time Square, wish us luck and love. Mom

Sarah felt another tear roll down her cheek and let it go. She took a deep breath and then folded the paper and put it and the card back in the envelope and laid it on her nightstand. She looked down at the second letter, which was obviously from her dad; she recognized his chicken scratch and the gold parchment envelope. Sarah tore into the envelope and pulled out the tri-folded parchment letter.

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Pumpkin

Merry Christmas. Another year gone but not forgotten. Sorry you didn't win your second game, but then again, we can't win them all. I'm sorry to say that my last year at school we won only one game, so cheer up and never blame yourself.

Socrates should have your gift with him, whether you open it now or in the morning is your choice, however I've found that it's a lot more fun, even at my age, to wait until the morning. I've brought yours along so that I can open it first thing tomorrow. I suppose I'll be teased quite a bit by the others but who cares.

Sarah thought about the Filibuster's Fireworks that Eric had picked up for her when he had gone into town one weekend and what she thought her father's face and his friends might look like when he opened them tomorrow morning. Sarah chuckled slightly knowing how much her father loved a good gag, and then continued.

Sorry you've ended up being there alone but I'm sure it will be all right since Dillon's there. I'm assuming you've not had any more nightmares since you haven't written. Perhaps things are settling down for you and Michayla. Well Socrates is looking a bit impatient so I better sign off now. Miss and love you lots, Dad

Oh, almost forgot your mum and I have an official date on New Year's Eve, wish me luck. She'll skin me alive it I don't make it on time.

Sarah again chuckled, folded the letter up, and set it next to her mothers. She held the package for a moment and then placed it over to the side as well deciding to open it in the morning. After giving Socrates, a treat from the same table she bid him goodnight just before he nibbled her hand and flew off through the open door. Sarah leaned down and rubbed her big fuzzy cats ears just long enough to cause him to purr and roll over. Sarah pulled back her covers and snuggled down underneath. Turning the knob on her table lamp down she watched the flame go out and was just about to nod off to sleep when she heard a strange noise coming from the other side of the room. As she listened carefully, Sarah began to distinguish the noise as sobbing, and since she and Michayla were the only ones left in the room for the holidays, Sarah guessed that Michayla was feeling as sad as she was. Sarah tried hard not to listen, but finding herself again feeling lonely, joined her as silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

Sarah hadn't even realized that she had fallen asleep when she awoke to the strange sounds of chanting. "Damn," said Sarah becoming totally aware of her surroundings. "Michayla why couldn't you stay in bed tonight, of all nights Christmas Eve." Sarah moaned looking across the Potions class and saw Michayla in front of the fireplace again. "I have half a mind to wish my way straight to Professor Killainka's office and turn you in," she continued, being in a particularly foul mood now. Sarah couldn't continue to be cross when she drew closer and noticed that Michayla was sobbing in between chants. "Michayla, Michayla," said Sarah softly but sternly, but again it seemed she couldn't be heard. Sarah sighed and looked into the air. "How come I keep coming here if I can't do anything to help?" No one answered and Michayla continued to act as though she wasn't there. Sarah was about to start wishing for something, anything when there was suddenly someone else in the room.

Sarah took two steps back as fast as she could and fell silent. The dark cloaked figure had been in the first dream, in the Potions class. Even though Sarah was closer this time, she still couldn't make out if it was male or female or hear what was being said. However, this time Michayla was not to be calmed. Sarah's feelings of rage were slowly turning into a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach that was starting to churn and rise until she felt an overwhelming sense of dread and foreboding. Then when she thought that she couldn't feel any worse she heard a voice.

 "This is not your dream, you have no right to be here," it was a low hissing voice that seemed to come from every direction in the room. "She is mine to deal with, not yours."

Sarah felt the room grew deathly cold and turned to the fireplace. "This would be a good time," she said, gazing into the flames. Then, as if she had touched a portkey or had just thrown a handful of Floo Powder into the fireplace, Sarah watched as the room began to twist and spiral out of control causing her to loose her balance and what little control she thought that she had over this dream. Then the oddest thing happened, she felt herself being thrown out of the fireplace and onto the common room floor.

