The Dreamkeeper's Secret

Chapter One Summer School

Sarah threw herself across the bottom of her bed and let out a long sigh. She looked at the digital clock beside her bed and then rolled over to stare at the ceiling. Her large, fluffy, orange, and white cat, Max took this as an invitation to crawl onto her chest. "Come to comfort mommy?" she asked stroking him absent-mindedly. Sarah sighed again.

"It's not so bad Sarah, it's definitely not the end of the world." Sarah rolled back, sliding Max to the floor and came eye to eye with her father, standing in the doorway of her bedroom. Max gave her a disgruntled look and then strutted off towards the hallway.

"Daddy, what are you doing here?" asked Sarah forcing a smile. She rolled over and sat up as John Nettleton crossed the room and sat next to his daughter.

"Well, I know it's not my week to have you. But your mother thought maybe you'd be more comfortable if you were with me when Professor Semiramise arrived," he explained putting his arm around her and giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"I'm going to your house?" asked Sarah feeling the stress ease slightly but only long enough for her to ponder the thought. "Mom doesn't want to be around me when we talk about what happened does she?" asked Sarah lowering her eyes to the ground as she spoke. John pulled her in tighter and held her close.

"Sarah you're never going to be able to get control over yourself if you're going to continue to find the negative in everything."

"Explain to me where the positive is Dad and I'll give it a shot," spat Sarah rising from her bed and escaping the security of her father's arms. John shook his head. "Name someone else whose spending their summer with teachers and a therapist," said Sarah bitterly. "I should have stayed at St. Michael's. I told Horatio I wasn't ready to come home."

John rose, crossed the room, and took Sarah into his arms. "Sarah this kind of attitude is getting you no where," he said holding her tight.

Sarah pulled away from her father again and approached the window tears streaming down her cheeks. "I don't see the point in seeing Professor Semiramise. I do not intend to go back to Dragon's Wood."

There was a frustration in her father's face and it was apparent when he spoke. "You and I both know that you don't mean that Sarah."

Sarah turned to look her father in the eyes. "How can I go back there and face everyone after what I've done? It was hard enough seeing them at the clinic."

"What you have done is not an unforgivable sin. You weren't the first person to be manipulated by evil Sarah and you won't be the last." He paused and pushed the hair out of her eyes. "You're friends have been very supportive of you despite your attempts to push them away. Your mother and I, you know that we love you very much." Sarah wiped her tears as John took her by the shoulders. "Professor Semiramise is going to be very disappointed if you are in this state when she arrives. She's hoping that the three weeks that you've been home would have helped to ease some of your anxiety."

Sarah had hoped so also, she had prayed for some settling in her soul each night before she went to bed, to no avail. Even the little time that she had allowed Zoe to invade her personal space, hadn't facilitated an end to her pain. Zoe had done her best to pretend that everything was at it had been, but Sarah could still feel that their relationship was strained. Then Zoe had looked into Sarah's eyes and seen the malevolence within her. Sarah decided that there were no words for how she felt and turned away again. "How long should I pack for?" she asked crossing to her dresser and opening it.

John sighed and shook his head. "I will be in town until Thursday. I've told your Mum that you could stay until then. Horatio can see you there as well."

Sarah nodded and began to pull clothing from the drawers. She paused and turned to him. "I'll be down in a few minutes all right," she said politely shooing her father from the room. John Nettleton hesitated, and then nodded, and after giving her a quick kiss on the cheek left her alone. Sarah pulled a bag out of her closet and began to push her things inside it. She was fighting the emotions that were welling up inside of her, but they were winning. She threw her things into the floor, herself upon the bed and began to weep.

