The Dreamkeeper's Secret

Chapter Two House Calls

The next few days were both hectic and soothing. Sarah spent the time she wasn't with Professor Semiramise talking to Zoe on the phone or packing the things, she thought she would need for the trip.

Elizabeth Nettleton showed up the second day and was delighted to find her daughter looking so much healthier. "She is going to be all right isn't she," she whispered to John as she watched Sarah puttering around his house nearly her old self again. John pulled her into an embrace, but spoke no words. He knew that Sarah was going to be fine but he could still feel the unrest that lie in Sarah's soul.

On the fourth day, Professor Semiramise left stating that the next time she would see her she would be on the Arizona trail. Sarah had to admit that the ever since she found out she was going on the "vision quest" it had been a lot easier to move on. Something about the whole concept of getting back to Mother Earth with Professor Chalipun and Zoe had been a driving force for setting her mind at ease. However, she had one more hurdle before their trip would begin, Dr. Horatio Kincaid.

Sarah sat on the front porch of her father's townhouse and stared out at the quiet cul de sac. It was very early in the morning but Sarah suspected that she wouldn't see a soul stirring even if it weren't. It hadn't been long after she had found out that her father was a wizard that she had found out that this small section of Clear Lake contained the largest amount of the wizards and witches in the area. They were mostly the older set, the working community like her father and were most likely all off in Washington D.C. or

some other section of the country. Sarah had often been curious why there was so a large wizarding community in the middle of nowhere but each time she had asked her father she had been told is was a story best left for another time.

Sarah smiled at this thought curiously and stretched just in time to make a space for her cat Max to curl up on. "Hey old man," she greeted as he made himself comfortable on her lap. Max began to purr loudly as she rubbed behind his ears and thought only pleasant thoughts. Nothing could possibly disturb the peace that she felt and then she heard the loud popping noise that accompanied a person when they apparated. She rolled her eyes and donned an annoyed expression. "Good morning Horatio."

Sarah didn't turn, because she didn't need to. There was no doubt in her mind that sitting behind her most likely sporting a very smug look, was Dr. Horatio Kincaid. In fact, he had apparated into one of the lounger's on her father's front porch, looking quite comfortable and wearing a smirk. He was tall, had long blond hair that was very neatly pulled back into a ponytail. He had sparkling green eyes and his left ear was pierced in several places, his tongue only once. He looked to be in his late twenties and was dressed in jeans and a pullover shirt. When Sarah had first met him she was sure that she would have thought she he was cute if she hadn't found him so damned annoying.

When Killainka first introduced them at Dragon's Wood, Sarah had been at her darkest.

"Sarah this is Dr. Horatio Kincaid, a former student and dear friend. He's come to help you."

"Go to hell, Dr. Kincaid!" spat Sarah, hiding in the corner of the infirmary.

"Go to hell Horatio, will be fine," he had replied in an even tone.

Sarah laughed when she thought of this statement, although she hadn't at the time. It wasn't until much later when they discussed it at another session, that she had found it amusing. Sarah couldn't help herself now, as she giggled.

"We're chipper this morning," he said putting his feet up and making him self more comfortable.

"Does that mean you'll leave then, she's said hopefully." Sarah giggled again. Horatio Kincaid cracked an actually smile and a dimple appeared on his right cheek.

"Nope sorry," he said reaching into the air and producing a cigarette. He drew two puffs and Sarah produced a fake coughing fit.

"Gag! You know you're going to stunt your growth," complained Sarah

"Yeah, that's what they tell me." Horatio took another puff of his cigarette and looked around. "So this is your old man's place?"

"Yeah this is Dad's," agreed Sarah, still stroking Max.

"The Department's paying their hit wizards well these days," he said smirking. Sarah turned for the first time and shot him an evil glare. Horatio grinned.

"Shut up Horatio!" said Sarah turning her attention back to Max. Horatio continued to grin.

"So I've been hearing good things about you," he said taking another drawl off his cigarette.

"Someone's been lying to you," said Sarah trying not to grin.

"You can't lie to me remember. I can see into your soul," he said speaking in a misty voice.

"Very funny," said Sarah rolling her eyes again. They sat for a few minutes quietly, then Max, decided he had enough of Sarah's pampering, left after a short stretch. She turned to face the doctor who had just finished his cigarette and disposed of it. "So, what's on the menu for today?"

"Why don't we go for a walk?" he rising to his feet. Sarah nodded and did the same. She descended the front porch stairs and they were soon side by side on the cobblestone walk that led out of the cul de sac. Sarah giggled at the idea of how she thought the two of them looked walking down the street. "I think you're wrong," he said holding his head a bit higher. "I believe we're a handsome couple." Sarah reached over and slapped him on the arm.