Sarah shook her head and looked around. There was no light except for the light from the fireplace and the lights on the Christmas tree, but Sarah could see that there was no one else in the room with her. "What it the world is going on now?" she called out to no one. Sarah stood and brushed the soot off of her pajamas. "Just when I think I have a handle on life, something like this happens," she said looking around again perhaps for an explanation, and after taking a deep breath she headed back to her bed trying to sort out what had happened.

Sarah stuck her head in the door to their quarters first and looked for Michayla. She became more frustrated and confused as she found her there, in her bed, fast asleep. She wasn't sure whether she'd had been happier if she hadn't or if it even mattered. They both seemed to be in one piece and back in their room so she decided that she was way too tired to stay awake and stress about. "Besides," she thought, "it's Christmas Eve and I'm not going to be a zombie on Christmas day because I'm too scared to go back to sleep." Max gave her his traditional disgusted look that she was disturbing him and then curled up next to her back. "Max, if I leave again, get Professor Killainka," she said half asleep and chuckling. Max just pushed him a little harder against her back and purred.

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"All right you two. It's time to get up. I mean honestly it's Christmas morning," Dillon was banging and calling from the hallway. Sarah sat up and rubbed her eyes at the same time Michayla rolled over and looked toward the door.

"All right, all right," yelled Sarah to keep Dillon from continuing, "We're awake." Sarah shot a large Christmas grin at Michayla even though she wasn't feeling quite hospitable to her this morning. "He's going to keep up that racket until we get up," she said forcing another smile.

"He does seem rather persistent, doesn't he?" answered Michayla swinging her feet around to the side of her bunk and stepping down on to the cold hard floor. "Brrrrr. Maybe not," she said searching around for her fluffy slippers as Sarah chuckled. "You think it's funny, wait until you hit the floor."

Sarah pulled her legs out from under the covers and showed Michayla her sock covered feet. "I never go to bed without them," she said continuing to chuckle.

Their conversation was interrupted by Dillon's voice coming through the door again. "I'm going to start opening your presents in two minutes," he said this time.

Michayla and Sarah looked at each other and laughed. "Oh shut up, we're coming," answered Sarah in a loud voice dropping to the floor and finding her robe. Michayla did the same and they shuffled over to the door swinging it open to find Dillon grinning widely on the other side and holding a Nimbus 2001, just like Sarah had gotten for her birthday.

"Can you believe, Mom and Dad? They said that they were both so proud of me making the team and everything," he said shoving it toward them.

Sarah pushed him away, "You're too cheerful for this early in the morning. Even if you did get a really cool present."

"What do you mean early, I've been up for two hours?" Michayla and Sarah laughed and then pushed him down the hall and into the common room. There were about half dozen or so students already gathered around the tree opening presents when they arrived. Sarah sat down in one of the chairs close to the tree and rubbed her eyes.

"Come on," said Dillon pleading her with his eyes. "I want you to open mine," he said pulling a small package from under the tree and handing it to Sarah. Sarah took the package and then watched as Dillon turned red and handed Michayla one shaped and wrapped the same.

Sarah smiled and then carefully pulled off the shiny blue paper. "Cool," said Sarah looking at the small purple picture frame that her and Michayla had just unwrapped.

Dillon who was continuing to turn redder watched their eyes, "I got one for Megan and Zoe, too. I thought you could put a picture of your family in it."

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Sarah was admiring the frame and Dillon's sincere smile when it began to change colors and was suddenly blue. "Whoa," she said looking up and watching as Michayla's now changed to orange. "That is so cool."

Dillon grinned from ear to ear. "Wait till you see what it does when you put a picture in it." Sarah and Michayla laughed and then joined Dillon on the floor by the tree. Sarah grabbed a present tagged for her from her mother and then found her gift for Dillon and handed it to him. Michayla, in the mean time was opening a gift from her mother. It went on like this until they had opened all of their gifts and were sitting close to the fire admiring their bounty.

