Hey guys! Thank you for the lovely reviews and here is the next chapter, enjoy!

..Yet- Glad someone loves my bizarre cocktail of shows/ Harry Potter lol! Wasn't sure how many people knew Numb3rs in the Supernatural committee :O It's one of me and my sister's fav shows ever.

Underworld's-Reject- My loyal reviewer! I am always excited to get your reviews, I seriously make myself get back to work on the story after I read them so I am glad you have been on this adventure since the beginning!

"Why So Sirius?"

Castiel awoke sore but comforted by the warmth of Dean Winchester. He stretched and sat up rubbing his eyes sleepily. Although he didn't feel well rested the sleep had been refreshing and he was ready to escape this evil forest. He smiled in relief when he saw Gabriel cradling Sam in his arms in his sleep. It seemed that they had resolved their love issues in the swamp too. Maybe the evil thing was a blessing in disguise, if you could survive it. Cas frowned when he realized that Don and Mulder were nowhere to be found. He paced the edge of the swamp and gazed over it. He took off into the air in search of his missing friends. The sky was cold and clear in the morning light. The warmth of the sun made Castiel spread out his wings fully to catch every possible ray. Flying was like kissing Dean: he could never get enough of either. He trailed above the swamp and searched for a glimpse of Mulder or Don. He felt sick with worry that the mud had swallowed them both, possibly when he was happily curled up to Dean's chest they were drowning in mud as it ripped their souls apart. He flew lower and noticed a sneaker stuck in between a sunken tree branch and the bank. He landed and lifted it up as his heart sank. The sneaker had been careful doodled on by Mulder since the beginning of the year. He had his friends sign the bottom of it and Castiel traced his finger over his own name. The top had cartoons of Crumple Horned Snorkaks, Bowtruckles, and Nargles. "I want to believe" curved around the bottom ridge in Mulder's untidy scrawl. Castiel held it to his chest as he looked for any sign that his friends were still alive. He took flight again but this time he did not enjoy it. His heart wouldn't let him.

Dean was relieved to see Castiel return. He had woken up Sam and Gabriel with his shouting and was now bitching out Castiel.

Castiel looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes. "I apologize Dean." He held out the shoe to Dean who looked it over. "I am afraid we lost them. I do not know how to find them again." He felt Dean's arms around him as he sobbed into his shoulder. Castiel was surprised to feel the tremors through Dean's body also. Dean Winchester was crying too.

Sam clung to Gabriel as he looked towards the swamp. He had always wanted to tag along with Dean when their dad gave him hunting lessons. He wanted to be just like Dean who protected him while their father was away. Now he knew that he wasn't cut out for these things. Adventures were scary and tiring and they could not find some of their friends. He felt hollow inside and wished to wake up in his warm bed in the dormitory safe and unafraid. He wanted to flirt with Gabriel in the hallways and tag along after Dean's friends. Now he was living in a nightmare with no foreseeable end. The boys gazed out over the swamp before they turned their backs on it and walked away with heavy hearts.

"Dean? I'm tired. How much farther? I'm sorry, but I think I need to pee. Can we take a break?"

Dean eyed Sam wearily and then gave him his best impersonation of a smile. "Sure kiddo. Try and rest a bit guys if you can." Dean sat on a boulder with his back to the others as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He felt like he was abandoning his friends in the swamp, but even though he didn't want to admit it, he knew that he had to keep the others going forward. He pushed away his fears and faked smiles as he attempted to lead his friends back to the castle.

"I am going to check the path again. I will return shortly." Castiel squeezed Dean's hand and launched himself into the air. He quickly surveyed the area for markers and bit back the urge to give the swamp a glance over. Castiel flew for a couple of miles and then noticed a smallish green tent and fire in a clearing. He landed and looked over the campsite curiously. The fire was roaring with a kettle whistling over it full of something that smelled absolutely wonderful. He held back the urge to stretch his cold fingers towards the warmth and took a breath before poking his head into the tent. He felt it was rather rude, but there really was no way to knock and who ever heard of tents with doorbells? Castiel gasped in surprise when he felt something soft and furry brush past him. A large, black Labrador sat on its haunches, almost seemed to be grinning at him. Castiel tilted his head curiously and reached out a hand for the dog to observe he was surprised to feel a paw in his hand that transformed into human form in seconds. The man in front of him was looked to be in his thirties. He had dark black hair and a charming smile. Castiel figured he was quite handsome and smiled as he shook his hand. He normally wasn't this friendly with strangers but he somehow found himself trusting this man.

