Where Your Dreams End

Chapter Three Dragon's Wood

"Wake up now!" Sarah shook her head and tried to open her eyes. "Now, I have to know everything!" came the demanding voice again, a voice that had more that once been her early morning greeting.

Sarah closed her eyes tight again and whispered, "go away Zoe. I'm having a fabulous dream about you and N'sync. Leave me alone and I'll tell you all about it later."

"No way, my dad and your dad are busy doing really boring business stuff and I need to know everything that's happened since you left your moms." After making this statement Zoe climbed onto the edge of the bed and began to jump up and down.

"All right, all right, I give up. But I'm telling you that some day I will get you back for this. Some day when you least expect it."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you scare me beyond belief. I'm shaking in my boots." Sarah suddenly lunged forward and took Zoe down to the ground tumbling forward. Bursting into uncontrollable laughter, the two girls rolled over and lay face up starring at the ceiling.

"Why are you here so early?" Sarah asked looking at the time on the clock next to her bed.

"I don't know. Dad woke me up last night and said we had to come to your dads. Said that he needed to see him on business and that I should come too. So we've been here since last night. I stayed in the guest room, but I have a funny feeling that our dads were up all night."

"You reckon that it's something to do with my dad being called away yesterday?" she asked.

"Don't know," Zoe replied, "my dad was called away too. I suppose something crazy going on at the Department, as usual," she paused and began to bounce up and down on the side of the bed again. "I don't care about that crap tell me about everything now!" she repeated. Zoe was so loud this time that Socrates, who had been sleeping peacefully in his cage, awoke and squawked. Zoe looked shamefully his way. "Sorry Socrates," she apologized. Socrates squawked again, then ruffled his wings, exited the cage and flew out the now open bedroom door. "I guess he woke up on the wrong side of the cage," said Zoe again beginning to bounce.

"Zoe, sometimes I wonder how you could be my best friend," Sarah said sarcastically. And with these words she sat up, stretched, and punched her friend in the arm.

"Ouch."

"You're lucky that's all your getting," she said rising out of the bed and heading off toward the window.

"Okay, so if I have to say tell me now, one more time I am going to explode."

"We went to the mall, Dad got called away when we were getting ready to go to Binkman's. Matthew brought me home and then later on Dad came home and we talked about stuff."

Zoe paused, "that's it?"

"Okay, I really like chasing chocolate frogs and you have to show me your entire collection of wizard cards," she added.

"Well I still need Bertie Botts and a couple of others, but I do have a fairly good collection," Zoe boasted.

Sarah sat down again next to her on the bed and looked suddenly distressed. "Zoe I think something happened."

"What do you mean?" asked her friend.

"I'm not sure. Dad and I were talking and then suddenly he was asking me what I was talking about. But I didn't think that I was talking about anything. He looked really concerned but wouldn't tell me anything. He acted really funny when he put me to bed, too."

"Yeah, but dad's never really do make any sense, you know."

"No Zoe, there's other things too. I've been feeling really weird lately and I've been having strange dreams that I don't remember all the way through but they scare the crap out of me when I'm having them."

Zoe resisted the urge to make fun, something about Sarah's face alarmed her. "It's probably because of all the things that have happened to you this week. I mean just a few days ago you were just an ordinary muggle who didn't know any better. Now things are oh so different."

Sarah thought for a while. "I suppose your right, things are definitely different," she said shaking off the uncomfortable feeling she had and turned back to Zoe. "So why are you here again?" she asked.

"I dun no. Dad woke me up last night and said that we had to come see you. Said your dad wanted him to come and that I should too, to keep you company. I wasn't about to argue with him since I was dying to see you anyway."

"Yeah no kidding," Sarah stopped to think and then scowled at her friend, "you know I'm still mad at you for never telling me the truth."

"I know, I'm sorry. Imagine how much it sucked for me? I mean the older we got and the more I knew and the more I needed to tell you. But Mom and Dad said that the courts had decided and that was that."

"Well your right it sucks. But at least I can find out things now."

"Yeah, well your mom is still not going to be trilled, but my mom says that she knows that you had to be told when you were eleven. Hopefully she won't throw too much of a fit when you go to Dragons Wood." Zoe paused, and then asked hopefully, "you are going to go aren't you? I mean if you don't go I can't go, cause I couldn't possibly go to school and you not be there, because I wouldn't have anyone to talk to and what kind of fun would that be?"

"All right, all right take a breath," Sarah shouted and then after a long pause they burst into laughter that turned into tears. After a moment or two Sarah leaned over and placed her head on Zoe's shoulder. "I suppose that I am a," she stopped, looking as though she was trying to spit a bad grape out of her mouth. After a second or two she finally completed her sentence, "wizard, even if I don't want to be one."

"Well, actually," started Zoe, "you're a witch, if you want to be technical." Then she added, "hey, we are exactly what all those boys have been calling us all these years." Again they laughed uncontrollably.

"It sounds as though our girls are having way too much fun," came a voice from behind.