Dillon had gotten small tokens from each of his friends, most of them eatable, except for a book about Quidditch that he received from Eric. Michayla had gotten some clothes from her mom along with a picture of her and her dog that she had decided was going in the frame that she had just received from Dillon. She had also received a letter from her dad that she had read silently to her self, with a sullen face and then stuck in her robe quickly.

Sarah had gotten the most. In addition to her mother's usual gift of clothing, which had become more unusual as she spent more and more time with her dad, there was some goodies from Megan, William and Michayla and a wonderful new journal from her father that, along with the enclosed quill and ink, would write itself if prompted by the owner. The one that tickled Sarah the most was the one that Zoe had handed her before leaving on the train the day before from her and Eric. It had turned out to be the most beautiful hand carved chess set that Sarah had ever seen along with a note from Zoe.

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Sarah,

I know I won't be here when you open this. Just wanted you to know that I think it's cool what you're doing and learning and if you're going to have to play against my cheating brother the least I could do is give you your own set. Well Eric's trying to ruin the note now so, Merry Christmas Zoe

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Sarah had laughed for a good five minutes and had passed the chess set and the note around for everyone to see before they packed all their things up and took them to their room before getting dressed for breakfast. By the time they were eating breakfast Sarah had mostly forgotten about the crazy dream where she had ended up on the common room floor and was looking forward to a relaxing day of just plain fun.

Dillon's mom and dad had sat with their group at the breakfast table and had invited the three of them to come out to the cabin and have lunch. Dillon leaned over and whispered, "My mom's a much better cook than my dad." Michayla hadn't gotten it but Sarah certainly had remembering her first trip Dillon's house and the horrible cakes that his dad had made.

On the way back to the common room they had run into 'Brooklyn' and Dillon had invited him to come along too. He explained that his parents, being muggles and not being able to apparate, hadn't been able to get enough time off from work to pick him up and drop him off in Chicago. Then he quickly added that it was quite all right since his house became way overcrowded with extended family at the holidays and that he usually ended sleeping with three or four cousins in the basement which was way less fun than having the run of the school.

Sarah had always wondered what it would be like to have lots of family. Her mother had been an only child and both sets of her grandparents had passed away before Sarah was born. Her father had a brother in England that she thought she met once when she was four and not since. The closest Sarah had ever gotten to an extended family was Zoe's. There was no doubt in Sarah's mind that at the very moment Zoe was surrounded by six or seven cousins, two or three aunts and uncles and at least one set of grandparents.

Sarah was now depressed again and despite the fact that she was having a good day with Dillon and Michayla, she really missed her family, Zoe and Eric. She especially missed Eric when she had suddenly had a flash back to her nightmare as they passed the Potions class. She thought about sending Socrates but it just wouldn't be the same as talking to him in person. Besides somehow she felt like putting it on paper would be a tad dangerous. What if someone else read it, like Zoe or her mom or dad? No, she would just have to be patient and deal with things on her own for a while.

She had promised her dad that she'd tell him if anything else happened, but it was Christmas and Sarah wasn't really sure what had happened or how she would explain it, so she decided to press on with her day and pretend nothing had happened. "Besides," she thought, "Michayla had seemed unscathed that morning and was acting as though nothing had happened, perhaps all of it had been a dream, a real dream."

Lunch was wonderful and Professor Ratcliff took them out to the snow covered Quidditch field so the four of them could fly around the field a couple dozen times. Michayla later told Sarah that it was the most fun she could ever remember having. It had been good therapy for Sarah too, up until the time she had landed face down in the snow in her final lap bringing an unhappy flashback from last year, causing her to suggest that they go in. Michayla and Jeffrey agreed, sighting frozen body parts, but it took all three of them and his mother to get Dillon to come down and inside.

After they had all changed into dry clothes it had been time to gather in the Great Hall for the Christmas Feast. There couldn't have been more than two dozen or so students in each dormitory sitting at the long tables. Sarah noticed that there was a higher ratio of seniors perhaps because they were more inclined to break away from their families or perhaps they didn't wish to leave their girl or boy friends. Fewer students didn't mean less food, there was a proportionate amount as usual, and their small group was stuffed to the gills by the time the dishes were cleared away.

