Where Your Dreams End

Chapter One: Coming Soon

Sarah rolled over but did not open her eyes; after all if she did she might have to admit to the world that she was awake. Perhaps if she could manage to go back to sleep it wouldn't have to be today. Maybe she could wake up again yesterday. "Don't be ridiculous Sarah Jane," said the voice inside her head, "eventually you are going to have to go downstairs and face all the happy smiling people."

It was at this moment, that Max, Sarah's large, fluffy house cat, plopped down on her face as though to tell her he would have no part of her lolly gagging, or perhaps to remind her that the only thing he cared about was the lack of food and water in his bowl. "Alright, Alright" she said out loud pushing him off of her face, "I'll get up". And that she did, continuing to gripe out loud, " I'll go down to the bright and sunny kitchen, have the wonderful breakfast that Miss Abigail has made me and then I'll have the magnificent Birthday that my wonderful and perfect family wants me to have." Sarah stopped, looked down at Max, who was now rubbing in and out against her legs and smiled, "I suppose that wouldn't be all that bad," then she sighed and said "of course until Daddy shows up."

Rubbing her eyes she turned the hot water on in the shower to let it warm up and looked at herself in the mirror. " I don't look a year older," she thought, "maybe no one will notice." Climbing into the shower she contemplated the next twelve hours of "family fun". But she absolutely was not going to let this day turn out like all of the other birthdays that she could remember and her only hope of that was Zoe. "Miss Abigail," she called as she came into the kitchen, trying to act surprised, "has Zoe called because she's supposed to--"

However, she had no chance to finish this sentence as an elderly woman stepped from behind the door and yelled "Surprise" as she entered the room. She had a heavy British accent and was rather portly in size. Pretending, the best that she could, total and complete amazement, Sarah smiled at the large plate of pancakes and sausage that was being pushed lovingly into her hands. Sarah had known Miss Abigail all her life and loved her like a member of her family. "Happy Birthday Miss," she said as Sarah took her breakfast, "were you surprised?"

"Every year you get me." Replied Sarah with her usual white lie. She smiled and then paused to let her appreciation soak in. Sitting down in the breakfast nook and taking a bite she "Mmmmmmed" gratefully and then decided to ask about her friend again. "Miss Abigail, has Zoe called, because we're supposed to go down to the Mall together this morning?"

"No Miss," said Abigail, "but then again when have you known Miss Zoe to be on Time?"

"I heard that," said a voice from behind. A tall skinny preteen with wavy brown hair and dark brown eyes came stalking in the back door as casually as if she lived there. "And I resemble that remark."

"Zoe, it's about time you got here, I thought I would have to eat breakfast by myself," Sarah cried.

"Good Morning Miss Zoe, I have your breakfast in the oven," said Abigail.

"Thank you, Mrs. Finch, you are the most wonderful person in the world and Sarah and her mom don't pay you near enough mind to deserve you." The young girl said as she plopped down in the seat next to Sarah

"Alright now Miss, we'll be having none of that today." She said with a smile as she placed another large plate of food in front of the girl. "You, young lady," she said trying to fake a frown, "need to eat it all. You'd do well to put a little more meat on them bones."

"Yes, Ma'am," Zoe said smiling, "I'll try."

Abigail shook her head at them both, then smiled herself and took her leave to go tend to other secrets brewing for the day. When she had gone, and after Zoe had checked to make sure, she took a large bite of sausage and then drew closer to Sarah to ask, "So when does the bickering begin?"

"Well, " said Sarah after swallowing a bite, " I figure Mom will have arranged the surprise party for about six, so Dad ought to show up about six fifteen, you know just in time to ruin everything." She scowled, " Wouldn't it be nice if I was wrong, wouldn't it be nice if just once they wouldn't turn my birthday, or for that matter any holiday, into a reason to argue about everything that has anything to do with my life." She paused and took another bite, swallowing, "I mean honestly it's a good thing there's only one grade school in Clear Lake or they'd probably argue about that."

"I'm not sure Sarah, but if there's a way to do it, your parents will find it." Zoe paused as though she was contemplating a way out of this conversation, "Maybe they'll decide to send you abroad," she said with an air of dignity. There was a brief moment of silence and then they both burst into laughter that almost brought tears to their eyes.

"Zoe," Sarah exclaimed, " I sometimes don't know what I would do without you." They gave each other a long hug and then finished their breakfast before Miss Abigail could reenter the room to investigate what they were up to. But before she could say anything to them though a tall and beautiful sophisticated woman with strawberry blond hair and blue eyes came wandering into the kitchen dressed very properly in a gray pinstriped suit and heels. She looked a great deal as Sarah did, the hair and eyes matched, the only difference being the air of royalty that seemed to follow the woman into the room, compared to the awkwardness of the pre teenager at the table. And then there was Sarah's hair that was shoulder length and wavy, where as her mothers was long and always up and tight.

