This chapter gets a bit intense, so trigger warning for blood and abuse. Please skip if this upsets you.

Occlumency

A sense of dread settled over Grimmauld Place as the end of the Christmas holidays approached. Umbridge could have pushed through any number of new Decrees in their absence, and Castiel's continued silence did nothing to improve the mood.

Snape arrived on the very last day of the holidays, demanding to see Harry, and he came back up to his room to miserably inform them that he had to have extra lessons, in order to stop the visions he was having of Voldemort.

'I think I'd rather have the nightmares,' Ron said emphatically.

Mr Weasley finally left St Mungo's fully cured, and though it should have been cause for celebration, none of them were in a good enough mood.

Dean paced around their room while Sam packed up both of their trunks.

'Will you calm down?' Sam said exasperatedly. 'You'll see him tomorrow.'

Dean sunk down on the end of his bed, but nervously bounced his legs. 'I have a bad feeling,' he said defensively, 'and so do they.' He pointed at John and Sherlock, who were both already sound asleep.

'Whatever it is, we'll get to the bottom of it,' Sam said soothingly. 'Worrying about it now isn't going to help anyone.'

Dean fell back on the bed, too anxious to sleep, but he let Sam put out the lights anyway.

Dean was first out of the door the next morning, then the first on board when Lupin flagged down the purple, triple decker Knight Bus. He spent the trip getting more and more agitated with every stop along the way, until they were dropped off outside the gates of Hogwarts.

He left the others behind, running almost all the way up to Gryffindor Tower. Cas wasn't there, but that didn't deter him. He turned around and hurried over to Ravenclaw Tower instead, letting himself in. Again, no Cas. Losing momentum now, Dean went as fast as he could to the Shrieking Shack, Immobilising the Whomping Willow as he went. No Cas there either. Dean spent the rest of the day scouring the castle and grounds for Cas, but there was no sign of him.

'He's not here,' Dean said, standing in front of the fire in the common room, chewing his fingernails.

'Maybe he's ill or something,' Ron reasoned.

'I don't know…'

John, who was gazing into his crystal ball, shook his head. 'I can't see him. I don't know where he is.'

Dean scratched his arm, full of unease that extended through his lessons the next day. He didn't even bother to try focusing, knowing it was no use when Cas still hadn't returned to school. He was back to pacing in front of the fire by the next evening, ignoring his homework. Harry had gone to his Occlumency lesson with Snape, but the rest of them were sitting around the common room.

'This is definitely not like him, he would never miss class like this,' Dean said.

John was still holding his crystal ball, grimacing, lying across Sherlock's lap. He had been trying to find Cas since dinner with no luck. 'Come here,' he said to Dean, beckoning him over, hoping to replicate the push Dean had given him at Grimmauld Place.

Dean put a hand on John's shoulder, not finding it terribly difficult to think about Castiel, and John fixed his tired eyes on the fog within the crystal. Dean watched as the blood drained from his face and he grabbed Sherlock's arm.

'I think - I think you should go through his things.'

Sherlock too paled and got up, running from the room.

'What?' Dean said in alarm. 'What is it?'

'I don't know,' John groaned, putting down the crystal ball. 'It feels bad.'

'How bad?'

John didn't answer; he just rubbed his chest until Sherlock returned, holding an envelope.

'It has your name on it,' he said quietly, handing it to Dean, unopened.

'Since when does that stop you?' Dean laughed nervously, taking it from him.

Sherlock just shrugged, glancing at John.

Dean opened it with shaking fingers.

Dearest Dean

If you're reading this, I didn't return to Hogwarts, and you had Sherlock search my bags. First of all, I want to apologise. I shouldn't have come to school at all, but I wanted to be near you. I was selfish, and I'm sorry for putting you through this. Don't worry about me, I've accepted my fate. My only regret, though again, selfish of me, is that I didn't get to spend more time with you. You made me happy, even if for only a moment, and for that I'm grateful.

Enjoy your life, Dean. You have great things ahead of you, I know it.

Cas

'What's that supposed to mean, "I've accepted my fate"?' Dean said, his voice rising in pitch. 'What the hell is this?'

John bit his lip, then held out his hand. 'Let me see it.'

Sherlock grabbed John's arm. 'Are you sure?'

'No, but we need to know.'

Dean handed it over, and for a moment nothing happened, then John cried out in agony, clutching his chest.

'It burns!' he gasped, falling back onto the sofa, writhing in pain.

Sherlock dropped to his knees in front of the sofa and ripped the parchment from his hand, throwing it on the floor away from him.

Hermione and Ron looked up from their homework and John's scream.

John went limp, gasping for breath with tears streaming down his face, still clutching his chest. 'He's alive,' he said breathlessly.

'Why - why wouldn't he be?' Dean asked, beginning to panic.

John shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut. 'He's coming.'

'What?'

'Dean!' Hermione said suddenly.

Dean spun around just in time to see the fire blaze green, and Cas stepped out of it.

He stood, staring around with a dazed expression on his ghostly pale face, wearing a purple turtleneck jumper that they'd never seen him wear before.

'Cas!' said Dean. 'Are you okay?'

Cas's eyes fell on him. 'Wrong fireplace,' he mumbled. He fell forward and Dean caught him, one hand pressed to his chest.

Dean's eyes widened as he felt how wet the jumper was beneath his fingers, and realised that it was actually blue but soaked in blood. He lowered Cas to the floor and aimed his wand. 'Diffindo!' He sliced open the jumper and gasps rippled through the common room. Dean's stomach twisted as he looked down at the odd symbol carved into Cas's chest that was still bleeding profusely.

Hermione clapped her hands over her mouth in horror.

Underneath the fresh wounds were countless scars, covering every inch of his exposed skin, and they could see the burn scar snaking all the way up his arm and shoulder.

'We gotta get him to Madam Pomfrey,' Dean said, and Sherlock stood up, conjuring a stretcher for him. As they lifted him onto it, they noticed another, similarly sized devil's trap cut into his back that was also bleeding.

They all ran out of the common room, and Dean pressed his cloak to Cas's chest. It was soaked in moments.

'Hang in there, Cas,' Dean said, holding his limp hand instead.

Half way there, Cas started to come around. His hand twitched in Dean's, and he opened his eyes.

'You're gonna be fine,' Dean said to him, squeezing his hand.