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Dillon had again promised to stay with his family so when they had finished eating he had said good night to Michayla and Sarah, promising to spend more time with them tomorrow. Michayla had promised Christina Watson, the only sixth grader left in the Bellarmine dormitory, that she would play the new card game with her that she had gotten for Christmas. Michayla had grown an attachment to Christina who actually looked as though she could be her little sister and apologized to Sarah for leaving her high and dry. "It's all right," said Sarah, "I should be meditating anyway, I haven't in days."

Sarah remained at the long empty table in the Great Hall for a short time after everyone had left, staring into one of the large stone fireplaces. She hadn't even noticed when Professor Killainka had appeared at her side. "Daydreaming Miss Nettleton?"

Sarah jumped and then turned to meet his eyes. "Oh, hello Professor, I didn't hear you come up."

"It looks as though you've been abandoned," he said looking around.

"Well, I suppose that's what happens when there aren't psychotic killers trying to get you in your sleep," said Sarah smiling.

Killainka chuckled a little and then sat down next to her. "I hear you got a new chess set for Christmas, perhaps you'd like to play me a game."

Sarah looked at Killainka oddly, "How did you know that sir?"

"I believe I told you last year there's not much that goes on in this school that I don't know about," he said winking. "So how 'bout it?"

"All right, but I've just learned and I'm not very good yet," apologized Sarah in advanced.

"Ah, but you've been learning from Mr. Turner so I have a feeling that you're better than you think," he said slyly. "How about if you get your chess set and meet me in my office. Perhaps less of an audience will make you more comfortable." Sarah agreed and then headed back to the dorm to get her set. It took less than twenty minutes for her to complete her task and be standing outside Killainka's door. She hadn't even raised her hand to knock when Killainka beckoned her in.

He had already conjured up some hot chocolate and had set them up a small table between the two over stuffed chairs by the fireplace. Sarah set up the pieces and then leaned back. Killainka picked up the black and white queens and placed one in each hand. Sarah stared at his closed hands for a moment and then picked his right hand that held the white piece and as suddenly as she had the board spun and the white side now faced Sarah. Sarah could tell that she had to concentrate twice as hard as the Professor did but he never grew impatient with her or acted as though she didn't know what she was doing.

 When they had gotten well into the game and Sarah had relaxed enough to speak openly, she looked from contemplating her next move and spoke. "Professor, I couldn't decide whether or not to say anything but, well." She broke off and the Professor leaned back in his chair.

"She's had another dream."

Sarah nodded. "Last night. It was the strangest ever."

"Can you tell me about it?"

Sarah again nodded. "I woke up and I was in the Potions class again. I got kind of mad you know, it being Christmas Eve and I just wanted to sleep," said Sarah turning pink.

"It's all right Sarah I won't fault you for feeling violated," said Killainka smiling.

"Anyway, she was sitting there again chanting, but this time I couldn't hear what she was saying. Then the person in the dark cloak appeared and began to talk to her. I was wishing for a way out wanting to go back to regular sleep, I even looked at the fireplace you know, when I heard this other voice coming from all around me." Sarah's face was obviously stressed and she was having a hard time breathing.

"Sarah relax, nothing can hurt you in this room." Sarah had heard these words before and they had been true. She nodded and took a deep breath. "What did the voice say?"

"Something like she's mine and you can't help her. I don't really remember I just remember that it made me feel sick inside like when I touched Michayla's dad's hand."

"Then what happened?" asked Killainka prompting him.

"Then I felt just like I was being transported by Portkey or Floo Powder and then I was suddenly on the floor in front of the common room fireplace covered in soot. Then when I got back to my bedroom she was there fast asleep."

Killainka shifted in his chair and stared at the chessboard for a short time. "So how do you feel about all of this today?"

