The Dreamwalker's Daughter

Chapter Seventeen Zoe's Warning

Sarah made it through dinner and the next few days without too much grief from her friends and without blacking out or landing in the infirmary. There had been a couple of nightmares though, that included her father, and Chinkana and some that were just shadowy figures that didn't move or talk. Sarah had awoken from the dreams scared but not as scared as she had been in the past. Even in her dreams, she was beginning to take control.

She had found out that her father's dangerousactivities had been another thing that Zoe has known about from listening to her parent's conversations. "Oh, like I would tell you about that," Zoe had retaliated after Sarah had jumped on her for this secret. "It scared the holy crap out of me. All I could think about for weeks was your dad and my dad facing a wall of dark wizards."

Sarah felt bad about how she had reacted when she had seen how pale her friend had gotten. She had to admit to herself that it had been much better to find out about her father's activities after he had done them than as Zoe had when he was still in the midst of danger. Then Sarah was feeling bad about Zoe in general. With each day that Sarah passed without incident, Zoe seemed to get a little less stressed but Sarah could tell she was still watching her like a hawk. And Eric, though Sarah hadn't told him everything that she had told Zoe, he had found out enough from her and his sister to be a mother hen as well.

Although she had only spoken once to Semiramise about the newest line of defense that she had been offered, over the nights and days, Sarah had thought about things. She had thought about conversations that she had had, with her father, Eric, and Zoe and she had found a strength that she did not know she had possessed. Strength that in the weeks that followed would be her savior.

"Sarah quit goofing off, we're going to be late for Murphy's class and he's still not happy about us pushing him out of the Cup." Dillon was giving Sarah a very impatient look as she stopped to move things around in her backpack.

"Chill Dillon, there's too much stuff in my pack and it's killing me. I knew I should have took my crystal ball back to the dorm after lunch," she said rummaging through the denim bag. "If you guys are so worried about it go on, I'll catch up."

Dillon turned to the others and they all shrugged. "All right, we'll tell the Professor you're on your way if you're late," he promised turning to move along down the hall. Zoe hesitated.

"Are you sure?" she asked crinkling up her face. Sarah looked up, half of the contents of her bag in her hand and smiled.

"I'm positive."

Zoe smiled. "All right, I'll save you a spot," she said winking and following the others. It had been a long time since anything unusual had happened to Sarah and Zoe felt like they were no longer keeping secrets from one another, so there was no reason to feel like Sarah couldn't make it to class on her own.

Sarah stopped fiddling with her things and watched smiling as the group headed toward class, then she sighed. She was still trying to convince herself that their pairing off not only didn't bother her but also made her happy. After a deep sigh, Sarah quick as she could rearrange the contents of her bag so that she could once again sling it over her shoulder. As she made her way down the hallway, bumping into others who were scrambling to be on time as she was, she thought about everything that had happened lately and how things that she had been so worried and afraid about only a short time ago seemed to be distant memories at best. Sarah burst through the door to History of Magic just as the bell rang. "Sorry Professor," apologized Sarah grinning at Murphy.

"I trust everything's okay," he asked concerned.

"Just having backpack problems sir," explained Sarah causing everyone to snicker including Murphy. She did her best to ignore the rude remarks that were being whispered on the Parathion side of the room and took the empty spot between Dillon and Zoe. She was hoping that he was going to be willing to drop it and was delighted when he did.

"I suppose that's one of the pitfalls of not having mastered a banishing charm," said Professor Murphy turning to approach the front of the classroom again. There was an additional round of snickering before he faced them again and began his lecture. Sarah settled into her seat and pulled out her notebook and text. "So we've made our way into the early seventeen hundreds now, and the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials has subsided. America was beginning to take shape as a country and more and more of our kind were coming across seeking the same freedoms as the Muggles of their days. It wasn't long before some of the wiser of these wizards and witches were seeking out the medicine men and women of the Native American's." Professor Murphy had taken up a perch on the edge of his desk and was waving his wand across the large blank black board causing images to appear as he talked. "I would venture to say that wizards and witches were the first true pioneers of the old west. We however were quite willing to live at peace with nature and the Indians."

Sarah watched as faces floated slowly across the board, images of wizards dressed in old world clothing and Native American Indians some of which Sarah was sure she had seen before. "Professor," Sarah asked raising her hand.

"Yes Miss Nettleton?"

"I'm sure that I've seen some of those people on Professor Chalipun's office walls are they from the same tribe as the Professor?" Sarah asked turning a bit pink by the stares she was drawing.

"Very observant Miss Nettleton, yes indeed some of these people are the Professors ancestors," answered Murphy grinning widely. "Do you have any idea what tribe the Professor is from?" Sarah had never thought to ask the Professor before and now felt a bit embarrassed that she had not. She shook her head slowly but was rescued from ridicule by Megan who shot her hand into the air quickly. "Yes Miss Adams?"

"Professor Chalipun is from the Osage Tribe sir," answered Megan proudly.

"Excellent Miss Adams, five points for Bellarmine for being on top of things." Megan beamed proudly as William leaned over to Zoe.

"Five points for being nosey," he whispered chuckling. Zoe repressed her laughter as the Professor moved on.

"Anyway, I would have asked the Professor herself to come help with my lecture today but she has a class of her own to teach. Instead I have asked a someone else to join us." Professor Murphy stood and bowed gently as a very beautiful Native American woman emerged from a corner of the room and bowed to him. "This class, is Princess--"

"Oh now Shamus, I've not been Princess of anyone in over two hundred years, I think you may all just call me Ohma," answered the woman interrupting the Professor. Shamus grinned and nodded.

