The Dreamwalker's Daughter

Chapter Fourteen The Red Queen

"All right now you need to tell me everything that you remember about what happened this morning," he said offering her the hot chocolate he had conjured for them in her brief absence. Sarah nodded and took a drink after rejoining him by the fireplace.

"Most of what I said was true sir, I remember hearing everything that Michayla, and you said just now. Somehow while I was in the Potions classroom I had," Sarah stopped she was searching for the words, "It wasn't a dream, I wasn't asleep I know it. It was like when I touched Michayla's father and Professor Abydos. It started out that I was here with you and Michayla and we had all of the conversations that we had here just now before I stopped them. Then suddenly I was thrust into the Potions classroom and I could see Professor Ratcliff working at her desk but at the same time, I could hear Michayla relating her dream about me in the classroom being circled by the unknown stranger in her dreams. She said that she'd heard me in the other dreams but hadn't been able to let me know and that I was now doing the same. But all along I kept seeing the Professor and knowing that she was in danger and she couldn't or wouldn't hear me." Sarah was breathing hard now, the feelings that she had in the Potions room earlier came rushing back. Killainka started to lean forward and grab her hands but Sarah pulled back quickly. "No don't touch me."

It took the Professor at least twenty minutes and a lot more hot chocolate to calm Sarah down enough to explain the rest of what happened in the Potions classroom. She told him about lying to the Professor about what actually happened and she told him about how she hadn't even thought she should be there. However, what she wanted the least to tell him was what she knew she needed to tell him most. "You're just going to have to tell me," said Killainka sensing her reluctance to finish. "I know that I don't have to repeat that you're safe."

"I'm not afraid for me, I'm afraid for Professor Ratcliff. When she touched me I heard the sounds, I knew that I was going to see something that I didn't want to see." Killainka was anxious for Sarah to finish and encouraged her to do so as kindly as he could. "So I looked down instead of up and I," Sarah stumbled again, but his time she allowed Killainka to take her hand and it made her stronger. "I had blood all over my robes and my hands. I was covered in it."

Killainka took a deep breath, clinched her hand tighter and looked into Sarah's terrified eyes. "Sarah, I'm sure you have to be figuring out by now that your clairvoyant dreams are now turning into realistic visions. You have to realize that those visions are no more accurate than your dreams. They are mere glimpses of what is or might be."

Sarah wasn't convinced, "But Professor, what you and Michayla said it was word for word of what I remembered and the blood was just as real." Sarah was trembling enough that she was causing the Professor's hands to tremble also.

"Sarah you need to calm down and focus." This was a phrase that Sarah was beginning to tire of but she knew he was right. She didn't understand these new feelings and 'visions' that she was having but a lot of things happened last year to Sarah that she didn't understand and they had all ended up okay. Sarah nodded and took a deep breath. "That's better," said Killainka feeling her spirit calming. "One thing that you have to understand about visions Sarah is that they are not always what them seem. Even if you did see the conversation that Michayla and I had earlier today in a vision, if you think about it, it couldn't have been exactly as your dream because you ended it thus changing what had happened. You say that you saw what looked like blood all over your robes." Sarah nodded turning white again, Killainka squeezed her hands tighter, "Just as you have changed one vision you could easily change another. Or you could simply be mistaken about the blood in the first place." He smiled and let go of Sarah's hands. "I think that what's most important right now is that she try to get you're fragile psyche under control."

Sarah had a feeling that this conversation was leading to more sessions with Professor Semiramise but at this point, she would be more than happy to do anything to get control over the crazy things that were happening in her life. "I'll talk to Professor Semiramise in the morning sir," promised Sarah smiling.

Killainka leaned back in her chair and smiled wider, "You know Miss Nettleton if I could get all of my students to be so obedient to my unspoken words there wouldn't be any need for detention." Sarah blushed and then after some additional encouragement Sarah said good night and headed for the dorm, having every intention of doing homework, eating dinner, and going to bed without any further discussions or visions. However, Eric had other intentions.

"Where are you going?" called Eric jumping up from his homework. Zoe, Dillon and Megan where sitting on the opposite side of the common room with Michayla who looked like she had just joined them. Dillon had to hold back his laughter as Zoe, who was always bewildered if not disturbed by Sarah and Eric's relationship, made a scowl.

"I thought I'd go and get my books, I don't have a desire to get behind again." And then remembering her excuse to Michayla for going back to Killainka and noticing she was listening she added, "Besides, I just about lost Quidditch again today and I feel like I better make sure to keep up with my school work or they'll use that as an excuse not to let me play."

Sarah noticed, out of the corner of her eye, that Michayla had gotten the message.

"I can help if you like," said Eric a little quieter since he was now standing next to Sarah.

Sarah blushed and looked at Eric then her table of friends. "How about I study with Zoe and the others and we play chess later?" asked Sarah trying not to cause too much suspicion to either party. "I don't want Michayla or anyone else for that matter, to feel that I'm avoiding them," whispered Sarah.

Eric nodded and smiled. "All right, that sounds cool. After dinner then?" Sarah nodded and then headed to their room for her books. After returning to the common room and telling Zoe to shut up when she had made a remark about Eric, they finished their current papers and then headed to the Hall for dinner.

