Chapter 6
Dean looked at the Sorting Hat, then at his brother. "You were this close to getting the biggest noogie of your life." he said to Sam holding up his thumb and forefinger with about a quarter inch between them.
Minerva placed the Sorting Hat on Dumbledore's desk. "I suggest we all head down to the Great Hall as lunch shall be served soon."
"Great!" Dean said. "Best news I've heard all day." He met with a range of looks. "I mean, you know, besides learning we're wizards and stuff."
"Good cover, Dean." Sam said patting him on the shoulder as he headed for the door, closely followed by the rest.
Sam and Dean were led through the winding corridors and staircases back to the Great Hall.
"Think I can get a map?" Dean asked Dumbledore as they walked.
"Of the castle? Yes of course. You will find one with the books and supplies in your room."
"Thanks." said Dean. "Oh, and uh . . . Thanks again for all your hospitality. I know I come off a little rough around the edges. But I want you to know I actually do appreciate all you're doing."
"As I understand it, you were not exactly sent here by your own will. Considering the circumstances, you are coping quite well."
"Well anyway, thanks." he said again.
Once more they entered the Great Hall and the delicious aromas of the lunch feast invaded their senses. As they walked toward the head table, students turned their heads and were looking at them.
Dean leaned in toward Sam. "Why do they keep staring at us like that?"
"I think it's our clothes." said Sam. "We are wearing Muggle clothes."
"Muggle clothes?"
"Yeah."
"What's wrong with that?"
"Most of these kids are from Wizarding Families. They don't dress the same as Muggles."
"Well how do they dress?"
"Like that." Sam said motioning to the head table where all the adults were already seated.
"So they dress like every day is Halloween?"
"That's their normal everyday wear, yes."
"Hmm." Dean said and craned his neck over the student's heads to see what kind of food was available. Dean's eyes lifted and he noticed a group of young Ravenclaw girls sitting together who were all staring at him.
"Hi, how's it going?" he said with a little wave. Immediately all the girls began to giggle into their hands and shyly turn their heads.
Feeling awkward Dean turned and made for the head table as quickly as he could without trying to attract even more attention to himself.
The brothers took their seats and Sam chuckled at Dean.
"I see you met your fan club." he joked.
"Shut up, Sammy." Dean said as he loaded up his plate.
"You know they're like 14 right?"
"You know what? I got a wand now, don't make me use it."
Sam laughed heartily. It felt good to laugh with his brother again. He had almost forgotten how it felt. The last time they had enough down time to actually enjoy themselves had been years ago when Bobby . . .
His heart and smile both dropped a bit at the thought, but he chose to keep grinning and think fondly on the memories instead of letting them sadden his mood. He joined in the feasting and both of them were soon stuffed to the brim.
Dumbledore had appeared at their sides almost immediately after they had pushed their plates away.
"If your appetites are sated, then Argus will show you to your rooms so you can settle in. You may wish to take an inventory of everything we have provided for you. You've each had a trunk made for you containing robes and necessities, and the books and supplies you will need are also there. There are also maps of the castle so you can find your way."
"Thank you." they both chimed.
That old man with the long hair stood along the wall holding his evil looking cat, Mrs. Norris, and waited for them. He was watching the students intently as if hoping for one, just one, to step out of line. Sam and Dean excused themselves from the table and Dumbledore's company and approached Argus Filch.
"Hey, how's it going?" Sam asked him.
"Look at them." he said without turning.
"What? The kids?" Dean asked.
"Troublemakers, every last one of them. What they need is discipline! You aren't one of those Professors that lets the children run amuck are you?"
"Oh, no of course not." Dean said giving Sam a sly wink. "In fact, some of the young whippersnappers could use some good old fashioned lashings, yeah?"
You could see the change in Filch's demeanor instantly. He turned toward Dean with a sadistic gleam in his eyes and a grin to match. "Oh yes, sir. Back in my day that was the going punishment. Glorious days those were. Weren't they, my sweet?" he said talking directly to the cat in his arms.
Sam leaned toward Dean. "Think you just made a new best friend."
"Yeah, right. This guys is seriously twisted. Ooooo." Dean said blowing out his breath.
Filch finally looked up from the quite conversation he was having with the cat, still grinning. "You'll make a mighty fine Professor, you." He then turned to Sam. "Don't you give them an inch, sir."
"Oh, no way. They'll take a mile, right?" Sam said a bit less convincing than Dean's charade. Even Dean looked at him sideways.
"Right this way, sirs." said Filch, taking no notice of Sam's terrible performance and began walking toward the main hall.
The brothers followed the caretaker to their rooms near the dormitories. The rooms were small yet comfortable and situated across a narrow hall from one another. Sam immediately threw open the trunk at the foot of the bed and started to rummage through it. Parchment, quills and ink, three sets of black robes, a cauldron, brass scales, and phials. He picked up one of the robes and threw it on over his clothes. He looked at himself in the full length mirror in the corner of the room. Hmm, not bad, he thought to himself. As he mused he caught a glimpse of an absolute mountain of books sitting on a small desk by the door. He hurried over to them and started looking through the titles.