Zoe had once made just such a comment, "You know Sarah, your mom is just like her hair, always up and always tight. Get it up tight?" Sarah hadn't thought it very funny.

"Good Morning, Sarah," said the woman, sounding so professional, "Good Morning, Zoe." Then she crossed and gave her daughter a very polite kiss on the top of her head and added, "Happy Birthday." Sarah blushed and then the two girls answered "Good morning" to her in stereo, which obviously did not surprise the woman who continued to speak. "I suppose you have a splendid day of mischief planned?" she asked smiling.

"Of course not Mrs. Nettleton" replied Zoe, "we'd never do anything like that." However the looks that they gave each other showed that neither of them believed this to be the truth.

"Mom," started Sarah, "you said you had to go into the office so Zoe and I planned to go down to the Mall and, you know, do a little window shopping." And then as though to head off any objections she added, "Zoe's brother is going with us and he promises that we won't get kidnapped or eaten by wolves." Sarah grinned as largely as she could, after all it was a wonderful thing that her mother constantly worried about her safety although it absolutely drove her nuts.

Mrs. Nettleton paused and contemplated her answer. She knew that the girls were not being totally truthful, but she also knew that they were good girls and very careful when they were out in public. "I suppose," she said trying to look doubtful, "If you swear that you will be very careful and back in this house by six o'clock."

Sarah leaned toward Zoe and whispered, "Told you," when her mother turned her back. Zoe held back the urge to burst into laughter and nearly choked as Mrs. Nettleton turned around and glared at them both. They both swore and groveled gratefully, the last bites of their food down their throats so they could exit before she changed her mind. "Eric's not going to follow us around the mall is he?" Asked Sarah as they made their way across the back yard and out onto the main road.

"Are you kidding," replied Zoe. "His new girlfriend's working in the food court, all he'll be doing is cooing and wooing Annabelle Sutton for the next few hours." Then she made several lovesick faces at Sarah before they both collapsed into hysteria. After several minutes of silent walking, Zoe asked " Sarah, what did ya' ask your mom and dad for?"

Sarah frowned, "I actually got up the guts this year to ask them not to fight." She paused, then stopped under a large maple tree and sat down. "You know I can't remember a birthday that I didn't find myself hiding in a closet by the end of the evening wishing for a mom and dad who didn't fight. I'd give anything to have your mom and dad, Zoe, even if they included a bossy big brother and a bratty little sister."

Zoe sat down too and put her arm around her, "Okay, I'll tell Bill and Glenda that you'll be moving in on Sunday."

Sarah slapped her on the shoulder and Zoe laughed. "Aw come on Zoe, I know you don't think they're, perfect, but your parents are closer to the American Dream than mine, even if your dad spends so much time in Washington, I'm used to that."

"Well they're not "The Huxtables ", but they'll do in a pinch." Zoe saw that Sarah was stressing and decided to change the subject. "You know if we don't hurry Eric's going to sell our seats to two other beautiful young ladies and we'll be walking to the Mall. Sarah nodded in agreement and picked herself up to continue to walk.

It was a beautiful late summer day. Not a cloud to be seen from horizon to horizon. As they walked down the tree-lined street, Sarah wondered what it would be like to live somewhere else. Her mom traveled a lot, but never took her along. It was always not the right time or not the right place for a young lady to go to. Her father also traveled so often that she saw him only once or twice a month at best. Sometimes though Sarah thought this a blessing, since it meant less time for her divorced parents to fight. Countless therapists had repeatedly told her that their arguing was not her fault, yet she couldn't help to think that every unpleasant memory seemed to involve something that had to do with her life. But at this moment the sun shining on her face reminded her of peaceful walks in the park when she was five and Christmas' where unfamiliar faces pinched her rosy cheeks and told her she would do great things when she grew up.

"Hey," Zoe cried punching her in the arm, " quit day dreaming Eric's going to see you and laugh his butt off." Sarah looked up to realize they had made it to Zoe's house and Eric, her tall lanky teenage brother stood rinsing the soap off his vintage Dodge Dart. Before she had a chance to pull herself together he spoke.

"There they are, Frick and Frack, the Dudley Sisters. And as usual Zoe's stomping along and Sarah has her head in the clouds." Sarah blushed; Eric had always been like a brother to her, however recently he had become more and more attractive as he arrived home from school each year. It was true that Eric had been getting increasingly handsome, but Sarah was also getting older and developing preteen feelings and seeing him in t-shirt washing his car made her feel highly uncomfortable. He was a good foot taller than Zoe but had her general features. He had dark brown wavy hair that cropped below his ears and down to the nape of his neck and looked normally like it hadn't been combed in days. His eyes were also dark brown and seemed to be bottomless, as Sarah had often stared into them.

