Come Hell and High Water

WIP

Chapter 12

Of Stealing and Sleeping

AN: I had original thought I would finish this before New Years, but instead of relaxing, my Christmas consisted of visits and dinners with friends and family. And while rewarding on its own, pushing all these meetings into those few precious off-days felt like its own job. But, better late than never at least. I apologise, but I hope you're still with me.

Well... Onto the show!

"How bad is it?"

"Well, it really ain't pretty."

"Didn't think it would be, Bobby"

"No, kid, it really really ain't pretty. There've been possession up and down California, Lightening Storms, locust swarms and blackouts".

"Well... shit"

"Yeah"

"So... now what?"

"Well do you even have a game-plan?"

"Well... no..."

"Idjits." Dean snorted into his cellphone in mock humour at Bobby's favourite description of them.

"Well, have you found out anything about how to stop a Devil's Gate? Or how about... you know... the Devil?"

"Don't sass me, boy. Been going through all my books and even called in some old favours, which you now owe me by the way. But there's nada."

"But the last one needed the Colt! And I'm damned sure that Devil doesn't have it."

"Well... he is the Prince of Darkness, Dean..." The Hunter felt like pulling out his hair in frustration.

"So you're saying that there's no way to stop him?"

"Well... the angels probably can..." Dean snorted again. To even think that those feather-brained spoilt brats would stop the devil was ridiculous.

"Yeah... well"

"Why don't you ask your little angel, Dean? Maybe he'll have an idea." That made Dean sigh and rub his tired face.

"He's not answering, Bobby. Not since Springfield."

"Oh.."

"Yeah, well... I'll call you later, Bobby, when we have something."

"Yeah... and kid...you know... be careful..."

"Thanks, Bobby. You too".

-:-

Using the Invisibility Cloak was brilliant and Harry could easily see why Ignotus Peverell had been so enamoured with it. He had managed to use it to sneak into a Supermarket off the Royal Mile in the Old Town of Edinburgh and steal some much needed food. He was closing on complete exhaustion and desperately needed to rest, but still too frightened of discovery. He needed to get away, from Scotland, even England and perhaps even Europe. But right now he needed to rest. His feet were aching and the pain in his back was nearing Cruciatus levels. The bag of clothes, items and food suspiciously heavy despite all the light-weight charms was not helping him. He needed to get to Waverley Station. He could easily sneak onto a south-bound train, but first he needed to get there.

It was almost an hour later with four stops to rest of empty benches and careful weaving in and out of the busy tourist crowds that Harry finally walked down Princes Street and entered the station area.

Despite going on 11 pm there were still several people and tourists bustling around so Harry carefully moved passed travellers, bags and kids as he read the train info. Mentally thanking magic and all things good in the world, Harry gladly found the Train heading towards London, Euston Station. It even had Sleeper compartments! Sneaking into a near convenience store Harry shoplifted some more food and water into his bag, sending a silent apology to the poor sleepy-looking clerk. Harry spotted the ECML train at the platform and boarded as discreetly as possible and made his way down the narrow passage. He was in luck once again and didn't bump into anybody, which would have been very very awkward. He finally decided on one of the First Class Sleepers, hoping that no Scot would be willing to pay the full price.

Finding the first compartment empty, Harry groaned audibly in relief as he finally was allowed to remove the bag off his aching shoulder. Pulling out the Elder Wand Harry cast the strongest locking charm he could think of at the door, alongside a Notice-me-not Charm and a very thorough Muggle Repellent Charm and Confusion Charm. He was pretty sure that with all that, even if some poor Scot had purchased a ticket the wards would keep anybody out. Finally feeling safe enough, he groaned aloud in bliss as he sank his tired body down onto the generic cotton sheets that right now were silk and heaven to the poor wizard. He barely managed to remove his shoes and setting an alarm, before falling asleep tightly packed in his invisibility cloak. He didn't even notice the poor Italian businessmen walking passed his window muttering about the kettle he'd forgotten or the jump as the ECML started.

-:-

"There are no wards"

"Well... yeah, Mione... we are staring at it right now. OW! Woman, what was that for?"

"There are no wards, Ronald, nothing! Even the Muggles can see the house now!"

"Oh..."

"Yes, oh..."

-:-

"We are now arriving at Euston Station, London. Be sure that you have all you belongings with you and please mind the gap between the train and the platform. On behalf of all of us in the East Coast Main Line we wish you a pleasant morning and hope to see you again soon".

Harry seriously wondered if he should stay here and wait for the return ride instead of moving but a rather sharp kick to his bladder and a rumbling sound was enough to get the tired wizard up. A quick visit to the bathroom using the complimentary soap and toothbrush along with a rather itchy cleaning charm had Harry spick and span and ready to avoid the notice of the Muggles... and the wizards... and the Angels... and maybe even demons? Well, first things first. Food.

Munching of the dry sandwich he'd taken from Edinburgh Harry lamented on the lack of healthy elf-prepared breakfast. The thought of Kreature and his amazing bravery saw the pregnant wizard sobbing as the train pulled into the station. Damn hormones. He didn't have time to mourn like this. He needed to keep moving.

Considering he was rather limited in his transportation alternatives Harry decided that his choices were between a cross-Atlantic ship, or the train to Paris. He didn't have enough power right now to Apparate from Dover and he was pretty sure that heavily pregnant persons shouldn't take airplanes.