"I suppose we will have to put an end to this," another voice said after clearing his throat. "Miss Nettleton and Miss Turner there will be no more of this crazy laughter you will straighten up now or there will be consequences."

After a brief moment of silence Zoe blurted out, "oh dad you're full of crap." This remark was followed by another silence and then plenty of laughter from all.

Sarah ran over to give Zoe's dad a hug. "Hi, Mr. Turner, I haven't seen you in ages."

"Great to see you too Sarah, I hope my daughter hasn't been corrupting you."

"No more than she usually does," she replied.

"Why don't you girls get dressed and meet us downstairs," started John, "Matthew is making a wonderful breakfast for us all. Sarah, I invited Mr. Turner and Zoe over so we could do a few things today. I hope you don't mind?"

"Well other than the fact that I shouldn't be talking to any of you, I suppose not," she said smiling.

"Then I imagine you better get dressed and meet us downstairs," suggested Bill. Before they left the room however, he added, "and do it in less than a centuries time."

"Yes dad" said the girls at the same time.

The dads had just about given up on ever seeing their children again when they finally came bounding down the stairs. "They are definitely budding women," said John sarcastically.

"Yes, I'm sure that Zoe's mother has never gotten dressed in less than one hour."

"All right, dad that's enough," Zoe said sitting down next to him.

"Yeah, dads, cut it out," Sarah added. Before they could fuss anymore Matthew brought breakfast and placed it in front of them. Conversations at breakfast ran from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from college basketball to Quidditch, which Sarah paid particular attention to.

"Did I tell you that Eric's being scouted by the pros?" Zoe's dad started.

"Really?" said John excitedly.

"Yeah Fitchburg had two scouts at the last match of the season. He has been all star two years in a row now." Zoe started making faces behind her dads back and got caught. "Zoe, that's enough, your mother and I are very proud of your brother and you should be too." Sarah tried not to laugh, however almost spit up her breakfast trying.

"I am dad, I just wouldn't be a kid if I didn't dis my brother."

"I suppose," said Bill Turner turning back to John. They then continued their conversation as Zoe and Sarah continued to express their opinion by facial expressions.

"Where are we going?" Sarah asked.

"Well," her dad started, "it's a surprise but I will tell you that it's somewhere in Illinois or maybe Wisconsin."

Sarah looked totally confused. "Cool!" exclaimed Zoe.

"Where are we going, what are we going do?" asked Zoe and Sarah for at least the first hour of the trip. After a while, the Dads tuned them out and continued to talk about sports and business. Every once in awhile, the girls would pause, listen and hear bits and pieces of things that they were sure they were not supposed to hear.

"What do you suppose they are talking about?" Sarah whispered.

"I don't know. Mom always makes me leave whenever anything good is talked about. Eric gets to listen a little more than he used to. Dad says if Eric doesn't get picked up by one of the National Quidditch teams, he wants him to go into the Department. Mom wants him to go to college, but she'll be happy with whatever he decides to do."

"What does your mom want you and Tabatha to do?" asked Sarah.

"I don't know I think she's just happy that we clean our room and make fairly good grades. She was very proud when I got my letter. It seems that you don't really know if you get to go 'til you get your letter, even if your entire family has gone."

"So have you ever done anything magical?"

"Well I don't know how magical they are but I've made things move a few times and I once turned the dog green." Sarah looked at her friend funny. "Eric tricked me. Taught me a spell that he said would make George talk."

Sarah chuckled, "you've always been so gullible."

Bill stopped once to let the girls stretch their legs, but it still didn't take as long as Sarah thought it should have to get there. As they approached the outlying highway, John turned around to face them. "Okay, we're about there, we're going to meet someone out here and then we're going to show you your surprise." Zoe and Sarah didn't speak they had given up asking what they were going to do after the first thirty-seven no's and you'll find outs. They patiently waited until they realized the car was pulling off into what seemed to be a National Park. Driving for sometime through the park, it seemed that they were never going to stop until finally Bill pulled off the main road and started down a dirt road that had a sign saying "Maintenance Workers Only."

"Dad," Zoe said finally breaking her silence, "aren't we going to get in trouble? Not that I care or anything."

"Just be patient almost there," replied her dad and then very shortly, they pulled off the road by an old log cabin and stopped.

"All right girls," started Zoe's dad, "it is very important that you stay close to John and I and that you are very good and very observant."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's just go your killing me," said Zoe nodding her head rapidly.

"Yeah dad, we'll be really good," echoed Sarah.

Bill looked at John and they smiled at each other and nodded. "I think they're ready."

Exiting the car, Zoe's dad led them to the front door of the cabin. The bright sun light made it hard to see as they entered the cabin and it took a few moments for their eyes to adjust. Once they had, Zoe and Sarah spent some time taking in everything they saw.

The cabin was indeed as small as it looked like from the outside however it was very inviting and homey looking. There was a fire place up against the wall, were a fire was burning slowly even though it was summer time. Sarah took time to notice that it didn't seem to effect the inside temperature, it was actually cooler inside than out. In addition to a small sofa with a quilt, and a rocking chair, there was a desk in the left corner with a little gray-headed man sitting behind it, he looked to be asleep. Mr. Turner approached the man slowly, most likely afraid of what an abrupt awakening might bring.