Cas groaned, low at first until it turned into a scream.

'I know it hurts, but you gotta stay still,' Dean said loudly, over Cas's agonised crying. 'We can't have you falling out of this thing.'

Cas managed a short nod and squeezed Dean's hand tighter, almost crushing it.

'Wait out here,' Dean barked to the others when they reached the hospital wing, shoving the door open and dragging the stretcher inside.

'Help!' Dean yelled, pulling Cas to the nearest bed and pushing him onto it, leaving a long smear of blood between the two.

Madam Pomfrey dashed over, wand raised, and began running it over Cas, but nothing happened.

'What's wrong, what's taking so long?' Dean asked, dabbing uselessly at the blood.

'He's not healing,' Madam Pomfrey muttered.

'Why not?' Dean said desperately.

'Some kind of venom.' Madam Pomfrey ran over to her cabinet, pulling out a handful of different potions, then trying each of them. Nothing happened, and Cas continued to bleed everywhere.

'What does that mean?'

Madam Pomfrey siphoned a drop of Cas's blood into one more phial full of clear liquid that turned jet black as soon as the blood touched it.

'What does that mean?' Dean repeated, now holding Cas down as he convulsed on the bed.

'It's Acromantula venom,' she said faintly. 'There isn't an anti-venom.'

'So - so what can we do?'

Madam Pomfrey shook her head, taking a step back. 'There's nothing we can do.'

Dean shook his head. 'No, there has to be something.'

Cas grunted and grabbed Dean. He couldn't speak, but he reached into his pocket and pressed a phial of yellowish liquid into his hand.

'What is this, an anti-venom?' Dean asked him.

Cas nodded, his breath coming in heavy, wheezing gasps.

'Where did you get this?' Madam Pomfrey said desperately. 'No one's been able to make an anti-venom, are you sure it's real?'

Cas clawed at the sheets underneath him, thrashing in pain .

'Cas, look at me,' Dean said, 'did your mom make this?'

Cas managed another nod.

'It's real,' Dean said, passing the phial to Madam Pomfrey.

Madam Pomfrey looked doubtful, but there was no time to argue, so she unstoppered the phial and started dripping it over Cas's wounds.

It smoked and sizzled as soon as it hit his skin and he gave a tortured howl that echoed all through the hospital wing.

'Okay, we gotta get the other side,' Dean said, his heart wrenching at Cas's screams. 'We're almost there, you can do this.' He rolled Cas over, so Madam Pomfrey could put the remainder of the anti-venom over the cuts in his back.

Again, it smoked and Cas wailed as it burned, then his eyes rolled back in his head and he lost consciousness once more, leaving them in terrible silence.

Madam Pomfrey forced open his mouth and poured in some red potion that Dean recognised as the one that would replenish his blood, then ran her wand over him again. This time she sighed in relief. 'It's working,' she said. 'It's stopped spreading. Now we wait until his body pushes it out.'

'So - so he's going to be okay?'

'If we're very careful, yes.'

Dean let out a breath and gripped the edge of the bed to keep himself steady. 'That's good,' he said weakly, his hands shaking. 'I - uh - I'd better go tell them…' He walked out of the hospital wing, his heart still racing, pumping adrenaline around his body.

He saw John first, sitting on the floor opposite the door holding his head in his hands, and Sherlock with an arm around his shoulders. Hermione was chewing her fingernails, pale and anxious, while Ron appeared to have been walking up and down the corridor, his hair sticking up as though he'd been running his hands through it. Word seemed to have spread through the school like a shot. Sam had also appeared, as well as what looked like all of the DA and the entire Ravenclaw Quidditch team. The entire gathered crowd looked up and froze when Dean opened the door.

'He's gonna be all right,' Dean mumbled.

A sigh of relief ran around the corridor. Hermione burst into tears, Ron slumped against the wall, and John fainted into Sherlock.
Dean too leaned against the wall. 'He's sleeping now. You guys should go. I'll stay with him and find out what happened. '

No one moved until Roger Davies nodded and turned the Ravenclaw team back down the corridor, and most of the DA followed suit.

Ron put an arm around Hermione, leading her away, and soon the only ones left were Sherlock, John and Sam.

Dean lifted his arms to rub his face, but stopped when he saw blood all over his hands and wrists beginning to dry. His vision narrowed until that was all he saw, memories flashing through him.

'Dean,' Sam's voice came quietly. 'Dean, come back.'

Dean blinked rapidly, struggling to brush it off.

'Scourgify.' Sam cleaned the blood from Dean's skin and held his forearms. 'Where are we, Dean?' he asked gently.

Dean pressed his hands over his eyes. 'Hogwarts,' he croaked out eventually.

'Where in Hogwarts?'

'Fourth floor. Hospital wing.' He took a deep breath and opened his eyes again. 'Thanks, Sammy.' He saw that John and Sherlock were still on the floor, but John had come around and was staring blankly at the door. 'Keep an eye on them, will you?'

'You got it.'

Dean turned around and went back inside, dropping onto a chair next to Cas's bed.

Madam Pomfrey had cleaned the sheets and dressed Cas's wounds, though they were already bleeding through the bandages, and she had adjusted the bed so Cas was resting upright. She pulled a screen around them as soon as Dean had sat down, arranged some potions on the table beside him and lit a candle.

Dean scooted the chair closer and held Cas's hand. He was almost dozing off himself, when Cas finally moved.

'Hey,' Dean murmured.

'Dean,' Cas rasped.

'Yeah, it's me,' Dean smiled, brushing Cas's hair from his face and stroking his cheek.

'Where am I?'

'You're in the hospital wing.'

Cas blinked and looked around. 'I need water.'

'Right here.' Dean passed him a goblet and he carefully sipped it, wincing as the movement jostled his wounds.

Cas surveyed the potions that had been laid out and first swallowed a watery, silver potion, then the red one, then a purple one, then finally more water. He sighed and leaned back against his pillows.

'Cas…' Dean prompted as Cas avoided looking at him. 'You've gotta tell me what happened, you know that right?'

Cas's face scrunched slightly, but he nodded, staring up at the ceiling.

Dean squeezed Cas's hand. 'Who did this to you?'

Cas's eyes filled with tears and he bit his lip, visibly beginning to shake.

'Was it your sister?'

