The Serpent Under the Innocent Flower

by FandomCameo

YEAR 2, Harry Winchester struggles to keep his identity as Harry Potter a secret as horrible things start to happen at Hogwarts. With Dean, Cas and Sam busy trying to stop the Apocalypse that he started, how will Harry fare without his adopted family there to guide him? Can he trust in his friends to keep his secret, or will the Headmaster be able to sow distrust among them? Sequel

3. A Panic Room Only We Know

Chapter: A Panic Room Only We Know

Song inspirations: Panic Room by Au/Ra and Somewhere Only We Know. With Dean starting with panic room and morphing to SOWK, and Sam starting with SOWK turning into Panic Room.

A/N Been a while. I am gonna upload two chapters at once today. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sam twisted and turned in his bed, awaking with a frown on his face. The soft light streaming through the window told it was now early morning. It had been a week since Cas had left him and Harry at Spinner's End. The angel hadn't even allowed for a single word to be passed between them before he was gone again. He rubbed his face before removing his shirt, intending to head to the shower. However, once the shirt came over his head, he was met with a surprising sight. There sitting next to him on the bed…was Jessica. He blinked a few times, taking in her beautiful blond hair and sparkling eyes. It had been years since he had even seen a picture of her, yet there was no denying it.

"Jessica?" he managed to choke out. She smiled, a slight upcurve of her lips that he had traced so many times before. He was afraid to touch her, thinking she would disappear. She couldn't be real, there was no way that she would ever make it this far into the house. Not with all the protections that Severus had put into the wards.

"Hi Sam." She whispered. Her voice was exactly the same. How many times had she chimed the same phrase when getting to know him, all the while he lied to her? Sam pressed his palm to the bridge of his nose.

"I'm dreaming." He said, getting up and pacing around.

"Or not. What does it matter Sam?" she asked. Sam shook his head. It did matter. If he wasn't dreaming, there was only so many other things that could be happening. He shook out his hands, trying not to think about the blood from the other day. Jessica stood, pulling Sam's hands into her own. The white dressing gown she wore moved with an unseen wind. Or was it moving with the rising heat of flames, a mere parody of her last night alive?

"I miss you." He whispered to her, trying to convey his sorrow and guilt.

"I know," she said playfully, causing Sam to crack a smile. She opened her mouth to say more, but a soft knock interrupted them. Sam stepped away from Jessica as the door opened, Severus stepping in slightly.

"I see you've finally awoken." He said, in a bit of awkward formality. "Breakfast will be served in ten minutes. Will you be joining?" Sam moved closer to Severus and placed a hand on the doorframe.

"Yeah, uhm, let me just get dressed." Severus nodded and hastily departed. Sam closed the door, turning back around to see Jessica wrapping her arms around herself in confusion. He did not know that it was subconsciously Lucifer, wondering how Sam could be his vessel if he had left the girl he loved. For it was obvious to the Fallen Angel that Sam and Severus held feelings for one another. Looking around the room however, it seemed they had not acted on it, which might be the key.

"I've missed you too." Jessica told him, pulling him back to her. Guilt seemed like the best tactic. "What are you doing?" she said, motioning to the door with her chin. Sam gave it a quick glance. He felt a pit in his stomach, but looking back at his girlfriend, he knew that she would understand. She always had.

"It's a bit different this time, not like how you and I were." He admitted, to Jessica's surprise.

"Do you really think it will work?" Sam bit his lip. After a while, he nodded.

"This isn't like Stanford. You…you fell in love with the person I wanted to be. Sev, he…he already knows who I am. He knows I'm a freak." Jessica scoffed at this, taking Sam aback.

"A big ball of semantics Sam. You knew there was something dark inside of you. Deep down, maybe, but you knew. Maybe that's what got me killed." She pressed stalking towards him. Sam placed a hand on the nightstand as he knocked into it. "I was dead from the moment I said hello, and so is he."

"No." Sam ground out gruffly, not wanting to think of the possibility. Jessica nodded. "He's survived worse than me."

"Don't you get it? You can't keep running. There is no outrunning Karma. It will find you and the people closest to you will die." Sam's eyes became hard. Jessica would never speak to him this way. He turned away from her, going through his drawers. "I'm trying to protect you." Sam slammed the last drawer shut, heading for the closet. He rifled through every pocket and box. "Sam, listen to me!" she cried out.

"You aren't real." He bit out. He flipped his mattress over, still finding nothing. He noticed her silence and looked up, seeing that she was gone. Sam finished investigating the room, but in the end, he did not find anything. There were no hidden potions bottles, no drugs, nothing.

How then, had Jessica come to visit?

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

ONE WEEK AGO:

MINISTRY OF MAGIC:

Moody had reached his limit in waiting and pulled his wand, using a complicated, slightly illegal spell to blast the door open. It hit the instructor head on, knocking him into a wall. He simply pushed it away, standing. Both Moody and the instructor were surprised when the rest of Tonks class appeared behind the Auror, brandishing their wands. The instructor gave a final look at them all before a black shadow detached itself from the man. A few students immediately began to recite in Latin, a chant that Moody knew was not in the curriculum.

"Excorsismus, exocismus te…" Three said in unison, the others moving in front of them to provide cover if needed. The black shadow began to gain form, a blood red and white cape appearing on its body. A wicked laugh filled the chamber as the thing left without any harm done to it. Still on alert, two of them moved forward, hitting the correct points to open the door to the room Tonks was in. They rushed in, slightly unnerved in seeing Tonks in the body of a ghostly looking teen. They helped her to her feet, backing away when she motioned them to. Moody pushed his way to the front, a frown on his face. Tonks white hair grew out to her midback, slowly turning brown. Her neon eyes turned a shade of forest instead, her more feminine figure reappearing. She fell into Moody's arms, frustrated tears slipping down her cheeks.

"We need to make sure Dan is okay." She told the Auror. A scarred hand settled on the top of her head.

"I need to make sure you're okay." He responded. Tonks tried to pull away, but he held her fast.

"We need to check on him! He saved my life! He is my King…" she whispered towards the end, so softly that Moody barely caught it.

"MEDIC!" he shouted, startling everyone in the room. Tonks was taken to the Medical Bay by the people that Moody personally looked over with his eye. After some cleaning up and more than a few patroni sent out, Moody led the rest of the class, the instructor, and Kingsley into a conference room. He looked at each one of the students for a long time, and they all suspected that they were being screened for guiltiness. However, it was quite the opposite. Moody was marveling that so many others had put themselves into danger for Nymphadora. He was also thinking that not many of them would survive the next War. His eyes turned to the instructor, trying to keep his rage under control. "How did you allow yourself to be compromised, Woolfe?" he asked harshly.

"Your accusations have no guidance, Alastor." Woolfe responded. "You know best of anyone the measures I take to keep myself secure. I have not left this facility in the past month." Alastor had the humility to look away from the man. "That being said…" Kingsley and Moody looked at him in interest. "When I was testing Ms. Tonks…a black shadow appeared in the room. The last thing I remember is glowing red eyes." One of the students visibly flinched, causing Moody's eye to spin towards him. The student looked sick, but determined to sit through the discussion, so Moody let him be.

"You three." Moody barked out, pointing out three of the students. "The chant, where did you learn it?" Willowsnap stepped forward.

"I…pulled it from my memory, from the day Taleven became possessed. I vowed to learn it, should anything happen again. Especially since I felt it was my fault Tonks went missing." She explained, blue eyes downcast. "Gensein, and Monkerne agreed to help, seeing as incantations tend to work better in threes."

"You're saying that Woolfe became possessed by a demon?" Kingsley asked Moody, figuring there was a point to his line of questioning. Had demons found a way to bypass Ministry security without first disguising themselves as wizards? Taleven, the poor boy, had needed to leave in order to be possessed.

"It was no demon." The sickly male announced, stepping forward. Moody's eye locked onto him. Whispers erupted from the class, wondering who the boy was. It was only with slight surprise that the boy began to shift into Tonks, a determined look on her face.

"Nymphadora!" Moody berated. "What are you doing here?" Tonks looked over at all the others.

"Stopping you from going down the wrong path it seems." She straightened out her back, going into a state of confidence. "Demons would have no reason to seek Dan. That thing was in the room with me as well. I felt it brush my skin, and I can say with certainty that it is a ghost." She looked at Moody, her eyes willing him to be on her side. When he did not respond right away, she knew it was her chance to prove her point. "Willowsnap, you said you tried an incantation on it?"

"Ah, yes." Willowsnap said, nodding her head. "An exorcism." She clarified.

"Did it work?" Tonks asked. Willowsnap shook her head to indicate a negative.

"It turned into more than smoke." she said. "A white cape that was blood red within." Tonks eyes widened a bit. She had been thinking that it was of the same ghosts she had battled with Dan.

"We need to show Dan." Tonks stressed, looking to Kingsley. Afterall, there had been a breach in the Ministry. That was not something that merely went public. Kingsley, in a rare moment of indecision, pressed fingers to his temples. He had allowed Dan to stay with Severus, with the express rule that he must not cause trouble. But could he really fault the boy for being a target? While he did not have all the answers regarding the boy, Severus had at least told him a bit, mainly that the boy was his half-brother, having been raised by Hunters prior. Then the incident with Vlad Masters. He still remembered the scars on the boy's body, his need to be innocent outweighing his shame.