He cleared his throat loudly, hoping to catch the man's attention. "Mr. Potts," he said gently.

"I think he's asleep," started Sarah.

"I think he's dead," whispered Zoe.

"Not dead but perhaps dead tired," said the little man. He stretched out his arms and opened his eyes. Zoe turned a brilliant red as Sarah hid behind her dad.

The little man smiled, "hello their Bill, bringing the girls up to see the place?"

"That's what I was planning. I spoke to the Dean yesterday he's expecting us." Zoe's dad paused and looked around the place, "nice to see you again, glad to see that this place is still in your capable hands."

"Suppose I will die here. Don't know if anyone will even notice," he joked, as Zoe turned even redder. "Floo powder or port key?" he asked then matter-of-factly.

"I think portkey, I'm afraid Floo Powder might be a bit much for Sarah."

Sarah and Zoe at each other, Sarah thought everyone had gone mad. "Perhaps there is a secret wizard language," Sarah whispered.

"Naw, they're just talking about forms of transportation. He's probably concerned about you since you've never done it before," Zoe replied.

Sarah was even more frustrated now after discovering that Zoe knew what they were talking about all along. "I'll be glad when I'm not the only clueless one in the room," she whispered to Zoe.

Zoe snickered and patted her friend on the back. "Like that will ever happen."

It was now time for the dads to come over and explain what was going on. "Sarah," Mr. Turner began, "we are going to use a Portkey to travel up. All four of us will touch an object and it will transport us to another spot. Do you understand?" he finished.

Sarah could do nothing but nod. Zoe placed her arm around her worried friend and smiled. "It's going to be great."

The gentleman rose from the desk and was approaching the group with an old flower vase. "Here you go," he said handing it to Bill, "now get together fast because it's set to work in two minutes."

John and Bill herded the girls into a circle. "Now just a finger will work," he said to Sarah, "so don't worry about how hard you have a hold on."

Again the confused Sarah only nodded. It seemed like only seconds later that Sarah felt as though the world was spinning around her and some invisible force was pulling her forcibly through a black hole. Just when she was about to scream "stop" it did, "wow," was all she could say.

"You alright?" asked her dad. Sarah faltered a minute and then looked around. There was the fireplace, the sofa, the rocking chair and the little old man now sitting at his desk.

"What happened? Did it backfire, did I do it wrong?" she asked befuddled.

Zoe and John had the same confused look on their face, however Bill was almost laughing. The little old man at the table looked up and smiled at them. "Hello Bill, nice to see again. Bringing the family up for a look?"

Bill resisted the urge to let this moment continue for a while, but was afraid that Sarah would be scarred. "Everyone this is Mr. Potts, the other Mr. Potts, they're twins." He paused as some of the confusion began to melt from the others faces. "The two cabins are exactly alike. It's all set up in case muggles some how stumble in. They just think they have had some kind of episode." The elderly gentleman chuckled while he spoke.

John thought that the explanation was wonderful and burst into laughter, eventually Zoe and Sarah joined in. When all of the amazing happenings of the last few moments had come into focus, Bill said that it was time that they are on their way.

"Yes of course," said the little man, "the Dean is waiting for you in his office. Cedric is on the other side of the door, he will take you there. See you when it's time to go home."

"Thank you, Mr. Potts," answered Bill.

"Yes, thank you sir," chimed the other three.

Bill put his hand on the doorknob leading out of the cabin. "On the other side of the door girls, could very well be the key to door destiny."

"Dad, you are so over dramatic," Zoe said as she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah Mr. Turner, lame-o," echoed Sarah.

"Okay, okay, let's go," he said laughing and pulling open the front door to the cabin, but what they saw on the other side was not what they expected. A long wide stone corridor with beautiful cedar flooring lay out in front of them. Sunlight streamed in through the large stain glass windows along the way. Sarah wanted to get closer to the windows so that she could see the pictures so she started to slip quickly into the hallway.

"Excuse me there," came a stern voice next to Sarah. She stopped dead in her tracks and froze. A tall gray-headed man stood next to her glaring into her face, he was dressed in gray cover-alls and was very intimidating looking. Sarah took two steps back and bumped into her dad again getting startled. He continued, "you can't just walk about the halls as you please."

"It's all right Cedric," started Zoe's Dad, "we're here to see the dean, he's expecting us."

The shabby man looked at Bill curiously, "I know you," he started, "Turner, yeah I remember you, not the most polite child," he said with a grimace.

Zoe and Sarah were a tiny bit afraid of what would happen next. Mr. Turner fought the urge to laugh and tried his best to keep a straight face. "I suppose none of us is all that polite when we are children are we?" he asked.

The man grunted and motioned for them to follow him. "He's expecting you" is all that he would say. As he turned his back to them, they all looked at each other and chuckled.

