Chapter 38
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, 27th February 2012
Dean was sitting down by the Black Lake. He wanted some time to himself, to think. His mind was on his little brother. The concern he had about Sam's wellbeing increased a thousandfold since Sam told him what happened to him on Valentine's Day. It was, and had always been, his job to protect his brother. Sure, Sam was pissed when he exploded on him like that, but could Sam really blame him?
Dean was still angry at Sam for keeping it from him, after everything. In the last few months alone, they'd been through so much. And now with Crowley and whatever the fuck he was up to right now. Surely back to trying to crack Purgatory. Which was all they fucking needed right now. He needed to keep those he loved close. Those who he had already, Sam and Bobby and those he had just gotten back. His parents, Ash, Ellen, and Jo… especially Jo.
The first time he had ever had any infatuation about her was when she went missing on their Dr. H. H. Holmes case. At first, his thoughts were 'Ellen is going to kill me if anything happens to her.' but the longer she was gone, the more anxious he got for her safety. His mind started turning then about starting a life with Jo.
There wouldn't be any reason to hide anything from her; they would both be in the same line of work. He had encountered plenty of hunters that were married to their partners, so it could work for them too. And she was a real pistol when she wanted to be, but kind as well. He could see a future with her. But when they took her back to the Roadhouse and Ellen told Jo why she didn't want her hanging around with him and Sam, he thought everything was over.
It was a long time before he had seen her again, by that time he had forgotten about that one fling in Philly. But after seeing her bound and gagged by Sam who was possessed by Meg brought back all the memories and emotions. Of course, she had to feel the same way, right? If she hadn't, why did she drag Dean out of the water after Sam shot him? Not only that but patched him up too. She went on her own after that, as she still hadn't come to terms with John's involvement in her father's death. The last time he saw her was…
The time they tried to kill Lucifer. The night had started out playful. Dean had given Jo that 'last night on Earth' one-liner, she turned him down flat, but that made him want her even more. Later he, Sam, Jo, and Ellen met Meg, and she unleashed the Hellhounds on them. Dean had almost been killed by one when Jo leapt in and saved him, but she had been wounded herself in the process. Dean stopped thinking about it right there, not wanting to relive the last time he'd seen her on this side of the dirt.
But now you have her back, a small voice reminded him. He felt his heart leaping into his throat like this was his second chance to make things right, to make amends for everything. The gears were turning in his head. They had a good relationship so far. She was caring but took no-nonsense. And God, the sex… he could fuck her all day if she let him. She seemed as eager as he was. They spent a lot more time in the staff quarters since her return, much to Sam's disgust. Dean came across a spell; Muffliato, which prevented other people from hearing. It was perfect.
"Hey, stranger." A voice came from behind him. He opened his eyes to see long blonde hair blocking out the sun and tickling his face.
"Hey," he smiled.
"What're you doing here?" she asked.
"Just thinking," Dean began. "Jo…" Jo looked at him, waiting for him to continue. She handed him a small glass. Dean smiled, chugging the whiskey down.
"What do you wanna say?" she asked. Dean took a deep breath.
"You deserve better, Jo," Dean breathed, trying to stop it from hitching with emotion.
"Dean, my life was good. Really," Jo smiled a little. "And I'm back now."
"You were a kid," Dean stated in remorse.
"Not true," Jo disagreed.
"You and Sam. I just — you know, hunters are never kids. I never was. I didn't even stop to think about it," Dean ranted, his voice breaking a little.
"It's not your fault. It wasn't on you," Jo replied, taking his hand in hers.
"No, but I didn't want to do it alone. Who does? No, the right thing would have been to send your ass back home to your mom," Dean spat bitterly. He saw Jo smirk.
"Like to have seen you try," she smiled. Dean snorted in amusement, lips curling in a small smile.
"Jo… I've been thinking about everything… How much we've all lost, and how easily it could happen again." He swallowed a lump in his throat. "Might as well be happy while we can, huh?" he smiled.
"So, what are you getting at Winchester?" Jo asked. Dean lay on the grass, moving his hand back and digging into the back pocket of his jeans. When he retrieved his hand, it was closed in a fist, palm up. His fingers uncurled, revealing a simple diamond ring. Jo's eyes widened.