'No,' Cas said immediately. 'She wouldn't - she - she would never -'

'But she has, remember?'

Cas put a hand to his head. 'He - he made her do it,' he whispered.

'Who did?'

Cas's breathing became shallow, fear filled his eyes.

Dean squeezed Cas's hand even tighter. 'Please tell me,' Dean said, welling up. 'I can help you, please just tell me.'

Cas looked away. 'No one can help me, Dean.'

Dean gently cupped Cas's face and turned it to face him. 'I can,' he said firmly. 'Talk to me. Please, just tell me who did this.'

Cas let go of Dean's hand and covered his face, taking several deep breaths. When he spoke, it was barely audible. 'My father.' As soon as the words came out he clamped his hands over his mouth and whimpered, clearly terrified.

'That was really good,' Dean said, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. 'You're so brave, Cas, just breathe. You can do this.'

Cas nodded and slowed himself down, taking another sip of water.

'That was the hardest part, okay? Now, how did this happen?' Dean encouraged.

Cas took another shuddering breath, shifting himself into a more comfortable position. 'I wasn't supposed to come back to school this year,' he mumbled. 'G-Gabriel always convinced him to let me come, but - but now he's gone…' He pressed his lips together, stalling. 'I ran away. I shouldn't have, but I w-wanted to see you.' He was trying so hard to hold back tears that it was constricting his already hoarse voice. 'But I couldn't stay forever. I had to go back and he was so angry.' Cas sniffed, taking a moment to slow his breathing again. 'I knew what he would do and I - I thought I had come to terms with it, but then all I could think of was you and - and - ' He broke down again. 'I didn't want to die, Dean.'

'Oh, Cas,' Dean whispered, not bothering to stop his own tears. 'It's okay.' For a while, Dean just watched Cas try and control himself, comforting him as best he could, shushing him gently. 'He's been the one doing this the whole time?' Dean asked eventually.

'It's my punishment,' Cas said miserably. 'For killing my mother.'

'Wait, do you think you deserve this?' Dean said, appalled. 'No. Cas, no,' he insisted, when Cas refused to meet his eyes. 'It wasn't your fault and nothing gives him the right to hurt you. He should never have laid a finger on you. You're his son.'

Cas just looked down at his lap.

Dean dropped it, unwilling to push Cas further. 'Listen, it's gonna be okay. You're safe now. You're coming to live with me and Sam, you never have to go back there.'

Cas's head snapped up. 'No, Dean, you can't. He'll come for me, he'll hurt you-' He winced and rubbed his chest, and his hand came away bloody. 'I can't let him hurt you.'

'Hey, hey, just relax,' Dean said, gently pushing him back down and cleaning off the blood. 'Everything will be okay, I promise. You're safe.'

Cas ran a quaking hand through his hair, then downed another phial of red potion.

'You did so well,' Dean told him, 'but you should rest now. It's going to take you a minute to heal.'

'You should go,' Cas said. 'You look tired too.'

'No, I can stay.'

Cas closed his eyes. 'I made quite an entrance, I imagine the others will want to know what happened.'

Dean blinked in surprise. 'I - I guess.'

'Don't worry about me, I'm not going anywhere like this. Madam Pomfrey will take care of me, and I just want - I just want some time alone. Is that all right?'

'Yeah. Yeah, of course it is… But I'll be back first thing in the morning.'

'I would expect nothing less.'

Dean hesitated, then got up and pressed a kiss to Cas's forehead. 'You're so brave,' he whispered. 'You're safe now.'

Once outside the hospital wing, Dean again leaned against the wall, reeling from everything he'd just heard. It hardly seemed real. He took a moment to catch his breath, then dragged himself up to Gryffindor Tower.

The others were still awake, waiting for him. John was still shaking and pale, clutching Sherlock tightly. Hermione's eyes were red and puffy, and Harry looked as though he might throw up, having had Cas's injuries described to him. Ron was slowly rubbing Hermione's shoulder, staring into space. Sam was there too, and he leapt to his feet as soon as Dean climbed through the portrait hole.

Dean leaned heavily on the back of a chair, holding his head in his hands, ignoring the expectant expressions on everyone else's faces.

'His dad,' he mumbled eventually. 'He's been doing it a while.'

Hermione started to cry again.

'How did we miss this?' Harry said.

'Yeah, how did you miss this?' Ron spat at Sherlock.

'What's that supposed to mean?' Sherlock said thornily.

'Aren't you his best friend?' Ron accused. 'And I thought you were some sort of genius, or was that just your big mouth?'

'You're his friend too,' Sherlock snapped, 'although I wouldn't expect you to notice anything with that tiny brain of yours.'

'And what about you?' Ron raged at John. 'You're a bloody Seer!'

John's lip wobbled.

'Enough,' Dean said firmly. 'We - we all missed it. We spent too much time hoping it would be okay and we almost lost him. What he needs is support. There's no point fighting about it now.'

'So what do we do?' Hermione asked, her voice small and high-pitched.

'Easy,' said Dean. 'He comes to live with me and Sam, and if his dad ever tries to get near him again, I kill him.'

He didn't stay long enough to talk anymore, and left to go to bed. Sam crawled into bed beside him and drew the curtains.

'Hey, Sammy,' Dean whispered.

'Are you okay?' Sam whispered back.

Dean shook his head. 'No,' he mumbled, wiping his eyes. 'You're okay with him moving in with us?'

'Of course,' Sam said. 'You should go to Dumbledore about this. Maybe he can get Cas's dad arrested or something.'

Dean nodded. 'Yeah…'

'Go to sleep, Dean.'

'Whatever you say, Sam,' Dean said, the tightness in his chest easing enough for him to smile at his little brother. ''Night.'

Dean was up at dawn, careful not to wake Sam, and hurried down to the hospital wing, still in his pajamas. Cas was still asleep. He would have looked peaceful if he weren't so ghostly pale, with a bloodstain spreading across his chest. Dean glanced around. Madam Pomfrey was nowhere to be seen. He debated whether or not he should wake Cas to give him the potion that was sitting on his bedside table, but he needn't have worried. As soon as he sat down next to the bed, Cas jolted awake with a gasp, then a groan, rubbing his chest.

'Here,' Dean murmured, passing him the red potion. 'How long's it gonna keep bleeding like that?'