"Hello there. You must be the angel, Castiel?" Castiel stepped back in alarm and the man chuckled. "No need to worry, I'm on your side. I was hoping that Moony had told you about me but was probably too busy bragging about himself. I'm Sirius Black and I am here to help you. Please sit down, for an angel you sure look like hell." He led Castiel to a chair. Castiel was shocked to see how the tent looked normal sized on the outside and had actual separated rooms on the inside. How was that even possible? Sirius poured him some tea and smiled at him. "Like the tent? Got it for going to Quidditch cups but got stuck using it to run from the law instead. Quite useful."

Castiel looked into his cup and then sat it on the table. "I'm sorry, but I cannot simply sit down to tea right now. My friends are still in the swamp and they are waiting for me."

"Wait a sec dude! I know about it. Remus sent me an owl. You and your buddies have been tramping around this forest for three days after you disappeared from the castle and he has been worried sick about you. I have been looking for you ever since and here you are! Collect your friends, I am making soup!" He brandished a soup spoon at him gleefully. Castiel frowned. He wondered if you had to be barking mad to be a wizard. Castiel eagerly took off and after flying back a couple of miles, landed gleefully into Dean's arms. Dean looked surprised but planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Any news Cas?"

"Yes Dean! I have found us shelter. I have met Sirius Black, and I believe he is trustworthy. We may survive this ordeal yet." Castiel looked solemnly at him.

"That's great news Cas! Dean lifted a surprised Castiel off of the ground and spun him around laughing. Sam looked up and cheered as he hugged Gabriel. They followed the path Castiel led them on until they were stopped by a slow growl. Castiel froze in front of Dean as a large wolf made his way along the path towards them. Castiel felt sickened when he saw that his jowls were reddened by blood and foam, it looked as if he had killed recently. He heard Dean mutter "son of a bitch" and looked more closely at the wolf, horrified to see the unnatural golden glow of his eyes.

Dean stepped forward. "Azazel? That better not be you in there you sick bastard!"

Azazel slid a long pale tongue over his mouth as he locked eyes with Dean. "Hello there Dean. Nice stroll through the woods, eh? Too bad you little boys decided to stray from the path, picking flowers for granny?"

Dean fumed. "What are you doing here? If you are here for a fight, I'm gonna kick your ass. Might want to get a head start on running away."

Azazel chuckled and slobbered over his sharp teeth. "Glad to see you too are much more lively then the boys you left in the swamp. You will make much better game."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Dean glared at him furiously.

"Oh, I'm sure you know them. Fox Mulder and Don Eppes. Met them myself at our little skirmish in Hogwarts castle. Very pretty boys with a lot of kick to them. I was delighted to run into them again at the edge of the swamp. Did they wander away or did you simply forget about them? Little lost boys do not do well in dark forests." His eyes gleamed bright. "Especially when there are wolves about." He cackled as the boys looked at each other in confusion and horror.

"You're lying you evil son of a bitch!"

"Am I? I don't see your lovely companions anywhere around you. I have a lovely story for you… why don't you listen in instead of shouting everywhere hmmm? Now be a good boy and keep your trap shut. Since you made your escape out of the castle, I have been hunting you and through all that stinking mud your scent remained fresh. The swamps nearly swallowed you, and I'm almost glad they didn't, for now we can have our fun." His teeth gleamed in the faint light as he smiled at the boys. "Once you lost your little friends they found their way to the bank. Tired and injured they stayed there. I found them tangled up under a tree, beautiful bodies entwined with the sounds of their lovemaking in the air. Even I couldn't kill them right away and I watched them for awhile and every sweet gasp was music to my ears. When they were sleeping I was no longer satisfied with being an audience member, but your friends have sharp ears for humans and it was amusing to watch them search for wands that must have been lost to the swamp. Humans are curious creatures and I was surprised when Eppes stood in front of Mulder. Poor sweet thing was still hurting from my little spell in the castle… I really did some nice work with those cuts. I could no longer contain myself and I lunged into Eppes and took my first bite into his flesh. I wish you could have heard the sound he made as my teeth grazed his ribs or gotten a taste of his hot blood." The wolf's smile widened at the identical looks of horror on his audience's faces. "I wish I had more time to stay and eat them up like a good wolf, but I had more pressing business." He locked eyes with Castiel who looked away in disgust. "I figured that death was already after the injured Fox, so I left them bleeding on the bank. If I make quick work with you, then maybe my dinner won't be wasted after all."

