I am sorry I didn't get to thank everyone who reviewed Chapter 8 I was so busy trying to get Chapter 9 posted I didn't have time. That being said a big thank you to; Moon Lovegood, lelann37, Genie, fairyofmusic, super.natural-ly.hot.ja.jp, Winchester13, LighthouseWatcher, Shadewolf7, Mittel, dean'sdreamingangel, seafox, Shenandoah77, jessica, Winchesterlady, Turner97, Artemisdesari, rockchick900, and Poaetpainter.
I would also like to thank everyone who reviewed Chapter 9; Artemisdesari, mollieclarke, Poaetpainter, Claire, super.natural-ly.hot.jp.jp, Ecc0, Winchester13, dean'sdreamingangel, Moon Lovegood, seafox, camlann, Shenandoah77, Karakin, fairyofmusic, Genie, Shadewolf, and Kate.
You all rock and make my world go round. I'm serious your reviews brighten my days and inspire me to keep writing and strive to make this story the best it can be. I hope you enjoy Chapter 10 and have a great week.
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Chapter 10
It was a pale Ginny, and a nearly frantic Harry that met the Winchesters when they were returning from their evening out at Hogsmeade.
"Whoa what are you guys doing up this late? Harry do we need to have a chat?" Dean joke miming a punch at Harry's head.
"I wish." Harry said looking both scared and royally pissed off. "Trelawney made a prediction while we were having our date in the Astronomy Tower." Harry explained.
"Yeah so?" Sam asked his voice laced with mild derision.
"No I mean a real prediction. Trust me I know the difference." Harry muttered the last part.
"You mean to tell us that quack made an actual prediction?" John asked looking extremely skeptic.
"Yes sir. We've got to find Dumbledore. This is only the third prediction she's ever made, and boy is it a doozy." Harry assured, as Ginny still not speaking began to nod her head emphatically.
Realizing that Harry was indeed serious John quickly began to guide the two youngsters towards Dumbledore's office. "Don't say another word. Wait until we get into the Headmaster office." John instructed as he began to scan the hallways looking for anyone nearby enough to have heard that a real prophecy had been given.
"Yes sir." Harry answered quickly thinking back to the fact that an overheard prophecy was the reason his parents were murdered.
As they approached the door John quickly uttered, "Fireballs." And waited for the stairs to come down. "Let's go." John ushered the kids in first with this sons taking up the rear.
"Headmaster?" Harry knocked on the office door with some urgency.
"Harry, my boy what seems to be the problem?" Dumbledore looked surprised to see Ginny standing next to Harry, and even more surprised to see the Winchesters.
"She did it again sir." Harry stated looking dejected and miserable. He really hated prophecies.
"Who did what Harry?" Dumbledore asked with gentle humor. "I realize you children believe I'm all knowing, but I'm going to need a bit more then that."
"Professor Trelawney, she gave another real prophecy sir." Harry clarified somewhat sheepishly.
"Come in have a seat, and let's here it then. I'm assuming from your tone it wasn't necessary a good prophesy." Dumbledore spoke with comforting support.
"What's a good prophecy sir?" Harry asked with a decidedly ill humor.
"Touché." Dumbledore chuckled dryly. "Well let's here it then."
Harry took a deep breath and closed his eyes to pull up the still fresh memory. "Here goes;
"The final battle approaches; Evil strikes first and the blood of innocents stain the ground bright red. The side of light received into its fold one who was destined to darkness. Born to one who sided with evil; he must make the choice between a family of blood or one chosen. Allies are revealed and bonds are formed.
The Key can only be obtained by brothers and the Seer must taste the blood of a brother and the Chosen must find trust in him. Evil will fall if blood is tasted and trust is shared. But losses will be painful and hurt will be caused. Should the key be obtained by evil and the well opened by those who would use its power for destruction, the world will fall into 1000 years of darkness.
The final battle approaches; Evil strikes first."
"Well okay dokay." Dean said as Harry finished quoting, "Now what the hell does it all mean?"
"Well some of its obvious." Sam began clamping down on the need to start laughing hysterically and began to methodically take the prophecy apart. "Evil strikes first, the battle at Azkaban. The blood of innocents stain the ground, all the dead guards, I'm assuming the next part is talking about Draco." Sam paused and looked for confirmation from John and Dumbledore who had yet to speak.
"I agree." John stated easily.
