Where Your Dreams End

Chapter Ten Extra Precautions

When Killainka arrived in the infirmary, John Nettleton was already there by his daughters side sleeping. Mrs. Hutton entered from the other room and went to the Professor. "He's been there most of the night," she said gesturing to Nettleton.

Killainka shook his head. "I was hoping that we'd all get some sleep but I guess that wasn't to happen," he said, looking as tired as he had the night before. Mrs. Hutton was worried about all of them, including Professor Killainka. However, she knew that it was futile to say anything else to him at this point. "The children," asked Killainka. "Did the children sleep well?"

"Yes, sir, no one stirred all night," she replied. "Not even when Mr. Nettleton arrived."

Killainka nodded and took a deep breath. "Let's find Mr. Nettleton a bed close to Sarah." Mrs. Hutton nodded. "I've got to go and see Professor Chalipun. I will return as soon as I can. Let me know right away if anything usual happens or if any of them wake up." Mrs. Hutton again nodded. Before he left, he took one last look toward the sleeping children and shook his head. When he returned to his office, Professor Chalipun was waiting for him. She was sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace in a meditative state. When the Professor entered, she opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and rose from the floor.

"Good morning Javier," she said when she had made it to her feet.

"I wish I could say that were true, Priscilla," responded Killainka.

"What did you need to talk to me about?" she asked, concerned.

"We know from the past that Chinkana was able to enter into a persons dream and convince them to do Dark Magic. He has been known to possess a person's mind and make them do his bidding even while he himself was in full control of his faculties. This is a specialized talent that many of our kind have mastered, but no one could or would do it to his extent. Most of what he managed to do was inconceivable so I don't know how we can figure out what to do about what seems to be the spirit or the essence of him appearing now."

Professor Chalipun sat for a moment staring into the fireplace. "It is possible that his spirit has some how survived all these years, growing stronger. We can assume that Sarah was not having these dreams until she was told of her heritage." Killainka nodded that he felt that to be true. "We must find out everything that happened the first night that she had the dreams." She paused and looked at Killainka. "I am assuming that Christine Ratcliff is somewhere on the grounds." Killainka nodded again. "We must find out anything unusual that she has been experiencing since it began and then we must talk to everyone who is involved and fit all of the pieces of the puzzle together."

"Assuming that we are going to be able to get these answers, I think that it's going to take more than you and I to figure them out. I want you to speak to Professor Abydos. Fill Romulus in on anything that he doesn't all ready know."

"Yes sir," said Chalipun nodding.

"Talk to Romulus and I'll meet you in the infirmary around one o'clock," he instructed. Then he turned and looked out the window. "I need to go see the other heads of houses. I hear that things had been a little wild in the dormitories since they found the children. I'd best go see what can be done there before things get totally out of hand." Professor Chalipun reassured Killainka that they had beaten this thing in the past and that they would again before heading out the door. Killainka commented to himself that he hoped so and then once again called out Professor Ratcliff's name. Christine seemed very distraught when she appeared in the corner of the room.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked right away.

"Better than last night, how is my son?" was her concerned response.

"They have all been sleeping since we talked to them last night. Mrs. Hutton has given them a dreamless sleep potion. They won't awaken until we want them to."

Christine sat down in a corner chair and put her head between her hands. "Over and over in my head, I keep remembering all the ways that I have let Dillon down," she mumbled

"It won't help you or your son to dwell on the past, Christine. The only thing that you are guilty of is giving of yourself to someone who did not deserve it. Evil has a way of getting even the purest of heart to do it's bidding."

"I should have been stronger, I should have known better," she cried desperately.

"In five years you have not learned to forgive yourself. You must now or you can not truly recover," lectured Killainka. "Whatever has happened in the past, you have to move on. I am convinced that all of you; Sarah, Eric, Dillon, their fathers and perhaps even I have the answers to this puzzle. We just have to find all the clues and put them together before someone else gets hurt."

Christine was pale and looked as tired as Killainka felt. "I will help you in any way that I can, Javier."

"When was the last time you slept?" he asked concerned.

"Probably the last time you did," she retorted.

Killainka smiled, "Touché, however that does not make me any less worried about you and everyone else at Dragon's Wood." Killainka took a deep breath and then tried to suppress a yawn. "Now I need to go see Alice and Gene about some frightened students and you need to go rest and try to remember anything and everything that you can about the last few months."

Professor Ratcliff took her leave and then Killainka made his way to Professor Quigley's Classroom. There was a small group of students hanging around in the doorway as he entered. Professor Quigley sent them on their way after Killainka entered the classroom. When they were assured they were alone he began to talk. "Alice how are you doing?" Killainka asked first.

"I think a better question is, how are you," she asked looking at his tired face. "You don't look so good."

"I'll ignore that," he said smiling. "Tell me how the students are doing."