"Stop it!" she said looking at him quite annoyed again. "Its one thing when Professor's Semiramise or Killainka predict what I'm thinking, even my father. But it's just down right irritating when you do it," griped Sarah. Horatio Kincaid laughed loudly.

"Yes Miss Nettleton," he responded bowing slightly as they walked. However, as they walked a bit further the dimpled smile began to vanish from his face. "Sarah," he started his voice stern but gentle. "Have you been having any nightmares since you've been home?" There was a second where he sensed that Sarah hesitated perhaps afraid to answer and then she continued ahead freely.

"And if I were to tell no?"

"I'd call you a lire and you'd tell me the truth."

"So I should just go on and tell you the truth then eh?" proposed Sarah.

"Probably best," agreed Kincaid.

"Well," said Sarah watching her feet as they walked. "They aren't nearly as bad as they were and I haven't," she paused and closed her eyes. "I'm sure I haven't been anywhere," she decided to say.

"No Dreamwalking?" he inquired.

"I swear sir!" promised Sarah looking slightly distressed. Kincaid stopped and grabbed Sarah by the arm.

"No sirs. We've talked about that," he said with a broad smile. Sarah looked at him and found a giggle she didn't know she had.

"You're right." Kincaid's dimple appeared once more.

"I'm actually more concerned about who might be visiting you." Sarah looked at the ground.

"Eric," she whispered softly. Kincaid looked at her curiously.

"Mr. Turner has been visiting you in your dreams?" Sarah nodded.

"I'm fairly sure. The few times that I've seen him too, my head it, it starts hurting the way it did before," she stopped and looked into Kincaid's eyes. He released her arm, turned, and pulled another cigarette out of the air. After a drag or two, he turned back to Sarah.

"So, somehow the bond between him and the darkness has not been broken," he mumbled to himself. Sarah looked at him and crinkled up her face.

"What?" she asked looking a bit terrified.

He took another drag from his cigarette and then continued. "Sarah, there are still things that you, that you still don't know yet. Some of them involve Eric Turner. Well I'm going to have to talk to your father and Professor Killainka about this but in the mean time." He stopped and looked at Sarah as concerned for her as he could muster. "Perhaps it would be better if you and Mr. Turner didn't spend any extensive time together."

Sarah looked at Kincaid and felt her heart sink. It wasn't as though Eric often went out of his way to seek Sarah out but there had been a time or two this past year where they had gotten close. Now for reasons she didn't even know she couldn't be near him without experiencing pain. She nodded and agreed to stay away from someone who she couldn't decide whether she loved like a brother or a man. "Yes si, Horatio," said Sarah correcting herself and collecting a grin from Kincaid because of it.

"Those jumbled emotions are going to be your downfall," he scolded causing Sarah to rolls her eyes for the third time since he'd arrived.

"Let me guess, Semiramise was your favorite teacher when you were at Dragon's Wood?" asked Sarah beginning to walk off again.

"Well as a matter of fact it was old prince of darkness himself," said Kincaid chuckling.

"Abydos?"

"Yep!"

"Well, I have to admit he used to terrify me but he does grow on you after a while," chuckled Sarah. She sighed thinking about all the things she knew he had done for her that year. After all, it had been Abydos and Eric who had saved her life, or should she say that had saved her from her self. Sarah felt a sudden sharp pain in her head, as she often did when she tried to remember too deeply the things that had happened to her in the spring. Kincaid stopped again and took her arm.

"There will come a time when you will be able to remember and not feel the pain," he assured her. Sarah nodded as the pain subsided.

Sarah looked at Dr. Horatio Kincaid and thought about him as they began to walk again. She thought about how he was probably one of the few people that she couldn't read these days. No matter how many times he had touched her or been near her, she had never had any sense of him. He had done his very best to remain a mystery and had succeeded.

She often wondered if he had a girlfriend or if he even dated at all. He was so annoying Sarah couldn't imagine anyone actually wanting to. Then she giggled because actually part of her could. Sarah blushed and looked off in the opposite direction. Dr. Horatio Kincaid produced one dimple on his right cheek and decided to let it go. He knew that Sarah was two hundred percent better than when he had met her on that cold April night. "How about some ice cream?"

"Frozen yogurt is better for you," countered Sarah.

"Perhaps, but do we care?" chuckled Horatio.

"Good point," said Sarah giggling. "We'd have to go to Mason City to get good ice cream though," she explained. Kincaid grinned deceitfully.

"I have a better idea. Give me your hand." Sarah looked at him suspiciously. She then thought about their trip to Charlotte for the sweet iced tea and smiled. She reached for his hand and took it reluctantly. She felt the strange sensation she had before and when she opened her eyes she found herself standing outside a rather odd looking shop on an old cobblestone street.