"It does seem to be the most obvious." Dumbledore agreed looking concerned.
"Well I guess it's a good thing we haven't gone after the key yet." Dean piped up as the studied the prophecy he'd just written down. "Hey Harry check this for me and make sure I didn't leave anything out?" Dean handed the piece of parchment over to the young man.
"Sure." Harry replied scanning the paper quickly. "Word for word sir." Harry said as he handed the parchment back. "Ginny are you okay?" Harry asked the still silent girl with concern.
"Oh I'm fine Harry." Ginny quickly reassured with a small smile. "It's just a lot to take in that's all." Ginny reassured. "Harry?" She asked looking worried.
"Yes?" Harry asked wanting to answer any question she would ask at the moment.
"What other prophecies are you talking about?" Ginny's eyes were wide and fearful.
"Oh Ginny!" Harry exclaimed quietly feeling a surge of guilt and shame over the prophecy he'd been carrying around for the last 6 months. "I promise I'll tell you, but not right now. I need to tell Ron and Hermione anyway. I'll tell you tomorrow I promise." Harry grabbed Ginny's hand and squeezed it gently.
"Of course Harry. I trust you." Ginny felt the 102nd blush of the day cover her face as she squeezed Harry's hand back.
Both refocused on the conversation going on around them, to hear Dean argue, "But I can't be that vital man, you're the one with all the whammy, it doesn't make any sense.
"How many times do I have to tell you how important you are?" Sammy argued back heatedly. "Now this prophesy proves it."
"Dean this is not up for debate. When Sam and Hermione head out for the Hall you're going instead of Hermione." John interjected not ready to see this argument turn into a full scale war, "I'm more concerned with what the key apparently unlocks. Have you ever heard of this well before Albus?"
"No John it's not ringing any bells for me either, and that is of grave concern. Perhaps the best course of action is to focus on obtaining the key first and simply destroying it." Albus reasoned.
"Yeah but what if we can't?" Dean interjected looking really worried. "I mean we might not be able to, if the thing is so powerful."
"Thanks that's a thought I really wanted to have." Sam groaned and cradled his head in his hands.
"The important thing to remember is that we need both of you together to get the key." John stated emphatically. "I think it's best if you and Dean head out tomorrow with Albus and I tagging along."
"Dad, I'm not just saying this to argue, but shouldn't we wait a few days to do some research." Sam stated back.
"We can't take the chance Samuel." Albus answered for John. "I would feel much better with the key, whatever it is safely in our hands and protected here at Hogwarts."
"Oh god this is going to take for frigging ever." Dean griped as he recognized the look on Sam's face saying that he was gearing up for an argument.
"Dean is correct let us retire for the evening and approach the situation with fresh eyes in the morning." Dumbledore recommended not anxious to get in a debate with young Samuel in front of students.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Ginny said speaking up for the first time in the office.
"Harry," Dumbledore addressed the young man, "You will be speaking to your friends tomorrow then." Dumbledore knew better then to try and restrict Harry from speaking to his friends. In fact he was relieved Harry was going to at last unburden himself with the prophecy Dumbledore had placed on his shoulders at the end of last term.
"Yes sir, I've got some explaining to do." Harry grimaces slightly thinking about what his friends reactions were going to be.
"I'm sure they will understand." Dumbledore reassured. "Well have a good evening."
"Yes sir." Harry smiled gratefully at the Headmaster. "Sir?" Harry looked at the Winchesters.
Nodding his head Dumbledore signaled that the Winchesters did indeed know the prophecy already.
"Right." Harry shot the Winchesters a look grateful that they never treated him any differently. "Good night." And with that Harry took Ginny's hand and left the office.
"He's got a tough road ahead." Sam commiserated.
"We all do." John agreed, "We'll talk in the morning Good night Albus."
"Good night." Albus agreed as the Winchesters retired to their own quarters. "Tough times indeed." Dumbledore stroked Fawkes head and took comfort in the trill of the phoenix song.
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The next morning.
Room of Requirements.
Harry was nervous, Harry was very nervous. He'd requested for Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna and Ginny to meet him in the Room of Requirements for some long over due explanations. Harry knew they needed to begin research on the prophesy right away so he requested the meeting to take place before breakfast so they could go straight to work.
As Harry looked expectantly towards the door he braced himself at the sight of Ron, and Neville.
The three boys were just getting comfortable when Luna and Hermione showed up giggling about something neither girl was willing to share.