"Everyone was pretty upset when they first found out that three of their peers had been found unconscious. But the rest of the teachers and I have been assuring them that there is no danger and that Eric, Sarah, and Dillon are going to be all right." She paused and then sat down on the edge of her desk. "The two who are the most upset, course, are Miss Turner and Miss Sutton, Eric's girlfriend. I had Mrs. Hutton give them both a sleeping potion last night and they seem to be doing all right today."

Killainka sat down at the long bench in the front of the classroom and faced Professor Quigley. "I never thought that I would ever feel that I had no control over what is going on in my school until now," he said with a heavy heart.

"Javier, this is not your fault. You know that if Chinkana has anything to do with this there is nothing that you could have done to prevent it."

"She's right," came the echoing voice of Professor Abydos from the rear.

"Romulus, kind of you to join us," said Killainka turning to greet him. Abydos joined them at the front of the classroom.

"I'm not sure that you'll feel that way after I tell you what I've found out," he said grimly. Both Killainka and Quigley asked "what?" at the same time. "I've been looking and asking around the school and the only thing that anyone has had to report unusual was something that the caretaker said."

"What did Cedric have to say?" asked Killainka.

"He said a short time before the students were found he had been in hallway outside of the infirmary and had seen Miss Nettleton knocked down by Charlie Ratcliff," explained Abydos.

"Knocked down?" puzzled Quigley.

"He said that he turned the corner to see her coming out of the infirmary door and he saw Ratcliff deliberately run into Miss Nettleton and knock her down. He said that he then helped her up and the last he saw of them, Ratcliff was walking her down the hallway and toward the dorm corridor." Abydos had a definite tone of concern.

Killainka rose to his feet and began to pace slowly across the classroom. "Anything else Romulus?"

"Not of any value, just student gossip, and accusations. This is a great opportunity for rival dorms to make false statements against each other."

Killainka smiled. "I suppose that is true. But lets not make light of any statement, no matter how absurd until this situation is resolved." After another moment of thought he added, "well, I suppose we should at least rule out the most absurd." All three teachers chuckled a little. "I need to go and talk to some sleeping children so I will leave you two in charge of these awake ones." As he spoke, the ninth grade Parathion students began to file into the classroom and were staring at the three Professors and gossiping about what they might be discussing.

Abydos pulled a large gold pocket watch from his robes and smiled a slightly evil smile. "I'm not even going to get to be there when they come in late if I don't hurry."

Professors Killainka and Quigley resisted the urge to laugh as Abydos turned and exited the classroom. Killainka said goodbye to Professor Quigley and then after giving the noisy classroom a stern look that immediately silenced them, he exited. As he walked down the hallways headed toward the infirmary, he started to line up the pieces of the puzzle. I need more, he thought to himself as he arrived at the door to the infirmary

"Professor," came Mrs. Hutton's voice, rushing to him as he entered the room. " I was just about to send for you." She seemed slightly distressed. "Mr. Turner has wakened on his own and is demanding to see you."

"Oh he has, has he?" asked Killainka, both amused and confused. "Well let's go and talk to him then." Eric was refusing to stay in the bed and was being very verbal about it when Professor Killainka came into the main room. When he saw Killainka, he seemed to calm down a bit. "So Eric I hear that you've been giving Mrs. Hutton as much trouble as possible," said Killainka coming into the room.

"Sir, I just wanted to talk to you," apologized Eric.

"It's okay Eric, I'm actually happy to see you up and fighting," he responded smiling. "Let's go into the other room so we won't disturb the others."

Eric blushed. "Again I apologize," Eric repeated and then he followed the Professor into an examination room to speak, wobbling only slightly.

"No more apologizing. I am here to see what you have to say to me," said Killainka after they had sat down across from each other.

Eric calmed down and relaxed. "Yes sir," he said, taking a deep breath.

"Now what was so important that you were giving Mrs. Hutton a heart attack?" he asked slowly.

"I had a dream," he said calmly and then he looked as though he did not wish to continue.

"And?" Killainka asked.

"You were there and Mrs. Hutton." He paused. "Now it sounds silly," he said thinking about it again.

"Go on, perhaps it won't sound silly to me," the Professor insisted.

"Well, Professor Ratcliff was there." He looked at Killainka like he thought himself mad. "Crazy huh?"

"Continue" was all the Killainka would say.

"It was like I was standing outside of my body. There you all were talking and I couldn't say anything or do anything. I was about to call out to try to wake up when it stopped and everyone was gone. And then just now I woke up." Eric stopped and looked for an answer in Killainka's eyes. "Sir what happened?"

"Lot's of things since last we spoke, Eric. Well, at last since the last time that you remembered we talked."

Eric's face was now more distressed. "Sir," he said with great pain in his voice.

Killainka again looked him in the eyes. "I have always been honest with you Eric, have I not?" Eric nodded silently.

"Last night I came to talk to you and I brought a friend."