'I don't know,' Cas mumbled miserably, downing the potion.

'Tergeo,' Dean said, pointing his wand at Cas and cleaning the blood from his pajamas. 'How are you feeling?'

Cas just sighed.

'Yeah, that was a dumb question.'

Just then, Madam Pomfrey emerged and bustled over to them. 'Let's get these bandages changed,' she said.

Cas glanced at Dean, and Dean caught the hint.

'You want any breakfast?' Dean asked, getting up again.

Cas shook his head.

'You need to eat,' Madam Pomfrey said firmly.

'How about some oatmeal?'

'All right,' Cas murmured, looking queasy.

Dean drew the screens around Cas's bed and left the room. He made his way to the kitchens, avoiding the Great Hall, where he could hear chatter from the early rising students, and dawdled with the house-elves until he was sure Madam Pomfrey had finished changing Cas's bandages.

'Here we go, one bowl of oatmeal,' Dean said brightly, placing it in Cas's lap.

Cas dragged the spoon around the bowl and eventually ate one tiny mouthful before pushing it aside.

Dean didn't bother going to lessons, instead spending the morning trying to cheer Cas up, cleaning him up whenever he started to bleed through his clothes. Come lunchtime, however, Cas was still miserable and in pain. Dean changed tack and Summoned to himself a book and a pair of his glasses.

'What's that?' Cas asked, shifting painfully.

'It's one of my favourite books,' Dean told him. 'My mom used to read it to me. I brought it with me, 'cause you're helping me read, but I haven't tried it yet. Can I read it to you?'

'Of course,' Cas said softly.

Dean settled in and started reading. He read haltingly and got words wrong, but it wasn't long before Cas was drifting off to the sound of Dean's voice. Dean smiled at him fondly and put the book down, taking the opportunity to go and get dressed, and get a snack from the kitchens.

'How's he doing, really?' Dean asked Madam Pomfrey, while Cas slept.

'He's healing slowly,' she said briskly, 'but he is healing. I've just changed his bandages again and the bleeding seems to be slowing.'

Dean nodded. 'That's good.' He took his seat next to the bed again, stroking the back of Cas's hand while he slept. He noticed that, while still horribly pale, some colour had begun to return to Cas's lips and cheeks.

After a while, Cas's face scrunched in his sleep and his eyes snapped open.

'Hey,' Dean smiled.

Cas put a hand to his chest, grinding his teeth.

'The purple one?' Dean said, passing the potion to him.

'Thank you,' Cas gasped. He swallowed all of it, and his expression smoothed as soon as he'd finished it.

'Madam Pomfrey says you're getting better,' Dean told him. 'You'll be outta here in no time.'

Cas nodded and leaned back with a soft sigh. 'Are you going to read some more?'

Dean smiled widely. 'Yeah, sure I am.' Dean picked up the book again, and felt himself blush when he noticed that Cas was gazing fondly at him as he read. He continued until he could hear students thundering through the corridors, indicating that lessons had finished for the day.

Cas bit his lip and held his breath, his eyes fixed on the door, so Dean got up and pulled the screens around the bed again, but the moment he did so, they were dragged aside again.

Disgust rose up in his stomach, as he looked down at the squat, toad-like face of Professor Umbridge.

'Good afternoon,' she said, smiling sweetly.

'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge,' Dean said through gritted teeth, and he heard Cas echo him quietly.

'You were both missing from your classes today, I would like an explanation.'

Dean gave her an incredulous look. 'You do see him lying in a hospital bed, right?'

Umbridge gave Cas a cold look and Dean saw him shrink into the bed. 'I don't see you in a hospital bed, Mr Winchester,' she said accusingly.

Dean narrowed his eyes. 'I've been helping look after him.'

Umbridge pushed past him and stepped up to the side of Cas's bed. 'What is the nature of your injury, Mr Edlund?'

'He doesn't have to tell you that,' Dean said angrily. 'It's private.'

Cas pulled his blanket up to his chest, leaning away from her.

'I see,' said Umbridge. 'I will expect to see the both of you back in class tomorrow, or we'll see about whether or not you belong at this school.'

'But he can't!' Dean exclaimed. 'He's hurt, you can't make him.'

Umbridge raised an eyebrow. 'I trust that Madam Pomfrey has it in hand, or perhaps you need to go to St Mungo's if it is as bad as you say.'

'All right,' Cas mumbled.

'Cas!'

'Excellent,' Umbridge smiled. 'Good day, boys.'

Dean waited for her to leave, then sat down next to Cas, taking his hand. 'You don't have to do this,' he said. 'You're not ready, you can't even stand yet.'

'I'll be all right,' he mumbled, grabbing some more of the red potion.

'Cas-'

'Dean, please,' Cas said with a shaky voice. 'I don't want to make her angry with me, I can't do it, I - I -' Cas couldn't speak anymore past the frightened sobbing that had gripped him.

Dean grimaced, holding his hand. He was too raw to fight back anymore. 'Okay,' Dean said, 'but I'm coming with you.'

'W-what?'

'Let's assume that you'll be able to walk by morning, there's still no way you can carry your bag, so I'll come with you and help you with your books.'

'Really?'

'Yeah, of course.'

Cas nodded and grabbed Dean's arm, hugging it as tightly as he could without pressing it against his wounds.

'Do you want any dinner?' Dean asked, softly running a thumb over his hand.

'No, but I should try and eat something, right?' Cas sighed. 'Especially if I'm going to class tomorrow.'

'That's the spirit,' Dean said. 'You can share mine. I'll be right back.'

Dean piled up a plate with easy to eat food, then pretended it was all for him so Cas could pick what he wanted off the plate. When he returned to the hospital wing, he found Hermione and Ginny sitting next to him.

'Oh, hi, Dean,' Hermione said, when she saw him come in. 'I'm just catching Cas up on what he missed in Ancient Runes today.'

'Cool. You want any fries?' Dean said as he sat down.

Cas picked one up and nibbled on the end of it. The company seemed to have cheered him up, so Dean sat quietly while they talked.

'How's John?' Dean asked Ginny, after a while.

Ginny shrugged. 'Seems the same as normal.'

'He didn't go to Divination today,' Hermione said. 'Harry told me.'

Cas looked down at his lap guiltily.

Dean cleared his throat and gave Ginny a pointed look. She nodded and tapped Hermione's arm.

