Crisp paper whispered like an untold secret as she turned the page, fingertips swerving down its surface in search of a particular word before moving onto the next. Beside her, the book on physics with its practice examination had been discarded, inspiration driving for a premature break from study. Instead, her journal lay open in her lap, partly obscured by one of her divination textbooks and a dream dictionary, muggle and wizarding worlds overlapping to lend their aid to the lioness' most current venture: to interpret the vision she had picked up the other day. The realization that she had picked up on the thread of a dream was still surreal--in more ways than one. So often, the dreamer would forget details of a dream as readily as water fell from a bottomless glass. Now she was in the unique position to be able to experience another's slumbering imagery first-hand, and retain faculty enough to chronicle it with relative detail. Something she had been certain to do the moment the post-nightmare confrontation had concluded.

But what did it mean? That was the real question. One that stumped all mankind, irrespective of magical inclination, really. Some suggest they manifest as a byproduct of repressed themes and ideas; or that they are the manner in which the mind processes the given experiences in a day and works to create new synapses. Others believe there to be a component of a collective conscience that speaks to one's ancestors that came before. Many enjoy ascribing symbolism to dreams, searching for elevated meaning amidst their madness. Evelynn had often done just that, finding the exercise of interpretation to be mentally stimulating, if superfluous. It would always be taken with a grain of salt, of course, believing fully that subjective bias would impact any interpretation and one meaning could vary drastically from the next depending on how far into detail the assessment went, how heavily one aspect was weighted, or even from which source would pulled their information. It had always just been good fun, and sometimes an opportunity to induce healthy introspection.

Third year Hogwarts had changed that. Divination class had opened her eyes to the possibilities of something more. That the meaning found in dreams and cards and teas was not necessarily as mundane as she may previously have believed. Of course, she'd been forced to drop the class in order to maintain a realistic class schedule (and with no small part played by the professor at the time suggesting his breath was wasted on her lack of talent). While formal education had been sacrificed, however, continued pursuit of the occult had not. Whether it was tarot, palmistry or oneiromancy, aspect of the divine continued to draw Evelynn's interest and attention, an unspoken hope that one day she might experience a True foretelling. Thus far, it had really only served to improve her powers of intuition and observation, which--truth be told--made it a valuable study, even if it lacked in premonition.

For several moments, she sat in silence, staring at the blank page in her journal. Through her mind's eye, she replayed the scenes as they had come, paying particular attention to those aspects and themes that seemed central to any given snapshot as well as the general feeling that permeated any given moment. Once certain she wasn't forgetting anything significant, she wrote it down as chronologically as she was able. From there, she began to hunt through the indexes of her books, underlining those aspects of the vision for which her textbooks contained specific entries.

Reducio

A darkened compartment on the Hogwarts Express train, alone. Beyond the window, a snowy landscape. A sudden jarring stop--worry. Derailed. The hall extends endlessly, lined by repeating closed doors. Silence. One of the doors is open. An old woman is seated inside, surrounded by smoke, a cold stare--dread. The hall emptied into a forest of white trunks with eyes that follow through the darkness. Disembodied whispers--shouldn't listen. Railed wall, dark mansion, prowling pack of wolves with eyes of torchlight, searching--seen. Unable to run. A furious man--father--holding a bottle. Seated at a table, serving of a cracked egg. Try to eat it, slender male hands, an eye--horror. Empty bottle. A large fiend with curved claws and sharp teeth.

Reading it over, she decided the simplest approach to its interpretation would simply be to work from start to end. Since the visions opened with being seated in a familiar compartment of the Hogwarts Express, Evelynn turned first to TRAINS.

To dream of riding on a railroad train represents a long term goal or outcome you are working towards. A long term "journey" with some area of your life.*

She read the passage, shrugging a brow at the simplicity of the explanation. Common sense dictated that she likely should have figured that out herself, but she jotted down the information nonetheless. An ambiguous start. Just about every aspect of life could be equated to a transition of some sort. Afterall, time moved ever forward, and every day that passed was another closer to meeting with their ultimate mortality. But, she reminded herself, conclusions could hardly be drawn by one component alone. Even in tarot, the meaning of an individual card extended only so far as the context in which it was found and the question that sought to be answered. Every underline would have to be investigated before the threads could be connected to display the final web of whatever situation it was that had so ensnared the slumbering mind.