"Where's Ginny?" Hermione asked still ginning madly.
"Don't know she said she had an errand but that she would be here, so we'll give her a few minutes." Ron said putting an arm around Hermione.
Before Hermione could ask what sort of errand the door opened and Ginny rushed in followed by Draco. "Sorry we're late we got caught up at the library."
"What were you doing in the library?" Harry spoke more sharply then he intended when Ginny smiled at Draco in welcome.
Looking at Harry with an odd expression Ginny answered, "Just some research Harry, what's the matter? I thought that since this concerned him Draco should be here."
Shacking his head and sending Ginny and a contemplative Draco an apologetic grin Harry said, "Nothing sorry just anxious about all this prophesy stuff."
"No problem, I'm having a hard time grasping I'm mentioned in a prophecy as well." Draco said with an amused smirk as he deliberately moved away from Ginny and took a seat on the opposite side of the table leaving the seat next to Ginny open.
Shooting Draco a look of pure gratefulness Harry took the seat quickly while stammering, "Yeah it takes some getting used too, still hits me now and then too."
"What prophesy?" Neville asked looking frightened.
"I swear Harry we leave you alone for one day and you go and find another prophesy." Ron tried to lighten the mood although he still looked worried, and not entirely comfortable with having Draco here at all.
"Start talking Harry." Ginny said placing her hand on Harry's arm and giving him a smile of reassurance.
"Yeah Harry start talking." Draco interjected looking hostile and apprehensive, and completely terrified.
"Okay" Harry began, starting with the events of the previous evening. His own earlier prophecy he would tackle last.
"So she did it again huh?" Ron said looking shocked at this turn of events as he contemplated Draco thoughtfully.
Draco appeared to be made out of stone he sat so still after the revelation. "I am finding it hard to believe that, that quack Trelawney is actually capable of giving a real prophesy.
"You and me both." Harry admitted, "But Draco I promise it does happen and they are legitimate prophecies."
"Excuse me." Draco stood up quickly and began to leave the room.
"Draco." Harry called after the boy. "You might consider talking to the Headmaster, he's really great and putting all this in perspective."
Nodding his head Draco continued out of the room without looking back.
Taking a deep breath Harry closed his eyes and dropped his head back as he stared at the ceilings.
Why do I get the feeling the next one's going to be a doozy?" Ron joked looking scared for the guy who he felt was like his seventh brother.
"You're not wrong." Harry said feeling a swell of gratitude that the people in this room were a part of his life. "Okay here goes."
After Harry finished sharing the second it was a shocked and contemplative Neville who spoke first, "Harry…" He trailed off unable to voice the question that sat like a lead ball in his stomach.
"It couldn't mean you Neville." Harry replied with understanding conviction. "I already had this conversation with Dumbledore. I'm the one because Voldemort chose me to be the one."
"But…" Neville refused to back down.
"It could have possibly been you before Voldemort tried to kill me and failed." Harry agreed hating to put that knowledge on Neville's shoulders.
"I don't understand?" Hermione said looking around the table.
"I was born at the end of the seventh month to parents who had trice defied Voldemort." Neville said his voice a little shaky.
"Oh my god!" Ginny exclaimed putting her hand on top of Neville's to comfort her friend.
"There's nothing to be done about it now Neville, it will be all right." Luna said her reasonable and yet sometimes tactless way.
"I'm so sorry Harry." Neville said looking dejected.
"It's not your fault." Harry said looking surprised.
"Of course it's not." Luna supplied patting Neville gently on the back.
"Nothing you did made Voldemort choose me, that's just the way the cookie crumbles." Harry said with wry support.
"Thanks Harry. I'm still sorry though, sorry that you have to be the one to face him I mean." Neville said leaning back in his chair.
"Trust me I'm not doing back flips over that either." Harry said rolling his eyes.
"Why didn't you tell us mate," Ron asked feeling mildly angry with Harry for keeping this from them for so long.
"At first it was because I needed to get my head around it first." Harry admitted slowly. "It was a lot to comprehend finding out I'm going to have to become a murderer or be murdered."
"Murder, Harry what are you talking about?" Hermione asked her voice sharp.
Harry looked at his friend with concern. "I would say it was obvious, I have to kill Voldemort, or be killed."
"Yes but Harry that's not the same thing as murder." Hermione voice blazed with conviction.