"This isn't Charlotte," said with a giggle.

"Not quite," he said snickering. "Diagon Alley in London," he said matter-of-factly. "Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor to be precise. It's the best ice cream in London. Well actually in the wizarding world," he explained.

"Oh," said Sarah flatly. She looked around and felt terribly out of place. Although they indeed looked very out of place, Kincaid did not seem uncomfortable, and by the time, Fortescue himself had brought out their ice cream and had a very animated and personal conversation with Horatio about his family, Sarah was no longer feeling awkward. Everyone who passed them by was still staring them at, but Sarah herself was enjoying the scenery.

They spent the rest of the morning eating ice cream, talking about London, Diagon Alley and yes, even Sarah's problems. When they had finished their ice cream, Sarah was sure it was the first time she didn't wish to strangle Horatio before he left. He had decided to take her on a stroll through Diagon Alley before they left and they had stopped to look in the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies. "I used to play Quidditch you know?" he said staring at the latest broom model that was on display in the window.

"Really?" answered Sarah astonished. "I wouldn't have believed that you did anything fun in school." They both chuckled. "Horatio, what dorm where you in at Dragon's Wood?" Horatio's dimple shown.

"Parathion, of course," he said proudly.

Sarah's eyes widened. "Really?"

Horatio laughed loudly. "Had you thought me a Bellarmine, all brave and noble Miss Nettleton?" Sarah blushed.

"Well I don't know," she answered kicking around in the dirt. Kincaid laughed again and put his arm around Sarah's shoulder. Whoosh! Sarah felt herself begin pulled through the abyss. "What's happening?" she hadn't had a vision since well since before. She wanted to push away from Horatio she had no desire to have a vision, not now, not ever again. What she saw though didn't frighten her it simply confused her.

It was Horatio, granted it was a younger Horatio, but it was he just the same and he was at Dragon's Wood, and he was not happy. "I don't get it, who are you to me? Why do you care if I live or die" Sarah pulled back and the street came back into focus. She looked up into Horatio's eyes. Horatio reached out for her but then pulled back, it hadn't taken him long to figure out what had happened.

"What did you see Sarah?" he asked soberly.

Sarah searched his eyes for a moment not knowing how to respond to his question. She knew they had discussed her abilities, but it still disturbed her just a bit that he knew so quickly, what she had done. Then, thought Sarah he had certain "abilities" too. She drew a deep breath. "I was sort of hoping that this talent wouldn't return," whispered Sarah kicking around in the dirt once more.

"Sarah part of moving on with your life is moving forward. You need to learn to live who you are." Sarah sighed she had heard this so many times before.

"Professor Killainka and you I saw you together when you were a boy," reported Sarah. Horatio smiled and started to walk. Sarah looked at him oddly and then turned to go after him. "So are you going to tell me what I saw?" she asked after they'd walked awhile. Horatio chuckled.

"I suppose I haven't told you much about myself, but then I wasn't the one being analyzed." Sarah giggled. "How about if I allow you three questions."

"Really?" asked Sarah looking like she had just been handed the keys to the Sweet Shoppe.

"Really," said Horatio chuckling.

"All right." Sarah took a deep breath and contemplated what she wanted to know most. "Well I know you went to Dragon's Wood and you were in Parathion." Sarah scowled at this remark, Horatio continued to chuckle. "And you played Quidditch."

"All right Sherlock, what else do you know?" he asked grinning. Sarah looked Kincaid up and down. Horatio pulled a cigarette out of the air and began to smoke.

"I know you're going to kill yourself if you don't stop doing that. I can't believe you have such a filthy Muggle habit," fussed Sarah. Horatio laughed.

"It's better than some that I've had in the past," said Horatio soberly. Sarah raised her eyebrows.

"Oh? Okay I have my first question." Sarah stopped and Horatio stopped and looked at her with a grin on his face.

"And what would that be?" said Horatio eyeing Sarah curiously.

"What's the worst thing you ever did?" asked Sarah.

Horatio looked at Sarah and smiled slyly. "I can think of quite a few things that would make you blush, and a couple that would have the Department knocking at my door," said Horatio snickering quietly. "However, I'm sure that none of those things are what you are talking about," he supposed. Sarah shook her head and giggled. Then Horatio donned an expression that Sarah hadn't seen too often. "I'd say that the worst thing I ever did in my life was when I betrayed the trust of someone who laid everything he had on the line for me."

Sarah didn't have to be touching Kincaid to know what he was talking about. This was the moment she had walked into not so long and he was talking about Killainka. "Horatio, are you related to Professor Killainka?"