And so she continued.

Thumbing her way to SNOW, Evelynn did not immediately transcribe notes. Here, the interpretations were more complex, applying conditional meanings dependent on the emotional response to the snow. A negative reaction, for example, could have meant that the dreamer felt as though they were being punished or emotionally isolated, that they had been cast out into the cold. This was no the impression she had received, however. The blur of the snowy landscape flying by had been accompanied by a sort of reined anticipation. An expectation. To Evelynn, this seemed more of a positive emotion, especially contrasted against the dark emotional atmosphere that suffocated the vision going forward. With this in mind, then, she dragged a finger to the appropriate passage, tapping thoughtfully.

Positively, dreaming about snow may reflect a fresh start in some area of your life that happens all on it's own. Never believing that problem would fix on it's own and discovering that it did. The emptiness of one situation ending bringing a pleasant new beginning to another situation. A new feeling of security or a second chance because you have to. Experiencing something that has come to an end because it had to. Alternatively, snow may symbolize spiritual peace, tranquility or a new sense of clarity because something else took over.*

Whatever tranquility could be described in this initial period of the dream had been brief, however. The shriek of brakes and subsequent jolt had been all too familiar to her. Even without the inherent understanding afforded by that dreamlike omniscience, Evelynn had experienced the DERAILMENT of a train before and she flipped in earnest to its interpretation.

To dream that a train has been derailed represents a setback towards a long term goal or objective. An accident for unforeseen problem that has taken your plans off-coarse. Experiencing problems that require you to start over or rethink your original strategy. Feeling that sticking with plan you originally thought was good is no longer going to work.*

Already a vague concept was coalescing. The dream had started peacefully enough. A familiar location with a scenic landscape, a status quo jarred to disaster by the derailment. By the definitions of the texts, Evelynn's preliminary hypothesis would be that the dream was trying to bring attention to how life had been well on course towards a life transition, one that denoted a sort of new beginning that would have brought with it a much anticipated sense of tranquility. Only it was sent off track. If the lioness had to hazard a guess, the rest of the dream would shed light as to the why the progression had ceased and the means necessary to overcome it.

Flipping through to HALLWAY, Evelynn proceeded, jotting down the interpretion for traveling down a corridor while also noting the inflection for a negative experience given the state of uncertainty and worry that exiting the compartment into the train hall had entailed:

To dream of a hallway represents a transition, change in the way you think, or change in the circumstances of your life as you progress to the next stage. Negatively, dreaming of being in a hallway may reflect transitions in waking life that are uncertain, difficult, scary, or dangerous. Feeling uncomfortable waiting for something else to happen. Trying to move on with your life after experiencing a failed relationship or job.*

And then there was the permeating SILENCE:

To dream of silence suggests an awareness of stillness or a lack of activity in a situation. Feeling that nothing is happening in a situation yet. Awareness of what is happening in a situation when nobody ever says anything about it. Dreams of silence may also point towards scenarios where individuals are not communicating with each other or where fears or anxieties are unspoken.*

Her pencil stopped, but her gaze continued through the content. Evidently the oracles had much to say on silence and some of it--as interpretations were wont to do--contradicted itself. Lips crimping with increased concentration and thought, it occurred to her that she would have to be even more scrutinizing than she had initially thought. Scanning through the various commentary and suggestions, she skipped over positive feelings on silence or those that made reference to themes that had not presented themselves in the dream. And then paused. To dream of silence occurring suddenly while first experiencing sound... Drawn to this particular passage given the stark contrast between the screech of brakes and the shuddering force of the sudden derailment, the silence of the hall certainly had been a sudden and profound experience.

