The Dreamkeeper's Secret

Chapter Six: To the Old and the New

"Do you have everything? Your books, your new robes? Max?" Elizabeth was spouting a verbal checklist, as she visualized it and watched John and Sarah loading things onto the railroad cart.

"Yes, mother," Sarah said with a hint of sarcasm. She was listening to a dozen or so other mothers give the same spiel on the platform in front of her and attempting not to laugh.

The Turners were loading two carts, or maybe three, Sarah was sure that Eric had bought out most of the Quidditch supplies section at Foot Locker, funny how she had never noticed the Quidditch supplies before. Perhaps he should have worn a sign about his neck that summer which read, Will work for Quidditch supplies. Sarah found that she was now giggling to herself at this thought.

"Are you listening to me?"

"Yes, Mom," Sarah lied, putting her last bag on the cart. John Nettleton winked at his daughter. The last few days he had sensed her unrest. Something had happened, he knew it, but Sarah hadn't shared it with him.

He reached over, took her hand, and squeezed it. Then he turned to Elizabeth. "It's all here Elizabeth, including the twenty-seven new outfits you two picked out for her to wear on her weekends to town."

"DAD!"

"Now John, we didn't buy twenty-seven. She just needed some new clothes. Not that I'm all that thrilled about her going to Chicago on weekend trips without us," fussed Elizabeth.

"Now Elizabeth, we discussed this and she'll be under the protection of the school and the teachers and--"

"She was under the protection of the school last year," snapped Elizabeth cutting him off.

"Mom," moaned Sarah, this time. "I know more this year, why can't I convince you that I'm going to be fine." Sarah kicked the cart.

"Sarah, calm down." John put his arm around her and pulled her close. "We're going to trust you. We agreed to let you go and participate in all the Inter-Mural activities." He said catching Elizabeth's eyes and giving her a stern look. Elizabeth sighed. "You'll be safe, I know you will." With this, he kissed her on the head. "And you'll need those twenty-seven new outfits."

"DAD!"

Elizabeth even laughed this time. "Come on," he said pulling both ladies toward the platform entrance.

By the time they had made it to the train, the Turners were there as well, loading both Turner children's luggage on. As usual, Tabatha pouted behind her mother. "Almost there," said her mother trying to pull her forward. Tabatha just grunted.

Eric gave his mother a kiss and told his Dad he would owl him soon. Then he gave Sarah an odd look and brushed past her, slipping something in her hand. Sarah felt the piece of paper and slid it in her pocket. He then hopped onto the train and disappeared.

"Well I suppose we should be off," she said looking around the platform nervously. She had noticed two Broughton students tugging at their parents and pointing at her and she no longer wanted to be in plain sight.

"Yeah or we'll loose our spots on the train." Zoe kissed her Dad. "Love ya'. I'll write you straight away," she said, after kissing her Mom.

"I'll be all right Mom, really," assured Sarah giving her mother another kiss on the cheek. Then she looked in her Dad's eyes. "They're only nightmares, Dad."

John drew in a deep breath and squeezed her hand. "The secret is to learn when the dream ends and the nightmare truly begins." Sarah looked at him curiously and then nodded.

"Come on!" insisted Zoe pulling her harder. Sarah smiled sadly as she allowed Zoe to pull her onto the train. The whistle blew loudly and the noise increased from the students and their animals.

They found Megan, William, Jeffrey and his brother Franklin, who was just starting this year. They had just settled into the cabin when the whistle blew again and the train started to move. She was really going back.

"I can't wait to get back," said Jeffrey, who was sitting not so surprisingly close to Zoe.

"It is going to be exciting this year," said Megan in her usual bubbly tone. "My Mom told me that there will be large groups from the other schools coming and they'll be there when the semester starts."

"Yeah, Dad says that his friends at work have been giving him lots of grief about it all. You know, it's bad enough that I go to an American school and all, but when we play the Canadian school, it's hell around the office, especially for Mum," piped up William.