"Yeah, yeah Big Brother, give us a break." Zoe spouted walking up the front drive, "Quit polishing the muscle car and get ready to give us a ride. After all," she said teasingly, "Annabelle will be getting awful lonely without her "Teddy Bear". And with this Eric pointed the water hose directly at Zoe and Sarah who screamed and proceeded to attack him with soap soaked sponges from his nearby bucket.

"All right, all right, that's enough," fussed Zoe and Eric's mother coming out of the house.

"Good morning, Mrs. Turner." Sarah said immediately, dodging the last soapy sponge that Zoe threw.

"Happy Birthday Sarah," said Mrs. Turner, "I see that you have returned my wild child to the den." Trying very hard not to crack a smile she turned to scold her children. "I'm surprised that your car is clean at all considering all the soap and water is on you and not the car." Eric and Zoe looked at each other smiled. The next thing Sarah new they were throwing soapy sponges at their mother.

"That's enough," scolded Mrs. Turner, "You need to get your selves to the mall before you get in trouble."

"Yes mother," said Eric and Zoe sarcastically.

"Sarah, I'm going into the house to get my money. I'll be right back," Zoe said heading toward the door.

Sarah nodded and sat down on the front porch swing to enjoy the sunshine. few minutes passed as she thought about families and birthdays and how wonderful it would be if her family was as loving as Zoe's. Occasionally, Sarah stayed at Zoe's overnight; each time was always more wonderful than the last. Sure the Turners were a little different at times, but maybe that's the way normal families were, she wouldn't know, she had never known what a normal family was like. Her parents had been divorced since she was five and then spent most of their time trying hard not to be a family. Sarah suddenly realized she had been starring at a large bird that had glided gently to perch in a nearby tree. "That's an owl," she said out loud to herself.

"What?" asked Zoe coming out of the house?

Sarah jumped and turned to meet her eyes. "Over there," she said pointing, "There's an owl in that tree."

Zoe followed Sarah's finger to find the empty tree. "Where?" she asked, looking bewildered.

"Over there." Sarah turned again to also find the tree empty. "Well it's not there any more."

"Honestly, Sarah, don't you remember third grade science? Owls are nocturnal, you know, they only come out at night." Zoe patted her on the head. "Perhaps you're losing the rest of your marbles."

"Ha, ha" she squinted at the tree again and shrugged.

At this time, Eric came bursting through the door properly dressed, "Time to go ladies. Mason City here we come."

In the car Sarah again became engrossed in thought, first thinking of her mom, then her dad and the Turners, then Zoe. Then she remembered the owl. "I must be losing my mind," she thought.

Southbridge Mall was as crowded as you would expect for a Tuesday afternoon even in the summer time. There were a few kids like Zoe and Sarah hanging around the arcade and food court, including Eric, and some moms and their kids shopping for school clothes. Wouldn't be long now, thought Sarah, before school would start and sixth grade would be upon them. As they made their way through they talked about school and boys and families. They talked about new clothes and what they would like most in life. "You know Zoe, I complain all the time about my parents, but I suppose that my life is not all that bad. I have my family and I love them all. Not everyone can say that."

"Yeah, and you have me," she paused and smiled. "What else do you need?"

Sarah smiled and then stopped suddenly. She was fixated on a store. Zoe stopped and looked at her strangely. "What?" she asked looking at her like she was crazy.

"What's that?" she asked, "I've never seen that store before."

Again Zoe looked at her curiously. "What store are you talking about?" she asked.

"That book store over there," Sarah said pointing to her left. Her finger then dropped.

"Well it was there." Sarah looked around; perhaps she walked past it. "There was a book store there just a minute ago, I swear." She spun in a circle again and stopped when she came back to the empty storefront.

"Sarah I think you're in the Twilight Zone today. There's never been a store there." She pointed at the sign that was placed in front of the empty storefront that said "Coming Soon". "It's been "coming soon" since the place opened." She pause and then changed the subject, "Come on, it's about time to meet Eric. Your mom will kill us if we're late."

Eric dropped off Sarah at her house and took Zoe to get ready for the "Surprise" Party. Mrs. Nettleton met Sarah at the door and convinced her that she should go to her room and change since it was her birthday and you should look your best at all times. So she did and about six o'clock she strolled down the stairs in her Sunday best.

"Surprise!" was yelled from every possible direction as she arrived at the foot of the stairs. Sarah did her best to smile and act it, but it was the same every year and she was not surprised at all. Zoe rolled her eyes as countless adult friends of her moms hugged and pinched her cheeks, reciting, "Oh how she's grown and look how beautiful she is." And then, just when Sarah and Zoe thought that the circus couldn't possibly get any worse, the doors swung open and in he walked.

He seemed to be the exact opposite of her mom. His suit was wrinkled and didn't seem to fit well, it was large and hung on him like cape. His hair, not strawberry blond like Sarah and her mom, was sandy colored and unkempt. Disorganization could have been his middle name, yet Sarah's eyes lit up when he entered the room and she ran, jumped, and landed in his loving arms. "Hey pumpkin," he said, smiling.