Zoe leaned toward Sarah and Megan, "How can she possibly be over two hundred years old? I mean she doesn't look like a ghost." Sarah nodded and looked just as confused. However, none of them were willing to approach the subject with the Professor's guest. Griffin however, didn't have the same inhibitions as they had.

"Professor," he started snickering to his friends as he spoke. Professor Murphy reluctantly acknowledged Griffin's hand. "I find it hard to believe that the Princess," he said Princess with a great deal of sarcasm in his voice, "could be over two hundred years old. She doesn't look a day over one hundred to me." Sarah watched, as Griffin's cohorts tried to hold back their laughter, which made him, look even more pleased with himself. Murphy stood and opened his mouth most likely to put Griffin in his place but the woman raised her hand to stop him.

"In the world of the spirits, Mr. Griffin, time is relevant. Take yourself, your have managed to live thirteen good years and learn nothing about respect. While others around you managed it in a lot less time."

Most of the Bellarmine students were now turning purple in the face as they were trying very hard not to laugh hysterically. "I'd say that was a slam dunk," whispered Zoe.

"Nay," corrected Dillon. "That was a three pointer." Sarah bit her lip and looked up at the Professor who was himself attempting not to laugh.

"Anymore observances Mr. Griffin?" asked Professor Murphy after clearing his throat. Griffin just scowled and shook his head quietly. "Very well then I think we'll let our guest continue."

That she did and after awhile, Sarah could tell that even the Parathions were hanging on her every word. From the beginning of last year, Sarah had found Professor Chalipun and her form of magic easier to accept and understand. She had always been very fascinated by Native American history and was already convinced that they could manage magic that others could not. There was also this funny feeling that she had been experiencing since this woman emerged from the shadows that she didn't understand and couldn't explain. She had a feeling that she had met her before. Once or twice Sarah was sure that she had looked into her eyes the way that Professor Semiramise did. When the bell rang for classes to change, Sarah, Zoe, and Megan made their way down to thank their guest. Professor Murphy was very anxious to introduce Sarah to her, which in itself spooked Sarah just slightly.

"This is one I was telling you about Ohma," said Murphy as Sarah and her friends approached. "This is Sarah," said Murphy pulling Sarah forward. Sarah looked at Murphy funny, swallowed hard, and then took the hand that was extended to her.

"I have been waiting to meet you Sarah Nettleton," said the woman taking her hand gently.

Sarah didn't hear the sound but she felt the light-headedness that had accompanied her visions in the past. There were feelings flooding from this woman that she had never felt before and then Sarah saw the Professor and the blood once more. "Are you all right Miss Nettleton?" asked Professor Murphy taking her arm as she faltered slightly. Sarah nodded, she wasn't sure what or why these feelings were flooding from the Professor's guest but she knew she didn't want to approach the subject at this moment.

"Yeah," answered Sarah looking at the Professor oddly. Sarah then stared at the woman. "I've met you before," she said now.

The woman nodded. "You can say that. I have been in the meditative circle with you and Professor Chalipun before a time or two. What is it about my presence that disturbs you?" she asked staring into Sarah's eyes.

"It's not you ma'am, it's what you bring." Everyone looked at Sarah oddly and then Sarah stumbled slightly again. Zoe was the one to grab her arm this time.

"Sarah, what are you talking about?" said Zoe looking at her a bit irritated. Sarah crinkled up her face and then looked at Zoe like she was crazy.

"What are you talking about?" she said shaking her head.

"Ha, ha very funny. Come on we're going to be late for class," said Zoe grabbing her arm. "Thanks Professor, it was nice to meet you ma'am."

"Yeah, thanks," added Sarah, turning to follow Zoe. Megan added her appreciation and then followed them both out leaving the Professor and his guest looking at one another.

"What happened just now?" Shamus asked his guest.

"She was searching me and she found something. But what it was I don't know," the woman explained.

"All right we're away from the Professor and Megan's out of ear shot so you want to tell me what happened back there in Murphy's classroom?" Zoe asked as she and Sarah took two empty seats in at the end of the row in Charms class.

"What are you talking about?" Sarah asked pulling out her book and giving Zoe a strange look.

"You and the Indian woman. I saw that look on your face, you were seeing something or sensing something." Zoe gave her a stern look. "I thought you weren't keeping things from me anymore."

Sarah gave Zoe an irritated look that softened a bit as she surveyed the determination in her eyes. "You're serious." Zoe nodded. "I dunno. I mean, yeah I remember that I've seen her before. I think when Professor Chalipun and I have been meditating. Sometimes we're sitting there meditating and then there will be people around us chanting. They're like shadows or memories." Sarah stopped. She was lost in thought and Zoe watched as something came back to her. "The knife," she whispered after a moment.

"The knife?" repeated Zoe.

Sarah nodded. "Yeah, I just remembered the knife for some reason. When I touched her I saw Professor Ratcliff again and the blood and the knife," Sarah whispered softer this time making sure that no one around them was listening. "That's weird," she now added.

"What?" Zoe asked.

"I got all of this from her and I didn't remember doing it." Sarah was a bit disturbed by this latest development in her skills. However, she couldn't think too hard on it right now, because Griffin had just approached holding a rather large pillow.

