"Sabrina?" Thumbelina's voice woke Sabrina up. "I thought we could talk now."

Sabrina blinked groggily. "Sure." She said. "What are we talking about?"

"Mainly, I'm here to warn you." Thumbelina said, hovering over Sabrina's head. "But I thought you might have question, since I'm also a post-natal fairy."

"A- a what?" Sabrina blinked.

Thumbelina giggled. "That's what I call us. Post, meaning after, and natal, having to do with birth. Thus, one who becomes a fairy after birth."

"Oh." Sabrina said. "That's... actually pretty cool. Wait a second. Back up. Warn me about what?"

"Your... abilities, shall we say." Thumbelina said, landing on the bedpost.

Sabrina sat up with a struggle, ending up- after some minutes- leaning against the headboard and fighting against her dizziness. "You have them too, right?" She asked.

Thumbelina nodded. "I can make myself invisible, heal, and block other magical attacks."

"That's all?" Sabrina asked. "I can do a lot more than that."

"Which is what I've come to warn you about." Thumbelina said. "What all can you do, by the way?"

Sabrina ticked off her abilities on her fingers. "I can stop time, control the weather and the elements, work with barriers, detect lies, and affect gravity."

Thumbelina nodded. "You're probably close to your fulcrum- when you'll get your last power. See- and I told the old witch this already, she didn't know before- but what happens is, when you first start out on your development, your body will begin the change on the inside, making you capable of living forever, then you'll start spurting magical abilities right and left, until you've got so many you won't know what to do with them. After that, you'll hit a plateau for a while, get used to your powers, get some control, store up some reserves. Then you'll start to lose your powers, one by one, until you have only two or three left. Tom only has one, actually."

Sabrina blinked. "So... do you get to choose?"

"Your body does the choosing, in a way." Thumbelina said. "My- and Tom shares the idea- my theory is that the plateau of no change is when you figure out which abilities suit you best, on a subconscious level, and those are the powers that remain afterwards. Once you're down to your minimum powers, then you're done, a full everafter."

"Wow." Sabrina said, rubbing her skull. "Anything else important I should know about being an everafter that nobody's explained to me?"

"Well..." Thumbelina said, "Were you planning on having children?"

"Not anytime soon, no." Sabrina replied. "Why?"

"You need to age to have a kid." Thumbelina said. "It's why there are so few children of everafters. Their mothers didn't age, so the babies couldn't develop. If suddenly every female everafter in the world was forced to age again, there would be a lot more kids in this town."

Sabrina blinked. "What happens if they age really fast all of a sudden?" She asked.

"The baby would probably die from the shock." Thumbelina said.

Sabrina shuddered. "What about... you know... umm..."

"Actually, I don't know." Thumbelina said. "Could you be more specific?"

Sabrina blushed. "Well, ummm... periods?"

Thumbelina laughed. "Unfortunately, you'll still get that."

Sabrina made a face. "Fun."

"What else should you know...?" Thumbelina mused. "There's a certain hierarchy among everafters, but you would know that already. You won't be looked down on as much for being a child, because many everafters opted to remain children, but, on the other hand, you may be disrespected for being so young- literally so, not physically. Other than that, though, I believe you know all that you'll need to to get aby as an everafter. You're better prepared than most, being in a family that know about us already, versus just being dumped into it with no idea what will happen, like poor Tom."

"What exactly is between you and Tom?" Sabrina asked. "You're married to some king of the pixies, right?"

"Yes." Thumbelina said. "When the sparrow brought me to the sprite kingdom, I was near death, something they don't mention in my story, and the king saved my life. We fell in love, and we're still happily married. Tom's... well, he's like the brother I never had."

"It's so weird." Sabrina said. "Hearing people who look like they're in their late teens talking about how they've been married for ages."

Thumbelina laughed. "You'll get used to it. People married young back then. Because, for most of us, life was short, and it was best to take advantage of it while it lasted. Most people didn't live past forty."

Sabrina made a face. "So they got married at... what? Sixteen?"

"Some royals married as young as five." Thumbelina said. "But most commoners didn't get married until they were at least your age. However, yes, an unmarried twenty-year-old was considered a spinster."

Sabrina stared. "I wouldn't consider getting married before that."

"You may change your tune." Thumbelina said mildly. "If you meet someone special. Of course, you'd probably be more likely to if you knew you could die at any time. Speaking of which," She continued, glancing at the clock, "It's past three, and your family will be coming home soon. I should go."

"'Bye." Sabrina said.

Thumbelina hopped up and fluttered towards the door. "See you."

A short time later, Red, Puck, and Bella burst into Sabrina's room.