"Daddy, Daddy, I thought you'd never get here," she whispered, bringing an ear-to-ear smile to his face. Then she added, "Promise you won't fight?"

Sarah's father held his smallest finger up and whispered "pinky promise."

"Late as usual." Sarah's mom had now entered the picture, no smile on her face.

However he did smile and replied, "nice to see you again, Elizabeth."

"Same, I'm sure." She mocked. "Do you think you could allow our daughter to enjoy the rest of the guests at her party?"

He leaned forward and glared into her eyes, "You mean, your guests at your party don't you?" he paused and then said, "the only guest I see that's Sarah's' is Zoe."

"I'm not going to have this argument with you at this time, John. Not tonight." She gave a very different look and then walked away dragging Sarah. Sarah looked over her shoulder and mouthed, "I'll be back."

As the night went on John tried to mingle with Elizabeth's friends, but mostly hung out with Zoe. They seemed to be discussing something very secretive every time Sarah looked their way. She figured that it had something to do with her fathers present. By about seven-thirty, her mother had stopped shadowing her long enough that Zoe could sneak her out to her father who was waiting in the back yard. "Daddy," she said hugging him again.

"I'm going inside," Zoe said with a smile, "I'll come back in a little while."

Sarah gave her a puzzled look, "Okay."

"I suppose she knows what you got me for my birthday?" she asked.

"Not exactly"

Sarah scowled, "what are you two up to?"

John Nettleton paused for a moment, looked into her eyes and then reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue parchment envelope. "It's for you," he said slowing pushing it at her.

"Ooh, did you get me a gift certificate?" she asked reaching for it.

"Not exactly," he repeated.

Sarah took the envelope from him and then starred at it for a moment. "What was it?" she thought. It was addressed to Sarah at her fathers address.

"I told them to send it to my house, I knew you wouldn't get it if it came here." He paused, "Your mother would never except Owl Post."

Sarah looked at him like he was crazy and looked again at the envelope. She was now suddenly afraid to open it. After a long pause she peeled back the flap and removed the two pages inside. As she read her eyes grew wider and wider.

Dragon's Wood Academy

Of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Javier Killainka, Dean

Dear Miss Nettleton,

It is a great pleasure to announce that you have been accepted at Dragons Wood Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of items that you will need to complete your school year successfully. We are looking forward to seeing you at the beginning of the first semester, September 1^st. Please send your return information by Owl as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Gene Robinson

Professor Gene Robinson

Assistant Dean

Sarah read the letter twice. Then as though she finally had gotten the joke she burst into laughter. "Good one Dad," she said searching her dad's face for a smile. "It's a joke right?" Sarah's father did not answer he just lifted her hand and gestured for her to read on. So she moved to the second page and read.

Dragons Wood Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Sixth Graders Will Need the Following Supplies

Uniform

Standard Navy Robes

Standard Navy Pointed Hat for Day Wear

Protective Gloves Dragon Hide or Better

Winter Cloak with Gold Clasps for Outdoor Wear

Books

All students should bring one copy of each:

Standard Book Of Spells, Sixth Grade, Monica Bradsworth

The History of Magic, Bathilda Baagshot

Transfiguration and You, Rafael Ravensworth

Potions, Potions and Potions, Eurich Livingston

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander

A Beginners Guide to Fungi, Matilda Simple

The Dark Arts and its Victims, Roger Detwilder

Computer Viruses, Whiz kid or Wizardry, Malcolm Beanscloth

Other Necessary Equipment

1 wand

1 cauldron (aluminum, size 2)

1 set of glass or crystal vials

1 telescope

1 set of brass scales

1 package of Floppy disks 250 capacity or better

Students may also bring an owl, or a cat, or a toad.

Also, Lap Tops are encouraged, but not required.

Parents are reminded that although flying will be taught, Sixth Grade students should not bring their own brooms.

She thought for a moment, neither she nor her father spoke a word. Then she took a deep breath and asked, "Okay, so if it's not a joke, what is it?"

Her father gave a low sigh and smiled encouragingly then spoke. "I know that all of your life you have known that your mother and I fight a lot about you and your life. We have tried not to let you know this, but you are very intelligent and I know that you know." He paused again to see her reaction, but there was none, he continued, "when your mother and I met I decided that I needed to keep a secret from her. Like it or not I made that decision and eventually it turned out to be the wrong one. I'm a Wizard Sarah." He stopped again looking for a reaction. This time Sarah obliged.

"You've totally lost your mind, right dad?" she asked, but deep in her heart she knew she was wrong.