"Not very polite were you dad?" Zoe whispered. Bill pinched her arm and told her to hush. Now that they had been acknowledged by the scary man and were on their way, Sarah again turned her thoughts to taking in everything. She now got a look at the beautiful stained glass windows she had wanted to view. She could swear that even the characters on the windows were looking at her. She was beginning to grasp the concept that everything in the Wizarding world was not as it seemed, but windows that moved? She wasn't sure she was ready for that.

The "Cedric" person was leading them down one long hallway after another. The long hallways were filled with large portraits of various kinds of people and scenery. Many of the portraits inhabitants whispered and pointed as they went by. Some of them followed them by moving from one picture to another. Several times the shabby man stopped and glared at them, causing the pictures to pretend that they were not doing anything or seeing anyone. "Zoe," Sarah whispered, "do you know where we are going?"

"All I know is what dad said," she paused, "I mean I've been here once, for one of Eric's games, but we didn't come in the school just the stadium. And we didn't come up the same way. Lot's of people were coming so we took a port key from the city." Now whispering even quieter she added, "Eric talks about Cedric all the time." And then she held a finger up to her head and made a circular motion. All most immediately the shabby man turned and glared at her and then turned back to the door that they had now stopped in front of.

"Do you think he saw you?" Sarah asked.

"Don't think it matters," replied Zoe matter-a-factly.

"You wait here," he said, as the man disappeared behind the large oak door.

A large bronze plague was attached to the door, its message was very clear. "FACULTY ONLY, NO STUDENT BEYOUND THIS POINT WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE DEAN."

"Queer man," commented John.

"That's putting it politely," chuckled Bill, "used to be scared to death of him when I was a kid. Seems to know everything you do, sometimes before you do it." His words were cut short as the shabby man again appeared.

"He's ready for you," he croaked, "meet him in the last room on the right." And then he added, "and that's the only room you should enter."

Bill thanked him and then opened the large oak door. Cedric however, waited for them to disappear inside watching everything as they did. Bill was quite sure that he probably stared at the door long after they had disappeared behind it. As they entered the new hallway, Sarah and Zoe both let out a small gasp. Standing in front of them where two translucent figures. They were having a very loud discussion about something and stopped suddenly as they entered the hall. "I suppose you would agree with her," the male figure said accusingly.

"Now Jimmy, I don't' think that it's very nice to jump on people as they enter the room," said the woman, "after all they don't even know what you're taking about."

"Exactly!" he said accusingly, "and neither do you." And with this he disappeared through a wall on the right.

"Sorry," said the remaining apparition, "he's having a bad after life." She giggled like a little girl and then disappeared after him.

Sarah stood stupefied, "what was that?"

"Cool," replied Zoe, "it's the ghosts, Eric's told me all about them. They're all over the school. Each Dorm has their own, sort of like a mascot." She was rambling along as she ran to the spot where they had been standing. Bill and John laughed.

"Yeah Hogwarts had it's share. My favorite was Nearly Headless Nick," said Sarah's dad.

"How can you be nearly headless?" asked Zoe after some careful consideration. John just laughed.

"We'll approach that subject another day," he said pointing forward with his arm, "I believe someone is waiting on us." They all nodded and headed off the hallway again.

This hallway was narrower that the last few had been and a plush blue runner ran up the center of the floor. There were plagues and certificates covering virtually even inch of wall space and alcoves along the way with large glass and wood cases filled to the brim with various sizes of silver, gold and bronze trophies.

Zoe and Sarah tried to read and investigate everything they had time to look at as they were shooed down the hallway by their dads. As they approached the last door on the right, Bill stopped to remind them how lucky they were to be here and how well behaved they needed to be inside this room. "Now Bill, you'll be scaring them away before they even get here," came a soft yet booming voice from behind the door, "you'd best coming on in so we can see what you got there."

Bill's face turned a little red as he opened the door. "Yes, Sir, you're right as usual," he replied to the man.

Sarah and Zoe's eyes grew wider and wider as they entered the room. Large bookcases filled with large old books rose against every wall and several plush chairs filled in the empty spaces between the large desk in the center of the room and the fireplace next to the window. Sunlight streamed in the open window behind the man and made it hard to focus their eyes. He seemed to be almost mystical looking with the aura of sunlight behind him. As they entered the room, he emerged from behind the desk and took two steps forward to greet them extending his arm. As he approached, Sarah was able to get her first good look at him.

He was a little taller than her dad, dark in complexion and slightly stockier. What little bit of hair he had left on the top of his head, his moustache and goatee were white which made his skin seem even darker. He had large wire rimed eyeglasses that almost completely hid his sparkling green eyes. It was as though his whole appearance were contradictory. "Hallo Bill," he said gripping his hand tightly to shake.

"Professor, so wonderful to see you again. Thank you so much for meeting with us." said Bill, his whole body shaking as Professor greeted him. "You remember my good friend, John Nettleton?"

It was now John's turn to have the stuffing's shook out of him. "Yes, of course I do, nice to see you again. Wonderful job you and Bill are doing down at the Department. We all feel a lot safer knowing you two are on the job."