'C'mon, Ron's never going to finish his Transfiguration essay without you,' Ginny said, pulling Hermione up.

Hermione sighed. 'Get better soon, all right?' she said to Cas, then let Ginny lead her out of the room.

'Hey,' Dean said softly once she was gone. 'John's fine, you know what his visions are like.'

Cas nodded, holding back tears.

'Madam Pomfrey will be back to change your bandages soon, then you should get some sleep.'

'Are you staying?' Cas whispered.

''Course I am,' Dean said softly. 'I just gotta go get some stuff. I'll be back once your bandages are done.'

'All right.'

Dean kissed Cas's head, then hurried off to collect his and Cas's bags and robes. He let himself into Ravenclaw Tower, but froze when he found Sherlock sitting on Cas's bed, Cas's things scattered around him.

'What are you doing?' Dean asked.

Sherlock didn't answer, he just continued examining the scrap of parchment he was holding.

Dean sat down next to him on the bed. 'How's John?'

Sherlock shrugged, putting down the parchment when he realised it was just Charms notes.

Dean waited, but Sherlock still didn't speak. 'It's not your fault, you know,' Dean said eventually.

'Of course it is,' Sherlock snapped. 'I should have - I should have seen it.' His voice wobbled and he held his head in his hands. 'I'm his best friend,' he mumbled.

'Yeah, and I'm his boyfriend,' Dean said. 'He hid it really well.'

'Not that well,' Sherlock sighed. 'We knew it was something, we just didn't look hard enough, or try hard enough.'

Dean shook his head. 'I know, but we can't focus on that. What matters now is what we do next.'

'That almost sounded smart,' Sherlock said, snorting softly.

'Hey, I am smart,' Dean said with a grin. 'Cas says so.'

'Oh, well if Cas says so,' Sherlock said, rolling his eyes.

Dean laughed at him. 'Come on, help me get his stuff down there.' He grabbed Cas's bag and began stuffing his robes into it.

'Why are you taking his robes?' Sherlock asked.

Dean hesitated. 'Okay, don't freak out, but Umbridge is making him go to class tomorrow.'

'She's what?'

'Look, I get it, but Cas wants to go.'

'Oh, I'll soon talk him out of that,' Sherlock said furiously. He made to leave, but Dean caught his arm.

'Don't,' Dean said. 'He can't take it right now.'

Sherlock glared at him, but relented. He picked up some of Cas's books instead and carried them down to the hospital wing, where he stacked them neatly on Cas's bedside table.

'Is John all right?' Cas whispered, rubbing his chest.

'Yes. He's resting,' Sherlock said.

'Good.' Cas painfully pushed himself up. 'Sherlock… Are you mad at me?'

'No,' Sherlock said, then sighing at Cas's doubtful expression. 'I'm angry with myself. I should have been a better friend. I'm sorry.'

Cas blinked rapidly, surprised. 'You are a good friend, Sherlock.'

Sherlock shook his head. 'There are a lot of people that disagree, but thank you. Don't worry about tomorrow, I'll help you.'

'You don't have to-'

'I want to.'

Cas glanced at Dean, who shrugged.

Sherlock stayed with them for most of the evening, filling the time by practising the charms he and Cas had come up with for Dean. It proved to be a good distraction for Cas until he started to nod off.

'I need to go and check on John,' Sherlock whispered, once Cas had fallen asleep.

'Yeah, sure,' Dean whispered back. 'What's your first class tomorrow?'

'Herbology.'

'Cool, we'll meet you there.'

Sherlock left, giving Cas one last backwards glance before he closed the hospital wing door.

Dean got changed and pulled screens around Cas's bed, and the one next to his, which Dean climbed into when he was done. The sound of Cas's steady breathing comforted him, and he was soon asleep.

Dean woke early, so he could run downstairs and get Cas some breakfast. Cas was dressed when he returned, but he was limp against his pillows.

'I lost some blood in the night,' he told Dean. 'I'll be fine in a minute.' He swallowed a phial of red potion, then a mouthful of cereal at Dean's prompting.

Dean uneasily checked his watch, unwilling to get Cas out of bed before he was ready, but he knew Cas wouldn't want to be late to lessons.

'Are you ready to try getting up?' Dean asked eventually.

Cas bit his lip but nodded. He took a deep breath and slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed. He planted his feet on the ground and stood, hissing through his teeth. He swayed slightly, but grabbed hold of Dean to keep himself steady.

'Are you sure you want to do this?' Dean said, giving Cas one more chance to back out.

Cas let go of Dean and straightened as best he could. 'Yes,' he said. 'I can do it.'

Madam Pomfrey came over with her hands full of potion phials. 'Here,' she said, her lips pursed. 'Take one of these every hour, or whenever you start to feel light-headed. Make sure you eat at lunch, and come straight back here after dinner.'

'Thank you,' Cas said as she put them in his pockets.

'Can't you stop this?' Dean whispered, as they watched Cas walk towards the door.

Madam Pomfrey shook her head. 'The High Inquisitor has full control over punishments. If she wants to expel him for missing lessons, she can.'

'This is such crap,' Dean said bitterly. 'Don't worry, I'll take care of him.'

It took a long time to get Cas all the way down to the greenhouses, but Professor Sprout tactfully turned a blind eye, though not without giving Dean a raised eyebrow. Dean spent the lesson bringing equipment back and forth for Cas, and Sherlock helped him with actually doing the work. They could see him struggling towards the end of the lesson, and reminded him to take his potion.

Transfiguration was easier for him, since he got to sit down. Professor McGonagall narrowed her eyes at Dean but, as with Professor Sprout, she didn't say a word. All of the teachers must have heard about what happened by now, Dean thought.

Cas had to take several breaks as they made their way to lunch, and neither of them saw Hermione running towards them in the Great Hall before she flung her arms around Cas.

'Ah, Hermione!' Cas yelped, pushing her off.

'I'm so sorry!' Hermione gasped, as he sunk onto a bench, clenching his fist on one hand and holding his chest with the other. 'I thought you were healed.'

'It's all right,' Cas said tightly, eyes watering.

'Why isn't it healed?' Hermione asked, alarmed.

Cas rubbed his eyes. 'Can't heal it until the venom comes out,' he told her. 'It's not spreading any further at least.'