Sarah tried to push out the events of the day as she ate, even though it was obvious that several of her mentors were spending a great deal of time talking about her. Sarah tried to practice some control over her intuition by turning away from and ignoring them, it only partially worked though as she felt herself mumbling apologies to Professor Semiramise. Not to mention the fact that Griffin had apparently gotten over his temporary fondness for Sarah and had heard about what happened in Potions class.

"I bet that Gracie Richardson told the Parathion's," said Megan giving her a dirty look as they watched Griffin fall on the floor and pretend to scream for the second time. "I'd like to--" Megan stopped talking and turned red.

"You know Megan I think we have corrupted you," said Zoe chuckling, "cool!" Sarah could barely lift the corners of her mouth. She was starting to think about how much she wished that everything that had happened since she turned eleven would turn out to be a dream. "Hey what's up sis?" asked Zoe looking at Sarah's face.

"It's just been a long day." A part of Sarah wanted to tell Zoe what had happened that day but there was this other part that didn't want to freak Zoe out any more than she had already this year. Then there was Dillon, she hadn't told him about Michayla and he had found out from Griffin. Now she thought that his mother was in danger and she wasn't telling him. All of these secrets were churning her insides into mashed potatoes. Sarah had lost what little bit of appetite that she had now and pushed away her plate. "I thought for sure I was going back to the infirmary in Potions class. I'm really glad that Mrs. Hutton trusts me now."

"What happened in Potions?" asked Zoe now. Sarah knew she had gone too far.

"Professor Killainka says that my clairvoyant dreams are turning into realistic visions," said Sarah frustrated.

"Huh?" Zoe asked looking at her funny.

"Remember how I told you about last year about touching people and seeing links to Chinkana?" Zoe nodded scrunching up her face. "Well I've improved on it," said Sarah sighing deeply. "I now touching people and seeing other things."

"Like what?" asked Zoe looking around to make sure no one was listening. Sarah wasn't sure how much further she should go. She hadn't really intended to tell her anything and it had all just started coming out. Then Sarah remembered something that she had remembered before and hadn't done anything about.

"Zoe, what did you ask the candles that day before I ended up in the infirmary?" Zoe was totally taken by surprise and shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because you had some sort of premonition and you're not wanting to tell me," said Sarah giving her a stern look.

Zoe lowered her eyes and shook her head. "I thought it was coming true when you wouldn't come out of the infirmary," mumbled Zoe. "It's not important because in the end nothing really happened." Zoe seemed determined not to tell her and Sarah debated now as to if she wanted to know.

"What are you two talking about that's causing you so much stress?" Eric had sat down practically on Zoe and smiled extensively. Sarah and Zoe both looked at Eric and then each other.

"You, we were talking about how irritating you are," said Zoe slapping him on the arm.

"I love you too, Zoe," said Eric pinching her cheeks. Then he looked at Sarah's plate and then Sarah. "If you're finished, you did promise me a game or two of chess," he said grinning.

Sarah thought about Zoe's unanswered question and how she had managed to avoid Zoe's question about her day and decided that it was probably best to let sleeping dogs lie at least for the moment. "All right I'm coming you don't have to beg." Eric laughed and he and Sarah rose from the table. "Are you coming?" asked Sarah looking at the still seated Zoe.

"I have no desire to watch you and my brother play chess," she answered disgustedly, "Besides I promised to meet Jeffrey in the library to study for Friday's Potions test."

Sarah could swear that Zoe was blushing slightly as Eric turned and pointed a finger at her, "Ah ha, consorting with the enemy only days before the match." Sarah laughed hysterically.

"Oh, shut up Eric," said Zoe throwing a spoon at her brother. Eric ducked and watched as it flew past Megan and landed on the floor, Sarah laughed some more and then pulled Eric out of the Hall. When they were heading down the hallway Eric asked his question again.

"Sarah what were you two talking about?" being more seriously now.

"Just things that have been happening," said Sarah causally.

"Like what happened to put you in the infirmary," said Eric. "Where you talking about what happened to Zoe in Divination?"

Sarah stopped and looked at Eric, "She told you about what happened."

"While you were in the infirmary," he said nodding. " She told me about the Lychnomancy exercise, it flipped her out."

"What did she ask the flame Eric?" asked Sarah more anxious than curious now.

"She asked if your enemy was still near." Sarah felt her whole body shiver for an instant.

"Are you all right?" Eric asked sensing her fear.

Sarah nodded. "No wonder she was freaking. But my being in the infirmary, it couldn't have had anything to do with my enemy, whoever that is," suggested Sarah as they began to walk again.

"You don't think so?" asked Eric surprised.

"I was just sick, I mean I don't really understand what happened but if it had been someone why would I have been deathly ill one moment and then cured the next. What was he just kidding or something," said Sarah chuckling slightly.

Eric nodded, "I suppose you're right, it doesn't make much sense." They had reached the common room. "I'll meet you in the third study room?" said Eric raising his eyebrows. Sarah nodded and went to her room to get her set.

"And I promised myself an early evening," she said shaking her head. Eric had already set up his pieces by the time she entered the study room Sarah smiled, "Oh you've decided you'll be white," she said pulling up her chair and opening her velvet sack. Eric just grinned, "I'll beat you anyway," retaliated Sarah giving him an evil grin.