Kincaid smiled and chuckled. "Well not blood related," he said coming to a halt in front a large white building that Sarah quickly recognized as a branch of Gringott's Bank. "Give me your hand," he said taking her by surprise again. Sarah looked at him oddly and then obeyed his request. There was the strange sensation again and Sarah found herself standing in front of Dragon's Wood Academy. It was the first time she had been there since she had had her encounter with the dark side.

Sarah took two steps back and she felt her hands begin to shake. Horatio gripped her hand tighter. "It's time for you to face this fear Sarah," he said pulling her back. Sarah stared up at the school and nodded numbly. She swallowed hard and then turned to look at Horatio.

"I think you're trying to get out of our deal," she whispered clinging tightly to his hand as they began to walk toward the school's front entrance. Horatio chuckled.

"Not at all. In fact perhaps a little bonus material," he said as they started up the great stone staircase. Sarah turned to look at him curiously and watched as the dimple rose on his right cheek. "A little lesson on staying away from drugs," he said snickering. Sarah rolled her eyes.

"Oh Horatio please I didn't think you were that cliché."

Kincaid chortled and then as they entered the front of the school, he stopped and donned a serious expression. "Sarah we've talked about your parents, their divorce, and how that affected you and who you are." Sarah nodded unclear where Horatio was going with this line of thinking. "My parent's were Muggles Sarah, drug accidents. They were both dead before I reached the age of eight. I spent the next three years tossed around in the foster care system and then," he stopped.

"And then you got your letter," finished Sarah starring into Horatio's eyes. Kincaid grinned.

"Very good," said Horatio. "Yes I got my letter and to tell you the truth I idn't have any desire at all to pursue it at first. I mean I was a very angry young man in those days." Sarah snickered.

"In those days?" she said giggling. Horatio winked at her. Then reached up into the air to get a cigarette and Sarah heard the sound of someone clearing their throat.

"I don't think so Mr. Kincaid. We don't allow smoking on school grounds." Sarah swallowed hard and turned around to see Professor Abydos standing behind them. Horatio turned as well.

"Well if it isn't my favorite teacher," he said grinning. Horatio pulled the cigarette he had gone for despite his warning and took his first puff. "What a pleasant surprise." Sarah looked at Horatio and then Abydos, and waited for the sparks to fly. Abydos took two steps forward, with an evil grin on his face removed the cigarette from Kincaid's hand, and then made it disappear.

"Yes well imagine how surprised I am to find two of my favorite student's lurking in the hallways of a closed school," said Abydos now sporting the affectionate smirk that Sarah had come to know and love. She smiled and throwing all caution to the wind stepped forward and threw her arms around him. Abydos stood there looking quite put out for a moment or two and then smiled across Sarah's shoulder at Horatio. He then cleared his throat and pushed her away gently. "Yes well, I'm happy to see you again too Miss Nettleton."

Sarah grinned and let out a deep breath. "Professor, if Horatio had told me we were coming here I would have probably thrown a fit. But now that we're here I'm actually kind of glad."

"Is there one of those for me?" Sarah didn't have to turn around to know whom this voice belonged to. Sarah didn't hesitate she turned and went straight into Professor Killainka's arms. "Sorry I wasn't here sooner but I ran into a snag on my way here. I hope you haven't been here long." Sarah pulled back and looked at him curiously.

"You knew we were coming sir?" she asked confused.

"Well, only since you left Diagon Alley," he said matter-of-factly. "How was the weather in London Horatio?"

"It wasn't raining," said Kincaid smiling. Sarah looked at Killainka, Abydos, and then back to Horatio and sighed.

"You three can be so exasperating," she said turning and heading toward the Great Hall.

Killainka chuckled but Horatio looked slightly exasperated himself. He started to go after her exhibiting a bit of attitude. Killainka held his arm out.

"Horatio let me," he said watching her walk away. Kincaid looked at the Professor, smiled and then nodded.

"All right, she's all yours dad." Killainka looked at him and then after a pause where he shook his head, he went after Sarah. Abydos stepped up to Kincaid and cleared his throat.

"Tugging at heart strings today?" he said looking after the pair.

"Feeling a bit guilty I'm afraid. Miss Nettleton has a way of dredging up the inside of your soul." Abydos chuckled.

"Why Mr. Kincaid I can't believe I'm hearing what I believe I'm hearing," said Abydos turning to grin at Horatio. "You're letting a patient get to you."

"She's not an ordinary patient Romulus and you know it," retaliated Kincaid.

Abydos put his arm around Horatio and smiled. "It's all right she's gotten to the best of us Horatio."