Jeffrey snickered. "What? One of the Ministry's officials can't send their son to an American school?"

William laughed but blushed all the same. "Well, we live so close to the border and all."

"Face it Willie, Mum knows a good school when she sees it," said Jeffrey reaching over and slapping him on the back.

Megan giggled madly and took William's hand. It was then that Sarah began to notice it most. That strange uncomfortable feeling that she had been dreading since the beginning of summer. She watched Megan whisper something in William's ear and realized, all the things she really had missed last year.

Sarah looked away and tried not to think about it. Her friends had all become close while she was gone, while she had been away at St Michael's. She felt a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach. "I think I'm going to go for a walk," she said unexpectedly. She rose and started toward the door, but something stopped her. Pressed against the cabin door window were three faces. When they caught sight of Sarah they turned and ran. Sarah felt her stomach lunge. She fell against the wall of the cabin.

"Sarah," called Megan standing. "Are you all right?"

Zoe had seen the faces. "They're little pricks."

"Zoe!"

"Shut up Megan. You think they are too."

"Yes but I wouldn't say that," admitted Megan.

"Blow them off Sarah. You're better than they are," said William.

Sarah looked up at him, pale faced. "I suppose I had put all of this behind me, and now I have to do it all again."

"I say look at all of them and give them the evil eye. Your friends will know it's a joke and the stupid ones will be terrified and stay away from you," said Jeffrey with a chuckle. His brother scooted back in his chair away from him and Sarah. William and Zoe laughed.

"That's not funny Jeffrey," said Megan giving him a "mother" look. She stood and put her arm around Sarah. "No one's going to be afraid of you Sarah. We all know that you didn't have any control over what happened last year. The teacher's explained everything and anyone stupid enough to believe differently, well, is just stupid."

There was a collective moan from the rest of the room. "Megan."

"Well, they are."

"Thanks Megan, but I know that it's going to be hard going back, I'm prepared for it," resigned Sarah. Everyone exchanged concerned looks. Sarah sighed and shoved her hands in her pockets. She felt the piece of paper Eric had given her. "I'm going for a short walk anyway."

"I'll go with," said Zoe, after taking a nudging from Jeffrey. She then gave him an "I would have done it on my own," look and stood.

"No thanks, Zoe," she chuckled, "Jeffrey, I'd rather go by myself really," she said smiling at them both and then pulling away slowly from Megan. "I'll be fine." However, her stomach wasn't feeling all that fine.

Reluctantly, everyone allowed her to leave on her own. Cautiously, she started down the train corridor, dodging the few other students who were wandering there. Some whispered as she went by, some greeted her nervously, and asked her about her summer. No one asked her how she was and Sarah did not volunteer this information. Actually, she wasn't all that sure herself. She was lost in her thoughts when the arm reached around a corner and pulled her aside. Sarah let out a scream.

"That's an interesting greeting," said Eric with a chuckle. Sarah shook her head at him.

"I was just about to look at the note you slipped me."

Eric laughed again. "It said to meet me in the corridor after the train started." He stared into her eyes for a minute and then added, "I suppose I didn't need it."

'W-what did you want?" she asked avoiding what he had said.

Eric pulled her back further into the corner he had found them. "To talk and to give you this." He pulled a small box from his pocket. Sarah gasped and then felt silly for it. "I never got a chance to give you your birthday present. I left early from Chicago and wasn't there for the celebration so here." He pushed the small blue velvet box toward her. Sarah felt light headed.

"You didn't have to get me anything," she said, her face turning slightly pale.

"Go on, take it, it doesn't bite, I promise," he said with a chuckle.

Sarah looked into his eyes and then down to the box again before reaching for it. "What is it?" she asked nervously.

"Open it and you'll know," he said still chuckling.

Sarah didn't want to open it. It was obvious that it was jewelry and the thought of Eric giving her jewelry, even for her birthday, terrified her. How was she supposed to respond? What was she supposed to do about it? She still wasn't sure about the kisses they had exchanged.