"She's a wreck." Elizabeth Nettleton was pacing the floor of her yellow kitchen. "She won't come out of her room. She's barely spoken to Zoe. She hasn't opened any of the letters that Socrates has brought from her friends. The first few days she seemed to be better, and then the longer she sat and thought about it, the worse she seemed to get. I'm at the end of my rope John tell me what to do. " John Nettleton slid his arms uncomfortably around his ex-wife and when he was sure that she was willing to accept his affection, pulled her in closely. Elizabeth laid her head on John's shoulder and her long strawberry blond hair fell around him. He reached up and wiped her tears.

"Elizabeth she's going to be fine, I promise you. All she has to do is realize that," assured John pulling back and pushing the hair away from her eyes. "She thinks that you are afraid to be around her, that's why I've come to get her."

"That's just silly," said Elizabeth looking cross. "I'll go and talk to her." She began to pull away, but John pulled her back.

"No Elizabeth that will just make her more nervous. She'll just think I put you up to it," he explained. "Just keep reassuring her that you love her. That's what's important." Elizabeth nodded and buried her face in his shoulder once more, allowing the tears to flow.

"Oh great she's crying again!" John and Elizabeth turned to find Sarah standing behind them holding a large gym bag, cat carrier, and looking quite red eyed and irritated.

"Sarah Jane Nettleton, that's no tone take with your Mum," said John Nettleton trying to step away from Elizabeth. However, Sarah's mother held on to him and shook her head.

"No John it's all right."

"It's not all right," he said first looking at Elizabeth and then back to Sarah. "Sarah I know that you're going through a difficult time right now, but being disrespectful to your Mother isn't going to make you feel any better." Sarah hung her head. Elizabeth pulled away from John, went to her daughter, and scooped her into her arms. Sarah didn't fight her; instead, she embraced the warmth of her mother's affection.

"I'm sorry," she muttered into her shoulder.

"It's all right sweet heart," assured her mother. John looked at them lovingly and sighed.

"We better go Pumpkin," he said smiling and placing a hand on both their shoulders. Sarah nodded and Elizabeth reluctantly released the grip she had on her daughter. "You're Mum will be over tomorrow and you can talk to her more then."

"Mom's coming over?" asked Sarah looking confused.

"Yes Sarah, your Mum's coming too, tomorrow. We just thought this would be easier for you," explained her father. Sarah looked over and into her eyes apologetically. How could she have been so wrong? She lunged forward and threw herself tightly around her Mother's neck. Elizabeth Nettleton did everything she could to keep herself composed. She pushed her away slowly.

"Go on now Sarah. Your Professor will be there before you know it," urged her mother. Sarah forced a smile and nodded. John took her by the hand, helped her gather her things and with some additional good byes they were soon on their way.

It was a long drive to her father's and Sarah found herself grateful that he had opted for this form of transportation. She smiled at the back of his head and wondered if he knew all the things that were running through her head. After all, she was her father's daughter after all. John glanced over his shoulder and smiled a sad and knowing smile. Sarah smiled back. "Yep," she thought to herself. "He knows." She decided that she had nothing to loose and began going over in her mind everything that had led up the car ride she had now embarked on. "Where had it all begin?" thought Sarah looking at her father's reflection in the rear view mirror.

Did it begin with her father being a Wizard, an Auror, tracking down Death Eaters and Dreamwalker's, the scum of the wizarding world, and the fact that he had kept this a secret from her mother for the first seven years of their marriage? Or had it began when they had divorced because Sarah had begun to exhibit signs that she was following in her father's foot steps and he was forced to reveal his darkest secrets?

Sarah looked at her father's eyes again and sighed. "You all right Pumpkin?" he asked catching her glance. Sarah only nodded. John Nettleton sighed as well thinking of all the mistakes he had made in the last twenty years and wondering if he could have done anything, different that would have made a difference to Sarah's present situation.

Knowing what he knew now, seeing how things were turning out for her and seeing how dangerous things had become, he constantly second guessed everything that he had done in his life when it came to Sarah. The secrets that they had kept from her, the agreements that he had made to keep the peace. Had they been the right decisions? Perhaps if he had been stronger and insisted that she know who she was from the very start she would be better prepared for what she can do. "If only they all had been honest," he thought.

