The Dreamwalker's Daughter

Chapter Sixteen The Dreamwalker's Curse

"I don't believe that I have ever seen you this quiet for this long Sarah," said Killainka as they made their way from Abydos' office to his.

"I'm feeling right now that I've said enough today, sir," decided Sarah humbl.

Sarah heard Abydos and Killainka both chuckle. "Yes, I heard about your confrontation with Miss Turner, and I assure you that having a fight with your best friend doesn't constitute a valid reason to run away from the school and your family." Sarah was growing more upset by the moment. First Eric, then Abydos, and now Killainka, could she not have any private thoughts or desires? Killainka sensed Sarah's growing distress. "I think you'll find Sarah, that sharing your heart with others is more beneficial than not."

"I'm not sure about that Professor. So far it's mostly got me into trouble."

They had reached the door to Professor Killainka's office and as he opened it, he and Abydos did their best to hide their amusement. "Well you're not in trouble now so have a seat by the fire and we'll discuss what's bothering you."

Sarah hesitated and then did as she was instructed. She was thinking that she would have liked it better if perhaps Professor Quigley or Chalipun had been there when there was a knock on the door. "Come in Alice, we were just about to begin," said Killainka to the door.

Sarah wasn't sure that this was a good thing since she had just wished for. "I hope you don't mind Sarah but Professor Quigley heard what happened in the dormitory and asked if she could be present. I think she's a bit concerned about you."

Sarah looked at the Professor and smiled. "She wanted to be here," she thought to herself. Then Sarah touched the charm under her robes and answered. "No sir, I don't have a problem with Professor Quigley being here at all." Sarah was very grateful that the Professor chose to sit down next to her and as she did, Sarah leaned toward that side of her chair. She figured if there was any positive energy to be had in this room it was coming from her direction. The Professor further reinforced this belief by giving her a quick wink. After Killainka and Abydos had found their seats, Professor Killainka began.

"Professors Abydos and Quigley have brought to my attention that you're concerned about some missing time," said Killainka looking into Sarah's eyes concerned.

Sarah looked at both the Professors and then Killainka. She never imagined that Professor Quigley had said anything. She had given Sarah the impression that she shouldn't be worried about it. "Well, it's just that, well," Sarah didn't know how to say what she was feeling to Killainka. This was one of those times when she needed him to just know, but she could tell he was going to wait her out. "Professor, I know that I hit my head when I fell off my broom in the game with Keynes. But I remember everything that I did and that happened except for the last twenty minutes or so. To me that just doesn't sound like a head injury," blurted out Sarah.

Professors Quigley and Abydos both looked to Killainka to answer. "No, I think that you are right about that. So what do you think happened?"

Sarah hadn't expected this for an answer. "I'm sure that Professor Abydos told you I asked about the Imperious curse." Killainka nodded. "Professor, look me in the eye and tell me that when I was sick I wasn't under a cruse and I'll let it all go."

Killainka sat back in his chair and Sarah crinkled up her face waiting for one of the three teachers to promptly put her in her place. Instead, Killainka rose and approached the fire. Sarah saw Professor Quigley glance at Abydos with a concerned look and then watched as Abydos held his hand up as though to calm Quigley's fears. Sarah felt like she had opened a door to something that she didn't understand at all and was now worried about it. "You have the right to know what's happened to you Sarah, don't be sorry for asking," he said reassuring her. Sarah nodded her head absent-mindedly. "Do you remember when we talked about Dreamwalker's?" he asked.

"Yes sir and I remember talking to Professor Abydos about it," admitted Sarah.

"Yes, I believe he told you about some of the things that they could do," continued Killainka.

Sarah and Abydos both nodded looking at each other. "He told you that they could enter people's dreams and kill." Sarah shuddered, she suddenly knew where he was going with this and was dreading what was to come. She didn't nod, but Killainka continued anyway. "This is where the Dreamwalker's were most like Chinkana, though none of them possessed the power that he had, most of them could administer the Dreamwalker's curse."

"Dreamwalker's curse?" whispered Sarah after a hard swallow.

Killainka turned to Abydos who took over graciously. "It's not actually considered one of the unforgivable curses, but in my opinion it should be," he started. "It is a very special curse that only a few have been able to master. To be honest, I thought we knew where all of those who could do it were. Then up until last year, we thought we'd heard the last of Chinkana and his band of dark wizards."

It was Professor Quigley's turn to interject. "Sarah, we didn't deliberately lie to you. Perhaps none of us was willing to admit that it was a possibility."

"You think that I was under the Dreamwalker's curse?" she asked almost terrified of the answer.

"It was a long time ago Sarah, but I watched someone die from the Dreamwalker's curse," started Killainka again coming into the conversation. Sarah noticed that both Professors' watched him carefully and with great concern. "Once you have been cursed by a Dreamwalker the only way you can be saved is if the Dreamwalker removes the curse. There is no known counter curse, no known cure. You literally waste away until you die."

Sarah was horrified, she hadn't been this scared the entire time she had been fighting Chinkana last year. She suddenly felt the urge to run again. Someone had tried to kill her and she hadn't even know it. Professor Quigley leaned over and took her hand. "It's all right, it's over, and you're here safe with us."