They weren't even well into the game before Eric was asking questions again. "Sarah, what happened in Potions class today, and I know because everyone was talking about it this afternoon?" he said to head off Sarah's first question.

Sarah really didn't have a problem telling Eric about most things, but today she was just about tapped out emotionally for the day. "What if I said that I didn't want to talk about it anymore?"

Eric looked at her surprised and then nodded. "All right, I'll let it go, for now." Sarah smiled and thanked him.

Sarah grinned at the chess board and told her queen's bishop to move four spaces to the right, the bishop immediately drew out his staff and threatened Eric's King. "Check," said Sarah.

"Ouch," said Eric looking at her crossly. He contemplated quietly before getting out of it, only to loose eventually. Sarah watched as the two sets of pieces pulled them selves together and bowed to each other. "They want a re-match."

"I don't think I have enough brain cells left," joked Sarah, "I've lost too many today." Eric laughed.

"So what are you doing Friday," Eric asked slyly, "got a hot date?"

Sarah sighed. "With a Transfiguration book maybe." Sarah looked at Eric and was suddenly worried about where this conversation was going. It had been a little more difficult talking to Eric since she had found out that he had broke up with Morgan over her.

Eric laughed. "Yeah, sounds like my evening's plans." Eric looked down at the table and fidgeted with a pawn. "We could practice for Saturday's game," suggested Eric. "I'm sure I could talk Professor Quigley into letting us."

Sarah laughed. "Yeah, that's an exciting thing to do on Valentine's Day," joked Sarah.

"Well, it wouldn't be much fun to go to the Valentine's picnic with Raphael," he said chuckling.

Sarah chuckled and nodded her head. "Well I'm fairly sure that Zoe and the rest of them are pairing up and are going which gives me a clue that I'll be sitting around on my own a lot in the near future."

Eric laughed. "Yes it seems that everyone's got a Valentine but you."

Sarah felt slightly cut down by his remark and shot him down quickly. "And you," corrected Sarah. Eric admitted that he stood corrected immediately after she said it. Sarah then looked at the clock. "I need to get to bed I'm exhausted physically and mentally," she said gathering her disappointed soldiers.

Eric nodded and rose, as they walked out into the almost empty common room Eric stopped and looked into Sarah's eyes. "I'll see you in the morning," he said looking like a lost puppy. Sarah was feeling even more uncomfortable now and was afraid it was showing.

"Good night." Sarah echoed quickly and then she proceeded to her room without further comment. Sarah would be the first in bed that night and would use the extra time to think things out. "Max, what am I going to do?" she asked her big fluffy cat as she drifted off to sleep. Max only purred.

Sarah sat up, took a deep breath, and looked around into the dark. She had had the craziest dream she had ever had. It may have even been crazier than it was scary, but not by much. It had started by her finding herself dressed like Alice in Wonderland and being led through the West Garden by a large white rabbit that looked like Griffin. The next thing she knew she was being offered several small potion bottles by Mrs. Hutton who was now a giant caterpillar and sat smoking a funny looking pipe on top of a giant mushroom. "Drink me," screamed the potion bottles, "no drink me." But the strangest part had to be when she had arrived at the Red Queens castle and the Red Queen, who had turned out to be the Secretary of Magic had screamed "Off with her head."

Although Sarah wasn't sure it was the scariest dream she ever had, it on top of the recent visions were enough to leave her without a desire to go back to sleep. So, after discovering that it was half past five, Sarah got out her Dark Arts book and began to read about Vampires by the light of a candle that she convinced to hover over her book. (At least she'd figured that spell out.) After an hour or so, some of the other girls began to stir, so Sarah decided she would go on and get up. After she had showered and gotten dressed, Sarah gathered her things into her backpack and after waking Zoe headed to the common room to wait for her.

Annabelle Sutton was sitting on the largest sofa in front of the main fireplace when Sarah entered the room. She seemed to be very stressed about some papers she was holding. Sarah didn't normally go out of her way to talk to Annabelle, but she remembered how she had helped her the week before she had gotten ill. "What's up Annabelle?" she asked sitting down next to her.

Annabelle looked up from her papers and sighed at Sarah, "It's Arithamacy I just have the hardest time with it. Professor Stufflebean is a nice man but he expects you to just know all of this," she sighed and again and looked down at her book. "Eric's the only reason I got through it last year," she admitted shaking her head.

Sarah blushed and nodded, "I can't say that I haven't benefited from his tutoring as well."

Annabelle looked up at her and smiled slightly, "You like him, don't you?" she asked point blank.

Sarah felt very foolish, "Why would you ask that?"

"I've seen the two of you looking at each other when you think the other is looking," she said smiling. "I can't say anything, even though we've broke up I still can't help but stare after him. He has a certain charm that's hard to ignore."

Sarah was completely embarrassed now and wanted nothing more than to end this conversation. "I'm sure that he'd help you with your homework if you asked him." Then she quickly added, "I would but I know nothing about Arithamacy." Sarah looked up and saw Zoe coming down the hallway. "Well, I gotta' go, good luck," she said heading for Zoe as fast as she could.

Zoe gave her a strange look as she practically drug her out of the common room. "What's gotten into you?"