To dream of silence occurring suddenly while first experiencing sound may reflect feelings about a sudden shift in your situation, abrupt end of communication, or a sudden halt in activity that was previously ongoing. The emptiness of relationships or enjoyable situations ending abruptly. You or someone else is experiencing a dramatic reversal of behaviour without resistance. Unexpected failure or loss.*

As she read, certain themes seemed to appear over the course of several interpretive components. She underlined them for sake of reference, but otherwise let them fall from her mind, trying not to allow herself to be pigeon-holed into a singular direction of thought. There was much to cover still, and coincidence was always possible. So she moved on, flipping back until she had returned to DOORS, mindful that there had been both an endless hallway lined with doors that had been closed and passed without consideration, and a singular open door that had drawn brief attention:

To dream of a door represents access, new opportunities, and changes. It may also reflect an available option. A chance to do something different. A door can also symbolize a transition from one stage of your life to another. Consider the colors, numbers, images, and feelings associated with the door for further meaning. Initiating.*

She could not recall any specific details about the doors. No colours or numbered compartments had stood out. Only closed doors, one after the other, that had largely been ignored. Was that significant? Out of a thousand possible opportunities, only one presented? Or perhaps many options existed, but ignored and passed by? There seemed to be little disagreement about the significance of doors. And an OPEN one indicated:

To dream of an open door represents new opportunities or options ready or waiting for you. It may also reflect a new opportunity or change that has already been initiated. Noticing yourself doing something different in your life. Your own receptiveness to new ideas or new situations.*

In theory, it should have been a positive thing. The open door indicated accepted change, and perhaps that was why it had drawn his attention. But gazing upon what had lay beyond had elicited only dread. Evelynn reflected on that, conjuring back to mind the image of the woman, grizzled but kempt. Her hair pristine and perfectly placed, black as a raven. To her, the crone had called to mind a great matriach. Highly regarded, but also highly feared. Like she had before, Evelynn skipped over those articles in the text that interpreted the positive presence of a WOMAN. This one had been unmistakably negative.

Negatively, women may represent aspects of yourself that get screwed over, used, or lose. Passive behavior or jealousy. Desire for things you don't believe you can have. Feelings about something you like being too good for you. Feeling weaker than others.*

There it was again. This reference of relationships, manners in which the dreamer related to those in their social circle. It had been the theme Evelynn had caught on to early, but had set aside. Yet with each new piece of the puzzle, it only seemed to step further into the forefront. And as she moved to consider the age of the woman, however, it diverted.

To dream of an old women may reflect experience involved with supporting others or being screwed over. It may also reflect intelligent or intuitive feelings that override poorer judgement. Intuitive decisions based on experience.*

And then there was the SMOKE to consider as well...

To dream of smoke represents feelings that a situation is becoming trouble. Intuition or anxiety about something being dangerous. Thinking that a situation might be getting out of hand. A warning sign. A sign that something isn't working. Feelings about a problem getting out of control. *

So, then, how to synthesize that particular scene? Man options had existed around him, most of which bypassed without a second glance or look, but for one. The open door depicted a new opportunity, and one that was acknowledge. The woman, and the despair surrounding her presence indicated, perhaps, that the dreamer felt duped in some way, inaction or jealousy playing a part, and by the consuming presence of the smoke, it was getting out of hand. Rather than explore that position and try to resolve the issues in order to maintain the original opportunity as a viable option, however, he turned away from it and ran, to be spilled out into DARKNESS.

To dream of darkness represents situations where you feel there is nothing positive happening. Fear, ignorance, injustice, anger, evil, death, or powerful uncertainty. It may also reflect a positive situation that has taken a turn for the worst. Expecting the worst. Worrying. Emotional crisis. An unwelcoming or unpleasant situation. Feeling that a situation is dangerous. Unhappiness. Feeling mystified that you always make choices that sabotage you. Feelings about having nobody to help you with a problem and that you are all on your own.

Note: People who fear losing their eyesight often dream of darkness.*

Granted, the darkness wasn't entire pervasive. A FOREST of aspen loomed high and dense around him. Given the listed interpretation, it only seemed to support and compound the significance of light's absence.