"Bring him in. Students, you are dismissed. Including you Tonks." Tonks made to protest, but a single raised hand from Kingsley had her falling silent. The man was still her superior. "I do not want to overwhelm him. If he chooses to tell you later, so be it." She nodded, moving to follow her classmates. "One last thing." She paused. "Who exactly were you mimicking in the test room?" A grim frown marred her face.

"That is not for me to tell."

LOVEGOOD RESIDENCE:

"Luna, there are people here to see you." Xeno said, opening his daughter's bedroom door. The girl had not done much since the day she found her mother's old workshop. Currently, she was laying on her bed, looking up at the ceiling. He sat on the side of her bed, brushing her hair away from her face.

"I don't want to talk to them." She said softly. "They left her. They didn't care." Xeno didn't bother to ask how Luna had known that it was her grandmother and two aunts that had come.

"I know Luna, but you must." She closed her eyes before nodding. Xeno stood, pulling the blankets off her. Luna stood, brushing off her soft pink cardigan, heading downstairs. She stopped just outside the living room entrance, pulling away, letting herself drift away. With a bubbly smile on her face, she skipped into the room, bowing to them in greeting. Hera, her grandmother, frowned in displeasure.

"It seems you are truly your father's daughter." Hera said. Xeno saw the change in Luna before she even opened her mouth. He was shocked that she would leave her self-imposed haven to respond to such a frivolous comment.

"Is that meant to insult me?" Luna asked, silver eyes matching silver eyes in a challenge. Hera scoffed, turning away, her long braid slipping from her shoulder. "Aunt Eva." Luna greeted with a small head nod. The Unspeakable returned the head nod curtly, not a single piece of her golden locks falling out of place. "Aunt Embla." Embla smiled sadly at Luna, for she looked so much like her mother, only being a shader darker due to Xeno's genes. She looked back to Hera. "I am as much my mother as well." She stated, recalling what the room had revealed.

"That is not much better." Hera responded dryly. Pandora had disgraced their gifted family by marrying into the common class. Embla covered her mouth in alarm, thinking the wound still to fresh to say such a thing about her sister. Eva glared at a wall, wanting to speak, but knowing it would only make things worse. "Couldn't even defend herself from her own spells. Her years living as a common witch dulled her powers."

"You're wrong." Luna stated, hands curling into fists. "She used the last of her powers to save me."

"What a waste, to save a powerless thing." Eva stood, ready to defend her niece, but was stopped by a small hand on her arm. She looked down into Luna's eyes, seeing the strong current of power underneath. Luna looked to Hera as she lifted a hand, soft pink light filling her palm. Embla let out an audible gasp, standing as well. Hera stepped forward. "How?" Luna had been powerless, just like her father, they had all been there to witness it. How was it that now she was controlling the Other realm with ease?

"You believe that my mother died, as a consequence of a backfired spell that we could not reverse. This is incorrect. I saw recently a memory that I had anchored deep into my subconscious so that I may not float away on the waves of the universe. The Horn that she kept in the room, split open. She had seconds to react. She knew what incantation would be able to save the both of us, but it would take too long to cast. So, she did the only thing she could think of." Luna surveyed them. "My mother threw her powers into me, draining her own life force terribly so, knowing that my young witch core could cast the incantation as instinct." Embla was clinging to Eva, who was holding back tears. They had never heard of such a thing happening, but then again Pandora had not followed any of the rules of their coven.

"Then, you must come to live with us, so you may be schooled by the coven." Hera told her, moving to grab her hand and drag her away. Luna made herself immovable. Xeno moved closer, but Luna gave him a look to tell him that she was okay.

"I'm not going anywhere, but Hogwarts." She said, looking back at Hera. Hera sniffed disdainfully.

"Why on earth would you wish to go there?" She continued to try and pull Luna away, but the girl was determined.

"My friends are there. My future is there. The future of all is there." Luna pleaded, looking to her Aunts for help. Embla placed a hand on Luna's shoulder, glaring at her mother. Eva grabbed Hera's wrist, her powers dancing dangerously across her palm. "Harry Potter will need me one day." Hera pulled away as if burned.

"Did you say Harry Potter?" she asked. Luna nodded sharply, allowing her father to wrap an arm around her shoulders.

"I've seen him once already." Luna announced.

"Was he as powerful as they said?" Embla asked, curious. Luna shook her head, but before a triumphant smile could take hold on Hera's face, she opened her mouth to clarify.

"He exceeds our expectations."

DIAGON ALLEY

Albus stalked through Diagon Alley, heading straight for Gringotts. He nodded respectfully to the goblins at the entrance, crossing to the desks with ease. He smiled at Griphook, pulling out the key to Potter's vault. Griphook smiled back, which Albus took to be a good sign. However as soon as the small brass key came in contact with Griphook's outstretched hand it began to hiss and sizzle into nothing more than a pile of goop. Albus pulled himself up to full height.

"What on earth is the meaning of this?" he asked. He had been planning to get into the vaults in hopes of either finding clues to Potter's whereabouts, or for an artifact that could track him.

"The account you are trying to access has been reassigned." Griphook said. "Have a nice day." The goblin stepped off his podium, heading back towards the office to record the last deactivated key had been reclaimed. Albus wanted to chase after him and demand a better explanation but knew it would do him no good. Ignoring the curious stares and whispers around him, Albus exited. In the midst of his planning he did not notice the owl flying towards him until it crashed into his chest. It bore the seal of the ministry. Not one to open letters in public, Albus made his way to the Leaky Cauldron, where he had hoped to find more peace. It seemed he was destined to have a bad day however, as he found the place to be extremely crowded. His mood grew sour until he heard the unmistakable voice of Gilderoy Lockhart.

"Please, my latest book will be coming out in August, where I will be holding a book signing right here in Diagon Alley!" he projected. A few excited screams erupted from the crowd. The man's blue eyes twinkled enticingly, more people thrusting forward their quills to get something signed. "Ah, Headmaster!" Lockhart called out, stepping down from table he had been standing on. The crowd parted as if he were a god, allowing Lockhart free passage to Albus. "So sorry to cut it short all, but I have some…business matters to discuss with the Headmaster." He led Albus towards one of the backrooms where they would not be disturbed. As he had planned, whispers were beginning to form about what he could possibly want to do with Albus. Yes, Hogwarts would definitely be surprised to see him. Making sure to activate the privacy wards for the room, Lockhart turned to Albus.

"Am I to assume you have fully decided to dedicate yourself to the position?" Albus asked, opening his letter. He smirked. The charges Rita had pulled against him had been dropped due to lack of evidence.

"Of course, Headmaster. What better way to make this world a better place than to teach the youths!" Lockhart said cheerily. Albus looked to the man over the top of his letter.

"Do not speak to me as if I am as airheaded as your fans." Albus told the man. Lockhart dropped his act, becoming much more serious. "Since you are much more familiar with your own brand of manipulation than I, which would you suggest? Meeting the troublesome student and the Muggle Aides at the staff meeting, or simply waiting until September first?" Lockhart removed a piece of paper from his pocket, handing it over to Albus.

"I believe that this will be better." Lockhart claimed. Albus looked to the paper, seeing an advertisement for the wizard's book signing. "Magical Me, will of course be on the curriculum, discounted for the students, but if they are to come on this day, it will be free and signed!" Lockhart said with a grin. Albus stroked his beard in thought, knowing it could work. While the Winchesters did seem to be well off enough to afford their son's things, he knew that Harry was friends with the Weasleys. Ronald Weasley would not doubt need to take advantage of the free book, which would be even more valuable with the signature within. Albus handed the paper back to Lockhart.

"As ingenious as ever." Lockhart gave a mock bow.

"Thank you, Headmaster," he made his way to the exit. "Now if you'll excuse me, my fans are waiting." Albus watched him go, turning back to the letter he had received. He was no longer under any restriction, and the minister had written a lengthy apology to follow that. Albus tucked the letter away.

He had much planning to catch up on.

PETUNIA EVANS RESCIDENCE:

"Mum?" Dudley asked quietly. For the past few days his mother had been teaching him about being an AnteMaj. Things like, how to keep his core under control and more importantly his emotions. He had not questioned her once, wanting to learn to control what he was. Now though, as she sat watching her small window garden, he felt brave enough. "Mum?" he said a bit louder. Petunia turned to him with a startled look that quickly changed into a bright smile. Although, now that Dudley was learning more about emotions, he could tell it was strained.

"What is it Dudders? Are you ready for dinner?" she questioned, though she did not move from her seat.

"Mum…could you have…" Dudley struggled to find his words. He steadied himself, taking a deep breath to reset. When he looked back to his mother he looked as if he had aged. Dudley saw the responding spark of recognition in her eyes, knowing that this revelation about his being an AnteMaj was weighing on them both heavily. "If you wanted to, could you have taken Harry's powers away?" Petunia was silent for a long time, picking up her watering can and tending to her small garden.

"I still could." She admitted. At Dudley's surprised noise she stopped her watering. "It will be years before you get to this level Dudley. You have nothing to fear." Dudley was not thinking about him being that powerful, however. He was thinking of how poorly he and his father had treated Harry for years, for something he couldn't control. Had his father known about his mother? Did he dare ask? He had heard what she said about how Harry's life would be in the magical world. Was it any better?

"Why don't you?" he whispered. Tears began to slip from her eyes.