"Annabelle Sutton," answered Sarah leaving it at that as they headed toward the Great Hall. After giving Sarah a strange look and shaking her head, she followed her into the Great Hall chuckling. Sarah walked past several conversations about Friday afternoons picnic and decided that she'd sit as close to the sixth graders as she could. After all, they were least likely to be obsessed with the upcoming romantic holiday. "You're just not very much fun to be with these days," complained Zoe as they sat down at the table. They were very early and none of their other friends had arrived yet.

"Sorry, I guess I'm just wondering what I'm going to see next," explained Sarah.

"Yeah, if I remember correctly you managed to weasel out of telling me what you're talking about yesterday by giving me the third degree," said Zoe filling her plate with eggs and hash browns.

"It seems that you did your share of weaseling out if I remember correctly," retaliated Sarah.

Zoe nodded and grinned, "I know Eric told you, didn't he?" Sarah nodded chewing a mouthful of strawberries and cream. "I figured he would. I thought it would be funny, you know I was making fun of the fact that you keep seeing death omens. I guess the joke was on me," she said sighing.

"It ended up all right, but I can definitely see where I'd be freaking if I was you." Sarah smiled.

"Now it's your turn," pointed out Zoe.

Sarah nodded. "Like I was saying before, I've been seeing things."

"Like what?"

"Like when I met Michayla's dad he tried to shake hands with me and I had a vision of some sort, that's why Killainka told me about him. Then there was the one I had with Abydos, when you guessed that something happened. I have a feeling he knows exactly what happened." Sarah was speaking quietly and only to Zoe now.

"What did you see?" asked Zoe mesmerized.

"Bright flashes of light and I heard screaming and crying that I couldn't understand," explained Sarah looking around.

"What else has happened that you should tell me about? I have a feeling that you've been leaving a lot out lately like in the Potions class yesterday."

Sarah wasn't sure that she should tell Zoe what she had seen, she kept thinking about the things that Professor Killainka had said and had somewhat convinced herself that her visions should not be completely trusted. If she told Zoe about the blood on her robes, she would surely have to tell Dillon and she knew that she wasn't ready for that even though it seemed wrong to her that she was keeping secrets about his mother's safety. "Let's just say that I'm not going to go out of my way to shake people's hands anytime soon," said Sarah quickly shoving more food in her mouth hoping to end their current conversation.

Zoe gave her a frustrated look but allowed her to beg off the conversation for the moment, because Megan, Dillon, and William had just entered the Hall followed close behind by Michayla who was getting irritated looks from Megan. "It's about time you bums got up," said Zoe as they all found a seat around them, everyone mumbling a few early morning grouchy phrases at her as they did. Zoe just grinned and shoveled more pancakes in.

Sarah managed to make it through the day without giving away any more secrets, having any further visions, or blowing anyone up. She had however been very careful not to touch Professor Ratcliff or any of her things. She even found herself avoiding any close contact with Dillon or Michayla, afraid of finding links there. This on the other hand didn't seem to bother either of them since they seemed to be infatuated with each other all day. Unfortunately, Sarah was finding this scene sparked mixed emotions that she didn't wish to approach. The ultimate insult had been when she found Zoe and Jeffrey staring into each other's eyes outside the Transfiguration classroom. "That's it." Sarah said out loud to a rather large portrait of a Union General, "I'm going to Quidditch practice so I don't have to look at anyone else cooing and wooing." Sarah turned and stormed off while the stately gentleman chuckled softly.

It didn't surprise her at all that she was the first one out to the field. Dillon was so Valentine struck that he had almost forgotten to show up at all. Sarah also wasn't surprised to see that everyone's significant other appeared on the field as the other players began to show up. "I'll be glad when Friday comes and goes," mumbled Sarah mounting her broom and taking a solo lap around the field. It was the first time that Sarah had actually been glad when practice was over. Even Eric had been on edge as well and had practically bit everyone's heads off when none of them been able to concentrate.

"We'll be practicing again tomorrow," he said causing most of them to moan. "Saturday is a very important game and all you seem to be able to think about is your love lives. And don't bring an audience with you tomorrow, I'd hate to have to run people off." Eric had continued to fuss at them as they had all starting heading back to the school.

Sarah heard Raphael mumbling to Brent, "He wouldn't be such an ass if his girlfriend hadn't dumped him," and she blushed terribly and sped up. She now wanted to get back to the dorm and into the shower before anyone; especially Eric could say anything to her. She was about ten feet from the dorm corridor and minutes from a warm peace and quiet when she heard a familiar voice.

"Sarah, have you seen my son?" Sarah turned to see Professor Ratcliff coming down the hallway that led from the Great Hall. Sarah froze and backed up nervously.

"Hello Professor, he should be behind me, I kind of took off ahead of everyone. I was a little irritated," explained Sarah.

Professor Ratcliff looked at her oddly. "You irritated Miss Nettleton?" asked the Professor grinning in disbelief.

Sarah had to chuckle. "I'm sorry Professor, it seems that all of my friends have discovered the opposite sex."

Professor Ratcliff smiled and tried hard not to chuckle. "I suppose this means that you have not?"

Sarah turned brilliant red. "Well actually I probably beat them all to it, I just can't seem to focus as well on it as they can."

