Where Your Dreams End

"I know what your saying but I can't say I understand it."

Elizabeth snickered, "so you think she'll buy it?"

"No thank you Matthew. Unless of course you'll finally leave Mr. Nettleton and replace my wife," joked Bill. Glenda smacked him on the arm and he laughed profusely. Matthew held back a laugh and left the room again to tend to business. "Hey sweetie, could you go see what the wild children are doing. You know, make sure they're not pulling the wings off of butterflies or anything?"

"Well you heard them. And after all they think they are the boss," said John matter-a-factly. And so it was. They had a grand barbeque that only two Wizarding families could have and everyone felt a little more relaxed and a little less afraid.

"Its wonderful to see you too, Sarah." Elizabeth turned to John. "And you too," she said with a mischievous smile.

"Welcome to my home," John said smiling back. Sarah suddenly thought of all of the strange things that she had recently discovered about her dads house and took a quick look around to see if her mom would notice. The portraits all seemed to be behaving themselves and Socrates was nowhere in sight. Sarah then turned to see her mother doing the same. She didn't seem too alarmed or freaked out by anything she saw.

"Doesn't look half bad for a bachelor's house," she said finally.

"Matthew takes care of it for me. You know me never any time."

Matthew now entered carrying several bags and a pet carrier. "Oh," said Elizabeth, "I figured that I should bring Max, I hope that was okay."

"Max!" Sarah screamed grabbing the cage and looking at her dad, "it's okay isn't it?"

"Absolutely, after all Max will be going to school with you won't he?"

"Really, that's so cool." Sarah took Max out of his carrier. He was not pleased. He snapped his tail hard a couple of times against her arm. "I know you hate the carrier, but now we're at dads and it's cool." Sarah looked at her mom, "oops sorry mom."

"That's okay," said Elizabeth, "I've always known that your dad's place was much cooler than mine."

"Dad I'm going to find a good place for his bowls and litter box. Then can I introduce him to Socrates?"

"Socrates?" asked Elizabeth.

"He's dads owl and he's totally cool."

Elizabeth face grew a little distorted and then she took a deep breath. "That's nice honey."

"I'm sure Socrates would be happy to meet Max, but I think we better let them discover each other on her own," expressed her dad.

"All right," Sarah said and then she took off with Max to show him around and get him set up.

"She doesn't seem any different," remarked Elizabeth, staring after her.

"Did you expect her to have horns or wings now?" John said sort of irritated by her remark.

"No," she replied defensively, "I just thought. Oh I don't know what I was thinking, I'm sorry."

"This is going to be hard," John said shaking his head.

"No, we're going to make this work, for Sarah," promised Elizabeth.

Matthew had come in again with more bags and John helped Matthew get her things settled in upstairs. After lunch, Sarah brought all of her school stuff out to show to her mother. Elizabeth sat patiently trying so hard not to look scared or upset. There were points that John thought she was actually interested in what Sarah was showing her. Later on in the day Elizabeth chanced to meet Socrates while on her way outside and nearly had a heart attack. Fortunately, Sarah came along to help calm her fears. By the end of the day, Elizabeth sat emotionally exhausted in a dark corner of the living room. Sarah bounced into the living room chattering about Zoe and what they were going to do in the next week in order to get ready for school. John came in behind her and noticed Elizabeth's state. "Pumpkin," started John, "I think your mother has had enough for one day."

Sarah stopped and took a good look at her mom. "I'm sorry mom."

"It's all right sweet heart I'm just tired," admitted her mother.

"I think it's about time for bed anyway Sarah. You head up, get ready and your mom and I will be there soon to tuck you in."

"All right dad," Sarah said as she gave them both a kiss and headed upstairs.

"Thank you," said Elizabeth rising slowly to her feet.

Elizabeth looked at John she could see the worry in his eyes. "Everything is going to be okay, isn't it?" she asked strain in her eyes as well.

"I promise, that's my job remember?" said John smiling.

"Well actually I tried very hard not to remember." Elizabeth paused and contemplated her next sentence. "Lately I've been looking back on things. I knew that the time had come for Sarah to find out. I know that you made a lot of mistakes but I'm sure your not the first WI---" she was finding the words hard to say.

"Wizard, Elizabeth you won't turn into a frog if you say it, I promise."

"Wizard," Elizabeth spit the word out like they had a bad taste. "I'm sure you're not the first to lie to the person you loved. And I'm sure that most of them probably didn't kick their loved ones out."

"I lied too much, I lied much too much." John paused and looked into his hands with shame. "Don't blame yourself, we just need to be happy that we've been able to raise a lovely caring daughter who is well rounded, despite her parents short comings."

"I suppose your right," she said, looking a bit shameful herself. "I want to be part of this, I want to understand."