Sarah was the one who now sensed the unrest. She looked up at the tears pooling in her father's eyes and wished again for it all to be one of her nightmares. But of course, it wasn't. As much as Sarah wished for everything that had happened to her since she turned eleven sometimes to just be one of her horrible dreams, it would never be.

Now she was to spend her entire summer trying to get over her adventure into the dark side of the wizarding world. One of her teachers, Professor Semiramise the Divinations teacher was coming to visit with her. Then there was the special therapist that Sarah had been seeing since before she left the school, someone who Professor Killainka had sent for. Sarah had developed a special relationship with him even though she found him a bit scary. What is he had called himself? A Magi-psychotherapist? Sarah shook her head. She hadn't liked him at all at first, but then she assumed you weren't supposed to. There was something about him that seemed familiar in a funny sort of way as though they were kindred spirits.

Sarah stared out the window as they passed the lake and was lost in a happy thought for a moment. She was remembering a time before she knew she was a witch, before she realized that her "feelings" about people and things actually meant something. She was thinking about her, Zoe, and Eric running on the beach by the lake and just being children. Not budding wizards and witches, just children. Sarah cracked a genuine smile and giggled. "Was that my Sarah?" asked John looking in the mirror and smiling widely.

"I was thinking about BD," said Sarah still staring out the window.

"BD?" repeated John.

"Before Dragon's Wood," sighed Sarah. John's expression only dampened slightly.

"We're going to find that happy feeling again I promise." Sarah nodded her gaze still fixed on the lake that was now disappearing in the distance.

Sarah opted to discontinue her daydreaming and for the remainder of her trip, she chose to stroke Max affectionately instead.

"She's just so sad sir." John watched Sarah go up the stairs and then turned to his faithful friend and subordinate Matthew and nodded.

"She's getting better. I actually heard her laugh on the way here," he reported. Matthew smiled and looked his boss in the eye.

"Wish I could say the same for you sir."

"Perhaps some tea Matthew," he said rubbing his eyes.

"All right sir," beamed the elderly gentleman turning toward the kitchen. John shook his head and took off toward his study. He could hear Sarah in the distance walking around in her room above. After a few minutes, Matthew appeared in the study carrying a tray with tea and biscuits on it. John smiled and picked up the pipe from his desk.

"Incindio." Matthew poured some tea into one of the cups and then handed it to him. "Thank you Matthew." He looked at the remaining cup and grinned. "It's nice that you've made one for the Professor as well."

"Yes, I certainly could do with a cup." John and Matthew turned to find a petite woman with long wavy auburn hair wearing blue tinted glasses standing in the doorway in the doorway, smiling. She wore glittery violet robes that sparkled in the sunlight as she entered the room.

"Good morning Perri," greeted John grinning and coming to his feet. He set his pipe over to one side and extended his arms.

"John, its been too long, " she beamed crossing to embrace him she stood back and then Matthew handed her the cup of tea he had made her. " Thank you Matthew."

"Yes ma'am," said Matthew blushing.

"Sarah mentions you often affectionately." Semiramise took a sip of her tea and peered over her spectacles. "I can see why. This tea is fabulous." Matthew chuckled and turned to John.

"Shall I go and get the little miss?"

"Not just yet Matthew. I'd like to talk to the Professor for a moment or two. I'll go and fetch her when we need her."

"Very well sir. You'll let me if you need anythin'," he said glancing back toward the Professor once more.

"Yes Matthew we will indeed." Matthew nodded toward them both and then exited the room quickly. John gestured to a nearby chair and offered it to Semiramise sitting again only after she had taken her spot.

"I wish that we weren't seeing each other again under these circumstances," started John picking up his pipe again. He looked at it again and then the Professor.

"It's fine John, reminds me of my father actually." John chuckled, lit the pipe again, and took a draw.

"How is the old man?"