"Oh, how I wanted to." She said lowly. She still remembered the day on the way to the park when Harry had made a whole criminal disappear. Her first instinct had been to grab Harry and drain him of his powers. She had lost her sister to the magical world already; Harry was the only thing of her that she had left. At the last moment, she had grabbed Dudley instead, saying some regrettable things to her nephew. "Harry is truly my sister's son. The first time he used magic, it was to save us, because he loved us so much." He hands folded in her lap, hiding a tremor. "I thought, that if we stopped loving him, he would stop loving us in return and his powers would die out naturally."

"Can't say that worked." Dudley responded, sitting on the floor near his mother, remembering how Harry had rushed back into the house to defend them. How he had shouted and fought for Vernon to be put right. Unbidden tears filled the young boy's eyes.

"I should not have hesitated." She admitted. "Albus came immediately after Harry's first display of magic and told me about his destiny. He told me that saving Harry from his path, would doom thousands, both magical and non-magical." Petunia placed a hand on her son's head. "I shouldn't have pushed him away." Dudley reached up and placed a hand on his mother's lap.

"We all make mistakes." He told her soothingly. Petunia choked back a sob as she touched her lilies with her free hand.

"Most people learn the first time they make it."

MINISTRY OF MAGIC

Kingsley and Moody waited in the conference room in silence, neither wanting to admit how bad things were getting. After what seemed like forever there was a small knock on the door. Moody's eyes swiveled to it, and he nodded.

"Come in." Kingsley called. Danny was the first to enter, wearing a simple black suit and Kingsley immediately began to assess him, though in a different way than Moody was. He was not looking to see if the boy carried weapons, or ill intent. Rather, he was looking to see if the boy was truly trying to live. For the last time he saw him, there had been a particular dullness to his eyes, as if he were under Imperius. The boy standing in front of him now could not be more different. It was not until Severus placed a hand on the boy's shoulder that he realized what it was. The boy finally belonged, and it showed.

"You wished to see us?" Severus asked, an eyebrow raised. Kingsley nodded, standing from his seat.

"There was an incident his morning, that Miss Tonks thought Daniel should be aware of." Danny made to interrupt about his name, but a quick squeeze from Severus had him holding his tongue. "During one of her examinations, her instructor was possessed. He forced her to use her abilities until she revealed the face of his target." Danny felt his mouth go dry, but Severus had the sense to ask the question on his mind.

"What happened to Miss Tonks?" Kingsley looked over at Moody, who had there to witness the Spy o Screen.

"He had several of the training Attackers set to the highest level. When it seemed she would succeed, he began to drown her in the room. It only stopped once she turned into a ghost boy." Danny saw the flicker in Moody's real eye, meaning he was holding back assumptions. Tonks had died after all, in a technical sense, as her soul had left her body. Did he suspect the Ghost Zone? "Once we got into the room, a black shadow detached from Instructor Woolfe. Nymphadora believes it is a ghost."

"What does this have to do with me?" Danny asked, trying to lift his chin the way Severus did when he felt information was not important. The adults saw through the act.

"I'm not sure, it seems as though she thinks her King is in danger." Moody said pointedly. Danny gulped, taking a step back and running to Severus.

"Alastor, Miss Tonks has already gone through a traumatic ordeal once this year. Perhaps her comments are merely a confused mind trying to make sense of her attack." Severus commented offhandedly. Moody stood from his chair; hands slammed down in the table.

"You better not forget that your brother was found after he ripped a tracking device out of the base of his skull!" Danny screwed his eyes shut, trying to get his breathing under control. Severus pulled his wand, an angry snarl on his face.

"Perhaps you are the one that should remember it! I would not speak so lightly of Nymphadora's condition in her presence." Severus shouted back, taking Danny by surprise. He had never heard Severus raise his voice to that level.

"I find it suspicious how well adjusted he has become! Dosing him with calming draughts, are you? Or perhaps turning him in to the next generation of Death Eaters!" Moody responded.

"That is enough out of the both of you." Kingsley interrupted. He turned to Danny.

"Daniel," Danny dug his nails into his palms. "The simplest way to solve this would be to just ask you. There are a variety of reasons that Miss Tonks might think you need to know. You are the son of hunters, the brother of a spy, you are American…" Kingsley looked to Moody, who took the hint and sat down, calming himself. Severus remained standing, glaring at Moody.

"You said a black shadow, right? That's sounds like a demon to me. The only ghosts I've seen in the magic world are silver." Danny replied. Severus mentally nodded his approval, seeing as he had only barely covered ghosts in the Magical realm last week.

"We believe this is not the case." Kingsley corrected, he pulled his wand and began to tap at a small piece of crystal that had recorded the small scene from the Instructor room. Danny watched with bated breath. "Three of our students tried an exorcism." He went on to explain as the chanting could be heard. Severus laid both hands on either side of Danny's head, a strong and safe presence. The smoky figure rose into the air, and slowly a cape began to form, one that Danny recognized. His eyes flashed green in fear.

"Vlad?" He whirled around in alarm as Severus was knocked away from him with a purple shot. The teen didn't have time to see if Severus got back up as a hand clamped down on his wrist.

"Your eyes!" Moody shouted. They had been the same green Tonks' in the room. "What do you know about this?!" Spittle flew from his lips. Danny ripped his arm out of the man's grip, surprising him. Yet nothing was as shocking as the two rings of white light that sprung from the teen's middle. Moody hastily backed away, only lowering his wand when he saw the ghost boy. Danny Phantom rushed out the nearest wall as swiftly as a whisper. Kingsley came to realization that Tonks had tried to hint to him Danny's predicament. Severus staggered to his feet with the help of the wall. "Get the alarms! He mustn't get away!" Moody shouted, rushing towards the door. Severus stood in front of it, a deadly look on his face.

"You cannot arrest him for being scared."

"Scared?" Moody exclaimed. "That thing is his kind."

"That thing is a monster." Severus spat out. "And you had better leave this issue alone because I intend to deal with it myself, Damn the consequences!" With Severus' vow, both were reminded that the man had been spying on the most dangerous wizard alive and had made it out with barely a scratch. Kingsley gave Severus a slow nod.

"Good Luck."

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

Present Day

Dean scrubbed vigorously at his face. It was still early morning, and normally he wouldn't be awake, but a dream had kept him up. He drew in a deep breath before submerging his entire face into his cupped hands. He blindly reached for the towel next to him. Dean frowned at the mirror when it was obvious that he still looked sleep deprived. Giving a mental shrug he opened the mirror to grab his toothbrush, upon closing it he startled, seeing Cas directly behind him. Dean whirled around, Cas' face a mere inch from his own.

"What are you doing here?" he snapped. He had thought that perhaps Cas would have showed a week ago to let him know that Harry and Sam had arrived safely. He had not seen the angel and had resorted to calling Danny to make sure.

"Hello Dean." Cas breathed, having missed the sight of his human. Dean glared at him, shoving the angel out of his personal space.

"That's it. You think you can just show up like nothing happened?" Cas looked around the small bathroom curiously. Dean crossed his arms, showing that he still wanted an answer. Blue eyes finally landed on him, and Dean felt his guard drop slightly. A soft smile appeared on Cas' face, admiration in his eyes. "How'd you find me anyway?" Dean asked, rubbing his ribs to emphasize his point.

"I asked Bobby." He said plainly, following Dean out to the bedroom. Dean scoffed.

"He gave me up, just like that." Dean muttered, gathering his things from the hotel. Cas carefully began to collect things as well, though not all actually belonged to Dean.

"No, I had to bring him to his Junkyard in exchange for the information." Cas explained, handing Dean his jacket. The two walked out of the hotel, taking the long way to the car. In all honesty, Dean was happy that Cas was back. He didn't think he could have taken being alone much longer. He turned his head in surprise when he felt Cas' hand slip into his. He followed Cas' gaze to see a woman give a small frown before moving on. A superior smirk made its way to Dean's face. "I need your help. Finding Raphael." Cas told Dean, the real reason he had shown back up. Dean internally sighed. He knew that Cas had not come back for just him.

"You mean the prick who blew you to pieces?" Dean asked, remembering Chuck's words. Cas nodded. "Alright, where is he?"

"Maine." Cas supplied, moving his other hand to tap Dean. Dean grabbed the hand before it reached him.

"We're driving." Dean said seriously. "Last time you zapped me somewhere I didn't poop for a week." Dean unlocked the car and threw his bags in the back. He started up the rental and looked over at Cas who had still not gotten in. "What's the hold up?" Cas looked at the car distastefully.

"I get carsick."

LINE BREAK LIN EBREAK

Harry hummed slightly to himself as he dried off the dishes that Danny handed to him. Breakfast had been uneventful, but at the same time it felt right. Sure, he missed his Pa and Dad, but he knew they were doing important things for the world. Harry looked out the window above the sink, seeing the flowers in the garden swaying softly. Danny was also watching as he washed the plates, a bit paranoid. Harry tapped him, awaiting the last dish. He smiled at the young boy as he handed it to him. Harry was such a sweet child and had wormed his way into his heart much faster than all the others. The golden glint of the new ring Harry wore brought his thoughts to his own Ring. Currently he was in his human form, since it was just him and Harry, and the ring appeared as a solid black band.

"What are you thinking about?" Harry asked him, getting down from his stepstool. Danny blinked, coming out of his thoughts.