"She's right mate." Ron piped in, "I mean it's not like you're going to be killing an innocent man."
"Not to mention it will probably happen in a duel, so it will be self-defense, since I'm pretty sure, for some strange reason he'll be trying to kill you at the same time." Ginny finished Ron's sentence having been distraught over Harry's use of the term murder as well.
"Yeah but I still have to kill him." Harry said startled by his friend's defense.
"Kill yes, murder no." Ron said squeezing Harry's shoulder tightly.
"And it's a big difference Harry." Luna piped in at last.
Harry looked down at his hands that were clenched tightly into fists as he felt a swell of tears build behind his eyes. "Thanks guys." Harry said at last not looking up.
"You're welcome dummy." Ron said with laughing eyes as he punched Harry lightly in the shoulder.
"See this is why you shouldn't keep secrets." Hermione teased "Cause other wise you get yourself all confused."
"I guess your right." Harry finally looked up and smiled at his friends.
"HELLO! Haven't you figured out that she's always right?" Neville joked.
"One would think." Harry admitted laughing as he fell back on the floor and let out little gasps of relieved laughter.
"And yet." Hermione teased, "I still can't get the two of you to do what I say."
"What can we say? We're guys we're stupid." Ron held up both hands in a what can you do gesture.
As the group burst out into laughter, it was as if a valve had been released and the pressure that had been building since Dumbledore first revealed the prophesy to Harry last year was dropping.
"Now about the second prophesy." Hermione said gathering everyone back on track. "We're pretty sure it's talking about Draco and Sam, but I don't understand what it meant when it said, "the seer must taste the blood of a brother." Does Sam betray Dean, or does it mean literally taste his blood, because Ugh." Hermione spouted out breathlessly.
"Yeah at least Malfoy's part is simple, All he has to do is choose the right side." Ron shrugged not seeing the difficulty.
"Hey don't diminish what he had to lose to make that sacrifice Ron, it wasn't an easy thing to deal with." Neville couldn't believe he was defending Malfoy, but Neville knew intimately how painful it was to lose a parent.
"What's the key to power, and where's the door, and what's the well? That's what I want to know." Hermione said looking around the room to see if any of the pureblood wizards had heard of anything like that.
"Means nothing to me." Ginny said looking just as confused.
"I'm not recognizing anything either." Neville supplied.
"That's very interesting, but I can't think of what it means." Luna admitted with regret.
"Well I guess that would be to easy." Harry joked. "We should probably head to the Great Hall for breakfast and to see what the current plan is. I know the Winchesters are anxious to get to the key first."
"Gee I wonder why." Ron snarked sarcastically groaning at the thought of research on the first day of Christmas vacation.
"Oh come on Ron we'll go get some breakfast first that will help." Hermione cajoled with a smile that automatically perked Ron right up. "Harry do think it means I won't be allowed to go to the Constable House with Sam then?" Hermione asked suddenly looking dejected at the prospect.
"Probably not Hermione." Harry agreed. "I'm pretty sure they're going to head out some time today or tomorrow and I think it could be really dangerous anyway."
"While I appreciate the concern I can take care of myself." Hermione stated indignantly.
"Are you bonkers woman." Ron nearly shouted with concern and fear. "The Dark Lord and a Demon are searching frantically for this stupid key, and you want to walk into the Lion's den?"
"Well at least I'm willing to take a chance Ronald Weasley." Hermione's temper burst out like hot lava from a volcano.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ron snarled his fear growing with each second of Hermione being in the same place as Voldemort.
"What I mean is this." Hermione's frustration bubbled over and she grabbed Ron's face and kissed the stunned young man with fervor. When she pulled away a moment later her face turned beet red and she let out a sound that could only be described as a squeak as she ran from the room.
Ron stood transfixed for a moment before uttering a quick "Gotta go." Before racing after the girl like Voldemort himself was chasing after him.
Harry laughed as he helped Ginny off the floor and squeezed her hand gently. As he and Ginny followed closely by Luna and Neville left the room Harry couldn't help but realize he was happier at this very moment then he'd been in a long time. "We'd better go get some breakfast and then see what we can do to help them get ready for their trip to the Hall."
"Sounds good to me." Ginny answered feeling like she was floating on air as the duo made their way towards the great hall. Ginny couldn't help but burst into giggles as they rounded a corner and found Ron and Hermione locked in a lip lock right in the middle of the hallway.