"Is that what I think it is?" she asked. Dean nodded.
"I probably should do this properly but being on a teacher's salary…" he trailed off rolling his eyes. As Jo smiled, standing over him. She picked up the ring from his hand.
"So, do you wanna?" Dean asked, a faint red stain beginning to form on his cheeks, under the freckles. Jo smiled. Dean watched as she pushed the ring onto the slim third finger of her left hand. Dean's eyes widened. Jo suddenly laughed and bent down to kiss him.
"Yes," she smiled. Dean grinned. She pulled Dean to his feet. As they walked to the castle, Dean's hand snaked around Jo's waist.
They arrived in the Great Hall just as breakfast began. Jo and Dean walked towards the hunter's table, but Dean stopped.
"Don't tell them until after, 'kay?" he smiled. "I don't want a big production out of it." Jo nodded. Her left hand slipped into her denim jacket pocket. Dean took a seat beside Jo. Breakfast was a quiet affair. Sam kept his eyes down, quiet. The seizure a few days before was a shock. Sam knew that Dean was still a little pissed off with him. He almost felt normal now, whatever normal was for him anymore. Apparently, he'd recovered from whatever the fuck had happened to him that night.
Just before the students left for their classes, Albus stood, calling their attention.
"Before we go to our classes, I hope you all will join me in congratulating our own Professor Dean Winchester and Jo Harvelle in their engagement," Albus smiled. Dean gulped; eyes boring into the stone walls as the students applauded. He looked at his fiancée. Dumbledore must've seen the ring.
"Before your mother kills me," he said. "I love you." Jo laughed humourlessly as they saw the grinning faces of the Winchesters and the one pissed off face of the other Harvelle. Dean smiled weakly as he waved at Ellen.
Dean saw his mother's eyes fill with happy tears. She rushed forward, wrapping her arms around her son's neck in a hug. While she hugged Jo, John walked to his son and pulled him in tight.
"Congratulations, good luck with Ellen" he smiled at them both. Sam was grinning from ear to ear as he punched his big brother on the shoulder lightly. He hugged Jo and stepped back. Ellen looked at the two, trying to calm her emotions. Her little girl was engaged, going to leave her, to live with a man whose father was responsible for her own husband's death. It wasn't Dean's fault, of course. She sighed. She was excited for her daughter and her new… fiancé. Referring to Dean Winchester as a fiancé was a little strange, to say the least.
"Dean," she said, seeing the man gulp audibly. "I'm not mad. You make her happy. I know you love her." Dean looked surprised.
"But," she continued. "If you ever do anything, you'll be dead before you hit the ground!" she threatened. "You understand me?"
"Threat noted," Dean replied in a surprised voice. He was surprised and he half expected Ellen to blow his head off. He was looking down, wondering if she had her gun with her now or if he could haul ass before she could go back to her room and get one.
"Congrats boy," he heard Bobby say from the table.
"Thanks, guys," Jo smiled, kissing Dean on the cheek. Dean's cheeks were a little pink from embarrassment.
"You'll certainly have your hands full Joanna Beth," Ellen said with a little smile as she took a drink of water.
"I'm up for the challenge Mom." Her hand reached under the table to squeeze his upper thigh, causing him to jump a little. She grinned. "I know how to tame him."
The bell rang then. The hunters rose from their seats.
"Lesson plan?" Jo asked.
"Yeah, we haven't got any students in the first period," Dean replied, wrapping an arm around his new fiancée's waist. To say he was elated was an understatement. Jo agreed to marry him. It was more than he could ask for. "I won't be long."
Together, Sam and Dean walked toward the Demonology classroom. They put together their necessary materials and got straight to work. Sam desperately wanted to talk about his brother's engagement, but Dean seemed to be in the 'let's get this crap done' mode. Plenty of time for celebrating later.
"So, we're doing Tulpas this week?" Sam began, putting a roll of parchment on the table
"Yeah," Dean nodded. "That sounds fine. I'll ask Bobby for a few books on them." Sam hummed in reply as he flicked through the pages of Supernatural Beasts and Defence.