"Just…sometimes I wish there was a place we could go. Somewhere only we know, where we could just be us with no expectations, no fears." Danny explained, thinking Harry would agree.

"Isn't that what this house is?" Harry asked. Danny looked at him for a while, before sitting in the living room, changing into his ghost half. Harry sat on the sofa nearby, looking up at Danny as he floated up above his own seat, a faint ghostly glow around him.

"I don't know Harry. There is still a lot of expectation here. I have to be a good guest. A smart brother. A…compassionate friend." He blushed at the last part, thinking of Adam. Harry sat upside down. "It's too much."

"Well, you can't be nobody." Harry reminded him.

"I can try." Danny joked, creating small ice crystals to float in the air. Harry's blue eyes stared up at him.

"It's worse than being somebody." Harry told him, remembering nights left alone in a cupboard, stomach pains from starvation, wounds with no bandages. Danny floated down, sitting next to Harry. "What's more…no one expects you to be anything here. Not really. Severus is just happy you're even alive, we all are." Danny turned his head as he felt a tear come to his eye.

"I'm glad you're alive too buddy." He whispered out, knowing how close the young one had come to death, on multiple occasions. He felt a small hand enter his gloved one.

"Thank you." His voice was small, but the sentiment behind it was huge. Danny could not even imagine the people who had wanted to harm this child. Danny looked up to his sparkling ice crystals, twinkling in the soft light from the windows. He allowed himself to change back into a human, so that he and Harry would truly look like the family that they felt like. He waved his hand across the room, the crystals creating a small glass like plaque that attached itself to the wall. Sam walked in then, sitting in the armchair with his tea. He smiled at both the boys before working on the crosswords from the newspaper. Adam and Severus followed soon after, done cleaning the potions lab. Adam sat on the other side of Danny, kicking his feet up and switching on the TV. Severus noticed the ice Danny had made. He swished his wand, and for a moment Danny thought he would banish it. However, once the older wizard sat down with his book, Danny saw that he had merely placed a golden frame around it. Severus caught his brother looking at the frame and gestured back towards it. In beautiful script, Danny's words glowed silver, with only a few additional words from Severus. The plaque now read "Family neither starts nor ends in blood, but it will shed it to bring you home.Always."

"Harry." Danny said, looking at the young boy. Harry looked up at him. "You were right."

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The drive to Maine had been a short one, and they finally entered Waterville. Cas had his chin resting on his hand, looking out the window. Dean kept sneaking glances of the angel the entire drive, thinking that there was something different about Cas, but unable to pinpoint it. They had stopped at a gas station about a mile back for Dean to change into his FBI uniform and grab the necessary badges. Cas had reluctantly handed Dean back his amulet, and it now laid snugly against his chest.

"Do you remember the plan?" Dean asked as they got out of the car in front of the police station. He dusted off his suit, giving a charming smile to a passing pedestrian. Cas was looking towards the station a sort of far away look in his eyes. He was still getting used to emotions stemming from his own thoughts rather than being Jimmy's reaction. Without looking to Dean, he answered.

"Yes, we walk in and tell him he witnessed an angel of-"

"No, not your plan." Dean interrupted. He whirled Cas around, fixing his tie and sticking a badge in his breast pocket. "My plan, the not crazy one." Dean reminded him as they walked in through the doors. The station was not a very big one, and they saw several desks full of busy personal almost immediately.

"That's a matter of opinion." Cas muttered. Dean rolled his eyes and then scanned the station, leading the way once he found who he was looking for. He knocked on the door slightly, waiting for the Deputy. The door opened, revealing a slightly older man.

"Deputy Framingham?" Dean asked. The man nodded, a bit confused as he had not been expecting any visitors today. Dean pulled the badge from his pocket, flipping it open to show his FBI credentials. "Agent McGonagall, this is Agent Hagrid." He motioned to Cas, who was simply looking around. "Also, FBI." He stressed. Cas jumped when he finally met Dean's stare. He quickly pulled his badge out, showing it to the deputy. Dean let out an aggravated sigh and flipped it right side up for the angel. "He's new." The Deputy raised an eyebrow. "May we come in and ask you a few questions?"

"Sure thing," The Deputy said, leading them into his office. "Make sure you talk to this side though." Framingham said in a joking manner, pointing to the right ear. "Left side hasn't been the same since the incident." Dean leaned forward in anticipation, pulling a notepad from his pocket to appear official.

"So, you were present at the event then." Dean concluded, writing something arbitrary on the paper. Framingham leaned back in his chair, a mist of remembrance shading his eyes.

"Yeah, the Gas Station. Why you're here, isn't it." Dean nodded, encouraging the man to continue. "It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. A full-blown riot. Thirty, maybe forty people, in kill or be killed combat." Dean's pen came to a slow stop as he thought of the implications.

"Any idea what set them off?" Dean wondered.

"Angels and Demons, most likely." Cas interjected. Dean shot him an annoyed look, but the Deputy seemed to be thinking about the answer. Dean plastered on a fake smile.

"Drink, adultery that sort of thing. Is what he…uh… means." Dean gave a cough. He gestured with his hand for the Deputy to continue.

"Right. That's when the explosion happened." Framingham explained. Dean continued to write, not realizing he was placing his stream of consciousness on paper. "They said it was one of the gas tanks, but it wasn't like a normal fireball, it was…"

"Pure white?" Cas queried, sure of himself. He shot Dean his own look, as if to say that not all humans would overlook what was right in front of their eyes. However, Deputy Framingham was shaking his head.

"Pure black." He corrected. Both Hunters turned in alarm. "And there is Donnie, standing in the middle, all calm like. That's when I lost my hearing…a high pitched…screech I guess you would call it, and the fire went out," the deputy snapped his fingers. "just like that."

"Let me guess, Donnie vanished into thin air with it." Dean said, putting his papers away in agitation. The deputy gave him a look of confusion.

"No, he's at St. Pete's. They say the calm must have been utter shock at being caught in the middle of the blast. He isn't much but a husk of himself nowadays." Dean stood sighing.

"Thank you for your time." Dean said. He dragged Cas outside, throwing his badge into the trunk in anger. "Well, there goes our lead."

"Not necessarily." Cas commented, surveying the people around them. "The nearest hospital to the explosion is Mercy Medical, I believe St. Pete's is a clue." Dean chewed his lip in thought. In the end he gave in, figuring it wouldn't hurt.

"Fine, get in the…" Cas had left, focused on his mission. Dean rolled his eyes, getting in the car. "Guess, I'll meet you there."

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King Phantom flew silently through the ghost zone, not a single subject bothering to stop him, not when he looked so pensive. Most of the demons had been purged by this point, but he knew there were traitors to be harboring a few. Danny paused, sweeping his cloak behind him. He was floating several miles above one of the main cities in the ghost zone. Making sure no one was watching he altered his appearance so that he could not be easily identified as the King. He allowed his ears to grow to a point, white hair to turn into icy flames and eyes to turn red in the iris. Making sure his black cloak was secure around his outfit he floated down. Joyous shop owners called out to him, trying to sell their wares as he transversed the streets. He bought a few things that he thought Severus might find useful, but mostly tried to keep to himself. A shop keep cried out in alarm as her customer froze on the spot, dropping the bag she had been handing him. She hastily backed away when the red of the stranger's eyes consumed the pupil and whites. Danny was not looking at her however, but past her, where he had thought he had seen Vlad.

"I apologize…" he said, blinking away the vision. There was no possible way that Vlad would have been able to track him this far without Danny taking notice. At least that is what he told himself. He swiftly scooped up his purchase, leaving an extra coin as a tip. Danny ducked into the nearest alley, creating a blue smoke in his hand to transport the packages away. With a final glance around he shot to the sky at nearly supersonic speeds, transforming back into King Phantom in the process. He took in a large lungful of the ectocharged air, releasing it slowly. Danny slowly opened his eyes, whirling around in alarm as he thought he detected movement behind him. His fake laugh sounded hollow in the nothingness that greeted him. "He's gone. He can't hurt you." Danny told himself vehemently. As a precaution he boosted up to full power, becoming a pyre of white light.

Throughout the ghost zone, the citizens still in need of saving and guidance, those deformed and corrupted, raised their arms towards the light, as if to grasp at it. When it disappeared, they slowly turned back to their shrines, muttering the script of salvation in hopes that their King would see them soon.

""Rex tremendae majestatis, qui salvandos, salvas gratis. Salve me, Fons Pietatis. Salve me, Fons Pietatis."

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Dean parked the Impala hastily, as Cas had begun walking towards the entrance of the hospital as soon as he saw the iconic black car roll into the parking lot. He needn't have worried however as Cas was standing next to the information desk, waiting for him once he reached inside. Silently, with a small gesture he asked Cas if he had asked about Donnie's room. Cas shook his head, turning to the desk completely, in what Dean thought should have been a nod of the head. Dean rolled his eyes, gearing up his charming side in order to sway the pretty lady out of information. However, a pretty lady was not what greeted him.

"How can I help you?" The young male at the front desk asked. Dean stumbled for what to say before deciding a direct approach was best.

"Yes, we are looking for a room. Donnie Finneman." Cas took a step closer to the desk as well, attempting an innocent smile. The man typed away at his computer, checking the allowed visitors and allotted times. Dean took this time to look at the man's badge, seeing that his name was Jacob.