"Sarah, think hard now," he said looking into her eyes as though he was hypnotizing her. "Remember when you were little and you first met Max? You were five and mom and I thought that it wouldn't be smart for you to sleep with him. We took him away and the next thing we new he was flying across the room, and into your outstretched arms." John Nettleton looked pale and stressed, searching for a light in Sarah's eyes that wasn't there. He continued, " I was able to play it off but the more strange things that happened around you, the more I knew I had to tell your mother the truth. So one day I did. I think the fact that I had lied to her for more than seven years made her angrier than the fact that I was a Wizard. So we argued and we fought and eventually we split, but you had to be dealt with. The state courts gave your mother custody since I was away so much. But the Wizarding world made your mother promise that when you were old enough you would be given the right to choose."

Sarah could no longer contain herself. "This has got to be the craziest thing that I have ever heard." Her anger and confusion could be seen and then suddenly felt. As she raised her arms to express her anger a flowerpot flew suddenly across the garden, barely missing her and her dad, busting against the wall shattering into dozens of pieces. She stopped cold. Had she done that?

John leaned forward and pulled his daughter into a bear hug. "Here," he said pulling another wrapped gift from his pocket, "A bit of light reading perhaps to answer some questions."

Before Sarah could grab the package however, a large object came swooping out of the sky scaring the wits out of her, but not alarming her father at all. To the contrary he held his arm out so that the creature, which had now come close enough for Sarah to realize it was a large tawny owl, could land. "Good evening Socrates," he said to the bird, stroking him lovingly. The bird nibbled at his hand affectionately in return. "This is Socrates," explained her father reaching into his pocket and pulling out a treat for the owl, he then looked at his leg which had a piece of gold parchment tied to it, "and it looks as though he has a message for me." John Nettleton removed the parcel from the owl's foot and the bird flew up to a nearby tree to eat.

His face expressed a hint of stress as her folded the note and slipped it into his breast pocket. "I must go," he said suddenly, "however, I will see you this weekend?" he asked. Sarah nodded numbly. She didn't know what to say. "It will be all right I promise." He assured. "We will talk until everything is clear. In the mean time look at your present." Sarah looked down, she had forgotten about the unopened present in her hand. "And I never asked you to do this," he began, "However, please don't tell your mother about our conversation just yet."

Sarah nodded again. Then her father kissed her and gave her a big hug. "I will see you soon. Matthew will pick you up at six on Friday. It will be alright," he again assured her. Then as suddenly as he was there, he was not. Sarah wondered if he had just disappeared into the shadows, as he always did, or if she watched him walk away and didn't remember.

Before she could start to sort things out she realized that she was being watched. Sarah looked up and noticed that the large Tawny Owl had not yet left. They stared at each other for a moment and then he also left swooping down close to her before disappearing into the night sky. "Where am I?" she thought, "Who am I?"

"Has he gone?" came a voice out of the shadows of the bushes. Sarah almost jumped out of her skin.

"Zoe, what the--," she stopped as Zoe came walking over to her. "You're never going to believe what happened," she started and then she paused and looked at Zoe. Suddenly she noticed things that had happened that night didn't seem to faze her. Before she knew it anger was swelling inside of her. "You knew, didn't you?" she exclaimed accusingly. "How long have you known?" But before Zoe could talk she waved her hand and said "no, no don't tell me." She again paused. "You've always known, haven't you?" Again she interrupted, "no I don't want to know."

Zoe moved closer to Sarah, trying not to laugh, and put her hand on her shoulder. "Calm down Sarah, it's going to be okay." Sarah seemed to relax a little. She remembered the wrapped present and looked down at it and opened it.

"History of Magic" Sarah said out loud reading the book title.

"Read it, it will answer some questions. And when you've read a little, call me and we'll talk about it." She paused and then smiled, "we need to go in, and your Mom is looking for you."

Sarah again looked at the book and Zoe and then tucked it under her sweater. Then as though she had just remembered something she looked at Zoe and asked, "Are you?"

Before Zoe could answer, Elizabeth Nettleton came walking out the back door. "Is she what?" Sarah's mom asked.

"Am I going to stay for cake and ice cream?" Zoe lied.

Sarah looked at her mom and then Zoe again and then said, "well are you?"

"Of course I am," Zoe said looking directly in her eyes, "anyone who's anyone is," she replied. Sarah's mom looked at them strangely and then escorted them inside.

She didn't remember very much of the rest of the evening. She supposed that she had a good time up until her mother and many of her long time friends started making rude comments about the short time that her father had stayed at her birthday party. She came very close to blurting out everything that had happened, but she loved her father very much and he had never asked her to lie or conceal anything before, so she honored his request and ended the evening as quickly as she could, manufacturing a headache. After her mother had walked her to bed and returned downstairs, Sarah pulled the book out from where she had hid it earlier and opened it. She had a feeling that this was going to be the most interesting reading ever.

Sarah awoke to the sound of Abigail pounding on her door. "Miss Sarah, I realize you had a heavy evening, but I can't be allowing you to sleep past noon."

Sarah peeled her eyes open and looked around her room. "Oh no," she thought as she looked down at herself, "I fell asleep with my clothes on." She sat up quickly knocking her book into the floor. "Sorry," she yelled out groggily, "I'm getting up."