"I was thinking," Dean began as he looked up at his brother.
"Yeah?" Sam asked.
"We have done a lot on defence, but what about when shit goes wrong?" Dean asked.
"What do you mean?" His brother looked confused as he tried to understand the meaning behind Dean's words.
"I mean, we haven't shown the kids any first aid," Dean replied. "Dad drilled it into us as kids." It wasn't a lie. John was adamant about teaching his sons how to patch up bruises, cuts, gashes, take care of broken bones. He had them practising CPR the minute they were able to. Both brothers remembered the training well. And it came in handy.
"That's true," Sam replied. "But is it needed?" he asked. "I mean, they have magic to do that. Look at how quick Poppy fixed you up, and Malfoy."
Dean's mind went back to the night Sam told them about what Harry had done. Honestly, he didn't think Harry meant to do it. But still, seeing Malfoy lying in the Hospital Wing under bloody gauze? The kid was lucky he survived.
"Still can't believe Harry did that. Who knew he had it in him?" Dean said, more to himself than anyone else.
"I know. He did say that he didn't know what the spell did," Sam replied. "Not that excuses things."
"We've hunted things for less," Dean agreed.
"Dean…" Sam frowned. "Harry is just a kid, he didn't know. He made a mistake. And he seemed pretty torn up about it."
"I know, I know. I was just stating the facts." Dean waved him off. "Anyway, back to the point. I still think we should show them the basics. Our whole mantra has been what happens if the wand gets knocked out of their hands."
"True," Sam nodded. "Good point. So, for next week's training classes?"
"Yep," Dean agreed. He thought back to their Angel friend's odd behaviour the last few times they had spoken. "Hey, Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"Have you noticed Cas being a bit odd lately?"
"In what way?" Sam wasn't paying much attention, trying to organize books for the lesson today.
"You haven't noticed?" Dean raised an eyebrow. "We've barely seen him since we got here. He barely keeps in contact. It's weird."
"He's busy with Raphael-"
"If I hear that winged dick's name again, I'm gonna lose it," Dean grumbled. "I know he's busy with his Angel war pissing match, but he's freaking MIA most of the time, man."
"Yeah, I guess," Sam replied, trying to give the Angel the benefit of the doubt. Dean, of course, had filled Sam in on what had happened when Cas came to apologize. Since the attack, they put up protection all over the castle to prevent Demons from entering.
"He told me he wouldn't go missing again, but between that and what happened a few weeks ago… I prayed to him before I passed out," he admitted.
"You did?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, I thought it was lights out for me," Dean replied, frowning. Better get this over with.
"When he 'ignored' me, it pissed me off. That's why I snapped at him in the Hospital Wing. As we found out, Crowley had him trapped 'cause Cas tried to stop him." Sam nodded and touched his shoulder to Dean's briefly to get his attention.
"Man, he knows. It's Cas. He understands you're worried about him." Dean nodded.
"Okay, is the chick-flick moment over?" Dean snorted. Sam laughed.
"Yeah, it's over." Sam grinned. "So, are we gonna talk about it or what? You're engaged!" He noticed the slight flush in Dean's cheeks. But like the good brother he was; he didn't comment on it. Yet…
"I was fuckin' terrified man," Dean laughed. "I didn't think she'd say yes."
"Are you nuts? She's been obsessed with you for years."
"Shut up…" Dean blushed again.
"Seriously though Dean. I'm happy for you. Congratulations. You deserve it."
"Thought we said chick flick moments were over?" Dean wondered, then smiled. He was in too much of a good mood to bust his balls over it. "Thanks, Sammy."
⸸
Sam was walking down the corridor. It was right after dinner. The hunters' table filled with celebration and merriment as they toasted Dean and Jo's engagement. Mary and Ellen began talking about wedding details already. They were thinking of over the Easter break, figuring the sooner, the better and the students would be on holiday anyway. John pulled Dean aside, saying that he hadn't got a chance to say it earlier in the day, but he was proud of his son. Sam smiled to himself, but it was short-lived, as he suddenly felt a hand on his face.
"What the hell?!" Sam's words were muffled.