"Only family allowed at this time." The man apologized. Dean scoffed.

"Can't you see I'm his brother?" Dean asked. Jacob leveled Dean with an icy glare, taking Dean aback. The young man took the safety of his patients very seriously, especially ones that were incapacitated.

"This isn't Remember the Titans." He shot back. "I'm going to have to ask you to," Dean looked around in shock when Jacob stopped midsentence. In fact, everything around them seemed to have frozen, even the clocks. He looked to Cas, assuming he was the culprit. The angel had his head cocked slightly to the side.

"The Reaper, he's here." Dean's eyes widened and he rushed behind the desk, looking at the screen that Jacob had pulled up.

"Room 27, let's go." Dean blurted, grabbing Cas' arm to drag him along. He was not going to let the Reaper keep interfering in his life. If Cas needed to talk to Donnie, then Dean would make sure it would happen. The door gave a loud crack as Dean burst into the room. Sound from everything else returned, a blue tint that he hadn't noticed before washing away. Donnie sat in a wheelchair, staring at the wall, but not quite seeing it. Dean felt his blood boil. Donnie turned towards Dean slightly, noticing that two people had entered his room. He gave a small moan that might have been a greeting before looking back to the wall. "Show yourself!" Dean demanded.

"Dean." Cas warned. Dean turned to look at the bed that Cas had motioned to. The Purple Reaper sat cross legged on the bed.

"Did you do this?" Dean demanded, pointing to Donnie. The Reaper nodded. Dean growled, wanting to lunge at the being, but he was stopped by Cas.

"Thank you." Cas said. At Dean's confused look, he moved to explain. "Dean, the power of an Archangel is unmatched. Especially when they use a host that is not theirs. Donnie should be worse off." He looked back to the Reaper. "That is why the fire was black, wasn't it?" The Reaper removed his hood, revealing that he was in the form of a teenager, probably the same age as Danny. In fact, if it were not for the blue skin, and long hair, Dean could have mistaken the Reaper for his pseudo nephew.

"I possessed Donnie to fight out Raphael, forcing him into a host that would give false confidence. It took quite a bit of power, hence my current appearance." He did not mention that it had not been at all taxing, and that his own son's power had reduced him to a child. In God's defense, he had not been defending against Danny's final attack.

"Wait, are you more powerful than an Archangel? I didn't think Reaper's had that much power." Dean asked, lowering his guard just a bit. The Reaper thought about it for a while.

"In terms of raw power…I come close. My son is perhaps on the same level, if not exceeding it a bit. At least, in the timelines in which…well to say would be considered interference." The Reaper smirked. "The Archangels can do things that I may never hope to replicate, while not inherently powerful attacks or illusions, as a whole they are a step above me." Dean swallowed dryly. They all had destinies, didn't they? Was it his to hunt for Raphael with Cas and find this being? He hoped they would not have to hunt down this mysterious son.

"Could you remove the sword? From me, I mean?" The Reaper looked down at his own body. "Once you heal up or whatever." Red eyes bore into his, making him feel exposed, and reminding him that the thing on the bed was no teenager.

"I have done you a favor already, you are the one who must return it." The Reaper said flatly. Dean groaned.

"I knew it, we are going to have to find your son…" Dean muttered under his breath, cursing his luck. The Reaper stood, his staff appearing next to him, charged with deadly black energy.

"I certainly hope you have not lost him, not when Vladimir has escaped." Dean felt his heart skip a beat.

"Vlad? Like, trapped Danny for years Vlad?" He felt Cas' hand on his shoulder and could feel the tension. The Reaper nodded. "Danny is your…" Danny had been very close lipped after his return from the dead, even more than he had been about his treatment at Vlad's hands. Severus was going to go into a research frenzy when he realized that he had not truly banished the monster Vlad had become.

"I see he has not disclosed his origins to you." The Reaper confirmed. "This does not bode well." The Reaper feared that this would lead to a darker timeline ending than intended. He silently cursed all those who had meddled in the lives of all these humans. While he was glad that the timeline in which he had a son was still viable, it was becoming much too cluttered with overlapping timelines, presenting more and more endings with each decision made.

"Why isn't it good? Didn't you say your son is more powerful than you? Danny should be able to beat Vlad without a hitch, especially if he has people on his side." Dean fired off rapidly, feeling the effects of multiple timelines aligning. The Reaper knew this would happen, but it was now out of his control. Harry and Danny had claimed each other as kin.

"I have protected your son many years now. You will now protect mine, Dean Winchester." Dean's brow furrowed.

"Me? How am I supposed to stop Vlad?" he challenged. It was not the first time that Dean knew he was only human. He felt like he was falling deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole each day. The Reaper opened up a blue portal, similar to something he had seen Danny do.

"Not from Vlad, from himself." Dean had no time to react as The Reaper stepped through the portal, disappearing.

"If you must return, I will escort you." Cas told him. Dean looked at Donnie as he tried to decide.

"No. I'll stay with you." He said, pulling the blanket from the bed and draping it over the shivering Donnie. "Danny is safest at Spinner's End."

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Danny was flying around the house listlessly, left without much to do since everyone else in the house was occupied. He kept thinking back to the marketplace, where he thought he had seen Vlad. His logic was telling him that it was impossible, but deep in his heart he knew he should have killed the man when he had the chance. He was tired of others trying to keep his so called innocence intact. It was as if they had forgotten that he had already suffered for years. Danny frowned. Though, he had not revealed much. Before he could come to the conclusion that he should open up about his past, the phone rang, startling him. He dropped to the floor, receiving a brief chastise from Severus when he walked in to see him lazing about on the floor. They heard Sam answer the phone in the kitchen, so Severus stopped to help Danny up. With a single pat on his head, Danny knew that his brother's earlier comment was of no ill intent and he turned his attention to the conversation occurring in the next room. In an instant he was invisible, and he intangibly slipped into the next room. He saw Sam give a slight shiver as he floated as close to him as he could. He froze, thinking Sam would find out he was there, but the man didn't put two and two together.

"I found a town up the road from you that is showing Revelation omens." Danny heard Bobby say on the other line. Sam sighed in a way that seemed as if he were expecting this call.

"And upon his rising there shall be hail and fire mixed with blood?" Sam asked, defeated. "Yeah I know. Severus had asked me about it, hail storm not so uncommon here, but the fire was, considering it's an industrial town, not much wood. Blood can't be too` far behind." He admitted. "Look I'm not sending them into that."

"Yeah, because you're supposed to be leading them to it." Bobby retorted. Danny could imagine the frown on his face. "They can't do it without you Sam." Sam shook his head, despite the fact that Bobby would not see.

"You underestimate them." Sam replied, voice hard. Bobby gave his sarcastic barking laugh that he always gave when he heard something ridiculous. Danny felt the heat rise to his face.

"First you say you won't send them, then you say they can do it on their own. Seems like you don't even know." Sam paced around the kitchen in a haphazard manner that made it difficult for Danny to keep up.

"Isn't there someone else you can send?" Sam pleaded.

"Hmm, let me think about it. Oh, I can send, wait no…he's insane now. Wait, there is, no he's crazy too…" Sam gave a frustrated growl.

"Fine, I get it." Sam relented, dragging his hand down his face.

"Good, so you'll go." Bobby confirmed. Sam looked out the window for a moment. What he was searching for, Danny was unsure.

"I'll put them on it." Sam corrected, feeling as if a heavy weight had been added to his shoulders.

"Sam, don't you-" Sam hung up the phone with finality. He placed it back in its cradle, and for a long moment just stood there, bracing himself on the counter. His long brown hair obscured his features and Danny did not have a clue as to what the man was feeling. He was torn after hearing the conversation that had taken place.

That is why, hours later when Sam briefed them on the hunt, he was unsure if he should feel betrayed that Sam was leaving them to fail, or triumphant that Sam held so much trust in them.

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Dean carefully thumbed through his father's journal, looking for any sort of mention of Reapers and their powers. He was beginning to suspect that their Purple Reaper wasn't exactly what he claimed to be, however. Not that he didn't believe that Danny was his son or thought that he was. He thought that maybe Danny hadn't brought it up, not wanting to discount Tobias as his father, no matter how terrible the man was said to be, because he could not fathom losing Severus as a brother. He sat at the small dining table that stood abandoned in the house they had found as cover. He looked out the small window, looking up at the moon. He would admit he was fond of Danny too, feeling as if they shared a type of bond over living in different states of mind for a while. Dean closed the book, knowing that Danny was not the only one who needed to talk about his feelings. Maybe this was why the Purple Reaper had assigned him the task, so that he could think of his own son, Harry. With a whoosh of wings Cas appeared in front of him, holding a jug.

"Where were you?" Dean asked conversationally. Cas sat down, exhausted. The trip had taken a lot out of him. Not to mention he had needed to face various obstacles to get to the oil. It would all be worth it however, he thought, looking skyward. It would all be worth it, when they found his father.

"Jerusalem." He clarified, gesturing to the jug. "This is a special oil." Dean nodded.

"How was it?" Cas was silent for a moment, as if he were trying to find the right word. He was still trying to get used to the more emotions he felt, day by day. Something niggled at the back of his mind, as if he should be remembering a conversation that he had. He felt his heart thump against his chest, and curled a hand around the jug, feeling at ease.