"The entire school knows you're an everafter." Puck stated, sounding shocked and worried.

Sabrina blinked. "You don't think Wendell could have told?"

Bella shook her head. "He swore he wouldn't, and he seemed a surprised as the rest of us when everyone was talking about it."

"The only way they could know is if our conversation was bugged." Red said quietly. "And they have ways. Ways we might never guess. Oh, I wish I could remember!"

"It's not your fault." Sabrina said. "They were bound to find out anyway. I mean, my skin is pitch black."

"They didn't know about Daphne, though." Bella said. "Nobody said anything about her being an everafter."

"Speaking of which, has anyone noticed what a brat Daphne's being recently?" Puck asked.

Sabrina rolled her eyes, then clutched her head. "She shouted at me this morning because I asked her what her problem was because she snapped at me again. I mean, I get it if she wants some space, but I just don't know what's wrong with her! She's being a brat, she's being stupid, and headstrong and not listening and-"

"Acting like you, you mean." Puck cut in.

Sabrina blushed. 'Maybe. But I don't think I'm that bad."

"I know what's wrong with her." Red said quietly.

The three older kids' heads turned toward Red simultaneously.

"Say what?" Sabrina asked.

"I overheard when it happened." Red explained. "And she would have told me anyway. But she wouldn't want me to tell you."

"Tell us what?" Bella asked.

"What happened with Veronica." Red said, then clapped her hand over her mouth. "You weren't supposed to hear that."

"Please, Red?" Sabrina asked. "If it's making Daphne act like this, then I need to know."

Red sighed. "Fine. You'll just ask your mom if I don't, and she would tell you. So you remember on Sunday, how we all wanted to go out for a walk in the woods because it was warm out?"

The teens nodded.

"Right." Red said, blushing as they continued to stare at her. "And you all asked permission, but Veronica held Daphne back? Well, I stayed back too, to listen, and Veronica didn't want Daphne to go, and Daphne was like, 'why?' and Veronica said it was because she was a human and a kid and she pretty much told Daphne she wasn't capable of taking care of herself and it made Daphne got pretty upset."

"Wow." Bella said. "That's awful."

"Awful or not, she's still being horrible about it." Puck said. "And not proving she's mature at all."

"True." Sabrina said. "But still... that wasn't like my mom. I mean, unless she's changed a lot since she woke up, or I'm remembering her wrong or something, she used to be nice and caring and awesome. Not nasty. And she's been... distant since she woke up, too. I've been meaning to talk with her about it for ages. I think it's time I actually do it."

"Now's probably not the best time." Puck told Sabrina warily. "You can't even climb a set of stairs."

Sabrina shot Red a look. Red shook her head.

"I didn't tell him, I swear." She whispered.

"I was watching." Puck said. "Can't it wait until you're a little better, at least?"

Sabrina shook her head, struggling to get up. Bella gave her a hand. "I said I'd wait before, and something always came up. I need to find out what's going on, now. Help me downstairs."

Puck sighed, but wrapped her arm around his shoulders. They were much higher than Sabrina remembered them being, and she repressed a shiver of enjoyment at how gentle he was being. Bella slid under Sabrina's other arm, and the four trooped downstairs. The found Veronica in the kitchen, by which time Sabrina had given up on even attempting to walk, simply dragging her feet as Puck and Bella supported her.

"What is it, Sabrina?" Granny asked. "You should be in bed."

"I need to talk to mom." Sabrina said. "Now."

"Can't it wait, Sabrina?" Veronica said absently. "I'm making dinner. Or you could talk to someone else about it."

"No." Sabrina said. "I need to talk to you, and it has to be now. This is important."

Veronica sighed, and put down her spoon. "Let's go to my room, then. I had a feeling this would happen eventually."

"Upstairs again?" Puck whined. "But we just carried her down!"

"Get over it." Bella said. "How about you fly and actually carry her, if it's that big a deal?"

"How about no?" Sabrina said hastily. "This is actually less embarassing, thanks."

The four headed back upstairs, minus Red this time, and entered Veronica's bedroom. Puck and Bella deposited Sabrina on the bed, then left, closing the door behind them.

"What did you want to talk about?" Veronica asked, sitting on the bed next to Sabrina.

"You've been really distant since you woke up." Sabrina said, deciding to cut to the chase. "It's like you don't even care anymore. And Sunday, you seriously hurt Daphne with something you said. Why? Did you have some epiphany when you were asleep and decide it wasn't worth it to make an effort or something?"

"No, no." Veronica said hurriedly, "It's not like that at all."

"Then what is it?" Sabrina cried. "You've been completely ignoring everyhing! You might as well still be asleep, for all the contact we have!"