"A friend?" questioned Eric.

"Yes, Eric, a friend. You weren't dreaming last night, Professor Ratcliff was here with me."

Eric began to get slightly upset. "But, but sir, Professor Ratcliff is dead."

"Eric, in your dream, could you hear or understand what was being said to you?"

Eric shook his head. "No, it was like I was watching an old silent movie." Eric watched Killainka's face but then he could never read the Professor so why bother.

"Remember how I told you that you had been placed under a memory charm?" Eric nodded. "Last night, you were in a trance-like state that permitted you to remember what happened five years ago. For a few minutes, it seemed as though you were. Then you began to say things that were very out of character for you." Eric was shifting uncomfortably in his seat and looking pale. "Eric, five years ago you had an encounter with pure evil and you managed to make it out not only alive but stronger for it. Others who were involved did not fare so well." Killainka grew restless and rose to pace the room. "I told you before that it took years for some of those touched by Chinkana to come to terms with what they did. Professor Ratcliff was one of those people." Killainka was now back at his side and staring directly into his eyes. "Again, I am trusting you with some of my best kept secrets."

Eric now sat so still, Killainka had to check to make sure that he was breathing. "Yes sir."

"Eric, Charlie Ratcliff, has raised Dillon from the time he was born and has been the best dad that he could be to Dillon. However, he is not Dillon's father," said Killainka thoughtfully.

Eric was now shaking his head and breathing heavily. "What do you mean Sir?"

"He means that even those of us who feel untouchable, aren't," said Professor Ratcliff entering the room.

"Professor Ratcliff?" pondered Eric, rising to his feet. Killainka put his hand on Eric's shoulder and again helped him to sit down. "I'm just so surprised and happy that you're here."

"I'm happy to see you again Eric, and I'm happy that you've been looking after Dillon all these years." She paused and took a deep breath before she continued, "and Professor Killainka is right, Charlie is not Dillon's father." She was even paler than before and was shaking so badly she could barely stand. Killainka reached out to her and steadied her with his hand.

"It's all right Christine it is time for the truth to come out. We have to ask ourselves if keeping quiet all these years is at the root of our current situation." Killainka was reassuring Professor Ratcliff while attempting to console Eric.

"You're right as usual," replied Professor Ratcliff who was no longer smiling, "Eric I know that you have heard a lot about this evil presence that you are now being exposed to for the second time." She paused and then uttered his name, "Chinkana." Eric nodded and flinched a little. "Long before I met Dillon's father and long before I was a teacher at Dragon's Wood, I met and fell in love with him. As you may know he had a way of possessing your mind, spirit and body. In my case he possessed my heart." She finally could stand no more and fumbled for a chair to sit in. Killainka and Eric moved forward to help her and then Killainka made Eric sit back down. "I'm sorry, I'm still not as strong as I could be." She confessed.

Eric was now so curious and impatient that he blurted out a question. "Are you trying to say that Chinkana," he shuttered as he said the name, "is Dillon's father?"

Both Professors' were quiet for a moment, and then Killainka put a strong hand on Ratcliff's shoulder and said, "yes, Eric, Chinkana is Dillon's father."

"I'm not going to stop shouting until I get some answers," interrupted the voice of Zoe Turner trying to fight her way into the infirmary. "My brother and my best friend are in there and no one will tell me if they are all right."

Maggie was standing in front of the main door and shaking her head at Zoe. "Miss Turner, I assure you that they are all right and that at this very moment Professor Killainka is in with them."

This only slightly calmed the highly agitated pre-teen and then after being quiet and calm for a moment presented another demand. "I need to know, is my dad in there? Because if he is I need to see him right now."

"Miss Turner," came the calming voice of Professor Quigley from behind. "I thought I told you that I would bring you to see your brother and Miss Nettleton when it was possible."

Zoe turned to face the Professor, a bit embarrassed but mostly irate. "I'm sorry Professor but I'm worried about my family and my friends."

"I understand that, but you have to understand that things are going on right now that require them all to be where they are. As soon as these situations change I am sure that you will be able to see them," assured the Professor.

"I'm sorry Professor but that sounds like a lot of crap," said Zoe looking her right in the eye.

Professor Quigley knew that Zoe was speaking from the heart and would never be disrespectful under any other circumstances, however she couldn't allow Zoe to know this. "Miss Turner, despite the things that have happened here we need, all of us, to keep our wits and not lose site of everyday life," answered Professor Quigley sternly. Then she looked directly into her eyes and added. "Zoe I will come to get you when you can be allowed to see them, I promise."

Zoe looked up at Professor Quigley through her extremely blood shot and puffy eyes, "Professor I don't want to get into trouble but I do want to know that they're all right." Zoe now lowered eyes to the floor and tears rolled down her cheeks.