"That I can do. Now I think we'd better get up there or she'll be bounding down here looking for us," he suggested.

Elizabeth nodded in agreement and they went upstairs. Matthew was standing next to Sarah's bed holding a glass. "She wouldn't take it before you two got here, afraid she would fall asleep too soon."

"Well, I didn't want to miss this, my mom and my dad tucking me in," said Sarah sarcastically. "After all this is a Kodak moment."

"Ha, Ha!" said Sarah's mom, "take your potion."

Sarah, John, and Matthew turned to look at her with surprise. "Okay, mom," Sarah said not knowing what else to say and she drank her potion.

Elizabeth smiled and gave her a kiss. John then came closer to do the same. Matthew took the empty glass, said "goodnight Miss" and left the room.

Sarah started to drift off. "I love you, " she said dreamily. John and Elizabeth repeated her sentiment and then decided that they too could use a good nights sleep and retired to bed, only eight more days to go.

The next few days went by smoothly. Sarah spent two hours a day on the phone with Zoe discussing school and the rest of the days studying the books that she had gotten. Elizabeth had even thumbed through a couple of the books and was becoming more and more interested. Her business was still very important though and she became irritated with John when she realized that he didn't have access to a fax. It was hard to stay mad at him though when he had offered to send her document via Socrates.

She did spend at lot of her time answering her cell phone and explaining that she was supposed to be on vacation. Nevertheless, all and all everyone at the townhouse seemed to be getting along and things seemed to be as normal as they could be under the circumstances. As the weekend approached the Nettleton's spent, a little more time with the Turners and managed to eat three meals together without Elizabeth losing her cool. After their third dinner together, Glenda pulled Elizabeth outside after they had convinced the children to clean up. "You're looking pretty happy these days, Elizabeth, is there anything you would like to tell me about."

"I don't know," she shook her head smiling. Then she laughed and said, "its like I'm under a spell."

Glenda laughed too. "I have to tell you, you two acting like you did when you first got together."

"I know, I am totally confused myself. It's not like me to get along with anyone these days. Maybe I just needed someone to tell me that there has to be magic in the world."

"Maybe you just needed the magic of the love of your family and friends." Elizabeth leaned forward and gave Glenda a hug. Glenda's eyes nearly popped out and in a moment she was hugging her back. Zoe came out at this moment, saw what was going on and ran into tell Sarah.

"Sarah you're never going to believe this but our moms are hugging," said Zoe out of breath.

"Uh, uh, no way," she said and then they ran outside to see.

"Maybe your mother slept next to a pod," Zoe whispered.

"Maybe," replied Sarah.

"What are you girls looking at?" asked Glenda peeking over Elizabeth's shoulder.

"Nothing," they chimed together and then ran away. Elizabeth and Glenda burst into laughter and returned into the house to find the gentlemen smoking their pipes in the den. John straightened up very quickly, his first urge was to hide his pipe, but instead he just stood there. Elizabeth sensed how uncomfortable he was.

"John I would never presume to tell you not to smoke in your own house. Besides if Glenda can take it I can."

John didn't know what to say or do. Bill broke the silence, "actually I get nagged at all the time to quit, but like I tell Glenda it's a horrible outlet for some of the problems of the job."

"It's an excuse to smoke and drink and be a man," Glenda corrected and then they all laughed.

Elizabeth was happy and she couldn't remember the last time she felt that way. Nevertheless, in two days Sarah would go to school and everything would change, what was she going to do then. It was the afternoon before they were to leave for school and John came into Sarah's room while she was reading one of her schoolbooks, he was alone. "Hey dad, where's mom?"

"She was making an important phone call and I took this time to come and talk to you alone."

Sarah sat up on her bed. "Why what's the matter?"

"Nothing really, we just need to talk," stated John.

"Okay," replied Sarah closing up her book.

"Tomorrow we will leave to go to Chicago so that you can catch the train."

"Catch the train?" Sarah interrupted.

"That's how you children will get to school, remember?" John pulled a train ticket out of his pocket and handed it to Sarah.

Sarah looked at the ticket and read, "Dragon's Wood Express, cool."

"I suppose," said John. "Anyway, after you get to school you won't need the potion to go to sleep anymore, which is good because it's never very good to go too long without dreaming. We all need to dream sometimes."

Sarah looked at him sort of alarmed. "Are you sure dad? I don't want to have any more nightmares, I just couldn't stand that, especially if you or mom weren't there."

"Dragons Wood is one of the safest places on Earth. All of our schools are specially protected by various spells and incantations. Not to mention that some of the most powerful wizards of our time are teachers there," guaranteed her father.

"Really," asked Sarah intrigued by his words, "like who?"

"Professor Killainka for one. Many a dark wizard fears his name and believe me, they have good reason to. However, you'll find out all about that when it is necessary for you to. I know you will be taking Max with you but I want you to take Socrates also. He can always find me no matter where I am if you need me."