'That must be painful,' Hermione said sympathetically.

'You could say that.'

When John arrived for lunch as well, his eyes were puffy and bloodshot.

'Are you okay?' he asked the moment he saw Cas.

'You didn't - um - you didn't see-?' Cas said, ignoring the question.

'No, no. I didn't see a thing,' John said bitterly. 'I wish-'

'Don't,' Cas interrupted. 'Please don't look.'

'Okay,' John nodded, sitting down next to Cas. 'Listen, Cas, everything's going to be all right.'

Cas gave him a doubtful look. 'Is that a prediction?'

John snorted softly. 'Yeah, but not one of mine. Firenze, remember?'

Cas's eyes widened. 'I forgot about that.'

'Forgot about what?' Dean asked.

Cas blushed.

'Nothing much,' John said hurriedly, 'just one of the centaurs telling him he'll be okay. It was a while ago now.'

'Oh, well it's true,' Dean said, smiling at Cas. 'We should get going, what do you have now?'

Cas looked down at the table. 'Defence Against the Dark Arts,' he mumbled.

Dean's stomach sank, but he shook it off. 'It's fine, come on,' he said bracingly, helping Cas up off the bench and grabbing his bag.

They walked slowly together, letting others go before them so they could slip into the classroom, hopefully unnoticed.

It worked for a while, until Umbridge looked up over her desk to survey the room and saw Dean sitting there.

'What are you doing in here, Mr Winchester?' she said sharply.

'Just carrying Cas's bag, Professor. Helping him with his work, that kinda thing,' Dean said, smiling innocently.

'Admirable, but unnecessary. Please return to your own lesson.'

'But-'

'Now, Mr Winchester,' Umbridge said, her voice rising a pitch.

Dean ground his teeth, but didn't argue, watching Cas clench his fists out of the corner of his eye. 'Yes, Professor,' he said eventually. He picked up his bag and whispered to Cas, 'Wait outside when you're done, I'll come get you.' He turned away, staring meaningfully at Sherlock as he went, relieved when he got a subtle nod in return, and grudgingly left the room.

He stormed down to Transfiguration, even though he'd already done the lesson that day, and pushed the door open harder than he intended, so it banged against the wall.

'Sorry,' he said to Professor McGonagall, and sat down in his usual seat next to John.

Hermione leaned across her desk to whisper, 'What happened?'

'I'll tell you later,' Dean whispered back.

He spent most of the lesson staring into space, unwilling and unable to focus on what Professor McGonagall was saying.

Suddenly, John grabbed Dean's arm, a look of disgust on his face.

'Professor, Dean has to go,' John said loudly.

Dean's heart leapt to his throat. 'Is it Cas?'

'Yeah. Leave your bag, just go. Now.'

Dean jumped out of his seat and sprinted back to Umbridge's classroom. As he neared the door, he could hear shouting coming from the classroom.

The door burst open, and Ravenclaw fifth years all came storming out, with Cas in the middle of the crowd being held up by Sherlock and Michael Corner.

'What's going on?' Dean demanded, pushing through them and cupping Cas's pale face.

'She took his potions,' Padma Patil exclaimed. 'Even the ones in his pocket.'

'She what?'

'She says he's not allowed them.'

Dean stroked Cas's cheek. 'Okay, there's an empty classroom through that hidden passageway just down there. Get him in there, I'll take care of this.' Dean strode into the classroom, and stared down Umbridge.

'Give them back,' he growled.

'I do not allow mind altering potions in my classroom, Mr Winchester,' said Umbridge.

'They're not mind altering!' Dean exploded. 'They're to replenish blood, he needs them.'

'So you say.'

'Why don't you go to Madam Pomfrey and ask? I'm sure she'd be happy to tell you.'

'Enough. You do not tell me what to do.'

'I don't have time for this - Accio!' Dean Summoned the potions and they flew out of Umbridge's desk. He stuffed them into his pocket and rushed back out of the room. 'Colloportus,' he said, pointing his wand over his shoulder and locking Umbridge in her classroom, buying him time to disappear down the hidden passageway.

The Ravenclaws were all waiting in the classroom, arguing with each other. Cas had been laid on a few desks pushed together.

'Hey,' Dean said softly, ignoring all the Ravenclaws and bending down next to Cas.

Cas's eyes fluttered open.

'I got your potion, here.' Dean gently lifted his head and helped him drink it. Immediately, colour returned to his cheeks, and he smiled at Dean.

'Thank you,' he murmured.

'I'm never going back to that awful woman's class,' Padma burst out.

'You have to,' said Terry Boot. 'She could find out about the DA if we ditch her lessons.'

'Well, what about if we ditch all of them?' Sherlock suggested. 'As an act of protest.'

Michael Corner snapped his fingers. 'That's an excellent idea. We could teach ourselves.'

'I'm not so sure about that,' said Anthony Goldstein. 'We do still want to pass our OWLs.'

'Why don't we go to the library and see if we can come up with a decent lesson plan?' said Padma. 'We can ask the teachers what the curriculum is, and we still have the DA. I don't see why we couldn't make it work.'

Anthony nodded. 'All right, let's give it a go. I say we go back to lessons if it doesn't work out, though.'

'Works for me,' said Michael. 'We should go and get started. You coming, Sherlock?'

Sherlock hesitated.

'Go on, I've got it covered,' Dean said.

Sherlock smiled and left the classroom with the other Ravenclaws.

'Look at that, you started a revolution,' Dean said to Cas, helping him sit up.

'I'm not sure how I feel about that,' said Cas, wincing.

'Just means they like you and they're standing by you. Nothing better than that.'

Instead of smiling, as Dean expected, Cas suddenly looked exhausted and put a shaking hand to his forehead.

'What?' Dean said.

'I need to talk to you about something,' Cas said.

'Okay.'

'Dean, this is… a lot,' Cas began. 'Some days it's so much, I can hardly stand it.' His voice cracked and he sniffed. 'I would understand if you - if you didn't want to deal with it.'

'Okay, stop right there,' Dean said. 'I knew what I was getting into - well, not exactly, but I had my suspicions. Anyway, I know who you are, and I know what this is. I want to be here with you.'

'Do you really mean that?'

Dean gently lifted Cas's chin. 'I really do,' he said. 'You're worth it.'