Professor Quigley put a hand on her head and pulled it back so that their eyes met again. "You're not in trouble and your family and friends are okay. And I promise that as soon as I can, I will let you see them," she repeated and then paused to see if Zoe had comprehended. "In the meantime, your father is not in the infirmary right now and if you will calmly come with me I will take you to him."

Zoe couldn't speak now, she was tired, and she knew that she was risking detention by confronting a teacher. "I'm sorry," she said after awhile. "I'm just worried," she repeated as she was taking off by the Professor. Inside the infirmary, however the pot was beginning to boil.

"I don't care about whether or not my color is good, I want to see Eric and Dillon and make sure they're all right." It was Sarah's turn to loose her cool.

"If you would calm down and look to your left you would see that Mr. Ratcliff is in a nearby bed, fast asleep. Who, if I may add, you are in danger of disturbing at this very moment." Sarah sat down on her bed and looked as she was told to. Dillon lay three beds down peacefully asleep. Sarah relaxed a little and then looked in the other direction. Before she could say anything though Mrs. Hutton explained, "Mr. Turner is also fine, Miss Nettleton, he is in the next room speaking with Professor Killainka. I would imagine now that you are awake he will wish to talk to you also."

Sarah exhaled and nodded. "All right I'll wait patiently."

Eric shook his head slowly his eyes were also swollen. "I don't understand, you were a teacher, you were my teacher."

Professor Ratcliff lowered her head in despair despite Killainka's attempts to keep her upright. She walked over to Eric and knelt down on the floor next to him. "I could not possibly expect for you to understand or forgive what I have done. I will ask that you not judge me, not at least until you learn more about our enemy."

Eric looked at her. "Our enemy?"

"I haven't ever been able to understand why he chose those who he chose, but I do know that there has always been a reason. There is something that neither you nor I, or for that matter, anyone, including your family or Professor Killainka, know about you that he does. Something that makes you essential in his plan."

Eric was speechless and Killainka was concerned that Professor Ratcliff had said too much. "Eric, at this point we're not even sure that it is Chinkana. There are some things that we need to find out and understand first." Killainka was talking directly to Eric but throwing hints to Christine, which she was still in control enough to understand.

"I'm sorry," she said calming down. "I don't wish to alarm anyone. I suppose I am just scared."

"If you're scared Professor then I am terrified," concluded Eric. Killainka took a deep breath and then managed to convince Eric and Professor Ratcliff that they were not in any immediate danger and that for the moment they needed to focus on what was important.

"Dillon," cried Sarah as she saw him open his eyes for the first time that afternoon. She bounced out of bed just missing Mrs. Hutton's grasp. "I'm so glad you're awake. I had this really crazy dream and--"

Sarah was cut short by a three consecutive sneezes to which Dillon's first conscious words were "Bless you."

"Dillon, I was worried. I came into the room, you, and Eric we're on the floor and then -"Sarah was cut short by Dillon who began trying to rise out of his bed to no avail.

"What are you talking about?" He was saying as loudly as he could manage. Mrs. Hutton then insisted that they at least sit down as they spoke. She directed Sarah onto the nearest bed and waited for them to settle down before excusing herself, stating that she should probably inform Professor Killainka that they were both awake now. When she had left the room, Sarah sat up and faced Dillon.

"Dillon, I don't know what's going on but I'm getting sick and tired of ending up in the infirmary," Sarah said somewhat angrily.

"Infirmary?" Dillon questioned and then after he had looked around and evaluated the situation he was even more distraught. "Why am I here? I don't understand."

"You're here because of me," came a soft voice from the corner of the room. Dillon and Sarah turned to see Professor Ratcliff standing there. Sarah stared at the pretty but pale woman who had just entered the room. She had no idea who she was but from the look on Dillon's face, it was obvious that he did. Christine moved forward and reached out her hand. "Dillon, it's me, mom."

Dillon looked at her with both confusion and contempt. "That was a dream, you're not alive. I must be dreaming again." He was getting really upset now. "I need to wake up." Tears were rolling down his cheeks one right after the other.

Sarah stood up suddenly and got in between them. "Dillon's right, I'm not going to play this game anymore," she shouted.

Killainka now appeared beside her. "Sarah, Dillon look at me!" he demanded. Sarah and Dillon turned to face him. Sarah noticed Eric standing between Killainka and Professor Ratcliff and lunged forward to hug him. Everyone in the room stopped to stare and smile at her. When Sarah noticed this, she pulled back suddenly and turned bright red.

"Okay that's it!" she cried. "Wake up I don't want to play this game anymore," she repeated.

Killainka put his hand on Sarah's shoulder. "Sarah, calm down." He was now standing next to her. "You are not asleep. I am here, you are all here and Dillon's mother is here."

Sarah didn't move. She just looked at the Professor's and then Dillon's devastated faces and then she looked at Killainka's. "All right, so it's not a dream. Then I need to know what's going on."