To dream of deep forests may represent feelings of isolation, fear, confusion, or needing to get through a difficult or confusing situation. Feeling lost. A phase in your life where you are dealing with issues that seem too big to handle, or situations that are hard to understand. The deep forest could be a metaphor for feeling isolated or misunderstood. Feeling overwhelmed with doing the same thing over and over in order to escape a confusing or problem situation. A desire to break free from routine and explore new areas of your life. A deep forest in a dream might also symbolize your desire to retreat and find solace in solitude.*

With the white trunks against a desolate canvas of black, however, Evelynn couldn't help but feel that the aspen were meant to be an opposing force to the emotional crisis. Perhaps a guide to emerge back into the realm of light. The clusters of EYES that decorated their trunks almost seemed to suggest the same.

To dream of eyes represents perception, clarity, and awareness. It could indicate an increased understanding of your surroundings or a situation. It may also suggest the need to pay closer attention to something important in your life. Observation, judgments, and consciousness. The way you or some aspect of your personality sees a situation.*

To combat emotional disparity.. in order to break from the isolation and feelings of overwhelm.. it almost seemed to say that awareness was key. Close attention and observation had become hallmarks of survival at Hogwarts in general, and the eyes that following the dreamer--so many eyes--was calling for attention. To take a closer look at the very situation causing the discomfort. But again, just as had been the case on the train, they were disregarded, passed by in haste to be rid of being seen. The WHISPERS had only hastened that retreat.

Negatively, whispering in a dream may reflect feelings of annoyance or frustration that you can't express yourself openly. Having to express your true feelings behind closed doors or behind people's backs.*

Again, the retreat. That feeling that staying to listen to the whispers breaking through the wind would be done in error felt like such a contradiction to her. Or at least, it did initially. The more Evelynn thought on it, though, the more she could empathize. If the whispers were repressed feelings, acknowledging them and taking the necessary time to untangle them could be frightening. It was easier to run. Or distract. But what true feelings, she wondered, was he running from? And what of the balustrade? Unfortunately, there were no specific entries to describe the type of barrier he'd encountered on exiting the forest, but it was a WALL. Of sorts.

To dream of a wall represents a mental or emotional barrier, limitation, or obstacle to progress. Obstacles or barriers in one's life that are difficult to overcome or resolve. The challenge you face in achieving your goals or overcoming personal issues. If you are trying to climb or break through a wall in your dream, it may suggest that you are actively working to overcome obstacles and find solutions to your limitations. Emotional boundaries you have set up to protect yourself from being hurt or to maintain a certain level of personal space.*

And beyond the wall, a MANSION, though here she had to shuffle through a number of interpretations. Some suggested mansions depicted feelings of self-resourcefulness and creativity. About being a leader or the head of a family. Another ascribed power and importance to others in the dreamer's life such that they need pay no attention to him. Others, she read discussed mansions as representations of authoritative figures in career. Still some passages she skipped over entirely. It wasn't until mention of relationships that her attention was held. Here was the perfect example of how subjective interpretation could be. Since symbolism elsewhere in the dream seemed to focus so heavily on feelings and social dynamics, however, she made note of this particular meaning in addition to the very first:

Feelings about being a leader, boss, or head of the family.

Relationship wise, a mansion in a dream may reflect feelings about being noticed by others as having a perfectly happy relationship that is impossible to breakup. Feeling that you are perceived by others as having a lucky perfect relationship with a "soul mate." Relationships where you feel you are a "show couple" or "power couple."*

Of course there had been the wall between the unideal emotional crisis of the now and the desire of the that, whatever it was specifically that the subconscious mind was yearning to achieve. To regain a sense of control, perhaps. Or a happiness found in a committed relationship, perhaps one that led him to climb to the head of the family. That sense of knowing that dreams provided had declared it to be a familial home, something that would in theory, especially with consideration to his pureblood heritage, his to inherit. They were approaching their final years at school and would soon be thrust upon the world as independent adults. Was the pressure mounting for him to find his foothold?