Cas's lip wobbled. 'Can you help me back upstairs? I feel awful.'

'Sure.'

Cas swallowed another phial of potion on their way up the stairs, and collapsed heavily onto his bed as soon as they reached it.

'You're okay,' Dean said, grabbing a soothing potion for Cas. 'You did great today.'

Madam Pomfrey came over to check on them, then pulled Dean aside. 'You've been asked to see the Headmaster. I would go now, if I were you.'

Dean gulped. 'Got it - Hey, Cas, I gotta go. I'll see you later, okay?'

Cas nodded, his eyes already closed.

Dean hurried up to Dumbledore's office. The door was already open for him, but he knocked anyway.

'Come in,' came Dumbledore's soft voice.

'You wanted to see me, Professor?' Dean said nervously.

'I hear you locked Professor Umbridge in her classroom,' Dumbledore said, staring sternly over his half moon glasses.

Dean fidgeted uncomfortably. 'Well, she stole Cas's potions, and he needs them,' Dean said.

Dumbledore nodded. 'Take a seat.'

Dean obeyed. 'Am I expelled?'

'No. Professor Umbridge went to the Minister, but fortunately for you, Professor McGonagall convinced him of the stress you've been under.'

'Oh. Well, tell her I said thanks.'

'You understand that there can't be any similar incidents.'

Dean nodded. 'Cas is coming to live with us now, so no one can hurt him anymore.'

'Are you certain that's the best course of action?' Dumbledore asked.

Dean frowned. 'What do you mean?'

Dumbledore didn't answer, then comprehension dawned on Dean.

'Oh, I get it,' he said, fury creeping into his voice. 'It all makes sense now, you all knew what was going on, but you didn't do anything about it because of his power, right?'

Still Dumbledore didn't respond.

'The more scared and upset he is, the stronger it gets, and you need it as strong as possible to help fight Voldemort. Well you can forget it.' Dean was suddenly on his feet again. 'Don't think I haven't seen what you've done to Harry and John. Well you can leave Cas out of it. He's coming with me, and if you even think about going near him, I'll blow your whole secret operation, and don't think I won't.'

'Dean-'

'No, don't "Dean" me, y'all are disgusting if you think it's okay to leave him in that situation. Screw you.' Dean kicked over the chair. 'How could you do that to him?' Then Dean's emotions took over. All the fear and shock that had been threatening to overwhelm him since Cas had appeared in the fireplace flooded through him, and he found himself sobbing on the floor. 'How could anyone do that to him, I don't understand,' Dean blubbered. 'It doesn't make any sense, he's such a great person, he doesn't deserve this.'

Dumbledore stepped around the desk and put hand on Dean's shoulder.

'Get off me,' Dean growled. 'You're all just as bad, you all - you could have - ' Dean ran out of words.

'I wasn't aware of the full extent,' Dumbledore said quietly.

Dean snorted derisively. 'You were aware of some of it, and that's bad enough.' He swiped the tears from his face and shoved himself to his feet. 'Stay away from Cas,' he said, before stomping back down the stairs to the hospital wing.

Cas had fresh bandages on and was sitting up in bed talking with Madam Pomfrey when Dean returned. He smiled at Dean, but faltered when he saw Dean's puffy eyes. 'What happened?'

'Nothing you need to worry about,' Dean said. 'You look better.'

'I feel better,' Cas said, and there was a flush in his cheeks to prove it.

'The bleeding has continued to slow,' Madam Pomfrey said, 'but I'm afraid it's going to scar.'

Cas nodded. 'I knew it would. He always makes sure there's a scar, so I won't forget…' Cas trailed off, rubbing his chest. 'Will I be able to fly soon?'

'A few more days, I'd say.'

Cas smiled. 'Good. I'd like to fly again.'

Dean grinned, the good news soothing the pain in his heart, but not the sick feeling in his throat.

'Dean, you really don't look well,' Cas said, a crease forming between his eyebrows.

'I'm fine, I promise,' Dean said. 'I think I just ate something bad for lunch.'

Cas bit his lip. 'If you're sure…'

'Yeah, don't worry about me. You just get yourself comfy, I'm gonna go lie down, okay?'

'All right…'

Dean drew screens around their beds again and climbed under the covers. He closed his eyes, but sleep wouldn't come, so he pretended to be asleep for Cas's benefit, until he heard Cas's own soft, steady snuffling. He sat up in the dark, massaging his sore, swollen throat, and looked over at Cas's sleeping form. He'd left a candle flickering in the dark, and the sight of his peaceful, sleeping face comforted Dean.

Then the screen was pulled slowly aside, and Sherlock appeared from behind.

'Oh, I thought you would be asleep by now,' Sherlock murmured, sitting cross-legged on the end of Dean's bed. 'I just came to check on him.'

'He's healing all right, but I don't think this has all sunk in for him yet. I keep expecting him to crash,' Dean whispered, sitting up.

'Understandable.'

Dean sighed. 'I mean, what do we do now? We can't just leave his dad out there.'

Sherlock shrugged. 'I've sent a message to my brother, but I don't see why we would get any further than we have before. No one wants to take responsibility.'

'But he's a U.S citizen, so surely that's MACUSA?' said Dean.

'It's not quite so simple when he's been residing in the UK for the last twenty years,' Sherlock told him. 'Trust me, I've been through this before. No one will do anything unless we either catch him in the act, or Castiel testifies against him.'

Dean shook his head. 'He'd never do that. He had a hard enough time telling me.'

'This is the dilemma we've been stuck in for a while now.'

Dean ran a hand through his hair. 'And what's with that - that sigil on his chest? I mean, the one on his back is a devil's trap, I know one of those when I see one, but… It looks like Enochian, but not any I've seen before.'

'It's to banish angels.'

Sherlock and Dean both jumped at the sound of Cas's voice.

'I'm sorry, did we wake you?' Dean said, turning to face him.

'No,' Cas said, wincing and sitting up to grab a potion.

'Banish angels?' Sherlock said, confused.

Dean elbowed him.

'It's all right,' Cas said with a sigh. 'He thinks I'm possessed by a Demon, so the devil's trap is to stop it escaping. And he banished angels from saving me because I don't deserve it.'

Dean moved over to sit on Cas's bed and put a careful arm around him. 'Don't you even think it,' he said. 'He's wrong, in like so many ways.'