However, Sarah wasn't convinced. "I-If I have been attacked before, why c-couldn't I again," she stuttered.

"Sarah there is no reason to believe," Killainka raised his hand and Professor Quigley stopped.

"You're right of course Sarah, it could very well happen again and I would not wish to give you a false sense of security. However, there has not been a recorded case of the Dreamwalker's curse in years. I think what we need to do is try to figure out why this happened to you and who did it." Killainka moved forward and took his place again by the others.

"Since this happened. I have been looking into things, trying to figure out who was responsible without having to alarm you," explained Abydos. "Even your father and his partner have been involved. They are just as concerned for the safety of everyone including you."

Sarah was feeling the great upheaval in her stomach that she had before. Whenever things got stressful and overwhelming it always seemed that her body would protest by creating havoc in her stomach. It had been a while since she had felt this bad though. "I'm not sure I can listen to any more of this sir," she whispered trying to hold down her last meal. Sarah felt as though the room was going dark, she had no desire to be sick in front of the teachers and found things going black.

"Where am I?" Sarah saw what looked like the light at the end of a tunnel. She closed her eyes, shook her head, and opened them again. Everything else was dark and there was this hollow echoing sound in the distance. She thought about how she had gotten here, and didn't really care. She had this sudden feeling like the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulder. "What had she been talking to the Professors about?" she thought smiling to herself. She guessed that it didn't matter now anyway since she seemed to be in a happy place.

"They were telling you something dangerous. They were telling you that you weren't safe. But you don't need to worry about that anymore." This was a voice that Sarah was sure she had never heard before and it seemed to be coming from inside of her head.

"Then I won't," she decided.

"Sarah wake up." This voice Sarah did recognize. But why was Eric asking her to wake up, she wasn't asleep, was she. Sarah opened her eyes and found Professors Killainka and Abydos standing over her. It was like the room and their presence came rushing in on her like the tide.

"Professor," she whispered finding it hard to talk. "Where am I?" she suddenly remembered asking this question before.

"Are you feeling okay?" this time it was Professor Quigley who Sarah saw was standing just to her right. Sarah looked around and found that she evidently had never left Killainka's office at all.

"I guess so," she answered ignoring the pain in her forehead. "What happened?"

"It seems that you got a bit overwhelmed and blacked out," explained Professor Quigley, who was now kneeling beside her. "Can you get up?"

Sarah nodded and forced herself off the floor and into a chair. Professors Killainka and Abydos now joined Quigley by her side. "Perhaps we should stop for right now," said Professor Abydos looking first at Sarah and then Professor Quigley who looked nearly as pale as Sarah did.

"No," said Sarah not believing that the words were coming out of her mouth. "Sir, Professor," she started looking at Abydos. "Something strange just happened, and I'm so scared right now I'm not even going to pretend that it didn't."

"What are you talking about?" asked Abydos leaning forward.

"What you're saying about being overwhelmed, I think you're right. I was feeling very sick, like I was going to loose my lunch." Sarah looked around at Killainka's office.

"What else do you remember?" asked Abydos.

"It was strange, like I was in a dark room and I could hear things in the distance and then this voice told me not to worry about what we had been talking about and I felt suddenly safe and happy. It was what I imagine it would be like to be in an angel's arms." Sarah had no idea why she had phrased it this way, but she reckoned that she couldn't have thought of a better way to.

"And then what happened?" asked Professor Quigley looking quite unnerved herself now. Abydos glanced at her sideways perhaps a bit afraid that her demeanor would alarm Sarah.

Killainka, however remained silent his gaze fixed on Sarah.

Sarah had to think for a moment. She was quite a bit nervous again and she was having a hard time remembering now what had happened just a short time ago. It seemed more and more like a dream, like one of the crazy dreams from last year. This thought in itself was enough to make Sarah not want to go on, but she did. "I'm not sure. It was strange but I think I heard Eric trying to wake me up. Then I heard your voice Professor and I was here again."

Sarah looked into Abydos' face but could find nothing there to tell her what he was thinking. Professor Quigley was looking a bit stressed, but then Sarah had all ready gathered from knowing her for nearly two years that it was in her nature to be disrupted easily. As she rounded her stare to meet Professor Killainka's eyes, she felt his pain that she ever had never felt before. Sarah met him eye to eye, "What's going on sir?" Killainka drew a deep breath.

"I think that it's time for me to walk you back to your dormitory," he said taking everyone by surprise. "Alice, Romulus you'll wait for me here." Both Professors looked at Killainka and then each other and reluctantly nodded. "All right then Sarah," he said rising and holding his hand out for her to take.

Sarah raised taking his hand and feeling very strange. "All right Professor," she said following him as he went.

It was awhile after they left his office before Killainka spoke again. They had reached the other side of the faculty corridor and they were just reaching the entrance the led to the Great Hall. Killainka stopped and Sarah had stopped he looked down into her eyes again. "Would you be surprised to know that I was once very much in love with a beautiful woman who looked a great deal like you?" he asked.

Sarah was flabbergasted. She would never have expected the Professor to be so candid with her. She didn't know what to say and then she remembered last year and the one-day's detention that she had served. "Jessica Bellarmine," she whispered.

