Author's Note: I said earlier that St. James was a real school, well now I can't find the website so all info about the school will be fictional until I find it again (if I ever do). I would also have liked to thank my reviewers, but since there weren't any I guess I can't. I really hope I get some for this chapter.

Disclaimer: Anything Harry-Potter-wizard related belongs to J.K. Rowling. The plot and characters (so far) belong to me. Charity Road and other muggle places belong to everyone (including the wizards and witches). The trees, grass, sky, clouds, etc. belong to Mother Nature. You may borrow them all.

Chapter Two:

Sunny

Chloe sat up suddenly, instantly awake. The dream had seemed so real, but it couldn't be, right? Some 'wizard', as he called himself, had knocked on my door and I peeked through the little window on the door. He looked kind enough, so I let him in, noticing his long silver beard. "You are a witch," he had stated simply. I had looked up at him, pleasantly surprised, but accepted it at once. Then the scene changed and we walked down a street I knew--Charing Cross Road--I crossed it on my way to school everyday. We stopped outside a tiny and sorry-looking pub that I definitely wouldn't have noticed if the wizard hadn't pointed it out. It was sandwiched between a record shop and a book store. I resisted the temptation to enter the bookstore and look around because, honestly, who doesn't like books? Instead I followed the wizard who entered the pub. The Leaky Cauldron he called it. He asked 'Tom' for two 'butterbeers' before smiling at me with a twinkle in his eye. And that's when I woke up, Chloe thought, pondering her dream. Sure, she had had dreams that seemed just as real before, but never one that included herself. Somehow, though, she realised-- hoped--that this dream was true. Somehow, she knew she was a witch.

-:-

"Sunny, canter!" Chloe sang happily. Sunny sped up, settling into a steady, swinging rhythm. The trees rushed past, the path evening up. Suddenly the trail widened into a meadow and Chloe leaned forwards on Sunny's neck, marveling at their bond. As Sunny quickened into a ground-eating gallop, his hooves barley touching the grass, Chloe felt honored to sit on the proud horse's back. He was wearing neither saddle nor bridle nor any other form of tack, free and swift with a friend on his back. Yes, he tolerated other riders because he was a tame horse, but there was only one he loved deeply, only one he would trust with his life, only one that, when riding, asked instead of told, and he loved her.

A tree, not too far of course, had fallen in a storm a week ago. Chloe looked towards it, hopeful. Picking up on her mood, Sunny turned towards it, collecting, before lifting off the ground. I'm free!

"What!?" Chloe exclaimed a bit too sharply, sitting up and almost causing Sunny to loosed his balance. His stride faltered. "I'm so sorry, boy," she whispered soothingly. "I didn't mean to scare you." But, she added silently to her horse, what happened and did I hear Sunny in my head? I must be going mental!"

Sunny snorted in equine laughter. You are mind-speaking with me. It is the way animals speak to one another, like a second language. Few humans can do so, though. He laughed silently as Chloe flinched.

So you say, Sunshine.

Hey! Don't call me THAT! It's girly. I suppose you know my name?

Of course, Prouder-than-the-Sun, she thought, stroking his mane soothingly. You really are, you know. Chloe reached down and hugged his mane. Proud and strong and beautiful, I mean.

Oh, I know. Sunny reared majestically.

Careful, you vain little boy, Chloe teased lovingly.

Only you can get away with calling me that, but I still don't like it.

I knew I was special! Chloe smiled gleefully. Just one question: why didn't you talk to me before?

You were supposed to make the first move, Mage Girl. Anyways, I didn't know you Spoke.

Chloe sat still, well as still as you can sit while riding a horse, thinking. I only knew I could speak to snakes.

Snakes!? But they don't Speak. They only speak their own tongue, consisting of hissing. Too loud, if you ask me.

Well, I'm not exactly asking you but thanks anyways, my friend. I'll be careful.

Good.

"Easy boy. And whoa." They were back at the stable after a nice, long ride.

You know I understand your thoughts better than your words, right?

Of course, Sunny, but it would look weird to people who didn't Speak if I stopped 'talking' to you. Chloe stroked his slightly damp neck lovingly. Come, I'll hose you off.

And Sunny followed immediately, trustingly, without even a halter.

-:-

"So how are things going with my little Sunny?" Mr. Nelson asked a couple hours and many barn chores later.

"Very well, sir," Chloe replied. Even though she knew Mr. Nelson quite well, he still insisted on formal titles. It didn't really bother her, for she was used to it by now. "I have been doing the half-hour condition rides in the morning and they are helping me too. Today when we got back from our three-hour jog he was just a little hot." She didn't mention that she had galloped and cantered also because she knew he wouldn't approve, but Sunny liked it and it wasn't serious training anyways.

"I want you to rest him tomorrow; give him a nice, long walk, but go no faster than a jog. The day after I will take you both to the training course if you're ready." He narrowed his eyes, as if telling her in a not-so-polite way to take care of his horse.

"Of course, sir. I won't push him." Too much, she added silently. Mr. Nelson cared about his horse, but was always too careful in Chloe's opinion. Sunny needed to be pushed more than 'the old man' would allow.

"Great! I'll see you here bright and early tomorrow even though school has ended. I expect you to come just as early as before."

"Of course, sir. I'll be here. 'Bye!" Chloe then danced towards the stall to give Sunny the good news.

Say 'of course, sir' one more time and I'll seriously consider taking a chunk out of your arm, Sunny messaged, annoyed.

Sorry Cutie--Chloe ignored Sunny's protests that he wasn't a 'cutie'--but if I please the old man he lets me be with you more. Anyways, did you hear the good news?

Of course I heard them, Mage Girl!

Ahh, hurting you're pride, am I? Sorry, she added quickly with one look at the horse. He said he'd take us to the training course in two days!

So I'm 'resting' tomorrow?

How did you know?

I've been there plenty of times before. The old man and his routines.

Chloe laughed. I'll see you tomorrow, Sunny! G'night!

But when Chloe started to walk back towards her house she got quite a shock.

-:-

This chapter is dedicated to Sunny, a horse I knew in real life that I had to part with when I moved. Please review!