"As difficult as ever," reported Semiramise giggling. "But I haven't come here to dredge up old times. "

John's face sobered and he lowered his eyes. "No you haven't."

"She's not any better?" John shook his head. "Horatio told me that despite her breakthrough, she fought him to the end. But then she's a bit stubborn our Sarah." They both chuckled. "How's her mother holding out?"

"Elizabeth's is handling it very well. I expected her to hit the ceiling and insist that we remove her from the school. She's done the exact opposite. Sarah's insisting that she's not returning and Elizabeth's been right there beside me encouraging her all the way," explained John.

Perri sighed and placed her cup on the table. "She's still convinced she can't be a witch without falling into the wrong hands." John nodded. "We should have listened to Romulus. He is protector after all and we didn't listen. Even you John, you told us that you felt him strong within her and we didn't listen." John leaned forward and placed a comforting hand on hers.

"We cannot second guess what we have done. I've been doing it myself all summer. I keep thinking that if I had just insisted that she know from the beginning about her roots."

Perri giggled softly now and John looked at her curiously. "I have said it many times John. Even those of us who can predict the future cannot change the past." John laughed with her now and then they had a brief moment where they sat quietly. "I suppose we should go see her now."

"Are you sure? I'm a mess and I'm not getting any better." They turned to find Sarah standing in the doorway and looking quite sullen. Semiramise shook her head and stood. She looked at Sarah's swollen, red face and smiled.

"I'm used to you being a mess. You're going to have to work harder than that to scare me off." She walked over and pulled Sarah into a warm embrace. Sarah fought that comfort that her presence brought her best as she could until she had to give in as she felt the warmth fill her entire being.

"Physic healing," whispered Sarah. Semiramise pulled Sarah at arms length and looked into her eyes.

"You've been reading the books I sent home with you." Sarah nodded. "Well, you're a bit better than I expected then. I imagined that you wouldn't pick one up."

"I admit that I didn't want to. But I was bored one day and when I did I couldn't put it down," explained Sarah. "Edgar Cayce, was he a wizard Professor?"

Semiramise giggled again and put an arm around Sarah. "Let's go and get my bag I've brought your violet cushion. We'll talk and maybe his name will come up." Perri looked back at John and gave him an encouraging smile. John Nettleton took a seat at his desk and riffled through his papers. He felt better about things in general at this moment than he had in weeks. If anyone would make things right with Sarah, it was Perri Semiramise.

Sarah sat on her violet cushion in front of the fire that Matthew had built for them and drew her first deep cleansing breath. Semiramise took her place in the silver one that was reserved for her and smiled. "Are you ready?" Sarah nodded but then Semiramise's face donned a curious expression and she reached inside her robe, pulled out a blue parchment envelope. "I almost forgot. Professor Robinson decided that since I was coming he could save the wear and tear on an owl," she said giggling. Sarah looked at the envelope, knowing full well that it was not time for her to be receiving her return letter and then she reached out and took it. As she opened the envelope and read, her hands began to shake.

Dear Miss Nettleton,

It will be our pleasure to welcome you back to Dragon's Wood Academy this year. As always, first semester begins on September 1^st. Enclosed you will find a list of supplies that you will need this year. I'm looking forward to seeing you again.

Sincerely,

Professor Gene Robinson

Assistant Dean

Sarah felt the tears forming in her eyes again and she quickly pushed them back. Then she noticed that at the Professor has scribbled an additional greeting underneath his traditional message of return.

Sarah I look forward to having you again this year in computers. It's not what we've done in our lifetimes but what we strive to do with them.

Sarah was having a harder time pushing the tears back now as they slid down her cheeks. She looked up into Semiramise eyes and then down to the list of materials for this year.

Eighth Grade students will require the additional equipment and books listed below to supplement their wardrobe and wand from last year.