"Me too," said Dillon wiping the tears from his eyes.

Eric sat down next to Dillon and put his arm around his shoulders. "It's going to be all right bro." Eric also turned to Sarah and winked. Sarah again turned red but remained calm and sat back down on the bed next to Dillon's.

Professor Ratcliff inched closer to Dillon and Eric. Eric looked at her and then Dillon's face and said, "it's your mother Dillon, don't be angry, be happy that you get to have a second chance to love her."

Killainka smiled through his tired eye, "I couldn't have said it better myself."

Dillon lifted his head and smiled at Professor Ratcliff. "Mom," he whispered quietly. Killainka nudged Christine and after a slight pause, she moved forward and hugged Dillon. Tears were now rolling down cheeks everywhere and after a short reunion; Professor Ratcliff replaced Eric by Dillon's side.

"But I don't understand," started Sarah after everything had settled down. "If this isn't a dream then what's going on, Sir?"

"Before we talk about what's going on now, I need to ask you and Dillon some questions," said Killainka sitting down in a nearby chair. Sarah and Dillon nodded. Eric who had sat down next to Sarah put his hand on hers to brace her. "Sarah I need you to remember some things for me." She again nodded; she was now red from Eric's grasp. "When was the first time you had a dream?"

Sarah thought for a moment and then remembered. "On my birthday."

"All right," said Killainka thinking, "Tell me everything you can remember about that day." Sarah began by relating how that morning; she had seen the owl and the store at the mall and how she hadn't understood. Then she related about the party her mom had thrown and her dad had been there, showed her the letter, and given her the book.

"While your father was there did anything unusual happen?"

"More unusual than finding out he was a wizard?" asked Sarah sarcastically.

Killainka smiled. "I suppose that seemed terribly unusual at the time. What else can you remember about that evening before the dream?"

"I met Socrates, my owl for the first time, he brought dad a letter of some kind."

"What kind of letter?"

"I don't know he didn't say but he did have to leave suddenly, but then that's never been unusual for dad. Leaving suddenly I mean," Sarah explained.

Killainka's face grew thoughtful, "And the second time?" He asked after a short break.

Sarah had to think for a while longer this time; the nights and the dreams were all running together and it was sometimes hard to remember. "I remember, it was after dad and I had gone shopping. Matthew met us at the mall. Dad had received an urgent message from the Department of Magic, and he needed to go. Matthew took me home and later dad came home. I guess I was falling asleep so dad made me go to bed, that night I had the second one. But the really, really bad one was after we had come up here for that visit." Sarah was starting to feel scared and wanted to end this remembering process. "Can we stop now?"

Killainka had gotten lost in thought but came around by her request. "I'm sorry Sarah I know that now isn't the best time to ask, however, what must be done must be done." He looked at Dillon who was now resting very comfortably in his mother's arms. "Dillon, I now need to know when you had your first dream."

Dillon looked up, his face pale. "What are you talking about?" he asked trying to conceal his shock.

"Dillon it is all right for you to tell us now about your dreams."

Dillon looked at Eric. "Did you tell?"

"Dillon, you have to understand that I was concerned about you. I would never do anything to hurt you," Eric explained.

Dillon shook his head but decided that he could not be mad at Eric, not now when everything was so upside down. "Yes I know." He looked at his mother and then the Professor. "I don't really remember exactly when, but it was before Sarah and Zoe came to visit at Dragon's Wood. I just remember that the first time, I was in the Great Hall on the first day of school. We were all being chosen for our dorm and my mother was there. She was trying to tell me something. I always felt like it was a warning, but I could never hear her over the noise of the hall. It always ended with her disappearing into a shadow and then I would wake up."

Professor Ratcliff hugged Dillon tighter and then searched Killainka's eyes for what he was thinking. "Javier?" she questioned.

"I'm not sure Christine, but I have a few more questions for Sarah's father and until I can ask them, we'll let these discussions go for now." He rose to his feet and looked at them all and then Mrs. Hutton who had been standing quietly in a corner of the room. "It seems to me that these children have been lying around in bed long enough. If you would please give them a once over just to be sure, I would like them to return to the dormitories." Everyone looked shocked and surprised including Professor Ratcliff and Mrs. Hutton.

"Are you sure Javier?" asked Christine.

"Yes, I think that things need to get back to as normal as quickly possible. However, Eric, Dillon, and Sarah, you will not be allowed to wander around the school without adult supervision. I will instruct Professor Quigley and the other teachers that you will all need an escort when you are not in class, the dormitory, or the Great Hall. Also, Mrs. Hutton will be giving you three a dreamless sleep potion before bed until further notice."

Eric groaned, "Sir can I just say that--"

Killainka did not allow him to finish his sentence. "I realize that this will be inconvenient Mr. Turner, however I feel that it's necessary. I also think that it would be a good idea if you did not participate in Quidditch practice until I tell you otherwise."