Harry in a moment of pure deviousness couldn't resist saying loudly, "Hello Professor Snape Happy Christmas." Then exploded with laughter as Ron and Hermione burst apart as if they been pulled by an invisible force.
"Oh you think that's funny do you." Ron threatened dramatically. "Don't' forget whose sister your dating mate. I'm sure the rest of the brothers would love to know you two lovebirds had finally seen the light." Ron broke out in a huge grin at the look of terror that now crossed his best friends face.
"Uh, truce." Harry offered sheepishly.
Laughing Ron replied, "Absolutely."
Hermione, Ginny, and Luna just rolled their eyes at the boys antics before Hermione grabbed Ron's armed and dragged him off to the Great Hall muttering, "Men."
As the group entered the Great Hall lead by Hermione the young woman couldn't help but stop in surprise. Since this was the first Christmas Hermione had ever spent in the castle she was unused to seeing the Great Hall so empty. "Wow." She whispered softly.
"Yeah it does look different doesn't it." Harry admitted having always enjoyed the castle when most of the students had left. It was probably why it felt so much like home to Harry.
Instead of the normal separation between students and faculty everyone was seated at one long table, and already in the middle of breakfast. The Winchesters were at one end having a heated debate with Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape while the rest of the professors carried on individual conversations.
Draco sat at the far end of the table eating silently and sending off blatant "Do not disturb." vibes.
The group headed towards the Winchester end of the table as everyone was supremely curious as to the next course of action.
"Look." Dean could be heard saying as they got closer. "All I'm saying is, why do we need more then four people on this mission. With Albus, dad, Sam, and I we've got it covered. Less chance of detection and higher success rate." Dean was obviously arguing with Snape over the best course of action.
"I don't know how long it's going to take to get this through your thick skull," Snape oozed back looking highly annoyed, "But the Dark Lord is waiting for any sign of you or Dumbledore to leave the castle. They might be evil, you twit, but they are not stupid. If they get word back that you have left they will track you and possibly obtain the key by laying a trap for you once you have obtained the key."
Dean looked ready to smack Snape cross-eyed, or you know pull his berretta when Sam interrupted and asked, "Why is this the first time we're hearing about this?"
Snape looked confused, "Hearing about what?"
"That Voldemort knows when we or Dumbledore leaves Hogwarts?" Sam clarified looking disturbed at this information.
"We don't have a leak young Samuel." Dumbledore reassured, "At least not within the castle. But you can not apparate from within Hogwarts, you must travel outside the castle gates and down to Hogsmeade, thus ensuring that one of the many spies Tom has watching the castle would see my, or your departure."
"I appreciate your caution Professor," John jumped into the conversation, "But for all that's holy aren't you wizards. I mean you can make a broom fly but you can't make yourself invisible so we can sneak away to get the damn thing."
Snape looked like he was using willpower he'd never known before, to keep from exploding back at the Winchesters.
"It is not that simple John," Minerva jumped in, "Voldemort is a wizard as well and a very good one. He will have set detectors all over Hogsmeade I'm sure to alert him of Dumbledore's departure that will activate even if you are invisible."
"So what we're just supposed to give up?" Sam asked looking tired and frustrated. He hadn't taken the Dreamless Sleep Potion last night and he'd been plagued with nightmares all night.
"I am simply saying we should not just rush off without a plan." Snape replied looking just as frustrated.
John who'd been watching Dumbledore through the debate couldn't help but mention, "I have to say Al you don't see to concerned with the possibility."
With his eyes twinkling brightly Dumbledore grinned mischievously and answered, "Oh I have a few tricks up my sleeve that Tom is not aware of." He hinted. "You will be ready to leave in two hours?"
"Headmaster." Minerva started cautiously.
"Now, now Minerva you wouldn't want me to reveal all my secrets would you?" Dumbledore winked. "Gentlemen I will meet you in my office in two hours."
"See you then." Dean answered looking around the table for anyone who knew what the old man was hiding.
"Better just to wait and see." John told his overly curious son. "Knowing Albus, you won't be able to figure it out until he wants you to know."
"I'm going to get ready." Sam said with a yawn too tired to be that curious.
"And take a nap." Dean ordered having noticed Sam's obvious fatigue.
"I'm not four." Sam argued petulantly.
"Then stop acting like it, you overgrown puppy. You're not going on this mission as tired as you are, Dad and I can get the supplies together while you get some rest." Dean shot back using his patented I'm your big brother and you will do what I say voice.