Cas shrugged, then looked Sherlock in the eye. 'Sherlock, I want to tell you something, but I was afraid before… you were right…''

'You'll have to be more specific, I'm right about a lot of things.'

Cas rolled his eyes. 'I have more than just wizard's blood… I'm sure you've heard of the winged creatures that lived in mountain ranges…'

'The ones that were killed by the giants?' Sherlock said, his eyes widening. 'I never knew they bred with humans.'

'I would be appreciative if we could avoid the word 'bred',' said Cas, 'but yes, I'm a descendant of them.'

'That certainly explains a lot. Thank you for telling me, but why did you?'

'You're my friend. I trust you, and besides, the whole school will know what happened to me by now. I don't see any reason to keep hiding. And, Dean, you were right too. It does feel better to talk about it.'

Dean gently kissed Cas's cheek. 'I'm glad you feel better.'

Cas spent the next hour answering Sherlock's questions until his eyelids drooped.

'I think it's time we all went to sleep,' Dean interrupted firmly.

Sherlock reluctantly got up and said goodnight, leaving the hospital wing in silence.

For the next couple of days, all the members of the DA and the fifth year Ravenclaws took to carrying phials of potion around with them just for Cas, until Madam Pomfrey finally discharged him on Friday evening. The bleeding had stopped, and though Cas was covered in thick scabs and still sensitive, he'd been given permission to fly, so he immediately dragged Dean down to the Quidditch pitch.

'Okay, but be careful,' Dean fretted as Cas Summoned his broom.

'I'll be fine.'

He mounted his broom, Dean chewing his fingernails, and took a moment to breathe in the sharp, cold air. He took off, slowly rising into the air, then circling the stands, testing how fast he could fly. As he did so, the Ravenclaw team snuck onto the pitch to watch him.

'A bit slow, but still the best,' Roger Davies said with an approving nod.

'He can't play yet,' Dean said.

'I know, but it's nice to see where he is in the process.'

Dean relaxed once he was sure that Roger wouldn't try to make Cas play any matches, cringing at the thought of a Bludger getting anywhere near him.

Cas looped a few times, sailing through the air, but he tired quickly, and was soon back on solid ground.

'Better?' Dean asked while Cas Banished his broom.

Cas nodded. 'Much.'

'Where are you staying tonight?' Dean hesitantly laced his fingers through Cas's, and his heart thumped when Cas squeezed his hand reassuringly.

'With you. If you don't mind.'

''Course not,' Dean grinned. 'Come on.'

They walked slowly up the stairs, Dean still unwilling to tax Cas more than necessary, right up until they bumped into John running down a corridor and Sherlock chasing him.

'Hey, where's the fire?' Dean said, stopping John in his tracks.

'I have to get to Dumbledore, move!'

'John, it's too late,' Sherlock said, catching up to them and grabbing John's arm.

John shook his head vigorously, and Dean saw that he was sweating. 'No. No, they can still be caught.' He tried to pull away from Sherlock, but Sherlock gripped him tighter.

'It's done. They're gone.'

'Who's gone?' said Dean.

John put a hand to his forehead and sunk to the floor. 'Some Death Eaters have broken out of Azkaban,' he said in a small voice.

'You're kidding!' Dean said.

'My head,' John groaned.

Cas let go of Dean's hand and knelt down in front of John. 'It's all right,' he murmured, putting a hand on John's shoulder. 'Here, I can make you feel better.'

John sighed and nodded. 'Thanks. How are you?' he asked, not moving from his spot on the floor.

Cas shrugged, then winced, regretting pulling on his scabs.

'Yeah. Me too. Does it still hurt?'

Cas sat on the floor next to John, while Dean and Sherlock hovered awkwardly. 'Not so much,' Cas said. 'It's itchy.'

John sighed. 'It'll be in the papers tomorrow. The breakout.'

'It's not your responsibility anymore,' Cas said softly, 'and nor am I.'

John bit his lip, avoiding Cas's eyes. 'If you say so,' he mumbled.

They sat quietly for a long time, Cas healing John with his power, more openly than Dean had ever seen him do, until John finally climbed to his feet.

'You're a good friend, Cas,' John mumbled.

'So are you.'

It was late by the time they arrived in the common room, but Harry, Ron and Hermione were there, sitting in their pajamas.

Harry looked extremely ill.

'What's going on?' Dean asked, sitting on the sofa with Cas.

'Something's happened. Voldemort's really happy,' Harry mumbled.

John looked down at his feet. 'Yeah. I saw it.'

'What was it?' said Hermione.

John took a deep breath. 'There's been a breakout at Azkaban. I didn't see who, but I suppose we'll find out in the morning.'

Hermione leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes.

'I really don't think these lessons with Snape are working,' Harry said, taking off his glasses to rub his eyes.

'What lessons?' Cas asked curiously, knowing that Snape would never willingly give Harry extra lessons.

'Occlumency, in case Voldemort tries to read my mind, but the way Snape teaches it, it's making it worse if anything.'

Cas bit his lip and shifted closer to Dean.

'What?' Dean said, picking up on Cas's sudden discomfort.

'I - uh - I know Occlumency,' he said, rubbing his arm. 'I could try and teach you - if you want.'

'That would be amazing,' Harry said, relieved at the thought of being taught by someone else.

'I'm not very good at it,' Cas said hurriedly, 'but maybe if you have the basics…'

Harry nodded eagerly. 'Can we start tomorrow?'

Cas blinked. 'All right.' He abruptly got to his feet and started towards the dormitory. 'Goodnight.'

Dean followed him upstairs, waiting for him to change behind the privacy of the curtains.

'Who taught you Occlumency?' Dean whispered once Cas opened the curtains for him.

'Gabriel taught me,' Cas whispered back. 'He must have known that I… and that Father would see if he tried to read my mind.'

'See, he was always protecting you,' Dean whispered as he carefully climbed into the bed beside Cas.

'I wish he were here.'

'I know.'

Then Cas promptly fell asleep, though Dean struggled to calm his racing thoughts before he too finally drifted off.

Welcome back everyone! Thanks to ConstantineHolmes and Morgan Tara Befan for the reviews!

I've had this chapter in my head for so long I'm not sure how to feel now that it's finally written. Also, fun fact, I would have been born during this chapter in 1996.

See you again next time!