"To tell you the truth, with Michayla acting so normal all day I had a feeling that maybe it had all just been a real dream. Then I looked again at my soot covered pajamas and decided that it hadn't been," said Sarah sadly and then after contemplating the chess board again for a minute or two Sarah moved her queens bishop five squares to the right and looked at Professor Killainka "Check."

"And so this was the plan all along. Distract me with a dream and then check my king," he said grinning wisely.

"Yeah, it took me all night to think that one up," Sarah said chuckling.

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Sarah may have been the first one to have the advantage but it took less than five more moves for Killainka to finish her off. Sarah hadn't minded at all that the Professor had let their conversation go and in fact, she was grateful. She knew that when the time was right they would continue where they had ended, and she also knew that Killainka would know when that time was.

Sarah picked up her chess set and placed it carefully in it's velvet bag, before standing to leave. "Thanks again Professor, that was cool and it helped to make it through this day."

"Anything for a friend of Mr. Turner's," joked Killainka walking her to the door that opened on its own. He paused and then looked at her seriously, "Sleep well, Miss Nettleton, and if you don't you know where to find me."

Sarah looked at him and nodded, "Just make sure that you're in that dark corner when I need you sir," Sarah said jokingly. However, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable and slightly fearful as she made her way back to the dorm, through the almost empty common room and to their room. Michayla was all ready asleep and Sarah noticed that Christina Watson was asleep in Megan's bed, which brought a warm feeling to Sarah as she pushed Max over and snuggled into bed. As she drifted off, she had to admit to herself that it hadn't been all that bad of a lonely Christmas.

Sarah was so bored over the next few days that she found her self in the library half the time, reading large dusty books about Crystal Ball reading and Arithamacy. The rest of the time she spent watching Dillon and Michayla exchanging shy glances at each other, or meditating with Professor Semiramise, the latter being more fun than the former.

Sarah had written a thank you to everyone who she had received a present from, including one to her mother, who sent a note back with Socrates explaining how awkward it had been when he had arrived in the middle of one of her meetings. Sarah had panicked slightly at the beginning of the letter but was relieved when the letter had finished on a positive note. It seemed that the President of the corporation was an avid bird watcher and thought that her mother had arranged the visit from Socrates to impress him, which it had. When he had been informed that Socrates belonged to her daughter, she had been able to sign the deal in less than half the time. Elizabeth had enclosed some money in the envelope so that Sarah could purchase something special for Socrates next time she was able.

Well Socrates," said Sarah stroking his head after reading the letter, "Mom thinks you're a cherished family pet, I guess that means you're officially okay." Socrates sat upright with an air of dignity and nibbled at her fingers as to say that he knew it all along.

It seemed like two weeks went by before it was New Year's Eve. Sarah thought about her mom and dad and wondered if they had hooked up all right. It had been a long lonely week and Sarah had no desire to stay up until midnight which seemed to her would only had made it that much longer before her friends returned. Jeffrey, Dillon, Michayla, and Christina were trying their darnedest to talk her into it at the New Year's Eve dinner. But Sarah spent equally as much time trying to convince them that all she wanted to do was eat, read a book and then go to bed.

 "But we've got fireworks," whispered Dillon. "Eric gave them to me before he left."

"We thought we'd sneak up to the roof and let them off at midnight," said Jeffrey in an equally low voice. Michayla and Christina didn't say anything; they just nodded their heads and looked around to see if any adults were listening.

"The truth is that this is one of the last times I'll get a good nights sleep for awhile so I thought I'd take advantage," said Sarah after taking a bite.

"You're beginning to sound like Megan and that's not a good thing," joked Dillon.

Sarah smiled and chuckled a little; "I promise I'll do something else cool with you another time. I really just feel like going to bed okay."

Dillon sighed and told them that it was a lost cause and then they talked about something else for the remainder of the meal. It wasn't long before they had finished and Sarah had snuck off quickly to her room. It wasn't that she didn't want to be with her friends but Sarah just hadn't been able shake the strange feeling that she had gotten from her last encounter with Michayla in the Potions class. If that wasn't bad enough, night before last when she had been meditating with Semiramise, she had suddenly found her self there again. When she had first arrived, there had not been a fire in the fireplace but as she approached it, there suddenly had been as though someone else had lit it before her very eyes. Nothing other the fire lighting had happened but then again Sarah had only been there a few moments before Professor Semiramise had pulled her back because of the strange look on her face. She had managed to play it off, but Sarah just couldn't shake the feeling that something in the Potions class was trying to tell her something.