"Go on," he insisted, pushing her arm.

Sarah looked at him and the box again, then slowly opened it. Inside was a long sliver chain and at the end was a small sapphire stone that was roughly shaped like a heart and surrounded by silver. Sarah drew in a deep breath. It was beautiful. "Eric, it's so," Sarah stopped talking. There was something about it that made it hard to think. "You shouldn't have."

Eric ignored her remark and reached for the box. He picked up the pendant and turned her around. "It's an amulet. It has a special spell on it to protect the wearer," he explained as he put it around her neck. "It's for when you're flying."

Eric spun her around and looked at her and the pendant. Sarah reached up and felt it around her neck. "You're crazy, but thank you." She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. She was warm, dizzy, and uncomfortable. However, Eric wasn't allowing her to get away. He took her around the waist again and pulled her into his arms. It was his turn to press their lips together. "Eric, what, I mean is," she sighed deeply after she pulled away. "You could have any girl. You're Head Boy." Sarah hadn't meant to fawn all over Eric and now she was feeling very foolish. She blushed brilliant red.

"So does that mean I can have you?" he asked with a sly smile.

"You're crazy," she repeated shaking her head.

Eric kissed her again. "Shut up before I change my mind."

Sarah giggled. "This is really about the Inter Murals. You want to make sure I don't defect to the other side."

"You're incorrigible, why am I in love with you?" said Eric chuckling.

Sarah felt her heart racing again. He couldn't say things like this. It didn't make any sense at all. She backed up and into a Broughton junior. "Sorry," she said stepping back against the windows of the train. The junior looked terrified.

"It's all right, you didn't do anything wrong, it was all my fault." He was rambling.

Eric looked at Sarah and then the junior. "Mike, it's cool, really."

The boy nodded and then, after looking at Sarah one last time, went on down the corridor. Sarah watched him walk away and then turned to look out the windows. "It's going to be like that all year, if not forever."

"It's not going to be like anything. They, I mean, Sarah you're just going to have to deal. You're strong, look how far you've come." Eric took her arm and turned her around. "And I'll be by your side."

"This is pity. This," she pulled on the pendant, "is you feeling bad because you didn't save me quick enough. The kissing is nonsense and-"

"That's enough!" There was anger in his eyes and Sarah saw it. "You and I have a bond, something special that no one can break and you can't deny it." Sarah remained silent. "You know more about me, and I you, than anyone else. Tell me that you don't feel something for me and I'll walk away. Tell me that you don't want a relationship and I'll go find someone else."

"It's not that simple and you know it. What can I give you? I'm thirteen, barely even a teenager." Sarah was so embarrassed she was sure she could fry an egg on her face. Eric was only the second boy, okay man, who she had ever kissed and she wasn't sure Dillon counted since he took her off guard and she didn't really kiss back. "Shit," thought Sarah, "I'm rambling in my head."

"Do you think I want sex from you?" asked Eric raising his eyebrows.

Sarah nearly choked. "No," she answered and then, after hesitating, she added. "That's just silly." Eric smiled his wicked little smile again.

"Sarah, you have it in your head that because I'm older than you that I want more from you than someone would want who was your age."

Sarah analyzed what he said. "Well?"

"I can't just want what you would want."

"You're deliberately confusing me Eric Turner."

Eric chuckled. "Not deliberately. Can we just take this one-day at a time? I really care for you Sarah, and yes, I'd like to do more than just be your best friend's brother." He leaned in and kissed her again. "Kissing you is rather nice," he said after pulling back.

Sarah nodded obediently and ran her hand across the pendant absent-mindedly. "Yes, it is."

Eric went to lean in again to kiss her; Sarah closed her eyes and waited for it. However, this time it would be a Griffin that would interrupt.

"Well, well, so the little bitch has the guts to show her face again after what she did."