The Standard Book of Spells, by Miranda Goshawk grades 1-7. A History of Magic, by Bathilda Bagshot. One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, by Phyllida Spore. Magical Drafts and Potions, by Arsenius Jigger. A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, by Ermeric Switch. There were so many of them he gave up reading the titles after four stacks. The books were stacked so high he feared they would topple over were they afforded the slightest opportunity. They covered the desk completely, and there were even a few stacks on the floor.
"Well this ought to keep me busy." he said to himself.
Dean's room was also stacked high with books and supplies. He found the map of Hogwarts Castle that he had asked for and picked it up. No sooner had he moved the parchment when something growled ferociously at him. He jumped, dropping the map and knocking over several stacks of books. The book on the top of the stack the map had been laying on suddenly sprang to life and lunged at him and Dean gave a shriek.
Sam heard Dean's panicked yell and ran from his room and into Dean's, his new wand at the ready. He found Dean on top of his bed holding onto the bedpost as a grotesque and mean looking book snarled and snapped at him from the floor. Sam exhaled and began to laugh.
"I see you found The Monster Book of Monsters."
"Get it away from me!" Dean shrieked.
"Seriously, dude? You're scared of a book? I mean we've gone up against some pretty scary stuff, but this? I really wish I had a camera right now."
"I am gonna hurt you so bad if you don't get this thing to heel!"
"Fine." Sam rolled his eyes. He raised his wand, aimed, and said, "Flipendo!"
The book flew backwards and hit the wall where it whined pitifully and hid under a chair.
Dean looked at his brother. 'Whoa! What spell was that?"
"Knockback Jinx. Standard Grade 2 Spell."
"Okay, the fact that you even know that proves you carry a Geek Card." he said and jumped down off the bed.
"Well that just means I have a head start."
"What other spells do you know?"
"Just the stuff that is in the books, movies, and games. There's Lumos. Which basically turns your wand into a flashlight. Alohomora which unlocks doors. Expelliarmus, is a disarming spell. . . um . . . Oh! Wingardium Leviosa, makes stuff levitate. Then there is one that gets taught this year by Lupin -"
"Lupin, the werewolf guy right?" Dean asked.
"Yes. Hey, you remembered. Good for you."
"Well the name also kinda gives it away."
"There is that. But he is the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year and he teaches Harry how to make a Patronus."
"Do I?" said a voice from the open door.
Sam's eyes widened and the brothers turned to see Professor Remus Lupin, in the flesh, leaning against the doorframe.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude but I heard a commotion and I came to see if someone needed help." he said.
"Professor Lupin!" Sam said startled.
"Please, call me Remus." he said stepping forward to shake Sam's hand.
Sam did so heartily. "Hi. I'm Sam, this is my brother, Dean."
Remus and Dean also exchanged handshakes.
"I had actually passed this room but doubled back when I heard my name." said Remus.
They both felt incredibly discomfited all of a sudden. "About that, I – I'm sorry. I meant no disrespect." said Dean.
"That's quite alright." Remus said waving a hand dismissively. "I did however notice that you seem to know a bit more about me than most. Very few people in this world are privy to certain details of my life, and if it's all the same to you both, I would prefer it stay that way."
"Yes, of course." they both chimed.
"And for that I thank you. I was told by Dumbledore that you two were not from around here. And I don't just mean the American accents."
"Seems to me like we both have some secrets to keep." Dean said.
"Indeed." agreed Remus. "I'll tell you what. I'll keep yours if you keep mine."
"Deal!" said Sam.
"Dumbledore had also informed me that you will be spending a lot of time with me this year. As I am the Defense the Dark Arts Professor, you will be learning the bulk of your studies from me. You will also be studying Charms with Filius Flitwick, Herbology with Pomona Sprout, Transfiguration with Minerva McGonagall, and Potions with Severus Snape. "
"Oh, that guy." Dean said.
"Yes, I rather dislike the fellow myself, and as much as I hate to admit it, what he can teach you is most invaluable. He is the most accomplished Potions Master that I know of and that is giving him far more credit than I care to give him."
"So when do we start?" Dean asked much to the surprise of Sam as he was about to ask the same question.
"We can start whenever you'd like. I figured you might want to settle in first." said Remus.
"Well, we've got a hell of a long way to go to catch up in order to be of any use here, so . . ." Dean held his arms up. "The sooner the better."
"Quite right." Remus said to Dean and then turned to Sam. "You know more about our future than Sybil Trelawney does, which isn't saying a lot." he admitted. "And I know that you cannot give much away, but tell me," he leaned in closer to him. "Why would I teach a Patronus Charm to a third year?"