John found it hard to do anything but shake. But he did manage to smile and mutter, "nice to see you again also, sir."

The tall man now turned to the girls. "You don't have to tell me who this is," he said approaching Zoe, "you look just like your brother. Fine young man Eric, we're very proud to have him and I'm sure that you're going to do just as well." The gentleman didn't shake her hand however, he patted her on the shoulder until she thought she was going to collapse to the floor. Zoe turned pink, she couldn't think of anything to say, so she didn't. Finally the man turned to Sarah, "and who is this lovely young lady?"

"That would be my daughter Sarah," replied John proudly.

The professor stepped toward Sarah. She smiled and decided the hand shaking looked less painful and so extended her hand. "Nice to meet you sir" and then "Now what?" She thought to herself as the room began to spin. There was a wooshing sound in her ears. "Had she touched another port key and hadn't realized it?" She couldn't focus in front of her. The sound of their voices seemed to be coming from miles away. Sarah tried to focus again; the voices seemed to turn into laughter deep, dark laughter. "It's not funny," she said loudly. And the sound of her own words brought her back in focus. She looked up to see the Professor was holding her. His soft hidden eyes had a serious look of concern.

"Are you okay?" he asked gently.

Sarah straightened up quickly. She felt humiliated and sick. "I'm so sorry," she said stepping back, but she had not yet regained her composure. John had to lunge forward to prevent her from falling.

"Sarah, pumpkin," he said catching her. Sarah wanted to go home right now. She wanted to be as far away from looking silly as she could.

"It was probably the trip," said Bill, "the child had never been transported before."

"Ah yes," said the Professor. "I remember my first experience with a port key, nasty business." Sarah had a distinct feeling that he had made this up, however she found some solace in his remarks. She tried to stand on her own with no success so John helped her into a chair. "Perhaps a drink of water would do her good," proposed the Professor and with this idea in mind he shouted, "Accio, water." Sarah watched as a pitcher of water that was sitting on a nearby shelve poured water into a glass. She then watched as it made it's way across the room and into his hand. "Here you go child, drink this." Then he turned to John and said, "perhaps a trip to the infirmary. I'm sure the nurse could find something to settle her down."

"No!" said Sarah, almost spitting the water out of her mouth, "I'll be fine, I just need to sit here a minute."

"Are you sure?" asked her dad. Sarah nodded. "All right then, I suppose it will be all right to continue with our afternoon."

"Ah, yes," the Professor smiled, "it should be a good one. I have arranged for the grounds keepers son to take the ladies on a tour. By the way," he added, "I'm Professor Killainka, and in all the excitement I was never properly introduced. I am Dean at Dragons Wood. It will be my pleasure to have you two here this year with us."

Sarah was beginning to feel better. She took another drink of water and then placed the glass on the table next to her chair. She found herself blushing again. Zoe scooted over next to her friend and said, "the pleasure is all ours."

"Any way like I was saying, I have arranged a tour of the campus for you two. Actually I believe that Mr. Ratcliff is standing outside the door at this very moment. Please come in Dillon," he spoke to the door. The door inched open to reveal a thin, blond headed boy, with very tanned skin, standing there. His clothes were clean, however obviously second hand. He reminded Sarah of the boys she knew at home who helped with their parent's farms.. "Come in Dillon, don't dawdle in the hallway, the girls are waiting on you." The young man came all the way into the room quietly.

"This ladies, is your tour guide for today. Dillon, this is Miss Zoe Turner and Miss Sarah Nettleton. Ladies this is Mr. Dillon Radcliff." The three-exchanged shy looks and tried not to catch each other's eye. "Dillon has agreed to show you some of the highlights of the campus. He will be starting this year as well. His father has been a friend of mine for years, and a wonderful grounds keeper. Dillon has been a big help himself for years now."

"Thank you sir," replied the boy turning brilliant red, "I am ready to go when you are, ladies."

"Your fathers can stay here with me and talk, you'll learn more from Dillon about the ins and outs if we don't accompany you. I have arranged hot chocolate for now and lunch for when you return," then he turned to Dillon, "have them back in a hour please."

"Yes sir, I can do that," and then he reached to open the door and said to the girls, "please follow me." After they exited the administration corridor, Dillon took them the opposite direction they had come. "First we'll visit the great hall, it's where we'll eat, hold special celebrations and holiday events and of course where we will be chosen."

"Chosen?" questioned Sarah.

"Oh I've heard of this," said Zoe, "however I think Eric's lying because I don't really think they try to drown you." Then looking at Dillon as though she was begging him to say "your right" she said, "they don't do they."

Dillon laughed, "nay, but it's an exciting ceremony and I don't want to ruin it for you." He smiled and then led on.

"Darn," whispered Zoe, "no one will ever give me a break."

As they walked down the winding corridors, Sarah tried to take in all that she could. "I know your brother Zoe," said Dillon after awhile.