"Is that okay?" asked Sarah.

"I've gotten you permission to have both and I think that they'll get along okay as long as Socrates gets to spend most of his time with the other owls and don't forget about him."

"I'm sure you won't pumpkin," said John, "you're a very good friend to all animals."

"Are we keeping secrets?" came a voice from behind. John and Zoe turned to see Elizabeth standing in the doorway.

"Not at all," said John, "just planning horrible things to do to you on your next birthday."

"I'd bet money on that," answered Elizabeth.

"Dad was just telling me about the train," said Sarah.

"The Train?" asked Elizabeth.

"Yes, I was telling her how we we're going to take her to the train tomorrow in Chicago."

"Oh, that's why we're going to Chicago in the morning," said Elizabeth looking devilish.

"Mom you're so weird."

"Well I may be weird, but I'm pretty," answered her mother.

John and Sarah looked at her like she was crazy and then Sarah began to laugh. "My parents have officially lost their collective minds."

"Okay we've all had our fun for today, but now we have to get everything ready for tomorrow," John said trying to be the adult.

"Oh yeah, I have invited Abigail to come tonight so she could be here for our before school celebration. She is packing up the rest of your stuff and should be here any time, especially if she apparates."

"I knew it!" yelled Sarah jumping to her feet, "she is a witch."

"Well I couldn't be the only one in the house," joked Elizabeth.

"You weren't though mom, cause I was."

"Okay ladies if you would like to have an argument over who's a witch and who isn't," said John looking quite devilishly himself.

" Don't go there, John Nettleton," exclaimed Elizabeth and then they all laughed. "Anyway like I was saying, Abigail will be here short while and I have invited the Turners to come over for a farewell dinner."

"I think that's wonderful. And I am so happy that Abigail is going to come and be a part of our family," proclaimed John, "I will leave all of the festivities to you and Matthew and Miss Abigail."

"And so you should," said Elizabeth very plainly and then turned to leave the room.

John leaned over to Sarah. "Do you suppose that we've created a monster?" Sarah shrugged and then they laughed. It wasn't long before the house was a full flutter with people and food and a romping good time. Eric had snuck in some Filibusters Fireworks and Zoe and him lit up the sky and interested the neighbors with their crazy antics. By the end of the evening, everyone was exhausted and when the Turners left, the Nettleton family all went to bed, well everyone but Socrates.

Abigail was the only sane person in the house the next morning; everyone was scrambling around trying to make sure that Sarah had everything she needed to go to school. Abigail finally stood in the middle of the room and raised her voice, "All right that's enough Mr. and Mrs. Nettleton, have a seat, Sarah you go and get Max ready." Everyone stopped and did exactly what she said. "Now Matthew and I will get everything ready and in the car. I'll let you know when we're ready to go, understand."

John and Elizabeth nodded and then when she walked out of the room, they laughed. " I guess we've been told," said Elizabeth.

"Quite," said John, "shall we have some tea?" asked John conjuring a pot and some cups.

"Absolutely," replied Elizabeth.

It didn't take long after Matthew and Abigail took over that they were on their way. The first thing that they did was swing by the Turners so that they could follow them up. After a few minutes of uncontrollable giggling, they were on there way again. It seemed as though they had just started and they were there. Bill and John parked the cars after they had unloaded the luggage to the curb. "This is so cool," said Sarah, looking up in aw, "I've never been to Union Station."

"Yeah, it's cool all right but just wait until we get inside," said Zoe smiling. As they started in the door and across the station, Zoe continued, "every year for the last five years I've come here to send off Eric. Every year I couldn't wait until I get to go, and now I get to." She stopped and started jumping up and down, "I get to go-o, and I get to go-o."

"Zoe, that's enough," said Glenda Turner, raising her voice slightly.

Zoe coward slightly, "okay, mom." Sarah slapped her on the back and snickered.

"Sarah," now came Elizabeth's voice.

"Yes mom," said Sarah and then Eric and Tabatha snickered however no one caught them.

John stopped as they came very close to the end of the South concourse. Sarah, Zoe, and Eric had been pushing luggage carts with all their things on them, including several caged animals that were now beginning to complain about their extended captivities. John held his hand up and the rest of the group stopped. "Sarah and Elizabeth, you are the only ones here who are not familiar with where we are about to go, so Sarah you walk next to Eric and Elizabeth you walk next to me."

"Are we here, which train is ours?" asked Sarah.

"Not yet," said Zoe, "we have to get to platform 31."

Sarah looked down the passageway and counted the platforms, she made a funny face. "Ha, ha, Zoe there isn't any 31. It only goes to 30."