"Here Nettleton," he said scowling as he shoved it into her hands and then after giving Zoe one as well continued on with the rest of the class. Professor Quigley was giving them a very stern look now.

"We better pay attention or we'll be staying after class," suggested Sarah looking at the Professor face. "We'll talk later."

Zoe nodded and in a few moments, they were being introduced to a propelling charm and they were soon sending their oversized pillows zooming across the room at one another. They were of course supposed to be sending them to the front of the classroom, but the Professor did have Bellarmine and Parathion students in the same room together, which could only mean trouble.

"Did you see the look on Griffin's face when your pillow smacked him in the head?" William asked Sarah as they were approaching the dorm corridor. "It was priceless."

"It would have been better if I had actually intended it to do that," admitted Sarah giggling. "Dillon, you didn't seem to have any problem getting yours to do what you wanted it to," gushed Sarah.

"I like that spell," said Dillon blushing. "It seemed a lot like flying. I just thought about how I wanted to be the pillow."

Zoe and Sarah looked at each other and then giggled. "Were you one with the pillow Dillon?" Zoe asked pulling his backpack down off his shoulder and giggling once more.

The rest of them watched laughing as Dillon tried to keep from dropping his backpack and then noticed he was the butt of the joke. "Hey!" he called out. "Shut up!" he said laughing now. Sarah had a sudden urge to comfort Dillon and stepped forward to hug him. However, it was too late, Michayla was already there.

"Don't pay attention to them Dillon, they're just jealous," said Michayla smiling and giving them all a dirty look as she draped an arm around his shoulder. Dillon turned bright red and then they both disappeared into the dormitory, followed by Zoe, Megan, William, and the rest of the Bellarmine seventh graders who had been walking along with them.

Sarah stopped and drew a deep breath. "Hey are you coming or not?" called back Zoe, who had come back through after recognizing that Sarah had not.

"Yeah, I just dropped something," Sarah lied quickly. "I'll be right there." Zoe nodded and then disappeared once more. Sarah took two steps back, as though afraid she may be too close to the entrance and she wanted to make sure she didn't go in until she was good and ready. "What happened just now?" she thought to herself. Because something had happened and Sarah knew it, there had been a feeling that she couldn't explain and it had been deliberate. Sarah knew she had to go. Zoe would be looking for her again if she didn't. Besides there was still what happened in History of Magic that they hadn't worked out. Yes, she had to go. However, something had happened.

"What's up with you, you've been quiet every since we got back from class? Is it because of what happened in History of Magic?" Zoe was asking too many questions for someone with a mouth full of mashed potatoes. Sarah was starring across the table at Dillon and Michayla and picking at the food on her plate. "I tried to get you to talk to me about it when we had the chance in the dormitory and all you wanted to do was read that book."

Sarah turned to look at Zoe her face all screwed up, "What?" she asked irritably.

"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" Zoe asked looking equally as irritable.

"I heard you, I just have a lot on my mind," answered Sarah.

"Quidditch," said Eric plopping down next to Sarah and Zoe and causing them to both jump. Zoe swallowed her last bite and smacked Eric on the arm.

"Don't scare me like that."

"Ouch, sorry. I just figured that she's thinking about the upcoming Quidditch game. I mean only two more to go theoretically," he said grabbing a roll off of Zoe's plate and shoving it in his mouth.

Sarah couldn't help but smile and then she remembered her conversation with Semiramise, "Hey how come you never said anything about the Inter Mural games?"

Eric looked at bit flabbergasted, "Dunno', guess I just figured everyone knew. This is the first time in years that we've had a shot at going. The closer we got the more I was afraid talking about it would mess it up," proposed Eric.

"Talking about the Inter Mural games?" piped up Raphael listening in on their conversation as he passed. "He's lying if he's telling you he hasn't thought about it. It's all he talks about in the dormitory before we go to sleep," reported Raphael.

Eric blushed. "All right, so I want to go. It's my last shot at it. I'll be a senior next year, besides it's only every five years, it's the last chance for most of us." Sarah and Zoe were giggling pretty hard now as most of the team was making their way to where they were. Sarah was particularly happy when Dillon came around the table and sat next to her.

"It's all right Eric, we all want to go," comforted Marjorie Evens who was standing next to Raphael now. "But we still have to win two more games."

"Well, I can't say that I wouldn't rather play Keynes again than Parathion even though Keynes is a better team. But I'm not worried about beating them. I just hope that Keynes beats Parathion this weekend or we'll be facing a whole new ballgame."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of that." Eric turned around to find Jeffrey Thomas standing behind them. He quickly caught Zoe's eye and winked. "Hey I'm afraid I have to blow off study time tonight," he said pushing forward to be by Zoe's side. "Grant's called an extra practice. I think he's still got it in his head that if there's a full moon on the second Thursday of the last Quidditch game of the season we might take the cup," joked Jeffrey causing everyone to chuckle but Zoe. Instead, she stuck out her lower lip and made him promise he would meet her right after class tomorrow.

"I'm telling you Jeffrey," whispered Eric in his ear. "Run while you can." Zoe kicked her brother under the table and then said goodbye to Jeffrey. This had been enough of a distraction to lose the conversation and the team found them selves breaking up again. Sarah watched Dillon begin to rise and grabbed his arm.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"I dunno' I guess Michayla and I were going to study or something do you want to come?" he asked matter-of-factly.