"I'm sorry," said Zoe laughing. Dillon looked at them both for a moment and then chuckled.

The large portraits were a lot more interesting as they got closer to the classrooms. Sarah and Zoe stopped to ask about some of the people in the pictures she of course had expected Dillon to answer her, but she was again wrong. They met a priest from medieval France, a German prince and two infamous gangsters from Chicago's shadier days. Apparently Dragon's Wood was at one time was an illegal distillery and home to many such men. Dillon reminded them that they had a limited time, so the girls decided they would just look from now on and find out more history later.

"Here we go," Dillon, said as they rounded a corner and came upon two over-sized doors with the Dragons Wood Crest on them. Sarah was wondering how they could possibly open such large doors, when they seemed to sense their plight and open by themselves. The girls walked into the room in anticipation. Sarah had never seen, let alone been in such a large room in her entire life. Before them stretched what seemed like miles of tables side by side, up and down the room. They were covered with long navy blue velvet tablecloths and dressed with elegant gold candelabras that seemed to float in the air above them. The room was bathed in purple light from the large tinted skylights above. "They open up the skylights in warm dry weather so that the outside seems to come into the room," said Dillon as he watched them staring at the windows.

"Cool," said Zoe as though she was in a daze.

At the end of the room was a long head table that had even fancier trimmings and behind it was a large golden Dragons Wood Crest. "That's where the Dean and all the teachers sit each time. Isn't it great?"

"Yeah, this is the most beautiful room in the world," said Sarah in aw.

"Wait until you see it all lit up. My dad and I always come up for the holidays and special ceremonies, I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to just sit out there with the other kids." Dillon was himself now lost in the beauty of the room.

Sarah suddenly felt very sorry for him. She hadn't known about this world her whole life and now she wanted to know everything. Dillon had seen it and not really been able to participate. "Have you lived here your whole life?" Sarah asked. Dillon looked at her as though he was afraid to answer. "It's alright, I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry."

"No, I don't mind, not my whole life but most of it," he paused, "my dad has known the Professor since he was a boy here. His best subject was herbology; he was always good with plants. When my mother died, he offered him a job here at the school. My dad knew that this would be a wonderful and safe place to raise a child, so he excepted and we've been here every since."

Zoe and Sarah had listened carefully. "Sorry about your mom," Zoe said touched by his story. Sarah nodded speechless.

"It's okay. It was a long time ago. I don't remember her very well." Dillon noticed that the girls were getting sad. "But I have a picture of her and she smiles and waves at me every time I look. But, we better get going, Professor Killainka doesn't like to be kept waiting." The girls nodded and they followed him out the other side of the room and down the next hallway. He pointed to the end of the next corridor on the left. "That leads to the dorms, but you can't go there until you are chosen. I tried once when I was six, I just kept ending up here. It's bewitched to lead you to the dorm you have been chosen for, and if you've never been through the ceremony you just keep ending up here."

"Cool," said Zoe again.

Dillon smiled and continued as they walked. "Up here on the right are the computer classes." They stopped and looked in the open door. There were lines of desks with personal computers sitting on them however, they didn't seem to be connected to anything. Zoe muttered "cool" again and they moved along to the next corridor. Sarah began to notice that they seemed to moving toward completing a circle of some sort, or maybe they were just going into infinity.

"Down there are the Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. I'm not going to take you down there though, I don't like the dark arts teacher, he gives me the creeps," Dillon whispered the last part and then looked around expecting to see someone. "Let's go it's almost time to get back. I just have one more thing I really want to show you." They hurried down the hall and up to a very large window at the end. "Quick, come look out here." The girls hurried up to the window and looked out. In the distance Sarah could see a large colorful stadium rising into the air.

"It's the Quidditch Stadium," yelled Zoe, "I've been there, it is so cool." Sarah looked out the window again. She had to admit it did look "cool".

"If we had time I'd take you there. But you'll get to go soon enough."

"Well," paused Zoe, "Sarah hasn't exactly decided whether or not she's going yet. You see she just found out about all of this and she's still deciding."

"Oh Sarah you have to come. How could you not? I mean not everyone gets to go. You have to be chosen. I live here and I didn't know I was going until I got my letter. Dad never doubted it though, knew I had it in me because of my mom." Dillon was now talking faster than Zoe had ever in her life. "You couldn't possibly not come it just wouldn't be right." He stopped and looked at both of them suddenly embarrassed. "I'm sorry," he apologized, "I'm just so excited about getting to come. My dad has been looking forward to taking me to get my things ever since last year. We're going this weekend to get them. If I'm very careful I should be able to get everything and an owl. I've always wanted one you see."

Sarah looked into Dillon's eager eyes. "You know Dillon, I think you're right. Why shouldn't I come? Let's go give my dad the good news."

Dillon smiled from ear to ear and Zoe slapped her on the back and then gave her a big hug. "I'm so happy," she said giggling.