Killainka's whole face lit up as he smiled. "You still amaze me Sarah Nettleton, even though I know that you are the one."

Sarah crinkled up her face. "What did he mean, the one?" she thought. "What sir?" Sarah asked out loud.

"It's not important right now," he assured her as he started to walk again. Sarah, who was more frustrated, now than she had ever been, hurried to catch up. "Yes, it was Miss Bellarmine, and have you figured out anything else?"

Sarah was finding it hard to concentrate and keep up with the Professor, who seemed to be in a hurry to get somewhere all of the sudden. "She was the one who died from the Dreamwalker's curse," she proposed.

"Very good," he said rounding a corner and nearly knocking over a group of Keynes freshmen. There was a lot of apologizing on their part as he and Sarah continued.

"I can't take credit for that sir," confessed Sarah trying to keep up. "Dillon told us last year that you had watched someone you love die. I just pieced it together."

Killainka stopped suddenly again and looked her in the eye. "Yes, but not everyone would have pieced it together now would they?" Sarah tried to catch her breath and when she thought she had, Killainka started onward again. Sarah shook her head and then started after him.

After a moment or two, she realized how tired she was getting. "Professor," she panted, "are we in a hurry?"

Sarah almost ran into Killainka as she stopped. Without turning to face her, he sighed deeply and his head dropped slightly. "I'm sorry Sarah, you'd think that when you have gotten to be my age that you would have realized that you can't run away from your problems."

Sarah was confused and tired but there was something speaking to her inside that she hadn't heard in awhile. "Professor, why do I look like Jessica Bellarmine?" The Professor paused before he turned and looked into her eyes again.

"I have always done my best to answer your questions when I could, have I not Sarah?" he asked getting a nod from Sarah. "This is a question which I cannot answer at this time. But I promise when I can, I will let you know." Killainka smiled slyly and winked. Sarah didn't know what to say, she just nodded and swallowed hard. Killainka stepped forward and placed a hand on Sarah's shoulder. "You are scared?"

Sarah smiled and giggled slightly. "No sir, I'm way beyond scared," admitted Sarah.

"Never give up, you must believe." Sarah drew a deep breath and then looked around. She hadn't noticed that they had made it to the dorm corridor. "Your friends are waiting for you. I believe Miss Turner is feeling a bit foolish."

"I'm afraid I've done an awful amount of lying this year. Something that I've never done to my best friend," she confessed.

"I have a feeling it's time that you told her everything." Sarah looked at Killainka. It wasn't that long ago that he had told her to be careful about what she said. "If the wolfs are hiding in the forest, you'll need your best hound with you." With this Killainka winked at Sarah and said goodnight. "I believe I have kept Professors Quigley and Abydos waiting long enough." Sarah said goodnight and then took the few steps that made her disappear into the darkness of the corridor. "Make her strong," he said into the shadows after her.

Sarah wished that she had a moment in between the time that she could no longer see Professor Killainka and the time that she would walk dead into the Bellarmine common room. She had however, barely a second to even contemplate this wish. There was an eerie silence as she materialized and everyone turned to see who it was. There was an even longer silence when they realized it was Sarah. Zoe was in a corner with Eric and Dillon and was perhaps the only one who didn't look up when she entered. William and Megan hesitated then approached cautiously. Michayla, Sarah noticed right away, was nowhere to be found.

"Don't worry I'm not going to explode," announced Sarah as she entered the room. The few upperclassmen that had been paying attention shook their heads now and went back to their own conversations. By the time Megan and William had started their conversation with Sarah, no one other than her friends could care less that she had returned.

"Where have you been?" asked Megan carefully.

"Screwing things up royally," admitted Sarah smiling. "Now I'm going over and see if I can fix a few of them. So if you'll excuse me." Sarah walked across the room and stood over Zoe. "I was thinking that if you were in the mood we could take a walk and you could beat and humiliate me until it was time for dinner."

Zoe looked up forcing back a smile. "I suppose that you think all you have to do is come in here and say something stupid and I'll just walk out the door with you?" asked Zoe.

"Pretty much," responded Sarah.

Zoe gave her a look of contempt then grinned. "Okay." Dillon and Eric looked at each other and then Eric opened his mouth to speak, then as though he thought better of it, he shook his head and just smiled. Sarah thanked him with a sigh and pulled Zoe out of the common room.

"Where are we going?" asked Zoe when they had reached the other side of the dorm entrance.

"Does it matter?"

"I suppose not," she was quiet again for a moment as they walked. "I was a huge ass."

"I deserved it. I've been lying to you all year and I knew eventually you were going to get tired of it," admitted Sarah looking off down the hallway instead of at her friend.

Zoe didn't know what to say. She knew Sarah had been keeping things from her, but hearing the words from her mouth made it seem petty that she had stressed about it. "Eric said you were in the green house plotting your escape."

Sarah chuckled. "Yeah, remind me to apologize to him too," Sarah said and then she stopped and looked at Zoe. "I'm sorry about Eric too."