"No one gets to me," he whispered a hint of irritation in his voice. Abydos continued to smile.

"Shall we go to my office, I just made coffee." Horatio looked at Abydos and grinned.

"Just what I need caffeine," he said chuckling. Abydos snickered and they turned and headed off toward his office.

Sarah looked up through one of the large skylights and sighed. She had thought that being here and especially in this room, would have produced buckets of tears and she was finding none. She looked down the empty tables and could almost hear the voices of the hundreds of students that normally lined the hall. She could only remember it being this empty one other time. That had been when her father and Mr. Turner had brought her and Zoe up to the school to try and convince her it was all right that she was a witch. That seemed so far away now as she thought about it. It seemed to be a lifetime ago. "I'm still not sure Professor," she said without turning around.

Killainka smiled. "I am." He drew a bit closer and stood behind her. "It wasn't that long ago that your mind was too clouded to do what you just did."

Sarah shook her head. "I heard your foot steps," she lied.

"Sarah what is it you're afraid of?" he asked standing next to her now.

"Besides the obvious?" she said sitting down on one of the benches. Killainka joined her and nodded quietly. "Can't I just be afraid of myself?" she asked looking at the ground.

"Aren't we all a little afraid of our self?" he asked taking her hands.

"What if I'm never able to block out the dark forces completely Professor? What if someday it's just too tempting?" Sarah looked up and into his eyes.

"I don't believe you to be a dark witch Sarah Nettleton. I don't believe that you're capable of following that path," insisted Killainka.

"But Professor, if Eric hadn't stopped me, if Professor Abydos hadn't--"

"I don't believe that to be true Sarah. You say you believe that you would have killed Dillon. I don't believe you would have harmed anyone. I don't believe you have it in you," said the Professor putting one arm around her.

"We have no way of knowing that do we?" Sarah sighed and rose from the bench. "And I'm the one who has to live with the doubt."

"I don't believe it either." Sarah swallowed hard and turned around to face Dillon.

"Dillon I, I," she stopped talking completely at a loss for words. Dillon grinned.

"Sarah Nettleton speechless, this has to be a first." Sarah screwed up her face.

"Oh shut up!" said Sarah turning. Sarah couldn't get over how different he looked. He had done quite a bit of growing up since the last time she had seen him. She stepped back and admired him. "I see you've been helping your dad out on the grounds," she said looking at his tanned exterior.

Dillon blushed. "Well, it's better than staying inside and listening to Mom tell me about what we'll be doing in Double Potions next year," confessed Dillon. Sarah and Killainka both chuckled. She reached around, grabbed the ponytail he was now sporting and gave it a yank. Then looked at his all black attire.

"Hmm are we trying to make a statement?" she asked pulling back and playing with one of the small silver loops in his left ear as well as she did.

"I'm just trying to be me," said Dillon giving her a disapproving glare.

"Looks as though you're trying to be Horatio," said Sarah giggling. Dillon continued to glare at her. Then his glare turned into a smirk.

"Well, he's someone else whose got you pegged," said Dillon chuckling. He turned and started to walk away. Sarah tutted indignantly and started after him.

"Oh and by that remark I suppose you're trying to insinuate that you have me pegged Dillon Ratcliff," sassed Sarah. Dillon continued to walk followed close behind by Sarah. Killainka laughed.

"I suppose I should find Horatio and Professor Abydos, they're probably wondering where we've gone and frankly I don't believe I'm needed here any longer," he muttered to himself. He was the only one who listened.

Sarah grabbed him by the arm as he walked out into the corridor and pulled him into a slow walk. After a moment or two of silence, she sighed deeply. "How are you really Sarah?" he asked taking the hand that was on his arm.

"I'll tell you if you tell me," she bargained. He smiled.

"I'm not the one who has to deal with it Sarah," answered Dillon.

"Like hell. After what I did, I can't believe you're still my friend. I can't believe," Dillon stopped and put his hand to her mouth.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I don't blame you for what you did? You have to move passed this Sarah. I have." There was something stern in Dillon's voice. It was almost cold. Sarah didn't like this side of Dillon but she had a feeling that she was partially responsible for it. She nodded. "Sorry, it's just that when I saw you in the Hall I was excited and I would much rather us be talking about the Inter Mural games than what happened months ago," he said looking at the floor.

Sarah knew what he was talking about. When she had turned to see him there in the Great Hall, sure there was the part of her that was still fighting those horrid feelings from what happened in the spring. However, there was also a part of her full of female hormones that wanted to forget all of that and throw her self at him. This part of her was quickly kicking in again. She soon found that she was shifting uncomfortably. "I shouldn't be playing, I mean it wasn't as though we won because of me." Sarah hung her head.