Eric was totally depressed now. "But sir we're going to play Parathion next week it's really important that I be there, I mean I am the Captain."

Killainka looked into Eric's eyes and smiled. "All right but I insist that Sir Roger be at all practices."

Eric hung his head and nodded. "Fair enough."

Sarah looked into his disappointed eyes. "This is all my fault," she mumbled.

"It is not your fault Sarah," said Professor Ratcliff. "And I have to learn that it's not my fault." She added looking at Killainka who smiled and nodded. "We'll all get past this and move on."

"And right now I need you three to help me. For the time being, I need you not to discuss Professor Ratcliff's return. She needs to continue to be in hiding until we understand more." Killainka looked at Dillon now, "not even your father, Dillon." Dillon nodded, confused.

Killainka was pushed aside by an irritated Mrs. Hutton. "And now I need to check the children so they can get back to the dorm. So adults, shoo, shoo," she said making arm motions toward the door.

Dillon didn't want to let go of his mother. "I'll come and see you in the dorm after awhile, I promise," she said pushing him gently away.

Dillon looked at her and then Professor Killainka and acknowledged his positive gesture. He slowly let go of her hand. As she rose from the bed to follow Killainka, Eric and Sarah joined him, one on either side. Eric spoke first, "It's going to be fine, as long as Mrs. Hutton doesn't poke and prod too much."

Killainka asked Christine to again wait in the hallway as they approached where John Nettleton and Bill Turner sat waiting. "I better talk to them first, I'm sure they are still very unsettled let's not make it any worse." Christine nodded and sat down on a bench next to the door. As Killainka opened the door and entered the guest quarters, John and Bill sprung out of their chairs and to their feet.

"Relax gentlemen and have a seat, I intend to," he said crossing the room and finding a comfortable chair.

John sat down and looked at Killainka. "Are you all right sir?"

"Yes, John, I am fine, I'm just a little tired," he said smiling. "Let's talk about some things that are more important right now." Bill now joined them and they both sat quietly waiting for what he had to say. "First I would like you to know that I just left your children and they're on their way back to the dorm as we speak." Bill and John both took a deep breath and relaxed a little in their chairs. "I'm afraid Eric's a little miffed at me about Quidditch practices."

Bill smiled with relief. "He'll get over it."

"I'm sure. Now that I have reassured you, I need some answers."

"Yes sir," they both echoed.

"John, I talked to Sarah and she told me that first night she had one of the dreams it was her birthday, the night that you told her about you and school," offered Killainka.

John was upset; "I know I shouldn't have just sprung it on her. I just wanted her to know."

"John, it's okay, I really don't think that you telling Sarah you were a wizard or about Dragon's Wood triggered her dreams. But, Sarah said that you were called away while you were there and on another occasion after you were shopping."

"Yes sir," he said looking curious.

"Why were you called away?" he now asked.

John puzzled for a moment remembering those months ago and one of the many times he was called away to Washington. "I was at Sarah's birthday party and Socrates brought me a message. Yeah, I had to go to Alcatraz, I remember. A Muggle saw something on one of those tours they still allow. A teenager got into one of the restricted areas, managed to get a quite scare. He saw one of the prisoners before they could subdue him. Evidently, he had some wizarding ancestry he didn't know about. Anyway, he was babbling on about someone trying to warn him. He said that a ghost came running at him and yelling that he tried to hold onto him but he had gotten away. It was pretty bizarre report. I used a memory charm on him and slipped him back into the next tour." John paused for a moment and then looked at both Bill and Killainka, "You don't suppose that that's what he was talking about? I never connected that at all."

Bill was now to his feet, "Yeah, I think that's why they called us both a few days later. They lost the same prisoner. A Dementor got a hold of him, they said he was trying to escape, took the life right out of him."

"That was when Sarah and I went shopping," clarified John.

Bill sat back down and looked distraught. "Why didn't we think about all of this before?"

"Don't start second guessing yourselves, we don't know that this is related. Even if it is related, you couldn't have possibly known," Killainka reassured. "Right now we need too concentrate on the present and continue to investigate until we have all the answers." Killainka paused, "I have something that I need to tell you about, or should I say someone." He stood and turned toward the door. "It's time, Christine."

After Mrs. Hutton had done an extensive exam on them, Cedric escorted Sarah, Dillon, and Eric back to the dorm common room. It was the early afternoon so the students and teachers were still in class, Cedric refused to leave them alone. Sarah leaned over to Dillon as they were sitting on the couch waiting for Cedric to leave.

"This sucks."

"Yeah, I feel like a two year old," replied Dillon.

Eric who had been studying the situation carefully now joined their conversation. "It will be all right, I got an idea."

Eric winked at both of them and then said loudly, "Cedric, Dillon needs to go to the restroom, should I go with him?"