Sarah looked across the table at Michayla who had just looked up and then back to Dillon. "Oh, well, never mind then. I was just going to ask you if you wanted to play chess or something." Sarah pitched forward suddenly, her hand clutched to her head. She felt dizzy and the pain was more intense than it had been before.

"Sarah what's wrong?" Dillon asked putting his arm around her and placing his hand on her head. "Are you all right?"

Sarah sat up. It was gone, the pain the dizziness, like it had never been there. "What's going on?" she thought to herself. "Yeah, I just felt sort of funny for a minute" lied Sarah. Zoe and Eric who were still close by weren't buying it.

"I'll play chess with you," Eric volunteered. "We haven't in ages."

"I'll even watch," moaned Zoe. "I'll keep him from cheating.

Dillon looked at his two friends and felt awkward. Something was wrong. They were protecting her from him somehow. He could feel it in the way that they were talking. "Sarah, is there something going on that I should know about?" Dillon asked looking from one face to another.

Sarah suddenly had the urge to blurt out everything. She wanted to tell him about the visions, the feelings, his mother, and the curse. Mostly she wanted to tell him that she had feelings for him that she couldn't explain, and that these feelings had just begun to wail up inside of her over the last few days. However, she couldn't, she knew it, and instead she sat back and fought the tears that were rushing to her eyes. "No, I guess I just miss having time with all of my friends. You guys are all growing up without me." Sarah turned, pushed her plate away and without saying another word left the table.

Eric started to rise but Zoe pulled him back. "I'll go. She had kind of a weird day. I'm sure she's just tired." Eric nodded and then watched as Zoe followed Sarah out of the Hall. Michayla rose from the table and started to make her way around the table, but Dillon sat still and looked at Eric.

"You know what's going on with her, don't you?" he asked accusingly. Eric nodded cautiously. Then Eric looked at Michayla who was at the furthest point of the table.

"If there are any feelings in your heart for Sarah you need to sort them out. She keeps pushing me away," he said looking down the table at Annabelle. "You may be the only one she'll let in." Dillon looked at Eric bewildered. Eric placed a hand on his shoulder and then after smiling one last time rose from the table and made his way down to where his friends and Annabelle were sitting. Dillon watched him until Michayla was standing next to him.

"Are you all right? You have a funny look on your face?" she asked as she approached.

"Eric, he was talking about Quidditch. He gets me confused every time." Dillon was still starring at Eric. After a second, he slowly turned to focus on Michayla. Michayla made direct eye contact with him and then smiled widely. Dillon smiled back. "Have you had enough dinner?" he asked softly.

"If you have."

Dillon nodded. "Let's go get our books and head to the library." Michayla nodded and it wasn't long before they were walking past Eric and his bunch. Eric watched them pass and got a strange feeling, one that he'd never sensed from Dillon before.

Sarah looked around. "Damn it!" she screamed. "I can't believe we're up to this again." She was cold, she looked down at her feet, and she hadn't worn anything on them to bed. Of course she didn't think that she'd be wandering around the school tonight either. "Where are you Michayla? I'm not putting up with this crap anymore." Sarah didn't see anyone in the classroom though. "All right," she said out loud taking control. "Think about someplace safe." Sarah thought about her father's townhouse again and she thought about it as hard as she could, but it wasn't working. Sarah knew why it was working, Semiramise hadn't taught her that spell for this. It wasn't for when she was Dreamwalking. Because that's what she was doing, after all wasn't it? She was Dreamwalking like her father.

"Yes," came a soft whisper. "Like your father."

"Who is that?" Sarah asked looking around for the source of the voice. "Michayla is that you? Cause if it is,"

"You'll do what?" whispered the voice. "Are you angry Sarah? Are you tired of being denied what you desire?"

"Who are you? And what are you talking about?" insisted Sarah. Sarah was moving slowly around the classroom trying to pinpoint the voice when the fire suddenly lit in the fireplace. She jumped but then moved closer to warm herself.

"We don't want you to be sick again," whispered the voice. "We are in need of your help. Only you are strong enough."

Sarah rubbed her hands together over the fire and felt the warmth filling her body. "Help, my help. For what?" she asked afraid of the answer. There was no answer this time but Sarah could see a corner of the room begin to illuminate and with a great deal of apprehension, she slowly approached the table that was now lit. As she grew closer, Sarah knew what she was about to see and made every effort to make her legs stop moving in the direction of the light to no avail. Before she could stop herself, before she could turn and run she saw it again only this time it was not covered in blood, it was just lying there waiting for her to pick it up.

Sarah gasped, sat up, and looked around. She was freezing, but no one was there no one had seen her. If she hurried, she could make it back to the dormitory and no one would know. Sarah looked at the knife in her hand and the empty classroom. "How am I going to explain this to anyone?" she thought terrified. She stuck the knife in her pajama pocket and hightailed it to the door.

It didn't take her long to make it back to the dormitory considering how scared and cold she was. Sneaking past Megan and Zoe she half wanted to drop something on Michayla, after all, there's no way she couldn't have had something to do with this. Sarah checked twice to make sure no one was awake before shoving the knife under some clothes in the bottom drawer of her dresser. Before closing it, she pulled out some warm socks, pulled them on, and then slipped down into the covers. Sarah starred up at the ceiling and the reflection of the dancing flames from the fireplace. "What am I going to do now?"