Although the prospect of sleeping had become less appealing with recent events, it still wasn't as bad as last year and she wasn't being force fed Dreamless Sleep Potion by Mrs. Hutton yet. Therefore, she'd take the bed and the prospect of tomorrow with her friends returning over staying up and feeling uncomfortable around Michayla.

Actually getting to sleep had proved to be more of a challenge than talking her friends into letting her, though. She had chosen "Crystal Reading Your Destiny" as her bed time reading and it had turned out to be nothing but a book about predicting your own death. Sarah hadn't had any trouble all this year seeing a death omen in every form of Divination they had tried in class, so she really didn't need to read an entire book devoted to it. Even when she had gotten to sleep the strange dreams, that she had managed to manufacture were enough to send her into the common room for a cup of hot chocolate at four in the morning.

As she sat in front of the roaring fire sipping from her cup, someone else, who it seemed didn't necessarily have to sleep, was willing to talk. "I trust we're not worried about things that we shouldn't be." Came a voice from the flames.

Sarah was no longer startled by voices from unexpected places. "If you mean life threatening death omens, oh never, not I," fibbed Sarah rather fixedly.

Sarah could have sworn that the voice from the fireplace chuckled slightly before continuing. "I believe that your teacher told you that we can sometimes influence what we see but the fears that we feel."

"I know, but how many grims do you have to see before you're sure that there is one coming?"

"Sarah, I'm quite sure that you're intuitive enough to know when the grim is real."

This was the last thing the voice said to her this night but it had been enough to get Sarah back into bed and after only a few minutes asleep.

"Hey sleepy head, Dillon and I let you sleep in but the train will be here in forty-five minutes you really need to get up." Michayla was standing next to her bed and was looking straight at her when Sarah opened her eyes.

After her words sunk in Sarah sprang up in her bed and said, "You're kidding." Michayla smiled and repeated her forty-five minute warning. "I can't believe you two let me sleep that long." She paused and looked around the room. "Give me fifteen minutes and I'll be dressed I promise."

"Relax Sarah, you can always see them when they get back to the dorm."

"Absolutely not. Zoe would scold me for the next two years. I'll meet you in the common room in fifteen minutes and we'll go down to meet the train." Sarah sprang from bed, grabbed some clothes, and ran to the bathroom while Michayla paused for a second and then burst into laughter heading out the door and toward the common room.

Dillon was already at the front entrance to the school when Sarah and Michayla came running down the stairs. "We just about missed the tram," he scolded giving Sarah a dirty look.

"I'm sorry," said Sarah pushing him out the door. "You can punish me later, let's go."

The train hadn't even come to a complete stop when Sarah saw Zoe slide open the door and come bounding out of the train. Sarah just stood still and waited for Zoe to wrap her arms tightly around her neck. "I can't believe it we're finally back. I thought Christmas Vacation would never end," moaned Zoe pulling back from Sarah, and then thinking about what she had said she added, "I can't believe I said that." Everyone laughed including Zoe.

The others were now making his or her way off the train and toward the tram. Megan and William had joined them equally as enthusiastically as Zoe had been and they were chatting about being back and what they had gotten for Christmas. As they mounted the tram, Sarah looked back over her shoulder and saw Eric coming off the train with his girlfriend. As soon as she saw him, Eric looked up and winked. Sarah blushed and looked away; she figured that she'd take things up with him later.

Zoe and Megan had a blast showing each other what they got for Christmas and thanking each other for what they had received. Sarah had gotten Zoe a new computer game for her laptop that she had to show them right away. It was a very good day and it wasn't long before it was dinnertime and Sarah suddenly realized that she hadn't eaten today. It hadn't taken very long before they had taken all their things to their rooms and were heading down to the Great Hall.