Standard Book of Spells, Eighth Grade, Monica Bradsworth

Lost Civilizations and Artifacts Vol 3 Devin and Simone McCade

Arithamacy and its Applications in the Twenty-first Century Nicholas Stufflebean

Divination: Gazing Into the Future and Beyond J L Hornsworth

Exploring the Dark Marcus Clark

Magical Digits and Chips Ernest Platstone

Water into Wine Chanda Gist

Mythical Beasts and Magical Beings

Magical Fungi and its Uses Hubert Washington

Students are again encouraged but not required to bring a Laptop computer.

Please visit the local Apothecary to purchase the standard assortment of potion ingredients for the Eighth Grade level.

As you may know the Inter Mural Games will be conducted at Dragon's Wood this year so we are requesting that students bring a full set of dress robes since there will be occasions that they will be necessary.

When Sarah read this line the shame overcame her and she quickly folded the letter and set it to the side. Semiramise shook her head. "Sarah you need to stop feeling guilty for everything that happened in your second year at Dragon's Wood."

"It's very easy for you to sit there and tell me not to feel guilty Professor," spat Sarah angrily. "Because of my stupidity Bellarmine nearly lost the cup!" There was a fire in building inside of Sarah, a terror in her heart. She wanted to stand and run.

Semiramise reached out and grabbed her arm. "No, you won't run!" Sarah shook her head furiously. She was angry and confused. "This is what we've been fighting Sarah, these feelings that you have bottled up inside of you. You've got to let them out."

Sarah broke down and soon found she was crying into the Professor's shoulder. She held her until Sarah calmed down and pulled back. She collapsed back onto her violet cushion and collected her thoughts before either spoke again. "I'm ready now," said Sarah quietly. Semiramise looked into her eyes and saw what was still there hiding behind the blue pools.

Thump, thump, thump. Thump, thump, thump. Zoe Turner bounced a tennis ball against the house loudly. She couldn't remember a summer that she had spent so little time with her best friend Sarah Nettleton. Thump, thump, thump. Thump, thump - Zoe grabbed at air and looked up to see her brother Eric standing in front of her holding the tennis ball and grinning. "Damn it Eric, I'm not in the mood!" spat Zoe reaching up and snatching the ball out of his hand. The tall brown haired young man leaned down and kissed his counterpart on the forehead.

"I love you too sis." Eric sat down and put an arm around her. "She's going to be fine Zoe. Professor Semiramise is with her right now and I promise you that between the Professor, that shrink of hers and Killainka they're going to get her back on track."

Zoe took the tennis ball, leaned back, and threw it as far as she could in frustration. "I don't get it Eric. What are they doing for her anyway? I mean," she paused and kicked around the dirt. "Why don't they just do a memory charm and make her forget what she did? Then we can just move on like it never happened," proposed Zoe.

"Zoe, listen to what you're saying. Remember the first year Sarah and you were at Dragon's Wood and we found out that I had been under a memory charm. I'm still recovering from the effects of that Zoe." There was a bit of stress in Eric's voice as he spoke and Zoe was sorry that she had brought the memory charm up now. "She needs to remember what has happened to her. She needs to learn from it and move on so that she can control it. Otherwise it could happen again!"

Zoe backed away slightly from her brother. He was right and she knew it but she hadn't expected nor needed to be given a lecture about it. She moaned and leaned back on her hands. "I just want the old Sarah back, that's all." Eric looked at his sister and realized what a jerk he had just been.

"I know," he said wrapping his arms around her and pulled her in close. "That's what I want too."

Zoe felt tears running down her cheeks and she gave in to the feeling. It had been a long summer and it had only begun. She rested her head against Eric's chest and was grateful for his comfort. "How can you be so together?" she asked quietly. "You were there, you saw it all happen."

Eric thought about this too, but he didn't have an answer for his little sister. However, what he wasn't telling Zoe was that he wasn't all that together. He wasn't telling anyone about the nightmares he'd been having, or the fact that he still couldn't be in the room with Sarah without getting a headache. That hadn't been much of a problem though considering Sarah had isolated herself from the rest of the world since they had all returned to Clear Lake. Eric drew a deep breath trying to figure out how to respond to Zoe's remark and then something happened that allowed him an out.