"Jesus Sarah." Dillon shook his head at her and pulled her over to a window scowling. "You can be the biggest pain in the ass you know that?" Sarah looked up and realized an additional change in her friend. He had probably grown at least six inches and looked as though he needed to shave. Sarah was feeling very uncomfortable now. Then Dillon did something that she not only didn't she expect, she would have never have in a million years asked for. Starring into her eyes, he leaned down and kissed her. When he released her, Sarah took two steps backward and fell onto her bottom. Dillon stepped forward and held out his hand. "Sarah, are you all right?"

Sarah looked up at Dillon petrified, she didn't know what to do, but she was quite sure she didn't want to pull herself up into Dillon's arms. "I heard you were in the castle young lady. I suppose you were going to leave without seeing me," Sarah looked around to find Professor Quigley standing next to her and couldn't have been happier. "I suppose there's a good reason you're on the floor," she asked giving Sarah her hand and giggling. Dillon backed off slowly, turning pink as Sarah took her hand gratefully and then rewarded her with a hug.

"Yeah I'm as graceful as ever," she said hugging her tightly. Professor Quigley however was looking over Sarah's shoulder and into the very red face of Dillon Ratcliff.

"Well I seem to recall you're quite graceful in the air and I'm looking forward to seeing you and Mr. Ratcliff up there again." Sarah pulled back and looked at the Professor. She had a feeling that she had seen quite a bit, of what had just transpired between her and Dillon. Sarah was feeling very overwhelmed and found herself looking for Horatio.

"Relax Sarah take it one step at a time." Sarah didn't have to turn around. She should have felt her sooner than she had. Sarah drew a deep breath and managed to relax slightly.

"Too many things to take in at once Ma'am," whispered Sarah looking around at everyone.

"Then don't try to. Take them in one at a time," instructed Semiramise. She drew another deep breath and did as she was instructed. In a moment, she was able to look around at Dillon and Professor Quigley and manage to keep her head. That's when she realized that Professor Semiramise wasn't there. Sarah smiled.

"What are you grinning about?" asked Dillon looking at her curiously.

"Your hair," giggled Sarah. "I can't wait to tell Zoe."

"Oh very funny," said Dillon rolling his eyes. Professor Quigley stifled a laugh.

"I need to go and find Horatio," she said giving the Professor another quick hug. "He still owes me two questions." Dillon and Professor Quigley looked at Sarah like she was crazy. "Long story," she said laughing. She took each one of them by the arm and starting pulling them down the hallway toward the faculty corridor. "Professor, tell me what Horatio was like when he was here, did he have a girl friend?" Sarah asked looking quite mischievous.

"Now Sarah, I don't think it's my place to gossip about Dr. Kincaid," she said a slight lilt in her voice. Dillon snickered.

"Oh come on we're talking about Horatio he won't mind," continued Sarah giggling.

"So how is she?" asked Abydos handing Horatio a cup and sitting on his desk in front of him.

"I'd say she's getting close to no longer needing me," said Kincaid accepting the cup and leaning back into his chair. "I think I'm going to miss her," he admitted with a solemn smile.

"She has gotten to you," said Abydos with a sober face. Horatio rose and crossed to look out a window.

"Romulus are you sure about her?" he asked without turning around. Abydos looked down at the floor and then across to the back of Horatio's head.

"I have to admit that when Javier first came to me, I had doubts. Despite the fact that it was obvious the dark forces were after her, it was difficult to see that this frail child." He stopped and considered his hands. "After last year, I have no doubt. There are powerful forces at work in that child Horatio. She needs to get a grip on them. I cannot be around forever."

Horatio drew a deep breath and turned to face Abydos and as he did, he discovered Killainka standing in the doorway as well. He looked on either side of him and donned a puzzled expression. " Javier, I see you've lost my charge."

"She'll be along shortly," he said entering and taking the seat once occupied by Horatio. "She's wrestling with demons and one very melancholy thirteen year old boy."

Abydos shook his head. "Mr. Radcliff."

"Oh?" queried Horatio. "Something I should look into Javier?"

"No I'm sure Dillon's just going through a phase. Besides his parents are dealing with him as we speak," he explained smiling. Abydos chuckled.

"You know Mr. Kincaid we do manage rather well without you," said Abydos flatly. Kincaid looked into Abydos' eyes knowing full well that he was goading him, by continuing to call him Mr. Kincaid. Horatio drew a deep breath and pulled a cigarette out of the air. Killainka resisted the urge to burst into laughter and instead was readying himself for the ensuing fight when Sarah's voice pierced the tension.