The Professor contemplated Sarah's answer and then her eyes lit up as she made some connections. "Finding it hard to decide on just one?" Sarah turned even redder still.

"Professor do me a favor, get Mrs. Hutton to give me a sleeping potion and wake me up on Saturday," she moaned causing the Professor to laugh heartily.

"I'm sure it will be fine Sarah, even Mr. Ratcliff has been acting like a school boy." Sarah was laughing now and let her guard down long enough for the Professor to put her hand on her shoulder.

Sarah fell into the black hole again, she could hear the ringing in her ears, and she suddenly wished she had just walked away from Professor Ratcliff. "Miss Nettleton you need to concentrate, focus and concentrate."

"I'm trying," said Sarah, "But every time I try to focus and sort things out this happens." Sarah could hear her own voice talking to Professor Killainka.

"You're never going to be able to sort things out, if you don't learn to focus," scolded Professor Semiramise. Sarah could hear them all talking to her and scolding her and telling her to focus, but she couldn't see them or for that matter anything.

"Take a deep breath Sarah," she said to herself, "listen to the voices, and don't give in to the fear." Sarah braced herself and took a deep breath she closed her eyes and looked down at her open hands. She could feel something smooth, cold and wet lying in them. "Please Professor pull away, I know that I don't want to see what's in my hands," she said to herself, "I don't want to see what the Red Queen handed to me, please." However, the vision wouldn't end she was going to have to open her eyes if she wanted it to. Sarah braced herself again, opened her eyes, and screamed.

"Sarah, are you all right?" Professor Ratcliff helped the limp Sarah onto the ground and looked around to see Eric and the rest of the team coming up the hallway. "Eric, Dillon, go and get Professor Killainka, Raphael you get Mrs. Hutton," barked Professor Ratcliff as soon as they were within earshot. Eric hesitated looking down at Sarah lying on the floor and then grabbed hold of Dillon's arm and took off down the hallway followed by Raphael. The rest of the team and their partners tried to gather around Sarah but were quickly told to disperse by Professor Abydos, who had just appeared in the dorm corridor. Abydos knelt down next to Sarah and Professor Ratcliff. "What happened Christine?" he asked lifting her chin and making eye contact with the distressed Professor.

Professor Ratcliff took a deep breath, "We were talking, and she just collapsed."

"Let me have her," said Abydos still holding his eye contact. Christine nodded and handed Sarah's limp body to Abydos. "Sarah, listen to me. It is Wednesday and you are in the dorm corridor at Dragon's Wood, find your self in this vision now." Sarah opened her eyes and drew in a quick and deep breath. "Are you all right?" Sarah nodded all though waking up in Professor Abydos' arms was not her idea of being okay. Professor Ratcliff sat back onto the floor just as Eric, Dillon, and Raphael all returned with their charges. "You three go to the dormitory." None of them wished to obey, but they all knew better than to even question Professor Abydos and Sarah's eyes were open now. Eric nodded and gestured for Raphael and Dillon to follow.

"Romulus, is everything okay?" asked Professor Killainka offering him a hand. Abydos took his hand and pulled him self, and Sarah upright, keeping hold of the still shaky seventh grader.

"It seems that Miss Nettleton has been up to her new trick, sir," said Abydos looking less sinister than usual. Killainka looked at Sarah's pale face. Mrs. Hutton now pushed forward, shooed the Professor's away, and helped Sarah into a nearby chair.

"Sarah Nettleton, you're going to be the death of me," she said shaking her head and smiling.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Hutton," apologized Sarah quietly. "I'm not doing it on purpose."

Professor Killainka was now helping Professor Ratcliff into a nearby chair. "Are you all right Christine?" Professor Ratcliff nodded unconvincingly. "What happened?"

"I met up with Sarah here and we were talking about things." Sarah was remembering what they were talking about and was praying that Professor Ratcliff was not going to repeat their conversation. "And then she collapsed."

"What were you talking about?" This is what Sarah had feared most.

"Nothing unusual sir, just the holiday."

"Thanks Professor," said Sarah to herself.

"We were laughing about things and then I put my hand on her shoulder and she collapsed."

Sarah sighed. "What is going on?" she asked herself. "Why was she having one vision after another when Professor Ratcliff was around? We have to tell her she's in danger." "Professor Killainka," she said now out loud, "I'm feeling all right now can I get up." Her last question also being directed at Mrs. Hutton who had a tight hold on Sarah's wrist and was looking into her eyes.

"Well Melissa?"

"I don't know Miss Nettleton, can you?" she asked sounding extraordinarily annoyed. Sarah steadied herself and pushed herself out of the chair.

"Apparently so," said Sarah relieved. "Please don't tell me that I have to go back to the infirmary, Mrs. Hutton, please." Sarah was bouncing back quickly in fact it was hard for her to believe that only moments ago she had been out again.

Mrs. Hutton gave Sarah her best-worried scowl and then turned to Killainka. "She's getting better at this," she whispered to him alone. Killainka nodded and then smiled at Sarah. "I think you need a shower and a good nights sleep," she said turning back, causing Sarah to give her a big hug and a kiss on her cheek. "This better stop happening or I'll be moving your things into the Infirmary," she said smiling. Killainka chuckled. "Professor Ratcliff are you sure you're okay," she said turning to the Professor who was looking quite pale.