Sarah had forgotten about wanting to talk to Eric until she saw him again for the first time at dinner. Sarah and the rest of her friends had been some of the first to arrive so they had been sitting when Eric had arrived, plopping him self down next to Sarah and putting one large arm around her. "Hey slacker, did you miss me?" he asked grinning from ear to ear.

Of course, Sarah had missed him but she wasn't about to admit it. "Miss you, I don't even know who you are," she said smiling shyly.

Eric made a face like he had been mortally wounded. "Ouch, and to think I pined for you while I was in Clear Lake," he moaned donning great big puppy eyes.

Sarah started laughing while Zoe slapped him on the back. "Oh shut up," she said pushing him away from Sarah.

Eric leaned over and gave Zoe a great big kiss on her cheek. "I love you sis," he said like a sick puppy. Then after one last pop from Zoe, he straightened up and sat properly in between Sarah and Zoe.

A few minutes later when most of the school had made it to their tables, Professor Killainka rose and welcomed everyone back to school and then after a few reminders of upcoming school events, he waved his hands and a fabulous New Year's Day feast was served.

When everyone was well into their dinner and conversations about Christmas and classes starting again, Eric leaned over to Sarah and spoke. "So how many nightmares have you had?"

Sarah turned pink. "Just a couple, but don't worry I told Professor Killainka and he's on top of things so to speak," she whispered back.

Eric nodded. "I thought maybe since the snow has let up a bit some of us could go down to the field and practice a little, I'm sure that Professor Quigley would give us permission since we have a game next Saturday. We could talk then."

Sarah smiled. "Did Dillon tell you about his Christmas present?"

Eric grinned and leaned out again, "Are you kidding? First thing, and I can't believe our luck. More than half the team is riding Nimbus 2001's now, there's no way we can be beat." Eric had made his last remark loud enough for everyone to hear so now the entire team was gathering around and discussing strategies for beating Broughton on Saturday. It wasn't long before Sarah had lost the lonely feeling that she'd had for the last almost two weeks.

After dinner most of the team along with Zoe, Michayla, Megan, William and about two-dozen others from the dormitory, all made there way down to the Quidditch field. Eric had been right of course, Professor Quigley had no problem letting them sneak in an extra practice, since she wanted them to take the cup as much as anyone else in the dormitory. It was cold but no one seemed to mind it. The truth was that they hadn't gotten a whole lot of actual practicing done but they had managed to at least build up the team spirit and get thoroughly wet.

I wasn't long before they all headed back to the dormitory, Sarah and Eric bringing up the rear. "So kiddo, what's been happening?"

"Just more weird stuff," started Sarah. Then she proceeded to relate her Christmas Eve nightmare and how she had ended up on the common room floor. She also told him about the time she had been meditating and had ended up in the potions class, about the dreams with the grims and other death omens. By the time, she had finished telling him everything they were almost to the dorm corridor.

Eric stopped and looked at her like he was letting things sink in, and then took a deep breath. "Wow you've been a busy little dreamer huh?"

Sarah looked at him apprehensively. "Sorry, I guess I shouldn't have bombarded you."

Eric smiled and shook his head. "No, it's okay. I had a feeling that a lot had gone on. I kept having these strange feelings that you were thinking about me."

Sarah blushed again. "Well, every time something happened I kept wishing you were here since you know everything. I was surprised that I hadn't pulled you back a couple of times."

Eric put his hand on her shoulder. "That may have been a little hard to explain to mom and dad," joked Eric.

Sarah laughed too and then they continued to walk on finding themselves shortly after in the common room where the others were all ready warming their frozen bodies by the fire. Sarah paused for a moment at the entrance and Eric stopped, "Hey, thanks for listening."

"Thanks for thinking so highly of me that you trust me that much," he answered grinning. Then they both headed over to the fire to their awaiting friends who were calling their names out even now.

Sarah pushed her way into the front of the large stone fireplace and stared into the flames. "Thanks for helping me make it through," she whispered to the fire.