Zoe was the one to hang her head in shame now. "That was wrong of me. I was just jealous of what you and he have." She paused and kicked her feet around the floor. "I know I said before that I'm glad Eric got dad's gift and not me, but-"

"But you didn't mean it. You forget I know you all too well, with or without my dad's talents," consoled Sarah.

Zoe forced a smile. "Yeah, well even if I'm not having premonitions I don't have any trouble seeing when your full of crap." Zoe swung an arm around Sarah and they started down the hallway again.

"I've been told that I need to tell you everything," Sarah revealed causing Zoe to stop again.

"And by that you mean?" asked Zoe looking a bit frightened.

"Well, to be honest with you I wish I wasn't going to just because it's going to scare the crap out of me again," confessed Sarah. Zoe looked around, found a nearby bench, and took Sarah to it.

"What's going on Sarah?"

"Let's start with tonight and work our way back," she said contemplating her hands. Sarah spent the next ten minutes explaining what had happened since they had fought and what her and the three Professors had discussed. She watched as Zoe's face went pale and took her hands when they began to tremble.

"Someone tried to kill you?" Sarah nodded. "Oh god, remember Divination."

"Now don't go looking for extra things for me to be worried about," cautioned Sarah.

"Do they know who?"

Sarah shook her head. "Professor Abydos says they've been trying to work that out since I came out of it, even our dads."

Zoe rose from the bench and began to pace. "What did they say about the Quidditch game?"

"Well, nothing really. I mean I had that crazy spell and suddenly Killainka wanted to end it. I guess he was afraid they were scaring me too badly," she admitted.

"Well, you're certainly scaring me," chimed Zoe. "Dreamwalker's curse, huh?"

"Yeah, Abydos said it should be considered an unforgivable curse. You should have seen the look on Professor Killainka's face when he talked about what it did. No wonder my dad was so upset when I was in the infirmary." Sarah looked very pale and tired now herself and Zoe was sensing that she shouldn't go on.

"We don't have to do this now," she suggested started to feel slightly unnerved her self.

Sarah smiled. "No, you've waited long enough and perhaps," she paused deciding whether to continue this thought, "perhaps if I tell you everything I can sleep tonight."

"I knew it," spat Zoe accusingly. "You've been having nightmares again."

"Yeah, but mostly it's just me going over and over again what's been happening, especially the missing time at the Quidditch game." Sarah stopped though and went ashen. "There is this one dream though, that I've been having."

Zoe looked at Sarah and returned to the bench. "What Sarah?"

"I've been having this dream about Alice in Wonderland," replied Sarah. Zoe started to snicker and when she saw the look on Sarah's face, she stopped.

"Tell me about it," said Zoe looking concerned.

"Well, it's starts out that I'm Alice and Griffin's there and he's the white rabbit." Zoe fought the urge to laugh again. "And then there's Mrs. Hutton and bottles that say drink me and actually it's all just kind of weird and then I meet the Red Queen and she hands me this dagger and it spurts blood all over me." Sarah was trembling again. Zoe took her hands she was shaking a bit herself.

"Sarah, why didn't you tell me before?"

"I was scared to. Because I know what the Red Queen wants me to do," said Sarah, tears were streaming down her face and she was shaking out of control now.

Zoe swallowed hard. "What?"

"She wants me to kill Professor Ratcliff."

****************

"I don't know whose welfare I'm the most concerned about at this point Javier, hers or yours." Professor Quigley was pacing the office and looking quite frustrated at Killainka who was stoking the fire.

"I know we've had this conversation before and you disagree with me, but I still say it's the girl." Abydos was looking very ominous as he spoke. "I think it was a mistake to let her come in the first place."

"But Romulus the book, wouldn't the book have known?" asked Professor Quigley pleadingly.

"You think that dark magic couldn't fool a book," retaliated Abydos. "Even John Nettleton felt him strong in her."

Professor Quigley opened her mouth to speak again but was interrupted by Killainka who was finally breaking his silence. "Miss Nettleton disagrees with you and her father Romulus. She doesn't believe she is in danger from the girl," he said without turning around.

"Despite what we believe about Miss Nettleton Javier, she is still very young. Look at how hard it is for her to control what she has. And these spells, I think we all know what that's about." Abydos had risen from his chair and was visibly agitated. "She is making it very difficult for me to do what I am supposed to do."

"On that point I must agree," started Professor Quigley. "She is becoming so overwhelmed that she is opening herself up to dark magic. If she doesn't learn to control," the Professor stopped as the Dean turned and raised his hand to her.

"I appreciate how much both of you have done and how much you care. I have a lot to think about so I think we'll pick this conversation up again tomorrow." Professors Quigley and Abydos looked at each other. They knew that there would be no arguing this point and after expressing their concern that he try to get some sleep they both left. Killainka stared into the fire and warmed his hands, but he had no words.

*******************

"What are you talking about?" screeched Zoe jumping up and causing a group of Broughton students coming down the hall to stop and look.

"Shhh," said Sarah pulling her back to the bench. "This is why I didn't want to tell you."

"I don't understand. Have you gone crazy?"

"Maybe, but it's not just the dreams. Twice when I touched Professor Ratcliff I saw the dagger and the blood and it was all over her and me."

"That's what happened in the Potions class and after the Quidditch practice," said Zoe in a moment of enlightenment.