"Yes, Melissa, she just scared the pants off of me that's all," said Christine forcing a smile.

Professor Abydos, who had been standing by quietly moved forward and whispered in Professor Killainka's ear. Killainka nodded and turned to Mrs. Hutton. "Melissa would you please walk Miss Nettleton to her dorm and find her a quiet study room. Put Mr. Turner in charge of keeping it quiet in there, tell him I said no one should disturb Sarah for any reason."

"Yes sir. All right Sarah you heard him," she said taking Sarah's arm.

"Yes ma'am," answered Sarah rising from the chair and giving everyone one last pathetic look before following her in.

Killainka turned to Professor Ratcliff, "Christine, we need to talk."

Sarah sat in the study room staring at the fire. Eric paced in front of the door but knew from the way Mrs. Hutton had given his instructions Killainka hadn't wanted him to approach Sarah either. "I'll take over Mr. Turner." Eric turned and almost went head first into Professor Killainka.

"Yes sir," said Eric backing away. Eric started to walk away but he turned back after a couple of steps, "She's not getting ill again is she?"

Killainka smiled, "I'm sure that Sarah would rather tell you how she is herself, Eric. Perhaps you can speak to her after dinner, which I suggest you and the rest of the team get to after washing off today's practice."

Eric looked down at his muddy clothes. He had totally forgotten about the practice and how dirty he was. He grinned, "I think you're right sir."

Sarah barely looked up when Professor Killainka sat down in the chair opposite her. "What is going on Professor, am I'm loosing my mind?"

Killainka chuckled. "Why so discouraged Sarah, Mrs. Hutton seems to think that you're getting a grip on yourself and I'm in inclined to believe that she's right and I haven't even heard your version of the events."

Sarah looked up at him. "What?"

Killainka leaned back into the chair. "Your last two encounters with the unknown haven't landed you in the Infirmary for one thing," he said reassuringly.

"Two visions and one crazy dream sir," Sarah said shifting in her chair.

"My, you have been busy," said Killainka smiling again. "It does seem as though you and Professor Ratcliff are not conducive of each other at this point in time. Was the dream like the others?"

Sarah shook her head. "It was actually kind of crazy. I was Alice in Wonderland and they're were others there being the other characters. Mrs. Hutton was there and Griffin even the Secretary of Magic."

Killainka leaned forward and looked at her. "Miss Chamberlain was in your dream?"

"She was the Red Queen." Sarah flinched. "It wasn't that bad a dream until the end." Sarah looked down at the ground. "Professor I know you said that I shouldn't be taking these visions and dreams literally, but they're so realistic even the as strange as the dream was the really frightening part was so vivid and real."

"What happened in this dream?"

"The Red Queen, of course she yelled off with my head," said Sarah "then these cards they came and they grabbed me and for a moment I thought they were going to hold me down so someone could chop my head off, they pushed me into a kneeling position and pulled my head back by my hair. The Red Queen stood in front of me and lifted this gold dagger and I was sure I was going to die, and then she handed it to me. And as she did, blood spurted out of it covering my hands and my robes." Sarah's face was pale again and Killainka was sitting back in quiet contemplation. "I know it sounds crazy."

"Perhaps, but I've heard crazier things before," he said forcing a smile. "Are you up to telling me what happened just now in the dorm corridor?"

Sarah sighed and nodded. "It's going to sound even crazier," she predicted.

"That's all right, I'll listen anyway," he said, his smile coming natural now.

"Lately everything seems to be coming from every direction. First, it's like falling into a big hole or Floo Powder, everything's dark and blurry, and it sounds jumbled and bizarre. Then when I can start to make things out, they're like many bits and pieces of conversations and scenes." Sarah thought about it for a moment and then said, "It's like someone's flipping through the channels on the TV." She looked over for Killainka's reaction now.

"Professor Chalipun likened it to a mutlicinema," said Killainka smiling encouragingly.

Sarah grinned, "Yeah, it's so odd. I can hear people talking to me and me talking to them. I could hear you and Professor Semiramise telling me to focus and concentrate and me swearing that I was. And then I felt something cold in my hands and when I opened my eyes I was right." Sarah's face took on a puzzled look now.

"What is it Sarah?"

"I just remembered something that I hadn't realized before. My robes, they weren't my school robes. Not this time and not last time, they were my Quidditch robes." Sarah looked up at the Professor, "I wonder why I didn't realize it before." Sarah was now the first one to go silent, she was not happy at all that she at her newest realization.

Killainka was attempting to take in everything that Sarah had said and interpret it. He was also very quiet for a long time and Sarah was beginning to think that she'd finally stumped him. "Sarah I'm not sure what's going on here, but I am concerned and so is Professor Abydos. I think that for the time being that we should try to keep this as toned down as possible. Who have you told about your visions beside myself and Professor Chalipun?"

Sarah thought carefully, "I've told Zoe and Eric bits and pieces but nothing about the blood. I was too scared and didn't want them to be as scared as I am. To be honest with you sir, everything's been so jumbled lately. It's worse than last year, I can't remember what has been a real conversation and what's been a vision or dream."