Dillon looked at a nearby clock. "We're running a little behind now. We'll have to take a short cut, but you have to promise not to tell." The girls looked at each other and then both crossed their hearts silently. "There's a secret passage behind the third witch on the right from the red and purple rug in this corridor. You have to tell her a really funny joke or she won't open up." Dillon leaned forward and looked around. "My dad thinks I really like joke books because I borrow a lot of them from the library. Actually I just like sneaking into the teachers corridor."

The girls both laughed. "He's a man after my own heart," confessed Zoe.

"Yeah he's almost as sneaky as you are." Sarah counted the witch portraits as they walked down the hall, third one on the right.

"Good she's here. Good afternoon ma'am," said Dillon.

The elderly witch looked down at Dillon, "nice to see you again, Master Dillon. Do you have a good one today?" she asked.

Dillon leaned forward and whispered in the portraits ear. After want seemed like an eternity he stepped back and stood quietly. The witch paused for a moment to contemplate the punch line and then burst into uncontrollable laughter. "That was the funniest yet," she said in between laughter, "come on in." And then her portrait swung open and behind it was a short hallway.

"Let's go," said Dillon as he entered the passageway. Zoe and Sarah looked at each other and then entered behind him. The portrait closed up as soon as they were all in. At the end of the dark passage Dillon stopped. "Shhh, I have to listen." The girls were still while he listened, "okay let's go." He rapped lightly three times on the wall and it slid open about ten inches. "You have to squeeze through," he said after he was on the other side. He held his hand out to pull them through. It was a tight squeeze but they made it through and found them selves standing in front of one of the many trophy cases that they had passed on the way to the dean's office.

"Cool," Zoe cried.

Dillon leaned forward to Sarah's ear, "does she say anything else?"

Sarah laughed, "not very often."

"Okay, hurry, we're right on time," he said straightening up. The girls nodded and in a moment they were bursting through the door giggling. Professor Killainka and their fathers were sitting in the corner by the fireplace drinking hot chocolate. As they entered the room, Dillon straightened up immediately. Professor Killainka looked over his cup at him. "Sorry sir," apologized Dillon, "we wanted to be back on time." Sarah and Zoe quickly straightened and tried to look respectful.

"And right on time you are," the professor stated flatly. "Find a quick short cut I don't know about?" he asked.

"No, not one that you don't know about Professor," he said trying not to smile.

"That's good," he said smiling slyly. Sarah and Zoe were looking at each other and mouthing phrases.

"Well girls," started Zoe's dad, "did you enjoy the tour?"

Sarah and Zoe stood up and looked at him. "It was great," shouted Zoe.

"Yeah dad. I've decided, I want to come here," Sarah blurted out.

John stood almost dropping his cup, "you sure?"

Sarah smiled, "yeah dad I'm really sure. Now we just have to figure out how to tell mom."

"Well, we'll worry about that later," he consoled.

"Yes, of course, the details are not that important now because," the professor had stood and was now pointing at an empty table on the other side of the room, "lunch is served," he finished. Zoe and Sarah were now staring at a table full of fresh fruit, sliced meats, and cheese. Mounds of bread and glasses of juice were also there.

"Wow," said Sarah, "that was great."

Dillon backed away toward the door, "I'll be going now. Dad's waiting for me."

"You'll do no such thing," scolded the professor. "I've told your dad you were staying for lunch, In fact I invited him but he said he was too busy. I'm sure he could find something to do twenty-four hours a day, but I expect he just wanted you to have your own personal space."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir." Dillon stepped a little closer to the group, but was still the last one to put food on his plate.

It was a delightful lunch where the girls told all about their adventures on the tour, except that they didn't mention the short cut, not sure whether the professor was kidding or not. When the lunch was over, Dillon excused himself and told the girls that he would see them in a couple of weeks. After a few more conversations about old times, Professor Killainka walked the group back to the entrance to the cabin. "Nice to see you again, Bill, I hope that you'll come to visit Eric and Zoe for a game."

"Absolutely sir. I'm looking forward to seeing the boy take the Cup this year."

"It was very nice to see again John, I'll be looking forward to seeing you again soon." They nodded at each other strangely and then he added, "please feel free to send an owl if anything further happens." John smiled and nodded causing Sarah and Zoe to look at him and then at Mr. Turner for any clue as to what they were talking about. But there wasn't one.

Before they left Professor Killainka informed them that after today the faculty corridor was off limits. Except, of course when summoned or accompanied by a teacher. After that he smiled and told them that he would see them on the first of September. He stayed there as they entered the door, but Sarah had a feeling that if they had immediately reopened the door he wouldn't have been there.

Sarah made it back down to the car all right. John figured it was because her and Zoe spent the whole time talking about everything that they had seen and done. It would have been hard for her to worry or be scared. Before they got into the car Sarah had a thought, "hey dad, if you didn't go to school at Dragons Wood how is it that you know Professor Killainka?"

John paused to ponder his response, "we met a few times over the years." Sarah had a feeling her father was not being very forthcoming, but decided to let it go.