"That's good," she replied through the door, adding before she left, "oh and Miss Zoe has called three times. Please call her before she drives me bonkers."

"Yes Ma'am," Sarah replied. Pausing to wake up some, she stretched and thought about the last twenty-four hours. She suddenly realized how important that it was that she talk to Zoe, even if she was mad at her. Before showering she tucked her new book backwards between some others on her bookshelf. Sarah called Zoe to say that she would be right over and then went downstairs to shove breakfast into her face. She was glad that her mother had already left for work, because she wasn't sure how she felt at all this morning. Abigail hovered over her a little more than usual as she ate.

"Feeling alright today Miss?" she asked as Sarah ate. "Anything you'd like to talk about?" Sarah looked at her strangely and shook her head. "No Ma'am," she replied. Sarah decided that she'd be better off to get out of the house as soon as possible and she did, telling Abigail that she would return before dinnertime.

Walking to Zoe's, Sarah was beginning to notice things that she never had before. "Maybe I'm imagining things?" she thought. But it seemed like everywhere she looked things were different. She passed a young woman who seemed to be wearing a dark green cloak, who was pushing a baby carriage. Looking closer she noticed that the carriage seemed to be gliding along the sidewalk on it's own.

The woman smiled at Sarah and said, "hello." Sarah smiled back but did not speak. A few minutes later she swore that a large barn owl flew over her head carrying a package. It almost seemed a relief to be at Zoe's house, especially since she was sitting on the front porch.

"How's it going?" Zoe asked. She sensed the stress on her friends face. "Come on in, mom's made some lemonade." Zoe put her arm around Sarah and took her inside. Zoe's mom was a plump cheerful woman; she had short frizzy brown hair like Zoe's and big dark eyes hidden by large, oval spectacles. Sarah had always thought how different Mrs. Turner was from her own mother, but today she seemed even more different.

"Hello sweetie," she said as Sarah sat down at the large yellow kitchen table. "Having an unusual day?" she asked.

"How'd you know?" she asked taking a drink.

"I suppose that things look a little different today," she continued.

Sarah sat silent for a moment and then looked a little disconcerted. "Does everyone in the world know but me?" she asked.

Zoe and her mom smiled. "Not everyone," they replied together.

"All I know," started Sarah, " is that yesterday morning I thought I knew everything that an eleven-year-old girl was supposed to know and today I feel like I don't know anything."

"Well Sarah, I don't want to say too much until your father has had a chance to talk to you but I can tell you that both of your parents love you very much and would never do anything to hurt you." She placed a hand on Sarah's shoulder and continued. "I know that you know that your dad isn't from America."

Sarah nodded. "I know he's from England. So're Abigail and Matthew."

"Yes, well he came here about thirteen years ago after he had met your mother while she was in England on business. They had fallen in love and he had an opportunity to come here so he did. Zoe's dad has known your father for years. They served on several international committees together in the Dark Days."

Sarah interrupted, "Dark Days?"

"Today just the basics Sarah, there are lots to learn and that's what school's all about." She continued, "I suppose that your father should have been honest with your mother from the beginning, but hindsight is 20/20," she declared.

"Mom, I'm sure Sarah's dad will explain about all his mistakes," chimed Zoe.

"All right, all right, Zoe. Anyway, your Dad and Zoe's work for the Department of Magic, he'll explain all that later, and that's why they travel so much. Since your dad is a wizard and your mom a Muggle--"

Sarah couldn't hold it in any longer "A Muggle, what's a Muggle?" she asked.

"I'm sorry dear, a Muggle is what we call someone who is not of magical descent." Sarah nodded and she moved on. "Anyway, they weren't sure how you would turn out. But when you started showing magical powers when you were five we all knew which way you leaned and that's when all of the trouble started. There were times when we thought that you wouldn't make it until your eleventh birthday before you found out. You were often seeing through things that were bewitched."

"What do you mean?" Sarah again interrupted.

"Well, like the owls. Zoe told me you saw one the other day. Most Muggles are too caught up in their own world to notice. They are how we send letters to each other. And then there are the wizards and witches that live among the Muggles, like our family. We seem a bit odd to most folks but not any odder than some of the Muggles. Our shops and businesses are bewitched on the outside so that they can't be seen by anyone other than magical folks."

This time Zoe interrupted. "Remember when you saw the Book Store at the Mall and then a minute later you saw the empty storefront?" Sarah nodded.

"You were seeing through the magic. You were beginning to feel it but you couldn't understand it." Zoe's mom paused and looked at Sarah's eyes. She was trying to tell if she was taking everything in okay.

"I still keep thinking that I'll wake up and find out it's all been a terrible dream," Sarah started, "But then maybe it isn't such a terrible thing if your family and my father are involved."

Mrs. Turner and Zoe tried to explain a little bit more about their world as Sarah listened carefully. "Dragon's Wood is what we should be talking about," blurted out Zoe after awhile. "I'll just die if you don't go. I'm probably not going to know anyone except Eric and his "sexy" girlfriend."