Zoe didn't know whether to bother sitting next to Sarah at the breakfast table the next morning or not. She had tried talking to her after dinner, but Sarah had buried herself in her book for an additional hour and then had finally gone to bed early after Dillon and Michayla had returned from the library later that evening. She knew that Sarah was going through a rough time but she wasn't doing that entirely well herself. Since Sarah had let her in on her secrets, Zoe had been having nightmare after nightmare about Sarah, Eric, and their fathers. Then there was the feeling she was getting from Dillon and Michayla. Sure, it was fun that they were all sporting "boyfriends"; Zoe loved all the extra attention that she was getting from Jeffrey. It was something that was very different from the feelings she had for Sarah or Megan or even William or Dillon. However, lately it was like Michayla was pulling Dillon away from them. And the worst part seemed to be that Dillon was allowing this.

Zoe couldn't help but think about how none of this started until Michayla arrived. She thought about the things that Sarah had told her about Michayla's father, she thought about how she had been in Michayla's dreams before Sarah had gotten sick. How had the Dreamwalker gotten to Sarah? Would someone here know? Someone she could ask and not alarm. Zoe didn't have an answer to that question. "Well?" Sarah said looking at her standing at the end of the table next to her. "Are you going to sit down?"

Zoe smiled and then huffed. "Oh, are you talking to me today?" she asked sitting down and grabbing some bacon for her plate.

Sarah lowered her head. "Sorry, yesterday sort of sucked, I'm better today," she said putting on her best front.

"Not buying it," answered Zoe with a mouth full of toast. "I saw you come back last night."

Sarah face went pale. "I swear I don't know what happened, I just woke up and I was in the History of Magic class," whispered Sarah.

Zoe's eyes grew as round as quarters and she nearly choked on her eggs. "What are you talking about? I was talking about after dinner."

Sarah sunk lower unto the bench. "Now I have to tell Zoe," she thought. "Make a sandwich," she commanded taking two pieces of bread herself and shoving some eggs and bacon on it.

"What?" Zoe asked.

"Make a sandwich," she repeated holding up what she was doing. Zoe nodded and followed suit. They both then took one last drink of juice and headed out of the Hall with their sandwiches in hand.

"What have you been up to?" Zoe asked as they made it around the corner and headed toward the dorm corridor.

"Unfortunately nothing too new." She stopped and looked at Zoe, then the sandwich and suddenly had no appetite. Finding a nearby trashcan, she pitched it and after Zoe once again followed her lead, Sarah pulled her backpack around and opened it. Pushing it up into Zoe's face, she whispered, "look."

Zoe screeched and then after looking around apologized. "Sorry. Where did you get that from?" she asked looking at the knife.

"I went Dreamwalking last night and when I woke up I had it," explained Sarah as quietly as she could.

"You did what?" asked Zoe again screeching. Sarah gave her a stern look and looked around to see if they had drawn any attention. "Sorry," she whispered.

"I woke up and I was in the History of Magic Classroom. Well, first I woke up, well at least I thought I woke up and I was there and someone was talking to me. Then I really woke up and I was really there. Except for the time that I was on the floor in the common room, I always wake up in the bed."

"What are you talking about the floor of the common room?" asked Zoe getting frantic now.

"Didn't I tell you about that one? I'm getting confused and I can't remember what I've confessed anymore," admitted Sarah. Sarah leaned forward, her head in her hand again.

"You don't look good," observed Zoe. "I know you don't want to hear this but,"

"Don't say it!" it was Sarah's turn to screech. "I'm not going to the nurse. I don't need the Professor, I just need my friends to be there for me, and I'm beginning to think that that's not happening enough."

Zoe turned around and gave a group of sixth graders that had stopped to watch Sarah rant a dirty look. When they had moved along, Zoe placed a hand on each of Sarah's shoulders and pulled her face-to-face. "I don't know why you have got it in your head that your friends are turning against you, but I still care about you as much as I ever have and so does my disgusting brother and the rest of the misfit bunch that you've managed to gather since you came to this school." Sarah looked at Zoe and after a second began to laugh. Zoe looked at her like she had lost her mind. "Why are you laughing?"

"Because I love you," said Sarah taking Zoe into a full embrace and drawing some very strange looks from passers by.

Zoe looked thoroughly flabbergasted. "You must be getting ready to start your period," she proclaimed causing them to both continue hysterically. Sarah slung her backpack back over her arm and then her arm over Zoe's and started toward Dark Art's Class. "What are you going to do about the knife?" asked Zoe when they'd stopped laughing.

"I don't know," admitted Sarah. " I should have just left it on the floor but nooooo I had to pick it up and put it in my pocket. I know I should give it to someone but then I'll have to tell how I got it."

"But they know that you've been doing these things, right," said Zoe scrunching up her face.

"Yeah, but they also think I'm getting a handle on it. They'll be mad at me if they know that I've let it get out of control again. Remember how mad they were when Griffin got hurt last time and I didn't even know then I could control it." Zoe's head bobbed up and down in agreement.

"Isn't it dangerous though for you to," Zoe swallowed hard trying to force the words out, "have it."

Sarah thought about it for a minute or two and then nodded. "Probably, maybe you should keep it," she suggested. Zoe went very pale again.

"Me? I dunno' Sarah you and my brother you're the ones with the guts, not me."

"Bull, you didn't have to come with us last year when we went after Dillon. You chose to. You like everyone to think you're a coward but that's a load of crap and you know it," fussed Sarah. Zoe turned red and tears pooled in her eyes. It had been a long time since Sarah had been proud of her.