"I thought I might find you two out here." Eric and Zoe spun round to find their mother standing over top of them. She was wearing a wide grin that faded slightly when she noticed that they were both sporting stressful expressions. Zoe quickly wiped her damp face and they both attempted to straighten up.

"What's up mom?" asked Eric hypothesizing that he was the more composed of the two. Mrs. Turner looked at them affectionately and pressed on.

"There's someone here to see you Zoe."

"Oh?" said Zoe rising to her feet quickly. "Is it Sarah?" she asked hopefully.

"No sweetie," answered Glenda Turner again sympathetically. "It's your teacher, Professor Chalipun." Eric and Zoe turned to each other, mouths open.

"You're kidding," said Zoe.

"No I'm not and she's waiting inside, so come on," replied Mrs. Turner.

Zoe looked at Eric who shrugged and then rose to follow her as she started inside. Mrs. Turner followed them both into their large family home to find the Native American Shaman standing alone in the coolness of the living room. She turned and greeted them both with a smile as they entered. "Good morning it's so good to see you both again," she said quietly.

Zoe shifted uneasily as she came to a stop just short of her side. Eric moved closer and grinned widely at the Professor. "I can't believe you're here Professor, that's so cool." Professor Chalipun chuckled and reached out to touch Eric's arm.

"It's really cool to see you as well Mr. Turner." Zoe looked at Chalipun funny and then giggled.

"Why are you here Professor?" she asked feeling a little less scared than a moment ago but still unsure. Chalipun smiled and nodded.

"Straight and to the point Miss Turner as always." She looked at Eric, Mrs. Turner, and then Zoe. "Mr. Turner, not to be rude, but I need to talk to Zoe alone. I've already spoken to you parents and there is something that I need to say to her in private."

Eric looked at the Professor dumbfounded and then to his sister. "Sure Professor, whatever you say." Zoe was looking even more terrified than she had before. She reached out toward Eric who gave her an encouraging look before saying goodbye and turning to leave.

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me Professor," said Glenda Turner as she followed her son out. Zoe had a sudden urge to bolt as well, but Professor Chalipun quickly put her at ease.

"It's all right Zoe, really. I just have a proposal for you. I need your help to make Sarah well."

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

Sarah drew a deep breath and opened her eyes. She felt better than she had in weeks. In fact, since she had been home. She looked into Semiramise' eyes and smiled. "Thank you."

"Thank yourself Sarah. It's all in you," said the small Professor quietly.

"If it's within me, why can't I find it when you're not here?" asked Sarah sitting back on her hands.

Semiramise relaxed and stretched her arms. "Because you're searching in the wrong places."

Sarah sometimes wished that the Professors and her "voices" wouldn't speak to her in riddles, but today she was going to allow her to get away with it. Today she was going to nod and pretend that she knew what she was talking about. "So is this what we'll be doin the rest of the summer?" Sarah asked after a pause.

"Well, actually no," said Semiramise. Sarah said up and looked into her eyes curiously.

"What then? A different kind of mediation?" asked Sarah.

"No Sarah. I've been talking things over with Professors Killainka, Abydos, and Chalipun and we've come up with a different plan." Sarah could feel her stress level rising again. She hated being the topic of conversation at the faculty meetings. "Now Sarah," scolded Semiramise. "That's enough. We've not been plotting against you and if I'm not mistaken Professor Chalipun is at this very moment at Miss Turner's house speaking to her about this as well."

Sarah looked up, her eyes widening. "Zoe's in on this?"

Semiramise chuckled. "Well, she should be by now. And I have a very good feeling about it," added the Professor to reassure her. Sarah knew that the Professor "feelings" were more reliable than most folk's knowledge.