"I heard that," said Eric entering the room. He walked over and proceeded to hang on Zoe's shoulder. "Isn't having your loving and loyal older "Prefect" brother enough?"

"Oh god, Sarah, now you're going to find out just how vain Eric really is. I mean he hardly ever gets to brag to anyone about his wonderful life at school."

Mrs. Turner grinned from ear to ear. "Now Zoe, it is an honor to have a Prefect in the house. And it's no laughing matter that he's Captain of his Quidditch team too."

"Yeah, yeah, Eric Turner, Mr. Perfect."

"That's Prefect!" Eric said laughing and then he slapped her on the back and ran into the next room. Zoe ran after him slapping him on the backside with a towel that she had grabbed from the kitchen.

"All right children, that's enough," Glenda Turner said scolding them. Sarah for a moment was lost in all the chaos of the household. Hearing all the commotion Zoe's little sister Tabatha had come downstairs to join in and now the three of them were throwing pillows off the couch at each other. "I'm going to count to five and if it's not quiet in here there will be a price to pay." She paused and then started to count, "One, two--" But by the time she had said "two", Tabatha had gone back upstairs and Eric left through the back door kissing, his mom on the cheek as he exited. Zoe's mom tried to hide her smile, and then looked at Zoe, "You're lucky you're not grounded for all that nonsense."

"Yes Mommy," Zoe said sarcastically.

Sarah was also smiling now but puzzled none-the- less. "What did Eric mean by Perfect?" she asked. "And what is Quiddick?" She pronounced both incorrectly.

"Prefect," corrected Zoe, "it's what eggheads like my brother make when they reach tenth grade. Its sort of like being valedictorian except, they get to be it all the time. They also get to boss everyone else in the dormitory around. And Quidditch is the Wizards version of high school football or basketball only it's played on broomsticks."

"Okay, that's it," Sarah announced, "I now know that I have gone completely mad."

They all looked at each other and then Sarah began to laugh followed by Zoe and her mom. After a moment or two Mrs. Turner announced that it was time that Zoe took Sarah for a walk to clear her mind. They decided that would be a good idea and off they went.

"Where would you like to go?" Zoe asked as they exited the backdoor.

"Someplace where there are no Owls or flying broomsticks," replied Sarah.

"How about City Park? As far as I know they're not playing Quidditch there today," she said smiling.

After awhile they were sitting on the swings sort of swaying back and forth and daydreaming. "What did we used to talk about?" Sarah asked.

"TV, music, when we were going to get to wear makeup and how boys aren't quite so yucky anymore," Zoe said laughing. Sarah joined in.

"Can we ever be that shallow again?"

"Definitely, I've seen some of those boys at Dragons Wood," Sarah looked at her and shook her head, and then they laughed and started to swing again.

As the day went on the girls' discussions went back in forth between her Muggle world and that of the world she felt she was suddenly being thrust into. Before Sarah knew it, it was time for her to go home. Her mother wouldn't be very happy if she wasn't home when she got there and Sarah didn't want her to have a reason to keep her home this weekend. Tomorrow was Friday and she was going to her fathers if she had to sneak out. Sarah walked Zoe home and then hurried to hers in plenty of time to be pretending to play video games when her mom came home.

"Feeling better?" her mom asked.

"Oh yeah, a good nights sleep will do it every time," she replied.

"Yes indeed, Abigail told me about your sleeping beauty routine this morning."

"I'm sorry, it was just a little hard to get to sleep last night. It was so exciting you know to see all our old friends." Sarah was laying it on a little thick, but only Abigail noticed. She shot her a look like she should be careful, but didn't say anything.

The rest of the evening went as usual. They ate a wonderful dinner as Sarah's mom related the stressful day that she had and how it was nice to come home to the non-stressful atmosphere of their home. "She couldn't possibly be saying that their home was a non-stressful environment," Sarah thought. But she kept her opinions to herself. Mrs. Nettleton excused herself to do some business after dinner and Sarah used this as her excuse to escape to her room to continue to read her book. Before long she had again fallen asleep on her bed reading.

Sarah didn't have to be awakened by Abigail this time however; she had been having nightmares all night. First she had dreamed about seeing hundreds of owls flying in and out of her bedroom, dropping off books and packages until they had covered her head. This was the first one to wake her up but not the last. The last one, the one that made her too afraid to go back to sleep, began with Sarah meeting Zoe outside her house. Their bags were lined up against the curb and stacked sky high. Zoe started to laugh because Eric kept trying to fit all of them into the trunk of his car, with no avail. All of a sudden, there was a dark shadow over her head. At first Sarah thought that it was another owl, perhaps it was Socrates, but it kept getting darker and larger. Sarah looked up to see a dark cloaked figure standing over her. She turned, looking for Eric and Zoe, and they weren't there. She began to shake, her body became cold and she felt as though all the energy in her body was being sucked out. She felt as though she was going to fall faint and then the figure reached up and began to pull back the hood from its face. That's when she woke, panting and sweating she raised herself quickly out of bed. She was tired; it was only seven a.m. but she was not going to go back to sleep no matter what. She did not want to know what was under the hood. After a twenty-five minute, extremely hot shower, Sarah finally felt awake and calm enough to go to breakfast.