"Arid." He said simply. Dean cracked a smile, making Cas' heart feel warm. "It is much nicer here." Cas noted, watching the slight breeze outside. Dean silently agreed.

"So what, we drizzle Raph with a nice little vinaigrette and he's going to spew information?" Cas shook his head. "I figured, it's sorta like catching a hurricane in a butterfly net, isn't it?"

"Harder." Cas admitted. His eyes kept roaming Dean's face, as if he were trying to memorize it. "We'll need to start the ritual at sunrise."

"Cas, you keep talking about how powerful this guy is…will we…I mean."

"You'll be okay." Cas said, already knowing what the man was fearing. Dean swallowed thickly.

"And what about you?" Blue eyes met green, sympathetic remorse swimming in them. "You just got back."

"If doing this means you and the rest can live a little easier, so be it." Cas assured him. There was a heavy silence between them, as they both tried to think of something to say. Dean took out his phone and motioned with Cas towards the dusty couch. They both sat next to each other, and Cas was able to look over his shoulder to see what he was doing. Harry's name lit up on the screen as Dean FaceTimed him. Cas immediately moved closer, his wing enveloping Dean. Dean was aware of the weight and the heat of the wing, and it was a comfort to him. He grinned brightly when Harry excitedly answered the phone. The young boy told them of his days spent with each of the members in London, learning new things. Dean's smile only slipped a bit when Harry mentioned that Sam had sent the others on a hunt. He never thought that his brother would truly leave this life behind, but if that was what made him happy. He had missed Harry's next story, but Cas' soft rumble of a laugh brought him back, and it was then that he finally realized what had changed with the angel.

He was more human.

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Danny was flying at breakneck speeds, ice pouring from his hands as he attempted to control the wildfires that were raging in the small town. Severus, a skilled wordless caster, was gesturing people out of the town his arm moving in a way to cast Protego whenever a sizable chunk of hail came towards them. Adam stood in the middle of the mess, protected by a green bubble of Danny's doing. He clutched a bible close to his chest, chanting as a silver necklace dangled from his hands. He suddenly stopped, catching the attention of the other two, which proved to be a big mistake. Severus was forced to brandish his wand as the people he was helping suddenly turned on him. A scream was torn from Danny as a black shadow drove him into the ground, leaving deep gouges in his shoulders. A fist reeled back, and Danny faded through the ground on instinct. Adam pulled his pistol upon seeing what had attacked Danny. Solid red eyes looked at him in amusement and he fired off a round, missing wildly. Danny reappeared behind the threat, eyes all green.

"How?" Danny demanded. Vlad chuckled softly, turning to look at Danny. He was not able to get a word out as Adam hit him dead center in the chest with a rock salt pellet, causing him to stagger to his knees. Danny delivered a swift uppercut, sending the hybrid flying.

"They're being possessed!" Severus shouted, when a particularly powerful blast to one of the humans resulted in a black shadow to detach from them. It immediately dove back in, seeking vengeance. It was concerning the way that they all were devoid of emotion.

"Get that pistol ready." Danny told Adam as he ran towards the nearest human, turning intangible at the last second. He dove through the person, grabbing hold of Vlad's shadow clone. Adam kept his pistol aimed, not aware of Vlad getting up behind him. Danny threw the ghost a safe distance away from the human and continued onto the next one. Severus was herding the rest closer to Danny, using powerful blasting spells to eject the ghosts as well. Each clone disappeared with a pop as they were shot.

"You'll regret that." Vlad growled, reaching for Adam. Adam attempted to turn and shoot, but he knew he would never be able to make the shot. What appeared to be a malformed bear blindsided the hybrid, ripping him away from the human. There was then a cacophony of screaming as the liberated humans noticed the grotesque animals running around. It was nothing compared to the balls of white fire that were exploding into the ground, revealing humans with glowing blue eyes.

"We have to go." Adam muttered, realizing that they might have been able to fight off an attack by Vlad, but angels and demons were another thing, especially when the end goal seemed to be blood. Blood sprayed across his face as an angel tore a demon in half with its bare hands. He turned heel and ran. "We have to go, NOW!" he grabbed and pulled any human that was close in a silent command to follow him. For a few it was too late, having been caught in the middle, they were nothing more than a pile of shredded meat. Danny took fire from the sky, blasting away the demons that threatened to get to close to the group, but there were so many, and he was tiring fast. A volley of different colors was being thrown from Severus' wand, the nastiest of spells he knew having little effect on the demons. He cried out as small one snuck up on him and slashed his wand arm. There group of humans was thinning by the second, dropping from unseen attacks or old wounds. They were beginning to lose their minds. Severus gripped his wand arm tight, staunching the flowing blood and raised his wand to few that remained.

"Avada Kedavra." He whispered out, the green beam hitting the closest one. She fell to the ground silently, almost as if asleep.

"No!" Danny shouted. He dove towards them, leaving them exposed to the demons. Severus had already picked off two more by the time Danny made it to the ground. He yanked on his brother's arm, feeling betrayed.

"There's no hope left for them! Death is a gift." Severus ground out, black spots starting to appear in his vision. He and Danny began to argue, leaving Adam to make a decision as the demons grew closer. He emptied his pistol, replacing the bullets. Severus saw him raise his weapon, and pushed Danny aside, throwing out an Imperio that hit its mark just as Adam's bullet did. Danny was shouting at them again, but Severus had no time for it, a headache blooming with his blood loss. He grabbed Danny by the front of his outfit, pulling him close. "Collect that bullet if you don't want that idiot to end up in jail!" It took only a minute more for him to finish off the rest of the humans that were left. Without hesitation he pointed his wand to the sky, leaving behind the Dark Mark. When he turned back to look for Danny, he found him holding the bullet in his hand, head downcast. Without even looking up he blasted away a demon that launched towards him. "I don't have enough strength to Apparate us." He admitted, staggering. For the first time, Danny seemed to notice that his brother was injured.

"Adam, wrap your belt around it." Danny urged as he blasted away a few more demons. Danny let out an ear piercing whistle, calling the attention of both the angels and demons. For a moment they simply stared, as if trying to understand what was in front of them. Danny charged up his power, and they all charged at once, but a small tear in the ground beneath them had the trio disappearing without a trace.

Severus began to struggle as a woman forced herself upon him, her lips planting firmly against his. When she pulled away, he drew in a deep breath, reaching for his wand. He stopped when he saw the swirling green mass around him. It was endless, and eerily, even more so than the skull he had left in the sky.

"Where?" He had meant to ask their location, but Danny's kingly attire took his breath from him. His green eyes seemed almost acidic now, smile gone from his face. It was now Danny's turn to grab his brother by the front of his robes.

"Look what you've done." He growled out, gesturing to the several pods that floated in the air around them. He pushed his brother away, fixing his cape as he walked towards the nearest one. "Adam, take him home." Severus looked towards the other human, only now seeing that they were standing on nothing, surrounded by several ghosts.

"But Danny-" Adam began, already knowing what the halfa was planning.

"That's an order." King Phantom barked in response. Adam hung his head in acceptance, grabbing Severus by his good arm. Severus wanted to struggle, but he found the ghost zone to be disorienting, the blood loss not doing him any favors. The last he saw was the other ghosts circling the pod as Danny began to glow with a white light, plunging his hands into the pod. It was a while that Adam was pulling him along and he could feel his face losing color.

"I don't recall any of my doors leading to this realm." He muttered sarcastically. Adam sighed.

"He meant the castle." Adam clarified, pointing to the large castle that they would soon happen upon. "He's not happy with us."

"We did what we had to." Severus countered. The guards snapped to attention as they saw Adam, offering him a salute. The young man waved it away, entering the main foyer.

"I just hope Danny snaps out of it soon." Adam confessed, bringing Severus to the throne room. Severus took the offered seat at a small table, trying to keep himself from passing out.

"What do you mean by that?" he managed to ask as Adam walked over to the smaller of two thrones, reaching underneath it. Adam was silent, sitting across from Severus and opening up the medical kit he had. A hiss escaped Severus as Adam pulled away the robe from his slashed arm.

"He's…a bit different when he's wearing the crown." The human admitted slowly. He was unsure of how exactly he could explain it to Severus. Adam looked to the green skies that lay beyond the windows. "He, won't hurt us…probably. I've never seen him this mad…"

"Adam." Severus warned, not needing the boy to go into hysterics. Adam shook his head, continuing to bandage the wizard's arm.

"He's a mere ghost of the person we love."

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Harry was nervously pacing the living room. It had been hours since the others had left on their mission. Sam continually tried to distract him with learning chess, or more lore, but none of it captured his attention. The young boy took a seat when his legs began to grow tired. He hadn't expected his summer to be so lonely. Unbeknownst to Sam and Severus, Harry had tried to accidently on purpose Apparate out of the house multiple times.

"Ugh." Harry grunted, letting his face fall into his palm. He wanted to do more to help. Everyone was treating him like he was a kid, but he had already fought Voldemort once! Harry pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. It seemed as though there was more to fear than Voldemort. Harry closed his eyes, but they popped open a moment later when he saw Lilith disintegrating. A lone hand tangled into his hair. He had started the apocalypse and no one was nearly as angry as they should have been.

"Hey, wanna help me make dinner?" Sam asked as he walked in. He noticed the delicate tears on the boy's lashes and wordlessly knelt down next to him. Pained blue eyes turned to look at him. "What's the matter, Harry?" Harry wiped the tears away, looking to a point just past his uncle.