The wall hadn't been the only thing between the dreamer and the gazed upon, though. There was also the pack of WOLVES that had roamed the household, their eyes alight and illuminating. To face them would mean to be seen. Again, this theme of light versus darkness--of hiding from being seen--was touched upon.

To dream of a pack of wolves represents feelings of being isolated, cornered, and vulnerable to being taken from. Having to protect yourself from numerous angles. Alternatively, a pack of wolves may reflect group behavior that is of a organized mob mentality.

To dream of yellow eyes represents an outlook, observation, or a sense of clarity on a situation that notices what is happening. Clarity of a situation by getting attention drawn to it. Observation of yourself or someone that is self-aware of getting attention.*

Like the eyes upon the trees, the wolves seemed to call for clarity. The moment of their awareness of his existence, they sought to find him, to shed light upon him. And for a moment, he was exposed, fearful of attention being drawn to the scenario. And again, he ran. Away from the goal, away from the barrier that barred his way, to flee into the comfort of oblivion. Only to be physically blocked by a man. His FATHER.

To dream of your father represents your conscience, your ability to make positive choices, or choose between right and wrong. Dreaming of your father may also reflect your feelings about a decision you've already made or are considering. If your father is angry or sad in a dream it may represent your feelings or disappointment or frustration about how a situation turned out based on a choice you made. Being angry at yourself for having made a wrong or stupid decision. Alternatively, it may reflect anger with your father or anger towards yourself due to past issues with your father.*

And here was when it all shifted. From relative chronology like a single take scene for a film, the visions cut from the collision with his father to being seated at the table, breaking from the previous continuity. With regard to this, several minutes would be spent in search of any significance to this particular phenomenon, but Evelynn would return wanting. A finger tapped thoughtfully against an open page, perusal of its contents abandoned for lack of substance. Did it even mean anything? Perhaps the lack of formal explanation meant just that--the shift in style was innocuous. But somehow she didn't think so. It could be, she mused, a shift from reflection on the past to consideration of the future. Or, alternatively, a warning of what was to come if the path of aversion and denial continued?

Or perhaps she was putting thought in unnecessarily and would have such mysteries resolved by the meanings of their content. And so, with a sigh and a moment's pause to run her nails through her hair, she resumed, turning to read up on TABLES:

To dream of a table that can be sat at represents a sense of openness and willingness to engage in a situation or experience. It may reflect your readiness to participate in an event or opportunity, and your acceptance of whatever may come from it. The dream may also symbolize a desire for connection and social interaction, or a need to establish a sense of community or belonging. Additionally, dreaming of a table that can be sat at may represent a willingness to listen to others and consider their perspectives, or a desire to have your own thoughts and ideas heard and valued. Getting true feelings out in the open or putting your feelings "on the table." A waking life situation where something significant has happened and you can't do anything except think or talk about what you're doing next. Hope for a resolution or closure.*

Perhaps this was the subconscious mind lobbying for intervention? A recognition that progress can't be made until matters are laid bare? It was a pervasive sentiment throughout the dream. Loss of moving forward. Running from the self. Regret for a reactionary stumble made. Eyes. Eyes everywhere, calling for a second, third, fourth look. Pleading for illumination. To be seen. Yet always turned away. Even the EGG had an eye, which as her reading had indicated earlier, indicated the need to pay closer attention to something important in life.

To dream of cracked or open eggs represents action being taken or something that is finally happening. Birth. "Hatching" a new idea or plan.

To dream of eating eggs represents feelings of imminence or that a change is pending. Confidence that something is going to happen. A situation or experience that you know is unstoppable. Negatively, it may reflect your need to accept the consequences of your actions. Benefiting from destroying others future plans.*

To Evelynn, being blocked from running again, being forced to a table, the call to pay closer attention to the consequences of one's actions and the pending change...it really felt as though the mind was trying to tell itself something.