"My word," said Abigail as she entered the kitchen, "I don't think I have ever seen you awake this early on a non school day."

Sarah forced a smile, "I guess I just couldn't wait to face the day."

"Well it is the day you get to see Mr. John," replied Abigail giving her a strange look.

"Yeah all I have to do is find something interesting enough to do until its time." She smiled and then they made pleasant chit chat until her breakfast was ready.

After breakfast Sarah offered to help Abigail clean around the house. Some of her friends had often envied her because her mom had a housekeeper, but Sarah had to do her share of chores every week, this time however, she choose to help with those she didn't often have to do. Abigail knew something was wrong, but didn't want to ask, she knew that when it was time Sarah would tell her, she always did, every since she was a little girl. Sarah couldn't remember a time when Abigail hadn't been there. Could she know? Should she ask? Sarah decided to feel it out. "Miss Abigail?" she asked.

"Yes Miss," she responded turning off the vacuum.

"Have you been with my father and mother since I was born?"

"I'm sure I've answered this question before," said Abigail giving her a disgruntled look.

"Probably, but I don't remember."

"I came from England with your dad. He's not very organized you know, needs lots of help. I pity Matthew, you know, he's much worse now than he used to be." Abigail was referring to John Nettleton's personal assistant who would soon be arriving to pick Sarah up. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason, I suppose I was just wondering what it's been like all these years living with us. Why didn't you leave when my dad did?"

"You, of course, couldn't exactly leave your mother to take care of ya', much too busy." She said looking down at the floor and then turning the vacuum back on. "It would be much easier for dad to find someone else. Not so easy for your mom." Sarah knew that turning the vacuum on again meant that Miss Abigail was ending her questioning so she finished the dusting that she was doing and excused herself to go pack her bags. When her mother arrived home at five-thirty, Sarah had her bags sitting by the front door, and she was trying not to look as though she would burst if Matthew didn't get there soon.

"Hey mom," she said greeting her with a kiss.

"Don't worry I won't change my mind and decide you can't go" her mom said kissing her, after giving her luggage the once over. "You better just hope that your dad's man shows up when he's supposed to." Sarah knew that her mother was just trying to rile her up, but not tonight, she just let it slide by.

"How was your day?" she asked changing the subject. Sarah knew that her mother wasn't happy that she was changing the subject, but she responded by relating parts of her day that were most irritating. The ladies were deep in conversation when the doorbell rang bringing it to an abrupt end. Abigail walked to the door. Sarah was afraid to rush it, knowing that she was not yet out the door. "Let it be Matthew," she prayed. From where they sat, Sarah and her mother could not see the door but they could hear Abigail talking to the visitor.

"Good Evening Matthew, good to see you again. Keeping Mr. Nettleton in good health I hope?"

"Tryin' me best," replied a deep, elderly voice.

"Come on in," she beckoned, "The little Miss is waitin'." Around the corner came Abigail followed by a gray-headed gentleman who looked to be at least as old as she. He bowed as he came in the room.

"Good evening, Mrs. Nettleton, good evening, Miss Sarah," he said, smiling.

"Good evening, Matthew," chimed Sarah's mother, "on time as usual," she said, looking at her watch. Sure enough, it was exactly six o'clock.

"Don't suppose I'd be doing my job correctly if I wasn't," Matthew said as humbly as he could and then they smiled uncomfortably at each other just as Sarah rose from her place on the coach.

"Well then," she started, "my bags are by the door. I guess we better leave then, so we can continue to be on time." She turned and looked at her mother, "this is my last visit with Dad before school starts, don't want to keep him waiting."

"I suppose your right," her mom admitted, "after all he doesn't get to see you as much as I do during the school year." But there was something strange in her voice, a quiver that Sarah hadn't noticed before.

Trying to ignore it, Sarah walked over to her and gave her a kiss. "Don't worry I'll be back next Friday, all in one piece."

"I know it's just that you're growing so fast. I sometimes think that I'm missing something." She paused, "You would let me know if I was, wouldn't you?" she asked.

Sarah thought for a moment, she was again afraid she was not going to make it out the door. "Yeah mom, if I ever feel I am growing up too fast I will sure let you know," she responded and then giving her another kiss and hugging Abigail she escaped out the door and into her fathers waiting black sedan.

The door closed and somehow she felt like she had left another world behind her. Matthew looked into the rear view mirror and asked her if everything was all right. Sarah responded by nodding, but couldn't help but wonder whether she really was.