"This is still the creepiest place in Dragon's Wood. Why in the world would you be here by choice?" Sarah grinned at the trio. She was still gripping Professor Quigley and Dillon's arms. Sarah watched as everyone paused and then began to laugh. Dillon surveyed the adults in the room and then stepped away from Sarah.

"Well Sarah I'll send you an owl," he said feeling terribly uncomfortable now.

"Where are you going?" asked Sarah watching him back away.

"I promised Dad I'd help him this afternoon. It was great seeing you again." Dillon backed his way quickly away from the door and was soon gone. Sarah stood there feeling slightly put out.

"It's not you Sarah believe me," said Killainka rising to his feet. "Dillon is wrestling with his own demons." Sarah drew a deep breath and nodded. Professor Quigley cleared her throat.

"Well Miss Nettleton I hear you're about to embark on a little journey." Sarah turned to face Professor Quigley.

"Yeah, I guess so," she said looking around at the Professor's faces now. The secure feeling that she had gotten when she first entered the school was slipping away; she was ready to go home. Horatio stood and pulled a large pocket watch from his jeans.

"I say it's about time for me to get you home." Sarah looked at him, sighed, and nodded.

Professor Quigley looked from Sarah to Horatio and smiled sadly. "Well," she said looking back to Sarah. "I suppose it won't be long. Just a couple of months and I'll have you back." Sarah once more forced a smile. "We've got to be ready for the Inter Murals after all." That was it this was all she could take. Sarah felt her emotions slipping again, Horatio stepped forward.

"Yes well I'm sure she'll be ready," he said stepping up beside Sarah and taking her hand. He squeezed it hard and catching her eye assured her with his that everything was going to be all right. Sarah nodded.

"Yes Professor I'll be ready," she said squeezing Horatio's hand in return. She then released it and stepped forward to embrace Professor Quigley. She then hugged Professor Abydos and lastly Killainka. "I'm coming back," she whispered in his ear when she did. Killainka smiled widely.

"I knew it all along," he whispered back. Sarah felt warmth sweep over her that she hadn't felt in a long time and she was able to pull back with confidence. There was also a sense of something she hadn't felt from him before, and Sarah suddenly remembered a conversation they had had just before her whole world had crashed. She found herself wanting to know why she looked like Jessica Bellarmine. Then she remembered the memory that Semiramise had implanted in her mind when she had visited her at St Michael's. She opened her mouth to bring these things up and then looked around, saw the others and decided not to. Killainka looked at her and sighed. He had been spared and he knew it.

Sarah pulled away and looked at Horatio. "Time to go huh?" Horatio nodded. She turned and said one last goodbye.

"Come on," said Horatio pulling her out the door. "One last stop." Sarah stepped out into the hallway with him and looked at his outstretched hand. She was afraid to take it, she had a feeling she knew where Horatio was headed. "Salright Sarah, trust me." Sarah reached over and took his hand. There was a flash of light and then darkness. "Lumos," said Horatio and Sarah drew a deep breath to look around.

"Horatio do we have to be here?" she asked looking around at the darkness.

"You tell me," he said pulling a cigarette.

Sarah was terrified. She could feel the anxiety building. "You brought me here," she whispered looking around.

"Remember Sarah I can only take you where you want to go," he said watching her eyes. Sarah was trembling now.

"Why would I want to come here?"

"Because it's the last thing you need to face," answered Horatio.

Sarah stepped backward in fear, tripped, and fell against the wall. Whoosh!

"I suppose that I should be delighted that you have such a loyal following my son. However at this moment it's just annoying." Sarah backed away.

Perhaps when she had faced Chinkana over a year ago she could handle his presence there across from her, but right now, it had taken her aback. No time to think though she found herself responding once more.

"I tell you what's annoying," began Sarah. "It has been thoroughly annoying to me and my friends that you have chosen to ruin our first year at school." She paused and moved two steps toward the Shadow pulling her friends with her. "And it's been thoroughly annoying that the people that would choose to follow you would refer to me as Mudblood, when the last time that we met, you expressed your desire to have me by your side."

Sarah turned and found Eric standing to her right, with Zoe and Dillon behind her. She was just about to come to term with the vision when. Whoosh!

Sarah looked down at her hands and saw the blood. "No, no! I won't!" she screamed looking up. She looked to her right and saw Dillon lying on the ground, and then to her left where she now caught the laughter rising. Sarah dropped the knife and she was holding and looked again at the blood that covered her robes. The pain in her leg was almost too much to bear. What had she done? She rose and pulled her wand from her pocket. It was real again she was there. "Have to kill her," she thought, "must save Dillon." Then out loud "I won't let you control me. You will pay for this!" Sarah pointed her wand toward the laughter. She would use whatever spell she could think of until she took her down.