"What is it?" asked Sarah leaning forward.

"Professor Chalipun is going to take you on a little vacation. A kind of a Vision Quest," she explained.

"Cool," replied Sarah.

"Well, you may not say that when you find out what it entails, but I think you'll find that it's what you need," said Semiramise giggling slightly.

"What do you mean Professor?" asked Sarah curiously.

"Well, it's a trip to get back to your roots so to say, back to the elements."

"Camping?"

Semiramise full out laughed this time. "Well you could say camping, but it's a little more intense than camping." Sarah felt the color drain from her face.

"Oh."

"Don't worry Sarah, it's going to be just fine."

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

"You mean we're going to live off the land, no TV, no CD's, no pizza." Zoe was standing open mouthed and staring at Professor Chalipun who was nodding and attempting not to laugh.

"Yes Zoe, no pizza."

"But Professor, I don't know if I can live a month without Pizza," moaned Zoe.

Professor Chalipun could no longer contain herself and began to laugh. "I have faith in you Miss Turner."

Zoe looked into the Professor's eyes. She knew exactly what it was she was asking her today and she was doing her best to skirt the issue. She shook her head, gave another frustrated look to the Professor, and sighed. "I'd do anything for Sarah ma'am and you know that."

"I know Zoe," admitted the Professor smiling.

"Vision Quest huh?" Chalipun continued to smile at Zoe.

"More like a journey for Sarah to find herself again. No distractions, back to the earth," she paused and looked at Zoe. "It certainly couldn't hurt you either Miss Turner. Perhaps it will help improve your grades a little this year." Zoe felt her face turn red and she lowered her eyes to the floor.

"Yes ma'am," she said as she thought to herself how unfair it was that she was having be humiliated by a teacher while school was out. Then Zoe suddenly had a thought. "Professor," she started looking up as though a light bulb had just gone off over her head. "Will we be allowed to do magic? I mean we will sort of be in school," proposed Zoe.

Professor Chalipun surveyed Zoe's face for a moment giving her the best "teacher" stare she could come up with and then nodded slowly. "Well actually you have been granted special permission by the Department of Magic to take with and use your wand," Zoe's eyes were the size of golf balls and she was bobbing on her heels. "But, you will only be allowed to use magic under my supervision and under certain condi," But Zoe wasn't hearing a word that Professor Chalipun was saying. She hadn't heard one word past "special permission."

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

Sarah looked at Zoe who was beaming at her for the first time in months. "Anyway so I wasn't sure about it at first but I'll get to be with you and we'll get to use magic outside of school. I mean how cool is that." Sarah couldn't help but cackle at her best friend. She had to admit that this was the first time she had felt half way normal since Valentine's Day. When Zoe had popped out of her fireplace with Professor Chalipun and started rambling excitedly about what they were going to be doing on their four-week journey, she had begun to feel even better.

"Zoe take a breath," encouraged Sarah giggling. Zoe stopped and for the first time looked deep into Sarah's eyes. She took that deep breath and pulled Sarah into a large bear hug.

"I'm so glad you're feeling better," said Zoe holding her tightly. Sarah drew a deep breath as well and echoed the sentiment.

"It's not over though Zoe," said Sarah after pulling back and looking Zoe again in the face. "I've got a long way to go. But I'm not going to get there without you."

Zoe had tears pooling in her eyes as she nodded. "I'll be there Sarah I'll promise." Professor's Semiramise and Chalipun approached them.

"Well ladies, we only have a few days to prepare for our journey so I believe that I need to get Miss Turner home," said Professor Chalipun. "Sarah and Professor Semiramise have some additional work to do and I need to return to Dragon's Wood to tie up loose ends."

John Nettleton was standing behind the two Professors and smiling at the girls. It was a heart-warming site to see them together, happy again. He reached up and placed a hand on Perri's shoulder. "Thank you." Semiramise didn't turn around she just smiled and enjoyed the site herself.