2000
Dean asked his dad about wizard schools. He tried to keep it casual, ever heard of them? Saw it while researching. No, no particular reason. The question had been eating at him for months before he finally asked. He figured that way, even if John somehow managed to get it out of him, Harry would have a pretty decent head start. John shrugged his shoulders.
"Well I've heard rumors about wand witches. They use magic wands more like Disney type stuff they're usually foreign though. Ask Bobby I bet he could find out more but I tell you Dean it doesn't matter where they get their magic if we hear about them, it's because they hurt someone."
Dean didn't ask Bobby. He wasn't sure he could face knowing Harry was evil. He knew he couldn't face knowing that Harry was good. That he'd thrown away someone he'd truly cared about, the very idea cut like a knife.
"Congratulations Harry! You passed both your practical and your written. You are now a fully qualified Auror." Kingsley shook Harry's hand and presented him with a set of official Auror robes.
Harry was pleased, they'd offered him an honorary spot in the Auror Corps right after the war but Harry had insisted on earning it. After what happened with Dean he'd thrown himself into his training. Studying and exercising all hours of the day, sleeping only a few hours a night. He kept watching the sunrise, though it hurt him.
Hermione had been surprised when Harry told her of Dean's reaction. She'd refrained from scolding him about international secrecy laws considering Harry's heart was clearly broken but he could tell she wanted to. Meanwhile she researched and soon learned all about American Witches who sold their souls and sacrificed innocent people to get their hands on a bit of power.
She also learned about 'hunters', who were apparently just freelance Aurors who dealt with anything supernatural throughout the US. Her curiosity even drove her so far as to contact various persons in the US, until finally talking with a hunter. That's how she'd learned about John Winchester. A reckless hunter with a massive chip on his shoulder and two boys he towed around with him everywhere. Harry was certain Dean was one of those boys.
Understanding Dean's reaction helped some but didn't change anything. Even knowing Dean had good reason to hate magic didn't change the fact that he did. Harry resigned himself to never seeing Dean again.
2002
Dean left Ohio like the devil was on his trail. He'd been stupid to tell Cassie. He shouldn't have got attached to her in the first place. Cassie had been the closest to happy he'd been since driving Harry away. It wasn't the same of course, he cared about Cassie but there wasn't the same burning, desperate passion or that feeling of kinship he'd always felt with Harry. It was close though and so Dean supposed it was karma that Cassie reacted the way she had.
In a way it was almost funny. Harry had trusted Dean with his deepest secret and Dean had sent him running. Dean trusted Cassie with his and she did the same. He wondered if Harry had felt this bad, probably not, Harry had probably felt worse. Dean had been far crueler then Cassie was even able to be.
Dean drove all night but as morning broke he parked his car and watched the sunrise. From his wallet he pulled the worn photographs. Half a photo strip, from a photo booth at a St. Louis fair, Dean had found it shoved into his jeans two days after Harry left. Harry grinned up at him, leaning his head against Dean's shoulder, looking like the happiest man alive.
"The Auror Corps is launching a joint effort with The Unspeakables, to track and contain the remaining Death Eaters." Head Auror Robards' lip curled at the mention of The Unspeakables his rivalry with the department was well known. "We'll be setting partnerships and would like you and Unspeakable Granger-Weasley to pilot the program"
Harry grinned at that. He and Hermione hunting down Death Eaters sounded like a blast.
"I'd love to. When do we start?"
"Understand Potter there are over 30 known Death Eaters who have by now spread themselves across the globe. It may take years to round them up and our hope is to get leads on unknown Death Eaters from them. Are you prepared to take this on?"
"Yes sir, but I won't go to America." Harry made sure his voice was firm and unyielding. He'd sworn to himself he'd never set foot on American soil again and he meant it.
"Why not?" Robards looked like he was about to hear a juicy piece of gossip.
"Because I won't but anywhere else is free game. Surely one of the other partnerships can cover that one country."
"Eventually yes, it doesn't matter for this first one however because he's believed to be in China."
2006
July 4th
Sam isn't really sure when exactly his older brother had started hating the 4th of July. He only knows that for years now Dean had preferred to spend it getting drunk in any available bar until he passed out. He supposed Dean had always hated that Eagles song. Anytime it came on the radio Dean would change the station.
Still though, as they were sitting in this tiny bar their bodies still aching from their last encounter with that crazy demon bitch, Dean was taking things a bit far. By Sam's count he'd had about 5 shots and 2 beers when Hotel California came on. To his surprise Dean didn't seem bothered; in fact he began to sing along. Until suddenly like a switch flipping Dean's face darkened. He pulled one of his many guns out and fired an entire clip into the Jukebox.
"Dude what the hell?!" Sam exclaimed while rushing to pull Dean to their car so they could hit the road before the police showed to arrest them. Dean shrugged.
"I hate that fucking song."
"We've got a good lead on Amycus Carrow. He's been sighted in the American west, a place called New Mexico." Robards told him. Harry eyed him for a moment before responding.
"I don't go to America, send Ron. Hermione and I are still tracking Crabbe."
Dean saw the flash of red hair across the street and despite not seeing his face he knew who it was.
"Hey! Ron!" Sure enough the man hesitated. Sam probably thought Dean was nuts as he tore down the street after the red headed man.
"Stop!" Ron stopped finally and turned to face Dean. His face moved from confusion to dislike rapidly.
"You! Prat," the man said before punching Dean so hard he fell over. Sam yelled from behind him somewhere and hurried over to his brother. Dean tried to brush him off but by the time he was able to get up and look around the red headed man was gone.
2008
Fall
"We've got a lead on a Death Eater working his way around America." Robards holds up his hand before Harry can protest, "I know you don't go there but I thought you'd like the heads up on this one just the same."
He pushes the file across his desk for Harry to examine. He only needs to see the name to know he has to take it.
"Bugger!"
Author's note: Okay so heads up. I'd originally intended to set this in 2009 but after looking at the timeline I just don't think they'd have time so I'm moving it back to 2008 which is season 4. As I'd said before I won't be rehashing much of their old adventures but when we get to next chapter you can assume these facts are still in place.
Dean has left hell
Castiel is an active part of their lives(dunno if I'll use him but I might)
The ruby thing has been addressed but will probably be ignored.
Sam and Dean are hunting together.
As to the grammar issue, I really am trying and have hopefully resolved any and all issues in this chapter. If anyone knows where I could find a beta or would like to Beta for me I am definitely open to it. Just know I will likely be working on this non stop until finished and will need a beta prepared to work through minimum four more chapters in the coming week.
Also thanks for all your lovely reviews! I love to see them and they motivate me to work faster to get the next chapter out to you. Harry and Dean will meet again next chapter. How do you think it will go? What will Sam say?
Tell me your thoughts!
