Chapter 14

John watched as his eldest son paced back and forth in front of him. He knew that he had this talk coming but he still dreaded it. Of his three sons, Jaime reminded him most of Mary. He had this way of making John feel like a little kid who was caught after throwing a baseball through the window just like his mother. John momentarily wondered if Mary taught it to him before remembering that his wife had no idea she was going to die. What he didn't know is that Mary had known she was going to die, and that she did teach her eldest son how to keep her husband in check. She knew the man was rash, acting before thinking. She knew that in raising three boys on his own, he would make grave mistakes if he didn't have someone keeping him in check.

"You abandoned Sam," Jaime finally said, making John wince, "You completely betrayed him."

John looked down.

"What kind of father throws his eleven year old son out onto the street?" Jaime demanded, "I know you love Sam so why did you turn on him so quickly?"

John looked away from Jaime. Jaime knew that he hit the mark with that comment. John knew something about his little brother and it made John terrified. He looked at his father intently as if to discern the answer just from his facial expression.

"Why were you so quick to believe that Sam made a demon-deal for his magic?"

John looked up at Jaime with haunted eyes, "He…When your mom…The Yellow-eyed demon…I…Sam…" he couldn't spit it out.

Jaime frowned, "Did the demon do something to Jellybean that night, something that would make him more susceptible to demons?"

John nodded and then closed his eyes. He knew that he acted rashly and had regretted his words the moment Sam disappeared in front of his eyes. He had lost Jaime, thinking he would never see his eldest son again, he was afraid that he had lost Sam too. Sure he pretended that Sam ran away but that was only so he wouldn't lose Dean too.

"Sam…I've been tracking the Yellow-eyed demon for years, hell since Mary's death. I don't have a lot of information but what I do know is not good. Sam and Mary weren't the only two mother-son duos which were attacked that year. I found eight kids whose mothers were killed in a house fire on the day they turned 6 months old."

"Just like Sam," Jaime whispered, and then shook his head, "But that doesn't explain why you were so quick to condemn Sam."

John sighed, rubbing the back of his head, "I don't know what the demon did to Sam, so when he told me he had magic I panicked. I didn't know about natural-born witches and well my first thought was Yellow-eyes."

Jaime looked at his father with both understanding and disbelief. "Okay, I understand your reaction a little better but didn't it seem weird that Sam got a litter inviting him to a magic school?"

John sighed, "I messed up," he said, "Messed up bad, especially since Sam thinks I hate him. I don't know how to ask his forgiveness."

Jaime tiled his head slightly, "Why don't you tell him about the demon?"

John immediately shook his head, "I can't," he exclaimed, "Sam can never know about this. It would break his heart to know he is the reason the demon came to our house and killed Mary."

Jaime froze and in a growl asked, "You don't blame Sam for mom's death, do you?"

John looked at Jaime in disbelief, "You know better than that Michael James," he said sternly.

"Sorry," Jaime replied sheepishly, "I don't know why I even asked that. I know you love Sam and blame the demon for mom's death. Do Sam and Dean know about what killed mom yet?"

John shook his head, "I still haven't told them," he admitted, "I just told them about the fire and that something killed her. I've never really gone into specifics with them."

Jaime sighed, "It's time they knew dad," he said, "You told me when I turned 10."

"I know," John said, "I just…"

"You need to apologize to Sam anyway and tell him that you love him, magic and all," Jaime pointed out, "Tell them about the demon."

John opened his mouth to protest. He thought he had already told Jaime that he didn't want Sam to know but Jaime cut him off before he could speak.

"Dean and Sam know about demons and if you word it just right, they'll assume that you were afraid the demon did something."

"I don't want Sam to know that…"

"I know!" Jaime insisted, "But at least this way he'll think that the demon didn't do anything instead of knowing that it most probably did."

John looked at Jaime for a minute before nodding, "Alright," he said, "We'll do it your way. I hope this doesn't backfire on us."

Jaime agreed, but assured him by saying, "They're only kids dad, and kids tend to look on the brighter side of things."

"Alright,"

"Uhh dad," Jaime said suddenly nervous.

"Jaime?"

"In this world, at least in America, when the muggle parents of a muggleborn child throw the kid out, they automatically become a ward of the state."

"What!" John shouted, "He's my son! I made a mistake and now my kid's been taken away from me!"

