Chapter 1: The Hunt or the Hunted

AN: Little reminder!

Dean is born on the 24th of January, 1979 so he is eleven years old in this fanfic.

Sam is born on the 2nd of May, 1983 so he is seven years old in this fanfic.

Harry is born on the 31st of July, 1980 so he is ten and won't join Hogwarts for another year, which should give Dean some time to adjust peacefully if he goes to study at Hogwarts, right? Right... Hogwarts and peace.

I don't own Supernatural nor do I own Harry Potter so consider this as the disclaimer for the entire story for however long it may last and everything will be peachy. ;)

It is Tuesday afternoon, twenty-fourth of July, nineteen-ninety and the Winchester family along with Bobby Singer found themselves in a grimy inn in the heart of London, United Kingdom, for a very peculiar mission. But most importantly, John Winchester is currently not amused. As a matter of fact, he is very angry. But above all, he is anxious. Not that he would ever admit the latter to any of the occupants of the room.

Despite England being infamous for their endless rain, it is a rather sunny and warm day, so they had opened the windows to let in the crisp, cool air when a big, brown owl had flown in. Now it is strange enough for an owl to be spotted in the middle of the day in a big city like this, but that was not all. The owl had brought a letter addressed to Dean Winchester.

The two men were wary of the letter, to say the least, but Dean had made a scene and told them it was his and that gave him the right to read it before they did. John couldn't remember the last time his eldest son has been this disobedient and Bobby eventually gave Dean his way. And that is how he got invited to join in the educational facilities for witches and wizards at a school called Hogwarts.

"He is not going," John stated in a tone that made it clear he is not open for any argument, not that this particular stubborn moron would listen.

"Don't be an idjit, it's Dean's choice to make," Bobby informed him quite calmly, but John knew him well enough to tell that was a façade.

"It's too dangerous, I'm not going to let my son live his daily life with witches and wizards!" John shouted, pacing through the somber room. Two kids observed the ongoing argument with wide eyes, both were being awfully quiet.

"It can be dangerous for him not to go," Bobby countered sharply and somewhere John knew he had a point. He swallowed and tried to steel himself against the creeping hopelessness that was fully committed to house in his chest.

"Nonsense, we have plenty of knowledge about magic and our recourses to keep him safe," he implied stubbornly.

"We don't know all the answers John, and you know it. Besides, Dean may learn a couple of very helpful skills. Hell, who knows what literature they have that we never even knew about!" Bobby said, being the annoying voice of reason.

"I am not going. I'm not leaving Sammy behind," Dean interfered, making it clear he had made up his mind. John looked at him as a war went on inside. A part of him is relieved, happy that Dean didn't want to leave the family business; the other part feels bad for putting his son in a position where he had to take on such responsibilities. John just stared at them, not sure to cheer on that decision or to tell Dean he didn't have to worry about his younger brother. Hell, John isn't even sure if he could say the latter without lying.

"That's okay Dean, why don't you and Sam go out to buy some ice cream?" Bobby said as he handed Dean some of his money.

"Come on, Sammy," Dean mumbled. He dragged Sam along by his arm, awakening the younger boy from his thoughts. The door fell closed behind them and the two men stood in complete silence until Bobby reopened the discussion.

"John, I know you try to do a good job with them and I know it is hard with all the hunter business, but that isn't normal. Every choice Dean makes is based on what's best for Sam," Bobby informed him, as if he had to tell John that.

John allowed himself to fall down in an armchair and brought his head to hang between his fingertips. He rubbed his hammering temple. Suddenly, he felt very tired and old.

"I think Dean wants to go but simply doesn't want to leave Sam behind," Bobby spoke the fact that John didn't want to face.

"I know, I know," he heard himself groan.

"We should just follow up on this lead and then I can see if I can rent something near Dean's school where Sammy and I can stay when we're done with the mission. I'm sure that idjit Rufus would understand and I can still help with research from here on out," Bobby offered, already making a plan that could work, yet it frightened the life out of John. Leaving his sons behind when he went back to the States? Would that really be a wise decision? Especially after the stuff he had found out? But he couldn't share that with anyone, not even Bobby. Not yet, at least.

"I can't leave Dean alone with an entire school of witches and wizards!" John yelled, terrified that Bobby wouldn't understand that.

"Oh come on, you know as well as I do that not all magic comes from demons. We have used magic plenty of times ourselves," Bobby reminded him, clearly annoyed. John buried his face in his hands as he tried to come up with an argument that he could safely use to make Bobby see it his way, but deep down he knew it was a futile attempt.

Meanwhile the boys had made it to a park bench viewing over the River Thames as they absentmindedly licked their ice creams. They knew full well that they were being sent away so the adults could talk to their heart's content and thus the boys had decided upon taking three scoops of different flavors of ice cream each. A little financial damage seemed like good payback for the treatment and there were just so many flavors to choose from!

"Dean?" Sam said timidly to gain his brother's attention.

"Yeah?" Dean answered casually, allowing Sam to continue even though his gut told him he didn't want to hear it.

"I think you should go, you don't have to worry about me, I can-" He fell silent, his shoulders slumping. Dean waited for him to continue, but his little brother seemed to be back in thought, contemplating his resolve. Or so Dean presumed.

"I know Sammy, but you're not going to lose your big brother that easily," he said teasingly with a big smirk. In response, Sam pushed hard enough for Dean to fall off the bench. Seems like Sammy has more strength than I thought. Dean noted to himself.

"You know I hate that nickname!" Sam said, slightly flustered by anger. Ah, that sure is better than that moping from earlier. Dean burst out in laughter. Sammy turned away from him as if to say he won't ever speak to him again. Once Dean calmed down he retook his seat and they silently ate their ice cream, both absorbed in their own thoughts once again. Dean had actually grown curious about this school – Hogwarts - and he wanted to see what it was all about, but then the reality of his life came back to him and he knew he can't be selfish like that. Dean let out a quiet sigh and looked around at the old stone buildings surrounding them. Man, everything in this country feels ancient.

Sammy and Dean came back an hour later, it might not have been long enough for the adults to settle the fight, but going out for ice cream only takes so long and Dean had already stalled it. They spotted Uncle Bobby and their father sitting at the small dining table, both looking down at the table in complete silence. The soft ticking sound of the owl eating bread crumbs the only clear indication that time passed. Bobby shifted in his seat, and his eyes fell on the short hallway to the door.

"Ah, you two are back," Bobby said the moment he noticed them. John turned to look over his shoulder, but didn't say anything. If Dean didn't know better, he would say his father looked hurt and afraid.

"How was the ice cream?" John asked, finally breaking the tension in the room.

"It was great," Sammy answered for them as Dean handed Bobby the receipt and the small change. They went back to the awkward silence, causing feet to shuffle for several minutes.

"Come on, Sam, we should practice your hand to hand combat," Bobby murmured, having had enough of it. He gently pushed Sam out of the room and Dean attempted to follow them, thinking nothing strange of the situation as he mostly figured as the sparring partner anyway. He merely thought Bobby found it a good idea to give his father some alone time, which he didn't disagree on. How wrong he was…

"Dean, we need to talk," John said hoarse. Dean stood frozen with his back towards his father, not sure if he was ready for what could be coming. A dreadful thought crept up to his mind that sent a shiver down his spine. What if dad decides to gank me for being chosen as a wizard student?

AN: Did you know you can fill in the Impala as a character? That made me really happy, thehehe.

Edit 01 Nov 2017: spelling, grammar, and styling.