"Shut up Moose," a Scottish drawl hissed in his ear. Crowley pulled him into a nearby classroom. He locked the door behind them and sealed off every exit.
"Crowley," Sam glared. "What in the hell?"
"Alive and in the flesh," Crowley smirked. "And I'm taking out the trash…"
"Screw you," Sam glared, "Exorcizamus te…"
"Now, now. None of that." Crowley threw him against the wall. Sam grunted in pain as he hit the stone. "It's hard to talk when you can't breathe." Crowley approached Sam, and he wrapped his fingers around his throat. Sam struggled, trying to pull his hands away. A few seconds went by and the air he was trying to pull into his lungs felt like sucking through a straw. He began to feel light-headed.
"Bet you're wondering how I got in here," said Crowley smugly. "That's for me to know, and you, never to. You won't live long enough to wonder anyway." His hand tightened and Sam gasped in pain.
"Crowley…" Sam grunted. His hands went to Crowley's again, trying to pull it away.
Crowley rolled his eyes. "You Winchester's are like cockroaches."
Sam grunted in pain. "Dean will find you."
"No, he won't," Crowley grinned. The fingers on his other hand tightened and Sam felt as if he'd been punched in the chest. Something cold and unyielding was wrapping around his heart.
"I'll make sure to snuff you out." Crowley glared. The grip around Sam's heart increased.
"I-" Sam choked.
Suddenly the door burst open.
Crowley glared. His head whirled around to see Albus Dumbledore entering. He pulled out his wand and wordlessly pointed it at Crowley, causing him to fly against the opposite wall. Sam fell to the ground, coughing and gasping for air. His heart was racing, but the icy grip was gone.
"Oh, bollocks…" Crowley muttered. He vanished. "Damn that ancient, dress-wearing crackpot…" he said once he appeared in a room full to the ceiling of random objects. He moved quickly. Those wizards could lock down the castle any minute. He ducked into the cabinet and disappeared in a flash of light.
Meanwhile, in the classroom, Albus was helping Sam to his feet.
"I'm okay, Professor," Sam assured. "Thank you."
"Of course, Sam. That was the Demon Crowley, correct?"
"Yeah, that was him," Sam grimaced. "I don't know how he could have gotten in here…"
"That is a mystery," Albus mused. "We will increase the protection on the castle, so this does not happen again."
"It's not your fault," Sam assured. "The warding we put up should have kept him out."
"Okay. I need to talk to Dean and the others." Albus nodded and Sam left the room. He sprinted toward the staff quarters. "Dean?!"
Meanwhile, Jo lay naked on their bed, gasping Dean's name, as her fiancée knelt between her legs. Her fingers tangled in his hair as his tongue lapped and suckled her clit. He was about to slip another finger inside her when he heard his brother's urgent shout.
"What the-" Dean muttered. "Sorry babe." He quickly pulled on a shirt, boxers, and jeans.
"Dammit…." Jo frowned, breathing heavily.
"Sam, what the hell is going on?" Dean asked as he pulled the door open. He could see Mary and John coming out of their rooms too.
"Sam?" Mary asked.
"It's Crowley. He was here…." Sam panted.
"What?" Dean asked. That's when he really looked at his brother. Sam had bruises starting to form on his throat. His eyes were wide. "He did this to you?"
"He tried to kill me," Sam nodded. His heart was still racing in his chest, pounding against his ribcage and his breathing was harsh.
"Where is he now?" Mary put her hand on Sam's cheek.
"Gone. Albus came in, and he got the hell out of dodge."
John stood up. "We need to go check the warding. The bastard got in somehow." He went out to gather the other hunters.
"Are you okay man?" Dean asked Sam.
"Yeah. I think he tried to give me a heart attack or something…"
"Go check the warding with the others, Dean. I can take care of your brother." Mary nodded to her eldest.
"Okay," Dean nodded. Mary helped Sam to his room.
"I'm okay Mom," Sam assured. "Really. People try to kill us all the time."
Mary frowned. "That isn't something you should get used to." Sam laughed and shrugged. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm okay," Sam smiled and pulled Mary in for a hug. "I'm sorry if I scared you."
"It's okay Sammy," Mary smiled.