Jaime gulped, "Well I'm 17 now," he quickly informed his father who was beyond furious, "And I'm also last Potter making and Sirius' heir."

"What does that have to do with Sam?" John demanded.

"On my 17th birthday I received my inheritance making me Lord Potter," he quickly said, "I took Sam in as my ward. I have custody over him."

John stared at Jaime for the longest time making his son tense. He didn't know how John would react so when the man relaxed and gave Jaime a small smile he couldn't help but sigh in relief.

"I'm glad," John admitted, "You're a good big brother Jaime."

Jaime smiled, "Thanks," he said, "I try. Umm…do you want custody of Sam back?"

John was about to say yes but then frowned, "I don't think I'm the best person to have control over Sam's life right now. I hurt him, and acted irresponsibly in regards to him and his safety. What if he didn't have that portkey to the school? What if I forced Sam out on the street? Besides, you're a wizard. You'll probably understand Sam and his needs better."

"Are you sure?" Jaime asked, surprised.

"I'm still his father," John said, "That never changed. I still love him and want to raise him and I'll be there helping you make decisions for him but I won't have the final say. I can't be trusted."

Jaime rolled his eyes, "You're a brilliant dad," he told him, "Don't sell yourself short. If you're sure…"

"If I change my mind you'll be the first to know," John said with a smile.

"Alright," Jaime said surely, "Lets go back to the kitchen. You have an 11 year old to apologize to and I have to introduce you to the man who took care of me when you couldn't."

"But wasn't Sirius…"

"He was technically my legal guardian when he was found innocent but Remus is the one who took care of me."

"Remus?"

"Come on dad," Jaime said with a grin, "Lets go!"

They went back into the kitchen where Sam was telling Dean all about Hogwarts and magic. Dean looked entranced by his brother's tale and seemed to hunger for more. He had known about the supernatural ever since he could remember, but never really was exposed to the good side of it. Jaime sat down next to Sam and took over for him. Sam looked slightly disappointed in that but was soon equally entranced. Jaime had a lot more stories about magic and not only that but he was a born story-teller.

The scene reminded John of when the boys were younger. Jaime, Dean and Sam would all sit on Sam's bed and Jaime would tell his brothers any story his mind would come up with. If they weren't already hunters, John would have encouraged Jaime to become a fiction author.

Suddenly the front door opened and slammed shut. John's hand went to his waistband to where his gun was supposed to be but remembered that they didn't procure their weapons yet since firearms were not allowed on the plane. John looked around for a knife but before he could pick it up, Jaime smiled and looked to the kitchen door.

"We're in the kitchen Remus!" he exclaimed, "And don't you dare pick up those bags! I'll get them in a moment."

"I'd prefer it if you brought them upstairs now," Said Remus exhaustedly as if he had just come back from a marathon.

Jaime got up and walked to the front door. They heard mumbled voices and then footsteps towards the kitchen. Jaime walked in followed by Remus. John stared at Remus, the man, who in John's mind, kept the Winchester family apart.

Jaime saw his father's face and correctly assumed, "Remus isn't the one who kidnapped me," he said, "He didn't even know I was kidnapped until he contacted Bobby."

John frowned, "You didn't tell him?" he asked.

Jaime swallowed, "I couldn't,"

"Why not? We needed you home!" Dean exclaimed, "How could you do that to us?"

Sam spoke up giving Dean a glare, "He literally couldn't," he said, "The guy who kidnapped him forced a spell on Jaime making it impossible to tell anyone who didn't already know. The only way I know is because of a loophole. Besides, he's forced to stay in Great Britain until…"

Jaime cut Sam off, not wanting to get into that at the moment.

Dean looked guilty, "I'm sorry Jaime," he mumbled, "I should have known you'd stay away from us."

John wasn't as easily dissuaded, "You can't leave this country until what?" he asked looking at his eldest pointedly.

Jaime closed his eyes, "Later," he said, "I promise."

"I won't forget," John promised in return.

"Anyway," Jaime said, "This is my magical guardian, Remus Lupin. Rem this is my brother Dean, my father John and you know my uncle-of-sorts, Bobby."