Sarah and Zoe were very excited and the chattered constantly all the way home. Even when they stopped for burgers right before they reached home, they had continued. They would only get quiet when they both fell asleep about the last half hour before made it home. "I didn't think that they would ever stop talking," said Bill as they pulled off the highway and on to the main road toward town.

"I guess that's what we get for having pre-teens," joked John. He stopped and took another look behind at the slumbering children. "I'm getting more concerned about Sarah, perhaps it's time to take her to see someone."

"It couldn't hurt. And if I were you I would take care of it before you tell Elizabeth the "Good News". That way if she has any concerns you can lay them to rest."

"If there is anything going on, she has to know that the safest place for Sarah has to be at Dragons Wood." John turned to look at Sarah again. "That's the most important thing isn't it?"

"You see that and I see that, will Elizabeth? Who knows?" Sarah started to stir in the back, so John and Bill decided to continue their conversation later. It was only a few moments later that they pulled into the driveway of John's home.

"Hey sleepy heads," Bill said reaching over the back seat to shake the girls, "we're home, time to wake up and go to bed."

"Go to bed?" exclaimed Zoe sitting up, "but dad, we're not tired and we have so much to talk about."

Sarah sat up abruptly and chimed in as well, "yeah dads, what were you thinking?"

John and Bill laughed and shook their heads. "All right Zoe. I told your mom we probably wouldn't be home tonight. So go now, be free, just stop giggling in front of us." John nodded his head in agreement and pointed toward the front door. Zoe and Sarah burst out of the car and giggled all the way to the door, where Matthew stood waiting for them.

"Now girls, try real hard not to bring the house down as you enter," scolded Matthew lovingly.

"Yes Matthew," they said in stereo. Matthew stood and watched as they took the stairs three at a time shaking his head and grinning ear to ear. Then he turned back to great the gentlemen.

"Good Evening sirs, I trust everything went well today?"

"Much better than even expected Matthew," John said as they entered the parlor and closed the front door. "The girls have already made a friend and Sarah has decided she's ready to tell her mom."

"Splendid," said Matthew looking very proud.

"Except for the fact that Sarah had another spell, everything went fine," concluded John.

"Oh dear, that's at least the third one that we know about." Matthew paused, as if he was afraid to say anything else, but then decided to anyway, "perhaps it is time to send an owl. But of course it's not my place to say."

"First of all Matthew, it very well is your place to say. And secondly Bill and I have already been discussing it and agree with you." He paused and put his hand on Matthew's shoulder, "how can I ignore the advice of two life long friends? If you don't mind I will allow you to make the arrangements, preferably tomorrow morning. I agree with Bill that we should get this business over with before we tell Zoe's mum."

"Yes sir, right away," he said nodding, "and sir I have left drinks for you and Mr. Turner in your den. I have turned down the guest room bed as well," he added.

"Thank you, Matthew," started Bill, "sometimes I think I should trade my wife for you. However, I don't think John would go for it." Matthew smiled and then left the room to tend to business. John and Bill retired to the den to have a drink. They were just about settled in and emerged to quiet conversation when it sounded as though a heard of cattle was headed their way. Seconds later in bounded the two girls excitedly. Sarah was dressed in her new school uniform, robes, hat, cloak, dragon hide gloves and all.

"So, how do I look?" she blurted out. Bill chuckled and let out a gasp as Zoe bounced down on his lap.

"Why, you look so collegiate," said John, trying to hold back laughter. "You do know that most of what you have on is not for daily wear."

"I know, I know, I just wanted to try it all on. I didn't get to look at it all yesterday. Besides," she added, "I'm so excited. Can we go get Zoe's stuff so we can both get dressed up?"

"Yeah, dad can we please, please, please, please?" added Zoe, bouncing up and down on her dads lap.

"Now girls," started John, "they'll be plenty of time for this next week. Right now I think that you two need to get in bed. It's late, and I thought that you wanted to talk to your mother tomorrow?"

"Al right dad, you're right. Come on Zoe," as they walked away she whispered, "we can still turn the lights out and talk under the covers."

"I heard that," said John.

"We'll be up in a minute to tuck you in, so you better be ready," finished Bill.

"Yes dad," they said together and then giggled all the way up the stairs.

By the time John and Bill made it upstairs the girls had managed to change clothes and were heading to bed. Sarah crawled under the covers and scooted to one side. Zoe wasn't as polite. She started from across the room at a run and ended by jumping right on top of Sarah. Sarah pushed her off giggling uncontrollably and they both settled in.

"All right you two, there will be no talking until 2:00 in the morning," said Bill.

"Okay, we promise not to talk past 1:00," said Zoe sarcastically.

"And absolutely no more giggling," said John.

"Yes, Dad," giggled Sarah. She looked over to say good night to Socrates but his cage was empty, "where's Socrates?"

"It's okay honey, he'll be back. Matthew sent him with a letter earlier."

John and Bill gave their daughters a kiss and then left them. Sarah was little concerned that Socrates was not there. She told herself that she was sure that tonight she'd get a really get a good night's sleep. After all Zoe was with her, how could anything go wrong. Sarah could not have been more wrong.