Killainka chuckled. "I suppose I could see where that would be a problem." He paused, leaned forward, and donned a more serious look. "For now let's stick with telling you're friends only that you've expanded your abilities slightly to include brief premonitions. And only your closest friends, since they are the ones that will keep your confidence." Sarah nodded. "And Sarah, try not to worry so much. Remember they are still only visions and they may or may not be accurate," he said pulling up her chin and smiling. Sarah nodded again, "Now I believe that a shower and some dinner are in order. I myself am starving," he said rising from his chair.

Sarah stood up. "Thank you sir for listening."

"It's all right you know, that's what I'm here for," he said winking at Sarah.

Sarah could see that most of the Bellarmine and Keynes students were craning their necks as she entered the Hall. Sarah supposed that by now the team and Jeffrey, who Sarah assumed Zoe had spoke to, had told them what had happened in the dorm corridor, even though no one actually knew. Sarah smiled trying to look casual and plopped down in between Zoe and Eric who had obviously been talking about her since Eric wasn't prone to starting out at their end of the table. "Did you save me any?" she said grabbing a plate of potatoes and scrapping some onto hers.

"Well you can't expect us to just sit around and keep everything fresh and hot for you while you're dawdling around in the dormitory," teased Eric looking her over perhaps making sure she's was still in one piece.

"You're pretty much getting on my nerves these days," chimed Zoe. "Oh wait I all ready told you that once today, didn't I?"

Sarah chuckled. "Bite me, both of you." Sarah managed to make it through dinner without giving too much away. She told everyone that Mrs. Hutton supposed that she was probably still prone to weak spells and that she needed to be taking better care of herself. It wasn't hard for most of the table to except this explanation since Sarah, who was a small person to begin with, still hadn't regained all of the weight she had lost in the Infirmary. However, Eric and Zoe weren't as convinced, but then they really didn't have to be, because eventually Sarah would confide in them.

After dinner Sarah managed to persuade everyone including Zoe and Eric that she was given strict instructions to bed down early, which wasn't too much of a stretch. She did however promise them both that she would talk to them tomorrow which seemed to pacify them if only slightly. Sarah lie stroking Max for a long time before she fell asleep she was wishing for dreamless sleep potion and praying that she would have no additional encounters with the Red Queen this evening. "At least you're not the Cheshire Cat," joked Sarah rubbing Max's belly just before the sandman took her away.

It was a difficult task but Sarah managed to convince Zoe that what had happened was simply another flashing light vision as they headed for breakfast. "What do you suppose the flashing lights mean?" asked Zoe as they drew closer to the Great Hall.

"I don't know. Professor Killainka seems to think that I just haven't perfected it yet," she said shrugging her shoulders.

"I'll be glad when you stop discovering inner talents," complained Zoe.

"Don't blame me, blame my dad after all I inherited all of this talent from him," joked Sarah.

Zoe laughed. "Well after watching you, I'm very glad that Eric inherited my dads talents and not me. I'll settle for just being a plain old ordinary witch like my mother." Sarah put her arm around Zoe and headed into the Hall. At this moment, Sarah herself was glad that Zoe had not inherited her fathers' talents.

With Zoe appeased it was only a matter of bluffing Eric now, which would certainly be a more difficult task, one that she decided to put off as long as possible. "You're avoiding me," whispered Eric to Sarah as they were all getting up from the table.

"Not any more than usual," teased Sarah. "Can we talk after practice, I need to think only pleasant thoughts this morning?" she asked grinning widely.

"How can I resist your charm?" Eric said grinning back. "It's a date."

Sarah made it through the morning dodging inquiring looks from Professors Abydos, Semiramise, and Chalipun and through lunch by sitting close to the sixth graders again. It seemed that the holiday atmosphere had once again taken over and Sarah's small episode after practice the day before had been pushed out of everyone's minds.

Sarah was grateful that Zoe and Jeffrey couldn't sit as close together as Megan, William, Dillon and Michayla were, but had to put up with them glaring across the Hall at each other. It seemed though that their relationship had caused Jeffrey to take up the task of keeping Gracie Richardson in her place, since she hadn't been heard mumbling any rude comments in the last couple of days.

Eric had opted to sit with Raphael and Brent, since it was plain to see he was not getting any information out of Sarah until after practice. He was berating them for yesterday's performance on the field and reminding them how important Saturday's game was. Sarah was grateful that she was being left out of the berating and finished her lunch as fast as she could. She was looking forward now to getting through the rest of the day and she felt like she was probably going to succeed when Professor Ratcliff did the one thing she dreaded the most. "Sarah, could you stay a moment?" she asked as the bell rang and everyone started for the classroom door.

Sarah froze and could feel herself turning pale. "Yes ma'am." Zoe and Dillon glanced over their shoulders at her.

"She'll meet you in History of Magic, go on now," said Dillon's mother giving them a reassuring look. Sarah nodded and walked down to the front row of the classroom. "Have a seat Sarah," said the Professor backing away from Sarah and sitting on her stool in the front of the classroom. "Don't worry I won't touch you."

Sarah felt her heart sink. "Professor Killainka told you didn't he ma'am."

The Professor nodded. "Sarah why didn't you tell me what was going on? Did you really think with everything that has happened to me that some visions of bloody robes would scare me?"