Remus shook everyone's hand and asked them if they wanted dinner. Jaime took the chance to sneak off to put the bags in the rooms where they were staying. He first put his dad's bag in Sirius's room and Bobby's bags in the guest room before going to his room where Sam and Dean would stay. There was already one cot so all Jaime had to do was summon one out of the attic. His friends had stayed over the summer holidays often so Remus had bought cots for them. Once Dean's bed was set up and his bag was placed by the closet, he sat down on his bed.

Jaime needed a moment to regroup. He never imagined that he would be able to see any of his family before he defeated Voldemort, or even that he'd ever see them again in case Voldemort succeeded in killing him. He lay down on his back and stared at his ceiling. He closed his eyes and thanked whoever was watching over him for bringing his family to him. It couldn't have been a coincidence that he received Sam as a pen pal or that Remus and Bobby knew each other. He didn't believe in coincidences. He lay there for a long time, lost in his thoughts. He didn't even notice when Dean entered the room. He was only made aware of his presence when the younger teen lay down beside him.

"Dean," Jaime exclaimed, "What the hell?"

Dean gave his brother a grin, "So this is where you sleep," he commented, "It's nice and very you. Are those books on monsters?"

Jaime rolled his eyes but couldn't help his grin. He missed this.

"You don't expect me to get rusty do you?" he asked, "I've been studying up on them and don't tell anyone but every once in a while I find a job and take care of it myself."

Dean's eyes widened, "Dude!" he said, "That's awesome! I wish I could go on hunts by myself."

Jaime grinned, "Maybe we can tackle one together," he said, "I've been keeping track of the situation in Bath and I think it's a haunting."

Dean closed his eyes, "Damn," he whispered.

"What?"

Dean looked at his brother before turning serious. Jaime was the only person who saw this side of Dean. Sam was too young and their father wasn't really the best when it came to emotional outbursts.

Dean looked away and began, "When you disappeared from right in front of me I felt as if my chest would collapse in on itself. I don't remember much about the days after you were taken but what I do remember is the look in dad's eyes. He looked so scared…so lost. I never realized just how much you did for us. I was suddenly the big brother, responsible for Sam when Dad was away. I had to make sure we had food, clean clothes, and had to keep the motel staff from finding out that two kids stayed in their motel for days at a time.

"Dad was a wreck. It's like he didn't know what to do with himself. I tried my hardest to keep Sam from noticing but it was impossible. Dad didn't take us to the park, didn't come to us for Christmas or our birthdays, and he didn't smile any more.

"He looked for you for a year after you disappeared, not hunting at all. When he finally stopped, he got worse. We wouldn't see him for weeks at a time; sometimes he would leave us with Bobby and not come back for months. Bobby was good to us but he wasn't dad…he wan't you."

Jaime felt a tear streak his skin. He closed his eyes tightly before pulling Dean into his side so that the teenager was laying his head on his chest. They sat like that for a moment before Dean abruptly sat up, blinking quickly.

"Any way, dinner's ready. I was supposed to get you." He said.

Jaime nodded, stood up and kissed Dean on the head before walking out of the room. He knew Dean needed a moment to compose himself, especially since he hated showing his emotions. He went down to the kitchen and took a seat between Remus and Sam.

"What took you so long?" Sam asked, "Monsters in your closet?"

Jaime smirked, "I call him Sully."

Sam blinked, "You mean there's really a monster in the closet?" he asked, half horrified half intrigued, "Why didn't you say something sooner? I…"

Remus and Sirius laughed, and Remus assured Sam that his brother was just joking. Jaime was about to protest when they heard a loud sound and Dean practically flew down the stairs, panting. Sam started to get scared.

"I…There's a…there's a…there's a…" Dean tried to speak.

Sirius, Remus, John, Bobby, and Sam looked at Jaime with an identical perplexed look.

Jaime smirked and took a bite from his carrots, "Sully doesn't like to be disturbed around dinner time. He says it ruins the atmosphere he's trying to create."

John cleared his throat, "You mean there's really a monster in your closet?" he asked.

Jaime laughed, "No!" he said much to everyone's relief, "But I do have a snake in there."

"What?" Sirius exclaimed fearfully.

"He tends to eat the mice that live in the crawl space behind my closet." Jaime admitted, "Draco bought him for me my 17th birthday. Sully is an eastern indigo snake and will probably be around 2 meters long."

Sirius slumped down on his plate.