"All right, I'll keep it until we figure out what to do with it," she said stopping so Sarah could pull it out and hand it to her. Zoe swallowed hard again as she took it. "Are you sure it's the one?" Sarah nodded, terror in her eyes. "I'll make sure you don't get it back then. I'll only give it to someone else. A Professor or someone," she said decidedly. Sarah nodded and smiled. Zoe put the knife in her backpack and then after putting it back on they once again continued on arm and arm. "If we don't watch it people are going to think we're funny or something," said Zoe watching people's expressions as they went along.

"Especially me. I seem to be the only on around here who doesn't have a boy attached to my hip on a regular basis," observed Sarah.

"Sorry about that," apologized Zoe. "It's your own fault, pining after Eric and all."

"I suppose," said Sarah quietly. "I think like someone else too though."

"You do," said Zoe excitedly. "Who?"

"Doesn't matter, he's out of reach too." Zoe gave Sarah a sympathetic look and then followed her eyes. They had made it to the classroom and Sarah was starring at the group of students up ahead. Dillon and Michayla were standing very close to one another and talking to Megan, William and a couple of the other boys. Megan waved.

"Where have you been? We saw you leaving breakfast when we came down, we were late because of Michayla," said Megan shooting Michayla an irritated glance. Zoe looked from Michayla's face to Sarah's and her thought's drifted back to where they had been that morning. She needed to talk to someone and it had to be soon. The problem was who.

It was a struggle for both of them but Sarah and Zoe managed to make it through the day without either of them having a nervous breakdown. Eric sat with them at lunch and reminded Sarah and Dillon about practice. Their game was still well over two weeks away but Eric was bound and determined that they were going to win so he wasn't about to let them slack off in their practices. Sarah welcomed the practice, if she had had it her way she would have insisted on at least four a week. Soaring through the air was one of the few pleasures she seemed to have these days that hadn't and couldn't be corrupted by anyone.

Sarah was delighted when Zoe asked to come along. It had been awhile since she had attended a practice and having her there made Sarah more confident. "You try," said Sarah handing Zoe her Nimbus after she had taken her solo flight. They had gotten to the field long before anyone else and Sarah was feeling great.

"No, I'm not that good," insisted Zoe. "It's all I can do to get through flying class."

"Oh, come on. It's freedom on a stick," joked Sarah. Zoe laughed hard and took the Nimbus.

"All right, all right." Zoe mounted the broomstick and rose slowly into the air. She had just made it to the end of the field when Sarah heard someone behind her.

"How'd you talk her into that?" Eric asked snickering.

"She loves me," explained Sarah giggling. "Ready for practice?"

"Are you?" he shot back.

"Always," giggled Sarah.

"Did you guys come here straight from Charms?" came Dillon's voice from behind.

Sarah turned grinning and then came face to face with Michayla who was standing next to Dillon and holding his hand. "Not exactly," she answered after a minute. Sarah drew a deep breath and grinned again. "Zoe knew how much I wanted to get here first so we took one of your short cuts."

"You did?" asked Dillon excitedly. "Which one?" Sarah quickly explained how they took the tunnel to the left of Charms and how the old witch had been excited to help them after such a long time. Dillon's eyes lit up as she spoke and when she was finished, he had broken away from Michayla's grip.

"All right, all right," said Eric after Zoe touched the ground. "We've got a practice to get on with." The rest of the team had arrived and Zoe had caught the end of Sarah telling Dillon about their afternoon. Zoe looked at her brother and then Dillon and knew that she was leaving Sarah in good hands.

"Okay, you don't have to be such an grouch. Come on Michayla we might accidentally see some kind of secret move or something," joked Zoe giving Eric a "you're a fruit" look.

Michayla gave them all a strange look and then after telling Dillon she'd see him later left reluctantly with Zoe. Sarah watched her as she strode off. "Thanks," she whispered under her breath as they disappeared on the horizon.

"I don't see how we can lose as long as it's Broughton and Parathion that we have to beat." Eric allowed himself to say as after he officially dismissed them from practice, even though Raphael had reminded him that he was supposed to be meeting him, Annabelle and his girlfriend to go down to dinner. He was looking at Sarah and Dillon though and deciding that he needed to be headed on. It was Eric finding that he was fighting the twinges of jealousy now. "I better go or Annabelle is going to have my head. Would you two make sure that the equipment gets put up?"

"Sure," answered Sarah smiling. Then she stopped and looked deep into Eric's eyes. Eric looked down quickly, he knew what Sarah was doing, he knew that she was searching his feelings and he didn't want that.

"I'll see you all later," he said shuffling his feet and then turning around to leave.

"Bye," said Dillon watching him leave and crinkling up his face. "What was that all about?"

"Oh, you know Eric and Quidditch," fibbed Sarah. She looked down at the crate and then up at Dillon. "Shall we?"

"Yeah sure." They each picked up an end and started toward the school. "I haven't seen much of you lately," started Dillon after awhile. "Have you been busy?"

"I suppose. I've been meditating a lot when I haven't been fighting with someone," joked Sarah. Dillon stopped and let down his side of the trunk causing Sarah to do so also.

"You really had me upset. I mean all of us upset," corrected Dillon looking embarrassed at what he had said. "Eric said you were talking about running away. That you didn't want to be here anymore, I was so mad at Zoe."