He wondered if he could risk asking a Tourist Information desk or maybe a travelling agency... That would mean he had to remove the cloak for some minutes... yeah.. no... not only would he look like he belonged on Embarring Bodies, but drawing divine attention while exhausted and in a crowed area was a really bad idea.

"Yeah... really... you sent it right now?...Wait a minute, I'll check my email"

Harry narrowly missed hitting the smartly-dressed salaryman, as he animately talked into his phone. His Smartphone... Harry cringed when he realised he had a very good alternative. Sliding up against a wall to avoid the crowds he closed his eyes silently asking for forgiveness before taking out his Wand and waiting for a perfect... mark. Not even a minute later and harried businessman ran passed Harry hiding spot and so with a simple Accio Smartphone a small white item floated quickly towards the wizard and the stressed man running down the platform never noticed the loss.

Harry bit his lip. He knew about mobile phones and smartphones he wasn't completely ignorant and did in fact own a normal mobile himself, he'd just never used one of these Pineapples or whatever it was called. Luckily most of the smartphones in the world are idiot-proof and it took Harry less than three minutes to unlock the screen and find the correct program to run. While he didn't actually own a computer, he had used the Internet sparingly when his family had been out. But that had been many many years ago and with a nice proper 56 K modem. Hmm...what kind of name was Goggle? oh... ah! Search engines he knew how worked. Now what to search...

He wanted to take the train to Paris and move further into Europe before heading east. There were several strong magical nations in Eastern Europe. The Habsburg family still ruled over most of Austria-Hungary and down the Balkans. But, it was the same was most fugitive wizards would flee. It was the most logical. On the other hand there were barely any wizards and witches in the States. The simple reason was that Portkeys across the Atlantic were unpredictable and more than one poor shmuck had ended up half-way with a long swim ahead. Floo was similarly out along with Apparition. And since most wizards had never heard of alternative transportation like aeroplanes, that left the two major continents very segregated. But a ship...

AHA! Southampton-New York. Seven nights... leaves... shit. That was four days from now... Harry gently rubbed his belly in thought. He knew that there were trains to Paris at least daily... could he afford to wait? And he would need to get down to Southampton as well. Hmm.. choices. Seven nights with proper rest though. He would be constantly moving and most importantly no wizard would ever think about taking a cruise-liner across the ocean. He would easily be able to find a proper bed, and plenty of food as well... Sighing Harry checked how to get to Southampton. Well he knew how to get to Waterloo station from here. That did it. Harry Potter was going on a cruise.

Chuckling quietly at the absurd thought Harry once more starting weaving through the masses carefully already compiling a list of things he would need in his new life as a stowaway.

-:-

"Did you see her boo(...) CAS!" Dean exclaimed as finally noticed their missing angel pacing to and fro across their cheap motel room. "You're back! Where've you been? Are you alright?"

Sam closed the door behind them and pulled off his jacket before settling down on his bed eyes running up and down the missing angel.

"I am well Dean."

"Bullshit." Sam scoffed at his brother's tact but nodded in agreement. The angel may still look whole and unhurt but those dark circles underneath his blue eyes showed that even angels got exhausted.

"You're dead tired. Unless it's absolutely urgent, why don't you lay down for a while. Do angels even sleep?" Sam mused.

Dean to his brother's amazement had already begun clearing his own bed and turning it down for the fatigued angel.

"It is not necessa(...)" But the rest of Castiel's sentence ended in a huge yawn that seemed to catch the poor man completely off guard.

"Come on" Sam had to bite his lip to hide his smile at his brother's complete mother-henning as Dean man-handled the poor angel onto the bed, even taking time to remove the man's overcoat and shoes.

"What do I do now?" Castiel asked sounding tired and, if Sam had to name it, even a bit frightened.

"Nothing, Cas. Just relax your entire body and close your eyes. A lotta people count sheep(...)"

"Why would one count domesticated ruminant animals?"

"Becuase it let's the mind slow down and focusing on just something mundane let's one relax enough to fall asleep." Sam chuckled.

Castiel merely nodded decisively before letting himself unwind enough to actually smile a tired tiny smile towards Dean who was gently tucking the greying motel blanket around the angel.

"Good-night, Cas"

"Goodnight, Dean, Sam."

"Night"

The two brother's found themselves gazing at each other trying to fight something as ridiculous as cooing at the mussed angel. The sigh of relief at having Castiel back in their midst was heartfelt and both believed they would fall asleep a little bit easier tonight... well they would if they didn't have to share a bed again.

Sam indicated the foot-end of the bed and grabbed the spare pillow in the closet before laying down wrong-way up. He felt the bed dip as his brother climbed in and soon he was rewarded with slightly smelly feet in his face. Turning carefully trying not to dislodge his brother Sam finally let sleep take him, followed quickly by Dean and a bit later an actual angel.

-:-

Well.. there you have it. A lot of movement in this chapter. Cas is back from a little jaunt. Harry is closing in. Lots of demons around.

And if you didn't catch it. Hermione and Ron were standing in front of Grimmauld Place. The wards having fallen after the angels' invasion.

Any comments? Characters you desperately want to see again? Perhaps another cheeky angel?

PS: Sorry to any thrifty Scots reading. No offence was meant at all. Promise :)