Sarah nodded. "Yes, Professor Killainka says that I can't take the dreams and the visions literally. He said that even if they are visions of the future, I could change them. I have all ready changed some of the ones that I have had. Then Professor Ratcliff, she said I shouldn't worry about it. She said that with my insight and Professor Killainka's protection," Sarah stopped talking as she followed the fear in Zoe's eyes.

"You told Professor Ratcliff you think you're going to kill her?" asked Zoe mortified.

"No," answered Sarah getting visibly frustrated. "No, Professor Killainka told her about my dreams and visions. That's what she wanted to talk to me about before. She didn't want me to worry."

Zoe sighed. "I'm beginning to wish you hadn't told me all of this."

"I'm sorry. I wish all of this wasn't happening and frankly, I don't know why it is. Why would someone want to kill me? Who was it and how did they get to me at Dragon's Wood? And why do they want me to kill Professor Ratcliff, why not do it themselves if they could get to me?" Sarah rattled off this list of questions that had no answers and then collapsed against the wall. Zoe was speechless; she wanted badly to comfort her friend but had no words. "Do you remember when I told you about my dad and I going to the Glen?" asked Sarah now going off on a different tangent. Zoe nodded, but was having a hard time keeping up. "We talked about all of this, you know, him and what he does and how he thinks I'm showing his abilities."

"What did he say?"

"Lots of things that made me uncomfortable. And the he told me that when I was little someone tried to take me." Zoe lowered her head and shuffled her feet.

"I actually knew that," whispered Zoe embarrassed. "I heard my parents talking about it once. But I couldn't tell you anything remember?"

Sarah wasn't sure how to take this information. "You couldn't have told me last year or this year?"

"I didn't want to make you more upset than you were," reasoned Zoe. "Besides it was a long time ago, how could that have anything to do with now?"

Sarah calmed herself again and shook her head. "There was a time when you and I never kept secrets from each other and now we've gotten it down to a science," joked Sarah but there was no laughter in her eyes. "I'm hungry, are you hungry?"

"Yeah, should we go and get the others?"

"Nay let 'em find us." Sarah and Zoe stood and headed toward the Great Hall. It was apparent as they approached that it was time since most of the school seemed to be filing in as they arrived. When they had found and spot and filled their plates, Sarah couldn't help but glance up to the staff table. She wasn't surprised to find that none of the trio of teachers that she had been talking to was there. Then it wasn't all that odd for them to be absent.

Sarah and Zoe had just started eating when the rest of their group began to show up. "We were hoping you were here," said Dillon sitting next to Sarah with the others. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, were back to our old loving selves again," replied Sarah.

"Speak for yourself, I'm just tolerating you so I don't get detention. I mean if you were to run off, I'm sure Abydos would find someway to blame it on me," joked Zoe.

Dillon sighed and a wave of relief swept over the seventh grade section of the Bellarmine table. Eric who had tried to sit as close as he could without hovering, caught Sarah's eye, winked and then turned to Annabelle who sat down next to him, Arithmancy book in hand. Except for the horrid picture in Zoe's mind of Sarah dying in the infirmary and the nagging questions that plagued Sarah as she ate, things were as sane at the table as they could be. And as she had hoped, Sarah slept well that night. There were others, however who would not.

"You don't look very well this morning," observed Eric as he sat down across from Zoe at the breakfast table. "You feeling okay?"

"I slept like crap. I kept having nightmares about Sarah," confessed Zoe. "Has she told you any of that crap that's going on with her?"

"Obviously not as much as she's told you," he surmised.

"Well, even if I thought she wouldn't mind if I repeated things to you, I have no desire to relive let alone, retell what she told me last night." Zoe's face went slightly pale again. Eric was just about to pursue this line of conversation deeper when Sarah sat down next to Zoe.

"You're talking about me," she said before she said hello.

"Good morning to you too," answered Zoe irritably.

"Are you telling Eric what I told you?"

"Are you kidding, I couldn't repeat it to you."

Sarah forced a smile and turned to Eric. "Listen I got a good night's sleep and I'd rather not spoil it, but if you can wait until later I will talk to you then," she whispered across the table hoping it would appease him.

Eric looked at Zoe's pale complexion and then to Sarah's sober face. "When ever you're ready Sarah."

"Thanks."

The rest of breakfast was quiet. Sarah didn't comment on Zoe's tired eyes, feeling guilty that it was probably her fault. There was no way now that she could make eye contact with Eric, since she was afraid he was already reading her body language. Then there were her other friends who where very standoffish and acted as though they were afraid she could explode at any moment. Sarah decided that if she could just make it through this one day she'd be grateful and spent the next half hour trying to figure out how best to do that. After getting her first look at Professor Abydos in Dark Arts class and hearing a snicker from Garth Griffin's corner, she decided the only way she would get through the day unscathed was break a body part. "I think it's best that you just try and think about something else," suggested Abydos after over-hearing Sarah tell Dillon this.

After turning very red, Sarah nodded compliantly. "I'm so stupid sometimes," she thought to herself. It was even more difficult to make it through Dark Arts class after that.