"…You-you sick son of a bitch!" Dean's eyes were blazing in fury as he raised his wand. The wolf's pupils dilated and he snarled as he charged at Dean, latching onto his shoulder. Gabriel and Sam frantically searched their pockets for their wands as Castiel stepped forward with eyes blazing. In seconds he was pulling the wolf off of Dean and throwing him into a tree. Azazel's eyes narrowed and his bitten tongue left drops of blood on the ground as he leapt at the angel. Castiel stretched his hand out and the demon was ripped from the wolf's body. A thick cloud of black smoke trailed up into the air as the wolf fell limp to the ground. Castiel stepped over the dead body of the wolf and tore off a piece of cloth from the bottom of Sam's cloak. Sam watched him silently, not wanting to question him after his last display. Castiel looked over Dean's shoulder and bound it up with the cloak shred. He glanced at the others.

"It is getting late, we must head on." The boys started off again silently each gripped with the horror of what Azazel had told them. Could they have really left their friends to such pain and torment? An hour later Sam's sobs racked the forest as Gabriel led him along. Castiel silently took Dean's hand as they walked. He knew that the same guilt was eating up Dean and was relieved that the swamps were behind them for he also knew that after tonight they would not survive them again.

The boys eventually made it to Sirius's camp and stood wearily by the fire as Castiel announced them to Sirius who smiled eagerly at the company until he saw all the haunted eyes looking back at him. He led the boys in and sat them down at a table surrounded by mismatched chairs. He poured tea into chipped cups for everyone and after glancing at their faces he added a generous dash of fire whisky to each cup.

"Everybody ok? What's with the sour faces, it is raining and tonight you won't be sleeping in it!" Sirius was greeted with a series of glares. He grumbled to himself and poured another round of fire whisky into the tea. He figured that his stores would be depleted before morning.

A figure strode into the room and embraced Sirius. Castiel was delighted to see Remus Lupin had joined them, finding his presence comforting.

"Just in time Remus. You always know when to stop by, soup's almost done!" Sirius smacked their professor's butt with the spoon (much to the boys' horror) and waltzed out of the tent. He returned with a steaming cauldron of pumpkin soup that he helpfully ladled into bowls and passed around. Dean sniffed his distastefully but took a worried bite. He hadn't eaten in days and wasn't about to be picky. Soon he had eaten through three bowls and plowed through half of Castiel's, attempting to distract his mind with one of his greatest loves of all time: food.

Remus eyed them worriedly. "Where are Mulder and Don? They went missing when you did so I assumed that they would be with you."

Castiel stared at his bowl, not hungry. "We lost them."

"What? Lost them? Did you get separated?"

"Yes. In the swamps we thought they sank until we ran into Azazel."

Lupin eyed him curiously. "The demon?"

Castiel looked surprised and nodded. "He told us that he…attacked them and left them to die on the bank." His eyes filled with tears and he felt Dean's arms around him.

Sam tucked his hair behind his ears and peeked up at Lupin. "The demon was actually a wolf and he tried to kill Dean until Castiel did a cool magic trick that made smoke come out of its mouth."

Lupin laughed bitterly. "You cannot simply kill a demon in that fashion." He glanced at Castiel. "But it is interesting that you were able to tear him from his vessel in such a way. Now, remember that demons are deceitful and one clothed as a wolf may be even more treacherous. Did he tell you that he killed your friends?"

Dean glared at him. "Well he took a chunk out of Don and Mulder was already near death when we left him behind."

Sirius played with his spoon during the next awkward ten minutes before standing up. "If you kiddos are done, we have showers here at chez Black, help yourself. And please attend to them soon, you stink like all sorts of ass." He pointed out the bathroom and shooed them away with a ladle before putting an arm around Lupin's shoulder smiling. "Nice kids."

Lupin shook his head before kissing the man. "Now how about you try and find the other boys. I can keep an eye on these ones." Sirius instantly transformed into a dog and barked eagerly before bounding out of the tent leaving behind Lupin who simply rolled his eyes and attended to the dishes.