Cedric turned around to face them. He had a rather unpleasant look on his face. "You're right you will, it's bad enough that I'm playing babysitter to you three. I'm not going to take you to the potty also," he said scowling.

Dillon and Sarah were confused but Dillon went right along with the plan. When they reached the top of the stairs, Eric quickly went into the sophomore dorm with Dillon following. Grabbing some paper and a pen from his desk, he quickly penned a letter and then summoned his owl Standish to carry it. By the time they had returned to the common room Standish had arrived with the letter he had written for Cedric.

"Blasted owls," mumbled Cedric as he took the note from his leg and read it. "Well it seems that something more urgent than baby sitting has come up so you're on your own."

He paused and then added one warning, "I suggest that you all stay hear and stay out of trouble. Professor Quigley should be along any minute with the rest of the students."

After one last sinister look, he left. Dillon burst into laughter. Sarah looked puzzled. "What did you do?"

"I just sent him a message that there were students seen attempting to enter the Teachers Corridor," said Eric matter-of-factly. Sarah now joined in the laughter. After a moment or two, though they all sat back and were quiet. "Dillon," started Eric, "I'm sorry that I went behind your back, and told Professor Killainka about your dreams."

"It's all right. I should have told him, maybe we wouldn't be under house arrest if we have all been honest from the beginning."

Sarah put a hand on Dillon's. "Hey, even as weird as all this has been at least you have your mother back."

"I suppose, but I'm really not so sure how I feel about it yet," said Dillon hanging his head.

"And no one is going to force you to feel anyway, I promise," said Eric.

"Eric you have more knowledge of what's going on than Dillon and I, can you enlighten us?" asked Sarah.

"I'm not sure. I can't remember much about the last time this happened. From what I gather, your dreams were similar to mine, however mine didn't start until I came to school. Now that I know a few more things I have the feeling it was because of my relationship with Professor Ratcliff and Dillon."

"What are you talking about?" asked Dillon.

"I can't tell you just yet, Professor Killainka made me promise to wait until the right time. However, you do know that your mother was highly involved last time. And this time you obviously are," resolved Eric.

"I don't know what's going on anymore," said Sarah, a little angry. "I know that I'm tired of blacking out and ending up in the infirmary." Sarah sneezed three times and then exasperated she hit her hand on the table.

Eric and Dillon laughed. "I'm not extremely happy about this one time," said Dillon.

Eric looked at Dillon, he wanted to tell him everything, but he knew it wasn't time yet. "Sarah what do you remember about night before last?"

"I felt like crap. Mrs. Hutton gave me some cold medicine and told me to hurry back to the dorm. I bumped into your dad, Dillon, I felt like a real idiot. After that, I made my way back to here before falling asleep on the couch. After you woke me Eric, I went upstairs to bed."

Eric looked at her puzzled and interrupted. "Sarah I didn't wake you up."

"Yeah you did, you called me a slacker and I sneezed on you don't you remember?" Sarah asked a little concerned of her sanity.

"You were already in bed when I got here. Mrs. Hutton was leaving the dorm after she had checked on you when I arrived," explained Eric.

Dillon nodded in agreement. "She got mad when Zoe and Megan tried to look in on her, she was afraid they would wake her."

Sarah rose to her feet and approached the fireplace. She was suddenly cold and scared. After sneezing a couple more times, she turned to speak. "I'm so confused these days that I don't even know where my dreams begin or end."

Eric joined her by the fireplace. "That's funny."

"What's that?" asked Dillon.

"I know what Sarah is saying." Eric was suddenly wobbly and almost lost his balance. "I remember how you feel all of the sudden. I kind of remember that lost feeling, but I can't really remember the details."

"Eric, it's all right. I don't think I remember everything that's happened to me and it all happened to you five years ago," said Sarah truthfully.

"I wish that I could remember everything that happened so that maybe we could figure this thing out. And face it if we don't figure this out soon, at the very least Sarah is going to spend the rest of her life in the infirmary," joked Eric.

Sarah and Dillon smiled, but they weren't really convinced that Eric could retrieve all the answers. Before they could get anymore out of him however, Professor Quigley entered the room followed by a steady stream of students returning from class. She barely had a chance to comment on how they looked when Zoe, Meagan and William, along with Eric's girlfriend Annabelle and the rest of the dorm Quidditch team were surrounding them, hugging and pounding fists into their arms, lovingly. "Man you are going to have so much homework you'll be buried in it," said Megan to Sarah and Dillon after hugging them a dozen times.

"They wouldn't tell us anything," said Zoe after taking a deep breath. She was standing next to Eric and holding his hand. "I hate to say it but I was worried about you," she said letting go off his hand and punching him hard.

"Ouch," said Eric looking like a hurt little boy. "Help everyone, Zoe's beating up on me," he said whining and then laughing. Professor Quigley, seeing the love and attention the group was receiving decided she could leave them alone. It wasn't long though before she was back to escort them to the Great Hall for dinner. Eric felt like a sixth grader again, Sarah and Dillon just felt humiliated. However, they knew that there was no sense arguing with her since Killainka had been the one who had ordered it.