Sarah was very happy when the bell rang and thanks to a very obnoxious remark by the Griffin bunch right at the bell she managed to escape without having to have further conversations with Abydos. She would not be so lucky in Divination. "I heard you had a rough evening?" asked Semiramise when Sarah had approached her after class. "I just wanted to make sure that everything was all right."

"No ma'am, not really," replied Sarah honestly.

Semiramise smiled. "I think you're being a bit hard on yourself." She paused and then looked at Sarah funny. "I had a talk with Professor Killainka this morning. He's concerned that you're letting your emotions get the better or you. I would have thought by now with all of the meditation and concentration exercises I've been giving you that things would be settling down for you."

Sarah was trying not to look stressed but it was hard with everything that was going on. "He told you about me blacking out?" Semiramise nodded. "I don't understand what happens then Professor. It happened a couple of times last year and this year but not like yesterdays. What does it mean?"

"I think probably what's happening is when your mind feels it can no longer deal with the stress and the pressure of what's going on around you it tells your body to shut down," she explained. "I'm not a doctor but I would venture to say that it's a form of seizure. What concerns Professor Killainka and I is that it seems that during these times you are opening yourself up to outside forces."

Sarah crinkled up her face. "Are you saying what I think you're saying? I could be allowing someone to take over during these times?"

"I'm impressed practically every time that I talk to you Miss Nettleton. If there is some sort of dark magic close by and all ready seeking you, this indeed would be an opportune moment to make it's presence known." Sarah had wondered if this conversation had been to make her feel better, since it obviously would not. Semiramise immediately sensed her response. "Sarah, there are things that you have not yet found out about yourself and your world. Do not judge what the rest of it will be like on what you have experienced the last year and a half. I see great things ahead for you. Greater than you can possibly imagine." She paused and looked at the pale and fragile girl. "But right now, I see a very angry Transfiguration teacher in your future if I don't let you get on your way." Sarah couldn't help but smile. "Much better," said Semiramise echoing the smile.

"Thanks Professor." Sarah started to walk away and then turned back. "If I were to come back later, would you meditate with me?"

"I've got you down for five-thirty, I knew you had Quidditch practice," she said without looking up. Sarah felt a chill go down her spine and exited as fast as she could.

"What did she say?" asked Dillon as Sarah sat down in between him and Zoe.

"She's worrying about me like everyone else. I'm going back tonight to meditate," sighed Sarah.

"Well, don't get mad at me if I don't volunteer to hook up with you," offered Zoe. Sarah looked at the pasty face of her friend.

"I shouldn't have told her," she thought to herself trying not to stare at her when she was looking. Dillon gave them both a funny look, but Sarah noticed that Michayla was trying hard not to look like she was listening. Then after class had started Sarah noticed Dillon give Michayla a squeeze on her hand and an encouraging smile. Sarah felt a pang of jealously and then something else happened. "Ouch," said Sarah clutching her head.

"What's the matter?" asked Megan seeing her plight.

"I dunno' my head just started hurting all of the sudden. It's been happening a lot lately," admitted Sarah.

"Maybe your developing migraines," suggested Megan causing William to give her a disgusted look.

"Maybe you've got a tumor," he joked trying to lighten the mood. Sarah smiled and then assured him it wasn't a tumor.

"The first person that suggests I go to the infirmary gets a pop," she added quickly rubbing the side of her head. Megan closed her open mouth quickly and went back to her book. "That's what I thought," she mumbled to herself.

Sarah's remarks had managed to keep everyone at bay for the rest of the afternoon. Zoe's spirits had picked up a little after Jeffrey, having heard about her and Sarah's fight the night before, had produced some roses out of thin air for her. Dillon threatened to give Griffin a donkey's ears and tail when he had made a snide comment about a "cheap parlor trick." "I bet he couldn't do it," said Dillon after Griffin had backed off. "I'm sure I could do mine, he's already an ass, it wouldn't take much to make him look like one."

Even Sarah had to admit that she was in a better mood by the time her; Dillon and Eric had made it to practice. Since they were early, Sarah took the opportunity to make a solo ride again. Dillon and Eric watched from the ground. "Is she going to be okay?" Dillon asked after awhile. Eric turned round to face Dillon.

"Has she told you anything?" Eric asked looking up at Sarah and sounding a bit cross.

"Not lately, but then why would she tell me and not you?" asked Dillon curtly.

Eric felt strange all of the sudden, it was like something or someone had provoked him. He looked into Dillon's eyes, felt odd and then felt bad for being cross with Dillon. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--" he stopped.

"Eric, how do you feel about Sarah?" Dillon asked now. Eric looked at the ground and shuffled his feet.

"I can't honestly tell you. I care a lot about her, but sometimes she's my little sister and sometimes--" he stopped again looked at Dillon curiously. "Why are you asking?"

"Do you think that if she were older you would feel differently?" pried Dillon.

"Dillon, do you have feelings for Sarah?" Eric asked flat out. Dillon was the one shifting uncomfortably now. "I thought you and Michayla were, well you know."

"I know that's the way it seems and don't get me wrong there's something there that draws me to Michayla, but when she's not around I find myself thinking about Sarah," confessed Dillon. "When she's hurting I hurt, when she's happy I'm happy. I told her about you and Morgan because I know that she likes you and I wanted to make her happy." Dillon knew that he had gone too far, and he felt badly about what he had said.