"I was afraid Professor. I don't think Dillon could handle it if anything happened to you again. Besides, I really like you."

Professor Ratcliff grinned from ear to ear. "I'm very glad that you feel that way about Dillon and I Sarah, we sort of have a soft spot for you also. However, even if there is something or someone out there trying to harm me, I have no doubt that between your foresight and Professor Killainka's protection I have nothing to worry about. Besides," she said leaning toward Sarah and winking, "I'm a fairly good witch in my own right."

Sarah blushed slightly and felt very relieved. Nothing that had been said to her by Killainka, Semiramise, or even Abydos had been more comforting than these words. "Thanks Professor I needed that." However, Sarah needed something else, she needed to be able to touch the Professor and remain standing, but this was not the time. Sarah rose and headed toward the door, before she left however she turned to add one last thought. "Ma'am I told Professor Killainka that I wouldn't tell anyone about the bloody robes, but I don't want Dillon someday to think that I kept something like this from him."

"You worry about Sarah, I'll worry about Dillon. Besides I think he's also stronger than you think," said the Professor smiling. "Now get along to class."

Sarah just grinned at Zoe and Dillon when they asked her what Professor Ratcliff wanted and said, "Nothing." Zoe rolled her eyes and told Dillon she was a fruit loop. But Sarah felt happy again and no one was going to burst that bubble.

Sarah was again the first to grab her broom and head for practice but it wasn't long after that that the other eight members of the team were there also without there entourage per Eric's instructions. Eric however was in a better mood today and they managed to have the perfect practice that he desired. He even dismissed them earlier than he had originally planned on perhaps a bit due to a desire to talk to Sarah. Sarah grabbed one side of the ball trunk with one hand and her broomstick in the other as Eric did the same, and they started up the hill toward the school. "So Miss Nettleton, had any spells today?" he asked jokingly.

Sarah gave him a dirty look. "No, but then again I wasn't pestered by any rude juniors today either," she said laughing.

"Touché'" said Eric walking along slowly. "So you want to tell me what happened yesterday."

Sarah took a deep breath, nodded and began, "Professor Killainka says that my clairvoyant dreams have turned into realistic visions. I've been having visions when I touch people. Like when I shook hands with Michayla's dad and I saw the lights and heard screaming. Something similar happened with Professor Abydos the day that I ended up in the infirmary. I think he knew and that's why he sent me there. And when I was with the Professor's I've been seeing things that haven't happened yet and some of them now have."

Eric stopped and lowered the trunk Sarah lowered her end too. "Like what?"

"Like I saw the conversation that Professor Killainka and Michayla and I had before we had it."

"What did the Professor say about them?"

"He said that visions and dreams are not always accurate and that even if they are predicting the future they can still be altered. I already altered the one that I had about our conversation by stopping it," explained Sarah.

Eric nodded. "That makes sense." He looked down at the trunk. "Sorry, I guess we need to keep going." They picked up the trunk and started again. "So when are you having these visions?"

"They've been too random to really pin down," said Sarah lying only slightly. "This last one after the practice hardly affected me. Mrs. Hutton and Professor Killainka seem to think I'm learning to handle them."

"I suppose that's a good thing."

"You know Eric a couple of months ago you told me that you were trying to fine tune your senses, but you haven't said anything since then," remembered Sarah.

Eric sighed. "I suppose I've been to caught up in school and girlfriends. It seems that so far you are the only one who I have any connection to which was a terrible downfall while you were in the Infirmary." Sarah stopped and looked at Eric. This was something she hadn't thought about. It would certainly explain why he had been such a wreck the whole time. "Hey don't stop this thing is getting heavy and I'm getting hungry." Sarah laughed and then started up again.

They were quiet for a few minutes as they approached the rear door to the school and then Eric began stumbling around with a question. "I know that I asked you to practice Quidditch with me tomorrow, but I've been thinking about it and well just about everyone we know is going to be at the picnic tomorrow afternoon. I mean we even get out of school early and all and I thought maybe I'd just do it anyway." He paused and took a deep breath. "And I was thinking that if you hadn't figured out anything else to do, perhaps we wouldn't have to eat in the Hall with the sixth graders and lonely hearts."

"Why Eric Turner are you asking me to the Valentine's Day Picnic?" asked Sarah blushing red.

"I just thought why couldn't two really good friends go and have a good time." Eric couldn't look up he was so embarrassed.

Sarah didn't quite no what to say. Something told her that this was more about what had happened to Sarah in the last couple of weeks than romance, but despite how uncomfortable she was, there was a part of Sarah that wanted to seize the opportunity. "All right, sounds like fun. Besides it will drive Zoe nuts," she said decided Sarah feeling her insides turning summer salts.

Eric's eyes turned up and he smiled. "Cool."

More than anything else though Sarah was happy, that she had gotten through her conversation with Eric and hadn't had to tell him anything that she hadn't intended to.

Sarah didn't say anything to Zoe or anyone else about their impending date and Eric wouldn't either, but he had stopped and winked at her as he headed to bed. Sarah went to bed blushing and not so scared. She remembered Professor Ratcliff's encouraging words as she thought about tomorrow afternoon. She was sure that it would be her first and only date with Eric but she at least had one night to dream about it.