Sarah looked at Dillon looking and feeling quite guilty. "It wasn't her fault Dillon. Things have been happening to me this year and I've lied to her and kept secrets, not to mention that I just haven't been very pleasant to be around some times."

"Things?" questioned Dillon. "What kinds of things?"

Sarah knew that you couldn't be totally honest with Dillon, but she did wish to open up to him. In the last few days the feelings that she had had for him all year had been coming to a head for some reason and she needed to at least try and get a handle on that. "I'm finding out that I can do things, things like I did last year but on a larger scale. I'm finding out that being that playing Quidditch is not the only thing that my father and I have in common."

"You're becoming an Auror?" puzzled Dillon.

Sarah couldn't help herself, she began to laugh, and Dillon blushed. "Sorry Dillon, but that was funny. No, I'm not becoming an Auror, well not yet anyway," she admitted chuckling. "But I'm finding it hard to be in the room with some people and not know what they're thinking or feeling. And I'm starting to know when something's going to happen before it does." Dillon looked at bit shocked and uncomfortable. "Yes Dillon you're one of those people." Dillon felt a chill go down his spine. "Sorry."

"It's all right, I think," said Dillon looking a bit pale. Sarah put her arm around him feeling bad about how she had made him feel.

Whoosh! Sarah felt the darkness closing in around her. "What now? Why Dillon? Was he a link to his mother? Was she going to see the knife in Zoe's hand this time?" Sarah's head was spinning and the thoughts were moving through so quickly she was barely having enough time to sort them out. She gathered her wits and her strength and pulled away from Dillon landed on the ground.

"Sarah, what's up?" Dillon asked as bent over and stretched out a hand to help her up.

"No," yelled Sarah pulling back. Dillon stopped and stood up looking hurt. Sarah took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. You just scared me." She looked at Dillon and patted the ground beside her. "Time for me to come clean." Dillon looked at her like she had gone mad and then after nodding sat down next to her.

"What happened just now?" asked Dillon after he had sat down and Sarah had calmed slightly.

"It seems I've developed a new talent. I can sometimes touch someone and see things. Sometimes it's in their past, sometimes it's what their feeling, sometimes it's been something scary," explained Sarah.

"Something scary?"

"Yeah, well right now I'd rather not go into that anymore than that," said Sarah flatly. Dillon nodded.

"Then what happened just now, something scary?"

"Well, I really don't know because I pulled away from you. I didn't want to know what was going to happen so I did." The color was starting to return to Sarah's face and she was feeling confident again.

"No wonder you've been so freaked all year," said Dillon sympathetically. "You told all of this to Zoe just recently didn't you."

Sarah nodded. "Why do you ask?"

"Cause she's been acting so scared and crazy the last few days." Dillon sat quietly for a while. Sarah didn't know how to go on. There was so much that she wanted to say, things that were in her heart but she just couldn't. "I'm sorry if I haven't been there lately for you and Zoe. It seems sort of silly for me to be so obsessed with Michayla when she's not around. Then when I see her, I lose all other thoughts." He looked up at Sarah and met her eyes. "Is that what love is like?"

This was one question that Sarah didn't know if she could answer even if she wanted to. Did she know what love was? She knew how it felt when Eric was around, when he paid attention to her, and when he didn't. She knew what it felt like when she saw Dillon and Michayla together these days and she knew how she was feeling at this very moment as she sat so close and looked into his eyes. Maybe Zoe was right and her hormones were kicking in. "You're looking at the person who practiced Quidditch on Valentines Day with her best friends brother. I hardly think I am the right person to answer that question," said Sarah dodging the bullet once more. Sarah looked around; the sun was beginning to set. "We're going to be late for dinner and Zoe's going to be stressing even more if we don't get going."

Dillon nodded and then rose offering Sarah his hand once more. He looked at it and then her and started to take it back. Sarah winked, grabbed it, secretly crossing her fingers internally and thanking an unknown entity when nothing further happened she rose to her feet. "Thanks I needed that in more ways than one." They started back toward the school again at first silently. "Dillon, I don't mean anything by this, but what I've told you," she stopped.

"I won't tell Michayla. I'm feeling privileged right now. I know that I'm probably only one of three besides maybe a teacher or two who know." Sarah grinned and felt a happy tear.

"Thanks. I've been thinking about this Inter Mural thing," started Sarah again. "You know about it?"

"Yeah. It's pretty cool, I hear. I was really little last time so my dad wouldn't let me go."

"So if we win do we get to go to another school?" asked Sarah as they headed up the last hill to the school.

"Well, not this time. It's actually our turn to host. The other two schools will be coming here," explained Dillon.

Sarah nodded. "That's cool too, I guess. Where are the other two schools? I only know about one other, that's the one my dad went to Hogwart's."

"Your dad went to Hogwarts?" said Dillon with a note of awe. "That's in England right?" Sarah nodded. "Cool. The other two North America schools are in Canada and Mexico, I don't remember exactly where. I'm sure Professor Murphy would know. He's from the one in Mexico, member."

"Oh, yeah." Sarah thought back to last year and how Professor Murphy and one other teacher from the Mexican Wizarding School had come to fill in when Chinkana had attacked two of the teachers. Both of them had survived but had decided to retire after their ordeal. Professor Murphy had stayed on, being an old friend of Professor Killainka and Professor Ratcliff; Dillon's mother had taken back her position as Potions master. Sarah winced and placed her hand on her head.

"Sarah?" said Dillon seeing her face.