To dream of an empty bottle represents a total lack of opportunity. You may have used up an opportunity or feel that nobody will give you one. Failure may feel inevitable. It may also reflect feelings of knowing you can do something whenever your want without knowing how you would.*

Maybe this was the heart of it, she mused while lips pursed thoughtfully. Even if there were to be a cessation of flight, the real question came as how to face the uncertainty, how to carve a new path forward. It was all well and good to be able to visualize a desired outcome or end goal, but to do so without even the slightest inkling of where to begin or how to go from the here to the there would no doubt be anguish. Paper rustled once again as she flipped to the pages marked MONSTER, the pad of her thumb brushing over the wisdom inscribed therein.

To dream of a monster represents an aspect of your personality that is acts terrible towards others or is totally unfair. You or someone else that cares about others feeling bad. Feelings about others being intentionally mean to you. Authority figures with the power to make decisions for you that ruin your fun.

A monster is often our projection of a person or situation that is totally unsympathetic to our wishes or feelings.

Consider the features of the monsters for additional meaning. Big sizes may reflect fears of being overpowered, sharp teeth may reflect fears of being consumed by embarrassment, and lots of eyes may reflect fears of something that you believe is impossible to avoid being witnessed by something that sees everything you do.*

The fact that it was his father that had transformed to become a monster had to mean something, the lioness reasoned. It was because of this that the line regarding authority figures stood out to her. She also took to consideration the size of the creature. There were also it's webbed fingers, and generally stooping stature, but it was the acute awareness of its gaping maw of razor fangs that seemed to have drawn most of the subconscious focus in that moment. Perhaps there was something to be said about embarrassment. Maybe it was a lose-lose situation, one where even if self-awareness became an acceptable option and deliberate reflection rendered the dreamer with an understanding of what actions needed to be taken to achieve the desired goal, perhaps they simply couldn't. Authority figures with the power to make decisions for you... Would his father overrule him? Did the presence of the ancestral manor indicate that there was more at stake than simply personal ambition? Would personal actualization be in conflict with familial expectation? Perhaps it wasn't simply a matter of how to achieve the ends sought by whatever part of him he so desperately left shrouded in darkness, but to do so would be futile and damage whatever familiarity and security he already had?

In the end, Evelynn scoffed, more to herself than anything, letting the book close on the final thoughts she had put together, synthesizing from the various excerpts.

What did it matter anyway?

Reducio

Recent events had seen the conclusion of what had been something of an empty period of
time, giving way to an unexpected but pleasant change that marked something of a new
beginning. A time of transitioning from one place in life to another.
A sudden derailment of that path. This transition is not as simple as previously made out
to be. Uncertainty and discomfort stand central to a failur in a relationship. Feelings are
being repressed. Clear communication withheld. Jealousy? Anxieties are not being shared.
A sudden change from what had been, resulting in a sense of newfound isolation. Growth
of a previously cherished relationship has faltered because of a poorly considered decision
and continued inaction.
There is a fear of opening up. A fear of drawing too close. The feeling that no matter
what path is taken, it will be the wrong one. A fear of looking too closely at one's own
reactions. A fear of the truth. Perhaps there is a fear of being shamed or minimized. Or
that to express oneself will amount to nothing in the end but embarrassment and ultimate
loss of agency regardless. Or a belief that personal feeling doesn't matter in the shadow
of upholding legacy, and to bring that to light would only highlight helplessness.

But in the absense of communication, all relationships fail.

While a continued nagging goaded a belief that the dream had something to do with the sudden attitude he'd demonstrated the night before after his premature departure from the Spin, it didn't seem to bother him now. He had explained himself, and she'd left it at that, content to know its impact on their interactions was a momentary and fleeting thing. Eager to return to baseline. Besides, she could feel the circular motion of her thoughts, logic losing focus as they shifted from one notion to the next and back again, the shadows of conclusions leering at her out of reach as the elixir of sleep she'd taken earlier began to take hold. An exercise of thought, she reminded herself. That was all it had been. A moment of entertainment to break from the rigid routine of study and exhaust the last of her racing thoughts before her own slumber took her.

It was a silly thing to try to ascribe any real significance to the subconscious...