Eric was thinking about Sarah and how much he now wondered he and Dillon had hurt her. He was about to strike up a conversation about this thought when Sarah made one last loop and landed in front of them both. "That's way better than meditating and it accomplishes the same purpose," said Sarah dismounting. She then looked at both of them, "What were you talking about?" she asked curiously. Sarah could tell by the looks on their faces that they weren't about to be honest with her. She also knew that no matter what they said they were talking about her.

"We were just saying how good of a Quidditch player you were," answered Eric grinning deceitfully.

"Yeah, well I'm sure that's BS but you get away with it for now," retaliated Sarah. Eric and Dillon were saved now by the rest of the team arriving and after giving Dillon one last curious look, Eric called the team to order.

It was a good practice, everyone was still riding the high from their last win, and Sarah was so grateful for the normality of it that she had let go all of the worries that plagued her. When they were finished, Eric and Dillon both asked her if Sarah wanted company on her way to see Professor Semiramise, independently of each other. Sarah told them both that she'd be all right on her own. Something in the back of her mind told her that she didn't need to have them tugging at her emotionally on the way to this meeting. After dropping off her broomstick and changing into something comfortable, Sarah headed to Semiramise's classroom.

"Oh, right on time as usual," said the Professor as Sarah lifted her hand to pull back the curtain that separated the entry of her office with her quiet space. Sarah drew a deep breath and entered. She had been here many times, but it still unsteadied her a bit each time she entered. Like her classroom, this area of her office was dark and lit only by candles and the warmth of the fire from the large brick fireplace.

Professor Semiramise was the only member of the faculty whose office was not in the faculty corridor. Instead, it was at the very end of the abandoned South Wing where her classroom was. One of the first times Sarah had met her there she had gotten up the courage to ask why her classroom and office where in this abandoned wing. "I asked Professor Killainka for this space because I needed the quiet and the darkness in order to be able to concentrate," she had explained. It hadn't been long after she had started meditating that Sarah figured out exactly what the Professor had meant.

Semiramise had asked Sarah to take a seat which she did while the Professor remained across the room in a yoga position obviously in a meditative state. Sarah sat down on the large violet cushion that she had gotten accustomed to sitting on when they had done this in the past, and looked deep into the flames of the fire. "I hope you're still there?" she whispered. Sarah watched as the flames turned purple and danced eagerly for a brief moment and smiled.

"I trust you had a good practice," said Semiramise taking Sarah a bit by surprise as she joined her by the fireplace.

"Yes Professor, I think sometimes that flying is as good for me as meditating," proposed Sarah.

"Well," sighed the Professor, "to be honest I've never been good at flying. But I hear that it can be quite exhilarating if you know what you're doing." Sarah cracked a smile; she wouldn't have guessed that the Professor could be bad at anything, especially something that seemed so natural to her. "Between you and I though, I have a small wager on Bellarmine taking the cup this year. I'd like very much to see Bellarmine go to the Inter Mural games next year."

Sarah scrunched up her face, "The what?" she asked.

"The Inter Mural games, didn't you know? Every five years the three North American schools play a Quidditch tournament. The team the takes the cup the year before, gets first pick at who goes." She made a slight scowl and continued, "Parathion has gone the last two times up. They always insist on taking only their team members. I'm afraid that strategy hasn't won us the tournament in years."

Sarah thought about Eric's drive this year and how much he and Professor Quigley had stressed about the Cup and felt enlightened. "I wonder why no one's told me this before?" she asked.

"I'd say that your Captain is trying not to jinx it," said Semiramise chuckling slightly. Sarah looked at her strange and then laughed. "Well, we really didn't come here to talk about Quidditch did we?" she said after they laughed for a moment or two.

"No Professor," agreed Sarah. "But I'm not exactly sure why we're here either," confessed Sarah.

"Yes well I've been thinking about that. I think that since you've just started perfecting this talent of yours that perhaps we should do a little cheating," said Semiramise most seriously.

"Cheating?" repeated Sarah.

"Well, I don't really believe that you are a powerful enough sorceress to learn how to block out dark magic. Not at this time anyway. So I'm going to teach to how to get away." Sarah looked at the Professor like she was nuts.

"Get away?"

Semiramise laughed. "Is that all you're going to do, repeat what I say?" she asked grinning.

"I'm sorry Professor, I'm just confused," admitted Sarah.

"It's all right, I didn't expect you to understand." Semiramise looked into the fire and then into Sarah's eyes. "Have you had many discussions with your father about what he can do?"

"One or two, but he knows that I'm so freaked about it all, that I think he's afraid to say much. He told me that he can turn it on and off, and that he can go searching for things or block them out."

"Yes, yes and I know for a fact that he is very good at what he does. That's probably why he was able to infiltrate the Dreamwalker's world years ago." Sarah's mouth dropped open and she began to feel dizzy like she had the night before. Semiramise leaned forward. "Fight it Sarah. You must think of someplace that is safe and imagine that you are there."