"Yes mom." Sam answered as he left the Great Hall with Dean and John following.
"Well if you'll excuse me Severus I have lesson plans to review." Minerva nodded lightly her own curiosity piqued at the Headmasters answer.
"Until later." Snape answered as he headed down to the dungeon to brew a potion for a headache. Trying to remain civil during an argument was proving to be harder then it looked.
"Okay how do you think he's going to pull it off?" Harry asked as the grown ups left the table.
"No clue but I'd trust Dumbledore to be able to get past Voldemort without detection." Ron answered his faith in the headmaster was unshakable.
"Ditto." Hermione answered looking positively eaten up with curiosity.
"So game of chess after breakfast." Ron asked knowing they had to do something to keep their minds occupied if they didn't want to go completely crazy with wondering.
"I guess I can handle a beating this morning." Harry joked having never won a chess match against Ron.
"Excellent." Ron muttered as the rest of the table burst out into laughter.
It was going to take a lot of effort not to get consumed with curiosity this afternoon, but everyone was determined to make the best of the situation.
"Do you think we should invite Draco?" Ginny asked tentatively having noticed the young Slytherin had yet to move from the table.
"I don't know Ginny." Ron started, "I don't think it's a good idea."
"But Ron," Ginny started to plead.
"I think it's a good idea. Even if he says no at least we will have asked." Harry mentioned as he crossed to Draco's side. "Uhm Draco?"
Draco looked up startled at being interrupted. "What do you want Potter?" Draco sneered his cloak of derision firmly in place.
"I was wondering if you'd like to join us for a game of chess." Harry asked recognizing Draco's defensive tone for what it was, a desire to be left alone.
"I've got better things to do then play games Potter." Draco sneered before turning away as if dismissing Harry from his presence.
Biting his tongue Harry was determined not to take the bait. He now had a lot more respect for Hermione and Ron when they had to put up with Harry's moodiness following Sirus' death. "Well if you change your mind we'll be around." Harry said with an even tone before walking away.
"No go." Harry said to Ginny as he returned to the group. "Give him some time. He's dealing with a lot."
With that the group headed out of the Great Hall.
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As the Winchesters made their way to Dumbledore's office two hours later the mood was lighter as Dean continued to rib Sam.
"I just want to hear it, you know I'm right." Dean ribbed poking Sam in the side.
"Yes I feel better, the nap helped." Sam finally admitted knowing Dean wouldn't let up until Sam answered.
"That's all I'm saying." Dean said with a big grin. "See this is why you should always listen to me and do what I say, because I'm always right."
"Yeah sure whatever." Sam said rolling his eyes.
"Good afternoon gentlemen." Dumbledore said before Sam and Dean could get on a roll. "Everyone ready?"
"Yeah sure." John answered coming fully into the room. "You going to tell us how you're going to pull this off or are we going to have to guess?"
Dumbledore stood up and crossed to Fawke's stand and stroked the bird lovingly as he answered, "Did you know phoenix's can live for hundreds, and sometimes a thousand years?" Albus asked hypothetically, "Fawkes here has been with the school for 700 years."
"Wow, well that's just great." Dean said looking confused. "Does this monologue have a point. I mean are we supposed to turn into birds and fly there?" Dean didn't get to finish his tirade as John reached out and smacked him sharply across the back of his head.
"No Dean we are not going to fly there. At least not completely. Another thing you should know about phoenix's is that they can carry a great weight and are capable of what is affectionately called popping. Which is the phoenix version of apperation."
"But I thought you couldn't…" Sam spoke up having picked up on where Dumbledore was heading with all this.
"As one of the official guardians of Hogwarts Fawke's powers are accepted by the castle and therefore are not limited by its restrictions." Dumbledore explained.
"So Fawkes is going to take us to the Constable House straight from Hogwarts with out anyone being the wiser." John chuckled lightly at the idea.
"Exactly." Dumbledore answered his eyes twinkling like stars in the night sky.
"Well let's fly." Dean said pragmatically with a wide grin.
"Then gentlemen I will instruct you to grab a feather and hold on." Dumbledore lead by example and as all three Winchesters grabbed a feather he motioned to Fawkes and said, "We are in you capable hands."
Then with a poof the four men and a bird disappeared from sight.