"It's Heimrich." He said softly, but firmly. A quiver in his lip led to hesitation. "It needs to be Heimrich…" His small hands were enveloped in Sam's larger ones.

"No. It's Harry. You're Harry, always will be." And that was enough to release the floodgates. Harry fell into his Uncle's arms, much the same way he had in the cavern. He squeezed the boy as hard as he dared, feeling as if would fall to pieces right along with him. For a moment, anger flared up within him, as it should have been Dean here, having this moment with his supposed son. Yet, guiltily, Sam was glad that Dean was not here. He did not stop to think that a failure to bond between Dean and Harry could lead to disaster.

"I wish I was never me." Harry told Sam. "Everyone I love gets hurt, or dies…or…"

"Hey, hey…" Sam shushed, feeling a bit lost for words. He knew what Harry was feeling, but just as no one had been able to help him, he did not know how to help Harry. Maybe he did wish that Dean was here. Sam sighed, resting his head on top of Harry's, looking at the plaque that Danny had made them. How ironic, that Harry was worried about them getting hurt, when he was the one who had fully convinced Danny that this family was home. An idea popped into his head and he stood, turning Harry to look at the plaque. "You see this Harry? You did this."

"Wha…no I didn't Danny made it." Harry said in confusion.

"No, the motto. You've helped to change it, for the better." Sam explained. "You are the glue that keeps us all together, Harry. Can you imagine Dean living with an adult wizard, a brother we didn't know about and a boy that's half dead if we had never found you?" A small crack of a smile started to inch its way onto Harry's face at the thought. "Harry, your parents died because they believed in a better world. You are making the world better. I know that they are so proud of you." Unbidden tears came to Harry's eyes.

"How could they be? When it's all going to end because of me?" Harry questioned, voice cracking. Sam squeezed the boy's shoulder, realizing now what the issue was. He gave a forced laugh, startling Harry.

"What, you think a little apocalypse is going to stop us?" Sam asked. "We're not the LOSE-chesters, are we?" Harry giggled, tilting his head back to see his uncle's smiling face. "That's what I thought. And as your dad would say, we're the baddest sons a bitches in the world. So yeah, we might get hurt, but we'll just come back stronger. A few of us may die, but only when we have done all we can and need to make way for the next person." Sam led them to the couch, so they could continue the conversation comfortably. "Just think of all the lives you've changed."

"Uhm, yours?" Harry said, unsure.

"Yes, mine." Sam confirmed. "I'm sure you might have noticed, but I like being here with all of you. It feels good to have a solid place to call home. I'm not the only one. Harry, you are home." Harry reached a hand up to his chest, the concept seeming so foreign yet so right to him. HE was home.

So then, why did he still feel like running away?

"Thanks, that really helped." Harry lied. "I have to work on some assignments, maybe tomorrow I can help." Sam nodded in agreement, ruffling Harry's hair as the boy headed to the stairs. Once he was sure Sam was out of earshot he snuck into Danny and Adam's room. It was so obviously theirs, with things littered about from each of them. Without regret he rifled through their drawers, looking for anything to prove Sam wrong. He didn't want to be their home. What would happen to them if he lost to Voldemort, or anything else supernatural for that matter? He found Adam's medical notebook and didn't hesitate to look into it. His classes must have been put on hold. He ruined Adam's chances, right? All he found was notes on various potions pairing up with Muggle diseases. In the margin's was Severus' handwriting, explain why something may or may not be a good choice. At the very back were questions about how far potions could go into curing a Muggle, with several exclusive diseases listed, some paranormal. Silently, Harry closed the notebook. Adam seemed to be advancing easily enough. Of course, he may never be recognized for his work, but…

Harry growled in frustration, throwing things to the side while looking through Danny's things. A sleek black journal that appeared worry worn. The young boy hesitated, but in the end his desperation won out and he opened it. As expected, it was filled with tribulations and hurt, but Harry and the others in this family shone through as a light in the bleakness of Danny's existence. Before he knew it, he was reading the encounter that brought Danny back to them, knowing he was intruding but unable to stop, the story so compelling. Harry did not notice he was crying until a teardrop fell onto the page describing his parents and Severus' mother helping Danny defeat Vlad. Harry plopped onto Adam's bed, staring at the slats. His Dad and Pa were becoming more than just undercover hunters, they were truly getting closer, and Harry was not blind to this. Nor was he blind to the hesitant feelings between Severus and Sam. He closed his eyes, wondering if the trio would be much longer before they returned from their mission.

Slipping out silently, he made his way into Bobby's room. The man was now crippled from the waist down, surely Harry could be blamed for that? Upon entering though, it was obvious that Bobby loved his grandson. Photos of Harry playing Quidditch adorned the walls, alongside his best graded papers. Harry supposed this was all well and good, all grandparents loved their grandkids when they were doing good in school. He was about to leave when he saw something that caught his eyes. A sketchbook of sorts, showing several different holsters and other additions to Harry's wardrobe. Modified weapons, character aliases and lesson plans for his Hunting career were on the subsequent pages. Harry's heart was feeling lighter with each thing he found, but the weight had simply moved to his shoulders instead. Letting his wand fall into his hand he moved into the room he used for training.

Downstairs, Sam was momentarily startled by the shouted and booms he heard from upstairs. He instinctively went for his weapon, before recognizing the incantations that Harry was practicing. He let his hand fall away, knowing Harry would be fine.

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

Dean and Cas stood next to each other, being each other's strength as Raphael appeared in the small abandoned home. Earlier in the day they had tried to invite the angel into Donnie's body, knowing that it would not work due to the Reaper's interference. Lightning illuminated the walls, casting the shadow of the archangel's wings.

"Huh, thought you would be more impressive." Dean taunted. Raphael rolled his shoulders, still uncomfortable in the new body he was possessing. No one had warned him that he would have to fight for Donnie. No matter, this new body seemed stronger and had a better position in the world, it could play into his plans nicely.

"It is a testament to my unending mercy that I do not smite you where you stand." Dean rolled his eyes, strolling away from Cas.

"Or maybe you're afraid God will just bring Cas back again." Dean countered. He was not ready for the confusion on Raphael's face.

"Again?" the archangel looked to Cas, noticing for the first time that the angel seemed different. He couldn't sense the soul of the host in the body. His eyes travelled down to the hand that was gripping the angel blade, the knuckles were white. Raphael squeezed his own fist, and the human body did not react in anyway, just as it was supposed to. "You may be my enemy Castiel, but I would never…" Hope shone into Cas' eyes, thinking his brother may be coming around. "Not when you held such valuable information about the new Archangel." Dean saw the light die in Cas' eyes and he threw the plan out the window, throwing down his lighter. Raphael was only mildly startled when a ring of Holy Fire sprung up around him.

"Where is he? Where is God?!" Cas shouted, voice filled with emotions of grief and desperation. Raphael chuckled.

"He's dead, Castiel. GONE." The laugh filled the home. It was cut off abruptly by a punch to the face. Dean shook out his arm, partly due to the pain of punching an angel, and another part in fact that he was on fire.

"Dean, what are you doing?" Cas asked in alarm.

"He won't kill me. I know he won't." Dean assured Cas.

"No, but I will hurt you. The things that Zachariah put you through are nothing compared to my imagination." The archangel challenged, spreading out his palms. Dean glanced at his worried angel, before meeting the challenge.

"Do your worst."

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

Adam startled awake when the throne room doors burst open. Blood red eyes stared him down as heavy footsteps made their way towards him. Severus got up from his seat, wand slipping into his hand.

"It's about time Danny. If you would cease the dramatics…" he began but faltered upon inspecting Danny further. His skin was a sickly green blue, his breathing labored as if he had run miles. Adam slowly stepped in front of Severus, drawing King Phantom's attention back on himself. With arms carefully outstretched, he slowly stepped towards the halfa. The King allowed it, as he often did, tiring of having so much power coursing through him, but unable to shut it off. Adam grabbed the crown, not even flinching when green flames engulfed his hands when he yanked it away. Danny cried out, collapsing to floor as twin ring of white light turned him into his human half. Hunched over on the tiles he began to cough fitfully, sucking in air as if it were the sweetest thing he had ever experienced. Adam simply watched, used to the display. Severus, however, was not, and he struggled to think. The best course of action was obvious, or it would be if they were in a land that he knew nothing about.

"Are you…. alright?" Severus asked. Danny forced himself to his feet, shooing Adam away.

"Does it look like I am?" Danny growled out. "I thought you were different you know?! I thought you could trust me to help make a decision too! But you're just like HIM." Severus felt as if he had been slapped in the face. A gruesome scowl spread to his face.

"How dare you?" Severus spat back. "I've been through war-"

"SO HAVE I!" Danny's coarse voice echoed throughout the chamber. "I was torn apart!" Danny continued, stepping towards Severus. "I reconnected with Phantom so that I had a chance of surviving and saving the ghost zone. My whole life was turned upside down." Tears were streaming down the boy's face, making Severus feel uncomfortable. "I might not have any of Tobias' DNA in me after all." Danny confessed brokenly. Severus was taken by surprise, not only by the news, but by his own lack of reaction to it. "You're not even my brother, so you can stop pretending you're doing things for my benefit." Danny froze when he felt the soft folds of Severus' robes engulf him.