Sarah made fists at her sides, but Eric remained calm. He drew Sarah to his side and turned to greet the aggressor. "Go screw yourself, Malcolm."

"Oh my, such language from the Head Boy," said the greasy haired youth.

Eric stepped forward and into his face. "Yes, indeed I am Head Boy and it would be good to remember that this year and to remind your brother of it as well."

"Brothers," corrected Griffin. "My youngest brother Sylvester is starting this year."

Sarah laughed. Malcolm glared at her. "Think something is funny, bitch?"

It was clear that the last comment had pushed Eric over the edge. He reached across, grabbed Malcolm by his collar with his left hand, and pushed him against the corridor wall. "I do believe you've opened your mouth one too many times." He balled his right fist and prepared to punch him.

"No!" screamed Sarah.

Eric flew back against the windows of the train and then dropped to the floor. Griffin looked at Eric, then Sarah and then took off down the corridor, a look of terror on his face. Sarah's face went from red to white. She turned to run but Eric grabbed her by the leg. "My turn to say no."

"Eric, please," she pleaded without turning or looking his way.

Eric pushed himself off the floor. "Don't be angry with yourself because you stopped me from doing something foolish."

Sarah looked at him dumb-founded. "You're nuts!"

"Well, you could have just asked me not to," he admitted rubbing the back of his head. Sarah started to cry. "It's all right. I'm all right, really." Sarah buried her head in his chest. "Or you can hurt me and then cry on me; that's good too." Sarah couldn't help it, she started to laugh. She leaned back and hit him. "Hey!"

"You're the one who's incorrigible, Eric Turner!" Eric laughed this time. Sarah laughed with her for a moment and then they both got quiet. "They'll be a lot more like him, than like you and Megan and the others."

"Not as many as you think. Does it matter? You know the truth and Dillon and Professor Radcliff." He put his arm around her.

Sarah drew in a deep breath. "I'll survive, right?"

"It's all about the Inter Murals, Sarah Nettleton," he said waving his free hand about. "You'll be way too busy helping lead Dragon's Wood to the ultimate victory to be concerned about all this nonsense anyway."

Sarah laughed and shook her head. "You are losing your mind, Eric Turner!"

"Come on, I'll walk you back to Zoe and the others." Sarah nodded.

The rest of the train ride was rather uneventful. Sarah neglected to tell Zoe or any of the others in the car what happened to her in the corridor with Eric, or any of it. She had slid the pendant behind her shirt and left it there.

Eric didn't stay long. After talking Quidditch with Jeffrey for a moment or two, he had been off. "Head Boy stuff to do," he said with a wink to Zoe.

"There's going to be no living with him this year," she said with a moan. "The Inter-Murals and Head Boy." Everyone had laughed.

Sarah had been very quiet and everyone had let her be. She was very grateful when the train pulled into Dragon's Wood Station.

As Sarah exited the train, she heard Professor Quigley's voice calling the sixth graders toward her. She searched for her in the crowd and caught her eye. Professor Quigley winked and smiled. It gave Sarah a warm feeling. She found the Dragon's Wood locket under her robes next to the pendant that Eric had given her just a short while ago, and rubbed it between her fingers. So much to think about it, she was lost in her memories when Professor Radcliff called out for the other students to quickly board the tram.

"Hey, we need to get." Zoe was pulling on the sleeve of her robe.

"Coming."

Their small gang moved off the platform and boarded the tram. Megan elbowed Zoe when they had started up the hill. "No Dillon," she whispered. Zoe scowled at her.

"I can see no Dillon too, Megan." Sarah didn't look at either of them as she spoke.

It was Zoe's turn to elbow Megan. "Ouch!"

William was about to make some sort of intervention when the tram came to the top of the hill and they could see the front of the school. There was a collective "gasp" from the student body and then everyone began to point and talk at the same time loudly.