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When the world stopped spinning Dean couldn't help but think that the wizarding world was more like a carnival fun house then reality. Between underground cart rides through goblin tunnels, portkey travel, and now travel by bird it was one hell of a wild ride. As he, Sam, & John picked themselves up off the ground Dean couldn't help but notice the looks of amusement on Dumbledore face and even Fawkes was observing them with what appeared to be amusement.
"Oh shut up." Dean said with faux grumpiness brushing the dust off his pants.
"I have no idea of what you are referring to young man." Dumbledore replied with good cheer grinning madly.
"This world just keeps getting weirder and weirder." Sam said with some exasperation.
"Let's get focused people." John said with gruffness as he pulled everyone's focus back to the task at hand.
"Of course." Dumbledore said with a grin and a twinkle. "The Constable House should be beyond these woods to the North." Then with a wave of his wand Dumbledore was transformed into what appeared to be an ordinary muggle grandfather.
"Nice trick." John commented
"Whoa. What a place." Dean commented as he got his first good look at the building.
"It was built in the 16th century and hosts a library of over 5,000 books." Sam quoted with respect.
"It's amazing your brain doesn't explode geek boy." Dean said with exasperation.
"Hey that's just good research." Sam justified with a smirk.
"Whatever." Dean snorted back.
"Okay boys calm down." John hissed quietly. "Okay lets just make like tourist and keep your eyes peeled for anything that sets off your radar." John clarified.
"Yes sir." Sam answered "Tickets are 10 pounds per adult."
"Seriously you memorized the guide book already didn't you?" Dean asked as he smacked Sam lightly on the back of the head. "That's why you never get laid."
Sam didn't even bother to reply just made his way to the front entrance and pulled out his wallet. Smiling at the young girl behind the window he said with his most charming smile. "Four adults please."
The young girl whose name tag read Alice felt a blush creeping up her cheeks as she replied, "Of course sir, that will be $56.00 pounds with tax."
"Here you go." Sam smiled again as he handed Alice his Visa, "Tell me Alice you must know a lot about the Constable House from working here?"
"Oh, well I guess." Alice replied licking her suddenly dry lips.
"Well a friend of mine mentioned something about this place being famous for a key. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?" Sam prodded lightly.
Alice's face fell as she tried to think of anything that resembled a key, "No sir, your friend must be mistaken."
"Too bad, well I'm sure we'll enjoy the tour." Sam agreed as he took his tickets and signed his receipt before crossing back to where his dad, Dean, and Dumbledore were waiting. Shaking his head lightly Sam indicated he'd obtained no new information.
"Tour starts here, we'll just have to hope something shows up." John motioned to the right where a group of about 10 people had formed to wait for the tour to start.
"Yippee." Dean muttered under his breath.
"It wouldn't kill you to learn something new you know." Sam hissed quietly at his obviously disinterested older brother.
"Whatever just focus your whammy so we can find this thing and get out of here. This is not the way I want to spend the first day off of Christmas break." Dean instructed as he sent a smirk and a nod towards two girls who had joined the group. "On second thought." He muttered lightly.
"Dean." John warned
"Yes sir." Dean drew his attention away from the two hot girls as the tour guide approached and began speaking.
"Well I'm looking forward to this day. I love history." Dumbledore said quietly as the tour guide finished his opening spiel and began to move the group into the ballroom.
Sam smiled as he looked around the room. It was nice to be around people who had similar interests and Dumbledore was a lot of fun as well. Sam knew they were on business, but it certainly didn't mean he couldn't enjoy himself as well.
It was only as the tour progressed that Sam's skin began to tingle lightly. At first it was like a phantom itch that you couldn't scratch. But then it began to get stronger. "Uhm Dean are you…" Sam trailed off as he looked at his brother.
"Yeah something's going on, but I don't know what it means." Dean answered his hands clenched in fists to keep from scratching his arms.
"What's going on?" Dumbledore asked looking concerned.
"I don't know it's a tingling sensation all over and it's growing." Sam answered looking just as frustrated as Dean.
"How bad is it?" John asked, he wanted to find the key, but not at the expense of his sons.
"It's not painful, but it's irritating. Like an itch you can't scratch." Dean answered.
"Well let's keep moving and see if you can't pinpoint where it's coming from." John ordered as the tour began to creep into the south library.
"Wow!" Sam whispered as he stopped dead in his tracks.
"This is it." Dean said as Dumbledore and John looked on in confusion. "The keys here."
To be continued.