"That's it Sarah, feel the anger, use that power to strike." She could hear the voice over the laughter.

"No," thought Sarah, "I'm not here, it's not real. This is only a memory." Sarah looked across toward the laughter and then down to her wand. She drew a deep breath. "I won't!" She let go of her wand and it fell to the ground. "You won't have me!"

Sarah opened her eyes, focused on Horatio and the light coming from his wand. He was extinguishing his cigarette. She looked around she was on the ground. "Horatio," she whispered. "I, I was there and I didn't. I, I mean Abydos didn't have to stop me," she stuttered. Horatio didn't say a word he just extended his hand. Sarah stood and took it.

Sarah felt the strange sensation once more and then she found herself on her father's front porch. Horatio was sitting in the chair with his feet propped up and she was sitting on the steps, holding Max. Sarah leaned against the post on the staircase and shook her head at Horatio. "If you think this is getting you out of the other two questions, you're sadly mistaken."

Horatio leaned back against the chair and pulled a cigarette. "Just think you have more time now to think about what you want to ask.."

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

Eric Turner sat with his forehead pressed to the steering wheel of his car. He hadn't slept well since long before he arrived home and things just weren't getting any better. It was the summer before his last year at Dragon's Wood; he wasn't supposed to be feeling like this. He was supposed to be having the time of his life. Especially since he was eighteen now and enjoying all of the benefits that went with coming of age as a wizard. Not only was he able to "do" magic outside of school, but also he was learning to apparate and would be taking the test soon to get his license.

He looked up and stared out across the lake. "You need to let go." Eric jumped.

"Damn it you scared me," he said turning to find Horatio sitting next to him. Horatio grinned.

"I'm happy to see you too, Mr. Turner." Horatio extinguished the cigarette he was holding and leaned back into the seat.

"You're Sarah's doctor," he said looking Horatio up and down.

"I prefer Shrink," he said with a chuckle. "Nice car, haven't seen one of these in years, one of my foster families had one." He looked around at the classic Dodge Dart he found himself in. "Yours is choice." Eric grinned.

"Thanks. My dad and I did most of the restoration ourselves," explained Eric. "It was a mess when I bought it. Saved up my money forever and got it right after my third year at Dragon's Wood." Eric sighed, got out of the car, walked around to the front, and sat on the hood. There was a "pop" and Horatio was sitting next to him.

"There's something about the Muggle methods of transportation that still fascinates me," he said pulling a cigarette from the air and taking a drag. "Though you have to admit apparating is more exciting."

Eric laughed. "I don't know I like the idea of apparating but I love my car." Horatio took another puff. "So?"

"So you want to talk about it?" he asked between puffs.

Eric looked off toward the lake. "About my visits to see Sarah?" Horatio nodded. "I should have been there for her and I wasn't. Maybe I'm visiting her because I'm still trying to make up for that by being there for her now."

"How can you say that you weren't there for her? If it hadn't been for you they wouldn't have found her that day," proposed Horatio.

"If I had paid better attention, it wouldn't have happened at all. We almost lost them both and I didn't do anything to stop it," he said staring out at the watery horizon.

"Hmm? So, you think that you of all people should have and could have single-handedly kept the dark forces away from Sarah Nettleton." Eric didn't respond. "You an under age wizard, not fully trained up?" Horatio taunted. Eric felt his face go hot.

"But I've known her my whole life. We have a bond that I thought was getting stronger." Eric trailed off. "I know what you're trying to do."

"I'm just trying to get you to see that there wasn't anything you could have done differently. There were wizards that were stronger and more powerful, fooled Eric, you need to let it go. Sarah needs you right now and she can't be around you if you are full of self pity." Eric turned to look at Horatio, his anger building, and then he thought about what he had said. It was time for him to let it go. He had done everything could do and if he hadn't gone looking for Sarah that day. He stopped on this thought and turned to look into Horatio's eyes. Horatio smiled and nodded. "That's right."

"Sarah was right about you," he said leaning back on his elbows.

"Oh?" said Horatio

"You have a way of getting on your nerves, yet," he paused and cracked a smile, "saying just the right thing." Horatio smiled widely.

"Oh she said that did she." He cleared his throat and extinguished his cigarette. "I suppose that I'll take that as a compliment even though I'm not sure that's how Miss Nettleton meant it." Horatio sniggered and Eric smiled. He reached over and placed a comforting hand on Eric's shoulder. "There are many open wounds at Dragon's Wood Eric, and only time will truly heal them all."

Eric looked over at Horatio and nodded. There would be more troubled nights of sleep, but Eric would no longer visit Sarah in her dreams and there would be no more shared headaches.