It seemed the front of the school had been decorated with the school colors from all three schools. Or so they would soon be told. "Look, they've decorated the front of the school in the colors of not just Dragon's Wood, but Académie De Recoin D'Ombre and Escola De Quatro Cantos, as well," rattled off Zoe. Sarah's eyes widened and she turned to look at her best friend.

"Hello?"

Zoe blushed. "Well, I looked up a few things about them, that's all."

Sarah shook her head and chuckled.

"Say the name of the Canadian school again, it sounds better when you say it. I butcher French and I'm Canadian," said William laughing.

Zoe repeated it. "Académie De Recoin D'Ombre, it does sound beautiful, doesn't it?"

"Kind of romantic," swooned Megan.

William put one arm around her and pulled her closer. "Don't get any ideas."

"Isn't Escola De Quatro Cantos where Professor Murphy came from?" asked Zoe ignoring Megan and William.

"Yeah," said Jeffrey scooting closer to her this time. "It's also where Professor Killainka graduated from."

"Cool!" said Zoe trying not to swoon.

"I can't wait to meet the boy Professor Killainka paired me up with," said William.

Sarah looked at him curiously.

"Yeah, this whole exchange thing should be really cool," echoed Zoe.

"What are you two talking about?" asked Sarah.

"Oh, right, you weren't here," said Zoe with an oddly pained look.

"Well, at the end of last year they asked us if we'd like to host one of the students for the Inter-Murals," explained Megan giving Zoe a stern look for not saying anything all summer. "Didn't Zoe tell you?"

"I forgot. It's not like we weren't busy doing other things," said Zoe shooting daggers in return.

"Stop it you two," said Jeffrey, "Before I have to hose you down." He chuckled. "The students from the other schools are staying in the dorms with some of the students is all. The Professor's asked us at the end of last year." He reached over and put one hand on Sarah's shoulder. "They weren't asking Quidditch team members anyway, we have enough on our plate." Sarah forced a smile and nodded.

The tram had now made its way to the front of the school and stopped. Everyone jumped to their feet and, talking loudly, headed toward the front of the school. Sarah was the last to stand. Jeffrey turned back. "You all right?"

Sarah nodded. "It's just a bit much." She noticed that she was drawing a bit of attention from some of the juniors and sophomores.

"Screw them, it's going to be a great year. We're going to win this tournament and make it through eighth grade without any Dreamwalkers."

Sarah looked at him like he was mad and then shook her head. "All right Brooklyn, I'm going to hold you to that."

"It's guaranteed Iowa!" he said with a wink.

Sarah ignored the prying eyes as they followed the rest of the school into the entrance and eventually the Great Hall.

In the Great Hall, they found that it too had been decorated in the colors of the three schools. The Crests of the other two schools had been added along side the Dragon's Wood Crest. In the center of the room, another long table had been added along side the three that normally were there. Sarah and their small group all passed it, talking loudly about what was to come as they went to their usual table.

The Bellarmine table as always was a buzz with chatter until Professor Killainka called the room to order. It was then, after everyone grew silent, that Professor Quigley entered with the sixth graders, and the Choosing Ceremony was performed. Bellarmine acquired eleven new members, five girls, and six boys. Sarah hadn't paid much attention to any of the ceremony, however; she had been too busy surveying the room. Not only had Dillon not been at the train station to greet them, he was not in the Great Hall or the Bellarmine table.

"Where do you think Dillon is?" Zoe asked after the new students had taken their seats.

Sarah shrugged. Professor Killainka again rose and the room once again quieted. "Welcome to another year at Dragon's Wood and a glorious year it will be." There was a buzz of chatter that showed the students agreed, then the room grew quiet once more. "In addition to the new students this year, I would like to welcome a new addition to our staff." Killainka motioned to his right where a young man who was seated next to Abydos now stood. Sarah's eyes widened. "I would like you all to welcome our apprentice Dark Arts teacher, Jakob Whitmore." There was a rather subdued round of applause and some mumbling amongst some of the older students. "Many of you may recognize Mr. Whitmore from his time here as a student. I expect you to respect him as you do Professor Abydos." Sarah watched Jakob look nervously from the students to the Professor and then back to the students again. The mumbling subsided. Killainka smiled at him and then he sat. "Now that our school is complete, it's time to introduce the others."