"My head, I think I need to start carrying around Tylenol," joked Sarah. "Must be all of this thinking. My brain can't mange under pressure." Dillon chuckled.

"We were just about to start to dinner without you two. You're awfully slow." Dillon and Sarah looked up at the sound of Megan's nagging voice. They had made it to the back entrance of the school and hadn't realized. "Eric's been back for ages."

"I told them you would meet up with us in the Great Hall but Michayla and Megan insisted that we go look for you," added William looking apologetic. Zoe remained silent but looked quite irritated.

"We were talking about Quidditch and the Inter Mural games," explained Dillon. "Sarah wanted to know what I knew about them." William's eyes lit up.

"Well, what do you know about them?" he asked offering to take Sarah's half of the trunk, which she graciously gave up.

Megan huffed and puffed behind them as Dillon and William took off down the hallway toward the equipment locker. Zoe and Sarah laughed; Michayla looked at them both and then forced a smile. "Boy will be boys," said Zoe grinning.

"I suppose."

"I'm going to change my clothes and I'll meet you at dinner," said Sarah looking at her dirty attire.

"Want me to come with?" asked Zoe.

"Nay, I'd actually like the down time," she said smiling.

Zoe smiled and nodded. "All right see you in a few. Come on Michayla I'm sure they'll all catch up." Michayla stood and watched everyone walk away for a minute including Zoe and then turned to catch up to her.

"You and Sarah have kind of been acting weird since you had that fight the other day is everything okay?" Michayla asked as they walked along. Zoe stopped and sized Michayla up. She was still trying to sort things out and Michayla was caught in the middle of that sorting.

"Sarah's having a rough time lately. Seems the teachers are demanding a lot extra from her and she's still not quite up to par from when she was sick." Zoe watched Michayla's eyes as she told her these things.

"You still think I had something to do with that don't you," asked Michayla staring back at Zoe. Zoe wasn't about to lie; she had never really stopped believing that she did.

"Maybe it wasn't intentional, but yes, I think what happened to Sarah had something to do with you." Then she looked harder into her eyes and added. "Don't you?"

Michayla began to shake slightly and Zoe felt like she may have gone to far. Then she had only hours earlier hidden a knife away in her sock drawer and she was still very disturbed by that. Michayla began to nod slowly. "What if I told you I was scared? What if I told you that I felt like I had no control over what was going on around me?"

"I'd say, welcome to my world," answered Zoe flatly. Zoe, however was seeing a side of Michayla that she hadn't seen since she had first come to Dragon's Wood, one that was frightened and fragile. "Look, Sarah's like a sister to me, I've known her my whole life and I can't help but be protective of her. It sounds like you're having a rough time of things too right now and I'll do anything that I can to help you. I consider you my friend and you seem to be hanging around with someone who over the last year and a half has become a really good friend."

"Dillon," whispered Michayla. Zoe nodded.

"Yeah, Dillon. I care a lot about both of them and I like you. Someday I may even feel the same way about you that I do them. In the meantime, if something is happening around you or to you that might endanger my friends forgive me if I protect them from it because that's what friends do. And I'll do my best to protect you from it too, as long as you remain my friend." There was a word of warning in Zoe's voice, it was a friendly warning, but it was a warning just the same. Zoe remembered the last time they had discussed Sarah's illness and Michayla's involvement; there would be no hugging at the end of this conversation. Then Zoe knew something that she didn't know then. She knew that Sarah hadn't been ill; she knew that Sarah had been attacked.

"You guys are slow." Zoe greeted Sarah, William, Megan, and Dillon as they arrived for dinner.

"Now that's nice," said Sarah acting hurt.

"Dillon wanted to change and so we went and waited for him," explained Megan looking quite put out by it all. "Sarah came out right before he did so she just waited with us."

"What have you two been up to?" asked William shoveling food onto his plate.

"Just waiting on you slow pokes," answered Michayla smiling at Dillon who had taken a place by her side. Sarah had taken up her usual spot beside Zoe and was feeling better than she had in days. She didn't know why but just being able to talk to Dillon alone had put her mind at ease.

"You want to play chess later?" she asked Zoe after everyone else starting talking to one another. Zoe however had had a thought and was presently making eye contact with Professor Killainka. "Earth to Zoe."

"What, huh?" said Zoe turning to hear what Sarah had said.

"Do you want to play chess later?" she repeated.

"Oh, well. I have to do something but yeah. Is it all right if it's later?" she asked stumbling around.

"You're not going to see Professor Greene again are you," said Sarah looking up at the staff table. Professor Greene had been talking to Professor Killainka and they were both now looking Zoe and Sarah's way.

"Oh, yeah you caught me, back in the greenhouse again. I know you think it's boring so I wasn't even going to tell you." Zoe tried hard not to make eye contact and quickly stuck a spoonful of peas in her mouth. She was hoping that Sarah's good disposition would steer her away from her blatant lie.

"Yeah you can count me out of that. I'll just meet you later all right." Zoe nodded and once again looked into Professor Killainka's eyes. Zoe sighed deeply, watched as Killainka nodded slowly in her direction, scribbled something on a piece of paper, and stuck it in his pocket. It would only be later when they were leaving the Hall that she would discover it was for her, for as she exited the front door he very clumsily bumped into her and slipped her the note winking to her as she turned.

Miss Turner,

You may come to my office at your convenience.

Professor Killainka

Zoe felt a shiver run down her spine. "I'm never going to get used to all of this."