Sarah had no idea what the Professor was talking about; in fact, she could barely hear her speaking at this point. She could feel the darkness encircling her again, she was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel again and felt like maybe this time she could make it there before anyone pulled her out. "Fight it Sarah, you have to fight it." This time it wasn't Professor Semiramise's voice, but Killainka's. "You need to think of a safe place and take yourself there."

Sarah was perplexed but she suddenly thought of her father's house and how she and her mother had both stayed there last year so that she would be safe from Chinkana. "Matthew," she whispered to herself as she saw him begin to come into focus at the end of the tunnel.

"Sarah wake up," it was Semiramise again. "Now."

Sarah opened her eyes and drew in a deep breath. "What happened?" she asked after the room had come back into focus. As the words left her mouth, though Sarah remembered what the Professor had said that had sent her into a panic. "You told me that on propose," said Sarah looking hurt. "You were trying to make me upset so I'd black out."

The Professor leaned forward and took Sarah's hand. "I hope that you wouldn't think that I would do something like that Sarah. I did not intend to upset you to the point of unconsciousness; I just recognized that you were going there. I'm sorry if what I said about your father distressed you and perhaps it was not my place to tell you. I do however; feel that there are a lot of things about yourself and your family that are going to come out over time. It would probably be very overwhelming to discover them all at once." Sarah felt the warmth and strength that she always felt when she touched the Professor and nodded numbly.

"Professor, what did you mean by what you said?" asked Sarah timidly.

"As I said before, I am probably not the person who should be telling you this, however I will take the consequences of my actions." She paused, leaned back, released Sarah's hands, and stared once more into the fire. "Several years ago when Chinkana was still very strong, your father chose to go, well I suppose you'd say, undercover," she said choosing her words carefully.

"He became a Dreamwalker?" asked Sarah. Semiramise nodded. "But Professor my father," Sarah stopped she was afraid to go on.

"You were very young Sarah and times were different. Everyone was so convinced that with Voldemort gone, nothing or no one could harm them. Then Chinkana became strong again. It was as though the devil himself had arrived to turn the whole world upside down." Sarah was beginning to have that scared and uncomfortable feeling that she had had when Professor Killainka had been talking about the Dreamwalker's the night before. She hadn't heard very many wizards or witches speak the name of the Dark Lord out loud. She herself had drawn many a strange look when she had done it. "You don't have to worry. Your father never did anything that hurt anyone innocent," she assured her. "However while he was in the underground he became as feared as any of the others. He is in fact the only known person who can administer the Dreamwalker's curse, who was not an actual dark wizard. Sarah this gift that you and he have, Dreamwalking it is powerful magic, it is dark magic and you will have to get a handle on it as he has or it will take you."

Sarah was breathing deeply as she took this all in. Professor Semiramise turned and took her hands again; slowly Sarah gained control again of her emotions. "Maybe you should just follow me around all the time Professor." Semiramise gave Sarah a perplexed look and then as Sarah looked down at their hands, the Professor smiled.

"It's only a temporary fix Sarah. The energy that I can transfer to you is not the answer to your problems." She paused and then sighed. "Neither is the spell I am attempting to teach you, but it can help you to remain safe until you have mastered your gift."

Sarah took a moment and tried to remember what had just happened moments ago. "Tell me again Professor, while I'm not sinking into the hole." Professor Semiramise smiled and very calmly explained to Sarah what she had said while she was panicking before. "When you feel yourself falling into the darkness think of someplace where you feel safe."

"Like home?" Sarah asked.

"Yes, like home," repeated Semiramise. "Then when you can see it, almost touch it. Say "Aspirate" that is the spell." Sarah listened carefully and repeated the things that she told her. They went over this several times and before she knew it, it was long past the time that she should be heading to dinner. Sarah's head was pounding again but this time she had a feeling that it was just too full of information.

"I think we've done enough this evening, Sarah and you and I both could use a bit of nourishment. I'd like for you to just try and take it easy over the next couple of days and try not to stress about all things in your life." Sarah smiled. She knew that the Professor was trying to ease her mind about all of the terrifying things that had happened and she had found out recently. "And I want you to get some sleep or I might have to have a talk with Mrs. Hutton."

Sarah rose quickly grinning. "I suppose you think threatening to put me back into the infirmary is going to get me to chill?" asked Sarah cheeky.

Semiramise laughed and walked Sarah out of the back room of her office and to the door out front. "I could apologize to you for scaring you to death Sarah, but I'm afraid it wouldn't change your life or the circumstances of it."

Sarah nodded soberly. "It's all right Professor, I've gotten quite used to things not being entirely what they seem in my life."

The Professor again reassured her and then Sarah headed toward the Great Hall. Semiramise drew a deep breath as she closed the door and stood quietly. "You had to tell her, there was no other choice."

"It would have been better for the words to have come from her father," said Semiramise not moving an inch.

"Extreme circumstances call for extreme measures. He knew that it had to be done."

"I don't like teaching her half baked counter curses," complained the Professor with a tear in her eye.

"It's much better than the alternative." Abydos took two steps forward, emerged from the shadows and laid a hand on her shoulder.

Semiramise nodded slowly. "I hope she sleeps tonight, because I know I shall not," she whispered softly.