"Danny, you are my brother. I've tested it." Danny felt his tears double and he struggled to keep his breathing under control. "Even so, you opened up within me a well of feelings I have never felt before, not even with Harry. I am fond of the brat, but his family is more with the Winchester's than I. You, Danny, have brought some much needed color into my life." Danny let out a choked laugh, feeling warmed that Severus had remembered a conversation from when they were first getting to know each other.

"So, I really am a Snape?" Danny asked, looking for confirmation. Severus gave his young brother a warm smile, placing a hand on Danny's mop of black hair.

It was all the answer Danny needed.

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

Sam stood as the blue portal appeared in the living room. Adam stepped through first, offering a hand back though the portal to assist in bringing Severus over. The man seemed in bad shape, and Sam rushed over to help, but a white gloved hand closed around his wrist before he could touch Severus. Sam looked up in confusion, seeing fury in Danny's eyes.

"You sent us to fail." He accused, shocking the entire room. Sam swallowed thickly, looking at Severus' suspicious face.

"I don't know what you mean. How did it go? Did you…" Danny tossed the wrist away from him, looking at Adam and Severus.

"I heard Sam on the phone with Bobby." Sam paled. "Bobby said there was no way we could win on our own. Sam argued in our favor, and I had hoped he had actually believed in us. I can see now that he was just afraid to face the battle himself." With each word, Severus' expression grew darker. It was Adam who broke the silence, however.

"Are you freaking crazy?!" he shouted. "I'm a human! I could have died!"

"I knew Danny wouldn't let that happen." Sam muttered out uselessly.

"So, my brother is your failsafe now?" Severus growled, stalking towards Sam. "I would rather not relive his death, if that is at all convenient to you." And then, those dark eyes seemed to glimmer with a sheen of unshed tears. Sam reached a hand out, only to find a wand pressed to his throat the next moment. "The nerve you must have, to think you may touch me. You forced my hand, Sam. Spells I had not cast in 13 years…"

"Sev, I'm sorry." Sam began, feeling torn.

"It is Professor Snape, to you, Professor Singer." Severus spat out. "It's over." Sam's heart skipped a beat, for those words meant that something indeed had been unspoken between them. Despite the fact that the wand was digging harshly into his skin, Sam still thought that Severus looked breath taking, and he said so aloud. Red stained the Potions Master's cheeks, even as his mouth set itself into a scowl. "Those are not the words I wish to hear." Sam closed his eyes briefly.

"It's true…I sent you to fail."

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

Dean cried out as his leg buckled beneath him, but he continued to grit his teeth through the torture. Castiel watched helplessly from the sidelines. The archangel had not been lying when he said he could do worse than Zachariah. Raphael was the angel of healing, and as such had a great arsenal of injury and disease stored within his mind. The Righteous Man perused his goal, however, and did not yield to the corrupted Angel. He knew that Harry would need them to succeed. He needed to succeed to go home and see his son. Castiel gasped as an echo of golden wings flashed on Dean's back. Raphael frowned as Dean was healed once more. The man was under the illusion that the archangel was reversing his damage as some sort of game, but that was not the case. As such, Raphael was beginning to worry that perhaps God was around, protecting the vessel of Michael. He could not let the rebellious angel find this out.

"You will achieve nothing with your insistence, human." The archangel said. "God is dead, so there is nothing for me to tell you."

"Then who raised Cas? Huh?" Dean challenged.

"Perhaps…Lucifer." Raphael said with a shrug. Dean stepped out of the circle at Cas' urging. Their lead had gone cold, and there was nothing to be done for it. The angel took Dean's hand, and they turned away from Raphael. "You know it to be true!" Cas closed his eyes, continuing to walk away. He would not deny the calling in his heart. "He needs all the rebellious angels he can get!" Cas paused.

"You can't break me…. I was made for this." Cas declared. "I'm not broken as you all would like me to believe."

"How can you be so sure?" Raphael taunted. The fire still raged around him, and yet he stood so stoic, sure of himself. That is until Cas spoke.

"I have been entrusted to raise the new Archangel."

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

The arguing in Spinner's End came to an abrupt halt as Harry tumbled down the stairs. Severus dropped his wand from Sam's throat in an instant, rushing to the boy. Harry grabbed onto him forcefully, as if he were not an inch from dying. Gold invaded the young boy's eyes, and the lightning across his face rushed down his neck and chest, extending to his fingertips and pressing its presence into the older wizard. Severus could not hold back the scream that swept past his lips. The pain was worse than that of the Cruciatus curse, and the thought of the trifecta of Unforgivables being completed almost made him laugh. It continued on, and he felt as if his very core was being handled by the boy. As much as it felt like hell, the moment in which Harry finally extracted himself, left his core protected by something that boasted of Heaven. With a mighty intake of air, all the gold left Harry, leaving him healed.

"Harry, what happened to you?" Adam asked in alarm. Harry looked skyward.

"Dad was in danger. My wings, they came out on their own, but so much bigger."

"Dean's in danger?" Sam asked, stepping forward. Danny blocked his path with controlled green flames. Harry was a bit disappointed that Sam had not checked on him first, and it showed on his face. Sam felt a chill run up his spine upon realizing how badly he had messed up. Severus and Adam climbed the stairs with Harry, Danny standing sentry at the bottom.

"Not even an ounce of care for your own nephew." Danny accused; arms crossed. "Starting to wonder if Dean even cares about him."

"He does, you know he does." Sam argued. "Dean loves Harry." Danny scoffed, letting the flames die down. He couldn't argue with Sam. Dean was out in the field right now risking his life so the boy might not have to fight one day.

"You think you understand Harry, but you really don't." Danny told Sam. "You're too selfish."

"And you aren't?" Sam countered. Danny didn't answer, ascending the stairs.

LINE RBEAK

"You okay?" Dean asked softly once they had reached a safe distance away. Cas turned to look at him and Dean pulled the car over, so the angel could have his full attention.

"I'm … not sure." Cas admitted, brow furrowing. Blue eyes met green. "What was it like…when John was missing." Dean felt as if he had swallowed a rock. He had never really thought about how he felt. It was always rushing off to the next clue, no time for rumination. He licked his lips briefly.

"There were times when all logic said he was dead, but I knew…in my heart that he was alive. So, Cas…what do you believe in that thing you replaced a heart with?" The last part was said jokingly, but Cas reached out to grab Dean's hand. He pulled it to his chest, confusing the human. Then Dean felt it, the flutter of a heartbeat.

"It's saying he's alive." Cas said with determination, the heartbeat growing stronger with God's love.

"Then go." Dean said seriously. Cas opened his mouth as if to argue. "Go find him Cas. You deserve it." Cas unfurled his wings in preparation. He hugged Dean tightly.

"Our family deserves it."

Dean was left hugging the air.

Line break line break line break

"Sam, Sam." A voice called, rising Sam from his slumber. Jess was lying next to him in bed, smiling at him. Sam felt his blood run cold. "Is this your life now Sam? I thought you would be doing better."

"You need to leave." Sam whispered. "You aren't real. I know you aren't." Jess sat up with a frown, morphing into a man that Sam had never seen before. "Why is this happening?" he lamented as he sprung out of bed. The man, Nick, stared at him calmly.

"Because you freed me." Nick allowed his eyes to glow red, revealing himself as the Devil.

"Lucifer." He breathed, and then before he could stop the tumble of words, "I didn't free you, it was Harry." Lucifer gave a small playful frown as if he were thinking deeply.

"Harry, huh?" he shrugged as if the small detail was not important to him. "Tomato, tomahto. You are the one I am looking for. And oh boy, are you a hard one to find."

"What do you want from me?" Sam asked. It would have been one thing if the devil truly did believe he was the one to free him, but even knowing that fact was wrong, he was still being pursued. Was this going to be the payment for all the demon blood he had partaken of?

"Well… I wanted to give you a gift." Lucifer said cheerfully, twirling his hand. A small black box appeared in his palm, held together with a silver bow.

"I don't want a gift from you." Sam stuttered out, fear creeping in through the absurdity.

"So sorry Sam, but this is not something you can refuse." Lucifer set the box next to the lamp on the dresser. "Once you open it, well then, we can really get the ball rolling, can't we? Because you see, Nick here, blah. Plan B, terrible. I want you to join me Sam, and it will be oh so easy. All you gotta do is open the box."

"You want me to consent to being your vessel." Sam intoned lowly, realizing the fallen angel's angle. "That's never going to happen." Sam snatched up the box, intending to crush it between his hands.

"Don't you even want to know what's inside?" Lucifer asked slyly. Sam paused, realizing that crushing the box could hurt him, or someone else. He looked to Lucifer expectantly. "The key to Severus Snape's love, no string attached, no bounties placed, cage free love until the day you die." Sam stared at the box with mixed emotions, and Lucifer felt a smirk work its way onto his face.

"No." Red flashed in his eyes. "That is not love, that's coercion, that's not what I want." Sam tossed the box back at Lucifer, who caught it hastily. "I can win Sev's love on my own. I don't need a deal." Nick turned back into Jess, flames lapping at her flesh.

"Are you sure about that?" Jess mocked.

"GET OUT!" Sam bellowed. The illusion turned to dust. Sam's chest heaved as he pulled in air, afraid that he was losing his mind.

No one came to check on him.

A/N If you're reading this chapter right when it comes out, second one will be posted in an hour.