Sarah didn't have time to think about Jakob as Killainka raised his hands and all the doors to the Great Hall opened. The room gasped collectively, everyone sitting up and looking around. From the side door first teachers in long flowing robes, and then students, began to file in.

On the left side, the students were dressed in dark green velvet robes trimmed out with white fir. They were all wearing lace up moccasin boots. You could see them as they walked. Leading them off was very tall gentleman wearing dark green robes who chuckled as he walked. His students walked quickly to keep up with him.

At the very same time from the right side of the Hall, a great commotion erupted, causing everyone to turn. There was a loud scream, like the cry of some kind of wild animal. Sarah recognized immediately that it had come from the scantily clad young man who had just ran through the door, followed by two beautiful young ladies all with dark skin and long black hair. They all three wore bright colored ceremonial clothing that covered only what was necessary. The young man was playing a drum and calling out a chant in a language that Sarah didn't recognize. It was beautiful and mesmerizing all the same.

"What the hell?" said Zoe, taking an elbow from Megan. She scowled.

"They're wonderful," whispered Megan.

Sarah couldn't help but agree with Megan but she did so silently. She was now taking in the Faculty and the students of the Mexican school who walked in next proudly watching the others who had begun to dance. Killainka smiled widely and Sarah saw him wink at the tiny woman who was leading the pack. The students were dressed in bright yellow robes and they wore sandals on their feet. They followed the adults in, all of them swaying to the music as well.

"Yeah, they're all right. However, personally I think the Recoin D'Ombre is much cooler. I was reading over the summer and there are some students that go there who are descendants of an ancient tribe. The crazy part is that they are all supposed to be dead," explained Zoe shifting her eyes back to the left where the students were had now reached the head table and turned to face the Dragon's Wood students.

Even Megan looked impressed. Sarah watched the last of the Mexican school file past them and stand next to the Canadian school, then slid closer to Zoe and starred.

She couldn't help but stare at them, one by one, as Professor Killainka brought the room to order again, and then proceeded to introduce the Headmistress and Headmaster of each school. Sarah only heard their names as background information. She had come eye to eye with one of the taller of the D'Ombre students. She was pale skinned with long black hair and gray eyes, and there was something about her eyes. It was like they could see through her.

Sarah felt a cold chill, but she couldn't take her eyes away. The girl smiled widely and the chill was replaced with warmth that filled every cavity of her being. Sarah jumped and knocked an empty water glass from the table.

"What are you doing?" Zoe asked, looking at her like she was mad. Sarah shook her head. When she had turned, the girl was now looking toward the head table. "You're zoning again." Zoe scolded. Zoe then began to bob up and down. "Look, look, there's Dillon." She was pointing to the door to the back of the head table where Dillon was entering with four other students, one from each of the Houses. They were each wearing their full Quidditch uniforms and carrying the flags that represented the school and the four houses. Zoe waved madly at him. Sarah watched his cheeks blush pink as he walked by their table and stopped in front of the others.

She felt a sickening feeling wash over her. She was panicking. Dillon, the ceremony, the students, it was all too much for her to take in at once. Sarah caught the eyes of the dark haired beauty again. Whoosh!

Sarah felt the wind rushing through her hair and rain against her face. It was one of Eric's blinding Quidditch matches. She discovered this as a bludger grazed the side of her face at a mad pace toward the stands. She could hear the crowd gasp and somewhere in the distance she could hear a voice scream, "Watch out!"

"Sarah, look!!"

Sarah fell forward this time, sending her water glass crashing to the floor. The room fell silent.

This is how she had imagined it was going to be. Why had she allowed herself to return?

Sarah didn't hesitate; she ran from the Great Hall. No one missed her exit.

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