Everyone except Elizabeth and Sarah smiled secretly. "I'll show you how," started Eric, "like your dad said stick with me." Sarah looked at Eric oddly and then her gaze was suddenly shifted when she noticed another family dressed rather oddly and pushing carts that had caged animals on them headed directly for the wall at the end of the concourse. She thought a moment that had gone mad as they ran at the wall and then suddenly they disappeared. Sarah quickly looked around to see if anyone else had seen it happen. People were still bustling everyone and no one had even noticed it seemed except for her.

"We're going through the wall?" Sarah said loudly. A couple of people stopped nearby and turned to see her. One of them then looked at Bill.

"Is it her first time?" asked the man.

"Yeah, she's a little excited," he explained.

"I was too my first time," said the young lady next to the man, "it will be all right."

Sarah turned a brilliant shade of red and stepped back behind her dad. Eric, who had to resist the urge to snicker, instead brought himself around next to Sarah. "It's all right, stick next to me and it will be all right." Sarah turned even redder, nodded and came back around so that her and her cart were next to Eric side by side. "Now when I say go, start forward as fast as you can, if it makes it easier you can close your eyes." Again, Sarah nodded. "Get ready, get set, and now go."

Eric looked at Sarah and she gave a quick glance back and then the two of them launched forward into the wall. "This is going to hurt." That was all that Sarah could think of right before the cart made contact with the wall. She closed her eyes and braced for the crash, but it never happened. Before she could open her, eyes Sarah knew she had entered a wonderful place. "Wow," she said as she opened her eyes.

Eric grabbed her arm and pulled her and her cart forward and to the side. "Quick Sarah, you have to move or you'll get hit by Zoe and Tabatha coming through."

"Yeah," said Sarah in a daze. Before she knew it the rest of their menagerie came bursting through the wall two by two, ending with John and Elizabeth who came through looking as shelled shocked as Sarah felt. Now that everyone was through Sarah took a moment to look around.

"Isn't it cool?" asked Zoe.

Sarah looked up hanging over the spot where they had just materialized there was a sign reading Platform 31, Dragons Wood Express. Sarah now turned to see the large royal blue Steam engine that now stood before them. There were hundreds of children and adults walking up and down the platform loading their belongings and themselves onto the train. It was a noisy and cheerful place filled with sounds of cats and owls and children laughing, and smelling of oil and old luggage. "Yeah, it's cool," Sarah agreed, "now what?"

"Now," said John, " you board the train."

Eric had all ready pushed forward seeing some of his friends. They were now slapping each other on the back and talking about girls. Glenda ran after him to say goodbye she knew that him seeing his friends meant he was about to disappear onto the train. Bill called after them, "make sure your practicing your game, boy and send us an owl as soon as you get settled."

"Sure dad," he called back not at all listening to his father, then he and his mother now disappeared into the crowd.

John, Bill, and Elizabeth now began to herd the remaining girls forward toward the train. Sarah and Elizabeth were walking with their heads in the clouds trying to take it all in. Sarah saw a boy who looked to be their age searching around the ground looking for something. "That stupid rat, I knew I should have left him at home," he was crying out loudly, "when I catch him I'm going to turn him into a rock."

"You'll do know such thing," said the woman who looked to be his mother standing over him.

A little further down two girls were giggling wildly because the young man that was with them had tried to cast a spell and it had blown up in his face. If this hadn't been humiliating enough, his mother was now wiping his face with a handkerchief and scolding him profusely.

As they approached the center of the train, they met up with Mrs. Turner again and decided that this was as good a place as any to board. John and Bill handed their luggage to the handler until everything was on board except the carrier that housed Max, which Sarah was now holding very close to her body. Zoe had brought her new owl Mercedes who had been given to her as a going away present, however he and Socrates had been loaded into a special section of the train to be taken care of with all of the rest of the owls.

Sarah now looked at her mom and dad, she suddenly felt scared and maybe a little sick. "Maybe I could take off running for the wall and make it back home before anyone could catch me?" she thought. "Dad," she said out loud, "what if I'm a lousy witch and I can't do anything magical?"

John smiled, "what ever happens, happens. However I'm sure you'll do well."

Sarah nodded, "okay, so I guess I'll be going to school now."

"Sarah, chill. You and I are going to rule at school," she rhymed. Then they all laughed and the girls gave their parents and Tabatha a hug good-bye.

Just before they boarded John pulled Sarah to one side, "remember what I said, and when you get to school you won't need the potion anymore but it will be all right. Socrates will find me wherever I am, if anything unusual happens let me know right away."

"Yes daddy, I will." Sarah gave him another hug, then kissed him and her mom again. She followed Zoe onto the train and moments later that it began to pull away. Sarah and Zoe found an empty car and peered out the window searching for a glimpse of their families. They could see them waving in the distance. "This is it," said Sarah, "I'm really going."