"I do care, Sabrina, honestly I do." Veronica said sadly. "I've just... had something else on my mind, and it distracted me. I didn't know it showed that much."

"You should tell." Sabrina said. "If it's that important, then we all deserve to know. And it'll help."

Veronica sighed. "I would have. In fact, I was going to tell your father the day that we were spelled. But then... well, I had to find out for myself. And when I did..."

"What was it?" Sabrina half shouted.

"I had a baby." Veronica said quietly.

Sabrina froze.

"What?" She whispered.

"I was pregnant when I was spelled." Veronica said. "And, according to Nurse Sprat, I had the baby when I was asleep. Somwhere out there, you have another brother or sister."

"For real?" Sabrina asked. "And the Scarlet Hand must have taken it, then."

Veronica nodded. "That was my guess. You mentioned a baby in Red's room- I thought she might know, and I questioned her, but she doen't remember."

"We'll have to find him, then." Sabrina said matter-of-factly. "And you've got to tell the rest of the family. We can't find her- or him- unless we're all looking."

Veronica sighed. "Fine. I'll tell. Later. Starting with your father, in private, so he doesn't explode."

Sabrina snorted. "Good idea. And try and pay more attention to the family, please? Or you might lose us, too."

Veronica smiled sadly. "I've already lost my baby Sabrina. She grew up and got mature on me. Come on, I'll take you back to your room."

She got up and pulled Sabrina with her, and Sabrina, leaning heavily on her mother, headed back for her room.

"This is demeaning." She muttered.

Veronica laughed. "You'll probably get better."

When they got to Sabrina's room Daphne was already there. She got up to leave, but Sabrina stopped her.

"Stay, please?" Sabrina asked, "I've got to talk to you."

"Fine." Daphne muttered as Veronica left. "What is it?"

"First off, you can't take stuff out on me. I'm not here so you can dump guilt on me." Sabrina said. "Second, You're acting immature and it needs to stop. Third, if you want to prove you can take care of yourself, fine, I'm all for it. But you can't use me as your scapegoat. Fourth, I heard what mom said to you, and I'm sorry, but you've been acting like a jerk. Fifth, I found out why she's been so distracted."

Daphne gaped. "How dare-"

"How dare I what?" Sabrina interrupted. "You're such a hypocrite, Daphne. I've taken the blame for you and taken hits for you and done everything for you, and you tell me what a horrible attitude I've got and how awful I've been acting, but are you really better? You expect me to just lie down an accept it when you want to shout at me? I'm done with that. I understand how you feel. I do. But you can't take things out on me. Either you're independent, or you need me. You can't have it both ways, sweetheart."

Daphne just stared at Sabrina. Sabrina looked back calmly.

"I went to see why mom was being so nasty for you." Sabrina said after a while. "I found out. I probably should have just let you deal with it yourself, but I thought if I tried to make it better or you again, you might forgive me. I guess I was wrong. On both counts. I mean, why should you forgive me? I did nothing you need to forive me for. This time, anyway."

"Well, whoopty-doo for you." Daphne sneered.

"And you're still angry." Sabrina said. "I'm trying to be the good sister here, and this is the thanks I get. Well, I'm done. You're on your own."

They were silent for a time.

"What if I told you I was being stupid?" Daphne asked suddenly. "And that your little speech showed me?"

"I'd say I owed you one." Sabrina said. "For the kazoo thing."

"You were pretty wrong there." Daphne said. "What exactly was up with mom?"

"I think she should tell you that." Sabrina said. "It's pretty big news, and it's not for me to share."

"Fine." Daphne sighed.

"Friends again?" Sabrina asked.

"More." Daphne said. "Sisters."

Sabrina smiled and put out her hand. "Sisters."

They shook hands, and as they did, sparks flew from their intertwined fingers. Sabrina and Daphne both gasped, and suddenly, flesh-colored swirls grew out from their hands across their skin, shifting and moving and changing constantly, forming patterns and symbols that shifted with every second as the sparks contiued to fly, making little popping noises. The other members of the family came into the room at the sound and stayed, watching in shock and awe.

After about fifteen minutes of the shifting of the colors, Sabrina and Daphne were left, gasping, their proper colors again, with a few changes. Sabrina's wings were still black, and Daphne had a fat white streak running through her hair. They both still had the circles and arrows on their faces.

"That was a sight." Granny said. "What happened?"

"Daphne and I were... ending an argument, and we shook hands, and then we started sparking and changing color." Sabrina said, clutching at her head and sitting on the bed with a thunk.

"Oh, good." Daphne said, looking at herself. "It was so weird being all white."

They all laughed, and most of them headed down to dinner, glad that things were normal again.