The Parathion table spent most of dinner making fainting stances and noises in the direction of their table. Eric was successful at ignoring them, however, Sarah and Dillon were not. "They're not worth noting, trust me," said Eric after choking down a bite.

"That's easy for you to say," said Dillon. "You have a reputation for being cool, no one's going to doubt your stability even if they joke about it."

"True," said Eric smiling. "But in any case, anyone who's anyone knows to ignore the Griffin brothers and their friends." Dillon and Sarah felt a little better but weren't totally convinced until Professor Abydos sent the entire bunch back to the dorm and gave them an additional assignment due the following morning. Professor Quigley had threatened Megan and Zoe with the same when they had burst into laughter following Abydos' punishment. It didn't take long for them all to settle down.

Dinner then proceeded routinely, with everyone taking turns relating the day's events. In spite of everyone's concern for the group, the day had had its unusual share of misfired spells and accidental incantations. It was nice to hear about the normal but eventful days. When dinner was about over and the main focus of the evening became the upcoming Quidditch match instead of Eric, Dillon and Sarah, Eric pulled them to the side.

"We need to talk, without interruption."

"And how do you expect that to happen?" asked Sarah.

"I'm not sure," said Eric looking around. "Mrs. Hutton will insist on seeing us take the potions. The only thing I can think of is after our third class tomorrow." He looked around to see if anyone was looking. "You two will be together and I'll be right down the hall. Insist that you'll be all right in between classes with Megan, Zoe and William. I'm sure Abydos won't have a problem letting you go. I'll figure a way to lose my body guard and meet you in Arthur's corridor."

Sarah looked confused but Dillon insured her that he knew what Eric meant. They had barely finished their conversation when Professor Quigley arrived at their table to escort them back to the dorm. They were all feeling ridiculous by the time they went to bed and when Mrs. Hutton arrived to give them the potion, they could all sense the tension throughout the entire dorm. Sarah was thankful that she was taking the potion, she was sure she wouldn't have slept without it, bad dreams or not.

Finding Max on her bed and some encouraging remarks from Zoe were enough to carry her until the potion took effect. However, they couldn't take her mind off of the last months activities and the uncertainty of the immediate future. Fortunately, none of her fret emerged in the night. Sarah woke feeling refreshed, despite Zoe waking her three times in the night just to make sure that she could. The last time, Sarah had threatened to tell Abydos that Zoe had cheated on her last test if she woke her again.

Sarah woke naturally at an early hour. She decided to lie in bed for a while stroking Max. No one else in her room was awake yet and there didn't seem to be any noise coming from the hallway either. Max seemed extremely pleased that she was gracing him with her presence and purred loud and contentedly.

Sarah felt anxious and started to think that maybe the potion hadn't taken effect. It was too peaceful and too quiet and that just wasn't like their dorm. She was just about to get up and go to wake Zoe when, Zoe sat up stretching. "Hey girlfriend," Zoe said making eye contact with Sarah. With the sound of Zoe's voice, others in the room began to stir. Zoe turned to look at the clock. "Crap, we're going to be late for Quigley's class if we don't hurry." She sprung out of bed, followed by several other panicked sixth graders. "Why didn't you wake us up?" she said abruptly.

"Chill Zoe, we always make it on time," said Sarah getting out of bed and heading toward the bathroom.

Zoe stopped and slapped Sarah on the shoulder. "I'm so glad you're back," she said smiling. "That's enough okay, no more scares."

"It's not exactly up to me, you know," she replied as they walked into the bathroom.

"I know, but I'd like to think that someone in this place had some control over it and that it's going to end soon," said Zoe picking up her toothbrush. Sarah thought how she shared the same sentiments but opted to drop the conversation now that everyone else was beginning to listen.

After they had dressed, they started to head out to the common room and then to breakfast. Sarah pulled Zoe over to the side, knowing that Professor Quigley would be waiting at the end of the hallway to take them breakfast.

"What?" said Zoe irritated. "We got to go!"

"Zoe, after Abydos' class, Eric, Dillon and I are meeting. I want you to be there. Megan and William too, I'll tell you more later," was all that Sarah would say before they made it to the end of the hallway. Zoe was puzzled but agreed.

As Sarah predicted, Professor Quigley was in the common room waiting for them. Dillon was extremely red with embarrassment, however Eric seemed to love the extra attention he was receiving from Annabelle so did not seem quite as upset. Since they all had seem to make it through the night unscathed, the atmosphere was a little less stressed and Professor didn't watch them quite so closely as they walked. Eric found a moment to whisper a reminder about their meeting later before they made it to the Great Hall. Everyone agreed and then did not speak of it again. Not, that is, until it was time to meet.